Yay, the sequel is FINALLY up!
It took me ages to think of a good plot line for this. And I think I've got it just about sorted…
Now, a brief re-cap on what happened in the last chapter of Sleeping Dangerously. (I still think that name sucks.)
After the Dagnir-o Lóre had been destroyed, (by no other than our dear Leggy), Legolas and Celeblaith had returned to Rivendell with Dolenmíl, and met Elladan. They had crept up on Elrohir, and made him jump. Now Dolenmíl and Elrohir are in love, and she has stayed in Rivendell instead of returning home to Mirkwood. Everyone's happy.
But now they ain't.
Read on, and you'll see what I mean.
LainfaerP.S. The replies to the last chapter of SD are below. And some for this story would be nice…
Lainfaer
Elerrina – Of course all good things must come to an end unfortunately. Glad you liked the ending. And you seemed to enjoy Living a Lie and New Hope and Love, so maybe my slash wasn't so bad after all, eh?
Thanks for reviewing.
Idril Miriel – I'm really pleased you liked it. I think I e-mailed you about this one. I hope I did! Thanks for reviewing.
Kitsune – Fair do's about the slashes. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reviewing.
Gwyn – Legolas/Elrohir stories rule! Yeah, that Legolas/Haldir one is Keep Breathing. I love it! It is sooooo sweet! Cheysuli is such a cool author. Legolas/Aragorn ones are ok. The ones where they have one-night stands are hilarious…
Thanks for reviewing.
The Demons of the Heart.
Chapter 1: Revenge is Sweet.
The serenity of the place was immortal. Thrálindë watched from her balcony as the sunlight filtered through the leaves of the willow trees draping branches beside the river. The river itself was roaring along, yet to her the world seemed completely at peace.
Her mind however, was quite the opposite.
Anger raged throughout her body, her blood pounding in her ears, the once calm, peaceful façade of the Elf-maiden long gone. Here was a lady, who wanted revenge, needed revenge. If she could not have it, blood would be spilt.
It had all started around 500 years ago, when her former lover had fallen in love with someone else…
(Flashback.)
"Oh melamin, you tease me so!"
"Nay Thrálindë. I am merely jesting with you."
"With me! I think not!"
Elrohir smiled at the young maiden beside him, holding his hand as they walked through the gardens of Rivendell. It was a delightful Spring morning, and the pair, who were hopelessly in love, were strolling calmly around together, talking, and admiring the view. Not necessarily of their surroundings.
"Thrálindë, you know how much I love you. I would never tease you in such a cruel manner. You were laughing with me; therefore you are understanding, and going along with the joke."
"I…" Thrálindë spluttered for a few moments, trying to counter that comment, but failed. She sighed, and looked at the floor. "My wit will never be as quick as yours my dear Elrohir," she admitted. "You are clever, whereas I am not."
"You are as clever as you need to be. I am older, and therefore have had more time in this world to understand and see things around us. I have been able to discern things before you, and so naturally have more knowledge than you. Do not feel that it separates us in any way; puts a barrier between us. I love you, and surely that is all that matters?"
"It does…"
"Good." Elrohir planted a loving kiss upon her cheek, and they carried on walking.
Thrálindë wondered what had happened to those days. Just weeks after that sweet, innocent little banter in the beautiful gardens of Rivendell, the pair had split, rows and arguments flaring up at every waking moment. The atmosphere had been stifling, too uptight, and so Thrálindë had moved away to Lothlórien to escape the tension and pain of her home.
But now she was back, and she wanted Elrohir back. She still loved him, and she knew it. She was older, wiser, and her friends in Lothlórien had given her plenty of advice. She was fully prepared.
She turned back into her room, through the soft, thin curtains separating the outside world from the inside. In here, it was also calm and undisturbed, a place untouched by anger and resentment.
This had always been her room, and always would be. She had known she would return to Rivendell one day, and so they had kept her room ready for her. They, being her family and friends.
She looked at her bags, still sitting at the foot of her bed, as yet unpacked. Her wardrobe was empty, her dresses and other clothes still folded neatly in her packs.
