Disclaimer: I own nothing Tolkien created.
Passing Shadows
Rating: R
Warning: Not slash but mentions of rape and slight Elf torture.
Gwyn: Okay, here's some more. I really like both the twins equally they're good to have fun with anyway. . .
Legolas4me: I'm so relieved, for a moment I was worried. I'm glad this keeps you interested. I think I'd have to agree, I couldn't turn anyone of them away either (except Taron of course). Keep reading.
TheSilentSenshi: You'll know very soon what Elladan finds out, there's a little bit of Elladan angst in this one but all will be revealed. You'll just have to wait to find out. Having Elves on top . . . interesting. Sorry. Keep reading and reviewing.
angelbird12241: Well, I like to think that they're just worried for their friend, but I suppose they are a little selfish. I think maybe Elrohir's a little jealous of Elladan's involvement.
Kept-Secret: If I did that it would hardly be fair. Patience is a virtue. I love getting long reviews and yours never disappoint. I'm glad you think you've worked it out. If you do want to tell me though maybe I'll be able to give you a hint as to whether you're right or wrong. Oh, a little role reversal there. Enjoy the chapter and keep reviewing.
Wow, thanks you guys for the reviews. Do keep them coming though, I love hearing from you all. I value your opinion and rants.
A lot of people have said about the kinds of things they'd like to do to Taron when or if he gets caught so I thought a little competition might be fun. Come up with some good ideas on all the mean things that could happen to our nasty Elf and I might use some of them in the fic. Just a bit of fun.
Okay, enough of me on with the story.
**
Ch 8 Suspicions
**
Elladan walked slowly through the halls. He would do anything for his father but this task just wasn't what he considered to be a good idea. He couldn't help but think that this was a bad thing. There was nothing to suspect that Taron had anything to do with what happened to Legolas, and even if he did there wasn't much Elladan could do or say that would change anything.
He would do as his father requested though, he knew that he could never not trust his father, he had been right too many times and if there was even a chance of finding out who hurt Legolas then it would be worth it. If Taron wasn't responsible maybe they could share information and help catch the person that did hurt the Prince. No doubt Taron would want to help his Prince.
**
Elrond walked to Legolas' room, not really looking where he was going and somehow just knowing he was heading in the right direction. He didn't want to think of someone like Taron attacking the young Elf and yet his mind simply refused to dismiss it. There was this nagging feeling that something was very wrong.
He wished he could get more out of Legolas but he didn't want to push him. He had already been through a lot and the last thing he wanted was to make things worse.
Finally he reached Legolas' room. He nodded at the guard still standing watch, just as he had instructed. He walked through the door, making sure he was silent so as not to disturb the Prince from his sleep. When he looked in the curtains remained drawn, just like he had left them and the room was almost completely black. The servant he had ordered to stay with Legolas was leaning over the bed whispering something to him in Elvish, however, it was so quiet that not even Elrond's keen ears could pick up what she was saying.
He took a step closer as quietly as he could, more interested in what the young Elf was saying than anything else. Legolas' light breathing told him that the Prince was fast asleep so there was no reason why she should be speaking to him. As he walked closer the woman noticed him and quickly straightened and looked towards him. She bowed her head as she stood and walked over to where Elrond was standing looking at Legolas.
"My Lord." She bowed again.
"Is everything well? How is the Prince?" Elrond asked quietly so as not to disturb Legolas.
"He is sleeping my Lord, there has been no change." She answered nervously, like someone caught doing something wrong.
"What were you saying to him?" Elrond questioned.
The girl smiled slightly before answering and even in the dark Elrond could see her bright eyes shining. "He was disturbed by some nightmare in his sleep. I was telling him of my husband and how he served the King once. I was merely trying to settle him." She said.
"Well, it seems to have worked." Elrond smiled. "You may leave now, but come back in about half an hour, I'm sure Legolas would be pleased to hear your voice again, seeing as it settles him so."
"Yes my Lord." The servant bowed.
"Wait, what's your name?"
