Disclaimer: I do not own any of the LotR characters… only the bad guys actually, and I don't even want them… ;-;
Warnings: Lots of Legolas angst. Rated R for rape.
Oh! I revised some of the last chapter. They're pretty minor changes so prob'ly won't be that noticeable and some things still need to be changed. But I thought I'd tell ya. n.n
Wow… only a two day wait. Can't complain against that, right? n.n After this one updates will be longer again, since I have to go back to school on Monday and won't have any time to type anything up the next few days… peoples always bein' on the comp… -shakes head-
Well, I don't really like this chapter, but I'm posting it since I don't know when I'll be able to post the next one. It prob'ly won't be 'til either Tuesday or Friday of next week. –shrugs- I'll post as soon as I can. n.n
Unforgivable Pain
Chapter Nine: Off They Go
Elrond ran the cool cloth over Legolas' forehead thinking about anything he could do to help the elf, and now his sons.
He was interrupted from his thoughts, which were only taking him in circles to begin with, when his sons slowly entered the chamber. They each carried their own bag, having their supplies in it.
The elder elf focused his gaze on his youngest son, seeing if he had packed the herbs and bandages he had asked him to.
"Worry not, Ada. I have more than enough," the human reassured upon seeing where Elrond was looking.
The elf-lord let out a heavy sigh. "I would really prefer you three not going…" he told them. Even if he had told them he could go not half an hour ago he still wished for them to stay.
"Iston," the human said, "but I have to." He felt like he had an obligation to Legolas to get revenge for him since he was unable to do so for himself.
"Just… be cautious, ion-nin… all of you," the elder elf said, knowing how much this meant to Estel. "Promise me you shall be careful."
The three nodded. "We will, Adar; we promise."
Estel went next to Legolas and looked at him sadly. "I shall return soon, mellon-nin; with revenge," he promised his life-long friend.
He took the blonde's hand in his own and squeezed it reassuringly. This time the elf didn't flinch, or give any sign of being frightened. Before, even when asleep, Legolas had still done those things. But not this time.
Aragorn smiled and then let go of the elf's hand.
"Let us go," the human said, walking to the door.
The twins nodded. "We shall return soon, Ada," Elladan said while exiting the door, but not before bidding Legolas farewell, too.
"And in once piece," Elrohir added with a smile on his face.
Elrond sorrowfully waved goodbye to his sons, praying for the Valar to be with them.
The elf-lord took up his seat again and watched over the young elf when his sons were no longer in sight.
This is going to be one long wait, Elrond thought, already worried about his sons' safety.
About an hour later Legolas groaned, finally waking up. His eyes slowly opened, focusing on the figure hovering over him. He soon realized it wasn't Aragorn, who he had half expected. He knew that any other time the human would be there without a doubt. However, he knew of Legolas' new fear of all humans, including him, and he was more cautious about what he did around him.
He let out another groan. Every inch of his body felt like it was on fire and his headache was back with a vengeance. He longed for unconsciousness to return. That had been the most restful sleep he had received in weeks; with no nightmares. He wished he could go back to when he could sleep like that without herbs.
Legolas was brought out of his thoughts when he realized that Elrond had asked him a question. He looked up at the elder elf with a questioning look in his eyes.
Elrond picked up on the look and repeated his question. "How do you feel, Legolas?" He was sure he didn't feel great, but the blonde just looked too out of it so he had to ask.
Legolas noticed something wasn't right and started looking around the room for something.
Elrond's concern only rose seeing the elf this way. "Legolas?" he questioned trying to get the elf to look at him and talk.
To his relief the archer did look at him, but did not answer his question. Instead he asked his own.
"W-where is Estel?" his voice was hoarse from the coughs that occasionally attacked him now. "And the twins…"
The elf-lord lowered his gaze. He knew he had to tell the elf, but that didn't mean he wanted to. Legolas had told them not to go after the ones who had hurt him, after all.
"Where are they?" the prince asked again sternly, needing the answer. He had a really bad feeling about this. He didn't like that the elder elf hadn't told him right away.
Elrond sighed giving up. "They… went after those humans," he told the blonde quietly.
Legolas' eyes widened in fear. "H-how could you let them! They are going to get hurt; possibly even worse! I told you not to go!" he shouted in disbelief.
"Penneth," the elf-lord started trying to calm him down, "you know how Estel is. He would have gone even if I tried to stop him."
Legolas knew this to be true, but couldn't let it go. "It matters not! You should have tried harder!" The young elf let out a choked sob, fearful for his friends' lives.
