Take My Hand

Title: Take My Hand part 8
Author: Noelwing
Pairing: Legolas/Haldir
Genre: AU
Rating: R
Warnings: This chapter contains violence
Disclaimer: Everything in the realm of middle-earth belong to Tolkien and are only being borrowed for this fic-any other characters are property of the author. /Words/ denotes thoughts. Well, here we are folks, part eight. I would like to thank all the people who have taken the time to read this fic, I am glad you all enjoy it. So have fun with this next part. As always, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to send them my way.
Noelwing@aol.com

Take My Hand Part 8: Retribution

Celeborn gripped the reigns of his horse tighter. “Galadriel,” he cried, “please slow down I don’t want to lose sight of you!” Thranduil tried to match her pace as well but was no match. He had heard many a tale about the endurance and the determination of the lady of the wood but now that he was seeing it for himself; the tales did her little justice.

Galadriel heard the cries of her husband and could feel the concern of the others but her instincts cancelled all logic. Her heart beat with anticipation; it told her that something was very near. She spurred her horse to go faster. /I feel something here, I must hurry/ Sure enough, something was there waiting to be found. Her elven ears picked up the neighing of a horse but it was not her own nor one behind; it came from up ahead.

Thranduil was as nervous as Celeborn was when Galadriel dropped out of sight but it was only for an instant. When she came into view not only had she dismounted but she was with another horse besides her own. Rumil was the first to recognize the abandoned horse as Haldir’s. With racing hearts, Thranduil, the two brothers and Celeborn began scanning the area and calling to their lost quarry. But it soon became clear to them that Haldir and Legolas were no where to be found.

Rumil fell to his knees and slammed his fist into the ground. “I thought we were so close to finding him!” Orophin dove to embrace his brother who was now sobbing uncontrollably. Both Rumil and Orophin had never been away from there big brother for so long.

Galadriel approached the abandoned horse. The poor animal, having nothing but the grass and weeds of the surrounding area to eat, was thin and depressed. The elves weren’t the only ones missing Legolas and Haldir. The horse still had its saddle and tack on it and the equipment was worn out due to weeks of exposure. Galadriel was surprised the animal was still in the area even after all this time, but then again, one could depend on the loyalty of a horse if nothing else. But why was it alone?

“Celeborn look at this.” Galadriel notice something about the horse’s front, right foot; it was wrapped up in a bandage.

Celeborn came as bidden and was previewed to the same discovery Galadriel had made. “Do you think that maybe Haldir left the horse behind intentionally, intending to come back for it with aid from Mirkwood?”

“I suppose it’s possible,” Said Orophin, “But Haldir loves his horse he wouldn’t leave it behind lightly.” Orophin petted the horse’s head and the horse, in turn, nudged the worried elf with its snout. Orophin hugged the animal’s head, assuring the horse that it would be alright now and to sweeten the promise; handed over some lembas bread which the horse gladly accepted.

Thranduil and his brethren began scouting the area, but after weeks of natural exposure, there was not much of a trail left to find. But both groups of elves wanted to find there missing loved ones, they couldn’t give up. So, they set themselves to find what ever clue they could even if it meant they had to check down the last blade of grass.

Galadriel began to wander off in one direction, trusting to fate that something would happen. She listened to her instincts and trusted in her faith. Celeborn followed at her side, ready to help her the moment she requested. The couple walked and walked until Galadriel stopped in front of a patch of grass and forest debris.

Celeborn was puzzled; this area looked innocent enough. He was about to insist that they move on when Galadriel suddenly stopped him. “Don’t go any further.” Her instincts told her that danger was very near.

“Galadriel, what is it?” Celeborn asked while he watched his wife scan the area; she seemed to be looking for something. Suddenly, the lady, with some effort, lifted a large rock from the ground and then, with all her might, heaved the large rock at the area in front of them. Celeborn’s temporary exasperation was wiped out when the large stone was suddenly swallowed by the earth. The stone had fallen into a hole in the ground that was being camouflaged by twigs and debris.

“By the Valar, a trap…oh no, Galadriel, you do not think that-“

“I fear so.-“

“But how can you be sure?” Rumil asked in a panic. The poor elf was in a fluster of worry over the unbelievable fate of his brother.

