AN OLD FRIEND

author: rosethorn59

Disclaimer: Everything here belongs to JRR Tolkien's family, except for my original characters...

rated T

characters: Legolas, Thranduil, the old friend, and original characters.

Warnings: angst, drama, psychological drama, friendship, fear, apprehension, torture, hurt/comfort, some humor, family

summary: Legolas goes for a walk, runs into an old friend, and has one of the biggest surprises of his life.

Written for my best friend Sivan…

Here's the beginning of the story, sweetie. A little violent, though.

….

Legolas awoke from a deep sleep, stiff and sore. Perhaps he never changed his position all , that was probably the reason, he smiled. When he slept very deeply, that usually happened. But then, he had gone for a long ride the day before. hmm.. He walked very slowly and rigidly to the drapes, dragging his feet. He threw them open to let some light into his room, opened a couple of windows for some fresh air, then realized how long he had been sleeping. It had to be noon at least.

He had missed breakfast, and his favorite part of the day; talking to his Adar, and discussing the latest news. They always took the time for that at mealtime. They loved spending time together.

He took a quick bath and dressed into one of his favorite hunting outfits., grabbed his weapons, and pack, which he threw over his shoulder. He knew his Adar would still be in his study. He slammed his door shut and rushed down the corridor ,realizing he still had his comb in his hand, and his hair was tangled and dripping. He shrugged, and started combing it, as he ran down the hallway. He slid as he came to the door, holding onto the door handle so he wouldn't fall and slide by the door.

He knocked on the door very quietly.

"Come in Legolas," his father said as Legolas opened the door and walked in. Thranduil was looking down on his desk, pouring over a book. He had not even looked up at Legolas, yet. The younger elf walked over to see what he was reading.

"Legolas, please back up. You are dripping and getting my book all wet. This book is for pleasure, not for work, my son."

Legolas moved back and smiled at him. "Sorry," he replied.

Thranduil looked up and smiled back at him. "So what can I do for you, my son.?"

The Prince looked at him almost shyly. "Adar, I missed our chat and breakfast. Therefore, I had to come and see you."

"Hmm..I guess I didn't see you there. I have to go work, now, but come over here."

Thranduil took his son's comb and finished untangling, combing and braiding his hair." I love your hair, my son."

"And I yours, Adar," he said as he took his comb and did the same for his father, grinning happily at him.

He backed up to look at his masterpiece, and Thranduil threw something at him…"An orange?" he asked as another missile came flying through the air at him.. "An apple?" he asked again as he grabbed it with his other hand. Then some chunk cheese, a roll, and a little lembas bread flew at him. They were coming at him so fast, he dropped a couple of them, picked them up off the floor, and stuffed them all into a small pouch that his father had also tossed to him. He put it all in his pack.

"Klutzy elf," his father teased him.

Legolas glared at him, as did his father, then laughter filled the room. "So what is all this food for?" Legolas asked curiously.

"Your breakfast, and your next trek out into the wild world of Mirkwood today. Am I right, my son?"

"Well, yes, that was my primary..my main..my real." Legolas stumbled over his words, not wanting to hurt him. " My reason for coming to see you. That and I wanted to talk with you, of course."

"Hmmm...I see," Thranduil answered him, grinning sarcastically, eyebrows raised.

Legolas felt so guilty when he said that to him, but he knew he was just being teased again. "Adar, stop that!" he scolded Thranduil.

"Stop what?" Thranduil asked him innocently.

"So when are you leaving, Legolas?"

"Right now, I suppose. Morning is gone, and you know I prefer to go on my trips in the mornings. I'm not riding today, I'm walking. There is so much more to see and enjoy that way."

Legolas' father was rather worried. " You take very good care of yourself, and hang on tight to your weapons. Too many times have you been in trouble. Will I see you tonight, then?"

"Of course. I'll come and see you as soon as I get back. Goodbye for now."

"Goodbye," his Adar replied.

Legolas went to the door, and shut it behind him. He walked a few steps, then stopped, feeling a little anxious about what his father had said. But he was still going, he knew he'd be alright. As soon as the guards let him out the doors, he walked over the bridge and straight northeast into the woods that he loved so well.

…..

