Disclaimer: Some pplz say that fanfic authors don't mean what they say in
their disclaimers, well, that is a lie! (Said like how Wormtongue says it
in ttt) LOTR doesn't belong to me (honestly)
In the Shadows
Chapter Three - Imprisonment
Ayssa
**
We set up camp this morning and the Uruk-Hai spent the day interrogating all of us. Bereth was the first, and as a warning to the rest of us, they nearly killed him.
It anguishes me to say it so blandly, but I must include everything, and there is so little time. Bereth was taken in at dawn, before we were up and we were disturbed from our thoughts by Bereth's heart wrenching screams.
Orodreth is inconsolable and lashes out at anyone who tries to go near. I would know, he struck me when I tried to reassure him that Bereth would be fine.
"What would you know, witch?" He spat and struck out with an eager fist, catching me on the jaw. A bruise is there now, and my jaw aches when I speak or eat.
Tarí went silent, withdrawn and pale, forbidding herself to cry for him as our cover might be blown. I am tired of being a male. Must they always act so emotionless? I thought we were better at expressing their emotions than humans, but the males still suppress most of what they feel. It means that Tarí and I must always be calm and not emotional. It is almost an insult, like saying: She-elves cry too much, to be male, you must not cry.
I wandered the camp alone, and, not wanting to attract attention to myself, I climbed a tall tree, as we have camped near the forest, and cried. I found refuge there in that tree, a beautiful old tree who carries many years. I told him all my troubles and fears and he whispered comfort back to me. I sat in a small pocket between branches and strayed out of thought, leaves dancing before me in the wind.
When I could bring myself to return to camp, I found that I had been missed. The leader of the Uruk-Hai group demanded to know where I was, speaking common so I could understand. What he didn't know is that I am well accustomed to the Black Speech, my distant cousin, the wanderer, taught me of it. All the comments passed between the Uruks were heard and understood. When I couldn't reply to the lead Uruk, he dragged me forward into his tent, where he was currently interrogating Bereth.
He pulled Bereth carelessly from the ground and tossed him in the direction of where we were staying. Bereth was a mess. His left eye was closed completely with bruises and there was a large cut on his forehead, which was bleeding profusely. He was limping heavily, his arm was held in a funny angle, like some unseen force was holding it up.
I watched in horror as the Uruk-Hai jeered at him as he walked back to camp, his final test. A seemingly younger Uruk ran forward and shoved Bereth, causing him to fall awkwardly, landing on his sore arm. Bereth whimpered, but dragged himself up again, and struggled the rest of the way back.
"Hey, enough watching" The leader of the Uruks growled, and pulled me back from the tent flap by my hair.
I fell onto the floor and stayed there, looking at the inside of the tent. It wasn't very big, but the Uruk had managed to decorate it roughly, displaying his commander's medallion among other things.
Then, I saw an elvish war helmet, casually displayed on and spear, symbolizing an elf's head on a spear.
"You were at Helm's Deep?" I breathed in common, recognizing it as the Lothlórien war helmet.
"Yes" The Uruk sneered, looking at the helmet. "Got that from one of yours, slippery blighter. Nearly killed him, but he got away."
I looked a little closer and realized, with shock that it belonged to Haldir, a close friend of my mothers and mine. I kept my expression neutral and studied the inscription out of the corner of my eye.
"What is your purpose?" The Uruk demanded, after some silence. I noticed that he looked a little uncomfortable, not something that would have been noticeable to the other Uruk-Hai.
"We have none." I replied, keeping my voice steady. I looked him in the eye as I said it. He sighed heavily and sat on a large rock that had been moved to serve as a chair.
"I do not believe you. Your leader told us that you were trying to get the help of the Ents, is that true or not?"
Not wanting to cause further harm to Bereth, I nodded miserably. "But we weren't sure that they would help us." I muttered as an afterthought. "We were merely trying to seek refuge in Fangorn-"
The Uruk burst out laughing and stood, shooting an amused look at his guards.
"Seek refuge? In that forest? You must be mad!"
An Uruk burst into the tent and starting gibbering madly in the Black Speech. I only caught some of it as I although I knew the speech, I couldn't understand the Uruk-Hai when they spoke at a high pace.
I mostly caught "Elf...killed..tree..hiding..guard..."
