Nothing is easy, nothing is impossible

Four months passed.

Hanna could say that their new life wasn't that bad!

They were still serving the mistress, fortunately for them, and every evening they were sent to Azrael's modified cell to have a small counter that made her communicating with Atticus.

They must have realized that he was the only one capable of mitigating Azrael's explosive temperament.

It was strange to call it that, even disturbing! But in the end she got used to it!

“A day to forget!" So Sara announced herself before entering Azrael's cell.

"I'm curious! Go on!" Atticus declared that he had comfortably sat on fresh straw to leave the bed for the two elves.

Since the cells were not very spacious, they had split into those two in order to spend some time together.

"This morning I received the order to pass the wax, and Hanna slipped it while she was bringing the breakfast of the owners, then ...... I tripped while I was clearing and I spilled the remains of the lunch against Hanna who had just insulted me .... I don't even remember what ........ and to finish with a bang .... the beast of the owners ate my dinner for this Hanna is angry with me for having seen herself "forced" to do halfway with her!" Sara finished.

"The dog? And how did he do it?" Atticus asked amused, those should have entertained comedy shows rather than being the personal slaves of the mistress!

"I went to the bathroom quickly! I thought Hanna would stay and check!" Sara justified herself.

"I think it has to do with what you humans call .... karma!" Galdor said barely holding back the laughter "Karma is the basis of everything!" Sara said and then laughed "Don't encourage her, Galdor!" Narwain took it back.

"I do not do it!" The other replied.

“Well if you were kinder to me ...." "... couldn't all this happen?" Atticus laughed at her, knowing his friend's awkwardness well since he had been victim of it several times during the banquets, when he had spilled something on him and other unfortunate gladiators!

They all laughed at his thought. Even Narwain smiled!

“Can I ask you a question?" Hanna asked, taking advantage of the fact that the others seemed very taken by the friend's story, while Azrael seemed completely disinterested, as always.

"You just did it!" He replied gruffly.

"Didn't you notice that something is wrong?" Hanna asked making a huge effort not to respond in kind. The elf looked at her indecipherably.

It was not surprising, a sovereign should never have made it clear what he thought of his enemies, period!

"Narwain and Galdor are not well! It doesn't surprise me that the owner hasn't made them fight yet! Well, they weren't a show the first time I saw them, but ..... I have a strange feeling about it!" She confessed.

The two elves were thin and pale and the only one who still had a little sense of humor was Galdor!

Maybe that was the case even when they lived in the realm of the elves, but they were too melancholy and taciturn for Hanna not to worry!

Thranduil sighed.

That is, he feared was about to happen! The two were too young for such a life.

They were fading! From experience he knew well that without any family affection this path would have been irreversible.

And it was even more terrible that he found himself hoping that they would pass away soon! How could he?

It was his job to protect them and make sure they came home!

Maybe it was better that way, the escape would not have happened soon and it made him feel useless! He had always had everything under control and this feeling was not familiar but extremely annoying!

In the halls of Mandos they would have waited patiently and without suffering to reunite with their loved ones, when the time of the elves was over and they found themselves sailing!

"You will laugh less when I show you that I am not completely late! Once I am free I will cook the cheescake!" Sara said introducing it as a divine dish.

“What's this?" Galdor asked whose curiosity for the human world was never satisfied. "A delicious dessert with cheese inside!" The girl replied.

“Are you google by chance?" Hanna mocked her.

“You often say nonsense!" Atticus said, not having understood his friend's last question.



*



Hanna ran at breakneck speed to the cell where Narwain and Galdor had been confined.

Get ready for their first and last arena!

They were not in physical and mental condition to get out of it! But the master's ego had done irreparable damage!

How could he not understand that they weren't ready yet! Wasn't war the lifestyle of the elves?

That this would not heal their wounded spirits!

“You open!" Sara's voice made her jump for the first time "What are you doing here?" She asked furiously.

She wanted to say goodbye in the most delicate and polite way possible without his dear friend yelling at him in the four winds and now he could no longer do it!

