A big, big thank you to all of you - your encouragement keeps me going even though work is piling up
and I hardly find the time for writing...
Another thanks to Little My for beta reading!
So for all my patient readers and reviewers another chapter...
And let me know if you like it :-)
____
Pain was the first thing his mind registered, and he had to fight the temptation to return into the dark
oblivion of unconsciousness. Legolas's first impulse was to move, to bring his body into a more
comfortable position, but something held him back and the tug on his arms only caused a flare of hot
pain to shoot through his broken arm. A groan escaped him but as his eyes were still closed he
missed the effect this small sound had on his surroundings.
The boy was on his feet within a heartbeat, big eyes on the slumped figure of the elf. His mother had
not heard the sound of pain but saw her son's reaction and made haste in joining him. They stood a
little away from the captive, a similar look of fear and curiosity in their eyes as they watched for
another sign of awareness from the elf. But where a spark of compassion could be seen in the
woman's eyes, there was a smoldering anger in those of the boy.
Legolas had chosen to not move again, waiting for the pain to abate. Slowly his memory returned and
he remembered the situation he was in--taken captive by a man seeking revenge. He could feel the
coarse texture of bark under his fingers, and even though it led to the realization that he was bound to
a tree it still felt calming. He could hear the tree's soft voice whispering in the wind and concentrated
on it until the pain had reduced to a throbbing.
Keen ears could make out the sounds of breathing close by, and the sensation of being watched was
getting stronger by the moment. Deciding there was no use in avoiding the confrontation any longer,
Legolas finally raised his head and opened his eyes.
As minutes passed by without the elf stirring, Clardyn had come close to losing hope that he would
awaken. It was a mixture of relief and disappointment she felt as she looked at him, waiting for any
sign of awareness. Then, all of a sudden he moved and she found herself staring into deep dark eyes.
They held a look of cold contempt and pride that quickly changed to one of surprise and confusion as
Legolas took in the woman and child standing before him, where he had expected to see the man who
had taken him captive.
A look of bewilderment crossed his face for a moment as his eyes darted between Clardyn and her
son. Then Legolas turned his attention to their surroundings, taking in the size of the camp and the
people he could see, noticing that men as well as children and women dwelt here but he knew none of
them. He turned his attention back on the woman, meeting her eyes with calmness. What he could
read in them gave him reason to hope.
'I know not what reason you have to hold me captive like this,' he spoke, his voice calm. 'So I would
ask you to release me from these bonds.'
His voice was soft and melodious, pleasant to hear, and she found herself captivated by him. His eyes
only added to his fairness and she could not hold on to the dark feelings she might have harbored
against him once. He was the reason for their hard life, but he was not the one at fault.
'You have hurt my Pa.' It was the voice of a child hurling this accusation against the elf, and Legolas
found an angry pair of eyes flashing at him. The boy stood there next to his mother, his hands
clutching a water skin. 'You will pay for what you did.'
Clardyn reached out, grasping the rigid shoulder of her son and giving him a slight shake. 'Go, look
after your sister,' she ordered. But he did not move to obey her, shaking his head in stubborn denial.
'Who is your father, and what is it I have done to him?' Legolas asked, although some suspicions had
started to rise.
'Lian from Gondor,' the boy answered with pride. 'And you are the one who injured him so badly he
could no longer be a soldier.'
'Do not pass judgment so quickly, young one,' Legolas answered. 'I have never fought anyone without
reason.'
He wished to say more but found himself forced to pause, the pain burning in his arm bothering him
more than he wished to admit.
'What reason could you have to fight with my Pa? He is an honorable man.'
A short glance at the dismay on the woman's face told Legolas the boy did not know the whole story.
He could see the anger in his eyes but also something else. He was afraid but hid it well, and he was
awed. The child had never seen an elf before and Legolas fascinated him deeply. One could not stay
unaffected by the sight of one of the Firstborn, and he was still of an age where children are easily
impressed. But foremost he had found a target on which to lay blame for the situation his family found
itself in. He had not missed the unhappiness of his parents and did not truly like the people they lived
with now.
