Yay, OVER 6 reviews! So I have updated. And I'm going to stick to that from now on I think. Once I get 6 reviews, I shall update. Ok?
I can feel boredom starting to settle in now, can't you? My friend just gave a new, random idea for a new story – an Orc that falls in love. And I have actually started writing it! No, it is not a humour. I shall put a brief description of it at the end of this chapter, but for now, on with Runaways.
Lainfaer
DaydreamingTurtle – Glad you're happy! Lol. Thanks for reviewing.
Lothliana – You're back from France! Yay! And Johnny is just a bad. I have a lot more names in store, but for age reasons etc, I cannot put them on this page. But you know what I'm like.
ME! Hurt Leggy! Never!!!!! Teeheehee………
Here are some tissues, just in case you start crying. You never know……
Thanks for reviewing.
Inwe – You reviewed twice! Cool. And happy birthday! 3 younger siblings? I'm guessing they're hard work! I think I have heard Hello, I'm not sure. Is it on the Fallen album? If so, then yes I have heard it! A lot of their songs are quite sad. Thanks for reviewing.
Rayame325 – Yup, he's gone! No problem about not reviewing. Thanks for reviewing now though! Lol.
C.L. – How on EARTH did you managed to give me……7 reviews all saying the same thing? Well, I'm glad you think the story is nice, and that the plot is good! Thanks for reviewing.
feanen – Interesting? I like that. Thanks for reviewing.
Mayrana – Yup, RHDLAF! Yeah, we should start advertising. ANYONE WANNA JOIN SIGN HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good enough?
Wedding dresses! Me love wedding dresses! You DO have pierced ears? Well so do I! We have something else in common, apart from stalking sexy Elves a lot! And the perfume is lovely, thank you. Hmm, I wonder what Leggy'll give me……
Here, have a mithril tiara to go with the dress. Couldn't find a decent one in the shop, so had Gimli make you one. Is it ok? I thought it suited the white and twinkliness of your dress!
Thanks for reviewing, and we musty go shopping for bouquets and other wedding stuff later!
Lil Goddess Thalia – death threats? Uh oh………
I REALLY hope I updated quickly enough. Cos if I die, I won't be able to finish the story. Thanks for reviewing.
ShadowStar12 – Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long. Thanks for reviewing.
Chapter 5: Missing.
We pray for our fathers, pray for our mothers
Wishing our families well
We sing songs for the wishing, of those who are kissing
But not for the missing
So this one's for all the lost children
This one's for all the lost children
This one's for all the lost children, wishing them well
And wishing them home
So pray for all the lost children
Let's pray for all the lost children
Just think of all the lost children, wishing them well
This is for all the lost children.
This one's for all the lost children
Just think of all the lost children
Wishing them well, and wishing them home.
Brilmír headed up to her sons' room to inform him of the good news. It was New Years Day, the sun was shining, and she knew he would be happy for her and his father.
"Legolas?" She knocked lightly on the door. "Legolas are you awake yet?"
No answer. She frowned. He was never a late riser, and he had not been into the stables this morning. The stable hands had told her so themselves. Also, Rodmín had escaped during the night again, and was now gone for good.
Shame, she thought. He was such a beautiful horse.
"Legolas!" She called a bit louder, knocking again.
When she received no reply again, she sighed, and opened the door.
The room was deserted. The bed had not been slept in; the sheets and pillows completely crease-free. A candle had burnt itself out on the bedside table, and the balcony doors were shut. Her eyes then drifted to the small envelope lying on the pillow, next to a sprig of fresh holly.
She ran to the bed and grabbed the letter. It was sealed with Legolas' stamp, and it was his handwriting on the front.
Adar a Naneth.
Father and Mother?
"What the…?" She sat down on the edge of his bed, and turned the envelope over, handling it as if it was as delicate as a butterfly. She was all of a sudden almost afraid to open it and read the contents.
She peeled open the back, and took out the piece of parchment. As her eyes scanned over her sons' message, her hands started to tremble. They gripped the letter more tightly, crinkling the edges.
"No!" she screamed and jumped to her feet. Running out of the room, she ran down the corridor, tears streaming down her porcelain cheeks. Ignoring everyone's' confused stares, she ran down the stairs and out into the courtyard.
"No! Legolas!" she screamed. "Legolas! Legolas!"
From his study, Thranduil heard his wife screaming in the courtyard. He ran out onto his balcony.
"My Lady?" Maenherdir rushed up to the Queen. "My Lady, what on earth is the matter?"
"He's gone," she sobbed, clutching the letter. "My son…has gone. Legolas!" She started running towards the woods.
"My Lady!" Maenherdir ran after her.
Thranduil was about to turn and run from his study, but then decided against it. Instead, he took the short route. He jumped from his balcony, onto the beech tree by his window and climbed down that way.
Blimey, haven't done that in a few years…
"Brilmír!" he yelled. "Brilmír, what is the matter?"
