XVI

"I still think you made a mistake, Roh," Elladan muttered darkly to Legolas and Elrohir, who were walking behind him. The trio had taken up the rear of the group, where they hung a distance back in order to converse in private.

"For the umpteenth time: that was the only way in which I could have alerted Legolas to how we were being watched without whomever it was realising that I had detected his presence. I apologise if it led to any misunderstandings, but it was a risk I would rather take than to reveal the presence of the stones."

Legolas laughed, "You behave like an old woman, Elladan! What do I care?"

"Have you thought about how Caeriel might feel were she to hear of this?"

"I have decided to break my betrothal to her."

Elladan let out a startled noise, and his eyes flew to Elrohir.

"What? Why?"

"I do not wish to have to enter into a loveless union, for it is not the nature of our people to do so. It would mark the doom for the both of us should we go ahead with it."

"But surely she loves you, 'else she would not have agreed!"

"Legolas has thought hard about it, so please do not the decision any more difficult!" Elrohir said, ignoring the suspicious glares Elladan was throwing at him.

"Stay out of this, Roh!" Elladan's voice was edgy enough to make Legolas frown. "I should not have to tell you this."

Elrohir was about to reply heatedly when Esendri made his way back towards them.

"My Lords," he said, bowing theatrically.

"What news, Esendri?" Legolas said.

"I was not able to find out who was watching you, but he has wasted no time in spreading idle talk."

Elladan let out a long sigh; he was familiar with the nature and likely direction such talk would take.

"Talk of what nature?" Elrohir said.

Esendri rolled his eyes in exasperation and turned to his master. "Legolas, you must understand that there are some in this world who do not wish you good."

"I did nothing wrong!"

"It was my fault," Elrohir said.

Legolas turned to him, incredulous.

"Why do you apologise for a wrong you did not commit? Furthermore, I do not see why it would have been a crime --"

"Stop it, Legolas! How naïve you are to think that as Crown Prince --"

"Esendri, please, I made a mistake, and should never have resolved it thusly!" Elrohir said, his face a miserable picture of guilt.

"On the contrary, I cannot think of any other way you could have resolved the matter by." Legolas leaned over and took Elrohir's hand in his own.

Esendri's jaw twitched as he debated whether to lash out at them.

"Defend yourselves if you will, it matters not. All I wanted to do was to warn you," he said finally.

"Ai, Esendri, I am sorry!" Legolas cried, abandoning Elrohir and instead turning to grasp Esendri by his shoulders, before allowing his arm to drop to his waist. "I am touched by your concern, but you must realise that I alone bear the consequences for the choices I make!"

"You are too affectionate for your own good, Master Legolas!" Esendri said, squirming out of his embrace, although he was unable to suppress a smile. "Look, the twins have picked up the pace and left us behind! Elbereth knows what they must think us up to!"

Perhaps not to his surprise, Legolas coloured.

"Why do you not say it matters not what they think?"

"You know more than any other that I do value their opinions."

"Be careful, Legolas," Esendri said. "While the twins' motivations are pure, I cannot say the same for the rest!"

"Glorfindel has explained to us the reason for Eilwar's treatment of me!"

Esendri rolled his eyes again. "Eilwar's animosity is so powerful that it masks the more subtle ill-intents of others, and makes you blind to them. Please, Legolas, for your own safety, stay out of trouble, at least until we know what we are up against!"

"The only reason I interfered between Roh and Eilwar was that I did not wish for Roh to shed blood on my account!"

"And you rather let him have your death on his hands?" Esendri said. "For one so intelligent and sharp, I do believe you to be hopelessly inadequate where certain things are concerned!"

"Pardon?"

"Nothing."

"Glorfindel spoke to me last night."

"And?"

"He told me the jewel can only be activated by one --"

"He thinks it is you?"

"No one knows, Sen. He seemed to think it was important that I know this, after hiding it from me for so long. I asked him to elaborate, but he was reticent, and told me that I was not to speak about this conversation with any except you. It does explain why the enemy is so interested in me, and why our party is followed by the Dyrian, not attacked."

"But what good is it to bring you and the humans along?"

"Glorfindel did not say any more. He told me that with the power to yield the jewel came to power to destroy it!"

"But why you? And how would they know it is you?"

"Do you remember what I told you of Nana's death, how she really died?"

Esendri reached for Legolas's arm without thinking and touched it gently.

"Yes."

"I believe that even then they were after me. They were after my magic."

"No!" Esendri gasped in shock. "It cannot be, the Dyrian --"

"We cannot be sure it is only the Dyrian who is after the jewel! He might only be a servant!"

"You told me Her Majesty was attacked by Dwarves and Orcs!"

"Yes, but Dwarves are easily manipulated! Give them riches, jewels, and they will do anything that is requested of them! At least this was what Lithroleah said when I told him that they had no reason to attack Nana!"

Esendri's eyes widened. "Lithroleah told you of your mother's assailants? He was the one who shew you the arrow?"

Legolas swallowed hard. "Yes."

Esendri turned so pale that Legolas thought he was about to faint.

"How did he know?"

"I know not."

"Legolas, can you promise me something?"

"Yes?"

"Do not trust anyone. Only speak to Glorfindel, the twins and myself if you can help it. All this does not rest well with me. We do not know whom we can trust, and the ill-intent towards you worries me."

"I am sorry, Esendri. I know we are up against a powerful foe, but there are times when I just want to forget everything."

"We will have time plenty for that when we return."