Disclaimer:
No copyright infringement intended. Though I actually DO own something now! FIAH (FREAK.IN.A.HOOD) Said FIAH = bad guy..
Rating:
R – to be safe.
A/N: As always, thank you so much reviewers! Check bottom of post for my replies to you!
CHAPTER TEN
Did you honestly think I wouldn't find you?
Hot, rancid breath drifted against his ear, that same shrouded figure looming over him. Legolas blinked slowly, trying to calm his mind, if only for a moment. If only he could draw together some thought, some rational thought. The sickness that assaulted him, he knew too well…though the hands that groped his body to ensure he could not move, were far more foul than the poison from the arrow.
Valar not again.
A choked sound caught in his throat as he tried to turn his head away from the dark face, still indistinguishable as his vision slowly failed him. For all his determination to forget and overcome, he had fallen again.
Again.
Words pounded against his mind like the beat of some foul war drum. A crescendo of endless taunts.
You should have known. You should not have ridden alone. You are falling apart. You are fading.
The world seemed to fade in and out of focus, colours and shapes blending and melting. His mind screamed at him, orders and demands that his body would not follow…could not follow. As the figure of the man loomed over him he managed to flex his fingers, forcing his mind to operate.
Just breathe.
"I did not know how sweet revenge tasted, till I had you." The man murmured, "I should have known there would be a more pleasurable reason for such a truism."
The dark laugh that escaped the man's lips grated against Legolas's mind and the elf could only stare into the darkness of the hood as he desperately flexed his fingers once more, finding barely enough strength to stretch his arm across the leafy earth, reaching for the hilt of his blade. All the while he restrained whimpers of pain as the arrow dug deeper into his side, half of the shaft having snapped when he was kicked over.
A thick hand descended toward his jaw, jerking his head to the side. The fierceness of the movement caused his vision to blur once again and sent a fresh wave of nausea straight to his stomach. The intense gaze of the mortal nearly burnt a hole in his flesh as the man stared down at his handiwork, tilting the elf's head further to stare down at the healing scar on the back of Legolas's neck.
"So you are a fast healer, elf?" the man sneered, bitterness lacing his tone, "I shall remedy that ere I am done with you."
With those words, Legolas' fingers enclosed around the hilt of his blade and using the last of his strength he attempted to arc it toward the man's exposed torso. However, the captor was not as imperceptive as the Elf had hoped and he flicked his hand out to seize Legolas' wrist, digging his nails into the elf's flesh, his eyes flashing darkly beneath the shadow of his hood.
Legolas' gaze mirrored naught but panic and a distant rage as he stared up at the man, his breathing coming in fierce gasps.
"I suppose I must give you credit for trying." the mortal smirked, twisting the wrist in his grasp until Legolas automatically dropped the blade to the earth.
Even as the man let loose another foul string of laughter, the elf wondered if this was real…perchance it was some foul nightmare?
How had this happened?
From asking a tired, weary traveller to share the warmth of his fire when he had encountered the man upon the road to Rivendell, it had resulted in treachery and maliciousness he had never experienced before in all his years. Though the certainty that his predicament was no dream or nightmare, became all too real when a cry caught in his throat as the man buried his teeth into the same wound he had inflicted the last time he had beaten the elf to the earth. Blunt teeth drew blood, bruised and tore flesh as they sank into the elf's neck, a meaty hand descending to paw at the prone immortal's clothing, tearing and ripping the cloak from around the archer's shoulders. The man drew back and pressed the cloth against the bleeding wound, licking a drop of blood from his lips. Disgust choked all tears and anger inside of Legolas, suffocating, overwhelming as he dared to spare a glance at the skies.
Elbereth...let this end.
Vaguely aware of the man shifting above him, Legolas moaned as he was brutally hauled to his feet. His knees threatened to buckle, legs unable to support him. Foul arms suddenly embraced him and lifted him upward. Strength seemed to return to him, as if some fickle pity had lent itself as a temporary companion.
"Walk elf." The man demanded, half helping, half dragging Legolas away from where he had lain moments before.
The earth seemed to sway and dip, but the man did not allow him to fall and instead shook him viciously, as if wishing to awaken the remnants of strength inside of him. Legolas soon found that he was standing on his own, able to support his body as the poison seemed to wane.
Run. Run. Run. Run. Run.
Over and over the word resounded in his mind…though fear and doubt clawed at him. Why was the mortal helping him to his feet? Why was the man allowing him to stand? A fierce blow to his jaw sent him sprawling to the earth, though with the strike he realised his body was responding – sluggishly – but still responding. He managed to drag himself to his feet, only to have the mortal grip his arm and pull him close in a crushing embrace, their faces scant inches apart. Legolas sought to reel back, but the man leant forward to brush his lips against the elf's ear.
"Run." He hissed.
Aragorn touched his hands to the earth, a frown darkening his expression. The foliage clumped together awkwardly beneath the large oak, as if a horse had turned in a circle, perhaps in panic. The ranger lifted his eyes, forming a relay of what he believed had happened, whispering quietly to himself.
