Hi all! I'm back. Now I know I said at the end of SHADOWS WITHIN; DARKNES WITHOUT that this would be up soon and that was like over a week ago, but the shit hit the fan and I didn't so it. But here it is! Now, for the famous 'Minkas call out and thankyou list:'
BlackWing: your review really made my day. I had had a really shitty day and when I read that it made me smile…thankyou!! And a note to everyone: don't try using the 'I was commanded to write the next chapter of my sadistic Lord of the Rings story' excuse for not doing your Chemistry homework…speaking with personal experience here, it doesn't go down to well! LOL
Katie Wintergreen: WOW. What a review…what a complement! Thankyou so much. I really had to work my ass off to get this chapter written and I really hope that it lives up to you 'high expectations.' ;] but one question, what did you mean by "that you're sort of settling into this story now, which makes it flow?" Minka is confuzzled!
Gevaudan: Sadly, the Run and Raisin Ice cream has passed on to a better place…down the bloody sink…as you read in my reviews, it was horrible! LOL.
Blood Thirsty: There is no need to run to Siberia! I just don't hug…there was this girl at school who used to always hug everyone in order to say hi and bye, and one day she tried to hug me, so I slapped her, took a good step back and replied with "I don't hug." Needless to say, she never came near me again! LOL
Jaid Skywalker: in answer to your question…I really don't know! I guess I'm just really evil and mean. It just kinda comes but I must admit that Linkin Park is excellent to listen to while writing this sort of stuff! LOL
Armageddon Girl: Sanity? Ha! I know not the meaning of the word as I lost what might be classed as 'sanity' many years ago, and it's always nice to meet other people who are 'gifted' as I like to put it! LOL
Phoenixfeather: I try my hardest! And btw…cool name! ;)
Ok, and here's the long one…
Twilight Star, Ginger, Aurors Riddle, Angelic01 and Lynne (anyone that I missed out, I'm REALLY SORRY!) thankyou for your encouragement. I do not believe myself to be good at writing, I just like to play with other peoples characters. But god I 'have a gift?' gee, I learn something new everyday! LOL thanks a lot guy! *Big smile*
TO ANYONE WHO WASN'T MENTIONED HERE, A *BIG* THANKYOU!!!!!!!! I would like to sit here and mention you all but than this part would be longer than the damn story! LOL
So anyway, on to the story!!!
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The Blood of the Innocent.
Part Four.
Maetha i Dagor dan Um. (To Fight the War against Evil.)
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As pain steals the light, the Innocent fade away and they leave this world behind. But some are strong; some will stay and fight the battle against evil that must be fought. These are the true immortals; they shine above the rest, mortal and immortal alike and they triumph over the evils of the world. But what happens when they stand and fight alone? When they slowly give up hope of victory? They to fade, that's what! They will pass into the world to the dead only to be remembered in songs and poems.
******
He wanted to give up, wanted everything to stop. To let the life fade out of him and pass on, leaving this world of darkness and fear behind him, far behind.
But he stayed. He would not let himself die, of his own accord or from this torture. I must stay true to the memory of the fellowship! No matter what happens, I must never give in. Never! But with each passing hour, which dragged into days, and for all he knew weeks, it became harder and harder to stay true to his promise.
His body was weak and getting worse and as he felt this happen, he also sensed his ties with the world stretch. Even though he had no real idea as to how long he had been in this darkness, how long he had been without the comfort of the wonders of nature, he knew that he could not endure it much longer. For one so in touch with the world, so entwined and one with nature itself, it was a horribly fate to suffer. And with each new technique Saruman tested on him, with each new way of attempting to turn him, his bonds with the world stretched, almost to the point of snapping. Once snapped, once broken, there was no hope for the elf. No hope or chance for survival and he would fade out of existence.
But Legolas would not let it come to that. He had to fight it, fight it as hard as he could, for his sake and for the well being of all that dwelt in Middle-earth under the rising shadow and threat.
The Elven prince was shocked that after his fall he seemed to remember all that had happened within the days before. He remembered the days of imprisonment and torment, followed by his attempt to escape and his fateful run in with Saruman on the stairs. Yet still anything before that was a blur of broken memories and thoughts overrun by pain. All he could recall was pain, both physical and emotional. They are all dead. I let them down. I failed them, not Boromir. Pain that took his breath away each and every time he moved, yet deep down he knew it was just beginning.
His side, once though bad, was worse. It burned into him like a flame, scorching all with a sharp and constant throbbing. His leg was sore and hard to move, and he knew that his muscles had tensed up due to the lack of movement.
Legolas was currently shackled to a wall, it's rough surface cutting into his back. His arms were suspended above his head and his feet were held closely to the wall yet he was a foot off the cold stone floor. The position pulled at his arms and tore at the healing flesh of his side and back—which he could still not recall receiving. Blood thickly mattered his golden hair together and a warm trickle of glistening red ran from both his nose and the corner of his mouth.