Galadriel knelt down and touched the ground with her hand. “I can feel it, the emotional imprint left upon the earth.” She had to brace herself as the emotional imprints took shape in her mind. She saw Legolas fall into the trap, heard his cry of fear. She saw Haldir come rushing to aid the fallen prince and could feel the ominous presence of an enemy. The last thing she could feel was a blinding pain mixed with utter terror.

“Legolas fell, Haldir tried to help…Haldir was attacked.” Galadriel said as she removed her hand from the ground.

“And Legolas, what of my son?” Thranduil said, his voice shaking with fear and apprehension. Rumil and Orophin stood by, just as anxious as the woodland king. But the grim look upon the lady’s face said it all; both Legolas and Haldir had been taken prisoner. But by whom and why, she did not know.

“We re not defeated yet,” Celeborn proclaimed, “Fan out and begin looking for any signs of a trail. Whoever constructed this trap would surely not neglect it for too long.”

All the elves, both Mirkwood and Lorien alike, began searching the area around the trap praying to the Valar that they would find something. It was a few minutes before the group had proof that the Valar were with them; one of Thranduil’s troops found a trail of footprints and recent ones at that.

“These tracks were made by a man, two days, maybe three at the least.” The troop relayed to those around him.

“Can they be followed?” Celeborn asked the troop.

“It’s the break we have been looking for; we follow that trail as far as it will go!” Galadriel exclaimed. The urgency in the air had never been heavier as the party of elves mounted their horses as well as readied there weapons. Thranduil, feeling the possibility of battle ahead, released a carrier falcon. The bird carried with it a message that it was to bear to Thranduil’s other regiment being led by his other son, Elgalad. The message contained the coordinates of Thranduil’s current location and instructions. Elgalad and his troops were to go to the designated coordinates and follow the trail that he and Celeborn’s party would leave for them. With any luck, they would rendezvous in time to help face what ever lay ahead of them.

*********

Sari shuffled about lighting candles to better light the cave he now waited in. Brodda had left to venture outside the mine to find more herbs and other kinds of flora to make his potions and salves. Rune was on duty and so the responsibility of guarding the now confirmed elf prince fell to Sari. So far, his watch had been uneventful and the elf slept quietly.

The elf lay upon a bedding of animal pelts and was blanketed with one of Brodda’s own quilts. Sari was a little confused at how gingerly Brodda had been treating the elf. Brodda had forgone his rest and instead, had seen to the task of caring for the elf. Brodda had cleaned and bandaged the elf’s wounds and had even gone as far as to change the elf into a sleeping garment. Sari took in the results of Brodda’s labor and had to admit that his leader had spared nothing in the treatment of the elf.

Legolas had been able to feel the looming presence for some time but was content to ignore it. His sense of smell told him that the person hovering over him wasn’t Brodda and it certainly wasn’t Nanook. After a few more minutes, Legolas was unable to remain comfortable. He didn’t feel threatened by the person near by, he actually felt annoyed. Would this person not leave and let him rest? Suddenly, there was a sharp tug on his hair; this was the last straw.

Sari tugged playfully on a lock of the elf’s blond hair when he felt a hand grip his wrist. Sari gasped and released the hair. The elf’s grip surprised him it was only another minute before the elf’s hand relaxed and fell back down to his side.

Legolas’ mind reeled with dizziness and his body felt as though it were weighed by heavy stones. His stomach churned and he moaned his discomfort.

“You shouldn’t try to move so much,” Sari said in response to the elf’s contorting features. The elf continued to squirm. “I’m serious elf. If you vomit I’m not cleaning it up.” The elf stopped moving all together. “There, that’s much better.” Sari once again began to tug on the elf’s hair.

Legolas tried to turn his head away but it was no use; the annoying human simply found another strand of hair and pulled. Legolas grunted pathetically. With all he had been through in the last several hours he was in no mood to play games let alone have his hair pulled. “St…Stop...that.” Once again, Legolas was hit by another bout of nausea.

