Disclaimer: I do not own LOTR or The Hobbit. I'm only doing this for personal pleasure. Thank you for reading and any reviews, comments, or criticism are helpful! Enjoy.
Chapter 4: The Struggle
The darkness was blissful. There was no pain. No worries or doubts to plague his thoughts, and no physical or mental hurt, just a peaceful emptiness. It seemed as though his whole life was a mere dream of something that never was and deep down he hoped it never had been. The loss of his father followed almost too soon by the fading of his mother, and his beautiful wife with her horrid death. Though her passing was years after his parents, their time together was still a mere blink of an eye in his life. His most valuable treasure after so much loss was his son. The arguments they had, and the hurtful words they would throw at each other out of rage. His anger would get the better of him, but no matter how proud and stubborn he was he would always, always go back to his green leaf to apologize. He wished he could have given more of his time to his only child and heir however the duty of a king never seemed to end. Especially during these dark times they were living in. He shook his head mentally and sighed. 'Now I will never see his cheerful smile again. Nor will I touch the golden silk strands of his hair and watch it slip through my fingers. Most importantly…I will not be able to apologize for being such a neglectful and stern parent' Thranduil smirked to himself sadly. It seemed like the darkness managed to block everything out except for regret. He allowed himself to fall deeper into the abyss welcoming its cold peace.
He was just about to let go of everything when he felt a sudden surge of energy run through him 'what…what is happening?' he thought somewhat annoyed with a tinge of despair. It just couldn't end no matter how much he wanted it to; his cursed immortal life just never let go. He suddenly felt familiar warmth surround him followed by an even more familiar voice. Legolas. He could hear his sons voice call out to him and noticed the wavering fear in his tone. He was suddenly back to his physical senses and began to feel his aching body flare in pain, and quickly bit his lip to stifle a gasping cry. He struggled to keep a distant bond between him and his son 'He can not know my pain… if he senses it…he will recklessly come to my aid…and that…thing…will get him as well…' he heard his green leaf call out to him in a more panicked tone now from his lack of response. He didn't know how long he struggled to limit their bond until he was finally able to respond 'I-Ion…nin…' he winced at the sound of his own voice. It was harsh and sore reminding him of how parched he was. Every word he spoke scratched and raked at the back of his dried throat. The elven king struggled to focus on his sons voice trying not to worry him any more than he obviously already was. He wished he had been left to drown in the cooling empty depth, but Legolas' pleading calls kept him from fading, bringing forth his fatherly instincts that forced him to stay alive for his son's sake. He heard the soothing voice once again and tried to interpret what he was saying, while also battling to keep his pain to himself and his voice in as much a steady tone as possible. Again it took him a while to gain as much strength and self control to reply as fast as he could, while his son's words were just too panicked and fast spoken for a quick reply. The moment he heard Legolas question him he sensed that his time connected through the bond was running thin as he heard the soft pitter-patter of the creature in the lifeless trees around him. It was enough warning to make himself rush to speak; yet it only managed to cause a shudder at the sharp pang he felt at the back of his head. He regained his composure, or at least what was left of it to answer his son 'no…Legolas…leave…leave…the wood' He cursed himself for not having the energy to even form a normal sentence without gasping and struggling for breath.
He struggled…for breath?
This was very unusual. Alarmingly unusual now that he actually focused more. He wasn't supposed to feel out of breath from speaking through the bond. It was a mental way of contacting and connecting with loved ones not physical. So why was it causing him to struggle? He allowed those thoughts to fade away for now since time was running short, the pitter-patter getting slightly louder as the monstrosity creped in closer to the small clearing.
Legolas' rising voice snapped him back to what his son was telling him, and realized he was mentioning their last encounter in attempt to apologize, and at the moment there was no time for it. He gathered as much of his strength and raised his own voice to quiet his son 'Saes Legolas!' he felt drained just from that slight outburst but shook his weariness away. He had time for rest later though it wouldn't be a pleasant one. He next spoke with a quieted voice close to a whisper; his throat hurt too much, again a disturbing fact since he wasn't actually physically using his voice. 'My son…you must…leave…for…your safe-' He suddenly felt a sharp jab twist into his side making himyell out in pain and lose his concentration on restraining the bond. He knew his heir was feeling his pain when he heard his anguished cry at the back of his mind that quickly faded once the bond was cut off.
