Chapter 800: Stirring up Middle-earth
Translator: Translation Nation Editor: Translation Nation
The Rivendell prison equally held the distinct flare of the elves; glorious, elegant but not larger than the wooden house that Sheyan resided in previously. However, there was no bed or enchanted torches. A clear aroma of nature lingered around the atmosphere of the prison.
Drinking water was directly obtained by slicing open drooping down vines and sucking on them. The sap water was sweet and exotic. Whenever one felt hungry, one could simply ring a bell by the side. After a while, bowling ball-sized fruits would roll down from a hollow tree by the side.
The fruits were slightly similar to oranges. They had thick skin which emitted a smell that deterred insects. After tearing off the skin, the flesh was juicy and sweet; easily filling up one's belly.
Although living like this was easygoing, Franklin felt as though time was excruciatingly slow. This was because of his unknown fate. Upon reflecting that others were freely searching for opportunities and accomplishing missions, he felt exceedingly flustered that only he was imprisoned here.
Under this circumstances, Franklin could only stroke a bone-beast staff repeatedly. Allowing this impressive weapon to shower him with a sense of accomplishment, that the price he paid for this was worth it.
As for others coming to his aid, Franklin harbored zero hopes. He was clear that anyone attempting to rescue him, would be akin to rebelling against Lord Elrond and Glorfindel. There was simply no chance of that.
Yet, a miracle happened.
Sixteen hours after being imprisoned, the two elf guards were called away. Soon after, a middle-aged elf in a wizard robe strolled in and greeted politely.
"You are free to go."
Franklin felt rather stumped. He simply didn't expect to be released so quickly. Of course, he wasn't aware of the monumental changes happening in the outside world during his sixteen hours of imprisonment!
Rivendell was already a focal point of the Middle-earth alliance during this period. Yet during these sixteen hours, more news circulated around that once again plunged Rivendell into the limelight.
Firstly, it was regarding the newly awakened twilight elf who exhibited her boundless potential, Melody Sunstrider. The different races and clans in Rivendell had simultaneously received an invitation letter written personally by Melody Sunstrider.
The contents detailed her she suffered the unjust treatment and confinement by Lord Elrond and Glorfindel. Following that, she invited all to gather outside her residence during noon (an hour later), to listen to some words she had to announce.
If she failed to show up, that would mean that Lord Elrond and Glorfindel had violated the teachings of Iluvatar, where they enslaved and humiliated a twilight elf. If that happens, she wishes that all other elf kingdoms would return justice to her.
Without a doubt, the invitation letter had directly ruined the reputation of both Lord Elrond and Glorfindel; creating huge waves of controversies like a huge stone setting off massive ripples.
Woodland Realm prince, Legolas, had immediately expressed indignation. The Mirkwood kingdom would never permit such dishonor and slave-like disgrace to a twilight elf from taking place. Thus, he had swiftly notified Thranduil, the elven king of the Woodland Realm, via a magic transmission of nature's frost. He also notified Galadriel, the Lady of Lothlórien, in a bid to prevent a violation of Iluvatar's teachings.
The various factions of Middle-earth then unanimously expressed their desire for the elves of Rivendell, not to escalate and blow up their internal affairs. Although they had their own opinions, they firmly believed that this was a matter that the elves had to resolve internally themselves. Nevertheless, should any elf thread on the path of error and affected the state of equilibrium with regards to the Dark Lord, then they would step in and perhaps forcefully.
Under such circumstances, Lord Elrond and Glorfindel were caught unprepared and felt as though their heads were struck by a rod. They had no idea why the normally passive and weak Melody would abruptly display such a menacing demeanor. Therefore, they could find no excuses to prevent her from appearing to the masses.
During the gathering, Melody's speech was swift and concise; only raising two points.
The first point was about her awakening as a twilight elf. Despite her short awakening duration so far, it was only because of being a believer of the sun elf god, Sin'dorei, that she unintentionally recalled a minor memory of the journey to the Undying Lands. If the elves were to force a voyage, there was only a quarter of a chance they would make it there alive.
