Part 4

Aragorn was sitting on the floor, his hands chained to the wall, staring at the unconscious elf beside him. He wondered why the orcs had kept them alive. Maybe more tortures were coming. And now they were going to torture Legolas as well. Because of him.

Arwen would die because of him. Legolas would die because of him. Who was he to change the fate of immortal beings? A mere human. Insignificant mortal. How did he deserve such love, such sacrifice? Aragorn wished he was never born. He wished he had died long ago, much before it had come to that. Yes, he would rather die a thousand times than have two of the Firstborn die because of him. The two he loved the most. Why did it always happen so that the ones he loved were hurt because of him?

He spoke softly to the unresponsive form on the floor. "Please wake up, mellon-nîn. I wish to speak to you one last time; I wish to hear your voice one last time … before the end. I need to tell you how sorry I am." He stretched his arm as much as his chains allowed him and gently stroked the long golden hair. "Please, my friend, … one last time."

Gandalf swung Glamdring in an arc and cut an orc's head. Then he quickly turned left to face another one. Suddenly, the wizard was knocked down. Gandalf rolled to his back, but then the heavy boot of a huge orc was pressed hard on his chest, forcing the air out of his lungs. The Maia tried to fight, but it was useless. The orc grinned and raised his scimitar.

Suddenly the orc fell to his knees with a surprised gasp of pain. The blade that cut his legs was raised again and thrust into his back. The orc fell down and didn't rise.

Gandalf stared at Pippin, who was still holding the small sword sticking out of the orc's back. The hobbit was trembling, looking wide-eyed at the dead orc. Gandalf rose slowly and pulled the small being close to him. Stay close to me, the wizard had instructed the hobbit as the battle started. He though he needed to protect Pippin. And now the small creature had unexpectedly turned into his protector. War could make heroes of them all. But it would surely soon make corpses of them all…

The wizard raised Glamdring again. There was not a moment to spare; the battle was as intense as ever. All men were fighting bravely, but the orcs were too many. Gandalf realized that they could not hold on much longer.

"Mae govannen, mellon-nîn," Aragorn smiled in spite of his despair as Legolas slowly opened his eyes. "I was afraid you've left me."

"Human memory is remarkable, my friend," the elf returned the smile. "How many times do I need to tell you that I'm not going to leave you? I told you I can't."

The man sighed. "You should have. You shouldn't be here. I'm so sorry, Legolas, it is all my fault. I'm sorry you're here."

"Don't be. I'm not sorry I'm here." Aragorn gave him a surprised glance. "No, I'm not," the elf continued. "I don't know how I would have lived with the thought that you have died alone."

"I'd rather have died alone," the man admitted.

"Don't blame yourself for my choices, Estel," Legolas said softly. "I chose to come here. And I chose to stay. And I don't regret it."

But Aragorn wasn't comforted by his friend's words. Legolas couldn't die with him, he was not supposed to die. But could he offer his friend any hope that they were getting out of this alive?

Why had Lord Elrond given him that name? Estel. He was expected to be the Hope of All Men. How could he be the hope of all Men in Middle-earth, when he couldn't give hope even to his closest friends, when all hope was gone from his own heart?

No, he was not allowed to despair. There had to be a way. And he had to find it.

A sudden thought came to his mind. Frodo. But could the hobbit still succeed? No, it was impossible. The orcs that were sent to find him would go back. Sauron would soon send them back.

But what if he didn't? What if his mind was preoccupied with something else, so that he would forget about the orcs? But what could keep the Dark Lord's attention? What would disturb him so greatly, that he would forget everything else?

No, he couldn't do this. It would never work. It was too late. He had failed. He had failed Arwen, he had failed Legolas, he had failed Frodo, he had failed the Quest.

Not yet. I haven't tried. I can't lose hope yet.

But why should he care? Sauron is not afraid of me. Why should he be afraid of me?

No! He is afraid of me. For I am Isildur's heir, and if someone can defeat him, it is me. I won't give up.

I still have hope.

It was time. He had been waiting in the shadows for too long. But now he had to accept the role he was born for.

