Chapter 7
"Melkor plans to do anything necessary to get to your father, not only by using you, but by any other means." Harnsil said.
" That is impossible." Aragorn said. " Even if he were back, why is he trying
to kill Legolas and Thanduil?"
" Because, two hundred years ago, Thranduil, with the help of Mithrandir,
banished Melkor into another realm. Apparently Melkor isn't too happy
about that, and is getting his revenge on the whole royal family." Harnsil
Answered frankly.
' Legolas and Thranduil.' Gimli said inwardly.
Aragorn turned to look at Legolas, surprised to see him completely calm.
Suddenly, Legolas stood up, and started towards the horses.
" Legolas, No!" Aragorn cried, grabbing Legolas' arm before he got to the horses.
"We don't know what to expect over there. You haven't been in
Mirkwood for over a year, don't you want to be prepared for what you
might see in the palace?" Aragorn quickly exclaimed, saying the first thing
that came to mind.
" I am ready to face whatever is threatening my home Aragorn." Legolas
stated, his eyes icy and violet with anger, though not entirely directed
towards Aragorn.
" Legolas, do not leave, we need to formulate some kind of plan before
we go into the palace unless you want us to jump in there swinging like
idiots and getting killed!" Aragorn argued.
"I am going" Legolas replied simply, forcefully yanking his arm from
Aragorn's steel grip.
Legolas got to his horse, and gracefully sat atop the great beast.
"Wait! Wait you stubborn elf, I'm going with you!" Gimli yelled from behind
Aragorn. Running up to Legolas' horse.
"Ai Valar protect us!" Aragorn quickly prayed towards the sky, while
getting atop Vanyll.
"Prince Legolas! My Lord, wait!" Harnsil yelled, running up to Arod.
"Do not leave, my lord, tis' folly. There is no way to get in there, without
permission." Harnsil said.
"Permission from whom?" Legolas demanded.
" From Lord Galien, My Lord" Harnsil exclaimed.
Legolas' demeamer quickly changed from calm to an expression of
anger and surprise.
"What has happened to my father!" Legolas yelled, very alarmed.
"He has..he has been missing for about a week. We have not been able
to spot his war-abouts but many assume that a group of loyal guards are
watching over him in an isolated camp, much like the one we are in
now." Harnsil informed with dreaded apprehension.
Legolas features paled drastically. " You are saying that we have been
standing here all this time, while my father is in great peril?" Legolas
demanded questioningly.
'YOU are the one that is in great peril, LORD Legolas"
Legolas, Aragorn, Gimli, and Harnsil both turned simultaneously at the
unknown voice.
A cloaked figure upon a dark horse suddenly stepped forward barring a
long sword in one hand, and a bloody scimitar in the other, with what
appeared to be a black paste dripping from its tip.
"Legolas" Gimli warned, from behind Legolas.
"I have been waiting for your to return to Mirkwood, my lord" the cloaked figure said, from atop his dark horse.
"I am relieved to see you return in one piece." The cloaked figure continued, sheathing his sword, and wiping the grime off of the scimitar.
" If you are relieved to see the prince, then why do you refrain from showing your face? And why was your weapon wet with blood?" Harnsil questioned dangerously, protectively moving in front of Arod, bow drawn.
"I refrain from showing my face, because I no longer trust these woods, as I once did, and no longer do I feel safe enough to show my face among a group of people whom I have not seen for some time. As for the blood, if you haven't noticed, the blood was black. I encountered a group of Archnids on the way here." The elf said.
" Ragen?" Legolas questioned? Eyes piercing the darkness of the figures cloak.
" My lord" Ragen said, his voice betraying his surprise, Swiftly drawing back the hood of his cloak.
" Aw, now we see him." Gimli grumbled.
"How did you know?" Ragen asked, about to ride his horse up to Legolas before being stopped by Harnsil.
" I have known you since we were but children, Ragen. I would have known it was you, if I were deaf and blind." Legolas said, happy to know that it was his long time childhood friend.
" Legolas, apologies for ruining this happy façade, but how do we know that this is the same Ragen?" Aragorn warned, moving Vanyll closer to Arod.
"He does not have the eyes of Melkor." Harnsil said, obliterate to the fact
that his answer confused Aragorn even more.
"The 'eyes' of Melkor?" Aragorn asked wearily.
" Ai. The elves that have turned against us, despite their loyalty, have
black eyes, their minds trapped." Harnsil explained.
" But their elves! How could elves become so easily ensnared by Melkor!"
Gimli asked increasouly.
" Melkor is stronger. A lot stronger, and in a way his essence is much like the 'One Ring'." Harnsil informed them with disdain.
" Ai, this will not end well, for we seem to be sinking deeper and deeper
into a treacherous abyss of questions and betrayal that has yet to show
any signs of ending." Legolas stated tense with apprehension of what was to come.
" Indeed. It seems that our 'adventure' will not truly begin until we walk through the gates of Mirkwoods Palace." Aragorn agreed.
:TBC:
oOoOoooooOooOoOooooOoOoOoOoOoOOoOOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Thank you to all of those who have been so patient with me. I have been very busy with school -work and projects that it has been unbelievably difficult to update. I know that this story is slow to start, but trust me when I say that it is really worth the wait, I have such an awesome plan and outline for this story, so have patience méllyn!
I will try to update chapter. 8 quicker than it took for me to update this chapter.
I know that this chapter is short, but bear with me!
Hannon lé