Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Author's Note: Everyone read this!!
Hey. Sorry for the long wait for this chapter….and even more sorry to say you'll have to wait much longer for the next one. The reasons? Everything that has happened lately is wrong. Bad. Terrible. Worse than I could ever imagine. My school musical is gonna be crap, and my one part I get to sing I can't because of complications, I just failed my driver's test and can't take it again for 3 months, I have two concerts to perform next week and I have ZERO time to do anything for myself, I'm pretty sure I'm failing chemistry (my teacher is a real ass—sorry for the language) and on top of that, NOBODY SEEMS TO CARE. Except a few people. You can imagine why I'm not exactly jumping for joy at the moment now.
Again, I'm sorry and I'm sorry for seeming like such a negative bitch or something. I'm usually quite the happy person. Just not now. And I probably know that some of you are going "she doesn't even know what stress is", and I realize that maybe some of the things I mentioned aren't a big deal to some people (the driver's test for example) but they were and are to me.
Again, sorry for the negativity and whining and lack of updating. I hope you understand.
But I want you all to know that NO MATTER WHAT I will not stop writing this story. I love it, and I love you guys. I actually dreamed of writing stories and posting them on the net for people to read waaay back when I was 12. I'm 16 now. So, no, I will not be stopping anytime soon.
Also, this chapter is super short and you're all gonna hate me for the cliffie at the end. Please be nice, kay? And since my concerts are next week, I probably wont' be able to update until next weekend (this weekend is very very booked—I have no time at all) I probably won't get the next chapter up until after the 17th. I know that's a long wait and I apologize but if that's the way it is that's the way it is. Thanks guys. Love you.
~Roseblade
***********Chapter 32*************
Legolas kept his face free of all emotion as he and the young man got ready for battle. There was no crowd in the stands today; the fight was obviously just to privately entertain Curdolin's guests.
Legolas was faced with a terrible choice. Should he allow the boy to kill him, as he had lived so much longer, or kill the boy? It was a decision that he could not make at the moment.
What's wrong with me? I should be willing to lay down my life for such a young thing like him. He's barely lived, where I…I have…Legolas pondered. And my visits to the Spirit World have hinted that I will die soon anyhow, so maybe it's for the best.
The elf frowned deeply as he watched the young boys choose the weaponry for himself and his opponent. He was given a long broad sword—not exactly his weapon of choice, but he knew well how to weild one. The boy was given a ball-and-chain. Legolas winced. With a weapon as heavy as that, the boys movements would be slowed considerably, even if he was as fast as Angarod claimed. It would not be easy to make his death look unintended, Legolas realized. Impossible. He would have to make it completely obvious.
If I choose to die…have I? Am I prepared? The elf asked himself. No. I still want to live. How selfish I have become.
His thoughts turned to Eressa. And Eredor, complicating his thoughts. What would they do without him? They had been planning escape, and only Legolas had the courage and the plan to do it. With him dead, they would never taste freedom. But then again, they had been reluctant to agree to Legolas's escape plan at all, so maybe they would be happier here, with their lives left as they were. As for the death of him, Legolas figured that they, as humans, dealt with that sort of thing all the time, and would grieve for him only briefly and then move on.
So do I give into my selfishness and kill the boy, or do I not? Legolas thought.
He wasn't given any time as the arena was cleared of all persons except for he and the boy. Angarod stood at the side, ready to signal for the fight to begin as soon as Curdolin and his guests took their seats. Legolas caught his opponent's eye, and the boy gave him a stare of misery, desperation and fear.
It was then that Legolas decided. I have to let him live. Let him be the one. My life is over.
His thoughts unknown to the others, Curdolin and his guests took to their seats. Angarod smiled and gave a wave of a hand at the boys, who waved back.
"And…begin!" He bellowed, and with a flash and a cloud of dust Legolas sprinted towards the boy, faking an attempt to strike.
The boy's eyes grew wide when he realized that in half a second his opponent was no more than three feet in front of him and he swung the ball-and-chain wildly, frantic toward of the elf.
