Title: What Time May Heal
Rating: T
Summary: Legolas has spent two weeks as a captive. He is tortured daily both mentally and physically. What's Worse: Aragorn won't be coming for him.
Heavy eyes opened into slightly less darkness. The eyes moved slowly about the room as a figure took in his surroundings. He shifted in his chains and winced in pain; biting his already worn lip to stifle any sound of pain. As consciousness returned, he attempted to evaluate his new injuries. After a moment, he decided that none were all that life threatening for the time being, just painful.
The figure sighed and closed his eyes in exhaustion. His captors would not let him sleep for more than a few hours time, and he was only given enough food and water to sustain his life. It had been this way for two long weeks by his approximation.
The figure's captor was a cruel man, and only spoke to him during the hour or so that he was beating, burning, or taunting his captive after the figure frustrated him to pure madness. He humiliated the figure further by having an iron collar fashioned and placed around the pale throat of the captive; the insignia on the collar stating that the captive was his own property.
Opening his eyes again, the captive now noticed the absence of light. Judging by the light, the captive determined that he had been out most of the day. A rueful grin crossed his lips as he was not surprised that this was so. The torture he had gone through that morning was even more harsh than usual. Why? The captive had no idea nor did he care. As it was, the being was slowly growing tired of life and was silently praying for death everyday.
His musings were cut short as someone approached where he was chained to the wall behind him. He raised his weary head fixing a stony look on his face as his captor appeared in front of him carrying a torch. The captive winced at the intrusion of light and glared at his hated captor.
"Well, well Legolas, you're awake then?" his captor sneered. Legolas knew better than to reply and remained silent. "You've been out nearly a day your highness. Was I maybe too rough? Next time I'll keep in mind you're more sensitive due to your status and be more gentle."
Legolas gritted his teeth and continued to merely glare. The man before him frowned in obvious annoyance. The elf rarely spoke to him unless it was an insult or sharp retort. He marveled at the spirit of the elf. "Nothing to say your highness?" he jibed. Again Legolas remained silent. The man frowned and leaned closer so that his face was a mere foot from the elf's. "It would be better for you if you would at least entertain me with dialogue."
Legolas all but bared his teeth as he replied. "I have nothing to say to you Maethas," Legolas spat, "and if I did, I doubt you would have anything intelligent in which to reply."
"My, my you still have not learned any manners whilst being our guest?" Maethas teased, "Most people would have learned by now."
"A guest would imply that I was here on my own free will. I most certainly do not choose to be in your company so I suggest substituting that word. And what can I say? I'm a slow learner," Legolas replied coldly.
"Tsk Tsk your highness! It is rude to speak in such a way to your host. I swear, I think that royalty in today's world has forgotten how to act. Such a shame that your father taught you so terribly," Maethas taunted laughing when Legolas growled and lunged in his chains. "There's the temper I was looking for. I need it to come out so that I can beat it out of you."
Legolas remained at the end of his chains even though it caused him great pain to do so. "You can insult me all you would like, but you may NOT disrespect my father in front of me."
"I believe I just did your highness," Maethas countered confidently, "so what are you going to do about it?"
Legolas smirked. "Nothing. Because you have me trussed like a common dog. If I were to engage you in a fair fight, you'd be finished in an instant. Humans are obsolete when compared to my people," Legolas drawled easily.
Maethas growled at the elf who was still smirking at him. Maethas's growl turned into his own smirk just as Legolas's turned into a scream of pain. Maethas grinned and pulled the recently placed daggers from Legolas's thigh and shoulder. Legolas fell backwards and gripped his thigh and shoulder which had begun to bleed profusely. "I believe I have made my point your highness. Why you protect your father is a mystery to me...for he does not care a lick about you. You befriended the enemy, a human. What kind of father would still love his son after that form of betrayal?" Legolas's eyes went blank and Maethas grinned, "Indeed I have made my point your highenss... But those chains make it very possible for you to attack me…and that just won't do." That said, Maethas gripped one chain then the other and pulled them so they were shorter and higher on the wall.
Legolas gave a brief cry of pain as he had to decide which was more important to him, his leg or his shoulder. The elf finally sat on the floor and allowed his arms to remain stretched over his head. He had, however, not lost any of the fire in his eyes, much to Maethas's disbelief. "Why can't I break you?" he asked quietly, "Is it because you still entertain delusions of rescue your highness?"
