Sarah here again! Some responses to all your wonderful feedback before I go into hiding:
phoenixqueen: Thank you so much! Um, yeah, there's some Legolas coming up! *smiles a little too innocently and changes subject* The sleep bit there was an brief mention of Cassia/Sio's stuff; we were referring to Aragorn's first visit to Mirkwood (where, of course, he got into a lot of trouble, met Legolas, and didn't come home until after 'First Meetings', 'Change of Mind, Change of Heart', 'Exile' and 'Return'!). Lots of your guesses were pretty near the mark -- I won't say *how* near ; ) -- except for a few of the directions (for example: the Southrons, since they were heading for the Brown Lands, are now on the *eastern* border of Rohan, and Theoden is going west). As for the Southrons Thorongil met, that's a little confusing. : | Basically: There are two groups of Southrons here. Harnwe was kicked out of Harad by his brother, Muindor, and is now east of Rohan. After Harnwe had gone *Muindor* attacked Gondor's southern border, and Denethor and Thorongil were sent south to defeat him. SO (if I haven't totally messed you up yet) the group of Southrons Thorongil and Duurben just fought were part of *Muindor's* army, not Harnwe's. Oh yes, and about your calendar: as Hannah put it: I'm too flattered to call her crazy! *gives phoenix some chocolate to help with college stress* : )
Halo: *oblidgingly kicks Halo's misbehaving computer* Thanks! : D
Jade Took: Welcome, welcome! I'm so glad you like it so far! : )
Gwyn: Yeah, it's pre-FOTR (year 2967 of the third age -- Aragorn is 36 -- if you want to cross-reference it on the timline in the appendices)! And it's okay: we got a little more complicated in this fic, so we figured we'd probably wind up confusing several people at least; and you're not the only one. ; )
None: Denethor: arogant. Yup, pretty much! As for *why* he's that way, I'm afraid he's got a bit of an inferiority complex (at least, according to Tolkien in Unfinished Tales, I think it was), and to him Thorongil looks like a serious threat. It was always interesting to me that, in spite of his suspicions, he never realized that Thorongil was a *legitimate* 'threat'; what with the whole 'future king' thing. Just as well he died before Aragorn arrived in Minas Tirith in ROTK. And Legolas.... right.... um... yeah, he's in this chapter. *prepares to make tracks for Angmar*
e: Alas! I fear we shall remain unforgiven for quite some time! Really, I can't but apologize and explain that there is no way to fix it: what's written is written, and we broke enough rules of good fic production by bumping a Legolas chapter so close to the beginning for you like that... Yes, Theoden was surrounded by sisters (poor guy), and he is the future king as well as the middle child! Tolkien never actually mentioned any of their names except Theodwyn, but he *did* say that Theoden was the third child and had no brothers. We filled in the blanks on where they had gone ourselves. : ) *glances from the Southrons to the Rohirrim and back* Somehow, I don't think their invasion will be 'well recieved', if you mean 'greeted at the border with flowers and balloons'. If you mean the Rohirrim are going to kick them out before they even enter, or something like that, I'm afraid I can't comment! : ) Well, since Legolas is a close second, and since I can't give you the chapter where they meet yet, here is a just-Legolas chapter. Yeah. *ducks*
reginabean: Welcome and thanks! I'm so glad that, of all the distractions, you picked us! : D And I like stories like that myself; especially when the groundwork is already laid for you. *takes the hint* Yup, Legolas is here now. Mm-hm. *smiles disarmingly and begins to slip away*
