Authors notes:- This is the end!!! If you want to read more, the sequel
Nwalmaer tormented one is posted in its entirety! I am in the process of
writing another story not in this line of stories, but I also have planned
a sequel to this but again a prequel to Nwalmaer which will be shorter.
Unfortunately due to exam season at Uni starting again I may not be able to
post as regularly. Anyway please review with your overall impressions of
the story. Constructive criticism is welcome and any hints on how to
improve. If there is anything you particularly like about the story please
say!!! Please, please review! I won't know how to improve or what to
continue if you don't comment. Hope you enjoy this. Thank you's are at the
bottom, plus a little snippet of my next story!
**
Eomer's heart clenched in grief as Aragorn's anguished cries sounded over the din of the battle. Eomer dragged the man along as he thrashed in his arms. The orcs were pressing hard as they retreated. Aragorn's struggles were slowing him down but he would not let the man go. Aragorn would charge back in desperation to save his friend. Eomer's heart too wanted to go back and save his friend. Even though the elf and Rohan King had not started out on the best of terms they had developed a friendship as time went on. He did not want to leave Legolas in the hands of Sauron, to suffer despair and torment but Sauron had said that their realms were already under attack. Rohan and Gondor needed them and they were their king's. He could not abandon them to save a friend, even one as dear as Legolas.
Eomer saw out of the corner of his eye Gandalf fighting to be at his side. He had not seen Gimli since Sauron had appeared. He hoped the dwarf had not done anything stupid but Eomer himself probably would have if he was as close to the elf as Gimli was.
Gandalf appeared beside him. His eyes met Eomer's. Eomer shook his head, Aragorn was not going to calm down anytime soon and Eomer knew what had to be done to save his friend. Gandalf rested a hand on the man's head and Aragorn's cries silenced and the man slumped into Eomer's embrace. Gandalf turned and whistled a long cry that sounded clear as if they were stood in the middle of empty field and not in a forest in the middle of a battle. Eomer smiled as he saw Shadowfax gallop swiftly towards him. The white horse reared and then came to a complete stand still.
"My friend we need to get Aragorn far from this battle." The horse nodded his head and snorted as if in agreement. A guard of soldiers had formed around the trio to give them enough time to get Aragorn onto the horse. Gandalf quickly mounted and reached for Aragorn who Eomer passed to the wizard. Once the man was secure Gandalf turned to look at Eomer.
"He will not thank you for this." Eomer stated.
"No indeed he will not but it is for the best. Gondor is vulnerable and needs its King. It saddens me deeply that Legolas is lost to us, but I will not abandon him, I will return and free him but it cannot be done today."
Eomer nodded. "Take Care."
"It is you that needs it more than I. Come home safely. We will be waiting and remember when you feel most desperate look up." Eomer nodded slowly wondering what Gandalf meant but he was used to the wizard's strange sayings. Gandalf whispered softly to Shadowfax, the great horse leapt forward, his muscles rippling beneath his white skin, and disappeared into the throng of the battle.
Eomer turned to observe the retreat. Orcs were hungrily pursuing the fleeing army. Frowning at what he saw he knew they needed more of a plan than just running for their lives. They would be picked off one by one until all had fallen. Quickly he did an estimate of the numbers of orcs pursuing them and realised that many had retreated back to Dol Guldur. If they managed to regroup they could deal the enemy a fierce blow, hopefully beat them into retreat.
"Regroup on the ridge." He called as loudly as he could. Setting off at a run his powerful legs covered the ground quickly. His mighty sword swinging, killing many an orc in its stride. His fury aided him but he did not let it control him he used the power it gave.
* Gimli ran as hard as he could towards Legolas. His friend's tortured cry echoed across the suddenly stilled battle. Blind rage had dulled any other sense other than the one that drove him towards Legolas. Sauron, the deceiver was mocking Aragorn but Gimli did not listen as his small but powerful legs powered him up the ridge. Behind him he could hear his fellow dwarfs, each banded in their loyalty to him to follow him wherever he should go.
