Author's notes: woo hoo! Today was a minimum day! =D n/e waize thx for all the comments~~~ I really appreciate them… *^^*
Chapter 10: The Rescue
Aragorn deftly leaped upon the Orc and slit its throat before it could utter a cry. As the creature fell, the rest of the Fellowship appeared from behind boulders. They carried the Orc's body out of immediate view and then stealthily crept into the castle boundaries. The castle was eerily quiet.
"You do not think Saruman knows we are here?" Frodo whispered to Gandalf.
"I do not pretend to fathom Saruman's thoughts," Gandalf answered, "but I would think he was too busy sending out armies to conquer Middle-Earth to attend to his own city." Gandalf came to the locked gates of Saruman's tower. He muttered a small incantation and the gates squeaked open, the locks falling off at Gandalf's feet. "That is one of Saruman's greatest faults. He fails to put his attention to where it is needed most."
***
Legolas awoke to the sound of his door opening. He groaned when Wormtongue entered the cell again.
"Do you have nothing better to do than torment me?" Legolas protested. Wormtongue slapped Legolas for his impudent remark. He straddled Legolas and bent down to kiss him. Legolas promptly bit him. Wormtongue swore loudly and beat Legolas mercilessly. Legolas winced as Wormtongue continued to strike at him.
***
The Fellowship crept through the castle. Gimli tried as best he could to silence his footsteps. He looked around in distaste at the dark interior of the tower. The only light they could see came from the dim glow of the fires that were lit around the sides of the halls. There were no windows but it would not have mattered even if there were. The skies outside held no bit of sunlight anywhere; only dark clouds were visible.
Aragorn looked to the Hobbits and smiled reassuringly when he noticed the frightened looks on their faces. He gently squeezed Pippin's shoulder and led the Hobbit on. The Man stared around the inside of Barad dur, wishing he knew his way around so that they could find Legolas' location. But he felt that perhaps Gandalf knew where Legolas might be. The wizard was definitely hustling along as though he knew where he was going. But that was how Gandalf always was. Hurrying off to places perhaps without knowing his destination. But Aragorn did not begrudge Gandalf. Gandalf was a great wizard and deserved whatever recognition he had. He was also one of Aragorn's greatest companions and gave Aragorn wisdom when he needed it the most.
All of a sudden, Gandalf made a noise of approval in his throat. He turned right and they encountered a hallway that seemed to contain rows and rows of doors. Aragorn grinned when he realized that Gandalf had led them straight to the dungeons. He was about to move forward when he heard footsteps rapidly coming their way. Gandalf ushered the group quickly into another dark hallway off to their right as three Orcs came their way.
"I want to beat on someone," the Orc on the left said. "Can't we go mess with the Elf?"
"I am sure the Man is doing enough of that." The Orc in the middle replied. "You know our orders. We are to patrol the castle."
A harsh laugh rang through the air. "Patrol the castle from what?" the first Orc scoffed. "Who would dare enter Mordor now?"
"The patrols from last night claim to have seen Eagles." The Orc in the middle said as he shuddered. "Why they were here, I do not know, but I would not want to fight them." Their voices faded away as they walked away. The Fellowship cautiously slid out of their hiding spot. They ran noiselessly to the prison cells.
"Oh great," Gimli groaned as they stared down at the endless walls of cells. "How will we find him now?"
"Do not lose hope, Gimli." Gandalf replied. He whispered softly to himself. Suddenly, one door shone white at the end of the corridor. Gandalf strode quickly down the hall. "Come! Legolas awaits us in that room." They approached the glowing door and Gandalf called out a spell, unlocking the door. It creaked open and the Fellowship leaped into the cell.
*Flashback*
The Fellowship sat down in front of the fire Gimli had made. Legolas had gone off alone as usual and Boromir had gone after him when the Elf did not return. They heard rustlings in the bushes and tensed but relaxed when Boromir came into view.
"Where's Legolas?" Frodo asked.
"I did not find him." Boromir answered. Aragorn looked at Boromir's wrinkled clothes. Boromir noticed Aragorn's scrutiny and forced a smile. "I tripped over a tree root. At times like these are when I envy an Elf's grace!" Everyone laughed with Boromir. Aragorn stood up.
"Yes, well, I suppose I must find Legolas." He said. "It is dangerous to be alone in these woods even for an Elf." Aragorn slipped into the forest.
Once inside, Aragorn followed carefully Boromir's tracks. It was evident from the straight path the footsteps took that Boromir had known where he was going. As Aragorn stepped into the clearing at the end, he let out a gasp.
Legolas' still body lied there on the ground. His clothes were strewn around and he had numerous bruises on his body. Aragorn ran to the Elf whose eyes were shut tightly. Aragorn put his hand to Legolas' hair and cursed when he felt blood seeping from an open wound. Legolas trembled violently as Aragorn put his hand to the Elf's face.