He walked for a while, adoring the beautiful scenery and scent of pine trees. He was blissfully daydreaming, almost forgetting where he was. Legolas was hungry, though, so he sat down against a nearby tree, laid his weapons on the ground next to him, and opened his pack. An orange, his roll and a little cheese sounded good to him. He peeled his orange, and ate the rest ravenously. A nap sounded good too, so he laid down and quickly fell into a gentle reverie.

The elf was so soundly asleep that he didn't hear anything around him. But the sound of crunching leaves and the smell of orcs quickly awoke him. He grabbed for his weapons, but they had been kicked to the side. He looked up angrily at the orc who was antagonizing him, wondering what the creature had in mind.

The orc tried to pull him up by his tunic, but Legolas had other ideas. The elf kicked the creature hard. He swept his leg under him to knock him down: and then pummeled him, hit him in the face, and stomped on him. He knew he'd won that fight.

"So, what is it you want from me?" Legolas asked very curiously. After all, he could smell orcs, and hear the pounding of feet on the ground, coming their way.

"I want to protect you," was all he said.

"What? You want to protect me?" he asked the orc incredulously, an eyebrow raised, and eyes full of uncertainty."From the other orcs?" he almost laughed. "I don't live far from here, so I'll be fine, orc. You are a strange one. Very confusing."

"Yes I am."

The orc got up, and swiped Legolas' legs from under him, as Legolas had, knocking him down, and taking his breath away for a few moments. Legolas tried to get up, but another blow knocked him down again. He crawled towards his weapons, but the orc pulled him back by his feet. He was getting very frustrated with this orc. He knew he had to get out of there. He knew the orcs were coming. He was so frightened. The elf was breathing hard and perspiring profusely. Sweat was running down his forehead and face, stinging and burning his eyes. His heart was racing...what was going to happen to him? How was he going to get out of this? It looked to him like he hadlostthis battle.

The orc held the elf down, quickly gagged him, tied his wrists and ankles with some cords. Legolas was very angry and it showed in his eyes. He fought and struggled...anything he could think of to escape from there to Mirkwood Halls where he would be safe; away from all the orcs including the one holding him captive at the moment. He panicked, attempting to yell, scream, make any noise he could, hoping to get anyone's attention. Preferably the elves.

"Be quiet, elf, or you will have more attention than you want. The orcs are having a serious blood-lust today, as usual, I guess. And you are just what they would love to find to sate that

hungry appetite of theirs. But I'm sure you know that, so be quiet."

The orc picked Legolas up and hid both of them in some bushes behind the tree. They would be difficult to find back there.

The pounding of feet on the ground was getting much closer, as were the creature's gravelly voices yelling and screaming in their obnoxious language... and the orc put his hand over Legolas' mouth, to keep the elf as quiet as possible. They moved further back into the bushes.

The creature looked around and cringed as the horde passed right by their immediate vicinity. He lightly gasped at what he saw on the ground. There sat Legolas' weapons and pack.

Legolas panicked because he knew they would be found now. He knew he would have had better luck on his own. But for some reason the orc had wanted to help him, and he couldn't blame him for that. But why? He couldn't figure it out.

Everyone in the horde came to a halt. The orcan leader grabbed the weapons and pack. "It smells like an elf. Look around and find him, immediately! I want him. We could have a lot of fun with our new pet,"he grinned maliciously.

The orc quickly untied Legolas. "Now run, elf! Keep running as fast as you can, or race through the trees. You have to get out of here fast. They know you're here. So if you don't want to be supper for them, move it!"

"What about you?"

"!'ll rejoin them...but I will see you again."

Legolas cringed at that thought, as he quietly crawled out of the bushes, and raced down the road toward The Halls of Mirkwood. But two miles away? He knew he could never outrun them if they had already seen him. But he continued on as fast as he could. He could hear them a short distance behind him, gaining on him. He looked back and they were closer. Now he was panicking. He knew he could never get away. Oh, Elbereth, he needed his weapons!

Zip.

He felt an arrow slam into his right arm, as he stumbled and moaned. But he refused to let himself fall.

Zip

Another arrow pierced his left leg. He started limping, in a lot of pain. He could no longer run. He could only jog slowly. He couldn't even climb a tree, now.

Zip

Then two arrows drove into his hip and shoulder. Then he felt a dart shoot him right in his back. He was shouting, now, he was in so much pain. They were almost on him, surrounding him. He felt sick from all the orcs being in such close proximity to him, the fear, and apprehension. He did not know what was going to happen, but he knew it would not be good.