Elladan and Elrohir sat atop their horses, sharp eyes scanning the woodlands. Elrohir felt his steed shift nervously beneath him and leaning across the saddle he frowned.
"The air here is heavy." He murmured to his twin.
Elladan acknowledged this with a nod and turned his eyes down toward his human brother.
"Estel?"
Aragorn held up a hand to silence the elder elf and as his eyes trailed the leaves, a heavy feeling sank inside of him.
Ai Valar…
Heavy footprints that were not an elf's mixed amid startled horse tracks. Aragorn rose and practically leapt upon his horse, tugging the reins fiercely. The animal reared at the harsh treatment only to soften at the urgency of its master's next command.
"Noro lim!" he ordered the steed, sparing a glance at the startled twins, "Ride! And hurry!"
The night air burned his lungs as he fell against the nearest tree, gripping the trunk to support himself. His short rasps and pained wheezes sounded in the forest and not far off, the thunder of hoof beats, drawing nearer.
Run. Run. Run. Run.
Legolas closed his eyes tightly, drawing another breath as he forced his body to move. Staggering, he managed to stumble his way through the forest, trying desperately to put as much distance between himself and the man. Blindly he stared left and right as the world swirled and dipped. His feet were barely able to support him and his head began to throb and spin. In the distance he heard the raw laugh, and the whinny of a horse.
Valar, ahreddath nin…He prayed as he lunged onward in blind panic, shaking and stumbling as he went.
Aragorn jerked the reins, eyes sweeping over the earth as he followed the disturbed trail. Left he turned, the twins behind him, through the thick forest until they pulled up near a clearing. Bursting through into the glade, Aragorn hauled the steed to a stop, scavenging birds scattering with wild squawks. Aragorn's thundering heart momentarily skipped a beat as his eyes fell upon the sight before him. Elladan and Elrohir drew their horses alongside the ranger and both twins displayed identical looks of horror.
"Elbereth…" Elladan whispered, revulsion twisting inside of him.
Elrohir leapt down from his steed, about to race toward the object of their shock but Aragorn's voice stopped him.
"Elrohir! Daro!"
The twin skidded to a halt, eyes flaring as he turned to glare up at Aragorn. Elladan slipped down to join his brother and Aragorn dismounted slowly, eyes never leaving the sight.
Slowly the three of them stood together, staring down at the corpse of the horse. The birds had already begun to peck at the rotting flesh. The poor creature's eyes were open, rolled back in its head, which surprised Aragorn, for he had expected the eyes to be the first source of food for the scavenging birds. One leg, which had been broken, lay in an abnormal twist, bone protruding through the bird pecked skin and muscle. The horse's body was stiff, as was to be expected at its point of death. Even so, as the flies buzzed around the carcass, one could not mistake that this was Legolas' horse. Elrohir took a step back, shaking his head in disgust and shock. Elladan stood by Estel, sparing a glance at his younger twin. All three suddenly turned as their own horses began to stamp and whinny, as if spooked and disturbed by the sight of the carrion. Elladan swallowed down the lump in his throat.
"Elrohir…"
He did not need to finish his sentence; the other twin was already tending to their startled horses, soothing them in quiet elvish. As Aragorn and Elladan returned their eyes back to the dead horse, a chill ran through them. Both of their gazes fell upon the exposed flank, which dripped thick crimson. Carved into the horse's side was one word that they could not fathom to be connected to such a malicious act.
JUSTICE.
Legolas gasped as pain assaulted him with renewed fury. Dropping to his knees he pressed his hands to the earth, gripping dead leaves in fists as he struggled to breathe. Ere he could even consider which way to turn, the sound of the horse drew closer once more. With an angered cry, the elf dragged his body up the side of a leafy hill, gripping tree roots that stretched from the earth. Attempting to haul himself up the slope of the cleft, he spared a glance at the sky. Just as he reached for another root, he heard a throaty laugh below and the fight inside of him shrank away.
"A good chase, elf." The man barked with a laugh as he drew his horse closer to the struggling archer, "Now it ends."
Closing his eyes, Legolas drew a deep breath, praying for strength to return to his limbs. Drawing together all the remaining power left in his aching body he turned, spared the man a defiant glare and pushing away from the slope, he let his body fall in a half lunge half plummet toward the mortal. The elf crashed against the man, knocking the mortal from the saddle with a cry. They hit the earth with a thud, causing the man's horse to rear in alarm, ere darting away into the woodland. Silence echoed for a moment, save for the sharp gasps escaping the elf.
With a foul grunt, the mortal rose to his knees, hood having fallen back from his face. He stared over at Legolas, who lay on his side, arms wrapped around his aching ribs. Scowl dissolving into a smirk, the mortal crawled over, gripped the elf's shoulder and rolled him roughly over onto his back.
"You appear to be even more foolish than I thought, elf." The man spat.
