A/N Here comes chapter fifteen! Sorry for the delay, I've been a bit busy lately. Here are some answers to reviews first:
Dragonfly32: All right, they *did* go 'bananas'. And don't be too hard with Faelernil, he's had a bad day. And about the cliffies, I still have plenty of them in store... *evil laugh*
Niani: I'm glad you can wait... I hope the wait wasn't too long... But here is a new chapter with a new cliffy! Weeee!
LegolasLover2003: Don't worry about Legolas angst... There should be enough angst for him to share with others... *eg*
And again big thanks to my beta Candice. It's really great working with you.
Chapter Fifteen
Nowhere to be found
If this was not hell, it was as close to it as Gimli could imagine. He felt like a puppet in the hands of a psychotic puppeteer. Was this how it had felt for Legolas? Seeing what was happening around but unable to control any of it? Committing one of the worst atrocities he could ever imagine?
Gimli shuddered at the thought of it. As soon as he had approached the first Elven guard he had known what the creature was about to do. He had fought against it but had been violently pushed away. He had tried to look away, to close his eyes when the inevitable happened, but to no avail: those were *his* eyes, firmly set on those dying Elves…
It was like witnessing a murder from the inside, from the murderer's point of view. So unlike what one could experience on a battlefield. On a battlefield you fought to save your life and the ones of those on your side, not merely to take someone's life. Those Elves deaths were unfair and unwarranted. Useless losses.
Thinking he could have vanquished that creature so easily had been incredibly presumptuous of him. He should have been more careful. But how could he have guessed it was able to remain lurking in him with no more than a headache to betray its presence? He should have. They knew nothing about the abilities of that creature and hence should have assumed the worst.
But it was too late to feel sorry for his stupidity. Five Elves were dead and he was now facing the King of Mirkwood who was quite bewildered to find the Dwarf in his office.
Gimli knew what the creature had on its mind and how terrible the consequences could be if it managed to fulfil its plans. A vision of war and chaos, not that different from his memories of the War of the Ring itself, engulfed his mind at the prospect.
He had to put an end to all this quickly. He could not allow that creature to become so dangerous and powerful, even if he had to give his life to stop it. Was it the solution? Kill himself while still possessed by the creature? It could be; Qeladon had suggested that the death of the host could kill the creature as well. But there was no certitude and no way to know for sure. Unless he tried…
He had to act before the creature did. Maybe if he could reach his axe on the desk… Gimli concentrated and took advantage of the creature's distraction while it was talking to Thranduil to regain a slight control over his right arm and reach out for his axe. But it soon realised what he was doing and before he could touch his weapon he was abruptly yanked back, a wave of pain invading his mind.
"Do not even try, you stupid Dwarf," it hissed, and for a second Gimli wondered whether it had said it aloud or just talked in his mind.
* * * * *
Thranduil stared at the Dwarf disbelievingly. How did he manage to get here? Almost every single guard in the palace was looking for him. Yet he was here, in *his* office, sitting in *his* chair and at *his* desk. The Dwarf even had the nerve to ask him with a smile to step forward.
Thranduil replied distrustfully, not moving an inch, "Why would I come closer? So that you can kill me as well?"
"No," Gimli assured with a smirk, "I have other plans for you."
Other plans? What plans was he talking about? Thranduil's eyes fell on the Dwarven axe on his desk. There was also some rope next to it. What was on his mind if he was not planning to kill him? Take him prisoner? In any case he was certainly not there to discuss diplomatic issues between the Dwarves of Erebor and the Elves of Mirkwood.
"I will be no easy prey," Thranduil stated.
"I expected no less," Gimli replied calmly.
Gimli then did something very strange. While still looking at him defiantly his right hand slowly crept towards his axe, shakily and hesitantly, as if fighting against an invisible force. Thranduil observed him closely, ready to fight back would the Dwarf attack him.
But Gimli had a sudden and unexpected reaction: he abruptly pulled his hand back and hissed, his face contorted with an indescribable emotion, "Do not even try, you stupid Dwarf."
