Into the Labyrinth
Author: Amorous
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: As much as I would like to own Tolkien's characters, I don't.
*Chapter 12: A Night of Firsts*
Aragorn sat restlessly on his cot, listening to the noise that was filling the chamber just outside his and Legolas' rooms. People seemingly from all over Middle Earth were gathering in the benches and taking seats. Just as Legolas had said earlier it held many people and at the time it was not even filled to its capacity. Aragorn tried to breathe deeply and calm his fluttering heart, preparing himself for what he knew lay ahead.
That morning he had awoken to several guards outside his doorway. Upon seeing the young man awake, one of them informed him that tonight would be his inaugural fight against another human. Since it was his first fight and they wished to test his abilities, it was not declared a deathmatch. Aragorn concluded that this was not one of his choice ways to wake up in the morning.
Legolas had encouraged him throughout the day and even the men whose cells were next to the two friends' had tried to ease his anxiety. Even now, if Aragorn looked up he would see Seon's kind face at the bars separating their rooms. The middle-aged man had introduced himself shortly after the guards left, saying that he had been a fighter in The Labyrinth for several months now. The somewhat shaggy man had asked how much experience Aragorn had in combat and had then proceded to assure the nervous young man that he had nothing to worry about.
Aragorn tried to let his companion's words comfort him, but his nerves would not be stilled until he knew for sure that he could best his opponent. At least it is not a deathmatch, he reasoned with himself.
"I'm telling ya, this man you're going up against – he isn't one of the greatest." Aragorn glanced up to see Seon's kind face still watching him through the bars with compassion. "If what you've told me about your past year as a Ranger is true, you'll have no problem with this guy. The Brothers are starting you off easy, like they usually do. When introducing new fighters, they like to do it gently and get the bidders interested."
Aragorn nodded, sweeping dark tendrils of hair out of his face. Deep in his gut he knew that his skill in hand to hand combat, even as just a first-year Ranger, would be more than enough to pull him through. But he couldn't help feeling jittery.
He stood and walked over to his doorway. As expected, he found Legolas in his new sleeveless blue fighter's shirt sitting quietly across the hallway behind bars. They watched each other for several long moments, no words needed. Legolas was confident in Aragorn's abilities and Aragorn sensed the Elf's support and silent encouragement. Footsteps echoed in the long hallway.
"Here they come." Seon said quietly. "You'll be fine, kid." He added before stepping off his cot and out of Aragorn's view. The nervous Ranger looked again at Legolas and the Elf gave a small nod, displaying his faith in his friend. Then Sureim, with a dozen other guards, stepped into view and stood calmly watching the young man through the metal bars. He seemed to be waiting for something and the friends soon found out what.
The loud voices resounding in the adjoining chamber began to lower as another voice rose above, asking for attention.
"Gentlemen…find your seats…" It was Amadeo. The voices stilled. "My brother and I thank you for joining us this night. Tonight we have for you a new fighter, never before tested in the ring."
Cheers arose, resonating about the large echoing room. "His first test shall be against a second-rate boxer. Perhaps you have seen this man in the past." At that time, the man must have entered the ring and apparently he was indeed recognized. But Aragorn noted that the cheers were not particularly loud and he took this as a good sign, that perhaps Seon was right and this fighter was not one of the best.
"It is time." Sureim declared and the guards around him unlocked Aragorn's door and stepped in, quickly subduing the young man in a tight armlock. He was led to the large doors that were just outside his own cell even as he heard Amadeo's voice on the other side. "… we present one of our newest fighters…" The doors were opened and Aragorn was met with a blast of noise and color. Half of the luxurious stadium-style benches and cushioned chairs were filled with men of all sorts, some nicely dressed, others more shabby. Young ladies were scattered about the arena as well, serving drinks and luxuries to the men. All eyes were on him as the guards pushed him down a ramp towards the square pit in the floor, which, Aragorn noticed with unease as he came closer, was darkened in places with dried blood.
