Chapter thirteen – The price
When the hand grabbed his wrist, Húron snapped his eyes to the side and immediately his mind reeled in shock. Legolas was completely pallid; flakes of crusted blood were showing here and there on his face even though it looked like he had attempted to wipe them away. As his eyes travelled downward, they came to rest of his tunic. What had once been aquamarine was now covered in old and new blood as well as dust.
Noting all this he turned his eyes back to Legolas and felt his Captain's gaze and presence pierce through his very person. Even in the state he was in Legolas was still able to make him feel like he was being pierced through. The eyes that were locked on his weren't the normal icy blue color but a darker and deeper blue, not quite sapphire but close enough for him to feel uneasy.
Seeing all this, anger once more coursed through his veins and his grip tightened on Amath's shoulder, just a bit more and he would be able to break it. Why was Legolas stopping him?
Legolas' eyes fluttered over to his hand as well briefly before looking back at him. "Let him go Húron, he is on our side." He said calmly.
Húron's eyes showed his incredulity and he glared at Amath, tightening his grip even further. "Faneth told me how you stabbed him, she told me how you hurt him. Why should I believe you?"
"Because it's the truth." Amath answered quietly, "It has always been the truth."
"I ordered him to infiltrate them as a spy," Legolas said, "and he had fulfilled his duty better than I could've ever asked of him. Release him Húron."
"How long?" Húron asked, though his grip slackened slightly.
"Almost ten months." Amath answered.
Húron's eyes snapped to Legolas. "Ten months? You knew about it when I came to you?"
"Yes." Legolas answered calmly, "I knew and I didn't tell you a single lie. I had the situation under control and telling anyone would have been to endanger Amath. Now let him go Húron, we don't have time for this."
Reluctantly Húron let go and took a step back. He was still looking at Amath suspiciously and obviously wasn't going to move further away from Legolas as a precaution so Amath wouldn't be able to attack him.
"Húron…" Legolas asked hesitantly, "Faneth, Maliel, and Hithel?"
"…They're safe." Húron answered softly, "They're at a safer location with Galadriel and thirty guards."
Legolas visibly swayed and both Húron and Kirion, who had entered quietly, grabbed hold of him to steady him. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. For the first time in centuries he sent a prayer of thanks to the Valar. It felt like a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders and he was able to breathe easier for the first time in what seemed like an age.
After another deep breath, the sound of elves beginning to exit the dungeons reached his ears and he straightened himself, taking his weight out of Húron and Kirion's hands. He turned his head and gazed at his father as he came, leading the released warriors behind him, then he turned forwards and looked past Húron. A small force of Lothlorien and Rivendell elves were standing at the end of the hall and one was moving towards them at this moment. Legolas recognized Haldir, the marchwarden of the golden wood, and inclined his head.
Haldir felt the weight and power behind the Prince's eyes as they landed upon him. It was as if those eyes were looking into him, reading him with greatest of ease. Almost as soon as his eyes landed on those blue pools he felt calmness and awe flood up inside him. Even with his appearance now this elf seemed to have nobility and a presence that made one want to follow him and want to rely on him.
When the Crown Prince inclined his head it was all he could do not to kneel before him. He bowed even as he walked the rest of the way. Legolas smiled to him when he was standing before him.
"Thank you Haldir of Lothlorien," Legolas said, "for the aid you and your realm has given us."
"I should thank you as well."
Haldir moved his eyes from Legolas' and immediately it seemed like the calmness his gaze had brought left him once more. He found himself looking into the eyes of Thranduil, King of Mirkwood, and bowed deeply.
"It seems that in my stubbornness I forgot that we were allies, but you have come nonetheless. It is I who should bow to you." Thranduil said and bowed.
Haldir was momentarily overwhelmed and a sense welled up inside him as he looked upon Legolas and Thranduil that he had just met two formidable beings, a pair who could keep a realm on its feet through the worst of crises.
"The Lady Galadriel sends us, my King." Haldir said, regaining his bearings, "She says that this enemy is not yours alone and it never has been. You need not bow to me."
Thranduil smiled to him and then turned his eyes to his eldest son. "I have made thirty warriors stay behind to guard Gwaur, Taenor, and the civilians, the rest wish to join us in the battle."
"You're going to fight?" Legolas asked.
"You're saying I can't?" Thranduil challenged.
"No." Legolas chuckled, albeit wearily, "We'll get weapons from the weapon room and then join the fighting in the courtyard." He turned to Amath. "It would be better if you stayed here."
