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!

38. Misunderstandings

Misunderstandings

Chapter 38 - Recaptured II

Author Llinos

Beta and additional material: MarigoldG

"Legolas! Legolas! Wake now… come back, you have slept enough." Aragorn's voice seemed a long way away, but the elf felt compelled to answer.

"The pain is diminished, I will return." Legolas then realised that he had to stir as well and open his eyes.

"Welcome back, Master Elf." Gimli was by his side. "You have not slept for so very long, but Gandalf is anxious for news."

"Where is he?" Legolas looked around and saw that he had been taken into a small tent. "Where is Merry? Is he all right?"

"How are you, first?" Aragorn looked sternly at the elf. "Whatever happened must have been very traumatic or very painful, or perhaps both, to make you lose your senses."

"I am not sure." Legolas drew a deep breath and rose to his feet, flexing his body to check for any signs of weakness or damage. "It was certainly traumatic, especially for the periain, but I feel no ill effects now. How fares young Merry though? I tried to protect him and Pippin, but I could not keep them both shielded, the strain was too great."

"What happened?" Gimli asked. "Gandalf has taken Merry to another tent, he fell unconscious at the same time as you did."

"Is he awake yet?" Legolas frowned. "I should like to see him right away."

"Perhaps if you told us what occurred…" Aragorn suggested.

"I would rather not speak of it, for the sake of the little ones," Legolas took a sip from a cup of water that Gimli handed to him. "It was bad for them both, but I think I saved Pippin from lasting physical harm. Merry may have been hurt in the process, if not physically, then in other ways. I need to see him."

Aragorn and Gimli obviously understood then what had happened, it did not need to be put into words and they did not pursue it further. "Come, Merry was still sleeping, when I last looked in upon him." Aragorn held back the flap of the tent, "we will go and see if he is awake yet."

"One moment." Legolas put his hand to his head as if just remembering something important. "I have to speak with Pippin. He will be very frightened that we left him so suddenly. Legolas closed his eyes and made his silent call.

'Pippin, Pippin! Can you hear me? It's Legolas.'

'legolas - where you go at?

'I was – I had to have a sleep – a rest – but I'm all right now.'

'you good? merry good? not go hurted?'

'I'm not hurt and I'm sure Merry will be all right too. I'm just going to see him now. Are you all right?'

"i – not hurt – just – legolas? don't tell what did – it do…'

'It wasn't your fault Pippin, but no, I won't tell the others. There is no need for them to know. Try to put it out of your mind. It was a bad thing and you mustn't let it make you feel bad. When you think about it, remember Merry being there with you and only that.

'i try… i try verery hard… will!'

'That's very good, Pippin. You're a valiant hobbit. I'll go and see Merry now and talk to you in a moment.'

'legolas?'

'Yes, Pippin?'

'not pip…'

Who? Merry?'

'yes… i hear-ing you, legolas'

'merry! i hear-ing at you! you go good?'

'i go good – pip – sorry legolas – not mean be in your head'

'It's all right Merry. You can't help it. I think it's because we stayed together for so long in such an emotional situation. You've become embedded, just like Pippin. I don't need to be next to you now. But tell me, are you all right?'

'am -i not too much bad – pippin not go hurt? please you feel bettrer now, pip?

'i go be betrter merr… i hear you! i think you all time… merr!

'legolas? do you go hear all my think-nings?'

'what 'bout i, legolas? i go hear merr all times?

'I don't know, it's never happened to me quite like this before.'

Legolas looked up finally at the worried faces of Aragorn and Gimli now together with Gandalf who had just arrived from Merry's tent. "I'm sorry to take a moment." Legolas frowned at the querying looks. "Three way conversations take a little longer."

"You don't mean…" Gandalf shook his head with an 'I-told-you-so' expression on his face.

"Yes." Legolas could not repress the little sigh of resignation. "I now have two hobbits in my head.'

****

As Legolas and Merry left his thoughts, promising to come back if he called, Pippin lay on the bed shivering a little with the cold. He closed his eyes and thought about snuggling up to Merry and just the dream images made him feel a little warmer. He opened his eyes, it would not do to be too off-guard. The dreadful orc had just come into the room again and was looking down at him.

"You ain't had that done to ya afore. " Grutfley snarled at the trussed up halfling. "I can tell. Yet yer don't cry, yer don't squirm, yer don't even fugging-well bleed!"

Pippin lay on his belly trying to breathe evenly, wondering what the orc was saying and hoping it was not important for him to know. His wrists were tethered to the bedpost and the cords were cruelly tight, especially on his left wrist, which still ached from the mending break. He watched the orc carefully, trying to make out from his lip movements what he might be saying.

