A/N: Sorry I have been so long in posting but I've been on my Easter break and I wasn't able to post my next chapter for two weeks. However I am now back at school (which I am told is a good thing) and here is part three which I hope you enjoy.
Thank you to...pilot3001...Abby...Jamie Bond...Legolas's fanatical fan girl...Ringwraith9...person named bob
for reviewing me.
Hope you like this story and please read and review!
Part Three
Sometime later as Aragorn was adding more wood to the fire, Legolas stirred, blinking in the gloom.
"Estel?" he asked, forcing himself to sit up.
"Strider smiled, "How do you feel mellon nin?" //my friend//
The prince glanced down at his bandaged leg, "I feel like I have been stamped on by an Oliphont."
Estel laughed rolling his eyes. "I was going to scout down the tunnel to see in there is a way to get out."
The Ranger didn't think it was possible but Legolas seemed to get a shade paler. Strider got to his feet and lit the long root he had tied strips around. Holding his torch in one hand and his sword in the other he headed down the tunnel.
Legolas watched his friends back disappear into the darkness and opened his mouth to call out to him, begging his friend to stay. However the words froze in his throat and he scowled at his fear. He clenched his fists and dropped his eyes, listening as the footsteps faded into the darkness. The prince swallowed and watched the flames however the darkness seemed to wrap around his chest and squeeze the air from his lungs. His breathing quickened as panic seemed to crush down at him. He felt like a huge weight was upon him and the walls were coming in closer. The air was heavy and stale, the walls blocking out everything His breaths were shallow and fast as he gasped for air, and he needed to see the sky, feel the wind through his hair and on his face.
The gloom was slowly getting darker as the fire died, turning to embers and ash. Legolas snapped out of his panic, his sharp eyes darting to the remains of the fire, hardly any light lit the cave and even with his Elven eyes Legolas could not even see the way Estel had gone. The ranger had left some wood but his was out of the prince's reach. Fingers digging into the wall he tried to get to his feet. He needed to get the fire started. Pain fired up his leg, and Legolas gasped, allowing himself to collapse back to the floor. Gritting his teeth he tried again, glancing up at the small gap that showed the sky. Cloud had covered the moon and stars and Legolas knew if the fire when completely out he would be in darkness. He made it to a standing position, leaning back against the wall and breathing heavily, all his weight on his good leg. Taking a breath he tried to step forward but his leg wouldn't co-operate and the Elf crashed back down to the floor. He forced himself to a sitting position and was about to try again when the fire went out.
The cave was now completely black and Legolas tried to push himself back into the wall. The darkness seemed to eat away at his very soul, slowly devouring his very essence. He could not breath and risk swallowing the darkness, it sent chills down his pale skin, Goosebumps rising on his arms. Noise broke through the silence though Legolas could not identify its direction. A constant drip echoed round the cave, and from somewhere above him he could hear something moving around. It was impossible to see, he couldn't even see his own hand. His fingers dug into the floor and his back was tense. The smallest noise echoed around the darkness and Legolas wondered briefly if his eyes were opened or closed.
'Please hurry back Estel' he though desperately, 'Asca mellon nin, asca' //Hurry my friend, hurry//
He tried to calm his mind and think of beauty and peace, visualising the trees at Mirkwood, the sunrise form his window. However his mind would twist these thoughts, every sound contained a hideous monster. Tales he had been told as a child of monsters that lived in caves, released by the Dwarves came back to him. Monsters of shadow and flame.
~~~~~
Aragorn walked down the tunnel, nothing much had changed not matter if he took a left or a right. He had been marking his directions with small rocks and stones that littered the cave floor. Once again he stopped at a crossroad, left or right? Both tunnels were equally dark, looking the same as any of the others. The ranger sighed and took a breath.
"Wizards, Elves, Dwarves and Men,
Valar help me choose again."
Muttering the childhood rhyme Aragorn moved his finger from left to right, finally coming to rest on the right tunnel. Quickly Aragorn picked up a few stones, adding another track and moved down the right hand side tunnel. He continued walking, aimlessly running his hand softly against the wall. Suddenly the rough wall seemed to change under his fingers. Frowning Aragorn brought his torch closer to the wall, studying the surface. By the looks of the markings it seemed that the rock had been cut away by an unnatural force. Strider thoughtfully traced the markings on in the stone. Dwarves.
