Arwen woke with a start, feeling the prince stir under her hand. She quickly moved into his line of vision. If he were to awake, which she was not sure he would, for he had stirred several times that night, she didn�t not want his tormentors to be the first faces he saw. She watched as his eyes opened painfully. �Arwen�?� �Shhh, yes, it is I.� Legolas took in as deep a breath as his body would allow him. He had not the energy to speak in any language but his own, and so he slipped into the grey tongue. �Why� how are you here?� �You, girl, speak in the common tongue.� Arwen closed her eyes at the command, feeling Legolas� body tense under her. She had kept her hand over his heart for as long as she had been with him, which had been days. He was scared, just knowing that caused the girl�s heart to break. �It is alright, Legolas. The king permitted me to be here with you.� �They�re still here?� Arwen shook her head in disgust. �Yes. But they will do nothing else to you. Tell me, where are you hurt?� �I don�t know any more. And of you? How are you?� The elf bit her lip. She did not know what to tell him. �I tried so hard not to let go of you.� �Arwen, I am so sorry that I wasn�t there for you.� �What is he saying?� a guard broke into their conversation. �Leave us be!� Arwen said, her anger apparent in her voice. �You are in no position to be giving me orders, girl,� the guard stood, a deadly look in his eyes. Arwen only turned her attention away from him and back to Legolas. �Eleni,� Legolas said. �What?� �Eleni.� Arwen suddenly realized that Legolas had lost any sense of where he was or what was happening. He was asking her for the stars, but they were already outside, the stars directly above him. �Legolas, can hear me?� �Yes, I can hear you fine.� �Do you know where you are?� �In this wretched place full of humans.� Her previous theory was dejected. �Legolas, can you see me?� �No,� was the simple answer that came after a short pause. Normally, Legolas would have given some reason why, stating his vision was hazed, or the he had been blinded earlier, or that the feeling was brand new to him, but a simple no was not like him. �What did you do to him?� She hissed at the guards behind her. One of them smiled wickedly. �One of the whips may have been poisoned. You never know.� �What is the meaning of this?� a voice unfamiliar to Legolas entered the conversation. The prince felt Arwen�s hand move away from his chest as she knelt in the soft earth. �Lord Enimodel,� she whispered. �Rise, child. What is going on here?� A guard spoke for Arwen. �You have no business here. You are but a guest of the king.� �As far as I know, a guest is above those who serve him.� The guard had no reply, unable to deny the statement. The man nodded, turning back to Arwen and the prince. �Go on, child, do not fear to speak in front of me.� Legolas listened to the silence that followed, using what energy he had to drift into the girl�s mind. She shut him out quickly, but not before he knew why she didn�t speak. �You can trust him, Arwen.� Enimodel looked at the prince, wondering what made him so sure. Arwen did the same, but did not openly question his words. �It is a long story, sir.� �I have time.� Enimodel sat next to Arwen and her betrothed. He placed a hand on the prince�s chest, checking for his heart beat; it was much too fast. He noticed as Arwen glanced at the guards that formed a circle around her. He followed her gaze. �Do not fear, I will not let any harm come to you so long as I can help it.� Arwen took a long, shaky breath. �I know not where to begin.� Enimodel smiled at her attempts to stall. �Start from the beginning.� �We were traveling to Mirkwood in preparation for� our wedding. But we were captured.� She had to fight back the emotions that threatened to explode from her. She began speaking rapidly in elvish, not noticing how she switched. Enimodel followed along. �The king gave Legolas to his guards as a source of pleasure and fun for them.� She paused. �And of you?� He prodded her along. �And of me� the king was using me as part of his plans, which was spoken of at dinner so long ago. We tried to escape, but� we were overpowered� and� punished.� She stopped to take another breath, but collapsed into tears. Enimodel took her into his arms, whispering soothing words in her ear. �Lord Enimodel,� a threatening voice seized Legolas� body, and he curled in defense again. Arwen broke away from Enimodel, bringing what comfort she could to Legolas. She wrapped her arms around his chest, trying to bring him out of whatever defense his mind now held. He resisted her, and she wasn't even sure that he knew she was near. �Lord Tarduain,� the other replied. He should have known that one of the guards would certainly fetch the king. �It is unusual to see servants treated as such.� �They tried to escape from me. They had to be punished.� �Naturally, but to such a degree?� He motioned towards Legolas� curled form. �It is no matter to you what I do with my possessions.� Arwen finally let her anger loose. She stood on her feet, as tall as Enimodel next to her. �We are not intimate things, possessions! We are living beings!� The king�s expression changed. His eyes showed his disdain at the girl�s outburst, and so she quieted. Enimodel watched this exchange, making sure he stayed between her and the king. �I will buy them from you.� �They are not for sell, I�m afraid to say. Though both of them are quite a handful.� �Then some deal we could make?� �No. They both belong to me, and so it shall stay that way.