Disclaimer: Disclaimer: I don't own any of Tolkien's characters or locations sigh. Mel is mine though.

(Notes of thanks to the reviewers are at the end of the chapter)

~ Chapter 12 - Rising Storm ~

Mel's POV

I wish I could count the steps. I wish I knew how many steps to count, up to the top of this gorge at the end of which lies yet another valley: the place where we meet Legolas. Not so long ago, I wasn't sure if it was he I longed to see or if it was the safety presented by a number of soldiers against the constant threat looming over us. But now I know beyond doubt that even with an army around me, I will never be more protected than in the company of Aragorn, Legolas and Gandalf.

And the chief reason is that more inquiring eyes could possibly see the Ring…

'We have reached the meeting place' Gandalf announced pointing to the valley sloping before us. Thick milky fog shrouded it, making it impossible to see even a few feet in front of us.

Aragorn stood still as a statue, his head slightly tilted upwards as if sniffing the air, a posture I had learned he used when assessing unseen danger. All I could smell was the moisture that clung to my nostrils, blocking out everything else.

I did not catch the look that passed between him and Gandalf but I stopped in my tracks, overcome by a sinister premonition.

'How are we going to find them?' I found myself thinking aloud. It seemed foolish to call out, it would alert every other creature within a twenty-mile radius of our position. Unexpected rainfall had forced us to take shelter in order to protect the horses and it was late afternoon when in fact we should have been here by midday.

'We found them already' Aragorn whispered and his croaky voice made me whip around and see his eyes staring aghast at a point somewhere into the fog, as if fully expecting to be attacked by whatever would creep out of there.

'We have to leave, NOW' Gandalf bellowed, grabbing my arm and starting back the way we came.

'No!! We can't leave, we can't….' I pleaded frantically as every muscle in my body fought against Gandalf's iron grip.

And still Aragorn stood there like a figure carven in stone, drawing labored breath as the sinews of his neck became more and more visible from the incredible tension he was under.

'No, it can't be!' I cried, overcome by denial. I managed to yank my arm free of Gandalf's grasp and ran headlong into the mist, not caring what might be awaiting there, not even caring that I was endangering the mission.

'Mel, noooo…come back…come back' I faintly heard my companions' anguished calls while I advanced deep into the mist, my only thought - find Legolas, whatever it takes...

It was not long before I stumbled across the first body. Then another. Then another.

The stench of the dead hit me full on as I glanced upon the fallen bodies of what appeared to be soldiers…. elven soldiers, judging by their elegant attire and flawless features, now stilled by violent death. Stumbling at every step, I went on, calling Legolas' name, crying and choking on the bile rising up in my throat and the sickening smell. With strength beyond my own, I started lifting the bodies of those fallen on their faces, just to make sure, just to know…that he wasn't one of them. The angelic elven faces… some horribly contorted in death, some frozen immobile, so much blood had streamed from their savagely hacked bodies … but it didn't matter, I was too numbed by shock to properly register it. It didn't matter that some were still warm and – indeed the thought occurred to me – maybe still alive…but beyond anyone's aid.

I fell countless times, countless times my face came level with that of a wood elf from Legolas' realm, countless times I lost myself in the shallow depths of their unseeing orbs, countless times I thought that I caught a glimpse of Legolas' hair and as I turned the body over I laughed hysterically, disgusted at my own sick relief. It wasn't him…

All the while hoping against hope that he might have somehow survived this carnage and fighting the voice of reason that rang inside my head and kept repeating that there was no way he could be alive.

I was no expert but even in my daze I realized they must have been ambushed since some of them had not even had the chance to use their weapons. And the only thing that had saved us from this senseless slaughter was that unexpected rain. By right we should have been here, lying dead or dying, our blood seeping into the ground and our lives ended in failure.

This was no image based on my brain waves, this was harsh reality invading my mind and ripping it apart.

And then I heard it and my blood froze as I stopped dead in my tracks. From high above me reverberated a sound so foul and so crushing it sent cold shock waves into my very marrow. It was the cry of a thousand eagles amplified by the screech of myriad steel claws scraping onto hard stone. Its echo thumped in my chest with a force that knocked all breath out of me. It was the single most terrifying moment that I had ever experienced in my life…

The pathetic instinct I still possessed screamed at me to take cover but my body refused to obey even this simplest of commands. But then, it occurred to me that whatever it was, the creature could not see me. The fog was too thick and besides, I was less visible on the ground amongst the corpses whose coloring I had undoubtedly begun to closely resemble. Yet from where I stood, I could make out the faint outline of a giant serpent-like bird, twice as big as the largest eagle in my world, with a wingspan the size of a small airplane. A cloaked shape sat astride it. I had seen it before, in my dream…. Nazgul.

