Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters or settings from Lord of the Rings or Xena the Warrior Princess
XXXIV: A Clash of Wills
Outskirt of Rhovanion - Mirkwood, 2956 TA, July 6
In the pre-dawn stillness of Lómëanor, Noctis, and Nyxara, cloaked in shadows, slipped into the room where Legolas and Xena lay in a deep, enchanted sleep. The twins moved with silent precision, their actions rehearsed and swift. They first secured the warriors' arms and legs with sturdy ropes, laced with enchantments to prevent magical escape. The twins knew the capabilities of their captives all too well.
Noctis rummaged through their belongings, collecting Legolas's elven sword and bow and Xena's cursed blade and chakram, while Nyxara gathered any items of value. They planned to present these to King Thranduil, hoping for a reward beyond mere gold. Their horses, tethered outside, would also be taken as part of the twins' ill-gotten gains.
With Legolas and Xena bound and unable to resist, the twins carefully maneuvered them out of the inn. It was a tedious and risky task, but the early hour worked in their favor, the village was still lost in slumber. They loaded their unconscious prisoners onto a makeshift cart, covering them with tattered cloaks to avoid suspicion.
The journey from Mirkwood to Gundabad was long and fraught with peril. The twins navigated treacherous paths, steering clear of the more populated routes to avoid detection. Legolas and Xena, under the potent influence of the sleeping potion, remained unconscious for the first few days. However, as the potion's effects began to wane, they awoke to find themselves in a moving cart, still bound and under the watchful eyes of Noctis and Nyxara.
Legolas stirred awake, his senses immediately alert despite the lingering fog of the potion. The first light of dawn filtered through the gaps in the cart's cover, casting a dim glow on Xena, who lay beside him, still under the potion's spell. Legolas was the first to regain full consciousness. His initial confusion quickly turned to anger and frustration. He tested the bindings, but the enchanted ropes held firm. His attempt to free himself from the ropes was met with a searing pain on his skin, confirming his suspicion of an enchantment.
As he struggled against his bonds, a more mundane but pressing discomfort made itself known. The need to relieve himself became increasingly urgent, a reminder of his human-like limitations despite his elven heritage. It was a humiliating realization, considering his dire circumstances.
It wasn't long before the twins, Noctis and Nyxara, noticed his movements. "Awake at last, Prince of the Woodland Realm?" Noctis sneered, peering into the cart.
Legolas glared at him, his pride wounded yet his voice calm and authoritative. "Release me. I need to... attend to a matter of personal urgency."
The twins exchanged amused glances. Nyxara, his tone mocking, replied, "Even elven princes are bound by such trivial needs?"
Ignoring their taunts, Legolas persisted. "This wasn't part of what we spoke about. I have told you to wait. Why have you bound me like a common criminal?"
Noctis shrugged nonchalantly. "Plans change, Prince. Your capture has proven more lucrative than anticipated."
Frustration boiled within Legolas. "You overstep your bounds, twins. My dealings with were my own."
"Your dealings are now our opportunity," Nyxara interjected. "Your value to Dular is greater than you realize."
The conversation was interrupted by a groan from Xena as she began to stir. Legolas, seizing the moment of distraction, renewed his demand. "If you wish to keep your part in this discreet, allow me a moment of privacy."
Noctis considered this, then nodded to Nyxara. "Untie his legs, but keep his hands bound. We wouldn't want our precious cargo escaping, would we?"
As Nyxara cautiously untied his legs, Legolas stepped out of the cart, his movements awkward with his hands still bound. The humiliating necessity was overshadowed by his desire to assess their surroundings and plan their next move.
Once back in the cart, his mind was racing, not just with thoughts of escape, but also with the implications of their capture. They were deep into a plot that spanned beyond the boundaries of Mirkwood, a plot that could change the course of their destinies.
Xena, now fully awake, caught Legolas's eye. Their shared glance spoke volumes – a mutual understanding of their predicament and an unspoken agreement to work together against their captors. Xena would watch as one of the twins would take Legolas to have his privacy moment. And soon the same was offered to her.
