CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

A Day to Die

If you would lift me up you must be on higher ground.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Celebalda inwardly screamed at himself as he held tried to help Thalionril cling to life as they were dragged to small inhumane cells that he had the perception to know they were going to die in. The shackles on his ankles and wrists made him feel inferior and angered him. He felt his temper flaring.

However, unlike Legolas, Aragorn and others he knew, when he got angry or was captured he shut himself down and was quiet. He felt his rage still peaking as he felt his daughter's beloved shivering, not in fear, but against the cold creeping into his blood as the arrow embedded in his chest and the gapping hole in his abdomen from a javelin piercing him manifested and wreaked havoc through out his system.

His lips were gray and blue tinted as his face seemed to be depleting of color. His bright eyes had turned shady and had a shivery glaze over them. He spoke to Celebalda as he felt his life feeling his body ad his spirit preparing to depart. "My cc-c-captain, I am…s-s-s-or-sorry…if I f-f-failed…y-y-you." His lips trembled and his neck strained as he struggled to keep his windpipe open for air.

Thalionril stumbled and he found he could not rise. He tried, but he realized quickly that he was not going to ever get up again. Celebalda struggled to try and carry the other Elf, but he could not lift him and the warrior whispered, "it is-t-t-time." His broken and slurred speech was a torment to Celebalda's heart.

Celebalda pulled his ghostly warrior and friend closer despite his shackles. Hugging Thalionril to his chest so the younger Elf could look into his eyes he said, "I would have been honored to have you for a son and my daughter was lucky to have found someone as brave and dear as you." He gently shook the younger Elf and said, "just stay with me."

Thalionril's eyes could no longer focus and now he was shaking and Celebalda could tell he was frightened of the death and chill he could not understand.

The captain was jerked away and Thalionril gasped as his body was sharply jarred. In panic Celebalda asked, "what are you doing?"

Calmir came up with a crossbow and grinned. "I am finishing the job." He placed a bolt into the bow and made sure the string was ready. His eyes spoke of amusement and actual joy and lust to see this young Elf die at his hand.

Celebalda hated men who compensated for their own problems at other's expense. And when they killed in cold blood he felt his blood boil and the pressure rise. "You cold-hearted spawn of Mordor!" he cried angrily. "Can't you see he is dying? Just let me be by his side. He is frightened!"

"Well he won't be in a minute. He will be dead and at peace," Thalionril just looked at Celebalda as he seemed to be begging his captain to save him. But Celebalda could do nothing. He was helpless and because he was helpless, his warrior and friend was helpless.

Calmir aimed the bolt for thestruggling heart of Thalionril and smiled as he drew back the large, feathered shaft. Celebalda screamed and struggled against the men holding him back, "you can't! You are insane!" The other Elf with Celebalda and Thalionril just looked shocked and his face went completely white as he watched the bow being drawn back.

Thalionril felt a blazing pain in his heart and it raced through his entire body as the shaft buried itself in his rib cage, hitting the heart. Then he felt everything go still and the last thing he saw before blackness claimed him and he felt no more and knew no more was the face of Celebalda, watching him get murdered.

The captains mouth was moving, screaming, but he didn't hear it. He saw the lips forming words, but they were not heard by him and then he fell into blackness. And pleasantly, he felt no more of anything and his troubles were over.

"You didn't have to do that!" snapped Celebalda as he was forced to walk a few feet further. Calmir looked at the dead Elf, with the peaceful look in his eyes and the blood trickling from his mouth and nose. He was gone and it made the man feel good.

"Elf, we lost ten men back there to your loss of three." He fixed his crossbow and said, "I can make four Elves be dead if you like."

"Go ahead and kill me. I have nothing else to lose." The Elven captain watched the human with wrathful eyes.

"No, that would be too good for your kind," he spat. "We will get our revenge eventually."

Footsteps echoed in the darkness before them and King was standing before Calmir. His eyes darkened as he saw the body of Thalionril at the other man's feet and Celebalda struggling between two more men. He was hard to restrain and they were muttering constant curses under their breath.

"What is this?" he dug his toe under the shoulder of the dead Elf's body pointedly. "Why?"

"He was already severely wounded and dying. He was slowing us down and wasn't going to make it. I sped up the process," explained Calmir gruffly and without the slightest bit of regret. He reached down and twisted the arrow from the Elf's breast and looked at the tip. It was still good and useable.

"You are insane," said King as he watched the whole process with disdain. He hated Calmir with a with a passion. He was a sick and totally mad man. He knew that the man loved the whole slaughter and murder of the Elves. He knew that the other man felt good about putting a bolt through this dead being's heart. It was enough to make him sick.

