Their Past Will Haunt Her-Story 5 in the Blood Ser

[Meluivan Indil]

Sindarin Translations:

gwador- nin : sworn brother not of blood

Torture of Body and Mind

The orcs had drove spikes into the cave floor and tied Atavus to them laying her on her stomach. Her arms and legs were stretched as far as they would tied to the stakes. Lagush kneeled over her and used a sharp dagger to cut the back of her shirt and tunic down the middle, revealing he bare back. “Bring me water.” He ordered. Once he had the water he splashed it over her blood caked back. The blood washed off revealing clean unblemished skin. “Oh boys, we got a real treat here. She’s one of the ones that heal real fast.” Lagush crooned in delight.

Kellet looked at the woman’s back, which he knew should be covered in lash marks from the day before. “Well all be.” He was more determined than ever to win the girl back. She would be worth her weight in gold on the market. “Boys. You are in for some pain.” He said smiling evilly at the elves that his men had manacled to the cave wall. “Men do what ever you have to. I want to win this competition.”

“Yes, sir.” One of his men said driving an elbow into Elladan’s stomach.

Atavus watched as the men started beating the twins. She didn’t want to see them in pain, but her own pride would not allow her to do what they wanted of her. She was almost relieved when the orcs started her own torture. She hoped it would distract her from what the men were doing to her friends. “Let them punch and kick all they want. That’s not how you cause real pain.” The orc leader whispered into her ear. He let his knife rest on her back just above the shoulder blade. “Shocking brutal pain like they deal out lasts for only so long, and then the body becomes numb. But the thin blade slowly slicing through tender skin over and over only intensifies the pain. You don’t become numb.” He said sliding the razor sharp knife into her skin and running it down the length of her back drawing a line of blood as he went. She winced at the stinging burning pain, but did not make a sound. She wouldn’t look at the orc whose face was so close to hers. She looked instead to her friends.

Elladan and Elrohir where watching in horror as the orc began to cut Atavus. They could see the blood slowly oozing from the long gash along her back. Elrohir had just received a fist to his stomach and was having difficulty breathing. Elladan felt as if his arm was being ripped from the socket. The day before he had thought it to be dislocated after the struggle to get them into the cave, but had since realized that it was just severely wrenched, but in the position they were hanging in, it was being stretched even further. And it didn’t help that the men had landed several sound blows to the shoulder also.

The orc slid his knife back up her back drawing another line of blood. “Do you feel the pain like the rest of us? I think you do.” He whispered yet again into her ear. “Do you feel your skin parting? Do you feel the blood sliding down your back and pooling around your body? Of course you do.” He chuckled.

Atavus closed her eyes trying to block out the words and pain. But as she did she saw a woman in her mind. She was the most beautiful elf Atavus had ever seen. She had golden hair, and the bluest sapphire eyes. Those eyes looked towards her almost as if they could see her. “Why do you linger here, child?” The apparition of her mind asked.

The question took her off guard. She did not know why she was having these visions. She only knew that they threatened her very sanity. “I don’t know.” She answered honestly.

“The souls of the others fight to possess you. They wish to leave this place, and think that you can take them with you, if you go.” The Elvin woman said motioning to the apparitions that floated all around her.

That information gave her pause for a moment. She had to think through the confusing thoughts the elleth’s words installed in her. But one question thrust itself to the forefront of her mind. “Why are you not trying to possess me like them? Or are you?”

The Elvin apparition smiled at her words. “I am not like them. They are the forgotten and lost souls of those that have been tortured or killed in this cave. Their true forms have either died or been taken elsewhere, leaving a small part of their soul behind. My true form escaped their fate and is resting on the shores of Valinor. It was able to heal in the Undying Lands. It is whole, and I am but a shadow of what was left behind many years ago, only a mere thought of unimportance.”

“Why are you trying to help me?” Atavus asked the apparition.

“You are beloved by those that are most dear to me.” The apparition spoke again, and then disappeared.

