RECAPTURED Part I

by Llinos

AU UrukHai recapture Merry & Pippin and things change. The two suffer many trials and tribulations as a result! Appearances by all the other LotR characters CHAPTERS 192! STORY RESUMES IN RECAPTURED CONTINUED CHAPTERS 13 REWRITTEN NEW MATERIAL!

37. Ménage à trois

Ménage à trios

Chapter 37 - Recaptured II

Author Llinos

Beta and additional material: MarigoldG

As the elf took his face in his hands and lifted it up Merry almost felt, that with the touch of Legolas's mind and fingers, he could also see his gentle smile.

Gandalf and Gimli sat beside them as they joined, keeping a critical eye on the pair for anything that looked dangerous or even life-threatening. Aragorn stood at the door of the tent to be sure they were not disturbed. Gandalf, in spite of initial reservations had agreed that Merry's help might be the only way to bring Pippin back from despair and to make him realise his own worth. Gandalf was also concerned that if the little hobbit refused their help he might be tortured into revealing devastating information, although the wizard did not openly express this view to Merry or Legolas, it seemed altogether too cynical and heartless.

'Merry?'

'legolas?'

'Good, you are here. Now remember what we talked about and try to be firm.'

'will be!'

'I'm going to call Pippin now. If you feel him stir at all, join in so that he knows you are here.

'Pippin! Pippin! I know you can hear me. Please answer me little one. Pippin! Pippin! Peregrin Took! You must answer me! Come along Pippin, just say one word. Remember how you always say my name when we meet here? Say my name one more time – say Legolas. Come on Pippin, Please answer.'

Silence

'Pippin! Someone else wants to talk to you. Do you want to talk to Merry? He's waiting to talk to you – you only have to answer.'

'mmmrrh!' A tiny flicker of sound.

'pip! pip! it merry – say i hello – please pip!'

A tiny sob broke through the quiet of Legolas's mind. Merry persisted.

'pippin, please, please – don't go leave me 'lone – too lone-ely not got you'

'mmm…'

'pippin, please, i neededing you – please help i – go dead not got you'

'not – not you go dead – i got go dead… go 'way i merry…'

'not! stay! need you my pip'

'i not get out here, merry – i got go dead – no one get i out'

'got try pip – we go help you – i try – you got try too!'

'legolas get hurted – 'cause i – not go hurt legolas'

"It's better now Pip.' Legolas joined the conversation. 'I recovered very quickly because it wasn't as real for me. It hurts me more to think of you suffering, little one.'

'not i be – go 'way - please go 'way'

'pip not say to i that! you not leave i! evrer!'

'not want leave i at you… got to if i go dead!'

'pip not go dead! you stay 'live! for i – please – you go dead – i go dead 's well'

'merr… i got want go dead – 'cause i not too 'fraid if i go dead'

'Sometimes fear is a good thing, little one,' Legolas broke in again. 'Fear will keep you alive. It is painful, but it helps you to survive. Do not be afraid of fear itself, we will help you through it, Pip. Welcome your fear, make it your friend. It will help you to find a way back to Merry.'

'back to merry?'

'If there is a way – only you can start on the road back, by surviving – by living. Pip you have to fight – you have to live – you have to let us help you, if not for you, then for Merry. Do you understand me?'

'do…'

'pip, brave hobbt... i got go out legolas' head now - i been too much in'

'merr? please…'

'It's all right Pippin. He'll sit right here beside me and I will stay with you in your head for as long as you need me. Legolas could feel his mind balking at the lengthy intrusion. Pippin was less of a burden to him now, as he had established a firm bond with the smaller hobbit. But having Merry in his head as well was over-taxing his senses and emotions. 'Say goodbye to Merry and he'll be back later. I promise.'

'bye merr…i love at you… bye'

'bye pip…i love at you too - do what legolas tells you… bye pip'

****

Merry opened his eyes as Legolas let go of his face and felt Gandalf's hand on his shoulder. "He's talking again. He listened to Legolas and to me."

"That's very good news Merry." Gandalf breathed a silent sigh of relief. "Is he all right?"

"At the moment," Merry reached up and touched Legolas's face lightly to get his attention. "There's something wrong that he's not telling us, Legolas." The elf patted Merry's hand to show he had understood.

Merry turned towards Gandalf's voice. "Gandalf please can't anyone go and save him? Is there no way?"

