Disclaimer: Unfortunately, none of this is mine!! *sob*
Title: Strike of the Serpent
Rating: R
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Sorry this is so late and short, etc, but I have a good bit of the next chappie mapped out so it should be out soon!! :) Happy Halloween everyone!!
Huggles, .:Tithen Min:.
A/N: This is for Irish QT and her dancing Dwarves!! *giggle*
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Chapter 7
As the day drew to a close, they stopped amongst the charred trees for their final night in the wild. The Uruks had insisted they would run no further that day, and Grima had had to give in. They were almost at the foot of the tower now, another half a day, perhaps less, would have them in Saruman's clutches.
Because of the lack of anchorage, Aragorn and Legolas were tied back to back to the same tree stump, which was ripped and charred from Saruman's destruction of his lands. Aragorn could feel the tremors running through Legolas' body and he worried for the Elf. Legolas would never admit it, but he was weakening more and more as time passed.
Aragorn began working the rope back and forth against the rough bark of the scorched tree stump, trying to break free. He could feel the same evil that Legolas was constantly aware of now, although not as strongly as his friend could. He did not doubt that the feeling of evil was combining with exhaustion and fever to weaken his friend even further.
He could not see Legolas from the way they were tied and he hoped that his friend was coping alright. No doubt the prince could feel Aragorn's desperate attempts to free himself, but he did not react.
"Legolas?" Aragorn tried to get the Elf to respond. The silence worried him and he feared his friend was slipping away from him. "Legolas, answer me!"
"I hear you, Estel," Came the weary reply, and Aragorn almost cried with relief.
"Are you alright, Legolas?" He could feel the Elf sigh heavily.
"Aye, Estel, I am fine. Would you stop asking me that?"
Aragorn frowned. "Alright then, prove to me that you are well and help me think up a plan of escape."
A moment of silence passed before Legolas answered. "Escape?" He said incredulously, "Estel, are you out of your mind? We are in Isengard! Not to mention surrounded by Uruk Hai,"
"Well, then we just have to be a bit careful." Aragorn answered, "Come on, Legolas, where's your sense of adventure?" He smiled as he felt Legolas try to turn in his bonds to look at him and he could imagine the look on the prince's face.
"Adventure?! Strider, what is wrong with you? This is not adventure, this is madness! Are you certain you are well?"
Aragorn chuckled. "I am fine. My only problem is that you are not, and I have no desire to see you fade before my eyes."
Silence followed his words and he decided to give Legolas his space, not pursuing the matter further. After a few moments of working against the rope in silence, he felt Legolas begin to test his own bonds. He was about to speak when the Elf cut him off.
"I do not want to hear it, Estel. I am doing this only because I do not wish to see you hurt and if we reach Saruman that is what will happen. My only wish is to see you free,"
Aragorn nodded slowly, silently vowing to set the Elf free or kill them both in the attempt, "Alright, Legolas. Let us see what we can do,"
The Ranger felt his ropes give after almost an hour of working at them. "Legolas," he hissed, "My ropes are loose. We must come up with a plan, we cannot just run for it."
"Grima orders them, correct?" Legolas whispered.
Aragorn thought for a moment before agreeing. "Aye, they never do much without instructions. What are you getting at, Legolas?"
"Well, if we can get him out of the picture, they will be confused and leaderless for a time and it may give us opportunity to get a head start."
"That is a good idea, Legolas, but how do we get him away from the Uruks?" Aragorn questioned, beginning to work on the knots of Legolas' bonds.
"Well…" Legolas paused, "If we could lure him over here…"
Aragorn paused in his work and glanced at the Elf out of the corner of his eye. "You are not going to do anything stupid, are you my friend?"
"Of course not!" Legolas sounded slightly insulted, "Do not put so little faith in me, Estel."
Aragorn chuckled. "I am not, Legolas, never, but after the last trick you pulled to try and free me…"
Legolas snorted. "Come on, Estel, it was a good idea."
Aragorn shook his head, "And one only an Elf would think of!"
The prince made an indignant noise, but spoke no more as the Ranger worked on his bonds. Just as the ropes loosened and fell away, Legolas started coughing; a deep painful sound that shook the air. Aragorn was getting worried when he noticed that the noise was drawing Grima closer, away from his Uruk Hai.
