Shade's POV
By the Valar, what have I done to be stuck here? I thought. Bloody elves, dwarves, humans, hobbits, what next? Not a place of quiet anywhere! At least they haven't decided to burn me at the stake. Yet. I whirled angrily upon the young ellon who had burst in on my reverie. He recoiled at the look, and managed to stammer out an invitation to a feast that night, in honor of the hobbit's recovery and the new visitors before fleeing the room. I flopped most uncharacteristically onto my bed. A feast for visitors and sick hobbits. Oh, I can't wait to find out what all is going on around here. I am at times able to completely shut out all the babble from people's outer thoughts, but it took energy to keep the spell going for long-- and my training had never really been completed. Looking out my window, I decided a walk was in order. Call Elrond what you like, but the peredhel knew how to choose a view. I leapt quietly out of my window and climbed squirrel-style from tree top to tree top, until I found a path clear of intruders.
A man was walking amid the grounds of Imladris with an elf who had also arrived the night before. Both wore garments that all but shouted of royalty, even if they were more suited for travel.
"And what, may I inquire, brings an elf of Mirkwood out to Rivendell this time of year? Surely it's much too late in the year for any long sort of visit," inquired the man. The Elf smiled and said,
"You forget, Lord Boromir, that elves do not consider time the way that the Race of Men does. If I were to visit here, I would probably stay through the winter without having been gone for too long. As it happens, I do not have relatives here to visit."
"Then what brings you?" Spoke the man in a curious, yet commanding voice. The elf raised an eyebrow at the tone, but answered smoothly,
"I believe that is a question best left unanswered, for now. You have been asked to the Council tomorrow I presume, Lord Boromir?" The man called Boromir looked both slightly affronted and confused.
"Yes, I've been invited! But come, how is it that you know my name? I do not believe that we have been introduced?" At this the elf gave a merry laugh.
"No, we have not, but before we ran into each other a few moments ago, I heard an ellon addressing you about the upcoming feast. Forgive me for not introducing myself: I am Legolas, son of Thranduil." The haughty man's eyes opened in surprise.
"King Thranduil? Lord of the Woodland Realm?" The elf named Legolas nodded absently. He was searching the trees above them. Maybe just a bird...
"...better be heading back, prince Legolas. The feast is to start soon and I have heard we can expect an interesting company tonight. Dwarves as far as the Lonely mountain I hear!"
Legolas returned his attention to the man.
"Yes, I have heard that. I hear that a count of hobbits also traveled here with the Dunedain."
"Hobbits, my prince?" Legolas waved aside the formalities, and once again answered as if he was thinking of something else.
"I believe that the people of Gondor and Rohan refer to them as Halflings." At this, Boromir gave a start. Legolas looked at him.
"Is that name familiar to you?" Boromir assumed a blank face and answered,
" Yes. I believe I have heard of Halflings before. Bless me, I thought they were a myth."
Neither spoke as they turned back, each keeping his own counsel.
Shade's POV
The Shade remained still as she heard news of a Council. Council! I have not been invited. Bloody men! Aragorn should know better than to leave me out of this. At this she gave a start. Why would he even think of me? We are not friends! Ai, Shade you're going soft! He's a stupid blood thirsty Man. Shit! That elf has heard me. The Shade froze as Legolas searched the trees for her, absently nodding o the Man he spoke with. She held still until they left. Dwarves, hobbits, men and elves... what an interesting mix. No doubt Elrond has invited us-them- all here to chat about that hobbit's nasty little Ring. Ha! And he wasn't going to invite me. Now should I tell them of my intentions, or just show up at said Council? Decisions, decisions...
Frodo was searching the dining hall for familiar faces but found, to his dismay, that his fellow hobbits had been seated at a different table and Gandalf was placed at Elrond's side. He did not see Strider and wondered at his absence. With a sudden thought he searched in vain for the Shade, but was unsurprised when she was nowhere to be found. He turned to the dwarf seated next to him and struck up conversation, determined to relax and enjoy the feast.
