Disclaimer: Not mine!! :(
Title: Strike of the Serpent
Rating: R
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Note:: I'm sorry once again!! I'm no longer in Tahoe cos some of you were dangerously close to finding me, so I'm hiding out in Australia!! Nyahaha!! YOU'LL NEVER FIND ME!!! Eep!! *runs away from angry reviewers with cyber-beating sticks* Anyway enjoy the chapter and wish me luck in my exams!! :) Huggles for all, .:Tithen Min:.
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Chapter 9
"Legolas…my friend, what did he do to you?" Aragorn gasped, starting towards where the Elf stood in the corner of the cell. Legolas' eyes flashed grey before becoming black once again.
"Stay back, Estel!" He cried desperately, "I do not know what he will make me do!"
The Ranger stopped in his tracks, backing up a few steps. Although he did not know what to make of the situation, he trusted his friend implicitly.
"Alright, my friend, I shall not come any closer. What did they do to you in there? And do not tell me that you are fine, because you are most certainly not!"
Legolas chuckled. "If you are asking if Grima got what he desired, then the answer is no." He paused, "Although I think maybe it would have been better than this…"
Aragorn shook his head. "Nay, Legolas, do not speak that way! We will get out of this place and your hurts will heal. If that snake had got his way, that would not be so easily erased as these broken bones."
The Elf sighed. "But I fear I shall never be as I once was…he has seen too much of me, he has taken my dreams and memories and twisted them into terrible images of pain and torment…even my own waking dreams cannot comfort me now,"
Aragorn's eyes grew wide as the implications of this sank in. If Legolas could no longer find refuge in his dreams, he would fade slowly from exhaustion, if he did not lose his mind first.
"Is that what happened when he placed his hand upon you, Legolas?"
The prince shook his head, "No, my friend, nothing as simple as that. That was his way of drawing my light from my body and tying my life force to his own…now if his heart ceases to beat, so will mine."
The Ranger's mouth dropped open in disbelief. "So we cannot defeat him?"
"Nay," Legolas protested, "We can defeat him…if I must go down for him to be defeated, so be it. I have had my time—"
"Speak not of that, Legolas!" Aragorn cried, "We will both leave here alive,"
Legolas sighed, but did not argue, instead setting his mind to an escape plan. After a few moments, his eyes narrowed slightly as an idea came to him.
"Estel, I have a thought…what if we could—"
He cut off and let out a low cry of pain, clutching his chest.
"Legolas!" Aragorn cried, rushing to his side and catching him as the Elf's legs gave way beneath him.
He eased his friend to the ground, leaning him back against the wall of the cell. Crouching beside Legolas, he looked intently into the prince's face. The Elf's eyes were tightly closed and he breathed heavily, still clutching weakly at his chest.
"Legolas?"
"I am well…he heard me planning for our escape and wished to remind me of my place," He gasped.
Aragorn leaned closer to try and soothe his friend with his presence, but was startled to feel Legolas suddenly move. A split second later, a strong hand closed around his throat and he looked up into the swirling black eyes of his Elven friend.
"I warned you to stay back, Estel." Legolas said flatly, his eyes half-lidded and unfocussed as they had been the last time Saruman had taken control of the prince.
Aragorn coughed as his air supply was cut off and his hands flew up to push at Legolas' shoulders in a vain attempt to stop him, but Legolas was a lot stronger than him, even in his weakened state.
"Legolas…" He choked out, "Fight him!"
The Elf's expression did not change, but Aragorn could see a massive battle going on behind the expressionless exterior. Legolas' eyes flashed grey and he let go of the Ranger and staggered back, gripping the side of his head.
Aragorn wisely retreated, eyeing his friend warily. Legolas' shocked gaze rose to meet his own and Aragorn was struck by the horror and confusion within.
"Estel…I am so sorry! I—I do not know what I was doing! I--Please forgive me!"
The Elf sounded truly shaken by his actions and Aragorn rushed to reassure him. "It is alright, Legolas, no harm was done…"
"But there could have been!" Legolas cried, "Do you not see? I could have killed you! I could have killed my brother and doomed all of Middle Earth to destruction!"