Legolas finally lost some of the fire. "No," he whispered with certainty, "nobody will be coming for me. No one has the skill in which to track me."
"No one?" Maethas asked with a grin, "what about your human friend…the king. You two are practically joined at the hip are you not? Won't he come for you?"
"He will not come," Legolas replied with certainty closing his eyes in pain at this fact.
Maethas studied the blonde elf for a moment before realization dawned on him. "Ah! I see. The happy couple is having a fight then? How tragic."
"Shut up," Legolas growled, his eyes still closed.
"What did you do elf? I am sure it was your fault after all," Maethas asked cruelly, deliberately reminding the elf of the fight.
Legolas remained quiet as he thought of what had happened between himself and his best friend Aragorn. They had had a fight during one of the councils that Aragorn had held…
"…the border patrols on the Northeast side are weak my lord," Creol, one of Aragorn's seneschals was saying, "we are just asking for an attack on that side."
"I understand what you are saying Creol, but we have no more men who are prepared for that kind of defense to spare! An attack is much more likely from the south territories and I think you know that," Aragorn replied with a sigh.
"What about taking just fifty men from each patrol from the Southern patrols? Surely that would not harm too much!" Creol argued.
"What if that is what the enemy is waiting for? There are more families in the South than in the North. Should we not think of them first?" Aragorn argued back.
"Think of Gondor as a whole my lord," another seneschal argued, "economically speaking, it is wiser to protect the farming families than the basket weavers and the pot makers!"
"All life is valued equally in this kingdom," Legolas suddenly interjected, "one life does not hold precedence over another just because their occupation provides better commerce to the citadel."
Aragorn silently thanked his friend and nodded in agreement. "Legolas is right, this matter is solved."
The council continued on until all of the subjects had been approached and settled. After dismissing all of the disgruntled councilors, only Aragorn and Legolas remained. Pressing his hands over his eyes, and sighing deeply, Aragorn placed his head on the table in front of him. "Close the door Legolas," Aragorn ordered quietly. Legolas obeyed silently. Aragorn sat up and looked at his long time friend. "What is it you wish to say mellon nin? You never spoke for or against the first measure; only stated the obvious. What is on your mind?"
Legolas smiled sheepishly. "It is nothing Aragorn, only…"
"Just spit it out Legolas!" Aragorn grated, "I am weary from the day and dancing around the subject will not help matters."
"My apologies your majesty," Legolas responded sarcastically.
"I am sorry Legolas. No matter my foul mood, I have no right to be rude to you. Please, tell me what is on your mind," Aragorn sighed giving Legolas an apologetic look.
"It is only…the Northeast border…they are right about it being weak," Legolas approached carefully.
"I know this Legolas," Aragorn commented in frustration.
"Not only are they weak my friend, but they might as well not even be there. I know that you think attack is more likely to happen in the Northeast section of the kingdom than in the South, but perhaps we should look at this issue more carefully," Legolas spoke slowly, and clearly so as not to insult Aragorn accidentally. It did not work.
"Are you saying that my judgment on this matter is inadequate?" Aragorn asked in a near growl.
Legolas looked taken aback. "Of course not! I am merely sugge-"
"Are you saying Legolas, that all of your talk about all human life being equal was just a fancy tongue? Do you not really believe that?" Aragorn demanded, fire coming to his eyes.
"I would hope you know me better than that," Legolas snapped back, "I AM keeping everyone in mind. That section is the farming section just as Creol said! If you would think about it-"
"I HAVE thought about it Legolas!" Aragorn yelled back, "So what if they're farmers! Their lives are not more important than the 'basket weavers and pot makers'!"
"I realize that Aragorn!" Legolas yelled back, "I am not saying they are not important. Would you listen to me before you go interrupting me? I swear sometimes you can be so hotheaded!"
"If I am so hotheaded, then why do you continue to pretend to side with me in meetings?? Aragorn fired back.
"I don't know why. Perhaps I should not," Legolas responded sarcastically, "perhaps I should point out your every flaw from now on."
"That would be better than pretending to agree with me then telling me later you did not," Aragorn responded.
"I am not going to make a point of embarrassing you in these matters Aragorn. There is no shame in not knowing what to do! You are new at this!" Legolas responded evenly trying to placate the human.
"Perhaps you purposely do not tell me during the meetings, so that I look even more foolish later on Legolas. Is that it?" Aragorn demanded.
"That's crazy Aragorn! You are my closest friend! Why would I want to do that?" Legolas asked completely taken aback.
