No Way Out

OoOoO

Ch V

The lush foliage of the canopy-top rushed past him while the wind ruffled long, golden locks as he leapt from bough to bough in the large beech tree that grew within the courtyard of the Mirkwood King’s dwelling. Beams of light shone brightly through the gaps of bunched leaves as Anor looked down happily among Arda, as well as the one Elfling giggling gleefully within the ancient tree’s branches, dodging outreached hands from the forest floor.

“Come and catch me, ada!” Like a creature born to dwell in trees, the small child clambered up an outstretched limb with the agility of a cat, stopping only when he reached the very edge, then looked down expectantly at the tall Elf in the shadow of the woody plant.

“Legolas, you must come down,” The elder Elf insisted, while he desperately fought against the smirk that tugged at the corner of his lips. “This is not befitting of a Prince!”

“Wood Elves are suppose to climb trees, Ada,” the child retorted, “and Nana’s a Wood Elf so that makes me one, too

“Your naneth does not climb trees.”

“She used to. She told me so! Come, ada, play with me!”

“Legolas,” The Eldar stressed, “Kings do not play in treetops.”

“Play with me!” the Elfling repeated persistently.

With a sigh, and a shake of his head, the Eldar slowly removed his robe and discarded it on the grassy floor, leaving him clad in an extravagant shirt, and dark leggings. With a cautious look around him, Thranduil took two large steps before launching himself into the lowest branch to chase after his youngest child.

Legolas squealed in delight as his father gained on him and he quickly found himself dodging large pale hands before he was finally caught around the belly and pulled against a broad chest, finding himself grinning up at two delighted eyes nearly identical to his own, and surprisingly, the owner of those bright blue orbs was trembling with laughter.

“See? Climbing trees is fun!”

“Yes, Legolas,” the Elven Lord chuckled, cradling his child closely to him, “climbing trees is fun.”

Wrapping slim arms around the larger Elf’s neck, the Princeling buried his head into the thick golden mane of the King, his scent of pine and berries and tree-bark…

But the scent that infiltrated his nostrils was not of the forest, but of musk and damp rock. Quickly sitting up from the makeshift straw bed before his eyes even fully cleared, Legolas began the scan the room in search for his companion.

“Haldir?”

“I am here, my Prince. You looked to be having a nice dream. Shame reality is a far worse nightmare than any you could imagine,” Haldir spoke calculatingly, staring around the cell as Legolas awoke beside him. Haldir had watched over the younger Elf all while he slept.

Yet for the past hour or so, there had been a distinct change of mood around the cell. Why, Haldir could not say. What, he had no idea. But he could feel something was going to disrupt their so far peaceful, yet torturous time in the dungeon. No words had been said, no movement other than the shifting of eyes occasionally, no guard changes, no more prisoners taken or returned. Yet there was definitely a shift in the atmosphere surrounding the captives. Not knowing what to expect, Haldir was on edge and ready for anything.

“Yes,” Legolas mumbled as he relaxed against the cold stone wall, crossing his legs before him, for the moment oblivious to the Marchwarden‘s agitation. “A shame, indeed.” With a sigh he gazed up at the dark ceiling, recalling the reverie his mind had conjured from his past. “I dreamt of my home. Of my father, and the old beech tree I use to climb as a child. Happier days when our wood was not so fell, and when father was not always so sullen.”

“The world is growing dark indeed. Yet you should be thankful for having fond childhood memories to look back on to help you through troubling times such as these. Not all have had that luxury…” the troubled quiet had pulled Haldir’s musings quite deep. Realising he was being unfair to the Prince, he tried to lighten the mood. “What other types of trees do you have in your woods?”

“We have all different sorts, though the beeches do populate most of our Wood. But there are also oak, apple trees, maple, willows, spruce, and…” Legolas trailed off then, and Haldir could see the sadness resurface in his eyes. “And pine trees… they were my mother’s favourite.”

Haldir nodded his head, half-listening to what Legolas was saying, but kept his eyes on his fellow prisoners. “I enjoy the willows that grow on the banks of the Nimrodel. They give wonderful shelter on a hot summer’s day…. Not that we feel the heat, yet it is relaxing enough,” he said to keep the conversation going, but there was no life to what he said.

“Nimrodel?” Legolas repeated. “I have heard the lay that speaks of this Elf maiden’s beauty, as well as the Elven-King Amroth, her lover. It is a tale of old that I have heard my kin sing many times before. It is very sad... Is it true what they say? That you can hear her voice whispered among the waters named for her?”

For a fleeting moment, a smile flashed across Haldir’s face, but it was gone in an instant.

“Aye, it is. I recall the first time I heard it… I thought for sure an evil sprit would rise out of the river and wreak havoc on us all… but her voice has a soothing quality to it that soon allayed my fears and brought me peace unlike any I have ever experienced since. I go there whenever my heart is troubled,” Haldir looked around the prison for a moment and then chuckled softly to himself. “I believe I shall camp out next to the river for a month once we escape here to fully ease my distress.”

