DISCLAIMER ~ Same as last time. I don't own J. R. R. Tolkien's stuff.
THANKS TO ~
~ Lux-saop - you are the best!
~ orligurl88 - glad to know you liked it!
~ Star-Stallion - also glad to know that you liked it!
~ LOTRFaith - How is it confusing? Oh well, you found it interesting. That's good enough for me!
~ Listless - Don't worry, Aragorn will appear.
~Elenillor - Stop being so nit-picky, I'm a dyslexic 14 year old so lay off me. And we'll just pretend that there's *another* horse called Brego.
~Rabbit of Iron - Wow, a tough bunny. Well you keep those beady little eyes on me coz I'm writing as often as I can.
~bunny-luver - Jesus on a bike! It's another bunny person! Thanks for putting me on your favourite stories list!
~Irish QT - Bloody Hell, now I've seen 'em all.
NOTE ~ (. . . . . .) = elvish, coz I can't be bothered to write out all the elvish anymore. Aren't I delightfully lazy?
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Chapter Two ~ Counting Lashes
Nights and days had come and gone like the passing of an eagle's shadow over the land. Legolas had been marching with the men for almost a week now, and was beginning to wonder where on Middle Earth this camp was. He had been running many questions through his mind while the Bridle scratched his face, what was going to happen to him? How many other elves were at the camp? Where was Aragorn? Why me? Will Haldir and any others I know be there?
He was suddenly dragged out of his thoughts and disposed of upon the dusty ground. He looked about and saw that they had joined another group of men who were sitting about a small fire roasting what appeared to be mice and small birds. Out of the warm and orange glow he saw three figures sitting on the floor, all huddled close together, and all tethered by chains that were closely linked to those of the one next to them. Rularian watched Legolas as he eyed the three, before yanking at the rein.
'Come, elf,' he growled. 'You will join them in the dirt.' And he dragged Legolas over and threw him to the floor with ease, as the elf saw no need to struggle and fight. While his face was on the ground Legolas saw that the woeful trio were elves, one may have been of Lórien or Mirkwood, the other two were of Rivendell, easily distinguished by their dark hair. They were very dishevelled and grimy. He also saw the congealed blood upon their faces and the dying glint of hope in their pale eyes. Rularian shoved Legolas so that he was sat next to the others.
'Banes!' he cried. 'The manacles! Now!'
Banes rushed to fetch the manacles. They were clamped onto Legolas' ankles and fastened to the shackles of the elf by him. An extension was added to the already long rein of The Bridle and clipped securely onto Rularian's belt, so that he would know if the elf tried to escape. Then the leader of the men went to join his companions by the fire, laughing loudly and telling rude jokes. Legolas turned to the other elves.
'(What is your name?)' he asked of the nearest.
The elf did not reply, but looked up at Legolas through doleful eyes.
'(Haldir! My friend!)' exclaimed Legolas. He had not recognised his friend, the blood, dirt and messy hair disguised his true looks. He looked to the other elves and gasped.
'(Elladan! Elrohir! Are you all right? What happened?)'
Elladan spoke.
'(Haldir came out of Lothlórien to send a message to our father, and on his return to Lórien we, me and Elrohir that is, decided to accompany him, as we had not seen the Wood for many years. W e rode out far one day, right to the borders of Rohan, and the men captured us.)'
Elladan fell silent and gazed at the ground, Elrohir was lost in another world and Haldir bit his lip and closed his sad eyes. Legolas stared miserably at his beloved friends. They were once full of life, brimming over with energy, and now they had been reduced to pitiful wrecks of sorrow. He looked over at Rularian and his men. They seemed to be trying to set each other's hair on fire, and they were all laughing loudly about it. The fair face of Legolas was now a terror to look upon, angry storms churned madly in his eyes, his perfect teeth were slightly bared and the loathing and rage shaded his face like the dark night.
At this point Rularian seemed to sense the elf's gaze and he glanced over. He caught the hateful stare and his face fell ever so slightly. His eyebrows flickered with uncertainty before he turned back to his folly. Legolas watched. The man swatted away Banes' hand as he tried to set his hair on fire, and roared a command to shut up when the other laughed deafeningly in his donkey like way. The elf prince sneered with grim pleasure as Rularian ordered his men to sleep and for Banes to keep a look out. With a growl the dark haired man lay upon the floor and pulled his cloak about him, his back to the four elves. The long leash between him and Legolas lay slack across the dust.
