Disclaimer: I still don't own. Sheesh… must ya rub it in my face every time I post a chapter…? ;-;
Warnings: Umm… angst… angst, and rated R for rape.
Sorry for all grammar and/or spelling mistakes.
Man, this chapter was a pain to start off. No, it was a pain after the first scene. But once I got into it… which took a while (couldn't concentrate for some reason) then it flowed pretty easily… possibly. Let me know what you think, 'kay? 'Kay. n.n I actually almost wasn't able to finish the chapter on time to post it this weekend, then you woulda had to wait for prob'ly two weeks-ish. That woulda been no fun, huh? Well, I did get it goin' so it's all good. n.n;;; Yeah, I'll shut up now. Enjoy the chapter! n.n
Unforgivable Pain
Chapter Eleven: Follow the Trail of Blood
Legolas slowly awoke from his herb-induced sleep and opened his eyes. What he saw was only pitch black.
He panicked. Sitting up, his eyes darted back and forth around the room, trying to see something – anything.
He could only make out shapes, but had no idea what they were.
His panic rose, he tensely waited for the humans to come back and hurt him again (thinking he was back in their clutches).
The blonde closed his eyes tightly, pressed his hands against his ears and started screaming between gasps of breath.
The wind's gentle hand caressed his face and played with his hair as he sat on Legolas' balcony looking up at the moonless sky, watching the stars.
The elf-lord had sent a messenger over to Mirkwood to give the elvenking the letter. He knew it would only be a matter of time until Thranduil arrived. He expected him to ride to Imladris the second the letter was written and would not expect anything less. Elrond knew he'd go anywhere and as soon as possible if such a thing were to happen to any of his sons.
All of a sudden Elrond heard a piercing scream from inside, cutting him off from his thoughts. He jumped up from the chair he was sitting in and ran into the bedchamber, his heart racing with fear. What could have happened? Did Legolas somehow have a nightmare? But… no, he had been given the herbs, he couldn't have…
It was pure darkness when he entered the room. On the balcony he had had some light from the garden's light bellow. He had lit a candle before, though. It must have gone out somehow, whether it was by the wind or not he did not know. He hadn't noticed either… probably because he had been too preoccupied with everything else. There was so much to keep track of.
With his eyes quickly adjusting to the lack of light, he went over to the elf's stand next to the bed. Finding it, he re-lit the candle and turned his full attention to the screaming elf. The elf was beyond terrified.
What could he do? He didn't want to scare the young elf even more.
"Legolas! Legolas!" he shouted, thinking it best not to touch him in such a state. "Open your eyes, penneth!"
Still the elf continued to scream. There was no other way…
Elrond took hold of Legolas' arms and pulled them away from his ears, wincing when the elf struggled to get away from him.
"Legolas, it is me, Elrond! Snap out of it!" he kept trying, still holding onto the prince's arms so he couldn't block out all sound again. "There's light in the room. Open your eyes and see the truth."
The blonde was still struggling against his grasp, trying to get away. Then, there was no where for him to retreat – he was against the wall. Legolas let out a whimper of despair.
The elf-lord let go of the younger elf's arms, knowing it was only making him panic more. His breathing was becoming much too fast.
To Elrond's immense relief Legolas stopped screaming and opened his eyes. He then looked up at him with sorrowful eyes that now had tears falling freely.
The sight wrenched at the elder elf's heart, but he didn't let it distract him. He had to let the blonde know he was safe – that nothing could even touch him if he did not wish it.
"See Legolas? I'm the only one here and I'm not going to hurt you. I promise," the elf-lord said soothingly, hoping he was reaching the elf in front of him.
"Elrond?" Legolas gasped out, not sure if his eyes were telling him the truth he longed to believe.
The healer let out a sigh of relief. "Aye, penneth," he said. However, one thing still greatly bothered him at the moment… "All is well, but you need to slow your breathing now, alright?" he said, trying to keep the elf as calm as possible.
After a few minutes Legolas was able to gain the upper hand on his breathing and his emotions. He was still very shaky, though.
"Forgive me, Legolas. I should have been more attentive," the elf-lord said feeling guilty for letting other things take over his mind and allowing them to get ahead of his concern for Legolas.
"W-worry not," the archer stuttered out quietly. He was so tired now. Should he ask for the herbs again? But what if he awoke to this again? He wished Aragorn and the twins were back already.
"Oh Valar, there's so much blood," Elladan stated horrified.
"And it's elven," Aragorn said after taking a closer look.
They had come to a spot that looked like another place the humans had camped for the night. Next to a tree there was a stain of old blood in the grass. The bark of the tree was scratched as if chains were connected to it.
