To Tame A Fire

12. Master of Evil (1)

Heads up, the next 3 chapters are in 3 parts.

Warning: dark themes

Conscious slowly drifted back to Rhavaniel. The world around her spun as her eyes slowly opened. A steady drip of murky water dropped on her head, making her twitch at the uncomfortable feeling. She opened her eyes and wondered if she even had as dark blotches danced in her vision. Her eyes began to adjust, but and the dim light of a torch floated before her line of sight.

Her limbs were no longer tied for reasons she knew not, and she sprung up abruptly. Her mind raced to Legolas, and her eyes shot in every direction for a sign of him. Soon, she spotted him and a gasp flew from her lips.

He lay in a lifeless heap on the cold floor, his golden hair slung over his face. Blood seeped from his shoulder and side, staining his clothes crimson.

Rushing over to him, Rhavaniel fell to her knees and swiped the hair from his face to see his eyes closed. Her hands frantically ran over his body, inspecting his injuries. The arrows thankfully missed his vital organs and she breathed a sigh. The arrow in his side was still embedded into him, and she shuddered at what she knew she had to do. "Hold on, Legolas," her shaky voice whispered. Grasping the arrow shaft, she pulled it free and placed her other hand over his mouth to quiet the scream she knew would follow. She threw the arrow away in disgust. Removing her hand, she softly spoke to a half-conscious Legolas, letting him know it was only her. He was bleeding too fast, and her hands flew to her pack which she thanked the Valar she still hand. She pulled out a thick cloth and pressed it to his side and shoulder. "Hold still," she said. "The wound in your side isn't deep."

Legolas nodded and bit back a cry of pain. They were alone in this cell for who knew how long, and he was grateful for it. Though the orcs were not in sight, he could still sense their foul presence and hear their echoing laughter. He watched as Rhavaniel battled with stopping his bleeding, and his own eyes ran over her for any injuries. "Rhavaniel, are you hurt?" His eyes searched hers for any hint of certainty.

She shook her head. "That would be you, Legolas," she lifted his shirt and applied a salve then began wrapping his torso. Were it a different situation she would have admired his skin, but there was no time for that. She did the same to his shoulder and sighed in relief to see his bleeding subsiding.

"Thank you," Legolas whispered, and Rhavaniel simply nodded.

Both elves turned their eyes to the surroundings, praying to find any means of escape.

The cell was dim, the only source of light was the torches in the hall. No windows could be seen, and if there was they would be useless; no natural light ever came to this place. The elves had no way to discern how much time had passed or even if it was night or day. Darkness so heavy weighed at their hearts and slowly ate away their strength. Streeks of blood stained the halls; a mere witness of the long-lived horrors in this place and both elves couldn't hide the shudder as they surveyed it all.

Legolas' hand grasped Rhavaniel's, and his heart tore at the fear in her eyes. "I won't let them hurt you, Rhavaniel."

"Do not sacrifice yourself for me," she murmured. She didn't want to think about what would happen to them here. Most of all, she feared losing him; the one who gave her hope.

"I will do what I must," he replied.

"Not alone."

Legolas lifted his head. Though his eyes clouded with exhaustion, a gleam of admiration crossed them as he gazed at her. He began to understand her and see her with a new light. He reached out his hand and wiped a tear that escaped Rhavaniel's emerald eye. They held each other's eyes and for a moment, everything was beautiful.

Crash!

Legolas and Rhavaniel visibly flinched as the heavily barred door swung open, banging onto the wall carelessly, revealing an orc. The twisted creature strode towards them, and Legolas blocked the orc's path from Rhaveniel.

"The Master wishes to see you, elf scums," the orc's face screwed into a wide grin, revealing his rotten teeth. His smug grin grew wider at the visual tremble of fear from the typical fearless elves.

The elf's hearts skipped a beat. They were about to meet the one who poisoned their trees, drove cruel beasts into their woods to demolish the purest of lives.

When Rhavaniel's eyes met his, it was she who told him not to do anything stupid, and he nodded. Knowing he had no choice, he didn't fight as the orc grabbed Legolas, another strode into the cell to grab Rhavaniel, and together they were dragged deeper into the fortress.

As they were shoved into a vast room whose walls were nothing but crumpled remains, an invisible force of evil seemed to strike them in the face. The overwhelming feeling of deep despair seemed to be rooted in this very place as if the whole mood of this fortress was planted here. Both elves felt an involuntary shudder run through them as they dissected each inch of the area.  The whole place was like a tomb; a never-ending sea of death and darkness that struck fear into even the bravest of hearts.

There were a few orcish guards standing by what seemed to Rhavaniel a throne. Looking closer, out of the mist she spotted what seemed to be a man. His back was turned, and he stood so still she could have sworn it was a stone statue, till he moved his head to glance behind his shoulder. She was met with a pair of black eyes so dark it seemed as though she stared into an empty hole of a bottomless pit. He turned, and her heart raced like a thousand chariots.

Hair black as the night's sky ran past his shoulders, hanging over a pale, lifeless face. Dead black eyes, set gracefully within their sockets, scanning his next victims.
His was strangely beautiful despite the many scars plastered on his face. The only bright item on his profile was a small silver necklace.

There was no denying his race no matter how much they didn't want to believe it.

A gust of wind blew the hair back from his shoulders revealing a delicately pointed ear.

Word Count:1,116