Chapter 9
"Javas?"
Javas let out a huge sigh of relief.
"Isildur!" He cried, lowering his sword. In the pitch black, he could barely make out the shape of his friend. One of the men lit a torch, the light poured into the cave, brightening the dark corners. It shone upon the faces of the two friends, whom were more than glad to see each other.
"Have you any luck in finding out where Elrond was?" Javas questioned, sheathing his sword.
Isildur lowered his gaze, "We found him." Wiping his brow he took a deep breath, "but he was in bad shape."
Javas took in a deep breath. Isildur continued, "He had been tortured by those monsters, we got to his cell just in time to hear the man clad in black threatening him."
"We could have saved him."
A new voice rang against the cold air of the cave. Romes was sitting against the wall, chills went through his spine but he did not seem to notice. "We were there! I was holding him in my arms! And yet," He slammed his fist onto the ground, "and yet, he was taken away once again." His young face was full of distraught, at the moment, he did not seem to be a young boy, rather a man he had became, a man in turmoil.
Isildur kneeled next to the young man, "I agree with you, we could have, young one, but there was naught we can do to avoid what happened." He then turned towards Javas, "the black man, Valion, he appeared out of no where and took Elrond away as if he were the wind, without coming close to us. I believe that is what happened to the two men who were guarding the doors previously." He explained. "He has the power to reach for things with his mind."
"Now that is going to add up to our problem." Gorian muttered. He settled himself next to Romes, laying his hand gently on the young man's shoulders. "Nevertheless, we are going to get him back."
Romes looked up, and he saw determination in Gorian's eyes.
A hand lay gently on his shoulder, "We will get him back." Isildur said, kneeling down, meeting Romes in the eye, "There is always hope."
The young man nodded slowly. Isildur is right, he has to stay focused.
"You say this man, Valion, can move things at his will with his mind?" Javas spoke up suddenly, breaking the tension that lingered in the air.
Isildur sighed wearily, "Yes, that is correct. The moment he waved his arms at Elrond they both disappeared." He looked at Javas, "Unfortunately, that is not the only problem we have."
"There is more?"
"When I rushed towards Valion attempting to save Elrond," Isildur paused, "There was an invisible shield of some sort that pushed me back, something was protecting him from harm."
"What the Valar? An invisible shield?" Javas was not sure he was hearing things right. An invisible shield?
"Hm, if you had not mentioned that, I had already forgotten of that." Romes said, thoughtfully, "It was rather odd, some dark magic I would imagine." The men chattered on, it was something they had never seen, or heard of.
Isildur walked a bit beyond where they all where standing. He did not know what to think. He still remembers the sensation of being in contact of that shield. It was chilling, nothing but coldness. How is it possible to have an unseen wall guarding such evil? He paced around, there has to be a way to penetrate the shield.
"His master."
Isildur jerked his head, is it possible?
"Valion is just a follower, there is another that is behind all this." Gorian said, turning towards Isildur and Romes. "Remember what he said to Elrond? When we were...when we were in there?"
Trying to forget the images that were slowly forming back in his mind, Isildur replied. "Yes, I remember, Valion mentioned his Master."
"Who is it?" One of the men asked.
Gorian answered, "That is the problem, we do not know."
Silence fell. None of the men spoke for a good while. This was not a simple battle, this was unlike any battle that they had ever fought. The reason, the cause, none was what they were familiar with. And yet, they are here, to save the one person that brought them together, who could be the savior of Middle Earth, and who happens to be an Elf....and a Man. The shining jewel of both races, but soon, if fate is cruel, the jewel may no longer shine. "There is a possibility that I ponder on..." Isildur said, searching his thoughts, "I have a strong belief that Valion is tied to his master."
"What do you mean, tied?" Javas asked.
"Not literally, of course, but like a bond, a Servant to Master bond. If he really is a follower, how is it that he has the power to summon with his mind? To reappear then appear again? And not to forget," Eyeing Romes and Gorian, "that he can get by faster than anything. Remember the wind we felt before we got to Elrond? That was him! He did not just vanish! He was so fast that we could not see him!"
"How is that possible? The speed?" Gorian questioned, remembering the gust of wind, full of hatred.
"I think I would believe in anything after what I have seen today." Isildur replied. "What I am trying to say is, those powers are not his own, but his Master's. He is just another runner for his Master, to fetch what he wants, and in order to not expose himself, he sends others."
