Thanks again for reviewing! I thrive on feedback. You all deserve a cookie with icing and sprinkles!
Chapter 4, Betrayal
"Keep breathing elf. I have to get you to safety," said Raxyn as he half lifted half-dragged Legolas to his feet. The prince was too weak to stand and fell again with a moan of agony. Raxyn was really worried now. Legolas was taller than he was by at least an inch or two and probably a whole lot heavier. Reaching down again, he grabbed the injured elf's good arm and hoisted the prince to his feet. Then he carefully slipped the elf's good arm over his shoulder for support. Legolas hissed. Pain was eating at his mind. Raxyn started walking and realized the elf was too weak and hurt to follow. Legolas's knees had buckled and he was sagging against Raxyn. The man decided that the only way to get the elf away from this place was to carry him. Carefully, he picked up the elf to hold him like a mother would a child. Legolas coughed. His cough was what was chiefly worrying the mortal. Elves did not get sick. If Legolas was coughing it was because of an injury he had sustained. Raxyn watched as the elf flinched with pain when his bruises were bumped against the man's chest and arms as he tried to hold the elven prince. The pain Legolas was feeling made him nauseous. Blackness crept up on him again. This time he did not care if it took him, but that his pain would be relieved. Without hesitation, he let it envelop him. Raxyn's face went pale as he felt the elf go limp in his arms. Had the fair being died? No. He could feel Legolas's breath coming out in frivolous gasps. Raxyn began to walk off towards the edge of the woods, to the sunshine.
Legolas lay on a blanket in the grass. His bonds were gone and his pain was lessened. They were near the edge of the woods and sunlight came glittering through the treetop leaves. His blonde hair was still bloody but his face was cool and clean. Raxyn had cleansed it as much as he had been able. He sighed and was immediately reminded of his broken bones. His shoulder did not hurt so badly and he looked along himself to find it in a sling of torn cloak. An ugly bruise still marred his cheek, dark and yellowish now. Legolas reached his good hand up to tough it gingerly. Even at the slight touch, he winced.
Raxyn came over to the elf's side when he heard the fair being sigh. His smile was sorrowful and filled with regret. Legolas met his gaze. Hissing between grit teeth, the elf sat up. His head felt like it was swimming. He squeezed his eyes shut to try and clear his senses. Crouching down by the prince's side, the man held a bowl of soup or something close to it. Taking a spoonful, he held it up for Legolas to eat. The elf looked suspiciously at it for a moment then opened his mouth to receive it. It tasted surprisingly good and felt warm and sustaining. "I'm sorry my good elf," said Raxyn in honest remorse. Legolas looked at him. The human would not meet his gaze, but began to observe the leaves. The elf watched him. Memories of pain filled his mind and then the spider...he shuddered. Raxyn took and filled the elf another spoonful of soup to eat. Legolas accepted it gratefully. He had not eaten in so long and his body felt so weak. The prince smiled suddenly. It had been long indeed since he had been spoon- fed. Raxyn studied the fair being's smiling face, wincing as his eyes fell across the bruise. "What do you smile for?"
Legolas looked at the human, a laugh was lingering in his eyes. "It has been a long time ago since I was last spoon-fed." Raxyn smiled too, grateful for the change in subject. The elf's clear blue eyes pierced his heart. The man found it hard to believe that he had hated this elf to the point of tormenting him only a night ago. Shame clouded his face. Legolas saw it and said comfortingly, " I am still breathing. You saved me. I cannot imagine a better way to repent. Be at peace, I hold no ill will against you."
Raxyn's jaw dropped in amazement. This elf knew what he was thinking. "Do you read minds?" he asked fearfully and in awe.
Legolas just grinned. "No, although some of us can. I do not have that ability. Your face gave it away." Raxyn gave another spoonful of stew to Legolas. "What is your name?" he asked curiously.
Legolas swallowed then said, "Legolas." Raxyn nodded.
"Greenleaf. A nice name I suppose, for an elf." Now it was Legolas's turn to be amazed.
"Do you speak Sindarin?" he was so astonished that he did not even realize he had slipped into his native tongue.
Raxyn chuckled and answered back in the Gray Tongue, "Yes. I have spent years trading with your people on the river." Legolas's eyes looked as though they were going to pop out of his head.
