Calaen looked up as the door to the council room swung open, and Tolvanir
and Garilion came in, dragging Legolas between them. Apart from the gash on
his cheek, his skin was already beginning to bruise. Clearly violence was
the only thing that the two guards knew, or were familiar with.
"Down on your knees," ordered Garilion, pushing Legolas forward to stand in front of Calaen's throne-like chair.
Instead of doing as he was told, Legolas held his head high and looked straight into his brother's eyes, trying hard to fight down the fear that was rising in him. Never would he bow to one like Calaen.
"I told you to get down on your knees!" snapped Garilion. "You *will* bow in front of the Prince."
"Both he and I are of equal status," said Legolas calmly, turning his head so as to look at the guards. "Not only that, but he is my brother. I will *not* bow."
In unison, Garilion and Tolvanir stepped forward. The latter grabbed Legolas by the shoulders and forced him down to the ground, holding him still whilst Garilion kicked him repeatedly in the chest and ribs. Calaen watched the proceedings in vague amusement, and it wasn't until three long and painful minutes had passed, that he held up a hand.
"Alright, you can go now," he said, getting up from his chair.
Legolas bowed his head, hair falling down into his eyes, chest rising and falling heavily as painful gasps escaped him. Garilion and Tolvanir, meanwhile, bowed quickly in front of Calaen, before turning and leaving the room.
"You could've saved yourself from going through all of that," said Calaen softly, standing in front of Legolas, and gently raising his face so that they made eye contact.
Sighing heavily, Calaen reached down and undid the collar around his brother's throat. It fell to the ground with a harsh clanging sound, which echoed throughout the dim room. Legolas looked on in wonder, surprised at the gentle way he was being treated. He knew though, that the dark haired Elf would and could easily snap back to his old self at any time.
"We need to speak, and there's no point in you staying on the ground," said Calaen, pulling Legolas to his feet. "You can sit down over there."
Legolas looked hesitantly in the direction that Calaen had pointed, and shook his head. "I would rather stand." In truth, he was reluctant to see even more power had over himself.
"Have it your way then," said Calaen, sitting down in his own chair. "Now, there are things which I need to discuss with you, but I should imagine that there are many questions you would like to ask. This is probably the only chance you will have, so if I were you, I would take it."
"There are indeed many questions I would like answers to," replied Legolas softly. "How is it that you are here? You should've died in the fire."
"You stabbed me, but it was not enough to kill me. I fell unconscious for a while, and upon waking, I felt and heard flames around me," said Calaen. "Your mind was apparently fixed on getting Airelus' body back to the palace, so you paid no attention to me. That hurt, Legolas. I would've thought that you might at least check to see if I were dead. But anyway, I crawled through a small gap in the fire, and although I was injured and blinded, I made my way towards what I thought was the edge of the forest. I was found later that night by Berian, who was the only one who knew about what it was that I wanted."
"But if you were blinded, how could you write that suicide note?" asked Legolas. "It was a perfect copy of my writing."
"We lived together since you were born. I knew your writing style well enough to do it with my eyes closed," replied Calaen. "So, I sent Berian to the palace, and he did what I asked. You see, it worked perfectly. The bond that you had with Thranduil was gradually torn apart. Tension came between you both, and you became withdrawn and reclusive. I found out all of this by listening to the mourning laments of the trees. But there was no real point to making it look like you had attempted to take your life; I just thought that to add some more strain to the situation would be...a nice touch."
Legolas clenched his fists behind him as anger began to surface. "A nice touch? It is because of that so called nice touch that so much more trouble was caused. You have no real idea of the pain that I caused my father. I would not speak with him, nor tell him how I felt. The only words I have spoken since Berian turned up have been angry and cold ones. I have pushed Aragorn away, because of how I have become. Maybe if you had just left us alone, things would be different. But they're not, and that's all thanks to you!"
"I know," said Calaen calmly. "And that has to be one of the longest speeches you've made. You see, not only do I listen to the trees, but I have spies everywhere: Rivendell, Lothlorien, even Mirkwood. They tell me a lot about you."
