Disclaimer: Do I really need one anymore? I own none of Tolkien's characters.
Part 3
Irina sighed as she finished binding the last of the elf's wounds. It worried her that he still hadn't woken up, but his fever was more urgent. If she couldn't break it, she feared that the elf would not survive the night. She soaked another rag in the cold water as she took his temperature yet again. He was still burning up, but he hadn't started hallucinating yet and he was still relaxed in his unconsciousness.
She glanced over at her husband and sighed. He wasn't the man she thought she was if he could sit by and let this happen to a creature, even if that creature was a traitor to the country. It was still cruel to her and it made her sick just to look at the elf and think about how it was partly her husband's fault that he was like that.
Suddenly, the elf's condition changed drastically. He started spasming out of control and whimpering in pain. Irina gasped as the elf's eyes flew open, their gaze clouded and unseeing in his feverish state. She tried to calm him down, but the elf didn't realize where he was and he was obviously reliving some past traumatic experience.
"Ada!" he cried out suddenly, trying to escape from some unseen foe and struggling against Irina's ministrations. "Estel! Somebody, help me!"
"Quiet him down!" Brelor said angrily, nearly throwing a bowl at Irina's head.
"I'm sorry," Irina said, trying to soothe the elf. "But he's hallucinating from the fever, there's nothing I can do about it."
"Well you better think of something," Brelor warned, worried that the elf would betray their secrets. "Or you and your husband will regret it!"
"But there really is nothing I can do!" Irina cried, trying to reason with the man. "The only way to quiet him now would be to kill him."
Brelor muttered something unintelligible before turning back to finish his meal. Irina wiped her eyes where tears had formed in fear and turned back to the elf. He was still struggling violently, but he had stopped speaking for the moment. She wondered who those people were he had called out to and where he had come from, but she had little time to dwell on it as he began calling out again.
"No," he said, visibly shaking in fear. "No! Estel! It's Gavin! Stay away from them! No!"
Irina gasped as she heard the name Gavin. She wondered if it was the same Gavin that had been King so long ago. She tried to remember the story her mother had told her when she was a little girl about him. She knew it had something to do with revenge and elves and…
"Thranduil!" the elf called out interrupting her chain of thought. "Father! Help me, please! He's going to kill us! Where's Estel? I need to see him!
Thranduil, of course! Now she remembered. Thranduil was the king of the elves and had been for over two millennia. When Gavin was crowned king he went insane against the elves and sought revenge against Elrond. His human son and both of his elven children were captured. If she remembered the story correctly, he tortured the children for weeks before Elrond managed to get in to try and rescue them. He had managed to kill Gavin before escaping. They must have told Thranduil and his son about it and it was this torture that the elf must be remembering.
If this was Thranduil's son that made him royalty. The war was over and had been for a long time, why would an elven prince be accused of treason? No, Irina now knew that her husband was lying. This elf was here for some other purpose; she just didn't know what yet.
"I need you to listen to my voice," she said quietly to the elf, hoping he could hear her through his feverish haze. "You need to come towards the light. Balro cannot have you yet. Stay for Estel and Thranduil."
What was this elf's name? If she could only remember the story then she knew she could talk to the elf and get him to stay with them. Although judging by her husband's lies, she wasn't sure that the elf should live to see what they will do to him. But she also knew that it would be worse for her and her children if the elf died and maybe she could find the elves and tell them where their prince was.
Then, suddenly, she remembered his name. "Legolas," she said softly, pulling the elf's head onto her lap and holding the cold cloth to his forehead. "Legolas, I need you to come back to me. Come back to the light young prince, your father and friend need you."
"Mother?" Legolas asked, trying to focus on the voice that was speaking to him.
"No," Irina said, stroking his hair soothingly. She wished she could tell him otherwise, but the last thing he needed was false hope that his mother actually was alive. "But I need you to focus on my voice and break through this fever that is gripping your body right now. I know where your father and friend are and I need you to live, for them and for me and my children. Don't let us down young prince. Please come back."