The big Uruk turned to me, and then said to his guards.
"Watch him, don't let him escape. It's your heads if he does." He then exited the tent, following the still gibbering soldier.
I stood and looked at the two Uruk guards pleadingly. "What happened?"
The taller of the two, one with a large patch over an eye, sneered and spat on the ground. "One of your men killed a guard. All your people are now hiding up some stupid tree."
His friend, with a large criss-cross scar on his cheek, looked angry and thrust his spear into the hard ground.
Patch-eye regarded me curiously. "But I guess they didn't know you were here, we'll use you to get them down."
I turned away from the angry Uruks and walked over to where the elvish helmet stood. I ran my fingers over the inscription lightly, a startling vision coming to me as I did.
Blood, then war sounds, then more blood.
Sword..coming out of nowhere..pain
I saw through Haldir's eyes as he fought, Uruk after Uruk. I felt his pain as a great Uruk nearly ran him right through with a spear. The world turned sideways as Haldir fell, and I fell with him. I saw a huge Uruk dying, taking a commanders medallion from his armour and pressing it into another Uruks hand.
I saw the Uruk through something at the dwarf - the dwarf from the fellowship - and I saw it pierce his shoulder.
Roaring/pain/blood/weariness
So tired..so pained...hand closes in, helmet is gone....
I jerked violently and lost my balance, tumbling back from the helmet. I was hyperventilating, my heart raced as I came to terms with how close I was to dying. Even though Haldir hadn't died, the helmet had been taken from Haldir when he was in a dead-like state, meaning I would have died.
A large hand grabbed my shoulder and spun me around, lifting me from the ground at the same time. Patch-eye leered at me and shoved me out of the tent.
"Time your friends came down from that tree." He rasped and kicked me forward.
**
I could not possibly relay what they have done to me. It didn't take much for Tarí to be driven from the tree, but the others refused to come down, and since Tarí is my responsibility, I couldn't let them harm her.
I am bed bound; my legs are broken and are mending very slowly. They are less painful than yesterday; Tarí reset them, as they were crooked. Aranel and the others have not said a word to me since they were dragged from the tree. Orodreth was the last one to descend, the whole time he was looking at me as if everything was my fault.
The pain comes in waves of dizziness and disorientation. Although we elves are very rarely sick, in fact I had never heard of such a case, I have a high fever and with it comes headaches and dizziness. I know I will not die from this infliction; I will merely suffer the pain of it.
Aranel and Celahir carry me during the day when we travel, Orodreth refuses to touch me, and Bereth is still too weak. He has recovered better than expected, but the pain inflicted upon him mentally will stay with him for a long time. Although Aranel and Celahir are near me all day, they never speak. Always carrying me in grim silence, the only communication is between each other, as if I were a lifeless, senseless body.
The bruises on my face have stopped swelling, and sometimes, usually in the mornings when the cool night air has soothed the swelling, I can see. The brightness startles me, but I am slowly adjusting.
We are near to Mordor. The name leaves me cold, even in the heat of day. Tarí is my protector now, we have kept our male identities, but the Uruk- Hai are suspicious, I can tell.
**
We have set up camp again, but this time, things look more permanent. I wonder how long we will stay here, hopefully a long time, as anywhere is better than the dungeons of Mordor.
Most of the pain has gone, but I cannot walk. The swelling in my face has gone down almost completely and only a ragged gash on my forehead still remains. I would use my Gift to help aid the healing, but I have a feeling that I will need it soon.
The Uruk-Hai have separated us out, except Bereth and I. They have kept Bereth with me, as they no longer see us as threats. They believe they have beaten all thoughts of retaliation out of us. Orodreth is kept under constant surveillance, as he was the one who killed the Uruk-Hai guard. The body of the Uruk-Hai guard has been carefully wrapped and it is shared between a group of five Uruk-Hai.
My cousins had always said that Uruk-Hai are savages, but now, if I ever see them again, I can prove them wrong. Savages, in my cousin's definition, do not respect anyone, and their dead are no exception.
