A/N: Here at last is the next installment. I hope that you find it worth the wait. I tried to make it interesting. It's been long since I've had a chance to work on it that I'm afraid it might not flow well. I tried to keep it interesting and there is lots of drama in store. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter Seven: So Much for Trust
Legolas hastily brushed past the healer and began stuffing bandages into a satchel.
"Where do you keep the herbs?" Legolas demanded as he continued stuffing his bag, uncertain how many bandages would be necessary.
"Over there my lord." The healer replied pointing to a shelf on the left hand wall. "But why do you need them your highness. Perhaps I could be of some assistance." The healer offered following doggily along as the prince walked briskly across the room towards the indicated shelf.
"It's nothing of your concern." Legolas replied abruptly preventing further questioning. The elf prince had not yet informed his father about the human prisoner and until such time he would prefer to keep the boy's presence inconspicuous. The fewer people who knew the better.
The prince was confident his limited knowledge of healing would be sufficient for now. If he ran into a problem he would deal with it when he came to it and perhaps consider calling in the healer if there was no other option.
"Pl…please my lord. You can't just barge in here and take healing supplies without explaining what your are using them for." The healer replied flabbergasted.
"Which of these herbs treat infection?" Legolas asked as he looked curiously at the various bottles lining the shelves, completely ignoring the healer's protests.
The healer stood in complete astonishment that the prince was all but completely ignoring him.
"Well…" Legolas turned around staring expectantly at the healer.
Throwing his hands up in resignation, the healer began indicating which herbs would be most beneficial.
"There's thistle root which is typically better with high fevers, but does have some slight effects with inflammation. The sage weed is excellent against infection. And ah yes we can't forget about athelas. And you might as well take some lavender petals they'll help whomever happens to be injured,"
At this point the healer pause and look expectantly at the prince to fill in the blank to which Legolas resolutely said nothing merely raising his eyebrow for the healer to continue his explanation.
The healer let out another sigh making it quite clear he did not like this cloak and dagger game.
"to be able to sleep easier." The healer finished his explanation lamely. " It will help them heal quicker if they are allowed as much sleep as possible. I really wish you would let me see who's injured. It's quite impossible to make sure you have all the herbs you need if I don't see the patient." The healer couldn't help added with frustration.
"I'm sure this will be more than sufficient." Legolas answered stubbornly. He only hoped these herbs were as effective on humans as they were on elves or it would make things quite a bit more complicated. "I will be sure to ask you if I have any further questions." Legolas hastened to add in an attempt to appease the healer.
With that the prince exited the healing ward and continued unhindered to the dungeons.
Upon arrival the prince was pleased to note the guard had returned and stood expectantly outside the prisoner's cell waiting expectantly for prince Legolas' arrival.
"Well…" Legolas asked expectantly waiting for the guard to report.
"y…your highness I brought the prisoner a tray of food like you requested and unchained him. He st…still hasn't eaten anything yet." The guard answered stoically.
"Very well. I'll see to his injuries and then I expect you to give me a list of everyone involved with the prisoner's injuries. Is that understood."
"ye…yes prince Legolas."
The guard fumbled the keys as he attempted to reopen the door as quickly as possible, lest he attract the prince's anger twice in one day.
Legolas simply nodded to the guard before entering the cell making it quite clear company was not welcome.
The prince squinted his eyes in the impossible dark cell. He would never get use to this confined eerily silent chamber.
"Boy where are you?" Legolas called out in the darkness not wanting to trip over the child unintentionally.
"I did not expect to see you back." The boy answered mellowly from deep in the shadows.
Legolas followed the sound, finding the boy exactly where he had left him except without the chains forcing the boy's arms up into an uncomfortable position.
"I told you I would be back. Why are you so surprised?" Legolas answered.
"I thought I made it clear I didn't want you here?" The boy scoffed.
"I suppose I just don't care." Legolas answered bluntly in no mood for an argument. "You are in need of medical attention and I intend to see to your injuries." Legolas held up his bag to further illustrate the fact.
"I don't need your help. Just leave me be." The boy replied defiantly before he was overtaken with a coughing fit."
Legolas' brows creased in concern as he saw blood come up with the boy's flem. That couldn't be a good sign. The prince also noticed that it appeared the boy was clutching his wrist, indicating it was either sprained or broken most likely. And the boy did have a feverous flush to his skin. Legolas was glad he had decided to bring the thistle root after all, he was almost certain he would be needing it.
