Last chapter! Yay! But, of course, we have the epilogue also. Hehe. I hope you like this one! The final one! YES:dances around excitedly:
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Chapter 14- A New Life
Yet another funeral was held the next day. All of the elves were in mourning for their lost Queen. The whole royal family was dressed in black robes and, though they now had a new member of the family, was in worse condition then any other. After the funeral, they all sat together in the King and Queen's chambers, trying desperately to comfort each other and themselves.
The newest elfling, Aerogaladhad, would grow up without a Naneth to take care of her. She would never learn how to do anything that other elleths did unless her sisters were able to teach her. But this would not compare to the love that her Naneth would have given her had she been there. No one would be there to help her when she met the ellon of her dreams or how to act like a princess would. On her wedding day, she would have no one to comfort her and reassure her that everyone would work out well. The care and love of her sisters would not be enough.
Melyanna found comfort in the arms of her younger brother. Legolas allowed her to cling to his tunic and cry into his shoulder while he battled his own emotions. He kissed her on the forehead softly as tears streamed down his alabaster cheeks on dropped onto the bed. He had lost three people that were dear to him and he felt as if he had no one else. His thoughts were jumbled and confused; he could not make out what to think.
Lothron found herself clinging to Norui as he comforted his own lover. The princess wrapped her arm around the ellon's waist and struggled to keep back the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. When she felt the prince's comforting touch on her cheek, she looked up to his eyes and immediately let her sorrow flow out. She buried her face in his shoulder as she tried to quiet her sobs once more.
Thranduil rocked his baby daughter in his arms, staring ahead but unseeing. He felt as if he were empty. The loss of Ithilwen's presence in his body left him bewildered and lost. He felt as if he could not function anymore. The elleth that he had shared his life with for countless years was gone and he knew that she would not come back. Even if she was reborn, she might not remember him or her family. The only thing he had left of his beloved were his children and he was not sure if even they could keep him from fading.
Suddenly, something clicked in his mind and he felt his emotions come rushing back to him. He remembered what had happened the night before and who was present. He came down the corridor to find his wife's body on the floor and Nendir sitting beside her with a knife and he was covered in . For a brief moment, he felt his boil at the idea of his oldest ing his Naneth but it quickly subsided. He knew that Nendir would never do that to her. No elf had killed another since Fëanor and his sons killed the Teleri in order to steal their ships, also known as the First Kinslaying.
But, then again, Elinyro was an elf and had been those in the palace.
No! Nendir would not kill his own Naneth no matter what happened. All she had done to him and all of his siblings was show them love and care. Nothing she could have done would have caused the Crown Prince to act in such away. It was not possible.
Thranduil would still not let it go though. He had to be sure his son did not do such a thing. Deciding on this, he let out a shaky sigh and kissed the top of his daughter's head.
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A day had passed in the forest of Mirkwood. No elves could be seen in the streets or courtyard as they normally would have been. The Elvenking, though in much despair, continued on with his duties as king but he slowly felt his heart starting to break. He knew that he was fading but he could not let himself do it. If he were to pass to the Halls of Mandos, his children would be left parentless and, one by one, they would follow him shortly after. Besides, Nendir was no where near ready to be king. He still had much to learn about how to run their country.
Thranduil sighed as he placed his quill back on the desk. There was a pain in his chest that had not gone away since Ithilwen's . He knew what it was but he refused to let it take him over. In an attempt to keep his mind off of the elleth, he stood from his chair and strode out of his office, heading for his oldest son's chambers. Though he did not doubt the young ellon, he knew it would help him if he knew that his son was indeed .
Once he came to the large chamber doors, he knocked quietly and waited for the door to open. When it never did, he furrowed his brow and gently pushed it open, peering inside. He saw that Nendir sat at his small desk, hunching over a small piece of parchment. His wife, Ethiriel, was sitting upon the bed with a troubled look on her face. When she heard the door open, she looked over quickly to the intruder.
"Mae govannen, my lord." She said quietly before looking back down to her hands. Thranduil frowned and sat beside her, gently stroking her cheek.
"How are you feeling?" He asked softly. She only mustered a small shrug.
"I am confused, Thranduil. I do not know what to do." She replied, "Nendir has done nothing but sit at his desk every since we came here."
"What is he doing?"
"I am not sure."
"Would you like me to talk to him?" At the elleth's nod, he smiled weakly and placed a kiss on her cheek.
He stood up from the bed and came up behind the Crown Prince. He looked over his shoulder and saw a single piece of paper with a poem written on it. He read it over quickly and furrowed his brow. It meant nothing at all to him. Gently, he placed his hand on the ellon's shoulder.
"What are you working on, my son?" He asked quietly. Nendir just shook his head.
"It is nothing." He replied monotonously.
"Does it mean something?"
"I do not know."
