Seeing-Spots: I hope you are still surprised at what is to come. There are three more chapters after this and then its all gone. wails Guess its time to get the muse talking so I can finish up the next one to start posting. :D
Lady of Light: Ya know, the beta and I got into a discussion about 'lead' and 'led'... and I don't recall if we ever sorted it out. I know it gives A LOT of trouble. Oh well.. I'm glad you liked the story! I cant believe its almost gone! Three more chapters and then, its time to move on to the next story, IF and WHEN I can get the muse to give me more info. ;) Hope you like whats gonna happen... I hope that it gives a BIG surprise, and some insight, come to think of it.
Naomie: Since everyone is was so gracious with their feedback, I decided that I should give the next installment, so here it be and I hope ya like it. It ends in a cliffie, so be warned. I have to get my muse to get out some more of this upcoming story so I can start getting it uploaded. I try to finish them up before I post cause sometimes real life gets in the way and the muse takes her good ol' sweet time. Glad things are working out for ya!
Cekah: Sorry hun, the method of death has already been written and approved. Not to worry, Amarah will get her 'come-up-uns' pretty soon. EG Múrendil is a good elf, not to worry. He is safe... for the time being. WEG Yeah, Haldir may play up the 'dumb blonde' but he has his reasons. Sides, you never suspect an idiot of being a genius. ;)
Hyperactive Forever: With me, kinda expect the unexpected. You'd be surprised what I throw in some stories. LOL Amarah is going to get whats coming to her for hurting our boys, not to worry. :D Múrendil and Rúmil are adorable elves and they are gonna be safe... at least, for now. :D Hope you enjoy this chapter! Hard to believe there are only THREE More left and then its done! Took me over a year to write
Ellfine: Its nice to hear from you! Nope, didn't get any other reviews, so I guess you didn't leave me a message before. :D Yes, Haldir loves Moonlight Sonata... in fact, he has on earphones right now listening to it. ;) I'm just tickled to death that my story made ya hear that song. I wanted to convey what its like to have a song to haunt you and just keep running through ya mind and it wont stop. I'm sure everyone has experienced it, but it was hard to figure out how to relay what Haldir went through, what he felt, what he 'saw'... you get my point. Anyways, I'm glad you liked it and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story. There are only three chapters left! :O Doesn't seem that long ago I started!
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Chapter Twenty-Seven: Without Eyes Blind, Evil I Find
Amarah finished off the decanter of wine quickly. She rose and ventured to an engraved cabinet and withdrew a fresh bottle. Winking at the elf, she opened the bottle and poured it languidly into two crystal glasses that were setting on the settee. She turned, holding the goblets in front of her and sauntered back to Haldir, giving him a sultry look as she swayed her hips and approached him as a predator would unsuspecting prey.
She swirled the rich liquid in the glasses, then raised one to her lips and darted her tongue across the rim. With a feral grin, she handed the other to Haldir, making sure he kept his eyes locked with hers as she traced the glass with her tongue.
Haldir felt the room suddenly become very uncomfortable. In fact, had he any choice over the matter, he would be sitting on top of the highest peak of the Misty Mountains, naked and in the dead of winter. Hoping to excuse himself as soon as possible to prepare for his early departure on the morrow, he tried several times to extricate himself from Amarah and found himself being lead from the dining table to a small couch that sat two people. Too close together, in Haldir's opinion.
The conversation had been pleasant throughout the afternoon and into the early evening. The topics were easy to maintain, but now he was getting the distinct feeling that Amarah meant to make the best of the last night he was to spend there. Feeling distinctly uncomfortable, he rose to leave, but Amarah pushed him back down on the small couch and handed him the crystal glass.
"Drink. It is the best money can buy," Amarah purred, settling herself beside Haldir. She took a sip of the violet bouquet and gave a small moan of appreciation. She smacked her lips and sighed contently, "A wonderful aroma and pleasant taste."
