A/N) Thanks for all the wonderful reviews! They mean a lot to me! This
chapter goes back in time to before the meeting of the Council in Valinor.
We now find out what Elladan does and is forced to do! I hope you like it!
~Chapter 6~
~The Labyrinth~
Aragorn was held inside the castle against his will. Confined to his office and the bottom levels of the castle, the King spent most of the day researching in Gondor's history of Numenor to see if anything had ever been written about this prophecy. Naturally nothing had been found.
As usual Tiniwiel and Anawiel were in the library correcting mistakes and so forth. Aragorn had to admire his daughters. It was not everyday you saw 2 ten-year olds rewriting history.
He sat in a corner reading a large, leather-bound book which had been written in by Anawiel as at the beginning of the book she had written in perfect handwriting the following words: PRINCESS ANAWIEL, DAUGHTER OF KING ELESSAR AND QUEEN ARWEN PROOF-READ THIS BOOK IN THE YEAR 23, MID-SUMMER'S DAY.
He could not find anything that would help him in his endeavor. He held the book awkwardly with his legs while attempting to turn the page. His right hand was still numb yet every now and again he could feel sensations running through it.
Finally he managed it and resumed reading.
A commotion broke out and he looked up, and saw Anawiel and Tiniwiel hug Elladan as he stepped into the library. Carefully closing the book, the King of Gondor rose from his chair and greeted the elf.
"Elladan. It is good to see you once more. Have you found out anything?" he had asked Elladan to go and search out information on the Knight's whereabouts.
"You must go to the Labyrinth." The elf said.
Aragorn looked uneasy as he studied his brother's eyes. "Are you alright, gwador-nin?"
Without warning Elladan attacked Aragorn pushing him to the floor and pinning him. "You will come with me."
The two girls shrank back unable to comprehend with what was happening.
Aragorn heard the vile tone Elladan used and realised he was not himself. As he was pulled to his feet, the King kicked out tripping up Elladan and dropping the elf to the floor. Gaining his feet Aragorn clumsily pulled his sword from its sheath, now resting on his right side instead of left. Holding the blade awkwardly in his left, he held the sword up as the elf got to his feet.
The first thing he noticed was the colour of the elf's eyes. They were flaming red. Elladan attacked him again hitting him in the jaw and sending the man backwards.
The blow to his jaw knocked Aragorn senseless for a few seconds. In that space of time Elladan wrenched the sword from Aragorn's hand and threw it across the room. It clattered next to the girls.
Hauled roughly to his feet the King felt a dagger resting on his back. He stilled his movements as Elladan wrapped an arm around him, keeping him still.
"You will do as I say or I'll skewer you right here, and your daughters will follow."
There was a chance to escape before they reached the Labyrinth. Besides, the man who ran it would not allow his King to be trapped in that abominable place, would he?
"Fine." Aragorn said. He would go along with it for now.
All the while Anawiel and Tiniwiel crouched, shivering behind the chair, not knowing of what had just occurred and why.
*****
Eldarion watched with some concern from the second floor of the library hidden behind a stack of shelves and watching quietly. His eyes widened in shock as he watched the exchange take place below him. Having seen Elladan writhe on the floor moments before and hearing him shout 'no', the young Prince had been sure that the elf was not joking. He had followed the elf to the library and quickly slipping, silently as possible up the stairs, watched from above.
His father's submission meant one thing: he was reluctant to harm someone he trusted and loved as a brother. As they left Eldarion followed slipping down the steps. He collected Anduril from its position on the floor and looking at his two sisters told them to go to Arwen and explain to her what had just happened.
"Tell her that I'm going to follow them."
Tiniwiel nodded. Gripping her twin's hand the two girls ran off up into the higher chambers of the castle where Arwen resided during the day; Eldarion peeled off in the other direction.
As he ran he went past guards that were slumped against the wall blood pouring from their bodies. Nausea ran through his stomach and he realised that Elladan had killed these men. Possibly because they had stopped him from leaving the palace?
Praying his sorrow to those of the dead soldiers family, he resolved to prevent anything from happening to his father, not while he lived!
It did not occur to the boy that he should gain the aid of Gandalf who any other of the seasoned warriors in the city. He thought he could handle it himself.
Running out into the street Eldarion made his way through the immense crowds making his way down the city. Ever more he looked out for Elladan and Aragorn, and then, as he turned a corner he spotted them: Elladan walking right behind the King but careful not to reveal his true purpose.
