Legolas felt a brief sting as the blade bit into his skin. To his horror, it did not truly pierce.
The guard that held the knife had become so sleepy that his hold on the weapon had loosened.
Instead of driving himself onto the edge, Legolas found his lunge merely pushing the knife free of the orc's fingers. He fell to the ground, face flat in the dirt. The elven prince groaned as he realized that he had just blown his only chance. Despair rolled over him as he lay, unable to push himself up. It was not fair! Why? Why could he not be allowed to spare his father this pain? The thought of what Thranduil would be forced to endure enraged the elf, even as he nearly sobbed at his helplessness.
He had heard Orchbeck's voice. The orc captain would not allow him the oppurtunity to make another attempt.
A hand gripped the elf's shoulder tightly, jerking him upright. Orchbeck took hold of Legolas's chin and forced his head back, examing the shallow wound across the fair being's neck. To the orc's relief and the prince's chagrin, it was very slight. Bloody, but none of the major arteries had been severed.
"You." Orchbeck addressed his subordinate flatly as he released Legolas. Slowly, the leader's fingers drifted towards the sword that hung at his belt. Legolas noticed, but doubted that the guard did. "Was it not your job to make sure that nothing happened to the elf before tonight?"
Before the hapless orc could respond, Orchbeck whipped his sword out and plunged it deeply into the other's belly. His yellow eyes burned with blood lust as he watched the life flee from his soldier's body. "I have no use for incompetance. Not when there is so much at stake." With a jerk, he pulled his sword free and sheathed it, still sticky with black blood. He turned toward the prince and allowed a twisted smile to pull at his features. "That was good. I didn't think you elves had the courage to do something like that." The very way he prounced the word 'elves' made it sound like a curse. "Now I know." He thrust his face very close to Legolas' with a sneer. "Trust me. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."
The elf kept his face impassive. He maintained his calm composure and looked back at his tormentor with disdain. Pride and nobility were etched on the young prince's face. The blue eyes reflected the cloudless sky, cold and clear. They were ice. Blue stone, concealing all the emotion that lay beneath the surface.
Inside, the crown prince of Mirkwood wept as his hope fled.
0-0-0-0
Thranduil felt his hand clench so tightly his fingernails dug into his palm. His eyes searched the orc camp desperately, looking for the source of the commotion…
Praying that it wasn't his son…
'Ai, Legolas, please…don't do something stupid…' The king pushed his hands through his thick golden hair in frustration. This was horrible. Roughly akin to the night before the last battle of the great war…only worse. For in his mind, the fate of middle earth paled greatly in comparison to the fate of his son. His golden child…
All the elves who had accompanied the king had drawn back slightly, allowing their ruler privacy in his grief. All except one…
Halden stood nearby, his blue eyes burning.
Thranduil cast a glance at the young warrior. He knew Halden to be one of Legolas' friends. The two had grown together from the time they were elflings. He realized with a strange jolt that he was not the only one who was upset over his son's predicament…
"Halden."
The elf did not take his eyes from the orc encampment. "Sire?"
"Can you see what is happening?"
"No." Halden trembled slightly as he heard an orc cry out. What was going on? Was it something to do with Legolas? "Can you, my lord?" Perhaps the orcs were merely fighting amongst themselves…
"I cannot."
A violent tremble shot throught the trunk of the tree next to the Elvenking. A horrible sighing moan seemed to emanate from the oak. It sounded like the groaning of a creature near death.
With a choked cry, Halden leapt into the tree, pulling himself rapidly up the trunk. He could hear a scuffling behind him and knew that the king was close on his heels. The tree aided them as it could, lifting it's branches in an attempt to push them higher.
Halden pushed his dark head through the branches with a gasp, fear racing through him as he looked down into the orc encampment. Was Legolas alright…? Thranduil emerged beside the young warrior just in time to see one orc stab another.