Haldir sipped the liquid and, to his surprise, found it to be as Amarah had said. The wine was deeply pungent, rich with flavor and hinted with a dash of spice that lingered on the pallet in a teasing way. Haldir felt a coolness slip down his throat after the wine, though it was not chilled. He frowned at the liquid; rolling the aftertaste over on his tongue and feeling the tingling sensation start at his mouth and slowly spread throughout his body. It was a very pleasing wine, and judging by the sprinkling of dust on the bottle and yellowed label, it was very old and very well fermented.
"Pleasing, is it not?" Amarah asked, taking another sip. "Father bought it from a poor vineyard. Loving the bouquet, Father bought the land as well, and employs the former owner and his family in tending the crops."
"It is most pleasing," Haldir said nonchalantly, taking little sips and feeling the tingle move down over his head and through his shoulders. It was the strangest sensation, yet intriguing all the same. Haldir rolled the goblet, allowing the wine to blush the sides before taking another sip.
Amarah leaned over, her face barely an inch from the elf's as she took one of his hands in hers. She nuzzled against his silken hair and whispered, "The wine is not as pleasing as you."
Haldir felt as if he should be doing something, but he couldn't remember what. He smiled sheepishly to Amarah, his nose brushing against her cheek as he closed his eyes. Their cheeks caressed lovingly against one another, causing tinges of pink to appear on the elf's fair face.
Amarah took the cue and pressed her lips against his. The spice of the wine seemed to intensify as she tasted the flavor on Haldir's lips. She groaned, tangling a hand in his hair and pulling him forward.
Haldir's mind buzzed. Part of him screamed that this was wrong and he better stop the progression of Amarah's advances. Yet, part of him felt like crumbling, succumbing to his natural desires and allowing himself a well-deserved indulgence. He felt as if he was floating, weightless as the clouds and just as carefree.
Trying to regain some semblance of control, Haldir withdrew, cleared his throat and asked, "I have not seen your father lately. Does he mind my presence here, or does he wish me to leave as soon as possible?"
Amarah continued her attention of caressing Haldir's face and gave him a piercing look, "Does my father concern you?"
Haldir tried to blink away the swirling spots before his eyes and shook his head, then groaned as the world began to spin. He closed his eyes and waited, hoping to settle his vision and opened bleary eyes to find Amarah hovering close to him, "I do not wish to incur his wrath for what he may deem impropriety. I do not want to evoke his anger."
"My father is easy enough to sway," Amarah whispered, her fingers playfully tugging at the golden hair. "He will not demand you to leave, so you need not worry. He may pretend to rule with a mithril backbone, but he remembers his place."
Haldir fought the sluggish feeling in his limbs and stared unfocused at Amarah, "He does not oversee the servants and trades with others?"
"Oh, he likes his travels," Amarah continued, her goblet was hanging loosely in her hand. "He is away so often. He does enjoy a good adventure and knows when a good offer has been placed before him."
"Good offer," Haldir repeated slowly, wondering why he suddenly felt on fire. He looked at his body, expecting to see flames licking at him, but saw only Amarah pressed against his side. He took several deep breaths, finding the air heavy with a mist and drowning to the senses.
"It is something that I inherited from him," Amarah said, placing her goblet on a stand and returning her attention to the subdued elf. Smiling seductively, she pressed herself once again at his side, one hand snaking in his hair and one running playfully across his chest. She smiled wider when he offered no resistance to her proximity.
"Amarah," Haldir said sluggishly, his body feeling like it didn't want to respond to his commands. He felt tired and overly relaxed, as if he had spent a week on non-stop watch and fought thousands of orcs. "Did you put something in the wine?"
Amarah cuddled closer, placing light kisses along the elf's jaw and teasing kisses on his lips, "I thought you needed to relax a little. You seem so tense since your friends left."
Haldir pushed Amarah away, trying desperately to make his vision stop swimming, "What did you give me?"
Amarah smiled wickedly and rose up slightly on the couch, "It is only a simple herb, Haldir. Relax, allow it to fill your senses and enjoy yourself."
Haldir opened his mouth to protest further, but Amarah silenced him with a kiss. He felt her hands on either shoulder, then her weight settle across his lap as she planted herself on top of him. Haldir broke the kiss and blinked furiously, feeling his head throb behind his eyes, "Amarah, stop this at once!"
