OKAY, THIS CHAPPIE IS GOING TO CARRY FROM PRESENT TO PAST TO PRESENT, SO BE WARNED! sorry if the formatting screwed up too, don't know why it's doing it!
ROTK CAME OUT! YAY! YAY! HEHE!
Part Seven Cont.
Betrayal and Salvation
Legolas and Aragorn both watched as Anders lowered Elladan to the ground with great care not to infuriate his aching ribs more than the man could help. The raven-haired being grunted as he felt the light touch of his body coming to rest on the earth. Ander's face was grave. He knew that Elladan had to be hurting a lot right then. Gingerly, he brushed Elladan's thin, white hand away from the battered ribs. Elladan didn't contend. He was too tired and he didn't really care anymore.
Prudently the man began to feel along the elf's ribs for broken ones. He pressed down on the first two, the second two, then Elladan hissed loudly. Well, thought the human darkly, there's one. As he delicately applied more pressure, so he could feel how badly it was broken, Aragorn called softly to Elladan, "gwador nin, it will be alright, you'll see."
Elladan turned his head feebly in the direction of the voice. He responded hoarsely back in a low whisper, "I wish I could believe that, I really wish I could." Aragorn felt tears burning in his eyes.
"But you can," he protested. The ranger stated back; "you just have to believe."
"Easier said than done Estel," retorted the elf slowly. Breathing hurt.
Anders looked up at Legolas and Aragorn. The ranger was wide awake, watching his elder brother in consternation. Legolas, however, had fallen asleep again. His head rested on the ranger's shoulder once more. Aragorn saw that there was some relief in the man's eyes that was before him. Ander's smiled weakly and said, "he has two broken ribs that I can tell. Other than that, being blind, battered, and slight eternal bleeding, he seems fine."
The words Aragorn said sounded far deficient of amused. "Fine?" he questioned angrily. "You mean to tell me that other than being battered within an inch of his life he's well? Splendid!" said the ranger sarcastically. What a thing to say! Fine indeed!
Anders looked sympathetic. "He is better than he could have been." He didn't tell the them that Elladan had nearly been killed. "I have a plan to save him...and the rest of you."
Aragorn smiled thinly. "Thank you, but you know that is near impossible."
"You have to believe," said the other ranger, echoing Aragorn's earlier words. "I...am...am having Elladan sold to Tethane," explained the human quickly.
"Tethane?" inquired Aragorn, furrowing his dark brows and stared at the other ranger with a look of lack of comprehension. "Isn't she your wife?"
"Aye, but she will be playing a different roll when these men arrive with him," he gestured at Elladan, who lay nearly motionless on his back. To all appearances, he looked dead. "They think they are selling Elladan to a harlot."
"Does Dan know it's not real?" asked Aragorn quickly and with an apt glance at his older brother. If he didn't there could be real trouble.
Anders smiled. "Yes, I think so. Although, I doubt he will admit it. I think he sees me as a traitor," finished the man ruefully, his smile fading into a frown. He didn't think, he knew that was what Elladan saw him as.
A call for the 'captain' suddenly arose. "Captain Draciar! Lord Cracire wants you immediately!"
Anders turned around and looked over his shoulder. He then glanced at the elves and man in front of him. "I must go Aragorn, Legolas, Elladan." With that he got up and walked sullenly off in the direction of the call.
Aragorn shook his shoulder gently to wake the slumbering blonde elf at his side. Legolas mumbled. "I was just beginning to get into this wonderful dream about drinking flagon after flagon of the finest wine, and you had to wake me!"
Aragorn frowned. "Be serious Legolas. Getting that heavily drunk isn't beguiling!"
Legolas lifted his weary head and sighed. "Depends whether you're the drunk one or not, doesn't it?" He was doing his best to make a jest, but his heart was not in it. Aragorn rolled his eyes. Mirkwood elves. Suddenly, the elf's breath hitched and he coughed. A hint of red showed in the corners of his mouth. Legolas hastily wiped it away, hoping that his companion had not noticed. It was too late, Aragorn had already noticed. He gave his friend an alarmed look.
"And what was that Legolas?" he asked, not really expecting an answer.
Legolas smiled weakly. "A reminder that Frinican hates me with a passion."
Aragorn sighed stiffly, "you are hurt badly then? I am beginning to build up such fond memories of my times spent with you," finished the human satirically.
Legolas just smiled wider. "If it's any consolation, I have the most joyful recollections of times with you too." He said this lightly, but Aragorn knew that was far from how the elf felt about it in his heart. Legolas's tone went dead serious, "and how are you, they hit you around pretty hard my friend."
"Less than they did you," came the swift reply.
"But they beat on you all the same," argued Legolas. He suddenly felt dizzy. His eyes went out of focus and the ranger reached his hands out to help ease the elf to the ground.
Once Legolas was on his back, Aragorn watched as his friend's eyes centered on him. Then, Legolas sighed. "I think I am far weaker than is to my liking," he said at length.
"Really, how did you ever guess?"
A soft whisper to their right interrupted their bickering. "It's going to be a long night...Estel, leave Legolas alone, please? ...How am I supposed to recover what little strength they haven't robbed me of, with you two arguing like neither of you nearly died and we were safe at home!" Aragorn looked at Elladan, for it was the raven-haired elf that had spoken.
"Elladan!" exclaimed the human. "We thought you to be unconscious!"
"I am beginning to wish I was," said the Noldo in a tired voice. Aragorn left Legolas's side and crawled over to his brother. Elladan smiled when he saw felt Aragorn's hand clasp his slightly shaking one. "It has been a while brother...since I saw you last...well I mean..." Aragorn knew what his elder brother meant.
