Chapter 12:
The pain. It was almost unbearable. Though no physical wound could do as this pain did. Legolas had found a new level of misery.
He remained sitting in the corner of the cell, hugging his knees as the days passed. No sunlight shone through the lonely window near the dank ceiling, no thing of life dared creep through the cracks in the floor. The elfin prince was dieing from the only two things that could kill him, grief and absence of nature.
The elf's eyes had dulled, his body pale and purple were the orcs had hit him; they had not healed. His hair had not longer any luster and fell dead past his shoulders. Blood had tinged it silver near his scalp.
The largest thought that invaded his mind was the vicious replay of the voice: "daro, Raindair."
"Lle pen-û min esse, lle pen-û, melmin. [you spoke not my name, you spoke not, my love.]" he lifted his head momentarily as the sound of a lock being turned reached his ears. A body was pushed in, falling to the ground. Legolas did not move, nor did he remain still. He leapt to his feet and quickly moved to the farthest corner from the figure. It groaned, brining itself up to its knees. Legolas studied it for a long while, noting the shoulder-length dark hair that was not all the same length. There were shorter strands in its eyes, matted and heavy. Its face was ruggad, its eyes gray. "Aragorn." The man looked up sharply.
"Legolas?" The human finally got a good view of the elf. "Valor!" He stood, ignoring his own pain as he approached the wounded prince. "What did they do to you?" he touched the bruises, amazed to find them barely healed. He became visibly puzzled. These are at least two days old. An elf would have healed them already… in fact, they would have healed naturally by now unless… His gaze snapped to the elf's lifeless eyes. Just what I need… a depressed elf. I'm going to lose him too… He frowned. "Legolas, you do realize you're dieing."
"Min-uva. Na-yes min nulanta. [My will. It is my downfall.] min û- anann cui-I-uva. [ I no longer have the will to live.]" The sudden realization of what was happening almost knocked the wind from the startled king.
"Do you know of what you speak? What madness has overtaken you? Perhaps this insanity is brought on by your self pity." The attempt to provoke the elf's anger fell short immediately. The elf only looked down at his bare and dirty feet. The glow that normally accented his skin was almost completely gone. "Legolas, you were supposed to be angry."
"How can I be angry when you speak the truth?" The prince looked back at his toes. "She is gone, Aragorn. Her sickness drove her to a madness. Her twin himself gave these to me." He gestured weakly to the bruises. "And the… Annatar [lord of gifts]…" He spat the name out. "Sauron paid me a visit as well. He's calling himself that…" the elf's voice cracked and he fell silent. A shadow passed over the door light, and Legolas's eyes darkened with it. Aragorn knew Nazglas had been by.
He himself found out how different she had become. Aside from her appearance she had become cold…almost vicious. Aragorn neglected to mention the beating she had given him over a stumble. The only thing that confused him was what she had said afterwards. 'im dimle'…'I'm sad to thee'. The elvish equivalent to 'I'm sorry'. And her eyes had been brown. Then she had promptly slapped him hard and yelled something in black speech. Immediately two orcs came and dragged him away.
"wen-orch. [she is and orc.] yrch flâd mithll na wens [ her skin is the orcs gray]" Legolas's voice broke. "Vanwaiel. [lost is she]."
"No she will never be lost." The elf looked away. A sudden slap stung his left cheek and he looked up sharply. "I will not see you lost, brother. I saved your life and then you repaid me in kind, then tripled your payment. In will not let my debt go unpaid. I will save you from your own pit of darkness." Aragorn sighed. "I swear, when we get out, we will find a way to stop this. Gandalf is actually working on it as he is in his cell." Legolas crinkled his nose.
"That, I doubt. For, his cell is open and the dark one is speaking to him." The prince cocked his head to the side, as if listening. "Gandalf is refusing but inquiring about the twins. And_" There was a slight ringing and Legolas cried out, covering his ears. The ringing left Aragorn's hearing and Legolas cried out again, his own voice hitting the original high pitch. And, a silvery substance started dripping down from under his hands… dripping off his chin.
"Legolas?"
"He cannot hear you." The smooth voice came from the cell door, and Aragorn turned. For a second, he couldn't believe his eyes. If Legolas was in the cell then how could he be outside… "He tried to listen to the words of my own. It will go in time." Aragorn shook his head. It couldn't be. Where was the armor? The strength and the height?
"An elf defeated armies of his kindred and men?" The elf on the outside of the cell grinned.
"You forget the strength of elves, Elessar." Sauron's red/brown eyes shifted to Legolas's cringing form. "Perhaps you have suffered enough… this way…" He snapped his fingers, and Legolas collapsed into a heap, silver blood dripped from his ears. Aragorn rushed over to him, gently cupping the elf's head before resting it on is knee. He carefully touched the pointed ear, eliciting a moan from the youngest prince of Mirkwood. "He shall be fine, heir of Isildur. His hearing will regain… perhaps not in time to do you good, but it will improve." The smile he offered was a disgusting reminder of the 'elf's' wickedness.
