Phew! I'm quite proud of that last chapter; I got a nice amount of response! Also, I know how to end the story now although I still have a few more chapters to go, but theirs a little clue in this chapter, I wander if anyone will get it?

Disclaimer: Why must you force me to admit every single chapter that the thing I would dearly love to own I don't own and I never will!

Chapter 10

Saruman smiled as Aragorn strove to defeat some of the Orcs with Taurnil's sword. Aragorn was weakened by long capture and struggled to even badly wound some of the Orcs. He heard the door clang shut behind him. The others were gone. He was glad, but also worried as to their own fate. Legolas was lying at his feet in a growing pool of blood and soft cries came from him whenever he moved. The Orcs converged upon Aragorn with small knives and daggers, there were many of them and Aragorn was badly outnumbered. He struck the first Orc on the wrist, severing the hand and the Orc gave a cry and backed away, but more replaced it. They stabbed furiously at Aragorn, never aiming to kill but always to hurt. Before long had passed Aragorn was covered in a multitude of bloody cuts and bruises. A knife fell upon his arm and he dropped the sword. He only just avoided landing on Legolas who was crouched next to him. Pippin turned from the door and raced back to his friends. He was unharmed so far. Saruman laughed as he saw the Hobbit. He lifted his hand and Pippin's woolly feet left the floor. Laughing like a maniac now he threw Pippin backwards where the Hobbits head banged hard into a wall. The Hobbit's eyes glazed slightly and he moved no more. Legolas glared at Saruman. He was weary and wounded but he tried to do something. His legs were unharmed so he swung out a foot and caught a big Orc on the ankle. The Orc toppled and fell to the ground, taking three of its fellows with it. Saruman waveda hand and the Orcs cleared, leaving him with a path straight to the captives. He grabbed Aragorn and hoisted the man to his feet before turning his head to the Orcs. Bring the Halfling and the Elf. We are moving them from their cell.

Legolas came to consciousness slowly. He twisted his arms and groaned when he found that they would not move. It was wet where he sat. They were outside. He lifted his head slowly, even this small movement made his head spin. Aragorn sat across from him. He spat out a mouthful of blood "Where are we, mellon nin?" he asked slowly "and where is Pippin?"

"We are on top of Orthanc. Saruman brought us here. Pippin is bound on the third pillar." Legolas nodded slowly

"Then… why do I remember none of this transpiring?"

"You passed out from blood loss. The Orcs carried you here." Legolas tried to stop the involuntary shudder that coursed through him at that. "How are you feeling now?" asked Aragorn. Legolas sighed to himself; the man would never abate his fussing.

"I am fine! I think for once that you should be worried for yourself and for Pippin."

"Both myself and Pippin are fine. Pippin is only unconscious from a knock to his head and I am not badly wounded…you on the other hand passed out from blood loss. What in Arda were you trying to do." Legolas shook his head slowly. Aragorn laughed hoarsely. That meant that the Elf had no idea why he had tried to attack a wizard and a battalion of Orcs single handed, but then he had no idea why he had done it himself. He was just glad that Legolas had not been in a position to see what was going on at that point. Legolas gazed around until he saw Pippin. The Hobbit was silent and his head was slumped forward- but he looked to be merely sleeping except for a slight swelling on the back of his head. Legolas waited until Aragorn was busy watching Pippin for any signs of problems and then glanced at his fingers. What he saw nearly made him retch. The first two fingers were bent at awkward angles and a rainbow of bruises covered the hand. They were swollen to twice their normal size as well. But it was the third finger that was worst. A splinter of bone half the size of the finger was protruding and a mass of half congealed blood surrounded it. Slowly, Legolas tried to shift the fingers. That small movement sent a rush of fiery pain down his arm as the healing sinew and bone was damaged. He cried out. Aragorn swung around as best he could while tied "What are you doing?" he demanded, Legolas remained silent. Aragorn suddenly caught sight of Legolas hand and he flinched "Do not tell me that you tried to move that!" Legolas again remained silent, he was afraid if he opened his mouth he would scream. Pippin began to stir; Aragorn's harsh tones had awoken him. The small Hobbit glanced around

"Aragorn! Legolas! Did we get out?" sadly Aragorn shook his head.

"We are on top of the tower." Said Aragorn as Legolas slid his hand out of view

"So I suppose there is no chance of dinner?" the others decided to ignore this question, and just then a gust of wind howled past them and a downpour began. Legolas laughed humourlessly

"Saruman's doing I would assume. Well if he thinks to overcome us with a little weather, then he has forgotten where we have already travelled already!" All three of them gazed up at the black clouds that were brewing.

Saruman paced furiously up and down his chamber. The prisoners had escaped! After all his careful planning a tiny rabble of Elves had tricked him. He faced the small group of Elves taken captive from the battle outside. They stared back defiantly. Grima stood behind them holding a dagger tightly.

"We will not surrender to you; you are no more than a creature of Morgoth!" cried the Elf who seemed to be the leader. He had jet black hair and bright green eyes. It had taken twelve Orc's to subdue him on the battlefield. Saruman grit his teeth into what could only be an evil grin

"A creature of Morgoth you say? This proves how well you know your own history. As to the question of surrender…I have no need for that. I would call you more of an example." Some of the younger Elves shivered. They had seen many "examples" is recent years and none had been pretty. Saruman looked again at the leader and smiled at Grima. Grima returned his grin and stuck his dagger in the Elf's back. He collapsed and the others gasped, a small female Elf glared at Saruman furiously "Utinu en lokirim!" she cried, struggling wildly against her bonds. Saruman slapped her hard and she reeled backwards, directly into the knife that Grima held waiting. What happened next was swift. The Orcs and Grima killed the remaining Elves and cut of their heads. Saruman stepped over the bodies and made his way to the door, before leaving he turned back "Clear up this mess!" he went to leave again but remembered an idea "Oh, and reunite the heads with their kindred. The Elves will want to mourn them properly. The Orcs leered and Saruman slammed the door behind him.

Translation:

Utinu en lokirim Son of snakes

Right, thankyou to all my reviewers, I love reviews, they keep me going! Oh and for all the Aragorn fans there's angst for everyone in the next chapter. Mwuhaha! See you next time!