Hahaha! Look! I am back and I think this chapter is much longer! I hope you like it! I had trouble with it too because our power kept flickering! I had to continuously go back and redo everything! Gah! Stupid thing!
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Chapter 8- Combat Skills Revealed
Thranduil raced back into the chambers to find Ithilwen and Daeron trying to comfort the younger elves. The King glanced around the room before rushing over to the lord.
"Nendir was not out there." He said hurriedly. The Queen caught this.
"Where is he, then?" She asked, her face beginning to turn a deathly pale. Thranduil and Daeron exchanged nervous glances. The Elvenking took a tentative step towards his wife.
"Nendir is gone and we do not know where he is." He said solemnly. Her eyes widened slowly, bringing her fingers to her lips in shock.
"What is he was…" She didn't finish this statement as worry and shock took hold of her, knocking her out of consciousness. Legolas and Norui caught her before she hit the ground and, together, they carefully placed her on the bed. When they saw that she was comfortable, they glanced towards their father. The other elleths in the room quickly rushed to her side, fussing over her.
"Ada, what is going to happen to him?" Norui asked. Legolas's face was completely unreadable, so tormented he was.
"I do not know," Thranduil said, "But Lord Daeron and I are going to go look for him." The mentioned lord nodded once but then snapped his head towards the king.
"I am?" He asked, nervously.
"Yes, you are," He replied sternly, "After all, he was in your charge. It was your responsibility to keep watch over him." Daeron opened his mouth to retort but quickly reconsidered when Thranduil gave him a warning glare. He bowed.
"Very well. I shall aid you in your search." The king nodded his thanks and then he turned to his children.
"Do not leave this room under any circumstances." He ordered, "Is that clear?" They all nodded, "Good. Keep watch over your Naneth." With that, he turned on his heel and darted out of the room. Daeron took one last glance at Ithilwen on the bed and at the younger elves. He gave them a reassuring smile and then followed Thranduil.
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The two lords sprinted side by side down the corridors. No one was about and if they met anyone, they were directed to their rooms immediately. Thranduil took this time to study Daeron more closely. He still did not trust the lord but he seemed to be very close to his wife. But, then again, this was why he did not trust him though he scolded himself for thinking such things about Ithilwen.
Daeron's eyes were wide and alert but the elf could tell he was afraid. He took long strides and his silver hair billowed out behind him like a ghost. He looked young but Thranduil could tell he was not just by the way his eyes glittered.
"My lord!" Daeron gasped suddenly and pulled him around a corner. Thranduil shook his head.
"What is it?" The king asked and the lord promptly slapped a hand over his mouth. Thranduil glared and Daeron frowned, backing away.
"My apologies, my lord," He whispered, "But we must be silent." The Elvenking cocked his head in puzzlement and the other nodded once around the corner. Thranduil glanced to where Daeron was motioning to but quickly snapped his head back around again.
A tall being clad only in silver and white was kneeled over the body of an elven maiden. His fingers flexed on a shining dagger that appeared to be in the shape of a dragon or flying beast of some sort. The elleth's body was coated in blood yet the ellon remained spotless. Even when he touched the elf, no blood came to his hands.
His hair was silver and glinted in the moonlight. He made no sound except for his light breathing. His eyes glinted maliciously as he stared at the she-elf. He lightly traced one long finger down her cheek and stopped at her collar bone. He then grunted and began wiping the blood off his dagger onto the carpet.
Thranduil looked to Daeron.
"Who is that?" He asked.
"I know not." The lord replied, "Perhaps it is the murderer." He suggested. Thranduil snorted quietly so as not to alert the white being.
"It seems that way, elf." Daeron fixed the King with a glare.
"I am no elf." He said, then leaned forward to see the strange elf. He had sheathed his dagger and was crouching beside the maiden, as if studying her.
"Then what are you?"
"That, my lord, is not important at the moment." He replied crossly and leaned against the wall again, "What is your plan?"
"I think we should just jump out and capture him." Thranduil said hastily.
"That would be rash."
"I do not recommend that."
Thranduil and Daeron spun around and came face to face with the killer elf.
Daeron's eyes opened wide in shock and fear but he held his ground, gripping nervously at the hilt of his small dagger on his belt. Thranduil flexed his fingers, giving the elf a hard, steely glare.
