The Undecided of Earendil
By- Larien
Chapter 26
Copperfang- Is it him? Sorry to scare you wtih Caniel and don't apologize for extravagant sentences; we are all writers afterall. Okay, okay you can have Aradhel! I just don't want to be next on your list for saying no! Lol. As for who she bumbed into...I can't say. Guess you'll have to read. Thanks for the long review. They make my day. And I'm sorry this took so long; hopefully it's good enough!
madrone- I'm sorry for the cruel cliff hanger! It just seemed like such an ideal place to stop the chapter! So here is the rest; I hope I didn't make you wait too long. And this time, I think your happy ending dance worked...
Kim- Is it Leggie? Take a wild guess...okay done guessing? Lol. I still can't tell you; you'll just have to continue on reading. Hopefully I didn't take too long on this chapter. Thanks for the review!
Legolaslover77- It seems that you along with everyone is anticipating it to be Legolas behind her...so what if it isn't? Will I live to again see the light of day? Lol. Yeah, Thranduil was easier to manipulate, so I guess that's fair reason to dislike poor Aradhel more. Anyway, thanks for the review and I hope this one didn't take too long!
Tubius- Yay! Thanks for the review! I really hope I updated fast enough, because the sharp end of your review sounds painful! Lol. And I'm sorry for the cruel cliffhanger. It was all in good fun. And now you get to see who it was! Thanks again so much for the review and I hope to hear from you in the near future!
Milanthiriel- Thank you so much for the kind review! I'm glad you enjoy it! It means a lot to hear it.
Elvnchic9- AH! Don't die, don't die! I'm sorry about the cliffhanger, but it had to be done mate! And you finally get to see who it is...if you're still alive that is! Hopefully I didn't take too long! Oh no what I have I done! Lol. Thanks for the review!
Loony Kay- Thanks for the luck, and I'm really glad I got across emotion in the last chapter! That was my goal, so you made my day! And you'll find out who it was behind her soon enough; sorry for the wait by any means. Thanks for the review as well!
hungryhobbit- Thanks for the review- I hope I didn't take too long to update. And now your excitment will have paid off; you get to see who was behind her! Whoo hoo!
101aether101- Yay!A new reader! I'm so glad you are enjoying it and thank you so much for the most kind review! It means the world to hear it! And I hope you get better soon and like I said, thanks so much for all the nice compliments. It made my day!
Karone Evertree- Thank you for the kind review! I'm glad you're still enjoying it!
A/N- Sorry for the cruel cliffhanger, but it had to be done. And also sorry for the anticipated next chapter wait; as I said before, I've become busy with school once again, so it may take longer. So sorry for the wait and I hope it was worth it. Also, for those who haven't already (and thank you to those who have) check out the LOTR poems I've written. There are two newer ones up, and I love hearing feedback. And I think that is all for now. With no more gilding of the lily, and with no more ado, I present the one and only chapter twenty-six! (Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all week!) (Good ole Paul Bettany in A Knights Tale, lol!)
P.S. Wow! This is the most reviews I've ever gotten! Keep them up; they made my day!
Legolas and his steed had never ridden so hard in all their lives. The horse was running on a sense of pure exhilaration, after being locked up for the many weeks ever since their return to Mirkwood. His hooves pounded the ground in a steady rhythm and his nostrils flared, breathing in the crisp air that whipped through his black mane. Legolas wore his usual green tunic as he pushed his horse faster through a long stretch of prairie, and his hair blew from behind him in the chilling breeze. Unlike many of the days previous, today was bright and alive, and everything seemed clean, renewed. For many days it had been hot and heavy, with the trees sagging under the humid air and the sun refusing any wind and torching the ground with its unwavering rays.
As the horse splashed through a puddle, Legolas didn't even acknowledge the water that clung to his boots and after many more hours of this nonstop riding, the horse finally showing signs of growing weary, Legolas let them rest at a small spring they happen to come by. There, under the shade of a few trees, they camped for the night, Legolas prodding the fire while he hummed songs of old under his breath. His anxiousness to get to Caniel flowed in his very veins, and he couldn't shake the thought of what she might look like. If the situation had become grave enough for Elrond and Gandalf to intervene with such measures, surly she was doing worse. He could only imagine her pail appearance, frail and skeletal like. He had seen only one dismal elf in his time, and that was Sírdhem, who really wasn't an elf yet either. But nonetheless, he figured if Caniel were dying her appearance would look nothing short of Sírdhem's.