Puzzled by his response, he went to pick up the paper but Nendir quickly smacked his hand away and glared up at him.
"Do not touch it. I am trying to figure out what it is." He replied harshly and went back to studying it. Thranduil sighed in exasperation and gently pulled on his son's shoulder.
"Nendir, I would like to speak with you for a moment." He said. The Crown Prince looked up at his Ada in annoyance but nodded, standing up. As he walked out behind the Elvenking, he stole a glance at his wife. He found himself staring into her beautiful eyes and couldn't help but smile at her. She seemed to sigh in relief and returned the smile.
Thranduil closed the door behind him and turned to face Nendir. He was watching the Elvenking expectantly with his arms crossed.
"What would you like to speak about, Ada?" He asked.
"How are you feeling?" Thranduil asked suddenly.
"Well, I guess I am fine." He replied, loosing the tension in his voice, "But I feel so much confusion. I don't know what to do with myself."
"That is the same thing that Ethiriel said." The Elvenking said with a small smile. Nendir managed to smile back but it quickly faded into a frown. Thranduil took a step forward and placed his arm around the Crown Prince's neck.
"Remember what Legolas said?" He began, "She still lives in our memory and in our hearts. We mustn't ever forget that lest we forget her. She left us all with a very beautiful gift and we must love her and protect her with our lives."
Before Thranduil knew what was happening, Nendir clenched onto him and allowed his tears to flow heavily. The Elvenking quickly grasped his son in his arms and rubbed his back slowly, whispering comforting words. He felt a wet spot forming on his shoulder but he paid no attention to it. All he was concerned with was comforting his child.
"I am sorry, Ada." The Crown Prince whispered into the king's shoulder, "I am sorry for everything that has happened."
"Hush, my son, there is no need for you to apologize." Thranduil replied, "You have done no wrong." The young ellon suddenly pulled back.
"How can you say that? Everything I have done lately leads to disaster! I almost ended my marriage with Ethiriel, I have angered Norui and I did nothing when he and Legolas were fighting against Elinyro!" Nendir cried, "And…and I feel so responsible for Naneth's , Ada."
This last statement reminded the lord why he had come in the first place and he eyed his son. Nendir noticed this gaze and cried out.
"I did not do it, Ada, if that is what you are thinking! I could not have!" He exclaimed, already panicking.
"It is alright, Nendir, do not fret." The Elvenking said quickly upon seeing the Crown Prince's distress, "I know you wouldn't do that." Nendir swallowed hard before dropping to his knees on the floor. Thranduil quickly bent down to him and placed a comforting arm over his shoulder. The young ellon leaned onto his shoulder as his shoulders racked with sobs.
"There are many things, Ada, that have happened." He said quietly after a while, "Things that I have been afraid to tell you."
"Go on." Thranduil replied just as quietly.
"Ever since I had those strange welts upon my back, I have been receiving messages about a red bird's call. An elf would always bring them to me but would rarely say a word." He explained, then turned to look at his Ada. His eyes told him to continue, "The night Naneth was…murdered…the elf came again and gave me the last message. It turned out that this elf was our very own Legolas."
"You mean it has been Legolas causing this trouble?" The Elvenking gasped, already standing up to go speak with his youngest but Nendir pulled him back.
"No, he has nothing to do with this. He is . Elinyro was the one behind all of this." He stated hurriedly. The older ellon sighed.
"Why has this been happening, Nendir? What does that elf want from us?"
"He wants the throne, Ada. That is what he told us all." The other ellon replied, "I think that is why he has been trying to kill us. Remember what happened to Legolas? And how badly he hurt Norui? And…Naneth? It had to have been him."
"But why would he attack elves?"
"Perhaps to frighten us." Thranduil smiled.
"You have become a very intelligent elf, my son; you will be a great king one day."
"How is that possible when I allowed this to happen to my family? How can I be so sure that I can protect my people when I become king?" At this, the Elvenking sighed and clapped the young elf on the shoulder.
"We cannot always be there for one another." He replied quietly but Nendir stood up quickly.
"I am sorry, Ada, but I cannot continue talking like this. I would like to go back in my chambers with Ethiriel, if you don't mind." He said and, without a word from Thranduil, hurried back into his chambers.
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Ethiriel looked up when she heard the door close again and she smiled. Nendir quickly came over to the bed and placed a ing kiss on her lips. When he pulled away, she giggled softly and pulled him down to lay next to her. He wrapped his arms around her small waist and held her to him, nuzzling her neck gently. She sighed contentedly and kissed his forehead.
"This is what I miss most, Nendir, just laying in each others arms like we did so long before we were bound to one another." She whispered in his ear.
"I miss just living in peace with you." He replied with a small smile. She chuckled and kissed him gently on the lips whilst stroking his cheek affectionately. The Crown Prince purred deeply in his throat, causing her to laugh and pull away from him.
