The Wrong One
By Nefhiriel
A/N: First off, I didn't have the time to give this chapter quite the final editing and polishing I would have liked. It was either post it now, or wait 'til who-knows-when. I figured you would rather have it now, than wait. I apologise in advance for any problems or lower quality dialogue.
See first chapter for disclaimers. Reviewer responses at end of chapter.
Chapter 11: Above All Shadows
"In loneliness, in sickness, in confusion-the mere knowledge of friendship makes it possible to endure, even if the friend is powerless to help. It is enough that they exist. Friendship is not diminished by distance or time, by imprisonment or war, by suffering or silence. It is in these things that it roots most deeply. It is from these things that it flowers."
-Pam Brown
Fuin. Darkness. Always darkness.
Whether he closed his eyes or opened them, it made no difference.
He had finally drifted back from his comfortably unconscious state and was in more pain then he would ever care to admit. Right now lying around drinking his ada's nasty brews almost sounded attractive...
Weariness. Exhaustion. Worry for his brothers. Guilt at the part he was being forced to play. Frustration at his own helplessness. Determination to, somehow, stop Acharndil. And now, fear that he was going crazy.
These thoughts continually assaulted Aragorn's completely worn-out brain. After almost eight days of incessant sleeplessness his thought patterns were beginning to drive him to the edge. He was afraid that he might not just be precariously tottering on the brink of insanity anymore. What if he was already past that point?
Around and around his thoughts whirled from one worry to the next until his brain would shut down and refuse to go on. It took too much effort to slow his thoughts down and he was finding it increasingly hard to retain consciousness. Often he would go out cold and could only be roused by more rough treatment from the guards, who were only to glad to lend a hand—or a foot.
Considering him too weakened to put up any form of opposition or hatch any more ideas of escape, the guards' watchfulness diminished each day. More often then not they would leave him completely alone, coming into the cave only to reawaken him. Snatching ten or fifteen minutes of sleep in between visits only to be jerked back was proving to be one of the worst tortures he had ever experienced. And that was saying a lot.
At intervals, without warning, overpowering waves of almost dizzying weariness would draw him away with magnetic strength. Aragorn had, by now, found a way to solve this. They were becoming more frequent in number and each invitation to sleep was more alluring than the last. But if he fought long enough the weariness would eventually melt away. The attacks left him wide awake to all appearances, but physically drained. Sometimes he seemed to be functioning purely on a mixture of adrenalin and willpower. Why that willpower was there was something that he himself didn't understand. He didn't understand his own optimism and neither did he wholly understand the part of him that just wouldn't give up.
Usually, his continually bright outlook on life, even while being torn apart by Wargs, was due to the fact the he knew his brothers or Legolas would find him. Now that very fact was what was weighing so heavily on his heart. He knew they would find him, just like they always had. They would come and help him—but after that who would help them? This was no mindless rabble of Orcs that they could just rush in and subdue, this was a man bent on revenge with well thought-out plans.
Oh Eru, don't let them find me!
This is becoming ironic, he thought wryly. I'm hoping that help won't come?
At the moment he didn't care how strange it sounded, just as long as they didn't get caught or killed. Nothing else mattered.
Valar, let them get lost, just this once...
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Legolas continued to patiently follow the trail. Tirelessly he searched for each new print. As he figured out Acharndil's favored tactics he was able to quicken his pace. The sun beat down mercilessly upon him whenever it could find a gap in the branches, but Legolas was too intent on his mission to notice.
Coming upon a small rise, his elven senses alerted him to some sounds coming from ahead. Silently Legolas crept forward. He found the rise to end in a sudden drop-off. Below that drop-off he found what he had been searching for. The rise was scattered plentifully with brush and trees growing along the ridge, so there was no lack of cover. He remained still, watching, listening, too stunned for the moment to think of his next plan of action.
The group of men below him, completely oblivious to the pair of keen blue eyes that were watching them, continued blissfully on with their reveling.
Legolas saw Acharndil, leaning back against a tree, warming himself by one of the fires. There was no doubt he had found what he wanted, but were was Aragorn? A dozen scenarios instantly sprang to mind, each worse than the last.
