Disclaimer: I do not own LotR.
So finally we have chapter seven. n.n I hope you all enjoy it. And thank you so much for all your wonderful reviews! They're very much appreciated, especially since I was so unsure of the last chapter. Means a lot to me guys; thanks! n.n
Hunted
Chapter Seven: Hands
Elrond's aim was true and the dagger was deeply embedded into Delnen's chest.
The mad elf dropped to the ground, clutching the weapon, shock written on his face.
However, the elf-lord's attention was no longer on the dying elf who had caused so much suffering in his home. He found he actually didn't care if the elf lived or not, which was rare for the healer.
Legolas was his greatest concern at the moment. The young elf had lost a lot of blood and was losing more as the seconds passed. He needed to get him back to the healing wing quickly and he was grateful Legolas was unconscious for that. The pain it would cause his back and side would be excruciating were he able to feel it.
Since he couldn't waste any more time than he already had, he scooped the lifeless blonde into his arms and rushed him inside.
He spared only a moment's glance at his sons, hoping they would know to take care of Delnen.
Aragorn and the twins did understand but wished for nothing more than to follow after the elder elf and see if Legolas would be alright. The only thing that they knew was that the archer was unconscious and badly injured. Delnen had to be taken care of, however, for they couldn't just leave him there.
Even with the knowledge that taking the dagger out would only quicken his death, Delnen did just that. With one last attempt at killing the golden-haired prince, he returned the favor and threw the weapon towards the elf-lord, aiming it at Legolas since they had to pass him in order to get to the healing wing.
Fortunately, Aragorn had been keeping an eye on the culprit and had noticed it in time.
Knocking the dagger from Delnen's grasp, he punched him hard.
The mad elf fell down heavily with a gasp and then hissed in pain when his arms were pinned, a knee pressing on his chest, putting more and more weight the harder he tried to fight back.
Naturally, the struggle was short-lived since the pain and blood loss was quick to take effect.
Elladan and Elrohir had turned back to face the two when the glint of silver had caught their attention. Their eyes widened in shock when they found the struggle behind them and the discarded dagger next to them.
Immediately, both of them knew what had happened and were furious that Delnen would try such a thing again, especially since he had so blatantly been beaten.
Delnen's hiss soon turned into a snarl at the turn of events.
Aragorn's knee pressed harder, it wasn't over the wound, just near it; enough to keep the killer restrained.
"Lindil," Delnen suddenly whispered, distraught, "I'm sorry."
The three brothers blinked in confusion as they watched the murderer before them, the murderer they had been searching for, the one who had threatened their friend, the one who had hurt him. They wished for nothing more than to get the justice Legolas deserved, but they wanted to at least know why he had killed so many.
With the broken whisper of Lindil's name, Legolas and Aragorn's theory was most likely true.
"You are not doing him any favors by doing this, Delnen," Aragorn said sternly, almost sadly. He remembered a time when Delnen used to be so carefree and cheerful, especially when around Lindil. The both of them were always laughing.
The mad elf froze at the sound of his name, he hadn't heard it in so long (before, when Legolas had said it, it hadn't even registered such was his lust to fight). He actually mouthed the word, as if to taste it.
Elladan and Elrohir exchanged a glance, feeling sorry for the elf. However, he wasn't going to go unpunished, for he had tried to kill their friend; had almost succeeded.
"Lindil," Delnen softly repeated, thinking. He felt slightly guilty for killing in his friend's name, spoiling it, but he needed to be avenged; he would not let it go. He wouldn't get his chance now, though.
He suddenly coughed, crimson spraying as he turned his head, the instinct to curl into himself held back because of Aragorn's body still holding his.
The three brothers knew that there was no way Delnen was going to live much longer.
Aragorn had let up on his hold and lifted his knee.
"Lindil! Lindil!" the mad elf started shouting, pushing against Aragorn, movements frantic. He had to avenge him. He had to! No one knew how important Lindil had been to him. It didn't seem like anyone cared that he had been killed. Their search for the murderer had only lasted a few months, but he hadn't stopped. He had kept at it for years until he finally snapped and started killing blondes. He didn't care anymore; he would eventually get the right one.
"Estel! Hold him down," Elrohir commanded. They were slightly surprised by the renewed effort to get free.