Legolas paused in his paroxysm and gasped for air as he saw that his plan was working and Grima was drawing closer. He quickly made himself look as weak and vulnerable as possible, not a difficult feat in his current condition. Aragorn could not see what the Elf was up to, and he knew he could not glance around for fear of blowing their cover.
Grima passed Aragorn and drew close to the Elf and smiled evilly at his helplessness. He knelt beside Legolas and ran a hand slowly up his leg, coming to rest on his inner thigh. Legolas shivered slightly, but made no move to pull away, although he looked as if he wished to.
Grima's evil smile grew. "It will be a pleasure to make you mine, Elf." He ran his other hand over Legolas' chest, "So beautiful…and at my mercy."
Aragorn chanced a glance around and faltered as Grima leaned in and kissed the Elf once more, running his hands everywhere. Anger burned inside the future king at the abuse of his long time friend and, without thinking, he lunged at Grima, knocking him to the ground and striking the man's head off a rock. Grima went still and Aragorn turned to a dazed Legolas.
"Come, mellon nìn, let us fly from here."
Legolas struggled unsteadily to his feet and let Aragorn grab his hand and pull him along behind. The Uruks suddenly noticed the escaping prisoners and leaped up to look for instructions, but none came. The camp was, as Legolas had predicted, thrown into chaos, until one Uruk spotted the prone body of their leader and cackled.
"Bring them back here! We can have some fun with them now!" The Uruks took off after the fleeing pair as Grima slowly began to stir.
As they fled farther towards the borders of Fangorn, a spectral image appeared in front of the two prisoners, blocking their path. Aragorn froze and stared, wide eyed, at the apparition as it slowly raised its hand and he heard Legolas cry out in pain, staggering back and falling to his knees.
"Saruman!" Aragorn hissed.
"Very good, Ranger," The eerily seductive voice purred. Aragorn shivered. "I have more power over your Elf friend than you know. Cease this pathetic escape attempt or I shall take his 'immortal' life."
"No," Aragorn whispered, "Please, hurt him no more, take me, this was my idea!"
Saruman chuckled. "Ah, but you see, my dear Ranger, the best way to get to you is through him, you will tell me what I wish to know…I was right, men are weak…I told him that before, but he did not agree."
Aragorn's eyes grew wide as he realised the wizard was referring to Legolas. As he was about to question the fallen Istar, the Uruks sprang into sudden action. They grabbed Aragorn and hauled Legolas to his feet, pulling them away from the wizard.
"Be good for my pets, Human, and I may spare your life." Saruman hissed, before disappearing once again.
Aragorn was thrown to the ground beside Legolas and the Uruks tied them to the tree stump once again, binding them tightly. Legolas sighed, turning to Aragorn.
"Now you see why I do not sleep," He said wearily.
"What do you mean, mellon nìn?" Aragorn asked, frowning slightly.
"He haunts me, Estel," Legolas murmured, "He has done for some time. He feeds on my weakness."
"Oh Legolas," Aragorn sighed sadly, "I am so sorry, my friend, I did not realise."
The Elf chuckled. "How could you know, when I chose not to tell you? You are not a mind reader, my friend."
"Alright," The Ranger conceded, "But I am still sorry. For not listening to your cautions, for causing you even more pain. This is my fault, Legolas."
"Nay, Strider, do not say that. It is more my fault, for getting us into this situation to begin with. I let my guard down, something a warrior should never do. I am to blame…for all of this."
Aragorn's jaw fell open. "Is that what you think, Legolas? That you let your guard down? My friend, did you not even consider the possibility that Saruman was aiding your captor? No one can sneak up on you, Legolas, unless your mind is completely elsewhere, which it was not that night. I was with you, remember? You are not to blame,"
Legolas began to speak, but broke off when a movement from Grima caught his eye. The man was finally coming around.
"Estel," He whispered, "He is waking."
Aragorn chuckled. "About that, Legolas? I thought I heard you assure me that you would not try anything stupid this time."
Legolas growled softly. "It was not stupid, Strider, I was using his weakness against him. He has weaknesses just like anyone else— "
"Yes, and that weakness is you, my friend, and I do not like to see you being used that way. You do not deserve such vile treatment, no matter how much you think you are to blame for this."