The Shade crept into a tree situated just outside the windows of the Hall of Fire. Here she could listen and watch unobserved. The Music! It has been a long time, I do miss it. She soon immersed herself in the melodies and allowed her thoughts to drift across her mind. After an hour or so, time being difficult to judge in Imladris, she began to observe the folk assembled in the hall. There was Elrond, and the Wizard, Mithrandir. Next to them was Aragorn, speaking in low tones to a beautiful elf maiden. Shade found herself gaping a bit. How in Eru's creation did a creature like that come into being? I feel positively plain besides her! She grimaced. Not like I care about idiotic vanities such as that. Besides, She thought with a wicked grin, I'm not exactly forgettable. The Shade returned her attention to the various people gathered. She could not see Frodo although she knew he was near by. She thought she caught a glimpse of the man Boromir near Elrond and was just beginning to search out the more important dwarves when sh noticed the Mirkwood elf looking right at her. Or just gazing out the window. She moved slightly. He saw. Bloody elf. Guess I've worn out my welcome. She glared purposefully, menacingly into his eyes and leapt out of sight.
Legolas glanced around the room, looking for familiar faces. He saw the man he had met earlier, chatting with his guard. Elrond and Arwen Undomiel were standing next to Aragorn, son of Arathorn, in a seemingly private conversation. He did not see Mithrandir. Ah! There is Ilandir! And Dernil. He made to move in their direction when something in the window just beyond them caught his eye. Was that a shadow? No, there was definitely a figure crouched there. He sought for a face and got a glimpse of glittering eyes. The figure made a movement, then glared fiercely at him when his eyes followed. He recoiled from the vicious gaze then started as the figure dropped from sight. Faintly, almost as if by imagination, he could have sworn he heard an angry murmur. Bloody elf... No. Silly. He stared at the now empty boughs outside the window and then slipped outside, all thoughts of the Hall forgotten.
Shade's POV
I ran, both on the ground and through the trees until I heard the sound of rushing water. I smiled. Ai, I suppose it was worth all this just to see this valley. In all my years.. Nay do not think of such things Shade. Another voice in my head whispered. Why not? In all your years you haven't seen this place because you are not welcome. Because of what they took from you. I shook my head and tried to focus on the waterfall before me. The trouble with lying to yourself is that the other party can call your bluff. I smiled, it was like lying to another of my kind... Sobered by that thought I looked and listened for any followers. Sensing it was safe--as well as I could with my mind barriers up, I dropped down from the trees and walked to the clear pool. I could see the tars reflected back at Varda, the outline of the half moon in the sky. Hesitating slightly, I moved to look at my own reflection. I jumped slightly. It had been awhile. I never really took a good look at myself, because I could see what others saw-- little did I know that they were right. I looked like a walking shadow. I stood there, looking for traces of my old face. Aye, I still had my proud neck and striking cheekbones from my mother. And the dark eyes of my kin. I still had the full lips that used to be the envy of the ladies my mother paraded me in front of. Yes, in form, I was still a beauty. But I was colorless, yet dark. Fierce and angry. I looked like a corpse, living by ill will. yet... Am I to become one of those silly girls obsessed with beauty? It is in the eye of the beholder, and as I am the only person to ever behold myself with anything less than fright or contempt, my opinion is all that matters. Who have I to impress? The thought made me laugh aloud. It came strangely. I had not laughed. Aye, laughter too was taken from me. All of a sudden I became aware of a very familiar feeling, one that wasn't mine. Fear and apprehension. I whirled and my eyes settled on a dark figure in the tree line. He stepped forward into the moonlight. That blasted elf!
Legolas recoiled at the sudden force of anger he felt assail him. It was as if a great wind were crushing him. Elf of Mirkwood! These are lies of the mind and you will ignore them! He thought to himself. He struggled to block his mind from the angry creature before him. His defenses went up and he blocked her out, although he could still feel the heat of her anger upon him. Just as suddenly as it started, the force stopped. Gasping as if he had run for a league, the Prince of Mirkwood strung his bow and aimed--only to find a sword leveled at his throat. He blinked, then said levelly.
"Put down your sword, demon, or I will loose this arrow." The girl smiled at the tip of the arrowhead.
