THE SPACE BETWEEN

Author's note : Hello! It's been a long time since I updated, whoa, I didn't realize that it took me that long to write this chapter… So, so sorry! Well here we are at Chapter Thirteen. I can't believe it really, it's already been a year since I started this story (if you count Sleepy Willow of course) It was around early January that I got the idea. I never thought that a year later I would still be writing it. Quite ridiculous how long it has been taking really.

Ok well as you can obviously tell I don't really have much to say, that is except that I'd like to thank all those who are reading, reviewed and sent emails. Thank you and thank you again! You support is really appreciated!

Oh here is something useful! (finally!) I noticed as I'm sure you have too, that this fic is not quite following the TTT timeline from the book… sorry, I didn't realize it until I started this chapter. Well it is a sort of AU so I guess I can mess around with the timeline. I am trying to find ways to fix it though. But you know what? I realized that my story is in fact more in cannon with the books than the movie… well sort of. At least I don't go around killing nice Elves randomly. Grrr

So now I must thank a few people…

Hello Wind Elf! Thank you for your review! I hope you like this chapter. Thanks for your support!

Thank you so much for your constant support A-mon Andúne Thank you also for signing my guest book! To let you know… Pixy Greenleaf has informed me that she has started writing new stuff for The Last of the Gelvin! I'm hoping she'll be sending her stuff soon! And yes I did mess around with the plot… sorry! You must admit, it's more faithful to the books than the movie! Well… in a way… I'll be doing what I can to take care of my loose ends. I have a few things planned out, it's only a question of fitting them with the books. Well thank you very much for your continued support and I hope that the fact that it's getting more and more AU doesn't bother you too much!

Hey TreeHugger! I'm glad you found the song quote appropriate, I love that song it's very beautiful and really quite fitting with LOTR, especially the Ents (Dreaming Tree) and sadly no, it's going to take a while before it gets better. :( Yeah I liked Haldir too. I don't know where it came from, I just stuck him in there and we clicked. He and Willow do have a nice relationship, I'm so glad that it's only PJ that murdered him and not Tolkien. :( Of course I have no intentions of following the movie now! I tried to make Willow as vulnerable as possible I mean I don't want her to be perfect, she speaks like that to Saruman mostly because she is quite afraid. Really. Thank you! I'm so honoured you like my Saruman, Christopher Lee is amazing and does the character so well! It's not hard to write him well with such good acting! Oh for Wormtongue and the Palantir throwing thing, Willow just felt like causing a little trouble, she saw her chance and took it. Thank you so much for your great review! Most excellent! Oh and I can't wait to see what's going on in Mirkwood since the Dorwinion has gone missing… Uh-oh… (oh and I like your Tanglinna picture… very nice )

Chapter Thirteen

Ill Tidings to Ruin the Heart

The first thing that came to Willow's mind as she stirred from her slumber was the horrible dream she was having. She dreamt that a Nazgûl had taken her. She rubbed her eyes and they focussed on her environment, darkness, she was surrounded by complete darkness save for a flickering auburn light.

Flames.

To her great surprise, Willow was no longer in the dark cell where she remembered being last. No, in fact she was lying in a bed in a dark spacious room. She looked around her and did not recognise her surroundings at all. Her gaze swept around the room, a fire blazed in the fireplace, the walls were painted black, the four posts at each end of the black bed were high with a glistering red eye surrounded by sharp black spikes. Her eyes settled on a nearby window, they met complete darkness. Willow assumed it must have been night, yet the sky was black with reddish clouds. It did not resemble Orthanc in anyway.

She decided to stand, as soon as she did, her head was filled with dizziness. It was not a dream; there was a Nazgûl. He called to her. That was all she remembered, but how? How did he know where to find her?

The Palantír!

She recalled seeing the stone which had made contact with her. She approached the window to take a closer look outside. The sight of a lava-spitting volcano greeted her. Then, if she was taken by a Nazgûl, and there was a volcano in full view of her room, that meant she was in… As the words were about to enter her head she heard the dirtied black steel door open.

