Disclaimer: Still not ours, we will give them back whole and happy…. Eventually! (Do we have to)
Chapter Eight
Thranduil did not stop to think, in one swift movement the bow that was affixed to his back was in his hands. From nowhere an arrow was in his hands and knocked. The spider in front of him did not stand a chance, before it could move once more the arrow buried itself into one of the multitude of eyes. The creature screamed in rage and turned towards its attacker. It took a stumbling step only to fall, more arrows buried in it.
As Thranduil stood watching, the long furred legs gave a twitch and then fell still. Stowing the bow he made his way towards Lomion, falling to his knees to check him out.
The Crown Prince was deeply unconscious, blood staining his robes. With shaking hands the King lifted the ragged tunic to get his first good look at the wound. The Spider had used its pincers to tear through the skin of Lomion's upper arm. The wound was ragged and weeping heavily.
"Sire, please let me." Timethla had bandages in his hands and he knelt by the fallen Prince. With quick hands he bound the wound, tying it tightly to prevent further bleeding.
"He has been stung as well. I have the antidote for the bite on his leg." The Elf had moved to a small puncture wound on Lomion's back that Thranduil had not even noticed.
"How bad is it?" he dared not take his attention from Lomion.
"He is badly wounded and we need to get him back to the palace."
"Let me see." A new voice made him look up, startled to find Elrond kneeling beside him.
"Elrond?" He could not hide his shock.
"News spreads fast, Mellon-nin we thought you might need aid." He was washing the bite wound on Lomion's left thigh. "I need some antidote here." This latter was an order pure and simple.
A small vial of potion was handed to the Elf Lord. With Thranduil's help he managed to feed the antidote to Lomion.
"We need to get him back to the palace. Are you injured at all?" Elrond's keen eyes searched him from head to toe.
"No, I am uninjured. Where there any other injuries?" he looked around at the other Elves in the copse.
"Just some minor ones apart from Lomion. There were also some bites and stings, they have been treated also." Elrond's attention was back on Lomion, checking out the arm wound.
"Good. I need to know what happened here. I have never know this many spider's to attack. Can you not feel the evil?" Thranduil's eyes wondered around the area.
"Yes, it is clear."
"We need to get out of here and now!" Thranduil's voice had gone from calm to urgent within a blink of an eye.
"Thranduil, what?" Elrond watched as his friend rose and began giving orders.
"The trees are warning me that more danger approaches, evil danger. We need to be away from this area." His voice was sure.
At another time Elrond would in all likelihood have rolled his eyes and muttered about Wood Elves and their love of trees, but he could read the urgency in his friend and instead set about making Lomion ready to travel.
Within five minutes they were on their way, moving quickly and silently as only Elves can do.
LLLLLLLLLL
An air of calm filled the healing chamber. Elardion knew this feeling of old. It was the calm before a storm. He prayed to the Valar that Legolas was wrong this time and Lomion was unhurt.
He looked down at the Elfling that was still cradled in his arms. He seemed to be content at the moment; wide eye's watching those around him.
He looked up as the door to the large chamber opened and Nolvo and Alcarnor hurried into the room. They both looked harried.
"Elardion, we have heard that Lomion's patrol has been attacked, is it true?" Nolvo tried to hide the pain that he felt from his own healing wound.
"Yes, it is true. Nolvo sit down before you fall down." Elardion was glowering at his Sibling. "I told you to rest. Rest does not entail running around the palace."
Nolvo had the grace to look embarrassed. "I was worried about Lomion."
"That does not give you leave to run around like an Elfling and risking your health!" Elardion's sharp, watchful eyes did not miss the minute wince that Nolvo gave as he moved. "Let me see." His tone was resigned.
With great reluctance Nolvo started to undo his robe, watching as his elder brother handed Legolas to his twin.
Elardion tenderly moved the robe from the shoulder, further than Nolvo could manage with his limited movement.
Elardion could have sighed aloud as it was he frowned down at his brother. "It is bleeding."
"Sorry, Elardion." Nolvo was squirming in his seat, almost as if it was his father in front of him.
Elardion's lips twitched with amusement. Catching himself he made to remove the soiled bandage. For all that the shoulder had been put through; it was actually healing very well. It had granulated well and was pink and healthy looking, with only a few areas that had broken open. It was these that had caused the blood on the bandage.