Where were they going?
Gritting his teeth and preparing himself for the fight that was to come, Eldarion pursued.
*****
With the knife boring into his back Aragorn had no choice but to obey Elladan's commands. There was no point in talking to him because the elf would not listen, as long as whatever had possessed him – the King had a good suspicion it was Morgoth – it would be impossible to communicate with the elf.
As they passed several guards, his soldiers attempted to accompany them but Elladan refused to allow them to. Persisting at every turn the elf finally let his anger fly and chanted something in the dark tongue causing shivers to descend upon the King. The soldiers were flung through the air and crashed into the side of the wall. They were dead.
Aragorn was right: It was not Elladan it was Morgoth. Suddenly very afraid Aragorn pulled away only to be pulled back as the elf moved fast and grabbed his arms holding him tightly.
"I told you heir of Numenor that I would kill you and your daughters if you persist to annoy me. Tell me, do you wish for me to slaughter everyone you love, and I will do so in front of you before I take what I want from you."
Aragorn gritted his teeth. If anyone saw him they would've seen him seething yet no one was around save for the dead guards slumped against the wall. He could not risk his family in anyway. In fact he hoped someone to see the prediction he was in and get some aid from Gandalf instead of attempting rescue on their own.
The King of Gondor and Arnor did not speak and Morgoth took that as submission and roughly ordered the elf to continue towards the Labyrinth.
Soon they came out from the house and the elf moved in closer to the man so the dagger could not be seen that was still resting on his back.
"Follow the road to the Labyrinth." He ordered coldly. "And make sure no one thinks this is suspicious."
Aragorn trudged the road reluctantly trying his best to smile. A few people looked in his direction but none approached him. He wished someone would stop so he could pull away. He knew that Morgoth wouldn't hesitate in killing any innocent bystander that got in the way of his prize. No matter how much Aragorn wished he wasn't in this position, he realised in his heart he could not endanger his people.
Descending to the third level, they eventually passed into a side alley and to a wooden door. It was behind this particular door that the labyrinth owner lived. He suspected that Morgoth would have control over the owner as well as Elladan now that he knew what the dark lord could do.
The Labyrinth had been set up five years ago. It was a group of tunnels connected together under the city in a big cavern. There were two ways in reaching the Labyrinth. One was through the door he stood in front of, and the other was through a path that led out onto the Pelennor Fields. It was this entrance, Aragorn supposed the Knight's to use.
The elf knocked on the door three times before it opened and pushing Aragorn inside stepped through the threshold of the building and closed the door.
A man stood in the shadows and he was shaking, Aragorn noted. The man did not get a chance to say anything when Elladan demanded: "Where is the entrance to the Labyrinth? We do not have much time, someone is following us."
Aragorn's heart skipped a bit. Who could be following them? Arwen? Gandalf? One of the hobbits?
The man led them to a wooden, bolted door. He pulled out a key unlocked it and pulled back each bolt, then he turned the handle two times before finally pulling the door open.
There was a musty smell coming from inside; the darkness came up to meet them.
"There you go master elf." The man stuttered. "It is ready."
"Be ready to close the door." Elladan warned in the cold, cruel voice of Morgoth.
With out warning Aragorn found himself stumbling into the blackness. He tripped and fell to his knees. As he whirled round the door closed shutting him in blackness. His heart froze. Fear consumed him. Trapped alone in the dark with something hunting him was not good.
Getting to his feet Aragorn found the side of the wall and stumbled along. His right hand was throbbing with pain. The wound on his shoulder was healing, yet his hand continued to throb mercilessly.
If only he had weapon...
"My dagger!" he whispered.
Realisation dawned as he remembered that he had a very small dagger in the sole of his boot. Carefully he pulled it out and glanced around.
A few torches had been lit at the side of the walls; only minimal light was given to him.
Legolas and Gimli, during their frequent visits to the city, had been to the Labyrinth, and had even participated in one of the competitions. The aim of the game, according to them, was that a group of people were positioned at different intervals through the many corridors and they had to find shapes scattered throughout the maze and get them to the middle. Once that was accomplished you had to find the exit without being caught by the guards that were stationed throughout the Labyrinth.
The scraping of claws could be heard in the distance. Aragorn froze in mid- step. Something was here and he had a good mind as to what it was.
