Legolas 215.....
Very late in the Night of April 13..........
During the night I spoke to Sergeant Daeron. He was sitting in my bedchamber when I came in from Dining with the Lord and Lady, and said that the Men had decided it was safer for just one of them to speak with me. This is true, but it does not change the Fact that whether we are one or six, I do not know how much we say and do is Observed.
One thing I observed, myself, was that the Lord had been dipping pretty deep in his strong red Wine. He was not Drunk, but he was not Sober either, and this seems to be his usual way. I have seen this before, that an agony of Conscience is eased in drink, seemingly. No such ease Exists, the only Cure is to face the pain. However, the Cure of Lord Luinil is not my concern, and it may serve our Purpose if he is Drunk enough to be careless.
I told Sergeant Daeron what I had Discovered, and that it was what I had Suspected: that the Wizard Pallando is Entranced here by Lord Luinil. Sergeant Daeron was silent for a time, ruminating on what I had said and when he answered at last, all he said was, Well, Legolas, I could ask a thousand questions, and maybe I will someday. For now, what are we going to do?
I do not know, exactly, I said. I went on to tell Daeron about the Lord's offer of his Daughter.
He laughed very softly, and said, Legolas, she would tempt me!
Would she? She comes at a mighty price, I said, and it is one I will not pay. But I have had to let this Lord believe I am considering it, to buy some time. If I refuse outright, I fear what he might do. And I cannot string him along much further.
Well, Sergeant Daeron said, it's this Staff you need. He'll have it in his House, and how are we to get our hands upon it?
That is the Question, Daeron. I wish we had a Housebreaker in our party. A Housebreaker who is immune to the Power of Luinil! We will contrive because we must. But time is wearing away, I said.
Captain Roland is in the House, Legolas, Daeron whispered.
He is too weak to leave his bed, I answered. I heard a noise outside, very soft, and so did Sergeant Daeron. I stepped softly to the Window and saw, below on the grass, the dog Plato. He was looking up at my window, and when he saw me, he went trotting off.
Now that is very strange, I said. I told Daeron about Plato drawing me off the Path out of Luinil's way.
Owls, Dogs......are these ordinary Creatures, Legolas? Or is this Sorcery? Sergeant Daeron's voice was soft, and told of the Curiosity of a Mortal.
Both, I said. But you must know, the power of Sorcery here is Waning. This Lord is Powerful, but for one cause or another, he is losing his Grip on things. Between Fear and Wine, he is befuddling himself. So, we will give him more Fear and more Wine, eh?
Be careful, Legolas, Sergeant Daeron warned. You said it before, he is Ruthless.
So am I, I said. Now, that is enough for now. Slide along to your Room, and Daeron! Be very careful how you tell the Men.
Be sure I will, he answered. I will tell only what is needful, and no more.
When he had gone, I went back to the Window and Plato was still gone. He is the Lady's friend, but what does he want with me? This little puzzle I cannot read, as I read the Puzzle of the Owl.
Yes, this Lord is Ruthless, but as I said to Daeron, so am I. The Lord thinks me Weak, I know it, and have deliberately fostered that Belief. Let him think so, let him think I am the Legolas who cares only for Trees and Song and Starshine. He may yet meet the Legolas who bears the great Bow of Lorien, and arrows tipped with Steel..........
.............Morning of April 14........Captain Roland...........
The wound in my Chest is sore, and itchy, but the Lady tells me this is how it should be, and that I am healing Beautifully. I am still very weak, but I managed to get up this morning and stand to relieve myself, which I think is a very great thing. I was never Ill before, never needed any Help with the functions of Nature, and I do most sincerely Pray that I am never so Ill again. It is one thing to lie and gaze at the Lady's lovely face while she sponges my forehead or feeds me, but it is quite another to be assisted to answer Nature's call by a glowering Elf servant!
I fed myself, using my left Hand, and spilled only a little of the Porridge that Arwela brought me. I would much prefer Eggs and Bacon, and a pile of buttered Toast, but since Porridge is what I had, I got it down me. I was promised some proper Food for Dinner, by the Lady. She sat with me for a time, feeling my Pulse, watching me Breathe. She was abstracted, and somewhat remote, but kind and gentle as always. Her big yellow Dog was with her, and lay by the window while she conversed with me. He follows her everywhere, and never takes his eyes from her. He has the right to Protect her, and I do not. She needs Protection, I know. But I am not really sure from what.
Legolas came at Lunch time and watched in some amusement as I fed myself with my left Hand. Soup was a little messier than Porridge, and at last I asked Arwela to put it in a cup so I could drink it. There was no cup in the room, and she left to fetch one. Legolas leaned closer and said, We are making Progress, Roland. I cannot tell you all, but I have found what we came for.
Good, I whispered. Then I heard it again, the sound in the wall.
Legolas heard it, as well, and he stared hard at the wall. Of course, he said. Of course.
He looked at me. Roland, in a day or so, you are going to have a relapse. Prepare yourself!