DISCLAIMER: OTHER THAN LORIEN, I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS IN THIS STORY, THEY ALL BELONG TO THE FANTASTICALLY TALENTED J.R.R. TOLKIEN AND I HAVE MERELY BORROWED THEM FOR THE SAKE OF A STORY. I, MYSELF, COULD NOT COME UP WITH A STORY SUCH AS LORD OF THE RINGS OR CREATE ANY OF THE CHARACTERS WITHIN THESE STORIES, SO I DO NOT PRETEND TO OWN ANY OF THEM. I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE STORY AND AGAIN, ONLY LORIEN IS MY CHARACTER.

Hours passed and the noise above them became unbearable. Lorien and Eowyn moved through the mines, comforting those who were most scared. Suddenly a great blast was heard from above and it shook the mines. Lorien could not hold back any longer and headed to the doors.

'Where are you going?'

'I am going to see if I can help. Do not argue with me Eowyn, I need to be out there!' Eowyn did not argue and let Lorien go without question. Lorien ran up the stairs and came to the wall. Outside a fierce and brutal battle was being fought, bodies were strewn all over the stone floor. Lorien walked out with her sword ready for battle. Soon she was battling orcs and slaying them as they came at her. Lorien looked around in the pelting rain, her elven vision blurred slightly by the force of the rain. She saw Haldir in the midst and ran over to him. He was on the ground holding a wound.

'Haldir?'

'Lorien. Oh, I shall die happy, seeing your beauty one last time.'

'What wounded you?'

'An orc sword.'

'Let me see.' Lorien suddenly heard the breath of one of the beasts behind her and turned around. The orc looked at Lorien and gave a wry laugh.

'Saruman wants you. Bring the elf maiden were his words.'

'I shall die before I go to Saruman.'

'No, I shall be killed if you die.' The orc grabbed Lorien before she could move. She struggled bravely but the orc was strong. Lorien dropped her sword and as the orc carried her off, her ring fell from her finger.

'Legolas!' Lorien shouted but it was no use. Soon the orc was carrying her out of Helms Deep and across the plains. The stench of death and decay filled her nose and Lorien lost consciousness as the orc took her to Isenguard and the tower of Orthanc.

Early the next day, the battle of Helms Deep was over. Gandalf had appeared with the riders of Rohan and the enemy was defeated. Legolas avoided any celebration and quickly headed to the mines. Eowyn ran over to greet him.

'What is the news?'

'We have won the first battle of many. Where is Lorien?'

'You have not met? She headed out but a few hours ago to fight in the battle.' Legolas ran out and Eowyn followed. He came to the wall and looked at the mountain of bodies and a tear fell from his eyes. He and Eowyn turned over the bodies in hope that they may find a sign of Lorien. Aragorn soon joined them.

'What has happened?'

'Lorien left the mines to fight, there is no word of her.' Eowyn informed Aragorn, trying to keep her composure.

'Legolas.' A whisper came from the bodies, Legolas turned and saw Haldir.

'Haldir, you are injured!'

'I do not have any time left. I have held on to inform you, Lorien was captured by an orc as she tried to heal me. The thing has taken her to Saruman, following his orders. She called for you as he took her away.' With that Haldir died and Legolas felt rage filling his body. He looked around and saw Lorien's sword. Next to it, he found her ring.

'I must go and rescue her!'

'You cannot go alone! Give me chance to send word to Gandalf and Theoden and I shall ride with you.'

'Thank you Aragorn. My poor Lorien! Why did she not stay where it was safe? She loves me too much!'

'Come, let us go! She may yet still be alive.'

'I am sure that she will be alive. Saruman will be using her as bait. Go, get your horses, I shall inform my uncle and Gandalf.' Eowyn fled down the stairs before Legolas and Aragorn. Legolas clutched Lorien's ring and carried her sword to his horse. He was about to mount when the sound of soft thunder approached. Shadow was by Legolas's side within seconds.

'You really are a loyal horse!' Legolas petted Shadow and mounted him. Gimli came running over the bodies of the enemy.

'We have just been informed Legolas. I shall ride with you, although I do not like horses much. I see Shadow is here to save his mistress. He loves her as much as you do Legolas! Gandalf, Theoden and some riders of the mark are on their way.'

'Let us go, quickly!' Legolas nudged Shadows sides and the horse sprang into a canter. Aragorn followed on Brego and soon Shadowfax, carrying Gandalf was slightly in front of Shadow whilst the King and his men rode a little behind.

'Lorien will be safe Legolas, she is strong and powerful.'

'Yet she cannot match the power of Saruman. I wonder what awful deed he has in store for her.'

'She will not yield to his command. It may mean the end of the quest for her and her resolution may be the cause of her death, but she will not give in to his command. You must hope that we reach her in time, which I am sure we will, for you wasted no time in following her.'

'I am sorry if this delays your plans Gandalf.'

'It has not, we had need of going to Isenguard anyhow, though I hoped that the journey would have been under better circumstances.' So they rode on, Legolas the most eager to reach Isenguard and save the one whom he loved the most.