"I have never met a humans, save an isolated few, who could speak in the tongues of elves!" Suddenly he frowned. Aragorn. Where was he now? His face clouded over. The prince looked at the ground and fought back tears that threatened to spill over. His friend was gone. He would give anything to see his friend again and double that to see him safely home to Rivendell. Raxyn studied Legolas's face. Putting a hand under the elf's chin, he lifted the prince's face to meet his.
"I am truly sorry for your friend. But we cannot go back. It is too dangerous and you are not so far from death's door yourself Greenleaf." Legolas could not stop a tear from streaming down his face, glistening like a trickle of liquid crystal. He wanted to die now, but something inside that did not seem part of him, was telling him to live. Even though the voice was not part of him, it seemed to be one with him. Raxyn let his hand fall away from the elf. Suddenly a low-pitched whistle sang in the air. It sounded like a bird but Legolas knew better. It was elves, most likely hunting.
"Now whose reading whose minds," mumbled the prince to himself.
Raxyn heard it and muttered under his breath, "elves." Legolas looked into the depth of the forest. Raxyn suddenly spoke up. "So, what brought you out here away from your friends and family?" He sounded concerned, like he was beginning to doubt the elf again.
Legolas chuckled twistedly, "a problem you and I both share." Then his voice became very grave. "How many have died where you come from?"
Raxyn looked into the elf's blue eyes, "you certainly are an elf, besides having pointed ears you speak in riddles. But I think I know what you speak of." He gazed at the forest floor then back up at the Legolas. "I am not sure, but many have."
Legolas nodded. "Yes, I understand how you feel. We have lost at least five. More may have died in the woods unseen." His face was filled with sorrow, it had a bitter fairness to it.
"So you have experienced it too, eh?" said Raxyn sadly. "I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe we can help our two kindred's find a solution?" He looked hopefully at Legolas. The elf looked thoughtful, then he said;
"I am indeed grateful for all the kindness you have shown me and have forgiven all wrong you've done me but I must find my friend." The elf shook his head then winced as he jolted his collarbone and shifted his shoulder. Raxyn looked at him alarmed. Legolas continued almost to himself, "I should have never let you leave him there."
"You cannot go! You will die for sure. Legolas you are mad!"
The prince turned a piercing blue gaze upon the human, silencing anything he would have further said. "He would have done the same for me and so I must do for him. You cannot stop me so help me or leave me be!" Raxyn sighed. The elf was nuts of course but he admired his spirit. Elves were just as stubborn as tales said, but even more loyal. Raxyn offered Legolas another spoonful but the elf turned it down. He could not eat with his friend in danger.
"Elves are strange. I have known them all my life and have still yet to see how stubborn they can be! You amaze me! But you must eat something! How do you expect to find your friend if you yourself can barely walk!"
Legolas just looked at him and said, "elves can go longer without food than men can. Now are you going to help me? If I recall correctly you have a friend missing still."
Raxyn nodded, "Axyn is gone yes. I do not worry for him though. He would have made his way to Lake Town by now to-"
"Get help!"
"Yes! If your archers see a host of men marching on them-"
"It could start a war!" Legolas now understood the danger that faced them was greater than he ever could have dreamed of. If the men were not stopped and the elves warned more innocent blood would be shed over nothing. He had to find his friend. "I can't stop it, I must find my friend! I must find Strider!" Legolas struggled to get up. Raxyn gently placed a hand on his good shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze, forcing the elf to sit. Legolas shot him a cold glare. "Release me now!" Raxyn glared back.
"You are in no position to move!"
Legolas's blue eyes glittered with anger and he turned their full force upon the man. Raxyn shrunk away a little. His gaze remained determined. "I am going so you might as well not hinder me!" Raxyn shook his head.
"No."
Legolas drew his face closer to the man. "I want you to find Axyn and stop this thing. If you don't neither of us may live to regret it! Now go!" Legolas shook of the human's restraining hand and rose onto a set of wobbly legs. He swayed slightly then reached back to his hair. He moaned and Raxyn jumped up in alarm.
"What is wrong?"
