**This chapter has been revised/edited again! I inserted a part with the palentiri, hope you guys like it!**
Seductive Lama: Haha love your name. THANK YOU SO MUCH for the amazing, gushy reviews, I really don't know how I deserve these guys!
Hello! Hopefully this chapter will make up for the wait between the last two. This one is a tad dark, some serious stuff goes down. Also there is one large "change", as in something that does not happen in the movies or books. I know some people might say it's not exactly canon but it's kind of boring if you just read a rewrite of the script/book with one new character thrown in! There's got to be some original events. Either way hopefully you enjoy this chapter and I'll be able to put another one up soon!
Back at the Fellowship's camp the others had split up and ran in search of Frodo and Boromir. The hobbits had headed farther up shore while Legolas and Gimli followed Aragorn and Eredhel into the trees. Legolas' ears strained to hear any voices over the panting of the dwarf next to him. They were at the base of a steep hill when the sound of clashing metal rang out from above them. The two had made it halfway up the incline when they heard the shouts of orcs. Increasing their speed they finally came over the crest of the hill and were met with an open battle. Aragorn was slashing orcs left and right, the cold steel of his sword gleaming as he hacked through his foes. Gimli gave a shout then went to join him, swinging his axe ferociously. Legolas searched for Eredhel and spotted her farther away from the others, shooting the orcs that were swarming around the other side of the stone tower toward her friends. Their enemies seemed to coming from every direction and Legolas fought to get to Eredhel's side. A black shadow passed overhead and he diverted his attention to the sky. But he found it empty and had to return his focus to fighting off the monsters. He was halfway to the other elf when the sound of a horn reached his ears. "The horn of Gondor!" shouted Aragorn, pausing as there was a halt in the oncoming orcs.
"They're in danger!" cried Eredhel before sprinting down the opposite side of the hill in the direction of the Captain. The others tried to follow but more enemies crossed their path, forcing them fight their way through. When they had finished the orcs on top of the hill they chased after Eredhel, catching sight of her at the bottom of the slope. More of Saruman's servants had gathered in the forest below and they seemed to be converging on one area. When Legolas got closer he could see it was Boromir and the hobbits, the man trying to protect the two halflings from the oncoming attack.
A shadow once again passed overhead and he looked up sharply. His eyes widened as he saw a large creature fly above the trees. It slightly resembled a fell beast, covered in jagged black scales with massive leathery wings. It was an Úancaurë, a demon conjured up by Saruman's dark magic. Legolas saw Eredhel aim and send an arrow at its chest but it did little damage. The creature screeched but paid her little attention, its red eyes searching the mass of black bodies below. She readied another arrow but stopped when she realized what it was looking for. "Boromir!" she screamed. Her blood went cold as she saw the beast turn and dive towards him. She raced to reach the captain, hacking away any foe that crossed her path. Boromir whipped his head around just as the Úancaurë stretched out its claws. Eredhel bounded over a dead Urukai and shoved Boromir out of the way, her shoulder colliding with his chest. He was thrown several feet and hit the ground, hard.
"No!" he cried. He watched in horror as the long claws curled around her and carried her into the sky. She struggled and attempted to slash herself free but yelped when its grip tightened, pain shooting through her torso. Up on the hill top the rest of the Fellowship's eyes turned to the sky.
"Eredhel!" yelled Aragorn, fear overcoming him. "Legolas, shoot it down!" She continued to writhe in the creature's grasp but eventually fell limp. Gimli watched his friend's back as Legolas fired arrow after arrow. They had no effect against the monster's thick scales. All he could do was watch as the black shape flew farther and farther away. He felt helpless and terror flooded his heart. The monster could so easily tear her shreds in its razor claws. He couldn't allow that to happen. Legolas reached out with his mind, searching for her connection. When he found her, it scared him how weak the link was.
"Eredhel, we will save you. I promise," he said, looking on helplessly. "I swear, I will find you!" He could not lose her, he wouldn't be able to bear it. There came no reply and soon the Urukai surrounded them and he was forced to return his attention the ground. The sooner he killed these wretched monstrosities the sooner he could go after Eredhel. Looking to his left, Legolas saw that Aragorn had made it further down the hill and had now almost reached Boromir. He could hear one of the men shouting but couldn't tell what they were saying. The horn blew again and a surge of adrenaline pumped through his veins. The orcs were lesser now, the larger half of them dead on the ground. Legolas and Gimli finished them off and sprinted down the hill, stopping short when they saw Aragorn kneeling on the ground. He was bent over Boromir, three arrows protruding from the man's chest. The Captain's breathing was labored and Legolas' ears picked up his ragged words.