"Merry, you know we cannot. Gandalf sorely regretted that there was nothing to be done to rescue the little hobbit, especially as he was largely responsible for these two coming on the Quest in the first place. "If it were possible we would try, but at the moment it is impossible to get to him."

"I know." Merry fell silent and moved a little closer to Legolas feeling that the physical presence of the elf brought him nearer to Pippin.

****

'Pippin are you all right, are you hurt much?'

'not – got bettrer fast and fast'

'Where are the orcs now? Are they with you?'

'orc come soon … i think …am…'

'What is it, Pippin? What do you think?'

'gone do bad… to i… verr bad'

'What do you think he's going to do?'

'tie i… no want say'

Pippin! You must let me help you. Tell me exactly where you are.'

'on bed'

'You're tied on a bed?'

'am…'

'How?'

'not… please legolas… not want say'

"Pippin, you have to trust me. Do you think he is going to do the same to you as Saruman did to Merry?'

'um… think is… am 'fraid 'much much'

'Perhaps he won't. Maybe he will use the whip again.'

'take clothes 'way – touch i bad… can't go move – rope hurt i…'

'Is he there now?'

'not – gone 'way – not stay gone i think'

'Wait Pip. I'll be back in a moment. Be brave. All right?'

'will…'

****

Legolas opened his eyes. Merry was still there with Gandalf and Gimli. "Merry you have to come back with me again. Quickly!" He caught hold of Merry's face without waiting for questions.

"Legolas!" Gandalf caught the elf's hands and pulled them away from Merry's cheeks. "You have spent too long with Merry in your mind tonight. You already have one hobbit in ingrained there, now have a care."

"I know," Legolas more gently this time lifted Merry's face up again. "But I think I am really going to need him." Legolas paused to check with Merry, "Is it all right, Merry?" The hobbit nodded his agreement. "Come then."

****

'legolas?'

'Merry.'

'what hap-pen? why need i?'

'Pippin thinks that the orc is going to do to him the same as Saruman did to…'

'…to i – no! poor my pip – what i do help?'

'Just hold him – in your mind. Talk to him and keep him safe. I will try to give him strength.

Pippin!'

'legolas?'

'…and Merry is here, too.'

'merr – back soon!'

'pippin, can hear me?'

'merr – can – i being too 'fraid 'gain – sorry merr…'

'…'s'all right pip, 'membrer – legolas said all right be 'fraid… you want…'

'merr … orc comes! comes now…in room!'

'pip… you 'membrer face i?'

'…'course do!'

'you 'membrer hand i – what feels like?'

'do – orc touch! merry…'

'think hold hand i now – i hold you back – touch you face – think of i – think hard.'

'am merry – am think hard… ohh it…'

"Pippin' Legolas spoke. 'He won't hurt you. Let me go where you feel hurt.'

'l-legolas – n-not'

'It's all right – I can. Let me.'

'pippin keep hold i hand…'

'am merr… am hold hand you…aeiik! am think you'

'arms mine round you now – tight verr tight – hold you close – face mine go your neck

Suddenly all three felt the orc's presence, much as Legolas had been trying to shield the two hobbits from it.

'aaiiee! merr – not want you get bad – i shame at orc do'

'no pip, no be shame at - 'member we go at or-thanc? sar'man did to i – you go help i – now i go help you – same'

'do member - aaaiiiieeee! – not do more!'

'hold me pip – hold i tight – i love at you.'

****

The watchers saw Legolas and Merry grip each other tightly as they both began to hyperventilate, gasping in unison. Legolas's eyes were closed and his mouth set hard and firm as Gimli held his shoulders, steadying him and hoping to soothe the elf a little.

Gandalf stroked Merry's fair curls as his face screwed up in pain and discomfort, the hobbit cried out every so often in obvious distress. The wizard was tempted to try and break the link, but then thought of the hobbit's stoic determination to help Pippin, no matter what, and decided to let him continue. Aragorn waited and watched, for once feeling quite helpless to intervene.

****

Pippin was all at once aware of the weight of the orc lying on top of him and realised it was over for now.

'stop now…merr? legolas?'

****

Gandalf lifted Merry up from where he had collapsed in Legolas's arms, cradling the unconscious hobbit's head against his chest.

Gimli gently laid Legolas down on the grass making a pillow of his folded cloak. The dwarf patted the elf's cheek, softly at first, then more firmly, but there was no response.

****

'…merry? legolas?… please say things at i?'

