Duvaineth's icy eyes bore into mine, a dangerous gleam glittering in them.

"What are you doing here?" I said quietly, careful not to move quickly as to not startle her. Adrenaline rushed my veins, blood pounded desperately in my ears.

"To kill you, silly." Her lips tilted up in a mad smile.

Her dagger sliced open the scab I already had on my throat. I winced at the sting.

"Alagosson will be pleased." That name. Wasn't th—I didn't have time to think about that.

I wish I had enough sense in me to be like my male friends and keep a dagger underneath my pillow—

Without warning, I grabbed her cold wrist. Still holding on, I pushed her hand away and sat up quickly. I twisted her hand violently, and her dagger dropped. I threw it away from us.

She laughed, making me drop her hand in surprise.

"My, my, you have changed. I didn't believe him when he said it."

I still couldn't believe she was here. Last I saw her, she had run off into the forest. She was just an elleth that had been taken hostage by orcs. Or so I thought. She had been carrying around a Palantir. Now I know why.

Valar, was she a great actress. She was able to hide her insanity well.

Her dark hair framed her dark eyes, shifting as she took me in.

"More muscle too. And scars." Her eyes fixed on where the shoulder of my nightgown had fallen.

I quickly pushed the sleeve back up.

Do I scream for help and pray she won't kill me before someone comes? Do I find a way to kill her and hope she doesn't have another weapon on her—?

"I wonder, will that ellon of yours cry when he finds you dead?"

She licked her lips, "I'd love to see that."

My eyes widened.

"But first your rose blood will spill."

"Wait!" My hands shot out to signal her to stop. Surprisingly, she froze in place.

I need to buy me some time.

"Whose Alagosson? Where are you from?"

She laughed. "Still naïve and stupid. All you need know is we are stationed in Mordor, where no armies can penetrate. Not even you, little Forceful-One."

Slowly, I moved my legs out from under me.

"I've heard of Alagosson."

I let my legs dangle over the bed.

Her eyes glazed over, icy eyes going far away. "Oh yes. His fame will spread across the lands. My malign lord will be feared and known by all!"

So Kaylessa and the Queen weren't chasing after a name with no sustenance. But still, who is he?

"Enough about him," she snapped, then licked her lips. "Let's get to know you now. Specifically, how fast your blood spurts from your throat."

My hand stilled and I leaned away from her slightly, inching my fingers towards salvation.

But she saw where my hand had been going.

Duvaineth growled. I threw myself across the bed towards the only weapon I could use. Why hadn't I just kept the dagger?

But she got there before me, pinning me down with a guttural growl and pressing the blade to my throat.

No. No.

I'm not dying. Not today.

I grappled with her hands, but she was like stone.

"Please," I rasped. "Why ha—"

"Look me in the eyes as I kill you! I want to see the light fade from your eyes."

"Please!" I refused to see her dark eyes. Refused to allow her to see me die.

I then felt the energy bumping, no crashing into me from all sides. It pleaded to get in, to save me. I grasped for it blindly, pulling on it. Stars flooded and trampled over each other and filling me to the brim—

But it only bounced off inside me. I had used too much energy earlier. I was too tired, too worn to wield it.

But my body and muscles sponged what little they could.

I shoved my palms in her face, a weak light emanating from them and illuminating her face.

She froze, just long enough for me to maneuver out of her grasp.

"Go," I said with a voice like rock, "and I won't vaporize you." The thought of killing something other than an orc made me want to vomit, but I didn't let it show on my face.

Color drained from her skin.

"No," she shook her head. A small smile twitched on her lips. "You wouldn't do it."

Stepping forward, willing as much of that energy I could into me, I said, "You said it yourself. I have changed."

"Go. And tell your master to come himself next time."

She shook her head but took a step back. Good, I could feel my heart struggling, my legs turning to jelly.

I flared my brilliance in the room and heard her shrill shriek. Heard her body thump to the ground.

And as the light faded, I saw the world fall from underneath me.

And go black.

--

The world returned under a muffled mask, something tangy stinging my nose.

