Chapter 809: Betrayed
Translator: Translation Nation Editor: Translation Nation
Decree of Holy Nature:
Elrond, Lord of Rivendell, Shelterer of the Misty Mountains, noble son of Eärendil, and Keeper of Vilya, shall depart for the Undying Lands within the shortest time in search of a way to restore his life.
He will be escorted by the most excellent Melody Sunstrider, and Elven Elders, Sindelwyn Yellowpage and Botehan Youngbud. This delegation of twenty will traverse the thousand leagues as elvish representatives of Middle-earth, to pay respects to the most illustrious Illuvatar. We bid Lord Elrond best fortunes in reaching the Undying Lands as soon as possible.
Noble Twilight Elf Glorfindel will assume command as Lord of Rivendell.
The Ring of Air, Vilya, shall be rescinded from Elrond and safeguarded by Elven King Thranduil and Lady Galadriel against the Dark Lord.
This decree is signed with the supreme authority of Elven King Thranduil of the Woodland Realm, Lady Galadriel of Lothlórien, Lord Elrond of Rivendell, and the noble Glorfindel.
Any intention to alter this decree will be deemed as challenging the authority of all elves of Middle-earth, and the perpetrator will be subjected to the retaliation of elvish might.
Upon viewing the decree posted on the boards of Rivendell, the elves of Melody became shell-shocked.
Evidently, this decree was introduced after numerous contentions and negotiations by underlying factions, where each received personal benefits upon taking this ultimate step. Elrond would gain the opportunity to travel to the Undying Lands, but losing his authority as head of the elves.
Glorfindel gained the lordship of Rivendell that he so desired and even his elves get to remain. Nevertheless, he lost the opportunity to acquire the Vilya.
Elven King Thranduil of the Woodland Realm and Lady Galadriel did not partake in pointing out the successor of Rivendell, but they acquired the using rights of the Vilya.
Everyone received respect except the newly promoted twilight elf Melody, whose wishes...…..were utterly neglected without any hint of hesitation.
Such tyrannical conduct caused even the neutral elves to be enraged, each expressing their respective objections. Nevertheless, if mere objections were useful, why would there be a need to battle with might in this world?
Meanwhile, the various races expressed satisfaction with this outcome. Their fears of Elrond bringing away a tremendous multitude of Rivendell Elves were allayed, and the elvish might in Middle-earth would not weaken. Therefore, they could still contest evil should the Dark Lord rise again.
Faced with this sudden twist, Sheyan was the only one who could remain calm. It seemed as though this outcome was already within his predictions.
As he perused the words of the decree, Sheyan's lips curled into a cold smirk.
"As expected, you guys can't refrain from acting...…..except, I wonder if you knew? Regardless of how well the fox tail is hidden, it has been revealed too early, all according to my expectations."
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Time swiftly trickled away. During this period, Sheyan didn't meet up with Melody nor did he communicate with her through the sacred tree. Sheyan didn't wish for his foes to seize any handle they could use against him.
In his plans, secrecy and timing were of utmost importance. Nevertheless, he was a little worried about offending Elder Desirese Roots.
Fortunately, Sheyan held utmost faith and hope in Melody. In truth, she was the most important piece of his schemes.
To his present perspective, Melody displayed such unwavering faith in him even when he was absent. Therefore, now that she knew of his presence, her courage would be bolstered further! He believed her confidence in him was now unshakable.
"I will never disappoint you." Sheyan observed Melody's elvish residence as he mused to himself.
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The fourth night following the decree.
Most of the merchant caravan groups around Rivendell had long departed. A hazy drizzle enshrouded Rivendell as trees and plants regained their emerald-like luster from the water. However, a sliver of withering yellow could be seen at the tip of some leaves. A widespread withering seemed to be impending the month; the cost of organizing this rare century celebration of Rivendell.
The white pebble path was longer pristine and free from mud. Filth and mud could be seen everywhere, and the immortal mountain-like cleanliness of Rivendell had reverted to its original form. Ants manipulated by nature's magic had perished, leaving behind shells of carcassess that solidified with the mud.