There was a moment of silence before either spoke up again.
"How long ago did they leave?" Legolas asked quietly.
"…About an hour," the elder elf answered. He was sorry he went against the elf's wishes, but there really had been no way to prevent it.
The prince all of a sudden flung the covers off and swung his legs over the edge of his bed. He had done it too fast for Elrond to stop.
"Legolas, what are you doing?" the elf-lord asked surprised, to say the least. "You should not be moving. You need rest."
"If we hurry we can still stop them," the archer told him determined, fighting against the dizziness that was trying to overwhelm him.
He stood up and immediately collapsed, but not before Elrond could catch him, having expecting it.
The young elf panted heavily while clinging onto the elder elf for support.
"We cannot, Legolas. I'm sorry," Elrond said sadly. He knew how strongly the blonde felt about this. Knowing his sons however, it would be no easy task to find them. Legolas definitely couldn't be moving about in his condition either.
"Please…" the young elf begged, tears welling up in his eyes.
Elrond winced at the tears, but would not let go of his resolve and shook his head.
There was just no way Legolas would be able to survive in the forest for long given his condition. And if, somehow, they ran into the humans, Legolas would surely have a meltdown. He would not allow that to happen… not if he could help it.
Legolas could feel his consciousness slipping. His heart sped up in fright, for now he would undoubtedly have the nightmare he had been saved from before.
Elrond could plainly see the fear in the elf's eyes and wondered what had caused it. Did he do something?
He was shocked when Legolas suddenly went limp in his arms.
"Legolas?" he queried in concern. He checked for a pulse and was relieved to find one, though erratic.
He should have been prepared for that. The young elf had moved so quickly and too soon; against Elrond's warnings.
And he wanted to go after them... the elder elf thought dryly.
"Where should we go?" Elrohir questioned unsure. The three had just entered the forest; each had their supplies tied to their horses. Aragorn had an extra one tied to his belt with some herbs in it. It was small so he was able to carry it on him, in case it was needed… for a precaution. They wanted to take no chances.
"Well," Aragorn started thoughtfully, "Ada said that Legolas told him he was by a river near a cave, right?" At the twins' nods he continued. "I think I know of a place similar to that."
"How?" the elder twin asked. "That's such a vague description."
"Aye, it is. I did say 'I think'." the human said as a matter-of-factly. "Legolas and I were near a spot like that on our last hunting trip," he paused thinking. "Let us hope that I'm right."
The two nodded. "Very well, we shall follow you, brother."
"Just do not lead us astray again," Elrohir added teasingly, recalling a different time a couple of years ago when they had followed the ranger. He had ended up bringing them the totally opposite way from where they were headed. It took them hours to get back to the right path.
The twins chuckled at the human's expression that did not show appreciation at being reminded of such an embarrassing mistake.
"You should not talk, Elrohir. I recall a time when you did the same," Aragorn reminded the younger twin with a smirk.
"Ah, yes, how could we ever forget?" Elladan said laughing.
"Oh, and Elladan—"
"Me? Never," the elder twin cut off the younger with the sarcastic remark knowing where that sentence was going.
Aragorn laughed at the two. Things were off to a good start so far. Then again, they hadn't gotten too far. He just hoped things would stay this way. And that Legolas was alright. He felt guilty for just leaving his best friend like that.
Elladan and Elrohir looked over at their younger brother when they noticed he was no longer joking along with them.
The two exchanged a worried glance seeing the human's sad expression. Then both rode up to Aragorn's sides.
Elladan placed his hand on Estel's shoulder comfortingly. "Worry not. He shall be alright," he said, knowing that it was because of Legolas that the human was suddenly so sad.
Aragorn smiled at his brother, thankful for the support.
The three continued on, the only sound from them was of their horses trotting.
After Legolas had collapsed Elrond had laid the elf back down onto the bed. He checked all his injuries again to make sure none had reopened. He was relieved and somewhat surprised to find none had.
The elder elf had re-bandaged the wounds and then covered the young elf back up with his blanket.
He sat in the same chair once again. It was becoming quite the habit with how many times he had to sit there, whether it was because of his sons or Legolas. This was by far the worse time, though. It was still hard to believe, even if he had seen the injuries to prove it to be true.
And his sons… the more he thought about it, the more he second-guessed himself and thought he should have forbid them from going. Although he did know there would have been no way to stop them, he still should have tried harder. He figured it was most likely because of the pure anger he felt at those who had caused such an innocent elf so much pain. Legolas couldn't get the slightest break; the infection hadn't helped either. He was glad to see it was letting up, though, since he had been able to treat it. The wound had ended up being a deep gash on Legolas' inner thigh.
