I realized something tonight about my writing that I'm not very pleased with. I won't specify, it's just something about my style that I need to change. I can't believe I didn't see it before as it's one of my pet peeves. Ah well. Better late than never.
"Lingering Shadows"
Chapter 6 - Entertainment
Sarai listened to the soft tinkling of chains as her chamber maid combed her hair. She watched the reflection of her newest prize in the mirror hanging on the wall in front of her. He was... exquisite. Beautiful, regal, strong. Not to mention strong willed.
She smiled. She had started her 'collection' almost one hundred years ago. Her soldiers had captured many creatures for her; some had been replaced over the years, but that just posed to be more fun. The best part was breaking them in.
And this one would take a while.
"How has you stay been, Prince?" Sarai asked, still watching the stiff figure. "Has Tanen been treating you well? He is a dear old fellow and the other's have never complained. Well, those on your side of The Stable anyway. The others never stop complaining but I suppose that's in their nature." Legolas stared passed her smiling face and said nothing.
It had been three days since they had arrived at the city and Legolas had not been out of his cell since. Tanen, the old man that had met him at the entrance to The Stable was the 'caretaker'. He brought them food and their drinks of choice and made sure they had enough water to stay clean and that they were comfortable in their 'rooms'. Legolas hated him.
But this morning he had been informed that the queen 'requested' an audience with him. He was quite certain he wasn't allowed to refuse. So here he was.
Sarai turned around, waving away the girl; she scampered away to hide in some dark corner. The woman rose slowly, watching her prize, her prey. "It took me a long time to get you, Prince. Do you know that? Do you know that I have been waiting for such a long time for you?"
Legolas's hands tightened--his fingernails digging into his palms--and said nothing.
"Will you not even speak to me, Prince?" Sarai asked. She gathered her skirts into her hands and moved to stand in front of the rigid Elf. She smiled up at him, a lethal smile, and ran a painted fingernail over the chains that dangled from his wrists.
"What do you intend to do with me?" Legolas asked, his eyes fixed on the wall ahead of him.
"My intentions, Prince?" The queen said as she circled around him. Her hand trailed the soft fabric on his arm before falling away at his elbow as she turned towards the small windows that looked out over the city. The touch of her hand made Legolas feel cold.
"My intentions, Prince, are to do what ever I wish." Sarai laid her hands on the window sill, leaning forward to peer into the valley. "Tell me, though... what can you do for me?"
Legolas allowed her question to flow through his mind, wondering if he had heard wrong. The queen turned around at his silence, one dark brow raised in question. Legolas saw this and laughed.
"You mean for me to tell you how to keep me prisoner?" He asked, a stunned smile spreading over his face. He turned around to face her fully. A dark shadow in one corner shifted, a gleam of metal glinting into Legolas's eyes. He knew it was the scarred man that watched him. He had drawn the line at his queen being alone with the Elf; he now stood silently in the shadows, waiting for Legolas's attack.
Sarai glanced at the figure in the corner and the man stepped farther back into the shadows. "I wish for you to be comfortable in what you do. Your friends serve me; in ways that are inclined to their people."
She walked slowly over to the desk that sat against one wall and leaned down to smell the bouquet of flowers that sat in a dark blue vase. "The hobbit, for instance. He planted these. He made them grow when no other in my kingdom could. And your dwarf friend... how are the two of you getting along by the way? I know your people are not very fond of each other."
She turned to him, expecting an answer. Legolas just stared back at her. She shrugged and sat down on the blue padded chair she pulled from the desk. "As I was saying, the dwarf makes armor for my captains. Extraordinary work. Though I hear the work of the elves surpasses that of the dwarves. But as a prince I don't suppose you know how to do such work."
She turned back to him, another smile creeping across her lips. Legolas knew already that that smile would never mean good. "But I hear there is something you do quite well." She picked up a round polished stone from the desk, tossing it back and forth in her hands. She smiled again and threw the stone at Legolas. He ducked it easily, his body tensing as he straightened.
"What do you think, Corvan?" She asked, eyeing the Elf fondly. "Would the men like a show?"
A voice whispered out from the shadows, laced with a dark joy, "I believe they would, my queen."
