Hii. Sorry for my absence; life is busy and inspiration low :\

Here to make-up with a 3k word chapter! Enjoy ❣

The haunting silhouette arose above the haze after two days and entered Ithreon's patrol's line of sight sending shivers of dread down their spines.

The horses neighed and bobbed their heads back in forth, eyes darting from tree to tree to find a place of safety. Yet not even the trees were safe here; for they were dark, twisted and sickly looking; lined with vast silver webs that beckoned all to stay clear.

Ithreon noted the horse's anxiety and leaned back in his saddle. "This will not do," he said. "The horses will draw attention to us; we must send them away."

The warriors nodded, not quite happy with this for how would they make a swift means of escape with their Prince? But they had no choice.

Dismounting, the warriors took what necessities they needed and sent their horses off with a word. Momentarily watching the animals retreat, they whispered a prayer before turning to their Captain.

Ithreon released a breath. "We continue on foot, take cover in the trees if the need arises." He only hoped the need did not arise, for these trees whispered against them.

They ran, feet as light as deers as they dashed through the forest, determination set in every stride. As they broke through the treeline, gasps emitted at the large fortress before them, their faces akin to horror.

Ithreon held up his hand in a signal to halt. Clenching his jaw, he tore his eyes away from the sight before him and focused on his warriors, noticing their unease. "Stand fast, warriors of Mirkwood, warriors of Greenwood!"

Nods and clenching of weapon hilts followed and Ithreon continued. "Our Prince is in there, wheater he be dead..." He paused, composing himself. "..or alive. You must focus if we are to succeed in finding him and Rhavaniel. Remember your mission."

The warriors stood tall, and determination and strength showed in their bright eyes. No exclamations were uttered, for they must not be heard.

"Faron, Galion, Airadan," Ithreon called in a hushed voice. He roamed his eyes over the scout and two warriors, satisfied with the fire their eyes. With a motion of his hand, they leaped into the trees, bows notched and feet moving briskly through the boughs. Though it was midday, no light shown here and they were grateful for the cover.

Landing soundlessly to the ground, Ithreon pushed the dread from his mind as he stalked forward, three warriors following closely behind and not much farther, twelve more.
***
The trees began to diminish, for none grew this far south. The air became cold, the sky even darker and Ithreon's eyes rose to the almost black cloud that hovers above the vast fortress, Dol Guldor.

The warrior pulled there cloaks tighter around them to prevent the attraction of orcs as they continued creeping through the wasteland and closer to the one place they wished to never enter.

"There," Ithreon pointed at the stone bridge that served as an entry. "We must enter through the bridge. Stay low, draw your weapons."

The warrior nodded and followed their leader to the bridge. It was narrow, ladded with cobwebs, sharp stones, and stained with blood. As they ascended up, small stones crumbled and fell to the abyss underneath their feet forcing them to slow down and feel with their booted feet each step. Open and vulnerable, to alert the orcs now was a death sentence if this whole mission wasn't already.

Reaching an archway, Faron and Ithreon's eyes met, and the captain nodded and watched as Faron went ahead to scout. He could not help but feel as though million of eyes watched his back and he turned only to see a large stone statue right above him.  He paled, wrenching his eyes away from the horrifying, hunched figure. He nearly startled as a voice called him, then visibly relaxed as Faron's voice was heard. Get it together! He scolded himself.

"Captain? Are you well?" Faron hadn't missed his unease, though it was expected in a place like this.

"Aye. Report."

"Four orcs guard the passageway. We should exterminate them before they spot us."

With a nod, Ithreon signaled to advance towards the passageway.

The orcs froze when the group appeared, surprise and bloodlust in yellow eyes, but before they could reach for their weapons or utter an alert, Ithreon thrust forward, two daggers embedded into the orcs' throats. As they began to crash to the ground, he stuck out his foot and silenced their fall.

Airadan's blade swiftly slit the throats of the remaining orcs while Faron moved deeper into the fortification's walls to ensure safe passage.

"Hide the bodies; make haste," Ithreon whispered in a harsh tone, dragging a rotten body behind a large crumpled wall.

With the bodies hidden and a signal call from Faron, they continued downwards, deeper into the enclosing halls of Dol Guldor.

"There is no telling where they may be," Faron whispered, hazel eyes darting from side to side.

