Authors notes: - Thank you again for all the great reviews. Sorry for the
delay in posting. Hope you enjoy the new chapter!
*
Elrond watched Legolas curl up on the ground screaming his name. He wanted to go to him and comfort him. He thought of Legolas as a son, the elf prince had spent enough time with his sons pulling infamous pranks on both Mirkwood and Rivendell that Rivendell was his second home. His heart broke to see the young elf in so much pain but he couldn't help. The prince was linked to the wraiths somehow and if he linked his mind to Legolas's to help him then Sauron would know everything about himself and Rivendell.
"Get up Legolas." He called. "Don't let it defeat you." The pleas failed and the young elf just crawled up tighter.
Suddenly the eye filled his vision.
"So Elrond you have taken an interest in my little elf pet. Well I'll have to see about that."
Elrond jerked backwards taking his hands off Legolas.
"My lord are you well?" one of the healers questioned shocked by his lord's actions.
"Yes, Yes leave me. Send two guards in here." The healers looked confused but obeyed. Elrond got up off the bed and walked to the window.
"Gwaihir" he called. He heard the familiar call of the Eagle King and he saw the eagle approach.
"I know you must be tired but I need you to bring Mithrandir to me. It is desperately important and Legolas's life depends on it." The eagle flew off.
"My lord you requested us?" a voice enquired and he turned to see two guards stood by the door.
"Yes Prince Legolas must be moved out of Rivendell. The hidden rooms in the valley. I want guards posted there but it must not be spoken of. Is that clear?"
The guards looked totally confused, as the healers had been previously.
"Yes my lord." One of the guards left. Elrond walked back towards the bed. He checked the bandages. Blood had soaked through them so he quickly changed the ones located on the arrow and shoulder wound.
The guard who had left reappeared with two others and a litter. Gently two guards placed Legolas on the litter and the group left followed by Elrond.
"What's happening father?" Arwen asked.
"It is not safe for him here. I am moving him into the valley. Bring some herbs and bandages he will have to remain there till at least Mithrandir arrives."
"Why?" Arwen asked.
"Sauron is in his mind. He is connected to wraiths. He cannot remain here. In the valley Mithrandir can protect us with a spell and then will be able to heal his mind without Sauron and the eye infiltrating his every thought."
* The army continued its retreat through the passages that led them to the other side of the mountains. Not many wounded had survived which was not surprising as orcs usually made sure their victims were dead. Mithrandir led with his staff lit casting eerie shadows on the walls. Glorfindel was at the rear and could not see the light. He held aloft a burning torch. The pace was slow, painfully so but he had not the heart to speed it up. The warriors had fought bravely and causing them more pain he was loath to do.
After what felt like hours of walking daylight flooded into the passage. He felt the spirits of the troops lightened as they breathed in the fresh air. Glorfindel hurried to the front where he found the twins and Gimli. The tired army were sat on the bank in front of the exit of the passages. The sun warmed them but it was not very strong and did not remove the deep chill in their bones.
"We need to rest Mithrandir. They are tired and we cannot push them. The orcs will not find us for at least a day, it is safe for the time being." Glorfindel stated to the wizard who was looking back up at the mountains.
"There is a clearing hidden from all but those who know its location only a few minutes journey through the trees. They can rest there." The wizard said indicating the forest below. Glorfindel nodded and went to inform the army captains. An eagle cry alerted the wizard to Gwaihir's presence. The eagle swooped in and landed.
"Lord Elrond requests your presence urgently concerning the young prince of Mirkwood."
"Go." Elladan said, "We will inform Glorfindel. Legolas needs you." He needn't have bothered as the wizard had already climbed aboard the Eagle King. Taking off the eagle let out a mournful cry and disappeared from view. The weary army again rose to its feet and followed Glorfindel to the clearing where they would rest until the next morning.
*
The darkness swirled around the elf, as he lay curled on the ground. The tears had stopped but the well of despair had risen up and paralysed him. Too tired to do anything but breathe the elf's tired eyes watched the eye. Elrond had abandoned him. He had promised him, but it was as his master said. Why would anyone care for him now? He was damaged and broken, of no worth to no one especially an Elven lord. He closed his eyes trying to find his safe place where he could exist and no one could find him, but it was gone. Elrond destroyed it by promising him that he would help him. He had given him hope and then ripped it away. He was alone again, like it should be and how it would remain.
"I promise you." Elrond's words echoed through his head over and over.
"He lied to you pet. He never intended to help you. It was a trick and you my poor poor naïve pet fell for it. Do you see now why you need to come home and I will look after you. The world is too dark and dangerous for you my beautiful elf." Sauron whispered in Legolas's mind.
"Yes master." Legolas responded dully.
"They will try to keep you there, pretend to be your friend but they are deceiving you. Do not be fooled. Return to me. I will not punish you harshly."
"Yes master." Legolas replied his response conditioned into him by torture and pain.
"Good." Legolas felt a soft touch on his cheek and leaned into it and as he did the hope that had so recently reappeared faded and disappeared.