The human released the ebony-haired being's hand and lay down beside him, beside his brother. Elladan sighed and closed his eyes in weariness. Aragorn did not shut his eyes, he lay awake for a time, watching his brother tremble, even in his sleep. Elladan had never feared men before. But now, the ranger was beginning to wonder. He hoped that Elladan was not so marred in body and heart that he would never range and track with him again. He did not want his brother to go into the West.
Legolas's soft and wistful breathing could be heard and Aragorn knew the elf was sleeping. As he listened to the rhythmic, deep breathing of the prince, he felt his eyelids droop. Soon he was in a slumber so deep, he did not even dream, or was it the pain and darkness encroaching on his heart?
- ----- -
Legolas awoke to the feeling of something hitting his face and he opened a set of cryptic blue eyes. Frinican was standing above him, holding a small bucket in his hand that contained the slaves' food for that morning. Legolas looked down his nose at his chest and saw a stale piece of bread that looked anything but appetizing. Frinican just frowned. "What's wrong with it elf?"
Legolas frowned and said as he sat slowly up, so as not to set off a new headache and infuriate his ribs. "It's stale and well, ...blighted," he grumbled with good reason.
Frinican rolled his eyes. "Oh no, I'm sorry your majesty, can I get you something better?" he sneered in a mocking voice that reminded Legolas sharply of an immature child that chose to act like a brat.
Legolas ignored the human with his barbed comment and placed a hand lightly across his ribs. They burned and were stiff. All his body was stiff and his hair still clung to his face. The air felt cold about him and he shivered. Picking up the bread, he stared at it morosely with his cobalt orbs. He had to eat something, but why this?
Anders came around, he saw Legolas and glared. Frinican hadn't given them any water. Legolas was in desperate need of it. Going over to where the tormentor was getting ready to wake Aragorn and Elladan, he said in an angry utterance, "they need water."
Frinican shrugged. "You want to give it to them Captain?" His voice showed little caring for the captives and his actions even less. He didn't offer to help at all. Water was scarce in these parts, they were slaves, and if they died, no loss did the corsairs suffer.
Anders didn't answer, but took his own water flask and tossed it to Legolas, who watched as it hit the ground by his right hand. The prince was contemplating how fresh the water was, when he saw Anders give him a look that plainly stated it was a life or death situation. Legolas carefully uncorked the water and took a sip from the flask. The water did not taste fresh, but here it was beyond all his hopes. It seemed sweet and a great blessing. He let the water flow down his parched throat.
The elf nearly choked on his water when he heard Estel yell, "What! He needs food too! He'll die!" The human sounded really angry and like he was ready to commit a murder.
Legolas looked over in the ranger's direction and saw Frinican had a hold of Elrond's Son and was dragging him away from Aragorn's side. The ranger was getting angry, his face was contorted in rage. His brother could starve! Elladan looked pale and frightened.
Frinican snarled, "he will get his food earned soon enough in Shishma! You keep your trap shut unless you want me to do to you what I did to them!"
Aragorn was not going to stand for that. He didn't are what they did to him. They were being cruel to his brother for no reason other than he was a blind elf and elves were considered inferior to them. "You are a barbarous tyrant Frinican! He is blind! Why can't you just leave him alone you demented slave driver!" snapped the dark-haired man to the slaver. Frinican's face turned a unwholesome shade of crimson.
He dropped the bucket of stale bread and said in a low, deadly voice that made waves of cold fear shoot up Aragorn's backbone," I consider myself a calm man. But, you have used up all of the patience I had for you!"
Elladan shouted was best as he could, "Estel you dunderhead-" Frinican hastily clamped a hand over the raven-haired immortal's mouth. He didn't want interference. Elladan tried to twist free of the grip but the man's burly hand was more than adequate to silence the fair being that was sorely weakened.
Frinican snarled, "you can just shut up, you good-for-nothing guttersnipe!" he raged at the elf that was writhing fiercely in his grip. Then, his cold and wrathful gaze fell upon the ranger who was glaring defiantly at the stony-hearted pirate before him. "And you, ranger, had better hope that the cost for those words is not more than you can pay!" Elladan thrashed for all he was worth in the man's manual strength, with its stifling clamp on his mouth. His brother was in caught up in calamity and he was helpless to defend him.
Frinican gave Elladan a rough shove backwards, toppling him over. Elladan felt a blaze of dull pain blanket his head as it struck the ground and his ears began to ring once more. Frinican stomped over to Aragorn and backhanded him with such force that the ranger slammed into the ground. Aragorn looked up with a mutinous glow flickering in his steel gray eyes, blood ran anew from his lower lip. Elladan heard the noise and moaned in dismay and abhorrence. Aragorn looked in the direction of his brother and winced as he felt Frinican's boot connect with his chin.
Blood welled in his mouth and his teeth ground, sending stars to hector his vision and shot a nearly blinding headache over him that lasted two seconds then dissipated. Frinican was not finished and he let the young man know it by dragging him up by the collar of his tunic.
Anders stood by Legolas, putting restraining hand on the prince's shoulder. Legolas was ready to fight the man and use the last of his strength to do it. Anders knew that the blonde elf would most likely not restrain himself and reminded him softly that it was not the best choice in the long run. Legolas took the reprimand, but a flicker of intense and bitter anger and hatred sparked his cold blue orbs.