Only silence followed.

****

TBC

Reviewer			Date	Chapter	Type
Niphrandl			2002-09-05	37	Signed
Still Reading. I feel so bad for all three of them! and especially for Merry to feel that again! This story has got me so engrosed I cannot put it down! Niphrandl
Adrienne D			2002-04-24	37	Signed
*reading as she reviews* 'Pip! Pip! it's Merry - say me hello - please Pip!' O Llinos, I just _melted_ at this conversation! You've got Hobbit mental-talk down so perfectly.. I can actually picture the characters (with my own ideas of physical appearance of course) saying/doing these exact things. It's just so _right_! O wow... that was just.. You got me totally caught up in it. Throughout the ordeal, I could actually feel the panic rising, tension growing and then chaos when it finally happens. You have an amazing way with words- getting the point across with out actually saying what is happening.. So powerful. And the ending.. you've left me without words to describe how I feel. Beautiful. ~*~Adrienne -I think your orcs are wonderfully evil.
Jera			2002-04-20	37	Signed
I finally got caught up...what a ride it has been! This is a gripping story, and it just breaks my heart to read about all that poor Pippin and Merry are going through. Damn Orcs...how dare they do that to Pippin! Makes me want to pick up a sword and go after the little hobbit and save him...skewer all those filty, vile orcs! I hope Pippin gets some revenge on them in the end. Please post more soon!
IF			2002-04-20	37	Anonymous
My goodness...I knew it was coming, I just didn't know when. It's wonderful Llinos...but then I also say that everytime I review. ^_^ I must sound SO repetitive. I enjoyed how Pippin knew that Legolas and Merry were gone, but continued to plead for talking even after. It was sweet and touching, and showed his innocence very very well. And the orcs are evil enough, evil indeed, because you see them as more than just animalistic beings but also intelligent ones, ones that can actually think of ways to torture and hurt others instead of blindly attacking and mutilating. In the movie I think that's what kinda got me...the orcs just seemed like some sort of animal, some wild thing to be shot and avoided in the forests instead of an actual race. Not that that's a bad thing necessarily, seeing as they are terribly disgusting and evil, but your fic makes them all the more frightening to know that they aren't going to kill quickly and get it over with but instead enjoy torturing and poking fun. It's so scary! Poor lil Pip... So was Merry helping Legolas take the pain of what the orc was doing, or was he merely in pain because he was linked to the elf? Poor poor Legolas and Merry and especially Pippin, who now has to deal with it by himself (seeing as Legolas and Merry are gone now). It must hurt Merry so, to know that his little cousin's innocence is being taken. Before he expressed his happiness that his innocent Pippin didn't have to go through what he did at the hands of Saruman, but now it really IS happening...and by an orc! That's worse if you ask me. Which...you probably didn't. One last thing before I go, I luved how Pip was ashamed to share with Legolas and Merry what the orc was doing to him. Nice touch, wonderful! Fantastic! Terrific! Ahem. ~IF~
Sage			2002-04-20	37	Signed
I knew this was coming. I kept desperately hoping that somehow, they'd save Pippin before the inevitable happened. I wish... I just wish. Sigh. You did a fantastic job with the writing, though. Even though it was off-screen, the way you had Legolas and Merry try to help him through it made it so very emotionally *present,* even though we couldn't see what was happening. Your Pip has had such an endearing air of naivete about him; I hope this episode doesn't make him lose that completely. After all the dark and dreadful things the other members of the Fellowship have experienced, his indomitable pluck has always been the sort of thing they could look at and remember what they're fighting for. Pippin is sort of an emissary for all the good, innocent people whose lives they are trying to save by their quest. I really really hope he can find a way to carry on in that role for his friends. *Excellent* work.
FictionHobbit			2002-04-20	37	Signed
True enoughn... Still he is the most innocent of the Fellowship. tell me Im wrong. That was an excellent update
herald7			2002-04-20	37	Anonymous
Still very good, but one question. If Merry could see the black riders because he is partly in Sauron's grasp, wouldn't Pippin be able to hear the black riders etc?
Nova (novapony@lycos.com)		2002-04-20		37	Anonymous
You are still doing a great job with this. You actually made me cry today! This story just keeps getting deeper and deeper...  Nova
Mainframe (Mainframe_mk196ng@Yahoo.co.uk)		2002-04-20		37	Anonymous
Wow! I have only just discovered this series via the slash yahoo group when someone said it was one of the best stories he'd ever read. And after reading it to date...he is right! I do hope however that you don't intend to keep poor Merry & Pippin blind, deaf, & dump permanently! But I adore what you have written so far. Love the growing interaction and bonding of Legolas with the two hobbits. But how does an Elf deal with such an intrusion? And Merry! To feel that kind of pain again! A double blow, for it's Pip it's happening to. Love it! Jen.  x
Roz Morgan and Race skylark	2002-04-19			37	Signed
NOOOOOO no, no, no i couldn't stand it when Merry was rapped and i'm feeling sick even though it was only implied for poor Pippin, i cried so much.  i want to kill orcs......poor, poor, sweet Pippin.  please don't hurt him any more, i've become so much more attached to Merry and Pippin through your story and i don't think i could take it if.....something more bad happens to them.  if i can put emotions aside for a moment and try and stop crying i'll tell you i liked the dialoge, it fit the situation perfictly.  speek to Pippin wont they? he'll think somethings wrong others wise.  chapter v. emotinal.
MarigoldG			2002-04-19	37	Signed
