Disclaimer: I do not own Mirkwood, Legolas, Orcs, Gollum, or any other thing that J. R. R. Tolkien himself created. (I do own Echiril! *feels special because she actually does own something*)
Eee! Everyone has to read Taken in Moria! I saw part of the next chapter and…and…it puts shame to my Legolas torturing! *feels like some little pop up ad* Heh. But anyways, I'll say it one more time, go read Taken in Moria!
Also…the author of that story (for the life of me I can't remember the name…Eldacar?) helped edit this chapter…so yeah. Which is why it's so good. So yeah. Not only do I not own Legolas, I also don't own all of this:
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Elrohir started when Legolas admitted his presence, and stared at the prince for a moment. "You killed my brother," he growled, then leapt to his feet and lunged at Legolas, who took a step back, but otherwise remained frozen. "Elrohir—"
He was cut off when the ebony-haired Elf's fist caught him on the side of his jaw, and this time it was no helpful blow, like the one in the river had been. It was hard and full of hate, causing the Mirkwood Elf to stumble back. Legolas raised his hands in defense for the next attack, but dropped them when Gandalf ran forward and caught Elrohir by his elbows, holding him tight. The archer relaxed and put a hand to his jaw, gingerly feeling the bruised bone. Elrohir fell to his knees, sobbing, his hair falling in a dark shroud over his face. "You killed Elladan!" he cried.
Legolas knelt by his unreasonable friend and tried put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "No, Elrohir, Elladan yet lives!"
Gandalf felt the muscles in the young Elf's arms relax, so he released his hold. But immediately Elrohir lunged forward and grabbed Legolas around the neck, forcing him to the ground. The blonde Elf put up only a token struggle, unwilling to fight his friend, though Elrohir wouldn't let him breathe. The Istar again came to the rescue, grabbing Elrond's youngest son by his upper arms and pulling him off Legolas. He shook him, hard. "Elrohir! Stop!"
Legolas slowly sat up, a hand at his neck, nursing the bruised area gently. "Elrohir," he managed to choke. It felt as though his throat was crushed. "Elrohir, please, I had no control of my actions! I didn't mean to—"
"You still did!" Elrohir screamed. "It doesn't matter if you didn't mean to! You did, you did!" He fell, sobbing again, to his side. "You still did…"
Gandalf tightened his grip on the Elf's arms. "Will you not attack Legolas?" he demanded furiously. There was no answer save broken weeping, so the wizard tried again. "Will you not attack Legolas?"
"Fine!" yelled Elrohir, sounding like temperamental child. "Now let me go!" Gandalf complied, and the Elf immediately curled into a fetal position, burying his head in his arms.
Legolas crawled over to his friend and, after hesitating a moment, sat down beside him, placing a hand lightly on his back. "Elrohir, please…I did not intend to, though what you say is true, I did. But do you understand? That was not me. That was not Legolas, but some vile creature of Saruman's making. I, me, (mine! *cough* AN…) Legolas Greenleaf, did not do that to your brother. That Orc did! Please, Elrohir. Elladan is my friend—it pains me as much as you!"
Elrohir raised his head, brown eyes full of malice, and slapped the archer's hand away. "No it doesn't," he spat. "It could never pain you as much as it pains me! You don't feel Elladan's agony—I do!"
Legolas looked up sharply to Gandalf, and the old wizard nodded. "Twins of your race share a very strong bond, Legolas," he explained quietly.
The Elf looked back down, closing his eyes against the tears that threatened to force their way past his eyelids. "I'm so sorry," he whispered. He did not have the heart to argue against his friend anymore. Suddenly he felt exhausted. Warm, salty liquid spilled down one porcelain cheek. It reminded him of blood…Elladan's blood…that he had spilt…Legolas shook his head violently. Stop it, Greenleaf! Stop blaming yourself! You have to make amends with Elrohir before you can do that…
Gandalf sighed heavily, but looked up sharply as the door opened and in strode Thranduil, looking alarmed. Neither of the younger Elves on the ground noticed his entrance, and continued their "discussion."
"Sorry? My brother is dying, and you're sorry? How could you be?" hissed Elrohir. "You're the one who did this, and with a smile on that hideous Orc-face you wore as a disguise! Damn you, traitor—may you never receive entrance to the Halls of Mandos!"