Sauron turned to Dol Guldur, leaving his orcs to bring in the wounded elf. Gimli let loose a war cry so loud that it made the orcs closest to him jump They were surprised at the dwarfs' appearance not expecting anyone to risk coming this close to the tower. Immediately they raised weapons and set about engaging the dwarfs. Gimli, with an agility that Legolas himself would have remarked upon, evaded them and continued his attempt to reach the elf. Legolas was unconscious and Gimli cursed. He would need the elf awake to aid in their escape. Raising his axe he swung it at the legs of one of the orcs dragging Legolas, the orc howled in agony as his leg was almost severed and fell heavily. Before the other orc had a chance to drop Legolas and raise his weapon, Gimli had beheaded it. Quickly glancing around he saw that the element of surprise that they had, had worked well. He had a few precious seconds to see to his friend. Dropping to his knees beside his friend he shook the elf, not worrying too much about injuries at the moment.
"Legolas." He called anxiously. "Come on you crazy elf, wake up." Gimli was rewarded with a groan from Legolas and the elf slowly blinked his eyes open.
"Gimli?" he croaked.
"Aye, get up quickly we have no time." Gimli urged. Legolas's forehead wrinkled in concentration as he struggled to get his pain ridden body to respond. Gimli tried to help but was stopped by a deep laugh. Both elf and dwarf froze. As one they looked across to the source of the laugh. Sauron.
"Do you think I am so foolish dwarf to leave my prize captive so unguarded?" the voice asked. Gimli's face contorted in anger. Sauron walked forward and Gimli rose to stand in front of his defenceless friend. Sauron again laughed.
"Such loyalty I see before me between a dwarf and elf. Would you bleed for each other, suffer torture for each other, die for each other?" Sauron questioned. "Shall we test it?" Gimli growled and stiffened. Legolas pushed himself to his feet struggling to remain upright but refusing to show weakness to the figure before him.
"No, not today perhaps another." Sauron raised his hand and a bolt of dark magic flew out and enveloped the dwarf.
"No!" Legolas cried as he watched the dwarf freeze in place.
"Now come with me." Sauron said to Legolas. Legolas found his eyes drawn to Sauron and realised in horror that his body was responding without his authority. His mind screamed in protest as he stepped around Gimli. He stopped in front of Sauron and the evil figure smiled.
"Sleep" he commanded. Legolas dropped into Sauron's arms completely limp. Sauron picked the elf up and carried him back in, leaving the dwarf frozen.
Gimli watched in horror unable to move any part of his body. He saw his friend carried away and realised he had failed his friend, the absolute horror of his failure washed over him and grief swelled until he thought he would choke.
He felt darkness rising up and allowed it to take him. His body falling to the ground as the spell placed upon him dissipated.
* Eomer was exhausted and his breath was coming in harsh gasps. Many of the surviving warriors had gathered on the ridge and had formed rough lines. They braced themselves as the orcs charged up the hill. Eomer raised his sword but before he could swing it to kill an enemy a hail of arrows flew over his head and took down the first lines of orcs. They were the arrows of elves and for a brief second Eomer wondered if some wood elves had survived. Turning he saw about twenty elves race up the other side of the ridge to join the men on the top. They wore similar clothes to that of Rivendell elves. The orcs still came but again they were cut down as the elves fired arrow after arrow. As the surviving orcs reached the lines of men, the men in turn unleashed their force, buoyed by the fact that some aid had come to them.
*
Gandalf urged Shadowfax faster and the white stallion lengthened his strides and almost flew across the land. He knew it had been folly to try and save Mirkwood. Sauron had wanted that, he wanted the kings to come rushing to the aid of Legolas and the wood elves. To leave their cities weakly guarded so that when he destroyed the rescuing army he would be able to take Gondor and Rohan without much trouble.