"Well then, we seem to be at an impasse. If you don't drop your bow, I'll slit your throat."
Neither moved.
"I am a guest of Lord Elrond, and have important business here. We can stand here like this all night, but I will be missed in the morning. We may be matched, but I doubt you will do so well against a patrol."
" Ah, well then this is a fortunate meeting! You see I am a guest of Elrond as well, and though I doubt I will be missed, those who would find us would be ill advised to shoot me."
"A guest! What is your purpose here?" Cried Legolas. Pompous elf, thought the Shade, thinks he that I'll answer to him? I'd rather speak with Strider! At least he had reason.
"Tell me your business, elf, and we'll see if our agendas match."
Legolas considered her for a moment. "I will lower my weapon if you lower yours, on my honor."
The girl snorted derisively. "I care little for your honor or your word. I've heard many and believed none."
"Well, then, can you at least explain why, if you are a guest at Imladris, you spied at the window like a thief?" The Shade considered him carefully. He held her gaze.
"Simply because I wasn't shot on sight upon my arrival does not make me particularly welcome here. I like music, although I do not relish the household's company. I--"
Suddenly, her eyes became wide and unfocused. She collapsed to the ground and began to scream violently, convulsing and crying.
Legolas stared at the girl in shock. What sort of trick is this? Still she seems in true pain... He was startled out of his thoughts when she began to cry aloud in a tongue and accent not her own.
"No! Please! Don't! No more! I'll do anything!"
The elf grabbed her and began to shake her, but could not stop the terrible screams.
Just then a trio of elves burst through the woods, staring at the writhing Shade.
"We heard the screaming," said the tallest of the three.
"KILL ME!! JUST KILL ME! KI--" Her words were cut off by a horrid gagged sound, and Legolas feared she had been granted her wish. Then, her breathing slowed and she stirred. Forgetting that moments earlier she had levelled a sword at him, Legolas knelt by her side and splashed some water onto her, shaking her. Her eyes opened.
Shade's POV
I leapt to my feet, astounded to find myself for the third time in month at the mercy of strangers. Then I remembered the girl. My erect, proud posture left me. "A young woman has just been killed on the east side of the valley of Rivendell. Her child as well." I said dully. I watched as the inevitable realization dawned in the elf called Legolas' eyes. The realization was then overshadowed by a look of fear and contempt. I know that look.
"Not welcome! They should have shot you on sight! You're a Shade! I should've have known, bloodless fiend!" How very naive of you, for a two thousand year old elf. And here I thought humans were the ignorant fools. I sighed and spoke.
"And all this time I thought it was simply humans made dangerous and vicious by fear."
Legolas narrowed his eyes and laughed without mirth. I felt a hatred beamed at me-- but a feeling of justification behind it was scarier. Most humans were told stories since childhood-- they grow up with a fear of us as natural as a fear of the dark. It was almost as if he had a personal score with my kind...
"Ignorance? No, I am well aware of your kind. You're spying thieves and murderers. You play mind tricks with your victims. I don't know how you got to Rivendell, but I see that Elrond makes sure you stay here--in a cell!" He spat.
"Spying thieves and murderers? You insolent princeling! We were meant to be guardians, but you trust not what you know little of and you allow evil and fear to twist your minds! If anyone is a murderer, it's you and those like you! Do you think that somehow I do not feel or bleed? We had families too! We had childhoods-- or a semblance of them! We wept for our loved ones just as any! Think elf! Will you judge all without compassion?"
Legolas stood stock still after my angry little speech. I dared not move. What was I thinking? Giving my thoughts away like that? Fool!
"We will discuss this with Lord Elrond, Shade," He said the last word with the same contempt he would pronounce orc had there been any about. I think he was expecting me to demand respect and to be called by my proper name. Well, he'll be disappointed.
