Hey, wow chapter 9 already and its a long one...And my first story to hit 50 reviews! Thanks to all my reviewers! And now here's chapter 9!
-Part 9-
Lost Reality
Aragorn looked up and stared into the hypnotizing red flames that danced before him in the fire ring. He had just awoken from his unconscious state and was now in severe pain. The powder that was poured into his large cut again began to burn unmercifully.
His fever glazed eyes turned to Legolas, who had heard the ranger stirring and now look upon him. An overwhelming sadness took hold of the Elf as he looked into the feverish gaze.
'Aragorn did not deserve this; he was simply fulfilling his duty to protect all people from wrongs. Why was he being punished for this? It does not make any sense whatsoever.' Legolas thought to himself as he soothed the ranger with a comforting look.
Malazack had left Kelvar to guard the prisoners while he went to hunt, but Kelvar had quickly neglected his duties and fallen asleep. Legolas wanted to do more but knew he was unable to, so with his gag loosened enough, he slipped it out of his mouth. As soon as he was free of the obstruction he quietly began to sing to help relax his friend and hopefully give Aragorn a reprieve from his suffering.
Legolas did not get more than six lines out before Malazack came striding back into the camp with no game.
"You! Keep quiet." He walked over to the Elf and backhanded him. Aragorn's anger rose steadily as the continued to strike the elf across the face. With a newly gained reason to resent the man who was beating his friend he quickly loosened his gag until it fell around his neck.
"I see you have returned empty handed. The forests are not as kind to murderers and worshipers of the dark." Aragorn's voice was scratchy from a lack of water, but an air of defiance was contained in the words and a smile of satisfaction crossed his face.
Legolas knew what the Ranger was doing, and swore that he would kill Aragorn if they ever got out of their new predicament.
"Well Ranger, it seems you have found your tongue, now lets here that voice of yours scream." Malazack said slyly in return as he stepped over to where the Ranger was. "You have a proud reputation, that I will be quite pleased to break." He said grasping Aragorn's throat and cutting off the flow of precious oxygen to the ranger's lungs.
Aragorn thrashed his head wildly and kicked out at Malazack, who was enjoying it until one of the kicks hit its mark, causing him to release his grip on the ranger's throat.
Aragorn coughed and gasped for air as his lungs once again began to function. His neck had again begun to bleed, but he ignored it keeping his gazed focused on the ground before him and ignoring the man who was now towering over him in a fit of rage.
Legolas watched in horror at what had played out before his eyes. His jaw ached where Malazack had hit him, and he feared that it could have been severely damaged. He licked his lip and tasted blood, knowing immediately that it had been split. However, he was soon dragged back into reality when he realized that Malazack was once again digging through his dirty pack.
Aragorn's face was stoned, but his eyes were filled with fear as his captor returned, now with a blackish- blue liquid.
"Drink it!" he forced the glass vial to the ranger lips. Aragorn, of course did not comply with the order, which only caused Malazack's fit of rage to grow. He grew impatient and grabbed the ranger's nose; cutting off his air supply, in an effort to force Aragorn's mouth open. He was unaware of how long he could actually hold his breath.
Thirty seconds passed without any progress, and Malazack growing impatient punched Aragorn in the midsection forcing what air he still held out and opening his mouth.
Malazack eagerly poured the mixture into Aragorn's mouth. He held the ranger's jaw closed until his reflexes forced him to swallow the concoction.
Aragorn coughed and sputtered as the foul liquid slid down his throat. Malazack then smiled brushing stray locks of dark hair from his eyes.
"That should teach you to hold your insolent tongue." He snickered as he walked over to where Kelvar had finally stirred, and scolded him for being lazy and neglecting his orders to keep the prisoners under control.
"Strider, what did he give to you?" Legolas whispered his concern to his human companion as soon as the two had drifted off to sleep.
"I do not know Legolas. I do not feel any different than before ingesting it." He replied just as quietly. Only Legolas could have picked out the worried tone in his friends voice.
The two remained quiet for the remainder of the night fearing what might come with the dawn.
Elrond was growing impatient; already dawn was slowly creeping toward them. They had found little that would help aid them in their search and despite their extraordinary vision; they were still hampered by the darkness.
"Ada, let us return and wait until the morning. If we accidentally miss their tracks, we could end up going over them and taking away all hopes of finding Estel and Legolas." Elrohir suggested; lines of worry creased his ageless face.
"You are right, ion nin. We shall return when it is light enough; perhaps Glorfindel has had better luck." Elrond said, a hint of failure hidden in the words.
With out another word the three rode off in the direction of Rivendell.
Aragorn awoke the next day; his head spun and throbbed with every blink of his eyes.
A figure stood in the middle of the camp. The shadow approached him, and as his vision cleared he recognized Arwen, his beloved who lived in the woods of Lorien.
"Arwen!" he called out to her, a feeling of bliss overcame his fatigued.
"Why do you call out to me, human? Do not dare make foul the fairest of all languages by having it pour from your mouth." She commanded her tone sounding disgusted.
Aragorn's smile quickly vanished into a look of panic.
"Arwen, do you not remember me? Please, help me." He pleaded eyes filling with unshed tears.
"I have never been unfortunate enough to know you, or even view your sad form from afar. You are false in even believing that you are even worthy enough to serve me, let alone be acquainted with me." With that said she turned her back on him and disappeared into the trees.
Legolas stared in disbelief as Aragorn yelled out at nothing.
Malazack and Kelvar, who had been awoken by the shouting Ranger now laughed at Aragorn, who was caught in a vicious cycle of hallucinations.
"Enjoying your medicine?" Malazack mocked the human. Tearstains left watery trails down the ranger's cheeks as he looked at Legolas.
Legolas gasped as he stared into the cloudy eyes, the brightness was taken from them, leaving eyes devoid of all emotion but pain.
"What have you done, you demon!" He shouted to Malazack, an untamed fire of hatred blazed in his eyes.
"I taught him a lesson that you will soon learn as well if you do not curb that tongue of yours Elf." He answered matching Legolas' anger.
"Telcontar, pelnna i cálë! (Strider, return to the light!)" The Elf called to Aragorn in hopes of breaking spell that held the human prisoner.
To the Elf's satisfaction Aragorn began to stir from the illusion. Legolas smiled as he looked upon his friends silver eyes that once again held the spark that was unique to only him.
"Elf, do you wish only harm upon him?" Malazack questioned as he dug through his pack. He now removed a bluish-white powder from it. "This is the main ingredient in the delirium mixture. I have tested it and found it too strong for most, but I believe, since you continue interfering with out little lessons, that he can handle it."
Legolas pulled at his bonds, causing his wrists to bleed. He needed to stop this madness.
"Well, judging by your response, you must think so as well." A twist grin formed on his face.
Ripping Aragorn's sleeve he revealed the wrapped wound. The bandages were bloody. Malazack slit the bandages with his dagger, causing the helpless ranger to wince.
With the flick of his wrist, Malazack reopened the large wound and carelessly dumped the powder onto the now bleeding gash. It quickly dissolved into the blood and was carried away into the ranger's blood stream.
"We leave as soon as his symptoms begin." He announced with a smile to the Elf, who stared in horror at his friend, who was now breathing heavily as if his chest was being crushed.
Legolas knew there that it was only a matter of time before their captors grew tired of these games. They needed to escape. In the dirt he began to scratch out a message with the tip of his boot. He prayed to the Valar that someone would see it.
Dun Dun Dun! Wow their in trouble... good thing I only get grounded for being a smart-alick... Aragorn really needs to keep his trap shut, o well, we still love you Aragorn! Hope you enjoyed it! Reviews Please!
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