Legolas smiled, "I don't have anything for my hair!" His hair was in his eyes. Some of it was back in a frizzy braid but most had fallen out and hung in soiled clumps about his face and shoulders. It was tinted red with blood. Raxyn shook his head.
"Elves." Taking Legolas's twin knives and bow that had been confiscated from him in captivity, he handed them to the blonde elf. Legolas took them one at a time in his good arm. After about three tries, he slung the bow and quiver over his dependable shoulder. Taking his knives, he sheathed them in the belt because he could not have easy access to them on his back with his injuries. Raxyn was still amazed the elf could handle the weapons. Legolas gazed and held the human's eyes for a moment. "Be careful friend."
"You too mellon nin. I name you an elf-friend for al the kindness you have shown me when you could have killed me." Turning, Legolas began to limp off into the forest. Raxyn watched him go until he could see him no more. That would not be the last time he would see the prince.
Aragorn lay in a dark haze. / Legolas was on the ground. His face was so pale it made the moon seem dark. His blonde hair was red with blood, his own blood. No./ Aragorn's face was pale as well as he lay upon the ground. Iaurgwath stood watching him. So this was Legolas's best friend. He knew the ranger lay in a coma of darkness; that was obvious. What others didn't know was why. He did. This had to be one of Isildur's heirs. Rangers always were. This one had called Legolas out of a coma himself, he had used the power of the kings of old. When he did this he had drained himself of energy. It must have been a great struggle. Legolas must be weak. Would the elf come after the man? Iaurgwath's plans depended on it. The elf had only to come for his friend and the kingdom would be conquered. Of this he was certain. The ranger would come back to waking after a time, to see his friend, the brat of Thranduil, dead with an arrow through his heart. Iaurgwath would allow the ranger to live in regret of Legolas's death, knowing he had been the bait of his closest friend's undoing.
They were near the borders. Soon his scouts would be back soon. Going over to the ranger, he said to the unconscious form, "don't worry. You will soon have company and then the fun will begin." A low whistle sounded in the brush, then a high one. The scouts were back. "What did you see? Where is our prince?" He grinned evilly as he said this.
"He is coming for his...friend," said one of the elves, kicking at the ranger's body. "But the Lake Man gave him aid. He repented of the hurts he had given him and healed him. One Lake Man ran off. He intends to get a host of others to attack the kingdom I believe or to attack the spiders."
"So? Is that all," inquired Iaurgwath.
The elf smiled and said, "yes." His expression changed when Iaurgwath's face clouded with wrath. The elf cringed and stepped back. Iaurgwath let him be. Legolas was not as weak anymore but yet he would be in no position to fight. But the Lake Men could change things. If they made it through and took sides with Thranduil they could devastate his plans. If they choose to fight against Mirkwood, however, he would have an easier task before him.
"Prepare for company," he commanded his followers.
Legolas looped along the woods. He saw signs that a heavy body had been born by somebody. The brush was cracked and shoved aside. But the trail almost seemed too easy. It was as though it was calling him to follow it. He hissed as pain went up from his shoulder and into his neck as he brushed against a shrub. He stumbled slightly and caught himself on a tree. Panting, he rested his forehead against the trunk. His body was being taxed hard. He had the sinking feeling his friend had been captured. All the signs on the ground led to the horrible conclusion. A voice from above suddenly commanded him to stop, "daro!" He froze and shrank his body up against the tree. A hand reached around from behind and pressed a dagger to his throat. He struggled but it was of no use. His body was too broken. The knife began to bite him and he froze. Panic surged through his veins. An elf came to stand before him. As the being stepped out of the shadows, he recognized Iaurgwath.
"Mae govannen prince, brat of Thranduil." Iaurgwath's eyes traced the sling the prince bore. "Have an accident did we?" Legolas's face was twisted in anger at the betrayal. His eyes fixed a cold glare upon the other elf.
"You treacherous snake!" he snarled at Iaurgwath. Iaurgwath said nothing but walked up to the prince and lifted the arm that was in the sling then let it fall against the prince with a jolt. Legolas struggled to hide the pain on his face and the anguish that surged through his neck and arm.
"Your father told you not to go for a reason young elfling. You have been hurt. I must ask the question, who betrayed who? Did not you go against the orders of your king?" Legolas's face went cloudy with anger.
