It has arrived! The next chapter of my evil and cruel story! Ok, first things first, I lied! So sue me! Lol, Squassation is NOT in this chapter but it will be next chapter. As it turned out this is the longest chapter as of yet and I didn't want to make it too much longer. Instead of Squassation I have used Strappado. The Inquisition (Salem Witchcraft Trials) commonly used both techniques. I found this information in a book that I have at home entitled "THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF WITCHCRAFT AND DEMONOLOGY" by Rossell Hope Robbins. Both techniques were under the Final Torture with Strappado being the first applied and Squassation the second with a normally fatal outcome, but have no fear, as I don't intend Legolas to die from his little experience with either of these forms of torture.
THANKYOUS:
Nightshade: I just got your review then! Hi and I'm glade you like this little story! *evil laughter* I haven't had much to do with Quenya actually, all my writing is done in Sindar, which I can almost fluently speak (I have problems with the whole they don't have all the words I wanna say fact! Lol)
"I dinen menel remmen ah celeb elenath,
Mirdain ned galad,
Meren a faen;
Arnediad i tinnu talt dinen am i gun."
A little something for you to try and work out if you could be bothered. Anyway, I was going to email you and say hi but your email address is not on your page, so if you want to chat drop me a line sometime! Btw…I too am an Elf! One of Mirkwood who has not yet heard the call of the sea.
Nin esta ne Rîn Ilque, herves o Cunn Legolas o Mirkwood. [My name is Princess Ilque (Forgotten Mist) wife of Prince Legolas of Mirkwood.]
Katie Wintergreen: I'm glade it lived up to your expectations and I hope that this succeeds them lol anyway, thanks for clearing up what you said in your last review and I thank you for the complement. About the weird grammar, you should hear me speak in real life…Hon, I'm the queen of weird grammar and words, so if it does come through to much, please, please, please point it out o me and I shall fix it up (am working all on the last chapters now!;)
Phoenixfeather: lol, I guess they haven't!
Gevaudan: *sits here munching on a hot cross bun, comes across a sultana and throws it against the wall and watches it slide down.* Hey, déjà vu! Actually, I feel the ice cream had a lot more dignity when it died! Lol, it kinda went splat and trickled down the drain, no talking, no "forgive me" crap, just melting! Hope your exams went well!
Nocturne of Shadow: hope this finds you alive! Lol.
Blood Thirsty: or Orlando Bloom if he is reading this…I had a disclaimer in the first chapter, I mean come on, don't you think that if I owned anything I would gloating that much that everyone knew! Lol, but anyway, I'm pleased you like this story (blood thirsty that is) and thanks for reviewing! :-)
Indiana Jones: your friend seems like someone I would talk to! Hehehehe.
Aurora spirit: go get those Orcs! They are so mean! But wait until this chapter, you'll go complete splatter movie killing spree if you ever met them! *evil laughter*
Lady Mystik Raven of the Rainbow Wood: the best? *Squeal* cool! Thankyou for such a complement! And yes, here is more torture. *Flicks hair over shoulder and sighs* I always knew that I should be worshiped! Kidding! Hey, I may be a narcissist but at least I'm damn good at it! Lol
CrimsonNight17: torture is bad! Torture is wrong! Torture is…FUN!!! Lol and yes, there is plenty more torture to come! XD
Reiya and Lady V:…??? *Smiles innocently*
AND TO EVERYONE ELSE: I'm sorry I can't sit here and thankyou all individually, I mean if I could I would, but then as I have said, this would be longer than the story! Lol, all your reviews are greatly appreciated! Thankyou so much!
On with the chapter finally…
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The Blood of the Innocent
Part Five
Elbereth, anna enni Bellas an Bronia. (Varda, give me the Strength to Endure.)
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The spirit is the strongest asset of a being, whether human or not-either immortal or mortal. It is what makes someone who they are; it creates them and holds them together. The spirit anchors itself to the plains of the living, while acting as a bridge to the realms of the dead. It is their strength, their will, and their ability to fight and resist what they do not seek. Some are stronger than others, some will fail at the very thought of what scares them while others will hold on, will fight with everything that they have. But the more of a struggle the spirit participates in, the weaker it gets, and the more horrors it witnesses the easier it becomes to slip away across the bridge to the lands of the dead.