He focused back on the camp spread out before him. It was a fair distance away, but he could just make out what was being said. Drowning out all the others sounds, he directed all his attention on a small group of men right below the drop-off.
"He can't last long I tell you."
"None of you know what your talkin' about. This ranger'll last to give us many more days of fun. 'e's tougher than you think."
"You're probably right, as always, Dagron."
"Besides, we can't afford to lose our entertainment yet—can we boys?" Dagron and the other men all laughed.
Legolas had to bite his lip to keep from crying out in anger.
"Still, 'e's getting' worse by the hour! If you ask me, it looks like 'e's about done for Dagron."
"Well I didn't ask you for your opinion—did I?" Dagron gruffly reprimanded his subordinate.
"But you 'ave to admit it's takin' more an' more to wake 'im up. 'e must be almost dead."
"You, my dear Magog would be dead. He is another matter altogether. He's stronger 'n most and he'll survive more 'n most. You think our little bit of fun is goin' to kill 'im?" he chuckled, "Come on, don't tell me your gettin' tired of this already?"
"Don't you worry about that. I was just worried 'bout what the chief would say if one o' these morning's we couldn't get the prisoner to wake up."
"Well you just leave the worrying to me. You go an have all the fun you want with the elf lover."
"Somehow I don't think the prisoner appreciates all the attention."
"Ingratitude." one man chuckled, "That's what it is." the other men laughed with him.
"Yeah! 'ere we are spendin' all this time with 'im and all he does is groan and call out in that accursed language of 'is for 'Ada' or some 'Legolas' fellow. Makes a body almost feel unwanted the way 'e carries on!"
Legolas had to dig his nails into his palms to keep from rushing down and throttling them. He was sorely tempted to strangle the men who talked so casually about the cruelties they were inflicting on his friend. He bit his lip until he felt the taste of blood in his mouth.
They would pay for this.
"If you'll excuse me, boys," Dagron rose from the circle of men. "it'll soon be my chance to make a trip to the cave. Better get my drink now."
His eyes made a scan of the rim. He couldn't see a cave... But, from Dagron's words, there was sure to be one further along the rim. It was probably just out of view.
Keeping low, Legolas advanced along the gradually sloping ridge. He came around a bend and found that a little way ahead the ridge ended in a sudden wall of rock. Through the trees he could see a man resting with his back against the wall down below him, and a few yards beyond him was the mouth of a cave.
A gellam! (Oh, joy) He could have sworn in his frustration. So they are keeping Aragorn in a cave. This is just what I needed.
He made his way over to a large pine that was growing parallel with the rock face. Now he had a clear view of sentry. He was sound asleep.
Well, this one should be easy to get past.
To his dismay, when he looked around more thoroughly, he was that there were several campfires encroaching nearly to the mouth of the cave. Now those were going to be another matter.
Most of the campfires were closer on his side of the cave entrance. So, since no other brilliant ideas came to mind, he started to skirt around the back of the cave. If he was going to make a suicidal rush, he was at least going to attempt it on the most favorable side.
I'll just wait until it gets dark and then—
Something caught his attention before he could finish his thought. There were muffled sounds coming from above him. Head jerked upward, arrow ready, he stood perfectly still. His eyes roved over the rock face until they came to rest on a small crevice. Some fifteen or twenty feet above him was a ledge a couple feet wide, and directly above that, there was a small cleft in the rock. Slowly Legolas replaced the arrow in his quiver. The sounds he'd been hearing must be coming from inside the cave, seeping out through the crack. He studied the rock face.
Difficult to say. I suppose I might be able to climb it...
It was a sheer climb, but he set about finding toeholds. Inch by inch he went until he was finally able to reach the ledge and pull himself onto it. He could hear the sounds clearly now. It was Dagron's voice he was hearing; the other sound he heard made his blood boil.
"Well look here." Dagron seemed to be talking to himself. "What do we have now? Sleepin' again are we?"
Legolas heard a thump followed by a faint cry—Aragorn.
He grasped the side of the cliff to keep himself from falling as his heart began to race. One thought prevailed above all else: get to Aragorn.