"Well, it could have been a lot worse than it is." Elardion reached for a clean cloth to clean the area.
Legolas leaned forward to watch. "Is it sore?"
"No, Little Leaf it is fine. Elardion will take care of it never fear." Nolvo smiled up at his youngest brother.
Once he had cleaned and bandaged the area Elardion glowered at his brother. "You will rest this shoulder. There will be no running around the Palace. There will also be no archery until I say so. If you do any of these things I will have you in here and sedated faster than you can blink. Do you understand?"
"But… But…" Nolvo's eyes were large and round as he looked at his brother.
"Do you understand me?" Nolvo nodded nervously. "Good, I am glad that we understand each other." He gave an innocent grin.
"You are enjoying this are you not?" Nolvo sounded gruff.
"Yes, a lot. But I also mean every word that I… Legolas? Legolas, what is wrong?"
Legolas had gone from being relaxed in Alcarnor's arms to rigid and shaking.
"Legolas, Leafie look at me." Elardion was frantic, Legolas' eyes were wide and blank in a way they had not seen before.
"Lomion." The small voice was vague and distant sounding.
"What is wrong with Lomion, Leafie?" Elardion glanced uncertainly at his other brother's, they were just as baffled as he was.
"Naughty Spider." It was obvious that even though Legolas was with them in body he was not there in mind.
"Leafie, what about Lomion?" Nolvo's voice actually held a quaver.
"Spider naughty he hurt Lomion." The other three exchanged shocked looks.
"Legolas?" Elardion really did not know what was going on.
"Ada kill spider."
"Legolas!" Elardion shook his brother trying to draw him out of what ever this was.
The blue eyes blinked and Legolas looked around him as if shocked.
"Ada bringing Lomion home, he is hurt bad." The blue eyes looking into Elardion's brown ones looked far older than they should.
"How is he hurt, Leafie and how do you know?" Elardion knew all to well that he should believe the Elfling before him.
"His arm, the spider hurt his arm and bitted him. The wind and trees tell me, Ada is bringing him back. They are here soon." There was certainty in his voice.
Elardion waited no longer he sprang into action, calling out orders to his healers. Within minutes they were ready and waiting.
"Alcarnor, please take Legolas to his room. Nolvo go with them, I will call you when you can come and see Lomion." There were no arguments and soon the three left the room.
It was only minutes later that raised voices heralded the return of the patrol and his father. Thranduil was first through the door and already calling for Elardion.
"Bring him over here we are ready for him. Lay him down. Careful!" his tone was sharp, but the Elf at one end of the makeshift stretcher had almost dropped it. "I need anti-venom over here."
Michelle hurried over with the precious vial in her hand. She handed it over before turning to tend another Elf that had been helped to the bed in front of her.
"He has already had the first dose; Ion-nin Elrond gave it." Thranduil stood to one side watching as the two Elves before him worked on different ends of his oldest son.
"How did you know what was wrong with Lomion? You did not even examine him." Thranduil's voice was still stunned.
Elardion shot his father a quick smile. "Legolas."
"Legolas? What…?"
"Legolas told us that Lomion had been attacked and was hurt badly. He also told us that you killed the spider attacking Lomion, Ada." Elardion's smile widened at his father's shock.
"Legolas said that? But how…" Thranduil stopped as understanding hit home. "The trees?"
"Yes and the wind. He even told us when you would arrive. Rather handy really, when you think about it." Elardion could not help but smile at his father.
"Yes, very handy. That is twice today that he has been right. How is Lomion?"
"It will be sometime before he goes back on patrol, but I foresee no real problems. What happened?"
"There was a large group of spiders that attacked them. Timethla and some of the other's tell me that there was a large lead spider that could speak." Thranduil broke of then as Elardion gaped at him.
"There was a spider that could speak?" If it had not been his father in front of him he would have said he was delusional.
"Yes, that is what I said. Just the one, the others seemed to be under its thrall. I need to speak with Lomion as soon as possible."
"If it is any consolation, Elardion I was present when your Adar was told this. Also I was in the forest; there was something very evil in there. The spiders were organised, they were working together. There is something going on out there." Elrond finished dressing Lomion's shoulder.
"You could feel it in the air, it was … well I do not really know what it was like." Thranduil had to admit.
"Could this have something to do with Legolas' dreams?" Elardion finished dressing the angry bite wound on Lomion's leg.