The next morning was started early, for as soon as the sun hit the horizon, Legolas was back on the horse riding swiftly towards his destination. But when his hope had just started to bubble at the land marking his destination, it was jarred with a sharp pang as he realized what lay between him and Nenuial. Instead of long prairies stretched far and green under the sky, the land was covered with black specks that the elf could easily discern to be that of hundreds of orcs all gathered and camping out. Most still were asleep on the cold earth, which had been trampled and void of life, while some wandered the camps lazily, chewing raw meet and kicking up dust in their wake. And beyond them, sitting quietly on the lakeshore was the looming city Nenuial, whose main focus from his hilltop was the expansive palace that stood the far shore of Lake Evendium. Upon seeing the lake, Legolas was struck with another idea. Veering off his main course, which was to lead to the main entrance, Legolas turned towards the west and headed to circle the lake. If his suspicions were right, ships farther north would be coming and going from the city with trade and postage, since the main entryway was blocked.
As he road for another day, making his way around the lake, Legolas pondered why the orcs had come around south. From what he had been aware of, the orcs were supposed to be attacking the eastern walls. It would be a rather rude awakening for them to take such a sudden course, though it did appear convenient. Now the orcs had the entire city at their mercy; the only escape route being that of the lake. Either way, Legolas was baffled as to the rash actions and as day three drew to a close, he had just reached the far northern shores, but not yet any city to which he could find a boat. So they rested.
The next day, though, was again early and new and he wasted no time in riding the shores coming across a city eventually. The city, though, was actually one large port where miles stretched along the lake with boats and harbors, docks and shops. Everyone seemed rather rough looking, and most didn't acknowledge the presence of an elf riding in their midst, all being too concerned with the ships full of goods and passengers. As he slowed to a trot, scanning each ship carefully for a passage to the city, he finally came face to a face with a large sail glimmering in the sun. People were boarding in an orderly fashion, handing the dock master their tickets as they did so. The passengers themselves did not look too rich or divine; in fact many could pass for crewmembers. But Legolas jumped off his horse and ran to the nearest dock attendant desperate for a ship to take him across.
"Good day there mate. You don't look like you're from around these parts." The elderly man said, tilting his sailor's hat to look better at the much taller elf.
"Indeed I'm not, so perhaps you could be of some assistance?" Legolas asked.
"I'll try."
"I need to cross the lake to Nenuial."
"And what does an elf have business in Nenuial?" The man asked, looking curiously at Legolas.
"My business is of my own." Legolas said impatiently. "Now if you please, this is urgent."
"Alright good sir, no offense was meant." The old chap said hoarsely. "But this here boat is already filled. And the next one of its kind won't be returning until tomorrow."
"Is there another?"
"Non other for passengers to Nenuial I'm afraid."
Legolas felt his heart drop. "Please, sir. I need to get on this boat. I must get to Nenuial as quickly as possible. I'm already two days late!"
The man studied Legolas with a pitying gaze, but then sighed sadly. "I like you, I really do. And if it were up to me, I'd let you on. But I have strict orders from the captain to allow only those with tickets and all ticketed passengers have boarded." When he saw the downcast look in Legolas' eyes he added hastily. "You must understand, it's a matter of loosing my job…"
"I understand." Legolas said quietly. "Then I will await for the boat of tomorrow. Thank you."
The elderly dock master watched as Legolas walked slowly back to his horse and was moved with pity. The elf seemed so distraught that the man couldn't help but stop him before he road away and offer him a place to sleep.
"It's really the least I can do." He said as he directed Legolas to his little shack behind the docks. "I feel so horrible…"
"You are most kind." Legolas said as he tied up his stallion to a tree.
The night was spent in uneasiness, Legolas constantly being awoken from his nightmares, only to fret more on the matter of Caniel. He wondered if this delay would have made Caniel any worse. And if it had, he couldn't help but feel a guilty pit in the bottom of his stomach. How would he ever be consoled if he were too late? Was he a coward for avoiding the orcs and taking the easy, but long way around? And if she was…dead, she wasn't, how was he to tell Elrond? These along with many other disturbing thoughts and dreams made his night most uneasy and he awoke early once again, but this time not because of sunlight, but because the old man was already up and readying himself for the docks.
