Bridget had just about decided that she detested Miniel and would not cry if suddenly something bit her head off. In fact, she would throw a party.
"Future Queen!" she managed to get out in between some choice English, Spanish, and French words.
"My dear girl, surely you don't think I don't intend to be Queen?"
"Thranduil is immortal, he will not die, and it will be many years before he leaves these shores, and Legolas will most likely go with him!"
"Oh, that would have been a problem. But now I must farewell, navaer Palanél." Bridget was trembling in anger by the time she left.
"How dare she, that insufferable, intolerable, incorrigible, horrible witch!"
"Palanél? Are you all right?" someone had just ducked their head into Legolas' room to see the fuming girl.
"Randir, erm yes, I am well," she replied between her teeth, and continued muttering under her breath about insufferable elleth.
"Bridgie, are you all right?" that statement sounded exactly like your last Randir…she thought to herself, before realizing that he didn't know her real name. She spun around to see Legolas standing at the door, a slightly more than bewildered look on his face.
"Other than a desire to kill your betrothed in her sleep, yes, I am perfectly well."
"Oh, well that's normal then," Randir muttered. Bridget turned wide eyes on him.
"You hate her as well?"
"No offense, My Prince, but who does not?"
"That is the question indeed, my friend." The two friends began speaking something the common tongue which told Bridget they did not intend for her to hear whatever they were talking about. With a sigh she leaned back and observed the two. Legolas was taller than Randir by a few inches; in fact, everyone seemed to be taller than him, except for her. He was about the same height as Estel. Hmm, a small elf. How…interesting…she mused, realizing the two were glancing at her.
"Oh, hmm?" she said, snapping back to reality.
"I said my father and his council are holding a meeting, we are to attend." Legolas glanced at her, "You are to let me do all the talking Palanél, say nothing." She frowned but nodded slowly.
The throne room was large, too large. It towered above her head by what seemed to be ten feet and banners hung from the ceiling. Behind the throne was a large carved shield, a gift from Celeborn and Galadriel on the day of Thranduil's formal coronation. A small chair sat just to the left of the throne, and a few feet in front, it was smaller, and less imposing, but no less formal. Bridget was inclined to think they only used this room on more important occasions. The thought made her frown a bit. Legolas had forced her to wear a dress, and she had agreed, though rather annoyed with the outcome she had to admit she was now very glad not to look out of place. Randir steered her to a seat more near the front, in between himself and one of the healers.
"I have called Council to bring to attention the deliberate attack on one of my guests. Strider is visiting from Imladris, and should have been less thus alone. However he was not, an attempted murder was committed this night, and I desire to know why. Any with information are asked to please stand and present it."
"My King, permission to speak?"
"Permission granted, Linnor son of Inior." Bridget's eyebrows shot up as she turned to glance at Randir, the difference between them was definite. Randir's hair was a brilliant shade of silver and his eyes were a clear blue. Linnor was dark, his hair was slightly darker than Elladan's and his eyes were a bright green. There was no resemblance between the two. If Randir noticed her inquisitive glance he didn't comment, he simply watched the elf who was apparently his brother.
"What if it was not a murder attempt, but rather, an assault. Perhaps the Lady Palanél can tell us more of it, I would wager she could inform us of their motives." Bridget glared, but kept silent.
"Adar, permission to speak?"
"Permission granted, ion nin."
"Palanél was not his attacker, for she was with both me and Miniel last night."
"I do not remember her being anywhere near us, Legolas darling!" Miniel spoke up. Legolas gritted his teeth.
"I can assure you she was. We reached the room in time to see the elf jump out the window."
"The elf? You sound so certain my Prince, perhaps you may tell us?"
"Adar, I request Linnor not be allowed to continue, he is making accusations based on impulse and not fact," Legolas said softly. His gaze locked on the elf in front of him in disgust.
"Granted, Randir remove your brother, please."
"Yes My King," Randir stood and walked over to Linnor, speaking quietly.
"Yes little brother be cruel and betray me again. Please, carry on." And Linnor stormed out of the room, followed by a slightly mortified Randir. Legolas watched them leave with a dissatisfied eye. It went on for nearly another hour, with different elves voicing there opinions on the matter, though none appeared ready to accuse the young human in their midst. When it ended Bridget got up right away and walked out, she was heading for a destination of the stables, she had need of a rant, of she had a feeling Hirilych was a better outlet than beating Miniel over the head with a giant statue, (as pleasing as that sounded.)