Larus: *grins* Yeah, we'd noticed that about fighting... Truly, though, in a pre-FOTR time-period like this one (and even in post-ROTK, some of the time), fighting just seems to be unavoidable. I guess it's because of the villains with which Tolkien populated his world; they just can't solve anything without blood and violence! To be quite honest, after all the work it took to make the last 'epic battle scenes' presentable, Hannah and I had promised ourselves we would not have any in the next fic!! What a surprise when we came away from our initial planning session and realized we already had at least three, and couldn't think of any way to get out of them! My darling (rotten) little sister's idea was that *I* should write them all, but in the end she consented to help on at least a few. ; D THANKS! I really enjoyed Thengel's family, but I wasn't sure how it would go over, since everybody would be rooting for more Thorongil and Legolas; I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it! As for what will happen to them, well, I'm afraid my lips are sealed. Yup on the Southrons: next stop: Rohan! And yup on Theoden! He's now officially 'somewhere else'... *plays ominous music* *hugs Larus* And a last thank you for your wonderful words on our maneuvering!! More hugs and some chocolate for you (though you may want to save the chocolate, since I don't know if it'll mix well with a cocktail... ; P )! *bounces off to post some more... after which she will slink away and hide under a rock*
Mercredi: Another hug for you!! You have a knack for picking up on all the parts I most wondered if anyone would notice (let alone like)! In particular: the scene with Thengel's family (of whom I became rather fond, even though they do not -- as a group -- come into this story much), Thorongil's 'confrontation' with Denethor (such as it wasn't ; ), and Mavranor and Harnwe's straight-forward-ness. Passionate villainy does make it's appearance in this story (though in what way, shape, or form, I'm afraid I cannot tell you), but Hannah and I have grown rather tired of illogical bad guys that depend on it so heavily. Thank you so much!!! : )
Elwen: Aw, thanks! I'm pleased beyond expression that our cute little family went over so well; Taetho especially, since she's the only we invented ourselves. : )
Lina: Lina, Lina, Lina! What can I say? We smiled, we sighed, we grinned, we died (laughing, of course). And in the end? We agreed that we look forward to your reviews with a relish usually reserved for chocolate and Lord of the Rings; no matter how, um, out of control you can sometimes be… To be quite honest, I wonder if you might not be rubbing off on Eomer! Still, so long as you liked our post (small romance, cuteness, old jokes, and all) and didn't actually manage to damage our villain, I think we will turn a blind eye, deaf ear, and innocent smile. : D Thanks so much, girl!
Eomer: Sorry about your hair; I didn't really mean it… much! Anyway, if you get into a habit of arguing with your uncle like this, I may need to come up with some way for Lina to restrain *you*. *blinks* I didn't just write that; I can't have…
Rainydayz: *looks sheepish* Yeah, I guess we all kind of have that effect on people…. Believe me, it's not intentional! ; ) As for Legolas… *gets an even more sheepish look* Well, this could be a case of 'be careful what you whine for'.
sabercrazy: I never liked Denethor either!! Which explains how I can write his bad side with such conviction; jerk. ; D I'm sure Duurben reminded him at some point; I don't think we ever say exactly. But while Thorongil doesn't like a fuss being made over him, he also knows better than to let himself bleed to death, so sooner or later, he'll patch himself up of his own accord. Maybe. *eyes get round over the mention of caffeine AND sugar* Uh-oh. *dodges stray blow from rubber chicken* ACK! Get off her, I'm posting, I'm posting! *mutters* After which I'm going to Angmar and I'm not coming back until you lose the chicken. ; )
w: THANK YOU!! And welcome! You've just made our day. : ) Our dialogue is, I'm sometimes afraid, a case of hit-or-miss, so I'm glad it came out right in the end. And I'm so glad you liked our OCs! That's enough to make you our friend for life; we are very fond of OCs. ; D Sorry about the grammar mistakes! We are, alas, continually discovering new flaws in our writing and have only just conquered the it's/its monster. *wry grin*
MAY IT BE UNDERSTOOD: This chapter was written by Hannah (Siri). I only condoned it. : }
*hits 'post' button and runs for dear life*
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Thorongil
By Sarah and Hannah (Siri)
(disclaimers, explanations, and summaries
available at the top of chapter 1)
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Chapter 6
Sacrifice and Capture
Legolas and Meldir fell back as the men awoke immediately and rose to their feet, weapons in hand, pointed at the two elves. Legolas spoke in the common tongue, raising his hands in peace.