“One day, perhaps, I shall visit your fair Lothlorien. It sounds like a grand place,” Legolas finally looked down from the ceiling, but his expression turned to one of concern when he noted the grimness sketched on the other Elf’s face. It was then that he also realized the chamber was far quieter than was normal.

“Haldir, what is it? Something’s wrong…”

“We do not know that,” Haldir replied mysteriously.

The younger Elf scowled. “Of course we do. Look at the men. They sense something.”

Haldir slowly moved his head towards Legolas and gave the younger Elf what could be assumed as a reproaching look. “It is my assumption that we have been here four days at most. Judging by the appearance of some I would guess anywhere up to five years and a month at the very least. It is we who are new here and have yet to grasp the routine. For all we know, something could be right. It could just as easily be wrong, but we do not know that. However, whatever it is, it is something that occurs regularly, else they would not sense its coming as a group. Therefore, this gives me reason to believe it is right, not wrong. Good or bad, I doubt we shall determine until it is upon us, all we can do is wait,” Haldir spoke as if he were back at the training grounds, teaching the new soldiers how to read people and situations.

A frustrated sigh huffed its way out from the Prince’s mouth, and he swiftly stood from his spot in the straw to walk to the far end of the cell. Glancing through the bars as if to make certain nothing was out of the ordinary, he stood quietly with his arms folded tensely across his chest in silent contemplation, and his face drawn in an annoyed expression.

Haldir watched Legolas stand and walk to the bars, berating himself for speaking to the prince as if he were a child. Standing up, he went to apologise.

“My Prince, I am sorry for the way I just spoke to you, please, do not let us fight. You are all I have in here,” he spoke softly, laying a hand comfortingly on a shoulder.

Legolas did not react immediately to the elder Elf’s voice, nor the physical contact other than the slight tensing of his shoulder. But after a long silent moment of staring at the outer wall, the Prince relaxed beneath the touch and shook his head, accompanied by a deep exhale from his lungs.

“Nay, Haldir. It is I who should apologize. Galion was correct in saying I am too rash… Our palace butler,” he added at the silver-headed Elf’s confused look. “You are an experienced soldier, far older than I, in fact I am certain even your youngest soldiers are much older than me and as such you have far more knowledge regarding such circumstances. I should have more faith in your instincts.”

“Instincts which have had centuries to grow and be trained to see what is really there, not just what I feel. Come away from the door lest a guard think you are trying to escape and you end up with a spear through your chest… Or, someone steals what is left of our food,” Haldir whispered the last statement, not wishing to alert any of the other captives to their secret stash. When the prince started moving back to their spot, Haldir put a supportive arm around the slim shoulders in comfort. Why he did so, or if Legolas needed comfort at that time, Haldir was unsure, but it felt so right.

Legolas instinctively leaned into the touch before he realized what he was doing, and once he became conscious of the action he fought very hard not to pull away. His cheeks were blushing, he was certain. But if he did not want the physical contact, why had he so naturally accepted it in the first place?

Sitting side by side, the Prince suddenly became very interested in the bloodstains covering his leggings, and absently picked at them.

“May I ask you a question, Haldir?”

“I believe you just did, but you may ask me another. What is on your mind?” Haldir asked, somewhat disappointed at the loss of contact with the Prince now they were seated, but tried not to dwell on it. More importantly, tried not to think of how assuredly Legolas accepted his intimate contact nor how he encouraged it by moving closer. Yet, all his efforts were for naught, so he happily affirmed a deepening friendship with the younger Elf and concentrated on what the Prince said next.

For a split second Legolas’ breath caught in his throat, but he forced the words from his mouth, trying not to sound so nervous.

“Are you married?”

Haldir bit back the laughter that tried to force itself from his lungs at the last second. He was an Elf who enjoyed his bachelorhood far too much to worry about a mate.

Well, that is only according to his egocentric happy go lucky character when around friends. Truth be told, he longed for a companion, but how could he be so cruel as to allow his partner to worry about him while off on patrol? To wait at home for sometimes months on end before returning for only a few weeks. No, he could never do that to anyone. It was a road that would only lead to heartache.

“Nay, I am unmarried, fair Prince. Why do you ask? Is your father arranging a marriage for you?” Haldir asked, wondering what caused Legolas to bring the subject up.

“Nay. I-- was simply curious.” If possible, Legolas swore he felt his cheeks flush deeper.

Haldir swung his eyes to Legolas’ countenance and immediately took in the deep blush the younger Elf had obtained since he left the cell door. Deciding to have a little fun, Haldir grinned secretly to himself.

“But surely curiosity alone could not have been enough to bring up such an obscure subject like marriage when we are in a place like this one. What else is preying on your mind, sweet Prince?”

“Truly,” Legolas insisted, his mind frantically trying to think of a convincing cover. “I only wish to know more about you. You have many wonderful qualities about you, and are quite handsome- I would imagine any Elf would appreciate your companionship.” His heart then skipped a beat as he realized what he had just said.

“Handsome am I?” Haldir asked with a smirk, deciding to push the issue just a little further. “Some might say the same for you. Not to mention your position of power… I am sure many an elleth have… propositioned… you before…” Haldir said suggestively.

