Hey everyone! Hopefully the paragraphs actually work this time. If they
don't I apologize in advance.
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Chapter 5: Harsh Punishment
Legolas continued to run down the hallway and continued to cry for Aragorn. He had to be somewhere in the tower. "What's Saruman going to do to him?" He thought. He knew that Saruman was extremely capable of infliction pain of someone. He had felt it several times.
"Where is he?"
********************
Saruman definitely wasn't happy. Aragorn had to jog to keep up with the wizard's long steps. The human had only one thought in his mind. Legolas please help me! He knew that the Elf would come and try to help him, but he also knew that Saruman would end up punishing Legolas too. Aragorn was pulled from him thoughts as Saruman opened the doors to a small room and pushed Aragorn to the floor. The human tried to stand but Saruman placed his foot between Aragorn's shoulder blades and pushed him back down. Aragorn gasped as pain ran through him. The breath was knocked out of him as he hit the ground.
"What did you do to that wine?" Saruman asked, his fury no longer controlled. His voice sent daggers of fear through Aragorn.
"Nothing." Aragorn said, gritting his teeth as pain ran down his back. Saruman glared at him.
"What did you do?" The wizard asked again. Aragorn had never seen Saruman so angry. The human refused to answer.
"You poisoned it didn't you?" Saruman said. Aragorn still didn't move. "ANSWER ME!" Saruman grabbed the back of Aragorn's tunic and hauled him to his feet. The Human winced, the pain in his back worsening. Even so, he refused to answer. It was evident that the wizard was getting angry. For several more minutes, Saruman tried to get Aragorn to talk. Finally, the wizard became bored and picked up his staff. He pointed it at Aragorn. At first there was only a little pain, a slight burning sensation beneath his skin. That was only a small sample of Saruman's power. Little by little, Saruman increased his hold on Aragorn. The pain worsened and Aragorn had to keep from crying out in pain. Eventually, the pain became so great that he could no longer hold in his cries.
"LEGOLAS!" he yelled as a fresh wave of pain washed through him. Saruman clapped is hand over Aragon's mouth.
"What about no talking?" Saruman said, smiling devishly.
*********************
"Legolas!" The Elf's head snapped up as he heard his friend's distressed cry from somewhere deep in the tower.
"Aragorn" He murmured and ran quickly in the direction of the cry. He almost ran into someone on the way by, but barely took notice. After what seemed like hours, he discovered where both Aragorn and Saruman were. It was a small room. Legolas had only been in there once before. There wasn't really much of anything in there. He grabbed the handle of the door. It was unlocked. He pulled the door open and was horrified with what he saw. Aragorn was on his knees, gagged so that his painful cries wouldn't be heard by anyone. Saruman stood above him, staff in hand. He didn't notice that Legolas had entered.
"Why do you bother gagging him?" Legolas asked loudly. "No one believes that you've 'changed your ways' now." Saruman spun around, noticing suddenly that he wasn't alone. The spell cast on Aragorn broke and the human collapsed onto the floor.
"What do you mean?' Saruman asked angrily. Legolas smiled.
"All of the quests saw what was in that glass. For all they know, you were trying to poison all of them too. Besides, the ones that didn't think you were trying to poison them saw how angry you were. They're going to know that you hurt Aragorn." Saruman glared at the Elf. He knew that everything Legolas said was true.
"So you did try to poison me." Saruman said. Legolas nodded slowly. "You admit it?" Saruman asked, amazed. Legolas nodded again. "There will be a punishment," Saruman said, before turning around and walking out of the room. As soon as he was gone, Legolas ran to Aragorn's side, removing his gag. The human was breathing heavily and only semi-conscious.
