A/N - I think I covered everyone with the reviews except Lyn who raised the question of the authenticity of someone surviving a hanging. I got my information from two sources; the Wikipedia encyclopedia which talks about the different hanging methods and from research done by Richard Clark in which he also discusses the different methods of hanging, their results and he even states that people have actually been revived 30 minutes after hanging. If you want the address to his link let me know and I’ll email it to you.
Overwhelming Confusion
Rathir sat atop the rickety bar stool, holding half a mug of warm ale firmly in one hand, a long, white knife held loosely in the other. He lifted the heavy mug to his lips and took another long drink, letting the warm beverage slide easily down his throat. He had chosen not to go to the hanging, mostly out of boredom with the entire situation. It was over as far as he was concerned and he just didn’t want to be bothered with it anymore.
A ruckus outside caused him to turn his head toward the tavern entrance, the first time he had moved his sight from the mug of ale since his had taken his seat hours earlier. Thad and his other men were all but running into the smokey room, large smiles on their faces and laughter filling the air around them.
“Well?” The question needed no explanation, Rathir knew they would understand what it was he inquired over.
“All done.” Thad laughed his answer as he fell onto the stool next to Rathir.
“Good.” Rathir raised an arm as he spoke, motioning to the bartender that he was ready for another round. “Drinks for all of my men here.” He ignored the men’s laughter and story telling around him as he waited patiently for another ale. When all had been satisfactorily served he turned to the group of grungy thieves and raised his mug. “To Gillian. Whoever in Middle Earth he might be.”
The men filling the room began to laugh heartily at the statement then lowered their drinks to their mouths and partook of the warm, refreshing substance. Rathir smiled to himself at their pleasure, then joined in on the celebration, content that this latest set of mishaps and trouble was now over.
With Legolas riding in front of him, the Prince’s warm body pressed firmly to his chest, Angrod was having a difficult time containing himself. He had known from the moment he had picked his friend up off of the hard platform and cradled his limp body in his arm.
He had fought the urge to speak the words when Glorfindel had called the horses and each had mounted, making sure that Legolas was secure for the trip home. He had known that he needed to get the Prince far away from the town before he let his secret slip.
It was once they were well outside of the town’s center and deep into the surrounding woods that he could contain himself no longer. “Legolas lives.”
It was Elrohir that grasped what was spoken first and he stopped his horse from where he rode ahead of the pair of Woodelves, waiting for the two to approach. “Are you unwell Angrod. Perhaps I should take Legolas and relieve you of your burden so you can properly mourn.” His words carried a tone of concern and Angrod knew that Elrohir truly believed that he had lost his mind.
“Nay Elrohir. I speak truthfully. The Marshal was mistaken.” His words were rushed and whispered. “I have known from the moment I touched him back in the town square.”
“His light is diminished and the Marshal checked him and stated that he had passed.” Elladan had approached the trio now and was also voicing his confusion.
“He lied. Now help me down with him.” Angrod spoke urgently.
“You chose not to share this information with us for what reason Angrod?” Glorfindel had dismounted and now stood next to Angrod’s horse, reaching up and touching Legolas gently.
Angrod gently slid Legolas from the horse into the Golden Elf’s firm grasp. “I knew that he had no serious injury and I felt it wise to get as far away from the town as possible so that none other could hear this secret.”
Elrohir removed his cloak and swept it out onto the dirt just beneath a large oak tree. “Why would the Marshal lie about such a thing?”
Angrod had swung off of his horse by now and handed the animal over to Elladan who was busying himself with settling the large creatures for the night. He chased after Glorfindel, hesitant to be away from his friend for too long.
Glorfindel gently placed Legolas on the spread cloak then removed his own and covered the unconscious Prince. He then turned to the group that had come to surround them. “The Marshal lied so that we could remove Legolas from the situation without further incident. He knew that Legolas had not done the things that those men had accused him of.”
