A/N) Thanks to all those that reviewed. Sorry this chapter is a bit late but I'm trying my hardest to write this story as quickly as possible. I'm attempting to do longer chapters as well, though I can't seem to write enough to get it the length I want. Oh well.....onto the story.

Fear of Men

Chapter 2

Orcs and Marihel

Heran melted into the shadows of the forest, behind him followed the Orcs. It had been several hours since Heran had been charged with capturing the elf and human. He was waiting for when they set up camp. Then he would attack when they'd be least aware of an attack. So simple, so effective.

A few hours later Heran saw the elf and human stop and set up camp. It was not long till the sun set, and darkness swept across the land. Laughter could be heard erupting from the clearing.

The bonfire died down; peering through the bushes Heran saw that the elf and human had fallen asleep beside the fire, though to his dismay their weapons were close to them. Biting his lip, Heran crept back to the group of Orcs waiting patiently nearby.

"They're sleeping." Heran whispered, "Quickly subdue them."

He watched as the Orcs filed out surrounding the glade in which the companions slept.

Seconds passed and suddenly a loud Orc scream rendered through the air. Voices could be heard: elf, man and Orcs.

Looking through into the clearing, Heran saw the man and elf fighting side by side amongst a horde of Orcs. This was not supposed to be happening!

Grasping his sword Heran launched into the fray wielding his sword with complete accuracy. He made a bee-line for the human - he was the target anyway.

Aragorn was unaware of the human's approach; it was too late to duck when Legolas shouted a warning. He ducked anyway, but the sword hit the side of his head. He fell to the earth, dazed momentarily, but by the time his eyes cleared, the man that had attacked him, grabbed him by the arms and hauled him to his knees.

Aragorn groaned in pain.

Heran held the man preventing his escape. Grasping a knife, Heran laid it at Aragorn's throat and shouted out to Legolas who was unaware of his friend's predicament.

"Elf! Stop right where you are!"

Legolas, seeing Aragorn, stopped his attack but refused to drop his knives.

"Drop your weapons elf, or I'll kill your little friend." Heran demanded, making sure that the prince could see him. He clearly indicated what he'd do if the elf refused to surrender.

I can't harm Aragorn! However it is not in my nature to surrender!

Closing his eyes and signing, the elf dropped his knives and allowed the Orcs to grab and bind him. Aragorn too was bound.

At a signal from Heran, the group moved off.

*****

A lone man approached the gates leading to the Last Homely House in Rivendell. This man was Marihel. For ten years he had done community service and a few months in a small town prison after being convicted of helping Deollyn in injure a small child, but because he had turned sides on Deollyn, his punishment had been less severe then that of Deollyn himself. The man in question had been sentenced to life, but news had recently come to Marihel of Deollyn's release and of his promise to a year's work of community service. Since then Marihel had kept his distance, keeping watch. However only a week ago he had seen Deollyn leave the small town, abandoning his service, and leaving with a hooded elf.

Suspicious of the situation, Marihel had followed and overheard a small talk that involved the assistance of Orcs and the capture of a human. Marihel could only guess that Estel was the target once more.

Having saved the boy from Deollyn ten years before, Marihel did not wish for the man to visit his cruelty upon the human once more, but he knew that if he didn't act soon then that would happen.

He had decided to travel to Rivendell and alert Lord Elrond of what had happened, and hoped that Estel had not left Rivendell alone.

As he came to the gates two identical elves appeared, holding bows and two arrows each notched in their bows.

Marihel raised his hands. "I'm here on peaceful terms, sons of Elrond."

The first twin - Elladan - blinked, slowly remembering. His twin Elrohir seemed to recognise the human more quickly.

"Marihel? It cannot be."

Confirming himself to be Marihel, the twins escorted the man to their father where the human explained about the situation involving Deollyn and his plans with an elf.

Everything was quiet when Marihel had stopped speaking.

Elrond was the first to break the silence. "It seems that our mysterious Shadow Elf has struck again. And Deollyn is back too."

"Where is Estel?" Marihel asked. "He is here, isn't he?"

Elrond shook his head sadly. "He left for Mirkwood about three months ago with Gandalf the Grey. About a month ago we received word that Estel was travelling home with a companion but not Gandalf. We do not know who this person is, obviously Gandalf knows this person well or he wouldn't let Estel out of his sight."

"Did it say when he'd be home?"

"He should be back by now but then he could be having a slow stroll back. Time to enjoy what's left of his childhood." Elladan explained.

Marihel bit his lip. He was obviously worried. "I think perhaps we should send out a search party to meet them just be sure. I do not trust much knowing that Deollyn and this Elf is around again."

Elrond stood from his chair and paced the room, looking out the window and signing. "For the safety of Rivendell and for Estel, we must. Marihel, my sons will you take the most direct route through the lands. I will send Glorfindel and Sîrfalas out in opposite directions." he said, "Is that comfortable with you?"

