Chapter 17 – Endeavours

Legolas knocked on Rhinure’s door – again. No one seemed to be in and Legolas was getting impatient. He turned around to walk away only to find Herenion scowling at him. He did not understand why Herenion insisted that he ask Rhinure for a walk around the gardens. It seemed as a pointless activity to him, and he shuddered to think how Rhinure would view it – but Herenion had been particularly exasperating.

Just because Rhinure had fed his bodyguard, Legolas found himself standing before her door like an idiot.

“I do not think she is in, Herenion.” Legolas said hopefully.

“Knock one more time.” Herenion insisted.

Legolas sighed while complying, he had been under the misconception that he was the prince but obviously, Herenion had not heard anything of the sort. The elf ordered him around with such impunity that one would have thought he was Legolas’ father.

*~ And in a way, he is. Especially considering the number of times he has punished me. ~* Legolas wryly chuckled as he remembered the creative ways Herenion had tried to instil discipline in him.

“Herenion, I really think that she is not in.”

“Okay, you may leave now.”

“Thank you, your Grace. My knuckles are rubbed raw from knocking against the wood.”

Legolas only narrowly avoided the blow Herenion aimed at his head.

“You have become faster, Elfling.”  Herenion commented proudly

“That tends to happened after battling a few thousand orcs.” Legolas smiled.

Herenion snorted, “If I had known that before, I could have avoided a few centuries of training you.”

“Shame, is it not?” Legolas grinned.

This time Herenion’s swipe caught Legolas squarely on the head.

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“Herenion?”

“Yes, little one?”

“Why did you insist I take Lady Rhinure for a walk?”

“Because I think it is time you got to know your future wife.”

Legolas could think of a dozen smart responses to that statement but chose not to say anything. Herenion was too serious for him to make light of the situation.

Taking Legolas’ silence as assent, Herenion continued, “I do not think she is as awful as you make her out to be.”

“Really?” Legolas was almost amused at the ease with which Rhinure had converted his bodyguard. It was no secret that Herenion was becoming enamoured of the female.

“You mock me Elfling, but I know what I speak of. She is not as cold and unfeeling as you make her out to be.”

“I did not say she is unfeeling. I just said that she appears cold.” Legolas defended himself.

“And have you ever bothered to get underneath that appearance? Have you ever tried to understand her, see things from her point of the view.”

“And how do you suggest I do that if she will not talk to me?” Legolas retorted.

“Make her talk to you. You cannot expect everything to be handed on a plate to you.”

Legolas almost choked on his indignation but Herenion stopped him before he could come up with another remark.

“Just think about this, my Prince. You befriended a dwarf – can you not make the same effort with one of your own kind?”

“Gimli had earned my trust, he has never betrayed me.”

“And neither had Lady Rhinure, she deserves the same chance as the dwarf.”

“Just because she was kind to you on one occasion, do not forget that she uses us.” Legolas said heatedly.

Herenion’s face fell at that rash remark. “That was unworthy of you, my Prince. You forget that we use her as much or even more than she does us.”

With that, Herenion turned away, not giving Legolas the chance to apologise.

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The evening found Legolas outside Rhinure’s door and once again, no one answered his persistent knocking. By this time Legolas was getting worried, he had asked around and no one remembered seeing Rhinure all day. While she was no stunning beauty, she was not so easy to overlook.

*~ Unless she is trying to remain hidden. ~* It was always possible that Rhinure could be discretely ‘scouting’ Mirkwood.

But Legolas dismissed the thought as soon as he had completed it. It did not make sense for Rhinure to disappear herself. She would have sent one of her Guards if she wanted information. It would have raised less suspicion than going herself and would have worked as well. Legolas has no doubts about the ability of her Avari. From what Herenion had told him, they could be standing right in front of him and he would not have noticed

Which only meant that something was wrong.

Legolas quickened his pace as his heart squeezed in panic. Where was Rhinure?

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As Arandur turned the corner, he found himself facing a very angry Prince Legolas. For a moment, he thought that Legolas was going to slam him against the wall.

