Into the Labyrinth
Author: Amorous (for now)
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Recognizable characters and places belong to J.R.R. Tolkien, all others belong to me.
Author's Note: IMPORTANT! Again, I'm changing my name, but his time to Alathea. Read my message for more details…again…
*Chapter 15: Against the Beast*
Days passed and no hope came to the prisoners of The Labyrinth. Neither did any new hope come to Isorfinduil and the twins who had been helping Cadell and his soldiers search without sleep. Both Aragorn and Legolas had drawn crowds in numerous fights and had obtained just as many victories. In fact, they were seemingly unbeatable. Neither had even come close to finding their match in combat and the crowd steadily grew larger with each passing night.
Though they been victorious and come away unscathed every time, the fights grew increasingly difficult for both of them. As they were finding out, the Lavi Brothers had seized a wide array of highly skilled men from inside and outside of Rahma. The fact that they were winning with apparent ease against all they came up against clearly pleased Alymar to no end. As for his brother…throughout the first week, the Red Twin had seemed just as glad but lately he had taken on a strange air of dissatisfaction. Legolas and Aragorn both perceived this discontent but had not thought to pay it any mind in particular.
Until tonight.
Aragorn sat on the edge of his bed, his elbows resting on his knees. One leg bounced ever so slightly and he was biting his lower lip. Then he jumped to his feet, strode to his doorway and looked across the hall. Seeing nothing, he returned to his bed with quick steps and swiftly sat again. The sound of a large crowd gathering reached into his room from the arena.
"Calm yourself, Furn. You have no reason to fret." A light voice called to him.
"Are you not the least bit concerned?" The Ranger returned apprehensively.
"Nay. I know not what to be concerned about." Legolas said rather placidly from where he relaxed on his own bed.
"That's what worries me."
"We shall know when we need to."
"We need to know now. We should have known this morning. Something is not right."
"Lack of information does not automatically mean that something is awry."
"You do not know who you will fight and you are completely indifferent?"
"I did not say that."
Aragorn gave an exasperated sigh. Elves had a distinct way of making things difficult. He decided against pursuing this line of conversation and so fell silent.
"I do not wish to worry you," Seon called reluctantly. "But this does not bode well for you, Legolas."
"Why do you say that?" Legolas returned, his voice remaining light-hearted and relatively unconcerned.
"When they say your opponent is to be announced, it means you'll be facing either a first-rate fighter or a beast." The man said gently, and Legolas wondered how a man so good-hearted could possibly last so long in a place such as this.
"Most times they're deathmatches." The disembodied voice of Derral floated in chillingly. The noise from the fighting chamber was growing louder and the prisoners had to raise their voices to be heard. A multitude was assembling in the great room, a crowd larger than any the two friends had seen during their time in The Labyrinth.
"Do you believe this fight is to be a deathmatch?" Aragorn questioned the veteran fighters with obvious concern. Just then came the familiar loosening creak of the door at the far end of the hall and footsteps approaching. They had heard these sounds enough times now to know the impending procedure.
"It seems we shall find out soon enough." Derral replied spiritlessly. "Good luck, boy." It was the first time the black haired man had offered support of any kind to either of them and though it was meant to encourage, it gave Legolas a twinge of unease.
"You are a good fighter, Legolas." Seon said as the steps grew louder. "I have faith in your skill."
The Elf rose off his cot and moved silently to the bars of his doorway. The men's words were disturbing him, though he did not care to admit it.
"And I as well." Aragorn added confidently, appearing on the other side of the small corridor. His eyes held only conviction, yet Legolas detected strong underlying alarm. Sureim stepped in then and blocked their view of each other.
"We shall see how skilled you really are tonight, Elf." He proclaimed. "I, for one, am sure you will not live through it."
"Who is it?" Aragorn demanded as the guards led the Prince into the hallway. "Who will he fight?" There was a slight pause and his words echoed down the stone passageway.
"Do not ask who, my good boy, but what." Sureim stared at Aragorn, and then his hard gaze turned to rest on the Elf in his possession, a strange light coming into his eyes. "He will fight the Warg."
Seon let out a quick breathe in incredulity. "You must be lying. Those twins never put anyone in with the Warg until they've been here for at least several months."
Sureim did not even offer a glance as Amadeo called for attention on the other side of the wall. Dread knotted into Legolas' stomach and he actually felt slightly ill. Wargs were creatures of the most vicious type and were greatly feared among his people. They were said to be quick and full of rancor. Never before had he faced such a beast alone. And in the pit he would have no route of escape nor would he be armed with his reliable bow.
Aragorn was silent in deep, helpless trepidation as the guards positioned the Elf in front of the huge double doors that rested in the hall between the friends' cells. The Ranger was not quite sure what to do, and the feeling was foreign and frightening to him.
