Chapter Five, Claimed
The most odd sensation was encountered at this moment. Elrond felt as though he just fled many miles at once at high speed. One moment he saw Isildur raising his sword, the other he was in the darkness. Something cold was pressing against his arm. Quickly he shook it off. A snare answered the action.
" You, you try to shake me off, but.." The man snared, " you will not shake off my master."
" Who is your master?"
The man smiled coldly, " you will see."
Suddenly he vanished and the door slammed. That was when Elrond realized that he was in a cell, there were no windows but black stone that covered the wall, and a door. He tried to stand up but cried out softly. He had forgotten his shoulder where the shaft went through, it stopped bleeding but the pain did not cease. Lightheaded he glanced around, there was nothing. He listed, there was no sound outside of the walls, but he can feel evil, malice all over. Elves did not like being in caves, this cell is very like a cave. Elrond shuddered, it was very cold.
Thump Thump
The sound of footsteps alerted the Elf, not one but two people were coming towards his cell, the door opened with a loud clang that echoed across the halls outside. They looked like guards, wearing equally black armor and mail like the stone.
One of them grabbed Elrond, " Come Elf!"
The other tied ropes around his wrists.
Elrond tried to resist such power over him, " what is the meaning of this!" One of the guards punched him and sent him to the floor. The impact was too great, causing him to feel very dizzy. They grabbed him by the shoulders and lead him out. He tried not to focus on his shoulder wound, instead of the beating of his heart, as long as it was beating, he lives.
They brought him to a very big but dark room. Fire was roaring from all sorts of directions making the room very hot and humid. He could feel the cold marble floor beneath his tired steps.
~ What is this..
" What is this you ask?'
Elrond looked up quickly at this new sound of voice. It was deep and shallow, full of malevolence, it was angered, it was mad, it..it can read his mind.
Sauron chuckled without mirth. He eyed the being that stood before him. So this is Elrond Peredhil. The descendent of one of caused much lost for him. The one much spoke will be mighty and wise. Well, he does not look so mighty now..a mere little elfling is what he is. The guards had not loosen their grip on him, still by his side, they awaited for their lord's orders.
" Release him."
Obediently they let him go but still kept close to him.
" Do you know who I am?" Sauron asked slickly.
" Whoever you are, you are no good to these lands."
Sauron chuckled again, " Very blunt of you, very..admirable." He glided down the steps, approaching the elf. His masked face leaned low face to face with Elrond. " I could use a warrior like you."
Elrond gave a small smirk, he was not about to give in this easily. He steadied his eyes and looked straight into the eyes of the tyrant, " I will never follow you." His eyes stayed unweaving against the dark ones, fire blazed through the eyes, shadows shifted within them, the grin disappeared. He slapped his across the face, the movement came unanticipated Elrond let out a short breath. He was not about to show weakness either. Slowly he returned the Lord with the coldest gaze as possible, " Treat me like dirt you can, but I will never, ever succumb to you." He said with a strong tone.
The Lord said nothing, motioning for another guard to come forward. In his hands was a large wooden box, he opened it and it contained many different sorts of needles. Shorts ones, long ones, thin and thick. Sauron grinned a bloodless grin.
" We will see."
He took one of the short needles and played with it with his fingers. Elrond eyed him, this cannot be anything good.
" You know..I use to love seeing torture and smell the scent of blood. But now..." he fingered the needle in front of Elrond's eyes, " Pain without sight, is just as satisfying." He plunged the needle into his skin. Hot pain surged through his arm, a strong sore sensation was beginning to build. Sauron took out the needle and replaced it with an even longer one. Elrond bit his lip, it was not so painful that he cannot bear, but with all the wounds he already had, he does not know how much longer he can keep up.
The long, thin needle again found its mark almost of the same place. This time he could not resist a squirm, it was longer, and went much deeper. The Dark Lord sensed his pain and snared, " Lets see how this feels." He pushed it further and twisted it. It was too much, the metal moving all directions beneath the fair skin, Elrond tried to pull away, but it was no use. The hot seething pain was soon penetrating his whole arm, slowly, he can even feel the sting going into his shoulder. Cold sweat covered his face, his breath was becoming shallow. But when Sauron looked into his eyes, there was still no sign of surrender.
Turning to the guards with a face contorted in anger, " Take him back!" He barked, " And whip him a good one." Facing him again he said, " That will teach him to not follow his master." Elrond looked up quickly, " You are NOT my master."
" We will see."