"Yes, my lord." Marihel said.

*****

They had been travelling for more then a few hours when at last Aragorn's strength gave way. Forced to run, with their hands behind their backs, the two friends struggled to keep up with the ferocious pace of the Orcs. The man that was commanding them rode ahead on a horse, scouting out for anyone who might be in the area.

As he hit the earth the Orcs turned on him, but Heran stopped them from hurting him. "Remember your orders! No harm or it be your hide! If you must, carry him!"

Aragorn was flung over the shoulder of an Orc, and the company stove forward again.

Hours passed and darkness threatened.

At last Heran pulled the company to a halt, ordering the Orcs to bind the prisoners to separate trees.

Aragorn's bonds were cut, suddenly, and in that time, he moved away from his Orc captor and ran. Orcs pursued him while Heran guarded Legolas who watched with mounting horror as the Orcs chased his friend. Aragorn, who was weak, defenseless and light-headed, seemed to have found some inner strength. His thoughts were torn away by Heran's laughing.

"Do you really think that the human has a chance against a group of blood-thirsty Orcs? If you do, you must have faith in him."

"It does not matter." Legolas growled. "As long as I'm here you've still got a worthy prize."

Heran chuckled madly. "I'm afraid elf, that you are no interest to my master, only the human interests him. When my Orcs return you will be punished for his attempt at escape. That way he will learn. Pity it has to be the hard way."

"I'm not afraid of Orcs."

"You will be when they're through with you."

Legolas did not answer. Something was strange was going on. Why would Orcs work with men? What was the point behind it all? There was no logical reason that the Prince could think of.

Minutes passed and soon the trampling of feet could be heard. The Orcs were returning, bearing an unconscious Aragorn. A trickle of blood ran down the side of his head.

Tying the man securely to a tree and Legolas to the other, the Orcs began to set up a hastily built camp. As they finished Aragorn was stirring.

As the young Ranger opened his eyes, he could - or feel - a hundred million axes shattering his skull. He could remember running from his captors, taking the slim chance he had, unfortunately an Orc had lunged at him from the tree-tops, slamming into him, and sending him crashing to the earth. Another Orc had snapped a piece of wood, and brought it down onto his skull, knocking him out instantly. His fight had been lost. He'd been dragged back to the camp.

He careful peered round spotting Legolas tied in similar fashion as him - his hands pulled above his head and knotted to a branch just above, binding him tightly so that he had no chance of escaping. Cursing this fact, Aragorn settled against the trunk and fell into an uneasy sleep.

He was woken by a slap to the face.

Blinking slowly as his headache began again, Aragorn looked with distaste into the eyes of Heran.

"Well, human, good to see that you slept well, but unfortunately, I must teach you a lesson. Did you really think you could escape us?"

"No." Aragorn mumbled.

Heran smiled, an evil smile that sent chills running up the human's back. "Unfortunately I have decided to not punish you physically but emotionally."

Aragorn did not like the sound of that. His eyes strayed to Legolas clearly reading the intent in his captors gaze.

Heran turned to one of the Orcs who stood nearby. "Teach the human a lesson."

Standing beside the Ranger, Heran watched in glee as the Orcs beat Legolas, until a scream rocketed through the air.

Aragorn had struggled vainly through the whole procedure trying to free himself from his bonds and help Legolas, but unable to, he had watched, as anger built in his heart. His friend was being punished for his mistake. It was not right!

As the Orcs moved away from the unconscious elf, Aragorn could see blood covering the Prince's form. The Prince's once fair face was mattered in blood, and his nose was bleeding freely. It was broken. Heran went over to the elf and prodded at every bleeding bit, making the Prince groan softly.

"I'm sorry, mellon-nin." Aragorn whispered as he turned his head away from his friend. He could not bear looking at Legolas knowing that he had caused the elf that harm by his little act of escape. What kind of friend was he?

As Heran left Legolas, Aragorn called out to him.

"Why?"

Heran walked slowly over to Aragorn. "Why what?"

"Why punish him for something I did?"

Heran allowed a cold grin to cross his features. "Don't worry, your time will come. You are not to be harmed. Masters orders."

Leaning forward Heran grasped the Ranger's chin and pulled him forward, searching for fear in the eyes, but seeing none. "My master has delightful plans for you!"

Roughly pushing the man back against the tree, Heran walked off.

So this is what it is all about. Aragorn thought. Me. Once again, someone is hunting me. But who would go to enough trouble not to have me harmed only to harm me later?

TBC....

For those who read the end of Forge of Friendship and read the little teaser to this story then you will be pleased to know that that part has been moved up from the beginning of Chapter 4 to Chapter 3. So, Deollyn is returning in the next chapter, and the twins and Marihel begin their hunt!

Stay tuned!