Disclaimer: See Chapter One
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Chapter Three
Legolas leaned tiredly against a large tree, his fellow captives sitting next to him. Each was bound, their arms behind their backs and tied at the wrists, the heavy ropes cutting into their skin as they moved. Sighing loudly, Legolas closed his eyes, searching for serenity. The others warily eyed their captors as they gathered in a group around the fire, a little ways off. Boromir smirked as he watched them gesture once again in the direction of the Fellowship.
"I get the feeling they are talking about us." He said, his words laced with sarcasm.
Legolas opened his eyes and glanced towards the fire. "Their mad gesturing in this direction would lead one to believe that." He said before closing his eyes yet again.
"Perhaps they've seen the error of their ways and are discussing our release." Aragorn smirked.
"Or," Legolas said, humor in his voice, "they are discussing the best way to cook us, in which case I would suggest they eat the humans first." He opened his eyes. "You are more tender."
"Yes," Aragorn agreed, "but Elves are leaner. You would make a much healthier meal for them."
"All the more reason for them to eat you, Aragorn." Legolas countered. "You will clog their arteries and cause them to have heart attacks, letting the rest of us escape."
"Well, they cannot eat a Dwarf," Gimli stated simply. "Dwarfs are all gristle." The others allowed themselves a quiet laugh before turning their attention back to the fire. Boromir gasped suddenly, his face turning ashen.
"Looks like they won't be eating us after all."
The others quickly realized what he meant. The body of a large Orc was being dragged next to the fire. Legolas recognized the deceased creature.
"That looks like the one that stole the ring from Frodo." He said, grimacing. By the fire, Ugluk roared, gaining the attention of the entire camp.
"Grishnakh was betrayed us!" The other Orcs yelled their agreement. "We do not tolerate traitors!"
"No!" His comrades cheered.
"Tonight, we will feast on his body!" Ugluk declared, drawing his sword and swinging it down upon the body, severing the head. Reaching down, he picked up the head and held it up. "Eat!"
In a frenzy, Orcs dove at the body, hacking off pieces with their knives. The Fellowship turned their heads away from the gruesome display, refusing the witness the cannibalistic horror. When the frenzy had subsided, Aragorn turned to Legolas, his face serious.
"Legolas, what happened to the Ring?"
Legolas raised his eyes and gazed at his friend. "It is hidden." He stated simply. "They will not find it."
Aragorn nodded. "It is best that none of us, save you, know if its location." He gave the Elf a sympathetic look. "Though I fear you will suffer greatly for your knowledge."
"I am a captive of Orcs, my friend. I will suffer regardless of what I know." He closed his eyes once again. "After the day's events, I fear an unpleasant encounter with Trion to be inevitable."
"Yes. As satisfying as it may have felt, I'm afraid your actions have gained you an unfortunate enemy." He gazed at his comrade thoughtfully. "What processed you to challenge that Orc?"
"It was a stalling tactic."
"A stalling tactic?"
"A large group of riders draw near us. I can hear the sounds of their horses' hoofs even now. If they are friend, we could be rescued."
Aragorn smiled. "My Elvan friend, your ears never cease to amaze me! We are within the borders of Rohan. With luck, it could be a Rohan riding party."
Legolas nodded. "That is a likely possibility. We must stay on alert. If they come near, we could use them as a diversion to escape."
"And if the riders are foes?" Boromir asked, following the exchange with interest.
"Then we must find another way." Aragorn said simply, his face grim.
Boromir nodded, his attention turning back to the feeding frenzy by the fire.
"Uh oh." He whispered under his breath. "We're getting company."
Legolas drew his breath in a hiss. "They looked peeved." he smirked, noting unhappily that Trion was among the Orcs now heading their way. The Orc chewed greedily on the remains of an arm as he stalked towards the group, his eyes boring into Legolas.
"No talking!" He spat, pieces of flesh falling from his mouth and landing on Boromir.
"Hasn't anyone ever told you it's not polite to talk with your mouth full." Boromir muttered, wiping the bits of tissue from his clothes.
Trion snapped his attention away from Legolas, his eyes narrowing. "What did you say?" He demanded, advancing on the chained man.
Boromir sat up straighter, keeping his gaze on the advancing brute. "I think you heard me, Orc." He said challengingly.
"Boromir…" Aragorn warned, his voice low. Boromir ignored his friend, a smirk on his face. Trion, enraged by the insolent prisoner, lashed out, using the arm in his hand as a club, smacking the chained human in the head. Boromir's head snapped back, knocking him against the large tree behind him. The Orc fell on him immediately, jabbing his long finger into the arrow wound in Boromir's side.
"I can feel your insides, human." He growled, a sadistic smile on his face. Boromir bit back a scream, drawing blood from his lip as he fought to keep from crying out. He tried to squirm out of the Orc's harsh grasp, only to have Trion push his finger even deeper into his flesh. The Orc smiled, relishing the torment he was causing the filthy man. He slowly withdrew his finger from the bleeding wound and raised it to his lips, licking the blood away as Boromir watched.
"You taste good, human," he said, his face just inches from Boromir's. "I will enjoy eating the flesh from your bones when Saruman is finished with you." Satisfied, he turned his attention to the others. "Play time, Elf." He sneered, glaring at Legolas. "Grab him!"
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A/N: As always, please be good little readers and leave me a review!