"What do you mean?" breathed Legolas, fear flashing through his eyes. "Spies in Mirkwood?"
"Relax, Thranduil will not get hurt," said Calaen. "Now, are there any more questions?"
"How can I believe that my father is safe?" asked Legolas sharply.
"You have my word," said Calaen in a bored voice.
Legolas bit his lip and searched his brother's face for any sign of dishonesty, however he found none. But then, you could never tell with Calaen. As he looked into sparkling green eyes, Legolas found himself thinking of something else.
"You said that when the Dolruin fell in your eyes, it blinded you. But what now? You clearly have perfect vision, but there is no found antidote for Dolruin," said Legolas.
"Ah, but that is where you are wrong," laughed Calaen. "Since he was an Elfling, Berian was taught the art of healing, by Lord Elrond. We spent over two years searching in various forests, and eventually we found a rare herb and made it into a mixture along with other things. I cannot tell you what they are now. But Berian had a scar on his hand that had not faded because of having Dolruin spilled on it, so we used it on the scar, and it disappeared. Now, I could give you this antidote. However, you cannot have it unless you agree to something."
The golden haired Elf looked up at Calaen warily, wondering what was going to be asked of him. "What is it that you want?"
"Patience, I'm coming to that," said Calaen sharply. "In the time that I was taken over by blindness, Berian was a great help to me. He went all over, looking for Elves who would be worthy to work for me. Garilion and Tolvanir, who you just encountered, were the first who agreed."
"Agreed to what?" asked Legolas.
Calaen's face darkened as he was interrupted once more, but he contented himself with clenching his fists to calm himself. "To try and take over Mirkwood. I now have over one hundred Elven warriors at my service, and not only that, but there are many men from the South who I have made alliances with. So you see, I am powerful. This place that we stand in now is only a fraction smaller than the palace, underground, away from prying eyes. It took a lot of hard work and toil to build, but it was all worth it. If anyone should happen to stumble upon this fortress, they are told of our plans, and then I ask them if they wish to be part of our community. If they agree, that's a bonus on both parts. If not, they die."
Legolas' eyes widened in shock as he realised what Calaen wanted. "Are you...asking me to join you? Are you asking me to help take over Mirkwood?"
"Think about it," said Calaen swiftly, standing in front of Legolas and putting both hands on his shoulders. "You can easily get in there. After all, you are the Prince, and who would suspect you of doing anything traitorous? There is so much in it for you."
"I cannot trust you, nor can I do as you ask of me," said Legolas. "That is my home, and I will not see it fall prey to your cruelty. But if your plan should succeed, what are you planning to do with those who reside there now?"
"They will either bow to me or lose their lives," said Calaen simply. "The same goes for Thranduil, for I will be the ruler of Mirkwood."
"Never!" spat Legolas.
Calaen exhaled deeply, before spinning the younger Elf around and cutting the rope that bound his wrists. "Look, I have untied you and taken off the collar which you wore. If you help me with this, you can have power over Mirkwood. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. People will look on you with new found respect."
"But it will not be respect," said Legolas quietly. "It will be fear."
"Not only that, but you can have the antidote for Dolruin," said Calaen slyly, ignoring his brother's last comment. "I believe you are still marked with that word?"
"You know full well that I am," snapped Legolas.
"But you could be rid of it," whispered Calaen, his eyes glinting wildly. "All you have to do is cross to my side. A few simple words, Legolas. That's all it takes. Come on, this is what you want. I can see it in your eyes."
"No," said the younger Elf firmly.
Calaen arched an eyebrow, a shadow of frustration passing over his face. "No? Legolas, why deny what you want? There is nothing left for you anymore, and this may be the one thing that can pull you into a better life. It will give you a-
"I will no never do anything like this!" yelled Legolas. "Keep your promises of power, I care not for them."