Legolas would not be killed, he knew. The deceiver would take great pleasure in torturing the elf. Legolas was a hero of the light. A member of the fellowship of the ring, a prince among elves and a friend of many of the great leaders of Middle Earth. Sauron would relish in the prospect of having the symbol of light turned to darkness. Legolas would be tortured and tormented until he was destroyed. No elf could resist forever. He knew that two choices lay before him. They had to form an army the likes of that Middle Earth had not seen to retrieve the elf or kill him. If Sauron succeeded in destroying Legolas's soul and turning the elf to darkness, he would have to be killed. Legolas contained within a great power and in the hands of the dark powers it would spell disaster and as much as it would pain him, he would have to be killed. That very thought shook him to the core, Legolas had been a dear friend for many centuries and he vowed do his utmost to make sure that the elf was returned to them.
He felt Aragorn stir in his arms. The fury of the man would be terrible to behold and it would take massive amount of effort to stop the man assembling an army and marching straight back to save Legolas. In fact it would not only be Aragorn, Gimli as well would be beyond furious. This was far from over.
* Eomer watched as more orcs began to emerge from the trees. They would not survive this assault. The elves who had joined them had already engaged the enemy and were exhausted as well. With a deep breath he again raised his sword with heavy limbs. How cruel the fates were? For them to have survived the War of the Ring and to then have been tempted with the prospect of peace, it was so unfair to have it so cruelly ripped away.
"Sir, look up." The soldier next to him called with a slight hint of awe in his voice. Eomer looked up and to his surprise he saw the sky full of eagles. He glanced to his side and saw the elf next to him also look up in surprise.
when you feel most desperate look up Eomer recalled Gandalf's words.
"Thank you." The man whispered as the eagles swooped down and snatched the survivors up and carried them away.
* Thruth felt his heart sink as he watched Gimli fall. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him to his friend's side. More orcs were pouring out of Dol Guldur, they needed to leave and they needed to go quickly. Gathering his friend into his arms he and the other surviving dwarfs' made a hasty retreat. They needed to reach the retreating army but Thruth knew that they were on their own, they could not rely on any aid. The orcs were enclosing in on them, circling with blood lust openly displayed on their faces. Thruth uttered a curse.
"Form a circle." Thruth ended in a cry of surprise as the ground disappeared beneath him. In his surprise he let go of Gimli.
"No!" he cried as his friend tumbled back towards the waiting orcs but the instant before the dwarf hit the ground, a giant eagle swooped and grabbed Gimli with its talons. Exhaustion overcame Thruth and he let unconsciousness claim him.
* Aragorn stirred as he heard irate shouting. He realised he was lying on the ground, a blanket draped over him. Opening his eyes slowly he took in the situation and suddenly got a feeling that he had been here before, in Gondor. Gimli and Gandalf were stood facing each other, glaring. Gimli had turned red, his whole body taunt with unleashed fury. The dwarf stumbled forward as if he was about to collapse.
"You left him behind!" Gimli roared. Gandalf regarded the dwarf with an expression that was losing its patience.
"There was no choice Gimli, the dark forces were greatly outnumbering us. We would have met the same unfortunate outcome as the wood elves. Middle - Earth would have fallen and we cannot allow that to happen."
"Do you know what Sauron is going to do to him?"
"Yes."
Aragorn listened to the conversation and suddenly the past events filled his head. He had had a spell placed upon him by Gandalf. He threw back the blanket and staggered to his feet.
"How dare you!" he yelled and both the dwarf and wizard turned to look at him. The others in the clearing turned away unwilling to watch the approaching argument. Aragorn advanced on the pair. He recognised the clearing, they were near Rivendell far from Mirkwood.
"The battle was going against us. Legolas was lost to us as is Mirkwood. There is nothing we could have done except get ourselves killed. You're own realms need you."
"I can make these decisions for myself. You placed a spell on me against my knowledge and wishes. Then brought me here leaving my best friend in a place worse than death. What gave you the right to do that?!" Aragorn demanded ferociously.
"You were hardly in a position to make a sensible decision."
Aragorn growled.
