Author's Notes:
Not much to say this time, only that this chapter took much longer than expected to write. Also, I WILL be using Anduril in this story, so let's just ignore the fact that Aragorn isn't supposed to get for another few decades, ok!? =D
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Chapter 2: The Game
Before Aragorn could even fully register what Legolas had said, a piercing howl ripped through the approaching night, sending chills involuntarily up the man's spine. Still shocked and trying to process the predicament they were in, he was jolted out of his slight trance when Legolas yanked him hard by the arm.
"We must not tarry, Estel, it is coming!"
"Why don't we simply stay here and fight?" asked Aragorn, hesitating.
Legolas cursed impatiently. "We don't know what we're up against! If we must fight, then let us at least delay it until we know what we face!"
Needing no further urging, Aragorn took off after Legolas, who was already dashing further into the twisting maze. He had not quite the soundless grace of his Elven friend, but early training had given him enough speed to keep up.
Legolas didn't bother looking behind him to see if Aragorn was still there - he could hear the human's semi-loud shuffling run a few feet behind. Legolas growled under his breath in frustration, knowing perfectly well they had no idea where they were going. They were simply taking random turns with no true direction in mind. To make things worse, he could hear their pursuer drawing nearer.
They ran for seemingly hours, though in reality, their flight had only lasted for ten minutes or so at the most. The pace Legolas set was fast, but Aragorn harbored no complaints. There had not been any turns for a long while - now they were simply running down a straight pathway. Legolas wasn't sure if that was a good or bad sign. . Legolas gritted his teeth as his mind sought some solution. No matter how hard and how fast they ran, both were aware the creature that hunted them was faster. Much faster.
The howls were quick approaching. Aragorn chanced a quick glance over his shoulder at the long straight hall behind him. To his horror and rising panic, he could just make out a pair of gleaming red eyes in the dark. Despite the distance between them, Aragorn could sense the thrill of the hunt in those eyes.
"Legolas!! It's right behind us!"
His worst fears confirmed, Legolas smacked himself mentally. How had they gotten into this? One moment they were standing outside the walls of a city - free - and the next, they were being chased down by the Valar knows what.
Aragorn felt the wind brushing past his face and whipping his dark hair behind him. It was completely dark now and no stars shimmered above. Only the pale moon's dull shine penetrated the black. He could barely see Legolas in front of him. It did not help that the elf made no noise as he ran. Trusting almost to blind flight and the slight glint of Legolas' golden hair, Aragorn ran on doggedly.
Legolas dared not even pause for a split moment to check what was behind them. His mind worked furiously as he flew down the paths, his human friend right behind him. The maze took a sudden turn. The two friends made a sharp left and, suddenly, there was nowhere to go.
Aragorn stared in disbelief. "A DEAD END!?!"
Their howling pursuer was even closer now. Aragorn looked at Legolas who only looked right back at him. They stared.
Legolas took a deep breath. "Now, don't panic, Estel -"
"!?!?!?!?"
"Alright then, perhaps panicking is natural in a situation like this.. "
The young human rolled his eyes. "Well then, my friend, it looks as if we're going to have to fight after all."
"Indeed." The Elven Prince reached behind him and felt calmed as his fingers closed around the smooth wood of his bow. With hands that moved quicker than sight, he notched an arrow and aimed at the darkness. Aragorn too fitted an arrow to his bowstring and stood in wait. They were silent as the pounding feet grew louder.
"What do you think we're fighting?" inquired Legolas, his voice quiet and calm.
"I wish I knew," replied Aragorn, gray eyes narrowing as he sighted.
Suddenly, red eyes appeared around the bend. It halted immediately when it caught sight of them. Both friends held their breath when they saw what they faced.
Taut muscles and sinew bunched and glided beneath a hide of rough black fur. A short mane of bristling hair stood out at awkward angles on its thick neck. Its jaws were pulled back in a threatening snarl, and pointed yellow fangs were visible. Saliva dripped from its thin black lips as it growled menacingly below those devilish ruby eyes. It resembled something of a giant misshapen wolf. Fearsome claws extended from giant paws scratched against the rocky ground as it prepared itself to spring.
Aragorn and Legolas tightened their fingers on the Elven bows before they let their arrows fly. Aragorn's arrow hit first, burying deeply into the creature's shoulder, quickly followed by Legolas', which struck its neck. However, the arrows did not fell it - they only served to anger it.