"Coward." Murmured Romes.
"And not only that," Isildur continued, not noticing his remark, "We know that this, Master, wants something from Elrond, and yet he does not know what. But we know for a fact that whatever he wants must be very important, very crucial for him to have it, or else...."
"Or else what?" One of the men asked.
"Or else," Isildur took a deep breath, "or else he would not have done harm to Elrond."
He is sickened, sickened by what he had done to the Elf, so much pain for someone who does not even know what he desires. It must stop. At once.
With the thought of bringing his friend to safety tugging at his spirit, "Gentlemen," he announced, "We need a plan."
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The wall is filled with deep penetrations from blows of anger. Heat is rising as time slowly passed. For Elrond, time never seemed to have passed. He tried to keep a clear head as he dodged the blows that were meant for him. His throat was dry, aching for water and air, his legs are only motivated by the possibility of being slammed on, his arms throbbed from the needle pain he received from Valion. Pain was everywhere, yet it was hard to feel it.
Suddenly sharp pain brought him back up, Sauron had caught him on the shoulder and sent a spike straight through. Elrond cried out as his legs gave way, his knees slammed against the stone floor. Sauron laughed, "You filthy elf, you are not so swift now are you? Why did you not run away from me?" Elrond closed his eyes, trying to dispel his pain and ignore his comments. "I will have to say," Sauron continued, "I am rather surprised that you are still alive, normally, people would just break down and give in, give in to the great power that I possess."
Slowly he pulled out the spike, very slowly, enjoying the sight in front of him. Elrond bit his lip, trying not to cry out, it was ripping him apart. The blade cut through his flesh, more blood started to flow. He was starting to feel very shaky.
"None has come this far." Sauron hissed into his ear, "why you? Why had you gone this far? Is it because Valion did not torture you enough?"
Valion winced in the corner. All this time, he stood there, witnessing what his Master was doing to his toy. He knew if he did not obey his wishes, he would end up just like the Elf, maybe not as far....
"Or....is something helping you? Something that is giving you strength..."
What is it that he wants!
"I want something that you have...is that so hard for you to give?" Sauron said, lifting up the Elf into midair. He gasped for breath, his grip was so tight around his neck. "Tell me! What is so hard!"
The fire in the room was rising high, as if mimicking the Master's will, it swirled up towards the ceiling, scorching it black. Valion looked on, he did not like what he was seeing, but there was nothing he could do. Sauron was so concentrated with his new prey he hardly noticed what he was doing. Just as he decided to sneak out, a large hand flew out from behind and cupped his mouth close. Another clasp its arms around his waist and dragged him out. Valion panicked, caught by surprise he tried to cry out to his Master but everything happened so quickly and quietly, until darkness engulfed him.
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Water splashed against his face. Valion suddenly shot up and choked up the water he swallowed. It was sour and burning. Then he realized it was not water, it was the Orc drought. Light blinded his eyes as he choked out the drought. A pair of strong hands held onto his collar, and a voice hissed.
"You better tell us what he want, or else we will tear you limb from limb."
"That is enough! We need him!" Another voice filled the air.
Romes let go of Valion reluctantly. His frosted eyes glared at the man whom lay before him, the same man that caused all this.
Valion tried to get up but Romes was too fast, he pinned him down the moment he tried to move, "I would stay still if I were you."
Isildur looked hard at Valion. "Who are you?" He asked.
Valion spat on the ground. "That would not be your concern."
"I think you are greatly mistaken," Isildur replied hard, unsheathing his knife, placing it near the flesh of Valion's neck. "To be honest, it is a great concern of mine, and, I do not believe you will be going anywhere anytime soon."
Romes held a firm grip on Valion, not allowing him to move. Gorian stood by Romes, while the rest of the men flanked them all.
"Let me ask you again, who are you?"
Valion glared at them all, each men glared back just as hard. Knowing that he did not have a chance, he hissed, "Valion, my master will come for me you know."
"Your master, is busy." Isildur said with anger, "and because of you, our friend is in pain, for something that he does not have! Tell me! What is it that your master want!"
"That, I cannot tell you."
"And why is that?"
"Because I do not know!"
"What?" Isildur said, shocked.
"I do not know what is it that my master wants." Valion repeated, "all I know is he wants something from the Elf that can make him powerful."
