Chapter Twelve: Ruins of a Crumbling City

*Their horses ran as swiftly as they could through the dense foliage. But forever the two elves continued urging them to go faster, for they were in a race against time. Never slowing, the horses ran as their riders told them to until the female rider pulled her horse to a halt.

“What’s wrong Serein?”

“Nothing. This place is usually so dense with haze and mist you can hardly see three feet in front of you. But now… now the sunlight brightens it so much I hardly recognize it.”

“The sunlight can be a good thing too.”

“Not for my home, Legolas. My home should be shrouded in the haze. Otherwise it is not truly my home. But because I have destroyed the Gemstone of Haze, my home will never be as it was, never be my true home again.”

“Your home is anywhere you choose it to be. Just because you live in a place does not make it home. Home is where those who care for you are near you.”

“Then this was once my home. And I still have the obligation to it.” Legolas grimly nodded.

“But is it still your home?” He asked her. She sat still and quiet for a moment.

“I have no home any longer. But I still have hopes that my home will one day be this place once more.”

“And what if it is not? Would you be terribly heart broken?” Legolas pushed quietly.

“Come. Haze is this way.” Without answering his question, she turned her horse to the left and directed it to begin galloping once more in the new direction.

After more two days of riding, the pair finally caught sight of the first elves they had seen since they had left the battlefields of the Second War of the Ring. But the elves hid seeing them. Serein glowered in angry over this. What had her brother done to make elves fear their own kind so much? She knew visitors were not often welcomed here, but there was still no reason for the elves to have hidden from them, especially from other elves.

Suddenly, out of the middle of the forest a towering citadel came into view. It stood on a cleft of a high ravine wall. Legolas looked up. He could easily tell that in its day it had been a magnificent palace with polished white stone walls and grand turrets. But now the walls were gray and dingy. The turrets looked to be nearly toppled over, and the entire building was shoddy and in dire need of repair. Windows remained broken, unfixed for probably a long time. He wondered how anyone could live in the deathtrap.

“There it is Legolas, my home.” She gave a short laugh. “Would you believe that at one point, long ago, this place could rival the castle in Rivendell in beauty? But now look at it. Such a waste.”

“It can be rebuilt.” He pointed out.

“But that will take work, and much time. Time is one thing we run short on at the moment. We shall have to wait to rebuild and renovate my home.”

“Halt! Speak your names and business!” A deep voice called from the top of the tower. Looking up, Serein could see her brother had not been as half witted as she had thought him to be. He had at least warned the sentry guards to be on closer look out. She opened her mouth to answer, but Legolas gently touched her arm, alerting her that he would answer.

“I am Prince Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood. I come in search of an audience with King Nero of the elves of Haze.” The guard appeared to be skeptical.

“We do not welcome outsiders here in the Forest of Haze.”

“I know, and I am sorry to trespass, but my news for your king is urgent.” The elf turned around to converse with one of his fellow sentries, then answered.

“Very well. Wait where you are and someone will escort you and your servant to see the king.”

“Servant indeed.” Serein muttered. Her brother had done a wonderful job brainwashing their people of their memories of her.

“Hush Serein. They don’t know any better.” Legolas told her under his breath.

“Do not tell me when to hold my tongue. I have lived longer, and would know more.” He smiled at her remark.

“You don’t truly believe that, and neither do I. But I think it is safer for you not to be pert in front of a man who kept you locked away for three thousand years out of greed for power.”

“Safe? He’ll be the one in need of safety when I’m through with him. Besides. I have you on my side.” He laughed.

“I can’t fight an army Serein.”

“Of course not. But with my help you can.” She said proudly. They both looked at each other and smiled.

“Even still…” He replied through their laughter.

“If you are so worried about me being recognized before it is too soon, I will put my hood up.” She placed her hood upon her head, making sure to hide all of her honey colored locks and most of her face. “How’s this?”

“You, I believe, are the character now.” Then the large wooden gates in front of them opened and their smiles were forgotten. They dismounted their horses and walked up.

As they walked through the gates, four guards joined them. Two lead them forward, while two took care to walk behind them. Serein’s heart broke as she looked out over the courtyard. The flowers had been long since over grown with weeds. The fountain in the center had dried of all its crystalline water, and there were no birds or animals of any kind. Everything, including the elves, looked dead to the world. They had become mere shells of their former selves.

“The king is right this way.” One of the guards spoke, leading them into giant doors hewn of black obsidian and trimmed with white ivory. Through the doors lay an empty hall. The windows on the sides had all been shattered, colored glass lay on the floor unswept and encrusted with grit. The long crushed red carpet they stood on was filled with stains and dust. And at the very end of the hall were two large chairs, one entirely carved of black obsidian, the other of pure white ivory. Only around ten elves stood on either sides of the chairs, bit in the large black chair sat a tall and dark figure.

