Broken Hearts

Broken Hearts

Chapter 15
Author: Frosty the Kingpin
Codes: Legolas, Haldir, Elrond, Thranduil, OC, AU, N/C, INC
Rated: NC-17
Summary: During talks of combining Mirkwood and Imladris into one force, a relationship takes a downward spiral.
Author's Notes: Elvish translations are at the bottom of the page.

Okay, people. This is the second-to-last chapter. I'm in a sad, lonely mood. Give me some feedback here. Let me know I'm posting this for an actual reason, and that people are really reading it. I'm bloody begging you!

*

Waking up was painful. As she raised her head, her neck screamed out in pain and she winced. When she moved to massage it, she found her hands wouldn't move. Her mind began to clear as she yanked, finding herself bound to something. Blinking back her exhaustion, she looked up to see herself not in Elrond's room of burgundy and gold, but in what looked like an elvish guestroom that had not been used in ages. The walls were bare and off-white, and the room itself was small. There were no windows to speak of.

Her head pounded as she looked down and saw she was tied to a wooden chair. Moving her gaze to the right, she inhaled sharply at the sight. Elrond was there, tied to a similar chair in the corner, bound as she was. A gag held his mouth, but it didn't matter. He was unconscious.

Fighting against the ropes, she tried to break free until her sharp ears caught the whisper of movment behind herterlterly still, she listened closely, and jumped in surprise when hands pressed against her shoulders.

Not daring to move, she held still and straight as one of the hands brushed her dark hair from her neck. Warm breath touched her skin as a familiar voice echoed in her ears. "Good morning."

Itt ast as though her heart was stuck in her throat. Feeling immediately ill, she crouched forward a few inches, desperate to be away from him. "Legolas," she breathed, shaking. Closing her eyes and trying to calm her breath, she whispered, "This must be a dream. Please let this be a dream."

A short, amused laugh came from her brother's lips. "This is no dream, my love." Releasing her shoulders and stepping in front of her, he sat down upon the bed not far from the chair and watched her. It was then she looked up and took notice of how pale he was, how ill he looked. His eyes, though, glinted a furious blue even in the shadows. "I told you I would come after you."

Flitting her eyes to Elrond, she looked back and noticed him smile. "Please let him go. Keep me if you must, but please let him leave."

"I can't do that." Anger flickered in his expression as he regarded the sleeping elven lord. "He had incured my wrath as well. I warned him what would happen if he touched you."

Thinking quickly, she backpedaled. "But he hasn't. Legolas, I promise you, he has not laid a hand on me. We may be married, but I do not love him."

His eyes flashed. "You would dare lie to me? You should know better than that, Tári."

"I'm not lying, I swear. He has never touched me!"

Standing, he came towards her and looked down in anger. "You beg for his life and expect me to believe you have no feelings for him?" Without warning, he drew a hand back and let it fall across her face. Her head snapped to the side and she whimpered in pain. "It does not matter what you say. I saw you. I watched as he touched you and I watched as you returned the favour." His voice was low as he leaned over her and hissed, "It made me sick."

Tári's breathing turned ragged as she looked into his dark eyes. He had been there, had seen them make love. Quickly her shock and embarrassment turned into rage. "You watched us?!? You're disgusting!"

"And you are a whore." Pushing up from the chair, Legolas began to pace in front of her, casting angry glances at the prone form of Elrond. "I will keep my promises to you and Lord Elrond. You will both be punished."

She worried what he would do. "Where are we?" she asked, trying to distract him to gain time. "How did you get out of Mirkwood?"

His eyes narrowed as he stopped and looked her over. "It's not important how I got away. As for where we are," his gaze roamed over the small room as he pursed his lips, "We are in a place of vengeance."

Looking towards Elrond, she bit her lip and hoped he would remain unconscious. Legolas was speaking in twisted riddles, worse than he had been before. She was sure he would be capable of worse things than rape.