"What are ya? Some kinda magic imp?" Grutfley was very suspicious of wizards and elves or anything that smacked of enchantment. He had seen others turned into unnatural things in his time. "Why're ya lookin' at me? Stop it – ya devil's spawn. Doncha put no spells on me!"

Pippin thought the orc was about to attack him again as it grabbed hold of his hair. But all it did was to turn his face into the pillow and move away again. Pippin could not breathe very well in that position and the pillow stank of orc and was filthy dirty, so after a moment he dared to turn his head again and found he was staring straight into the orc's eyes once more.

"All right! I'll untie yer, just don't try and run off though." Grutfley drew his long bladed knife. "I know ya got some magic stopping me from hurtin' ya. I'll let youse be and youse let me be."

Pippin's eyes grew wider. He was very afraid now. The knife could easily split him from top to toe and he was lying vulnerably tethered to the bed with no clothes on. He could not tear his gaze away from the orc as it came closer.

"Stop that! I'll let ya up." Grutfley was feeling very unnerved now, first by the silence of this strange little being that seemed to be impervious to all his best ministrations and secondly by the wide, staring, big eyes that seemed to be stabbing him, accusing him. "I'm only obeying orders. You understand that, it ain't my say-so, what ever gets done by me – is just what I'm told."

The orc leaned over Pippin with the knife poised. The hobbit's eyes narrowed now, waiting for the attack. He would not call Legolas or Merry, they could not save him from the orc's knife, and he would not ask it of them. But the attack did not come. Instead the orc leaned further over and cut the cords binding him to the bed. As soon as he was free, Pippin got to his hands and knees, looking wildly around him for an escape route.

Grutfley could have sworn that as he leaned over to set the odd creature free, it was trying to cast a spell on him. Now it was crouched, ready to spring like some little demon conjured up to torment him. "Here, have yer things back." Grutfley flung the halfling's clothes at it and stood back, watching cautiously as it quickly pulled its shirt and britches on, glad that it had at least stopped staring at him.

Pippin wondered what the orc had in store for him next. It had untied him and given him back his clothes so it was probably going to take him somewhere. Pippin decided it would be best to wait and see what happened, so he sat down cross-legged in the middle of the big bed and watched warily to see what the orc would do.

Smagnu banged on the door and entered at the same time. "Ain't yer done yet?" He was bored and more than a little suspicious with waiting and felt that Grutfley had had quite long enough to do what he wanted privacy for. "We need to report back before too long. They'll wanna see some progress."

"I ain't gonna be responsible." Grutfley complained. "That thing ain't natural – it's some kinda demon or imp. I think it's tryin' to put a spell on me."

"Don't be stupid." Smagnu snorted. "Yer just making excuses because youse ain't done yer job, this thing ain't ready yet, is it?"

"…'Tain't my fault." Grutfley jerked a thumb at Pippin. "It's been tormenting me with its spells. Don't matter how much I does to it, it don't hurt it and it keeps staring at me all the time, trying to witch me."

"Ha! So the great tormentor has become the tormented." Smagnu gave a sneering laugh. He was not afraid of the little creature in spite of Grutfley's reservations. "That's priceless that is! The meanest, most cruel orc in the tower is scared of a tiny, harmless little insect!"

Pippin looked from one to the other as the orcs carried on their discussion. He had no doubt that he was the subject again, but the big Uruk seemed to be very amused about something and the other was behaving in an erratic and rather nervous fashion. He felt his skin prickle all over and his heart race with fear waiting for something to happen. 'Sure enough the big Uruk suddenly marched over and picked him up by the scruff of his shirt and braces. Pippin kept very still. He had learned over the past weeks not to move in that situation.

"Here catch! Heads or tails?" Smagnu laughed and lifted Pippin up higher, catching hold of the seat of his britches with his other hand. "Or are you afraid that it'll leap up and devour you?"

"Don't you throw that thing at me!" Grutfley backed away with his hand held up. "Yer'll drop it anyway and that'll break it, then we'll both be for it."

"I thought you said it wouldn't break, no matter what you did to it." Smagnu was enjoying the other's obvious discomfort and embarrassment. "Anyway, if it breaks, it's down to you. Here catch!"

He hurled Pippin high up in the air, aiming to lob him at Grutfley, who, backing away in panic, tripped and landed on his backside on the floor. Pippin tumbled through the air, twisting in natural hobbit fashion and landed lightly on all fours in front of Grutfley. He stayed crouched down looking at the smaller orc, unsure what to do next.

Both the orcs looked open mouthed at the hobbit. "See!" said Grutfley eventually, "I told you it's some sort of fugging little demon. Not a mark on it! I ain't touching it no more!"

"It's all very suspicious!" agreed Smagnu, picking Pippin up again and holding him at arm's length. "That should've broke its neck, It's probably some kind of trap. Something Himself dreamed up to test us out mebbe. Let's get shot of it soon as possible. We'll take it back and say it's finished."

