Title: Chiaro Scuro
Author: Elladan
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Estel is constantly being teased and bullied for being adan. One day the teasing goes too far, but Estel is convinced that he can find a solution for the treatment without the help of his family. The only problem is that his solution does everything but make his life simpler.
Disclaimer: I am not making any money off this and I am only borrowing Tolkien's characters for a little fun.
A/N: I will tell you up front that there are some pretty angsty scenes in this chapter so there was my warning. Thank you all so much for the reviews, they really make me very happy. The more I get the more I want to write. Anyway, I am not really satisfied with this chapter, but I promised to have it today (even though it's close to midnight where I am, it's still Friday), so here it is.
Chapter 5
* * * * * There's a place so dark you can't see the end
And shock that which can't defend.
The rain then sends dripping An acidic question
Forcefully, the power of suggestion
Then with the eyes shut Looking though the rust and rot
And dust A spot of light floods the floor
And pours over the rusted world of pretend
The eyes ease open and its dark again ~Linkin Park
* * * * *
The first thing he felt was pain. As he began to focus on it he was pulled from the comfort of unconsciousness back into reality. The closer he came to the real world, the more intense the pain felt. He tried to return to the darkness, but eventually gave up and began to concentrate on remembering what had happened. The events of the fight resurfaced, explaining his throbbing head and side, but not the fire radiating from his leg. Finally, Estel decided that it was time to open his eyes. The lids felt heavier than usual as he forced them up. Thankfully there was not much light, for his head was already pounding in protest. Estel was sprawled on the cold, damp floor of what appeared to be a cave. A pile of glowing coals provided the scant light and practically no warmth.
Trying to move as little as possible, Estel glanced down at his leg and let out a groan at what he saw. A rusty, metal animal trap attached to the cave wall was clamped around his leg just above the ankle. 'Well, it does seem that someone does not want me to leave.' he thought bitterly. The wound was still bleeding around the metal teeth, though a great deal of blood was already crusted around the rod. 'Adar will not be happy.' Checking his other injuries he found both his side and head sticky and oozing with partially dried blood. Estel sighed and began to direct his attention back to his surroundings.
"Estel !?" a voice whispered to his right.
Estel quickly turned toward the speaker and let out a cry of pain as his wounds protested. There, a few yards away from him was an elf lying on his side with his feet and hands bound behind him.
"Raydaion ?" Estel's voice came out rough and strained.
"Aye, I thought that you might be dead. You were still for so long and tis very dark in here. I strongly dislike caves and I do not know when that man will be back and." the elf was portraying his fear as he babbled, hardly pausing for air.
"Calm down, Ray. Are you injured?" Estel questioned.
"A few cuts, nothing to be troubled by. What about you? I can not see you well from here, how badly are your wounds?" Estel was stunned at the sudden concern the elf was showing for him.
"Do not worry for me. Do you know where we are?" Estel forced through clenched teeth.
"I do not know for sure, but we are not too far from the clearing. I have been thinking that maybe.well that maybe I might have been wrong about you. What you did back there was brave and well.I guess I just wanted to say that I am regretful of what I have done to you." Raydaion said hesitantly.
Estel let out a small chuckle at the pure irony of the situation. It took being captured by a psychotic man and chained to the floor of a cave to change the elf's perspective. The laughing quickly turned into a moan as he once again aggravated his injuries.
"Estel, you are hurt, I saw him hit you. Tis not a good time to try and hide these things."
"You are beginning to sound like my brothers." Estel's pain filled voice came back. Their conversation went no further for at that time their captor returned. He immediately went over to the coals, added wood, and stoked up a fire.
"Ah, so my guests have awakened? Are you two hungry?" Kelvakanta said with fake sweetness. Both boys stared at him, but made no reply.
"You will each have an apple and then we shall have some fun." he continued without caring if they responded or not.
"No." Estel said firmly. Kelvakanta turned toward him and smiled causing a shiver to run down the boy's spine.
"One way or another you will eat this apple. Maybe if we added some fun to dinner, it would entice you into eating." he said with an excited gleam in his eye.
