CHAPTER 8
"Wake up Elf!" A solid slap to the face brought Legolas around once more. It had been days since that nightmare, and several beatings later he was sure he was to die. Not from his wounds, but rather the darkness of his soul. That anger which had been building seemed to be the only light within his soul anymore, a smoldering fiery glow in his heart. He had yet to succumb to that darkness what only fought harder than ever to overwhelm him, but that was his only consolation.
Now he fully awoke, because he didn't recognize the voice. His captors usually used the same few creatures to torture him, but this one was new. He tried to raise his head, but could only manage to direct his gaze away from the floor, and once again found himself facing that figure of darkness. He had long lost the urge to resist as forcefully, for now he was only a skeleton of the strong warrior he once was. No longer clothed, his beaten body seemed lifeless. This being in front of him must of read his thoughts, for the hooded figure titled its head and mockingly. "Are you ashamed, elf prince? You should be, just look at you. You don't even have the strength to look me in the eye, do you. Oh yes, I can see you, and this my friend is real. You see, you frustrate me. I decided that my minions aren't nearly forceful enough to bend you. You surprise me, lasting this long and all. I guess a different type of persuasion needs to be used on you, since physical means don't seem to have much impact.
Legolas wondered, as he suspended there, his body totally at the will of his captor, what else they could do to him. Every single physical and mental torture had been used, his identity forcefully taken from him in all manners imaginable. He couldn't think of what else they could use.
Again, seemingly reading his mind, the being continued, "Why, you couldn't have thought that everyone had abandoned you, could you have? Oh my, why, maybe you have been more effected than I originally thought, but no matter. Now, we will see how strong this elven loyalty is." Legolas stiffened, as much as he could in his state. "Ah, I see you understand now. Yes, my dear elf, your rescuers have arrived. And none to soon I see. Well, lets just see who they are, shall we?"
At this, he held up an arm, and a reddish glow permeated the room. Legolas shut his eyes tight against the invading light, and after a few moments he was able to open them. He wish he hadn't. The thing had created a moving picture of some sort, and in it he saw two figures fighting some unseen forces. It was dark where they were, but both of the figures seemed able to see their opponents.
Getting a close look though, he noticed that while both figures were fighting, only one was being attacked. It seemed that the shadows were ignoring the other figure altogether, and were utterly surprised when struck by him. Not that their surprise lasted long, since the man's strikes were immediately fatal. Then both defending figures, after they had taken down the shadows, turned towards him, as if noticing his gaze, and Legolas felt his heart suddenly drop lower, if that was possible, and his soul enflame. It was Aragorn that the shadows were ignoring, and Elrond of all people, who they were attacking. He wasn't all that surprised that Aragorn was one of his rescuers, but Elrond? Focused as he was on the scene before him, he didn't notice the rod coming at his head. The last thing he saw before darkness was Elrond staring straight into his eyes.
(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)
Breathing heavily, Aragorn sensed his companion turning away, so he tensed and turned around, expecting more attack. He didn't like not being able to sense these shadow creatures before they were on them, and having to rely fully on Elrond's senses made it worse. Not that he didn't trust his elder, he simply hated being dependent on another, especially when it came to their safety.
Once he turned around, he saw Elrond starring through the wall, but when he followed the elf's gaze, he didn't see anything. He placed his hand of the other's shoulder.
Startled out of his thoughts, the elf turned quickly raising his sword, but noticed it was Aragorn, and lowered both weapon and gaze. "It was Legolas, I saw him."
This he had not expected. "You saw him? How?"
"There are evil forces at work here, Aragorn, you know that. Somehow a link was established so that he could see us, but I felt it and turned in time to see him."
"Where is he? Is he ok?"
"No. I don't know where he is, but he wasn't ok. He has been beaten, and worse, he didn't look right. His eyes, there was something lacking there. The link was broken when he was knocked out." Shoulders hunched, he faced his friend. "We might be too late."
Those simple words hit Aragorn harder than any single blow from battle ever had. Too late! That was impossible. Legolas was stronger than he appeared, much stronger. "Well, lets find him. I'm sure that this evil will be nearby, and is watching us and expects us to rescue our friend. We might as well prepare ourselves, but continue on."