**************************************************************************** ********
Aragorn pulled Brego to a halt as he spotted an orange glint in the distance. Brïona came up beside them, whinnying softly for her master. Deciding that it worth a look Aragorn kicked his steed and sent him off at a speedy canter down the rolling hill, with the elvish horse close behind.
It did not take long for the three to reach the source of the small glow, and when Aragorn saw all the men lying asleep and the one who seemed to be keeping a look out he slid deftly out of the saddle. He crept with all his acquired elvish stealth around the fire, trying to see if Legolas was nearby. His heart leapt to his throat when he heard a particularly loud snore. Aragorn glanced about and sighed when he saw that it was just the look out, who sat hunched up, mumbling in his sleep.
'Aragorn!'
He almost jumped right out of his skin at the sound of his name being hissed, but smiled in exasperation and relief when he saw that it was Legolas. He hurried over to where his elvish friend lay and knelt beside him, exclaiming silently as he recognised his brothers and Haldir. He looked up at Legolas with questioning eyes and gasped at the sight of The Bridle. The soft, pale skin beneath the straps was red and chafed, as was the skin around his neck under the metal collar. He followed the length of the rein with his eyes and saw Rularian curled up on the floor by his men. On the belt he saw the buckle where the rein was attached, and he saw a ring with keys on it. Legolas saw what Aragorn was looking at.
'You will have to get them,' he whispered. 'This may be the only chance you will get to free us.'
Aragorn nodded and sneaked towards the sleeping man. He came to the side of Rularian and peered over his shoulder. He saw the other's face, stern and frowning even in sleep. He looked down to the leather belt and saw the keys. To get the keys Aragorn would have to undo Rularian's belt, which was sure to wake him up. However, Aragorn was willing to do anything to free his friends and brothers, so he reached out a tentative hand and began to undo the buckle.
Legolas could not see what was happening, as Aragorn's form blocked his view. After many long minutes the elf heard the pleasant jingle of keys and decided that he should wake Elladan, Elrohir and Haldir. Aragorn slinked over noiselessly, holding the keys in both hands so that they made no clatter. Rularian was still slumbering deeply. The other three elves were rousing from their wide-eyed sleep, blinking and looking surprised to see Aragorn, with the keys to freedom in his coarse hands.
The man smiled as he knelt down, cherishing the look of immense hope and happiness on the elves' faces. He picked a random key and tried it in the lock of Legolas' shackles. It was the wrong one. He hastily turned to another, trying to make no noise at all. He placed it into the lock and turned; it was the correct key. Legolas almost made a serious mistake, and paused, as he was just about to stand up, remembering the leash attached to Rularian's belt. He dropped silently to his knees, asking for Aragorn's dagger to cut it with, for Damarlen, another member of the band, had taken his own elvish dagger way. Aragorn handed the weapon over and proceeded to try and free the other elves.
Then there was pandemonium.
Brïona and Brego had ventured close to the sleeping lookout, probably curious as to why he was sleeping such an odd stance, slouching in the sitting position, his head lolled back and his mouth wide open, seeming to be gawping in awe at the starry sky. Brïona, the more daring of the two, had attempted to nab the chunk of bread from Banes' hand, which he had fallen asleep with. The horse had only succeeded in biting the man's fingers. He awoke with an almighty bellow, leapt to his feet and struck out blindly. The others were immediately awoken, and every pair of sleepy eyes were fixed upon Aragorn, who was knelt beside their captives, trying to free them.
Rularian bounded to his feet, cursing sinfully when his belt fell down. Taking this chance Legolas sprinted off, hoping to create a diversion in order to give Aragorn a chance to free Elladan, Elrohir and Haldir. The rein with the belt at the other end scraped noisily over the rocks and dead grass. Banes had thrown himself at Aragorn, battling him for the keys, kicking and punching when he could. Damarlen had drawn his bow and fired three well-aimed shots at the situation. Two hit the floor and one landed in Aragorn's arm. Elrohir snarled, foreseeing that this matter would not end well.
'(Go Estel! They will kill you!)'
Growling in his pain and clutching his wounded arm Aragorn heeded his wise brother and dashed away, whistling for Brego and Brïona. He jumped into the saddle.
'(Brïona! To you master!)'
The elegant palomino did not need telling twice, she galloped away after Legolas, braying to the night. The whole band was fully awake now, and every bow was at the ready with an arrow. Aragorn dug his heels into Brego's sides and they flew into the darkness. Not a single arrow hit them.
'DAMARLEN! LANDAN! GET THAT ELF BACK!'