The figure did not bother to stand and greet his guest, the normal custom in elfin tradition. Instead, he continued to sit, though he did straighten his back slightly. An elf approached him and served him a goblet of gold. Raising his glass, as if to toast to his visitors, the figure laughed, then drank heartily of the liquid.

“So, Prince Legolas of Mirkwood has made the journey to the place of myth, the Forest of Haze. I suppose you were expecting a grand castle? A bath and new change of clothes? A welcoming feast? You’ll get none of that here. You might as well turn around and leave. As you may have noticed, we do not like visitors here in our woods.” Legolas, slightly taken back, showed none of his surprise in his answer.

“My envoy and I expected nothing from you. We came to inform you of a battle that has taken place to the south east of here.”

“Did you? What battle was so grand your father decided to finally include Haze in his business?” Nero sneered sarcastically.

“Did you know the one ring of power had been found once more?” Gasps from the surrounding elves resounded in the almost empty room. But Nero smirked.

“So that is why the orcs have suddenly gained such a backbone that they would attack us once more.” Nero smirked.

“Yes. But there is more.”

“Oh? Go on then. Speak Prince of Mirkwood, and tell us all you have to say.”

“The wizard Saruman the White had fallen to the dark power. But he has since been destroyed by the wizard Gandalf the Gray, Mithrandir to the elfin world.”

“Yes, I have heard of the wizard Mithrandir. Was there more?”

“I was one of the Fellowship, sir. We were the group that took the ring back to the place where it was forged, Mount Doom. There we had a last stand, the allies of the good versus Sauron and his orcs. The dwarves, elves, and humans banned together and fought the Second War of the Ring.”

“Another War of the Ring?” Now Nero stood, his face white with fear.

“Indeed. And we, the allies of the good and free, have won. The ring was thrown back whence it came, into the fires of Mount Doom. Sauron has been slain, and his orc army pushed back.”

“Then it is a happy day indeed.” Nero announced, color and smirk returning to his face.

“I am sorry to reply, it is not. The orc army that was pushed back headed north, towards the Dead Marshes. But when they get brave enough and power-hungry enough, they will return in full force.”

“That is bad news. But why have you come here to relay all of this to us? As you know, we are considered to be a mythical place. The orcs will not attack here.” There was some coughing in the audience, and Nero shot a deadly glare towards those whom had coughed.

“I have come to tell you. When the orcs wish to return to raid those places not considered to be legendary, they will first have to come through the Forest of Haze. And when they come, they will ransack you unless you are prepared to make a last stand and hold them off.”

“How will they find us? The mists and haze will hide us. After all, that is why we still thrive here now, due to the cover of the haze.” Legolas heard Serein softly groan and mutter under her breath. It was obvious she didn’t think highly of her brother’s boasting.

“ But to create the haze that protects you, do you not need the Gemstone of Haze? And was that not stolen in the last raid of the orcs?” Legolas asked. Nero stuttered, wondering how Legolas had found that out. He had not told anyone.

“You, Prince Legolas, are mistaken.” Another elf stepped forward. “The Gemstone of Haze sits where it has for the last five thousand years as we speak.”

“Does it?” Serein muttered loud enough for them all to here.

“Of course it does.” The other elf stated.

“Is he correct, Lord Nero, in believing the Gemstone of Haze is still safe here?” Legolas pressed. Nero looked as if he was weighing the consequences for a brief second. Then he spoke.

“What Prince Legolas says is true. The Gemstone was stolen in the last raid.” More talk and angry shouts from the quickly growing crowd of elves. Nero shifted uncomfortably. “Have you come here solely to insult my kingdom, Prince of Mirkwood? Is that why the other elves have only now begun to take interest in my kingdom?”

“With all due respect, sir. You first claim visitors are unwelcome here. But then you complain of not being included in other elfin business. Is that not an oxymoron?” Nero glared at the hooded figure that had just spoken. Then he turned his attention to Legolas.

“You would do well to keep your servants in line. And teach that one in particular to hold his tongue.” Legolas began to respond, but this time it was Serein who signaled that she would respond.

“I am not the servant of Prince Legolas.” She slowly lifted her hood and dropped it. Her blonde hair spilled out over her shoulders and she looked up with dignity to meet her brother’s cold and cynical glare. “I am your own sister, the Queen of this realm. Dare you tell me to hold my tongue, Nero?” Her voice challenged him to speak against her. The a hush swept over the crowd.

“Serein?” Nero whispered.

“Yes.” She nodded, then stopped, unsure of what else to say to her brother, the man whom had locked her away for the majority of her lifetime.

“King Nero, I bring home to you your sister, and she brings with her a great deal of knowledge.” Legolas slightly grinned to himself, knowing full well what sort of knowledge Serein had.

“Serein! But you were kidnapped during the last orc raid…” Nero was still in shock.

“Nero, dear brother, you look as if you’ve seen a ghost.” Serein taunted him. Another elf stepped forward and bowed his head in reverence.

