Eleventh chapter: Dangerous games
The days grew monotone for the two elves. Going up at sunrise, breakfast, which consisted of porridge. Then training until midday, then they moved out from the sun, rested for a short while, got lunch, usually only some dry bread. And then training again, until evening. where they were "free" to do what they wanted. Usually they bathed, and then relaxed, before going to bed in the cells.
Legolas and Rozarko kept close together, not trusting the other slaves. After a week like this, Balak was watching the two elves train. They had in the week learned a lot of what was to be known about being a gladiator, and even though they were proving a challenge, especially the blond one, they were promising, and Balak had made it his job to get them to submit. They had not yet told him their names, and therefore, they had been giving names instead.
"Elves!" he called.
Rozarko and Legolas stopped and turned to Balak.
"Tomorrow you will show your worth" he told them, "you will go into the arena together, and if you survive, then you will receive the mark of the house Marcinistar".
"You expect us to go into the arena, and kill other people?" Legolas asked skeptical, a challenging look in his eyes.
"Yes" Balak told them boldly, "you will fight in the arena, as I have told you before, you will kill your opponents and be victorious, or you will be killed yourself".
The next day Legolas and Rozarko found themselves before the iron gates to the sands of the arena. They could hear the people cheer outside. Legolas had the two twin knifes, Rozarko a single handed sword. Both of them were bare chested, with loose, gray pants who only reached their knees, and sandals strapped to their feet and around their ankles. Their hair they had braided in the usually elven warrior braids.
Then they heard the voice of the fat man, announcing them.
"Today is a special day for the house of Marcinistar. We have two of the most promising creatures we have ever seen, and today they will compete in the games to earn their mark. They are exotic, powerful and fair to behold. Two elven warriors from lands far north. May I present Orak and Vascal the white warrior".
The gates opened, and the two elves was ushered outside by the guards. The crowd cheered, sitting upon seat all the way around the arena. To the right was a balcony, where the fat man was sitting along with others who looked of some kind of importance. To the other side of the arena, four other gladiators walked out from a gate. All clad ins short pants, sandals, and leather armor over their shoulder and abdomen. Three had swords, the last one a spear.
Legolas and Rozarko looked at each other.
"We are not alone" Legolas whispered and looked behind him, looking into the crowd, searching. Then his eyes fell on four hooded figures, but he clearly saw their eyes, and knew who they were.
"Begin!" he suddenly heard the fat man yell.
Legolas turned quickly, saw that Rozarko already was blocking the attack from one of the men. Two were attacking Legolas, one of them with the spear. Legolas blocked the sword, turned to block the spear with the other knife. With all the grace and agility of the elves, he turned, jumped and knocked the man with the sword to the ground. The second the landed on the sand, he blocked the spear with one knife, grabbed it with his other hand, and pulled. The man did not let go, and found himself in the sand as well. Legolas broke the spear, and threw the sharp end away.
Rozarko had already thrown one of his men to the ground, and trying hard with the other. Legolas ran to help him, and from behind he attacked the man, knocking him unconscious. Rozarko shot him a grateful smile. Then they looked at the two Legolas had fought was getting up again, with a look at each other, they stood ready as the men ran for them. Legolas blocked one man, as Rozarko blocked the other. The one Rozarko had fought in the beginning was getting up as well, and attacked Legolas from behind. Legolas turned and blocked his strike, kicking the other in the popliteal, making the man buckle to his knees. The other Legolas grabbed and force to his knees as well, beside the first one. With a knife to each throat, Legolas stood tall behind them. Rozarko had his sword to the breast of the man he had fought, who now lay on the sand.
The crowd cheered. The two elves looked at each other, not quite sure what to do now. The crowd was calling for them to kill the men, but none of them wanted to take the men's life. Then they heard the voice of the fat man.
"Glorious!" he yelled, "absolutely glorious these elves are".
He looked for a long time at the elves, with the men under the tip of their weapons. Then an evil smile appeared on his lips. Both elves felt unease rise inside them.
"Kill them!" he yelled.
Rozarko looked stunned to Legolas, who just glared at the man. Challenging him. The sun was catching his hair, making it shine as the stars, and a small breeze made it flow around him. His icy blue eyes were piercing the brown ones of the fat man.
"I said, kill them" the man growled.
Legolas then threw his knifes away from him, and back away from the two men, who turned their heads and looked surprised at the elf. Legolas still held the fat man's gaze, and slowly shook his head.
"I will not take their lives" Legolas then growled forcefully.
"You will disobey me?" the fat man growled angrily.
"I never vowed to obey you, did I?" Legolas said boldly.
The man's face grew red, he tensed in anger.
"Guards!" he then yelled. The men in the arena all got up and ran to the side.