Legolas waiting several more hours before trekking back to the ports, feeling weary and uneasy about the whole situation. When he came to the ticket booth, he was pleased to see the line was down to one person and he hastily dug some coins out of his pocket to pay. When the grumpy looking sailor had bought his ticket and stepped aside, Legolas walked forward and laid the coins under the glass window of the small wooden shack, which inside stood a buxom woman, spilling out of her bodice and having drawn a fake mole under her left eye. She studied the coins with a sour look, her eyes being black as night and hidden by locks of crisp black hair, then turned her gaze towards Legolas who felt as though he was being scrutinized.
"What is that you want?" She asked in a gruff voice, startling Legolas.
"I wish to purchase a ticket, for the boat that sails to Nenuial." He said firmly. He thought this was somewhat obvious.
"Fine. That'll be nine bets."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Nine bets." She repeated. "You know, money?"
"What about gold?" The elf asked, indicating the coins. "Will they not suffice?"
"Is that what you call these?" She asked, picking up one and pointing it in Legolas' face. "Where did you get this?"
"It's elvish currency."
"And this isn't an elvish community." She said, dropping the coin. "What am I suppose to do with it?"
"Please, I must get a ticket!" Legolas said frantically.
"No money, no ticket." She said firmly, crossing her stubby arms over her chest.
"But this is important!" Legolas tried again, almost pleading.
"It's the law."
"I don't care!" Legolas shouted, slamming his fist against the glass and making the woman inside jump back (which wasn't very far- the booth hardly fit her as it was on her stubby stool)
"Sir, I'll have to ask you to step away from the booth." A dock guard had come up behind Legolas at the sight of the commotion and was now steering the elf away from the cursing woman. As Legolas stalked away back to the docks, grumbling under his breath, he watched as the last of the passengers were boarded and the ship departed. By this time it was high noon.
As the frustrated and utterly beat elf sat on his stump, chewing his lip anxiously and watching the boats on the horizon, the old man found his way to his side.
"You didn't get on!" He said sadly. "Why?"
"I didn't have the money for a ticket."
"You could've just asked me boy!" The elderly man laughed. "I have money you know!"
"It wouldn't have been right in any case." Legolas sighed, looking back at his steed. "I will be leaving then at first light tomorrow."
"Where to?" The man followed behind Legolas back to his shack, leaning on a crooked walking staff.
"Back to the main entrance of Nenuial."
"But it's blocked by orcs!"
"I'm aware," Legolas commented dryly, stroking the fine neck of his horse who shuffled impatiently. "But my choices have grown few."
"I can take you!" The old man said suddenly.
"You can?"
"I have a small boat," He rushed to the side of his house and grabbed some towels and then scurried inside where Legolas followed, new hope rekindling in him.
"It will take the better part of the day, and you will need to help with the sail and all," The elderly chap continued on, shoving some sacks of food into Legolas' arms. "And you can't bring the horse."
"I'll be back for him," Legolas said dismissively, hurrying the man out of the door and back to the docks, which had calmed down considerably. The booth with the woman was closed now. "And I will pay you considerably to watch after him."
"Thank you." He led the elf down the docks for quite a ways. As they walked the boats got smaller and smaller until finally they came upon the oldest looking boats, all small three passengers with hand-patched sails and ores dangling out of their chiseled wooded sides.
"This is her!" The man said happily, throwing his stuff in one of the boats and untying her from the dock. "Old faithful. Hasn't been a trip she can't handle."
"Fine indeed." Legolas clamored in after the old man and once they were situated, they pushed off and started towards Nenuial.
The ride was long and tiresome; Legolas was in charge of moving the sail to go with the wind, which wasn't all that strong to begin with. But the company was fine for the old man had many interesting stories to tell of and his songs he sang echoed with the very waves that pushed them along gently. Eventually, though, as night drew upon them, Legolas switched to the ores with the old man and they paddled themselves farther. Until at last they landed on the shore of Nenuial.
It wasn't a pretty sight; the docks here were still very much alive with tough looking sailors all about drinking and courting the whores of the city. Jumping out of the boat and pulling it ashore, Legolas noticed the unfriendly looks he was receiving from the harbormasters, who looked down at him from their stations atop the high docks, their parchment at hand and coins jingling their purse.
