*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The Elves kept their bows steady and poised, their smooth arrows resting on taut bowstrings ready to fly when the hands that held them set them free. Lalaith crouched near Legolas, her eyes fixed on the looming darkness before them. The hissing grew louder as the sound of many snakes. Then the creature stepped forward, its mandibles wet with sticky drool that dripped every now and then onto the ground before it. Eight hideous eyes blinked at them and as fast as lightning, it bent its hairy legs and jumped, eager to land on top of them. Lalaith gasped as arrows were released and they stuck on the creature, making it look like a pincushion. The eyes closed as its body became still. It was a spider and more were coming.
"Nasty Elves! We shall have them for dinner!" and a chorus of "Yea!" sounded all around the Elves. Then the whole place was of jumping spiders and showers of arrows. There were more hissing and hairy bodies of dead spiders littered the ground. Suddenly, a spider landed in front of Lalaith. Its eyes were burning with fury. "Dinner!" it hissed and pinned Lalaith roughly onto the ground. She kicked at the giant and reached instinctively for Legolas and her hands found the hilt of his white knife. Lalaith pulled the blade out of its sheath and pointed it clumsily at the eyes before her. Disgusting saliva dripped onto her clothes. She closed her eyes and thrust the knife forward and it sank easily into living flesh. She stabbed it again and drew out the knife. Lalaith opened her eyes and looked in horror as the spider began to fall above her. Somebody pulled her out just in time before the spider collapsed onto the ground with a thud.
More Elves started to appear and soon all the spiders had either been killed or had fled away into the dark forest. There was a small rejoicing as the Elves celebrated their victory, dancing around and laughing merrily. It was when they saw Legolas that all grew silent. Then, almost as suddenly as they had stopped talking, all of them started talking at once, anxiously.
"The Prince! What had happened?" one asked.
"By Valar! He has been bitten!" another cried.
"Hurry! Hurry! Get him up!" ordered someone.
"How did it happen?" yet another asked.
"No, we will bring him!" argued a tall elf.
"No! Not YOU!" said an irritated elf.
"Eh! Wait! Wait for me!" shouted an elf who was running towards the spot where Legolas laid.
"The Prince has returned? Why hasn't anyone told me about it?" huffed an elf.
"Bitten? The Prince? Why those dratted spiders!!!" said an elf, shaking his fist towards where the spiders had fled.
"I hope he is all right," said a young elf, holding tightly onto his bow.
And there was more confusion as they made their own theories on how Legolas was bitten and several of the Elves lifted Legolas up and rushed him away. They whole procession on Elves followed silently now as they travelled, leaving Alu, Sul, Naur and Lalaith behind without even a chance to explain what had happened to their prince.
Sul laughed, "Why that was a nice welcome we've gotten from them..."
"Hmm...but I'm glad they didn't crush me this time, trying to get some answers," Naur said and the three of them laughed at some distant memory. They hurried after the Elves in front of them.
"Where are they taking Legolas?" Lalaith caught up with them, bewilderment clearly etched upon her face. She held the white knife awkwardly, not knowing what to do with it now that the spiders are gone. She wanted to hurry ahead toward Legolas but that was not possible with all the Elves before her.
"They are taking him to the palace of course," Alu replied. He took the knife politely and slid it into his own empty sheath. "I shall return it to the Prince once he awakes."
The darkness faded rapidly as the woods began to show its colour of greens and browns. Sunlight shone through gaps in the thick leaves upon the aged trees and formed little patches on the grass below. Squirrels with dark fur chased each other across sturdy branches and some mischievous ones threw nuts at the Elves. One of the well-aimed fruits hit Naur on the head and he yelled at the little squirrel. It chattered noisily and threw another one at him before disappearing into the trees. Summer has arrived and there were plenty of fruits all around to spare some for target practice. And it appeared that the squirrels were fond of using Naur as the target though no one knew why.