"I am sorry," he heaved. "I tried to take the Ring, madness overcame me. Eredhel is gone, they have taken the halflings, I could not even protect them." Boromir frowned in shame. When he had met Frodo on the hilltop all he had been able to think about was the power of the Ring, how he would use it save his people. He had seen his father and Faramir standing atop the White Tower, trumpets heralding his return on a bright morning. No more would there be need for fear or sorrow, they would vanquish the evil of Mordor and return their city to its former glory. But all that had vanished the moment Frodo put on the Ring. Now he felt weak and stained, regretting his final actions towards the hobbit.
"I let Frodo go, the Ring is now where we cannot take it. You fought bravely, Eredhel's choice was her own," said Aragorn softly, a grimace clouding his face.
"I failed." A grunt of pain escaped him and he shifted his head. "All is lost, darkness will overtake the land and the White City will fall to fire and ash."
"You have maintained your honor," insisted Aragorn. "Whatever strength I have, I will not let our city fall."
"Yes, our city. I was wrong to doubt you, I would have followed you to the end as my king." The man fell silent and with a last rattling breath his eyes grew empty. Aragorn kissed his forehead as Gimli and Legolas approached. When they had lost Gandalf, they had to run to escape enemies but now was different. Before them was the broken body of one of their comrades. Gimli leaned heavily on his axe while Legolas stood in silent grief. Death was strange to him, when elves passed they went to Valinor, where they would eventually be reunited with their kin. Now however, he realized that he would never again see light in the Captain's eyes, or hear his voice. The feeling of complete loss was crushing and he did not know how to react to it.
"His people will expect his return, but he will not come," said Aragorn sadly, a tear in the corner of his eye.
"May he be at peace, where the evil of this world cannot touch him," added Legolas. They bowed their heads for a few moments before Gimli spoke gruffly.
"What of the hobbits and Eredhel?" His comment jerked the others from their state of grief, forcing them to face the loss of their other friends.
"Sam will have followed Frodo. I do not know why Merry and Pippin were taken, but Saruman must want them as prisoners. As for Eredhel, we can do little but hope that she will be brought to Isengard with the others for that is where we will search for them."
"Then we must leave Frodo and Sam to reach Mordor?" asked Gimli.
"Yes, we cannot abandon the others to torture at Isengard. For that is what shall befall them if we do not succeed." His eyes met the pained ones of Legolas and he knew the elf was worried. "Come, we will give the Captain an honorable funeral then plan our next path."
An hour later they stood on the bank of the river, watching Boromir's body float towards the falls. They had laid him in one of the elvish boats, placing his shield and horn beside him. It would be the Captain's final voyage, to the afterlife of men that even the elves could not foresee. They stood in silence, watching until the boat was lost from view. After a moment Aragorn turned and began rummaging in the bags of supplies that had been left by the river. "We must travel light if we are to catch up the hobbits." The others nodded and aided him as he searched for a few herbs and wineskins. Soon they were running through the forest, following the deep tracks of the Urukai. The three hunters had their minds set on one thing: the salvation of their friends. First Gandalf and now Boromir had fallen, the Fellowship scattered and broken. The thought of losing the two innocent hobbits was unbearable. Their enemies were traveling fast, without rest or reprieve. Already they were several hours ahead of them, a distance that would only lengthen if they could not match the monsters' pace.
Pain exploded through Eredhel's back as she was thrown against the rock wall of the Orthanc. She winced as she dropped to floor, keeling over onto her knees. Saruman's demon had carried her straight to Isengard, flinging her on top of the black tower then dissipating like smoke with a wave from the wizard's staff. From there she had been seized by two orcs, a blow to the ribs sending her to her knees between them. Her weapons had been ripped off her and they had found the knife in her boot. Upon her arrival, Saruman had been angry with receiving the wrong walker but now he was pleased. Although he had come from Valinor he had now started to hate the Elves just as he hated the race of Men. The fact that this elf was well known to him made little difference. She had always been suspicious of him, just as Gandalf had. Always when he was in Imladris he could feel her eyes on him, analyzing his every step.