"I love you so much, Nendir." She said, smiling.
"I love you more." He replied with a small grin. Ethiriel chuckled and placed yet another gentle kiss on his lips, then rolled over on her back and closed her eyes. She had to fight back another laugh when she felt the ellon shifting beside her and claim her lips once more.
"Nendir!" She giggled, pushing him away gently, "I said I missed just laying here, not kissing!"
"Do you not like my kisses?" He replied with a roguish grin. She smiled at him and put her arms around his neck but didn't pull him down again.
"I will let you kiss me all you want if you agree to one thing." She replied.
"I would do anything for you, my lady." He said with a grin. She blushed at his display of possessiveness.
"Let me read that paper you have been studying." She said and Nendir's smile faltered. He rolled over onto his back again and sighed softly. Ethiriel frowned and placed her hand on his chest, "Nendir?"
"Do you think you could figure out what it means?" He asked quietly, looking over at her again.
"We will not know unless we try." She replied. After a moment, the ellon sat up and strode over to his desk. He picked up the paper slowly and read it through.
'Bright young suns, swift nightfalls. Until the day the red bird calls. Tomorrow will bring those you love. Yet that day the red bird calls. Over hill and under tree you will play. Until the day the red bird calls. ones in not your nature but. In time the red bird will call. 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. 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. Rivers and trees are strewn across your pleasant lands though. Indeed the red bird will call. Never defy your father for the love he holds can never. Cease until the day the red bird calls. Enjoy your siblings and laugh for. Never again will you do so once the red bird calls. End any quarrels or arguments and. Not increase the red bird's call. is not an option. In the fate of the red bird's call. Remember the day the red bird called.' Is wha aid.
With a sigh, he brought the paper back to his wife and set it before her. She immediately picked it up and read through it quickly. After a while, a smile flitted across her face and she chuckled.
"Nendir, this is easy to figure out!" She laughed, setting the paper back down. The Crown Prince eyed her curiously.
"What do you mean?" He questioned, studying the paper himself.
"It is a riddle of some sort." She replied, "I learned how to do it while I was still in my studies. You should have learned it as well but I assume you did not pay attention much." Nendir blushed.
"I did pay attention." He said, trying to hide his embarrassment, "Just not in these kinds of classes." He cleared his throat, "But I still see nothing." With a soft chuckle, she took the paper back and took another sheet of parchment from the nightstand and moved beside him.
"It is simple. Just take the letters that are uppercased and read them off to me." She explained, taking a quill from the top of the nightstand. Nendir continued to eye her curiously, amazed that she was able to figure it out so quickly when he had not even the slightest idea. He began to regret not listening to his tutors even though Lord Elrond himself could not figure it out, "Nendir?"
"Sorry, love." He mumbled and read through the paper, naming off each letter as Ethiriel had said.
Every few letters, he would glance up at her and found that each time he glanced at her, her lips turned down into a frown. At one point, she bit her lip and looked as if she was nervous about something. When he didn't continue, she looked up at him and he noticed that her eyes where shining from unshed tears. He furrowed his brow and moved closer to her but she pushed him back.
"No, keep going." She said shakily. He shot her a nervous glance but did as she told.
Once he came to the last letter, he looked up at her expectantly and saw that tears were steadily flowing down her cheeks. She held the parchment close to her chest, allowing the tears to stain it. Nendir hurried forward and wrapped his arms around her comfortingly.
"My beloved, Ethiriel, what is it? What does it say?" He asked frantically, kissing her all over her face and brushing away her tears with his . After a moment, she willed her tears to stop and she looked up at him with wide eyes.
"Nendir…" She breathed and placed the parchment in his hands. Nendir gave her one last kiss on the cheek and, taking a deep breath, looked down to what she had written. And he felt his heart skip a beat. Written on the paper was:
'But you killed her, Prince Nendir'
The Crown Prince read it over and over in his mind, not willing to believe it. He didn't kill anyone! He was sure of it! But then who was this message talking about?
Suddenly, it all clicked. The night the Queen had been killed, Elinyro had come and did something to him that knocked him out. But then what? He couldn't remember anything more that night except waking up in a pool of that was not his own. Nendir gasped.
'It was Naneth's !' He thought, 'But I could not have! I was unconscious!'
But, then again, every time an elf was ed, he found that he could remember nothing during the time that it was committed. He would always look in the mirror before hand and see an elf that was not him and then wake up by the stream. And, once again, something clicked in his mind.
'I must have been by the stream to wash the off…and that elf I saw in the mirror was Elinyro, I am sure of it.' He thought and he inhaled sharply, 'It was me... I killed Naneth!'