"They must have chained him to this tree," Elrohir said in a mere whisper.
"Aye, they must have. You saw his wrists, too," the human stated sadly, remembering how raw Legolas' wrists were when they had treated him.
The three stood there silently, each lose in their own thoughts.
"Let us go," the elder twin said in a whisper, turning around and walking back to his horse. They couldn't afford to just stand there; getting even more depressed over the whole situation. They needed to hurry and catch up with the humans.
Aragorn and Elrohir followed their brother to their own horses, and mounted them.
None looked back at the tree, but all had thoughts of what could have happened there on their minds.
Aragorn watched the ground pass beneath his horse's feet. He choked back a sob when he saw a trail of blood where they were heading. He couldn't bring his gaze away from it. As much as he wanted to close his eyes, turn his head and try to forget about it, he couldn't. He had to keep track of where the trail was going so that he and his brothers could follow it. He was sure it would eventually lead them to the humans.
At first the ranger had thought that by the cave was the place Legolas had finally escaped, however, these tracks proved him to be wrong. Maybe the scarred elf's memories were distorted from the traumatic event. Well, they had been right… maybe, they were just in the wrong order…?
The human shook his head. He was only confusing himself even more. His thoughts made no sense to even himself.
The three continued on in silence, hoping they were getting closer.
Since the sun had risen, Elrond had noticed Legolas had become less tense than during the night. He feared that the episode had stricken the elf greatly and he wondered if he'd be able to overcome it.
Another thing he shall need help with, the elf-lord thought with a sigh.
The blonde hadn't fallen asleep since then and would cut Elrond off if he tried to convince him of it. However, the healer had only tried once or twice understanding why he wouldn't sleep again. He didn't think he could try to make him sleep during the night again or if he did he would be certain that the young elf would awaken when it was light out. He was sure he wouldn't be able to handle another situation like the one from last night.
Fortunately, Legolas' fever had subsided immensely from the restful sleep he had received. It didn't rise during his frantic movements either. Nor did any of his wounds reopen. He had asked the elf and trusted his word. He had no reason to lie. Besides, Elrond could see the truth in his eyes. He had never been good at lying… at least when it came to lying to him.
The elf-lord looked at the blonde and saw that he was still staring at the wall; not moving. Well, he knew one thing for sure: Legolas needed food. He had had little to nothing to eat and it was starting to show.
He sighed heavily. He had to do it. "Legolas," he started softly, he had to make sure the young elf was paying attention. When the blonde slowly shifted his gaze onto him, he continued, "I have to get some food – for the both of us," he added when the archer opened his mouth to protest. "I shall be right back, though. Do not move, you shall only worsen your condition and shall regret it later. I trust you shall stay, right?"
The prince turned his head back to the wall, but still nodded. He was too tired to move and every muscle ached anyway.
The elder elf looked at Legolas sympathetically, wishing he could rid him of all his pain in an instant.
Then, with a prayer to the Valar that the elf would indeed stay where he was, he walked out of the chambers, leaving the door slightly open. He looked up and down the hall and couldn't believe his luck when he saw a maid at the end of the hall.
Quickly walking up to her, he asked her if she could get some food for himself and the prince.
A few minutes later, he was back on his way to Legolas'chambers with the food taken care of. The maid had told him that she would bring him the food when it was ready. He, of course, had gladly accepted the offer.
The elf-lord pushed open the door and was relieved to see that the elf hadn't moved an inch, which also worried him.
"Legolas?" the healer asked uncertainly. He had made sure the blonde would be able to hear him when he walked in, but he was acting as though he had no idea anyone else was in the room with him, which was very possible.
"Legolas?" he said more urgently, placing a hand gently on the prince's shoulder.
This caused a reaction. Legolas had jumped at the contact and quickly turned his head to look at who had startled him.
He was relieved to see Elrond, but didn't like that he hadn't been able to hear the elf-lord. Recently he had been walking heavier on purpose so he could easily tell when someone else was there with him. He was grateful for this, too. Before he had started doing this he had constantly jumped at his name when he hadn't noticed the elder elf had walked in. He was always deep within his thoughts so he wasn't as alert.
"Penneth, I… I sent a letter to your father…" Elrond said suddenly after a few minutes of silence. He knew he should have told him sooner, but he hadn't been able to when the elf had awoken in a panic.
Legolas' eyes widened at the news in shock. It was so sudden; he definitely hadn't expected it. "Why?" was the only response he could force pass his lips.
