This second update is a special gift for Dreaming fifi--Happy belated sweet sixteen!!!! **Throws Carrots At Plot Bunnies Before They Start To Sing**

Chapter 16--Humiliation

Legolas had never been so angry as he was now. She had never planned to keep her word. Such dishonor was shameful. He cursed his own stupidity. He should have never trusted her. Getting up, he got dressed and walked over to the food. Legolas filled a goblet with wine and drank it down like water. He filled it again, but this time sipped at it more slowly. "If she does not keep her word then I do not have to either," he muttered. He glanced at the chain. She hadn't put it back on and that was a mistake. The window!! Legolas thought. He put down the goblet and hurried over to it and looked out. It was a long way down, a very long way. Footsteps warned him that someone was coming. He moved quickly away from the window as the door opened to reveal three female guards.

One carried a second gold bracelet and a length of chain. She leered at Legolas. "Queen Deirdre wishes you to be brought to the audience chamber, slave," she said. She looked him up and down. "You are overdressed though. We were told to bring you before the queen naked and in chains."

Legolas' face reddened in mingled humiliation and rage. He would find a way to make Deirdre pay for this no matter how long it took!

The first guard gestured to the other two. "Strip him, Queen Deirdre is waiting," she ordered.

Legolas fought them hard and landed several blows before they managed to strip him. They gripped his arms tightly. The first guard snapped on the other bracelet and fastened the chain. They dragged him roughly from the room.

It cannot get any worse, Legolas thought grimly as they reached the audience chamber and he was dragged inside. His eyes widened at the sight before him. Yes it can! His mind screamed. There were at least a hundred people in there and they were all staring at him.

Legolas would have loved to retreat from the room, but the guards were in the way. He remembered something his father used to say. You are a prince of Mirkwood; always let your bearing reflect that, he repeated to himself. Squaring his shoulders he walked forward with a measured, calm stride as if he was entering his father's throne room.

Lecherous eyes followed him, moving over him as he went, but he ignored them. He stopped about five paces from the throne where Deirdre sat and looked directly into her eyes. His gaze said clearly: No matter what you do you will never break me.

Deirdre's eyes showed reluctant admiration and she nodded in silent acknowledgement of the challenge. She rose and caught the chain. Pulling Legolas to her side, she turned him to face the watching crowd. "By our old laws I chose this one as my consort and the sire of my children!" she announced. "Let the revelry begin!"

The next few hours were the longest of his life. He was glad when the celebration was over, even though it meant being in Deirdre's room again. She locked the door behind them and turned to him. "You handled yourself with all the dignity of the prince you were," she remarked.

Legolas gave her a defiant look. "I am still a prince. This," he rattled the chain, "changes nothing."

Deirdre laughed. "I am going to have you again--now. You are to beautiful to resist for long," she said huskily and started towards him.

Legolas instinctively backed away and bumped into the table where the wine still was sitting. A weapon! He snatched up the bottle, ignoring the wine that spilled out all over the floor.

Deirdre stopped short and eyed him. "Do you know how expensive that vintage is?" she asked.

"Nay and I do not care in the least," Legolas retorted. He tensed to fight.

"Put that down. Be sensible and accept your fate," Deirdre said.

"I would rather not and you can kiss your ass," Legolas retorted. Gods, I still sound like Jaisia! He thought suddenly.

Deirdre lunged at him while he was distracted, but Legolas' quicker reflexes kicked in. He managed to avoid her grab for his wrist then hit her over the head with the bottle.

It made a hollow thud sound, like a hammer striking a melon then she collapsed to the floor. Legolas' eyes filled with shock. "If I have killed her Jaisia and I are both dead!" He groaned and knelt beside her to see if she was alive. He was relieved to find she was. Escape was not a option--he was sure the guards were posted everywhere. An idea struck him and he searched her. He was delighted when he found the key and a dagger. He unlocked his chains then dragged Deirdre over to the bed and after a brief struggle got her onto it. He stripped her then used the dagger to cut a blanket into strips. He bound her hands and feet to the bedposts then sat down. He waited for her to regain consciousness….

Once again Happy Birthday Dreamingfifi!! Hoped you liked your gift--turnabout is fair play--eh?