Title: Regret
Summery: When you lose a friend to death, it is tragic, but what if you lost them before you got the chance to say "I'm sorry." Could you live with that?
Note: Well it took some time, but chapter 15 is finally here. I just want to give a very sincere thank you to everyone who has waited, and is now reading this chapter for me. I'm amazed by the feedback, and extremely grateful to each and every person who took the time to click and give it a read. A warning though, to everyone who doesn't like Legolas torture, you may not like this chapter. You have been warned, but anyway, for those who love it, or can stand it at least, I hope you enjoy this. Read on……
Chapter fifteen
Plemith was not unlike many other human camps, along the outskirts of the Misty Mountains, with about twenty or thirty men running around completing their duties, amongst the tents that surrounded the wooden house that sat in the middle of the tree clearing. The vines and weeds that circled and climbed the walls of the house told Piong that it was old, and poorly tended to. He had already guessed that this was only a hideaway for the wildmen, that needed a place to stay while they were on the run.
However, all of the royal advisor's thoughts were entirely focussed on the young prince who had been taken from his side, when he they had been dragged into the building by the guards who kept them prisoner. Legolas had still not awoken from his faint spell, and that worried Piong more than he wished. He prayed that is was a front, that the elf was putting on, to lead the men astray, but inside he knew it was only a high hope. Whatever had been given to Legolas was causing serious damage and the threat of loosing his prince was now more real than it had ever been.
"Get in there" yelled the voice of one of the two guards that had taken him into the darkened basement, that was lined with cells, six of them, each containing three or more captives. The last of the prisons was the one that Piong found himself flung into, and to his surprise, he found himself to be it's only occupant. The flaxen being cringed at the sight of the others who were in the same circumstance as he and his monarch. Men, women, even a small boy, no more than two years of age, was cradled in his father's arms, crying on his shoulder.
"How can you live with yourselves" the elf spat, disgusted with their actions, directing his words at the two men outside of the cells. The humans looked at him blankly, as if his words made no sense to them. One, known to his companions as Voiran, Piong could tell had hardly even reached his twentieth year, while the other, Frapil, was in his late forties at least. "How can you imprison women and children? You monsters, let them go, what use are they to you?" he questioned ushering to the others.
"That isn't our question to answer" Voiran answered flatly, as he locked the cell door, just as the elf grabbed hold of the bars, his face inches from them.
"Where have you taken Legolas?" He demanded to know, out of fear for what would happen while the prince was out of his sight.
The eyes of both the guards and their captive met heatedly, all three trying to intimidate their opposed. Hatred was in the sets of eyes, but unlike the elf, both men had no true reason to feel the way they did. The elves of Mirkwood had never hurt them, nor caused them any ill effect, but they followed under a man, who hated the woodland elves, and swore vengeance upon the royal family. "Not to worry" Frapil replied coldly, as his lips formed a crooked smile, "we'll take good care of him for you."
"Leave him alone, do you hear me" Piong yelled with a panic in his tone as the men turned and left leaving a trail of echoed laughter behind them. "I swear, if you hurt him, I'll kill you. I'll kill all of you."
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Jevinx could feel the eyes of his companion staring holes through him from behind as the two beings walked with a fairly quick pace down the tunnels of the cave, in the direction of the small encampment that awaited them a good days walk still. He didn't know why he had so willingly offered the young man a place on his crew so quickly, and with little questions asked, but he honestly didn't care. He had too much on his mind, with regards to Legolas, and his revenge upon Thranduil's realm. Besides, this man had helped his to eliminate Strider. The one threat that he knew could ruin his plans for vengeance.
"Where exactly are we headed?" Aragorn asked, trying his hardest not to lash out at the man he spoke to.
The idea of his friend being in danger was still ratting at his mind and conscience, and he didn't know how much longer he could stand not knowing the welfare of the elf he knew he had hurt with his careless actions a few days ago. Aragorn was sure that once he found Legolas, that the elf would forgive him for his behaviour, that was a given. The prince was much more forgiving than any of his kin, and could always find the best in Aragorn, no matter how deep it was. He only prayed that Legolas would still draw breath when he reached wherever he was being led.
The man hesitated, but then as Aragorn came up beside him, he finally responded. "We make for Plemith," he began, as something caught Strider's attention, making his guard go up right away. He could feel danger was near, but he didn't have any idea where it was coming from. The threat went unnoticed by Jevinx, and so he continued. "I have men there that await me…" his words trailed off, when he noticed the seriousness in his companion's eyes.
