Ellandan looked in shock at the she elf that stood before him. His twin stood next to him, and equally shocked look upon his face.
Elia had tears rolling down her pale cheeks that mixed in with the rain that was now soaking all of their clothes.
"Amin hiraetha." Her voice was strained as she spoke, "They threatened by family, the things they said they would do to them if I did not tell them..."
Elrohir gulped down his anger and asked slowly but clearly, "Where are they taking our brother?"
"My friends, let me help you," Elia begged, "This is all my fault." Neither of Elrond's sons corrected her, in fact Ellandan nodded slightly at her words.
"They are taking them north to where I was captured and taken, to the Witch-king's realm."
Neither captive had felt it safe to sleep, and had tried desperately to converse between them. Legolas hissed as yet again, he was viciously backhanded across his cheeks for trying to talk with his friend.
Aragorn looked over, but did not talk, not wanting to cause his friend more pain. A darkening bruise was forming across his brow from the times he had been scolded. The reason was now clear as to why he had been captured, but he feared for his friend, knowing that soon they would tire of dragging along another captive.
He saw Legolas mutter something under his breath and smiled slightly, knowing how many times he had seen that fierce glare behind the drawn string of his bow. They had travelled for hours, being lead roughly by ropes used as leads around their necks, but as the skies cleared of the storm and dawn showed through the thick canopy above their heads, the orcs had stopped, unwilling to carry on under the harsh glare of the sun.
Since then, between trying to talk with Legolas and being scolded for it, Aragorn had been intent untying to loosen the bonds that held him firmly to the tree he was sat up against. His almost numb fingers closed around a small but sharp pebble, and he felt joy rising inside of him.
With his hands bond behind him, he began to work at the ropes, and slowly they began to fray. He looked across to where they're guard sat under a deep shadow. He smiled to himself as he saw the orc's eyes were closed, his breathing had slowed.
"I am free." He whispered so quietly, that even he could not hear it clearly, but Legolas's keen elvish ears picked it up instantly, and he gave a start. Grey eyes found blue, and Aragorn gave him a mischievous grin.
Silently, he pushed the ropes from him, and moved swiftly behind the tree that held his friend. With the same rock, he worked at the elf's bonds until they too slacked and fell from him.
The pair slowly moved through the undergrowth away from the clearing where the slumbering orcs were. They moved slightly more awkwardly than usual, their injuries and stiffness thwarting them.
When Legolas was just letting out the breath that he held, he heard a noise to the left and spun to face him.
Aragorn felt his friend tense beside him and turned, just in time to see a jagged arrow pierce Legolas' thigh. He let out a cry as he watched the elf fall and ran forwards, catching him in his arms.
"Mellon nin?" his voice thick with concern, but as Legolas answered saying "I am fine," orcs had surrounded them, and Aragorn had found himself looking into eyes of the leader.
"Tut tut tut," his foul voice pierced Aragorn, "Trying to escape were we? Well, you'll have to be punished for that…" Aragorn glared daggers at him. "As you are so precious to our master, then you're friend will have to take your place. Take the elf."
Aragorn snarled and fought viciously as orcs came up to him trying to tear Legolas from his arms. Only when he had received a long bloody gash down him arm did they succeed.
Legolas was dragged to his feet, and orcs held him up as he sagged between them. His eyes found Aragorn, as he was seized and also forced to him feet. He tried to convey the feelings of friendship, worry. 'Do not worry for me, mellon nin.'
Aragorn watched in horror as a whip was brought forward, it's leather thongs embellished with metal spikes. He was crying out, trying to break free from the arms that held him to get to his friend. He looked into the elf's eyes and saw no fear, but instead worry for the human.
"No! Legolas!" Aragorn's voice broke as he cried out again and again, as the whip was brought down repeated, and a cry broke through Legolas's throat.