Before either could notch a second arrow, it was bounding towards them. Shocked at its speed, Aragorn and Legolas did the only thing they could do with a giant wolf lunging straight at them. They jumped out of the way. Aragorn executed a smooth roll to the right and ended up back on his feet. He had abandoned his bow some feet away, but now Anduril shone steadily in his hands. Legolas, who had leapt to the left, threw his precious bow in a corner, hoping it would not get stomped on during the upcoming fray. His blue eyes glinted in the moonlight as his Elven blades flew from their sheaths.
The giant wolf did not seem any less confident when it found itself facing two enemies. Instead, the thrill of the hunt was fading from its eyes and the thrill of the kill was replacing it. It turned its attention to Aragorn first. With a roar, the beast lunged at the young human, claws extended. Cursing, Aragorn leapt lightly to the side and slashed at the creature's hide. To his frustration, the ancient blade hit at an awkward angle and only managed to inflict a minor wound. By now, however, Legolas was coming in from behind. The twin blades whistled in the air as he whirled them. Suddenly, the wolf turned with shocking agility and pounced on the unsuspecting elf.
Legolas was slammed down hard, the wind knocked out of him. Gasping, he heard something within him crack when the animal's weight descended upon him. Gnashing teeth were right in his face when a streak of silver flashed above them. The creature roared as it rolled to the side, trying to avoid the sword that was hacking away at its thick hide. Aragorn blinked the sweat from his eyes as he desperately tried to distract the beast from Legolas, who as very obviously injured. That desperation increased tenfold as the wolf regained its balance, seemingly undaunted by the man's harsh blows. With one swipe of its huge paw, it knocked the ancient sword from Aragorn's hand. With a yell of surprise and dismay, Aragorn backed away, no weapon in hand.
Legolas clenched his jaw tightly, fighting to overcome the stinging pain in his chest. He lifted himself up on his elbows and absorbed the scene before him. Aragorn was backed up against a far wall, the snarling wolf preparing itself for one final pounce. To his frustration, he found that he could not even lift himself up any further - the burning in his chest restricted him from any such movements. He knew he could not fight, not like this. But Aragorn could.
"Estel!! Here!"
Aragorn's eyes met his friend's for a brief moment before he saw one of Legolas' Elven blades skimming along the ground towards him. In one swift move, he reached down and grabbed the light weapon in his hand.
Then, it pounced.
Aragorn's mind worked in a frenzy. If he stayed where he was, he would be crushed against the wall by the creature's weight, even if he did manage to slay it. With nowhere to run, he had to think quickly as the creature flew through the air towards him. On a sudden drift of inspiration, Aragorn turned slightly and slammed the hilt of Legolas' blade as hard as he could into the wall, trusting to the durability of Elven weapons. Pebbles crumbled to the ground as the hilt embedded itself into the wall and stayed there. Knowing how every moment made a difference, Aragorn immediately dropped down and threw himself on the ground as far as he could towards the wolf. His calculations had been right - the creature flew straight over Aragorn's sprawled body and slammed into the blade that awaited it.
A cry of agony issued forth from its torn throat. The beast clawed desperately at the wall as death beckoned. With a final shudder, it slid down the wall and lay in a furry heap on the floor.
Breathing hard, Aragorn tore his eyes from the dead animal and crawled to Legolas' side. The elf was a little pale, but didn't look too bad overall.
"Nice kill, my friend. Very quick thinking, I must say."
Aragorn managed a smile. "Thank you. Now, let's see to your injury." Gently, he pulled Legolas to a nearby wall by the shoulders and propped him up against it.
"I think I cracked a rib," murmured the elf.
Aragorn nodded. "You did." He shrugged the small pack from his back and untied it quickly. Pulling out various herbs, he mixed them in a tiny wooden bowl with liquids from a vial until he had a thin paste. Aragorn unbuttoned Legolas' tunic and spread the newly made medicine on his chest lightly.
"It'll help the bruising and dim the pain."
He then preceded to unroll a bandage and wrap in tightly around his friend's chest. Hissing softy, Legolas closed his eyes and let Aragorn patch him up. Just as he was tying the strips of cloth, a howl split the night not too far off. Legolas and Aragorn froze.
"There's more!?!"
Legolas' lips were set in a grim line. "I suppose so."
Narrowing his eyes, Aragorn quickly finished bandaging Legolas' ribs and hurriedly helped him to rebutton his tunic. With his friend's help, Legolas rose to his feet with a slight groan. Once standing, however, he felt the pressure lessen and he was able to ignore the sharp pangs in his chest.
A second howl answered the first.
Cursing, Aragorn ran to where Legolas' blade was embedded in the stone. He pulled it out and tossed it to Legolas before retrieving his own sword.
Legolas took his place beside Aragorn, facing the darkness before them. The human cast a worried glance at his best friend.
"There's more than one this time, Legolas. Do you think you can fight?"