He growled in pain and anger as he looked up at the savaged varmint beside him who had caused him to lose his concentration which ultimately caused his son to feel unneeded pain and suffering, even if just for a moment. He was strong willed and built thus enduring his pain for a while longer was tolerable. Now that he sensed his son's return he would fight against his fading to return to his green leaf. He would not think selfishly again and leave his son behind. Not yet. Not now, and not ever, as long as his son's immortal life continued on and his body still drew breath then so would he.
"What is it you were doing my king?" the creature sarcastically spit out as it twisted the dagger deeper into Thranduil 's side while caressing his cheek with its other clawed like hand, before pulling out and licking away the red substance off the sharp steel while watching the new wound poor out more of the elf's precious blood. Blood, which the king couldn't spare more of if he wanted to survive.
When IT saw the elf mumbling to himself and seemed to be in a trance, It knew exactly what that spaced out look was, and allowing it to continue would have spoiled Its game of hide and seek.
Thranduil only glared and turned away not wanting to lay eyes on the thing. "I had the privilege of witnessing the return of our prince" it cooed and licked it's lips thirstily "I do so hope he tastes as swell as his adar or I will be so very disappointed indeed" It stepped away and circled around the tree that Thranduil was tied to, appearing on his other side to look into the kings icy glare. "Oh but what if he tastes even better! Wouldn't that be so utterly splendid!" it moaned and cried out in crazed delight leaning against the dead trunk "I can almost taste it! Feel it slide down my throat!" It laughed hysterically, its words causing Thranduils heart to pound hard in his chest in fear for his son, while his thoughts wore flooded in disgusted despair at the thought of this THING literally sucking the life out of his one and only precious child. That was a vision he would make sure would never happen, not as long as he still carried breath in his lungs, and a beat in his chest.
I sudden jerk of the creatures head caused Thranduil to focus on it again and away from his thoughts. In a hastily fast move, its hand found its way to the elven kings throat and tightened its grip "Oh now I'm hungry and I don't think I can wait for tonight" its smirk widened if possible, with a flick of its tongue over its dry lips.
A couple of days after his capture, Thranduil had finally managed a clear glimpse of the repulsive being before him. Its crouched body was nothing but skin and bone. Itscomplexion was ashen gray with a wrinkled and dried surface that slid over sharp edged bones with each movement. Teeth sharp and almost as grayed as it's skin if not for the yellowish red stains that were surrounded by mere slits for lips that were almost always curled up into a wide smirk. The most haunting part about It were the eyes. Dark shaded hues engulfed abnormally large green eyes, which sunk into Its skull. Eyes that seemed to dance at the sight of his blood, and filling with revolting ecstasy every time it got a taste. If Thranduil were ever to survive this ordeal he was sure that those eyes would haunt him for many years to come.
Of course everything changes in due time, which seemed to apply to this thing as well. It still looked dead however with each passing day, the more blood it consumed from him the stronger is seemed to get. It now stood with a straight posture, no longer crouched. Its body seemed to swell in health causing the illusion of its large eyes to shrink into that of a normal size, yet they still held their unhidden feelings of need along with that blasted unwavering smirk. Now that the elf king was focused and the creature in a somewhat better state, he realized as it leaned in closer that it almost….'no…it can not be possible…' he squinted his eyes and realized skin pointing out from beneath its matted hair 'Oh Valar…such a creature…' Thranduil's face twisted in pain and shock going pale at his new undeniable discovery, his mind went blank as he continued to stare almost dismissing the new pain that shot down his back as sharp razors sank into the skin that connected between his neck and shoulder. The pointed skin came in clearer view, revealing a trait he knew too well. The pointed ears of an elf…this thing…is an elf…
Ada/Adar : Father, dad
Saes: Please
Ion nin : My son
By: The Raven Evermore