And there he was, left in the darkness, not even a hint of light from flame or sun illuminated the cell. His eyes had long since adjusted to the overpowering blackness of his surroundings, but still he kept them tightly shut in order to keep out the gloom and keep in the pain.
Pain made him keep still, fear made him silent but pride overruled all. Pride kept his head held high and his body from failing.
Pride? He thought, a slight but painful smile crossed his lips. I know what Gimli would say to that 'a plague on the stiff necks of the Elves!'
Legolas' reflection of his friends was suddenly interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming down the hall. Footsteps full of purpose, ones he recognized all to well. The door swung open with a loud creak and a harsh light flooded the dark room. And there, standing in the doorway…was Saruman.
The wizard took a few steps towards where Legolas was chained, a slight smile twisted at the corners of his face. A smile that revealed the pleasure in the thought of what he would soon put the elf through, all the pain he would cause him.
Legolas glared at him defiantly and did the best he could to keep himself straight within his restraints. At this Sarumans' smile spread even further across his face, as in his eyes, Legolas looked weak and scared, not at all like an elf.
With a flick of the wizards' staff, Legolas once again felt the burning sensation in his heart, like a clawed hand was tearing at it, trying to rip his heart out and into shreds. Legolas clamped his jaw shut tightly to conceal the shrieks of pain he felt rising in his throat.
When the elf didn't cry out, Saruman put more pressure and force into his attack. He watched as his prisoner struggled within himself, the elfs' pride not permitting the cries of pain he felt inside him to escape his mouth.
As his heart tore more and more, Legolas felt himself start to black out and it took all of his strength to stop it from happening. But it turned out that he could only delay what was inevitable, and, as darkness overtook his mind, the only sounds to escape his lips were the muttered words: "I'll never give in."
******
Time wise it was a risk, but they could not pass up on the opportunity to find a vital clue of who they searched for.
Leaving the dead straight path that they had originally set was a hard choice, but they had found nothing to say that the beings they pursued had even passed the way they followed. This was the only other direction that they could think of, even if it had only been used as a detour. But it all came down to one thing, and that was the fact that they needed a sign, anything, just something to say that they were right in their suspicions and had cause for their fears.
They would search on, no matter what. They could not desert one so true of heart and innocent to such darkness and evil. They would find him, no matter what the outcome.
******
Legolas winced in pain as he was stabbed through the leg with a red-hot iron. His skin burned and blistered at its' touch and tore as it was removed. Yet still he did not cry out.
He had been submitted to this torture for just under an hour, but like usual it was only the beginning. It would get worse, it always did. Although the techniques were different, they were always conducted in the same format. It would begin with Sarumans' hold on his heart, forever trying to steal his innocence, trying to pollute his heart with evil. And like always Legolas fought it so hard that he could no longer stay conscious.
But that was the wizards intention, it aid him in the movement of the elf so he could carry out his torture, as he knew that no matter how weak Legolas was, he would always try to fight. He had proven this the day he organized the chance for the elf to escape. It had proven Legolas' loyalty to his friends and people and showed Saruman that he was stronger then the wizard had originally thought. The elf lived in the dream world of his people and he found strength there, strength that even Saruman couldn't match.
The poker was thrust into Legolas' right shoulder and his face crumpled in agony while he gasped for air. A soft groan escaped his lips as the poker was ripped out tearing away flesh with it. The torturer looked pleased at this and looked over his shoulder to Saruman, and with a wave of the wizards' hand the Orc left the room, snickering to himself.
"So? Do you want it all to end elf?" Saruman inquired, testing the elfs' resolve. "As I said before you foolishly tried to escape, it can be over, you just have to say a name. Submit yourself to darkness with me and it will all end."
"And as I have previously said, I will never cross over to you and your darkness." Legolas replied boldly, his voice full of spite.
"Then you truly are daft." He said angrily. With that, he reached for a small pot sitting on the nearby stone bench and threw the contents over the restrained elf. A thick, black and hot substance splattered against his chest, burning through his bloodstained tunic. As the oil came in contact with his skin Legolas let go of his pride and cried out while withering in pain. The oil burned into his skin, and the blisters that were no sooner caused, burst from the dripping black goo.
Saruman stood and watched as the elf twisted in agony, crying out in his own tongue. But far to soon for the wizards' liking Legolas gained control of himself and ceased to yell and squirm.
Legolas' heart beat faster and faster, the pain taking over his mind and ability to make a rational thought. He realized to late that he had panicked and cried out, doing exactly what Saruman wanted him to do, but as soon as he did he was quick to control his emotions and fears. Don't show him how much you hurt Legolas! He sternly told himself.