"We mean no harm to you sons of men." He said clearly. There were four men in all, but he feared there were more about; certainly that must have been what they had heard in the forest. Meldir moved forward slightly, trying to put himself between Legolas and the possible danger.
The men were dressed strangely and seemed not to comprehend the meaning of Legolas' words. One snapped something to one of his fellows vehemently in another language, and Legolas recognized the words as Southron speech. The elves knew not what the Haradrim would seek this far from their native land, but they intended that no chance of attack would be given them.
"We mean no harm to you." Legolas repeated, attempting to back away. Then, quicker than the eyes of men could follow and upon a mutual agreement, Legolas and Meldir turned and fled the camp.
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Koth, Captain of Harnwe's westbound scouting party, entered the camp just as the two elves escaped. His shock was only marked by a slight expression of horror at sight of the creatures, but when the elves fled he ran to his men.
"They have seen us." He said in their native tongue, though he knew the common tongue as well. "The elf devils must not return to their own and tell them of us." His voice was urgent and nearly fearful; he had of course heard of these elven sorcerers, but he had thought them far across the great river, and had felt certain they would not stumble across his party.
The men ran into the woods, giving pursuit to the two elves at their captain's order. "Call the others, we must block their escape! Kill them if you catch them!" Koth called after them. His Southron wrath beginning to boil in his heart, long had it been since he had taken blood.
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Legolas and Meldir tore through the forest on swift feet; their clothing getting snagged and caught on the branches and brambles that hung low to the ground and rose up from below their feet. Legolas felt his heart throbbing with the urgency of their escape; he knew their pursuers were right behind and his heart gave an unexpected leap when suddenly a crashing sound rang out from their left.
The prince dodged to the side, yanking Meldir with him just as a group of about three men came bursting through the trees. They had obviously been scouting ahead and were now cutting the two elves off. Legolas dragged Meldir several faltering steps to the right as the men advanced and the ominous sounds of crashing brush came from behind them. They now had two directions to go... Legolas' mind worked fast as Meldir notched an arrow to his bow and put himself between the prince and the advancing humans. Suddenly their path was chosen for them as angry shouts and further crashes and snapping of bracken alerted Legolas that more men were coming from the right. Legolas quickly motioned to Meldir and the two ran from the men heading the only direction they could; back they way they had come.
The elves could easily out distance the men, and, being as they were accustomed to traveling through forests, they soon reached open land once more. It was then that Legolas realized that the men had planned this all along. With Southrons on all three sides and the steep cliff and water to their back, Legolas knew their chances of escape were slight. They could not run to either side because even now the men were drawing from the trees like so many shadows cast by the moon. Pulling out his bow he notched an arrow to it; Meldir had already done so.
"My lord." Meldir whispered, as the men slowly closed the distance to the trapped elves. "If you would try to flee, I could cover your retreat."
"Nay Meldir!" Legolas' hard voice startled the younger elf, and then his words lowered as he added murmured, "I would not leave you to face this alone."
The men broke from the trees all ahead of them now and Legolas counted at least ten in all, not too many for them to handle, but with no where to run they would have to build up a strong offence to break through. The first arrow loosed was from Meldir's bow and as the hiss of air sounded close to Legolas' ear, he loosed the second. Both found their mark and two Southrons dropped to the ground, mortally wounded as far as the companions could see, but they were each already targeting a second man.
Now, though, the Southron's were ready, rushing the elves suddenly, they only gave them a chance to loose a single arrow each: Meldir's nearly grazing one and Legolas' imbedding in the leg of another. With the Southrons so close they were forced to put their bows aside and draw out their knives. Legolas inched a little closer to the edge of the bank and felt a wind toss the cold air from the Anduin up behind him.
His dagger clashed with the gleaming scimitar of a Southron, one he recognized as being from the camp they had stumbled upon. He slashed with one dagger at the man while holding at bay another beside him. Legolas knew that Meldir was locked in a similar combat with another Southron. The men seemed hesitant to completely overwhelm the elves, as both were keeping a very fast and deadly defense, and with the two back to back, there was no way to get around one or the other.
