Chapter 3
Nightmares
/ Legolas's face was pale. Very pale. His lips had gone gray. Blonde hair blew in an icy breeze, flowing about his face, hiding the tightly closed eyes. A crimson stream trickled from one corner of his mouth. Nooooooooooooo/ Thranduil woke with a start. Legolas! Where was his son! The Elvenking's skin was clammy with fear, fear for his only child. Laying back into the overstuffed pillows, he tried to tell himself it was naught but a dream. His son was lying fast asleep, safe, in bed, dreaming of only the Valar knew what. It was early in the morning and Legolas would not be up for at least another two hours. All the same, the king could not shove the little voice inside his head out, that told him it was a vision. He began to tremble and his nerves were shredding. He had to go see Legolas. He had to go and ensure his child was safe.
Stepping out of bed, he felt the cool floor beneath his feet. It made him shiver. /He's dead. No. No./ He made his way slowly down the hall, afraid of what could be awaiting him. As he came to his son's room he paused at the door, could he bear what lay beyond the entrance? The door was shut tightly (it was common knowledge that the prince snored, although he thoroughly denied it) the serving staff came by after he was asleep and shut the door so that everybody else could sleep too. Sighing heavily, Thranduil slowly opened the door. He was relieved to see the shape of an elf lying in peaceful slumber. As he gazed into the dark, he realized it was not his son. This elf had dark hair and was taller. The Elvenking went to the bedside and gently laid a hand on the new elf's shoulder. The being was instantly awake, grabbing Thranduil's wrist in surprise. The elder elf jumped slightly and grasped the younger elf's wrist in an iron grip. Rothinzil started sleepily into the face of his king. "Where is Legolas? Where is my child?" pleaded Thranduil.
The elf looked at the floor. Then, bleary eyed, looked into the face of the Elvenking. "At the moment...I do not know." It was true enough. He did not know at the time, the exact location of the prince. Thranduil gently took the elf's chin in his other hand and tilted the elf's gaze up towards him.
"Rothinzil is it? Son of... ? I'm sorry, I seem to have forgotten."
"Son of Elecuivië," said Rothinzil slowly.
"Rothinzil son of Elecuivië, do you know where I can find him? I have a perception that he is in grave danger." Thranduil's hands trembled. Roth noticed and put a comforting hand on the king's, squeezing it comfortingly.
"He left late last night...I do not know where he has went."
Thranduil's brow narrowed. "Are you sure?" Rothinzil looked away. He had promised not to tell anyone, yet how could he refuse the king?
"He...um.."
"Out with it!"
Sighing with a moan, Rothinzil gave way to his king's inquisition. "He left for Lake Town."
The king's jaw dropped. What! That was suicide! No! Legolas! Why? Why did he do that! In shock, Thranduil began to walk towards the door. He did not even heed Rothinzil's call behind him. His son was gone. Was the dream a omen of what had come to pass? Was he beyond rescue? Had he died already or wishing he had? No! Not his son! His only child. The king walked beyond the door, leaving it gaping behind him. The sad truth burned in his mind, Legolas, his only child and love left, was gone.
Iaurgwath watched in silence from the shadows of the prince's room. Well, well, Legolas's little adventure was going poorly. Maybe he wouldn't need to find another way to rid the kingdom of its pride and joy. The daft brat had done it himself. Now he had to make sure. "Rothinzil son of Elecuivië, how fares our little princeling?"
Rothinzil nearly jumped out of his skin at the voice. He was still a bit wary. "Oh, Iaurgwath, its just you." What was the adviser doing in here? How had he gotten in? "How did you get in here?" questioned Roth.
"You are a nosy elf." He grinned a smile of cold and steel. "I entered in while you lay sleeping if you must know." Roth shuddered. He had a bad feeling about the other elf's intentions. Iaurgwath came between him and the door. Roth felt panic rise in his heart. Shutting the door, Iaurgwath drew forth a knife of cold steel. Rothinzil squirmed to get away. Rolling over the bed, to land on the floor beyond. "Now my friend, how fares Legolas? How is the dratted human doing?"