"Mardin" he spoke, "what is it?"
At first, Aragorn almost forgot the alias he had given to the other, but his quick nature that he gained from living amongst elves his entire life, kicked in and saved him from the slip up. "I'm not sure" he replied, scanning the surrounding area closely. He hoped that the presence he felt was that of Elrohir and Kip, who he knew were trailing them, but he knew better. There was something dark about, and he slowly drew his sword from it's sheath, causing Jevinx to do the same. "We are not alone, I fear."
Just then, as if on cue, fifteen to twenty orcs came from the darkness of the cavern, and drew in upon them with great intensity, and blood thirst as they locked their huge eyes on their new prey. "Oh you have got to be kidding me" Jevinx exclaimed, with a groan, as he and Aragorn prepared themselves for battle.
Neither of the two men felt they could trust the one they were standing beside, in fact, Aragorn hated the man with every fibre of his being. The moment he learned that this was Jevinx, the son of the man who had been killed by Legolas' father. The very person, who he knew was linked and responsible for the attack on his friend's party, and the deaths of so many in his father's and others' realms. He wanted nothing more than sacrifice the hatful man to these beasts, but at the same time, he knew that Jevinx was his ticket to finding and saving Legolas before it was too late. He had no choice but to fight beside the man that could quite possibly be his best friend's killer.
Metal clashed upon metal as the fighting began, causing the two men to have to go back to back to keep their enemies at bay. The orcs were hitting hard, and lunging at them with impeccable force and strength, that both surprised and frightened the companions as they ducked and dodged the blows meant to end their lives.
Aragorn fell low to the ground to avoid the swinging of the blade that had been directed at his abdomen, and as he laid back on the ground, he forced his own sword upwards, and into the chest of the beast that ran at him with the purpose of killing him. He followed that with a flowing movement of his body, landing back on his feet, just in time to decapitate another of his foes with one swift swing of his arm.
Jevinx let out a fever pitched cry as the end of a sword penetrated his left shoulder, causing the orc who accomplished it, to give a muffled laugh, before being stabbed through the neck from behind from the blade of Aragorn, who nodded as Jevinx gave a half smile in thanks. The last thing Aragorn wanted was to help this cold blooded murderer, nor to be thanked by him. However, again, using his better judgement, he knew he had to offer aid, in order to gain an inkling of trust from the man.
Thoughts of Legolas came into his mind again, as he and Jexinx were slowly backed up against the stone wall of the cave, the orcs closing in upon them quickly. He though back to the time that he and the elven prince had stumbled upon a small regiment of wargs that had journeyed far to close to Rivendell for anyone's liking. He had never seen anyone fight as hard, or as swiftly as he had seen Legolas do that day, and the grace he had while doing so, amazed Aragorn, and made him envious.
Quickly he pushed the thoughts from his mind, knowing that he needed to keep focused on what was happening right now, as apposed to what had been. He needed to save the friend he remembered now, and the only way to do that, was to live through this and continue on with the man who was struggling beside him.
"We have to help him" Elrohir exclaimed with purpose as he lunged forward from the hidden crawl space that he and Kip had hidden themselves in. The elf knew he could not just sit there and watch as his human brother was slaughtered by the foul creatures, and he moved quickly to be of aid, only to be halted by the hand of Kip who held him still.
"You can't" the young man proclaimed with worry in is voice, as the fair being turned to him, his grey eyes locking with the blue ones of the man that stared back at him. "You know we can't. It'll give him away. This is our only chance on finding the ones who were taken. If you go out there, Strider's cover will be blown" he continued, hoping that the elf would see reason. He also wanted to help, but he knew that it would only hurt them in the long run. "We have to wait until there is no other choice" he finished, releasing his grip on the sleeve of the son of Elrond's beige tunic.
Elrohir nodded, knowing the young ranger spoke the truth. Revealing themselves would only put Aragorn in more danger than he already was, and would cost them any chance of finding either of the two missing elves. "Fine" he replied reluctantly, "but if it gets any worse, I'll have no choice."
"Agreed."
There was still five orcs surrounding them, and Aragorn could feel his own strength running low, as was Jevinx's who was beginning to slow his movements, as their backs met the wall behind them. "We have to get away from here" Strider informed the man to his side, "we must get away from the wall, and out of this corner."
