A/N: Hey guys! I'm really sorry for the LLOONNGG delay… I was busy. . Stupid school… anyway, I have a new chapter for you!! : ) Enjoy!
A sunset Love
Chapter 23: Signing the deal
Chapter recap: Mithdelothwen is taken to see Saruman, and is gone for hours. Legolas wonders why he hears no screaming, but moments after, hears what he dreads most.
Legolas paled and looked as much as he could outside the cell. Aragorn, however, was in a state of denial.
I never should have agreed to let her come… how could I have been so stupid? Aragorn thought, berating himself. He had no right to allow Mithdelothwen permission… if Legolas had allowed Arwen to come on a dangerous mission such as this, he would have killed him.
All I was thinking about was how 'useful' she would be on this journey... I am truly a terrible man. Aragorn looked forlornly towards Legolas who was near hysterics, an unusual action for the usually calm, reserved elf. And Aragorn blamed himself for it.
Gimli and Boromir didn't really have much to say either. But all four of the cell mates had something in common—they were all desperately worried about the she elf whom Legolas loved with all his heart.
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Mithdelothwen tore away from the goblins who held her, clutching her arm.
"What did you do that for?!" She shrieked. Her arm was bloodied, as they had sliced it open moments before. Her blood had been collected in a vat, and carried away. Mithdelothwen wanted to chase after them and demand her blood back, but she knew it would do nothing.
"I thought you said you knew how orcs were created. We were taking your blood to deposit it into the new orcs I will have created by the end of 3 moons. In return for your kind deed, your little friends will be set free—I'll even give them their weapons back." Saruman said. His armies had grown so great, that he thought there was no possible way 3 people could make a difference. Mithdelothwen had a look of disbelief in her eyes as she took in the information given to her. She was a monster… although she knew it was against her will, she was partial in blame for any new orcs that were created. She collapsed to the floor, deep in thought and shock, still holding her left forearm, which still bled. She realized this when her palm was wet. She held it up in front of her face, wondering why her wound hadn't healed yet.
"Ah yes, my dear… remember that blue bubble I had you sleeping in earlier? Guess what it did?" Saruman sang, enjoying her look of terror on her face.
"You…you… " Was all Mithdelothwen managed to say. Saruman smiled. He had managed to break through her warrior front—all she was now, was a scared little she elf. Not a danger at all now.
"I have taken away your ability to heal wounds… making you now, a normal elf. Isn't that wonderful? Now no one will be coming to you demanding that you heal their wounds. That means no more pain for you. I did you a favor, you should thank me." Saruman pompously explained, before realizing that she was wide-eyed and just staring at her bloodied palm. Saruman frowned, realizing she hadn't hear him, but nodded for a goblin to bandage her arm and take her to the others. Saruman had put her into enough shock that it wouldn't matter if they were all together now.
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Legolas heard a clomping and squeaking noise, and looked out the cell for the 90,783,456th time. He saw Mithdelothwen being dragged over to their cell! The goblin quickly opened the cell and threw Mithdelothwen in. Mithdelothwen landed in Legolas' arms, but made no sound, nor effort to move.
All the others rushed over to her, and Legolas was checking to see if she was alright. She was unnaturally pale and was shaking. His hand went to hold hers, but felt something. He lifted her hand to the light and saw blood on them. He looked to her left arm and saw it bandaged, but the bandage had a little blood seeping through. Legolas' eyes went wide, and he clutched Mithdelothwen close to him.
"Man garo hain car an lle?" [What have they done to you?] Legolas whispered in her ear. She tried to look Legolas in the eye, but found she could not. Legolas sensed distress in her mind, but wasn't sure if he should go into her mind without her permisson.
Can you tell me, little one? Legolas asked her gently, not sure if she would be able to speak.
No. I am a monster. Don't look at me. Was her reply. Legolas furrowed his brow slightly—how was she a monster? Well, he had no choice. He closed his eyes and focused on her thoughts—going into her mind. Her mind was a jumble of thoughts and emotions, but he soon found out why, and was horrified, seeing what had happened through her eyes.
****"If you're asking me to donate my blood to the 'Creating Orcs foundation' forget it." Mithdelothwen smirked. Saruman straightened, looking down at her.
"Oh, I'm not asking. I'm demanding. And, of course, we now have two full blooded elves who would be donors and perhaps even vessels."
"Vessels?" Mithdelothwen was suddenly getting a very bad feeling.
"Oh don't worry.. it shouldn't hurt.. much." At this, Mithdelothwen blanched. 4 goblins came, and held her arms and legs, as Saruman brought out a slim, sharp knife. Before she could react, he had quickly sliced open her arm, and another goblin brought a vat to collect her valuable and precious blood. *****
"Oh my varda…" Legolas whispered. Gimli, Aragorn and Boromir each had their hands on Legolas' shoulder, trying to ease him, but he didn't notice. The other 3 didn't know what happened to Mithdelothwen or what Legolas had seen, but they knew it wasn't good.