Nendir choked on his sobs suddenly and barely felt Ethiriel's arm go around his shoulders. A lone tear traveled down his cheek and dripped onto the paper with a soft splatter. His shoulders began to rack and he brought his hand to his face to hide his crying. The paper drifted from his fingers and he stood up from the bed. Without a word to his wife, he strode out of the room and dashed down the hallway as fast as his legs would carry him. He did not even hear the elleth's soft voice calling him or her soft footsteps trailing behind.
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Thranduil sighed for the hundredth time that day as he and other nobles gathered together to discuss what would happen with Mirkwood now that they had no Queen. Some had brought up the idea that Lothron or Ethiriel should take the throne for they were both considered the Crown Princess but Thranduil rejected the idea, knowing that both were too inexperienced. He rubbed his eyes in his palms as he turned down yet another lord's suggestion.
"Mirkwood can still run properly without a Queen." He stated after a while, "Though it will be harder for me to run it. Nendir is always there to help if it is necessary.
"But, my lord, he is not trained well enough! He alone cannot rule the Woods." One of the elves said.
"I did not say that he would do it alone. I would be there to guide him." Thranduil retorted, "It would be a good way to get him ready for his role as King of Mirkwood."
The doors burst open suddenly and all the elves in the room turned towards the intruder. Nendir stood with his arms dangling at his sides and tears streaming down his face. The Elvenking stood up quickly and took a few steps towards the ellon.
"Nendir, what is it?" He asked worriedly, fearing the worst. The Crown Prince just stared at his Ada for a brief moment before falling to his knees with his head hanging. Thranduil rushed forward and knelt beside him. Nendir cried out and buried his face in his Ada's shoulder, "Tell me what is bothering you." He said again.
"Ada," He began, "Please, forgive me."
"What happened, Nendir?" Thranduil asked a little more frantically this time. The younger ellon took in a sharp breath.
"Ada, it was me…I killed her." He whispered desperately. The King felt his heart stop for a brief moment but quickly pulled his son closer to him.
"No, you did no such thing. I am sorry I accused you of it, my son. You did nothing." He assured him. Nendir pulled away slowly.
"No, Ada, it was me!" He said a bit more loudly, "Me!"
Ethiriel suddenly ran into the room and halted before all of the ellons. She paid them no attention for her gaze was locked on her husband and father-in-law. Thranduil stole a glance at her but she looked away.
"How can that be? Surely you would have known." He said, trying to reason with him.
"I know, I know! I should have known but I never did. I think…I think Elinyro somehow had control over me. I don't know how but he did." Nendir replied, "I saw it in the mirror. I would take his form and become him!"
"Nendir, please, you-" He began but was cut off.
"Ada!" The Crown Prince yelled, leaping to his feet, "It was me! I killed Naneth!"
Sharp gasps and murmurs filled the large room amongst the nobles and lords. They all exchanged disbelieving glances among each other, none of them wanting to accept what their Crown Prince had just admitted. Thranduil looked up to Ethiriel once more with wide eyes. A tear escaped her eyes and she crossed her arms with a short nod.
"It is true, my lord." She breathed, "We just figured out the messages that he had been receiving. It had been foretelling what would come to pass." She choked on her words but continued, "And it did come true…it did."
The Elvenking felt his world come crashing down around him. How could that be true? How could his own flesh and kill his wife? He did not want to believe it. He opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by a strange, malicious voice. He snapped his head around in the direction of the voice. He saw red and his boiled.
Perched upon his desk was a tall elf with silver robes and silver hair. A dagger in the shape of a dragon was gripped in his hand and he fingered the blade gently. His silver orbs flashed to the two royals and he smirked.
"Hello there, my king, my princeling." Elinyro sneered. All of the lords jumped up from their chairs and formed a protective circle around the royal family. At this, the silver elf laughed wickedly, "I see even your servants know of me."
Thranduil pushed through the group of elves and stood before them with ful eyes. Elinyro looked him up and down, then looked down to the blade casually. When he still felt the King's gaze upon him, he looked up again and smiled crookedly.
"Yes?" He asked nonchalantly.
"What do you want from us now?" The Elvenking growled, "You have already taken my wife!" The elf laughed, sending shivers down the elves' spines.
"No, I believe you must talk to your Crown Princeling there." He replied, looking back down to the dagger. Thranduil took a step forward.
"It was not Nendir who ed her, elf, it was you!" He spat. Elinyro sighed and sheathed the dagger, then hopped off the desk.
"No, no, it was him." He insisted, feigning innocence.
"You did something to him to act in such a way! It was you the whole time!" At this, the elf growled and strode quickly towards the King. The elves around him stepped forward but he held them back with outstretched arms.
Elinyro came face to face with the King, glaring daggers. They stared into each other's eyes for a long moment until the silver elf thrust the dagger up between them for Thranduil to see. The ellon eyed it for a brief moment, then looked to the other ellon once more.
