Hiya Guys! I got my Internet back! Yay! Long chapters for all! Seriously though, I'm really chuffed with the reviewer response to this so far! But on with the chapter…

Disclaimer: If I owned LOTR I would be so rich…I would have a chauffeur and a mansion and a personnel homework doing machine…but I don't. Ah well.

Chapter 9

Saruman was not happy. The information he wished for was not being given. He sat in his huge chair brooding angrily while Grima observed from the side. There had to be a simple way to deal with the Fellowship. Force was clearly not working, so what could he do? There must be some form of shared weakness within them. Suddenly the answer hit him. He sprang up from his chair startling Grima who threw himself backwards to avoid being trampled (as he knew fine well that Saruman would do it, they had never quite gotten over the little thing about him murdering Saruman last time around. Indeed, Grima was only alive again because Saruman thought he might need a scapegoat at some point and they both knew it.) Saruman walked quickly towards the door with Grima following at his heels. His knew idea would work like magic. He was sure of it.

In the darkened cell the Fellowship spoke softly. "Where do you think the others are?" asked a saddened little voice, Pippin was not happy. Several days of confinement had not been good for him

"I'm sure that they are fine. At least they are not here. That has to amount to something!" said Faramir positively, and then winced as his wounds were jarred. Aragorn also shivered at his pain, the guilt of what he had done was consuming him, even though no one in the room blamed him, not even Faramir. He had been silent for a long time and rarely spoke except when it was unavoidable.

"There is always hope in the darkest places. We have all learned this." Continued Legolas, but all conversation stopped as the door was flung open with a bang. Saruman looked happier than they had seen him up until now. This did not bode well for any of them. He surveyed them all, looking for all the world like the cat that had got the cream.

"I trust you have enjoyed your stay?" No one bothered to answer; no one did anything except to glare at him. "I have been thinking recently…I think that we need to establish some things between us. When I want information you will give it to me!" Gandalf looked at him scathingly

"You shall gain nothing from anyone here Saruman. We are all able to stand up to even your darkest plans." Saruman laughed

"Ah, you may be able to stand up to torture yourselves- but are you able to watch others suffer?" Frodo went pale. He could not imagine having to watch as his friend's endured torment and he was certain the others would feel the same as he. Saruman glanced around the assembled looking for his victim. They all remained brave and tried to stare him out. His eyes alighted on Legolas. A thin smile touched his lips "yes" he whispered softly "That will do fine." He snapped his fingers and Legolas' bonds disappeared. Unused to walking the Elf faltered, but his arm was caught by an Orc. The creature dragged him forwards towards Saruman, its thick fingers digging deeply into Legolas' pale skin. Saruman laughed as Legolas was thrown to the floor before him. He bent down "How does it feel to be under my command, princeling?" Legolas shuddered but otherwise said nothing. Saruman gazed round at all the others "Would anyone like to volunteer the information, or do you need a little persuasion?" Legolas spun to face them

"Tell him nothing!" Saruman looked down at him, fury etched in his face. He snatched Legolas' wrist. With his other hand he took Legolas' first finger in his. Legolas watched in horror, he could guess where this was going. With a large smile Saruman wrenched his finger back. The others flinched. A loud crack rent the air, but was quickly obscured when Legolas cried out in agony. Legolas tried to get his other hand to his finger, but Grima jerked it behind his back and Saruman still held onto his wrist. He smiled at the others. "Anything suddenly returned to any of you?" dragging Legolas behind him, he walked up to Aragorn "I thought the Elf was supposed to be your best friend…why won't you save him?" Aragorn groaned but said nothing "Fine." Said Saruman, he lifted Legolas arm again and grabbed the second finger. Legolas began to breathe fast; he knew what was coming this time. Saruman took his time this time, slowly, slowly, he bent the finger backwards. Legolas clenched his teeth and refused to give Saruman the satisfaction of a reaction. At the height of the pain the bone snapped. Legolas made no sound, but he went very white and swayed where he knelt. Openly laughing now and not even bothering to ask for information Saruman grabbed another finger. This time Legolas screamed. Saruman had yanked this finger sideways and the bone pierced the skin, a bit of white and red against the flesh

"No!" shouted Gandalf furiously "Let go of him!" Aragorn could only stare in horror as Legolas' eyes began to glaze. They noticed that blood was beginning to soak through his tunic again. Grima had re-opened the arrow wound. Saruman reached out for the last finger, but at that moment an Orc rushed in. It ran up to Saruman and whispered furiously in his ear. Saruman glared at it

"Can you not sort it yourself?" the Orc shook his head, muttering, Saruman glanced from the Fellowship to the Orc. He pushed Legolas away from him and stormed from the room with Grima trailing him, but before Grima could leave he slammed and locked the door behind him

"Master!" howled Grima as he banged on the door "Let me out!" breathing heavily he turned to look at his cellmates angrily.

