Fan Fiction ❯ The Sorrows of Tomorrow ❯ Tormenting Thoughts ( Chapter 16 )

Title: The Sorrows of Tomorrow

Summary: Trouble brews deep in the heart of Mirkwood and Rhun the darkness thickens. Friends will be pitted against each other and only hope can save them.

Warning: Uh some blood and other minor violence in here so beware

Chapter 16: Tormenting Thoughts

Serutia let out a happy chuckle as she leaned on the oak desk in her study. All her plans were coming together and her revenge was well underway. She had the prince and now the king of Mirkwood. Both of them would suffer terribly and feel the pain she had felt all theses years. Thranduil would pay dearly for his crimes and her father's soul could finally rest in peace. Another laugh escaped her and she glanced at her companion. The wizard was drinking his tea calmly and yet looked preoccupied.

"What is wrong my friend?"

Jerking out of his thoughts, the wizard glanced at her and shook his head.

"Nothing my dear. Just thinking about the days events that you have planned for today. "

She looked at him skeptically for a moment and shrugged. Wizards were a secretive lot and weren't known to tell you what they were thinking. Honestly she could careless what he was thinking as long as he didn't interfere with her plans.

"Keep you secrets then my friend, they do not concern me."

The wizard nodded his head and glanced back at his tea. He did not want to tell her that someone or something was messing with the barrier around Rhun forest. And that someone felt oddly familiar and he was wary. Perhaps he should send some of his servants to find out and report back. If it was who he think it was, then it was time for him to make a prompt exit. It wouldn't bode well for him to be seen right now and would raise some questions he did not want to answer. He had already done what his master had wished and his mission was now complete. Whatever happened after was not his concern and he had only stayed for the entertainment.

A knock at the door had both of them looking towards it and it opened. Feun stepped inside and bowed.

"All is ready for the entertainment my lady."

Serutia smiled in satisfaction and stood up. "Then send for Legolas and Selamant. And now I think I will go and get our guest of honor."

~

It was mostly silent throughout the elvish camp except for the low chants of Mithrandir nearby. Telindel sat on his bedroll and watched the Ishtar. He could only hope that Mithrandir would some how find away to get through that barrier. Once that was done they could hopefully find there liege and his son, and free them. Although he doubted it would be that easy and there would be some peril. Known of them knew who they were up against or how many enemies existed in Rhun. The longer he thought about the more hopeless his thoughts became. For all he knew the king could already be dead and there was nothing left to save. Letting out a sigh of misery, he clasped his chin in one hand and stared at the ground.

"Your thoughts seemed troubled my friend." Elrond commented thoughtfully. He watched the other elf flinch and smiled. Judging from the captain's expression, he must have been thinking deeply in order to not have heard him coming. Telindel expression had looked very unhappy and he decided to check on him. It wouldn't do any of the Mirkwood elves good to see one of there captains unsure and hopeless. They all need to be strong in order to face the tasks ahead and of course their enemy.

"I just fear for my king and prince, my lord." Telindel plucked at his bedroll nervously. "What if we do not make it in time and they are already dead?"

Elrond placed a comforting hand on the elf's shoulder. "We will make it in time if we do not give into despair and hope for the best. That is all anyone can do in situations like theses."

Telindel let out a sigh and shook his head. "I wish I had your faith my lord and hope that you are right. If not then I will have to return to Mirkwood and tell my people that our king and prince are dead."

Elrond could tell that no matter what he said, Telindel still would not believe him. The elf had already lost hope and no words could help him. He decided to leave the captain to his thoughts and walked over to the horses. Standing next to his mount, he leaned against stallion and stroked his mane. Two Mirkwood elves came from the camp and stopped in front of him.

"Do not let his despair get to you lord Elrond. He feels responsible for letting Legolas go off alone and getting captured in the first place." Yeldena smiled at him in sympathy and glanced at her companion. "

Esendal shrugged and rolled his eyes. "Which makes no sense to me, when our captain knows how Legolas likes to wander off on his own of late."

Yeldena nodded in agreement. "Legolas still feels guilty for Estel's death and never finding his body. I think during his time alone he still mourns for your son's death."

Elrond looked at them in surprise. "I did not know of this."

"Not many do my lord." Esendal said quietly. "Only those close to him and of course the king."

"Ada!"

Hearing the happy shout the three elves turned around and looked. Elrond saw his eldest running towards them and smiled. Elladan had an excited look on his face and was waving wildly.

"You must come quick Mithrandir has found a way through the barrier!"

"Thank Ilúvatar." Yeldena whispered.

Elrond quickly followed his son and came to quiet a sight. Mithrandir was leaning on hi staff looking at the barrier while Elrohir and the Lorien elves stood next to him.