Frinican dragged Aragorn over to the tree and slammed his back against it. He then placed his hands on the man's throat and tightened his grip. Aragorn was pinned to the trunk of the tree by nothing but the elder man's hand constricting his throat. Spots danced before his vision and he felt like blacking out all together. Frinican flicked open his knife and held it by Aragorn's cheek, so the ranger could see the sharp blade. "I would have hoped that through looking at your friends you might have learned that I do hate it when slaves forget their place." He took it and his dark eyes flashed as he looked at the ranger's arm. Taking the knife, he took it and slowly drove it into the soft flesh of the upper arm. He watched Aragorn's face pale and perspiration pool on his brow as he drew it slowly downward. Frinican smiled chilling as he saw Aragorn go stiff and bite his lip until blood flowed from a self inflicted laceration.
The pirate carved a slow and deep wound in the ranger's muscle. Aragorn felt ill as he sensed hot blood running down his arm in a fiery, crimson river that stained his tunic a darker shade. Frinican didn't stop there. He took his blade and infuriated the wound further by taking it and pressing it against the wound, causing blood to spurt out. Then, he took and hurled the younger man before him in the stomach with his knee. Aragorn doubled over as much as Frinican's clamp on his neck would allow. His eyes glazed a hazy ashen color as they dulled over in pain.
Elladan heard the sickening sound of his brother's stomach getting bruised. He recalled his moments with Frinican and shuddered. Oh, Eru! His younger brother, whom their Ada had wanted him to protect, was getting antagonized and he was helpless to obstruct it. This was the worst thing he had ever had to admit and ever had to go through.
Frinican then pulled the ranger away from the tree and dragged him up before Legolas, who was by now sitting near Elladan protectively. The prince met Frinican with a look of vehement aversion and pity. Frinican took his dagger and brushed it against the newly created arm wound casually so that the man hissed as the raw flesh was grated against. "Hey elf, this look familiar? You want to go through this again?" Anders tightened his grip so hard it nearly made the prince wince.
The disguised ranger knew that Thranduil's son was liable to act upon his friend's pain, to their utter discover and destruction. Anders also knew Frinican would get bored soon and stop. The man was mad and he only was entertained briefly, for he bored easily.
Legolas did not care. However, he did not turn his head away, he met Frinican's gaze steadily. "A man who takes company with elves is no better than an elf," he snarled in the ranger's ear. "Elves are deceitful, witches that should all be made as slaves, for they are dangerous," he stated in a loud voice that clearly showed his opinion. Legolas furrowed his brows in a dark and sneering frown. Frinican looked Aragorn's pain filled eyes that still had a spark of defiance in them. With a sneer of scorn, he dropped the ranger to the ground and kicked him brutally. Looking at Legolas, he held up his knife and twirled it for the prince to see the scarlet blood of his friend on it, saying," shall I engrave him some more elf?" He watched Legolas's face. "If you beg I may spare him."
"You are a abominable oppressor of the innocent Frinican and you will pay," snarled the blonde immortal. Frinican smiled and looked at Aragorn's other shoulder.
"I think I need to balance things out, "he said with mock regret. "Yes," he smiled, "yes, I think I would like that." He was about to carve a new laceration into the younger man below him. Legolas burst out.
"Alright, I will beg if that is what you truly wish, but please don't!" Blood loss in that quantity could very possibly be deadly. Frinican smiled and continued to rotate the weapon leisurely. He looked at Aragorn as if contemplating where to make the next wound. Legolas whispered, "please, don't." He saw the sweat that covered the ranger's face and the blood that was flowing over his arm and hand. He saw the blood coming from his mouth, trickling from his bleeding lip.
Elladan whispered, "Legolas? What is going on?" His voice was filled with fear and regret. He couldn't see; what were they doing to his brother?
Legolas shot back in the Gray Tongue, "peace Elladan." The dark-haired elf was unable to see and he did not want to get into something he very possibly could not finish.
Anders spoke and said slowly, as though he thought Frinican was stupid and could only comprehend slow speech, "This has gone far enough Frinican. Unless you consider your life worthless, I would suggest that it end here. You are damaging property of Lord Cracire needlessly, and I will report you."
Frinican snapped. "You wouldn't."
"I would. Now help me get them to their feet and onto the oliphaunt. We are leaving. "
"As you wish captain," said Frinican as though he didn't care in the least what became of the elves. Frinican went over to Elladan and grasped the front of his tunic, pulling him up. Elladan nearly lost his balance. His ears were ringing profusely and he was blind, so everything seemed off balance. Frinican said forcefully, "come on you brat, we're burning daylight." Elladan feared Frinican most when he was calm, for then he was unpredictable. Anders looked over his shoulder as he saw some men brining an oliphaunt along with many ropes to control the beast.
Legolas stared at the creature and looked at the ranger, wondering if he were remembering. However, the human's eyes were closed and his face pale as death. His wound was bleeding, bleeding.
- - - - - - - - -
Elladan sat before Legolas near the neck of the oliphaunt, and the
Mirkwood elf had an arm about Elladan's middle, holding him up. The Noldo
hissed if the blonde elf's arm would jolt when the oliphaunt shook flies.
Legolas did his best to be gentle, but it was hard, for he was not well
himself.
Aragorn sat behind Legolas, his face pale and clammy. An odd bandage
decorated his right arm, and it was stained with a fanned out crimson
stain. The wound had only truly quit bleeding an hour ago and they had
been on the road, so to speak, for four hours.