She knelt down, and opened one. She proceeded to take her clothes out carefully, and place them in her wardrobe and drawers. Her hairbrush, mirror, and other accessories were placed upon her dressing table.
As she unpacked, she went through the various ideas she had come up with on her way home to get Elrohir back. There were plenty, and many involved a certain amount of violence.
She had just about picked one when she arrived in Rivendell, then her plans were shattered. She had discovered Elrohir had a new love in his life, and they had been together for almost a century already.
Questions had been asked, and she had received many answers. The maiden was from Mirkwood, and was a warrior. She was close friends with the Prince, Legolas, and so had developed a close friendship with the twin sons of Elrond during the fight against the Dagnir-o Lóre.
She knew all about their battle against the Dagnir-o Lóre, and when she had found out that Elrohir had been hurt, she had felt many emotions. Sadness, grief, anger, confusion. How could such a fine warrior get hurt? Then more had been revealed about the said demon, and she realised just how powerful it was.
Weeks had passed without any news from Rivendell or Mirkwood. Then, a messenger had arrived from Rivendell, stating that the Dagnir-o Lóre had been destroyed, and that all the sleeping were awake once again. There had however, been no extra news of Elrohir or his brother, so she had assumed they were both perfectly fine.
Oh Elrohir was fine alright. He just had a new girl to parade around with! Thrálindë had never felt such…hurt, was the only word she could think of, when she had found that out. It had hit her to her heart, and it had hurt, deeply.
She had not understood why she had felt such emotions. Her and Elrohirs' relationship had ended many, many years ago; why should she feel jealous of another woman. Elrohir was no longer hers, she knew that.
But she still loved him. She couldn't disguise that fact. She had thought she was well and truly over him, but she wasn't. And probably never would be.
There had of course, been many other lovers after her, of that she was sure. But she could remember one clearly. Íríma, her name was. Apparently, she had cheated on Elrohir, and so they had split. Elrohir didn't seem to have much luck with girls. He never managed to stay with the same one for over a century. Íríma had travelled to Lothlórien, and she and Thrálindë had got on well. They understood each other, having both been in love with the same person.
But he and this…Dolenmíl. They had been together for 500 years already, and Thrálindë could tell it was going strong. She hadn't actually seen them together yet, but after all the rumours she had heard…well, it was only a matter of time before they ended up getting married. She was surprised they weren't bonded already.
She carried on unpacking for the rest of the afternoon. She wanted to see Elrohir; but then again, she did not want to see him with this girl of his. She felt she would end up doing something stupid. It was too soon to start any of her plans. She just had to be patient and wait and see exactly how they were together.
Later that night, she made her way down to the kitchens to try and get the cooks to give her some food. She did not feel like joining everyone else in the main hall.
After a bit of persuading, she went out into the gardens with an apple, some lembas, and a flask of water. She walked slowly down towards the river, and eventually sat down under a tall willow tree.
Even from down here, she could hear laughter coming from the House. The Rivendell Elves were obviously in high spirits this night. She knew Elrohir would be in there somewhere, and Dolenmíl. Sitting together, hand in hand, acting like the perfect couple.
That could be me in there.
She loved Elrohir, and there was no denying it. He had stolen her heart aeons ago, and she just could not get it back. If only she had been stronger. But then again, she had been young and innocent. He was a Prince, and she had been over the moon when they had got together.
But now she was older and more sensible. She knew that she could not possibly split the pair up by stalking either Elrohir or Dolenmíl. She had to do it carefully, cunningly. Tell each of them 'secrets' about the other, make up stories against them. Lies; they worked every time.
She took a bite out of her apple and looked up at the sky thoughtfully. It was dark, and stars were twinkling everywhere. The moon was high above the House of Elrond, casting rays down onto the river.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching, voices laughing together. She stood and looked around, throwing her apple core into some nearby bushes. Stuffing the lembas into her pocket, she started to walk back to the House.
Coming down the path towards her were two Elves, one male, and one female. She feared for a moment they were Elrohir and Dolenmíl, but another look told her they weren't. She breathed a quiet sigh of relief and continued on her way.
