Persuasion

Persuasion

Chapter 8
Author: Frosty the Linebacker
Rated: NC-17
Codes: Elrond, Legolas, Haldir, Arwen, OC, NC, AU, Darkfic
Summary: Long ago, Sauron got ahold of the one ring. After a long war, and the subsequent falling of the Dark Lord, the Elves are all who live. They were not immune, though, to the darkness that spread during the long years of Sauron's reign. Instead of talking things out, they decide busting heads is the best solution to their differences. Can't argue with that!
Notes: Elvish translations are at the end of the story.

*

When morning broke, Ellaire found herself alone in bed, the binds on her wrists released. She had no memory of Elrond untying her, nor of him leaving, but was very grateful for both.

Her cheeks burned as she rolled over and rubbed her eyes. Looking down, she saw the burns on her wrists and winced, touching them. A deep sigh escaped her lips as she rose and gathered her clothes, heading to the bathroom.

Red, sore eyes looked back at her in the mirror. She looked and felt a mess as she washed and dressed, not quite sure what motived her to do either. Last night proved that things were as bad as they could be, death being the only thing left. At that moment, looking up at the mirror, she wished for it.

There was a noise outside the door of the bathroom. Ellaire walked slowly towards it and leaned her ear against the wood, listening. Her heart raced as she heard someone sit down upon the bed.

With wide, scared eyes she looked around the small room. There was nothing here for use as a weapon, nor was there any way of escaping. Elrond had come back for her. A weakness spread through her body as she thought about being raped again. She knew it would kill her.

Death. She calmed her breathing and looked at the door. This was an opportunity. She would fight back so hard he would have no choice but to kill her, and then it would be over. As she closed her eyes, Haldir flickered through her mind. She would be leaving him, if he had not already left her. There was no other choice, though. Taking a deep breath and opening her eyes, she pushed open the door.

She blinked back surprise when her eyes met not Elrond, but a young, blonde elf instead. "Good morning," said Legolas as she leaned back against the headboard. His gaze travelled up and down her form. "You look terrible."

Irritation and fear settled her death wish. She knew the prince's pree coe could mean nothing good, but had it been Elrond, she would have at least known what to expect. Legolas had already proven violent, she wondered what torture he was planning to put her through now.

"Why are you here?" she asked, looking him over for any evidence of a weapon.

He smiled softly and pushed himself up from the bed. Ellaire tensed but stood her ground as he came towards her. "I am here for you," he said, his eyes sparkling in amusement.

She laughed softly at the irony. "Is my only use as a toy for the pleasure of evil?" Sobering, her eyes glistening with tears, she looked up at Legolas. "Will you not kill me and allow me to rest?"

"If I killed you, Elrond would not be pleased." He touched a hand to her face and brushed the hair behind her ears. Pressing a finger under her chin, he tilted her face up. "This will remain a secret between us."

Ellaire pulled her face away and hardened her eyes. "Why should I keep this a secret? What could you possibly do or say to get me to keep quiet?"

He smiled broadly. "I could threaten the life of your companion."

A thrill jolted through her body. "Haldir's alive?" she asked quietly, not having believed he could still possibly be.

"He is. Though he probably wishes he wasn't."

She clenched her fists in anxiety and back up, thinking. "I want to see him. I want proof," she said, crossing her arms.

He stepped closer, his warmth making her uncomfortable. She backed against a wall and closed her eyes as he placed his hands on either side and leaned close. "You need no proof. You have my word that if Elrond finds out about this, Haldir will die. Whether or not you believe he is alive is irrelevant. The face remains that his life is now in your hands."

Ellaire bit her lip and opened her eyes to stare angrily at him. "How do I know you won't kill him anyways? Will we both not meet our death before the end?"

He smirked softly. "Perhaps. But this way, he will still be alive when you try to escape." Removing one hand from the wall, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver key. The key she had hidden beneath the bed's mattress.

She stared at it, the only thing that she knew could help her leave this place. "How did you find it?" she breathed. He could not have known where she had hidden it.