"Indeed you don't need my help?" Legolas replied sardonically. "It appears your body is saying otherwise."
"I told you I'm fine. I don't want your assistance so get out of here." The boy replied angrily. "You can't force me to accept your help."
"Indeed I can and I will." Legolas challenged. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. And I can assure you the hard well will be considerably more unpleasant."
The promise of more pain made the boy tense in frightened anticipation as he watched the prince with silent wariness. He curled his legs protectively under his chin waiting to see what Legolas intended to do.
Legolas couldn't resist a sigh as he watched the boy close in on his self, looking at the prince with ill-concealed fright. Legolas hated see such pain and dread wash across the boy's face and hated more so that he was the cause of it.
"Please if your wounds remain untended the infection will kill you." Legolas tried reasoning.
"Then let it." The young boy responded with bitter anguish. "I'm going to die anyway, so why waste the effort?"
"Who said anything about dying?" Legolas asked with obvious puzzlement written on his face.
"I am to be executed." The child responded with a slight shudder accompanying the thought that he tried bravely to hide.
"Executed? Who said anything about execution?" Legolas answered still baffled.
"That is the punishment for assassinating a member of the royal family." The boy replied stoically even though he was explaining law to someone who should be well versed in it already.
"For one thing you didn't assassinate me and for another thing execution is only given for the most heinous crimes." Legolas answered.
"I would think nearly killing the prince of Mirkwood would be considered a heinous crime if anything is." The boy responded without pause.
"You think too highly of your skill." Legolas countered. "That arrow missed my heart by nearly six inches. Perhaps that might not seem like much by your human standards, but to an elf a miss such as that is considered an abomination."
Prince Legolas knew he was exaggerating a bit. After all it was a very good shot considering the distance, that it was a human shooting it, and that the shooter had a moving elf target to contend with. It certainly was not a shot up to elven standards, but it was still considerably better than a normal human could have done and so Legolas had to applaud the boy's evident skill if not his intent.
"Next time I suggest you try supporting the bow a bit better. Try laying the base a bit tighter against the shoulder to give a little extra steadiness to your bow. Based on the height and distance of the arrow your shoot seemed a bit crooked." Legolas couldn't help advising as a skilled archer in his own right.
"Thank you for your suggestion. I shall keep it in mind the next time I attempt an assassination." The boy answered dryly.
Legolas could not prevent a smile from blossoming across his face at the boy's surprising wit…. Smooth and sarcastic like the elves rather than the loud rambunctious humor humans were often endowed with. Another mystery of this boy's identity to be solved it would seem.
"Yes of course. I am more than happy to further the education of an aspiring assassin." Legolas bowed mockingly while he looked at the boy with a teasing sparkle in his eyes.
The prince's antics seemed to ease the boy's tense posture even eliciting a weak smile.
"I did not realize the elves of Mirkwood had a sense of humor. I had always though it was a trait they were lacking in." The boy offered.
"Well it seems you were quite mistaken on that account, we can be quite the pranksters when we've a mind to. Now will you allow me to see to your wounds or will I be forced to regale you with further archery lessons? I've been told It can become quite tedious listening to me explain every fine nuance of bow and arrow. Many an elf has been rendered unconscious upon my speaking."
"I fear I must, for it seems listening to you go on all night might be the greater…torture." The boy finished sourly as he was reminded of his predicament. The playful light had left his eyes and the young boy was left slightly apprehensive in its wake, though perhaps not so frightful nor bitter.
Legolas approached cautiously as though encountering a wounded fawn that he feared to startle with hasty movement.
The child observed the prince's mindful approach with silent trepidation still uncertain of the treatment he would receive from the elf he had nearly killed.
Legolas gently lowered himself down until he crouched at eye level from the injured prisoner.
The prince took a few minutes, now that he had an opportunity for closer inspection, to categorize the boy's various injuries, so he could decide the best approach to treating the ailing human.
The human boy had noticeable cuts and bruises on his face and arms, but all appeared superficial upon brief inspection. Legolas suspected there were many more underneath the child's clothing, but at the moment that was the least of the prince's concerns.
The elf noble had seen the boy coughing up blood which was of a greater concern, for it could entail internal damage. The boy seemed fairly alert if a bit sluggish in his movement and his pupils were normal size, which was a good sign there was no concussions.
Small mercies, the prince thought with relief. Head injuries could be so unpredictable and so often fatal.
The prince could see no areas of severe bleeding which might indicate severe blood loss another good sign.