Just before turning away, Tári knit her brows at what she thought was a blur of her imagination. It wasn't, though, as she noticed Elrond's foot twitch in a slow manner. He was awakening. When her eyes flew up to Legolas to see if he had been watching, her stomach turned. He had noticed as well.

With a smirk, the young prince walked towards Elrond. "Legolas," hissed his sister, "Don't. Please!"

He brought a finger to his lips and shushed her before kneeling down in front of the lord. Tári watched with a held breath as he reached up and undid the gag, causing Elrond to reach consciousness and flutter his eyes open.

Tári tensed as he raised his head.

"Legolas." His voice did not hold anger nor fear, but disbelief. Blinking to clear his eyes, he sat back and looked around. When his gaze fell upon her, tied to the chair, she saw a flicker of horror cross his eyes before he fell back into a strained calm. "What are you doing?" he asked the archer, narrowing his eyes.

Standing, Legolas smiled openly. "I am here to make your life the purest of hell. I always keep my word, my lord. I owe you for touching that which is mine."

"Yours? If you mean Tári, surely even you must realize by now that she belongs to no one, no matter what you do or how often you say it."

The smile vanished from his face. "Do not vex me, Elrond. There will be no discussion here."

Tári could tell Elrond was thinking as quickly as he could, intent on distracting her brother. "What do you intend to do?" His eyes looked around the room, settling briefly on hers before moving back to the prince. "This is a room in the one of the old stone buildings in Imladris. Someone will find us soon."

"Well then, I guess I should get started," he replied, looking at his sister, "Before we are interrupted."

Tári exhaled heavily. "Is that what you're here for? You just want us to pay before you get captured again?"

Legolas' eyes darkened as he moved back to where she sat. "I know what awaits the world, my love. There will be no victory for the elves. Darkness is upon us, and I know my days are numbered. As are yours." Pulling open a drawer in a small cabinet beside the bed, he pulled out a small silver knife. "When our game is through, you will both die by my blade."

Fear flooded her as Elrond spoke. She could finally hear alarm in his voice. "Legolas, listen to me. I know there is still good within you. Look at what you're doing."

Using the tip of the blade to push Tári's hair behind her shoulders, he replied, "I can see what I'm doing, and it has never been more clear. You will both feel the dark within you by the time I am through."

Bending down, he slid the knife in between the chair leg and her skin, cutting the ropes that held her. Tári tried kicking out as soon as she could, but he was wise to her, catching her ankle in his hand and squeezing hard before setting it back down on the floor. She felt very desperate, as she had a good idea what he was planning to do once she was free. When he moved to her back and slit the ropes around her wrists, she took the opportunity and bolted from the chair.

He made no move to go after her. Breathing heavily, she stood at the far side of the bed and eyed the exit. It was behind Legolas. Not knowing what to do, she looked at Elrond with wide, worried eyes.

Leaning against the back of the chair, her brother cocked his head and sighed. "He cannot help you. You know full well you are trapped."

Rubbing her burned wrists, she tried to stop the tears that were filling her eyes from falling. This was all supposed to be in the past. "I don't know what to do," she breathed, looking at Elrond, "I'm sorry."

"Apologize later, when he realizes what a mistake it was to succumb to the charms of a whore."

"Legolas!" Elrond's voice echoed loudly in the small room. Never had she heard him yell like that. "Enough of this! If you need to fight with someone, let it be me. She is innocent in this."

Stepping around the chair, he glared down at the raven-haired elf. "Even if she was an innocent, which she is not," he looked up at her in heated anger and Tári took a step back, "She is mine! My fight is with her as well as you. My sister knew what the consequences would be if she crossed me."

"Do you have nothing good left in you at all?" asked Elrond, his voice wavering.

Legolas stepped back as his eyes drew distant. "What use is good when it brings you nothing but pain?" Not allowing anyone to respond, he pointed the knife at Tári and said, "I can make this easy, or very, very difficult. Come here."

