Disclaimer: I own nothing, yadda yadda yadda. For more details, see Chapter One.

A/N: Whew! I know its been awhile since I've last updated, but its tax season and I'm busy busy busy. Good knews is, the taxes are done so now I can devote more time and energy to writing this story. I'd also like to take this opportunity to say Whoops! I made a bonehead error in the first chapter, saying Orcs patrolled the Western Shores, when it's actually the Eastern Shores. I even watched that part of the movie to make sure I got it right and sure enough, I STILL get it wrong. Anyway, because its such a little error, I'm not going to change the first chapter so I will settle on begging for forgiveness. But hey, since this is AU, I can probably get away with the Orcs patrolling the Western shores, right??? :-)

OK, back to the story…

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Chapter Eight

The figure clad in white laughed, the jovial sound both startling and calming the terrified hobbits.

"Saruman?" The figure asked, the voice perplexed. "Have I changed so much as to be that unrecognizable?" The strange figure stepped from the light and Frodo gasped, unsure of what his eyes claimed to see.

"Gandalf?" He asked hesitantly.

The wizard looked thoughtful. "Yes. That was my name. I was Gandalf." He looked fondly at the two hobbits. "You may still call me Gandalf."

"But Gandalf!" Sam cried. "You are dressed all in white!"

"Yes." Gandalf said. "I am white now. Indeed I am Saruman, one might almost say. Saruman as he should have been."

"Gandalf, we thought you dead." Frodo said, bewildered. "We watched you fall into the abyss."

"Indeed, I fell into the abyss. I have passed through fire and deep water, since we parted. I have forgotten much that I thought I knew, and learned again much that I had forgotten. I can see many things far off, but many things that are close at hand I cannot see. I have returned from where I was to complete a very important task."

"The Ring." Frodo said sadly.

Gandalf nodded. "It needs to be destroyed, now more than ever. While we have journeyed on our Quest, both Saruman and Sauron have been amassing large armies. If either gains control of the Ring, Middle Earth will surely fall."

"Then I fear I have brought about the end of good in Middle Earth." Frodo admitted, despair enveloping him. "The Ring was taken from me and the Fellowship has failed."

"Failed?" Gandalf repeated, shocked. "Frodo, where are the others. What has become of the Ring?"

Frodo sighed. "We were attacked by Saruman's Orcs and the Ring was taken from me. Legolas chased after the Orc who carried it and defeated him. Then he was overcome along with the others and taken prisoner. We've been tracking them ever since. Though it seems as if we have failed at that as well."

"And what of the Ring?"

"We can only assume that it is in Isengard with Legolas." Frodo gazed sadly at the wizard. "I am sorry that I have caused such a mess of things, Gandalf. I should never have become the Ringbearer."

Gandalf smiled at the forlorn hobbit. "One cannot choose his own destiny, Frodo Baggins. But fear not, for all is not yet lost. I have faith in our elven friend. I do not believe he would keep the Ring with him if there were threat of capture. No," Gandalf said thoughtfully. "he would be too smart for that."

"Then where is it?" Sam wondered.

"Well, my dear Sam, that knowledge is safely hidden away in the head of that very elf. We must free them before Saruman has a chance to retrieve the information he needs. It would be for the best if they did not remain in Isengard for too long."

Sam looked doubtful. "We will rescue them?"

"We will do our best." Gandalf answered. "But perhaps we will find some help along the way. Come, we must travel hard…there are some beings in this forest that we had best consult."

"But Bill," Sam cried, "we've lost him."

"Again." Frodo added. "We had him, we lost him. We found him and we lost him again."

"He spooks easily." Sam offered in defense.

Gandalf smiled again. "Do not worry over your lost pony. I know someone who can find him and he will be safe. Now come, there is someone you must meet."

* * * * * * * * * *

"Legolas," Aragorn croaked, his throat still burning from the dark liquid. "I am sorry, my friend."

"Do not apologize, Aragorn. There is no need." Legolas assured him. "That was very powerful magic that you faced. Elven magic, of that I am sure."

"Elven magic?" Gimli huffed. "How did that evil wizard get his hands on elven magic?"

"I do not know." Legolas admitted. "I could only guess that he is in league with an elf. It is a most distressing thought."