As the cart rattled and creaked on its path through the forest of Mirkwood to Gundabad, Legolas and Xena, still bound, faced each other in the dim light. A shared resolve to escape their predicament simmered beneath the surface, yet unspoken grievances and mistrust lingered in the air.
Xena, her features etched with frustration, broke the silence. "So, Elf, it seems your allies have turned against us. Or were you a part of this treachery all along?"
Legolas met her gaze, his own expression a mix of regret and defiance. "I admit, I contemplated their plan, but I never consented to this duplicity. Our capture is as much a surprise to me as it is to you."
"Convenient," Xena retorted sharply. "One moment you're plotting with the twins, the next you're their victim. How am I to trust your word, Legolas?"
Legolas sighed, the burden of his decisions weighing heavily upon him. "My judgment was clouded by my desire to lift the curse. But I assure you, mortal, this was never my intention."
Xena's eyes narrowed, the sting of betrayal still fresh. "Your intentions matter little now. We're bound for Gundabad, captives of those we sought to outwit. And it seems your elven pride has cost us both dearly."
The elf prince's pride bristled at her words, but he held his temper. "My pride, as you call it, is not at fault here. We were both outmaneuvered. Our focus must be on escape, not on casting blame."
Xena leaned back against the cart's wall, her posture relaxing slightly. "Escape, then. What's your grand plan, Elf? Or do you intend to rely on elven magic to whisk us away?"
Legolas shook his head. "Magic won't free us. We need to be observant. We must find a weakness in our captors or wait for the right moment to act."
"And if that moment doesn't come?" Xena asked, her tone laced with skepticism.
Legolas met her gaze steadily. "Then we create our moment. But it requires trust, mortal, something that seems in short supply between us."
A moment of silence followed, both lost in their thoughts. Xena finally spoke, her voice softer. "Trust is earned, Elf. And in this journey it better be the forge in which it's shaped."
Legolas nodded, a faint glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Then let's begin. We watch, we wait, and when the time comes, we act together."
Xena nodded "And after, I'll kill you!"
Due to her vivid memories of the events in Lómëanor, their conversation was abruptly interrupted when they were unexpectedly drugged and abducted. However, she was determined not to let the elf evade the consequences of his actions thus far. At the moment, their primary concern was devising a plan to elude the clutches of the troublesome twins.
As they journeyed on, the landscape gradually changed, the lush forests of Mirkwood giving way to harsher, more desolate terrains. The twins, wary of their captives' reputations as formidable warriors, took no chances. They kept them closely watched, their own skills in combat a necessary precaution against any attempted escape.
Legolas and Xena, despite their predicament, engaged in hushed conversations, planning, and plotting. They debated attempting an escape, but the realization of their unfamiliar surroundings and the extent of the twins' preparedness dampened their initial enthusiasm. Instead, they focused on gathering information, observing the twins' habits, and waiting for an opportune moment.
The journey was marked by tension and unease. There were moments of heated argument between Legolas and Xena, each blaming the other for their current predicament. Yet, these disputes were interspersed with periods of silent understanding and mutual respect, as they both recognized the gravity of their situation.
As days turned to weeks, the oppressive shadow of Gundabad loomed ever closer. The twins, confident in their control over their captives, grew slightly more relaxed, allowing Legolas and Xena slightly more freedom of movement, albeit still under close watch. Under the cover of night, within the bounds of a secluded camp, Legolas and Xena, their strength gradually returning as the potion's effects wore off, considered their situation. The complacency of the twins, Noctis and Nyxara, had opened a window of opportunity for escape.
Xena, her warrior instincts reignited, began to work at her bonds. As she felt the ropes give way slightly, Legolas's hand reached out, halting her efforts.
"Wait, Xena," he whispered urgently. "We should consider remaining their captives."
Xena turned to him, her expression a mix of disbelief and anger. "Have you lost your senses, elf? This is our chance to flee!"