The Shade walked back with the elves arrayed about her like a prisoner's guard. She did not do this for the pleasure of their company, although the other two elves showed none of Legolas' contempt, only apprehension. She was exhausted by the attack on her mind by the murdered woman. She wished to Eru that she hadn't been so careless and left her defenses down. She looked at her hand. It looked the same. Maybe a little shaky. She shook her head. Poor girl. I have to find her and bury her once I am shot of this loathsome place. Aye, but I'm tired. I will get that man though. Bastard. All the same, all around it happens and hearing her did not save her. My gifts are not as useful as they appear. She tumbled on a rock and was shaken out of her thoughts. Ugh! I don't want these elves to think I am at all weakened. Hopefully, Elrond won't have the same prejudices this idiot has. I wonder what happened to..." Her thoughts trailed off as the stopped before a pair of oaken doors. The tall elf stranger knocked.
"Enter."
The Shade sat slumped in a chair. Her arms folded, knees pulled to her chest. Eyes glaring angrily at the roomful of elves.
"And you are sure of what you witnessed, Legolas?"
"Yes, Lord Elrond." Elrond turned towards the Shade.
" I allowed you here as one of the companions of Frodo the hobbit, and on Aragorn's word. However, I do not know of you. I suspected your race, but now that the accusation has been made, will you answer it and put all questions to rest?" The Shade glared back at him, considering. She parted her lips slightly, then thought better of it. At first, Elrond thought she was being obstinate. Then a voice was heard in the minds of those present.
"Accusation? Existence is a crime, I see. Well then, I suppose I must confess my guilt."
The elves in the room jerked with surprise. Only Elrond maintained a neutral expression while the others held suspicion in their eyes.
" So you are a Shade. Well, it has been a while since I have met any of your kind. I had thought you to be extinct."
"I am the last.."
Elrond raised an eyebrow. His eyes held no surprise, but a little sadness. Legolas noticed this and angrily burst out,
"That is as it should be! Your power is evil and so are those bearing it! You are spies of Morgoth, creations of Sauron--"
"Never utter that black name to ME, elf!" These words were heard both inside their minds and out, the harsh voice reverberating off the walls as the Shade rose angrily to her feet to stand threateningly before Legolas. The elf rose to his feet as well and sneered down at the Shade, who only came up to his chin.
"Oh, what a fine performance! Did the Dark Lord teach all of his servants to be so convincing? Well, I suppose they might not have gotten themselves all killed if he had!"
Legolas was suddenly thrown against a wall as the Shade leaped at him and struck a fierce blow across his face, and another to his ribs. After recovering Legolas threw her backwards. He advanced upon her when a fierce voice shouted,
"STOP! DARO, LEGOLAS! The both of you! Sit!"
The prince turned surprised at the angry elf Lord. Elrond gestured to the chairs and Legolas sat dumbly, followed by the other two elves who had risen to help. The Shade looked like she might take offense at the order, then sat obediently in her chair.
"Whatever prejudices you two bear against each other, I will not have violence in Rivendell. Legolas, this Shade is my guest and you will not insult her. As for you, Shade, you will not attack any other of my guest, no matter how displeasing they are! Am I understood?"
Legolas nodded sullenly as the Shade glared her resentful agreement.
"Now. We were discussing your race. Truly, they have not all disappeared?"
"No. They were murdered."
"I knew a Shade by the name Geriswaea once. She was a great healer for those suffering trauma. A wonderful mediator. A very wise woman. Did you know her?" Pain flashed briefly in the Shade's eyes.
"She died some eighty years ago. Murdered near Mirkwood, by the very Men she worked to save."
Sadness filled Elrond's eyes. "She was a great woman. I am sorry for your loss."
"So am I." Elrond studied the Shade closely for a few seconds, then turned to Legolas.
"I know of your hate, son of Thranduil, but do not let it blind you. One cannot stand for many." The Shade looked curiously at him. he continued without noticing, "Go to the healing wing Legolas. You are bleeding. The rest of you may retire. It is late."
Legolas strode angrily from the room, sparing one last contemptuous glare for the Shade, who stared fiercely back at him. She too, turned to leave.
"Ahem." The Shade turned to face Elrond.
"Shade-may I call you that?" She nodded.
"As I have said before, I have no other name."
"Shade, do not let your hate blind you either. You will need all of your sight at the Council tomorrow." The Shade bridled at this and huffed angrily out of the room. The taller of the too elves from earlier had remained inside the room. He turned to Elrond with humor in his eyes.
