Author's note: n/e one care to explain y my italics won't work? =( evil ff.net…
Chapter 6: Secrets Revealed
When Legolas awoke, he was lying on the ground of a small clearing. His wrists and ankles were bound, preventing him from attempting to escape. Legolas began to will himself to release his binds when he sensed a dark magic surrounding him. It prevented him from performing any magic. Not that he could, Legolas reasoned, wincing at the sharp pains he felt in the back of his head as well as his back. He vaguely remembered the events from the night before. Had it been only a night? There had been that child. No, it had been an Orc…
Legolas looked up as a shadow stood over him. He looked into the scowl of a large Orc. The Orc thrust a skin of water at him.
"Drink." He ordered gruffly.
Legolas stared defiantly at him. "I'd rather die than drink your filth."
The Orc snorted at Legolas' insubordination. "Oh, you shall wish for death a thousand times before you even reach our master." He growled at Legolas. With a fierce kick at Legolas' stomach, he turned and walked away. Legolas crumbled into a fetal position, gasping for breath. The kick had knocked the air out of him and he felt excruciating pain in his abdomen. He heard jarring laughter near him and as he looked around, he found that he was surrounded by Orcs. They were all seated around a flickering campfire, resting before they prepared to go again.
Legolas sighed and rolled over so that he would not have to face the glee of his captors. He only hoped that his friends were safe.
***
The Fellowship saddled their horse with luggage. Thranduil came out to greet them before they left.
"Be safe, my friends," he said solemnly. "I hope to see you come back victors from your battle."
"We shall," Aragorn said firmly. "And when we return, we will have your son with us." Thranduil nodded and smiled faintly at Aragorn's words. He waved as the Company set off.
"Gandalf, perhaps it would be best if you journeyed with us." Frodo said after a moment of silence. He remembered the days when the Fellowship had been without Gandalf. Though Aragorn had proven himself a worthy leader, Frodo had always sensed more security when the wizard was by their side. He did not wish to be parted from the wizard yet again if he could help it.
"I am going to Lothlorien; it shall take long before we reach Mordor." Gandalf replied. Though he looked stern, the Fellowship could tell he also approved of this suggestion and they were glad for it.
"Perhaps it would do well for us to learn all we can of what we are getting ourselves into before we attempt to enter Mordor." Gimli suggested. "Despite the fact that I fear for the Elf, I do not feel we should be rash in our approach. It may just prove more harmful for us as well as him."
"Elessar?" Gandalf looked at Aragorn. The man turned to him. "What do you feel would be best?"
Aragorn stared ahead. "I wish to continue onto Mordor. But I shall go along with whatever decision the Fellowship makes."
Gandalf nodded. "Very well. We shall go together to Lothlorien and listen to the Lady's counsel. Then I shall accompany you on your journey to Mordor."
"Gandalf," Aragorn said suddenly, "I was starting to tell you something last night, but in all the confusion, I was unable to finish. I may know why Saruman wanted Legolas."
Gandalf stopped in his tracks and stared at Aragorn. "What?"
"Years ago, during the days of the Fellowship, Lady Galadriel told me that Legolas had a great power. She would not tell me what it was but she said he would be sought after by the Dark Hand when Mirkwood became great."
The Fellowship could see Gandalf digesting the disturbing information. Finally, he began walking again, more briskly now as he led their horse along. "Hurry, we must make haste!"
***
Each day that passed brought Legolas endless torture on behalf of the Orcs. They were all joyed by the mere thought of torturing their most hated foe and never once wasted time to torment him in every way possible. Legolas lost count of time and did not know if they had been traveling for days, weeks, or months. Maybe they had been traveling a year, he knew not. But the Orcs were swift in their trekking and they slowly approached a vast land, overcome by dark clouds. Legolas dimly recognized the land as that of Mordor. His heart skipped a beat as he realized that the Shadow was slowly arising again.
The Orcs led him into the tower and they reached the top of it. When they opened the door and cast him down onto the ground, he looked up and could not suppress a gasp when he saw the tall, elderly wizard standing before him in his shimmering robes of many colors.
"Saruman!" he cried out.
Saruman's lips turned back into a sneer. He walked over to Legolas and pulled up the Elf's face. "So we meet again, Legolas Greenleaf." Saruman remarked smugly. "Only this time, YOU are the one at MY mercy. Did you think I would be down forever when you were once a part of the Fellowship? Gandalf is not as great as I, Elf, nor will he ever be as great as I. Only once has he defeated me but I will rule him as well as all of Middle-Earth soon!"
***
The Fellowship treaded wearily into the glorious forests of Lothlorien. As they entered, they felt the familiar feeling of rejuvenation and tranquility come over them. They were not bothered by the Elves of the forest for the Fellowship was well known in 'Lorien. As they rapidly approached the palace within the forest, they saw Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel waiting for them as well as another beautiful raven-haired Elf.
"Arwen!" Aragorn exclaimed in surprise.
"My husband," Arwen smiled in greeting.
"Lady Galadriel," Gandalf started, giving Aragorn a reproving glance, "Legolas Greenleaf, prince of Mirkwood, has been taken by Saruman's forces."
"Yes, I know, Mithrandir." Galadriel replied. "Legolas is a Mage."
Gandalf and Aragorn both gasped in shock. "A Mage? But Lady Galadriel, that is impossible—" Gandalf began.
"'Tis true. Legolas is a Mage." Galadriel repeated.
"What's-what's a Mage?" Pippin asked timidly.
"A Mage is an Elf who holds the powers of a wizard." Aragorn explained. "None are said to be in existence in Middle-Earth any longer."
"Indeed I believed so too," Galadriel said, "but Legolas is a Mage. I believe he might be the last Mage remaining in Middle-Earth."
"This is far more dangerous than I realized." Gandalf muttered gravely. He shook his head and exhaled a deep breath.
"Why?" Merry asked.
"A wizard cannot be rid of his powers, Meriadoc." Gandalf replied. "But a Mage…a Mage can be stripped of his powers and should this happen, a part of his life also goes with them. If Saruman should succeed in taking Legolas' powers, Legolas shall not be the strong Elf we all once knew. And," Gandalf paused dramatically, "Saruman shall have powers stronger than ever. Virtually nothing would be able to stop him."
***
Saruman paced around the room. Legolas stared at him from the ground. His arms and legs were still tied.
"Legolas, have you any idea why I've brought you here?" Saruman asked.
"You wish to rule Mirkwood." Legolas replied sarcastically. He glowered coldly at the wizard.
"That I will do soon." Saruman agreed with a casual wave of his hand. He smiled as he kneeled down and touched Legolas' glowing skin. Legolas jerked away at the stroke. "You are no typical Elf, prince of Mirkwood. To think I never noticed when I first saw you… It is of no matter. I have you now and I will get what I want."
"Never." Legolas spat out.
Saruman only smiled wider. "You underestimate me, Elf. Wormtongue, come in here!" A small mousy-looking man entered. He stared at Legolas with hungry eyes. Legolas glared at him with intense hatred in return. "Prince of Mirkwood, you are acquainted with my servant, Wormtongue, are you not?" Legolas gave no answer. "Wormtongue!"
Wormtongue pulled out a long knife from the folds of his raggedy coat. The knife gleamed in the dim light of the room.
"I wonder, Legolas," Saruman hissed as he took the knife from Wormtongue's hands, "if even an Elf can run from a knife when bound hand and foot."
Author's note: I didn't know wut else to call a magical elf… *shrug*