Disclaimer: For full disclaimer, please see chapter 1.
A/N:
*door creaks open and a hand appears waving a white flag *
Okay, if I come out, do you promise not to hurt me? What do you mean, you won't hurt me 'yet'? That does not sound good... I think I'll stay here under my bed, it's really cosy, if one likes spiders, that is... *shudders*
Well, first let me say that I really do not know what I was thinking when I wrote this chapter. I'm not C&S, for crying out loud, I must have lost my mind there for a second!
Second, I apologize for all mistakes that might be in there, because I wrote most of it with my eyes closed, since I couldn't watch poor Estel suffer.
Oh, and third, about the rating: I think it's still PG-13, but since I have no experience whatsoever with this, I would be thankful if you would tell if if you think it needs a higher rating.
Don't worry, it's not THAT bad, but you never know, okay?
Since you've sent me so many lovely reviews, I have decided to post this today and relocate to Antarctica shortly afterwards. *shoots Lina, Carrie and all the other obsessive Estel fans nervous looks*
Still, here is chapter 12, and I won't say anything about it right now since I need to get to the airport. My plane is leaving in an hour. *g*
Enjoy!! (Readers: AND REVIEW, yes!!)
*raises eyebrow* Exactly!
Chapter 12
Aragorn didn't resist when his weapons were taken from him and his hands roughly jerked behind his back and secured with coarse rope. The way he saw it, there was no reason to anger his captors even more than he had already done, besides, surrounded and with an arrow boring into his back, there was no point in doing so anyway.
'No need to make my situation any worse than it already is,' he mused as he watched Donyc approach him. 'But then again, I don't think I will have a say in that matter,' he added, struggling not to let the fear that was beginning to fill his entire being show on his face.
It didn't really take him by surprise when the dark haired human's hand shot out and struck him across the face, reopening the cut Cornallar had placed there a few hours ago. Before Aragorn could even shake his head to get rid of the ringing in his ears, Donyc grabbed his face, pulling him closer.
"How did you do it, ranger? How did you escape?" he hissed venomously, his eyes boring into his captive's. Aragorn just kept staring back, studying the man's face closely and deciding after a few moments that he couldn't remember having ever seen a human that angry. Donyc's face and neck had turned a scarlet colour by now, and the young ranger could have sworn he could watch tiny veins in the man's eyes burst.
Enraged by the young human's defiance, Donyc raised his hand to hit him again, but let it drop to his side when he heard the soft voice of his employer.
"Calm down, Donyc, this is neither the place nor the time for this. In my experience, it is much more fun if the specimen is secured tightly and has had some time to think about what it has done. Besides, you need light. How can you work when you cannot see what you're doing?"
The human commander took a deep breath and stepped away from Aragorn, his eyes still fixed on the ranger's, the glare he sent him clearly stating that this was far from over.
"Yes, Master Elf, you are right. My apologies."
The dark haired elf returned the arrow he had been pressing against the ranger's back to the quiver on his back and stepped around the bound human, motioning Addramyr to take a hold of the ranger's arm, which he did only too willingly, his fingers burrowing into Aragorn's flesh.
"No need for that, Master Human," Cornallar said jovially, still looking at the young ranger, "I know how easy it is to get carried away. Don't worry, your turn will come soon enough."
He turned to the human commander and said, his voice firm,
"But first we need to find the horse and get him back to camp. You," he pointed at Donyc and another human, "Will help me with the horse and the rest of you will escort our guest back."
When Donyc opened his mouth to protest, the elf added,
"Please, Master Human, I doubt neither your intentions nor your ability to control your emotions, but I would have a word with you about tomorrow morning. Nólad will make sure he doesn't escape again. Besides, a bit of waiting heightens the pleasure, don't you think?"
The man nodded and gave Aragorn a malicious smile that caused a shiver of fear to race up and down his spine.
"As you wish."
The two humans and the elf moved off into the direction the horse had disappeared in, while the rest headed back to camp. Nólad stepped closer to Addramyr who pushed his captive in front of him, giving him a hard shove in the back that nearly caused the young ranger to fall.
"Thank you, Master Human. I will take him from here."
Addramyr looked up unwillingly, but relented when the elf's light grey eyes bore into his.
"Fine. I don't mind."
The fair haired elf grasped the younger human's arm firmly and steered him towards the camp, making sure not to let him stumble.
"You shouldn't have done that, dúnadan," he whispered sadly in Elvish, "I told you I wouldn't be able to protect you. I am sorry."
Aragorn kept his eyes straight ahead, trying desperately to suppress the panic that threatened to overtake him when he remembered the murderous look in Donyc's eyes and the words Cornallar had spoken.
'"Specimen"?' he thought, swallowing nervously, 'Did he say "specimen"? A Elbereth, what have I got myself into this time?'
He shook his head slightly when the lights of the camp appeared before them, flickering through the dark tree trunks.
"As am I, Nólad. As am I."
Legolas sighed softly and shifted on the railing he was sitting on, holding his breath in anticipation of the stab of pain that would surely lance through his side following that move. When nothing happened, he shifted again for good measure and once again thanked the Valar that Lord Elrond was such an excellent healer. Not even the physicians at his father's palace would have been able to mend the cut that quickly, and while it would take a while to heal completely, it didn't pain him anymore, if he didn't move too quickly, that was.
The fair haired prince had left the Lord of Rivendell and his friends some time ago, when it became apparent that neither side was making any progress.
The twins, and especially Elrohir, argued most skilfully that it was suicide to comply and go alone, not to mention stupid, while Elrond stubbornly refused to let an escort or even them come with him, claiming that Cornallar could have someone watch the house and kill Estel when he found out that he had been tricked. Not to mention the fact what he would do if he met with them and escaped after having laid eyes on said escort.
Soon the controversy had run out of suitable arguments, and both sides insisted on their point of view, both the twins and their father claiming that acting any other way than they suggested would very likely endanger Estel's life.
Legolas shook his head; it was truly incredible how stubborn this family was. When he had first met Strider, he had thought this to be a human characteristic, and voiced his opinion openly and, as Aragorn claimed, more often than necessary. Now, however, he suspected that it ran in the family, and the countless generations that lay between Elrond's brother Elros Tar-Minyatur and Aragorn himself had only served to strengthen that trait.
And to watch three beings who possessed that trait in an equal measure quarrel with each other was about as productive as to try and teach an orc proper behaviour for a formal dinner party.
'In the end,' Legolas decided, 'The twins don't stand a chance. Lord Elrond has had more than six thousand years to perfect his skills in the high art of acting stubbornly. Besides, he will simply order them to stay behind.'
He took the small silver brooch out of his vest pocket and watched the pale light of the moon reflect on the shining metal, glittering like the still surface of a pool under the night sky. His thoughts were so focused on his friend that he didn't hear the dark haired elf who came closer, stepping lightly onto the balcony outside his brother's room.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
To his credit, Legolas didn't jump when he heard the soft voice, but it was a near thing. Turning slowly, he fixed his eyes on Elladan, who had stepped closer and climbed swiftly on top of the wooden railing to settle down next to his friend.
"How did you know where to find me?" the elven prince asked, somewhat surprised.
Elrond's oldest son smiled at the other elf.
"That was not so hard to figure out, mellonamin. You are quite predictable, you know that? Every time Estel is injured and father has us thrown out to let him get some rest and threatens us with the most improbable things lest we dare to come back, you come here, watch the gardens and worry. Just like he does when it's the other way round."
Legolas returned the smile and asked the older twin another question, trying not to think of all the times they had dragged themselves back to one – or, on some occasions, both – of their fathers. That conjured up images of Aragorn, broken and bleeding just like he had been so many times, and wasn't something he wished to think of right now if he wanted to keep a clear head.
"How did it go? With your father?"
Elladan's smile disappeared as quickly as food in a hungry hobbit's mouth.
"Not good," he admitted. "He refuses to take anyone with him. We have done everything to convince him, but he just doesn't listen. Sometimes it's scary how much alike he and Estel are from time to time."
He closed his eyes and shook his head in frustration.
"Elrohir is still reasoning with him, but when ada is in that state of mind, there's no one he will listen to. Except perhaps for Glorfindel, but since he isn't here…"
Legolas nodded and returned his eyes to the object in his hands, trying to figure out what to do. There was no way he would just sit here and let Lord Elrond go after Strider alone. He had failed his friend once already, he wouldn't allow it to happen a second time. Besides, there was still the fact that he had a score to settle with Donyc…
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Elladan repeated himself and drew the fair haired elf out of his thoughts.
"I beg your pardon?" Legolas asked, knowing quite well what the twin was talking about.
"The brooch," the older twin explained patiently, looking at the small silver item that lay in Legolas' slim hand. "It is beautiful."
"That it is," Legolas confirmed, his fingers stroking over the single word engraved on its gleaming surface. 'Elrondion', son of Elrond.
Elladan smiled in reminiscence.
"Did he tell you where he got it from?"
The prince nodded.
"He told me your father gave it to all three of you, on Winter Solstice a year ago. He is very fond of it."
"Yes, we all are. Ada gave it to us the first Winter Solstice after Estel's twentieth birthday."
Elladan closed his eyes and smiled softly.
"You know that Estel was, well, quite confused after father told him of his heritage. Of course you know, that was when you met him, was it not?" he asked, obviously not really expecting the other elf to reply, and so Legolas did not provide an answer.
"Well, after he'd got home from that dreadful mess you managed to get yourselves into that time," he held up a hand to silence Legolas' indignant sounds of protest, "He was still unsure about his identity and full of doubt about his future. So that was why father gave them to each of us, so we would never forget who we are."
Legolas nodded at his friend, trying to keep him talking. It was obvious that Elladan was not really aware that he was still there, but was caught in the memory of happier days.
"He said that it didn't matter if we were elves or men or dwarves, to him we would always be his sons. And even though my dear brother is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, he will always remain Estel Elrondion, at least here, at least to us," the older twin explained softly, a single tear rolling down his pale cheek.
