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((((((((((((((Chapter 3)))))))))))))))))))
"There…that's enough for now." Legolas sighed as he set his quill down and stared at the paper filled with words.
He had been writing for about 2 hours now, and his hands ached from the use. Legolas flipped back the pages and counted how many he'd used. 18 pages.
18 pages! He thought with surprise. 18 pages, and I've only begun to touch when we entered Moria!
Legolas sighed a second time, getting up and then stretching himself out. He looked out Halirod's window. It was very dark out. The moon was covered with clouds…many of them Legolas knew were the remains of the ashes of Mount Doom's eruption 2 months ago.
At this rate, it will be a very long time before I write about that. Legolas thought.
At that moment, there was a loud, frantic knocking at the door. Legolas turned and walked towards it, opening it to reveal a very frightened looking elf.
"What is it?" He asked the elf, one who was probably a servant.
"M-my lord," The elf began nervously. "There's been an accident…"
"What happened?" Legolas interrupted. "To who?"
"Lord Andavar, my lord." The other elf answered. "They found him on the armory floor with a dagger…a dagger…" He wasn't able to finish.
Legolas's breath caught in his throat. "Is he alright?"
"He's alive." The other answered. "But not well. The healer is attending him now."
"Lead me to him." Legolas ordered, and the servant nodded and then turned and rushed down the hall. Legolas followed alongside.
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They reached the healer's quarters in a few minutes. The current healer was a wise old elf named Nainiel. She had been studying the art of healing since before Legolas could remember.
"Nainiel!" Legolas cried as he burst open the door. "Where is he? Is he alive?"
Many faces in the room turned abruptly to look at the Prince as he entered. Legolas saw that in the center of them was Andavar, who was being lifted up onto a bed. He wasn't conscious.
Legolas's heart skipped a beat in fear. He rushed up to the bed, where Nainiel was observing the wound.
"Nainel…" Legolas whispered breathlessly. "Is he alright?"
The old elven women shook her head. "The wound is deep." She said simply.
"What happened?" Legolas asked those gathered around him. "Who found him?"
"I did." Came the answer from a dark-haired elf Legolas knew was called Nathirion. "I found him about ten minutes ago, on the floor of the armory. He'd been stabbed with this."
The elf shakely held out a long dagger, stained with still-wet blood.
Legolas looked at the dagger and felt sick. "Was it an accident? You didn't hear anything?"
"He wouldn't have." Nainiel suddenly spoke. "His blood is clotting. This happened more than ten minutes ago."
"How long would you guess, Nainiel?" One of the other elves asked.
"Two hours." The she-elf answered.
"She's right." Nathirion agreed. "When I found him the blood on the floor was dried."
Legolas stared at his injured friend with worried eyes. "But why was he in the armory? His shift ended."
"Perhaps he was led there." One of the others suggested.
"Are you suggesting that he was the victim of an attempted murder?" Another snapped.
"Silence!" Nainiel cried. "I cannot heal him with you all chattering about! Leave, all of you…Prince Legolas, Nathirion…stay with me please."
The other elves grumbled and began to file out. Nathirion set the blood-stained dagger on a table and inched away. Legolas knelt down besides Andavar's still form.
"Nainiel…I'll ask you this once." Legolas said shakily. "Do you think he'll live?"
Nainiel looked up at the Prince sadly. "It's hard to say at the moment, Legolas." She stood up and shook her head. "I do not know."
Legolas clenched his teeth and turned again to Nathirion. "You found him like this?"
Nathirion nodded. "He wasn't conscious at the time."
"You heard nothing?"
"No."
Legolas clasped his hands together nervously and began to pace. "Could it have been an accident?" He finally questioned.
Nathirion began to answer, but Nainiel interrupted him. "No, Legolas. The wound is too deep to have been from any accident."
"So someone has tried to murder him?" Legolas asked, shocked. "Who? If there were strangers in the palace, my father would know."
Nathirion suddenly stood up. "Your father does know. It's one of those White Elves." He accused. "It must be. They are the only strangers here."
"They have been for 7 straight months!" Legolas argued. "If one of them wanted to kill Andavar, he would have done it by now."
Nathirion shook his head. "How do you know, Lord Legolas? You only arrived back today."
"My father told me everything. The Nimar haven't disturbed anyone." Legolas said coldly.
Nathirion stood up. "Your pity for them makes you blind." He said softly. Then he turned to the door and left, leaving Nainiel and Legolas stunned.
Legolas turned towards Nainiel immediately. "Is that how all my people feel about the White Elves, Nainiel? Do they hate each other?"
Nainiel frowned. "I'm afraid Nathirion is partially right, Lord Legolas. Ever since the Nimar arrived under your name, there have been two groups of elves living under your father's roof—the White Elves and the Wood Elves--and they don't make any effort to communicate with one another."
"Haven't you? Surely you must have treated the Lady Maegluin until she died." Legolas asked.