"Ana, my Lord." She answered before silently leaving the room.
Elrond smiled lightly in the darkness, if he wasn't mistaken there was something more in that girl than she mentioned. He couldn't quite place it but he thought perhaps it was a caring for Legolas. Having said that it was hard to tell. The servants were hard to read anyway, most had shady pasts and this girl was probably no different. Besides Legolas was asleep so what difference would it make?
He walked up to the bed and checked briefly on Legolas who made no sound; he was in a deep sleep. Seeing Legolas so peaceful it was hard to believe that anything bad could have happened to him. He looked so innocent and untroubled when sleeping. It was a shame this wasn't the case when he was awake.
Elrond pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat down so he could watch over Legolas. At least he wasn't frightened when he was asleep. Elrond had known him for a while and never before had he seen him, or any Elf, in the state he was in the night before.
"No!" Legolas suddenly cried out. For a moment Elrond thought he had woken but when he looked over at him he saw that Legolas' eyes were still glazed over. He was having a nightmare. Elrond reached over and gently took Legolas' hand in his own and squeezed to let him know he wasn't alone.
"Ada!" Legolas cried again. "Help me saes." He continued to cry.
"Legolas, relax. You're safe. You're safe." Elrond whispered hoping to calm him down.
"Ada, help. Ad . . ." He trailed off slightly before crying out again. "No you have no right to do this . . .help . . .no . . .saes. Taron help . . .me." Elrond listened carefully, knowing that Legolas was dreaming about what happened to him.
"Legolas, calm down, you're safe." Elrond reassured.
"Ada . . .please don't hurt . . .Help. Ada. Taron . . .no . . .Taron." Legolas' cries died down to nothing and he once more laid still in his bed, with Elrond continuing to quietly sooth and reassure him.
"Oh, Legolas please tell me who did this to you." He whispered, more to himself than Legolas or anyone else. He sighed, knowing Legolas couldn't hear him. He let go of the hand, which was gripped tightly onto his, and leaned back in his chair. He rubbed his hands across his tired face and closed his eyes, just for a second . . .
**
When Elrond woke he instantly knew he wasn't the only one in the room with Legolas. He slowly opened his eyes, almost expecting Taron or the attacker to be leaning over the Prince. There was no one though, Legolas was just beginning to stir from his night of fitful sleep. Although Elrond had only intended to stay for a little while Legolas had had a few more of those nightmares so he decided to stay, falling into an unwilling sleep every so often.
He carefully opened his eyes and was forced to close them against the bright morning light that was filtering through the windows. Elrond sat up straight and blinked the sleep out of his eyes. He looked around him and instantly saw the third person in the room. He recognised her as the servant he had ordered to stay with Legolas that night. He had really forgotten all about her.
"What are you doing in here?" He asked as he looked over to Legolas.
"My Lord, forgive me. I didn't wake you did I?" She asked.
"No. No, I'm sorry I completely forgot I asked you to come back last night." He said suddenly remembering.
"I did come back my Lord but you were sleeping and Prince Legolas looked peaceful so I didn't think you would need me. I'm sorry sir. I came in this morning to get the room ready. They have already eaten breakfast in the dining hall so I brought some for you and Lord Legolas." She smiled handing him the tray of food.
"Thank you." He smiled. "However, I don't think Legolas will want anything just yet." He whispered as he watched the Prince turn over and bury his head under the blankets. He laughed quietly. "I think it best if we allow him to sleep and leave him for a while. Is the guard still at the door?" Elrond questioned.
"Yes Sir." She bowed. He walked to the door and opened it, allowing her to leave first, something she was most definitely not expecting.
"I wanted to thank you for what you did for Legolas last night. I'm sure he will appreciate it when he wakes up. Not many people would have done that." Elrond said as they walked through the halls towards Elrond's study.
"It was nothing my Lord, I'm sure there are plenty of people who would have done the same thing." She smiled.
"He has had a hard few days." Elrond sighed, taking a piece of fruit from the tray and slipping it into his mouth as they walked.