Aragorn had a throbbing headache and his lips were parched. The sun beat
down and threatened to roast the human. Legolas knew it and sighed, this
was not good. He felt the top of Elladan's head gently. It was burning up
from the sun's rays as well. Legolas lightly took his hand and brushed
sweaty strands of the long dark hair from the Noldo elf's neck and
shoulders so air could circulate and keep him a little cooler, Elladan
moaned; he was too weak and tired to do more. Legolas had long ago taken
and pulled his own hair back with a string from his clothes. Still, sweat
clung to his brow in a glistening mantle.
Anders rode in the front with Frinican. Other men walked warily on the
ground beside the oliphaunt and still others rode on other beasts nearby,
as Legolas looked down, he saw them. He noticed that Ander's eyes were
partially closed, as though in thought and deep concentration. The elf
knew the human was thinking of his master plan that would supposedly save
them all.
Legolas watched as they road through this country that had once been so
beautiful and now was reduced to a desert climate.
As Legolas looked at the terrain they were traveling across and at
Aragorn, memories were brought from the back of his mind to the front. He
had been around here before, years ago.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Past... Legolas screamed as he hit a man atop his horse and pain jolted through his body. He and the human toppled off the beast together. The man drew out his sword to slay whatever had jumped him, to his surprise, he saw an elf. When he saw the arrow jutting from the immortal's chest and blood creeping out from around the wound, he gasped, "oh Valar, what happened? That is one of our arrows!" Dropping his sword to the ground, he went and put his arms under Legolas's head and shoulders and gently shook the elf to try and keep him conscious. Legolas tried to focus his bleary eyes that seemed to spinning.
"Where is Aragorn?" he asked in a voice nearly as loud as a scream. He struggled to get out of the man's grip. "Let me go! Where is my friend!"
The human gripped the fair being's shoulders. "Calm down, calm down. You aren't exactly safe, but I will do what I can for you," said the mortal. Legolas continued to struggle, but he was growing weaker as blood drained from the wound almost like water. His lips began to turn a shade of unsettling gray and he trembled slightly. The human watched as the elf strove for life. "Stay with me...elf. You will be alright, but you have to stay awake."
Aragorn glared at Lanotin with eyes that burned with a terrible fire. "What," he snarled thickly in anger, "did you do?" Legolas was dead. This coward had killed him.
Lanotin snapped back in defense of himself, "it was just one elf, the world is full of them, just go find another." Aragorn's scowl deepened and darkened.
"I don't believe you! Elves are not animals! They are immortal, wisest and fairest of all of us! They have different personalities and you just put out one of the brightest lights in the world!" Aragorn was beyond angry. "How can you be such a cold blooded killer?" he paused then said, "don't you have any remorse?"
Lanotin shrugged and restated, "he was just an elf."
This was too much for Aragorn. That was his friend that had been killed. He leaped at Lanotin, catching him in the ribs. The bigger man kicked and Aragorn nearly vomited as he felt the strong foot hit his stomach with a dull pain. The ranger landed sprawling on his back atop the oliphaunt's broad shoulders. Lanotin jumped onto him, and pinned him down with his knees on the ranger's chest. Aragorn tried to kick the burly man of him, but he was far lighter and Lanotin grinned a feral smile. "I have been waiting to finish you off ranger!" He drove his fist into Aragorn's face and stars danced before the human's eyes.
Suddenly, a projectile came and struck Lanotin between his shoulder blades. He fell forward onto Aragorn. His crushing weight took Aragorn's breath away as the burly human fell forward onto the ranger. Blood came from the bully's mouth and his face was going gray. "Help me," he whispered faintly. "Help me..." his voice trailed off as his last breath left him. However, as he began to fall, his sheer ballast began to drag the ranger down with him. They were going to fall down off the oliphaunt together.
Legolas felt consciousness slipping from his mind and blackness edged his vision. He rolled his eyes to look at the oliphaunt he and Aragorn had been riding. He saw Aragorn...falling? Yes, falling, falling to what was most likely his death. Legolas croaked the words, "Aragorn, no!" The man shook the elf gently some more. But it was to no avail and blackness took the prince.
The man could not help but wonder, who was Aragorn? Was the elf just delirious, or was there someone he did not know about?
Aragorn felt himself sliding down with Lanotin, it was as thought they were locked together. He slithered down along the beast's side. Lanotin finally fell completely clear of him, but that was not of much help, for Aragorn felt nothing but air beneath his feet and knew he was following the other man down to a harsh landing. Suddenly, a rope on the side of the beast caught his eyes, reaching his hand out, he grabbed it.
However, his fingers slid and the rope glided between them. Aragorn grunted as he felt the hemp burn his skin, biting it and leaving a stinging rope blister to run down his palm. Suddenly, his hand caught on a knot and he gripped tighter. The wavy-haired human's feet dangled below him.
Don't look down. That was the key. Aragorn suddenly felt his grip beginning to wane. He couldn't hold on for much longer. Then his grip involuntarily released and Aragorn plunged towards the ground below. As he fell by a metal part, that stuck out from the oliphaunt's saddle like gear, struck him violently on his right temple. Dots, yellow and blue, bobbled before him. He felt fiery blood running down the side of his head and pain, sharp and severe striking him at five second intervals. Aragorn was still falling, but he didn't notice, he was in a dazed pain that all but blinded all his senses.
Suddenly, he struck the ground and felt severe pain impact up his legs and spine. He cried out softly and lay still where he had fallen. He was sure countless bones of his were broken.
He saw the chaos of battle raging about him. Rangers on horses and Haradrim clashing with each other in bloody battles. He heard the scream of a horse dying and the trumpet of a falling oliphaunt in terror. Dust stung his eyes and clung to blood that was trickling down his brow in a thin crimson stream that he hardly noticed. He wondered if he was dying, for though the place was in tribulation, he felt alone and lost in his own world. He did not see Legolas on the ground. He began to wonder if the Haradrim, with their malevolence for elves, had not simply mutilated the immortal. Just the thought made him sick and he felt faint.