Legolas quickly got him out of the room and began to tend to his wounds, but only had a small amount of time to help his friend before Saruman found him and decided on a punishment. Legolas was deprived of food and sleep for five days, and was only allowed enough water to keep him alive. Saruman sent him down to work in the mines and forgeries during this time as part of his punishment. It was the fourth day and fatigue was beginning to set in. He had worked non-stop and was extremely concerned about Aragorn, who he hadn't seen in the four days he had been down here. "I can't believe I've still got one more day down here." he thought tiredly. To be sure that he didn't stop working, and uruk-hai stood behind him, a whip in hand. Already, Legolas's back and shoulders were covered in cuts and blood was beginning to seep through his shirt. He moved his hand to push his hair back and was rewarded with a sharp pain on his right shoulder blade.
"Keep working!" The uruk-hai hissed. Legolas resisted the urge to snap at him and once again focused on the sword he was sharpening. As he continued to work, he looked around the mine. He had never been down there before his punishment and had to admit that he'd been impressed by it when he had first seen it. He was the only slave down there. The rest were orcs and uruk-hai. The stack of weapons beside him was growing rapidly. For all of the four days he had been there he had wished he wasn't. The weapons he was working on were going to be used to destroy the free people of middle earth. He shook his head, ridding himself of such dark thoughts. In a little over a day he would be out and everything would be better. Again, his thoughts traveled to Aragorn. He prayed silently that his friend would be all right. He had to be. If he wasn't, Legolas wasn't sure how he would survive in this terrible place.
********************
Aragorn awoke slowly. Hs muscles were stiff and he would barely remember what had happened. He vaguely remembered Saruman getting angry with him though he had forgotten why. He closed his eyes for a second, trying to clear his mind. When he re-opened them, he found it easier to see. He was lying on a bed, his hand s bound to the top of it. As he looked around, memories of several nights before came flooding back. He looked around, expecting to find Legolas nearby. The Elf was no where to be found.
"Legolas?" He called softly. He got no answer in return. The door opened and Saruman entered.
"Feeling better?" the wizard asked, a slow smile spreading across his face. The smile wasn't a happy one.
"Where's Legolas?" Aragorn asked, although he wasn't sure that he wanted to hear the answer.
"He is out of my hair for the next couple days. " Saruman replied. Sick dread began to fill Aragorn. He hoped that Legolas was alright. Aragorn closed his eyes again, trying to ignore the pain shooting through his head.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you." Saruman said, not bothering to keep the lack of sincerity our of his voice. "Now, how are you today? Hopefully, you're still thinking about our little chat four days ago."
"It really is too bad the poison didn't work," Aragorn thought, glaring at Saruman. "Just let Legolas be alright"
"I'll be back in a few minutes." Saruman said. "Don't run away." He added, smiling. Aragorn shifted uncomfortable and fell into a fitful sleep.
*****************
Every bone in Legolas's body ached. He felt sick from lack of food and sleep. He had lost track of the time that had passed, and no longer knew how many days he had been stuck down in the mines. He no longer even felt the whip hitting his back. He was completing another sword when Saruman walked over to him.
"Has he been working well?" The wizard asked the uruk-hai that was guarding Legolas. The uruk-hai growled something unintelligent in return. Saruman then turned his attention to Legolas.
"Come on." He said, grabbing the Elf's arm and pulling him along a path and out of the mines. "Get cleaned up," He commanded, "and don't even think of sleeping now. You can sleep with the rest of the slaves." Legolas nodded numbly and walked down the hall. Soon, he was clean and had changed into fresh clothes. Even so, blood from whip marks on his back was seeping through the clean shirt. His head spun from lack of food and sleep and black spots fought to control his vision. He ached all over, especially his legs, for he had been on his feet for the past five and a half days.
He was unsure of what he was supposed to be doing and decided to look for Aragorn. He turned a corner and almost ran into one of the guests who still remained. He looked up and discovered that it was an Elf. Naniel. He didn't have enough energy to acknowledge her very much.
"Legolas?" She asked. She looked over him. "What happened? You look awful!"
He didn't have enough energy to answer.
"Did Saruman do this?" She asked worriedly. Legolas nodded. "I have to take you to Lord Elrond." She said, gently grabbing his arm. Legolas took what little energy he had left to shake his had and softly whisper, "No". Naniel seemed surprised by his reaction.
