Reviewer responses for Chapter 21:
Arayelle Lynn: LOL...yeh, good point. Legolas can't do this alone, now can he? Starts muttering to self, Well he IS rather strong, talented, hmm...maybe he can...no...well...LOL. Yep...seems like I'm not telling.
Karone Evertree: Lol thanks. Hope he DOESN'T repeat that mistake!
Zammy, Deana: You guys are great...I am sorry this took so long. Been really busy and need to make sure I don't do this long wait thingy again!
InsanePirate624: Hey...where'd your story go!? You need to update too...like I'm doing! LOL. I look forward to hearing what you think of THIS chapter too!
Kelsey: ROTFLMAO!! Your predications were hilarious...the flying oliphaunt one in particular. Element of surprise...well...guess not! LOL. He isn't EXACTLY reincarnated...I mean, it's not like Legolas IS Cellnen...just has parts of him...i.e. his magic ability...Doesn't look like him though.
Alatariel Narmolanya: Grinning author here...yup I like Cliffies...helps keep the suspense up. Glad you liked...
Moonyasha, Pirate Gyrl: Hey there! Thanks for reviewing...sorry the update took so long...ugh...real life in the way AGAIN.
Mornflower: Poor Morn...not in the mood for skits. I hope you feel all right...but by now you probably do. This took a while for me and Phoenixqueen to get up on the site. Glad you liked.
Shadowfax2931: Cliffie should be my middle name. I love them. Just not reading them!
KeshieShimmer: Welcome to the world of...my fic! Glad you like it so far!! Thanks so much for dropping a review!
Crystalcave: You caught up!!! YAY! Grins...glad you threw in so many reviews as you went. I really appreciate it! Thank you thank you thank you!
The-Burglar: Hey...thanks for reviewing! Nice to...uh...meet you! I hope this is soon enough an update. This is LONGER then I've ever taken... Glad you enjoyed...and yes that was a cliffie!! I love cliffies!
A/N: Hello everyone...I just want to apologize for the LONG wait between the last post and this one. Unfortunately, life has a tendency to get in the way of LotR stories! I will try not to let such a long period of time elapse between posts again, but it is not always so easy! I hope I haven't lost any of my precious reviewers, and I wish to welcome some new people to the review page: the-burglar, crystalcave (who has caught up!), KeshieShimmer, and anyone I may have forgotten. Please forgive us for the long wait and take this chapter as an offering of peace!! LOL. –Gwenneth
B/N (Beta's note): "sighs" Has it really been over two weeks since the last update? Wow...it seems longer. I guess that's what being buried under a mountain-load of college work can do to you. Well, now that Gwenneth and I are able to talk again (we had a long silence during those two weeks) hopefully we won't keep you fabulous readers waiting much longer. I am as appreciative of the reviews as Gwenneth, and I get as much of a kick out of them as she does. Both of us have invested a great deal of time in making this fic into a wonderful story to keep all of you guessing and wondering and on the edge, so it's nice to see that effort rewarded. Both of us will be doing everything in our power to get the next chapter up ASAP! -phoenixqueen
Chapter 22: Fateful Meeting
Graelath's Tower...
Legolas could make out a doorway now and the Uruk-hai guarding it. Being an Elf, he knew his steps were too silent to be heard by the creature. So he cleared his throat. Startled, the Uruk-hai surged forward, blindly searching for the source of the sound.
He nearly ran right into the Elf.
"What...what is an Elf doing so far from home?" The Uruk-hai trained his crossbow on Legolas, the arrow tip touching the Elf's chest above his heart. "Don't do anything stupid, Elf. Keep your hands where I can see them." As he prodded the Elf forward into the dark tower, he called to a nearby Orc and sent him off to find the Master. "Just wait, Elf, our Master doesn't like your kind. Why do you think he killed your people first?" The Uruk pushed harder with his arrow tip, drawing blood from Legolas' back.
To his credit, the prince did not waiver or show signs of pain. It was nothing compared to what could be done to him. He cringed, memories of past pains coming to the surface for a moment before he was able to quell them.
"I am sure he will be expressly glad to see me," Legolas spat out, surprised by the strength in his words. He was petrified inside, but he sounded unaffected by his plight.
The tone of his voice on enraged the Uruk-hai more and he shoved the Elf forward into a poorly lit hall... the hall from the prince's dreams. He faltered, giving the Uruk just the chance he needed to propel the Elf to his knees, where he kept Legolas by pointing the arrow at his heart once again.