****************************
The two guards dragged the elf back to his cell, only this time, they hung him in the center with a long chain hanging from above. He struggled against their grips but in vain, he was too weak, they were too strong. They just finished chaining him when another guard walked in with a whip.
" So, this is the one I need to discipline eh?" The huge man said hoarsely, grinning with glee. The two guards nodded and left the cell. He circled the elf, with the whip in his hand. He was tall and slender, the flawless face and shining eyes are just about everything that would make him want to whip him. He reached up high and slashed down. It came in contact on Elrond's back, he clenched his fists, painfully again he tried to derive his attention to something else, but it was not as easy this time. Lash after lash he felt blood trickling down his back, the open flesh was hot and incensed, the whip kept slashing at the same place, causing him to hiss. An elf as stubborn as he is, he was on his word that he was not about to give in.
" Still no response from you?" he sneered, " apparently I am not hitting u very hard." Lashing him harder then before he grimaced as it landed on the welts, all he had to do, was to take this in silent, it will be over. It can be taken, but once the soul is broken, one cannot heal it, its just lashing. He kept thinking thoughts, positively, ignoring the pain as much as he can, he clenched his fists so hard he can feel his nails going through his skin. It is just lashing...that is all..He sucked in a deep breath as another cruel lash came down at the same place again, cutting him deeply. He staggered against the chains, it was cutting into his wrists, taking a slow shuddering breath he steadied himself.
" A feisty one eh? " the man growled, lifting his arms once again, ' I will show you how to scream."
" Temper temper, Aglar, you do not want to kill the elf, the master will have your head."
A new voice appeared at the scene. It was cold and shrill. It was so familiar.
A man clad in dark clothing walked in. Elrond tried to see but the pain was too great he could not lift up his head. The man strode towards Elrond and tilted his head. " Remember me, Elf?"
The voice, it was so familiar. He knew he heard it before. But the inside of his mind was ringing, he was seeing spots and blackness. Can't remember...
" Hmph, it seems to me that you do not remember, lets see if this will bring back memories." He pressed something cold into Elrond's skin.
A soft moan escaped his lips, it was another one of those needles that the Lord had used against him. The coldness struck through his mind, it was cold, so cold. Finally, losing his senses, blackness took over him. Seeing him slump against the chains, his lips curled with a smirk.
" Blasted elf." He muttered, taking the needle out, wiping the blood. " Take him down, we will return in the morning."
The guard took off the chains and let the body fall to the ground. Not looking back, he closed the door with a slam. The footsteps echoed across the hall. Soon enough, silence covered the night.
Elrond's eyes fluttered open. He winced as he tried to make the smallest movement to get up. The pain on his back did not cease, the soreness of his shoulder never went away, and now this new weapon with his arm, he was not sure how long he can endure this. Mustering his will and strength he sat up, biting his lip to stop himself from screaming, he tried to look at his arm. There were no marks, distinctly he could make out small dots but nothing else. But then again, his eyes were failing him, soon enough, he let himself relax on the floor, ignoring the pain, he fell into a painful sleep.
********
" That elf has a strong will, it will not be easy to break."
Sauron stood in front of the fire, clutching the ring of power. He could feel his own mind connecting with it, his strength, his will. But it was not strong enough to govern all. He needs more people to come to his side, more battles won, but because of the wretched elf his plan was foiled. And that, was not something that can be forgiven.
" We will have to break it."
The man stepped up and said, " Master, if I could say, I think there is something more to that elf then he leads us to believe."
Sauron spun around, " what are you saying?"
" I am saying, " he stated, " that there is some force that is protecting him, or making his will unbreakable."
The Dark Lord laughed a mirthless laugh, " What, in the Valar, can give this elf protection? It is his own stubbornness, inherited from his forefathers, in the blood." He licked his lips, " all we have to do is let him bleed, bleed until all the pride and dignity is gone, then we will see what is unbreakable."
The man stood in silent, what his Lord said did make sense, though he still thought the elf had protection.
" Do not worry Valion, soon, he will fall." Sauron turning back towards the reckless fire again, " he will break." Valion stood beneath the steps, nodding, agreeing with his lord, but deep inside, he was not so sure.
Outside the sky was as dark as the cold heart buried within the Dark Lord. The air filled with sin and blew across the lands. The Orcs were mumbling, screaming, growling for food and sport. The men on the other side still stands, searching for the lost Elf, a shadow can be seen from afar never resting after he finds his friend. Isildur remains standing.
