Okay, ff.net is giving me attitude… Despite requests of me posting more often, I'm really afraid I can't. This story is much harder to write than the last and considering I start college again soon, once a week is as fast as I can go. Sorry… I actually had to write this chapter twice because of the power cut in London, which caused me to lose most of my work (like the retard I am, I forgot to save it regularly) so it's a little err… you'll see. Honestly, the first bit of rain in almost two months and the bloody power goes with it. Sigh, at least I was at home and not on the Tube. Anyway, enough rambling…
Chapter Five: Down By The RiversideLegolas watched the dawn approach, the sun peeping over the mountains in the eastern sky. The clouds scattered like young deer grazing in old woodland, the stars twinkling defiantly in the west as it desperately clutched onto the last moments of the night. It grew steadily brighter, the stubborn rain clouds finally drifting away in the early hours after several more heavy showers had left his hair dripping limply and Estel shivering. It was much cooler than it had been for many months, and a strong breeze burst across the hills, the trees swaying violently, branches creaking and leaves rustling. He gazed down at Estel again, his face, paler than usual, swollen and bloody from a night of torment. Curled up in Legolas' arms, his brow furrowed as he clung onto his dreams, a welcome respite from the reality of their situation. He pushed away a dark lock of hair from his cheek to reveal the painful gash that still bled slightly, and grimaced. His back, red raw and smarting, the welts a deep crimson, dark scabs and open wounds still stubbornly bleeding scattered across his skin.
The morning sun glowed gently, the summer drought had parched the soil and now the onset of autumn was upon them, it had come too swiftly for Legolas, and now seemed that even the weather was set against them. He glanced over at Grudoc, who had taken over as guard a few hours ago, warily, unwilling to provoke him. He seemed uninterested though, watching them blankly, his chubby little hand scratching his mud streaked face idly.
"You do not need to look away, elf." He said quietly. "My grievance with you has ceased, I am weary and simply wish to be rid of you both as soon as possible."
With that, Legolas nodded, a little puzzled, but the human's confession had raised his spirits a fraction, and yet it troubled him too. If the others shared his discontent and restlessness, then he and Estel were running out of time. Grudoc looked up into the brightening sky for a moment, and then turned away, waking his sleeping companions gruffly. The blonde elf tensed, his hold on Estel tightening instinctively.
Raenir climbed to his feet, brushing a few dead leaves off his old cloak and out of his greasy hair, before marching toward them, smiling coldly.
"Good sleep?" He laughed, kicking Estel hard in the back.
He woke with a start and cried out in agony. Legolas leapt to his feet, leaving the young human lying on the wet ground.
"Leave him alone, you have had your fun." He growled, standing in front Estel protectively.
He stared at the elf sternly and kicked him to the ground, pulling out his sword as Legolas rose to his feet once more.
"I've only just begun and you are asking for another round with my whip… but your stubborn pride bores me; I would love to break you, watch you beg for mercy, but I fear we do not have the time. We will have to content ourselves with making your precious Estel squeal." He murmured. "Now, on your feet, boy; there is a long day ahead of us." Raenir ordered.
* * *
He stumbled along, the rocky land ground into his weary feet. He could go no further, his lungs felt as if they were about to burst and the gashes on his legs had opened once more, leaving blood flowing mercilessly down them. They had been walking for hours; the late afternoon sun beat hazily down on their bare backs, a cool breeze gusting around them. Legolas walked gracefully beside him, the cuts and bruises on his face had faded into a couple of marks, and his back too, was healing well, the swelling had gone; the slashes now dark scabs. The elf remained silent, glancing occasionally in his direction but never for more than a second.
Much to their relief, they had cut the bonds from both their feet and hands so they manoeuvre across the rough terrain. The young human steadied himself against a moss-covered ledge as they slowly clambered up a particularly gruelling hillside, the nameless figure and Grudoc leading their horses in front while Carinyc and Raenir pushed them along from behind.
Struggling along tiredly in silence, passing through scant woodland, the long grass, so dry, it was almost straw, scratching Estel's legs until they were red and sore. The dark haired boy stumbled, falling to his knees, an old bramble gnawing at his skin.
"Get up!" Raenir growled.
He didn't respond; his limbs ached so much that he couldn't bring himself to rise to his weary feet again.
"Up!" He snarled once more, pulling him up by the hair roughly and struck him viciously with a dead branch.