“Unfortunately,” Legolas mumbled, “I have had several young maidens advance on me, some at the insistence of my father and brothers, no less. But I-- I hold little interest in them.” These last words were spoken softly, and shame was quite evident in his gentle voice, as well as on his downcast face.

Haldir tried to hide the small smile of surprise and gratefulness that Legolas could tell him such an intimate detail of his life, making its presence known on his face, yet the corners of his lips raised, as did an eyebrow at the Prince’s admission.

"I sense your father and brothers are adverse to your… preference?" Haldir asked as comfortingly as he could.

“It is inappropriate conduct, not befitting of Royalty,” Legolas quoted. He no longer possessed the courage to look the Marchwarden in the eyes, and so kept his gaze locked on his knees. The blush that had enveloped his face no doubt reached the very tips of his ears, and his heart pounded in his chest, nearly drowning out all other sound. Haldir had been the first person to whom he had made the admission of his sexuality. With a sigh, he continued. “My family does not know, though their suspicion is obvious. My father has even gone so far as to lecture me on the subject. I would not tell them. I have seen adar’s reaction to same-sex relations and know enough that he is disgusted by them.”

Haldir nodded his head, his thoughts deep in silent contemplation on how best to further the conversation.

“It is far different in Lothlorien. Same gender relationships are considered normal and are accepted as an everyday occurrence. Love is still love, no matter what the sex and everyone is quite open about their sexuality,” he stated matter of factly and looked to the still moping Prince, realising he would need to say more to lighten his spirits again.

After a moment of silence, Haldir breathed in deeply and recalled a certain memory, smiling fondly as he did. “I remember telling my parents I preferred males. They were most welcoming of this, though later my mother admitted she and Ada had known long ago, yet she appreciated me telling her personally. Perhaps someday your father shall realise his fault in placing limits on love and will accept all forms it takes between two or more people,” Haldir drifted off, wishing to leave Legolas with some hope for the future.

Legolas looked up startled, finally reaching the Marchwarden’s eyes at the gentle admission, unashamed and outright. “You-- I mean… you are like me, then? You prefer your own gender?”

Haldir restrained the grin that wished to make itself known and instead settled for a gentle, encouraging curving of his lips.

“I-“ Haldir started, but movement near the cell entrance caught his attention as the door was flung open and many soldiers entered the room, some half a dozen waiting outside, that Haldir could see at least.

Watching those in the room closely, Haldir saw them move to every prisoner and tie their hands behind their backs while three others supervised, all with spears at the ready. As the soldiers moved to the next prisoner, each man would stagger up and stand waiting for the procedure to finish and the next lot of instructions.

Eventually the soldiers made their way to Legolas and Haldir. Still seated with their backs against the wall, one of the Haradhrim kicked Haldir in the side and pushed him away from the wall and tied his wrists together so tight the blood flow to his hands was surely cut off. Breathing heavily from being winded, Haldir looked to Legolas.

“How do you fare, my Prince?” he wheezed once the soldiers had moved to the rest of the captives.

“Haldir!” Legolas exclaimed as one of the large soldiers moved away from him, the young Elf’s hands tightly secured. “Are you alright? What’s going on?”

Before either had the chance to utter another word, however, Legolas and Haldir, along with the rest of their fellow inmates were ushered through the barred doors, and with the Haradrim men threateningly at their sides, guided down the dark corridor.

Haldir looked over to Legolas and felt a strong surge of protectiveness well inside him at the Prince’s scared and confused countenance. However, this was no time for heroics and Haldir had no control as he was pushed and prodded into moving down the dark hallways. Over twenty men all jostling down the narrow corridors with their hands tied made stability difficult. More so that there were an equal amount of men with swords and spears at the ready, constantly on the lookout for any sign of escape. Grimacing against the strain placed upon his shoulder blades and from a few scratches of a spear, Haldir shuffled through the pack as he tried to stay as close to Legolas as he could.

With a friend by your side, the unknown is never quite as frightening.

TBC…

OoOoO

Anor: sun
Arda: Middle-earth
Ada: affectionate term for father (dad or daddy)
Adar: father
Nana: affectionate term for mother (mum or mummy)
Naneth: mother

OoOoO

REVIEWS:

Ertia: Well, you'll just have to keep reading what's gonna happen to our boys.... though, it's either escape or fade.... which would you prefer? Maybe we should take a vote on it? ;P

Morier Blackleaf: Mawgy:I have written some stuff before, but PLEASE, I beg you, don't go looking for them! You won't like it!

And I think you'll find my sister undoubtedly has my brain under lock and key, so I don't think you'll get my brain any time soon, but we are doing our best. Enjoy the rest of the story!


Jilly: *blushes* Thanks sweetie. It means a lot that you like this story. But we're sorry you feel imprisoned.... maybe we should get you out in the Ring sometime soon ;P Your wish is our command!

Iamme: you wanted more, here it is! :)

Narcolinde: Well, my dear, you shall soon see! But not before a bit more angst first ;)

Yanic: 'but it's not (so far...)' Well, tell you what; we have a little something planned for some time now, but you can judge if it's similar to those other stories. I assure you we're trying to keep this as original as possible. Thank you for your wonderful review!