"This appears to be your son's dagger, is it not?" He asked and the King remained silent, "Ah, so I suppose it is."
"What does that matter?" Thranduil spat.
"It was this dagger that stabbed the wench in the back and it was the same dagger that killed your wife." He suddenly pressed it against the ellon's neck, allowing a few trickles a to stream down his neck, "And it shall be the same dagger that slices your neck." The Elvenking did not move a muscle but continued speaking.
"Before you kill me, tell me something." He said calmly, "Why do you want the throne so badly that you would kill your own kin? And why did you drag my sons into this?" Elinyro seemed to ponder for a moment before finally digging the blade in deeper and smiling maliciously.
"All I want is power, Thranduil, and I will do anything to get it." He replied, "As for your sons, I needed someone deep within the family in order to affect you the most. And it seems I chose the right people." He cleared his throat, "Now, without further ado…" He made to slice the knife across the King's neck but was stopped when his legs were kicked out from underneath him.
Nendir grunted as the elf fell atop of him but he quickly scrambled to his feet. All of the elves in the room suddenly leapt into action, some forming a circle around Ethiriel and others taking up any weapons they could find in the room. Elinyro growled fully as he leapt quickly to his feet and skillfully avoided every attack with just the simple dagger. The lords struck at him left and right, top and bottom, but none ever made connection with him.
One of the elves cried out when the elf slashed him across the throat and he fell to the ground with pooling about him. The lords took no notice of this as they continued to do battle with the treacherous elf.
An elf with long, dark hair came from behind and dug his short sword into Elinyro's shoulder. The silver elf cried out and spun around to kick him in the stomach, then leap upon him with the dragon dagger outstretched and it impaled itself in the elf's stomach. Yet they continued fighting.
Blades clashed together and was spilt but none could seem to catch the malevolence elf. Many of the elves that were present were upon the ground, either or severely wounded. Only Nendir, Thranduil, Elinyro and Ethiriel were still present. All of the elleth's guards had been killed off and lay scattered in the room.
The Crown Prince leapt back next to his Ada, breathing heavily. A gash had been cut into his stomach and it pained him greatly but, as a trained warrior, he was able to bear it. He stole a glance at his wife with worried eyes and saw that she was hiding in a corner, shivering. He then looked to his Ada who had a similar wound as he did. Even Elinyro seemed worn out for he stood a good distance from them, panting heavily. poured from him but he seemed unaffected.
"Give it up, Elinyro!" Thranduil threatened, "We have you beat." The elf laughed at this, sending shivers down their spines once more.
"Me, give up? I don't think so!" He sneered and leapt forward once more. This time, Thranduil clashed with him and they found themselves locked in an endless duel. Nendir took this time to approach his wife hurriedly, fearing that he would never again be able to touch her. As soon as he came to her, she pulled him into a passionate kiss, willing them both to forget the that was going on right before them.
He willingly complied, allowing his senses to be filled with her scent and the feel of her against his body. Only when they heard a sharp gasp did they pull away with wide eyes.
Thranduil was hunched over on the ground, clenching onto his stomach. His eyes were wide and his jaw hung agape. His blade lay before him, abandoned and useless. Elinyro stood above him with trailing down his chin and the dagger gripped tightly in his fist.
Nendir felt he was frozen to his spot. He could not will himself to move as the white elf, now stained red, raised the blade above his head. He opened his mouth to scream but no words came out. The dagger was thrust down.
Until a golden blur zoomed past the battling elves, knocking the dagger out of Elinyro's hand. The elf cried out in pain as gushed out of his slashed hand and he turned to the one who just flew past.
Perched upon an overturned end table was a golden Peregrine falcon, carrying the dragon dagger in her beak. She hissed angrily at the elf with her feathers puffed up. Elinyro only growled at her.
"Curse you, blasted bird!" He yelled, "I should have killed you when I had the chance!" He quickly kneed the King in the stomach and then rushed forward to the bird, grabbing one of the blades of a fallen elf. Espenshade screeched and lifted her wings to fly but, much to her surprise, was not quick enough and felt the blade slash across her breast. She shrieked in agony and dropped the dagger on the table, then found herself falling down to the floor with a slap.
With a grunt, Elinyro ed back to dagger and let the other blade clatter to the ground. He glanced around but, much to his dismay, found that his previous victim had gone missing along with the other two elves. He growled angrily and stomped forward, searching carefully for the three.
Nendir crushed the butt of his sword against the elf's skull and Elinyro cried out, falling to the floor. The Crown Prince quietly jumped upon him, bringing his sword to his back but the now red elf rolled out from underneath him, allowing the metal to clatter into the marble floor, creating a noise that made both elves cringe.
