Disclaimer: Haha!! That's a good one!! You actually thought I owned them!! Ha – yeah, right, in my bloody dreams, sure, why not?
A/N: So sorry its takin' me so long to update!! I had finals, and a bunch of way overdue papers I had to write. It took me so bloody long to get everything in for the semester grade. I hate school!! Hope y'all still are out there, and love this fic enough to review!! ::cough, cough – nudge, nudge:: Lol, you know you want to review. Its not that hard. Just push the pretty little button at the bottom. C'mon, please?!?!?!
Just so I sort of make everyone's good side on this fine day, I'm going to make the slash (for those who wanted it) as NON-GRAPHIC as possible (for those who didn't want it like they're still around.) If you guys were waiting for the most vile story you've ever read, full of gut wrenching torture and those really big crocodile tears well then you are definitely in the wrong place. Lol, sorry to dash all your wonderful hopes and dreams mate, but I suck at that kind of writing, to put it nicely. So if X-rated is what you wanted, then you'll have to rely on your good ole imagination to fill in the missing (but definitely juicy) parts!!
Sorry, no beta this time. I wanted to get this up tonight, so it'll prolly suck, but oh well! (I am REALLY sorry!! I'll give ya a giant cookie to make up for it!!)
10 reviews or more if you want the next chapter!!
On to the story
"W-what?" asked Thranduil, not sure if he had heard the human correctly.
"You heard me perfectly clear, Elf. Mirkwood and everything in it, or your son?" the evil Prince repeated. His grin widened as he could practically hear the Elven King thinking of his options. It was a lose-lose situation for him, so there really wasn't a preference in the Elf's best interest, but, of course, he had to choose. Would he sacrifice his son for his kingdom? Or would he put everything on the line, including his people, for the sake of his youngest son?
Legolas felt the life slowly slip from his body. He couldn't endure this for longer. The wounds inflicted on him from Damean's soldiers had definitely hurt, for it was mostly with either very sharp or very blunt objects that came into contact with him, but this waiting-to-die thing was absolutely unbearable. Knowing that you are going to die, and knowing that you are helpless to stop it, is one of the hardest things that can happen to a living creature – whether it be Elf, Man, Dwarf, or animal.
Thranduil looked over the edge of the basin again. The water was filling the stone tub faster than he had expected. The salty liquid, now completely covering Legolas' chest, legs, and bare feet, was creeping ever so menacingly up, starting to cover the back of his neck and ears. The salt, drawn to the open wounds, began to settle, making it even more painful for the golden-haired Prince.
Legolas moaned and struggled to keep his eyes in focus. He could just make out the blurry outline of his father's broad shoulders and gleaming blonde hair. Finding his voice and mustering enough strength, Legolas' called out. "Ada, saes, nor[Father, please,go]" the weak cry reverberated off the wall, because of the great silence, and mixing with the sound of the still running water.
Thranduil's eyes welled up with tears that refused to spill. He covered his face with his hands and turned away from his son with a heart-wrenching sob. "I – I can't!" he whispered despairingly.
The Human smiled again. "What? I couldn't quite catch what you said," although he knew perfectly well.
Mandolin cautiously went to the side of his King. "My Lord, what do you choose? Look at your son. Is that your final judgement?" The advisor kept close to Thranduil's side as he once again, looked over the pool's edge.
"Hurry up, Elf!" Damean shouted. "Make a decision quickly!"
Salty tears poured from the bloodshot azure eyes of the King. What do I do? Ai Elbereth! Help me make the decision! Who do I give up? Legolas, or my people? If only my wife were here
As if the Valar heard his cry and answered his silent prayer, a sudden vision that only Thranduil could see materialized in front of him: his beautiful, deceased wife in all her previous splendor. Thick golden hair cascaded around her head and shoulders. Bright emerald eyes sparkling with life and excitement. Legolas looked so much like her: the hair (minus the curly part), the eyes. Everything. Most people thought he looked nothing like his mother, for they only saw him with thin hair and blue eyes. But that only happened to Legolas when he was stressed out. Usually he was the spittin' image of the King's dead lover. –It has been a long time, melethnin. [my love] What troubles you so?–
Ai, bein-neth [beautiful oneI think], I've missed you so much! Why did you ever leave me? Do you any idea how hard it has been without you? I cannot stand another day, now that I have seen you. Take me away with you! Let me leave this wretched
–Thranduil!! Stop it! Legolas needs your help! You know what I would do, as he was, is, and always will be my favorite child. Get him out of this place, Thranduil, and never let harm come his way again. Inye melme lla. – [I love you (its in Quenyan)]
"not got all day Elf! Just pick something!" Damean bellowed impatiently. "The whelp will not last much longer under these circumstances!"
Mandolin was whispering soothing words into his ear, telling him it would be all right. He was saying Legolas would forgive him if he chose Mirkwood. The kingdom was much more important; Legolas was beyond healing. He would never be like he was a few short weeks ago. Just choose Mirkwood and leave.
Thranduil, angry at the words, shrugged off the counselor and glared furiously. "Anno am, Thranduil, [Give up, Thranduil,]" said Mandolin audibly.
"No!" the King shouted. "Leave if you have to! I came here for my son and I refuse to leave without him!"
"The question has been answered!" Damean declared to all present.
Unexpectedly, at that moment, Legolas yelled from the stone tub, "No, Ada, no! You mustn't! Reconsider, before it is too late! Ada, lea-" His sentence was cut short as a gurgling erupted from the basin: he had been completed engulfed in water.
The air bubbles slowly diminished as Thranduil watched, as if in a trance, Legolas struggle against his bonds. With his keen eye sight and acute hearing, Thranduil could see the horror from his decision and the pain from the old and new wounds being irritated with salt written all over the Princling's face. The King could hear Legolas struggle for breath as he still tried to shout at his father from under water. Legolas' efforts soon grew to be in vain. The chains refused to give and his air had finally run out. The bubbles stopped surfacing and the water settled innocently as though it did not hold Mirkwood's youngest prince.
Vaguely, he heard Damean shouting orders, yelling at his men to get Legolas out of deadly pool. The valves in which the water had been flowing through were closed off and small drains all around the bottom of the pool opened and allowed some of the water drain out.
Soldiers dived in and quickly released the restraining bonds and rolled Legolas onto his stomach, trying to get him to spit out the water he had inhaled and swallowed. Their efforts proved fruitless when the Elf failed to breathe in life again. A burly soldier swung the limp Prince over his shoulder and swam back to a small ladder, onto which he climbed out of the tub.
Thranduil, Falacas, Lumlier, and Mandolin were led away as soon as Legolas appeared over the edge. The King fought hard to get to the side of his son, but with many soldiers holding him back and with his hands still bound, he was defeated.
Those four Elves, and the rest of the Elven Army, never knew if Legolas had, by some miracle stayed alive, until early the next morning, when a Haradrim Healer woman came to the cell occupied by Thranduil with a grim face and heavy heart.
A/N: I am so sorry that Aragorn wasn't in this one! I promise he will be in the next one though, ok? Oh, I have another poll!!! Tell me in reviews if you want Aragorn to stay evil or transform back into his regular self again. Okay-dokey?!?!?! Laterz!