Blackness was creeping into his vision and he didn't fight it, but rather embraced it. The darkness coming in on him seemed a peaceful blessing.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - -
Present...
Glorfindel rode behind Elrohir. Both seemed tired, Ancú noticed with anxiety. It was not like Elrohir nor the Gondolin elf to show such weariness, indeed, he was certain they hardly got it. Rothinzil seemed alert. Even though he had dark hair, Ancú was reminded sharply of Legolas when he looked at the other elf. How the immortal walked and spoke was just like the prince.
Asfaloth stepped nearer to Ancú and the Noldo backed away a few steps, unconsciously touching his hand and rubbing it. He did not trust that horse. 'You stay away from me,' he thought darkly, ' and all will be well.' Glorfindel noticed and smiled to himself. Well at least his horse had toned Ancú and his mischievous behavior down a peg. That was good.
The Ancú tried to busy himself by watching the woods about them. They were nearly tropical and he thought the tree were very interesting. He looked at Rothinzil, who was fingering his short bow thoughtfully and studying the trees as well. The Mirkwood elf spoke, "these are strange trees. I have never seen their kind before," he finished delicately. Ancú gave him a strange look. Wood elves.
"Neither have I," said the Rivendell elf in reply. "Elrohir, have you?"
Elrohir lifted his eyes from where they had been half lidded and stared at Ancú for a moment before answering, "yes, twice."
Glorfindel looked at the other elves and said, "really Elrohir? When?"
Elrohir spoke as though recalling the last times he had seen these trees and their tropical leaves. "Once, when I had to bring a message to the rangers of the South with Elladan and we were attacked by Southrons, another when we had work to do in Ithillian along the confines of Mordor." Glorfindel nodded.
The Gondolin elf then asked softly, "how is your leg El?"
"Better, now that it's not being twisted and pulled every other way by orcs," he responded with a frown. It actually felt horrible and pain jolted up it every few seconds.
Glorfindel gave the young Noldo a look that stated he knew the twin was being mendacious. "Elrohir, it hurts, does it not?"
"A little, yes," replied the elf reluctantly. "But we have to get my brothers and Legolas back," said the raven-haired immortal with fervor clouding his voice.
"We will get them back Elrohir, I promise we will," said Glorfindel slowly. The Gondolin Elf-lord looked as though he was about to say more, but the words never came.
Ancú suddenly gave a stifled shriek and hissed. Rothinzil and the other elves watched in amusement as the Rivendell elf began to jump around on one foot clutching the one suspended in the air. Glorfindel raised his golden brows and stared at Elrohir, who grinned diabolically. Roth let loose a laugh. "And what is ailing you Ancú?"
Ancú turned a pair of mutinous eyes on Glorfindel and said, "That thing," he pointed to the horse; "deliberately stepped on my foot! The beast! I tell you, he is out to get me!" growled the dark-haired elf maliciously. Glorfindel snickered slightly.
Ancú snarled, "oh, go ahead and cackle! You think it is boisterously entertaining!" The elf continued to rub his foot and glare, mumbling curses under his breath.
"I can't deny I find it humorous," stated the golden-haired elf. A horse had sneaked up on the other elf. It was too comical to pass up.
Elrohir swung forward slightly and peeped around at Asfaloth's face. It looked perfectly content and smug. If it was possible for a horse to smirk, the Gondolin elf's horse was doing it with perfection. Ancú looked at the horse and glared like the creature had just called him a wraith. The horse rolled its eyes and yawned almost innocently. Glorfindel patted the animal's rump.
Rothinzil smiled with a grin that showed he was ready to burst into hysterical laughter and Ancú shoved him into a bush teasingly, but with an apprise of irritation. Roth cracked up into laughter and nearly tripped over a bush in front of him as he stumbled out of the first. Ancú grinned smugly but still felt exasperated with all of them. "Roth, there's a bush there."
Rothinzil could not help but grin and say, "I loved your new dance Ancú." He totally ignored Anc's comment about the bush.
Ancú could only grin back like a fool and say, "well, would you care to try it?" Roth's smile was infectious, just like Prince Legolas's. Ancú guessed it was a Mirkwood elf thing.
Roth shook his head and said sarcastically, "are you sure you want me to take away your uniqueness?" Glorfindel and Elrohir watched the two elves that had never really met before teasing each other as though they were old friends. Mirkwood and Rivendell had another alliance, another link.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A town of huts and a few larger houses of log and cane loomed up ahead
and Legolas opened bleary eyes that he had closed against the heat and
bright light. Aragorn was behind him and his head lolled off to the side
in slumber from the heat of the day that had lulled him to sleep like a
soft lullaby. Legolas twisted his head around and whispered, "Strider,
awake, I think we are in Shishma, if that is so, then this is Elladan's
stop."
Aragorn opened a set of filmy steel gray eyes, they had dark ringlets
around them; a result of lack of sleep and marring pain. He had to make
several attempts, before he could focus his eyes onto the prince and his
anxious face. "What?" he mumbled, still weary beyond measure.
"We are in Shishma," hissed Legolas urgently. Aragorn sat up and rubbed a
pale hand over his aching forehead.
"Where is Elladan?" he asked curiously and in a near groan.
"In front of me still asleep," whispered Legolas to the human.
"No, I am awake Legolas," came a thin voice. It was Elladan. "I had been
dozing, but this heat is way to parched for me to rest in."
