Chapter 18

The dark surrounded him and he had never felt so alone. Time stood still yet at the same time appeared to drag on for an eternity. He had been so close, so close to freedom, escape. In his minds eye he could still see the tranquil, blue sky, smell the fresh scent of the spring breeze, feel the rough bark of the glorious elm as he embraced its trunk, revelling in his new found liberty. He shivered then. He could also hear the sudden twang of a bow string, feel the sharp bite of the arrow as it passed through his left shoulder, see the force with which it embedded itself in the tree, effectively pinning him in place.

Unbidden, his fingers reached up to explore the wound and for the hundredth time encountered naught but smooth skin. He shook his head and felt a wave of panic well up within. He had no recollection of being released from the tree or the arrow removed, no recollection of being brought back inside and returned to this dark, stone prison and no idea how long he must have lain here, unconscious as the wound healed over leaving not even the trace of a scar.

He wondered, as tears of frustration began to run over cheeks now gaunt and paler than snow, if it had indeed happened or if it had been some fantasy conjured by a mind gone mad from loneliness and despair. Sitting upon the edge of the hard pallet he tried to think, tried to remember but it was so hard to concentrate with the constant drip of water ringing in his ears. There were corridors, stairs, doors and then, outside, sky, grass and trees. Oh, yes, trees. Glorious, wonderful trees. Yet, there was something at the back of his mind. A sense of wrong, somehow. Of something not quite right, but the more he tried the less he was able to work it out. His hands began to rub up and down the length of his thigh's. He could do this, he could, he knew if he could just think, but his eyes were blinded by this all consuming blackness and his ears were filled with the monotonous tapping of water hitting stone. The tears fell faster now as he lifted his hands to cover his ears and he began to rock backwards and forwards in time with the insidious noise.

All he could see was the dark, all he could hear was the dripping water, all he could feel was alone.

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~o~

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There had been little speech between the brothers once the twins had returned to their impromptu camp. Elladan had quietly seated himself on the opposite side of the fire to Aragorn, removed his long, ancient sword from its scabbard and was now running his smooth sharpening stone along its length with regular, well practiced strokes. His mirror image had squatted down by the wounded mortals head, reaching out to feel the heat still emanating from his forehead and grimaced at its ferocity.

"It has not abated any."

"'Roh, I'm," Aragorns voice was small and filled with emotion as he tried to speak yet was quickly interrupted.

"Cold compresses may help." Glancing at his human brother, Elrohir saw the sorrow and regret in his eyes yet was not yet ready to hear the words he would utter. "I am surprised you have not thought of this Estel."

The sting in his brothers softly spoken words cut the young man to the quick and he felt shame suddenly flush his face. Of course he should have thought of it. It was a basic tool any healer was first taught when dealing with fever. He watched in mortified silence whilst the twin soaked a wash cloth in the cool liquid from his water skin then placed it gently upon the youths brow.

"Keep it as cool as you can." The tone was one of master healer to apprentice. "I will refresh our supply."

Elrohir's face was an impassive mask as he stood, collected the two skins that had already been emptied in their caring for the young human and disappeared quickly out of sight.

Aragorn sighed and shuffled his position until he was seated close to the injured man's head. He could see tendrils of steam rising from the moist cloth already and marvelled anew at the bodies ability to generate such heat. Removing the, now warm, piece of fabric, he quickly doused it until cold again before replacing it gently in position.

The rhythmic ringing of stone upon steel suddenly stopped and Aragorn cast an anxious glance over towards his eldest brother to find himself pinned with the sharp glare of deep brown eyes.

"He will not survive Estel." The words were spoken softly yet with conviction. "The poison is too far advanced and we have not the means to combat it out here."

"But we must at least try." Aragorn met the gaze and held it with the steel of his own, surprised when after a few seconds his brother looked away first.

"Aye," Elladan sighed, "we must."

Rising to his feet the peredhil crossed the short distance between them and laid a hand upon Aragorns shoulder, squeezing gently.

"Forgive me." The elf stared down at the wounded man, his face a picture of sorrow. "It was only worry for Legolas that made me speak thus. I would not abandon any that needed our help."

"Nay, it is I that should seek your forgiveness." Aragorn looked contritely up at his brother. "It was cruel of me to bring up the past in that way." He raised a hand to cover that resting upon his own shoulder and for a moment the two shared a quiet smile of forgiveness and regret.

Past words buried Aragorn turned his attention back to their patient once more, cooling and replacing the soothing cloth whilst Elladan moved back to tend the fire which was fast dying out. Each one had silently accepted the others unspoken apology and knew they need speak of it no more.

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~o~

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The witch king watched from his hidden vantage point high up in the corner of the room, whilst the elf rocked and wept and knew the plan was well on the way to completion. It was time to introduce the next element and for this he would need his masters help. Turning away from the heartrending sight below he moved to a concealed flight of steps and began to climb, nervous anticipation building within him as it did each time he and the master communed together. He both dreaded and enjoyed their mental joinings and this time there would be an additional element that had him climbing faster than usual to hurry the process along.

At last he emerged into a small, airless room, containing a single pedestal upon which sat a large, round, black stone which appeared to absorb the light from the four flickering torches placed in plain, ebony sconces on the rough stone walls. It was to this orb that the witch king's gaze was immediately drawn and he walked towards it as if pulled by invisible strings.