“Here, drink this.” Legolas didn’t have time to protest, his head was tilted up and a cup was shoved at his lips. His mouth opened on its own accord and accepted the water. Immediately, Legolas could tell that the water had been treated with something for the water had an odd after taste. But the wants of his thirsty body won and he swallowed every drop offered.

Sari watched as the elf drank. It was something Brodda had left behind for him to give to the elf in case he woke. “Brodda really is sparing nothing when it comes to you.” He pulled the cup away and placed it elsewhere. “That water was treated with a potion; I think it will help your wounds heal a bit faster.” Sari once again began to tug on a lock of hair. “Brodda even went as far as to brush your hair.” He gave the lock of hair another yank.

“Are…you always this…annoying?” Legolas had to hold his breath to keep the nausea from sneaking up on him again.

Sari, when seeing a pair of very annoyed looking eyes, released the hair. “Well pardon me but I just can’t help myself.” Sari went from pulling hair to investigating Legolas’ pointed ears. “I mean, you are after all, a real live elf.” He continued examining the elf’s facial features (currently excusing the exasperated expression). “Even among my own people, your kind has inspired myth and legend for ages. But I have to admit, you do not look that extraordinary.”

“Sorry to disappoint you.” Legolas wanted nothing more than to fall back into what ever reverie he was in before being annoyed back into consciousness.

Sari was not at all alarmed when the life from the elf faded yet again. Brodda told him that the drugs he had used would stay in affect for some time to come. So there was no need to worry about if the elf regained consciousness.

/If Brodda’s plan works, this elf could shift the grievances between Gondor into the favor of the Easterlings. I really can’t believe that this frail looking creature really holds that much possibility/

“What’s your name?”

Sari startled for a minute, then realized the elf was asking him a question. “Oh, my name is Sari. Brodda tells me that your name is Leglas, no wait Lego…”

“My name is Legolas; please try to get it right.”

“Legolas…Legolas, does that mean anything in the elven speech.”

“It means green leaf. Green leaf is my name as well as my title among my kin.” Legolas’ heart constricted. He remembered asking his father why he was endowed with the name of Green leaf. His father answered by telling him how on the day of his birth he was placed in a crib on the balcony of his mother’s room. They were still debating on what they would name there new son when the wind began to blow. A green leaf carried by the wind, suddenly fell from the sky and landed in the crib. Mother Nature had provided the answer for the two elven parents.

Legolas sighed mournfully; would he ever see his family again?

“You know, when Rune and I caught you, well, you and your friend to be correct, I never would’ve thought you were elven royalty-“

“Is that right?” A boisterous, but deadly familiar voice proclaimed. Both Sari and Legolas paled; the voice belonged to none other than Nanook.

“Nanook, what the hell are you doing here?” Sari instantly went on guard; how did Nanook even know how to find this cavern.

Nanook crossed his arms over his chest. “Honestly, did you think I didn’t know about my brother’s little hide away.” Nanook advanced menacingly towards Sari, all the while; he stared at the elf with a sickening gleam in his eye.

Legolas tried to remain still but he couldn’t keep himself from shaking. His fingers clutched the edges of the fur pelt that covered him; he wished he could disappear into the blanket.

“So this elf is royalty among his people.” Nanook saw the elf recoil with fear; it pleased him. “That’s interesting.”

“Nanook, you stay away from him.” Sari pulled the knife from his belt and stood defensively between Nanook and the incapacitated elf. Brodda had asked him to watch over the elf and he would do whatever his leader asked; even if it meant endangering his own life.

Nanook laughed at the sight before him. So the foolish soldier wished to challenge him in the defense of the helpless captive. “This is very interesting.”

********

Brodda walked through the winding tunnels carrying along a basket filled with herbs he had collected. It had felt good to be outside of the mine’s confining walls and caverns. Normally Brodda would’ve spent as much time as he liked on the outside but a terrible feeling compelled him to return to the elf’s side. As he passed deeper into the mine and closer to his lab, his stride broke into a run. Finally he arrived at the entrance of his lab; gathering his wits about him, he entered the cave.

Brodda’s heart leapt into his throat at the sight before him. The basket of herbs fell from his hand to the ground scattering its contents. The cave was completely ransacked. Every where parchment scrolls were strewn about, his potion bottles lay shattered and what furniture there was had been overturned. Worse yet, the bed, where Legolas had been, was empty.