Shocked into immobility, Legolas opened his mouth to reply, to say something—anything…but was stopped when a slender form suddenly rushed to him and grabbed his shoulders, pulling him up and away from Elrohir. The prince looked up quickly to the being's face, and found himself staring into his father's Italian blue eyes. "Ada," he said through gritted teeth, jerking out of the Elvenking's hold, "leave."
Thranduil scowled and shook his head, then turned to Elrohir. "If you ever threaten my son in such a way again—"
"Ada!" cried Legolas. "He is irrational, all reason lost! Please…leave!"
The older Elf stood his ground stubbornly. He had walked in only to hear Elrohir bestow the worst curse known to Elvenkind upon his son. To not receive entrance to the Halls of Mandos was a horrible prospect, one unspoken of among the elven people. It was a dire threat indeed, and not one to be given or taken lightly.
Elrohir narrowed his eyes and looked at the Mirkwood pair that stood above him, glaring at each other. "You're both traitors," he spat. "Legolas for attacking his own kind, and Thranduil for giving life to such a monster!"
Legolas looked down at his friend sharply, alarmed. "Elrohir," he started, trying to calm him, but the Elf rushed on. His words tumbled out of his mouth too fast to be interrupted.
"Clearly you aren't an Orc, Thranduîl, so Legolas must have inherited the trait from his mother!"
Elladan took a ragged breath, silently watching as his father put away all his healing supplies. He felt old, suddenly; old and tired, as though his years had run their course many times over. But Elves were immortal; they had no such years. He knew then that his injuries were far more serious than his father would ever admit. And each wound he had received, down to the most insignificant one, hurt like a demon. "Am I going to die?" he hoarsely. A small trickle of blood slipped from one corner of his mouth.
Elrond had to lean close to hear his eldest son. Once he understood, he paused and looked at the younger Elf long and hard. "You were always the optimistic one, Elladan. Shouldn't you be asking if you will live?" He glanced over at Aragorn, who stood quietly to one side, his look clearly asking him to leave. The Man did so immediately.
Elladan sighed weakly. "I suppose so," he managed to say. "But it is the dying that…that…"
The Elf-Lord closed his eyes wearily and sat down by his son on the floor, stroking his long, ebony hair. "What troubles you, my son?" he asked gently.
Elladan opened his mouth to answer, but fell into a violent coughing fit instead. Elrond hurriedly grabbed a discarded towel and held it up to the younger Elf's mouth, soaking up the blood that came from it. When the coughs had faded, Elladan relaxed back onto the floor, his breath coming in rough gasps. "I…worry for—Elrohir," he whispered.
Elrond sighed heavily and gently lifted his son into his arms, supporting him upright so he could breathe more easily. "Why do you worry for him?"
"He'll…die."
The older Elf sighed again. "I do not wish to admit it, but I fear you are right. I want so much to deny that such a thing could happen…"
"Ada…am I going to die?"
Elrond closed his eyes. Suddenly he too looked older by an age. "I cannot tell," he confessed. The admission hurt. He was contemplating the best way to tell Elladan that he would probably not survive, when a furious yell came from the next room over: "Don't you ever speak of Ithilîn in such a manner, ever!" The Elf-Lord frowned; the name was familiar. "Ithilîn…" he murmured. "Who…?"
"Legolas's mother," supplied Elladan weakly.
Elrond started. Of course! But then he realized… "Ai, Valar…that was Thranduîl!" Gently he laid his wounded son on the floor again and dashed to the room the shout had come from.
Thranduil stood like a statue with Elrohir's tunic front caught in one hand. The grieving Elf, proud face streaked with tears, was now slightly off his feet, held eye to eye with the enraged Elvenking by the latter's iron grip. Legolas was frozen on one side, appearing as if he would either flee from the room or crumple in anguish, and Gandalf leaned against the wall. The Istar looked ready to throw himself out a window to relieve his frustration.
Elrond ran over to where Thranduil threatened his youngest son and shoved the Elvenking away, putting himself between the two. "What do you think you're doing?" the Elf-Lord cried.
Thranduil growled and tried to go around the living obstruction. "If you had heard what he said of Ithilîn…"
"I would say it again, and that which I told Legolas before!" shouted Elrohir in fury. "The first is true and I hope the second becomes true!"
Behind the three warring Elves, Legolas collapsed with a sob. Thranduîl stood and ran to his son, supporting him as he wept. "Can you not see that he is already suffering?" he shot at Elrohir. "Why do you insist on adding to his torment?"