He came to the end of one of the corridors and it opened up onto three separate paths. He took the right one. It soon bent left and criss-crossed onto another path, which the King assumed to be the middle path.
Confidence gained, Aragorn took twists and turns before finally coming to another door. It was different from the one he had entered through as it had only one bolt set across the frame. Yet before he could do anything he felt a great darkness come upon him. Shivering lightly in the dark the former Ranger turned, his eyes coming to rest upon the hideous beast of the Knight, and sat upon it was the Knight itself, holding forth its sword and the chains.
The rasping voice echoed throughout the chamber. "Come with me heir of Numenor, and you'll not be harmed."
"No," Aragorn gritted his teeth and raised the small dagger ready to fight if need be, "I'll never surrender myself to you!"
"So be it." It hissed back.
*****
Eldarion had seen Elladan lead his father into the Labyrinth. He hated that place; hearing so many tales from Legolas and Gimli whenever they were in Minas Tirith. He held Anduril in his right hand tightly and advanced on the door. Without knocking, the young heir to the throne heaved against the door pushing it open and fell inside, right in front of Elladan.
The elf's glinting eyes fell on the form of the Prince. Inside his mind Morgoth's glee greatened, but the part that still belonged to the elf, grew stronger as he realised that his captor intended for his body to kill the young Prince. He could not allow that! He would not be forced to do this deed!
Eldarion struggled to his feet grasping his father's sword. He prepared himself for the fight that was to come.
In moments Elladan attacked him, and the young man was forced to parry each blow with accuracy and though inexperienced as he was Eldarion felt a great power surging through his veins as he blocked. Twisting out his foot he tripped up the elf catching him unawares and causing Elladan to fall and drop the sword. In one swift movement the Prince knocked the weapon astray.
The tip of Anduril rested upon the downed elf's chest and Eldarion stood above him panting as he regained lost breath.
"I have to admit boy you are more of a challenge then I thought!" Morgoth spoke through Elladan.
"I am not as weak as you think I'm to be." Eldarion hissed in defence. "Where is he? Where is my father?"
Morgoth laughed, the chilly sound of the laughter settled down the boy's bones. "He is in the Labyrinth. Even now he is fighting against my Knight. You cannot prevent it boy so why even try?"
"I will not allow you to get my father. I will die trying!" the Prince replied spitting, "Open the door and let me through!" he commanded to the man hiding in the shadows.
Obediently the man once again unlocked the door and Eldarion stepped through.
Seeing an opportunity Morgoth commanded Elladan to retrieve his dagger, and struggling, he forcefully made the elf follow the boy into the darkness of the Labyrinth.
*****
Aragorn was tiring. His movements were sluggish compared to the graceful ones of the Knight. Behind the Knight the creature stood watching the fight with anticipation. Aragorn ducked a swing aimed at his head, rolling away and gaining his feet. His dagger had proven useless against his opponent. The only two options he had left were to either surrender or continue evading the Knight as best he could.
And he had no intention of surrendering.
"Why do you try to escape, heir of Numenor? No matter how many times you try, we'll never stop hunting you. So why? Why evade us? It is your destiny to come with us." The Knight hissed in vain effort to distract the man.
"As I said before, I will not allow myself to be taken to your master, so he can do whatever he wants to me!" Aragorn replied leaping forward, knowing already that his attack was pointless.
Yet as he came in contact the Knight lashed out knocking the dagger from Aragorn's left hand. It skittered across the floor.
Surprised by the sudden movement Aragorn stood there helpless and weaponless. In a few seconds the Knight lashed out hitting Aragorn across the face and slamming him back against the door. The King slumped to the ground blackness threatening to overcome him.
However the Knight had not yet finished with him.
Raising its gloved hand it pointed at the slumped man and chanted a few words in a dark language.
Immense pain shot from his healing shoulder wound right down to his numb hand. Terrible pain shot around his palm and through his fingers making him tremble. His entire hand shook as agony swept through his nerves. The effort of not crying out caused him to curl himself up into a ball, placing his pain-filled hand against his chest, in an attempt to ward off the pain.
Finally the agony subsided and he lay there trembling in a heap. His face was wet with respiration. Tears lay at the corners of his eyes and he vowed to not let them fall. His hand finally stopped ringing and the numbness returned. Obviously this Knight had the power to inflict pain through a wound it had made and was able to cause numbness. Gandalf had been partly correct when he assumed that the numbness of his hand would make him easier to capture later on.