Because the boy, now unbound, still had not moved anywhere, the prince was beginning to wander though if perhaps a few ribs had been broken.
Using very slow and defined movements Legolas reached out and lifted the boy's shirt so that he could inspect the ribs first.
He immediately noticed dark purple bruises covering the boy's pale skin and instantly felt repulsion towards those who had caused such a heinous act. This boy had indeed been beaten long and hard to produce such gruesome results. Legolas was almost afraid to see the boy's back where there must surely be more tell tell signs of abuse.
The boy hissed quietly through his teeth as the prince felt gently along for broken ribs.
"I think two of my ribs are broken. The 6th and 7th if I'm not mistaken, but they haven't punctured a lung." The boy offered hesitantly in the silence.
Legolas looked up and raised his eyebrow questioningly at the boy's sudden reticence, as well as his unexpected knowledge. Few were so attuned to their own bodies. However the prince held his curiosity in check and nodded for the boy to continue.
"I…I think another three ribs are bruised and…and my wrist is broken." The boy smiled sheepishly at how obvious that was, as he gently lifted his injured wrist cushioning it protectively into his chest.
"Is that all?" Legolas asked. "Except for the cuts and bruises, though I don't think there's a square inch of you without one or the other, and quite a few inches with both."
"For the most part." The boy answered evasively quickly dropping his eyes. "If….if you have any athelas that should keep any infection away." The human replied hesitantly.
"What aren't you telling me?" Legolas narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Your keeping secrets…are you injured somewhere else?"
The boy remained annoying silent, refusing to look at the prince nor answer his question.
"Tell me." Legolas demanded unintentionally grabbing the boy's broken wrist to get his attention. The prince rubbed against already painfully rubbed skin that still bled slightly from the bonds that had inhibited its movements. The boy whimpered in pain and tried weakly to pull his arm away.
Legolas hastily let go of the hand once he realized what he had done. The boy pulled the arm back quickly and started to push himself further into the wall behind him, in a vain attempt to get away from the one who had caused him further harm.
The young human whimpered again as his already sore back was rubbed up painfully against the rock wall causing scabbed over wounds to open again. Fresh blood flowed down the boy's back further staining his tattered shirt and the rock face behind him.
Legolas' sensitive nose easily picked up the scent of fresh blood and his eyes widened in alarm.
"Your bleeding. Please tell me where you are injured." The prince asked as calmly as he could. He had let his own impatience cause the boy further injury and he did not intend for it to get the best of him again.
The young boy curled his legs up and buried his head in his knees refusing to acknowledge the prince further.
He trembled uncontrollably as his own fatigue and anxiety began to again take their toll on his weakened body. Death would be so much easier to accept if it didn't have to have so much pain associated with it. Estel thought sardonically.
Legolas watched the boy silently a few moments unsure how to break the boy's silent shell of terror.
The prince had destroyed the thin line of trust he had finally developed with the boy when he had callously caused the boy unnecessary pain. And now Legolas feared it might very well be impossible to regain that fragile thread of faith between them.
Legolas reached out tentatively and placed his hand gently on the young boy's shoulder. The human jerked back from the unwanted touch eliciting a new wave of pain across his back.
"Please…stop." He begged. "Don't touch me." He could not take anymore pain. He no longer had the strength to pretend he was brave, that this dark and hostile land didn't frighten him. He could no longer act like torture didn't bother him.
He was a coward. If he had truly been brave he would have put a dagger in his heart long ago, after his family had been executed, and joined them in their fate. But instead he went on a hopeless mission, to avenge his family against impossible odds, in the hopes that someone much braver them himself would put the dagger through his heart he was too afraid to do himself.
And now that he finally faced death, he was no longer sure he had the courage to accept it. He had nothing left to live for, not even vengeance, and yet he still clung to life when he should have given up long ago.
"I'm sorry." Legolas whispered apologetically, his throat choked up with regret as he took in the boy's silent despair. He had never meant for any of this to happen.
The boy had undoubtedly lost his family. Legolas was certain that kind of loss and pain could not be faked, that absolute sense of desolation was not something you could act out. And the boy had surely walked a long way based on the road stained boots and clothing he wore, both now more tatters than true coverings. All to avenge his family. And what did the boy have to show for his devotion, but abuse, torture, and mistreatment from the people he thought responsible.
Would he not have done the same if it had been his own family? Had he not done the same before? When his mother had died, and once he had learned to fight and become a true warrior, he too had set out to avenge his mother's death against the orcs that had slain her and stolen his childhood. He had eventually found and slayed those vicious orcs and many more besides. Were he and the boy really so different?