"What can Elrond have that can make him powerful?" "That is a mystery to you as much as it is to me." Valion said. Trying to sit up, Romes gave him some space, though he still had a firm grip on him. For a moment, he looked sad.
During the struggle, Valion's black hood had fallen from his head, now sitting before them is a man, with very pale skin, so pale it is almost white. His eyes were as black as night, and there was a long scar across his visage.
Sensing his melancholy, Isildur asked quietly, "How is it that you are here?"
Valion looked at him. "You do not fear me?"
Caught by surprise, Isildur replied, "Why should I be?"
"Everyone did." His voice turned husky. It did not sound so slick as before, rather than sounding like a snake, he is sounding almost like a man. "This," he pointed to his scar, it started from his forehead and extended straight through his left eye, "Is why I am here."
The men looked at each other.
"My father was a smithy, and my mother died giving birth to me." Valion continued, "everyone thought I was a killer, the cause of death to my mother. Including my father. Losing her was too much for him, and my presence did not help. He raised me, but without love, without care. I tried to help him with his work one day, but I got this in return."
Isildur did not say anything, but waited for Valion to go on.
"He did not have the best temper in the world, I suppose I was in his way, he slashed me with a hot iron." His eyes harden. "Therefore this scar stayed with me, I was but a boy. No children wanted to play with me, no one wanted to be seen with me, I had no one. Until one day..."
A little paled face boy ran as hard as he can into the woods. Rain was pouring from the gray skies, thunder clashed. But he did not fear the darkness; there was not anything he feared.
Not anything.
Water splashed, the dirt clung onto his clothes as he ran through puddles of mud. The wind howled, his hair flying all directions. The burning sensation across his face eased as he focuses ahead. Red drops splashed into the earth as the rain washed away the blood flowing down his cheeks. The road ahead seemed never ending,
He kept on going until he could not go on anymore. He collapsed against an Oak tree. Its branches danced with the wind, so graceful and at ease even when the weather was so cruel. He felt the leaves brushing against his skin. Is this peace? He closed his eyes.
~You want peace~
The little boy's eyes flung open. He looked around, there was nobody.
~You want peace~
There it is again!
He stood up quickly, but he lost so much blood it caused him to loose balance. He fell towards the ground. Only he never felt the impact.
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Fire crackled. For the first time, he felt ardor propagating through his body. The coldness was gone.
"You want peace."
Valion sat up. He felt his face, there was a bandage across his eye and forehead. With his other good eye, he saw the shadow of a man. He stood tall, but that is all he could see for he had a long black hood on. He turned and faced Valion. His eyes reflected the light of the fire, giving it a shine inside the dark hood.
"Yes..." Valion murmured.
The man stood still.
"I will give it to you." Valion glanced up. He did not feel very comfortable with the presence of this man. "I will bring you peace, if you join me."
"Join you?" Valion asked.
"Join me and become part of my force!" Suddenly his stance grew, his voice stentorian, the shadow grew larger and covered the room. The fire blazed. His arms reached for Valion, their eyes met. The snake like eyes danced into Valion's own, a feeling of obedience entered his body.
"Yes...Master..."
Screams of terror filled the village. Women and children fled. Men tried to defend, but most started to run. But none made it out. Fire swallowed the houses and crops, birds flew high up into the sky, crying out. Everything had been scorched black. All but one house, two men walked towards the door and blasted it open.
It was empty.
"Where did he go!"
"Leave him."
Sauron turned towards his new apprentice.
Valion stood in the middle of the house, "Let the poor man go....one day, I will return for him." He then walked out of the house.
"Still fresh, though learns fast." Sauron said to himself, grinning maliciously. "He is a warrior I will have to keep an eye on." He fingered something on his hand and left.
Smoke reached the sky, the color just as dark as Valion's eyes.
"Yes," he thought. "One day, I will return for you."
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"He took me in when no one wanted me. He brought me where I was accepted as one of them, and not just another fool." Valion finished. The memory still fresh in his mind, it will never go away.
"You are not part of them."
Valion looked up. Isildur was looking back at him, on his face it was an expression that he could not read, not sympathy, but not condescending either.
"You are a man, not an orc, you do not need to seek the darkness for comfort!"
"Yes I do!" Valion shot back, "you do not have a scar imprinted on your face, you do not know what it is like to be sneered upon!"
