When the Snow Falls Red
Chapter 11: The Second Message
Don't own.
I'm sorry for the graphic ness in this chapter.
Thranduil and Finwë watched silently as the novices prepared Valandil for transportation. As they stood there, helpless, the door opened. Thranduil turned his head to see his son enter the room. He was rubbing the back of his head. "What's the matter, Legolas?" Thranduil asked, completely unaware that he had shoved him out of the way while passing him in the hallway.
Legolas didn't know that. He thought that Thranduil was being sarcastic with him. He just shook his head, ignoring him, and went to Lólindir. "Could I get Náessë's pain killer herbs?" He asked. The elf, who had once again gone silent, nodded and took out the herbs, handing them to Legolas. The young prince knew what to do with them now. Without another word, he left the Hall.
Thranduil watched his son leave, puzzled. He turned to his friend. "What was that about?" He asked. Finwë shrugged.
"Have you told him that you no longer think it was he who hurt Náessë?" Finwë asked, thinking maybe that was the reason for the cold shoulder. Thranduil slapped his forehead.
"You're right, mellon-nin!" Thranduil cried out. Finwë shook his head.
"I am sorry. Go... speak with your son. I will oversee them." He said, gesturing to the novices, who did not need to be watched. Thranduil nodded, and swept out of the room.
He followed the very faint footsteps of the elven prince through the halls until they stopped, and he heard the sound of a door closing. He continued on his way, and listened for voices inside the room.
"Here Náessë." Came Legolas's voice.
"Thank you." His daughter's voice was quiet. Thranduil knocked on the door.
It was opened a moment later by Legolas, who looked up at the king, then stepped aside to let him in, figuring that the king wanted to speak with the princess. "Could I talk with you for a moment, ion-nin?" He asked. Legolas was surprised, then looked to Náessë, who was content with her tea. She nodded. Legolas followed his father out of the room, and Thranduil closed the door behind him.
Órelindë's hands flew to her mouth, her eyes wide in terror. Her face turned a faint green color, and she ran from the stables, and put her hands against the side of the stables, thus emptying her stomach of all contents.
The sight was horrid. Seven elven guards lay slaughtered on the ground, their blood soaking the dirt and hay. The horses were stomping their hooves, whinnying for the loss of their keepers. The smell was rancid. It was clear they had been dead for a few days. Órelindë's breathing quickened, and she held a clammy hand against her forehead. There was another sight in the stables that disturbed her. 'When the snow falls red will the killing cease,' was written on the wall in large letters, dripping. It was written in blood. It was much the same as what had happened in the Hall of Healing.
Suddenly, the tears were flowing from her eyes, landing on the snow, melting it away. A breeze blew through the trees, and she stood up straight. The smell was beginning to leak from the barn. She ripped a small part of her dress and held the cloth against her nose as she went in to inspect the bodies.
One no longer had a head, but it was lying nearby. The expression was that of terror. Tears resumed to fall down her cheeks. She moved to the next one. Several sword wounds, and one fatal one to the heart. The others were much the same. As she was leaving the stables, her hand covered in salty tears, she stumbled. She fell to her knees, dropping her cloth. She had tripped over the severed head.
She let out a scream. Once again, the tears fell, and she was paralyzed with fear.
A passing guard heard the scream and he turned in the direction of it. Then the smell washed up against him like the ocean against rocks. He covered his nose and looked inside the stables. He stepped back in fear. Then he saw Órelindë, the healer, on the ground, crying. He rushed inside, and he helped her up. Keeping one arm around her, he guided her from the stables. Once out, he shut the doors. Órelindë fell against him, tears soaking his uniform. He patted her back gently, trying to comfort her.
"It'll be alright..." He whispered. He knew of course this was a lie and Órelindë knew it, but still, it was comforting to hear. The solder slipped his arm through hers and he led her back to the palace. She was quivering in fear.
Five dark figures slipped away from the shadows of the stables into the forest, the wind sweeping away their tracks.
Thranduil placed a comforting hand on Legolas's shoulder. "I have an apology to make." He said, looking into his son's eyes. Legolas stared back. "I am sorry for accusing you of hurting Náessë. I was not thinking. It is obvious that you would never do anything to hurt your sister. I hope you can forgive me." Thranduil said, sincerity filing his face. Legolas averted his eyes from his father's.
"In due time." He said quietly. Thranduil sighed. He had feared that Legolas would say something like that. He knew that it was harsh for a father to acuse a son of something like that, and Thranduil would have to do everything and anything in his power to win back the trust of his son.
"Aranel will be along to apologize as well, for he is also sorry." Thranduil said, trying to help the matter, but it only seemed to make it worse. Legolas's face grew angry, and saying nothing, he turned to the door to go back in, when they heard sobs coming from around the corner at the end of the hall.
Father and son hurried down the hall, and turned. They found Órelindë clutched a soldier, who was holding her up. She was sobbing, and was caught with the hiccups. Her body shook violently every time she hiccupped.
"Órelindë! What's wrong?" Thranduil asked, running to his friend. Órelindë turned from the soldier, and she buried her face in his robes. The king held his friend, looking to the soldier, who's face was slightly green. Legolas moved to the soldier and pulled him away from the king and healer.
"What happened?" He asked in low tones. The soldier hesitated a moment before answering.
"Something happened in the stables." He said, stammering. Legolas looked puzzled, so the soldier led him away. The whole way to the stables, he kept asking weather or not he should show the prince what was in the stables. He thought he'd better, seeing as it affected him in a way. "Prepare yourself." The soldier said before opening the doors. Legolas had no idea what he was talking about. The soldier pushed the door open a little, and Legolas peeked inside.
He quickly turned away and covered his mouth, running into some trees. The soldier quickly shut the door and went to the prince's side. "I am sorry." He said. Legolas lifted his head. His face was pale. He wanted to say something, but nothing would come out. He simply stared at the stables, breathing hard.
"Did you see the message?" Legolas asked. The soldier nodded.
"I did. Who is doing this?" He asked. Legolas shook his head.
"Wait..." he said suddenly. The soldier turned to him.
"What is it?" He asked.
"I think I..." He started to say, but stopped talking. He bolted off to the palace, leaving the soldier in the dark.
Galadriel was sitting on a bench, holding a hand to her forehead. Her golden hair was falling over her shoulders. Snow flakes were falling, and they were resting on her head until they melted from her body heat.
A thin hand rested on her shoulder. "What is wrong?" Celeborn asked, his dark eyes shining. Galadriel looked up, and he saw that his wife had tears in her eyes. He quickly sat down beside her and pulled her thin frame into his arms.
In her low, beautiful voice, she answered, "Something is amiss in Mirkwood. Horrible... bloodshed."
"Bloodshed?" Celeborn asked in surprise. Galadriel nodded, the tears still falling from her eyes.
It was not often that she cried, and Celeborn knew that when she did, it was something large. "Shall we leave?" He asked. Galadriel nodded.
Ack. Interesting chapter no? Sorry for the um... graphics. –ahem- I always thought being a horror writer would be cool.... I guess I got the inspiration from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Sleepy Hollow, both of which are good movies! Heh.
Later all-
Blue September Rain