~~~~~
Footsteps echoed now through the darkness and Legolas fought to keep himself from shaking. The footsteps were too heavy to be that of Strider, who was taught quiet movement by his brothers at a young age. Legolas held his breath and tried to fade into the wall. The shuffling was getting louder and the elf hunted round fearfully for any kind of weapon, his bow and knives had been lost during his fall and he could find nothing with which to defend himself. The cave enhanced any sounds although it was impossible to tell which direction they came from. Soon however Legolas was able to pick up harsh voices that were coming from the tunnel. He recognised the language immediately though he could not understand what was being said. Dwarves were walking down the tunnel, arguing loudly. The Elven prince could now see the light from their torches and he tried to get to his feet, his energy however was spent and he could not get up.
He could see them silhouetted against the wall, the fire shaking the shadows. He held his breathe, hoping their ignorance would make them walk straight passed him. Luck however was not with him, as the seven torches lit up the small area allowing Legolas to see the walls and ceiling. The Dwarves all turned to him and Legolas kept his face emotionless, his pride refusing to show fear.
"What do we have here?" One asked, a cruel smile playing across his lips
"An Elf!" another stated.
(A/N - This little bit was written by Andraste because I was at a loss of sarcasm, and she's always good for helping out with that!)
"Your eyes deceive you, can you not see I am an Ent." Legolas spat back sarcastically.
"Well then, we know how to rid us of you. Ents make very good firewood." The first growled brandishing his axe over the fallen Elf.
"Wait" The tallest of the Dwarves, which still did not make him particularly tall, ordered. "What are you doing here Elf?"
(A/N - Back to me again! - Space)
"Basking in the sun" Legolas shot back.
The lead Dwarf scowled, "Whatever you are doing you have collapsed out south tunnel. It took us 30 years to make this tunnel."
"Opps!" Legolas muttered.
The Dwarf glared at the Elf, "I think this Elf needs to be taught some respect." He said as the group closed around the unarmed prince, who tried to shift backward. One of the Dwarves picked up an unused piece of cloth that Strider had left lying on the ground. They advanced on him; the cloth held in the Dwarves hands, two other Dwarves suddenly grabbed an arm each, holding him tight. Legolas struggled, fighting to get free but their fingers dug tightly into him skin, preventing him from moving. They roughly tied the cloth over his eyes leaving him once again in darkness. Legolas fought, desperate now to be free. The blindfold not only covered his eyes but also covered his ears, obscuring any sound The two Dwarves holding his arms threw the Elf forward, laughing as he smashed blindly into the floor. The prince held back any cry of pain, holding back the urge to call out for his friend; instead he silently prayed Strider would return soon. The blindfold muffled all sound, and Legolas didn't hear the blow until it connected with his ribs.
"Come on little Elf, I want to hear you scream" One Dwarf said roughly.
"Dolle naa lost" //Your head is empty// Legolas said in Elvish knowing they wouldn't understand.
He imagined the confusion on their faces at the words and laughed weakly.
Hearing him laugh the Dwarves growled and Legolas gasped as a boot connected with his ribs. The grating sound of the Dwarves laughter once again filled the tunnel. Legolas pushed himself to a sitting position and cocked his head, trying to hear where the Dwarves were standing. He couldn't see anything and could barely hear, no matter how hard he tried. He tried not to shake and finally knew he had no choice and took a breath, calling loudly, "Estel!"
Another boot impacted with his chest and knocked the air from his lungs. As he gasped for air one of them tied a gag round his face. He could taste the cloth against his tongue, digging into the corners of his mouth. He chocked as he was trying to breath.
"Do you know what kind of things live in these caves?" A Dwarf asked, leaning close and lifting up part of the blindfold, whispering into Legolas' ear.
The Elf bit down on the gag, trying to block out the words. Suddenly the Dwarves fell silent and Legolas felt himself go cold, unable to see or hear. He twisted round searching for an enemy to fight, holding back a whimper as he jarred his broken leg. The blindfold felt rough against his face and he desperately tried to listen for Striders footsteps.
