Disclaimer: I own nothing, it all belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien!

(((((((((((((((Chapter 10))))))))))))))))

Very early the next morning Mithrendol got up and paid a visit to his prisoner. He left Cefielle lying in his bed asleep.

He made his footfalls a bit heavier than usual as he opened the door to the staircase that led down into the dungeons. He told himself he did that so that Legolas would hear him coming and start to cringe in fear, but in real life, Mithrendol felt heavier today.

I think too much. He decided. I should just let Legolas know I'm going to kill him and then get on with preparations for the wedding.

Mithrendol tried to imagine the possible frightened looks that could cross his enemies face when he told him of his fate. Then he frowned. Legolas wouldn't let him see that. Damn him.

Mithrendol reached the end of the staircase and set his foot upon the cold dirt, turning and looking right, directly into Legolas's cell.

What he saw shocked him.

The chained, dirtied body rested upon the wall farthest away from him, as it always did. But the wall…it was covered with white scratches, as far as Legolas's chains could have allowed him to reach…and the markings formed words:

I AM LEGOLAS. I AM LEGOLAS. I AM LEGOLAS. I AM LEGOLAS…

Legolas's chest moved with a small breath; he was still holding on to life, even without light, or very much food or water. He began to make what Mithrendol though was a coughing sound, but then realized he was laughing. The course, raspy sound Legolas was making was a laugh.

"You've gone mad, haven't you?" Mithrendol asked right out. His tone was angry. He hadn't expected to be surprised like this.

Legolas, for the first time in three days, actually glanced up and looked at him. But his gaze held no fire…no hate.

Mithrendol blinked out of surprise once more and stepped back as if Legolas had tried to bite him. "How did you do that?"

Legolas smiled under his mask and laughed again. He brought up a hand and showed Mithrendol a stone, it's one side ground down. Mithrendol understood. Had anyone else with any memory of what took place at Nimeryn besides him come down here, they would have immediately suspected, if not known what was happening.

Legolas saw Mithrendol's eyes blaze and then chill with a calm understanding. "I understand, Legolas." He said with a cool demeanor. "But your efforts are wasted. As you must know, I'm getting married to Cefielle today."

Legolas lowered his head again, and began to promptly ignore him. Mithrendol grinned and continued. "I've decided that you're too bothersome to keep alive, as much as I'd like to." He said. "Enjoy you're last hours, Legolas, because tonight I'm going to kill you."

Legolas's head didn't move, but his eyes slid up to look at Mithrendol. There was still no expression in them. Mithrendol's grin disappeared, and he cleared his throat. "Now, if you'd excuse me, I have preparations to make."

Mithrendol turned his back on the cell and hurriedly walked up the stairs. For some reason, Legolas's expressionless, almost understanding eyes unnerved him. He could see the hate in the other elf's eyes before, but now it was as if all that had been forgotten. The very thought of that brought Mithrendol to his wits end.

I'll drive myself crazy thinking about him…Mithrendol thought. I must focus my thoughts elsewhere…this is my day after all.

Mithrendol returned upstairs to his and Cefielle's bedroom, but to his surprise she wasn't there anymore. He looked about, but she was nowhere to be seen. Mithrendol walked back out into the hall and looked to his right and his left. He saw a servant girl dusting and cleaning a distance away and called to her.

"Excuse me?" He asked.

The girl turned toward him and smiled. "Good morrow, Prince Legolas."

Mithrendol forced himself to smile in return. "Good morrow…have you seen my fiancé this morning?"

"Yes, I have." The girl nodded. She pointed down the corridor towards the grand hall. "She got up a few minutes ago and went that way. His Majesty the King was with her, Lord Legolas."

"Thank you," Mithrendol said with mock gratitude. He rushed past the girl and down the hall, eager to see his bride to be.

And for the second or third time this morning, he was surprised by what he saw.

Damn it…

Cefielle was in the grand hall with Thranduil alright, but they were not alone. A dark-haired, noble-looking man and a beautiful ebony-tressed woman stood in there with them, chatting cheerfully. Mithrendol's breath caught in his throat as he recognized the man.

"Aragorn…" He whispered aloud. The tiny sound was not unnoticed by Cefielle, who was standing with her back closest to him.

She turned and smiled, lifting her skirts so she could run to meet him. "Legolas!"