Legolas frowned. "I think I can - your herbs are working, so I can't really feel the pain anymore. I should be able to handle it."
Aragorn nodded slowly. The first wolf had been more than challenging. He didn't relish the prospect of facing another one, and certainly not two of them at one time. He breathed deeply and held Anduril in a ready position.
Just as two pairs of red eyes appeared in the darkness, a heavy groan of shifting stone sounded behind them. What they had thought to be a solid wall was sliding to the right, revealing a dark opening behind.
Legolas glanced at the sudden opening, then at the two wolves who were scratching the ground like twin pitbulls, then at Aragorn. His blue eyes questioned silently.
Aragorn shook his head furiously. "There is no possibly way we are going in there, Legolas, you don't know what's in there!"
Legolas nodded towards the snarling creatures only a hundred or so feet away. "Would you rather fight them?"
"I didn't say that - I just don't like the idea of going into some strange opening that just happened to slide open for us!"
Suddenly, the wall started moving left again, the entrance narrowing slowly.
Legolas growled in frustration. "Aragorn, it's closing! We must take a chance - we can't fight both of them!"
"No!"
Without a word, Legolas sheathed his twin blades, grabbed his bow and disappeared into the dark opening. Aragorn stared. ~He just left me!!~
In that instant, the two giant wolves sprang towards the human in unison. Aragorn's eyes widened at the two huge forms descending towards him before he was yanked backwards into the black entrance. The stone wall slid shut with a thud, blocking them from the two attacking creatures outside.
Aragorn gasped heavily as he lay on the cold floor with Legolas by his side.
"Alright, fine, I'm glad we're not fighting those - things - now what have we gotten ourselves into?"
Before Legolas could reply, the darkness was suddenly replaced by a brilliant light. After their eyes adjusted to the sudden change, they stared at what they saw. They were in a large domed room with sculpted pillars near the walls. Detailed battle scenes were painted beautifully on the walls. The floor was inlaid with marble and shone with a glaze. The dome above was painted in rich reds and golds, with small gems shimmering from within the color. More than a thousand candles were spread around the chamber, lit and illuminating the entire room.
Legolas and Aragorn gaped, staring at the magnificent room in awe and wonderment.
"Where are we?" inquired Aragorn softly, his eyes sweeping over the shining walls.
"You are in the Hall of Carnuin. I must say, I am a little surprised you managed to defeat my Drehneg, though no less pleased, I assure you."
Snapped from their trances, the two friends whipped their heads in unison to stare at the source of the voice. Their eyes fell on a dark corner at the end of the room, the only place not illuminated by the candles' penetrating light. Hurriedly getting to their feet, Aragorn and Legolas drew closer to each other. The Prince of Mirkwood narrowed his eyes. He could just make out a dark figure within the even darker shadows.
"Who are you? Reveal yourself!" he commanded, his voice ringing with authority.
An amused chuckle echoed back at them,
"You have no authority here, young Prince, but I will do as you wish."
With that, a tall robed figure emerged from the concealing shadows. His hood was pulled up over his head, his face hidden. He carried a long curved staff in his hands, which he ran his fingers along absentmindedly. He stopped a few dozen feet away from them.
"Satisfied?"
Aragorn followed Legolas' suit and narrowed his eyes as well. "No. We ask again, who are you?"
A second malicious chuckle sounded from beneath the figure's hood. "As you command, Lord of Gondor."
He pulled the dark hood from his face. Legolas and Aragorn stared. He seemed to be a man, though his piercing emerald eyes held none of the compassion that most men possessed. His face was ridged with hard lines and his nose was high and straight. His dark hair was pulled back from his face and tied with a short length of red ribbon. All in all, he seemed like wise nobility but for the evil intent in his eyes. When he spoke, his voice was deep, but edged with a certain malice and amused pleasure that chilled the very air they all breathed.
"You may call me Lord Hindir. You need no knowledge of from where I came, but I arrived at Carnuin perhaps two years ago."
"Hindir?" Aragorn frowned. "What of King Hayden?"
Lord Hindir laughed this time. "Oh, him. I'm afraid he was well corrupted by my Dark Arts when I first came here. I eventually overruled him and his pitiful excuse for a city."
Legolas had to force himself from backing away. King Hayden had been out of power for two years? Then who had invited Elrond and Thrandiul here - was it this - Lord Hindir?
"My Lord Hindir," said Legolas, taking a step forward. "I don't know what you have done with the people of Carnuin and their King, but Aragorn and I have nothing to do with it. All we want is to leave."
Hindir laughed. "Leave? There if only one way you can leave." His eyes glinted in the light of the candles.
Legolas felt an uneasiness growing within him. "How?"