Nods followed and Ithreon replied. "The dungeons are my first guess..." His voice wavered. There was no telling what they would find there.

The loud shuffling of heavy feet sent the group dashing into corners, breaths held and dagger hilts grasped tightly.

"Get movin'! See wher' that smoke is coming from," an orc barked out and swung his mace forward.

Ithreon's back pressed into the wall. He nodded to his warriors and their lips upturned slightly. Their diversion plan had worked.
Soon, the orcs footsteps faded to mere echoes. Taking the chance, the elves sprung from hiding and continued down the darkening halls. There were no torches in this area, setting them in complete darkness save for the soft glow of a distant torch. And so they turned right to a staircase spiraling down even lower. Boots upon stone made not a sound as the elves descended downwards, well aware of the bones that littered the stairs.

"Orc skeletons," Galion noted, eyes searching. "And goblins...humans."

"I would expect no less," Faron said in a hushed whisper, face scrunching up in disgust.

The sound of clanking chains echoed faintly below, disappearing into the dark abyss.

Ithreon stopped, head tilted to see side. "Silence! All of you. Do you hear that?"

The elves stopped, listening intently. The sound came again.

Clank, clank.

"Chains!" Galion piped out.

"It must be them," Ithreon bound down the steps with restored hope. "Asca!" (Hurry) His heart hammered in his chest, sweat beading on his brow. Valar, let them be alright.

They descended to flat ground. A dim, narrow hallway was before them and to the left stood cells, doors barred, empty.

"Search each cell, we will not leave one inch unchecked," Ithreon hissed, boots scuffling forward and eyes searching frantically.

Faron blew gently from his lips, emitting a low bird call so silent that only an elf could hear.

Nothing.

He tried again and sighed when no answer followed. Turning, he continued to search until a muffled voice reached his ears, followed by a low bird call.

"Here!"

He rushed forward and gasped. Ithreon followed behind as Airadan and Galion stood watch.

Rhavaniel sat, feet and hands chained, head covered in a black sack. She seemed unharmed much to their surprise, but there was no sign of Legolas save for his pack that lay scattered to the side. Immediately Faron dug into his pocket and pulled out a tool and began picking at the lock.

"We are here," Ithreon whispered, eyes tearing from Rhavaniel to find some sign of Legolas. Damn you Legolas, where are you?

A clink and the lock fell away. Faron grinned and unlatched the door. Hands darted out, working furiously to remove the chains as Ithreon removed the sag and gag from Rhavaniel's head. Icy shivers of dread entered his body. Her emerald eyes, wide and filled with terror, mouth moving as if to speak yet no words came forth. "Drink, it is miruvor, this will strengthen you," Ithreon pulled out a flask, popping the cap off and raising it to the elleth's parched lips. He watched as she drank, heart hammering in his chest in dread for what she might say.

Gasping, Rhavaniel ripped away from the warm liquid even though her starved body wished for more. "Legolas, where-" she coughed, eyes alight in panic, miruvor dripping from her lips. "Where is he?"

Ithreon choked on air. "You mean you do not know?" He suddenly felt the urge to shake her; his own fear surfacing as the thoughts of his friend dead and mutilated came to his mind.

"Find him, please find him," her desperate voice tore Ithreon from his thoughts.

"Where, Rhavaniel, where?" His hands came up and grasped Rhavaniel's face, eyes darting from one emerald eye to the other, hoping beyond hope to find the answers he sought.

"They took him below... I do not know, I do not know."

With a groan of effort from Faron, the chains finally fell away. Both he and Ithreon pulled Rhavaniel to her shaky feet. "Can you stand?" A nod followed and the captain handed her two daggers. "More importantly, can you fight?"

"I will not rest until Legolas is found," she replied.

"Good. Come, time is not on our side."
***
Downwards they plunged into darkness, wondering how deep this place was rooted. They came across orcs along the way but their swords swung before the slightest sound was uttered.

There was a flicker of movement that only an elven eye could catch in the distance and they followed it. Twisted laughter and gasp of pain followed further down.

Legolas...

Bursting through the archway, Ithreon flicked his wrist, sending silver metal singing through the air before embedding hilt deep into the neck of the orc. With a scream, the orc fell away, revealing behind him the chained figure of Legolas.