Kelvakanta walked over and took a small key from his pocket and unlocked the trap around Estel's leg. Seconds before it happened, Estel realized what Kelvakanta was going to do. He watched as the man grabbed each side of the jaw. With a vicious jerk he opened them, ripping the teeth from the boy's leg and grinned in pleasure while Estel screamed in pain. Raydaion, who had remained silent, began to yell a series of crude elfish threats in hopes to direct the man's attention from Estel. He got his wish as Kelvakanta turned away from his prey and kicked the elf in the mouth to silence him. He grabbed Estel by the collar of his torn shirt and dragged him deeper into the cave.
* * * * *
Four elves and two dwarves sat whispering in Elrond's study. The windows had been covered and no one dared speak louder than necessary. Conversation ceased suddenly as a knock sounded on the door. Elladan left the circle and opened the study door. He spoke to the messenger in hushed toned before turning to address his father.
"Adar, there are a group of children and their parents requesting an audience with you. They say they have information about Estel." he spoke, excitement crawling into his voice.
Elrond was already halfway to the door by the time Elladan finished, the others followed close behind.
"Where are they waiting?" the lord asked the messenger.
"Downstairs in the greeting hall, my lord."
Without another word, the entire group hurried to receive the guests. Elrond entered the hall and waved for the six elves to forgo the formal bowing. Three young boys stood next to their fathers with looks of mixed fear and apprehension.
"What news do you bring?" he asked directly.
"Our sons returned late from the woods with a disturbing story. We thought it best to come directly to you." Elrond nodded a response and looked down at the children. An elder elf touched his son's shoulder in encouragement. The boy gulped, looked up at his father and stepped forward. He was practically shaking with fear to be speaking to Lord Elrond. Elrond's hard face softened a great deal and he knelt down to the boy's height.
"Minya nin ono lo esse, titta mine." he encouraged (First give me your name, little one)
"I.I.My name is Derkas and this is Bray and Sansas. We were with Estel in the woods and." the elfling stopped and fidgeted while staring at the floor.
"Go on, please tell me what has happened." Elrond said gently. After a few more moments of silence Derkas seemed to gain courage and looked the elder elf in the eye before continuing.
"The dark man trapped all of us but Estel in a net. Raydaion was with us too, but. Well, the man attacked Estel and I think he might have hurt him, but we couldn't see well because we were trying to get out of the net. Then Estel came and freed us. He told us to run. We were so scared that we ran away without helping him. I am sorry, Lord Elrond." the boy finished and quickly returned to his father's side. Elrond raised an eyebrow in slight confusion.
"Who is this man you speak of and where are Raydaion and Estel now?"
Derkas blinked. "Adane mor, mor ve mine man cheba ucal mí sulë." That description did little to help ease Elrond's confusion, but he knew that the child knew no more. (He was dark, dark as one who keeps no light in the spirit.)
"Raydaion and Estel didn't make it back with us. We don't know where they are." Bray added.
Elrond's face was creased with worry as he forced a reply. "I thank you all very much for coming to me. And I am not angry that you ran for if you had not, I would know nothing about my son. I would ask one more thing of you boys. Are you able and willing to show me the place where you were attacked?"
"Yes, Lord Elrond." the three chorused immediately. Elrond smiled slightly as he stood. He spoke to the respectfully silent parents.
"Would you once again bring your sons to see me tomorrow morning, mellonrim?"
"Yes, heruon (my lord)." Was the simple reply.
Elrond tiredly dismissed his visitors and leaned heavily against the wall. 'What I am going to do? I must now track an enemy which I know nothing about.'
* * * * *
Kelvakanta hummed a tune merrily as he strapped Estel to a metal table. There were eleven thick leather buckles: two on each arm and leg, one across his chest, another around his stomach, and the last holding down his head. Estel couldn't move and he felt fear rising in him until its metallic taste filled his mouth. The humming paused for a moment.
"I hope you will enjoy my concoctions. I have so many different kinds, but rest assured they are each very unique. You have already experienced the mild mind altering on in the apples. I was thinking that it might be more fun this first time if you were blindfolded. What do you think?" he lectured cheerfully before resuming his song.
