WARNING! TORTURE COMING UP!
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The three elves looked at each other shocked. They heard Gandalf and Sauros laughing ahead of them at the speechless elves. Sprinting after the two, the elves walked beside them and looked closer at the man version of Sauros.
"Asking could answer more questions of your than staring," Sauros commented with a glance at the others.
"How did you do this?"
"A dragon is born with many hidden abilities. Some discover their abilities and some do not. I learned that I was able to morph into a human if I concentrated hard enough. Truth be told, I rarely used the ability for I had no need to. It was amusing to try it on occasion and see to what extent I could play it out. Interestingly enough, I could act as a human very well and fooled many people. When my father was killed I never changed again. Until now," he said and shrugged his shoulder.
"Why now?" Elrohir questioned quietly.
"You need my help with your brother and I can be of better service in this form. It is time that I put aside my prejudices against humans and put some faith into this brother of yours. I just hope that my faith is not ill placed."
"It is not," Legolas assured.
"What should we do when we arrive at Tharbad?"
"Start to ask around for someone that looks like Estel," Gandalf replied logically.
"We need to be careful to not startle Estel. He could be in a dangerous and tricky position."
"He is most definitely and I worry about his," Gandalf admitted. "Something has changed and it concerns me more than I like."
"I am going to have a very long talk with Estel when all of this is over. How dare he make all of us worry like this," Elladan fumed and Legolas raised an eyebrow.
"You just sounded like a worrisome mother hen. I never thought it possible but Estel was right whenever he called you that."
"Oh if he thought I was a worrisome mother hen before just wait till this is all over. He will know the real meaning of a mothering hen before I am finished with him," Elladan growled and the others laughed.
Sauros raised an eyebrow at the elves and looked ahead. He could tell that something was bothering Gandalf and was not speaking of it. Despite the elves' words, Sauros knew that they were worried about their brother and friend. He felt something evil the closer they neared Tharbad. It wasn't a Melkor type of evil but a man-made evil that was born from men desiring power above all.
The group made good time and the town of Tharbad soon arose on the horizon. The town was situated near a forest that shielded two sides of the town. On the outskirts was a scattering of ruins from the ancient city that was destroyed eons ago. They made towards the forest to set up camp amid the trees. Sauros squatted near the tree line and closely eyed the town. His fingertips drifted over the ground below him that was littered with pine needles, leaves, and decaying pieces of wood. He could feel life flowing through the ground and it made a smile flicker across his lips. Footsteps behind him alerted him to the wizard and he stood as the wizard stopped beside him.
"Do you think we should?"
Sauros glanced over at the wizard before turning back to look at the town. "What I think does not matter. It is only important to find your Estel."
Gandalf nodded and turned to look towards the small fire. Elladan was missing, with Legolas and Elrohir moving around the fire.
"Where is Elladan?"
"Hunting for some fresh food."
"Elrohir, come with Sauros and me into the town. Stay her and wait with Elladan until we get back, Legolas. We will not be long," Gandalf said and Elrohir nodded and crossed the camp to follow the wizard and ex-dragon.
Elrohir pulled the hood up on his cloak as they walked towards the town. The faint sounds of a small brawl reached their ears as they neared the town. People moved past the travelers on their way home or another destination. Sauros stopped and slowly turned in a circle which caught the attention of the other two.
"Do you sense something Sauros?"
"Something…I do not know what though. I will meet you in the tavern in a while," he said and dashed between two buildings to melt into the shadows.
Sprinting down the alleyway, he reached out and caught the edge of the building. Swinging himself up, he quickly leapt from ledge to ledge until he was on the roof. His eyes locked onto the castle as he slowly breathed in the air. From being around the twins and Legolas so much he had become accustomed to the unique scent that surrounded them. Walking down the street, he had caught that scent and assumed it was the man they were looking for.