I always believed that the only thing that set our races apart is the overwhelming hatred, felt on both sides, not just one. The Uruk-Hai have been taught that there is no emotion to be felt towards elves other than hatred, and we elves have been bought up fearing and hating the Uruk-Hai
**
We have been here for five days. The Uruk-Hai are alert and have not fallen asleep on their night watches for some time. They are constantly in and out of their captain's tent, and I have not seen the big Uruk since my little meeting with them.
Bereth has almost completely healed. His skin is still a little tender, but he can run and climb trees. My legs ache, but I am able to move them now. I haven't walked for days, but I'm too scared to cause any more damage to them.
**
We are moving again, but this time with more care. The route seems more planned, there are scouts and every turn we make is noted down by a small Uruk holding a tattered map. I can limp slightly, but my legs still ache fiercely. Aranel and Celahir have been allowed to walk beside me in case I need any assistance.
Every time I stumble, Aranel or Celahir grabs my arm to hold me steady, and it is this gesture that sends the Uruk-Hai into fits of laughter.
Tarí and Bereth have been moved to the front. Only Ireth, Orodreth and Oronar are kept alone, at the back, spears being jabbed into their backs at every hesitation. The Uruk-Hai have not seemed to realize that we are from different places. I think it looks quite obviously that we are different. Tarí and I look quite similar in our disguise, and almost identical when not, save for our eyes and height.
Bereth and Orodreth are clearly brothers, not only in the way they look and Aranel, Ireth, Oronar and Celahir are clearly different. They are half elves and are all dark haired. We also sit in slight groups. Slight, in that Tarí and I will always sit next to one another, the Rivendell elves always stand together and talk amongst themselves and Orodreth is always near Bereth, unconsciously checking to see if he is well.
Our pace is slow, but we near Mordor, I can smell it.
~~~
Tarí
**
I cannot believe how the Uruk-Hai could be so cruel! I am furious with Orodreth and Aranel, it was their idea to climb up the tree, it was them who tried to stop me from descending when they dragged Ayssa out, it was them who..
I must calm myself; nothing will be done when I am in this state. They hurt Ayssa so cruelly, and, worst of all, they enjoyed it!
It was Orodreth who killed the guard. He was so angry at what they had done to Bereth; he grabbed the nearest one and snapped his neck. He just leaped at him, his face was that of a mad one, and grabbed the thick neck in his usually delicate hands and-
The next moment, Aranel had me over his shoulder and was climbing a tree. I was in shock, I couldn't move. I just stood there, staring at the lifeless body of the Uruk. Aranel and I were the last ones to climb the tree, and after we had, we heard the alarm been sounded.
We watched as a scrawny Uruk made his way to the commanders tent, and the next moment, the massive Uruk came storming out, two armored Uruk-Hai behind him, each holding an arm of poor Ayssa,
They beat her so harshly, none of us could watch.
~~~
Bereth
**
Through the haze of pain I could see Aranel restrain Tarí, but with some difficulty. The pain was so intense; I could only hear the rhythmic beat of the lethal Uruk whip.
"Oh Valar," I heard someone breathe. "Ayssa."
~~~
Celahir
**
They beat her, they broke her bones, and they slashed her skin with their rough swords. Tarí was the first to climb down and she was restrained roughly as soon as her feet touched the ground.
Ayssa did not make one sound. Not once did she cry out in pain, not once did tears of distress roll down her cheeks. When I caught a glimpse of her face, it was clam, almost happy. I knew she was in another place, somewhere where no Uruk could harm her.
There were two thick tree branches that had fallen and the Uruk-Hai moved them so they were about half a metre apart. They then dragged her up, one Uruk holding her feet on one of the branches, and one pushing her up until she was sitting on the other. The commander then gave us all a gruesome smile, and climbed upon the thickest log. He bent down and said something to Ayssa, then gave a great leap, landing on her thin legs.
The sound of them snapping was awful. Below I could hear Tarí gasping, trying not to cry out in horror.
They dragged her down and began to punch at her face. I could not bear to watch, and so I jumped. I tried to reach Ayssa, but I felt the sharp point of a sword at my neck and so I could do nothing to help her.
~~~
Ayssa
**
We have arrived at Barad-dûr. What foulness and terror awaits us here, I do not know.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*wipes forehead* phew! Ok, its kinda long *hides* sorrrryyyyyy
Sorry this update took a while..I was studying really hard (not really, but I was studying....and other stuff)
Bonjour! (I was studying for French) J'aurai mourir...hehehehehehe (that's probably wrong, oh well, never mind.)