"Well, that went well." Elrond sighed exhaustedly as the elf danced out of the room.
Legolas stormed to the healing wing. What could Elrond possibly be thinking? The Shade could be a spy, nothing was safe from her. She probably already knew about the Council, why, she may have stolen information about Gondor, Lothlorien even Mirkwood from all our minds! He shook his head. Not from MY mind at least. I thought all her kind were dead. Apparently there is still one left to curse us. A small voice niggled at the back of his mind. But who's to say that she's lying? Perhaps you were wrong, elf of Mirkwood. Perhaps... Legolas clamped down on his conscience as he always did when it tried to make his hatred take a more rational turn. They are evil. Murderers!
Shade's POV
I sighed as I left the room. Great. Just great. All these years of trying to conceal myself, gone completely to waste. I remembered the girl who had been murdered. I stopped, trying to block the painful memory. Her child... dead too. Bastard. Deciding instantly, I raced up to my room and grabbed my pack. I needed to move quickly, so packed only the bare necessities. Food... Will I really be that long? I need to be back by morning. I grimaced , realizing that I'd have to use a skill that I preferred to leave latent. I'd have to hunt that bastard by his mind. It had only been a few hours... and it was dark. He wouldn't be far. I stole out of the house, checking over my shoulder for any followers. As I passed the garden shed, I remembered to grab a shovel. As I reached for one, I managed to knock three others to the ground with a deafening clamour. Great. So much for stealth.
I reached the edge of Rivendell quickly, then followed the path I had seen in the murdered girl's mind. I looked for hints of a struggle, and finally found a path through the brush, with scraps of cloth stuck on thorny braches, broken by two people. I steeled myself for what I was about to see. I passed through the broken branches and found my self standing in a puddle of blood. I looked down. Had I not known, I probably wouldn't have realized that the carcass at my feet had been a child of about two years. What had once been a sweet face had now been scraped free of skin and kicked brutally in. The tiny body had been cut open and the child's insides were scattered about it. Its limbs had been hacked into an unrecognizable mess. I noticed then that the child's heart had been cut out.
I stepped back from the mutilated corpse and tripped. I landed onto soft ground. Wet ground. With growing horror, I realized that I had landed on the child's mother. The girl's silver hair had been dyed with her own blood, her body had obviously been tortured and abused for some time. I looked at the wounds. Burns, cuts, impalements. Her fingers were all either broken or missing. She was naked and the wounds between her legs suggested that she had been raped repeatedly. Her body, though more recognizable than her poor child, had obviously been abused for sometime. I felt rage well up inside me, violent and bloody. I had not felt such passionate hatred for sometime. I had not cared for sometime. I felt the urge to run out after the monster immediately, but I knew that these people deserved a decent burial after all they'd been through. Then, I'd go hunting. I slowly grabbed my shovel and began to dig.
Legolas watched as the Shade crept past the window of the kitchens. So, she's up to mischief already. I'll catch her in the act. He followed from a distance. A loud crash startled him and he jumped. He swore under his breath and prayed that the Shade hadn't heard. He peeked around at the shed. Shovels were strewn on the floor. What does she want with a shovel? He heard hurried footsteps and began to follow. Legolas watched from the edge of the valley as the girls stopped and started, following some trail that was invisible to him. She paused at the edge of a clearing that was hemmed by brambles. He noticed a small path cleared through the bramble bush. With cloth clinging to the thorns... The Shade stepped inside the clearing and stiffened at something. She backed away, then fell to the ground. Legolas, crept forward out of the trees and watched as the Shade righted herself, then grabbed a shovel. She was digging. He stepped closer and got a look at the clearing. He realized with horror why she had brought her shovel.
Shade's POV
I felt the presence of a spirit near me. She had lasted a long while. Most move on after a few minutes. I looked about me, but saw nothing. Why could I sense her presence, but not see her? Why hadn't she gone to Mandos with her child? I have encountered ghosts before, but... I grasped with my mind trying to feel her, but then a gasp from the edge of the clearing brought me back to the living world. The spirit-presence was immediately gone. I whirled. You bloody elf! I almost had contact but you had to come crashing in on business that wasn't yours! I do not know how to find her spirit again if it does not reveal itself and you broke her connection! I shouted this mentally, but proceeded to let out a stream of curse words that would have impressed even the meanest drunk. The elf looked at me dazed.
