Disclaimer: I own nothing. N-O-T-H-I-N-G.
((((((((((((((Chapter 2))))))))))))))))
In the palace, Legolas and Cefielle were still walking, speaking energetically. Cefielle had asked of his adventure with the ring, and Legolas had eagerly told her each tale.
"You've seen much, Legolas." Cefielle admired. "Sometimes I still wish I could have adventures like that. But then I remember the one I had."
"That was more like a nightmare." Legolas said.
Cefielle nodded unexpectantly. "It is. I do have nightmares about it."
"Do you?"
"Yes!" The girl replied. "They're terrible. I keep dreaming that Celidur…or Mithrendol…that he comes back and he kills me for betraying him."
"He betrayed you and left you to die first." Legolas said seriously. "But he's dead now, Cefielle. He can't come back. It's impossible."
"I know." Cefielle replied. "But still my heart is gripped in fear."
Legolas nodded, but didn't know how to comfort her. He knew as well as she did that Mithrendol was dead and gone. But he couldn't blame her for still being afraid.
"So…what's in your journal, that you must hide?" Cefielle asked suddenly.
Legolas blinked. "What?"
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." The girl replied quickly. "I was just curious."
"I don't mind." Legolas said. "It's just as it seems…a journal. I've had it for nearly all my life. It's not yet full."
"Not yet full?" Cefielle echoed. "But you should have been able to fill it ten times over by now."
"I don't write in it very much." Legolas said simply. "I save it for only the most important things."
Cefielle nodded. "Well, then I suppose you have lots of writing to do, don't you?"
Legolas thought back to the previous events of the last 8 months. "Yes, I do."
Cefielle smiled. "I'll leave you then. I have things to be done as well." She bowed gracefully to him, and Legolas bowed in return.
"Good day!" She called as she tiptoed down the hall, back towards her room. She and Legolas had really only gone in a large circle during their long talk, so she didn't need any assistance finding it.
Upon returning, she was faced with the accusing stares of her sisters.
"What?" She asked cluelessly.
Naurielle and Nenielle looked at each other knowingly. "You were with the Prince for an awfully long time, Cefielle." Nenielle teased.
"Yes, what where you doing with him?" Naurielle added. She laughed.
Gwelwielle, who was resting on her bed, threw a pillow at her two sisters. "Girls, stop it."
But the damage had already been done. Cefielle was blushing terribly. "We simply had a conversation, that was all!"
Naurielle waved a hand in front of her. "Oh, stop faking it, Cefielle." She said. "We know how you feel about him. You've been waiting for him to return ever since we came here."
"The Prince is handsome, noble and brave." Cefielle shot back. "Why shouldn't I like him?"
Nenielle laughed. "Cefielle, 'like' doesn't even begin to describe it!"
"Answer my question, then!" Cefielle said angerly. "Why shouldn't I care for him?"
Naurielle faked a shrug. "Oh…perhaps because he's the one responsible for the deaths of our mother and father, the destruction of our home, and the security of our people?"
Gwelwielle threw another pillow at her sister. "Oh, stop it already! Mother told us everything before she died, and it wasn't all Prince Legolas's fault."
"Yes, if he had not come to our home and did what he did, we all would be dead." Cefielle agreed.
"You don't know that." Naurielle argued. "You're just made blind because of his beauty."
Cefielle bit her lip and didn't say anything more. Silently, she turned towards the door and walked back out. Naurielle grinned, but then cried out as yet another pillow struck her in the head.
"You are terrible." Gwelwielle said angerly to her.
Cefielle walked quckly and silently towards the gardens, pushing the tears back into her eyes until she got there. It had been her place of comfort ever since she and her people had arrived here in Eryn Lasgalen. Right now the sun was just beginning to say goodbye to the day, and the trees glowed orange in the sunset. Cefielle made her way to a small stone bench among the wildflowers and finally let the tears slip from her eyes.
High above her, a crow rested in the branches of a beech tree. In it's beak was held the vial of the Nazgul. Turning his head, the crow gazed down upon the poor elf maiden weeping on the forest floor below.
The contents of the vial began to glow brighter, but the crow paid now heed to it. It soundlessly flew down to a lower branch.
Suddenly, the elf girl was joined by another figure on the ground.
Cefielle gasped and her head shot up as she heard someone approach. "Who is it?" She asked, sounding fearful.
"Be not afraid, Lady Cefielle, for it is just I." As she watched, another elf appeared from beyond the palace gates. It was Andavar, one of those that Cefielle knew as a palace guard.
"Do you wish to be left alone?" The other elf asked uncomfortably, seeing the still-wet tears on the girl's face.