The Knight stepped forward and using the chains in one hand commanded them to wrap themselves around his captive. This time the Knight made no mistakes, making sure that the binds wound round the man's arms and wrists as well as his legs and ankles.
A low, cruel laughter escaped the Knight's lips. Reaching down with a gloved hand the Knight grabbed Aragorn by the chin and looked at him in the eyes. "That is just the beginning of your agony heir of Numenor. There is more to come."
Aragorn tried to pull back as the Knight held him but failed to escape the touch. For the first time in many years Aragorn was truly afraid.
Then Aragorn's opponent roughly pulled him across the floor and loaded him onto its steed. The beast roared, its voice rocking the walls and bringing part of its ceiling down. With a swipe of its claw the beast crushed the door and brought stones down, allowing it to pass through into the passage leading under the city and into the Pelennor Fields.
He did not think that anyone knew of his fate. Neither did he ever find out in the following days that his son had been fighting for him. He believed himself to be abandoned.
*****
The young Prince fell to his knees as a loud roar shook the cavern. Stone crushed to the floor and he had to roll to avoid the falling debris. Yet even as he gained his feet something rushed him knocking him face first to the floor again.
Twisting around, Eldarion saw Elladan standing over him dagger in hand.
"You are too late boy," the elf mocked. The dark tone of Morgoth sounded evil and rusty in the passage around them. "That signal is to say that my servants have taken the bearer. I cannot allow you to stop me a second time." With this Morgoth commanded the elf to attack.
Surprised by the speed Eldarion was not quick enough to block and received a cut down his cheek. He gasped in shock and pain. He cupped his hand on his cheek and then wiped away the blood.
Anger spurred him on then and Eldarion fought forcing the elf back and never giving him a chance at defending himself. Soon he had the elf backed against a wall but he could not bring himself to do harm onto the elf, his uncle.
At the same time as Eldarion hesitated, Morgoth loosened his mind grip on the elf, speaking to him and thanking him for his assistance before finally releasing him. Pushed by an invisible force Elladan fell forward, nearly onto the tip of Anduril but Eldarion pulled it back in time. He caught the elf.
"Uncle? Uncle? Is it you?" he asked attentively.
Elladan nodded sudden tears clouding his vision. "I'm sorry. I was unawares when he took me. I tried but I failed. He was right about Aragorn. It is too late. Aragorn is gone; he has been taken from this place by the creature."
Eldarion bowed his head. "How do you know?"
"In my mind, trapped, I could see what was happening to Aragorn. He fought but something overcame him, caused him pain. He was taken. Also I feel my sister's pain. She knows now of Aragorn's fate. The family has been torn apart."
Then the elf slipped into unconsciousness as exhaustion overtook his wearied body.
*****
Arwen felt her heart torn as she witnessed a vision coming to her mind's eye. She blinked several times before realising that what she just saw was real and that it had happened what she'd most feared. Her daughters Anawiel and Tiniwiel had come to her of news what had happened in the library, yet the Queen had hoped that Eldarion could save Aragorn.
"Aragorn." She whispered her body trembling.
Gandalf look up sharply. He, Faramir and the hobbits were sat talking about the Shire when the wizard saw Arwen trembling. "Arwen?"
She turned crystal eyes on the wizard. "Aragorn," she said again, "He's gone."
As she spoke two guards came rushing in. Their eyes shone with fear. "My Lady! We have urgent news!"
Arwen nodded her will for them to continue.
The soldier who had spoken before took a deep breath. "We've received word from the Prince that the King was attacked and taken. There are six guards that have been murdered in the hallways."
"Leave us." Gandalf commanded and with a nod from Arwen the guards exited.
"He's gone." Arwen said fear shaking her body. "I don't want to end it this way."
"We won't." Faramir said, "We'll get him back. I promise you."
"We must call council." Gandalf said, "but first I will send a signal to Valinor. A signal that they will see no matter how far away we are from the sea. It will stretch far and wide. Faramir, I want the Fellowship assembled here by the time I come back. Also you and the Lady Éowyn are welcome, as is Prince Eldarion and the sons of Elrond."
Faramir bowed and left the room in search of the others.
Gandalf pulled Arwen into a hug. "Do not worry, daughter of Elrond, I will not allow your husband to die this way, not if I can help it."
"Thank you."
