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(((((((((((((((((Chapter 7)))))))))))))))))))))))
Legolas fell back against the cold stone wall, breathing heavily. He had been trying to struggle free of his chains all night. Or at least what he thought was night. In the darkness of his windowless cell, he couldn't tell whether it was night or day. Rings of blood stained the areas around his wrists. His chains connected with the wall at about waist level, so he could only stray but a little from the wall. There was a tight cloth gag in his mouth, he couldn't utter a word, even to comfort himself.
Legolas slid down to the dirt floor, feeling the soil beneath his feet. He'd been stripped by the guards when they hauled him down here. He had no boots nor shoes nor tunic. All he had on now was a simple outfit consisting of a shirt and leggings.
He shook. It was cold, but he knew that his shivering was really caused by the fear coursing through his veins. Mithrendol would pay for this. If it was the last thing Legolas did, it would be killing that wretched excuse for an elf. The creature had no soul. How could he simply take away everything Legolas had and feel no remorse?
Legolas felt a dry spot his throat, and coughed. It surprised him when he didn't hear the sound of his voice coughing, but his friend's. Halirod's.
If Mithrendol exiled Halirod's soul, where is he now? Could Halirod still be alive? Maybe he could help me. Legolas thought with false hope.
He knew that Mithrendol wouldn't have risked letting another elf witness his power and live. And without a doubt, Mithrendol was probably behind Andavar being stabbed as well.
He's slowly murdering my kin…Legolas thought.
Legolas turned his head and looked at the hands that hung from chains on either side of him. Not his hands. Halirod's hands.
Valar…Legolas mentally sighed.
He leaned his head back until it touched the wall. He used Halirod's eyes to look at the cobwebs that hung blankly in the corners. His stomach growled. Halirod was hungry.
Legolas moaned, the sound muffled by his gag. It must be already morning.
How time flies when you're chained to a wall in your own dungeon while an insane, revenge-crazed elf is waltzing about upstairs, living your life for you. Legolas jested to himself. Then he frowned, as much as his gag would let him. He hoped that just because he was stuck in Halirod's body he wouldn't start making terrible jokes like that.
His stomach rumbled again. They are going to feed me, aren't they? Legolas thought, worried.
An elf of Halirod's size could easily survive for a month without food. But not without water. No, Legolas would have to have that in less than a week if he was to survive.
Didn't Mithrendol intend to let me survive, only to rot in my own dungeon? Legolas thought. He must have someone come down here soon.
And then, Legolas thought, in order to feed him or deliver water, the person would have to take off his gag. Then Legolas would have the chance to tell them what was happening. There were things he knew that only the Prince of Mirkwood would know. Things Mithrendol could never know. Yes, yes…they would have to believe him.
But for now Legolas had nothing to do but wait. He tugged on his chains one last time, rattling them agains the stone, and drawing more blood from his wrists. Then he slumped against the wall once more. For now, waiting would have to do.
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Mithrendol stared at the bowl of soup the servant elf had set in front of him at lunch. It was the strangest color.
"It's your favorite, Legolas." Said Thranduil, seated at the head of the table and to his left. "I'm surprised you're not diving into it."
Mithrendol had to think of something quickly. He looked uncertainly at Cefielle, who was seated across from him and at the King's left. She sent him a coy smile as she sipped her own soup, which had a normal color. Mithrendol sighed. He hadn't told his "father" that he and the girl were engaged yet.
"I've been gone so long I fear that I've forgotten the name of my favorite dish, Father." Mithrendol said quietly. "Tell me it again?"
"Cold-berry soup." Said Thranduil. "You've loved it every since you were an elfling."
"Oh." Mithrendol replied half-heartedly.
Cold-berry soup? What sort of barbaric tastes does Legolas have? He thought.
With a sigh, Mithrendol picked up his spoon and took a sip of the soup. It was indeed cold. And sweet. But it was of good flavor. And odd dish, but he liked it.
I suppose Legolas doesn't have such barbaric tastes afterall…Mithrendol compromised. He ate the soup until the bowl was empty.
"Thank you, Father." He said after he had finished.
The King was amused. "Your very welcome, my son." He chuckled. "But you needn't thank me. This is your house as well, you know."
"Father?" Mithrendol asked, staring at the empty soup bowl.
"Yes, Legolas?" The King answered, looking up from his own food.
Mithrendol looked up and aimed his eyes at Cefielle. She was in the middle of a sip of her own soup, but when she saw him looking at her, she froze, knowing what he intended to tell the King.
"Cefielle and I have an announcement to make." Mithrendol finished.
All the head at the table slowly came up. Cefielle's sisters, who where seated a few bodies away at the long table, shot each other questionable looks.
The King frowned and looked at the girl seated by his side, and his son at the other. "What is it that you mean to tell us?"
Mithrendol curved Legolas's face into a shy smile. "Cefielle and I….we wish to be married."
There was a collective gasp from the other elves seated, and all the servants suddenly stopped in their tracks. The mouths of Cefielle's three sisters all dropped open at once. The King himself was taken aback. His eyes darted between his son and Cefielle.