The Elvenking nearly choked in relief. It was a brawl between the hideous creatures. It wasn't because of Legolas…
But if that was true, why did the trees still cry? He could hear their mournful sighing even now…what did they see that he could not?
0-0-0-0
Aragorn groaned softly as he felt his shoulder jar against his brother's chest for the hundreth time. He had born the pain in stoic silence until now, but as his worry for Legolas increased, his guard dropped and the sudden jolt caught him by surprise. Elladan looked down at his brother sharply. "What is wrong?"
"Nothing." Aragorn gritted his teeth together tightly. "I am fine."
The elf snorted, clearly not believing a word. "Ah yes. You are 'fine'. I believe that Elrohir and I translated that little euphamism sometime ago. Do you remember?"
The ranger snarled something unintelligable.
"As I recall," Elladan continued, ignoring his brother, " the phrase 'I am fine' can be easily interchanged with 'I am about to die'."
The young human muttered something in dwarven that cast a dubious light on the marital status of the elf's ancestors.
"I heard that." The young lord grinned slightly. "And you had better be glad Ada did not." His face became serious. "Why did you not tell me that your shoulder was bothering you, Estel? We have to stop…"
"NO!" Aragorn's face turned bright red as a few of the elves, including his father, turned to look at him. He did his best to smile cheerfully until they looked away. "No," he whispered much more quietly "We can not stop. Legolas is in trouble."
"You will not be much good to Legolas if you fall over from pain!" Elladan hissed back, angry at his younger brother's refusal to halt and care for himself.
"I can handle the pain," Aragorn said tautly. He turned slightly so that he could look into his brother's eyes. Elladan glared back at him, but his expression softened as he saw the pain and worry that spread over the ranger's features.
"Saes, gwador nin, avo daro." Tears actually pooled in the silver orbs. "An mellon lin."
Elladan struggled with conflicting emotions. His brother needed care…he could see it plainly…but Aragorn had always been attached to Legolas in a very special way…he always seemed to know when the prince needed help… "I have a brother to think of too," he whispered softly, almost more to himself than the young man in front of him.
"Elladan…" Aragorn's eyes were wide, his tone pleading. Begging. "Saes!"
It shook the young elf lord to the core. He had never heard his younger brother beg for anything. Not like this. Not seriously.
Praying desperately that he wasn't making a mistake, Elladan dug his heels into his horse's sides, urging it onwards.
0-0-0-0
The night was rapidly falling, and Thranduil could hear the whisper of excitement that ran through the orcs. They looked…eager.
The Elvenking was still. A statue would have moved more. His face was devoid of emotion.
But his eyes burned with an unquenchable rage.
Something was happening…the orcs were parting. Two lone figures strode down the narrow aisle. One was, obviously, an orc. The other…
Thranduil felt his throat close as he gazed at his son.
The young elf stood tall and proud despite his bonds. Despite the rope tied around his neck like a leash. Despite the blood that colored his thin undertunic… the Elvenking's eyes narrowed dangerously as he saw the red stains.
"He was not supposed to be harmed, vermin," Thranduil's deep voice boomed into the night, shaking with the rage that flowed through his veins. He was about to say more when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw his child stiffen, then slump slightly. Frowning deeply, he focused on Legolas, and abruptly noticed that an air of complete despair hung about the prince like a shroud. The younger elf had dropped his head at his father's words so that the elven king could no longer see his eyes, but his entire posture suddenly spoke of profound self-loathing and…failure?
"Oh Elbereth, no…"
A bout of snickering from the orcs redirected his attention to Orchbeck, who leered back unpleasantly. "It was not us who harmed him, your highness." These words only served to confirm the horrible suspicion racing through Thranduil. The orc captain shook his head in mock sorrow and continued. 'Apparently, your son does not have much faith in you." He paused a moment, cruel amusement dancing in his yellow eyes at the look of shattered realization that was dawning on the elf lord's handsome face, then delivered his final blow.