Elinyro leapt to his feet and immediately swung his foot into the ellon's stomach, sucking the air out from his lungs. His fist connected with his jaw and he tumbled to the ground, pouring out of his mouth. Nendir looked up at the approaching elf and desperately tried to scoot away but found himself still out of breath. The wicked elf brought his foot down upon the Crown Prince's rib cage and grinned maliciously when he heard a from within the other elf's body.
Nendir cried out in pain and wrapped his arms around his torso protectively. Elinyro then hauled him up by the neck until he was dangling in the air. The younger ellon gasped for breath as black spots began to form in front of his eyes but the other elf still continued squeezing. Elinyro continued to grin fully at the elf but growled when Nendir spit some of his own in his attacker's face. With a yell, he punched his eye and threw him down on the ground. He did not get back up.
Elinyro panted heavily and glanced around. No one was left in the room still alive but he knew better then that. Ethiriel and Thranduil were there somewhere though they were hidden well. Knowing that the Elvenking was still alive but in no condition to fight, he knew that the elleth would be defenseless. With a spiteful grin, he called out.
"Oh, Ethiriel!" He sang, "Where have you gone?" He walked around the room, carefully looking for any signs of the elleth, "I know you are in here!" He came past the door and quickly locked it, then shoved an abandoned sword between the handles.
Soft whimpering reached his ears and he spun around to see the one he had been looking for hunched above the fallen Crown Prince. He laughed and stormed towards her.
Ethiriel screamed as she was grabbed by her long hair and pulled violently to her feet. Tears stung her eyes and she reached up desperately to try to ease the pain on her head. His laughter reached her ears and she struggled to look up at him.
"Hello there, my little wench. Have any hugs for me again?" He asked with a grin that made her feel sick. She tried to pull away from him but he was too strong for her. Once again, hot tears escaped her eyes and streamed down her cheeks.
"Please, let me go!" She cried. He stuck his lip out in a mock pout.
"Oh, she doesn't have any for me? Well, that is a shame. I will just have to get one myself."
The elleth screamed frantically as his lips came crashing down upon hers in a rough kiss, nothing like she and Nendir had always shared. She thrashed and pulled but it was all in vain. His lips continued to roam over hers hungrily and demandingly.
Suddenly, he cried out and threw her to the ground. She looked up at him quickly and saw that a blade had been stuck clean through him. Her eyes widened when she saw her beloved behind him with a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"Don't you ever touch her again." He hissed menacingly, "And I will be sure you don't." And with that, he withdrew his sword from Elinyro's body and brought it to his neck. Ethiriel looked away quickly and felt a hot bile rise up in her throat when she heard a sickening thump in front of her.
Before she knew it, she was in the arms of her husband and he clung to her desperately. Tears continued to fall and she twisted her hands in Nendir's mahogany hair lovingly, pulling him ever closer. They did not even notice Thranduil's battered form hobble over to them from the bodies on the floor and envelop them in his arms.
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A week passed in the Woodland Realm. The bodies of the lords and nobles had been carried out of the study and each one was given to their families to do with as they thought appropriate. Nendir and Thranduil were given joint healing rooms and were visited frequently by their family. A crib had been placed in the King's room so that he could keep watch over Aerogaladhad and take care of her. The Crown Prince's brothers and sisters came and helped him to recover with jokes and tales. Even the twins were allowed to stay longer then what was originally planned to help take care of their friend.
At the announcement of Elinyro's , the elves took up cheer and had many forest circles out in the woods to celebrate. The guards had built up a bonfire in the courtyard where all of the people of Mirkwood watched as the treacherous elf's body was taken by the flame, never to find rest in the Halls of Mandos. The elves who had lost their lives to him were now avenged.
But Nendir's heart was still not at ease. He had protected his family from yet had also caused one to perish. His family insisted that he had done nothing wrong. It was entirely Elinyro who had ed the Queen but the Crown Prince could find no peace. Ethiriel and he had even allowed themselves to break the promise they had made to each other the day that they were married but still he found no happiness knowing that he was the cause of his Naneth's .
When he was finally allowed out of the Healing Wing, he immediately went to where he knew his Ada would be. Nendir knocked softly on the great doors to the King's Chambers. He heard a voice beckon him in and, with a nervous sigh, opened the door.
Thranduil was lying upon his bed, laughing at his youngest daughter's antics. The little elfling lay upon her belly, barely able to hold her head up. The King would cover his eyes and then quickly peek out at her and she would giggle the way only a baby could. Though his heart would always ache for his wife, to hold her in his arms and kiss her, Aerogaladhad would serve as a reminder for the wonderful times he and Ithilwen shared together; right up to the day they met and the night they parted.
"Ada?" Nendir called softly and Thranduil looked over to his son with a smile.
"Come in, Nendir." He said and the Crown Prince obeyed, taking hesitant steps. The Elvenking noticed this and furrowed his brow in concern, "What is wrong?"