Thank you to...pilot3001...Abby...Jamie Bond...Legolas's fanatical fan girl...Ringwraith9...person named bob
for reviewing me.
Hope you like this story and please read and review!
Part Three
Sometime later as Aragorn was adding more wood to the fire, Legolas stirred, blinking in the gloom.
"Estel?" he asked, forcing himself to sit up.
"Strider smiled, "How do you feel mellon nin?" //my friend//
The prince glanced down at his bandaged leg, "I feel like I have been stamped on by an Oliphont."
Estel laughed rolling his eyes. "I was going to scout down the tunnel to see in there is a way to get out."
The Ranger didn't think it was possible but Legolas seemed to get a shade paler. Strider got to his feet and lit the long root he had tied strips around. Holding his torch in one hand and his sword in the other he headed down the tunnel.
Legolas watched his friends back disappear into the darkness and opened his mouth to call out to him, begging his friend to stay. However the words froze in his throat and he scowled at his fear. He clenched his fists and dropped his eyes, listening as the footsteps faded into the darkness. The prince swallowed and watched the flames however the darkness seemed to wrap around his chest and squeeze the air from his lungs. His breathing quickened as panic seemed to crush down at him. He felt like a huge weight was upon him and the walls were coming in closer. The air was heavy and stale, the walls blocking out everything His breaths were shallow and fast as he gasped for air, and he needed to see the sky, feel the wind through his hair and on his face.
The gloom was slowly getting darker as the fire died, turning to embers and ash. Legolas snapped out of his panic, his sharp eyes darting to the remains of the fire, hardly any light lit the cave and even with his Elven eyes Legolas could not even see the way Estel had gone. The ranger had left some wood but his was out of the prince's reach. Fingers digging into the wall he tried to get to his feet. He needed to get the fire started. Pain fired up his leg, and Legolas gasped, allowing himself to collapse back to the floor. Gritting his teeth he tried again, glancing up at the small gap that showed the sky. Cloud had covered the moon and stars and Legolas knew if the fire when completely out he would be in darkness. He made it to a standing position, leaning back against the wall and breathing heavily, all his weight on his good leg. Taking a breath he tried to step forward but his leg wouldn't co-operate and the Elf crashed back down to the floor. He forced himself to a sitting position and was about to try again when the fire went out.
The cave was now completely black and Legolas tried to push himself back into the wall. The darkness seemed to eat away at his very soul, slowly devouring his very essence. He could not breath and risk swallowing the darkness, it sent chills down his pale skin, Goosebumps rising on his arms. Noise broke through the silence though Legolas could not identify its direction. A constant drip echoed round the cave, and from somewhere above him he could hear something moving around. It was impossible to see, he couldn't even see his own hand. His fingers dug into the floor and his back was tense. The smallest noise echoed around the darkness and Legolas wondered briefly if his eyes were opened or closed.
'Please hurry back Estel' he though desperately, 'Asca mellon nin, asca' //Hurry my friend, hurry//
He tried to calm his mind and think of beauty and peace, visualising the trees at Mirkwood, the sunrise form his window. However his mind would twist these thoughts, every sound contained a hideous monster. Tales he had been told as a child of monsters that lived in caves, released by the Dwarves came back to him. Monsters of shadow and flame.
~~~~~
Aragorn walked down the tunnel, nothing much had changed not matter if he took a left or a right. He had been marking his directions with small rocks and stones that littered the cave floor. Once again he stopped at a crossroad, left or right? Both tunnels were equally dark, looking the same as any of the others. The ranger sighed and took a breath.
"Wizards, Elves, Dwarves and Men,
Valar help me choose again."
Muttering the childhood rhyme Aragorn moved his finger from left to right, finally coming to rest on the right tunnel. Quickly Aragorn picked up a few stones, adding another track and moved down the right hand side tunnel. He continued walking, aimlessly running his hand softly against the wall. Suddenly the rough wall seemed to change under his fingers. Frowning Aragorn brought his torch closer to the wall, studying the surface. By the looks of the markings it seemed that the rock had been cut away by an unnatural force. Strider thoughtfully traced the markings on in the stone. Dwarves.