And now the one elf, who should surely hate him the most, was the one he was dependent on, and now must think was no better than the elves that had tortured him in the first place.
And to top it all off the boy was in a strange land, filled with what he must surely consider strange creatures that despised him. He did not know the language or perhaps even the way back to his home should the child even be able to escape, which was not only unlikely, but highly improbably.
Legolas realized he had been going about everything all wrong. He'd been trying to gain trust with threats, intimidation, and fear as his tools of trade because it was quicker, easier, and had been proven to give results.
But this boy was much too brave and certainly much too stubborn to accept such under handed tactics. This was the type of boy that when pushed only pushed back rather than yield to the greater force.
And that was no way to gain true trust, only a coward would rule by fear.
Trust was gained through compassion and honesty and far nobler means than he had as yet been displaying.
"Please…I…I do not mean to frighten you. Well I did, but not anymore. I should not have threatened you. I have been cruel and unkind. I shame myself and my people with such untoward behavior and I beg your forgiveness. Please let me make amends by helping you." Legolas reached out imploringly.
The boy looked warily at the outstretched hand, distrust clear on his face. Was this just another tactic to gain his confidence? And if it was, what did it matter? What could he possibly say that would change anything? It certainly wouldn't bring his family back. And didn't the prince deserve to know that he had tried to kill his father?
"Why should you want to apologize to me? What game do you play?" The boy demanded, his frustration clear. He almost preferred the threats to the sadness the elf so freely exhibited. It was so much harder to hate this elf prince when he was so kind, so considerate.
"It is no game I play I assure you." Legolas replied with all sincerity. "I only wish to make amends and help you if you will let me."
The boy sighed in resignation. "Do you never give up elf? Once you have your mind set to do something it seems the valor himself couldn't move you from it."
"And the valar would be loath to try." Legolas smiled. If only things had been different, Legolas imagined they would have made good companions. Perhaps they might still be able to. "Now if you'd be so kind as to let me see your back, before you pass out from blood loss."
"And what good would it do?" The boy shot back. "I doubt you plan on just releasing me with a good scolding. I would think you a fool of you did."
"Indeed? Were you planning on shooting me again?" Legolas raised his eyebrow in mocking inquiry.
"No…not you." The child responded with a quiet seriousness. The boy signed in forbearance, "No I imagine I won't be shooting anyone again…I don't seem to have the stomach for it."
"And I suppose your breaking your bow in half has nothing to do with it?" Legolas asked, remembering the two halves of an elvish made bow and the tattered remains of a cloak a guard had found…more questions seeking answers. This boy was familiar with elvish ways by far too much.
The boy's eyes lit with an eagerness at mention of his beloved bow. "Did you find it then? Do you have it?"
"Indeed so eager to have it back?" Legolas teased, pleased to see the boy showing so much life when only moments before he had been in such despair.
"Perhaps I threw it in the fire, after all it's not good for much more than kindling now. You should be more careful with your bow." Leglas admonished. "It almost looks as though you broke it intentionally…"
Legolas looked questioningly at the boy. Waiting for an explanation as to why the boy should destroy his bow. There were few things Legolas cherished more than his own bow and couldn't even begin to imagine how someone could so easily destroy such a fine piece of craftsmanship. It almost made him cringe to think of it.
"No." The boy whispered under his breath, tears coming to his eyes. "You…you destroyed it then? It's gone…truly?" The child looked at him imploringly begging him to say it wasn't true.
Legolas was startled at such an unexpected reaction. One minute the boy was if not happy at least neutral and the next bursting into tears. What had he said to upset the child. Could he say nothing right? "No it's not lost, I swear it. I was only teasing I did not mean to upset you. I have it laying in my room." Legolas was quick to assure him, feeling guilty for upsetting the boy so much.
The child wiped hastily at his tears, ashamed that he was once more caught crying like a baby. Had he no self-control. How childish he must look crying over a broken bow. "It…it was given to me by my brothers. It's one of the only things I have left of them. I couldn't bear to lose it…not now. Not after what's happened."
The bow and a small leaf pendant were the only two things he had left of his brothers. He had many fine gifts left behind in Imadalus, but they were lost to him now. No matter what happened he could never go back there. Not now, not after all that had happened.
"I shall keep it safe for you, this I pledge." Legolas replied compassionately. The boy had lost so much, it didn't even bear contemplating.
