The 2 girls stood in front of their master like a dog about to be punished. Ariels dark hair was pulled back, revealing her finely curved features and exposing her most beautiful asset, her emerald green eyes. Elwing held Ariels hand, a sign of comfort and protection. Both girls were dressed in rags, gone were their beautiful dresses, their days of luxury were over. Bakal had grown bored of them, still using their bodies when it pleased him, but bored nonetheless. Ariel had finally grown to accept the fact she would most likely never return to her home, Legolas was probably married now to some beautiful princess. She liked to think he still thought of her, but the chance was slim. She imagined his princess had born children, that he was a proud father. The more she thought of Mirkwood, the more she wished she would never return. The emotional trauma of seeing Legolas with another woman would finally destroy her. Ariel wondered what it would be like to be held by someone who loved you, not for your looks, but the content of your soul. To be loved so deeply someone would give up anything for you, even their life. But that sort of love only existed in fairytales, not in real life. The only time she had ever seen that sort of love was between her parents. She pushed these nostalgic thoughts out of her mind, realizing it brought nothing but pain.

"I have been…. Summoned….. To… Gondor," Bakal stated through bites of bread, Ariel always hated it when he spoke with his mouth full "You two girls…. You will come with me. I need company and you both are the most beautiful girls of my collection." He smiled the last bit of his sentence, as if abducting and using them was something to be proud of.

"Of course master." Elwing stated on behalf of both girls, Ariel could hear the ill-disguised hatred seeping from Elwing's sentence.

"See Soria for clothing, I expect my business partners to be impressed with your beauty. Cant have you looking like rag dolls. We leave tomorrow at dawn." Bakal waved his hand dismissively, a sign for them to leave immediately.

When back in the comfort of their room, Elwing broke into a fit of smiles and laughter.

"Oh Ariel! Aren't you over joyed?" She laughed.

"Why on Earth would I be over joyed? We're just going to be used like the whores we are." Ariel stated breathlessly, plopping down on the bed.

"Oh Ariel, don't say that. We have no choice in the fate we have been dealt," Elwing stated wisely, rubbing Ariels back, "You see, sister, I was joyful because this is the chance we have been waiting for for the past 15 years. We finally have a chance! On the way to Gondor, we will have a chance to escape. I will see my sisters and family again, my love Arto. And you will see your prince Legolas! Ariel, this is the chance we have been waiting for sister."

"Don't start Elwing. My heart could not bear the disappointment if we were to fail." Ariel said gloomily.

"Ariel, trust me. We will escape this time. Too long we have been used and abused, treated like dogs. But not any longer, we will do this for us, and for Gwenn. She would not want us to back down like dogs, she would want us to fight to see our families again." Elwing said bravely, a look of determination crossing her face.

"You really think?" Ariel asked.

"I swear it."

Both girls hardly slept at all, thinking and dreaming of their freedom they would die trying for.

"Elwing…. Are you awake?" Ariel whispered.

"Yes. I can't sleep." Elwing replied from across the small room.

"What if he is married? Legolas. What if he has a princess? I know it has been nearly two decades since I've seen him, but my feelings have not left. I still know in my heart I love him."

"Oh Ariel… If he has managed to stay a single bachelor for the past 400 years of his life, Im sure he hasn't rushed into anything in the past 15. Trust me sister, if you two are meant to be together, you will be. Believe me." Elwing stated wisely.

Ariel smiled, and drifted off into a deep, dreamless sleep.

The next morning they were woken by haggard old Soria swatting at their heads.

"Both of you up! Your baths are being drawn now. Be ready by first light. Bakal will beat you for lateness." She coldly stated. Ariel was bewildered that after 15 years Soria still managed to treat both girls as if they had just arrived yesterday.

"Yes, mother." Ariel said playfully, winking at the older lady who only glared at her with contempt, and a little bit of ill hidden affection.

Their dresses were more beautiful than any cloth either girl had ever seen. Made of the softest of silks and died the most exquisite colour of red wine, Ariel looked a vision. The dress was gauzy and see through and exposed her long pale legs. Her body was decorated with bronze chains that dangled when she walked. Ariels long dark hair was brushed out, her voluminous waves hitting her hipbones.

"Oh Valar, when Legolas see's you he is going to drop dead." Elwing whispered to Ariel.

"He probably won't even recognise me, I looked like a child last time he saw me." Ariel replied, remembering how much she had changed since being here.

Bakal sat in a large open carriage made of wood, plush pillows and a plate of food surrounded him. His business associate, Maljiet, sat next to him, his eyes scanning over the bodies of the two girls. A troupe of soldiers readied their horses and fastened supplies onto a spare cart. Ariel noticed their mouths drop to the floor at the sight of both girls. Elwing and Ariel were motioned by the head guardsman to sit in a carriage located directly behind Bakal; it was decorated with sheets of scented silk and lush pillows. Of course, Bakal wanted everyone in middle earth to know of their presence. What a stupid move, Ariel thought. Just as their large party was about to take off, Soria popped her weathered old head through the opening of the cart.

"Don't do anything stupid. Obey him, " She stated coldly, just as Ariel was about to reply with a quick witted remark, Soria grasped both girls hands, slipping a leathery pouch into their palms, "Be safe, may you find happiness wherever fate takes you." She whispered, and smiled affectionately at both girls. As quickly as she had come, her head was gone, no doubt off to abuse some lowly slave.

Both girls looked at what she had given them, pulling the handle of a small but very sharp dagger out of its sheath, they both looked at each other in utter bewilderment, wondering what had possessed Soria to bestow them with gifts of escape.

As the horses took off, Ariel said a silent goodbye to the prison she had been held captive for the past 15 years. She knew not what awaited her in the future, if she would be killed attempting to escape, but she knew anything was better than the life she had lived.

Hey guys! Im so sorry for the late update! I've just started grade 12 and already we have an insane amount of homework! Thankyou everyone for your reviews, they really keep me going To EGilly, no, she isn't pregnant, she WAS. I meant to imply they beat her so the baby died that sounds so screwed up! I really wanted to put an emphasis on how horrible Ariels life has been :'( I felt this chapter was a little more hopefully and less morbid than the previous ones. Promise I'll update in the next couple of days! xxxxx