Lalaith smiled as another nut shot at towards a very annoyed elf. Already the spell of the Shadow was beginning to fade. She had smiled for the first time after years of being under the power of the Shadow. Naur picked up the nut and threw it. The squirrel dodged, covering itself with its bushy tail and the nut flew right past its little head.
"You will be dead by now if I haven't finished my arrows!" Naur shouted at the squirrel as it danced mockingly and chattered happily at the elf.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Night fell upon the woods silently. Darkness again made itself master of the expanse of forest and the Elves stopped to rest. Food and drinks were passed around among the group and some returned to their guard post amid the trees. Lalaith made her was among the group of relaxing Elves, dodging curious glances. She walked slowly at first but broke into a run when she saw Legolas. Some Elves were tending his wounds. She stopped abruptly near them and they looked up at her.
"It looks like he was not bitten by spiders after all," said one of the Elves, smiling at her. He finished bandaging Legolas up and clothed him. Lalaith stood uneasily, watching as they worked.
"Come and sit down. The Prince would be alright but still we would like to know what happened to him," the Elves said when they finished.
"We had had enough of guessing already," said another, laughing.
Lalaith sat near Legolas but said nothing.
"We heard that you returned with him," said an elf, trying to encourage her to tell the tale. She looked at each of them and sighed. And she told them all that had happened.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Legolas walked on and soon, he reached a place where the path he was on divided into two. He couldn't determine which way to choose for each seemed equally dark and deep. Then he figured that it did not really matter anyway since he knew not where he was heading in the first place. He just wanted to be out of this cave, or whatever it is he is in. He followed the path on his right and continued his journey.
He had been walking for what seemed like ages but the strange thing is, he did not feel tired at all. And so he quickened his pace, hoping that he could find an exit in front. Little did he know of a shadowy figure, laughing silently to herself behind him as he stepped right into her trap.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It was another three days walk before they arrived at the gates of Thranduil's Halls. The palace was a sight to behold. The ground was carpeted with petals from flowers of the trees around them and a sweet fragrance filled the Elves with much strength after their long journey. Lalaith walked with Naur, Sul and Alu and the stopped before the heavy gates. And as the gates were lifted up, an elven-maiden rushed forward and greeted them. Alu and Sul exchanged amused glances behind Naur as he beamed, looking happier than ever at the sight of her.
"Welcome back!" she said happily, "We were all waiting for your return. The King got news of your homecoming a few days ago and we are all anxious to know how the Prince fared in his search."
"Much has happened, my lady. Perhaps is would be better if you would allow us to settle ourselves first before we give you an account of what we know," Alu said, teasingly. "Or maybe Naur would like to tell you the tale himself." He eyed Naur.
"Right...of course," she replied.
By this time, Naur and the elf-girl were both blushing red and Alu and Sul laughed heartily as they walked into the stronghold of the Elves of Mirkwood.
Each pathway of the palace was bright for the light of the sun shone through countless windows with wonderfully ornamented glass. These windows were like skylights for they allow daylight through into the hallways from the roof so it did not seem that they were in a cave although the stronghold was a cave and had many passages underground. Each path was brightly lit except those, which led to the dungeons. Torches burned brightly to light the palace at night.
The Elves carried Legolas into his room and the Healers followed close behind. No one else was allowed into the room except those with the skill of healing. And Thranduil had come to look at his son several times. He was, of course, allowed to enter Legolas' room. The Elven-king was noticeably worried. He paced about in the hallways before entering and after he came out of the room. He wore a beautiful robe with much embroidery or leaves with silver thread on dark velvet cloth. The long robe swept over the carpeted floor as he paced and his advisor paced with him, whispering now and then for him not to worry. Lalaith sat on a chair someone had kindly offered to her. It was a hard, antique chair. The type that was not comfortable to sit in. Her eyes followed the Elven-king's pacing feet as he walked to and fro in front of her. She felt like asking him how Legolas was doing now but had not the courage to speak to the proud king.
