Disclaimer: It's not mine! I surrender! It's Tolkein's.

Author's Notes: 

WARNING: PLEASE DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T LIKE TORTURE OR PAIN. I have warned you, so don't flame me for it. This is that last LAST note about Thranduil supporters. I love him, he was a great king and father. If you can't accept it, don't read this for your sake and mine. Any negative comments on that issue will now be ignored although *constructive* criticism is much appreciated. It IS my first fic.

Sorry to those faithful readers who had to go through that one last time. I just had to make that crystal clear.

All volunteers for Beta readers please read the note at the end of this chapter. Thanks for volunteering I am so honoured. Everyone else thanks for reviewing.

IrishQT and sych77: Thanks for your unwavering support. You keep me going.

Carol Stevenson and FrodoBaggins87: Thank you.

Feanen: You are my faithful reader. Thank you again.

VANA E: THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO YOU! THANKS!

I am determined to write longer now. I am sorry I have to cut the review replies short.

The show goes on. Italics are Legolas' thoughts.

Legolas blanched at the sight of the punishment room. It was sick. I can't believe that such a room even exists in my father's palace. Please, Valar, spare me from this. Legolas closed his eyes as if to block out the room.

A sudden backhand caught him unaware. The familiar taste of blood flooded his mouth. He opened his eyes slowly.

"Do you think you could get away with your frivolous and disrespectful behaviour because you are a prince? You are mistaken." Githil smiled sickly.

Legolas found himself receiving a kick to his stomach. He gasped feebly in pain or fear, it was impossible to tell. Githil repeatedly kicked him as he lay on the stony ground.

"You will call me your master. Answer to me NOW," Githil said in a rage. He gave Legolas a few more kicks. Legolas made no reply but gritted his teeth in pain. He felt like screaming but he was out of breath. He would not give his supervisor the satisfaction of seeing him being weak.

"You will answer me." Githil was starting to get irritated with Legolas. He punched him hard in his already bruised ribs. Legolas couldn't help a soft whimper. I've never been beaten before. I won't let him beat me. I won't let him defeat me. I refuse to be broken like a REAL slave.

Githil pulled Legolas to his feet by his hair. Chunks of his fine blond hair was ripped out. Legolas twisted away, he didn't want to see, it hurt enough already. This action made the supervisor more furious than ever.

"You stubborn slave! You orc! Fine, if you won't answer me. I'll beat you until you call me your master. I am your master now." Githil yelled menacingly, not caring how loud he was. He chained Legolas to the wall. Legolas was so close to the wall his nose was scraping the hard stone. He felt so vulnerable.

What have I gotten myself into? No one is my master! I won't let him hear me say that. I'll die before he will OWN me! Legolas was fiercely defiant although he was afraid.

Githil slid his belt off with a grin. His fingers twitched in excitement. "Now for your punishment, prince." He stripped off Legolas' tunic with a smirk. "I'll hear you scream in pain, scream for me." Legolas was calming himself, he could feel his knees start to shake.  No! Don't show him that you are weak!

With a loud crack the first lash fell on his bare back. Legolas felt no pain, then fire ran down the length of the lash. He bit his lip as heard the next stroke fall. And the next. In his pain, he could still hear Githil laughing cruelly.

"Give up prince? They all do after a while," Githil mocked. He let a torturous silence follow before furiously whipping Legolas. "How long can you keep this defiance up? I know its all an act. You are only a pathetic weakling. Not fit to be a prince."

Legolas was horrified. How did he know that was what my father said to me before – before he hit me? Does he know what I'm thinking? I really can't stand it much longer. Another lash fell on his abused shoulders. It hurts. I want mother. Pain flared across his body. A rain of lashes continued. It was becoming unbearable.

"Will you give up?" Githil said. He was enjoying breaking the prince. "Already?"

"No!" Legolas' nature would not allow him to give up so easily. I am NOT weak. I have to prove it to my father, so he'll love me.  

"Your choice, but either way, I will hear you scream – for me," Githil said sadistically.

Githil continued to hit him. By this time, Legolas' back was beyond bruised. Cuts were bleeding freely. He could feel the sticky blood all over his back. It was splattered on the walls. He felt sick. I can't hold it for any longer. He gritted his teeth as the involuntary grunts of pain were wrenched out from him. No! I won't give in. An inner battle raged inside him. He wanted to stop the pain. He wanted it to stop so bad.  Still Githil would not have mercy.

"Are you trying to be brave? You don't fool me," Githil continued to tease Legolas.  Legolas slid down the wall. The chains were the only things holding him up. The pain made him hazy. Valar! Please let me just die.

"Want to stop?" Githil scorned. "It is so easy. Just one word. No, two words. Master and please. Come on, my little prince." It is so tempting. Githil raised the belt with a swish-

"Daro! Daro! [Stop! Stop!]." Legolas gasped.

"Not the right words lad," Githil gave an evil cackle as he let the stroke fall. Legolas could no longer hold it. He groaned in pain. I won't scream. He won't ever hear me. I want to be a warrior.

Githil hit him unforgivingly until a unnatural scream was hauled out. I want to DIE. Why, Valar, why? Legolas throat was becoming raw. MOTHER! He was only ten!

"STOP!" He pleaded. Tears were now running down his face. "Just stop please master." He sobbed. I can't cry! I have to be strong. I want to be a prince!

" I beg you pardon?" Githil had a wicked gleam in his eye. Legolas panted for breath.

"Please…Master Githil…Please stop," Legolas grinded this out through his teeth. The pain came over him in waves. He couldn't breath.

"Now that wasn't so hard was it, slave?" Githil gave one last laugh before flippantly wiping the blood off his leather belt.

Legolas could barely hear what was being said. Valar! HELP ME! He fell into a fathomless darkness.

Githil was satisfied with this torture session. He undid the chains and tossed the unconscious body of Legolas unceremoniously into the slave room. All of the servants scurried away in fear. They did not seem surprised to see a body being dragged into the hallway. The blood left a trail in the clean corridor.

"Clean this mess up!" He barked authoritatively to a cowering servant.

"Y- Yes master, immediately." The servant disappeared. 

He locked Legolas' room with a click. A smile lit up his features. He was going to have fun in the next few days.   

Please Review (I'll write longer chapters! *hinthint*) – also I'll let you guys decide, should I be beta read or not? Because it may take longer to update (I'm updating DAILY at the moment) I'll see what you guys think. It's all up to you. Sorry Jacinta, Goth**Chic, elvendancer and Rath.