XX

"What bothers you, Lithroleah, for it has been days since anything resembling a smile has passed your face!" Caeriel enquired as she walked alongside the one she loved.

Their relationship had progressed much in the days since the prince was called to duty beside his father's side. Love had grown out of their friendship, and it was something they had gradually come to accept. Gone was the awkwardness that plagued the initial moments of the realisation of their feelings for each other. They now strolled openly together among the trees, and it was clear to all that the two were in love.

"It is not something I can put my finger on, which troubles me so," he replied, face still drawn into a tight knot, "It concerns the forewarnings that have been plaguing my mind ever since the Orcs attacked."

Caeriel's lip quivered. It had been long since Lithroleah had any premonition. She had thought them gone for good when they had not made an appearance in a century.

"I know not their exact meaning, but their message is clear. I fear something terrible about to befall Lasgalen. A dark entity moves about in Shadow, and it plagues my heart so. I fear for the safety of those I hold dear to my heart."

The last sentence was directed as Caeriel, as he looked feelingly at her.

"It concerns Legolas most of all. The events would be centred around the prince. Great tribulations would be placed upon him, and we would be helpless and can only stand and cry out in fear. I have had many a dream of him. In them, he runs. Running from something. Dark and strange, evil and foreign. He is afraid, and so alone. Happiness is not far away, but unattainable. Pain. There is so much pain and suffering."

Caeriel's lips trembled, and she gave a small cry. She reached forward and clasped the other's hands, bringing them near her.

"These dreams. Do you not think they would come true?" her voice was petrified and soft.

"Once again, I know not. They come to my mind, as I lie asleep, staring at the sky. My mind enters a different world, and they are presented to me as visions. I do not know if they speak the truth or serve to cloud the eye, for it is not unknown that they are wrong."

He frowned, knitting his brows tightly. It was as if the images were dancing in front of his face yet again. The Elf was unsure if the reason for his visions was the guilt he felt in his heart. The guilt he felt at accepting the love of Caeriel. A love that rightly should have belonged to the prince.

Yet, Caeriel was still in the dark about the prince's feelings for her. She did not see in his eyes the love he felt for her, the feelings that poured from within his soul.

Before she could reply, a strange rustling was heard within the grass near where they stood.

Lithroleah flung himself in front of Caeriel, a reflex action. His bow drawn and ready. Eyes scanning the ground. Although they were still within the confines of Lasgalen, he felt precaution necessary. The King had recently dictated that the forest was under a threat. That all their kindred be careful and exercise due caution. The two knew more than what the ordinary Silvan Elves did, and this increased their edginess.

There was silence. The sound was not made by anything that the Elves were familiar with. Caeriel put her arm on Lithroleah's shoulder. It was trembling. He did not loosen his drawn bow.

The feeling swept over him with such a force that he was stunned. It was one of intuitiveness. That spoke of danger making its way up to them. He let loose an arrow, and the vibrations of the singing string carried up high, reflecting off the forest roof.

The powerful Elf rushed forward to the spot where his arrow had hit its mark. A large beast lay there, its centre pierced by the sharp tip of the arrow. It had breathed its last.

Caeriel ran up to join her friend. She gave a small cry as she saw the strange beast. What greeted their eyes was so aberrant with what they knew about the forest left them stunned. It took the shape of a spider, the likes of which had never been seen in Lasgalen before. Its eight long legs were so reminiscent of an arachnid that one would think it a giant spider.

Lithroleah was so preoccupied with examining the fallen beast that he did not notice the second dark creature that sidled up to his side. It slammed into him, attacking him with such a fury that he was pinned to the floor. He shouted to alert the Elf-maiden, as he was held there in a vice-like grip. Pale yellow eyes grinned malevolently at him. Victorious and taunting, ignoring the girl completely.

The shout drew an immediate reaction from Caeriel. Brandishing the long knife she kept at her side, she hurled herself at the beast in a frenzy.

The brute released its grip on Lithroleah to ward off her attack. It seemed surprised at her strength. It had underestimated its opponent. Lithroleah swung his short sword up. It embedded itself in the flesh of the creature. It screamed loudly, the sound piercing through the woods, and turned its attention back to the Elf who was still on his back.

Pincers reached forward and attempted to inject its deadly poison into the Elf's throat. He trashed and squirmed compulsively, brandishing his sword, swinging it wildly, fervently hoping that it hit a target.

Caeriel too renewed her attack on the spider-creature. With frenetic strength, she managed to get a stab on the creature's legs. Screaming in agony, the desire to pierce the throat of the Elf forgotten, it picked up the Elf maiden, without releasing the grip on the Elf pinned to the floor.

Lithroleah watched in horror as the creature hurled his maiden across the forest. He heard the sickening thud as she was slammed into a tree. Saw with wide eyes as she slumped forward, a trickle of blood flowing from her head down her now deathly pale face.

A hot wave seized him and he made a gargantuan effort to get the creature off him. It was a futile attempt however, as the creature gave a satisfied grunt, turned back on the Elf pinned below him.

This time it did not attempt to gorge the Elf's throat out. Instead, it held him there, enjoying the moment as a cat does with its prey. Sick satisfaction coursed through its vessels as it surveyed the one in its power. Lithroleah squirmed and thrashed further, slowly growing numb with his efforts to break free.

The creature leaned forward, with the slowness of one enjoying watching the last moments drain away from its enemy, lifting its pincers to the sky, ready to strike.