Lalaith noticed how similar the Elven-king was to his son. Both of them had golden hair and icy-blue eyes and a determined spirit. The king stopped pacing for a moment to look at her. Lalaith looked timidly to the ground, feeling that she should not be sitting down when the king was standing before her. The king did not say anything. He sighed and walked gloomily towards his study, his advisor following from behind, arranging papers in his hand. Lalaith sighed too as she fingered the hem of her dress. Time passed slowly and she had nothing to do but stare and pretend to be interested at a pattern on the carpeted floor. She hoped fervently that Legolas would be all right.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It seemed that he was getting deeper and deeper into the cave for now it was all darkness around him again and the air was still and a little stuffy. "I should have gone through the other path," he mused, feeling his way around like a blind man. Even his elven sight was of no use here when there is no light. And as his sense of sight lessened, his other senses grew all the more alert. The damp unpleasant smells, the clammy feeling of everything about him and his own footsteps on the solid ground below him. It comforted him a bit to hear the sound of his footsteps. Most of the time, it would have worried him that there might be others who would hear of his coming and he might be caught off guard but this time it was different. Legolas was sure that there was no one else around. Well, or so he thought.
A ghostly form followed him from behind with absolute silence. Bidding her time to act. She had waited long for this opportunity. It will not do to spoil her chance because of her impatience. Legolas would have to be at the proper place and at the proper time as time was counted in the void before she could do it. She was certain that it will be soon and that she will finally be able to ruin the plans of the Valars.
@~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~
Wowhee...!!! The exam is finally over and I'm free free free!!! I don't have to go to school anymore...erm, well, that is if I choose not to. It feels odd, really. And the oddest this is I'm starting to miss school. NOT school as in the building and its teaches or the horrible toilets but school as in my friends, my close friends and my special friend...hehe...I'm babbling nonsense here =P
Yeah! Another chapter to my super long-winded story and another cliffie at that. Aren't I wicked? I tried to make it longer than usual but this is the longest I could manage to write. So, sorries to all of you there who have been waiting long for this chapter and are disappointed to find it so short. I have the plot all planned out but it just doesn't seem to fit into my story somehow. Oh well, I guess it all goes to me for being a lousy writer. But then the good thing is, Legolas is back at Mirkwood! Wait...is that a good thing?
Dear saturndragon, Hey, thanks I needed all the luck...
Dear Meadow, I don't really know when Lego is going to wake up...so I guess he will wake up when I decide he should =) Hehehe...*wicked laughter*
Dear Arien_Kaleneil, Am I really hurting them? Aww...but it is fun!!!
Dear elfchick123, Here's another chapter! You like it?
Dear Radiion-hobbitwarrior, Hmm...I don't know if it is the attack of the Shadow that brought him there. You'll have to read to find out =P And yeah I hate the exams too.
Dear Calypso, Don't say I didn't warn you =)
Dear Lady Gwen of Avalon, Thank you...I hope I do well in it too. You really think I will become a writer? Aww...I'm so touched and flattered *blushes*
Dear Snowmane, The black thing...is...well I think you know what it is by now. Right? Oh you having your exams too? Good luck to you too.
Dear tourignyne, Yikes you still have the hockey stick in your hand *points at it nervously* Here's the update...
Dear PenguinsGoMoo, Kill spiders! Kill spiders!! Yay! That was fun...and I think the spiders are quite dead by now =) Thanks for the luck.
Dear Undomiel, Updated!!! Guess where Lego is...
Dear Iluvien, Glad you found my fanfic. Erm, actually, Lalaith was able to do so cause it was the only thing she could hold on to that reminds her of the world outside when she was in the dungeons of the goblins. So since she treasured it so much, she had let her own soul into the necklace itself and the Shadow was able to draw it from there. Hmm...did I answer your question? Sorry I'm not that good in explaining things.
Dear crazycruzet212, You like it? Well, here's the update... =)
Dear mrs. Turner, Hmm...if you don't like it, why did you read it in the first place? I think I did put a warning that says this is a Mary Sue.
Dear kandi777666, Oppsies...I think this is another short chapter =( Sowwies.
Dear Lauren, Updated!!! Like it?