"I don't know. But how can I call you friend when I do not know if I can trust you?!" Aragorn screamed not looking at the elf.
Silence reigned over the room after that comment, and Aragorn looked up at Legolas. The elf's eyes were wide and showed much hurt in them. Finally, he looked defeated back at the floor. "If that is the case," he whispered, "then perhaps I should not be serving on this council."
This time Aragorn looked taken aback. "Wha-"
"If you cannot trust me…then I should not be on this council…and perhaps you should not call me friend then," Legolas choked.
"Perhaps not then," Aragorn replied.
Legolas did not look at the human again. "I shall leave within the hour and return home then," Legolas replied barely above a whisper, "good luck Elessar." Nothing further was said as Legolas left the room, leaving behind Aragorn to figure things out on his own…
It was on his way back home that Maethas and his contingent had ambushed Legolas and his escort. Maethas's men had killed most of Legolas's escort leaving very few alive. Now Legolas wasn't even sure that they were still living.
Maethas grinned at Legolas's extended silence. "See? I knew I was right. You did cause this. Well done your highness. I guess you are just getting what you deserve aren't you?" Maethas laughed as he strode from the room.
Legolas sat very still for many moments thinking on what had happened and what Maethas had said. Though he had only meant that by Aragorn not protecting the farming portions of the kingdom, he was risking famine for all, and by doing so he risked the lives of everyone in the kingdom, he could understand why Aragorn felt so betrayed. Perhaps he should have just let it go… Aragorn would have figured it out eventually. 'Perhaps Maethas is right.' Legolas thought to himself dismally, 'I betrayed Aragorn's trust…I deserve this fate.'
Many hours ticked by with Legolas's blood leaving his shoulder and leg rapidly. Legolas made mo movement to even attempt to stop it. Finally the elf began to feel dizzy from the loss. Legolas smirked to himself. 'Good. My soul shall finally flee my body and I will be free. Ai! Valar, make it quick! I do not wish to suffer anymore,' Legolas thought to himself.
From down the hallway, Legolas could hear rapidly approaching footsteps and frowned. He had hoped to pass on before Maethas had returned, but clearly he would have to endure one more session with the sadistic human.
When the human came to the door, Legolas did not even raise his head. He was tired of life and had no chance to escape from this hell he was in, so why care at all? His elven glow was all but gone, and he felt his strength leaving him as quickly as his own blood. He silently waited for the taunts to start so that the blows could, so that the end would come quicker; but nothing happened.
Legolas gritted his teeth as Maethas came closer. Finally he could take the silence no more. "If you are going to do this, then get it over with for I will not play your stupid mind games human," Legolas spat, his eyes remaining closed. Maethas said nothing, just came closer. Legolas noticed that Maethas's walk was softer and his breathing was harsh and quick; he thought nothing of it, even when the human knelt next to him on the ground.
Growling in frustration, Legolas raised his head sharply. "GET ON WITH IT WOULD YO-" Legolas choked off the rest of his tirade before he could finish and took a shaky breath. He shook his head once and blinked hard, assuming he had moved too fast. But the apparition before him remained. Legolas was struck speechless as the figure in front of him gently caressed his cheek.
Finally, Legolas could not take the silence. He had to be sure. If this was a dream he wanted to end it as soon as possible. Tears formed in his azure eyes and he choked on his words. "E-Elessar? What-" The elf's face was cupped between two calloused yet gentle hands.
"It's alright now Legolas," the figure murmured interrupting the elf's question, "you are safe. Maethas shall not touch you again. I swear it. You are safe, safe with me."
Legolas almost sobbed in his relief. It was no dream. Aragorn, son of Arathorn; Estel, the adopted son of Lord Elrond in Rivendell; King Elessar, husband to Arwen and king of men now knelt before him, his hands still gently caressing his cheeks. Relief washed through him and he almost fainted, but was brought back by the beloved voice. "Legolas?" The human was worried that the elf had not responded yet, and that his blue eyes were so dazed. Aragorn stood quickly and studied the chains.
Finally, the king simply swung his sword at the restraints and when the chains broke, so did Legolas's indifferent mask. Legolas began to sob in earnest in spite of his will to remain strong. He let go of all of his emotions at once. The pain of the beatings, the humiliation of the taunts and the collar he was forced to wear, the despair of being certain no one would be coming after him, that he would die alone in that cold cell…all of these emotions hit the elf and despite his shoulder screaming in pain, the prince lifted his arms and covered his face to stifle the sobs.