"I will not Captain." Amath answered, "Let me right the wrongs I have done."
Legolas sighed but agreed nonetheless. "Stay close to me."
He then started moving quickly towards the main hallway his back straight and not showing the slightest hesitation. They followed him as he completely naturally took the role of leader. Haldir noticed his men gazing at the Prince in awe and amazement as he passed them.
"What is happening outside?" Legolas asked as they moved quickly through the halls.
"Elladan attacks with three hundred at the front, Elrohir attacks with two the left, and Elrond with two from the right. Elrond's focus is to protect the families who live in that area." Húron answered, "The elves are proving to be difficult to fight because of their reflexes and inability to feel pain."
"I know." Legolas said just as they reached the door to the weapon room. He took hold of the door handle but found it locked. Almost in synchronization, Húron and him kicked the door up. The lock sprang and the door bashed into the wall. Thranduil sighed from behind them but they were already inside.
Legolas grabbed a pair of long knives and a sword and strapped the weapons to his person before throwing a sword at Kirion, his father, and Amath. Then he walked out once more and let the warriors come forward to find the weapons they preferred.
"Have you instructed them not to kill the elves?" Legolas asked his father. Thranduil nodded. He gazed at Legolas for a moment and then reached out and placed his palm against his son's cheek. Gently, he brushed away the remaining traces of crusted blood, relishing in the feeling of being able to touch him once more. He soon reached out to Kirion with his other arm and pulled him against his chest, pressing a kiss to his forehead.
The moment lasted only a split second before they were forced to pull back and move their focus back to the situation. The warriors armed themselves quickly and soon they were moving through the hallway once more, the sounds of battle becoming louder and louder as they came closer to the entrance.
Legolas hurried down the stairs in the entrance hall and moved to the great doors that led to the Halls. He placed his hands against them and swung them open. Immediately a roar of noise flooded over him and he gained view of the courtyard. Elves were fighting elves everywhere in complete chaos, bodies lay upon the ground either unconscious or dead, friends sprung on friends because it was so hard to tell the difference, elves were restraining overtaken elves using rope to bind around their writs and ankles.
He was filled with great sadness but ignored it as he swept down the steps leading to the courtyard while flicking the two long knives out of their scabbards and into his hands. Húron, Haldir, and Amath were at his side while his father and Kirion went in another direction, some of the guards flocking around them, others ran into the fray.
The first overtaken elf that saw him, screeched in what he guessed was meant to be a warning to its companions. Immediately, almost all attention was turned to him and when the elves saw Amath this hunger to kill only became greater resulting it the fact that everyone within range stormed at them.
Legolas cursed inwardly as he raised his blades and fell into a square formation with his three companions just in time for the first wave to meet them. He soon found himself fighting two at the same time, parrying their attacks with the twin knives and attacking them in turn. They were challenging to fight yes, but adrenalin was pumping in his system and his injuries and exhaustion were forgotten because of it.
He met the next elf's sword above his head and promptly flicked his wrists so it fell down beside him instead of on his head. He then flipped his left-handed long knife over in his hand and thrust the hilt hard into the elf's gut, propelling him slightly backwards. Without giving him a second to recover he hit him over the head with the hilt and simultaneously met the next elf's sword thrust with his right-handed knife. Then he kicked the elf's chest so he staggered back and fell over the elf he had just knocked out.
He could feel a little blood tickling down his chest from his still unhealed wounds but didn't have time to ponder it more than that because soon the next elf engaged him. He raised his knives once more and danced with them. The moon's silvery light reflected in the blades as they swirled with lethal accuracy through the air.
More and more elves started becoming aware that he and Amath had exited the Halls. Therefore, they were targeted immediately because the elves feared him and wanted to kill him before he had the chance to do something. When any of them laid eyes upon Amath the coldness in their bottomless black eyes would swell to fury and they would fly at him as well.
While Legolas was fighting another opponent he saw someone sneak up beside him and raise his sword to attack Amath. Another glance showed him that Amath was already preoccupied with two and wouldn't be able to evade the attack. Just as the sword went down the elf he was fighting did the same and immediately he raised his twin knives, catching a blade on both of them. His arms protested against the strain and there was a moment where he was worried his shoulders would get dislocated.
Knowing that he could not withstand the pressure for long, he kicked the elf that had attacked Amath away and then slammed the hilt of the knife into the elf before him. For a split second as Amath finished with his opponents as well, their eyes caught.