"Legolas," Aragorn whispered in a soothing voice, "it is only me, Aragorn. Are you all right?"
"Aragorn?" Legolas opened his large blue eyes and stared into Aragorn's face.
"Yes, it is I. What happened?"
Legolas shook his head. "'Tis nothing," he whispered, "nothing."
Aragorn frowned. "Legolas, what is wrong?" Legolas jerked away as Aragorn put another hand to his face. "Legolas?"
"Nothing has happened." The Elven prince repeated firmly. He struggled to stand up. Aragorn sighed and pushed him back down. "What are you doing?" Legolas asked, startled.
Aragorn's frown deepened when he heard the panic in Legolas' voice. "I was only going to treat your wounds, Legolas." He assured him. "Why do you tense so?"
Legolas relaxed his body. "Oh." He ignored Aragorn's last inquiry. Aragorn treated the cuts on Legolas' body before dressing him. He helped Legolas to his feet. "I can walk by myself," Legolas said testily. He went to fetch his bow and quiver of arrows. He began walking towards the camp and Aragorn followed him. As the campsite slowly came into view, Legolas stopped.
Aragorn came up beside him. "What's wrong?" he asked as he stared at the anger smoldering in Legolas' soft blue eyes.
"Nothing." The Elf replied. He walked into the camp. Aragorn noticed Legolas tremble slightly as he passed Boromir. Aragorn also saw the guilty look on Boromir's face. He remembered Boromir's wrinkled clothes… his trail leading to Legolas…
*End of Flashback*
"Legolas!" Frodo cried out. They ran to the Elf, who lied still and naked on the floor. Large purple bruises marred his body and blood ran from numerous cuts on his face. Gandalf knelt down beside Legolas. Legolas whimpered in pain as Gandalf gently felt his face but the Elf's eyes remained closed.
"We must get him out of here!" Gimli whispered. Aragorn could hear the Dwarf's voice shaking with anger. Gimli grabbed Legolas' legging and shoved Legolas' legs through them as gently as possible.
"We shall take him to Imladris," Gandalf said in a low voice. "Elrond can treat him there. Aragorn, can you carry Legolas?" Aragorn nodded and scooped the limp Elf up into his arms.
"Wait!" Frodo whispered. He pulled out his necklace and hung it around Legolas' neck. The light in the phial grew brighter and a faint glow surrounded Legolas. The group then furtively moved out of the corridor. They ran out of the castle as troops of Orcs came marching towards them. The Orcs shrieked horribly and began charging at them. Just then, flocks of Eagles dove down on the Orcs. They screeched as they chased the Orcs away.
Belrahir swooped down by the Fellowship.
"Run!" he screeched. "We shall hold them off. Go quickly!" The large Eagle drove away an Orc that had been charging at the group.
The Fellowship ran and looked around them in alarm when they found themselves being lifted from the ground.
"It's Saruman!" Pippin cried out fearfully. "We're doomed!"
"Be quiet, you fool of a Took!" Gandalf shouted. "Do you not see where we are going? We are being moved away from Mordor!" Gandalf furrowed his brow. "But how?" He eyed Legolas. "By Elbereth…" he remarked in wonder. Aragorn looked down at the Elf in his arms. Legolas was sweating profusely as the glow around him pulsated intensely. The light of Earendil's stare shone brightly.
"Does he still hold his powers?" Aragorn asked Gandalf.
Gandalf shook his head. "That is not likely. But still… it is curious…" He felt Legolas' forehead. "He is still cold and unconscious. Somehow he has subconsciously merged with Earendil's star to bring us out of Mordor. It is a strange riddle."
"Whatever it is, we're out of Mordor!" Merry cried out joyously. They watched in awe as they rapidly passed lands, which would normally have taken them days to cross. They were let down as they approached the borders of Rivendell. They ran the rest of the way to the entrance where an Elf guarded the gates.
"Mithrandir!" the Elf called out. He looked down at Legolas. "Is this not the prince of Mirkwood?"
"Let them through, Selan." Elrond urged as he hurried over to them. Selan agreeably opened the gates and the Fellowship ran with Elrond back to his home. Elrond led them to a small room filled with Elvish medicine. Elrond took Legolas from Aragorn's arms and laid him down on the soft bed. Legolas gave a soft sigh of content and Aragorn sat down beside the Elf. Elrond talked to the Fellowship as he bustled around the room, preparing poultices and potions. "I sensed magic and was about to send out archers when I saw you approaching. The Lady Galadriel has told me of Legolas' predicament. Is he truly a Mage, Mithrandir?" Elrond watched Legolas' face as he pressed poultices to Legolas' wounds.
"Yes." Gandalf answered. "But Saruman has taken his powers."
Elrond nodded grimly. "Indeed. There is not much even I can do for him. All I can do is heal his physical wounds."
"And that is all we ask you to do." Aragorn said.
Elrond looked to Aragorn and smiled softly in reassurance.
"He will be all right. Do not worry, Elessar."