"Who are you?" He asked bitterly and the being smirked, revealing two pointed canines.
"I, my lord, am Lord Elinyro." He swept his silver cloak in front of him and bowed, "A pleasure to make your acquaintance." He said slowly, running his tongue over his pointed teeth maliciously with an evil smirk.
"What do you want here in my kingdom?"
"Nothing," He began, "Except the lives of your people."
"That shan't happen." The king said, stepping towards Elinyro and drawing his sword. This brought a grin to the elf's face.
"I would like to see you try."
Before Thranduil or Daeron could do anything, Elinyro launched himself into the air with a hiss. His once composed eyes had gone wide with anger and a glowing red they had become. He kicked out with his foot, catching Thranduil in the jaw. The king stumbled back with a gasp but was caught by the lord before he fell.
Elinyro fell to the ground in a crouch and hissed once more. The Elvenking regained his composure, then drew his knife from his belt. The other elf glanced at the blade.
"You do not fight fairly, my king!"
"And you do? I am not the one running around killing innocent elves!" Thranduil retorted, flexing his grip on the hilt of the knife. Elinyro gritted his teeth, then lunged at the two of them again. Almost as quick as he moved, Daeron dodged the elf and latched himself onto his back.
"Autonna!" (Go away, creature!) He growled and promptly flipped onto his back, crushing the lord beneath him. Daeron cried out in pain. Despite his appearance, Elinyro was quite heavy. The weight was soon removed, though, when Thranduil jumped forward, knocking the elf off and they crashed into the wall with a grunt. The elf was momentarily stunned and the King took this time to rush over to Daeron.
"My lord, are you alright?" He asked quickly. Daeron opened one eye and nodded slowly.
"Yes, I am fine," He answered quietly, "My back is aching."
"Do not worry, I-"
"My lord!" Daeron shouted and grabbed the Elvenking's arms, flipping him over his body. Elinyro came at them again and the lord narrowly missed being impaled by his dragon dagger.
Elinyro growled in frustrated, then snatched up his dagger and placed his foot on the lord's neck.
"I have had enough of you!" He spat, raising the dagger over his head. Daeron gasped for breath and black spots formed in front of his eyes. But Thranduil kicked out, swiping Elinyro's feet out from under him and he crashed the floor. The King stood and pounced on the elf, trying to keep him as far away from Daeron as he could.
Thranduil pinned down his legs with his knees and then drew his knife again. Elinyro growled and head-butted him. The king moaned in pain, rolling away and the other elf pinned him down, raising his knife over his heart.
"You are through, king!" He hissed and brought the dagger down.
But something happened.
A wave pulsated out through the hallway and everything seemed to morph together. Movements and words slowed into they were incoherent gibberish. Elinyro glanced around in confusion as did Thranduil. Then they glanced to Daeron.
He stood with his legs spread far apart as if bracing himself. His hands were outstretched before him, sending forth the strange wave. His eyes were clenched tight and his teeth were gritted as if he were experiencing great pain.
The wave sucked itself back into his hand and the lord fell back to the ground with a groan. Thranduil suddenly felt the weight on his body lessen and he glanced up. He furrowed his brow.
Elinyro had disappeared without a trace.
The king leapt up and rushed to Daeron's side. He rolled him onto his back and pressed his pointed ear to his chest. He found a steady heart beat and he sighed in relief. It seemed as if he were only in a deep slumber. Thranduil carefully shook his shoulder.
"My lord Daeron?" He called and the lord grumbled.
"What?" He asked in annoyance, slowing cracking his eyes to see the Elvenking.
"Are you alright? What did you do?" Thranduil asked curiously. Daeron sat up with a grunt and rubbed the back of his head.
"I am fine but exhausted. That wore me out." He explained.
"But what was that?"
"It is a power. It shifts people, objects, animals or anything else from their positions to another one quite a distance away." Daeron said, "Sort of like time travel, if that makes any sense at all." Thranduil nodded though he was still confused.
"Where is he, then?"
"I am not sure. I cannot control where the power places them. I can only give it a general direction."
"So you let him escape?" The king asked with bitterness. Daeron quirked his brow.
"He is still within the palace, my lord."
