For Disclaimer please view chapter one.
Chapter 12: Perseverance and Hope
They had now broken through the second guarded gates. Not only were they completely surrounded and outnumbered, but they were utterly exhausted from having been in a constant state of battle, they were weak, and unless they surrendered, they would die. Legolas was still alive, along with some of his guards and Eomer King.
Neither the Easterlings nor the Elves did anything; both sides waiting for the other to attack, but one side was strong, and unfortunately for the Elves it was not them. A dark brown horse carrying a hooded figure broke the tension between the two groups. It was Ene, and she had a grand smile on her face as she dismounted her horse. Legolas only stiffened his worn out bloodied body and gripped his sword, wanting to kill her.
"Oh stop the pretence and just drop your sword prince, it is of no use here any longer." She said walking nearer to him, but Legolas did no such thing. She looked around, "And that goes for the rest of you as well, you have lost….do you not see?" She said pointing out that they were completely surrounded. She spotted Eomer amongst the Elves. "King Eomer, I am surprised to see you here, are these not your enemies?" She motioned for two easterlings to go and grab him, but as soon as they moved forward Legolas cut them down.
"Legolas you will put your weapons down, and you will command your guards to do the same."
"I do not see any reason why I should do that." Replied Legolas.
Ene smirked. "No reason? Will it really be a battle to the death? Because you will die. Look at yourself! You can barely stand!"
"You underestimate."
"No I do not." She said quickly, rolling her eyes and sighing. "Fine, bring her out!"
As soon as the words escaped her mouth Legolas's world slowed down, he knew whom Ene was speaking about, it was Aurel, they had found her, somehow they had found her. Once again Aurel's hands were bound and she was gagged as well, otherwise she looked unharmed, he could not read anything from her eyes and he knew she was doing that on purpose.
"It seems that you have a good reason now. Will you put down your weapons?" She went to Aurel and put a hand to her face. "Still so very soft….." She looked at Legolas. "You know I will kill her and then I will kill you and it would be a pity for it is not necessary."
For Legolas there was no choice at that moment. He dropped his weapons, and commanded the rest to do the same. Eomer kept his weapon.
"Good!" said Ene. "She always did help you make the right decisions….it's a wonder you have been able to survive these past few months without her."
She was mocking Legolas, and he knew it.
Ene walked over to where Eomer stood. "King Eomer, I should kill you for killing my brother…."
Aurel having heard that immediately looked at Eomer, her eyes now reflecting her complete shock.
"But I hear that it was a mercy killing? For that, I will spare your little life…and I will let you go back to Rohan, or whatever is left of it. Please drop your weapon so that my guards can escort you there."
"I am not leaving here." He replied.
"What is it with you males?? Do I constantly have to threaten to get you to understand….you have no choice, drop your weapon or it will be cut from you and sent to your family along with bits of your body from time to time."
"Eomer King, go…this is no longer your battle." Said Legolas.
Eomer reluctantly dropped his sword and he was immediately taken away.
"Well thank you." Said Ene approaching Legolas. "You have very fine dungeons where I think your guards and soldiers will be able to rest peacefully, as for you, and Aurel….a private audience I request in the throne room, my guards will escort you there."
Ene walked calmly towards Aurel, untied her hands and took the gag off. "Come Naneth, I will walk with you…you have had quite a tiring day."
"Ever rarely as a child was I allowed to come in here, it was almost forbidden for me to grace these halls." Said Ene as she looked around the throne room. "I never understood the reason for that."
Legolas and Aurel were still separated at different ends of the hall.
"Things will be different now though." She went to go sit on the throne meant for the King of Eryn Lasgalen.
"What do you want Ene?" asked Legolas.
She shook her head, "I have mostly everything I want, the question is what do you want?" She motioned for Aurel to be brought to where she and Legolas where. "Do you want her to live, or do you want her to die?" She sat on the throne and made herself comfortable. "Because I want her to live. Don't you?"
"What happened to your brother?" asked Aurel who was still in shock upon hearing of Ethaen's death.
Ene smiled to herself as she enjoyed the feel of the green and gold velvety arm handles of the throne. She looked at Aurel and then at Legolas. "So you have not told her then?"
Aurel looked at Legolas. "You knew?"