Aside from chairs and a table, not much else resided in this room. Legolas couldn't begin to imagine what sort of being could live in such a place. He didn't need to wonder for long. From a side passageway, he heard a scuffle of feet and a light, yet heartfelt, elvish curse. Arwen! She is alive!
A small smile curved his lips, but he wiped it away quickly. It wouldn't do to be too cocky just yet. He had to convince this wizard to take him instead of Arwen. Little did he know that Graelath didn't hold the Queen just as ransom.
He saw a faint light before he actually saw the Queen. She was thrust rather roughly into the room, but she was completely unbound, which was a relief to the prince. Her eyes quickly latched on the still being kneeling at the feet of the Uruk, light emanating from his body.
"Legolas!" She cried, fear rising when she realized who had been caught. As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted it. Now Graelath knew he hadn't just caught some wayward Elf.
"Ah, so you know this intruder." From the shadows behind Arwen, a man emerged. His red hair stood out against the black interior of the hall and the black clothing he wore. The man wasn't old; on the contrary he looked rather young. At first glance, Legolas wouldn't have thought this to be the wizard of the First Age; he looked barely older then Legolas and Arwen.
But as he approached, Legolas saw for the first time the man's eyes. Cold, black and lifeless; showing his millennia of suffering. At that moment, Legolas felt fear, the stab of cold running through his chest. This man would have no mercy on any living soul.
"Who are you, Legolas? Why have you come here? Obviously you know the Queen and she you...but just how well?" Graelath stepped toward the Elf on the ground, his staff lightly gripped in his right hand.
Motioning to the Uruk to let the Elf stand, Graelath waited until Legolas was eye level. The Elf made no move to explain who he was and this angered Graelath. He could see defiance in those bright blue eyes. Defiance was something he did not tolerate in his captives.
"Who is he, my dear?" The wizard directed the question to Arwen, who sent Legolas an uncertain look. Legolas nodded imperceptibly, telling her it would be wise to answer the wizard to avoid provoking his wrath.
Arwen faced the wizard. "He is a friend. Why should I not know him? There are not that many of my people left on these shores, as you well know, and he and I are nearly the same age. If you must know, he is a friend from..." she hesitated for a moment, then made her decision. "He is from Lothlorien. He was visiting Minas Tirith when we received word of your attack on my people."
Graelath frowned. He had no reason to disbelieve the Queen, but it didn't explain why this new elf was here.
Then Legolas spoke, lightly. "I have come to offer myself in exchange for the Queen. I trust I'd be far more interesting to you then she."
Arwen gasped. "Legolas, no!"
The prince sent a warning look at her, not wanting her to give the wizard any reason to refuse his offer. She saw the determination in his bright blue eyes, as well as the deeply hidden fear from old memories of previous captivities, and swallowed back any further protest, knowing that he was doing this for her...and for Aragorn. She allowed herself to hope that this might even be part of the rescue attempt, for it would be much easier for Aragorn to rescue the prince than her, as Legolas would be much more capable of taking care of himself.
For a moment, the wizard studied his prey. "You trust that, do you? I'm not so sure, what do you have to offer me that would make me consider getting rid of such a beautiful creature." He reached out to stroke Arwen's cheek, but she would have nothing of the sort and pulled away.
Legolas took a breath, not liking this situation one bit. Perhaps this was a mistake; Graelath seemed to have a strong interest in Arwen. And now he was every bit the prisoner either way. Why do I have to be so damn loyal?...my loyalty is going to get me killed one of these days. "I am a friend of Elessar as well, a dear friend, one that he wouldn't hesitate to come after if he knew that I am being held here." Legolas finally answered, choosing to lead the wizard on a bit longer and not reveal his secret yet, hoping to avert the same fate that had befallen Cellnen.
Graelath's eyes narrowed. "And you seem to think that he won't come after his Queen?" The wizard laughed. "I find it hard to believe that he would place the life of his friend at more value than that of his wife."
Legolas was quiet for a moment. "He would come...but he would also bring heavy reinforcements, and you would not stand a chance at defeating him, his ire would be so great. If I am your prisoner, it is more likely that he will come alone. The Queen is a liability to you and will be your downfall...but I guess that you think yourself so arrogant that you could defeat the strength of the armies of the Reunified Kingdoms."
Graelath glared at the elf for the insult. "Be wary of who you are speaking to, elf."