He knew that he himself had problems, but he never enjoyed torturing a victim, except Erestor. That was going to such fun, he thought with a slight smile. But other than that, he did it to get a point across. He didn't enjoy it. Killing them was loved and hated by him. It was revenge, yes, but somehow it never felt sweet.

"Well then, take the others, alive and secure them in their cells prepared for them. I have to get everything ready for the fight tonight. Have you fed your warg lately?" he asked, interested..

"Not recently. I haven't had a thing to feed her," he complained almost angrily.

"How does she feel towards Elf?" Celebalda stiffened and he looked at his companion, whose eyes were huge.

"I hardly think she will object," answered the man in pleasant tone that was surprising for one of his unsteady behavior.

"I have an Elf I can't afford to keep any longer. That red-headed one, you remember?" he asked tersely as he began to walk away. "If you want to, you can feed him to her, he's got a broken wrist and some other injuries down in The Pit."

Celebalda immediately bristled at the description of the sacrificial Elf. There was only one redheaded male Elf that he knew of who was missing, and that was his son. Perhaps it as an Elf of Rivendell, but he tended to doubt it. Elves of Rivendell were typically blonde or dark of hair, being Noldor Elves. Jerking in his bonds he said, "you can't just do that! You can't sacrifice a living being like that!" He wasn't about to include the fact that it was his son, incase he might make things even more dangerous.

"Can and am," said the man honestly. Calmir nodded and muttered,

"Sure, my warg will dispose of him. I imagine you don't really care whether my beast starves or is fat and full, you want that Elf gotten out of the way." King grinned in a way that said he couldn't very well argue with that assertion.

Celebalda growled, "you are both insane! What do you want us for anyway? Why don't you kill us and have done?" He glanced sidelong at his captive warrior.

King came and taking a club he had been carrying hr placed it under the captain's chin and forced Celebalda's face to be level with his own. "Because dead Elves are worthless." Celebalda didn't pull his head away, but met the man's gaze exactly, with the proper manner of defiance and loathing. "Of course, I don't want to hurt you, really. I take no pleasure from your pain. But I have to make money and so if I have to break you in the process, that is your fault, not mine."

"Of course," answered Celebalda in a bitter and cold tone that was purely sardonic.

King said with a serious scowl, "glad you and I understand one another, Captain." Celebalda knitted his brows in anger at his rank being used against him. "A pretty worthless captain I might add. Who leads their men into a trap and sacrifices their lives while coming out alive himself?"

These words bit deeply into Celebalda's heart. King was right. And the captain did regret coming out of it alive and not going to see Mandos with Thalionril and his other Elves. He would regret it forever and he knew it. Unless he died here. He wanted very much to die here.

King watched the hurt and wounded look melt into the dark-eyes of the captive Elf. He saw the eyes were slightly damper than they had been before and he knew he had found the Elf's weakness. Celebalda just looked at the ground in shame and he felt the hot tears coming to his eye corners.

Did the men think he had wanted this? To have his Elves, his daughter's beloved with them, die a painful and totally unmerciful death? Two of which he never got to bid farewell to? Their death's stung his heart as much as lemon juice in a paper cut would, if not more so.

Trembling slightly he just sighed tiredly and then looked back at King with a dangerous glow in his eyes. "You will die for this, human. I promise you that. You have just called the wrath of King Thranduil down upon yourself! I will seek retribution myself!" he pledged.

As the men began to pull the helpless Elven captain away to place him in his prison further down the twisted corridors and hidden doors, King called after him. "And how shall you seek retribution?"

King watched them go and then left in the direction of The Pit where Caranfëa was trapped.

He reached it short of ten minutes and he looked at the Elf he had left in it. "Caranfëa, UI suppose you know I am not about to rescue you. I promised you that before."

"I could careless human," he hissed as he cradled his broken wrist that was throbbing. His bright green eyes had less fire in them than before, but they still seemed bright and malignant.

"Good, I will make sure the warg disposes of you before the huge fight," he said forwardly as he stared down the small being.

"Thank you for being so very polite and understanding," muttered the red-haired Elf darkly with a twist of his head to get his hair away from his face.

The man just shrugged. Then he said, "your little pampered prince has got get ready for the big fight tonight." Caranfëa just looked at his wrist and its odd angle. It was bent off to the inside and it was likely that if he did escape his archery days were over.

Hearing the footsteps of his tormenter leaving the room and going in the other room to antagonize Legolas, the small Elf finally closed his eyes and let his thoughts go back to peaceful memories, before he had found himself here, before he had ever been captured the first time.

>>>>>>>>>>

Erestor carefully peeled the tunic pieces away from the gash he had received on his abdomen. It wasn't deep, he decided as he felt the warm blood on his fingertips. But that didn't make it any less painful. He felt his muscles convulsing in agony and he cringed in the dark.