The shouting continued to fill the chamber as he was shoved down stone steps and a guard opened the iron door leading into the pit. Aragorn caught a glimpse of a medium sized man waiting for him on the other side and then he was inside the square hole, the door clanging shut behind him. The boxer eyed him like a bull ready to charge its victim.
"Place your bids, my friends!" Alymar's voice called out. Shuffling and muttering could be heard as money bidders conversed with one another. The Brothers sat on a raised platform near the rock pit. At Amadeo's arm sat a young woman with long curly dark hair. Her pretty face was hard as she looked the Ranger over disdainfully.
"…is not a deathmatch, and no weapons will be issued." Alymar was reminding the crowd. Aragorn glanced behind him, remembering that the pit was visible from his room. Sure enough, he could see the high bars of their rooms and Legolas' face watching the proceedings intently.
"Let the match begin!" Aragorn spun about at Amadeo's voice as a deep gong was hit loudly and the boxer started toward him. Aragorn stepped forward to the center of the pit and raised his hands protectively as the other man began hopping from side to side on his feet. The boxer danced in, aiming a quick punch to Aragorn's face and the young man bent back out of the way. The sound of cheering rose as the boxer swung again. And again, Aragorn ducked.
After ducking a third time, Aragorn stepped in and landed a punch to the boxer's gut, who grunted and backed away. The Ranger immediately pressed his attack, coming in in a fury, landing punches wherever the man left himself open and dancing out of the way of any retaliation. Aragorn's earlier worries soon left him as he quickly found that Seon was right – this boxer was certainly not one of the best. Time and time again he was able to sneak by the older man's defenses, and soon the boxer's face was dripping blood.
The man punched out again and Aragorn snatched his arm and twisted it hard. The man yelped and tried to spin out of the hold and the Ranger let him, slipping a foot out and sending the boxer skidding across the hard rock floor.
There was a momentary lull in the fight as the boxer, seeing that he could not possibly hope to win against his smaller and quicker adversary in this manner, stumbled back a ways to gather his wit. Voices rose, some calling for the boxer to get a hold of himself and others urging Aragorn to follow through on his assault. Now confident, Aragorn decided to take their advice and advanced again. But as he drew closer the older man, instead of taking the boxer's stance, grabbed hold of him and tried to wrestle him to the ground. Aragorn had not quite expected this move and struggled to keep his balance. The crowd was pleased by this and grew ever louder.
With the boxer pushing him slowly back and down, the Ranger suddenly collapsed and threw his contestant offbalance, then wrapped an arm around the man's legs and lifted them into the air. The man's back hit the ground with a thud.
**
Amadeo sat back in the cushion of his elaborately carved wooden chair and watched the proceedings of the fight as though he was merely observing a street fight without much care of the outcome. But those who knew him well could see that he was more than well pleased. Alymar, on the other hand, was expressing his gladness openly at the scene in front of them.
It seemed that this new young man was, so far, quite worth their efforts. It was obvious to all that this was no farmer they had on their hands. Indeed, he had claimed to be a hunter and surely this was true…but the twins were beginning to doubt that this was all the young man was accomplished at. There had to be more to this one.
**
The boxer wavered on his feet and pitched a lazy arm out in a desperate attempt to hit the elusive figure in front of him. But the figure was no longer there. The man shook his head and tried to clear his blurred vision while looking around for his opponent. Something hit the back of his knees hard and he was suddenly looking at the rock ground. He began to pull himself to his feet but a boot connected with his head and he knew no more.
Aragorn slowly stepped back from the prostrate man, unsure if the boxer was truly unconscious. Yelling and shouting filled his ears and looked up into the colorful crowd, gradually realizing he had acquired a victory. Relief washed over him.
The Lavi Brothers stood as one. Alymar raised a fist into the air and proclaimed loudly, "The winner!" The cheers that followed were overwhelming. Money began changing hands all over the arena. Amadeo stepped down from the platform and the lady who had been seated next to him followed, her arm linked in his. The two came to the very edge of the pit and looked down at Aragorn. The lady's eyes were hard and cold. The Dunadan stared back at them with as much defiance as he could muster.