Legolas shook his head, his voice low but firm. "Being taken to Dular might be our best option. We know little of Gundabad and less of the path there. This way, we are led straight to our destination."
Xena's frustration was palpable. "And you think once we're in the heart of enemy territory, escape will be easier? You're delusional."
Legolas met her gaze, unflinching. "We've managed thus far without weapons. You, especially, have proven adept at overcoming such disadvantages."
"That's not the point!" Xena retorted sharply. "Our gear, our horses – what of them? Are we to simply leave them to the twins?"
Legolas sighed, weighing his words. "If necessary, we may have to reclaim them or buy them back. Our immediate concern should be the curse and reaching Dular."
Xena scoffed. "Buy back our own belongings? What's your plan? You're as naïve as you are infuriating."
Legolas's patience waned. "And you, mortal, are as stubborn as you are reckless. We need to think strategically, not just with the sword."
Their eyes locked, and a silent battle of wills ensues. Xena's anger simmered, yet a part of her knew Legolas's suggestion held merit. Gundabad was unfamiliar territory, and their current course provided a direct, albeit perilous, path to their goal.
"Fine," Xena finally conceded, her voice laced with reluctance. "We'll play the captives for now. But if your plan goes awry, elf, it'll be on your head."
In the shadowy confines of their captivity, Legolas sat in silent contemplation, his usual demeanor of aloofness tinged with a darkness that seemed to grow with each passing moment. The potion's waning effects not only returned their physical strength but also brought back the haunting nightmares that Legolas had been spared while under its influence.
The enveloping darkness of the night, far from the comforting shadows of Mirkwood's trees, weighed heavily on him. It was in these moments of vulnerability that the elf prince found himself grappling with a turmoil that went deeper than the physical bonds that held him.
Legolas's thoughts were consumed by the curse that shackled his mother's spirit. This singular obsession had begun to cloud his judgment, leading him down paths he might once have shunned. The idea of willingly walking into the clutches of Dular, the orc responsible for his mother's demise, was a strategy fraught with peril – a strategy the Legolas of old might have dismissed outright.
His recent actions, especially involving Xena in his increasingly desperate gambits, were a departure from the nobility and honor that were hallmarks of his character. He recognized, with a growing sense of disquiet, that his actions bordered on those of outlaws and rogues, driven by their desires regardless of the consequences.
In the quiet of the night, as Xena slept fitfully nearby, Legolas wrestled with his conscience. The lullaby, a haunting echo of his mother's voice, played incessantly in his mind, a reminder of his unresolved guilt and the burden he carried.
He longed for the days when decisions were clear, when right and wrong were as distinct as day and night. But those days seemed like distant memories, overshadowed by the pressing need to free his mother's spirit and alleviate the guilt that gnawed at his soul.
Legolas's internal conflict was a battle unseen, yet it raged as fiercely as any physical skirmish he had ever faced. The elf prince, renowned for his skill and valor, now found himself confronting an adversary that was as elusive as it was formidable – his own inner darkness.
Their journey to Gundabad, under the increasingly watchful eyes of Noctis and Nyxara, became a monotonous and tense passage through time. The decision to remain captive, a strategy born of necessity, weighed heavily on both Legolas and Xena, but more so on the elf, whose condition steadily worsened.
Xena, with her keen warrior's instinct, began to notice the subtle changes in Legolas. The nightmares that haunted him grew more frequent and intense. He became more withdrawn, often lost in his own thoughts, barely acknowledging her presence. The lively conversations and heated arguments of before were replaced by an oppressive silence.
The elf prince was ensnared not just by physical bonds, but also by the chains of his past. The lullaby, a haunting melody that once brought comfort, now served as a grim reminder of his mother's tragic fate. Legolas relived the horror of her death night after night, the details of the event – some long buried, others painfully vivid – replaying in his mind like a macabre spectacle.
Xena, despite her efforts to reach out, found herself an unwilling spectator to Legolas's torment. His fever, though less severe than before, added to his distress. The elf's once-steadfast demeanor was giving way to a vulnerability that he had always sought to conceal.
