DISCLAIMER: same as last chapter and I'm not going to do this again so just refer back to the first chapter if you need to be reminded that I don't own these characters.
HISTORY: ok, as I said before, this was meant to be a bit of a light hearted distraction from the dark writings of SHADOWS WITHIN; DARKNESS WITHOUT, well now, light hearted is thrown out the window and here's yet another dark and sadistic story under Minka! This also means that I have no idea as to where to go whatsoever, I'm mealy making it up as I go along, which leads to the next heading…
SPECIAL THANKS: thanks to all the people that reviewed this, I really wasn't expecting it. But a BIG thankyou goes to the following people:
Jaid Skywalker: believe it or not the thought of "Saruman now has the ring" never even crossed my mind when I wrote this! This story was meant to be funny, then it became just a recap of the first book, then it became and alternate universe with everyone dead, then it was "keep Legolas alive for the hell of it!" and then it became what it is. So thank you so much Jaid Skywalker for opening my eyes to the other possibilities (and blindingly obvious plot holes) that could come of this story! This chapter is dedicated to you.
CrimsonNight17: for your sick liking of Legolas torture…I have found a kindred mind. LOL
Abigail da Jedi: "Torture is good for you." ok, not quite sure how to take that, as a complement or an insult, but I liked it.
Blood thirsty, Katie Wintergreen, and Enchanted Twilight: for your words of encouragement and wisdom.
little-bit-odd: because--well your cool and I love your story.
Sorry to those who I didn't mention personally, but I REALLY appreciate all your reviews and I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations.
TRANSLATIONS:
For Enchanted Twilight, I couldn't really put the translations in the middle of the story, so I have included the English at both the beginning and the end, just to make it easier.
He wanted it all to stop, to see the stars and the joys of the world. The stars…joy, and to walk free under the forests. But how can I? I'd be evil, a fell beast, one no longer joined with nature.
And now on with the story…
The Blood of the Innocent
Part two.
I Romru ned Laug Agar. (The Sound of Warm Blood.)
Legolas walked under the shining green leaves of the trees of Mirkwood. The sun was warm on his face and the wind gently blew his long hair across his noble features. His heart was light and trouble free, as if he were in love. The prince had never been in love, but he felt that this is how it should feel. A feeling of weightlessness and belonging, to have a purpose to live as one arose in the morning. Something you can get lost in, a place within yourself where even time does not apply.
This is how he felt so often while wandering through his homeland. It was a place of happiness, of freedom and light.
Suddenly a scream pierced his delicate ears. A shrill pain-filled scream that came from his own lips, one that dragged him back to the darkness that now constantly surrounded him.
A sharp pain tore along his right side and blood spilled forth, coating his already stained tunic with a fresh stickiness. Saruman removed the small blade from the Elf's side with a pleased tug, ripping more flesh in the
process. All the while a twisted smile played across his lips, his face alive with pleasure.
The wizard dropped his supporting grip on the prince's throat and Legolas crumpled to the floor in an ungraceful heap. He cursed himself for crying out but the pain was so great, so hard to bear, even for him.
"What do you say now Elf?" Saruman demanded, eyeing the blood that dripped from the point of the blade with a glint of excitement in his eye. "Are you still daft enough to refuse?"
Legolas lifted his head and glared at the captor, and despite the pain, he pulled himself to his feet, to look eye to eye with Saruman. The Elf stood slightly bent, pain forbidding him to stand straight, but he still had a noble and wise air about him. When he spoke, his voice did not waver. "I will never submit to your darkness." He stated valiantly, "Not now, not ever!"
"You are more simple than I gave you credit for. You WILL join to me or you WILL die!" yelled Saruman, while using his staff to send Legolas flying against the far wall of his cell.
Legolas hit hard, pain jarring through his body, but he did not cry out again, he would not allow himself to show how much he hurt. Deep down he knew that the more he hid it, the more the torture would increase, and even though he had lost everything that was precious to him, he had not lost his pride. No matter how bad the torture became he would not submit. As he slowly fell to the floor, his mind flashed to the last time he saw all his friends together. How was it that they did not sense what was about to happen? I felt it, a shadow and a threat, I felt it's presence, but I did nothing to stop it. NO! I did, I warned Aragorn, but something happened, something I can't seem to recall, the ring bearer was--his thoughts were cut short as he felt himself being hurled across the floor by an invisible presence. His head connected with the far wall and he felt his vision blur.
I knew. I let them down. I cost them their lives. Dark thoughts raced through his head as he was lifted off the ground. There he hovered for awhile, unable to move, his breathing restructured from his wound in his back. How did I get that? What happened that day and why can't I remember it? A fire burned in his chest, like a hand reaching in and tearing out his heart. Legolas gasped but would not cry out. He would never give in.
"Come on, Elf. Scream! Release the pain and anger. Yell my name and I will release you from this torment." Saruman's voice filled his ears with temptation. All he had to do was say a name, one simple name and he would
be free of this pain.
