Chapter Eighteen

Elladan's mind was raging. At times, he was so furious at his situation that he saw spots. He hadn't rested in the five days they had been searching for Daralis, and he had no plans of doing so unless she was in his arms while he was.

He glanced at Legolas; his eyes were closed. Aragorn was snoring lightly, and then he met gray eyes identical to his own. Elrohir looked back at him with concern abounding over his features.

Elladan watched as his brother slowly stood and walked over to where he was sitting, separated from the rest.

"Elladan" Elrohir hesitantly began. He knew his brother's emotions were volatile.

"Elrohir, please, leave me be."

"I cannot! I worry for you, brother!" Elrohir's voice was laden with desperation as he spilled his fear.

"You would do better to worry for Legolas; he rests with his eyes closed." Elladan's tone was quick and cool, and his voice sounded slightly restrained

"I worry for Legolas as well. You both are very dear to me, and I will not stand by and watch the two of you descend into darkness."

"I cannot help the way I feel!" Elladan suddenly exclaimed, standing up to speak very close to Elrohir's face. "If you wish so badly to help me, go and find Daralis. It is she alone who can ease my suffering."

"Elladan, please-" Elrohir began, interrupted by Elladan's explosion.

"Do you not remember the day Nawen came home? And she would not speak like she used to, or smile like she used to, or breathe like she used to?"

Elrohir winced at the memory of their mother. "I do."

"And would you have me live with the same happening to the one other woman I have ever truly loved?" Elrohir could feel enormous pressure in his mind, Elladan's feelings and emotions pouring into him.

"I would not, Elladan. But when we find her, you must not be driven mad with anger and worry, lest you be of no more use to Daralis or anyone else who loves you!" Elladan looked away, and Elrohir continued. "Please, brother. Rest, and be prepared for the coming battle. Whatever reason it is that the Princess has been taken from us, she will not be given up without a fight."

Legolas vaguely heard identical voices arguing through the foggy mist in his mind. Again, he had forced himself into a deep sleep in hopes that Rhiannon would appear to him in his dreams, but again, he had been disappointed. He feared during the day that his body was becoming accustomed to this deeper manner of sleep, but when night fell, he could not bear the thought that his Silmeamin was elsewhere, in the dream world, perhaps waiting for another opportunity to speak to him.

Daralis lay down, slipping into a peaceful, resting state. She heard her mother's voice again, and tried to open her eyes, but found that they were too heavy. She was beginning to get worried when she couldn't see anything around her, but then felt a light pressure on her temples and heard Rhiannon's voice.

"Shhh, sweetheart, it's okay. Don't open your eyes, just listen to me." Daralis relaxed her body, and Rhiannon continued. "Dara, it's time for you to make the choice. Your human body is collapsing, and if you don't do something soon, you're going to pass."

"What's the use, Mom? What do I have to live for now, much less forever?"

"What are you talking about? Elladan's driving himself crazy with worry for you, your father is well, he's not well, and there is a troupe of Elves on their way to find you. You can't just let yourself go, what have I taught you?"

"What?"

"I said, what have I taught-"

"No, about Elladan and Atar."

"They're both sick with worry and despair over you."

"You mean they're alive?!"

"Of course they're alive, what else would they be?" Now, Daralis did open her eyes, only she looking straight up into the chocolate eyes of her mother, so she knew that her eyes were closed.

"I thought they were dead," she whispered.

"Of course not! You're the only one in Imladris who can't fight for herself."

"How do you even know about all these places and people?"

"I've been watching over your father since I went into the coma. And I've been watching over you since you arrived."

The next day, the eighth day of Daralis' imprisonment, Ontare walked into the space where she was being kept.

"Good morning, Princess. I thought that you might like to know- Imsiriel has been sent back to Mirkwood with the ransom note."

Daralis remained silent.

"She will arrive in approximately two weeks."

No response.

Ontare walked over to the frail princess, who was lying on the stone with her eyes closed. She kicked Daralis swiftly in the back, but received no response. She kicked again, and became slightly panicked when Daralis simply rolled over. She screamed for help.

"Wazrót! Ugluk!" Two Orcs rushed in at her screech, and stood waiting for instruction.

"Get her up. Take to my chambers, and lay her on the bed. Have someone revive her." At his moment, the eyes of the princess flew open. Her pupils had spread to fill the entire eye. The solid blue eyes glowed, turning from her azure shade to lightning blue as her breathing got heavier.

The two orcs looked down stupidly at her, and then up to Ontare's face, which was contorted in shock.

"GO! Our plan depends on her survival, if she is dead, so then is our hope!"

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