Legolas had a brief moment of clarity as the fever broke and he looked up into the face of a young human woman. She had brown hair and forest green eyes and a kind face, although she looked tired and worn beyond her years. That was his last thought before unconsciousness claimed him once more.
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Aragorn was glad that humans were horrible at hiding their trail. It had taken him little time at all to find their trail leading away from the clearing and he had made good time since then. He wasn't even sure where the trail led, but he just hoped that it wasn't too far away. The injured elf had mentioned a creature they were tracking. If the humans were working for that creature then it stood to reason that they were still in the forest somewhere. He just had to keep going and he would eventually find his friend, he just hoped that he wasn't too late to save him when he got there.
But it worried him that the creature kept Legolas alive. Was this a case of revenge against the royal house or was Legolas just lucky to be left alive? But then again, why keep just one elf alive? Aragorn was sure the creature probably hated elves for the simple fact that they lived in the forest as well, but Legolas was the first elf it had left alive. It must have known who Legolas was from overhearing a conversation a guard was having.
Aragorn wasn't sure whether this realization was a positive one for his friend, but he also knew that it meant that his friend would definitely be alive when he found him. He just wasn't sure what shape his friend would be in when he finally got to him.
Aragorn continued to follow the humans' trail deeper into the forest. He had been after them for over four hours and was just beginning to think his assumption about them still being in the forest was wrong when he came within sight of a cave.
He hid in the undergrowth and crept silently towards the cave, hoping that the man standing guard outside was as stupid as he looked. Luckily he was because he didn't notice the ranger at all as he crouched at the edge of the entrance. Aragorn listened closely for any sound of his friend, but the cave was earily silent and the man was worried that he had followed the wrong tracks. Maybe Legolas wasn't even with this group of humans… but then why were they in the boundaries of Mirkwood?
He listened some more, if only to determine why the humans were there, when he suddenly heard a cry. It was a cry that tore at his heart. He had heard that cry before, when his brothers were captured by Gavin. That cry had embedded itself on his soul and it brought tears to his eyes to think that his friend was in pain. But he also knew that charging in there without thinking wouldn't help his friend at all. He needed a plan and he also needed to know what shape his friend was in. Only then could he attempt to get him out. He listened again as his friend began shouting and he fought to keep the tears back.
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Irina looked down at the sleeping elf prince and almost cried in shame and pity. Why was such a proud and noble creature reduced to such a state? What kind of monster would do this to an elf? She had grown up in a village near an elven city and her fondest memories were of playing with the elf children as a child. When she had gottten older she had worked for some of the elves just so she could be close to them. It broke her heart to see one in such agony and she suddenly hated her husband for whatever part he had had in causing the elf's current condition. He had ruined her first real glimpse back into her childhood and it made her sadder than she had ever been in her life. Her childhood was the only happy time in her life and her husband had just destroyed that for her. It made her sick to even look at him.
Jodar sensed his wife's anger over the elf and sighed. That was why he hadn't wanted his wife involved. He knew her history with the elves, knew how much she loved them and how much they had taught her. She had learned her healing skills from the elves if he remembered correctly. He stole a quick glance at Irina and flinched at the look of pure hatred she threw his way before turning back to the elf who was beginning to stir again. Legolas befan talking in his sleep again. His fever was gone, but he was still in a lot of pain. Irina listened closely but she couldn't tell what he was talking about, none of the names were familiar to her.
"Meldiron… Alyan…" he whispered again softly. "I've lost you, my friends… Where are you? Why didn't they leave you where you fell? I need you! Get up from that corner! Get up from that corner! Please! Morohtar will be back any moment now!" Irina gasped at the mention of the vampyre's name and looked fearfully around the cave, trying to see if he was lurking in the shadows anywhere. It was only then that her eyes spotted the two bodies in the far corner.