"Our bright Prince has made a correct assumption." A new, menacing voice said through the bars in the cell door, startling those inside.

Boromir snorted. "Who asked you?"

"Still so sarcastic? That will change." The voice fumed as the door flew open with a bang, revealing an elf, as Legolas had surmised, with long black hair. Aragorn was struck by how familiar the elf appeared and he looked to Legolas to see if he recognized him as well. What he saw truly amazed him-the prince seemed to visibly shrink back against the wall, trying his best to disappear. For the first time, Aragorn could almost swear he saw a trace of fear on the normally stoic elven face, though it was quickly masked.

"Amras." came the whispered name and suddenly Aragorn understood. Amras Melwasul had been the captain of King Thranduil army until his morbid obsession with torture had been uncovered. Secretly kidnapping beings of all kinds, he had performed experiment after experiment, each designed to find the perfect form of inflicting pain. Once discovered, he had fled the Mirkwood Realm, under threat of death should he ever return. No one had heard from him since. Until now.

Amras smiled sadistically at the younger elf as he strode over to him, stopping only inches from the chained Legolas. "So." he said silkily. "The young prince remembers me. I am truly honored."

"It is not honor I give you, Amras." Legolas growled. "I see you are now Saruman's wretched servant."

A dark look crossed over Amras's face. "I join with Saruman as long as it suites me, Prince." he said dangerously. "Do not mistake collaboration for servitude. He supplies me with subjects for my experiments and in turn, I supply him with wonderful little tools and potions…much like the one your friend experienced." He turned to Aragorn. "How did you like it?"

Aragorn smiled sarcastically. "It had a nasty aftertaste."

"So I've heard. But it does its job well. Too well, perhaps, for the prince's sake. Where is the Ring Legolas?"

"I do not know what you are talking about."

"I knew you would not be easy. But I relish the challenge." He gave the elf in front of him an appraising look. "You have grown into quite the elf since we last met. An expert in combat, I am told."

"Undo these chains and find out for yourself." Legolas mocked.

Amras smirked. "You still possess spirit. That will make this all the more fun. I will break you, Legolas, do not deceive yourself. It will only be a matter of time."

"Do what you will, Amras, but I will never tell you the location of that Ring."

"Oh, I intend to do whatever I want, Legolas. But not to you."

Legolas stared at him, unsure of what he meant.

Amras continued. "Ordinary physical pain on your body will not gain me the knowledge I desire." He looked pointedly at the elf's abused back. "The Orcs have already discovered that fact. No, your weakness is not pain…your weakness is your friends. Choose one now to suffer for your knowledge."

Legolas paled visibly, he had not been expecting this. "No, I cannot."

"Choose now, Legolas, or I will kill one. I do not need them all."

Legolas could feel all eyes on him, each telling him silently to do what he must. He forced his confused mind to focus, the choice was easy though he did not want to do it. The order…they had already decided on the order. Closing his eyes, he sighed.

"Aragorn."

* * * * * * * * * *

"Come, young hobbits." Gandalf urged them. "We must reach the Ents by nightfall."

"I am tired, Gandalf." Sam complained, yelping as he stubbed his toe on yet another tree root. "Can we not stop for a meal? It has been ages since we have eaten."

"We do not have the luxury of time, Samwise Gamgee. To save the fellowship and Middle Earth, we must hurry."

"But where do you lead us, Gandalf? Who are these Ents?" Frodo asked curiously. They had been walking for hours in the forest and it seemed to him that they were heading nowhere.

"They are friends. Perhaps with their assistance we will have a better chance of rescuing our companions."

"Ouch, dang-blang it!" Sam cried, his foot banging painfully against another root. "Stupid tree!" He cursed, moving to kick the tree in his anger. To his surprise, the tree in question retaliated, a large branch swooping down and grabbing him, raising him dangerously into the air. "Help!" Sam yelled, dangling high above the ground. "The tree is possessed by evil!"

"Hoom, hmm! I am not possessed, sir. And I am not evil." The tree said, startling both hobbits even more. "I simply do not appreciate being kicked by big footed oafs."

"Did the tree just talk?" Frodo asked in bewilderment. "Or were those mushrooms I ate bad?"