"Release me, now!" Some more elves stepped out of the brush nearby.
"All in do time. We mustn't hurry things elfling. Something could go wrong." Legolas struggled weakly. It was no use. He could not fight with broken bones and weariness. Another elf standing by him slapped him viciously across the face, snapping his head around. It connected with the tree that was at his back. The prince's head throbbed as old wounds presented themselves again. The bark scrapped a gash across his face, from his eye to his chin. It stung with fire. Blood flowed and pooled in it and ran into his eyes. Iaurgwath looked on like a kid at Christmas. He had been waiting to do this forever.
"Where is Strider?...What...did you do!" gasped Legolas through the pain. Iaurgwath smiled.
"Oh. Do you mean the ranger from the North?" Legolas was shocked. Iaurgwath knew his friend's identity, but how? He decided it was better to hide his surprise and looked stonily at the elder elf. Iaurgwath chuckled dryly. "Don't bother to pretend you don't know what I'm talking about. You do."
"What did you do to him!" growled Legolas. His heart was beating fast in his chest. His mouth was dry and his tongue seemed swollen and numb. His head spun.
"Nothing, my princeling. It is what you did or rather what he did for you." Legolas tensed. /Aragorn./ Iaurgwath smiled, savoring the moment the prince was at his mercy and bidding. "He went into a coma. For you. His energy is spent. I know he is an heir of Isildur, only they have the power, besides the Valar, to call others from comas and fight off evil in a person who has given up hope. You went under, didn't you? Slipped into darkness and pain, falling, falling." He watched the prince's face as he began to comprehend all Aragorn had done for him. "Then a voice came to you, calling for you. A sweet fragrance filled you and you came back to 'life'. He put all his energy into calling you back and left none for himself. But for him you would be dead."
Legolas looked around himself in shock. He did not understand how the ranger could do that for him. He wished he were dead rather than his friend suffering on his behalf. It was like a horrible dream he could not get out of. "No," he murmured. "No!" Legolas felt the dagger removed and his knees gave way.
"Yes." Iaurgwath looked into Legolas's eyes. The younger elf turned away. Iaurgwath reached a hand out and snapped the prince's head around to meet his. "Do you ever wonder what those elves died of back home, hmmm?" Legolas yanked his head out of the elder elf's hand and Iaurgwath let it go. He rocked on his heels then said. "They were poisoned through their greatest weakness-wine. I would have poisoned you too but then the wine barrels disappeared I had no way to do it. I found out later that they-"
"Went to Lake Town!"
"Exactly!" said the adviser. "But that was a good mistake. The Lake Men are ready to attack and destroy your little realm."
"Murderer! How can the death of innocent people be good! You are sick!" screamed Legolas.
"You'll see." He backhanded the prince again. The younger elf's blood smeared onto his hand and across the prince's fair face. Legolas stared back defiantly. "Do you ever wonder where your little friend is?" Legolas scowled and Iaurgwath chuckled. Grabbing a lock of Legolas's golden hair, he took the dagger and cut the tress off. Handing it to another elf, he said, "give this to the king. Tell him we found his little child." Suddenly he snarled his fingers into the blonde hair and yanked Legolas up. Legolas tried to pull away but found it useless.
