Disclaimer: I don't own a thing except for my original characters. But thanks for wondering.

(((((((((((((((((((((Chapter 9)))))))))))))))))))))

Mithrendol and his happy bride-to-be floated above the marble floors of the palace, swaying rhythmically to the tune that a string quartet played in the corner. Mithrendol's feet knew the dance steps, and his eyes stayed fixed on Cefielle, but his mind was elsewhere.

He said he'd kill me…fool. He thought darkly.

What Legolas didn't know is that Mithrendol hadn't immediately left the dungeon after he'd drugged him and placed his mask on. He'd lingered on the stairs just long enough to hear the imprisoned elf wake up and start to realize what had been done to him.

Mithrendol had been delighted when he smelled the salt of tears and the sound of sobs coming from his enemy. But his pleasure was halted when he heard his prisoner's wretched scream, promising revenge.

I'll kill you for this, Mithrendol! I'll strip your life of everything, just as you've done to me! I'LL KILL YOU!

Mithrendol grunted to himself in arrogance. That elf had no idea what he was talking about. He had no idea what sort of situation he had been put in. It was hopeless for him. Mithrendol had everything now.

Still…when he heard those words coming from Legolas's mouth…Mithrendol couldn't help but feel a twitch of fear.

My fear is ridiculous. Legolas is totally helpless now, there is nothing he could do to harm me. Mithrendol told himself.

His own reassurance didn't do him any good. Mithrendol slipped deeper into his thoughts, and accidentally stepped on Cefielle's foot.

"Oh…I'm sorry, darling." He said, faking his concern. "Are you alright?"

Cefielle smiled warmly at him. Her smile was like the sun…warming and comforting at times, but bright and glaring at others.

This was one of those times.

"It's alright, Legolas. I'm fine." She said, forgiving him easily.

Mithrendol allowed himself to smile at her as they continued to dance around the room. Mithrendol's mind continued to replay memories over and over.

He wondered what would happen if his plan failed and Legolas somehow told someone the truth. Then Thranduil would know. The woodelves would know. The Nimar would know.

Cefielle would know.

Don't let him do that to you. He told himself. Don't let him destroy you again…kill him first.

Mithrendol was stunned at his own thinking. Kill him? NO. He wanted the Prince to suffer, to live on knowing that his life was being lived for him by an enemy. He wanted him to live for a thousand years of torture and turmoil and terror…not simply die. That wasn't good enough. No…it was too good, Mithrendol decided. Death was too good for Legolas Greenleaf.

Then you risk having everything taken away…as long as he lives…he will pose a threat to you…you cannot keep him hidden in the dungeon forever…the people here do not forget things so easily. Mithrendol blinked.

Kill Legolas. Kill him. Do anything to him, just don't let him tell.

Alright then…he decided. Legolas Greenleaf will die…but only after I marry Cefielle…only after he knows I now own everything he once could have had and didn't take.

Only after.

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Three agonizing days passed slowly for Mithrendol. He 'visited' Legolas once each day. Mostly just to satisfy his need to know that the elf was still down there and hadn't somehow escaped, but that didn't mean he couldn't have fun while he was at it.

He talked to Legolas about what was happening in the grand halls above them. He boasted of how he slept with Cefielle every night, how every morning he greeted the King with a false smile.

But Legolas didn't respond to any of it. Mithrendol could try as he may, but the elf didn't even open his eyes to glare at him in hatred. Mithrendol knew that the elf wasn't dead; he was breathing, and he had been so kind as to throw a half-rotted slice of meat into the cell one day and find it completely eaten the day after.

It made him seethe with rage that he couldn't break the elf anymore. When that became too much to bare, he always stormed upstairs into the arms of Cefielle.

That was where he was now.

They rested on the bed together, the moonlight from the open window lighting their pale, bare skin.

"You seem troubled, Legolas." She said to him.

Mithrendol blinked. "What? What makes you say that?"

"I just can sense it. Is something bothering you?"

"No." Mithrendol answered. Too quickly.

"Legolas, we're going to be married. You can tell me." The girl pressed on.

"Cefielle, it's nothing, really."

Cefielle frowned and lifted her hands. She began to play with his long blonde hair, braiding it. Mithrendol closed his eyes and tried to drown out his frustration.

"It's you're friend, isn't it?" He suddenly heard from his lover.

"Huh?"

"The one that tried to—Halirod."

Mithrendol realized she was speaking about the plot he had used to manipulate everyone and steal Legolas's body a few days before. The thought didn't comfort him much.

"Where is he?" Cefielle asked.

"Halirod?"

"Who else?"

"I don't know."

Cefielle sat up, her eyebrows lowered. "Answer my question."

Mithrendol sighed and sat up as well. "He's in the dungeons now. I think he will remain there forever."

Cefielle's face formed a frown. "Doesn't that bother you at all? He was your friend."

Mithrendol's inner threads threatened to snap. Cefielle was digging to deep. "Yes, he was my friend." He said in a firm voice. "But not anymore. He tried to kill me."

"But to be in a dungeon all alone for the rest of your life…can't you imagine that?"

Mithrendol shook his head. "No. Let's not speak of this any longer, please."

Cefielle lowered her bright green eyes. "Alright. I'm sorry for bringing it up."

"It's fine, melamin." Mithrendol looked at her from the side, her hair spilling out from her shoulders as she lowered her head. He raised his hand and placed it on her cheek.

"You know…I love you." He said.

Cefielle blinked and smiled meekly. "I love you too."

"We're going to be husband and wife tomorrow." Mithrendol told her. "I want you to be happy."

"I am happy."

Mithrendol almost frowned. He began to and then realized, so he quickly replaced the expression with a bright smile and reached forward to hug his fiancé. Was Cefielle lying? He couldn't sense any dishonesty in her voice. But at the same time…he couldn't be quite sure.

Mithrendol scoffed inwardly. He was being petty, being paranoid. It was probably just nervousness he sensed in Cefielle's voice. After all, she was getting married. Mithrendol sighed. He was nervous too. But he knew all that would disappear just as soon as the vows were exchanged and Cefielle became his forever.

Then I will be free to kill Legolas. He said to himself. Then I will have delivered the ultimate blow, and if his soul does not crumble by then, I will kill him.

"Legolas?"

Mithrendol was snapped violently out of his thoughts as Cefielle spoke his stolen name. "Yes, melamin?" He answered sweetly.

"Do you want to go to bed? We have a big day ahead of us."

Mithrendol closed his mouth, as if pondering the thought for a moment. "Yes. I want to be well rested."

Cefielle smiled. It was a genuine smile this time, and Mithrendol was glad. She leaned forward and kissed him tenderly.

(((((((((((Personal thing)))))))))))))))

Gah. I think that chapter wasn't very good. Please lift my spirits and tell me otherwise. I'm having a little trouble how I'm gonna go about getting this story to end…I really don't know what I can do. Hm. So I if I update later than usual, please try and imagine me sitting in front of the computer trying my very best to think of a good, exciting ending that you all will enjoy, alright? Thank you! And keep the reviews coming!