CHAPTER 18

COME BACK TO ME!

Sauron swung his sword sideways, intending to strike Legolas's torso, but he was blocked with a quick effortless movement from his opponent. He knew that it wasn't going to be easy to defeat the wood elf as he liked to call him, but now that they were well engaged in battle he found his stolen, weary body to be inadequate to face Legolas's strength and skills. Driven by desperation more than rage Sauron launched a series of quick but unfocussed attacks, which were all skillfully blocked and dodged by Legolas. Sauron stopped and stepped back trying to find an entrance or weak spot to attack; but he realized that Legolas was very calm, concentrated and focused; not a sign of fear or doubt showed in his features. He looked at his cold blue eyes and saw only determination and controlled rage; and for the first time in many centuries Sauron, the Lord and giver of fear was truly afraid.

Arwen witnessed the battle in awe, it was the first time she'd been able to see Legolas in battle from a close distance. She perceived a special aura surrounding him as he fought. He was a splendidly tuned war machine and so, he fought skillfully, without wasting any energy, dosing and calculating each movement, saving breath and locating his enemy's weak points. She too noted that Legolas didn't seem to be afraid, not even nervous.

Sauron let out a menacing growl, as if trying to transmit some of his own fear to his opponent, but each time he tried to attack it was like crushing against a mountain; Legolas would unfailingly stop him and made him go back. Then that he realized that Legolas was not attacking him; he was only defending himself and waiting for him to attack. Panting from exhaustion, he yelled.

"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? WHY AREN'T YOU ATTACKING?"

Legolas did not respond, lowering his sword he invited Sauron to try to attack again. This enraged the Dark Lord even more, he felt mocked and at the same time helpless, he could not win this battle and he knew it. For a while they stayed like that, Legolas looking at him with contempt and despise; and Sauron trying to find a way to defeat his opponent.

When everything seemed to be against him, Sauron smiled; a creature so ancient, wise and wicked as him was not to be underestimated and that was Legolas mistake. Now a new plan had formed in Sauron's treacherous mind, a plan that would assure him the ultimate victory.

Sauron pulled out a dagger from his waistband and turning around quickly he threw it at Arwen, who tried to dodge it, but nevertheless it touched her shoulder cutting it and opening a considerable wound; she let out a loud cry of pain and leant against the rock wall while holding her shoulder. Sauron turned around again just to find a very upset Legolas charging against him; no longer was he calmed, and that was exactly what he wanted. When Legolas attacked this time he had lost all his good judgment and was dominated by blind fury; Sauron had really hit his soft spot and achieved his objective; for what he wanted was to make him stop thinking clearly.

Sauron lifted up his sword just in time to block the blade coming towards his neck, but the powerful blow sent him back stumbling to the ground. He stood back up quickly to block yet another sword blow that got him out of balance. He managed to remain standing but Legolas didn't wait for him to recover balance and sent a powerful, devastating kick to his ribcage that sent Sauron's body flying across the chamber and against the opposite wall.

Sauron's body hit the ground painfully and he gasped loudly trying to get some air, most of his ribs were now broken and oppressing his lungs. He couldn't stand up and he didn't need to, for Legolas had already crossed the chamber and  had him grabbed by the neck and lifted up to face him with a single arm. Sauron saw into Legolas's eyes and found nothing but bitter hate; that caused him to smile to himself, for he could use those feelings for his benefit and his plan was succeeding perfectly.

Sauron was now unarmed and helpless, completely defeated; but Legolas's desire for revenge was now bigger than his compassion, he clenched his hand around Sauron's neck choking him. Gasping, Sauron looked to a side, to where Arwen was and stared at her licking his lips with dark lust in his eyes; this was his way to further provoke Legolas. Legolas noticed his gesture and driven by rage he dropped his sword and started punching Sauron's body with all of his strength while holding him by the neck.

Then, he released Sauron's neck from his grip, cornered the almost limp body against the wall and began kicking and striking him unmercifully, his fury was now completely out of control. Between gasps and gathering whatever strength left in his body, Sauron spoke to him.

"You know wood elf, I really enjoyed my time alone with the Lady Arwen"

In the verge of insanity Legolas pulled out the dagger from his boot, ready to put and end to Sauron's miserable life. Sauron laughed and hissed into his ear.

 "Come on, finish what you started, Killl Me!!"

When he was about to thrust the dagger into Sauron's chest he stopped; something in the back of his mind prevented him from doing so, and he hesitated.

 Sauron kept teasing. "Kill me wood elf! I dare you to kill me!"

Breathing heavily, Legolas lowered the dagger; he wasn't going to follow Sauron's game. But Sauron knew how to push his buttons and he teased him once again; looking at Arwen again he spoke in a low, perverted voice. 