“Brodda.” At hearing his name, Brodda turned to see Rune’s face, his tear stained face. In his arms lay Sari’s beaten body.

Forgetting all else, Brodda rushed to the aid of his friend. He squeezed Sari’s wrist to find a pulse. “He still has a pulse; there might still be hope for him. Help me get him to the table.” Rune complied instantly and as gently as possible, the two men lifted there stricken friend to the examining table.

Brodda searched, frantically, through the remnants of his herb and bandage stores. His heart raced with urgency and his muscles tightened with frustration. Time was of the essence but it was impossible for Brodda to find exactly what he needed with all his supplies strewn about.

“I don’t know what happened here,” Rune said as he began to tear away Sari’s bloodied shirt. “I left duty to check on him and I…everything was…oh Brodda please hurry.” More tears began to pour from Rune’s eyes when he saw the condition Sari was truly in. Not only was he beaten but he had sustained several stab wounds.

Brodda came over and was just as shocked to see the state of his friend. Sari had two stab wounds in his abdomen and was loosing blood quickly. Brodda felt like he couldn’t breathe; his thoughts were a flutter and his hands shook furiously. Brodda pressed his shaking hands to Sari’s wounds and tried to cover them as much as possible. He truly had no idea where to begin other than to try and stop the Sari from losing any more blood.

“My…lord…” A labored voice whispered.

Brodda jumped at the feel of a cold hand upon his own. He looked to see that Sari’s eyes were open. They were filled with pain of both body and spirit. “Why do you look so sad my friend?” He said to Sari.

“My lord, please…forgive me…I didn’t mean to…” Sari cringed as a wave of pain washed over him.

“Forgive, what do you mean?”

“Nanook knows…and it’s my entire fault.” Sari tried to breathe but suddenly choked. He coughed and up the blood that threatened to block his airway. “I tried to stop him but I couldn’t…he took Legolas.” Tears began to fill the corners of Sari’s eyes. “I failed you, my prince.”

Brodda felt like his heart would drown in the emotions that were flooding his entire being. He couldn’t stand to hear Sari apologize to him like this. “No Sari, please don’t think that. You haven’t failed me, you could never…” Sari tried to respond but only released another, strangled, cough. “No, don’t speak; you have to save your strength. I’m…I’m going to take care of you.”

Rune grasped Sari’s other hand. “That’s right, don’t you worry about anything. Just let Brodda help you.” Rune’s voice choked with sobs.

Sari looked upon his lord and friend. His vision was beginning to get dark and the only warmth he could feel was coming from the hands that held his own. He could hear there cries and feel there desire for him to stay with them but could not oblige. What had started as a faint cry in the back of his head had turned into a mighty cry; his ancestors were calling his name. But there was one last thing he wanted before he left to join them.

“Brodda…Rune…”

Both men leaned in closer to hear Sari’s quiet voice.

“Knowing you two…has been my honor…and joy.” His eyes closed and he gave what was to be his last smile. “I shall miss you…” The smile faded from his lips and his last breath went from his lips just like his soul left his body.

“No Sari, please come back.” Rune cried as he pulled Sari’s body to him. He began to rock back and fourth and did nothing to control his racking sobs. Brodda removed his hands from Sari’s wounds. They were covered in the blood of his departed friend but he did nothing to clean them. Instead he laid his head on Rune’s shoulder and joined in his grieving. All he wanted to do was grieve and pray that Sari’s soul made it safely to the other side.

*********

Legolas leaned against the wall of the cave where Nanook had dropped him. He could feel the eyes of the man upon him and was grateful for the concealing garment Brodda had dressed him in. But in all honesty, he wondered in fear how long it would be before the garment was torn away from his body. Legolas cringed from the bodily memory of what happened to him the last time he found himself in this chamber. He pulled his knees to his chest and hid his face. He didn’t want Nanook to see the fear he was sure the man already sensed.