Something was touching my shoulder—I could barely feel it.

"Lumornel. Return to us." I could hardly hear the voice. My body felt like ten tons and nothing at all, all at the same time. A floating boulder.

"Let her sleep, Legolas. She has used too much. Now maybe you can enlighten an old man on who this intruder is."

Duvaineth... I thought groggily. I couldn't bear to open my eyes... I'm just so tired...

I groaned and tried and failed to roll over. I need to warn them.

A soft hand pushed me back down. "Shhh... you're fine."

Silence. Then a sigh.

"Her name is Duvaineth. Lum and I had traveled with her on our way to Lothlorien. She had claimed to be taken hostage by orcs."

"Had she shown any sign as to why?"

I need to tell them what happened!

"No. But she had carried a pala..." the dampened words started to fade into nothing but mist.

No! I can't sleep! I must... tell them...

"She... knife..."

A heavyweight pulled me under. But not before I said something else.

"... Alagosson..."

And I was gone.

--

Watery light stained my eyes pink. I struggled to surface from sleep.

Oh, my throat! It's as dry as the harad!

Opening my eyes to search for some refreshing water, I found them to be in the miserable same state.

A stone cut out in the wall worked as a window, the light chatter and steps of life coming in. The bed I lay on was as small as a child's bed, with a heavy quilt laid over my legs and torso. The table next to me had an unlit candle, its wax deformed as it had slipped down the creamy surface in its previous life. Cabinets hung on the wall behind me, a curtain of many rags acting as a wall on two sides. My eyes lingered on the blurred figure sitting in a chair, the curtain barely brushing the back of it.

The figure came into focus, it's head resting in its hands, the palms shield the face from the world. The slumped shoulders made me wonder if the figure was asleep or not.

But the golden hair and familiar figure gave away who it was.

Legolas.

His hair fell unbound around his face, tumbling towards the floor. Little strands hung astray, twirled and twisted as if he had run his hands through the silky mane many times.

But my eyes caught on something glistening next to him, resting on a small stand. Condensation bubbled and ran down the sides of the glossy ceramic cup.

Water.

I pushed the blankets off me and swung my bare legs over the edge of the bed. I was still in my nightgown, the skirt of it had bunched up around my hips. I stood, letting the cloth whisper to the cold floor, covering a multitude of angry scars. If I wasn't already awake, then I was now. The ground was like ice on my bare feet. But I was glad for the length of the nightgown—it covered my gruesome nailless toes.

I padded to the ceramic cup, my legs wobbling from under use. My body felt so drained.

"Lumornel?" Came Legolas' soft voice.

I ignored him, my eyes and mind only set on the refreshing liquid that could drown out the desert in my throat.

Lifting the cup to my mouth, I felt the liquid fill my mouth—

Tangy acid, molded juice, death itself. I spit it out, coughing violently.

"What is this?!" My voice sounded like I had been screaming for hours.

Legolas appeared in front of me and took away the cup. "Ale."

I continued gagging. "It tastes like horse dung!"

"Not everything tastes like Mirkwood wine," he monotoned.

I looked up to see what was wrong with him—normally he would joke around, but he was exiting the makeshift room.

"Legolas...!" I struggled to follow him out, pushing aside the curtain to reveal women bustling around.

A girl a little bit younger than I ran up to me. "You're awake!"

Glancing up, I found that she was the girl who had led us into the fortress.

She held out her arms as I stumbled onward. "Where is he?"

"Who?" Her brows furrowed. "Oh! The elf!"

She swept her gaze around the area, "over there."

I followed her finger to where a long table stretched out. A golden-haired ellon poured crystal water into a mug. A dwarf stood next to him.

"Lego...las..." I gasped, stumbling forward. One of my legs gave out and I was reduced to a knee. He spun around, his blond hair fanning out around him before settling down. He and the dwarf rushed to my side.

"You should have stayed in bed," he scolded, then handed me the water.

I held back the words I wanted to say. So, I gulped down the water, feeling some of it trickle down my chin and land coldly on my nightgown.

