The trio came upon the graveyard just past midday, and shocked gasps escaped them as they cast their eyes out into the horizon. As far as the eye could see, swords of all shapes stood jammed into the simmering ground, stretching far beyond the austere metal tower which had been guiding them for the last two days.

"Metal," Legolas said, suddenly feeling the stones close to his chest start to sing.

"So we walk into the tower and claim the stone for ourselves?" Esendri said.

"Would there be any asking you to allow me to enter it alone, Lass?" Elrohir said, irony lining his words.

"You know I am the only one who can claim the stone, Roh," Legolas said, refusing to meet his eyes.

Elrohir seemed to want to reach forward and touch Legolas, but quickly retracted his outstretched hand.

"Why do you shrink?" Esendri said.

Legolas turned to Esendri, a puzzled frown on his face for he had not seen Elrohir's actions. Elrohir, however, was less impressed, and glowered at Esendri.

Esendri continued, refusing to acknowledge Elrohir's frantic shakes of the head. "What do you fear? That he should recoil from your --"

Jumping between them as Elrohir rushed at Esendri, Legolas pushed Esendri out of the way while whipping around to face the livid Elrohir.

"Roh! Never have I known you to be anything but kind and gentle, and yet you have raised your fist against Lord Eilwar and now Sen!"

Breaking away, Elrohir closed his eyes but refused to answer.

Legolas moved forward then, but Elrohir slapped his hand aside and bounded away.

"Roh --"

Esendri held him back.

"Let go of me, Esendri. I must speak to him!"

"He wants to be alone, Legolas."

Frustration rose in Legolas anew as the enigma surrounding Elrohir only deepened further. "What is wrong, Esendri? Why does he shrink from me? Once upon a time Elrohir would open his heart and lay it completely bare before me, there was once when we knew no secrets from one another. Yet now I fear I know him no longer!"

"He fears what you will find. He fears it will repulse you."

"What will repulse me, Esendri? Elrohir is not capable of doing aught that will earn my contempt! Do you know something, Sen? Tell me!"

To his greatest ire, it was Esendri's turn to avoid his eyes. "It is not my place, Legolas. You know that whatever it is Elrohir hides from you is his to reveal and his alone. I cannot do that for him."

Legolas slammed his fist against a rock, watching languidly as his knuckles started to redden.

"What are you doing to yourself, Roh?" he whispered.

Then, a cold wave of fear spread through him and he started trembling without any understanding.

"What is happening to me, Sen? I am filled with such strange feelings that I cannot control, and it is all I can do just to keep them simmering under the surface. What is going on?"

Esendri took him into his arms and held him close. Legolas was still so in need of help and reassurance. He had always looked to Elrohir for comfort, and now that the peredhel was having difficulty keeping his own control in check, Legolas had lost the one source of constancy in his life, at a time when he needed it the most.

"I will not ask you to tell me anything against your will, Legolas, but sometimes voicing your fears can lead to strength."

Staring off into the expanse of dead swords before him, Legolas whispered, "I do not even know what I fear anymore. I fear for you, I fear for Arda, and I fear so much for Roh. Every waking minute I am filled with questions, everywhere I turn I see another mocking me. Why does it have to be me, Sen? Could it not have been another chosen for this fate? Why me?"

Esendri did not answer, even though his thoughts were hit with sudden clarity. No, it did not have to be Legolas. Fate always laid out an alternative path; two of a kind.

The answer came to Esendri then. He knew what had to be done, and even the Valar themselves would have difficulty tearing him away from his decision.

*

Legolas and Esendri spent the rest of the afternoon perched on the high ground observing the land that stretched before them, discussing the best course of action, waiting for Elrohir to return.

Twilight set in and gave way to a black night devoid of stars, and still Elrohir did not return. Thinking that he was fighting a losing battle, Esendri still insisted that Legolas take some rest while he kept the first watch that night. Yet to his surprise, Legolas's worry and fear did nothing to prevent the exhausted prince from falling into an immediate slumber as he lay leaning against a large rock, his eyes glazing over before eventually closing and falling into a deep sleep.

It was only Esendri's touch on the shoulder that roused him, and it was a while before he could push the sleep away from his eyes.

"Elrohir!" he cried, sitting upright, breathing hard. The dream he was having came back to him with full force, and he felt his stomach churn once again.

"He has not returned, Legolas," Esendri said, breaking a piece of lembas and handing it to Legolas with a flask of drink.

Legolas ran a hand across his face, smudging the dirt across it again.