Aragorn concentrated all of his strength, all of his wishes, all of his willpower into one single thought.

Talk to me.

Sauron was greatly troubled. The Man wanted to talk to him. Why? And why did that disturb him? He was a prisoner, he could never harm him. But the picture in his mind was more vivid than ever. The young Gondorian lifted the broken sword and his world ended. The Dark Lord could deny the truth no more.

Sauron was afraid.

Legolas was wondering at his friend's concentration and was about to ask him what he is doing, when he felt a strong evil presence in the room.

Aragorn felt the already familiar burning gaze searching through him. He needed all his will not to let his courage fail him.

What do you want? He heard the words in his head.

Do you know who I am?

Yes, I do. You are a prisoner who is going to die soon.

That might be true. But you will follow me. You know very well who I am, Sauron. I know that you still remember how you lost your Ring and your body. I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Heir of Isildur. The blood of Númenor flows in my vein, and I have come to finish what my ancestor has started. I have come to destroy you, Sauron!

Destroy me? You are a prisoner. You cannot do anything!

I already escaped twice. What makes you think I won't do it again?

Twice? Sauron was surprised. Obviously his servants didn't tell him everything. He needed to do something about it.

I could order your death at any time. I could order it right now.

That won't save you. You'll still be destroyed.

Destroyed? How?

Aragorn knew that he was no danger to Sauron. But he had to keep the Dark Lord's attention. He had to give the Ring-bearer as much time as possible. What could he tell him? What would scare Sauron? Could he lie to him that he has a son, a heir that is kept secret and safe and will come to fight Mordor? No, a lie was out of question. The penetrating gaze would soon discover it, and Aragorn had no power to deceive the Maia.

Legolas sensed that his friend was leading some kind of a fight and somehow knew that he shouldn't interfere. The evil presence in the room was growing stronger.

No, he definitely couldn't lie to Sauron. The truth was the only choice.

We found a way to destroy you forever, Sauron. The mission is close to success.

There is no way you can defeat me!

There is and we know it.

Aragorn felt the Dark Lord's burning gaze searching through him. Sauron could sense no lie. No, there was no doubt. The Man was telling the truth. They had found a way to defeat him.

You won't finish your mission! I will kill you!

I am not connected to the Quest anymore. My death will not hinder it.

Sauron looked through him again. Yes, he was telling the truth. The Dark Lord felt helpless fear take hold of him.

What is this Quest? How can I stop it? Tell me! Speak!

And again Aragorn felt Sauron's gaze looking through him. He knew that he was playing a dangerous game. He had managed to disturb Sauron, but now the Dark Lord could learn about Frodo and the mission to destroy the Ring. He mustn't allow that. He needed all his will to hide the truth.

Tell me! Tell me or I will kill you.

Telling you won't save me from death. Why would I tell you? Kill me. I am not afraid of you.

No, the Man was not afraid. Sauron could sense that. Death threats wouldn't help. But there must be something he was afraid of. He knew how to find it…

Once again Aragorn felt the burning stare search through his soul, digging out his deepest fears.

You will tell me what this Quest is about!

Never.

Suddenly, the door opened. An orc entered, holding a short knife in his right hand, an evil grin on his face.

You will tell me what the Quest is about or this orc will kill the elf!

Aragorn hesitated.

Your threats will not scare me, Sauron. He will die even if I tell you. Telling you won't help anyone.

Sauron was satisfied. He knew he had achieved his goal. Aragorn's words sounded confident, but were not. The Dark Lord could sense a great fear.

Very well, then. Should I give the orc my orders?

The evil creature took a step towards Legolas.

"Estel, what is going on?" the elf asked in apprehension. Somehow he could sense that his friend knew something he didn't.

Won't you answer him? Aragorn heard Sauron's voice in his head. Won't you tell him you have chosen his death?

"Estel?"

Aragorn slowly raised his head and looked at the elf, and Legolas shuddered at the anguish he saw on his friend's face. "Aragorn, what is happening? Please, mellon-nîn, talk to me!"