~~~~~
Footsteps echoed now through the darkness and Legolas fought to keep himself from shaking. The footsteps were too heavy to be that of Strider, who was taught quiet movement by his brothers at a young age. Legolas held his breath and tried to fade into the wall. The shuffling was getting louder and the elf hunted round fearfully for any kind of weapon, his bow and knives had been lost during his fall and he could find nothing with which to defend himself. The cave enhanced any sounds although it was impossible to tell which direction they came from. Soon however Legolas was able to pick up harsh voices that were coming from the tunnel. He recognised the language immediately though he could not understand what was being said. Dwarves were walking down the tunnel, arguing loudly. The Elven prince could now see the light from their torches and he tried to get to his feet, his energy however was spent and he could not get up.
He could see them silhouetted against the wall, the fire shaking the shadows. He held his breathe, hoping their ignorance would make them walk straight passed him. Luck however was not with him, as the seven torches lit up the small area allowing Legolas to see the walls and ceiling. The Dwarves all turned to him and Legolas kept his face emotionless, his pride refusing to show fear.
"What do we have here?" One asked, a cruel smile playing across his lips
"An Elf!" another stated.
(A/N - This little bit was written by Andraste because I was at a loss of sarcasm, and she's always good for helping out with that!)
"Your eyes deceive you, can you not see I am an Ent." Legolas spat back sarcastically.
"Well then, we know how to rid us of you. Ents make very good firewood." The first growled brandishing his axe over the fallen Elf.
"Wait" The tallest of the Dwarves, which still did not make him particularly tall, ordered. "What are you doing here Elf?"
(A/N - Back to me again! - Space)
"Basking in the sun" Legolas shot back.
The lead Dwarf scowled, "Whatever you are doing you have collapsed out south tunnel. It took us 30 years to make this tunnel."
"Opps!" Legolas muttered.
The Dwarf glared at the Elf, "I think this Elf needs to be taught some respect." He said as the group closed around the unarmed prince, who tried to shift backward. One of the Dwarves picked up an unused piece of cloth that Strider had left lying on the ground. They advanced on him; the cloth held in the Dwarves hands, two other Dwarves suddenly grabbed an arm each, holding him tight. Legolas struggled, fighting to get free but their fingers dug tightly into him skin, preventing him from moving. They roughly tied the cloth over his eyes leaving him once again in darkness. Legolas fought, desperate now to be free. The blindfold not only covered his eyes but also covered his ears, obscuring any sound The two Dwarves holding his arms threw the Elf forward, laughing as he smashed blindly into the floor. The prince held back any cry of pain, holding back the urge to call out for his friend; instead he silently prayed Strider would return soon. The blindfold muffled all sound, and Legolas didn't hear the blow until it connected with his ribs.
"Come on little Elf, I want to hear you scream" One Dwarf said roughly.
"Dolle naa lost" //Your head is empty// Legolas said in Elvish knowing they wouldn't understand.
He imagined the confusion on their faces at the words and laughed weakly.
Hearing him laugh the Dwarves growled and Legolas gasped as a boot connected with his ribs. The grating sound of the Dwarves laughter once again filled the tunnel. Legolas pushed himself to a sitting position and cocked his head, trying to hear where the Dwarves were standing. He couldn't see anything and could barely hear, no matter how hard he tried. He tried not to shake and finally knew he had no choice and took a breath, calling loudly, "Estel!"
Another boot impacted with his chest and knocked the air from his lungs. As he gasped for air one of them tied a gag round his face. He could taste the cloth against his tongue, digging into the corners of his mouth. He chocked as he was trying to breath.
"Do you know what kind of things live in these caves?" A Dwarf asked, leaning close and lifting up part of the blindfold, whispering into Legolas' ear.
The Elf bit down on the gag, trying to block out the words. Suddenly the Dwarves fell silent and Legolas felt himself go cold, unable to see or hear. He twisted round searching for an enemy to fight, holding back a whimper as he jarred his broken leg. The blindfold felt rough against his face and he desperately tried to listen for Striders footsteps.