With new purpose now he studied the small fissure. He steadied his precarious footing and easily slid his head and arms forward into the small space. Panic instantly ensued and he drew them back out. In his impatience to get to his friend, he had forgotten about elves' natural aversion to tight spaces, his natural aversion to caves.
Eru! What am I doing trying to fit in there?
Another thump followed by a groan.
I'm getting to Estel, that's what I'm doing.
He slipped his head and arms back through the gap.
I will not let this get the best of me, I will not let this get the best of me...
As he crammed himself forward, he repeated those words, endowing them with all the staying power he had left.
Because of the shape of the crack, he was forced to lay sideways.
Things just keep getting better.
He pressed himself further into the suffocatingly tiny space. The fragments of panic that had managed to cling to him flung themselves at him with renewed fierceness.
He was stuck.
All his worst fears were becoming manifest. Oh Valar, he was stuck! Frantically he tried to move backwards and then forwards—he couldn't move! No, this isn't happening! His mind screamed in blind panic while his body seemed to freeze in tense overload. One sound pierced through his clouded reason:
"No one'll ever find you 'ere, elf lover. And not even your own family thinks you're worth the bother of bargaining over. So you may as well throw away all thoughts of rescue. No one's comin'. Poor li'll ranger, left all alone."
Ironically it was Dagron's mocking voice that brought sanity back to Legolas's thoughts.
I'm coming, mellon-nín.
He would not focus on his fears. They were pitiful in comparison to the nightmare his friend must be living.
Now think logically.
He forced his breathing to slow. The irony of this situation would have made him laugh—if he had been anywhere else.
Prince Legolas, son of King Thranduil, killer of countless Orcs, Wargs, Spiders, and other evil creatures, a warrior of Mirkwood... Yes, he's finally met his match. This small crack has been his undoing. A small crack, a very small crack. He added mentally. Legolas, these jokes aren't helping with your claustrophobia... Great, now I'm talking to myself. Ai! Tight spaces do strange things to my mind...
Now that his panic had somewhat subsided he was able to think more clearly. He exhaled and drew in his stomach as much as he could. Yes, now he could maneuver better. Making himself as small as possible, he burrowed forward. Find a handhold, pull forward. Find a handhold, pull forward. He found a rhythm and focused on it. His legs were now completely in so he pushed with them as well. Find a handhold, pull forward, push with legs. Find a handhold, pull forward, push with legs.
Incredulity and disbelief at what he was doing would come later; for now he just wanted to find the end of the tunnel and get to Aragorn.
How much further can this go?
A drop of sweat rolled down his face and, as much as he disliked admitting it, his muscles were becoming sore. Even after this minimal time, the strain of being underground was taking it's toll.
Only for you mellon-nín, only for you...
Legolas peered ahead into the darkness and saw, with intense relief, a faint light. In a last effort he covered the last few feet, then he realized with a start that Dagron was still in the cave. If he hadn't been in danger of being heard, he would have groaned. In his hurry to get in he'd forgotten that the man would still be there. Emerging sideways from this crack in the wall would leave him in an extremely vulnerable position, he wouldn't possibly be able to get out and gain his feet — not to mention his bearings — before Dagron and who-knew-how-many other men could get to him. Besides, there was the small matter of his having been forced to leave his weapons behind in order to fit into the crack
How wonderful, he rested his head as best as he could in his awkward position, now I can just lie here until that idiot decides to leave.
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Aragorn chose to ignore Dagron. It was obvious that no good behavior on his part would win him any favor. That much was clear. The man had it out to get him and he would find problems with whatever he did. Not that it really mattered anymore, he hardly registered the abuse.
Then why am I groaning?
Somehow he felt like he was loosing control of his own body. He just couldn't make it do what he wanted it to do. His eyelids were becoming especially wayward. One minute they would be open and the next, would close without ever consulting him. He'd known weariness before, but never like this.
So he sat there, not registering Dagron's words or kicks. He knew all the words the man spoke were lies, said only to hurt him and, if he could, he would rather not feel the physical pain either. After awhile he vaguely heard the man leave.
Dagron's footsteps had hardly diminished before something else caught his attention. Behind him he heard a slight scuffle.
