Evertyhing happened so fast, she could not fully comprehend what was happening around her. It was as if something had taken complete possession of her body, her senses suddenly sharper than ever before. The arrow flew through the cold night air, and she could hear the wind's sharp cry as the arrow cut bitterly through it. She could hear the loud wind, screeching, burning through her veins as her eyes could almost see it parting to make space for the arrow. It called her with a strength she could not fight, ringing inside her head.
She could feel the air around her as she never had before, in that split of a second, it suddenly became incredibly clear, like thin transparent lines filling the entirety of the hallway, parting sharply in the middle to make space for the flying arrow. Its loud cries bounced inside her head, threatening to split her skull in half, and in that split second she succumbed to the call, feeling a strange force take control of her entire body. She never knew what happened exactly, but at that moment it felt so obvious, so clear, so natural. She had never seen anything as clear as she could see the cold wind at that moment, suddenly reachable to her, tactile and visual. The transparent lines of the wind suddenly shifted, opening a new path for the cutting arrow, deviating it.
As quickly as the cries had reached her ears, burning through her, they were gone, the transparent lines she had seen before her eyes suddenly vanished. A hollow sound echoed in the cold stone walls as the arrow rasped Tadion's side, landing flatly some distance behind them. Nobody moved. All she could hear was her trembling, shocked breathing, her heart drumming loudly, attempting to jump out of her chest. Tadion's eyes were wide, disbelieved clear blue irises staring at the trembling dark haired elf in front of him. But there was something else in his shocked, wide eyes. Confusion. The dying echo of Lossenel's cry bounced on the stone walls, a high-pitched ghost petrifying every single elf to their place. The smell of fresh crimson blood reached her nostrils instantly, making her stomach feel tight and sick, her entire body frozen.
Amrudir did not move, his slender body still shaking visibly, sick mad eyes as wide and irrational as before, burning with fear and incomprehension. The long wooden bow trembled in his unsteady grip, still held in upright position, although he made no attempt to reach for a second arrow. And yet his face was as shocked as all of theirs, crazed eyes staring at Tadion with a sickening combination of madness and disbelief. Not even he could believe he had shot.
Her brother's pale hand travelled to his side, where the arrow had cut a long gash through his skin. She saw him lifting his bloodied palm to his eyes, the crimson liquid staining his fingers as his clear blue eyes stared at it distantly, attempting to conjure reality. Then, his stolid eyes lifted in the direction of the elf in front of him.
"You missed."
Tadion's voice was calmed, detached, as if he were commenting on the weather, his eyes still shocked, paralyzed. He stood there, unmoving, one bloodied hand floating in the air before his eyes, giving no hint that he could even feel the bleeding wound on his right side. The loudening echo of approaching footsteps bounced on the cold solid stone, and yet no one moved. Amrudir remained facing Tadion, shaking violently, eyes wide. Then, without warning the elf let go of the bow, the weapon dropping unceremoniously to the floor, Amrudir's eyes staring at it as if it had burnt his hands.
For the first time she noticed that both Legolas and Arahaelon had jumped out of their hiding place, bow in hand, each pointing an arrow in the crazed elf's direction. But Amrudir did not seem to have noticed them yet. The footsteps were coming closer now, almost over them, and she caught sight of Elrohir shifting impatiently in front of Lossenel. Elladan was standing firmly in front of her, silver eyes staring directly at the front, attentive, and for the first time she became aware of his hand tightly gripping her forearm behind him, as if ready to pull her with him at any sudden necessity.
Amrudir's trembling hands reached his, tangling in his long braids. He seemed to be fighting with himself, looking insane, fear battling loyalty inside his wild looking eyes. He had not intended to miss the arrow, and yet he had not wanted to harm his Prince. It seemed almost a physical struggle, the body against the mind.
The elf's wide eyes lifted up from the fallen bow, and she saw raw fear engulfing his gaze as it fell on the Crown look in his eyes was unmistakable. To him, Arahaelon was still his Lord. Only a couple of steps behind her, Arahaelon stood tall and firm, the string of the bow pulled back in his steady hands, suddenly looking more powerful and strong than ever before. Not a hint of the previous weakness that had overcome his body remained visible in his perfectly composed face, his piercing green eyes staring fiercely at the shaking elf, emerald irises burning through the elf so intently that she involuntarily looked away, ducking her head under their unquestionable power. Legolas stood next to his older brother, his stance as steady and powerful as his. Neither of the Princes would miss their shot, and by the look in Amrudir's eyes, he seemed to know that very clearly.
