Searching

Chapter 29 – Recaptured II

Author Llinos

Beta and additional material: MarigoldG

Merry reached out as he woke, surprised not to find Pippin next to him. He felt around the bed on which he was lying finding nothing but the quilt and pillows. He was about to call out but remembered that would be of no use as Pip would not hear him anyway.

'Hear him – we were talking, Pip and me, in Legolas's head!' Merry shook a little at the thought. It had been wonderful, but awful, a cruel but kind torture. They could talk for a short while and then be torn apart again as if it had never happened. He had tried to be strong for Pip but, in that strange mind link, he had not only heard his young cousin's sorrow, but felt it just as keenly. He knew that Pippin had felt his grief too. He had tried not to let it spoil their few moments together but it was hard to conceal feelings like that from someone who meant so much, especially when you are sharing their thought and mind.

Now Pippin was gone physically as well. Why? What had happened? Merry thought back over the past days since he had been rescued from the frightful cage. Pippin had not really left his side and, as far as Merry could remember, they had always been in the same room at least. From the moment when Strider had set him on his feet and made him walk and he had tripped and fallen, from then on Pippin had been his eyes. The younger hobbit had taken it upon himself to make sure he didn't fall or walk into things and Merry now knew when there was a step up or step down, simply from the way Pippin pulled on his hand. He knew that when Pippin touched his nose it meant 'wait' and when he squeezed his hand it meant 'come on'.

Where had he gone? The privy? No, Pippin always woke him if he felt the need and would usually insist that Merry come along too, that would save him having to take his cousin later.

Merry's next thought was that there was something wrong. Pippin had been taken ill and Strider or one of the others had carried him off somewhere. But they wouldn't just leave him there on his own to worry about Pippin, they would know how traumatic it would be for him.

Perhaps it was something really bad. Was Pippin so upset by their talk that he had gone off to do something terrible or dangerous? It made no sense that Merry could think of.

He realised now that he had been awake for quite a long time and no one had come into the room and Pippin was either lying somewhere unconscious, perhaps nearby, and Merry didn't know, or maybe he had gone missing. He had to do something. Try to find someone.

The thought frightened Merry at first. He remembered his first attempt to walk across a room unaided in this place and he had fallen almost at once. But he had become used to manoeuvring his way around with Pippin's help and if his young cousin was in trouble, he should move and move now.

Merry clambered off the high bed, gradually letting himself down backwards until his toes found the floor. The next problem was to find the door. It took him some time, bumping into things and finally reaching the wall and feeling his way around until he located the exit. By the time he was outside the room and in the passageway, the hobbit could feel his heart pounding, he didn't even know which way to go now. Then he remembered the advice of Gandalf when they were lost in Moria. 'If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose." He sniffed in both directions. The draft came from the left. Very well, he would go left.

****

Pippin hurried along the passageway, greedily hugging the glass globe to his chest and looking furtively around to be sure he was not observed. He wanted to find somewhere private so he could look at the thing undisturbed. There was a vague recollection in his brain of seeing it before, but as soon as he tried to hold the thought, it melted like icicles snapped off in your warm hand on a bright winter's morning or floated away like a dandelion clock on a hot summer's afternoon.

But it was all right now. Pippin felt very resolved. He knew what he had to do and there was only one purpose left in his life. He had to take the glass globe to somewhere private, preferably outside and look into it very carefully and there he would find all the answers to every question ever asked and then he would be happy for he would also find his heart's desire. Very vaguely Pippin knew this made no sense, but, with the thing held against his chest, the compulsion had become beyond all reason.

He found his way to the high battlements of the castle, where a brazier was kept burning and he huddled up against the wall in the most inconspicuous corner he could find and, sitting with the globe between his knees, he stared long and hard into its mysterious depths.