"You hurt him for no reason, and you laugh?" Aragorn fought to keep his anger in check.
"Why not? Why should I care for what happens to the elf that almost destroyed me He is lucky I have not decided to torture him… well, I have. But I could do worse." He smiled again. Legolas looked towards the 'elf', glaring.
"Then do it, foul demon. I regret you haven't given me the means to do it myself." Sauron let his smile fade.
" You do not deserve it." He spoke without moving his lips. Legolas stared at him, his features confused. Aragorn looked as much so since the elf didn't seem to understand. "Namarie." Legolas almost growled, but that was not Aragorn's concern as Sauron walked away.
"Legolas." The elf didn't respond; he still stared at the door where Sauron had been. "Legolas!" It almost seemed as if Legolas was… "LEGOLAS!" The elf turned slightly and looked at Aragorn.
"Say something, you did?" He seemed puzzled.
"Can you hear me?" Legolas shook his head a very adamant 'no'. "Then how come you heard Sauron?"
"Didn't." His voice cracked, most likely from not being able to hear it. "Lip read." Aragorn thought it was strange he pronounced the word 'reed' instead of 'red'. "Teach to trackers." He frowned. "No right speak."
"No, you're speaking common tongue with elvish grammar." Aragorn patted his shoulder comfortingly. "It shall be righted, Prince Legolas. It shall…"
"It shant." The elf pouted, hugging his knees. "NO help I am. Made sure of that, Sauron did. Song of birds no more. Sound of wind no more. Voice of friends no…more…" Silvery tears formed in his emerald eyes. "Um û-adar. [evil bastard]." Aragorn raised an eyebrow at Legolas's uncharacteristic behavior. The, the king noticed it.
On the prince's neck, a gray patch was visible. It was the same color as…" Legolas… you're…" For once, Aragorn was glad the elf could not hear him. He gently touched the darkened skin, causing Legolas to jump. "No, no." Legolas looked at him blankly. Aragorn frowned, before moving his hands in a quick gesture. The elf nodded.
'We shall speak with the hand, for the deaf and dumb…" The elf had frowned at what he 'said', but had agreed already. Silently, both were thanking the gods for the assassin training they had received; the speech of hands was crucial for silent attacks.
'I feel…' Legolas let his hands drop. "No like do i." He looked dejected.
'Neither do I."
The pain. It was almost unbearable. Though no physical wound could do as this pain did. Legolas had found a new level of misery.
He remained sitting in the corner of the cell, hugging his knees as the days passed. No sunlight shone through the lonely window near the dank ceiling, no thing of life dared creep through the cracks in the floor. The elfin prince was dieing from the only two things that could kill him, grief and absence of nature.
The elf's eyes had dulled, his body pale and purple were the orcs had hit him; they had not healed. His hair had not longer any luster and fell dead past his shoulders. Blood had tinged it silver near his scalp.
The largest thought that invaded his mind was the vicious replay of the voice: "daro, Raindair."
"Lle pen-û min esse, lle pen-û, melmin. [you spoke not my name, you spoke not, my love.]" he lifted his head momentarily as the sound of a lock being turned reached his ears. A body was pushed in, falling to the ground. Legolas did not move, nor did he remain still. He leapt to his feet and quickly moved to the farthest corner from the figure. It groaned, brining itself up to its knees. Legolas studied it for a long while, noting the shoulder-length dark hair that was not all the same length. There were shorter strands in its eyes, matted and heavy. Its face was ruggad, its eyes gray. "Aragorn." The man looked up sharply.
"Legolas?" The human finally got a good view of the elf. "Valor!" He stood, ignoring his own pain as he approached the wounded prince. "What did they do to you?" he touched the bruises, amazed to find them barely healed. He became visibly puzzled. These are at least two days old. An elf would have healed them already… in fact, they would have healed naturally by now unless… His gaze snapped to the elf's lifeless eyes. Just what I need… a depressed elf. I'm going to lose him too… He frowned. "Legolas, you do realize you're dieing."
"Min-uva. Na-yes min nulanta. [My will. It is my downfall.] min û- anann cui-I-uva. [ I no longer have the will to live.]" The sudden realization of what was happening almost knocked the wind from the startled king.
"Do you know of what you speak? What madness has overtaken you? Perhaps this insanity is brought on by your self pity." The attempt to provoke the elf's anger fell short immediately. The elf only looked down at his bare and dirty feet. The glow that normally accented his skin was almost completely gone. "Legolas, you were supposed to be angry."
"How can I be angry when you speak the truth?" The prince looked back at his toes. "She is gone, Aragorn. Her sickness drove her to a madness. Her twin himself gave these to me." He gestured weakly to the bruises. "And the… Annatar [lord of gifts]…" He spat the name out. "Sauron paid me a visit as well. He's calling himself that…" the elf's voice cracked and he fell silent. A shadow passed over the door light, and Legolas's eyes darkened with it. Aragorn knew Nazglas had been by.