"Gentlemen, the night you have been waiting for is here!" They heard Amadeo yell when the chamber had finally quieted, only to have it erupt into a clamor again. "After over a full week of victory, will the Elf finally meet his match? Will the beast?"
"You can't do this!" Aragorn suddenly burst in protest. "It is murder!"
The sides of Sureim's mouth curled. "Oh, we know."
Legolas' mind was running swiftly now, and a small plan began to form. If he could conquer these guards in the hall, he might be able gain control of the cell keys from Sureim. And perhaps then he could free Aragorn the other prisoners and escape while the Lavi Brothers were occupied in the arena and Vahlia would need not have them on her conscience…
As he thought, he began to gently move under the guards' grip, testing their hold. Before he knew exactly what he was doing, he wrenched violently forward and several hands were ripped from his right shoulder. One arm free, he twisted and shot his fist into a guard's face on his other side, sending the man reeling.
"…in all it's history has never before been defeated…" Amadeo's rich voice was distant and reverberating.
The golden-sashed guards who still held a grip cried out and clung to his one arm while grasping for the other. Legolas felt a rope cinch tight onto his wrist and he yanked wildly to free his arm and swung a leg around, catching one of them in the chest.
"Elf!" Sureim roared but Legolas did not turn. He kicked the guard again even as he felt several hands latch onto his other wrist and swiftly coil around it another rope. He gave a small cry of frustration and shoved his lithe yet powerful body into the guards on his left, sending them all crashing into the side of Aragorn's cell and shaking its frame. As he struggled with the greenshirts against the wall to regain control of his arms, he wondered why they bothered to tie each of his wrists separately when the ropes were not attached. But he didn't dare underestimate their prowess with this weapon, remembering vividly the fight outside The Labyrinth that had led to their capture.
"Legolas!"
"Legolas!" He had just felled a guard by a well-aimed flick of his elbow when heard his name shouted urgently at nearly the same time by Seon and Aragorn. He glanced back for a split second and stilled his actions slightly. Sureim stood stoically, feet spread, with a shooter in each hand aimed at Legolas.
"Now I could shoot you once here, Elf, and drug you only halfway." The lieutenant said calmly, his arms steady and his aim unwavering. "That way, when you go out there in a few seconds to fight the Warg you're partially sedated."
The Elf stilled further, considering this possibility. He knew automatically that to get himself partly tranquilized before a battle that would, on its own, be perhaps one of the more difficult of his life was not entirely sensible. He caught movement out of the corner of his eye as Aragorn shifted slightly closer to Sureim, ready to make a grab through the bars of his cell door.
"Or," The lieutenant continued, apparently oblivious of the Ranger's motion and keeping his piercing eyes glued on Legolas, who had his back to the wall of Aragorn's cell and was still struggling slightly with the several guards pinning his arms. "Or, you could end this ridiculous behavior and save your strength for the beast. Either way, I doubt you will leave the pit in one piece. The choice is yours."
Aragorn shifted again and was now in clear range to get his hands through the bars, but Sureim's eyes suddenly darted in his direction and he stepped hastily away from the door, swinging an arm around to point one of his shooters at the young man's chest.
"Don't be foolish, boy. I doubt that you want to be unconscious while your friend here is fighting for his life."
It was true. Very slowly Aragorn stepped back from his door, shooting an angered glare at the lieutenant.
"…our pleasure to give you the Elf!" Amadeo concluded his introduction and Sureim stared calmly at Legolas, keeping one shooter pointed at Aragorn while the other remained fixed on the Prince.
"Your choice, rogue. How do you wish enter the pit?"
Soft murmuring filtered though the doors from the arena as Legolas' appearance was not made. The Elf reluctantly lowered his arms and stepped into the middle of the hall. The guards hastily took the ends of the ropes that were tied tightly on each of his forearms and looped them over each other then pulled back, drawing Legolas' wrists together behind his back. Legolas saw now the reason for their tying his arms separately – had he not kept them apart, all the greenshirts would have had to do during the struggle was get the ropes looped and pull. With their combined weight heaving on either side and the new leverage, the Elf's arms would have been forced together without their having to overpower him. Legolas could not help being impressed. Rope seemed to be the guards of The Labyrinth's choice weapon and they were well skilled in its uses.
The double doors were finally pushed open and the muttering from the other side gave way to an all out roar as a triumphant Sureim led Legolas down the ramp. Legolas looked across the pit to the platform and saw Amadeo standing in red, clearly relieved that the Elf was under control. Alymar on the other hand sat with a hardened expression, his thick dark brows knit together in strong opposition to what was happening. His fingers fiddled restlessly with the end of one of his many braids as he glared at his brother's back. Vahlia was in her usual place and her face was again an unmerciful mask, though her eyes would dart to Legolas and away again more often than was normal.
