The Mystery of Love

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Chapter Thirty-Seven

Trial in Rivendell

~~~POV-LEGOLAS GREENLEAF~~~

I woke early the next day and dressed, Rauko was going to be executed today if all went well.

Elrond had requested that Rauko be tried since he was an Elf and Lirawen's father. Elrond did not know about what happened to Reyna, and Reyna would not tell him. I sighed and knocked on Cathelle's door. "Lisseamin." {My sweet.}

The door flung open and no one awaited me in the doorway. I saw Reyna sitting on the edge of her bed. "Amin hiraetha. I am not very good at working the wind element." {I'm sorry.}

A smile crept over my face and I nodded, "Amin elea tanya." {I see that.}

She looked at the ground, "Amin uuma merna aut." {I do not want to go.}

I gave her a remanding look, "Cathelle, lle caela aut." {Kitten, you have to go.} I tucked a finger under her chin and caught her gaze; "You are going to kill him if he is charged."

Reyna nodded, "Elrond told me this morning. I am afraid that he will tell everyone what he tried to tell you."

I held her close, "No one will believe his foolish lies." A smile crossed my Lady's face and she took my hand as we headed out the door.

Several she-elves eyed Reyna jealously and I received a few mirth-filled glances from soldiers I knew. Ariane approached us as we walked towards the outdoor council circle.

"Legolas, amin hiraetha." {I am sorry.} Earnest shone in his blue eyes. He seemed wiser somehow and distant. I did not know him as well now as I had before our little disagreement.

Reyna hugged him, "Ariane! It's good to see you again!" He shifted uncomfortably.

"Ta naa quel ele lle vithel mellon." {It is good to see you too friend.}

I smiled halfheartedly at my enthusiastic friend and nodded, "Uma, ta naa quel ele lle Ariane." {Yes. It is good to see you Ariane.}

Reyna smiled, "Legolas, lye auta." {We should go.}

Legolas nodded. "Ariane, lle aa' tula vithel..." {Ariane, you may come also...}

Ariane smiled, "Diola lle nan' amin anta aut omenta Loriane." {Thank you but I need to go meet Loriane.} I nodded and waved him off.

Reyna rested her head on my shoulder as she clung to my arm. She smelled delightfully of forget-me-nots. I remembered how Loraine used to love forget-me-nots and how Ariane and I always got them for her when we were young.

A rich voice queried, interrupting my thoughts, "Mani naa lle nowien?" {What are you thinking?}

I shrugged and smiled at Reyna, "Uuma dela." {Do not worry.} She sighed and took her seat next to me in the circle. Elrond, Arwen, Elrohir, Elladan, Aragorn and Rauko filled the circle. Elrohir and Elladan were holding Rauko up. Despite the large bruises and cuts from prior beatings, Rauko held his head high.

Elrond spoke stoically, "What do you have to say for yourself?"

Rauko spat at him, "I am a king, and as such I have every right to every maiden I want! Reyna was willing anyway!"

Elrohir hit him hard, "Dina!" {Be silent!}

Elrond continued, "You are not on trial for rape, but rather heresy."

Rauko laughed, "Why? Because I still support the Dark Lord? That is so superficial! Just because you all are terrified of his power does not make me guilty of heresy!"

Elladan slammed his knees into Rauko's stomach. "Don't make me do that again."

Reyna stood up, "Lord Elrond. He raped me, well knowing that I was the Queen of the Fae. This alone is punishable by death, so why are you doing this?"

Elrohir threw the elf to the ground before he could comment. Elrond grimaced, "To disgrace the fiend."

I stood, "It is not working Lord! Kill him and be done with it!" Reyna drew her bow back.

"I will fire on your command Lord Elrond." The elven lord paced the circle.

"Lower your weapon." Reyna snarled. Elrond repeated himself firmly, "Lower your weapon...now!"

Reyna sighed but did as she was told. "Why are you hesitating? Because he is an elf? Must I take him into the glittering caves to get him executed!?" I wrapped my arms around her waist from behind and she jumped and shoved me away.

I gave her a look of concern and she bit her lip, "I cannot even accept comfort from a friend because of the fear he has instilled in me!"

Elrond turned, he had decided. "If you can tell Lirawen that it was her father whom we fought and tell her that you are going to kill him, then you may execute him when you return."

Elladan bit his lip, "Ada, Lirawen was killed in battle."

"Is this true?" Elrond stared intently at his other son and his daughter.

Arwen nodded, "I am sorry to say such, but it is no lie."

The Lord of Rivendell became very grim, "Okay then. Reyna, you may kill him."

My chestnut-haired friend drew her bow back, "How shall I kill him?"

Elrohir grinned, "Let him bleed out and suffer!"

Arwen and I shook our heads, "Kill him quickly."

Reyna looked at me and nodded. "Ok." One clean shot to his head, execution style, and he fell limply to the floor.

Elrond started to sing a prayer for the dead while Elrohir and Elladan harshly picked up Rauko's body and took it to be buried. I walked up to Reyna, "Why did you agree with me?"

She watched Rauko as he was carried away, "Lirawen would have wanted it that way."

I looked at her, "You are so brave." I swiftly gathered her into my arms and walked down a path behind the council circle. Past several tall trees a river awaited us. Sunlight shone onto the water in a lovely manner. A grin crossed my face, "Wait here. I will return shortly. Make yourself comfortable."

She raised a curious eyebrow as I walked the two hundred and fifty yards or so back up the trail. She was in for a big surprise. My kitten was going to see just how much I loved her.

~~~To Be Continued~~~

I know it's a cliffy, too bad!

In loving memory of Angela Murphy.