Rating: Definite Pg - 13 for this one.
Warnings: Character Deaths (Actually, I got mad and killed everyone - good and bad)
Author's Note: Well gang, I almost decided to extend the length of this story (sorry White wolf). But this is it - The Final Showdown. However, if I get enough requests I will be thrilled to write you guys a sequel. So if you want one please let me know. Depending on how the reviews go of whether you want a sequel or not, it will sway the outcome of the next and last chapter, so I need to know.
Hang on everyone, this is going to be a long one. Without further babbling on with the story...
*******
The Choices We Make
******
Chapter 18 Hope's Requiem
You cannot run away from a weakness, you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand?
- Robert Louis Stevenson
*******
Glorfindel raced through the trees with Elladan and Elrohir, still limping slightly, right on his heels. He was pushing them at a pace that even the sons of Elrond would not have thought possible from the usually modest elf.
"Where are we going?" Elladan called.
"We are in danger of loosing them both if we do not make it to Carn Dum before the dawn. Valdumus, that agaryulnaer, will kill your brother shortly before the sun rises and the longer Legolas stays under his grasp the less chance there is of getting him back." //blood-sucker//
Many questions sprung up in Elladan and Elrohir head. They had never heard the even-tempered Glorfindel call anyone names before.
"Why would he bring Estel all the way back to Carn Dum only to kill him?" asked Elladan.
"And bring Legolas back from what?" his brother finished.
Glorfindel answered them without slowing down.
"Because Malaryn said Valdumus is not after Aragorn, so after he has his fun with Estel he will kill him. As for Legolas you should be prepared that he might resist you."
"Who is Malaryn?"
"And why would Legolas resist us?"
Glorfindel briefly told the twins about his meeting with Malaryn as they ran.
"So we are to break a stone? Are you sure you are feeling well?" asked Elladan slightly out of breath at trying to match pace with the older elf.
"Elladan," Glorfindel said in a tone that brooked no further argument.
"I am sorry Glorfindel. It is just rather strange, but with Estel and Legolas involved somehow it does not surprise me."
"Huh, I hate to be the one to think gloomily, but how are we supposed to get past the orcs that live there?" asked Elrohir.
Glorfindel was about to answer that he did not know, but before he could speak a voice rang through his head. It was gentle and overpowering at the same time.
Elladan grabbed hold of the golden haired elf as he stumbled and almost fell.
"Elrond has taken care of that," he said simply and took off again.
"How in Middle Earth does adar plan to do that from Imladris," Elladan asked incredulously.
"And how is that woman, err, whatever, communicating with ada?"
"To answer you both at the same time - I do not know."
"Alright then, you told us what to look out for from the one we are about to go against, but you never told us what they are," Elladan could not stop asking questions.
"As to what Malaryn's sister is I have no idea, but I do know what Valdumus is."
When Glorfindel continued his voice took on a steely edge to it that neither of the twins had ever heard before and were suddenly glad he was not coming after them.
"He is an abomination and must be stopped. Simply now that it is a maia we face. We will have time to talk about it later."
Elladan and Elrohir ran on in stunned silence. He was one of the servitor maiar of Morgoth made by him when he twisted the dragons, balrogs, and other foul things into existence.
"Glorfindel, you said he is a maia?" asked Elrohir.
"Yes, young one, a lesser one."
"Then how are we to kill this thing?"
Glorfindel's face darkened.
"Leave that to me."
For an elf that had been through the war against the dragons and balrogs, Elladan and Elrohir were not about to argue.
******
Aragorn suppressed his wide-eyed stare at the formidable stone tower. He would not give Legolas the pleasure of seeing him afraid. I truth, though, Aragorn was afraid. Whatever had so ensnared the elf's mind was in there. The ranger steeled himself. Whatever was in there could also undo what it had done to Legolas and he would face it gladly if there were a chance of freeing his friend's mind.
The group walked out into the open gray lands and a shudder went down Aragorn's spin. He wondered if it was the same type of shudder that Legolas had felt right before they entered those, Valar curse them, woods. This open land was cold and Aragorn could help but shiver with it. He tried to reassure himself that the only reason was because he had spent so long under the dense warm canopy and that the spring air was cool, as it should be. For some reason, though, the air was cool, but it did not feel refreshing at all.
They received plenty of leering stares and rude comments when they passed through the small courtyard area to the tower. They approached its massive stone entrance and suddenly Aragorn did not know if he could force himself to go in or not. His heart pounded in his ears and he simply could not move his legs. The last few days had been too hard, only to end in him allowing his friend to be entrapped into darkness. Aragorn's nerves and limits were being pushed to the edge of what he could cope with and his breathing became heavy as he fought to master his emotions. He felt a light touch on the shoulder that would have been comforting had he not looked to the face of the perpetrator and the saw the mockingly cruel eyes looking back at him, where there should have been bright, kind ones instead coming from the elf behind him. Legolas stood there leering. At Nadina's assurance Legolas had been given his weapons back as they left the cave.
"What is the matter engwar? //the sickly-one of the elvish names for men//
Aragorn, in no mood to handle this right now, became angry.
"Leave me alone you guileful elf," he hissed.
"Guileful?" Legolas laughed.
"Would yous two move it!" Grimnosh complained behind them, "Do you plan on standin' there till morning?"
"After you," Legolas said as he held his arm out in front of him.
Aragorn clenched his fist together in anger. He really wanted wipe that smug look off of Legolas' face.
"Need cooled off human?" he heard a throaty voice in his ear as a chill went down his spine.
Oh, how he wished she would stop doing that! He felt Grimnosh's strong hand shove him from behind to get him walking. Aragorn clenched his fist until they were white. It would do no good striking out at anyone, no matter how satisfying it would feel. He scowled at everyone and started walking.
Radoc did not enter the tower, but turned and headed off for the Misty Mountains. The rest of the group went up a long spiral staircase and stopped in front of a large wooden door. The door opened before anyone could knock to reveal a wiry orc.
He went back to stand behind a figure and Aragorn knew right away that this was the thing that haunted Legolas and his every step for the past days. Aragorn was not quite prepared for what he saw or felt. It appeared a slender pale man dressed in black robes and a black cape, with a simple red stone hanging on a finely wrought silver chain that stood in front of him. The ranger's sensed were telling him differently, though. Darkness, far worse than that horrible woman, something he never thought possible, radiated off of this being. It sent a chill down his spine from the other side of the room. No mortal could contain such an evil aura. This had to be some sort of dark immortal servant of the dark lord.
Jeridan walked in first and placed Aragorn's sword on the table and came back to stand behind Grimnosh and the ranger.
"You are partially right, human," Valdumus said.
Aragorn's eyes widen briefly. He had not said anything out loud.
Valdumus gave him a mirthless laugh.
"Come now, ranger, I have manipulated the elf's mind from here. Why do you find it so surprising that I can read yours while you are standing right in front of me?" Valdumus said in the same manner, as one would address a child.
"Come here," he beckoned.
Aragorn was not given much choice as Grimnosh pushed him forward by the shoulders. As Aragorn drew closer to the evil creature a steady coldness came over the ranger and worsened the closer he got. The ranger stood right in front of the being who had caused them so much trouble trying not to show the shivering he was doing from the cold. Pale blue eyes just as devoid of any warmth looked down over him and he put forth his best effort to meet the cold gaze. Aragorn defiantly meet the piercing and keen stare. Those eyes felt like they were looking strait into his soul and he did not know how long he could steel his composure. The orcs hands on his shoulders felt increasingly warm to the touch.
"Do not like the cold, infant?" Valdumus, stated more than asked.
"I am sure you noticed Nadina does not mind."
Nadina's ghostly figure materialized right next to Valdumus and Aragorn gave a slightly confused look.
"No, human, it does not bother me."
With that Valdumus reached out a pale hand and placed it where Nadina's shoulder would have been. He held his hand touching her frigid form without the slightest hints that it was even uncomfortable.
Aragorn had had enough games and mysteries to last a lifetime.
"What do you want with me?" he asked angrily.
Valdumus stepped silently up to Aragorn and he could not stop the shudder that went down his spine. Valdumus reached out a deceptively frail hand and clasped Aragorn's chin with an iron grip. The hand felt as cold as steel as well. The grasp was painful and it felt like he was going to crush something. Aragorn refused to let the fear or pain show in his eyes. The first signs of amusement flashed in Valdumus' cold eyes.
"You human? Who said I wanted you? Humans are easy to come by," Valdumus said calmly giving a slight nod to Jeridan standing on the other side of the room with Legolas.
