Welcome back Arian! hugs I will start to give some answers soon.
Yes, Gimli and Legolas are always good for some bitching … or comic relief…we'll see what comes of that… hint Thanks for taking the time to review!
Chapter 10
Bellmaethorion had quietly endured the early breakfast in the great hall, all the time toying with the idea of telling Glorfindel about Erestor's visit. How would the seneschal react if he told him that the chief advisor was holding something back that might be vital to ensure their survival on the hunt?
He sighed as he continued to push the food around on his plate. It was almost time to leave and he had not seen Lindir yet. Maybe the minstrel had simply overslept.
"Are you ready to leave?" Glorfindel's voice suddenly invaded his thoughts.
Looking up Bellmaethorion gazed directly into the other seneschal's eyes. "Yes," he said quietly, "I guess I am."
Silently the two blonds rose, making their way through the hall. Bellmaethorion forced himself to ignore Erestor's pleading gaze that seemed to follow his every move.
Glorfindel stopped, gulping as the twins suddenly blocked his path.
"My lords." Glorfindel bowed deeply.
"Glorfindel,"
Elldadan was the first to speak, his voice strangely flat, "Please
take this."
At his brother's sign Elrohir stepped forward,
offering the Eldar a beautifully crafted silver hairclip in the shape
of a butterfly.
"This was a present we gave our father the evening before we reached majority. He has often called it one of his most prized possessions."
"We entrust it to you," Elrohir continued, placing the ornament in Glorfindel's hand and closing the blond's fingers around it, "As a token of our trust in you. We trust you with our father's life. And we trust you to kill the creature that took our father from us."
Tears swam in Glorfindel's eyes as the twins stepped aside and Bellmaethorion gently took his arm, leading him out of the silent hall.
Something cold and jagged pressed against him as he slowly returned to consciousness. His head was throbbing with pain and he felt dried tears on his cheeks.
"Well, well, well," Sadjan's voice growled behind him, "Seems my little elf has finally woken again."
"Where…" Elrond croaked, staring into the grey mist that surrounded him.
"Don't worry, your eyesight will return as soon as I want it. If I want it…"
Elrond strained his hearing but Sadjan's voice suddenly seemed to assault him from all directions at once. He could feel the ground beneath his feet shudder slightly as the creature circled around him. A soft breeze ghosted over his naked back and legs. He was only held upright by the rope around his ankles, waist and wrists, his body pressed closely against a massive tree trunk. His legs were spread eagled, unable to support his weight, and his hands had been tied over his head.
"What does it feel like?" Sadjan whispered, "To know that one of your closest confidants betrayed you?"
"You are lying," Elrond grated out, tiredly resting his cheek against the cold trunk, "My friends would never betray me."
He screamed as a sharp pain flared from his left shoulder and over his back to his right hip. "Wha…" he groaned, light exploding before his eyes.
"Oh…" Sadjan cooed, "Doesn't he like my claws? They were hands once, you know. Much like yours. Would you like them on you?"
"No!"
"Face it elf," the creature sneered, "I did not have to venture into your Least Homely House, you were brought to me."
"No…no…"
"Yes." hot, reeking breath washed over Elrond's neck as claws touched him once more in a mock caress.
"I shall enjoy killing you." Sadjan whispered directly into the elf-lord's ear, claws hissing past Elrond's face, who flinched violently.
"You won't dare to kill me," the Peredhel whispered, feeling small droplets of blood run down his back and over his legs, the salty smell stinging his nostrils, "Your master ordered you to keep me alive." He shivered violently as another razor-sharp claw left the next scratch on his back. "You told me so yourself."
The grey fog around him thickened, swallowing even the last few shapes he had almost seen, but he sensed Sadjan's grin, could feel the malice emanating from the creature.
"I lied." Sadjan growled softly, with a quiet finality.
"No…" Elrond tried to shake his head.
"Yes…" sharp talons pierced Elrond's skin again, turning the droplets of blood into a stream of red that warmed the elf's back with waves of pain.
"Your abduction was nothing but a test for my master's servant within your house. I should have killed you in Imladris."
Tears ran down Elrond's cheeks as he tried to shake his head once more, tried to block out the creature's voice.
"I only kept you for sport… and food."