Grima's bleary gaze finally fell on them and he smirked as he slowly stood and dusted himself off. "Not so successful?" He sneered, "I shall make you pay for that."
He turned unsteadily and headed back to the fire, grumbling to himself.
Legolas sighed, shaking his head. "This is not good, Estel. He revels in dealing out pain and punishment. I fear he will not be easy on either one of us."
Aragorn remembered Legolas' bloodied tunic and shuddered. They lapsed into thoughtful silence and many minutes passed before the two spoke again.
Aragorn turned suddenly to his friend. "Legolas, I— "
He was cut off by Grima's angry voice. "Bring the Elf to me!" he snarled, his voice dangerous.
The Uruks untied Legolas and dragged him over to where Grima waited by the fire, the orange light behind him casting his features into shadow. Somehow, Legolas could still feel his eyes, the anger in their blue depths, even though he could not see them.
The small man looked up at Legolas, fury burning in his cold blue eyes. "I have given you far too many chances, Elf, and still you disobey me. I promised you that I would punish you and now I believe it is time you were put in your place."
Legolas' face held utter contempt as he gazed steadily at Grima. "I do not obey one who does not control me. That is something you will never do, I am not one of your orcs."
Aragorn flinched at his friend's words. "Damn your pride, Legolas," He muttered to himself, "You are only making this worse…"
Grima's face turned raging red and he turned to the creatures that held Legolas. "Hold him still,"
The Uruks tightened their hold and Grima turned away briefly. "And for your punishment, my Elf…" He turned back, a white-hot iron in his hand.
Legolas' eyes grew wide with panic and he struggled desperately against his guards. "NO!! You cannot! No, release me!!" He cried desperately, pulling back against the creatures' holds as Grima advanced towards him.
Aragorn wrenched against his bonds to try and see what was happening. He had never heard Legolas so panicked before in all their long years as friends. The ropes snapped and he turned in time to see Grima press the heated iron to Legolas' upper left arm.
The Elf let loose a scream of complete agony as the brand burned his skin. Aragorn was frozen in place, watching the scene in horror. Legolas dropped to his knees as consciousness fled him and Aragorn started forward, anxious to see that the archer was merely unconscious and not dead. He knew such a thing was not likely to kill an Elf, but in the state Legolas was already in…
An Uruk grabbed him, smirking sadistically, and pulled him back to the tree stump. He was tied facing the scene and was forced to watch as Legolas was flogged once again, this time across the chest. The prince jerked with each stroke, but did not awaken, which only served to heighten Aragorn's worry. He could see the outline of the mark of Saruman standing out in livid red on Legolas' arm and the sight sickened him.
When their repeated efforts garnered no response from the unconscious prince, the beasts turned their attentions on Aragorn, hauling him from his place. Two of the Uruks held him firmly while several others beat him mercilessly, their iron boots and gloves making short work of his exhausted body.
He was vaguely aware of Grima, standing to one side and smiling smugly, as darkness edged his vision and the pain finally took over, pulling him into the peaceful void of unconsciousness.
* * * * * * * * * * *
The first thing Aragorn was aware of as he regained consciousness was that he was no longer outside. He opened his eyes slowly, seeing a dark-stoned ceiling, high above him, replacing the sky that he had watched for so long.
The second realisation, following shortly after the first, was that he was tied securely to some kind of stone tablet, his arms and legs spread to either side. Looking to his left, he saw something that chilled him to the bone. Torture devices, the likes of which he had never seen before, lined the walls of the chamber.
Looking to his other side, he gasped audibly. Legolas lay on an identical stone tablet not five feet from him. The Elf had yet to return to consciousness, his skin was pale and flushed at the same time and his rest was not a peaceful one. Aragorn could still see the livid mark on his friend's arm, not matter how hard he tried not to.
"Legolas?" He called softly, "Can you hear me, mellon nìn? Legolas!"
"He hears you, Ranger." The sudden voice startled Aragorn and he turned to see the corrupted wizard standing in the corner of the room, watching them.
"He does not respond because I have kept him drugged. He hears, but he cannot react. As I said before, I have more power over him than you can understand."
Aragorn's eyes flashed with a mixture of anguish and fury. "Release him from your power, Saruman! I wish to speak to my friend!"
