Chapter 23 reviews:
animebishieluver: I'll try to update as much as I can, but I realized that government class gives out sooooo much work! I spent 8 hours working on a project for that class and I didn't even finish it!
Silverkonekotsukari: It would be great if they did set Elrond's home on fire, but I don't think that they would. Even I don't think that they could be that reckless. I'll go see if I can buy some of those popsicle's, just to see what they taste like!
Mearas: True, to kill off a confused elf would be cruel. Can't let that happen. Making Elrond worry is so much fun! It brings me joy. Thank you for the comment for the golden woods. I thought I did pretty good myself!
Elven Kitten: I think that everyone loves the end of the chapter. I surprised even myself! I wouldn't put it pass them either.
Rebell: Yes only on weekends. I know, it's sad. But that's the only time I actually have time to write my story. -sniffles- How are you not regular?
Silver Mirror: Glad you loved it. I did too! And that was my favorite part as well.
A. NuEvil: To true, after all, if I kill off a major character, I won't have anywhere to go with the story. Maybe I should make it so that both the king and Elrond get mental help!
MoroTheWolfGod: Okie-dokie! Here you go!
Arialas: I think I should get a tan. I'm so pale, well compare to the rest of my family. And yes, I love the weather here. (Notice the sarcasm) I'll do more of those flashback-thingys whenever the chance appears, so don't worry.
KyLaaa: Yeah, I know it was short, but I like it like that. I'll try to make this chapter longer.
Avion Jade: It seems that everyone loved that part. I should write things like that more often! September 12? That is no fair! You still get to be lazy and not worry about turning work in on time! I don't mind, as long as you don't make the story to similar to mine.
Illeanah: Well, from your reaction I think that it's safe to assume that you enjoyed the chapter. Flooding sounds like fun. I wonder how Elrond would react to seeing his beloved home flooded with water.
KerowynGreenleaf: There! I let Leggy live so that you can be happy, and so that I don't have to make the story a tragedy. I think I'll make Leggy wake up in the next chapter if he doesn't wake on in this one.
IwishChan: Look on the bright side, if Elrond imagines the worst that can happen, he won't be so surprised if it really did happen! Running from their lord, I would love to see that.
Legolas's fanatical fan girl: Oh, you don't need to beg! And I couldn't kill of Leggy, that would ruin the story.
Elven hope: That's nice to know! Thank you for the review!
MaddyPaddy: I'm really starting to think that I should let them burn down Rivendell. Everyone else thinks that that would be fun to do. I already took several test, and so early in the year too! Ah well, can't do anything about that.
TheAmazingTecnoColorRingWraith: Stupid underlings, can't trust them to keep their mouths shut! Me? Going to a rehabilitation clinic? Ha! Don't make me laugh, I am perfectly fine. Besides cliffies keep people interested!
Chapter 24
The three brothers and Raindul had just gotten comfy when they heard the sounds of voices getting louder. After a bit more listening, they figured out that it was just two people, or elves in this case, that were doing the talking.
They quickly got off the floor and stood next to each other, facing the stairway. After a moment, two elves were seen. One was a male, with silky silver hair that went to his waist and light blue eyes, which were not to common for elves, making Lord Celeborn even more intimidating.
Standing next to him, holding his hand, stood Lady Galadriel. Her hair was a beautiful shade of blond, a deep blond, that was wavy and reached to her waist as well. Her eyes were a deep, bright turquoise color that held wisdom.
They were both dressed in white robes and glowed with inner light. Lady Galadriel also wore a circlet on her head. The made quite a sight.
The brothers and Raindul found themselves staring at the couple before averting their eyes, not wanting to seem rude.
Galadriel smiled and broke away from Celeborn to stand in front of the visitors. "It has been a long time since you two have last visited us." She said as she took the twins hands. They both smiled at her.
Celeborn then walked up to stand next to his wife and looked the twins over. "You two have grown."
Elladan felt his cheeks flush with a small blush. Then he cleared his throat. "Lady Galadriel, Lord Celeborn, I'm sure that you two have heard of our brother Estel?" He pointed at Estel as he spoke.
Estel felt as if all eyes were on him at that moment, and couldn't help but shift, showing how nervous he had become.
The Lord and Lady of the Golden Woods exchanged knowing glaces. Celeborn walked up to Estel. "It is a pleasure to finally met you Estel. Elrond spoke highly of you in the letters that he wrote us."