Standing silently before the black stone he drank in its appearance for a few moments then raised his gloved hands and reverently reached out to caress it, before settling one lightly on either side and leaning forward to peer into its inky depths. Almost immediately images began to flash before his eyes as the orb absorbed his thoughts, then there was an almost painful mental jolt as he felt his mind suddenly grasped by another. Resisting the urge to fight back he allowed the mental possession, surrendering his will completely as he had done so many times before and a bolt of pure pleasure ran through him in reward. His master was pleased.

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~o~

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Aragorn watched from his position beside the young man as the twins placed the second body into the hole they had managed, with a lot of effort, to gouge out from the hard, packed ground. It was not as deep as they would have liked but with stones piled over the top they hoped it would keep predators at bay.

The youth's temperature had shown signs of abating and on Elrohirs return to camp the decision had been made to bury the men as soon as possible then move to a more sheltered spot the younger twin had discovered beside a fast flowing, stream. Aragorn had taken his turn digging the grave and collecting rocks until the others decided he should tend to the patient and pack up the few belongings they had used in his care in readiness for the short journey.

At last the final stone was placed upon the joint grave and the three brothers each bowed their heads and whispered a few words of prayer.

"I will carry the youth." Elladan moved away from the mound first, efficient as ever, walked over to the unconscious man ,scooped him up into his arms without the slightest show of effort then turned to his twin and nodded. "If you will lead the way."

Picking up his own and his brothers pack Elrohir grinned and motioned for the others to follow then headed off into the forest once more. Elladan followed close behind and Aragorn, after a swift check to ensure they had left nothing behind, brought up the rear. Travelling as swiftly as possible the trio made their way between the trees for some distance before Elrohir finally held up his hand and bit them halt in front of a large, knotted bush of brambles growing not far from a small, clear stream. Removing his cloak he laid it over the recumbent form still clutched within his brothers embrace paying attention to covering his face then moved to the bush and began pushing his way through the tangled mess. It was not to hard to follow where he had previously been through and soon they found themselves standing in the centre of a ring of the prickly shrubs, completely encircled within a clearing just big enough for comfort and cut off from the outside world.

Aragorn quickly untied his bedroll from his pack, flicked it open and laid it out on the ground for Elladan to set his human burden down upon then set about gathering the means for a fire, ensuring it was well enough away from the prickly branches to avoid setting them alight. It would need careful tending but would be necessary for heating water for herbal infusions if nothing else.

"He is heavier than he looks muindor." Having lain the injured man down Elladan stretched his muscles and grimaced at his twin.

"Rather like our brother then." quipped Elrohir, smirking over at Aragorn.

"I am not heavy!" The young man replied with mock outrage. Aiming a punch at his nearest sibling.

"Nay, it must be all the dirt you carry on your person then." Elrohir laughed as he managed to dodge lithely out of the way.

Laughing happily, all previous discord forgotten, camp was swiftly established within their small haven and the three finally settled down around a modest fire to brew tea for themselves and more of the herbal infusion for the injured youth who had begun to moan softly and shake his head slowly from side to side.

Elladan had seated himself next to the restless human and began speaking soft words of comfort whilst placing a hand upon his brow in an effort to soothe his increasing agitation but if anything this appeared to exacerbate the problem and the youth began to babble urgently, his words almost incomprehensible.

"Is that brew ready yet Estel?"

"Not quite." Aragorn looked over at his eldest brother. "It just needs to cool a little." He poured the herbal mixture into a cup and began to blow across its surface in an effort to speed the cooling process.

"No... Please...No..."

It was as Aragorn handed the drink over to Elladan that the restless youth finally uttered some understandable words and he found himself leaning in closer to listen.

"Not kill...please...don't want... die...elf...please ...elf don't ...kill..."

The startled brothers stared at the rambling youth then at each other.

"Elf?"

"Who?"

"Legolas!"

Aragorn's heart leapt. Had this young man seen his missing friend? Could it be possible or was he clutching at straws? There could not be any other elf this far from Thranduils halls surely. Resisting the impulse to grab the youth and shake more words out of him he clenched his hands into tight fists and prayed to the Valar that the man lived long enough to tell them more.

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~o~

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Walking slowly back down the steps, trying to shake the vestiges of this latest connection and bring himself back under control once more the dark lords lieutenant allowed himself an inward smile. His legs shook slightly from the remnants of his masters magic that still pulsed slightly through his body and the memory that promised so much more. As he descended his ears picked up the sound of water dripping but naught else and he realised that during his time with his master the elf had fallen quiet.

Stopping at the viewing spot once more he gazed down to spy the fair creature lying on his left side. curled up into a ball like an elfling on the bed below him. A ripple of pleasure ran through him at the sight of his naked form and the impression of vulnerability thus portrayed. It was almost a shame to disturb him but he could not afford to give the prince time to rest or recuperate for long, he was so close now to breaking point it would need only a small push to send him over the edge.

He pulled the long, thin knife out from under his robes and began to descend once more, flipping the blade over and over in his hand. Just one more game should be enough to ready the archer for the next step. His mind began to thrum with anticipation.

A/N

I hope this will keep you wonderful readers happy for a while as I'm not sure when I will be able to post next. My poor laptop screen won't keep still and as it's getting worse and worse I can hardly see what I'm doing now so it's going in for repair. Hopefully it won't be long before I have it back!

Anyway, quick thanks to you all for reading and remember, it doesn't take long to write a few words but it makes an author very happy! :)

Special mentions to Estaron, Obsidianglasses and Legolaslover 2003 for their kind input :)