"The easiest way to make your kind of human suffer is by using your compassion against you. I have done that since you set foot in my forest. I have watched you worry over your friend and suffer through helpless despair. I have even watched you sing uselessly over your friend. I will admit that you were quite entertaining, but that was your only purpose. In essence, I do not want anything from you boy. I wanted the elf."
Valdumus released Aragorn's chin and Legolas came to his side as if called.
"But I do not understand," Aragorn could not get anything else to form and come out.
"Why?" said Valdumus.
Valdumus gave him another laugh. He held up his hand and the elf walked right up next to Valdumus. Aragorn was barely holding back the shivers this close, but Legolas standing almost right up against Valdumus did not seem to notice at all and Aragorn began to give up hope that there was any trace of his friend left in there.
Aragorn watched in horror as Valdumus waved his hand in front of Legolas' face and the elf's eyes went vacant and he stud there as if in a daze. Valdumus turned to him and gave Aragorn the most malign look he had ever seen.
"Legolas?" Aragorn breathed.
"Legolas!"
"What did you do to him!?" Aragorn yelled.
Aragorn tried to pull forward toward the elf, but the orc's hands squeezed even tighter around his arms with enough strength to bruise them.
Valdumus gave him a mirthless smile.
"It will not do any good, boy. I know control his body and thoughts, soon I will control his mind."
"Why?" Aragorn asked beseechingly.
"When I break into his mind I will have access to all of his memories."
Suddenly Aragorn understood. Valdumus knew Legolas was a prince and he wanted access to one with an elven royal family's knowledge. To find out where the three rings were, the strongholds, and, Aragorn swallowed, if any of Isildur's heirs still lived. And if Legolas did not know, Valdumus had the perfect spy - an elven prince. Obviously, Valdumus did not know who he was yet. Aragorn forced himself to concentrate on stopping these lines of thoughts, aware that the monster could be listening to his them even now.
Aragorn realized he gained control over his thoughts too late as Valdumus turned to him with a strange gleam in his eyes that made Aragorn's blood turn cold.
******
The three elves ran swiftly through the entire night and weary and out of breath they arrived at Carn Dum shortly before dawn. The land was barren around the tower and it would be impossible for one to get to and inside it without the orcs that were milling about spotting them. They scanned the area with their eyes and could not see aught but orcs and stone. They did not see any signs of whatever help there was supposed to be.
"What are we to do now?" asked Elrohir.
"Nothing has changed," Glorfindel said calmly, "we must still get into that tower."
"Glorfindel is right. I said I would come here if I had to and fate has seen it necessary. I will still go in after Legolas and Estel no matter what," said Elladan determinedly.
"You know I will too. Well, there is no chance of sneaking by them, so shall we go in by the front door?" asked Elrohir.
Glorfindel shrugged and stood up.
"Why not."
Elladan and Elrohir shrugged and stood as well. Why not?
The three elves stood and walked for the tower with swords drawn. The orcs saw the approaching elves quickly and shouts rang out as the orcs gathered at the gate. Some had a malevolent glee in their eyes at the approach of a small number of hated enemies they could torture. Other looked around fearfully expecting elves to jump out at them at any moment. Some of the orcs could not wait for the elves slow progress and a large number charged toward the lone three, while most stayed at the gate. The three looked ahead to the charging horde
"Gurth gothrim lye!" Elladan yelled as the three ran to meet the charge.
//Death to our foes!//
******
Valdumus turned angrily on Legolas. At the prospect of who this annoying ranger in front of him was, Valdumus put the subtle prying aside. He concentrated intensely on the elf for a moment then his eyes narrowed as Legolas' eyes snapped shut and he grabbed at his head in pain.
"You knew," Valdumus hissed.
Valdumus wheeled around on Aragorn and grabbed the human by the chin again. He lifted him all the way off the floor this time with one hand. Ulak and Grimnosh backed off a little at seeing their lord angry.
"Well met Aragorn son of Arathorn, Isildur's heir."
Aragorn brought his bound hands up to the creature's wrist to try and hold himself up. Aragorn felt like Valdumus was going to crush his jaw and throat and he could not pry the grip off him.
*****
Right as the first bloodthirsty orc reached Elrohir he prepared to meet it, only for it to convulse suddenly and drop to the ground. Elrohir looked down wide-eyed at the orc writhing on the ground with an arrow sticking out of its chest.
Both elves and orcs paused in stunned silence for a tense moment, then chaos broke out in the courtyard.
Arrows assaulted the orcs out of their own broken down buildings. The orcs right in front of the three took of running back toward the gate yelling it was a trap, while the orcs inside the tower came running out to face whatever was attacking them. Elves appeared out of the landscape to run into the orcs and start hacking them down.
Elrohir bent among the chaos and plucked the arrow out of the dying orc's chest. He looked up at Glorfindel and Elladan.
"It is of Mirkwood make, but how?"
"I do not know and I do not care. I could personally get down and grovel at Thranduil's feet for this," Elladan joked.
"Come we must get inside," Glorfindel bade them.
*******
"What is going?"
Valdumus put Aragorn down when they heard sounds of fighting going on outside. Aragorn inhaled deep breaths as soon as the fiend's hand was removed. Grimnosh stepped back up and grabbed a hold of the ranger's shoulders.
Valdumus wheeled around to Nadina.
"Go find out what that is!"
Nadina's form melted away and disappeared. After Valdumus turned away from him, Legolas had returned to the dazed state he was in earlier. No one moved until Nadina floated back in and took on her ghostly appearance.
'There are elves attacking the tower," she said bewildered.
"That cannot be! I would have felt them!"
Valdumus closed his eyes and concentrated all of his energy toward the courtyard. Now that he stopped to pay attention he did feel something. A subtle presence enveloping something. Enveloping what? Valdumus gathered every once of will and malice he possessed and focused it into one sudden powerful burst of energy aimed directly at the subtle presence.
*****
Back in Rivendell, Elrond was sitting at a table with his arms resting on it. His hands were clasped together and he was resting his head on his hands from the strain of bending his will in two different places. Celaviel, refusing to leave, was sitting next to him. He was surprised at the sudden attack as a dark and oppressive weight hit him. The surge caused him to lose his concentration and it roughly severed his connection to the elves and Malaryn. His body involuntarily convulsed at the intrusion and the movement sent the Lord of Rivendell toppling from his chair, with the elf maid staring on wide-eyed.
*****
Elladan, Elrohir, and Glorfindel pushed their way through the confusion. Orcs and elves were everywhere. Once they reached the gate and entered the crowd thinned to just orcs as they were one of the first ones to enter. Other elves followed them inside and worked to subdue the orcs on the inside. Going on, at Glorfindel's guess they ran up the stairs instead of going lower into the tower, fighting through orcs as they went. They had almost reached the top when a small band of orcs blocked the passage.
Glorfindel, in the lead, used his momentum and plowed into the surprised orc in front sending him colliding into his companions behind him. He followed the orc back into the middle of its companions driving his sword into the orc he was using as a battering ram. He ripped the sword out and in the process slamming that elbow into the orc's face to his right. He turned and finished the stunned orc.
The orc to Glorfindel's left moved into attack the elf, but Elladan intercepted him. He deflected the blow down and smacked the palm of his other hand into the orc's nose. The orcs staggered backwards and Elladan grabbed a hold of its color and shoved him towards the stairs. The orc went flailing into two orcs coming up the stair and all three went head over heals back down.
Elrohir was parrying with two orcs, when he stepped in to slam one of them against the wall he unwittingly used his injured knee as his primary support against the orc's weight. The knee buckled sending Elrohir lurching sideways. The stunned orc that he smashed against the wall and Elrohir both went sprawling to the floor leaving Elrohir wide open to the second orc.
Elladan saw his brother crash to the ground after he threw the orc down the stairs and, using the only form of projectile he had right now, he threw his sword at the orc about to skewer his brother. The sword struck the orc in the neck easily going through all the way. Elrohir finished off the orc he had fallen on and looked over to his brother as Glorfindel stabbed the last of the orcs barring the hallway.
They looked at each other to make sure no one was seriously hurt. Their keen ears heard the sounds of more orcs coming up the stairs. Elrohir rose pulling Elladan sword out of the orc's neck at the same time. When he rose he tossed it back to Elladan who caught it easily. He turned to Glorfindel and gave him a half smile.
"Go! Elladan and I will take care of them."
Glorfindel looked at the two younger elves, then nodded and ran down the passage.