"Stop it!" said the prince coldly. Iaurgwath took the cord he had planned to use to bind his captive and struck Legolas across the face with it. The whip like action infuriated his other facial wounds and raised a bleeding welt across the bruise that claimed one of his cheeks already. He struck the prince again on the other side with the fetter and busted Legolas's lip. Licking the blood, the prince sagged against the other elf who kneed him sharply in the stomach. Legolas's chin trembled as he held back a yelp of pain. Iaurgwath struck him across the shoulders as the prince doubled over. His broken bones screamed. Legolas managed to grab one of his knives. Taking it, he slashed the elder elf across the hand with it. Iaurgwath hissed as he felt the wound sting and bite. Releasing his grip on the prince's golden hair, he kicked him, rolling him over. Legolas landed hard on his broken shoulder. Iaurgwath quickly stepped onto the slim wrist of the elf prince. Legolas's long fingers opened compulsively. The blade rolled limply onto the ground. Iaurgwath dug his boot into the frail wrist until he saw Legolas's lips moving as he uttered some strength giving speech in elvish. Giving it one last stomp, Iaurgwath grabbed Legolas deliberately by his injured shoulder, tearing the sling off. Wrenching the younger elf to his feet, Iaurgwath slapped the cord about both of Legolas's wrists. He drew them into a tight knot that cut off circulation. Legolas felt weak. Iaurgwath put an arm about the prince's shoulders and said;
"You will soon learn that your pride is only going to hurt you here. I don't like it when my prisoners talk without permission." He spun Legolas around so the elf had to meet his eyes. Legolas met them steadily, anger glistened behind them, but Iaurgwath also saw fear. Still the fact that this elf dared to meet his gaze infuriated him. To spite the prince, he rubbed his own finger in the blood from his hand wound and drew a line on Legolas's face with it. The prince drew away from the touch and Iaurgwath smiled. "I think I could become an artist." Some elves nearby chuckled icily. "You look much like that fool Rothinzil did when I bled him," smiled Iaurgwath. Legolas went taut.
"What did you do to him?" Legolas's voice was as cold as a January day. Iaurgwath slapped him sharply and caused his wounds to sting with renowned fire.
"Shut up whelp of Thranduil! I did not ask you to speak so you remain silent!" Legolas began to tremble as he felt his body kick into pain over drive. He slumped to the ground. He began to feel cold. His body began to tremble uncontrollably. He was going into shock. Iaurgwath stared down at his captive. Perspiration glistened on Legolas's face but he felt like ice. He closed his eyes, trying to will the pain away. Biting his lip, he rocked back and forth. Now more than ever he wished for the comfort of his friend. /Aragorn where are you? I'm alone and scared. I don't know what to do./ He felt arms lift him and heard voices grunt as they felt his weight. He did not even open his eyes. He did not care where they took him or what they did now.
Aragorn was in a coma. His face was pale and he was lying on his back in the midst of the elvish camp.
/ A blonde elf maiden with eyes of blue crystal came to him. She bared a shocking resemblance to Prince Legolas. He saw the same fiery eyes and spirit that his friend had. She spoke to him. " Dúnadan cuivië! Cuivië Legolas Fëa! Ele! Legolas auta, ná gurth!" (Man of the West, awake! Awaken Legolas's spirit! Behold! Legolas is passing, is dying!)
"I would do your will but I am asleep myself," breathed Aragorn.
She came close to him, her face almost touching his. "Lon cuivië Dúnadan. Cuivië Legolas!" (I awaken you man of the West. Awaken Legolas!) It was then that he realized this was Legolas's mother, long gone to the West. She had come to save them. Then in the common tongue she said, "he has given up, he is falling without you, his Hope."
"How can I?"
"Ele! Last ná cui¡ alataeva coi!" (Behold! To listen is to live, the radiance of life!) Then she faded from his mind. Her piercing blue eyes was the last thing to vanish as she watched him./
Aragorn was on his back in the forest. His hands were free. His captors must have thought that he was too weak to fight. He dared not move but pretended to still be 'asleep'. Looking sidelong to his right he saw a limp figure lying by him. Legolas? Sure enough it was the prince. His face was pale and marred with many wounds. His eyes were closed tightly and his bound hands were balled into fists. His breath came in shallow, irregular gasps as he fought off painful tremors. The ranger could tell the elf was not even aware he was at his side. Aragorn went close to his friend and placed a hand onto his cold one. He could feel Legolas trembling. Brushing the elf's hair gently from his face, he called to his friend. "Cuivië Legolas!" (Awaken Legolas!) it was barely a whisper. Legolas heard it and stirred. His bluish lips trembled as he raised his head and set it back down when he saw his friend.
His hand unfolded and clasped the ranger's. "Strider...I thought you were dead...I thought I was dead." he closed his eyes as more pain surged through him in a knew wave. Aragorn was grieved to see his friend broken and frail. He nearly cried as he examined with his eyes, each laceration and bruise the elf had obtained on his face. They were many and ugly. "Iaurgwath said you were in a deep death-like sleep for me."