Elrond was disrupted from his thoughts when he noticed Legolas' muscles become tense and his expression turn into one of pain.
"Legolas wake up," he tried getting a quick start knowing exactly what was going on. With how many nightmares the elf had been having how could he not know?
Legolas turned his face away defiantly. However, the hand came back to grip his face tightly, and turned him back to look at the despicable human in front of him.
"You better do as your told, elf," a black-haired human told him.
Legolas glared daggers at him, angry that another human dared push him around. He was broken by the other human, but would not allow another to get at him like the other had. He still felt the fear that had now become permanently etched into his heart race through him like fire. However, he hid it in front of this human.
"Hey, who said you could touch my elf?" the brown-haired human said, strutting up to them.
"F-forgive me, my lord," the other stuttered, obviously afraid of his leader.
The brown-haired human smirked. "Leave me now," he commanded staring at the blonde elf in front of him.
"Y-yes, my lord," he said and hurriedly left not wanting to upset his leader anymore than he had.
"Now… what shall I do with you…?" the human thought out loud. "Ah, I know…"
Legolas' eyes widened in horror seeing what looked like a brand with a red-hot tip in the human's hand.
He let out an accidental whimper of fear and cursed himself for showing such weakness.
The elf couldn't give it a second thought, however, when his shirt was ripped and the brand was forced onto his shoulder. He let out a piercing scream at the white-hot pain searing through his entire body at the contact.
"Stop! Stop! Please… stop!" Legolas screamed in agony, tears now streaming down his face.
The human smirked in satisfaction at the sound of the elf begging. He pressed the brand in even harder.
"Valar! Stop!"
Legolas was shaken roughly and abruptly woke up with a desperate scream. The scream turned into violent coughs.
Elrond started to help the young elf sit up to ease his coughing, but Legolas tensed under the touch and tried to get away.
With he nightmare still fresh in his mind, he didn't know it was Elrond who was there trying to help him; not hurt him.
The elf-lord watched sympathetically as the blonde continued to cough; he could do nothing to help. Legolas wouldn't allow him to touch him.
Blah! I really don't like this chapter, and how I ended it… –sighs- Sorry guys, but I guess you'll be stuck with that for a while. Hope some of you enjoyed it… or at least thought it was tolerable…
Oh, btw, I've decided that the nightmares are prob'ly all goin' to be all that detailed, and not really dream-like, since it is the only way you're prob'ly goin' to know what happened to him. I think it's most likely the best way to explain it… -shrugs- May change my mind later, but the dreams will more than likely stay that way.
Review Responses
j-mercuryuk – First off, sorry if I spelt your name wrong. Next, yeah, he'll prob'ly get better… eventually… hopefully. n.n;;;
Kiharu-sama – Lol… indeed. They really are no fun. Good thing there's no bad song on now… n.n LMAO! Well, I hope they don't need them.
Jack Sparrow's Secret Lurrver – Lol… yayness for me. n.n Hope ya liked this chapter as well…
MoroTheWolfGod – Awww… sadness. Well, at least you remembered… n.n
ElvenRanger13 – Two days… n.n
Lyn – I knew I was missing something… thanks for helping me figure out part of it. n.n And yes, I know forgive my stupid mistakes. This is the first, and prob'ly last time, I've ever attempted writing anything like this so there's bound to be mistakes…
Haldir's Heart and Soul – Of course not with how much trouble they always get into… n.n
sam611 – Lol… gotta love that revenge, huh? n.n
Lynx Yamato – Lol… and thanks, btw. n.n
Chichiri's Wanderer – yeah, I know. Sorry if I sounded rude, too, btw. I really did not mean to.
inulover28 – Lol… yeah, the poor chibi… n.n Good! Update soon! n.n Don't make excuses… n.n;; Kidding… kidding!
empath89 – Lol… I'm just messin' with ya. You don't have to sign in. n.n Yeah, who knows what's goin' on in my mind anymore… if I ever did…
Legolas4me – Lol… thanks. n.n
HarryEstel – Yeah, I don't doubt it will be. Indeed… it was bad that I prolonged it for so long. They should have been treated sooner… -nods-
Yayness! Thanks so much everyone for your reviews! n.n More than I usually receive, too; very much appreciated.
Well, since I said all my ish earlier I really have nothing to say here except…
Plz Review… n.n
Ja ne