Swallowing hard, she looked at Elrond. His eyes told her how sorry he was, how afraid and how he wished he could help her. She could see him struggling in his bo but but she knew they were too tight. Still, though, she could not submit to Legolas. She would not. Taking the only route she could see, she stepped forward, her eyes upon their captor, until she was near the edge of the bed. When there, instead of continuing forward, she took off to the left and ran for Elrond.

Tári barely had time to grab the rope that held him before Legolas was upon her. With a growl, he yanked her back and threw her to the floor. With the wind knocked out of her, she could only hear hints of yelling, but whose voice she could not identify. A rough hand grabbed her arm and jerked her up, holding her still as her breathing steadied.

When she focused, she could feel the point of Legolas' knife pricking the skin of her throat. "Will you never fail to disappoint me?" he asked angrily, pushing the sharp end against her neck. She arched her head back instinctively. "I am not an evil person, Tári. I have offered you so many ways in which to make this easy for you, but you continue to insist on making everything so difficult."

"Stop this, Legolas. Put the knife down." It was Elrond's voice, and she could tell, looking at her brother, that he had had enough of the lord.

Removing the knife and yanking her towards the bed, Legolas backhanded her roughly across the jaw. The force made her fall to the mattress and she lied there as he made his way to Elrond. "I am through with your talking," he said, once again gagging his mouth.

Tári's head was spinning. She sat up, but was unprepared for Legolas' return. Grabbing her by the hair, he jerked her off the bed and made her face Elrond. Tears began to fall freely down her face. "Please don't," she whispered, knowing full well what the was about to do. "If you're going to do this, please let him leave. I don't want him to watch."

Her brother's hand wiped the tears from her cheeks as he rested his chin on her shoulder. "Of course you don't, love. And he doesn't want to watch it happen to you, either. That is why he is here. Look at him. The fear and jealousy in his eyes is obvious." Wrapping an arm around her waist, holding her arms down, he brought the knife in front and slipped it under the ties of her bodice. "Shhhhh. Don't tremble so. I will not cut your delicate flesh," the blade sliced through the leather ties, "Yet."

She couldn't move. Frozen to the spot, she allowed him to slide the ses oes of her dress from her arms, and lower the bodice to her waist. Closing her eyes, too embarrassed to keep them trained on Elrond, she prayed that Legolas would just kill her and be done with it. When he slid the smooth side of the knife along the upraised flesh of her breast, she whimpered in fear. He laughed softly.

"You're so beautiful," he sighed, resting the blade on her belly while he searched her body with his other hand. Warm lips traced her shoulder. "I have missed you."

The will in her to fight seemed to disappear. Tári felt resigned to the fact that he was going to do this, right in front of her husband. She had thought it was over. She felt destroyed now that it was not.

More tears fell from her eyes when she heard Elrond yell something through his gag. Legolas laughed again, taking obvious pleasure in using her in front of him. "Does this bother you, Elrond?" he asked, sliding the dress over her hips so it fell to the floor. She was naked now, vulnerable to everything he would do to her. "Or perhaps it brings up feelings of another kind?"

He was implying that Elrond would find the situation lustful. Part of her wanted to burst out laughing at the absurdity, but reality kept her in check. Legolas was trying to anger him. Or, in an even worse situation, get him to question his own thoughts.

Throwing the knife to the bed, Legolas whirled her around and, holding her head, kissed her without warning. She struggled instinctively against him as he forced his tongue past her lips, plundering deep and rough, taking every whisper of air from her lungs. Her eyes were wide when he pulled back looking hazy and breathless. "I could kiss every inch of you," he said heavily, running his fingers through her dark locks, "After I kill Elrond, perhaps I will keep you as my own precious jewel instead of ending your life as well."

His words made her nauseous. She would rather die than be kept as a toy. "I'd slit my own throat before I allowed that to happen."

Cocking his head and frowning, he asked, "You would rather die than be with me?"

Licking her dry, parched lips, she answered, "Yes."

