Eternal Life, Eternal Pain
XXI. North
x o x o x
When I'm lost in the rain,
In your eyes I know I'll find the light
To light my way.
And when I'm scared,
And losing ground,
When my world is going crazy,
You can turn it all around.
And when I'm down you're there
Pushing me to the top.
You're always there,
Giving me all you've got.
x o x o x
"This cannot be," Arwen said softly.
Aragorn had wakened Lixie and Arwen and was holding a meeting to discuss what to do next. They were crowded in Legolas's room, orcs and all. With everyone so upset, no had thought to remove them. Legolas was no longer standing, but had sunken into a chair by the now empty bassinet. However, he was still staring, and still staring at nothing.
"But it is," Aragorn replied bitterly. He looked to Arwen and Lixie who were seated next to each other atop the rumpled sheets of the bed. Gimli stood stoutly by the man's side. Byron, on the other hand, was pacing back and forth and occasionally, he'd stop and glance thoughtfully out the window. "Now," the man said, watching as Byron strode right in front of him, "um... we have to think of what to do. Quite obviously," he added as Gimli coughed, "save Anya and the twins, I know, but how. We do not even know which way to head."
A deep silence filled the room and was suddenly broken by Byron crying out in disgust when he stepped on an orc. "Oh, in the name of all that is good! What is this?!"
Aragorn suddenly turned and looked at the young elf. "What?" he asked sharply.
"He's alive!"
Hearing those words, Legolas snapped out of his seemingly endless reverie and was by the orc's side in a split second. He grabbed the dying creature roughly. "Where?" The elf prince's voice was harsh and grating, a tone that did not become him. Gimli looked upon his friend in surprise for he had never heard Legolas speak in such a voice. "Where are they?" he repeated, a little louder this time, as if he thought the orc hard of hearing.
"Uh..." the orc moaned.
"Tell me! Tell me now!" Legolas's voice went from angry to frantic. "Where has he taken them?"
The orc was slowly fading, but was conscious enough to realize what was going on. "Why should I tell you?" A small smirk spread across his pained face. "Prince? Your highness," he sneered mockingly.
Legolas drew his bow and pointed an arrow right into its face. "Tell me, and I will end your misery!"
The orc moaned again. "His hideout lies not far from here. Head north. I doubt you shall miss it."
The prince seemed satisfied until a thought suddenly appeared in his mind. "How do I know you do not lie? That this is not a trap?"
But the orc did not answer. It could not.
"Wait! Answer me!" Legolas threw aside his bow and arrow in favor of shaking the orc again. "Answer!" He could have shaken the thing to pieces if Arwen did not intervene.
"Legolas," Arwen said gently, putting her hands on Legolas's. "Stop."
Suddenly, Legolas realized what he was doing and quickly gathered himself. He let go of the orc as if it were a filthy piece of trash (which, one could argue, it really is), and stood up, brushing his hands. He tried to reassume an air of confidence, but inside he knew his heart lay broken in a thousand pieces. "North," he said slowly.
"You do not actually believe him do you?" Gimli asked, amazed. "Like you said, what if this is a trap?"
Legolas turned on the dwarf, his face seemingly calm, but his voice dangerously menacing. "What other choice do I have? It's the best we have, and even if you do not care, I will be going. My two children and my wife are out there, taken by some... miserable, sinister being who thinks he should rule the world. Our quest was to stop him, and I very much intend to do that. Now. If I have to go alone, then so be it." The elf spun angrily and began to walk toward the door.
"Legolas."
He stopped. Though he thought better of it, Legolas turned around slowly.
Aragorn drew his sword, Gimli unsheathed his ax, and Byron held out his saber. "We are with you."
"And so are we." Everyone turned to look at Lixie who had not moved or said a word since she had entered the room and seated herself next to Arwen. Rising, Lixie walked up to Legolas and he could see the same hatred and anger he felt reflected in her eyes. She looked straight at him and stated firmly, "He has taken away enough from me. Let us go."
- - -
"Aren't so cocky now are we?"
Anya cried bitterly and struggled against the rope that tied her down. The moment she stepped out of that door, she had been ambushed. They literally dragged her miles to this forsaken fort. "Please," she sobbed. "Let my children go!"
He laughed. His laugh was a horrible laugh, and it resonated in the room, echoing off the bare stone walls. Anya shivered as he leaned down to where she sat down on the floor. He was wearing a dark heavy cloak, and looking through his hood she could only see darkness. "And why," he said, lifting up her chin so she looked up at him, "would I ever do that?"
"They are innocent! It is me you want... take me instead!"
"Hah." He turned around abruptly, his cloak swishing by Anya's scratched and bleeding legs. "Still cocky."
"What?" Anya asked desperately. "Please, they are only infants. You have no need of them."
"Perhaps you are right."