Before Legolas could respond Ene interrupted, "Of course he knew, he was the one who cut through him." Ene's face became serious and she stood from the throne.
"I do not believe that." Said Aurel.
"Well believe it." Said Ene. "Your dear husband left Ethaen to die; he did not even have the decency to finish it himself."
Legolas looked sadly at Aurel. "I have done as she has said."
Aurel's eyes widened.
"You see Aurel, it is he that lies to you, not I… lied about a great many thing he has."
"If you did not hold my wife's life in your hands I would kill you." Said Legolas to Ene.
"Oh, I believe you, I really do."
Ignoring their dialogue, Aurel interrupted and asked Legolas. "Why?"
He thought of telling her all that had happened but knew that only a few words were needed to explain the reason why he did what he had done. "He betrayed us… deeply." A great sadness reflected in his eyes.
Aurel looked away, she did not want to cry, she had cried enough….Ene's betrayal was one thing, but had she loved Ethaen so much to have been blind to his betrayal as well? It was possible, and sadness was the last thing she felt.
"That is true, he did betray you both. Unfortunately he just never understood how to keep things in order and well…that is what happens. Now I will have to mend his mistakes." She had her guards pass her a large pouch. "This will be my prize for all to see." She set the pouch down on the throne and used both hands to take out what was inside.
When it came into sight, Aurel looked away for even the mere glance of it was too ghastly.
"This is what happens to heroes, and anyone that comes into this hall will know that from now on. Do you like it Legolas?"
Legolas stared right at it. It was Ihawsanor's head, his eyes were still open, but the expression was one that Legolas would never forget. Ihawsanor had been the captain of the guard since his father had been an Elfling, to see what had been done to him filled him with such rage and sorrow. His eyes darkened and he clenched his fists.
"Now. I did bring you both here for a reason." She looked over to Aurel. "Aurel please look at me."
"How could you do such a thing??"
"You have slayed hundreds more, do not act so disgusted."
"If I had to kill it was in time of war." Replied Aurel.
"We are in war."
"What war Ene? I do not understand any of this, look at what you have done...you have destroyed lives…for what? To what end?"
"To have Eryn Lasgalen as my own."
"Taking it by mere force does not mean it is yours. No one would accept it." Said Legolas.
"I know. That is why you are going to continue to rule, by my side. I realize that there are hundreds perhaps even thousands of your people who would revolt against my rule, but if you were by my side, they would listen to you…and to tell you the truth I do not want to have to kill every Elf in this Kingdom. I would just find it such a tedious task."
"You are mad. I will never rule by your side."
"You will. To save her and your child."
"Having me stand by your side will not change anything….you do not need me, they will see it is by force that I do it and they will still revolt. They will fight to the death and all your actions will have been in vain." Replied Legolas.
"I will become your wife."
For Legolas the words that came out of Ene's mouth made him freeze.
"He already has a wife you ignorant girl." Said Aurel wanting to slap the smile off of her face.
Ene went up to Aurel and smiled at her, she put her hand up to Aurel's face again, caressing it, "I will be his new wife…" Without warning she slapped Aurel across the face.
"Ene, keep your hands off of her!" shouted Legolas.
"I am not as ignorant as you make me to be." Said Ene to Aurel.
"Keep away from me." Whispered Aurel.
"You will absolve Aurel as your wife and you will wed me."
Legolas shook his head, "It is not as simple as you make it."
"Make it simple."
"And if I continue to refuse?"
"I kill her, and keep you alive. But I will not kill her quickly; you will have regretted your refusal."
"If you remember anything about our ways, I cannot break our marriage. We are bound." Said Legolas.
Ene composed herself, and went back to the throne, placing Ihawsanor's head on the floor in front of her. She sat down. "Yes, I understand, the bonding between Elves….but there was a formal wedding, formal rites that made her a princess, and therefore that which is tangible can be broken…you will break the vows you made to her and make them to me in public. Whether or not you retain the bond with her, it does not matter to me. I only want your title Legolas, everything else…well… that will be hers for always."
"No." said Legolas, he was truly tired of having Aurel used as bait against him.
"No?"
"No." he replied.
"So you wish her dead, not to mention your unborn child…I am surprised."