*
Elrond watched Legolas curl up on the ground screaming his name. He wanted to go to him and comfort him. He thought of Legolas as a son, the elf prince had spent enough time with his sons pulling infamous pranks on both Mirkwood and Rivendell that Rivendell was his second home. His heart broke to see the young elf in so much pain but he couldn't help. The prince was linked to the wraiths somehow and if he linked his mind to Legolas's to help him then Sauron would know everything about himself and Rivendell.
"Get up Legolas." He called. "Don't let it defeat you." The pleas failed and the young elf just crawled up tighter.
Suddenly the eye filled his vision.
"So Elrond you have taken an interest in my little elf pet. Well I'll have to see about that."
Elrond jerked backwards taking his hands off Legolas.
"My lord are you well?" one of the healers questioned shocked by his lord's actions.
"Yes, Yes leave me. Send two guards in here." The healers looked confused but obeyed. Elrond got up off the bed and walked to the window.
"Gwaihir" he called. He heard the familiar call of the Eagle King and he saw the eagle approach.
"I know you must be tired but I need you to bring Mithrandir to me. It is desperately important and Legolas's life depends on it." The eagle flew off.
"My lord you requested us?" a voice enquired and he turned to see two guards stood by the door.
"Yes Prince Legolas must be moved out of Rivendell. The hidden rooms in the valley. I want guards posted there but it must not be spoken of. Is that clear?"
The guards looked totally confused, as the healers had been previously.
"Yes my lord." One of the guards left. Elrond walked back towards the bed. He checked the bandages. Blood had soaked through them so he quickly changed the ones located on the arrow and shoulder wound.
The guard who had left reappeared with two others and a litter. Gently two guards placed Legolas on the litter and the group left followed by Elrond.
"What's happening father?" Arwen asked.
"It is not safe for him here. I am moving him into the valley. Bring some herbs and bandages he will have to remain there till at least Mithrandir arrives."
"Why?" Arwen asked.
"Sauron is in his mind. He is connected to wraiths. He cannot remain here. In the valley Mithrandir can protect us with a spell and then will be able to heal his mind without Sauron and the eye infiltrating his every thought."
* The army continued its retreat through the passages that led them to the other side of the mountains. Not many wounded had survived which was not surprising as orcs usually made sure their victims were dead. Mithrandir led with his staff lit casting eerie shadows on the walls. Glorfindel was at the rear and could not see the light. He held aloft a burning torch. The pace was slow, painfully so but he had not the heart to speed it up. The warriors had fought bravely and causing them more pain he was loath to do.
After what felt like hours of walking daylight flooded into the passage. He felt the spirits of the troops lightened as they breathed in the fresh air. Glorfindel hurried to the front where he found the twins and Gimli. The tired army were sat on the bank in front of the exit of the passages. The sun warmed them but it was not very strong and did not remove the deep chill in their bones.
"We need to rest Mithrandir. They are tired and we cannot push them. The orcs will not find us for at least a day, it is safe for the time being." Glorfindel stated to the wizard who was looking back up at the mountains.
"There is a clearing hidden from all but those who know its location only a few minutes journey through the trees. They can rest there." The wizard said indicating the forest below. Glorfindel nodded and went to inform the army captains. An eagle cry alerted the wizard to Gwaihir's presence. The eagle swooped in and landed.
"Lord Elrond requests your presence urgently concerning the young prince of Mirkwood."
"Go." Elladan said, "We will inform Glorfindel. Legolas needs you." He needn't have bothered as the wizard had already climbed aboard the Eagle King. Taking off the eagle let out a mournful cry and disappeared from view. The weary army again rose to its feet and followed Glorfindel to the clearing where they would rest until the next morning.
*
The darkness swirled around the elf, as he lay curled on the ground. The tears had stopped but the well of despair had risen up and paralysed him. Too tired to do anything but breathe the elf's tired eyes watched the eye. Elrond had abandoned him. He had promised him, but it was as his master said. Why would anyone care for him now? He was damaged and broken, of no worth to no one especially an Elven lord. He closed his eyes trying to find his safe place where he could exist and no one could find him, but it was gone. Elrond destroyed it by promising him that he would help him. He had given him hope and then ripped it away. He was alone again, like it should be and how it would remain.
"I promise you." Elrond's words echoed through his head over and over.
"He lied to you pet. He never intended to help you. It was a trick and you my poor poor naïve pet fell for it. Do you see now why you need to come home and I will look after you. The world is too dark and dangerous for you my beautiful elf." Sauron whispered in Legolas's mind.
"Yes master." Legolas responded dully.
"They will try to keep you there, pretend to be your friend but they are deceiving you. Do not be fooled. Return to me. I will not punish you harshly."
"Yes master." Legolas replied his response conditioned into him by torture and pain.
"Good." Legolas felt a soft touch on his cheek and leaned into it and as he did the hope that had so recently reappeared faded and disappeared.