Livewire[LOTR]

Chapter Eleven- Discovered

Chapter eleven

I returned to my training without another word, leaving my helmet on my head and keeping my eyes on my target. Arrow after arrow hitting its mark, each time getting stronger and stronger. Cutting deeper into the target. Ripping threw the hay and onto the other side. I was so involved in the practice that I didn't notice Irivan. He had walked up next to me, I finally was aware of his presence when he slapped my shoulder. "Nice archery work." He said. My eldest brother, larger then me and my younger brother. His hair was cut short and auburn like mine. Freckles covered his scarred face. His ears pointed, the only thing that gave away his blood-line was the auburn fuzz growing on his chin and upper lip. "Thanks." I grumbled, rubbing my shoulder. Irivan was aggressive, and he didn't know his own strength so so compliments felt like punches to my spine. Irivan studied my helmet for a second. "You're the one causing trouble for the prince, eh?" he chuckled darkly. "Nice going- spoiled brat had it coming. He hasn't done a day of hard work in his life." I fired another arrow as he was speaking, grunting in agreement.

"Between you and me, I would keep it on the down low. The king has been known for... removing his sons distractions." I blinked, stopping and lowering my loaded arrow towards the ground. Confusion bubbling in my stomach, along with bits of curiosity. "What do you mean?" I asked. Irivan shrugged. "I heard a few of the guards speaking about how the king exiled his fiancée, even though she was an elven lords daughter that the prince had fallen in love with. He also killed a rival of Thranduils, all I'm saying is I don't want to see another strong warrior fall to the kings injustice." Fiancée?! Well. That was new. I nodded my head to Irivan. I hadn't been planning on continuing the rivalry anyway. There was no point to fighting- when we had Orcs to kill anyway.

Irivan left me to my own for a while, It was late now. So few where up practicing- but I had to keep my skills sharp and my mind clear. As I finally ran out of my quiver of arrows- it was dark as night and the sky was filled with tiny white stars. I decided to track down Naia and go for a midnight ride. I wandered over towards the nesting area and called for her. "Naia." I whispered, her head poking over the edge of a large branch. She chirped and climbed down. I ran my hand along her head. "Come now, lets go fly." She nodded her head in excitement and I mounted her back. Rubbing my hands along her feathers as she opened her wings.

We jumped into the sky, cutting threw the cold air like it was nothing. She remained close to the ground as we headed west. The wind kissed my face and cooled me down. I removed my helmet and strapped it to my side, letting my face breathe. Naias wingbeats soothed my worried mind. We flew over towards a large lake that I could see from above the trees. Naia flew towards it and landed on the pebble beach. The moonlight reflected on the water and casted white shadows along the trees. I glanced around, sniffing myself I realized I smelt like a dead horse. I decided to strip and get into the water. I was alone anyway.

I stepped into the cold water, letting it cool me and clean the dirt and wounds off my body. I sighed loudly as I sank into the cold liquid. What a sweet release it was to finally feel clean. Naia splashed around on the shore, but she was no swimmer so she stayed safely at two feet of dept. I washed myself clear and crawled out, drying myself the best I could before putting my clothes back on. I suppose I should've washed them to but there was really no time. I would have to go back before I was missed.

As I prepared to mount Naia and head back there was a rustling. Without a thought my arrow was trained on the spot. "Come out." I demanded. The rustling continued and out stepped- to all my anger and surprise. Fehanaro. "P-Please don't shoot me!" he whimpered like a lost puppy. Well shit, he probably saw that. I'm gonna have to kill him. I sighed inwardly. "Well, you know my secret now. I cant trust you to stay alive, sorry buddy." I pulled the arrow string back more. "Wait no! please!" he pleaded. I aimed the arrow at his head. "I wont tell anyone, please Ireth!" he cried my real name and it caused me to pause for a second. "How did you figure it out, why did you follow me. You better start explaining." I snarled.

Fehanaro nodded. "I saw an eagle take off and I was worried, it looked like it was on its own so I- I um followed... and well I-" I scowled. " I didn't see anything I swear!!" he yelped. I scowled more. "Don't lie to me fool, you obviously saw me nude, otherwise you've had never realized." I felt like punching him. Perhaps I would. Yes. I would. I punched Fehanaro dead in the face. "If you tell anyone your as good as dead. That was a warning." He whimpered as blood dribbled down out of his nose and across his lips. Staining them red. "I- I just want to know one thing, why would you lie- you could get killed!" he muttered. "I want to fight to, just because im a woman it doesn't mean Im weak or worthless. Fact- I'm better at fighting then you. Clearly." I growled. He nodded and rubbed his nose. "I'll be going no-" I grabbed the fur of his collar. "If you tell anyone, I will gut you. Understand?" he nodded and raced off threw the forest. I mounted Naia and returned to the camp without a word.

He didn't look at me as I crawled into bed. Damnit damnit. I got careless. This was my fault.

~-~-~-~

I watched him return to the camp threw the window, from where I sat I could see the army perfectly. We ate dinner in silence, not speaking to each other. My father was busy reviewing attack papers with Elrond. My sister was staring off into space and I ate in silence, I didn't feel like talking- I didn't want to talk. After a few minutes of silent chewing my father broke the silence. "So, Son..." he began. I raised an eyebrow at him. My father had done terrible things to me before, exiled the only woman I loved- killed my Rival and best friend. He thought what he did was right, no matter what. I would never show his disrespect of course, I was to be king... I had no choice. I didn't hate him, I hated what he did. "Yes?" I asked. "I trust that your show with that trainee was a one-time thing...?" he said, glaring at me. I could tell he was not happy with what I did.

I showed a group of elves and men that I had a temper problem and I attacked people that where just doing there job. "Yes father." I said, his gaze turned towards my sister who was looking down at her hands. "And you to." She nodded slowly and sighed we finished eating and all retired to our rooms. Since mother died, father was not the same. I suppose he was never "Kind" but he wasn't like this either. I suppose in his weird way he was determined not to lose us to.