"Maybe I do not," Isildur answered softly, "but I know someone that does. He told me once, very briefly, that his differences brought him pain. It is not a scar that is marked upon his face, but he himself is different from everyone else. But that did not stop him from moving on his life. People can do what they want to you, say what they want, but they cannot take your strength away. They cannot touch your soul if you do not let them. Because of the beliefs he held on to, he is a person of dignity, there is not a sense of weakness in him. And he..." Isildur took a deep breath, "he is the reason why we are here, right now."
Valion looked surprised.
"He is now lying at the brink of life and death, clutched in the deep claws of your so called Master, being tortured for something he does not have." His eyes moist, "He is the reason we have hope! He can give that to you too, if you would give him the chance."
"Why would he, I tortured him with all the instruments I can, why would he not want to be rid of me?" Valion stated. "I do not need pity." He flexed his muscles.
"That is well because you are not getting any." Romes answered flatly.
"Pity is for those who are hopeless, you, are not hopeless." Isildur said, "Your master lead you to a place you should not have ever trodden on, we can bring you to where you belong."
"and where might I ask, do I belong?"
"You belong to where there is no darkness but light, where there is love and care, not anger and hatred." Isildur extended his hand towards Valion, "You belong where people will look past what you think is different."
Valion looked at his hand. "I will never have forgiveness."
"You have it from me."
Tears started to well in his eyes. Romes loosened his grip on him. He eye him closely, "But I will never forgive you, if Elrond is lost to the darkness."
The other men murmured in agreement. Elrond brought them hope, if he was lost, so would they.
Hot tears streamed down Valion's face. He had not cried since the day Sauron found him beneath that Oak tree.
A hand blurred in front of him. Isildur still had his hand extended towards him.
"Why is he different?" he asked quietly.
"Because he is a Half-Elven." "Half-Elven..." he murmured.
"There is so much that the heart of a Half-Elven can take, I do not know how much longer he will be able to withstand the power of evil." Isildur said. His heart was racing.
"So will you help us or not?"
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Whoa!! It has been months since I last updated I am soooo sorry! As a senior in high school, I had a ton of college crap to do...so didn't have a lot of time to think and write. But I didn't give up on this story yet! I will soon be able to update more regularly and thanks for your patience and reviews...please keep them coming! I survive on them!
"Javas?"
Javas let out a huge sigh of relief.
"Isildur!" He cried, lowering his sword. In the pitch black, he could barely make out the shape of his friend. One of the men lit a torch, the light poured into the cave, brightening the dark corners. It shone upon the faces of the two friends, whom were more than glad to see each other.
"Have you any luck in finding out where Elrond was?" Javas questioned, sheathing his sword.
Isildur lowered his gaze, "We found him." Wiping his brow he took a deep breath, "but he was in bad shape."
Javas took in a deep breath. Isildur continued, "He had been tortured by those monsters, we got to his cell just in time to hear the man clad in black threatening him."
"We could have saved him."
A new voice rang against the cold air of the cave. Romes was sitting against the wall, chills went through his spine but he did not seem to notice. "We were there! I was holding him in my arms! And yet," He slammed his fist onto the ground, "and yet, he was taken away once again." His young face was full of distraught, at the moment, he did not seem to be a young boy, rather a man he had became, a man in turmoil.
Isildur kneeled next to the young man, "I agree with you, we could have, young one, but there was naught we can do to avoid what happened." He then turned towards Javas, "the black man, Valion, he appeared out of no where and took Elrond away as if he were the wind, without coming close to us. I believe that is what happened to the two men who were guarding the doors previously." He explained. "He has the power to reach for things with his mind."
"Now that is going to add up to our problem." Gorian muttered. He settled himself next to Romes, laying his hand gently on the young man's shoulders. "Nevertheless, we are going to get him back."
Romes looked up, and he saw determination in Gorian's eyes.
A hand lay gently on his shoulder, "We will get him back." Isildur said, kneeling down, meeting Romes in the eye, "There is always hope."
The young man nodded slowly. Isildur is right, he has to stay focused.
"You say this man, Valion, can move things at his will with his mind?" Javas spoke up suddenly, breaking the tension that lingered in the air.
Isildur sighed wearily, "Yes, that is correct. The moment he waved his arms at Elrond they both disappeared." He looked at Javas, "Unfortunately, that is not the only problem we have."
"There is more?"
"When I rushed towards Valion attempting to save Elrond," Isildur paused, "There was an invisible shield of some sort that pushed me back, something was protecting him from harm."