"Legolas…I'm so pleased." He finally said.
"I realize that it's only the second day I've been home, but Father…" He turned to the rest of the elves seated at the table. "…my people…This is what I've been dreaming of."
Gwelwielle turned to her sister in utter shock. "Cefielle, is this true?" She asked, not believing.
Cefielle shyly set down her spoon and stared at her bowl. She nodded. "Mm-hm." She agreed.
The King stood up, a great smile on his face. "This calls for a far greater celebration than I had ever planned!" He announced. He turned to a servant. "Go and tell the cooks to bring more food." He turned back to his table. "Tonight we will feast in honor of the engagement of Prince Legolas and Lady Cefielle."
Cefielle smiled and blushed, but Mithredol smiled outwardly at her. He made eye contact with her and managed to get her to look up at them all proudly.
The King sat back down and looked contently at his son…or what he thought was his son.
"Legolas, now everything I have hoped for you has come true." He said warmly. "I hope you and Cefielle will live happily."
Mithrendol smiled at his 'father' and looked at his fiancé. She smiled back at him. "That we will father." He promised.
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King Elessar stood atop the massive stone tower that jutted out, cutting the city he now ruled over in half. The wind up here was strong, and it blew strands of his long brown hair into his face and threatened to blow his silver crown right off his head. Reaching up and touching the crown, it felt so odd on his brow.
I am now King Elessar of Gondor…he thought. But in my head I'm still Aragorn, the ranger. Smiling, he turned and walked back along the white rock to his royal hall.
The King briefly turned his head to look as he passed the White Tree. He stopped, the glance bringing back many memories…but one especially.
This is probably the only White Tree left since…his thoughts trailed off.
Hearing steps approaching, Aragorn cast his eyes down. His wife stood in front of him, smiling softly as she almost always did.
"Arwen." He whispered, taking her into his arms. It always surprised him how often she could stun him over and over again with her beauty, even if she was now human.
"Melamin," She said softly. "You have a visitor."
The King blinked. "Where from?"
"Eryn Lasgalen."
Aragorn looked at his love, his eyes widened in surprise. "Legolas?" He asked.
Arwens prominent smile grew a bit. She shook her head, making her long hair sway back and forth.
"Nay." She told him. "But the visitor has news concerning the Prince."
Aragron nodded, understanding, and took her hand in his. She grasped it with her white, long fingers, and he felt strangely warmed by her touch.
The couple walked gracefully into the royal hall. High above, past the white statues of the past Kings, was Aragorn's throne. He looked to the left and downward and saw the visitor from Eryn Lasgalen looking curiously up at it.
The elf had long blonde hair, the kind of hair that nearly all the elves of Eryn Lasgalen had. He was dressed in vibrant green, and had a died leather vest with the crest of Thranduil embossed into it. The elf turned to him and smiled brightly as he approached.
"Greetings, mellon." Aragorn said as the elf bowed gracefully. "I hear you have news of your Prince. How is my friend?"
The elf proudly pulled out a scroll, which was also decorated with the crest of the Elf King. The King of Gondor took it.
"It is a proper invitation," The elf explained. "But the His Majesty the King wanted me to speak the news to you."
Aragorn looked at Arwen. She just smiled at him. "Speak then." He said, nodding his head.
The messager elf stood up straighter than ever. "His Majesty the King Thranduil would like you to come to Eryn Lasgalen as soon as possible to celebrate His Majesty Prince Legolas's engagement." He beamed.
The royal couple blinked, and Arwen even gasped. "Engaged?" She repeated.
"Legolas is going to be wed?" Aragorn inquired, needing to hear it again.
The elf nodded enthusiastically. "Yes. To Lady Cefielle of the Nimar."
"The Nimar?" Aragorn repeated in disbelief.
Arwen placed a hand on her pale cheek. "Dear me."
Aragorn placed a hand on his brow and began to grin. "What message of congradulations should I send back to my friend?" He asked the messenger. "This has been most unexpected."
"It was unexpected for the elves as well. His Majesty Prince Legolas only announced it three days ago. His Majesty the King told me to tell you as soon as possible." The elf agreed.
Aragorn looked at Arwen one more time. She had her hand to her mouth, but her smile shone through it like the beams of the sun. The King laughed.
"Of course we will come!" He said merrily. " Go now, tell Prince Legolas I send my greatest blessing, and that my wife and I will arrive in four days."
The elf grinned and bowed again. "I will, Your Majesty."
Arwen turned to her husband as the Wood Elf rushed off home again. "So much happiness…" She pondered aloud. "And all thanks to you."
Aragorn shook his head. "Had I not been aided, this never would have come to be."
"Of course." Arwen agreed. "The Prince engaged…I find it hard to believe."
"It's about time." Aragorn said to her. Arwen laughed, and The King laughed along.
(((((((((((((((Personal thing)))))))))))))))))))))
Well. That chapter went places. Well, at least I have another one done. Yayness! Hope you enjoyed!