"But we were so close to catching him, Daeron! So close and you let him escape!" He shouted angrily though still trying to stay quiet. The lord stared at him with a disbelieving look.
"My lord, he was about to kill you and I was in no condition to fight! I did the only thing I could do!" He argued. Thranduil threw his hands up in the air in exasperation.
"He is a murderer, Daeron, and now he has escaped once again! I was in no threat to him!"
It was Daeron's turn to throw his arms in the air. He growled at the king, then stepped towards the elven maiden that lay dead on the ground. He bent down and gently stroked her pale face. Her lips were a rosy hue that stood out from her soft face and they were parted ever slightly. Her gray eyes were wide in fright and no longer shimmered like they used to. Daeron ran his fingers through her dark hair and he sighed, then moved to close her eyes gently with two fingers. He stood back up and faced Thranduil.
"I am returning to my chambers. You may take care of this elleth how ever you choose." He said monotonously and, after a curt nod, he turned and stormed off down the hallway. The king glared at him back as he left, silently cursing himself for even trying to be friendly with him.
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Nendir groaned as he rolled over onto his side. He lay on the soft ground, covered in small beads of dew drops. He heard the gurgling of the small stream rushing over smooth river rocks beside him but he had not the strength to turn towards it. He slowly opened his weary eyes and looked up into the sky. The stars shone brightly, as did the moon, and he even had to shield his eyes from the light.
"How did I get out here?" He asked himself as his emerald eyes gradually become adjusted to the shining stars above him, "And I ache all over the place!" He exclaimed, groaning. He eventually gathered the strength to pull himself into a sitting position and he rubbed his eyes. He glanced around and he saw the scattered lights of the palace in the distance, "Have I been sleep walking? This is not the first time I have ended up here." He mused.
After a while longer, he stood to his feet but wobbled some, then fell back down.
"Ai, I feel like I have been in a bloody battle!" Ever so slowly, he hoisted himself up to his feet again, leaning backwards to crack his back, then carefully made his way back to his home.
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Daeron approached the door to his chambers and raised his hand to knock but he heard screeching coming from inside. He furrowed his brow and pressed his ear to the door. He quirked his head when he heard a series of panicked shrieks followed by a crash.
"What is wrong with her?" Melyanna screeched as she fended off the falcon with a silk pillow. Espenshade hissed at the princess, then flew off to find another victim. Norui had to drop to the ground as she dived down at him.
"I have no idea!" He shouted back, just as he covered his head to avoid her sharp beak.
The door swung open suddenly and the young royals all looked toward it with fearful eyes, all believing the worst. Daeron glanced at them all with curious eyes and they all sighed in relief. Espenshade chirped excitedly from her perch on the back of a chair and raced towards the lord's shoulder. She chirped again and began to nibble on the point of his ear.
Slowly, the princes and princesses stood from their hiding spots and glared at Daeron.
"Why was she attacking us?" Lothron ordered hotly, placing her hands on her hips. The lord smiled at her as he stroked the falcon's wings.
"She missed me, is all." He replied, "Espenshade is extremely intelligent and she is well aware that something is going on in the palace."
"Where is Ada?" Legolas asked suddenly as if he was oblivious to the current conversation. Daeron turned to look at the young prince with a reassuring smile.
"He is well, Prince Legolas. He merely…stayed behind."
"And where is Nendir? Did you find him?" Ethiriel asked, playing nervously with the hems on her gown. The lord's smile faltered.
"Nay, my lady, we did not find him." The elleth paled and looked near to passing out just as her mother-in-law had done, "But I can give you good news! We found the murderer and he had not found Nendir at that point, we think. He had…found another victim." He finished sadly.
They all gasped and Espenshade paused in her chewing. Daeron looked up at her and they locked gazes for a few moments as if sharing private thoughts. Finally he nodded and the falcon sighed.
"Yes, Espenshade, that is what I had to do." He said quietly and she slapped the back of his head with her wing, "Ow!" He breathed, rubbing the stinging area and glaring at her. This earned a few quiet chuckles from some of the elves.
"How is it that you speak to her, my lord?" Glithiel asked as she was enveloped in Norui's protective arms.
"She and I have a special connection, you might say. She can read my thoughts through my eyes and I can do the same to her."