Kelvakanta grabbed Estel's face and used his thumbs to thrust the clamped jaw open. Before he knew what was happening, Estel felt an apple shoved in his mouth and tied securely as a type of gag. As his teeth pierced the skin the strange juice trickled down his throat. Next, Kelvakanta tied a large strip of black cloth over his eyes. He could not see, or talk, all he could do was listen to the stupid cheery tune and wait.
"I thought we could start with something to warm you up. These caves really are quite chilly." the voice began to sound sardonic as Kelvakanta became more excited.
The next thing Estel felt was a liquid poured on his side wound. Then a burning sensation that slowly grew until it felt as thought half his body was on fire. A sharp blade bit into his arm and the liquid fire came soon after. This process continued until his entire body was wracked in agony. Estel could not move, could not scream, he only tasted apple juice and listened to the gleeful laugh of his happy tormentor.
After was he determined was ten doses of the liquid fire, Kelvakanta paused. Estel's body was covered in sweat and shaking from pain and heat. 'Thank Elbereth, maybe he is satisfied.' Estel thought with hope. Again, luck abandoned him as he felt a particularly large, deep gash cut into his shoulder. The fire began once more and was continuously renewed every few seconds. Every nerve was screaming in his body and his muscles began to quiver.
"I shall return in a few hours when that bottle finally empties. Enjoy your apple, young one." Kelvakanta called as he left the boy was now writhing in pain. Each time a drop of the poison entered his body, Estel wanted to cry out, to pull away, to do anything to end the pain. Soon his entire mind, body, and world were consumed in fire leaving very little room for the cool touch of hope.
* * * * *
Hours later Estel's body lay on the cold stone floor shivering in shock and pain. His sweat and blood flowed freely making both his body and the rock beneath him slick. He had eventually passed out on the table and had awoken, his leg once more in the rusty teeth. Whimpering quietly to himself, Estel curled into a crescent shape. The tunic, leggings, and vest he wore were shredded and his boots lost. There was not a single part of his body that did not throb. Estel squeezed his eyes shut and tried to pretend he was back in his room, safe in his warm bed. His attempt at comfort abruptly ended as a hand clamped down on his shoulder.
* * * * *
A/N: There you go, a nice long chapter for you all. I have a question for everyone. I am trying to decided if I should bring in Legolas as a character or not, please let me know what you think.
xsilicax- Hey, I need Estel for awhile yet so please let me have him back. *grabs Estel and holds him protectively* I promise that I will try very very hard not to be too terribly cruel to him. Anyway, there was another long chapter for you. Hope you liked it and thanks for the review.
Staran- Thank you very much and I can't tell you about Estel because if I did then it would give too much away. You'll just have to keep reading and reviewing.
Kawaii BlueBear- What can I say, you never know what could be in those apples, *evil grin* but don't let that stop you from having one of these. *holds out a basket of apples* Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter even though the mean old man got hold of Estel. Thanks for the review.
Saera- So now you are demanding more chapters. Well there you go, at least one more. I hope you liked it!
Carrie- You should really be nice to poor Estel, he is already going through quite a lot, but go ahead and beat up the others. Ask away, I'll answer as many as I can without giving the story away. I am happy that you like it so far!
ThE iNsAnE oNe- Would you like one of Kawaii's apples? They're quite harmless, really.hehehe. So you don't like Kelvakanta very much? Yes, he is a very evil man. Oh well, if you can catch him go ahead and punish him, otherwise you'll just have to wait.
Dujoran- Thank you so much for the review. It was so pleasant and positive. You didn't even threaten to kill me or one of the characters. Wow, I am so glad you are enjoying it. Also, thanks for being so patient and understanding about my erratic posting.
arwen-evenstar- I guess all I can say is a big resounding THANKS and I hope you liked this one also.
Bookworm2000- Oh, I am so excited, I get to be called evil. Evil, Evil Elladan! *grins widely* Thanks so much for the review.
Ellie- Ok, I did. Hope you liked it and thanks for the review.