"Leave me be!" The guard's voice was icy with fear. Iaurgwath sprang around the bed and aimed a fatal blow at the cowering elf. Roth dogged it skillfully. Reaching the far side of the room, he extended his hand out to get the knife that he knew Legolas kept by the door for emergencies. Iaurgwath snarled.
"Fine, if it's a fight you want you can have it!" With a diving move Roth had never seen before, the adviser jabbed the blade into Roth's thigh. The elf's eyes went wide as he felt the weapon pierce his flesh. He had never felt pain like this before. His limb folded beneath him, crippled. Iaurgwath chose this time to slip the dagger beneath his throat. "Now son of Elecuivië, tell me, how is our prince?"
"Your concern is touching Iaurgwath," croaked the guard. The dagger pressed in until it drew blood. Roth choked before saying, "I do not know. I swear." The dagger pressed in deeper. "I don't know!" Iaurgwath was convinced. But he was not about to release this elf to tell everybody and blow his cover. Yet he was not going to kill him either.
Spinning around at the sound of the dreaded voice of Raxyn, Aragorn shuddered. "Well. Well. You turned out to be a bigger pain in the neck than I would have ever thought." Nodding towards Axyn, he said, "Get this elf up. I'm not finished with him yet. As for this ranger," he spat the word as though it tasted tart. "Kill him." Axyn went up to Legolas. The prince had a cold not in the pit of his stomach and it was growing by the minute. It took a minute for the words to register in his mind. Axyn came over, gripping the front of the suede tunic, he yanked the prince to his feet. Legolas hissed as his unset bones ground together. The ranger began to protest. Suddenly, his mouth went numb, he could not form words. Axyn snarled at the prince;
"We are far from getting to know each other elfling." Legolas struggled lamely. It was short lived. The pain was too great and he risked further damage to his battered chest. Why was Aragorn so slow to act and weary? His wounds had bled a lot, yes, but no longer. The pain could hold one back if they let it. Pain was not fatal, only the cause. The elf prince found himself being hauled back to the tree. Not again! No! He could not live through it once more. He heard a cry from the ranger and causing great pain to himself, he spun around.
Raxyn had a knife to the man's throat. "Here's the deal elfy. You guide us safely to the palace or else, we kill your friend here."
Legolas grimaced as the man holding him twisted his right arm and the broken shoulder. Axyn leaned into the prince's ear," Clear 'nough?"
Legolas's eyes never left the pale ranger. "Crystal," he responded icily.
"Good I hate it when negotiations go bad. People get hurt." The human grinned evilly. "But you already know that don't you?" Legolas glared then snapped his eyes shut trying not to remember the night hours of torment. "Don't you!" Axyn twisted his arm.
Grunting the prince said, "yes." It was barely a whisper of a response. His arm was twisted more, harsher than before.
"What? I couldn't hear you?" Legolas nearly screamed.
Keeping his voice calm, he replied in a gasp, "yes." He writhed as he battled caustic pain.
"Good. I would hate for you to forget." The grip on his arm was released, but it was exchanged for a body slam to the forest floor. The prince's head spun with throbbing pain. He felt nauseous. The elf's mouth went dry.
"So would I," breathed the elf in the Gray Tongue. Then he noticed they still had Aragorn held against him, a dagger to his throat. He croaked, "release my friend." Nothing happened.
"You have yet to give us your oath," retorted Raxyn. He grinned. "Unless, of course, you refuse?" He dug the dagger in deeper. With horror, Legolas realized the ranger was too weak to fight the attack.
Legolas growled, "Fine. Here it is. I promise to you I will lead you through Mirkwood in safety lest my friend should fall."