"You know where it is you're off too then?" The old man asked, scanning the surroundings. "It's a rough crowd in these parts."
"I do, thank you." Legolas was about to depart when he turned around and pulled a dagger from his belt. "Here, have this."
"What is this for?" The man asked, running his crooked fingers over the fine engravings.
"Payment. Part of it. Trade it in and it should be enough to suffice now. When I return, I will pay you in full." Legolas explained.
"I've never been too fond of elves; we don't get many around these parts anyway. But you…you're okay." The man nodded thanks before taking to the ores and pushing himself away.
Legolas gave him a final heave, then hurried up the bank, past a group of sailors who were all lying nearly naked in the barrels of feed with woman pouring bottles of whisky into their open mouths from barrels above. Continuing on down the streets in the direction he could only hope would lead him to the palace, he passed more unruly sights that disgusted the elf. A man burping and grunting, raising his glass in cheers to every whore that passed. Another group of men laughed loudly at some rude joke and started yelling obscene things to the elf as he passed. He simply ignored it and carried on. At one point, a girl, quite young in age, grabbed his rear from behind, causing the elf to pull one of his blades and spin around in a panic. The girl looked terrified, while the watchers simply shook with laughter and whistles.
Heaving a frustrated sigh, the elf stalked away from the girl, who felt no shame in soon grabbing another young lad who had been singing absently as he strolled the streets dunk. After many long minutes of walking these kinds of streets, Legolas was relieved to finally enter quieter, wealthier neighborhoods. Here the buildings were tall and close together, all being fashioned quite the same way in browns and whites. Some had shop signs hanging over the doors, whiles others were merely homes. Outside of them, tall trees unlike those Legolas had ever seen grew and flower beds filled with vivid colors let rest the night. Windows were dimmed and the streets were quiet, lit by tall street lamps with burning oil flames. Every now and then a cat would run across the brick streets, chasing a mouse, or a candle inside a window would show lovely interiors of lace and wooden décor. Had he not seen the harbor portion of the city, Legolas would have claimed it to be a beautiful, if not quaint, place to live.
Taking a turn left down a street, Legolas felt a jolt of hope at the sight of the looming palace at the end of a long stretch of street. This street was barren of houses, only lined with the tall trees and many lamps. The grass was trimmed perfectly and tall statues draped with flags stared down at him as he passed. They almost seemed to be the watchers of the palace grounds. When he reached the end of the road, a tall brass gate stood before him, with four guards standing in and out of it. The one nearest him gave him a curious look.
"What is it you want?" He asked.
"I must see the king. King Aradhel."
"The king does not see anyone during the night." The guard said lazily. "And he only sees those during the day that have prearranged meetings. Do you have a prearranged meeting?"
"No." Legolas said. "But this is on important matters."
"I'm sure it is."
"Please. I'm Legolas of the Mirkwood realm. Son of King Thranduil. I have been sent here on urgent business concerning the affairs with the war." Legolas said firmly, but his eyes pleaded with the guard who now looked slightly interested in what he had to say.
"How do I know if you're telling the truth?"
Legolas realized there was no way to confirm it, besides that he was blatantly an elf. But his appearance had suffered from the long journey and he had no way to confirm his position as prince.
"You will wait until morning." The guard repeated, seeing that the elf had nothing to verify his word.
Legolas, though, being stubborn simply nodded and sat where he was on the grass, starring ahead of him towards the palace. If they were to make him wait until morning, then he would be sure to wait until the first sign of the sun. Which wasn't too far away. In a few hours time, during which Legolas meditated on Caniel and tried to let his limbs rest, the sun broke the horizon and Legolas sprung to his feet, feeling renewed energy.
"It is morning. The sun rises." Legolas said to the guard who looked amusedly at him. "I can see him now?"
The guard nodded to the guard inside of the gate, who then marched off to get the king. Waiting for the king, though only about half an hour in time, seemed like waiting eternity. Legolas shuffled impatiently, feeling the night itself had gone much faster then these few minutes. When the guard finally returned with Aradhel in close pursuit, Legolas stood taller and moved towards the gate.
"It's all right." Aradhel said, looking tired and grumpy this early in the morning. "He's clear to come in."