'Even the most honorable man might fall,' Legolas smiled sadly. He had seen Boromir succumb to the
influence of the ring and he had been one he had felt great respect for. 'I have seen it before and I will
see it again.'
'Not my Pa!' The faith of a child spoke in these words, and Legolas felt deeply sorry for the
disappointment the boy would face.
'Dian.' Clardyn's voice held a warning. She did not wish for her son to come to know of the truth like
this.
He heard the tone and realized she had not spoken up in defense of his father like he knew her to do
from other occasions. Confused, he looked up at her, a question in his eyes she chose to ignore.
'Go, look after your sister,' she repeated her earlier order.
'But Surdim said...'
'I care not for what he said and neither should you.' Her voice rose and did not hide the contempt she
felt for this man. 'Go and do as I bid you.'
He obeyed but not without another angry look at the elf. The water skin fell from his hands to the
ground as he turned and stomped away.
'He knows not he truth, but you do,' Legolas stated calmly.
She did not look away from his gaze, although it took much willpower to endure it.
'Yes, I do.'
'Then you know you have no right to hold me here. Your husband has taken me captive, but I must
question the honorability of this deed.'
She could hear the mocking in his tone but found the contents of his words more disturbing.
'The one who brought you here is not my husband,' she spat. 'And his honor I care not to defend. Lian
knows naught of this and I am sure he will not agree.'
'So you will release me?'
She hesitated for a moment ere she shook her head. Fear returned to her eyes, and Legolas realized
that she might not care for Surdim but she did fear him. With a sigh of defeat he let his head fall back,
resting it against the tree.
'I am sorry,' Clardyn said softly and found she truly was. Looking intently at him, she could see fine
lines of pain around his tightly pressed lips. For the first time the thought of how Surdim had been able
to overpower an elf occurred to her. Surely this had not happened without a fight and her eyes quickly
roamed over the slender form, trying to see if he was wounded. She noticed the small cut on his throat
but it was almost healed already, only the dried blood making it visible.
'Are you hurt?' she finally asked when she could find naught else.
'Would it make a difference?' Legolas's voice was bitter. She heard the accusation in it and spoke to
defend herself.
'If it were only me I have to think of, I would not hesitate to defy Surdim. But you know naught of what
we face here. I do not wish for my children to be the target of his anger should he return and find you
gone.'
He gave no answer and she added, 'Lian will not allow for you to come to harm.'
'He did it once, and I have no reason to believe he would not do so again.' The smile on his face was
grim. 'I carry the scars to prove it.'
She knew not what to say and this time she could not hold his gaze. In silence, Legolas watched her
until she finally turned to walk away. Then his attention returned to his surroundings, studying every
detail.
@@@
They had followed the trail for some time when Elrohir, who had the lead, stopped once more. This
time even the dwarves were able to make out the tracks on the ground. With dismay Gimli looked at
them, noticing there were more than the one they had been following.
He turned a questioning glance at the elves, wishing to know what they thought of this. It was Elladan
who noticed him and gestured at him to join them.
'What do you make of this, Gimli?' he asked, and the dwarf noted with some surprise that there was
no mocking tone. He truly wished to know his opinion.
'These tracks seem to come from different directions and one of them is at least a day old,' he voiced
his observations. 'But they all turn in the same direction, so I assume there is a place they all head to
and I would guess it is not that far away.'
The elves nodded as they had drawn the same conclusion.
'We are getting closer,' Elrohir spoke. 'The trees speak of many people but I know of no village here in
the deeps of the woods. It seems we are about to find the camp of these thieves and bushrangers we
have been looking for. Although the reason why one of them should take Legolas there as a captive
eludes me.'
'Who knows,' Gimli grumbled. 'Maybe someone has heard his sorry attempts at singing and has
decided to take him there as a source of amusement.'
The shocked looks he received from both elves made him quickly raise his hand in defense.
'I was only jesting, for no reason comes to my mind as well.'