"My Lord" Amrudir's shaky voice was stained in fear as he looked directly at Arahaelon, like an animal knowing he deserved punishment form his master. His wild eyes kept shifting to Legolas nervously.
"Do not speak to me." The Crown Prince's voice was calmed, and yet so cold it made her shiver involuntarily, not even needing to raise his voice for his command to be immediately obeyed. Then, Arahaelon motioned the arrow in the direction of the tall stone wall, piercing eyes never leaving the shaking elf. "Move."
The elf did not think it twice before obeying, pressing himself to the wall, seeming to try to make himself smaller, unnoticeable. The approaching footsteps were over them now, four figure suddenly appearing on the long dimly lit corridor, their long shadows caressing the floor under the occasional torches. She could tell they were guards, judging by their silvery armors and long swords and bows the carried. The newcomers accelerated their pace as they caught sight of them, rushing to their side, eyes overlooking the scene frantically. She felt petrified, not knowing what to expect anymore. Behind her, Arahaelon lowered his bow, Legolas imitating him, both elves turning to look at the newcomers.
"Your Highness!" The guard that seemed to be in charged addressed Arahaelon, eyes silently questioning the Crown Prince, seeming ready to offer his aid if needed. She let out a breath she had not even realized she had been holding, suddenly feeling slightly relieved. These guards were no threat. They looked at her brothers with an unquestionable respect, and it was not hard to read in their eyes that the royal family was deeply loved by the elves in Mirkwood. Two of the guards were staring at Amrudir, who remained pressed against the wall, their eyes quickly assuming what had happened.
"This elf has shot an arrow at Tadion. Take him where I can no longer see him." Arahaelon's voice was as serene and composed as before, his head nodding in the direction of the shaking elf, not even bothering to call Amrudir by his name. The guard's eyes widened at the unexpected news, two of them quickly grabbing the guilty elf by his arms, looking at him with disgust. Amrudir did not struggle, allowing himself to be led away by the guards, his eyes still wild and scared.
"And inform the King of his actions." Arahaelon added patiently as the guards moved to follow his command, his calmed voice a silent dismissal. A new emotion flashed through the eyes of the guilty elf at her brother's words: pure and deep fear.
The guards rushed past them as quickly as they had arrived, understanding in the Crown Prince's eyes that their presence was not required. Her heart continued to drum against her chest, her entire body feeling a need to move, to run, all of her senses warning her of their shortening time. Legolas and Arahaelon were the first to move, rushing to Tadion's side. The latter remained unmoving, almost unresponsive, not seeming aware of the wound in his side.
"Tadion." She could hear Arahaelon saying frantically, trying to get his younger brother's attention. Tadion's head turned to face his eldest brother instantly, and Arahaelon grabbed his writs, gently lowering his brother's bloodied hand to his side.
"He missed." Tadion's flat voice repeated. His warrior instincts seemed to be controlling his actions, numbing any pain out of adrenaline and shock, and forcing his senses to remain sharp.
"Can you continue?" Arahaelon's voice was stained with worry. He had not missed the wound in his younger brother's side, fresh blood still oozing from it freely. She recognized the look in the Crown Prince's emerald eyes. It was the same look Elladan gave Elrohir whenever they were in a dangerous situation. Tadion nodded his head, immediately walking forward once more, as if nothing had happened. He did not even wait for Arahaelon to say anything else.
Elrohir rushed behind him, keeping a short distance from Tadion, seeming to be ready should the Prince unexpectedly collapse. Lossenel followed Elrohir closely, her stunning face looking distant, and yet so calmed and composed. She could see Legolas quickly moving to Arahaelon's side, once again steading his eldest brother on his feet as the Crown Prince's mask of strength fell, weariness reclaiming his overly pale face. And yet he did not seem aware of his youngest brother helping him to remain upright, his emerald eyes locked on Tadion's back, watching worriedly.
Then, for a split second, his piercing emerald eyes fell on hers, his stare unreadable, penetrating her completely, until she felt completely exposed, unable to look away from his powerful gaze. And yet, he was looking at her differently, his eyes guarded, watchful, as if she were something dangerous that should be approached with caution. A new wave of nerves washed through her petrified body. He knew Amrudir had not missed his shot. The arrow had been deviated. She could feel her hands still shaking, the power of the wind still burning inside her veins, as if it had not yet released her entirely.
As quickly as his eyes had found hers, they turned again to the front, silently rushing along the corridor, leaning on Legolas for support. It took her a moment to realize that she was also moving, Elladan's arm now completely wrapped around her. To her surprise, they were no longer walking, but running, trying to get out of the Palace as quickly as possible.