Cefielle looked at him for a moment longer, and then shook her head. She knew Andavar fancied her, and although she very much preferred Legolas, she didn't have the heart to dismiss him.
Andavar smiled. He wouldn't tell her this, but he had followed her here after witnessing her rushing through the palace halls as if a Balrog was on her heels. And he had been quite intrigued by her ever since he had first laid eyes on her, 7 months ago. He slowly approached her and sat down on the stone bench next to her.
"Why are you crying, Milady?" Andavar asked softly.
"I would rather not discuss it." Cefielle said flatly, clasping her hands in her lap.
"Oh." Andavar said, feeling foolish.
The crow up in the tree watched with interest. The vial in its beak was still pulsing, faster and brighter now. The crow again took no notice, however, and hopped onto a branch that was directly above the couple on the ground, listening.
Suddenly, the vial flashed very brightly, like a star expanding and exploding, catching the crow off guard and temporarily blinding it. The bird flapped it's wings in distress and the bottle was accidentally slipped from it's beak. It dropped towards the elves below.
"Would you like to come inside with me?" Andavar was saying. "It will become dark soon, and although the forest has been cleansed of Sauron's spirit, there are still evil creatures that lurk about in the dark."
Cefielle looked at him and was about to politely decline, when out of the corner of her eye she saw something dropping towards them from the canopy.
"Andavar!" She cried, but it was too late. The object plunged down and crashed into the stone bench between them, shattering and spilling it's contents.
Cefielle shrieked and nearly fell off the edge of the bench, but Andavar was not fazed and stared at the object in wonder.
"What is it?" Cefielle asked breathlessly. Then, looking at it further, she corrected herself. "What was it?"
Andavar stared. "I don't know." He said. It had appeared to be a glass or vial of some sort, but he could not tell the make of it, for it had been smashed to bits when it made contact with the stone bench. But across the bench were the vial's contents…something that Andavar couldn't describe. It was some sort of thick liquid…and it was glowing.
Slowly, he reached out and touched it. It was warm, and it stuck to his fingers. Then, it began to increase in brightness.
"Andavar…" Cefielle asked warily.
Andavar didn't answer. The liquid on his fingers and on the bench pulsed and brightened, as if alive. He was about to open his mouth to say something to Cefielle when he felt pain.
Cefielle screamed when she saw the liquid move on it's own, up Andavar's arm, sinking into his skin. He screamed too, but out of pain. Cefielle watched as he gripped his head tightly and sank off the bench to the ground. Then all was silent.
"Andavar?" She asked frantically. "Andavar, are you alright?"
Andavar didn't answer for a moment. But then he slowly took his hands away from his head, looking at them as if confused. He rubbed his head and then looked up. Remarkably, he was smiling.
"Andavar?" Cefielle repeated, still worried despite his positive expression. "Are you alright?"
Andavar got up off the ground, still grinning. He brushed the shards of the shattered vial off the stone bench and sat next to her once again.
"Yes, Lady Cefielle." He answered. "I'm fine."
Cefielle gasped. There was some way he said her name that seemed familiar. It unnerved her. "Good." She stammered. "I'm glad. I…I must leave now."
Andavar nodded as she stood, but stayed where he was. He watched her with hungry, blazing eyes as she rushed away. Turning back, he looked at his hands again.
"Yes…better than ever." He sneered.
((((((((((((((((((((((
Back inside the palace, Legolas had been able to find a room with another one of his friends, Halirod. He was also a palace guard. Many of the palace guards or servants had residence right in the palace, as the King and his family did. Right now Legolas was busily trying to remember all of the events that had taken place over the last 8 months and write them in his journal.
"Can't I see?" Halirod teased, peeking over the Prince's shoulder.
Legolas quickly covered up his writing. "Halirod, please."
"Please what?" Jested the other elf. "Remember, you are taking residence in my chamber, so you have to obey my rules."
Legolas turned in his chair and grinned. "Well, as your Prince, I order you to obey my wishes." He returned.
Halirod only laughed. He was not an elf to be taken seriously. He was always the one with the last, biting comment or the grin in a serious situation. He also, unlike other elves, was very talkative.
"But all you are writing about is the wars, isn't it?" He asked. "Why must you keep secrets about that? Hm?"
"I don't know." Legolas answered. "I guess I'm just a very private person."
"I see." Halirod said. "But if not about the wars, then what do you write in that thing that is so secret? Poems for you lover, Legolas?" The guard giggled as the Prince sent him a killing glare.
"You know I'm not seeing anyone, Halirod." He said calmly.
"Of course…" Halirod answered, not believing him.
"You know, I could write about more interesting things…" Legolas began with a grin. "…like your affair with that seamstress."