As she passed them, they bowed their heads to her, and she returned the gesture. Then, they were on their way again. She didn't look back after them, but hurried back up into the House.
Once she was back inside, she tiptoed past the hall doors, and ran silently up the stairs. Along the corridor to her room, and shut the door behind her. She chucked the lembas down on her dresser and lit a few lamps on her walls.
As she turned around to go to her dressing table, she issued a small squeal. She quickly covered her hand with her mouth to stop any other noise escaping.
"Hello Thrálindë," came a smooth, silky voice.
It was one of the twins, but Thrálindë could not tell which one. Once upon a time, it was easy for her to see the small differences, but she had been away so long, they looked completely identical again.
"What do you want?" she asked, lowering her hand.
"To talk to you. Mind if I sit down?"
"Of…of course not."
He smiled and sat in her chair that was in front of her dressing table. "You've been away a long time."
"Time flies when you're having fun."
"Indeed." She saw him looking at her hand, and covered her wrist with her sleeve. He smiled again. "No point trying to hide it Thrálindë, I know you're still wearing it."
"Wearing what?"
"Don't play the fool, your bracelet."
She scowled. "So what if I am?"
"Just saying. I would have thought you would have got rid of it years ago after all the arguments you two had." It was Elladan.
"I liked it. What's the point in chucking something away if you like it?"
"It doesn't hold too many memories for you then?"
"I am trying to forget those times Elladan."
"Why? I thought you loved it here. That's why you're back isn't it?"
"I came back because I wanted to. I had to see all my old friends and family again."
"And old lovers?"
"Elladan!"
"You still treat me as a friend. Why? I thought you chucked me and my brother aside when you left." He frowned. "He was heartbroken you know."
"Really? He doesn't seem too bad to me now."
"It has been many years. With his friends' help, and mine, he got over it. But he really did love you. You broke his heart."
"Sure I did."
"Yes, you did. Now, I have no idea what caused you two to split up in the first place, but you started having all these arguments. What happened? You were going so well together."
"It just…wasn't working any more. There was no love left between us."
"But just days before your first major argument, you seemed as if nothing was wrong at all."
"Look, just leave it Elladan! I'd rather not talk about it. Anyway, he's got this new girl on his arm now. And who gave you permission to come into my room in the first place?"
"It is my father's manor, I can go wherever I please."
"Indeed?" She mimicked his words from earlier.
He glared at her and stood up. In the half-light, shadows were thrown across his face, casting eerie silhouettes on his cheeks and neck. "Thrálindë, listen to me, and listen well. If you do anything…anything, to ruin my brothers relationship with Dolenmíl, you will have me to deal with, understand?"
"And what gives you the idea I would anyway?"
"Because I know you. I know what women are like when they see ex-lovers with another. They get jealous, even if they have been apart for years. You dare ruin this for them, Rivendell will no longer be your home. Understood?" His voice was quiet, dangerous.
"Completely, my Lord. No, if you don't mind, I was rather hoping to get some sleep. It has been a long and tiring day."
"Of course." His voice was back to its normal level now. "Good night…my Lady. Sleep well." He inclined his head to her, and left her room with his robes swirling around his feet.
She sighed and slammed the door after him. She sat down on her bed and rubbed her face wearily in her hands. It had been a hard day, and all she wanted to do was to go to sleep, forget about everything that was going on.
Now that Elladan had threatened her with banishment, she saw her plans were not going to work easily. She would have to be extra careful not to let her true feelings be known. And if Elladan found out what she was up to…she would never see Rivendell, or her family, ever again. He would make sure of that.
She took a few deep breaths, clearing her mind. She lay back, still fully dressed, and slowly drifted off to sleep, her mind empty of worries and problems.
So, what do you think so far? Good start? I don't think Dan is too happy with Thrálindë coming back, do you? Heehee…
By the way, this story is dedicated to one of my non-Internet readers, Emillie, whose name in Elvish, (see Elvish generator on lotruk.co.uk) is Thrálindë. So the name isn't technically Elvish, but it'll do, won't it?
If you want me to change it to Elvish, tell me in a review, and I shall do so.
Until next week my faithful readers…
Lainfaer.