Legolas stared unseeingly at the opposite wall, turning Merry's blood
stained waistcoat over and over in his hands. A whole day had passed since
he had seen anybody, and the Prince was desperate for word of his friends.
He had already tried to leave the room, but the door had been securely
locked.
Sighing, Legolas narrowed his eyes, and forced himself to concentrate on what he was doing: trying to reach the others' minds. Aragorn, Frodo or Boromir, anyone would do right now. In his already weakened state though, it was hard, and he found himself remembering for what must've been the hundredth time, to back when he was an Elfling, and the twins of Rivendell had visited Mirkwood.
*********Begin Flashback*********
"It's not exactly something that can be taught," said Elladan uncertainly, whilst Elrohir shot an amused glance in Airelus and Calaen's direction. "Either you are born with the ability to read minds, or your not. Myself and 'Ro have tried countless times to teach Arwen, but it just doesn't work."
"Yes, that's because Arwen is a girl," retorted Legolas. "I know that I could learn it. So could Airelus and Calaen, if they tried."
"They have," said Elrohir dryly, "and they didn't."
Legolas glared at his brothers, as if disgusted that they could not do something that the twins could do. "Well, that's because they are also girls. I'm not though, so you can teach me. Please?"
Elladan was just about to protest, but decided against it when the Elfling climbed up on his lap, and wrapped his arms around his neck. "Alright. But when it does not work, do not say that you were not warned."
****3 hours later****
"Calaen, think of something," said Elrohir quietly, after a nod from Elladan.
The middle son of Thranduil snapped his book shut, and feigned surprise. "Already? That's good; I thought from the way he was going, that we would still be here next month."
"You were no better when you tried to learn," laughed Airelus. "In fact, you were worse. I seem to remember having to sit around for over five hours, before you decided to give up. Legolas hasn't-
"Alright," said Calaen hurriedly. He leant back in his chair, and smiled at his younger brother. "Go on, Legolas. Impress me."
The Elfling bit his lip. What if he couldn't do it? But after receiving reassuring glances from the twins and Airelus, Legolas fixed his gaze on the floor, and pushed all thoughts from his mind. He concentrated on the ground, not even daring to breath loudly, fearful it would interrupt him.
Eventually, Legolas looked up and locked eyes with Calaen. He gritted his teeth, determined not to be distracted, and determined that he would have something to tell his parents that evening. He narrowed his eyes slightly, and clenched his fists at his sides.
"Calaen, relax and try not to resist him," murmured Elladan. "Legolas, focus."
"I am," snapped the Elfling, though his concentration was immediately broken.
"No your not. If you were, you would not have heard anything that was being said," laughed Airelus, stepping forwards and lifting his brother into his arms. "Come, lets take you inside now. I'm sure that you are tired from working so hard."
"We can try again tomorrow," offered Elladan. "Just remember, all you have to do is concentrate."
*********End Flashback*********
Of course, Legolas had not bothered to try again the next day, for as an Elfling, patience and concentration had never been one of his strong points, so he had never mastered the art of telepathy.
"Fool," muttered the Elf, leaning his head back against the pillows.
Just then, the door opened and Calaen came in, carrying a tray. He kicked the door shut behind him, and smiled winningly at his brother. Legolas merely curled his lip, and shook his head in disgust.
"I brought you some food," said Calaen, setting the tray down on the table. "Some stew, made by the women of the town, and some bread. I know that you have not eaten since Rivendell."
Legolas' eyes flickered at the mention of the word 'town', but his face remained impassive as he stared straight at Calaen. The older Elf clicked his tongue annoyingly as he set a pitcher down on the table next to the bed. Scalding was the water, and an uncomfortable steam drifted over Legolas' body, making him feel clammy and feverish.
"I thought that after you had finished eating, we could-
"I'm not hungry," said Legolas dully.
Calaen ignored this though, and held out the bowl of stew. "I would advise you to eat it; I would advise you to eat anything I tell you to. In fact, I would advise you to *do* anything I tell you to, because if you don't, the consequences will be severe. Do we understand one another?"
"You have done enough, without telling me which damn food to eat!" spat Legolas, lunging up and knocking the bowl of stew from Calaen's hand. The older Elf jumped away, his eyes glinting, and his face darkened in anger.