"We're going back." He announced and Gimli nodded in agreement.
"No." Gandalf said calmly.
"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Aragorn asked. "I am King."
"Of Gondor and Gondor needs you. We must move on." Gandalf continued.
"How can I move on when my best friend is being tortured. We need to save him." Aragorn's anger drained away and it was replaced with anguish.
Gandalf's face softened.
"And we will, but if Gondor, Rohan or the Glittering Caves are destroyed, we will have no resources to get him back."
Aragorn nodded. "It was our fault that this happened." He said sadly sinking back to the ground.
"No, it is not. Although we may not be able to see it, everything that happens, happens for a reason. Legolas would not want us to risk everything to save him. He would not want hundreds to die in an attempt to save him. We need to rebuild our forces."
Aragorn's eyes began to close as he grew tired. Gimli had wondered off and Aragorn heard sobs of grief come from his direction. He knew that Gandalf had spoken the truth but it was too soon for his shredded heart to allow himself to think upon it. Exhaustion claimed him.
* Legolas woke instantly as if someone had clicked their fingers. He was again in a dark stone cell. He could make out water running down the walls in a slow procession ending in pools of water. A sound of harsh breathing caught his attention, it was not him. A tingling of fear ran up his spine and he shivered. Looking around he saw several pairs of yellow eyes watching him. The figures moved towards him and then the soul source of light, the hatch in the metal door, slammed closed and he was plunged into complete darkness. Hs breathing quickened involuntary and it was at that moment that he realised no one was coming for him. He was alone. The first blow fell and then more and more. His bones cracked and he bled. His screams of utter misery and agony were answered only by jeers of his tormenters. The light in his eyes dimmed and went out.
*
One Month Later
The jug clinked as it hit the goblet unsteadily. Wine trickled down the sides of the goblet and a red stain appeared on the white table cloth. Aragorn didn't care. He drank the wine in one swallow and then preceded to pour another glass. He walked back towards the balcony of his room and sat down. His hand shook as he took another sip and tears poured down his face. Someone banged on the door, Faramir probably, he thought hazily but he did not answer. He could not face them, not anyone. He had abandoned a friend, what right did he have to expect comfort off another. Taking another sip of wine he thought back to the day before. The interrogation of an orc found close to Gondor's borders. The orc had told them in depth of the torture that Legolas suffered, how the elf screamed and begged for mercy and how he now believed that he had been abandoned. Each word had cut deep into his heart and he could not stop himself from killing the orc. He had retreated back to his room and had not left since. He had not slept, he dared not to. His dreams were plagued of images of his friend writhing in agony, screaming for it to stop.
"I am sorry, I am so sorry.sorry.sorry" he sobbed as his lay down on the cold stone of the balcony. His tortured cries echoed over the citadel.
"Forgive me!"
**
Authors Thanks
Thank you so much to the following people for continuously reviewing. It was greatly appreciated and made me happy ( Zerocool, Lady Arabella Sedai, Angel of the Elves, gwyn, Ryoko, Tonianne, Eowyn Greenleaf, Fairylady, Atari, cestari (thanks again for pointing out my errors, I am going to repost the story again with corrections as Erin is beta reading it for me), Troubadour, Alida-Fruit, Mcat (thanks to you and Gwyn for pointing out the mistakes on chapter 11), Marissa, Helena, Blitz, orion, Lainy (prize for most reviews, wow!), sirithiliel. If I missed anyone I am sorry. I appreciate you all for taking the time to review!
** Coming Soon....Wethrine Deceived
Legolas groaned and struggled to his feet. Stumbling forward he grabbed the dresser for support and looked in the mirror.
His face was pale, paler than normal and its smooth perfection was scarred with a dark bruise across his cheek. His lip was swollen and split. Reaching up with a shaking hand he ran his finger across the cut, it stung. Dried blood ran from his mouth down his chin. Pausing with his hand on his face he saw the red burn mark on his arm, in the perfect shape of a hand.