Legolas stared up at the man, eyes wide as he looked for the first time upon the face of his tormentor. The man's face was covered in a strange paint, as if he were some wild tribal man preparing for war. Though it was the cold, dark eyes that stared down at him that were far more disturbing to behold. With another arrogant smirk, the man touched his fingers to the scars and bruises that marred Legolas' face. Wounds from his own hands and those of the forests' doing, twigs and branches that had snagged at the fleeing elf. The smirk turned to a grin.
"Looks are doubtlessly deceiving. Your filthy race is a prime example."
Though the words seemed a jumble to his mind, slowed and slurred due to the poison, Legolas could vaguely discern them and amidst his agony he wondered why. Why did this mortal hate them so? Sliding a large, ugly knife from his cloak, the man pressed the blade against Legolas' cheek, hatred sparking in his eyes.
"Oh but I would gut you like those foul creatures gutted my people."
Legolas blinked, trying to understand, cold fear gripping his heart. He did not wish to die here, not like this. Where was the warrior's death he had always imagined for himself should such a thing come for him? He could not die like this, alone in the hands of mad-man, miles away from friends or family, body left to rot.
With a snicker, the man drew the blade down the front of the elf's tunic, slicing away the cloth with a vicious glint in his eye. His intentions were all too clear as he ran his free hand down the path of the blade.
Legolas closed his eyes in despair. He had no strength to move, let alone cry out in defiance. Again it would haunt him; again it would happen…here in the darkness…always in the darkness. Alone and suddenly so helpless…Valar he prayed it would be enough to break him. To face elven grief…he would rather die now.
Then as swiftly as the hand sought to travel to below his navel, the man paused and lifted his head, eyes darting around the forest. Legolas did not even feel the single tear that had slipped from between his lashes…
The tear for his lies to his friends, the hurt he had caused them and the trust he had shattered. And also for his father, should he ever come to know of his son's fate. Dead in a graceless heap…somewhere outside of Rivendell…a warriors death denied.
The elf winced as the mortal shifted atop him, withdrawing the knife and sheathing it. Legolas did not notice. He did not care.
Then he felt rough fingers probe his cheek as the man touched the tear…the tear Legolas was barely aware that he had shed. Then that laugh, that sickening sound that chilled his blood.
"These tears you cry elf, shan't be your last. I shall haunt you."
With that, the weight atop his body was gone….
Gone.
Unable to move, Legolas' eyes darted around the forest, searching for any sign of the man, though the world continued to spin, swirling in a sickly taunt. Somewhere in the back of his mind he thought he heard the pounding of hoof beats, though he believed it was his heart. He could feel the caress of the wind and the whisper of the trees.
The forests song was a pained, miserable melody and soon it faded away as pain evaded his senses once more. All he could hear was the rush of blood in his ears, the sound of his breathing and distantly his own mind replaying words and voices.
You look weary Legolas…You lie through your teeth Legolas…Let me help you Legolas…Just breathe, Legolas…Legolas…Legolas…Legolas…Legolas…Legolas!!
"LEGOLAS!"
A whimper caught in his throat as he felt a presence collapse beside him. Perhaps he was foolish to have thought the man would have left him.
…Or was this real...?
Shuffling sounded beside him, hands touching his face, smoothing hair away from the bleeding wound to his neck. He cringed at the touch. Expecting to see the face of his tormentor, he blinked, his eyelashes fluttering as he stared up into the wide, tear-struck eyes….of Elrohir.
Again, I apologise that its a bit short! Would love to hear your thoughts! Hannon le!
Sindarin Elvish Translations
Noro lim! – Ride fast!
Valar, ahreddath nin – Valar, save me…
Elrohir! Daro! – Elrohir! Stop!
Reviewers!:
LOTRFaith – And mae govannen to you too, mellon nin! It's wonderful to hear from you! Thank you for reviewing for me! The rest of this is on its merry way – as it were! Lol!
Sophie - [laughs] ah but who doesn't love cliffhangers? Lol. Thank you for your encouragement! I hope you enjoyed this chappy and the next ones which are soon to be up! Hannon le (thank you) for your support, my dear!
IMTrinity – [grins] Hello there, meldir(friend) and how are you? Thank you so much for your kind, encouraging words. I was deeply touched by your feedback. So thank you! You are a light that keeps the darkness of writers-block away! Hannon le, meldir!
THECheeseTurkey – Hello there! [laughs] I'm glad that you're enjoying the story! Sorry this update was late! Thanks for your review!
EyesLikeSilk – I'm sorry that this update is a bit late! Thank you so much for your review and of course, it's great to hear that you've enjoyed the past chapters so far! Hopefully catch you next post!
Jade – [grins] Mean?! Me?? [winks] Sorry to have left the last chapter hanging like that. Thank you so much for your review, Jade! It makes my day to have such great feedback from such great reviewers! So hannon le (thank you) greatly! May you continue to enjoy the story!
Hannon Le!
Silver Thorne
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