The most amazing yet hardest part of writing in English is trying to find a decent synonym. I want be able to write more colorful words grr!

Chapter 3

"Such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere."

- Elrond in 'The Fellowship of the Ring'

The strangest thing the orcs noticed when they stormed into the palace gates was that it was vacant. There was no one left in the vast halls of Thranduil. It was almost as if the place was abandoned. Several orcs looked above and around in case of an ambush. When it seemed that the place was indeed devoid of elves, the orcs proceeded to weave through the intricate halls, filling the beautiful place with their unpleasant presence.

"WHERE ARE THEY!" Tarburz bellowed. He had expected to kill some elf right in front of the obnoxious elf king, because the king himself was not to be touched. Perhaps it was due to some kind of innate sense of defiance, but the Nazgul's orders made the Uruk captain want to hurt the elf more. Of course, his master had only ordered for the elf to not be killed. He didn't say anything about hurting the filth… And so Tarburz stomped over with little grace to where another orc was holding a very confused, but outwardly indifferent Thranduil.

"Where. Are. They," he asked once more. He was disturbingly close to the elf's face, and Thranduil found himself wishing he would stop finding himself in such situations. He narrowed his eyes at the beast, his mouth slightly ajar as if pondering what to have for dinner.

"I do not know. Perhaps they smelt your rancid hides from leagues away and took refuge. Wise my people are, don't you think?" he answered, making sure to drive in the taunt. In truth, he had been a little worried to see nobody in the palace because he wasn't sure if that was a good or bad sign. But when he saw the orcs as confused as he was, he knew that the remaining elves had fled or hidden somewhere relatively safe. How and to where, he did not know, but he thought it was safer if he didn't.

Tarburz was not the brightest bulb in the box, but he read the tone beneath Thranduil's answer, and he didn't like it. "Well then, they are the dogs that I knew them to be," he spat. Then he lifted one massive hand and struck the elf king hard across the side of his head. Thranduil had seen the hand coming, but he couldn't do anything with the orc holding him in place. His head whipped to the side, long hair flailing in the air, and the orcs who witnessed the scene shook the halls with their guffaw. Something clanked on the floor, and Thranduil was somewhat amazed to see that it was his circlet; it had survived the tussle. Tarburz picked it up and turned it this way and that.

"What a beauty, shiny thing like this. Maybe I'll keep it," he purred. He glanced over expecting to see the elf squirming anxiously, but found that he had not moved at all. Instead, Thranduil was glaring at Tarburz out of the corner of his eye with a new fire kindled in it. The king was angry. It almost unnerved the Uruk to see such intimidating eyes, but he bared his teeth at Thranduil as if to reinforce the fact that he was in charge around here. There were shouts of complaints from the other prisoners, especially Laegon, but Tarburz ignored them all. He impatiently waved a hand to take them out of his sight.

"Is the little elf upset that his shiny trinket got taken?" Tarburz taunted while his prisoner straightened himself up. Then the Uruk captain carefully placed the circlet on Thranduil's head in a mockingly delicate manner. Still glaring daggers at the orc, Thranduil stiffened at the unexpected motion, but didn't move otherwise. When Tarburz finished, he stepped back to enjoy the picture, gaining a few sniggles here and there. Then all of a sudden, he struck Thranduil again on the same spot, once again sending the circlet flying across the room and eliciting a tiny gasp from the king. The cruel captain burst out roaring with laughter, causing the others to join him.

"I take what I want Elfing. You will learn to keep your filthy eyes to yourself while you're prisoner to Tarburz. Take him to the deepest, darkest cell they have in this hole!" he barked.

Two orcs grabbed Thranduil's arms, and the elf king put up a struggle against their merciless grips. He kicked an incoming orc hard in the stomach, but barely had a chance to feel satisfaction because somebody else kicked his knees, sending him off balance. They were about to drag him away like that when a noise from the entrance distracted them all. All heads turned to look as several orcs charged through the gates with something smaller in tow.

It was an elf.

"Tirnel!" Laegon cried. The captain had not seen Tirnel among the prisoners and feared that he was dead. He was more than relieved to see that one more of his warriors had survived. Thranduil noticed that it was the messenger that had warned him of the attack.

The orcs brought Tirnel before Tarburz. "Caught this one sneaking near the river." One cuffed the elf on the back of the head in emphasis. The messenger elf had obviously been a little roughed up: he had a bloody nose, bruised eye, and multiple cuts covering his face and arms. But he was smiling. It was small, but it was there, Thranduil noticed.