Thranduil took the opportunity to draw his knife from its sheathe at his belt, keeping his hand behind his back to hide the weapon from Gimli. But what was the Dwarf doing? He had regained his temper after his outburst and strange behaviour, and was now looking at Thranduil again.
The King of Mirkwood looked back at him thoughtfully. Such a strange behaviour… It had been as if…
As if he was possessed. The creature, Thranduil immediately concluded. He had not heard all the details of what happened during Legolas' and his companion's journey but enough to be able to tell it was most probably right there, in front of him.
His fingers fidgeted the handle of the blade behind his back. He could not kill Gimli. The real Gimli was there somewhere, controlled by that creature, no more responsible for his acts than his son had been for his.
His eyes fell on the rope on his desk again. Maybe he could turn the situation to his advantage and take Gimli prisoner. No matter how good a warrior Gimli was, he was a Dwarf while he, Thranduil, was an Elf with thousands of years of experience. Thranduil was confident that in a one on one fight he would have the upper hand.
Thranduil decided to step forward, which widened the smile on the Dwarf's lips.
"I see we have made up our mind," Gimli said.
"I know what you are," Thranduil stated when he stood in front of the desk, still clutching his knife behind his back.
"Really?" Gimli teased.
When in a swift movement the Dwarf held out his hand to pick up his axe, unhesitant this time, Thranduil was quicker and drove his blade in the desk's wood, interrupting the move. His eyes never left Gimli's face but with an accuracy only an Elf was capable of he had just managed to drive the knife right between the Dwarf's forefinger and middle finger during his move, preventing him going any further.
The Dwarf's eyes darted to the knife and his hand still in the air, until he grinned and looked back to Thranduil.
The King of Mirkwood arched an eyebrow, staring at Gimli with challenge, but the Dwarf was still smiling at him.
"You do not want to hurt him," he noticed, "really touching… Then how do you expect to stop me?"
"Like this," Thranduil said quickly before resting a hand on the desk for support while he leapt over it with agility. In the twinkling of an eye he had already pinned Gimli to the ground, straddling his back, holding the Dwarf's wrists with one hand and reaching for the rope with the other.
Thranduil could not help but think there was something wrong. It was too easy, Gimli did not even try to fight back.
As Thranduil tied the last knot around the Dwarf's wrists, Gimli began to laugh insanely. Startled, Thranduil stared at him like he would a madman.
"You are so predictable," Gimli said. "Obviously you have not heard much about me, have you? You are making things considerably easier for me."
Thranduil did not understand what he meant until it was too late. While the Elf was still holding him down, Gimli looked at him over his shoulder, straight in the eyes. His gaze was intent and Thranduil was hypnotised. He could no longer move or even look away until something cold and powerful invaded his mind.
Thranduil briefly lost track of what was happening. But when he came to his senses again, one of his feet on Gimli's back was firmly keeping the Dwarf to the ground while he picked up the axe.
Gimli then spoke up hurriedly, "King Thranduil, do not allow it to - "
Thranduil knocked him unconscious with the handle of the axe.
* * * * *
So easy. They were all fools. But now it had reached one of its goals, it was occupying a position of power… It smirked.
Its newly acquired Elven senses alerted it that someone was coming. It quickly made sure the Dwarf was unconscious and out of sight behind the desk along with the axe, before straightening to welcome his visitor.
When the Elf entered the room it immediately recognised him. Its former host. That one was getting a bit annoying.
"Yes, Legolas?" it said.
The younger Elf frowned as if something puzzled him. "I…" he hesitated. "Maybe am I disturbing you?"
"A bit, actually," it replied coldly. "Was there something you wanted to tell me?"
Legolas shrugged uneasily. "There is no hurry, it can wait."
Legolas turned round and left, wondering why one of his father's knives was driven in his desk. Surely the discovery of the dead Elves or Faelernil's and his behaviour at the council had not stirred their father's ire enough to force him to vent it this way, had it?
* * * * *
Legolas walked up to Aragorn and Mîrdolen, who stood next to the main doors.
"What did he say?" Mîrdolen enquired.
