Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
A/N: Thank you, DawnStrider (Sorry about the wait again), QueenofFlarmphgal (I didn't realize the HP connection, but now that you mention it…), Estelstheone (thanks a bunch), and Calenlass Greenleaf (thanks for the tip), for your wonderful reviews. I really appreciate them. I also thank those who waited patiently for this chapter. I'm really sorry about the wait, but I have been bogged down with homework, writer's block, and my dad went back into the hospital again and he will need heart surgery within the next two weeks. So, I tried to get this out as fast as I could. I hope you like it!
Aragorn felt absolutely horrible when he finally came back to consciousness though truthfully, he wished he hadn't. Everything ached terribly. Things hurt that he didn't even know could pain him. His shoulder was on fire as pain laced up and down his arm, forcing him to keep it as still as possible. Whenever an orc jarred his injured limb, Aragorn had to bite his lip in order to stop his cry out in pain. He did not know how much more he could take. His chest was sore, and he probably cracked a couple of ribs. He was bruised all over, and Aragorn didn't think he could move under his own power had the orcs not carried him. Hoping to keep it that way, Aragorn tried not to reveal his conscious state in fear that, in their cruelty, they would make him walk the rest of the distance, wherever they were headed. His head pounded too much to even see straight, and he could have sworn that it was threatening to roll off.
Just when he thought it couldn't get any worse, an overwhelming fear gnawed in his gut as the surroundings changed to reveal a very familiar environment. He was in that cave again! His mind swam with so many possible explanations. Suddenly, he gained a bit of clarity when he heard the scarred leader yell for the master. 'Oh no…this cannot be good,' Aragorn thought dryly as he realized the very impact of those words and the future that would be awaiting him. His eyes glanced over the wall that stood next to him as the orcs ceased their movement and turned towards it. He saw the pictures that had been painted on the smooth surface, gleaming more vividly in the flickering torch lights. Though everything looked familiar he noticed something he did not see before due to the fact that he had dropped through the ceiling. There were three scratched lines underneath the final picture, right before the trap floor. He vaguely remembered them being the last things he saw as he plummeted down to the spiky floor below. Strangely, there were three lines, and underneath, three notches in the wall were present, though two of them were filled.
Chills ran up Aragorn's spine as he realized that those arrows were somehow a key to opening a new section of the stone wall. Sarniâ's riddle came back to mind and an overwhelming sense of dread crashed upon his rapidly beating heart. Evil flooded his mind, and he realized that behind this wall, Sarkáhn would somehow be free. He did not know how or why, but everything made sense, including Sarniâ's statement that someone would try to alter the events but would only succeed in helping them stay in motion. It dawned on him that he was the one who had helped everything that had so far occurred to continue. Guilt filled his features, but he had no time to dwell on it, when the orcs noticed that he had awakened.
"Awake, are we? Just in time, too. Master wanted you to be co'erent for this part. After all, you 'elped us find him…you led us right 'ere. If we 'adn't of found you, like master said, 'e would never 'ave been freed." The orc leader sneered closely in Aragorn's face. Seeing the look of confusion, the orc began to laugh his eyes dancing with amusement at the stupidity that lay before him. "You don't know what this place is? Course not. 'umans aren't known for their brains. Surprised the spineless elf lord never told you 'bout this place. It's the link between worlds or so we 'ave been told. The right payment of blood…dead can return. Simple as that. Created long ago as legend says. Can't say I know the whole story, but I'm sure master does, and 'e is just dying to meet you."
With that said, the orc turned around, took the arrow, which had been pulled from Aragorn's shoulder, and plunged it into the final open groove in the cave wall. A white luminescent light shot from the spaces around the arrow tips, and blood poured out of the holes. In moments, where once a great stone wall stood, a doorway was in its place, open to a long hall with no end in sight. The orcs drug Aragorn with them as they moved one step closer to releasing their master.
The harsh weather still had not abated in the slightest as torrential rains pounded violently against the sodden earth. Three elves were riding as hard as they could, but despite their desperation, they had lost the trail. They had no choice but to wait until the rain ceased so that they could see better, and hopefully, there would be some sign, though slim as it was, that they would find their brother and friend. Pulling their horses to a stop, the elves quickly attempted to construct a makeshift shelter out of the trees, using giant leaves and branches. By the time they were done, their crude "house" looked like it would collapse if someone breathed too hard, but despite its appearance, it was relatively sturdy and it managed to provide a small amount of shelter.
The three sat in silence, frustration clearly displayed on their features. Their minds wandered trying to understand what had been happening as of late, and why everything had become so complicated. They feared what could possibly be happening to Aragorn, and every thought was more ghastly than the next.
Legolas was so bothered by the whole situation that he could take no more. He stood up, and walked out into the pouring rain allowing the water to wash over his tired body. He was worn out more than he cared to admit. He wanted this whole situation to be done with, but it seemed as if he may in fact lose his best friend to some merciless monster. Elladan and Elrohir noticed his absence and quickly rose to follow him toward his horse.
"Please, Legolas, do not do this. You will never find him in this weather," Elrohir pleaded trying to be the voice of reason.
"You have no idea, Elrohir. There is so much that you do not know. That night that you asked him of his nightmare, he told you it was about orcs…but it was not," Legolas admitted softly hoping his friend wouldn't fault him for revealing it later. 'If there is a later,' Legolas added sadly.
"We figured as much. Estel was never good at lying. But what does this have to do with anything?" Elladan asked bewildered.
"He did not wish to worry you, but…he dreamed of Sarniâ." That single statement held so much meaning that Elladan and Elrohir were speechless. What they had feared more then anything was the return of their most despised nemesis. This just made every fear, worry, and theory more concrete.
Before they could speak further, the three elves drew their weapons in an instant when the sound of whinnying and snorting reached their ears. Deep strides could be heard sloshing in the soaked ground beneath them. There were, no doubt, a couple of horses coming their way, but by the sound of it, there didn't seem to be any danger. Still on guard, the three awaited the newcomers. In moments, standing before them were both Lords Elrond and Glorfindel sitting perfectly upright on their horses, shielded beneath thick, heavy cloaks that water dripped constantly from.
"Ada! What are you doing here?" Elladan exclaimed flabbergasted.
"I'm here to help you get back Estel. Glorfindel and I have found some clues that could lead to his freedom. However, we have no time to waste. We will talk on the way.
"What's wrong, ada."
"Sarkáhn is coming back."
A/N: Sarkáhn is coming soon, I promise! Please review and tell me what you think; )