"At least let me get you some food." She coaxed. Legolas allowed himself to be steered into and empty room. "Wait here." Naniel said and ran off to get some food for the Elf. While she was gone, Legolas busied himself with organizing the room. He thought it would be better to be working in case Saruman or an orc walked in. About twenty minutes later, Naniel returned with a little food for Legolas. He accepted it gratefully. As he ate, Naniel looked him over. He was obviously exhausted with deep circles under his eyes. Other than that he was virtually unhurt, except for his back. Even tough he was wearing a fresh shirt, blood was already soaking through. She walked over to him.
"What happened to your back? She asked.
"Nothing." He mumbled, refusing to met her eyes. He was ashamed that he was so weak and that he could now be injured so easily. Even so, he didn't protest as Naniel gently lifted the back of his shirt to reveal deep whip marks. She gasped as she saw his wounds. He pulled away and hastily got to his feet.
"What did they do to you down there? Naniel asked, her voice fearful and angry. "Where is Saruman?" She asked. Legolas shook his head.
"If you go to him, he'll only hurt you." He said.
"But he can't get away with what he did to you" Naniel replied.
"If you want to help me, find Aragorn." He pleaded.
"Aragorn?" She asked, "Who's that?"
"He was the human that Saruman caught poisoning him." Legolas replied. Naniel's eyebrows raised.
"So you were actually poisoning him." She said, more to herself than to Legolas. Suddenly, recognition dawned on her face.
"Not Aragorn son of Arathorn?" She asked. Legolas nodded.
"Will you help us then?" Legolas asked before the female elf could ask more about Aragorn's past. If the human wanted her to know, he could tell her when they met.
"Yes, I'll help you," She replied, "but first you need so sleep." Legolas was bout to pretest, but decided not to. He was exhausted and could barely think straight
"Rest now, I shall wake you at dawn."
In response to your reviews:
Roccovende: Yay! Paragraphs make me happy(!
Kurafoxgirl: Here you go.
Chapter 5: Harsh Punishment
Legolas continued to run down the hallway and continued to cry for Aragorn. He had to be somewhere in the tower. "What's Saruman going to do to him?" He thought. He knew that Saruman was extremely capable of infliction pain of someone. He had felt it several times.
"Where is he?"
********************
Saruman definitely wasn't happy. Aragorn had to jog to keep up with the wizard's long steps. The human had only one thought in his mind. Legolas please help me! He knew that the Elf would come and try to help him, but he also knew that Saruman would end up punishing Legolas too. Aragorn was pulled from him thoughts as Saruman opened the doors to a small room and pushed Aragorn to the floor. The human tried to stand but Saruman placed his foot between Aragorn's shoulder blades and pushed him back down. Aragorn gasped as pain ran through him. The breath was knocked out of him as he hit the ground.
"What did you do to that wine?" Saruman asked, his fury no longer controlled. His voice sent daggers of fear through Aragorn.
"Nothing." Aragorn said, gritting his teeth as pain ran down his back. Saruman glared at him.
"What did you do?" The wizard asked again. Aragorn had never seen Saruman so angry. The human refused to answer.
"You poisoned it didn't you?" Saruman said. Aragorn still didn't move. "ANSWER ME!" Saruman grabbed the back of Aragorn's tunic and hauled him to his feet. The Human winced, the pain in his back worsening. Even so, he refused to answer. It was evident that the wizard was getting angry. For several more minutes, Saruman tried to get Aragorn to talk. Finally, the wizard became bored and picked up his staff. He pointed it at Aragorn. At first there was only a little pain, a slight burning sensation beneath his skin. That was only a small sample of Saruman's power. Little by little, Saruman increased his hold on Aragorn. The pain worsened and Aragorn had to keep from crying out in pain. Eventually, the pain became so great that he could no longer hold in his cries.