"But they'll know it ain't!" Grutfley protested.

"Mebbe, but once He gets it back, it won't be our problem any more." Smagnu inclined his head up at the ceiling. "Them up top'll take credit and when He finds out it ain't done, it'll be too late to bring it back on us."

"Yeah!" Grutfley began to see the logic of the plan. "He'll just squeeze them as takes it back. Then squash the little bastard demon and that'll be an end of it! Suits me!"

****

TBC

Original Reviews for 38

Reviewer	Date		Chapter	Type
Floria Tosca	2002-08-10		38	Signed
Re: the orc. Well, he's a bully of the finest order, and he's also superstitious. It's not just the supernatural aspects of Pip's resilience that frighten him, but the fact that he isn't able to cow someone who should shatter like glass. This makes him doubt his own power, which makes him very afraid and insecure. Orc-chappie probably has low self-esteem. Bad childhood and all that. Poor Legolas! Having two hobbits in his head! I bet he wishes he could be in a nice fluffy Mary-Sue by now. I'm sorry that this isn't a nice long analytical review like Marigold's, but every little bit helps, as the mermaid said when she cried into the sea.
Adrienne D		2002-04-24	38	Signed
You've got me getting attached to Legolas now. At least, the Legolas portrayed in this story. I love how you have him protective, but not too forward about it; proud, but in a restive sort of way. It's a nice twist to the usual cliche- but then again, this story is _anything_ but usual. Aw, that is exactly like Pippin. The moment he regains contact with Legolas, he's questioning about their well-being, totally throwing his _own_ safety out the window. He probably never would have mentioned it had Legolas not asked the question himself, and even when he does, he responds with a simple 'not hurt'- thinking quickly of the others and not wanting them to worry about him (when he tells Legolas to not tell the others what happened). And.. I'm sorry if that last part made absolutely no sense. Ah, this is new, but strangely not surprising. Not only does Legolas have Pippin permanently attached to his mind, but now he's got Merry! I wonder what the others will think.. I can here Gandalf now.. 'I told you so.' ;) Heh! O my! I read down a little further and what do I see? "Gandalf shook his head with an 'I-told-you-so' expression on his face." I must be psychic. Gasp! Well, well. Now we've got Grutfley the *something that rhymes with -utfley* Orc scared of lil' old Pip! I'm going to have to try that staring trick on some people. And dear Pippin, he hasn't a clue as to what he's causing! And an Orc apologizing- wow! Never thought I'd live to see the day. Once again, you amaze me, Llinos, with your sheer creativity! You're frontal brain lobe must be working overtime! ;) ~*~Adrienne
IF		2002-04-22	38	Anonymous
Oh look, I have to go to work for a day and I miss TWO chapters! But I will read them one at a time, as well as review... So I am sitting at work at my desk (I'm a secretary), when I get this sudden urge to go check ff.net. But, you see, our computers are down right now...the only one working is my supervisor's... So I get up and knock on his door, and I say: Uh, I have to check my e-mail...could I maybe use your computer? And he says: Your e-mail? What could be so important? And I reply: I am waiting for some 'important' news. And he let me! So here I am hurrying with reviews, hoping he doesn't decided to cut my hour break short. ^^ But anyways, now to the ACTUAL review: The orcs scare me, but they also made me laugh! At first I was like: Oh no... But then when they thought poor little Pippin was an imp...that was great! I laughed, just imagining little hurt Pippin scaring a big nasty orc out of his wits. Poor Pip though, now the orcs are gonna give him back to Sauron and he's gonna crush poor Pip thinking that he's ready... Or Llinos the wonderful writer could come and save the day! But I must read the next chapter and see, before I am cut off again... Thanks! ~IF~
MarigoldG		2002-04-21	38	Signed
This was a very cute chapter for all of the trouble poor Pip is still in...! The fear of the orc that Pip is bewitching him is great, and to have the evil orc almost to the point of a straight-out apology...and Pippin doesn't even have a clue...enjoyed the hobbit tossing!! I like this extra bit of spirit his contact with Merry during the previous chapter has given him, and Merry, whether in his mind, or just thought of as an anchor makes Pip feel less alone and braver I think - even though he had Legolas before.... Legolas is Not the same as Merry. I especially liked that Pippin made no attempt to call either of them when he was sure that he was about to be stabbed by the orc - there was nothing they could do, so why subject them to it. Brave Pippin!! I also liked Legolas promising not to tell the others what took place...the telepathy thing has soooo many possibilities...LOL : )
Dindea		2002-04-21	38	Anonymous
No, Gandalf is not to cynical. I thouroughly(?) enjoyed that chapter. To think my poor, innocent, angel is a demon. That a boy! Tee-hee! Oh, by the way you spelt (hand is clamped over mouth by real world counterpart) wrong. (Glares at RWCP). More of the orcish swearing? If you say it out loud it does sound bad.
Mainframe (Mainframe_mk196ng@Yahoo.co.uk)		2002-04-21	38	Anonymous
Aaaahaha! I love this story! Hobbit tossing? I love the way they automatically twist until they land safely on all fours like a cat. Nice touch! And poor Legolas! Now he has TWO hobbits running loose in his head, poor bugger! I am curious (well with your teasing writing I'm always curious but there ya go), now that Pippin, Legolas, Merry are bonded mentally. Is it a permanent thing? I hope so! And does this mean that weather it is intended or not, the mental barriers separating their personalities become harder to maintain? Possible to a point there they all know each other's thoughts most of the time? Does this mean that what hurts one hurts all weather they want to share pain or not? The triangle may strengthen all THREE! A positive side effect could be that the healing works all three ways, but the down side is that there is no controlling the emotional overspill? Just a thought. A really good example of this triangle thing is in a book written by: Laurell. K. Hamilton "Blue Moon" (one part of the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series), if you're curious. I love the muddled language you use when they two hobbits are talking to one another I poor Legolas's mind. Will they start to speak more clearly to one another as time goes on, like Legolas speaks fluidly? Also what does this bond mean when Sauron starts to work on Pippin? Will they all be subjected to it? And if so will Sauron sense three minds in one and then try to break them all? Oh the excitement! Love your work! And bless the bloke who posted your fic address on the Slash group, if not for him I'd still be in the dark! Jen x
FictionHobbit		2002-04-21	38	Signed
Great chapter! Those orcs are dumber than I thought. Hobbits being magical rotflmao
Roz Morgan and Race skylark		2002-04-21	38	Signed
(sobs a little but understands that it was inefitabvle now)  liked this chapter, again dialoge and imagination amazes me.
Sage		2002-04-20	38	Signed
Woo hoo! Yeeeeeaaaaaay Pip! You know what? You're absolutely right. He is a little imp. They're never gonna know what hit 'em. And poor Pip is going to be bewildered about the whole mess. And Legolas! Ha! Two Hobbits in his head. Hee! And the exasperation in his voice was just perfectly expressed. And Gandalf in i-told-you-so mode? Now THAT has to be something to see. *grin.* Now, I wonder... If Merry and Pippin have pretty well bonded with Legolas so that they can talk to each other in his head, will they eventually be able to do it without an intermediary? I mean, Hobbits are chatty creatures. They're going to drive Legolas completely nuts if they keep talking through him. Hmmmmmmm. Curiouser and curiouser. Me, I mean, not the story. I'M the one who's curiouser. The story? Now that just keeps getting better. Keep up the good work! :) Cheers, Sage (Darth Curious)
ardhrianna		2002-04-20	38	Signed
Whee! New chapter! Thank you for this wonderful story! I look forward to the ff.net author alerts. :) I feel sorry for Legolas, I really do. TWO confused and panicking hobbits in his head. I hope it doesn't drive him insane! And please send somebody to rescue poor Pippin SOON!