"I gathered that from what he said in his dreams." She said casually. She was surprised when she noticed that Elrond had stopped and was looking directly at her.
"Excuse me?"
"Not that I was really listening or paying attention. It's just . . ."
"Stop. You said he was saying things in his sleep? Can you remember what they were?"
"I . . .I didn't mean to listen my Lord but he was crying them out. Saying the same thing over and over again."
"What was he saying? Please tell me, I promise you're not in trouble." Elrond encouraged.
"He kept saying 'Taron no', over and over." Ana said, hoping she wasn't making things worse.
"Come with me." Elrond said, pulling her with him into his study. Once he shut the door behind them he turned to her and looked her right in the eye. "Now Ana, tell me everything Legolas said, I want to know everything. I promise you're not in trouble but you might be helping me and Legolas."
"I don't remember a whole lot but he did say that name over and over again."
"Taron?" Elrond said, making absolutely sure she was right.
"Yes. I remember that really clearly because I didn't know who it was. It was the only thing he said very clearly." Ana said, knowing now that she was right.
"Are you absolutely sure there was nothing else?" Elrond urged.
"Well, there was one thing, but I'm not sure how important or relevant it is. I'm not even sure if I'm right or not . . ."
"Please, anything you tell me might help."
"He seemed . . .frightened sir. Like the nightmare was real. He called for his father and said that name. He didn't wake but it was like he was trying to get away from something."
"Or someone." Elrond finished.
"My Lord, is something wrong?" Ana asked as Elrond stood looking out of the window towards the gardens.
"No everything's fine. I want you to go about your normal duty. Make sure everything is alright with our visitors and make sure the Elves don't murder any Dwarves." He smiled.
"Yes Sir." She bowed before leaving him alone. He couldn't believe what she had just told him and yet he knew she was right. That name Taron had come up too many times already for it to be a coincidence. He sighed when he thought of what the Prince must have been going through during his ordeal. Someone he trusted with his life abusing him like he was nothing. Elrond knew, however, that he could do nothing without proof. And this proof could only come from one person. Legolas.
**
Passing Shadows
Rating: R
Warning: Not slash but mentions of rape and slight Elf torture.
Gwyn: Okay, here's some more. I really like both the twins equally they're good to have fun with anyway. . .
Legolas4me: I'm so relieved, for a moment I was worried. I'm glad this keeps you interested. I think I'd have to agree, I couldn't turn anyone of them away either (except Taron of course). Keep reading.
TheSilentSenshi: You'll know very soon what Elladan finds out, there's a little bit of Elladan angst in this one but all will be revealed. You'll just have to wait to find out. Having Elves on top . . . interesting. Sorry. Keep reading and reviewing.
angelbird12241: Well, I like to think that they're just worried for their friend, but I suppose they are a little selfish. I think maybe Elrohir's a little jealous of Elladan's involvement.
Kept-Secret: If I did that it would hardly be fair. Patience is a virtue. I love getting long reviews and yours never disappoint. I'm glad you think you've worked it out. If you do want to tell me though maybe I'll be able to give you a hint as to whether you're right or wrong. Oh, a little role reversal there. Enjoy the chapter and keep reviewing.
Wow, thanks you guys for the reviews. Do keep them coming though, I love hearing from you all. I value your opinion and rants.
A lot of people have said about the kinds of things they'd like to do to Taron when or if he gets caught so I thought a little competition might be fun. Come up with some good ideas on all the mean things that could happen to our nasty Elf and I might use some of them in the fic. Just a bit of fun.
Okay, enough of me on with the story.
**
Ch 8 Suspicions
**
Elladan walked slowly through the halls. He would do anything for his father but this task just wasn't what he considered to be a good idea. He couldn't help but think that this was a bad thing. There was nothing to suspect that Taron had anything to do with what happened to Legolas, and even if he did there wasn't much Elladan could do or say that would change anything.
He would do as his father requested though, he knew that he could never not trust his father, he had been right too many times and if there was even a chance of finding out who hurt Legolas then it would be worth it. If Taron wasn't responsible maybe they could share information and help catch the person that did hurt the Prince. No doubt Taron would want to help his Prince.
