Title: For Gondor or Friendship

Disclaimer: I do not own or have rights to any LOTR stuff, That honor goes to Tolken and whomever has right to his works.

Summary: Legolas chose to remain at his friend's side, Aragorn is now the King of Gondor, when leftover minions of the Dark Lord attack he must choose between the life of his friend and the lives of his people.

Warning: This story is elf-torture heavy; so if the idea of Legolas in pain, and being bruised broken and bleeding bothers you step away now. You have been warned

Chapter 6- Closing In

"We should make camp for the night my lord" Aramel said clasping Aragorn shoulder.

"We picked up their trail again we have to continue. . .

"Sir I know he is your friend and that he is in danger but the men need to rest. If we run into the Haradrims they will be of no use to us."

With a sigh of defeat Aragorn pressed his hand to his weary eyes. Aramel was right. They had been on the path through Harad for the past four weeks. The fact that truly bothered him was that this group of soldiers had managed to avoid them thus far.

Aragorn was worried more that ever for his friend's well being. He tried not to even imagine what the Harad soldiers were doing to the elf. If he knew Leoglas stoic condition then he knew it would take some time before they could break the elf. Hopefully he would reach the elf before he reached his breaking point.

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The days had begun to blend into what seemed like endless hours of torment for the Prince of Mirkwood.

When he wasn't bound and strung up like a criminal the Haradrim kept him in a state of drugged senselessness. He would come out of this drugged haze just to be tortured for hours on end till he passed out.

Still that did not appease the malicious appetites of the Harad soldiers. He would pass out only to be dragged back to the land of the waking. It did not matter how many times he had been beaten; they would still rouse him and begin again.

Legolas moaned as he curled over his burning, broken ribs. He had hoped that somehow these men would grow tired of tormenting him and end his life; unfortunately it was not meant to be. With each passing day he broke a little more. His resilience all but gone as the men smiled when they would wrench cries of pain from his bruised lips.

He shuddered. The Harad desert was extremely hot during the day but when night fell the tempeture dropped drastically and one would freeze if not properly clothed. Usually elves were not bothered by the elements but in his weakened state Legolas shuddered from the cold in the air around him. They had stopped for the night in the desert, but in the middle of the night the men had been roused by the scouts that had discovered a large group of men not but one days journey behind them. Legolas defeated heart gave a jolt. His thoughts immediately going to Aragorn; so the man was aware that he had been taken and was braving Harad to rescue him.

The Harad had no choice but to move out in the dead of night. Only stopping the next night as they made way out of the desert in to the dank forests of the northern parts of Harad. They were heading south at first but now decide to switch course and head back toward the borders of Harad and Mordor.

If there was any place that the elf hated more than Harad it was Mordor. Horrible memories of when he had been captured when he was just an elfling and taken to Mordor flashed in his mind. Though the Dark Lord was all but destroyed Mordor was still a dark land not meant for the fair being to dwell in.

Legolas was broken from his thoughts as someone approached him.

"Not so beautiful now" One of the men said cupping the elf's bruised cheek in his hand and stroking his thumb across Legolas' swollen lower lip. The half-conscious elf flinched and pulled back.

"No.. saes..please." Legolas pleaded weakly with his captor

"No little elf, in Harad we don't stop, no matter how much you beg." The man grabbed the elf 's hair and fingered it like a fine piece of cloth.

"Jihal backed off the elf." A voice came from the doorway behind them.

The man pulled away from the elf quickly. Moving his hands away to effect an air of innocence. Havad moved toward the elf smiling evilly. Legolas began to tremble as his body automatically readied itself for more abuse. He closed his eyes steeling himself for the pain he knew was coming, but the man did nothing.

"Though Lord Legolas you begin to try my patience, many before have we tortured yet none have ever survived as long as you. Your friend closes in on us everyday so I believe that we should up or sessions."

"Jihal you have already met but I think am going to let him get to know you a little better. Though our methods of entertainment are fun enough; Jihal here specializes in a special form or torture. His favorite instrument is the hot poker."

To illustrate his meaning he backed out of the way slightly so that Legolas could see the fire pokers waiting to be used. He began to shake his head; he did not have the energy in him to be stubborn or proud and he was sure that after all he had been through this would truly undo him. Jihal advnace on the elf poker in hand

I am truly going to enjoy this the man said Jahal commented as he brought the poker close to Legolas' face

He screamed as the intense heat came in contact with his skin but as was always the Harad soldiers showed him no mercy.

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The smell of something burning caught his nose first, then he saw in" some distance away was light. Light from a fire. He raced forward ignoring the cries from his men

They came upon the clearing that was most likely where the one they were searching for had been but a day before. The Harad had tried to outsmart their pursuers by changing directions and doubling back north. But the skills of the ranger could not easily be fooled and he and his party immediately changed directions.

"King Elessar!" The cry came from his left.