"Yes, Legolas, I have." The she-elf answered. "But not all of your subjects are open to that."
"Why not?" Legolas inquired.
"I have not the answers to everything, Legolas." Nainiel said firmly. "I must treat your friend. You may leave now."
Legolas wanted to disobey the healer's orders, but he knew that if a healer needed to be alone to do his or her work, the injured person's condition was serious. Andavar could die if he didn't get the treatment he needed now.
"Thank you, Lady." Legolas said, and he bowed quickly before leaving the room. He immediately turned and headed towards the armory.
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When the Prince finally reached the armory, the place where Andavar was stabbed, he was surprised. There was no one there. Slowly Legolas pushed open the thick wooden door, the wheels in his mind turning.
Of course no one heard anything…he thought. This door is much to thick to hear any small sound through.
Legolas gasped when his eyes rested on the large bloodstain that had covered part of the floor next to the wall on his left side. Glancing at the wall, Legolas noticed a dark smear of blood on it, indicating that Andavar had been pushed up against the wall and then stabbed.
Than it wasn't an accident after all…the Prince thought to himself. Valar, a murder in my own house!
Legolas gazed around the room for any more signs of what had happened to his friend. His eyes grazed the table in the center of the room, and then stopped on it. There were knives, daggers, and swords laid out neatly on the wood. But there was something wrong—a dagger and a sword were missing.
The dagger that was used to try and kill Andavar. Legolas realized. And the murderer now has a sword!
Legolas knew he must report this to his father. Quickly he sped through the door to the main hall.
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As he rushed through halls, Legolas spotted several of the Nimar as he passed them. Each one didn't seem to notice the elf prince. Legolas didn't mind. He turned the corner that led into the main hall and nearly collided with someone.
"Oh…uh…hello Nenielle." He said oddly. The girl stared at him.
"What are you running from, Prince Legolas?" She asked with a smirk.
Legolas managed to grin back at her. "I was not running, Milady, I was rushing."
Nenielle's smirk grew wider, and Legolas grew more wary. "I see. Why were you rushing?"
Legolas quickly decided against telling the maiden that there had been a murder attempt at this moment. "I need to see my father." He answered simply.
Nenielle frowned. "Oh." She said. "Well then, I will be on my way then."
Legolas bowed to her politely. "As will I."
The two elves passed each other and walked some short distance until Nenielle stopped and turned. "Oh, Prince Legolas?" She called.
Legolas stopped and turned, a question on his face. "What is it?"
The girl grinned youthfully. "I have a secret…that you might want to know."
Legolas narrowed his eyes and became confused. He was about to ask Nenielle what she must hide from him, but she beat him too it.
"Well, I will be seeing you, Prince Legolas." Nenielle said with a mischievious grin. "Good day."
"Good day." Legolas answered automatically, but he doubted that she heard him. It was obvious that whatever "secret" she said she had, she wouldn't tell him.
What was the secret that Nenielle spoke of? Legolas suddenly gasped. Andavar's attempted assassination! Did Nenielle have something to do with it?
Legolas thought it through a moment, but then shook his head. He doubted that any maiden Nenielle's size could overtake and stab a warrior like Andavar.
Unless she had an accomplice…Legolas thought.
Legolas rubbed his head, for it was beginning to throb. It didn't matter. Nenielle and any other suspects could be rounded up later. For now his father had to know what was going on.
Rushing on towards his father, who was resting on his throne and chatting up some guards, Legolas suddenly grew nervous.
It's my first day back at home and already I've allowed one of my friends to become victim of some evil plot…Legolas said to himself shamefully.
"Father!" He cried as he neared the King. Thranduil turned his head and frowned when he saw his son coming at him, looking scared.
"Legolas, what is wrong?" He asked, dismissing the guards and standing up.
Legolas swallowed. "Father…there's been an assassination attempt."
Thranduil reacted with shock. "What? Under my own roof?"
"Unfortunately, yes, Father." Legolas said, hanging his head.
Thranduil narrowed his eyes. "Who was hurt?"
"Andavar." Legolas answered. "He was stabbed in the armory with one of the daggers that was in there. Whoever stabbed him also took a sword. He's running free."
"Andavar?" The King asked. "Is he alright?"
Legolas shook his head. Thranduil continued.
"What makes you so sure that the murderer is a 'he', Legolas?" He inquired.
Legolas sighed. "The dagger was…Andavar had been driven up against the armory wall and then stabbed. The dagger was buried to the hilt. I doubt any female could supply such a force as to do that."
Legolas looked back over his shoulder to where he had bumped into Nenielle. "But just now one of the Daughters of Celebhen told me that she 'had a secret that I might want to know.'"
"You suspect the Daughters of Celebhen are involved in this?" Thranduil asked, stunned.
"That might be." Legolas said. "But then again, it could be just girlish mischief."
"Are there any other suspects?" The King questioned.