- - - - - - - - - -
Aragorn watched Legolas with slight amusement as his friend said something. The elf was clearly bored, but afraid that if he left Aragorn would follow. Aragorn had to stifle a chuckle as the elf glanced out the window once more.
"Mellon nin, you really can go you know."
"No, no, it's fine Estel." Aragorn frowned at the flash of worry he saw in his friend's eyes.
"Legolas, what is the matter?"
"Linnor; just today he was accusing Bridget of.."
"You're too suspicious, darling!" a voice said, coming out of the shadows. It was Miniel with an easy smile on her face, she walked over to Aragorn. With another easy grin she pulled Aragorn up against her and placed a blade to his throat.
"Legolas put that knife down or I will slit his throat in seconds." Legolas set his knife down, ignoring his friend's protests that he needed to protect himself.
"Legolas, run don't get yourself caught as well…" Aragorn was saying, feeling as though his heart was being shattered when he saw the defeated look on Legolas' face.
"I am sorry, mellon nin, but I won't let her kill you," was all the elf prince would say. Miniel smiled.
"That's it darling, soon you and I will be wed, and all will be well." She smiled again; she still looked stupid, but angry as well. Legolas shivered. "Seregnir, take Prince Legolas. We must go out the main entrance." She turned to Legolas and Aragorn.
"If either of you run we'll kill the other and the girl," she hissed, watching the two with a blank look.
"My Lady, I believe Li-"
"The boss," she corrected, glaring at the elf.
"Aye, the boss, said we shall remove them now."
"Very well, let us go."
- - - - - - - - - - -
"Hello Hiril, how are you? Me? Well, I am downright angry, is it allowed to bash her over the head with a stick? I'll even be nice, I'll use a club! A nice quick demise for those two. Linnor is awful, truly evil and incorrigible. He hates me and I hate him. How dare he accuse me of attempting to murder Estel! By the Valar he is truly a stupid, idiotic, unkind soul. I hate him!" she whispered to the horse, smiling gently at the caring look in the animal's eyes.
"Hate is a strong word, Palanél."
"Randir!" she spun around in surprise. "You scared me, and you would do not to listen to other's private conversation!"
"Oh, do let me apologize to the lady, my extreme apologies Hirilych."
"Oh snap!" she laughed, smiling softly.
"Snap?"
"That is it; I officially have decided to stop using English words…"
"But what is 'snap?'"
"I refuse to dignify that question with an answer!" she exclaimed, spinning about and crashing, straight into Linnor. A glint of silver flickered in his hand and Brdiget felt a knife to her throat.
"Drop your weapons, brother dearest, or I shall slit her throat." Randir lowered his knifes to the floor, never breaking eye contact with Linnor.
"Linnor, do not do this, please, brother, let me help you," Bridget realized for the first time that Randir deeply cared about his brother. And even if she hated Linnor she could not fault Randir for that.
"Do not try to talk me out of it! I refuse to be swayed! I do not believe in this help you offer me. I lost all sense of help long ago, when my heart was broken. When I was refused the right to sing! So I shall create two events that bards will sing about forever. Do you hear me?"
"Linnor…" Randir began, moving towards the crazed elf.
"No! Aradhel, grab my brother. Has Miniel taken the other human and Prince?'
"Yes my Lord."
"Good…good. Do not harm him. If he is injured it will ruin everything," Linnor glanced at Randir, and for an instant Bridget saw what Linnor had been. "I am sorry Randir," he whispered looking away. He tightened his grip on the human's shoulders.
"Come with me, or I will kill the Prince and human I have within my grasp, understood?" She stood stock still, unsure of what he wanted.
"Now, we are going to walk out of this stable and act like nothing happened, understood, you'll regret it if you don't." He nodded to the elf restraining Randir, and the elf hit Randir over the head with the hilt of his sword. The last thing Bridget saw was her newest friend lying in a crumpled heap upon the sturdy floor.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sort of a cliffy? I suppose it is. Randir and Linnor brothers…I actually out rather well, wouldn't you say? Press the…purple/grey, blue/ ugly lilac review button!