"Play The Game."
Aragorn and Legolas glanced at each other. The game? What in Valar's name was the game? Hindir continued before either could inquire.
"Since I settled here, I have created a city of peril. I have been a hunter all my life, but now," he smiled. "I am content with watching my. . innovations.. . do the hunting."
Aragorn felt queasy. Innovations?
"You see," continued Hindir. "I have created a Game of sorts. I was getting quite bored, however, with all the weary travelers who happened to stumble upon my kingdom. They perish far too quickly and offer me no amusement. My last real challenge was King Hayden and his people. They at least lasted for more than a week. Since then though.. . I am afraid life here has been quite a bore."
Puzzle pieces started clicking into place in Aragorn and Legolas' minds.
"I was browsing through a few old documents in the Carnuin archives last summer." Hindir's eyes brightened. "-And behold, I read about the perfect players. Lord Elrond of Rivendell and King Thrandiul of Greenwood. Two great Elven warriors, and royalty, nonetheless."
Legolas' eyes narrowed. "You were planning to draw them here using Hayden's name!"
Hindir smiled. "You two, their sons, came instead, but I do not consider that a bad thing - not a bad thing at all. The pair of you should give some entertainment. I have waited long for someone worthy to play."
Aragorn's brows knitted in deep alarm. "Play what?"
Lord Hindir slid the staff between his hands. "I send people through the city, through scenarios I have created. The Game is simple. If you survive long enough to reach the end, the way out of the city is yours. If not - then I am afraid my creatures will have much pleasure devouring you."
Legolas growled angrily under his breath. He had been free all his life, and treated quite well considering his royal heritage. He was highly respected among every race, and well liked just as much. The idea of being trapped in some madman's twisted city and being forced to do what he did not want to do did not go well with him. Raging blue flame ignited and danced wildly in his eyes. "I will not play your twisted 'game'."
Hindir laughed. "They all say that, my fair Prince." Then, his laughter faded and his eyes narrowed into slits with an evil light shone from them. "But when darkness is all around you and you find yourself faced with formidable foes - believe me now; you 'will' play."
Aragorn stepped forward, his teeth bared. In a flash, Anduril flew from its sheath and glared threateningly at Hindir. "We will be rid of you now then, my Lord. Somehow, I do not think your game will be very well played without you here to guide it!" The young Ranger felt his confidence escalate when he heard Legolas' twin blades being drawn. However, his mind hinted at some misgiving. Lord Hindir only smiled.
Suddenly, their weapons flew from their hands, torn away from them by some invisible force. The three blades skidded across the tiled floor and slowed to a stop right beside a large gilded door on the opposite side of the room. Without a sound, the door slid open, revealing night outside.
Lord Hindir shook his head, as if he were a father disappointed in his childrens' foolish antics. "Tut-tut, my friends. You really must take more caution with your weapons. I believe you will need them in the days to come."
Legolas glanced at Aragorn, moving his hands back to his sides, no weapons in hand.
"There is no way back. Play The Game or die here. You choice." Hindir's voice was growing impatient.
Aragorn and Legolas shared looks of worry and rising panic. Simultaneously, they lifted their eyes to stare at the open door and nighttime fear. The elf sighed and looked back at Hindir, who was watching them irately.
Without a word, The Prince of Mirkwood turned and headed towards the door. His heart was heavy with foreboding, but no other choice was presented to them. Aragorn closed his eyes for a few seconds before following his Elven friend. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Hindir's pleased smile directed towards them. Aragorn stifled his anger and as they passed through the door and immediately bent down to retrieve their weapons. When they looked up to observe the scene before then, a feeling of dread forced its way into their hearts.
A black forest stood before them. Twisting branches waved in the night, groping at nothing. Odd shuffling noises could be heard from deep within the wood. The tall gnarled trees stood in haunting wait.
"Farewell for now, my young friends," called Lord Hindir. "Play the Game well and you may yet survive."
Then, the heavy door slammed shut behind them.
Taking a deep breath, Legolas turned to look at his friend.
"Well, Estel - it appears we play or die."
"Well put, my friend," replied Aragorn, his eyes betraying the confidence in his voice.
Legolas sighed. "Come - we will live through this."
Their minds troubled deeply, the two friends gripped their weapons and started forewards. Fear managed to gnaw its way through flesh and bone and settled annoyingly into their hearts. The Elven Prince and the future King of Men started off into the skewed wilderness of the Black Wood.
The Game had begun.
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Uh oh, this does not bode well, I don't think =Þ Check back for the third chapter to see what messy bad stuff they have to grow through in the **dun dun dun** BLACK WOOD. EEEEEEEE~!
