Disclaimer: I do not, I repeat do not own Lord of the Rings or anything related to it, except my own copies of the book. I only like to play with Tolkien's characters. Also I do not own the song in this chapter, Endless Night from the Broadway version of The Lion King.
Toria: I'm glad you'll settle for alive, because I don't know if I can even say that they are well mentally. Then again who would after being beaten? As to getting him back to his family, I'm working on it.
trustingfriendship: Elros knows something, unfortunately we won't find out exactly what in this chapter… Yes Legolas was captured, they are all grateful that you are rooting for them. Thanks for the review!
Kandice: *holds up her hands and backs away slowly. * Um… don't hurt me? I don't want to die, I swear that they will be all right. You can have the twins, but Estel is mine! *Runs before she can be caught*
*Carefully crawls back to the spot that she had held a while before, looking around for angry people or lawyers. Seeing none Alex begins to grin and continues.*
LadyJadePerendhil: That is what I want to know, since I am still not sure how Legolas got captured in the first place. *Shakes head and rolls her eyes* Actually I am pretty sure I don't want to know how that happened, but I'm sure you and I will find out. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
grumpy: *smiles and laughs* I have three insane cats and a collie from hell, I think I can take on your cat. Though thank you for the threat, I'm glad that I am invoking people's protective instincts for the characters. Poor Legolas, Estel and Elrond, I seriously didn't mean for them to get into this position. And by the way, I can to play nice, I just don't want to right now! Enjoy the story!
Elven Kitten: I'm glad you like it, here is what you requested!
nickole: He made me think about him all day in classes instead of paying attention in my writing class. (Though it could he could have been saving me from the boredom of sitting there listening to someone who didn't know what in the world she was talking about… *shrugs and sighs*) This isn't immediately but here is the next chapter.
Lirenel: Help is slowly on its way, as for a happy ending you'll just have to wait and see about that one. Enjoy the story!
A/N: This is a short chapter, which all of you are getting because a good portion of the Eastern and Midwest (and probably more then that) portion of the US has been hit was winter storms, so schools have been cancelled. I hope you like it!
"Elvish"
'Common'
Italics are thoughts
Bold italics are the words to the song.
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Celeborn sat sitting with Tindomiel as they watched over his granddaughter. The young girl had refused to leave the Eveningstar side, even when he had finally gotten Galadriel to leave the room. The girl just continued to sketch on a pad of parchment.
"How is Estel?" Celeborn jumped up, until he distinguished where the voice had come from. He smiled slightly, then shifted it to a frown as he turned around and approached the child on the window seat.
"Tindomiel, you scared me tithen pen." Celeborn gave the girl a dark look that was belied by a twinkle in his eyes as he strode over to where she sat by the window.
Tindomiel just smiled slightly, bowing her head for half a second before raising it. "I am sorry, milord I just worry for the health of all my cousins. I have yet to visit Estel today, though I wish to, and wonder how it is that he fares."
Celeborn felt the corners of his mouth tug, shaking his head slightly, he replied in a soft teasing voice. "Why do you not just go and see for yourself?"
Tindomiel bit her lip, "I am scared Celeborn, so very, very scared to go into that room." She trembled slightly as she looked down at her drawing. "I fear to see if what I have drawn is true."
Celeborn pulled Tindomiel around so he could look into the child's eyes. "What is it that you have drawn, Dinel (Silent Star)?"
She looked at him, her eyes filled with tears. It had been many years since she had heard that name, the only name that had ever been hers alone that Celeborn had given to her. She did not speak, but moved closer to him and handed him the drawing. Celeborn looked down at the parchment then back up at the young woman. "You have seen this?"
"Aye Cel'born I have seen it, in my head. But I think I just made up a picture, I heard that Estel has long cuts on his back, as does Elrond. Galadriel does not think any of them will make it through these trial." Tindomiel drew close to the elf, laying her dark head on his shoulder, her long raven hair flowed like a river over his shoulder. "But there is still estel left, I know there has to be. Does there not have to be?" She tilted her head so she could look into her elder's eyes.
"You have seen that as well." It was not a question, Celeborn already knew, but Tindomiel nodded, although she was confused to as what he meant about seen.
"I do not want them to die, I refuse to believe that they will. But it is so with everyone being so down all of the time." Celeborn brought his arm around the young girl, holding her tightly to his chest for a long moment. Slowly Tindomiel brought her arms around the elf lord.
After what had seemed like a lifetime had passed, Celeborn let her go. She looked at him puzzled, a little hurt as well but Celeborn dropped onto one of his knees and smiled slightly.
"Tithen Dinel?" The girl looked a little hesitant but cocked her head to the side and raised her eyebrow. "Tindomerel, may I take this to my wife and your father? I want them to see what is happening to Estel, Elrond, and Legolas. It would put aside some of their worries and some of the twins as well."