Legolas laughed scornfully. "Why? You are not worthy of being feared. You are like Sauron, only with greater ambition and less strength. Besides, there is still someone out there who can counter your magic and make your downfall even more certain. It is your choice when you wish to meet that downfall, sooner or later. Keeping the Queen will only hasten your defeat; I swear that to be true by the Valar."
Graelath glowered. "Elessar cannot defeat me...and if you know who this elf is that can supposedly defeat me; you'd best tell me now, my young friend."
Legolas didn't respond to the threat. "Take me in exchange for the Queen and you may live longer, though your defeat is already certain. I am the better hostage in the end."
The wizard laughed. "That is where you are wrong." Turning away from Legolas, he strode across the hall, and then turned back, casting a withering look at the Elf. "I fully intend to raise that child as my own, to keep her as my Queen when I have taken over all of Middle-Earth. What can you possibly offer me that is greater then that?"
Legolas' heart froze. He now realized there was no way that Graelath would let Arwen go and keep him. He knew now that he was doomed...unless Aragorn and the rest of the rescue party could catch up to him and somehow free him.
Graelath stepped closer to the elf, and seemed to see the fear that the prince was trying so desperately to hide, even as it clutched at his soul. The wizard reached out and grasped the prince's chin, chuckling to himself. "I can see that despite your brave words and foolish sacrifice, you fear me, elf."
Legolas glowered and pulled his chin free with a jerk, his eyes blazing. "I do not fear you, wizard. I fear for the Queen, nothing more."
His strong words seemed to amuse the wizard, who stepped back. He was unsure why he said it, but for some reason, it had a desirous affect on the wizard, who simply laughed. "Perhaps I will not kill you outright; you may be a fun toy. I would like to see what it would take to break you, elf. I will allow you to keep the Queen company in her tower, though not unhindered."
Motioning to the Uruk to bring the prisoner, Graelath led the two Elves back toward the North Tower where Arwen had been kept since her arrival. Pushing her in first, Graelath watched with gleeful eyes as Legolas was half-led, half-dragged into the room. He had already been stripped of his weapons and now being held securely by two Uruk guards.
Graelath glanced around the lush room, realizing there was nowhere to place the Elf so that he wouldn't be able to escape. Turning, he called a nearby Orc to his side. "Merkeg, go fetch irons and a wall hook."
The Orc turned to leave.
"And Merkeg? Do remember to bring a hammer as well."
Graelath smiled smugly at the slight, always pleased to insult someone, even if it was a lowly Orc. He turned back toward Legolas and Arwen. He smiled to the latter. "My dear, I do hope you do not mind the company. I thought to throw him in the dungeons, but seeing as you are friends I reconsidered. Mayhap you would like to catch up with each other and you know I aim to please you."
Arwen wrinkled her nose in disgust, but said nothing. She didn't want to bring down Graelath's wrath. Legolas glanced between the two, a look of loathing clearly apparent on his own face.
To his surprise, Graelath chose to ignore it for the time being. "What is taking that Orc scum so long?" he muttered, pacing the room. He looked back up now. "I still don't know why you are here, Elf. Your story just doesn't seem to hold up. But mark my words I will get the truth out of you."
He grinned coyly at Arwen again. This time, she couldn't help her tongue. "Stop looking at me like that! You think by allowing my friend to stay here you will make me forget that you plan to beat and torture him! I think not, Graelath. What do you take me for?"
The smile left the wizard's face and he took quick steps forward until he was nose to nose, or rather chin to forehead, with Arwen. Looking down, he grabbed her chin and drew it upward so she was looking him in the face.
"You will not forget it. You will witness his torture; you will see what your insolence gets you. You will be my Queen, Lady, and you will in time learn to like it."
Just then the Orc returned to the room, irons, hook and hammer in hand. Graelath thrust his finger toward the nearby stone wall. "Hammer that hook in there securely. I don't want him pulling it free. Looks can be deceiving and though he looks harmless, I doubt he is."
The Orc went about hammering, the loud metal on metal clanging ringing in the sensitive ears of the Elves. Arwen went so far as to cover hers, Legolas didn't have that luxury. The metal hook began by just sending a shower of sparks down toward the ground, but finally it began to imbed itself in the wall.
Graelath tugged on it, satisfied it was secure, then gestured for the Uruks to bring Legolas forward. He was quickly locked into chains, which were then locked onto the newly embedded hook which effectively held his arms to the wall behind him, making him unable to even sit if he grew tired.