She stood up quickly and screamed, her mouth open wide in horror as she realized that the two elves Legolas was calling out to in his sleep were the two elves who were lying dead in the corner. Jodar rushed over to his wife to try and calm her, not quite sure what the elf had said in his sleep. He looked to where she was pointing in horror and sighed in defeat. He had been hoping she wouldn't see the bodies, but now it was too late. He didn't even try to stop her as she ran out of the cave, tears streaming down her face in anger and sadness as well as fear.
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Aragorn quickly hid in the shadows as he heard a woman scream in terror. He didn't know what was going on, but he knew that something horrible was happening and he needed to act quickly. Now there were two people involved, his friend and this unknown woman.
The young man steeled himself for the fight ahead. He knew he was going into the cave woefully unprepared, but he also knew that he couldn't wait any longer. Especially since there was a woman trapped in the cave as well. His genteel manner and upbringing would not allow him to leave her in there without trying to rescue her first.
He drew his sword and prepared to rush the guard in front of the cave when a woman came running out, tears streaming down her cheeks in fear and sorrow. Aragorn watched as a younger man came running out after her followed by a whole group of men who subsequently held the younger man back from running after the woman.
"Irina!" he called out in anguish. "Please come back! I can explain everything, please!" But Irina just kept running, ignoring the young man's pleas and tears. Aragorn grinned slightly at his good luck. Although he felt sorry for the young woman, she was a perfect source of information to find out what shape his friend was in and what defenses the humans had in and around the cave.
He followed closely behind her, making sure not to show himself and startle her into revealing his presence. He wanted her on his side, not against him. And he also didn't want her to be scared of him.
Aragorn watched carefully as Irina slowly tired out from the strain of her emotions and her long run away from the cave. She sat down heavily on a stump and cried her heart out, pouring all of her pent up anger, frustration, and sorrow into her tears. The ranger's heart went out to her. Even if she was somehow involved in his friend's capture, she was obviously frightened and in distress.
He waited for a moment until she had calmed down slightly before stepping cautiously out of the undergrowth into the open. He paused for a moment, waiting for her to notice him and looked around to make sure that none of the humans had followed her. He looked at her for a moment longer before she finally noticed him standing at the edge of the clearing. She gasped in surprise and he put his hands up quickly to stop her from screaming.
"Please," he said calmly, walking slowly towards her. "I mean you no harm. I just have some questions."
She didn't answer and Aragorn was afraid that she didn't understand him when she finally said, "You're Estel, aren't you?"
He stopped in his tracks, surprised that she knew who he was, and nodded in acknowledgement. She nodded, obviously glad that the ranger was there, but said no more.
"I'm sorry," Aragorn said, kneeling in front of the woman. "But how do you know who I am?"
"Because your friend told me," she said softly. She sounded ashamed at the mention of Legolas, but Aragorn wasn't sure why.
"How is my friend?" he asked, worried that his friend would have told a stranger about him.
Irina looked away and Aragorn knew that it was Legolas that caused her shame. He took one of her hands and gently turned her face back towards him. He looked deeply into her eyes and was shocked at the sadness that lay there. This woman had been through unimaginable horrors, and the episode in the cave was only one in the long list that made up her life.
"What has happened to you?" he whispered softly to himself, not really sure if the woman was with him anymore. He was wrong.
"Too much, my lord," she said softly, looking back into his eyes. "But you need to save your friend."
"I need to help you first," he said, grabbing her other hand comfortingly. "My friend has been through worse. The least I can do now is help you."
Irina sighed. "I don't deserve your help, my lord," she said, avoiding his gaze. "Legolas did not tell me your name willingly," Irina said quietly, still not looking at the ranger. "But you will be happy to know that your friend is okay. I'll start at the beginning…
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And that's my story," Irina finished quietly. "You need to rescue your friend as soon as possible! Please! I can't stand to think of him left alone in there!"
Aragorn hugged the sobbing woman close to his chest, hoping that he wouldn't start crying as well. "Don't worry, Irina," he said, sounding a lot calmer than he felt. "I will rescue him. I don't think I could survive either knowing that he was just left there."