Halirod's laughter caught in his throat. "You were gone when that happened! Who told you?"
"Andavar." Legolas replied. "Now, please, be at peace. I have much to write."
Halirod shrugged. "Fine. I have to be off anyway." The elf jumped off the bed and trotted over to the door. Then he turned around. "Say, have you seen Andavar anywhere? He's got a beating coming to him if what you said is true."
Legolas was absorbed in his writing. "No." He said, shaking his head.
Again, Halirod shrugged, and then walked out the door. He walked slowly to the armory, where he would pick up his guard's uniform and weapons. He didn't have a reason to hurry, for he didn't have to start guard duty until the sun was completely down.
When Halirod did reach the armory, what he saw inside surprised him. Andavar was there, eyeing the spears that were hung aloft on a rack.
"Andavar?" He asked. "What are you doing here? Your shift ended this afternoon."
Andavar looked at him, seemingly very confused. "Oh…I—I was posted as a replacement. I'm guarding tonight too."
Halirod raised his eyebrow but then grinned. "Ah. Who had to be replaced? I haven't heard anything."
Andavar shook his head. "I don't know. I wasn't told."
Halirod smiled. "Well, looks like we will be standing out in the dark together then, my friend!" He patted Andavar on the back, and then turned away, leaning over a table in the room for a weapon.
That's when Andavar took out the dagger he had hidden behind his back. With a fierce grin he raised it over Halirod's back, ready to plunge it into the other elf's flesh. But suddenly Halirod spoke.
"I got kicked out of my own chambers," He said, not looking at the elf behind him wielding the knife. "I think I made a mistake in allowing Legolas to room with me."
Andavar's eyes widened and he nearly lost his grip on the knife when he heard that name. "Legolas?" He asked, lowering the knife and placing it again behind his back. "Prince Legolas?"
Halirod turned and rolled his eyes at his friend. "No, the other Legolas." He jested.
"He's rooming with you?" Andavar asked, not laughing.
Halirod nodded. "Yes! I told you this! What, are you jealous?"
Andavar didn't say anything. Halirod thought that strange. He and Andavar usually enjoyed throwing insults back and forth when they were on guard duty together.
"Andavar, are you alright?" Halirod asked. "You are acting most strange."
Andavar's mouth widened into a grin. "I'm fine." He answered softly. Then his hand lashed out and gripped Halirod tightly around the throat.
Halirod cried out, but it was not enough to be heard through the thick armory door. He struggled, but Andavar again pulled out his knife and struck him on the head with the hilt, stunning him. He then dropped the dagger to the floor, knowing if he kept it in his hands it could be the death of him…again.
Andavar grinned. "Hold still." He whispered evilly. "This will feel a bit strange."
Halirod groggily looked up at his friend, who was leaning in closer. "Andavar…what?" He choked out.
Andavar tightened his grip on the other elf's throat and leaned his face dangerously close to Halirod's.
"The name…" He said proudly as he opened his mouth wide. "…is Mithrendol."
Halirod suddenly felt a paralyzing pain deep in his breast. He tried to call out for help but no sound came. He tried to push Andavar off him, but he was weakened and stunned. Halirod felt a warmth gathering inside him and pushing up his throat, into his mouth. Then he saw it…light! Flowing light, flowing right out of his mouth and into Andavar's!
What is happening?! Halirod thought, panic gripping him. What is Andavar doing? Why is he doing this?
Halirod suddenly couldn't feel his body any longer. He felt the hand around his throat loosen but couldn't move. Then his eyesight blurred, and finally disappeared.
Am I dead? He thought. He got his answer when he felt a powerful blow to his stomach. It drove him against the wall, and knocked him down.
Feeling again returned to his body, and Halirod opened his eyes. He gazed up and saw a familiar pair of boots in front of him.
Aren't those mine? He wondered stupidly. Then he looked up fully, into the face of…himself.
"Valar!" He gasped.
The face that had once belonged to him grinned. "The Valar cannot help you…" His doppelganger frowned. "…whoever you are. What is your name?"
Halirod stared up in disbelief. "Who are you?" He asked.
The other Halirod rolled his eyes. "I already told you. My name is Mithrendol." He leaned down and again gripped the stunned Halirod by the throat, hoisting him up and pressing him against the wall.
"Now…" He said, with a grin full of malice. He reached behind him and grabbed the dagger he had dropped onto the table, displaying it menacingly. "What is your name? I need it."
"Halirod." The other, frightened elf blurted.
The one who had called himself Mithrendol, the one that had Halirod's own face, grinned again. "Good."
