Chapter 20: The Rescue
Grimblin leered at me, carrying a metal tray of slightly molded bread, partially rotten (and eaten) fruit, and stale water. I had been given it before and had foolishly ate some of it. I shivered in disgust, trying to move away as far as the short chains would allow me.
"No worries, little Elleth," he sneered. "Boss says you belong to the Eye; no one can touch you under his watch." I flinched as he reached out, faking trying to touch me. He chuckled darkly and sat my food tray on the floor near me before leaving the windowless cell, taking the light with him.
I looked up at the black ceiling and tried to connect my mind with my brother's but, once again, I was blocked by an invisible wall then a second later a searing pain erupted in my skull. I cried out and grabbed my head, pulling my legs to me and curling myself into a ball for what seemed like the millionth time.
I had lost track of time. Had I been there for hours? Days? Weeks? I didn't know. There were no windows to watch the sun rise and set. No way to count the days trapped here. No way to imagine the grass under my feet again or the trees surrounding me and a cool breeze blocking out the sun's heated rays. There was no hope in darkness. I wondered in the back of my mind if this is how Frodo felt, for he was carrying the One Ring into Mordor itself.
Has the War of the Ring ended yet? Sauron hasn't come and collected me yet, so maybe he hasn't gotten the Ring. Once, the Mouth of Sauron came in and showed me my Evenstar that had been around my neck when I was kidnapped. Aragorn had placed it around my neck before he left for the Black Gates, not knowing I was only faking sleep at the time.
I knew the Mouth would show it to my brother and my lover, hoping my 'death' would weaken them and they would perish in battle. I still couldn't reach Legolas to tell him that it wasn't true. I sobbed endlessly in my lonely cell, believing they would die soon. Even if they did make it, my brother would sail to the Undying Lands to be with Arwen and Aragorn might go back to being a Ranger of the North, not fulfilling his destiny as a great King of Men. And I would be left here, to fade and go to the Halls of Mandos. No one would save me.
I was now thirsty and hungry. The Mouth came in and switched my guard-orc with a Uruk-Hai. "The future King of Gondor wants us at the Black Gates. We should go give him a warm welcome," the Mouth said, referring to himself and the orc. "Don't worry, I'll be sure to give him a gift from you." He held up my Evenstar then left the room with the orc, leaving my alone with the crossbreed.
It stomped closer to me, taking out a rusty dagger and waving it threateningly at me. "Y-you're not allowed to hurt me. The Mouth of Sauron ordered it," I spoke fearfully, licking my dry lips nervously and trying to use whatever I had against him. I didn't have very much. "He never told me that," the Uruk said gruffly, with a smirk that showed it's large teeth. After that, all I knew was pain and constant screams that echoed throughout the cell.
(A/N: OMG! O.O Poor Aranel! Man, I was getting sad just writing this! Imagine how she must feel! MOVING ON!)
~Legolas' P.O.V~ (A/N: I seem to do the twins' P. more often, don't worry I'll write another Aragorn one soon)
I neared the Black Gates on Arod with Gimli on the horse behind me. Every few hours out of the three days we were traveling, I felt a small shock in my head. It didn't hurt, but they were really strange. They appeared out of nowhere and surprised me every time. Gimli, Gandalf, and Aragorn looked at me strangely whenever I was startled by them.
Our group of five horses rode closer to the Gates, leaving the rest of the army behind. "Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth!" Aragorn called out. "Let justice be done upon him!" We waited anxiously for the Gates to open. I watched with wide eyes as the Gates opened outward slightly, letting a figure with a black horse wearing heavy armor came out.
"My master, Sauron the Great, bids thee welcome," it said, showing it's monstrous yellow and black teeth when it grinned widely. I glared at it disgusted, noticing Aragorn struggling not to do the look grossed out. "Is there any in this rout with authority to treat with me?" It questioned.
"We do not come to treat with Sauron, faithless and accursed," Gandalf spoke up and the creature scowled, barring his teeth. "Tell your master this: The armies of Mordor must disband. He is to depart these lands, never to return."
"Oh, Old Greybeard. I have a token I was bidden to show thee," he said then pulled out a shirt of mithril. My eyes widened the slightest bit and I heard Gimli gasp behind me. "Frodo," Pippin whispered horrified from in front of Gandalf. The Mouth threw the chained shirt to Gandalf and Pippin repeated what he said.