"I have failed you, Legolas. This is what is going on. I have failed you again. I'm so sorry.." the man's voice broke. Maybe it was better this way, he tried to convince himself. Sooner or later they would both die. Maybe it was better if Legolas died right now quickly instead of going through all the horror that awaited them both. But he wasn't ready to say goodbye…

It was as if Sauron had read his mind.

And he probably had.

If you don't tell me what this Quest is about, he will die. And don't think it will be an easy death. He will die slowly. And painfully. And you will watch it.

Sauron was proud of himself. Isildur's heir had been so bold and proud in the beginning, but now the Dark Lord had succeeded. He could sense a fear so strong that it surprised him. Why did the human care that much about this elf? He could not understand. He could never understand for Sauron had never known friendship.

Legolas sensed the evil presence in the room grow even stronger. He turned his perplexed sapphire eyes to his friend. "Estel, please, tell me what is going on!" he asked with a shaking voice.

Aragorn couldn't speak. He just stretched his trembling chained arm towards the elf's. Legolas saw what he was trying to do and tightly grasped his hand.

The orc's grin grew wider. He turned to Legolas. "My master said I should cut you into pieces." He violently grabbed the elf's hand that was still holding the man's and pulled it up. "Maybe I should start with your pretty fingers."

No! "No!" Aragorn screamed again, this time aloud. "Don't touch him, Sauron! Don't… I'll tell you what you want to know…"

Legolas looked at him shocked. Sauron?

Will you tell me more about this Quest?

Aragorn hesitated. He had caused all this. How did he think he could speak with Sauron? How could he think he would deceive the Maia? Who did he think he was? Isildur's heir… Was this something to be proud of? If it wasn't for Isildur's weakness, the Ring would have been destroyed a long time ago. Isildur had failed. And now his heir had failed…

"I can't," he answered aloud this time. He knew Sauron would hear him, no matter how he talked. "I can't," his voice was drowned in tears.

Then the elf will die. I'll order my servant to cut him piece by piece, right in front of your eyes. Won't you at least tell him that you are the reason for his death? Won't you-

The voice suddenly stopped.

No, it didn't just stop. It disappeared.

Legolas sensed that the evil presence in the room was gone. But not only that. Somehow this land didn't feel that evil anymore. Even the air felt fresher.

The orc froze. He didn't know what to do. His entire life he had been commanded by a single will, each one of his actions guided. Now the will was gone. He was on his own.

Legolas was first to break the silence, "Did he …"

"Yes," Aragorn answered softly. "Frodo destroyed the Ring."

Legolas was silent for a few seconds, trying to comprehend what had just occurred. "You did something." He eyed the human suspiciously.

"Yes, I did." Aragorn finally managed to smile, still shaken by the events. "At last I accepted who I am."

His smile quickly faded, however, as the orc grabbed his hair and jerked his head backwards.

"Master is gone," the evil creature whispered. "But maybe it's better that way. He wanted me to kill the elf. Now I can kill you both."

"Leave him alone!" Legolas fought with his chains, much to the orc's amusement.

"As you wish," he grinned again. "I'll come back to him after I've finished cutting you into pieces." He walked to Legolas and picked his hand again. The elf pulled back and muttered an expression that was more appropriate for a bandit or a drunkard, than for a prince. The ranger looked at his friend surprised and wondered if Legolas had learned these words in Thranduil's palace. The orc smiled and raised his knife.

Aragorn watched in horror. He couldn't let this happen. He had to attract the orc's attention in some way. He had to make him angry.

"It's easy to terrorize chained prisoners, stinky scum! You are a coward! Does it make you feel strong? I hope it does because you'll never experience this feeling for real!"

"Estel, don't!" the elf immediately knew what his friend was trying to do, but it was too late. The orc gave the ranger a fierce kick in his already injured back.

Aragorn closed his eyes and winced at the pain although he didn't make a sound. The elf noticed this. Maybe now was his turn to attract the orc's attention.

"I thought you were going to cut my fingers!" he shouted. "What kind of a torturer are you? You are quite a coward. You can only speak and threaten, but you never act!"