In one swift movement, Calaen had pinned Legolas against the wall and slapped him across the face. "I will break you before long. When your father does not comply with my rules, you will come back to me. Rest assured I will make you get down on the ground. You will beg to join me."
"What rules do you speak of?" asked Legolas, licking some blood away from his split lip.
"The original plan was to send Thranduil a message, telling him that we have you captive. If he wants you back, he must surrender Mirkwood to me. Then and only then would you return to him. It looks as though I must stick with that plan until you change your mind and come to help me."
"Just give up now," laughed Legolas. "My father will *never* give up Mirkwood."
"Then I will take it by force," said Calaen simply. "You could've saved yourself a lot of trouble for the next few days. But until I get some sort of response from Thranduil or an agreement from you, I will make you wish that you were never born. By the way, your friends will never go free until you fight for me. And if you do not agree, I will kill them...one by one." With that, Calaen went across and flung open the door. "Take him back to the cell!"
Garilion and Tolvanir came in and went straight to Legolas, whilst Calaen picked up the iron collar and snapped it once more around his stunned brother's throat. They locked eyes for a brief moment, before the younger was roughly dragged away.
............................................................................................................
Demonic Pyro Freak: Um...actually, I've lost track of all the places I've been to! But the best place is probably councilofelrond.com
Lirenel: Ah, all will be revealed about Gandalf soon enough...
inu lover: I take it you're not gonna repost 'Original Minds' then? Shame. Ah well, I'll go check out your new story!
Maiden-Of-Tears: I have read that story, and think that she's an incredibly talented person. But I didn't actually have that it mind when I wrote that last chapter. But after reading your review, I went back and found that bit in 'Captive of Darkness'. I didn't realise it was so similar, and I'll try and change it as much as I can :)
Halimanya: Yeah, I was planning on doing a prequel anyway. Little Legolas will be in it! :)
Starlit Hope: I'm glad you pointed that out; I think you were the only one who did! But I hope that everything above answers what you said? :)
OK, I'll just answer a quick question that has been asked more than once. Calaen still has dark hair; it's not changed in any way. The Elf who attacked Legolas had fair hair, but WASN'T Calaen. He was just doing the dirty work for him. Anyway, next chapter will
"Down on your knees," ordered Garilion, pushing Legolas forward to stand in front of Calaen's throne-like chair.
Instead of doing as he was told, Legolas held his head high and looked straight into his brother's eyes, trying hard to fight down the fear that was rising in him. Never would he bow to one like Calaen.
"I told you to get down on your knees!" snapped Garilion. "You *will* bow in front of the Prince."
"Both he and I are of equal status," said Legolas calmly, turning his head so as to look at the guards. "Not only that, but he is my brother. I will *not* bow."
In unison, Garilion and Tolvanir stepped forward. The latter grabbed Legolas by the shoulders and forced him down to the ground, holding him still whilst Garilion kicked him repeatedly in the chest and ribs. Calaen watched the proceedings in vague amusement, and it wasn't until three long and painful minutes had passed, that he held up a hand.
"Alright, you can go now," he said, getting up from his chair.
Legolas bowed his head, hair falling down into his eyes, chest rising and falling heavily as painful gasps escaped him. Garilion and Tolvanir, meanwhile, bowed quickly in front of Calaen, before turning and leaving the room.
"You could've saved yourself from going through all of that," said Calaen softly, standing in front of Legolas, and gently raising his face so that they made eye contact.
Sighing heavily, Calaen reached down and undid the collar around his brother's throat. It fell to the ground with a harsh clanging sound, which echoed throughout the dim room. Legolas looked on in wonder, surprised at the gentle way he was being treated. He knew though, that the dark haired Elf would and could easily snap back to his old self at any time.
"We need to speak, and there's no point in you staying on the ground," said Calaen, pulling Legolas to his feet. "You can sit down over there."
Legolas looked hesitantly in the direction that Calaen had pointed, and shook his head. "I would rather stand." In truth, he was reluctant to see even more power had over himself.