******
Aragorn used the chance while Valdumus was doing... whatever. The news that elves were here, no doubt for Legolas and he, brought new strength to his heart. He brought his hands up and grabbed a hold of the orc firmly, lifted his legs from the floor, and, using both feet, he kicked out at the black robed figure. Aragorn hit him squarely in the chest and Valdumus stumbled back in surprise. The ranger's feet hit the red stone pendent breaking the chain and the stone went clattering across the floor. Aragorn noticed the expression that crossed the fiend's face when he noticed the pendent had broke. Using his upraised arms he bent over sharply pulling the orc over with him and flipped him over his shoulder. He left the momentarily stunned orc and bolted for the pendent.
Jeridan also bolted for the pendent and he collided with the ranger as they reached it, sending the both of them skidding across the floor and into the wall. The pendent went sliding also to stop several feet away near the door. As Aragorn was struggling with the other human he saw Valdumus stalking toward him out of the corner of his eye. He had no doubt this was going to be a short fight indeed.
Before Valdumus could reach the ranger everyone in the room stopped in surprise as the door swung violently open. Aragorn's eyes widened in surprise and he gave a shout of joy when Glorfindel stepped through the door.
Glorfindel saw that Aragorn and Legolas were still alive and turned his attention to the evil thing in front of him.
"Why don't you pick on someone your own age?" he called to the fiend.
Valdumus curled his lip at the fair-haired elf. He could feel the sheer amount of light that this one possessed. This one had to be a high elf. First there were elves in the courtyard and now there was a high elf in his chamber. He was loosing his patience with the situation. He turned to Legolas still awaiting his orders and standing next to Grimnosh.
"Those are your kin outside elf. You can call them off, tell them all is well, and order them to leave," he thought out loud.
Valdumus turned back to Glorfindel and strode toward him. Glorfindel cast a quick glance at Aragorn.
"Destroy that stone," he quickly told Aragorn as he led the human's gaze toward the pendent.
Aragorn knew better than to argue and nodded his head. Jeridan knocked the ranger over before he could rise. Aragorn was getting feed up with this sniveling excuse for a human and kicked out at the human with all of his strength. He hit Jeridan in the stomach and the human fell backwards. Aragorn sprung up and lunged forward slamming the other human's head into the wall. Jeridan's head snapped backwards into the wall and he slid limply to the ground.
Aragorn leaped to his feet and ran over to the necklace. He picked it up and raised it above his head to smash into the ground. Before he could bring his arm down a white mist filled his vision and he froze in place from the cold.
"I don't think so," Nadina hissed.
She wanted to make this one suffer before he died, just for the sheer pleasure of it. She chuckled in delight as she pulled back a little. There was no need to hurry after all.
Aragorn would have screamed in pain had he had the breath to do so. The cold ripped all of the air out of his lungs and he could not draw any back in. Cold so intense it burned seared through his body and in that moment he knew he was not going to get out of this one and he was doomed. His pain- dulled mind barely noticed that another familiar figure entered the door. Glorfindel said the stone must be destroyed and he still held it. He could not feel his hands, but he went on the chance that he had not dropped it yet. With every bit of will and strength Aragorn had he forced his body to respond through the pain and bitter cold. He numbly brought his arm up and clumsily tossed the necklace in the direction of the door.
Elrohir stepped into the room to see Legolas calmly standing next to an orc, Glorfindel fighting who he guessed to be Valdumus, and Aragorn standing there writhing in pain with some sort of mist around him. Aragorn's pain filled eyes looked onto him and he weakly tossed something in his direction. It hit the floor and slid toward him. Elrohir figured this was the stone Glorfindel had told him about and he rushed to retrieve it. Elrohir bent over, held the pendent down, and hit the stone with the pommel of his sword. The stone cracked with a blinding flash and the surge of energy pushed Elrohir back knocking him over.
Malaryn's ghostly form swirled up into the air like a vengeful storm. The wraith-like form shot over and collided with Aragorn and Nadina. Nadina was ripped away from Aragorn with a shriek of rage and the ranger fell to the ground shivering and coughing violently.
Valdumus let the long claws of his true form show and was fighting Glorfindel with them. He paired the elf's sword and with great strength and a burst of speed he shoved the elf back at the same time just as Malaryn burst forth. In the brief respite he turned to Legolas.
"Call them off, now," he ordered Legolas.
"And kill him," Valdumus told Grimnosh as he pointed toward the ranger.
Aragorn saw Elrohir start to come to him when he saw Legolas moving out of the corner of his eye. He held his hand up to stop Elrohir from coming any further. He pointed to the elf walking across the room.
"Stop him...Elrohir, he is... going t, t, to call the others of, f, f" Aragorn said through the chattering of his teeth.
Elrohir intersected Legolas to tell him to stop when Legolas attacked him. Elrohir was so surprised that he barely raised his sword in time to deflect a blow aimed at his head and he stumbled back a little.
"Legolas! What are you doing?"
Legolas only smiled mockingly at Elrohir's confusion. This elf stood in his way to get downstairs, so he would simply have to go though him. With a smirk, Legolas charged the dark-haired elf.
When he was forced back, Glorfindel slammed into the wall knocking the air out of him. The foul creature was faster than Glorfindel would have excepted and it amazingly managed to deflect his strikes with those long claws. Reminding himself that this was easier than fighting balrogs, Glorfindel attacked the creature again. He came in with a series of thrust and managed to score a hit on the fiends arm, but the move left him open to attack and he felt those wicked claws tear into his side. Glorfindel realized this was getting them nowhere and they were only tearing each other apart piece by piece.
Elladan, out in the hall, was keeping anymore orcs from entering the room. He could hear the other elves entering the tower and more orcs, in an attempt to flee or protect their master, charged the stairs. Elladan wasn't about to let anymore beings into that room for the foul things already in there were quite enough. As he stabbed one orc in the throat Elladan caught the sword arm of another with his other hand. Forgetting grace, he head butted the orc as he withdrew his sword from the dying one. He stabbed the stunned creature and punched another one, only to have to parry the attack of another one with his sword. He grabbed the orc he just stabbed by the color and thrust him in front to take the blow of yet another orc. Shoving him into the first orc Elladan finished off the second one. Didn't these things ever attack in anything less than an entire horde?
Malaryn faced off with Nadina. The two shadowy forms looking so alike, yet so different in the eyes.
"I told you once before sister that you would pay for your mayhems."
"And I told you sister," Nadina practically spat out the last word, "not this time you don't."
Nadina attacked Malaryn, the two wraith forms able to make contact with each other. They circled as they fought hand to hand, one tying to freeze, and the other trying to burn.
Aragorn shakily pushed himself to his knees, his teeth still chattering. His teeth stopped abruptly when he was roughly grabbed by the throat and hoisted into the air. He was lifted to come face to face with the snarling face of Grimnosh.
Legolas attacked the wide-eyed Elrohir striking with both of his hunting knives. Elrohir focused on just parrying them all. He couldn't bring himself to strike out at his friend.
"Stop it Legolas! Do you not recognize me? It is Elrohir!"
His only answer was a trust towards his head. Elrohir deflected out wide and caught Legolas' other arm. Legolas dug his heels in and pushed Elrohir backwards and rammed him into the wall. Elrohir winced as he hit the wall and Legolas smiled at him. Elrohir narrowed his eyes at the other elf. He was not going to let Legolas get passed him and he was not about to let him kill him either. Losing his patience with the fair-haired elf Elrohir shoved Legolas back with a burst of strength. He gave up simply trying to defend himself and started attacking his friend. Elrohir knew he had to get away from the wall so he came on in a fierce string of thrust and swings forcing Legolas backwards.
Aragorn decided he had had enough of this land and its inhabitants and that if he ever came back here in his lifetime it would be too soon. He was going to end this here and now or die trying, starting with this ruffian. Aragorn jumped and brought his legs up to wrapped them around the orc's arms. The force of the ranger's weight coming down at once and the awkward angle caused Grimnosh to lose his balance and they both went sprawling on the floor. Aragorn hit the ground rolling breaking the orc's grip on his neck. He rolled clear of the orc, sprung to his feet, and ran to the table.
Aragorn grabbed his sword, but did not have time to cut his bounds before the orc caught up with him. He faced off with Grimnosh anyway holding his sword with two hands. Even though he was still bound the feel of his sword in his hand brought a measure of comfort. The orc stalked in and circled the human.