"Thank you," I breathed once I finished it off. I started to push myself up, but instead, Legolas put his hands underneath me and hoisted me into his arms. My hands dropped the mug and clutched at the fabric of his shirt.

"What—" I glanced over his shoulder to Gimli. His eyes were just as wide as mine.

"What are you doing?" People were starting to stare. "I can walk perfectly fine on my own."

He didn't answer, instead, a fire burned in his gaze.

__

"Legolas—" Lumornel's soft voice tickled my elven ears. Which only made me clench my jaw even more.

Gimli, thank the Valar for the dwarf, rushed forward and swept aside the curtain so I would not have to. Striding in, I set her on the healing bed.

"Legolas—"

"Just rest!" The words bounded out of me. Why could she not just take it easy for awhile? She does not need to be straining herself! For Valar's sake! She nearly died!

Lumornel flinched at my outburst—she had never been good with raised voices. Guilt flooded me.

She stared at me, waiting for an excuse. So did Gimli

I turned away and took in a shuddering breath. My hands ran through my scalp in a vain attempt to calm myself. I lifted my eyes skyward.

"Lad?" Gimli took a step forward behind me, his heavy boots clunking on the rock floor. I could only imagine what they're thinking. I was raised as a Prince! The King's son! I should be able to control my emotions more!

But when I breathed in, my shoulders shuddered. "Forgive me," I tried.

I knew Lumornel—bless her mortal heart—wouldn't push me into talking, she would wait for me to explain. But Gimli strode to me. His hand touched my arm.

"Why do you ask for forgiveness? There is nothing to forgive, elf-friend."

But there's everything. I've nearly killed Aragorn—if it wasn't for Gandalf I would've. Sam—the only hope we had to destroy the Ring—was nearly slain by my hand. And Lumornel had been the one to stop me. I—a murderer—am the reason for the tortured deaths of twenty elves.

I'm the reason for Boromir's death. I'm the one that let the hobbits and Lumornel be captured.

And my rebellion against the Ring had caused my father's death...

My people are lost without a guide and are in sorrow...

My father is dead. My mother is dead. My grandfather is dead. My mentor is dead. My best friend is dead. Everyone I love is dead.

"I've lost too many..."

Although I have been acquainted with new people that have become like my second family, I couldn't help but fear losing them too. I already lost Boromir—even though he was nothing but an acquainted friend. I lost Frodo—a loving hobbit who only wanted to get rid of that cursed ring.

I almost lost Aragorn. I nearly lost Sam.

And now I almost lost Lumornel...

But maybe I deserved all this death around me. After all, I had led a group of elves to their death. And I had known that there was a high probability of us not returning. I had to tell the parents of a young elf that their only son had died...

And there was the fact that I had almost doomed all of Middle-Earth to Sauron's mercy. And every soul knows he has none.

I hung my head. If my people knew what I had done: lead those elves to their deaths, almost doom all of Middle-Earth, and nearly betray my friends with death, then they would not want me leading them. They would disown me. Banish me.

I do not deserve my father's crown. I do not deserve the title that I have now.

I've brought death to too many, I can't bring it to them too.

I should give the crown to someone else.

But there's no one to give it too.

I pressed a fist to my mouth. I remember playing with him. We swung from branches and fought with wooden swords. We had sat at the back of Father's council meeting's mimicking everything they said and then falling into a fit of giggles.

I remember Father scolding me afterward, lecturing me on what princely behavior was.

And look at me now. Crying in public was not princely behavior. Nor was losing my temper.

"Legolas, you still have us."

I turned to face Lumornel. "But for how long?" This quest had the opportunity for all my friends, including myself, to pass into the next world.

She made to get up, but her legs still wobbled. "Don't think like that. It gets you nowhere."

I shifted my glance to her, then away. "You think the same way. Why can't I?"

Hurt flashed across her face.

"Goheno nin, huril vuin."

She shook her head, "It's alright."

