Disclaimer from Tamuril2: Yes, I'm a genius dead guy and now own LOTR! *looks down at herself* Oh, wait, no I'm not. Darn, that means that none of this is mine and I don't get any profit. *shrugs* Oh well, I guess Erestor83 and I will live.

Notes from Tamuril2: *looks embarrassed* Well, it's a little bit earlier than my last update. *ducks flying objects* Sorry it's so short; my muse is being picky…again. *peeks out* Oh, and I hope you enjoy the major, MAJOR, cliff hanger I'm giving you here (I'm so evil…muahahahaha!). :D

Pairings: Erestor/OC and Glorfindel/OC

Warnings: Torture, as before, but it's not that bad (just mentioning it for those out there who are squeamish).

Chapter 14

He tried, Eru only knew how hard he tried, to silence his screams, but it seemed as though it was all for not. When the cold touch of the acid turned to the burning fire that seeped into his lashings there seemed as if nothing could stop the cries that escaped his lips. Strangely, Erestor was glad that Elithraniel had her eyes closed. While she might think of it as her giving into fear, he felt it was a blessing. Yes, a blessing. The elleth that he loved would not have these images scared into her memories for all time. It was bad enough that his screams would be there without the mental pictures to accompany them. It was a small blessing, but a blessing nonetheless.

"Ah the song of the tortured," Hadereth sneered, "Beautiful, is it not, my lady?"

Elithraniel gave no reply, though a few tears managed to escape her clenched eyelids despite her best efforts. This did not go unnoticed by Hadereth who actually stopped his torture of Erestor to walk over to the elleth. Placing the half-eaten bucket, now empty of the acid, on the floor Hadereth leaned towards Elithraniel. Feeling his breath graze her cheek, Elithraniel opened her eyes and, seeing Hadereth so close, bent away as far as she could go.

"My, my, tears?" Hadereth mocked, "But I haven't even started on you yet, my lady."

Elithraniel glared in response. Erestor stifled a moan and looked back at them, worry flashing in his eyes.

"My, such spirit. I can see why you fell in love with her Erestor," Hadereth said as he caressed her left cheek.

Elithraniel leaned even farther away, horrified.

"L-leave her alone," Erestor managed to stutter through the pain. Hadereth glanced over at him and laughed.

"And what are you going to do if I refuse, Erestor? Glare me to death?" Hadereth laughed again and turned back towards Elithraniel.

"I-I s-said stay a-away f-from h-her!"

Elithraniel couldn't contain the gasp that escaped her lips as Erestor forced himself up; had it been her in the same condition she very much doubted she could have done it. Even Hadereth seemed mildly impressed, or at least he turned his attention back towards Erestor. When at last Erestor was on his feet he turned to Hadereth, swaying a bit on his unsteady legs. Anger and, Elithraniel thought, a bit of worry flashed in his eyes.

"Well done, Erestor. Well done, indeed!" Hadereth taunted, "But what are you going to do now? I very much doubt you could actually come over here."

Both Elithraniel and Erestor knew that he was right. As much as Erestor wanted to be able to go over there and stop Hadereth, he just didn't have the strength for it, just standing up was taking all that he had in him. Hadereth smiled maliciously.

"Why don't we play a game, Erestor?"

Erestor's eyes widened just a fraction as Hadereth pulled a large knife out of his sleeve. He watched as Elithraniel was unchained and Hadereth held her in front of him, knife hovering just over her stomach.

"I'm going to stab this elleth, but I'm a fair elf, so if you can get over here before the knife touches her I'll let her live."

"N-no, Hadereth," Erestor tried to yell, but it came out as more as a desperately loud whisper, "D-don't do this. Sh-she has n-nothing to do w-with this. Leave her a-alone!"

"I'll give you until the count of ten, all right?" Hadereth smirked, "One."

Erestor tried to force his legs forward, but they wouldn't listen.

"Two."

Erestor tried again and was rewarded by his right leg twitching forward an inch.

"Three."

The left leg moved forward a full step. Only a few more steps, he could do this.

"Four."

He would save Elithraniel; another step.

"Five."

Two steps, he was almost there.

"Ten."

Erestor froze. Ten? But Hadereth had just finished with five, how could he be on ten now? No! Hadereth grinned at him for a moment before he lifted his hand. Elithraniel struggled hard, but couldn't escape. The knife descended. Elithraniel screamed in pain. All Erestor could see was the red waterfall of blood that seemed for flow instantly from the wound as Elithraniel fell to the floor.

TBC…..