A wide grin formed on Elladan's face.
'As a source of amusement?' he laughed. 'I must make sure to tell Legolas of this!'
'Aye,' Elrohir chuckled. 'It will certainly please him to hear this.'
'First we must find him,' Gimli mumbled, slightly embarrassed. He had gotten so used to mocking
Legolas that he had even done so now, when he knew nothing of his welfare.
'I would suggest for you and your companions to stay here, while Elrohir and I scout ahead. We will be
able to move faster and without being noticed for the camp will surely be guarded,' Elladan said, his
voice serious once more.
Gimli nodded his consent and within a heartbeat both elves had disappeared. The dwarves decided to
move away from the tracks, hiding close by in case someone else would come heading towards the
camp.
They settled down in silence, using the opportunity to eat and rest. Gimli found he had no appetite as
worry once more invaded his thoughts. He hoped the elves would return swiftly, for waiting seemed a
maddening task as long as he knew not how Legolas fared. The trees had spoken of bloodshed but
they had found no trace of it, not even on the trampled ground where the fight had taken place.
Soft snoring could be heard as his companions quickly managed to fall asleep. Gudin had asked if he
should keep watch but Gimli assured him he would stay awake. Sleep would not come to him when he
knew not if Legolas was still alive.
@@@
'We were right--it is the camp and from the look of these men I would assume they are not here to take
care of the trees.'
Elladan nodded, his eyes fixed on the still form tied to a tree.
'And Legolas is still alive.' His voice held all the relief he felt from the deep fears he had hidden from
Gimli's eyes.
'Aye, and not singing,' Elrohir added in a feeble attempt to lift their dark mood.
A tight smile was his answer as Elladan finally turned to look at his twin.
'We cannot simply attack.' He voiced the realization that had dawned on both of them.
'No,' Elrohir confirmed, his eyes seeking out the children he could see playing in the middle of the
camp. 'Nor can we slip in and free him without being noticed.'
'We need a plan and I know not how much time we have. Legolas has been taken for a reason and
the most likely one is that one of these men has a score to settle with our dear Mirkwood elf.'
'Greenwood, my brother, Greenwood it is called now,' Elrohir grinned, echoing the words he had heard
Legolas utter on endless occasions. 'You will never get it, will you?'
'But it annoys him so wonderfully,' Elladan grinned back. 'I guess we should return and tell our dear
dwarf of our findings. Maybe we can work out a plan together, for I would not wish to bring bloodshed
and destruction to a place were children and women dwell.'
'I agree, and even Gimli will hesitate to raise his axe under such circumstances. Although I would not
be too sure of this if it is the only way to free Legolas.'
Their whispered conversation carried on even as they moved away from the camp without ever
making a sound. The two guards posted had been easily evaded.
'There you might have a point. I think he would not hesitate to face a Balrog when it comes to
defending that elf.'
'And neither would Legolas. I really wonder at these two. They never seem to have a civil conversation
and you might think they would be at each other's throats any moment.'
'Aye, but say one word against Gimli and you have an arrow nocked at you.'
'And one word against that elf and you have an axe held against your neck.'
'Yet their friendship is doomed to end,' Elrohir commented, and sadness shone in the silver eyes as he
looked at his brother. 'Have you ever thought of this?'
A shadow crossed his brother's face.
'Aye, I have, and I think so has anyone who cares for Legolas. I hope the sea will call him away ere
this day comes, for it would surely break his heart.'
'Foolish it is to feel such love for a mortal,' Elrohir sighed.
'And yet there is naught to be done about it. I am sure the dwarves consider it equally foolish to feel
love for an elf,' Elladan chuckled. 'Although these three we stumbled across seem to be quite taken
with Legolas.'
'Well, he is a charming one, is he not? Whoever meets him wishes to keep him--even these
bushrangers.'
They exchanged a quick grin, the tension that had built during the last hours slowly easing as they
jested with each other.
'And I see it as our duty to free him and return him to Gimli,' Elladan spoke, and with another chuckle
they fell into silence once more as they made their way back to their companions.
and I hardly find the time for writing...