"How long have you had her?" Melyanna asked, hopping up onto the bed to check on her mother's unconscious form.
"Many years." That was all he said and did not speak again.
A few moments later, they heard the soft footfalls of someone coming up the stairs. The elleths gasped quietly and hid themselves, along with the Queen, in another room. The ellons took up any sort of weapon they could find and stood waiting at the door. More time passed and then the door creaked open.
Their hearts froze as they waited for the person to step around the door and, once he had made his appearance, they wanted to scream in annoyance. Thranduil stood in front of them with a sorrowful look on his face. The princes dropped their weapons, a small cutting knife and a heated fire poker, and marched back to get their sisters.
Daeron eyes the King for a moment before stooping to pick up the abandoned 'weapons' and then placed them back in their spots. Thranduil shut the door behind him, locking it, and then strode to the bed. He removed his soft boots and cloak, dropping them on the floor, and then he turned to Daeron.
"Where is my wife?" He asked, trying to keep the bitterness out of his voice. The lord simply motioned with his head to the door that all of the others had gone off to. Without another word, Thranduil left to see his family.
Once the King had shut the door behind him, Daeron sighed and kneaded his forehead with his fist. Espenshade cooed softly, nuzzling her head against his neck. He chuckled quietly and then slowly began to walk out to the balcony.
"Someone needs to knock some sense into him, Espenshade." He said quietly, "He doesn't understand. He is not even grateful that I saved his life."
Daeron leaned heavily on the railing and gazed up to the heavens. The falcon sighed contentedly and gazed up as well.
"It is beautiful, is it not?" He asked, smiling, "Every night it gets even better. And the sunrises are just as wonderful. Never the same." She bit him on the ear suddenly and he glanced sharply at her. He stared into her eyes and smiled a few moments later, shaking his head, "Funny, you are."
The lord gazed down on the creek below and furrowed his brow when he saw a dark figure walking unsteadily towards the palace. He stood up straight and watched the person with sharp eyes. Espenshade squawked quietly and then swooped down to the person. Daeron did not question her, only watching carefully.
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Nendir groaned inwardly as another shot of pain shot up his spine. He stumbled once more and barely caught himself before he fell to the dewy ground. He winced as he straightened out his back, allowing it to crack again, and then continued his painful walk. Cracking seemed to have gotten even more painful.
A screech caught his attention and he looked up slowly to see the silhouette of a falcon soaring towards him. He watched the bird intently until it was close enough for him to recognize it as Espenshade.
The falcon stretched out her talons and perched herself lightly upon the elf's shoulder. She eyed him carefully, then chirped softly.
"My back is killing me, Espenshade, I feel like I have just been beaten." He said, not really thinking that she could understand him. The falcon made a clicking sound in her mouth and, slowly, a small beam of light formed in her mouth. Nendir watched curiously.
The beam of light traveled down the elf's back and he gasped when he felt his back tighten, then stretch. The light disappeared back to Espenshade's mouth and she sighed tiredly. Nendir gaped at her.
"How did you do that!" He exclaimed, suddenly able to move his back without injuring himself. The bird only stared at him with a twinkle in her eyes. Nendir opened his mouth to speak again but someone shouting stopped him. The prince suddenly became very aware and he grabbed for the hilt of his sword only to find none there.
"Espenshade!" Someone called, "Where are you?" The falcon screeched quietly and flew off of Nendir's shoulder to land on Daeron's outstretched hand. The lord stroked her feathers affectionately, whispering some quiet words to her, then glanced up at the prince. His eyes widened, "Prince Nendir! Thank goodness Espenshade found you!" He exclaimed, rushing over to him.
"I'm alright, my lord." The prince replied quietly and gave him a smile. Daeron smiled back and slung his arm over his shoulders.
"Come, we must get you back to the palace. Your family is worried sick about you." Nendir nodded once and walked slowly back to his home with the support of Daeron.
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The princes and princesses nearly knocked down their brother when he hobbled back into the room. His two brothers shouted playfully at him and the elleths hugged him tightly. Ithilwen had long sense awoken and she was watching her eldest with a relieved smile. Thranduil came to sit by her and kissed her lightly, smiling.
"Do not ever do that again, Nendir!" Ethiriel scolded as she bombarded him with passionate kisses, "I thought you had been killed!"
