Chapter 6 - Crossroads
Legolas was no sooner out of the campsite when he could hear shouts coming from behind him. He had been wrong, someone had been keeping watch and they had seen him just as he had stumbled into the forest.
His leg quivered beneath him, threatening to give with each step. He had torn the stitches with the first bit of movement and blood had started soaking the once white bandage. His head continued to spin and throb and Legolas went from tree to tree, leaning heavily on each trunk to maintain his upright position. The palms of his hands tore with each press to the rough bark as he forcefully fell into the trunks.
The sun was just preparing to make it’s daily journey and he could now see a little more clearly by the gray light that began to spread over the sky. His feet crunched loudly over the twigs and old leaves that carpeted the forest floor and Legolas struggled to lighten his steps. He mentally cursed himself for his lack of strength and agility.
"STOP!" The shout echoed amongst the trees, causing a flock of birds to take flight in fear. "I do not want to harm you elf."
Legolas stopped, he leaned on his shoulder against yet another tree, giving his tattered hands some respite. Now is the time for strength. Focusing his mind on all of his remaining energy and strength Legolas pushed himself off of the tree and turned to face the owner of the command.
"You are in no condition to be running through the forest elf." The tall dark man was standing several yards from Legolas and began to step forward as he spoke.
Legolas didn’t respond, rather he glared darkly at the man. He could feel his body trembling from fatigue, but the man couldn’t detect the weakness and Legolas planned to use that to his advantage. The golden elf could hear the sounds of men moving around him, surrounding him on all sides. He knew now that these men were not only trying to offer him aid and the realization that there was no escape began to dawn on him.
The one he was facing had removed a dagger from his belt and was stepping ever closer toward him a sickly smile on his face. "Come on elf, you do not actually believe that you can escape do you?"
The men approaching from behind and to the sides were now so close that Legolas could hear their breathing. Knowing deep in the back of his mind that he would not win this fight in his current weakened condition, but never one to just give up, Legolas lunged at the man before him.
The two hit the ground hard, Legolas coming out on top, trying desperately to ignore the pain in his leg and head. His bloody hands grabbed the other man’s wrists immediately to prevent the dagger from coming any closer. The fight for control continued only briefly before two more men emerged and taking the injured elf by the arms, one on each side, pulled Legolas up off his opponent and shoved him hard to the ground.
Legolas landed on his stomach, fighting with all that was left in him. His left arm was wrenched sharply behind his back and a knee came down heavily between his shoulder blades.
"Kael!" This voice belonged to another man, and it sounded stronger and more commanding. "Give him a double dose this time. I do not want a repeat performance."
"Sir, I do not know how his weakened body will react to such a strong dose. It is not recommended."
Legolas was mentally taking notes in his head. He had now heard three distinct voices and the one with the deeper, more powerful voice was obviously in command. He tried to twist his head to look over his shoulder at his captors, hoping to get a better look at them, but with every twitch or slight jerk the one on top of him would increase the weight on the knee pressed into his back.
"I did not ask your opinion. He is obviously not as weakened as we had thought. I do not want to see him awakened again before reaching the others. Is that understood?"
There was no response to this new order and Legolas couldn’t hear anything other than some shuffling. A hand was then placed firmly on the side of his head, holding him down even more causing the elf to panic at what he knew was coming. He began to kick his legs furiously hoping to catch one of the men unaware but his attempts only resulted in a sharp kick to his already injured leg.
The new pain knocked the air out of Legolas’ lungs and his fighting stopped. A familiar prick to his right arm followed and frustrated over his loss of control, the Elf Prince slipped from consciousness yet again.
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Aragorn was trying not to look bored. He was trying to look interested in what his advisors were saying. The trouble was, it was only the first meeting of the morning and already his mind was elsewhere. His mind was off on Pelennor Fields flying on his horse. His mind was strolling through the gardens with Arwen. His mind was definitely not in the counsel room where it should have been.
"My Lord?"
Aragorn was ripped from his daydreaming to find himself the focus of five sets of eyes, "Hmm?"
"Are you still with us my Lord?"
Aragorn flushed with humiliation. His embarrassment more due to getting caught than his lack of attention. He really was concerned about the people of Gondor and their well-being and happiness, but some days the fresh air and sunshine were too strong a distraction.
"My apologies Leandir, perhaps we should take a break and resume later." Later tomorrow would be preferable. He added to himself.
