hi! Thanks for your reviews! sorry i didn't say it last time, my pc screwed up! anyway, i hope you enjoy the next part!
disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in The Lord of the Rings, they belong to the author, and most probably the people who made the movie!
Merry raced down the staircase. "I must find Strider!", he cried inwardly, his panic increasing, cursing himself for not trying to sneak away before,"I must bring Anduril to him, before it is too late!"
As he hurried down the ever spiraling steps, his more calming side took over.
"Think Merry", it spoke slowly to him, trying to engage his mind into some sort of logical thought."Will Anduril be of any use to Aragorn while it is smothered in the evil charms and spells of Saruman? It's very unlikely."
Merry froze on the spot, completely disillusioned by his thoughts. Eventually, he decided his course.
"I will take the sword to Aragorn", he said slowly, and calmly,"Perhaps he will be able to break the enchantments on it, after all, he is heir to the throne of Gondor."
As Merry edged closer and closer to where his friends were held captive, the sun began to lower in the sky, it's once shining orange rays turning slowly the colour of crimson.
Aragorn stared out of the dungeon window in agony."There are but a few hours left to me", he whispered softly.
Boromir looked up at his comerade, feeling useless, for he had no say in this, it was entirely Aragorns's decision.
"Something will happen", was all he could manage, for even he, a man of the white city could not easily stand by and watch one of his friends be totured,"Do not give up Aragorn, you must not give up."
Aragorn barely had any hope left. He did not reply to Boromir's statement, he had not the strength.
Saruman cried in horror when he realised that his sword had been taken.
"I must deal with the ranger and the elf now", he hissed into the empty chest, his voice ruled by anger and malice."I will make Aragorn choose now, for i have not the time to linger, i must find the sword!"
He swept hastely from his chamber, wondering in vain who could have taken his prize posetion.
The screaming grew louder as Frodo climbed the remaining stairs. Trying to keep his breath still, he gazed into the dimness of the cavern.
"Oh no!", he gasped, appaled at the sight that he beheld."Legolas!"
He was about the run through the strong oak doors, when he heard a voice from within the walls.
"Only some hours left elf", the voice growled,"I'm sure you, being immortal can handle that."
He fired an arrow, it's sound terrifing Frodo.
"I must do something!I must get those orcs away from Legolas!", Frodo thought desperately,"But what can i do?"
The words had hardly left his mind, when a few metres away, one of the sturdy walls crumbled to pieces, it's shattering sound forcing the orcs for the chamber where Legolas was being held.
"The wall", one of them grumbled.
"We must tell Saruman", the other decided.
The orcs gave Legolas a fearsome glance as they left to report the mishap to their mentor.
"We shall return elf", the first orc said,"Take this time now to look upon what we have done, for you will find it sweet compared with the fate that lies before you."
The orcs hastened up the rounding staircase, completely unaware that Saruman was on the other side of the fortress, making his way down to the dungeon.
As soon as the orcs had disapearred from view, Frodo rushed into the chamber, Sting ready in his hands.
"No more!", Legolas wailed pitifuly,"No more! Give me death!", his bright elven eyes useless in the darkness of the dungeon.
"It is i Legolas", Frodo raised his sword, ready to cut the chains that bound Legolas to the table,"Frodo."
Legolas limply raised his head."Frodo?", he said weakly, trying to look the young hobbit in the face."I thought you were dead. We all did."
"Not a chance my fine friend!", Frodo grinned as best he could while trying to slice Legolas's uncomfortable bonds,"I have returned. We must leave this accursed place, and quickly. The stench of the orcs is foul upon the air, they shall return soon, much sooner than i would like."
Finally free, Legolas stood up, and looked at Frodo. In front of him stood a hobbit, quivering like a leaf, his sword shaking in his hand as he'd cut the last of the bonds that had bound him to his fate.
"Frodo Baggins", he whispered, holding the hobbit's shoulder for support, his wounds biting into his frail body,"From this day you shall have the protection that the elves of Mirkwood can give to you. You are a fine hobbit, i will always treasure my friendship with you, even if it does indeed end in death, for the cause will be worthy."
Frodo was in awe of the elf, for never before had he experienced the love and friendship of a creature so different from himself. Smiling, he helped Legolas to the chamber door."I accept your gift Legolas. I will cherish it always, but now we must rescue the others, where are they?"
Legolas limped toward the door."They are in chamber but one from this one."
Together they walked along the narrow corridor, caring not to touch the stone that had fallen.
"What of Merry, Pippin, and Sam?", Frodo asked, his heart ached to know of his friend's and their wellbeing.