"I was just thinking the very same thing" Jevinx replied as he let out another groan of frustration, trying to ignore the splitting pain that came from the wound to his shoulder. Both men became filled with a new sense of determination, and strength, that wasn't drawn from anger or power. But from pure need to survive, and the instinct to protect their lives. With great speed and rapid moves, the two companions forced their way through the crowd of foes, and managed to take the last of them down with growls and spits of disgust.
"Enjoy hell" Aragorn mocked, as he took down the last of the beings, letting it's lifeless and bloody body fall to the floor of the cavern, as Jevinx resheathed his sword and approached him from behind. The ranger did the same with his own weapon, as he turned his head to face the other he was with. Jevinx had a smile on his face, that only made Aragorn's urge to hit him grow. How this man could smile after all that he had done baffled the young heir of Gondor, and made him realize what a sick person Jevinx truly was.
"We make a pretty good team eh?" the corrupt man laughed, as he brushed the dark strand of hair and sweat from his brow, while Aragorn felt his eyebrow raise.
"We are not a team" he couldn't help but say, immediately regretting the tone, but not daring taking it back. He meant it, and his pride refused to allow this man to think of him as a friend, no matter how much it might help along the way. Luckily, it didn't matter that much to Jevinx anyway, as he rolled his eyes and waved his hands at the man.
"I was paying you a compliment Mardin," he assured, using the fake name again, "relax."
"We were just attacked and nearly killed" Aragorn shot back, as Jevinx gave the fallen orc a kick as he stepped over it, and continued walking down the tunnel with Aragorn hot on his heels. "Quite frankly, if this job you offer is going to be this relaxing as you say, I may reconsider taking it."
A smile crossed over Jevinx's lips, as they continued. He didn't know why, but he liked the man beside him, and could tell that this new partnership would take him somewhere. The destination however, had yet to be discovered. "Oh come now" he started, unaware that he and the man he knew as Mardin, were silently being followed by the son of Elrond, and a young ranger. "As I told you, we must get to Plemith quickly."
"What awaits you there?" asked Aragorn, curiously.
The grin on the other man's face grew larger. "Revenge, awaits me Mardin. Sweet revenge."
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It was a struggle for Legolas to even keep his eyes open, as he was forced to sit on the wooden chair in the office where the healer, known the three others in the room as Gwiryn, looked over his injured throat and picked at his wounds. There was too much pain within him, and he barely tried to fight back, as Hirid and Aleic held him still while the healer spoke to Ginyc about his condition. He felt his eyes rolling to the back of his head, but he refused to fall into unconsciousness again. Piong was no where to be seen, and that worried Legolas more than anything that may happen to him.
"What are you talking about?" Aleic responded upon hearing what the healer had said to them.
Gwiryn sighed, "I mean it didn't work" he began, causing Hirid to groan of frustration as he gave to elf a swift smack upside the head, making Legolas try to free himself, earning once again another hit. "I told Jevinx not to try anything on the prisoners. The stuff never works the way it should. He thinks the liquid will eat away at it's throat and suffocate it" he continued, laughing at the dense assumption. "It'll do not such thing. Cause pain? Yes, a lot of it. Kill him? No. All this thing is experiencing right now is what will feel like a severe case of the flu combined with a horrific throat infection."
"I knew it" Ginyc exclaimed with a shake of his head, as he scratched his chin through his beard, while Hirid, who became even more enraged by the news spoke now.
"So that's it?" he demanded, "that's the pain that the little nymph is suffering? That's it?"
"That's it" answered Gwiryn, as Ginyc shook his head again, and started for the door. "Well if you don't count the wounds to his back and arm. He won't be able to talk for quite some time, but I doubt he'll live long enough for that to kick in anyway."
The young son of Thranduil didn't know whether to be relieved or nervous upon hearing this new information. He was delighted to know that his throat was not going to close on him, however the fact that he was still trapped here, with these men, and not aware of Piong's location worried him greatly. He had a pang in the bottom of his stomach that told him this was far from over, and deep down, no matter how much he tried to be optimistic, he knew he wouldn't get out of here alive.