Elladan was becoming hard pressed out in the hall. He was constantly forced to fight two or three orcs at a time and every time he felled one another would take its place. Above the clamor he heard the Mirkwood elves finally approaching the stairs and he knew they would seize control of the tower shortly. The problem was that the orcs in between them wanted to flee the Mirkwood warriors and get to their master, leaving him stuck in the middle. 'Just a little longer,' Elladan assured himself.
Nakash bounded up the stairs. This was not going well at all! The elves were practically right behind him! He reached the top to find the master's room blocked by another of the cursed elves and a small group of his kin trying unsuccessfully to fight past the elf. His master and boss were in that room and they would know what to do. He had to get into that room! In one of his rare spells of enlightenment an idea came to Nakash.
"Stops fightin', justs push past him idiots! Together, push together!"
Valdumus and Glorfindel hacked at each other a little at a time.
"Give it up elf. You cannot win this fight," Valdumus said as he clawed another gash on the elf's arm.
"You do not seem to be fairing any better," Glorfindel said through clenched teeth.
The elf struck with his sword at the fiend's arm. Valdumus caught Glorfindel's hand, but the elf's other hand snaked up to hit the fiend in the nose.
Ulak cowered near the table seemingly forgotten. Everyone around him was fighting someone and no one paid attention to the wiry diminutive orc. He saw the two elves fighting and he could care less if they killed each other. He also saw Grimnosh fighting, but figured a human was no match for his cousin. His master was fighting the terrible golden elf and they seemed to be matched. Maybe if he distracted the elf his master would be pleased with him. Ulak pulled the only weapon he had at the time, which was a dagger. He crept up to his fighting master and the elf. He would only have one shot and if he missed the elf would kill him he knew. Ulak took a deep breath and charged.
Glorfindel noticed two things. He saw the orc's approached as he was getting clawed and right now as his hand connected with the fiend's nose he saw an opening. In that split second the elf had to make a decision. He could stop the pathetic creature from attacking him from behind or he could take the opening that presented itself, one that might not come again, as he knew he was tiring. Glorfindel continued the motion of his hand from the fiend's face, grabbed the sword out of his trapped one, and flipped the sword down and into the chest of the enemy he faced, aiming for the thing's heart. The sharp elven sword bit into Valdumus' chest and he cringed in pain. Glorfindel did not get to finish the move before he felt the bit of steel in thehis back. Pain shot through his back all the way to his head. The world blackened for a moment and he almost lost the grip on his sword. Glorfindel fought against the pain and the rapid numbness spreading through his fingers as he remembered what this monster would do to his friends if he survived. The elf gritted his teeth and with the last bit of strength lunged at Valdumus throwing all his weight behind his sword.
Elrohir and Legolas parried and thrust at each other. The two elves were at a stand off, neither giving nor taking ground. Legolas struck at Elrohir's head and the dark-haired elf caught Legolas' wrist. As Legolas was about to attack Elrohir with his other knife Valdumus was stabbed. Legolas cringed in pain unable to continue the move. Elrohir saw Legolas starting the attack and thrust his sword up to block the blow. When Legolas cringed and did not follow it through, Elrohir watched in horror as he realized Legolas' weapon would not stop his and it was too late to stop the his moment and he was going skewer his friend.
As Glorfindel drove his sword in deeper several things happened at once.
Elladan's eyes widened as he realized what the orc in the back was yelling. He couldn't do anything as the orcs gave a collective yell and ran forward all at once. Elladan braced himself as the group slammed into him and shoved him back into the door with bone shattering force. The door was forced open and the pummeled elf and the orcs in the front fell into the room in a heap.
The door swung opened with a crash spilling those right behind it onto the floor. One of the orcs flailed as it fell smashing into Elrohir's knees sending the elf sprawling to the ground with the orc. The move saved Legolas as Elrohir's strike suddenly did not have any momentum behind it and was forced out wide. The sword clipped Legolas on the side, but did not deliver a serious injury.
As soon as the door banged open Grimnosh turned to see what was transpiring and Aragorn made his move. He rolled in front of the orc coming up right next to him. As he came up from his roll Aragorn led with his sword catching the orc in the diaphragm. Grimnosh stared down in surprise and amazement at the sword piecing his stomach. He brought his hand up to the wound still surprised as his own blood bubbled forth. He gave the human kneeling in front of him a look of unexpected respect then fell to the floor without a sound.
Malaryn saw Glorfindel get stabbed in the back and her eyes flashed in fury. She pulled herself and Nadina over to the diminutive orc to continue her struggle there. Ulak became trapped in the middle of the two and intense coldness and heat ripped through him. He tried to screech in pain, but the coldness froze his lungs and the heat stole all the air around him. Nadina spun around violently trying to break free Malaryn and help her master. Her very existence depended on it. She wheeled around and Ulak's head was caught fully in Nadina's ghostly form and he tried to shriek again. Before he had the chance, though, his body fell to the floor no longer capable of such an act while missing its head. Malaryn simply laughed and gave her sister a triumphant look.
"Farewell Nadina," she laughed.
Glorfindel practically fell forward onto his sword driving it all the way through the fiend's heart and exiting it out his back.
Valdumus howled in pain and surprise.
Legolas, his mind connected to the dying creature, clutched his head and screamed in anguish collapsing to his knees.
Glorfindel was knocked backward by the flailing creature into the wall. He grimaced once as his back hit the wall driving the dagger in further and he slide limply down the wall to land crumpled on the floor.
A great whirlwind formed around the two spectral sisters, their link to this world fading with the one that held them there.
"NO!" Nadina shrieked in rage and fear.
As the wind blew harder Malaryn laughed all the harder. The two were caught in the fierce swirling cloud and became indistinguishable.
Valdumus stumbled once and then fell to the ground. As he died the wind dissipated to reveal neither sister and a heavy mental wave swept out washing over all in the room and knocking over everyone who was still standing.
Outside the sun broke over the horizon signaling a new day.
The pale golden fringes shone softly into the silent room's window as not a soul moved on the floor.
**********
TBC...
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I warned you I killed everyone. ;) Oh my, oh my, is everyone all right and what the heck did I do to Legolas and Glorfindel?
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Maria - Thank you and thanks for the review!! I hope you liked this chapter and that after reading it you still want to read the next one.
Karri - Well, Elrohir survived the forest only to get attacked by his good friend. You never know when your friend will become your enemy do you? Now after this chapter you can ask what I have done to your beautiful elf. As for the fixing him, well, that might depend. Is he fixed now or not? Dun, dun, dun. You're right, I don't think Thranduil will be pleased at all. Bright side? Not in this story, muah, ah, ah. And I guess I still left everyone hanging about the bad guy, huh?
tapetum lucidum - I am delighted you are still here!! Yes, mean brainwashed elf. I do agree - rangers should take a bath once in awhile! Guilt, angst, yes, yes. Some at the beginning of this chapter, but the rest was spent merely trying to stay alive. But there is always next chapter to torture. Assuming I really didn't go insane and kill everyone. ;) Yes, they did catch up rather quick. Actually it was because I was afraid the story would drag a bit too much if I put them through too much, until the end of course. It was to save time. Oh, after this story is finished I am going to summit it to the Mellon Chronicles. As I believe it was you that gave me the suggestion. ;)
MoroTheWolfGod - You like the evil Legolas, huh? Me too. Although, I was yelled at by others for it. One of my friends told me she was going to get my own orc after me if I didn't put him back. I was going to extend the Legolas/Elrohir fight out, but the chapter was taking forever to write.
Tithen Min - *sighs* Poor Grimnosh, I just had to do it! It is a law of nature I tell you. Sorry to cut the story here, but I did it in the interest of time. The other two stories already take up enough of it. But not to worry, if people want there will be a story to follow this one. Thanks for the support! I do hope everyone will come back to the next chapter after this one. *Looks around nervously* Hello? Anyone?
White wolf - Pleased you liked the battle and hopes you liked this one as well. I suppose you could call Legolas' little predicament real. ;) But is it over? Sorry for not continuing the story longer. I almost did! Just for you! But with writing All That is Gold and Fading Light I am afraid they take up all my time. But I will sequel this one if anyone wants more. :)
HaloGatomon - Actually I think everyone is in deep fudge right now. :P Yes, Legolas has some issues right now. I think he needs a little sense slapped into him. Elrohir almost did the job for Aragorn, though. Hope you liked this chapter!! And thanks for the review! Let me know how you want the last chapter to go!!
Sprout - Where are you?!! Eek, I miss you reviews!! I do hope you liked this chapter!