"Wonderful you are awake!" The voice was eerily too familiar. Willow froze in horror as she looked upon the black-clad being before her, recognition sinking in. "Welcome home." He said smiling evilly.

"Makowyl. So this is where you have been hiding!" She whispered as he entered the room. "Your true colours have come out! All this time you have been an agent of the Dark Lord!"

"Mordor." The simple word entered her mind and petrified her to the very core. "Mordor and this is Mount Doom." She thought quickly.

Makowyl, the dark Lórien Elf that terrorised Willow and Legolas, smiled cruelly. "If you wish to call me that, then yes. I held my purpose since the Dark Lord summoned me many years ago."

"Why? What has caused you to betray the Elves?" She asked confused.

"Me? It is of no importance! I have fulfilled my mission, a mission that was given to me over two thousand years ago."

"What mission?" Willow's confusion grew even further, all the new knowledge she had gained over the past few days left her more and more confused.

"To watch over Aryon O Huine, to assure the shadow does not completely lose its hold over the Dark Lord's heir, despite her parents' petty sacrifice!" He said cryptically.

Willow's eyes grew wide in surprise. "Then all your evil words, all the pain you caused was..."

"Completely intentional." He stated coldly. "It was meant to hurt, to ensure you were kept under the shadow's hold, even if you or those blind Elves of Lórien did not know of it. It was there all the time, I was there to ensure its presence."

The Elf's mouth gaped. What was there to say to this? All her life, Sauron's shadow hovered over her a vulture watching his prey and she knew nothing of it. And Makowyl was the one who kept it there.

The dark Elf laughed, it was a hideous sound. "Come, the Lord of the Earth awaits you."

"What! He what?" Blurted Willow, wasn't he a shadow?

Makowyl rolled his eyes. "Did your trip with the Witch King damage your ears? Did you not hear me? I said Sauron awaits to see you, NOW!"

Willow staggered back. AI thought... I thought he could not take physical form, at least not for a long time."

"He has now. He awaits you. You do not wish to make the Dark Lord wait, ever. The consequences would be terrible!" He retorted, his acidy voice burning the She-Elf's ears.

Makowyl led Willow down a long flight of barely illuminated stairs. There were no words spoken between the two Elves. Willow was still overwhelmed with surprise and Makowyl was much amused by her reaction. At length they reached the end of the stairs and were met with an everlasting corridor.

The tower of Barad-Dûr was a sinister and unfriendly place, there were no lanterns to light the passages but only small barred windows where a faint glimmer of red light filtered through. The constant shouting of Orcs and other misfortunate beings in agony seared through her ears, the sounds were everywhere. They came from the walls, the floor, the ceiling, the doors, everywhere, it was a though it was a sound no one could escape. The air was stuffy and barely breathable for even the air felt evil. This was not a place for any being of light to be, let alone an Elf.

They passed a regiment of Orcs marching through the never-ending hallway. Their evil eyes glimmered at the sight of the newcomer, they shrieked and hissed at Willow, causing her to jump slightly.

"What is the matter, Tithen Tasar? I would have believed you to feel at home. Do you not like the darkness?" Taunted Makowyl. The tension in the atmosphere was so thick, one could have cut it with a knife.

"No I do not." Scoffed Willow.

Makowyl smirked. "That is unfortunate. But alas, you will have to get used to it. You are among your own kind, the Orcs are your family, the Dark Lord is your master now."

"Never." It was barely above a whisper yet the small word echoed in the dark Elf's ears. He whipped around to face Willow.

AWhat?" He laughed. "You will learn to hold your tongue, else your careless words be rammed down your throat!"

They continued in silence until they reached a wider corridor. Willow's heart sank deeper into darkness and fear gripped every part of her the further they wend down the hall.

"We are here." Said Makowyl as he stopped before a pair of neverendingly tall black doors. Willow's eyes went up and down taking in the length of the doors. Her breathing came in short painful gasps as she realised the doors had opened.