"No, he won't" Ginyc exclaimed, as all but Legolas turned their eyes to him once again. The fallen ranger knew that the danger of having Legolas around for very much longer was too high of a risk, and one he wasn't willing to make. "The elf has got to die, and he better be by the time I return."
"Where are you going?" Aleic questioned, as the man walked for the door, halting when asked, as Legolas tilted his head, trying to listen to the conversation being had. He knew that the red haired man was anxious about him being there, and he could understand why. No one, wanted Thranduil's wrath upon them, and hurting his son, was a sure fire ticket of earning it.
"We are running low on supplies, and men" replied the leader of the wildmen. "I will be back, in a few days," he assured as he started through the door, only to be halted again, this time by Hirid who spoke again.
"What about the captive?" he questioned, ushering towards the elf that he and Aleic still held a firm grip on. The elf scrambled under their touch, not liking the feeling of being held down. He despised being a prisoner, and they knew it. Which was mostly likely, the reason Hirid especially, continued to roll it on thick that that's exactly what he was. Theirs. "What do we do with him? Lock him down in the dungeons too?"
Ginyc's facial expression changed to a more stern and serious one as he glared holes through the elven prince. "No," he began, locking eyes with the immortal being, whose eyes changed from the silver they had been to a pale blue that glowed and almost hypnotized the man. "The last thing we need is for the two of them to be together. No, keep them apart. Put him in Jevinx's quarters. Chain him in there until he arrives."
Aleic nodded, as did the other two, while Legolas thought through the situation he was in. Obviously Piong was still breathing, or Ginyc would not have said 'them', which gave him hope. A little bit of it, but more so than he had moments ago. "Oh," Ginyc began again, "and if Jevinx has not returned by the falling of tomorrow's sun, kill both of them. No loose ends. I don't care how you do it, just make sure their killed and disposed of."
"And if he does return?" Gwiryn pondered aloud.
Ginyc tilted his head to the side and let a half smile cross his lips, before responding. "You tell him that unless he wants me to do it for him, he better have his revenge quickly. I want the young prince dead by the time I get back."
And with that the man left the room, leaving the three other men all standing around, not sure of what to do next. "Alright" Aleic began, trying with all his might to avoid eye contact with the prisoner he held. He hated doing this, and even though he had done nothing to show it, all he wanted to do was just release the elves, and plead for their mercy and aid to get out of this lifestyle he'd fallen into. "We need to get Legolas to Jevinx's quarters."
"We'll take care of that" Hirid assured, gesturing to himself and Gwiryn. "You should go and check on the other one anyways," he continued gaining a nod, "we'll make sure the prince gets nice and cozy in his new home," he finished shooting a dark and evil stare down at Legolas who matched it with his own. He still couldn't speak, it hurt too much, and even if he could have, he never would have spoken the fact that he did not want to be left alone with Hirid or his friend. Especially considering he was weakened right now from his injuries and the drug.
Aleic was hesitant, for the very same reason Legolas didn't want to be left in their care. He knew that Hirid held very ill feelings towards Thranduil's heir ever since Legolas had blinded him in his left eye. The man wanted revenge, and Aleic prayed that the man would not go too far. "Fine" he began hesitantly, ignoring the pleading look he was now getting from the elf, "but don't kill him."
"Oh we wouldn't dare kill him" Hirid promised with an innocent look, that was faked, and obviously, as Aliec shot him a not believing look as he too then left, as Legolas closed his eyes, fearing what was coming to him now. "Why would we kill him?" the man continued, as he and Gwiryn dragged the helpless elf to his feet and then down the hall to the quarters of Jevinx. "If he's dead, we wouldn't be able to enjoy torturing him."
The prince felt as if his feet were failing him and they did just that, as he was shoved hard into the room in which he was to spend the rest of the time he had left. The blow caused him to fall forward, and into an empty bookcase, causing his exposed chest to be pierced by the sharp corner, making him hide the pain he felt, and cringe when he looked down to see the wound on his collar bone he had received because of it. The sight, of the elf struggling with his hands still tied tightly behind his back, made the two men laugh, and quite proud of them selves, as they pulled him towards them, and met his chin with a punch, sending him to the floor.
This however, gave Legolas the opportunity he had been waiting for, and with one quick, cat like movement, he curled into a ball and pulled his arms around his legs, so that they now rested in front of him, as he leapt to his feet to face his foes once again. Gwiryn looked at the being in awe, at the quick speed and amazing grace. Hirid however was not impressed and charged towards the prince with hatred in his eyes.