Her tree-green eyes lifted to look into mine. "You're right, I do think like that, but I can't help it. You can. Don't fall into a rut of bad thinking, and if you're in one already, then pull yourself out. If not, then it will only lead to more pain."

She's right. But I shouldn't be having this talk with her. My father should be telling me this...

"He's dead." The words were barely a whisper on my lips.

Her soft eyebrows furrowed. I could see the question forming on her tongue.

"Who?" She was bracing herself to rise, so I went to her so she wouldn't have to strain herself.

"My father... he's... dead." Saying it aloud was different. It made the words tangible and added a depth to them that thought couldn't reach. The words sounded strange. Foreign. Almost as if they did not belong on my lips. Perhaps because they didn't.

Her leafy eyes widened, her mouth made an 'o.'

"What?" She blurted.

I couldn't stop seeing the glint of a knife, crimson spraying over mother's blanket.

I had to look away from her. I had to clench my jaw.

"Thranduil, the King? He's... dead?" Her face contorted in pain and disbelief.

"You have my condolences, Lad." The dwarf came to me and put his hand on my arm. I remembered what Morgalen—the Ring told me when I had wondered if my companions would care if they knew the King had died. Or if they would they would say anything at all.

'They will say nothing—they do not care about you.'

'You were wrong,' I thought.

"But... how?"

I shook my head at Lumornel's words. I didn't want to say. I didn't want to think about it. But I still saw the light going out in my Father's eyes, saw the small smile on his lips as he prepared himself to see mother once again.

"Father's dead. And my mother is dead. My..." elven warriors. "And now I almost lost you too."

"Legolas—" She stopped herself from whatever she was about to say. Sighed. "You won't lose me."

I took her face in my hands, turning her head up to me. Her beautiful eyes were full of emotion—they always were. She could hide her thoughts and secrets in words and body language, but all one had to do was gaze into her eyes.

"How do you know that? How do you know I won't lose you to steel?"

Her dark lashes came down to meet her cheek as thoughts tumbled in her head, she shuddered. Cold hands came to rest upon mine

I faintly heard my dwarven friend mutter, "I'll... uh... leave you two be."

"I can't promise you that I won't die—because I will. Either to steel, sickness, or old age. But I'll be with you here."

Her hand came to rest on my elven tunic—over my beating heart.

"Sappy, I know. But it's true." She patted my tunic before letting her limb fall.

"Too much sorrow and pain have touched my long life, but you're a drop of sunshine. You outshine all the pain," I smiled lightly, struggling to block out the images of Casdir's face contort in anger, moments before his fists flew at me.

More words threatened to bubble over my lips. But I held them in.

She bit her lip. Then—she shrugged out of my hands and sat back further on the bed.

I rocked back on my heels in surprise. I thought... I thought that she had felt the same.

"Legolas," regret filled her voice.

Then don't say it! I wanted to scream. But a prince does not do that.

"I—I can't do this," she continued. She swallowed hard.

I couldn't seem to breathe.

"Someday I will die... and I do not wish to bring that pain to you."

It's too late for that. I let my hand run through my hair.

Taking in a deep breath, I finally said what I had been thinking.

"My heart belongs to you. I think it has for awhile." I made myself look into her eyes. Shock passed over them. "But if this is what you want... then I will let it be so."

I could feel my heart breaking. Pain ripped through my chest, more than should be possible, but I didn't stumble.

"Legolas—"

I shook my head and rose my hand in a silent farewell. "Rest."

With that, I left.

I told you, no one loves you. The dark words filled my head like a dark storm cloud. Evil and ominous.

Leave me, Morgalen.

You're a monster, and they all know it.

I was beginning to think Morgalen was right.

*********

"For we put the thought of all that we love into all that we make"

--J.R.R. Tolkien

Do you guys hate me?

*shrinks away*

.... I have a new favorite song... 'Warrior' by The Black Piper. It's not on youtube, but it's on spotify...

Thoughts? Constructive criticism? I don't like the way this chapter turned out, I feel like I could've wrote it better.

Question: Chemistry or Physics? Why?

Novaer, mellyn!
~awatin~