Sweat pooled on his forehead and he breathed unevenly. He was grateful his insides weren't ripped out. However, he had no doubt that with King's utter hatred for him that they would be before the end.

The dark-haired Elf knew that Legolas and Aragorn were nearby in a cell further up by the door. That was a small comfort, but it also it angered him they were still held here and he worried for the ranger and Legolas' safety, so really, when he looked closely at it, it wasn't any sort of comfort at all.

He leaned back against the cold wall and wheezed a little in his agony. For once he wished that Glorfindel were here. He was a friend with that foolish, insane Gondolin Elf, whether he wanted to be or not and he need someone to lean on an help him.

But if Glorfindel was insane, he told himself mentally, then he certainly was as well, whether he admitted it or not. He also was shocked that he realized why the twins, Estel, Rothinzil, Ancú and Legolas came home in tatters. But the had to wonder why they had so many enemies.

"Glorfindel,'' he murmured out loud, "if you are out there you had better hurry up and not delay, leaving me here to be tortured more than is necessary."

His Elven ears picked up the sound of footsteps and he saw King come in as the door opened and the man's silhouette showed in the doorframe. Narrowing his eyes, he prepared mentally to get put through the ringer.

However, the man didn't come his way and went to Legolas and Aragorn's dungeon.

Legolas was asleep, his head resting gently on Aragorn's shoulder and his breath coming in quiet and peaceful inhales and exhales. His blue eyes were shut, but his face appeared peaceful, for the first time in a long time.

Aragorn gingerly, so as not to wake or alarm his sleeping friend, pulled the cloak tighter around Legolas' thin frame. The prince didn't even stir. Aragorn looked at the door as he saw it open and fear gripped his heart.

He had only gotten Legolas to relax enough to rest a little while ago. He didn't know what King had in store for his friend, but he didn't want Legolas to go through anymore. Legolas didn't deserve to get hurt anymore. He would much rather take everything for him.

King watched the pair of friends for a moment and then he walked over and leaned against the bars casually. "He is getting tired, you know that, don't you ranger?" The captor said skeptically, "I never understood what we are expected to see in Elves. I was a ranger once you know."

Aragorn did not answer for a moment and then he said, "if I begged for him, would you leave him be? Would you let him go?" He looked at the still sleeping Elf and felt Legolas stir to try and find a more comfortable position before falling into a deep slumber again.

"No," retorted King gruffly and with a snicker in his voice, "why should I?"

"I will do-"

"Anything?" finished the man scornfully. "That's what they all say, but in the end, they don't. Anyway, your time will come, ranger. Don't be too eager now." He produced the key from his pocket and as soon as it hit the lock, Legolas was awake.

His blue eyes were blurred and he looked first at Aragorn and then at the man in the doorway. The ranger felt Legolas cringe back and it broke his heart. But he also felt the anger radiating from the prince.

"What is going on?" he asked softly in Elvish.

"Legolas, do not use that tongue here!" snapped King. "Now get up and come here."

Aragorn reached under the cloak and held Legolas' hand for comfort to the Elf as much as to himself. Giving it a tight squeeze he willed his friend to be strong.

Legolas was and Aragorn felt proud of his friend.

"I told you I do not respond to being called like a dog. You can ask me, you shall never command me," he growled spitefully in his native tongue. If he didn't want to use Westron, there was no way King was going to make him. His blue eyes seemed to crust over with ice and steel.

King looked weary and said, "I suppose I shall have to re-teach you everything, princling." Legolas felt his stomach lurch. He didn't think he could survive that again.

He walked towards Legolas to jerk the Elf up and Aragorn stood up and stepped protectively before his friend. If King wanted to get to Legolas, he was going to have kill him first. Clenching his fists, Aragorn prepared to go at King with only his bare hands.

"You aren't honestly going to risk your life for a half dead Elf, are you?" asked King and he laughed. "That's a pretty bad trade if you ask me."

"Which I didn't," said the ranger firmly. His eye stayed locked on the other man's every move.

"Oh, I know."

Legolas watched Aragorn stand protectively over him and he hissed angrily and defensively, "don't Strider! What in the Valinor do you think you are doing?" The Elf's voice sounded shrill. Struggling and stumbling, the blonde being was on his feet and he said, "this is my battle. You cannot fight it for me, my friend."

"Can't I?" asked Aragorn bitterly as he faced King.

King suddenly grabbed Legolas by the cloak and twisted it so it half choked the Elf. He then pulled Legolas close. "Look here, Blue Eyes, do not mess with me today!" He gave the cloak another twist, making it tighter and leaving a thin passageway for the air to reach Legolas' desperate lungs. The prince didn't struggle. King watched as the Elf continued to defy him and with another twist, he had the airway completely squeezed off.