Sprinting towards the edge of the roof, he jumped and landed lightly on the next roof. This continued for several roof tops until he reached the castle and quickly scaled the wall. Reaching a window, he stopped and smelled the hallway to decide which way to go. The scent was stronger to the left as he swung himself through the window and walked down the hallway. He followed the scent and stopped at a closed door to a room where the scent led him. Silently, he opened the door and slipped into the room where the scent was strongest. Walking across the room, he picked up a tunic from the back of a chair and held it to his nose. He nodded to himself and dropped the tunic onto the chair, this was definitely his room. Passing the desk, he fingered the pile of books on the desktop and lifted the cover of the top book with his finger. Removing his finger quickly, he slipped into the deepest shadow moments before the door opened.
Aragorn walked in tiredly and immediately started to pull off his overcoat. He was so tired that it took his senses several minutes to realize that someone else was in the room with him. By that time he already had his long-sleeve tunic off along with his boots. He pulled his sword out of the scabbard and slowly scanned the room.
"Who is there?"
"I wondered how long it would take you."
Aragorn spun towards the voice and tried to look closer into the shadows. The outline of a body became visible as the person slowly moved out of the shadows and moved around the room.
"Who are you and what are you doing in my chamber."
"Who I am is not important and yet what I am doing in your chamber is another matter all together. I have heard a lot about you," Sauros said as he moved around the room leisurely.
"From whom?" Aragorn questioned as he carefully watched the mysterious man.
"Oh, from several people actually."
Sauros stopped next to the table and bent towards the candle. Using his hand to shield the candle from Aragorn's view, he bent closer and blew at the candle. Once straightening back up, the candle was burning brightly and Sauros smiled. Even as a human, he still possessed some dragon traits.
"When you look into the mirror…what do you see? Certainly not the man you used to be obviously."
"Before I answer your questions, I would like you to answer mine stranger. Who are you?"
Sauros turned and looked out the window before turning back to Aragorn.
"I would be obliged to answer your, but, I fear that I must be going. But tell me, I know you are strong, but are you strong enough to face yourself? Strong enough to face your actions and the effects?"
"Why do you ask me such things?"
"Be prepared to meet some very old friends of yours."
Sauros turned and jumped onto the window ledge before leaping out the window. His lithe body landed on the lower roof and tucked into a small ball as the momentum sent him rolling forward. Standing up and running on, he reached the edge of the building and jumped off to disappear between the buildings.
Landing lightly on the ground, he stepped out of the crouch and walked out of the alley. Weaing between the people on the side of the street, he reached the tavern and pushed through the doors. Keeping his head down, he scanned the room and found the two he was looking for. Crossing the room to the small table, Sauros looked down at Gandalf and Elrohir.
"We have to leave, now," he said and glanced around the room.
"What is wrong?"
"Later, but we must leave now."
Sauros forced his way through the crowd as the other two followed silently. Nothing was said until the three were a safe distance from the town. Reaching behind him, Sauros pulled out a long hunting knife and held it by his side as he sped up his walk.
"What is wrong Sauros?" Elrohir asked and sped up to catch up.
"Something is wrong."
He took off at a sprint and ran towards their camp. Reaching it, he slowed to a stop and looked around the scattered remains. Few dead bodies littered the forest ground, killed with arrows. Their travel packs had been dumped out and rummaged through. Sauros moved slowly across the camp as Elrohir looked around the camp for Elladan and Legolas.
"They are not here."
"I know; I heard them be attacked," Sauros murmured and crouched. "One of them fell here."
He picked up a dark colored leaf and rubbed it gently between his fingers. Dropping the leaf, his finger tips were stained red and it didn't take a genius to guess what it was. Holding his fingertips near his nose, he lightly sniffed the blood and wrinkled his nose.
"Your head them be attacked and you did nothing?" Elrohir asked angrily.
"I would not have been any help even if I made it in time. It only took a few minutes once they poisoned the two," he replied and rubbed his fingers clean on his pant leg.
"Poisoned?"
"Drugged may be a better word. Probably something to incapacitate them quickly and render them unconscious. I can not be sure by smell alone," Sauros said and turned to look at the up till now, quiet Gandalf.
"Who did you find in Tharbad?"