**
Lindelen stared up at the ancient tree, his hands falling away from its darkened bark. Avarilas stood silently beside him, watching him impatiently.
"I don't understand." Lindelen said, stepping away from the tree, his brows creased in confusion. "When Legolas first disappeared the trees told me that he was 'not here'. Now they say he is 'gone'." He turned towards his brother's guard, worry darkening his sapphire eyes. "What do you suppose that means?"
Avarilas looked up at the dark canopy of the trees. Even the elves could not fully understand the broken speech of the trees that had taught to speak. "I don't know." He whispered. "But I will find out."
**
The queen had left and Legolas was being taken... somewhere. He was still in chains and he had a guard on each side. He was being led through the city, criss-crossing through the streets towards the dusty, dead fields behind it. It was late afternoon--the sun was well on its way down its path through the sky--and people were all around them.
Men, women, and children all followed or ran past them towards their apparent destination. Now that the heat of the day was gone they had come out in droves to see that which he was being brought to. Most stared at him as they past. The younger men shouted insults, the boys threw stones and sticks, laughing as they ran off. The young women stared at him eagerly, and the small girls shied away from his glare.
A large rock flew through the air towards him and he ducked, smiling languidly when it hit the guard on his left instead. The man snarled and reached out, grabbing the nearest boy. "All of you," He shouted, shaking the child harshly. "Stop that this instant or you'll be banded from the ring!" The boy wriggled out of his grasp and ran off, but the threat was effective. Most of those still stalking their slow march ran on ahead leaving the path open.
Finally free of the pressing crowd the guards hurried Legolas on towards their goal, shoving him forward and cursing when he stumbled. At the edge of the city they passed through a tall wooden gate into the open fields. There in front of them was obviously what everyone was eager to see. But what it was Legolas could not say.
Set up on the field was a circular fence made of waist high wooden beams. On one side of the fence a large, covered platform had been built; and on this sat the queen and her guard. Surrounding the fence was what seemed to be the entire population of the city.
The crowd roared to life when they saw him, cheering and screaming things that got lost in the blare. They parted like grass as the three figures walked towards the fence. None dared to touch him.
The two guards motioned for Legolas to cross the fence and he did so clumsily, the heavy chains stealing his birthright grace. The crowd laughed in unison as he stumbled to keep his balance. The two guards followed easily and unlocked the chains, then they quickly left the circle. Legolas turned to look at the queen, his muscles flexing as he prepared for whatever she had in store.
Sarai stood, her delicate hands raising to quiet the crowd. After a moment the noise abated and she smiled. "Our dear new friend has been enjoying our hospitalities for three days now. I think it's high time he did something to earn his keep. Don't you?"
The crowd erupted into another roar, causing Legolas to flinch. "A little entertainment, perhaps?" The queen asked, her coy smile and suggestive words gaining louder response from the people. She waved one painted hand toward the back of the crowd and they immediately parted. Legolas turned to see two more guards dragging a struggling black bundle towards the ring.
They picked the thing up and tossed it into the ring and Legolas realized that it was the orc. It straightened as best as its twisted frame would allow and spat at Legolas, hissing curses in its horrid language.
"But it takes 4 of your best men just to hold the elf down for a bath." Corvan said, his voice inflected to supplement the show. "Surely one little orc will be no contest for him."
Sarai smiled, a conspiratory smile, and leaned towards the crowd. "Then we shall just have to make it harder for him." She said. The crowd cheered even louder. Legolas's ears were starting to ache. The orc danced in glee on the other side of the ring.
Another guard climbed over the fence, his hands high, waving the chains that had just been removed from the prince's wrists. As the crowd grew louder he pulled Legolas's hands behind his back and buckled the shackles tightly around his wrists. The orc crowed in laughter as the guard left.
Not a moment later Legolas ducked away from the orc's twisted hand, just barely missing the razor-like claws. The prince snarled and spun around, catching the vile creature in the chest with one foot. The orc howled and rolled away. The crowed hissed in anger.
"Too easy still, my lady?" Corvan asked, a wicked gleam in his dark eyes.
The queen looked down at Legolas, smiling maliciously. "Yes Corvan. I believe it is."