Mithrendol stepped forward, trying to seem confident. He had not come to know this man…Aragorn…when he was in Nimeryn, but instinct told him that he was close to Legolas if he had come to his wedding. And they probably had made many memories together…memories Mithrendol did not have and could not recall.

Speaking of which…Mithrendol thought as Cefielle took his hand and led him forward. …Who invited him?

"Legolas!" Aragorn grinned and threw out his arms, embracing him. Mithrendol let himself hug him back and laughed. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Aragorn." Mithrendol said graciously as he could. "It was wonderful for you to come."

Aragorn laughed and slapped him on the shoulder. "I wouldn't miss a thing like this, mellon."

Mithrendol smiled and looked past his "friend" at his father. He was smiling brightly, with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

I see…it was he who invited these fools. Mithrendol realized.

Mithrendol looked past his father and upon the beautiful woman Aragorn had taken with him. She looked of elven descent, but that could not be if she was married to a mere human. She smiled at him and stepped forward, holding out her hand.

Mithrendol took it. She was so radiant, so graceful. For a moment, he forgot all about Cefielle and their promise to wed today. He kissed the fair maiden's hand.

"Congratulations, Legolas." The woman said to him, her voice deep and velvety.

Mithrendol tried to regain his composure in the presence of this wonderous creature. "Thank you." He replied shortly. He suddenly realized he did not yet know her name.

Her hand left his and Mithrendol felt suddenly alone. So he turned to Thranduil, smiling. "Father, if I know anything about you, you invited them?"

His father smiled. "I did."

Mithrendol pretended to be playful and cheery. "Have you invited anyone else?"

The King shrugged. "Mithrandir said he would try not to miss it, but he was not quite sure when he'd be able to make an appearance."

Mithrendol frowned inside. Mithrandir? That wizard? If he showed up, there would be no possible way that this could get any worse for him.

"Well, I certainly hope he makes it." He said quickly. "It would be a shame to not have him here."

"Indeed." Aragorn agreed, placing a hand around Legolas's shoulders. "I must say, Legolas…Cefielle…"

"Yes?" Cefielle asked. She took Mithrendol's hand.

"…You two do make a very handsome couple." Aragorn finished.

Mithrendol smiled. "Thank you very much, mellon."

"I must agree." Aragorn's wife spoke.

Aragorn turned halfway around and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Of course you do, Arwen."

Arwen? So that is her name…wait…Mithrendol thought. That is the name of Lord Elrond's daughter!

It was then that Mithrendol realized why she was so beautiful—she had given up the grace of the eldar to have a life with Aragorn. But why was she married to this filth…this human, Aragorn? Mithrendol immediately became jealous. No beautiful elf maiden should have to give her love and her eternal life to such a pitiful creature as a human. Mithrendol blinked. No…that wasn't it—that was merely a part of it. He wanted Arwen for himself. But he…he was marrying Cefielle today.

"Thank you," He replied after only a moment's pause. He had to find some way to take his leave. "I'm sorry I cannot speak with you more, my friends…but Cefielle and I have much preparation to do."

"I understand." Aragorn said. "Speaking of which, Legolas, according to your customs here, you shouldn't even be seeing Cefielle until the ceremony."

Mithrendol and Cefielle shot each other glances. "I didn't know that." Cefielle said softly.

Mithrendol pretended to become sheepish and embarrassed. "And I completely forgot. I'm sorry, darling, but I'm afraid I'll have to take my leave from you as well."

"Where is the ceremony again?" Cefielle inquired before he had a chance to walk away. "I forgot."

Mithrendol turned, looked over his shoulder and chuckled lightly. "In the courtyard, melamin. Don't worry, the handmaidens will tend to you until the ceremony. I will see you then, my love."

Cefielle blushed and placed a hand on her cheek. "Farewell, for now, Legolas."

Mithrendol nodded and turned back. "Farewell."

Cefielle, Arwen, and Aragorn looked on as the Prince walked away at an unusually fast pace. Mithrendol did not look back at them, even though he felt their eyes burning into the back of his head. He had to figure out something. Some master plan…and fast.

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

Such a sucky ending for the chapter, I know. Unfortunately, my interest in this story is ebbing. But I will try to finish it. And I will try to finish it well. I just need time to figure out what the hell I'm going to do in the end! Thank you guys!