IX

"What?" the Elf said as the cloaked figure came into view.

"The Elven Prince -- why was he left behind?"

"He protested, but was instructed to stay behind. As for the reasons, ask me not, for I do not know why Glorfindel made the choice."

"We should not have allowed the four fools to venture into that desolate wasteland!"

"Why? What do you know about it that I do not?"

"I know much that you do not, Elf! It is a place where evil deeds were carried out, where a great power that should have been left alone was unleashed!"

"Surely you do not mean the gem?"

"The stones have been removed from where they have slumbered for millennia, where they should have been left. By his foolhardiness, the Prince has set in motion forces that he will never fully comprehend!"

"Is there nothing that can be done?"

"Why do you ask this? Losing your nerve already?"

"He is my friend!"

"Was your friend! Do you not remember how he has betrayed you?"

A deep flush rose in Elf's features.

"The prophecy is coming to pass. Our Prince will fulfil his destiny."

"What is this prophecy you keep speaking of?"

"Why do you think the four young ones were chosen for this journey?"

"What does it speak of?"

"One born this Third Age will have the power to let loose a force unlike any upon Middle-Earth."

"And you believe Legolas to be this power?"

"My, my, and the firstborn think themselves so superior! Does Glorfindel's arrangement not strike you as curious? He knows more than he lets on."

"There is more to the prophecy then," the Elf said.

"Indeed. Just how much they know is unclear to me, but I do know enough to send chills down your spine. I am an outcast who has seen and heard much, do not forget this. I have laid low for years, but my time has come. Glorfindel has gambled and will yet pay dearly for it."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, you will see it when the time comes."

"I saw Legolas -- scared, afraid, attacked, alone," the Elf said, trying to maintain an impartial stance.

"Did you now. This is interesting indeed."

"We cannot leave him to his fate like that --"

"Did he spare a thought for your feelings when he betrayed you? No! He is like his father, with a heart made of rock, hardened by all that mithril they have hoarded!"

"Legolas looks upon his father's treasures with disdain!"

"And yet he wears his crown willingly at every feast!"

The Elf fell silent as he seemed to ponder his point.

"You hate him, do you not?" the dark figure said.

"I should hate him, but I cannot do so!"

"Do not fall for his spell! The young one is wise, and is also stronger and cleverer than he as been given credit for by all. If we are not careful, he will take the jewel from under our very eyes!"

"He will indeed," the Elf said, suddenly feeling angry again.

"So pay attention to what I tell you to do! It will do you no harm if you are more careful when you come to meet me. Glorfindel is astute, as is that servant-Elf. We need not worry about the Prince himself, for he is too trusting of you, and will not suspect anything. Return to the camp, and meet me again in the same manner when it is time for your next watch!"

"Very well then," the Elf nodded before disappearing into the darkness, watched by a pair of eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

***

The Dwarf grunted in disapproval, carrying the sack on his back, grateful that he had knocked out his quarry, for the little one was spirited indeed. It has taken a lot of planning, but he had managed to pull off the kidnap.

A sudden grin of satisfaction ran over him. The Elves thought they were being kind when they released him. fools, the lot of them, good-for-nothings who thought themselves superior because they were immortal.

He let out an ugly curse, a curse at the race he viewed with such disdain. He had gotten more than he had bargained for from this deal, and it was all the fault of those dratted Elves! He could still see them as they were in front of him, humiliating him, beating their fists on him. The raven-haired Elves, identical to their dimples, one of them drawing blood from him with a dagger. The one with reddish-blonde hair who had bargained with him, and whom he had given a hard time indeed. But it was the blonde one who stood out in the Dwarf's memory, for his beauty was evident to even the Dwarf. A nasty feeling of bile rose in him as he thought of them. Yes, the twins were handsome in a way different to the Elves he had met so far, their strong features striking, and the smallest Elf was impressionable enough with his feisty yet delicate features. No, he had to say that it was the golden-haired Elf that seemed to glow with an ethereal air, and he found himself hating him the most for it.

He recalled how he had returned home after being released, glad to be back, only to find his entire family, wife, sons, daughter gone, taken by the one he had struck the bargain with, only to be returned to him when he completed his task.

And so he had to get to work, surveying the goings-on from afar, noting with satisfaction as the mortal girl was brought out for regular jaunts by an old human lady, hair grey and body bent with age, and sometimes with an Elf maiden who was so beautiful that the Dwarf felt himself blush whenever he dared lay eyes on her before he would remind himself that she was an Elf. And yet, he could not bring himself to hate her like he did with the blonde Elf.

Still, he managed to draw her away from the old woman and the girl, leaving a howling bear cub with a gashed foot a distance away, and the Elf maiden had taken up the bait to investigate the source of the screaming. He knew she would be preoccupied, and attacked the mortals, clubbing them over the heads with the handle of his axe, leaving the old woman lying there, while he bundled the girl into a sack and made off, sure that the Elf would not follow.

Even then, he knew the Elves could catch up soon enough, and decided to disappear underground as soon as possible, using one of the numerous tunnels with their hidden entrances.

It was an age before he came to his destination. Throwing open the doors, he strode up to the waiting one and dumped the bundle at his feet.

"Your prey as promised. Now give me back my family!"

*****

A/N: Phew, finally back after a well-deserved hiatus. I hope this chapter raises the level of suspense and that you enjoy it!