In that second Legolas saw as Amath steel grey eyes widened in realization and then he gave a small smile, a smile that seemed to scream 'forgive me'. Then Amath tore himself from their formation and pushed a new opponent further away.
"Amath!" Legolas barked but couldn't leave Húron and Haldir's backs unprotected, "Damn it!" He was forced to settle into position as the two elves flew at him again, having recovered from their blows. From time to time he would glance up and see Amath gradually disappearing inside the battle.
He cursed inside himself even as he fought. There wasn't time to tie and thereby restrain the overtaken elves so no matter how hard they hit them they would get up once more and fight once more. If they had been knocked unconscious then they would wake up and they would attack them again. It was a never-ending stream of attacks.
They would not be able to win like this…
As Legolas parried a heavy blow with both knives another elf suddenly slammed into him side and knocked him to the ground. He rolled backwards and popped up on his feet just in time to evade the elf's fist flying towards his face. The elf had apparently lost his weapons.
With every blow dodged, deflected, or reciprocated, he was forced farther and farther away from Húron and Haldir even if the two of them were desperately trying to come to his aid. As soon as he had been separated from them, overtaken elves had begun coming at him from all sides.
He whirled and slashed at the elves, parrying a sword up front while just barely sidestepping one from the back and kicking towards one to the side. He was reacting so fast that it was almost impossible to precisely see his movements as he spun around inside the circle brandishing his knives. Every time an elf fell the circle would became a little tighter until the elf was back on his feet so there was no way out and no way to win.
The next elf managed to flick his knife out of his hand and he was forced to sidestep the next attack while drawing his sword from its scabbard. The weapon gave him more range but it was not as fast and light as the knife. Nevertheless he had trained since he had been eight, he knew how to adjust his fighting style to fit every weapon and weapon combination.
His brain was past the point of thinking of anything other than move, parry, attack, parry, kick, move, attack, parry, and so on, but his ears didn't fail to hear the chaos all around him, didn't fail to hear as elves cried out in pain or died. It seemed to him that even the light of the moon was turning red from the blood that was being spilt within kin.
The calmness he usually felt in battle was steadily being filled with anger even as he continued hacking, parrying, and slashing, his sword and knife gliding through the air but only drawing the smallest amount of blood. Anger at Dol Guldur for forcing this upon them, for forcing them to fight each other…
As the rage boiled up inside him so did the power that he had been saving up throughout the imprisonment, the power that hadn't been drained from Amath's constant attempts at weakening his body.
They really should have killed him.
Legolas smiled.
Blue light exploded from the middle of the courtyard, it swept over the grounds with the speed of a pumping heart, constantly new waves surging forth. A piercing screech echoed through the air, hundreds of voices becoming one as they uttered the same searing scream.
One by one the overtaken elves succumbed, falling to their knees almost like all life left them. Once everyone was down, the blue light fell to the ground and disappeared, evaporating into thin air. Complete silence followed in the wake of the surge but then as one every warrior in the courtyard started frantically tying the overtaken elves' wrists while they still lay insensible.
Legolas panted with exhaustion where he sat on the ground with his legs crumpled underneath him. Even if his eyes were trained on the ground the image before them was being bent and twisted into a never-ending swirl of colors. His head spun from the use of power.
If the overtaken elves around him woke up before anyone could restrain them, then he wouldn't be able to fight them. He could hear Húron and Elrond beginning to shout orders inside the chaos but couldn't for the life of him raise his eyes.
"Legolas…?" The voice was far off but his name had left the person's lips footsteps started running towards him. It wasn't long before a figure skidded to its knees before him and almost immediately as hand was placed underneath his chin, lifting his head slowly.
He moved his focus up from the ground and saw first raven locks then the face of one of the twins. His vision still wasn't good enough for him to be able to tell which one but it didn't really matter.
"Are you all right?" The twin asked frantically.
He leaned the weight of his head against the hand and closed his eyes. "Just… give me a moment…" He murmured weakly.
"All right. Lay down for a minute." The twin said and before Legolas could protest was being swept down to lie on his side on the hard cobblestone of the courtyard. The twin started moving about around him and when he cracked his eyes open he could see him tying the still dazed overtaken elves' hands. He found that his vision was a little better as he was able to see that it was Elladan who had helped him.
"They're going to wake up soon…" He said after a little while of just lying there, breathing.
"Don't worry. Húron has already taken control and has warriors already bearing the elves out of the courtyard and to the dungeons. Ada has taken control over getting a healing ward together so the wounded can be tended to." Elladan tied the last elf's wrists and then came to his side again.