Legolas looked around for the orc who tried to help him, but he was nowhere to be seen. He wished he could see a semi-friendly face around there. Even that orc. He was terrified.

He hated orcs and their methods of unmerciful creatures always tried new ways of hurting, humiliating, and creating horror and eventual trauma and shock from their victims . The orcs knew they would have fun with him. And so did Legolas.

They jumped on him, held him down, beat him, pummeled him, smacked him in the face, and violently kicked him in the ribs. He gasped in excruciating pain, suspecting a couple of ribs were broken. Then, when he looked quite whipped to the head orc, they tied his wrists and ankles with rope. "Let go of me! Don't do this to me.…" The orcs just laughed at him. He was picked up by his arms, swung around and dragged back the direction they had come from. Legolas was moaning from the pain, and yet getting very sleepy. It was becoming difficult for him to stay awake..the dart?...he wondered. Then he slowly slipped into unconsciousness.

The friendly orc watched sadly, but there was nothing he could do. For the moment at least. But perhaps down the road, very soon.

…

When Legolas awoke, he stayed very still with his eyes shut, attempting to hear everything said around him that might be beneficial. He was trying to put off the inevitable as long as he could. What were they going to do with him? He was tied to a tree limb, facing it, hanging well off the ground, his wrists and arms aching, hoping his shoulders wouldn't dislocate. His feet were also tied and he was gagged. It was not a very comfortable position to be in. They had removed the arrows from his body, and it burned and stung. Blood was running down his sides and back. More misery for Legolas, and they hadn't even started on him, yet. He saw his bow and arrows, as well as his pack, at a distance; but they would not help him at all. They were much too far away.

A couple of the evil creatures saw him wake almost immediately. They sauntered over to him, their captain following."So, elf, what were you doing out here? Just trying to find us for a really good time? We always enjoy the company of elves. Consider yourself lucky you ran into us. Oh, well, I guess you cannot answer me. Pity. In just a few minutes you will see just how friendly we can be." All the orcs laughed at the comments of their captain. He removed Legolas' gag and laughed hysterically at the elf. "Now, elf, you just feel free to express your feelings...we won't mind. Now just don't hurt yourself by doing so...that's our job."

Legolas swung himself around and glared at the orc who had been talking to him. "You are disgusting, orc," he told him as he spat on him. "Release me, now!"

The head orc glared and growled at him, strolling toward his victim. He punched him in the face and backhanded him; the elf grimaced as his head went flying from side to side. The captain grabbed the Prince's hair, pulled it back and smashed his head into the tree. He pulled it back again and bashed it once more.

Legolas moaned, barely awake. He was dizzy, and the world was fuzzy. He felt blood running down his forehead, out of his nose and mouth. It ran through his hair, dripping down the ends of it to his leggings. Once again, Legolas looked behind him, and his "friend" was nowhere to be seen. The elf wondered if he had been abandoned. The orc had just disappeared.

The leader was still furious. He turned Legolas around and punched him in the stomach with his knee and boot. The elf gasped but couldn't do anything about it. He was trapped and at their mercy. Then the orc spat at the elf. "I don't like disrespectful captives, you. Keep it up, elf, and you will end up as just a dead, bloody body on the ground."

Legolas glared at him, trying very hard not to show the fear emanating from his eyes. The elf knew when you fought and angered an orc, you were playing with fire. But his pride always got in the way; keeping him from listening to what they wanted, or being obedient to them.

Legolas looked around and behind him, desperate to see the orc. He finally saw him at the back of the horde. He felt so relieved. It gave him comfort, and hope that he might escape and get out of there alive. The orc gave him a small smile, as did Legolas.

"What are you looking at, elf! There's nothing there!" The orc leader growled at Legolas as he grabbed and pulled his hair back, holding a sharp knife to his throat. "How about I just cut your throat now, and put you out of your upcoming misery?"

"You'll do what you want anyway. I can't stop you. Do as you will. "Legolas was despairing, but there was nothing he could do but put on a brave face for what he knew was coming. The elf was putting trust in his orcan 'friend' and hopefully he would come through for him.