Corvan grinned and motioned for another guard to enter the ring. The man laughed as he approached the prince; a long, black cloth dangled ominously from his hands. Legolas backed away as he neared, his lips pulling back in a snarl. The man turned to look at his captain, seeking orders. Corvan glared at Legolas and motioned four more men into the ring.
Legolas ducked away from their hands, kicking out at one as he came too close. The man received the heel of Legolas's boot in his face, crying out in pain as blood filled his mouth. But another grabbed Legolas's foot as it came back down, tossing the prince carelessly to the ground. Immediately 3 men had him pinned. The laughter of the crowd caused his face to turn red, his blood boiling in his veins.
The man with the cloth knelt behind Legolas's head , tying the black sash tightly around his eyes, effectively blocking his vision. Legolas could feel the vibrations of the men leaving the circle but he could hear nothing over the roaring of the crowd.
He immediately shot to his feet, his body tense as he turned in circles, trying to find his enemy. But he could hear nothing, not even his own beating heart. He felt his face flush darker, his chest began heaving in anger, his lips pulled back in a snarl.
"Únbeleg huy!" He shouted, his feet still dancing across the course grass. Then he felt the first blow from the orc and all thought but survival left his mind. ("Cowardly dogs!")
He spun around, lashing out with one foot, but found only air. Another blow from the orc tore gashes across his chest, pain searing across his skin as blood turned his tunic red. He stumbled back, trying to create distance, to give himself time to find his bearings. His back hit the fence and the orc tore razor sharp claws across his face.
Legolas growled in anger and pain and lurched away, running toward the other side of the ring. He stopped just short of the wood, his senses and long years of training alerting him of a change in pressure as he neared another solid object. Then it seemed as if a flood gate opened in his mind and everything he had learned came crashing back.
He turned around, placing his back to the fence, his hands clenching into fists. He took a deep breath, forced his heart to stop racing. He had trained for this. Living in Mirkwood had forced him to prepare for everything. He remembered the sessions in the practice fields with Avarilas where all scenarios had been worked into perfection.
He could see it in his mind, his hands tied with strong elven rope, his vision blocked by a silk sash; his friend came at him with a blunted sword as he stood helpless. Legolas braced his weight on his left side and kicked out, deflecting the orc's hand and sending him spinning away.
He smiled and danced away, his feet flattening the short, dead grass. More visions filled his head as he moved. Avarilas attacked from behind, his hand coming down towards the prince's head. Legolas ducked, down and to the left, then came back up, his shoulder turned in. He felt the slimy, cold impact and heard the air rush from the orcs lungs as he rolled away.
The noise from the crowd turned to hisses and shouts of anger. They wanted to see him hurt. They wanted him to loose. He saw Avarilas crouch down, bracing his weight on one hand to kick out at Legolas's legs. Legolas jumped into the air, then forced his weight back down, grinning when he felt the snap of bone under his feet. He heard a few quiet cheers from the crowd and the high-pitched scream from the orc.
He moved away again, keeping his back to the crowd, feeling the orc's presence through the air. His mind brought an image of Avarilas circling him. He lashed out with a powerful kick, hitting the orc before it could reach for him. The creature fell away with another howl. The crowd cheered just a little louder.
Legolas tried to imagine the look on the queen's face but could not. He circled around again, his shoulders squaring in defiance. He would play her games, but he would not be her toy. He would defeat her.
'Your confidence will be your death one day, Legolas.' His bodyguard's voice whispered through his head. 'Just because you think you have control, doesn't mean you do.'
The words had barely faded away when he felt lines torn through his back. He growled and jumped away as the blood began to flow. He turned and kicked but missed. This time the crowd booed.
'Concentrate.' The memory of Avarilas said. 'Anticipate the worst.'
The prince ducked a blow to his head and spun out with his foot again, catching the orc by the legs and bearing him to the ground.
'Don't play games with your enemies. Kill them and live to fight again.'
Legolas breathed in deeply--the scent of spoiled blood stung his nose--and stepped forward. He kicked out again, catching the orc across its face and sending it back to the ground. Legolas stepped down hard on one mangled shoulder; the orc struggled uselessly under his foot. The prince bore all his weight onto the orc, pushing his body into the air and kicked out with the other foot. He heard the snap of bone as his foot collided with the creature's face and the orc went limp. The crowd fell into a deadly silence.