Damarlen and Landan rushed to their horses, a grey and a chestnut, mounting swiftly and careering after Legolas. Rularian grumbled, doing his best to stop his breeches from falling to his ankles. He glared furiously at the three elves that were still chained to each other on the floor. They averted their eyes. Not much time had passed before Damarlen and Landan returned, with Legolas following, the rein in Landan's hand. Rularian strolled over, his wrath evident, and snatched his belt and donned it once again. He wrapped his strong hand around the neck of Legolas and gripped it tightly.
'You stupid bastard!' he whispered like a snake.
'There is no need to bring my parentage into this,' came the cool reply.
Rularian roared and flung the elf to the ground.
'Bind his hands!' he barked, his voice shaking with fury.
Banes came forward and bound Legolas' hands together above his head. Rularian bent down and ripped the garments from the elf's back. He took the coiled bullwhip from his belt and shook it out to it's full length. Haldir and the sons of Elrond looked on in horror. Sensing what was going to happen Legolas attempted to get to his feet and run.
'Hold him down!'
Three men pushed Legolas to the ground again, where he was then made to lie on his belly, and one stood on his hands and the other two held his legs down. Rularian strutted over, smiling cruelly.
'For your stupidity and disobedience, plus the fact that you are an elf, you will receive one hundred lashes of the whip. But I am not good with numbers so. . . you will have to count for me.'
He snickered in an evil way and delivered the first stroke. Legolas cried out and bit hard on his lip.
'One. . .'
And again.
'Two. . .'
Rularian sneered.
'Three. . .'
The whip placed its searing kiss on his back for the fourth time, the dark blood glistening orange in the dying embers of the fire. In his pain Legolas did not count. Rularian whipped him again, and again until Legolas finally uttered the number.
'Four. . .'
'Five. . .'
'Six. . .'
'Seven. . .'
And this went on into the darkest depths of the night. Legolas missed many numbers, and received many more than one hundred strokes of the bullwhip because of this. Counting lashes was torture, but Legolas had absolutely no idea what was going to happen to him at the camp - and Rularian did. He smiled, and carried on lashing with a malicious passion.
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AN ~ Hurrah! Chapter Two after about ten thousand years. Hope you like it! Tell me what you think *hint hint*. Sorry updates are so far apart, I am entering the two very important years of my school life, and homework CANNOT be skipped. So you will just have to be patient. Chapter Three up ASAP.
THANKS TO ~
~ Lux-saop - you are the best!
~ orligurl88 - glad to know you liked it!
~ Star-Stallion - also glad to know that you liked it!
~ LOTRFaith - How is it confusing? Oh well, you found it interesting. That's good enough for me!
~ Listless - Don't worry, Aragorn will appear.
~Elenillor - Stop being so nit-picky, I'm a dyslexic 14 year old so lay off me. And we'll just pretend that there's *another* horse called Brego.
~Rabbit of Iron - Wow, a tough bunny. Well you keep those beady little eyes on me coz I'm writing as often as I can.
~bunny-luver - Jesus on a bike! It's another bunny person! Thanks for putting me on your favourite stories list!
~Irish QT - Bloody Hell, now I've seen 'em all.
NOTE ~ (. . . . . .) = elvish, coz I can't be bothered to write out all the elvish anymore. Aren't I delightfully lazy?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter Two ~ Counting Lashes
Nights and days had come and gone like the passing of an eagle's shadow over the land. Legolas had been marching with the men for almost a week now, and was beginning to wonder where on Middle Earth this camp was. He had been running many questions through his mind while the Bridle scratched his face, what was going to happen to him? How many other elves were at the camp? Where was Aragorn? Why me? Will Haldir and any others I know be there?
He was suddenly dragged out of his thoughts and disposed of upon the dusty ground. He looked about and saw that they had joined another group of men who were sitting about a small fire roasting what appeared to be mice and small birds. Out of the warm and orange glow he saw three figures sitting on the floor, all huddled close together, and all tethered by chains that were closely linked to those of the one next to them. Rularian watched Legolas as he eyed the three, before yanking at the rein.
'Come, elf,' he growled. 'You will join them in the dirt.' And he dragged Legolas over and threw him to the floor with ease, as the elf saw no need to struggle and fight. While his face was on the ground Legolas saw that the woeful trio were elves, one may have been of Lórien or Mirkwood, the other two were of Rivendell, easily distinguished by their dark hair. They were very dishevelled and grimy. He also saw the congealed blood upon their faces and the dying glint of hope in their pale eyes. Rularian shoved Legolas so that he was sat next to the others.
'Banes!' he cried. 'The manacles! Now!'