Estel couldn't help the blush that broke out on his face, and gave a sheepish smile. "It is a pleasure to meet you both as well."
Elrohir pointed to Raindul. "That's Captain Raindul. He came here on business for the king." Raindul just nodded.
"The king?" Celeborn asked. Again, Raindul nodded. "I haven't heard from Thranduil in a long while. How is he?"
Raindul turned his gaze to the floor. "Something has been bothering him for a while now. He has been getting little sleep and sometimes appears to be seeing something we can not." At the concern look both rulers of Lothlorien gave him, he continued. "You need not worry for him. Lord Elrond has journeyed to Mirkwood so that he could assist him."
Celeborn smiled at that. "Its good to know that Thranduil is being looked after. He can be to hard on himself sometimes."
Galadriel looked turned her gaze from the twins to Raindul. "You said that you came to discuss something with us. I suggest that we all head back to our home so that we can hear what you have to tell us."
The rest on the platform quickly agreed and made their way down the stairs and through Lothlorien until they came across a large building that also seemed to glow with light, just like pretty much everything else here.
They made their way inside were several elves were walking around doing chores and chatting. They guest looked around the large building at all the pictures on the walls and everything else inside the building. They saw a picture that showed a younger looking Elrond kissing the twins mom, Celebrian.
The twins snickered while Estel and Raindul looked at each other and shrugged.
Galadriel and Celeborn lead them to a room that had a long table with six chairs on each side and two chairs at the head of the table. Celeborn and Galadriel took the head chairs while the twins sat on the left, next to Galadriel, and Raindul and Estel took a seat on the right, next to Celeborn.
"Now," Galadriel began, "tell us what has brought you to our realm, captain."
Raindul quickly cleared his throat. "About two weeks ago, me and a group of warriors were sent to go and eliminate a group of spiders that have been getting to close. We found them, or should I say, they found us." Raindul retold what happened as if it happened yesterday.
Flashback:
The archers let their arrows fly and immediately reloaded, took aim, and fired. They killed many, but for every one they killed, two seemed to take its place. Soon the spiders got to close and the archers were forced to put down their bows and take up their swords. And just like the arrows, for every one they killed, two took its place. It wasn't long before the cries of a wounded elf joined those of the dying spiders.
Raindul was facing about five of the disgusting things. Luckily for him, he was an expert fighter and managed to take out three of them without problem. The other two kept their distance, so he was able to sneak a peak to see the other soldiers from the corner of his eye.
The others were doing well and to his relief, no more spiders were spilling out of the woods.
A screech behind him made him turn around and he raised his sword just in time to stop the spiders fangs from piercing his skin. The other spider, seeing that the elf was too busy with his partner, charged at Raindul from behind and succeeded in tackling the elf to the ground.
Raindul hit the ground with a thud and felt pain race up from his right side. Looking down, he saw the ever growing red stain on his tunic. Somehow, he managed to land and pierce himself with his own weapon. He silently let a few colorful curses in elvish before he remembered about the danger he was in. He reached out for his weapon and managed to grab he hilt before he was face-to-face with one of the spiders he was facing.
Time seemed to slow down for him as he watched the spider rush him. He could almost feel the fangs digging into his skin, the poison in his veins. He shut his eyes, not wanting to see the face of the spider, and waited for the strike.
End of Flashback
"The strike never fell and I didn't find out till later that an arrow had killed it. The thing was that the arrow didn't belong to any elf that was with me. There were two arrows that didn't belong to us. One belong to Rivendell. We traveled there, but Lord Elrond told us that non of his people have left the border to travel to Mirkwood. The other arrow belongs to Lothlorien." Raindul finished.
Celeborn and Galadriel exchanged glances. This was new.
"Perhaps we should send for Haldir. He is the one that keeps track of were each warrior goes." Celeborn said.
Galadriel nodded her head, then closed her eyes. A few seconds later, she reopened them and nodded to her husband.
They sat in silence until a they heard a knock on the door. At a "enter" from Celeborn, Haldir came into the room, a questioning look on his face.
"Haldir, did anyone leave the border about two weeks ago?" Galadriel asked.
"No." Haldir answered as he shook his head at the same time. "The last few months have been peaceful with very little sighting of orcs and goblins. There was no reason for anyone to leave the border."
