Hello! I am back! Now, this is the last chapter that I have typed up so now I have to go double time in my efforts to write, lol. I expect I should be able to keep the Saturday updating pattern. I hope you like this one.

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Chapter 7- Disappearing

Ithilwen sprinted down the stairs, skipping two or three at a time and busted out into the hallway. The screams had stopped. It was eerily quiet. She ran blindly in the dark, only using her acute sense of hearing to find where the screams were coming from. Her ears led her to a doorway not far from her own. Several elves were already gathered around and she could hear her husband's voice shouting out.

"Stay calm!" He shouted, "I beg you all to return to you rooms this moment!" There were some frightened and worried whispers in the group but they finally did as the King told them. Ithilwen approached him and he frowned.

"Thranduil, what is going on?" She asked, placing a hand on his cheek.

"Come see for yourself." He slowly opened the door and the Queen stepped inside. She immediately covered her mouth to stifle her scream and she buried her face in her husband's tunic.

"Oh, Thranduil!" She breathed. He pulled her close to his body.

"Hush, my Queen."

Upon the bed were the two bodies of their most trusted advisors, Curufinwë and Nienna. Both were covered in their blood with multiple stabs all over them. It looked as if the lord was stabbed while he slept and the lady was soon killed after she had awakened. Blood was also staining the walls and carpet. Thranduil felt his robe become damp from his wife's tears and he buried his face in her golden hair.

"Come, Ithilwen, let us go." He slowly began to lead her out of the room but she stopped suddenly.

"Wait, I want to be sure my children are safe." Thranduil nodded.

"Alright." They then made their way quickly down the hallway, poking their heads in the chambers of the princesses and princes. They came to Norui first who was helplessly tangled in his sheets and almost falling off of the bed. The king shook him awake and motioned for him to come. The prince did so with out a question, seeing the distress in his parent's eyes. Next, they went to the room that Lothron and Melyanna shared and woke them up as well. Norui and Thranduil went off together to gather Nendir and Ethiriel while the three elleths went back to the King and Queen's chamber.

As soon as the two princesses came to their parent's room, they hopped upon the bed and fell directly to sleep again. Ithilwen managed a small smile and sat beside them, stroking their mahogany hair as she waited for the others. Finally, they returned with Nendir, Ethiriel and, because of Norui's begging, Glithiel. The king locked the great doors and immediately approached Ithilwen with a worried look.

"Love, Legolas was not in his room." The Queen shook it off.

"It is alright. I know where he is." The Elvenking sighed in relief.

"Alright." He said and kissed her cheek, "But is he safe?"

"Quite safe. Probably safer then we are." She replied, "Just relax."

Soon, the elleths had taken the bed and the ellons sat around discussing what was happening. Norui's jaw was hanging open in disbelief as he listened to his father and Nendir sat composedly though his heart and mind was in much turmoil. Long had Lord Curufinwë and Lady Nienna acted as not only an advisor to the royal family but also as parents to the princes and princesses when the Queen and King could not be there for them. It was a great loss for the family.

"Do you know who might have done it?" Norui asked but Thranduil shook his head.

"No, I do not. There was no trace left by the murderer."

"Surely there must have been footprints. Wasn't there blood on the floor?" Nendir thought aloud.

"There were no tracks either, Nendir. Absolutely nothing. This is a skilled killer." The King sighed and rested his head in his palms, "I do not know what to do about this if we don't even have a place to start."

The two princes exchanged worried glances as their father rubbed his eyes in his hands.

"Perhaps it would be best if we sleep on it?" Norui suggested.

"I do not know if I could sleep when I know there is a murderer somewhere in the palace and I do not know where my youngest is." Thranduil mumbled.

"Naneth said Legolas was safe," Nendir said, "Trust her."

"I do trust her but I cannot help but worry."

The Elvenking once again placed his head in his hands. The two brothers watched him worriedly and they slowly went over to him and rubbed his back comfortingly.

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Legolas awoke the next morning to the sound of a horn trumpeting outside. He immediately sprang up and ran past the still sleeping Daeron. He poked his head out of the bay window to see that elves had begun to gather a large circle outside of the palace. He ran back to the bed and grabbed his light cloak and fastened it around his shoulders.