The Elves kept their bows steady and poised, their smooth arrows resting on taut bowstrings ready to fly when the hands that held them set them free. Lalaith crouched near Legolas, her eyes fixed on the looming darkness before them. The hissing grew louder as the sound of many snakes. Then the creature stepped forward, its mandibles wet with sticky drool that dripped every now and then onto the ground before it. Eight hideous eyes blinked at them and as fast as lightning, it bent its hairy legs and jumped, eager to land on top of them. Lalaith gasped as arrows were released and they stuck on the creature, making it look like a pincushion. The eyes closed as its body became still. It was a spider and more were coming.
"Nasty Elves! We shall have them for dinner!" and a chorus of "Yea!" sounded all around the Elves. Then the whole place was of jumping spiders and showers of arrows. There were more hissing and hairy bodies of dead spiders littered the ground. Suddenly, a spider landed in front of Lalaith. Its eyes were burning with fury. "Dinner!" it hissed and pinned Lalaith roughly onto the ground. She kicked at the giant and reached instinctively for Legolas and her hands found the hilt of his white knife. Lalaith pulled the blade out of its sheath and pointed it clumsily at the eyes before her. Disgusting saliva dripped onto her clothes. She closed her eyes and thrust the knife forward and it sank easily into living flesh. She stabbed it again and drew out the knife. Lalaith opened her eyes and looked in horror as the spider began to fall above her. Somebody pulled her out just in time before the spider collapsed onto the ground with a thud.
More Elves started to appear and soon all the spiders had either been killed or had fled away into the dark forest. There was a small rejoicing as the Elves celebrated their victory, dancing around and laughing merrily. It was when they saw Legolas that all grew silent. Then, almost as suddenly as they had stopped talking, all of them started talking at once, anxiously.
"The Prince! What had happened?" one asked.
"By Valar! He has been bitten!" another cried.
"Hurry! Hurry! Get him up!" ordered someone.
"How did it happen?" yet another asked.
"No, we will bring him!" argued a tall elf.
"No! Not YOU!" said an irritated elf.
"Eh! Wait! Wait for me!" shouted an elf who was running towards the spot where Legolas laid.
"The Prince has returned? Why hasn't anyone told me about it?" huffed an elf.
"Bitten? The Prince? Why those dratted spiders!!!" said an elf, shaking his fist towards where the spiders had fled.
"I hope he is all right," said a young elf, holding tightly onto his bow.
And there was more confusion as they made their own theories on how Legolas was bitten and several of the Elves lifted Legolas up and rushed him away. They whole procession on Elves followed silently now as they travelled, leaving Alu, Sul, Naur and Lalaith behind without even a chance to explain what had happened to their prince.
Sul laughed, "Why that was a nice welcome we've gotten from them..."
"Hmm...but I'm glad they didn't crush me this time, trying to get some answers," Naur said and the three of them laughed at some distant memory. They hurried after the Elves in front of them.
"Where are they taking Legolas?" Lalaith caught up with them, bewilderment clearly etched upon her face. She held the white knife awkwardly, not knowing what to do with it now that the spiders are gone. She wanted to hurry ahead toward Legolas but that was not possible with all the Elves before her.
"They are taking him to the palace of course," Alu replied. He took the knife politely and slid it into his own empty sheath. "I shall return it to the Prince once he awakes."
The darkness faded rapidly as the woods began to show its colour of greens and browns. Sunlight shone through gaps in the thick leaves upon the aged trees and formed little patches on the grass below. Squirrels with dark fur chased each other across sturdy branches and some mischievous ones threw nuts at the Elves. One of the well-aimed fruits hit Naur on the head and he yelled at the little squirrel. It chattered noisily and threw another one at him before disappearing into the trees. Summer has arrived and there were plenty of fruits all around to spare some for target practice. And it appeared that the squirrels were fond of using Naur as the target though no one knew why.