The foul creature looked back at Legolas. Aragorn stared at him incredulously. That stubborn elf… No, he would never have it his way.

"Do you call this a kick?" the man challenged. "It didn't even hurt. Even a baby would torture better. Try again."

And the orc did. The next kick sent bright spots in front of his eyes and he had to struggle to stay conscious. Legolas stared in disbelief. This crazy human was trying to get himself killed again.

"I am still whole, Master Torturer," he called mockingly. "I think you promised me to show me your talent."

Challenges were flying at him from both directions. The orc was looking from one to the other, completely confused. He had no idea what he was going to bring to himself by trying to torture them together. "I don't know what the two of you are trying to do, but if you were trying to get yourselves a slower death, you certainly did it." He commented darkly and held Legolas' hand. "Say a last goodbye to your thumb!"

Suddenly the orc stumbled backwards as the earth shook. Pieces of rock were falling from the ceiling.

Mordor was falling apart.

The orc gave his prisoners a last look and ran out of the room, locking the door behind him.

The two friends watched in horror as the room was collapsing. They were chained to the wall and could not escape. Pieces of the ceiling kept falling. The air filled with dust and it was hard to breathe.

Legolas quickly moved to the right to escape from a huge rock that was going to fall over him. It grazed painfully his wounded shoulder and he gave a soft moan.

And then the floor collapsed.

The wall was still standing and Aragorn and Legolas were hanging on their chained arms. Below them was a bottomless dark pit. The dungeons of Mordor were going many levels below the ground and there were still a lot of floors to go. Their wrists hurt having to support all their weight.

Suddenly, the wall to which Aragorn's chains were attached, fell. With a soft cry of surprise, the ranger fell into the darkness.

"Aragorn!" the elf cried in panic and stared down. He didn't have much time to worry about his friend, however, as his own chains gave in and he fell that he was rapidly accelerating downwards.

Legolas felt his head spin around. His entire life flashed before his eyes. He was expecting to die in seconds.

A strong hand caught his arm. He grasped it and looked up. One of Aragorn's chains was stuck in between two wooden timbers. The man's other arm was free now, although the heavy chain was still handing from it, and he had used it to catch the elf.

"Mellon-nîn, I can't believe we are still alive," the elf whispered with great relief, still unable to comprehend what had just happened.

"We won't be soon," the man answered grimly. "That wood won't last long."

Hearing this, the elf surprisingly released the ranger's arm and Aragorn glanced down, afraid that his friend had passed out again.

But the elf was looking at him.

"Legolas?" the man was confused.

"That chain can't hold both of us. Let me fall."

Aragorn's grip on his friend's arm only tightened. "Stubborn elf! You didn't leave me, how can you even think I could leave you now?"

The wood gave a soft cracking sound.

"There is no way we can both survive this! Please, my friend, let me go!"

Aragorn smiled grimly. He had heard these words before. Now he regretted that he had asked Legolas to leave him so many times. He realized just how cruel the request had been. But the elf was right, there was no way they could both survive this. There was actually no way either of them could survive. No, he had no right to give up now. He had no right to lose hope.

Aragorn carefully examined the wall above them.

"Legolas, do you see the wood where my chain is stuck?"

"Yes?"

"It's on the edge of a floor that is still standing. You can climb there and pull me up."

The elf sighed. "Thank you for overestimating my abilities, mellon-nîn, but there is no way I could climb up a bare wall, especially with those chains hanging from me."

"You won't climb up the bare wall. You'll climb on me, and them you'll hold to my chain and get up to the floor."

Legolas shook his head. That human and his totally insane ideas. "There is no way I'm climbing on you. You don't have a single spot on your body that is not injured. If we are going to die, I won't make it more painful to you then it already is."

"Legolas, climb on me." It was not a request, and it was not a suggestion. It was an order and left no room for arguing. Legolas looked surprised at his friend. The familiar voice was filled with authority he had never heard before. Maybe Aragorn was right. Maybe he had at last accepted who he really was.

