A/N: I do not own anything except character's not found in the books/movies. LoTR belongs solely to J.R.R Tolkien.

Rated: T

For my readers. Thanks for the reviews! I am afraid though I cannot answer your questions. You will have to read/wait and find out what exactly the item is. Sorry!

I have two stories going I will write for both - no worries, review and share your thoughts?

By the way, the words in Elvish you can find the translation of them at the bottom.

Enjoy!

Never Again

Chapter 4: A Spy in their Midst?

Somehow, even before he began to start functioning again, Legolas had a terrible feeling. He felt an empty pit in his stomach where food should belong and an aching pain all over his body. He had to try hard to remember why he was actually here and why he felt extremely bad.

That was when memories flooded back and he had a sudden urge to strangle an elf named Vehiron.

With great effort he opened his eyes – then instantly regretted it. The light of day blinded him and his eyelids reflectively closed to shut it out. It wasn't hard to conclude that the sun was high in the sky and as healthy as ever; unlike him.

There were footsteps approaching and tried to cover his head beneath his arms, yet the chains around his wrists kept him from doing so. Even with his eyes closed he could tell the blaring sunlight was blocked by the shadow of the figure, and Legolas tried not to feel too grateful about it.

"Have a nice nap?" mocked a cruel voice.

There was a sound of splashing, as if water was washing over the sides of a bucket. That is exactly what it was. New adrenaline shot through his body as a cold waterfall of water drenched him from foot to toe.

His eyes were now opened wide, blood was pumping, and he had actually managed to get to his knees. Yet obviously he moved a little too fast for the world seemed to swirl around in a dizzy haze. 'Get a grip!' he thought to himself and concentrated on the ground.

Fuzziness, dizziness, and all other fatigue slowly started to diminish – but the pain grew stronger. He noticed the slashes on his body that he received the night of his capture were left untouched. They bristled on the verge of possible infection.

He had to clutch his jaw together to remain in control. The one with the now empty bucket cleared their throat, "I'll give you a moment to settle in." and walked away.

For some reason Legolas highly doubted he would ever get to 'settle in'. As a matter of fact, he didn't think he wanted to.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

"Thranduil I know how you are feeling, but we cannot give it to him no matter what the cost is." Lord Elrond spoke with his voice calm and controlled, but almost cracked when it reached the last words.

This invoked anger from the King. He cursed in his elven tongue, distress poisoning the tone of his words. For him it was as if the whole world was working to bring him down. The worst part of it was that his own son was going to be crushed under its massive weight.

"You don't understand, Elrond! This is my son. My SON."

Morfindiel, from where he stood backed against the wall, flinched at the outraged King. He could feel the tension in the air grow stronger as the conflict drove on, refusing to be resolved. The dark haired elf tried his best to only speak up when necessary. He feared that getting caught in the line of fire would do no good to the situation.

Elrond sighed and sat down. "I realize that, Thranduil. Yet we could try another way to get him back. You know I would never abandon Legolas." He said and rubbed his tired eyes.

"Another way? Tell me one."

"I do not wish to spill elven blood, but if it comes to prove necessary than we fight for him."

"Fight?" Morfindiel asked, acknowledging this as one of the times to speak. "Vehiron is cunning. I think he will be excepting something like that."

Thranduil stopped in his pacing tracks and stood still. Silence crept around the room for once during this whole ordeal and they all finally got a chance to think clearly. The elf King was the first to speak, "No, he expects me to give it to him."

Elrond nodded thoughtfully and stood from his desk chair. He quickly crossed the room to overview the maps placed conveniently on the table. He moved his fingers across the parchment, most especially over Mirkwood forest.

"Where will he be waiting?"

"If Vehiron is still the Hithon I knew, here." Thranduil informed as he stepped up beside the elf.

Morfindiel sighed, "I still think fighting is not the best tactic here. I don't see why we can't just give him the-"

They all heard it. From outside the doors there was a soft thud and a scuttling of feet down the hallway. Someone had been listening, or tried to listen from the outside. Lord Elrond said not a word and walked with silent footsteps to the door; opening it wide to peer out.

Alas he caught no glimpse of the spy but heard them taking off around the corner.

"Who was it?" Thranduil asked.

Elrond sighed, "I can only guess. Yet I assume it must have been either the Twins or Estel."

However, as wise as the elf is…he was wrong.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

Aragorn was getting quite angry with things. Elrond, Thranduil, and Morfindiel had been in the room for two hours discussing whatever it was they were discussing. He knew that Legolas was out there somewhere kidnapped by a vengeful elf and having valar knows what done to him.

He pounded his fists upon his bedroom wall and bowed his head in defeat. His friend, his best friend, was in trouble and no one was doing anything about it. Not to mention Elrond wasn't allowing him to be a part of what was going on.

Elrohir, who was standing at the open door to his brother's room watching Aragorn, cleared his throat.

The human jumped in surprise and spun around to see the elf and his twin behind him. "Sorry…" he whispered half to them.

"Do not apologize, Estel. Though the pounding was a bit much." Elladan teased, but received an elbow to the gut by Elrohir.

Aragorn, though in a foul mood, couldn't help but smile at their childish ways. He took a deep breath and lowered himself upon his neatly kept bed. The twins – taking it as an invitation – entered slowly to sit next to him.

"I just wish we could do something and stop waiting around talking," Aragorn said, "if Thranduil has whatever it is that Hithon wants then why not give it to him? You would think his son to be of greater importance."

To his right Elrohir smiled a guilty smile, "We did learn something new out by listening in."

Aragorn instantly sat at attention, his eyes wide with interest and a new flare of hope arisen in his heart. Until he heard the next string of words.

"It isn't exactly good news though."

His shoulders sagged back down. The little embers of hope had just been put out with those simple words. "No matter what it is, I still want to know." He told them, and looked forward out the window.

Elrohir nodded gravely and continued on; "Thranduil no longer has what it is Hithon – I mean Vehiron – wants. That is why he has come to seek ada's help. We think Elrond may have it."

The last sentence caught his attention the most. It proved more or less that Elrond was tied into it all, which ultimately meant Aragorn was tied into it. At least that was what he liked to think. He wanted some reason to think he could be a part of figuring out how to get his elven friend back.

"If he has it, then why doesn't he give it to Thranduil in exchange for Legolas?"

"That is the question isn't it? Unfortunately we do not know." Elladan said, putting a reassuring hand on Aragorn's shoulder.

"We could always ask ada up front? He couldn't bear to see his poor Estel in a state of distress." Elrohir laughed and nudged him. Aragorn simply shook his head at the ground with a small smile on his face.

Suddenly they all stopped. Stopped talking, moving, and even breathing. Their ears were intent on the sound that came from down the hall. It was almost as if someone small tripped, got up, and then ran off in a hurry. It was so faint though that it seemed almost unnatural. Moments afterwards they heard a creaking echo.

"Elrond's chamber doors!" Aragorn whispered, knowing by heart the sound of them.

Yet after a few moments the creaking came once more as the door shut, and then a click of a lock going back into place.

"That was…odd?" Elladan said and shrugged his shoulders.

Language Translation

- Ada: Dad/Daddy