Banes rushed to fetch the manacles. They were clamped onto Legolas' ankles and fastened to the shackles of the elf by him. An extension was added to the already long rein of The Bridle and clipped securely onto Rularian's belt, so that he would know if the elf tried to escape. Then the leader of the men went to join his companions by the fire, laughing loudly and telling rude jokes. Legolas turned to the other elves.
'(What is your name?)' he asked of the nearest.
The elf did not reply, but looked up at Legolas through doleful eyes.
'(Haldir! My friend!)' exclaimed Legolas. He had not recognised his friend, the blood, dirt and messy hair disguised his true looks. He looked to the other elves and gasped.
'(Elladan! Elrohir! Are you all right? What happened?)'
Elladan spoke.
'(Haldir came out of Lothlórien to send a message to our father, and on his return to Lórien we, me and Elrohir that is, decided to accompany him, as we had not seen the Wood for many years. W e rode out far one day, right to the borders of Rohan, and the men captured us.)'
Elladan fell silent and gazed at the ground, Elrohir was lost in another world and Haldir bit his lip and closed his sad eyes. Legolas stared miserably at his beloved friends. They were once full of life, brimming over with energy, and now they had been reduced to pitiful wrecks of sorrow. He looked over at Rularian and his men. They seemed to be trying to set each other's hair on fire, and they were all laughing loudly about it. The fair face of Legolas was now a terror to look upon, angry storms churned madly in his eyes, his perfect teeth were slightly bared and the loathing and rage shaded his face like the dark night.
At this point Rularian seemed to sense the elf's gaze and he glanced over. He caught the hateful stare and his face fell ever so slightly. His eyebrows flickered with uncertainty before he turned back to his folly. Legolas watched. The man swatted away Banes' hand as he tried to set his hair on fire, and roared a command to shut up when the other laughed deafeningly in his donkey like way. The elf prince sneered with grim pleasure as Rularian ordered his men to sleep and for Banes to keep a look out. With a growl the dark haired man lay upon the floor and pulled his cloak about him, his back to the four elves. The long leash between him and Legolas lay slack across the dust.
**************************************************************************** ********
Aragorn pulled Brego to a halt as he spotted an orange glint in the distance. Brïona came up beside them, whinnying softly for her master. Deciding that it worth a look Aragorn kicked his steed and sent him off at a speedy canter down the rolling hill, with the elvish horse close behind.
It did not take long for the three to reach the source of the small glow, and when Aragorn saw all the men lying asleep and the one who seemed to be keeping a look out he slid deftly out of the saddle. He crept with all his acquired elvish stealth around the fire, trying to see if Legolas was nearby. His heart leapt to his throat when he heard a particularly loud snore. Aragorn glanced about and sighed when he saw that it was just the look out, who sat hunched up, mumbling in his sleep.
'Aragorn!'
He almost jumped right out of his skin at the sound of his name being hissed, but smiled in exasperation and relief when he saw that it was Legolas. He hurried over to where his elvish friend lay and knelt beside him, exclaiming silently as he recognised his brothers and Haldir. He looked up at Legolas with questioning eyes and gasped at the sight of The Bridle. The soft, pale skin beneath the straps was red and chafed, as was the skin around his neck under the metal collar. He followed the length of the rein with his eyes and saw Rularian curled up on the floor by his men. On the belt he saw the buckle where the rein was attached, and he saw a ring with keys on it. Legolas saw what Aragorn was looking at.
'You will have to get them,' he whispered. 'This may be the only chance you will get to free us.'
Aragorn nodded and sneaked towards the sleeping man. He came to the side of Rularian and peered over his shoulder. He saw the other's face, stern and frowning even in sleep. He looked down to the leather belt and saw the keys. To get the keys Aragorn would have to undo Rularian's belt, which was sure to wake him up. However, Aragorn was willing to do anything to free his friends and brothers, so he reached out a tentative hand and began to undo the buckle.
Legolas could not see what was happening, as Aragorn's form blocked his view. After many long minutes the elf heard the pleasant jingle of keys and decided that he should wake Elladan, Elrohir and Haldir. Aragorn slinked over noiselessly, holding the keys in both hands so that they made no clatter. Rularian was still slumbering deeply. The other three elves were rousing from their wide-eyed sleep, blinking and looking surprised to see Aragorn, with the keys to freedom in his coarse hands.