In the Shadows
Chapter Three - Imprisonment
Ayssa
**
We set up camp this morning and the Uruk-Hai spent the day interrogating all of us. Bereth was the first, and as a warning to the rest of us, they nearly killed him.
It anguishes me to say it so blandly, but I must include everything, and there is so little time. Bereth was taken in at dawn, before we were up and we were disturbed from our thoughts by Bereth's heart wrenching screams.
Orodreth is inconsolable and lashes out at anyone who tries to go near. I would know, he struck me when I tried to reassure him that Bereth would be fine.
"What would you know, witch?" He spat and struck out with an eager fist, catching me on the jaw. A bruise is there now, and my jaw aches when I speak or eat.
Tarí went silent, withdrawn and pale, forbidding herself to cry for him as our cover might be blown. I am tired of being a male. Must they always act so emotionless? I thought we were better at expressing their emotions than humans, but the males still suppress most of what they feel. It means that Tarí and I must always be calm and not emotional. It is almost an insult, like saying: She-elves cry too much, to be male, you must not cry.
I wandered the camp alone, and, not wanting to attract attention to myself, I climbed a tall tree, as we have camped near the forest, and cried. I found refuge there in that tree, a beautiful old tree who carries many years. I told him all my troubles and fears and he whispered comfort back to me. I sat in a small pocket between branches and strayed out of thought, leaves dancing before me in the wind.
When I could bring myself to return to camp, I found that I had been missed. The leader of the Uruk-Hai group demanded to know where I was, speaking common so I could understand. What he didn't know is that I am well accustomed to the Black Speech, my distant cousin, the wanderer, taught me of it. All the comments passed between the Uruks were heard and understood. When I couldn't reply to the lead Uruk, he dragged me forward into his tent, where he was currently interrogating Bereth.
He pulled Bereth carelessly from the ground and tossed him in the direction of where we were staying. Bereth was a mess. His left eye was closed completely with bruises and there was a large cut on his forehead, which was bleeding profusely. He was limping heavily, his arm was held in a funny angle, like some unseen force was holding it up.
I watched in horror as the Uruk-Hai jeered at him as he walked back to camp, his final test. A seemingly younger Uruk ran forward and shoved Bereth, causing him to fall awkwardly, landing on his sore arm. Bereth whimpered, but dragged himself up again, and struggled the rest of the way back.
"Hey, enough watching" The leader of the Uruks growled, and pulled me back from the tent flap by my hair.
I fell onto the floor and stayed there, looking at the inside of the tent. It wasn't very big, but the Uruk had managed to decorate it roughly, displaying his commander's medallion among other things.
Then, I saw an elvish war helmet, casually displayed on and spear, symbolizing an elf's head on a spear.
"You were at Helm's Deep?" I breathed in common, recognizing it as the Lothlórien war helmet.
"Yes" The Uruk sneered, looking at the helmet. "Got that from one of yours, slippery blighter. Nearly killed him, but he got away."
I looked a little closer and realized, with shock that it belonged to Haldir, a close friend of my mothers and mine. I kept my expression neutral and studied the inscription out of the corner of my eye.
"What is your purpose?" The Uruk demanded, after some silence. I noticed that he looked a little uncomfortable, not something that would have been noticeable to the other Uruk-Hai.
"We have none." I replied, keeping my voice steady. I looked him in the eye as I said it. He sighed heavily and sat on a large rock that had been moved to serve as a chair.
"I do not believe you. Your leader told us that you were trying to get the help of the Ents, is that true or not?"
Not wanting to cause further harm to Bereth, I nodded miserably. "But we weren't sure that they would help us." I muttered as an afterthought. "We were merely trying to seek refuge in Fangorn-"
The Uruk burst out laughing and stood, shooting an amused look at his guards.
"Seek refuge? In that forest? You must be mad!"
An Uruk burst into the tent and starting gibbering madly in the Black Speech. I only caught some of it as I although I knew the speech, I couldn't understand the Uruk-Hai when they spoke at a high pace.
I mostly caught "Elf...killed..tree..hiding..guard..."
The big Uruk turned to me, and then said to his guards.
