Endless Shadows

Chapter 19

Morwen's POV

She let out a quiet sigh of relief as two shadows passed without taking notice of her. Morwen had crept all the way back to their cell; quietly calling Ramben's name but there had been no answer. Her immediate thought was that he had been captured, but if he had wouldn't Oroth had let them known by now?

She shuddered at the thought of Ramben being found with Oroth. Every time Oroth came near him all he caused was pain. Checking to see that no more shadows were approaching Morwen left her hiding place and continued her search, her heart beating faster with every passing second. Where was Ramben? How had he gotten away from her? Would Darovel be alright? She didn't allow her thoughts to stray towards Amarth; she knew that she'd only end up panicking.

Darovel will find him, she assured herself, Darovel will find him and we'll all escape. Everything will be alright.
But first she had to find Ramben. Morwen stiffened as the sound of footsteps filled her ears. She immediately pressed herself against the wall and tried to keep herself in the shadows. The footsteps were quick and rapid; as if the person they belonged to was struggling to stay on their feet while they ran. Morwen braced herself for a shadow to appear; but when the figure suddenly emerged she almost fell over in relief.

"Ramben!" She whispered and he froze in his tracks. It didn't take long for her to realize that something was wrong with him; his eyes were wide and his breathing rapid. His hands were clasped tightly around a small object, Morwen knew what it was.
"Where did you get that?" She demanded grabbing Ramben by the arm.
"We have to go." he said starting forward and ignoring her question.
"Ramben how did you get the amulet from Oroth? Please answer me." Morwen allowed herself to be led forward, but at the same time she desperately wished that Ramben would talk.

But the elfling remained silent; and Morwen had no choice but to walk with him through the dark twists and turns of Oroth's lair.

/\\//\\/

Darovel's POV

What have they done to you?
Darovel thought racing over to where Amarth laid. He was staring up at him with tired, dull eyes. Could the Elf even see him?
"Amarth it's alright, I'm going to get you out of here." Darovel said quietly as he knelt down beside him. Amarth blinked once before rolling onto his side, turning away from him.
"Get away, please..." Amarth whispered.

Darovel's eyes softened as he looked down at Amarth; though he looked calm on the outside his mind was in an uproar. How could they have done this to him? What did they do to him? He shook his head and bent down to gather the Elf in his arms. There would be time for questions late; right now their main focus was getting out of this cursed place. The moment he laid his hands on Amarth however, he hissed in pain and curled in on himself.

"Too bright."
Darovel's face went from grief to terror as the broken, distorted voice came out of Amarth's mouth. What was wrong with him?
You are hurting him human, your touch is painful.
His blood turned cold as the familiar voice entered his head; the voice that belonged to the being who had come to the cell.
"What have you done to him?" Darovel demanded, searching the darkness for any sign of the being.

Me? I have only done what he has allowed me to do, other than that I have not touched him.
"Stop," Amarth moaned catching Darovel's attention, "no more..."
"I'm getting you out of here Amarth." He whispered kneeling down beside him again.
"No!" Amarth shouted; nearly causing Darovel to fall onto his back.
See human? He does not want to leave, Duvain has chosen me.
"Darovel..."

Blocking out the shadow being's voice Darovel got as close to Amarth as he dared, not wanting to inflict further pain on him.
"I'm here, tell me what to do Amarth and I'll do it." He whispered keeping an eye out for anyone approaching.
"Get me... out... she's... killing me..."
That was all Darovel needed to hear. In one quick motion he had one arm under Amarth's knees and the other behind his back. Almost immediately the Elf began to shriek in pain; but the voice was not his own.