******
Naeg a achas echad pân dreda ned an dúath a dae! [Pain and fear make all flee into darkness and shadow!] Legolas recalled the words he had been told so many years ago by Elrond. Those were the words of a Half-Elf grieving for the departure of his wife and that was all to which Legolas had attributed it. The want for a treasured loved one to be close, the need for light and joy to surround oneself, and the unquenchable urge to survive no matter what happened next was what he thought it had meant.
Never did Legolas think it would happen to him.
The loss of the fellowship and now this endless torment was becoming harder and harder to bear as time progressed. Time heals all wounds! Whoever said that obviously had never experienced such horrors, such tragedies. He thought.
But before he could contemplate his situation further, his concentration was brought back to Saruman, as the wizard was again speaking. Legolas turned his head away from his captor to show his defiance and the fact that he was not afraid. But I am! How much more can I take? He questioned himself, but he quickly pushed such thoughts of failure out of his head. As long as I have to, I must never give in! he told himself sternly.
"After this Elf-look at me when I speak to you!" Saruman yelled, and when Legolas did not look up the wizard roughly grabbed him by the chin, his long nails biting into the Elf's skin. "You will tell me all I wish to know and you will submit to me or you will die!" the wizard laughed. Legolas looked in to his eyes and let his inner will take over him.
The two glared at each other for what seemed like years, their two wills struggling to surpass the others. Legolas concentrated hard, putting all the strength he had left into his fight. It was almost as if he could feel the wizard's presence in his mind, trying to take apart everything he held dear, everything he cared about. He fought as hard as he could, and as the battle of wills continued, something subconsciously came to him. What if he has already done this? What if he has already been in my mind and destroyed memories I need; memories I love that are full of friends? At this Legolas could not help but notice a slight look of discomfort pass across Saruman's face and the Elf once again felt the full assault of the wizard's energy sweep over him. It was as if the being in front of him was able to read his mind, to see his thoughts and control what he believed. With this going through his head, the prince let his guard down slightly and Legolas found that Saruman was somehow inflicting physical pain within his mind. The Elf gasped as the world around him started to go blank and yet he fought it as hard as he could, releasing himself to an inner power of which he had no comprehension.
Saruman was tiring, feeling the elf's strength for the first time. He had thought that the prince was worn down and would not be able to put up a fight, so when his prisoner's will had challenged him in more ways then just a glance he was taken aback and unaware. But the wizard was determined to win. No other thought occupied his mind but the one bent on the destruction of this Elf. This Elf was proving to be stronger than any he had encountered and deceived. It was as if the Elf had a power in him, one that no other possessed, one that even Saruman the White could not conquer. Legolas gave himself up to the feeling rising within him, letting it take over and control his actions. He had no way of knowing if it was truly one from him-one of good, or if it was something false and created by the darkness that Saruman had turned to. All he knew was that it felt strong, and strength was all he needed at this moment. Not rational thought nor caution, just strength. With that having been decided he willingly allowed it to overcome him and fight the evil that was trying to crush him.
The two continued in their fray, their surroundings melting into the darkness and the pain that each felt. The Orcs were forgotten, as was the agony that screamed throughout every muscle of Legolas' body, yet on he fought, desperate to hold his own, to overpower the wizard.
Saruman was weakening and Legolas knew it, but at the same time he too was starting to feel more and more the pressures of this battle played out in their minds. In one last and final attempt, the young Elven prince called upon all the energy that was left in him. He knew that this was his last hope, and if it did not succeed, Saruman would win. It was a chance he would have to take.
After what seemed like forever, something happened. Witnesses would say that the Elf glowed, that he lit up like a silver flame, as all of a sudden there was a flash of light, bright and silver like that of the stars which netted the still sky. The light seemed to come from within him, exploding from his heart and spirit to fill the room, and with this explosion came a most unexpected affect.
Saruman was sent forcefully through the air to come into a bone shattering crash with the wall at the opposite side of the room. His hold on the Elf was broken completely from the moment that Legolas started to reflect the light, yet he could do nothing but wait.
