Disclaimer: I do not own anything that has to do with LotR already. Sheesh.
Warnings: Rated R for rape.
Sorry for all grammar and/or spelling mistakes.
Hah ha! I've actually been on quite the writing spree… somethin' to that effect. It's the first time in so long, though. And actually with both fics! Yayness! n.n Heh… don't mind me. I've been sitting here workin' on my freakin' research paper that's due tomorrow (ten pages and I only have four… XD). .:sighs:. Sucks bein' a procrastinator, man. I'm sure some of you know exactly how that is…
But anywayz… hopefully this thing with writing lasts for a while… has so far… well, since the Friday, I believe. n.n Good stuff, good stuff.
Yeah… well, enjoy! n.n
Unforgivable Pain
Chapter Sixteen: The Only Choice
Legolas had fallen asleep soon after he had let out his feelings. He was now curled up into himself facing away from the two elder elves. They knew that he had felt ashamed for breaking down like that, but seeing as how he was sleeping there was little they could do to change his opinion.The blonde was still extremely exhausted, physically as well as mentally. All the days without food, water, sleep, and hope were finally catching up to him. He had been asleep before Elrond could even begin to put together the sleeping herbs.
Thranduil and Elrond just sat there for a while until they were sure the young elf was soundly asleep.
"Thranduil," the elf-lord started quietly so he wouldn't startle the king or wake up the archer, "would you mind telling me what Legolas said before I came in?" Maybe if he knew more than he would be able to help the traumatized elf. It had been a surprise – to say the least – to enter the room to find Legolas confessing everything. He wished he could have been there from the beginning. The version he was going to get from Thranduil was definitely going to be different than seeing and having the blonde say it himself. But… what could he do?
The elf king sighed heavily. He was still deeply distressed by what had just happened. His son acting like that was something he never wanted to see again. Even if it was good for him to let everything out, it still terrified both elder elves. They had never seen an elf act like this before. Usually whenever an elf was hurt as badly and in the way Legolas had been, they would have died already. They could not begin to express their gratitude in this prospect. They just hoped he'd be able to hold on longer; with how things were going they were fairly certain he would be able to.
Thranduil had explained Legolas' words to the healer. Elrond sat there with his eyes closed, pondering over them. He felt even worse, if possible, for the archer now. All the pent-up emotions he had kept… neither had had any idea, just as they could never begin to fully understand how Legolas felt.
"I know not what to do anymore…" the elf-lord admitted sadly. He blamed himself for this, he could have done something sooner. Maybe if he had tried to get him to speak before. He did know you couldn't rush these things, though.
He covered his face with his hands in despair. He couldn't help anyone.
He looked up when he felt a hand on his shoulder. "You have done all that you were able to. Who knows what would have happened to him if not for you," the elf king comforted his friend, though it hurt him to even imply more harm falling onto his son.
Elrond nodded his head in appreciation. However, even if he had helped the prince, he wondered how much harm he had placed upon his sons. He had let them go; didn't try or even want to stop them. He wanted the one who had tortured Legolas to pay. And, to say the truth, he still did want him to. However, he feared for their lives.
I should have stopped them, he thought making himself feel even worse.
"They would have gone anyway, mellon-nin," the blonde said as if reading Elrond's thoughts.
The brown-haired elf said nothing, but knew that he was absolutely correct. That had been one of the reasons he had let them go in the first place.
Elladan limped his way to their horses, feeling guilty about leaving his unconscious brothers. This was the only thing he could think of at the moment, however.
He reached his own horse and leaned heavily against the grey stallion, breath coming in quick gasps. He was too exhausted to do this, but he had to… for his brothers.
His horse nudged his shoulder in concern.
Elladan patted the stallion in appreciation, and reluctantly pushed himself away. Going over to Elrohir's horse, he patted it too; then told the horse to go back and get help for his master. He thought this would be the only way. He needed help and he didn't know what else to do. He couldn't carry the two of them; it would be hard enough with only one.
The elf then lead the two remaining horses back over to Aragorn and Elrohir, not wanting to leave the two alone any longer. There was no need for the horses to be away from them now anyway.
He was dismayed to find both of his brothers still unconscious and, if memory served him correctly, they hadn't moved either.
He didn't bother tying up their horses, and he rarely did so. There was no point, for he knew they wouldn't run and this way they could get the water and food they needed.
The brown-haired elf settled on the ground next to the two unconscious brothers, trying against all odds to stay awake.
