Disclaimer: do I really have to write this? It is obvious I'm not Tolkien….
Summary: AU After the death of his friend, Aragorn falls into depression and there may only be one person who can draw him out of it.
How Can I Survive
Chapter 18
Aragorn felt dazed, he had been held captive for almost a week now and he was getting constant beatings. No one had properly tended to his injuries, just enough to keep him alive for further abuse. He had broken ribs and he knew that soon enough they would mend how they were. Because he was raised by one of the finest healers in Middle Earth, he like many knew that would be a very bad thing.
He was laying on the hard floor looking up at the ceiling, his hands were still bound, but even if they weren't he had no energy to even attempt to escape. He knew Terral had many guards and followers and he wouldn't make it a meter out of this place.
"Oh please, Mandos take me" he begged. He was in so much pain and all he wanted was for the agony to stop. "Is this punishment? Is this punishment for all the sorrow I've caused. Please just let me die" he prayed. He yearned for an escape from his anguish and his broken heart. That was all he could do…hope. He knew he didn't deserve to be free of what he was feeling, but maybe mercy would be graced upon him.
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The Evenstar had been travelling for a couple of days now and she had found no sign of the one she was searching for. She didn't exactly know what she was looking for, just anything that could lead her to Estel. Her horse Asfaloth was getting weary for they hadn't stopped once on their journey so far, so Arwen decided to rest, tiredness was even creeping up on her.
She let Asfaloth go and graze, because she knew he would return when called. Glorfindel had given her that animal for her birthday a couple of years ago, he had sent it to her when she was living in Lorien and she had loved it ever since.
She sat down on the dewy grass causing her riding clothes to get a little bit damp. Arwen had decided that they would leave at sunrise, but as luck would have it, it would not be so. Her sharp elven ears picked up the sound of movement in the trees so she immediately stood up, and drew her sword.
Orcs appeared out of the bush and they had their eyes set on the warrior princess. There were a lot of them and she knew she wouldn't last long. They were aware of her predicament as well and it made them cackle ecstatically. One of the foul beings walked over to her thinking that she wouldn't have the guts to hurt him, but he was wrong. He got a sword right through his heart.
Now realizing that she may not be as easy to catch as they had once thought, they attacked in bulk. About ten ambushed where she was standing. One put his dagger up to his throat while another grabbed the hand that she was holding her weapon in. He squeezed her wrist so tightly that she heard a crack and was forced to drop her sword. Now unarmed the Evenstar was knocked on to the ground but she was required to look at her captors.
Hearing the commotion Asfaloth ran back to his master. He was a very smart animal and he knew the only was he was going to be able to aid her was to get help, so he tool off in the direction to Rivendell.
"You know it's not often you see a she-elf wandering the woods all by herself" the orc called Erigdush laughed. Arwen was revolted by these beings. "Antolle ulua sulrim" [much wind pours from your mouth] she spat knowing full well how angry the orcs were going to get at her remark. They could no longer understand the fair language they did once know how to speak.
Unfortunately these creatures had no courtesy towards her and they could care less that she was indeed a she. Erigdush slapped her across her pale face, while the others kicked her midsection. She moaned as they were not being gentle to her. "You will learn how to be more respectful when you meet our leader, he does not tolerate disobedience." Erigdush said as the Evenstar was picked up from the ground, but was made to walk.
They had been travelling for about three days and Arwen was making good pace. This angered the orcs because now they could not punish her for being slow. So they found other reasons to penalize her. "Slow down, this is not a race" Erigdush shouted as he pulled the rope that was tied to her wrists. The rope was very tight so it put a lot of strain on her already broken bone.
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"Asfaloth" Elladan exclaimed as his sister's horse ran up to him. "Where is Arwen? Can you lead us to her?" he asked. The others in the group heard the young prince talking so they made their ways over to him. They were surprised at what they saw.
Elrohir ran up to his brother. "Where is Arwen? Is she hurt?" he questioned somehow thinking that his twin would know. "I do not have the answer" he answered causing Elrohir's head to drop. "Think of this as good news, maybe Asfaloth knows the way to Undomiel" Glorfindel said confident in the horse's abilities, along with those of his companions.
Okay alright…I know that this one was short but I have a bad cold and I couldn't write anymore : oh and I don't know if Asfaloth is a boy…but oh well!
p.s. pray for me to get better pls!!
