Escaping from the Fortress took much longer than finding Shimalya had. They could not hide in shadows so well, as they had only one cloak. An alarm was shouted, and they had to bloody their swords many times as Shimalya led him toward the kitchen. Four men assaulted them as they rounded a corner, and Legolas received a cut across his shoulder, but it was neither deep nor serious. Shimalya buried her sword in the man's stomach, then spun, slicing his throat with her short blade. The elf pivoted, finding his mark in another man's chest. As the man fell, an arrow struck him. Legolas glanced it. An elven arrow. His arrow.
He motioned for Shimalya to duck into a doorway, then, fully covered by his cloak, he waited with his back against the wall near the corner so Durog would not see him too quickly as he rounded after him. Footsteps hurried toward them. Two men appeared. Neither was the red-haired man. They got no further than Shimalya's doorway before she killed them both and stepped quietly back into her hiding space. At last, Durog came. He rounded the corner with the bowstring taut, an arrow in place. He stood directly before Legolas, creeping through the bodies of his fallen men, inching toward Shimalya. Legolas stepped out from behind and killed him quickly. He dropped his sword and relinquished his own weapons.
Sliding his blade into its sheath and gathering his quiver, he motioned to Shimalya to lead on. Without a word spoken, they ran through the corridor and, pushing through a large door, found themselves inside the kitchen.
It was empty. Apparently, the servant had escaped with Theus. Shimalya slipped into a large pantry and motioned toward the floor. A large flat stone had been pulled up and lain aside, revealing a tunnel. Legolas could hear movement within. The Men of Gondor were near.
Presently, Gimli appeared, and Legolas reached down to hoist him up. Then, one by one, the rest of the men clambered out of the hole and stood about the kitchen, their weapons drawn.
"You started without us, I see," Gimli commented, eyeing Shimalya's sword and the cut across Legolas' shoulder.
"Perhaps you should have come sooner," Legolas told him with a smile. He turned back to Shimalya.
"There is a hill near where you were taken."
"I know it."
"Good. You will find your people there. Go to them. We will return for you when we are finished."
"Legolas-"
"You promised me you would go back to the camp. Now go."
"Thank you."
Legolas nodded and kissed her fingers before watching her disappear into the blackness below. When she was out of sight, he turned to the men. There were a few more than forty standing before him, ready to fight.
"There may still be innocent people in the Fortress. Watch for them. All Karak's men are armed, but if you find Karak himself, do not kill him. I will deal with him." The elf's eyes blazed, and Gimli wondered woefully what the man had done to incur such rage in his friend.
The men broke up into groups and began freeing the Fortress from its captors.
Shimalya made her way up the hill, using the trees and tall grass as leverage so she would not fall back down. She could neither see nor hear anything ahead, but froze when she heard a twig snap to her left.
"Who's there?" a man's voice demanded.
"Shimalya," she answered, holding her sword away from her body. "Legolas sent me back to the camp."
One of the soldiers of Gondor stepped from behind a tree and moved closer. She could see the curve of his bow in his hand and knew the arrow was aimed at her. She stood still, allowing him to come closer and verify who she was. When he saw her, he lowered the weapon and motioned for her to follow. She did so and soon came to a small clearing where several people were sitting together. As she neared, she recognized Theus, his wife Sola, and Nalaya.
"Shimalya!" Nalaya cried, and embraced her warmly.
Legolas and his men swept into the Meeting Hall, following the remainder of Karak's men. Already, the Men of Gondor had taken the room, and Karak's followers, on finding themselves surrounded, laid down their weapons and surrendered. Legolas walked through the room, examining each of the men as he went, looking for Karak. He was not present.
"Where is Karak?" he asked.
No one answered him.
"Where is he?" he cried aloud, his voice filling the room.
The men remained still.
"I'm right here."
Legolas spun, his arrow notched and aimed. Karak strode through the room from behind the pillars, unworried for his life. He stopped a few feet short from the elf and crossed his arms.
"You are the elf that followed dear Shimalya, are you not?" he said, not really asking a question. "I was curious when you first came in here why you would follow her. After all, it was you who had her bound, wasn't it? You are most obviously the leader of these invaders." He paused, as if waiting for an answer, then continued. "But then I saw the way she looked at you, and I knew. I did. It takes quite a man, or elf, to turn a woman's head like that. It's not as if she needs to be protected. Not her." He smiled. "And then I realized, she wanted to be tied up. She enjoyed it. At least, she enjoyed when I did it." He raised an eyebrow. Legolas kept his arrow aimed. Lowering his voice so only the elf could hear, he said, "You never-? No, I suppose she's not that kind of girl. And she didn't feel like you had."
Legolas released the arrow and it shot straight into Karak's throat. He staggered as blood pored from his wound, then his body fell to the ground. The elf did not move, but merely watched, his lips pursed.
Turning, he told the soldiers to escort Karak's men to the cells in the bottom level and to burn Karak's body. he began striding away.
"Master Elf, do you want your arrow?"
"Leave it," he said, without looking back. "That one, I do not wish back." He left the room.
"Shimalya," Nalaya said, leaning her head against her friend's bosom. "What happened when you were taken? We heard such screams-."