“Where is she?” Somehow, Legolas managed to control himself – but just barely. His knuckles were white form the pressure he was applying.

“Whom do you speak of, my Lord?” Arandur asked, knowing full well who Legolas spoke of.

“Where is Lady Rhinure?” Legolas voice shook with anger.

“She is where she should be, my Prince. Now excuse me, I have duties to attend to.”

This time, Legolas did not hold back. He literally picked up Arandur and pinned him against the wall. “Do not play games with me, Captain. Rhinure had not been in her room all day and no one has seen her. Now, I ask for the last time . . . where is she?”

Arandur looked at Legolas’ livid face and decided it was best that he answered the question – quickly. “We received information about an orc raid on one of the settlements last night. Mistress Rhinure went to take care of it.”

Legolas let go of Arandur slowly, the band around his heart crushing it even more. “Why were we not informed?” Somehow, he managed to keep his voice steady.

“It was an Avari settlement.”

“Why were we not informed?”

“The Avari take care of their own.”

Legolas stepped back, as if struck. It was a cruel reminder of how little trust was between him and this elleth he was about to marry.

*~ If something happens to her then the marriage cannot take place. ~*

The fleeting joy that thought brought him almost made Legolas throw up. How could he even think that? He stepped back even further from Arandur, his face losing all colour.

“Why did Lady Rhinure have to go?”

“She is Sacrifice. She must be with her people in their hour of need.”

“But she is putting herself in danger.” Legolas was appalled at the thought of Rhinure – any female, directly putting themselves in the fray.

“As do we all.” Arandur watched as Legolas fought against panic that welled up inside him. “Why the concern, my Prince? You have made no secret of your dislike of the Avari.”

Legolas looked sharply at Arandur, anger once more replacing the alarm, “I might dislike the Avari, but never have I wished them harm. Have you told my father about this?”

“I was on my way to do just that, when you detained me.”

“Then could you also tell him that I will not be joining him for dinner.”

Arandur bowed, “As my Prince commands.”

Legolas could almost feel the mockery in the Captain’s tone but he was too preoccupied to take offence. He walked back to his room in a stupor.

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Somehow, Legolas found his room and collapsed onto a chair. He had to remind himself to breath because his chest felt so heavy.

*~ Maybe this is what the humans call an attack of the heart. It is not pleasant at all. ~*

If anything happened to Rhinure, Legolas would never be able to apologise to her. He would not be able to tell her that he was sorry for what he was doing to her. He would not be able to see her again.

If anything was to happen to her . . . The orcs would have no mercy; they would cleave her, rip into her until there was nothing recognisable left.

Legolas held his head in his hands, having trouble thinking straight. Nothing would happen to Rhinure, she was a capable elleth and was surrounded by competent guards.

However, Legolas could not remove the image of Rhinure’s broken body from his mind’s eye. It took him right back to the days of battle he had somehow survived. He saw friends, loved ones, strangers fall under orc blade. He saw the mutilated bodies of hundreds and the snarling delight of the enemy.

He remembered the way his arrows had brought murder and the way his knives had killed. He was right back in the middle of battle, where he was a silent bringer of death – executioner, murderer.

Rhinure’s departure had brought those not so hidden memories to the fore again. It also brought the vile taste of helplessness with it. It was the same feeling of uselessness he felt as he saw Frodo and Sam disappear into the bushes – the same despair he felt when Aragorn had gone over the cliff. Now his betrothed faced danger, and he could not do anything except wait.

It was him feel weak, it made him feel inadequate.

He did not love Rhinure, he did not even care for her but she was his responsibility. She was his betrothed, someone he had to protect – and now he had failed even in that.

Nothing would happen to her – he would not allow it.

Late into the night, Legolas kept repeating that to himself, desperately trying to convince himself of that as he struggled to keep the image of a dead Rhinure out of his mind.

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In the early morning, Legolas marched resolutely to Thranduil’s room. There must be something he could do to help – otherwise he was liable to go crazy.

He barged into the room without waiting for the steward to announce him.

Thranduil took once look at him and shook his head. “I take it that you have heard about Rhinure’s departure.”