Obviously, Delnen was hardly able to put much into it, for the blood loss was greatly affecting him now.
"This is all because of Lindil, is it not?" Elladan asked, hoping to get the whole truth from the killer.
"No," Delnen denied vehemently, "it's for him."
"How is this for him? Do you honestly think he would want you to become a murderer?" Aragorn questioned, angry. He couldn't believe that someone could think it was right to do such a thing.
"You were the one who stopped looking for his killer, the one who had slaughtered him mercilessly and without reason! I had to do something!" the mad elf shouted, outraged. He started coughing again. More blood.
Delnen had seen a blonde elf jump out of the window of Lindil's bedchamber. It had been dark; the only reason he had been able to even notice that was because of the glow of the waning moon that night. When he had come into his friend's chambers after hearing the commotion he had only seen the back of the killer; the glimpse of golden hair, shining in the bright moonlight. He had told his lord and the others of what he saw. He hadn't touched anything but Lindil—he had been unable to help himself as he held the bloody corpse, crying over the loss. They had done so little, it seemed to him, and he had been furious over this. Therefore, he had taken matters into his own hands.
"We did not stop," the elder twin said softly, ignoring how hypocritical the dying elf was being. "There were no more leads; we had nothing to go by."
They all remembered the day that they had been forced to halt their investigation for lack of clues. Delnen had burst into their father's study hysteric; hadn't even knocked or announced himself. Legolas, Aragorn and the twins had all been present when this had happened. They knew he had been distraught and grievous but they hadn't thought he would go so far.
"You lie," Delnen growled out between teeth stained red.
He had gone totally limp under Aragorn, breath shallow, skin deathly pale.
Seconds later, his eyes slowly closed and his breathing stopped altogether.
Aragorn sighed heavily and sat down next to the lifeless body. It was a shame to see someone who had been so fun-loving reduced to what he was now or had been. They knew that, even if he hadn't died, he probably would have been executed for what he had done.
The three didn't know what to do with Delnen's body but, by that time, the guards had arrived. They were grateful to have the chance to go back to Legolas so, when they offered to take care of Delnen, they gladly accepted.
When they entered the healing chambers Elrond was just finishing up with treating Legolas' injuries.
They were immediately at Legolas' side, checking him over. He was even more pale than before—if possible—but he did seem to be breathing easier. His tunic and undershirt had been removed, showing the white bandages patched with red stains.
"Is he going to be alright?" Aragorn asked, looking over at his father, concern dripping from every word.
Elrond stopped washing his hands for a moment and glanced at his youngest briefly, before continuing.
"Aye," he finally answered. "He's lost a lot of blood, but he should be well. Just needs to rest."
Aragorn and the twins nodded, saying nothing. It seemed as though the elder elf wasn't exactly sure of his own words. The thought alone was enough to crush their hearts. They didn't know what to do; there was nothing else they could really do for Legolas.
Silence stretched between the four until Elrond spoke up in a whisper, "What of Delnen?"
"He's… no longer with us. Dûrele and Eldadil took care of him," Elladan replied.
The elf-lord merely nodded and looked back to the pale prince lying as still as a statue, the rise and fall of his chest barely visible.
Again, silence.
Then, Elrond sighed heavily and slumped into the chair beside Legolas' bed, drying his hands. Despite what had happened to the archer, he still felt sorry for Delnen. It was horrible to see someone end up like that.
"Was it how you thought?" he reluctantly asked Aragorn, who knew immediately what he meant.
The human solemnly nodded. "Aye. Revenge."
The elder elf echoed his earlier sigh. He looked towards the window and saw that stretches of dull light were starting to creep their way past the curtain. It was early morning now and they all needed sleep; some more than others, but a certain one had authority over the other three.
Elrond took care of what injuries his sons had, feeling guilty that he hadn't even looked before. It was just that Legolas' had been so severe, any later and he might not have survived.
The healer glanced back at the young elf, hands stilling on the bandage he was wrapping around Elrohir's arm.
"Ada?" the younger twin asked in worry.
Bringing his eyes and mind back to the task at hand, he replied, "It's nothing."