The wizard was so sure that he had won -that he had conquered his victim - that he had let his guard down, having not expected much more resistance. Yet suddenly his mind was invaded beyond his comprehension and Legolas started to glow before his eyes. Once this happened, he felt his sway over the being slip, and he was subjected to a complete loss of control over the Elf's mind, as well as his own. With a sickening realization, he knew that the Elf before him had managed to infiltrate his own head and cause his loss of movement. Before he knew it, he was soaring backwards only to come into contact with a wall.
While Saruman slumped against the wall with a groan, Legolas also collapsed, being only held up by the rope attached to his bound hands. The prince was completely drained of all energy and had no idea how he had defeated Saruman. Yet his relief was soon cut short when he saw though squinted eyes the form of the wizard raising himself off the ground, hate and anger in his eyes. And as he slowly crossed the floor towards a reel on the left wall, Legolas knew that there was nothing more he could do.
******
A cloaking darkness fell upon the forests of Fangorn as yet another day set. The two companions had traveled all day in hopes of finding something of their friend, but to no prevail. Slowly so they would not miss any detail, they made their way southeast and out of the forest.
The detour had been in vain and revealed nothing, and while they tarried their friend may have been submitted to the worst of fates. This was what drove them on, their desperate need to aid one so close to their hearts, but they were only mortal and could no longer push themselves that night. So wearily they sat down to rest, neither one wanting to go to sleep in fear of the dreams that had been coming to both of them in recent days. Dreams of fear, pain and death; dreams of the suffering of their friend. These thoughts haunted them while awake yet they were stronger and much more visual in the time of unconsciousness that took them in sleep.
Sadly, even with this, it would be another two days, hard pressed on foot, in order to get to their destination, and they hoped that they would not be too late.
******
Saruman placed a bloodied hand on the reel, a smile crossing his face. He would enjoy this, enjoy watching this creature that had defeated him scream in pain. No one had ever beaten him in such a way before and he felt the entire idea preposterous. Slowly he started to turn the wheel and the look of surprise on Legolas' face was enough to make the smile widen.
Legolas, in a state of utter exhaustion had seen Saruman cross the room to the reel on the far wall, but it held no real meaning to him. So when he felt himself getting suddenly lifted into the air by his bound hands, a look of shock and terror spread across his fair face.
As Saruman turned the wheel the rope that was tied to the Elven prince's hands was wound in, hoisting the frail body of the powerless Elf into the air. Legolas gasped as his arms were pulled high up his back causing the shoulder joints to stretch.
The prince desperately struggled to free his hands from their bonds but to no avail. The movement just made the pain worse, and as his feet slowly left the safety of the ground he felt his shoulder joints stretch further. His booted feet scraped at the ground, searching for a foothold of some kind, anything that would aid him in stopping this pain. But none was to be found, and as the pain intensified he realized that there was nothing he could do in order to halt this torment.
So he clamped his jaw shut and allowed no screams of agony to escape his lips. Higher and higher he was drawn up and with that height came more and more pain, his arms stretching almost to the point of dislocation. At first he tried to lean forward to take the weight off his joints but soon even that relief was taken from him.
The only thing that Legolas could possibly try to do was to give himself up to the dreams that would comfort him. Elbereth Anna enni i ol! [Varda give me the dreams!] His mind screamed. Elbereth…im gar clannen nedh dae a mor. Car al tir lim enni ah din. Ahreddath nin o sen baul a anna enni i bellas an brinoa! Anna enni sidh! [Varda…I have fallen into shadow and darkness. Do not look on me with silence. Save me from this torment and give me the strength to endure! Give me peace!] But even that proved to be impossible as the soaring pain surged through his upper body.
Thankfully the hoisting stopped and Legolas let out a staggered breath.
Saruman walked over and stood under the suspended Elf. "How does that feel Elf?" he questioned. "Are you ready to give in yet? Are you going to tell me what I want to know? Tell me of what I seek and I will release you from this pain."
Legolas could say nothing, even if he had wanted to. The pain made him keep his mouth shut in fear of letting out a cry, so he neither accepted nor declined the wizard's offer.
"TELL ME! Either you are too daft to know or you think that playing hero will get you somewhere. Oh yes, it will get you somewhere, it will get you dead that is where!"
Legolas took a deep breath, and while every muscle in his body told him to cry out he managed to control himself. "And if you kill me you shall never know, will you?" he spat out at the wizard. "You shall not get anything out of me, so why do you waste your time? Even if I told you, you would just kill me anyway so get it over with."