The air seemed still and tense about him. At first the globe was dark, black as jet, with the moonlight gleaming on its surface. Then there came a faint glow and stir in the heart of it, and it held his eyes, so that now he could not look away. Soon all the inside seemed on fire, the ball was spinning, or the lights within were revolving. Suddenly the lights went out. He gave a gasp and struggled, but he remained bent, clasping the ball with both hands. Closer and closer he bent, and then became rigid, his lips moved soundlessly for a while. Then he gave a soundless scream and his face contorted with agony as he fell back and lay still.

****

Legolas wandered beyond the keep of the castle and found a small copse of beech. Dreamily he wandered amongst the tall, slender trunks and gazed up at the soft green petal-like leaves until the sun finally sank and gave way to the silver moonlight.

The elf drew a deep breath, drinking in the woodland and feeling refreshed by it. He had found the telepathic link between the two hobbits deeply emotional and distressing. It was not the words but the feelings and grief at their parting that had disturbed him so much. Hobbits were, Legolas had found, delightful creatures, so full of life and joy. To experience so much anguish in these two charming periain was harrowing to his very soul.

'It is too cruel to bring them together, to let them take a morsel of what they cannot have.' Legolas mused. I will not permit it again. The fleeting pleasure it brings is paid for too heavily in the pain they experience at their parting.'

The elf pondered these thoughts in the serenity of the little green copse, restoring his mind and calming his id back into its accustomed unruffled perspective. Legolas did not like his emotions laid bare. Even when he had thought Gandalf to be dead, he could not bring himself to speak of his grief openly.

He sat against the trunk of a beech and his eyes closed. Although he did not sleep, the world started to flow smoothly past him once more and the memory of Merry and Pippin's anguish began to fade to a dream.

'Eeeiaaghhhh!' His eyes shot open wide as the terrified scream left his lips. He had not cried out but the sound had come from his throat, he had heard it uttered in his voice!

Pippin!

Not his voice – it was Pippin's voice. He had screamed in Legolas's head and the sound had escaped from his lips. It was filled with terror and great fear, greater fear than he had ever felt before in either his mind or the hobbit's. More fear even than they had felt at the Balrog.

What had happened? Where was Pippin? He could not tell from the scream and now there was only silence - a terrified cry for help and then nothing!

Legolas was on his feet and running for the castle, pausing every so often, his head held up high, straining to hear again the little one's voice in his mind, sending out a desperate mental cry for Pippin to answer him. But there was no reply.

****

TBC (very soon)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Original Reviews for Chapter 29

Floria Tosca

2002-08-10

29

Signed

I've only gotten this far, but it's been pretty good so far. The hobbits are acting rather young in some ways, but lots of people regress under stress. If Rohan had news media, they would have had a field day with ol' Spandy's trial. Lots of heartbreaking soundbites and great photo ops of Merry and Pip. PETA would probably want him to testify on the inhumane conditions of caged circus animals.

Could anyone ask for someone more likely to make the defendant look like a heel in any situation? Merry's cute, vulnerable, handicapped, has obviously been mistreated, seems innocent enough that nobody would expect him to make it up out of thin air, and looks child-like enough to stir up everyone's protective and parental instincts.

I like your characterizations of Legolas and Gimli- the dwarf shows a protective side and the elf is something besides a love interest. Your Rohirric names were also interesting. Interesting use of elven telepathy. In your AU, is it something that many elves have, but only a few (like Galadriel) develop strongly? I can imagine that for a warrior elf like Legolas it would be handy for scouting. What's the point of being able to move through Mirkwood more quietly than a hobbit if you have to *talk* to coordinate? One could convey more detail through it than through simple signals.

This really has been delightful, and I'm glad that there's so much more for me to look forward to!

meatball

2002-04-13

29

Signed

I think there should be more slash in this, or at least something a little more NC-17. It's kinda gone down to PG-13. More NC-17 please. Great story BTW. Keep it up.