Elladan gently rolled Legolas over on his back and lifted his shirts to check his wounds before he could stop him. A sharp gasp came from Elladan as he saw the many scars, half healed stab wounds, as well as still bleeding wounds that littered his torso.
Legolas sat up while taking Elladan's hand in his own and drawing it away. He let his shirt fall back down to cover the wounds. "It's all right." He murmured. He was weary, yes, and in pain, but he knew that his body could still function. There were others who were more wounded.
He looked around the courtyard and saw that many of the overtaken elves were starting to regain their wits even as they were being carried away. A group of Mirkwood warriors were at this moment hurrying towards them. Five began hoisting the tied but awakening overtaken elves onto their shoulders but another bravely walked to his Prince and lowered himself to his knees beside him. It was Tharbadon, the best friend of Sarnor.
"Are you all right, my Prince?" He asked concerned.
Legolas smiled faintly to him, "I'll be all right, don't worry." He glanced around the courtyard but felt keenly the absence of one figure. "Where is the King?"
Tharbadon looked hesitant for a moment but then answered, "Your brother… Prince Kirion was wounded in the battle. It seemed to be a head wound, but I don't know how serious other than that he was unconscious when King Thranduil bore him inside the Halls. Lord Elrond has the healing ward up and running so both of them are there now, I think."
Legolas had turned a shade paler but even though Elladan feared that he would collapse he didn't even waver. His eyes were completely unreadable and they had no warning before he suddenly started pushing himself up from the ground. With exclamations of surprise Elladan and Tharbadon immediately aided him on either side.
Once he was up Legolas turned to Tharbadon and said, "Tharbadon, I need you to make a count over every warrior of ours here so we can get a head count of who are missing. Once you've procured the number and list of names I want it brought to me. Go now."
Tharbadon bowed at the clear command and then walked off hurriedly. When Legolas turned to Elladan next he saw an amused smile on the twin's lips.
"And what would you have me do, my Prince?" Elladan asked.
"Thank you." Legolas said. Elladan's brows furrowed in confusion but Legolas only moved forward and gave the twin a hug. "Thank you for coming."
Elladan relaxed and he hugged him back gently not wanting to cause him pain. "You're welcome."
As Legolas drew back he said, "Elrond is in the healing ward and Elrohir is most likely with him. With them gone then that makes you in charge of your warriors. I will not order you to do anything but we could use some help in cleaning up after the battle. There are still dead lying in the halls and around the grounds that need to be taken care of as well as overtaken elves to guard."
"Both Rivendell and Lothlorien offer you all the help they can give." Elladan guarantied, "I will speak with Haldir and we will command our troops to take orders from your warriors because they know Mirkwood and your rites best. In the next hours we can make do without you so promise me that you will have your wounds seen to and that you will rest."
"I promise that I will let the healers see to me and to rest when I need it." Legolas chuckled, knowing full well that he wasn't completely fulfilling Elladan's demands.
Elladan sighed but nevertheless puffed him gently towards the Halls and then walked off to find Haldir, muttering under his breath. He turned away quickly enough to not see Legolas stumble slightly from the light push but then regain his footing.
Taking a deep breath Legolas started walking towards the Halls but even as he took the first step his muddled mind remembered Amath. Immediately his eyes snapped around the courtyard and it soon came to rest on a cluster of elves from Mirkwood. They were standing in a ring around something…
Legolas walked hurriedly over to them, his body not well enough to run, and pushed himself through their ring. Instantly his eyes landed on the figure lying in the middle of the ring. Blood covered the side of his chest from a long gash; from the blood on his lips and his erratic and shallow breathing Legolas knew that something was wrong with his lungs.
"Amath…" Legolas breathed and kneeled beside him. He reached out and placed his hand against his friend's pale cheek. Amath's steel grey eyes turned from the sky to him and he opened his mouth to say something only to cough up a small amount of blood.
Legolas looked up at the elves surrounding him. "Help me take him to the healers."
The warriors looked at him blankly. Legolas knew that his father had told them that Amath had been working as a spy inside the group but in their eyes he could still see anger and blame. He knew what they were feeling; they had nursed their hatred for Amath for nearly a month with pictures of dead children, wives, and husbands in their minds all the while. They were not ready to forgive.
Legolas grit his teeth in frustration. "Please." He pleaded but when their faces didn't lose their stony expressions. He clenched his eyes shut for a moment and then placed his arms under Amath's knees and back, lifting him into his arms while gritting his teeth from the pain that radiated from his chest.