"Trying to sneak off are we? Lock him away with the others. No wait." Tarburz scrutinized Tirnel before saying, "Give the maggot a little taste of what happens to those who run." The soldiers holding Tirnel grinned evilly and proceeded to carry him off towards the other prisoners. But before they could take him out of Thranduil's sight completely, the brown haired elf inclined his head slightly toward his king and whispered in Elvish,

"They are safe."

Thranduil's eyes widened in understanding. This elf had saved his people!

"What is it saying? Be quiet!" a guard complained, and shoved him towards where Laegon was anxiously waiting.

"Can you walk?" the captain asked his subordinate.

Tirnel nodded and gave the respected captain a small smile. Tirnel was the youngest elf in Laegon's squad, so Laegon felt inclined to treat him as a nephew. He had so many questions for the young one, but didn't feel safe enough to ask with all these orcs encompassing them. Tirnel seemed to sense the curiosity radiating from the other elves and softly hushed, "Later."

The elves were paraded into the numerous cells in Thranduil's halls. The orcs were careful not to put too many in one cell for fear of becoming overpowered, so they put no more than two elves per cell. The elf king was taken to the deepest, most isolated cell away from his subjects so as to keep each other in the dark about how the other was faring. Even though he was inside his own palace, the place seemed very foreign. Thranduil had always thought his dungeons were dark yet hospitable enough; now, they seemed to him to be more like a troll cave than an elf palace. He was rather irked that the monsters had brought so much darkness into his home.

As he was pushed unceremoniously behind the barred doors of one of the cells, his mind spontaneously thought back to the time when he held Thorin Oakenshield's company prisoner.

'Oh the irony,' he thought. 'At least they're orcs and not dwarves.'

His hands had not been unbound, so Thranduil uncomfortably made his way to the bed in the corner, all the while rubbing his wrists in a halfhearted attempt to undo the bonds. The air felt a little chilly, but luckily it was not moist. He leaned back against the cold rock wall and started scraping the ropes against the rocks. For the first time since the battle, he was able to collect his thoughts in peace. He thought about why they kept him and his people alive. He knew that Sauron had been looking to Mirkwood for a while due to its strategic spot, but keeping them alive was technically unnecessary. Maybe it is purely for sport? He shivered as his thoughts drifted to stories about what orcs did to elven prisoners. He thought about Legolas, and hoped that his son was safer than he was in his own home. He was abruptly pulled out of his thoughts by a commotion outside the cell. He gazed out the barred doors to see orcs running around jabbering excitedly with handfuls of gold and silver and many white gems. They were plundering his treasure hoard! The king's anger flared once more, but he was utterly helpless to stop the burglary. He was forced to look on as their grubby hands molested his precious jewels. Now he was weaker in strength, wisdom, AND riches than the other elven lords. Several orcs banged the doors of the cells as they passed by, but Thranduil did not flinch. He may be prisoner, but he was not going to give them the satisfaction of watching him despair. He was the son of Oropher! He will fight until his last breath. As he simmered in frustration at this rather cumbersome situation, he felt several fibers in his rope loosen. He inwardly smiled and continued to rub the ropes against the rougher rocks.

Talia was fading. Or at least she felt like it. She was awkwardly slumped against the wall, not caring if grime and dirt were making their way into her hair and clothes. She was alone, which she appreciated, for she did not feel like part of this world anymore. She saw everything. She saw how Celegon flew towards the king, how he got impaled by that very king's sword, how he got thrown onto the pile of corpses like some sort of garbage. She was constantly haunted by the images that were imprinted onto her eyeballs. She had not shed a tear though, and also had not said a word since they'd been taken prisoner, but had simply been going with the flow, making no resistance as she was thrown into her cell. In truth, she wouldn't have minded if the orcs had killed her. She took another shuddering breath as she watched Celegon's body fall with the orc.

She loved him.

Talia never admitted it to anyone, but she loved Celegon dearly. She enjoyed the days when they would patrol the woods together, and the simpler days when they would hunt deer. She loved fighting side by side with her mellon and treating each other's injuries. She missed their little adventures in the trees, tweeting to each other to signal their location. Talia couldn't help but smile a little at the memory. The more she thought about Celegon, the more she became distraught. Celegon wouldn't want her to fade for his sake, but she could not imagine a world without him! She was torn between the will to live and the urge to fade. The cruel part of this was that she wanted him to comfort her as he always did. But he will never do so again. A tear made its way out of her eye and caressed her cheek. Her breathing hitched as the weight of her loss came crashing down on her. And so the female archer sat huddled up in the corner, sobbing quietly for what used to be.