"Aye, me either. But," here the elf prince grinned slightly; "it seems
only our strange ranger could find rest in this menacing heat." Elladan
laughed lankly. That sounded like Estel all over again.
Anders looked back at the elves and sighed. Turning to Frinican, he said,
"Tethane lives on the other side of the village. I do not wish to bring
the oliphaunts there. We will have to guide the dark-haired elf through."
Frinican said, "Should I let Lord Cracire know you plan to leave the
oliphaunt outside the city and are going to walk through?"
"Aye," answered Anders. "And tell him that I think it would be best for
them to go around the city and make camp on the other side, taking with
them Leg-the other slaves."
"Now Captain Draciar you will witness my closest friend in action," said
Frinican, apparently not noticing the 'captain's' slip. He gave a shrill
whistle and Anders looked around in bewilderment. He saw Frinican looking
up and he looked p as well. Out of the air dropped a falcon. She was
sleek and black, with gray under feathers.
The bird came to rest on Frinican's gloved hand, she preened herself then
turned a glassy, dark eye on the human. Frinican purred, "this is my lady
who does my will." He stroked her breast feathers lovingly with a single
finger and she stretched her neck. Anders had not expected this. It
changed things. But not that much, but the bird would have to die.
Frinican took and unfolded a piece of paper from his pocket. He scrawled
a quick message that Anders did not see and attached it to the ankle of
the bird. With a twist of his wrist, he launched the bird into the air
and she took off with grace and speed. Anders watched as the bird soared
high then began to fly in the direction of Lord Cracire. The camouflaged
ranger wondered just how the bird knew who Cracire was and knew where to
go and when to come back.
"Now lets get the inky-haired one," said Frinican, disrupting Ander's
train of thought. Frinican stood up, balancing his weight carefully out
and went to Elladan. Legolas glared as the human gripped the Noldo by his
tunic front and pulled him forward. Grabbing a cord from his belt, he
wrapped it around Elladan's wrists with his hands in front and none too
gently. Legolas was surprised at how well Elladan was taking everything.
Although, considering he was blind, what was there he could possibly do?
Anders came and grabbed Frinican's shoulder, pulling him away from
Elrond's Son with a growl. He was not going to let the elf fall into that
man's hands again. If Frinican lost his temper with Elladan one more
time, that could finish the elf off.
- - - - - - - - - -
It was not long before Anders and some more men, along with Frinican had
Elladan moving through the streets of Shishma. Anders had the raven-
haired immortal by his bound hands and was carefully leading him on the
dirt roads that were littered with pebbles and rocks. The human tried to
keep the elf from falling, but every now and then, he would stumble over
a stone or jagged rock.
It wasn't so much fear that was gnawing at Elladan was embarrassment
and anger. He could hear people snicker with every stumble he took and
every fall he made where he ended up on his knees in the dirt. He did not
understand how humans could be so cruel to one another and he wished that
he was anywhere but in this shameful city that had to be full of
impurities.
Anders was patient and every time Elladan fell, he picked him back up.
He allowed the elf to lean on him from time to time. After all, he had
known Elladan all his life and he was his friend, even if for right now
they were supposed to be enemies.
Frinican rolled his eyes each time Anders offered Elladan a hand off
the ground. The 'elf-lover' was really beginning to grate on his nerves
something awful.
In a matter of about an hour, they were on the outskirts of the city
and nearing a large, thatch roof house, made of bamboo and other
materials. However, it had to be two stories.
Anders ordered the other men to stay to the back and ordered Frinican
to come with him. Carefully, he led Elladan over to the door. Almost as
soon as he started tapping, a women answered.
She was tall and tanned with long black hair put into a single braid
to run down her back. She had a dress of silky material on and a shawl
about her shoulders, despite the heat of the day. Her eyes, crystal gray,
looked over the scene before her. A dark-haired elf, an elf of the Noldor
clan was bound and held by a man. Her eyes rested on Anders and she
stared for nearly a moment too long before directing her eyes onto
Elladan. "Did you bring me a new pet, love?" She put a slender finger
under Elladan's chin and he jerked his head swiftly awake. She smiled,
placing her hand back at her side.
Anders said, "I did indeed." He watched Elladan's face, hoping the
twin had caught on by now that it was all rouse for his own good. It
looked as though the Noldo understood, but he was not sure.
"And how can I control an elf?" she asked, coming closer and circling
around Elladan, as though looking for a sign of weakness she could
exploit. Elladan felt her eyes on him and turned his head to follow the
direction he knew hers was taking, even tough he could not see it. "He
looks ill," she said with a hint of suspicion.
"He is blind, and slightly battered, nothing that cannot be repaired,"
responded Anders slowly.
"I will have to consider this carefully, for it is rare indeed I get
an elf, they are so much fun," she purred. Elladan, even though he was
half certain this was a trick for his escape, shuddered. "How much would
you want for this rare find?"
"Well, considering he is the twin brat of Lord Elrond..."
"He is? That makes it better," she crooned. Elladan shifted uneasily
and edged slightly away from the direction of her voice.
"And raises the price, " said Frinican, speaking for the first time,
for he had been enamored by her beauty.
"I would say so indefinitely," she said. She ran her finger through a
strand of Elladan's long black locks. He migrated his head away and she
let it go.
"I think we could settle for five sliver pieces and..." The man looked
around, his eyes fell on a silver necklace with a strange emblem she was
wearing. He pointed at it. "And that necklace." Her eyes shifted quickly
and a bit of alarm glowed behind them. Anders looked alarmed.