"I could ask you the same question!" Sara replied before they both entered.

The two elves were dressed in the same color shirt and long pants.

They had protections on the calves and on the forearms to be able to parry the blows also with the limbs.

They also wore a leather harness typical of gladiators, but they had been dressed differently since they were not human!

“Did you come to say goodbye?" Narwain asked that he was more downcast than they had ever seen "Really to wish you good luck, but if you want I can change the phrase!" Hanna said, unable to stop herself.

The blonde had never been nice to her, but she didn't mind because of that!

“Azrael ... the ruler ...." Sara said whispering "... said that these humans are scarce in combat!" The girl took out two iron protections each having a spike on the wide surface “But, for safety, I impregnated these tips with a very particular poison! It will confuse your opponents so that you can hit him ....." "I will not die without honor!" Narwain infuriated "Thank you very much Sara, but I too refuse your offer, if this is our destiny I have decided to accept it!" Galdor said, maintaining a glacial calm.

"But that's not fair!" Protested her destroyed "Your Galdor family! Don't you want to go back to them? Narwain, your children will grow up without a father!" He insisted unnecessarily.

"We will meet them in the immortal lands!" Galdor replied smiling in an attempt to calm the girl down "Thank you!" He said with a slight bow together with Narwain.

"For what? To watch you die?" Hanna asked as she tried to replace pain with anger. "For showing us that not all humans are so corrupt and cruel!" He explained the elf by placing a hand on Sara's shoulder.

A dazzling light enveloped them both and when it dissolved the girl looked at him confused, her face still streaked with tears.

"I have given you my immortality!" Galdor said "Promise me that you will ensure that the king returns to the kingdom safe and sound! Our people need him!" He asked with hopeful eyes.

Sara was so shocked that she only managed to nod.

Narwain approached Hanna who backed away in fear "Demote! Or I'll kick your ass back!" She said with her usual elegance.

"You are very strong for being so young. My partner is right, only you can help him! He behaves differently with you!" admitted the blond elf as if he understood it at the time.

"Translate!" Hanna said not understanding what she meant "He allows you to stay close to him as he has never done with anyone. Only with his wife and Prince Legolas. And I think he appreciates your company more than he shows!" explained Galdor so that his friend would not rail against the bad manners.

Narwain put his hand on the girl's fun while she was busy elaborating Galdor's last words, not giving her time to react.

When the dazzling light disappeared he looked at her with a strange expression "Promise me you will help him!" Even Hanna could only nod.

“But if you survive the fight you will be mortal! That is ... you will grow old!" Sara said feeling terribly guilty.

"If we come back it will mean that we will still be together! I do not deny my choice! You can help our lord! We, no! We would soon die the same, with or without the help of a sword!" Galdor admitted heartily.

"They won't kill us easily! I still have some of my pride and I don't intend to lose it in the last fight!" Narwain said as he heard the cell door open.

“Proud as an elf!" Hanna repeated amused by the last statement.

"Good luck!" Sara said before seeing the two friends disappear beyond the door.



*



Even before talking to the elves, Hanna had been informed that Azrael had gone mad!

She was not surprised and asked the owner to stay in the villa to go to him.

She had been given permission and she had felt incredibly relieved.

She didn't want to witness the death of the two elves! Although it would have been better than facing Thranduil!

She did not go to the elf's cell, but to the one where the rebel slaves were chained. Once inside he regretted it bitterly!

Azrael's back was covered in blood. The fresh lashes were clearly visible and he could see numerous burns and bruises all over his body!

They had punished his bad behavior!

He was facing towards the wall and his arms were stretched upwards because of the chains that were too short to reach the ground.

The elf was kneeling on the floor, probably exhausted by the hours of torture.

He had known the night before that his two elves would be sent to the arena and it was now afternoon, perhaps they were fighting and dying right then!

Clenched fists and tense breathing made her understand that he was awake, but he didn't know what to say!