Lalaith smiled as another nut shot at towards a very annoyed elf. Already the spell of the Shadow was beginning to fade. She had smiled for the first time after years of being under the power of the Shadow. Naur picked up the nut and threw it. The squirrel dodged, covering itself with its bushy tail and the nut flew right past its little head.
"You will be dead by now if I haven't finished my arrows!" Naur shouted at the squirrel as it danced mockingly and chattered happily at the elf.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Night fell upon the woods silently. Darkness again made itself master of the expanse of forest and the Elves stopped to rest. Food and drinks were passed around among the group and some returned to their guard post amid the trees. Lalaith made her was among the group of relaxing Elves, dodging curious glances. She walked slowly at first but broke into a run when she saw Legolas. Some Elves were tending his wounds. She stopped abruptly near them and they looked up at her.
"It looks like he was not bitten by spiders after all," said one of the Elves, smiling at her. He finished bandaging Legolas up and clothed him. Lalaith stood uneasily, watching as they worked.
"Come and sit down. The Prince would be alright but still we would like to know what happened to him," the Elves said when they finished.
"We had had enough of guessing already," said another, laughing.
Lalaith sat near Legolas but said nothing.
"We heard that you returned with him," said an elf, trying to encourage her to tell the tale. She looked at each of them and sighed. And she told them all that had happened.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Legolas walked on and soon, he reached a place where the path he was on divided into two. He couldn't determine which way to choose for each seemed equally dark and deep. Then he figured that it did not really matter anyway since he knew not where he was heading in the first place. He just wanted to be out of this cave, or whatever it is he is in. He followed the path on his right and continued his journey.
He had been walking for what seemed like ages but the strange thing is, he did not feel tired at all. And so he quickened his pace, hoping that he could find an exit in front. Little did he know of a shadowy figure, laughing silently to herself behind him as he stepped right into her trap.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It was another three days walk before they arrived at the gates of Thranduil's Halls. The palace was a sight to behold. The ground was carpeted with petals from flowers of the trees around them and a sweet fragrance filled the Elves with much strength after their long journey. Lalaith walked with Naur, Sul and Alu and the stopped before the heavy gates. And as the gates were lifted up, an elven-maiden rushed forward and greeted them. Alu and Sul exchanged amused glances behind Naur as he beamed, looking happier than ever at the sight of her.
"Welcome back!" she said happily, "We were all waiting for your return. The King got news of your homecoming a few days ago and we are all anxious to know how the Prince fared in his search."
"Much has happened, my lady. Perhaps is would be better if you would allow us to settle ourselves first before we give you an account of what we know," Alu said, teasingly. "Or maybe Naur would like to tell you the tale himself." He eyed Naur.
"Right...of course," she replied.
By this time, Naur and the elf-girl were both blushing red and Alu and Sul laughed heartily as they walked into the stronghold of the Elves of Mirkwood.
Each pathway of the palace was bright for the light of the sun shone through countless windows with wonderfully ornamented glass. These windows were like skylights for they allow daylight through into the hallways from the roof so it did not seem that they were in a cave although the stronghold was a cave and had many passages underground. Each path was brightly lit except those, which led to the dungeons. Torches burned brightly to light the palace at night.
The Elves carried Legolas into his room and the Healers followed close behind. No one else was allowed into the room except those with the skill of healing. And Thranduil had come to look at his son several times. He was, of course, allowed to enter Legolas' room. The Elven-king was noticeably worried. He paced about in the hallways before entering and after he came out of the room. He wore a beautiful robe with much embroidery or leaves with silver thread on dark velvet cloth. The long robe swept over the carpeted floor as he paced and his advisor paced with him, whispering now and then for him not to worry. Lalaith sat on a chair someone had kindly offered to her. It was a hard, antique chair. The type that was not comfortable to sit in. Her eyes followed the Elven-king's pacing feet as he walked to and fro in front of her. She felt like asking him how Legolas was doing now but had not the courage to speak to the proud king.
