Hello! I am back with a much longer chapter! I hope you like it.
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Chapter 4- The Silver Elf
Nendir walked wide eyed down the hallway, but unseeing. He wore a dark green robe with the emblem of Mirkwood embroidered in gold. His hair was disheveled, giving him quite the comical appearance.
He stopped to look out the window. The sun shone brightly on his face and he brought up his hand to shield his eyes from the light. Birds flitted happily among the trees, singing their songs of the morning. With a sigh, Nendir turned away from the sight and continued down the corridor.
He heard a door creak open and he stopped. Gazing around, he found that every door was still closed. He shook his head with a sigh.
'I must still be tired.' He thought as he continued to the dining hall. He smiled when he came to a hallway that was lined with pictures his mother painted. He traced one lightly with the tip of his finger and closed his eyes. He remembered the day when he found his two brothers as they were in the picture.
Obviously an old painting, it featured two young elflings, only about 500 years apart. One had brown hair with a tint of red and emerald greens eyes. He was clad in a red tunic. The younger one had golden hair with sparkling blue eyes, wearing a blue tunic. The two elflings had their arms wrapped around each other, their eyes glazed in a deep elven slumber on a rather large bed.
Nendir opened his eyes again and smiled. With one last glance at the picture, he continued on, occasionally stopping to look at another picture. He rounded the corner and glanced quickly at a mirror to be sure his reflection was correct. He saw the same face he was accustomed to, but there was something else.
The prince spun on his heel to turn behind him, but there was nothing there. His eyes darted every which way, but the hallway was empty. He swallowed hard, then turned back to face the mirror.
Cast in the reflection behind the elf was a tall being who carried a white staff. His golden hair cascaded down a little past his shoulders and was hanging freely. The points on his ears peeked out from under his locks, revealing that he was an elf. He was clad in a white tunic and leggings. A flowing, white cloak was pinned around his neck with a silver brooch. A long sword hung on his belt around his slim waist with one of the elf's hands gripping on it. His face was extremely pale, accenting the single red marking over both his silver eyes. He wore a frown on his face as he gazed back at the Crown Prince.
Nendir felt his heart race as the strange elf kept his gaze steady on him. He never moved from his spot, never left his gaze. With a nervous sigh, the prince turned slowly to face the elf. This time, he was really standing there. He did not disappear.
"W-Who are you?" Nendir stuttered, trying to sound as brave and prince-like as possible, but it did not respond. He instinctively reached for the hilt of his sword, but soon realized that he was still in his robe and he swallowed hard, looking back to the strange elf.
The absent wind blew through the elf's golden, almost white, hair, brushing up against his fair face. His aura gave off a gentle feeling, but Nendir was not prepared to let his guard down. With one nimble hand, he reached up and tucked his hair behind a pointed ear, but quickly replaced it back on the hilt of his sword.
Nendir shifted on his feet and glared at the elf.
"What do you want?" He asked bitterly. The elf quirked his head and looked down the hallway where the prince had come from. Nendir followed his gaze, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. "What is it?" He asked again with a tad more kindness.
'Maybe if I speak nicely to him, he will respond.' He thought.
The elf looked at him again, still frowning, then began to glide swiftly down the hallway. Nendir watched with curious eyes as the strange elf stopped and turned to him. His sad eyes beckoned to the prince and Nendir found himself moving towards the elf. He started moving down the hallway again with the prince following behind.
He brought the prince down many corridors until he came to a set of large, oak doors. Vines were engraved into the sides in winding patterns and every once in a while, a large, gold leaf would shoot out from the vine. Nendir glared, and then turned to the elf.
"Why did you bring me here?" He asked bitterly. Once again, it made no response, but nodded towards the door. Nendir growled. "This is my room. What about it?" The elf seemed to roll his eyes, then pushed the door open and strode in quietly.
Nendir followed from behind, glaring at him. He noticed Ethiriel was still asleep in bed with a content smile upon her lips. He smiled at her lovingly, and then turned his attention back to the elf. For the first time, the strange elf was smiling at him. Nendir quirked his head.
"What?" The elf looked over to the sleeping elleth and strode over to her. Nendir's heart leapt and he stepped towards him. "That is my lady." He said bitterly and the elf looked over to him with a nod. He sat down on the edge of the bed and gently brushed a strand of brown hair from her face. She sighed and rolled over onto her side. Nendir watched with glaring eyes, waiting for the elf to try anything.
Finally, the elf stood from his seat and looked back to Nendir. His frown had returned.
"What do you want?" Nendir asked once again and, also yet again, the elf did not respond. The prince gave an exasperated sigh and brushed his hair out of his face. "Can you at least tell me your name?" The elf's face lit up and he walked towards the bathroom. Nendir growled. "I did not ask you if you would like the use the bathroom! I asked you for your name!" He shouted.