He looked around and he realized that his cries had called the attention of the Orcs that guarded the room. They all looked at him, their faces mirrored their enjoyment of his screams. Their eyes sent shivers through Legolas' spine and a new fear rose within him when one spoke in the Black Speech to the wizard before him. A smile danced across Sarumans' face as he slowly turned his head to face Legolas.
The elf gulped but held the glare of the eyes that were fixed on him. Saruman beckoned the Orcs forward and they gathered near Legolas, teeth revealed in deadly yet excited smiles, and with a word from the wizard they roughly grabbed hold of Legolas, loosening him from his chains and carried him forward.
He struggled valiantly trying to escape, but there were to many of them, to many hands held him and aggravated his wounds.
They lead him to the far side of the room where a rope hung from the ceiling with a hock attached to the end. The Orc that had previously spoken grabbed both of Legolas' arms and wrenched them behind the princes' back, binding his hands tightly to the point of cutting into the skin.
As the Orcs stood around restless they started to quarrel amongst themselves, their gruff voices rising in their terrible language. Some started to push at each other and throw punches while the main guard tried to calm them down.
In the mists of all this, the Orc that had bound Legolas' hands stood there and held him painfully by his burnt and torn shoulder. Suddenly one of the fighting Orcs ran at Legolas and his guard, a knife held in his hand, and, pushing the guard aside grabbed the elf by the throat. With a movement quick for one of his race he ran the blade through Legolas' hair, shearing it off ruggedly at the elfs shoulders.
This action caused the Orcs to stop fighting each other and laugh at the shocked elf. The Orc released his grip on Legolas and he fell to the floor, his shoulder jarring at the force of the impact. Thoughts rushed through his head as the Orcs snickered at him lying helpless on the floor.
A voice cut through the rabble, the voice of Saruman. "Silence!" he yelled and the room fell dead quiet. He walked over to Legolas and looked him in the face as he addressed him. "They believed you too pretty even in your hurt. They hate the beauty of the Elves and as far as they are concerned, you reflect a lot of that beauty." He said while gesturing to one of the Orcs to pick him off the ground while he bent to take up a lock of Legolas shorn off golden hair, "they wished to take it from you, and as you can see they have found away." Turning to the two Orcs that held him on his feet he said with a smile, "you know what to do with him."
Legolas felt himself getting dragged over to the rope and the bonds on his hands getting attached to the hook and the end of the cord. This caused his arms to lift behind his back, causing pain in all his wounds, but he held back any cries. They may have taken my 'beauty' but they shall never take my pride! I am stronger than they are, and I will survive this! I will see the forests that I love and the bright Elenath in the sky. And I shall avenge the deaths of the fellowship…my friends, you shall not pass on un-avenged.
"Tell me elf?" Sarumans' voice cut into his thoughts, dragging him back to reality, "are you familiar with the term Squassation?" He asked and when Legolas gave no reply he continued, "Well, you soon will be!"
******
As two weary companions dropped their belongings to the ground the sun sunk lowly in the west reflecting their grief. Yet another day had passed and still there was no sign of what they sort and both started to wonder in they were even going in the right direction, the direction they were so sure about so long ago.
A week had passed since they had last seen him, the one that they sort, but it would have been a long week indeed for their missing friend. A lot can happen in a single day, as they had seen a week ago. But a week? Could anyone survive that?
But if they should continue on their journey was never a question. They would not stop until they had recovered what was lost, for good or for bad. Neither was willing to let the thought of death slip into their heads, but neither held much hope.
"Rest now friend, for we must not tarry long, not while one of us in such danger." Came the voice of the leader, "I shall take first watch."
With that said he strolled over to sit with his back resting on a tree while thoughts darkened his mind.
******
"Common people retreat from the world to country houses, the seashore, or the mountains. But it is always in your power to retreat into yourself, give yourself to this retreat and renew and cleanse your soul completely."
Marcus Aurelius
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Have you all worked it out yet? Have ya have ya have ya? And are YOU familiar with the term 'Squassation?' Well, next chapter you will be! *Evil laughter*
Anyway, that's the end of this chapter but DEFINITELY not the end of the story! I loved writing this, it was so much fun to do, I mean, don't get me wrong, I love Legolas (and Orlando Bloom) as much as anyone, if not more! But it was so fun to take who he normally is and—well—basically destroy the character. Lol. But please tell me if I'm taking it to far (as in the character destruction.) I mean, I know that Legolas would never give in to evil, but I don't want to make him to 'I'm really good' kinda thing. You know what I mean?
Anyway, I will probably start writing the next chapter now so hopefully it will be up in about a week.
*gets down on her hands and knees* please, PLEASE REVIEW?!?!?!?!?!?!
Minka Greenleaf ;]