TBC
I actually think this chapter was a bit silly. But is it is I hope you tell me and I'll correct it if you give me suitable ideas! Chapter 7 will be uploaded on Wednesday. Namárië!
~Chapter 6~
~The Labyrinth~
Aragorn was held inside the castle against his will. Confined to his office and the bottom levels of the castle, the King spent most of the day researching in Gondor's history of Numenor to see if anything had ever been written about this prophecy. Naturally nothing had been found.
As usual Tiniwiel and Anawiel were in the library correcting mistakes and so forth. Aragorn had to admire his daughters. It was not everyday you saw 2 ten-year olds rewriting history.
He sat in a corner reading a large, leather-bound book which had been written in by Anawiel as at the beginning of the book she had written in perfect handwriting the following words: PRINCESS ANAWIEL, DAUGHTER OF KING ELESSAR AND QUEEN ARWEN PROOF-READ THIS BOOK IN THE YEAR 23, MID-SUMMER'S DAY.
He could not find anything that would help him in his endeavor. He held the book awkwardly with his legs while attempting to turn the page. His right hand was still numb yet every now and again he could feel sensations running through it.
Finally he managed it and resumed reading.
A commotion broke out and he looked up, and saw Anawiel and Tiniwiel hug Elladan as he stepped into the library. Carefully closing the book, the King of Gondor rose from his chair and greeted the elf.
"Elladan. It is good to see you once more. Have you found out anything?" he had asked Elladan to go and search out information on the Knight's whereabouts.
"You must go to the Labyrinth." The elf said.
Aragorn looked uneasy as he studied his brother's eyes. "Are you alright, gwador-nin?"
Without warning Elladan attacked Aragorn pushing him to the floor and pinning him. "You will come with me."
The two girls shrank back unable to comprehend with what was happening.
Aragorn heard the vile tone Elladan used and realised he was not himself. As he was pulled to his feet, the King kicked out tripping up Elladan and dropping the elf to the floor. Gaining his feet Aragorn clumsily pulled his sword from its sheath, now resting on his right side instead of left. Holding the blade awkwardly in his left, he held the sword up as the elf got to his feet.
The first thing he noticed was the colour of the elf's eyes. They were flaming red. Elladan attacked him again hitting him in the jaw and sending the man backwards.
The blow to his jaw knocked Aragorn senseless for a few seconds. In that space of time Elladan wrenched the sword from Aragorn's hand and threw it across the room. It clattered next to the girls.
Hauled roughly to his feet the King felt a dagger resting on his back. He stilled his movements as Elladan wrapped an arm around him, keeping him still.
"You will do as I say or I'll skewer you right here, and your daughters will follow."
There was a chance to escape before they reached the Labyrinth. Besides, the man who ran it would not allow his King to be trapped in that abominable place, would he?
"Fine." Aragorn said. He would go along with it for now.
All the while Anawiel and Tiniwiel crouched, shivering behind the chair, not knowing of what had just occurred and why.
*****
Eldarion watched with some concern from the second floor of the library hidden behind a stack of shelves and watching quietly. His eyes widened in shock as he watched the exchange take place below him. Having seen Elladan writhe on the floor moments before and hearing him shout 'no', the young Prince had been sure that the elf was not joking. He had followed the elf to the library and quickly slipping, silently as possible up the stairs, watched from above.
His father's submission meant one thing: he was reluctant to harm someone he trusted and loved as a brother. As they left Eldarion followed slipping down the steps. He collected Anduril from its position on the floor and looking at his two sisters told them to go to Arwen and explain to her what had just happened.
"Tell her that I'm going to follow them."
Tiniwiel nodded. Gripping her twin's hand the two girls ran off up into the higher chambers of the castle where Arwen resided during the day; Eldarion peeled off in the other direction.
As he ran he went past guards that were slumped against the wall blood pouring from their bodies. Nausea ran through his stomach and he realised that Elladan had killed these men. Possibly because they had stopped him from leaving the palace?
Praying his sorrow to those of the dead soldiers family, he resolved to prevent anything from happening to his father, not while he lived!
It did not occur to the boy that he should gain the aid of Gandalf who any other of the seasoned warriors in the city. He thought he could handle it himself.
Running out into the street Eldarion made his way through the immense crowds making his way down the city. Ever more he looked out for Elladan and Aragorn, and then, as he turned a corner he spotted them: Elladan walking right behind the King but careful not to reveal his true purpose.
Where were they going?