The prince glanced back at Daeron and then hopped out of the window, using the vines as a rope. He slid down the vines with ease and soon landed at the cobblestone road. He drew his hood up over his head and then easily blended himself in the crowd.

He made his way politely through the group, being careful to shield his eyes from the people. He came to the center to find that his father, mother and Nendir stood, glancing at everyone as they waited for them to calm down. Legolas watched on with interest. Finally, Thranduil raised his arm to silence everyone.

"My wonderful and loyal people, please be silent." He said in a strong, kingly voice. He waited until everyone was quiet before continuing, "I call you from your duties for a drastic event took place just this past night."

There were some murmurs among the group and Legolas furrowed his brow in confusion. He glanced to his brother, Nendir, and saw that his face was easy and placid but turmoil and pain shone from his eyes. The young prince quickly averted his gaze as the Crown Prince shifted his gaze towards him.

"Lord Curufinwë and his wife, Nienna, were murdered in their sleep."

There were gasps in shock and horror. Some of the closest friends of the two immediately broke out into tears. Legolas's jaw dropped as he started at his father in disbelief. Who could have done such a thing?

"Because of this event, it is ordered that all elves are to gather up all of the belongings that they need and our guards will escort you to your own chambers in the palace. You are not to wander without a guard until further notice." Thranduil said, locking gazes with the frightened eyes of his people, "If any of you might know of this, please give us all of the information you can."

No one spoke up. They just started at the King in a daze. After a moment, the Elvenking sighed.

"Go now and gather your things. Guards will be waiting for you at the palace gates." Immediately, the elves began to file out in panic. There were shouts and mothers scooped up their children for protection. Husbands took the hands of their wives and they all rushed back to the houses and talans. Legolas stealthily slipped past them all and came up beside his family.

"Is this true?" He asked, his voice hoarse. Thranduil looked over at him in shock while Ithilwen just smiled.

"Legolas, what are you doing here?" The King gasped. Nendir removed his brother's hood and slapped the back of his head.

"You idiot! You had us all worried sick last night!" He scolded. The Queen glared at her oldest son.

"Nendir, I told you that he was safe. Do you not trust your Naneth?" She asked. Nendir frowned and shook his head.

"I am sorry, Naneth, forgive me." He said. She smiled and kissed his forehead, then turned back to Legolas.

"But I told you to stay in that room no matter what you heard." She said with a frown. Thranduil looked to his wife curiously, "Does Lord Daeron know that you left?

"Which room?" The King asked but she shook her head.

"Nothing." Ithilwen replied, "Let us just get inside. We have to prepare the rooms for the elves and begin our search for this murderer." With that, she wrapped an arm around Legolas's waist and they walked. Thranduil and Nendir exchanged glances when they heard the two whispering quietly.

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Nendir hummed deeply in his throat as his wife gently stroked through his mahogany locks with a brush. They sat in the King and Queen's Chambers on the bed. The rest of the royal family was to stay in there as well but they had gone to aid the elves in moving to the palace.

The Crown Prince caressed the elleth's free hand with his and frowned. Her hand trembled slightly and he turned to look at her. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears and he framed her face with his hands.

"Ethiriel, what troubles you?" He asked worriedly. She shook her head.

"Nothing. Now turn back around so I may finish." She said. Nendir put his hands on her arms and gently pulled her into his lap.

"Please tell me." He said, "Are you afraid?" After a brief moment, Ethiriel nodded hesitantly, "Oh, my love." He breathed, "I will always protect you. I will not let any harm come to you. You are safe with me. I promise."

"I know, Nendir, I know."

Norui entered the room and glanced upon the couple with a sad smile. He approached them and sat on the edge of the bed. He gently traced the elleth's arm with his fingers and smiled when she opened her eyes to look at him.

"Hello there, Ethiriel. How are you feeling?" He asked gently and she shrugged.

"Fine, I guess." She responded weakly. The prince leaned over and placed a wet kiss on her cheek, gaining a soft chuckle.

"I love you, Sister." He said.