"That is what you and I can see, but this is what your friends can see." The mirror shimmered and the cuts, bruises and burns disappeared. Legolas gaped in shock. Running his fingers over the burn, he still felt it, it still hurt and he could see it with his own eyes but he could not see it in his reflection.
"What devilry is this?" Legolas demanded.
"You see no one will believe you."
**
**
Eomer's heart clenched in grief as Aragorn's anguished cries sounded over the din of the battle. Eomer dragged the man along as he thrashed in his arms. The orcs were pressing hard as they retreated. Aragorn's struggles were slowing him down but he would not let the man go. Aragorn would charge back in desperation to save his friend. Eomer's heart too wanted to go back and save his friend. Even though the elf and Rohan King had not started out on the best of terms they had developed a friendship as time went on. He did not want to leave Legolas in the hands of Sauron, to suffer despair and torment but Sauron had said that their realms were already under attack. Rohan and Gondor needed them and they were their king's. He could not abandon them to save a friend, even one as dear as Legolas.
Eomer saw out of the corner of his eye Gandalf fighting to be at his side. He had not seen Gimli since Sauron had appeared. He hoped the dwarf had not done anything stupid but Eomer himself probably would have if he was as close to the elf as Gimli was.
Gandalf appeared beside him. His eyes met Eomer's. Eomer shook his head, Aragorn was not going to calm down anytime soon and Eomer knew what had to be done to save his friend. Gandalf rested a hand on the man's head and Aragorn's cries silenced and the man slumped into Eomer's embrace. Gandalf turned and whistled a long cry that sounded clear as if they were stood in the middle of empty field and not in a forest in the middle of a battle. Eomer smiled as he saw Shadowfax gallop swiftly towards him. The white horse reared and then came to a complete stand still.
"My friend we need to get Aragorn far from this battle." The horse nodded his head and snorted as if in agreement. A guard of soldiers had formed around the trio to give them enough time to get Aragorn onto the horse. Gandalf quickly mounted and reached for Aragorn who Eomer passed to the wizard. Once the man was secure Gandalf turned to look at Eomer.
"He will not thank you for this." Eomer stated.
"No indeed he will not but it is for the best. Gondor is vulnerable and needs its King. It saddens me deeply that Legolas is lost to us, but I will not abandon him, I will return and free him but it cannot be done today."
Eomer nodded. "Take Care."
"It is you that needs it more than I. Come home safely. We will be waiting and remember when you feel most desperate look up." Eomer nodded slowly wondering what Gandalf meant but he was used to the wizard's strange sayings. Gandalf whispered softly to Shadowfax, the great horse leapt forward, his muscles rippling beneath his white skin, and disappeared into the throng of the battle.
Eomer turned to observe the retreat. Orcs were hungrily pursuing the fleeing army. Frowning at what he saw he knew they needed more of a plan than just running for their lives. They would be picked off one by one until all had fallen. Quickly he did an estimate of the numbers of orcs pursuing them and realised that many had retreated back to Dol Guldur. If they managed to regroup they could deal the enemy a fierce blow, hopefully beat them into retreat.
"Regroup on the ridge." He called as loudly as he could. Setting off at a run his powerful legs covered the ground quickly. His mighty sword swinging, killing many an orc in its stride. His fury aided him but he did not let it control him he used the power it gave.
* Gimli ran as hard as he could towards Legolas. His friend's tortured cry echoed across the suddenly stilled battle. Blind rage had dulled any other sense other than the one that drove him towards Legolas. Sauron, the deceiver was mocking Aragorn but Gimli did not listen as his small but powerful legs powered him up the ridge. Behind him he could hear his fellow dwarfs, each banded in their loyalty to him to follow him wherever he should go.