"Watch him, don't let him escape. It's your heads if he does." He then exited the tent, following the still gibbering soldier.
I stood and looked at the two Uruk guards pleadingly. "What happened?"
The taller of the two, one with a large patch over an eye, sneered and spat on the ground. "One of your men killed a guard. All your people are now hiding up some stupid tree."
His friend, with a large criss-cross scar on his cheek, looked angry and thrust his spear into the hard ground.
Patch-eye regarded me curiously. "But I guess they didn't know you were here, we'll use you to get them down."
I turned away from the angry Uruks and walked over to where the elvish helmet stood. I ran my fingers over the inscription lightly, a startling vision coming to me as I did.
Blood, then war sounds, then more blood.
Sword..coming out of nowhere..pain
I saw through Haldir's eyes as he fought, Uruk after Uruk. I felt his pain as a great Uruk nearly ran him right through with a spear. The world turned sideways as Haldir fell, and I fell with him. I saw a huge Uruk dying, taking a commanders medallion from his armour and pressing it into another Uruks hand.
I saw the Uruk through something at the dwarf - the dwarf from the fellowship - and I saw it pierce his shoulder.
Roaring/pain/blood/weariness
So tired..so pained...hand closes in, helmet is gone....
I jerked violently and lost my balance, tumbling back from the helmet. I was hyperventilating, my heart raced as I came to terms with how close I was to dying. Even though Haldir hadn't died, the helmet had been taken from Haldir when he was in a dead-like state, meaning I would have died.
A large hand grabbed my shoulder and spun me around, lifting me from the ground at the same time. Patch-eye leered at me and shoved me out of the tent.
"Time your friends came down from that tree." He rasped and kicked me forward.
**
I could not possibly relay what they have done to me. It didn't take much for Tarí to be driven from the tree, but the others refused to come down, and since Tarí is my responsibility, I couldn't let them harm her.
I am bed bound; my legs are broken and are mending very slowly. They are less painful than yesterday; Tarí reset them, as they were crooked. Aranel and the others have not said a word to me since they were dragged from the tree. Orodreth was the last one to descend, the whole time he was looking at me as if everything was my fault.
The pain comes in waves of dizziness and disorientation. Although we elves are very rarely sick, in fact I had never heard of such a case, I have a high fever and with it comes headaches and dizziness. I know I will not die from this infliction; I will merely suffer the pain of it.
Aranel and Celahir carry me during the day when we travel, Orodreth refuses to touch me, and Bereth is still too weak. He has recovered better than expected, but the pain inflicted upon him mentally will stay with him for a long time. Although Aranel and Celahir are near me all day, they never speak. Always carrying me in grim silence, the only communication is between each other, as if I were a lifeless, senseless body.
The bruises on my face have stopped swelling, and sometimes, usually in the mornings when the cool night air has soothed the swelling, I can see. The brightness startles me, but I am slowly adjusting.
We are near to Mordor. The name leaves me cold, even in the heat of day. Tarí is my protector now, we have kept our male identities, but the Uruk- Hai are suspicious, I can tell.
**
We have set up camp again, but this time, things look more permanent. I wonder how long we will stay here, hopefully a long time, as anywhere is better than the dungeons of Mordor.
Most of the pain has gone, but I cannot walk. The swelling in my face has gone down almost completely and only a ragged gash on my forehead still remains. I would use my Gift to help aid the healing, but I have a feeling that I will need it soon.
The Uruk-Hai have separated us out, except Bereth and I. They have kept Bereth with me, as they no longer see us as threats. They believe they have beaten all thoughts of retaliation out of us. Orodreth is kept under constant surveillance, as he was the one who killed the Uruk-Hai guard. The body of the Uruk-Hai guard has been carefully wrapped and it is shared between a group of five Uruk-Hai.
My cousins had always said that Uruk-Hai are savages, but now, if I ever see them again, I can prove them wrong. Savages, in my cousin's definition, do not respect anyone, and their dead are no exception.
I always believed that the only thing that set our races apart is the overwhelming hatred, felt on both sides, not just one. The Uruk-Hai have been taught that there is no emotion to be felt towards elves other than hatred, and we elves have been bought up fearing and hating the Uruk-Hai
**
We have been here for five days. The Uruk-Hai are alert and have not fallen asleep on their night watches for some time. They are constantly in and out of their captain's tent, and I have not seen the big Uruk since my little meeting with them.