The fair haired elven prince reached out and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"He knows who he is, Elladan. He is your brother, and he knows you love him." He stretched out his hand and offered the dark haired elf the brooch.
"Here. Take it."
Elladan hesitated for a moment, but then he reached out and closed Legolas' fingers around the small silver leaf, taking a deep breath.
"No, mellonamin, you keep it. I have my own," he said and pulled the collar of his overshirt aside, showing an identical silver brooch. "Keep it, and once we find him and get him out of there, give it back to him."
Legolas gazed into the twin's serious eyes and gave him a small smile.
"I will do that."
Elrond's oldest nodded and turned his eyes back onto the gardens below him, surveying the dark trees and listening to the audible roaring sounds of the falls all around them.
"Grandfather's star shines brightly tonight," he added after a few moments, causing the elven prince to look up at Eärendil, the Evening Star.
"It does, my friend," Legolas answered softly, giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
"Gil-Estel," Elladan whispered the star's older name softly, "A good name for it."
Legolas put his arm around the twin's shoulder as they sat side by side, watching the stars twinkle down on them and praying to every Valar who might be willing to lend their aid for the safety of their friend and brother.
'No, "crazy" is not really an appropriate term. I think it's too abstract. What about … "mad", or "demented" or, even better, "maniac"…' Aragorn mused as he tried very hard not to think of the fact that Cornallar and the men would return any minute now. 'Oh, and add "sadistic" to that as well,' he made a mental note to himself, remembering the elf's words of "giving the 'specimen' time to think about what 'it' had done".
Well, if the reason behind that tactic was to increase the prisoner's fear beyond all measure, it was working just fine on him, he decided, looking around him.
This time they hadn't taken him to the edge of the camp but placed him by the fire in the middle of the small clearing, which was nice for a change since he couldn't remember when he had been properly warm for the last time, but had its downside as well, because now he was surrounded by about ten rather angry-looking humans, including his former guard who had made contact, for him so unpleasantly, with his own wooden club and sported an impressive egg-sized lump just behind his right ear. The man had looked at him with a vengeful twinkle in his eyes, clearly displeased about the way their last encounter had gone and seemingly more than willing to make up for that fact at the first opportunity.
'Great,' he thought wryly, 'Another one who has a personal vendetta against me. Just what I needed.'
The subject of personal vendettas bringing him back to the persons of his elven captors, he closed his eyes and tried to remember something else than the main facts he already knew about Cornallar, a sudden shudder of fear racing across his spine. Glorfindel had been talking about the differences between the races on Arda, most expressly the differences between the Older and the Younger Children of Ilúvatar…
"Elves don't kill each other," a rather earnest 12-year-old Estel said, looking at the golden haired elf with big eyes.
"That is correct, young one," Glorfindel smiled. "Not since the days of the Kinslaying has such a thing happened. Unfortunately, the Second People do it all the time, and not only them."
Estel nodded seriously.
"I know. I … read it somewhere," he explained hastily when he saw the elven lord's expression; Glorfindel would probably not be too impressed when he knew he bribed the twins to tell him of battles they had fought long before he had been born.
"I see," Glorfindel replied, narrowing his eyes and looking at the boy suspiciously.
"But elves kill other things," Estel continued, intent on leading the conversation away from the former topic, "Foul things, like orcs, and spiders, and trolls, and goblins."
The golden haired elf nodded, his bright eyes adopting a far-away look.
"Yes, Estel, they do. And sometimes, even other things."
"What do you mean?" Estel asked curiously, cocking his dark head to one side.
Glorfindel looked at the young human and decided that he was old enough to hear some of the more distasteful things about the people who had taken him in more than ten years ago.
"There were times, young one, when elves killed other races as well, men, for example."
When he saw the confusion on the boy's face, he elaborated.
"During the War of the Last Alliance – that's a good topic to continue, remind me to talk about it later – there were those who enjoyed killing their enemies, orcs and men who had chosen the other side alike."
Estel's eyes grew wide.
"Really? Who?"
"Nobody who remains here, Estel, don't worry. Most of them hailed from Eregion, and they sought vengeance for the destruction of their home. You will not meet any of them; they are long since dead or have departed over the Sea."
Glorfindel looked at his charge in amusement, noting the way the boy nodded earnestly, committing what he'd just heard to memory. It didn't matter if they were young humans or elflings, he decided with a mental chuckle, they were always interested in the bloodier details of history.
"Now then, young man, what can you tell me about Elendil the Tall of Númenor…"
He opened his eyes slowly as he heard the footsteps of two men draw nearer, who were apparently leading a horse with them. Wondering for a moment if there was a way to stuff his new-found knowledge back into the corner of his mind where he'd found it, his eyes searched the woods and came to rest on three figures who headed their way, leading a bleeding and rather exhausted horse between them.
His eyes fixing on the tall figure of Cornallar, he wondered if Glorfindel had been talking about him. He had been a bit too young to understand completely what the golden haired elf had been talking about all these years ago, but now he knew enough of the world to know that even among elves there were those who enjoyed watching their enemies suffer.
'Yes,' the young ranger decided, fighting to keep the panic at bay that rose inside him when he watched the three of them approach him, 'He is definitely one of them. Ilúvatar, now it's official: This cannot get any worse. It's just not possible.'
The dark haired elf stopped in front of him, looking him over.
"Well, dúnadan," he said and gave Aragorn a grin, "We've come to a decision. I'm sure even you understand that I cannot just ignore that little escape attempt of yours, amusing as it may have been."
He turned to Donyc, who had been standing next to the elf, his eyes not leaving the young human's face.
"Donyc here has pledged that such a thing will not happen again, and I believe him. As compensation for the fact that he will not be allowed to kill you as he so adamantly demanded, I agreed to let you two have some time together so that he may teach you some manners," he explained in a pleasant tone of voice.
"I have decided," Cornallar added, watching with relish as quickly disguised fear flickered across the ranger's face, "To let him have all the fun this time, since I want to save my considerable talents for a later date. But," he leaned closer to Aragorn's face, causing him to recoil as far as he could, "I have given him some tips."
He stepped back and smiled at the human commander.
"He's all yours. Not much more than an hour, though, and don't cause permanent damage. Since he's such a pretty boy, it would really be a shame."
Donyc grinned at the elf, delight plainly written on his face.
"Thank you, Master Elf."
He bent down and pulled Aragorn to his feet, pushing him into the direction of the trees.
"See, ranger? I told you we would have some time together. Not as much as I'd like, but let's consider it the first in a series of many other 'conversations', shall we?"
The ranger growled at his captor's words, thrusting his head backwards and catching Donyc right over his left eye. He would be damned if he went quietly, he thought furiously, adrenaline replacing some of the terror he felt.
The dark haired human stumbled backwards, cursing and holding his head, letting go of Aragorn's arm briefly in the process. The young human seized that opportunity and looked around him wildly for a way to escape, before he felt something heavy slam into his back, throwing him to the ground. He was pulled roughly back to his feet and looked up into the grinning face of Addramyr, who had grasped his arm lest he try something like that again.
Still cursing profusely, Donyc walked up to them, a bruise forming above his eye.
"You have a knack for annoying people, haven't you?" he asked, grasping his other arm and dragging him over to a thick tree that stood a bit apart from the rest of the wood, closely followed by the rest of his men who carried torches, illuminating the area.
"Well, let's see how long that lasts."
While three of the men removed his overcoat and bound his hands in front of him, pulling them upwards with a length of rope so that he stood upright, with his back to the trunk and hands fastened above his head, Aragorn decided that he hated trees. He positively loathed them, he thought, trying not to wince when the man that had been his guard tautened the rope, almost forcing him to stand on his toes. All they were good for was falling off and getting tied to by crazy, no, make that maniac elves and/or men.
Aragorn closed his eyes and tried to take deep breaths to combat the terror that was beginning to envelop his whole being.
'This is not good, not good at all,' he repeated inwardly, 'Elbereth, please… Where is Legolas? He would never have allowed this to happen! Valar, I need you, mellonamin…'
Something sharp was pressed against his throat, and he opened his eyes to look into Donyc's dark, cruel gaze that seemed to gleam with an inner light. The look of total enjoyment on his face was enough to make the young ranger feel sick.
The human commander smiled, pressing the head of an especially thick looking arrow a little harder under Aragorn's chin.
"Well, ranger, do you remember Vaemar? In case you don't, let me help you along: He was the one you killed a few days ago. An arrow through the heart, as you will remember, a good shot, by the way. But," he frowned and shook his head, eyes darkening with anger, "He was also a friend of mine, and I really do not like it when my friends are killed. I've been known to react rather violently," he pushed a bit harder and drew blood, which trickled down the ranger's neck.
"I thought it to be fitting to do the same, you know. But since I promised not to kill you," he nodded at Cornallar who stood farther away to the side, a stony-faced Nólad next to him, "I will modify it slightly."
Quickly he moved the arrow and pressed it against Aragorn's shoulder, just below the collarbone, piercing the skin.
"What, does that hurt?" he asked in a mocking voice as he pushed harder, causing the young ranger to clench his jaw against the pain. After a few experimental tugs on the arrow that was now protruding from the young man's shoulder, he leaned against the shaft of the arrow, pushing it slowly through the flesh. With each inch of wood that disappeared into the shoulder, causing small rivulets of bright blood flow down the ranger's chest, soaking his shirt, Aragorn face grew paler and paler, a trickle of blood running down his chin from where he had bitten his lip to keep from crying out.
When he had all but pierced his captive's shoulder, Donyc stopped, his eyes shining brightly as he watched the signs of the pain he was inflicting on the young human flicker across the white face.
He waited for the other man to open his eyes, which he did after a few seconds, confused by the sudden break. Grinning evilly at him, the human commander closed his hands more tightly around the shaft and gave one last push, driving the arrow through the shoulder and into the bark of the tree behind it.
Squeezing his eyes tightly shut again, Aragorn couldn't stifle a moan of pain that escaped his lips as he pressed the back of his head against the trunk in an attempt to deal with the pain.