Half-elf Elrond was wearing a black cloak with golden lines. A falling leaf drifted past his eyes, as he stooped to cough lightly before mounting a carriage. Two vigorous and mighty uni-horn stallions were positioned to haul along the carriage.
After two of Elrond's close confidants supported him up the carriage, they proceeded to keep guard by the side.
The expressionless Melody was escorted by two female elves up the carriage behind. This carriage exhibited an ivy exterior with edges beaming with hazy green radiance, creating a comfortable and honored impression. One could observe that the green radiance would cause the ivy to continuously grow, before curling around Melody's spotless and slender wrists. Her wrists were also bound by a maple leaves that appeared blazing red.
Witnessing this scene, Elder Desirese Roots immediately displayed an angry expression and fumed.
"Those withered-up elves! They dare constrict Lordess Melody with the "Nature Restraining Leaves' and use such a despicable energy absorption array!!"
As it turns out, the carriage was also infused with an energy absorption array. It could endlessly absorb one's nature magic prowess which would be converted to vitality. This was the greenish radiance that constantly grew the ivy.
The blazing red maple leaves on her wrists appeared like ordinary ornaments, but were, in fact, substantial restrictions, preventing external spirit energies from infusing into her body.
With both absorption and prevention of her nature energy, one could be surel that Melody would not be up to no good along the way. Yet this treatment was akin to an exceedingly painful torture to her. Seeing how gentle and peaceful Melody looked, it was hard to imagine that she could endure such agonizing torture.
No farewells, no embraces, no handshakes, no tears. Elrond's delegation directly departed.
After traveling down the mountain, Elrond jumped off the carriage and gazed deeply back at the majestic city enshrouded with hazy drizzle. Then, he mounted the carriage again. No one could fathom his unfazed expression or his thoughts.
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The drizzle slowly crescendoed to a heavy downpour. Unbeknownst when, dark clouds gathered as lightning bolt streaked through the empty air. The place was now engulfed with showering whiteness as visibly plummeted.
It had been two days since Elrond's delegation departed Rivendell. The vile weather failed to halt their advance but effectively slowed their advancing pace. Howling winds tore against trees and plants, like an invisible and brutal giant hand viciously ripping apart the hair of a feeble maiden.
One's vision failed to connect with any end, only a vast and ghastly whiteness. The path collecting the downpour emanated an air of overwhelming dread. This path followed a steep precipice that could easily lead to the demise of all.
The carriage eventually halted at the peak of this mountain ridge. Nobody dared to continue advancing, because such a torrential rain could easily lead to mountain floods or landslides.
Once disaster struck at the bottom, only a few measly travellers would be able to escape. The revered Elrond was now accustomed to being serviced by others, regardless of personal interest or not, he wasn't willing for such an outcome to happen.
An elf jumped down while risking being drenched from the rain. He nimbly marched to the front of the fidgety uni-horn stallion and calmed them down. Then, he marched to Elrond's carriage and bowed before alerting.
"Lord Elrond, I'm afraid we can no longer proceed.The journey of a dozen leagues through the valley will be too treacherous in this tempest."
Elrond quickly replied with a low voice.
"Alright."
Moments later, several elves leapt down the rear-most carriage, and begun constructing a large and marvellous pointed-tip tent. They were meticulous and speedily efficient. Hence, they failed to discover a strange change happening beneath the crystal clear water collecting at the bottom of one elf.
The accumulated water seemed to possess its own life. The water slowly congealed into a thick hand with crystal like joints, even cyan veins could be seen clearly. Slowly, it abruptly seized the ankle of that elf and pulled!
The elf instantly yelled in vigilance. After all, the feeling of slipping and being pulled was completely different. Yet when his comrade glanced over, the comrade failed to notice any strange happenings. The rainwater-congealed hand had long disappeared after pulling the elf.
When that elf fell heavily to the ground with his back touching the floor, he exhibited an incomparably strange expression while turning stiff.
The other elves didn't make much of this issue. Nothing abnormal could be vividly observed, and the elves carried on with their duties. Only one bent down to assist the elf.