**
Elrond walked to Legolas' room, not really looking where he was going and somehow just knowing he was heading in the right direction. He didn't want to think of someone like Taron attacking the young Elf and yet his mind simply refused to dismiss it. There was this nagging feeling that something was very wrong.
He wished he could get more out of Legolas but he didn't want to push him. He had already been through a lot and the last thing he wanted was to make things worse.
Finally he reached Legolas' room. He nodded at the guard still standing watch, just as he had instructed. He walked through the door, making sure he was silent so as not to disturb the Prince from his sleep. When he looked in the curtains remained drawn, just like he had left them and the room was almost completely black. The servant he had ordered to stay with Legolas was leaning over the bed whispering something to him in Elvish, however, it was so quiet that not even Elrond's keen ears could pick up what she was saying.
He took a step closer as quietly as he could, more interested in what the young Elf was saying than anything else. Legolas' light breathing told him that the Prince was fast asleep so there was no reason why she should be speaking to him. As he walked closer the woman noticed him and quickly straightened and looked towards him. She bowed her head as she stood and walked over to where Elrond was standing looking at Legolas.
"My Lord." She bowed again.
"Is everything well? How is the Prince?" Elrond asked quietly so as not to disturb Legolas.
"He is sleeping my Lord, there has been no change." She answered nervously, like someone caught doing something wrong.
"What were you saying to him?" Elrond questioned.
The girl smiled slightly before answering and even in the dark Elrond could see her bright eyes shining. "He was disturbed by some nightmare in his sleep. I was telling him of my husband and how he served the King once. I was merely trying to settle him." She said.
"Well, it seems to have worked." Elrond smiled. "You may leave now, but come back in about half an hour, I'm sure Legolas would be pleased to hear your voice again, seeing as it settles him so."
"Yes my Lord." The servant bowed.
"Wait, what's your name?"
"Ana, my Lord." She answered before silently leaving the room.
Elrond smiled lightly in the darkness, if he wasn't mistaken there was something more in that girl than she mentioned. He couldn't quite place it but he thought perhaps it was a caring for Legolas. Having said that it was hard to tell. The servants were hard to read anyway, most had shady pasts and this girl was probably no different. Besides Legolas was asleep so what difference would it make?
He walked up to the bed and checked briefly on Legolas who made no sound; he was in a deep sleep. Seeing Legolas so peaceful it was hard to believe that anything bad could have happened to him. He looked so innocent and untroubled when sleeping. It was a shame this wasn't the case when he was awake.
Elrond pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat down so he could watch over Legolas. At least he wasn't frightened when he was asleep. Elrond had known him for a while and never before had he seen him, or any Elf, in the state he was in the night before.
"No!" Legolas suddenly cried out. For a moment Elrond thought he had woken but when he looked over at him he saw that Legolas' eyes were still glazed over. He was having a nightmare. Elrond reached over and gently took Legolas' hand in his own and squeezed to let him know he wasn't alone.
"Ada!" Legolas cried again. "Help me saes." He continued to cry.
"Legolas, relax. You're safe. You're safe." Elrond whispered hoping to calm him down.
"Ada, help. Ad . . ." He trailed off slightly before crying out again. "No you have no right to do this . . .help . . .no . . .saes. Taron help . . .me." Elrond listened carefully, knowing that Legolas was dreaming about what happened to him.
"Legolas, calm down, you're safe." Elrond reassured.
"Ada . . .please don't hurt . . .Help. Ada. Taron . . .no . . .Taron." Legolas' cries died down to nothing and he once more laid still in his bed, with Elrond continuing to quietly sooth and reassure him.
"Oh, Legolas please tell me who did this to you." He whispered, more to himself than Legolas or anyone else. He sighed, knowing Legolas couldn't hear him. He let go of the hand, which was gripped tightly onto his, and leaned back in his chair. He rubbed his hands across his tired face and closed his eyes, just for a second . . .