"Do not worry, Haldir," Amarah said, shifting her weight on his lap and moaning suggestively, "My father is on another one of his adventures. He will not know of this."
"He may not have knowledge of it, but I do, and I do not agree to this," Haldir tried to shift Amarah's weight off of him, but she dug her knees into the couch and with the effects of the drug she slipped him, he found his bodily control lethargic.
"You may not," Amarah pressed her knees harder, feeling them dig painfully into Haldir's thighs, "But I agree and wish this. Relax and do not fight me."
Haldir gasped as she ripped at his tunic in a very unfeminine way, the thick fabric giving her as much as resistance as the elf that wore it. Haldir's arms felt leaden as he brought them up and swatted Amarah's advances away. Clumisly, he pushed her back, hoping to get her off his lap and away from the libelous human.
Amarah took the move as a sign of promising things and growled animalistically, shoving the struggling elf back and latching firmly onto his lips. She forced herself against him, and smiled spitefully as she felt his feeble attempts to repel her.
Haldir fought desperately against the woman's invasion against his bare skin. She seemed to be encouraged by his unwillingness to engage in what she had in mind. Haldir's breath hitched as he felt her fingers dig unmercifully into his waist, teasing around the waistline of his leggings. Red welts formed from her nails, and small trickles of blood began to seep into the fabric being lowered too far for the elf's liking.
"Amarah, please stop," Haldir slurred, his mind trying to prevent the effects of the drug from controlling him. "Amarah, stop this at once!"
Amarah growled and raked her nails harder along the sensitive skin. Her face became alight with malicious glee at seeing the muscles contract and flinch away from her contact. She leaned forward, grinding herself against Haldir and purred in his ear, "You are mine!"
To emphasize the point, her hands ceased their teasing of his stomach and fixed upon his ears, where she lovingly caressed the tips and felt her desire increase with the delicious moan that escaped Haldir's partially open lips. She rained kisses on his face, nipping playfully at his bottom lip and when he pulled away, screwing up his face in disgust, she snarled and twisted hard on the delicate points.
Haldir nearly screamed in pain as Amarah pinched into his ears, her nails digging into the flesh and drawing blood. The pain was the adrenaline burst he needed, and with a sadistic growl, his mind cleared and his full strength returned.
Amarah's eyes grew wide as she noted the clear expression on his face and the dark rage that began to kindle behind his eyes. The usual crystalline depths that she admired, were now a midnight blue, and narrowed down in anger. Before she could register fully what was happening, she found herself lifted straight up into the air, Haldir's suspending her away from him as if she weighed nothing.
Haldir felt his rage overtake him, his mind slipping into defensive mode as it repelled the foreign invasion and unwanted attentions. Haldir felt his strength intensify with the anger now seething through him. With a disgusted look, he easily lifted Amarah from his lap and held her, staring at him, stunned and confused, before he threw her to the floor.
Amarah crumpled into a heap, her head striking the floor with a loud crack, and she lay motionless. Haldir rose, feeling the unsteadiness in his legs dissolve as he glared down at the human that had taken liberties with him. "I belong to no one," he spat angrily, watching her shallow breath come in steady and slow.
Realizing that she was only knocked out and would regain consciousness soon, and probably call the guards for his immediate imprisonment- or death- Haldir ran swiftly to his room and collected his things. Stuffing his quiver with the gifted shirt, his arrows long spent, he swung it across his back, securing it and sliding his bow in place. He quickly buckled his sword and daggers to him, slipping them into their familiar sheaves. With a last look, he closed the door and crept through the halls. Peeking around corners to look for guards, or servants that may report him, Haldir crept slowly to the entrance of the manor, keeping his escape concealed in the shadows of the night.
Haldir reached the door that lead into the courtyard and peered quickly around the corner, taking in the surroundings before he ventured out. The sky was steely gray. Lightning flickered through the sky and thunder rolled overhead like a thousand soldiers marching in the heavens. Haldir sighed, wondering why it always seemed to rain here and pulled his elven cloak over his head and ventured out into the sheeting downpour.