"I still get hard just remembering the things I did to her, and the things she did to me."

For Legolas that was more than enough, growling like a mad beast he thrust the long dagger completely into Sauron's chest, right through his blackened heart and the world stopped. Sauron looked into his eyes and with his last breath he said to him.  – "Now you are mine".

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Arwen witnessed everything from her corner, all that time she had prayed for Legolas to kill the bastard who had hurt her so much; but as the battle neared its end a shadow grew in her mind, something was out of order and she knew it. She couldn't hear the things Sauron said to Legolas, but the way Legolas punished Sauron's body, without merci or measure scared her. Then, as she saw Legolas thrusting the dagger into Sauron's chest and his limp body falling to the ground she sighed relieved; it was all over now, or so she thought.

Legolas dropped the dagger and walked slowly towards her; he didn't look at her but stared to the ground. When he was close enough to her she bent forward and let herself fall into his arms; he gathered her close to him and embraced her. She snuggled against his chest; it was so warm and comfortable to be in his arms that she wished to stay like that forever.

"Oh Legolas, praise Eru; you are all right and this is all over now."

She heard him laughing, but it wasn't his laughter. – "Yes Arwen, it is all over now; it is over for you" – confused by his words Arwen tried to pull back from his embrace to face him; but he wouldn't let her go. – "Legolas, what is wrong?".

"Nothing is wrong my lady, it is just that you are not going anywhere and you are mine now to do as I please."

Arwen froze as realization hit her, this was not Legolas, it was Sauron controlling his mind once again; and this time he had managed to take absolute control. Arwen started sobbing and shaking uncontrollably, the whole thing was like some bizarre, unending nightmare. Legolas lifted her up from the ground and carried her to a stone altar filled with weapons that was next to the throne. She didn't fight or struggled, she had no strength or hope left in her to do so. Legolas swept the weapons out of the altar with one arm and laid her on the cold, hard surface.

She looked at his eyes and winced, she saw Sauron in those eyes. It was Legolas face but his friend was not there.

"Let go of him Sauron!"

It was useless for her to argue, he leant on top of her and started ravaging her neck with his mouth and touching her breasts with anxious hands. She didn't try to stop him, she didn't writhe, she didn't cry for help. But she appealed to her lost friend and tried her best to find him beneath the monster attacking her.

"Legolas please, I know that you are still there somewhere; listen to me!"

But he muffled a laughter against her neck and kept on going, then he grabbed the collar of her dress and pulled hard, ripping the material and exposing her breasts. She gasped terrified, tears running down her cheeks as he ravaged her with his mouth and touched her in the most perverted ways. With trembling voice and between sobs she continued calling softly to her friend.

"Legolas, it's me. Listen to me please; come back to me, I know you can hear me. Fight Legolas, fight for me! I know you can do it."

He straightened up a little and looked down at her with rage, lifting up his hand he slapped her face with all his strength, drawing blood from her mouth. – "SHUT UP BITCH". All her world went black and she almost fainted from the devastating blow; breathing laboriously she opened her eyes and tried to get back to reality. It was then that she realized that he had pulled back from her a little. He was still on top of her but he wasn't pressing her against the cold rock anymore. She focused his face, trying to figure out what had happened; then she looked into his eyes and saw no hate, no rage, no evil; what she saw was horror, he was horrified.

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When Legolas killed Sauron he didn't actually kill the maiar's spirit, but the body he harbored in; and when Sauron left his physical body he took advantage of Legolas's moment of weakness and blind rage and took complete control over him.

For Legolas it was like falling into deep slumber and yet living a nightmare; for he could still see what he was doing but he had lost control over his actions. But the moment he saw himself hitting Arwen it was like coming back to life for him, he gained control again.

He stared at his hand horrified by what he was looking at, his whole body was covered with orc blood since a while before, but this blood was now dry and black. What horrified him was a fresh layer of red blood trickling from his fingers; it was Arwen's blood, he had hurt her.

He heard Arwen's voice calling for him – "Legolas?" and he lifted up his gaze to meet hers. He saw the blood coming out of her mouth and the huge bruise starting to form in her cheek.

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When he lifted up his eyes to look at her, Arwen could see all the horror and regret in his expression; his eyes were dilated and his face was terribly pale; his lower lip trembled and a single tear washed his dusty face as he pulled back from her and started walking backwards, getting away from her.

He walked while staring at his blood-covered hand, until his back touched one of the walls. Then, he slowly kneeled on the ground, his gaze still fixed on his hand.

Covering her breasts with her hands and the shreds of her dress, Arwen sat up on the rock and called for him again.

"Legolas?"

He looked at her, now his eyes had a sadness beyond any sadness Arwen had known in her life, it was like he was saying a wordless goodbye to her.