"Captain… don't…" Amath whispered but Legolas didn't heed him and instead elbowed his way out of the ring of elves and hurried towards the hall.
"Shut up Amath." Legolas said brusquely.
He climbed the stairs in the entrance hall and even though there were elves running up and down them no one spared him a second glance after they saw whom he was carrying, no one helped him. In that moment he wasn't sure he had ever felt more alone, more alienated, as if he was walking amongst a sea of people but he was invisible to them. He could stop up and all that would happen was that they would zoom past him.
He could barely persuade his arms to hold up Amath's weight and fiery twinges of pain blazing through the stab wounds on his torso. The wounds that he had had Amath make… Perhaps it was a way of punishing him. He should never have asked it of Amath. The price was too much.
When he reached the healing ward he leaned against the doorframe, his breathing slightly quicker than normal. The room was in controlled chaos it seemed, healers both from Mirkwood, Rivendell, and Lothlorien gathered together to take care of the many wounded who had been brought in. There were also several places were it was an overtaken elf who had been strapped to a bed so they could care for his wounds.
When Legolas called out to the nearest and seemingly free healer, one of the young healers of Mirkwood. The elf moved towards Legolas but once seeing whom he had in his arms, something inside him balked and he took a step backwards. His eyes were apologetic even as he looked down in shame and turned away. Some of the other free healers did the same but all of those from Rivendell and Lothlorien were preoccupied and hadn't even noticed him.
Legolas felt as if he had been punched in the chest and then without being able to control it rage burst out inside him and he before he could stop himself he yelled, "You're healers damn it! Isn't it your job to help the injured?! Damn you!"
Complete silence followed his outburst and the healers of Rivendell and Lothlorien gazed perplexed at him while those from Mirkwood flushed in shame but didn't move to help him.
A shuddering breath from Amath made him grit his teeth even harder to keep his anger and frustration at bay. He saw Elrohir and Ecphen extract themselves from their patients, leaving them in other's care and moving towards him. Before they could reach him though, Elrond came out of one of the adjoining rooms with a puzzled and alarmed expression on his face. He studied the situation and then flashed an angry and disappointed look at the Mirkwood healers before ushering Legolas out of the room.
"Elrohir bring supplies." He ordered softly and then followed the Prince. As soon as possible he reached out and drew Amath into his arms instead. Legolas faltered momentarily from the loos of weight but righted himself quickly.
Elrond gazed at him with alarm but started walking nevertheless. "The healing ward is filled to the breaking point and I think it's necessary to get Amath out of people's reach. We will take him to your room."
"Why will you help him…?" Legolas asked wearily.
"Your father told me what happened while I tended to your brother." Elrond answered.
Legolas' breath hitched, he had forgotten about his little brother. "How is Kirion?"
"He has a serious head wound," Elrond sighed, "If he wakes up then I believe he will be fine but head wounds are tricky. He's still unconscious."
Legolas felt even more weariness well up inside him and for a moment his head spun. He nearly tripped over his own feet but suddenly Elrohir was by his side and pulled one of his arms over his shoulders to support him. He allowed himself to lean on the twin the rest of the way to his room.
He knew that the power he had unleashed during the fight had finally sent his endurance over the edge. His head was throbbing with every beat of his heart and the stab wounds on his chest were bleeding lazily down his chest from carrying Amath.
The rest of the journey was hazy and when next he really became aware he was being helped into an armchair inside his bedroom. As he blinked his vision clear he saw how the place had been torn apart. Amath had told him about it but seeing it in reality…
The mattress had been thrown off the bed and was lying on the floor along with wrinkled bed coverings and pillows. The two paintings that had hung on the walls were torn down and thrown onto the floor. Their wardrobe had been emptied, all content lying on the floor and scattered around the room, and their cabinet had been knocked over and all the drawers flung out so Faneth and his belongings were scattered about, among these her jewelry and his circlet…
He stared at the room but then turned his eyes to Elrohir and Elrond who had laid Amath down on the floor so they could lift his mattress back into place. Once Amath was laid upon it and Elrond could begin examining his injury, Elrohir went around and put some of the furniture back in place just to make the space accessible.
Elrohir then came over to him and gave him a tight hug that conveyed all of his worry, relief, and anxiety. "I was so worried." He murmured and then drew back to look into his eyes. He smiled sadly and reached up to place his palm against his pale cheek. "…You really don't look good my friend."
"I try my best." Legolas whispered with a weary smile on his lips.