Amadeo turned and motioned to the dozen guards who had been stationed around the pit and they moved towards the iron door. Then Sureim appeared on the twin's other side and raised an arm, pointing a strange weapon at Aragorn. The Ranger backed away from them, watching the weapon with uncertainty. Never before had he seen anything like this – his first thought was that it resembled a miniature crossbow but any thought after this was put to a halting stop as the trigger was pulled and the young man felt a sharp prick in his chest.
Instantly, a strange paralysis spread through his limbs and he realized fearfully that he was falling. His vision left him and he was unconscious before his body hit the ground.
**
"What did you do to him?!" Legolas yelled angrily through his iron bars. Across the hall, a guard dumped an unresponsive Aragorn on the floor without a glance. Sureim stood squarely outside, looking back at Legolas with a smile.
"It is only routine, my good Elf." He replied casually. "He will be fine by morning. You'll both get used to it in time."
"What is it?" Legolas practically fumed. Aragorn's door was bolted with a click. Sureim turned to leave and Legolas shot his arms through the bars to grip the leiutenant's shirt and pulled him back violently. "Tell me what it is!" He shouted with a shake of the man's shirt.
The confidence in the golden sashed guard's eyes faltered, fearful of the Elf's ferocity. The guards with him stood about doubtfully with their weapons drawn, eyes darting between the two.
Sureim cleared his throat and shifted before meeting the woodlander's stormy gaze. "We don't know exactly what it is. It is the Brother's own recipe, we -"
"It is poison?"
"No. Or at least not fatal poison. You think we would kill a fighter after a win like that?"
"What does it do?" Legolas continued impatiently. He kept a look of anger on his face, seeing that this would produce the most answers.
"It knocks humans out instantly. We use it to transport them more easily. There are no lasting effects, they usually just sleep it off. But like I said, that's with humans. On beasts it takes more than one shot." A strange gleam came to the leiutenant's eyes then. "And as we've never had an Elf before, we don't know what'll happen to you when we use it tomorrow."
Legolas released his hold with a push and Sureim straightened his shirt, glaring at the prisoner before marching away. The other guards followed slowly, fixing their own looks on Legolas as they went. When he was sure they were gone Legolas let out a weary sigh and shot a worried glance at Aragorn's unconscious form before going to lay on his cot.
The Ranger had done well that night, as Legolas knew he would. Knowing that their skill would likely keep them alive here for a while put the Wood-Elf at ease, but only partly. The boxer that Aragorn so easily defeated was obviously one of their lowest level fighters. How would they fare against the champions of The Labyrinth? Seon had briefly mentioned such fighters that morning but Legolas had not paid it much mind until now. He hoped that Isorfinduil and the twins uncovered The Labyrinth before they had a chance to reach that level and be forced to find out first hand.
"So you're up tomorrow night."
Legolas started at the voice, unaware that someone had been watching him. He turned his head and found a man staring down at him from the bars high on the opposite wall. The man had introduced himself earlier as Derral and although he seemed nice enough, Legolas had found him strangely chilling.
"Yes."
"Your friend seems to have done well." He said flatly. The man's shrewd face was framed by thick black hair and a black beard. Dark, heavy brows adorned a pair of eyes that seemed to be forever glowering.
Legolas simply nodded his response, continuing to stare at the ceiling. "He is a very talented young man."
"You know, you are the biggest thing to happen to this place for a long while."
"How do you mean?" The Elf asked, curious but at the same time not really caring to know the answer.
"An Elf in Rahma is unheard of. Elves in general are fairytale material here. This town keeps to itself mostly and the rest of Middle Earth leaves it alone."
Legolas didn't say anything.