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Legolas sighed as he slowly regained consciousness. He couldn't remember much about what had happened over the past few days, but for some reason he remembered seeing a young human woman. She had been holding his head on her lap, and she looked sad and careworn.
His reverie was interrupted by a sudden kick to his side. He curled in on himself in agony, suddenly remembering where he was. He heard of laugh from above him and a sharp snort of derision. He opened his eyes slowly, still gasping for air, and glared in anger at the humans standing above him. One of them grabbed him under the arms and pulled him roughly to his feet. He swayed unsteadily, not used to standing after having been suspended and unconscious for so long, and was dragged over to a set of manacles stuck in the floor. He looked around anxiously for the mysterious woman who had cared for him, afraid that they had done something horrible to her, but he didn't see her anywhere. He hoped she was okay as he was chained to the stake and his feet were chained to the wall so he was lying on his back.
"Glad to see that you're finally well again," said a voice from the shadows. Legolas glared in the direction of the voice, knowing instinctively who is was that stood there in the dark.
"Morohtar," Legolas said menacingly. "Why don't you show yourself for once, or are you scared of a chained elf?"
Morohtar laughed as he stepped out of the shadows and bared his fangs evilly, hissing as he advanced towards the prostrate elf. Legolas tried to break free of his restraints as the vampyre knelt down next to him and moved his hair away from his neck.
"Do you know why I kept you alive young prince?" Morohtar asked suddenly, rubbing his fingers gently over Legolas's jugular.
"For the same reason as the sentries," Legolas said, twisting his head away from Morohtar's cold fingers. "The only reason I'm still alive is so you can attract more elves to feed on."
"Ah," Morohtar said standing up again. "That's where you are wrong. I kept you out of revenge. You see, Gavin was… well I guess you would say that he was my creator. He did many experiments in that dark fortress of his and I was the product of one of those experiments. In my previous life I was the son of a prominent black smith in the city surrounding his fortress. One day some guards came to our house and took me away, saying that Gavin wanted to put me into his employ. My parents were naturally thrilled at the promotion the family was getting and I was scared at meeting the king but considered it an honor to serve him. When I arrived at the castle I was ushered into this large, dark room where some men came and chained me to the wall. They experimented on me for three months until finally the stress killed me, but I did not die. I awoke as this creature, what the humans call a vampyre. I escaped from Gavin's fortress shortly after your friends did but I heard all about you and them. Gavin had been planning to capture you and your father next and feed your family to me to see the effect of elf blood on an undead creature but never had the chance. When I left the castle I went to see my family, but I was so hungry and they were scared of me that I lost control. I drained them all in a matter of hours and then left, eventually ending up in Mirkwood where I hid out in this cave. I recruited some humans to help me and lived here happily for many years feeding on wandering humans and small animals. Then some elves started wandering too close to my cave and so I fed on them… and it was amazing. It was the best rush I've ever had and lasted so much longer than anything else I had ever had. It was shortly after this that I decided to capture a royal elf if I could. Royal blood is supposedly so much stronger than regular elf blood and since you can live forever… well I think you get the picture. You'll be a never ending food source for me…you and your family if they ever arrive to try and save you." And with that he swooped down over Legolas and bit into his neck, sucking happily as Legolas screamed in pain and horror.
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Aragorn walked silently back to the cave. He had made sure that Irina was alright to get home and had told her that if he didn't come back to check on her in three days that she should go and tell Thranduil what had happened. He gave her a pass to get into the city and travel freely through the woods before leaving her to travel on her own.
He now stood outside the cave, amazed that there was no guard, and peered in at the horrible scene before him.
Aragorn moved away from the edge of the cave, the bile rising in his throat at the scene he had just witnessed. He tried to block out his friend's terrified screams, but they penetrated through every barrier he could put up in his mind until he just wanted to scream as well. He gazed back into the cave, surprised that the humans weren't there before taking a deep breath and stepping into the mouth of the cave, sword drawn and ready to kill the vile creature that was slowly killing his friend.