"He was busy, I did not want to interrupt him. Besides we already know what his answer would be." As the others nodded, Legolas went on. "What about you? Any news?"
"Ethiannor, Niyan and I did not find anything," Aragorn said. "But there is still a lot of ground to cover and at the moment they are still searching."
"While there are much more of them, it seems Faelernil's men have not found anything either. Not a single clue," Mîrdolen added. "He cannot have vanished, he *has* to be somewhere…"
"Could he have left the city's walls?" Aragorn suggested.
"A sentinel would have seen him," Mîrdolen replied. "He is still inside. He has to be."
They all fell silent when Faelernil, accompanied by several of his men, walked by. Legolas stared insistently at his oldest brother, but Faelernil only cast him a quick look as if he did not see Legolas glaring at him.
"Legolas, that is a bad idea," Mîrdolen said once Faelernil and his men had left.
Legolas turned to his other brother. "I beg your pardon?"
"No matter what you had in mind while looking at him, it was a bad idea," Mîrdolen explained.
"I did not - " Legolas began but soon stopped when Mîrdolen arched an eyebrow with scepticism. "All right, it was a bad idea," he admitted reluctantly.
"We should keep looking for Gimli," Aragorn reminded them.
Both Elves nodded and as they began walking away, Mîrdolen spoke up.
"Just out of curiosity, what is it exactly you were thinking of doing to him?"
Legolas smiled. "Mîrdolen, I think not you should - "
"Not that I am planning to do anything to him but sometimes he really gets on my nerves too. And it could still serve for other purposes," Mîrdolen argued.
"No, Mîrdolen," Legolas replied firmly.
His brother remained silent for a few seconds before asking mischievously, "Is it painful?"
"Mîrdolen…" Legolas warned.
Aragorn smiled. Mîrdolen's presence among them was making the mood much less tense than it would have been without him.
* * * * *
Gimli woke up at the sound of a metal door being locked. His head was sore and he was lying on damp ground. He picked himself up, fighting to keep his balance, and looked up only to find King Thranduil smirking at him on the other side of what was obviously a dungeon cell door.
"Master Dwarf, let me introduce you to your newly assigned residence," the Elf said almost joyfully, indicating the cell with a wave of his hand.
Gimli grunted. "Why am I here?" he asked angrily.
"I could not leave you in my office where anyone could see you, could I?" Thranduil replied.
Gimli walked to the door and put his fingers around the bars, clenching until his knuckles turned white. "You know what I mean. Why am I here *alive*?" he said furiously.
"You see, I learn from my mistakes, Master Dwarf," Thranduil explained. "While I highly doubt it considering the new circumstances, someone could find out my identity and let the word out. So in case something goes awry, I might come back to you…"
"I am your… backup host?" Gimli spat with disgust.
"Absolutely, Master Dwarf," the Elf confirmed. "While it is not my favoured scenario, if it goes wrong here I could still travel northeast as a Dwarf, I believe your folks have a kingdom there… And I have to admit that as an host you are not very hard to control."
Full of rage Gimli reached out, trying to grab his jailer, but the Elf immediately leapt out of reach.
Thranduil shook his head. "Tsk tsk…"
Gimli scowled, "When my friends notice I am missing they will go looking for me."
"Oh, they already are," Thranduil replied, "but I doubt they ever find you here… And before you try anything, it is no use to call. This is the remotest cell of the dungeons. No one will hear you."
Gimli glared at him while Thranduil smirked.
"You know, this is so ironic," the Elf went on. "You, trapped in the same dungeons as your father was so many years before…"
"As soon as I get out of here I will make you regret ever meeting me," Gimli threatened.
"Really?" Thranduil mocked. "But you would have to manage to get out of here first…"
Gimli took a few deep breaths in order to keep his temper. "It will be no easy task to fool your host's family and relatives," Gimli observed.
"I might not have to fool them very long…" Thranduil replied mysteriously.
Gimli stared at him as the Elf walked away. Was the creature implying what Gimli thought it was? Was it going to have those most likely to notice Thranduil's change of behaviour killed?
His sons?