Although this information was simple, it directly weakened the resolve of those elves supporting Elrond and Glorfindel in this return to the Undying Lands by half! Even though many elves were unwilling to be entangled in the affairs of Middle-earth and harbored undying dreams to return to the Undying Lands, a mere quarter of a chance wasn't sufficient for them to gamble with their lives.
Besides, an elf's longevity was almost limitless, and can only be killed by the power of flames stabbing their hearts directly. Lord Elrond only dared to make this gamble due to his diminishing vitality, but his supporters may not be willing to gamble on a mere quarter of a chance!
The second point was about the situation revolving Elrond and Glorfindel. She did not reveal any speculations nor did she express her personal opinions. Merely, she revealed that Lord Elrond had been ambushed and that he may perish within five years. Also, she randomly mentioned witnessing Glorfindel adorning the Vilya recently.
Following that, she bluntly terminated her speech.
The entire speech didn't even last two minutes.
Melody didn't offer any chance for questions and directly retreated into her residence.
There were differing opinions regarding the first point on the journey to the Undying Lands. Nevertheless, some sly old characters could decipher her hidden implications, which was if they compelled her to make this trip, then she could cause a hundred percent chance of success to dwindle to a mere 20 percent.
As for Melody's second point, it caused a tremendous uproar. It was simply impossible to fabricate such immaculate description of Lord Elrond's time of attack to the specific location and details.
A world was filled with mysteries after all, and one could only follow clues to reach a conclusion. Suffice to say, knowing the outcome and then verifying the clues leading to it would be much more easily.
Soon after, the truth of lord Elrond having only five more years to live was verified. Since this matter was proven true, then Glorfindel adorning the Ring of Air, Vilya, should also be authentic. Yet in actual fact, that was a lie fabricated by Melody, nevertheless, everyone believed her!!
As for the relationship between Elrond and Glorfindel, Melody remained totally silent. Nevertheless, her silence actually implied an ocean of a thousand words! The folks of Rivendell weren't idiots, they could discern causes and effects; naturally, they could easily tell there was an agreement between them.
Without a doubt, more individuals began speculating randomly. Although the rumors differed, but they were absolutely disadvantageous to Elrond and Glorfindel. The rumors were filled with malicious intentions and after alterations into songs and poems by travellers and bards, the reputation of the two high elves went completely down the drain.
No doubt behind the scenes, Sheyan had stirred up everything.
The reason why Elrond and Glorfindel suffered such losses, was because they had no clue why a soft-spoken Melody had abruptly transformed into such an incisive opponent.
Her words were kept at the minimum and so were her actions. She only dispatched a few individuals to deliver invitation letters.
However, whatever she said or did...….were akin to a hundred blades slicing against their body and heart. It was cutting and decisive!!
At present, even the shrewd and ruthless Elrond and Glorfindel were shell-shocked, baffled and beaten black and blue.
As the saying goes, a wrong misstep leads to a journey of errors. They failed to consider that Melody would retaliate so viciously, and even towards the area that hurt the most. Hence, they were suffering from the complete backlash right now.
While the stirring of confusion and chaos enveloped Rivendell, the dark hand behind the curtains was idly sitting inside a peaceful elvish tavern, sipping and enjoying the taste of fruit wine.
Honestly speaking, Sheyan disliked the taste of this fruit wine. Right now, most of the guests were out in the streets observing the tense situation. The bards were spreading rumors and gathering first-hand information. Only a crippled and unlucky tavern assistant remained in this tavern, and the only thing he could make was this fruit wine that was more sour than apple vinegar.
After gracefully drinking half of the mug, the tavern door was violently slammed open. The culprit had used such tremendous strength that the entire door snapped with a loud 'kacha'.
Following that, a red-faced dwarf rushed in while huffing intensely. Indeed, he was Mister Segimli!
When he noticed Sheyan gesturing at him, he exclaimed.
"Y-y-yo-yo-you...….…."