Moments later Legolas heard the footsteps of a man, he felt the man's presence as he stopped behind him and felt the blind be removed; the chains remained where the were. He looked up at the platform as he stepped away from the corpse. The queen looked pleased. Corvan did not.
Sarai smiled and stood, walking to the edge of the platform. She looked at Legolas, then down to the still orc. "You've killed one of my pets." She said languidly. "I think you should apologize."
Legolas stood stiffly in front of her; his chin rose in defiance. He could hear the cry of a baby and its mother's soft voice but nothing else.
"Filth!" Corvan shouted, marching to the edge of the fighting ring. "Get down on your knees and beg for your Queen's forgiveness!"
Legolas did not take his eyes from the queen. He heard the whisper of a warning begin to rise in his head but he ignored it. His eyes flickered to Corvan as the man vaulted over the fence and moved toward him. He braced himself for the blow that followed but did not try to evade it.
The blow caused him to stumble and he landed heavily on one knee. But before the man beside him could move he was rising to his feet again, still facing the queen. She smirked down at him; he knew she mocked his defiance. He felt the next blow descend and braced himself again, but it did not fall.
"No, Corvan." Sarai said lazily, stopping the soldier's hand in the air. "If you must teach him, bring him to a place better suited for the job."
Legolas's shoulders stiffened and Corvan smiled. "With pleasure, my lady."
To Be Continued...
Wow. I think that's my record longest chapter ever. Goodness. And on Sunday... the good stuff. *laughs maniacally*
Hmmm. I suppose I should actually start writing the chapter huh?
Until next time!
Adrienne
To my lovely reviewers -
Whyscant - See, now that's funny. And yes, I would love an elf. But only if it's got Orlando Bloom under the long blonde hair and pointy ears. Not just any elf will do. *grins*
bailey - See, now I think the same thing. I perfect to have 'bad guys' that are calm and in control as opposed to the ones that are all crazy insane and really malicious and explosive. They just seem more... evil.
Arrana Undomiel - Oh yeah, don't think I didn't think about that once or twice while writing that chapter. *winks* And yes, Traice. I fear you may have to wait some time for the evil little man to get his comeuppance. It just doesn't seem to be making it into the story yet. But I assure you, he will.
Templa Otmena - That's what I was going for. And it did get quite a good response. At first I thought it might be too... weird. But me being me, I liked it too much to let it go. :) And I do so hope that my little queenie lives up to your expectations. I will certainly try my hardest.
LegolasLover2003 - Revenge is a good reason as well. Because at least it is a reason.
Violet - You won't have to wait much longer. *grins*
Azla - I'm sure he will eventually.
Estel Elven Enchantress - Eh. Maybe just a little. The whole bath scene did supply a lot of new fanta... I mean ideas. Yeah, ideas. For the story. Yeah.
MG87 - Hehe. When I read your review I immediately imagined handing Legolas a finger and having him play with it like the potato bugs from 'A Bugs Life'. You know, when they rip the grasshoppers antennae off and they use it in their show and... never mind.
Namarie an Lalaith - Well thanks. I have now forever resigned myself to never being able to speak and/or write in true Elvish. I failed Spanish 3 times, there's no way in hell I'll ever be able to learn how to keep all that straight. Goodnight! I knew it was complicated but that... yeah.
vonnie836 - Thank you!
candidus-lupus-full Moon - Thanks!
tay - Well I hope you had fun. Did you see any elves?
MelanyeBaggins - I know. I feel awful about the poor hobbit. They're such sweet little creatures and I kept picture Pippin or Merry behind the bars. I almost didn't write him in. But he will play a pivotal role later on so... I still feel bad.
Beling - Oh I'm sure he'll manage something. :)
Chilimala - Yes, the infamous Traice. That was my intention in fact. I wanted everyone to like him so that it would be even worse when the betrayal occurred. Just me and my twisted mind for ya!
lolly pop3 - Yes, grrr. Evil queen. But I'm sure she'll get hers in the end. Maybe. :)
Elven Kitten - I know, darn things. I'm going to have to start tying them up!
ChibiYugiYasha - Thank you!
leann - Thank you!