"What?" Anya could not believe he would ever agree with her. But before he could continue with his thoughts, she could hear footsteps coming up the stairway. His faithful henchman. Though he leaned in toward his master, as to not let Anya hear any of the words they exchanged.
"You know," Anya said in a raised voice, "you cannot escape."
Ignoring his henchman's stuttering for a moment, he looked toward the girl, curious. "And what do you mean by that?"
"Legolas will come for me," she said confidently. "Legolas, son of Thranduil. And so shall the King of Gondor. And Gimli and..."
"Yes," he cut in, agreeing. He almost sounded amused. "Is that so?"
"They... they shall come for me, and rescue me!"
If she could have seen his face, Anya would have sworn he had smirked. "Well. That is the plan indeed."
x o x o x
For a shield from the storm
For a love to keep me safe and warm
I turn to you
For the strength to be strong
For the will to carry on
For everything you do
For everything that's true
I turn to you
x o x o x
"North," Legolas muttered as he stumbled along the dark road. True, it was dark, but more than anything it was the anger he could feel building in his chest. With every step he took, he drew closer and closer to Anya. He could feel her. Her anxiety. Her fear. It was like she was right next to him - he could feel it as clearly as he could read her soul from her eyes. His eyes narrowed slightly. He had to find her. He just had to. If he didn't... Legolas shook his head. No, he wouldn't think about that. He'd find her. And he'd kill the bastard for trying to take her away, for ruining her life. For hurting her. For everyone and anyone he had ever hurt. Legolas gripped his bow tighter as he thought about this. He wanted to make sure that miserable excuse for a being never had the chance to take another life, ever again.
The road seemed to be never ending. And it probably was. North. That was all the orc had said. Travel north, and that he was doing.
What if he had been lying? What if this was a trap? Legolas felt a cold dread creep into his stomach, a feeling he had not felt all night, despite all the troubles he had faced. What if I was wrong to do this? What if I'm leading my friends to death?
But then he thought of what Lixie had said. Anya may be the love of his life, but certainly the others cared for her as well. Maybe not as much as he did. No one would contest that. Legolas loved her beyond how the others could even dream of. But they loved her too. In a different way. Lixie was Anya's best friend from their young years. Why would she stand there and watch this creature tear apart her dearest friend's life? As well as her children's?
Still this didn't quiet Legolas's uncertainties. Aragorn and Arwen had two young ones of their own.
He turned back to see the rest of them, loyally following him. To wherever, they did not care. How long, it did not matter. They were there. Aragorn saw Legolas turn back and gave the elf a reassuring smile.
Legolas turned to face front again. They are far too kind, he thought bitterly. They have so much to live for.
And yet, a part of him knew that if he had gone alone, they would have never forgiven him. They would much rather die by his side than to stand by and watch as he walk to certain death. This is what they live for. Legolas sighed. To be a loyal friend is difficult indeed.
Concentrating on the road ahead, Legolas plowed ahead. North. That was all he knew, and that was what he was going with.
He looked up at the sky and quickly spotted the North Star, twinkling infallibly.
I can't lose her. His thoughts shifted back to Anya. She was the most important thing in his life. Well, one of three, he mentally added, almost smiling. He thought of Brayden and Laelia. Gimli was right; he had constantly dreamed of them growing up and training them in archery and swordplay. He wanted to watch them grow up and teach them.. With so much to lose, he would risk everything. Everything. Even his own life.
North.
x o x o x
When I lose the will to win,
I just reach for you and
I can reach the sky again.
I can do anything
Cuz your love is so amazing,
Cuz your love inspires me.
And when I need a friend,
You're always on my side
Giving me faith
Taking me through the night
x o x o x
Anya closed her eyes, frantic. She was trying to think fast, but nothing could come to mind except thoughts of Aragorn and Arwen suffering, Byron and Lixie screaming, Gimli broken and bruised, Legolas... Oh, Legolas. She looked up in desperation. How could she have dragged all of them into this? Why didn't she just give in? Why, of all things, did she think running away would make everything okay?
It didn't. It just made things worse. Now, she had two more innocent lives to think about. Two lives that have barely begun.
With utter loathing, Anya glared hard at the back of Helnullka's head. She knew he couldn't see her, but she continued her death glare anyway. As much as Anya enjoyed not having to listen to him speak or laugh, or even breathe for that matter, her curiosity got to her.
"Why?"
Slowly turning, he asked, "Why? Why what."
"Why all this? What purpose does this serve?" It was more of a demand than a question.
"I would think that was apparent," he stated slowly, measuring out every word.
Anya shook her head. "No... no. Why? Why Legolas? Why my children? Why?!"
He laughed again. His laugh was still as chilling as ever. "What makes you think you are on any grounds to ask a question like that, my little pretty?" He leaned down and stroked her chin. Anya jerked her head away, glaring. "Hm?"
"Is this all for power? This ridiculous... plan? This plot? You have me! What more do you need?"