Without any sleep I knew it would eventually come to this. I'm finally hearing things.
At the back of the cave he heard a muffled grunt followed by what sounded like a shower of loose rock.
Well, maybe it isn't just my imagination.
Then everything went still again. Well if he wasn't hearing things... rats?
Funny, I don't recall noticing any rats here before...
To Be Continued...
Reviewer responses:
Kathira: (pats Legolas) Yep, this elf's going to get the next couple of months off - at least in my story : ) But as for our dear little ranger...He's an entirely different matter! (grins evilly) Of course, eventually I'll have to end Legolas' little vacation. Well, if you're sick, then I guess we've all caught the same illness, LOL. Thank you SO much for the review!
jacquelinestel: 'How much harm can they do?' – those are some famous last words : ) Hehehe, I thoroughly cracked myself up trying to picture Legolas conversing with the chinchilla in his native language...on the floor. (giggles) Oh, and the poor chinchilla! It sounds like it's having difficulties overcoming the trauma (I hope its hair grew back quickly!)...But then, it sounds like so are Legolas and Estel: the wimps. So THAT is how they ended up in the washer and dryer...hmm, interesting little saga. (sighs) OK, time to be serious...I'm glad you're liking the "baddie" : ) Um, Estel, I hate to tell you this...but it just gets worse. I'll leave you with that last cheerful thought. (grins evilly) Thank you! I love getting novel-length reviews. (sighs contentedly and scrolls back to top of JE review to start re-reading) Now this is my kind of therapy...
Star-Stallion: 33! Wow, you've almost got as many plot-bunnies as me! I'm hopelessly surrounded by vicious little bunnies... I think I've got nearly 50 roughly outlined stories planned, and right now I'm in the process of writing 3 more, as well as touching up on this one as I post. (takes deep breath) I got to keep going, otherwise these plot bunnies will overrun my house! (takes another deep breath) Sorry to go on like that. Oh, I'm so glad you like the bit with Elladan and the pillow : ) It was a lot of fun to write, and provided me with a break from writing all that angst (despite what some may think I'm really not cruel by nature, and don't enjoy hurting characters... : ). Well, I'll try to keep updating regularly – thanks so much for the review!
HarryEstel: Oh good, I'm happy I didn't confuse you : ) I'm so glad I succeeding in making you laugh! I try to add some humor in-between the angst, just to lighten things up a bit. (huggles) Thanks for continuing to review!
polingly: What?! You didn't review IMEDDIATLY?! REALLY Polly, you're falling down on your job!!! Oh. I see. It wasn't your fault, hmm? I shall have to have a talk with your sister...LOL. J/K. I'm happy to hear from you ANY time! Oh no! You're going to be GONE?! I'll miss you so much! Yeah, I know, you might not believe how much I really do value our friendship and LOVE talking to you, considering how long it takes me to get back to your e-mails, but I REALLY will miss you. I actually AM in the middle of typing up a decent reply to your e-mails (and about time too!), which I will send as soon as I can get it finished. One bit of "good" news about the time you'll be gone: I may actually end up being gone and/or without internet connection for part of that time, so you may not miss quite that many posts : ) I'm actually glad you're starting to feel just a tad sorry for Acharndil. I didn't want him to be the proto-type villain who has absolutely no remorse about (or reason for) any of the horrible things he's doing. And he did have a very traumatic, sad childhood (which you'll get to hear about in more detail later). But I did want everyone to still yell and scream at him, because (you said it perfectly): that's no excuse to go around making everyone ELSE have a horrible life! I can't say enough how relieved I am to hear that you like my sense of humor, er, that is, Aragorn's sense of humor ; ) I don't think you're likely to meet up with many squeamish people on here... (just consider that they're blatantly asking me to make Aragorn's day worse!) Oh, one last thing – I want to see your drawing!!! I'm haunting my inbox in hopes of an e-mail from you (no pressure or anything...JUST GET IT FINISHED!!! ) Hehehe...J/K : ) But I really am extremely excited about seeing it (just ask Imbecamiel). Namarie, mellon-nin (and hannon le for being such a faithful friend and reviewer!).