Not much to say this time, only that this chapter took much longer than expected to write. Also, I WILL be using Anduril in this story, so let's just ignore the fact that Aragorn isn't supposed to get for another few decades, ok!? =D
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Chapter 2: The Game
Before Aragorn could even fully register what Legolas had said, a piercing howl ripped through the approaching night, sending chills involuntarily up the man's spine. Still shocked and trying to process the predicament they were in, he was jolted out of his slight trance when Legolas yanked him hard by the arm.
"We must not tarry, Estel, it is coming!"
"Why don't we simply stay here and fight?" asked Aragorn, hesitating.
Legolas cursed impatiently. "We don't know what we're up against! If we must fight, then let us at least delay it until we know what we face!"
Needing no further urging, Aragorn took off after Legolas, who was already dashing further into the twisting maze. He had not quite the soundless grace of his Elven friend, but early training had given him enough speed to keep up.
Legolas didn't bother looking behind him to see if Aragorn was still there - he could hear the human's semi-loud shuffling run a few feet behind. Legolas growled under his breath in frustration, knowing perfectly well they had no idea where they were going. They were simply taking random turns with no true direction in mind. To make things worse, he could hear their pursuer drawing nearer.
They ran for seemingly hours, though in reality, their flight had only lasted for ten minutes or so at the most. The pace Legolas set was fast, but Aragorn harbored no complaints. There had not been any turns for a long while - now they were simply running down a straight pathway. Legolas wasn't sure if that was a good or bad sign. . Legolas gritted his teeth as his mind sought some solution. No matter how hard and how fast they ran, both were aware the creature that hunted them was faster. Much faster.
The howls were quick approaching. Aragorn chanced a quick glance over his shoulder at the long straight hall behind him. To his horror and rising panic, he could just make out a pair of gleaming red eyes in the dark. Despite the distance between them, Aragorn could sense the thrill of the hunt in those eyes.
"Legolas!! It's right behind us!"
His worst fears confirmed, Legolas smacked himself mentally. How had they gotten into this? One moment they were standing outside the walls of a city - free - and the next, they were being chased down by the Valar knows what.
Aragorn felt the wind brushing past his face and whipping his dark hair behind him. It was completely dark now and no stars shimmered above. Only the pale moon's dull shine penetrated the black. He could barely see Legolas in front of him. It did not help that the elf made no noise as he ran. Trusting almost to blind flight and the slight glint of Legolas' golden hair, Aragorn ran on doggedly.
Legolas dared not even pause for a split moment to check what was behind them. His mind worked furiously as he flew down the paths, his human friend right behind him. The maze took a sudden turn. The two friends made a sharp left and, suddenly, there was nowhere to go.
Aragorn stared in disbelief. "A DEAD END!?!"
Their howling pursuer was even closer now. Aragorn looked at Legolas who only looked right back at him. They stared.
Legolas took a deep breath. "Now, don't panic, Estel -"
"!?!?!?!?"
"Alright then, perhaps panicking is natural in a situation like this.. "
The young human rolled his eyes. "Well then, my friend, it looks as if we're going to have to fight after all."
"Indeed." The Elven Prince reached behind him and felt calmed as his fingers closed around the smooth wood of his bow. With hands that moved quicker than sight, he notched an arrow and aimed at the darkness. Aragorn too fitted an arrow to his bowstring and stood in wait. They were silent as the pounding feet grew louder.
"What do you think we're fighting?" inquired Legolas, his voice quiet and calm.
"I wish I knew," replied Aragorn, gray eyes narrowing as he sighted.
Suddenly, red eyes appeared around the bend. It halted immediately when it caught sight of them. Both friends held their breath when they saw what they faced.
Taut muscles and sinew bunched and glided beneath a hide of rough black fur. A short mane of bristling hair stood out at awkward angles on its thick neck. Its jaws were pulled back in a threatening snarl, and pointed yellow fangs were visible. Saliva dripped from its thin black lips as it growled menacingly below those devilish ruby eyes. It resembled something of a giant misshapen wolf. Fearsome claws extended from giant paws scratched against the rocky ground as it prepared itself to spring.
Aragorn and Legolas tightened their fingers on the Elven bows before they let their arrows fly. Aragorn's arrow hit first, burying deeply into the creature's shoulder, quickly followed by Legolas', which struck its neck. However, the arrows did not fell it - they only served to anger it.
Before either could notch a second arrow, it was bounding towards them. Shocked at its speed, Aragorn and Legolas did the only thing they could do with a giant wolf lunging straight at them. They jumped out of the way. Aragorn executed a smooth roll to the right and ended up back on his feet. He had abandoned his bow some feet away, but now Anduril shone steadily in his hands. Legolas, who had leapt to the left, threw his precious bow in a corner, hoping it would not get stomped on during the upcoming fray. His blue eyes glinted in the moonlight as his Elven blades flew from their sheaths.