"No longer mellon nin." He smiled as the elf attempted a grin. The fair being's split lips began to bleed and he licked away the blood. "Your Hope is back." Legolas relaxed. Aragorn took a hand and placed it on Legolas's face lightly. "I won't let anyone hurt you again." He was pained to feel the chill the elf had taken. The elf licked his swollen lips again.
Aragorn watched as Legolas spoke again. "My Hope is back, Estel." He licked his lip again and the ranger placed a finger onto the elf's swollen mouth.
"Don't my friend. They will get chapped," chided the ranger benevolently. Legolas chuckled wryly. Aragorn grinned. Legolas winced as he trembled again. Aragorn recognized the symptoms of shock. Legolas was not going to make it if this kept up. The ranger looked around. He saw no guards about them. Bringing his hands to his throat, he unclasped the clasp of his cloak. Taking it off of him, he put it about the shivering elf. Legolas's Hope was not going to forsake him again. He quaked as he felt the chill of the approaching night air. Dusk was upon them. In the dim light, Legolas looked dead. Suddenly he heard a elvish voice behind him say;
"So you wake. Well I must admit that is an unusual thing to see." Aragorn rolled over to see an elf stranding above him, glaring down. He thought the face seemed familiar, but he could not place where he had last seen it. The fair being went to Legolas's balled form and nudged him with the toe of his boot. The elf cried out, and none too softly. Aragorn jumped up.
"Leave him alone!" This strange elf turned his eyes back onto the angry man. The ranger's gray eyes shimmered with deadly wrath. Suddenly he recalled where he had seen this elf before. "Iaurgwath," he growled.
"Its good to be known," responded the elf coolly. He looked back down at Legolas. Smiling he said, "So how do you like my handy work?"
Aragorn snapped back to the elf, "I think you are a cruel tyrant. You wouldn't dare to even fight with him unless he was near death." Iaurgwath raised an eyebrow.
"That is quite a speech you gave human. But you need to learn to respect your elders." He suddenly slammed his fist into the ranger's stomach. Aragorn crumpled over. Iaurgwath came at him and kicked him onto his back. The wounds from the arrows that had stopped bleeding began to bleed freely again and raged with newfound pain. Iaurgwath snarled above him. "Humans are weak."
Aragorn struggled to stand up again. Iaurgwath knocked him over. "Legolas is going to pay a little visit to his father, I need you to do it otherwise I'd kill you." Aragorn tried stubbornly to rise again. Iaurgwath slammed his face into the ground. The ranger bled from his nose and mouth. Pain throbbed in his head. He felt dizzy. Iaurgwath pressed his boot into the small of the ranger's back, forcing him to stay down. Aragorn began to see spots. The elf grabbed a handful of his hair and slammed his head back down into the ground. The man grunted. He threatened to black out. Stars danced around his vision. His head spun as the abuse continued. Iaurgwath took the cord he was going to use to bind the human and brought it down harshly across the ranger's shoulders. It burned. He removed his boot from the mortal's back and grasped Aragorn's wrist, rolling the human over, he whipped him across the face with the rope. A searing welt formed.
Legolas sensed something was going on but the felt deaf to the world. All he knew was that his friend was in pain. Opening his swollen eyes, he saw Iaurgwath hunched over the ranger and his temper rose. "Stop it!... Leave him alone. ..Your grievance is with me! He has done nothing-" A sharp kick from another elf standing in the shadows unseen sent caustic pain through the prince . He hissed.
Iaurgwath strode over to Legolas and whipped the cloak off. Legolas shivered as he was exposed to the cold air of the coming night. Grabbing the younger elf by his hair once more he pulled him to his knees. Legolas remained limp but his blue eyes caught Iaurgwath's gray/blue ones. The adviser took the fetter he had used on the ranger and snapped it across Legolas's face. Then he struck the fair elf's neck, leaving a new welt. "How many times do I have to explain to you the meaning of the phrase 'shut your trap'!" he stormed as he belted the prince another cruel blow on his exposed neck. Aragorn watched in horror as Legolas let the other elf beat him. The prince did not lift a finger in defense of himself. Legolas hissed as another swing laid open an already rising welt. He looked over to Aragorn and saw the blood coming from the human's swelled nose and mouth. Iaurgwath continued to rage on him. It hurt terribly but he knew that the human wouldn't not be able to withstand it. He must keep Iaurgwath's attention solely on him for Hope's sake. Blood ran down the prince's neck in a crimson flow.