"The elf who found Andavar accused one of the Nimar, or rather, all of them." Legolas said, frowning. "Father, why did you not tell me of the conflict between our race and theirs?"
Thranduil sighed. "It didn't seem important to me at the time, Legolas. But you are right—the Nimar and the Wood Elves have been rather separated."
Legolas sighed again and began to pace. "Father, I'm sorry. My first day back and I've already let harm come upon our people."
"You mustn't blame yourself Legolas." Thranduil said, sitting back down on his throne. The elder elf watched as his son paced back and forth in front of him. "Son, you are giving me a headache."
"I already have one." Legolas said, ceasing his pacing.
"I will double security overnight, Legolas." Said the King. "Anyone looking suspicious will be stopped and questioned. Suspects will be jailed overnight and sent to face the Royal Justice in the morning."
"Father…" Legolas said. "But nearly everyone is suspect."
"I meant those found doing anything suspicious tonight, Legolas." The King clarified. "Now there is something I want you to do."
Legolas looked at his father. "What?"
Thranduil cocked his head to the side. "Get some rest, my son. You are tired."
"I am not." Legolas retorted.
"Go and get some rest, Legolas." Thranduil repeated. "That is an order."
Legolas gave his father a look that said 'I am no longer a child, you know', but then bowed and walked back to the corridors. Legolas had to admit, he was a little tired. But he doubted he would get any rest tonight, for his mind was haunted with thoughts of the murder attempt, and who could be the murderer.
Reaching his, or rather, Halirod's chambers, Legolas was surprised to find Halirod himself in the room—and reading his diary.
"Halirod!" Legolas cried, quickly rushing up to his friend and closing the book.
Halirod jumped back in sheer surprise. "L—Legolas!" He whispered, as if he didn't believe he was seeing the Prince.
"Yes, it's me." Legolas replied somewhat heatedly. "Why were you reading my diary? I had thought that you had more class."
Halirod's eyes widened for a moment, but then he seemed hurt. He hung his head. "I'm sorry, Legolas." He said. "I was just curious of what you did on your travels."
Legolas sighed. "It is forgiven, my friend." He said, placing the diary in a drawer of the desk. "Just remember next time."
Halirod nodded nervously. Legolas noticed he was acting strange. Why hadn't Halirod cracked a joke yet?
Suddenly Legolas realized another thing. "Halirod, why aren't you on guard duty? Your shift began two hours ago!"
Halirod agains seemed genuinely surprised. "I…I was relieved." He excused.
"What?" Legolas said. "My father just doesn't randomly relive guards! He was about to order more security!"
Halirod's tone suddenly changed…to something so hard and cold Legolas got chills just from hearing it. "It's because of the murder, isn't it?" The usually carefree elf asked.
Legolas narrowed his eyes. "How'd you know about that?" Could Halirod be suspect too?
Halirod shrugged, and he shook his head. "Another guard told me. Poor Andavar. It's a shame he had to die."
"But he's not dead!" Legolas said.
Halirod's head shot up. "He's not?" His tone was dark.
Legolas shook his head. "He's alive, but unconscious. The healer doesn't know if he will ever wake or not."
"Oh." Came the simple reply.
Legolas paused for a moment. Halirod was acting strangely.
"Halirod, is everything alright?" He asked carfully. "You don't seem like yourself."
Halirod looked at the Prince, and then did something Legolas would have expected—but not at this time: He smiled.
"I'm not." He chirped cheerfully.
((((((((((((((((Personal thing))))))))))))))))))))))))
Dun-dun-dun!! Another evil cliff-hanger for you all! Damn, I'm listening to the absolute most kick-ass music right now on XM radio. But what do you care? Any way, for some replies:
darkangelgep: Thank you very much! I will update soon!
FieryIceAngewomon: Thank you. I like to please my reviewers by updating quickly. Your good luck is helping! Thank you again!
Red Tigress: Hey…Mithrendol really IS like an alien from a sci-fi movie! He never dies and he steals peoples bodies! Coolness! I never thought of that before. Thank you for the interesting comparison. I will keep writing! Thanks again!
Deana: Well…Halirod's not dead. But Andavar pretty much is. See when Mithrendol took control of his body and forced his soul out, his soul had no place to go, so it floated up to heaven. So he's gone. But Halirod's soul is not stuck in the wounded Andavar's body. So he's not dead just yet. I know it's kind of confusing. Dern. The way my mind works. Thank you so much! I will post again soon!
Legyluva: Thank you! It's alright for you to wait to review! As long as you review and let me know you're still alive sometime! Hope you did well on your exams. And just in case you were wondering…Legolas's situation is about to get a whole lot worse.
Shorty51: Thank you very much! I'll keep writing!
Elven Kitten: Thank you!
Nirobie: Yeah, sorry I can't give you an all-inclusive vacation at Rivendell…but that's for reviewing anyway!! Yep, Mithredol is back and he's badder than ever! Thank you again!