"You fool," hissed Calaen, darting forwards and grabbing Legolas by the front of his blue shirt. Stunned, the Prince could only cry out in pain as he was pulled off the bed, and to a standing position in the centre of the room.
Calaen raised his hand and struck Legolas with all his might, the blow sending him down to the ground. He winced and held a hand to his burning ribs, remembering only vaguely Aragorn's instructions to keep still. He moved though, as he saw Calaen's foot flying his way, but instead of kicking him, the dark haired Elf pinned him down.
"It is not you who will pay for your insolence," snarled Calaen. "There are still seven of your friends left, and I am more than happy to let Farath and his men see to them."
"You would hurt them for something as trivial as this," said Legolas in a low voice. "You would take innocent lives, just because I do not do as you wish. You would-
"No. As I said before, *you* killed the Halfling, and anything else that happens, is down to you. It is in your power to save them, but by refusing to help me, you are further endangering their lives," cut in Calaen. He looked at Legolas for a brief moment, before reaching down and pulling him up. He caught his wrist though, and knew it.
Legolas gasped as he was flung back onto the bed, and when his head slammed back against the metal frame, it was all he could do to keep himself from crying out. His ribs were screaming in pain beyond belief, and his wrist felt as though it were being pricked with a thousand needles.
"Sorry, I forgot that no-one had bandaged your wrist," said Calaen carelessly. "I'll do it now for you, if you wish. Actually, whether you wish me to or not, I'm going to do it."
Legolas made a face as Calaen took a roll of cloth from the table, and sat down on the bed. Although he was loath to let his brother even touch him, the sooner he was healed, then the sooner he would be able to fight.
"So," said Calaen, pulling Legolas' wrist forcefully towards him, and pushing up the sleeve. "Really, you have two choices: traitor or murderer. Given the choice, I would go for the former."
"What do you mean by that?" spat Legolas. "You chose to turn down both of those paths, a very long time ago, Calaen. You betrayed your country and your family. Valar, you killed your own brother!"
Calaen warningly tightened his grip on Legolas' wrist, but kept his face impassive. "Careful, you are treading on dangerous ground. I thought that you had learned not to anger me. Clearly not. What does it take to teach you?"
Legolas jerked back slightly, his face pale. "What are you going to do?"
"Nothing to you, so stop worrying," replied Calaen. He smiled, and slipped over to the door.
"Valar," breathed Legolas, holding a hand to his abdomen as he followed him. "No, don't do anything to them, Calaen. They have done nothing to warrant such treatment. Do to me what you want to do to them."
"I would, but this is a much more effective form of torture," grinned Calaen.
Legolas hissed, and grabbed Calaen's tunic as he pulled open the door. "Don't hurt them. I have never done this before, but now I will beg you. I will even get down on the ground and grovel, if that is what it takes. Please, Calaen."
The dark haired Elf laughed, and wrapped an arm around his brother's shoulders, though it was the guards outside that he spoke to next. "Go to the Fellowship and take the Ranger. He will-
"No!" yelled Legolas, ducking out from under Calaen's arm, and making to run from the room. The guards though, stepped forward and casually but forcefully pushed him, and caught by surprise, Legolas stumbled backwards. He felt one arm slipping around his waist, another across his chest, holding him in an un-escapable position. Turning his head slightly, Legolas found himself staring into Calaen's dancing eyes.
"Think about this," pleaded the Prince.
Calaen smiled gently, and touched a slender hand to his brother's cheek. "I have, and it is *you* who must now do the thinking. But I fear it is too late for the Ranger." Snapping his eyes across to the guards, Calaen's smile immediately vanished. "Kill him."
"No," whispered Legolas. He tried in vain to get away, but was held still. The guards nodded in unison, and one of them locked the door, after Calaen inclined his head.
............................................................................................................
Lirenel: You know, you were the only one who got close to guessing it! You're right, it was 'royal-man' or 'noble-man', whatever you wanna call him!
Legolas-gurl888: Hiya, so great to see that your back! And well done on doing so well with your band!
Eternal Greenleaf: Evil ideas are good...