Original A/N

I hope we all remember hobbit throwing from chapter 2.

Hey this can't be right – I'm probably getting more fun out of reading the reviews than you guys are reading the story. I just make it up – you have to analyse! It may interest you to know, that I was about to post tonight's episode but I usually stop and have a quick look at the reviews before. Tonight (and this is not the first time it has happened) your comments made me go away and rewrite a great big chunk of what I had done. All right a pain, but it really needed doing.

I hope you like the finished result. In the meantime thanks are owed to all of you, but especially taken on board were, Marigold, Invincible Frog (IF) Sage and Mainframe – so keep it up you guys! (This is beginning to sound like the Oscars :-)!

I did ponder long and hard on the rape. I asked advice too (thanks Marigold). It seemed inevitable – there was just no way round it and, as Marigold said – it will make Pippin's empathy with Merry (after his experience in Orthanc) even stronger.

Remember what Aragorn said about Merry in the Houses of Healing "His grief he will not forget; but it will not darken his heart, it will teach him wisdom." and so it will be for Pip.

Q & A

Herald. 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?

Answer - Pippin may hear the black rider when he is addressing Wormtongue and/or Merry, but that is not reported in these annals. However, he does converse directly with the Nazgûl when it is carrying him off – so there is definitely something going on there. When he came before the Dark Lord he wasn't actually conscious, so that remains to be seen.

Marigold question - Gandalf snip where he suddenly feels very old, and is sorry this is happening to them.

I kinda did that – in the bit where he thinks it was his fault they came on the quest in the first place, but maybe not enough - is my Gandalf gettng too cynical?

See ya soon

Llinos