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Legolas knew that sooner or later Sauron would impose his will again, and that he would hurt Arwen; he knew he had to stop him somehow and that he had to put and end to Sauron's influence over him and over middle earth. And so, he took hid decision.

He looked around the chamber and saw short sword lying on the ground near him. He lifted up his eyes to his lady for the last time, she was so beautiful and he loved her so much that he was willing to give everything for her. Then, he slowly crawled towards the sword until he was kneeling in front of it, and picked it up with both hands; without doubt or hesitation he leant the sword's handle against the ground and placed the sharp tip against his chest, right over his heart. Taking a deep breath he prepared to sacrifice himself but was suddenly stopped by a hand on his face and a well known voice near his ear. Arwen was now right in front of him, holding his face and whispering into his ear.

"Legolas no, Please don't do this." she said.

Legolas responded with a soft voice. – "Oh Arwen, it has to be done; this must stop now."

Arwen didn't give up. – "No! I cannot bear to see you die."

 "It is the only way to put an end to this evil. Please I beg you not to delay me for I won't be able to hold control for much longer."

Arwen grabbed the blade he was pressing against his chest. – " I said no! I won't allow this!!"

He began shaking. – "Please Arwen, there is no time left."

She held his face with both her hands and forced him to look into her eyes. – "Legolas fight, fight for your life. Be strong for me my love, I believe in you, I know you can defeat him."

Legolas tried to ignore her pleas; closing his eyes he pressed himself harder against the blade, and the tip of it ripped the flesh on his chest. He was about to thrust it all the way through, but then he felt a physical barrier stopping the blade. He opened his eyes and found Arwen clenching the rest of the sword's tip with both her hands, impeding it to further thrust into his flesh and wounding her hands in the process.

He immediately stopped pressing and looked at her with resentment. Why wasn't she letting him put and end to all this? It was hard enough for him to just do it. But he saw the determination in her eyes and heard her words.

"I said I will not see you die Legolas! You are going to have to cut through my flesh if you want to kill yourself. And know this Legolas Greenleaf; I will not walk out of this hell hole without you! Do you hear me? If you do this I will also kill myself, we are together in this and if you die then I will die with you!!"

Legolas finally dropped the sword, she had cornered him and there was nothing he could do. The truth was that he would do anything for her, he would go to the ends of the earth and back for her; and now he was about to fight the worst and most terrible of his battles, for her.

Sauron's shadow fell over him once again, and he felt the Maiar's will crushing his. But Legolas wasn't going to give up to him this time. Grabbing his head with both hands, he fell to the ground screaming like a wounded animal; terrible pain invaded him as his body and mind were torn apart by Sauron's violent attack.

Arwen stood back terrified as Legolas body writhed and shook on the ground while he desperately tried to stop Sauron's brutal invasion to his mind. Over and over again Sauron would come over him, stronger each time; At first Legolas had the strength to resist, but he got weaker with every assault .

Ultimately, despite all the odds, despite Sauron's powerful origins and mighty will he couldn't defeat a brave heart touched by real love. When all strength was gone and there was no courage left in him to fight, Legolas reached inside his heart and found the power necessary to overcome darkness. He stopped hating, fearing or wanting; every thought and feeling was replaced with his will to fulfill the promise he had made to Aragorn; he vowed to take Arwen back to Gondor safe, and he didn't care about what stood in the middle, nothing was going to stop him.

On that day it was confirmed that no dark power is strong enough to overcome a pure heart. For an elf prince raised up in Mirkwood took the strength from his own loyalty, honor and love; and wielding those feelings as powerful swords of light he crushed a Dark Lord's power. He expulsed Sauron's influence out of his mind for good; never again would he let this evil control him.

With a last desperate scream, Sauron abandoned his body and faded into darkness. Legolas body relaxed and he remained on the ground, exhausted. Now he could rest, it was all over.

Arwen kneeled beside him and looking into his face she smiled – "I knew you could do it". He smiled back and grabbing her bloodied hand he placed it over his chest.

"Do you feel this heart? It still beats, and it is because of you. Because of your love I get to see another day; and I owe you my life."

- "Then I suppose we are even" Arwen said and they began laughing, releasing all the fears and tensions built up inside of them. But their joy was short, for a loud rumble resounded inside the cave and some dust and rubble fell on them; Sauron had done one last evil deed before fading; his very presence was the mountain's foundation and without it the rocky peak was falling down. Gathering strength they both stood up; Legolas grabbed Arwen by the waist to help her and they ran towards the entrance of the chamber, hoping to make their way out of the cave without being crushed or buried by the falling mountain. 

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Done!

Well, another chapter finished and so much more to come. Please remember to review, I would really like to know what you people think about the story so far.

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