“Hi, your elves gave me immortality before I died!"It didn't even sound right in her head!

"I'm sorry!" She said finally. It was true and being honest could help!

Thranduil sighed. He had not felt so helpless in a long time, when his father died and had the weight of the crown on him too soon!

He had condemned his son to the same fate! And although, since his capture, other elves had not been taken prisoner, he feared that the Romans might try again in the future!

The hatred for these people was growing dramatically within him and he feared in what he could have become if he let them take over!

Hanna's voice had surprised him. He believed that the human was with the mistress. The tone used to say those few words made him understand that he wasn't lying.

He had seen her interact with Narwain and Galdor and knew that she too had become attached to them.

Humans, having far fewer years to live, had always been very direct. Where an elf would take some time to establish a bond, they would also take a few days.

“I know it's hard ....." "You know? You, a young mortal, claim to know what a millennial king feels!" Thranduil growled "My people .... killed for mere amusement at the hands of deadly insults! Immortal lives sacrificed for punishment!" He hissed in the steel grip of the chains.

“No ..... but I'm sure only you can stop them!" Hanna said finally earning the elf's full furious attention. A half win.

"Now you know there are Romans who capture elves! We can escape and warn others of the danger! We can free those who are prisoners, in case we find them! We can make a difference! Won't you last so long to give up now?” She asked trying to move the broken soul of the elf.

He didn't answer. He merely lowered his defeated head. "Will you let them die by forgetting them?" She asked angrily.

The reaction was instantaneous: the elf jumped to his feet pulling the chains with such force that the hooks on the wall shook slightly, terrifying the girl to death!

“How dare you?" She growled. "If you give up you will prove that you don't care about them and everyone else who gets caught!" Hanna said with unexpected courage

“But if we fight we could avoid it! I will never forget them!" She finished saying it.

It was amazing how a human, who had lived a very short life compared to his own, could have much more fortitude than many noble elves he had known.

They remained silent for a very long time. Although it may have been a few minutes. Eventually Hanna decided to speak "Can I cleanse your wounds?" She asked shyly. She had promised.

She would keep his word.

The elf tilted his head slightly and then slowly returned to his knees.

Taking it for a yes, Hanna went to call the guard, looking out of the cell and screaming like a rag.



*



Sara lowered her heartbroken gaze, unable to hold back her tears but trying not to sob. It would not have given satisfaction to the Romans showing how much it was pining it inside!

She was in the grandstand, behind his masters comfortably seated to enjoy the show, while she was standing behind them to provide for every need.

At the beginning she had deluded herself that everything would be better ...... Narwain and Galdor had beaten their first opponents, fighting separately, but showing themselves clearly superior to the defeated gladiators, in skill and skill.

But it wasn't over there!

Just as they had done with their ruler, the two elves found themselves having to fight in almost every fight!

The arrogance of the Romans, but of their master in particular, was manifested by forcing them to the limit in order to fill the lanista's bag!

They weren't even halfway through the celebrations that the nightmare had come true!

Fortunately they had been sent to the arena together, unfortunately their opponents were twenty well-armed, fresh and rested men!

One in particular had attracted the girl's attention. Almost two meters tall, as wide as a wardrobe and with a sculpted physique! He was the champion of a nearby city, but it didn't take long to figure it out!

The way the crowd had welcomed him and the way he moved, as if the arena were his home! Narwain and Galdor were exhausted, he could read it in his face, but they hadn't backed down!

With combined attacks they had managed to kill and injure many opponents.

Narwain was telling the truth when he admitted that he wouldn't give up easily. Sara smiled at the thought that if Thranduil had been present, he would have been very proud of the courage shown by the two young elves, she was sure of it!

*

“Lle desiel?" (Are you ready?) Galdor asked his companion

"Dago 'ni ngurth!" (I will fight to the death!) He replied.

The elves put themselves in attack position and then started to run, without waiting for their opponents to run across the distance that separated them.