The gate was soon then opened and Legolas bounded in, following the irked Aradhel up the palace steps, which seemed to climb forever.
"You are here early." Aradhel said. "Although, I suppose it's more appropriate to say you are late?"
"You have visitors at the entrance." Legolas said dryly.
"I noticed."
"Any idea as to why the sudden shift?"
Aradhel stopped momentarily at the front doors, where more guards were positioned and turned to Legolas. "Let's be frank, shall we? I know you did not travel all this way to discuss orcs. In fact I know the only reason you are even near is for Caniel. And if I did not care for her as much as I do, I would have stopped your progress into my city a long time ago. Are we clear?"
Legolas clenched his teeth, locking eyes with the fuming king. "Very."
"And don't assume that because of your arrival, her duties as ambassador will change. She has a job to do whether you like it or not."
"As long as it remains a job and not a social hour for you, Aradhel." Legolas said, matching the cool voice Aradhel had been using.
The king glared at the elf for a moment before stalking inside. Legolas followed, noticing the rather rough appearance the king had taken on since he had last seen him; his hair was a lot longer, still curly though. And he had since acquired a go-t type beard and, perhaps he had only just noticed it, but a gold hoop earring in his ear. Legolas hid a smile, thinking that the king resembled a pirate. But with the harbors as they had, he supposed it was fitting.
Inside the main hall, Aradhel turned and pointed down a corridor.
"The ranger is down there in the study. Seventh door on your left. Keep it quiet."
Legolas nodded grimly and started down the hallway, which was being brightened by the rising sun. He was astonished at the amount of gold statues and carvings that intermingled with the fine red carpets and long curtains of the palace. Flowers and paintings sat everywhere with small tables and chairs set with tea parties. Upon reaching the seventh door, he knocked lightly and walked in to find the ranger smoking his pipe and gazing out the window. Upon hearing an entrance, Aragorn turned around and jumped up immediately at the sight of the elf.
"Legolas! Guren linna gen cened!" The ranger said, embracing Legolas in a big hug. "I was worried for your coming!" (My heart sings to see you.)
"As was I." Legolas smiled, clasping Aragorn's shoulder. "It was not brought to my attention that the orcs had moved to block my entrance!"
"It happened only after I sent for you."
"Ironic." Legolas said darkly. "This is a strange city."
"I would agree." Aragorn nodded, walking towards the windows again. "There is much mystery. Much deception. I only wish I could figure it all out."
Legolas looked around the still elegant study with high bookshelves and many paintings of politicians. "Where is Caniel?"
"Asleep." Aragorn said sadly, turning to look at his friend. "She suffers greatly. I see it day by day."
Legolas felt the same quenching feeling in his stomach that he had felt when he had first learned of her dying. "May I see her?"
"Let us give her another hour yet. She can use the rest."
"I understand."
"But sit! Let me hear of your comings!" Aragorn gestured to the chair opposite his. Legolas sat. "I'm sure they must have been treacherous to delay you so!"
"There were." And Legolas proceeded to retell all of his traveling, from the discussion with Elrond and Gandalf, to the warning Aradhel had given him. Aragorn looked slightly disgruntled by the news of Aradhel, but did not say anything in return. Only nodded politely. When Legolas had finished, about an hour had passed and it was reaching actual morning now, where the city was starting to wake up as people got ready for their jobs.
"I will get her." Aragorn said as he started out of the room. Legolas followed until the main circle hallway, where Aradhel was seated, reading a book and sipping some strong smelling tea. Upon seeing the two friends enter, he set down his book and stood.
"Wait here."
Legolas watched as Aragorn ascended the stairs, and he heard the gruff breathing of Aradhel behind him. It made him uneasy.
"How long will you be staying then?" Aradhel asked.
"As long as she needs me."
"But she only needs to see you, doesn't she? To know that you live?"
"And that I am not married." The elf said quietly.
"You are not?" The king asked, a genuine sound of surprise etched his voice and his eyes had widened in panic. "But what of your father and the…"
"He cannot marry me while I'm here, can he?"
"But when you return?"