Atavus opened her eyes gasping at the pain she could feel in her back. She wasn’t sure how long she had been in the vision. The orc was no longer crouched over her. He was standing face to face with the man Kellet. “No. You did not win. He only gave in to spare her.” The orc was screaming.

“He begged for mercy. That was the only stipulation.” Kellet said smugly. “She is mine again.”

Atavus looked to the twins in confusion. She could see that Elrohir was staring at his brother with a look of pity on his face. Elladan hung from the manacles with his head hanging down. His hair covered his face so she could not see his expression. “El.” She said. He did not answer. “What did you do, El?” She whispered for his ears alone.

“He did what he had to.” Elrohir answered for his brother. “You could not protect yourself, so he did.” Was the whispered answer that only those with elvin hearing could understand.

“I’m sorry, Gwador- nin. My foolish pride has cost you too much.” She said realizing that even though she was allowed to keep her pride, it was at the cost of his. She felt ashamed that she had been unwilling to see that. He had done what was best for them. She had thought of only herself. “I promise you that my pride will not stand in the way of our safety again.”

He looked up to her, and she could see the haunted look return to his eyes that she had seen when they first entered the cave. She knew whom he was thinking of, and now she was positive that she could put a name to the apparition in her mind. She opened her mouth wishing to tell them of her vision, but she heard a warning in her head. “Not yet.” She heeded the warning.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the two travelers entered the woods of Lorien, Veri was more than thankful that their journey was nearly complete. It was but a few moments before they were surrounded by elves with drawn bows.

“We do not know you. Who are you, and why are you in these woods?” The captain of the March Warden of Lorien asked.

“I see the rudeness of Lorien elves still stands, as it was told by Gimli elf-friend.” Veri said indignantly.

“Who are you?” Orophin repeated his question.

“I am Manveri. This is Van. We were expected by your Lady.” She finally answered.

“You were to be accompanied by two elves and a woman. Where are they?” He asked looking around expecting one of the twins’ pranks at any moment.

“Please sir. We must see the Lady. They have been captured.” Van said tugging on the elves tunic. Orophin looked down at Van and for the first time saw the bruises and scratched that covered them.

“Come.” He said picking Van up and sprinting further into the woods. Veri followed as best she could, but was no match for the elves at running.

When she finally reached the clearing that the elves had stopped in she could see Van speaking to a beautiful Elvin woman, which could only be the Lady of the Woods.

The woman was kneeling in front of Van. “I am worried for them.” Van was just finishing the story.

Veri walked up and stood beside him. “My Lady, Atavus said that you should be able to see them in your mirror. Can you help them?” Veri asked.

“That all depends on my mirror, child.” Galadriel said turning and leading them away from the clearing.

[Meluivan Indil]

What Will I See?

Atavus watched as the two leaders argued over her fate. The shouting grew louder.

“It wasn’t a fair match.” Lagush complained.

“We followed the rules, just the same as you.” Kellet insisted.

“But they didn’t.” The orc said pointing at the two elves still manacled to the wall. “You did not break him.”

“He begged, did he not?” Kellet said crossing his large arms over his chest.

“Only to spare her.” The orc said kicking at Atavus who was still tied to the stakes.

“Well then maybe you did your part too well.” Kellet suggested.

Atavus could see the orcs temper rise and noticed that the other orcs had all stood and moved closer to their leader. She saw the moment that the orc snapped. She could read its body language, and knew that the cave would soon be a battleground. She wished desperately that she wasn’t tied down. She was too weak to defend herself, but she didn’t savor the thought of possibly being stepped on during the battle.

The command was a silent hand movement, which she had seen before during her time as a slave of Mordor. She knew she could warn the humans, but decided that they deserved whatever losses they would incur.

She watched as one of the orcs thrust a sword into the nearest man, and it began. The orcs were outnumbered, and much clumsier than the humans, but they fought for their lives, which was exactly what they lost. The humans killed every single one of the orcs leaving Lagush to the end.

Kellet stood over the wounded orc with a feral grin spreading across his face. “You should’ve learned to play the odds, orc filth.” He spat at the orc leader, and then pulled the orcs own dagger from his side and sliced his throat open. He stood looking around at the dead orcs. “Get rid of the bodies before they start to stink the place up.”