Elrond looked at Elrohir closely. "What did you say of Legolas?" he asked slowly.
The younger twin growled low in his throat. "I said damn him to never enter the Halls of Mandos, and I mean it!"
Elrond started. "Elrohir!" he hissed. "How could you?"
Elrohir glared at Legolas while he spoke. "It was easy because it was true. And what I said about his mother was also true!"
Legolas's sobs redoubled, and he hid his face in his father's chest, a frightened and wounded child who sought only comfort and safety. He had tried to keep his composure…he had! Honest! He hadn't wanted to disappoint his father…but the insult towards his mother had been too much for his tormented soul, so the Elf wept, shame taking hold of him and making him cry all the harder.
Thranduîl also closed his eyes against tears, the attack against his wife having opened long forgotten scars. "Elrond," he said calmly, "I would suggest you remove Elrohir from here."
The Elf-Lord looked at his youngest son hard. "I think you should come see Elladan," he said, choosing his words carefully. "I do not know how long he has left to live."
Elrohir's face collapsed in anguish. "Yes, Ada," he whispered, voice on the verge of shattering. As he stood and started to walk past Legolas, the Elf suddenly fell to his knees, holding his head in his hand, shoulders shaking with muted sobs. Legolas noticed and pulled away from his father and placed a hand on Elrohir's arm. When the ebony-haired looked up, he could see the suffering that had taken permanent root in Legolas's eyes, and Elrohir could suddenly see beyond the grief that had taken him to madness. Legolas hadn't meant to hurt Elladan… Elrohir suddenly grabbed his friend's arm and pulled him close, embracing him. "I'm sorry!" he sobbed. "I'm so, so sorry!"
Legolas returned the hug tenfold. "It's okay," he whispered. "I understand…" The archer slowly stood and nodded towards the room Elladan was in. "Shall we go see Elladan?" he asked gently.
Elrohir nodded and wiped his eyes. Together, the Elves walked into the room Frodo and Elladan were being treated in.
Gandalf looked from one Thranduîl to Elrond, aware of the surprised silence that had filled the room. "Well," he stated matter-of-factly. "That went over nicely."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Ha!! Look who got out of having to use Aragorn in a chapter!!!
And I know that Elrohir kinda went through a Dr. Jackal/Mr. Hyde moment there…but remember: he is in so much pain that he doesn't know what to think. His mind is in shambles, and it's hard for him to think clearly and act in a…straight line, I suppose.
Oh, and the "mine!" comment up there…see, I'm a George Harrison fan, and he has a song called "I, Me, Mine," so when Eldacar put in the "I, Me," I couldn't help but add "mine!"
Oh…another Note. (Lotsa them this time, aren't there?) Most of the knowledge I'm using in this fic of the Halls of Mandos comes from the fic "Elven Song." Which is really good…possibly the best I've ever read.
Reviews: (the fun part…)
Goma-Ryu: Wow…I missed your review again. I'm telling you, it's just Fanfiction.net that doesn't show them to me! Honest!! And no…I can't answer you…sorry…spoilers, doncha know.
ZeroCool: Well, he can't really kill himself, because—being the idiot I am—I went and mapped out this story so that it goes aaaaaall the way past Return of the King. (Fun fun……) So yeah…he has to "live" until at least then… Oh, and, don't worry about now being normal anymore, by liking torture. I've been like this since I was five, I swear I have. I remember when I was little, I would hang my Barbie dolls and my mater would come in, sigh, and say, "That's my [Lady V…]". That was always interesting.
Brittney: Quelle coinsidance! (French. Translation: What a coincidence!) Muses named It are awesome. Especially when you've had them since you were three. [It: *slinks up and grabs Lady V's foot*] HEY! Get away from me!! *cough* Anywho…
Witchmaster: This is gonna sound odd, but thank you so much for your review! The one bit of criticism I got…and it nailed right on the head what I thought was wrong. I would make a rotten doctor; I can't diagnose anything. So yeah…thanks again!
LanierShazar: Well, in a way, he has killed another person, albeit completely unintentionally. That is, if Elladan does die. *Memo to Self: Self, call the muses for a little meeting, would you?* So yes. Glad you feel involved! That's my goal, really.
Beautifully Twisted: Wow, what a beautiful name! …who were you before, though? Anywho, doesn't matter. Oh, and, if you're hoping for a death in this fic, then you should be appeased in later chapters. Of course, I'm not sure who…but I'm positive that someone will die. And yes, I'm feeling much better, thank you.