"Nothing," Shimalya told her, kissing the top of her head. "Nothing happened. Go to sleep, my lady."
The sky was just beginning to blush with the new morning, though the sun had not yet peeked over the horizon when their work was finished and they made their way back to their camp. Legolas found his horse where he had left him, and rode back, reaching the site a few minutes after the soldiers. He told Theus that Torrech was his again, then sought out Shimalya.
He found her leaning against a tree with Nalaya sleeping against her breast. She turned her head at his approach.
"Did I wake you?" he asked.
"No. I was not sleeping. It is done?"
He nodded. A sad smile crossed her lips.
"Thank you, Legolas," she said, "for everything."
He took her hand and kissed her fingertips.
"Rest now," he told her. "Rest brings healing." But as he moved away, he noticed she laid her head once more against the tree, but her eyes remained wide open.
They remained for two days, helping to clear out the Fortress and round up men who had escaped into the forest. Legolas spoke often to Theus, pledging his father's help if ever they were again invaded, and advising on improvements on the fortifications.
"I have heard all of this before," Theus said. "Donuval wished it to be done years ago. I'm sorry I did not listen then. This could have been prevented." He stirred as if out of a dream. "We shall miss Shimalya here."
"Miss her? I understood she would stay."
"Stay? My daughter may not understand what was happening to her, but my wife and I are well aware. Shimalya does not wish to stay here any longer. I see it as she walks about. There is a fear in her eyes I never saw there before. No, she will not stay." He looked to the elf. "I don't know that she will go with you. I have heard why she was sent to Minas Tirith, and how these men were sent here, but she does not wish to stay here."
"Has she spoken to you?"
"Of her task, yes. But not of what she has gone through. Nor to my wife. It is not her way. Have you not noticed?"
Legolas looked across the garden to where Shimalya spoke to several servants.
"Have you seen her eat or sleep since you were released?"
"No."
"Nor have I."
"There is a rumor that King Elessor and his wife are healers. Do you suppose they can help her?"
"I do not know. But if she will come back with me, I know they will try."
The party left the next morning, with Shimalya riding amongst them, unbound. Legolas watched her carefully over the course of the journey and knew she was not sleeping and that she ate very little. He spoke to her of his worry, and she ate a few bites, but every night, he noticed her lying awake very near to the fire, her hand always near her blade.
It hurt him to see the change in her. She was quiet, despondent, and seemed to shy away from contact. The young woman pulled away even from his touch. He sensed her breathing quicken, as if she wished to flee.
Even Gimli noticed as her health deteriorated. She was becoming weaker, unable to stay long in the saddle. He rode behind her, telling her that he was tired of riding behind the elf, but in truth, he feared she would fall to the ground without his support.
All were happy to again see the Citadel of Minas Tirith again, but none so much as the elf and the dwarf.
"You brought her back with you," Aragorn observed. "She spoke the truth. Is she injured?" he asked, as he and Gimli helped Shimalya from her horse. Legolas lifted her from into his arms.
"I must out her to bed," he told his friend, then spoke in Elvish. "She was grievously injured. I must speak with you and Arwen." Aragorn nodded and Legolas disappeared inside.
Some time later, Legolas removed himself from Shimalya's room and found Aragorn, Arwen, and Gimli waiting.
"Gimli, my friend," he said. "I fear that what I have to say must be for their ears only."
Gimli looked at the faces of the taller folk.
"Is she all right?" he asked.
"When I know, I will tell you. I swear it." Gimli nodded, trusting to the elf's oath, and headed away from them. Aragorn led them to the library, and after the door was shut, Legolas spoke in Elvish. He explained all that had happened in Torrech, but when he told them of Shimalya, he faltered. There was no word in Elvish for what had happened to her, but Arwen and Aragorn understood. The lady gasped and the king closed his eyes.
"Such men are the bane of us all," he pronounced. "Is he dead?"
"Yes."
Aragorn looked up at the quick answer and knew Legolas had killed him himself.
"I am worried for her," Legolas continued, his voice low. "She does not sleep. Even now, when she is so weak, she will not close her eyes. And she has had no more than a bite of food in nearly ten days."
"I will look after her, Legolas," Arwen said at last. "But whether I can help her, I do not know."
Arwen knocked gently on Shimalya's door. It had been two days since she had spoken to Legolas, and Shimalya had yet to leave her room. The queen had come to look in on her before, but Shimalya had asked to be allowed to rest through the door, and Arwen had allowed it. But now, she was too worried to be turned away.
"Shimalya?" she called softly through the thick wood. When no answer came, she pushed the door open a bit and called her name again. the candles in the room were burning brightly, but still no answer. She pushed the door open the rest of the way and entered. The bed was still made and unused. Her eyes surveyed the room. Finding nothing, she turned to leave, but her eyes caught sight of a figure in the far dark corner.
"Shimalya," she said, stepping closer. "Legolas was worried for you. He asked me to check on you." The young woman was sitting in the corner, her knees drawn to her chest with both arms wrapped around, as if protecting herself. "Are you all right?" she asked, kneeling beside her.