He crept up behind him and quickly stabbed the sword through the creature's heart, making sure not to accidentally stab Legolas in the process. The creature screamed in pain stood up quickly, turning around to face a stunned Aragorn. He had never seen a creature like him before and he was even more shocked when the creature smiled at him and pulled the sword out of its chest.
"Hello, ranger," he said, giving a small bow. "I wasn't expecting you. Where is Thranduil?"
Aragorn took a small step back, eyeing the sword in the creature's hand and pulled out his daggers. "He's not here. It's just me."
"What a shame," the creature said, throwing the sword carelessly off to the side. "I had hoped to get all of the royal family here at the same time… but no matter. Thranduil will come eventually."
"You won't take both of any of them," Aragorn warned, holding his daggers at the ready in case he had to fight to reach his friend.
"Ah," the creature said, looking the elf prince straight in the eye. "That's where you are wrong. Didn't you find it strange that none of my human minions were here?" And with that the group of humans Aragorn had seen before burst out of the forest and the shadows and attacked all at once. It was all the young ranger could do to fight them off, there was just too many. Even the most skilled elf could not fend off ten humans at once, and Aragorn was no elf. Finally one of them landed a lucky blow across the back of his skull and he fell to the floor of the cave. Taking advantage of the downed man, the humans converged on him and hit him on the back of the head again to effectively knock him out before tying him up and throwing his limp body in front of Morohtar.
"Estel!" Legolas cried, struggling against his chains. "Don't you touch him, Morohtar! If you do I swear…"
"You'll what?" Morohtar asked, picking up the unconscious ranger unceremoniously. "You aren't escaping, of that I can assure you." With that he kicked the struggling elf prince in the skull, knocking him out, before dropping his unconscious friend next to him. He looked down at the two bound beings with a smile before motioning to the humans to make sure they were securely tied up. He would have his fun with them later.
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Aragorn moaned as he slowly regained consciousness. The last thing he remembered was trying to save Legolas and a bunch of humans had taken him down… and then nothing. He opened his eyes and looked cautiously around the cave, realizing that he was chained hand and foot just like Legolas was. It was only then that he realized that Legolas was next to him except that he was still unconscious. He hissed unconsciously at the wound that was trying to heal on his neck and vowed to kill the evil creature that had done that to his friend.
"Glad to see you're awake, ranger," Morohtar said as he stepped out of the shadows in front of Aragorn.
"What do you want with Legolas and Thranduil?" he asked angrily, struggling against his bonds. "And why am I still alive?"
"Ah," the creature said as he began to slowly pace in front of the bound man, "Excellent questions. You see, I need the Mirkwood royal family for food and I'm hoping your father and brothers will come and rescue you as they did before with Gavin. Then I'll have five royal elves to use as a food supply and I can dispose of you."
"But," Aragorn said, alarmed that Morohtar knew about his father and brothers. "How do you…"
"How do I know your history?" he asked menacingly. "I only know what Gavin knew and told me. I was one of his experiments you know, and I'm beginning to wonder if you will reveal your secret to me when you could not to Gavin. It would make an interesting challenge."
Aragorn shuddered at the mention of Gavin, but did not say anything. He would not give the creature that kind of satisfaction.
"You know," Morohtar said as he looked down at the still unconscious elf lying next to Aragorn. "I think I'm getting hungry again." And with that he swooped down on Aragorn and began to suck his blood as the ranger screamed uncontrollably.
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Thranduil sighed as he stared into the fire. He hadn't felt like doing much else since the news of Legolas's capture reached him. He stood up quickly as a guard rushed into the room and turned to face him, hoping he was bringing news of Legolas's return. Instead he motioned for the elf lord to follow him. The guard led him outside where a woman was waiting. He stood still when he realized that she was a human, but she was obviously not unwelcome since none of the guards were more on their guard than usual.