But none of that mattered now. Before him was an enemy, one that held information that he needed and would stop at nothing to get. He stood above her, frustrated with her defiance against him. At first he had been kind, trying to convince her that he meant only to use the Ring to overthrow Sauron. But elvish ears were sensitive to treason and she had seen through his act. Then it had turned to threats, that if she did not tell him where the Ring was the others would die. Luckily for Eredhel, she was unaware that Merry and Pippin had been captured and once again held her tongue. Now he was trying to beat it out of her, until her body broke and her secrets spilled onto the floor. Eredhel had no idea how long she had been there, the pained blurred time together so that she did not know whether it had been an hour or a week since she had seen her friends. "I requested that the Gondorian Captain be brought to me, he would have been so easy to corrupt. Unfortunately, you seemed to have gotten in the way. I can assure you it will be a mistake that you will sorely regret."
"And here I thought we were enjoying each others company," smirked Eredhel. She gasped as the wizard's cold fingers suddenly closed around her throat, his anger getting the best of him.
"I've had enough of your insolence elf," he hissed. "You cannot imagine the powers that will take hold of this world. I will put you in a cell so deep and so dark that you will never again see light." Eredhel's fingers clutched at the hands around her throat as her lungs screamed for air. Stars were beginning to swim in front of her eyes when a knock came at the door. Saruman held her in his gaze for one last moment before flinging her to the floor and bidding the servant to enter. An orc came into the room, casting the elf a scathing glare. He grunted something to the White Wizard and then left, slamming the heavy door behind him. Eredhel looked on with disgust, her breathing ragged as she rubbed the soft skin of her neck. The smell of smoke and hot metal pervaded the room, making her eyes and lungs burn.
"You have abandoned the company of trees for the likes of those monsters. Your lust for power has turned you. Nothing but death will be wrought through the burning and spoiling of the earth. You've become nothing more than a glorified servant, naive enough to believe he can share dominance with his master."
Saruman snorted in disdain, "You always were the most like your father, even more so than your brothers. You inherited both his strength and his foresight. None of that matters however because just like Elrond you are too blind to seek the power which is there for the taking. I wonder what will happen when he hears of his daughter's capture? Tell me Varyor, who will protect your companions once you are dead and your blood is pooling on the floor. But before you die I am going to break you, you will endure a torment unlike any you have known. I may even spare you just to send you back to your father, to see the pain it brings him when he realizes that this time you will not be able to be healed." Unknown to her, it had been over twenty four hours since she had been brought to the tower. Saruman was growing impatient, everything he did to her only seemed to chip away at her hard resolve. To his surprise the elleth laughed blackly, giving a small shake of her head that bordered on pity.
"I am afraid you have misjudged me, I never was healed. I believe that might make your job slightly more difficult."
"Well then, I am just scratching at open wounds. It may take some effort on my part but you will tell me everything I want to know."
"I highly doubt that."
"In front of you there are two choices: The first is to give me the answers which I seek and I will give you a quick death. The second is to endure my torture and be sent home as nothing more than a shell. I suggest the first one for even if you do not divulge the whereabouts of the Ring, Middle Earth will still fall. The Men and Elves will waste away, waiting for a light that will never come." When the elf made no reply he once again threw her against a wall. He glared at her for several moments before an idea came to him. A wicked grin spread across his face and he grabbed her and dragged her into the adjoining room.
When Eredhel looked up she could see the chamber was nearly empty save for a pedestal in the center. A cloth was thrown over the top of it, sheilding whatever was beneath from view.
"Get up," ordered Saruman, pointing his staff at the door and making it close with a bang. Eredhel coughed and pushed herself up from her knees, eying the pedestal warily. "Seeing as I seem to be having no luck with you were are going to resort to more drastic measures. Remove the rag," he barked. Eredhel hesitated and he waved his staff, sending her skidding to a stop before the pedestal. She slowly removed the cloth and stumbled backwards when she saw what was beneath.