Rozarko looked nervously at Legolas as guards ran out from several gates, shield and spear ready. They surrounded Legolas, spear pointed towards him. Rozarko they did not even look at, and he stood outside the circle, and could only look on. Balak, their trainer, was walking with strong steps towards Legolas. When he stood before the elf, he turned to look at the fat man.
"Vascal refuses to obey me" the fat man said, "Balak, teach him what we do to slaves who disobey their master!".
Balak nodded towards the guards, and two ran to take Legolas' arms. The blond elf struggled, and two more ran to help, and they got Legolas down to his knees. Balak walked back behind him, unfolding his whip. With gentle hands he removed Legolas' silvery white hair from his back, and draped it over his right shoulder. His finger lingered for a short while in his silky soft hair, caressing it shortly. Then he stepped back, and swung his whip.
The air soon filled with the sound of the whip meeting flesh. In the beginning Legolas did not make a sound, his body tensed though, nut he kept glaring hotly at the fat man on the balcony.
With a nod from the fat man, Balak laid more force into the whip. Legolas hissed at it hit his, now very, sore back. Balak kept on until Legolas gaze dropped from the fat man to the ground. The pain increased, and he felt like his back was being ripped apart. It burned madly, and every whiplash sent excruciating pain trough his body. A scream of pain escaped him. Balak stopped to look at the fat man, who told him to continue. Another whiplash, and another scream. Legolas could no longer hold it in, the pain too much now. The flesh on his back torn, blood flowed down.
"Stop" the fat man finally called, and Balak stopped, looking to the fat man.
Legolas slowly raised his gaze to the fat man, who were shocked to see the strong gaze the elf gave him.
"Release him" the fat man ordered, and the four men who held him released him.
Legolas slowly rose, he felt his legs shaking under him, but managed to hide if from the audience. The guards around Legolas stepped back.
"Now" the fat man said in a clear voice, "you will kill the four men".
"No" Legolas said fiercely back.
The fat man looked stunned, his eyes wandering from Balak, to the blond elf, and then fell on the brown haired elf, the one he called Orak.
"You will kill the four men" the fat man said with a smirk, which made Legolas feel unease, "or Orak will be killed".
Then four guards sieged Rozarko, and one held a sword against his neck. Legolas moved to run to him, but the man pressed the sword warningly close to Rozarko's neck. Legolas looked from Rozarko, to the fat man, to Balak, and then to the four men, two still on their knees, one laying on his back, and the one he had knocked out, was now sitting up, looking frightened.
Legolas shook his head in dismay, not knowing how to get out of this one. He did not want to kill the men, but he truly did not wish Rozarko to be killed because of it.
He then looked to Balak, who handed him the twin knifes. Legolas breathed deeply before taking them, and then he walked slowly to the two men on their knees. He placed one knife before each throat.
"Will you forgive me?" Legolas whispered.
"We are trained for this" one of them said, "we kill, or we die in the arena".
Legolas then swiftly sliced each throat. He shot the fat man an angry glare before walking to the next man, slicing his throat too, and the same with the last one.
"Splendid" the fat man exclaimed, "Balak, give them their marks".
Balak them received two fiery white and red iron shafts, each with an M on the end. Legolas was sieged again, and forced to his knees. The M was pressed into his right chest. The same was done to Rozarko.
"Now!" the fat man proclaimed, "you are gladiators of the house of Marcinistar".
"We saw Legolas and Rozarko" Girion told as he sat at the fire of their camp, Glorfindel, Elladan and Elrohir seated themselves next to him.
The others looked intently at them.
"Where?" Mirthral asked.
"In the arena" Girion told, "they were getting their mark, entering the status as gladiators. Legolas was forced to kill four men".
Girion then told what had happened in the arena.
"We tracked Anglond and Galdor to a small settlement west of the city" Mirthral then told, "they have also been sold to a gladiator camp, but it seems that this one is not as prestigious than the one Legolas and Rozarko have been sold to".
"We heard it was the most prestigious of them all" Elladan told, "and the owner sounds like an evil man, pushing his gladiators to the limit. And he takes joy in their agony".
The others sadly shook their heads.
"As for Tristan and Cyan" said Rogon, "they are right now at a camp to the south, not very well guarded".
"Could we be able to free them?" Elrohir asked hopefully.
"We could, but we have to move fast then" Rogon smiled.
"Well then" Glorfindel got to his feet, "lets ride south".
Legolas back had healed, only the white scars lingered. Through his captivity his elven ability to heal had faded some, and he was not able to heal the scars. They would fade, in time though.
They continued training, and the monotone off the day. Usually, it was Legolas and Rozarko who sparred together when they trained, but one day, Balak wanted it in another way.
"Vascal" he called, "Goran. You will pair up today".
Goran glared at the so called Vascal, the white elf glared back at him. Balak circled them as they sparred, Legolas tried to give the human a chance, but soon got bored. Balak saw this and smirked.