Author: Elladan
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Estel is constantly being teased and bullied for being adan. One day the teasing goes too far, but Estel is convinced that he can find a solution for the treatment without the help of his family. The only problem is that his solution does everything but make his life simpler.
Disclaimer: I am not making any money off this and I am only borrowing Tolkien's characters for a little fun.
A/N: I will tell you up front that there are some pretty angsty scenes in this chapter so there was my warning. Thank you all so much for the reviews, they really make me very happy. The more I get the more I want to write. Anyway, I am not really satisfied with this chapter, but I promised to have it today (even though it's close to midnight where I am, it's still Friday), so here it is.
Chapter 5
* * * * * There's a place so dark you can't see the end
And shock that which can't defend.
The rain then sends dripping An acidic question
Forcefully, the power of suggestion
Then with the eyes shut Looking though the rust and rot
And dust A spot of light floods the floor
And pours over the rusted world of pretend
The eyes ease open and its dark again ~Linkin Park
* * * * *
The first thing he felt was pain. As he began to focus on it he was pulled from the comfort of unconsciousness back into reality. The closer he came to the real world, the more intense the pain felt. He tried to return to the darkness, but eventually gave up and began to concentrate on remembering what had happened. The events of the fight resurfaced, explaining his throbbing head and side, but not the fire radiating from his leg. Finally, Estel decided that it was time to open his eyes. The lids felt heavier than usual as he forced them up. Thankfully there was not much light, for his head was already pounding in protest. Estel was sprawled on the cold, damp floor of what appeared to be a cave. A pile of glowing coals provided the scant light and practically no warmth.
Trying to move as little as possible, Estel glanced down at his leg and let out a groan at what he saw. A rusty, metal animal trap attached to the cave wall was clamped around his leg just above the ankle. 'Well, it does seem that someone does not want me to leave.' he thought bitterly. The wound was still bleeding around the metal teeth, though a great deal of blood was already crusted around the rod. 'Adar will not be happy.' Checking his other injuries he found both his side and head sticky and oozing with partially dried blood. Estel sighed and began to direct his attention back to his surroundings.
"Estel !?" a voice whispered to his right.
Estel quickly turned toward the speaker and let out a cry of pain as his wounds protested. There, a few yards away from him was an elf lying on his side with his feet and hands bound behind him.
"Raydaion ?" Estel's voice came out rough and strained.
"Aye, I thought that you might be dead. You were still for so long and tis very dark in here. I strongly dislike caves and I do not know when that man will be back and." the elf was portraying his fear as he babbled, hardly pausing for air.
"Calm down, Ray. Are you injured?" Estel questioned.
"A few cuts, nothing to be troubled by. What about you? I can not see you well from here, how badly are your wounds?" Estel was stunned at the sudden concern the elf was showing for him.
"Do not worry for me. Do you know where we are?" Estel forced through clenched teeth.
"I do not know for sure, but we are not too far from the clearing. I have been thinking that maybe.well that maybe I might have been wrong about you. What you did back there was brave and well.I guess I just wanted to say that I am regretful of what I have done to you." Raydaion said hesitantly.
Estel let out a small chuckle at the pure irony of the situation. It took being captured by a psychotic man and chained to the floor of a cave to change the elf's perspective. The laughing quickly turned into a moan as he once again aggravated his injuries.
"Estel, you are hurt, I saw him hit you. Tis not a good time to try and hide these things."
"You are beginning to sound like my brothers." Estel's pain filled voice came back. Their conversation went no further for at that time their captor returned. He immediately went over to the coals, added wood, and stoked up a fire.
"Ah, so my guests have awakened? Are you two hungry?" Kelvakanta said with fake sweetness. Both boys stared at him, but made no reply.
"You will each have an apple and then we shall have some fun." he continued without caring if they responded or not.
"No." Estel said firmly. Kelvakanta turned toward him and smiled causing a shiver to run down the boy's spine.
"One way or another you will eat this apple. Maybe if we added some fun to dinner, it would entice you into eating." he said with an excited gleam in his eye.