"You're right, elf. Go get them now!" the head orc ordered his underlings. A couple of them did what they were bid, and brought a couple of weapons to their leader. Legolas panicked when he saw what they had. A whip and knife. He shuddered, fear in his eyes, desperately hoping that no one saw his reaction.

The orc dropped the knife, wishing to start with his whip. He slowly approached Legolas, and taunted him once again, with an evil grin. "Are you ready to experience some of our friendly hospitality, now? Well, I guess you are going to get it whether you want to or not." He grabbed the elf's blond hair, pulled it, swung him around, "Anything to say before we beat you senseless...or maybe worse?" the evil orc growled.

"May the Valar send you to hell, you wicked, sadistic, evil creatures!"

He unwrapped his whip, and shook it out. They were very frightening sounds for Legolas. Where was his rescuer?

He started panicking again, feeling a tight knot in his stomach. He ached as well as his head. He was breathing hard and fast, hyperventilating. He knew the orc was looking at him, so he tried to calm his emotions. The evil creature laughed, enjoying it immensely.

Crack!

Legolas was not ready for the first one, and jerked and gasped, closing his eyes in pain.

Whoosh, crack!

He grimaced in agony…

Whoosh, crack! The whip landed on his legs and arms over and over again. Designs and patterns formed on his back. The evil orc kept hitting the same injuries, to add to his agony. They whipped him for a long time, and he tried to keep his feelings under control. He did not want them to see or hear anything else from him. But he moaned, shook, hissed, grimaced. Then he knew he couldn't hold it back, anymore. So finally he screamed and screamed, not caring at this point what the others thought. But it could not be helped. Legolas felt like one big fireball. He wondered how long he could last, or if they would even let him live.

Finally it ended. But Legolas was in so much pain that he could barely tell. His head was hanging down, his body was almost numb, and still he screamed. The orcs just laughed and laughed at his was covered in blood; front and back. It was pooling under his feet, and he was feeling very weak from the loss of it. He did not think he could bear the knife after that.

He didn't have much time to think about his pain and misery, though. The evil head orc dropped his whip and readied with his favorite weapon, a very sharp knife. The captain jabbed it into the back of Legolas' shoulder, making the elf jerk and gasp. He wasn't prepared for that, either. Then the orc jabbed him in his other shoulder. Once again he wasn't prepared and he desperately tried to get down and somehow protect himself and escape. But he knew it was hopeless. He yelled again. "Let me go..release me," he almost whispered because of his sore , scratchy throat. It was so humiliating. He also couldn't even turn around to attempt to do some damage himself. He tried, though. The orc grabbed his hair and swung him around. Legolas was seething with anger and fear. The creature held the knife to his throat.

"Elf, you are going to be with us for a long time. You make such a nice toy, and you scream so well for us. You are a FUNone!"

"I'd rather die first then spend any more time with you!"

"Well, you might get your wish before long if you give us any trouble," he laughed and growled at him.

The nasty orc made a cut on Legolas' throat, to warn him of the consequences of attempted escape. "Hold him, he ordered two of his men." His subordinates grabbed both the elf's arms, and held him tightly against the tree. Legolas was terrified. He hoped this would go quickly.

The head orc pierced Legolas' skin and pushed the knife in both shoulders deeply, as the elf shuddered and moaned, drawing in a deep breath. He shoved the knife randomly in his back twirled it in his skin, and dragged it all the way down his back. He chose to do that for several minutes, with many cuts. He began to cut deeply into the lashes he created earlier, cutting into every wound he could find.

Legolas was in such agonizing pain, and feeling weaker as the orcan session continued. He was shuddering, trembling and could barely breath. He was sure he was not going to live through this. He was desperate to get down from the tree and release himself from this position. He couldn't escape from this, or even from his present did not even have the strength to try ."No, no...please ...no more." The elf begged and pleaded again.

"I don't think so elf! You are my captive to do with what I want. Elves...I hatethem!"

"Korog, you are killing him. If you want him for another day, you need to stop for now. He is losing too much blood, and he is being beaten too hard. He needs water now to replenish his loss."

The orc captain looked at his horde. "Go set up camp, don't just stand around watching us," he growled in his gravelly voice. 'Orcs...I hatethem!' he grinned to himself.

The site was set up very quickly, including a campfire, at the demand of their leader.. The captain ordered that Legolas be taken down from the tree, and tied to another. He was still shaking and in unbelievable condition and agony. His mind was fuzzy, and he was only partially conscious. He was in shock.

