Title: The Shade of Revenge
Author: Elladan
Rating: PG-13
Summary: It has been five years since Estel and Raydaion were taken by Kelvakanta. Over these years, he has grown more and more evil, his mind focused on the single thought of revenge. Elladan and Elrohir have tried to protect their brother, but when they fail will Estel be strong enough to survive?
Disclaimer: I am not making any money off this and I am only borrowing Tolkien's characters for a little fun.
A/N: Estel is about sixteen, so it's five years after Scuro. If you haven't read Chiraro Scuro, then I suggest you do before reading this, simply because it will make more sense. Please Review. (
Hey all!,
Okay, so yes, this is late. watches you all tapping your feet for an excuse. Truth is that I have hurt my wrist kinda badly and will be delayed for a bit in my ability to post. However, I really really appreciate all the reviews, thank you all so much for taking the time to write them! To answer Nietta's question, yes humans age faster then elves, but elves are generally (or at least in my understanding) more mature for their age though like you suggested physically smaller then humans. Correct me if I am wrong, but for now I will simply assume that. I am hoping to get another chapter out next week, but it depends on the wrist so please bear with me. Thanks so so much for the reviews again, they really make my day.
Chapter 3
Drip.
'Three thousand-five-hundred-and-forty-one.'
Drip.
'Three thousand-five-hundred-and-forty-two.'
Drip.
'Three thousand,-Ai! Tis a stupid game.'
Drip.
'Maybe, tis best if I were to call for help...'
Clunk.
"Oh, here we go again," Legolas muttered unhappily under his breath, desperately trying to ignore the growing numbness in his chest. While on one hand the loss of feeling took the pain away, it did little good in aiding his breathing.
"Are you ready for another riddle, my prince?" The dry voice echoed in the cave, mingling with the constant ring of dripping water.
"Nay, I crave no more of your pointless prattle! Tis better for you to free me and find a new hobby." The blond haired elf was beginning to lose patience with the disembodied voice. This was the eighth time it had spoken since his imprisonment, each time ranting about some riddle though never yet speaking the words. "And if you will not do that, than you at least owe me the knowledge of your name!"
"My name? So be it, my little prince, so be it...."
Silence. Then the breath, inches away from his face, smelling like stale wine and fish.
"I am the ultimate effect of the cause. The ultimate end of the means. I am your worst nightmare, but yet the culmination of the brightest dreams. I am ever growing and ever hungry and yet the answer to my own plight. Who am I?"
Legolas blinked in the darkness, his mind trying to sort the words and find meaning. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but felt the breath fade backwards. His captor would not listen.
"Twas not my fault, at least not that time, Ro."
"Aye, but it was."
"No, it was you."
"My lords, must you always argue?" an exasperated voice called from behind them. Both twins turned and raised their left eyebrows, grins adorning both faces.
"We are not arguing, merely stating our difference of opinion," Elladan replied behind his growing grin.
The elven warrior who had spoken just shook his head and suppressed a moan as the conversation picked right off from where it had left off. This was the forth day since the small group had left Imladris, and the elf was beginning to suspect that he would be insane by the time they returned.
The small collection of elves silently, well as close to silent as they could be with the twins' constant bickering, rested in a clearing in the forest. There had been not a sign of the reported sightings. Though admittedly, none of the party knew what they were supposed to be on the lookout for. Rumors had reached Imladris of strange happenings; game had left this part of the woods, a small human hunting party had vanished, and supplies were disappearing from nearby villages. Elrond had finally sent his sons to see if they might find the source of the disruptions, but they had yet to discover any much more then the flayed corpse of a wolf.
"Do you mean to say that-- " Elladan stopped in mid sentence, jumping to his feet and drawing his bow in one swift motion. Elrohir was not far behind him, for both elves had heard the sound. In all their years they had never heard anything like it. While fear prickled at the base of their necks, the owner of the sound prepared to strike.
With a sudden jerk of his body, Estel shot back up into a sitting position, his eyes flickering around to see if his companion had noticed his moment of weakness. Any hope that this was left unseen was quickly extinguished as the boys sleep glazed eyes met the concerned ones of his elven friend.
"We should stop, mellon," Raydayion said carefully, his words coming with hesitation.
Silver starlight caught in the future king's hair as the boy shook his head in disagreement. The sun had set hours ago and the duo had yet to rest since they left the valley.
"That is something we cannot do, Legolas needs us. Besides there is no reason," Estel replied smoothly, the last word bordering on being defined as a yawn.
With a snort of disbelieving laughter, the elf forced his horse to trot in front of his friend's and stop. Estel cried out and pulled hard on his mount's reins.