"What--who?" He was pale. I would have smiled had I not been covered in gore and standing between two murder victims. You'd think a two thousand year old elf warrior would be used to blood. I looked at the child and knew that this was not something one prepared oneself for.
"They were murdered by a man. I don't know what he looked like, as she never saw him clearly. Her spirit lingers somewhere, but not here and she cannot show herself. I do not know what could possibly cause such a thing or why she hasn't moved to the Hall of Mandos with her child." Legolas continued to stare at me, then he seemed to grow angry at my even voice.
"Why didn't you stop this? You knew-"
"I knew only when it was too late and was unprepared so I was pulled into her mind, as you saw. " I caught my breath as I remembered the horror I had witnessed. Legolas absorbed this.
"Where is he?" I looked at him in surprise. This was not what I had expected.
"What, no accusations? You're not going to say that I cast some evil spell and massacred these people? No threatening the same fate to me?" He glared at me, then with a composure I did not expect but was forced to admire, said.
"No. You have an alibi. " he stared at the child, " I'll kill this monster."
"Sorry, I hunt alone. I don't need you getting in my way."
"Getting in your way?! You'll be in mine. I've been in wars for years! You barely look like you've reached womanhood, girl!"
"I'm two hundred, thank you!" It was an extremely childish comment and I regretted it the second it was out of my mouth. The elf smirked. "Fine. You win age. But I am a skilled fighter and I don't need you. It's not your battle." He narrowed his eyes at me.
"Not my battle? Do you honestly think that anyone could see this and not feel personally obligated to destroy the orc that did this? Not feel their heart break at the sight? Oh wait, you do have a heart, do you not?" I was on the verge of drawing my sword when I realized.
" That's it!" He looked confused.
"He cut out the child's heart, and the girl's. He's a soul stealer! But why the child? They don't surrender their souls..." I stopped, looking from the mother's wounds to the child. Then I slowly said," He was trying to torture the mother. Bastard! But why?"
The elf stared at me, a little shocked at my sudden switch to spoken language. He had let his guard down too. I could feel the horror screaming from his mind. But I could also hear his thoughts. Soul stealers? I haven't heard of such things... What does she know of it? What does she even care! This stung, I don't know quite why, but without bothering to let him finish his thought, I bombarded his mind with MY thoughts.
"You bastard! I have a heart, however bruised that particular organ may be! You even said that this scene would wrench the heart of any being! Well, you may not be willing to admit it, but I am a being of this land, of Eru. Don't judge elf, for I'm sure you have plenty of things to be ashamed of, I can see it in your eyes!" Thoughts be damned! Had I wished to gain his trust, reminding him that his mind wasn't safe from me was not the way to do it. Why the hell would you want his trust Shade? You are so naive! How many times must you learn the same lesson? I pulled myself back in control and said to him, I'm burying them and hunting the killer. Do what you wish, I care not. Just don't get in my way.
Legolas stared in shock at the Shade, then realized that he had left his thoughts open. She could have blocked them! He thought angrily. I will not allow her to goad me. This child can say what she wants, I care not. Then another angry retort from the Shade burst into his mind.
Don't judge elf, for I'm sure you have plenty of things to be ashamed of, I can see it in your eyes! Legolas gripped his knife, then calmed himself, raising his mental barriers. He saw the Shade collecting herself too. Damned creature! We'll see who's mind's the weaker.
I'm burying them and hunting the killer. Do what you wish, I care not. Just stay out of my way.
They left the glade a half an hour later, having buried the desecrated bodies. Legolas then left, intending to start the hunt. He hadn't gone far when a haunting voice rang out softly through the trees. He looked back through the darkness, his keen eyes making out the form of the Shade, singing a lament quietly over the graves. He tried to push the thoughts away, but a change was occurring in his heart.