Sidestepping the man was easy enough, despite the growing amount of pain that was inside of him. Legolas knew that the blow he had jus received had broken his collarbone, and the actions had caused the wound on his upper arm to reopen. Hirid let out another grunt as he missed the elf, and was knocked down to the ground by a shot from Legolas' elbow, that as then copied by Gwiryn who gained the advantage and sent the fair being to the ground as well.
Legolas fought hard, sending the blows he could to the two men who struggled to hold him down to the ground. The elf knew that if he didn't escape this room, that he might not be able to, and so he tried with all the strength he had left, and that of which he prayed for from the Valar. But the drug was kicking in again, and the weariness was causing his strength to decrease. He was pinned to the floor, on his stomach, with his hands outstretched above him. Gwiryn managed to hold him still as Hirid smiled, when he pulled a horse shoe from the wall. It was different though, because the ends of it were shaped into points.
"You see this?" Hirid teased s he pressed his boot down hard onto the elf's back, leaning over to show the object to the vulnerable creature who had a puzzled look cross his ageless features. "This is really going to hurt you" the man continued cruelly as the expression on Legolas' face changed quickly when he used the horseshoe to pin the elf's arm to the ground.
Legolas could not help but let out a cry, as one of the ends of the object punctured through the flesh of his arm, right through into the floor, ripping skin, and shattering bone as it held him still. Niether of the two men now had to hold the elf down because any type of movement Legolas made caused the pain in his arm to worsen. He bit down hard on his lip, nearly drawing blood, to try and block out the pain, but it did not good. He felt the pain run through his entire body, so much that he ignored the fact that Hirid now undid his belt and ripped the cloths that covered Legolas' wounds on his back.
"This is for my eye, little prince" Hirid spat, as he brought down the belt strap upon the immortal being's uncovered back, breaking the skin and causing the wounds to bleed freely again. "Come on, cry for me" he begged as Legolas tried to hold in the cries he could not help. It was too much, and even though his pride told him not to let these men see that they were hurting him, he could not pretend they were not.
"Cry!" Hirid yelled as he continued to whip the prince with stroke after stroke that came with deadly speed and intensity. He was beating the elf like his life depended on it, and he could see just from the physical reaction that he was causing misery to the even till now, wilful being. "Cry for me."
Legolas was thankful that his golden hair was blocking his face from their view, or they would have seen that he was already spilling tears. He could not help it. He could take no more, and the whippings were not stopping, and causing his body to tremble and jerk, pulling at the horseshoe pinned through his arm just below the elbow. Another blow came down, and this time the metal buckle met his flesh, tearing it open, and causing Legolas to have to force his face into the skin of his arm to keep from screaming out.
"No one's going to save you, prince" Hirid mocked mercilessly, enjoying himself more than he even thought he would. He loved seeing this elf in pain, and suffering, and he almost hated the idea of having to kill him for the simple fact that this pleasure would end. "The only hope you had, is locked up downstairs. And I assure you, he'll be long dead very soon. He can't save you. No one can. You're going to die, and no one will ever know what became of you, until I personally deliver you're bloody and broken body to your father's doorstep."
"Aragorn!" Legolas mouthed, as the pain came again. He couldn't cry out, or tell them to stop. Which right now he would have had no choice but to do. It was too much to bare now, and not even his resilience or pride could help him anymore. "Aragorn!" he silently screamed again, knowing that no one could hear him. "I'm sorry" he continued, not even sure about what he was apologizing for. "Aragorn! Please come for me. Come."
He prayed for death. He longed for it. The pain was unbearable, and he longed for it to be over, so that he could just curl up and die. He prayed that unconsciousness would take him, and free him of the hurt and suffering. Yet it did not come to him, he was not granted his only wish. The beating continued, as did the pain. As did the mocking and evil laughter. The hurt continued, and so did the hidden tears, that streamed down his pale face, and to the floor that was becoming stained. Stained with blood. His blood.
* ****************** *
To Be Continued……..
Yah! I was finally able to update after all this time. I hope it wasn't a let down, and I hope you all liked it. The next chapter will be up on Wednesday, so if you get the chance, give it a read. Thanks it means a lot. And if you wouldn't mind, maybe click the little review button and let me know what you think. Thanks a bunch. Adios.