A/N: Wow, is this cool or what? I'm actually updating more frequently!!! :D

A Sunset Love

Chapter 22: A proposal

For many more hours, Mithdelothwen, Legolas, Aragorn, Gimli and Boromir sat in silence of the prison cells in Isengard, listening to the few rats scamper about, and echoes from down below.

Mithdelothwen wondered what Saruman had done to her. Legolas told her how she had been encased in a blue 'bubble' of some sort, for a few hours, and now she was puzzled. She didn't look different, she didn't 'feel' different-- well, minus the unsettling feeling in her stomach, but apart from that, she felt the same.

Mithdelothwen noticed that their weapons were confiscated, and no doubt, destroyed. Gimli seemed heartbroken that his 'sturdy and loyal' axe was taken from his care, and Legolas of course had a strong attachment to his bow and knives. Although Aragorn didn't show it, Mithdelothwen could tell that he desperately missed his sword at his side. As for her... she did miss her weapons as well. They were like a security blanket to her, and now without them, she felt lost and defenseless.

No words transpired between them, as there was nothing really any of them could say. However, Legolas and Mithdelothwen were trying to strengthen their mind link. It was getting slightly stronger, now not only could they sense each others' emotions and presence, but communicate short thoughts to each other. They were nowhere close to Galadriel's power, but they were improving on what they had.

Mithdelothwen could sense that something weighed heavily on Legolas' mind, but he was trying to shield it from her.

Legolas, what's wrong? Mithdelothwen thought.

... something that saruman said. It is nothing. Legolas replied shortly. Fine, he wouldn't tell her. She would just have to try to dig around in his mind. Mithdelothwen tried, but it would seem that either she just didn't have the strength to do it or Legolas' mind put up a barrier that she couldn't breach.

Don't try it, little one. Legolas half warned, half teased.

Damnit She though inwardly, he had realized. And now, he was teasing her. Great.

A weasly, greasy looking man slithered into the cell room, stopping at Mithdelothwen's cell. His face was pale and sallow, with sunken eyes. With a soft and deliberately sickeningly sweet voice, he said,

"The Wizard wishes to speak to the Lady." Following the sick looking man, were two goblins. Filthy, disgusting creatures with bright yellow eyes and terribly bad hygiene. The goblins took out a set of keys and unlocked Mithdelothwen's cell, but she didn't move.

"Why does he want to speak with me?" Mithdelothwen demanded. The slimy man nodded to the goblins, and they went into her cell, and dragged her to her feet.

"Why, my dear woman, I wouldn't know. The wizard simply asked me to get you.. and so I shall." he whispered closely into her ear, making her shiver at his closeness. Legolas' eyes narrowed at the disgusting man who was much too close for comfort to Mithdelothwen and 'whispering' in her ear.

"Get away from her." Legolas said in a barely controlled voice. The man looked at Legolas with mock pity.

"Oh don't worry... I'll make sure she's 'well taken care of'... sir Elf." He then cackled, and walked out the room, with the goblins dragging out a struggling Mithdelothwen.

And dragging out Legolas' heart with them.

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Mithdelothwen was led down a twisting corridor, and then deposited unceremoniously at Saruman's feet. Saruman nodded to the goblins who left the room, but the slimy man remained.

"And to what do I owe this grand pleasure?" Saruman asked, with fake sincerity.

"If I recall correctly, I believe that YOU wish to speak with me." Mithdelothwen spat. Saruman pretended to think.

"Ah yes... how forgetful of me. Well, I have a few things I'd like to offer you." Mithdelothwen narrowed her eyes, not believing for a second anything he was about to offer her.

No sensing any refusal, he continued.

"I realize that you are part of the fellowship, are you not?" He asked, as if he didn't know.

"You already know the answer. Why bother asking foolish questions." Mithdelothwen hissed. She didn't know what he was getting at, or what he was planning, but she didn't like it.

"Alright, so we'll get to the point. Do you know how orcs were created?" She suddenly glared at him. What was he implying?

"Yes..." She replied hesitantly. Saruman was now slowly circling around her like a hawk.

"Then you know that they are elves, mutilated. Or.. at least, containing Elven blood." Saruman's face was now hovering in front of her own.

"If you're asking me to donate my blood to the 'Creating Orcs foundation' forget it." Mithdelothwen smirked. Saruman straightened, looking down at her.

"Oh, I'm not asking. I'm demanding. And, of course, we now have two full blooded elves who would be donors and perhaps even vessels."

"Vessels?" Mithdelothwen was suddenly getting a very bad feeling.

"Oh don't worry.. it shouldn't hurt.. much." At this, Mithdelothwen blanched.

...................

Legolas was pacing around his cell, just filled with pent up energy. Mithdelothwen had been gone for a few hours now, but there had been no 'odd' noises.. like screaming, for instance. He tried to sense her and communicate to her through their mind link, but it would seem that this tower had magic that disconnected them in distances.

Distraught, he looked out the tiny window in the wall... all he could see was black smoke and darkened skies. Nothing at all to look at.

A blood piercing scream broke the silence, and...

broke his heart.

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A/N: Can someone say : CLIFFHANGER!!!!!!! heehee.. I am truly evil. But, at least I got this chapter up fast, no? :D I've had this idea in my head for quite some time now, so I'm relieved to finally have it down on paper. (err.. or computer, at least) PLEASE PLEASE Review... you wanted me to update so badly, and here I do... last chapter, I only got 2 reviews. TWO. That's not nice. :p. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Review! ~Feathers of the wind. [03.14.03]