"What the Valar? An invisible shield?" Javas was not sure he was hearing things right. An invisible shield?
"Hm, if you had not mentioned that, I had already forgotten of that." Romes said, thoughtfully, "It was rather odd, some dark magic I would imagine." The men chattered on, it was something they had never seen, or heard of.
Isildur walked a bit beyond where they all where standing. He did not know what to think. He still remembers the sensation of being in contact of that shield. It was chilling, nothing but coldness. How is it possible to have an unseen wall guarding such evil? He paced around, there has to be a way to penetrate the shield.
"His master."
Isildur jerked his head, is it possible?
"Valion is just a follower, there is another that is behind all this." Gorian said, turning towards Isildur and Romes. "Remember what he said to Elrond? When we were...when we were in there?"
Trying to forget the images that were slowly forming back in his mind, Isildur replied. "Yes, I remember, Valion mentioned his Master."
"Who is it?" One of the men asked.
Gorian answered, "That is the problem, we do not know."
Silence fell. None of the men spoke for a good while. This was not a simple battle, this was unlike any battle that they had ever fought. The reason, the cause, none was what they were familiar with. And yet, they are here, to save the one person that brought them together, who could be the savior of Middle Earth, and who happens to be an Elf....and a Man. The shining jewel of both races, but soon, if fate is cruel, the jewel may no longer shine. "There is a possibility that I ponder on..." Isildur said, searching his thoughts, "I have a strong belief that Valion is tied to his master."
"What do you mean, tied?" Javas asked.
"Not literally, of course, but like a bond, a Servant to Master bond. If he really is a follower, how is it that he has the power to summon with his mind? To reappear then appear again? And not to forget," Eyeing Romes and Gorian, "that he can get by faster than anything. Remember the wind we felt before we got to Elrond? That was him! He did not just vanish! He was so fast that we could not see him!"
"How is that possible? The speed?" Gorian questioned, remembering the gust of wind, full of hatred.
"I think I would believe in anything after what I have seen today." Isildur replied. "What I am trying to say is, those powers are not his own, but his Master's. He is just another runner for his Master, to fetch what he wants, and in order to not expose himself, he sends others."
"Coward." Murmured Romes.
"And not only that," Isildur continued, not noticing his remark, "We know that this, Master, wants something from Elrond, and yet he does not know what. But we know for a fact that whatever he wants must be very important, very crucial for him to have it, or else...."
"Or else what?" One of the men asked.
"Or else," Isildur took a deep breath, "or else he would not have done harm to Elrond."
He is sickened, sickened by what he had done to the Elf, so much pain for someone who does not even know what he desires. It must stop. At once.
With the thought of bringing his friend to safety tugging at his spirit, "Gentlemen," he announced, "We need a plan."
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The wall is filled with deep penetrations from blows of anger. Heat is rising as time slowly passed. For Elrond, time never seemed to have passed. He tried to keep a clear head as he dodged the blows that were meant for him. His throat was dry, aching for water and air, his legs are only motivated by the possibility of being slammed on, his arms throbbed from the needle pain he received from Valion. Pain was everywhere, yet it was hard to feel it.
Suddenly sharp pain brought him back up, Sauron had caught him on the shoulder and sent a spike straight through. Elrond cried out as his legs gave way, his knees slammed against the stone floor. Sauron laughed, "You filthy elf, you are not so swift now are you? Why did you not run away from me?" Elrond closed his eyes, trying to dispel his pain and ignore his comments. "I will have to say," Sauron continued, "I am rather surprised that you are still alive, normally, people would just break down and give in, give in to the great power that I possess."
Slowly he pulled out the spike, very slowly, enjoying the sight in front of him. Elrond bit his lip, trying not to cry out, it was ripping him apart. The blade cut through his flesh, more blood started to flow. He was starting to feel very shaky.
"None has come this far." Sauron hissed into his ear, "why you? Why had you gone this far? Is it because Valion did not torture you enough?"
Valion winced in the corner. All this time, he stood there, witnessing what his Master was doing to his toy. He knew if he did not obey his wishes, he would end up just like the Elf, maybe not as far....
"Or....is something helping you? Something that is giving you strength..."
What is it that he wants!
"I want something that you have...is that so hard for you to give?" Sauron said, lifting up the Elf into midair. He gasped for breath, his grip was so tight around his neck. "Tell me! What is so hard!"
