Just a pre-warning: I'll bump this up to an R from the next chapter onwards, because the evilness has risen inside me, I'm also going to switch the secondary category or whatever it's called from 'General' to 'Angst'. So if you have your story preferences set up a certain way, you may miss it, and you don't wanna do that, do you?

Without trying to spoil what's in this chapter, I feel it's necessary to warn you that it contains violence and some adult themes that may offend some of you.

Anyway, enough with formal shit. I was nearly killed by Aragorn the other day! I was casually strolling round the DVD section in a shop and whom should I bang into? A bloody life size cardboard cut out of Aragorn, that's who. It came crashing down on me and the whole shop stared at me like I was some drunken mad lady with 40 cats… they wouldn't even let me take it home afterwards. Sigh. I blame the government.

Nearly forgot, considering that I'm utterly incompetent with most languages, the Elvish used in this story is courtesy of Tithen Min and Naomi and a big thank you to them.

Chapter Three: A Waking Nightmare

A loud screech from an old crow made the group jump. Gandalf and Elrohir looked up from the crackling fire, and Elrond and his eldest son paused from peeling the vegetables. They could no longer hear Estel laughing and Legolas scolding. They gazed over the land, looking out for Legolas and his reluctant pupil near to the trees, but they were nowhere to be seen. Elrond rose to his feet, frowning deeply. He beckoned his sons along as the wizard reluctantly continued to tend to their supper.

"We will call you if the need arises, Gandalf. It is probably a false alarm." Elladan spoke quietly, before hurrying after his family.

They scuttled toward where the two companions had been practising. An arrow remained lodged in an old tree trunk and there were two light sets of tracks in the dusty ground. They glanced at one another warily and Elrond led the way into the ancient, overgrown woodland.

"Estel? Legolas?" Elrohir cried, looking around the oddly quiet trees.

There was no response and they called out again. Elrond pushed his dark hair over his shoulder and followed their tracks; the damp ground making them far easier to see.

"Ada, there is one of Estel's arrows." Elladan said, climbing over the dense brush.

He froze.

"There is blood here." He announced gravely. "And several sets of tracks."

Elrond knelt beside him. "There is sign of a struggle…" He replied grimly, tracing the ground with his slender his fingers. "They ran and were followed."

Both rose to their feet and trailed them deeper into the forest. They stopped dead in their tracks, looking to Elrohir, who had gone on ahead. He stared back at them with a great sadness.

"There is blood in two separate spots." He mumbled. "They are gone."

Elrond closed his eyes in despair. "They have not killed him yet, so there it still hope. Raise the alarm and gather as many as you can; Gandalf and I will track them now. They are moving south."

"But father-"

"Please…" Their father pleaded quietly, his voice stained with worry. "Just do as I ask."

The twins looked at him, and saw the fear and despair in his eyes that rarely surfaced, and nodded reluctantly.

A Few Days Later…

He shook at his arm again, desperate for him to wake; he couldn't bear to be alone anymore. Estel gazed down at him, his injuries clear and harrowing. He had washed away most of the blood, but there were bruises all over his face and a bloody gash on his temple that worried Estel greatly. Legolas stirred, but couldn't bring himself to open his eyes. His head throbbed painfully and he raised his bound hands to the bloody lump on his temple. Lying on the damp ground, the moss cool against his skin, he moaned gently. 

"Legolas?" He heard a voice hiss. "Please open your eyes." The terrible fear in the voice rang in his ears.

He didn't move at first, his head swam, trying to remember what had happened. Suddenly, the fair elf realised who it was and his eyes shot open. Water dripped from a crack above them, falling into a shallow puddle between them and a burning torch further down the tunnel was their only source of light. He gaped at Estel, who knelt beside him with his hands tied tightly, there was a dark, angry bruise with a small gash on his forehead and he had a black eye that was swollen terribly. There were small cuts and bruises all over his torso and streaks of dirt stained his skin. His lip was bleeding and the playful sparkle that had always warmed Legolas' heart had disappeared.

"I thought you were dead." He mumbled vaguely, glancing around the desolate cave nervously. "We have been travelling south for three days that I can remember; I awoke on a horse at dawn, I think it was the morning after they captured us. I did not see you at first, I thought they had abandoned you in the woods, but then I caught a glimpse of you further behind, there was so much blood, I couldn't see your face, but your eyes were shut. I have never seen an elf sleeping with their eyes closed, so I thought-" Estel became more panicked, trembling.

"Calm down, Estel. We must flee." Legolas whispered, staggering to his feet.