Venyatuime: Gah! All these people have ridiculously hard names to type!!! Not like I should talk, I mean, "Lissëyelen?" And whaddya mean, "is this torture ever going to end?" Course not!
Legola Lu: Mmmmmm……I'll think about it.
Sheleigh: *laugh* Aragorn was supposed to be dim…just standing there watching everything…yes, he is very much a nitwit. :-D Wonderful word. Gosh I hate that man. And I don't know why. I've actually convinced myself that the King in "Return of the King" is Legolas when he takes his Elves to Ithilian after the War of the Ring. Or perhaps Frodo to the Shire…but I like the former better. And—*laugh* 'Tis good that you know Shelob…isn't it fun to tease the people who don't know who "She" is? …okay, well, I think it is.
Phoenix Lioncourt: I'm well, thank you. And if you're not going to be calm until Elrohir and Legolas are okay, you're not going to be calm for a while now, are you? *chuckle*
LegolasLover2003: Actually, I have noticed him slip. …the only thing I watch in that scene is Legolas…and I watch him very closely…preserving his hotness in my mind for all time…*cough* Whoa, very very OOC moment there. :-( I'm sorry that you have Writer's Block. That stuff sucks. It needs a cure. *starts to think* I usually just make myself write…and then it tends to go away when I find a good plot to stick with.
MoroTheWolfGod: In the name of the God of Wolves, huh? Isn't that the same as in, "In the name of Me!" *laugh* Of course, I could be totally wrong there…
Imirie: Well, they did kinda fight…but I'm not done with this yet. There's still a big battle scene coming up when the grief just gets too much for Elrohir to handle…maybe.
Sakura and Yugi-Chan: Well, see, in your bio, it said "Duo Maxwell" under favorite characters or something like that. But…*huggles Quatre* The little blondie will always and forever be my favorite! And you should post your Legolas story. Doesn't really matter if no one likes it—that's their problem, I say. And I'm sure it can't be that bad.
Lanfear: *droool* you have popcorn………*steals it* HA! *eats it all* *cough* Sorry…I'm obsessed with popcorn. But anywho. Actually, I don't know if Elladan will die, and although I know Legolas's fate, I'm not allowed to release it to the general public. (Don't you just hate me?)
Su: Okay, okay! I'm writing more! And as for inspiration…*shrug* I honestly don't know. I just write because it's kinda like an escape from the rest of the world, I suppose.
X Moonchik: I say "Elle-uh-dan" (Elladan) and "Elle-row-here." (Elrohir). "Elle" being pronounced like the letter "L." But "elle" is French and I take French…so yeah. Hope that helps!
Lirenel: Yes, he's an Elf…but a rather insane and confused Elf.
Lindë: (Love the name) "Tearjerking?" *chest swells with pride* Thanks! And I would answer the rest of the questions but, those would be spoilers. ;);)
The Exterminator Sango: You're not alone out there—I think Legolas is the…*looks around nervously* second hottest guy out there (I know, I know! It's only by a small margin, I swear you guys! And the hottest would be my real life crush only because I love him so much…) and I still love to torture him—obviously.
ElvinTinnu: Of course I had to make it more depressing. That's my whole goal here, isn't it?
Karone: You always catch my mistakes! It was supposed to be "Elrond's youngest son" I think…*slaps self* And the reason I didn't respond to the second "Karone" was because I wasn't sure if it was you or not or someone else or whatever…so yeah. And hey, Oliver Wood is hot, I wouldn't mind watching him. ;)
Estel Elendil: *evil chuckle* I pulled you over to the Dark Side? (Aka: Legolas Torturers) YES!! My goal in life has been reached!!!!!!!
Sake Girl Duelist: For the sixth time?! *quiet hiss* It's on, girlfriend! I'm going to see it six times too, to nyah! *chuckle* ANYwho…thanks for reading Taken in Moria!
Jennie: *pats you on the head gently* Don't worry, pretty Elf no go bye bye…yet…
Eldacar: *shrug* Of course you can use the ear idea! Apparently I stole it from Minka, which is utter rubbish…because I wrote that part months before I started this story just because I wanted to. So heck, I don't care! …as long as Jarlaxle doesn't come get me…
Valimalirit: *bow* Thank you for reading her story! *gives you a cookie*
Invader Iggle: That's fine, about not reviewing. Heaven knows how good of a reviewer I am…I hardly ever review more than once…aren't I awful? And um…if your friends are as…odd as you are, just how many of these interesting reviews will I get? *nervous laugh*
Allyson Potter: Okay. So if this English guy wasn't as Orlando Bloom, how cute was he? *props chin on folded hands* Come on, I'm waiting for details here!