"Welcome to Mirkwood," he said, walking towards her with a smile that he just didn't feel. "What brings you to our fair wood?"
The woman bowed low to the elf king. "My name is Irina, my lord," she said quietly standing up once again. "I'm… well I guess you could say I'm a friend of your son's… and of Estel."
"Legolas and Estel?" Thranduil asked, the confusion evident on his face. "When did you meet them?"
"About three days ago," she said her voice betraying her sadness.
"That's not possible," Thranduil said, crossing his arms in evident amusement. "Legolas has been… gone… for four days now and Estel has been here with me."
"He didn't tell you?" Irina asked, scared now of what the elf lord would say to her news.
"Tell me what?" Thranduil asked, beginning to be scared as well. He was sure that Aragorn was still in his room. He wouldn't have gone off again; he knows how Thranduil felt about last time…
"My lord," Irina said, fidgeting slightly. "Estel left to try and find Legolas."
"Start at the beginning," Thranduil said, his face growing paler as the implications of what she said began to sink in.
"Yes, my lord," she said, bowing again. "You see, it began like this…
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"And that's what happened, my lord," Irina finished, tears streaming down her cheeks at the memory. Thranduil cried out in horror at the thought of both of them being captured before collapsing on the flagstones.
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"Estel?" Legolas asked quietly. He looked around cautiously for Morohtar, but the creature had been gone for over half an hour now and it didn't look like he would be coming back. Not that he had to worry about his prisoners, Aragorn was still unconscious from his first feeding experience and Legolas was having trouble moving his legs. He suspected that Morohtar had drained more blood in his frenzy than he had intended. There was no chance that they could escape now, not unless Aragorn woke up and could carry him out of the cave.
"Estel?" he repeated a little louder, starting to worry. He knew the dangers of being unconscious as long as his friend had been and he was just hoping that Morohtar hadn't completely drained his friend. He just wished that he could reach him, but the evil creature had denied him even that small pleasure.
He watched his friend for a moment, hoping to be able to see if his chest was rising. But Aragorn was lying on his stomach, and, even with his elven eyesight, Legolas couldn't tell if his friend was still alive. He felt tears come to his eyes and he quickly brushed them away. He was not going to give Morohtar the pleasure of seeing his pain. He looked back at his friend and turned quickly away as memories of Gavin resurfaced unbidden. He had promised himself that he would never put his family in such a position of pain again, and now it was happening right in front of him.
He tried once again to reach his friend, but he was just out of his reach. Legolas knew that if his friend was awake, and could stretch out his arms and move himself forward, they would be able to reach each other. But Aragorn was till unconscious and the shackles around Legolas's wrists had already begun to cut into his skin. He could feel the warm blood dripping slowly down his arm. He pulled back from his friend, loosening the shackles in the process, and tried to think of a new plan.
From where he was tied, there was one ring where both his and Aragorn's chains were connected to the floor. He shook his chains slightly, not noticing before that they were loose and therefore could be moved to the other side, to where his friend was. Legolas knew now that he could reach his friend if he could just drag himself around to the other side. He tried to move his legs to push himself forward, but his legs would not move. He tried again, beginning to panic slightly, but still nothing happened.
He paused for a moment, trying not to panic too much, before foregoing the use of his legs and resorting to trying to drag himself using only his arms. It was slow going, but, finally, Legolas was next to Aragorn. He rolled his friend over so he could breathe easier and was relieved to see that Aragorn was still alive.
He took a moment to catch his breath and dragged his legs into a more comfortable position. He was trying not to panic too much, but, as an elf, he shouldn't be out of breath at all. He was also worried that he still couldn't feel or move his legs.
"Estel," he whispered quietly to his friend and resting beside him. "I need you to hear me and wake up. I need you to tell me it's okay." He waited for a moment, hoping his friend would wake up, but Aragorn remained motionless. Legolas sighed quietly in fear before pulled his friend's body closer and sleeping once more.