"The tree did indeed talk, Frodo Baggins." Gandalf laughed. "Treebeard, my old friend. It is good to see you."

"It is good to see you as well, Gandalf. But to see you stomping around my forest surprises me. Why do you visit my trees?"

"I have come in search of you, actually." Gandalf answered.

"And find me you have." Treebeard grinned, still holding onto the squirming hobbit. "Does this troll belong to you?"

"Troll? I am not a troll." Sam fumed.

"No? You resemble one. What are you then, if not a troll? An Orc?"

"I am a hobbit, sir. Now put me down."

"Hoom, hmm! I have never heard of a hobbit. But if you travel with Gandalf then you must be decent enough." Treebeard decided, lowering the fuming hobbit to the ground.

"Perhaps you can assist us, Treebeard." Gandalf said. "We are headed to Entmoot."

"To the gathering of the Ents? I would gladly help you, Gandalf. If the small one promises not to kick me."

Gandalf laughed. "He will decline from kicking you, I assure you."

"Then I will take you to my brethren. I am interested to find out what Gandalf wishes of the Ents."

Treebeard allowed the three to sit upon his branches as he headed deep into Fangorn Forest. Riding upon the Ent, the journey was shortened considerably and the companions found themselves facing the Ent gathering much sooner than they had anticipated. Several Ents had already arrived. More were coming in down the other paths, and some were following behind Treebeard. Sam and Frodo gazed at the large creatures, marveling at the variety they saw. When all had assembled, Gandalf began to explain their plight to the large beings, the Ents nodding and whispering amongst themselves as they listened. When he was finished he waited patiently for them to comment. Treebeard was the first to speak.

"Hoom, hmm! That is a bundle of news you bring us, Gandalf." he said. "Saruman is a neighbor: we cannot overlook him. We must do something about him, I suppose. We have wondered lately what should be done about Saruman."

"Then you will help us overthrow him?" Gandalf asked.

"Hmpf, we have not yet decided. We must discuss the idea amongst ourselves for awhile." That said, the Ents grouped closely together and a curious and unintelligible conversation began. The Ents began to murmur slowly: first one joined and then another, until they were all chanting together in a long rising and falling rhythm and though the hobbits could not understand the language, they found it very pleasant to listen to. Gandalf sighed as he sat himself on a boulder near the edge of the clearing.

"You might as well sit, lads." he said. "I have witnessed Ent discussions before. We could be here awhile."

* * * * * * * * * *

Aragorn clenched his teeth as the whip fell yet again, lashing across his skin with a painful vengeance. The laughter of his Orc tormentors, once again Trion and Ugluk, aggravated his already frayed nerves as he struggled to keep his temper in check; he had to submit to the situation in order to save Legolas and the Ring. The beating had been going on for quite some time, though Aragorn himself had no real idea of just how long, and he was beginning to lose the battle with unconsciousness, blackness creeping up at the edge of his vision.

"Amras, enough!" Legolas shouted desperately, struggling against his chains with every ounce of strength he could summon.

"Enough? I think not." The other elf scoffed. "You have yet to tell me where you have hidden the ring. Tell me and I'll stop."

"I cannot do that." Legolas pleaded. "Please, leave him be."

"Begging does not suite you, little Prince." Amras snorted. "But you are right. We have had enough fun with this one." At his command, the two Orcs ceased their ministrations, leaving an abused Aragorn to drift into unconsciousness. Legolas sighed with relief, though it was short-lived as Amras turned his attention back to him. "Choose another."

"Amras, no." Legolas said firmly. "Deal directly with me. I am the one who possesses the knowledge you are after."

"I will not gain it by dealing directly with you." Quicker than the eye could see, Amras drew his dagger and appeared next to Gimli, holding it dangerously against his throat. "Choose one or this one dies. The decision is yours."

"Legolas," Boromir said sternly, his voice cutting through the despair Legolas felt. "Do what you know you must."

Legolas nodded. "Boromir." He said, making his next choice.

Amras lowered his dagger, a vindictive smile on his face. "You seem to have a grudge against the men, Legolas. Really, I would have chosen the Dwarf, but the decision is yours. You are too easily manipulated, Prince. You should never allow friends to control your decisions." He deftly pulled a phial from his tunic pocket, the red liquid seemingly glowing. "Do you recognize this, Legolas?"