------------------------------------
Yes, I know, another cliffhanger. But what can I say? I love them!
See you all in the reviews!
Next chapter: "Separation"
Dragonfly32: All right, they *did* go 'bananas'. And don't be too hard with Faelernil, he's had a bad day. And about the cliffies, I still have plenty of them in store... *evil laugh*
Niani: I'm glad you can wait... I hope the wait wasn't too long... But here is a new chapter with a new cliffy! Weeee!
LegolasLover2003: Don't worry about Legolas angst... There should be enough angst for him to share with others... *eg*
And again big thanks to my beta Candice. It's really great working with you.
Nowhere to be found
If this was not hell, it was as close to it as Gimli could imagine. He felt like a puppet in the hands of a psychotic puppeteer. Was this how it had felt for Legolas? Seeing what was happening around but unable to control any of it? Committing one of the worst atrocities he could ever imagine?
Gimli shuddered at the thought of it. As soon as he had approached the first Elven guard he had known what the creature was about to do. He had fought against it but had been violently pushed away. He had tried to look away, to close his eyes when the inevitable happened, but to no avail: those were *his* eyes, firmly set on those dying Elves…
It was like witnessing a murder from the inside, from the murderer's point of view. So unlike what one could experience on a battlefield. On a battlefield you fought to save your life and the ones of those on your side, not merely to take someone's life. Those Elves deaths were unfair and unwarranted. Useless losses.
Thinking he could have vanquished that creature so easily had been incredibly presumptuous of him. He should have been more careful. But how could he have guessed it was able to remain lurking in him with no more than a headache to betray its presence? He should have. They knew nothing about the abilities of that creature and hence should have assumed the worst.
But it was too late to feel sorry for his stupidity. Five Elves were dead and he was now facing the King of Mirkwood who was quite bewildered to find the Dwarf in his office.
Gimli knew what the creature had on its mind and how terrible the consequences could be if it managed to fulfil its plans. A vision of war and chaos, not that different from his memories of the War of the Ring itself, engulfed his mind at the prospect.
He had to put an end to all this quickly. He could not allow that creature to become so dangerous and powerful, even if he had to give his life to stop it. Was it the solution? Kill himself while still possessed by the creature? It could be; Qeladon had suggested that the death of the host could kill the creature as well. But there was no certitude and no way to know for sure. Unless he tried…
He had to act before the creature did. Maybe if he could reach his axe on the desk… Gimli concentrated and took advantage of the creature's distraction while it was talking to Thranduil to regain a slight control over his right arm and reach out for his axe. But it soon realised what he was doing and before he could touch his weapon he was abruptly yanked back, a wave of pain invading his mind.
"Do not even try, you stupid Dwarf," it hissed, and for a second Gimli wondered whether it had said it aloud or just talked in his mind.
Thranduil stared at the Dwarf disbelievingly. How did he manage to get here? Almost every single guard in the palace was looking for him. Yet he was here, in *his* office, sitting in *his* chair and at *his* desk. The Dwarf even had the nerve to ask him with a smile to step forward.
Thranduil replied distrustfully, not moving an inch, "Why would I come closer? So that you can kill me as well?"
"No," Gimli assured with a smirk, "I have other plans for you."
Other plans? What plans was he talking about? Thranduil's eyes fell on the Dwarven axe on his desk. There was also some rope next to it. What was on his mind if he was not planning to kill him? Take him prisoner? In any case he was certainly not there to discuss diplomatic issues between the Dwarves of Erebor and the Elves of Mirkwood.
"I will be no easy prey," Thranduil stated.
"I expected no less," Gimli replied calmly.
Gimli then did something very strange. While still looking at him defiantly his right hand slowly crept towards his axe, shakily and hesitantly, as if fighting against an invisible force. Thranduil observed him closely, ready to fight back would the Dwarf attack him.
But Gimli had a sudden and unexpected reaction: he abruptly pulled his hand back and hissed, his face contorted with an indescribable emotion, "Do not even try, you stupid Dwarf."