Everything around her felt more alive than before, every sound sharper, every sight clearer. She could hear the cries of the wind blowing her face as she ran, the raging rain drumming on the ground outside, the murmur of the solid walls. Her eyes remained glued to Tadion, watching the spreading red stain on the side of his tunic, but he did not seem aware of it.
She could see the long stone corridor changing ahead of her, the tall walls suddenly starting to look more like underground caves carved in tall pointed arches above their heads. The hallway seemed to open into a wide space ahead of them, the seemingly endless corridor suddenly turning into a high bridge framed by incredibly high pointed arches, their thin frail columns bracing the sides of the bridge as its only railing.
A now sound reached her ears. Water. Water rushing violently in a strong current. A single look to the side showed that the delicate long bridge ran high above a river, the water looking nearly black from the scarce light, running many meters below them. She could not help but let her eyes look around her in wonder. Had they not been running she would have stopped and simply stare at this unbelievable underground structure underneath the Palace. The bridge upon which they ran was not the only one around. She could see countless more, all of them at different heights, the thin columns that supported them sometimes travelling all the way down into the water.
They soon reached the end of the high bridge, the space around them opening into what seemed to be a large entrance hall. Her suspicions were proven correct as she saw four more guards standing at a large pair of magnificently carved wooden doors. Her heart skipped a beat at the presence of the guards, but her siblings seemed to no longer care if they were spotted or not. There would be guards at any entrance they chose. At this point, they just needed to get out.
"My Lords!" One of the guards exclaimed as he saw them approach, his light blue eyes widening at the sight of Tadion's bloodied tunic. The elf seemed confused, not expecting the presence of the royal family in these parts of the Palace. Tadion did not stop his march, not even when another one of the guards rushed to his aid, also not missing the bleeding wound in his side. Out of the corner of her eyes she caught sight of another guard staring nervously at the Crown Prince, noticing the latter's obvious rely on Legolas for support.
"Open the doors." Tadion commanded, only receiving a bewildered look from the guard that had first spoken.
"My Lord, you cannot be serious." The guard protested. "Can you not hear the danger approaching?" The guard's eyes shifted form Tadion to Arahaelon, confused.
"We need to leave, Turon." Tadion pressed, his voice calmed and at the same time so authoritative. The guard, Turon, seemed perplexed, not willing to let them out into what he knew was a nearly foolish attempt to escape. His anxious eyes kept looking at her and Lossenel, and she could nearly read his thoughts. He seemed to be unable to let two ladies out into the dangerous forest, let alone the two daughters of his King.
For the first time Tadion's feet faltered beneath him, his wound suddenly catching up with him. The guard, Turon, instantly caught the Prince's arm with quick reflexes, his light blue eyes suddenly widening. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Legolas hesitate for a second, feeling the need to help his brother and at the same knowing that Arahaelon would no be able to stand for long without his aid, he was already pushing his strength beyond his limit.
"My Lord!" He exclaimed in a low voice, not letting go of Tadion even as the latter regained his complete balance. "You are bleeding. You need to see a healer, not to go out into the rain."
Tadion silently pulled away from the guard's touch, the latter releasing him entirely only after he had made sure Tadion was steady on his feet. To her relief Elrohir walked to Tadion, not even asking his friend for permission as he grabbed his arm, ready to support him should he stumble again. The guard's eyes then shifted to Arahaleon, nearly begging the Crown Prince to change his brother's mind. Turon seemed to know that Arahaelon would have the final say, and she was sure that whatever the Crown Prince said would be done.
"Turon, please open the doors. And do not let anyone follow us out." Arahaelon's peaceful voice echoed in the large space, the guard suddenly looking defeated. She silently wished for the elf to move quickly, every inch of her body telling her to move. She could hear the wind crying about danger, could still feel her senses overly sharp, a strange power rushing through her, almost holding her hostage, tingling in her fingers.
"Your Highness, you can barely stand." Turon added in a worried tone, even though he moved towards the doors, opening them reluctantly.
Tadion did not hesitate as he rushed out of the doors, Elrohir and Lossenel at his heels. The guard seemed desperate, almost angry with himself for letting them out. She felt Elladan guiding her out, her eyes closing for a second as heavy drops of water fell harshly over her, quickly soaking her hair, making it stick to her face. She pulled up the hood of her cloak in a failed attempt to keep her head dry, and found Elladan doing the same net to her. The rain was freezing, almost making her wonder how it was not snow.