Rushing forward, Ithreon dropped his weapons, metal clinking to the ground. Arms, warm and strong encircled Legolas, and Ithreon cried out in relief as the body in his arms breathed in deeply a breath of life.

He was alive.

Legolas' body jerked forward, bright blue eyes far too wide. "Rhavaniel is s-she alright? Please, find her, save her, leave me, Ithreon I beg it of you," he gasped out.

"She is here; she is alright," Ithreon pulled away and noticed the bruises on his Gwador's (sworn brother's)  face. Moving his eyes lower, he saw the blood dripping from Legolas' shoulder, and he gasped. "Faron, hurry. He is hurt, and that orc's filthy  scream has no doubt alerted the others." He took the flask and held it to Legolas' lips, and he drake with relish, drops of liquid dripping down his lips, and unto his ragged tunic.

"Orcs not far, many. But that is not our only problem," Galion's eyes darted to the stone roof, pieces crumbling and falling onto their heads causing the others to frown and raise their eyes. "The roof is going to give."

With much effort picking at the lock, the shackles and chains fell away. Faron and Ithreon took Legolas by the arms and brought him to his feet. "Take this, you will need it before the day is done," Ithreon handed Legolas a sword, watching as he grasped it with appreciation.

Legolas' desperate eyes searched; he needed to see her to put his heart at ease. When he caught her eyes, his heart raced in his chest, and a gasp flew from his lips. His heart surged his unsteady feet forward and before he knew it, her body crashed into his: warm, soft, and alive. His hand found her face and his eyes roamed over her for injuries. "How you worry me so..." He whispered so quietly only Rhavaniel could hear.

Her own hands suck into his arms, relishing in the strenth she found gound there. No words left her lips as tears filled her emerald eyes.

Ithreon watched the exchange with a raised brow, and a smirk tugged at his lips. He wished they could savor this, but it was too dangerous. The guttural roars and clamor of armored orcs echoed off the walls inching closer by the second.

"Ready your weapons!"

A howl, rushing of booted footsteps and the orcs were upon them.

"Bloody hell," Rhavaniel pulled herself and tore her eyes from Legolas, and took a defensive stance.

Too many, there were too many. Swords clashed, parried, wails resounded as limbs were slashed. Again and again. But they could not keep this up. More would surely come. 

Beheading an orc, Rhavaniel grinned as its severed head rolled away. Tearing her eyes away, she searched for something, anything. They were trapped here; the means of escape blocked by orcs. Crumbs of stone fell onto her head and she gazed up and remembered the roof was going to cave. An idea flooded into her head.

"Ithreon!" She yelled over the stream of a dying orc. Catching his attention she pointed to the falling stones above them.

Immediately he understood. "Draw them back!" He yelled over the fray. Good observation, Rhavaniel, he thought with a smile. Her plan was to crush them, he only hoped they would not be as well.

"My Lord!" A voice cried out and Legolas whipped his head to the side just as his blade skewered an orc.

"Airadan! To your left!" Legolas spotted an orc creeping up behind the warrior and breathed in short-lived relief as Airadan turned, killing it.

"Go," Airadan yelled, ducking over a mace. "Go before the stone collapses."

"I am not-" Legolas' sentence was cut off as an orc leaped into the air, sword raised for his heart. Legolas cut him down and cried out in pain as his wounds protested. He turned to Airadan, panting. "Not without you." He would not allow others to sacrifice for him. Not again.

"You will," Airadan eyes found Ithreon's, and nodded then cast once last glance at his prince before shoving him into Ithreon's grasp. "I will serve you till death, my Prince." He backed away and Legolas' eyes widened, mouth agape, and a cry of terror left his lips. Airadan turned, yelling to alert the orcs to focus on him and soon he vanished, surrounded in shadow. 

A rumble, then crumbing of stone, a cry of panic and dread. Ithreon, Legolas, Rhavaniel, Faron, and Galion leaped forward, stone crumbling and crashing to the ground behind them.  There was no time to mourn for the one they lost as they ran. Bounding upstairs, pathways, and dark halls, the outside finally came into sight.

But that was not the only thing that greeted them.

"What the hell?" Ithreon's eyes bulged at was before his eyes. An elf, but not just any elf. One of darkness, one of evil.