"You have fallen asleep three times in the last hour and we are stopping. Now," Raydayion stated, sliding to the ground and beginning to undo his pack.
"I..er..fine."
A few moments later, both boys stood brushing their horses with handfuls of rough grass. Estel constantly yawned, though he did his best to hide such human weakness from his companion. Once done, he blinked a few times as Orolom wandered off to eat some of the few remaining blades of grass. A cool breeze wafted through the trees, causing a shiver to make its way down his spine.
"Sleep, Estel, I will watch for now," the elf ordered, throwing a woolen blanket at the human.
"You will wake me up in a few hours," came the reply from behind a yawn as the sixteen year old curled up under the blanket.
"Yes, yes, silly human. Sleep."
Raydayion smiled as he watched his friend fall deep asleep, curiosity forming at seeing the human shiver. 'Perhaps that is just how they act when they are over tired.' he thought before settling against a tree to watch the dark woods around them. In a few moments the elf stiffened for he felt unease taking root within him. Something or someone was watching them. He could feel the eyes focusing on him, but even as he jumped to his feet they disappeared. Dark thoughts formed in the future warrior's mind and he quickly strung his bow. At least he would be prepared.
There it was, to the left of human and sticking out from the leather pack. A crooked, sickening smile formed on the creature's lips, contorting its face into an even more gruesome array of features. Slowly, careful not to make enough noise for the elf to notice, Grovik, slinked around the clearing and stopped behind the tree the human slept near. Hissing softly as it breathed, the creature wondered offhandedly why the pointed eared being had not noticed his approach.
Ten long minutes later, Grovik turned to leave. Relieved with the success of its mission, the creature forgot to pay attention to it's tail which hit a tree while he fled. Scared by the sound he created, it dropped an empty glass vial amongst the leaves without notice. Running faster then before it cursed, for out of the corner of his eye it saw that the elf had heard. Within moments though the targets were far behind and Grovik was on his way to report to the master.
"Estel?"
....
"Come on you lazy human, wake up," Raydayion called a little louder, shaking his friend's shoulder.
Estel cracked open an eyelid, though it felt so hard to do so...too heavy. He didn't feel like waking up, he didn't even feel like opening his one eye. Something felt different from the night before. Though even as he decided that he would simply ignore the annoying elf and fall back to sleep, the reason behind his journey flooded his mind.
With a noise somewhere between a grown and a yawn, the human sat up, allowing the blanket to pool around him. Raydayion was posed on his haunches a few inches from the dark haired human. Estel stared blankly at the figure in front of him, trying to prevent the image from swaying back and forth.
Voicing another yawn, he stood and began to shove the blanket and a few other items back into his pack. Reaching into a pouch he pulled out two apples and a hunk of bread which he swiftly tore in half.
"Here, Ray, breakfast."
Grinning, the elf took the offered food and bit into the apple. After a few moments, Estel decided that he really didn't want breakfast and threw the food back into the pouch when his friend was not looking. There was no need for Raydayion to see him do so, for the elf would only worry unnecessarily. Instead, he strapped their gear back onto his horse and blinked tiredly at the rising sun.
Fleetingly, Estel considered the possibility that he was becoming ill, but quickly discarded the idea for what he felt was nothing like the array of colds he had experienced so far. Mounting his horse, the human dismissed his concerns and promised himself to rest once they had found Legolas.
Raydayion watched Estel carefully, scrutinizing his lethargic movements and lack of alertness with growing concern. He had often seen his friend after he had woken and rarely had Estel been so slow to find his energy. Deciding to remain quiet on the issue for the moment, the elf whispered to his horse to follow Orolom.
Kelvakanta paced along one of the coarse walls, his steps echoing throughout the large cavern and down the passageways. Oddly enough, the craggy face of the man was portraying something that not many live to see on such, approval. His eyes were filled with excitement and desire, for there was but one focus that had for the past years and finally that was becoming reality. Revenge, sweet sweet revenge. Kelvakanta smiled to himself as a dangerous glint appeared in his eyes. Suddenly, the man stops and spins to face the creature before him.
"Well done. Now leave me and be sure to keep a watch on our prey. If you don't, you will wish for death," the human hisses, watching the creature scamper from the room.
Once his servant is gone, he turns toward the wall and runs a hand across a sheet of parchment hanging there. His fingers run over the names of his enemies, the ink long worn from hundreds of repetitions of the same action.
"I shall start with the boy, for he will suffer the longest," Kelvakanta murmurs under his breath, "Tis time to visit our guest."
The man bends down and takes the flame of the single candle between his fingers, extinguishing the only light in the chamber.
AN: Well, there you have it. No cliffies, I don't think. Let me know what you think and I will get the next chapter out as soon as I can.