"No, he is waiting." The young human replied in a low voice. "In the shadows; he is there. He keeps asking me questions, but I do not understand them. What does he want with us?"

"Now is not the time; we must escape." He muttered, pulling Estel to his feet.

"You will not go anywhere, Prince Legolas." A grim voice said, and the man with dark hair appeared, drawing his sword on them both. "I would get back on your knees, elf, or I will be forced to slice those pretty little pointed ears of yours off."

Legolas didn't move, staring at him defiantly as two other men appeared at his flank and one remained in the shadows, though the cold threatening glint of his sword made sure his presence was felt. Neither did he flinch when the sword dug into his pale skin, and blood dribbled down his neck slowly. The man smiled wickedly, and drew the brutal blade away.

"You are a stubborn being, but I will have my fun making you squeal." He growled. "Luckily for you, my business is not with a filthy elf."

Legolas clenched his jaw and backed away, shielding Estel protectively. "Who are you and what do you want with us?"

He laughed coldly. "I have many names and many identities, elf. But you may address me as 'Raenir' when you beg for mercy. Like I said, I want nothing of you, it is the boy who interests me, but you have known that for many months, haven't you?"

He didn't reply, only glancing at Estel, who stared back at him with wide, fearful eyes that screamed with anger and confusion. His young friend edged away, until the cold, dirty rock of the cave wall scraped against his back. Raenir smirked, and strolled over to him, pushing his head back violently.

"That's right… Estel." He murmured, speaking his name with contempt. "Those filthy elves you think are your family, have known this day would come since you burdened them with your presence. They wanted it to come…" He spat. "They are not searching for you, they are holding a day of celebration."

"Do not listen to him, Estel. He lies. They are searching for us."

Raenir snorted, smirking callously. "Estel… that is a queer name for a boy. A filthy word of the elven tongue no doubt, does it have a meaning?" He held the frightened child's chin up roughly.

Estel remained silent. He couldn't bring himself to reply. His mouth was dry and couldn't get out the words.

"He does not have to speak." Legolas snarled, moving to his side.

He turned his head to face the blonde elf. "You both will do as I say. You speak when I tell you to and you will answer any question we ask. There is no choice other than do as I order, or I will cut your throats." His menacing eyes glowed in the dim light.

Raenir looked back to Estel, staring at him with irritation. "Speak quickly."

"…H-hope." Estel mumbled, his voice almost inaudible.

Raenir laughed, and the others joined in, the cold cackling echoed around the cave and the dark-haired youth lowered his head, his cheeks flushed deeply. Legolas frowned, and took his hand to try comfort him, but he flinched away.

"And why do they call you that?"

"That is my name." He muttered with a sudden defiance. "Why do you have many names? Nobody needs more than one." He growled, ceasing his resistance of his friend's grip.

"Ah, there is fire in this one's gut. It is about time you stopped crying like a lesser man."

"I have not cried." Estel scowled.

"You have not stopped." The burly man, Grudoc, they called him, stepped forward. "But what could you expect from a boy who was brought up by elves. We will make you a real man."

"And I suppose you are a real man?" The bruised child spat.

"Tampa, Estel. Gwiil." [Stop, Estel. Peace.] Legolas murmured, feeling a surge of anger in his friend.

"You speak that in tongue again, and I will cut out yours." Raenir growled angrily, smacking him in the head. He glanced and saw him holding Estel's trembling hand and smirked. "Look," Their captor laughed." There is nothing more special than the love between a man and his elf." He sneered.

"What do you want with me?" Estel asked, trying to sound as brave and angry as he could, but it came out only as a meek whisper.

They all laughed again and another figure approached him, tall and broadly built, he too, had dark locks and looked as weatherworn as a Ranger. There was no kindness in his face, or pity, only a cruel lust in his cold blue eyes. Estel could see it, as could Legolas, and his heart sank further. Carinyc, as they later discovered his name was, knelt down beside Raenir and ran his fingers through Estel's ebony locks, before trailing a finger softly along his jaw. He trembled at his touch and squeezed his companion's fingers tightly.

"He's a pretty thing." There was a depraved tone in his voice. "I will enjoy this one."

"You will not touch him!" The fair elf cried angrily, kicking out viciously at Carinyc.

He fell backwards in pain, shocked at the speed of Legolas' boot. Quickly Carinyc clambered up and kicked him in the stomach violently, the elf bent over in agony, but he did not make a sound. He would not show weakness. He would not break in front of them. For Estel's sake. He heard his young friend cry out after him and the laughter that followed. He felt the tentative, concerned touch of Estel on his back, but then was suddenly dragged forward on his knees.