"He tried to take his own life by lunging against the blade at his throat."
At those words, the fair king felt as though he had been belted low and hard. Was his son truly so afraid..? His anguished eyes sought for Legolas' gaze. The prince had straightened immediately at the goblin's remark and did not turn from his father's stare, but looked back steadily. His blue eyes flamed brightly, contradicting the orc's statement. This was not the gaze of one who was afraid…
He understood in that moment exactly what his son had tried to sacrifice for him. It tore at his heart.
"However," the orc waved a hand flippantly. "That is not what I have come to discuss." With a jerk on Legolas' 'leash' he brought the young prince down onto his knees. "The time has come. Choose. Will we be allowed back into our home…" He reached out a clawed hand and ran it over the elf's face lightly, almost stroking the smooth cheeks. "Or will your son's life be forfeit?"
Thranduil closed his eyes, willing this nightmare to be over. Troas stirred at his side. The elder elf cast a glance at his lord, and quickly laid a gentle hand on the Elvenking's shoulder. "Sire…"
"No matter what happens," Thranduil said quietly, his eyes still clenched shut, "No matter what. They must not enter Mirkwood." The gathered elves gasped softly, and Halden had to bite his lip to keep from protesting. He knew this terrible choice was already tearing at his leige's soul. But his prince…his friend…The young warrior let his own eyes close in an attempt to block out the horror of this night.
The fair king turned his head toward his former teacher. His eyelids slid open slowly. "I order you, Troas. If you must restrain me, so be it. But the orcs must never enter our home."
Troas swallowed hard. "Understood, Sire."
"I grow weary," the orc's voice rang through the night's air. "What is your decision?"
0-0-0-0
Legolas gritted his teeth together. He could see his father…a shudder raced through the prince's body as he heard Orchbeck demand for the Elvenking to choose.
'Elbereth, do not let him falter…he needs to be strong…do not let him think as a father…'
"Here is my decision, vermin." The deep voice cut through the still air like the snap of a whip. Though it was calm, anger crackled through the syllables like heat lightning. "I can not allow you to enter Mirkwood for the sake of one elf. No matter…" there was a slight break in the tone, but Thranduil continued, no longer speaking for the orc, but for his son. "No matter how dear. Though my son is precious to me, I know he would not wish your foul feet to tread the paths of his home."
A great weight lifted from the prince's soul. He barely registered Orchbeck's snarl of rage. The orc snapped his fingers and several of his company rushed forwards, taking hold of Legolas' arms. With a flick of his wrist, the Captain drew a small blade and sliced the ropes that bound the elf's wrists.
Legolas winced as he felt blood flow back into his fingers, setting them tingling. He was not given much time to think about it, however. As soon as his bonds fell free, the orcs holding his arms stretched them out, until the prince was standing spread-eagled, unable to move.
Two spears were brought forward and the soldiers shoved them deep into the ground. Using rocks as hammers, they drove them in until Orchbeck reached out and gave one a hearty pull. It didn't move. He nodded, satisfied.
Legolas was quickly rebound to the spear poles. The elf flinched slightly as the ropes were drawn tight against his already abused wrists. As the orcs stepped back, the prince could see clearly into Mirkwood, and he met his father's eyes steadily. He could not show that he was afraid…he could not cry out… The orcs would only relish his pain, and any sound he made would be like a dagger into the Elvenking's heart. He had a sudden, insane wish that his father would just leave. That he would turn his back, and walk away. That he would not stay to witness what must now happen…The young elf abandoned his resolve not to make any noise, and called out to his father.
"Bado Ada! Avo tiro!"
The orcs, while not pleased to hear the fair elven tongue, caught the pleading note in the prince's voice and assumed he was begging for his life. They glanced at each other, snickering gleefully. Orchbeck's eyes narrowed however. Somehow he could not see this proud being giving in just like that. He looked toward the group of elves gathered at the edge of the wood, scrutinizing them closely. No, he decided quickly at seeing their shocked expressions. That was no cry for mercy. He stilled his troops with an impatient gesture, intent on hearing the golden king's reply.