The giant wolf did not seem any less confident when it found itself facing two enemies. Instead, the thrill of the hunt was fading from its eyes and the thrill of the kill was replacing it. It turned its attention to Aragorn first. With a roar, the beast lunged at the young human, claws extended. Cursing, Aragorn leapt lightly to the side and slashed at the creature's hide. To his frustration, the ancient blade hit at an awkward angle and only managed to inflict a minor wound. By now, however, Legolas was coming in from behind. The twin blades whistled in the air as he whirled them. Suddenly, the wolf turned with shocking agility and pounced on the unsuspecting elf.
Legolas was slammed down hard, the wind knocked out of him. Gasping, he heard something within him crack when the animal's weight descended upon him. Gnashing teeth were right in his face when a streak of silver flashed above them. The creature roared as it rolled to the side, trying to avoid the sword that was hacking away at its thick hide. Aragorn blinked the sweat from his eyes as he desperately tried to distract the beast from Legolas, who as very obviously injured. That desperation increased tenfold as the wolf regained its balance, seemingly undaunted by the man's harsh blows. With one swipe of its huge paw, it knocked the ancient sword from Aragorn's hand. With a yell of surprise and dismay, Aragorn backed away, no weapon in hand.
Legolas clenched his jaw tightly, fighting to overcome the stinging pain in his chest. He lifted himself up on his elbows and absorbed the scene before him. Aragorn was backed up against a far wall, the snarling wolf preparing itself for one final pounce. To his frustration, he found that he could not even lift himself up any further - the burning in his chest restricted him from any such movements. He knew he could not fight, not like this. But Aragorn could.
"Estel!! Here!"
Aragorn's eyes met his friend's for a brief moment before he saw one of Legolas' Elven blades skimming along the ground towards him. In one swift move, he reached down and grabbed the light weapon in his hand.
Then, it pounced.
Aragorn's mind worked in a frenzy. If he stayed where he was, he would be crushed against the wall by the creature's weight, even if he did manage to slay it. With nowhere to run, he had to think quickly as the creature flew through the air towards him. On a sudden drift of inspiration, Aragorn turned slightly and slammed the hilt of Legolas' blade as hard as he could into the wall, trusting to the durability of Elven weapons. Pebbles crumbled to the ground as the hilt embedded itself into the wall and stayed there. Knowing how every moment made a difference, Aragorn immediately dropped down and threw himself on the ground as far as he could towards the wolf. His calculations had been right - the creature flew straight over Aragorn's sprawled body and slammed into the blade that awaited it.
A cry of agony issued forth from its torn throat. The beast clawed desperately at the wall as death beckoned. With a final shudder, it slid down the wall and lay in a furry heap on the floor.
Breathing hard, Aragorn tore his eyes from the dead animal and crawled to Legolas' side. The elf was a little pale, but didn't look too bad overall.
"Nice kill, my friend. Very quick thinking, I must say."
Aragorn managed a smile. "Thank you. Now, let's see to your injury." Gently, he pulled Legolas to a nearby wall by the shoulders and propped him up against it.
"I think I cracked a rib," murmured the elf.
Aragorn nodded. "You did." He shrugged the small pack from his back and untied it quickly. Pulling out various herbs, he mixed them in a tiny wooden bowl with liquids from a vial until he had a thin paste. Aragorn unbuttoned Legolas' tunic and spread the newly made medicine on his chest lightly.
"It'll help the bruising and dim the pain."
He then preceded to unroll a bandage and wrap in tightly around his friend's chest. Hissing softy, Legolas closed his eyes and let Aragorn patch him up. Just as he was tying the strips of cloth, a howl split the night not too far off. Legolas and Aragorn froze.
"There's more!?!"
Legolas' lips were set in a grim line. "I suppose so."
Narrowing his eyes, Aragorn quickly finished bandaging Legolas' ribs and hurriedly helped him to rebutton his tunic. With his friend's help, Legolas rose to his feet with a slight groan. Once standing, however, he felt the pressure lessen and he was able to ignore the sharp pangs in his chest.
A second howl answered the first.
Cursing, Aragorn ran to where Legolas' blade was embedded in the stone. He pulled it out and tossed it to Legolas before retrieving his own sword.
Legolas took his place beside Aragorn, facing the darkness before them. The human cast a worried glance at his best friend.
"There's more than one this time, Legolas. Do you think you can fight?"