"I found our young Estel and talked to him. While I was with him, I noticed that he possessed a slightly altered scent. The scent of the drug was on him."
"The drug was used on him?" Elrohir asked shocked.
"No…he used the drug on others," Gandalf said faintly and Elrohir stumbled back in shock.
"You must be joking! Estel would never do that!"
"Elrohir, the Estel you once knew may no longer be. You will have to come to terms with that possibility if we are to ever really get him back," Sauros said as he moved around the campsite, collecting the salvageable items.
"He is right, Elrohir. We need you to stay calm and clear-headed until everything is solved. If you lose control and go off then you may get them killed or injured," Gandalf said as he pushed his hat back.
"I know Gandalf. I wish I could have been here to help."
"We all do Elrohir; but we can not change the past, only adjust for the future. WE have to form a plan to get Elladan and Legolas out," Sauros said and smothered the weak fire.
"Where could they be?"
"Where ever the lord or king keeps his new slaves to break them down. That is why people have been disappearing around the town. This town is a slave master hotbed and that is what funds this town."
"Young Estel may get to Elladan and Legolas before we do. He will be in for one big shock when he realizes who is in the dungeons below his own feet."
Why was his head hurting so much? If the cause somehow included his two brothers and a certain blonde hair elf, he only hoped his father could hold him back from harming the three. Or it was possible that his father was laughing too hard to stop him. The longer he thought about it and became more clear-headed, he realized how wrong he was.
His shoulders were burning in agony ad he tried to relieve some of the tension by getting his feet under him. With dazed confusion he realized that his legs were straight but his feet weren't touching the ground. A chill ran up his spine and he noticed that he lacked his tunic and of course his weapons.
Deciding to do something other than hang there, Elladan slowly opened his eyes and focused on the stone floor under him. Small puddles of water scattered the floor and reflected the image of himself hanging from his wrists. The cell was dark, dank, and cold; everything an elf hated.
He suddenly remembered Legolas and instantly started to worry about his friend. The wood-elf thrived among the trees and the open woods and knew that he wouldn't react well to the enclosed cell. He didn't even know where Legolas was; he didn't know where he was for that matter.
He remembered leaving the group to hunt for fresh game and hearing the sudden sounds of an attack. Running back to the camp, he found Legolas amid an ambush. Legolas had fallen before he had reached his friend. A few minutes into the skirmish, Elladan felt a sudden prick at the side of his neck and moments later his world slipped away suddenly.
'Something tipped with a powerful drug,' he thought and directed his attention to the manacles entrapping his wrists.
His struggles only served to lacerate his tender wrists and produce small rivulets of blood to snake down his arms. His struggles stopped when he heard a heavy bolt released from the door leading to the cell he was in.
The door swung open to allow entrance to three men that looked like they belonged in a back alley tavern brawl. One of the men carried a bag and a burning torch that he slipped into a holder set into the wall. The bag was dropped onto the ground and objects were pulled out that struck Elladan with a surge of fear. Tearing his eyes away, he looked down at the man that stood in front of him and glared at the middle-aged man.
"So rare to find an elf in these parts."
"Where am I?" Elladan asked with a tone that would make any noble proud.
"The wonderful accommodations provided by King Jasper. I hope this cell fits your needs," he replied with sarcasm that irritated Elladan.
"I would advise you to release me human."
Quicker than he thought possible of a man that age, he lashed out and punched Elladan directly in his diaghram. All the air rushed out and left him struggling for air. His lungs refused to take in more air other than the slight wheezes. Elladan clenched his eyes hut and refused to let a sound escape from his lips. Valar, he didn't realize how much a single punch could hurt if delivered to the correct place. He heard the other two men moving around the room but at the moment they didn't concern him.
"My name is Taltos if you wish to use it when I beg for me to stop. I always keep a record of my successes. It is interesting to see how long it takes a person to break under the pain. How many lashes it takes, how long with isolation; it is quite an interesting study," the man said as Elladan bit his bottom lip to keep his silence.
"No response then? Well, let's get started. Pakir, I think fifty lashes will be good to start with.