"I love you, too, Brother." She responded and smiled at him. Nendir grinned at his wife and brother, happy to see her face light up again.

"Where is Glithiel?" Nendir asked his brother, "Surely you have not given up on her to try and woo my wife." He added with a smirk. Norui blushed and looked away. Ethiriel gasped and slapped the Crown Prince's arm playfully.

"Nendir!" She exclaimed with a laugh.

"Well, um, no." Norui said, clearing his throat, "She, Legolas and the girls, as far as I know, are together. Naneth says we are to be moved to the same room Legolas stayed in last night. She says that it is well hidden." Nendir nodded.

"When?"

"As soon as you are ready. Just grab your things and we can leave."

Nendir nodded and Ethiriel climbed out of his lap but not before placing a chaste yet lingering kiss on his lips. He smirked at her and she laughed, poking his nose, and then stood to gather her things. The Crown Prince watched her for a little while, content with just seeing her move and sway as enticingly as she did. He felt desire for his wife rise up within him but he had learned long ago to keep his emotions in check, especially at a time like this. Norui cleared his throat with a small smile.

"I will be waiting at the door. Don't take too long." He said, directing it at his brother. He then stood and left the chambers. Nendir sighed and glanced at Ethiriel.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" He asked. She smiled innocently at him.

"Did what?" She asked. Nendir quirked an eyebrow at her and she laughed, "Maybe I did, maybe I didn't. What's it to you?"

"You should do it more often." He replied with a roguish grin. The elleth blushed crimson and chuckled along with her husband. The two gathered their things and met Norui outside the door. Immediately, the younger prince dashed off down the hallway. The couple exchanged glances and hurried after him.

"Keep up!" Norui shouted to them as he turned a corner.

"Why don't you slow down?" Nendir shouted but got no response. Ethiriel laughed beside him and he smiled at her, "I love you." He said.

"And I you." She replied and picked up her pace to move in front of him. She laughed, "I hope you enjoy the view!" She exclaimed. Nendir didn't respond but smirked still.

'Oh, I will. I will.´

Nendir nearly toppled over Ethiriel when she suddenly came to a halt. He grumbled and looked for his brother. Norui was leaning against a large door with engravings carved into the frame. He heard him whisper some strange words that were unfamiliar to him and the door clicked. Norui pushed them open and darted inside. Once the other two elves had entered, he closed the door behind them and began the long trek up the spiraling stairs.

Ethiriel stared after her brother-in-law and sighed tiredly. Her husband smiled at her and promptly scooped her up in his arms, bridal style. She chuckled and placed a kiss on his chin and they began the climb. The sight that greeted them was most surprising.

Lothron, Melyanna, Legolas and Glithiel sat on the edge of the bed, looking both bored and annoyed. Thranduil held Ithilwen protectively behind him as he shouted at a tall, silver haired elf who had his hands raised in innocence. Norui shook his head and went to join his beloved while Nendir and Ethiriel watched the three argue with one another.

"My lord, I assure, we are just companions." The silver haired elf said. The Elvenking glared at him with gritted teeth.

"How is it that I have never met you before, elf, when you are in my own home!" He spat. Ithilwen sighed, annoyed.

"Thranduil, how can you doubt me? You should be thankful for the protection that Lord Daeron is providing us with!"

"Silence, Ithilwen! I am speaking to this Daeron, not you." He said. Ithilwen glared and stepped out from behind her husband. Thranduil watched her with questioning eyes.

The next action took everyone off guard.

The Queen raised her hand and slapped her husband's face none too gently. Daeron's eyes widened while the other young elves gasped. The siblings glanced between each other, jaws agape. Ithilwen glared daggers at Thranduil as he slowly raised his hand to the reddened area.

"How dare you speak to me in such a degrading way." She hissed, "And how dare you believe I would be disloyal to you with one who is not even an elf." With that, the elleth stormed away into another chamber and slammed the door behind her.

Nendir rushed over to his siblings to engage in worried whispers that passed between them. The King still held his cheek as he gazed at the door his wife just passed through. Daeron took one hesitant step towards the ellon.