Pushing aside all thoughts, he forced himself to take a draught of water before saying, "Where could he be?"

"I have not seen him, Legolas. We must make a choice. As you slept I studied the swords, and our best chance is to pass through them while daylight still falls upon the earth."

"We must find Roh first!" Legolas cried, understanding what Esendri was saying. If they moved on, there would be no chance of Elrohir finding them again.

"We will lose a day."

"I will gladly lose a year if it means we find Elrohir!"

Esendri let out a deep sigh. "I hate myself for saying this, but if Elrohir does not appear by dawn tomorrow, we shall have to go in without him."

The look on Legolas's face was almost too much for Esendri to bear.

"One day, Legolas. One of us should wait here lest he return."

"I shall search for him then," Legolas said, strapping on his weapons.

It was past midnight when Legolas stumbled back to Esendri, utterly exhausted. He was so tired he collapsed onto the ground, barely glancing at the flute Esendri was fingering in his hands.

"I have scoured miles around us, Sen, and yet he is nowhere to be found!"

"He may have decided to enter the tower without us."

Legolas pushed himself up into a sitting position and hugged his knees to him. How could he have been such a fool not to think of that? After all, Elrohir had offered to go in --

"Is it of any use to ask if we should go in now?" he said.

"No Lass. Watch."

Puzzled, Legolas turned around and let out a gasp when he heard the humming begin. Cúron looked down bright that night, and a dull buzzing started to fill the air, a low vibration that brought to mind thousands of gravely voices singing together in a strange ritual.

"The swords are shuddering!" Legolas cried, noticing the rumbling passing through the hundreds upon thousands of swords before them.

"It is a lament."

"How do you know?"

"It occurred last night too."

"How could I have missed it?"

"Wait. Listen. Watch."

The humming swelled and fell a few times, as the swords continued to quiver and strain against the invisible shackles that chained them to the ground.

"Each one of them had a master. Each one of them protected the one who wielded it. now they have all fallen," Esendri said.

Then, a loud wail ripped through the clear night air, and Legolas blinked as he saw rivulets of blood burst from the ground where the swords were embedded. They flowed, slowly at first, before gathering into a crimson river that meandered lazily across the land.

"There was less blood shed last night," Esendri said quietly.

"Time is chasing us," Legolas said, finally understanding. "There will be no waiting for Roh if he has indeed fallen behind."

Looking at the way Legolas was biting the insides of his cheeks, Esendri knew that he was close to crumbling. But they had to carry on, had to abandon Elrohir if necessary, just as they had to leave the rest of their friends behind earlier. And Elrohir was just like the rest of them, to be placed after the quest. Was he?

Legolas drew a shuddery breath. He felt sick to the stomach just thinking of Elrohir. Why was he so dependant? Why were his emotions raging so suddenly out of control when they should be calm and collected? Kingdom before self, the needs of his people before his own. Had his father's teachings not taught him anything?

"Look!" Esendri tugged at his sleeve, jolting him out of his thoughts.

Turning around, he swallowed his gasp as he saw the flashes dancing in the moonlight. Swords leaping about, spinning, cutting the air. Even from their high vantage point could they hear the swishing noise as the metal blades twirled around, the loud clash of metal --

"Roh!" Legolas cried, abandoning all other thoughts.

He turned and ran down the steep slope as fast as he could, not caring that he was dislodging rocks. He heard Esendri cry for him and start to chase after him, but he was driven by such an urge that he could no longer stop.

"Legolas!"

Stopping a few yards away from where the first swords stood, Legolas felt panic try to weasel its way into his already foggy brain. Elrohir was nowhere in sight, and there was no longer any sound of blades glancing against each other.

"Stop, Legolas!" Esendri cried, finally catching up.

"I do not see him," Legolas said, scanning the horizon.

"He has entered the tower."

Legolas felt his heart ease upon hearing Esendri's hopeful proclamation.

"How do you know?"

"I saw him do so."

"He will still be in danger."

"Then let us enter it."

Taking a step forward, Legolas was held back by Esendri.

"Elrohir entered the tower from the south-west."

"I espied an easier route from the east."

Esendri let out his breath as Legolas nodded and followed him. It seemed that he was too preoccupied with wanting to enter the tower to be able to see through the lie.

"Why did he approach the tower? Did he really think he could claim the stone on his own?"

"Come, Legolas, the sooner we enter it, the faster we shall find Master Elrohir."

