A/N: Hehe, happy day, happy day! I have everything all worked out now. Now I just need to decide which story to do after this on. I'm torn between two

Only ONE review on the last chapter. (Sob, sniffle, sniffle) Well I figured this story wasn't going well. Just so everyone knows if this one doesn't get any reviews then I guess I'll cancel it. Sorry for those who liked it.

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Elven Kitten: Thanks for your review. I'm glad someone still likes my work. Here's your update. Thanks again.

Chapter 9: Dead Tell No Tales

Thranduil looked at Legolas confusion in his eyes, "A blonde elf Legolas?"

Realization hit the younger elf like a ton of bricks, "Yes Ada." he said. A slight blush creped into his cheeks as he realized his own foolishness. "That was all I saw of him. A flash of blond hair, then he ran away." Thranduil raised an eyebrow ever so slightly, which for Legolas was almost comical.

'Ai he's been taking lessons from Lord Elrond.' he thought

"And this was after he murdered Curudae?" Thranduil continued.

"Yes."

"I see. This didn't by any chance spark a memory in your mind did it?"

"No Ada."

Silence.

"You don't think Thespar did it, do you?"

"It's hard to say the evidence is stacked strongly against him."

"What evidence?"

"Legolas, the guard claimed to have seen Thespar in the hall with the maid before she died and now the very same guard that accused him is dead. That's not normally a coincidence."

"Yes, but without solid proof…"

A knock sounded at the door.

"Enter." said Thranduil. Tuning to his son, "Legolas, we can discuss this later, right now I have other matters to tend to."

With a huff Legolas walked out heading to Strider's room where hopefully he would be able to see his friend.

Thespar walked down the hall. His destination, the palace kitchens where he had hoped to catch his brother on his way back from one of the human villages. He wanted to apologize for the fight they had the night before.

…Elsewhere, in the palace kitchen…

"What do mean he hasn't come back yet? He was due back not long after noon." came the soft whispers of one of the kitchen staff.

"Thespar, what do you think happened?"

Thespar snapped out of his thoughts when another called his name. He had been trying to ignore whispers and roomers going on behind his back. He wasn't sure how, but now suspicions were high and almost everyone believed he was the Mirkwood Murderer. He had locked himself in his study hoping to escape the accusing eyes. But everyone got hungry at some point, and since dinner wouldn't be ready for a few more hours he settles for a cup of tea to hold him for the time being.

Deciding to give up on the silent treatment (It hadn't been working anyway. Everyone still talked.) he spoke.

"Pardon?"

"What do you think?"

"About what?"

"Magalar's disappearance."

Thespar stiffened, the tea cup overflowing onto his hand.

"Aaa!" He yelped dropping the cup, its contents spilling on the counter. "I think…" Thespar started as he cleaned up his mess. "My brother is perfectly capable of taking care of himself. He's probably been delayed slightly."

Never had the advisor been happier to see one his majesty's servants.

"There you are Lord Thespar." Her sweat voice could belong to one of the valor. He was so happy to see her he could have kissed her. "King Thranduil wishes to see you for an emergency meeting in his study."

"Yes, Thank you." the maid bowed low and continued on her way.

Thespar left the kitchen his hungry tummy already forgotten. As he left he turned back only once to give a final treating glare at the cooks behind him.

Thespar walked down the hallway back up to his king's study. His mind a whirl of thought and worry.

"… on a more recent note My Lord, Magalar has yet to return from his trip for supplies." said one the advisors.

Thranduil watched Thespar closely to see the elves reaction to this information. Magalar was Thespar's younger brother. The two fought like all siblings do, but Thranduil knew of the protective nature of the older sibling towards the younger. News of his disappearance would surely cause this protectiveness to surface.

At last the meeting ended no one the wiser about who was committing these crimes. Thespar was the last to leave. Heaving a tired sigh the blond Elf stood, but was stopped by the voice of his leader.

"Are you not worried?"

Thespar smiled uneasily and shifted slightly on his feet. "Of course I'm worried. My little brother is out there with valor knows what else."

"Someone said you two fought the night before, is this true."

Suddenly a thought struck as he recalled what he had overheard, "You think I killed him don't you?"

"No, it's just…"

"Yes, you do. You think I would hurt my own brother over a trivial little siblings spat."

"Thespar, be calm. It is not what you think it is." said Thranduil trying to control his temper.

"Really, I think it is. You think, no believe, it was me. You think I killed all those people. Do my loyalty and our years of friendship mean nothing to you? Thranduil I have known you for countless years when I have I ever once betrayed you?"