"My lord, I am deeply sorry." He said hurriedly, "I-I did not think it would get this way." Thranduil shook his head slowly.

"Nay, it was not your fault but mine. She is right." With one last glance at the door, he slowly walked away into another room.

Daeron chewed on his bottom lip uneasily and glanced to the other elves. They all had worry glistening in their eyes and he sighed.

"If only Lhach-Melleth were here." He breathed. (Flaming Love)

The couple never left the rooms they had retreated to so Daeron took it upon himself to watch over the princes and princesses. He arranged some bedding on the floor for the ellons to sleep on while the elleths were given the soft bed. He would sleep once again on the lounge chair. It was nearing midnight but no one was able to rest. After a time, they had just given up all together.

The young elves sat huddled together at the head on the bed while Daeron watched them curiously at the foot. They held his gaze with their own. They had even managed to make a game out of it by mimicking every action he made. Daeron sighed and Norui sighed. He scratched his head and Legolas scratched his. The lord shook his head and they all shook they head. Finally, he threw his arms up in the air in exasperation. They did the same.

"Do you all have anything better to do other then play with my nerves?" He asked with a hint of bitterness. They shook their heads to the negative. He rolled his eyes, "Fine. I will be right back." He said, then stood and left for the bathing chambers.

Legolas grinned at his siblings and they grinned back. One by one, they all sneaked back to their respective sleeping areas and feigned sleep. Daeron returned a moment later and sighed in relief when he saw that they had gone to his sleep but his high spirit was extinguished when they all mimicked his sigh. He growled in frustration and they laughed.

After a while, they had quit their antics and were enjoying some decent conversation. Nendir broke away from the group, claiming that he needed to see the stars, and he left for the balcony. He shut the glass doors behind him and then leaned heavily on the balustrade of the terrace. The stars shined brightly in the sky, casting an unearthly glow on the elf's face. The moon was full that night and he smiled in content.

The prince glanced down at the river that flowed through the forest but his smile soon disappeared. He furrowed his brow and glanced up at the sky again. Nothing was out of place and he looked back down to the water. His heart began to pound for the reflection the stars cast showed that they were moving in a circular pattern. Nendir leaned over the railing as he studied the water.

Ever so slowly, the stars began to move to form some jumbled words. They appeared messy and unorganized at first but soon evened out to make some sense. Suddenly, the water turned a deep red and became thicker. The stars turned a midnight black and his body quaked with fear as he read the message that they spelled out.

Heed your mother and do as she bids for

Everyday the time draws closer for the red bird's call

Run in the fields and bathe in the streams,

Praying the day doesn't come for the red bird to call

Nendir leapt back from the balcony with a cry. He fell to the ground on his back and did not get up.

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Thranduil sprang up from the chair he sat on when there was a scream right under him on another floor. His ears perked up and he gazed around the room as if he expected something to jump out at him. There was another shout and the sound of something spurting out. He dashed out of the room to find that his family was awake with panicked looks on their faces. Forgetting his previous quarrel, he strode to Ithilwen and she clung to his tunic.

"Thranduil, did you hear that?" She asked and he nodded, "Do you think it could be the murderer?"

"I do not know. Let us hope that it is not." He said and gazed around the room, mentally checking off each of his children. His eyes widened in fear when he could not find his eldest, Nendir. He strode to Daeron, "My lord, where is Nendir? Where is my son?"

"I-I think he is out on the balcony." The lord stammered, clearly shaken himself. Thranduil brushed past him and stormed onto the balcony. He glanced around and his heart fell.

Nendir was no where to be found.

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There you go! I hope you liked it!

Swasti- Hehe, well, I am glad I can make you smile and I am glad that you liked that part. I was thinking about taking out but then I figured, why not? It isn't offending the rating, lol. Sorry there really isn't much to smile about in this one but I hope you liked it nonetheless. Thank you so much for being such a faithful reviewer and I hope to hear from you again! Cheers!

That is about it! Expect the next chapter next Saturday…You wanna know a good thought? Next time you read a chapter for this, I will be OUT OF SCHOOL! WOOT! Four days left, baby! Thank the Lord!

Until Next Time,

Manwathiel