He took the note from the soldier; the first thing he noticed was the small piece of bloodstained cloth that was attached. This was a piece of Legolas' silver -blue tunic. He could still tell that much even though it was covered in dirt and blood. He brought it to his nose; it was definitely elven blood and the piece of cloth still slightly carried the smell that was singularly Legolas. Aragorn sighed and began to read the note.

" King Elessar, we have known for quite some time that you have been on our trail. It would be wise that you give up the valiant attempt to rescue your friend. If we see any Gondorian troops we will not hesitate to kill the elf. Return to Gondor immediately and abdicate your throne or the next souvenir we send to you will be the elf's pretty head" The Haradrims message was clear they wanted Gondor and if Legolas life was the cost for it they would not care either way.

Aragorn stared at the piece of parchment for a few moments longer as if willing the words to change. Aramel; who had been reading over the king shoulder touched Aragorn arm lightly.

"My lord forgive me, I mean no disrespect but the lives of the people of Gondor out weigh the life of the elf. The Haradrim wish you to give up the throne for him. Yet his life is only one, think of all those who would suffer if you were to give into what they wish."

Aragorn knew the captain was right, but that did not mean he didn't fell angry about the man's words. "He is my friend, my brother, I would not leave him to suffer torment to death." Aragorn ground out through his teeth "Were our places switched he would still be searching for me."

" I do not doubt that sir but we are sneaking through Harad lands as it is and we can only move but so much farther until we are discovered. If they were to capture you there would be no one. . ."

"I know what will happen. . ." Aragorn started his voice louder than he truly intended. "They will force my advisors to abdicate my throne and Gondor will be free and open sport for the savages."

Aramel started to speak but was cut off.

"I will not abdicate my throne. . . I also have no intention of leaving Legolas in the hands of those men either. We will continue on till we find them." Once again Aramel bowed to his king demands though his face showed clearly that he did not agree.

"This course of action will be your undoing." He muttered under his breath

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The mountains of Harad served as the border for the two lands. Havad knew immediately that they were approaching his hometown. The town was full of murders and thieves now so he felt most comfortable in the surroundings.

They had attracted much attention, mostly due to their elven captive. The Harad had a huge disdain for the elves of the northern parts of Middle Earth and if the opportunity to kill or torture one became present they were happy to oblige.

Legolas couldn't understand why they had not drugged him this time. He figured the Harad did not because he would not get far anyway, which to him was a painful truth. Plus the stares of lust and desire he was receiving from the men in this town told him right now that safest place for him to be was where he was already.

Havad sighed; they would have to be on guard tonight. Double shift would be needed to guard the elf from others. Haradrim or no these people would kill their own brothers if they stood in the way of something they wanted.

"An elf. . . not often do we see on of them pass through our lands. I'd pose the question of why he travels with you yet I do not think you would answer

"That is naught your business yet to ease your curiosity; he is our slave. . . a pleasure toy if you will and nothing more." Havad' s tone was threatening but the other men chose to ignore it.

I am Dethlan and my group and I would be more than happy to pay you for the use of you pleasure toy.

He is not for sale. Havad said pulling Legolas along. One of Dethlan's men grabbed the elf's arm and tugged him to the side

"Oh. . . he's a real pretty one too." The man stroked Legolas' cheek. The prince pushed the man's hand away with his bound arms, pulling back in disgust.

Jihal swiftly killed the man with a toss of his dagger. Dethlan's men pulled back as their comrade fell to the ground dead.

"Let that be a lesson to you. The elf belongs to us and us only," Havad warned before ordering his men to move on.

"You and your people have made a grave mistake. That elf will be ours." Dethlan said angrily

"Just try and take him" Havad said defiently

"Oh my friend you have no idea. . . soon little elf I will see how much pleasure you give"Dehtlan pointed to Legolas who kept his eyes downcast.

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Havad jerked up from his sleep. He gazed around the room; the only light in the darkened room was the faint glow from the elf. He looked around the room but other than the elf he could see nothing. The noises outside his door let him know that most of the men on watch were taking their jobs to heart.

Legolas hung limply in the manacles that held him. His arms ached fiercely, as he had been hanging in this same position for the past two days. The Harad soldiers attention seemed to be occupied elsewhere. Legolas drew another ragged, labored breath, something had woken him but he was not sure what. His senses were dulled by his condition; still he knew he heard something.

Suddenly a hand wrapped tightly around his throat cutting off his airflow. Another hand clamped over his mouth and his dull blue eyes locked onto those of another man. The brown eyes gleamed with a certain glow of satisfaction. The hand around his throat tightened and he whimpered softly, his body becoming sluggish from lack of air.

Movement from the other side of the room caught his attention as someone moved toward Havad's bed. Jus t as the person made it to the bedside Havad' s arm shot up and all hell broke loose.

TBC. . .

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