Diolch! Diolch! Diolch! Diolch! Okay, I take up enough space here anyway without filling it up with a hundred million diolch's! What a chapter...I had to get up twice in the middle and hop around the room squealing in delight (what kind of person am I, lol!)...thank goodness my husband wasn't home ... First, a comment to Dindea about the Nazgul voices...I agree! I was soooo disapointed when I heard them in the film...the 'screams' that in the book make people keel over and stuff their  cloaks in their ears in despair I don't find scary at all...I can hear worse on Hollywood Blvd. on a Saturday night...and when they speak...Yawn! My boss is scarier when he deigns to speak 'at' us.. Anyhoo, the chapter....Llinos, I love you! It was so good...I liked that you saved time and unnecessary conversation by skipping the debate and going straight into the three-way contact... a quick word about Gandalf - I know he has the fate of ME resting on him and all, but he has known Merry and Pippin all of their lives..he doesn't have to reveal it to anyone but maybe he could have one of those 'moments' he sometimes has in the books - where he suddenly feels very old, and is sorry this is happening to them.. I know he is upset about Pip on a level he is keeping hidden, but he could reveal a thought about it just to us, especially after the events of this chapter - and after what Merry is willing to experience (and not for the first time) to help Pippin he might ponder about the strength of love possibly being Sauron's downfall, as it is a power beyond his comprehension...Merry's thought that he could almost see the face of Legolas  hen they made contact was nice - made a nice visual in my head, the Elf's face slowly solidifying for Merry  as the link was strengthened... The first three-way contact was lovely...again your choice of wording fit the exchange perfectly. I liked Legolas popping in as 'moderator' when you did that, and Merry's insistence that Pippin has to fight and live because Merry cannot bear to live without him...Pip will try and do for Merry what he would not try for himself alone. Legolas gives him an anchor by telling him to embrace the fear - that was excellent...Legolas cannot possibly be 'in' there all the times Pippin is going to need him, so he can take this advice and have something to hold  onto - fear is a poor and intangible anchor, but it is something to focus on, and keep his will to live burning, and Legolas reinforces that as the start of any possibly to get back to Merry...sort of like when a person is badly injured it is a positive thing to embrace the pain as a proof you still live, which gives you strength you didn't know you possessed to go on living. I also liked that Legolas made no promise that Pippin would be saved, treating him like an adult, which had to reinforce his worthiness in his own eyes, and that he placed the first step to getting away in Pippin's own actions/control....Loved it when Merry thought "Pip, brave hobbit"...so nice!! And that Legolas gave Pippin the image to hold onto that even though Merry may not still be in the link he is right there beside him. They didn't say 'I love you' again though! I liked that Pippin hadn't said anything about his fear of what he thinks is about to happen to him next when Merry was in there too. After all, he had seen Merry go through it, and it had torn Pip up emotionally to watch that and he doesn't want Merry to know because it will cause Merry anguish...a completely different reason for not wanting Legolas to know - the pain factor too, but worse the shame. Good that Legolas reached the conclusion first, and it was excellent that Legolas grabs Merry without a doubt that he will help, aside from one quick query if it's okay, Merry not even knowing what is happening...Of course he will go, no matter what! I liked Merry's reaction when the orc came into the room - straight to business, no shrinking back, sappiness, fear - just straight to getting Pippin focusing on him and keeping him focused. Pip worries over Merry going through this and Merry simply tells Pip, hey you went through it with me...This whole scene was done soooo well, with just enough detail to let us know what was happening...such skill on your part! Now that Legolas and Merry have collapsed and Pip is alone, what is the poor guy gonna think! Aaack!! I'm sending you an e-mail, lol..and wheres mine!!? I'm sooo waiting for it! Regarding the evilness of your orcs, what I meant was that they don't go around cursing and saying things like 'garn' and shoving each other...they are evil enough to please me though, so don't worry!  Diolch again for posting today!! : )
Bean			2002-04-19	37	Signed
Oh! My insides feel like they've been fairly chewed up and spat out... I threw my shoe at the wall when i saw all that bold type start. You are really an amazing writer... I erm... will write more in the next review if my brain isnt such mush by then...
Dindea			2002-04-19	37	Anonymous
Whoa! That was good. It reminded me of some plays where most of the telling is through words and thoughts, instead of being full of tonnes of fast-paced action. But if that's not how you thought of it, just forget what I said. What a shame! I love Jaffa Cakes, mmmmmmm, Jaffa Cakes (drool). However, I respect your decision. Yeah, Gandalf would probably be Digestive. I wonder what the rest would be? Would Legolas prefer a Rich Tea biscuit? A person I know once said that in the movie, the orcs were dumbed down. I mean, they were made from elves, and most elves are of average intelligence and you wouldn't want a bunch of idiots doing all your work (though they would be easier to control, maybe that's what the Nazgul (stupid accents, can't get them, I'm completely computer illiterate, the fact I manage to get the internet is pretty amazing) are there for).  I think it'd be pretty cool to have the author swoop down, destroy all evil, carry Pippin back to Merry, and restore their senses. But you're right (of course you are, you're the author), that would ruin the story and it's really too good for such an anticlimatic (everyone say that together) ending. The telepathy really neat. Wish I could do that (I'd use it to think to my smart friends on tests, (ominous voice) "Nicolette, what is the answer to number 29?". Oh the possibilities!) I think it's written just the right way, because it is a foreign language and you are one of the first that I know of who has used the element to such an extent (or used it all, to be truthful). Death to the orcs! We hates them forever!
hobbitsrfun			2002-04-19	37	Anonymous
THAT WAS SOOOOO SAD!!! POOR PIP!!!