Legolas paled. "Spiders' venom."

"Very good. Yes, this is spiders' venom. I extracted it from a Mirkwood spider just before I killed it and have turned it into a wonderful little potion. I seem to recall you had a run in with a spider, when you were younger. Do you remember the feel of the venom as it ran threw your veins? The muscle tremors, the pain? The absolute agony?"

Legolas nodded, unable to take his eyes off the phial. Yes, he remembered. He remembered all too well. The venom had hurt like nothing he had ever experienced before and never wished to experience again.

"I have tested this serum on elves and it has never proven fatal, though all my specimens wished it had. On humans, however, even a small dose can kill, if the antidote is not given within the proper amount of time." He gave Legolas a smirk. "Well, this is quite the problem for you. It seems I may kill a friend of yours after all. And you chose him. How does that make you feel, Legolas?"

"Amras, do not do this."

"Nice try." Amras scoffed. "Hold the human." he ordered the two Orcs, who complied by grabbing hold of Boromir's arms. Amras threw his dagger once more, using it to make a small cut on the man's upper arm. Boromir winced as the sharp steel cut into his flesh, droplets of blood falling to the ground. "Last chance, Legolas. You can still save him. Is his life worth the Ring?"

Legolas looked desperately at his friend, his eyes searching for consent. Boromir only shook his head, silently refusing Legolas's plea. His life was not worth the Ring. Amras opened the phial and poured the red liquid over the cut, the poison entering the blood stream through the open incision. Boromir watched impassively as the toxin seeped into his body, wondering briefly if his death would be quick. He sincerely hoped Legolas would not blame himself for what had come to pass…his death would be honorable, he would do whatever he could to protect the people of Gondor. His contemplation came to an abrupt halt as the poison flowed through his body, his muscles simultaneously cramping up and spasming as each nerve seemingly caught on fire, the pain radiating throughout his entire being. All conscious thought fled from his mind as agony overwhelmed him.

Legolas watched in anguish as his friend began a fit of spasms, his face clenched with pain.

"Looks like fun, doesn't it Legolas?" Amras grinned. "Just wait, it only gets better. Though not for him."

"Give him the antidote!" Legolas cried, his eyes glued to his friend.

"Give me the information I require." Amras retorted. "You had better hurry, Legolas. He does not have much time left."

Legolas looked between the two, silently weighing his options. He had to help Boromir…the Ring was not worth the life of his friend.

"I will tell you." he said finally. "Give him the antidote first."

Amras grinned as he produced yet another phial, this one containing a white liquid. "I knew you would give in, Legolas. Your friends make you weak." He dropped the liquid into the same open wound, allowing it to seep into the man's bloodstream. Within moments, the twitching spasms began to subside as the poison was neutralized and Boromir began to relax, the pain receding as well.

"Now tell me, or he receives another dose of venom and this time, there will be no antidote."

"Legolas, no." Boromir croaked.

"I am sorry, my friend, but I must. The Ring is hidden in a large tree at Parth Galen, where we were captured. It is the largest tree in that forest. Orc blood stains the ground just below it."

"A tree?" Amras smirked. "Typical of a Wood Elf to hide something that valuable in a tree. Did you honestly think your hiding spot to be so good that we would never find it there?"

"You hadn't thus far." Legolas countered.

"We will search where you say. But mark my words, little Prince, if you are lying your friends will die. One by one, in front of you. You had better be telling the truth, for their sakes." Amras promised, motioning for Trion and Ugluk to follow him from the room. As the door closed behind them, Legolas could sense his friends staring at him, but he could not bring himself to meet their gazes, his feelings of guilt and shame overwhelming him.

"Legolas." Gimli said soothingly. "It is all right, lad. You did the best you could."

"We will get the Ring back, Legolas." Boromir assured him. "We can still destroy it."

"It is not that which worries me." Legolas said miserably, no doubt in his mind that Amras meant his parting promise. "Forgive me, my friends, but Amras will not find the Ring there."

* * * * * * * * * *

A/N: So, what did you think? Another fun cliffie! Still wondering where Legolas hid the Ring? Well, wonder all you want, I'm not going to tell just yet!