But Elrond had fallen.
The most odd sensation was encountered at this moment. Elrond felt as though he just fled many miles at once at high speed. One moment he saw Isildur raising his sword, the other he was in the darkness. Something cold was pressing against his arm. Quickly he shook it off. A snare answered the action.
" You, you try to shake me off, but.." The man snared, " you will not shake off my master."
" Who is your master?"
The man smiled coldly, " you will see."
Suddenly he vanished and the door slammed. That was when Elrond realized that he was in a cell, there were no windows but black stone that covered the wall, and a door. He tried to stand up but cried out softly. He had forgotten his shoulder where the shaft went through, it stopped bleeding but the pain did not cease. Lightheaded he glanced around, there was nothing. He listed, there was no sound outside of the walls, but he can feel evil, malice all over. Elves did not like being in caves, this cell is very like a cave. Elrond shuddered, it was very cold.
Thump Thump
The sound of footsteps alerted the Elf, not one but two people were coming towards his cell, the door opened with a loud clang that echoed across the halls outside. They looked like guards, wearing equally black armor and mail like the stone.
One of them grabbed Elrond, " Come Elf!"
The other tied ropes around his wrists.
Elrond tried to resist such power over him, " what is the meaning of this!" One of the guards punched him and sent him to the floor. The impact was too great, causing him to feel very dizzy. They grabbed him by the shoulders and lead him out. He tried not to focus on his shoulder wound, instead of the beating of his heart, as long as it was beating, he lives.
They brought him to a very big but dark room. Fire was roaring from all sorts of directions making the room very hot and humid. He could feel the cold marble floor beneath his tired steps.
~ What is this..
" What is this you ask?'
Elrond looked up quickly at this new sound of voice. It was deep and shallow, full of malevolence, it was angered, it was mad, it..it can read his mind.
Sauron chuckled without mirth. He eyed the being that stood before him. So this is Elrond Peredhil. The descendent of one of caused much lost for him. The one much spoke will be mighty and wise. Well, he does not look so mighty now..a mere little elfling is what he is. The guards had not loosen their grip on him, still by his side, they awaited for their lord's orders.
" Release him."
Obediently they let him go but still kept close to him.
" Do you know who I am?" Sauron asked slickly.
" Whoever you are, you are no good to these lands."
Sauron chuckled again, " Very blunt of you, very..admirable." He glided down the steps, approaching the elf. His masked face leaned low face to face with Elrond. " I could use a warrior like you."
Elrond gave a small smirk, he was not about to give in this easily. He steadied his eyes and looked straight into the eyes of the tyrant, " I will never follow you." His eyes stayed unweaving against the dark ones, fire blazed through the eyes, shadows shifted within them, the grin disappeared. He slapped his across the face, the movement came unanticipated Elrond let out a short breath. He was not about to show weakness either. Slowly he returned the Lord with the coldest gaze as possible, " Treat me like dirt you can, but I will never, ever succumb to you." He said with a strong tone.
The Lord said nothing, motioning for another guard to come forward. In his hands was a large wooden box, he opened it and it contained many different sorts of needles. Shorts ones, long ones, thin and thick. Sauron grinned a bloodless grin.
" We will see."
He took one of the short needles and played with it with his fingers. Elrond eyed him, this cannot be anything good.
" You know..I use to love seeing torture and smell the scent of blood. But now..." he fingered the needle in front of Elrond's eyes, " Pain without sight, is just as satisfying." He plunged the needle into his skin. Hot pain surged through his arm, a strong sore sensation was beginning to build. Sauron took out the needle and replaced it with an even longer one. Elrond bit his lip, it was not so painful that he cannot bear, but with all the wounds he already had, he does not know how much longer he can keep up.
The long, thin needle again found its mark almost of the same place. This time he could not resist a squirm, it was longer, and went much deeper. The Dark Lord sensed his pain and snared, " Lets see how this feels." He pushed it further and twisted it. It was too much, the metal moving all directions beneath the fair skin, Elrond tried to pull away, but it was no use. The hot seething pain was soon penetrating his whole arm, slowly, he can even feel the sting going into his shoulder. Cold sweat covered his face, his breath was becoming shallow. But when Sauron looked into his eyes, there was still no sign of surrender.
Turning to the guards with a face contorted in anger, " Take him back!" He barked, " And whip him a good one." Facing him again he said, " That will teach him to not follow his master." Elrond looked up quickly, " You are NOT my master."
" We will see."