"Elrohir, boil some water with athelas." Elrond said from the bed, completely focused on the patient before him.
Elrohir nodded and quickly went to fulfill his request. In the short moment he was away Legolas allowed his mind to drift into a reverie so close to sleep but still not quite. He first became aware again when Elrohir started untying the neckline of his father's once aquamarine tunic. He cringed in disgust over its state covered with blood, dust, and sweat as it was after nearly a month's captivity.
His undershirt quickly followed and Elrohir could barely hide his anguish and anger as he saw the field of wounds and blood that was his chest. Legolas watched as the twin's jaw clenched and was then suddenly hauled to his feet and guided into the bathroom.
Elrohir ran water into the pool while helping him out of his remaining clothes. Once the pool was filled he helped Legolas into it and was about to start washing him when Elrond called from the other room. He gave Legolas the flannel instead and hurried out.
As quickly as possible, Legolas washed himself and then climbed out of the pool. The bathroom was equally trashed but he was able to pull a towel out of the mess and began drying his body. When he reached his chest he gently dabbed the water off. Blood spotted the towel but there was nothing to do about it. Even as he stood doing this he closed his eyes and leaned against the wall.
He hadn't even realized that Elrohir had come back into the room before the twin's hands touched his and took the towel from him. Elrohir led him over to an overturned bench and quickly flipped it upright before making him sit down. He then began drying his hair.
When he was completely dry, Legolas dressed in a pair of leggings and then allowed Elrohir to tend to the wounds on his chest.
As the twin worked he asked, "Legolas… I don't understand why you're helping him. From what I understood Amath betrayed you…"
"Faneth didn't tell you…?" Legolas murmured sleepily, leaning against the wall with closed eyes. "Amath was acting under my orders. He infiltrated the overtaken elves and has been my spy inside them for nearly ten months…" His voice then softened even more as he began berating himself, "Should never have made him do it… Too big a price…"
"Do not blame yourself." Elrohir said gently and began stitching to still open wounds.
Legolas opened his eyes and gazed at the twin as Elrohir concentrated fully on taking care of the wounds, a small frown creasing his brows. His mind immediately brought up images of seeing Elrohir with his daughter and how that had made the twin's eyes become full of peace and his smile contented.
"How is Maliel?" Legolas asked once Elrohir had wrapped bandages around his torso. Elrohir's hands immediately stilled where they were tying the knot. It was a moment before he pulled himself together and finished the knot.
"She is well." He answered somberly, "But very worried."
Legolas frowned, "About me?"
Elrohir looked up at him then with eyes that were filled to the brink with misery and opened his mouth to say something. In that moment though Elrond called both of them from the bedroom. Legolas' attention snapped to the door, but inside he was fighting on whether he should fear for what Elrohir had been about to say. He looked back at the twin but his face had become a mask and he smiled.
"Yes she's worried about you." Elrohir said and then stood up, drawing Legolas with him. They entered the bedroom and all thoughts fled from Legolas' mind as his eyes landed on Amath's pale figure on the bed. He was struggling for each breath and blood dotted the bandage that had been wrapped around his chest.
Elrond came over to them and when his sorrowful eyes landed on him, Legolas already knew what he was going to say.
"He's not going to make it." Legolas said softly.
Elrond shook his head, "The wound was so deep that his lung was punctured. I have done all I can to make him comfortable but there is no way to save his life. The loss of air will eventually make him lose consciousness and from then it shouldn't take long."
Legolas showed no reaction to the news other than gazing at Amath with an unreadable look in his eyes. Then he nodded and returned his gaze to Elrond, "Thank you. You and Elrohir should return to the healing ward. I'll stay with him until it's over. Will you tell my father?"
"Of course." Elrond answered gently, "Anything you need." He moved forward and wrapped his arms around Legolas in a fatherly embrace. "Have strength, make sure you take care of yourself as well. I gave him a strong drug for the pain so he's not entirely lucid."
Legolas nodded and drew back from the embrace. He smiled to the two of them but brushed past them to get over to Amath. Once he sat down on the bedside, Amath opened his eyes and gazed at him hazily.
"Cap'ain…" Amath mumbled.
"Hey." Legolas said softly and reached out to brush his hand over Amath's dark hair. Amath's usually tan complexion was pale and his lips were pale with a slightly bluish tinge from lack of air.
"That …bad, huh?" Amath breathed and choked on coughs that made him close his eyes in a grimace of pain. He gave a few shuddering breaths before opening his eyes once more, Legolas could see every emotion in those suddenly unguarded eyes. He could see deep shame as well as pain and also grief.