Walking became harder, the heavy curtain of the raging rain making it impossible to see far ahead. Out of the corner of her eye she saw that Legolas and Arahaelon had followed them, her two brother's looking equally drenched. The mud made the ground slippery, and she was overly grateful for Elladan at her side as he seemed to know exactly where to step with amazing agility.
She could see another building some distance in front of them, its shape blurred by the grey curtain of water. To her relief, the building seemed to be Tadion's destination. She was already eager to step out of the freezing rain, even though she knew that would not be the case. They would cross through the forest in this ragging storm, whether she felt like it or not.
"The rain is on our side." She heard Elladan's voice inside her head, easily reading her thoughts. "Tadion, Legolas and Arahaelon know these forests blindly. The orcs on the other hand do not. The rain will just make it harder for them."
However, before she could say anything in return, he guided her inside the building Tadion had been leading them to. It felt overly nice to have some protection for the heavy rain, even if only for a moment. As she gazed around her, she noticed for the first time where she was. It was not a building. They were in the stables. Her siblings were quickly moving around, Legolas already pulling two horses behind him.
"You must be freezing." She let her hand travel to Elladan's, not surprised at all the iced temperature of his slender fingers. Elladan did not answer, only giving her hand a gentle squeeze before placing a kiss on her temple.
"Rëa, can you ride?" She turned around, surprised at the sound of her name. Her eyes instantly found Arahaelon's deep emerald ones, they were once again soft, brotherly. She noticed that the Crown Prince held in his hand the reins of a pure white horse, its mane a silvery color.
"Yes, and very well." She heard Elladan answer for her when she did not show signs of responding. Elladan's melodic voice seemed to bring her back to reality, and she nodded her head. Arahaelon's eyes had turned to gaze at the elder twin, nodding at his words before handing her the reins of the beautiful horse. She took them silently, feeling slightly at a loss. She did not know whether or not to feel good or nervous that Elladan felt she was capable to ride on her own, especially in this dangerous situation. Her right had was still broken, and she knew she would have to maneuver the horse single-handed.
Without saying anything else, he grabbed her by the waist, lifting her effortlessly on the horse's back. His hand then travelled to hers over the reins, liquid silver eyes staring deeply into hers. He did not want to let her ride on her own, she could feel his anxiety through their bond. She remembered the time they had fled from Imladris, remembered how he had remained hunched protectively over her. But she could also see that both of them knew they would ride faster separately. Two elves would only slow the horse's pace.
"I will stay close to you." He told her as he squeezed her hand gently and she smiled at him reassuringly. He seemed to be more scared than she was, and she did not blame him. She knew that she would be equally scared, if not more, if she had learned that the orcs had come looking for Elladan. She would not have been able to leave his side.
"Try to keep your count in the positive numbers this time, Dan. Do not end up in negative one." A gorgeous grin appeared on his face as his eyes narrowed in fake accusation.
"Are we keeping the same count?" She heard Legolas inquiring from her side, noticing that he too was already on the back of his horse, ready for departure. His infinite blue eyes sparkled with excitement and the mention of the counts, and she aimed a failed glare in his direction.
"No, we are not." She found it hard not to laugh as Elrohir's annoyed reply reached her ears. Legolas' count had doubled the younger twin's one on their way to Mirkwood, and the latter was definitely not up to continuing a count in which he already had a disadvantage. Elrohir held the reins of both his and his twin's horses, and she absently watched as both mirror images mounted.
Some distance beside her, Tadion and Arahaelon were equally mounted over their horses, the Crown Prince looking more stable than before once no longer on his feet. Tadion also looked steadier, although she felt a knot in her throat the pale color his face had acquired. On of his hands was wrapped around his middle, his fingers pressed hard over the wound, crimson blood already filtering through them. He seemed to have overcome his initial shock, the pain of the wound finally catching up with him. The Crown Prince was saying something in elvish to his brother, but Tadion did not show signs to be listening.
"That horse is yours, you know?"
"What?" She turned to Legolas, caught out of guard by his voice. Her brother let out a light chuckle, nodding in the direction of the white horse beneath her.
"The horse." He said. "It is yours. I mentioned you owned a horse here in Ada's stables. It was a gift the day you turned one year of age."
She let her eyes look down at horse, a strange feeling taking over her. She remembered Legolas mentioning it before, but it felt different to actually be seeing the noble animal, let alone riding it. Never in her life had she imagined she would own a horse, let alone one as fine as this one, but then again, never in her life had she imagined that she was a Princess of Mirkwood instead of the orphaned gilr she had grown up believing she was.