Lithroleah looked away, eyes fixed on the one he loved. He feverishly hoped that after his death, the creature would leave her alone. Hunters would find her and rescue her. Her wounds would heal. A great sense of loss and hopelessness swelled up within him as he gave up all hopes of escape.

He waited for his death with a calmness that amazed himself. Seconds passed. It grew to a minute before the Elf looked up finally and found himself staring at a large sword embedded in the body of the creature.

He pushed forward, and the brute fell away, still frozen into position. Lithroleah leapt up, and ran over to the fallen maiden. To his relief, she stirred but did not awake as he gently lifted her up and cradled her head in his arms.

Looking up instinctively, he was greeted by the sight of one clothed in a black robe, his head hidden in the cowl, staring directly at the two Elves. Lithroleah watched as the man moved towards the bodies of the spider-like creatures. A bottle was produced, and its contents poured over the corpses. Lithroleah watched with wonderment as organic matter began to melt into liquid and disintegrated. A moment later, no trace of the bodies remained.

The man now moved towards them, having disposed of the bodies, face still hidden, such that even the keen sight of the Elf was unable to discern an outline within the shadows where it remained.

An arm, pale like one unaccustomed to the sight of the sun, reached out and touched the forehead of the maiden.

"She'll live," a coarse and rough voice emerged from the darkness.

Lithroleah managed to gain back some of the composure he had lost, and found his voice again, "I know not how to thank you enough!"

The man waved his hand. "Do not speak of it again," his voice was curt and short, enigmatic as he was, hidden beneath the robes.

"May I know your name, my benefactor? For it would aid in my remembrance of what you have done for me."

A snort escaped the many layers of cloth. "You need not remember me."

He turned to leave. Lithroleah set Caeriel down on the floor gently and leapt after him. He blocked the path of the other, holding his arms out at his sides.

"I would not let you leave lest you give me a name! For saving a life is no small matter indeed!"

His persistence seemed to pay off this time. The man nodded his head, a bare shifting of black, and spoke again, "I can see there is no deterring you. Very well, bring the lady and follow me."

Lithroleah thanked the stranger profusely and did as instructed.

He was lead through the edge of Lasgalen and into the open. Led now to the east of the great Wood, it was territory that Lithroleah did not frequent, having only ventured there with the prince to hunt down the Orcs that dwelt there.

Curiosity welled up in his heart as he traced the silent man's footsteps. Never had he heard of one who roamed among the trees in the eastern edge of Lasgalen, cloaked in robes of black.

They came presently the rocky side of a hill. Lithroleah's eyes grew wide as he saw the man lift, with incredible strength, a large boulder that concealed a passageway, leading deep into the bowels of the hillside.

The stranger walked on in, not turning to acknowledge the other's presence, and the Elf followed suit, still carrying the unconscious maiden.

The cave was small and sparsely furnished, with a bare bed in a corner, and a fireplace with a chimney leading out of the hill. The man had not removed his cloak, and instead was bending over a cauldron that stood, simmering over the flames, stirring the contents of it.

Lithroleah placed Caeriel on the bed and wiped the blood off her face with his hand. Although he lacked the skills of a Healer, he could tell that her injuries were not life-threatening.

The man, having done with the cauldron, walked to a small cupboard and procured a vial. Walking over to the two Elves, he shoved the bottle impatiently in the face of Lithroleah, and grunted, "Give your companion this to drink. It would help."

He then proceeded back to the cauldron and scooped ladles of its contents onto two plates. Motioning for Lithroleah to join him, he sat down at the table and started eating, still keeping his features concealed. His bright eyes were visible now, however, reflecting the dancing flames, and they fixed upon Lithroleah as he approached cautiously.

Lithroleah accepted the bowl he was offered graciously.

"Elves may not like the food I eat, but it is still sufficient to keep one going," the man rasped in between mouthfuls, a tinge of heavy irony in his tone.

The Elf was now accustomed to his odd ways, and nodded respectfully. There was no point in pushing his rescuer for answers, for he clearly would not have given any if coerced.

They ate in silence. Lithroleah barely noticing the food, questions racing through his mind.

"Your friend is waking up. Tend to her," he spoke with a sudden edge that made Lithroleah jump once again in spite of himself.

The Elf rushed over to the bed, abandoning his meal. As if on cue, Caeriel stirred and her eyelids fluttered. They flew open as they saw her friend.

"Lithroleah! I thought you lost!" her immense relief was evident. Colour had started to creep back into her face. She sat up and looked around anxiously, taking in the strange sight. Her eyes widened as she saw the interior of a cave, and frowned in confusion as they settled upon the stranger.

The recluse walked over to them. Caeriel strained her eyes to see his face hidden within the many folds.

"You have recovered now. Be off with you!" he commanded.

"But we still know not your name!" Lithroleah blurted out earnestly.

"I am known in this parts as Praneer the Hunter. Now that you have a name, never come looking for me again, for I would not hesitate to finish the job the creatures set out to do. Go!"

Lithroleah nodded, and helped the Elf-maiden off the bed. They turned to thank their saviour one last time before turning and leaving the cave behind.

A/N:

Well, that was it, moving back to Lasgalen. It was a really difficult chapter to write, and I hope I handled the romance factor well, let me know how you find it! Review please!!

I promise really to get back to our beloved Elven prince in good time, so please don't kill me! Summer vacation is nearly over, so I have to warn you that once I go back to school, updates are going to be less regular!

Gwyn - Yes, I've worked on this for aaaages, and virtually took a whole year's break since I was aboslutely swamped with college stuff, but fear not, I will try my best to keep my dear readers satisfied with regular updates, and I promise the quality will never be compromised..;)