Nodding, Legolas carried on in mute silence. At the entrance to the tower, he paused. All his instincts were screaming at him, telling him to run, to flee before it was too late, and they were overwhelming in their strength. Yet there was another emotion that clashed with them, stubbornly refusing to allow himself to surrender to the pull away from the castle.

"Decide, Legolas, before it becomes impossible to retreat," Esendri said.

"I have no choice but to go forth," Legolas droned with a toneless voice, frightening Esendri with the dullness.

"You do not have to, Legolas."

Legolas nudged Esendri's hand aside. "Elrohir is in there."

"We can wait --"

"Would he have waited were I in there? Would he have waited had it been me?"

Esendri's gaze dropped. "No."

"Then come, let us --"

"But something feels wrong about this! Surely you can feel it as much as I do! Those swords, what are they? And what guards this place? Elrohir had to fight to get in, and yet we walked right up to it! What does it mean?"

Deep down, Legolas too had the same misgivings, but how could he have so many doubts when Elrohir was within, in danger?

He turned to Esendri, took a deep breath, and said, "Esendri, I will be walking in there for I cannot leave Elrohir to his doom."

To his surprise, Esendri gave a small nod of assent without further protest. "I would have thought poorly of you had you not decided to enter. Know that I will be with you whatever befalls us, Legolas. All that I urge is that you do not allow your emotions to cloud your judgement. Elrohir would not want it any other way either."

Taking a moment to digest his words, Legolas pushed at the large metal doors, sword drawn, already expecting danger. The doors swung open with much whirring, and a large gust of warm air flew at them, almost blinding them with its heat.

Their eyes stretched wide at a sight of metal cogs, all sizes large and small, linking together to form a still, towering mechanism that filled the entire cavernous interior of the building. Although he had seen crude, simple cogs used in Dwarven drawbridges, Legolas had neither heard of nor even imagined such a machine could ever exist.

"What is it?" Esendri whispered.

"Where is Elrohir?" Legolas muttered, taking a step forward.

A full minute passed as they waited and listened, studying the complicated machinery before them. Then, all of a sudden, the blade of their drawn swords started to hum and quiver, and try as they might, they could not get them to be stilled.

More time passed without anything happening, and Legolas ventured forth to stand before the contraption, his eyes flitting from cog to cog, trying to work it out.

"I cannot see a way out of this room," Esendri said.

"Nor any other way in," Legolas said, having completed a full circle around the structure. "How could Roh have come in from the west?"

Esendri's silence caused his heart to drop to his knees.

"Esendri?"

"We need to find a way to retrieve the stone first," Esendri said.

Anger washed over Legolas. "You lied," he said, trying to keep his voice down. "You did not see Elrohir come in."

"No."

Legolas felt something within him crumble. Just thinking about the implications of Esendri's confession were too much for his numb mind to bear.

"But there were no longer any sounds of battle."

"We do not know that he did not find another way in," Esendri said, holding his breath as he watched Legolas struggle.

"Why of course!" Legolas cried, slapping his forehead. "He must have found another way in! How silly of me! Now, let us work this piece of metal so we can locate Roh and leave soonest!"

Esendri's face was pinched as he looked at the forced optimism which Legolas sketched onto his face.

"Legolas --"

"Look, there are handles here, mayhap we are meant to turn them!"

"Stop pretending, Legolas. I know what you are thinking, what you are feeling --"

Legolas ignored him and applied force to the handle attached to a wheel. He let out a startled cry as it turned easily, causing the next one to do so as well. He fought against the force and quickly stopped it from moving any further.

"It is all connected!" Esendri cried, comprehension dawning upon him as well.

"Yes, and if we turn it in the correct way, the stone will reveal itself!"

Excitement started to fill Legolas as he started to study the various components. "'Tis the most complicated idea I have ever seen, Sen! Look how the parts fit together so that with one crank of the wheel, the entire thing will obey my command! How long it must have taken for them to build this!"

"Be careful."

"This way!" Legolas cried, turning the handle in a clockwise direction.

The pair held their breaths, then took surprised steps back as a low groaning filled the air. Many tonnes of metal slowly creaked into life. Cogs protested at rubbing against one another after centuries of dormancy, and spurts of steam seemed to rise from it.

The Elves stared as the metal parts grinded ahead. Their minds were completely filled by the sheer novelty of the idea. Who would have thought of fitting together so much steel, making them work against each other to produce a monstrosity like this, the final purpose of which still confounded them.

Then, as if by magic, a platform hidden high amongst many pipes and tubes was lowered with measure towards them, its pace steady, the descent almost natural.