As they drew closer to the dark heart of Gundabad, Legolas's condition seemed to mirror the journey's descent into danger and uncertainty. Even the twins, usually so preoccupied with their own schemes, began to notice his deteriorating state. But they chose to ignore it, dismissing it as an inconvenience that did not affect their plans.
The lack of enchantments or potions to induce sleep was the only change in their captivity. It was apparent that Noctis and Nyxara no longer deemed them necessary; they were confident that neither Legolas nor Xena posed a risk of escape. The elf and the human, each grappling with their own struggles, had become mere pawns in the twins' game, a game that was swiftly approaching its endgame in the shadowy depths of Gundabad.
Xena, observing Legolas's decline, felt a growing concern mixed with frustration. The elf's unwillingness or inability to communicate only compounded the sense of isolation that their captivity fostered. Yet, beneath her warrior exterior, she harbored a begrudging empathy for Legolas, understanding all too well the burden of past horrors and the scars they left behind.
As they journeyed on, the oppressive atmosphere of their destination seemed to seep into every aspect of their journey, casting a pall over their spirits and foreshadowing the challenges that lay ahead. In this bleak landscape, Legolas and Xena, bound by circumstance and a shared goal, faced not only the physical dangers of Gundabad but also the personal demons that haunted them.
The journey through the forest, fraught with the oppressive darkness of the looming Gundabad, became a trial of endurance for both Xena and Legolas. Xena, though unaffected by the curse that plagued Legolas, felt the heavy atmosphere of the forest weigh upon her. Her warrior's mind, clear and focused, assessed their situation with a practical eye. She realized that escape was possible, yet she chose to stay, driven by a growing sense of responsibility towards the elf.
Xena understood that there was a deeper connection at play, one that tied Legolas to the cursed sword and the dark fate that awaited them in Gundabad. Her distrust of the elf, fueled by his recent actions and descent into darkness, was tempered by a reluctant empathy. She couldn't help but recall how Legolas had aided her when she was gravely injured, despite not knowing who she was. That act of kindness was not something Xena could easily forget or ignore.
Her decision to accompany Legolas to Gundabad was not born of trust but of a warrior's honor and a repayable debt. If his condition worsened the closer they got to the mountain, she dreaded to think what might happen upon their arrival. She resolved to be the voice of reason, to guide them through the darkness that seemed to consume Legolas.
What Xena didn't yet understand was the nature of elven suffering. Elves, when overwhelmed by grief and darkness, could fade in spirit, their only solace often found in departing for the undying lands. This aspect of elven lore was still unknown to her, a gap in her knowledge of these ancient beings.
As they traveled, Legolas became more withdrawn, his moments of lucidity fading. Xena watched him with a mix of concern. She had made her choice to see this journey through, to aid Legolas in breaking the curse. The conversation they would have once the curse was lifted seemed a distant prospect, but one she held onto.
For Legolas, the journey was a blur of nightmares and fragmented memories. The lullaby that haunted him served as a constant reminder of his mother's fate, a fate he was desperate to amend. His physical form, though still strong, was a stark contrast to the fading of his spirit, a battle unseen but fiercely fought within the confines of his own mind.
In the quiet moments of the journey, Xena found herself contemplating the enigmatic nature of elves. Her understanding of them, limited to her interactions with Legolas, was now expanding as she witnessed his struggle. She began to grasp the depth of their emotions, the intensity of their connections to the world, and the profound impact of their losses.
Their journey to Gundabad, a path shrouded in shadows both literal and metaphorical, became a journey of mutual reliance. Xena, the steadfast warrior, and Legolas, the tormented prince, moved closer to their destination and the heart of the darkness that bound them. In this unlikely alliance, forged in the crucible of their shared ordeal, lay their only hope of overcoming the curse and emerging from the shadows that threatened to consume them.
((Upcoming Chapter Thirty-Five))
Thank you for taking the time to read this! Feel free to Review - Follow - Favorite!