"It doesn't matter," he replied, pushing it back into his pocket. She looked down where it was hidden, as if her life was contained there. "I am willing to give it to you, and not reveal your intentions to Elrond."

She looked up. "Why?"

He shrugged. "I have my reasons."

"What do you want from me in return?" He was bargaining with her. Ellaire did not know why he was offering this, but at this point she was willing to take almost any opportunity.

A hand brushed her shoulder as he fingered the soft cloth covering her. "Co-operation."

Ellaire frowned as Legolas smoothed his fingers over her collarbone. "How do I know I can trust you?"

Pursing his lips, he looked up and shook his head. "You don't."

She thought about it as he watched her. Why would he offer her this if he did not mean it? It gained him nothing to dangle freedom in front of her when he could simply use Haldir's life as a bargaining piece. She could very easily tell Elrond of this, and of him knowing she was going to try to escape, and she was sure Legolas would be punished for that. Meeting his blue eyes, she knew he was not so stupid as to allow that to happen. He would give her the key. If she complied.

It had come to this. She would whore herself for her freedom. Her throat constricted in disgust as she thought about what he would make her do, things she wasn't sure she could do. When she thought about the other options, though, life eternal in this place or death by the hands of her enemy, the possibility of freedom, however remote, seemed the best. Even if she died trying, at least she would not have given up.

Her voice was quiet as she spoke. "What do you want me to do?"

Legolas pushed off from the wall and walked back to the bed. Sitting down upon it, he pulled himself back so he leaned comfortably against the headboard, his legs extended toward the foot. "Take your clothes off."

Swallowing, her heart heavy, she slowly pulled her shirt over her head and dropped it to the floor. When she stepped out of her pants, she stood silently, her eyes averted, waiting for Legolas' next order.

He studied her in quiet for a few moments before adjusting his sitting position and motioning her over. Ellaire walked to the bed and unconsciously crossed her arms, covering herself. "Get up on the bed, darling. I want you to suck me."

Ellaire knew it would do no good to beg him, so she didn't bother to vocalize how much she didn't want to do this. Part of her didn't care any longer, either, the part of her that felt like submitting to all of this until death finally took her. Still, though, Haldir was alive. He was waiting for her to help him. As tears filled her eyes once again, she crawled up on the bed and began working to undo Legolas' pants.

He hissed in a breath as she pulled him out. "Make it good," he breathed as she gathered her strength and leaned down, taking his flesh in her mouth.

The warmth and taste invaded her senses immediately as she pressed her tongue against him. Every breath and movement he made was magnified to her as she pleasured him as best she could without doing more than what was needed. When his hand raked through her hair and grabbed hold, moving her for his enjoyment, she whimpered softly. Gently, Ellaire rested a hand on his thigh to steady herself as she was pulled up and pressed down in a strong rhythm.

"Good girl," he hissed, tightening the hold on her hair and increasing the speed of his pulls. She inhaled sharply when she could, nearly suffocating from his taste and the incessant thrusting. His hips jerked upwards as she came down on him, choking her, but he did not lessen his movements.

Her grip tightened on his thighs as she tried to hold herself up. He was strong, though, stronger than her, and she could only take it as he pleasured himself against her tongue.

Just when she thought he was reaching his climax, though, he abruptly stopped and pulled her head up. When he released her hair, she shoved herself back from him and choked in a few deep breaths.

"That was good," he said, his own breath ragged. She looked up into his hazy eyes, noticing the moistened brow, and felt sick that she did that. She caused him to look so pleased. His torment of her, though, was not over. "Come over here."

Her eyes watered as she crawled towards him, preparing herself for whatever he wanted to do. He motioned for her to straddle him, so she did. Grateful that he was clothed, that she didn't have to touch his skin, she placed her hands on his shoulders and positioned herself.

Warm hands rested on her hips, then with a sudden jerk he pressed her down on top of him. Ellaire whimpered softly and leaned forward as he moved her so his flesh was buried within her body. It burned, and her abdomen ached with strain as his hard breathing rushed in her ears.

