XXII. The Race Against Time

            I could not wrap my head around it. Nikita, Legolas’ soon-to-be-bride, was behind the attacks? She was allied with the Men? Obviously Legolas was unaware; otherwise Nikita would have been found out and dealt with a long time ago.

            Still, there was one thing that was missing from this massive puzzle: why? What motivated Nikita to do all of this? What drove her to allying herself with the very scum that had punished me for years?

            Maybe if Halian and I could shed some light on this eventual assassination, Nikita’s motives would come to light as well.

            Once we were out of the one part of the forest, the trees began to thin. Light began to pour through the holes in the trees, but it was moonlight. Night was upon us.

            “She would not commit the murder now, would she?” I asked Halian. “The wedding was today!”

            “The Men are on the move, Nim. Use your head! They plan to attack. I bet you she will try to have them take down the king. Slow him down here, we are close.”

            With guidance from Halian, I stopped Thalias. We slid off his back, and I patted him before we left. While we went to find access back into Greenwood, Thalias grazed lazily, as though he had no cares in the world.

            “There should be an entrance here near the river.” Halian took lead since she knew where we were going. My thoughts went to the ceremony inside Greenwood’s walls, everyone unaware of what could possibly happen soon. I could picture the Men stealing elleths, grabbing some sort of prize if the murder of the king was unsuccessful. What if they threatened the people to get to the king?

            Halian and I were not sure what the plan was, but we were going to find out somehow.

            “Here.” Halian found a hidden stair path concealed by greenery. We lithely bounded up the steps, hearing the roaring waters behind us. “They are already inside. Look.”

            The door was left agape, looking as though it was broken into. I swallowed, picturing the Men sneaking around. I wondered how hard it would be for them to get past Elves with acute hearing.

            We slipped between the door and the wall, plunging into darkness. Halian took my hand, leading me blindly. I knocked into the brick walls a time or two but not severely enough to where it hurt.

            “You are sure you know where we are going?” I asked quietly.

            “Yes, I have been here longer than you. Have faith in me, Nim.”

            “We have to stop this.”

            “I agree. You will have to get their attention.”

            “Whose?”

            “Either the king’s or the prince’s.”

            “Why me? Halian, you forget I am banished. The moment anyone recognizes me, I am jailed for life.”

            “No one will listen to me; no one knows who I am. To anyone, I will be considered young with a very creative mind, a voice that will not be heard. No one will take me seriously more so with my appearance. You are a different story.”

            “I look no better than you, Halian. Even if I found the king or the prince, neither would listen.”

            “You have to try, Nim.” Faint, melodic music entered our ears. “Once we find the crowd, we will separate. I will keep watch for Men or guards; I will stay in your area.”

            Still with me in tow, Halian led us to the music and the chatter. My eyes scanned around us, hoping to see something of a Man in disguise. They must be hiding in every nook they can find. It is not easy to hide from an Elf. Still, who would suspect something to go wrong in such a joyous atmosphere?

            This would kill Legolas’ heart once he found out about Nikita and who she really was. For all any of us knew, Nikita might not even be her real name. We will get answers one way or another. The Men will not rule under her command, and she will not have Greenwood.

            The celebration was still in full swing. You had your couples who were dancing lithely to the music, and then you had those who talked amongst each other, mostly in Elvish. I was sure every Elf here knew Westron, but since all the attendants were Elves, there was no need for the language.

            Looking at how everyone was dressed nicely made me look at Halian’s attire and mine. We were dirty and looked like wild women. We would not have wasted time changing into something to blend in more with the scene we were getting into anyway, there was too much at stake. All these Elves were unsuspecting of what could possibly happen.

            “Do not lose me,” I whispered to Halian.

            “I cannot make any promises; most here are taller than me and you.”

            Despite the foreboding air around us, I giggled at Halian’s comment.

            Halian split off to the right of me as I gently blended myself into the crowd. Most did not notice me; those who did only looked scornfully at me. Aside from the guards, the king, Legolas, and Nikita, nobody knew who I was. Surely my tale was told to any wandering ears, but none knew what I looked like.

            I was very grateful for being a short Elf; I could hide myself better in this crowd. Every now and again I would scope around me to find Halian. Like she promised, she was keeping an eye out for me. She will do the worrying for you, you must find Legolas. He will possibly give you a chance more than his father ever will.