"But you did not, Legolas. Do you know why? Because you are stronger than he is. He believes you will be easily broken now, but you are still proving him wrong. You still have your free will, for you did not harm me."
Legolas seemed to consider this for a moment, looking thoughtfully at Aragorn. He chuckled ruefully.
"I do not know where you get your wisdom from, my friend. You are but a fraction of my age!"
Aragorn laughed. "Just trying to make a point that I am no longer a young one who needs looking after…"
Legolas smiled sadly. "I beg to differ, Human, you are still but a child in my eyes."
Aragorn shook his head, chuckling slightly as memories of this same argument came to his mind.
"We have had this conversation before, have we not, mellon?"
Legolas smiled. "Aye, my old friend, we have indeed…but I still maintain that you are a child--you act like one!
Aragorn laughed. "As do you, oh wise prince, sometimes you are more three than three thousand!"
Legolas looked insulted. "Estel…I am wounded by the impression you have of me!"
"Well then I do apologise, Legolas, I must stay on your good side, lest you stab me with your arrows!"
The Elf smiled. "Nay, that is not my style. I would use someone else's arrows!"
Aragorn smiled fondly at his friend. His light seemed to be returning slightly. Maybe there was hope after all…
* * * * * * * * * *
Gimli looked at the orc-trail that led into the heart of Isengard. He glanced up at Gandalf and back at the trail they had followed so far.
"There is no hope for them then, Gandalf, if they have been taken into Orthanc?"
The wizard smiled grimly. "Not necessarily, my dear Dwarf. You forget how strong and resourceful our companions are…they may, however, need our help…"
Gimli growled. "Just let me at that scheming serpent! I shall cut him in half!"
Gandalf looked up at the tower of Orthanc and scowled. "You can do as you wish to Grima, my friend, but Saruman is mine…"
* * * * * * * * * *
The door to the cell flew open, startling both the prisoners out of their thoughts. Aragorn's eyes narrowed, darkened with an emotion close to hatred as Saruman glided into the room, followed by Grima. The worm was actually drooling at the sight of the wounded Elf.
Legolas backed off slightly in a rare display of the fear and helplessness he felt around the wizard now. Aragorn placed himself protectively between Legolas and the wizard, making Saruman chuckle.
"A brave, but ultimately pointless move, young Ranger. You can do nothing for him now,"
He turned and called over his shoulder in the black speech, making Legolas flinch. Seven Uruks piled in, three grabbing Aragorn and dragging him away from his friend while the other four took Legolas. Saruman smirked as they struggled against the hybrids' iron holds.
"You should not refuse the hospitality of your host. You will come with me now,"
The two friends struggled valiantly, but were dragged, none too gently, out of their cell and down a dark, damp corridor after the disappearing form of Saruman.
Aragorn glanced over as Legolas let out a cry of pain when the Uruk's rough handling jarred his injuries. He frowned.
"Leave him be!" He growled at the beasts, "He is injured!"
One of the beasts sneered at him. "He belongs to our master," It growled, grabbing the Elf's arm just below the brand and drawing Aragorn's attention to it, "Only master tells us what to do with his things."
Legolas promptly stopped struggling, ashamed at the mark and his new slave status.
"Mellon nin," Aragorn said softly, masking his words in Sindarin, "Do not let them get under your skin! That is temporary only, you belong to no one, prince of Mirkwood."
Legolas glanced up at him, gratitude sparking in his eyes at the comforting words. He was about to reply when they suddenly turned a corner and were thrust into the large main chamber of the tower and the doors were slammed closed behind them, leaving them alone with Saruman.
The wizard's attention turned on Legolas, and the Elf whimpered as the wizard's power once again invaded his senses. Aragorn gazed at his friend as the grey eyes clouded over, becoming pitch black once more.
"Have anything to tell me today, Human?" Saruman asked him mockingly, knowing well enough what the answer would be.
"I will never tell you anything, morier." [dark one] Aragorn spat.
Saruman chuckled, "Very well," He turned once more to the Elf. "Kill the Ranger,"
Aragorn's eyes grew wide as Legolas turned mechanically and started towards him.
* * * * * * * * * *
Gandalf glared up at the dark structure of Orthanc, eyeing its surface carefully. "Something is not right here…" He muttered, "We should not have been able to get so close so easily,"
Gimli glanced around and huffed. "So he is busy casting spells and making potions. What does it matter? It means we are closer to having our friends back!"