"I... I am afraid that is not available for you," she said and put her
hand on it unconsciously. Her tone had a waver of uncertainty.
"Fine," said Frinican; "no elf." He saw something on that necklace,
something strange. Anders gazed at Elladan, whose face had grown a shade
paler, from weariness and fear. If Tethane did not give the necklace to
Frinican as part of the price, it was certain that Elladan would die a
miserable death and that he would blow his cover trying to prevent it.
"Is there anything else that you might wish?" she asked hurriedly. Her
eyes darted to Anders when Frinican shook his head. Anders nodded as he
saw her hand flow over the necklace in a near caress. She knew what she
had to do, but it was hard and dangerous to give up the ornament. Her
slender hands went behind her neck and to the tiny clasp. Sliding the
silver piece of jewelry from her neck, she handed it to Frinican along
with five other silver coins. Anders gave Elladan a gentle shove toward
her as a sign he was hers.
She stammered without warning, "I would like someone to stay and make
sure he is broken in! I don't wish to be throttled by this wild being,
blind or no." She gestured to Elladan. Her eyes fell on Anders, "you
stay, you were the one who brought him here, you stay for a short time
and control him." Frinican frowned.
"Are you sure I should not stay instead? He is the captain, they will
need him," offered the man hopefully.
"No," she answered; "I want the man who bought him to me." Frinican
clenched the necklace in his hand until the emblem imprinted on his palm.
Anders strode forward casually.
"I suppose I could, you will tell Lord Cracire Frinican?" he
questioned the man.
"Yes," growled Frinican slowly. He turned and walked dejectedly away.
Tethane grabbed Elladan by his arm and dragged him after her,
amazingly the elf did not falter. Anders followed.
Once in the house she went to the window to see none were still
outside and sighed heavily with relief when she saw them sauntering away
as Frinican rejoined the others that had been left to the back. "They
leave Anders, they are gone." Elladan suddenly felt pounding headaches
strike him and he sank to his knees. Anders was by his side.
Tethane whispered, "what did they do to him?"
"They beat him badly and kicked him a lot," answered Anders gravely.
"He really is blind, though why I know not. He also has at least two
broken ribs," assessed the ranger as he cut the bonds from the elf's
wrists and put a trembling arm over his shoulder to help support the elf
as they stood up together. Tethane went and gripped her husband's arm in
alarm. Anders asked her quickly, "Tethane, where is the nearest bed?
Somewhere to lay him and tend to his injuries?"
She pointed, "upstairs and to the right." Her eyes fell on Elladan's
bruised and pale face. "I will get some bandages and water." She turned
to go.
Anders shouted over his shoulder, "and all the herbs in the house." He
was glad that his wife had chose to come and live near him as he did his
secret spy work. He did not know what he would do without her. He could
hear her swiftly fulfilling his request.
Gripping Elladan about his waist with his other arm and helped him up the
staircase.
Once successfully upstairs and in the room to the right, Anders carefully
eased the elf down onto the bed. Elladan smiled warmly and said, "you two
shouldn't be risking yourselves on my account." The immortal hissed and
arched his back and pain radiated up his spine, coping with the suffering
as best as he was able.
Anders said, "its what friends do." Tethane appeared and many bundles
were in her arms. She dropped them and their contents onto the table near
the bed. Anders began to open up and peel away the raven-haired elf's
tunic or what was left of it) to reveal dark bruises, black and blue over
spots where his ribs were broken. Tethane looked away when she saw
Elladan's face contort and his breathing sped up considerably as Anders
pressed along his rib cage, looking for any more broken bones. Luck, for
the moment was with him and he discovered no more.
Elladan murmured softly and between short breaths, "I...am sorry I...ever doubted you Anders...You are a true friend...for not quitting on such a rash fool as I."
Anders smiled down on the elf and said with a wry grin, "rash? Now where did you get an idea like that?" Then more seriously, "you are very welcome."
Elladan grinned slightly, and relaxed a little. Anders placed a hand on the elf's chest and pressed with his fingers, trying to set the bones. Elladan's face went white as a sheet, then he said, "who would have ever thought that this would happen? I get struck blind and nearly killed all within a two-day period trying to save Elrohir, who was surprisingly more reckless than Estel, who brought us into this mess in the first place. If Ada was here he would most certainly lecture me." The human did not appear to be listening and swat pooled on his brows, though Elladan did not see it.
"Damn," groaned Anders as he realized how badly setting the ribs was
going to hurt. "Tethane-"
"We don't have any herbs to put him out. We have some for the pain," she
deferred quickly to her husband. She looked at him earnestly and then
away as Elladan coughed and clutched at his ribs.
"Not enough and he will need those later, for he will be lucky to escape
a fever, elf or no," answered the man solemnly. Tethane handed him a roll
of bandages and he took it. Tenderly, he pressed along Elladan's ribs,
putting them back in place before he could wrap them tightly. The elf
shuddered and shivered in pain and fatigue.
Darkness crept over to call for his senses and he bid it prevail, for he
was spent with sorrow and pain. The last thing he felt was Anders
wrapping a cloth tightly around his middle.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Anders looked at Tethane after taking Elladan's pulse. It was slow and
steady. He was healing, or at least resting. His face was getting its
color back, but it still had a tinge of gray. "He is getting well.
Tethane, he is indisputably blind."
Tethane looked mournfully down at the elf. It was sad, that a being of
so much talent and life was now brought down to being blind and dependant
on everyone. "Its tragic," she whispered.
