Chapter Four

Eliessa bolted upright as the sun peeked through her window. She could still feel the manacles on her wrists, the splinters digging into her back. Knowing better than to fall back asleep, she stood and watched the sunrise, changing into a simple green dressonly after it was fully dawn. Looking into the mirror she realized she looked terrible. A month of nightmares and waiting had begun to take its toll. She did her best to hide it with a smile to those around her, but she knew. If Gandalf didn't arrive soon, she'd leave for the mountain on her own and knock some sense into that stubborn Thranduil.

The knock at her door made her turn her head sharply. "Yes?"

"Lord Aragorn awaits your presence in the throne room. He has a guest he wishes you to meet."

"I will be down presently." Eliessa heard the servant leaveand with one last look at the mirror, she walked out the door, hoping that this guest was Gandalf.

---

Gandalf and Aragorn were in quiet discussion when Gimli burst through the door, with Legolas following shortly thereafter.

"Gandalf!" Gandalf turned around and almost fell over as the Dwarf barreled into him. Legolas bowed slightly and smiled sweetly.

"It is good to have you with us again, Mithrandir, although I wish it were under better circumstances."

"Indeed, Legolas, indeed."

Gimli unattached himself and turned serious. "Gandalf, what has happened?"

At that moment, Eliessa decided to stop eavesdropping at the door and enter the conversation. "An evil wizard seems to have taken over your mountain, Master Dwarf, and brainwashed your people and those of the outlying regions."

Everyone looked up at her approach. "Simply put, Lady, but entirely accurate," Gandalf said. "According to Aragorn, you saw this and Galadriel sent you here with this information, yes?" His eyebrows arched slightly as he spoke.

"Yes," she breathed, but made her face devoid of emotion, a sight that scared most of the present company.

Gandalf pondered this for a moment and then spoke. "Well, then, perhaps it is best that you come with us, since you have seen what awaits us at the mountain and in the wood. Legolas, Gimli, you will be accompanying the lady and myself."

Gimli's voice sounded harsh after the soothing tones of Gandalf. "Aragorn, will you still not join us?" He decided it was best that he left his irritation at Elli for coming with them out of the present conversation.

"Nay, my friend; I cannot, and you very well know why."

Gimli and Legolas sighed; both would have felt better had they had their friend with them, but were also glad they could face their respective kingdoms without him. Gimli would also have preferred that the elleth didn't come, but Legolas knew she needed to. He had admitted to himself that he did indeed like her—she was after all, very beautiful—but something about her didn't sit well with him. She was haunted by the demons of her past, and he most certainly did not want another one following her.

"Then it is settled. We leave on the morrow." Gandalf spoke with authority and wisdom, and Gimli knew better than to argue with the old wizard, so he just grumbled his assent and stalked out of the throne room, knowing the others would follow eventually.

---

That night, Eliessa, try as she might, could not sleep. Giving up the attempt, and hopefully giving up the Wizard in her head, she meandered through the palace, ending up in the dark kitchens. She stirred the dying embers to life, glad not to encounter any kitchen help lurking about in the corners. After boiling some water for tea, she stared at the flames sullenly, lost in a memory.

She watched as her father was slowly dropped into the fire, hands and feet bound, but struggling valiantly nonetheless. Inch by agonizing inch, his feet came upon the flames, until they were licking up his body in a deadly embrace. The Orcs let out a collective roar as he howled from the pain, and they brought him back up ever so slowly as he passed out from the pain.

The elf maiden sobbed quietly as she could only watch from the sidelines; she too, was bound, but instead of hanging from a tree, she was bound to one.

The Orc leader walked up to her and kicked her in the stomach, hard enough to make her gasp for breath. "Now will you be our toy, she-elf?"

Picking up her head and looking straight into the murderous eyes, she replied, "Never," and spat at his feet.

Motioning to the Orc in charge of the rope, he watched in glee as the elder Elf was dipped into the flames once more, the sudden pain jarring him from blissful unawareness. His screams broke the stillness of the night.

Eliessa sat up with a start when she heard someone knock over a pan. Looking over her shoulder, she saw that it was Gimli, who appeared to be more than a little apprehensive at seeing her again.

"I am sorry to interrupt, Lady." He was being extremely formal, and it vexed her. She knew he was usually very easy-going and friendly, and in truth, she wished to ease relations between them.

"Nay, Master Dwarf. Take a seat. Would you like some tea? My own cup is rather cool, and I would be more than happy to oblige."

Gimli looked momentarily mortified. Drinking tea? Outrageous! Then he realized she was only being friendly. "Many thanks, but no. I will leave you to your thoughts." As he began to walk away she spoke again, softly, but without the harshness he had become used to receiving from her.

"If you would, please stay. My thoughts are rather dangerous tonight and I would enjoy the company."

Surprised, he nodded and sat down on a log next to the fire. After a moment of uncomfortable silence he ventured, "Where were your thoughts leading you Lady?"