"You will beg for forgiveness, you filthy elf." Raenir's lip curled, his nasty temper rearing up.

"I will beg for nothing." Legolas spat.

He snorted, and nodded at Grudoc grimly. "You can say that, and insist on your pride, but I promise you it will not last. Grudoc has taken a particular dislike to you, and now you have offended Carinyc too. I cannot deny that we brought you along for my own enjoyment… It does not bode well for you." He growled loudly and then knelt beside him, leaning in closely. "Nor does it for your friend. I will not hold them back and how will you protect him then? He desires your little… Estel, you can see it in his eyes. He can be very… vicious. Who knows what state he will be in when you awake?" Raenir whispered, and the elf's lip quivered.

They pulled his bloodstained tunic off and cast it aside. He heard a whistling whoosh behind him and then felt the lash of a whip crack against his back. It stung unbearably but he clenched his jaw and took it silently. Another slash at his pale skin, the pain enough to bring tears to his eyes, but he didn't let them fall. Legolas could hear them talking, laughing, enjoying the pain they caused.

A sudden kick to the stomach from Raenir caught him off guard and he let out a soft moan, falling onto his back. They smirked, looking down at him smugly and began to lash out him. He curled into a ball, trying to protect himself from their ferocious blows until they finally eased off. Legolas stood unsteadily, his body battered and bloody, swaying before one of them hacked him to the ground. His mind began to swim as the blows came quicker and harder against his body; he felt the fat, grubby hand of Grudoc pull his chin up. Legolas stared up at him with emotionless unblinking eyes as his heavy fist connected with the elf's face. Collapsing to the ground, he was quickly dragged to his knees again, his head fell, blood gushing from his mouth and nose making it hard to breath. The whip ripped against him once more, sore, bleeding welts forming on his back with each strike. It continued relentlessly for what seemed like hours, until he could feel consciousness slipping away from him and finally turned to look at Estel. He had heard him screaming out to him, begging them to stop, but he had not looked, afraid his eyes would show fear or defeat and he could not let that happen. His young companion had gone quiet of late, and that worried him more.

Turning his head tiredly, his heart sank. Estel was still there, no longer watching his torture. He had no new injuries, but beside him was Carinyc. He was kneeling close to youngster and had a strong hold of his arm. Carinyc was clearly whispering in his ear and Estel's lip trembled with every word, eyes clenched tightly as if he were willing himself to wake up from a nightmare. He wanted to kill Carinyc. Rip those wicked eyes from his skull. Hatred burned inside him like never before. He looked so afraid, he thought sadly to himself. And with good reason.

Another strike hit him cruelly across the neck and he blacked out, falling to ground with a thud.   

Tbc…

Thanks to my reviewers, always a joy to read…

Brethil – *glares evilly back* I'm afraid that I rather enjoy cliffhangers, there's gonna be about 20 chapters to this story and at least half are cliffies… hehe. (I've restrained from saying Mwahahahaha, it hurts my throat)

RougeElf – 110F eh? Harsh. Well, we're just pale Britons who secretly enjoy the cold and rain and we can't take this heat. It's quite cool again here though.

Xsilicax – Evil? Moi? Totally. You'll have to wait and see… but it's more extreme than last time, or is it? I'm really indecisive… *goes off to lay down*

Tigerlily713 – Happy? You're an evil woman, how can you want Legless hurt? The moral majority can't be all that moral if they're still reading can they?

Grumpy – I like hurting him! Legless' hair is a bit messy at the mo, sorry… But, yes, I agree, it's not good for his hair, but I like messy hair – I'm an Aragorn worshipper!

Inwe – You're like god… and you expect to get into heaven?! Oo-er, I'll see you in hell. You have no power, I'll use another computer…

Leggylover03 – 'fraid he didn't… Elrond's a big, unobservant waste of space. Kidding, I love Hugo.

Alex mistress squirrel – it's very fetching! A: You climb up a tree and act like a nut! Sorry, my friend's told that joke non-stop for three years and she laughs at it every time… Q: Why did the squirrel fall out the tree?

Ryoko: The Welsh Elf – I love the Welsh! Giggsy's scored twice today. Yes, I'm strange…

Tithen Min – Well, it's cooled down and I'm still vengeful and manic I'm afraid! Mwahahahaha! There is evil in my blood, so no let off, besides you can't call me evil, I still see no SoS… post it or the elf gets it!