The rough material of his pants filtered into her head as her mind became clearer. Legolas' hands where still gripping her hips, his fingertips squeezing into her skin. She held her head low, hoping he would take the initiative so she wouldn't have to do anything.

Unfortunately, he didn't allow that.

"You're so warm," he murmured, leaning his head back against the bedframe. She looked up at him, into his hazy, half-lidded eyes, and saw nothing but bliss there. She felt like a harlot. "Ai. Limmidale." He grinned as a faint blush fell over her skin. "Rinc an nin."

His eyes watched her carefully as she pressed her knees into the bed and drew herself away from him. Ellaire saw his eyelashes flutter shut and heard him hiss in a breath when she moved forward, welcoming him back into her body. Hands on his shoulders kept her steady as she thrust over him, happy that he at least no longer looked at her. The intensity and dominance in his eyes made her feel weak.

Tremors moved through her body as she continued pursuing his pleasure, unwanted feelings that threatened to bring voice. She clenched her teeth tightly and breathed deep, trying to remove her mind from what she was doing so the feelings would subside. As Legolas' hands smoothed up her body, though, what was happening was at the forefront of her mind. His fingers were electric against her skin as he cupped her breasts and rubbed his thumbs over the peaks, gently massaging. She bit her lip hard, stopping herself from whimperout out at the touch.

Quite suddenly his eyes opened. His hands slid around her back and yanked her forward, his mouth seeking her breasts. She moaned low in her throat as his hot tongue licked over her sensitive flesh. A groan escaped his lips as he bit at her, sucking hard and marking her.

His hands seared a path down her back, cupping her bottom as he released her breast and looked up with now-heated, wide eyes. "Tiri na nin," he hissed, jerking her hard towards him. She cried out, but he did not relent. Shoving her back, he yanked her forward again, burying himself deep within her. "Tiri!"

Tiredly she raised her eyes to his. He grinned, watching her closely as he pulled her over him again and again, regarding her with a possessive dominance as expressions of pain and unwanted pleasure graced her face. If she looked away, he would rougly jerk her towards him and order her to regain eye contact, and would not let up on his painful movements until she did. Exhausted, Ellaire stared into his vivid blue eyes, not really seeing him, feeling only the abuse of her body.

It felt like forever until Legolas' eyes closed of their own volition, his motion of her body becoming erratic. Groaning low, he place his hands on her hips and increased the speed of his thrusting until he lost himself to his pleasure.

Ellaire's thighs felt raw from rubbing along his rough pants. Her breathing was laboured as his hands loosened and brushed her skin softly. When she looked up at him, sweat had moistened his brow. She had caused that. Tired and weak, she looked away, not moving in case he got upset.

"You did well," he said finally, opening his sated eyes. "I am pleased."

She nodded, knowing not what to say. When he let go of her and sat up, she pulled herself away and sat beside him. "Will you keep your promise?" she asked quietly as he did up his pants.

Legolas' eyes sparkled as he glanced at her with a smirk. "I will," he replied, digging into his pocket. She held out her hand when he pulled out the key. It felt heavy, like lead freedom, when he dropped it in her palm.

"Thank you."

He regarded her silently for a few moments before standing. "If Elrond hears of any of this, you will not make it out of Imladris. Do you understand?"

She swallowed and nodded. He held her gaze for a few seconds longer before turning on his heel and leaving the room.

Ellaire closed her eyes and collapsed on the bedsheets, clutching the key in her hand. She was too tired to cry, so she lied there and found comfort in the dark. It was quiet now, but Legolas' pleasured gruntings still echoed in her mind. She had to escape this place.

Forcing herself up, she quickly dressed and slipped the key into her pocket. Elrond could be back anytime, she knew, and while she realized it would be safer to try to escape after another visit, she didn't think she could take it again. The abuse was too much. She had had enough.

Placing a tentative hand on the door handle, she slowly turned it. A rush of breath escaped her lips as it opened easily - Legolas had left it unlocked. Questions entered her mind, questions about why he would allow her to leave. She brushed them aside, concentrating instead on listening for footsteps. There were none. Opening the door slightly, she glimpsed the hallway carefully. It was deserted.

Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage and left the room, careful to close the door behind her. It clicked softly in the quiet hall. On silent, bare feet, Ellaire walked to the doors to the outside. Her body trembled with anxiety as she opened these, but found no one on the other side. She half-wondered if Legolas had cleared the path for her.

She remembered the way to the Dungeons - it was not far. The sunlight was bright in her eyes, having been kept in a dungeon of her own for too long. The small pebbles bit at her feet, but she did not voice her pain. It was too dangerous.

When she finally arrived at the dungeon, her legs felt like rubber. She entered swiftly, closing the door and moving quietly down the hall. Peeking around the corner, making sure no one else was there, her eyes met thrm orm of Haldir.

"Haldir," she breathed, racing across the room until she was in front of him. Dried blood covered his clothes and hair, and he was unconscious, hanging from the manacles. Biting her lip, she lightly tapped on his cheek, but he did not wake.

There was nothing else to do - he had to wake up. Pulling the key from her pocket, she undid each cuff around his wrist until he slowly slumped to the ground. A heavy groan fell from his mouth as she pushed him onto his back.

"Haldir," she whispered, shaking his shoulders. He winced, but did not open his eyes. Nervous, realizing how little time they had, she poked him softly in an open wound.

With a hiss of pain, his eyes shot open. Before he realized who she was, Haldir had grabbed her wrist and flung it back, then jerked himself up and wrapped a hand around her throat.

Ellaire's eyes went wide as he held her. Quickly, though, realization dawned on him. "Ellaire," he breathed a little hoarsely, loosening his grip and releasing her, "Is that really you?"

Her eyes watered a little as she nodded, took his hand and stood up. "We have to go. Now. Can you walk?"

She helped pull him up and could tell he bit back a groan of pain. "I'm alright," he said, looking up at her, "How did you get here?"

"There's no time for that," she replied quickly, grabbing a knife off the wooden table she remembered so well. Handing it to Haldir, she then took one for herself.

He silently followed her until they reached the door. Before she could open it, a hand fell against it and she turned to Haldir with agitated eyes. "What are you doing? We have to leave."

His blue eyes regarded her seriously. "Tell me what happened, Ellaire. Are you alright?"

She pursed her lips and shoved his hand off the door. "I'm fine," she said curtly, opening the door and looking outside. It was clear. She opened it wide and made to step out, but a hand grabbed her shoulder and yanked her back into the darkened building. "Haldir!"

The Marchwarden turned her towards him and closed the door. "What kind of foolish plan is this?" he hissed, glaring at her, "Why are we attempting escape in broad daylight?"

"Does it matter why?" she retorted, "We have an opportunity, and you are going to get us caught! I will not stay here any longer!" Jerking away from him, she opened the door and headed outside.

Sighing heavily, Haldir followed. He caught up with her quickly as she headed to the west. On some days, she was able to see the gates of Imladris from Elrond's room. The stables were near there. They could get horses, and escape easily. Nervous humour caused her breathing to accelerate. Her hope was diminishing.

She could feel his eyes upon her as they walked. Whenever they stopped to listen or look for enemies, she knew he would watch her. The silence was almost worse than his questions, but at least they were not fighting. It was too exhausting to fight.

His wounds soon began to slow him down. He made an effort not to make it apparent, but she could tell. His limp was not lost on her, and fresh blood began to soak his tunic in several places. Worry filled her, worry that she had not gotten to him soon enough. As they looked around the corner of a building, searching for elves, she took his hand and squeezed, leading him forward.

When they came to the stables, voices were heard. Ellaire pinned herselp up against the barn and listened, trying to pinpoint how many of them there were. There was a female voice, and a male. A very familiar male.

Looking carefully around the corner, her breath caught in her throat when she saw Legolas standing next to Arwen. Their voices were hushed - she could not hear what they were saying - but they seemed to be arguing. Looking at Haldir, seeing the sweat lining his brow, she came to a crossroads. Should they take their chances and leave without a horse, or should she attempt to bypass Legolas? She didn't know what he would do, especially with Arweere.ere.