Original A/N

No that was not the promised slash. That was just your run of the mill rape and violence – but not too graphic I hope – all implied. I didn't plan it – honestly the story just kinda went there on it's own (oh and with a little help from friend Marigold! Thanks for the cuddle plot!)

Anyway I've had a long day and didn't plan to post at all so if I miss the Q&A session please forgive me. (Plus I'm emotionally drained after writing that.)

One little note while I think of it. I hope you can follow the hobbits' telepathy talk. It is not actually netspeak as someone suggested. I have based some of it (not all) on speech patterns found in Welsh, e.g. You would rarely say "Yes' or 'No' in Welsh (although people do today – but traditionally you wouldn't.)

Question "Do you like school?'

Answer 'Do!' or 'Do not'.

Question "Is there tea in the pot?'

Answer 'Is' or 'Is not'.

So the way they speak is not necessarily 'childish' it is as if they were using a foreign language – which of course they are.

Okay some quick Q&A – there aren't too many.

Marigold

I think the orcs are more like the guys that we see arguing in Cirith Ungol over Frodo's stuff. That makes sense as well because they are more in that vicinity. Actually I don't think the Isengard Uruk-hai were that incoherent in the book – film yes – but Ugluk and Grishnak have quite a lot to say for themselves.

Also I thought my orcs were quite evil – oh dear! I'm obviously far too polite :-)!

As mentioned above – thanks for the plot ideas – I have more to discuss and will email you later.

Dindea

I hate Jaffa Cakes with a passion – when I want to buy my family something chocolate that I won't be tempted to eat – it would have to be Jaffa Cakes every time – eewwch! Okay on the jammie dodgers and the digestives tho! Bet Gandalf would be a digestive man. The hobbits probably like the jammie dodgers.

FictionHobbit and Bean

Pippin is growing up – he's always been really, it's just the way others perceive him when he can't speak or hear. Oh and I can't save him – there'd be no story! Someone else will have to do that! (Someone in the story that is).

Llinos