The Ishtar turned at hearing them and smiled. He motioned to the barrier and a huge hole was behind him.

"I decided not to take the whole barrier down or else that would have alerted our enemies inside. I will tear the whole thing down once we are through with Rhun so no other enemies can use it."

"That was a wise decision Mithrandir." Elrohir grinned evilly. "Our enemies will not know what hit them."

Elrond turned around and gazed at the other elves. They were all standing to attention and had hope gleaming in there eyes. Looking at Telindel, he nodded at the elf and the other captain.

"Ready your men we leave right at this moment! Leave a few behind to guard the horses the rest will come with me!"

The other elves scrambled to comply and Elrond turned back to his companions.

Haldir smiled grimly at Elrond. "My brothers and I will take a few elves and scout ahead. That way we will know what is going on and report back to you."

"We will accompany you March warden." Yeldena and Esendal walked towards them.

"As will we." The twins said in unison.

Elrond nodded. "We will follow you as soon as we are ready then. May Ilúvatar guard you and keep you safe."

Haldir and the others nodded and then rushed through the barrier. Elrond continued to watch them until they finally vanished into the Rhun forest.

Telindel stood before him and bowed. "We are ready my lord. And I wish to apologize for my despair."

"No need my friend." Elrond smiled at him. "Now let us go and free our comrades."

~

Footsteps nearby made the elf groan and open his green eyes. He was leaning against a cold stonewall and chains encircled his wrists. There was no furniture in the room and it reminded him of a closet. Looking down, he carefully checked himself over and grimaced. It appeared his ribs were cracked but everything else seemed fine. There was a loud clanking sound and he watched as the door opened. Serutia stepped through and so did the Uruk-hai Feun. She was grinning a bit too happily and it didn't bode well for him. The last thing he remembered was trying to attack her and then the beatings. Everything else after that was blank and he realized he must have fainted. Perhaps attacking her had been a bad idea and he cursed his short temper. Standing up, he ignored the chains and watched her warily. She looked a bit to smug to him and he did not like it.

"So Thranduil I hope you had pleasant dreams because today is the big day." Serutia said smugly.

Thranduil looked her for a moment and shrugged. He did not like that sparkle in her eyes and doubted it boded well. "I have slept better. And what big day is this?"

"Why my dear king the day of my revenge and your downfall."

He looked at her skeptically and let out a laugh. "Downfall my dear? Surely you jest."

Rage flashed in her brown eyes and then vanished. Taking a deep breath, Serutia vowed that she would not let this elf get to her. Today was hers and nothing Thranduil said would spoil it for her.

"No I do not. I will have you broken and begging me for death before this day is over."

The skeptism turned into all out anger and he hissed softly, "I would rather kiss a dwarf then beg anything from you Serutia."

"That could be arranged later my king." Serutia purred back. Motioning to Feun, she watched the king take a step back but he could not escape. The Uruk-hai grasped the king's arms and held him immobile. Walking towards the elf, she grasped his long golden hair and jerked it forward.

"This is just the first step towards your humiliation."

Pulling a knife free, she watched in satisfaction as his eyes' widened in shock as she sliced it off. The golden hair felt silky to the touch and she watched as is fell to the floor. Raising a hand she slapped the king harshly and watched as the knife sliced into his skin. Thranduil let out a hiss of pain and the blood slid down his cheek. She smiled in glee and nodded at Feun.

"Show our dear guest a taste of our hospitality won't you Feun."

The Uruk-hai let out a pleased laugh and released the elf. "With pleasure my lady."

Thranduil barely heard their words and could only gaze down at the floor. His hair had never been cut this short before and it surprised him. The strands left barely brushed his chin and a few stuck to the wound on his cheek. The cut on his cheek stung and he could feel the blood dripping off his chin. Looking back up at the she-elf, he smiled grimly and his green eyes glowed with promised vengeance.

"Know this she-elf if I ever get free I will make you pay twice fold for what you have done to me and my own."

Serutia was not too surprised to hear those words and was wary. She knew that what the king swore he would usually carry out. A sliver of fear flashed in her brown eyes and she brushed it aside. Thranduil would never get free and only way he could would be through death.

"I doubt that will ever happen Thranduil and now Feun if you please."

The first blow slammed into his already cracked ribs and he let out a gasp. It was excruciating and he wanted to scream. More blows followed and a few more ribs were cracked. He began to cough up blood and spat it at the she-elf's feet. Serutia let out an angry shout and Feun tried not to snicker. It was a short lived satisfaction for Thranduil as the Uruk-hai began to beat him even worse then before.