"Thank you." The boy whispered, gratitude clear in his eyes.
Legolas smiled weakly trying to break the ackward moment. "Perhaps now, finally, I might look at your injuries. Your bow won't do you any good if your unconscious. Or do you wish to debate the issue some more. Perhaps I can lecture you on the finer points of archer."
"I don't imagine it will do me any good to argue, you'll have your way with me either way I suppose." Estel sighed resignedly, more than happy to create a lighter atmosphere.
"I'm glad you see it my way." Legolas smiled cheekily. "I best start with your back, if you would please take off your shirt and turn around."
The boy slowly removed the all but ruined shirt, wincing silently as it pulled against inflamed wounds.
He hesitated a moment before downcasting his eyes and resignedly turning his back to the prince's inspection.
Legolas couldn't prevent a small gasp from sneaking past his lips as he took in the large angry gashes covering the boy's lean frame. The prince worked quietly cleaning the boy's wounds, listening to the silent whimpers the child could not prevent.
"I am almost finished now." Legolas whispered gently as he rubbed a soothing athelas past into the gashes and slowly bandaged them.
The prince smoothly turned the boy around and bound up his broken ribs eliciting only a small hiss of pain the boy tried to muffle with his shoulder.
The child was certainly brave in ways far beyond his years. Legolas couldn't help, but admire the boy's courage, though the prince nearly wept at the thought the boy thought he needed to hide his pain, as though Legolas was a predator he dare not show weakness to.
Finally Legolas held out his hand for the boy's wrist. "May I see it child."
The boy held the injured wrist protectively against his chest looking uncertainly at Legolas' outstretched hand. Looking into the prince's cool blue eyes the boy could only see compassion and sadness. The prince cared about him! It was a disturbing thought. It made so sense for the person you had tried to kill to be so merciful.
With some reluctance the boy laid his hand gently inside the prince's much larger one that felt surprisingly soft.
Legolas sighed as he felt along the wrist and realized the bone was indeed broken. Torture was a two-sided blade, pain when you did it and then pain to undo all the damage. How the prince loathed to cause this boy any more suffering. Had he not already been through enough? The valar only knows how he had survived.
Legolas quickly eyed the boy who had his head turned away, gritting his teeth in expectation of the pain. He knew exactly what was about to happen.
"I'm sorry." Legolas whispered as he jerked the bone back into place, feeling an accompanying pull at his own wound. What a perfect time for his own injury to make itself known. Bugger it for both of them. It was the injured treating the injured.
Legolas gritted his teeth as the boy cried out in a heart wrenching scream followed by wracking sobs. The prince quickly tied the wrist, to keep the bone aligned while it healed. Legolas tried to still his shaking hands as he worked. His nerves couldn't take much more of this. Surely torture would have been kinder than this.
"Why are you doing this?" The boy blurted out as he gained control of his breath.
Legolas was taken back by the child's question. Did he truly think Legolas would hurt him intentionally? What a monster he must think them all. And after seeing these injuries how could Legolas blame him.
"I'm sorry. I did not mean to hurt you, but I had to reset the bone or it wouldn't have healed properly. Forgive me for the injustice that has been done to you."
The boy waved away the prince's apology in annoyance. "That's not what I meant. Why are you helping me? What could you possibly gain from it? Why are you being so kind after what I've done to you?"
The prince was saddened by the distrust in the boy's eyes. "Is it so hard to believe that I only wish to help you?"
Legolas gazed on the boy's downturned shoulders with wide-eyes. "Who did this to you, tell me. This is more than inhuman, only a beast would commit such an atrocity. Tell me and I will have them punished."
"It does not matter." The boy replied quietly. "They were only trying to protect you. I will be fine."
"Indeed? It has been quite a few centuries since I've seen someone as far away from fine as you are at the moment. You have two broken ribs, a broken wrist, your pale, the wounds on your back are infected, and I don't think there is a square inch of skin that isn't marked in someway."
"It does matter young one. Legolas gently lifting the boy's chin forcing him to make eye contact. "This is not our way. It does not matter the reasons. We would not do this to even our staunchest enemy. No one deserves such treatment." Legolas replied quietly, slowly and gently laying his arm on the boy's trembling shoulders. "You do not deserve this."
The child turned a tear stained face towards the prince. "But don't you see, I do. I shot at the wrong person, an innocent. It wasn't you I was trying to kill Prince Legolas, it was your father. He was the one who ordered the execution. He was the one responsible for my family's murder. And even before I shot at your I knew it was wrong. My family would be ashamed of me. They would never have wanted me kill just to get revenge. But I did it anyway, because I hated you, or rather your father, who I thought was you. I wanted him to pay for what he did to my family, for what he did to me."