The twins and Estel exchanged looks. Of course they knew who the arrows belonged to, and said owner was, at the moment, unconscious in the healing house, recovering from an arrow to his chest.
Celeborn looked to Raindul, who had a look of defeat on his face, to Haldir, who just looked confused. Why do something's have to be confusing?
I heard that. The voice of Galadriel sounded in his head.
He shot a mock glare in her direction, causing her to smile.
"Haldir, can I speak to you alone?" Raindul asked. Haldir nodded his head and motioned for the other to follow him.
"I think that it would be safe to assume that those two will probable be able to solve this little mystery about the arrow." Galadriel said. "So tell me, boys, how have you three been?"
They continued this conversation, telling the rulers of Lothlorien what has occurred during the passed years of their lives. In return, Celeborn and Galadriel told them what has happened the last several years. They continued this till the dinner bell rang, telling them that dinner was about to begin.
Once in the dinning room, were the rest of the Mirkwood elves were already chatting with their neighbors, they met up with Haldir's brothers and asked them to join them for dinner. It was a very merry dinner.
The twins didn't even try to stop Estel when he began to drink to much elven wine, which I might add, was pretty strong stuff.
And for the first time in five days, they finally got to sleep in a real bed, after a long soak of course!
The next morning, all the guest were treated to a special breakfast, except for Estel, who was suffering from a major hangover and couldn't even stand on his own feet.
"So Raindul," Elrohir said, "what did you and Haldir talk about?"
Raindul put down his drink. "I told him the same thing I told you all yesterday and I asked him if he could double check to make sure that noone left the borders." He then sighed and put his head in his hands.
Elladan patted him on the back in an reassuring manner. "How come its so important to find out where the arrows came from?"
Raindul looked at Elladan from the corner of his eye. "The king wanted to give his thanks, among other things. It has been a long time since we had help from the outside."
The twins just made an "oh" shape with there mouths before continuing to eat.
A while later, Rumil came running over with a large smile on his face. He was a bit out of breath when he reached the area where the twins and Raindul were having their breakfast.
"Guess what you guys? That elf that you brought with you woke up a short while ago!" Rumil said.
Raindul pretty much jumped out of his seat, while Elrohir went off to tell Estel the news. Elladan watched as Raindul ran out the room. Well, Legolas is his prince. He then followed after the captain at a much slower pace, with Rumil walking beside him.
"Where's Orophin?" Elladan asked.
Rumil looked up as they stepped out into the morning light. "He stayed behind with the elf. You know, you never did tell me what that elf's name was."
Elladan shrugged. "You will find out soon enough."
When they entered the healing house, Raindul was already kneeling beside Legolas, who was still pale and looked tired. But he was smiling.
Legolas looked over at the doorway when he heard it open. "Elladan." He acknowledged with a nod of his head.
He even sounds tired. Elladan walked over to the edge of the bed that Legolas occupied. On the other side, Orophin stood with an amused look aimed at Raindul. "How do you feel?" He asked Legolas.
"Like I got ran over by a horse." Suddenly, his eyes widened. "Where is Shadow? Is he alright?"
At that moment, Elrohir and Estel showed up. Seeing the look on Legolas's face, they both turned to Elladan.
"He want to know where Shadow is." He mouthed the words to his brothers. Estel and Elrohir exchanged looks. They haven't seen Shadow since the time they saw him in the woods.
Legolas tried to sit up, but his body was to tired and didn't have the strength to hold him up. "Where is he?"
Orophin, who had been watching the whole thing without saying anything, finally spoke up. "Who's Shadow?"
Legolas turned his gaze to Orophin. "Shadow, my horse. He's black and doesn't like saddles." He would have continued had Rumil not interrupted him.
"Oh, that horse! He's in the stable, recovering from an injured leg and sore back." Rumil said, thinking about the black horse that was giving all the stable boys trouble.
"He's hurt? How?" Legolas asked, looking at Raindul.
Raindul smiled at his prince and patted his hand. "I'll tell you later, but for now, I think it would be best for you to get a bit more sleep." Legolas huffed and crossed his arms. "Oh come now! It's obvious that your still tired!" Legolas huffed again, but did as he was told. Not long after his head hit the pillow, his eyes unfocused, showing that he had gone to sleep.
I'm so sorry that it took me so long to post this chapter up, I'll try to get the others up faster! Well, there is the next chapter. This is also not my best work, but it will do. Legolas woke up! See you next time!