"Agreed elf. You aren't as stupid as I thought." Raxyn released his grip on Aragron. The human fell forward onto his stomach. He was so tired. Legolas looked at his friend with bright blue, fearful eyes, fear for the ranger. He should not be so tired. If anyone should be this way, it should be himself. Instead he felt alive but dizzy. The human continued to fade. What had he done to himself? Legolas could not guess. The verse came unbidden to his mind again/Come Athelas...come Athelas...in the king's hand lying./ Legolas was wrenched to his feet by a hand entangling itself in his golden locks. A thick rope was bound about his wrists in the front by Axyn. Legolas did not think he was imagining, when he swore he saw the man smile as he jerked the knot painfully tight. Legolas was clenching his jaw to keep a straight face. His bones were pressing on one another now with his arms locked into the position they were. Raxyn looked at the elf with intense thought, perhaps fear, flickering behind his eyes. "Something is missing. I think he could get ahead of us this way." Axyn looked at the fair being. He nodded slowly. Legolas had a feeling what ever they were going to do would be more harmful to him than good. He toughened up his heart to bear what ever came.
"You're right, Elves are tricky. Whose ta say he won't go sneak'n 'head of us?" The man took another length of rope. It was longer. Legolas's heart beat quickly. Axyn took and set the rope about the fair being's neck to serve as a leash. "Now if he gets too far 'head we can give him a reminder to slow down his bloody pace." The prince looked ruefully at the restriction as a horse would a bridle. Axyn gave it a hard tug to show an example of what he meant. Legolas felt something creak in his neck. His bones clacked together. If this was not the most painful punishment, there was no doubt about humiliating. An elf prince led like a cur after its master. Legolas forgot his own fear and looked over again at the ranger.
"He is sick. Can you-will you-do nothing for him?" pleaded the prince. His blue eyes felt watery as he thought about leaving his friend behind to die. He would never-he would die first.
Raxyn looked at the ranger. Deep in his heart he felt he must do something. This was a man-not an elf- they were talking about. One of his own kind. To cover up his feelings he responded harshly. "Ah, that's a shame. That's a bloody shame." Legolas glared sharply at the mortal. "But the elf," he gestured to Legolas, "but elfy here won't cooperate without him. See how he glares? If we want things to go any easier we will have to do something." Legolas did not tell them he did not plain to cooperate anyway. Raxyn went over and rolled the ranger over. Aragorn moaned.
"Be gentle!" gasped the prince. He doubted they would though. To his utter amazement, Raxyn nodded and was more gentle as he looked over, the ranger's wounds.
"He should not be in the state he is in...It is like his energy is draining. He is fading...fast." Legolas looked over, concerned. He started subconsciously to walk towards his injured friend. A sharp yank on his neck pulled the rope taut, prompting him to slow down. Raxyn looked up as he heard the elf cry out in pain and surprise. "Let him be Axyn. He isn't hurting nobody." Axyn growled a rumble of disapproval before relieving the pressure from the prince's neck, allowing the rope to loosen and go slack. Legolas nodded over to Raxyn in awed gratitude. Why had he done that for him after last night's miss adventure? Cautiously, the elf went to his limp friend's side. Aragorn was fainted dead away. His face was gray and had a bluish tint on the lips. His friend was dying.
Legolas fell to his knees beside his friend. A tear rolled silvery down his cheek. His blue eyes welled with brimming tears that rolled down his fair face one after another, like a rain shower in spring. "Strider," he sobbed. "Don't leave me. Don't! I will do whatever you want if only you will hold on." The ranger remained still as death. Legolas continued. "You can't! I can't do this alone!" He bowed his head in grief and fear. Slowly he whispered to his friend words nobody else could hear. "I'm scared mellon nin." A huge tear splashed onto the human's ashen face. "I'm scared." The elf twisted his bound hands. He forgot his own suffering as he gazed at his friend's cold, closed eyes. What had his friend done for him? Even Axyn seemed touched. Placing a hand gently onto the fair beings shoulder, he began to drag the prince to his feet. Legolas flinched away from the mortal's contact. He realized they were going to leave his friend behind. "No," he growled. His tone sounded challenging. He dared them to try and make him forsake his truest companion. The mens' old hate for the elf was redoubled and a hand struck him across the face then backhanded him. The blonde elf's head spun. Blood flowed from the lip they had busted the night before, now reopened. Legolas licked his injured lip sorrowfully. A sharp pain rose from his collarbone from the swift action of his head snapping around from the consecutive blows. The prince met them with a cold glare.
"Come'n elf," snarled Raxyn. "There is nothing we can do. It is regretful but we must put it behind us. Believe me, when I say his death was not part of our fondest and wildest dreams." Legolas never changed his expression.
