Disclaimer: See Chapter One

A/N: Sorry again for the long period between updates…bet you all thought I'd update quickly after that last miracle (two updates in only one week…wow!) But alas, I seem to be back to my old 'slow' self. In my defense, I did suffer from a wicked bout of writers block, but I have been to the doctor and am now on antibiotics, so I hope to have that all cleared up soon :-)

Thanks again for all of the reviews! Writing is so much more rewarding when you know people are actually reading your story :-)

And now, back to the story…

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Chapter Twelve

Aragorn could not believe what he had just heard. "You know where the Ring is, Gandalf?"

Gandalf nodded. "It is in the safest place imaginable…with a dear old friend."

"Who, Gandalf?" Frodo prompted him, still confused.

"With Gwaihir, the Windlord." Gandalf answered, though his companions did not recognize the name. "Gwaihir is a Great Eagle, the very same who bore me away from Isengard after Saruman had made me his prisoner. He is also a great friend to wood elves and in particular, Mirkwood's royal family. It does not surprise me that Legolas would call him in his greatest time of need."

"So Legolas entrusted the Ring to this Great Eagle?" Boromir asked. "Where do we find him?"

The bird atop Sam's head chirped loudly and Gandalf smiled as he listened. "It seems as if our little friend here has been given the duty of delivering Gwairhir's message. It also seems that she has tried before, to no avail."

"We did not know." Frodo groaned. "We thought that she was simply angry at us for disturbing her nesting area."

"And the whole time she was trying to tell us of the Ring. I cannot believe it." Sam sighed.

"So how do we reach this bird?" Gimli asked.

Gandalf smiled. "We simply call for him." He raised his head to the sky. "Gwaihir, the Windlord! Gandalf calls for you!" At his beckon, a dark shape filled the sky, briefly blocking out the sun. Those below stared up in awe at the enormous size of the bird above them. Despite its size, the Great Eagle soared gracefully through the air, landing lightly on the ground before them.

"Gandalf." The bird said. "I did not expect to see you. The young elf prince led me to believe that you had perished."

"Talking bird?" Aragorn whispered to Boromir, who nodded.

"Talking bird."

"Oh. Good."

"Gwaihir," Gandalf was saying, "Indeed I had fallen. But I have returned to complete my task." Gwaihir nodded, then regarded the bird with Sam.

"I thank you for relaying my message, Shi'sa. You have made me proud." Gwaihir told the small bird, who chirped happily. "Go now and rejoin your family." The bird gave a final chirp and flew off while Gwaihir turned back to Gandalf. "The Prince Legolas entrusted me with the One Ring, to hold until either he or the Ringbearer returned for it. It was a task I did not relish doing, but it is hard to refuse those you love. I have watched him grow, to become the great elf that he now is." Gwaihir searched the faces before him. "What has become of him?"

"He is in the hands of Saruman." Gandalf told him sadly.

Gwaihir nodded. "When he called for my help those many days ago, I offered to fly him to safety, out of the reach of those foul creatures who hunted him. To my great sadness he declined my offer, instead choosing to have me take only the Ring. He said that he would not abandon his friends to their demise." Gwaihir sighed. "Since he has not returned, it is my duty to return the Ring to the Ringbearer. Is he among you?"

"It is I." Frodo answered, stepping forward. "I am the Ringbearer."

The Eagle regarded him thoughtfully. "To carry this Ring is a great burden, one that has been especially trying for me. I do not envy you in your task. Take care, Ringbearer, for its power is great." Frodo nodded as Gwaihir passed the Ring to him. Sighing, Frodo slipped the chain around his neck, the all-familiar feeling of heaviness settling back over him. To have the Ring back in his possession both pleased him immensely and caused him to despair. It was an uneasy sensation. He looked up and was not surprised to catch Sam eyeing him worriedly.

"I am fine Sam." Frodo assured his friend quietly.

Gwaihir turned to Gandalf. "What will you do now?"

"We return to Isengard to retrieve our companion." Gandalf responded. "The we journey to Mordor to destroy the Ring."

"Entering Mordor will be dangerous." Gwaihir told them. "Sauron's armies are increasing, as is his power. I fear a great war on the horizon. Far greater than any we have seen."

"It will be a war unlike any other, I agree." Gandalf sighed. "Men and Elves must again join together to defeat this evil once and for all." He looked thoughtfully at Gwaihir. "I must ask you for one more favor, my friend."