****************************
The two guards dragged the elf back to his cell, only this time, they hung him in the center with a long chain hanging from above. He struggled against their grips but in vain, he was too weak, they were too strong. They just finished chaining him when another guard walked in with a whip.
" So, this is the one I need to discipline eh?" The huge man said hoarsely, grinning with glee. The two guards nodded and left the cell. He circled the elf, with the whip in his hand. He was tall and slender, the flawless face and shining eyes are just about everything that would make him want to whip him. He reached up high and slashed down. It came in contact on Elrond's back, he clenched his fists, painfully again he tried to derive his attention to something else, but it was not as easy this time. Lash after lash he felt blood trickling down his back, the open flesh was hot and incensed, the whip kept slashing at the same place, causing him to hiss. An elf as stubborn as he is, he was on his word that he was not about to give in.
" Still no response from you?" he sneered, " apparently I am not hitting u very hard." Lashing him harder then before he grimaced as it landed on the welts, all he had to do, was to take this in silent, it will be over. It can be taken, but once the soul is broken, one cannot heal it, its just lashing. He kept thinking thoughts, positively, ignoring the pain as much as he can, he clenched his fists so hard he can feel his nails going through his skin. It is just lashing...that is all..He sucked in a deep breath as another cruel lash came down at the same place again, cutting him deeply. He staggered against the chains, it was cutting into his wrists, taking a slow shuddering breath he steadied himself.
" A feisty one eh? " the man growled, lifting his arms once again, ' I will show you how to scream."
" Temper temper, Aglar, you do not want to kill the elf, the master will have your head."
A new voice appeared at the scene. It was cold and shrill. It was so familiar.
A man clad in dark clothing walked in. Elrond tried to see but the pain was too great he could not lift up his head. The man strode towards Elrond and tilted his head. " Remember me, Elf?"
The voice, it was so familiar. He knew he heard it before. But the inside of his mind was ringing, he was seeing spots and blackness. Can't remember...
" Hmph, it seems to me that you do not remember, lets see if this will bring back memories." He pressed something cold into Elrond's skin.
A soft moan escaped his lips, it was another one of those needles that the Lord had used against him. The coldness struck through his mind, it was cold, so cold. Finally, losing his senses, blackness took over him. Seeing him slump against the chains, his lips curled with a smirk.
" Blasted elf." He muttered, taking the needle out, wiping the blood. " Take him down, we will return in the morning."
The guard took off the chains and let the body fall to the ground. Not looking back, he closed the door with a slam. The footsteps echoed across the hall. Soon enough, silence covered the night.
Elrond's eyes fluttered open. He winced as he tried to make the smallest movement to get up. The pain on his back did not cease, the soreness of his shoulder never went away, and now this new weapon with his arm, he was not sure how long he can endure this. Mustering his will and strength he sat up, biting his lip to stop himself from screaming, he tried to look at his arm. There were no marks, distinctly he could make out small dots but nothing else. But then again, his eyes were failing him, soon enough, he let himself relax on the floor, ignoring the pain, he fell into a painful sleep.
********
" That elf has a strong will, it will not be easy to break."
Sauron stood in front of the fire, clutching the ring of power. He could feel his own mind connecting with it, his strength, his will. But it was not strong enough to govern all. He needs more people to come to his side, more battles won, but because of the wretched elf his plan was foiled. And that, was not something that can be forgiven.
" We will have to break it."
The man stepped up and said, " Master, if I could say, I think there is something more to that elf then he leads us to believe."
Sauron spun around, " what are you saying?"
" I am saying, " he stated, " that there is some force that is protecting him, or making his will unbreakable."
The Dark Lord laughed a mirthless laugh, " What, in the Valar, can give this elf protection? It is his own stubbornness, inherited from his forefathers, in the blood." He licked his lips, " all we have to do is let him bleed, bleed until all the pride and dignity is gone, then we will see what is unbreakable."
The man stood in silent, what his Lord said did make sense, though he still thought the elf had protection.
" Do not worry Valion, soon, he will fall." Sauron turning back towards the reckless fire again, " he will break." Valion stood beneath the steps, nodding, agreeing with his lord, but deep inside, he was not so sure.
Outside the sky was as dark as the cold heart buried within the Dark Lord. The air filled with sin and blew across the lands. The Orcs were mumbling, screaming, growling for food and sport. The men on the other side still stands, searching for the lost Elf, a shadow can be seen from afar never resting after he finds his friend. Isildur remains standing.
But Elrond had fallen.