Sauron turned to Dol Guldur, leaving his orcs to bring in the wounded elf. Gimli let loose a war cry so loud that it made the orcs closest to him jump They were surprised at the dwarfs' appearance not expecting anyone to risk coming this close to the tower. Immediately they raised weapons and set about engaging the dwarfs. Gimli, with an agility that Legolas himself would have remarked upon, evaded them and continued his attempt to reach the elf. Legolas was unconscious and Gimli cursed. He would need the elf awake to aid in their escape. Raising his axe he swung it at the legs of one of the orcs dragging Legolas, the orc howled in agony as his leg was almost severed and fell heavily. Before the other orc had a chance to drop Legolas and raise his weapon, Gimli had beheaded it. Quickly glancing around he saw that the element of surprise that they had, had worked well. He had a few precious seconds to see to his friend. Dropping to his knees beside his friend he shook the elf, not worrying too much about injuries at the moment.
"Legolas." He called anxiously. "Come on you crazy elf, wake up." Gimli was rewarded with a groan from Legolas and the elf slowly blinked his eyes open.
"Gimli?" he croaked.
"Aye, get up quickly we have no time." Gimli urged. Legolas's forehead wrinkled in concentration as he struggled to get his pain ridden body to respond. Gimli tried to help but was stopped by a deep laugh. Both elf and dwarf froze. As one they looked across to the source of the laugh. Sauron.
"Do you think I am so foolish dwarf to leave my prize captive so unguarded?" the voice asked. Gimli's face contorted in anger. Sauron walked forward and Gimli rose to stand in front of his defenceless friend. Sauron again laughed.
"Such loyalty I see before me between a dwarf and elf. Would you bleed for each other, suffer torture for each other, die for each other?" Sauron questioned. "Shall we test it?" Gimli growled and stiffened. Legolas pushed himself to his feet struggling to remain upright but refusing to show weakness to the figure before him.
"No, not today perhaps another." Sauron raised his hand and a bolt of dark magic flew out and enveloped the dwarf.
"No!" Legolas cried as he watched the dwarf freeze in place.
"Now come with me." Sauron said to Legolas. Legolas found his eyes drawn to Sauron and realised in horror that his body was responding without his authority. His mind screamed in protest as he stepped around Gimli. He stopped in front of Sauron and the evil figure smiled.
"Sleep" he commanded. Legolas dropped into Sauron's arms completely limp. Sauron picked the elf up and carried him back in, leaving the dwarf frozen.
Gimli watched in horror unable to move any part of his body. He saw his friend carried away and realised he had failed his friend, the absolute horror of his failure washed over him and grief swelled until he thought he would choke.
He felt darkness rising up and allowed it to take him. His body falling to the ground as the spell placed upon him dissipated.
* Eomer was exhausted and his breath was coming in harsh gasps. Many of the surviving warriors had gathered on the ridge and had formed rough lines. They braced themselves as the orcs charged up the hill. Eomer raised his sword but before he could swing it to kill an enemy a hail of arrows flew over his head and took down the first lines of orcs. They were the arrows of elves and for a brief second Eomer wondered if some wood elves had survived. Turning he saw about twenty elves race up the other side of the ridge to join the men on the top. They wore similar clothes to that of Rivendell elves. The orcs still came but again they were cut down as the elves fired arrow after arrow. As the surviving orcs reached the lines of men, the men in turn unleashed their force, buoyed by the fact that some aid had come to them.
*
Gandalf urged Shadowfax faster and the white stallion lengthened his strides and almost flew across the land. He knew it had been folly to try and save Mirkwood. Sauron had wanted that, he wanted the kings to come rushing to the aid of Legolas and the wood elves. To leave their cities weakly guarded so that when he destroyed the rescuing army he would be able to take Gondor and Rohan without much trouble.
Legolas would not be killed, he knew. The deceiver would take great pleasure in torturing the elf. Legolas was a hero of the light. A member of the fellowship of the ring, a prince among elves and a friend of many of the great leaders of Middle Earth. Sauron would relish in the prospect of having the symbol of light turned to darkness. Legolas would be tortured and tormented until he was destroyed. No elf could resist forever. He knew that two choices lay before him. They had to form an army the likes of that Middle Earth had not seen to retrieve the elf or kill him. If Sauron succeeded in destroying Legolas's soul and turning the elf to darkness, he would have to be killed. Legolas contained within a great power and in the hands of the dark powers it would spell disaster and as much as it would pain him, he would have to be killed. That very thought shook him to the core, Legolas had been a dear friend for many centuries and he vowed do his utmost to make sure that the elf was returned to them.