Gritting his teeth and preparing himself for the fight that was to come, Eldarion pursued.
*****
With the knife boring into his back Aragorn had no choice but to obey Elladan's commands. There was no point in talking to him because the elf would not listen, as long as whatever had possessed him – the King had a good suspicion it was Morgoth – it would be impossible to communicate with the elf.
As they passed several guards, his soldiers attempted to accompany them but Elladan refused to allow them to. Persisting at every turn the elf finally let his anger fly and chanted something in the dark tongue causing shivers to descend upon the King. The soldiers were flung through the air and crashed into the side of the wall. They were dead.
Aragorn was right: It was not Elladan it was Morgoth. Suddenly very afraid Aragorn pulled away only to be pulled back as the elf moved fast and grabbed his arms holding him tightly.
"I told you heir of Numenor that I would kill you and your daughters if you persist to annoy me. Tell me, do you wish for me to slaughter everyone you love, and I will do so in front of you before I take what I want from you."
Aragorn gritted his teeth. If anyone saw him they would've seen him seething yet no one was around save for the dead guards slumped against the wall. He could not risk his family in anyway. In fact he hoped someone to see the prediction he was in and get some aid from Gandalf instead of attempting rescue on their own.
The King of Gondor and Arnor did not speak and Morgoth took that as submission and roughly ordered the elf to continue towards the Labyrinth.
Soon they came out from the house and the elf moved in closer to the man so the dagger could not be seen that was still resting on his back.
"Follow the road to the Labyrinth." He ordered coldly. "And make sure no one thinks this is suspicious."
Aragorn trudged the road reluctantly trying his best to smile. A few people looked in his direction but none approached him. He wished someone would stop so he could pull away. He knew that Morgoth wouldn't hesitate in killing any innocent bystander that got in the way of his prize. No matter how much Aragorn wished he wasn't in this position, he realised in his heart he could not endanger his people.
Descending to the third level, they eventually passed into a side alley and to a wooden door. It was behind this particular door that the labyrinth owner lived. He suspected that Morgoth would have control over the owner as well as Elladan now that he knew what the dark lord could do.
The Labyrinth had been set up five years ago. It was a group of tunnels connected together under the city in a big cavern. There were two ways in reaching the Labyrinth. One was through the door he stood in front of, and the other was through a path that led out onto the Pelennor Fields. It was this entrance, Aragorn supposed the Knight's to use.
The elf knocked on the door three times before it opened and pushing Aragorn inside stepped through the threshold of the building and closed the door.
A man stood in the shadows and he was shaking, Aragorn noted. The man did not get a chance to say anything when Elladan demanded: "Where is the entrance to the Labyrinth? We do not have much time, someone is following us."
Aragorn's heart skipped a bit. Who could be following them? Arwen? Gandalf? One of the hobbits?
The man led them to a wooden, bolted door. He pulled out a key unlocked it and pulled back each bolt, then he turned the handle two times before finally pulling the door open.
There was a musty smell coming from inside; the darkness came up to meet them.
"There you go master elf." The man stuttered. "It is ready."
"Be ready to close the door." Elladan warned in the cold, cruel voice of Morgoth.
With out warning Aragorn found himself stumbling into the blackness. He tripped and fell to his knees. As he whirled round the door closed shutting him in blackness. His heart froze. Fear consumed him. Trapped alone in the dark with something hunting him was not good.
Getting to his feet Aragorn found the side of the wall and stumbled along. His right hand was throbbing with pain. The wound on his shoulder was healing, yet his hand continued to throb mercilessly.
If only he had weapon...
"My dagger!" he whispered.
Realisation dawned as he remembered that he had a very small dagger in the sole of his boot. Carefully he pulled it out and glanced around.
A few torches had been lit at the side of the walls; only minimal light was given to him.
Legolas and Gimli, during their frequent visits to the city, had been to the Labyrinth, and had even participated in one of the competitions. The aim of the game, according to them, was that a group of people were positioned at different intervals through the many corridors and they had to find shapes scattered throughout the maze and get them to the middle. Once that was accomplished you had to find the exit without being caught by the guards that were stationed throughout the Labyrinth.
The scraping of claws could be heard in the distance. Aragorn froze in mid- step. Something was here and he had a good mind as to what it was.
He came to the end of one of the corridors and it opened up onto three separate paths. He took the right one. It soon bent left and criss-crossed onto another path, which the King assumed to be the middle path.