"Silence," Gandalf warned him. "No!" Merry cried. "Silence!" Gandalf repeated and the Hobbits quieted down. "The Halfling was dear to thee, I see. Know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host," the Mouth spoke with a large evil grin. "Who would've thought that one so small could endure so much pain? And he did, Gandalf. He did."
Aragorn moved his horse closer to the Mouth. "And who is this? Isildur's Heir? It takes more to make a king than a broken Elvish blade. But wait, there was another gift. Brought for the future King of Gondor."
We all looked up confused. Who else could there be, other than Sam. But Aragorn wasn't that close to the Hobbit. He grinned his widest yet ans held up an Evenstar necklace. At first I thought it was my love's, Arwen's, but then I noticed the black gem in it. I in took a deep breath and listened to what he had to say about my sister.
"Stolen right from Gondor by the Nazgul, she was. Got here about a day ago. Screamed and screamed until her voice grew hoarse. Didn't sleep all night, poor thing. Sauron's pretty little wi–" The Mouth's speech was cut off when Aragorn angrily sliced it's head from it's shoulders. "I guess that concludes negotiations," Gimli murmured with a smirk. Aragorn grabbed the Evenstar then turned his horse back to face us.
"I do not believe it. I will not," he hissed. The Black Gates started to open wider and we watched an army of orcs walk forth. "Pull back," Aragorn ordered over the noises. "Pull back!" We turned our horses around and headed back to our own army, watching them shuffle and shift nervously. "Hold your ground! Hold your ground!" Aragorn told them, riding his horse along the front lines and giving a motivational speech.
"Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of Men fails, when we forsake our friendships and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields, when the age of Men comes crashing down. But it is not this day. This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!" He finished and all of them men whipped out their swords and held them up.
Aragorn turned his horse around and faced the enemy, sharing a look with me and a single nod. The army of orcs surrounded us quickly. "Never thought I'd die fighting side by side with an Elf," Gimli told me. "What about side by side with a friend?" I asked, turning to look at him with a grin.
"Aye, I could do that," he said, turning to me as well.
(A/N: Just a question, but what happened to the horses after that? Did anyone notice that? Right after the Frodo/Sam scene, the horses disappeared like they were never even there!)
Aragorn turned to us and spoke, "For Frodo," then started to run towards the orcs. Merry and Pippin were the first to run after him with the rest of us soon following. "You better not kill yourself out there. I know she's still alive," I spoke to him as we fought, striking down orc by orc. The Nazgul soon flew above us, and even though I wanted to shoot them down with arrows for taking my sister, I knew it would do no good. I waited for a few more minutes, fighting the orcs, and surprisingly my non-wish was granted. The Eagles appeared and started attacking the Nazgul.
The Eye turned it's sight back on Mount Doom and the Nazgul took off, flying away to where Frodo was. Aragorn was attacked by a gigantic orc but I couldn't help him, I was surrounded as well. I tried to keep an eye on him though. He blocked the blows well but he was soon sent to the ground. I tried to get to him, shoving my way past our men and killing the orcs.
"ARAGORN!" I yelled, still trying to get passed as the monster stepped on him when he was about to stand up again, trying to crush him. Aragorn pulled out his dagger and stabbed the orc in his foot, which made it roar in pain.
The Eye started screeching and the massive orc stepped off of Aragorn, looking to see what was going on. The orcs started to run away and we all turned to watch the Eye. Mount Doom had smoke billowing from it. The Great Eye's tower collapsed in on itself and clouds circled around it. The Eye exploded, sending a shock wave that destroyed the land around it and killed tons of the orcs with it.
Mount Doom then erupted and we all realized something: Frodo and Sam where still in there! Some of the lava-covered rocks landed on the flying Nazgul and made them crash to the ground. I looked upon the sight in disbelief then turned away, seeing Aragorn take his anger and sadness out by killing the remaining orcs.
Aragorn was about to strike one of the last few, but he stopped when it cried out, "Wait! Please, the Elf lady is still alive! Have mercy!" I froze for a moment before running over to the two. "Where is she?" I hissed, picking him up by his armor and shaking him. "Where is she!"
"Legolas, let him speak," Aragorn said, placing a hand on my shoulder and looking at me with eyes that held the slightest bit of hope. I threw the orc back on to the ground and it gasped for breath. "She lives! At least, she did when I was there," it gasped out. "The Mouth of Sauron switched me with an Uruk-Hai!" Aragorn and I paled, knowing that most Uruks like to cause pain for fun.