"Of course."
The two set off down the corridor once again. It was dark, yet the reddish glow that seemed to permeate everything left if bright enough to see by. This of course didn't mean everything was clear, for those shadows had just taken them by surprise, but now they knew what to look for. Elrond still had to lead, for they were totally following his sense of the darkness, but Aragorn was but a few paces behind. Both kept their swords at ready, for although made of shadow, those beings had physical form, and could inflict physical damage. He had escaped any real harm, since he wasn't their target, but Elrond hadn't been so lucky. As Aragorn followed, he noticed that the elf, though silent, had suffered more injuries. When asked if ok, the other simply gave him a look as if to say I'm fine, let it be. So he did, but he was going to be sure to check the elf out once they got out this corridor and to Legolas.
His thoughts drifted back to what Elrond had stated. We might be too late. How could they be too late? Sure, his situation had to have been terrible, but his friend had such a strong and valiant soul, he couldn't see how he would have given in. During their time together, both before and during the fellowship, both he and the prince had spoken many times of what would happen if they ever failed in their duties. Both had considered the worst-case scenarios, but neither thought anything would come of such predictions. But now here he was, hunting for his friend, in some dark place, full of evil, being attacked by shadows of all things, all the while striving to both save that friend and destroy some unknown enemy. He couldn't see how much darker things could get.
Then he saw something he never thought possible. Elrond collapsed.
(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)
He wasn't out long, probably only a few minuets, because he awoke to find both his face wet with blood, and the thing cupping his chin, so that he couldn't help but face him. For some reason, his captors had lately taken to having him face them more often, but now that they were dead, if the thing before him spoke truthfully, he didn't need to worry about them anymore. Then he remembered.
"Ah I see you remembered. Good. You see, since you don't seem to care for the state your body is in, although it is a pity to have to mar such a thing of beauty," the thing chuckled, " I now have to find another way to bend you, to break you. Your friends have been a source of slight amusement so far, so we need to remedy that. Now how to do this?" It turned Legolas' head left and right, as if studying a piece of artwork.
Legolas tried his hardest not to betray any of his emotions, knowing his friend's lives were at stake. With the last remaining strength he had, he forced his head out of the thing's hand, and spat. Seeing the blow coming, he relaxed into the chains, so as to take a lesser force. Not that it helped much.
Dizzy once again, he heard the thing step closer. "Now I see your weakness. You care not for yourself, but for them. Oh, how quaint. Well, they shall be here presently, as long as nothing goes wrong to stop them."
Not knowing what else to do, Legolas drew upon that anger which he had been forcing down this entire time, and felt strength return to his body. He again began to struggle, and the whole time he glared at the thing, never once losing eye contact. He felt his anger grow, and with it, his need to resist. "You shall not hurt them, as you have attempted to do to me. They are strong, stronger than I, and they will destroy you." He hated that his voice was so raspy, but he hadn't spoken for days, and hadn't had water for longer.
The thing struck again with his rod, this time against the elf's bare stomach. What little air could rushed out of his lungs, and he once again hung limp. Limp, but fully awake. "But you see, it won't be I that they will have to destroy, but you, my friend. You shall witness their torture, their agony and suffering. If you don't join with me, then this shall be all that you and they will live for. The man, he is mortal, yes, but I have ways of immortality. I'm sure you wouldn't want them to suffer as you have, and most definitely not for all eternity."
No, Legolas most definitely didn't want that. But neither was he willing to be the toy of this vile creature's game. He would think of something, and if he didn't, he knew that his two friends would. He had trusted them both at times with his life, and once again he found himself in need of their salvation.
"I feel the need for a walk, don't you elf?" With those words, he pulled out a key and undid his shackles. Before he even thought to try and stand, he found himself face down on the floor.
"Aw, too weak are we to stand? I guess you need my help." He picked up the elf and flung him over his shoulder.
Legolas hadn't felt such humiliation, even during his sessions. He didn't know where they were going, but anytime he tried to struggle, the creature simply hit him with the rod, careful not to hit himself of course.