Nanook eyed the elf cowering on the floor of his chambers. It was strangely fascinating, the creature lying before him was a prince among his kind. Such a thing would’ve been laughable upon first glance but the more Nanook thought about it the more things began to make sense to him. He began to understand Brodda’s frequent disappearances and secretive behavior over the last several weeks. He was preparing for an opportunity to test his theory. Nanook wondered just how long Brodda had suspected the elf’s true identity.

“So you are a prince among your kind,” Nanook said as he kneeled down in front of the elf. He reached out and grasped one of the elf’s hands. “I wonder what Brodda must’ve been thinking,” He began to stroke the elf’s hand. ”Leaving such valuable bounty behind and in the protection of an idiot like Sari.”

Legolas cursed Nanook and his words; he was nothing but a bloody murderer. “You filth…” he choked. “Sari…was trying to protect me and you…you murdered him.” Legolas looked Nanook poisonously in the eyes. “You’re nothing but a dirty killer!”

Nanook seized him by the shoulders and shoved him to the ground. “Insolent whelp, you dare to insult your master.” He fisted his hand in the elf’s hair. “I don’t know what plans Brodda had in mind for you but they will work to no avail now.” He lowered his face to the elf’s neck and inhaled the scent of the elf’s fear and contempt. “You are mine now.”

Legolas gasped out loud when he felt the man’s tongue snake over his neck. It was an action that, apparently, pleased Nanook. Satisfied, the man Lifted Legolas back up against the wall and then stood arrogantly over him. “You are mine to do with as I please elf, do not forget that. Brodda may have pampered you but I think you will find that I am quite different. I am not foolish like him.”

“Brodda is far more superior than you could ever hope to be-“A mighty force collided with the side of his face with a momentum that sent him plummeting to the ground. The taste of blood filled his mouth and the earth rushed to meet his face. White spots danced before his eyes which were quickly smothered in the darkness.

Nanook’s leg tingled as a result of his sudden kick he delivered to the elf’s face. “Don’t you ever, ever insult me again!” His words dripped with venom as he watched the elf twitch for a few seconds before falling limp. A few ruby red drops of bloods fell from the elf’s lips to the ground.

The sound of someone clearing his throat directed Nanook’s attentions to the entrance of his chamber. There stood a, rather perplexed looking, guard.

“Yes, what is it?” Nanook snapped; irritation still boiling in his blood.

The guard had entered the chamber to see his lord standing over the form of the battered elf. “Oh it’s you, do you have what I requested?”

The guard diverted his gaze form the twitching elf to his lord. “Yes Lord Nanook, I have the shackles here,” The guard said as he presented his lord with a homely bag. Nanook took the bag and removed its contents. In his hand he held a pair of ankle shackles. Wasting no time, he knelt down and set to the task of binding the elf’s feet.

“There, he won’t be going anywhere.” Nanook stood back admiring his handiwork. “Now that this is taken care of how is everything in the fight grotto?”

“Everything is in order; the men are waiting for you. It seems as though they are eager for your return today.”

“Have you found Kouga yet?”

“No my lord, no one has seen him for sometime now but we are still looking.” The guard responded to the out of the blue question.

Nanook allowed just the slightest cloud of concern to crawl into his being. It wasn’t like Kouga to miss out on a good fight or a good chance to win money. But Nanook pushed the feeling aside just as quickly as it had come. Today was his day; the day he returned to the fight ring and avenged himself by beating whatever was left of the one who had humiliated him weeks before.

“If Kouga misses this fight it’s his own damn fault.” He spared Legolas one last glance. /He won’t be going anywhere, I doubt if Brodda will even come for him if he really does have a funeral to prepare for/ Feeling confident that his prize wasn’t going anywhere, Nanook proudly marched out of his chambers with the guard in tow.

Legolas lay upon the cold earth. His head felt like it was splitting in two and the cold metal of the shackles bit into the flesh of his ankles. Every motion, even the slightest twitch, sent needles of pain into every part of his body.

“Haldir.” He whispered into the darkness.

********

Turin squeezed his right fist into the palm of his left hand but it didn’t have the desired effect. There was a tension in the air the likes of which had never existed before. All the other fighters felt it too as they anxiously waited to be led out to the fight ring. Even as they waited they could here the boisterous chanting of the Easterlings out in the main chamber; they were louder than ever. Turin knew in his gut that it could mean only one thing; Nanook had returned.