"Ada, I must discuss something with you." He replied quietly and sat down next to the ellon.
"If this is about your Naneth, please listen to me first." Thranduil said hurriedly, "You had absolutely nothing to do with her . It was all Elinyro, not you. I do not place the blame on you"
"I know this but I cannot help but feel responsible still." He said, "When I look at my hands, I feel tainted. I feel as if they have- I have- done evil."
"What would you have me do?" The Elvenking questioned, "I will do anything to help you ease your pain."
Nendir gazed into his Ada's eyes for a long moment. He choked back his sobs quickly, not wanting to seem weak, but still ended up looking down at his hands. Thranduil waited patiently for him to speak once more but nearly cried out when he saw the pain-filled expression in the young ellon's eyes.
"I would have you strip me of my title as Crown Prince." He replied quietly, "I am not deserving of such a rank. Norui shall have it instead; he would make a great king."
"Nendir, how could I do that to you? My first born?" The King breathed, placing a hand on the Crown Prince's cheek.
"Please, that is the only thing that will make me feel at ease." He persisted, "Please do this for me."
Thranduil looked down to his now silent daughter. Her curious eyes stared up at him and she let out a soft cry. With a sigh, he scooped the elfling up in his arms and rocked her gently.
"You do know that removal of the title is followed by banishment, correct?" He asked, still watching his daughter.
"If that is how it must be, then let it be that way." Nendir replied quickly. Thranduil sighed and looked up at his eldest son.
"How can I banish my own son when he has done no wrong?"
"Please, Ada, this is what I want."
The Elvenking stared deep into his son's emerald eyes. The same eyes that he had grown to love and the same eyes that he helped create. Now, he was asking to be sent away and never permitted to return under pain of . Could he really do this?
"Nendir-"
"Ada." Nendir cut him off with a pleading voice. Thranduil willed himself to hold back his tears as he nodded once.
"So be it." He said quietly, "It shall be announced tomorrow."
Nendir immediately threw himself into his Ada's embrace, allowing himself to finally cry freely. The two ellons stayed in each other's arms for a long moment, each enjoying the last time that they would ever have the chance to do this.
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Nendir looked upon his Ada with tears in his eyes. The elves of Mirkwood had all gathered in the courtyard, awaiting the unnecessary punishment. His siblings stood in the crowd, holding each other desperately. Melyanna found comfort in the arms of Elladan now who also stood with them, tears falling down his face at the exile of his friend. Not only did the young princess find comfort but Lothron did as well. She held onto Elrohir's tunic, never wanting to let go. Norui had his arms wrapped around his lover's waist gently while Legolas held his younger sister; the one he always wanted. Espenshade, who had a bandage wrapped around her body, was perched upon his shoulder. Elrond and Celebrían stood behind the Elvenking, both awaiting the young ellon's doom.
"Silence!" Thranduil ordered and the elves stopped their crying and murmuring immediately. The King choked back the tears that threatened to spill and continued, "Today we are gathered to witness the banishment of one Crown Prince Nendir, son of Thranduil."
Nendir was deaf to all things that were said. Everything he heard or saw was blurred and he could not make sense of it. But this was what he wanted, he reminded himself, the only way to rid himself of his guilt.
"Nendir?" Someone whispered beside him after what seemed like hours and he jumped in surprise. He looked to his side and saw his Ada standing before him with Aerogaladhad in his arms. His eyes were puffy from crying as he handed his daughter to his son, "Take care of her."
"What?" Nendir questioned as he looked down to his sister.
"I want you to take her with you. Keep her safe and raise her as your own."
"No, Ada, I cannot! She is all you have left of Naneth." He gasped, handing the elfling back to the ellon but Thranduil refused.
"I did not wish to banish you, my son, but I did. It is time for you to return the favor." He replied, "Now, take her. Love her. Treat her as a father would."
The former Crown Prince looked down to his baby sister and saw a tear drop onto her beautiful face. She cooed softly at him and he pulled her close, holding her against his chest. The Elvenking smiled sadly and strode away from his son for the last time.
Farewells were not permitted for those who were banished and this law was not changed for Nendir. The elves left without a word to him, including his family and even Ethiriel, and he stood alone in the courtyard. A stable boy brought his horse to him and then quickly left, not even bowing. The ellon sighed and mounted his stallion, placing the elfling in front of him. He noticed that a small amount of supplies had been provided for him and was strapped around the steed's back. With a soft word to the horse, it nickered softly and trotted out of the palace grounds, never to return.
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He rode for many days, never stopping to rest. It was required that he was out of the Realm in two weeks lest he be killed if caught. He knew not where he was going or how long it would take to get there. He was now a wandering commoner without a penny to his name. His life as a Prince of Mirkwood was over.