"Vascal" he called, "why do you hold back? Give it everything you have".
Legolas then fiercely attacked the man, and in a swift move and jump, the man lay on the sand, stunned.
"You are talented, Vascal" Balak encouraged, Legolas just glared at him, "but you are tempered, and you do not obey the master, and those above you. You are going back into the arena tomorrow, alone, and you will kill them this time, or Orak will be dead when you return".
Legolas head whipped to Rozarko, who were sparring with another man. Legolas then turned back to Balak, breathing deeply before bowing his head.
"Finally" the fat man exclaimed from the balcony above them, "we have found Vascal's sore spot".
Rozarko whipped his head around and looked to where Legolas stood, now glaring defiantly at the fat man. Both Balak and the fat man was smirking.
"So, Vascal" the fat man smirked, "will you submit to me and obey me now?".
When Legolas didn't answer, the fat man nodded to Balak, who unfolded his whip and whipped it around Rozarko's throat, throwing him to the sand. He then walked over and placed the tip of a knife to his neck. Legolas watched on, feeling the anger rise, the disdain and hatred towards the fat man and those the commanded. The tip of the knife was pressed further down, drawing drops of red blood. Legolas felt his heart beat rise, his breathing with it. He folded his hands in anger, and turned to the fat man. He bowed his head in submission.
"I will".
Within two months Legolas received the status as champion. He went undefeated in the arena, not even drawing blood himself. He always went in alone, while Rozarko had a knife pressed to his neck. Legolas did not wish Rozarko to die because he could not fallow orders, and therefore, he killed everyone he was put before in the arena.
Goran, the former champion looked at Vascal with envy. The white elf, as they called him, had taken his place as champion, and he did not like that.
After another game which the white elf had returned victorious from, Goran found himself walking to the baths of the barracks. It consisted of one small pool, and two fountains where the gladiators could gather water.
Goran stood by the door, watching as the elf undressed. His back covered in white scars from the whipping, there were many, too many to count. Otherwise, his body was magnificent, strong and fair. The elf looked at the water for a while, not really wanting to go in, but too filthy not too.
The elf stepped into the pool, and started to wash of the dirt and grime from the arena. Goran then slowly and as soundlessly as he could, walked forth.
"Have you not learned you cannot sneak in on an elf?" Legolas asked, turning his piercing blue eyes to Goran.
"No" Goran said boldly.
Legolas just shot him a small smile before returning to wash himself.
"Anything you wanted, Goran?" Legolas asked after a while, feeling uneasy by the gaze of the man.
"You took my place" Goran then spat.
Legolas turned to look at him, he seemed stunned by the statement.
"I never intended to" he then said calmly.
"Ha" Goran spat, "you come here, in all your glory and magnificence, earning the love from the crowd just by what you are. Tell me, is the elves as glorious as the legends say?".
Legolas looked taken aback by the question, Goran walked closer to the pool.
"That depends" Legolas said slowly, "on the legends you have heard".
"I have had enough" Goran then yelled, and jumped into the pool, pulling Legolas under water.
Goran pressed his left hand to the elf's throat, holding his head under water. And with his right hand, he took the sharp wooden stick and stabbed the elf in his stomach. The pain flared through Legolas, and he fought hard to threw the human off him. He succeeded, and gasped for air when he emerged from the water, which were turning red from his blood. He was bleeding heavily from the stab wound in his stomach.
He then sensed Goran behind him, but the human had already jumped up and attacked again. This time, the pain flared from the point right under his right shoulder blade. Legolas groaned in pain, turning and throwing Goran to the side, hearing the crack as bone broke. Goran screamed as the felt his left arm brake.
Legolas struggled to get out of the pool, but felt his strength failing him. He fell to his knees at the edge, seeing Goran get up. Goran glared at him with hatred.
"No" he growled angrily, and moved forth.
Legolas tried to get him off, but Goran pressed him under water again, the wooded stick under his shoulder blade pressed further inside. His body was screaming for air, and he felt his conscious fade.
o0o
Rozarko walked slowly towards the baths, knowing Legolas would be there. When he heard splashed and the sounds of struggle, he started to run fast.
The sight that met him rose his anger, he ran towards Goran and threw him to the hard ground. He then lifted Legolas out of the water, he was bleeding heavily from a stab wound to his stomach, and Rozarko saw he only as bleeding hard from one to his back. Rozarko yanked the stich out, pressing his hand to stop the bleeding.
"Guards!" he yelled, hoping to be heard.
He tenderly wiped the water and hair away from Legolas' face, checking that he was breathing. His heart almost stopped when he realized he was not. He then placed him on the floor, blowing two times into his mouth and then started to pump on his chest.
The guards came running into the baths, looking stunned at the scene before them.