But it was a black name, one of fear and terror and even as Saruman thrust the knife into Legolas' upper leg, he would not think it. The wizard pushed the blade in further and pulled it up the prince's left leg, and yet Legolas still suppressed his cries of pain that rang in his head. I mustn't give in; I must stay true to the Fellowship. But they are dead; they all perished because of my unreliability. The unknown burning in his back again came to him and yet he could remember it not. It was something purged from his mind, pushed out by a thing unnatural, something that didn't belong. They are all dead. I am the only one left of the fellowship, they died because of me. I failed them, not Boromir. Legolas saw Saruman looking into his face, his eyes danced with pleasure, his mouth twisted to reveal his
enjoyment.
"I will never bow to you!" Legolas spat, full of hate. To this Saruman laughed maniacally.
"You still don't understand, you shall not bow down to me, you shall stand by me. Together we shall rule all of Middle-earth; we will have the power to take what we want! Do you not want to see the sun again? To bask in its
rays and feel the breeze. This is your chance Elf. I am offering you a chance to be equal. Not a server but an equal. An equal to me." His voice raised at the end words, sending Legolas hurtling into the back corner of the room, into a crumpled mess.
Pain surged through him and his mind raced. Something was amiss in his head, but he could not pinpoint what it was. I failed them, not Boromir. Why did that come to me? Why not Boromir? The Elven prince carefully drew
him arms around his knees, willing the pain to leave his body and trying to stop the bleeding. He could feel himself growing weaker and weaker, and his heart was heavy and burned from the black sorcery to which he had been
subjected.
His tormentor walked towards him and knelt down in front of Legolas, hands still resting on his staff. "Come, Elf. Take my hand if you are too weak to speak." He said tauntingly, extending his right hand to the Elf. "Take my
hand and I will see you healed, and give you the strength to at least talk. You have failed your race. You have fallen like a mortal, a useless man, one that can only hide and whimper. You show none of the Elder blood that runs through your veins, only weakness and foolishness."
Legolas looked at Saruman with eyes that showed his soul, his pain and his shattered hopes. He wanted it all to stop, to see the stars and the joys of the world. I elenath…gell, a an pada lain di i taur. But how can I? I'd be evil, a fell beast one no longer joined with nature. Sarumans' eyes squinted and Legolas felt the tearing at his heart once again, his mouth opened in pain, yet he made no sound.
"TAKE MY HAND LEGOLAS! FREE YOURSELF OF THIS TORMENT!" the wizard commanded.
Legolas felt himself leaning forward, forward towards Saruman's outstretched hand. No, do not do it! He told himself, while forcing his back against the cold stone. The burning in his chest continued and he weakened more, almost to the point of sliding down the wall. Summoning all his will power he opened his mouth and spoke: "I will never," he gasped as the wizards grip tightened on his heart, and a new pressure threatened to crush his throat though the wizard laid not a finger on him, "ever…join with you. I would rather die! And you…you go back to the darkness from which you crawled from!" he shouted the latter, while using the small amount of strength left in him to draw up his legs. He drew himself back, and using the wall as a brace kicked the crouching figure in the chest with both legs, sending him crashing to the other side of the gloomy cell.
Saruman, taken aback by the Elf's newly found strength, crashed heavily into the far wall. His back cracked and he felt blood seep from a gash on his back, caused by the rough walls. He let out a cry of surprise as he fell from the side of the wall to the stone floor, face down, his staff no longer in his hands.
Legolas pulled himself up and while using the wall for support headed for the door. He was only a few paces away, but his hand searched frantically. He'd lost more blood than he had suspected for his vision blurred. He couldn't define one shape from the other and his head spun, but he dragged himself on in the direction of the door. Yes! He had it, the doorknob, held safely in his grasp. He wrenched it open, pulled the door inwards and felt the stale, yet cooler, breeze caress his bruised face. As he let go of the door and blindly took a step forward, his legs failed him, and he collapsed. His cheek hit against the cold floor, sending pain through his face and neck, and as Legolas tried to stand he saw the world spin. He pushed up using his hands and felt himself falling backwards. Surely I couldn't have misjudged my strength to that extent. Legolas then realised that he was going backwards, flying backwards. Saruman.
Saruman reached his staff and used it to throw the prince to the back of the cell, away from the door. Legolas hit the jagged wall hard, feeling the rough surface bite into his flesh and his warm blood drip down his back. Saruman approached where Legolas was suspended, and with a smile and a flick of his staff, he sent the Elven prince hurtling across the room to come into contact with a wall. A sickening crack filled the air as Legolas' head hit hard. He fell lifeless to the floor, a slight groan the only indication of his life.
I failed them, not Boromir!
*****
Two figures shadowed by the sinking sun ran on.
"Hurry, we have much need for haste!" the lead one said, turning his head to his following companion.
"Aye! We do indeed!" came a grunted reply.
*****
TBC…
Ok people, that was it…chapter two, I hope you liked it and that it wasn't to bad for you. If it is too violent or whatever, let me know, cause chances are it WILL get worse in the next chapters—that is if you all review and tell me to continue.
And for those who missed it at the top, here are the Sindarin translations:
He wanted it all to stop, to see the stars and the joys of the world. The stars…joy, and to walk free under the forests. But how can I? I'd be evil, a fell beast, one no longer joined with nature.
Minka Greenleaf, yours in terror, horror and sick sadism.