Confidence gained, Aragorn took twists and turns before finally coming to another door. It was different from the one he had entered through as it had only one bolt set across the frame. Yet before he could do anything he felt a great darkness come upon him. Shivering lightly in the dark the former Ranger turned, his eyes coming to rest upon the hideous beast of the Knight, and sat upon it was the Knight itself, holding forth its sword and the chains.
The rasping voice echoed throughout the chamber. "Come with me heir of Numenor, and you'll not be harmed."
"No," Aragorn gritted his teeth and raised the small dagger ready to fight if need be, "I'll never surrender myself to you!"
"So be it." It hissed back.
*****
Eldarion had seen Elladan lead his father into the Labyrinth. He hated that place; hearing so many tales from Legolas and Gimli whenever they were in Minas Tirith. He held Anduril in his right hand tightly and advanced on the door. Without knocking, the young heir to the throne heaved against the door pushing it open and fell inside, right in front of Elladan.
The elf's glinting eyes fell on the form of the Prince. Inside his mind Morgoth's glee greatened, but the part that still belonged to the elf, grew stronger as he realised that his captor intended for his body to kill the young Prince. He could not allow that! He would not be forced to do this deed!
Eldarion struggled to his feet grasping his father's sword. He prepared himself for the fight that was to come.
In moments Elladan attacked him, and the young man was forced to parry each blow with accuracy and though inexperienced as he was Eldarion felt a great power surging through his veins as he blocked. Twisting out his foot he tripped up the elf catching him unawares and causing Elladan to fall and drop the sword. In one swift movement the Prince knocked the weapon astray.
The tip of Anduril rested upon the downed elf's chest and Eldarion stood above him panting as he regained lost breath.
"I have to admit boy you are more of a challenge then I thought!" Morgoth spoke through Elladan.
"I am not as weak as you think I'm to be." Eldarion hissed in defence. "Where is he? Where is my father?"
Morgoth laughed, the chilly sound of the laughter settled down the boy's bones. "He is in the Labyrinth. Even now he is fighting against my Knight. You cannot prevent it boy so why even try?"
"I will not allow you to get my father. I will die trying!" the Prince replied spitting, "Open the door and let me through!" he commanded to the man hiding in the shadows.
Obediently the man once again unlocked the door and Eldarion stepped through.
Seeing an opportunity Morgoth commanded Elladan to retrieve his dagger, and struggling, he forcefully made the elf follow the boy into the darkness of the Labyrinth.
*****
Aragorn was tiring. His movements were sluggish compared to the graceful ones of the Knight. Behind the Knight the creature stood watching the fight with anticipation. Aragorn ducked a swing aimed at his head, rolling away and gaining his feet. His dagger had proven useless against his opponent. The only two options he had left were to either surrender or continue evading the Knight as best he could.
And he had no intention of surrendering.
"Why do you try to escape, heir of Numenor? No matter how many times you try, we'll never stop hunting you. So why? Why evade us? It is your destiny to come with us." The Knight hissed in vain effort to distract the man.
"As I said before, I will not allow myself to be taken to your master, so he can do whatever he wants to me!" Aragorn replied leaping forward, knowing already that his attack was pointless.
Yet as he came in contact the Knight lashed out knocking the dagger from Aragorn's left hand. It skittered across the floor.
Surprised by the sudden movement Aragorn stood there helpless and weaponless. In a few seconds the Knight lashed out hitting Aragorn across the face and slamming him back against the door. The King slumped to the ground blackness threatening to overcome him.
However the Knight had not yet finished with him.
Raising its gloved hand it pointed at the slumped man and chanted a few words in a dark language.
Immense pain shot from his healing shoulder wound right down to his numb hand. Terrible pain shot around his palm and through his fingers making him tremble. His entire hand shook as agony swept through his nerves. The effort of not crying out caused him to curl himself up into a ball, placing his pain-filled hand against his chest, in an attempt to ward off the pain.
Finally the agony subsided and he lay there trembling in a heap. His face was wet with respiration. Tears lay at the corners of his eyes and he vowed to not let them fall. His hand finally stopped ringing and the numbness returned. Obviously this Knight had the power to inflict pain through a wound it had made and was able to cause numbness. Gandalf had been partly correct when he assumed that the numbness of his hand would make him easier to capture later on.