Gandalf shook his head, not taking his eyes off the dark tower. "No, it is more than that. There are no crebain, no orcs keeping watch…he is up to something." His gaze grew worried, "Yet we must hurry, for I fear that one of them is almost lost to us…"
Gimli's bushy eyebrows lowered over his blazing eyes. He was eager to bust his friends out and escape this dark place. "How about we go in, and we deal with anything that comes as it comes?" He smiled as if he had just solved the most difficult problem in the world.
Gandalf's right eyebrow rose, almost touching the brim of his hat. Gimli snorted. "Oh come on! We can take 'em!" The Dwarf was practically dancing up and down.
Gandalf chuckled. "Very well, master Dwarf. We shall try it your way,"
* * * * * * * * * *
Aragorn gagged as Legolas held him against the wall by his throat. He stared into his long time friend's swirling black eyes, but saw no recognition or compassion in their unnaturally dark depths.
"Finish it!" Saruman barked sharply at the Elf's hesitation.
Aragorn tried one last attempt to get through to Legolas.
"Please, my friend, do not do this…do not condemn yourself to an eternity of submission to him. You do not deserve such a fate! Please, my brother, release me." He shivered with the realisation of uttering the words that had started this nightmare. 'Please, I need to see the sky…release me'
Legolas' eyes flashed as he fought inside himself. Aragorn could clearly see the titanic struggle for control of the Elf's own mind.
"I—I cannot," Legolas gasped, dropping the Ranger and sagging back against the wall, weak from the massive power struggle.
Saruman's furious bellow echoed through the chamber as he swung his staff, striking the prince across the face with enough force to knock the Elf off his feet.
A moment of tense silence followed, nobody moving. As the wizard started forward to finish Aragorn himself, the door of the chamber suddenly burst open.
Aragorn sat in shock, watching as Gandalf and Gimli burst into the chamber with a cry of rage, the bodies of several Uruk Hai falling in after them. Gimli headed for Aragorn, while Gandalf made straight for Saruman.
The fallen Istar turned a mildly annoyed gaze on his one time rival. "You always were jealous of me, Gandalf the Grey. I should have known you would not stay holed up in Rohan while my power grew stronger," He growled, raising his staff.
"Yes," Gandalf said calmly, "And you should have known that I would not stand idly by and allow you to break the spirit of one of the most noble Elves I have ever known." He drew his sword, "Enough is enough. Let them go,"
Saruman drew his own sword. "Never,"
The clash of swords that signalled the beginning of the fight did not disturb Gimli as he helped Aragorn off the cold stone floor.
"Aragorn," He muttered gruffly, "Are you well?"
Aragorn rubbed his bruised throat, nodding vaguely. "Aye, my Dwarven friend, I believe I shall live. But we had best see to Legolas,"
They looked over as the Elf in question rose shakily to his feet on the far side of the chamber, absently wiping blood from the bleeding welt on his chin, left by the staff of the corrupted wizard.
Gimli started across the chamber towards him, but Aragorn put a restraining hand on his shoulder. Gimli swung around to face him.
"What is the matter, Aragorn? I just wish to see that the lad is alright,"
Aragorn nodded. "I know you do, my friend, but we must be wary. The wizard's hold over him is very strong now, though not impenetrable."
Gimli's brow creased. "So it was the Elf that Gandalf spoke of…" He muttered.
Aragorn glanced sharply at him, but the Dwarf did not elaborate. He returned his attention to Legolas, who seemed to be concentrating hard on the fight. He was looking right at Saruman…
Aragorn realised what his friend was doing a split second before it happened. Legolas closed his eyes and concentrated, drawing power from Saruman through the wizard's own connection, turning evil ideas against their creator. Not much, just enough to distract the corrupted Istar.
Saruman's guard dropped for the split second that Gandalf needed to get under the evil wizard's defence.
Time seemed to slow for the Ranger as he watched the struggle, Legolas' recent words echoing in his head. 'if his heart ceases to beat, so will mine…'
Aragorn lunged forward. "Gandalf, no!"