Turin turned his gaze to Haldir and his anxiety increased. Haldir sat numbly on a rock and seemed to pay no attention to the surrounding reality; he had been in this trance for sometime, all the while, clutching that same piece of fabric. /He’s been that way since yesterday/ Turin thought despairingly. /If he doesn’t snap out of it soon he won’t last long in a match/

“Alright you scoundrels, time to get out there!” Announced one of the overseers whose voice was more like the kiss of death as far as Turin was concerned. As the men were being ushered out, Turin went to Haldir. “Haldir, do you hear me? The guards are here you have to come to your senses.” Pleaded the young man but the elf’s eyes remained a blur.

“You two, enough lagging and get out there now!” The overseer barked.

Turin literally had to pull Haldir to his feet. “Haldir, I know you are worried about your friend but you have to get moving,” Said Turin as he pushed on the elf’s back to get him moving. Turin seriously doubted Haldir would be able to fight today. Even so, he knew the Easterlings wouldn’t care.

Turin grabbed Haldir by the collar of his tattered, dirty tunic. “Haldir listen to me, you have got to snap out of it. These men will beat you to nothing if you don’t wake up; what good are you to your friend if you are dead?” Haldir blinked and an air of sense came back into his eyes.

“That’s it; if you want to be able to help your friend you have to stay alive.” Haldir nodded numbly and headed out with the others. As he left, he tucked the piece of fabric back into his tunic.

Turin was not far behind. Haldir was the first person to give him hope in a very long time and Turin was determined to repay the favor.

********
Nanook could feel the excitement that was in the air on this particular day. He had to admit that he had missed the sport that was to be had by him and his comrades yet, his mind was else where. /Brodda, just what were you going to do with an elf prince anyway? What goal did you have in mind/. Then, the answer came to him plain and simple. /Of course, that elf would be your passage out of here, wouldn’t he little brother. And not just that, his kingdom would most likely pay handsomely to have him returned alive. Indeed, his ransom could pay for the entire war campaign thus solving many problems for the empire and making you a hero/ “That elf is nothing less but everything you have ever wanted.”

“My lord,” said one of the men. “We are bringing the prisoners out now. I think you will be happy to know that the elf has survived long enough for a rematch.” Nanook nodded his acknowledgement and sent the troop on his way and promptly dove back into his thoughts. /You certainly went to great lengths to keep the elf prince all to yourself didn’t you? I’ll bet you were just looking for a way to get past me, well, your efforts are worthless now, that elf and everything he is worth all belongs to me now/ Great satisfaction welled up in Nanook’s heart, there was only one more thing left for him to do now.

Despite the volunteering and pleas from the other prisoners, Haldir was still singled out in the crowd. In all honesty, Haldir was moved by the other men and how they tried to bargain with the Easterlings to let them fight instead of him. They too had come to accept that by now, Haldir would probably not last much longer. Haldir was surprised he had lasted as long as he had but now, his body was approaching its most extreme limit. Haldir’s wounds were healing slower and slower and he began to feel his life force ebb more and more. He was beginning to fade.

As he watched Nanook prepare for his return match Haldir sent a prayer to Valar. /Oh makers of the world/ he prayed. /Please forgive me. I’ve made guardianship my whole life yet I failed to protect my most important ward/ an image of Legolas appeared in his mind’s eye. It was an image of happier times when Legolas used to look at him with his eyes eager and full of light. /If I am to die here than that is how I always want to remember him, that’s the only mercy I ask/

Gathering what strength he had left, Haldir stepped into the ring, there was a tremendous roar inside the chamber when Nanook did the same. Haldir looked into the crazed, vengeful eyes as he braced himself for what could be his final battle. Nanook braced as well and with a fierce cry the fight began.

********

Brodda walked listlessly, but not aimlessly, through the tunnels of the mine. As he drew nearer to his destination the din grew evermore boisterous. /They must’ve begun already/ Brodda thought morbidly. Sure enough, when Brodda stepped out onto his preferred vantage point, he could see all that was going on. He hadn’t seen this much fervor since the very first time the elf, Haldir as Legolas identified him, fought his first match. Only this time, Brodda notice a dramatic difference, Haldir was just barely holding his own against Nanook.