Author: Elladan
Rating: PG-13
Summary: It has been five years since Estel and Raydaion were taken by Kelvakanta. Over these years, he has grown more and more evil, his mind focused on the single thought of revenge. Elladan and Elrohir have tried to protect their brother, but when they fail will Estel be strong enough to survive?
Disclaimer: I am not making any money off this and I am only borrowing Tolkien's characters for a little fun.
A/N: Estel is about sixteen, so it's five years after Scuro. If you haven't read Chiraro Scuro, then I suggest you do before reading this, simply because it will make more sense. Please Review. (
Hey all!,
Okay, so yes, this is late. watches you all tapping your feet for an excuse. Truth is that I have hurt my wrist kinda badly and will be delayed for a bit in my ability to post. However, I really really appreciate all the reviews, thank you all so much for taking the time to write them! To answer Nietta's question, yes humans age faster then elves, but elves are generally (or at least in my understanding) more mature for their age though like you suggested physically smaller then humans. Correct me if I am wrong, but for now I will simply assume that. I am hoping to get another chapter out next week, but it depends on the wrist so please bear with me. Thanks so so much for the reviews again, they really make my day.
Chapter 3
Drip.
'Three thousand-five-hundred-and-forty-one.'
Drip.
'Three thousand-five-hundred-and-forty-two.'
Drip.
'Three thousand,-Ai! Tis a stupid game.'
Drip.
'Maybe, tis best if I were to call for help...'
Clunk.
"Oh, here we go again," Legolas muttered unhappily under his breath, desperately trying to ignore the growing numbness in his chest. While on one hand the loss of feeling took the pain away, it did little good in aiding his breathing.
"Are you ready for another riddle, my prince?" The dry voice echoed in the cave, mingling with the constant ring of dripping water.
"Nay, I crave no more of your pointless prattle! Tis better for you to free me and find a new hobby." The blond haired elf was beginning to lose patience with the disembodied voice. This was the eighth time it had spoken since his imprisonment, each time ranting about some riddle though never yet speaking the words. "And if you will not do that, than you at least owe me the knowledge of your name!"
"My name? So be it, my little prince, so be it...."
Silence. Then the breath, inches away from his face, smelling like stale wine and fish.
"I am the ultimate effect of the cause. The ultimate end of the means. I am your worst nightmare, but yet the culmination of the brightest dreams. I am ever growing and ever hungry and yet the answer to my own plight. Who am I?"
Legolas blinked in the darkness, his mind trying to sort the words and find meaning. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but felt the breath fade backwards. His captor would not listen.
"Twas not my fault, at least not that time, Ro."
"Aye, but it was."
"No, it was you."
"My lords, must you always argue?" an exasperated voice called from behind them. Both twins turned and raised their left eyebrows, grins adorning both faces.
"We are not arguing, merely stating our difference of opinion," Elladan replied behind his growing grin.
The elven warrior who had spoken just shook his head and suppressed a moan as the conversation picked right off from where it had left off. This was the forth day since the small group had left Imladris, and the elf was beginning to suspect that he would be insane by the time they returned.
The small collection of elves silently, well as close to silent as they could be with the twins' constant bickering, rested in a clearing in the forest. There had been not a sign of the reported sightings. Though admittedly, none of the party knew what they were supposed to be on the lookout for. Rumors had reached Imladris of strange happenings; game had left this part of the woods, a small human hunting party had vanished, and supplies were disappearing from nearby villages. Elrond had finally sent his sons to see if they might find the source of the disruptions, but they had yet to discover any much more then the flayed corpse of a wolf.
"Do you mean to say that-- " Elladan stopped in mid sentence, jumping to his feet and drawing his bow in one swift motion. Elrohir was not far behind him, for both elves had heard the sound. In all their years they had never heard anything like it. While fear prickled at the base of their necks, the owner of the sound prepared to strike.
With a sudden jerk of his body, Estel shot back up into a sitting position, his eyes flickering around to see if his companion had noticed his moment of weakness. Any hope that this was left unseen was quickly extinguished as the boys sleep glazed eyes met the concerned ones of his elven friend.
"We should stop, mellon," Raydayion said carefully, his words coming with hesitation.
Silver starlight caught in the future king's hair as the boy shook his head in disagreement. The sun had set hours ago and the duo had yet to rest since they left the valley.
"That is something we cannot do, Legolas needs us. Besides there is no reason," Estel replied smoothly, the last word bordering on being defined as a yawn.
With a snort of disbelieving laughter, the elf forced his horse to trot in front of his friend's and stop. Estel cried out and pulled hard on his mount's reins.