The ranger noticed his friend's surprise and smiled reassuringly, "Come on, Legolas! I won't break."

The elf hesitantly lifted his free hand and grabbed the man's arm. He put his other arm on Aragorn's shoulder and pulled himself up, sensing the man tense at his touch. He leveled with the man and gazed into the pain-filled silver-gray eyes.

"I'm so sorry, mellon-nîn."

"Stop apologizing and climb! Fast!" the man hissed.

Legolas nodded and grabbed the chain with his both hands.

"It will break loose. If I try to pull myself, it won't hold the weight."

"Then step on my shoulders first, and you'll reach the floor."

The elf stared at his friend's shoulders. He knew they had sustained quite a lot of injuries.

"Oh, Estel…"

Aragorn closed his eyes. "Just do it. And, please, be quick."

Legolas looked up, his blue eyes starting to fill with tears. The wood cracked again. There was not a moment to spare. He took a deep breath and shook his head to clear his thoughts. Legolas quickly stepped on the ranger's shoulders, grabbed the wooden support and jumped to the floor.

At the same time Aragorn's chain broke free of the wood.

Legolas turned with a cry of panic and dropped to the ground, stretching his arm in the dark pit. But it was too late. The human was already too far to reach.

Aragorn felt his chain break free. He was falling. He tried to catch Legolas' arm, stretched desperately towards him, but he couldn't reach it. Then he noticed the long chain hanging from his friend's arm. He grabbed it with a quick move.

Legolas winced in pain at the new weight his wrist was forced to bear, but then smiled with relief. He had completely forgotten than the chain stretched farther than his arm.

The elf quickly pulled Aragorn up. "Never, ever do that again," he whispered. The man didn't find strength even to answer and just fell into his friend's arms. They stayed on the floor for a minute, completely exhausted from the ordeal.

"Please tell me, Aragorn, could you ever get close to anything that even slightly resembles a cliff and not fall?" the elf was quite amused in spite of the gravity of the situation.

"Well, this is definitely not a cliff," the man protested. "Besides, this time you also fell."

"You fell first," the elf pointed out although he knew that there was no point in arguing with humans, especially with this one.

The floor shook again. "We must go," Aragorn said. "The whole building will collapse soon."

They started climbing up the stairs, jumping over the holes and zigzagging to avoid the falling rocks. Finally, they reached a balcony. They were slightly above the ground.

Aragorn went out to the balcony and froze in dismay. "We cannot go out," he muttered.

Legolas came next to him and looked down. The ground was moving. It looked strange, somewhat unnatural, even … fluid.

Lava.

They were trapped. There was nothing to do, except stand and wait for the building to collapse.

"So this is truly the end," the elf said sadly, despair turning his voice into a mere whisper. He turned to the ranger, blue eyes locking with the gray. "Are you afraid?"

"Yes," the man admitted. "But not that much when you are here." Aragorn was surprised by his own words. Until that moment he couldn't bear the though that the elf was going to die with him, and now his presence seemed to calm him. He had changed in the course of the last few hours. He was afraid that he would fail, that he would prove unworthy of his destiny. But now he had fulfilled his destiny. He had fully accepted his role right before the end. It was because of him that Frodo could reach Mount Doom. He was not a mere human anymore. His life was not worthless. He had seen Middle-earth free of the evil, had completed his own quest in this world and was ready to leave it. He looked back at the blue eyes, watching him intently, and new that this change was not lost on his friend. "Hannon le, Legolas."

Aragorn's gaze wandered in the skies, where he noticed a Great Eagle, flying gracefully.

"Look!" he pointed the noble bird to his friend. It was good to see some beauty before the end.

The elf smiled slightly as his sharp sight distinguished two small being's in the bird's talons. "Frodo is safe," he whispered. Then Legolas noticed another Great Eagle. But this bird wasn't carrying anybody. The elf's eyes sought the bird's and their gazes met. And Legolas knew.

The Eagle was coming for them.

The first thing Aragorn saw when he woke up was Gandalf's happy face. His wrists were bandaged, and the chains were removed. For a moment he looked around confusedly until memory came back to him.