"Oh, what, are you in pain? I had no idea! Why didn't you say something?" Donyc asked, twisting the arrow viciously. He stepped closer to the tree and grabbed a handful of dark hair, lifting his captive's head to look into glazed, pain filled eyes.
"No no no, ranger, you cannot sleep yet! We have still so much to do and so little time… But you know what? I will stop it, if you beg me to. It's rather easy, really, just tell me to stop, and it will all be over. What do you think?"
Aragorn looked at him through a slightly hazy vision and took a few deep breaths to answer. Somehow he didn't seem to be able to get enough air, it felt as if metal bands had wrapped themselves round his chest. Giving up on his attempts to speak, he contented himself with glaring at the dark haired man, who, if looks could kill, would have keeled over and died on the spot.
Donyc didn't seem to be disappointed, however, judging by the smile that spread across his features.
"Ah, I had so hoped you'd do that, ranger," he told him, once again grabbing the shaft of the arrow and snapping it about two inches from the shoulder, eliciting another moan from the young human.
Giving two of his men a sign which caused them to dash off into the direction of the surrounding bushes, he took a step back and nodded at the guard, who detached the rope that kept the ranger upright and unwound it slightly, giving the captive a bit more room to manoeuvre. Addramyr and another man stepped forward and took a hold of the bound human before he could slide down the tree trunk, stripping off his shirt and turning him round so his back faced the men.
Aragorn sucked in his breath sharply when his tattered shirt caught on the stub of the arrow that was still protruding from his shoulder, closing his eyes as a new wave of pain stole his breath away. His shoulder seemed to be filled with molten metal, or fire, or lava, and every breath felt as if a red hot poker was being jammed into it and twisted for good measure.
'It's an arrow,' he thought through the pain that seemed to numb his brain, 'Close enough.'
A fist that smashed into his side brought him out of his jumbled thoughts, causing him to clench his teeth in pain. He was sure he had actually heard that rib snap.
"Not asleep, are we?" the sickeningly cheerful voice of Donyc asked. If Aragorn hadn't been in so much pain, he would even have said some of the things that popped into his head, but it was probably quite a good thing that he didn't. Calling Donyc names would not help his current situation.
"Well, I think it's time to proceed to phase two, what do you mean?" the human commander asked, stepping closer to the bound man. Again a hand grabbed him by the hair, and Aragorn wondered detachedly what it was about his hair that obviously encouraged every other person to take a hold of it and yank his head around, before he was forced to look into Donyc dark, gleaming eyes. His gaze shifting slightly, his eyes came to rest on the dark haired man's hands, that all of the sudden were covered in thick leather gloves.
He frowned in confusion until his tired brain supplied him with another image: Donyc's gloved hands holding something, something like a stick…
The young ranger narrowed his eyes and tried to focus on the objects Donyc was waving around in front of his eyes. His mouth going dry, he finally realized what it was: Branches of a wild bush, each of them about as thick as two of his fingers and covered with dark, about an inch long thorns.
"Amazing what nature can provide you with, isn't it?" Donyc asked in a soft voice, running his thumb over one of them and basking in the fear he saw in the other man's eyes. He made a move as if to step behind him, but stopped in mid-motion.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Do you have anything to say? Nothing? Not a single word?"
Aragorn pressed his forehead against the dark tree trunk and closed his eyes. His whole body hurt, his shoulder was on fire and the mere thought of any more pain was making him sick to his stomach. He set his jaw and shook his head firmly.
He would not beg this sadistic maniac for mercy, he just couldn't.
He ignored Donyc's chuckle and the sounds of the other humans who shouted encouragements to their leader.
'Think positive, Estel,' he thought, taking a deep breath in anticipation of the pain that surely was to come, 'Legolas will find me. He will be fine, he will come to find me. Legolas will come back for me, I know he will…'
A swishing sound behind him caught his attention, closely followed by a stinging pain that tore across his back. His body jerked slightly, but other than that he gave no outer indication of pain.
Swiftly the next blow fell and the next, causing blood to flow down his back, and all Aragorn could do was press his forehead against the tree, try to keep in the screams of pain as long as possible and pray for unconsciousness.
Nólad surveyed the scene in front of him with disgust. Only edain could do such things to their own kind, he thought. Watching the first blows fall on the still defiant ranger's back, he decided that this was enough now. If his friend had wanted to teach the boy a lesson, he had succeeded by now. In fact, that point had been reached a long time before.
He turned to his friend to tell him to stop it, but closed his mouth before he had even said a word.
Cornallar was watching the events with gleaming eyes, taking obvious delight in the pain that could clearly be seen on the young man's face and posture.
The fair haired elf shook his head in distress; it was a look he had seen too many times in the past. He had done nothing then, but this time it was different. This young dúnadan was the last of Elendil's bloodline and thus possessed elven blood, and he would not see him suffer by the hands of a worthless human like this without saying a word to try and prevent it.
He took a step closer to his dark haired companion and grabbed him tightly by the arm, causing him to look up in surprise.
"Lye caela quen," he told Cornallar insistently, and added when his friend didn't move a muscle and his eyes strayed back to the sight before him, "Sii'!"
The other elf shrugged half-heartedly and followed his friend, leaving the brightly lit circle of the humans behind. When they had put some distance between themselves and the camp, though not great enough to muffle the swishing sounds of the branches when they found flesh and the shouts of the men, Cornallar turned to face his companion and asked,
"What is it, mellonamin? And couldn't it wait? I found that rather enjoyable."
Nólad took a step forward, his grey eyes boring into his friend's darker ones.
"You have to stop this!" he said urgently. "There is no need to let Donyc continue like this. The ranger's learned his lesson, of that I'm sure. Besides, he won't try anything like that for a long time."
"Ah, there you are mistaken, dear friend," the dark haired elf said, raising a finger, "I know this kind. They don't budge easily, as our friend Donyc will soon find out, to his disappointment. I have worked with a lot of them. It takes a lot more than this to break them."
Nólad shuddered at his friend's words.
"Please, mellonamin, stop it! He is just a boy, and we are not at war!"
Cornallar's eyes seemed to flare up at that.
"Oh, aren't we? The way I see it, the war has never really ended! Are you forgetting what his kind brought upon us, together with the almighty High King and his faithful little tag-along, the revered, the perfect Lord Elrond of Imladris? Do you not remember the role Elendil and his cursed sons played in the Tinánd's death? What is the well being or the life of one more edan in comparison to what we will finally achieve? The peace we will find for us and for those who have already journeyed on? We will have our revenge, and they will be able to dwell peacefully in the Halls of Mandos."
The fair haired elf gazed sadly at his friend.
"That doesn't mean that we have to watch this happen. He is not the enemy."
"Oh, yes he is, his whole kind in general and he in particular," his companion hissed and added, after a moment's hesitation, "Are you questioning my actions, Nólad?"
Nólad dropped his eyes quickly when he saw the expression on his friend's face, cursing himself for having angered him. Now he wouldn't be able to convince him to call Donyc back.
"Nay, my lord. You know that I am loyal to you, to the end."
Cornallar's gaze softened and he put a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Of course I know, mellonamin. There is a reason why you are the only one that is still with me."
He stopped and smiled with pleasure when he heard a choked cry of pain echo through the camp, followed by shouts of approval from the onlookers. The dark haired elf flashed his friend a grin that made Nólad shiver and turned back to the camp, beckoning him to follow.
"Come, my friend. I was wondering how long it would take. Quite impressive though, for such a young one, that is."
Nólad followed his lord, trying to block out the sounds around him as another scream, this time louder, could be heard.
"To the end," he repeated softly, "Through darkness so black that I cannot see my path."
TBC...
dúnadan - 'Man of the West', ranger
mellonamin - my friend
ada - father (daddy)
edain - humans, men (pl.)
Lye caela quen - We need to talk
Sii' - Now!
edan - human, man (sg.)
*dons winter clothes* Bye! I'm leaving!
*walks out of the door, but pops head back in after a second* Oh, yes, could you review, please? I won't deny that it was a lot of fun to let you hang like this, but I'm really nervous about this chapter, I mean, really, it was the first bit of torture I have ever written! And it took me an awfully long time too! So please? Please Please Please?
Additional A/N:
Reginabean - I saw all the pics in the newspapers, it looks impressive! It's been a long while since I have seen that much snow myself... *g* Well, it's nice to see you again, I'm glad you still like it! Thanks for the review!
ThE iNsAnE oNe - *watches tio run around screaming* Okay ... *watches painting, reading and with Elladan 'playing' wargs* Now that's definitely weird... Fred sr. never does stuff like this. Well, I think he's a bit afraid of Stan, but otherwise he is fine! *grabs tio* STOP threatening my characters! I _know_ they are evil, I _know_ they are stupid, and I _know_ they deserve to die the most horrible death I can come up with, but still: You frighten them! Blasphemy, huh? So, what about: 'She should have died hereafter, there would have been a time for such a word. Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day to day to the last syllable of recorded time, and all our yesterdays have lighted fools...' *shrugs* MacBeth, is it? We had to learn this and a few other passages by heart a few years ago...
Mbali - A toe, huh? That's a nice idea! You would get along just fine with my sister, I think! I'll think about it... *evil grin* Thanks for reviewing!
E - *looks in mirror to make sure* Nope. Not Michael Jackson. Don't wory. *g* *stares* Wow! You are even better than Elrond! HOW did you know something was gonna happen to our favourite ranger in this chapter?! *g* So you want to see them all die painfully? That's a rather widespread idea among the reviewers though, so I'll have to think about it! LOL. I'm sorry I didn't post yesterday, but I just don't have enough time to post every other day. I'll try to post the next one on Saturday though, what about that?
Aralondwen - *nervous smile* See? He's still alive ... *under her breath* kind of ... *grins happily* Thanks so much for the compliments! It's great to hear that renowned authors such as yourself like my little story! Thanks a lot for reviewing!
Nightengale - *sighs* Ah, don't we ALL love it when he's in trouble? And he seems to have a knack for getting into these situations... I'm sorry about the cliffhangers, but they are so much fun, I just can't help myself! I'm evil, I know. Next chapter is coming up on Saturday or Sunday, I think, but I don't know, since I have promised to help a friend who is moving into a new flat... *shrugs* We'll see. Thanks for the review!