Then with a flick of his wrist, he shoved he dagger into Halirod's chest. It buried itself in flesh until he hilt itself was bloody.
Halirod gasped, and made a sick sound in the back of his throat. Mithrendol let go of his throat and let him fall to the armory floor.
Mithrendol cocked his head and observed the body he had been a part of only minutes ago. He hoped this one he had just taken was better looking.
Turning his eyes to the table full of weapons, Mithrendol smiled. Looks didn't matter, at least not now. This elf—Halirod, he had called himself—had stated himself that Prince Legolas was staying with him in his chamber. That confused Mithrendol a bit. He would have thought a Prince would have a room to himself.
Mithrendol shrugged his newly acquired shoulders. Of course, he had missed a lot. It had to have been a long while since his soul was first placed in that bottle. For him it had seemed like an eternity.
Mithrendol thought with a deep frown back to the day he had come closer to death than ever before.
And I've been close to death. He thought to himself.
That little wench that had been his lover had run him through. It must have taken her a lot of gawl to do that, he decided. He couldn't believe it was her that had done it when he saw her. And then he died.
Died. An ugly word. A word Mithrendol didn't like.
His soul had left his stolen body, and was floating but a little above the heads of his enemies before a lone Nazgul had captured him in that wretched vial. Mithrendol wondered again how long it had been since then.
Grasping the hilt of a sword that rested on the table, Mithrendol looked into the reflective blade and observed what the body he now occupied looked like. He frowned. This elf wasn't the most handsome out there either.
Mithrendol placed the sword back on the table. What did it matter? Soon, he would have what he wanted. Soon, he told himself, he would have a perfect face, a title to be proud of, and best of all, revenge.
((((((((((((((((Personal thing)))))))))))))))))))))
Eh? Eh? How's that for ya'll? Oh, that word I used, doppleganger (look! The little star thingy!) means like a twin, a double, or someone the same as you, but an evil. The word fits Mithrendol perfectly, don't it? Ah…now for some replies…I actually wanted to do this…but I don't know if I'll be able to do this for every chapter…but why am I going on and on about it…here I go…
FieryIceAngewomon: Thank you! Thank you for the good luck as well! I'll need it to update frequently! LOL.
Starknight: LOOUUUIIIIIIIISEEEEEEEEEE!!!! Oh my god you've graduated! I wasn't there, but someone who was said that lots of people cried! Congrats! I love you! I'm so gonna miss you! But yaay!! You're back online now, so I can talk to you again! Yay! Well, as of today (the third of June) I only have my Amer. Lit. Final to take. But that will be easy. I'm pretty sure I failed my Chem. Final on Wednesday, though.
I can't wait till you update again! I'll be a rabid reader!! What gory-violent-sci-fi movie comes out? It's that "Day After Tommorow" one isn't it? I heard the ending really sucked. But if I had the money, I'd still go for the special effects! Or maybe it's that "Cronicles of Riddick" one you're talking about? Let me know and we can go together! Kay? Kay!
YES!! I've seen TROY!! But only gasp once. I'd jump at the chance to see it one more time though. But I am very very broke. But wasn't it hilarious when Paris was supposed to fight Menathous-something and he crawled away and clung to his brother's leg? I loved it! He's so cute when he's wimpy and about to cry! X-nay to the Brad Pitt nudey scenes though. Ick. Ick ick ick. Me no see anymore of Brad Pitt's shiny white bum. Well, I've talked enough! I'll check out your story when I got the time, but I have to move on to my other reviewers now! Bye!
LegyLuva: Aw…thank you so much! Your very flattering!! I will update as soon as I can! Thanks again! Bye!
Alatariel aka Legolas's Cousin: Thank you! Yeah, I try to never recap stories unless I have to. It just seems pointless to take the time to write down stuff the audience already knows. Did I just call you guys and audience? Whoops! Hehe. Thank you very very much! Bye!
astalder27: Really? Was Legolas finding the girls in his bedroom that funny? I just wanted a way for them all to meet again! LOL. Thank you though!
darkangelgep: Well…Naurielle is sort of the…bitch. That's why she's named after "fire." She's a fiery one. Thank you!
Elven Kitten: I will keep it up! I will not give up! Thank you very much!
Gozilla: Thank you. I'm glad you think my story is interesting! Love your name by the way! Thanks again.
Deana: I hope you can wait, but I'll try my very hardest to get the next chapter up quickly! Thank you!
Nirobie: DING DING DING!!! You've been the very first reviewer to…well, uh, review this story! Congrats! You're prize is an all-inclusive stay at scenic Rivendell, complete with elven bedmates and awesome sparkly tiara thingies! Hehe…just kidding. What you've earned is my best thanks! Thank you!