As he neared the barrier, his heart fell, noticing the empty harnesses that usually holstered the giant horses. Haldir sighed in frustration, resigned to the fact that he would have to cut his way out. He hoped his sword was up for the challenge of such density.
Lightning flashed high, arching above the courtyard and illuminating it into a white glow before casting it into darkness once again. Haldir had barely placed his hand on the hilt of his sword when a voice rang out over the din.
"HALDIR!" Amarah screamed, staggering out of the manor and into the pouring rain. "How dare you defy me!"
The guards on the platforms on top of the barrier turned to the courtyard, their attention gained by their mistress and the cloaked figure standing in the middle of the rain. They watched the two, having a hard time seeing through the gale. They squinted through the darkness, trying to make out the conversation.
"Let me go," Haldir said sternly, raising his hands in front of him, "There is naught to be gained by this, Amarah. Let me go and do not make me do something that I would later regret."
Amarah stumbled clumsily over the cobblestone, "Do you think I would allow you to just escape? You have brought a terrible punishment upon your head, Elf!"
Haldir's gaze hardened as he watched Amarah progress through the downpour, "I do not answer to you, Human."
"Oh, but you do," Amarah said through clenched teeth. "I broke many of your kind over the past months. They too thought they could defy me, but I, I made them pay!"
Haldir's eyes narrowed as he took in the human's gloating, "The elves at the camp... that was 'your' doing?"
A crack of thunder made the ground shake and sting the ears of those unfortunate enough to be in the storm. A horse whinnied and banged in its stall, causing the other horses to voice their terror as well. The ruckus was drowned out by a particularly nasty clash of thunder, accentuated by the blinding flash of lightning that crackled overhead. The horses continued their violent outbursts, a constant banging reverberated from the contact of hooves on wooden doors.
The guards on the watch post flinched, unnoticed by the two having a stand-off below them.
Amarah gave Haldir a wicked grin and pulled a long dagger out from a hidden sheath, "Many of them refused me as well. I am sure you saw their fate?"
Haldir felt his hands clench painfully at his sides as he stared at the human. How could he have been so blind? Now everything made sense. The reason for her taunting as they tracked and uneasiness when they found the right path. The quickness in which she and Calorad had found shelter and hidden their horses in the cave that was concealed by foliage. Everything. Gritting his teeth, Hladir asked, "Was Calorad in on this abomination as well?"
Amarah flinched, her eyes glassing over as genuine grief passed over her, "Calorad was a mistake. He should have never gone on the journey. If he would have remained behind, I could have easily had you and your kind subdued and my work would have continued without distractions."
Haldir felt as if he was going to be sick. A strange bitter taste rose up in his mouth and he swallowed with a sour expression, "We would not have gone so easily. Nor will I now."
Amarah lunged forward, but Haldir sidestepped her. With her head trauma and slowed responses, she tried to swipe at the elf, but Haldir easily dodged her blow. Twisting away from the human, Haldir blocked another blow intended for his throat and, with a quick flick, sent the dagger skittering across the cobbled courtyard in the darkness.
"I should kill you for what you have done against the Elven kind," Haldir said in an icy voice of pure hatred. "But I will not. You will live on, knowing that your plan has foiled and with the knowledge that no elf had ever succumbed to your puny advances."
Amarah growled in anger, but found herself crumpled to the ground as Haldir shoved her backwards, sending her reeling. Sitting on the cold stone ground, heavy rain pouring over her, Amarah glared up as Haldir made for the barrier and withdrew his sword. He had to use all his might to thrust the blade in as far as he could and felt a rush of relief when he felt the resistance give away. He pushed hard on the blade, feeling it slice roughly through the hewn trees that made up the barrier. He had only gotten a few feet cut in the barrier when he heard Amarah moving behind him. He glanced over his shoulder, still slicing into the thick wood and grimacing with the effort to cut his way through.
Amarah rose unsteadily to her feet, not daring to allow the elf to best her. She inhaled deeply, her voice echoing through the courtyard, the guard houses, off the stable, and from the cobblestone, "THE ELF ATTACKED ME! KILL HIM!"