"'tis my punishment…" Amath murmured, closing his eyes once more. "I failed you… failed everyone…"
"You never failed me." Legolas said gently, and found Amath's hand so he could grasp it. "You were faithful right to the very end. Many things would have been worse if you hadn't been there. You saved Faneth, Hithel, Maliel, and Húron; you gave them false directions and led them on wild goose chases. You kept them from killing Taenor and me… You know that they would have killed me if you hadn't convinced them that my powers could be withheld with the weakening of my body."
"I…" Amath gasped softly, his breathing shaky at best. "I… hurt… you."
"But I'm all right." Legolas whispered, "and that's thanks to you alone. I hold true to what I told you at that time, that I would rather have stabbed myself in your stead. I would've done it is my hands hadn't been fettered every time."
"Don't…" Amath wheezed his eyes flickering back and forth beneath his eyelids, "Don't want… to die alone…"
"You will not." Legolas answered, "I'm right here beside you." He squeezed Amath's hand. "I'm right here and I will be here even when you fall asleep, to guard over your dreams."
"I failed Maer…" Amath wheezed, "Failed him…"
"You never failed anyone." Legolas said softly but firmly, "You will take your place beside him as an equal member of my team, whom I trust unfailingly. Do not hold any regrets over what has happened because no matter what people think and whatever you have had to hear and endure, I know who you are and I absolve you from everything you have done. Your heart is in the right place as it has always been."
A faint smile curved Amath's lips upwards but he didn't answer, instead he just breathed laboriously. Legolas continued to hold his hand squeezing it from time to time to assure Amath that he was still beside him.
"Shall I sing you something?" Legolas asked gently after a while.
"'ll fall 'sleep cap'ain…" Amath breathed weakly.
"That's all right, don't you think?" Legolas asked and reached out to brush his hand over Amath's sweat-dampened hair. "To lay down and close your eyes and get some peaceful rest after a hard days work."
"'m cold…"
Legolas' throat clogged for a moment and he didn't reply but instead let go of Amath's hand for a little while to pick up various blankets and covers lying spread out on the floor.
"Legolas…?" Amath wheezed, a frantic ring to his voice as his hands groped after his hand once more. "Cap'ain…?"
"I'm here." Legolas said and hurriedly moved over to Amath once more and squeezed his hand once before spreading the covers and blankets over him and then taking his hand in a tight grip once more. Amath's frantic breathing calmed down once more. It seemed that he had lost the strength to open his eyes.
Softly, Legolas began singing a gentle song, its very lyrics describing sceneries, peaceful trees, vales, and the harmoniously clashing waves of the sea. With words he created a whole other world and even the melodic voices of birds seemed to find its way into the room through him.
Barely five minutes passed before Amath's hold on his hand went limp as the elf's consciousness faded. Even then the wavering breaths of his lungs' lasts attempts filled the room. He continued singing until the song was over and even then never let go of Amath's hand.
Legolas was pushed into the room struggling and immediately the four overtaken elves were chaining his fetters to a hook in the wall, which if he wasn't mistaken had once held a lantern. He raised his eyes to Amath who was standing in the back of the room and pretended to glare at him.
As soon as the overtaken elves had left the room he gave up the act and smiled weakly to Amath instead. "How're you doing?" He asked softly enough for only him to hear it.
Amath sighed and moved over until he was standing right before him. "Their trust is limited but it is there." He answered just as quietly, "The only reason I could get them to leave us alone and to bring you out of the dungeons was that I would work on getting you to tell me where Faneth, Hithel, and Maliel have disappeared to. I don't think that they understand the feeling of loyalty for they think that you will give up their location with a bit of persuasion."
"Are going to perform this 'persuasion'?" Legolas asked with a small smile.
"Depends on what you want me to do Captain." Amath answered almost stonily, "If I don't do it then there will be no reason for me to bring you here or to be alone with you and then I can't give you the information that I gather."
"Hit me then." Legolas sighed, "Pretend. It's all right I can take it."
Amath gritted his teeth and Legolas could see the unveiled grief and remorse in his eyes as he drew back his fist and punched him over the cheekbone. The smack sounded through the room and Legolas wasn't in any doubt that the elves waiting outside could hear it.
"Where are they!?" Amath shouted almost believably. He then kicked the wall a couple of times, the sound it gave was so similar to what kicking him would have sounded like so he pretended that he had been the one who had been kicked by moaning.
"If you answer me now then you will spare yourself a great deal of pain!"