Heather: I can't really promise you that he won't die…but then I can't promise he'll live either. Wait…are those the same thing? *spends several minutes ticking off on fingers and muttering to self, only confusing self more* Okay! I got it. Sorry 'bout that.
Fairylady: 0:-) What did I let slip? I can't think of anything…
Z: OMG!!! NO! THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!!!!!!!!! Of course I like Legolas! I love Legolas!!!!!!! I so meant to say "I hate Aragorn," but I just had Legolas on the mind, y'know? *Legolas muse looks shocked and hurt at review**huggles Legolas muse* Don't worry baby…I love you…I do love you…) *flush* ANYWAYS!!
EMerald QUeen: *pants Midnight gingerly on the head as she hides behind me and eats cookie* (Would I get burned doing that? I mean, she is a fire spirit, isn't she?) And---WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN TREEHUGGER IS GOING TO KILL OFF BRETHIL?!?!?!?!?!? *goes into a state of nervous shock* not Brethil…not Brethil…please not Brethil… *sob* How horrible! He…he created Brethilitis and…and…was Legolas's friend and…*runs off and hides in a corner* breathe in…breathe out…breathe in…breathe out…
Roselyne: This topic has been used before? *is suddenly curious* Where? I've never seen any other fics like it—unless you refer to just Legolas torture? But I'm pretty sure that this is the only one about him getting captured when Gollum escapes…unless I'm wrong, which I very well could be. And about the either having Arwen or Glorfindel thing…see, I hate the Arwen adaptation in the movie, so I'm not going to use that, and Glorfindel didn't come with Frodo. He just gave him his horse and said, "GO!" and off the horse ran. And then I've always imagined that the Elf just split from the rest of them and made it back to Rivendell earlier. …that and I kinda forgot about him…*flush*
SpaceVixenX: *snaps fingers in disappointment* Dang! And um…would you consider Elrohir's actions, "rash?"
Melissa: Wait, so……you didn't like chapter 23 because it was sad but you liked the others? *is slightly confused* Ah well, I'm a Dearie, it's to be expected.
Lea of Mirkwood: *looks insulted* No I did not! Find the quote where I said I wouldn't turn Legolas into an Orc, and then I will believe you.
Kaimelieamin: Chemistry? *is interested* Chemistry is fun… *cough* "Peel carrots in the direction of your spelling?" *laugh* That's a new one that I've never before heard…
Reggie: Well, poor Pete and evil math teacher! Plastic spiders are awesome! Although…*takes out new candle* I prefer to stroke this and call it my Precious… And tell her thank you for claiming Flamer's souls but letting them still flame, would you?
Celenwen Starmaiden: …how do I become an Orc? I'm hu—*stops* Oh, wait, never mind, I am an Elf. *gulp* Of course I don't want that to happen!! *starts typing veeeeeery quickly*
Mercuria: Heh…I'm assuming the Saruman lecture was a parody on mine… *raises hands in defense* Like I said, one too many health classes! They're required, and the stuff is pounded into our heads. And meh, an In Character Aragorn? *makes a face* There's a reason I don't have him in character; I never really did like the origional…
Leap of Fate: I put this in a review, but because I'm so anxious for the next chapter: PLEASE UPDATE YOUR FIC!! Anywho, onto the response. You have a Legolas Burger King figure?! They're at Burger King?! *thinks of ways to get mater to take me there* *gulp* And please don't send Astalder over! Please please please!!!!!
Iverin: Ai…scrolling problems… What part about the twins confused you? Sometimes I don't explain things properly because I know what they are in my head, so if you tell me what was confusing, I'll try to explain, okay? And don't worry about the blonde thing—I'm a Dearie, which is the equivalent except worse of a blonde. ;)
Karone [the second]: …do you have to use that name? Because for a Dearie like me, it all gets rather confusing, heh. Oh—and—thanks for reading Taken in Moria!
Next chapter might take awhile, sorry! School musical is starting to pick up, and my department (not my department, but the one I'm Assistant Manager in) has to be done with all its stuff by February 21st, so I don't really know how much time that'll take. I don't think much, though…
As always—review!