"What is its name?" A smile played on her face as she questioned her brother. Some distance beside her she could see Lossenel sitting elegantly over an equally white horse, her deep blue cloak contrasting heavenly with her snowy features and the horses white coloring. She looked stunning, sitting on the horse's back with extreme ease.
"It does not have one yet." She let her eyes return to Legolas at the sound of his reply. "You were to name it once you learned to speak. You will have to think of a name."
"Oh, I know one." Her eyes turned to her right at the sound of Elladan's sweet voice. He was already sitting on his horse, ready to depart, his sparkling silver eyes staring deeply into hers, glittering with mischief and mirroring his grin.
"How about 'White'. You know, as in the color." He openly mocked her and she tried her best to glare at him, unable to contain her grin. None of the other elves in the stables understood the joke behind his words. As none of them knew about her duck pet which she had named 'Yellow' when she was naught but a child.
Elladan's eyes met hers for a moment, the gorgeous grin still present in his face. Even as they sparkled mischievously, his silver eyes seemed to open as he stared at her, the mockery easily replaced by a long loving stare, swallowing her entirely, seeming to examine her completely, reading behind her own dark green ones.
"Are you ready?" His sweet voice echoed inside her head.
"Yes." She said, although there was little point to her answer, for her siblings had already started to ride, running out into the freezing harsh rain. She guided the horse forward, Elladan staying close to her side.
The rain poured heavily down her head, the iced drops rolling down her face, making her cloak stick uncomfortably to her body. The dense forest would be difficult to ride through in the rain, the branches swaying brutally against one another, the wild wind carrying an unnatural force. To her despair, she found that they were not following the road, but trying to get as far away from it as possible.
A flash of light illuminated the sky, suddenly making everything around her entirely visible for a split second before the forest succumbed to darkness once more. Not even a second after, a loud bang exploded through the air, drowning a surprised cry from her part at the violent thunder. Her senses remained sharp, hearing the call of the rain as if rang in her ears, the grasp of the cold bitter wind as it hit her face. Everything around her felt so reachable, so alive. She could feel powerful presence floating in the forest, merging with the trees and rain, the forest seeming to be acting at the presence's will.
The Palace remained visible to their eyes, the tall building looking majestic in the midst of the raging storms. The many balconies and windows shone with warm light from the fires, framing a space were the bitter cold and drumming rain were nothing but a sight to stare at. But her own eyes caught sight of only one balcony. There, in one of the largest balconies, high above in the Palace stood six figures, the cold rainwashing mercilessly over them. And yet her eyes remained glued on only one.
In the middle of the balcony, and holding onto the railing stood the Elvenking, his tall, royal stance unmistakable even in the distance. His long light blond hair was soaked in rainwater, his fine robes clinging to his body, but he did not move, facing the forests with extreme concentration. Another thunder shook the sky, the sudden bright light reflecting sharply on the King's crown, but her father did not move. Five other elves, guards she could see, stood in a loose protective circle around him, not caring for the pouring rain.
Suddenly, the King's ice blue eyes turned in their direction, noticing them as they moved speedily through the forest, getting farther and farther form the Palace. Even in the distance, her elven sight remained flawless, able to see every detail in the Elvenking's face, wishing to take in every expression in his eyes before the heavy curtain of rain made it impossible. His ice blue eyes met hers, as if he could feel her staring, so powerful, so piercing, and at the same time so broken. For a fragment of a second she caught sight of the expression that appeared on the King's face: Sorrow and pain.
Then, a new loud sound wracked the forest around her, the branches suddenly swaying violently against one another, cracking, stretching. She had to concentrate to maneuver her horse as a branch suddenly closed in before her, sealing her path and clearing one to her left. Elladan pulled his horse closer to hers, avoiding the suddenly shifting branches. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized what as happening around them. The forest was shifting, actually moving. The trees grew to their sides, the branches sealing together, tangling in an unsolvable labyrinth to their sides as a new clear path opened in front of them, the branches moving out of their way in a protective tunnel. The King was helping them escape…
Here is chapter 22! Sorry about the long wait! Please let me know what you think!
Also, thank you so much to those of you who reviewed my latest chapter! Your words mean a lot to me, and this chapter is especially for all of you! CeffylGwyn, Wtiger5, Coco99, Through Jaded Eyes, Martine9295, dingdongsong, Elf sister, Paperlanterns86, Danda225, FioreDiRosa, world-classgeek, wonderpanda10, Jibril, CalathielKat, xX-MissyMoo-Xx, Mary Elrondile, starfire341, ForbiddenShadow0, Limavaa, AmazingWriter123, booklover1598, and my guest reviewers!
Love,
Elena