"You lie." Legolas yelled pulling his hand back as though it had been burned. He was unable to temper his own anger, fear, and disbelief. His heart turned cold towards the silent tears trailing down the boy's face. It was all an act. His father would never order such a thing done. The boy was a fool and a liar. " You humans are all the same with your lies and falsehoods. Your always trying to bring chaos and disruption everywhere you go. King Thranduil is an honorable king. He would not murder an innocent family."
Legolas firmly placed his hands on the boy's shoulders. "Who put you up to this? What mad game is this you have concocted? Was it all a lie, your family being killed, you're coming to avenge them, all of it? Tell me are there more of you out there, your family perhaps, disgruntled at something the king has done?"
Legolas' eyes were wide with fear. Was there someone out there even now aiming an arrow for his father's heart. Would there be more attempts on his father's life? The king must be warned immediately, but first he needed information.
The boy looked back at the prince with fatigue shrouded eyes. His injuries and the emotional stress of the past few days were starting to take their toll.
Legolas shook the boy in annoyance when no answer was forthcoming. "Answer me boy. Is the king in danger?"
The child allowed the bitter hatred to grow in his heart at the prince's betrayal. Legolas had not even let him explain, to tell his story. The prince was so quick to defend his father, and so blind to the possibility the king might not be as pure hearted as he seemed to believe.
Estel seethed in disgust. So much for trust. "What shall I tell you that you would believe? That there is a band of men hiding in the forest and I am the bait to throw off suspicion for the real assassination attempt. What less would you believe? Perhaps I could concoct some story about how some elf came to us with gold in exchange for murder, so that you wouldn't have to accept that your father might not be the elf you thought he was."
"Do not lie to me or I will see you and who ever your working with imprisoned for the rest of your mortal lifespan." Legolas threatened.
"How quick you are to return to threats when it suits you. What a fool I was to think you were any different that the rest. Well you may rest at ease in the knowledge that I acted alone. There is no one else. Why not just kill me now and remove any lingering danger to your precious father, after all I am just a human, or perhaps you would rather torture me till you are satisfied I speak the truth? Your men did quite a thorough job of already, I'm sure they would be more than happy to pick up where they left off." The boy replied vehemently.
"No…I…I must go." Legolas replied taken aback by the boy's impassioned response. "I…I must think." Without another word Legolas turned away nearly fleeing the cell.
The prince fluttered past the startled guard without a second glance. "Watch him." He commanded as he disappeared down the winding hallway.
Reviews: Yeah. I have a bunch of reviews from the last chapter which was an eternity ago so I'm sure you'll have to all re-read whatever you wrote just so my replies make sense…lol.
Deana: Thank you for saying you like my reviews. I try to make them fun and interesting to read. If I'm just going to tell everyone thanks it's not going to make for much of a review. This way you get your own individualized entertainment, an extra bonus after the story, and hopeful it will encourage more comment. It's kinda like when you do a survey and they give you 5 bucks or something except this is way cheaper…lol.
"Bugger for both of them" I love that! That sounds so British. I'm going to make Legolas say that in this story now. See if you can find it….lol.
Mystery927: I did not know that was your screen name Linuvial Greenleaf. I've read some of your work and you are on my fanfiction list.
I love keeping people excited. I'm the type of person who loves their to be a constant sense of action or drama. I have trouble with those boring little connector pieces you find in some stories. I like to be kept excited and I hope that I have achieved this in this chapter. I know it is a very dramatic chapter more than exciting, but hopefully it will keep you wanting more.
I wander who the mystery man is too! No I'm just kidding. I know who he is, but I've forgotten his plot in the story. Fortunately he doesn't make any other appearance till at least the next chapter if not even later on in the story. I'm debating if the next chapter should be a legolas/estel make up chapter (no not make-out your slashers…shame on you…..okay I was thinking it too, but he's 13 so that's just blah). Or if I want to do an Elrond and family chapter (okay their not dead, and now I've ruined it, but I trust you to keep that little secret on the down low.) I just can't help myself I have to give away all the good stuff. I think it's going to be a estel/legolas chapter again though, just b/c it will work better with my plot that way. But you can look forward to two more chapter at some point.
