A/N) I was intending in posting this a day ago but couldn't figure out where I wished to end the chapter.
BAD NEWS The BAD NEWS is that I'm going on holiday next Monday; have no access to the Internet; no computer to write story on either. I will not be back till the Friday. It will be unlikely of me to get another Chapter up until then. I'm hoping to post this Sunday with a long chapter, to keep you all happy for the week. However I'm not promising. I'll try my best and update on Sunday. If not look out for this story in about 2 weeks time instead.
Anyway with that news out of the way, its time for you to read Chapter 4: Legolas' Choice!
Fear of Men
Chapter 4
Legolas' Choice
Heran had enjoyed watching Deollyn deliver his ruthlessness upon the Ranger. However he had his orders. Pulling out a key from his pocket he unlocked the chains binding the elf, clasping another set of chains around the elf's wrists that allowed him, if he so wished to reach his friend. Stepping back Heran admired his handiwork before leaving and bolting the door behind him.
Once the man had gone Legolas turned his attention to Aragorn, who was leaning to the side, unconscious, and yet was shaking uncontrollably. Though he had not known Aragorn long, the elf felt sympathy for the man. Aragorn had been through so much already in his life, and to be thrust into a situation he absolutely hated was even worse. It was possible that Aragorn couldn't comprehend this, and was hoping to wake up in a bed back in Rivendell with Elrond at his side.
Gently shifting himself the elf allowed Aragorn to rest upon his shoulder. This allowed Legolas to whisper in his ear. He hoped that his voice would wake the human.
"Aragorn. Aragorn. Please wake up."
No response.
"Mellon-nin! Estel. Estel!"
Still no movement.
Shaking his head slightly the elf prince thought of what Lord Elrond would say if he knew they were in this position. "Valar! He will surely kill me! And Ada too!"
"Then you'd better get us out of this." Aragorn said as he slowly came back to his senses.
"Estel! Thank goodness."
Aragorn managed a smile. "I feel terrible."
"You would."
Blinking made things worse for the man, as images came flooding back into his mind. All he could remember was Deollyn's pleasurable face as he hit him. Shivering slightly, Aragorn clenched his teeth and forced himself to forget where he was.
"You need rest, mellon-nin." the elf said, as he watched Aragorn struggle.
"I dare not sleep." he replied. "Too many memories to haunt my dreams."
Legolas sighed. "What if I sing to you?"
"That would be nice. I haven't heard a good song in ages."
"A Elbereth Gilthoniel,
silivren penna mìriel
o menel aglar elenath
Na-chaered palan-dìriel
o galadhremmin ennorath,
Fanuilos, le linnathon
nef aear, sì nef aearon!"
Legolas soft words drifted Aragorn into sleep. His eyes closed and soon the human was in a deep sleep, his troubles forgotten. All the while the elf Prince's voice continued, keeping the human in the dreams of light, preventing him from falling into the darkness and despair.
*****
Elrond was worried. His sons news that Deollyn was working with Orcs worried him extremely. Deollyn and Orcs did not fit well together. But how was he controlling them? How? What kept them going? So many questions needed answering, and yet nothing seemed to be solved.
Sitting in his chair by the warm glow of a fire, Elrond - musing on these problems - did not hear his sons walk into the hall where he sat. He only looked up when they called his name.
"What are we going to do?" Elladan asked.
"Go after them." Elrond replied. "Find Deollyn. We will never convince him to let Estel go or his companion."
Elrohir could read what his father meant. "You'd kill another human?"
"If it had to be. If it meant Deollyn no longer troubled us, then yes."
"But he's being mislead. It's that elf! It's got to be. If only I could find out who's behind it."
"And what would you do, Elladan?"
Elladan shrugged his shoulders. "Demand why he tried to kill our brother in the first place, and probably kill him."
"What if it was someone very close to us." Elrohir mumbled. "I could not bear it if Lord Glorfindel was the killer."
"Don't be silly!" Elladan replied staring at his brother in the eyes. "Lord Glorfindel is not a killer. I wouldn't believe it."
"He's been a loyal friend of this house for a long time. He would not harm anyone under his protection." a new voice spoke up.
The three elves looked up. Glorfindel had heard their whole conversation!
"You have reason to suspect me. I have rarely been here when Estel has been hurt. Yet, I will go with you to help free him, if you think it is safe for me to go."