Tindomiel just stared at Celeborn for a long moment, looking deep into the azul eyes. Slowly after careful decision, Tindomiel nodded as if it was taking every ounce of her strength to do so. Celeborn gave her a quick smile and then turned to leave.
A small, warm voice stopped him. "Is he here?" Celeborn turned around and looked at the girl, noticing for the first time that tears were running down her face from her gray eyes. Celeborn nodded gingerly.
"Yes Dinel, he is and he does not blame you." The girl gave him a look that basically told him that she didn't believe him.
She smiled anyway, "Really? Now here I was hoping that he would be angry so we could finally finish that dueling match that we started all those years ago." Tindomiel moved towards her cousin's bed, sitting down on the edge of it, her face turned serious as she looks down at Arwen. "This should not have happened, she should have to deal with any of this. Neither should Estel, Elrond or Legolas. None of them deserve to be treated this way by anyone."
"No they do not, but it is not your fault that this happened." Again he turned to go but the girl's voice followed him causing him to smile as he walked down the light filled corridor.
It was not any fault of yours that caused this either…
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Estel wanted to scream it was not suppose to happen this way. His father was not suppose to be beaten by these men nor was his best friend suppose to be captured by these…these imbeciles! There was no way of escape, for how could they escape when no one would help them?
Where has the starlight gone?
Dark is the day
How can I find my way home?
The voice was soft, just barely there in his mind. He looked over at his father and Legolas and realized that they could hear it as well. The voice echoed how he felt, how could he find his way home, he was stuck in this darkness of the Lands of the Dead was there no escape from the evils of humanity?
Home is an empty dream
Lost to the night
Adar, I feel so alone
You promised you'd be there
Whenever I needed you
Whenever I call your name
You're not anywhere
But you are wrong Ada is here, Estel thought to himself. Ada is here; he came when I called him. Legolas and him came when I call, even though they had to go through the darkness of this world.
I'm trying to hold on
Just waiting to hear your voice
One word, just a word will do
To end this nightmare
I wish someone would just wake me up! Estel thought as the whip fell once more on his father's back. The voice was growing in strength as if it sensed is depressive thoughts. Estel grimaced, nothing could end these torture no matter how long he held on, yet he did out of hope. He was becoming aware of a noise that was not the crack of the short man's whip. He looked up catching his father's eyes after they turned from Legolas to his. Slowly he felt the weight in his heart begin to lift as the world around become clearer and more bright in his eyes.
When will the dawning break
Oh endless night
Sleepless I dream of the day
When you were by my side
Guiding my path Adar,
I can't find the way
Elrond had heard the words of the song, such as sad song filled with despair. They could not find their way now, not while they were still captured. There was no chance of escape, no matter how hard they prayed they would never be heard outside the walls of the world. He looked over at Legolas and at his son's feeling as if he had failed them both. But when he looked into Estel's eyes he saw the despair slowly disappearing from the child's eyes. And he could swear that he heard the sound of hoof beats…
You promised you'd be there
Whenever I needed you
Whenever I call your name
You're not anywhere
I'm trying to hold on
Just waiting to hear your voice
One word, just a word will do
To end this nightmare
Legolas looked over and met the eyes of Elrond. He felt as if he was being dragged into the pits of despair, but when he looked at Estel he knew that he was already there. No matter how hard he tried to hold on he felt like he was falling as he watched Elrond be hit over and over again. But the there was something pulling him back as the words to the song got louder in his ears, yet he could swear that he heard the sound of a sword being drawn.
I know that the night must end
And that the sun will rise
And that the sun will rise
I know that the clouds must clear
And that the sun will shine
And that the sun will shine
Suddenly the sound of horses could be heard by not only Elrond and by Legolas but by Estel as well. The men holding them captive where unable to hear either the words to the song that was now bringing hope to the captives and the help that its words brought with it.
I know that the night must end
And that the sun will rise
And that the sun will rise
I know that the clouds must clear
And that the sun will shine, And that the sun will shine I know
Yes, I know The sun will rise Yes, I know I know
Estel looked up at his father as the horses came charging into the camp and the riders drew their swords, lances, and bows and arrows, making war upon those that held them captive. Elrond just looked on with his eyes wide and worried, yet there was gratefulness to these that rescued them from their torturers even if these people would do worse to them. Any break was better then none, but as Elrond met the glaze of his son and Legolas he realized that he couldn't find any trace of fear in his body about the people that now were slaying the other party.
The clouds must clear I know that the night must end
I know that the sun will rise
And I'll hear your voice deep inside I know that the night must end
And that the clouds must clear
The sun, The sun will rise
The sun, The sun will rise
The battle was over and the sun had indeed began to rise Elrond thought as the one leader of the group got off of his horse and walked slowly towards the portion of his family. Elrond got up and began to walk towards the man. Estel and Legolas slowly go up as well; they were weary after being treated the way they had been. If only they were sure that these men were friends everything would be just fine….
TBC
If you review, you'll get Estel, Elrond, and Legolas out of this terrible world faster!! Please?