He felt Aragorn stir in his arms. The fury of the man would be terrible to behold and it would take massive amount of effort to stop the man assembling an army and marching straight back to save Legolas. In fact it would not only be Aragorn, Gimli as well would be beyond furious. This was far from over.
* Eomer watched as more orcs began to emerge from the trees. They would not survive this assault. The elves who had joined them had already engaged the enemy and were exhausted as well. With a deep breath he again raised his sword with heavy limbs. How cruel the fates were? For them to have survived the War of the Ring and to then have been tempted with the prospect of peace, it was so unfair to have it so cruelly ripped away.
"Sir, look up." The soldier next to him called with a slight hint of awe in his voice. Eomer looked up and to his surprise he saw the sky full of eagles. He glanced to his side and saw the elf next to him also look up in surprise.
when you feel most desperate look up Eomer recalled Gandalf's words.
"Thank you." The man whispered as the eagles swooped down and snatched the survivors up and carried them away.
* Thruth felt his heart sink as he watched Gimli fall. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him to his friend's side. More orcs were pouring out of Dol Guldur, they needed to leave and they needed to go quickly. Gathering his friend into his arms he and the other surviving dwarfs' made a hasty retreat. They needed to reach the retreating army but Thruth knew that they were on their own, they could not rely on any aid. The orcs were enclosing in on them, circling with blood lust openly displayed on their faces. Thruth uttered a curse.
"Form a circle." Thruth ended in a cry of surprise as the ground disappeared beneath him. In his surprise he let go of Gimli.
"No!" he cried as his friend tumbled back towards the waiting orcs but the instant before the dwarf hit the ground, a giant eagle swooped and grabbed Gimli with its talons. Exhaustion overcame Thruth and he let unconsciousness claim him.
* Aragorn stirred as he heard irate shouting. He realised he was lying on the ground, a blanket draped over him. Opening his eyes slowly he took in the situation and suddenly got a feeling that he had been here before, in Gondor. Gimli and Gandalf were stood facing each other, glaring. Gimli had turned red, his whole body taunt with unleashed fury. The dwarf stumbled forward as if he was about to collapse.
"You left him behind!" Gimli roared. Gandalf regarded the dwarf with an expression that was losing its patience.
"There was no choice Gimli, the dark forces were greatly outnumbering us. We would have met the same unfortunate outcome as the wood elves. Middle - Earth would have fallen and we cannot allow that to happen."
"Do you know what Sauron is going to do to him?"
"Yes."
Aragorn listened to the conversation and suddenly the past events filled his head. He had had a spell placed upon him by Gandalf. He threw back the blanket and staggered to his feet.
"How dare you!" he yelled and both the dwarf and wizard turned to look at him. The others in the clearing turned away unwilling to watch the approaching argument. Aragorn advanced on the pair. He recognised the clearing, they were near Rivendell far from Mirkwood.
"The battle was going against us. Legolas was lost to us as is Mirkwood. There is nothing we could have done except get ourselves killed. You're own realms need you."
"I can make these decisions for myself. You placed a spell on me against my knowledge and wishes. Then brought me here leaving my best friend in a place worse than death. What gave you the right to do that?!" Aragorn demanded ferociously.
"You were hardly in a position to make a sensible decision."
Aragorn growled.
"We're going back." He announced and Gimli nodded in agreement.
"No." Gandalf said calmly.
"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Aragorn asked. "I am King."
"Of Gondor and Gondor needs you. We must move on." Gandalf continued.
"How can I move on when my best friend is being tortured. We need to save him." Aragorn's anger drained away and it was replaced with anguish.
