Hello again and welcome to chapter seven! Truth be told, I'm not sure how many more there are to go as my planning seems to have gone awry. Originally I had intended for the first part of the story, Landslide, to be a mere three chapters. It ended up being (as you may recall) a grand total of thirteen. Admittedly, those chapters were an average of five hundred words shorter than the ones I've been churning out for On the West Wind Sails the Gull but it was still significantly longer than expected. I fear the same is to be with this, the second half of the story. Let's just suffice it to say that this fic is likely to go on for quite a while longer yet. That is, as long as people continue to be interested. If I'm taking too long to get to the good stuff, let me know in your review. To be honest I'm using it as a sort of practice for a novel I intend to write. Like a marathon runner, I'm teaching myself to "go the distance" and actually finish a long project.
Oh! And I actually have a WARNING for this chapter! There's a fairly descriptive /torture/ scene near the end. This fic is finally earning its R content rating.
Do I bore you all with my pre-chapter comments? Or does everyone just skip my stupid ramblings with the thought "hurry up and get to the yummy Elf-angst!" I'll do just that, I don't want to keep people waiting…
On the West Wind Sails the Gull
By NekoMegami_chan
Nekomegami_chan@hotmail.com
Chapter VII
King Elessar of Gondor shook lank curls back from his face, flinging half melted snow from the dark locks, and entered the barracks. It was a functional building which nevertheless retained the elegant simplicity of the Elves who had built it. The windows were made of thick glass and draped with simple green cloth. Oil lamps held by iron sconces shaped like the branches of trees lined the walls between the low cots. The narrow beds were covered with thick woollen blankets and were turned down invitingly. It was warm and dry, as comfortable of lodgings the weary soldiers could ask. His men were sleeping or eating at the table laid out in the mess hall, which Elessar could see through the open doorway to his left. Others reclined near the hearth, trading oft-repeated tales of valour in battle and families at home.
All noticed he had entered, and they rose, gathering to greet their king with respect. When he had their full attention, Elessar spoke loudly enough for the soldiers to hear. "Eat well and take as much rest as you may but be prepared to leave tomorrow at first light. Prince Legolas of the Greenwood is safe and recovering with Lord Elrond's care. Yet a new threat has been uncovered. We must make haste to return to our own country." As no questions where forthcoming the king dismissed the soldiers only to walk among them, the warrior king. He went about clapping backs and inquiring as to the health and well-being of each, as was his custom. Nevertheless, thoughts of the hearty supper among old friends that awaited him so filled his mind that he nearly missed the low comment made behind his back.
"All this way though the snow and the orcs and for what? To save some irresponsible elf-prince who didn't even need our help…" the speaker was abruptly cut off by an angry whisper.
"'Ye know better than that, you fool! Prince Legolas was one of the Nine Walkers; a hero! An' if I were you, I wouldn't be sayin' such treacherous things with the good King 'imself in this very hall!"
A sullen silence ensued. Elessar acted as if he had taken no notice and let the man's ignorance slide past him like so much harmless driftwood in a river. He had recognized the voices, and while he had chosen the dissenting soldier on the recommendation of his captain, he marked the young man's behaviour. He would consider carefully before selecting his next assignment. The other had been Danor, son of Darmor, a worthy man who had served the Stewards of Gondor for nearly all of his now fading youth.
Somewhat disheartened, Elessar bade his men a good night and took his leave of them. Yet as he stepped back into the thickening darkness, he could not suppress the disturbing feeling that perhaps he had not been needed here. The feeling grew as he walked and he wondered if the attempted assassination of Legolas had not been the mysterious and subtle enemy's full and true intent, but rather his friend's subsequent disappearance. Was it meant to draw them all to Imladris? If so, to what purpose? There was no sign of an attack being staged and Glorfindel's party would have alerted them to such a danger. It was possible that there was more to the puzzle that even the wise minds of the day's counsel had overlooked. He was certain that he must push himself and his men to the limit, and that they much reach Minas Tirith before there was no more time to act.