Ethiriel woke up suddenly and glanced up worriedly at Nendir. She saw the glare he wore and followed his gaze towards the door. She furrowed her brow.
"Nendir, who are you talking to?" She asked, tiredness still lacing her voice. Nendir glance over to her.
"That elf!" He said, pointing in the direction that the said elf was standing. Ethiriel looked back in that direction, but shook her head.
"Love, there is no one there." She said. Nendir's face fell and he glanced back to the door. Just as she had said, no one stood there anymore.
"But, there was…" He whispered. Ethiriel stood and came up to him, cupping his cheek in her palm.
"Nendir, are you feeling alright? Maybe you should get some sleep." She said worriedly and she frowned up at him. Nendir sighed.
"Ethiriel, there was someone there. I know there was."
"This is the second time you said you saw something that wasn't really there." She said, shaking her head. Nendir frowned and stroked her arm gently.
"You do not believe me?" He asked quietly. Ethiriel sighed and stepped away from him, turning her back to him. Nendir let his arms hang limp at his sides as he watched with teary eyes. "Ethiriel? Love?" He called.
The elleth turned suddenly and crashed her lips onto his as tears streamed down her alabaster skin. Nendir accepted it eagerly and wrapped his arms tightly around her lithe form. He tangled his hands in her hair and moaned into her lips as her mouth parted to grant him entry. But almost as soon as it had started, she pulled away from him, her eyes red from crying. He put his arms around her protectively.
"What is it, Ethiriel, my lady?" He asked gently.
"I do not know if I should believe you," She whispered, "What you say seems impossible, yet my heart tells me that you are telling the truth." Nendir kissed her gently yet firmly again, and then looked into her eyes.
"I love you, Ethiriel, and I would not do anything intentionally that would cause you stress. Please, listen to your heart. It will not bet-" He stopped in his sentence as he caught sight of the window leading to his balcony and his eyes widened.
A white fog began to form over the glass, making it impossible to see through.
"Nendir?" Ethiriel called to him quietly.
"Ethiriel, look." He said, letting her go and pointing to the doors. She turned and watched.
"Nendir; the-" She, too, stopped mid-sentence as she watched faint, red letters form over the steam. Her eyes widened. "Nendir…" She gasped.
'Keep them close to you, but
In time the red bird will call.'
The prince stared wide eyed at the words and read them over and over in his mind. They then slowly began to fade, as did the mist and his heart leapt. He pulled Ethiriel tight to him.
"Now tell me that you did not see that." He whispered. He felt her voice hitch in her throat.
"No, Nendir, I saw that." She whispered back.
Their bodies trembled with fear as the strange, white elf disappeared around the corner.
Nendir strode from his lady's arms and to the doors. He quickly shut the curtains and turned back to Ethiriel. She had her arms wrapped around herself and she was quaking uncontrollably. Her eyes were wide with fear and her lips trembled.
"Nendir…" The prince ran to her side and put his protective arms around her. She quickly grabbed him and clenched onto him. He rubbed her back in small circles.
"Shh, my love, it will be all right." He felt a wet spot begin to form on his shoulders and sighed. She was crying and her shoulders racked with sobs. "Let us go to breakfast, Ethiriel, my queen, and take our minds off of this." He said gently, then began to lead her out of the room.
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Thranduil, the Elvenking of Mirkwood, shook his head. He took his face from his hands and glanced around him. Norui and Legolas lay wrestling on the soft, green carpet, trying to smooth out some strange argument that no one knew the cause of. His two daughters, Lothron and Melyanna, were screaming insults back at one another across the table. He heard his wife, Ithilwen, chuckle beside him and she placed a hand on his leg. He looked over at her and she smiled.
"Smile, my husband, and be happy. It is not everyday you see our children this active in the morning." She said. Thranduil rolled his eyes in a very un-elflike way.
"True but they should not be behaving like this! I thought we raised them well." He hissed.
"We have raised them well. It is just sibling rivalry is all. Be calm, love." She said and planted a kiss on his cheek. He smiled and leaned over to kiss her on the lips but Legolas laughed and called out.
"Look! Ada and Naneth are going to kiss!" He exclaimed and the four elves turned to watch their parents with waiting eyes. Thranduil growled at his youngest and Ithilwen chuckled. The Elvenking opened his mouth to shout at the amused elf when the great doors suddenly swung open. He laid his eyes upon the two and he furrowed his brow. Ithilwen looked worriedly at the two standing in the doorway.
"Nendir, what is the matter?" Thranduil asked gently as he stood from his seat. The Crown Prince looked up from his weeping wife.
"Something happened that has disturbed both I and Ethiriel." He stated simply.
"What is it, dear?" The Queen asked as she, too, stood from her seat. The four other elves quieted down as they gazed at their older brother and sister.
