Hello, sorry bout the wait, but my computer had a little glitch and I couldn't connect to the Internet, naturally the site was out too, Figures! But it's fixed now!

Chapter 8--Family Tragedy

When Legolas entered the shelter with Jaisia he noticed that she wasn't the only one that looked bedraggled. It was obvious all the ones present had overindulged.

Valinar managed a smile. "Good morning," he said. "Kai and his mate will not be joining us today."

"Good morning," Legolas said, taking his place.

Isolanthe brought out the food and took her own place next to Valinar.

Breakfast was short and very quiet. None of the Centaurs ate much. Once they were done Jaisia and Legolas left.

"So what is our plans this morning?" Legolas asked.

"I want to take a swim in the river and see if I can ease this hangover. If that does not work I plan to go lay down again," Jaisia said. After their swim Jaisia felt no better, so she left to lie back down.

Legolas glanced around the quiet village then returned to his shelter. He spent most of the rest of the morning making new arrows, something he could always use. It was midafternoon when someone called him. Legolas peered out of the shelter to see Valinar. "Yes, father?" he asked. He noted Valinar looked like he felt much better.

"We are going on a hunt. Come on, the others are waiting," Valinar said.

Legolas nodded and fetched his bow then followed Valinar back to the hunting party. Ten Centaurs were waiting eagerly. It was amazing how easily the Centaurs recovered from the last evening's drinking.

"Rai has offered to carry you today, Legolas," Valinar said, gesturing to one of the younger Centaurs.

Legolas frowned. The young Centaur looked familiar, but he couldn't place him. It also seemed odd that Tyon wasn't among the hunters. He shrugged and pulled himself onto the Centaur's back then they were off.

It wasn't long before they found a large herd of deer. Valinar led the charge towards them, whooping madly. The deer fled and the Centaurs pursued.

Suddenly the herd whirled and charged back, forcing the Centaurs to scatter to keep from being engulfed by a stampede. Legolas heard someone yell and peered back over his shoulder then his heart seemed to freeze. Valinar had not gotten out of the herd's path in time!

Valinar held his own for a while, but then he must have tripped or been knocked off his feet. He fell, disappearing under the herd's pounding hooves and there was a scream of pain.

Terrified, the other Centaurs began trying to reach their fallen chieftain, but they couldn't move quickly through the herd. Finally the herd was gone, but it was too late. Valinar's twisted body laid motionless on the bloody ground. The herd had trampled the life from him.

A wail of grief filled the air as the hunting party mourned their fallen chieftain. "Gather things to make a litter. We must take our chieftain home so he may be prepared for burial," the second in command ordered.

After the litter was built and Valinar's body placed reverently on it the party headed slowly back to the village. Already Legolas grieved for the pain he knew Jaisia and Kai would feel.

When they arrived in the village everyone stared and more wails of grief filled the air as others realized their chieftain was dead. They moved respectfully out of the group's path as they headed for Isolanthe and Valinar's shelter.

Isolanthe must have heard the cries and known their meaning because she was waiting for them. When the litter was lowered she fell beside it and wailed in agony.

Jaisia and Kai came up and joined their mother as she grieved. Legolas moved forward, uncertain about approaching, but wanting to offer Jaisia some comfort as she had done when he had lost his father and Gimli.

Jaisia looked up, eyes filled with tears when Legolas knelt beside her. She immediately wrapped her arms around him and sobbed on his shoulder.

All Legolas could do was hold her and try to offer some comfort.

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Poor Jaisia, Sob, sob Hands Plot bunnies a box of tissues R/R please!