Legolas slashed again at his opponent and caught the man's blade once more against his own. After the singing of steel against steel Legolas drew away, and as he did so, the Southron threw a iron clad boot into the prince's feet in an attempt to trip him up. Legolas caught himself, jerking forward only a little at the surprise attack, and he quickly sliced the man across the chest, but this lurch forward had been a fatal mistake. As soon as his own back had jerked away from Meldir's, Koth saw his chance.
The man dove towards the prince with all intention of driving his scimitar into the elf's exposed back. Legolas turned slightly and saw Koth come. The man's eyes were momentarily bright with the rush of his movement and Legolas had not a moment to defend himself. Then in a single heartbeat, someone behind him took him by the shoulders, pushing him forward sharply. Unprepared, Legolas fell forward and hit the ground hard, his vision jarring for a brief moment — then he was harshly wrenched back to the present as a gasping cry sounded right in his ear. He felt the one who had grab him fall forward, weeping softly in pain as the Southron released the handle of the blade...in Meldir's back.
Legolas dropped his dagger in shock, twisting to catch hold of the elf on top of him and kneeling on the cold ground. "Meldir!" He cried shifting the wounded elf's head to a position on his arm. A gleaming crimson stain spread across his companion's back and soaked Legolas' sleeve. "No Meldir." Legolas whispered, his eyes burning, but dry with shock. He placed his hand on his friend's chest, trying to gauge the elf's breathing, but his palm encountered a sharp point: the tip of the Southron's scimitar, and he flinched away, knowing he could not remove it.
"I-I am sorry my-lord." Meldir gasped his eyes wide with pain and his face drained white. "L-Legolas, I am s-sorry."
"Do not be sorry my friend." Legolas' voice trembled as he spoke. "Just stay — hold on here, everything will be..." Legolas' voice trailed away as Meldir shuddered convulsively in his arms and went limp, his silver eyes fluttering shut as his immortal life was extinguished like a ray of sun and his spirit fled him. Legolas gasped a sob over his friend and hugged the lifeless body close.
This however was all the Southrons would allow. Roughly two of the men dragged Legolas to his feet and put a dagger to his throat preparing to kill him as well, but Legolas' eyes did not move from his friend who lay lifeless before him.
He felt the sharp steel against his throat, but only closed his eyes. "Meldir." He whispered softly his friend's name and felt a single, scorching tear run down his cheek.
"Hold!" Koth called. Stepping over Meldir's body carelessly, he moved up to Legolas and looked at the elf closely. "We cannot let him travel back to his own land, of course. However our king may have use for him. Take him."
The two bound Legolas roughly in obedience to their captain and dragged the elf prince back towards the forest.
"What do we do with this?" One man asked nudging at Meldir's body.
"Throw it down the river," another suggested.
"Fool!" Koth snapped. "And let those devils across the river find it? Nay, we dig a pit for it and bury it." The captain kicked the dead elf harshly in irritation and switched without meaning to into the common tongue. "Just get rid of it."
Legolas' heart knotted at the man's calloused words. Koth cared not that he had extinguished an immortal flame — that he had destroyed what could not be replaced — that he had killed elf's friend.
As he was pushed into the forest, Legolas turned to look at Meldir one last time, desperate to change what had happened, but knowing he could not. Shutting his eyes he whispered softly in the gray tongue, though his voice shook with grief. "Namárië, sadron mellon nin."
"Quiet you!" One of the men holding him snapped in his own tongue, shoving the elf forward. In truth this man was more afraid of the fair creature than anything else, but he did as he was ordered.
Legolas sat bound hand and foot, but upright against the trunk of a tree. Around him the Southrons began to make camp again and he lay his head back against it, staring up at the stars through the tangled trees. The pain was still so near that he did not think of where they were taking him, or what they would do with him when they arrived. He only thought of Meldir and mourned his friend silently to the stars, and at last his open eyes gazed out into nothing and he fell asleep.