"Never!" Legolas roared and barely kept back his own laughter. He could see Amath struggling with the same even as the elf started kicking furniture around. To those outside it must have sounded like a serious beating that he was getting where he was both hit with stool legs and taken down from the hook to be slammed into other pieces of furniture all the while Amath and him kept shouting at each other.
After a while they stopped once more and in the middle of the wreckage Amath sat with heaving shoulders. Legolas tracked even as the motion changed from muted laughter to silent grief and torment.
"It wasn't your fault." Legolas said softly.
"Taenor was right…" Amath whispered brokenly, his voice shaking. "It was all my fault. I couldn't save Maer… I couldn't save a single one of them. I just stood there and did nothing."
"Ai Amath." Legolas whispered back, "Please do not hold yourself accountable to all this. You know that there was nothing you could have done that would have both saved Maer and kept your cover. It was not your fault."
Amath shook his head. Legolas could see that he didn't believe him but he also knew that nothing he could say would change that.
"I buried his body…" Amath said softly, "I know that it was foolish and could have blown my cover… but I couldn't… I couldn't leave him there. I took him to Head Quarters… I think he would have liked that. Tell Taenor… tell him that I am sorry when all of this is over."
"You can tell him yourself." Legolas responded solemnly, "Thank you Amath."
Amath nodded and Legolas visibly saw him restrain and block his emotions as he stood up and walked over to him. He unstrapped the dagger at his side as he walked but when he stood before him he wavered.
"I would do it myself if I had the use of my arms." Legolas said in a soothing voice, "I can take it Amath, do not worry about me. It's all right."
Amath swallowed hard but nevertheless his eyes seemed to harden and he placed his hand on his torso, choosing a place where there wouldn't be any damage to his organs and where it wouldn't touch bone. He then drew back the knife and stabbed it into him until it was halfway in. That was all that was needed for the pretense.
Legolas swallowed back a gasp and the pain he must have felt was completely invisible inside his eyes. Amath withdrew the blade and wiped it off before returning it to his sheath. "They plan to take you out on the balcony to show people that you're still under their control." He said tightly, "Whatever happens I will not be able to assist you."
"I know." Legolas said, "Thank you Amath." It wasn't enough to wipe the guilt and self-disgust away from Amath's eyes.
Legolas blinked and looked at Amath once more. He had unwittingly slipped into recollection because of his weariness. Amath's chest was still rising and falling in jerks but it seemed to be slowing slightly, his lips turning even bluer. The harsh breathing was the only thing that could be heard inside the room.
"I have sent them on a wild goose chase after Hithel, Faneth, and Maliel." Amath said wearily, "I told them that you had flinched slightly when I had mentioned Laketown just like you said I should and now they have sent scouts in that direction and are all but ignoring all other directions except for the few already sent off. Húron will be able to protect them from them."
"How are you doing?" Legolas asked worriedly.
"Elves are dying around me every day and there is nothing I can do about it…" Amath whispered, "Just yesterday Lord Arron and Lord Iôlon were executed for not cooperating with their requests. The rest of the council has been following their every demand and managing the kingdom at their rule, which is why they survived so long. The riots have completely stopped by now because so many have died that the citizens are left shaking in fear of the elves."
"How do they react to seeing you?" Legolas asked sympathetically.
Amath smiled bitterly, "Curse me, hate me, detest me. They can see that my eyes aren't black, that I'm doing this of my own free will so they blame me even more than the others. I am unredeemable."
"I will not believe that…" Legolas breathed.
Amath sighed. He seemed weary in spirit and looked like he had lost a lot of weight. Legolas could see the shadows in his eyes and felt a deep pang of self-hatred for asking this of him in the first place. He had never imagined that they would be operating at the level of seriousness they were now. Both of them were aware that one step in the wrong direction could kill both of them instantly.
Amath unstrapped his dagger from his hip and gave Legolas another wound as gently as he possibly could while his eyes were brimming with begs for forgiveness and the ever-present shame. He could see how the things Amath saw every day were affecting him, he could see how the scorn he met cut into his very soul even though he had always been good at pretending that he was indifferent.
At hat moment the door opened and the overtaken elves stepped in once more. Legolas and Amath's masks immediately fell into place.
He tasted salt in his mouth and felt the air chill the tracks on his cheeks. He grasped Amath's hand with both of his and bent his head. 'Forgive me' he prayed fervently. The laborious breaths finally came to a halt and the silence of the room was near crushing.
The price was too high…