Anders put his arm around her and said, "it is." Then he said in a
regretful tone, "I fear I must leave, for I have yet to free Legolas and
Aragorn." The ranger's voice was grave and he said, "you must look after
Elladan." Her eyes went large and fear glittered beyond them. He saw her
open her mouth to speak and put a finger on it for silence. "He will not
harm you, he wouldn't harm anyone, save orcs and other evil doers." She
relaxed and sagged into her husband's strong arms.
"If you say so Anders, my love," she uttered into his chest. Anders
pulled her close. "Please be careful Anders, please, I love you."
"I always am careful. But," here he paused and pulled her away so he
could look into her blue eyes; "promise me you won't let anything happen
to Elladan, take good care of him for me until I return with help." She
smiled slightly. Anders looked at her and said, "when I get back, we will
go home, away from this horrid place."
He released his grip on her and moved for the stairs then went down
them. Tethane followed and watched as her beloved opened the door to
leave. She went to shut it, but could not bring herself to do so. She
stood in the doorway as the wind whipped her hair free of its loose braid
and blew it against her face. Tears wetted her lashes and a single one
rolled down her cheek. She watched as her best friend went out into the
wild once more.
She recalled how they met and was lost in thought when a faint call
from upstairs brought her back into the present. It was Elladan and he
was awake, she called up to him, "One moment Lord Elladan!" Picking up
her skirts, she backed inside and closed the door.
Holding her skirts, she climbed the stairs and went to Elladan's
bedside. The elf swallowed hard before speaking, then said, "I think I
could use some herbs for the pain now."
She nearly cried, but held her composure. "Then I shall get them.
Anything else?"
"Could I possibly get some water?" he asked softly. A tremor ran
through his body as he fought a wave of agony.
She nodded and said, "of course, anything your heart desires."
She went down the stairs again to fetch some water from a pale she
filled every morning so that she could have it on hand later in the day.
It was by the front door , her skirts swept the floorboards with a soft
swish as she went to it with a small bowl for the water. Drawing out the
dipper, she poured the cool liquid into the crock. It made a soft
trickling sound as it filled the saucer.
Suddenly, her eyes darted to the window and to her horror she saw men
returning. They carried torches. Pressing herself up against the wall of
cane, she cautiously peered out the window and dropping the bowl,
shattering it on the ground, she flew to the stairs. They were coming,
they had found out it was confidence game.
She had told her spouse that she would take care of the Lord Elladan
and she meant to do it. They were not going to get a hold of him and beat
him again. It was obvious that the next time he would get beaten, would
be the last thing he would ever do in his life besides draw one last
painful breath. "Elladan!" she called to the elf. "Elladan!" She raced
into the room, in a flash of gown and long dark hair. "They are coming
for you!" He shifted.
"Who? What?" he demanded briskly. Panic and suspicion welled up in him
and sent a cold shiver up his spine.
"The Corsairs! They mean to capture us!" she said, a quaver plaguing
her voice. Elladan heard the tremble and it nearly broke his heart. If
only he had his sight, he might comfort her. He knew there was no escape
for them, yet he did not have the heart to tell her so. She seemed so
determined. He felt her hands grip him under his arms and she began to
half lift, half drag him up.
"What are you doing?" he inquired. If he would have been able to see
he would have given her a confused glare that many said was like that of
his father.
She sounded tired and yet resolute and frustrated. "I have to get you
out of here! Help me, unless you want them to get you!" Elladan writhed
to try and get up. She tugged on him and he gritted his teeth to keep
from crying out as his ribs shifted and the bandage reallocated.
Breathing once again felt impossible.
"I can't," he hissed in distress, for he was getting frightened again.
"You have to Elladan! I am not strong enough to carry you, but I can
support you and guide you." She pulled harder, urging him to fight the
lancing pain and get up to flee. But, fleeing was impossible.
"How far would we get?" asked Elladan sullenly. "I am blind and
injured, I will slow you down. You must escape. Go, leave me."
"No! I promised I wouldn't!" she screamed in a tearful cry. "I won't
let them..." she could not finish, the thought was too horrible.
"My life is half over, I am blind!" argued Elladan adamantly. Not only
that. As far as he knew, his brothers were all dead or dying.
"No! We are going to get out of here together!" she said. "Now help!"
Tethane did not know what would happen if they were captured, she was
actually trying not the think of the consequences of captivity at the
moment. She knew why they were coming, it was her fault, but now it was
too late. The Corsairs were coming and it was only a matter of seconds
before they arrived.
TBC...Yes, it is very confusing! There was no other way though. No
cliffies. Ugh! Or at least, not any really worth speaking about, unless
you are really intrigued by the past. Please review and let us know what
you thought of this bewildering chapter! LOL
Review Responses
THANK YOU EVERYONE! YOU HEARTEN US TO CONTINUE AND FINISH!
Deana Yes, cliffies all over the place.
Beling Yes I must. Muahaha!
Veritas and Aequiteas Not wimpy? Ouch! Poor elves and rangers!
Strider's Girl I always write evil cliffies. Yes, poor elf.
Shadowed Flames Lalalalala thank you! LOL
Elerrina Amanya You cam blame a horrible Nazgul that...um lives in our
closet. Yes, it goes by the name of Bilbo Baggins. Hehehehe. Yes, Legolas
will resemble a pincushion, but a dog on a ferry? Where do you come up
with this stuff? LOL
Gozilla yes, evil cliffies are our specialty.
Snow-Glory Huh! A lurker! Thank you for finally reviewing! We love you!
(((((((()))))))))) You really like it? Yah! Score! So you like how we
have past and present? That's cool!