Fic: Doubt (2/4)
Disclaimer: Not one Elf.
Part II: Whispers
I cannot pretend that the silence in which we ride is anything but oppressive. I am relieved when we meet the group of ellith sooner than expected, partly because we can be certain of returning to the stronghold quickly, but more because it means Saeldur, Eredhion and Voronwë must at least attempt to get along.
I send Triwath's archers back to him; since my guards insisted on coming, I have the numbers to repel any attacks. Eredhion goes to scout ahead. Saeldur, Voronwë and the two novices with us ride with the ellithto defend them if any danger should threaten, although that is unlikely. I take the rearguard.
It is not long before Calathiel reins in and joins me. Saeldur glances at her when she leaves the group, but when she only hangs back long enough for me to reach her, he returns his attention to the path.
"Who are you avoiding?" Calathiel whispers as soon as I am near enough to hear. "Lady Celephindeth?"
"The less trouble we have, the better," I tell her. Then, to change the subject, I go on, "I hear you fought well."
"Yes. I killed an Orc. I would have killed another, too, if Triwath had not come and taken over."
I laugh. "Do not let your mother hear you say that."
"I do not know what she will say. I think my father will be proud of me." We ride in silence for a moment. Then she says, "You do not think… Legolas, you do not think I am craven? Or frightened of facing the darkness in the forest?"
I turn to her in some surprise. "Nobody thinks you are craven. But as to being frightened of the darkness, everybody is frightened of the darkness, Calathiel. I cannot think of a single warrior who has learnt never to feel fear. We go on despite it, because we know what we fight for is more important than fear."
"My father fights, and you fight. I… I only defended myself."
"I had this conversation once with Feredir. I will have it with you if I must. It is honourable to be a healer, and, since it seems to make a difference to you, it is necessary as well."
"I do not have ambitions of being a warrior, Legolas." Calathiel smiles at me, but something in it is a little worrying. "Feredir is the only one of us who ever did. I have seen him on the training fields. He has the skill. He never had the heart for it, though."
"Feredir is an accomplished healer."
"Feredir is troubled," Calathiel says tersely. "Not everybody understands why he gave up the sword, Legolas. And my father…"
"Lord Thorontur? Surely he does not think Feredir is afraid. It was he who asked me to speak to him of it, after all."
"Oh, he understands that. That is not…" She shakes her head. "I should not have said anything."
"Calathiel -"
"One does not trouble the warriors with the machinations of court unless it is necessary. Even I know that. I have said too much. I am sorry, Legolas. Please, do not dwell on it."
She digs her heels into the horse's flanks and canters ahead, leaving me to stare after her in bewilderment.
The healer is confused, one of the trees murmurs. And frightened.
It is not the healer who concerns me, comments another. It is the other. The one who pretends to be your most loyal friend, Elfling. Do not trust him.
He wants to spill your blood. He has said so. He only waits until he can do it undetected.
I hesitate. The others have gone ahead. I can ask what the trees know or suspect, and perhaps settle this once and for all. There is nobody to hear -
No. This is ridiculous. I trust Saeldur. I do. He is my second, the most trusted of my captains, and barring the weeks after Candnaur's death he has never been anything but utterly loyal to me. I will not insult him, and myself, by listening to idle gossip, not even from trees.
I will not.
I ride after the others.
We make good time back to the stronghold. I dismiss the archers as soon as we have dismounted in the courtyard. Saeldur waits after they have made their courtesies and gone off in the direction of the main dining hall, where, even at this time, there will be bread and cheese and fruit for anyone who wants it after a wakeful night.
Saeldur seems to want to speak to me alone, but, although Eredhion and Voronwë remove themselves to a discreet distance, they show no signs of leaving.
I suppose I must take what I can get.
Saeldur seems to agree, because, with a small, rueful shrug, he says, "Legolas, my mother should not be by herself tonight."
"Go and see to Lady Celephindeth," I tell him. "I will handle the patrols tonight."
"Legolas…" Saeldur bites his lip. "You lingered to speak to the trees."
"Yes," I say quietly.
"You swore to trust me."
"I did. And I do trust you." Although I cannot help wondering why Saeldur feels the need to remind me so often. "I trust you," I say again, although whether I am trying to convince myself or him I do not know.
Saeldur nods. "I… I must go to my mother. I will see you in the morning. Be careful tonight, Legolas."
"I will."
Saeldur hurries away, followed a moment later by Eredhion, taking our horses to the grooms.
"I do not like this," Voronwë says as soon as Saeldur is out of earshot. "Legolas, you must not be wilfully blind."
"Saeldur will not hurt me."
Of that I am certain. I cannot deny that Saeldur appears to be hiding something, but I know he will not do me harm.
Voronwë only scowls as we make our way to the hall of the archers.
Elfling. Come.
With the watch quiet and no reported enemies within our borders, I have allowed my attention to drift. The tree's voice in my mind recalls me to sudden awareness. I look around. Húrphen is nearest me, a pair of Ellaurë's archers on the other side of the stream. None of them looks disturbed.
Is something wrong?