Legolas rode as hard as he could, pushing Arod far beyond his limits. He spoke to the beast, thanking him for his strenuous work yet still pressing him harder. In his mind, he played scenario after scenario, imagination with great fright what he would find upon arriving in Meduseld. His vivid imagination was getting the better of him. The thoughts of what awaited him in Edoras frightened him greatly so he urged Arod on. He did not know how long he had been ridding when his keen eyesight perceived Edoras coming up, far far away, where it stood on top of the hill in full view of Rohan, nor did he notice the sun come and go.

Arod skidded to a halt in from of King Théoden's golden hall. Legolas sprang off and ran into the eerily deserted castle. As he entered he was met with absolute quiet; not a sound could be heard save for the wind blowing about Meduseld.

It did not take him long to discover something dreadfully violent had taken place in the palace. The Hall appeared to have been plundered; nothing seemed to be in its place. Legolas ran to the room where he had left Willow, a blood trail leading the way. His heart in his chest tightened as though it would burst. He found the locked door to be wide open, a pile of Uruk Hai bodies in the entrance. Willow was not there; he left the room and searched about the Hall, calling her name in a desperate battle against fate that his beloved might still be there.

"O if these walls could talk!" Wailed Legolas helplessly. He thought for a moment and gathered as many clues as possible as to what happened when he and the Rohirrim had left Edoras. He began at the start of the Uruk blood trail. They must have been many, at least twenty, why? He had no clue. They stormed the Hall and ruined it. Then they went straight for the room where Willow was left, yes there was a trail of dead Uruk-Hai, and it was not hard to see that the Elf had struggled greatly against them. She had killed at least eight of them, so Legolas had counted. The chamber was the most ravaged of all, not one piece of furniture was at its place, and Uruk blood was spilt on the floor, as were their discarded weapons. What had occurred here?

He was not the tracker Aragorn was but the Elf did the best he could to figure out this puzzle. He knew this much: Uruks had raided the Hall and went straight for Willow's chamber, she was caught by surprise for Legolas could define her shape in the blanket that was left on the ground, she fought valiantly against them but was overwhelmed by the Uruks. Something red had briefly caught the corner of his eye. It was on the wall.

Blood.

Not Orc blood, but elven, Willow's blood. Legolas crouched down and observed the stain, it was yet another dreadful sign of struggle for it was a hand imprint. Legolas brought his hand to match against the print, it was much smaller than his was, and Willow's hand was covered in her own blood. Tears rushed into his eyes as he removed his hand and placed it on his forehead. Something else had caught his eye just then, something glittering, discarded and forgotten amidst the rubble. Legolas crawled away from the wall and his hand reached for the shining object. As picked it up a new wave of fresh tears invaded him. A wave of immense pain flooded his heart. It was the necklace he had given her. It was colourless now; it no longer held captive the colour of Willow's eyes. The only colour it held now was the bright elven blood that soiled it. As he held it in his hand a not so old conversation replayed in his mind.

"You still have it!" He exclaimed, touching the jewel, a hint of emotion in his voice.

"Yes. I have never taken it off." Answered Willow. AI have always remained hopeful that someday, the one who gave it me would return."

Legolas smiled. "And he has. And this time, there is nothing that will stop him."

The voices echoed in his mind like a ghost of a memory, a shadow of what once was. It was a dream a long ago distant dream that was now lost and would never come again. Legolas hugged the jewel tightly as if it was the only way for him to ever touch Willow again. He curled up on the ground and pressed the necklace hard against his forehead, then rinsing it with the tears he could no longer hold back. "O Meleth Nin, I have failed you miserably." There was no hope with him and he was left with emptiness and tears of pearls making their way down to wash away the blood stained floor.

"I... I cannot do this." Willow's voice wavered, fear etched with every word she had spoken. She was seized by fright. She noticed she could not move, her legs refused to obey her, so did her mind. They sensed the evil that resided on the other side of the doors and were ready to fight for all their might to avoid going there.

Unfortunately that battle was lost as Makowyl spoke harshly. "You can and you will. I care not if I must drag you in there, but you will go through." He roughly shoved the Elf forward. "NOW!"