By the way it is completely Estel's fault this story is taking so long. He can be so needy. He's tired of sitting in the dungeon, he's cold, he's hurt, he want's something to eat. My gosh you would think he's 13 the way he's acting!
Jemma452: You like my writing….ILOVE YOUR REVIEW. I am totally going to print this out and stick this up on my wall. This is just a hot cup of self-esteem right here. Now I'm scared I can't live up to your expectations. I just love my characters to react and I hope I've continued to practice this in this chapter. Legolas is a bit more stoic then perhaps we would like, but I think I'm starting to slowly crack that shell…I hope. And Estel is just an emotional time bomb. I think he's bi-polar….lol. One minute he's pissed off and the next he's crying. But emotion is what makes us love the characters in our stories. It's not about what a character is doing as much as how they feel when their doing it I like to get in their heads so we get that extra dimension of the story.
The next chapter is also going to have a huge emotional heart string scene. I just love these dungeon scenes that I loath to get Estel out of there. This is going to be my last line "and Estel lived happily ever after in the dungeons except for the despair, cold, hunger, and pain he experienced on a daily basis, but Legolas visited him every day so that more drama and anxiety could be shared for their rest of their days." What do you think? Lol. Dungeons are just so wonderful. I love cold, dark, scary places. It does make such an awesome backdrop.
I think you'll love the ending where Legolas and Estel are finally starting to be friends and then it literally just blows up. And now I almost had Legolas running out of there before he treated Estel's wounds, but then I was like he's not going to be back for a day or so probably and realistic it would be amazing if Estel wasn't pretty much dead if not close to it by the time he got back, and plus Legolas would look like a total jerk then wouldn't he.
Legolas' father will make an appearance I'm thinking the next chapter. When he finds out about Estel let's just say he won't be pleased. The question is did he really kill Estel's family?
TREASON! Who said anything about treason. Oh yeah I sorta implied it didn't I? How dare you use my direct quotations against me…lol. Let's just say it's all in the family, but who's family…ha ha ha. I will never tell. Okay well I'll tell you eventually when ever I get to the chapter that tells it. But I'm not telling till I tell so there!
I see a scene in the future where Legolas is kneeling before a wooden chopping block with someone holding an axe raised above him. The king looks on in anguished distress, feeling powerless to save his son, and soon to share his fate, while our enemy watches snugly as his plans start to fall into place. Where is Estel you ask? I haven't seen that far. For Gondor's sake I'm not a seer people.
Jacquelinestel: LOL. You went outside for me! I'm flattered, I'm touched, I haven't seen the sun in years. What's it looking like these days? Lol.
I'm feeling tingly too, but I think I just have to pee. I hope you keep reading and keep enjoying. I posted this one pretty quick right…It's only been a couple years…lol. I hope you didn't give up hope on me.
Anonymous: We all know who you are, cause you're the only anonymous… I agree that Legolas does seem to come off a bit mean. Your probably thinking that especially now. He is a character that is a bit uncomfortable feeling emotion. I'm trying to depict a warior who has been taught to control his emotions, and isn't always sure how to react or to express feeling. His teasing to the guard was a bit cruel, but I wasn't trying to make him sound mean, but rather so comfortable with his friend that he could joke a little more darkly perhaps. I think you'll see him in a better light when you see how he interacts with his father and later on with estel. I'm going to try to lighten him down more as the story progresses.
Lindahoyland: I hope to keep you gripped in so to speak…just don't squeeze too hard now. And I hope you continue to read and enjoy.
Elf771: Chip chip cheerio! If you love betrayal this should really get you in a panny binder….what is a panny binder. No idea, but it sounds good doesn't it? And behind door number one is…..I'm not telling. Na Na Na Na. What could it be? Is it Harrison Ford? Don't I wish. Maybe there is a clown in a monkey suit. Or Narnia? Maybe if you go through the door you end up in the land of Narnia. Now that would be cool. That would be such a cool idea for the teitho contest ArgonWriter has going. The problem is I can't write anything in a month so I could never enter the contest…"Bloody brilliant" Harry Potter flashback! Ah! Too many crossovers! Brain overload! lol.
Grumpy: Congrats you have one the most reviews for this chapter at two. That's right Grumpy is the only person to send two reviews on the exact same chapter. Can you believe it. Legolas left him there again. The only difference is that now he's only Alone, beat up, cold, hurt, hungry and in the dark. Oh wait no that's exactly the same. But he's not chained up now…so were making progress…right?