Another thanks to Little My for beta reading!
So for all my patient readers and reviewers another chapter...
And let me know if you like it :-)
____
Pain was the first thing his mind registered, and he had to fight the temptation to return into the dark
oblivion of unconsciousness. Legolas's first impulse was to move, to bring his body into a more
comfortable position, but something held him back and the tug on his arms only caused a flare of hot
pain to shoot through his broken arm. A groan escaped him but as his eyes were still closed he
missed the effect this small sound had on his surroundings.
The boy was on his feet within a heartbeat, big eyes on the slumped figure of the elf. His mother had
not heard the sound of pain but saw her son's reaction and made haste in joining him. They stood a
little away from the captive, a similar look of fear and curiosity in their eyes as they watched for
another sign of awareness from the elf. But where a spark of compassion could be seen in the
woman's eyes, there was a smoldering anger in those of the boy.
Legolas had chosen to not move again, waiting for the pain to abate. Slowly his memory returned and
he remembered the situation he was in--taken captive by a man seeking revenge. He could feel the
coarse texture of bark under his fingers, and even though it led to the realization that he was bound to
a tree it still felt calming. He could hear the tree's soft voice whispering in the wind and concentrated
on it until the pain had reduced to a throbbing.
Keen ears could make out the sounds of breathing close by, and the sensation of being watched was
getting stronger by the moment. Deciding there was no use in avoiding the confrontation any longer,
Legolas finally raised his head and opened his eyes.
As minutes passed by without the elf stirring, Clardyn had come close to losing hope that he would
awaken. It was a mixture of relief and disappointment she felt as she looked at him, waiting for any
sign of awareness. Then, all of a sudden he moved and she found herself staring into deep dark eyes.
They held a look of cold contempt and pride that quickly changed to one of surprise and confusion as
Legolas took in the woman and child standing before him, where he had expected to see the man who
had taken him captive.
A look of bewilderment crossed his face for a moment as his eyes darted between Clardyn and her
son. Then Legolas turned his attention to their surroundings, taking in the size of the camp and the
people he could see, noticing that men as well as children and women dwelt here but he knew none of
them. He turned his attention back on the woman, meeting her eyes with calmness. What he could
read in them gave him reason to hope.
'I know not what reason you have to hold me captive like this,' he spoke, his voice calm. 'So I would
ask you to release me from these bonds.'
His voice was soft and melodious, pleasant to hear, and she found herself captivated by him. His eyes
only added to his fairness and she could not hold on to the dark feelings she might have harbored
against him once. He was the reason for their hard life, but he was not the one at fault.
'You have hurt my Pa.' It was the voice of a child hurling this accusation against the elf, and Legolas
found an angry pair of eyes flashing at him. The boy stood there next to his mother, his hands
clutching a water skin. 'You will pay for what you did.'
Clardyn reached out, grasping the rigid shoulder of her son and giving him a slight shake. 'Go, look
after your sister,' she ordered. But he did not move to obey her, shaking his head in stubborn denial.
'Who is your father, and what is it I have done to him?' Legolas asked, although some suspicions had
started to rise.
'Lian from Gondor,' the boy answered with pride. 'And you are the one who injured him so badly he
could no longer be a soldier.'
'Do not pass judgment so quickly, young one,' Legolas answered. 'I have never fought anyone without
reason.'
He wished to say more but found himself forced to pause, the pain burning in his arm bothering him
more than he wished to admit.
'What reason could you have to fight with my Pa? He is an honorable man.'
A short glance at the dismay on the woman's face told Legolas the boy did not know the whole story.
He could see the anger in his eyes but also something else. He was afraid but hid it well, and he was
awed. The child had never seen an elf before and Legolas fascinated him deeply. One could not stay
unaffected by the sight of one of the Firstborn, and he was still of an age where children are easily
impressed. But foremost he had found a target on which to lay blame for the situation his family found
itself in. He had not missed the unhappiness of his parents and did not truly like the people they lived
with now.
'Even the most honorable man might fall,' Legolas smiled sadly. He had seen Boromir succumb to the
influence of the ring and he had been one he had felt great respect for. 'I have seen it before and I will
see it again.'
'Not my Pa!' The faith of a child spoke in these words, and Legolas felt deeply sorry for the
disappointment the boy would face.
'Dian.' Clardyn's voice held a warning. She did not wish for her son to come to know of the truth like
this.
He heard the tone and realized she had not spoken up in defense of his father like he knew her to do
from other occasions. Confused, he looked up at her, a question in his eyes she chose to ignore.
'Go, look after your sister,' she repeated her earlier order.
'But Surdim said...'
'I care not for what he said and neither should you.' Her voice rose and did not hide the contempt she
felt for this man. 'Go and do as I bid you.'
He obeyed but not without another angry look at the elf. The water skin fell from his hands to the
ground as he turned and stomped away.
'He knows not he truth, but you do,' Legolas stated calmly.
She did not look away from his gaze, although it took much willpower to endure it.
'Yes, I do.'
'Then you know you have no right to hold me here. Your husband has taken me captive, but I must
question the honorability of this deed.'
She could hear the mocking in his tone but found the contents of his words more disturbing.
'The one who brought you here is not my husband,' she spat. 'And his honor I care not to defend. Lian
knows naught of this and I am sure he will not agree.'
'So you will release me?'
She hesitated for a moment ere she shook her head. Fear returned to her eyes, and Legolas realized
that she might not care for Surdim but she did fear him. With a sigh of defeat he let his head fall back,
resting it against the tree.
'I am sorry,' Clardyn said softly and found she truly was. Looking intently at him, she could see fine
lines of pain around his tightly pressed lips. For the first time the thought of how Surdim had been able
to overpower an elf occurred to her. Surely this had not happened without a fight and her eyes quickly
roamed over the slender form, trying to see if he was wounded. She noticed the small cut on his throat
but it was almost healed already, only the dried blood making it visible.
'Are you hurt?' she finally asked when she could find naught else.
'Would it make a difference?' Legolas's voice was bitter. She heard the accusation in it and spoke to
defend herself.
'If it were only me I have to think of, I would not hesitate to defy Surdim. But you know naught of what
we face here. I do not wish for my children to be the target of his anger should he return and find you
gone.'
He gave no answer and she added, 'Lian will not allow for you to come to harm.'
'He did it once, and I have no reason to believe he would not do so again.' The smile on his face was
grim. 'I carry the scars to prove it.'
She knew not what to say and this time she could not hold his gaze. In silence, Legolas watched her
until she finally turned to walk away. Then his attention returned to his surroundings, studying every
detail.
@@@
They had followed the trail for some time when Elrohir, who had the lead, stopped once more. This
time even the dwarves were able to make out the tracks on the ground. With dismay Gimli looked at
them, noticing there were more than the one they had been following.
He turned a questioning glance at the elves, wishing to know what they thought of this. It was Elladan
who noticed him and gestured at him to join them.
'What do you make of this, Gimli?' he asked, and the dwarf noted with some surprise that there was
no mocking tone. He truly wished to know his opinion.
'These tracks seem to come from different directions and one of them is at least a day old,' he voiced
his observations. 'But they all turn in the same direction, so I assume there is a place they all head to
and I would guess it is not that far away.'
The elves nodded as they had drawn the same conclusion.
'We are getting closer,' Elrohir spoke. 'The trees speak of many people but I know of no village here in
the deeps of the woods. It seems we are about to find the camp of these thieves and bushrangers we
have been looking for. Although the reason why one of them should take Legolas there as a captive
eludes me.'
'Who knows,' Gimli grumbled. 'Maybe someone has heard his sorry attempts at singing and has
decided to take him there as a source of amusement.'
The shocked looks he received from both elves made him quickly raise his hand in defense.
'I was only jesting, for no reason comes to my mind as well.'
A wide grin formed on Elladan's face.