Kelvakanta walked over and took a small key from his pocket and unlocked the trap around Estel's leg. Seconds before it happened, Estel realized what Kelvakanta was going to do. He watched as the man grabbed each side of the jaw. With a vicious jerk he opened them, ripping the teeth from the boy's leg and grinned in pleasure while Estel screamed in pain. Raydaion, who had remained silent, began to yell a series of crude elfish threats in hopes to direct the man's attention from Estel. He got his wish as Kelvakanta turned away from his prey and kicked the elf in the mouth to silence him. He grabbed Estel by the collar of his torn shirt and dragged him deeper into the cave.
* * * * *
Four elves and two dwarves sat whispering in Elrond's study. The windows had been covered and no one dared speak louder than necessary. Conversation ceased suddenly as a knock sounded on the door. Elladan left the circle and opened the study door. He spoke to the messenger in hushed toned before turning to address his father.
"Adar, there are a group of children and their parents requesting an audience with you. They say they have information about Estel." he spoke, excitement crawling into his voice.
Elrond was already halfway to the door by the time Elladan finished, the others followed close behind.
"Where are they waiting?" the lord asked the messenger.
"Downstairs in the greeting hall, my lord."
Without another word, the entire group hurried to receive the guests. Elrond entered the hall and waved for the six elves to forgo the formal bowing. Three young boys stood next to their fathers with looks of mixed fear and apprehension.
"What news do you bring?" he asked directly.
"Our sons returned late from the woods with a disturbing story. We thought it best to come directly to you." Elrond nodded a response and looked down at the children. An elder elf touched his son's shoulder in encouragement. The boy gulped, looked up at his father and stepped forward. He was practically shaking with fear to be speaking to Lord Elrond. Elrond's hard face softened a great deal and he knelt down to the boy's height.
"Minya nin ono lo esse, titta mine." he encouraged (First give me your name, little one)
"I.I.My name is Derkas and this is Bray and Sansas. We were with Estel in the woods and." the elfling stopped and fidgeted while staring at the floor.
"Go on, please tell me what has happened." Elrond said gently. After a few more moments of silence Derkas seemed to gain courage and looked the elder elf in the eye before continuing.
"The dark man trapped all of us but Estel in a net. Raydaion was with us too, but. Well, the man attacked Estel and I think he might have hurt him, but we couldn't see well because we were trying to get out of the net. Then Estel came and freed us. He told us to run. We were so scared that we ran away without helping him. I am sorry, Lord Elrond." the boy finished and quickly returned to his father's side. Elrond raised an eyebrow in slight confusion.
"Who is this man you speak of and where are Raydaion and Estel now?"
Derkas blinked. "Adane mor, mor ve mine man cheba ucal mí sulë." That description did little to help ease Elrond's confusion, but he knew that the child knew no more. (He was dark, dark as one who keeps no light in the spirit.)
"Raydaion and Estel didn't make it back with us. We don't know where they are." Bray added.
Elrond's face was creased with worry as he forced a reply. "I thank you all very much for coming to me. And I am not angry that you ran for if you had not, I would know nothing about my son. I would ask one more thing of you boys. Are you able and willing to show me the place where you were attacked?"
"Yes, Lord Elrond." the three chorused immediately. Elrond smiled slightly as he stood. He spoke to the respectfully silent parents.
"Would you once again bring your sons to see me tomorrow morning, mellonrim?"
"Yes, heruon (my lord)." Was the simple reply.
Elrond tiredly dismissed his visitors and leaned heavily against the wall. 'What I am going to do? I must now track an enemy which I know nothing about.'
* * * * *
Kelvakanta hummed a tune merrily as he strapped Estel to a metal table. There were eleven thick leather buckles: two on each arm and leg, one across his chest, another around his stomach, and the last holding down his head. Estel couldn't move and he felt fear rising in him until its metallic taste filled his mouth. The humming paused for a moment.
"I hope you will enjoy my concoctions. I have so many different kinds, but rest assured they are each very unique. You have already experienced the mild mind altering on in the apples. I was thinking that it might be more fun this first time if you were blindfolded. What do you think?" he lectured cheerfully before resuming his song.