Lalaith noticed how similar the Elven-king was to his son. Both of them had golden hair and icy-blue eyes and a determined spirit. The king stopped pacing for a moment to look at her. Lalaith looked timidly to the ground, feeling that she should not be sitting down when the king was standing before her. The king did not say anything. He sighed and walked gloomily towards his study, his advisor following from behind, arranging papers in his hand. Lalaith sighed too as she fingered the hem of her dress. Time passed slowly and she had nothing to do but stare and pretend to be interested at a pattern on the carpeted floor. She hoped fervently that Legolas would be all right.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It seemed that he was getting deeper and deeper into the cave for now it was all darkness around him again and the air was still and a little stuffy. "I should have gone through the other path," he mused, feeling his way around like a blind man. Even his elven sight was of no use here when there is no light. And as his sense of sight lessened, his other senses grew all the more alert. The damp unpleasant smells, the clammy feeling of everything about him and his own footsteps on the solid ground below him. It comforted him a bit to hear the sound of his footsteps. Most of the time, it would have worried him that there might be others who would hear of his coming and he might be caught off guard but this time it was different. Legolas was sure that there was no one else around. Well, or so he thought.
A ghostly form followed him from behind with absolute silence. Bidding her time to act. She had waited long for this opportunity. It will not do to spoil her chance because of her impatience. Legolas would have to be at the proper place and at the proper time as time was counted in the void before she could do it. She was certain that it will be soon and that she will finally be able to ruin the plans of the Valars.
@~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~
Wowhee...!!! The exam is finally over and I'm free free free!!! I don't have to go to school anymore...erm, well, that is if I choose not to. It feels odd, really. And the oddest this is I'm starting to miss school. NOT school as in the building and its teaches or the horrible toilets but school as in my friends, my close friends and my special friend...hehe...I'm babbling nonsense here =P
Yeah! Another chapter to my super long-winded story and another cliffie at that. Aren't I wicked? I tried to make it longer than usual but this is the longest I could manage to write. So, sorries to all of you there who have been waiting long for this chapter and are disappointed to find it so short. I have the plot all planned out but it just doesn't seem to fit into my story somehow. Oh well, I guess it all goes to me for being a lousy writer. But then the good thing is, Legolas is back at Mirkwood! Wait...is that a good thing?
Dear saturndragon, Hey, thanks I needed all the luck...
Dear Meadow, I don't really know when Lego is going to wake up...so I guess he will wake up when I decide he should =) Hehehe...*wicked laughter*
Dear Arien_Kaleneil, Am I really hurting them? Aww...but it is fun!!!
Dear elfchick123, Here's another chapter! You like it?
Dear Radiion-hobbitwarrior, Hmm...I don't know if it is the attack of the Shadow that brought him there. You'll have to read to find out =P And yeah I hate the exams too.
Dear Calypso, Don't say I didn't warn you =)
Dear Lady Gwen of Avalon, Thank you...I hope I do well in it too. You really think I will become a writer? Aww...I'm so touched and flattered *blushes*
Dear Snowmane, The black thing...is...well I think you know what it is by now. Right? Oh you having your exams too? Good luck to you too.
Dear tourignyne, Yikes you still have the hockey stick in your hand *points at it nervously* Here's the update...
Dear PenguinsGoMoo, Kill spiders! Kill spiders!! Yay! That was fun...and I think the spiders are quite dead by now =) Thanks for the luck.
Dear Undomiel, Updated!!! Guess where Lego is...
Dear Iluvien, Glad you found my fanfic. Erm, actually, Lalaith was able to do so cause it was the only thing she could hold on to that reminds her of the world outside when she was in the dungeons of the goblins. So since she treasured it so much, she had let her own soul into the necklace itself and the Shadow was able to draw it from there. Hmm...did I answer your question? Sorry I'm not that good in explaining things.
Dear crazycruzet212, You like it? Well, here's the update... =)
Dear mrs. Turner, Hmm...if you don't like it, why did you read it in the first place? I think I did put a warning that says this is a Mary Sue.
Dear kandi777666, Oppsies...I think this is another short chapter =( Sowwies.
Dear Lauren, Updated!!! Like it?