"I know not", Legolas said sadly,"I have been shut up alone to the torment of the orcs since we were brought to the castle of Saruman, near 2 nights ago."
"I must see them", Frodo said decisively,"And Boromir, Strider, and Gimli too. We must find the sword, and escape from this acursed place."
"My heart agrees with you Frodo", Legolas spoke once more,"My heart desires to see Gimli especially, for i desire to hear his tales of the number of orc he slew. Before i was captured, i managed to slay 23, i ache to know if master dwarf has beaten that number."
Suddenly, Legolas stopped dead."Run Frodo!", he said quickly,"Something is coming! Run, while you still can!"
"No!", Frodo fought back,"I cannot leave you! We will face it together!"
"Run Frodo!", commanded Legolas, pushing his friend, he must get him to move on, for something was approaching.
There was a crack as once more, Legolas fell to the ground. He rose, covered in crimson blood that matted down his beautiful blond elven hair.
"You are too late elf", Saruman growled, snapping his fingers. Immediatly two orcs appeared at his side.
"Bind him! Bind them both, and take them to the chamber where the ranger and the others lie. It is time for the ranger to make his descision, and i feel in my heart that it will take some persuading."
Frodo and Legolas were bound and together with Saruman were taken to the cavern where Aragorn and the others were bound.
Gimli closed his eyes as the door was opened for the first time in many hours."What madness is this!", he growled,"Saruman! Is that you!?"
Saruman banged his staff to the floor, and the chamber errupted in light."Yes dwarf, it is i, Saruman the White. But i am not alone. Bring forth the captives."
The orcs plundered forward, releasing Frodo and Legolas onto the damp stone floor.
"Frodo!", Aragorn cried in astonishment,"I thought you were dead!"
"Legolas!er, i mean master elf!", Gimli shouted in amazement, torn in two over his happiness at seeing the elf alive, and his rage at seeing the marks of torture that Saruman had ordered upon his body.
Boromir though, had taken the situation at face value, he knew the mind of Saruman well, even though he himself poccessed no magical powers.
"What trickery is this Saruman?", he spat at the wizard, appaled that the once ally of men and elves could treat his former commerades like he had done to Legolas.
"There is no trickery at foot here, Boromir, son of Denethor", Saruman began,"I mearly desire to speak to the ranger, for the time has come for his decision to be made."
Aragorn raised his head, horrified at Saruman."You lie Saruman", he cried angrily,"You agreed that i would have until the sunset of this day to make my decision, and that is but a few hours away!"
"Desicion?", croaked Legolas, who knew nothing of the plan, being held in a separate chamber from the others.
Aragorn faced the floor quietly, and so it was left to Gimli and Boromir to tell Legolas the truth.
"Saruman has ordered Aragorn to bear the sword Anduril once more", Gimli said thickly, to the open mouthed elf,"He has bewitched it with evil spells, and has told Aragorn that unless he will fight for the realm of Saruman, he will turn you into an orc. The rest of us shall not escape doom either, we shall be made to serve him, until we are given death."
"Aragorn!", Legolas croaked hoarsely,"You cannot serve Saruman! Your heart will tell you the same, any of us would accept death, or worse, eternal torture if it would keep the ring, and middle earth safe from evil. Do not faulter Aragorn!"
Saruman gave the bound elf a swift kick."Silence elf, the choice is not yours to make."
Merry peered in through one of the chamber doors. There was nothing but darkness. Then, he heard a hoarse cough. Completely disregarding his logic, Merry took a deep breath, and sliced open the lock on the great oak door. The room inside filled with white light, which lit up the withered shapes of Pippin, and Sam.
Merry rushed toward his friends, pulling the ring of power from his finger.
"Sam! Pippin!", he cried joyfully, pulling the door shut behind him.
"Merry!", Pippin called, happy that his cousin was indeed still alive, his chains rattling as he strained to hug his friend.
"Wait a moment", Merry drew Anduril from his cloak,"I will help you."
"You......you have the sword!", Pippin said gleefully as Merry cut the chains binding him to the wall. Pippin stroked his wrists where the chains had cut into his tender flesh, and tryed to start the blood flow again."How did it come to you?"
Merry had moved on to Sam, and had sliced open his chains."It is a long story Pippin, i will regial it when we escape from here. We must rescue the others, come."
The hobbits turned to the door, Merry one more sheathing Anduril.
"Wait!", a voice cried from the far wall.
"Who is there?", Merry cried, frightened that they would be discovered at the last hurdle of the escape.
