Taken
chapter 9
disclaimer: I don't own any of this, it belongs to Tolkien. I'm not making any money.
A/N As always, special thanks to Cathy for the plot bunny, and helping me with my spelling! This picks right up where we left off yesterday!
On with the fic!
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
Elladan watched his youngest brother's pain in silent horror.
Elrohir had turned his face away, but Elladan could not. This was his brother, pain in the rear that he was, and Elladan loved him.
As Aragorn thrashed and convulsed helplessly, his eyes rolling in his head in fright, Elladan had silently suffered with him.
The drugs effects lasted for mere moments, but to Elladan, and every other elf in the room, it lasted an eternity.
When Machiad had made to give the ranger a second dose, Elladan knew in an instant that a second dose would kill him.
"NO! We'll do it, just leave him alone!"
The words fell out of his mouth before he could stop them, but he knew that it was truly the only thing to do. Aragorn was, after all, the last of Isildur's heirs, and the line of kings couldn't be broken, or all would be lost.
What were the lives of the sons' of an Elf Lord compared to the life of the King?
Not to mention that Aragorn was truly beloved to his brothers, and they had borne all they could of his suffering.
Elrohir turned his head toward Elladan and nodded softly. They would sacrifice their immortality for their brother, and pray to all the Valar that he would have the mercy to destroy whatever was left of them when it was over.
Aragorn heard his brother's words through the loud ringing in his ears, shook his head to clear it. He instantly regretted it, as the ringing got louder.
"no..." His voice was weak, even Elladan's sharp elven hearing could barely pick it up.
"Be quiet, Estel" He was careful to use his brother's elvish name, not wanting to announce who his brother truly was, not sure of Machiad's disposition toward Isildur's line.
"This is our choice, little brother." Elrohir longed with all his heart to reach for the youngest in his family, to soothe his hurts, and protect him from the world. But this was his only choice. The only way to protect Aragorn now was to give up his mind and immortality to another. He swallowed the lump of fear in his throat, and faced his fate grimly.
"No, please... don't... do this...not...not....for me...." Estel tried to make out his brothers faces through the red haze clouding his vision, but he could see nothing. He could only hear their voices, and the fear in them. Whether it was fear for him, or themselves, he wasn't sure, but he desperatly wanted to alleviate it.
Elrond watched the entire scene in horror, and yet, strangely grateful he didn't have to make the choice himself. He wondered what he would tell Celebrian, when he joined her in Valinor, without their sons by his side.
Elladan took a deep breath, and turned his head toward Machiad, who'd been watching the whole situation with sadistic glee.
"Give us some dignity, and unchain us."
Machiad looked at him in genuine shock. "What?!"
"We're not going to run away, your son died standing on his own two feet, let us do so as well."
The wizened sorcerer considered his request, and to Elladan's shock, acquiesced. He gestured to his lead orc. "Unchain them, but watch them carefully. I don't want them running away."
Elladan and Elrohir shifted quietly back and forth, bearing the close proximity of the orcs silently, though the rancid stench of their bodies almost made the twins gag.
When they were free, both stepped away from the poles, and moved as one toward their brother. The orcs moved to grab them, but Machiad stopped them with a gesture. Elladan pulled off his shirt, and used it to gently wipe away the blood from Aragorns face. He leaned in close, and whispered something in the man's ear, whatever it was, it caused him to shake his head violently.
Elrohir, always the gentle spirit, carefully smoothed his younger brother's hair back from his face, and turned to Machiad.
"We'll do this, but you have to let them go. All of them."
Machiad gave the younger twin a sickening smile. "Of course, Master Elf. You have my word. Now, if you two would return to your positions?"
Elrond watched as his sons turned toward him, and met their eyes, first Elladan, then Elrohir. In his gaze was all the love he felt for the courageous pair, and a great deal of pride. They had grown up to be the Elves he had always hoped they would be, a thousand times over. He knew there wasn't enough time to say all he longed to tell them. So he spoke simply and clearly.
"I love you, my sons."
"I love you, Ada."
"I love you, Ada."
The words were spoken, almost in unison, and Elrond felt a tear slip unbidden down his cheek as the twins reached out an arm to one another, one last time, and took up their posts on either end of the dais.
~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~
interlude:
~~~
'My bare feet pound on the rocks, behind me, he's barely keeping up. In front of me, she's taking another turn. Ai Elbereth! How will we ever find our way back out of this hellhole?'
~~~
end interlude
~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~
The twins placed their hands on the tops of the gilt posts they had been bound to earlier at Machiad's instruction.
They recited the words he spoke to them, the dark language of Mordor burning in their throats, and echoing painfully in their ears.