Lady Elessar - *nods head adamantly* Yes, exactly! I have asked myself the exact same thing! But they ARE even hotter, aren't they? *hides head in hands* God, we are not normal, I think we need help! Is there something like Evil FF Writers Anonymous? *g* Hope this was soon enough!
Firnsarnien - *raises hands* Hey, calm down, will you!? That's it, calm down... Besides, I think his guard has taken his club back now! LOL, I'm sorry, but cliffhangers just happen! Honestly! I don't even want to write them, but somehow every other chapter ends up as one! It's my alter ego, I'm telling you... Thanks so much for all your kind words (*sighs happily and rereads review*), and this post is as fast as it gets! Just for you! *g*
Miss Undastood - Gosh, you scared me for a second! For a moment I thought I'd been using a word that doesn't even exist! Okay, I looked it up again, and here is the definition: 1. To think closely, to ponder in silence, to meditate, 2. To wonder, to consider, 3. (my favourite) To be so occupied in study or contemplation as not to observe passing scenes or things present. *smiles* I hope that's clearer now. Essentialy, it's another word for "to wonder". *g* I'm glad you like Seobryn, he IS sweet!
Mouse - I have to agree with you there! I wouldn't want to be Donyc or Cornallar when Legolas and/or Elrond catches up with them! *shudders at mere thought* Angry elven lords - not a nice idea! See - I've updated! Don't hurt me! What the heck??! I'm an author and have a pet balrog named Stan and Fred the warg to protect me! You cannot harm me! *g*
Kaeera - *applaudiert* Nicht schlecht, Madame, nicht schlecht! Ich bin tief beeindruckt! Na ja, mit geschlossenen Augen ist vielleicht ein wenig uebertrieben formuliert, aber ich habe wirklich immer den Text so weit wie moeglich nach oben gescrollt und habe immer nur auf die Zeile geguckt, die ich gerade geschrieben habe! Ist anormal, ich weiss, aber was Donyc da auch macht... *schuettelt sich* Boeser Mann. LOL - deine Mutter - der Teufel? So weit ist es bei mir noch nicht - aber momentan habe ich eh eine sehr gelassene Einstellung, da ich in 2 Wochen eh umziehe, ich sag mir immer nur noch "Was soll's eigentlich"... Danke fuer sie schoene lange review! *g*
Ciria - Hah, wherever she is, I will find her and tell her what you're doing with the pineapples! *g* No, I will refrain from doing so if you promise to _only_ use them on your sister. Okay? Well, Elladan IS the oldest son and therefore responsible when Elrond is not there or incapacitated, isn't he? Well, I'm not sure about Cornallar myself. I think he's to be pitied, somehow, at least were he human. But he isn't, and a millennia old elf lord should know better. So, right now I think he is a fool, but that might change with time. *g* Okay, Aragorn is here about 22 or 23 years old, I think 22 though. Thanks so much for your long review, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Imbefaniel - Poetic scene/descriptions/songs/torture, huh? That's an interesting mix! Well, I admit I have quite a few guilt trips in here, but hey, there is NO way they would not react like that! I might have neither poetic scenes nor songs, but there is a bit of torture and a few descriptions... *g* Hope you feel warmer now!! Thanks for reviewing!
Arwen-Evenstar - Your every wish is my command, my lady! The next chapter is here! *smiles* Well, I hope you liked it and haven't fallen off your chair yet - don't look at me like that, it has happened to someone here, to Aurienia? I can't remember, but someone _did_ fall off his chair. Whatever.
Alilacia - *nods in satisfaction* That paragraph was supposed to be funny, I'm glad you liked it. I seem to be unable to write an entirely serious paragraph. *shrugs* Whatever. It could be worse, I guess. *giggles* Elrond as an elfling, interesting thought... Well, considering his history, he probably hadn't so much fun being the prisoner of the sons of Feanor, but still... Well, sorry, but they leave next chapter and not a minute earlier! Understood? You are not to tell them to go earlier, you would screw with the whole timeline! Timing is crucial here!!
Zam - *grins happily* Another huge review, thanks!! You are _evil_, a fingerless Estel, really... *giggles* God, I had forgotten about his nakedness, too, so ... save me a seat!! And some popcorn! I'm just catching a plane, I should be there in about, hm 6-9 hours? 'Lucky charms'? Do I even want to KNOW what you are talking about? The only thing that comes to mind is Austin Powers... *puts head in hands* Great, now Legolas is crying again, uhm, sorry, I know, they are 'unrestrained manly tears', sorry... Éomer!! Where are you!! Come here this instant and keep her from banging this poor elven prince over the head, will you!!! Okay, I'm going to move to Antarctica, you never know what Lina might do... See you!
ManuKu - *guckt sie anklagend an* Weisst du ueberhaupt, wie _schwer_ es ist, Ork-Blut aus dem Teppich zu kriegen? Na? *guckst sie noch anklagender an* Was soll das heissen, jetzt, da es 'gerade spannend geworden ist'?? Heisst das, vorher war es das nicht? Hah? Na gut, schon verstanden... *schlurft davon* LOL, keine Angst, nur Spass... *g* Hach, danke! *wird rot* So viele Komplimente auf einmal! Danke!! Ich hatte es schon mal erwaehnt, ja, aber fuer dich sage ich es doch gerne noch einmal *g*: Geplant sind so ungefaehr 20 Kapitel, aber das ist nur eine Richtschnur. Ich meine, urspruenglich sollte Legolas in Kap. 8 nach Rivendell kommen, man weiss ja nie... *g*
Aurienia - 'Drastic'? I and doing something 'drastic'? How did you know?? *evil grin* Exactly! *nods happily* He just couldn't escape, it would have destroyed the whole story. Everybody knows that - except for him, poor boy... *sympathetic smile* *pats Aurienia's back* Don't worry! I won't cut off anything - perhaps a toe though, because Mbali asked me too... *evil cackle* Well, I hope this chapter hasn't caused you to start fidgeting again, thanks for the great review!! *huges her back*
TrustingFriendship - *drops eyes* Well, yes, 'minimum' is a very vague expression, isn't it? I mean, it could have been a lot worse! Oh yes, it could have!! Cornallar could have decided to have some 'fun' himself... *evil grin*
Alexa - Yes, FF.net can be quite ... annoying sometimes, can it? Just like last time I wanted to upload a chapter, it took me over an hour to do so! *mumbles under her breath* Stupid FF.net, evil stupid FF.net... *g* Hm, yes the poison... In the beginning here you could see that he hasn't recovered completely yet, so I interpret an elf's immune system's reaction to poison in that way that once the poison is drawn from a wound, the patient recovers quickly, even though the wound itself needs some time to heal. Besides, Legolas had only been poisoned for two days, so it wasn't _that_ long. But you are right, I didn't really think about that. Thanks for all the compliments, oh, and don't worry, you can use the old ones again if you want to! LOL, just kidding...
Carrie - *huggles her* Carrie! It's so nice to see you!! *grabs Carrie as she once again tries to strangle our favourite evil elf* PLEASE stop doing that!!! Yes, I have to agree, Estel is indeed slamming into a lot of things here... trees ... the ground ... trees ... *g* Well done! *hands her a cookie* The Last Alliance it is! *looks at Carrie's demands carefully* Well, about Elrond: I'll see what I can do, but he is stubborn!!!; about Estel: *backs away slowly from angry Carrie* Well, it wasn't THAT bad, was it? Was it??? Meeeeppp!! Help!!; and about Legolas: Gosh, it IS his fault, isn't it?? *runs away cackling evilly* Just kidding, but he is just as stobborn as the rest of them, so it will tkae him some time to see reason... *g* Yay you! No school, that's great! Mind you, I shouldn't be complaining, my term ended Monday!! Yay Nili!!
Lievre - I'm writing, I'm writing, see? Thanks so much for your compliments, it's so great you like it! *beams* Uhm, yes, well ... *looks at her nervously* I _was_ nice to Elrond, wasn't I? And Estel is still alive, so there's no need to send your monsters after me!! But they wouldn't succeed anyway, since I have a balrog and a warg to protect me!! Mhahahaha!! *runs away to her new home in Antarctica cackling evilly*
Salara - Owww, danke! Ich hatte schon gedacht, du waerest wegen der Elrond-Angst-Session von mir abgefallen... *g* Und du hattest recht, das Bitten hat nicht viel geholfen, da das ganze schon geschrieben war. Sorry. *unechtes Grinsen* Tja, nun ist es ja eigentlich meine Pflicht, den guten alten Elrond ein wenig zu verletzen, damit du auch was zum Gesundpflegen hast! Ich gebe mir alle Muehe... *g* Danke fuer sie review, und wem sagst du das: die Haelfte der Zeit moechte ich meinen Rechner einfach nur erwuergen!! *g*
Cestari - Uhm well, yes, thanks very much, I'm glad you like it! And he didn't get _horribly_ beat up, did he? Just a tiny little bit... *g* And don't worry, your favourite elf and the dear twins will get their chance to have a little 'talk' with the kidnappers, sooner or later - knowing me, later... And you like Seobryn? Me too, he is cute, isn't he? *pats his head* LOL, so you'll scream, rip your hair out, go insane _and_ jump off a cliff? We can't have that, now can we? Here's the next bit, I hope you enjoyed it as well!!
Stasia - My God, you caught me at the last moment here! I was just about to update! What a nice surprose though! *huggles her* What a great review!! Thanks so much! See, I updated as soon as possible! And don't worry, Estel WILL be fine, the evil elves and men WILL get their comeuppance and you WILL NOT kill me! Understood? Dead people tend to be very bad authors... *g* I knew you'd like my curse! Siblings are funny, aren't they? My sister didn't like that one either... *g* Okay, I gotta post now, thanks once again for the great review!!
Phew, these notes keep getting longer and longer! And I LOVE it!! Thanks so much for your reviews, there's nothing better than to get up in the morning, turn on the computer and see all the nice Review Alerts in the inbox! Thanks!!!