Kelvakanta grabbed Estel's face and used his thumbs to thrust the clamped jaw open. Before he knew what was happening, Estel felt an apple shoved in his mouth and tied securely as a type of gag. As his teeth pierced the skin the strange juice trickled down his throat. Next, Kelvakanta tied a large strip of black cloth over his eyes. He could not see, or talk, all he could do was listen to the stupid cheery tune and wait.
"I thought we could start with something to warm you up. These caves really are quite chilly." the voice began to sound sardonic as Kelvakanta became more excited.
The next thing Estel felt was a liquid poured on his side wound. Then a burning sensation that slowly grew until it felt as thought half his body was on fire. A sharp blade bit into his arm and the liquid fire came soon after. This process continued until his entire body was wracked in agony. Estel could not move, could not scream, he only tasted apple juice and listened to the gleeful laugh of his happy tormentor.
After was he determined was ten doses of the liquid fire, Kelvakanta paused. Estel's body was covered in sweat and shaking from pain and heat. 'Thank Elbereth, maybe he is satisfied.' Estel thought with hope. Again, luck abandoned him as he felt a particularly large, deep gash cut into his shoulder. The fire began once more and was continuously renewed every few seconds. Every nerve was screaming in his body and his muscles began to quiver.
"I shall return in a few hours when that bottle finally empties. Enjoy your apple, young one." Kelvakanta called as he left the boy was now writhing in pain. Each time a drop of the poison entered his body, Estel wanted to cry out, to pull away, to do anything to end the pain. Soon his entire mind, body, and world were consumed in fire leaving very little room for the cool touch of hope.
* * * * *
Hours later Estel's body lay on the cold stone floor shivering in shock and pain. His sweat and blood flowed freely making both his body and the rock beneath him slick. He had eventually passed out on the table and had awoken, his leg once more in the rusty teeth. Whimpering quietly to himself, Estel curled into a crescent shape. The tunic, leggings, and vest he wore were shredded and his boots lost. There was not a single part of his body that did not throb. Estel squeezed his eyes shut and tried to pretend he was back in his room, safe in his warm bed. His attempt at comfort abruptly ended as a hand clamped down on his shoulder.
* * * * *
A/N: There you go, a nice long chapter for you all. I have a question for everyone. I am trying to decided if I should bring in Legolas as a character or not, please let me know what you think.
xsilicax- Hey, I need Estel for awhile yet so please let me have him back. *grabs Estel and holds him protectively* I promise that I will try very very hard not to be too terribly cruel to him. Anyway, there was another long chapter for you. Hope you liked it and thanks for the review.
Staran- Thank you very much and I can't tell you about Estel because if I did then it would give too much away. You'll just have to keep reading and reviewing.
Kawaii BlueBear- What can I say, you never know what could be in those apples, *evil grin* but don't let that stop you from having one of these. *holds out a basket of apples* Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter even though the mean old man got hold of Estel. Thanks for the review.
Saera- So now you are demanding more chapters. Well there you go, at least one more. I hope you liked it!
Carrie- You should really be nice to poor Estel, he is already going through quite a lot, but go ahead and beat up the others. Ask away, I'll answer as many as I can without giving the story away. I am happy that you like it so far!
ThE iNsAnE oNe- Would you like one of Kawaii's apples? They're quite harmless, really.hehehe. So you don't like Kelvakanta very much? Yes, he is a very evil man. Oh well, if you can catch him go ahead and punish him, otherwise you'll just have to wait.
Dujoran- Thank you so much for the review. It was so pleasant and positive. You didn't even threaten to kill me or one of the characters. Wow, I am so glad you are enjoying it. Also, thanks for being so patient and understanding about my erratic posting.
arwen-evenstar- I guess all I can say is a big resounding THANKS and I hope you liked this one also.
Bookworm2000- Oh, I am so excited, I get to be called evil. Evil, Evil Elladan! *grins widely* Thanks so much for the review.
Ellie- Ok, I did. Hope you liked it and thanks for the review.