* * *
Aragorn rose long before the sun, dressing quickly and leaving the previous day's beard on his chin to ward out the winter chill. When he entered the Hall of Fire he found Elrond, Elladan, Glorfindel and Erestor as he had left them the night before. They greeted him as cheerfully as the early hour permitted and warm drinks and food were brought. They breakfasted generously yet few words were exchanged. As the sky lightened away through the Eastern windows, the remainder of the household began to stir.
"I wish to say my farewells to Elrohir, Legolas and Gimli ere I depart, for I must do so within the hour," Aragorn announced as he pushed his plate away.
"Master Gimli sleeps still among his fellows, I believe. But I do not doubt that Elrohir has spent the night in the chair at Legolas' side once again," Elrond said. "Nevertheless, what of your farewells to a forgotten foster father?" He chided with a good humoured smile.
* * *
Elrohir opened the door before Aragorn had even raised his fist to knock; a favourite trick of the twins. "For a Man raised among Elves you are quite loud, Estel," Elrohir taunted.
"He's right, you realize. We might have mistaken you for Gimli if he were not here already," Legolas stated matter-of-factly from the bed. He was supported by an ample supply of pillows and his sleek hair spilled over the ivory linen. His chest was bare, revealing fading yellow bruises and scabs from his lesser injuries. The arm that had been broken was still tightly wrapped but there was colour in his skin once more.
"You look well," Aragorn said truthfully.
Gimli nodded. "I was just saying the same."
Legolas only inclined his head in thanks for his friend's concern and let Elrohir take his hand unobtrusively. His love had slept beside him all through the night, their differences resolved in shared dreams. It was to those restful hours that followed to which Legolas attributed his strength this morning; and for a brief moment he ached with his longing for the physical union which held the power to deepen their bond. None of his desire was evident to the mortals in the room and Legolas smiled warmly at his friends, setting his private thoughts aside. "Gimli tells me you are going. Is this true? After all, one can never be sure of the news of Dwarves." He remembered, though not with his usual clarity, the counsel the day before. And while he knew from his own recollections that this was so, Legolas could not pass up the opportunity to tease his dear friends.
Sputtering past his beard, Gimli returned, "More reliable is the news of the Dwarves than the yes and no answers of crazy Elves!" he paused, then glanced sheepishly at Elrohir. "Your pardon…"
The son of Elrond laughed, "No offence taken, Master Gimli. I have often wondered as to the sanity of my own race on more than one occasion. One tends to do so when one's twin is Elladan and one's sister is wed to a human…"
Aragorn joined in their laughter, feeling more at ease than he had in weeks. He was reluctant to stand, though he knew he must. Outside the morning dawned slowly, grey and ominous clouds gathering low on the horizon. His men were assembling in the white courtyard below; huddling against the oilcloth wrapped legs and blanketed flanks of their mounts, bending their backs to the wind which blew down from the North. They would not make good time this day.
Elrohir noticed his foster brother's expression and took him by the hand. "I nearly forgot! I wish to bestow a gift upon you. Have no fear, for it will not take long."
Gimli watched in amazement as Elrohir's eyes grew vague, as if he suddenly slept. Just as he thought to ask Legolas what manner of gift was being given, the ebony haired Elf began to shimmer as though a great heat surrounded him. Elrohir spoke, his ancient voice ringing like fine gold beneath the smith's careful hammer. It cost him no effort to discern the Elvish words and it was then that the Dwarf was reminded that this was indeed the grandchild of the fair Galadriel, whom he greatly admired. "Arwen will give birth to a son. He will be as fair as his mother and as strong as his father. He will rule his people kindly, and the land will prosper as under no king before him. And he will strengthen the blood of the line of your fathers unto the end of the Earth. Though this child shall not be your last."
Elrohir came back to himself and embraced his human brother tightly. "Farewell, Estel. Go with my love."
Aragorn returned the gesture, gratitude and tears warring in his grey eyes. "Thank you, Elrohir. I have already spoken with Elladan. Please know that I will miss you greatly, and I will never forget all that the two of you have done for me, for those memories reside in my heart." He then began to weep, knowing that he would never see his brothers again, yet thankful for a lifetime of love and care.