A/N:
*door creaks open and a hand appears waving a white flag *
Okay, if I come out, do you promise not to hurt me? What do you mean, you won't hurt me 'yet'? That does not sound good... I think I'll stay here under my bed, it's really cosy, if one likes spiders, that is... *shudders*
Well, first let me say that I really do not know what I was thinking when I wrote this chapter. I'm not C&S, for crying out loud, I must have lost my mind there for a second!
Second, I apologize for all mistakes that might be in there, because I wrote most of it with my eyes closed, since I couldn't watch poor Estel suffer.
Oh, and third, about the rating: I think it's still PG-13, but since I have no experience whatsoever with this, I would be thankful if you would tell if if you think it needs a higher rating.
Don't worry, it's not THAT bad, but you never know, okay?
Since you've sent me so many lovely reviews, I have decided to post this today and relocate to Antarctica shortly afterwards. *shoots Lina, Carrie and all the other obsessive Estel fans nervous looks*
Still, here is chapter 12, and I won't say anything about it right now since I need to get to the airport. My plane is leaving in an hour. *g*
Enjoy!! (Readers: AND REVIEW, yes!!)
*raises eyebrow* Exactly!
Chapter 12
Aragorn didn't resist when his weapons were taken from him and his hands roughly jerked behind his back and secured with coarse rope. The way he saw it, there was no reason to anger his captors even more than he had already done, besides, surrounded and with an arrow boring into his back, there was no point in doing so anyway.
'No need to make my situation any worse than it already is,' he mused as he watched Donyc approach him. 'But then again, I don't think I will have a say in that matter,' he added, struggling not to let the fear that was beginning to fill his entire being show on his face.
It didn't really take him by surprise when the dark haired human's hand shot out and struck him across the face, reopening the cut Cornallar had placed there a few hours ago. Before Aragorn could even shake his head to get rid of the ringing in his ears, Donyc grabbed his face, pulling him closer.
"How did you do it, ranger? How did you escape?" he hissed venomously, his eyes boring into his captive's. Aragorn just kept staring back, studying the man's face closely and deciding after a few moments that he couldn't remember having ever seen a human that angry. Donyc's face and neck had turned a scarlet colour by now, and the young ranger could have sworn he could watch tiny veins in the man's eyes burst.
Enraged by the young human's defiance, Donyc raised his hand to hit him again, but let it drop to his side when he heard the soft voice of his employer.
"Calm down, Donyc, this is neither the place nor the time for this. In my experience, it is much more fun if the specimen is secured tightly and has had some time to think about what it has done. Besides, you need light. How can you work when you cannot see what you're doing?"
The human commander took a deep breath and stepped away from Aragorn, his eyes still fixed on the ranger's, the glare he sent him clearly stating that this was far from over.
"Yes, Master Elf, you are right. My apologies."
The dark haired elf returned the arrow he had been pressing against the ranger's back to the quiver on his back and stepped around the bound human, motioning Addramyr to take a hold of the ranger's arm, which he did only too willingly, his fingers burrowing into Aragorn's flesh.
"No need for that, Master Human," Cornallar said jovially, still looking at the young ranger, "I know how easy it is to get carried away. Don't worry, your turn will come soon enough."
He turned to the human commander and said, his voice firm,
"But first we need to find the horse and get him back to camp. You," he pointed at Donyc and another human, "Will help me with the horse and the rest of you will escort our guest back."
When Donyc opened his mouth to protest, the elf added,
"Please, Master Human, I doubt neither your intentions nor your ability to control your emotions, but I would have a word with you about tomorrow morning. Nólad will make sure he doesn't escape again. Besides, a bit of waiting heightens the pleasure, don't you think?"
The man nodded and gave Aragorn a malicious smile that caused a shiver of fear to race up and down his spine.
"As you wish."
The two humans and the elf moved off into the direction the horse had disappeared in, while the rest headed back to camp. Nólad stepped closer to Addramyr who pushed his captive in front of him, giving him a hard shove in the back that nearly caused the young ranger to fall.
"Thank you, Master Human. I will take him from here."
Addramyr looked up unwillingly, but relented when the elf's light grey eyes bore into his.
"Fine. I don't mind."
The fair haired elf grasped the younger human's arm firmly and steered him towards the camp, making sure not to let him stumble.
"You shouldn't have done that, dúnadan," he whispered sadly in Elvish, "I told you I wouldn't be able to protect you. I am sorry."
Aragorn kept his eyes straight ahead, trying desperately to suppress the panic that threatened to overtake him when he remembered the murderous look in Donyc's eyes and the words Cornallar had spoken.
'"Specimen"?' he thought, swallowing nervously, 'Did he say "specimen"? A Elbereth, what have I got myself into this time?'
He shook his head slightly when the lights of the camp appeared before them, flickering through the dark tree trunks.
"As am I, Nólad. As am I."
Legolas sighed softly and shifted on the railing he was sitting on, holding his breath in anticipation of the stab of pain that would surely lance through his side following that move. When nothing happened, he shifted again for good measure and once again thanked the Valar that Lord Elrond was such an excellent healer. Not even the physicians at his father's palace would have been able to mend the cut that quickly, and while it would take a while to heal completely, it didn't pain him anymore, if he didn't move too quickly, that was.
The fair haired prince had left the Lord of Rivendell and his friends some time ago, when it became apparent that neither side was making any progress.
The twins, and especially Elrohir, argued most skilfully that it was suicide to comply and go alone, not to mention stupid, while Elrond stubbornly refused to let an escort or even them come with him, claiming that Cornallar could have someone watch the house and kill Estel when he found out that he had been tricked. Not to mention the fact what he would do if he met with them and escaped after having laid eyes on said escort.
Soon the controversy had run out of suitable arguments, and both sides insisted on their point of view, both the twins and their father claiming that acting any other way than they suggested would very likely endanger Estel's life.
Legolas shook his head; it was truly incredible how stubborn this family was. When he had first met Strider, he had thought this to be a human characteristic, and voiced his opinion openly and, as Aragorn claimed, more often than necessary. Now, however, he suspected that it ran in the family, and the countless generations that lay between Elrond's brother Elros Tar-Minyatur and Aragorn himself had only served to strengthen that trait.
And to watch three beings who possessed that trait in an equal measure quarrel with each other was about as productive as to try and teach an orc proper behaviour for a formal dinner party.
'In the end,' Legolas decided, 'The twins don't stand a chance. Lord Elrond has had more than six thousand years to perfect his skills in the high art of acting stubbornly. Besides, he will simply order them to stay behind.'
He took the small silver brooch out of his vest pocket and watched the pale light of the moon reflect on the shining metal, glittering like the still surface of a pool under the night sky. His thoughts were so focused on his friend that he didn't hear the dark haired elf who came closer, stepping lightly onto the balcony outside his brother's room.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
To his credit, Legolas didn't jump when he heard the soft voice, but it was a near thing. Turning slowly, he fixed his eyes on Elladan, who had stepped closer and climbed swiftly on top of the wooden railing to settle down next to his friend.
"How did you know where to find me?" the elven prince asked, somewhat surprised.
Elrond's oldest son smiled at the other elf.
"That was not so hard to figure out, mellonamin. You are quite predictable, you know that? Every time Estel is injured and father has us thrown out to let him get some rest and threatens us with the most improbable things lest we dare to come back, you come here, watch the gardens and worry. Just like he does when it's the other way round."
Legolas returned the smile and asked the older twin another question, trying not to think of all the times they had dragged themselves back to one – or, on some occasions, both – of their fathers. That conjured up images of Aragorn, broken and bleeding just like he had been so many times, and wasn't something he wished to think of right now if he wanted to keep a clear head.
"How did it go? With your father?"
Elladan's smile disappeared as quickly as food in a hungry hobbit's mouth.
"Not good," he admitted. "He refuses to take anyone with him. We have done everything to convince him, but he just doesn't listen. Sometimes it's scary how much alike he and Estel are from time to time."
He closed his eyes and shook his head in frustration.
"Elrohir is still reasoning with him, but when ada is in that state of mind, there's no one he will listen to. Except perhaps for Glorfindel, but since he isn't here…"
Legolas nodded and returned his eyes to the object in his hands, trying to figure out what to do. There was no way he would just sit here and let Lord Elrond go after Strider alone. He had failed his friend once already, he wouldn't allow it to happen a second time. Besides, there was still the fact that he had a score to settle with Donyc…
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Elladan repeated himself and drew the fair haired elf out of his thoughts.
"I beg your pardon?" Legolas asked, knowing quite well what the twin was talking about.
"The brooch," the older twin explained patiently, looking at the small silver item that lay in Legolas' slim hand. "It is beautiful."
"That it is," Legolas confirmed, his fingers stroking over the single word engraved on its gleaming surface. 'Elrondion', son of Elrond.
Elladan smiled in reminiscence.
"Did he tell you where he got it from?"
The prince nodded.
"He told me your father gave it to all three of you, on Winter Solstice a year ago. He is very fond of it."
"Yes, we all are. Ada gave it to us the first Winter Solstice after Estel's twentieth birthday."
Elladan closed his eyes and smiled softly.
"You know that Estel was, well, quite confused after father told him of his heritage. Of course you know, that was when you met him, was it not?" he asked, obviously not really expecting the other elf to reply, and so Legolas did not provide an answer.
"Well, after he'd got home from that dreadful mess you managed to get yourselves into that time," he held up a hand to silence Legolas' indignant sounds of protest, "He was still unsure about his identity and full of doubt about his future. So that was why father gave them to each of us, so we would never forget who we are."
Legolas nodded at his friend, trying to keep him talking. It was obvious that Elladan was not really aware that he was still there, but was caught in the memory of happier days.
"He said that it didn't matter if we were elves or men or dwarves, to him we would always be his sons. And even though my dear brother is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, he will always remain Estel Elrondion, at least here, at least to us," the older twin explained softly, a single tear rolling down his pale cheek.
The fair haired elven prince reached out and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"He knows who he is, Elladan. He is your brother, and he knows you love him." He stretched out his hand and offered the dark haired elf the brooch.