Haldir winced slightly at the piercing voice. He withdrew his blade quickly, readying himself for an attack from the guards. Several guards appeared in the doorway of their houses, many had tousled hair and bleary eyes. They stared into the pouring rain, unable to make out many details.
Amarah screamed again, "He is trying to escape! See to it that he does not leave!"
The sleepy looking guards rushed out of their warm houses with weapons haphazardly raised and immediately flinched from the chill in the rain. The lightning forked through the veil, streaking downwards and striking close by. Rain lashed down, pelting all that happened to be in the way of its wrath.
Haldir could see more clearly in the gale than the humans. He easily dodged blows and sidestepped slashes aimed at his midsection. He knew the guards were only acting on Amarah's orders, and didn't wish to harm them.
More guards piled out, the clanging of swords having alerted them to the elf's presence. Many shouted out curses, joining the fray and stepping over their unconscious comrades as Haldir delivered hard punches.
Trying to dodge blows and not cause serious harm to ones that wished him dead was no mean feat. It took all of Haldir's strength and precision to render each man unconscious before pivoting to fend off another attacker.
Unfortunately, the drug that Amarah had slipped him still lingered and, with the exertion the elf was now showing, flared to life in his system once again. Haldir's vision blurred, the guards' figures became gray and distorted. Haldir swung wide, swiping through the air and making several of the humans jump back and yelp in alarm. The sounds of the equines in the stables echoed dully in his mind.
As he fought to focus his vision, his balance swayed. Staggering slightly and knocking a guard cold with a hard punch, Haldir fell into another body. The guard, shocked at the elf's sudden lack of grace, doubled over as Haldir recovered quickly and landed a hard blow into the guard's midsection.
The beaten guard grabbed a fistful of Haldir's cloak and pulled the elf down. Haldir yelped, his head still spinning and collapsed on top of the guard. The guard groaned as Haldir's sword easily cut through his side as Haldir used it to push himself free. His breath hitched painfully as a streak of lightning lit up the sky and reflected in his ghostly eyes.
Haldir struggled to gain his feet, feeling a fist come pounding into his ribs and across his back. A couple of sword pommels were amongst the objects pelting down across his backside, the pain stinging worse from the chill of the icy rain that now soaked through his clothing.
Sluggishly throwing punches, most of them landing along the midsection of attacking guards, Haldir pushed himself free of the fray. He staggered several paces away, hoping to gain some distance to allow himself some recovery time. The wounds across his back from the beating of the guards smarted sharply, temporarily stealing his breath.
Haldir blinked furiously, trying to make the foggy sensation leave his brain. As he felt his senses clear and become more under his control, he felt his legs give out from under him as a guard swiped them. Haldir hit the ground hard, his dizziness increasing to the point that he felt as if his head would explode.
Several guards kicked the downed elf, subduing him and knocking his weapons aside. Haldir winced as a foot connected with his bow across his back and felt the wood snap painfully through his cloak. He gasped, feeling as if his ribs were on fire and held them protectively as the guards reigned down their punishment. The lightning danced high overhead, seemingly delighted at the abuse the poor elf was subjected to. Each crack of thunder seemed to spurn the guards' hatred, the flash of lightning igniting their anger and driving them downwards onto the helpless figure.
After a couple of minutes of beating on the downed elf, the guards parted, allowing Amarah to walk among them. She wiped rain-soaked hair out of her eyes and glared triumphantly at Haldir. Haldir sputtered, violently shaking as his injuries screamed at him, and the chill of the rain stinging savagely. He didn't look up when he heard Amarah approach.
"It seems as if all elves are fools," Amarah spat, glaring down at the prone form. "It was great fun to watch the others try to resist me. They broke in the end. I want you to know that before I kill you."
Haldir raised a haunted gaze to Amarah; no remorse or pity was on her face. Instead, her cruel eyes, usually a vibrant, lively green, were now dulled to a poisonous emerald, glittering wildly in the flickering heavens. Her face was drawn into a horrible, twisted scowl, and now that Haldir had dropped all pretenses, he could feel the evilness emanating from her.