Warnings: Character Deaths (Actually, I got mad and killed everyone - good and bad)
Author's Note: Well gang, I almost decided to extend the length of this story (sorry White wolf). But this is it - The Final Showdown. However, if I get enough requests I will be thrilled to write you guys a sequel. So if you want one please let me know. Depending on how the reviews go of whether you want a sequel or not, it will sway the outcome of the next and last chapter, so I need to know.
Hang on everyone, this is going to be a long one. Without further babbling on with the story...
*******
The Choices We Make
******
Chapter 18 Hope's Requiem
You cannot run away from a weakness, you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand?
- Robert Louis Stevenson
*******
Glorfindel raced through the trees with Elladan and Elrohir, still limping slightly, right on his heels. He was pushing them at a pace that even the sons of Elrond would not have thought possible from the usually modest elf.
"Where are we going?" Elladan called.
"We are in danger of loosing them both if we do not make it to Carn Dum before the dawn. Valdumus, that agaryulnaer, will kill your brother shortly before the sun rises and the longer Legolas stays under his grasp the less chance there is of getting him back." //blood-sucker//
Many questions sprung up in Elladan and Elrohir head. They had never heard the even-tempered Glorfindel call anyone names before.
"Why would he bring Estel all the way back to Carn Dum only to kill him?" asked Elladan.
"And bring Legolas back from what?" his brother finished.
Glorfindel answered them without slowing down.
"Because Malaryn said Valdumus is not after Aragorn, so after he has his fun with Estel he will kill him. As for Legolas you should be prepared that he might resist you."
"Who is Malaryn?"
"And why would Legolas resist us?"
Glorfindel briefly told the twins about his meeting with Malaryn as they ran.
"So we are to break a stone? Are you sure you are feeling well?" asked Elladan slightly out of breath at trying to match pace with the older elf.
"Elladan," Glorfindel said in a tone that brooked no further argument.
"I am sorry Glorfindel. It is just rather strange, but with Estel and Legolas involved somehow it does not surprise me."
"Huh, I hate to be the one to think gloomily, but how are we supposed to get past the orcs that live there?" asked Elrohir.
Glorfindel was about to answer that he did not know, but before he could speak a voice rang through his head. It was gentle and overpowering at the same time.
Elladan grabbed hold of the golden haired elf as he stumbled and almost fell.
"Elrond has taken care of that," he said simply and took off again.
"How in Middle Earth does adar plan to do that from Imladris," Elladan asked incredulously.
"And how is that woman, err, whatever, communicating with ada?"
"To answer you both at the same time - I do not know."
"Alright then, you told us what to look out for from the one we are about to go against, but you never told us what they are," Elladan could not stop asking questions.
"As to what Malaryn's sister is I have no idea, but I do know what Valdumus is."
When Glorfindel continued his voice took on a steely edge to it that neither of the twins had ever heard before and were suddenly glad he was not coming after them.
"He is an abomination and must be stopped. Simply now that it is a maia we face. We will have time to talk about it later."
Elladan and Elrohir ran on in stunned silence. He was one of the servitor maiar of Morgoth made by him when he twisted the dragons, balrogs, and other foul things into existence.
"Glorfindel, you said he is a maia?" asked Elrohir.
"Yes, young one, a lesser one."
"Then how are we to kill this thing?"
Glorfindel's face darkened.
"Leave that to me."
For an elf that had been through the war against the dragons and balrogs, Elladan and Elrohir were not about to argue.
******
Aragorn suppressed his wide-eyed stare at the formidable stone tower. He would not give Legolas the pleasure of seeing him afraid. I truth, though, Aragorn was afraid. Whatever had so ensnared the elf's mind was in there. The ranger steeled himself. Whatever was in there could also undo what it had done to Legolas and he would face it gladly if there were a chance of freeing his friend's mind.
The group walked out into the open gray lands and a shudder went down Aragorn's spin. He wondered if it was the same type of shudder that Legolas had felt right before they entered those, Valar curse them, woods. This open land was cold and Aragorn could help but shiver with it. He tried to reassure himself that the only reason was because he had spent so long under the dense warm canopy and that the spring air was cool, as it should be. For some reason, though, the air was cool, but it did not feel refreshing at all.
They received plenty of leering stares and rude comments when they passed through the small courtyard area to the tower. They approached its massive stone entrance and suddenly Aragorn did not know if he could force himself to go in or not. His heart pounded in his ears and he simply could not move his legs. The last few days had been too hard, only to end in him allowing his friend to be entrapped into darkness. Aragorn's nerves and limits were being pushed to the edge of what he could cope with and his breathing became heavy as he fought to master his emotions. He felt a light touch on the shoulder that would have been comforting had he not looked to the face of the perpetrator and the saw the mockingly cruel eyes looking back at him, where there should have been bright, kind ones instead coming from the elf behind him. Legolas stood there leering. At Nadina's assurance Legolas had been given his weapons back as they left the cave.
"What is the matter engwar? //the sickly-one of the elvish names for men//
Aragorn, in no mood to handle this right now, became angry.
"Leave me alone you guileful elf," he hissed.
"Guileful?" Legolas laughed.
"Would yous two move it!" Grimnosh complained behind them, "Do you plan on standin' there till morning?"
"After you," Legolas said as he held his arm out in front of him.
Aragorn clenched his fist together in anger. He really wanted wipe that smug look off of Legolas' face.
"Need cooled off human?" he heard a throaty voice in his ear as a chill went down his spine.
Oh, how he wished she would stop doing that! He felt Grimnosh's strong hand shove him from behind to get him walking. Aragorn clenched his fist until they were white. It would do no good striking out at anyone, no matter how satisfying it would feel. He scowled at everyone and started walking.
Radoc did not enter the tower, but turned and headed off for the Misty Mountains. The rest of the group went up a long spiral staircase and stopped in front of a large wooden door. The door opened before anyone could knock to reveal a wiry orc.
He went back to stand behind a figure and Aragorn knew right away that this was the thing that haunted Legolas and his every step for the past days. Aragorn was not quite prepared for what he saw or felt. It appeared a slender pale man dressed in black robes and a black cape, with a simple red stone hanging on a finely wrought silver chain that stood in front of him. The ranger's sensed were telling him differently, though. Darkness, far worse than that horrible woman, something he never thought possible, radiated off of this being. It sent a chill down his spine from the other side of the room. No mortal could contain such an evil aura. This had to be some sort of dark immortal servant of the dark lord.
Jeridan walked in first and placed Aragorn's sword on the table and came back to stand behind Grimnosh and the ranger.
"You are partially right, human," Valdumus said.
Aragorn's eyes widen briefly. He had not said anything out loud.
Valdumus gave him a mirthless laugh.
"Come now, ranger, I have manipulated the elf's mind from here. Why do you find it so surprising that I can read yours while you are standing right in front of me?" Valdumus said in the same manner, as one would address a child.
"Come here," he beckoned.
Aragorn was not given much choice as Grimnosh pushed him forward by the shoulders. As Aragorn drew closer to the evil creature a steady coldness came over the ranger and worsened the closer he got. The ranger stood right in front of the being who had caused them so much trouble trying not to show the shivering he was doing from the cold. Pale blue eyes just as devoid of any warmth looked down over him and he put forth his best effort to meet the cold gaze. Aragorn defiantly meet the piercing and keen stare. Those eyes felt like they were looking strait into his soul and he did not know how long he could steel his composure. The orcs hands on his shoulders felt increasingly warm to the touch.
"Do not like the cold, infant?" Valdumus, stated more than asked.
"I am sure you noticed Nadina does not mind."
Nadina's ghostly figure materialized right next to Valdumus and Aragorn gave a slightly confused look.
"No, human, it does not bother me."
With that Valdumus reached out a pale hand and placed it where Nadina's shoulder would have been. He held his hand touching her frigid form without the slightest hints that it was even uncomfortable.
Aragorn had had enough games and mysteries to last a lifetime.
"What do you want with me?" he asked angrily.
Valdumus stepped silently up to Aragorn and he could not stop the shudder that went down his spine. Valdumus reached out a deceptively frail hand and clasped Aragorn's chin with an iron grip. The hand felt as cold as steel as well. The grasp was painful and it felt like he was going to crush something. Aragorn refused to let the fear or pain show in his eyes. The first signs of amusement flashed in Valdumus' cold eyes.
"You human? Who said I wanted you? Humans are easy to come by," Valdumus said calmly giving a slight nod to Jeridan standing on the other side of the room with Legolas.