Taking one slow step at a time, Willow walked into the imposing hall of the Dark Lord. The entire room was dark; there were very few lights. Her eyes traced the wide expanse and ended at the base of a wide stairwell where two red flaming posts stood on either side. Climbing the steps with her eyes, Willow's heart froze when she stopped at the dark throne at the top where a shadow loomed. Shrouded in darkness, she could barely make out the figure sitting on the throne.

Willow shivered as the Dark Lord swept his cloak behind him, as he stood tall. His face was still a mystery but there was an evil gleam in his eyes. He looked down at the Elf before him. "And so, you have finally returned to us, my Heir." His voice was not as coarse as Willow expected. It was darkly powerful yet it was still tinted with evil and ill intent. Slowly the Dark Lord descended the stairs. As he did so, the light slowly revealed his face.

Willow sucked in a sudden intake of air as his features could be seen. The dark Lord Sauron's appearance was beyond anyone's imagination; it was against all beliefs. His black hair hung loosely just above his shoulders, he looked powerful and evil, his wicked eyes drenched in darkness, yet his face was, his face was... Willow was startled as there was only one word to describe it. The Dark Lord was handsome? The Elf stared at him in utter disbelief. "How can this be?" It was always believed the Dark Lord would be hideous and terrifying in appearance. Yet there he was, standing before Laiella Tatharwen, deceptively beautiful. She smirked inwardly. "Of course, He is Sauron the Deceiver; it is to be considered that his appearance is deceptively fair." She thought as he came down and circled the Elf.

Willow wanted to scream as she felt his gaze burning on her; the air around her was so heavy she could not breathe. She was completely surrounded by evil and it was engulfing her. Sauron stopped to her left. Willow closed her eyes tightly, hoping to drown away the evil seeping through every part of her. He swooped up a handful of the Elf's dark golden hair and brought it to his face as if to examine it.

"You are not what I expected." He said finally, letting go of her hair. He stood silent for a moment expecting an answer. The Dark Lord turned around to be face to face with his creation. He frowned as he noticed her eyes were closed. An evil smile crept on the Dark Lord's face.

"You are frightened, more frightened than you ever were in all your life. But I know why, you feel as though you belong here, as though this place has always been a part of you, a home. You know this to be true, despite your constant denial."

Willow's eyes shot open. "No! That is not true!"

Sauron shook his head slowly. "It is. Aye there is much work to be done with you. The elves have allowed you to be weak. I should have known better than to leave you with the weakest and most ridiculous race in all of Arda. In time, you will come to appreciate what I have done for you, you shall realize your importance and you shall take your place at my side."

"No! Never!" It sounded as though her response was ripped from her throat. The battle inside Willow's mind had intensified greatly upon entering Mordor.

"That is what you fear the most, is it not? You know this to be the truth. You are afraid because you know that in the end you shall be my Ally, that is your destiny, that is why you exist."

Willow's head shook violently. "No!" Her mind screamed of terror and fear. "Legolas will come, oh by the Valar please let him come! Keep him safe." She prayed silently, never letting go of her hope, no matter how much it dimmed.

The Dark Lord surveyed the Elf, he could easily discerned her thoughts. He laughed aloud.

"Do you truly believe your friends will come for you?" He chuckled even more. The sound made the Elf wince. "And if by some gift they do, will they succeed?"

Willow did not answer; she was too surprised to say anything.

"What do you think I would do to him, Elf? What do you think I would do to your little Prince?" Noting the look on Willow's face, Sauron continued. "O yes I know about him. I know all your thoughts. I would bring all your little friends here. I am sure, that Thranduil's whelp would not come alone, he would drag along the Dwarf and his little human friend, Isildur's heir. Yes, I know of him too. Of course by that time the Halflings would be in my possession, all of them, including the one whom carries my ring. Do not worry I will find him." He said as he took notice of the fearful look Willow gave him.

"All of your companions would be here to enjoy the spectacle." His mocking smile dimmed and was replaced by an evil scowl. Willow could do nothing but listen as the Dark Lord described his plan to bring as much torment to her friends as possible.

"First would be your Prince. I would break him, tear his soul to shreds. He would not die, he will nothing more than a pathetic helpless creature, unable to think, unable to speak, the very though of me would send him cowering in a corner. I would not kill him, no, not before he is forced to watch the long days of endless torment I intend to bring on every one of his friends. One by one he would watch them wither away until death claims them."