"Sir, I must insist..." Leandir was interrupted by a slight knock at the counsel room door. They weren’t expecting anyone to join them and once again Aragorn found himself the center of attention as his five advisors looked to him for an explanation.
"Come." Aragorn called, with a slight shrug indicating he didn’t know who was calling but thankful for the interruption.
The large wooden door swung open and a guard stepped into the room, "Please excuse the intrusion my Lords, but Captain Angrod is requesting an audience with The King."
Aragorn’s eyebrows shot up and he looked at the royal guard with disbelief. What was Angrod doing in Minas Tirith? Surely he knew that Legolas had already come and spoken with him regarding the disappearance of the elves.
Aragorn’s stomach flipped and his heart felt as though it had stopped, Oh Valar, something has happened. He rose quickly to his feet, unable to sit still any longer.
"By all means, send him in immediately." Commanded Aragorn.
Before the guard could even turn to retrieve the dark elf, Angrod burst into the room with another elf hot on his heels. Both elves were covered in dust and seemed out of breath. Characteristics of which were rare attributes for an elf. Aragorn could tell he had ridden fast and hard to come to Minas Tirith and he feared the reasoning behind such a journey.
"Is he here? Is he well?" the words flew from Angrod’s mouth so fast that Aragorn wasn’t sure if he had heard correctly.
"Slow down Angrod, I cannot help you if I cannot understand what you are saying."
"Legolas," Angrod took in a large, shaky breath and tried to slow his breathing down, "Please tell me that he is here and well."
Aragorn’s face turned pale and his breath hitched in his throat, it was just as he had feared. The counsel room went completely silent. Everyone trying to make sense of what was going on.
"Angrod, he is not here, he left to return to Ithilien some days ago. What has happened?" Aragorn spoke very slowly, trying to grasp the situation as he gathered information.
Now it was Angrod’s turn to pale, his eyes growing wide, searching Aragorn for truth. Hoping this was some kind of cruel joke.
"He never arrived in Ithilien," Angrod let out a quiet sigh and stepped forward taking a seat at the counsel table. "He was not there when I returned from my meeting with Faramir. We set out immediately, myself and three others, hoping to meet him on his journey home, ever fearful of his safety." Angrod paused, trying to convince himself that what was happening was factual, "Aragorn, we found Beleg, he was dead."
Aragorn felt as though he was going to fall, his legs could no longer support him. He took the chair opposite Angrod and dropped his head into his hands.
"I left Galendur and Harnen to care for Beleg and search for any signs of what may have happened. This is the arrow that struck Beleg down, but I do not recognize the make." Angrod stretched out his arm and placed the unusual arrow on the table.
Aragron pulled the arrow toward himself and studied it. He narrowed his eyes and ran his fingers through the fletching. "I know this style," his voice was flat and even, as though he were talking to himself. He ran his thumb over the unusually thick arrow head. "I recognize this make," he raised his head and looked Angrod directly in the eye, "It is of Harad, I have seen it before, many years ago."
Angrod immediately jumped to his feet, "Then I will go there at once, they will regret ever having attacked the Prince."
"Peace Angrod, think for a moment." Aragorn rose as well and walked around the table coming to stand directly in front of the panicked elf.. He reached out his hand and placed it on the other’s shoulder. "I know you worry for Legolas, we both do, but it would be unwise for a party of elves to travel into a land that, at this moment, is kidnaping elves. I will go."
Aragorn braced himself for what he knew would come next.
"My King, I must protest," it was Leandir and Aragorn knew that he would put up an argument about Aragorn leaving the city. "It would be no better for the King of Gondor to travel to Harad. You are well known throughout all of Middle Earth. Your love of the Eldar is also well known. Legolas would be dead before you set one foot into their land."
This was true and Aragorn knew it, but he couldn’t just sit back and let Legolas stay captive.
Angrod continued to hold his gaze with Aragorn and Aragorn could tell that the elf was thinking the same thing, "I agree with both of your assessments, but I will not just sit idly by while Valar knows what is happening to my friend."
They were at a crossroads, Aragorn knew something had to be done and done quickly. But it was true that if either of them attempted a rescue, Legolas, as well as themselves, would be killed. What to do then? Aragorn knew that if it came right down to it no one would be able to hold him nor Angrod back.
And then it hit him. It came right at him.
"You are right Leandir," Aragorn said still keeping his eyes on Angrod, "It would be folly for either Angrod or myself to travel to Harad. We would not make it ten paces inside their land before death would take us. But I think I know of one who can."