"LEGOLAS!" he yelled as a fresh wave of pain washed through him. Saruman clapped is hand over Aragon's mouth.
"What about no talking?" Saruman said, smiling devishly.
*********************
"Legolas!" The Elf's head snapped up as he heard his friend's distressed cry from somewhere deep in the tower.
"Aragorn" He murmured and ran quickly in the direction of the cry. He almost ran into someone on the way by, but barely took notice. After what seemed like hours, he discovered where both Aragorn and Saruman were. It was a small room. Legolas had only been in there once before. There wasn't really much of anything in there. He grabbed the handle of the door. It was unlocked. He pulled the door open and was horrified with what he saw. Aragorn was on his knees, gagged so that his painful cries wouldn't be heard by anyone. Saruman stood above him, staff in hand. He didn't notice that Legolas had entered.
"Why do you bother gagging him?" Legolas asked loudly. "No one believes that you've 'changed your ways' now." Saruman spun around, noticing suddenly that he wasn't alone. The spell cast on Aragorn broke and the human collapsed onto the floor.
"What do you mean?' Saruman asked angrily. Legolas smiled.
"All of the quests saw what was in that glass. For all they know, you were trying to poison all of them too. Besides, the ones that didn't think you were trying to poison them saw how angry you were. They're going to know that you hurt Aragorn." Saruman glared at the Elf. He knew that everything Legolas said was true.
"So you did try to poison me." Saruman said. Legolas nodded slowly. "You admit it?" Saruman asked, amazed. Legolas nodded again. "There will be a punishment," Saruman said, before turning around and walking out of the room. As soon as he was gone, Legolas ran to Aragorn's side, removing his gag. The human was breathing heavily and only semi-conscious.
Legolas quickly got him out of the room and began to tend to his wounds, but only had a small amount of time to help his friend before Saruman found him and decided on a punishment. Legolas was deprived of food and sleep for five days, and was only allowed enough water to keep him alive. Saruman sent him down to work in the mines and forgeries during this time as part of his punishment. It was the fourth day and fatigue was beginning to set in. He had worked non-stop and was extremely concerned about Aragorn, who he hadn't seen in the four days he had been down here. "I can't believe I've still got one more day down here." he thought tiredly. To be sure that he didn't stop working, and uruk-hai stood behind him, a whip in hand. Already, Legolas's back and shoulders were covered in cuts and blood was beginning to seep through his shirt. He moved his hand to push his hair back and was rewarded with a sharp pain on his right shoulder blade.
"Keep working!" The uruk-hai hissed. Legolas resisted the urge to snap at him and once again focused on the sword he was sharpening. As he continued to work, he looked around the mine. He had never been down there before his punishment and had to admit that he'd been impressed by it when he had first seen it. He was the only slave down there. The rest were orcs and uruk-hai. The stack of weapons beside him was growing rapidly. For all of the four days he had been there he had wished he wasn't. The weapons he was working on were going to be used to destroy the free people of middle earth. He shook his head, ridding himself of such dark thoughts. In a little over a day he would be out and everything would be better. Again, his thoughts traveled to Aragorn. He prayed silently that his friend would be all right. He had to be. If he wasn't, Legolas wasn't sure how he would survive in this terrible place.
********************
Aragorn awoke slowly. Hs muscles were stiff and he would barely remember what had happened. He vaguely remembered Saruman getting angry with him though he had forgotten why. He closed his eyes for a second, trying to clear his mind. When he re-opened them, he found it easier to see. He was lying on a bed, his hand s bound to the top of it. As he looked around, memories of several nights before came flooding back. He looked around, expecting to find Legolas nearby. The Elf was no where to be found.
"Legolas?" He called softly. He got no answer in return. The door opened and Saruman entered.
"Feeling better?" the wizard asked, a slow smile spreading across his face. The smile wasn't a happy one.
"Where's Legolas?" Aragorn asked, although he wasn't sure that he wanted to hear the answer.