Legolas quickly raised his sword to meet one of the blows aimed poorly at him. The chain of the boy's weapon wrapped around the tip of his own, and with a jerk he yanked the ball-and-chain easily out of the boy's fingers.
The boy backed up when he realized he was helpless, but Legolas raised his sword to his chest and forced him against the wall. As his back brushed against the cold stone, Legolas watched as the boy's eyes closed and he awaited the death he was sure was coming to him.
Legolas narrowed his eyes, but his sword was held steady, barely touching the point just above the boy's heart. It baffled him how easily a human would give up his life if he had no hope.
Perhaps it is the same with me…Legolas thought grimly.
Then he spoke. "You need not fear boy." He said softly, so that only the boy could hear. "I don't intend to kill you."
The boys eyes popped back open, his gaze full of questions. Legolas didn't give him time to ask them.
"You might be thinking 'why?'" He said coldly. "I will tell you. You are young, barely living in your youth, as I am old. I have lived a good life up until now. You are not the one whose blood will be spilt today in this arena. The blood is mine, young one. You will kill me."
A call came from up above. "What is he doing, mum?"
"Elf!" Came Angarod's angry voice. "Kill him!"
Legolas ignored the voices around him. He lowered his sword and walked back to the spot where the ball-and-chain lay in the dirt. Picking it up, he went back to the boy and handed it back to him. He took it with doubtful hands.
"Kill me, then." Legolas said, throwing his sword aside. (AN: For those of you wondering why Legolas wants the boy to use the ball-and-chain instead of the much quicker and less-painful seeming sword…well, I just wanted it this way. Evil me.)
The boy looked at the weapon in his hands, clueless, and then back at the elf.
"Go on, then." Legolas continued in a taunting tone. "You should consider it an honor to kill an elf."
"No! Stop!" Angarod yelled.
"Do it." The elf went on. "And make sure you aim for my head so I don't have to suffer much."
Still the boy did nothing.
"NOW!" Legolas bellowed. The boy jumped in surprise at the sudden change of volume but then brought back his scrawny arm. Legolas felt himself smile. This was it. This was how it would end.
With a grunt, the boy swung the ball-and-chain directly towards the elf's head.
Well his aim is good enough…Legolas thought as he watched the metal ball rocket towards his head as if it was in slow motion.
"NO!!" Angarod cried.
Legolas turned his eyes away from the weapon just instants away from killing him, his eyes cast to the east. He meant to die looking into the sun. But the sun was not what caught his attention.
A figure was standing calmly about 20 meters away, standing next to the stone walls. Legolas gasped in amazement. It was Ithilion again.
So it was not simply a trick of my eyes…the elf thought in disbelief.
Ithilion was watching his brother's death unfold, much like Legolas had watched his. It was fitting, Legolas thought.
For whatever you might be here for, Ithilion, I thank you. Legolas mentally told his brother. It feels better to know I will not be alone. I will be with you soon, brother.
Ithilion seemed to understand the thoughts of Legolas. He smiled a chilling smile…opened his mouth…and began to laugh.
It was the last sound Legolas heard before the ball struck his head. It didn't hit him as hard as he had hoped, for he didn't hear the crack of his skull or the sound of his brain being crushed. What he did hear was the sickening crunch as most of the teeth on the left side of his jaw were smashed to bits. His vision exploded into a field of red stars and he dropped to the ground like a stone.
On the ground, Legolas started to feel the pain of the impact. His head indeed felt like it was smashed in, but he couldn't be sure, and he had not the strength nor the thought to reach up his hand and feel his skull to guess the damage. He felt something warm in his mouth, mixing with what was left of his teeth. Its coppery taste told the elf what it was.
Blood. He confirmed.
Legolas heard shouting and screams of young children. Surely they had never expected this to happen, the fading elf thought.
He felt the blood trickle out of his mouth and begin to form a pool around his head. He was not only bleeding from his mouth, he realized. The whole one side of his face burned with unbearable pain, and the warmth of the blood dripping down his face into his eyes told him why.