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Legolas awoke to the swishing of earth being dug. Letting his eyes focus on the men before him, he saw them shoveling out the dark earth and piling it beside them. A crude pit for a crude burial. Legolas watched in silent anguish as his friend was thrown into the pit and slowly covered with dirt until only his hand, still clenched, could be seen… and then nothing at all.
Stunned and horror-struck, Legolas didn't resist as they cut him from the tree and bound his hands behind him once more, pushing him into the forest to what destination he did not know and could not guess.
But his heart was too numb to care.
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"Where are we taking the rat?" One of the men dragging Legolas along by a length of rope tied to the elf's throat asked the question with mounting distaste.
"Back to King Harnwe." Koth responded. "He may want this thing, and I'm sure he will be pleased with the results of this night."
One of the men looked over at Legolas, apparently expecting the elf to break free of his bonds and kill them all, and he seemed prepared to run if this should happen.
"What do you suppose these elf devils can do?" He asked in a hushed tone.
"Be not so fearful Gaur." Koth laughed cruelly. "None can break the strong Southron bonds, and this one will be no different. Besides, he is far too sullen after the loss of his fellow." This last he said in the common tongue, and at his words, Legolas turned his face up, the deep moonlight glinted off his cheeks which were stained with tears he had shed. For a fleeting moment, Koth seemed transfixed by the creature, as though he had never seen anything quite so beautiful and so heart-shattering in all his life. But then he abruptly turned away and gave a snort of disgust. "Fool of a creature, he should never have brought himself and that other one into our business." Legolas heard the man spit something in his own tongue and flinched at the curse.
For the remainder of the journey Legolas became silent. He let the tears burn, fall and dry in the sun the next day brought, but he no longer wept the loss so bitterly; he was now beginning to realize what danger he was in, and as they at last approached their final destination, he felt his heart beat rapidly in fear of what he would behold.
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"Move!" Koth snapped irritably striking Legolas once again with his walking rod. Koth had been harsh with him on this length of the journey, eager to be rid of this burden he was bringing to Harnwe.
Legolas realized that they were at the outskirts of a Southron camp; around him he saw many Southron soldiers moving about the business of their king, bound to carry out whatever fair or foul deeds had been set in motion. His eyes cast around him and he began to wonder where exactly he was. Unless his innate senses deceived him, he was sure their direction had been southeast, taking them near Rohan, a land he had never visited before in his time. He knew then that if he were to escape there would be very little hope that he would find his way once again to where he had begun.
His mind was drawn from this thought as Koth hailed a sentry close by and rattled something sharply in the Southron speech. The sentry nodded and moved away through the ranks of Southron soldiers.
At length the man returned and beside him was a man of kingly stature, this, Legolas knew, must be Harnwe. However as the king drew closer his eyes fell upon the prisoner and became as embers of heated steel.
"Fool!" He snapped fiercely in the tongue Legolas could understand so as to hide his words from the common men. "You are a fool, Captain Koth, to bring one of *their* kind here! When those sorcerers across the river find one of their own missing they will pursue you here, make no mistake!"
Koth looked uncomfortably at his liege and bowed his head under the rebuke. "My lord, I thought only that it would not be prudent to kill him, nor release him to tell our whereabouts to his people. We already killed one of his kind and considered that your lordship may have use for him."
Legolas jolted inwardly at the reference again to Meldir. The embers in the king's eyes died slightly and the enraged expression smoldered to concealed annoyance.
"I shall kill him now if it is your wish my lord." Koth looked as though he would be all to happy to do it and drew out his weapon.
But Harnwe raised his hand and halted him. "No, there is no sense to it now, but I have no use for such a beast at present. Take him away and put him where I will not have to trouble myself with him for the time." Harnwe showed that this was his final word and moved away swiftly.
Koth was now deeply angered and took it out fiercely on his prisoner, knocking his rod harshly against the elf's back, shoving him forward. "Bring him!" He ordered curtly and the men followed in his wake, dragging Legolas with them. Legolas felt a grim sense of foreboding fall upon him. He could not see what lay ahead of him, but somewhere the light seemed to dim and he felt more alone than he had felt ever before.
TBC…