**
When Elrond woke he instantly knew he wasn't the only one in the room with Legolas. He slowly opened his eyes, almost expecting Taron or the attacker to be leaning over the Prince. There was no one though, Legolas was just beginning to stir from his night of fitful sleep. Although Elrond had only intended to stay for a little while Legolas had had a few more of those nightmares so he decided to stay, falling into an unwilling sleep every so often.
He carefully opened his eyes and was forced to close them against the bright morning light that was filtering through the windows. Elrond sat up straight and blinked the sleep out of his eyes. He looked around him and instantly saw the third person in the room. He recognised her as the servant he had ordered to stay with Legolas that night. He had really forgotten all about her.
"What are you doing in here?" He asked as he looked over to Legolas.
"My Lord, forgive me. I didn't wake you did I?" She asked.
"No. No, I'm sorry I completely forgot I asked you to come back last night." He said suddenly remembering.
"I did come back my Lord but you were sleeping and Prince Legolas looked peaceful so I didn't think you would need me. I'm sorry sir. I came in this morning to get the room ready. They have already eaten breakfast in the dining hall so I brought some for you and Lord Legolas." She smiled handing him the tray of food.
"Thank you." He smiled. "However, I don't think Legolas will want anything just yet." He whispered as he watched the Prince turn over and bury his head under the blankets. He laughed quietly. "I think it best if we allow him to sleep and leave him for a while. Is the guard still at the door?" Elrond questioned.
"Yes Sir." She bowed. He walked to the door and opened it, allowing her to leave first, something she was most definitely not expecting.
"I wanted to thank you for what you did for Legolas last night. I'm sure he will appreciate it when he wakes up. Not many people would have done that." Elrond said as they walked through the halls towards Elrond's study.
"It was nothing my Lord, I'm sure there are plenty of people who would have done the same thing." She smiled.
"He has had a hard few days." Elrond sighed, taking a piece of fruit from the tray and slipping it into his mouth as they walked.
"I gathered that from what he said in his dreams." She said casually. She was surprised when she noticed that Elrond had stopped and was looking directly at her.
"Excuse me?"
"Not that I was really listening or paying attention. It's just . . ."
"Stop. You said he was saying things in his sleep? Can you remember what they were?"
"I . . .I didn't mean to listen my Lord but he was crying them out. Saying the same thing over and over again."
"What was he saying? Please tell me, I promise you're not in trouble." Elrond encouraged.
"He kept saying 'Taron no', over and over." Ana said, hoping she wasn't making things worse.
"Come with me." Elrond said, pulling her with him into his study. Once he shut the door behind them he turned to her and looked her right in the eye. "Now Ana, tell me everything Legolas said, I want to know everything. I promise you're not in trouble but you might be helping me and Legolas."
"I don't remember a whole lot but he did say that name over and over again."
"Taron?" Elrond said, making absolutely sure she was right.
"Yes. I remember that really clearly because I didn't know who it was. It was the only thing he said very clearly." Ana said, knowing now that she was right.
"Are you absolutely sure there was nothing else?" Elrond urged.
"Well, there was one thing, but I'm not sure how important or relevant it is. I'm not even sure if I'm right or not . . ."
"Please, anything you tell me might help."
"He seemed . . .frightened sir. Like the nightmare was real. He called for his father and said that name. He didn't wake but it was like he was trying to get away from something."
"Or someone." Elrond finished.
"My Lord, is something wrong?" Ana asked as Elrond stood looking out of the window towards the gardens.
"No everything's fine. I want you to go about your normal duty. Make sure everything is alright with our visitors and make sure the Elves don't murder any Dwarves." He smiled.
"Yes Sir." She bowed before leaving him alone. He couldn't believe what she had just told him and yet he knew she was right. That name Taron had come up too many times already for it to be a coincidence. He sighed when he thought of what the Prince must have been going through during his ordeal. Someone he trusted with his life abusing him like he was nothing. Elrond knew, however, that he could do nothing without proof. And this proof could only come from one person. Legolas.
**