Legolas felt as though his neck was about to snap from pain. He began to fear that his jugular would be severed. Stars danced before his vision. Aragorn watched in horror. Legolas's lips moved silently as he mouthed words of pleading mercy, 'please no more'. His blue eyes were cloudy and begging for charity. 'I have learned. Please,' he whined silently.
Aragorn's temper began to break as he watched his friend plead before this cruel tyrant. Legolas leaned on the elder elf's leg unconsciously. Iaurgwath shoved him away and strapped his bare neck again. Legolas moaned in agony. Aragron could take it no more and standing up, he called forth all the strength in his body. Running, he slammed into Iaurgwath's back. The treacherous elf stumbled froward in surprise. He had not expected this blow from a human. He dropped the prince to the ground. Legolas lay still, bleeding, bleeding. Spinning on his heel, the elder elf drew out his knife, ready to kill the human. Aragorn braced himself for the attack. Iaurgwath lunged at him. The ranger stepped quickly aside. Iaurgwath faked him to the left and then gave him a stunning blow to the stomach. The ranger floundered and fell over. Iaurgwath posed, ready to kill. Suddenly a strange change came over him. If he were to kill this mortal then he would not have any blackmail for the reunion between Legolas and Thranduil.
He gave the man a savage kick in the ribs. Aragorn grunted and his face went white as something cracked with a loud pop. Legolas's ears picked up the sound and he knew immediately what happened. The ranger had broke or dislocated a rib. Aragorn drew a deep breath and flinched as a pain took his breath away. He coughed and hissed. Iaurgwath backed off. A snarl formed on his face. After the happy reunion between father and son he would take his full revenge on the mortal.
Going back over to Legolas, he said, "I warned you about opening your mouth. Next time you had better not utter a word." The younger elf squirmed as Iaurgwath drew closer. The elder elf spat at the prince and stalked off. Legolas was shivering hard now. His neck burned. He was not sure what was real and what was fantasy. The world was a blur of pain and betrayal. Suddenly he felt very thirsty. He needed water. His mouth felt dry and his tongue felt numb and bloated. His throat was raspy and choked him. He tried to rise and was too weak. He happened to be facing the ranger. What had Iaurgwath done to him? Legolas began a painful crawl forward. His broken bones creaked and he rested his face on the cool ground. /I want to die. I would rather be dead than go through this. Ada, come find me. Come save me. I'm sorry I ran away./ His head spun. His golden hair fell into his eyes and shielded his vision from the faces of the betraying elves and dark of night.
Aragorn felt tears burning in his eyes as he thought of his friend. He could see the prince's pale face. Was he dead? The ranger gritted his teeth and rose to his knees. The rib screamed at him with agony and he grasped his side in anguish. He had to reach Legolas. Keeping a hand on his ribs, he began to shuffle forward. The elves paid him no heed. When he reached the prince he felt hot tears spill over. Legolas's fair neck was marred and ugly. Stripe after stripe was laid as open welts bled freely. He could see the elf vibrate as tremors wracked his broken body. Legolas's eyes fluttered open just as the ranger carefully peeled the golden tresses away from his friend's face. They were sticky with blood. Legolas looked at his friend. "Your hurt." Aragorn nodded. Legolas continued, "you're bleeding. The arrows..." he trailed off as another pain vibration shook him. "Dú ná engwaywalme silme echuir fëa," (Night is a sickly torment but for the starlight stirring my spirit.) whispered Legolas in Qeunya.
Aragorn suddenly felt a hot sticky, substance tickle his arm and he looked to see his wounds from the arrow bleeding dark red. He ignored it and tended to his friend. The prince's lips were cracked and bluish. Legolas was in desperate need of water. The ranger wheezed as a pain spasm shook his ribs. He felt weak and reluctantly lay down beside his companion. Legolas curled into himself. The ranger felt the urge to close his eyes. He tried to resist it.