"What do we do?" Esendri whispered as the platform stopped before them.

"It will take us somewhere," Legolas said, stepping onto it without any further deliberations.

"I wish you will be less reckless, Legolas," Esendri said as he followed, making sure he was well in the centre and away from the edges as they were lifted off the ground. Scaling great trees was one thing, but this unnatural, tall tower was another.

"A truly odious contraption," Legolas muttered, staring at the machine with contemptible fascination.

"Do you think so?" Esendri said, truly surprised, for Legolas had been so absorbed in his study of it earlier.

"Ai, Sen. It is so unnatural; it feels as if Man was not meant to have such command over metal in such vast quantities! Imagine what it would be like had unfriendly forces commanded the swords outside! Hurling faceless bits of metal would only widen the scale of destruction."

"But you must concede that a single crank of the handle producing a spectacle such as this is a wondrous sight!"

Legolas turned to Esendri and looked him in the eyes, and his tone was solemn when he spoke.

"The day we rely on metal to do our work for us is a dire age indeed, Esendri."

Falling silent, Esendri instead studied the magnificent view of the structure all around them and saw that Legolas spoke true. When one peeled past the easing of the burden by impersonal structures, he could see what terrible potential for devastation there was in it.

"I hope we will not see that day," he whispered eventually.

Legolas squeezed his shoulder, tightening his grasp as the platform came to a sudden stop within the complicated machinery near the ceiling of the tower. A quick look around showed that there was a door hidden a few feet away from them.

Running across metal beams, Legolas threw open the door before Esendri could stop him, and the pair climbed the stairs up into a cold room with a metal structure which rose high into the spire.

The door clanged shut behind them, leaving them staring up at the spire of the tower from the inside.

Just as Esendri was about to speak, a humming noise started up, and the walls were filled with flickering images that seem to have a life of their own playing out before them.

Blinking in surprise, a cold dread built in their stomachs when they realised that they were being offered a look into a terrible vision. A vision where men hewed down venerable trees to make way for large furnaces that belched smoke, turning the sky orange and grey with the drive to create weapons of greater power which they could use against each other in their never-ending quest for domination over the next. With the aid of their new servants, men multiplied, filling the world with their numbers, driving the Old People deeper and deeper into the wild parts that remained, deep into the ground --

The images stopped as quickly as they started, and Legolas found that he had balled his fists so hard that his fingernails hurt the flesh of his palm.

"Was that the future?" Esendri said.

"It was a future," Legolas whispered. "Elbereth, Sen, what lies behind the power of this gem that I seek?"

Clasping Legolas's hand, Esendri said, "I have faith in you, Legolas."

Unease and hesitation came over Legolas again. "Do you think Roh is in this tower?"

"We can hope, Legolas. Let us climb this structure and find what we seek."

Following Esendri up the structure, Legolas's mind was buzzing so much that it hurt, reeling from the new information and experiences he had been forced to go through. It felt as if a thick layer of fog now enveloped everything about him.

"Legolas!"

His attention flicked back to the present as he saw that they had reached the top of the structure, which led out of the building into an exposed platform. The wind gusted through their ears as they saw that a cauldron sat a trickle of liquid metal bubbling silently. From the cauldron flowed pipes which took the liquid through the hollow structures, down into the tower below.

They peered over the cauldron. Within bubbled a viscous liquid of silver hue, simmering slowly, lazily.

Legolas raised his sword and dipped the tip of his scabbard into the liquid and let out a surprised noise when he heard the sizzling and felt his sword quiver. Withdrawing it, he saw that a thin layer of metal now covered the tip of the scabbard, through which the original design could still be seen.

"The power of the stone stirs within this metal," Legolas said, for he could feel the singing of the other stones to be reunited with the last element.

Without waiting for Legolas to speak further, Esendri plunged his hand into the churning liquid.

The pain flared up over Legolas, and he nearly fell backwards with shock.

"Sen!" he gasped, as he saw Esendri withdraw his arm and crumble before the cauldron, writhing by the foot of it.

He held Esendri close to him, shocked by the tears that poured down Esendri's face.

Panicking, he poured a wave of magic into Esendri, hoping to offer some alleviation to his pain, and was gratified to feel it absorbed instantly. Some of the pain subsided, but Esendri was still grimacing and fighting with something.

Legolas was about to let loose another wave when he felt Esendri resist it.

"The pain will pass," Esendri croaked.

"Why, Sen, why did you do it?"

"Look."