The clear voice of his son, raised in a desperate plea had struck Thranduil deeply, nearly breaking his heart. He stood frozen for several moments, before shaking his head slowly, as though recovering from a blow. "No," he whispered. The goblins erupted with hoots and jeers at the elf's apparent rejection of his child. Legolas ignored them, focusing only on the figure at the edge of the glade.
"Ada, saes…saes bado…" The voice of the young elf trembled slightly, and faded under the evil laughter of the twisted beings around him.
"NO." The sudden shout of the elven king caused an eerie silence to fall over the glade. His next words, spoken in a softer tone of tightly controlled emotion, made his purpose crystal clear.
"No ion nin. I will not go quietly into the night, and leave you here alone."
Father and son's eyes locked, and for a second everthing else faded, and all Legolas saw was his Ada's deep, unfaltering love.
Then Orchbeck stepped in front of his victim, blocking his view of his father. "Touching," he snarled sarcasticly, brandishing a newly sharpened blade. A few swift cuts, and the bloodstained tunic fluttered to the ground.
Legolas shivered slightly as the cool night air struck his bare skin. Normally, the cold would not bother him so…but then again, this was not exactly a normal night, was it?
Shaza stepped forwards eagerly, his clawed hand already going to the barbed knife at his side. Legolas could see the blood lust in the orc's eyes and he felt his body stiffen as rage poured through him. That creature had tortured his friend. Had left him to die…Steely resolve joined the anger already racing through him. By the Valar…if he was going to perish this night, there were others that would join him…
The orc positioned himself in front of the fair prince, all but shouldering his commander to the side in his eagerness. Orchbeck opened his mouth angrily, preparing to let his second in command know the extent of his displeasure.
He didn't get the chance.
Ignoring the scream of muscles stretched to their limit, Legolas put all his weight on his spread arms, swinging his feet up until they landed heavily on Shaza's shoulders. Hooking his left foot securely behind the orc's neck, he jammed the right against the orc's right cheek and thrust hard.
The snapping sound of Shaza's neck echoed in the following stillness.
As the limp body fell to the ground, Legolas quickly pulled his feet back underneath him, relieving the ache of his stretched shoulders.
Nothing moved. Neither orc nor elf made a sound.
Shaking with rage, Orchbeck finally broke the motionless tableu. He stepped forwards and viciously backhanded the elf. Legolas' head rocked back from the force of the blow, his lip splitting against his teeth. The prince cautiously probed the lip with his tongue, tasting the blood. A smile actually passed across his face for an instant. Blue eyes met yellow.
"Step back a pace," Legolas said quietly. "You are too close for that move to work on you."
The elf was prepared for the blow that was aimed at his ribs, but many more soon followed…
0-0-0-0
Aragorn hissed softly as cold water sprayed him in the face. The Anduin was still swollen from the recent storm, but the Rivendell elves did not have time for it to die down. As it was, they proceeded slowly and cautiously, nearly driving the ranger to the brink of insanity. He squirmed and fidgeted, turned his head back and forth, played with the horse's mane and generally behaved like a child of three. After many long minutes of this activity, his older brother decided that he simply could not take it anymore.
"If you do not sit still," Elladan gritted between his teeth. "I will throw you from my horse and let you be washed away." The dark haired elf felt his brother sigh deeply. "Look, we are almost half way across now. It won't be much longer."
"Elladan," Aragorn twisted to look at his brother. "couldn't we…?"
"NO." Elrond's eldest scowled at the young human. "Absolutely not."
"But we are going so slowly!"
"That is because it is not safe to go faster!"
"But we are close…and Legolas needs us…"
Elladan felt a brief spasm of pain pull at him. "I know," he whispered softly. He too felt his brother's urgency, but they would not be much help to their friend if they ended up being swept down the Anduin. "We will get to him," the elf met his youngest brother's eyes and held his gaze. "I promise."