She was so immersed in her grief that she almost didn't hear the approaching footsteps. It wasn't until she heard the grunts of the orcs and the door opening that she jumped up and became instantly alert. She had no weapons, but she had her hands, which were equally deadly. She was about to put up quite a fight when the guards threw something inside and immediately shut the door. She didn't dare glance down until the orcs treaded off laughing about something. When she finally spared a look at the thing on the floor, she noticed that it was not a thing, but a body! It was Tirnel! Panicking, she quickly crouched down and turned him over. She had not expected him to yell out when she moved him, and when he did, she almost dropped him in surprise.

"Tirnel. Mellon-nin, what happened?" she asked urgently.

Tirnel was sweating profusely, and his breathing was rapid and shallow. He was writhing in Talia's arms, weakly pushing her away from him as if trying to escape.

"It hurts…" Tirnel complained weakly.

"Where does it hurt? Let me help you." Talia felt guilty. Everybody was in pain, but she was too focused on her own to notice anybody else's.

"Everywhere…" he breathed, "spider venom…"

Spider venom! Talia did not have any herbs or water at the moment, and spider venom was potentially lethal. The only thing she could do right now was to sit by Tirnel and wait the pain out; hopefully, he wasn't dosed with a deadly amount. She wiped some sweat off of his forehead and looked down sadly.

"I am sorry," she whispered.

"Do not be…" he mouthed in his semiconscious state, but the words never left his mouth for Tirnel passed out right then.

On the southern side of Middle Earth, Gondor had just achieved a victory against the forces of Mordor. The Witch King of Angmar was dead, slain by Eowyn; Aragorn was busy in the houses of healing; and Legolas and Gimli were strolling around Minas Tirith after having visited Merry.

"Final count is 54," said Legolas.

"The last one I weakened and was about to deliver the final blow when you shot your arrow at it. That doesn't count!" retorted Gimli.

"As I recall, you stumbled and were about to have your head cut off. I believe I saved your life."

"That was purely on purpose. I was tricking the orc to think that I had lost my balance."

"Ah, I had not thought of such an intricate plan. You are wise indeed master dwarf." Legolas bowed low before Gimli, but quickly jumped back before Gimli could smack his head. Laughing merrily, he ran away with his friend hot on his tail cursing and threatening to shave off all his golden hair and make a decent beard out of it.

Legolas was so focused on avoiding Gimli that he almost bumped into Gandalf. He stopped himself in time and turned gracefully, grinning widely.

"Gandalf! I am glad to see you are unharmed," Legolas greeted. Gimli caught up with the two and greeted the wizard as well, but not before glaring at Legolas out of the corner of his eye. The wizard chuckled heartily.

"I see you two are still up to your betting games. Elves and dwarves may be more curious creatures than hobbits," he jested.

"Then there would be no creature on this land that does not spark your curiosity," said Legolas. "How does the lady Eowyn fare?"

"She is doing well. Aragorn is caring for her, but it will be a few days before she awakens. Why don't we talk in the dining hall? I haven't had a decent meal since we were in Rohan," suggested Gandalf.

Gimli perked up at the sound of dinner. "Wonderful idea! I shall go and secure our plates. I will race you to the halls Legolas!" and he sprinted off in the direction of the dining hall. Legolas was about to follow after, but Gandalf put a hand on his shoulder. "Legolas, we must talk. Alone, if you would allow it." Legolas looked curiously at Gandalf.

"What is it?" he asked.

Gandalf seemed to struggle to find the right words. "The shadow has lifted from Minas Tirith, but I sense another," he finally said. Legolas calmly waited for the old wizard to continue. "I couldn't tell before because the shadow here was too great, but now that the distraction is gone, I sense it clearly. It is north. North in the forest of Mirkwood."

Legolas shifted uncomfortably. "Is it not Dol Guldur? The fortress is forever veiled in evil."

"No. No, it is not confined only within Dol Guldur. It has moved and spread its wings across the forest."

"What would you have me do?" the elf asked.