The fire in the room was rising high, as if mimicking the Master's will, it swirled up towards the ceiling, scorching it black. Valion looked on, he did not like what he was seeing, but there was nothing he could do. Sauron was so concentrated with his new prey he hardly noticed what he was doing. Just as he decided to sneak out, a large hand flew out from behind and cupped his mouth close. Another clasp its arms around his waist and dragged him out. Valion panicked, caught by surprise he tried to cry out to his Master but everything happened so quickly and quietly, until darkness engulfed him.
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Water splashed against his face. Valion suddenly shot up and choked up the water he swallowed. It was sour and burning. Then he realized it was not water, it was the Orc drought. Light blinded his eyes as he choked out the drought. A pair of strong hands held onto his collar, and a voice hissed.
"You better tell us what he want, or else we will tear you limb from limb."
"That is enough! We need him!" Another voice filled the air.
Romes let go of Valion reluctantly. His frosted eyes glared at the man whom lay before him, the same man that caused all this.
Valion tried to get up but Romes was too fast, he pinned him down the moment he tried to move, "I would stay still if I were you."
Isildur looked hard at Valion. "Who are you?" He asked.
Valion spat on the ground. "That would not be your concern."
"I think you are greatly mistaken," Isildur replied hard, unsheathing his knife, placing it near the flesh of Valion's neck. "To be honest, it is a great concern of mine, and, I do not believe you will be going anywhere anytime soon."
Romes held a firm grip on Valion, not allowing him to move. Gorian stood by Romes, while the rest of the men flanked them all.
"Let me ask you again, who are you?"
Valion glared at them all, each men glared back just as hard. Knowing that he did not have a chance, he hissed, "Valion, my master will come for me you know."
"Your master, is busy." Isildur said with anger, "and because of you, our friend is in pain, for something that he does not have! Tell me! What is it that your master want!"
"That, I cannot tell you."
"And why is that?"
"Because I do not know!"
"What?" Isildur said, shocked.
"I do not know what is it that my master wants." Valion repeated, "all I know is he wants something from the Elf that can make him powerful."
"What can Elrond have that can make him powerful?" "That is a mystery to you as much as it is to me." Valion said. Trying to sit up, Romes gave him some space, though he still had a firm grip on him. For a moment, he looked sad.
During the struggle, Valion's black hood had fallen from his head, now sitting before them is a man, with very pale skin, so pale it is almost white. His eyes were as black as night, and there was a long scar across his visage.
Sensing his melancholy, Isildur asked quietly, "How is it that you are here?"
Valion looked at him. "You do not fear me?"
Caught by surprise, Isildur replied, "Why should I be?"
"Everyone did." His voice turned husky. It did not sound so slick as before, rather than sounding like a snake, he is sounding almost like a man. "This," he pointed to his scar, it started from his forehead and extended straight through his left eye, "Is why I am here."
The men looked at each other.
"My father was a smithy, and my mother died giving birth to me." Valion continued, "everyone thought I was a killer, the cause of death to my mother. Including my father. Losing her was too much for him, and my presence did not help. He raised me, but without love, without care. I tried to help him with his work one day, but I got this in return."
Isildur did not say anything, but waited for Valion to go on.
"He did not have the best temper in the world, I suppose I was in his way, he slashed me with a hot iron." His eyes harden. "Therefore this scar stayed with me, I was but a boy. No children wanted to play with me, no one wanted to be seen with me, I had no one. Until one day..."
A little paled face boy ran as hard as he can into the woods. Rain was pouring from the gray skies, thunder clashed. But he did not fear the darkness; there was not anything he feared.
Not anything.
Water splashed, the dirt clung onto his clothes as he ran through puddles of mud. The wind howled, his hair flying all directions. The burning sensation across his face eased as he focuses ahead. Red drops splashed into the earth as the rain washed away the blood flowing down his cheeks. The road ahead seemed never ending,
He kept on going until he could not go on anymore. He collapsed against an Oak tree. Its branches danced with the wind, so graceful and at ease even when the weather was so cruel. He felt the leaves brushing against his skin. Is this peace? He closed his eyes.
~You want peace~
The little boy's eyes flung open. He looked around, there was nobody.
~You want peace~
There it is again!
He stood up quickly, but he lost so much blood it caused him to loose balance. He fell towards the ground. Only he never felt the impact.