"He is out of my hair for the next couple days. " Saruman replied. Sick dread began to fill Aragorn. He hoped that Legolas was alright. Aragorn closed his eyes again, trying to ignore the pain shooting through his head.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you." Saruman said, not bothering to keep the lack of sincerity our of his voice. "Now, how are you today? Hopefully, you're still thinking about our little chat four days ago."
"It really is too bad the poison didn't work," Aragorn thought, glaring at Saruman. "Just let Legolas be alright"
"I'll be back in a few minutes." Saruman said. "Don't run away." He added, smiling. Aragorn shifted uncomfortable and fell into a fitful sleep.
*****************
Every bone in Legolas's body ached. He felt sick from lack of food and sleep. He had lost track of the time that had passed, and no longer knew how many days he had been stuck down in the mines. He no longer even felt the whip hitting his back. He was completing another sword when Saruman walked over to him.
"Has he been working well?" The wizard asked the uruk-hai that was guarding Legolas. The uruk-hai growled something unintelligent in return. Saruman then turned his attention to Legolas.
"Come on." He said, grabbing the Elf's arm and pulling him along a path and out of the mines. "Get cleaned up," He commanded, "and don't even think of sleeping now. You can sleep with the rest of the slaves." Legolas nodded numbly and walked down the hall. Soon, he was clean and had changed into fresh clothes. Even so, blood from whip marks on his back was seeping through the clean shirt. His head spun from lack of food and sleep and black spots fought to control his vision. He ached all over, especially his legs, for he had been on his feet for the past five and a half days.
He was unsure of what he was supposed to be doing and decided to look for Aragorn. He turned a corner and almost ran into one of the guests who still remained. He looked up and discovered that it was an Elf. Naniel. He didn't have enough energy to acknowledge her very much.
"Legolas?" She asked. She looked over him. "What happened? You look awful!"
He didn't have enough energy to answer.
"Did Saruman do this?" She asked worriedly. Legolas nodded. "I have to take you to Lord Elrond." She said, gently grabbing his arm. Legolas took what little energy he had left to shake his had and softly whisper, "No". Naniel seemed surprised by his reaction.
"At least let me get you some food." She coaxed. Legolas allowed himself to be steered into and empty room. "Wait here." Naniel said and ran off to get some food for the Elf. While she was gone, Legolas busied himself with organizing the room. He thought it would be better to be working in case Saruman or an orc walked in. About twenty minutes later, Naniel returned with a little food for Legolas. He accepted it gratefully. As he ate, Naniel looked him over. He was obviously exhausted with deep circles under his eyes. Other than that he was virtually unhurt, except for his back. Even tough he was wearing a fresh shirt, blood was already soaking through. She walked over to him.
"What happened to your back? She asked.
"Nothing." He mumbled, refusing to met her eyes. He was ashamed that he was so weak and that he could now be injured so easily. Even so, he didn't protest as Naniel gently lifted the back of his shirt to reveal deep whip marks. She gasped as she saw his wounds. He pulled away and hastily got to his feet.
"What did they do to you down there? Naniel asked, her voice fearful and angry. "Where is Saruman?" She asked. Legolas shook his head.
"If you go to him, he'll only hurt you." He said.
"But he can't get away with what he did to you" Naniel replied.
"If you want to help me, find Aragorn." He pleaded.
"Aragorn?" She asked, "Who's that?"
"He was the human that Saruman caught poisoning him." Legolas replied. Naniel's eyebrows raised.
"So you were actually poisoning him." She said, more to herself than to Legolas. Suddenly, recognition dawned on her face.
"Not Aragorn son of Arathorn?" She asked. Legolas nodded.
"Will you help us then?" Legolas asked before the female elf could ask more about Aragorn's past. If the human wanted her to know, he could tell her when they met.
"Yes, I'll help you," She replied, "but first you need so sleep." Legolas was bout to pretest, but decided not to. He was exhausted and could barely think straight
"Rest now, I shall wake you at dawn."