Hi everybody!
Here´s the next (probably second but last - but maybe not) chapter - once again it took longer than I had thought. Believe it or not, the vampire alludes even MY attempts to kill him - LOL! If that does not show how dangerous he is... Anyway, I debated with myself whether or not to bend this chapter to my will, but I decided against it. If that means one additional chapter, I guess you´ll forgive me. And I swear I will bring him down!
Thank you all once again for your wonderful comments - I cannot tell you just how much fun they are to read! A big thanks also to those of you who voted for my story on the "hitlist" I did not even know existed until a wonderful fellow author pointed it out to me. This is so incredible - thanks!
Thank you also to Any, Trinka and Mor for their help.
Alright, enough rambling, on now to death and destruction...
Alinah
Rating: PG 13
Disclaimer: Not mine
Darkness veiled
The sound of hooves thundering in his ears, Elrond swiftly caught his balance and turned to see Faun charge Calen, who stood as if transfixed. The younger healer stared at the stallion with an expression that was completely devoid of fear. If anything, there was a hint of bemusement edged into the pale features, but his eyes glinted as if accepting a challenge. His calmness never faltering, Calen awaited the horse. "Aldartho, Calen, etmen!" [Don´t wait, Celen, out of the way!] Even while he uttered the warning, Elrond knew that it would come too late. Whether too shocked or still weakened from his injuries, the young healer did not react until there was no avoiding a collision.
At the last second, Calen did try to sidestep the stallion but the bulk of the horse´s breast caught him along the ribs, sending him crashing into the wall with a thud. Elrond reached the younger elf just as he staggered backwards, his eyes unfocused from the blow his head had received when it had connected with the wall. A thin trickle of blood oozed out of the corner of his mouth. Elrond caught Calen and lowered him to the ground while he quickly tried to assess the extend of the injuries. Even though he could not rule out any internal damage, some of his worries were eased when he saw Calen´s eyes clear quickly.
Faun was carried on by the drive of his attack and even though his shrill neigh of anger rang through the hallway mere heartbeats after he had connected with his foe, he only managed to slide to a stop and turn at the other end of the corridor, just narrowly avoiding tumbling down the stairs there. A group of elves were hurrying up the steps, alerted by the commotion, and looked upon the scene in as much bewilderment as Elrond felt. Still, the halfelf reacted quickly by pulling a dazed Calen to his feet and calling to the other elves: "Block his way!" He placed himself before his patient just in case his initial plan failed. Even though tired and shocked, the experienced healer within the elven lord would let nothing get to a wounded elf in his care.
No time or questions were lost and before Faun had recovered enough to renew his charge, he found his path cut off. He neighed again in anger and his hooves pawed the tiles in ear shattering bangs, but he did not attempt to hurt the elves who faced him. Elrond let out a low sigh of relief, thanking the Valar that his instincts had not failed him. Without ever taking his eyes off the stallion, he said: "Return to your room, Calen, and lock the door securely. Do not leave until I give the permission." He could feel the younger elf hesitate, but then light steps retreated behind him and a door opened and shut quietly, but by then the elven lord´s attention was already firmly locked upon the horse.
Faun snorted and threw back his head in agitation. His eyes rolled, showing white, and he reared ever so slightly, causing the elves in front of him to back away a few paces. Foam began to form at the animal´s mouth and flanks. Elrond frowned at the sight, an uncomfortable thought forming in his mind. He approached slowly, not saying a word, reaching out with the invisible forces within him that distinguished him from any mere healer. Faun calmed and turned his head towards the elven lord. Even though now motionless, none of the tension had left him and each muscle seemed drawn tight beneath the light fur.
The other elves silently cleared a path for Elrond and then left without a word at his slight nod of thanks. Elf and horse faced each, their eyes locked. Even as the healer stood still, preparing himself for a measure he had never taken on an animal before, a small voice at the back of his mind grew restless, whispered of hints missed and dangers near, but he silenced it. No matter what would be revealed to him, he stood firm in the belief that he could overcome it. He would not give evil the chance to dwell in his home, whatever form it might take. Very slowly, Elrond reached out and placed one hand on the stallion´s broad forehead. He began to listen, and as he did, the world receded around them and grew still, leaving no room for anything but the search that Elrond hoped would not reveal what he feared.
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Elladan felt a small movement beneath his arm and immediately his senses sprang to life, pulling him sharply out of the warm embrace that sleep had offered. His ascend to the waking world was so fast that he was sitting up, his eyes wildly searching for an enemy, before his mind had caught up with his body´s actions.