The man smiled as he knelt down, cherishing the look of immense hope and happiness on the elves' faces. He picked a random key and tried it in the lock of Legolas' shackles. It was the wrong one. He hastily turned to another, trying to make no noise at all. He placed it into the lock and turned; it was the correct key. Legolas almost made a serious mistake, and paused, as he was just about to stand up, remembering the leash attached to Rularian's belt. He dropped silently to his knees, asking for Aragorn's dagger to cut it with, for Damarlen, another member of the band, had taken his own elvish dagger way. Aragorn handed the weapon over and proceeded to try and free the other elves.
Then there was pandemonium.
Brïona and Brego had ventured close to the sleeping lookout, probably curious as to why he was sleeping such an odd stance, slouching in the sitting position, his head lolled back and his mouth wide open, seeming to be gawping in awe at the starry sky. Brïona, the more daring of the two, had attempted to nab the chunk of bread from Banes' hand, which he had fallen asleep with. The horse had only succeeded in biting the man's fingers. He awoke with an almighty bellow, leapt to his feet and struck out blindly. The others were immediately awoken, and every pair of sleepy eyes were fixed upon Aragorn, who was knelt beside their captives, trying to free them.
Rularian bounded to his feet, cursing sinfully when his belt fell down. Taking this chance Legolas sprinted off, hoping to create a diversion in order to give Aragorn a chance to free Elladan, Elrohir and Haldir. The rein with the belt at the other end scraped noisily over the rocks and dead grass. Banes had thrown himself at Aragorn, battling him for the keys, kicking and punching when he could. Damarlen had drawn his bow and fired three well-aimed shots at the situation. Two hit the floor and one landed in Aragorn's arm. Elrohir snarled, foreseeing that this matter would not end well.
'(Go Estel! They will kill you!)'
Growling in his pain and clutching his wounded arm Aragorn heeded his wise brother and dashed away, whistling for Brego and Brïona. He jumped into the saddle.
'(Brïona! To you master!)'
The elegant palomino did not need telling twice, she galloped away after Legolas, braying to the night. The whole band was fully awake now, and every bow was at the ready with an arrow. Aragorn dug his heels into Brego's sides and they flew into the darkness. Not a single arrow hit them.
'DAMARLEN! LANDAN! GET THAT ELF BACK!'
Damarlen and Landan rushed to their horses, a grey and a chestnut, mounting swiftly and careering after Legolas. Rularian grumbled, doing his best to stop his breeches from falling to his ankles. He glared furiously at the three elves that were still chained to each other on the floor. They averted their eyes. Not much time had passed before Damarlen and Landan returned, with Legolas following, the rein in Landan's hand. Rularian strolled over, his wrath evident, and snatched his belt and donned it once again. He wrapped his strong hand around the neck of Legolas and gripped it tightly.
'You stupid bastard!' he whispered like a snake.
'There is no need to bring my parentage into this,' came the cool reply.
Rularian roared and flung the elf to the ground.
'Bind his hands!' he barked, his voice shaking with fury.
Banes came forward and bound Legolas' hands together above his head. Rularian bent down and ripped the garments from the elf's back. He took the coiled bullwhip from his belt and shook it out to it's full length. Haldir and the sons of Elrond looked on in horror. Sensing what was going to happen Legolas attempted to get to his feet and run.
'Hold him down!'
Three men pushed Legolas to the ground again, where he was then made to lie on his belly, and one stood on his hands and the other two held his legs down. Rularian strutted over, smiling cruelly.
'For your stupidity and disobedience, plus the fact that you are an elf, you will receive one hundred lashes of the whip. But I am not good with numbers so. . . you will have to count for me.'
He snickered in an evil way and delivered the first stroke. Legolas cried out and bit hard on his lip.
'One. . .'
And again.
'Two. . .'
Rularian sneered.
'Three. . .'
The whip placed its searing kiss on his back for the fourth time, the dark blood glistening orange in the dying embers of the fire. In his pain Legolas did not count. Rularian whipped him again, and again until Legolas finally uttered the number.
'Four. . .'
'Five. . .'
'Six. . .'
'Seven. . .'
And this went on into the darkest depths of the night. Legolas missed many numbers, and received many more than one hundred strokes of the bullwhip because of this. Counting lashes was torture, but Legolas had absolutely no idea what was going to happen to him at the camp - and Rularian did. He smiled, and carried on lashing with a malicious passion.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
AN ~ Hurrah! Chapter Two after about ten thousand years. Hope you like it! Tell me what you think *hint hint*. Sorry updates are so far apart, I am entering the two very important years of my school life, and homework CANNOT be skipped. So you will just have to be patient. Chapter Three up ASAP.