A/N: Sorry, no Lego and Kalen yet, but I promise, they will be in the next one. I had to further the story along by interrupting the romance.

The attack came only moments before the first light of dawn could break through the night sky, and it had caught the slumbering elves of Taureliloomis by complete surprise. There had been a fierce battle, and the rich red color of freshly spilled blood now covered much of the ground. Those that had not been killed in the battle lay bound and badly wounded.

The elves had fought hard, but in the end, the distorted creations of Sauron, now serving a new but no less sinister master, stood victorious. Calanagariel dropped her head in defeat. Her long blond hair matted with blood hung down, and stuck to the delicate skin of her face. It was now morning, and she was not only exhausted from the battle, but also filled with sorrow for the dead that now lie around her.

How could this have happened? It had all come about so suddenly there had been no time to prepare. Calanagariel and her people had made the mistake of assuming a false sense of security. As long as the creatures of the dark lord remained on Middle Earth, there was always a threat. She winced in pain as the restraints dug bitterly into her flesh.

"Surprised you, didn't we?"

Durzbog hissed as he leaned near her face and Calanagariel felt the blood begin to warm her body as the rage inside grew. Her jaw tightened and her teeth clenched.

"Yes, you did surprise us, and only by your cowardice have you won."

The orc smiled, his rotting teeth exposed. His thirst for blood was voracious, but he knew he would have to stifle his desire to slay the blonde elf and bring her before Valdrin.

"The real coward will soon be seen when you bow at the feet of Lord Valdrin."

A million thoughts raced through her mind. In that whole time, she had not stopped to ponder on the purpose of the bloody attack. What did they want, and how would she call for aid? Who was Valdrin and did this incident have anything to do with the cup of elements?

The Orcs were notorious for stealing, destroying, and even killing, but this talk of being taken to "Valdrin" perplexed her. If she and some of the others were being kept alive, there was a sinister purpose behind it. The elves had long been a favorite target of the Orcs in their sport of killing, so to be kept alive, the thought of what was in store frightened her. She could only hope that someone had escaped unnoticed in the heat of battle. Calanagariel looked around anxiously to see if anyone was missing. It appeared that no one was.

Her deep blue eyes surveyed the bodies of the dead women. These were her friends, her people. Her heart was breaking and there could be no comfort for it. She looked around nervously for Niphredia, hoping she would be found alive. The two had been through many things and had seen the passing of many ages together. Niphredia was her friend, her confidant, and also a sister. Calanagariel would rather see her wounded than dead, though the thought made her stomach turn in circles. She whispered a desperate plea, hoping it would be heard and answered swiftly.

"Get up you pitiful scum." the cruel orcs screamed at the captive elves.

Even in bloody defeat, the Elves still held a graceful beauty the disfigured orcs could not tarnish. How different they were, yet eerily the same, like two different families of the same animal. The Elves seemingly perfect beings, and the Orcs horribly imperfect. Durzbog and his company began rounding up their prisoners, pushing and pulling the wounded. There was a shout, and Calanagariel sighed. It was Niphredia. Her plea had been answered, and she suddenly wished she had asked for more. With the worry for Niphredia now gone, worry for their ultimate safety and rescue filled her mind.

If only she could get word to Imladris, Elrond would come to her aid. Looking around, she realized getting word to Elrond would be impossible. There was always Kalen. Calanagariel knew she would return home no matter the outcome of her journey to Eryn Lasgalen, but it could be months before her stubborn pride gave way and her squabble with Legolas resolved. A feeling of panic and helplessness filled her. She would need time to devise a plan, and time appeared to now be working against them.

"Get up!"

Durzbog cackled as he watched his second in command, Narblok, kick Calanagariel and order her to her feet. It gave him a satisfaction and a feeling of power to see the sturdy woman on the receiving end of the humiliation. It was a feeling he could get accustomed to quickly if they were not expected back in Fornost. He began wishing he had time to inflict a few more punishing blows before they started on the journey to Valdrin. The tall blonde had managed to administer several large gashes to his body before Narblok had cut her to the ground with a blow from behind. Durzbog began to lick his wounds as Calanagariel watched in sickened horror.

She was fair indeed and the fire within her aroused him. If Valdrin approved of his bounty, perhaps he would allow his servant a reward of his choosing. Durzbog knew exactly what he wanted and the thought thrilled him to no ending. He would have the ferocious elf with golden hair and he would pleasure himself at every chance by afflicting as much pain and suffering as he could serve her. Cuts and bruises aside, this had been a most profitable and satisfying undertaking indeed.

"Do you like me, my pretty one? If things go as planned, we will be spending much time together, you and I."

Calanagariel snorted and Narblok kicked at the back of her knees, sending her forward and onto the ground. The two orcs continued to laugh their monstrous laugh and for the first time in ages, despair seeped into Calanagariel's heart. She knew what the orc had in mind, and she tried her best to chase the shadow from within her soul. If her misery over Elrond had not led to her demise all those ages ago, a few threats of bodily harm would not be her undoing now.