"Legolas.. what did you see?" Aragorn asked, barely above a whisper, kneeling beside him.
"They… took some of her blood." Legolas whispered, cradling Mithdelothwen and gently caressing her bandaged arm. Aragorn pursed his lips, and asked a little uncertainly,
"What for?" Legolas looked him sadly in the eyes.
"For more orcs. No doubt they will be as terrible as strong, and fleet footed and quick. But that's the not the worst of it." Aragorn couldn't imagine anything worse. He looked at Mithdelothwen's blank stare, pitying the poor she-elf.
"She did this… to set us free." Aragorn looked at her arm for a moment.
"Why has her wound not yet healed?" Legolas closed his eyes, to prevent the tears of anger, sadness and guilt from falling.
"Saruman took away her ability to heal as well. She is a 'regular' elf now… this could be bad news for her. If any kind of pain is inflicted upon her, she'll take longer to heal, and will have to endure it for longer periods of time. She blames herself, you know." Legolas whispered.
"Blames herself for what?" Aragorn was having a hard time trying to understand what Legolas was saying; his thoughts were everywhere.
"She calls herself a monster, for them taking her blood…" Aragorn calmed the elf by shaking him a bit on the shoulder.
"Listen to me. I know that you are worried beyond belief and even scared for her well-being… but you have to be strong. Don't collapse, otherwise who will she turn to for strength?" Aragorn's words made their way through Legolas' mind, and he set his jaw and nodded slightly.
Mithdelothwen, I know you're in here somewhere. Speak to me, melamin [my love].. I'm so worried about you. Legolas thoughts-spoke to her.
I can't… I can't… I'm a traitor. Mithdelothwen said in a tiny voice. She was sinking deeper and deeper into her own mind, thinking she was to blame.
Mithdelothwen, listen to me! Please… I'm scared. Really, I am. I'm scared that you'll fade from your own distress. Don't leave me all by myself.. I know it's a lot to ask… but won't you please talk to me? Legolas was trying to get through to her, with little success. Mithdelothwen turned her head to look at him, and locked her green eyes with his blue ones… his blue eyes that showed nothing less than love, caring, understanding and worry for her.
"I.. am such a trouble maker. I'm sorry." She whispered, wrapping her arms around him, just hugging him close.
"Shh.. it's not your fault--" Legolas was going to say more comforting words before she cut him off.
"Saruman is letting you go. But not before Legolas' blood is taken as well. He'll give you back your weapons and everything.. he thinks that the 4 of you can't make a difference in this war." Legolas caught onto her words.
"What do you mean 'the 4 of us'… there are 5 you know." Mithdelothwen looked down.
"That… was part of the deal. I… I have to stay here." Boromir gasped.
"You made a 'deal' with the White Wizard?! The one who works for SAURON?! What's wrong with you?" he burst out. "He's got to be lying!" Aragorn went to calm his comrade while Legolas stared at Mithdelothwen.
"How do you always manage to find your way into things like these?" it wasn't a joke. His voice was hard, cold and serious.
"I am giving you the chance to get out of here. Is that so wrong?" Mithdelothwen burst out, tears gathering in her eyes. This was too much—does no one understand what she does?
"But you realize staying here is the worst possible choice? They make orcs here, mela [love]! You are a female! What do you think they'll do? Have a tea party?"
"I'm doing this for all of you! You can get out of here! Live! Save this world like you were meant to! You are part of the original fellowship! You need to get out into this war! Middle Earth needs all of you out there, fighting for what's right! I'm but an added player, who has played her part!" Mithdelothwen exclaimed, standing up, albeit shakily, clenching her fists. "Don't you see?" She added, softly this time. "The fate of Middle Earth is resting in the fellowship; Frodo, Sam, Pippin, Merry, Aragorn, Gimli, Boromir, you and Gandalf. How can you do your part if you're sitting here, waiting to die?"
"Gandalf is dead, melamin. [my love]" Legolas reminded her. Mithdelothwen sat back down and looked at him.
"I don't know why… but I don't think his end has come yet. I don't think… that Moria was the end of our Gray Wizard." Mithdelothwen said, sighing.
"Please.. I don't want us to part on uneasy terms. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you, and the last things I said to you were of anger. What's done is done… and what isn't done, needs to be." Legolas nodded, and the two of them just sat there, in each others arms, waiting for something to happen. A goblin came, and told Legolas to come with him.
"Amin mela lle, Legolas. [I love you, Legolas]" She whispered, as he was led away.
~*A/N: Okee dokee… another chapter! Practically useless, but hey, at least it'll temporarily satisfy your fanfic craving, right?? *dodges rotten fruit and vegetables being aimed at her head*… okk… maybe not. Anyway, I might update some time during next week, so keep your eyes peeled! *^^* 05.19.2003. ~Feathers of the Wind~
p.s. PLEASE REVIEW!!!!