"I think not, Human," Saruman replied coolly, "That Elf is harder to control than any other being I have ever had the pleasure of commanding. If I release him, he will not be easily brought back under my influence."
Aragorn felt a flash of pride for his friend. "Legolas does not easily abide being commanded my anyone, not even his own father." He growled.
"Yes…" The Istar mused, "I sensed as much from him. He is strong willed, but he will break."
Aragorn snorted. "I think not. Legolas is stronger than even you. He will outlast your efforts, you will get nothing from him."
Saruman chuckled and the sound sent shivers down Aragorn's spine. "We shall soon see, young Ranger. Very soon,"
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TBC… Eep!! *buys one way ticket to Tahoe*
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Review replies::
MoroTheWolfGod: Hahahaha!! Yeah it just came into my head when I was typing up the chapter and I suddenly just started laughing!! It was so funny!! *giggle* Just one of those hyper been-writing-for-too-long moments… I'm sure you know how it is! :) Hope you liked this despite its shortness and more soon!! =)
DXPrincess: *blush* I'll take that as a compliment!! :) I'm glad you liked that part I wasn't sure about putting it in but yay!! You like it! ;) Ah yes, damn plot bunnies!! Either they gnaw on you for hours or desert you for weeks!! There's no happy medium!! *incoherent grumbles* But they're so cute!! Have you seen Donny Darco?? 0_0 That's one scary bunny… Hehehe!! Anyway hope this was okay and more soon!! :)
Alice7: Aye, I agree! Damn Saruman!! Grr… Can I have tea and cookies too?? Well not cookies cos I'm on a diet, but tea is good!! *puppy eyes* Pwease?? ;) Eep! *cringe* Don't hit me with an umbrella!! You know I hate them!! If you promise not to hit me with it, I'll not make manflesh a crude term!! Agreed?? Enough randomness??? But randomness is good! :) Hehehe!! Hope you liked this!! =)
Lefty: Yeah he's really starting to irritate me instead…probably cos he stands outside and knocks the window when I'm trying to type…You thought it was well written?? *blush* Thanks!! :) I'm glad it wasn't as bad as I thought!! I know I couldn't stop laughing either!! It suddenly just popped into my head… it's overwork I tell you! Makes me crazy!! Oh wait…I'm like that anyway!! Ruler! Hehehe!! Anyway hope this was okay too!! ;)
Sirith: And pitchforks are also useful for Halloween!! *cackle* 0_0 and please leave the pitchfork there!! I'm scared!! And you didn't do too badly you got a chapter out!! Did I review that?? I don't think I did! Eep!! I'm sorry!!! I'll go do that now!! Hope your last year is still going okay and not too tough!! Glad you liked and hope this was okay!! I'll get more out soon I promise!! *huggles* =)
Black Hawk: Yes it really is isn't it?? *giggle* Takes away all the stress!! Or maybe that's what causes the insanity in the first place… *shrugs* Oh well!! Hehehe!! Poop head?? Good one!! That's a very accurate expression!! I like it!!! Grima the Poop Head!! That wasn't really resuscitation it was more like how to do the Heimlich when they're lying down cos you can't do the whole chest compression thing unless the heart's stopped beating…I'll stop preaching now!! *blush* Sorry!! But I'm glad you think I wrote it okay!! Sorry to make you wait and hope you liked it!! :)
randomramblings: Yeah it's one of those crazy things that comes into your head when you've really been typing too long… *giggle* Aha!! Great minds think alike!! Hehehe!!! I will really never hear that the same again!! :) Hope this chapter was okay even though it's a bit short!! Eep! I'll have more out as soon as I can!! =)
LegolasLover2003: Really?? Wow… 0_0 thanks!! :) I'll let you in on a secret, *whispers* I don't like Grima either!! Ssh!!! He's creepy! *shiver* I'll have to check out those stories they sound really good!! Ah yes, we are the ones who know what the Istari are really capable of, but I only know cos I have a pet one that I keep in my pocket… He's Orange!! *giggle* Sorry this took so long but more should be out soon and thanks for the review!! :)