* * * * * * * * * *

When Legolas awoke he was naked, lying on his back and bound hand and foot to four wooden stakes. An uncomfortable and extremely vulnerable position, he quietly concluded, rendering him quite motionless. He struggled briefly against the binds, testing them for weakness, though he was not surprised to discover none. Amras was nothing if not thorough, especially when it came to achieving his goals. Legolas groaned softly as a dull, throbbing ache developed in his head, the result of the venom in his system, he guessed, or the sleeping serum he had received. Lifting his head slightly, he looked around, taking in his surroundings. The day had passed into night, and a dark night at that, the only light coming from strategically placed torches set around him. He was lying in a clearing, deep within a forest, the massive trees blocking out the light of the moon. Legolas absently had the thought that he should be comforted by his surroundings, the harmony of nature had always been soothing to him, but strangely, this time, it was not. The light of the torches danced oddly on the trees, the dark, menacing shadows only increasing his anxiety. He had been brought to this place for a reason and much to his despair, he realized that no one knew of his whereabouts. He was on his own, up against a formidable foe, and for the first time he felt the icy chill of fear grip his heart. Silently, he reaffirmed his vow to take the location of the Ring to his grave, for Legolas felt certain that he would die in this place, where the eerie shadows danced. Though he would not die without honor--that was his vow to himself.

A soft rustling of leaves shocked his senses into overdrive, the sound almost exploding in the quiet, surreal vacuum of the forest. He tensed, his ears listening for any sound as he mentally cursed the helpless position that he was in. He knew Amras was nearby, behind him, watching him, enjoying his anxiety. He was playing a game, unnerving his prey, and, much to the annoyance of Legolas, it proved to be working well. Another rustling, followed by an unwelcome, though not unexpected, voice.

"You are awake." The voice was not surprised as it stated the obvious, though it was laced with a giddy anticipation that greatly unnerved the bound prince.

"Good observation." Legolas muttered, sarcastic despite his precarious position. "What tipped you off?"

The responding laughter was devoid of humor. "I have long tolerated your impudence, little Prince. You have yet to realize who is in control, even as you lay there bound and entirely at my mercy."

Legolas ignored the comment, instead changing the subject. "Where am I, Amras?"

"You are in a place where no one will find you and no one will hear you." Amras answered softly. "I can do whatever I desire to you and you will wish that you had never met me."

"Oh, I already do." Legolas said. "Believe me. Mission accomplished. Can I go now?"

"Always so quick with the sarcasm, little Prince. It is a trait that has often gotten you into trouble." Amras regarded the younger elf. "You will apologize for your insolent remarks before we move on to the real matter of importance. I will make you respect me."

"Apologize?" Legolas scoffed. "I owe you neither an apology nor respect. You have joined forces with evil, Amras, and betrayed your kind in doing so."

The kick to the ribs that followed did not surprise Legolas, but it still left him breathless as the air rushed from his lungs.

"I desire the Ring, Legolas. Tell me where it is and you will be released--you have my word."

"What of Saruman?" Legolas asked, avoiding the other's offer. "I thought the Ring was meant for him."

"Saruman was weak!" Amras snarled, his eyes flashing dangerously. "He was overcome by his greed for power. The trees have destroyed him, as he destroyed their kind. Now I will seize the Ring and reign over Middle Earth."

"Then your end will be the same as that of your predecessor." Legolas grinned. "You will ultimately be destroyed."

Amras laughed. "By whom? You? I think not. Saruman and I differed in many ways. He craved absolute power, whereas I do not."

"Then why the desire for the Ring?" Legolas could not help but wonder.

"Because, little Prince," the elf's voice became soft, dangerous. "I crave suffering. And with the Ring, I will have the power to cause it."

"Suffering?" Legolas repeated. "That is your desire?"

"Suffering and pain have been my life's work, young Prince. These long years I have studied the very science and nature of pain, striving to perfect it's art. Your father nearly destroyed thousands of years worth of research when he confiscated my journals and had me expelled from Mirkwood, but I strove forward." Legolas noted that Amras was becoming increasingly agitated as he spoke, a fact which greatly worried him. "But fear not," Amras continued, "for all was not lost. I formed an allegiance with Saruman and have continued my research, even improving on my earliest discoveries."

"Glad to hear it." Legolas muttered.

"I have perfected my craft, Legolas. So much that it has become an art. You will break."

"Never." Legolas vowed.

Amras grinned again. "I do believe you are scared, little one. No sane being likes to be hurt, Legolas, and I assure you that what I will do will hurt."

"And you know that I cannot give you the Ring." Legolas growled in frustration. "So you can forgo all of this talk. It will not sway me."

"Anticipation, young one, is part of the art." Amras smirked. "I have preparations to make now. I will be back soon and then it will begin."

And he was gone, leaving an anxious Legolas behind to dread his return.

* * * * * * * * * *

The company journeyed swiftly, covering much ground between Parth Galen and Isengard, and entered the land of Rohan just as the sun set in the darkening sky. Gandalf gently slowed his horse, the scenery around him falling into focus as the speed decreased, the others easily following his lead.