            Finding the prince in this crowd would be near impossible; most Elves were his height and had the same hair color as him. Any who had their back to me could possibly be him. I did not want to assume the wrong person was him, and I certainly did not want to mistake a guard for Legolas.

            I had to be careful and identify him one-hundred percent before I could approach him.

             I was not sure how I was going to break this to Legolas. No matter how I put it, it would hurt him. It would most likely break his heart if he believed me; it would also most likely shatter his trust in me if he thought I was lying to him about what I uncovered. I remembered he was reluctant about believing the proof over me, so he could still listen to me.

            Still, would he honestly believe that his bride committed the attempted assassinations?

            If Legolas loved me like he claimed he did, I knew he would believe me. There is only one way to truly find that out. I searched for the Elf I loved but knew I could never have. After this I could. I pushed that eager thought aside. I could rejoice in that fact if everything went well. Where are you? Please do not be dancing with her.

            I slipped around others until I found him. My gaze lingered on the figure until I was absolutely positive it was the Prince of Greenwood I was staring at and not someone else. My heart leapt at seeing how handsome he looked. Tell him the truth first, admire him later. With my mind refocused, I made a straight line for him.

            I just caught him finishing a dance with a stranger. I cut in, immediately taking him. His eyes widened in surprise.

            “What happened to you?” His eyes bugged slightly.

            “Yes, I know I am a mess. Can we not focus on my appearance?”

            “What are you doing here?” he questioned. “Father banished you.”

            “Yes, I remember that quite clearly.”

“You could be caught if you are seen.”

“I know this also. Do not remind me of things I already know, Legolas.” I scowled.

“Why did you come back?”

“Greenwood is in danger. Something is about to happen.”

            “Why should I listen to you?”

            “Because I have never lied to you before, and I am not now.” I looked around warily. “Make sure no guards see me. If one does, I am finished.”

            “Maybe I should let them see you.”

            My mouth dropped slightly. “Whatever negative things you associate me with, get rid of them. I did not attempt to poison the king or Nikita. It was all her doing.”

            “What?”

“She is behind all of it.”

“Why would she poison herself?”

“I am sure clever assassins throw others off their scent by any means necessary. She poisoned herself to throw everyone off her trail. She framed me, she kidnapped Halian!”

“Who?”

“An elleth that I have befriended here. She was the one who was teaching me Elvish the day I was accused of attempted murder.”

“Nimalia, has the forest driven you mad? You have not been in it for an entire day, though your appearance suggests otherwise.”

“My head is clear, Legolas.”

“What you are claiming is absurd.”

            “No, it is not. Nikita has been keeping us apart for more than your relationship.”

This came as a sudden realization, I had not even thought about it before. I had assumed Nikita’s hostility towards me was because of envy, but now something made sense. If Nikita wanted to take over Greenwood, she needed to have Legolas’ heart. That meant wiping out any threat, which in her case had been me.

“Nimalia, she did feel threatened by you, yes, but only because of our bond.”

“You do not understand me. She has a bigger motive, Legolas. She is in alliance with the Men.”

“Why would you associate her with those vile beings?”

“Because it is true.”

            Legolas took a few extra seconds to respond. “Impossible.” He spun me gently around.

“While I tried to find my way out of the forest, I happened to stumble upon whatever was left of their camp. Two Men had Halian as a prisoner. I rescued her, and she told me what she had overheard. Nikita’s name came up. Explain to me how they could know her name. She is with them, Legolas. You must trust me on it.”

“If what you are saying is true, then how has she hidden it for so long? Why would she be in an alliance with them?”

“I-I do not know,” I admitted sheepishly. “That I am still figuring out.”

“Nimalia, you should have solid proof before you go claiming such things.”

“But I am not lying!” My voice rose a bit louder than I wanted. I got it back under control. “You are just too blinded to see the truth! She has you under her thumb so you will not suspect her of doing anything terrible.”

Legolas was about to continue to side with his new bride, but then it happened.

The very thing I was trying to warn him about.

 The very thing I wish I had the power to prevent.

**I'm known for my lovely cliff hangers. :) It's coming, you guys. The end of yet another story. I'll be sad when it's over, because, as most of you have asked, no, there will be no sequel to this. I have never had intentions to keep this story going. I planned it to be a stand alone, and that is what it will remain.**