Thranduil and Legolas watched in silent horror, with an odd sense of fascination, as a fire seemed to light them from within.
For one shining instant, you could see how truly beautiful their souls were, before the light burned brighter than anyone's eyes could stand.
~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~
interlude 2:
~~~
'My breath comes hard and rough. Faster, faster, we must go faster! We're going to be too late!'
~~~
end interlude
~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~
Aragorn turned his head away from the light, Elladan's final words to him echoing in his ears.
"Don't leave us to suffer. When the spell has been cast, end what is left of our lives."
He railed uselessly against the chains as the fire inside his brothers burned out.
"NOOOOO!"
~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~
interlude 3:
~~~
'Almost there, what is that bright light?'
~~~
end interlude
~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~
Elrond was in agony, 'Ai Elbereth, end my life now, for no parent should outlive their child!'
His prayer was to no avail, Elbereth didn't smite him where he stood, though he wished it with all his heart.
He'd seen elves die of a broken heart before, but he'd never understood how someone could just give up on life like that. Not until this very moment.
The light that was his sons burned with the fire of a thousand stars for a brilliant, shining moment, and then, went out.
Their bodies crumpled to the ground, black, and shrivelled, as though they'd been burned in a fire.
On the table, Soleair sat up with a sudden start, looking at the cavern around him, completely shocked to be alive.
As he looked around, a vision of beauty unlike any other filled his eyes, and a smokey voice cried out.
"Stop."
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
Okay, don't kill me! I'll post more tomorrow! Really! I promise!
Reviews make me post faster!
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
A/N:
goblz: No, I didn't mean it that way, but that's kinda how it came out, huh? Well, as you can see, Elrond loves his twins just as much as he loves Aragorn. Keep reading!
Lord Angelus: I'm glad you're enjoying, and no, I didn't forget about the ring, it's going to play a part in the story soon. But, if Machiad can use their natural magic against them, who's to say he can't use the power of the ring against them as well.
pennsuleien: It doesn't say how old Elrond and Thranduil are in any of the resources I have, although, 8000, and 6000 would probably be as good a guess as any. Thanks for reading!
And to the three of you, I want to thank you! You're my loyal reviewers, and you make me want to keep on writing! Big hugs and kisses to all three of you!
XOXO
Cor
chapter 9
disclaimer: I don't own any of this, it belongs to Tolkien. I'm not making any money.
A/N As always, special thanks to Cathy for the plot bunny, and helping me with my spelling! This picks right up where we left off yesterday!
On with the fic!
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
Elladan watched his youngest brother's pain in silent horror.
Elrohir had turned his face away, but Elladan could not. This was his brother, pain in the rear that he was, and Elladan loved him.
As Aragorn thrashed and convulsed helplessly, his eyes rolling in his head in fright, Elladan had silently suffered with him.
The drugs effects lasted for mere moments, but to Elladan, and every other elf in the room, it lasted an eternity.
When Machiad had made to give the ranger a second dose, Elladan knew in an instant that a second dose would kill him.
"NO! We'll do it, just leave him alone!"
The words fell out of his mouth before he could stop them, but he knew that it was truly the only thing to do. Aragorn was, after all, the last of Isildur's heirs, and the line of kings couldn't be broken, or all would be lost.
What were the lives of the sons' of an Elf Lord compared to the life of the King?
Not to mention that Aragorn was truly beloved to his brothers, and they had borne all they could of his suffering.
Elrohir turned his head toward Elladan and nodded softly. They would sacrifice their immortality for their brother, and pray to all the Valar that he would have the mercy to destroy whatever was left of them when it was over.
Aragorn heard his brother's words through the loud ringing in his ears, shook his head to clear it. He instantly regretted it, as the ringing got louder.
"no..." His voice was weak, even Elladan's sharp elven hearing could barely pick it up.
"Be quiet, Estel" He was careful to use his brother's elvish name, not wanting to announce who his brother truly was, not sure of Machiad's disposition toward Isildur's line.
"This is our choice, little brother." Elrohir longed with all his heart to reach for the youngest in his family, to soothe his hurts, and protect him from the world. But this was his only choice. The only way to protect Aragorn now was to give up his mind and immortality to another. He swallowed the lump of fear in his throat, and faced his fate grimly.
"No, please... don't... do this...not...not....for me...." Estel tried to make out his brothers faces through the red haze clouding his vision, but he could see nothing. He could only hear their voices, and the fear in them. Whether it was fear for him, or themselves, he wasn't sure, but he desperatly wanted to alleviate it.