� �A bet then. If I should win, I get one of them.� The king sighed. �I have not the time for your games. If it means that much, take one. I will be better off without them. Take one and leave my palace forever.� �Take Legolas,� Arwen whispered. �He needs help.� Legolas shook his head. �Please, take her. I can not bear to see her stay here.� Under any other circumstances, Enimodel would have taken Legolas so he could get medical attention, but there was something in the elf�s eyes that made him change his mind. He grabbed Arwen�s arm, after a slight nod at Legolas, (which was unseen,) began to pull her through the circle of guards. �No,� she spoke quietly at first, but then fought against the man who held her, trying to get back to Legolas. �No!� �Quiet, child. It is for the best.� Legolas closed his eyes, trying to close off all of his overloaded senses. Her protests were too much for him to handle. She was safe now, and that was all that mattered. �No! Can�t you see that he needs help?� �You have to trust me.� �Why should I? Men haven�t proven themselves trustworthy!� Enimodel just looked at her for a minute, raising his eyebrows. �Oh,� she said in quiet realization. She took one last glance at the prince. �He�ll be fine. I�ll make sure of that.� Arwen nodded, allowing herself to be led away. Suddenly, an order was given. �Kill him.� Enimodel silenced Arwen before she could scream. �Hide. Do not come down until I come for you. Trust me. Now go!� Arwen nimbly sprang up into the nearest tree, quietly praying to the Valar that Legolas would come out of all this alive. Legolas could not suppress the cry of pain that escaped his lips. He was being tortured again. He did not have he will to deal with it again. Only minutes passed. It took his body a while to figure out that no new pain was being inflicted, and he was confused as to why. �I can�t be dead, I still hurt.� He thought numbly, trying to roll onto his back. The pain this caused was great, causing the elf to gasp slightly. �Stay still, prince. You will be out of here soon,� a voice drifted into his mind in the grey tongue. The elf�s ears tuned into the conversation around him, his mind desperately trying to take in something other than the pain. �I asked you to leave my castle! Now you are interfering with my doings, and I will not have that!� �And you, sir, are killing an innocent creature! He has done nothing to you.� �He has done ill to me- wait, why should I tell you this? What business is it of yours what I do with my things?� Enimodel paused, checking his anger. Now was not the time to lose his temper. �Just let me take him, he will be out of your hair, and you will never have to deal with him again.� King Tarduain paused this time, as if considering the idea. �No,� he said finally. �I swore when I took this one in that I would break his spirit and I have not yet done that. But you may have my word that I will not kill him.� �He is an elf! An elf prince at that; you will never break him.� �And how would a king of men know this?� Enimodel shook his head. �My kingdom is near Mirkwood. We have many dealings with elves. I know the pride they have.� He said this as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. �Leave my castle now, or I will order your death.� Lord Enimodel looked down at the elf. He was dying. The voice filtered into Legolas� mind again, still speaking in the grey tongue. �Do not lose hope, do not leave the earth this way. I will come back. Just wait for me.� �Do I still have your word that you will not kill the boy?� The king smiled. �You have my word.� Legolas cringed. He had a feeling that, by the end of all of this, he would have welcomed death. He felt the absence of Lord Enimodel like a ton of bricks. �Where is he? Why is he not with you?� �Hush, Evenstar. I will come back for him. His life is protected; he will not die.� Arwen sighed in frustration. �As if leaving him there to be tortured is a better fate than death?� �Arwen, please!� He was leading the girl through the woods at a hurried pace. A fear grew in his mind that scouts would be sent to find them. �I am taking you to Rivendell. There, I will get help to come with me here to bring back Prince Legolas. There is nothing more I could do.� �Let me come back to help.� �Never. I would not bring you back here ever again.� A scream pierced the air, and both stopped in their tracks. �Legolas,� Arwen whispered, her blood running cold. �We have to go back.� �Arwen, look at me.� Lord Enimodel placed a hand under her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye. �We can�t go back. Not yet. We need reinforcement.� Tears glistened in Arwen�s eyes, but she no longer protested. As furious as her heart was for leaving, she knew it would be folly to stay. Lord Elrond glanced up from his desk as he heard the great doors open. He paused, then set down his quill and pushed his chair back. There was a feeling of urgency in the air. However, he had barely stood from his seat when the doors to the library were thrown open, and his own daughter stood before him. �Arwen? Are you alright? Where have you been? Thranduil send word that you never arrived-� �Legolas is being held captive, Father. He is being tortured, and we need to save him, now.� Elrond kept his alarm hidden from his daughter. �Where is he, child?� Another voice entered the conversation then. �He is in Tarduain�s land.� Arwen looked behind her. Enimodel� the whole plan had been so clever� how had she not known it? �He has many men, and he is adamant about keeping Legolas as his slave. He was in grave condition when we left.