"I want you dead Ene, I have never wanted anything greater than that."
She shrugged her shoulders and went over to one of the guards, grabbing his sword and then walked back towards Aurel. "I am sorry, but this will hurt you." She raised the sword.
"No! Wait." Shouted Legolas.
"Oh?"
"What happens to Aurel, if I agree to do what you ask, what happens to her?"
"I will keep her alive."
"That is not good enough."
"You are not in a position to make demands."
"Kill her and I will do nothing for you."
"I will make sure that she is comfortable, and taken care of." She lowered her sword. "Have you changed your mind then?"
"For the sake of my wife and child." He looked at Aurel. "I will do what you ask…but if anything happens to her…"
"Nothing will."
"By word only Ene, that is my condition, by word only will I be your husband…" He could not believe what he was saying, "This has never been done in our history."
"But it can be done."
"We will need a high councillor, if there are any alive."
"Anything else?" asked Ene.
Legolas shook his head no. He dropped his head to hide his sorrow for he could not hold it any longer.
"What's this? The mighty proud prince of Eryn Lasgalen looks as if he is about to weep like a woman!" Ene began to laugh.
He was so filled with rage that he just went over to Ene and wrapped his hands around her neck. Ene did not even flinch. Two guards went to Aurel and placed a knife under her throat, and another two Easterling guards immediately went to Ene's aid, but she raised her hand to indicate that they stay away. "You must try and control you temper, otherwise this marriage simply will not work."
He looked Aurel. She only stared at him in panic and then closed her eyes. He dropped his hands. "It will only absolve her of her title; she will still be my wife."
"Yes we have been over that, all I want is the title…done properly." She motioned for the guards to release their hold on Aurel. Then she asked for them to bring her a high councillor.
"Aurel, you have barely spoken this entire time. Was I too harsh on you?" asked Ene, who seemed to care at one moment and mock her the next.
"What would you have me say?" replied Aurel.
"Whatever you wish, my behaviour has never stopped you before."
"If it were just my life at stake perhaps I would not be so guarded."
"Well Legolas has agreed to do what I want…your life is safe at the moment…and that of your child's." She went and sat back down on the throne.
"Did we not treat you well? Did we not show you love?" asked Aurel to Ene.
For the first time since their capture, Ene could not look at Aurel. "What is love? You constantly speak of it."
"That which we have given you for many years, freely and unconditionally."
"It did not do you much good did it?" said Ene in jest.
"This is all a game to you." Said Legolas.
"No, it is not a game. I have planned this all very carefully. I will admit that you, Aurel, you did try with me, I felt it, you did teach me a great many virtues…but the plan had been set in me for many years, I had to ignore them."
"You could not have possibly had this planned as a child." Said Aurel.
"But I have."
"How is that possible?" asked Legolas.
"You put too much trust in two children you found in the darkness…" She smiled. "It was easy to fool Aurel, look at her….she seems to be bursting with the need to love, it's almost sickening. But you Legolas….you never warmed to me, I think you sensed it, being raised a wood elf you were more akin to sensing that which would eventually harm you, but you ignored your instinct, for her."
"Stop mocking me Ene." Said Aurel.
"I was just making an observation."
"Keep them to yourself!" said Aurel angrily.
"I do not blame you for being angry, I am taking things you love from you, it is only natural."
"It is not that which makes me angry."
"Oh?"
"I am angry that you tarnish the royal throne by sitting on it, I am angry that your mere presence in this hall strips it of any meaning. You wish to be a royal, and yet you have destroyed that which you seek by your very nature."
"Aurel…" said Legolas, trying to warn her not to continue.
"When others hear of what you have done here there will be no mercy for you." Said Aurel.
"If you are speaking of King Elessar, and the little that is left of your kin, let them come, I will be a legitimate part of this kingdom, attacking me will be like attacking you, and no one would ever dare."
"You cannot hold me forever. You are mortal and you will die."
"Please Aurel, stop." Pleaded Legolas.
Both Ene and Aurel ignored Legolas's pleas. "You think I have not planned for the future? I may not live forever but there will be one to take my place."
Legolas turned to look at Ene in surprise. "Of whom do you speak?"