The Balrog Slayer then turned back to Legolas and crouched over his friend, placing a delicate finger to his throat. Angrod fell to his knees beside the two blond elves and looked to Glorfindel for reassurance. “Please tell me that I did not err.”
Glorfindel gave a small, sorrowful smile to the Mirkwood Warrior while running a hand over the bruises that had formed on Legolas’ neck. “You did not err young one. Now, we must give him care and set up camp. We need wood for a fire and water. I will gather those. Elladan and Elrohir please gather herbs for Legolas’ care and food for this nights meal. Angrod, stay with Legolas, he will need your familiarity once he wakes.”
With these instructions the elves departed the small, flattened area beneath the large tree and took to their tasks. Angrod pressed himself against the base of the tree and placed a hand on Legolas’ chest, both for the assurance that his friend was actually before him and that he still breathed.
A cool breeze picked up and slipped between the branches of the trees and Angrod pulled the cloak up higher over Legolas then tugged the hood of his own cloak up covering his ears and concealing his identity. He took Legolas’ hand in his own and traced the marks that the rope had caused on his wrists, his eyes, however, were glued to the bandages surrounding his friend’s head.
The once previous wrapping had become stained with dirt from the fall to the platform and the ride through the woods. His golden hair fell from beneath, the tips of his ears were covered and Angrod fought to control his curiosity. He yearned to peer beneath the bandages and see the damage done there but he knew that he should wait for the twins to return with the healing herbs.
It was then, as Angrod had lost himself in thought, that he felt Legolas stir. A small grunt came from the elf and he slowly turned his head to the left, laying his cheek against the cloak beneath him. His eyes clenched and his hand subconsciously rose to his neck.
He seemed to fight the return of consciousness for a moment before his eyes slowly opened, still appearing glazed and distant. Angrod had risen to his knees by this time and was hunched over Legolas, staring intensely into his face, his own dark hair falling from beneath the cloak that covered his head. Legolas’ head rolled back into Angrod’s direction and he fixed his eyes on the cloaked elf..
Without any type of warning and faster than Angrod could have ever imagined for one so injured, Legolas shot to a sitting position and pushed himself backward, his oversized clothing snagging on exposed roots and rocks. He looked at Angrod with intense fear and the reaction confused the dark elf. “Legolas?”
With that one word, Legolas scrambled to his feet and stumbled to the far side of the small clearing his eyes wide. Angrod slowly rose to his feet and raised his hand placatingly in front of himself. “Legolas, all is well. Peace.” He stepped slowly toward his friend as he spoke calmly. But before another step could be made Legolas turned on his heel and vanished into the trees.
“LEGOLAS WAIT.” Without sparing a moment’s thought Angrod tore after him, dodging trees and pushing himself to keep up so that he wouldn’t lose the just found elf. “ELLADAN. ELROHIR. GLORFINDEL.” The bushes to his right shifted and Angrod adjusted his course accordingly, ducking a low hanging branch as he ran. He thought about taking to the trees but was afraid of losing the Prince from that angle.
He could hear the twins calling to each other as they searched the woods for the two missing Woodelves. Then all fell silent and Angrod paused, listening to the surrounding nature for any clues. “Legolas, we mean you no harm. Please come back.” He called, hoping that his longtime friend would come to his senses.
A slight rustling of leaves behind him alerted him to the other’s arrival but Angrod’s lookout didn’t falter as the three approached from behind. “He became frightened and fled. I do not understand.” All four elves stood perfectly still, listening and waiting.
A flash of black to their left and four heads moved as one in that direction. When a small, barely noticeable tree limb shifted in the direction they gazed, all four took off. As they drew closer to the area where the movement was seen they split up, Angrod continuing straight, Glorfindel going right and the twins going left.
As Angrod entered the area where they had seen a flicker of Legolas he was saddened by what he saw. Legolas had fallen to one knee, his hand pressed to his bandaged head, his chin hanging to his chest. “Legolas. Let me help.” Legolas lifted his head in Angrod’s direction and froze.