The day's exhausting events were finally catching up to him.
When he woke up it was to a pained hiss on his left.
He closed his eyes again; sleep still too close for the sound to properly register.
Then it came again and he snapped out of his sleepy daze, remembering where he was.
Elladan turned to his left, where the sound was coming from, and quickly went over to Aragorn, relieved that he had finally reclaimed consciousness.
He brushed a strand of hair from the human's face.
Aragorn opened his eyes slowly. "Elladan…?" he croaked out.
"Aye," the elf answered, "how are you feeling, my brother?"
Aragorn cleared his throat. Then his eyes snapped open in full awareness when he remembered what had happened right before he passed out. "Selaedir? Is he dead? What happened?" he asked without a pause for breath. He quickly pushed himself up and immediately regretted doing so. The movement had caused a stabbing pain in his side.
He collapsed back down with a hiss of pain, breathing now hitching with every intake.
"Estel, you must be more careful," Elladan said in alarm. He hadn't been able to stop the movement, for the ranger had acted too quickly. "Let me check the wound," he said, hoping it hadn't re-opened. He didn't know if his brother could afford the blood loss.
The human nodded slowly, breath still coming in quick, pained gasps. Swallowing hard, he repeated, "What of Selaedir?"
"He is dead. You need not worry," the elder twin replied stoically, still checking the wound.
"Where's Elrohir? Is he well?" he anxiously asked after realizing the younger twin wasn't hovering over him as well.
Elladan frowned deeply. Completing the task at hand, he looked at his youngest brother. "He was knocked unconscious by a blow to the head. He has yet to awaken," he answered, voice dripping with concern and fear. The fact that he still slept and, with his eyes closed no less, frightened him. He didn't know what to do or even if there was something he could do. He was glad that Aragorn's injury hadn't re-opened, though… one good thing.
Silence fell between the two, both thinking about what to do next. It was still nighttime so they figured they should get some rest. Both of them desperately needed some. Elladan, however, would not allow himself to. His brothers needed to be protected and he would be the one to provide that protection.
Elladan stayed by Aragorn's side until he was sure the human was asleep. He was glad that he was able to get to sleep, for he could tell the youngest brother was in pain.
He then went back over to his twin to check on his condition. Nothing had changed. He sighed despairingly. With the younger twin having a concussion and still not awake… he didn't like it, not at all.
The elder twin settled himself down between his two brothers, waiting for any sign of movement from Elrohir now. He was relieved that Aragorn had awoken; now he just needed his twin to.
Throughout the night his eyes drooped constantly, threatening to stay shut. He had to stand up and walk around every once in a while when he came too close to falling asleep. He had to stay up to watch Aragorn and Elrohir, and that was what he was going to do.
In the morning, he noted, Elrohir still hadn't even stirred. He was extremely worried about him and only getting more so as time went by and consciousness refused to show itself. At least Aragorn had been able to sleep throughout the night.
Elladan looked around for their horses and spotted them not too far away. Going to them, he patted his grey stallion; then Aragorn's and led them back to his brothers.
He figured that when Aragorn next woke up he could get him to ride by himself for a while, though he hated the notion, knowing how painful it would be for the injured human. However, he could think of nothing else at the moment. He had to get the three of them out of there. There was too much risk of orcs attacking them, and he couldn't fight them with him being exhausted from the fight before and receiving no sleep, Elrohir being unconscious, and Aragorn severely injured. This was the only way.
When he returned with the horses he found Aragorn's body tense and his eyes tightly shut in obvious pain.
Elladan quickly ran to him and kneeled down next to him, grabbing his brother's hand; wrapping his own around it in comfort. They had run out of the herbs Aragorn had brought with them the night before when Elladan had treated them. Elrohir had actually treated his wounds before he had been knocked unconscious, too. And they thought they had had enough…
Eventually the wave of pain passed and the ranger opened his eyes to see the elder twin's worried expression.
"Forgive me, Estel, but I fear we must leave," the dark-haired elf said in uncertainty. He didn't know how far they'd even be able to make it with the human in this condition.
He prayed to the Valar that Elrohir's horse was close to his father now. It was their best chance and possibly their only hope.
Elladan helped Aragorn sit up and was even more concerned by the lack of resistance, not to mention the pallor of his skin. Having no resistance, though, was a good thing, for it made things easier on the injured ranger, but usually he would never accept help for such a thing as merely sitting up.
