Deadly Arrows

Rating: R for torture. If you have problems with medieval torture devices, or vague suggestions toward them, I suggest you do not read this.

Disclaimer: I disclaim. Most of the characters are not mine, though there are some inserts. Another note: the evil plot-bunnythat bit me isn't mine either. That was borrowed (with permission) from Julia.

Summary: Aragorn is captured by the half wraith, Nirkanta. Many elves are searching for him, but some them never return. A new weapon is being devised... one that will change the lives of Elves forever.

A/N: Maybe the torture is unrealistic (as someone had pointed out). I really do not care. As long as I inflict lots of damage on Estel I'm happy. This story was written for my entertainment… mostly.

(A few days ago...)

"Hey, I can do it if you guys would just let me!" An indignant voice rang out through the forest.

"Sure you can, Estel... like the time when you went and managed to get trampled by the very prey you were hunting?"

Soft elven laughter followed the statement, causing the human to blush. "That was an accident, El! How was I to know that--"

"Excuses, excuses. Estel, everyone knows you're a horrible shot... especially having been taught by Noldor elves," A teasing voice cut him off. His words elicited some resentful cries from the other elves.

It was simply one of those fine days when no one could stand staying inside longer than they must. Instead of allowing the young ones sit around complaining of boredom, or creating mischief in his house, Elrond had assigned them to go restock the cellar; this idea was taken up quickly by the elves, and within half an hour, they had bugged the cook for lunch, saddled up their mounts, and set off merrily. The six of them were riding toward one of the better hunting grounds, about three hours ride away from Rivendell, and to pass the time, they chose to play their favorite game of teasing the human and each other.

"I'd be careful if I were you, -dear- prince," Elladan growled playfully, nudging his mount closer to Legolas'. "You might just find yourself on the wrong end of a few arrows..."

"As if you could hit him. He's right, you know; Noldor elves simply can't shoot." Lingalad said innocently. He was riding beside his brother, and was glad that Legolas was between him and Elladan.

"Oh, so we can't?" Elrohir queried, turning his head to the right to grin wickedly at his friend. "Then pray tell why it was that I beat you in the last archery match we held?"

"Actually, El, Elladan won that one." Estel pointed out to his brother. He was glad that the subject of their teasing had moved on, and now felt more inclined to return the favor.

"Close enough. My point is, we still managed to beat them, and now they say we can't shoot."

Legolas glared over at his brother. "It's not my fault that Lin's arrow caught on a draft and flew ten feet too far! If it wasn't for that, we'd have beat you."

"Children! Stop squabbling back there!" Elwen, their friend and the eldest of all of them, called back from a few feet in front of them. "Lin, you would have beat Elrohir had you actually thought about shooting instead of winning."

"I did think about shooting!" Lin gave his horse a prod, and Lómil increased his pace to catch up with Elwen. "Though," he added quietly, now that he was beside his friend, "I was thinking more about how to shoot Arwen, who had been striding up the hill at the time."

"Lin!" Elwen gave him a scolding smack upside the head, though she couldn't keep the laughter from her voice. "That--"

"Just don't tell the others. Estel would have my hide if he knew..." He winked. The two of them had been hunting partners for centuries, and they shared a common dislike of Elrond's only daughter, Arwen.

"Knew what?" Elladan's voice floated up to them. The four of them, Elladan, Elrohir, Legolas, and Estel had been arguing amongst themselves about who was a better archer up until that point.

"Oops," Lin ducked his head. "Nothing, El." He responded innocently.

"I'll beat it out of you if you won't tell me!"

"All right... if you can catch me!"

"Is that a challenge?" Elladan questioned. "You think Rochel here can't surpass Lómil?"

"Exactly that," He lowered his voice, "Come on, Lómil, lets show El what we're made of." Lómil whinnied, then, having been given permission to race, sped off, leaving a startled Elladan behind.

"Not fair!" The Noldor elf cursed, urging Rochel to her full speed.

The others moved off to the side to let him pass. Laughing, they followed the two at their own leisurely pace, making bets on who would win.

A/N: So, after forever, I managed to get another chapter up. It's a lighthearted reprieve from my previous chapters, just to catch everyone up to where chapter one starts. I plan on having another one between here and chapter one, then we'll go back to see how Aragorn's faring... P

I do apologize for this chapter taking so freakin' long. Real life and simply the lack of a muse are my excuses...