Legolas's mouth hardened when he saw that Esendri's left hand was encased in a glove of metal all the way up to his elbow, rendering his fingers stiff and unmoving. Within those dead fingers now rested a grey stone.

A sob worked its way through Legolas, and he shuddered as he suppressed it. Something told him that Esendri would never again have the use of his hand, and that he had done so in order to prevent the same from happening to Legolas.

"Why, Sen?" he cried again. "We could have found another way."

Esendri thrust the stone at Legolas.

"Keep it. There was no other way."

"I could have done it!"

"There is much more reserved for you to do. Come, let us descend and get out of this place soonest."

Helping Esendri down the structure, Legolas felt his limbs like stone, refusing to obey his commands. Yet he persisted, determined to bring his friend to safety.

Once at the bottom, he settled Esendri against the wall and said, "Sen, rest while I see if there is a quicker way out of this."

"There isn't."

Whipping up, the Elves saw the door to their side had opened and streaming in were human soldiers all armed to the teeth. How had been caught unaware from the clanking of armour and heavy footsteps?

One of the men stepped out from the crowd and removed his helmet.

"We meet again, Elves. And what a strange place too, so far north in this stinking, festering hole."

Legolas's eyes swept the number of soldiers still entering the room and surrounding them in a tight circle. Even if Esendri were not injured, they would have difficult fighting their way through so narrow an escape route. Still, his mind continued to churn as he watched the man with an impassive face.

"Well, well. Last time around you escaped my clutches. I shall see that it happens not again this time," Marnor continued to revel in his moment of triumph. "And what a very little chase you have let us onto! Half my men are dead because of you. Oh yes, I will make sure you pay indeed."

Catching Ifrit's eye, Legolas was unsure whether to feel relieved or uneasy when the boy gave a reassuring tilt of the head. He had been trustworthy so far, but who was to say he would not betray them at the last moment?

"And your friend. Does he have a name?"

Legolas looked like he was about to speak, but Esendri shot him a look and he kept his silence.

"Pray tell where the prince is! Not questing after more jewels now, is he? Do not think I can't see you, fair Elf, you will keep your hands where I can see them. Otherwise you both die."

Doing as he was told, Legolas placed his hands by his sides, taking them away from where they had started to reach into his tunic.

"Now then, where were we? Yes. The jewels. Do you have them?"

"What makes you think we do?" Esendri said.

"There were three of you we were after. The prince is nowhere to be seen. There is thus two possibilities: he took them with him and left you behind to rot, or you stole them from him and left him to rot."

"You show little understanding of allegiance," Legolas said, unable to keep his contempt any further.

Marnor let out an incensed snort. "I know more than you think about greed, Elf! I have many men here, and if you fight for me, we have a chance against the Dyrian. Otherwise we all die. Answer me: where are the jewels?"

"You want them for yourself," Legolas said. "You mean to betray your ally."

"An allegiance suggests choice is entering into the bargain. We had none."

"Very well then, what are your terms?" Legolas said, moving back slowly towards Esendri.

"Good, this is the attitude I like. After all, we cannot always be running around in circles after forces who seek to impose their mastery over us. But my terms are these: you hand over the jewels, I spare your entire race from destruction. The Dwarves shall become our slaves, and you will be free to do whatever you want."

Legolas pretended to think, took a step forward, and in a flurry of movement, slain four soldiers with a stroke of his suddenly drawn sword.

Marnor roared in anger, screaming for his men to attack the Elves. This they did to their detriment, as another few fell under the attack from both Legolas and Esendri. But there were many men, and slowly they took down each of their fallen companion's places and forced the Elves back into the wall.

Chuckling in triumph, Marnor felt a sudden cold blade press to his neck. He struggled, but a sharp pain forced him to let out a cry as he felt a cut form on the side of his throat.

"Throw down your weapons!" Ifrit cried, an extra level of command in his strong voice. Gone was the slight bow of the head whenever he spoke to Marnor, gone was the lowering of the eyes as he acquiesced to commands barked at him.

Some of the soldiers heard him and whipped around in surprise, but most were still too focused upon the Elves to notice.

"Ifrit, what --"

"Tell your men to stop," the boy whispered into his ear. "Or I shall slit you from ear to ear."

Utterly confused, Marnor nevertheless felt the blade exude a little more pressure, and he cried out as the full implication of Ifrit's betrayal sunk in. His face turned pale then purple then red.

"Why, you ungrateful scum! How dare you --"

His words were cut of as Ifrit drew the blade tighter still across his throat.