"I would not be surprised." The deep voice that sounded behind them startled them all.
"What makes you say that, Mithrandir?" Elrond turned to his old friend.
"You say that it felt evil?" Mithrandir answered their question with another question.
"Yes, very. The trees warned us to leave, they spoke of great evil." Thranduil spoke almost absently.
"They did? Good, that will aid us. I need to see the area. I also want to see one of the spiders if that can be arranged." The Maia spoke calmly.
The three Elves in front of him looked at him as if he had lost his mind.
It was Thranduil who broke the silence. "You wish to see a spider?"
"Yes, it that can be arranged, will that be a problem?" the twinkling blue eyes watched them all.
"You want a live spider? Are you mad?" Thranduil was openly gaping, something not often seen.
"No not a live one, although that may be worth looking at for later. For the time being only a dead one will suffice. But I would like to see the area that the attack took place."
"You are out of your mind. Have you not heard what we have said? There is great evil out there. No sane being would willingly go there knowing that." Thranduil had found his voice.
"That may be, but to get to the bottom of this I need to see the area. I will go alone if necessary." Mithrandir's voice was amused.
"Ai! Valar help us from mad wizards!" Thranduil's exasperation was obvious.
"Is that a yes then?" The blue eyes twinkled merrily in the bright lights of the chamber.
"Yes, fool though you are. Yes, you can go and see the area, but no you do not go alone. I will accompany you." Thranduil's voice was drowned out by the calls of those present in the chamber.
"Nay, Ada you cannot go; it is far too dangerous." Elardion was distressed at the mere thought of his father returning to the area.
"Nay, Sire you must stay here!" Timethla's voice was sure.
"Thranduil, no! Lomion needs you." Elrond actually sounded angry with his friend.
"I would love to say yes, Thranduil but I cannot allow you to put yourself in the reach of danger." Mithrandir was frowning at the King.
"I will accompany Mithrandir, Hir Nin if that pleases you." Timethla stepped forward, ignoring the horrified gasp that came from his wife.
"Thank you, Timethla but no. You have a young family to think of."
"As do you, Sire. They have need of you."
"I know. Mithrandir if I sent you with a contingency of unattached Elves would that help?" Thranduil had to admit that every one of them had a point.
"Yes, Thranduil that would be of great help." There was relief in the old voice.
"Timethla will you organise it for me, but under no circumstances are you to join the party." Thranduil turned to the Elf.
With a small smile Timethla bowed to his King. "I understand, Sire. Mithrandir could you please come with me?"
The two left the chamber leaving behind the injured and helpers.
Thranduil took a seat that Elardion offered. He would not leave Lomion's side until he had woken once more.
"Where is Legolas?" He only then realised that the Elfling was not present. For that he was grateful.
"With the twins, Ada. Nolvo managed to knock his wound again and it was as I was treating him that Legolas informed us of your return."
"Was his wound alright?" Thranduil frowned, worried.
"Yes, Ada. Trust me when I say that he is fully aware of what will happen if he does not do as I say."
"Oh?" Thranduil raised his right eye and Elrond sniggered at the wicked grin that crossed Elardion's face.
"Let me just say that I pulled rank as head healer, Ada. It was such fun to see Nolvo squirm in his seat!" Musical laughter filled the chamber as the others got his meaning.
"One day, Ion-nin you will make a formidable Adar." Thranduil watched as Elardion blushed bright red with pleasure.
Thranduil watched as his second eldest son cared for his eldest. Elardion was tenderly bathing Lomion's flushed face. Even though he had been given the antidote the venom could still cause some nasty side effects.
"I promised to let them know when they could come and see Lomion. I had better go and get them."
"Would you like me to go and fetch them for you?" It was Michelle.
"No, it is…"
Please, Lomion? I need to let Estalado know that his father is alright. I can stop and speak with him on the way." brown eyes pleaded with him, still showing the fear that this incident had caused for her.
"As you wish, Michelle. Thank you, I will be able to stay with Lomion then."
The Elleth smiled and left the chamber the others settled back once more to wait.
LLLLLLLLL
Drowlin glowered at the Elf in front of him. "Legolas did what?"
"The Prince warned your father about a spider attack on Prince Lomion." The Elf was nervous, Drowlin was well know for his volatile and evil temper.
"He has done it again! He always has to be the centre of attention. I am sick of it!" he whirled on his friend.