"We should find someplace to set up camp." Aragorn said, riding up next to Gandalf. "The horses are tired, as are their riders."

"And hungry." Pippin chimed in sleepily. "It has been ages since our last meal."

"Yes." Merry agreed. "We did not even get a second breakfast. I feel I am wasting away from lack of food."

"You do look smaller." Pippin told him.

"We will eat too." Gandalf smiled.

Gimli frowned. "And what of Legolas? Does he not suffer in Saruman's dungeons while we eat and rest?"

"We will be of no use to him if we are weary from lack of sleep and nourishment." Aragorn told him. "We will need all of our strength if we are to free him."

"The cloaking spell will not work a second time." Gandalf added. "We will need to find another way into the tower and I fear they will be watching for us this time."

"A short rest then." Gimli conceded. "But we must be up and going by dawn." To his left, Shadowfax whinnied softly.

"Your horse appears agitated." Boromir observed.

"He senses something." Gandalf said softly. "Something that uneases him."

"Is it food?" Pippin asked. "It would be ideal if he sensed food."

"Pippin, you ninny!" Merry scolded. "Food would not unease him. Knowing our luck, he senses danger. As if we have not faced enough danger during this journey."

"I can almost smell food now." Pippin continued, ignoring his friend. He sniffed the air cautiously. "Seriously, I smell food. It is not just my stomach's wishings."

The others sniffed. "It does smell of food." Boromir agreed.

"Listen." Gandalf shushed them. "Do you hear that sound?"

Aragorn listened, the sound drifting on the wind unmistakable, though very unexpected. "Is that a baby?"

"Out here?" Boromir was shocked. "There are no settlements near here."

"But a baby cries near nonetheless." Gandalf said. "Come, Shadowfax, we have a young one to find." Urging their mounts forward, the company slowly made their way towards the sound, their eyes keen for danger.

"It is a black night." Aragorn observed as they rode. "The moon offers no light to guide us as the dark shields danger from view."

"A flicker dances in the distance." Boromir observed. "Fire light?"

"The Ranger's senses need sharpening." Gandalf teased. "A large crowd gathers near."

"I knew that." Aragorn grinned. "I was just testing you."

"Sure you were, mighty king." Boromir joshed. "Next you will tell us that you knew the location of the Ring the entire time."

Aragorn smiled playfully. "But of course. I always knew it was with that talking bird."

"Eagle."

"Whatever." Aragorn surveyed the dark plains before them. "What I would not give for that elf's keen eyesight…where is this large gathering you speak of?"

"Do you think they will share their food?" Pippin asked Merry quietly. Merry nodded with anticipation.

"Who could resist our charms, Pip?" he laughed.

"Halt!" A booming, dangerous voice shouted suddenly to their right, catching them slightly off guard. "I have an arrow aimed at the dwarf…make one move and it will pierce his heart."

"Why are the arrows always aimed at me?" Gimli huffed as Aragorn tensed, his hand straying towards the hilt of his sword. His eyes searched the thick darkness around them for their adversary, though a sudden laughter stayed his hand.

"So what are you waiting for?" Boromir chuckled. "I have never liked the old grouch anyway."

"If I was aiming for an old grouch I would have aimed for you." The voice responded, laced with humor.

Boromir's grinned broadened. "Is that so? That is hardly a proper way to address your elder brother and lord. Show some respect."

"Lord?" A quick spark flashed in the darkness, followed by the glow of a newly lighted torch, as the figure emerged from the shadows, a smile on his face. "You are no lord, brother. Did you not now that second born is always superior?"

"Superior in what way?" Boromir laughed.

"You were the practice run before they had me, brother. They fixed their mistakes, I assure you."

"It is good to see you." Boromir said, jumping from his horse and embracing the man.

"And you as well." The other agreed.

As they parted, Boromir noticed the confused looks on the faces of his friends. "This is my brother, Faramir." He explained. "Who I least expected to see outside of Gondor."

"I am surprised to see you as well, Boromir, and in such peculiar company. The last we knew, you traveled to Rivendell to converse with the elves and then we heard no more." Faramir sighed. "We had feared you dead."

"I feared me dead a couple of times as well." Boromir laughed. "But we prevailed each time."

Faramir's glance swept across the others. "I am sure you have quite the story to tell."

"And you as well." Boromir's expression turned serious, commanding. "Tell me, Faramir, what brings you to Rohan?"

Faramir's smile faded, his eyes darkening. "The news is not good, Boromir. Rohan has fallen to the dark army."

* * * * * * * * * *

A/N: I know this was a short chapter, and I apologize, but I really wanted to get something posted. Its been far too long since I last updated. The next chapter is almost completed, so an update is near, do not fear (hey, I rhymed!) And as always, reviews are appreciated :-)