"Sam, Pippin!", the voice came closer, calling for the two hobbits who had just been released."You must make ready the escape way. Go to the staircase along the passageway, and down the steps. Do not stop until you come to the very bottom. There, you will find the sleeping chamber of the orcs, which is empty at this very moment. Search the chamber for a tiny opening, and you shall find a flight of chipped stairs leading downwards. Desend them, and at the bottom, a river shall flow. I have used the magic i could spare, and there shall be a small boat there. You must load it, and be ready to escape. go now, there is not much time left!"
The bodiless voice had a strange effect on the hobbits.
"But who are you? Why are you helping us?", Merry added.
"I shall reveal all this as soon as i can!", the voice said urgently,"But you must go, or it shall be too late to save your friends!"
Accepting the words of the voice, the hobbits hurried from the darkened room. Merry followed, not wanting to be apart from his friends again.
"No Master Merry!", the voice stated urgently,"you must come with me!"
Merry was shocked, and scared."What are we going to do?"
"With any luck, we shall save middle earth", the voice said grimly, transforming itself into a body, and ushering Merry from the room.
"Do you really need proof that i will carry out my words Aragorn?", Saruman nodded coldly at the ranger."Then so be it. Shoot the elf, my orcs!"
The stout black arrows of the orcs pierced Legolas's fair elven body, causing him to cry tears in pain.
"Stop Saruman!", cried Aragorn, rattling his chains,"Stop it!"
"Halt!", Saruman commanded his orcs. They stood poised for battle, their bows in mid air."Do you doubt me now Aragorn?"
Aragorn shook his head in rage."No Saruman, i do not doubt your evil heart."
"Make your choice ranger", snarled Saruman,"I grow impatient. Are you to fight for me, or against me. you know what is at stake."
Aragorn beheld his friends, their weary forms pleaded with him as he made his choice.
"Aragorn!", pleaded Legolas,"Listen. Do not fight for Saruman, he will betray you. It does not matter if we are destroyed, the only thing that matters is the future of middle earth."
Deep down, Legolas knew it was too late. The look in Aragorn's eyes betrayed him, as he tryed to face Saruman defiantly.
Aragorn closed his blue eyes, a tiny tear glistening against the darkness as it rolled down his cheek.
"I am sorry Legolas", he whispered into the darkness of the chamber."I know what i must do."
Aragorn prayed for forgiveness from his companions."I have made my choice Saruman", he said, his teeth clenced tightly as he struggled to speak to the evil wizard."I choose........"
Thanks for reading! I should hopefully have chapter 6 up tomorrow! plase review! Thanks!
disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in The Lord of the Rings, they belong to the author, and most probably the people who made the movie!
Merry raced down the staircase. "I must find Strider!", he cried inwardly, his panic increasing, cursing himself for not trying to sneak away before,"I must bring Anduril to him, before it is too late!"
As he hurried down the ever spiraling steps, his more calming side took over.
"Think Merry", it spoke slowly to him, trying to engage his mind into some sort of logical thought."Will Anduril be of any use to Aragorn while it is smothered in the evil charms and spells of Saruman? It's very unlikely."
Merry froze on the spot, completely disillusioned by his thoughts. Eventually, he decided his course.
"I will take the sword to Aragorn", he said slowly, and calmly,"Perhaps he will be able to break the enchantments on it, after all, he is heir to the throne of Gondor."
As Merry edged closer and closer to where his friends were held captive, the sun began to lower in the sky, it's once shining orange rays turning slowly the colour of crimson.
Aragorn stared out of the dungeon window in agony."There are but a few hours left to me", he whispered softly.
Boromir looked up at his comerade, feeling useless, for he had no say in this, it was entirely Aragorns's decision.
"Something will happen", was all he could manage, for even he, a man of the white city could not easily stand by and watch one of his friends be totured,"Do not give up Aragorn, you must not give up."
Aragorn barely had any hope left. He did not reply to Boromir's statement, he had not the strength.
Saruman cried in horror when he realised that his sword had been taken.
"I must deal with the ranger and the elf now", he hissed into the empty chest, his voice ruled by anger and malice."I will make Aragorn choose now, for i have not the time to linger, i must find the sword!"
He swept hastely from his chamber, wondering in vain who could have taken his prize posetion.
The screaming grew louder as Frodo climbed the remaining stairs. Trying to keep his breath still, he gazed into the dimness of the cavern.
"Oh no!", he gasped, appaled at the sight that he beheld."Legolas!"
He was about the run through the strong oak doors, when he heard a voice from within the walls.
"Only some hours left elf", the voice growled,"I'm sure you, being immortal can handle that."
He fired an arrow, it's sound terrifing Frodo.
"I must do something!I must get those orcs away from Legolas!", Frodo thought desperately,"But what can i do?"