'As a source of amusement?' he laughed. 'I must make sure to tell Legolas of this!'
'Aye,' Elrohir chuckled. 'It will certainly please him to hear this.'
'First we must find him,' Gimli mumbled, slightly embarrassed. He had gotten so used to mocking
Legolas that he had even done so now, when he knew nothing of his welfare.
'I would suggest for you and your companions to stay here, while Elrohir and I scout ahead. We will be
able to move faster and without being noticed for the camp will surely be guarded,' Elladan said, his
voice serious once more.
Gimli nodded his consent and within a heartbeat both elves had disappeared. The dwarves decided to
move away from the tracks, hiding close by in case someone else would come heading towards the
camp.
They settled down in silence, using the opportunity to eat and rest. Gimli found he had no appetite as
worry once more invaded his thoughts. He hoped the elves would return swiftly, for waiting seemed a
maddening task as long as he knew not how Legolas fared. The trees had spoken of bloodshed but
they had found no trace of it, not even on the trampled ground where the fight had taken place.
Soft snoring could be heard as his companions quickly managed to fall asleep. Gudin had asked if he
should keep watch but Gimli assured him he would stay awake. Sleep would not come to him when he
knew not if Legolas was still alive.
@@@
'We were right--it is the camp and from the look of these men I would assume they are not here to take
care of the trees.'
Elladan nodded, his eyes fixed on the still form tied to a tree.
'And Legolas is still alive.' His voice held all the relief he felt from the deep fears he had hidden from
Gimli's eyes.
'Aye, and not singing,' Elrohir added in a feeble attempt to lift their dark mood.
A tight smile was his answer as Elladan finally turned to look at his twin.
'We cannot simply attack.' He voiced the realization that had dawned on both of them.
'No,' Elrohir confirmed, his eyes seeking out the children he could see playing in the middle of the
camp. 'Nor can we slip in and free him without being noticed.'
'We need a plan and I know not how much time we have. Legolas has been taken for a reason and
the most likely one is that one of these men has a score to settle with our dear Mirkwood elf.'
'Greenwood, my brother, Greenwood it is called now,' Elrohir grinned, echoing the words he had heard
Legolas utter on endless occasions. 'You will never get it, will you?'
'But it annoys him so wonderfully,' Elladan grinned back. 'I guess we should return and tell our dear
dwarf of our findings. Maybe we can work out a plan together, for I would not wish to bring bloodshed
and destruction to a place were children and women dwell.'
'I agree, and even Gimli will hesitate to raise his axe under such circumstances. Although I would not
be too sure of this if it is the only way to free Legolas.'
Their whispered conversation carried on even as they moved away from the camp without ever
making a sound. The two guards posted had been easily evaded.
'There you might have a point. I think he would not hesitate to face a Balrog when it comes to
defending that elf.'
'And neither would Legolas. I really wonder at these two. They never seem to have a civil conversation
and you might think they would be at each other's throats any moment.'
'Aye, but say one word against Gimli and you have an arrow nocked at you.'
'And one word against that elf and you have an axe held against your neck.'
'Yet their friendship is doomed to end,' Elrohir commented, and sadness shone in the silver eyes as he
looked at his brother. 'Have you ever thought of this?'
A shadow crossed his brother's face.
'Aye, I have, and I think so has anyone who cares for Legolas. I hope the sea will call him away ere
this day comes, for it would surely break his heart.'
'Foolish it is to feel such love for a mortal,' Elrohir sighed.
'And yet there is naught to be done about it. I am sure the dwarves consider it equally foolish to feel
love for an elf,' Elladan chuckled. 'Although these three we stumbled across seem to be quite taken
with Legolas.'
'Well, he is a charming one, is he not? Whoever meets him wishes to keep him--even these
bushrangers.'
They exchanged a quick grin, the tension that had built during the last hours slowly easing as they
jested with each other.
'And I see it as our duty to free him and return him to Gimli,' Elladan spoke, and with another chuckle
they fell into silence once more as they made their way back to their companions.