But the warning came too late. The Ranger watched helplessly as Gandalf's sword pierced the other wizard's abdomen, sinking deep. His eyes flew to Legolas, who stood in stunned pain, gripping his own midsection.
Gandalf, drawn by Aragorn's shout, followed his gaze and his eyes widened in horror. "Oh no…"
His sword fell to his side as both Saruman and Legolas sank to their knees on the cold stone floor.
TBC…
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Review replies::
Ivory Novelist: Hi!! I'm not evil… :( really I'm not, I'm just misunderstood!! Hehehe!! And oops! Another cliffhanger… sorry!! Oh don't die please I need your cute fluff stories and stuff ok?? You still with me? Glad you liked the last chapter and I hope this one was worth waiting for… :) I've gotta run, there's people out for my hide and stuff!! Thanks for lovely reviews and encouragement and for sticking with me! I'll email you soon mellon. *huggles* :)
Wynjara: The cavalry are here!! But I guess they didn't help much…oops, is that another cliffie?? Hehehehe… sorry for the long wait, life is mad I tell you! Anyway hope you liked and stuff!! Gotta go before they catch up with me…you know who I mean! Talk to you soon and thanks for the review!! :)
Deana: Oops!! Sorry for keeping you waiting so long!! My updates are a bit messed up at the moment, but hopefully holidays in four weeks'll fix that!! Yay it's summer!! I'll try not to, cos I don't like him he creeps me out!! Hehe!! Gotta run, hope this chapter was worth waiting for and sorry for the delay! See you next post!! =)
Alice7: NO!!! NOT UMBRELLAS!!! I don't like umbrellas… :( But that won't work anyway cos I'm in Australia now and it's so sunny here they don't even sell umbrellas!! Nya haha!! ;p Your review had me rolling on the floor laughing! Thanks for cheering me up!! :) I gotta review your story I just realised I haven't done that for ages! Sorry!!! Anyways gotta jet! See you next post and thanks for the review!! :D
LegolasLover2003: 0_0 scared!! Well…not really. I get a bit like that too sometimes… ;) Awh you like my story that much?? Thanks!! I'm sorry for keeping you waiting so long I know it was a bad place to leave it and all…did this chapter answer your questions?? Hope so!! Cos I'm confused!! Oh I couldn't damage his hands he has such beautiful hands, even if he does bite his nails… hope college is going ok for you and you don't have too many exams like I do!! Gotta run now, but see you soon and thanks for the review!! ;)
DXPrincess: Awh you know I always love your reviews! Even though my ego makes my head explode… ;) and thanks for the encouragement it means a lot! I'm glad the last chapter was okay cos I wasn't too sure about it…hope this was worth the wait too, even with evil cliffie!! Hehehehe!! You know me… ;) Gotta go, see you next post yeah? *huggles* :)
Goth Kitten: Eep!! Sorry about the bad cliffie! I agree it was kinda evil wasn't it? Well, I hope this chappie cleared up some of the suspense and sorry for another cliffie!! I'm so bad!! Don't hurt me… sorry for making you wait so long, hope this one was worth it! Gotta go get this posted but I'll hopefully see you next time and thanks for the review!! ;)
noone: Yay! I love first time reviewers! Hi!! :) Well, it's the least I can do to reply when you all take the time to review!! :) you all brighten up my days!! Thanks for your lovely encouragement and compliments I hope I deserve them!! I'd better go get this chapter up, but I hope it was worth waiting for and I'll have more up soon. Thanks again you really made me smile!! *huggles* =)
MoroTheWolfGod: Once again, I didn't hurry… I'm surprised you haven't sent your wolves after me… ooh wolves that gives me an idea… *evil smile* Anyways gotta run, apparently I've got 6 inch Dwarves chasing me… see you next post and thanks for sticking with me!! =)
tricksters apprentice: Eep!! So many questions!! 0_0 I think this chapter answered a few, right? ;) I'm so sorry for making you wait so long I'm a terrible person!! Thanks for the review I love reviews!! Hope this chappie was worth the wait and I'll try and have the next one up sooner I promise! See you next post! =)