"He was attacked" Rozarko told, not stopping what he was doing, "a stab wound to the stomach and to the back. He is not breathing".
The guards ran to help, one pressed on the wound at the stomach to stop the bleeding, while two others removed Goran, and one running for the healer. Rozarko then blew two more times in Legolas' mouth, and then Legolas started to cough and gasped for air. Rozarko rolled Legolas over to his side, and the coughed water up.
"Easy now, mellon amin" Rozarko soothed in Sylvan, "you are safe now".
Legolas opened his eyes and focused on Rozarko, another guard had moved to look at the wound on his back, pressing a hand to it to stop the bleeding.
Then the healer entered, looking stunned and ran to the elf on the floor. Rozarko told what he had seen and done, and the healer ordered Legolas removed and brought to the healing ward. Rozarko insisted on carrying Legolas himself. He tenderly lifted his prince and walked after the healer.
o0o
The fat man burst into the healing ward, fuming with rage.
"What happened?" he bellowed.
"Quiet" the healer urged in a whisper, Legolas had flinched when the fat man had burst into the small room.
The healer pulled the fat man into a corner, and whispered to him what had happened, and the conditions of the injuries.
"Gods" the fat man breathed, "he will he out of the arena for months. I have lost my champion".
"Peace now" the healer urged, "you forget he is an elf, you saw how fast the healed from the whipping. I think he will heal fast from this too".
And so Legolas did, he only spent a few days in the healing ward, and after a week, he was back in training. The fat man was still furious of what had happened. He one morning assembled all in the courtyard.
"The situation between Vascal and Goran will be settled now!" he growled, "I cannot have two gladiators who cannot cooperate. Vascal, Goran, step forwards".
Legolas slowly stepped forward, as did Goran, his arm still in a sling".
"You will settle this in the arena" he smirked, "you are not to kill each other, only disarm and await my judgement, is that clear?".
"Yes master" they both said.
"As soon as your arm is healed, Goran" the fat man spat, and turned to walk back inside the house.
"Seems like your end is near, elf" Goran spat.
"Playing on hubris now, are we?" Legolas smirked, "as far as I recall, you have never defeated me, human".
"This time I will defeat you" Goran said challenging, glaring at the elf.
"I am sure I will enjoy your efforts" Legolas teased.
Goran moved to make a strike at Legolas, who stepped back. Balak's hand caught Goran's, the trainer was glaring hotly at the two of them.
"Safe it for the arena" he bellowed, then turned to Goran, "go back to your cell".
Legolas once more stood before the gate to the arena. How many times had he stood here? he had lost count. How many lives had he taken on those sands? He did no longer know. Once more, Rozarko was chained on hands and feet, a guard holding his blade to his neck.
The gate opened and Legolas walked into the arena, he saw that Goran already was there, standing before the balcony. Legolas walked until he stood beside Goran, and looked up at the balcony where the fat man was standing.
"The past meets the present" the fat man said in a high and clear voice, "the former campion of the house of Marcinistar, Goran, face the present campion of the house of Marcinistar, Vascal, the white, elven warrior, undefeated in the arena. Begin!".
Goran immediately attacked Legolas, who easily blocked his strike, and in one swift move, turned the battle around and stroke at Goran. The human only managed to block the strike, but Legolas then turned at made a strike to his right side. He drew the first blood of the game, Goran groaned at the pain from his side.
Legolas stood ready, knifes held protectively before him. Goran attacked, Legolas blocked and attacked Goran with all his strength, slicing the human over the left thigh and left shoulder as he lowered his round shield. Goran moved to strike, but instead had to block another attack from the elf, who twisted his sword and kicked him in the stomach.
All air left Goran as he buckled over, gasping for breath. Legolas did not attack, and Goran concluded horrified, that the elf was toying with him. This was all but a game for the elf.
Goran then attacked furious, but Legolas, once again, easily blocked it, and once more kicked Goran, this time in the side and the human stumbled to the sand. The crowd was cheering madly, calling for Vascal to finish the man. But Legolas would not end this yet. Goran jumped back on his feet, only to fall back on his knees by the force of the elf's attack, who swiftly turned and sliced him over the shoulderblades. Again Goran groaned on pain, and turned to get up.
He ran to make a strike at the elf, who jumped back from his strike, turned away as he stroked again, jumping back again, and again, and again, until he got bores, and attacked Goran instead. Goran did not manage to block, and the knife was cut into his side. Legolas then drew the knife out, cut Goran over the right hand, and Goran dropped his sword. The elf moved behind him, taking hold of his short hair, yanking his head back and pressing the knife to his throat. The game was over.
Legolas looked up at the fat man, awaiting his judgement. The fat man rose from his chair, looking intently at the elf and man before him.
"Kill him".
Without hesitation, Legolas cut the throat of the man, ending his life right there on the sands of the arena.