"Fear not, love, I am alive and well. My back aches but nothing more." The Crown Prince assured her with a smile and she sighed in relief, placing one last gentle kiss on his lips.
After a few moments, the group settled down on the bed and Daeron retold his tale, or rather Espenshade's tale, on how he had come to discover the missing prince. They were all thankful and praised the lord and falcon, treating him as if he were one of the family.
"What happened, Ada, that made you out for a long time?" Norui asked, tracing one finger lightly up his beloved's arm. A shiver went up her spine and she giggled, placing a kiss on his cheek.
"We ran into the murderer." The King answered, glaring at Daeron, "But he was able to escape us."
"How?" Nendir asked. He was currently in the arms of his protective mother and he grunted when she kissed the back of his head and ruffled his mahogany hair. She smiled. Ethiriel stifled a chuckle.
"He was about to kill your father but I was able to save him though it allowed the murderer to escape."
"I had everything completely under control." Thranduil retorted. The Queen put a grip on his arm and frowned at him. Before the two could begin arguing again, Lothron spoke up.
"Nendir, why were you outside?" She asked, "Why did you leave?"
The Crown Prince frowned and looked down to his hands. Pale and smooth, they were, like the rest of his body. There were calluses in some places, a lot on his finger tips, and he gently rubbed them with his other fingers, strangely distracted by them. He furrowed his brow as he studied his digits.
"Nendir?" Lothron called again and he looked up with a troubled face. She eyed him worriedly, "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I am fine. Just thinking, is all." He replied.
"Are you sure?"
"I think so."
No one said anything else to the Crown Prince. Ethiriel has moved over to him and he stroked her side absently.
Nendir continued to stare at his hands. He sensed something strange about them as they touched his now sleeping wife. They no longer seemed innocent, to him, as they once did. He had used them all of his life for battle against the enemy and for the love he gave to Ethiriel. But he did not sense that in them anymore. They felt tainted and dirty but he couldn't figure out why.
"Love?" Ethiriel said softly, placing a hand lightly on his.
"I am here. Sleep." He said and the elleth's eyes glazed over. Nendir watched her for a moment, then leaned over and kissed her neck.
One by one, the royal family drifted off to sleep. Norui and Glithiel slept on the floor, holding each other in their arms. His parents slept on the large bed, Thranduil spooning against Ithilwen. Legolas was lying on his stomach in between his two sisters. Though they didn't want to admit it, Lothron and Melyanna felt the need to protect their youngest sibling. Daeron was sleeping on the lounger with Espenshade tucked in his arms.
The Crown Prince lifted his wife and set her down on the floor in a pile of blankets and pillows. She sighed in her sleep and shifted onto her side. Nendir smiled and placed a kiss on her lips…only to be surprised when she returned her own tired kiss. He pulled away and she smiled shyly at him.
"Your kisses could wake me from the dead." She replied quietly.
"At least I now have a remedy if that ever came to pass, my fair lady." He said with a roguish smirk.
The two fell asleep in each other's arms. Nendir's tunic had been partially removed and the strap on Ethiriel's gown had begun to slip but they paid no attention to it. Smiles were plastered on their faces.
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A lone wolf howled, atop a hill not far from the palace, at the bright moon that night. The leaves rustled innocently as the crisp breeze passed through them. Crickets chirped and an owl hooted from its roost in a tall tree. There was peace in the forest of Mirkwood.
The wolf howled again, more loudly this time, but was silenced when it gave a great yelp. It whimpered quietly, followed by another yelp, and it made no more noise. The song of the night that the creatures composed came to a halt. All was eerily quiet except for the menacing hiss that escaped from a black figure's lips. It licked its teeth slowly, continuing to hiss.
"You will not escape me, Prince Nendir." It said quietly, "Life is not an option."
A gust of wind blew by, swirling at its feet, and then it was gone; vanishing into the darkness of the night.
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Was this longer? It certainly felt like it! Lol. Hope you liked it. :)
Swasti- Well, here he his, lol. And you will just have to wait to see what is going to happen. Hehe. Whatever does happen, I hope you like it! Yes, mysteries are good. This is actually the first time that I have ever tried a mystery. I hope I am doing good. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Well, that is about it! Namarie!
Until Next Time,
Manwathiel