/At this rate, Nanook will beat him for sure/ The thought took on morbid reality as Nanook landed a successful blow to Haldir’s face. /I came here to ask his forgiveness, Nanook will you take that from me as well/

********
Haldir took another blow to the face and stumbled to the ground. Dizziness overwhelmed him. The wails and shouts of the Easterlings pounded in his head and the calls of support from the other prisoners seemed like prayers from far away. Haldir felt like his head was splitting open and he wanted to scream. He was in so much pain; when would it be over?

Nanook casually walked up to the stricken elf. How disappointing this was; he had come prepared for the fight of his life and his opponent was barley putting up a struggle. Maybe he could rouse things up a bit. He carelessly plunged his hand and gripped the elf by the hair.

The sharp tug on Haldir’s hair caught him off guard and he cried out at the sudden pain. “You disappoint me elf, I was hoping my rematch against you would be more interesting.” Haldir’s stomach turned over at Nanook’s words.

“You scum.“ His remark was repaid by another sharp tug.

“That friend of yours spoke similar words. Such behavior is unbecoming for a prince.” Nanook reveled in the sudden shock that possessed the elf’s face. His eyes snapped open and his intake of breath was a sharp as a knife.

“Yes indeed, I know who your friend is.” Nanook tugged on Haldir’s hair and then threw him to the ground. The men who had bet on Haldir to win howled with disappointment.

Haldir pushed himself up onto his hands and knees. He tried to summon strength from inside him to get back to his feet but he couldn’t find it. A pair of arms wrapped themselves around Haldir’s neck; grasping him in a choke-hold. Nanook pulled the elf to his feet. “Brodda managed to keep your friend from me for a time but Brodda can’t protect him anymore.” Haldir struggled to draw breath but the man’s arms only tightened around his neck. He desperately clawed at Nanook’s arms but it was useless.

“Resign yourself to your fate already, you can’t protect him anymore either. You’ve failed.” Nanook squeezed his arms even tighter. “Fear not though, I assure you that your prince will not meet his end here, oh no, I have much better plans for him.“ The elf let out a choked gasp. “I will make him a treasure of my family and I assure you, he will be very valuable. When I tell my fellow lords about the delights of his body I promise you they will pay whole fortunes to know him the way I do.”

Nanook’s gloating laughter was cut short by a sudden blow to his ribs. He lost his grip on the elf and backed away. Haldir’s right arm tingled from the exertion but now he was free from the man’s grasp. Nanook was surprised by the sudden attack but recovered quickly; finally things were getting interesting. He looked at the elf who stared back it him with ferocious eyes. “Yes, that’s it; get angry.”

The elf charged him with renewed strength and Nanook just barely dodged the blow. The two fighters continued in this grim dance and Haldir could see that Nanook was thoroughly enjoying himself. Was there no end to this man’s madness? “You filth, you just said all of that to get me to fight you.” Haldir threw his fist at Nanook only to graze the side of his face.

Nanook whirled around and punched Haldir in the back. The elf growled out his pain and turned to face his opponent. “Oh no elf, I will make use of your friend one way or another. I do say though, if I knew he was the key to bring out your true fighting capability, I would’ve taken him a lot sooner.” He laughed sardonically.

Haldir roared with anger and dashed at the man so fast that he didn’t have time to escape. Nanook felt the elf’s arms close around his waist in a painfully tight grip. The din from the spectators seemed to fade to nothingness as elf’s grip squeezed the air from his lungs. Nanook actually began to regret his words.

Turin felt like he couldn’t breathe; was the person savagely attacking Nanook really the elf he had come to respect so much. Haldir pushed Nanook around the ring with a vengeance. A part of Turin took satisfaction in seeing Nanook get what was coming to him for a long time but he was worried for Haldir. Worried that Haldir might make a fatal mistake.

Haldir managed to get Nanook off his guard and grabbed him around the neck. He pulled the man into a choke-hold and didn’t plan to let go anytime soon. He paid no attention to the gasps for breath and tightened his grip every time the man attempted to struggle. There was no reaching Haldir at this point; all sense had fled from him. All he could see were images of Legolas suffering in Nanook’s arms. Every scream, every cry of pain Legolas emanated made Haldir squeeze even tighter. “You’ll never harm him again.”