Irish QT: hehehe! I'm so glad you liked it! I wasn't sure what kind of reaction it would get… eep!! I didn't update soon! Does that mean I'll have your Dwarves after me? Cos I've already got Gimli and he's enough of a handful! Did you see the Gimli dancing part? That was for you!! :) Hehehe!! Thanks for sticking with me through all the bad updating and stuff!! Hope you liked it okay! Gotta run I think I hear Dwarves coming my way… 0_0 thanks for the review!! See you soon! ;)
Lefty: Ah…you know how good it is to have a review like that with everyone telling me to hurry up? Thank you. :) Phew… I hope this chapter was worth the wait and your faith in my writing! Hmmm…unfixable? You never know with me and my plot twists. :) Maybe I can fix it…I'll see what I can do ok? :) Sorry about the whole two cliffies in a row thing. I'll try to make the next one not as bad!! Thanks for your never-ending confidence in me, it's really inspiring. :) gotta run before the mob find me. Ttyl mellon nin!! *huggles* ;)
Sparrow Greenleaf: Oops!! I meant to tell you, really!! Sorry! Yeah I've gone a bit overboard on the Elf torture thing in this one haven't I? Hehehe! Don't act like you don't love it… ;) Glad you liked it though. Sorry for making you wait again, I'm doing that with both stories aren't I?? Sigh… anyway gotta run, but thanks for the review and I'll see ya soon! =)
Lillybeth1: Thank you!! Nice of you to say! I'm glad you like it so much and sorry 9 took so long!! Go on, tell me how bad I am… *cringe* and you were waiting all that time?? I'm sorry!! Eep!! But thanks for the review and encouragement and all!! Much appreciated! Gotta hurry or I'll never get this up tonight… see you next post! ;)
Black Hawk: Yeah I do that a lot don't I? I've gotta give the poor guy a break every once in awhile…he must be so sick of me! Glad you liked the last chapter I hope this one was worth waiting for cos I really made you wait!! Sorry!! Awh I love you too cos your reviews always make me smile!! =) I gotta run but thanks for the review and good luck with your fic!! *huggles* :)
Sirith: I understand all about having to run I've gotta get these done really quick so no one'll come after me! :) Hehehe!! Glad you enjoyed the last chapter so much and I hope this one was okay too, it was sort of written mostly on the wards and in college lectures…your final exams must be coming up soon huh? Bet you can't wait to be finished! Good luck with them I'd say you'll be fine they're not as difficult as they seem I promise! I've been there… thanks for the hugs! Here's some back *H*U*G*! Gotta go, talk to you soon!! ;)
Earwen Tiwele: Awh thank you!! I'm not that good really… reviewers give me lots of ideas!! Hehehe! I'll give you Legolas after I'm done with him so you can huggle him as much as you like okay? Sorry to make you wait so long I hope I won't do that again! Life is frantic these days… anyway hope it was worth the wait and see you next post! Thanks for the review! :)
kourin lucrece: I'm sorry!! I agree, that was a horrible place to leave it, but I think this chapter was worse… sorry again!! *gulp* it's okay about the reviewing I know all about what it's like to not review for a while I'm a bit like that right now too…so no worries I do understand!! Argh computer viruses… Grr… but thanks for taking the time to sneak into the library computer for me!! :) You're sweet! Hope your computer gets better soon and hope the chappie was worth the wait! Hopefully see you next post!! *huggles* :)
Jadey1: What?? 'Breathtaking'? Awh thank you I don't know what to say… blushing madly over here! And don't you dare quit I love your writing! If you quit I may have to come after you, you don't want that, do you?? ;) I can be very stubborn you know!! Thanks for the review and lovely compliments I appreciate it! Gotta go, but have more up soon! *huggle* =)
el: Thank you! *blush* and sorry for keeping you waiting so long, that was a bit evil of me… Got Gandalf and Gimli there anyway, they're all in the same room again!! Heh… :) I really hope it was worth the wait and so sorry for the delay! Hope you liked this one as much!! =)
Lady Jaina: Sorry for taking so long you had to email me!! I am such a bad person for updates! But thanks for the encouragement and stuff it was just what I needed to get writing! :) and thanks for the compliment they make me smile! :) Gotta run but I'll have more up soon. Talk to you soon!! *Huggles* =)