More shouting. There was a movement in the air above him, a slight whistling sound, and Legolas heard a sick crunching sound and a cry of pain. His vision was fading, and he could only see what was directly in front of and level with his eyes, which was little more then the dust and the wall.
Suddenly, with a soft thud, something else appeared in Legolas's vision from above. The boy's head and body came tumbling down, his wide fearful eyes blank…and a knife protruding from between his eyes.
Legolas was shocked, but couldn't react to it. Angarod's voice could be heard coming closer, as well as the footsteps of others. Legolas's ears were ringing with pain, so he couldn't understand what he was saying, but his tone sounded enraged.
Angarod must have thrown a knife and killed him…Legolas thought weakly about the dead boy beside him. He knew it was a desperate attempt to keep the boy from killing one of Curdolin's best fighters.
And a futile one as well…Legolas thought as all his sight suddenly was plunged into darkness. And so I pass…from the Land of the Living…to the Dead.
That was the Legolas's last thought before he lost all consciousness.
**********Personal thing*********
AN: I have a feeling I will be receiving lots and lots of flames for this. Yes, I know, this one was terribly, terribly short, (Platy please don't kill me!!) but I just had to torment you guys a little bit more! DON'T WORRY. Story will go on. That's all I'm saying for now! Next chapter will be up as soon as I can type it! And the next one is much longer, so be happy!!
Also, I have a problem. This story is already VERY long compared to what I thought it would be. And Eressa and Legolas haven't even fallen in love yet (Ok, well they have, but they haven't admitted their feelings to one another yet). I will continue writing, but I need your opinions on something. You have two options:
A) That once Legolas escapes (he will—small spoiler for you), I end the story happily (since he's FREE), then write a sequel right where this one left off. Then I'll write a third story as the sequel for the sequel. This way I hope that none of the stories will be tremendously long, because I know that really long stories can intimidate reviewers.
B) Or…I could just continue writing this story till the end that I had planned, and make it really long, and then right just one sequel.
So it would really help me if you guys would let me know which one you prefer! Thanks.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Whitecoyote: Well, er….as you can see, Legolas did have a plan to not have to kill the boy, but it didn't work quite well. He died anyway. Sorry! But thanks!
Bodyguard #1: We need to find Orlando Bloom for Whitecoyote.
Bodyguard #2: Roger that.
Bodyguard #3: (running up) Stop right there!
Bodyguard #4: You cannot get Orlando! Roseblade says so!
Bodyguard #1: Why not?
Bodyguard #3: (struggling) Because…because…because Roseblade is GOD!!!
Bodyguard #2: (shrugs) Well that's reason enough. Come on, guys. Let's go get a beer!
Bodyguards: BEER!! (run off)
(cut back to You and Me. We are waiting very patiently for our bodyguards to return. Not so for Pippen, Will, and Legolas.)
Pippen: I'm hungry!
Legolas: What else is new?
Will: Actually I'm hungry too!
To be continued…by you!!
Nirobie: Yeah, freedom. I love it, but I don't get it very often. Thanks! Tell me what your cousin thinks after you hear from her! Thanks again!
Nikki1: Thanks! I like how you spell 'cool' as 'kewl'. I like it! You'll find out what happens soon enough!! Thanks!!
Nikki(there are two of you now: Just plain Nikki and Nikki1—I think): Thanks! Yeah, Leggie didn't kill that boy after all, but he died anyway. Sadness. Why can't I write happy things? Geesh. Yep! 60 chapters…maybe more! See top for another idea I have in store for the story. Thank you for the cake! It's very good!! Thanks again!
LegyLuva: Yep, you got hugs and stuff! You want anymore from Legolas just ask me!
Thanks. But as you can see, this chapter totally twisted around the other way than what was expected before. Twisted stories are the best!!
Yeah, but the premotion/vision thing Legolas had turned out to be not true. This time. You'll have to stick around to see what it really means.