The others highly doubted that, but let it go, knowing their father was just as stubborn—if not more—than them. If he didn't want to say anything, then he wouldn't.
After Elrond had finished treating their injuries, which were all minor, he said, "Take rest, my sons."
"We are not leaving," Aragorn stated firmly. He would not leave Legolas' side again.
The elf-lord looked into the silver eyes, seeing steely resolve mixed with the guilt and sadness. Elladan and Elrohir had the same look.
"Fine," he gave in. "Please get some rest, though."
Aragorn, Elladan and Elrohir watched their father with shock. They had never heard him sound so defeated before. It didn't bode well for anyone. They knew Elrond needed more sleep than anyone, but knew that he would never sleep until Legolas was well so they wouldn't bother telling him to sleep. They thought that that might be one of the main causes of his change in behavior, however.
They lowered their gazes to Legolas' still form and slowly nodded. They would rest, but not right then. They needed to see their friend wake just as much as their father did.
They pulled up the other chairs in the chamber up to Legolas' bed, sitting on either side; Aragorn next to Elrond and Elladan and Elrohir on the other.
Every once in a while, the three would shift their gazes from the prince to the elder elf, deeply concerned by the wearied look in his eyes and the defeated way he carried himself. However, words did nothing so they sat there and waited, waited for blue eyes to open and reassure them all. They all desperately needed it.
It wasn't until late that night that their hearts leaped to their throats when they dared to believe Legolas' eyes had fluttered and were trying to open. When the young elf let out a pain-filled groan, they knew that their tired minds hadn't played a cruel trick on them.
Elrond stood close to the archer, a hand resting lightly on one of Legolas'.
When glazed, blue eyes finally met his, he smiled warmly, glad to see he had awoken. He patted the hand gently, and moved away to grab a cup of tea filled with the painkillers Legolas blatantly needed.
With utmost caution, he tried to feed the young elf it so he wouldn't feel any pain, though he knew it was inevitable, even with his sons help.
Legolas was gently lowered back onto the pillow, eyes closed as he dealt with the increase of pain as he waited for the painkillers to take effect.
After a few minutes, he reopened his eyes, eyes that now held some understanding and awareness.
"How are you feeling, penneth?" He had to ask, it was automatic; even if he knew he was going to get the customary, "Fine," from the blonde.
However, instead of that answer, the blue eyes fully opened as a thought hit him.
"Delnen!" he shouted, about to spring up, but caught himself in time, knowing that he would likely pass out from the agony it would cause. The others didn't seem to be worried about the mad elf either since they hadn't seemed agitated or rushed to explain the dangers to him—or yell about his foolishness… yet. He now dreaded that moment… almost as much as the time when he painkillers would wear-off.
Aragorn had gone to stop his friend from sitting up and was actually surprised when he stopped himself. He let out an inward sigh of relief at that. Legolas didn't need to suffer more.
"Worry not, mellon-nin, he will not hurt anyone ever again," Elrohir said softly.
Legolas turned to face the younger twin. "Who…?" he trailed off, not sure if he should really ask. After all, did it really matter? He knew that he mad elf was dead; he was curious as to who had killed him, for he knew he hadn't, most of the injuries he had given him were superficial.
Elrond lowered his head at the question.
In response, Elrohir nodded towards his father, knowing he didn't like the fact that he had killed Delnen, even if it had to be done.
Legolas' eyes widened, taken aback. He hadn't expected it to be the elf-lord.
It didn't really matter, though. Delnen was gone and would never kill another innocent.
The blonde slowly moved his hand to place it on Elrond's, holding back a wince with difficulty.
Elrond saw what the young elf was trying to do and gently grabbed the hand, wrapping his hands around it.
Legolas smiled warmly at him, appreciation shining through the bright blue orbs.
And Elrond smiled back, grateful to have Legolas still with them.
Well, there ya have it. Let me know what ya think, alright? If some of it seemed weird... ignore it. XD;;
Next chapter is the last. And, yes, I do have it finished. n.n Just have to type it up… I'll prob'ly post it sometime next week. I'll try my best. n.n
Check out my lj at http / nightshadow131 .livejournal .com for info about my next fics.
My kitty says hi. n.n;;; Same cat who's making it extremely difficult to type. XDD
Ja ne