Chapter Text
His hold tightened around your wrist, keeping you from escaping him again. He ignored the way you pounded against his chest with your free fist.
The bruising was little to nothing compared to his concern for you. He searched your eyes for light or anything to know that you were still here with him. But found nothing.
He felt a subtle temptation to return that damned ring to you. Hoping it would calm you and watch your eyes twinkle in admiration, even if it wasn't at him anymore, was compelling.
Your loud cries never seemed to give any sign of easing up, and his ears rang. Both his hands grasped yours to hold them in place on his chest. Admittedly a bad decision as you kicked at his legs instead. Struggling to tug your hands away. He was growing weary.
His heart sank, catching sight of your crazed eyes. Dark and malicious.
“Legolas, give her here”
He didn't have to turn his head to know that his friend, Aragorn, stood behind him. Watching from afar his struggle to contain you.
Legolas shook his head, taking another weak kick to his shin. “Do not worry, she's–fine” and for a moment, his heart skipped as his grasp on you faltered. He decided to wrap his arms around your body instead.
“I'm not worried about her,” Aragorn said and approached the pair. Ignoring the way you spat at his feet, he glanced at Legolas. “She needs to be locked up. For her safety and ours, please Legolas…”
The elf continued to hold onto you, almost wanting to refuse Aragorn for even considering imprisoning you. But he knew that his dear friend had a point.
He understood that giving you time to come back to your senses would be crucial. But at the same time he had no idea when you would be released.
The fear of you never returning to normal gnawed at him.
Aragorn waited for his friend's answer and when it didn't come he threw Legolas a warning look before forcing himself between the two.
Irritation and relief clashed together as you were ripped away from him.
You would be in safe hands.
He had to remind himself.
Legolas backed off and allowed himself to slump down against the nearest wall. Fighting with you had taken a toll on him, and his head throbbed.
Watching you get dragged away disheartened him. And soon the sounds of your cries faded into the distance.
Haunting him.
—---------
Aragorn had denied Legolas any access to your prison for days.
Claiming that he would recklessly set you free before you could recover, and to that, he wouldn't admit it aloud but Aragorn was correct, he may have considered releasing you.
He refused to treat you like a caged animal, even if you were already far gone in the head. And that's exactly why he was here.
Legolas paced around the area, ordered to only be allowed within a yard from the building that held your cell. Regardless, he waited patiently for an opening to come see you.
Staying out of sight of the people guarding you was easy, normal human villagers stood watch. And when they switched shifts was when he decided to make his move.
Luckily for him, the pair that stood watch tonight were a lazy bunch and Legolas scrutinized them from a distance as they tempted themselves with pints of ale.
Soon enough he crept closer as the two drunks wandered off to get refills.
When they disappeared Legolas strode to the entrance of the building. Entering quietly, his eyes scanned the room and found a singular cell, isolated to one side of the space. Dimly illuminated by a few lanterns that hung around the room.
He quickly walked over to stand in front of the cell, eyes immediately snapping to you. You laid in one corner of the space on a bed, hidden beneath thin sheets.
Legolas held onto the bars of the cell and called out to you, “Hey…are you awake?” You made no move or noise. He tried again “It's Legolas, please just–look at me”
His grip tightened around the bars when you didn't respond, and his eyes burned holes through your sheets, trying to urge you to do something.
At least you weren't screaming anymore, he took that as a good sign. Sinking down to the floor, pressing his forehead against the cool metal bars to feel closer to you.
It was a while later and he thought he had imagined it, but you spoke. It was quiet and raspy. He lifted his head and caught a pair of dark eyes watching him, his heart hammered against his chest at the sight.
Afraid to scare you, he removed his grasp from the metal bars and downcast his gaze to the blanket that covered you to keep from intimidating you.
To his disappointment you spoke in mumbles and murmurs.
He struggled to comprehend and was so caught up in straining to hear what you were saying that when he had finally managed to make up a couple of words, a strong warm hand rested on his shoulder.
“I didn't make myself clear enough the first time, did I?” Aragorn spoke with a disappointed tone and lifted him by the arm to his feet.
“Aragorn!” Legolas jolted. Glancing between him and you before blurting, “please release her, even for a mere minute”
Aragorn was already shaking his head and opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by the sound of you coughing. It was crisp and dry. They both turned to you as your figure rose from the bed.
The lanterns illuminated you as you walked to the front of the cell. And Legolas winced at the sight of your rough appearance.