Estel hissed in pain, too exhausted to even cry out anymore. Legolas took hold of him and pushed him ahead, out of Raenir's reach, urging him forward gently. Resting his hands softly on his friend's back, carefully avoiding the open wounds, they trudged on in a more comfortable hush.
Another hour rumbled by and the lazy late summer sun sank steadily in the evening sky. Much to Estel's relief, they finally settled nearby the river. He sunk to the ground, his legs throbbing and lungs heaving tiredly as he rested his head on Legolas' shoulder. The song of the river echoed around them, the rapids crashing and sprawling, the water hissing wildly as it hurtled against the rocks. Estel had never seen the river so wide or flow so fiercely before and gazed at it in awe, before suddenly being ripped away from his thoughts.
Carinyc had hold of his arm and was attempting to pull him away, but Legolas clung desperately to his torso. Snapping out of the initial shock and realising what was about to happen, the young human kicked out at his torturer, catching him in the face. His grip immediately ceased and he stumbled back a couple of steps, blood gushing from his mouth. Carinyc's eyes narrowed and he staggered toward them once more, this time with Raenir, who unsheathed his sword and dug it into the elf's neck. Legolas drew his head back as far as he could, but the blade still pierced his skin until he felt his young friend push away his grip.
"I would not have you killed on my account, Legolas." He said grimly before Carinyc pulled him away.
The fair elf frowned, but could do nothing against the spiteful man's sword, which had him pinned helplessly on the ground. Grudoc took his place, pointing the blade at the elf's heart. Turning his head as far as he could, he saw Raenir stroll toward the pair and strike the raven-haired youth, and watched as his wiry frame fell to the floor a few feet away.
They knelt beside him and tied his hands to a protruding tree root, so that his arms stretched above his head, and Raenir pinned his legs down. Carinyc leant over Estel, the glint of his knife flashing in his cold blue eyes; he trailed his rough fingers from the boy's lips down to his bruised stomach and a wicked smile lit up his face.
"A fetching young thing…" He spoke softly. "Lean, but there is strength in that body. He would have made a very handsome man… he already bears the scars of a fighter." Running his finger up the dark scar from the warg attack many months ago. "How did this come about?"
"It is not your business." Estel spat, an angry defiance rippling through his body.
He raised an eyebrow. "You offend me, little boy. I have no patience for insolence."
The broad man spat at him, the blood from his kick spattering across the boy's face. He slashed his knife into the younger human's arm spitefully.
"Will you refuse me again?" His voice faded into a mild murmur once more.
He gulped, his arm burning with pain. "…I was attacked by wargs."
Carinyc peered down at him. "Nasty things are wargs, especially when provoked… like me. I can get very nasty when people irritate me." He said calmly, holding the blade against Estel's chin. "We watched you for hours, you know. We saw you playing in the river with your prince and those elven twins. Who are they? Members of your foster family I presume?"
He nodded reluctantly.
"And that older elf was your foster father?"
Again, he nodded.
"So, who was that old fellow?"
"He is my friend." Estel replied meekly.
The dark haired man laughed coldly. "Your friend? He is a little beyond your years to be a friend, is he not?"
He almost laughed. "You come to realise that age is irrelevant when you dwell in an elven realm and your brothers are over two millennia older than you."
His lips curled into an unfriendly smile. "Tell us of your family."
The young human looked at him for a moment. "Why would that interest you?"
Carinyc dug his knife into Estel's hip, the deep gash bled heavily, running down his side in a crimson stream. Wiping his finger across the wound, so it glistened with blood, he forced it into the child's mouth.
"Taste that?" He snarled. "That is the taste of petty insubordination; test me again and you will be coughing it up."
Estel gasped, the pain so intense that couldn't even cry out. His head slumped down to the ground, and he glanced over at Legolas, who gazed at him powerlessly with sad, anxious eyes that were threatening to well up.
"You're right, it doesn't interest me… What about your real father? What was it like to watch him die?" Carinyc asked offhandedly, his cruel smile creeping across his tanned face as he watched Estel's lip wobble.
"How do you know about my father?" He asked quietly. "I remember nothing of that day."
"Now, now, don't upset me, I can see that you're lying, those pretty eyes of yours give it away." He ran the dagger across his body slightly above the waistband, just hard enough to scratch into his skin painfully.