Elrond watched the entire scene in horror, and yet, strangely grateful he didn't have to make the choice himself. He wondered what he would tell Celebrian, when he joined her in Valinor, without their sons by his side.
Elladan took a deep breath, and turned his head toward Machiad, who'd been watching the whole situation with sadistic glee.
"Give us some dignity, and unchain us."
Machiad looked at him in genuine shock. "What?!"
"We're not going to run away, your son died standing on his own two feet, let us do so as well."
The wizened sorcerer considered his request, and to Elladan's shock, acquiesced. He gestured to his lead orc. "Unchain them, but watch them carefully. I don't want them running away."
Elladan and Elrohir shifted quietly back and forth, bearing the close proximity of the orcs silently, though the rancid stench of their bodies almost made the twins gag.
When they were free, both stepped away from the poles, and moved as one toward their brother. The orcs moved to grab them, but Machiad stopped them with a gesture. Elladan pulled off his shirt, and used it to gently wipe away the blood from Aragorns face. He leaned in close, and whispered something in the man's ear, whatever it was, it caused him to shake his head violently.
Elrohir, always the gentle spirit, carefully smoothed his younger brother's hair back from his face, and turned to Machiad.
"We'll do this, but you have to let them go. All of them."
Machiad gave the younger twin a sickening smile. "Of course, Master Elf. You have my word. Now, if you two would return to your positions?"
Elrond watched as his sons turned toward him, and met their eyes, first Elladan, then Elrohir. In his gaze was all the love he felt for the courageous pair, and a great deal of pride. They had grown up to be the Elves he had always hoped they would be, a thousand times over. He knew there wasn't enough time to say all he longed to tell them. So he spoke simply and clearly.
"I love you, my sons."
"I love you, Ada."
"I love you, Ada."
The words were spoken, almost in unison, and Elrond felt a tear slip unbidden down his cheek as the twins reached out an arm to one another, one last time, and took up their posts on either end of the dais.
~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~
interlude:
~~~
'My bare feet pound on the rocks, behind me, he's barely keeping up. In front of me, she's taking another turn. Ai Elbereth! How will we ever find our way back out of this hellhole?'
~~~
end interlude
~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~
The twins placed their hands on the tops of the gilt posts they had been bound to earlier at Machiad's instruction.
They recited the words he spoke to them, the dark language of Mordor burning in their throats, and echoing painfully in their ears.
Thranduil and Legolas watched in silent horror, with an odd sense of fascination, as a fire seemed to light them from within.
For one shining instant, you could see how truly beautiful their souls were, before the light burned brighter than anyone's eyes could stand.
~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~
interlude 2:
~~~
'My breath comes hard and rough. Faster, faster, we must go faster! We're going to be too late!'
~~~
end interlude
~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~
Aragorn turned his head away from the light, Elladan's final words to him echoing in his ears.
"Don't leave us to suffer. When the spell has been cast, end what is left of our lives."
He railed uselessly against the chains as the fire inside his brothers burned out.
"NOOOOO!"
~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~
interlude 3:
~~~
'Almost there, what is that bright light?'
~~~
end interlude
~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~
Elrond was in agony, 'Ai Elbereth, end my life now, for no parent should outlive their child!'
His prayer was to no avail, Elbereth didn't smite him where he stood, though he wished it with all his heart.
He'd seen elves die of a broken heart before, but he'd never understood how someone could just give up on life like that. Not until this very moment.
The light that was his sons burned with the fire of a thousand stars for a brilliant, shining moment, and then, went out.
Their bodies crumpled to the ground, black, and shrivelled, as though they'd been burned in a fire.
On the table, Soleair sat up with a sudden start, looking at the cavern around him, completely shocked to be alive.
As he looked around, a vision of beauty unlike any other filled his eyes, and a smokey voice cried out.
"Stop."
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
Okay, don't kill me! I'll post more tomorrow! Really! I promise!
Reviews make me post faster!
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
A/N:
goblz: No, I didn't mean it that way, but that's kinda how it came out, huh? Well, as you can see, Elrond loves his twins just as much as he loves Aragorn. Keep reading!
Lord Angelus: I'm glad you're enjoying, and no, I didn't forget about the ring, it's going to play a part in the story soon. But, if Machiad can use their natural magic against them, who's to say he can't use the power of the ring against them as well.
pennsuleien: It doesn't say how old Elrond and Thranduil are in any of the resources I have, although, 8000, and 6000 would probably be as good a guess as any. Thanks for reading!
And to the three of you, I want to thank you! You're my loyal reviewers, and you make me want to keep on writing! Big hugs and kisses to all three of you!
XOXO
Cor