A gleaming eye of fire peered at her from within the glass orb. Flames rimmed a black pupil that seemed to go on forever, like a tunnel with no exit. Eredhel knew what it was and immediately fear filled her. Once gain Saruman raised his staff and she was moved forwards, her hands reaching out towards it. As soon as her hands made contact with the glass it felt as if her mind was on fire. She cried out in pain, writhing as she tried to let the palantir drop from her grasp. Suddenly she was standing in a dark room, similar to the inside of the Orthanc. Orange torches lined the walls and the floor and walls seemed to be made of black granite. When she tried to take a step forward she found she was being held in place, frozen to the floor. Looking up Eredhel realized she was not alone and her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach.
His long hair was black, held back from his dark face in braids styled much like those of the elves. His skin was slightly tanned and he was dressed in dark grey. The frightening part was his eyes, a deep orange, as if he was filled with an inferno. Of course he was not actually there, Eredhel knew he was simply choosing to appear in her mind in his Maia form, the one which he had taken before the First War of the Ring. Sauron smirked, a spark dancing in his eyes. "You carry much fear elleth, you reek of it." He rose and came towards her, his eyes studying her curiously. "But not of me, no. You fear not your own death but the death of others. What a weakness caring can be, what a burden." His last word was almost a purr, his silken voice echoing off the walls. "I could fix you you know, make you forget about all of it. You'd never feel pain again." Eredhel looked at him, willing herself not to listen to his words. But she couldn't help it, the idea was tempting, she'd never have to feel her heart shred itself to pieces ever again. "Just tell me where the Ring is, that is all I need, all I ask for," he whispered in her ear. She could feel the heat eminating from him. Eredhel closed her eyes, no it didn't matter, if she forgot the pain she would also forget Aragorn, forget Legolas.
"You'll never see your pretty little piece of gold ever again," she snarled. Sauron's eyes narrowed and he grabbed her arm, his touch burning her.
"Your entire world is going to end, my orcs will crush every village, every home and every last man, woman and child until the very ground you walk upon is stained red with their blood. Tell me where the Ring is and I'll let you die now so you don't have to watch it happen." She remained silent and felt his grip tighten. "So be it," he growled. Pain exploded through her entire body, flames licking her from the inside out. She heard him laugh as darkness began to descend around her. "I'll make sure the Ranger dies first."
Eredhel gasped as she flew across the room and slammed into the wall, crumpling to the floor. Saruman placed his hand on the palantir for a moment and then nodded, throwing the rag back over the orb. "It would seem you have displeased him."
He brought her back into the first room and went to the hearth at the far end. The wizard hauled out a black box and pulled out a metal stamp. They were meant for pressing runes onto seals and he grinned wickedly as he placed it into the fire. After a few moments he pulled it from the embers, the metal burning hot. "I'm sure your father always warned you not to get to close to the forge." He held up the stamp and she saw it was the elven rune V. "If you are so intent on protecting your friends then so be it, we'll brand you for what you are." As he approached her he raised his staff and she felt frozen, even if he had not held her she would have been able to put up little resistance. She was nearly overcome with fatigue. Eredhel looked on in terror as the bright metal came closer and closer to her wrist until finally she felt the searing pain. She screamed even after he had removed it, staring down at the violently red skin in horror.
"What say you now, daughter of Elrond?" His gaze was met with cold eyes.
"Pe-channas! Mín gwerianneg, mibo orch. (You fool! You betrayed all of us, kiss an orch.)" she hissed. Her answer angered him further and he closed his eyes, focusing on her mind. Eredhel's eyes narrowed in defiance as she found herself feeling bare, her last refuge now open to the wizard. She did not know exactly how many times he had done this to her but she knew what would come next. It was impossible for Saruman to extract anything, what worried her was what he would put in.
Then it started again, worse than her nightmares. Ivoron fell, except this time the blood poured from his chest, a red river rushing down into the dry earth. Eredhel cried out and then it was Aragorn, the Evenstar breaking as he fell. In Rivendell, Arwen then began to fade, the color leaving her fair face. Eredhel screeched in pain as she saw an arrow pierce Legolas' heart and his blue eyes go vacant. She couldn't bare to see his face go still, she wanted it to stop, for her life to end. "No, no, not him, please!" She felt as if her chest was about to explode and a choked sob escaped her lips. Tears burned in her eyes. Now they were all gathered around her, whispering that their deaths were her fault, condemning her for failing to keep them alive. Her friends were gone, dead, where she could not reach them. But it could not be real, it simply couldn't. Eredhel bit on her lip and drew blood as the pain reached its peak. "GET OUT!" she screamed as it finally became too much. The force of her despair and anger exploded through Saruman's connection to her mind and he staggered backwards. Eredhel's vision began to flicker and the throbbing ache returned to her body. Saruman snarled and started towards her when another orc entered the room. They spoke for a moment and then he pointed to the corner.