Thranduil took the opportunity to draw his knife from its sheathe at his belt, keeping his hand behind his back to hide the weapon from Gimli. But what was the Dwarf doing? He had regained his temper after his outburst and strange behaviour, and was now looking at Thranduil again.
The King of Mirkwood looked back at him thoughtfully. Such a strange behaviour… It had been as if…
As if he was possessed. The creature, Thranduil immediately concluded. He had not heard all the details of what happened during Legolas' and his companion's journey but enough to be able to tell it was most probably right there, in front of him.
His fingers fidgeted the handle of the blade behind his back. He could not kill Gimli. The real Gimli was there somewhere, controlled by that creature, no more responsible for his acts than his son had been for his.
His eyes fell on the rope on his desk again. Maybe he could turn the situation to his advantage and take Gimli prisoner. No matter how good a warrior Gimli was, he was a Dwarf while he, Thranduil, was an Elf with thousands of years of experience. Thranduil was confident that in a one on one fight he would have the upper hand.
Thranduil decided to step forward, which widened the smile on the Dwarf's lips.
"I see we have made up our mind," Gimli said.
"I know what you are," Thranduil stated when he stood in front of the desk, still clutching his knife behind his back.
"Really?" Gimli teased.
When in a swift movement the Dwarf held out his hand to pick up his axe, unhesitant this time, Thranduil was quicker and drove his blade in the desk's wood, interrupting the move. His eyes never left Gimli's face but with an accuracy only an Elf was capable of he had just managed to drive the knife right between the Dwarf's forefinger and middle finger during his move, preventing him going any further.
The Dwarf's eyes darted to the knife and his hand still in the air, until he grinned and looked back to Thranduil.
The King of Mirkwood arched an eyebrow, staring at Gimli with challenge, but the Dwarf was still smiling at him.
"You do not want to hurt him," he noticed, "really touching… Then how do you expect to stop me?"
"Like this," Thranduil said quickly before resting a hand on the desk for support while he leapt over it with agility. In the twinkling of an eye he had already pinned Gimli to the ground, straddling his back, holding the Dwarf's wrists with one hand and reaching for the rope with the other.
Thranduil could not help but think there was something wrong. It was too easy, Gimli did not even try to fight back.
As Thranduil tied the last knot around the Dwarf's wrists, Gimli began to laugh insanely. Startled, Thranduil stared at him like he would a madman.
"You are so predictable," Gimli said. "Obviously you have not heard much about me, have you? You are making things considerably easier for me."
Thranduil did not understand what he meant until it was too late. While the Elf was still holding him down, Gimli looked at him over his shoulder, straight in the eyes. His gaze was intent and Thranduil was hypnotised. He could no longer move or even look away until something cold and powerful invaded his mind.
Thranduil briefly lost track of what was happening. But when he came to his senses again, one of his feet on Gimli's back was firmly keeping the Dwarf to the ground while he picked up the axe.
Gimli then spoke up hurriedly, "King Thranduil, do not allow it to - "
Thranduil knocked him unconscious with the handle of the axe.
So easy. They were all fools. But now it had reached one of its goals, it was occupying a position of power… It smirked.
Its newly acquired Elven senses alerted it that someone was coming. It quickly made sure the Dwarf was unconscious and out of sight behind the desk along with the axe, before straightening to welcome his visitor.
When the Elf entered the room it immediately recognised him. Its former host. That one was getting a bit annoying.
"Yes, Legolas?" it said.
The younger Elf frowned as if something puzzled him. "I…" he hesitated. "Maybe am I disturbing you?"
"A bit, actually," it replied coldly. "Was there something you wanted to tell me?"
Legolas shrugged uneasily. "There is no hurry, it can wait."
Legolas turned round and left, wondering why one of his father's knives was driven in his desk. Surely the discovery of the dead Elves or Faelernil's and his behaviour at the council had not stirred their father's ire enough to force him to vent it this way, had it?
Legolas walked up to Aragorn and Mîrdolen, who stood next to the main doors.
"What did he say?" Mîrdolen enquired.
"He was busy, I did not want to interrupt him. Besides we already know what his answer would be." As the others nodded, Legolas went on. "What about you? Any news?"