You know who the character of Eredor reminds me of? Sean William Scott. Don't ask why, that's just my opinion. Geesh I am weird.
Thank you thank you!! You are a really good reviewer!! There will be lots of Eressa/Legolas fluffy stuff in the next chappie, so stay tuned!! Thanks again!
PaliminoRider16: Hey, there you are! Yeah, my story is a bit depressing, but hey! This is no Disney movie. Don't worry, the romance between Eressa and Legolas is coming, but people just don't go *pop* and fall in love. They take things slowly. Yeah…poor dead kid now…god I am so mean to the characters…
Crystal Snowflakes: Believe it girl!! Don't worry, everything will wind around more happily once Eressa and Legolas confess their feelings. Then I will go wreck everything again!! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!
*huggles from me and the boys! They love you! And I do too!*
Lollipop5: Well…frankly….no, the pain will not end. Not now anyway. Poor, poor Legolas. Everybody sympathizes for him. Yeah…poor little boy…that I killed…oh people are gonna hate me…I kill everybody!!
I was told by another friend that I should do a Pirates of the Caribbean fic too, and she's in the process of writing a challege for it. I'll probably end up doing one, but not until this story is finished. Thanks for encouraging it though!
The Pirates of the Caribbean DVD is coming out Dec. 2 in the US, give or take a day. I think it comes out a day earlier in the UK.
No, you cannot steal my characters! *takes Legolas back and ungags him* What would I write without them? Eressa and Legolas will confess their feelings soon, I promise!!
Thanks a whole bunch though! Bye!
Elerrina Rose: Your welcome! And thank you for your compliments!! Oh dear…your attached to the characters…you probably hate me now for getting Legolas slammed!! Oh dear oh dear….Thanks! Bye!
The Noble Platypus: I'm not saying you wouldn't like a long chapter, just that I can't write them! I like ending them short, and besides, then I update more often!! Yay! Your gonna update soon!! I praise you!! *does happy dance*
Poor dead kid…hehe. There's nothing I can do for him now. I'm so mean.
Yeah, you're right about the toddler, but I just wanted to emphasize the barbaric-ness of us humans, you know?
SECKSHOOWAL TENSHUN BABIEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! Yeha! You won't have to wait long for the big smooch, I'm gonna try and fit that in before the 40th chapter!!
So now the feeling has a name! "Roseblade's updated" feeling! Like it!
*sigh* Oh, ok. Here's some money. Go buy a new innuendo meter, but I warn you, I'm gonna blow it up again! My nasty mind cannot stay silent for long!!
Hehe….pink…fuzzzzzzzzy….handcuffs!!! Thanks, Platy!! Bye!!
itarilde-elenastar: Sorry, I scared you! It's ok!! Thanks, and thanks again for supporting my super long story prediction. I look forward to writing every single chapter. But if you didn't read what was above read it now!
Thank you so much for all the wonderful compliments! They make me feel so special!! Still glad you found a house, even if you aren't moving in yet! It'll be really exciting when you do!! Thanks again!!
Ayriel Greenleaf: Here, have a tissue. Don't worry, I won't ever kill Leggy. I bet this chapter worried you. Don't worry. Without him, there would be no story! Thanks! You will read more soon, promise!! Bye!
ElvenStar5: Your welcome!! Glad the oxygen tank is working, and really glad you liked the last two chappies! Thanks!
HalandLeg4ever: Hey, your back! Yay! *huggles* Yeah, Legolas was supposed to kill the poor kid…but as you just read, he did something else. Don't worry, he ain't dead, and he ain't gonna be a vegetable or anything. Story will go on!! As for the cliffie…honey, you ain't seen NUTHIN' yet!! Thanks!
Legolas_gurl: Um….sorry, but long chapters just aren't my style. I don't particularly like writing them, as you can see by the extreme shortness of this one. Sorry! Then next one is longer! But thanks!
I love Orlando Bloom too! I love him to death and my friends all think I'm insane. Well, at least the ones who aren't also in love with him. A fellow Orli fan is always my friend! Welcome to the club!