Dindea

2002-04-13

29

Anonymous

Evil, big, marble! Making my Pippin scream. Please update soon. If not for me, then for all people addicted to this story. If not, then I'll have to use one of my secretest weapons (pulls out Frodo) Give her those puppy dog eyes!Erm, I haven't read Candles, yet. I'm going to right now. And when I get back, I expect more (please). All right Frodo, lets go.

Bean

2002-04-13

29

Signed

gasp.... hurry and update!! Ooh... whats going to happen to my wee Pip....

Yrena

2002-04-13

29

Anonymous

Absolutely wonderful, as ever. I'm still finding myself with tears welling up in my eyes, especially at Chapter 27. Yes, I'm a sap, so shoot me. Pippin's childishness isn't the least bit annoying, and I understand why you make them so. Dear old Pippin.

Another vote for slash here. Seriously, the whole blind, deaf and dumb thing would be absolutely beautiful as Anon said. And I also agree with Anon's idea about a seperate interlude. That way, both sides are happy. =P

Keep it up, anyhow! Hope to see more soon.

Roz Morgan and Race skylark

2002-04-13

29

Signed

amazing chapter, can't say i have read Candles yet......will go off and read. (drat about the will of the people, i don't mind just as long as Merry and Pip don't go off and marry girls.....wait i am a girl what am i talking about!) its nice, i think Legolas is a cool charector (can't spell for toffy)  more! (wasn't expecting you to up date so soon, am very happy)

MarigoldG

2002-04-13

29

Signed

As to this chapter Llinos, it was excellent! It was very short (sigh!) but you accomplished a lot in it and there was not a word wasted, That quality of your writing is one of the things I admire the most about it...you are descriptive, yet still very concise, without being stingy with your words...instead of 'overwriting' you are able to find the perfect combination of words that say what you want to say...unlike me in that rambling sentence, lol! The same with your choice of dialogue/thoughts....usually completely in character, and strike the reader (at least me) to be exactly the words or thought patterns of that specific character...And every chapter flows so well into the next, leaving all of us readers on the edge of our seats for the next installment.. : )

I especially liked your telling us that Merry was so affected by his brief 'conversation' with Pippin that he actually shook physically at the memory, and that he was concerned he had not come across as too sad for Pip's sake...once again Merry pushes aside his own anguish over something, and worries about how it may have affected his cousin...I also liked that Merry realizes that he is leaning on Pippin somewhat now, to guide him...I do that for my Mother who is legally blind, but as well as guiding her by her touch on my elbow I have the advantage of my voice, to tell her 'three steps down, a long landing, mind the crack in the pavement, then two high steps up', plus she has her cane to 'feel' where she's walking, but Pippin and Merry do have those aids, so I attribute the ease of their mobility, and Merry's trust in Pippin as his guide to their close bond, which reinforces your strong characterizations even more for me, and I like that little touch - maybe only  something that someone who spends a lot of time with the blind might appreciate fully, but I find it another telling example of their complete trust in one another.... I also liked you throwing in Gandalf's "...follow your nose.." line, lol! Your description of Pip's thoughts as he looked for a secluded spot was frightening it was so compelling! Far beyond any of the poppy paste cravings he went through before, and the fact that the compulsion is not at all a physical one, but is completely mental/emotional makes it very scary!! Looking forward to tomorrow!! Your use of Legolas and his mind link is getting better and better...I don't go ga ga over Legolas either, but he fits perfectly in the role you've given him in this story, although I do  wonder a little if he is loath to do a three-way link again solely because of how it affects the hobbits when it's broken, but also maybe deep down he doesn't want to do it because of how it affects himself..as you said he is not outwardly emotional...Aack! Now  you have me psychoanalyzing a character I don't particularly like...see what you've done by writing such a great story!!?

Hurry up and write!! : )

Rawly

2002-04-13

29

Anonymous

It seems I am one of quite a large number of people completely entranced by this tale.

Despite the notes at the end of chapter 29 I am putting my plea in for slash. However, the author knows best, as always.