Saruman hurried up the hall. The tower was being attacked! He had heard the rumours of Elves in the woods, but he had never believed them, until now. The Orcs on guard were apparently outnumbered so he was going in with reinforcements. He shouted orders to the remaining Orcs and they began to follow him, snatching up their weapons as they went. For a moment he looked around confused, where was Grima? He shrugged "The pathetic coward has probably found himself a hiding hole to avoid doing any work!" he said to himself. He exited the tower. The Elves had slaughtered his gate guards and were swiftly disposing of the others. The Orcs were ill prepared and the elves were picking them off. He spoke a word and the furnaces sprung to life. A number of Elves cried out as the flames licked at them, but the arrows still came. He surveyed the scene before him. His reinforcements had begun to swing the balance, but something felt wrong. The Elves. There were too few of them. They would never have attacked him with so few and expected to win. It was a diversion! He cursed; the captives! Swiftly Saruman turned on his heel and marched back inside, calling about twenty Orcs as he went.

Gimli slid through the door behind the Elves, he was sick of them telling him to be quieter. He was being silent as a mouse- no, not a mouse, mice squeaked, something very quiet anyway. Sam followed him in. The Hobbits nerves were at breaking point. He cared for nothing else except getting his master out alive. The group slid through the dark halls. Enelya was leading, she was uncomfortable. They should have bumped into some form of block by now. They turned into the dungeons. Enelya led because she was the only one who had ever been here before. A long time ago, before Saruman had turned to darkness she had been a messenger from Lothlorien and she knew her way around. It disgusted her to remember that Saruman had given her a tour. Neinna was not in a good mood either. She did not like this place. It was tainted. They moved into a corridor full of doors "This is it!" whispered Enelya. They kept going. Suddenly a shout came muffled through a door "Master! Let me out!" They smiled. Amrod produced a needle and began to pick the huge padlock. Elvish hands are deft and the heavy lock swung open. They pushed the door open and a terrible sight met their eyes. The Fellowship stood chained against a round wall, most of them bore painful looking marks and blood was on their clothes. Legolas sat against a wall cradling one hand to his chest. Three of the fingers were bent and swollen. They were black and blue and bright blood was smeared over them. The other hand was trying to staunch the wound to his shoulder. Grima stood at the door glaring angrily around as if trying to decide who to take his temper out on. Nienna rushed to him as she too was a Mirkwood Elf while the others began to release the Fellowship. Maeglin struck Grima on the back of his head and the human crumpled to the ground. The group went to the door as fast as possible, Aragorn and Taurnil supporting Legolas at the back. Sam ran to Frodo and the two Hobbits embraced. They were all on a high to be escaping. "How comes this?" asked Gandalf as they ran

"We were told of your plight and decided to assist!" said Amrod cheerfully. At the back Legolas suddenly felt Taurnil's support disappear from under him. He crashed to the ground dragging Aragorn with him. Taurnil lay still with a black arrow protruding from his back. Aragorn leapt to his feet and glanced backwards. A large group of Orcs were rushing up the corridor towards them with Saruman following behind. The group ahead turned back and began to run backwards, but Aragorn faced them "No! Leave now or no one will get out!" they hesitated "You can come back for us! Get out!" they ran once more. It was not cruelty, but the only thing that could have been done as the fight was not one that could have been won, and there was no possibility of sacrificing many lives for some. Pippin turned back. He lagged slightly and then tripped over a crack in the floor. Merry cried out and turned back for him, but Amrod's strong arm pulled him along. Aragorn bent down and retrieved Taurnil's sword. He faced the Orcs. Legolas attempted to get to his feet but he had lost too much blood. The Orcs converged while the rest of the group sped towards the door. Pippin cried out and began to run but Saruman spoke a word and the door began to close, he screamed and pushed himself faster. The first group passed through the door, with both Gimli and Merry fighting tooth and nail to get back inside. Pippin was almost there. Closer. Just a little closer, but just as he was within centimetres of it, the door closed. They were trapped.

Well thanks to all my 19 (19!) reviewers, I'm so chuffed because this is my first ever fiction. I hope you liked the chapter…you all thought they would all get out! Lol! Well R and R.