"Have it your way then," said Calaen, sitting down in his own chair. "Now, there are things which I need to discuss with you, but I should imagine that there are many questions you would like to ask. This is probably the only chance you will have, so if I were you, I would take it."
"There are indeed many questions I would like answers to," replied Legolas softly. "How is it that you are here? You should've died in the fire."
"You stabbed me, but it was not enough to kill me. I fell unconscious for a while, and upon waking, I felt and heard flames around me," said Calaen. "Your mind was apparently fixed on getting Airelus' body back to the palace, so you paid no attention to me. That hurt, Legolas. I would've thought that you might at least check to see if I were dead. But anyway, I crawled through a small gap in the fire, and although I was injured and blinded, I made my way towards what I thought was the edge of the forest. I was found later that night by Berian, who was the only one who knew about what it was that I wanted."
"But if you were blinded, how could you write that suicide note?" asked Legolas. "It was a perfect copy of my writing."
"We lived together since you were born. I knew your writing style well enough to do it with my eyes closed," replied Calaen. "So, I sent Berian to the palace, and he did what I asked. You see, it worked perfectly. The bond that you had with Thranduil was gradually torn apart. Tension came between you both, and you became withdrawn and reclusive. I found out all of this by listening to the mourning laments of the trees. But there was no real point to making it look like you had attempted to take your life; I just thought that to add some more strain to the situation would be...a nice touch."
Legolas clenched his fists behind him as anger began to surface. "A nice touch? It is because of that so called nice touch that so much more trouble was caused. You have no real idea of the pain that I caused my father. I would not speak with him, nor tell him how I felt. The only words I have spoken since Berian turned up have been angry and cold ones. I have pushed Aragorn away, because of how I have become. Maybe if you had just left us alone, things would be different. But they're not, and that's all thanks to you!"
"I know," said Calaen calmly. "And that has to be one of the longest speeches you've made. You see, not only do I listen to the trees, but I have spies everywhere: Rivendell, Lothlorien, even Mirkwood. They tell me a lot about you."
"What do you mean?" breathed Legolas, fear flashing through his eyes. "Spies in Mirkwood?"
"Relax, Thranduil will not get hurt," said Calaen. "Now, are there any more questions?"
"How can I believe that my father is safe?" asked Legolas sharply.
"You have my word," said Calaen in a bored voice.
Legolas bit his lip and searched his brother's face for any sign of dishonesty, however he found none. But then, you could never tell with Calaen. As he looked into sparkling green eyes, Legolas found himself thinking of something else.
"You said that when the Dolruin fell in your eyes, it blinded you. But what now? You clearly have perfect vision, but there is no found antidote for Dolruin," said Legolas.
"Ah, but that is where you are wrong," laughed Calaen. "Since he was an Elfling, Berian was taught the art of healing, by Lord Elrond. We spent over two years searching in various forests, and eventually we found a rare herb and made it into a mixture along with other things. I cannot tell you what they are now. But Berian had a scar on his hand that had not faded because of having Dolruin spilled on it, so we used it on the scar, and it disappeared. Now, I could give you this antidote. However, you cannot have it unless you agree to something."
The golden haired Elf looked up at Calaen warily, wondering what was going to be asked of him. "What is it that you want?"
"Patience, I'm coming to that," said Calaen sharply. "In the time that I was taken over by blindness, Berian was a great help to me. He went all over, looking for Elves who would be worthy to work for me. Garilion and Tolvanir, who you just encountered, were the first who agreed."
"Agreed to what?" asked Legolas.
Calaen's face darkened as he was interrupted once more, but he contented himself with clenching his fists to calm himself. "To try and take over Mirkwood. I now have over one hundred Elven warriors at my service, and not only that, but there are many men from the South who I have made alliances with. So you see, I am powerful. This place that we stand in now is only a fraction smaller than the palace, underground, away from prying eyes. It took a lot of hard work and toil to build, but it was all worth it. If anyone should happen to stumble upon this fortress, they are told of our plans, and then I ask them if they wish to be part of our community. If they agree, that's a bonus on both parts. If not, they die."