Fear and anger made his response a whole lot sharper and fiercer than he intended. "You lie. You were going to use him against me and kill him after your purpose was fulfilled." Raxyn just looked at the elf with a look of bleak malice.
"You have a lot of lip for someone close to death himself," he snapped back. He looked thoughtfully back to the tree were Aragorn had first discovered the prince after he was captured. "Perhaps you forgot the lesson we gave you earlier, eh?" Legolas's chin trembled as the memories of the night flooded back. He would not go back there ever.
"No," he breathed. "No, I remember very clearly." He hoped he sounded sincere about it.
"Good. I hate to waste time doing something over." He looked back towards the pale ranger. "Leave him and let's go. I want to reach the palace before dark." The prince's heart leapt into this throat. Aragorn was already dead or so it seemed. He had no incentive to go. If he led them there to attack his father and people he would never forgive himself. Suddenly the elf caught a faint rise of Aragorn's chest. He wasn't dead. He had fallen into a deep sleep. Legolas croaked as the rope about his neck jerked upward, cutting off his air. "I said I hate to waste time. Now get walking." Legolas rose groggily onto shaky feet. He was feeling very tired himself. The thought that he should be dead by then still troubled him greatly. Axyn hissed into the elf's ear. "If thou leads us into a trap we will make sure thou is the first to fall." The hot spongy breath of the man upon Legolas's neck caused the elf to grimace. Axyn smiled. Legolas prayed to the Valar that somebody would find Aragorn and save him.
Iaurgwath gripped Rothinzil's wrist and yanked the bleeding elf to his feet. Roth stared back defiantly. Whipping off the younger elf's belt that held his weapons, he tore the weaponry off and wrapped it tightly about Roth's wrists. He pulled it cruelly tight. Looking at a closet that was to the back of the room, the twisted adviser grinned cruelly. "I think I found you a new home." Roth was to weak from blood loss to try and counter act anything done to him. He was also in a state of intense shock. He had never been hurt in all his life. Grabbing a pillow cover, Iaurgwath gagged Rothinzil's mouth with it. Taking the blade he pierced the left arm of the elf and cut slowly along it. Blood squirted out, crimson and hot . He was going to make sure the elf remained weaker than water. Roth's eyes went wide as he felt terrible pain sting and bite his flesh. He struggled lamely. The elder elf dragged him to the closet and shoved him in. Slamming the door, he turned the lock and began to leave the room. As an after thought he added, "I will find your friends before Thranduil and they will wish they had never been born." Rothinzil banged his fists weakly against the door, yelling as loud as possible to be released. His cry fell upon deaf ears. Iaurgwath left the room, shutting the door tightly behind him.
Thranduil sat amongst his advisers, Iaurgwath among them. His face was pale and expressionless. The grief over the loss of his only child was incinerated into his heart. He would find Legolas, whatever the price, his son would come home. Iaurgwath did not even come close to resembling the look one might have after betraying one's friends to death. He was calm and looked like everything was going as was planned. It was, for him. Thranduil welcomed everyone to the meeting. "Now here I will tell you some very grave news." All the elves leaned forward expectation. Thranduil cleared his throat in an effort to hold back his tears. Regaining his composer, he said in a choked voice, "my son is gone. I have had a dream and fear it does not bode well for him. The ranger vanished with him as well. I think they have gone to Lake Town, heedless of the threats we have received." All the elves were filled with grief, for the prince was well loved. Iaurgwath was the only one who remained cool as water from a spring.
"Then he is lost?" questioned the adviser in fake concern.
"So it seems my good Iaurgwath," responded Thranduil gravely. "Legolas has fallen."
"Say not so. Send me out and a handful of elves of my choice. We will find him and bring him home," retorted the adviser with artificial concern in his voice. Apparently the Elvenking did not catch it.
Thranduil studied the other elf's face. "If you wish it is granted. You have always been trust worthy my good friend."
The elf replied back, "We will leave immediately. Prepare to see us back ere two days pass." This was the trust Iaurgwath had needed in order to capture the brat of Thranduil's and put the kingdom's ruler at his will. This was the trust he had waited to betray.