Aragorn looked startled by this sudden show of emotion. Legolas was known to rarely show any emotion around anyone that involved his own emotional or physical well being. He could be outwardly worried about others, but he never showed emotions for himself. Still in shock the human pulled the elf into his lap and into his arms. He gently shushed Legolas and bent his head so his mouth was right next to a pointed ear, whispering greatly needed words of comfort.
This show of kindness was the first that Legolas had seen in weeks, and it caused him to sob harder, this time in relief. Legolas gripped Aragorn's tunic hard as if by holding onto the clothing, he could prevent the human from disappearing.
The ranger turned king swallowed around the lump in his own throat as he rocked the elf back and forth slowly. Feeling the elf shudder, the king let go and pulled off his cloak; wrapping it around the trembling elf and gathering him back into his arms to resume his swaying. "It's alright now Legolas. You are safe," Aragorn repeated over and over, "We will take you home mellon nin, and everything will be fine. You'll see. You're coming home with me."
Absolute relief swam over Legolas at these crooning words, but also confusion. He tentatively glanced up into Aragorn's eyes. "M-mellon nin? But Elessar…I thought…"
Legolas cut himself off and awaited the human's reply. It was not what he expected. The human tensed in surprise and pulled back more to look into Legolas's blue eyes. "Surely, Legolas, you know that…" Aragorn stopped as he came to a horrible realization. "You thought…oh Legolas, tell me you did not think that I wouldn't allow you to call me by that anymore!" A slow nod was Legolas's reply, as Aragorn continued looking despaired, "I also don't doubt you thought I would never call you mellon nin again. Am I right?"
At the sad look in Legolas's eyes, the human choked and sputtered in shock. "L-Legolas…is that why you've been calling me Elessar instead of Aragorn?" Legolas nodded again hesitantly, afraid the king would pull away and leave him in that cold cell for his lack of faith. "Legolas…I…" Aragorn continued to sputter before he shook himself out of it and regarded the elf in disbelief. "You STUPID elf! It was a fight! One fight is not something a friendship is ended over! How could you think such a thing!"
"But you said-" Legolas protested looking confused.
"Just words mellon nin please believe me!" the human replied passionately, embracing his friend tightly. Legolas smiled slightly, his heart feeling lighter than it had for weeks as he embraced Aragorn back as well as he could. The elf shuddered from the cold of the cell and the darkness of his thoughts. Aragorn adjusted the cloak tighter to ward off the cold. Legolas merely closed his eyes wearily.
"I thought…" Legolas began, but snapped his mouth closed in uncertainty.
Aragorn held the elf to him and squeezed a little bit to encourage the elf. "Go on Legolas."
Legolas took a deep breath before continuing. "I…I honestly thought you weren't going to come after me," Legolas whispered, "I thought I was going to rot here…I thought I would die alone…I begged the Valar to take me from my body so many times. I figured since you hated me, that you wouldn't care if I was left here to die…and no one else had the skills to track me so…I figured…"
Legolas felt the human tense beneath him and prepared to feel the human pull away from him in disgust. Instead, gentle, calloused hands tipped the elf's wet face up. Legolas was startled to find he was still crying, but as Aragorn stared deeply into his blue eyes he realized that the human was crying too. "You listen to me Legolas," the human ordered fiercely. The elf nodded his understanding as the human continued. "I would NEVER leave you here, or anywhere else that left you in pain or danger! I could never hate you, regardless of what I say. How can one hate their other half? And you know very well that one cannot hate their gwador, their sworn brother. I am sorry I gave you any reason to doubt that mellon nin. Forgive me." Aragorn was sobbing by the end of his speech and buried his face in the elf's dirty hair.
Legolas closed his eyes and burrowed into the warmth of his friend. "Ú-moe edhored, Elessar" Legolas replied in his own tongue.
Aragorn smiled in relief as he addressed the elf again. "And no more of this Elessar business. My name is Aragorn…or if you must: Estel." Legolas managed a weak chuckle that turned into a gasp of pain. Aragorn started in surprise before laying Legolas carefully on the floor. He quickly checked the worst of Legolas's wounds and bound the bleeding dagger wounds.
Aragorn felt his rage burn even more as he studied the collar about Legolas's neck. "What is this?" he demanded in a fierce growl.
Legolas winced. "It is a collar Aragorn," he replied teasingly.