"The easiest way to make your kind of human suffer is by using your compassion against you. I have done that since you set foot in my forest. I have watched you worry over your friend and suffer through helpless despair. I have even watched you sing uselessly over your friend. I will admit that you were quite entertaining, but that was your only purpose. In essence, I do not want anything from you boy. I wanted the elf."
Valdumus released Aragorn's chin and Legolas came to his side as if called.
"But I do not understand," Aragorn could not get anything else to form and come out.
"Why?" said Valdumus.
Valdumus gave him another laugh. He held up his hand and the elf walked right up next to Valdumus. Aragorn was barely holding back the shivers this close, but Legolas standing almost right up against Valdumus did not seem to notice at all and Aragorn began to give up hope that there was any trace of his friend left in there.
Aragorn watched in horror as Valdumus waved his hand in front of Legolas' face and the elf's eyes went vacant and he stud there as if in a daze. Valdumus turned to him and gave Aragorn the most malign look he had ever seen.
"Legolas?" Aragorn breathed.
"Legolas!"
"What did you do to him!?" Aragorn yelled.
Aragorn tried to pull forward toward the elf, but the orc's hands squeezed even tighter around his arms with enough strength to bruise them.
Valdumus gave him a mirthless smile.
"It will not do any good, boy. I know control his body and thoughts, soon I will control his mind."
"Why?" Aragorn asked beseechingly.
"When I break into his mind I will have access to all of his memories."
Suddenly Aragorn understood. Valdumus knew Legolas was a prince and he wanted access to one with an elven royal family's knowledge. To find out where the three rings were, the strongholds, and, Aragorn swallowed, if any of Isildur's heirs still lived. And if Legolas did not know, Valdumus had the perfect spy - an elven prince. Obviously, Valdumus did not know who he was yet. Aragorn forced himself to concentrate on stopping these lines of thoughts, aware that the monster could be listening to his them even now.
Aragorn realized he gained control over his thoughts too late as Valdumus turned to him with a strange gleam in his eyes that made Aragorn's blood turn cold.
******
The three elves ran swiftly through the entire night and weary and out of breath they arrived at Carn Dum shortly before dawn. The land was barren around the tower and it would be impossible for one to get to and inside it without the orcs that were milling about spotting them. They scanned the area with their eyes and could not see aught but orcs and stone. They did not see any signs of whatever help there was supposed to be.
"What are we to do now?" asked Elrohir.
"Nothing has changed," Glorfindel said calmly, "we must still get into that tower."
"Glorfindel is right. I said I would come here if I had to and fate has seen it necessary. I will still go in after Legolas and Estel no matter what," said Elladan determinedly.
"You know I will too. Well, there is no chance of sneaking by them, so shall we go in by the front door?" asked Elrohir.
Glorfindel shrugged and stood up.
"Why not."
Elladan and Elrohir shrugged and stood as well. Why not?
The three elves stood and walked for the tower with swords drawn. The orcs saw the approaching elves quickly and shouts rang out as the orcs gathered at the gate. Some had a malevolent glee in their eyes at the approach of a small number of hated enemies they could torture. Other looked around fearfully expecting elves to jump out at them at any moment. Some of the orcs could not wait for the elves slow progress and a large number charged toward the lone three, while most stayed at the gate. The three looked ahead to the charging horde
"Gurth gothrim lye!" Elladan yelled as the three ran to meet the charge.
//Death to our foes!//
******
Valdumus turned angrily on Legolas. At the prospect of who this annoying ranger in front of him was, Valdumus put the subtle prying aside. He concentrated intensely on the elf for a moment then his eyes narrowed as Legolas' eyes snapped shut and he grabbed at his head in pain.
"You knew," Valdumus hissed.
Valdumus wheeled around on Aragorn and grabbed the human by the chin again. He lifted him all the way off the floor this time with one hand. Ulak and Grimnosh backed off a little at seeing their lord angry.
"Well met Aragorn son of Arathorn, Isildur's heir."
Aragorn brought his bound hands up to the creature's wrist to try and hold himself up. Aragorn felt like Valdumus was going to crush his jaw and throat and he could not pry the grip off him.
*****
Right as the first bloodthirsty orc reached Elrohir he prepared to meet it, only for it to convulse suddenly and drop to the ground. Elrohir looked down wide-eyed at the orc writhing on the ground with an arrow sticking out of its chest.
Both elves and orcs paused in stunned silence for a tense moment, then chaos broke out in the courtyard.
Arrows assaulted the orcs out of their own broken down buildings. The orcs right in front of the three took of running back toward the gate yelling it was a trap, while the orcs inside the tower came running out to face whatever was attacking them. Elves appeared out of the landscape to run into the orcs and start hacking them down.
Elrohir bent among the chaos and plucked the arrow out of the dying orc's chest. He looked up at Glorfindel and Elladan.
"It is of Mirkwood make, but how?"
"I do not know and I do not care. I could personally get down and grovel at Thranduil's feet for this," Elladan joked.
"Come we must get inside," Glorfindel bade them.
*******
"What is going?"
Valdumus put Aragorn down when they heard sounds of fighting going on outside. Aragorn inhaled deep breaths as soon as the fiend's hand was removed. Grimnosh stepped back up and grabbed a hold of the ranger's shoulders.
Valdumus wheeled around to Nadina.
"Go find out what that is!"
Nadina's form melted away and disappeared. After Valdumus turned away from him, Legolas had returned to the dazed state he was in earlier. No one moved until Nadina floated back in and took on her ghostly appearance.
'There are elves attacking the tower," she said bewildered.
"That cannot be! I would have felt them!"
Valdumus closed his eyes and concentrated all of his energy toward the courtyard. Now that he stopped to pay attention he did feel something. A subtle presence enveloping something. Enveloping what? Valdumus gathered every once of will and malice he possessed and focused it into one sudden powerful burst of energy aimed directly at the subtle presence.
*****
Back in Rivendell, Elrond was sitting at a table with his arms resting on it. His hands were clasped together and he was resting his head on his hands from the strain of bending his will in two different places. Celaviel, refusing to leave, was sitting next to him. He was surprised at the sudden attack as a dark and oppressive weight hit him. The surge caused him to lose his concentration and it roughly severed his connection to the elves and Malaryn. His body involuntarily convulsed at the intrusion and the movement sent the Lord of Rivendell toppling from his chair, with the elf maid staring on wide-eyed.
*****
Elladan, Elrohir, and Glorfindel pushed their way through the confusion. Orcs and elves were everywhere. Once they reached the gate and entered the crowd thinned to just orcs as they were one of the first ones to enter. Other elves followed them inside and worked to subdue the orcs on the inside. Going on, at Glorfindel's guess they ran up the stairs instead of going lower into the tower, fighting through orcs as they went. They had almost reached the top when a small band of orcs blocked the passage.
Glorfindel, in the lead, used his momentum and plowed into the surprised orc in front sending him colliding into his companions behind him. He followed the orc back into the middle of its companions driving his sword into the orc he was using as a battering ram. He ripped the sword out and in the process slamming that elbow into the orc's face to his right. He turned and finished the stunned orc.
The orc to Glorfindel's left moved into attack the elf, but Elladan intercepted him. He deflected the blow down and smacked the palm of his other hand into the orc's nose. The orcs staggered backwards and Elladan grabbed a hold of its color and shoved him towards the stairs. The orc went flailing into two orcs coming up the stair and all three went head over heals back down.
Elrohir was parrying with two orcs, when he stepped in to slam one of them against the wall he unwittingly used his injured knee as his primary support against the orc's weight. The knee buckled sending Elrohir lurching sideways. The stunned orc that he smashed against the wall and Elrohir both went sprawling to the floor leaving Elrohir wide open to the second orc.
Elladan saw his brother crash to the ground after he threw the orc down the stairs and, using the only form of projectile he had right now, he threw his sword at the orc about to skewer his brother. The sword struck the orc in the neck easily going through all the way. Elrohir finished off the orc he had fallen on and looked over to his brother as Glorfindel stabbed the last of the orcs barring the hallway.
They looked at each other to make sure no one was seriously hurt. Their keen ears heard the sounds of more orcs coming up the stairs. Elrohir rose pulling Elladan sword out of the orc's neck at the same time. When he rose he tossed it back to Elladan who caught it easily. He turned to Glorfindel and gave him a half smile.
"Go! Elladan and I will take care of them."
Glorfindel looked at the two younger elves, then nodded and ran down the passage.