Bereth has almost completely healed. His skin is still a little tender, but he can run and climb trees. My legs ache, but I am able to move them now. I haven't walked for days, but I'm too scared to cause any more damage to them.
**
We are moving again, but this time with more care. The route seems more planned, there are scouts and every turn we make is noted down by a small Uruk holding a tattered map. I can limp slightly, but my legs still ache fiercely. Aranel and Celahir have been allowed to walk beside me in case I need any assistance.
Every time I stumble, Aranel or Celahir grabs my arm to hold me steady, and it is this gesture that sends the Uruk-Hai into fits of laughter.
Tarí and Bereth have been moved to the front. Only Ireth, Orodreth and Oronar are kept alone, at the back, spears being jabbed into their backs at every hesitation. The Uruk-Hai have not seemed to realize that we are from different places. I think it looks quite obviously that we are different. Tarí and I look quite similar in our disguise, and almost identical when not, save for our eyes and height.
Bereth and Orodreth are clearly brothers, not only in the way they look and Aranel, Ireth, Oronar and Celahir are clearly different. They are half elves and are all dark haired. We also sit in slight groups. Slight, in that Tarí and I will always sit next to one another, the Rivendell elves always stand together and talk amongst themselves and Orodreth is always near Bereth, unconsciously checking to see if he is well.
Our pace is slow, but we near Mordor, I can smell it.
~~~
Tarí
**
I cannot believe how the Uruk-Hai could be so cruel! I am furious with Orodreth and Aranel, it was their idea to climb up the tree, it was them who tried to stop me from descending when they dragged Ayssa out, it was them who..
I must calm myself; nothing will be done when I am in this state. They hurt Ayssa so cruelly, and, worst of all, they enjoyed it!
It was Orodreth who killed the guard. He was so angry at what they had done to Bereth; he grabbed the nearest one and snapped his neck. He just leaped at him, his face was that of a mad one, and grabbed the thick neck in his usually delicate hands and-
The next moment, Aranel had me over his shoulder and was climbing a tree. I was in shock, I couldn't move. I just stood there, staring at the lifeless body of the Uruk. Aranel and I were the last ones to climb the tree, and after we had, we heard the alarm been sounded.
We watched as a scrawny Uruk made his way to the commanders tent, and the next moment, the massive Uruk came storming out, two armored Uruk-Hai behind him, each holding an arm of poor Ayssa,
They beat her so harshly, none of us could watch.
~~~
Bereth
**
Through the haze of pain I could see Aranel restrain Tarí, but with some difficulty. The pain was so intense; I could only hear the rhythmic beat of the lethal Uruk whip.
"Oh Valar," I heard someone breathe. "Ayssa."
~~~
Celahir
**
They beat her, they broke her bones, and they slashed her skin with their rough swords. Tarí was the first to climb down and she was restrained roughly as soon as her feet touched the ground.
Ayssa did not make one sound. Not once did she cry out in pain, not once did tears of distress roll down her cheeks. When I caught a glimpse of her face, it was clam, almost happy. I knew she was in another place, somewhere where no Uruk could harm her.
There were two thick tree branches that had fallen and the Uruk-Hai moved them so they were about half a metre apart. They then dragged her up, one Uruk holding her feet on one of the branches, and one pushing her up until she was sitting on the other. The commander then gave us all a gruesome smile, and climbed upon the thickest log. He bent down and said something to Ayssa, then gave a great leap, landing on her thin legs.
The sound of them snapping was awful. Below I could hear Tarí gasping, trying not to cry out in horror.
They dragged her down and began to punch at her face. I could not bear to watch, and so I jumped. I tried to reach Ayssa, but I felt the sharp point of a sword at my neck and so I could do nothing to help her.
~~~
Ayssa
**
We have arrived at Barad-dûr. What foulness and terror awaits us here, I do not know.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*wipes forehead* phew! Ok, its kinda long *hides* sorrrryyyyyy
Sorry this update took a while..I was studying really hard (not really, but I was studying....and other stuff)
Bonjour! (I was studying for French) J'aurai mourir...hehehehehehe (that's probably wrong, oh well, never mind.)