"You have fallen asleep three times in the last hour and we are stopping. Now," Raydayion stated, sliding to the ground and beginning to undo his pack.
"I..er..fine."
A few moments later, both boys stood brushing their horses with handfuls of rough grass. Estel constantly yawned, though he did his best to hide such human weakness from his companion. Once done, he blinked a few times as Orolom wandered off to eat some of the few remaining blades of grass. A cool breeze wafted through the trees, causing a shiver to make its way down his spine.
"Sleep, Estel, I will watch for now," the elf ordered, throwing a woolen blanket at the human.
"You will wake me up in a few hours," came the reply from behind a yawn as the sixteen year old curled up under the blanket.
"Yes, yes, silly human. Sleep."
Raydayion smiled as he watched his friend fall deep asleep, curiosity forming at seeing the human shiver. 'Perhaps that is just how they act when they are over tired.' he thought before settling against a tree to watch the dark woods around them. In a few moments the elf stiffened for he felt unease taking root within him. Something or someone was watching them. He could feel the eyes focusing on him, but even as he jumped to his feet they disappeared. Dark thoughts formed in the future warrior's mind and he quickly strung his bow. At least he would be prepared.
There it was, to the left of human and sticking out from the leather pack. A crooked, sickening smile formed on the creature's lips, contorting its face into an even more gruesome array of features. Slowly, careful not to make enough noise for the elf to notice, Grovik, slinked around the clearing and stopped behind the tree the human slept near. Hissing softly as it breathed, the creature wondered offhandedly why the pointed eared being had not noticed his approach.
Ten long minutes later, Grovik turned to leave. Relieved with the success of its mission, the creature forgot to pay attention to it's tail which hit a tree while he fled. Scared by the sound he created, it dropped an empty glass vial amongst the leaves without notice. Running faster then before it cursed, for out of the corner of his eye it saw that the elf had heard. Within moments though the targets were far behind and Grovik was on his way to report to the master.
"Estel?"
....
"Come on you lazy human, wake up," Raydayion called a little louder, shaking his friend's shoulder.
Estel cracked open an eyelid, though it felt so hard to do so...too heavy. He didn't feel like waking up, he didn't even feel like opening his one eye. Something felt different from the night before. Though even as he decided that he would simply ignore the annoying elf and fall back to sleep, the reason behind his journey flooded his mind.
With a noise somewhere between a grown and a yawn, the human sat up, allowing the blanket to pool around him. Raydayion was posed on his haunches a few inches from the dark haired human. Estel stared blankly at the figure in front of him, trying to prevent the image from swaying back and forth.
Voicing another yawn, he stood and began to shove the blanket and a few other items back into his pack. Reaching into a pouch he pulled out two apples and a hunk of bread which he swiftly tore in half.
"Here, Ray, breakfast."
Grinning, the elf took the offered food and bit into the apple. After a few moments, Estel decided that he really didn't want breakfast and threw the food back into the pouch when his friend was not looking. There was no need for Raydayion to see him do so, for the elf would only worry unnecessarily. Instead, he strapped their gear back onto his horse and blinked tiredly at the rising sun.
Fleetingly, Estel considered the possibility that he was becoming ill, but quickly discarded the idea for what he felt was nothing like the array of colds he had experienced so far. Mounting his horse, the human dismissed his concerns and promised himself to rest once they had found Legolas.
Raydayion watched Estel carefully, scrutinizing his lethargic movements and lack of alertness with growing concern. He had often seen his friend after he had woken and rarely had Estel been so slow to find his energy. Deciding to remain quiet on the issue for the moment, the elf whispered to his horse to follow Orolom.
Kelvakanta paced along one of the coarse walls, his steps echoing throughout the large cavern and down the passageways. Oddly enough, the craggy face of the man was portraying something that not many live to see on such, approval. His eyes were filled with excitement and desire, for there was but one focus that had for the past years and finally that was becoming reality. Revenge, sweet sweet revenge. Kelvakanta smiled to himself as a dangerous glint appeared in his eyes. Suddenly, the man stops and spins to face the creature before him.
"Well done. Now leave me and be sure to keep a watch on our prey. If you don't, you will wish for death," the human hisses, watching the creature scamper from the room.
Once his servant is gone, he turns toward the wall and runs a hand across a sheet of parchment hanging there. His fingers run over the names of his enemies, the ink long worn from hundreds of repetitions of the same action.
"I shall start with the boy, for he will suffer the longest," Kelvakanta murmurs under his breath, "Tis time to visit our guest."
The man bends down and takes the flame of the single candle between his fingers, extinguishing the only light in the chamber.
AN: Well, there you have it. No cliffies, I don't think. Let me know what you think and I will get the next chapter out as soon as I can.