"What sorcery is this!" Came the followed exclamations but Legolas and Rhavaniel snarled.

"I see you brought... Friends," Esgaldel smiled and drew his sword. "Good."

"Who are you?" Ithreon blocked Legolas with his body, not at all liking the way this twisted being layed his eyes on him.

A laughed resounded, one Legolas and Rhavaniel knew too well. "I am the Hidden Horror; a servant of an ancient power, an ancient Lord, and the commander of armies. And you-" he snapped and yet again, more orcs appeared-" are not leaving."

They were thrown once again into the heat of battle, separated as Esgaldel ordered his orcs to Ithereon as he himself sought out his two hostages.

A whirl of metal rung through the air, and Legolas brought up his weapon to block to the onslaught, wincing as his body cried out in protest. He knew his back was torn open by now, and his arrow wounds oozing with blood. Trying to ignore the pain, his eyes met his opponent's; black pools of darkness clashed with bright blues of light. Legolas sidestepped his next attack, his sword barely grazing over his chest. This was far from an orc, this was an elf, dark and powerful, trained to destroy the light.

Yelling in anger, Rhavaniel leaped into the air, her dagger merely slicing across Esgaldel's arm as he swiftly avoided her attack. They needed to find his vulnerable spot. Her mind raced. That necklace...  Perhaps it was given to him long ago by someone he lost. "That necklace, who gave it to you?" She said, blocking another attack. "Is it revenge you seek?"

It only seemed to anger him more, and he charged at her, turmoil and rage in his eyes.

Reaching out, Legolas grabbed Esgaldel's robe, jerking him back before he could strike Rhavaniel, sending them both sprawling to the ground in the process.

"What is it you wish to achieve? " Rhavaniel tried again.

Esgaldel didn't see Legolas in time before a blade slashed into his leg, and he roared and swung his fist that collided into Legolas' face sending him staggering to the side, stunned.

Vaguely, Legolas heard Ithreon cry out in warning, and it was all he could do to move as The dark elf leaped into the air, sword outstretched to his heart.

With a cry of rage, Rhavaniel charged forward. Anger surged through her veins as she struck Esgaldel until he staggered back and stumbled to the ground. Her dagger now inches from his heart, eyes blazing with green fire. "Who. Is. Your. Master?" She demanded, digging her blade into his flesh. She would not leave here knowing their mission was for naught.

"I answer to no one," he hissed in reply, reaching for his sword.

Gasping, Legolas placed a hand on the ground to ease himself to his feet. His head swam, eyes blurred; the only thing he heard was his own heart pounding in his head. Warmblood trickled down his body, and Legolas cursed at his loss of concentration. Her yell of anger shot through his ears, sending his head jerking up. His eyes found Rhavaniel aiming her dagger to Esgaldel's heart. Why won't she kill him... His wide eyes spotted Esgaldel's hand reaching for his blade.

Gripping his own blade and shutting out his pain, he leap up in anger, fearing he would be too late. 

Rhavaniel's hand ripped the precious necklace from Esgaldel's neck, and her eyes widened in horror and reconciliation at the pendent. This was her mother's necklace... Why would he posses this? "Where did you get this..." She almost did not wish to know; her own heart hammered in her ears as dread filled her veins.

Esgaldel's hand paused, and his eyes clouded over in distant memory. "My mother..."

Legolas reached the two and kicked aside Esgaldel's sword, sending it clinking over the edge. "Fëanára, kill him now," Legolas hissed, evidently oblivious to the turmoil between the two; his own knife ready in his hand.

Rhavaniel didn't even notice him. When Esgaldel's eyes met hers, they were grey, and she gasped in shock. How many years had it been since she'd seen those eyes? Those grey eyes that were always full of strength and love. Revenge and hatred left her, replaced by horror and sorrow.  She didn't even notice Legolas' hands covering hers till the dagger plummeted into his heart.

The last thing she heard was her own scream, followed by thundering footfalls racing their way. She felt Legolas pull her away, and their feet raced over the stone. She felt nothing, saw nothing. Am I even alive? She questioned herself. It was as if her worst nightmare had come true, and it did. Every breath she took reminded her no matter how much she wanted to forget.

She killed her own brother.
        
    ~*~       ~*~      ~*~

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