An outraged and infuriated Thespar turned sharply on heels and stormed out of the study, leaving an equally angry king behind him.

Late that night Elrohir laid awake his thought spinning with the news of the latest murder. He couldn't believe it Curudae was dead. How was that possible? Elrohir had known him since as far beck as he could remember. First Estel, then Curudae, Legolas had them worried earlier, and Elladan hadn't been helping any. His temper was starting to get in the way, 'but then again,' Elrohir mussed, 'my own habit of withdrawing isn't helping much either.' This was all becoming too much. Who would be next on Death's list?

"Remember when I had that dream when Estel turned sixteen and snuck off to watch us on one of our Orc hunts."

Elladan nodded, "The one where you and I die and Ada kills Estel?" (A/N: Does this sound familiar. Read Invincible Immortals.)

"Yes, I don't know why, but for some reason I was reminded of it just now." Elrohir laughed nervously.

Elladan frowned when his brother's eyes looked sadly down.

"You know we can still loose him." Elrohir said sadly.

Elladan watched his brother through sad eyes; he couldn't stand to see him so upset. Elrohir had always been closer to Estel than he was. The human had loved them equally, and Elladan certainly would never neglect his human sibling when the boy needed him. It's just something in Elrohir seemed to agree more with Estel and as a result a stronger bond between the two had formed.

Hoping to distract his distressed twin Elladan came up with a plan. Reaching down he took hold of mirror image's arm.

"Come Elrohir, you've been up for days now and know you haven't been eating well."

Elrohir smiled slightly, "Neither have you or Father."

"All the more reason for us to sneak into the kitchens for a late night snack."

The twins tiptoed quietly down the maze-like hallways. Their destination: the kitchen. Tacking a quick look in all directions they quickly stepped inside.

Elladan scrounged for leftovers in the cupboards, drawers, pots and pans anything and everything that might have food. While he searched the kitchen area Elrohir made his way to the pantry furthest away, where the long lasting food was kept. He could picture the layout in his mind he knew where everything was. In his mind he saw the large walk-in pantry with rows of shelves lining the walls. Barrels of dried meat and fruit sat on the floor under the bottom shelf. His mouth watered at the thought of all the food lying just beyond the door. He hadn't realized how hungry he actually was until now.

Elrohir opened the door and stepped inside. Immediately his senses were assaulted by horrible scent. The entire room smelled of rotting flesh and a type of metallic scent mixed together. It was enough to make him gag. Forgetting all thoughts of food -he didn't think his stomach would be able to handle it now anyway- he looked around for the source of the disgusting smell. He covered his nose with the sleeve of his shirt and looked around. However what he saw was not what he expected. His eyes settled on a shadowed figure on the floor. Taking a closer look he nearly screamed. He quickly ran back out of the pantry slamming the door shut behind him locking away the horror he saw within.

"Shh, Elrohir not so loud." scaled Elladan "Do you want to wake up the whole house?"

All color had drained from Elrohir's face to the point where it was almost translucent. His eyes were wide enough that Elladan feared they would pop out of his twins head if they went any further.

Elrohir couldn't speak, his mouth opened and closed like a fish, but there was no sound. He was too horrified by what he saw.

Worried Elladan rushed over and grabbed his brother's shoulders and gently shook him. Hoping it would bring the younger sibling to his senses. "Elrohir, what happened? What's wrong?" he asked.

Elrohir finally came out of the shock and stared at Elladan. He blinked his eyes rapidly and pointed to the door behind him.

Elladan gave his twin a quizzical look before a teasing look flittered across his face, "What? Did you see a mouse." he laughed as he pushed his brother aside and entered the pantry.

Looking in the pantry all traces of mirth vanished as he stared at the bloody body of Mirkwood's head cook, Magalar.

At last Elrohir found his voice, "Ever known a mouse to do that?"

Both set of eyes fell on the six inch knife that stuck out from the chef's chest. His once white clothing was now died a dark crimson. A bitter metallic scent blended with the smell of decay. Numerous knife wounds could be seen through the torn cloth. But what was most horrific was the face. His eyes were rolled back showing mostly their whites, but the twins could still clearly see the vacant pupils. Magalar's mouth was open in a silent scream, his features frozen in the look of pain and terror.

"Go get Ada and Thranduil." Elladan said calmly before shutting the pantry. Elrohir nodded and dashed off.

A/N: Well that's it for now. If I don't get reviews after this one then the story will be discontinued. Sorry.