"You don't seem to get it." Derral continued seriously, his cot creaking as he shifted his feet. "No one in the entire town has ever seen an Elf or even heard of anyone who has. The Brothers have managed to keep it quiet so far but once news of you gets out it'll spread like wildfire. And you don't know what kind of power that will give them."
Legolas slowly sat up in his bed and turned to look at the black bearded man warily. "How does it give them power?"
"Because they are controlling you! Don't you see?" Derral hissed. "Elves are thought of to be these rare magical creatures with strange and dangerous powers. You being here under their control…first of all they will get more business. People will flock here just to get a glimpse of you. Even more if you do well in the ring, which I'm guessing you will. Secondly, respect and fear of the Lavi Brothers will grow dramatically. With all the magical strength of Elves, how much more must those possess that have the power to contain you and master you?"
"They may be able to contain me for a while but they will never master me." Legolas shot back. "Or Furnerian."
"But do you see what I'm saying?"
The woodlander nodded reluctantly. There was a pause and Legolas suddenly remembered something Sureim had said just moments ago.
"Derral, Sureim mentioned beasts. What kind of animals do they have here?"
"Not many. Mostly wargs, and -"
"However did they capture a warg?"
"They didn't. Let's just say the Brothers have many connections."
"Are they used in fights?"
"Unfortunately, yes. Those fights do not happen often and end very swiftly."
Legolas layed back down, not wanting to continue the conversation any further. The whole idea sickened him. In his opinion, life was thrown about far too carelessly in The Labyrinth. He was thoroughly disgusted with the Lavi Brothers and all they had accomplished.
Derral must have sensed his unwillingness to converse further. "You ought to rest while you can. You don't know who they'll put you up against tomorrow." He said and hopped down out of view.
Legolas stood and went to check on Aragorn again before returning to his cot. The young Ranger had not moved an inch and Legolas wished he was able to move his friend to the bed and make him more comfortable. Resigning himself to his own helplessness, he tried to sleep but found that his mind was not going to be calmed so easily.
The Elf did not think he was not one to worry excessively over matters that were beyond his control, and yet their situation continued to bother him greatly. Although who in this predicament would not be alarmed? He supposed that it still had something to do with his father's experience and that was understandable. Yet the Brothers did not seem to be the type who would torture people. They would not risk damaging a fighter, would they? He did not know. Legolas came to the realization that it was the possibilities of the future that remained to worry him.
He thought then of the three friends that they had left somewhere on the other side of town. They were in danger as well. What if someone linked them with Aragorn and himself? He stopped himself suddenly, realizing that indeed he was worrying over things that were out of his control. But having now gone through and acknowledged his worries, he felt his mind was at ease. Whatever lay in the days ahead would be faced and the outcome could only be determined then.
**
Thank you to everyone who reviewed. I apologize for the lateness of this chapter, things have been hectic and tiring. I'm actually leaving again this coming Thursday and am getting back Tuesday. But this time it is more of a vacation and I won't have access to a computer, I'm planning to bring a notebook and write out the next chapter so when I get back I can just type it up. Yep, I'm a clever one, that's for sure. :)
I won't be able to respond to all of the reviews because I'm pressed on time (at this very moment my mother is advancing with a wooden spoon) but I did a little bit to those that could be responded to…you know, like for some there's not much to say but thank you very much! I don't know if that made any sense, but um…here we go.
Reviewer Responses:
Thank you Jack Sparrow1, leggylover03, chris, nightcrawler's girlio, Betsy, Zula-chan, Elvulia, Artemisa, pattygarv
Tithen Min – Thank you, and I'm so sorry that it happened to you too. And thanks for what you said about The Labyrinth, that's very nice!
ASL – Thanks, I tried to make it suspenseful at that scene by doing that! Thank you so much for all you said, I really appreciate it!
NaughtyNat – Thank you for the review, and yes, I'm trying to have Elladan be more aggressive. I'm glad it seems to be working!
Thank you all so much, I really do appreciate all that you guys say. It helps so much to know what parts people enjoy and what they think. So please, keep them coming!
Amorous