Serutia watched in satisfaction and smiled. This would teach this proud wretch to spit blood at her and to guard his tongue. Waiting a few more minutes, she watched the king's body sag and nodded at the Uruk-hai.

"Enough Feun. We don't want him to out of it before the entertainment now do we."

Feun grunted and unlocked the chains from the wall. It was fun beating the elf and he would get to do it some more in a bit. Turning around, he followed Serutia out of the cell and dragged the elf with the chains. They soon appeared outside and could see everyone was waiting. Jerking the elf forward, he watched in satisfaction as he fell to his knees and Serutia grabbed his hair.

Thranduil gritted his teeth as he felt his hair being jerked and blinked dazedly. When his vision cleared for a moment he wished it was all a dream and he was back in Mirkwood. His son was only a few feet away and was being held by Estel. The tormented and sad look his son was giving him made his heartache. He cursed the horrible situation they were in and promised once more that if he ever got free that she-elf would pay. Glancing at the mortal he was surprised to see guilt shining in those silver orbs but before he could ponder that, Serutia jerked his hair again.

"Now who is up for a little torture entertainment?" Serutia cried happily.

Hearing those words, Thranduil knew things were going to get steadily worse from here on out. His chains were jerked once more and he was forced to follow Feun. He tried to struggle free but Feun just laughed, and dragged him along. His chains were attached between two wooden poles and two Orcs began to pull on them. Thranduil stumbled towards the poles and was suspended between them. His feet barely touched the ground and he could feel his ribs twinge in agony.

Feun stood a few feet away and was regarding the elf smugly. "Well sire it looks like the fun is about to begin once more. Perhaps if you beg then I will not beat you to hard."

Thranduil looked at him skeptically and laughed. "I would be a fool to believe the words of a brutish pig!"

Laughter echoed throughout the crowd and Feun smirked. "Very well then your highness but I did warn you."

Walking behind the king, Feun accepted the whip from one of the human's and looked at Serutia for permission. The lady inclined her head and he smiled. Cracking the whip on the ground, he brought it back and then forward.

Thranduil hissed when the whip hit his back but refused to cry out. It rained down several times and with each lash and it felt like his back was on fire. He could hear Legolas yelling angrily and closed his eyes. His son shouldn't have been here and especially not force to see this. Rage briefly flashed in his green eyes and he held onto it. That was the only thing keeping him from screaming and his son. He would not give these fiends the satisfaction and would not make his son feel any guiltier.

"Enough Feun!"

Blinking the sweat from his eyes, Thranduil saw Serutia standing in front of him. She was not looking to please and he smiled at her in satisfaction.

"You will never break me Serutia and this surely will not do it."

Serutia smiled at him smugly and looked over his shoulder. "Then maybe we should punish Legolas instead then my king. I am sure that is the perfect way to break you."

"No!" Thranduil shouted angrily. He struggled against his chains but couldn't get free. Serutia laughed at him mockingly and he snarled.

"Bring me the elf prince!"

~

The scouting party rushed through the trees and dispatched a few Orcs. Haldir leaned against one of the trees and looked around. So far it looked like there were not many Orcs patrolling the forest and that made it easy for them. What worried him though was why there were so few patrols out and where the enemy was at.

"Haldir." Orophin hissed quietly.

Looking over at his brother, he noticed that Rumil was waving him over. Haldir quickly hurried over and was soon beside his youngest brother.

"What is it Rumil."

Rumil looked at him grimly. "I think we have found out where everyone is at. "

Elrohir was shoving a human towards them and Yeldena covered him with her bow.

Esendal glared at the human. "This is the man who helped our king enter here."

"And this thug says that Thranduil is at there encampment." Elladan growled angrily.

Haldir smiled coldly at the man and watched him tremble in fear. Stalking forward, he grasped the man's tunic and shoved him into a tree. "If you value your life you will tell us all you know or else I will turn you over to the Mirkwood elves. And let me tell you they are not in a good mood."

The man glanced at all the elves and cringed in fear. In a matter of minutes he had spilled everything and all whereabouts of their patrols. Trussing the human up they left him and Haldir looked at his companions.

"Elladan and Elrohir report back to Elrond and tell him were to meet us. The rest of you come with me, we must dispatch any would be patrols and then join up with them."

The twins nodded and disappeared into the trees. Looking at his group, he nodded and smiled grimly.

"Let's go hunt some Yrch's."

~

TBC

A/N: As you can tell the torment of Thranduil starts differently here then the last chapter. Decided I wanted to show his side of what was going on and the next chapter show's Legolas's. Also Elrond and everyone else is coming to them around that time as well. Uh hope didn't throw anyone off.