She did not answer, in fact, did not seem to hear. Arwen reached out and touched her cheek, then tipped her chin so she could see her face. Her skin was pale, her face, drawn. The areas under her eyes were heavy and dark.
"When is the last time you slept?" she asked gently.
Shimalya's eyes focused on her.
"I can't. I can't even close my eyes." She was shaking now.
Arwen took her hand. her fingertips grazed the bandage on her wrist. She could not imagine what this woman had experienced, but the sorrow in Legolas' eyes and the state of the woman now told her it was true.
"You must try. You will be ill if you do not." She wrapped an arm around Shimalya's shoulders and pulled her toward her, attempting to comfort her. "I know what has happened to you, but it is over now. You must rest and take care of yourself.
"I see him, even in my sleep." She was crying, pleading as Arwen led her to the bed.
"He is dead, child. He cannot hurt you anymore." Arwen laid her down and sat beside her. "I know this is very hard for you, but you must try."
"Will you stay here with me? Until I fall sleep."
"Yes. Now close your eyes." Arwen sang to her softly, the songs of her people, letting the tones of her Elvish language permeate the brain of the young woman and lull her to sleep. At last, her eyes closed and her breathing evened.
"Quel esta," she said and retired to her own room.
Legolas was roaming the halls of the castle, too restless to sleep, when the screams reached him. He recognized them instantly as the same screams he had heard in Torrech. Shimalya's screams.
He raced down the corridor and up the winding staircase to the floor, which housed the guest quarters. The volume of the screams increased here. They were painful and scared. Several guest were looking out their doors, including a bleary-eyed Gimli.
"What is it, Elf? Are we under attack?"
Without answering, Legolas pushed open Shimalya's door and rushed in. Her arms were thrashing about, as if trying to put off an attack. He crossed the room to her side. Remembering all too well her speed with a knife, he pushed her arms against her chest.
"Don't touch me! Don't touch me!" she screamed at him.
"Shimalya! It's me, Legolas! Open your eyes!"
She had stopped thrashing about, and now only cried.
"Please, don't do this. Please don't," she pleaded.
Arwen pushed past him and released her, taking Shimalya into her arms.
"Legolas, get out!"
He backed helplessly away from the bed, his eyes never wavering as Arwen comforted Shimalya. She was whimpering as the Queen caressed her face and spoke soothingly to her. turning back to him, she told him again to leave the room.
Aragorn was in the hallway with Gimli. Both were disheveled, having been awoken from sleep. And both, he noticed, were armed. Legolas leaned dejectedly against the wall.
"What is going on in there?" The dwarf asked gruffly.
"She was dreaming," Legolas told him.
"Dreaming? I thought she was being murdered."
Aragorn looked questioningly at Legolas.
"He does not know?" he asked in Elvish.
"No," was the reply. "None of the men know what happened. Only you, Arwen, and myself."
"I know you're talking about me," Gimli huffed. "It's not right to talk about an armed dwarf when he's been without sleep."
"No, my friend," Aragorn assured him. "We were talking about Shimalya." He glanced at the door through which his wife had disappeared. "Why don't you go back to bed, Gimli. I think the excitement has died down."
"Go to bed, you say?" Gimli grumbled as he stalked back to his room. "Ha! As if a dwarf could with all the screaming. And he calls it excitement-" The door shut behind, closing out his voice.
"Come, Legolas. Let's go to my library." He put his hand on the elf's shoulder and steered him down the hallway. Once inside the confines of the library, Legolas went to the window while Aragorn poured a drink for both of them. the former ranger glanced up at his friend and saw his reflection in the glass. He looked tormented.
Aragorn offered him the wine, which he took without looking.
"Legolas, you look haunted."
"I feel haunted," he answered, not turning. "I noticed too late that she was gone. I could not save her from this."
"It's not your fault."
"I was helpless. I am helpless." He turned. His eyes were wide, full of emotion. "I have never felt so, that I could do nothing. When I tried, I only frightened her worse."
"She did not know it was you."
Both men turned toward the door. Arwen had come to find them. She crossed the room to where they stood. "She would have reacted the same were it Aragorn or Gimli or any other man who touched her at that moment. Do not be distressed by this." She touched his face as if he were a child. "You cannot imagine what it is like for her. She was a strong, independent woman, reduced to a common thing. She has much healing to do. Do not invite insecurity into your heart. It does neither of you good. You must be strong for both of you."
"How is she now?"
"She is sleeping peacefully. After that, we shall see."
"Hannon le, Arwen," Legolas breathed, sinking to the floor. One hand, elbow propped on his knee, held his head. The other, raised the glass to his lips.
Arwen took her husband's hand and looked sadly down at the young elf on the floor. He was still a child in many ways, though his years betrayed that, innocent to the ways of the world outside of Mirkwood. Trained by his father, ruler of the Silvan Elves, to think and fight, he was quite serious and levelheaded when times demanded it, but unable to deal with helplessness. Indeed, Arwen was not sure he had ever really experienced it before. This fear, this helplessness was causing great disquiet in his heart. Sighing, she kissed Aragorn and bade the two of them goodnight before retiring to her room.