Disclaimer: See other Chapters, especially 1.
AN: Thanks for reviewing and thank you for reading my story. We seem to winding down toward the final showdown, and most likely the next chapter will contain the final destruction of Sarkáhn once and for all. Well, without further ado, here we go!
Elrond was sitting in one of the rooms toward the end of the hall facing Mistad, his old friend, Sarniâ. He had ended up in this room after he saw Mistad standing at the end of the hall when he went to get his two sons. Due to Mistad's bidding, Elrond hurriedly followed him into the room he was in now, face to face with his long lost friend.
"I am sorry, Sarniâ. It was my fault that I did not look further into the situation those long years ago," Elrond said mournfully. "I could have saved you. I could have done more."
Mistad extended his long, skinny cloaked hand and placed it on Elrond's shoulder in hopes to comfort his dearest friend as well as he could in the form he was in. However, more pressing matters dominated Mistad's mind, so as was done with Aragorn, he mentally sent his urgent message.
Tonight the darkness comes alive
For destruction, shadows strive
A sacrifice will soon be made
A dagger in your hands I've laid
The blood of one who gives his life
Will put an end to pain and strife
Elrond began to process the new information. He felt that in his hand he held a certain dagger, coated with silver and gold. It had intricate patterns that ran across the hilt. The blade was as beautiful and luminescent as a crystal clear lake as the sun reflects off the pristine surface, yet it was a cruel and sharp as a Nazgul's winged mound's teeth. He contemplated for what seemed like hours about the implications of Mistad's message. When he looked up to ask what his friend what he meant, Mistad had disappeared. He was about to look for him, when he heard the cruel laughter coming from his sons' room. With great elvin speed, he made his way to the room where, unknown to him, death was imminent.
Legolas' hand hovered over Aragorn's chest. He fought with all his might to prevent the attack, but to no avail. Suddenly, Sarkáhn pulled Legolas' hand back and in one swift movement, sent it plunging toward Aragorn's chest.
Because Sarkáhn was so preoccupied with his plan to destroy Aragorn, he did not notice Elrond come up behind him, dagger held high in the air. As Sarkáhn used his hand to send the knife Legolas held plunging toward Aragorn's heart, Elrond thrust the dagger Mistad gave him into Sarkáhn's back. Sarkáhn lost all concentration on Legolas and howled in agony. He turned around with full fury to face Elrond.
Meanwhile, Legolas who had been fighting against Sarkáhn's powerful force, managed to redirect the blade's route. However, he was not able to stop it from injuring Aragorn. Instead of stabbing him through the heart, the blade imbedded itself in Aragorn's shoulder. Aragorn cried out in unexpected pain as his shoulder burned from the dagger that still lay in his shoulder. Legolas was horrified at what he had done.
"I am so sorry, Estel. Please forgive me. I tried to stop the knife from harming you, but…"Aragorn interrupted Legolas' apology, trying to assuage his friend's distress.
"It is…alright….mellon nin," Aragorn said through his heavy breathing as he tried to control the pain. "It was not…your fault."
"Should I remove the knife, Estel, or would that cause further damage?" Legolas asked hoping to help ease his friend's pain. He knew Aragorn was a skilled healer having been taught by Lord Elrond, himself.
"Take it out. Sarkáhn is not yet defeated and I do believe that it will be quite a nuisance if I try to move around with it still in my shoulder," Aragorn said trying to ease the tension.
"Then I will, mellon nin."
Legolas gripped the knife's hilt and in one swift movement, as to not cause Aragorn too much pain, pulled the dagger out of his flesh. Aragorn closed his eyes and bit back a cry of pain. Dizziness clouded his vision as he tried to stay conscious. By sheer force of will and adrenaline, he managed not to pass out.
By request of his friend, Legolas helped Aragorn to stand, but not without ripping a piece of his clothing to use to keep pressure on the wound and to stop the bleeding. Finally, Aragorn and Legolas were standing next to each other- Aragorn leaning heavily upon Legolas while holding a piece of cloth against his shoulder. They were prepared to finally destroy Sarkáhn once and for all.
AN: Showdown! Coming soon! Please review. I hope you like it.