0-0-0-0
Gasping for air, Legolas felt the burn in his shoulders rise to an almost unbearable level. His knees had given out a long time ago, and his weight hung from his arms.
Bruises were already starting to appear on his pale skin, decorating his torso in a blotchy pattern. A testament to the severity of the beating he had just received.
"Stand up."
Orchbeck's foul voice grated against the elf's ears. Had he the strength, he would have responded with a dwarven curse. As it was, his entire focus was centered on pulling air into his body.
A rough, black clawed hand caught at his chin, jerking his face up. Legolas almost winced as he felt his skin break under the cruel nails. Tangles of golden hair hung around his face, hiding his eyes from his tormentor. With a swipe, the orc ripped away the curtain of blond locks.
"Afraid yet?" he whispered, looking down at the fair prince.
Legolas did not respond. His blue eyes were cold. Challenging. Without a word, he drew his feet underneath him and stood slowly, taking the weight off his outstretched arms. His legs trembled slightly, but he did not make a sound.
Orchbeck released the prince's chin and stepped back, a cruel smile spreading across hi features. He held out his hand.
Immediately, one of his soldiers stepped forwards and placed an object in his fingers. As the orc fell back to his former position, Legolas caught sight of what had been handed to Orchbeck. He sighed softly.
It was a whip.
0-0-0-0
"Let me go."
Troas felt tears sting his eyes and he cursed silently in anguished frustration. "I am sorry, Sire. You commanded me to hold you back." Thranduil's resolve had lasted exactly two blows. Then he had started forward with a choked cry, causing his friend to make a panicked grab for him. As the beating contined, the father's efforts to reach his child had increased exponentially.
Now the Elvenking strained against his captains, very nearly pulling free from their combined hold. A shudder passed through his entire body as the crack of a whip was clearly heard. A moan forced its way out of his throat. "Legolas…"
The very trees thrashed around them, their branches waving in agitation as they cried for the prince's pain.
0-0-0-0
The lash curled around the elf's ribcage, causing the fair being to jerk and gasp as it was ripped free once more.
Orchbeck laughed softly as he pulled the whip back. This, ah, this was revenge. The Elvenking was being destroyed by his son's pain. And the orc loved it. Relished it. Gloated over the suffering he was causing.
He brought the whip down hard, raising a welt that ran across the prince's chest from his shoulder to the opposite hip. There was only one way that this could get any better…
Another welt. Legolas gasped.
He still wanted to hear the elf scream.
The blows came thick and hard.
0-0-0-0
Legolas ground his teeth together hard, determined not to make a sound. Pain washed over him in bright waves, tugging at his consciousness. He had long ago lost count of how many times the lash had come down, but it didn't really matter.
It still hurt just as badly.
The leather thong wrapped itself around his arm and Legolas had to force down a scream as it was ripped away. The effort left him gasping, almost…almost sobbing. He waited tensely for the next blow, feeling blood trickle from the many wounds.
There was a soft thud, and Legolas looked up, startled. Orchbeck had tossed the whip to the ground and was approaching the prince with an evil gleam in his yellow eyes. He had pulled a pouch from his belt and was shaking some of it's contents into his palm as he walked.
Some sort of white powder…Legolas' eyes widened slightly as he realised what it was.
'Valar…no, I do not know if I can take this…'
"Those wounds could get infected," Orchbeck said in mock sympathy. "we wouldn't want that, would we?"
Legolas received no further warning before the orc ground a handful of salt into his lacerated skin..
0-0-0-0
Saes, gwador nin. Avo daro. An mellon lin.- Please, my brother. Don't stop. For our friend.
Bado, Ada! Avo tiro! –Go, Ada! Don't look!
Ada saes…saes bado…-Ada please…please go…
Ion nin- my son