Estel moaned quietly, tears rolling down his cheeks. "I-I was scared. There were arrows in his chest and his lifeless eyes stared at me for hours… and I stared back, willing them to shut. I was too afraid to cry for my parents in case they heard… but when they left, that's all I could do."
Legolas closed his eyes sadly, listening as they laughed at his grief.
"And would you cry if your foster family were killed?"
"Of course."
"And what about your elf, Legolas? Would you cry as hard as you did for your father, for him?" Carinyc smirked, dragging the sharp blade up his scarred chest and along his jaw line, occasionally pushing down hard enough the slice into his skin.
He looked to his friend briefly, before nodding.
"I don't believe you." The callous figure hissed. "Shall we find out?"
"No!" Estel cried loudly.
Carinyc turned back to the bleeding child and grinned. "Don't worry, little boy, I have no intention of killing either of you yet, there is far too much fun to be had with you both. Especially you." He whispered, and carved into his torso with swift slashes that bled heavily until his skin was no longer visible underneath the tide of claret.
He smirked and untied him, picking up his barely conscious form and dumped him in Legolas' arms, before retreating to the warmth of their campfire. The elf looked down at him with wide eyes; he barely seemed alive. Skin drained of colour and his grey eyes unfocussed, he didn't move. He cradled the young boy's head carefully, watching his chest rise as he breathed lightly. Legolas grimaced at the pain in his face and the trembling of his body, watching as his eyes regained their focus. Estel looked up at him, his eyes burning with pain and anguish.
"Kaima." [Sleep] The blond elf said gently, stroking his hair.
"I-It hurts too m-much." He sobbed. "Why are they d-doing this?"
"Uuma dela." [Don't worry.] The elf murmured, touching his cheek gently. "We will soon be back in Rivendell."
He shook his head. "I j-just want t-the pain to g-go away."
"It will." Legolas replied softly, trying to wipe away some of the blood with some of the cloth he had ripped from his trousers. "The pain will go away soon… I promise." He whispered, gazing mournfully at the weak, pale form of his dear companion.
Tbc…
Thank you, once again, for my reviews, they beat junk mail from porn sites… is it me, or did that not come out quite right?
Tithen Min – *Cough* Pits… Hell… ummm sorry. Whadya mean don't kill them? You're no fun! Meheheh. *Runs off to type some more wickedness* There must be some kind of medication for this utter randomness we suffer from. Big news (wait for it) Rain! So that's what it looks like!
Xsilicax – Ah, I'm actually really glad you told me that, 'cause I was never sure how you actually spelt it! Cheers. About the whole comfort rescue thing… err nevermind. Hey, would you look at that, it's umm… Mars, yeah. *Runs off to hide in some random tree with the other evil authors*
Lyn – I'm taking your comments on board, but as a fanfic writer I do get some artistic licence with the characters, and so in this little episode I've decided to give him an ickle scar. Besides, compared to some fics, this one keeps a little closer to Tolkien's writing (in the sense that I'm sure Aragorn & Co were not contestants on Middle Earth's Big Brother!)
Leggylover03 – Kill you? Me? Never! *Quickly hides axe behind back* Ooh yeah, this may possibly cause a little emotional scarring… like watching your favourite footballer who you've been in love with for almost a decade scoring for a rival team. Where was I? Oh, yes, the story thingy.
Alex mistress squirrel – This Mean? You haven't seen the director's cut! Oh, wait, there isn't one… it's a story, not a film, Alice, get a grip. Sorry, waaay to much sugar in the system!
TigerLily713 – I thought the story needed a little respite from the torment… oh bollocks, the cats licking his balls in front of me again. (Excuse the pun) Eeew, well that totally ruined the moment.
Eph – sorry dude, this is the best I can manage. Tell you what, if you give me a nice big review at the end of this chapter, I'll e-mail you ch6 on Wednesday, how does that sound? (You'll need to give me your e-mail address though)
Midnightwolf3 – Aaw, thanks, that's really sweet! Fireworks… that gives me an idea. You'll have to wait and see about the mystery bloke, I promise he's not just mysterious because I couldn't think of a name. Honest!
NaughtyNat – What bit? I'm confused… I think it may just be you considering I think I'd remember if I'd had that twist! Ah, I've worn out my TTT too! I haven't brought myself to watch the making of Sean Astin's film, the film was so baffling, I'm reluctant to go near it!
RougeElf – Where are you from? If it's anywhere in Britain, then I'm pretty sure you can get it! It's the ice-cream version of the Dream bar.