"What about Elrohir?" Aragorn asked, after he controlled his breathing, though it was still heavy. Right when he stood he had been met with a very unpleasant wave of dizziness to compliment the existing pain.
The elf watched his youngest brother in the utmost concern, not liking his heavy breathing and the slight hitch the obvious pain he was in caused. He was also slouched forward while leaning on him so he wouldn't stretch the stab wound on his side.
He looked over at his twin. Sighing deeply, he answered, "Well, I'm hoping you are able to ride on your own for a while. At least until we can find a better shelter. This place is no longer safe. And I shall have Elrohir ride with me. Can you ride on your own… honestly?"
He gazed intently at Aragorn, watching for a response.
The brown-haired human closed his eyes and took a deep breath - carefully, mindful of his injury. "Aye, though I know not how long," he finally answered. He hoped he really would be able to. Knowing how much riding would jostle his injuries, he wasn't so sure himself, especially since they were already causing him so much trouble. Seeing as how they had no choice he would still do it. Besides, Elrohir needed help. He didn't like the fact that he was still unconscious, even through the night, and he prayed that there would be no permanent damage when he did wake.
Aragorn wanted to go after the rest of the humans, the followers of the sadistic Selaedir, but in the condition they were currently in, they'd be lucky to get home alive. Hopefully their luck would hold out for them a while longer. He cringed to think of their father's reaction when he saw them.
Elladan helped the human over to his horse. Aragorn braced himself, for this was the hardest part, not to mention most painful: getting up on the horse.
With difficulty he finally gotthe young manon his horse and then went over to Elrohir. First checking if he was conscious. Nay; he still hadn't even moved. Then he checked his pulse. Still faint, but there nonetheless.
He very carefully picked him up and just the same got him onto his horse, Sûl. He would have had Aragorn help him, but knew it wasn't possible.
Looking over at the ranger, he frowned at the sight. Aragorn was already leaning heavily on the horse, one hand gripping its mane tightly; the other held firmly to his side, as if to dull the growing pain.
"Are you sure you can ride, Estel?" the elf asked, greatly concerned.
"Aye, let us go back now," Aragorn replied, between clenched teeth. He just wanted to go already. The sooner they left, the sooner they would arrive and they could rest again… peacefully; not only that but Elrohir wasn't getting any better with them at the moment.
Nodding his head in understanding and holding his twin tighter, but mindful of his wounds, the elder twin gritted his own teeth against the pain in his leg (which he had been ignoring). Then he started off with Aragorn beside him.
This would be one long journey; a lot longer than it had been on their way there… unfortunately.
Like it? Hate it? Let me know. No, that was not a 'please flame me!' XD If you hate it let me know why... constructively, btw… I really don't know why you'd flame me on the sixteenth chapter instead of the first or so… but really not the point… Wow, yeah, I'm done. Ignore me if you will. n.n;;;
Review Responses
Saerwen – Yeah, it is about time, huh? I don't know how well exactly that is goin' to continue… .:grins evilly:. Kidding, kidding! …or am I…? Dun, dun, dun. .:shifts eyes:. Sorry, I'll stop bein' crazy-like. Thank you so much for your review, though. n.n Glad ya like it.
inulover28 – Lol. Yayness! Thank you, buddy! n.n Nooo… come back snow. Actually, come here! Heh… actually .:scratches back of head:. I didn't make the layout either. I want to so bad, but I have no program for it anymore. ;-; Woohoo! Man, I just want to read it! n.n;; Wow, only two chapters left? That's crazy. Well, get to goin' on it already! Sheesh… Peoples these days…
Pasha ToH – I really hope he can. n.n And thank you.
empath89 – I'm glad they are! …though I doubt they really are… XD Aww, bein' sick's no fun. Hope you're feeling better! Yup, yup. A lot of people like that he's improving I've noticed! Lol… I can see why! I am, too. n.n
HarryEstel – Aww, I sorry! Glad ya didn't cry, though. n.n
Haldir's Heart and Soul – Yeah, I was thinkin' of what I could do about that. …still not quite sure…
sam611 – Of course I'll continue. n.n
Thank you again and always for the reviews! n.n Love them all and I really do hope that you'll continue to support this fic. n.n I'll try to get the next chapter out as soon as I can. Already have the next chapter for Heart's Truth ready, all I need to do is type it up. …actually, I've got most of the next chapter for this written, too… Hmm, didn't realize that 'til now…
Plz Review
Ja ne
…freakin' research project… .:grumbles:.