When it did, he fractionally relaxed, telling himself to calm and not alert the others in the room. The smell of athelas that gently wrapped him in a warm layer of comfort eased his mind. He could hear his father´s voice in the hallway not far away but did not strain to listen. Fading light filtered through the open windows and the breeze carried a chill that promised the arrival of a cool autumn night. Elrohir shifted again at his side, not waking but shivering in the fresh air. His eyes were closed in sleep, attesting to his still weak state. Elladan carefully reached for the blanket that had slipped from his brother´s shoulders and drew it up again.
A smile touched his lips when Elrohir snuggled into the offered warmth with a contend sigh and stilled, once again settling into the deep healing sleep he was in such dire need of. A strange sense of happiness washed over Elladan, glad that he could offer his twin protection, even it was from nothing but a chill. Reluctantly tearing his eyes from the now peaceful figure at his side, he let his eyes travel over the two other occupants of the lofty room. In the corridor, hoofbeats clattered over the tiled floor and a sudden smirk grew upon the elf´s face when he realized what had drawn his father from the chair he had inhabited before. His gaze immediately went to the counterpart of the stubborn duo.
Legolas lay so still in his sleep that the older elf had to concentrate to even make out the slight rise and fall of his chest. From what he could tell, the young prince had not moved at all from the last time he had laid eyes on him, and that had been a number of hours ago, in the morning. Certainly, this was partly due to the fact that Elrond had once again been forced to immobilize the broken leg that had worsened from all the movement it had been pushed through. Even still, Elladan felt a lingering sense of worry for his friend. There was nothing they could do for him now but let him rest, though.
In the bed next to him, Aragorn looked less still. The young man´s face reflected the livid dream he must be experiencing. He did not seem to suffer a nightmare, but pain flashed over his slightly flushed features whenever he moved in response to the images that danced before his sleeping eyes. Elladan knew that his human brother´s injuries were numerous, ranging from a concussion over a broken collarbone to a badly twisted knee. His healer´s senses told him that the young ranger might wake soon, and when he did, it would be to a lot of pain.
Elladan´s eyes sought out the table beneath the window where his father kept the healing herbs. He debated with himself whether he should rise and prepare something for Aragorn, without doubt disturbing Elrohir in the process, when a sharp neigh rang out in the hallway, closely followed by gasps and Elrond´s authoritarian voice. The older twin stiffened. His eyes fixed on the door. He did not even realize how he leaned over his brother´s sleeping form, effectively shielding him from anything that might find its way in.
His now fully awakened senses caught the sound of light elven footsteps approaching, and when the door opened it was Calen who stepped into the chamber. Elladan let out a sigh of relief. Keeping his voice low, he asked: "What in the Valar´s name is going on out there? I thought it was merely Faun trying to pay a visit to his master."
Calen started slightly at being addressed but quickly caught himself with an apologetic smile. His hand went to his mouth, wiping away a stain there, and he looked a bit dishevelled. When he answered, however, he mirrored the older twin´s subdued tone in a practiced healer´s fashion. "Elladan - it is good to see you awake, though I did not expect you to be." He threw a quick look around, taking in the still forms of the other patients. Some tension seemed to leave him as he did. Outside, loud bangs echoed in the hall as if a hoof was repeatedly knocked against the floor. "There is no need to worry", Calen explained, his attention turning to Elladan yet again, "it is indeed only one very impatient horse that is causing all this racket. Your father bid me come in and look after you while he calmed the unwanted visitor."
The young healer crossed the room to where the herbs were kept and began to busy himself preparing some of them. Elladan leaned back on his bed, but to his own surprise a lingering feeling of discomfort remained. Nay, it did not just remain. It grew as he watched Calen´s back while the other worked in silence. The older twin frowned. He tried to find the cause for his unease but failed. He could sense himself growing tired again but fought the feeling. Calen turned towards him, smiling. In the fading light the healer´s skin took on a sickly shade of white that starkly painted out his high cheekbones, giving him a gaunt look.
"You look unwell", Elladan remarked, frowning when he heard the slight slur in his words, "are you sure that you should be up already?" Calen chuckled at this. Outside, a small flock of birds that had been resting on the swaying branches of an oak took off, fluttering in distress and momentarily diverting Elladan´s attention. When he returned it to Calen, he flinched when he found the other elf leaning over him. The smile was still there, as were the shadows. The older twin found Elrohir´s trembling return, and even he could now feel a chilling cold. It had to be cool air spilling in through the windows.
"I am fine, I assure you." Calen´s smile widened. His teeth gleamed white when he bared them. "In fact, I have hardly ever felt any better. It must be the joy of saving Legolas´ precious life that warms me. You, however, still look exhausted." His eyes bore into Elladan´s. The older twin felt his tiredness grow heavy, pressing down upon his chest. Even so, a tiny part of him wondered whether Calen´s eyes had always been black. The color did not go well with his light hair.