The words had hardly left his mind, when a few metres away, one of the sturdy walls crumbled to pieces, it's shattering sound forcing the orcs for the chamber where Legolas was being held.
"The wall", one of them grumbled.
"We must tell Saruman", the other decided.
The orcs gave Legolas a fearsome glance as they left to report the mishap to their mentor.
"We shall return elf", the first orc said,"Take this time now to look upon what we have done, for you will find it sweet compared with the fate that lies before you."
The orcs hastened up the rounding staircase, completely unaware that Saruman was on the other side of the fortress, making his way down to the dungeon.
As soon as the orcs had disapearred from view, Frodo rushed into the chamber, Sting ready in his hands.
"No more!", Legolas wailed pitifuly,"No more! Give me death!", his bright elven eyes useless in the darkness of the dungeon.
"It is i Legolas", Frodo raised his sword, ready to cut the chains that bound Legolas to the table,"Frodo."
Legolas limply raised his head."Frodo?", he said weakly, trying to look the young hobbit in the face."I thought you were dead. We all did."
"Not a chance my fine friend!", Frodo grinned as best he could while trying to slice Legolas's uncomfortable bonds,"I have returned. We must leave this accursed place, and quickly. The stench of the orcs is foul upon the air, they shall return soon, much sooner than i would like."
Finally free, Legolas stood up, and looked at Frodo. In front of him stood a hobbit, quivering like a leaf, his sword shaking in his hand as he'd cut the last of the bonds that had bound him to his fate.
"Frodo Baggins", he whispered, holding the hobbit's shoulder for support, his wounds biting into his frail body,"From this day you shall have the protection that the elves of Mirkwood can give to you. You are a fine hobbit, i will always treasure my friendship with you, even if it does indeed end in death, for the cause will be worthy."
Frodo was in awe of the elf, for never before had he experienced the love and friendship of a creature so different from himself. Smiling, he helped Legolas to the chamber door."I accept your gift Legolas. I will cherish it always, but now we must rescue the others, where are they?"
Legolas limped toward the door."They are in chamber but one from this one."
Together they walked along the narrow corridor, caring not to touch the stone that had fallen.
"What of Merry, Pippin, and Sam?", Frodo asked, his heart ached to know of his friend's and their wellbeing.
"I know not", Legolas said sadly,"I have been shut up alone to the torment of the orcs since we were brought to the castle of Saruman, near 2 nights ago."
"I must see them", Frodo said decisively,"And Boromir, Strider, and Gimli too. We must find the sword, and escape from this acursed place."
"My heart agrees with you Frodo", Legolas spoke once more,"My heart desires to see Gimli especially, for i desire to hear his tales of the number of orc he slew. Before i was captured, i managed to slay 23, i ache to know if master dwarf has beaten that number."
Suddenly, Legolas stopped dead."Run Frodo!", he said quickly,"Something is coming! Run, while you still can!"
"No!", Frodo fought back,"I cannot leave you! We will face it together!"
"Run Frodo!", commanded Legolas, pushing his friend, he must get him to move on, for something was approaching.
There was a crack as once more, Legolas fell to the ground. He rose, covered in crimson blood that matted down his beautiful blond elven hair.
"You are too late elf", Saruman growled, snapping his fingers. Immediatly two orcs appeared at his side.
"Bind him! Bind them both, and take them to the chamber where the ranger and the others lie. It is time for the ranger to make his descision, and i feel in my heart that it will take some persuading."
Frodo and Legolas were bound and together with Saruman were taken to the cavern where Aragorn and the others were bound.
Gimli closed his eyes as the door was opened for the first time in many hours."What madness is this!", he growled,"Saruman! Is that you!?"
Saruman banged his staff to the floor, and the chamber errupted in light."Yes dwarf, it is i, Saruman the White. But i am not alone. Bring forth the captives."
The orcs plundered forward, releasing Frodo and Legolas onto the damp stone floor.
"Frodo!", Aragorn cried in astonishment,"I thought you were dead!"
"Legolas!er, i mean master elf!", Gimli shouted in amazement, torn in two over his happiness at seeing the elf alive, and his rage at seeing the marks of torture that Saruman had ordered upon his body.
Boromir though, had taken the situation at face value, he knew the mind of Saruman well, even though he himself poccessed no magical powers.
"What trickery is this Saruman?", he spat at the wizard, appaled that the once ally of men and elves could treat his former commerades like he had done to Legolas.
"There is no trickery at foot here, Boromir, son of Denethor", Saruman began,"I mearly desire to speak to the ranger, for the time has come for his decision to be made."
Aragorn raised his head, horrified at Saruman."You lie Saruman", he cried angrily,"You agreed that i would have until the sunset of this day to make my decision, and that is but a few hours away!"