Ene began to laugh and the halls doors opened as the Easterling guards had brought back a councillor. "Ah, good, is he a councillor?"
"It took some convincing before he confessed to being one." Said one of the Easterlings while pushing the councillor forward.
Ene recognized him once he was closer. "Cugudim, I did not think you had survived the first attack. Where have you been hiding?"
The first thing that he saw was Ihawsanor's head lying in front of the throne, his stare hardened as he looked at Legolas.
"He did not ask you the question, I did!" shouted Ene.
"Ene. I should have known you were behind this." Said the councillor looking at Ene.
Ene looked at Legolas, "Did your high councillor here ever tell you that he is the one that revealed to me the secret of your cave tunnels? You could only imagine under which circumstances."
Legolas looked over to Cugudim in question, the look in the councillor's eyes said that Ene was telling the truth..
"Now that we have that lovely fact out of the way we can proceed."
"Proceed with what?" asked the councillor.
"Legolas why don't you tell him." Said Ene.
The words were difficult for Legolas to think, much less say. "I need you to be witness as I absolve Aurel of her rite as a royal of Eryn Lasgalen, as I break the oath I made to her during our rites of marriage."
Cugudim stood there in a puzzled state for a moment. "That cannot be done! It will not absolve your marriage you know as well as I do, you cannot do that! I will not do that!"
"Cugudim, I can absolve her of her rites as princess of this kingdom, and I can break the oath, we do have laws for this."
"Laws that have never been put to practice or needed to."
"Do not argue with me now." Said Legolas coldly.
"Why would you want to do this?"
"Because he is to wed me." Said Ene standing close by.
Cugudim only gave a look of surprise mixed with disgust as he took in the situation before him. "But that…"
"Cugudim…I am still your commander, you will do as I ask, there is no choice." Said Legolas cutting him off before he could say anything else.
Cugudim turned his head to look at Aurel.
"Just do it. It is my last request of you as your princess." Said Aurel weakly.
"Have you all gone mad?" asked Cugudim looking around him.
"Cugudim." Said Legolas. "Please do as I ask."
Cugudim went over to Aurel and stretched his hand out for her to take it, she raised her hand slowly to him and walked over to Legolas.
"Take the golden ring off of her right index finger." Said Legolas.
Cugudim gently brought Aurel's hand upwards towards him and began to take the ring off. He looked straight at Aurel, "I am sorry my lady."
It was then that Aurel looked away as hot tears streamed down her face; she had not taken that ring off in over 30 years. As the ring slipped off of her finger she felt like as if it was her life slipping away. Legolas felt himself near tears as he could sense what sorrow had overcome Aurel, as well as his own emotions. He quickly took his golden ring off of his finger and gave it to Cugudim who now held both rings in his hands.
"As is customary, those rings are never to be used again, they are to be melted." Said Legolas clenching his jaw. "When they are molten it will absolve your rite as princess of Eryn Lasgalen, do you understand Aurel?"
Aurel slowly turned her face to look at him again, his eyes spoke different, his eyes told her that nothing changed. "I understand." She replied.
"Cugudim, you are the only one authorized as witness. By law you are the only one who is to melt the rings, if it is not done by you then this act is obsolete."
"Yes my lord." Replied Cugudim.
Legolas looked over at Aurel whose eyes were still filled with tears and he took the opportunity to embrace her, for he did not know if he would be able to again. He began to feel a tingling feeling spread throughout his body as he took the smell in of her hair, and whispered to her. "It does not change anything Melethril, nothing, we are bound for all time, do not be so full of sorrow…please."
"I did not say you could touch one another." Said Ene in annoyance and broke their embrace, separating them. "So, is that all?" she asked Legolas.
"That is all."
"She is no longer princess?" asked Ene.
"When the rings melt she will no longer be princess."
"And as your wife?"
"By royal law she is no longer my wife either."
She clapped her hands in joy. "Take the councillor and make sure he melts those rings, then bring him back here." Said Ene to the Easterling guards, and they took Cugudim out of the hall. "That was not too difficult." She went to Aurel. "Do not cry, at least you are still alive." She grabbed Aurel by her hair and pulled out a dagger that she had at her side. Aurel tried to get a hold of Ene's hands, but she had her in an awkward position
"Ene you said you would not harm her!" said Legolas.
