"He just left us and went away?"
"Yes, I don't understand it either," Legolas hated to lie to his friend, but having Aragorn feel unbelievably guilty because his brother had sold his soul to save him would be much worse.
It was very hard to convince Aragorn, but the herbal tea Legolas had given him for his wounds soon made him too tired to press for more information – much to Legolas' relief.
Taking his bow and knives, the woodland Prince went to collect more firewood, knowing that the horses would alert him if anything came near them or Aragorn.
"Leave us alone – we don't have the precious – we promise. You must believe us!"
The screaming words echoed in his mind, confusing the elf. But he shook it off and carried on gathering wood.
"Stop please, you must believe us!" the creature screamed as the whip lashed against his pale skin.
Legolas froze, his eyes seeing the torturing happening to a creature so far away.
"Nooooo! Please don't hurt us!" but the whipping proceeded. The orcs in the background filled a huge bath with boiling hot water.
They threw the creature in it, "Aaaaaaagh, precious! It burns us!"
The wood fell from his lifeless hands.
They held its head under and whipped his burning skin when they let him up for air.
Disgusted eyes went wide.
"Don't hurt us aaaahhh!" They dunked him under again, pouring acid into the burning mixture. Gurgling screams could be heard beneath the water.
The elf's breaths came in short gasps.
"Stop! Aaaaagh!"
Tears left the watching eyes as the creature broke...
"Shire, aaaaaaah! Baggins!"
The vision ended. Legolas ran back to the camp and packed everything. The moon hid behind the clouds, denying them of her light, but he sat himself and a sleeping Aragorn onto a horse and ran to Imladris – his other horse running just behind them.
Lord Elrond stood on the balcony gazing into the distance. The river's water gently lapped against the shining pebbles and tickled the roots that lazily hung over the river's edge. The sun shined brightly upon his land and yet the elf was troubled: his youngest son was missing, as was Legolas who Elrond saw as another son.
They were supposed to be back four days ago and yet, as usual, they were late and one of them will be injured – as always.
His prediction was correct – The Lord called for his daughter and sons when he saw the Prince racing into the courtyard carrying his sleeping son.