A sickening cracking noise suddenly drowned out everything. The body in Haldir’s arms went limp and quickly turned cold. Haldir shook violently as he released his hold on Nanook. He watched as the man fell to the ground as loose as a rag doll; he lay cold and motionless. He was dead.

Silence filled the chamber; the reality of the situation had not set in yet. Every one stared in morbid silence as the elf fell to his knees next to Nanook’s corpse. The man’s eyes were open and blank and blood from burst vessels trickled from his gaping mouth.

“Stand aside,” Said a voice; finally breaking the silence. Brodda pushed his way through the stunned crowd and knelt beside his brother. He heard the man’s neck break, even from where he was standing but feeling for a pulse that wasn’t there gave him grim confirmation. Indeed, his brother was gone. Deftly, he reached up and closed his brother’s eye lids with his fingers.

“He’s dead.” Brodda looked at Haldir with unfocused eyes. “You killed him.”

Haldir couldn’t find his voice. He tried to speak but all that came from his lips were shaking whimpers. But what could he say anyway? There was no excuse for what he had done. He had let his rage consume him and had killed some one; he had murdered in cold blood. He was nothing, not an elf even; his heart froze at the realization that now he was no better than the man whose life he had just ended. He was a murderer.

There was a sudden roar from the crowd and several Easterlings jumped into the ring and went straight for Haldir. In a moment of fright Haldir backed away, there was no way he would be able to fight his way out of this; he was doomed for sure.

“STAND BACK!” A monstrous voice bellowed out. All the advancing men came to a halt and looked to the one who had sounded the command; it was Brodda.

“Stand back, nobody touch him.” Brodda stood tall, almost daring anyone to defy him.

“Brodda,” One of the troops said. “Your brother is dead you are in command now. By our law, you must punish the one who murdered your kin.”

“I am well aware of our laws but as you said, I am in command now.” Brodda scoffed at dynamics of the situation; were these people of really so lost without a leader? “Take this elf to the detention cells; I will decide his fate at a later time.” Brodda looked at the cowering elf but not down to him. This elf had cleared away every last obstacle in his way, Brodda was now free to do as he wished and claim what he wished.

In a way, he was very grateful to this elf and he deserved more than what the men would have done to him. But Brodda didn’t have the time to deal with him right now. He dispatched two of the troops to take Haldir away and ordered that the other fighting prisoners be put away. As for Nanook, he left him to the troops; let them arrange his funeral. Brodda had another urgent matter he needed to see to. He could only hope that Nanook had not done Legolas any further harm.

********

Haldir did nothing; he felt nothing as he was dragged away by two of the guards. Even Turin calling to him seemed more like a distant memory of a voice rather than a plea. The only thing he did hear was the words /He’s dead, you killed him/ repeating in his mind over and over again.

Upon arriving at their destination, a lowly cell block completely devoid of other occupants, Haldir was thrust inside. He land on cold, hard, damp ground but he felt no discomfort. He cared nothing for the curses that two men who had brought him here directed at him. He did nothing to stop the kicks the two men rained upon him out of vengeance for their, now vanquished, leader. Once satisfied, the men left, slamming the cell door so hard that its sound echoed tremendously in the dark cavern.

Haldir was left alone, injured and bleeding in the decrepit cell. His thoughts provided no comfort and any memories of Legolas were like vague details from a dream had long ago. /Is this it, is this the end for me/ What details he could see, began to blur; he couldn’t keep his eyes open anymore. Yes, this must be the end for him; how else could he atone for killing in cold blood then with his own life.

/Haldir, please, do not give up. I’m almost there/ A voice in his mind suddenly shouted.

/Who’s there, who’s calling me/

/Haldir, I’m going to find you, just hold on a little longer/

In the depths of Haldir’s tired soul, a light of recognition sparked. /Galadriel, is it you who’s calling me/

/Hold on, hold on a little longer/

/Galadriel, please hurry/ His soul cried before being pulled into a dark, dreamless sleep.

To be continued in part nine.

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