Come, the tree repeats. I have never heard a tree sound so insistent. You will not believe me if I tell you. You must see for yourself. Come.
Húrphen is looking at me curiously. I do not tell him what the tree said. There is no need to involve more people in this. I only say I will return shortly and give him command of the patrol until then.
Quietly, the tree urges as I begin to move. Quietly, Elfling. Nobody must hear.
The forest seems to be of one accord. The trees move to hide me from anybody who might be watching from the path - and nobody is. Branches slide under my feet so I need not make even the smallest of leaps that might give my position away in a flash of movement.
The trees can be as absurd as my guards on occasion.
I hear the voices before I see the speakers. I recognize Saeldur's voice at once.
There is nobody to see me scowl, so I do not try to prevent it. This is outrageous. It is one thing, and bad enough, in my view, for Voronwë and Eredhion to be paranoid about spies. That is their duty, after all. It is worse that I cannot help having my own suspicions, however much I try to deny them even to myself. But that I should be brought to hiding in the shadows and spying - spying - on one of my closest friends because the trees have decided to play politics -
Listen, the tree insists.
I shake my head. This is unacceptable. I am going to alert Saeldur to my presence and -
"You must see that this is the only way." That is Arahael's voice. My words die in my throat. "I know you have been having doubts about what we plan. That is natural. Nobody wants to harm the King, Saeldur. Not my father, certainly not me. And even if we did - which we do not - it would be impossible to do undetected. Let Thranduil rule as long as he chooses, but Legolas must be eliminated. It is best for everybody."
"Legolas is my friend." Saeldur's voice is tight.
I cast a sidelong glance at the tree. You see?
Listen, the tree says again, unperturbed.
"Your friend," Arahael is saying, "but you agree with me. You must, or you would have come to me that day. You would not be here at all. I admit we made a mistake last time, Saeldur. We should not have tried to involve you, especially not without your knowledge. But this time, if you will help us, it can be better handled."
Saeldur makes no response. To my eternal shame, I edge closer, until I can see them through the foliage.
"Saeldur," Arahael urges, "think of your mother. It is only good fortune that Lady Celephindeth was not seriously injured - or worse."
I bite my lip to keep a gasp from escaping. Not again. Elbereth Gilthoniel, please, not again.
Saeldur's next words are so quiet I almost miss them. "What can I do about it?"
No. No. This cannot be happening. It cannot be true.
"There are ways to arrange accidents," Arahael says, just as quietly. "Inconspicuous ways with no risk to us. There are poisons that leave no trace - or perhaps a push onto an Orc blade when the occasion arises. You are better placed than I am."
"Legolas trusts me." Saeldur's voice is wooden.
"Legolas trusts too blindly. It is one of the many reasons we have to act before it is too late."
The tree behind Arahael creaks ominously. He whirls to stare at it. I can see the lowering branches and I know it is poised to seize him.
No, I say urgently. No. There will be no bloodshed here. I have heard them. Let him go.
"We should not linger here," Arahael says as the tree hesitates. "We can find a safer place to discuss this, Saeldur. And a safer time."
He strides away.
I stay where I am. What am I to do now? Confront Saeldur? Here, knowing I have borne witness, he cannot possibly deny what has passed. And what could he say to defend himself?
Elbereth.
If it is true, I do not know that I want confirmation.
"Do not tell him," Saeldur says suddenly. He is looking intently up into the trees.
Do not tell him? the tree says furiously, clearly intending that I should hear as well. The other one is an enemy, but you - you are far worse. You are a traitor.
"No!"
Traitor. The tree's voice is a low, venomous hiss.
"I promise you, I mean Legolas no harm. You must trust me." There is no sound save the soft swoosh of vines moving. Saeldur stiffens. "Please. Trust me."
Elfling? The tree nudges my mind quietly.
Let him go. Unharmed.
Are you certain? He betrays you. We can end this here and now.
Let him go.
There is a sigh, in the manner that the forest can sigh, and the trees fall silent. Saeldur looks around, eyes narrow with suspicion. But with the thickness of the foliage and a fold of my cloak over my hair, he cannot see me.
At last he takes a hesitant step in the direction of the stronghold. When nothing happens to impede his progress, he hurries away.
The trees wait until the echoes of his footsteps have died out before beginning to chatter.
We can always eliminate the other one. He is the source of the evil -
I say we should eliminate them both, and the evil one's father as well -
What does it take to lead them to the black river and hold them under? The willows will help -
Willows? Who needs willows? Vines are best, vines creeping in at the windows in the dead of night, much as these cowards would act by stealth and -
Enough, I snap. There will be no eliminating anybody.
But if he hurts you -
Nobody is going to hurt me. I give the nearest tree a quick pat. I know you are concerned, my friends, but -
I break off. But Saeldur would never hurt me, I was about to say, but the words stick in my throat. Do I truly know that?
Elbereth, help me! I am not going to turn into a spider crouching in the shadows, scheming and plotting and wondering which of my friends will put a dagger in my back. I will not.
But what? The tree asks.
But I can take care of myself, I respond quietly.
TBC