"He needed to know," the elf-lord answered while looking at his hands. "I'm sorry I did not tell you before."
"Did… did you tell him about…" the elf trailed off unable to finish his question. However, Elrond understood what he meant and nodded.
Legolas' hands went up to grip his head. He hadn't wanted him to know. Too many people knew already. He had wanted no one to know. No one. "Nay, he was not supposed to know," he said in despair.
"He would have found out, penneth," Elrond tried to comfort the distraught elf.
"When…" He took a deep, shuddering breath. "When did you…"
"Only last night."
"Valar help me…" the blonde gave a quick prayer, tears welling up.
The elder elf had to hold back his own tears at the plea.
The two sat in silence until there was a soft knock on the door.
Elrond stood up and answered it, smiling when he saw the maid with food. "Hannon le," he said gratefully, taking the trays of food from the outstretched hands.
"You are welcome, my lord," the brown-haired maid said with a smile. However, it soon turned into a frown when she saw the forlorn form of Legolas with out meaning to. She wondered what had happened. She was about to inquire when the Lord of Imladris held up his hand.
"Please do not ask. I am extremely grateful for the food. It is well-prepared."
The maid took that as a sign to leave. She bowed, apologizing and then left.
The elder elf closed the door with a foot since both hands carried a tray. Both of which had too much food for either elf to eat, especially Legolas. He'd have to convince the prince to any of it.
Without a word, he first placed his own tray on the stand by the bed and then set Legolas' on the blonde's lap. Legolas just looked down at the food; then back to the wall that Elrond thought he was becoming far too fascinated with. "I told you I am not hungry."
"It matters not. You need food, Legolas," the healer said sternly.
The prince only shook his head, not listening to the elder.
"If you want to recover you must eat," he said, getting desperate. The blonde needed to eat. His body had gone without it for too long.
Still a shake of the head was the only answer he received.
"Your body needs it."
Another no.
"Do you wish to die!" the elf-lord slipped before he could stop the words from leaving his mouth. He brought his hands up to his mouth in disbelief. He rarely lost control of his emotion like that. Now was one of the worst possible times he could have done it. His lack of sleep was starting to get back at him.
Elrond looked at the elf and a tear slipped down his cheek.
The blonde had tears of his own silently falling down his cheeks with a look in his eyes that the elder elf refused to believe. However, he could not erase it.
Legolas did wish to die.
Eesh… well, yeah. I don't really know what to say about that chapter… Opinions? Oh, and yes Legolas is an elf. Yes, they don't wish to die, life is sacred to them… but look what he's had to endure. Any normal elf would have already died. They wouldn't have made it even close to as far as he has. So any comments on that will be… ignored? Most likely.
Review Responses
Lynx Yamato – Lol… thanks. n.n
Haldir's Heart and Soul – Indeed it is. Or is his worry of them just stressing him out and now helping…?
The Becca – Thank you. n.n
empath89 – Lol… thanks! Appreciate that. n.n
inulover28 – Lol… I remember that movie… I didn't like it… XD You really should. But don't force yourself to work on it. Lol… well, I figured it was somethin' like that. You're in ninth grade and can write those type of fics? ...Then again, that is only two grades bellow mine... -.- I wish I could, though. ;-; Well, I could prob'ly write them but could never post it. Snow! O.O Go away. I hate you. Kidding! But seriously, it's not fair! I want some snow!
Legolas4me – Thank you! n.n Yeah, I still have lots of room for improvement, but I'm definitely better thanmy first fic. –shudders- Eesh... that one's soooo bad. I'm glad you can feel that way about the nightmares, though. Seems I'm doin' somethin' right at least. n.n Wow… thank you so much!
Chichiri's Wanderer – Lol… well, of course. C'mon now. n.n
Kiharu-sama – Lol… make sure that dog tears then up really well! Lol… indeed you are. I would never want to live to be that old.
HarryEstel – Indeed it is! I just had one the other week… can't get enough of them, man. Nope, nope not at all! Most likely…lol! OMG! I thought I just deleted everything. Thank whatever there is for the undo button! -ahem- Don't mind that… almost gave myself a heart attack…
MoroTheWolfGod – Mmm… not exactly sure, but they will. Don't worry… they will… -grins evilly-
-bows repeatedly at the undo button- I almost just deleted everything! And I hadn't saved at all. Man, I woulda died if that had happened…
-takes a deep breath- Okay… Well, thanks so much everyone for the very encouraging reviews! They much needed and much appreciated. n.n Much, much, much. Yes, yes, I'm goin' to sleep… Night everyone.
Plz Review!
Ja ne