“My Queen, we have. You have been long though of as dead to us.” The elf said. Serein cupped his cheek in her hand, and forced him to look up at her. She smiled at him.

“I know, and for that I am sorry. But I could not help it, though I wished to.” She answered him.

“Then, my Queen, what has kept you away?” The elf asked.

“I will tell you, but first, you look familiar. Did I once know you?”

“My Lady, I was a good friend to your mother. I am known as Minder.”

“Yes, now I remember you. You taught my mother knives.”

“Yes. Now tell us, my Queen, what has kept you away for so long that we had given up hope of you being alive?”

“Why, your king and my dear brother did. Or did you all not know that I was imprisoned only below your feet for three thousand years?” She asked, seemingly innocent. She and Legolas both heard Nero gulp.

“You were… imprisoned? Here? By our King, your brother?”

“Indeed. During the last orc raid I was finally let out, by an unsuspecting orc. I escaped and made my way to Saruman the White’s Dark Tower or Isengard. I had heard Nero speak to himself of the Gemstone of Haze missing and knew that to help my kingdom, before I could do anything, I would need to recover the stolen gem. I made my way on foot alone until I joined company with two hobbits. With them I traveled until I made it over the mountains and to Isengard. But that is a tale for another time. We truly haven’t much time to prepare for the orc attack.”

“You say you left here, dear sister, to recover the Gemstone of Haze. If you are back and Isengard had fallen, then have you succeeded in your quest?” Nero sneered. Serein hung her head.

“We did indeed recover the Gemstone of Haze.” Legolas answered for her. “But it can no longer be used.”

“No longer be used?” Murmured the crowd. Serein dug into her pouch for the broken pieces.

“I gave it to Mithrandir to amplify his power during the Second War of the Rings. He needed it in order to protect the ring barer from Sauron’s eye. It indeed worked, for the ring has been destroyed. But too much power flowed through the gem, and it was so old and brittle it could do no less than crack and break after the spell had been fulfilled.” She explained, revealing the blackened pieces to everyone.

“Then you have destroyed our only hope for survival!” Nero accused.

“No! She has saved you all!” Legolas countered. “As soon as the War was over and we had driven back the orcs, she jumped on a horse and rode as quickly as she could to get here to warn you of the orc army and help you prepare for them. She was reluctant to stop for me to even look at her wounds, which are quite severe.”

“Legolas…” She muttered embarrassed.

“Just because she has given us warning does not mean we will be saved!”

“And just because you kept me locked up for three thousand years does not mean I have no power here! I have returned to help save my home. Look around us Nero! Our people, our society and lifestyle are dying because you have not had the inclination to help your people rebuild after devastating attacks! You are more worried about your vanity than your people!”

“I care! Otherwise I would not have allowed you to enter in the first place! A thousand years ago I would have slain outsiders without a second thought, but now…”

“Now you are a weak elf who does nothing but sit and drink spirits all day! And, of course, you used to get quite a rise out of tormenting me when I was in that dungeon of yours! Tell them, brother! Tell them what you used to tell me! About how they are foolish and weak, how they are uneducated to know any better?”

“Serein! One more word and I will have your tongue removed and placed on a golden platter before me!”

“Be my guest, brother dearest, and try to remove my tongue. You’ll find it as sharp as the blade I wield.”

“Serein! How dare you! I am the King of this kingdom, and as such… Serein! Listen to me!”

“Nero. I will no longer continue this argument. We have lost enough time as it is.” She turned to the elf who had introduced himself before. “Minder, do you know of the outside of the palace well? How many men there are? Women and children? And the resources and supplies? How are we stocked? We need to begin for an invasion before the orcs are upon us and it is too late.” She stated to the elves that had begun to gather to listen to her rather than Nero.

“I do know some, but not enough to be of complete help my Queen.” He answered.

“That will do.”

“Serein.” She turned to listen to Legolas. “You should take Minder and find out everything you’ll need to know to plan. I’ll deal with the barricades and see to it that people are properly armed.” She smiled in relief at him. At least some one was on the same page as her.

“Wonderful! But Legolas, I do not know how trained any one of them will be in battle tactics. We might need to run through a basic training course later.”

“But that is a worry for later. Worry about the supplies and their safety first.”

“I know what I’m doing elf boy!” She snapped playfully.

“Of course, after all, you are a genius.”

“Next word and I tell them of your swim in the river.” She threatened. He paled, but smiled good-naturedly.

“Of course. I’ll see to those barricades now.” He turned and walked off.

“Good. And be careful!” She called after him, grinning. “Come Minder, let’s go. The rest of you listen to Prince Legolas. He is as versed in battle tactics as I and knows what he speaks of.”

“No! You can’t ignore me! I’m king!”

“And ignore your king.” She added. The people, quite fed up with Nero, smiled and she even got a laugh from a few. They were happy to have a ruler who cared. But now down to work.*