| Part 2 Go to part 3 |
| Shivers ran down the girl�s spine as she dreadfully awaited the arrival of the king. He had left her twenty minutes ago, with the promise of his return later that evening. She had been stripped of all her own clothing, and given new garments of silk and sheer that were of no use in the chilly night air. She was trapped in this empty room; there was no furniture, no lights, only an empty feeling of hopelessness. The only light she got was that from the moon outside her window. She took comfort in its steady glow, thinking that maybe her beloved was looking at the same moon. How had she gotten into this mess? Just yesterday she had managed to escape their hands. She had been so close to making it home; she had Rivendell in her sight when they finally caught her. She looked back at the moon. What was going to happen now? Legolas had given up trying to find outside light. He had been taken so far under the castle that fresh air seemed impossibly far away. He let his head hang, trying desperately to ignore the pain in his body. He wanted to lay down� or stand up, but his restraints allowed neither. He was concentrating deeply on trying to contact Arwen, taking his mind off the pain. It was an art he had developed ages ago from Gandalf, speaking with another through his mind. Few elves possessed the power, Lady Galadriel of Lothlorien among them. Time passed, and he managed to get into her mind, but he could not break through her thoughts. She was cold, he could feel that, and fear pushed at every corner of her mind. Arwen was so trapped in her fear that she didn�t notice another pressing thought, one that seemed to be forcing its way into her mind. It was just out of her reach so that she could not grasp it, as if she was trying to recall some distant memory. Legolas kept fighting his way into her mind. The closer he got to her consciousness, the more fear and cold he could feel. His own body began to tremble, unbeknownst to him. Suddenly, her fear peaked, forcing Legolas out of her mind completely, and not even knowing it. Legolas felt his skin crawl. Arwen was here. He needed to see her, he needed to protect her. He grew angry, but not at his captors as one might expect. He was angry and frustrated with himself for not being able to protect her. He had not lied in the presence of the king, he had sworn to protect her. Now, he was letting her down; he was failing her. �What is that elf making such a ruckus about?� A guard muttered, plainly irritated. He had been rattling his chains for nearly two hours. As if the mumbling of the guard had caused it, the king entered the room where the guards were stationed. �I hear that dratted elf.� �Ay, sir.� Another guard bowed to his king. �Let him out, then. The girl wishes to see him, and I would like to see them interact.� �Yes, sir,� the first guard quickly grabbed his keys, hurrying to where Legolas was still causing commotion. The elven prince stopped when he saw the guard with keys in hand. It surprised him that he was being let out, but he did not yet ask for what the sudden change had been brought about. Legolas was led to where the king patiently awaited him. �What have you done to her?� Legolas nearly spat the words out, rubbing his wrists. �I would advise you to hold your tongue. I am relenting, letting you see her. Do not ruin your last reunion.� �Why the change of heart?� Legolas asked as he followed the king up a long flight of stairs. �Only for her sake. She cries for someone by the name of Legolas. Her betrothed?� Legolas nodded. �I figure that you�re the closest I can come to that, and maybe you can provide her with some comfort." Legolas knew there was some hidden motive the king did not tell him. Why would he care about her comfort? He carefully voiced this thought. �You care for her comfort?� The king made no response. Finally, a door was thrown open, and Legolas was shoved inside. The king closed it behind him as he too entered. A wave of relief washed over the prince as Arwen rushed into his arms. She was crying. �Oh, Arwen�� The princess pulled away from him, giving him a warning glance. �Do not address me so, good sir.� Only a second of confusion stayed on Legolas� face, until he remembered where he was. He bowed low. �Forgive me, milady, I was just glad to see you safe.� Legolas could feel the cold eyes of the king on them. �Are you all right, milady?� �Ay, I am.� She lied to him. He could see it plainly in her eyes. It almost seemed as though she were frightened of him, and trying desperately to hide it. �Have no fear, milady. I am sure my prince wonders even now where you are. He will not leave you alone.� Legolas looked deep into his beloved�s eyes. �I will not leave you alone,� he tried to speak through his mind. He knew not if she understood him. �That�s enough,� the king interrupted Legolas� thoughts. He began pulling Legolas toward the door. �Wait! Good sir, I feel badly, but I could not think of it earlier. Please remind me of your name.� Legolas almost smiled at her slyness. �Cemendur, milady.