She stopped running and turned to her husband. "Legolas…" she whispered.
Thranduil hurried up to her and took her into his arms. "Melamin what is wrong? What about Legolas? Tell me what is wrong." By now, the whole courtyard had gone silent, watching and waiting.
"He's gone," she sobbed onto his shoulder. "My baby has gone..."
"What do you mean, gone?"
"Run away."
"What?!" Thranduil held his wife at arm's length. "How…when…why?"
She held out the letter. "Read," she whispered.
He took the rather crumpled piece of parchment and read it. Once he had finished, he stood there in silence for a few moments, then looked at his wife. "Why?" he asked in a whisper. "Why has he done this?"
"My son is gone," she whispered, the tears building up. "My little Greenleaf has run away…because of us…" She stared at him for a few moments, then collapsed in a dead faint on the floor.
Thranduil rushed to her side. "Get the healers ready," he told Maenherdir. He nodded and ran inside.
Thranduil lifted his wife up and bore her away into the palace. At the top of the steps, he stopped and turned to the silent crowd. "My son has gone," he announced in a choked voice. "He has run away. Please, anyone who sees him, bring him home. Find my son!"
Murmurs passed through the assembled as their King went back into his palace. But they got to work immediately. Patrols were issued to go out and search. People were volunteering in their hundreds to help look for the runaway Prince. He was dearly loved; he just didn't know it.
It's going well so far. In just a couple of hours, Rodmín and I have made it past three sets of guards without any problems. As we get nearer the border, the amount of patrols will drop. I am constantly heading in an Easterly direction, making for Celille's village. I have felt a few pangs of regret at leaving without saying good-bye properly, but there is no turning back now. It is too late for second thoughts. I just hope Naneth is ok.
For the next few days, we wander on, avoiding the border patrols and the spiders. Along the way, we have a few encounters with the creatures of the forest, but, apart from the spiders, they generally leave us alone. There was one particularly nasty spider, which only ran away after I had slashed it several times, and Rodmín had kicked it in the abdomen. That was what finally sent it on its way, limping as it left. It seems Rodmín and I make rather a good team.
You can tell the New Year is here. Snowdrops are beginning to grow, even though it still quite early. I can see winter honeysuckle growing in places, as well as other winter flowers.
Without warning, the edge of the wood arrived. I patted Rodmín's' neck affectionately, congratulating him on getting me through. There was now a clear path marked out, showing the route to the human villages. I picked the central one, and headed in that direction, hood up as always.
At first, the path was completely empty and silent except for the sound of Rodmín's' hooves on the gravely earth. However, I could soon hear the sounds of people up ahead. We were nearing our first village.
Children playing and laughing. That was what I could hear. As I drew nearer, signs that humans were around became clearer. The fields were being tended, and horses were grazing in the various pastures. As I rounded the final corner, I saw the children running round a yard, filled with chickens and other people. I pulled my hood further down over my face, just in case.
As I rode in, they stopped their playing and stared at me, wonderment written all over their tiny faces. I smiled to myself. Rodmín must seem rather large to them!
One of the boys walked up to me. "Mornin' Sir," he grinned. "You wanna room Sir?"
"No thank you. I was just passing through," I replied. "Actually, what village is this?"
"Befret Sir."
"Oh good. This was where I was trying to get to. Could you tell me where I can find your leader?"
"This way Sir." He took Rodmín by the bridle and led me through the amazed crowd. Rodmín started prancing a little, enjoying all the attention.
"No-maer," I whispered. "Deri-ha." (Be good. Stop it.)
He stopped prancing, but there was a definite regal air to his walk still.
The small boy led me through the rather crowded streets, and we eventually came to a large building, the largest in the whole village I was sure.
"Here we are Sir," he said.
"Thank you." I hand him a silver coin. He grins and runs back to his friends. I smile to myself and slide down off of Rodmín. "Dartho-sí. No-avon and." (Stay here. I will not be long.)
He nodded, and I hurried up the steps into the large wooden building.
Inside it was quite cool, but I was naturally unaffected by it. I kept my hood up as I walked through the various corridors, until at last I came to a large oak door. From beyond it, I could hear voices.
"We promised Connyn we would look after her. And now she has run away. There has been no sight, nor sound of her for many days now."
"Do you think we are too late? The creatures of the forest may have got her."
"No, she's strong. She may be only ten, but she has a strong heart and a strong mind. Just like her father."
"So, she think she is still alive?"
"Aye, I do."
"She may head towards the Elves. Back to Mirkwood Palace."
"Quite possible."
"She wouldn't get past the guards."
They're talking about Celille. They clearly haven't found her yet. I decide to make my entrance. I knock lightly on the door.
"Enter." I recognise the voice as Gaenry's, but he sounds tired. I walk in and shut the door behind me.
Five men are seated at a large table. They are all about thirty I guess, with long floppy hair and dark eyes. Papers are strewn all over said table, and there is a goblet and plate in front of each man. Gaenry sits at the head, but there is an empty seat on his right. I am guessing that was Connyn's seat.