Graelath motioned the Uruk away, moving close to the prince's face, his hot breath on the Elf's face. "You will scream in pain my friend, I will enjoy doing it," the words were whispered, but the wizard knew Legolas heard them. To his surprise, the Elf didn't appear deterred. "Ah, so you have known the bit of a whip, the touch of a cold blade? No matter, I have ways of torture that are yet unimaginable."
He strode from the room now, leaving the two Elves alone. As soon as he was gone, Arwen rushed to Legolas, grabbing him into a hug and sobbing into his tunic. "I am so sorry, it is all my fault you here, chained like this, I'm so sorry!"
Legolas, momentarily taken back by the Queen's actions, quietly whispered to her, "You are not to blame, Arwen. I came of my own free will, I love you like a sister and could not bear to have you hurt by that wizard."
Arwen pulled back now. "Where are the others?" she asked as she examined the chains that bound her friend to the wall. Her movements stopped when Legolas looked away. "Legolas? You are not alone, are you?"
He took a deep breath before meeting her worried gaze. "Yes, I had to. I had dreams, visions, of Estel's death. If I had not altered the path we were on, he would have arrived with me and died. At least now, I know that fate has changed, hopefully been averted."
The Queen's eyes softened. "You always were one to sacrifice yourself, Legolas. And I can not count how many times it was a sacrifice for Estel. I wish you hadn't allowed yourself to be taken, I can not bear the thought of that wizard torturing you."
A small smile crossed the Elf's face. "Arwen, he can hurt my body all he wants, he'll never break me. I care not what happens to me, Gondor needs her King and Queen, I have no kingdom to go back to; if I am lost it is of little consequence."
Arwen smacked his arm. "That is where you are wrong, young prince. If you were lost, Aragorn and I would be as well, I don't think he could live with your death hanging over him, nor could I. And what of your friends in the Fellowship, or the Elves you left in Ithilien? Surely you will be sorely missed if you were to fall here." She hesitated. "And I, for one, fully intend on having you around to be our child's uncle."
Legolas looked up, tears glistening in his eyes. "All right then. Some would miss me. But I knew not what else to do. So desperate was I to save Estel from his fate that I did not think a moment for my own."
He swallowed the lump in his throat. "Did they hurt you in any way? What has happened since you were taken?" Legolas listened intently to all that Arwen relayed, for the first time since he had left his companions, hoping that they caught up with him soon.
He knew now that he could not do this alone.
Aragorn's Company...
The closer they got to the mountains, the heavier the mist became until finally they had to dismount for fear the horses would stumble and throw their riders. The ground was uneven, people stumbled now and then; even the Elves were having some difficulty.
"This mist does not seem natural," Galadriel commented, putting a hand on Gimli's shoulder to steady the dwarf when he tripped on a tree root and hissed in pain when his wound was severely jarred. Her comment drew the companions and their posse to a halt. "Magic is in the air."
Aragorn looked around, his eyes meeting nothing other then mist. It was unnerving, someone could be five feet from him and he wouldn't be able to see them. Elrond appeared at his right shoulder, his eyes narrow. "Yes, I feel it also. Perhaps I could be of assistance; it seems to be a spell of the air."
Gandalf approached now too. "It might give away our position. Do we want to risk Graelath knowing we are coming?"
Aragorn interjected here. "Undoubtedly he already knows. Legolas has reached the tower and been taken captive, Graelath isn't stupid and he will realize that the prince's companions would not be far behind."
An unspoken agreement was made and Elrond moved forward into the mist. Fingering the delicate ring on his hand, the Elf Lord began to speak, flowing elvish words breaking the eerie silence.
As he spoke, the wind picked up slightly, whipping around the legs of those assembled. They watched in awe as the breeze lifted the mist layer above their heads, making it easier to see. There were gasps of surprise when they realized just how close they were to the tower.
It was clearly visible, though still about an hour's walk from where they stood. Still, being this close meant they would surely meet up with border guards of some kind. Unless Graelath was too proud to think he needed them.
"We are nearly there, everyone be on your guard," Aragorn muttered. "This doesn't feel right somehow. There are not nearly enough guards."
Falling into step behind the King, Frodo and Sam glanced at one another. They had been inside a Dark Tower before, barely escaping with their lives during the War of the Ring. Neither was very keen to do it again, but they knew how much orcs hated Elves and they did not want Legolas and Arwen to suffer alone.
Picking up the pace, they hurried along toward the tower.
