~A/N: Sorry for the long wait... I've been going through a rough time, so I haven't had the time, patience or energy to write anything. Sorry for your inconvenience.

A Sunset Love

Chapter 20: Sleep for the end *no, this isn't the last chapter*

Chapter recap: Mithdelothwen is moved into a cell closer to Legolas', and they have a little chat.

Legolas wanted to say so much more to Mithdelothwen, but he couldn't, for the door creaked open. Legolas motioned for Mithdelothwen to get back into the corner of the cell where she had previously been. Silent, soft footfalls came, so Legolas knew it wasn't orcs. His gaze narrowed slightly as he saw Sarumon walk in, approaching his cell.

"This is the fellowship that Gandalf believed would destroy the Ring and save Middle Earth?" He asked mockingly, bending down to eye level with Legolas and the captives within. "Pathetic. Then again, what else would one expect? Gandalf himself couldn't make it past Moria, so obviously his standards aren't so high." he ignored the glares and snarls he was getting from the two humans, elf and dwarf, and cast his glance towards the side, where he eventually turned to look at the she-elf behind bars.

"Leave her alone!" Legolas burst out, catching the wizard in his tracks.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Does she mean something to you?" Legolas could see the evil glint in his eyes and the malice behind his false sincerity. Legolas couldn't hide the anger and fear in his eyes; right away, Sarumon could tell, and knew he could have fun with these two.

"Is that a yes or a no?" Sarumon laughed, seeing the elf trying to control his composure and his emotions. Sarumon glanced at the two humans and the dwarf in the cell. He wondered why they had actually managed to survive his uruk-hai's initial attack, but decided to capture them and torment them.

"yes." Legolas voice managed to whisper, snapping the evil wizard from his thoughts. Sarumon looked down at the elf with distaste and disdain. Yes, he could definitely have fun with this bunch; no doubt, the others were at least friendly with the she-elf, so she would have an immediate effect on them all, should she 'accidentally' die. Sarumon turned his glance towards the she elf, whom he knew wasn't sleeping. He walked over towards he bars and said,

"I know you're awake. You're not fooling anyone." Mithdelothwen's back was to him, and so her eyes shot open with surprise.

what should I do? Pretend to be sleeping? Or turn around? Panic filled Mithdelothwen, and in turn, filled Legolas. Legolas tried to soothe her mind by think of reassuring thoughts. This whole "bond" wasn't a bad thing, but Legolas wished he knew earlier, so he could have time to learn how to communicate using thoughts.

Saruman was losing patience with their little game.

"I said, WAKE UP, you're not fooling anyone." He said again, in a firm, angry tone. Cautiously, Mithdelothwen turned around, looking at the cell floor.

"That's better.. Now, why don't you tell me why there would be a hope for you group of utterly pathetic beings of saving Middle Earth? Do you honestly think you can beat Sauron and I?" Sarumon asked in a moking tone, not expecting an answer.

"Yes, I do." Came a deathly firm answer for behind him. Saruman glared down at the female elf, who looked at him just as angrily.

"Oh do you?" She just continued to stare at him.

"Mithdelothwen, don't look at him!" Legolas cried, afraid that Saruman would put her under a spell of some sort.

"You are just an old man, cowardly and afraid. You call yourself an istari, yet you are lower than the most cowardly of men. Your heart is more easily swayed by lust of power, and that makes you a beastly creature. You joined forces with Sauron... why? What did he promise you, the world under your command? You above all should know that Sauron does not share power. He thinks of himself, no one else." As Mithdelothwen spoke, Saruman's lips curled in anger and disgust. These words had also been uttered by the old wizard Gandalf, whom he knew was dead.

"I choose the winning side." Saruman replied, before throwing Mithdelothwen against the wall with the power from his staff.

"Mithdelothwen!" Legolas cried, seeing and feeling his love being hurt. "Leave her out of this, she has nothing to do with anything!" Legolas said, trying to plead without groveling before Saruman's feet.

Saruman didn't reply; he was busy doing something else. He slipped on end of his staff in between the cell bars, and pointed it at Mithdelothwen. A bright blue light came from its end and encased Mithdelothwen in a bubble-like dome.

"Enjoy your sleep, little one. For when you wake up, the world will be different for you." Saruman hissed, walking out.

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A/N: yeah, it sucked. What can I say? I think you readers will hate me when you see what happens in the next chapter. But, please Read and Review anyway! 03.08.03