Once in the pit, the guards untied Legolas' arms through the bars of the door. Standing alone in the center of the stone hollow, Legolas gazed around the arena at the colors and many faces that were sizing him up and placing bets. Thoroughly disgusted, he turned slowly and looked up to their cells. Sure enough, he saw Aragorn's anxious face and gave the young Ranger a reassuring nod. Then, as if on second thought, he dipped his head and laid a hand to his heart, then swung the hand outward in the Elven gesture of departure. Glancing up once again, he caught Aragorn shaking his head vigorously. There would be no farewells tonight.
"The time has come, my honorable guests!" Amadeo broke the friends' exchange with booming words and waved to someone out of view. Seconds later, a sentinel – Legolas recognized him as none other than Rovion from many days ago - appeared at the edge of the pit and tossed a sword down before quickly disappearing again. Upon closer inspection, the Elf saw with no small irritation that the blade had not been sharpened in months. The edges were dull and notched and layer upon layer of old dried blood darkened the metal.
A low-pitched grating sound filled the arena and Legolas spun to see a portion of the rock wall begin to slide to one side. The crowd cheered for the unconquered beast and the Elf heard a snarl emitting from the dark sliver that grew ever wider. He stood poised and ready to take on this animal and in a flash, the Warg was out the door and charging the lone Elf.
The brown fur of the creature was knotted and matted yet as it ran Legolas saw clearly the powerful muscles that moved and rippled beneath. Long dirty claws scraped on the stone floor and its eyes were glittering black like coals from a burnt out fire.
It raced forward until only several yards lay between it and its prey. As though just snapping out of a frozen state, Legolas leapt to one side but the Warg shifted his forward movement ever so slightly and the bulk of its meaty shoulder clipped his legs in midair. The Elf tried to recover his balance but came down on a shoulder and slid, grating his back into the stone until his body's momentum flipped him over onto his knees.
He sprung to his feet without hesitation and found that the Warg was again only yards away. This time, Legolas tried a new tactic and jumped high into the air, allowing the Warg to pass beneath him. Twisting in the air, he drove his sword downward and managed a slice across its hindquarters before landing again on his feet. The beast growled ferociously, completely unfazed, as it spun its huge body around to attack its victim once more.
Again Legolas leapt high but the Warg was intelligent and would not be fooled twice. It rose up with him, swinging its giant paws in an attempt to swat the Elf out of the air, yet Legolas was already mid-summersault and he had only to alter his spin slightly. The grimy claws caught only his shirt, leaving the bottom right side in shreds.
Legolas landed lightly and dashed to the other side of the pit, closely watching the beast. All awareness of the surrounding audience had left him the moment the Warg had rushed out to meet him. He heard not the loud cheering nor did he see the crowd pointing and moving about. In his mind it had become only he and this beast in a terrible battle of strength and wit. The Warg was watching him now too, and it paced in front of him as though contemplating how to best attack this more agile prey.
It came at him slowly this time, simply walking, its black eyes bright in eager blood lust. Legolas was surprised at this new manner of attack and began to step away as it drew closer. He then realized with a glance to his left that the beast was subtly moving him into a corner. Legolas, thinking that it was time he went on the offensive, burst forward suddenly, and the Warg hesitated in momentary doubt. The Elf gathered speed and took a step as though to jump. Sure enough the Warg reared back to catch him in the air, but instead Legolas dove under its legs and came up on the other side, driving his blunted sword into the enormous animal's flesh.
The Warg howled so loudly that the Elf's sensitive ears were left ringing and it turned sharply, ripping the sword from Legolas' hand. Weaponless now against this enraged demon, Legolas quickly stepped back but the Warg had lost its tactful control and came at him recklessly and full of savage hate. It hissed and growled, spit flying from between its spiked teeth. Legolas hopped to the side but it was not enough and the Warg lowered its massive head, bashing its skull into the Elf's chest and sending him tumbling, crashing along the rock ground.
Legolas rolled sluggishly onto his stomach and realized alarmingly that he could not breathe. Nevertheless, he pushed himself to his hands and knees, ignoring the pain in his chest and struggling to inhale. A sudden rush of screeching brown, he was knocked again in the side and was propelled several yards, finally coming to rest on his stomach. Quickly drawing his arms under him, he began to rise and crawl away, still fighting for his lungs to begin working again.