Sorry I'm late with this one. It was a Bank Holiday yesterday, so I got an extra day off school, and ended up thinking that yesterday was Sunday. God, how dense can you get? LOL See you all soon"! Luv Misto
Sighing, Legolas narrowed his eyes, and forced himself to concentrate on what he was doing: trying to reach the others' minds. Aragorn, Frodo or Boromir, anyone would do right now. In his already weakened state though, it was hard, and he found himself remembering for what must've been the hundredth time, to back when he was an Elfling, and the twins of Rivendell had visited Mirkwood.
*********Begin Flashback*********
"It's not exactly something that can be taught," said Elladan uncertainly, whilst Elrohir shot an amused glance in Airelus and Calaen's direction. "Either you are born with the ability to read minds, or your not. Myself and 'Ro have tried countless times to teach Arwen, but it just doesn't work."
"Yes, that's because Arwen is a girl," retorted Legolas. "I know that I could learn it. So could Airelus and Calaen, if they tried."
"They have," said Elrohir dryly, "and they didn't."
Legolas glared at his brothers, as if disgusted that they could not do something that the twins could do. "Well, that's because they are also girls. I'm not though, so you can teach me. Please?"
Elladan was just about to protest, but decided against it when the Elfling climbed up on his lap, and wrapped his arms around his neck. "Alright. But when it does not work, do not say that you were not warned."
****3 hours later****
"Calaen, think of something," said Elrohir quietly, after a nod from Elladan.
The middle son of Thranduil snapped his book shut, and feigned surprise. "Already? That's good; I thought from the way he was going, that we would still be here next month."
"You were no better when you tried to learn," laughed Airelus. "In fact, you were worse. I seem to remember having to sit around for over five hours, before you decided to give up. Legolas hasn't-
"Alright," said Calaen hurriedly. He leant back in his chair, and smiled at his younger brother. "Go on, Legolas. Impress me."
The Elfling bit his lip. What if he couldn't do it? But after receiving reassuring glances from the twins and Airelus, Legolas fixed his gaze on the floor, and pushed all thoughts from his mind. He concentrated on the ground, not even daring to breath loudly, fearful it would interrupt him.
Eventually, Legolas looked up and locked eyes with Calaen. He gritted his teeth, determined not to be distracted, and determined that he would have something to tell his parents that evening. He narrowed his eyes slightly, and clenched his fists at his sides.
"Calaen, relax and try not to resist him," murmured Elladan. "Legolas, focus."
"I am," snapped the Elfling, though his concentration was immediately broken.
"No your not. If you were, you would not have heard anything that was being said," laughed Airelus, stepping forwards and lifting his brother into his arms. "Come, lets take you inside now. I'm sure that you are tired from working so hard."
"We can try again tomorrow," offered Elladan. "Just remember, all you have to do is concentrate."
*********End Flashback*********
Of course, Legolas had not bothered to try again the next day, for as an Elfling, patience and concentration had never been one of his strong points, so he had never mastered the art of telepathy.
"Fool," muttered the Elf, leaning his head back against the pillows.
Just then, the door opened and Calaen came in, carrying a tray. He kicked the door shut behind him, and smiled winningly at his brother. Legolas merely curled his lip, and shook his head in disgust.
"I brought you some food," said Calaen, setting the tray down on the table. "Some stew, made by the women of the town, and some bread. I know that you have not eaten since Rivendell."
Legolas' eyes flickered at the mention of the word 'town', but his face remained impassive as he stared straight at Calaen. The older Elf clicked his tongue annoyingly as he set a pitcher down on the table next to the bed. Scalding was the water, and an uncomfortable steam drifted over Legolas' body, making him feel clammy and feverish.
"I thought that after you had finished eating, we could-
"I'm not hungry," said Legolas dully.
Calaen ignored this though, and held out the bowl of stew. "I would advise you to eat it; I would advise you to eat anything I tell you to. In fact, I would advise you to *do* anything I tell you to, because if you don't, the consequences will be severe. Do we understand one another?"
"You have done enough, without telling me which damn food to eat!" spat Legolas, lunging up and knocking the bowl of stew from Calaen's hand. The older Elf jumped away, his eyes glinting, and his face darkened in anger.