Sighing heavily, Eliessa debated whether or not to tell the Dwarf what she had been thinking, but since she was the one who first told him about her thoughts, she plunged forward. "The flames brought forth memories of my father's death, which I cannot seem to erase from my mind."

Gimli nodded, thoughtfully. His own father was still alive, but his mother was a different matter. His voice was gruff with emotion when again he spoke. "I remember watching my own mother die in a fire that swept through Erebor. I was young, and she threw me into the water so the flames would not consume me."

Looking over to Gimli, she saw the tears threatening to spill, and was humbled. "My own mother died when I was too young to remember her. All I know is what my father told me." She paused for a bit, wondering why she was being so intimate with someone she barely knew, and had so recently resented her. "Father… Father died from a fire more so than in one." After Gimli's curious glance, she continued. "We had been in the Northern country for quite some time when we were ambushed by Orc. I was good with my weapons but hadn't had enough battle experience and both my father and I were captured. They proceeded to torture him by dipping him into this bonfire, all the while telling me they would stop as soon as I agreed to be their 'toy.' I could not and would not, as it would disgrace my Father and my heritage. Father knew that, and sacrificed himself thus for me. After he died, I acted broken and agreed, asking only that my bonds be cut so I could better amuse them."

Gimli stared at Eliessa in horror throughout the tale and momentarily as she fought to regain composure. "Once they did, I fought with a might born of desperation and despair. I cut my father free and regained our horses since they had not yet become fodder. The Valar must have been watching over us, because our horses were unharmed, which is highly unusual. Perhaps it was because they were so spirited, the Orcs had given up on them… I honestly do not know and neither do I care. Such was what I was reflecting on, Master Dwarf."

"My name is Gimli, Lady, and I would not have a friend call me otherwise." He had decided she had earned his respect, and would probably soon earn his trust.

"It would be my honor, Gimli, but only if you would call me Eliessa or Elli. I do not behave much in the manner of a Lady." She smiled slightly and he broke into guffaws.

"I must admit, you do not. I cannot imagine Lady Galadriel behaving as you!"

With that, Elli started laughing quietly, a rare thing for her. Neither could she picture the Lady behaving such as she did, but was comforted by the thought she had one less enemy. Turning serious once more she said, "Gimli, I am afraid I must apologize for my earlier actions. I was rude and lost my temper." Her face flushed with embarrassment; she hardly ever admitted wrongdoing, and apologized even less.

"'Tis in the past, lass. Such things cannot be changed, although," and here he coughed, "I am sorry, too."

"Then we are equal and should probably get some rest. I believe 'tis already the morrow and do not particularly wish to leave without sleep."

"Aye, miss, but I think I'll be grabbing a quick bite before heading off to sleep. Good dreams to you, Elli."

"And to you Gimli," she said as she walked out the nearest door. "And to you."

---

That morning, Legolas noted a strange sight. On the way to the stables, he passed Gimli and Eliessa in the hall. They greeted him kindly and resumed their conversation as he walked on. Confused, he walked into the stables, intent on speaking with his horse, only to find Gandalf there with Shadowfax. Walking up to the Wizard, Legolas spoke softly. "Gandalf, did you notice the hostility between Gimli and Eliessa yesterday?" Concern was evident in his features.

"Indeed I did, my boy, but things have been fixed, have they not?"

How can Gandalf know about this before even I? "It would seem. Moments ago I saw them conversing in the hall, as if they had been lifelong friends."

Gandalf turned from the mearas to his relatively young companion. "You are not jealous are you, Master Elf?"

Taken aback, Legolas replied with a hasty "No" and shook his head vehemently. "No, Gandalf, I am glad," but his eyes betrayed him. In a soft voice he added, "It is only that I do not wish to be replaced."

Putting his hand on the Elf's shoulder, Gandalf replied, "Have no fear, young prince. Your friendship with Gimli will remain; neither one of you take them lightly. Gimli probably thought that Elli was going to replace him. I am sure he no longer has this fear, as he knows that although times may change, you will forever be his friend."

"Thank you Gandalf. You always have wise counsel."

Laughing, Gandalf agreed. "Of course I do, Legolas. I'm a Wizard after all."

---

Soon after, the quartet headed off into the dawn, each apprehensive about what they were going to find, but none conveying their feelings to the others. No, it was best that their thoughts remain silent and privy only to the dark Wizard who sat within the depths of Erebor, who watched them leave the White City.

"Ha! These fools think they can outwit me, do they? I think they will be in for quite a treat then, yes. Especially that lovely little she-elf there. Yes, she will make a fine addition to my realm." The Blue Wizard flitted around his Palantír to take a closer look at the object of his desire. "I hope this suits you, my Lady. After all, you will be staying here a very long time." His laughter cut through the deep mountain halls, causing his Orcs to pause, and the Dwarves to shake with fear.

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