"If I return…"
Aradhel now looked as if he wanted nothing more then to run a sword through Legolas, but was stopped from doing anything when shuffling feet could be heard descending the stairs. Legolas moved to the side to get a better look and almost cried out loud when he saw Aragorn practically carrying Caniel down the stairs. Her head was hung, so he could not see her face perfectly, but he could tell she was near death. She had lost considerable weight and her limbs were crooked and bent weird. Her hair was un-kept and stringy, and her skin had taken a ghostly look about it. It would not have surprised him to see her very insides through its white surface. After many slow steps, Aragorn brought Caniel to the bottom, whereon she struggled to look up. When she saw Aradhel, though, she removed herself from Aragorn's grasp and took a few shaky steps backwards.
"Not more meetings!" She whimpered in a voice unlike Legolas was accustomed to. Moving behind her, he stopped her progression backwards.
"Just one." He said softly and watched as she turned around to face him.
Her blood shot eyes widened with surprise and almost horror as she gazed at his face, taking new steps back towards the king. Legolas' smile didn't falter, for this was the kind of reaction he had expected. Holding her hands to her mouth, he faintly heard her whimper, "Legolas?"
He nodded, taking a step towards the skeletal girl. "Hello Caniel."
At these words, her eyes welled with tears and she turned away from him, crying weakly into her hands. He moved in front of her, under the watchful eyes of Aradhel and knelt down to look at her face, which was now screwed in agony.
"You are not dead?" She asked in-between sobs.
"No. No I am not dead. I'm here now." He said soothingly.
Taking a few steadying breaths, she seemed to regain herself. Or as much as a dying person could regain themselves. "Where is your wife?"
Legolas actually laughed, and he saw that Aragorn also smiled. Already she was becoming her serious, sarcastic self again. "I am not married, Caniel. I came for you."
"You are not?" She asked, sniffing. Then she clenched her teeth and glared at the elf. "Why did you not write?" She demanded.
"Where was I to write to?" Legolas asked, not at all ruffled by her anger.
"You did not keep any contact! We didn't even know if you were indeed coming! I was worried to death…literally! And now you come waltzing in here like everything's okay and nothing's changed!" She threw her hands in the air. Legolas only bit back a smile.
"And what has changed?" He asked quietly.
"I don't know!" She grumbled. "Me! Look at me! I'm not the maiden you once knew!"
"You are beautiful no matter what the outside appearance." Legolas said.
"You can't just expect me to fall into your arms!" She shrieked, turning and marching away from him. But after a few feeble steps, she gave to her weak legs and before Aragorn and Aradhel could even blink, Legolas caught her. Again she started crying as he held her to him, cradling her limp body in her arms.
"I can't?" He smiled down at her, and she tried wiping away her tears. "Please don't be mad Caniel."
"I'm not." She said, trying to smile. "I'm just so happy…"
Legolas laughed and leaned down to kiss the thin, chapped lips of the girl he loved. She felt so small and weak in his arms that he would have been content holding her there forever, keeping her sheltered from the outside world who had so brutally shoved her aside. As he kissed her, she let herself rest against his firm chest, warming herself with the heat from his body and clinging his soft lips, which now caressed her own with so much care. His breath slid down her cheeks, and his nose brushed against hers, as he felt no shame in exploring every inch of her mouth and tasting every bit of her. He had longed for this since the moment they had departed.
Eventually, Legolas thought he heard Aradhel leave and stopping momentarily because of a tap on his shoulder, Legolas glanced back to see Aragorn smiling at him.
"I don't mean to interrupt, but there are people starting to arrive."
"Yes, of course." Legolas smiled back and looked down at Caniel who was gazing up at him with brightened eyes. "Where is your room then?"
For the first time in many weeks, Aragorn finally saw her genuine smile.
"Third floor." She said weakly.
Legolas nodded, then picked her up carrying her up the stairs with little trouble. She weighed hardly anything.
"I'll be in the study, should you need me." Aragorn waved them off before walking back to the room.
Whence Legolas reached the room of Caniel he laid her back on her bed, and she gratefully rested her head against the soft pillows. Already she felt more alive, but her body remained frail and weak and Legolas could tell her recovery would take time. Pouring them both glasses of water, he sat next to her on the bed and retold of all his "adventures," as he called them, from the moment he left her in Rivendell. Then she in turn told him of all that had happened. When she had finished, she suddenly threw her cup to the side and looked at Legolas.