Sharp pain sheared into his left shoulder as he felt the Warg's knifelike claws sink in. Breathe rushed abruptly into his chest and he could not suppress a small cry as the beast raked its giant hooks downwards, across his shoulder and down one side. The warrior reflexes in Legolas suddenly took over and he flipped onto his back, punching at the raging animal's face. The Warg at first simply ignored the blows it was taking, hardly feeling them at all. But then Legolas kicked him furiously in the head with a foot again and again, until the animal took a step back out of his range.
And that was all that Legolas needed. He scrambled to his feet and dashed away. He felt hot pain in his shoulder and back and felt a stream of blood soak the blue shirt and run down his skin. The sword remained embedded in the side of the Warg's hindquarters and as it paced once more, Legolas noticed a distinct limp in its powerful stride. Despairingly, the injured Elf glanced about him as the beast cautiously began to come at him once more.
Then the Warg's eyes drifted quickly up, out of the pit and Legolas followed its gaze to see a man in blue walk just within their view. The Elf returned his eyes to the Warg and watched baffled, as it stared distractedly at the oblivious passing man and even took a step in his direction. Then, just as quickly, the man was out of sight and the Warg looked about him and his eyes caught Legolas as though it had forgotten he was even there.
The Elf cast a quick glance at his own shirt and something clicked. He swiftly peeled it off over his head, his shoulder screaming in painful protest. Holding the shirt in front of him, he backed himself towards a wall and was once again vaguely aware of the sounds of the crowd. They cheered, yet seemed perplexed at his strange actions. The Warg was rushing at him now and Legolas waited tensely, hoping that his plan would work.
When the Warg a mere yard away from hitting him the Elf danced to the side, but held the blue shirt where he had been. To his relief and to all onlookers' surprise, the beast did not shift its bulk in the least, but instead ran straight into the shirt and cracked its large head into the rock wall that hid behind the cloth. Immediately it slumped to the ground and crimson blood began to pour from an open crevice in its skull.
Wearily, Legolas took a deep breath and looked around him. The arena was silent. Blank faces met his own. Vahlia held a hand to her mouth, and though it appeared as though she were merely shocked, Legolas knew she was greatly relieved. Alymar's eyebrows were raised almost beyond human capabilities and his mouth was open. Amadeo's face was slowly but surely boiling into a quiet rage. Before he had a chance to react or think in any way, Legolas felt two simultaneous pricks in each arm. The sedative rushed throughout his limbs and his world went black.
**
And you all must be wondering what the heck is going on. Oh my, it has been a while, hasn't it? So much to tell you. First of all I'm sorry for my lateness, we've had another death for my family to deal with and school work has been atrocious.
Second, the name Nashira will not work out after all. I was already to change it but apparently there's already someone out there that's using it so they won't let me. I hadn't thought of that…and here I thought it would be an easy process. But this time I checked before picking another one. This time I'm going to try Alathea. (Pronounced 'uh-LAY-thee-uh'). It a word for 'truth' in Greek. Hopefully it'll actually work this time…so look for that in a couple days.
Here's review responses:
Nightcrawler's girlio – Thanks, yeah, there's several new things going on, huh? I'm glad you think Isor's cool, I've tried to do that.
Tithen Min – Yeah, Nashira WAS a good choice. Humph…*grumble grumble* Anyways, no it wasn't Elvish…I forget what it was. Oh no, you're not the only blonde to go wild with exclamation points! There're wonderful little things, really…don't you think?! It's good that you like Elf angst… :) hehe..and torture…
ASL – Yes, sometimes Elladan and Isorfinduil don't fight. Rarely, but…sometimes. I'm glad you're still liking it so much! Thank you!
Naughty Nat – I think it should change by itself…but if you search for my name normally anyways, then yes, you should search for the new one. Thanks for the review!
Libby – And there's your deathmatch! It wasn't against a person, but… hopefullly it fit your…craving…hehe. I have cravings too, don't worry.
James – Okay okay, here ya go. Oh, and you'll have to wait for the next chapter to see how Isor and the twins are doing. Hehe…sorry! I'm gonna email you soon, too, but I can't tonight. Thanks for reviewing!!
Luthien5 – Well, I don't know if it actually means oaken hair…although it appears that way…no, there's some other parts of his name that I have yet to figure out. Nashira wasn't Elvish…but I'm glad you like all the names! Some of them I make up, other times I use "How to Name Your Baby" websites (don't laugh…) or books and stuff. I'll try not to make this depressing. I'm not planning on it, although we may hve a different opinion on what is depressing… but I think it'll be fine. Thank you for reviewing!
Also, thanks Bec for reviewing, and I thank you all so much for putting up with me! I'd better go before I'm banned from my computer! (It's possible that I already will be…) :)
Hoped you all liked it! Until next time!