� He paused, wondering whether or not to state the prince�s true welfare with Arwen in the room. �He was dying.� Arwen turned her head away from the firelight, not wishing for either of the two to see her tears. �Then we must rescue him,� Elrond said, matter-of-factly. �It is a three day journey by foot.� Enimodel responded, following the king out of the library. Arwen was on his heels. �We will take horses� naturally. We leave within the hour. Take her to the healers.� �No, Father. I wish to go back with you.� Elrond did not hesitate. �No, my child. It is much to dangerous, and I would not risk your life again.� �Come, Arwen. All will be alright.� Enimodel took her by the arm and led her away from her father. He quickly explained the situation to the healers, who took Arwen quickly to an empty bed. �Lord�� Enimodel turned around, facing Arwen again. A drug-induced sleep was quickly taking control of the girl�s body. �Bring him back to me�� Her eyes closed, her body finally finding a peaceful sleep that it had not had for nearly three months. Legolas shuddered in his sleep. Someone was grabbing at him again� He just wanted it all to be over. �Be at peace, Legolas. You are in Elvish hands now.� Legolas� mind suddenly grew calm, but he had no control over his body�s reactions. He was too tired to harness his fears. �Watch my back, Elrohir.� �I�m on it, Father. Just save him.� The voices were so familiar� Lord Elrond gently checked the prince for any wounds that would make it impossible for him to be moved. He pressed lightly on each rib until a small cry escaped the prince�s lips, and his body curled protectively forward. Elrond sighed. �Elrohir, can you take him on your horse?� �Yes, Father.� �You will have to move slowly and carefully, I do not know how much more his body can withstand.� �I understand. Do I take him to Rivendell, or to Mirkwood?� �Rivendell, my son. We have not the time to make it to Mirkwood. I fear he is fast approaching the darkness of death.� Elrohir nodded while Elrond continued. �I will ride ahead with my men, and send word to Thranduil. Medicine and a bedchamber will be prepared for him, and yourself, when you arrive. I will leave 10 of my men to travel with you.� �Thank you Father. I will see you in a few days.� �Take care of him. I fear he still has much to do on this earth.� �Father, go! See to Arwen. Prepare for Legolas.� Lord Elrond nodded, turning his horse swiftly, galloping into the night. Elrohir took one nervous glance about, worried that Tarduain would find them. It had been quite a hassle rescuing the prince. Guards were stationed everywhere; that was obstacle number one. Then there was the matter of finding where they had hidden the prince, then, on top of all that, they had to find their back out of the castle without being seen. Elrond�s son mounted his horse after making sure Legolas was secure. �Come, men. We ride slow, but we ride hard.� No one spoke to Elrohir as they began the journey to Rivendell. �Sir,� an elf rode up along side Elrohir a long time later. �Yes, Roquen?� �How does he fare?� �Not well, I�m afraid. It�s been nearly three hours and he had not yet awoken.� Roquen handed Elrohir a flask of water. �For when he awakes.� Elrohir nodded his thanks. �Yrch!� A shout rose from the back of the party. Elrohir sprang to action. �Take the prince, Roquen! Ride hard, fast� get him to Rivendell as soon as possible!� �What about his wounds?� �Father will mend any wounds he re-opens. Go!� The elf adjusted the prince in his own saddle, and urged his horse forward. �Arwen,� Elrond started at the sudden moan form the prince beside him. 13 days he had been in Rivendell, and this was the first he stirred. �Be at peace, Prince. You are in elvish hands now.� Elrond spoke in the grey tongue, stilling Legolas� fears. Lord Elrond waited for what would happen next, but no movement came from the prince. The lord finally sighed, but still, this was improvement. �Father?� a tired voice spoke quietly. �Yes, Elrohir? Come in.� �Did I hear him stir?� Elrond could not help the small smile at his son�s attentiveness. Elrohir had even moved his own room to the one adjoining the prince�s. �Ay, you did. Though he only called for Arwen.� �Should I retrieve her then?� �Nay, he is still sleeping. I think it was only something in his dreams that made him call out. Besides, she knows not that he is here. I need her to fully recover before I let her worry about Legolas.� Elrohir nodded, weariness fighting to consume him. He himself had only arrived in Rivendell earlier that evening. �Tell me then, son, what kept you?� �After the first night of our journey, someone called that orcs were attacking.� �Yrch? In Tarduain�s land?� �My thoughts exactly. Indeed, it was not orcs. It was Tarduain�s own men.� �Searching for Legolas. It is no matter, you all returned safely.� Elrohir nodded again. �Even though we were greatly outnumbered. How did you find Roquen? In one piece?� �Indeed. He was tired, but nothing more. You will see him at breakfast in the morning.� �Arwen,� another soft call came from the bed. �Perhaps I should get her. He awakes.� �Nay, we only wish he would.� Elrond paused. �You seem rather attached to Legolas.� �You saw the things I saw.� The simple answer was enough for Elrond, the understatement that it was. It was true; in fact, it had been only he and Elrohir that ventured into the castle to save the prince. �Besides,� Elrohir continued, �We were friends once, long ago.� �Get some rest. Things will start anew in the morning.� |
| Chapter 4 Go on to part 5 |