"I must meet with Grima, watch the elf," he ordered and the creature nodded. Eredhel tried to remain conscious but the darkness overtook her, Saruman had just left the chamber when her head thudded to the cold floor.
Gimli stumbled as his weary feet caught on a rock hidden in the dry grass. He had lost track of how many hours they had been running but he knew they had not stopped since sunrise. The bright sun was hot on his back as he panted heavily. The man in front of him was tired as well but continued on, refusing them any rest. As for the elf, well Gimli was just glad that he had not seen him fall. Legolas had barely said a word since they had started their hunt. When they stopped for a quarter hour's break he would stand to the side, restlessly pacing. Often he looked to the horizon, in the direction of Isengard with cold fire in his blue eyes. The anger that they now saw in him was something new, an emotion that had never before been written on his face. Gimli and Aragorn knew that once they reached Isengard there would be no stopping him. He would hack through every orc trying to get to Eredhel, even if it killed him. "Legolas, can you see anything?" asked Aragorn, when they had halted.
"They seem to be holding both their direction and pace. We should keep going," answered the elf flatly. The man nodded to Gimli and once again they were moving, their feet pounding on the dry plain. A few moments later Aragorn stopped, a shimmer on the ground catching his eye. Legolas shot him a questioning glance but he held up his hand as he bent to the ground. A mallorn brooch was half buried in the trodden soil, the green metal sparkling in the sun.
"The leaves of Lórien do not easily fall," he breathed.
"They are leaving us a trail, bless those halflings!" exclaimed Gimli. Up until that point they had not even been sure that Merry and Pippin were still alive. Now that they did, it made them all the more determined to rescue them. Soon their quick pace had led them over the a rocky outcrop. Here the land was quite flat and Legolas could easily see the Urukai in the distance. It was unsure what they would do once they reached Saruman's tower, their enemies would be numerous and it would be near impossible to simply slip past their defenses. Even so, they had to try.
That night they were forced to stop and relieve Aragorn and Gimli's tired limbs. Legolas continued to pace, humming softly to himself as the others ate. He was half tempted to leave them and run for the Orthanc on his own. But he knew that that would prove useless, he would be helpless against the might of Isengard, and he was hesitant to leave behind his friends. If only they had Gandalf with them, the Grey Pilgrim would know what to do. Once Gimli had finished his second plate they attempted to get a few hours sleep, having to rise before dawn the next morning. Legolas took the first watch although such a precaution was hardly necessary. They were now the hunters rather than the hunted. Once they reached their prey they would slaughter them mercilessly and Legolas had made it his personal mission to send arrow flying through Saruman's heart.
The next day they passed over the border of Rohan, the realm of the horselords. Aragorn remembered Eredhel's vision and wondered if it had come to pass. If it had it would mean that Theoden was now without a son, a heavy blow to the kingdom. Something foul was in the air, an evil held the land. Aragorn tried to place it but every time he got close it seemed to slip farther away. They seemed to be gaining little on their enemies and he feared for the hobbits. They were so young compared to the others and had seen very little evil before joining Frodo on the road to Mordor. As for Eredhel, she had saved his neck more than once and was his closest friend. Losing her would be devastating, he would need her in the coming months. He could not imagine the guilt of having to tell Lord Elrond that his daughter had fallen. These thoughts pushed him harder, making him ignore the pain of his mortal limbs. Ahead Legolas was much the same, his mind set on saving Eredhel and Merry and Pippin. Both of them chuckled however as the gruff voice of Gimli was carried to them by the wind. The dwarf was encouraging himself, muttering inspiration under his breath. His stamina had been remarkable for one so short and stout and they knew it was hard on him. Aragorn had once offered that they take a small rest for his sake but Gimli had refused, saying they needed to "hunt down the creature that took the lass and connect its head with his axe." This had improved their spirits greatly and even Legolas had laughed. Determination drove them, they would rescue their friends.