Haldir slid down the side of the barn. Ellaire kneeled down and felt his cheek, felt the cold on her hand. He needed to rest. "I will get us a horse," she whispered.

A hand on her knee stopped her from rising. "Leave me," he breathed, "I am only a burden."

Quickly, without warning or knowledge as to why, anger filled her. She lifted his hand and dropped it away from her. "Do not be weak," she growled, "We will both leave here, or we will both die here. Do you understand?"

His eyes were wide, but he nodded his understanding. Ellaire stood and held tight to the knife in her hand as she licked her lips and prepared to attack the elves. She had to be fast. Noise would be made. They would need to escape immediately.

Taking a breath, planning on sneaking up to them as close as she could, Ellaire rounded the building. Instead of keeping to her plan, though, she gasped in surprise and instinctively stepped back. Arwen watched her calmly.

"You were right," said Legolas, coming up behind the princess, "You did hear someone."

Arwen cocked her head and frowned slightly, her eyes moving from the blade to Ellaire's eyes. "I told you she was dangerous. I told you you should have killed her."

"I should have listened to you." Legolas looked at her with angry eyes, eyes that conveyed sheer disappointment at her being captured. He had wanted her to escape.

"Does my father know you have escaped?"

Ellaire frowned and looked into the sharp, blue eyes staring at her. The knife in her hand was still held tightly. "No."

There was a long pause before she spoke again, as though stating something she just realized. "He hurt you." She seemed inquisitive, and Ellaire noticed Legolas knit his brows at her questions.

"Yes." She could think of nothing else to do but answer her questions. It at least gave them time, for surely Arwen would soon realize Haldir was prone behind the barn.

The princess' eyes softened. "You will be vindicated."

Ellaire shook her head gently. "What do you mean?"

A small smile graced the features of Elrond's daughter. "He who injured you will be punished. Your companion will see to that."

Legolas' eyes widened, as if something suddenly dawned on him. Ellaire quickly realized it - Haldir. Legolas remembered that she would have gone for Haldir. A sharp sound behind the archer caused him to turn quickly, and Ellaire jumped in surprise when she heard metal slice through fabric and skin.

As if in slow motion, Legolas fell to the side. Haldir was there, clutching his abdomen, his face furious as he watched the prince grasp at the knife embedded in his gut. Quiet whimperings escaped him before he collapsed on the ground, dead.

Thrills of adrenaline raced through her as she stared at Arwen, now the only thing standing in their way of escape. The princess' eyes fluttered closed for only moments before she looked from Legolas' fallen body. "I warned him," she said softly, her eyes brimming with tears. She had shown no surprise or fear when Haldir had attacked the prince. "There is nothing darker than betrayal. You were the cause of that."

"He brought it upon himself," said Ellaire distastefully, "It would have happened, regardless."

She smiled. "Perhaps. But it was you who hastened it."

"Are you going to stop us from leaving?"

Arwen turned slightly, watching as Haldir moved as quickly as he could to saddle two horses. "Even if you run, you will not escape the darkness Sauron has wrought. It has bled into you, and you will bleed it into the Golden Wood." She turned back, her eyes narrowed in acceptance of how everything had turned out. "My father wished for your secrets. He will be comforted knowing, in time, you will match the darkness of Imladris."

Swallowing heavily, Ellaire stalked past Arwen and helped Haldir mount a horse. She tried not to think about the princess' words, but they resounded in her mind. It was only minutes ago that she showed her ability to interpret the future. What if this was right as well? What if they infected Lothlorien?

Arwen's smile rested on her lips as she wad Eld Ellaire mount her horse. The smile made her even more nervous. "I should kill you for your part in this."

"You should, but you will not." Ellaire knew she was right. She hesitated to take the girl's life, though she knew not why. With a glance at Haldir, she kicked at her steed and they took off past the gates of Rivendell, towards their home.

*

TBC

Elf-Talk:
Ai. Limmidale. Rinc an nin. - Ah. You moisten. Move for me.
Tiri na nin. Tiri! - Look at me. Look!