Without sound, the three other elves emerged, surrounding Legolas on all four sides, taking small, careful steps forward. “Legolas, I want to help.” Angrod continued in hopes of keeping his friend calm.
Legolas didn’t turn his head but rolled his eyes around, catching each of the others in his sight. “What do you want? Can you not leave me alone?” His voice was raspy from the abuse it had taken and he coughed to clear the air.
Glorfindel moved closer. “We only want to help you young one.” Legolas’ head snapped toward Glorfindel and he crouched somewhat into a defensive stance. His oversized pants had become unrolled and it was a miracle that he hadn’t tripped over them in his flight. The sleeves of his large tunic covered most of his hands but even in this state Legolas looked a formidable foe.
“Legolas, we do not want to hurt you. Please.” Angrod had moved so closely that he was within arms reach of the Prince. He reached out to Legolas in an effort to make contact with him, hoping that his touch would ease the elf. He was wrong.
Legolas tried again to bolt, but this time he was outnumbered. All four elves moved in to restrain him. Elladan, who had come in from behind, wrapped his arms around Legolas chest and began to speak calmly to the elf as the others moved to subdue his arms and legs.
“Legolas. Please calm down. We only want to help you.” Elladan called to Legolas but his voice remained calm. “Peace Legolas please. You will disturb your wounds.”
Angrod and Elrohir had managed to get a firm hold on Legolas’ legs while Glorfindel moved in to grasp him around the waste. None spoke with the exception of Elladan and the grunting and whimpering that came with Legolas’ struggle drowned out his words.
“LET ME GO.” The plea was ripped from the elf’s damaged throat, the sound of it causing the others to cringe. Legolas’ struggles weakened and the elf let out a scream unlike any Angrod had ever heard before. It was a scream of utter frustration and it ripped at his heart. When the long, drawn out cry had ceased Legolas collapsed against Elladan, his energy spent.
Angrod, Elrohir and Glorfindel let go of the elf and Elladan scooped him up into his arms. Legolas’ eyes had fallen closed but his body remained rigid in Elladan’s arms.
“Will he be okay?” Angrod enquired.
The small group began to return to their camping spot, moving hurriedly so they could begin tending to Legolas.
“What was wrong with him. I have never seen him so disoriented or frightened.” Angrod went on. “He just took flight without warning.”
Glorfindel stood back, holding a stray branch out of the other’s way as they passed. “The Marshal said that Legolas did not remember. I had assumed that he meant that Legolas did not remember what had happened with the men. I now believe that he meant that Legolas has lost all memory.”
Angrod tried to hide his shock at this revelation and he could tell that the twins were doing the same. They all moved in quiet contemplation, hardly noticeable within the heavy woods. When they had returned to their campsite, Elladan replaced Legolas upon the cloak and recovered him.
“Memory loss in an elf is unheard of, is it not?” He queried as he began to remove the soiled bandage from Legolas’ head.
“Nay, not unheard of, but rare yes.” Glorfindel responded as he began to build a fire just beneath a break in the trees where the smoke could escape. “I have heard stories of elves who have had injuries that have resulted in memory loss but I have never met such an elf. Legolas would be the first.”
Before anyone could respond Elladan let out a slight gasp and the other three elves moved quickly to his side. “It is easy to understand how his memory could have been affected by such wounds.” A large bump adorned his right forehead, the swelling from the wound had not gone down since its inception. Elladan turned Legolas’ head to the right exposing the long jagged cut behind his ear, the sight causing Angrod’s stomach to turn.
“Two major head wounds would assuredly result in some type inordinate result.” Glorfindel stated as he traced his fingers over the slow healing cut. “Elladan, will you take care of him? I want to return to Imladris as soon as possible, Legolas needs Lord Elrond’s care.”
With a slight nod of the head, Elladan began to attend to Legolas’ wounds, a quiet humming breaking from his throat as he did so. The song comforted Angrod as he hoped that it would comfort Legolas.