******
Aragorn used the chance while Valdumus was doing... whatever. The news that elves were here, no doubt for Legolas and he, brought new strength to his heart. He brought his hands up and grabbed a hold of the orc firmly, lifted his legs from the floor, and, using both feet, he kicked out at the black robed figure. Aragorn hit him squarely in the chest and Valdumus stumbled back in surprise. The ranger's feet hit the red stone pendent breaking the chain and the stone went clattering across the floor. Aragorn noticed the expression that crossed the fiend's face when he noticed the pendent had broke. Using his upraised arms he bent over sharply pulling the orc over with him and flipped him over his shoulder. He left the momentarily stunned orc and bolted for the pendent.
Jeridan also bolted for the pendent and he collided with the ranger as they reached it, sending the both of them skidding across the floor and into the wall. The pendent went sliding also to stop several feet away near the door. As Aragorn was struggling with the other human he saw Valdumus stalking toward him out of the corner of his eye. He had no doubt this was going to be a short fight indeed.
Before Valdumus could reach the ranger everyone in the room stopped in surprise as the door swung violently open. Aragorn's eyes widened in surprise and he gave a shout of joy when Glorfindel stepped through the door.
Glorfindel saw that Aragorn and Legolas were still alive and turned his attention to the evil thing in front of him.
"Why don't you pick on someone your own age?" he called to the fiend.
Valdumus curled his lip at the fair-haired elf. He could feel the sheer amount of light that this one possessed. This one had to be a high elf. First there were elves in the courtyard and now there was a high elf in his chamber. He was loosing his patience with the situation. He turned to Legolas still awaiting his orders and standing next to Grimnosh.
"Those are your kin outside elf. You can call them off, tell them all is well, and order them to leave," he thought out loud.
Valdumus turned back to Glorfindel and strode toward him. Glorfindel cast a quick glance at Aragorn.
"Destroy that stone," he quickly told Aragorn as he led the human's gaze toward the pendent.
Aragorn knew better than to argue and nodded his head. Jeridan knocked the ranger over before he could rise. Aragorn was getting feed up with this sniveling excuse for a human and kicked out at the human with all of his strength. He hit Jeridan in the stomach and the human fell backwards. Aragorn sprung up and lunged forward slamming the other human's head into the wall. Jeridan's head snapped backwards into the wall and he slid limply to the ground.
Aragorn leaped to his feet and ran over to the necklace. He picked it up and raised it above his head to smash into the ground. Before he could bring his arm down a white mist filled his vision and he froze in place from the cold.
"I don't think so," Nadina hissed.
She wanted to make this one suffer before he died, just for the sheer pleasure of it. She chuckled in delight as she pulled back a little. There was no need to hurry after all.
Aragorn would have screamed in pain had he had the breath to do so. The cold ripped all of the air out of his lungs and he could not draw any back in. Cold so intense it burned seared through his body and in that moment he knew he was not going to get out of this one and he was doomed. His pain- dulled mind barely noticed that another familiar figure entered the door. Glorfindel said the stone must be destroyed and he still held it. He could not feel his hands, but he went on the chance that he had not dropped it yet. With every bit of will and strength Aragorn had he forced his body to respond through the pain and bitter cold. He numbly brought his arm up and clumsily tossed the necklace in the direction of the door.
Elrohir stepped into the room to see Legolas calmly standing next to an orc, Glorfindel fighting who he guessed to be Valdumus, and Aragorn standing there writhing in pain with some sort of mist around him. Aragorn's pain filled eyes looked onto him and he weakly tossed something in his direction. It hit the floor and slid toward him. Elrohir figured this was the stone Glorfindel had told him about and he rushed to retrieve it. Elrohir bent over, held the pendent down, and hit the stone with the pommel of his sword. The stone cracked with a blinding flash and the surge of energy pushed Elrohir back knocking him over.
Malaryn's ghostly form swirled up into the air like a vengeful storm. The wraith-like form shot over and collided with Aragorn and Nadina. Nadina was ripped away from Aragorn with a shriek of rage and the ranger fell to the ground shivering and coughing violently.
Valdumus let the long claws of his true form show and was fighting Glorfindel with them. He paired the elf's sword and with great strength and a burst of speed he shoved the elf back at the same time just as Malaryn burst forth. In the brief respite he turned to Legolas.
"Call them off, now," he ordered Legolas.
"And kill him," Valdumus told Grimnosh as he pointed toward the ranger.
Aragorn saw Elrohir start to come to him when he saw Legolas moving out of the corner of his eye. He held his hand up to stop Elrohir from coming any further. He pointed to the elf walking across the room.
"Stop him...Elrohir, he is... going t, t, to call the others of, f, f" Aragorn said through the chattering of his teeth.
Elrohir intersected Legolas to tell him to stop when Legolas attacked him. Elrohir was so surprised that he barely raised his sword in time to deflect a blow aimed at his head and he stumbled back a little.
"Legolas! What are you doing?"
Legolas only smiled mockingly at Elrohir's confusion. This elf stood in his way to get downstairs, so he would simply have to go though him. With a smirk, Legolas charged the dark-haired elf.
When he was forced back, Glorfindel slammed into the wall knocking the air out of him. The foul creature was faster than Glorfindel would have excepted and it amazingly managed to deflect his strikes with those long claws. Reminding himself that this was easier than fighting balrogs, Glorfindel attacked the creature again. He came in with a series of thrust and managed to score a hit on the fiends arm, but the move left him open to attack and he felt those wicked claws tear into his side. Glorfindel realized this was getting them nowhere and they were only tearing each other apart piece by piece.
Elladan, out in the hall, was keeping anymore orcs from entering the room. He could hear the other elves entering the tower and more orcs, in an attempt to flee or protect their master, charged the stairs. Elladan wasn't about to let anymore beings into that room for the foul things already in there were quite enough. As he stabbed one orc in the throat Elladan caught the sword arm of another with his other hand. Forgetting grace, he head butted the orc as he withdrew his sword from the dying one. He stabbed the stunned creature and punched another one, only to have to parry the attack of another one with his sword. He grabbed the orc he just stabbed by the color and thrust him in front to take the blow of yet another orc. Shoving him into the first orc Elladan finished off the second one. Didn't these things ever attack in anything less than an entire horde?
Malaryn faced off with Nadina. The two shadowy forms looking so alike, yet so different in the eyes.
"I told you once before sister that you would pay for your mayhems."
"And I told you sister," Nadina practically spat out the last word, "not this time you don't."
Nadina attacked Malaryn, the two wraith forms able to make contact with each other. They circled as they fought hand to hand, one tying to freeze, and the other trying to burn.
Aragorn shakily pushed himself to his knees, his teeth still chattering. His teeth stopped abruptly when he was roughly grabbed by the throat and hoisted into the air. He was lifted to come face to face with the snarling face of Grimnosh.
Legolas attacked the wide-eyed Elrohir striking with both of his hunting knives. Elrohir focused on just parrying them all. He couldn't bring himself to strike out at his friend.
"Stop it Legolas! Do you not recognize me? It is Elrohir!"
His only answer was a trust towards his head. Elrohir deflected out wide and caught Legolas' other arm. Legolas dug his heels in and pushed Elrohir backwards and rammed him into the wall. Elrohir winced as he hit the wall and Legolas smiled at him. Elrohir narrowed his eyes at the other elf. He was not going to let Legolas get passed him and he was not about to let him kill him either. Losing his patience with the fair-haired elf Elrohir shoved Legolas back with a burst of strength. He gave up simply trying to defend himself and started attacking his friend. Elrohir knew he had to get away from the wall so he came on in a fierce string of thrust and swings forcing Legolas backwards.
Aragorn decided he had had enough of this land and its inhabitants and that if he ever came back here in his lifetime it would be too soon. He was going to end this here and now or die trying, starting with this ruffian. Aragorn jumped and brought his legs up to wrapped them around the orc's arms. The force of the ranger's weight coming down at once and the awkward angle caused Grimnosh to lose his balance and they both went sprawling on the floor. Aragorn hit the ground rolling breaking the orc's grip on his neck. He rolled clear of the orc, sprung to his feet, and ran to the table.
Aragorn grabbed his sword, but did not have time to cut his bounds before the orc caught up with him. He faced off with Grimnosh anyway holding his sword with two hands. Even though he was still bound the feel of his sword in his hand brought a measure of comfort. The orc stalked in and circled the human.