“We must help her, Ada.”

“How?”

“We can send troops after her.”

“We do not know where she has gone. And before you can ask, Arandur is not going to tell us where this Avari settlement is.”

“Surely we must have some information as to where the Avari live.”

“Some, but not enough. The Avari are good at hiding what they do not wish to be found.”

“Nevertheless, we can still try Ada. We must.” Legolas almost pleaded, the weight on his chest was becoming unbearable.

“I will not send my elves blindly into potentially lethal territory.” Thranduil’s voice was stern.

Legolas knew that Thranduil was right, but he had to try once more, “Can you not command Arandur . . .” He trailed off, knowing that it would not work. Arandur would not betray Rhinure.

Thranduil obviously thought the same, “If Rhinure wanted us to know where she was going, Arandur would have told us. Barring that, there is no way to find her. You will have to wait my son.”

Legolas sighed, “I know, Ada, but . . .”

“You are worried.”

“Yes.”

“Amin hiraetha, hin nín. I cannot do anything.”            <I am sorry, my child>

“Do we at least know when she will be back?”

“Arandur is very confident about Rhinure’s abilities. It should not be long, a few days at most. He did say she would definitely be back in time for the wedding.”

“Ada! That is anywhere between one day to a week and a half. We do not even know how many orcs she faces.”

“She will be back, she has vowed it.”

At this point, it was of little comfort to Legolas.

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The day rolled into another, and then another until it was four days since Rhinure had vanished. Legolas would not have thought it possible, but each day saw him become more worried. Why did she not return? How far did she travel? How many orcs did she face?

Questions filled his head, pounding it like a steady drum until Legolas could not think, until he could not feel. He went with the patrols, hoping that there would be news of the Avari, but came back disappointed. Even Thranduil was getting worried by now. He knew the Avari were deadly fighters but this was his daughter-in-law. She should not have to do this; Mirkwood would protect her.

Only Arandur watched with a calm face, he knew that Rhinure would be safe. She was more than capable, and he implicitly trusted her. She was no cowering female to hide behind her men-folk – she was Avari, she was Sacrifice. She would lead her people, and kill those who dared to harm them. She would bring vengeance to those who hurt the Avari. It was her duty.

He saw Legolas and Thranduil worry about her and inwardly scoffed at such foolishness. They demeaned Rhinure by insisting that she stay out of danger’s path. They would not take such a cowardly path themselves, but expected it from Rhinure. It was no wonder that a male elf had been sent to Thranduil. He would never have accepted a female Captain, no matter how able.

Arandur did not doubt that Rhinure was in danger, but as he had already said, so were they all. If something happened, then so be it. They would deal with it after the event; to dream up scenarios that might not happen seemed pointless to Arandur. It was another example of how emotional these Silvan elves could become. Where they should have kept calm, they let their emotions make them into wrecks.

In a contrary way, however, Arandur was pleased that Legolas was so worried. It showed that he was concerned about Rhinure, if only as another responsibility he had to look after. Arandur hoped that one day that concern would deepen into caring – but that would take time. And that would never happen unless Legolas saw Rhinure as a person, not as a chain tied around his neck.

Maybe this incident would make him realise that she was precious – very precious.

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The Mirkwood watch scrambled to open the gates of the palace, as a contingent of riders approached. It was the Avari, returning at last.

Legolas literally flew down the steps, scanning each rider carefully. He could not see Rhinure in this mass of black. Each rider wore black cloaks and had no marking upon them. As the rode to a stop, they made for a very impressive sight; dark elves come alive from the pages of legend.

And Legolas really could not care less – where was she?

Finally, somewhere in the middle, he spotted her familiar face. Even through the dirt that covered it, Legolas could see that Rhinure was exhausted. She swayed slightly on her horse and that made his heart clench in fear.

He ran to where she was, not caring at how the Avari stared at him. “My Lady, you have returned.”

Rhinure looked down at Legolas, looked into his troubled blue eyes and calmly replied, “Naturally, my Lord. I promised I would.”

Legolas offered to help her down from her horse and this time Rhinure nodded. As she slipped down, Legolas caught her firmly, gently steadying her when she stumbled.