Elrond's eyes widened in shock as Sadjan suddenly pressed against him, enfolding him in his leathery wings.
"But I think I shall have the sport now, before I devour the last of your power."
Elrond's anguished scream echoed unheard through the forest, soon soaked up by tree and leaf.
"Where is Erestor?" Elladan frowned, grasping his twin's hand for support as the stood on the balcony, looking out over the courtyard where Glorfindel, Bellmaethorion and a group of Imladris' archers were readying their mounts for departure.
The sun was already rising, hidden behind heavy clouds that filled the world with a blue-tinted twilight and spoke of impending rain.
"They will find him." Elrohir squeezed his brother's hand reassuringly.
"Aye, but in what condition?"
Neither of the two turned as comforting hands suddenly touched their shoulders.
"You're late." Elladan leaned into Elrohir's and Lindir's touch.
"I did not want to see Bellmaethorion this morn."
"You like him."
"He confuses me.!
"Confusion must not always be bad, Lindir."
"Erestor." Lindir turned, warmly greeting his friend, "We were wondering where you had disappeared to."
"Nowhere special," the advisor said absentmindedly, "I just had to take care of a few things that needed to be done."
The twins nodded simultaneously and together the four elves watched the rescue party depart, Erestor's heart contracting painfully as Glorfindel looked back at him once more.
"Come on, pyn-neth, Lindir," he said, "It will rain soon and I could really do with a cup of tea now."
"Archers!" he yelled, rushing through the corridors with a determined frown, "Guards! Archers! To me at once!"
"Your majesty." one of his advisors scurried out of the great hall, bowing quickly to his king, "I could summon the Royal Guard, tell them to assemble in the courtyard…"
"What are you waiting for then?" he barked, green eyes flashing with impatience, "Do you think I was calling for them just because I felt like yelling?"
"Of course not your majesty, but…"
"Don't talk back!" Thranduil glared at the intimidated advisor, "Begone and summon the Royal Guards!"
"As you wish my liege." with another deep bow the advisor hurried away, leaving the irate woodland king alone once more.
Thranduil's frown deepened as he strode purposefully onwards, concentrating on the presence in his mind.
"By the pricking of my thumbs," e mumbled darkly to himself, "Something wicked this way comes."
Barely a leaf stirred as the big wolf made its way through the dark forest, carefully sniffling the air again and again. Stealthily it moved upon its design, drawn closer by the smell of blood and power and urged on by the strange presence in his mind.
He grinned as he felt new power surge through him. Everything was coming along perfectly. Duathion had even after all those millennia barely been able to put up a fight and had quickly succumbed to his wishes.
A delicious shiver ran through him as even more power flowed to him. Obviously Sadjan was feeding; it had to be him, since the others were still dwelling in Barad-Dûr.
Barak closed his eyes and sent his thoughts out to Sadjan, telling his servant to dispose quietly and discreetly of the elven lord. Elrond had served his purpose and there were others still, whose power rivalled the half elf's.
Humming he strode down the stairs to the dungeons. It was time to feed his newest creation, the youngest of his children. A creation that would have the free people of Middle Earth quaking in their realms, paralysed with fear.
"Attention!"
Thranduil glared briefly at the captain who had given the command but then proceeded to muster the soldiers in front of him.
"Guardians of Mirkwood," he called, pacing up and down in front of the thirty archers and warriors, "Evil has secretly been attacking our lands again."
Some of the soldiers shifted nervously. Eleven years ago Thranduil had decided to help the other elven realms and Gondor to hunt down the last of Sauron's forces and many soldiers of the Royal Guard had lost both, friends and family.
"I have been sensing a new threat for quite some time now," the king continued, "But I could not ascertain who this threat was nor where he worked his evil." he paused, looking some of the soldiers directly into the eye.
"I sense a servant of the new danger, the new evil, very close to our borders, a strong servant of ancient power."
Hushed murmurs accompanied the shuffling of feet as the guards reached for their weapons.
"I still sense where this servant of evil is," Thranduil announced, eyes glittering like emeralds, "And we shall hunt him down!"
A roar of applauding cries echoed through the courtyard, washing over Thranduil.
Silently the king of the woodland realm marched ahead, leading his troop with grim determination.