:cover Legolas' ears and eyes (don't know how I did that with two hands…you figure it out: Don't warn him about the guards. How am I suppose to have the guards betray him if he's expecting it. Shame Shame.
QuinlanRamsey: If only that computer wasn't in the way! Estel could really use a hug right now. I guess I have to do it all myself. I know what your thinking you dirty minded readers….fine I'm thinking it too. I'll just keep him in the dungeon another ten years and then he'll be just right…lol.
I am so pleased how my readers really seem to be getting where I am going with the emotions. I would like your opinion on how you think Legolas is doing. I'm more concerned about him, because like one reader said they think he is still too mean. Where I'm kinda trying to go with this is that Legolas in a warrior and has been taught to be an aggressive person so his first response to threat should naturally be to get angry or aggressive. I wanted to temper this, because I would think Legolas is not just some musle-bowned brute and tends to be a very compassionate and feeling person. His father doesn't like a lot of emotion and so he really has two conflicting behaviors so while he acts mean I think his thoughts are sometimes more compassionate then his actual actions. I hope to change this as the story progresses and make his actions match his thoughts more.
I still need to work out some stuff with my locked door and my bad guy. Everything is going to tie togather in the end, but I still haven't worked it all out yet.
I have had a lot of awesome volunteers to Beta for me. The problem is that I normally don't finish a new chapter for long periods. I have a really busy life and just haven't had the time to devote to my writing lately and so since my writing is so sporadic I lose touch with my beta's before I have a chapter for them to review. Keep reading and hopefully loving….just not estel. He's mine I tell ya…mine all mine. :laugh manically:
ViggoManiac: Okay I just had to make a comment. Has anyone seen history of violence .I saw it and it was good, but I want viggo to wear the aragorn beard and hair and stuff. Who thinks he looks hotter as Aragorn? I don't like the short dirty blonde hair that kinda looks like it's thinning and the dimpled chin. He needs to just make himself look like Aragorn all the time. He looks supper hot that way and keep the Aragorn accent. Just make that his personality from now on.
I'd love a Beta but as you can see I am totally and completely irregular. My turn around times take an eternity. And I'm sure my story is out of cannon….my trick is to put AU in the intro description and I can do whatever I want. I'll probably do that on my story so the cannon natzis don't come and get me. I have the AU and still get complaints about cannon though and man you get some angry cannoners out there. They're ready with the pitchforks and torches I'm telling ya.
Kathleen Lacorneille: I just can't look at you right now. How could you wait a week to review. I almost gave up on the whole story because I thought my number one fan didn't like me anymore. Okay so it took me a year to respond, but picky picky.
Justice for the damned and mercy for the loved….now that sounds like a title for something. You come up with such cute little things. I'm going to have to use that as a chapter title when I get closer to my ending. That would make a good story title too. I just need to come up for a story to go with it…lol.
I think that is a good quote too. I find it cute that Legolas almost shows some naivete in that scene, as though he hasn't ever seen the darker nature of others. It's an interesting scene because Estel acts more world knowledgeable while Legolas is older and more experienced by years. Legolas has been taught a little bit of prejudice towards humans that their weaker, eviler, etc. So it will be interesting to watch Legolas evolve into greater understanding.
Don't worry Legolas will help pick up those pieces eventually. We just need to beat him into shape a bit. And let's just say there is always a reason to hope. ) don't give up estel.
Stolen chocolate!….I gotta go um I said I'd visit Estel in the dungeons. And if I accidentally get lost and go find the stolen chocolate who's to saw anything. I'll never admit it.
I actually don't know totally what's behind the door myself…okay I lied I do. I don't know why it's there though exactly. Or what I'm going to do with it yet. Lets just say there is lots of anxiety waiting behind that door.
Look the happy easter still works cause it's almost easter again…lol. I know that's just sad. I'd say I'll try to get up the next chapter soon, but I think I've told enough lies for one day.
And of course you have again written the longest review congrats on holding the grand title. Keep up the good work… )
HorsieGurl: I'm glad you liked it and I hope I'm continuing to please. Happy Easter to u also just for 2006 this time…lol.
Kateydidn't: Thanks.
Okay I won't leave it that way. It's just hard to comment on one word…lol. I hope you continue to write and hey who knows I might get two words out of you next time..lol.
I have other reviews to reply to and I will edit my story to include them later on. I have to go do a dress fitting….my best friend is getting married and I'm one of the bride's maids. So I promise I won't forget the rest of you I just have to take care of this first and I wanted to post so I didn't keep you all waiting any longer than I already have. I hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading.