Tauriel rode in silence alongside the dwarves. She was no fool – she knew that they did not trust her. Normally, she would try to resolve their problems with her. However, she feared that she would snap at them due to fear and stress.
She could not convince them even more of treacherous plots.
They were nearing Dol Guldur, and with every step they took, it became more dangerous. Fili had told her that Kili had awakened and spoken to him.
That, at least, was not something she had to worry about.
As they rode closer to Dol Guldur, Tauriel could feel the desperate air, full of despair from victims and the terrible hate of the orcs.
The Earth spoke of the abominations that lived within the ruins of Dol Guldur. They would arrive later, after the noon. Tauriel knew she could not push the horses any faster, but the feeling of desperation only convinced her of Legolas' precarious situation all the more.
Tauriel knew that Legolas would stay strong for as long as possible. He was stubborn – Ai, she knew that well. However, she also knew that the darkness – nameless, cold – was hard to break. Whatever resided in the ruins of Dol Guldur was strong and within the tall walls bred orcs, spiders, and other terrible beings.
The evil was well-hidden, though it was kept secret. Every elf felt the evil, but she knew that the Elven Lords and Ladies did not tell all they knew. She was not sure if that to keep from panic, or if it was because even they did not know what to do.
As Tauriel spoke, a small shifting made her glance at the dwarves. Kili was awaking once more.
"Kili?" Fili asked. He blinked open his eyes, seeming groggy. Tauriel felt a shiver of fear shoot through her. They could be fighting any minute, and Kili was still not fully healed nor awake.
"Tauriel!" Fili suddenly exclaimed. "I forgot to ask upon your return – Kili cannot remember the events that occurred before the poison took great effect. Is that normal?"
"It is," Tauriel said with a nod. "The poison affected him even then. I am sure he was not quite himself in those moments?"
Fili nodded. Kili opened his eyes. Tauriel looked at him. This was the first time she had truly seen him – awake and not despairing nor through the bars of a prison. He was strong – that she could see easily. The poison still held some affect – the bags under his eyes and droopy gaze told her that.
Tauriel stopped her horse. Loathe as she was to pause, she had to give Kili the weapons he would use if they had to fight. There was no time to lose. Silencing the protesting voices within her, she looked towards Kili and pulled the bow and arrows from where they had been strapped to her back along with her own.
"Kili, our mission – I assume Fili has told you of it?" Kili nodded. "This mission is dangerous. We hunt to save my friend and companion, Legolas Greenleaf. Now, normally, I would not do this, but there is no other solution. You are weaponless, so I will grant you his bow and arrows. Be careful with them – they are of his own make, and he is considered one of the most skilled of Middle Earth when fighting with them."
Kili took the bow and arrows carefully, feeling the weight of the bow in his hands. He examined them, raising his head to look at Tauriel.
"Surely he will need these after we rescue him?" he asked. Tauriel turned her head away, unable to meet his searching gaze.
"I fear he will be unable to be of assistance. The Necromancer will have hurt him greatly, if not completely. I only know that he is alive."
Kili nodded, looking embarrassed that he had asked such a question and caused such distress.
"What is this strung with?" he asked, trying to change the topic. "Never have I seen a bow strung with something so fine."
"It is strung with a few of Legolas' hairs. He based the make off the archers of Lothlorien. They often use their hairs to string the bows."
"And it will not break?" Kili asked with wonder.
"It never has, and he has used it for many years. It is of the best quality. Use it well."
"I will," Kili agreed quickly. "Thank you, Tauriel."
Tauriel nodded, not meeting his eyes again. She turned and continued down the lonely path, following the tracks the orcs had left not long ago when they had brought her friend to a place of horror and torture.
A place she willingly travelled to.
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Legolas stood still in the bonds. He stared out into the darkness. As he listened, something made a sound as if footsteps were approaching him. He peered out, but did not see anything.
What was going on?
He knew it was no orc – the steps were too light, and Sauron would surely not make the sound of footsteps.
He strained his ears. A whisper of wind seemed to breathe words too quiet to understand. He listened deeper, trying to hear the spoken words.
(late… save…)
Legolas picked up only a few words, but still, he tilted his head in surprise. What was being spoken of? Was it someone there to rescue him?