Legolas felt all his blood rushing to his face and his eyes felt as though they were going to pop out. He refused to struggle. He would not give the man the satisfaction of seeing he was too weak to pull away. But King knew and he watched as Legolas' lips turned blue and his eyes began to glaze over.

Legolas' fingers began to claw at the man's arms, but he made no other moves, except beginning to collapse on his knees.

Aragorn seemed entranced by the whole turn of events. He could not take his eyes off Legolas' blue face and the way the Elf jerked his fingers spasmodically on the other's arms.

Something snapped abruptly and the ranger through himself against Legolas' tormentor, forcing King to release his grip on Legolas' cloak that was wrapped about his throat. The ranger then gripped the ex-ranger by his shirt and tore him away from Legolas.

The Elf crumpled to the ground, his hands on his neck and it was all he could do to draw one breath and live. Everything was blurry and swirling.

He watched as King flung Aragorn from him, slamming the young man into the wall. Aragorn felt dizzy. His head hurt where it had smacked against the wall with the jolting force of the blow.

King then turned his attention back onto the blonde Elf, who was still wheezing and tasting how sweet the dank air was to his starved lungs.

>>>>>>>>>

Rothinzil and Elméra, followed by Glorfindel entered the Ring to where the fight was going to be held. It was beginning to fill with people. Men were already making bets and Roth pulled Glorfindel back as he backed out. "I have got to go in there," he told Elméra and Glorfindel anxiously.

"Not a good idea," said Glorfindel. "You will be captured and killed before you can so much as blink."

"I can't help that," said Rothinzil adamantly. He said, "I am part human, with my ears hidden and my hair pulled back, I will look like-"

"An Elf," finished Glorfindel. "You still are far more fair featured than any of those men could ever hope to be and it will stand out." Elméra placed a hand on Roth's shoulder.

"I don't want you to get killed Roth. If Calmir catches you again, he will not let you go easily," she reminded with moist eyes as she realized she was going to have to let him go.

"I can't help that. What will be is what will be," he answered in frustration.

Glorfindel frowned and said, "well if you are going in there, I am coming with you."

"With your golden hair you will stand out like a sore thumb!" protested the dark-haired Elf tenaciously. He looked at the Gondolin Elf with trepidation.

"I do not care. I am not going to let you go in there alone pen-neth." Glorfindel pulled his hood over his face and tucked his hair back. His ears were hidden and his hod was deep, so in all fairness he was well concealed.

"There is no way I am going to stop you, is there?" asked the warrior with a tired smile. He shivered slightly as his wound sent a shocking pain through his system. But pushing the rebounding pain aside, he said, "Well then let us go."

Beginning to go back into the room, Roth felt Elméra's hand clutched his cloak and he spun around to face her, "not you too."

"Yes, me too. I can't abide here, wondering fearfully whether you are captured or dead, or in pain," she pleaded earnestly for his understanding. Her eyes were narrowed and watched his face.

"I suppose I can't stop you," he concluded. He took her hand and said, "very well then. Together." His smile made her smile.

All three were walking into something they might never come out of. But all three friends had smiles on their faces knowing somehow that evverything had a chance at being okay. Anyway, it seemed like a good day to die.

TBC…Sorry, we know, bad place to end and a short chapter. Hey, hope you all had a nice Christmas or whatever you celebrate if you know what we mean. After all, is all around the world. Happy early New Years!

Yes, Thalionril is dead. -sigh-. Poor thing. Why do we feel so happy? Must be our evil side grinning. -both shrug-

Please review.

And now here are the responses:) Thank you to you all.

Snow Glory: Well, well now, what a bright out look on things you have! But yes, Legoals isn't one easily to come out of despair, though he would try and fool you. Hehehehehe, things could be worse, you know. Wonder if Legolas loves it as much as you do. LOL Thanks for the review.

Deana: Awwww...geethanks.

lil Cwick: Thats so sweet, thank you! -Both bow dramatically-

Marie Delcore: Dearest, you flatter us! Evil? -authors look aghast- Us? Now where in the world did that little thought come from? Certainly not fromtthe tragic deaths. LOL Yes, well Erestor won't be happy. Thats certain. And wait until Glorfindel gets ahold of anyone who would dare to touch his -cough- friend -cough- Thanks for the review.

elitenschwein: Wonder if Aragorn feels the same way about that good ol' angst. LOL And never fear, more is coming. Lots more! If not carefully distributed though. Thanks for that...interesting...review. LOL

Astievia: Yes, Erestor has met his true mortal enemy number one (and he's not golden-haired) Yes, very interesting...or slightly surprising...thanks for the review.

bumbleflies and butterbees: Thanks for the review. We try to make the plot twisty and misleading.Glad you listen to that music too. It is so nice, isn't it? Which artists/groups are the ones you like?