"I wish not to talk about it." The two parents looked between the couple, frowning. "Let us just enjoy breakfast." He said, then made his way over to the large table. He helped Ethiriel into her seat and sat down beside her. She immediately grabbed his hand in her's and pulled it into her lap. Nendir leaned over and placed a chaste kiss on her lips, then began to eat. The rest of the family filed over to the table and finished their meal in silence.
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Legolas strode down the empty hallway in silence. The green curtains blew gently in the breeze drifting in from an open bay window. He glanced outside where he saw his older brother, Norui, sitting on a stone bench with his lady, Glithiel. He saw them give each other a brief kiss, then Norui stood and walked away. The prince sighed and he continued down the hall.
Turning the corner, Legolas stopped suddenly and snapped his head around in every direction. The hair on the back of his neck stood up and he felt a chill course down his spine. He shivered and willed himself to continue walking.
The breeze around him stopped and all was eerily quiet. The floors creaked with every step he took and he stopped again when he felt a presence behind him. His heart beat faster and faster and his eyes were wide. A cold breath blew on the nape of his neck. He trembled as he slowly turned around to face whatever he thought was there.
Stars wheeled around him and blackness engulfed his senses. A sharp pain shot across his chest and he opened his mouth to scream but no noise came out. I was as if something was constricting his throat. His body snapped backwards and fell in a heap onto the floor. His eyes were wide and covered by a thick glaze. His mouth hung open and a small stream of blood dripped out and onto the floor.
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Nendir groaned and clamped his eyes shut. Sunlight shone brightly through his eyelids and he growled, placing his arm over his eyes. The soft chirping of birds and the rushing of water filled his ears and he furrowed his brow. He opened his eyes, squinting at the light, and looked around.
He lay in the grass under a large tree. A gurgling creek swept beside him and trickled over smooth river stones. The sun was high up in the sky, signaling that it was around midday, and no clouds blocked it.
The prince sat up in confusion. He was clad only in his leggings and was soaking wet. He saw his tunic caught on a pointed rock in the center of the creek and he stood to retrieve it. He slipped it over his head and glanced around.
'How did I get out here?' He thought. He saw the high towers of the castle in the distance and he shrugged. 'Oh well. I must have been really tired.' With that last thought, he began to slowly make his way back to his home.
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A crowd of elves was gathered in one of the many passages of the Mirkwood Palace. Quiet whispers and murmurs were passed throughout the group as they stood fascinated by the sight before them.
Nendir came down the corridor and paused when he saw them all. One elf on the outer circle glanced back at him with a frown and bowed.
"My Lord." He greeted. Nendir bowed as well.
"Lord Maeglin, what is happening?" The elf lord's expression hardened.
"I think you should see for yourself." He said. Nendir gave him one last glance and he stepped into the circle. The elves at once parted to give him space and his heart quickened as he got closer to the center. The last one moved and the prince gazed down at the sight before him. His eyes widened and he felt his heart stop.
His youngest brother, Legolas, stared up at him with unseeing eyes. His tunic has been shredded and only hung loosely at his body. Deep gashes covered his entire body and crimson blood spilled out freely. A large puddle of the red pooled out beneath him and stained his tunic even further. His once golden hair was tainted dark red and it dripped down his face, trickling off the points of his ears. Not one part of him was left untouched by the warm liquid.
Nendir shook his head in disbelief and he dropped to his knees beside his brother. The blood splashed up around his knees and on his leggings but he didn't care. He reached down to Legolas and placed his hands on his chest and forehead.
"Legolas?" He croaked but he got no response. His hand ran down his cheekbone and traced his jaw line until he came to his neck. He found that a cut had been sliced across it, cutting the large artery and continued across his throat.
The Crown Prince choked as large tears streamed out of his eyes and down his cheek where they would splatter on the lifeless prince. He grabbed his brother up in his arms, not caring about the blood, and held him tight to his chest. He could feel the mournful gazes of the elves around him and, for the first time since he was an elfling, he screamed in disbelief and sadness and let his tears flow freely. He pressed his lips to Legolas's forehead and rested his cheek on his head.
"No, Legolas…come back to me." He whimpered, "We can not go on without you."
"My Lord Nendir?" Someone asked behind him. The prince didn't turn to look but he continued anyway, "Look at the wall."
Nendir inhaled deeply and turned his gaze to the wall. He felt his heart drop even more if that was possible. Splattered in warm blood were the words:
'Let yourself be at rest and run freely for
Later the red bird will call.
Earth you love and enjoy 'till the
Day the red bird calls.'
He read those words over and over in his head. Handprints were smeared all over it and trailed down the wall in thin streams. He could hear the voices calling to him from behind but he didn't answer. His eyes remained fixed on those haunting words written in his brother's blood.
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That be it! Muahaha, I torture Legolas. Yay!
Swasti- Yes, this one is longer, I think. Yay for me! I hope you liked it. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
That's it. Later!
Until Next Time,
Manwathiel