Atavus watched Kellet realizing for the first time how much more dangerous the man was compared to the orc. She knew life had just became much harder for her and the elves.

“Do you mind untying me?” She asked when he turned to face them again.

“What makes you think I would do that?” Kellet sneered at her.

“I am sure that whoever you plan on selling us to would like us in decent condition. I will heal eventually whether you leave me here or not, but they might need my help.” She motioned to the twins. “I’m a healer.” She added trying to convince the human.

He stood for a moment looking from the twins to Atavus and then back again possibly trying to see if it was a trick, but then he nodded. “Let them loose.” He commanded.

The men let the twins down first, and Elrohir immediately moved to untie Atavus himself. Elladan stood next to the wall holding his injured arm close to his body. The men let them be, removing the orc bodies.

When Atavus was free she sat up, and felt a new stream of blood trickle down her back. She felt as if her skin was being stripped from her back. Elrohir helped her to move closer to Elladan and then started to wash the blood from her back.

“El.” She whispered.

“Yes, Ata.” He said looking down to her.

“I know you see no hope right now. But I have a feeling that we will make it.” She said wincing from the pain Elrohir was inadvertently causing while cleaning her.

He began to disagree with her, but saw a spark in her eye that stilled his tongue. “What makes you say that?” He asked sliding down the wall until he was sitting before her.

“Just a little voice in my mind.” She whispered as she reached out to check his injured shoulder and a broad smile crossed her lips. She could still hear Celebrían’s voice in her mind. The woman was whispering words of encouragement and comfort to her.

Elladan looked over her shoulder to his brother, and saw the worried look that her words caused to cross his face. “Are you sure you are all right, Ata?” He asked reaching out and taking her hand in his own.

“I’m not insane, El, if that’s what you are asking.” She whispered.

One of his eyebrows raised in a very Elrond like motion. She wanted to laugh at the resemblance between father and son, but kept her tongue. “What is this voice telling you?” He asked.

“Just that we should bide our time until the right moment. It will come, but only after we leave this hell.” She answered looking around at the dark, dank walls. “This place is evil. We must not stay here much longer.”

That was one thing they could all agree on. Even the humans felt ill at ease in the cave.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Orophin, please see that the boy is cared for.” The Lady commanded as they left the clearing.

“But I want to go with you.” Van complained.

“Van, please do as the Lady asks. She is Ata’s only hope.” Veri said giving Van a reassuring look. He unwillingly obeyed.

Veri followed the Lady alone until they reached a set of steps that led down into another clearing that held a large concrete basin and a spring to the side.

“I sensed a problem concerning my grandchildren earlier. I’m afraid my mirror told me little.” The Lady Galadriel confessed, drawing a pitcher of water from the spring and pouring it into the basin.

“You saw nothing.” Veri said in disappointment.

“Just that they were in pain. But what surprised me is that I saw you.” The Lady admitted.

“Pardon.” Veri said in surprise, thinking she had misunderstood her.

“I saw you looking into my mirror. You had a disturbing look on your face. What ever you saw greatly upset you.” Galadriel explained. “Will you look into my mirror, Manveri?”

Veri could not believe that the Lady of Lorien would see her in her visions. She wasn’t an important part of middle-earth. She was just a member of a race that should have never existed in her opinion, but then again neither should have orcs.

Then the second part of the vision caught her attention. If she looked in the mirror would she be able to help Atavus and the twins, or would she just see their agonizing deaths? And what else might that mysterious object show her? In the end she made the only decision she could. “What will I see?”

“You may see the past, or the present, and possibly even the future. But remember it is only a possible future. Each event that occurs changes and shapes reality. The future is not set in stone.” Galadriel warned.

“No matter what I see, it must be done.” Veri said to herself. “For Ata.”