"Good morning Sirs," I say politely, inclining my head to them. "Sorry to interrupt, but I am here on a matter of urgent business."
"And what business is that?" Gaenry asks. "Remove your hood."
I ignore that order and move closer to the table. "I wish to help search for the little Lady Celille."
"And how would you know Celille?" another man asks on Gaenry's left.
I turn my head to him. "Let's just we are…friends, of a sort."
"Who are you?" Gaenry asks. "I recognise your voice."
"You should do," I reply, removing my hood.
"Prince Legolas! What on earth are you doing here? We received messages you had run away!"
News travels fast…
"I have. And no message is going to get from here to my father that you have seen me. Is it?" I put on my stern face.
They all shake their heads. "Of course not my Lord," they mutter in unison.
Hey, I'm making quite an impression! Go Royal Blood! Perhaps being a Prince isn't so bad after all…
"Good. Now, as I am sure you are all aware, Celille and I got on very well when you visited us. I heard she was missing, and so wish to look for her."
"Anyone who is willing to help may do so," Gaenry told me. "However, we have no idea where she is…"
"I have experience in tracking," I interrupt. "If you show me where you have got up to, I can follow her trail from there."
"And if you find her…?" The man talking was sat nearest me on the left side of the table.
"I shall return her to you, if she wishes to come back. If she does not, I will try and persuade her otherwise. I understand how much you all love her, and so I will get her back here somehow."
"If you do achieve this, what do you want in return?" Gaenry asks me.
"Nothing. Just that no word of me reaches my father's ear. If he finds out I have been here, he will send many guards here to look for me. I do not want that to happen."
"But my Lord, why have you run away?" the third man asks.
"It is a long story, but basically, I cannot live there anymore. I just had to get out. Now, I shall set off immediately."
"Do you want food? Water, weapons?" Gaenry asks me.
"Some provisions would be a great help. Thanks you." I smile, and he smiles in return.
"This meeting is adjourned for now," he announces and stands, as does everyone else. They file out past me, and then I follow Gaenry at the back.
He leads me out of the council building and down the steps. Rodmín is still waiting patiently at the bottom, although now, he is surrounded by children, all trying to pet him on the neck.
I sigh. "Typical."
Gaenry beside me laughs. "Your horse has proven to be quite popular."
"So it would seem. Rodmín!"
He looks over at me, and trots over, the children following. I stroke his neck, then lead him by the reins as I follow Gaenry through the village.
"I shall take you to the main kitchens in the village," he informs me. "Once a month, we have a village get-together. We all go into the Northern Field and have a party. The kitchens are here to make all the food."
"Sounds like a good way of life to me," I say.
It does not take us long to reach the kitchens, and when we arrive, all the woman try to overload me with food and drink. "Woah ladies!" I say. "This is far too much! I appreciate your generosity, but I cannot carry all of this with me."
Between us, we manage to sort out what I could and could not take. Then, I re-mount Rodmín and say my good-byes. "Remember Gaenry, not a word," I remind him.
"Of course not my Lord."
"I am putting all my trust in you."
"I promise I shall not let your secret be known. As for the rest of my people, well…I'll talk to them."
"Thank you. I am eternally grateful. Now, I must go and look for Celille." I dig my heels into Rodmín's' flanks, and we canter out of the village.
Gaenry is a dude! And Leggy has gone in search of stubborn Celille. The story is really starting to get…started. And now, as promised, the preview of my latest project about an Orc falling in love.
Many, many years ago, I was captured. Tortured, beaten, raped…you name it; it was done to me. They turned me into one of them. A monster, an ugly beast. Slowly, I lost my beauty. My fair skin became black and wrinkled. My once crystalline eyes turned red and yellow like dragon eyes. I grew fatter, broader, and some of my strength dwindled.
Yes, I used to be an Elf. Then the Orcs imprisoned me and turned me into one of their own. I don't think they meant to though. I was just holding on for so long that I changed. I refused to die.
I thought someone would find me, rescue me, but no. No one came; no one saved me from my hell. I was alone to live with my pain. My mind and soul were twisted; my spirit became one of evil and darkness, no longer joy and light. I lost my lovely, long dark hair. You could never see it beneath the helmet anyway.
I do not know how many years I had been there, but it seemed an eternity. It wasn't fair. I wanted to go home, I wanted to live again, but these creatures had taken that away from me. I could never return to Rivendell like this. I would be shot on sight.
Throughout all this, my heart was the only part of me that stayed truly Elven. I was holding onto what I had once been. I would never be completely Orc. I could not fall that far. I would not let my heart be taken as well.
I think that'll do for now. Get the basics? An Elf, who was captured years and years ago, tortured so much she became an Orc, and will one day fall in love. But I'm not sure who or what with yet. Sound good? Tell me in a review please. Until next time…
Lainfaer