"Here. Take it."
Elladan hesitated for a moment, but then he reached out and closed Legolas' fingers around the small silver leaf, taking a deep breath.
"No, mellonamin, you keep it. I have my own," he said and pulled the collar of his overshirt aside, showing an identical silver brooch. "Keep it, and once we find him and get him out of there, give it back to him."
Legolas gazed into the twin's serious eyes and gave him a small smile.
"I will do that."
Elrond's oldest nodded and turned his eyes back onto the gardens below him, surveying the dark trees and listening to the audible roaring sounds of the falls all around them.
"Grandfather's star shines brightly tonight," he added after a few moments, causing the elven prince to look up at Eärendil, the Evening Star.
"It does, my friend," Legolas answered softly, giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
"Gil-Estel," Elladan whispered the star's older name softly, "A good name for it."
Legolas put his arm around the twin's shoulder as they sat side by side, watching the stars twinkle down on them and praying to every Valar who might be willing to lend their aid for the safety of their friend and brother.
'No, "crazy" is not really an appropriate term. I think it's too abstract. What about … "mad", or "demented" or, even better, "maniac"…' Aragorn mused as he tried very hard not to think of the fact that Cornallar and the men would return any minute now. 'Oh, and add "sadistic" to that as well,' he made a mental note to himself, remembering the elf's words of "giving the 'specimen' time to think about what 'it' had done".
Well, if the reason behind that tactic was to increase the prisoner's fear beyond all measure, it was working just fine on him, he decided, looking around him.
This time they hadn't taken him to the edge of the camp but placed him by the fire in the middle of the small clearing, which was nice for a change since he couldn't remember when he had been properly warm for the last time, but had its downside as well, because now he was surrounded by about ten rather angry-looking humans, including his former guard who had made contact, for him so unpleasantly, with his own wooden club and sported an impressive egg-sized lump just behind his right ear. The man had looked at him with a vengeful twinkle in his eyes, clearly displeased about the way their last encounter had gone and seemingly more than willing to make up for that fact at the first opportunity.
'Great,' he thought wryly, 'Another one who has a personal vendetta against me. Just what I needed.'
The subject of personal vendettas bringing him back to the persons of his elven captors, he closed his eyes and tried to remember something else than the main facts he already knew about Cornallar, a sudden shudder of fear racing across his spine. Glorfindel had been talking about the differences between the races on Arda, most expressly the differences between the Older and the Younger Children of Ilúvatar…
"Elves don't kill each other," a rather earnest 12-year-old Estel said, looking at the golden haired elf with big eyes.
"That is correct, young one," Glorfindel smiled. "Not since the days of the Kinslaying has such a thing happened. Unfortunately, the Second People do it all the time, and not only them."
Estel nodded seriously.
"I know. I … read it somewhere," he explained hastily when he saw the elven lord's expression; Glorfindel would probably not be too impressed when he knew he bribed the twins to tell him of battles they had fought long before he had been born.
"I see," Glorfindel replied, narrowing his eyes and looking at the boy suspiciously.
"But elves kill other things," Estel continued, intent on leading the conversation away from the former topic, "Foul things, like orcs, and spiders, and trolls, and goblins."
The golden haired elf nodded, his bright eyes adopting a far-away look.
"Yes, Estel, they do. And sometimes, even other things."
"What do you mean?" Estel asked curiously, cocking his dark head to one side.
Glorfindel looked at the young human and decided that he was old enough to hear some of the more distasteful things about the people who had taken him in more than ten years ago.
"There were times, young one, when elves killed other races as well, men, for example."
When he saw the confusion on the boy's face, he elaborated.
"During the War of the Last Alliance – that's a good topic to continue, remind me to talk about it later – there were those who enjoyed killing their enemies, orcs and men who had chosen the other side alike."
Estel's eyes grew wide.
"Really? Who?"
"Nobody who remains here, Estel, don't worry. Most of them hailed from Eregion, and they sought vengeance for the destruction of their home. You will not meet any of them; they are long since dead or have departed over the Sea."
Glorfindel looked at his charge in amusement, noting the way the boy nodded earnestly, committing what he'd just heard to memory. It didn't matter if they were young humans or elflings, he decided with a mental chuckle, they were always interested in the bloodier details of history.
"Now then, young man, what can you tell me about Elendil the Tall of Númenor…"
He opened his eyes slowly as he heard the footsteps of two men draw nearer, who were apparently leading a horse with them. Wondering for a moment if there was a way to stuff his new-found knowledge back into the corner of his mind where he'd found it, his eyes searched the woods and came to rest on three figures who headed their way, leading a bleeding and rather exhausted horse between them.
His eyes fixing on the tall figure of Cornallar, he wondered if Glorfindel had been talking about him. He had been a bit too young to understand completely what the golden haired elf had been talking about all these years ago, but now he knew enough of the world to know that even among elves there were those who enjoyed watching their enemies suffer.
'Yes,' the young ranger decided, fighting to keep the panic at bay that rose inside him when he watched the three of them approach him, 'He is definitely one of them. Ilúvatar, now it's official: This cannot get any worse. It's just not possible.'
The dark haired elf stopped in front of him, looking him over.
"Well, dúnadan," he said and gave Aragorn a grin, "We've come to a decision. I'm sure even you understand that I cannot just ignore that little escape attempt of yours, amusing as it may have been."
He turned to Donyc, who had been standing next to the elf, his eyes not leaving the young human's face.
"Donyc here has pledged that such a thing will not happen again, and I believe him. As compensation for the fact that he will not be allowed to kill you as he so adamantly demanded, I agreed to let you two have some time together so that he may teach you some manners," he explained in a pleasant tone of voice.
"I have decided," Cornallar added, watching with relish as quickly disguised fear flickered across the ranger's face, "To let him have all the fun this time, since I want to save my considerable talents for a later date. But," he leaned closer to Aragorn's face, causing him to recoil as far as he could, "I have given him some tips."
He stepped back and smiled at the human commander.
"He's all yours. Not much more than an hour, though, and don't cause permanent damage. Since he's such a pretty boy, it would really be a shame."
Donyc grinned at the elf, delight plainly written on his face.
"Thank you, Master Elf."
He bent down and pulled Aragorn to his feet, pushing him into the direction of the trees.
"See, ranger? I told you we would have some time together. Not as much as I'd like, but let's consider it the first in a series of many other 'conversations', shall we?"
The ranger growled at his captor's words, thrusting his head backwards and catching Donyc right over his left eye. He would be damned if he went quietly, he thought furiously, adrenaline replacing some of the terror he felt.
The dark haired human stumbled backwards, cursing and holding his head, letting go of Aragorn's arm briefly in the process. The young human seized that opportunity and looked around him wildly for a way to escape, before he felt something heavy slam into his back, throwing him to the ground. He was pulled roughly back to his feet and looked up into the grinning face of Addramyr, who had grasped his arm lest he try something like that again.
Still cursing profusely, Donyc walked up to them, a bruise forming above his eye.
"You have a knack for annoying people, haven't you?" he asked, grasping his other arm and dragging him over to a thick tree that stood a bit apart from the rest of the wood, closely followed by the rest of his men who carried torches, illuminating the area.
"Well, let's see how long that lasts."
While three of the men removed his overcoat and bound his hands in front of him, pulling them upwards with a length of rope so that he stood upright, with his back to the trunk and hands fastened above his head, Aragorn decided that he hated trees. He positively loathed them, he thought, trying not to wince when the man that had been his guard tautened the rope, almost forcing him to stand on his toes. All they were good for was falling off and getting tied to by crazy, no, make that maniac elves and/or men.
Aragorn closed his eyes and tried to take deep breaths to combat the terror that was beginning to envelop his whole being.
'This is not good, not good at all,' he repeated inwardly, 'Elbereth, please… Where is Legolas? He would never have allowed this to happen! Valar, I need you, mellonamin…'
Something sharp was pressed against his throat, and he opened his eyes to look into Donyc's dark, cruel gaze that seemed to gleam with an inner light. The look of total enjoyment on his face was enough to make the young ranger feel sick.
The human commander smiled, pressing the head of an especially thick looking arrow a little harder under Aragorn's chin.
"Well, ranger, do you remember Vaemar? In case you don't, let me help you along: He was the one you killed a few days ago. An arrow through the heart, as you will remember, a good shot, by the way. But," he frowned and shook his head, eyes darkening with anger, "He was also a friend of mine, and I really do not like it when my friends are killed. I've been known to react rather violently," he pushed a bit harder and drew blood, which trickled down the ranger's neck.
"I thought it to be fitting to do the same, you know. But since I promised not to kill you," he nodded at Cornallar who stood farther away to the side, a stony-faced Nólad next to him, "I will modify it slightly."
Quickly he moved the arrow and pressed it against Aragorn's shoulder, just below the collarbone, piercing the skin.
"What, does that hurt?" he asked in a mocking voice as he pushed harder, causing the young ranger to clench his jaw against the pain. After a few experimental tugs on the arrow that was now protruding from the young man's shoulder, he leaned against the shaft of the arrow, pushing it slowly through the flesh. With each inch of wood that disappeared into the shoulder, causing small rivulets of bright blood flow down the ranger's chest, soaking his shirt, Aragorn face grew paler and paler, a trickle of blood running down his chin from where he had bitten his lip to keep from crying out.
When he had all but pierced his captive's shoulder, Donyc stopped, his eyes shining brightly as he watched the signs of the pain he was inflicting on the young human flicker across the white face.
He waited for the other man to open his eyes, which he did after a few seconds, confused by the sudden break. Grinning evilly at him, the human commander closed his hands more tightly around the shaft and gave one last push, driving the arrow through the shoulder and into the bark of the tree behind it.
Squeezing his eyes tightly shut again, Aragorn couldn't stifle a moan of pain that escaped his lips as he pressed the back of his head against the trunk in an attempt to deal with the pain.
"Oh, what, are you in pain? I had no idea! Why didn't you say something?" Donyc asked, twisting the arrow viciously. He stepped closer to the tree and grabbed a handful of dark hair, lifting his captive's head to look into glazed, pain filled eyes.