Legolas frowned. "I think I can - your herbs are working, so I can't really feel the pain anymore. I should be able to handle it."
Aragorn nodded slowly. The first wolf had been more than challenging. He didn't relish the prospect of facing another one, and certainly not two of them at one time. He breathed deeply and held Anduril in a ready position.
Just as two pairs of red eyes appeared in the darkness, a heavy groan of shifting stone sounded behind them. What they had thought to be a solid wall was sliding to the right, revealing a dark opening behind.
Legolas glanced at the sudden opening, then at the two wolves who were scratching the ground like twin pitbulls, then at Aragorn. His blue eyes questioned silently.
Aragorn shook his head furiously. "There is no possibly way we are going in there, Legolas, you don't know what's in there!"
Legolas nodded towards the snarling creatures only a hundred or so feet away. "Would you rather fight them?"
"I didn't say that - I just don't like the idea of going into some strange opening that just happened to slide open for us!"
Suddenly, the wall started moving left again, the entrance narrowing slowly.
Legolas growled in frustration. "Aragorn, it's closing! We must take a chance - we can't fight both of them!"
"No!"
Without a word, Legolas sheathed his twin blades, grabbed his bow and disappeared into the dark opening. Aragorn stared. ~He just left me!!~
In that instant, the two giant wolves sprang towards the human in unison. Aragorn's eyes widened at the two huge forms descending towards him before he was yanked backwards into the black entrance. The stone wall slid shut with a thud, blocking them from the two attacking creatures outside.
Aragorn gasped heavily as he lay on the cold floor with Legolas by his side.
"Alright, fine, I'm glad we're not fighting those - things - now what have we gotten ourselves into?"
Before Legolas could reply, the darkness was suddenly replaced by a brilliant light. After their eyes adjusted to the sudden change, they stared at what they saw. They were in a large domed room with sculpted pillars near the walls. Detailed battle scenes were painted beautifully on the walls. The floor was inlaid with marble and shone with a glaze. The dome above was painted in rich reds and golds, with small gems shimmering from within the color. More than a thousand candles were spread around the chamber, lit and illuminating the entire room.
Legolas and Aragorn gaped, staring at the magnificent room in awe and wonderment.
"Where are we?" inquired Aragorn softly, his eyes sweeping over the shining walls.
"You are in the Hall of Carnuin. I must say, I am a little surprised you managed to defeat my Drehneg, though no less pleased, I assure you."
Snapped from their trances, the two friends whipped their heads in unison to stare at the source of the voice. Their eyes fell on a dark corner at the end of the room, the only place not illuminated by the candles' penetrating light. Hurriedly getting to their feet, Aragorn and Legolas drew closer to each other. The Prince of Mirkwood narrowed his eyes. He could just make out a dark figure within the even darker shadows.
"Who are you? Reveal yourself!" he commanded, his voice ringing with authority.
An amused chuckle echoed back at them,
"You have no authority here, young Prince, but I will do as you wish."
With that, a tall robed figure emerged from the concealing shadows. His hood was pulled up over his head, his face hidden. He carried a long curved staff in his hands, which he ran his fingers along absentmindedly. He stopped a few dozen feet away from them.
"Satisfied?"
Aragorn followed Legolas' suit and narrowed his eyes as well. "No. We ask again, who are you?"
A second malicious chuckle sounded from beneath the figure's hood. "As you command, Lord of Gondor."
He pulled the dark hood from his face. Legolas and Aragorn stared. He seemed to be a man, though his piercing emerald eyes held none of the compassion that most men possessed. His face was ridged with hard lines and his nose was high and straight. His dark hair was pulled back from his face and tied with a short length of red ribbon. All in all, he seemed like wise nobility but for the evil intent in his eyes. When he spoke, his voice was deep, but edged with a certain malice and amused pleasure that chilled the very air they all breathed.
"You may call me Lord Hindir. You need no knowledge of from where I came, but I arrived at Carnuin perhaps two years ago."
"Hindir?" Aragorn frowned. "What of King Hayden?"
Lord Hindir laughed this time. "Oh, him. I'm afraid he was well corrupted by my Dark Arts when I first came here. I eventually overruled him and his pitiful excuse for a city."
Legolas had to force himself from backing away. King Hayden had been out of power for two years? Then who had invited Elrond and Thrandiul here - was it this - Lord Hindir?
"My Lord Hindir," said Legolas, taking a step forward. "I don't know what you have done with the people of Carnuin and their King, but Aragorn and I have nothing to do with it. All we want is to leave."
Hindir laughed. "Leave? There if only one way you can leave." His eyes glinted in the light of the candles.
Legolas felt an uneasiness growing within him. "How?"