The Lady of the Woods nodded and motioned the other woman to the basin. Veri closed her eyes at first trying to calm her nerves as she leaned over the basin. When she felt calm again she opened her eyes and stared at her own reflection in the waters surface. For a moment she thought nothing would happen and then suddenly the water began to swirl into bright colors. Then as the image cleared she saw the opening of a cave that looked like a great open mouth with sharp teeth. She watched as a group of orcs pushed a beautiful blond elleth into the cave. She had been beaten, but she kept her head held high not letting them see her fear. The image blurred then and she saw the same cave, but instead Atavus and the twins were being led towards it by a group of men. She watched as Elladan refused to enter and the men beat them all into submission. She wanted to cry out at the atrocities being laid upon her friends. Then the image blurred again and she saw an image that confused her. It was Atavus, and she was in complete darkness, but there were ghostly images floating around her. The images were grabbing at her, and she was screaming in agony as they battered her. She watched as the blond elleth she had seen earlier appeared and wrapped its ghostly arms around her protectively blocking the other apparition’s attack. The image blurred yet again and she saw the men leading the twins and Atavus away from the cave. She was shocked to see that Atavus looked different. Gone was the confidence and proud demeanor. Her head hung down, and her eyes held a ghostly quality. She looked almost as if her soul was dead. “No.” Veri screamed pulling away from the basin trying to block the images from her mind. She turned and fell to the ground upon her knees gasping for breath. “No.” She whispered again to the images in her mind.

“What did you see child?” The Lady asked kneeling beside her.

“That can not happen. We can not let it.” Veri said in a pleading voice.

“Tell me.” Galadriel commanded. “Did you see their deaths?” She did not want to imagine losing her grandsons to the Halls of Mandos, but she had to know.

“No. But, Atavus, her eyes looked dead. Her soul is dying.” Veri said realizing what she saw.

“Tell me all you saw. You confuse me.” Galadriel said helping Veri to sit on a stone bench in the clearing.

“I saw a blond elleth. I don’t know who she is. She was led into a cave, by orcs. The cave opening looked like a great mouth ready to close and chew up any that dared to enter. Then I saw men leading Atavus and the twins into the same cave. The twins fought as if they were being dragged into the void itself. Then the vision became confusing. Ata was in total darkness and there were ghosts of some sort flying all around her. They were battering her and she was crying out in agony, but then the elleth I saw appeared. She looked like a ghost also. She wrapped her arms around Atavus protecting her. Then the image changed again and I saw the men leading them out of the cave. Atavus’ eyes looked dead and uncaring. She looked as if her soul was gone.” Veri finished telling of the vision and waited for the Lady to respond.

“The elleth you saw, was she more beautiful than any you have ever seen?” Galadriel asked.

“Yes. Do you know who she is?” Veri asked.

“She is my daughter, Celebrían. The twin’s mother. A long time ago she was taken by orcs. She was beaten and tortured in a cave in those mountains. The twins tracked her to the cave and killed all the orcs. They were able to save her. But she was never the same again. It was as if a part of her soul remained in that cave. She sailed to Valinor when she could not overcome her grief.” Galadriel explained.

Veri did not know this story. But it made the twins behavior completely understandable. She could not imagine having to save your own mother from that kind of hell, only to lose her because of grief. “They are in the same cave. But why did Atavus look that way in my vision?”

“Why did my daughter seem to have lost her soul when she left that cave? It is a mystery that we do not know. I used to believe it was because of the pain she had, had to endure at the hands of the orcs, but now I am not sure.” Galadriel seemed frustrated that they could not understand the vision.

“You must send help to them.” Veri said standing, wanting badly to leave to help her friend.

“I will. And I know just who to send, too.” The woman smiled a knowing smile.

Veri wasn’t sure she understood the smile, but the woman seemed to have a secret that she was not sharing.

[Meluivan Indil]

An End To The Rain

“You must leave here soon. I fear for what will happen when you leave though.” The elleth’s apparition spoke to Atavus.

“What will happen?” Atavus’ vision-self asked.

“Child, every person who has suffered great torment in this cave has left a part of himself or herself behind. Some more than others. Even my sons left a small piece of themselves when they rescued me.” Celebrían explained.

“The twins. But you can not tell.” Atavus said in surprise.