"Here." Calen lifted a small cup to Elladan´s lips. "Drink this, it will help you to sleep." The drowsy elf felt a hand slipping beneath the back of his head, steadying it to help him drink, and a shock of cold passed through him. For the fraction of a second his mind cleared, and he felt a cloud of hunger encompass him with icy fingers, but then the cool liquid passed his lips and with it came darkness that dissolved all fear.
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Close. He was so close! The vampire had to restrain himself from simply abandoning all care and taking the one life that still stood between him and his new rise to strength and power, but he fought down his lust for the kill. Even though his strength was returning, it was still no match for the elven Lord who was just now trying his hand at calming that disturbing horse which had almost stripped him of his disguise. The demon smiled. There were times when he bowed his head to fate, remembering that it had always seemed to favour the dark forces.
How else could he explain that all tries to destroy him had failed? How else could one account for the renewed strength that beckoned to him from Mordor, stirring and rising as it gathered for a fresh attack on all that was light? And even for him, a tiny dark spot that marred the pureness of Imladris, fate seemed to even the path. He was well aware that it was a rare mixture of exhaustion, both mental and physical, that had diverted Erlond´s instincts enough to keep him from finding the force that disturbed his peace of mind.
Of course, it had really been Faun´s attack that had eased his path. Lord Elrond was a healer in more than just profession. In his very soul he felt a strong responsibility for all who were in need of his care. Allowing the enraged stallion to slightly hurt the body he now inhabited had been a small price to pay to arise Elrond´s fierce protection, drawing the elven lord´s attention to the one who had inflicted the damage, not the one who had suffered it. Had the demon planned this himself, it could not have been more perfect.
The vampire gazed down on Elrond´s sons, all asleep now and exposed to his anger. He relished the power that he had over them, the thought that he could take a knife to their throats and slit them open, using their warm blood to nurse his hunger. He had even toyed with the thought of using one of them instead of the Mirkwood prince, but he had abandoned that idea. No, in the long run Thranduil would be easier to fool than Elrond. Darkness ever closed in on the Woodland Kingdom, weighting down the acute senses of those who dwelled there. The source of a new darkness would be far more difficult to locate, and before anyone could, the vampire would have created enough of his kind to offer his Dark Lord a powerful gift.
He stepped closer to Legolas, gazing down on his pale features. His injuries had likened him already to what he would soon become. Yes, he was the right choice. And not only for Mirkwood´s sake. There was still the matter of his namesake, of their powerful connection that needed to be shattered for good...
The sound of an elven shout ripped the demon from his thoughts. With a vile curse dripping from his lips, he stepped to the window and saw the gates opening to reveal Glorfindel, galloping in with a number of warriors close behind. Numerous sacks had been thrown over their horses´ backs, and the presence of their contents sent a sharp bolt of anger through the vampire´s dark core. How dare they!
He growled as he stared down, but then froze as he realized his mistake and quickly stepped back in just the moment that the Balrog slayer´s head whipped up. The vampire all but felt the sharp gaze pass him by as it swept the window he had stood behind a mere heartbeat ago. Less exhausted than Elrond, Glorfindel was to be reckoned with, and the vampire was not fool enough to underestimate this foe. Hearing the rushed steps that quickly ascended the stairs to the house, the demon grabbed several herbs from Elrond´s supplies and then merged with the gathering shadows and slipped out of the opposite window, leaving nothing in his wake but a cold chill that hung in the air, dissolving slowly.
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Glorfindel rushed up the stairs with a sense of dread. He had clearly felt the dark presence near the young ones´ room, and the guilt that washed through him as he hastened to their aid was almost enough to divert his attention. He had not felt comfortable leaving Imladris this morning, even though Elrond had assured him that the wounded were on their way to recovery. He had not doubted his friend´s judgement, and neither could it be denied that a great shadow had been lifted off the valley, signalling their foe´s defeat. Even so, both he and Elrond had not experienced the expected sense of security.
There had been no need to reveal that strange doubt to one another as they had shared it with each gaze they exchanged. Elrond had argued that any remaining threat might well stem from the lake the evil had risen from. The logic was not to be denied, and so Glorfindel had taken a group of warriors to seek out the evil place and unravel any secrets it might hold, but he had done so with the lingering feeling of abandoning a position he should have remained guarding.
Now, all but flying up the familiar stairs, he cursed his lack to fully react to his instincts. The elves he passed looked upon him in bewilderment, but he did not seek their aid. Whatever awaited him would not yield to strength of arms, of that he was certain. Finally having reached the hallway that lead to his destination, he was surprised to find Elrond standing in its shadows, completely still, apparently connected to Faun in a healer´s trance. The light horse did not stir when Glorfindel came closer, and neither did the healer.