He himself found out how different she had become. Aside from her appearance she had become cold…almost vicious. Aragorn neglected to mention the beating she had given him over a stumble. The only thing that confused him was what she had said afterwards. 'im dimle'…'I'm sad to thee'. The elvish equivalent to 'I'm sorry'. And her eyes had been brown. Then she had promptly slapped him hard and yelled something in black speech. Immediately two orcs came and dragged him away.
"wen-orch. [she is and orc.] yrch flâd mithll na wens [ her skin is the orcs gray]" Legolas's voice broke. "Vanwaiel. [lost is she]."
"No she will never be lost." The elf looked away. A sudden slap stung his left cheek and he looked up sharply. "I will not see you lost, brother. I saved your life and then you repaid me in kind, then tripled your payment. In will not let my debt go unpaid. I will save you from your own pit of darkness." Aragorn sighed. "I swear, when we get out, we will find a way to stop this. Gandalf is actually working on it as he is in his cell." Legolas crinkled his nose.
"That, I doubt. For, his cell is open and the dark one is speaking to him." The prince cocked his head to the side, as if listening. "Gandalf is refusing but inquiring about the twins. And_" There was a slight ringing and Legolas cried out, covering his ears. The ringing left Aragorn's hearing and Legolas cried out again, his own voice hitting the original high pitch. And, a silvery substance started dripping down from under his hands… dripping off his chin.
"Legolas?"
"He cannot hear you." The smooth voice came from the cell door, and Aragorn turned. For a second, he couldn't believe his eyes. If Legolas was in the cell then how could he be outside… "He tried to listen to the words of my own. It will go in time." Aragorn shook his head. It couldn't be. Where was the armor? The strength and the height?
"An elf defeated armies of his kindred and men?" The elf on the outside of the cell grinned.
"You forget the strength of elves, Elessar." Sauron's red/brown eyes shifted to Legolas's cringing form. "Perhaps you have suffered enough… this way…" He snapped his fingers, and Legolas collapsed into a heap, silver blood dripped from his ears. Aragorn rushed over to him, gently cupping the elf's head before resting it on is knee. He carefully touched the pointed ear, eliciting a moan from the youngest prince of Mirkwood. "He shall be fine, heir of Isildur. His hearing will regain… perhaps not in time to do you good, but it will improve." The smile he offered was a disgusting reminder of the 'elf's' wickedness.
"You hurt him for no reason, and you laugh?" Aragorn fought to keep his anger in check.
"Why not? Why should I care for what happens to the elf that almost destroyed me He is lucky I have not decided to torture him… well, I have. But I could do worse." He smiled again. Legolas looked towards the 'elf', glaring.
"Then do it, foul demon. I regret you haven't given me the means to do it myself." Sauron let his smile fade.
" You do not deserve it." He spoke without moving his lips. Legolas stared at him, his features confused. Aragorn looked as much so since the elf didn't seem to understand. "Namarie." Legolas almost growled, but that was not Aragorn's concern as Sauron walked away.
"Legolas." The elf didn't respond; he still stared at the door where Sauron had been. "Legolas!" It almost seemed as if Legolas was… "LEGOLAS!" The elf turned slightly and looked at Aragorn.
"Say something, you did?" He seemed puzzled.
"Can you hear me?" Legolas shook his head a very adamant 'no'. "Then how come you heard Sauron?"
"Didn't." His voice cracked, most likely from not being able to hear it. "Lip read." Aragorn thought it was strange he pronounced the word 'reed' instead of 'red'. "Teach to trackers." He frowned. "No right speak."
"No, you're speaking common tongue with elvish grammar." Aragorn patted his shoulder comfortingly. "It shall be righted, Prince Legolas. It shall…"
"It shant." The elf pouted, hugging his knees. "NO help I am. Made sure of that, Sauron did. Song of birds no more. Sound of wind no more. Voice of friends no…more…" Silvery tears formed in his emerald eyes. "Um û-adar. [evil bastard]." Aragorn raised an eyebrow at Legolas's uncharacteristic behavior. The, the king noticed it.
On the prince's neck, a gray patch was visible. It was the same color as…" Legolas… you're…" For once, Aragorn was glad the elf could not hear him. He gently touched the darkened skin, causing Legolas to jump. "No, no." Legolas looked at him blankly. Aragorn frowned, before moving his hands in a quick gesture. The elf nodded.
'We shall speak with the hand, for the deaf and dumb…" The elf had frowned at what he 'said', but had agreed already. Silently, both were thanking the gods for the assassin training they had received; the speech of hands was crucial for silent attacks.
'I feel…' Legolas let his hands drop. "No like do i." He looked dejected.
'Neither do I."