A moment later the silence was broken by the crack of a whip and a sudden intake of breath. Each lash brought excruciating pain that suggested to Elladan that the whip was somehow altered. It felt as if little barbs or hooks were on each strip of leather that dug into his skin and practically shredded it. The long whip would wrap around his torso and shred the skin when it was jerked off. He lost count at about thirty-two or maybe it was thirty-three, he really didn't care at that moment. Everything was focused on pulling air into his lungs, staying conscious, and not make a sound. The staying conscious part might have to be changed he thought vaguely as a biting lash caused him to hiss softly. Blood trickled down his torn skin and a small puddle was under him on the stone floor.
"That is fifty, Pakir."
Elladan lifted his head weakly and watched the man through his lashes. From the bag, he produced an arrow like looking projectile with a sharpened point. A scream suddenly ripped through the cell but not from that cell. The color drained from Elladan's face when he recognized the scream. Only rarely had he ever heard Legolas scream in agony and even then he had to have been in a monumental amount of agony.
"I believe that is your comrade that we brought you in with. Quite resilient actually, lasted longer than I expected."
"I will enjoy killing you," Elladan sneered angrily.
"I do not think you will get the chance."
Elladan gasped as a searing pain erupted at his right shoulder. The black spike was buried in his shoulder and felt much worse than he imagined. Almost instantly, he felt a burning fire moving through his veins slowly. Sweat slowly appeared on his upper lip and his forehead.
"What did you do to me?" he gasped as his other wounds throbbed more painfully.
"A very interesting mixture actually. When all the elements are correctly mixed and left to set in a chilled place it solidifies quite quickly. When it is surrounded by warmth, it starts to melt and break apart. It is introduced directly into the blood stream and, well, the effects are quite unique. The pain you are feeling now will double in an hour and multiply even more in two hours."
The other men in the room chuckled softly as Elladan stared up at the stone ceiling. His muscles quivered painfully as he focused on an oddly shaped stone. It was going to be a long next few hours that he wasn't looking forward to.
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I am so thrilled, this is the second story I have updated today and I am just so damn proud of myself! Beers all around! Heehee. So anyway, I hope everyone likes this chapter and please, please review for me and I will love all of you. And please have no fear; Poppy the plot bunny is locked away in his cage and sitting in the corner being grumpy but they it is his problem. We had a battle and I came out unscathed…well nothing a few stitches and an ice pack could not cure. PLEASE REVIEW!
Astievia-I forgot to put down the really create of that quote but the fact is I actually do not know who said it. But it is not mine! I just remembered it and wrote it in. Namarie, mellon.
Yoshi-fan2003-Reviews are very addictive. I do the exact same thing throughout the day after I post a new chapter. It is like so pathetic; I am so addicted to the internet it is so not even funny.
Lydia2-Well hello there! You are a new reviewer in this writer's writing life. Well thank you so very much for the compliment and I am really thinking about writing a sequel to this story. I was about to start writing it yesterday but I can not start writing it when I have not finished this story. *shrugs shoulders* I will just have to wait.
Grumpy-I am just totally enjoying Lina and the part that she plays. She is going to be a big part at the end of this story and a HUGE part in the sequel when I write it. I thought that would have been a cool part for Sauros to do, that and a dragon is kind of hard to write when the other main characters are going into a city. Had to think about that pothole.
Star-Stallion-I just had to put in a cute nickname for Elladan. Elrohir calls him 'Dan so I had to expand on that and I thought Danny was just hilarious. Poor knuckles! But fun snowboarding! When I go home for Christmas break I think I will go snowboarding for the winter, have not done that for a while. But do not worry, I have been writing this story injured. While I was fencing with my team mates, I was doing it barefoot on a mat and I got a very nasty rug burn on the inside of my foot. And I have about ten bruises the size of dimes on my chest for my opponent. Yeah, that was fun. I know, I have fallen in love with little Lina. I never expected her to be such a big part of this story; she was only supposed to be a minor character to fill a space. I have gotten a lot of response from people saying how much they love Lina. *shakes head* was not expecting that one.