"Play The Game."
Aragorn and Legolas glanced at each other. The game? What in Valar's name was the game? Hindir continued before either could inquire.
"Since I settled here, I have created a city of peril. I have been a hunter all my life, but now," he smiled. "I am content with watching my. . innovations.. . do the hunting."
Aragorn felt queasy. Innovations?
"You see," continued Hindir. "I have created a Game of sorts. I was getting quite bored, however, with all the weary travelers who happened to stumble upon my kingdom. They perish far too quickly and offer me no amusement. My last real challenge was King Hayden and his people. They at least lasted for more than a week. Since then though.. . I am afraid life here has been quite a bore."
Puzzle pieces started clicking into place in Aragorn and Legolas' minds.
"I was browsing through a few old documents in the Carnuin archives last summer." Hindir's eyes brightened. "-And behold, I read about the perfect players. Lord Elrond of Rivendell and King Thrandiul of Greenwood. Two great Elven warriors, and royalty, nonetheless."
Legolas' eyes narrowed. "You were planning to draw them here using Hayden's name!"
Hindir smiled. "You two, their sons, came instead, but I do not consider that a bad thing - not a bad thing at all. The pair of you should give some entertainment. I have waited long for someone worthy to play."
Aragorn's brows knitted in deep alarm. "Play what?"
Lord Hindir slid the staff between his hands. "I send people through the city, through scenarios I have created. The Game is simple. If you survive long enough to reach the end, the way out of the city is yours. If not - then I am afraid my creatures will have much pleasure devouring you."
Legolas growled angrily under his breath. He had been free all his life, and treated quite well considering his royal heritage. He was highly respected among every race, and well liked just as much. The idea of being trapped in some madman's twisted city and being forced to do what he did not want to do did not go well with him. Raging blue flame ignited and danced wildly in his eyes. "I will not play your twisted 'game'."
Hindir laughed. "They all say that, my fair Prince." Then, his laughter faded and his eyes narrowed into slits with an evil light shone from them. "But when darkness is all around you and you find yourself faced with formidable foes - believe me now; you 'will' play."
Aragorn stepped forward, his teeth bared. In a flash, Anduril flew from its sheath and glared threateningly at Hindir. "We will be rid of you now then, my Lord. Somehow, I do not think your game will be very well played without you here to guide it!" The young Ranger felt his confidence escalate when he heard Legolas' twin blades being drawn. However, his mind hinted at some misgiving. Lord Hindir only smiled.
Suddenly, their weapons flew from their hands, torn away from them by some invisible force. The three blades skidded across the tiled floor and slowed to a stop right beside a large gilded door on the opposite side of the room. Without a sound, the door slid open, revealing night outside.
Lord Hindir shook his head, as if he were a father disappointed in his childrens' foolish antics. "Tut-tut, my friends. You really must take more caution with your weapons. I believe you will need them in the days to come."
Legolas glanced at Aragorn, moving his hands back to his sides, no weapons in hand.
"There is no way back. Play The Game or die here. You choice." Hindir's voice was growing impatient.
Aragorn and Legolas shared looks of worry and rising panic. Simultaneously, they lifted their eyes to stare at the open door and nighttime fear. The elf sighed and looked back at Hindir, who was watching them irately.
Without a word, The Prince of Mirkwood turned and headed towards the door. His heart was heavy with foreboding, but no other choice was presented to them. Aragorn closed his eyes for a few seconds before following his Elven friend. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Hindir's pleased smile directed towards them. Aragorn stifled his anger and as they passed through the door and immediately bent down to retrieve their weapons. When they looked up to observe the scene before then, a feeling of dread forced its way into their hearts.
A black forest stood before them. Twisting branches waved in the night, groping at nothing. Odd shuffling noises could be heard from deep within the wood. The tall gnarled trees stood in haunting wait.
"Farewell for now, my young friends," called Lord Hindir. "Play the Game well and you may yet survive."
Then, the heavy door slammed shut behind them.
Taking a deep breath, Legolas turned to look at his friend.
"Well, Estel - it appears we play or die."
"Well put, my friend," replied Aragorn, his eyes betraying the confidence in his voice.
Legolas sighed. "Come - we will live through this."
Their minds troubled deeply, the two friends gripped their weapons and started forewards. Fear managed to gnaw its way through flesh and bone and settled annoyingly into their hearts. The Elven Prince and the future King of Men started off into the skewed wilderness of the Black Wood.
The Game had begun.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~
Uh oh, this does not bode well, I don't think =Þ Check back for the third chapter to see what messy bad stuff they have to grow through in the **dun dun dun** BLACK WOOD. EEEEEEEE~!