His eyes seemed to sadden. Quick as the sorrow came, it left and was replaced by a familiar fury. Gripping her arm, he slapped her across the face several times before throwing her onto the bed. "Then you will die," he growled, climbing over top of her. She tried to struggle against him, but he was too strong, hitting her again for her troubles. "Lie still now, bitch, while I show you what happens when you disappoint me."

The movements came in a flurry. Without even realizing it, Legolas had undid his pants and positioned himself between her legs. Pushing weakly at his shoulders, pleading for him to stop, didndidn't expect it when he shoved himself into her. Tári screamed out at the pain as he buried himself deep within her trembling body.

"How does that feel?" he growled, pulling back and stinsting forward without care to injury. His groans were low and hungry as she whimpered in agony. "Rhoss an gwanath, meleth."

"No," she cried softly, curling her legs around him to lessen the distress. Her arms limply gave way and fell to the sheets, gripping weakly. "No."

Everything surrounding her fell away so all that was left was Legolas' hard body upon hers. It wasn't until after that she remembered Elrond had been watching.

Dipping down, he brushed his lips across hers and grinned. "You will learn to beg for this, I promise you." He accentuated that with a rough thrust of his hips, and she moaned out. "Tell me to stop, love. Tell me how much it hurts."

His constant talking, along with the eager pounding of his body against hers, caused her to fade awrom rom what was happening. Everything began to blur as he started to pay more attention to his impending release than her shame. Resting his mouth on her shoulder, he moved quickly to meet his climax, but she did not register when he did. She felt it when he stopped moving within her, though. The pulsing pain was at the forefront of her mind.

Groaning, Legolas pushed himself up from her and did up his pants. Tári closed her eyes as he watched her roll to the side and curl into herself. "It does not please me to be so rough with you," he said softly, "But you must learn."

Her ears perked up when she heard a muffled noise. It was then Elrond reappeared in her thoughts. Her brother laughed gently. "Don't look so furious, my lord. Your time will come."

The sweat on her body began to cool and she shivered openly. Legolas walked around to the side of the bed and kneeled down in front er. er. She could sense him without even opening her eyes. Biting her lip hard when he brushed her hair back with his finger, she fought to remain calm. "Rest, love, while I prepare your husband."

Her eyes shot open and he smiled. "What are you going to do?" she asked, her voice breathless.

"Your punishment is not complete, and the lord's has not yet begun. I have plans for both of you."

Tári sat up, her eyes flashing. Drawing the blanket around herself she sat forward and repeated in a hard tone, "What are you going to do?"

Standing, Legolas kept an amused eye upon her. "You will see."

Her gaze darted to Elrond. She knew her brother would do something to them both that would forever scar them, and their relationship. She had to do something to stop it. "Is it not enough that he watched you rape me?" she asked, looking back up, trying to persuade Legolas into sympathy. "Do you have no compassion at all?"

He seemed to consider. "It was probably very difficult for him to watch that," he admitted, but then added, "But that pain can be forgotten. Both of you must endure something that will haunt you for the rest of your lives." His eyes turned hard as he looked down at her coldly. "Just as you and what you've done will forever haunt me."

There was no hope in reasoning with him. His expression was unflinching as he looked at her with malicious intent. "What are you going to do?" she asked again.

Walking to a small table beside Elrond, Legolas opened a tiny drawer and pulled out a vial of liquid. He lifted it up, turning the object in his hand and eyeing it with something akin to lust. "Saew," he said quietly, "I will give both of you pain like you have never imagined."

Tári widened her eyes. Trying to maintain the cover over her body, she stood up from the bed and started forward, at the last moment catching a glimmer of silver in between the bedsheets. Thinking quickly, she ran back and grabbed at the hidden blade.

Her breath was short from fear as she stood up straight, the knife firmly gripped in her sweaty hand. To her surprise, Legolas had not made one move to stop her. Setting the small vial down on the table, he knit his brows and grunted. "You will not last long in a fight with me, love."