'Mel, where are you? Mel…' the desperate calls of my companions sounded so distant and for a split second I realized the enormity of what I had done. Of course, they would be looking for me…I had foolishly dragged them into this situation that would ultimately mean capture and death for all of us. We had miraculously escaped this slaughter, but my handiwork guaranteed that there would be no second chance like that for us.

I opened my mouth to answer but thought better of it. I was overcome by the certainty that the rider of this flying beast was looking for me, or better still, for the one item that could render this whole world into permanent midnight: the One Ring.

'Here it is,' I wanted to scream. 'Take it! Just leave us alone, just let me find Legolas….'

Except nothing was that simple and as I cowered on the ground, blending amidst the corpses, forcing myself to steady my heaving breathing, I swore a silent oath. The past weeks had taught me that the only memories I still had were of Middle Earth and if I were destined to have the smallest of parts in helping to defend its essence, then what had happened to me would not have been in vain. Stopping whoever had sowed this killing field with the blood of these angelic beings was worth living, and indeed, worth dying for.

I was only remotely aware of the flutter of wings above me that seemed to have moved further away, but I heard no footsteps or shuffle of any kind around me until it was much too late. I came face to face with what I immediately recognized as being an orc. It was almost as tall as me and I only stared in its revolting, hatred-filled yellow eyes for a split second before something hit me at the base of the skull and I mercifully sunk into unconsciousness but not before a last desperate thought exploded in my mind: 'The Ring! They are going to take the Ring!"

Legolas' POV

I have lost count of the hours since I was captured. I must have lost consciousness several times from my wounds because every time I opened my eyes, another of my comrades was dead.

I counted thirty-five orcs but I know for certain there are more of them around. They chose not to blindfold me and to rather allow me to watch my remaining comrades die.

'Why can't we have a bit of fun with the elvish prince?' they cry in mockery and my blood boils.

'Have fun with the others,' the leader jeers.

'But they're all dead,' they gripe.

'That hasn't stopped you before.' The one called Bursuk replies flatly.

Five of us were captured alive, but none live now. None but me. The orcs have some basic notion of elvish ranks since they took great pains not to kill me, but instead forced me to watch my father's soldiers be tormented and slain. The sickening looks in their pitiless eyes as they derived a pleasure akin to ecstasy from the agony inflicted on others…

They will not keep me alive for much longer, since the last prisoner, the captain of my company, was slain only minutes ago and I thanked the stars that at least he had left this savage world and was out of his misery. The helplessness and rage of watching the horrendous torment the orcs seem so adept at inflicting, becoming more so with each new unfortunate subject. By the time they got to him, they had become so expert at prolonging the pain that I can only imagine what awaits me when they finally decide my time has come. They had him impaled on a stake, facing me, dark bloody holes where his eyes had once been, like a warning to me - to watch and prepare, lest I should forget my fate for a moment….

It is useless now to wish that I had died along with my other comrades… I tried hurling insults at them, hoping that, in a heated moment, one of them will deliver the killing blow I yearn for, but their reaction has been minimal. They mock me, threaten and describe various tortures that I would be subjected to, but they do not touch me. I am now certain of their purpose: they are using me as bait to ensnare Aragorn and the others.

I wished for death until they brought Mel in. From where I am tied, I can see her clearly. She is unconscious but alive. One of them is bending over her to examine the back of her head.

'You better hope you didn't kill her, you scumbags!' he yells at the other three who brought her into the camp.

Now all I wish for is for her to be brought closer to me, to see her face, her eyes, to be certain that it is still she inside that delicate body. I briefly wondered what had become of the Ring when Mel stirred and they found it safer to tie her hands. How ironic that they should fear her yet she could not harm them even if she tried. The one called Bursuk checked her for hidden weapons while she lay unconscious. He found the knife I gave her and admired it for a moment before it disappeared inside his cloak. He seems to be under strict orders not to harm her either. The more bait, the better.

She is blindfolded and completely disoriented, most likely in a lot of pain from the blow to the head. They wait for her to come to her senses before one of them pushes her to her knees and in a sickeningly lengthy motion, licks the side of her face and her ear. She screams in protest as the other grabs her by the hair and yanks her head backward to repeat the lustful gesture unhindered. My heart weeps for her while my hatred for these abominable creatures burns but I know all is in vain. I am on my knees: my arms, chest, waist and legs are bound so tightly that in spite of all the struggling I can hardly even draw breath.

The one called Bursuk steps in and stops the horror before it starts. They haggle awhile over her, like she is a piece of meat. It is clear that even the leader cannot hold them off much longer.