"Frodo?" he asked weakly.

"He is alive. He will be alright soon." Gandalf couldn't help the wide smile that spread across his face. "He did it."

Besides his bed Gimli was almost leaping with joy.

Elrohir affectionately stroked his hair. "I missed you so much, little brother."

"Estel, that was the worst idea you've ever had. Never do that again." Elladan warned.

Aragorn smiled at his elven brothers and gave Elladan's arm a tight squeeze. "I won't, I promise. I didn't enjoy it myself." He looked around the room and noticed that Legolas was missing. The last thing he remembered before passing out were eagle talons around his injured back. He didn't know what had happened to his friend and a wave a fear passed through his heart.

"The prince is here," Gandalf answered the unspoken question he saw on Aragorn's face. "He just went to see Frodo. He'll probably be back soon."

In a couple of minutes Legolas entered the tent. His arm, leg, head, and wrists were bandaged.

"The Elf is back," Gimli murmured grumpily. Legolas just tousled playfully the dwarf's hair, much to Gimli's displeasure. When he noticed that Aragorn was awake, the prince smiled warmly and limped towards the bed.

"How are you, mellon-nîn?"

"I suppose I'll live … thanks to you. What's wrong with Gimli?"

Legolas laughed, "He is just mad at me for not taking him with us into Mordor."

Aragorn suppressed his smile. Sometimes this dwarf didn't know what to wish for. "Well, I understand him. It's a pity you couldn't come, Gimli," he teased. "It was an amazing experience."

"I knew it," the dwarf muttered unhappily. "Blasted Elf."

"Thank you very much for the support, traitor," Legolas glared at the human. "Sometimes I wish to know whose side you are on. Honestly, Aragorn, you often make me wonder which is worse – Dwarves or Men," he jested softly, gently brushing away a stray lock of black hair from his friend's face.

"That's an interesting question, mellon-nîn. At least we all agree that Elves are the worst of all," he winked at Gimli, who burst in laughter.

"Oh, is this so, Estel?" Elladan raised an eyebrow, looking amused. "Maybe I should talk to my sister about your attitude towards our race."

Aragorn smiled apologetically, "Well, at least you must admit that Elves never have plans."

"Maybe it is so," Legolas agreed, "But you must admit that Men's plans never work."

The two friends smiled at each other, and Gimli guessed that this was some sort of an inside joke, probably referring to something that happened in Mordor. I knew I have missed all the fun. Stupid Elf…

Gandalf was listening, his heart overwhelmed with joy. The Quest has succeeded. In the beginning no one knew what the outcome would be. They all feared that they were not strong enough or wise enough to get to the end. But it turned out that neither strength, nor wisdom was what brought the mission to success. It was something simpler, and yet much more powerful. Friendship. The way Sam supported Frodo all the way to the end, the way Legolas ventured into Mordor to save Aragorn, the way Pippin saved him from the orc, this was what actually led to success. Friendship. Courage. Loyalty. Love. Sacrifice. These were all unfamiliar to the Dark Lord, he would never understand them, and, therefore, could never fight them. Sauron was more powerful than any of them, he was wiser, be he did not know what love is, and that was his flaw.

The wizard smiled as an image of the future appeared in his mind. Aragorn would be a good king and everything would change. He could see the beginning of something new and beautiful. Middle-earth was coming to a new age. The time of Men has come.

THE END

It's over :( I never though writing fanfic would be as much fun as reading… probably even more.

Many thanks to all who read the story, especially to Arodiel, and to the only three readers who posted reviews on all three of the previous chapters: fair rider, Calenlass Greenleaf, and A Whisper In the Wind, HANNON LE!!!

And special thanks to my little sister (haha, bebo, ne ochakvashe da te zaburkam, nali? Mersi za knijki! Machkot :D)

Sorry for completely butchering the book, I tried to keep the main ideas the same, just present them in a different way. I hope you enjoyed it.

See you in another story!

And, as usual, reviews are highly appreciated ;)

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