"This has to stop, I have to stop it."
"Wh… What will you do?" The other elf was very nervous; he hated it when Drowlin spoke like this.
"Me? I will do nothing, just the right nudge towards the right direction. Thank you, Minlen you have been a great help."
Minlen did not know what to do. This was one side of the prince he did not know how to deal with. Should he speak with the King?
"Well, what are you waiting for? You can leave." Drowlin's voice was snide and nasty.
Minlen needed no further bidding he turned and fled, Drowlin's cruel laughter ringing in his ears.
Drowlin watched highly amused as the Elf in front of him ran from the room. He did not really like him, he was just useful at times, his father was one of the King's Councillor's and more often than not Drowlin picked up interesting information from him.
He waited a few minutes before leaving the chamber and making his way outside. Not once did he worry that Lomion had been brought back to the palace seriously injured. All he could focus on was the brat and how he had once more managed to have the entire palace running around after him.
He hurried out to where he had seen the Elfling's earlier; to his disappointment it was empty. He left to gather a few of his more trusted friends. The ones that seemed to think like he did, they would be perfect for the scene that he wanted to stage.
LLLLLLLLLLL
School finished for the morning and Rallina dismissed the class. It was somewhat smaller today as neither Legolas nor Estalado were present. She missed them both.
The Elfing's left with lots of mischievous laughter and she tiedied up the chamber making it ready for her class that afternoon. She missed her small Flet, but had to admit that this was much safer for her Elfing's.
The small group left the Palace, intent on a game of chase to loosen limbs that had been sitting all morning.
They reached their favourite clearing, only to stop as they heard voices. Motioning for silence the leader, Gilrone moved nearer so that he could see who it was that was talking.
"He is not the King's son, I tell you." The Elf in front of them sounded angry.
"Do not be sillly, of course he is the King's son." The second voice sounded dismissive.
"How can he be the others are all dark."
Gilrone smiled so they were talking about the runt. This should be good.
"The Queen was blond, so was one of the King's ancestors. Maybe it is a throw back from that."
"No, it is commonly known that the Queen was unfaithful to the King. It was a wonder he let her stay in the Palace and as for the Babe. Well it was suggested that it be made to look still born so that the Queen would not know that the King had rid the Realm of a Bastard. The King balked at the last minute and would not let them carry out the act."
"No!" There were several shocked voices echo the same sentiment.
"Yes, why the King dotes on him, no one really knows. Maybe he had powers that bewitched the King, who knows?"
"But surely Mithrandir and Lord Elrond would know what is going on?" The Elf that had spoken nodded his head to the clearing. They were being listened to and by the very Elfling's that Drowlin wanted. Little did they know but they were listening to a staged conversation.
"Who knows, they may be under his bewitchment as well. I tell you the Realm is doomed if he carries on. Already the darkness is worse. I swear it is from him."
With that they moved away leaving some very shocked Elfling's in their wake. They turned to each other but no one could speak. This was worse than they had thought.
Silently they melted into the trees. Each went there separate ways, they all needed to think this over.
LLLLLLLLLL
Mithrandir reigned in his horse, the small group with him pulling up around him. The lush green trees were changing and there was a distinct chill in the air. A chill far too cold for this time of the year.
They proceeded with caution, watching as the trees began to change. Tattered webs began to show hanging limp and billowing slighty in the small breeze. Their uneasyness grew as they made their way further into the trees.
A dark shadow caught Mithrandir's sharp gaze and he drew Glamdring in readiness, the Elves with him followed his actions. The shadow truned into a chittering angry black squirrel. It raised its small fist at them and shook it in anger before disappearing from view.
They all shared a nervous smile before moving forward. Around them the forest changed and Mithrandir could understand what Thranduil meant by the feeling of evil. It seemed to premeate everything around them.
More webbing came in to view, no longer tatered and very new. Sinister red eyes watched every movement that they made.
Soon they reached the clearing. Spider corpses had been left where they fell by the Elves. It looked as if the other spiders in their colony had resorted to canabalism and not one of the bodies had been left intact.
Mithrandir dismounted and made his way to one body that was slighty away from the others. The Maia examined it carefully, but it just seemed like one of Shelob's off spring and nothing out of the ordinary.
He stood and brushed his hands on his cloak. Turning slowly he took in the copse and how the bodies lay.
"Mithrandir, we have company." The Elf's voice was soft.