“They were not here long, and their pain was only emotional then. I am not sure what will be the outcome this time. But you, Atavus, have suffered greater pain than even they have, and your connection to the spirits here worries me.” The apparition said motioning to the swirling ghostlike figures surrounding them.

Atavus wasn’t sure why she had been able to see the apparitions when the twins could not, but yet again a gift was turning into a curse.

“Can you help me?” Atavus asked with a small amount of hope.

“I’m sorry, but no matter what they might think, none of us can leave here. This evil place holds the spirits in a vice-like grip. Once you leave that entrance whatever happens to you is out of my control. I have only once seen a spirit leave this cave, but it occupied its own body, and was brought about by extreme evil.” The elleth apologized. Atavus looked to the elleth, wondering at her words, but could also see her reluctance to speak more.

“I know you would help me if you could. Celebrían, what is this place?” Atavus wondered how a place so evil could exist.

“It was one of Melkor’s creations. He designed the cave in the shape of an open mouth, and the blood of its victims feeds it.” She tried to explain it. “The more blood that is shed, the more the evil grows.”

The color drained from Atavus face as the twins watched her submersed in a vision. “What do you think she sees?” Elrohir asked his brother.

“Whatever it is, by the looks on her face it’s not good.” Elladan answered. “You think we should bring her out of this?”

“No need.” Atavus answered herself blinking. She looked around the cave with a new understanding. “It needs to feed.” She whispered.

“What needs to feed, Atavus?” Elrohir asked at her strange words.

“This place. This cave. It feeds off of the blood of those that are tortured here.” She explained what she had learned. “And with that blood it collects a small part of the person’s soul. The more blood that is spilled the stronger hold it has over them.”

The twins still looked to each other wondering about her sanity. “Don’t look at me that way. I’m sane.” She said in frustration.

“Honestly, considering what you are saying I hope you are insane.” Elladan said realizing what her words could mean for them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Veri followed Lady Galadriel into Caras Galadhon the Elvin city of Lorien. She looked in amazement at the beauty that surrounded her. She had never imagined a place so beautiful. Soon she was taken into a glade that held many an elf discussing what to do about the abduction. As soon as Van saw her he ran to her jumping into her arms. “Look, Veri, it’s Legolas and Gimli.” He said in great excitement.

And there before her were the elf and dwarf she had come to know very well during their trip north. “How did you come to be here?” She asked in utter surprise.

“We stopped here after Mirkwood, on our way back to Minas Tirith.” Legolas explained. “What has happened, Veri. Where are they?”

She glanced at Galadriel as if to ask if she should speak what she had learned. The Lady nodded.

“They are being held in a cave in the mountains. It is the same cave that Celebrían was held in by the orcs.” She explained.

There were many gasps in the glade. All elves present had loved the elleth for her beauty and kindness. “Are there those among you that know the way?” Veri finally asked as no one said anything.

“I do.” Orophin answered. “It is a cursed place that we all avoid. But I know where it is.”

“Who will go with me?” Legolas immediately took charge. Many of the elves volunteered, including Orophin.

“You know I will go with you, Laddie.” Gimli agreed.

“Yes, mellon-nin, I know.” Legolas smiled at the dwarf who was becoming his constant companion during his travels.

“When do we leave?” Veri asked. The others looked back and forth to each other. But the look of determination that spread across her features dared any of them to tell her she could not go.

“As soon as supplies are rounded up. I suggest you rest until then. You look overtaxed.” Legolas suggested.

“Yes, I will.” She sighed heavily and then looked around for Van intending on telling him he would have to stay. But he was no longer in the glade. “Oh I don’t have time to look for you, Van.” She said in frustration.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Van had listened to where they said Atavus was, but it meant nothing to him. He knew they would make him stay behind. That is why he had immediately headed off on his own. He knew not if he was going in the right direction, but a small voice inside him told him he was. Somehow even when he was younger in Minas Morgul he had never become lost. He just knew his way. It was just a feeling. And he had that feeling now as he headed out to find Ata. He would not fail her. And he would not be left behind.