Gandalf's face softened.
"And we will, but if Gondor, Rohan or the Glittering Caves are destroyed, we will have no resources to get him back."
Aragorn nodded. "It was our fault that this happened." He said sadly sinking back to the ground.
"No, it is not. Although we may not be able to see it, everything that happens, happens for a reason. Legolas would not want us to risk everything to save him. He would not want hundreds to die in an attempt to save him. We need to rebuild our forces."
Aragorn's eyes began to close as he grew tired. Gimli had wondered off and Aragorn heard sobs of grief come from his direction. He knew that Gandalf had spoken the truth but it was too soon for his shredded heart to allow himself to think upon it. Exhaustion claimed him.
* Legolas woke instantly as if someone had clicked their fingers. He was again in a dark stone cell. He could make out water running down the walls in a slow procession ending in pools of water. A sound of harsh breathing caught his attention, it was not him. A tingling of fear ran up his spine and he shivered. Looking around he saw several pairs of yellow eyes watching him. The figures moved towards him and then the soul source of light, the hatch in the metal door, slammed closed and he was plunged into complete darkness. Hs breathing quickened involuntary and it was at that moment that he realised no one was coming for him. He was alone. The first blow fell and then more and more. His bones cracked and he bled. His screams of utter misery and agony were answered only by jeers of his tormenters. The light in his eyes dimmed and went out.
*
One Month Later
The jug clinked as it hit the goblet unsteadily. Wine trickled down the sides of the goblet and a red stain appeared on the white table cloth. Aragorn didn't care. He drank the wine in one swallow and then preceded to pour another glass. He walked back towards the balcony of his room and sat down. His hand shook as he took another sip and tears poured down his face. Someone banged on the door, Faramir probably, he thought hazily but he did not answer. He could not face them, not anyone. He had abandoned a friend, what right did he have to expect comfort off another. Taking another sip of wine he thought back to the day before. The interrogation of an orc found close to Gondor's borders. The orc had told them in depth of the torture that Legolas suffered, how the elf screamed and begged for mercy and how he now believed that he had been abandoned. Each word had cut deep into his heart and he could not stop himself from killing the orc. He had retreated back to his room and had not left since. He had not slept, he dared not to. His dreams were plagued of images of his friend writhing in agony, screaming for it to stop.
"I am sorry, I am so sorry.sorry.sorry" he sobbed as his lay down on the cold stone of the balcony. His tortured cries echoed over the citadel.
"Forgive me!"
**
Authors Thanks
Thank you so much to the following people for continuously reviewing. It was greatly appreciated and made me happy ( Zerocool, Lady Arabella Sedai, Angel of the Elves, gwyn, Ryoko, Tonianne, Eowyn Greenleaf, Fairylady, Atari, cestari (thanks again for pointing out my errors, I am going to repost the story again with corrections as Erin is beta reading it for me), Troubadour, Alida-Fruit, Mcat (thanks to you and Gwyn for pointing out the mistakes on chapter 11), Marissa, Helena, Blitz, orion, Lainy (prize for most reviews, wow!), sirithiliel. If I missed anyone I am sorry. I appreciate you all for taking the time to review!
** Coming Soon....Wethrine Deceived
Legolas groaned and struggled to his feet. Stumbling forward he grabbed the dresser for support and looked in the mirror.
His face was pale, paler than normal and its smooth perfection was scarred with a dark bruise across his cheek. His lip was swollen and split. Reaching up with a shaking hand he ran his finger across the cut, it stung. Dried blood ran from his mouth down his chin. Pausing with his hand on his face he saw the red burn mark on his arm, in the perfect shape of a hand.
"That is what you and I can see, but this is what your friends can see." The mirror shimmered and the cuts, bruises and burns disappeared. Legolas gaped in shock. Running his fingers over the burn, he still felt it, it still hurt and he could see it with his own eyes but he could not see it in his reflection.
"What devilry is this?" Legolas demanded.
"You see no one will believe you."
**