A couple of orcs cut legolas down and he fell into the bloody puddle he had created. The orcs laughed at him. One of them took him to a different tree, untied him, then re-tied him tightly. Blood was trickling down him everywhere. An orc brought him some water. Legolas tried to drink it, but it made him sick, and he threw it up. It disgusted the orc, and he kicked the elf, "fine, if you don't want any, you can do without! Perhaps I'll try later." He knew the elf needed water.

Legolas just sat there, unable to move. He moved his eyes around, unable to concentrate on anything. 'Where is the orc? Can he help me? Please do. If I stay here I shall die,' he thought to himself. He had a horrible headache, a concussion? He had been through too much trauma. He moaned once again. His head fell forward and he passed out.

The orc finally arrived to help Legolas. "Hang in there, elf." he told him, very concerned. He hid behind the tree Legolas was tied to, and started shooting arrows into the midst of the group of orcs. It caused instant confusion. Then he started on them one at a time. He was very accurate… a lot of them were killed, but not all. The orc shot some up in a high arc to attempt to frighten them even more. They scattered in all directions..at least temporarily. He turned around looking at the elf, very concerned about Legolas.

Most of the evil creatures were gone, and a few were dying. He made sure the rest in the camp were dead as well, so the two of them wouldn't be caught. The orc cut the ropes from around Legolas' middle, wrists, and feet. He almost felt sick for what they had done to him. He looked around to see if any of the others were there. They were gone for now, but he knew they would regroup and return. Perhaps hunt for them. In fact he was sure of it.

The orc picked up Legolas and laid him on a blanket. He carried him to a cave where he knew they would be safe. For now, anyway. He feared for Legolas' health and life. So, they absolutely had to get away. At least it was far from where the orc camp had been, and well hidden. It was also closer to Legolas' home.

Legolas was still dripping blood onto the ground on the way there. It made the orc pick up his pace. When they got there, the first thing the orc did, was to take him to a nearby lake. He dunked the elf in the water, and did what he could to clean the wounds to avoid any potential infections. He rubbed him gently, carried him to the cave, and removed his tunic to wash and dry later. The creature laid Legolas down towards the front of the cave where the orc planned on lighting a campfire later, after Legolas was taken care of, to give him warmth.

He dried the elf off as well as he could, then started wrapping up his worst wounds to help stop the bleeding, and give his broken bones some security. It looked very painful to the orc, he cringed at the site of him.

The elf finally awoke, and looked up at his rescuer. Legolas moaned, but smiled at him, as did his new orc gave him some water, which he drank greedily. "Slow down. You really don't want to get sick again, do you? I'll give you more in a short while. I think we should have broth tonight, to help you out. Does that sound alright with you.?"

"Of course, I am starving!"

"Well, that's good, I got your pack and found the food."

"Oh thank the Valar for that!"

"Where are we? How did I get here? How did you rescue me?"

"Full of questions, aren't you? We are in a cave. I carried you here. As for the rescue, I had to wait for the chance to get your weapons to kill the orcs. You were unconscious, and the ones I didn't kill, ran. I even shot a few of those. I don't think they'll find us here."

"You got my bow back, thank you very much! You are a very good being...and friend."

"You as well. So how do you feel, elf?"

"I'm in pain, I ache all over, and I'm miserable. That all ends up to suffering."

"You were tortured more than anyone I've ever seen. But most of them are gone, so I hope you can find a little comfort in that. I can explain more to you ok, are you hungry,?"

"I can explain the situation to you, later."

"Are you hungry?"

"Very! I just hope I won't get sick again."

"I'll help you."

"No, on second thought, I do feel a little sick. Could I just have some water?"

"Alright, then you must sleep a while. It will help you." Legolas took the waterskin from his pack, and drank it down.

"Now you must sleep. I am sorry, but there is no athelas in this area, or I would use it."

Legolas turned onto his side that felt a little less painful, and he was falling asleep already. "That is alright," he almost whispered. The orc gave him a big smile. He looked so peaceful.

Legolas friend lit a roaring fire with the branches, twigs, and kindling he had found, when he had gone out earlier to enjoy the scenery and beautiful scents around him..

He looked at Legolas one more time. "We have to get you back home...Legolas…"

TBC