“Gurth a choth-in-edhil!" (Death to elven enemies!) Narwain shouted before sinking the sword into a man's chest.

They fought as they had been trained to do. Even if the elves of Mirkwood preferred daggers, it could not be said that with swords they were scarce.

Luck had caused the two elves to be experienced in fighting together, having faced many evil creatures during the numerous patrol rounds.

These humans in terms of bad smell, animal lines and clumsiness were equal to the orcs, so it was not very traumatic to find themselves having to exterminate them for having saved their lives.

“Ndengina (ta / ho)" (Kill him!) Shouted Galdor to his friend while holding a gladiator, by the shoulders.

Narwain barely had time to kill him that others were on him.

They were trying to separate them! To be divided meant to die!

"Tira ten 'rashwe!" (Watch out!) Said Galdor behind him.

Narwain turned just in time to see that his companion had beheaded a cowardly enemy who had attempted to kill him with a blow from behind.

A dishonorable way of dying!

"Caela ie'lle!" (Take This!) He yelled at an opponent piercing him with his own spear.

Sara was right! These humans were scarce! Narwain felt hope suddenly overwhelm him.

He believed that he would never see his beloved wife and dear children again, he was convinced that the King's idea of escape was the result of the madness that had now taken hold of his mind.

He hoped that once he returned to the kingdom he would regain his reason thanks to his people and return to reign in the firm and just way as he always had. Now he realized that he was right! They could do it!

Feeling a new force born of hope at the center, Narwain turned to the biggest opponent who had remained comfortably on the sidelines to observe while his companions were massacred.

He ran towards him not at all intimidated by his size. As a warrior, he knew well that it wasn't the difference between life and death in a fight.

“Baw!" (Don't do it!) Galdor's cry came too late. A furious clash between the two began.

The crowd screamed and applauded every time the swords hit each other. Narwain moved with the agility of his race forcing the opponent to go round and parry the numerous attacks.

His aim was to confuse him so that he made a false move! What he hoped for happened.

The man sank with too much impetus on his shield that Narwain dropped on the ground before sinking the sword into the opponent's stomach.

An explosion of shouts of joy accompanied the fall to the ground of the gladiator who had already died even before touching the ground.

The elf smiled and looked at his companion trying to make him understand that there was still hope!

He was confused when he saw a look full of horror paint on his friend's face. Then a tremendous pain hit him in the chest and looking down he saw an arrow sticking out of it.

His legs gave way instantly and he saw Galdor running towards him, calling out loud. He felt the other's hands grab him before he collapsed on the ground.

"Cuio nim mellon!" (Goodbye friend) Narwain managed to say before the darkness enveloped his eyes.

"Las bedich? Las bennich? Mellonamin!" (Where are you going? Where have you gone? My friend!) Galdor shouted desperately.

But he didn't have time to say more before dodging a shot that would have killed him if it hadn't been for his wonderful reflexes. He rolled to the side and grabbed a sword that was on the ground to face the last group of surviving men.

He parried numerous hits managing to cope with five of them attacking him from all sides.

But his forces were abandoning him!

Knowing that he wouldn't last much longer, he decided that he would bring as many men with him as possible! He focused on three of them.

In quick succession he killed them one after the other. But this left him uncovered compared to the others who stood behind him!

He heard the sound of the blade piercing him and then seeing the sword sticking out of his stomach.

He fell to the side on the ground and smiled knowing that the Romans had not won. Their King would avenge them and not let them die in vain!

*

Sara closed her eyes not to see what was really going on and in a desperate attempt to stop the tears that were now pouring down her face.

That was how two noble elves perished!

Under thunderous applause!

Notes:

Okay fine, was it too brutal? Too much tears?
Thranduil is still cold with the girls, although what Galdor says is true, he behaves differently with them and could open up!
Did I mention that we were moving to the world of Spartacus? Yes! I repeat!
Let me know what you think!
I really appreciate your comments and suggestions!
Even the criticisms serve to improve!
Good evening everybody,
X-98