As the Dark Lord spoke, he implanted vivid images of what he intended to do to the Fellowship in Willow's mind. The She-Elf could do nothing except watch the horrifying spectacle playing out in her mind. It wasn't real. But it felt as though it already happened.

"Of course it would not end there. Once all of the Prince's little friends are dead, he too will die. But not before seeing his once beloved arise to be the Heir of Darkness she was meant to be. His last though shall be of you, my dear, of how he has failed to bring you to the light. The young Prince of Mirkwood will die at the hands of his beloved Laiella, the one and only Heir of Sauron. She will plunge the final blade into his miserable little heart and then he will be no more!"

The tears that flowed down Willow's face asserted the desired affect on the Elf. The best way to bring light to darkness is through despair, and this Elf was nearing the depths of despair.

"No." She whispered desperately, her small voice barely audible beneath her tears.

"No?" Mocked the Sauron. "Yes, that is what shall come to pass, you know this. Oh yes you do, that is why you are trying so hard to deny it." He chuckled darkly. "Your faith in your pathetic little friends is your weakness."

The Elf gathered what little courage she possessed and replied softly. "Your faith in yourself is yours."

The Dark Lord was taken aback, he then smirked. "So the Elf speaks! I was beginning to lose faith that you could not speak more than a word at a time."

He continued to circle Willow. "Despair and darkness that is what you feel, that is all your heart knows. Do not worry when I am done, despair will no longer be a part of you. You do not require to listen to the Galadhrim's false stories of hope and triumph, they are devoid of any salvation. They offer nothing, nothing but despair. The Elves are cowards; they flee to Valinor to avoid confrontation. They know they stand not a chance against I, Sauron, Lord of the Earth! I offer you what you were meant to have, meant to be. Strength and triumph is what you will feel. No longer will you fear anything, power shall be extended down to your fingertips. You have a choice: take your rightful place at my side and accept your fate or wither away and die with the rest of your friends. Perhaps if you join me, as you should, their lives will be spared the long tortuous death I have planned. I shall leave you now to reflect on this."

Before Willow could say another word he faded away and vanished from the throne room. Shortly after, Makowyl re-entered the hall to return the She-Elf to her room.

It had been half a day since Legolas arrived at Edoras when Aragorn found him. He had taken note of the Prince's fragile state and had chosen to follow him closely upon their separation a few days earlier.

He found Legolas curled up on the floor in the room where Willow was to remain. The Ranger quickly took note of the room's state, the missing Elf and of his friend's tear streaked face and the glimmering object between his fingers. He kneeled next to the Elf and gently roused him from his slumber.

Legolas moaned slightly as his eyes fluttered open and fixed on Aragorn. He said nothing as his mind recollected the past events. He sat up, blinked his eyes and glanced at the jewel in his hands. The Elf sighed profoundly. Aragorn pressed a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Legolas!" he whispered. The Elf looked up at him with pain filled eyes that broke the Ranger's heart but not nearly half as much as the Elf's next words.

My heart has only held love for one and one only. I have loved only one, yet it is twice that I lose her." Legolas' eyes averted from Aragorn's and settle on the jewel. He brought it up to his forehead and held the jewel tightly and closed his eyes to prevent fresh pearly tears from rolling down.

"Nothing but pain." Sobbed Legolas. "Life has brought nothing but pain, that is all it has to offer."

Aragorn didn't know what to say. He wanted comfort his friend the best he could, but how? "O Legolas!" He gently stroke his friend's back as the Elf could no longer hold back his new tears. "I am so sorry."

Throwing aside his pride, Legolas buried his face in Aragorn's and repeated the same words over and over. "I have failed, I have failed!"

Well here it is, finally. I hope that wasn't too bad. I could have spent another month changing it around but I figured I still wouldn't be happy with it. SO there it is. Please let me know what you think and if there's anything that may need fixing, like if there are any A and for quotation marks. Word is incompetent and does not read WordPerfect files! Thank you and have a nice day!