TrinityTheSheDevil: Because it was such a great idea, I decided to use it again!! Just for you! :) Aye, angst is very good isn't it?? Hehehe!! 0_0 Wow…maybe I should keep Grima here until the mob settles a bit… or maybe not!! He deserves it! Glad you liked the last chapter and hope this one was okay!! I'll have more out soon!! :)
itarilde-elenastar: Yeah they always tell me too!! They're like 'ah look at Amy she's gone all red again!!' and I'm sitting in the corner muttering to myself… Hehehe!! I KNEW IT!!! I see what you're aiming at!! Hehehe!! But if that happens then I can't leave the house for my placement next month and I'll fail my course you don't want that do you?? ;) 0_0 Wow that's a big school…Hope you're a bit more settled now! I'm so glad you like the story so much!! :) *giggle* Poor Legolas!! I hope this was okay and I'll have more up soon!! *huggles* ;)
Rabbit of Iron: Hey!! I resent that! Actually…it's true… 0_0 I'm terrible I really need to pull up my socks!! (now I sound like my Gran…) That's okay, I forgive you, but only if you forgive me for being chronically late with updates on this!! I'm trying to change!! :) Superb?? Wow!! Thanks!! *blush* I got this up as soon as it was written so sorry for the delay!! That's a good point about Aragorn actually… *giggle* *cough* Very good!! Hope this was okay and more soon!! :)
I-like-chickens: Yeah I feel sorry for him too!! I never give the poor guy a break do I?? After all, he is nearly 3,000...maybe I should give him rest breaks every half hour… ;) I got this up pretty much as soon as I had it typed and all the reviews answered so hope it wasn't too late!! I have a good start on the next chapter as well so the next wait shouldn't be too long!! Hope you liked! =)
ivorybrowneyes: *blush* I'm glad you liked it!! I was afraid I'd messed up ME's geography, but I'm glad it was okay!! Hehehe!! I'm sorry I'm taking so long to update on this one but my mind's mainly on trying to get TNM finished!! I'm nearing the end of that one now so more time to update so you don't get impatient!! Yay!! ;) Got this up as soon as I wrote it I only finished it last night!! Hope it was okay!! =)
Lady Jaina: Ah that's totally okay I don't mind!! :) I decided it needed more Aragorn torture, cos Legolas can't be the only one having all the fun can he?? ;) Although I'm not sure Aragorn would agree with me!! Mwa ha ha!! And I agree angst is very very good!! *cackle* I hope you enjoyed catching up with the story and hope this was okay!!! *huggles* :)
Amber Eyed Goddess: Really?? I had no idea that was you!! Well, I thought you were quite alike, but I totally didn't know!! Hi! Eep!! Ooh don't get the stick! Wait, I thought that broke… ;) But I'm sorry!! I'm always doing that but I don't mean to! I'll be quicker I promise!! *Blush* I'm glad you liked the last chapter cos it was rushed as is this one… I have to stop writing things on the spur of the moment!! Grr… You're the one who gave me the idea for the little groping session in this chappie!! Good thinking!! :) I'll try to cut back the cliffies and long waits, just for you, okay?? :)
Irish QT: Phew!! I was a bit scared there for a minute!! But good, you see reason!! ;) If you don't kill me then I won't tell anyone what I (didn't) saw you do!! Okay?? ;) Glad you liked the last one! 0_0 DANCING DWARVES??? I'm trying to be scared, but— *splutter* *cough* *choke* Hahahahahaha!!! That's a frightening yet very funny image!! *imagines many little John Rhys-Davies' dancing…* Oh it's so funny!! I got this out just for you so I don't have to see the real thing!! *huggles* ;)
Estel Baggins: 0_0 pins and needles?? Eep!! That can't be comfortable!! *giggle* Good for Halloween though you could dress up as one of those dudes who walks on them… ;) Sorry I'm a little mad today!! Hehehe!!! He did?!?! Eep! I'll have to go back and fix that!!! Thanks for pointing that out that was just me being half asleep as I was writing… Thank you!! :) You saved Aragorn from discovery! Anyway hope you liked!! =)
tamara: I'm glad it was okay!! :) Thanks for the compliment!! *blush* I tried to get this up quickly but you know me well enuf by now to know my tendency to get hopelessly distracted by shiny things… 0_0 look, tinfoil… *shakes self* Hope you liked!! ;)