Feeling somewhat uncomfortable Gimli averted his eyes from the scene. "You are not unwelcome here Gimli, nor has your presence been forgotten. You have been named Elf-friend; you are family," Legolas quietly assured him.
Brushing the tears from Estel's sun-touched cheeks, Elrohir smiled comfortingly though his heart throbbed fiercely in his chest. He had feared this day of partings since the tiny mortal babe had been placed in his arms. He also knew that painful partings were best kept short. "You must go now. May the Valar protect you and guide your steps," he said by way of a blessing.
Aragorn nodded and bent over the bed to kiss Legolas on the forehead. "Be safe, my friend. Heal swiftly and I shall see you soon. My house is always open to you."
The prince clasped his friend's arm in parting, "I shall remember that. Take care until we meet again."
Gimli slid off the bed and threw his arms around the human's waist. "Good-bye, lad!" he exclaimed before stepping away again.
"Good-bye to you, Master Dwarf," Aragorn replied with a pat on Gimli's shoulder ere he made his way to the door. "May all go well with you," he said and then strode off down the hall and out of sight.
* * *
It was not dark. It was not damp or cold or any of the usual things that dungeons where. No rats crawled over dirty piles of straw and while there were no windows, light spilled forth from ample lamps, leaving no shadowed corners in which the wretched might hide themselves. The stone walls were smooth, featureless and pale, though stained pink with the blood of the many victims it had housed. Unbreakable mithril shackles were spaced throughout the cells, bright and shining with strength. Yet dominating each room in the dungeon were the huge racks on which hung the gory tools of the torturer's hideous art. In contrast to the sterile façade of the cells, the steel implements bore gruesome witness to their frequent use; most remained dulled with caking blood and scraps of flesh.
Lord Saberon crossed his legs and sipped a dark wine. He was comfortably seated in a simple wooden chair, watching as the Elf messenger was carved like a spring lamb. He smiled, pleased with his servants and pleased with himself. He had been ruthless as a Man and that was why the previous Dark Lord had chosen him from among the elite of the Easterlings, made him the heir and scooped out what remained of his soul. Though he had remained in stasis for nearly half a century, unseeing and untouched by time, he had awakened with the destruction of the One Ring. As Sauron was destroyed, all that had been the Dark Lord rushed through air and steel and stone and into the void which had been prepared within him. As a human he might have turned away in disgust to see what he now calmly observed.
The Elf's body had been broken long ago. Even an immortal could not withstand the skill of the Master of the Dungeons. As it stood, the Master had exhausted what limited useful information could be dragged from the Greenwood messenger and now it was merely play, a spectacle for the Dark Lord's entertainment. Saberon drained his crystal glass and waved the Master aside. He walked into the fresh puddle of blood on the floor and reached out to pet the Elf's face. "You have done well," he murmured running his fingers over the broken nose, the bruised lips and cheeks.
"Are…going to," the messenger paused to cough and gasp, the effort of speaking even those few words was almost too much for him. He had been speaking in his native tongue though the syllables were nearly slurred past recognition.
"Am I what?" Saberon asked kindly. He could afford to be patient.
The Elf's eyes fluttered, trying to open and to focus. "Turn me…to an orc?"
Saberon threw back his head and laughed. "And why would I do such a thing? What need have I for another mindless brute? No, you have served me well, in the end." He bowed mockingly. "I commend your spirit to Mandos and perhaps your dirty soul will find entrance at her Gates. Though I know I should not take you, for your traitorous tongue was loosed easily enough by a little pain!" With that he ended the Elf's life with a simple twist and left the cell behind, climbing the wide steps to where his supper awaited.
Behind him, the white face was frozen in a mask of terrified horror. Silently, the spectral form of Mandos wept and gathered the tattered soul into a comforting embrace.
* * *
Woah! Much, much darker than I ever intended! Was anyone offended? I sure hope not! I just want everyone to know that this is no trite and contrived bad guy! He's really evil!! Let me know what you think, okay? If no one liked this chapter, tell me and I'll do my best to fix it…I think it turned out kinda good now that I look at it…
p.s. At the end of the next chapter (which is already started) I will take the time to reply to everyone's comments individually. It's been quite a while since I did that, and I think all of you nice people deserve it.