Aragorn smiled grateful that Legolas could still joke. "I realize that elf, but what is it doing around your neck?"
Legolas shuddered as he answered. "It was M-mae- HIS way of attempting to show me that he owns me. That insignia on it is his mark."
Aragorn growled low in his throat before studying the lock. "I will remove this when we return home mellon nin, but I fear I cannot do anything about it right now," Aragorn said regretfully.
Legolas shrugged. "I've had it on for two weeks. What's a few more days?" Legolas responded nonchalantly.
Aragorn studied the elf in regret after that comment. Normally, Legolas would whine about it until they finally pulled him free of it. The fact that Legolas was allowing it to stay on without a fuss showed that he had indeed had some of his spirit broken. The human was pulled from his thoughts however when Legolas began to shudder from the cold floor. "Cold?" Aragorn asked quietly.
Legolas nodded. "Been that way for awhile too," Legolas replied quietly before Aragorn gathered the now shivering elf into his arms again. "Better," Legolas replied before Aragorn could ask. The fact that Legolas had been cold for awhile was a big deal to Aragorn for elves were not very susceptible to the cold. That combined with the dimmed glow that Legolas gave off, worried the human greatly. Legolas caught the look on the human's face and smiled softly. "Mother hen," he teased chuckling to himself before tensing in pain again.
The human laughed and lay his head on top of the elf's after planting a brotherly kiss to the crown. Legolas smiled again. "Hang in there mellon nin, we are just waiting for clearance," Aragorn murmured. Since Aragorn was now the king, he was no longer allowed to be at the center of the fights if it was not necessary. He would have been made to stay at home, but Aragorn would not stay behind when Legolas's life was at stake. Legolas merely sighed in reply and tensed in the human's arms.
Aragorn shifted Legolas to be more comfortable and felt his blood boil. He was just glad that it was he who had found that miserable wretch Maethas on his way down towards Legolas. It had given him great pleasure to end the life of the one who caused so much suffering to the elf.
After many minutes, Legolas finally heard steps approaching. The elf only tensed slightly but did not open his eyes. He trusted Aragorn with his life and knew the human would alert him if there was something amiss, or if an enemy approached. Legolas felt Aragorn turn to see who approached. "You found him!" A new voice exclaimed in relief, "Thank the heavens!"
Legolas cracked open a swollen, red rimmed eye and smiled. "Hello Faramir, it is good to see you," Legolas croaked.
"And you, your highness. We have missed you greatly at our meetings," Faramir returned jokingly, "there is much more yelling without you."
Legolas tensed when he was addressed as your highness. The name alone sent him back in his memories to all of the sessions of torture with Maethas. He repressed a violent shudder as he thought back. Shaking himself from his thoughts he looked to Aragorn who was glancing at him in concern. "Can we go now?" Legolas murmured burrowing back into Aragorn's warm clothing, "I am no fan of the dark, and I am in desperate need of a bath."
The jest was not lost on the humans. Aragorn snorted in a most un-kingly way and Faramir chuckled. "Prissy elf," Aragorn muttered affectionately.
"Filthy human," Legolas returned the familiar banter with a yawn.
Aragorn smiled and pulled the elf in closer as he gained his feet. Legolas opened his eyes. "I am sure I can walk on my own Aragorn if you would help me," Legolas protested.
Aragorn snorted again. "Oh I have no doubt mellon nin," Aragorn responded sarcastically, rolling his eyes "but you will forgive me for being overly cautious so that you don't bleed to death before we leave here."
Faramir laughed at the look on the prince's face when he didn't get his way. "You look like a spoiled child your highness. What would your father say?" Both comments from Faramir sent Legolas back to the wall where he had been chained and he grew very tense in Aragorn's arms as he tried to will the memories away. Aragorn noticed Legolas flinch.
"Faramir," he chastised casually, "what's with the formality? I just lectured Legolas on it not thirty minutes ago and here you are showing complete disregard for it! Besides. This is Legolas. You know he hates being judged by his status."
Faramir caught on swiftly. "Oh! Of course. Forgive me Legolas!" Faramir replied.
Legolas, however did not reply as he had finally given into the first peaceful sleep he had been allowed in over two weeks. Aragorn frowned as he thought about Legolas's reaction to his title. There were clearly going to be lasting scars from this encounter in both his treatment while a captive, and his faith in his friendship with Aragorn. They would have to talk about them soon…but for now, Aragorn was content to allow Legolas to sleep.