Legolas' eyes widened in shock as he realised what Calaen wanted. "Are you...asking me to join you? Are you asking me to help take over Mirkwood?"
"Think about it," said Calaen swiftly, standing in front of Legolas and putting both hands on his shoulders. "You can easily get in there. After all, you are the Prince, and who would suspect you of doing anything traitorous? There is so much in it for you."
"I cannot trust you, nor can I do as you ask of me," said Legolas. "That is my home, and I will not see it fall prey to your cruelty. But if your plan should succeed, what are you planning to do with those who reside there now?"
"They will either bow to me or lose their lives," said Calaen simply. "The same goes for Thranduil, for I will be the ruler of Mirkwood."
"Never!" spat Legolas.
Calaen exhaled deeply, before spinning the younger Elf around and cutting the rope that bound his wrists. "Look, I have untied you and taken off the collar which you wore. If you help me with this, you can have power over Mirkwood. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. People will look on you with new found respect."
"But it will not be respect," said Legolas quietly. "It will be fear."
"Not only that, but you can have the antidote for Dolruin," said Calaen slyly, ignoring his brother's last comment. "I believe you are still marked with that word?"
"You know full well that I am," snapped Legolas.
"But you could be rid of it," whispered Calaen, his eyes glinting wildly. "All you have to do is cross to my side. A few simple words, Legolas. That's all it takes. Come on, this is what you want. I can see it in your eyes."
"No," said the younger Elf firmly.
Calaen arched an eyebrow, a shadow of frustration passing over his face. "No? Legolas, why deny what you want? There is nothing left for you anymore, and this may be the one thing that can pull you into a better life. It will give you a-
"I will no never do anything like this!" yelled Legolas. "Keep your promises of power, I care not for them."
In one swift movement, Calaen had pinned Legolas against the wall and slapped him across the face. "I will break you before long. When your father does not comply with my rules, you will come back to me. Rest assured I will make you get down on the ground. You will beg to join me."
"What rules do you speak of?" asked Legolas, licking some blood away from his split lip.
"The original plan was to send Thranduil a message, telling him that we have you captive. If he wants you back, he must surrender Mirkwood to me. Then and only then would you return to him. It looks as though I must stick with that plan until you change your mind and come to help me."
"Just give up now," laughed Legolas. "My father will *never* give up Mirkwood."
"Then I will take it by force," said Calaen simply. "You could've saved yourself a lot of trouble for the next few days. But until I get some sort of response from Thranduil or an agreement from you, I will make you wish that you were never born. By the way, your friends will never go free until you fight for me. And if you do not agree, I will kill them...one by one." With that, Calaen went across and flung open the door. "Take him back to the cell!"
Garilion and Tolvanir came in and went straight to Legolas, whilst Calaen picked up the iron collar and snapped it once more around his stunned brother's throat. They locked eyes for a brief moment, before the younger was roughly dragged away.
............................................................................................................
Demonic Pyro Freak: Um...actually, I've lost track of all the places I've been to! But the best place is probably councilofelrond.com
Lirenel: Ah, all will be revealed about Gandalf soon enough...
inu lover: I take it you're not gonna repost 'Original Minds' then? Shame. Ah well, I'll go check out your new story!
Maiden-Of-Tears: I have read that story, and think that she's an incredibly talented person. But I didn't actually have that it mind when I wrote that last chapter. But after reading your review, I went back and found that bit in 'Captive of Darkness'. I didn't realise it was so similar, and I'll try and change it as much as I can :)
Halimanya: Yeah, I was planning on doing a prequel anyway. Little Legolas will be in it! :)
Starlit Hope: I'm glad you pointed that out; I think you were the only one who did! But I hope that everything above answers what you said? :)
OK, I'll just answer a quick question that has been asked more than once. Calaen still has dark hair; it's not changed in any way. The Elf who attacked Legolas had fair hair, but WASN'T Calaen. He was just doing the dirty work for him. Anyway, next chapter will