"I will do my best."

Laughing, he stepped towards her. "I taught you all you know. You might as well have a blade of grass in your hand."

She stiffened, ready for his attack. "I will kill you."

His lips inched into a smirk. "Try," he breathed, before lunging forward. As ready as she was, Tári was surprised by the assault and her brother managed to dart around the knife as she plunged it forward. Before she could think, he had her tight in his embrace, his hand keeping an iron grip on the wrist that held the weapon.

She couldn't believe she had been so easily taken. Swallowing heavily, she kshe she had failed Elrond. "Please don't hurt him," she whispered as he pried the knife from her hand. When she released it, he slid it back into his belt. "I'll do anything."

"You'll do anything anyways," he replied, his breath warm against her ear, "There's no need for the lord to live."

"I...I love him." Her voice was weak and tears came to her eyes, but she pleaded with him one last time. "Please, Legolas. Please let him go."

"Caral nallon, meleth," he replied softly. Turning her to face him, he smiled and stroked her cheek. "It will be better when it is over."

She couldn't hold it in any longer. Her face fell as she allowed the tears to fall. With weak fists she hit her brother on the chest, unable to do anything more. "I hate you," she breathed, pushing away from him, "I hate you."

The smile faded. "You say that now, but you will learn. I love you. You will love me as well." With intent, he stepped past her and picked up the vial. Tári's eyes moved to Elrond and she could see the panic there.

"No," she yelled, running at her brother. He was not surprised by her attack, and quickly stopped it by shoving her down to the floor.

Twisting the cap, he opened the small container. Breathing heavy, Tári stood up and again went after him. He managed to stop her with one hand, but not without allowing a small amount of the liquid to fall from the glass vial. "Bitch!" he growled, grabbing her by the throat. She could feel his hand constrict around her. Tossing her hard to the floor, knocking the wind out of her, he turned to Elrond and yanked the gag from his face. "Hold still, my lord, or I will bring out the knife."

"Tári!" yelled Elrond as the young blonde grabbed his face. "Tári, you must get up!"

Gasping for air, she pushed herself up on her hands. She could see Legolas force Elrond's head back, she could see him tipping the vial. Her muscles were so weak as she struggled to stand. As her mind spun, she gained some momentum and ran forward, looking up just in time to see Legolas let go of Elrond and drop the vial to the floor. It hit her immediately. She had failed. Too weak to continue, she fell to the floor on her knees in front of her husband.

"No," she breathed, barely able to hear herself speak. It was surreal, like watching a dream, but she knew that Elrond's hazy, clouded eyes were all too real. Hands resting on his knees, she shook him softly. "Elrond."

As his eyes fought to focus on her, a quiet voice spoke in the background. "It won't be long, but it will be painful. I hope the vision of him dying in torment will sear into your memory."

Tears marred her vision as she pawed at Elrond's knee. "No," she breathed, unable to comprehend why this was all happening.

Rough hands gripped her arms and yanked her up. Spinning her around, Legolas shook her once then growled, "I want you to ask yourself if fucking him was worth this pain!"

Crying, she shoved him away and, with numb fingers, began prying at Elrond's ropes. "Please don't die," she whispered, looking up at him briefly before pulling at the binds, "Don't leave me."

One wrist came undone and Tári's heart raced. Looking back with a glance, she saw Legolas sit upon the bed and tilt his head. mat matters not if you release him from that chair. He won't be able to walk."

Biting her lip to hold back a moan of ache. Unable to stop, she continued working at the ropes until all were loose, and Elrond was free. When she looked up, though, she could see that there was no way he would be able to stand.

"Elrond," she said, touching his cheek, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Blinking slowly, he smiled and opened his mouth to speak, but no words were formed. Sniffingri lri leaned forward and pressed her lips to his, kissing him gently.

"Enjoy your last moments," said Legolas quietly, "I will allow them. Once he is dead, I will repay you dearly for the anger you've caused me."