� Weeks passed, weeks of endless torture for the prince. He was too proud to let one man and his army break him; he refused to let them see him weak. They kept him as far away from Arwen as they could, making sure they could not plot anything together. They noticed, too, for some reason, being away from her was torture for the prince as well. Legolas was currently in the large courtyard. It was one of the few nights they let him out for fresh air. He sat facing a fountain, letting his bruised arms fall into the cool water. His tunic was lying on the ground near to him, spots of blood evident even in the darkness. He just let his head hang, breathing in deeply before he was forced back to the dungeons. It had taken him many weeks to convince the king that he was trustworthy enough to be let out of the chains, much less let out in the garden. He needed the fresh air whenever the chance arose. Down in the dungeons, he would slowly, emotionally suffocate. He started as light fingers traced the wounds on his back from frequent beatings. His lifted his gaze and met Arwen�s. Her eyes were soft, yet filled with a great sadness. Being with the prince was an internal battle for her. She felt as though she could not trust him, but that was only from her experiences with this human king. But that was what the king wanted. In her heart, she knew she could trust her life to Legolas. �This is no condition for a prince,� she said softly, referring to the wounds on his body. �How did you get out here?� �It matters not. Why are you so torn?� �They take anything as an excuse to hurt me. It�s a game to them. Are you hurt?� �Not as you are. Let go of your pride, my love, for it will get you no where here.� �I refuse to let them see my weakness, Arwen. I will not let them break me.� She shook her head with great distress. �Letting go of your pride is not letting them break you.� �They�ve broken you. I can see it in you eyes.� Arwen dropped her gaze. �None of the guards are allowed to touch me.� �And what of the king? Does he too stay away from you?� The prince was careful to keep his anger in check; he did not want to alarm Arwen. No matter how careful he was, though, the girl could still hear the anger and sarcasm in his voice. �I should go,� she said slowly. �Before they catch us together.� �I care not if they do.� �Legolas, please,� �Shh, milady, do not speak my name here.� �Please, good sir, if we were caught, it would mean great pain for you.� Legolas stood now, peering down at the girl before him. �All the pain in the world is worth being with you.� He placed a hand on her cheek, but drew it back when he saw the shudder of her body. �Oh, Arwen, my love� what have they done to you?� Arwen was fighting tears. She was ashamed of how she had recoiled from a hand she knew loved her well. �Do not worry, Legolas. I am fine.� Suddenly, the reason for her fear became all too obvious. Legolas� anger rose as quickly as Arwen retreated from him. Legolas stormed into the castle, but he avoided the familiar route to the dungeons. Guards watched him warily as he passed them. He was going to find the king. He didn�t know what he would do then, but just finding the king meant enough. He realized that this man didn�t have to touch Arwen, though he was sure he did that too. He could hurt her in a much worse way. He had made in obvious that he had connections in Mirkwood, based on messengers he talked about. He was using that against the lady. He was turning her against Legolas; physically and emotionally. He was planting a deep distrust of the prince into her mind, though Legolas did not know if he was turning her against the prince or her �escort.� It mattered not. Either way it was him. He threw open a large oak door and found himself in a library. He glanced about in the darkness, noticing a small flicker of light from the far end. He began to walk towards it, but was stopped in his tracks. �Good evening, your majesty.� A voice sneered at him. Legolas sun around to face the king. His earlier questioned had been answered. �A search party from Mirkwood came today. They said the prince was traveling alone with Arwen when they both disappeared.� Legolas cringed. He hated how informal the king was when speaking about the princess, like she was a long time acquaintance. He then kicked himself mentally for not having any knowledge of the arrival of Mirkwood messengers. A chance for escape� lost. �You were looking for me, were you not?� Now the time had come. He found the king. He needed to do something. Nothing came to mind. �Release her.� He wasn�t completely aware of the words leaving his mouth. �Excuse me?� �Release her. Let her go back to her home. Leave her be.� �For what? So she can send her kind her to retrieve you?� �Then kill me if you will. But do not hurt her anymore.� The king smiled. �I have not laid a finger on her.� �You needn�t have to.� The king now had it; he knew the prince�s one weakness, the one thing he could use to break this proud creature. �A business deal then. She stays, there is no negotiating that. You do as I say, exactly as I say, and I do no harm to her. Disobey a command, and it�s free game.� It wasn�t even close to what the prince had wanted, but it was better than nothing. �Deal.� The king smiled. �Good. You�re first order is to stay away from her. She has free roam of the castle. If she should come up to you, you will speak not a word to her. You shall not make eye contact. Believe me, I have ways of knowing if you break this rule. Do you understand me?� Legolas nodded. It was almost worse now; he couldn�t even look at his love. Somehow, he figured that was the intention of the king. �Now go back to the dungeons. I am tired of the conversation.� The prince began to say something, but the king interrupted. �Ah, I believe I just gave you an order.� Legolas set his jaw as he felt the urge to resist, to stay and put up a fight, but he kept thinking of Arwen. It was killing him, but he was letting go of his pride. He solemnly made his way back to the dungeons. |