"Desicion?", croaked Legolas, who knew nothing of the plan, being held in a separate chamber from the others.
Aragorn faced the floor quietly, and so it was left to Gimli and Boromir to tell Legolas the truth.
"Saruman has ordered Aragorn to bear the sword Anduril once more", Gimli said thickly, to the open mouthed elf,"He has bewitched it with evil spells, and has told Aragorn that unless he will fight for the realm of Saruman, he will turn you into an orc. The rest of us shall not escape doom either, we shall be made to serve him, until we are given death."
"Aragorn!", Legolas croaked hoarsely,"You cannot serve Saruman! Your heart will tell you the same, any of us would accept death, or worse, eternal torture if it would keep the ring, and middle earth safe from evil. Do not faulter Aragorn!"
Saruman gave the bound elf a swift kick."Silence elf, the choice is not yours to make."
Merry peered in through one of the chamber doors. There was nothing but darkness. Then, he heard a hoarse cough. Completely disregarding his logic, Merry took a deep breath, and sliced open the lock on the great oak door. The room inside filled with white light, which lit up the withered shapes of Pippin, and Sam.
Merry rushed toward his friends, pulling the ring of power from his finger.
"Sam! Pippin!", he cried joyfully, pulling the door shut behind him.
"Merry!", Pippin called, happy that his cousin was indeed still alive, his chains rattling as he strained to hug his friend.
"Wait a moment", Merry drew Anduril from his cloak,"I will help you."
"You......you have the sword!", Pippin said gleefully as Merry cut the chains binding him to the wall. Pippin stroked his wrists where the chains had cut into his tender flesh, and tryed to start the blood flow again."How did it come to you?"
Merry had moved on to Sam, and had sliced open his chains."It is a long story Pippin, i will regial it when we escape from here. We must rescue the others, come."
The hobbits turned to the door, Merry one more sheathing Anduril.
"Wait!", a voice cried from the far wall.
"Who is there?", Merry cried, frightened that they would be discovered at the last hurdle of the escape.
"Sam, Pippin!", the voice came closer, calling for the two hobbits who had just been released."You must make ready the escape way. Go to the staircase along the passageway, and down the steps. Do not stop until you come to the very bottom. There, you will find the sleeping chamber of the orcs, which is empty at this very moment. Search the chamber for a tiny opening, and you shall find a flight of chipped stairs leading downwards. Desend them, and at the bottom, a river shall flow. I have used the magic i could spare, and there shall be a small boat there. You must load it, and be ready to escape. go now, there is not much time left!"
The bodiless voice had a strange effect on the hobbits.
"But who are you? Why are you helping us?", Merry added.
"I shall reveal all this as soon as i can!", the voice said urgently,"But you must go, or it shall be too late to save your friends!"
Accepting the words of the voice, the hobbits hurried from the darkened room. Merry followed, not wanting to be apart from his friends again.
"No Master Merry!", the voice stated urgently,"you must come with me!"
Merry was shocked, and scared."What are we going to do?"
"With any luck, we shall save middle earth", the voice said grimly, transforming itself into a body, and ushering Merry from the room.
"Do you really need proof that i will carry out my words Aragorn?", Saruman nodded coldly at the ranger."Then so be it. Shoot the elf, my orcs!"
The stout black arrows of the orcs pierced Legolas's fair elven body, causing him to cry tears in pain.
"Stop Saruman!", cried Aragorn, rattling his chains,"Stop it!"
"Halt!", Saruman commanded his orcs. They stood poised for battle, their bows in mid air."Do you doubt me now Aragorn?"
Aragorn shook his head in rage."No Saruman, i do not doubt your evil heart."
"Make your choice ranger", snarled Saruman,"I grow impatient. Are you to fight for me, or against me. you know what is at stake."
Aragorn beheld his friends, their weary forms pleaded with him as he made his choice.
"Aragorn!", pleaded Legolas,"Listen. Do not fight for Saruman, he will betray you. It does not matter if we are destroyed, the only thing that matters is the future of middle earth."
Deep down, Legolas knew it was too late. The look in Aragorn's eyes betrayed him, as he tryed to face Saruman defiantly.
Aragorn closed his blue eyes, a tiny tear glistening against the darkness as it rolled down his cheek.
"I am sorry Legolas", he whispered into the darkness of the chamber."I know what i must do."
Aragorn prayed for forgiveness from his companions."I have made my choice Saruman", he said, his teeth clenced tightly as he struggled to speak to the evil wizard."I choose........"
Thanks for reading! I should hopefully have chapter 6 up tomorrow! plase review! Thanks!