He rose quickly. "Heir to Lanmuir. Yes, I do have you."
"Then stop!"
"Ah," he said, walking away. "But why stop when there is so much more to be gained? So much more. You did do me quite a favor, my little pretty."
"First of all," Anya spat, "I am not your little pretty! Secondly... what... favor?"
"By charming the prince of Mirkwood," Helnullka said, clearly pleased. "By doing that, you assured me that he would come after you if I ever took you. Thank you! You have saved me quite a bit of time!" Looking down at the girl, he noticed Anya still looked confused. "You do not understand. Of course not, you are far too good," he said sarcastically. "Surely the prince has told you of his own troubles at home."
Anya nodded uncertainly. "His uncle..."
"Exactly."
Finally, all the pieces fell into place in Anya's mind. "You!"
"Me."
"Why?"
"This question again. I believe I have already answered it."
Anya stared. "You want to take Mirkwood too?"
"You are the clever one!"
She kicked at the ropes that bound her feet uselessly. "Why..."
"Do you not bore of that question, little princess?" He looked at her as she just continued to glare. "Well, I do." He waved his hand airily. "If you have no more to say, I have other things to attend to," he said. He walked toward the door and was speaking to the guards before Anya realized she had one more thing to ask.
"Wait!" He stopped talking. Anya bit her lip. "What about my children?" she asked in a small voice.
"Oh," he said evilly, almost as if he had hoped she would ask this question. "What use do I have of two little babies?" He paused.
Anya held her breath. No, please, don't...
"I have no need for them," he said. "None at all. You figure what about your children." With that he left.
As the door slammed, Anya burst into a bitter sob. Brayden... Laelia...
- - -
"Well?"
"He still refuses," the servant whispered.
His master nodded. "I surmised as much. I have given up on Thranduil giving in at any rate. No matter. I do not need his consent any longer, not with how the situation has developed. When this is over, I expect to have exceeded what I demanded of that fool of a king." He paced across the room, deep in thought. "Tell me, Gwathren," he mused, "what do you think we should do with the princess's little ones?"
Gwathren jolted up in surprise. "You are not going to kill them? But you said..."
Smirking, he shook his head. "Forget what I said." He continued to walk back and forth across the room. "I have forgotten. Two, right? She had twins. Are they both male?"
"No. One male, one female."
Sighing, he muttered, "Princess, you never could do anything right."
"Master?"
Caught slightly off guard, he looked at his servant, still quivering on the floor. "Yes?"
His servant shifted nervously. "W-What would you have me do of them?"
He paused and after a few thoughtful moments he decided, "Keep the boy. Kill the girl."
- - -
Legolas had lost count of how many steps he had taken. Every step, one step closer, he thought. One step closer to them, one step closer to saving them. He started over. One, two, three, four... he was so lost in his numbers he barely heard Lixie call to him.
"What is it?" he inquired, finally looking up from his feet.
Lixie did not say another word. She, along with the others were all looking at something behind him.
Legolas followed their gaze. And upon seeing what they were looking at, he sighed.
Beyond the beautiful fruit trees laden with slowly wilting flowers and vines bursting with green, he could see it. Behind the veneer of nature and beauty, the darkness was apparent. Legolas stared at the foreboding fort in the distance, wondering whether its darkness was due to the night or its inhabitants.
"Well," Gimli remarked, "the orc was right about one thing - we did not miss it."
"I doubt we could have, as I believe his words were," Byron agreed.
Aragorn's lips were pressed to a thin line, but he nodded his consent almost idly. He was obviously thinking of other things. Arwen broke her gaze from the fort to look upon her husband for what she hoped would not be the last time. Seeing her turn to him, Aragorn did the same and took her hands in his.
"We can do this, we can pull through," he said softly.
Arwen leaned into him. "I hope we can."
"I know we can," Aragorn persisted. "Believe."
"I'll always believe in you," Arwen replied with a gentle smile.
Lixie watched them with a bit of a grin. "I hate to ruin this romantic moment," she said teasingly, "but we have matters at hand to deal with."
Arwen looked a bit flustered as she had forgotten there were others there, but Aragorn simply grinned. "Right," he said, returning the young elf's mischievous smile. His face quickly became solemn when he looked upon Legolas. Legolas had not said a word, but instead was staring intently upon the fort.
"Are you ready?" Aragorn asked Legolas, though he knew the answer.
Legolas stood there for a while before he looked at the man. Aragorn was startled by the determination in the elf's eyes. "Never more," he replied evenly.
"Then," Gimli said, breaking into their conversation, "let us continue! Bring on the orcs!"
A/N: Well, that's it for this chapter. Okay, it was kinda short. But whatever. ;) Um... the next chapter should be coming soon, and the story's wrapping itself up. That's all I really had to say. Um. Review please? smiles sweetly I'd love you forever.
Again. Don't own the LOTR world. And I don't own that song either. oO