"Elrond, eyn-nin!" [Elrond, your sons!] The sharp cry ripped the healer from his trance and he was only steps behind his friend when they burst into the young ones´ chamber - to find nothing more sinister than a rippling chill. Two frantic pairs of eyes made sure that none of the wounded had been harmed further, then the two elves stood still, reaching out with their senses to track down any lingering threat. There was none.
"I can feel the evil´s aftermath like a foul smell in the air." Elrond´s words, uttered after a long silence that had seen the gloom around them turn to the darkness of night, were full of derision. Glorfindel knew well where it was directed. "Do not blame yourself for seeking the evil in the wrong place", he said silently, "for so did I. This demon is a master of hiding." "Aye", Elrond agreed darkly, "and a master of survival. A spark of him was left unslain."
Through the open window, the Bruinen´s distant call seemed mournful as it mingled anger and sadness, and in a quiet room in Imladris, once again hidden well beneath the glow of the good soul that once had inhabited its stolen body, the vampire laughed. The darkness of night gathered around him and the wind rose, making the light curtains billow and twist in the breeze. The vampire stepped ahead and breathed in the odour of blackness. He had achieved much, if not all he had aimed for, and now all would depend on his cunning. His patience was being tried, but he would prevail.
Movement flashed beyond the walls that gathered around the Last Homely House, and the demon´s hunger rose within him yet again. A hunger that might serve well to create the diversion he needed. He stretched, and the fair elven body seemed to grow as it drank in the darkness until all light was doused and nothing remained but a black shell. Whispered words beckoned the fell winds to rise and they faithfully answered the call. Covered by the veil of night, the ghostly shape rose and was swept away on the fleeting wings.
As the fair valley rolled beneath it, white fangs sprang from the delicate elven jaws and salvia began to drip when an old deer came into sight, too weak to put up much of a fight. The vampire descended upon its prey, seeing it transform, the brown fur of the neck it cruelly ripped apart turning to white skin. The demon growled savagely while it drank, wrapping its lithe form around the beast´s back when it came crushing down, kicking helplessly in its fruitless attempts to outrun death. In front of the vampire´s mind´s eye, the huge, dark eyes begging his mercy turned blue and he laughed, blood spilling over his chest, relishing the sheer beauty of the kill to come.
TBC
Review responses:
Ertia: Welcome back! LOL, yes, the eyebrow just "popped up" in my mind when I was writing this - I guess even elves develop habits ;-)
Moralinde: Good question - I assure you that I had planned to kill it in this chapter but it fled. Lol. I´m hot on his heels though, so don´t worry. Aragorn will get to do his heroic deed (yet another one) in the next chapter, or so I think.
Beling: Actually, I rather enjoy writing Faun and his sometimes slightly "unbecoming" behaviour. That horse is fun!! And , thankfully, not possessed. Thanks for commenting on Galad a Duath, too - hannon le, mellon-nin!
NightShadow131: Well, Legolas is still in danger alright but not from the inside, lol! He will realize that soon enough, poor elf. :) Good thing he has friends to help him, one having four legs instead of two.
Tychen: Insanity!? That does not shock me at all, aren´t we all a bit insane? No problem, mellon-nin, you are in good company. LOL, now I keep hearing that song in my head when I write the vampire! And don´t worry, once I have finally succeeded in killing this vampire there is definitely more to come. I´m insane too, you know. I just cannot stop writing ;-)
Elvingirl 3737: Thanks! And yes, there will be more. Two direct sequels to "The Beckoning" are already clearly mapped out, and who knows what else will pop into my head...
Candidus-lupus-full Moon: Thanks - I´m very glad you do!
Mornflower: LOL, no, I think we can safely say now that Faun does not like Calen - or at least not what he has become. Poor horse, how annoying for him that he cannot tell anybody. Thanks for your comment!
White Wolf1: Hey, good to know that "trick" worked on you! Actually, poor Calen was written to be sacrificed for Legolas from the start (hence their similar looks), I felt a bit guilty about that - you know those old Star Trek episodes when there was always ONE unnamed character along? You always knew what would happen - Calen had a similar fate, bad me!
Someone Reading: If anything was perfect, it was your review. Wow. Thank you. I am very much into horses myself and I am very aware that there are some very distinct characters among them, so it is a joy to write about Faun and Gwaef. I will definitely keep them for future stories.
I felt a bit torn about Elrond not immediately realizing where the threat lies. But then again, the vampire is cunning and "shrouds" himself in what still lingers of Calen´s soul. Plus, I guess that even elven senses grow a bit dull when the person in question is exhausted, and I put Elrond through a lot. I hope I did not offend anybody by writing him like this. Anyway, now they know but how can they react?!
Deana: Thank you! And as for the "ow" - erm, yes, very much so, and maybe even more to come. I cannot help it, lol.
Thank you all ((hugs)). Now I´ll be off hunting the vampire again, and this time I´ll get him!