Haldir thought how nearsighted he had been. The others had felt the danger immediately and had insisted on there being a terrible evil, but he, being blinded by his own stupidity, had dismissed them and brushed off their warnings. He wondered how he could have ever been so blind to such a creature. Haldir's attention was brought back as Amarah mentioned master.
"Of course, the master wanted only the best for his army," Amarah seemed to seethe at the mention of the master. "He believed that elves would be able to provide him with strong warriors to do his bidding."
"Bidding for what?" Haldir choked out, finding his ability to take a deep breath very difficult.
"War is coming, Haldir," Amarah said with a note of annoyance, "The world of Men will fall, and only those that serve the master will be safe from their onslaught."
"Who is he?" Haldir asked, hoping to sound irritated to provoke Amarah into telling him who was responsible. "Who would have such power and would be arrogant enough to wish to use elves in such a scheme?"
Amarah gave Haldir a narrowed look and scoffed, "It is not your business to know who had the brilliance to plot such a thing. You have caused me much suffering, my dear Haldir. Because of you and your kind, I lost all my followers. I shall have to start anew."
Haldir tilted forward a little, pain lacing its way up his back and sides from the vicious blows he received. He tried unsuccessfully to take a deep breath, but winced and nearly cried out in pain as his ribs seared with fire. "Sorry to have made such a mess for you," he wheezed, then favored Amarah with a smug smile, "Looks like you have to report to your master how you failed. I do not think he will be pleased with you."
Haldir had hoped to get Amarah riled up and open her mouth about the master and give him new information. If he lived through this, he could pass it on to the other elven realms and put them on their guard.
Amarah crouched down, leveling her eyes with Haldir's and sneered, "Do you want to know how long it took me to break your kin?" When Haldir only glared at her, she smiled sweetly and continued, "Two of them lasted an entire month, but most did not survive the first couple of weeks. 'Tis a pity, elves are definitely beautiful creatures. It would have been great to have one at my side."
Haldir shook involuntarily, his injuries and the iciness in Amarah's face froze his blood instantly, "You are a disgusting creature, and I am sorry to say I ever thought highly of you."
Amarah flinched but recovered quickly, "If you had only allowed yourself the honor of being my first conquest..." Amarah seemed lost in thought for a moment, then snapped her attention back and pierced Haldir with an evil look, "If I can not have you the way I wish, then no one shall have you."
Haldir swallowed the fear that lodged itself in his throat and gave Amarah a scathing look, "You are going to kill me? What is the matter, Amarah, am I too strong for you to attempt to break?"
Amarah bristled and stepped closer, her dagger poised in front of her, "You are not too strong for me, nor are you cleverer. I fooled you and your friends. They left you alone, undefended, and as weak as a kitten. You should thank me for killing you now, so you do not have to return and show them your shame."
"Shame?" Haldir smirked, hiding the winces of pain, "You take the easy way out. You are too weak to break me because you know it will be a useless cause. I have bested you, Amarah. You may kill me, but you will never have won."
Amarah hissed in anger and lunged forward, pressing her knife against Haldir's throat. The blade split the skin and a thin trickle of blood mixed with the pouring rain, the brilliant red standing out along the pale skin with each flash of lightning. Her face contorted in anger as she sneered, "I never lose! Do you hear me? Never!"
Haldir tried to laugh but the pain seared across his ribs, catching his breath. He panted, and felt Amarah twist his hair into her hand and yank his head back. Rain caressed his face as it fell from the inky sky above. Lightning flashed viciously, splitting several times like a many-legged creature of the heavens. A deep bass rumbling signaled the oncoming thunder as it echoed through the clouds.
Amarah held Haldir's head back and smiled wickedly when she took in the wheezing elf kneeling before her. The light from the heavens mirrored in his eyes, which had turned a grayish-silver, looking almost vacant of life. She lightly trailed the dagger across his throat, grinning at the pained expression in his eyes and whispered, "I always win, Haldir. No matter the game, I am always the victor."
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Well folks, see ya in a few months for the next chapter!
waits patiently
Just kidding.... new update will be less than a week. :D Big hugs and frisky elves to all who have supported me and given me feedback! You all ROCK!