"I do not tell you to do anything. In fact, I do not even know what exactly is happening in that forest. I am simply informing you because I believed that you had a right to know and to make your own choices. You have come a long way, son of Thranduil, but your responsibility to The Fellowship was over long ago. Remember that you are free to come and go as you wish." With this advice, Gandalf smiled warmly at Legolas and hobbled off to where Gimli was last seen.

Legolas was left to his own confused thoughts. Mithrandir had given him a choice: to go back home or stay and fight with Gondor. He didn't know what exactly had happened to his homeland, but a shadow would not bode well. But he also swore himself to Aragorn and Frodo. Even if he was not bound to The Fellowship, he had followed them to Mount Caradhras, through the mines of Moria, and even to the paths of the dead on his own free will. He could not abandon them now. At a loss, he decided to eat first and mull over it later.

He found Gimli alone in the dining hall. Well, not exactly alone. He was surrounded by men who were sharing ale and telling stories. Gimli was obviously the center of attention as he was the one doing the telling with the men listening intently.

"And then I swung my axe and cleaved the beast in two…ah! There he is, the elf!" Gimli called out. One of the men swung around to greet Legolas.

"Master Gimli has been telling us the story of how he saved you from that giant orc. It must have been a terrifying experience!" he said. Legolas raised an eyebrow. "Terrifying indeed."

Gimli roared with laughter and the men cheered and all drank from their cups. Legolas smiled and silently left them to their fun. He went off to find Aragorn in the houses of healing.

He found the ranger on one of the balconies of the houses. When Legolas stepped behind him loud enough for the man to acknowledge his presence, Aragorn seemed a little surprised.

"Legolas! Do not sneak up on me like that."

"Sneak? A hoard of mumakil couldn't have woken you from your dreams," the elf laughed.

Aragorn seemed to turn a slight shade of red, but the ranger chuckled and asked, "Why do you not feast? Tonight is a good night."

"The same reason you do not. Many things trouble you, Heir of Gondor."

At this he turned silent and looked back at the night sky. "You are right. I was just thinking of King Theoden…" Aragorn murmured. "He was a brave man. He died nobly." Legolas nodded. "Many brave men have died tonight," he commented, and for a moment, the two friends remained silent in respect for the dead.

"People come and go," the man continued, "whether living or dead. It is not in my power to prevent them. Every man is entitled to his own cause and destiny. Even an elf."

Legolas looked up at Aragorn; a little confused by the way he was talking. Aragorn walked closer to his friend and looked straight into his blue eyes.

"You should go mellon-nin. Do not stay here for my sake."

The elf was shocked. How could he have possibly known? "How did you know?" he asked.

"Gandalf told me before he told you. He seemed to know that you would come to me, so I reckon he gave me time to think as well. But Legolas, my friend," Aragorn put both hands on Legolas's shoulders, "there is nothing to think about. Even had I not known beforehand, I would have let you go. Go and fight for your home; I will stay here and fight for mine."

Legolas almost bowed in respect for the future king of Gondor. He sufficed by squeezing Aragorn's shoulder back in thanks.

"Hannon le," he whispered. "I will be back."

The two friends stood there silently saying their farewells until Legolas finally left the balcony. Aragorn watched his friend's retreating back with complicated emotions. He wished to the Valar that both of them would come out of this war alive.

Legolas packed lightly, for he intended to travel fast. It was a long way to Mirkwood and he wanted to make the trip as short as possible. As he was preparing his horse, Arod, he heard the heavy footsteps of Gimli behind him.

"And where are you going master elf?" the dwarf asked.

"I am sorry Gimli. I am afraid our trip to the Glittering Caves and Fangorn must wait," Legolas replied with a sad smile.

"Of course the trip must wait. Did you think going to Mirkwood was going to be a picnic?" Gimli burst. Legolas looked at him in absolute confusion. "Pardon?" Now that he got a closer look at his unlikely friend, he could see that he was packed lightly just as he himself was.

"Aragorn told me. And I am going with you. The lad has a whole army to back him when he needs it. Fortunately, you will have me. Now get me on that beast!" He left no room for argument. Legolas grinned widely. "Is everyone talking about my affairs behind my back?" he said, but was sincerely happy to have his best friend accompany him. "Do not regret this, my friend."

Gimli merely huffed and braced himself by putting his arms around Legolas's waist.

And thus the two friends headed off north to Mirkwood.

Tirnel the hero! Didn't expect that did you? ;)

I planned to put Legolas in the story, but Gimli was completely spontaneous. Let's see how this works out. Thank you for reading and reviews are always welcome!