OWWW!! All right, all right!! Stop poking me, Sugar Addict!! I'll update, I'll update!! Thanks to Sugar Addict, here's a bonus chapter!!

Chapter 50--Gorges and Knots

Legolas paused in his struggles, panting and frustrated. The ropes just refused to give and the prickles on the thrice-cursed bushes hurt! He had been trying to get loose for an hour, but the Human knew how to tie knots quite well. The pounding headache he'd gotten from hitting his head wasn't helping matters.

At least the bump on his head and headache could easily dealt with. Legolas managed to relax enough to slip into a brief healing trance and the painful bump and headache were gone. Now if I could just get my hands free, he thought and began to work at the bonds again.

**Meanwhile**

Qui and Mei Ling had found where the spiders had attacked. There was nothing left except the torn up ground, stray bits of webbing and some drops of blood. Both Qui and Mei know about the giant spiders that lurked in Mirkwood. Thranduil had warned all of them.

"By the great dragon, I hope Legolas is not one of those taken by those foul beasts," Mei Ling said.

Qui had moved away from the area and was examining the ground. Suddenly he began to gesture excitedly. Mei joined him and he pointed at a faint footprint on the ground.

"Legolas? You think he got away?" Mei asked.

*I think so, but I fear I cannot follow him because his steps are so light. We need to fetch Aragorn or Elladan to help us. Come on. We must hurry* Qui signed.

Qui and Mei hurried off back to the Elven army to fetch help.

*Back To The Gorge*

Legolas stopped to rest again. He was still having no luck getting loose. Damn that Human and his knots, he thought. His thirst had gotten worse over time and it was driving him mad. He had never wanted a sip of water in his life as badly as he did right now. He also felt uncomfortably vulnerable. He was completely helpless if anyone or anything found him right now.

No one knows what happened accept Mei and she certainly will not tell anyone, Legolas thought. He had the unpleasant thought that he might actually die here of exposure or thirst. Stop that. It takes several days for that to happen. Someone will come by then. Unless Mei made up some story to explain why I am missing, he thought then groaned inwardly. He could have done without that last thought.

*Meanwhile*

Mei and Qui reached the army, praying Aragorn and Elladan were around. Luck was with them because Aragorn was the first person they came upon.

"We need your help, Aragorn. Legolas is missing and he might be in serious trouble. Qui thinks he found his track, but cannot follow him," Mei said.

Aragorn's eyes darkened with concern. He stopped a passing Elf. "Ask Boromir to take over. I will be back as soon as I can be," he said. The Elf nodded and hurried off as Aragorn turned back to them. "Show me where you found the track." They hurried off.

At Qui's insistence Mei told Aragorn everything and he was even less pleased then Qui had been. "You had better hope he got away from those men and the spiders or no one is going to be able to keep Thranduil from having you executed. He loves Legolas very much. He will not be the only one either," Aragorn warned.

Mei nodded. "I know and I will accept death as my punishment if Legolas is not found safe," she said. "My honor will demand a heavy price if it is broken."

They got back to where the spiders had struck and Qui showed Aragorn the footprint and Aragorn went to work. He silently thanked the twins for the many times they had helped him perfect his tracking skills by trying to track them. He would have never been able to follow Legolas if not for that. Finally they came to the edge of a steep gully and saw their quarry at the bottom.

"Legolas!" Aragorn shouted. When he got no answer he began to climb down to his friend, praying that he wasn't badly hurt…..

There, hope that makes everyone feel better. R/R please!!!