"Where is she?" Aragorn seethed, trying to hide his fear. "We hid her... in there! Don't kill me!" The orc cried, raising his hands in front of his face when we moved. "She was in the dungeon, deep in the ground with no windows and trapped to the walls with chains!"
We saw a remaining bit of the Black Gates, only the door and parts of the actual structure still remained, but was falling to pieces. My sister, she still had some life of the Firstborn in her. No natural light, deep under the ground, and no nature anywhere near. She would go insane if she were not already! I remembered my days in the mines of Moria, still shivering at the thoughts.
"Aragorn, Legolas, take Gimli and the hobbits. You all must find Aranel. I will take a few Eagles and try to find Frodo and Sam. We must hurry," Gandalf told us. Aragorn quickly struck the orc, killing him instantly, before we gathered the other three.
We made our way through the rubble and bodies of orcs to the crumbling building. The floor was covered with a layer of dust and dirt. Aragorn's ranger skills kicked in and he searched for a trap door. "Oof!" Pippin yelled from the other side of the room. We all turned to him as he picked up a large steel ring connected with a thick chain to the ground. "Oh, well done, Pippin," Aragorn said, truly meaning it as we rushed over to them.
Aragorn pulled open the thick trapdoor and when it fell, the crash echoed in the quiet air. We all froze for a moment then sighed in relief when we heard no Orc or Uruk-Hai. We crept down the stairs cautiously, keeping a look out for the servants of Sauron. I tried to connect my mind with Aranel's, but it felt like falling through air. She wasn't there in mind.
"Aragorn we must hurry. I cannot connect our minds to speak with her," I whispered frantically. He started walking faster and I mentally sighed in relief. I was glad Aranel told him so I wouldn't have to tell him the importance of our connection with each other. He threw open a few of the thick wooden doors, looking around for a moment then moving on down the stairs.
It got darker so Gimli and I each grabbed a torch. Aragorn took it from me and led the way, making Gimli stay in the back near the hobbits. Aragorn and I wanted to find her as quickly as possible. We reached the lowest level with not a sign of Aranel. I shivered at the coldness. The others seemed to not mind, so maybe it was just me being down here.
Aragorn hesitantly opened the last door, trying to prepare for what he might (or might not) see inside. I looked over his shoulder... and saw nothing. I caught the heartbroken expression on his face but he quickly hid it, masking it with a cold front. As soon as he turned his back, a figure sprang out of the shadows, ready to plunge his weapon into my friend's back.
I whipped out my Elven knives and blocked the creature's attack. Aragorn heard the clashing of metal and turned quickly to see what was happening. The creature was a Uruk-Hai. I quickly stabbed it in the stomach and watched it fall to the ground when I yanked my knife back out.
"You won't find her in time," It gurgled with a grin before bleeding to death. I looked at Aragorn and saw him looking around frazzled for a hidden door. He ran his hand along the wall and found a rift which I could see with the torch. He smiled brightly then pulled the stone door open. At the sight inside, he looked for a minute or two then dropped the torch and sunk to his knees, paling drastically.
I took a deep breath, trying to mentally prepare my own self for what I would see, but when I looked inside using the light from Gimli's torch, I held on to the door frame so I wouldn't fall to the ground as Aragorn did.
Inside the small room was my little sister, my twin, sitting limply and bloody on the dirty ground with only chains to hold her weak body up. She opened her weary, blue eyes and stared at us with her eyes glazed over because of the pain. "Help me," she croaked out in a whisper. Her eyes then rolled into the back of her head and her chin fell on to her chest.
Aragorn cried out in horror and ran to her figure. I could only stand there. "Merry, Pippin, can you pick the locks?" He asked desperately. They looked at their friend and nodded, not asking questions as they went to work. Gimli held the torch higher and Aragorn caught Aranel before she fell when the cuffs were off her wrists. "We must hurry," he spoke before sprinting off with my sister in his arms, hoping to save her in time.
A/N: Lot's of Legolas P.O.V. This took me 4 HOURS to write! ...Ok maybe 3 hours but still! This was 4 pages long on Writer. Once again, poor Aranel! Did anyone else think that Aragorn was OOC (my friend did so I was wondering) Well, I'll update again soon! (My sis will update her story tomorrow) Holy... 2944 words! That's almost 3000! Too bad I've written a longer chapter than this b4