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Fire crackled. For the first time, he felt ardor propagating through his body. The coldness was gone.
"You want peace."
Valion sat up. He felt his face, there was a bandage across his eye and forehead. With his other good eye, he saw the shadow of a man. He stood tall, but that is all he could see for he had a long black hood on. He turned and faced Valion. His eyes reflected the light of the fire, giving it a shine inside the dark hood.
"Yes..." Valion murmured.
The man stood still.
"I will give it to you." Valion glanced up. He did not feel very comfortable with the presence of this man. "I will bring you peace, if you join me."
"Join you?" Valion asked.
"Join me and become part of my force!" Suddenly his stance grew, his voice stentorian, the shadow grew larger and covered the room. The fire blazed. His arms reached for Valion, their eyes met. The snake like eyes danced into Valion's own, a feeling of obedience entered his body.
"Yes...Master..."
Screams of terror filled the village. Women and children fled. Men tried to defend, but most started to run. But none made it out. Fire swallowed the houses and crops, birds flew high up into the sky, crying out. Everything had been scorched black. All but one house, two men walked towards the door and blasted it open.
It was empty.
"Where did he go!"
"Leave him."
Sauron turned towards his new apprentice.
Valion stood in the middle of the house, "Let the poor man go....one day, I will return for him." He then walked out of the house.
"Still fresh, though learns fast." Sauron said to himself, grinning maliciously. "He is a warrior I will have to keep an eye on." He fingered something on his hand and left.
Smoke reached the sky, the color just as dark as Valion's eyes.
"Yes," he thought. "One day, I will return for you."
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"He took me in when no one wanted me. He brought me where I was accepted as one of them, and not just another fool." Valion finished. The memory still fresh in his mind, it will never go away.
"You are not part of them."
Valion looked up. Isildur was looking back at him, on his face it was an expression that he could not read, not sympathy, but not condescending either.
"You are a man, not an orc, you do not need to seek the darkness for comfort!"
"Yes I do!" Valion shot back, "you do not have a scar imprinted on your face, you do not know what it is like to be sneered upon!"
"Maybe I do not," Isildur answered softly, "but I know someone that does. He told me once, very briefly, that his differences brought him pain. It is not a scar that is marked upon his face, but he himself is different from everyone else. But that did not stop him from moving on his life. People can do what they want to you, say what they want, but they cannot take your strength away. They cannot touch your soul if you do not let them. Because of the beliefs he held on to, he is a person of dignity, there is not a sense of weakness in him. And he..." Isildur took a deep breath, "he is the reason why we are here, right now."
Valion looked surprised.
"He is now lying at the brink of life and death, clutched in the deep claws of your so called Master, being tortured for something he does not have." His eyes moist, "He is the reason we have hope! He can give that to you too, if you would give him the chance."
"Why would he, I tortured him with all the instruments I can, why would he not want to be rid of me?" Valion stated. "I do not need pity." He flexed his muscles.
"That is well because you are not getting any." Romes answered flatly.
"Pity is for those who are hopeless, you, are not hopeless." Isildur said, "Your master lead you to a place you should not have ever trodden on, we can bring you to where you belong."
"and where might I ask, do I belong?"
"You belong to where there is no darkness but light, where there is love and care, not anger and hatred." Isildur extended his hand towards Valion, "You belong where people will look past what you think is different."
Valion looked at his hand. "I will never have forgiveness."
"You have it from me."
Tears started to well in his eyes. Romes loosened his grip on him. He eye him closely, "But I will never forgive you, if Elrond is lost to the darkness."
The other men murmured in agreement. Elrond brought them hope, if he was lost, so would they.
Hot tears streamed down Valion's face. He had not cried since the day Sauron found him beneath that Oak tree.
A hand blurred in front of him. Isildur still had his hand extended towards him.
"Why is he different?" he asked quietly.
"Because he is a Half-Elven." "Half-Elven..." he murmured.
"There is so much that the heart of a Half-Elven can take, I do not know how much longer he will be able to withstand the power of evil." Isildur said. His heart was racing.
"So will you help us or not?"
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Whoa!! It has been months since I last updated I am soooo sorry! As a senior in high school, I had a ton of college crap to do...so didn't have a lot of time to think and write. But I didn't give up on this story yet! I will soon be able to update more regularly and thanks for your patience and reviews...please keep them coming! I survive on them!