His thoughts strayed back to his family. He had always been the closest to Norui. He had given him the name when he was born because the first thing he did when he came into the world was smile. He was cheerful the whole time, never letting out even a cry, earning him the name of Norui, or Sunny in Common Tongue.
He was delighted when he found that he would have a sister. He immediately wanted to name her but ended up fighting with Norui when he found that he would be the one naming her. When he first gazed upon her, he thought she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen and began planning all sorts of things to play with her. Of course, he was soon put down when he found that all she was interested in was playing with dolls.
Because of his experience, he was not at all happy when he found that there was going to another in the family. He complained to his parents that he wanted a brother and that they should not have had a . They only laughed at him.
His wishes were granted when the family was blessed with another boy. He was with his Naneth when she was giving birth and was at the age where he was even allowed to help a little. Once the baby was cleaned up, he was allowed to hold the little elfling. He looked down excitedly at his brother but the baby took one look at him and screamed as if the Dark Lord himself was upon him.
Nendir laughed out loud at the memory. His spirits had risen and, for that, he was glad. A soft cooing from his sister brought him out of his thoughts and he held her tighter against him. She giggled happily as she sucked on his large thumb.
The ellon perked up suddenly when he heard a faint calling in the distance. He glanced around anxiously, hoping that someone had come to join him. But when no one came, his heart fell and he continued on.
"Nendir!"
He knew he heard something this time and he pulled his stallion to a halt, much to the displeasure of both elfling and horse. He stared back behind him until the faint clattering of hooves reached his ears. He listened carefully as the voice continued to call out his name.
"It couldn't be…" He breathed. Just then, the silhouette of a horse and rider appeared from within the forest. The person looked up suddenly and Nendir heard them gasp.
"Nendir?" They whispered.
"Oh, sweet Eru…" He whispered, "Ethiriel!"
"Nendir!" She cried frantically and swung off her horse.
The former Crown Prince leapt off of the stallion, not noticing his sister nearly fall off, and rushed to his beloved.
Ellon and elleth crashed together in a mind-blowing kiss as they held onto each other as if there would be no tomorrow. Their tongues battled against each other lovingly, neither wanting to break the kiss. Nendir's hands roamed her body longingly and hers did the same. Only when they heard the frightened cries of the elfling did they break away, albeit reluctantly, and he ran to her rescue.
He sat her back up onto the stallion and she gripped instinctively onto the mane. Nendir turned around to motion for Ethiriel to come but she had already closed the gap, bringing their lips together once more.
"What are you doing here?" Nendir asked after a long moment. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Do you expect me to let you wander off without me?" She replied and placed a gently kiss on his lips.
After a few moments, the two lovers mounted upon the stallion, leaving the elleth's horse behind, and galloped out of the forest and off to start their new life with their newfound joy and excitement to fuel them, no longer troubled by the pressures of royalty.
A lone falcon soared over head, screeching as it watched them ride away until she could see them no more. As they passed into the horizon, the bird turned back into the forest.
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Legolas smiled as he saw the beloved falcon soar down towards him. He stretched out his arm and she landed upon it, cackling quietly in greeting. He chuckled as he stroked her feathers.
"Did she make it?" He asked quietly and the falcon quirked her head, eyes twinkling. The ellon laughed, "Good job, Espenshade, good job."
And he turned from his balcony and strode into his chambers, shutting the glass doors with a soft click.
X
Oh my, I can't believe it is over… (and that I wrote this much). I was actually crying during this! Crying! Me! I almost never cry! My dad came down while I was writing the reminiscence part and thought I was going insane when he saw that I was crying. Hehe. Well, we still have an epilogue so don't leave just yet! ;) Also, if you actually look at the capital letters in the poem, it does spell out 'But you killed her, Prince Nendir'. Hehe. It took FOREVER to come up with them so that they spelled that out though, lol!
Crecy- Thank you so much for pointing that out to me! I was thinking about that while writing that particular scene but it completely slipped my mind, lol! Thank you again! Hehe, well, now you know what happens! I hope you enjoyed the story and I am glad you took the time to read it:hugs: You are forever my friend! I hope you liked the way it ended. Sort of bittersweet, I think. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!
Jousting Elf with a Sabre- Yes, I killed her. :pouts: I liked her, too. Ah well, something had to happen to her. She was never mentioned in the books or anything so…yea. Hehe. I hope you liked the story and this chapter! Thank you so, so much for reading and reviewing, my friend:hugs:
Well, there you have it. Lord, I still can't believe I was crying. Maybe it has something to do with listening to the Evenstar the whole time…hehe. Anywho, we still have the epilogue and then, if you haven't already, go read Lost in My Mind! That is the sequel to this! Now go! Run along! Ta ta!
Until Next Time,
Manwathiel