Mornflower: OK, I'd have to say the thing that made me laugh the hardest this time was Estel wiping his glue-covered hands through his hair and getting them stuck - you just keep giving me these hilarious visuals! What's this about you being the Gingerbread Man? Why do I sense an interesting story? LOL. Oh, and Legolas' line at the end was pretty good too : ) I hope all three of you have fun building popsicle stick figures... Thank you!
Lord Elrond of Hogwarts: Acharndil is Arathorn's brother....Wow! Now there's a theory I'd never stopped to consider! I didn't realize all the parallels I'd made between that story and this, but now that I compare them... Nope, the twins would never kill innocent people unless they weren't innocent people (you make perfect sense : ). (snickers) Hehehe, so for a minute you actually thought I'd let Acharndil capture the twins! Like I'd do that...(smiles innocently) I think Aragorn feels the same way as you about the word "fun", he's going to go into hysterics every time anyone says "lets go have some fun". Poor ranger : ) Oh yeah, you put that description of Dagron and his friends perfectly: "...four men who probably don't make up one brain together! But they sure make a lot of fists..." – definitely describes them well, LOL. (takes deep breath) Yep, I'm finally beginning to calm down from all those wonderful reviews you sent me. I'm glad you understand how much authors crave reviews : ) This is my first really big LotR story, and it's also the first time I've gotten over ten reviews for a story – but now that I've had my first taste of what it's like to get feedback... Well, all my fantastic reviewers have spoiled me with their encouragement to the point were and I am now officially addicted : ) I'm glad you liked the way I did Elladan's mind, in one of these chapters I even delve into Elrond's mind...scary. I'm also glad you liked the dream, I felt like the story needed a reprieve from angst – if only for a little while. (grabs Elladan by collar) Leave her alone, Elladan, and just calm down. Chasing her won't do any good. Everyone loves seeing you and Elrohir fight, argue, pull pranks on each other – and generally embarrass yourselves! So get used to it... (clears throat) Anyways, thank you so much for feeding my addictions : )
Darkening Dreams: I hope this is soon enough : ) Thank you for reading my story, and taking the time to review - I'm so glad to hear that you like it!
Naesse: Good, I'm glad you liked the way I did Acharndil. He was a very...interesting villain to write : ) Thank you for reviewing!
viggomaniac: (sticks out tongue) Between you and Imbecamiel I'll NEVER keep my resolution! Grrr... (scowls and rolls eyes at a smirking VM, who is tauntingly pointing to her screen with the first chapter of BDD on it) I actually made this same resolution for SoD – I don't think I even lasted the first day. So you see, I'm becoming more and more self-controlled – I've already lasted THREE whole chapters! (cheers loudly) And now I have to keep my resolution, I couldn't bear to have you all laughing at my downfall. (sighs) Yeah, I wish I knew more languages too. Then I could thank you and tell you how grateful I am in a different language each time, and maybe I wouldn't sound so repetitive... I guess we'll both just have to settle for being repetitive : ) But for my part, I just enjoy hearing from you! That's right, Legolas, keep her truthful! Don't worry, just remember you have a very severe sickness...But your Doctor gave you a prescription, and I'm doing my best to fill it for you. (frowns and mutters to self) I wonder if this sickness is curable, or whether she's just a terminal case...(shrugs) Oh well. (opens book titled "How to say 'Thank You' in a Million different languages") Domo arigato! (Japanese)
elvingirl3737: Oh, I'm glad you liked the flashback/dream! It was an extremely fun scene to write : ) I though you might enjoy a little ranger whomping (don't worry, I've gotten used to your... interesting way of talking about poor Estel's painful situation ; ). That does make me feel better, knowing that my villain is working out realistically. Self-control...Is that what you call it? I call it self-torture! But yeah, it will probably be ultimately less painful just to wait until it's all posted to begin reading : b At least I won't have to suffer through any of Cassia and Sio's notorious cliffies : ) Thank you!
Well, I'm really looking forward to posting the next chapter! It's one of my personal favorites, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what you all think of it! It should be out Friday or Saturday, as usual, and will be called "You're Not Alone".
- Nefhiriel
Vice President and Co-founder of the SNWCG & member of the F.F.F.F.F