The Knight stepped forward and using the chains in one hand commanded them to wrap themselves around his captive. This time the Knight made no mistakes, making sure that the binds wound round the man's arms and wrists as well as his legs and ankles.
A low, cruel laughter escaped the Knight's lips. Reaching down with a gloved hand the Knight grabbed Aragorn by the chin and looked at him in the eyes. "That is just the beginning of your agony heir of Numenor. There is more to come."
Aragorn tried to pull back as the Knight held him but failed to escape the touch. For the first time in many years Aragorn was truly afraid.
Then Aragorn's opponent roughly pulled him across the floor and loaded him onto its steed. The beast roared, its voice rocking the walls and bringing part of its ceiling down. With a swipe of its claw the beast crushed the door and brought stones down, allowing it to pass through into the passage leading under the city and into the Pelennor Fields.
He did not think that anyone knew of his fate. Neither did he ever find out in the following days that his son had been fighting for him. He believed himself to be abandoned.
*****
The young Prince fell to his knees as a loud roar shook the cavern. Stone crushed to the floor and he had to roll to avoid the falling debris. Yet even as he gained his feet something rushed him knocking him face first to the floor again.
Twisting around, Eldarion saw Elladan standing over him dagger in hand.
"You are too late boy," the elf mocked. The dark tone of Morgoth sounded evil and rusty in the passage around them. "That signal is to say that my servants have taken the bearer. I cannot allow you to stop me a second time." With this Morgoth commanded the elf to attack.
Surprised by the speed Eldarion was not quick enough to block and received a cut down his cheek. He gasped in shock and pain. He cupped his hand on his cheek and then wiped away the blood.
Anger spurred him on then and Eldarion fought forcing the elf back and never giving him a chance at defending himself. Soon he had the elf backed against a wall but he could not bring himself to do harm onto the elf, his uncle.
At the same time as Eldarion hesitated, Morgoth loosened his mind grip on the elf, speaking to him and thanking him for his assistance before finally releasing him. Pushed by an invisible force Elladan fell forward, nearly onto the tip of Anduril but Eldarion pulled it back in time. He caught the elf.
"Uncle? Uncle? Is it you?" he asked attentively.
Elladan nodded sudden tears clouding his vision. "I'm sorry. I was unawares when he took me. I tried but I failed. He was right about Aragorn. It is too late. Aragorn is gone; he has been taken from this place by the creature."
Eldarion bowed his head. "How do you know?"
"In my mind, trapped, I could see what was happening to Aragorn. He fought but something overcame him, caused him pain. He was taken. Also I feel my sister's pain. She knows now of Aragorn's fate. The family has been torn apart."
Then the elf slipped into unconsciousness as exhaustion overtook his wearied body.
*****
Arwen felt her heart torn as she witnessed a vision coming to her mind's eye. She blinked several times before realising that what she just saw was real and that it had happened what she'd most feared. Her daughters Anawiel and Tiniwiel had come to her of news what had happened in the library, yet the Queen had hoped that Eldarion could save Aragorn.
"Aragorn." She whispered her body trembling.
Gandalf look up sharply. He, Faramir and the hobbits were sat talking about the Shire when the wizard saw Arwen trembling. "Arwen?"
She turned crystal eyes on the wizard. "Aragorn," she said again, "He's gone."
As she spoke two guards came rushing in. Their eyes shone with fear. "My Lady! We have urgent news!"
Arwen nodded her will for them to continue.
The soldier who had spoken before took a deep breath. "We've received word from the Prince that the King was attacked and taken. There are six guards that have been murdered in the hallways."
"Leave us." Gandalf commanded and with a nod from Arwen the guards exited.
"He's gone." Arwen said fear shaking her body. "I don't want to end it this way."
"We won't." Faramir said, "We'll get him back. I promise you."
"We must call council." Gandalf said, "but first I will send a signal to Valinor. A signal that they will see no matter how far away we are from the sea. It will stretch far and wide. Faramir, I want the Fellowship assembled here by the time I come back. Also you and the Lady Éowyn are welcome, as is Prince Eldarion and the sons of Elrond."
Faramir bowed and left the room in search of the others.
Gandalf pulled Arwen into a hug. "Do not worry, daughter of Elrond, I will not allow your husband to die this way, not if I can help it."
"Thank you."
TBC
I actually think this chapter was a bit silly. But is it is I hope you tell me and I'll correct it if you give me suitable ideas! Chapter 7 will be uploaded on Wednesday. Namárië!