Iaurgwath walked over to the prince after it was dark. Legolas was awake, he was motionless with pain. The ranger slept fitfully by his side. A tear ran down Legolas's cheek as he peered into the dark. Grabbing Legolas's bonds on his wrist, he pulled him up enough to see eye to eye with him. Legolas turned his face away from this elf that had broken him, stripping him of calmness and stability. Legolas was unable to support his head and it lolled to the side. Iaurgwath smiled. The princeling was quiet. He had learned his lesson well it seemed. He looked over the disheveled hair and once fair features now bruised and injured. "Not so pretty now are you Prince Legolas?" The younger elf remained silent. Iaurgwath shook him.
"No," breathed the prince. Iaurgwath pulled him all the way to his feet. He let go and Legolas fell back to the earth with a cry of dismay as pain crept up from his broken bones. Iaurgwath yanked him up again. Legolas quivered.
Iaurgwath pointed to the sleeping ranger. "You see your friend?" Legolas nodded. He winced as he was dragged closer. Another elf stepped out of the dark and grasped the front of Aragorn's tunic. The mortal cried out in surprise. He looked at Legolas, who was in Iaurgwath's cold grip. Aragorn struggled and kicked at the elf's shins. The being did not expect this and dropped the ranger. Aragorn hissed as his ribs jolted against the ground. The elf sucked air through his teeth, fighting the pain in his shins. Legolas struggled and Iaurgwath shook him. "Stop your wriggling. Or do I have to give you another teaching tonight?" Legolas went limp again.
"Strider," he breathed. His blue eyes followed the ranger's every move. He gasped when the elf came back and struck Aragorn in the chest with a violent blow. The ranger cried out in pain. "No!" said Legolas uncontrollably. Iaurgwath looked at him and Legolas's eyes grew big. Not again. He would die. Iaurgwath smiled as he felt the younger elf quake in his grip. For once the prince was afraid. His calm cover was blown and he was cowering.
"And to think I thought you learned your lesson so well. I think we need to have another session." Legolas felt his knees buckle. He slid along Iaurgwath's leg as he lost his strength in fear. "No?" questioned Iaurgwath. As he looked at the broken elf trembling at his feet. "Well then, confine your miserable lip! Observe closely my prince."
Legolas watched as the elf raised Aragorn to his feet and placed a knife over his heart as he held the human with his back to the elf's chest. Aragron shut his eyes and clenched his jaw as pain filled his ribs. The elf was purposefully squeezing them. He could feel the broken one grinding and creaking. The ranger's blood stained the elf's clothing. "Here's the deal. You give us your full cooperation and we will allow your friend to live. Without it," he drew a knife from his belt and threw it with great accuracy into the heart of another elf nearby. The immortal emitted a strangled cry before collapsing to the ground, the dagger protruding from his chest. Legolas struggled to get free. "With out it your friend dies. I can promise you this. If it comes to that he will not go easy." Iaurgwath released Legolas and went to the fallen elf. Drawing out the blade from the heart of the immortal, he wiped the blood off of it and onto the grass.
TBC...Muahahahaha! Don't forget to review! Sorry for the cliffy but I can't go from here or I will ruin the next chapter.
Deana You really think it was that good? Hurray! claps hands Hope chapter 4 is just as exciting!
Stacee Phelps Thankfully you did not kill me -- and I am able to post chapter 4! I'm afraid to tell you that I must! Sorry mellon nin!
Someone Reading I'm sooooo glad you like it! bows I like your idea. I tried to throw my friends out but I have my existence to think of after posting! I prefer life as opposed to a slow death! Keep reading! Thank you for your support!
Someone reading and enjoying glad you found it! Thrilled you did not think it was boring! smiles radiantly I work with Tinlaurë and Stacee Phelps (author of Celeb Gurth 'Silver Death' ) but other than that, I'm alone.
Tychen Yes Iaurgwath is one bad guy! But I think he belongs more on the 'loath with a passion list' I know, poor Leggy, having to face down the eight legged freak! shivers Good thing he made it through huh? grins with a loving sigh A breather? I'm not sure about that in this chapter. Muahhahaha!
A person who loves LOTR to death glad you like my writing! blushes I am not writing more at the moment. I may later. Maybe. As for ideas...not sure. I don't think I have anything to say except that poisons and curses are always fun to work with, 'cause they're your creation.e