"Time is not yet wasted young Elf, but it is running short and that means that so is your life. Now, tell me where the Ring is and I will make your death quick!" Saruman replied, his voice raising slightly in anger.
The pain was becoming unbearable. All Legolas wanted was an end, to be back on the ground, his arms at his side. But he would not submit, not while there was Elder blood in his veins. Elbereth ech nin thalion! [Varda make me strong!]
It was at this point that Legolas decided to take a gamble. It was a risk, but it was one he was willing to make given his circumstances. "Bring me back to the floor and I shall tell you all that you wish to know!" he said through clenched teeth. The pain was too much and he need to be rid of it, and it was clearly reflected by his voice. His whole body was shaking and as he spoke the words quivered and stuttered, showing his weakness.
Saruman thought on this for a moment. "Very well," he finally responded. "I am pleased to see that you have decided to come around." With this Saruman motioned for a watching Orc to release the prince back to the ground. As Legolas' feet came roughly in contact with the stone floor a slight sigh of relief passed through his lips, but he did not try to hide it. His arms dropped thankfully to his side, yet it did not stop the pain. Now they just throbbed with a dull and constant ache. "Now, enlighten me."
Legolas thought of a way to approach a question that had been eating at him for some time now, since the battle their wills had shared earlier. After much consideration, he decided just to ask and judge the wizard's reactions. "Not yet. First tell me how it happened. Tell me how they all died?"
"What?" came the wizard's concise reply, his face showing no sign that indicated what Legolas was asking.
"How did the fellowship die?" Legolas pushed, even though he was terrified of the answer. "How did your warriors kill them?"
"You expect me to tell you this when you deny me the knowledge of that which I seek!"
"Nay, I offer a trade. How my friends died in exchange for the location of the Ring."
The Elf started. Pain clearly reflected in his voice now and Saruman took pleasure knowing that he was slowly wearing the Elf down. "They are dead and that is all you must know for I fear to tell you more. You may chose to die on me, and believe me, I am far from done with you! Now, tell me where the Ring is."
"I could cut my ties with this world anytime I wished! For a wizard, you are not too bright, are you?"
"SILENCE!" Saruman yelled while lashing out and backhanding the prince across the face, drawing blood from his thin bottom lip.
Legolas snapped his head back up and glared with defiant eyes. A slight laugh escaped his lips. "You didn't, did you?" Legolas asked, "Then how did you do it? What sorcery did you use?" He laughed at the surprise of Saruman.
"What are you talking about Elf?" the enraged wizard demanded.
"You couldn't do it, could you? With all your power and Uruk-hai you still couldn't succeed!" the Elf laughed in his face.
Saruman's rage increased and he used his staff to strike the Elf in the stomach, causing him to double over.
Legolas would have fallen to the floor had his bonds permitted it, but instead he was left hanging there by his arms again. Let this work, please let me succeed in what I aim to do? He pleaded in his head. See me through this time of darkness!
"Now tell me where the Ring is, Elf. Or I'll have you begging me to take your life!" Saruman commanded from his position above the doubled over figure.
Without looking up Legolas replied with the last of his strength. "Should you not know? You killed them all, so should you not have it in your possession? Or did you somehow loose it?" he asked mockingly. The words caused him to cough, and with a sickening realization he felt blood, not from his lip, pass out of his mouth and drip to the floor. He could feel himself weakening beyond anything he had felt before, and he knew that soon, all hope would be lost.
Eleberth car û awartha nin ned sen anann ned baur! [Varda, do not abandon me in this time of need!]
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tbc…
Well that was the fifth chapter and I hope you all liked it. As you hopefully picked up Legolas is playing into some seriously dangerous territory trying to discover what it is that Saruman has done to him and it will have some consequences on the Elfs' part! Heheheheheh. The whole thing about the battle of the wills kinda gist came out and I hope it was ok!
I also realized that this story only has about two or three chapters to go until its' conclusion, but, I will do a sequel. You see I have worked out what I want to happen (only roughly) and the way it will end will lead right into another story (or maybe just more chapters on this one, I haven't decided yet!)
But anyway, keep the reviews coming in as they are greatly appreciated!
Minka Greenleaf…your sadistic writer!