"And I am not going to." Ene replied.
Ene grabbed a hold of her hair which was loosely braided and with one swift move cut it off, then grabbed another tuft and cut that until Aurel's hair was at a length above her shoulders.
"Stop it Ene!" said Legolas as he was restrained by the Easterling guards.
Aurel stood there once Ene had finished, she was humiliated, "Do you think it really matters to me? After everything else…."
"Now I would like the silver ring please." said Ene holding out her hand.
"What silver ring?" asked Aurel.
"Do not play stupid with me, the silver ring that you have hanging on a chain around your neck, give it to me."
"What for? It does not mean anything."
"I know what that ring is, I do not think you should have it any longer. I want yours as well Legolas." She said looking at him. "I have known you both long enough to know you wear the rings of your betrothal, I do not want you to have them."
"I will not take it off Ene, you will have to take it if you want it." Said Aurel.
"If that is how you wish things to be…." Said Ene.
Aurel had been wearing clothing that covered up to the very base of her neck and for that reason her chain was hidden underneath layers. Ene very carefully undid the buttons to Aurel's top and as soon as the silver chain was revealed she lost all caution and pulled on it until it broke off. Tears sprang to Aurel's eyes but she did not let them fall.
Then Ene walked over to Legolas, "And you, will you give me your ring?"
When he did not say a thing she pulled the chain from him as well, for his chain was always visible, it had been since he and Aurel had been married in Eryn Lasgalen.
"These will be a keepsake for me, of my victory." Said Ene as she dangled the rings in front of her face and studied their intricacies. "All these little trinkets that are suppose to represent love…" She put the rings in her pockets. "And look how I have used them against you. It was useless. You would both be stronger if you did not love one another, this kingdom would not have been so easily taken, you would not have been so easily captured had you had nothing to lose."
"Because you have nothing to lose?" asked Aurel. "Is this a lesson then, which you are teaching us?"
"No, not a lesson."
This time is was Aurel that smirked. "You have nothing to lose, and that is because you have nothing to offer, you are nothing. Take away our titles, our possessions, and at least we still have something, but you, you stupid ignorant girl…the only thing that would redeem you in the short time you have left is love and you do not even have that."
Ene had tried to maintain her cool as she sat in the throne, but her face had turned a bright red while Aurel had spoken, whether it was from anger or embarrassment, one could not tell. "Perhaps I should take more from you so that you can fully understand what position you are in and what a very large err on your part you have made."
Legolas was truly afraid for Aurel's welfare at that moment. "There is no need for her to be here any longer Ene. The act has been done."
"No, we will wait until the councillor returns.." Said Ene quickly focusing on Aurel again. "I should take that which would hurt you the most Aurel." She walked up to her and placed her hand on Aurel's stomach. "What it is now, about three months until the birth? Maybe less?"
Aurel took a step back, immediately regretting her words. This time Legolas did not stand by and watch, and although the Easterling guards pulled out their swords in threat he still walked up to Ene, but he gently placed a hand on her arm. "Ene."
"What do you want?"
"Ene, we should discuss the marriage arrangement now. Usually this takes a year under Elven custom, but since I sense our arrangement will be sooner than that we must make haste with the details, to make sure everything is in order."
She continued to look at Aurel. "I know you are only trying to distract me Legolas."
Legolas looked at Aurel. "Ene, you know Aurel, she only speaks like that when she is afraid, but she will apologize…"
Aurel gave Legolas a sharp look of defiance.
"Will she?" said Ene. "Will you?"
Aurel looked at Ene, "I…." She looked over at Legolas who pleaded with his eyes. She knew she should have kept her temper under control but she had been humiliated. She looked at Ene. "I apologize."
Ene smiled. "You know better." She turned around to look at Legolas. "So, what are these arrangements you speak of?" She looped her arm into Legolas's and they both walked towards the throne.
Aurel only stood there watching them speak, for a brief moment Legolas looked back but only briefly and then he continued to speak to Ene. When she heard the doors to the throne room open behind her she knew the deed had been done. The rings had been melted and with that any vague hope that she may be able to escape the fate before her had melted away with them. Now it was up to her to persevere and hope…for hope was all she had left.