"No no no, ranger, you cannot sleep yet! We have still so much to do and so little time… But you know what? I will stop it, if you beg me to. It's rather easy, really, just tell me to stop, and it will all be over. What do you think?"
Aragorn looked at him through a slightly hazy vision and took a few deep breaths to answer. Somehow he didn't seem to be able to get enough air, it felt as if metal bands had wrapped themselves round his chest. Giving up on his attempts to speak, he contented himself with glaring at the dark haired man, who, if looks could kill, would have keeled over and died on the spot.
Donyc didn't seem to be disappointed, however, judging by the smile that spread across his features.
"Ah, I had so hoped you'd do that, ranger," he told him, once again grabbing the shaft of the arrow and snapping it about two inches from the shoulder, eliciting another moan from the young human.
Giving two of his men a sign which caused them to dash off into the direction of the surrounding bushes, he took a step back and nodded at the guard, who detached the rope that kept the ranger upright and unwound it slightly, giving the captive a bit more room to manoeuvre. Addramyr and another man stepped forward and took a hold of the bound human before he could slide down the tree trunk, stripping off his shirt and turning him round so his back faced the men.
Aragorn sucked in his breath sharply when his tattered shirt caught on the stub of the arrow that was still protruding from his shoulder, closing his eyes as a new wave of pain stole his breath away. His shoulder seemed to be filled with molten metal, or fire, or lava, and every breath felt as if a red hot poker was being jammed into it and twisted for good measure.
'It's an arrow,' he thought through the pain that seemed to numb his brain, 'Close enough.'
A fist that smashed into his side brought him out of his jumbled thoughts, causing him to clench his teeth in pain. He was sure he had actually heard that rib snap.
"Not asleep, are we?" the sickeningly cheerful voice of Donyc asked. If Aragorn hadn't been in so much pain, he would even have said some of the things that popped into his head, but it was probably quite a good thing that he didn't. Calling Donyc names would not help his current situation.
"Well, I think it's time to proceed to phase two, what do you mean?" the human commander asked, stepping closer to the bound man. Again a hand grabbed him by the hair, and Aragorn wondered detachedly what it was about his hair that obviously encouraged every other person to take a hold of it and yank his head around, before he was forced to look into Donyc dark, gleaming eyes. His gaze shifting slightly, his eyes came to rest on the dark haired man's hands, that all of the sudden were covered in thick leather gloves.
He frowned in confusion until his tired brain supplied him with another image: Donyc's gloved hands holding something, something like a stick…
The young ranger narrowed his eyes and tried to focus on the objects Donyc was waving around in front of his eyes. His mouth going dry, he finally realized what it was: Branches of a wild bush, each of them about as thick as two of his fingers and covered with dark, about an inch long thorns.
"Amazing what nature can provide you with, isn't it?" Donyc asked in a soft voice, running his thumb over one of them and basking in the fear he saw in the other man's eyes. He made a move as if to step behind him, but stopped in mid-motion.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Do you have anything to say? Nothing? Not a single word?"
Aragorn pressed his forehead against the dark tree trunk and closed his eyes. His whole body hurt, his shoulder was on fire and the mere thought of any more pain was making him sick to his stomach. He set his jaw and shook his head firmly.
He would not beg this sadistic maniac for mercy, he just couldn't.
He ignored Donyc's chuckle and the sounds of the other humans who shouted encouragements to their leader.
'Think positive, Estel,' he thought, taking a deep breath in anticipation of the pain that surely was to come, 'Legolas will find me. He will be fine, he will come to find me. Legolas will come back for me, I know he will…'
A swishing sound behind him caught his attention, closely followed by a stinging pain that tore across his back. His body jerked slightly, but other than that he gave no outer indication of pain.
Swiftly the next blow fell and the next, causing blood to flow down his back, and all Aragorn could do was press his forehead against the tree, try to keep in the screams of pain as long as possible and pray for unconsciousness.
Nólad surveyed the scene in front of him with disgust. Only edain could do such things to their own kind, he thought. Watching the first blows fall on the still defiant ranger's back, he decided that this was enough now. If his friend had wanted to teach the boy a lesson, he had succeeded by now. In fact, that point had been reached a long time before.
He turned to his friend to tell him to stop it, but closed his mouth before he had even said a word.
Cornallar was watching the events with gleaming eyes, taking obvious delight in the pain that could clearly be seen on the young man's face and posture.
The fair haired elf shook his head in distress; it was a look he had seen too many times in the past. He had done nothing then, but this time it was different. This young dúnadan was the last of Elendil's bloodline and thus possessed elven blood, and he would not see him suffer by the hands of a worthless human like this without saying a word to try and prevent it.
He took a step closer to his dark haired companion and grabbed him tightly by the arm, causing him to look up in surprise.
"Lye caela quen," he told Cornallar insistently, and added when his friend didn't move a muscle and his eyes strayed back to the sight before him, "Sii'!"
The other elf shrugged half-heartedly and followed his friend, leaving the brightly lit circle of the humans behind. When they had put some distance between themselves and the camp, though not great enough to muffle the swishing sounds of the branches when they found flesh and the shouts of the men, Cornallar turned to face his companion and asked,
"What is it, mellonamin? And couldn't it wait? I found that rather enjoyable."
Nólad took a step forward, his grey eyes boring into his friend's darker ones.
"You have to stop this!" he said urgently. "There is no need to let Donyc continue like this. The ranger's learned his lesson, of that I'm sure. Besides, he won't try anything like that for a long time."
"Ah, there you are mistaken, dear friend," the dark haired elf said, raising a finger, "I know this kind. They don't budge easily, as our friend Donyc will soon find out, to his disappointment. I have worked with a lot of them. It takes a lot more than this to break them."
Nólad shuddered at his friend's words.
"Please, mellonamin, stop it! He is just a boy, and we are not at war!"
Cornallar's eyes seemed to flare up at that.
"Oh, aren't we? The way I see it, the war has never really ended! Are you forgetting what his kind brought upon us, together with the almighty High King and his faithful little tag-along, the revered, the perfect Lord Elrond of Imladris? Do you not remember the role Elendil and his cursed sons played in the Tinánd's death? What is the well being or the life of one more edan in comparison to what we will finally achieve? The peace we will find for us and for those who have already journeyed on? We will have our revenge, and they will be able to dwell peacefully in the Halls of Mandos."
The fair haired elf gazed sadly at his friend.
"That doesn't mean that we have to watch this happen. He is not the enemy."
"Oh, yes he is, his whole kind in general and he in particular," his companion hissed and added, after a moment's hesitation, "Are you questioning my actions, Nólad?"
Nólad dropped his eyes quickly when he saw the expression on his friend's face, cursing himself for having angered him. Now he wouldn't be able to convince him to call Donyc back.
"Nay, my lord. You know that I am loyal to you, to the end."
Cornallar's gaze softened and he put a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Of course I know, mellonamin. There is a reason why you are the only one that is still with me."
He stopped and smiled with pleasure when he heard a choked cry of pain echo through the camp, followed by shouts of approval from the onlookers. The dark haired elf flashed his friend a grin that made Nólad shiver and turned back to the camp, beckoning him to follow.
"Come, my friend. I was wondering how long it would take. Quite impressive though, for such a young one, that is."
Nólad followed his lord, trying to block out the sounds around him as another scream, this time louder, could be heard.
"To the end," he repeated softly, "Through darkness so black that I cannot see my path."
TBC...
dúnadan - 'Man of the West', ranger
mellonamin - my friend
ada - father (daddy)
edain - humans, men (pl.)
Lye caela quen - We need to talk
Sii' - Now!
edan - human, man (sg.)
*dons winter clothes* Bye! I'm leaving!
*walks out of the door, but pops head back in after a second* Oh, yes, could you review, please? I won't deny that it was a lot of fun to let you hang like this, but I'm really nervous about this chapter, I mean, really, it was the first bit of torture I have ever written! And it took me an awfully long time too! So please? Please Please Please?
Additional A/N:
Reginabean - I saw all the pics in the newspapers, it looks impressive! It's been a long while since I have seen that much snow myself... *g* Well, it's nice to see you again, I'm glad you still like it! Thanks for the review!
ThE iNsAnE oNe - *watches tio run around screaming* Okay ... *watches painting, reading and with Elladan 'playing' wargs* Now that's definitely weird... Fred sr. never does stuff like this. Well, I think he's a bit afraid of Stan, but otherwise he is fine! *grabs tio* STOP threatening my characters! I _know_ they are evil, I _know_ they are stupid, and I _know_ they deserve to die the most horrible death I can come up with, but still: You frighten them! Blasphemy, huh? So, what about: 'She should have died hereafter, there would have been a time for such a word. Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day to day to the last syllable of recorded time, and all our yesterdays have lighted fools...' *shrugs* MacBeth, is it? We had to learn this and a few other passages by heart a few years ago...
Mbali - A toe, huh? That's a nice idea! You would get along just fine with my sister, I think! I'll think about it... *evil grin* Thanks for reviewing!
E - *looks in mirror to make sure* Nope. Not Michael Jackson. Don't wory. *g* *stares* Wow! You are even better than Elrond! HOW did you know something was gonna happen to our favourite ranger in this chapter?! *g* So you want to see them all die painfully? That's a rather widespread idea among the reviewers though, so I'll have to think about it! LOL. I'm sorry I didn't post yesterday, but I just don't have enough time to post every other day. I'll try to post the next one on Saturday though, what about that?
Aralondwen - *nervous smile* See? He's still alive ... *under her breath* kind of ... *grins happily* Thanks so much for the compliments! It's great to hear that renowned authors such as yourself like my little story! Thanks a lot for reviewing!
Nightengale - *sighs* Ah, don't we ALL love it when he's in trouble? And he seems to have a knack for getting into these situations... I'm sorry about the cliffhangers, but they are so much fun, I just can't help myself! I'm evil, I know. Next chapter is coming up on Saturday or Sunday, I think, but I don't know, since I have promised to help a friend who is moving into a new flat... *shrugs* We'll see. Thanks for the review!