"Of course it is my friend." Elrond said, smiling, glad that Glorfindel would be with them. It would make things so much easier.
*****
Aragorn was woken from his sleep by Deollyn entering his and Legolas' cell. With help from Legolas, Aragorn sat up properly, leaning against the wall, hoping that Deollyn would not attempt to hurt him.
Deollyn began pacing; he was worried. "News has come to me that those blasted elves are searching this area. Somehow they have heard word of me." He glanced at Aragorn, as if suspecting him. "I hoped for a lot more time with you before they realised, however my plans will have to be moved forward."
His eyes glinted at Legolas, and something told the elf that he was not going to like what was about to happen.
Pulling a knife from his belt, Deollyn stalked over to Aragorn, who tried to not show fear on his face, and placing the knife on his captive's throat drew a drop of blood, lifting up the younger man's head to clearly show the elf what he intended.
Staring at Legolas with evil glinting in his eyes, he spoke: "Well Elf!" he spat. "You have a choice. You can either help me or not help me."
"I would never help you."
"You should hear out what I've got to say first before you reject my terms."
"Fine."
Deollyn smirked. "If you do not deliver this message to Lord Elrond of Rivendell then I will kill this whelp." he nodded at Aragorn. "However if you do then I will not slit his throat at this moment. Instead I will keep him alive."
"What is the message?" Legolas couldn't risk Aragorn's life. He couldn't let the human die; he was so young.
"Tell the 'Lord Elrond' that if he doesn't tell me who killed my son, Dilir, then I will kill his youngest. And it will be slow and painful."
Legolas sighed. He had to do it. He had no other choice.
"Choose elf."
Gritting his teeth and putting down his self-pride the Prince reluctantly accepted.
"You will be joined by Heran, blindfolded, so you don't know where you are and can lead the elves here. If Heran is not returned to me within half-a-day, I will kill the boy. He'd better return." his eyes narrowing, and Legolas could see he was not joking. "Heran!"
Heran came into the cell. "Yes my lord?"
"Release the elf. Blindfold him. Escort him to Rivendell. Heed my words elf. If Heran doesn't return this one's life is forfeit. I can promise you that." Deollyn sneered, as Heran released Legolas blindfolding the elf, and to be safe, bound his hands behind his back.
Pushing the Prince through the door Heran marched away. Footsteps faded, and soon nothing could be heard within the walls of Deollyn's cave prison.
Taking the knife away from his captive's throat, Deollyn smirked at him. "Now what shall I do with my prisoner? Any ideas? We have all the time in the world." he grinned, watching the fear build in Aragorn's eyes.
"How about a little 'fun' time with the Orcs? Hmm? They are very blood-thirsty. I'm sure they would take pleasure in hurting you if I asked them." the mad-man said thoughtfully. "Yes. Yes, that is what I will do. The Orcs. Yes, the Orcs."
Fear sought its way round the Ranger's heart as he saw the merciless gleam in his captor's eyes. He could do nothing. Frightened to the very core of his sole, as he was pulled down a winding passage towards the cavern where the Orcs waited.
*****
Glorfindel bent over the tracks that led towards the mountains, carefully reading the signs that showed the directions the creatures had headed. "You were right about Orcs. It is their tracks; towards the mountains as well. Deollyn's old haunt, most likely."
Elladan glanced off into the distance, looking at the mountains in distaste. "Somewhere up there Estel is being hurt. And we can't do anything to stop it." he slumped his shoulders. "I will kill whoever is behind this when I found out!"
"Deollyn doesn't deserve death does he, Ada?" Elrohir asked. He was against his father killing Deollyn.
"I don't know what to say. Yes and no is the case. In some reasons he does, but in others he doesn't. It's terrible to think like this." Worried and tired, Elrond could find no words that suited what he needed to say. "I don't want to kill but it may come to it if we can't free Estel and his companion so easily."
"I think perhaps, El, you should think about the task at hand," Elladan noted, "Tracking the Orcs." the elder twin nodded in Glorfindel's direction as he gradually followed the tracks. "Come on. We will decide when the time comes."
TBC
Chapter 5: The Journey to Rivendell - Legolas and Heran travel to Rivendell, while the search party begin to discover who may be behind the deadly plot behind Aragorn's life! Maybe a little Aragorn torture with the Orcs - this part originally for Chapter 6, but may include it in Chapter 5 for a longer post. Possibly up on Sunday. I'm not sure.