"Very well, take your party and go." Iaurgwath bowed and departed.
Legolas allowed himself to be shoved ahead. /Cowards. If anything happens I will be hurt first./ His broken bones had caused swelling in his arms and chest and had become such a torment that his breath came out only because he willed it. If he forgot to breathe once, he would suffocate.
He walked ahead a little ways, listening. Axyn was getting frustrated with the elf's caution. He gave the rope about the fair being's neck a tug. Legolas's jaw dropped and pain shot up his neck. It was unbearable now and he cried out loudly. "Don't get so far ahead then. I warned ye, I said this was here to keep you from run'n off." He drew the rope in closer, unto the elf was forced to look into his face. Legolas's blue eyes were cloudy with pain and fear. Legolas's chin trembled as he silently took the smaller tugging on his leash.
They went on a little farther. Legolas felt so much pain. He wanted to forsake Middle Earth. With Aragorn gone he felt as though his will to live had been snatched away with his friend's life. /But he isn't gone. ...He's sleeping... I will get back to him, if only I live through this. ...If only./ As he walked he noticed it had become darker. They were entering the Naith of Greenwood the Great. He suddenly felt a dark presence. Instantly he knew what it was. The spiders. They were there. This puzzled the elf, for they never came this far south east. He stopped. Raxyn strode up to the elf's side. "What to you feel elf?" Legolas looked at the man with eyes of dread. He quivered slightly.
"Spiders. There are giant spiders in the woods." Raxyn quirked an eyebrow.
"Spiders? Oh man... spine-chilling!" Legolas looked at the men with eyes of pleading.
"No! You must listen. They-"
"Save us your scorn elf. We are not fools."
"But you don't-"
"Understand? Oh, yes, we do. You would deceive us to believe your fireside tale and lead us on a merry chase. I don't think so." Legolas looked into the darkness of the woods. He knew they were back there, watching for a chance to get at the meat they thirsted for. He shuddered. What more could he do? Raxyn shoved him forward. The elf stopped, bracing himself. He would go no father. They had to understand.
"You speak of what you do not know! They will eat us alive."
"Do you take us for children? There are no giant spiders, save those in tales." Raxyn's voice was filled with slowly growing wrath.
"Where do you think the tales come from?" pleaded the prince. He was truly frightened by the thought of having to confront one of those beasts again. He unconsciously started to reach for the back of his neck where a vivid welt still remained. Suddenly the elf felt as though he would swoon. His stomach flipped. Clutching at Axyn's shoulder, he tried to steady himself. The man brushed him off and the blonde prince fell to the forest floor. He lay down. It felt so good and cool on the ground. Axyn gave him a harsh kick in the back. Legolas was numb to it.
"Get up elf!" Legolas remained where he had fallen. He could not go on. "I said get up!" The rope on his neck jerked up, threatening to choke the prince to death. Legolas looked up at them with pleading eyes. /Don't make me go on. Please...It hurts./ Legolas was yanked to his feet. He cried out sharply.
Shoving him forward into the blackness, they said, "guide us." Legolas remained frozen. He could not do this. Not without Aragorn by his side to comfort and help him.
"No. Not here," he breathed. Suddenly he heard twigs crack behind him. He saw the mens' faces grow twisted in terror. There eyes were huge and their mouths hung open. Legolas spun around too late. A spider, the biggest he had ever seen, had grabbed him with his two forelegs. The elf shook now with terror. Legolas kicked the beast's eyes and screamed. It opened it's mouth to reveal grinding fangs. Legolas struggled violently and the beast loosened its grip as a booted foot connected with its eyes. Then its anger redoubled and it squeezed the prince. Legolas screamed again. Axyn began to run away, but Raxyn stayed in shock. The elf had tried to warn him. If only he had listened. It was his fault, all his fault. Drawing the bow of the elf that he had kept slung over his shoulder. He notched an arrow and let it fly. It struck the hideous creature in the jaws. Legolas looked over his shoulder in surprise. Raxyn let another fly and the spider nearly dropped the prince. Legolas suddenly saw stars blind his vision. Blackness threatened to devour him into its nothingness. In his delirious state a vision of Strider came to his mind. "Help me Strider!" he called in horror. "Don't let it-"his sentence cut off as he gave into the creeping shadow.