"We do? Good." The wizard turned to look into the trees.
"Good? Good?! There are spiders in the trees all around us and you say good?!" The normally reticent Elf could not hide his shock.
"Yes, I was rather hoping this would happen." Mithrandir stepped nearer to the Elves and spoke in a very low voice so that only the Elves with their advanced hearing could hear. "There is a large contingency of Elves behind us, just in case this happened. We are safe, nothing will happen."
Mithrandir turned when he heard a low hissing evil voice fill the small area.
Ssssssssssssssssso the elvesssssssssssssssss return. You will pay for what you have done to my kin. Not one of you will leave alive. Sssssssssssilly Elvessssssssssssss.
"So you do speak." Mithrandir turned to look at the massive spider that stood before them.
Yesssssssssssssssssssssss we have been given sssssssssssssssspeach by our Massssssssssssster. Who daressssssssssssssss ssssssssssssssssspeak thussssssssssssssssssssssssssss.
"One you do not wish to know. I will put an end to you as well." Mithrandir winced as the spider rubbed her pincers together to make a sound that was eerily like laughter.
A man? What can a man do to usssssssssssssssssss? No you will be good food for my children.
"Oh, my dear you will find me very tough. May I ask what you are doing here?" Mithrandir calmly replied.I have been sssssssssssssent here by my massssssssssssssssssssster. I have a job to do that he hassssssssssssss given ussssssssssssssssssssss.
"Oh and what is that may I ask?" Mithrandir could feel the Elves around him readying themselves for battle.
I am to bring to him an Elf of great powerssssssssssssssssssssssss. My masssssssssssssssssssster wissssssssssssssssshesssssssssssssssssssssss to have him. He hearsssssssssssssssssssssssssss ussssssssssssssssssssssss so he will have to be sssssssssssssssssssssilenced. The other Elvesssssssssssssssssssssssssssss will be for usssssssssssssssssssssssss to enjoy. Nice juicy Elvesssssssssssssssssss. They will be sssssssssssssssssssssssweet and tender, my children will grow big and ssssssssssssssssssssstrong.
"I am afraid that I cannot let that happen. You will leave these woods or you will all die." Mithrandir raised his staff in readiness.
What can you do to usssssssssssssssssssssssssss man? You are weak and feeble. No we will make you ssssssssssssssssssssssuffer before you die. The foul beast chittered to the other spiders and they all moved to do her bidding.
With one swift move Mithrandir stamped his staff into the ground and a blinding flash of light poured into the clearing. All the Elves had to cover there sensitive eyes. The spiders called in distress as they tried to flee the light in fear.
What issssssssssssssssssssssssssss thissssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss? You are no mere man.
"No, my dear and I am your worst enemy. Go leave these forests or die."
I will not fail my massssssssssssssssster. Attack!
The spiders that still remained in the clearing seemed to dither for a minute before a hiss from their leader sent them into frenzied action and they attacked the small group before them….
To be continued.
Thank you to all of our wonderful readers and especially our fantastic reviewers.
Replies to reviews:
Bradleigh: yes, poor Leafie. Mei tells me that I am even more evil in this chapter. Watch that edge of seat, it can be very dangerous. Dwowlin is awful once more. (I refuse to call him by his normal name he hates my Leafie!) Estalado is going to be good, honest, he is cute.
Haldir's Heart and Soul: You will have to wait and see, it is answered above though.
Triptych: You will have to wait and see.
Hanna M.: LOL evil Milkshake? I love it. I hate to think of such a hyper sweet Elfling he would make with coffee on board. Can you imagine the frazzled Thranduil? Racing around after the buzzing Elfling!!
Moonshine44: calm down, he will not die… yet! They? Sorry I have never heard of it. I have worked with children who had night terrors so that is where that came from. I have just finished the first story of the MC. I ma reading them in order. May I ask why? (From Mei. I have read them all numerous times. They are great)
Lirenel: Sorry, he is hurt. Sorry.
SaphireCat: I agree my main Teddy Bear has been having a lot of use recently. Very bad Dwowlin!
Alatariel Narmolanya: Mean Elfling's weren't they?
Dark Borg drone: As you wish an update.
LittleCrazy1: LOL. Very evil spiders. They shudder under your ADG of D!!!!
Well that's it for this time. Next time. What will happen to Mithrandir?
Love,
Mei and Shell and all the Gang