This story is exceptionally well written and while I am longing to know how it ends at the same time I hope it never does.

tanuki-chan

2002-04-12

29

Signed

i absolutely *love* this story.. there's soo little splendid stories like this in LOTR. please, please continue soon!

Invidi

2002-04-12

29

Signed

Awww...no slashies? It'll still be a good story either way. =) I should have reviewed sooner I spose! But my goodness...I keep forgetting that you're trying to get this story "in tune" with TTT so the endings are the same....right? So I didn't expect Pippin to take the palantir. But it was a pleasant surprise...and the part with Legolas voicing PIp's scream...lovely. And I really feel for Merry and his lack of sight...it effects him more then Pippin thinks...I think. Either way, wonderful work! ~*Invidi*~

Anon

2002-04-12

29

Anonymous

I'm going to have to go against the trend and vote for the slash. What you might consider is writing it as a sort of interlude and post it as a separate story, something that won't leave anyone lost if they don't read it. That way, you can satisfy the slash muse, but not alienate your non-slash reading regulars. (There are some other authors out there who take this approach as well.)

I just think that with Merry's blindness and Pippin's deaf/muteness, there is a wonderful opportunity for some very tender moments. If written as well as your "communication" scenes, it could be really beautiful.

Adrienne D

2002-04-12

29

Signed

O joy! O happy day! O wonderful, joyous day! Well.. night. But still.. a reading of two _new_ chapters of your wonderful story in a single night! You are surely to give me seizures if this keeps up. What? Saturday? I dare pray that I will not have to wait through hours of band practice, twitching and itching to read chapter thirty! Or maybe I should save it for Sunday.. as a birthday gift. ;) Oh dear.. You must know now that I am hopelessly been driven over the edge of obsession into downright insanity now. I am wanting to read this for my birthday! I hope chapter 31 (at least) will be out by Sunday.. Now on to the more.. technical part of the review aka the non-rambling-of-utter-nonsense part. ;)

O my! Dear Peregrin seems to have the act of getting himself into all sorts of trouble down pat! This certainly does not bode well for the young Hobbit. And what of Merry? I can imagine him, in his blindness, missing his footing- perhaps, by chance, taking a tumble down stairs. Tsk, those two. Once again, Llinos, a wonderful job in the characterization department! I love how you've suddenly change'd Pippin's thoughts to encompass the greedy wants of the Palantir as it invades his mind. I do hope that the Nazgul have not secured a foot hold yet again in there- then again.. maybe I do hope that. ) Hurry, Legolas! Find Peregrin!

Aa, I don't mind the fact that Legolas is working his way in. I think it shows a nice bonding between Hobbit and Elf- a creature that does not associate well with people of other races. It's.. nice.

"_Things_ are about to happen!" O, you evil being! Making me wait on pins and needles.. Still, if you don't hurry, I shall be forced into delving into my own mind to produce wonderfully angsty concoctions of future happenings in this fic. Wait a minute.. I already have. Still, whatever you may plan, I am sure it will not disappoint me! Until next time, Llinos. Luv ya, see ya, bye! ~*~Adrienne the birthday girl! (almost)

"If I was blind, I would not know the difference between green and orange, but because I am not blind, I do so when I say paint the wall green.. paint the wall green!"

Mindel

2002-04-12

29

Anonymous

Eeek, what's with the cliff-hangers?! It's torture! Oooh I can't wait!!! Btw, thanks for updating so swiftly and frequently.

IF

2002-04-12

29

Anonymous

Oh my...poor Pippin. Oooo NC17 stuff eh? I am thinking having to do with Saruman, just because Grima is planning to take the halflings to him. But, seeing as I am bad with plots, I am most likely more off than anyone here could ever dream of being...

Jeez Llinos, you are nasty with those cliffhangers. And what's worse is your little notes of things to come! You hint, but it isn't really even enough to tell anything...

ARG!

That's a good thing BTW. :)

~IF~