Raxyn came at the spider. The animal was already reeling in pain. Throwing a blade into the creature's gapping maw, he made the spider wheeze in terrible pain. Axyn was now running for his life. He did not know what to do. He wanted to help the elf but he was too afraid. Legolas fell from the animals gasp with a thud. He did not move. The spider fled in terror of this creature that could cause him so much pain.
Raxyn went to the fallen elf's side. Tears streamed down his face. "I'm sorry. I did not listen." Legolas did not move. "Please don't die. I did not see." Legolas shifted. Raxyn placed a hand on the elf's flushed face. "Don't go. I don't know how I can make it up to you, but I will." The elf moaned. Raxyn looked into his face. "You live!" Legolas smiled wryly.
"Yes." His blue eyes fluttered open. "Though for a moment... I thought I was leaving." Raxyn smiled back. Legolas suddenly coughed as he did his bloodied hair fell into his face, covering his anguish. His breath became shallow and rapid. He clutched at the grass and leaves beneath him. His bones were getting worse. Raxyn looked sorrowfully at him. Slipping the rope from the elf's neck, he sighed. He did not know what to do. The elf was dying and it was his fault.
Iaurgwath and a host of five other elves walked through the woods. An elf that was close by the adviser looked into the forest beyond. "What will we do with our prince when we find him?" It was a mocking question.
Iaurgwath grinned and said, "We'll give him a proper welcome of course and show him to his father." The elves all laughed a cruel chortle.
Iaurgwath knew that they had traveled near Lake Town. So he had guided his elves in that direction. As they approached the border, he heard a soft moan. He tensed. All the other elves stopped to listen. Then the elf smiled a knowing smile. Going to the brush beyond he looked around until he found what he sought, a dying ranger. The man's face was pale, but he was alive. It was Aragorn A sticky dark substance covered the man's chest.. Leaning closer, the elf saw that his wounds were old, a day old at least. They had come open again as infection set in. Iaurgwath called to his companions.
Going over to the human, he kicked him. "Where now is Legolas, for his father sent me to find him?"
The ranger did not speak. He could not. The man was going into a coma. Another elf near by drew forth a knife to slay the dying mortal. Iaurgwath drew his weapon out. With great force, driven by rage at the way things were going and hate for the king, he plummeted the sword tip into the elf's chest. The Firstborn fell without so much as a cry. His blood ran over the ranger, staining his tunic with elven blood. Iaurgwath did not want this human dead. He was of no use dead. If he could keep him alive, he could catch Legolas. He would draw the elf prince to him with his greatest weakness-his evergreen loyalty to his friend.
TBC...Sorry it was not longer. My friends would not leave me alone and I was late in posting anyway so...SORRY! Don't forget to review. I live for your responses! I tried to make Raxyn and Axyn characters that are not bad but mislead. They're actions could be somewhat understandable even though they were wrong. I am by no means condoning what they did!
Shadowfaxgal7 Sorry I did not respond to your review sooner! I did not get it until chap. 2 was already posted! (slow net! rolls eyes) Thank you for your support! As for our Leggy...well...keep reading! No hints! winks
Tychen Yah, they are having a bad day! Hopefully things will get better huh? he-he-he! Thanks for reviewing my story. In case nobody's noticed; I love to hear from people. Your right, a twig snapping does not sound very Elfy, but yah never know.
Lyn I'm glad you reviewed. Thank you! I know what you mean about the word 'flocculent'. I was surprised myself to find out the M.S. says it means softly. I was not using it in a medical context. Sorry if I caused confusion. I just had to use it. -- At least I know people are paying attention! That's a plus.
Deana Yah, Poor Leggy! I am sooooo glad you like it. Thanks for keeping up with the story. smiles I am posting as fast as I can!
Stacee Phelps I tried to update quicker but you bugged me too much! Thanks for reviewing! -- Thanks for continuing to read my story!