"Will they do as you command?" he said, trying to keep the worry from his voice as he saw that most of the soldiers were still forcing the Elves further into the wall.

"Stop!" Marnor cried. "Throw down your weapons!"

Through the haze of battle, the soldiers whipped around to face their captive leader.

"Now, that's better," Ifrit said, displaying his chilling smile at the men. "Ask them to back down."

Marnor did so, although there was no mistaking the fury in his beady eyes.

"Your time could not come soon enough, could it, whelp?" Marnor said as his men started to back away from the Elves. "Could not wait to ascend the throne yourself?"

"Up the structure," Ifrit said, pushing him forward. "The Elves too. Leave Wildor in command of the men."

Barking the order, Marnor started climbing the structure with Ifrit still pressing the blade to his neck.

"Climb, Elves," Ifrit said, his expression still inscrutable.

Exchanging puzzled glances, Legolas caught Wildor's eye and saw the incline of his head, and helped Esendri climb the structure together behind the humans.

Once on the exposed platform, Legolas and Esendri turned to the pair, waiting.

"So this is it, you are taking command?" Marnor said, sneering. "Would the men listen to a mere boy like you? What do you intend to do, take power over these Elves and use the gem for yourself? I never would have thought you had it in you, but I suppose such betrayal runs in the family."

A grief-stricken rage appeared on Ifrit's face but was quickly stifled.

"I know you ordered Grandfather's death," he said through clenched teeth.

"Quite so," Marnor said, letting out a barking laugh. "The old fool was getting sentimental, the way he was with you. I see that you now return the favour by taking me out."

"Yes, I intend to do just that."

Marnor tried to fight down his fear.

"And so you take your place on my throne?"

"On the contrary, my Lord. I have grown to see the terror and cruelty which you inflict on your people, and come to realise that I am only your son in name. The day Umstraag is rid of you, the less the people will suffer."

"And will you take your rightful place in a blaze of liberating glory, then?" Marnor said, the derision in his voice clear. "Oh how the people will love you!"

"No, I intend to leave the ruling of the city in the hands of one who would listen to his people! Who will do what is best for them."

"And what will you do to me? Will you take me into exile, try to correct my evil heart, to redeem me?"

"No," Ifrit said, and a smile lit up his pale face. "Cruelty and hatred runs in our veins. Our bloodline will never be satisfied unless those under us suffer. Such was the curse laid upon our family during the years of the great war, when our forefather gave into temptation before him. When he took the ring offered to him."

Marnor started laughing. "So you have found out about him, then? He was lost when the dark lord fell, but the ring was not destroyed. Rumour has it that it is here; we can find it, Ifrit, and claim it for our own, my son! The power it will yield!"

A look of scorn filled Ifrit's face, and Legolas felt a shudder as a sense of foreboding filled him.

"No. This curse ends here; we will no longer allow others to suffer because of us. The Elves shall walk free, for their destiny lies beyond ours."

Before Legolas or Esendri could react, Ifrit gave his father a mighty tug and sent them both tumbling over the edge. A long scream from Marnor filled the air as they fell through the towering height.

Staring at Legolas, Esendri tried to say something, but found that the pain in his arm flared up with the release of tension.

"Shh," Legolas said, taking him into his arms. "Do not speak. We must get you out of this wind."

"The soldiers," Esendri rasped.

"I will see to them," Legolas said, taking up his sword and making to descent.

"No, I go with you."

Ignoring him, Legolas disappeared down into the chamber, where he saw to his surprise that it was empty save for Wildor.

"I see you are safe," Wildor said.

"Ifrit --"

"I know."

"I am sorry."

"Lord Ifrit always intended to take his father to both their deaths. It was the only way we could be liberated from the tyranny of his family. A tyranny started by the rings of doom. Now, after over a thousand years, the curse is finally lifted. I shall take my men back with me, where we will rebuild our city and lift her from oppression and misery. I wish you well in your fight against the evil creature. He is a powerful enemy, but is weakest at noon."

"But --"

"Farewell, Elf, and it has indeed been an honour to meet you."

"No, how can I thank you?"

Wildor seemed about to reply when the sounds of battle burst into the chamber from below.

"But now I must go. It seems trouble has broken among the soldiers.

Legolas took his hand in gratitude. "We must thank you for your aid, and wish you well in your return journey. 'Tis a long way you have come, and you and your men have displayed much courage."

"As do you," Wildor said, departing with a low bow.

Not waiting for Legolas to say anything else, he disappeared out of the door.