She turned to look at Ehtewen, “See to the wounded and then find quarters for the contingent. They can leave in the morning.”

Ehtewen raised her fist to her heart, “As my Mistress commands.”

Legolas still held on to Rhinure, afraid that she would collapse if he let her go. “Were you successful, my Lady?”

“We left no orc breathing.” Rhinure answered simply, but Legolas saw a momentary flash in her eyes and he knew that the battle had been a hard one. He was filled with admiration for this female.

Rhinure looked up at him and Legolas realised what vengeance incarnate looked like. And he vowed that he would do everything in his power so that she would never have to look at another with that anger.

“You are tired, my Lady. May I escort you back to your rooms?”

“Yes, my lord.”

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If it was not for Legolas’ arms, Rhinure would have fallen, so exhausted was she. She did not realise it but she was leaning into him causing Legolas to wonder how this slight female had led those warriors in battle. It was as if those four days away had managed to halve her size – but, as Legolas realised, he had never been this close to realise how small she was.

Only when he felt Rhinure’s head dip onto his shoulder, did he realise that she was virtually sleepwalking.

“When did you last rest, my Lady?” He asked softly.

“The day I left that palace.”

“That was four days ago.”

Rhinure frowned at the disapproval in Legolas’ voice. She stopped so that she could look up at him, walking took too much of an effort for her to talk at the same time. “We had to overtake the orcs. There was much planning to do – and then there was the battle itself.”

Legolas looked at Rhinure’s faraway expression, trying to understand how she was still awake.

He must have spoken aloud because Rhinure answered, “Because I had no other choice.”

That was the last straw. With a low growl, Legolas bent down to sweep Rhinure into his arms.

Rhinure’s eyes widened in surprise, “What are you doing, my Lord?”

“Putting you to bed.” Rhinure opened her mouth to protest. “And I am not putting you down so you may as well save your breath. It is much faster this way.”

Rhinure nodded, and put her head on his chest, falling asleep immediately.

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Legolas marched to Rhinure’s room, ignoring the surprised looks the servants and guards gave him. All he was concerned was making sure Rhinure was in bed.

“What have you done to her?” A menacing voice stopped him in his tracks.

Her turned to find Arandur looking at him. He would have avoided answering but he was sure that Arandur would run him through. Besides, he did not want to get into an argument and wake Rhinure up.

“She was exhausted, so I am putting her to bed.”

Arandur nodded, “You had best remove her weapons as well.”

Legolas was surprised that Arandur was not going to make more of commotion. Then he looked into the Captain’s eyes and realised what a measure of trust Arandur had put in him. This was his Sacrifice, and though Legolas could not know how much that meant, he was conscious that Arandur was entrusting his with something precious.

Legolas signalled that he understood and continued walking.

Throughout this exchange, Rhinure slept on.

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Legolas gently lay Rhinure down on her bed; bending over to remove the daggers at her side. He also removed her armbands, and the throwing knives strapped onto them. When he removed her boots, he found another concealed pair of knives.

He shook his head in amusement - Rhinure was a walking armoury. He hoped that he managed to remove all and every weapon. He removed the armour from her, and quickly scanned her body. The tight fitting black tunic did not seem to conceal any other weapon.

Then he noticed something in her hair; Rhinure’s customary bun was held in place by two long pins. Legolas knew that she did not wear jewellery so they must be a form of weapon as well. He gingerly removed them; Rhinure’s hair sagging around her shoulder. The ‘pins’ were long enough to stab someone’s eyes out. Definitely another weapon.

He should probably undress her to make sure she had not other weapon strapped onto her person. But Legolas shied away from the idea. The tunic did not allow any access to her body so he doubted that she had any weapon left on her. Any missed weapon had to be in her armour, which he had already removed.

Satisfied, Legolas turned to leave. He took one last look at the sleeping elf. The heavy weight on his chest finally lifted.

“Sleep well, my Lady.”

Legolas left the room.

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A/N: You didn’t think I tell you what she is planning this easy, did you? Wait for it. ;) *evil grin*