"You fool," hissed Calaen, darting forwards and grabbing Legolas by the front of his blue shirt. Stunned, the Prince could only cry out in pain as he was pulled off the bed, and to a standing position in the centre of the room.
Calaen raised his hand and struck Legolas with all his might, the blow sending him down to the ground. He winced and held a hand to his burning ribs, remembering only vaguely Aragorn's instructions to keep still. He moved though, as he saw Calaen's foot flying his way, but instead of kicking him, the dark haired Elf pinned him down.
"It is not you who will pay for your insolence," snarled Calaen. "There are still seven of your friends left, and I am more than happy to let Farath and his men see to them."
"You would hurt them for something as trivial as this," said Legolas in a low voice. "You would take innocent lives, just because I do not do as you wish. You would-
"No. As I said before, *you* killed the Halfling, and anything else that happens, is down to you. It is in your power to save them, but by refusing to help me, you are further endangering their lives," cut in Calaen. He looked at Legolas for a brief moment, before reaching down and pulling him up. He caught his wrist though, and knew it.
Legolas gasped as he was flung back onto the bed, and when his head slammed back against the metal frame, it was all he could do to keep himself from crying out. His ribs were screaming in pain beyond belief, and his wrist felt as though it were being pricked with a thousand needles.
"Sorry, I forgot that no-one had bandaged your wrist," said Calaen carelessly. "I'll do it now for you, if you wish. Actually, whether you wish me to or not, I'm going to do it."
Legolas made a face as Calaen took a roll of cloth from the table, and sat down on the bed. Although he was loath to let his brother even touch him, the sooner he was healed, then the sooner he would be able to fight.
"So," said Calaen, pulling Legolas' wrist forcefully towards him, and pushing up the sleeve. "Really, you have two choices: traitor or murderer. Given the choice, I would go for the former."
"What do you mean by that?" spat Legolas. "You chose to turn down both of those paths, a very long time ago, Calaen. You betrayed your country and your family. Valar, you killed your own brother!"
Calaen warningly tightened his grip on Legolas' wrist, but kept his face impassive. "Careful, you are treading on dangerous ground. I thought that you had learned not to anger me. Clearly not. What does it take to teach you?"
Legolas jerked back slightly, his face pale. "What are you going to do?"
"Nothing to you, so stop worrying," replied Calaen. He smiled, and slipped over to the door.
"Valar," breathed Legolas, holding a hand to his abdomen as he followed him. "No, don't do anything to them, Calaen. They have done nothing to warrant such treatment. Do to me what you want to do to them."
"I would, but this is a much more effective form of torture," grinned Calaen.
Legolas hissed, and grabbed Calaen's tunic as he pulled open the door. "Don't hurt them. I have never done this before, but now I will beg you. I will even get down on the ground and grovel, if that is what it takes. Please, Calaen."
The dark haired Elf laughed, and wrapped an arm around his brother's shoulders, though it was the guards outside that he spoke to next. "Go to the Fellowship and take the Ranger. He will-
"No!" yelled Legolas, ducking out from under Calaen's arm, and making to run from the room. The guards though, stepped forward and casually but forcefully pushed him, and caught by surprise, Legolas stumbled backwards. He felt one arm slipping around his waist, another across his chest, holding him in an un-escapable position. Turning his head slightly, Legolas found himself staring into Calaen's dancing eyes.
"Think about this," pleaded the Prince.
Calaen smiled gently, and touched a slender hand to his brother's cheek. "I have, and it is *you* who must now do the thinking. But I fear it is too late for the Ranger." Snapping his eyes across to the guards, Calaen's smile immediately vanished. "Kill him."
"No," whispered Legolas. He tried in vain to get away, but was held still. The guards nodded in unison, and one of them locked the door, after Calaen inclined his head.
............................................................................................................
Lirenel: You know, you were the only one who got close to guessing it! You're right, it was 'royal-man' or 'noble-man', whatever you wanna call him!
Legolas-gurl888: Hiya, so great to see that your back! And well done on doing so well with your band!
Eternal Greenleaf: Evil ideas are good...
Sorry I'm late with this one. It was a Bank Holiday yesterday, so I got an extra day off school, and ended up thinking that yesterday was Sunday. God, how dense can you get? LOL See you all soon"! Luv Misto