It will be hours before the Nazgul lord returns and from what I heard, Mel will be delivered to him. I am certain they have also heard about the Messenger and may want to use her for their purposes, thinking she is endowed with magical powers. Little do they know …but then again, the Messenger and the Ring would be a twofold prize.

They lift her and drag her towards the pole where I am tied. She is rigid with fear and I wish I could tell her comforting words. But she is no fool. My fascination with this stubborn yet completely lost human is still strong and I feel a strange compulsion to protect her from the world, from herself even.

They shove her face down and she chokes on the mud she inadvertently swallows. Her head rests on her tied hands as her shoulders tremble and no doubt there are tears hidden under the blindfold.

'Mel…' I find strange solace in calling her name. Maybe it will help her get over the terror that grips her. If nothing else, she will know that she is not facing death alone, far from everything and everyone else who she still remembers.

'Legolas…!!You're alive…..' her voice is ragged and broken as her head whips around blindly trying to pinpoint the direction of my face. It breaks my heart to see her curled on her knees weeping for the joy of having heard my voice. Tears stream down my cheeks and I feel them strangely warm. I have lost count of the years since I last cried and I have all but forgotten how sorrow stings the soul. Yet I am no more able to help or defend Mel than I was able to aid my comrades.

They laugh and I want to spit at them but restrain myself lest they hurt her. And hurt her they will once the Nazgul lord realizes that she has no special powers and he lays his unseen claws on the Ring.

I pray to Elbereth that Aragorn and Gandalf are still alive, yet there is little even they can do against so many of the Enemy. My company of thirty soldiers was massacred, it would be suicidal for Aragorn to try and free us. But then again, his loyalty and sense of duty towards what he has to accomplish would undeniably drive him into the heart of danger.

'How many are with you?' Bursuk questions, crouching next to her.

Her breath hitches as her head snaps up at the sound of his hateful voice.

'Don't pretend you don't understand' Bursuk snaps and his hand springs forward seizing her jaw in a unyielding grip and she gasps in pain. 'Or maybe you want to be hurt, maybe you like to be hurt…or see the elf hurt' he jeers.

He jerks the blindfold brutally off her eyes and she blinks in horror at his proximity. She then sees the corpse of the impaled captain directly above her and her face instantly turns green. Her chest heaves as she begins to shake visibly, uncontrollably.

Bursuk pulls out his knife, the knife that used to be hers and rams it in my face, barely an inch from my eye.

'Well?' he says evenly. 'What will it be? A little song from you, or his eye spills onto his cheek? I can make him look exactly like the other one!'

'No…please' she begs her tear filled eyes searching my face frantically, 'please don't hurt him…please…'.

'Then talk, you filthy human whore' Bursuk bellows 'How many were with you?'

'Three others' she whispers submissively.

'Where are they now?'

'Two are dead' she cries and muffles a sob. She looks at me, as if wanting forgiveness for gambling with my life. 'The creature Gollum escaped and I don't know where he is.' I smile inwardly, her spirit is not entirely gone.

'You lie, harlot.' Bursuk spits yet he cannot disprove her. He grips her throat until she chokes for breath, her pleas stifled.

Suddenly, he releases his hold and turns, barking orders at his minions to reinforce the watches and even as he does so, I can feel his edginess. The stench of fear hangs about these creatures like a shroud.

'Send out more scouts! We have to catch all of them – alive!!!'

As an afterthought, he whips around and punches Mel briskly in the face. She has not even touched the ground before he walks away swiftly. Mel reels and is violently thrown backwards by the force of the blow. As she lands on her back at an awkward angle, her hair fans out covering most of her face and neck and mercifully, the silver chain and the ring that have spilled out of her shirt.

TBC

A/N: People, I am having fun writing this so please, if you are having fun reading/or not, I want to hear about it. Any suggestions/constructive criticism? Let me know. Also, I will be switching the points of view a lot more now, for obvious reasons. Good or bad?

To my reviewers:

Danceingfae: Thanks again for your reviews and suggestions, I was thinking about doing just what you suggested when I started writing this fic. Since then it's all ballooned out of proportion (I thought this fic was going to be a 5 chapter, and maybe I should have left it at that, lol)

Dy: Great idea with two separate endings. I would write a happy ending just for you, because you've been so sweet and loyal reviewing all the chapters. big hug

Samus: Oh, I would have never thought you wanted a happy ending, lol, just kidding. You think it's pretty depressing that I don't like happy endings. Well, imho, hardly anything ends happily in life since life means constant change (good or bad) and the only ending we know is death (which can also be good or bad). I haven't completely scared you away, have I? I really appreciate your input so please hang around.