Lady Elessar - *nods head adamantly* Yes, exactly! I have asked myself the exact same thing! But they ARE even hotter, aren't they? *hides head in hands* God, we are not normal, I think we need help! Is there something like Evil FF Writers Anonymous? *g* Hope this was soon enough!
Firnsarnien - *raises hands* Hey, calm down, will you!? That's it, calm down... Besides, I think his guard has taken his club back now! LOL, I'm sorry, but cliffhangers just happen! Honestly! I don't even want to write them, but somehow every other chapter ends up as one! It's my alter ego, I'm telling you... Thanks so much for all your kind words (*sighs happily and rereads review*), and this post is as fast as it gets! Just for you! *g*
Miss Undastood - Gosh, you scared me for a second! For a moment I thought I'd been using a word that doesn't even exist! Okay, I looked it up again, and here is the definition: 1. To think closely, to ponder in silence, to meditate, 2. To wonder, to consider, 3. (my favourite) To be so occupied in study or contemplation as not to observe passing scenes or things present. *smiles* I hope that's clearer now. Essentialy, it's another word for "to wonder". *g* I'm glad you like Seobryn, he IS sweet!
Mouse - I have to agree with you there! I wouldn't want to be Donyc or Cornallar when Legolas and/or Elrond catches up with them! *shudders at mere thought* Angry elven lords - not a nice idea! See - I've updated! Don't hurt me! What the heck??! I'm an author and have a pet balrog named Stan and Fred the warg to protect me! You cannot harm me! *g*
Kaeera - *applaudiert* Nicht schlecht, Madame, nicht schlecht! Ich bin tief beeindruckt! Na ja, mit geschlossenen Augen ist vielleicht ein wenig uebertrieben formuliert, aber ich habe wirklich immer den Text so weit wie moeglich nach oben gescrollt und habe immer nur auf die Zeile geguckt, die ich gerade geschrieben habe! Ist anormal, ich weiss, aber was Donyc da auch macht... *schuettelt sich* Boeser Mann. LOL - deine Mutter - der Teufel? So weit ist es bei mir noch nicht - aber momentan habe ich eh eine sehr gelassene Einstellung, da ich in 2 Wochen eh umziehe, ich sag mir immer nur noch "Was soll's eigentlich"... Danke fuer sie schoene lange review! *g*
Ciria - Hah, wherever she is, I will find her and tell her what you're doing with the pineapples! *g* No, I will refrain from doing so if you promise to _only_ use them on your sister. Okay? Well, Elladan IS the oldest son and therefore responsible when Elrond is not there or incapacitated, isn't he? Well, I'm not sure about Cornallar myself. I think he's to be pitied, somehow, at least were he human. But he isn't, and a millennia old elf lord should know better. So, right now I think he is a fool, but that might change with time. *g* Okay, Aragorn is here about 22 or 23 years old, I think 22 though. Thanks so much for your long review, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Imbefaniel - Poetic scene/descriptions/songs/torture, huh? That's an interesting mix! Well, I admit I have quite a few guilt trips in here, but hey, there is NO way they would not react like that! I might have neither poetic scenes nor songs, but there is a bit of torture and a few descriptions... *g* Hope you feel warmer now!! Thanks for reviewing!
Arwen-Evenstar - Your every wish is my command, my lady! The next chapter is here! *smiles* Well, I hope you liked it and haven't fallen off your chair yet - don't look at me like that, it has happened to someone here, to Aurienia? I can't remember, but someone _did_ fall off his chair. Whatever.
Alilacia - *nods in satisfaction* That paragraph was supposed to be funny, I'm glad you liked it. I seem to be unable to write an entirely serious paragraph. *shrugs* Whatever. It could be worse, I guess. *giggles* Elrond as an elfling, interesting thought... Well, considering his history, he probably hadn't so much fun being the prisoner of the sons of Feanor, but still... Well, sorry, but they leave next chapter and not a minute earlier! Understood? You are not to tell them to go earlier, you would screw with the whole timeline! Timing is crucial here!!
Zam - *grins happily* Another huge review, thanks!! You are _evil_, a fingerless Estel, really... *giggles* God, I had forgotten about his nakedness, too, so ... save me a seat!! And some popcorn! I'm just catching a plane, I should be there in about, hm 6-9 hours? 'Lucky charms'? Do I even want to KNOW what you are talking about? The only thing that comes to mind is Austin Powers... *puts head in hands* Great, now Legolas is crying again, uhm, sorry, I know, they are 'unrestrained manly tears', sorry... Éomer!! Where are you!! Come here this instant and keep her from banging this poor elven prince over the head, will you!!! Okay, I'm going to move to Antarctica, you never know what Lina might do... See you!
ManuKu - *guckt sie anklagend an* Weisst du ueberhaupt, wie _schwer_ es ist, Ork-Blut aus dem Teppich zu kriegen? Na? *guckst sie noch anklagender an* Was soll das heissen, jetzt, da es 'gerade spannend geworden ist'?? Heisst das, vorher war es das nicht? Hah? Na gut, schon verstanden... *schlurft davon* LOL, keine Angst, nur Spass... *g* Hach, danke! *wird rot* So viele Komplimente auf einmal! Danke!! Ich hatte es schon mal erwaehnt, ja, aber fuer dich sage ich es doch gerne noch einmal *g*: Geplant sind so ungefaehr 20 Kapitel, aber das ist nur eine Richtschnur. Ich meine, urspruenglich sollte Legolas in Kap. 8 nach Rivendell kommen, man weiss ja nie... *g*
Aurienia - 'Drastic'? I and doing something 'drastic'? How did you know?? *evil grin* Exactly! *nods happily* He just couldn't escape, it would have destroyed the whole story. Everybody knows that - except for him, poor boy... *sympathetic smile* *pats Aurienia's back* Don't worry! I won't cut off anything - perhaps a toe though, because Mbali asked me too... *evil cackle* Well, I hope this chapter hasn't caused you to start fidgeting again, thanks for the great review!! *huges her back*
TrustingFriendship - *drops eyes* Well, yes, 'minimum' is a very vague expression, isn't it? I mean, it could have been a lot worse! Oh yes, it could have!! Cornallar could have decided to have some 'fun' himself... *evil grin*
Alexa - Yes, FF.net can be quite ... annoying sometimes, can it? Just like last time I wanted to upload a chapter, it took me over an hour to do so! *mumbles under her breath* Stupid FF.net, evil stupid FF.net... *g* Hm, yes the poison... In the beginning here you could see that he hasn't recovered completely yet, so I interpret an elf's immune system's reaction to poison in that way that once the poison is drawn from a wound, the patient recovers quickly, even though the wound itself needs some time to heal. Besides, Legolas had only been poisoned for two days, so it wasn't _that_ long. But you are right, I didn't really think about that. Thanks for all the compliments, oh, and don't worry, you can use the old ones again if you want to! LOL, just kidding...
Carrie - *huggles her* Carrie! It's so nice to see you!! *grabs Carrie as she once again tries to strangle our favourite evil elf* PLEASE stop doing that!!! Yes, I have to agree, Estel is indeed slamming into a lot of things here... trees ... the ground ... trees ... *g* Well done! *hands her a cookie* The Last Alliance it is! *looks at Carrie's demands carefully* Well, about Elrond: I'll see what I can do, but he is stubborn!!!; about Estel: *backs away slowly from angry Carrie* Well, it wasn't THAT bad, was it? Was it??? Meeeeppp!! Help!!; and about Legolas: Gosh, it IS his fault, isn't it?? *runs away cackling evilly* Just kidding, but he is just as stobborn as the rest of them, so it will tkae him some time to see reason... *g* Yay you! No school, that's great! Mind you, I shouldn't be complaining, my term ended Monday!! Yay Nili!!
Lievre - I'm writing, I'm writing, see? Thanks so much for your compliments, it's so great you like it! *beams* Uhm, yes, well ... *looks at her nervously* I _was_ nice to Elrond, wasn't I? And Estel is still alive, so there's no need to send your monsters after me!! But they wouldn't succeed anyway, since I have a balrog and a warg to protect me!! Mhahahaha!! *runs away to her new home in Antarctica cackling evilly*
Salara - Owww, danke! Ich hatte schon gedacht, du waerest wegen der Elrond-Angst-Session von mir abgefallen... *g* Und du hattest recht, das Bitten hat nicht viel geholfen, da das ganze schon geschrieben war. Sorry. *unechtes Grinsen* Tja, nun ist es ja eigentlich meine Pflicht, den guten alten Elrond ein wenig zu verletzen, damit du auch was zum Gesundpflegen hast! Ich gebe mir alle Muehe... *g* Danke fuer sie review, und wem sagst du das: die Haelfte der Zeit moechte ich meinen Rechner einfach nur erwuergen!! *g*
Cestari - Uhm well, yes, thanks very much, I'm glad you like it! And he didn't get _horribly_ beat up, did he? Just a tiny little bit... *g* And don't worry, your favourite elf and the dear twins will get their chance to have a little 'talk' with the kidnappers, sooner or later - knowing me, later... And you like Seobryn? Me too, he is cute, isn't he? *pats his head* LOL, so you'll scream, rip your hair out, go insane _and_ jump off a cliff? We can't have that, now can we? Here's the next bit, I hope you enjoyed it as well!!
Stasia - My God, you caught me at the last moment here! I was just about to update! What a nice surprose though! *huggles her* What a great review!! Thanks so much! See, I updated as soon as possible! And don't worry, Estel WILL be fine, the evil elves and men WILL get their comeuppance and you WILL NOT kill me! Understood? Dead people tend to be very bad authors... *g* I knew you'd like my curse! Siblings are funny, aren't they? My sister didn't like that one either... *g* Okay, I gotta post now, thanks once again for the great review!!
Phew, these notes keep getting longer and longer! And I LOVE it!! Thanks so much for your reviews, there's nothing better than to get up in the morning, turn on the computer and see all the nice Review Alerts in the inbox! Thanks!!!