He longed to cry out that he was trapped, that it was not too late, but he did not dare.
(free him…)
The whisper was a bit louder. Eagerly, he listened. They were going to save him! He was safe!
(listen quickly…)
Legolas found himself nodded to the voice's command. Of course he would listen! He wished to be saved.
The wind was silent for a moment, but once again, he heard the footsteps, just out of sight, buried in shadow. Straining his eyes, he fancied that for a moment – the sheerest second – he saw a being's movement in the dark. Again, he longed to call out but knew that he would ruin his chances to be rescued.
Instead he whispered,
"What shall I do?"
To any hostile ears listening, it was a question that reflected upon his situation.
The wind heard it, loud and clear.
(listen to me…)
"I will," he breathed, promising the being in shadows.
(do not despair…)
Legolas relaxed a bit in his uncomfortable position. His savior would show themselves soon. He would escape soon!
(stay strong…)
"Forever," Legolas promised, barely letting the words escape his clenched teeth and closed lips.
(do not give in…)
Legolas nodded, fascinated by the strength of the speaker.
(i am coming…)
Legolas let out a deep breath, closing his eyes in near bliss. He would be rescued.
Legolas had feared.
Ai, he had feared so much. Sauron was overwhelming and controlling. Just standing before the Dark Lord of Mordor, he had felt his mind being eaten away and attacked. Legolas had feared not only the collapse of his will, but also the collapse of his mind.
Perhaps he had feared for not: Sauron had wanted a leader, not another broken, useless elf. However, he had feared being twisted into a dark being, into something he was not.
Legolas feared the future. Now, he would not have to.
For a moment, he wondered who it was that saved him. He had not been aware that someone knew of his capture.
However, one of the cowardly humans of Lake Town could have witnessed it and gossiped of it. That way, it would have eventually spread to Mirkwood through trade and the humans' need of small talk.
His father would have certainly sent elves to rescue him. they were, perhaps, near him, looking and searching for him.
Legolas smiled, a pathetic, sad look on his drawn, worn face, but it spoke of hope and eagerness.
(stay still, i am coming)
Legolas froze, not wishing to warn the evils of Dol Guldur of the other elves deep within their borders. Ai, he knew how it was a mistake to increase Sauron's wrath. He would not make these elves suffer for trying to save him.
The footsteps sounded again, and he reached out towards the sound, once more glimpsing the being that searched around and whispered with the wind.
(be still!)
As if he was burned, Legolas dropped his arm, standing silent once more in the bonds, trapped with his wrists mounted above his head.
Legolas felt himself trembling with excitement, despite his will to stop. He could not wait to escape into safety – into sanity, into sunlight – again. Legolas grinned like a fool, trying to stop himself but failing due to his absolute delight.
(listen to me, penneth)
Legolas tilted his head to the side. He had not been called that for many years. The last one to call him that name had been his mother before the tragedy had occurred.
(do not question)
He swallowed hard, pushing back his surprise at hearing that nickname again.
(wait for me)
He knew his saviors were coming. He could hear
(wait for me)
the steps again, and they were louder. He strained his eyes
(be calm)
and could make out the figure's shape in the shadows. He could hardly
(silent!)
hold back a cry of pure happiness. He would be
(freed)
free, and he would be safe. He had hardly imagined this day could come.
(free me, Legolas)
Suddenly, the wind's voice was much harsher, and the figure he had seen grew bent and broken before his eyes. His mouth dropped open,
(do you see me, Legolas?)
and he cringed away from the being – from his rescuer.
(do not judge, prince)
He shook his head, trying to calm his thoughts. The appearance was not real. It was one of Sauron's tricks.
(listen…)
He would not
(to me…)
listen; he would not give in. The rescuer was here. Ignoring the bent posture and fear that flooded him, he watched the figure in silence.
(my son)
He let out a sharp cry as his mother stepped out of the shadows, broken and with anger on her once-fair features.
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Hey, guys! another quick update! What do you think? Do you feel like it was rushed? I did a bit… And for the first time since starting this fic, I rewrote a section after reading it over! :0 The original will be used later in the fic…
What will happen next?
Please review!
Thanks to all my reviewers and readers!
Disclaimer: I do not own LotR or the Hobbit!