Ella-elbereth7: Wow… *blush* I don't think anyone's ever said they're in love with my story before… thank you!! :) Nah, between me and you, I don't think I'll be writing that in… I couldn't do that to him!! And it definitely won't be slash I promise. Thanks for reviewing I love them!! I'll have more up as soon as it's written. *huggles*
Riva van Dyk: NO!! You're the second…no third person who's coming after me!! Help!! Well luckily for me, I have a backup plan! I'm not in Tahoe anymore!! Nya ha ha ha!! I'm in Australia! :) Find me now! It's a big place you know… *giggle* I hope this chapter was worth waiting for and worth the trip to Tahoe! *runs and hides with lizard under big rock* See you next post!! :)
dang you: ARGH!!!! No! don't kill me!! I'll be a good writer I promise!! *runs away* *remembers reviews and has to run back and answer them* I did write more, it just took a bit of time that's all!! Sorry!! *looks around* like the name by the way! And thanks for the review much appreciated! Gotta go before you catch me!! See you soon hope you liked! =)
itarilde-elenastar: Um…well, I killed the orcs!! Will that do for now? Heh… wait don't cry!! *hands Kleenex* Better?? Hope this chapter stopped the sobbing! Or possibly made it worse… Sorry! And sorry for taking so long with the updates but you know what I'm like these days… exams are evil I tell you. And *blush* about your compliments on the last chapter too! I'm all red!! Hehehe! Anyway I hope this chapter was worth the wait! :) Gotta go or I'm sure someone's gonna lynch me for taking longer than I had to… ttyl mellon!! ;)
Rachel13: Eep!! Don't come after me! I'll be good I promise! 0_0 sorry for making you have a tantrum!! I updated as soon as I had it written I swear! :) Forgive me? Sounds like a scary death, but you haven't seen me in the morning without my eyeliner on…mwa ha ha ha!! Run while you can! Ahem… gonna go now… thanks for the review it really made me laugh! See you next post! ;)
Bookworm, .303: Um…did this chapter answer your questions? Heh…sorry for leaving you hanging for so long I know it was evil of me! Hope the suspense didn't bother you too much! Half of this was written on the wards and the other half during a biology lecture, so hope it's okay!! I promise I'll post the next one as soon as it's up! Thanks for the review and see you next post! :)
Reese Peanut Butter Cup: Hey thanks for all your reviews I appreciate all of them. If you've read this far, I'm sorry that that part of the story offended you, it wasn't intended to offend anyone. I don't intend to make this a slash story, that's not my style of writing, just those few parts. Thanks for reading and reviewing though. :)
Coolio02: Well…not permanently…hehehehe! I'm evil I'm sorry for leaving you hanging for that long! Glad you liked the chapter alright it always makes me smile when people say that! :) Better run on and get this up but thanks for reviewing and I'll see you next post! =)
alex: Awh thank you I'm glad you like it! :) I liked that idea as well, I suppose it's the worst thing you can do to someone to turn their own mind against them…I hope this chapter was as good as the others! And don't worry, we all love a bit of Elf torture, I think it's normal or something… hehehe! ;) Gotta run, thanks for the review and see you next post! =)
Ivoryi: **blush** really? I'm pretty sure there are better ones than mine, but thank you!! Made me smile all day :) I don't like Grima either he creeps me out…got the whole greasy hair and no eyebrow thing going on… *shiver* Did this chapter answer your question about Gimli and Gandalf?? Hehehe! I thought I'd left them out for long enough…haven't really decided on the Helm's Deep thing yet, see what happens. :)
Dur En Thurin Naur: Thank you! I'm so glad you liked it! I love Nenda Guardian too it's a fab story! :) You need more?? Well…sorry it took so long to update I'm terrible at the whole regular updates thing… my excuse is; exams are the devil!!! Anyways gotta run if I want to get this up quick, so talk to you soon and thanks for the review!! *huggle* ;)
Allanby Biazury: Um…well I didn't get the soon part, but I did update! :) Heh…sorry!! Thanks for the compliment I'm glad you like the story so far and I hope this chapter was worth waiting for! I agree with you, you know, Grima is kinda disgusting…I'll see what I can do about that ending of yours… hehehe! Promise I'll have more up as soon as it's written! :)