"Sírdhem killed the kings!" She said, looking with excited eyes at Legolas, who nearly choked on his water.
"What kings?"
"The kings of Nenuial!" She said impatiently. "I saw it in a vision. Sírdhem is the leader of the Ghosts of Arnor. I watched her slaughter King Rochval."
"King who?"
"Aradhel's grandfather." Caniel sighed, looking at the elf. "Do you remember nothing from the meeting in Rivendell?"
"We didn't cover that in the meeting." He said defensively.
"But it was in the papers."
"I never read the papers."
Caniel shrugged and looked at her hands. "Either way, isn't that odd? I would have never guessed Sírdhem to be a fighter."
"Not many people would guess you were a fighter if they saw you now either." Legolas said pointedly. "And why did she kill him? And weren't the ghosts raiders of the small villages?"
Caniel shook her head. "The king raided the cities, not the ghosts. The ghosts were a group of the king's soldiers who rebelled against him, for they did not want to slaughter the innocent. So they formed a group, the Ghosts of Arnor, and killed the king. Sírdhem was the leader I guess. And the king, Rochval anyway, used to be her lover."
"How do you know this?"
"It was in the vision!" She exclaimed. "All of this, I've been seeing. And I think Sírdhem is causing these visions."
Legolas looked confused. "When you visited her, that is when you had the visions. And you think that perhaps they were intentional?"
"I know those were, for as I told you earlier, I went to see her after you left, and as I presumed, she showed me more of her life. But here too! At night I've seen more and more."
"I didn't know people were capable of such things." Legolas breathed finishing his water. Setting it aside, he leaned back in the pillows and looked thoughtfully out the window. "I wonder what else she is capable of."
"I don't know." Caniel admitted. "But I do think that Aradhel is next."
"Do you presume to think she will come here?"
Caniel bit her lip thoughtfully before looking at the elf with stern eyes. Her voice lowered when she answered. "Actually, I think the reason she had been showing me all this, is so that I will do it for her."
"Kill Aradhel?" Legolas asked, looking at her surprised. "But you can't!"
"I know that." Caniel smiled. "But even so. I wonder if she knows something about him that we don't."
"If she did, wouldn't she show you?"
Caniel shrugged. "I don't know half of what she does and doesn't show me. All I know is everything is a mess right now."
Legolas nodded grimly. "This war you mean?"
"Yes. Aragorn had sent a letter telling the elves to proceed towards the gate to fight the orcs because we were worried for your coming."
"Then have you got sufficient evidence supporting Aradhel?" He asked.
"We have nothing!" Caniel said sadly. "In all our time here, things are still as mysterious as before."
Legolas studied her momentarily as she rubbed her forehead wearily and lay back down. He rested his arm under her neck and gazed down at her fair, but as of late, frail and ghostly face. Yet he still could admire her fine features, and found her as attractive as ever despite her waning appearance.
"What am I to do Legolas?" She asked wistfully closing her eyes. "Aragorn and I think we've made a mistake in sending for the elves, and with all these visions and the lack of evidence…I feel so lost as to what to do next!"
"Rest." Legolas said simply. "You are weary and tired, this I can see. You will function more properly if you are well rested."
She opened her eyes and looked up at him with a smile. "I have not slept well in a long while. My mind was always torturing me with dreams of you."
"It is a shame they were not pleasant then." Legolas said quietly, kissing her forehead. Her skin was unbearably cold. "You are as of ice!" He laughed.
"Am I?" She asked. "I thought perhaps you were just very warm."
Legolas shook his head and stood up so he could pull the sheets around her. After he had gotten her tucked in under the comforter, her head rested comfortably in the many pillows, he grabbed himself a quilt from the end of the bed and lay next to her. Caniel rolled into him, inviting his warmth to sooth her shivering limbs, and he wrapped his arms around her gratefully, happy to have her back by his side.
"What of Aragorn?" Caniel asked suddenly, startling Legolas who had been trailing kisses along her jaw line.
He stopped momentarily, and then smiled his characteristic sly smile. "He can wait. It is not yet midday. We have time."
Caniel still felt bad for leaving the ranger alone down stairs, after all she had grown so use to his company and being with him whenever the day was in progress. But as Legolas continued to massage her skin with loving kisses, she could no longer keep herself awake and soon her eyes closed and her body fell limp against the elf.