Elladan was becoming hard pressed out in the hall. He was constantly forced to fight two or three orcs at a time and every time he felled one another would take its place. Above the clamor he heard the Mirkwood elves finally approaching the stairs and he knew they would seize control of the tower shortly. The problem was that the orcs in between them wanted to flee the Mirkwood warriors and get to their master, leaving him stuck in the middle. 'Just a little longer,' Elladan assured himself.
Nakash bounded up the stairs. This was not going well at all! The elves were practically right behind him! He reached the top to find the master's room blocked by another of the cursed elves and a small group of his kin trying unsuccessfully to fight past the elf. His master and boss were in that room and they would know what to do. He had to get into that room! In one of his rare spells of enlightenment an idea came to Nakash.
"Stops fightin', justs push past him idiots! Together, push together!"
Valdumus and Glorfindel hacked at each other a little at a time.
"Give it up elf. You cannot win this fight," Valdumus said as he clawed another gash on the elf's arm.
"You do not seem to be fairing any better," Glorfindel said through clenched teeth.
The elf struck with his sword at the fiend's arm. Valdumus caught Glorfindel's hand, but the elf's other hand snaked up to hit the fiend in the nose.
Ulak cowered near the table seemingly forgotten. Everyone around him was fighting someone and no one paid attention to the wiry diminutive orc. He saw the two elves fighting and he could care less if they killed each other. He also saw Grimnosh fighting, but figured a human was no match for his cousin. His master was fighting the terrible golden elf and they seemed to be matched. Maybe if he distracted the elf his master would be pleased with him. Ulak pulled the only weapon he had at the time, which was a dagger. He crept up to his fighting master and the elf. He would only have one shot and if he missed the elf would kill him he knew. Ulak took a deep breath and charged.
Glorfindel noticed two things. He saw the orc's approached as he was getting clawed and right now as his hand connected with the fiend's nose he saw an opening. In that split second the elf had to make a decision. He could stop the pathetic creature from attacking him from behind or he could take the opening that presented itself, one that might not come again, as he knew he was tiring. Glorfindel continued the motion of his hand from the fiend's face, grabbed the sword out of his trapped one, and flipped the sword down and into the chest of the enemy he faced, aiming for the thing's heart. The sharp elven sword bit into Valdumus' chest and he cringed in pain. Glorfindel did not get to finish the move before he felt the bit of steel in thehis back. Pain shot through his back all the way to his head. The world blackened for a moment and he almost lost the grip on his sword. Glorfindel fought against the pain and the rapid numbness spreading through his fingers as he remembered what this monster would do to his friends if he survived. The elf gritted his teeth and with the last bit of strength lunged at Valdumus throwing all his weight behind his sword.
Elrohir and Legolas parried and thrust at each other. The two elves were at a stand off, neither giving nor taking ground. Legolas struck at Elrohir's head and the dark-haired elf caught Legolas' wrist. As Legolas was about to attack Elrohir with his other knife Valdumus was stabbed. Legolas cringed in pain unable to continue the move. Elrohir saw Legolas starting the attack and thrust his sword up to block the blow. When Legolas cringed and did not follow it through, Elrohir watched in horror as he realized Legolas' weapon would not stop his and it was too late to stop the his moment and he was going skewer his friend.
As Glorfindel drove his sword in deeper several things happened at once.
Elladan's eyes widened as he realized what the orc in the back was yelling. He couldn't do anything as the orcs gave a collective yell and ran forward all at once. Elladan braced himself as the group slammed into him and shoved him back into the door with bone shattering force. The door was forced open and the pummeled elf and the orcs in the front fell into the room in a heap.
The door swung opened with a crash spilling those right behind it onto the floor. One of the orcs flailed as it fell smashing into Elrohir's knees sending the elf sprawling to the ground with the orc. The move saved Legolas as Elrohir's strike suddenly did not have any momentum behind it and was forced out wide. The sword clipped Legolas on the side, but did not deliver a serious injury.
As soon as the door banged open Grimnosh turned to see what was transpiring and Aragorn made his move. He rolled in front of the orc coming up right next to him. As he came up from his roll Aragorn led with his sword catching the orc in the diaphragm. Grimnosh stared down in surprise and amazement at the sword piecing his stomach. He brought his hand up to the wound still surprised as his own blood bubbled forth. He gave the human kneeling in front of him a look of unexpected respect then fell to the floor without a sound.
Malaryn saw Glorfindel get stabbed in the back and her eyes flashed in fury. She pulled herself and Nadina over to the diminutive orc to continue her struggle there. Ulak became trapped in the middle of the two and intense coldness and heat ripped through him. He tried to screech in pain, but the coldness froze his lungs and the heat stole all the air around him. Nadina spun around violently trying to break free Malaryn and help her master. Her very existence depended on it. She wheeled around and Ulak's head was caught fully in Nadina's ghostly form and he tried to shriek again. Before he had the chance, though, his body fell to the floor no longer capable of such an act while missing its head. Malaryn simply laughed and gave her sister a triumphant look.
"Farewell Nadina," she laughed.
Glorfindel practically fell forward onto his sword driving it all the way through the fiend's heart and exiting it out his back.
Valdumus howled in pain and surprise.
Legolas, his mind connected to the dying creature, clutched his head and screamed in anguish collapsing to his knees.
Glorfindel was knocked backward by the flailing creature into the wall. He grimaced once as his back hit the wall driving the dagger in further and he slide limply down the wall to land crumpled on the floor.
A great whirlwind formed around the two spectral sisters, their link to this world fading with the one that held them there.
"NO!" Nadina shrieked in rage and fear.
As the wind blew harder Malaryn laughed all the harder. The two were caught in the fierce swirling cloud and became indistinguishable.
Valdumus stumbled once and then fell to the ground. As he died the wind dissipated to reveal neither sister and a heavy mental wave swept out washing over all in the room and knocking over everyone who was still standing.
Outside the sun broke over the horizon signaling a new day.
The pale golden fringes shone softly into the silent room's window as not a soul moved on the floor.
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TBC...
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I warned you I killed everyone. ;) Oh my, oh my, is everyone all right and what the heck did I do to Legolas and Glorfindel?
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Maria - Thank you and thanks for the review!! I hope you liked this chapter and that after reading it you still want to read the next one.
Karri - Well, Elrohir survived the forest only to get attacked by his good friend. You never know when your friend will become your enemy do you? Now after this chapter you can ask what I have done to your beautiful elf. As for the fixing him, well, that might depend. Is he fixed now or not? Dun, dun, dun. You're right, I don't think Thranduil will be pleased at all. Bright side? Not in this story, muah, ah, ah. And I guess I still left everyone hanging about the bad guy, huh?
tapetum lucidum - I am delighted you are still here!! Yes, mean brainwashed elf. I do agree - rangers should take a bath once in awhile! Guilt, angst, yes, yes. Some at the beginning of this chapter, but the rest was spent merely trying to stay alive. But there is always next chapter to torture. Assuming I really didn't go insane and kill everyone. ;) Yes, they did catch up rather quick. Actually it was because I was afraid the story would drag a bit too much if I put them through too much, until the end of course. It was to save time. Oh, after this story is finished I am going to summit it to the Mellon Chronicles. As I believe it was you that gave me the suggestion. ;)
MoroTheWolfGod - You like the evil Legolas, huh? Me too. Although, I was yelled at by others for it. One of my friends told me she was going to get my own orc after me if I didn't put him back. I was going to extend the Legolas/Elrohir fight out, but the chapter was taking forever to write.
Tithen Min - *sighs* Poor Grimnosh, I just had to do it! It is a law of nature I tell you. Sorry to cut the story here, but I did it in the interest of time. The other two stories already take up enough of it. But not to worry, if people want there will be a story to follow this one. Thanks for the support! I do hope everyone will come back to the next chapter after this one. *Looks around nervously* Hello? Anyone?
White wolf - Pleased you liked the battle and hopes you liked this one as well. I suppose you could call Legolas' little predicament real. ;) But is it over? Sorry for not continuing the story longer. I almost did! Just for you! But with writing All That is Gold and Fading Light I am afraid they take up all my time. But I will sequel this one if anyone wants more. :)
HaloGatomon - Actually I think everyone is in deep fudge right now. :P Yes, Legolas has some issues right now. I think he needs a little sense slapped into him. Elrohir almost did the job for Aragorn, though. Hope you liked this chapter!! And thanks for the review! Let me know how you want the last chapter to go!!
Sprout - Where are you?!! Eek, I miss you reviews!! I do hope you liked this chapter!