"Ethiannor, Niyan and I did not find anything," Aragorn said. "But there is still a lot of ground to cover and at the moment they are still searching."
"While there are much more of them, it seems Faelernil's men have not found anything either. Not a single clue," Mîrdolen added. "He cannot have vanished, he *has* to be somewhere…"
"Could he have left the city's walls?" Aragorn suggested.
"A sentinel would have seen him," Mîrdolen replied. "He is still inside. He has to be."
They all fell silent when Faelernil, accompanied by several of his men, walked by. Legolas stared insistently at his oldest brother, but Faelernil only cast him a quick look as if he did not see Legolas glaring at him.
"Legolas, that is a bad idea," Mîrdolen said once Faelernil and his men had left.
Legolas turned to his other brother. "I beg your pardon?"
"No matter what you had in mind while looking at him, it was a bad idea," Mîrdolen explained.
"I did not - " Legolas began but soon stopped when Mîrdolen arched an eyebrow with scepticism. "All right, it was a bad idea," he admitted reluctantly.
"We should keep looking for Gimli," Aragorn reminded them.
Both Elves nodded and as they began walking away, Mîrdolen spoke up.
"Just out of curiosity, what is it exactly you were thinking of doing to him?"
Legolas smiled. "Mîrdolen, I think not you should - "
"Not that I am planning to do anything to him but sometimes he really gets on my nerves too. And it could still serve for other purposes," Mîrdolen argued.
"No, Mîrdolen," Legolas replied firmly.
His brother remained silent for a few seconds before asking mischievously, "Is it painful?"
"Mîrdolen…" Legolas warned.
Aragorn smiled. Mîrdolen's presence among them was making the mood much less tense than it would have been without him.
Gimli woke up at the sound of a metal door being locked. His head was sore and he was lying on damp ground. He picked himself up, fighting to keep his balance, and looked up only to find King Thranduil smirking at him on the other side of what was obviously a dungeon cell door.
"Master Dwarf, let me introduce you to your newly assigned residence," the Elf said almost joyfully, indicating the cell with a wave of his hand.
Gimli grunted. "Why am I here?" he asked angrily.
"I could not leave you in my office where anyone could see you, could I?" Thranduil replied.
Gimli walked to the door and put his fingers around the bars, clenching until his knuckles turned white. "You know what I mean. Why am I here *alive*?" he said furiously.
"You see, I learn from my mistakes, Master Dwarf," Thranduil explained. "While I highly doubt it considering the new circumstances, someone could find out my identity and let the word out. So in case something goes awry, I might come back to you…"
"I am your… backup host?" Gimli spat with disgust.
"Absolutely, Master Dwarf," the Elf confirmed. "While it is not my favoured scenario, if it goes wrong here I could still travel northeast as a Dwarf, I believe your folks have a kingdom there… And I have to admit that as an host you are not very hard to control."
Full of rage Gimli reached out, trying to grab his jailer, but the Elf immediately leapt out of reach.
Thranduil shook his head. "Tsk tsk…"
Gimli scowled, "When my friends notice I am missing they will go looking for me."
"Oh, they already are," Thranduil replied, "but I doubt they ever find you here… And before you try anything, it is no use to call. This is the remotest cell of the dungeons. No one will hear you."
Gimli glared at him while Thranduil smirked.
"You know, this is so ironic," the Elf went on. "You, trapped in the same dungeons as your father was so many years before…"
"As soon as I get out of here I will make you regret ever meeting me," Gimli threatened.
"Really?" Thranduil mocked. "But you would have to manage to get out of here first…"
Gimli took a few deep breaths in order to keep his temper. "It will be no easy task to fool your host's family and relatives," Gimli observed.
"I might not have to fool them very long…" Thranduil replied mysteriously.
Gimli stared at him as the Elf walked away. Was the creature implying what Gimli thought it was? Was it going to have those most likely to notice Thranduil's change of behaviour killed?
His sons?
------------------------------------
Yes, I know, another cliffhanger. But what can I say? I love them!
See you all in the reviews!
Next chapter: "Separation"