Closing her eyes and leaning her forehead against his, knowing Elrond could hear the threats, she tried to remain as calm as possible. "I will be alright," she whispered, "It is only us right now."

She could hear her brother stand. Tensing, ready to fight him if he touched her, she kissed Elrond once more and waited. His steps were soft as he approached and the second before she was about to turn to hit him, a loud bang sounded at the door.

Tári's eyes flew open as she turned her head and stared. Twisting around, she saw Legolas' stop and tense. His eyes flickered towards her, and within a moment he lunged towards her.

"HELP US!" she screamed, a split second before her brother managed to grab her and shove a hand over her mouth. She struggled valiantly, but he was too strong. Freeing one hand, he pulled out the knife within his belt and held it to her neck just as the door to the room slammed open.

Never before had she been so glad to see Haldir. Holding a bow up, an arrow notched and ready to fly, he entered with a small lot of guards. His sharp blue eyes moved from the limp form of Elrond up to her. She could see concern flicker within them.

"Haldir," greeted Legolas, holding her tightly against him, "I'm afraid you're a little too late for the noble rescue."

"Let her go, Legolas," he replied, stepping carefully towards them. He stopped when the blade pressed sharply against her neck. "You don't want to hurt her."

"You're right. I don't. But it's not up to me." Tári could feel his hot breath against her neck. "There was no way around this."

Tári swallowed heavily, panicking. They were running out of time. Taking a deep breath, chancing her life, she caught Haldir's attention by yelling, "Elrond! Save him!"

Repaid by a nick to the throat, she whimpered. "The loss of you will pain me, love, but I will kill you if I must." Legolas noticed the Marchwarden's attention on the lord of Imladris. "He is near death. Do not worry yourself with trying to save him."

Tári could see the panic in Haldir's eyes. "I will worry myself with you, then," he replied, pulling his arm back and releasing the arrow. A loud cry erupted from behind her as Legolas stumbled back, releasing the knife and collapsing against the wall. Stepping back, shocked and unable to think of what to do, she stared down at the writhing form of her brother. Haldir's arrow had slid through his calf.

"Tári!" A hand gripped her arm and pulled her away from Legolas. When she looked up, Haldir's eyes were wide with worry. "Are you alright?"

"Y-yeah," she replied, knitting her brow.

"What did he do to Elrond?"

Suddenly her thoughts seemed clear. Elrond. Worried, she turned and tried to run towards him, but Haldir held her steady. "Let me go! I have to help him!"

"Tári!" he said loudly, gaining her attention. "You can help him by telling us what Legolas did to him!"

"Poison," she breathed, darting her gaze around the room. Several of the guards had bound Legolas and covered his mouth with a gag. She could still hear his muffled yells. "He made him drink poison." Narrowing her eyes, she saw a sparkle of light appear from beneath Elrond's chair. "There!" she said, pointing, "That's the vial!"

Haldir released her and went for glasglass container. "Here," he said to one of the guards, handing him the vial, "Find out what this is. We need an antidote." Tári turned to go to Elrond, but the lord was being removed from the chair. Two guards began carrying him towards the door. "Tári, stay here," called the Marchwarden as she made to follow her husband out.

Shaking her head, she replied, "I can't. I have to be there for him."

Soft blue eyes met hers as he touched her shoulder, holding her back from leaving the room. "He will be cared for, I promise you. I need you to stay with me."

Tári could feel the tears begin to well. "Why?" she asked, watching as the last of the guards took a struggling Legolas out the door. Looking away when her brother's eyes met hers, she bit back a moan of pain. "Why?"

The room became silent as all but she and Haldir left. "I need to make sure you're alright," he said, pulling her towards him. Strong arms wrapped around her trembling body. "And you need to rest."

Burying her face in his shirt, Tári let out an anguished sob.

*

TBC

Elf-Talk:
Rhoss an gwanath, meleth. - Whisper for death, love.
Saew. - Poison.
Caral nallon, meleth. - Don't cry, love.