Chapter Four

Legolas stumbled back into the dungeon. His face was haggard and he was exhausted beyond what he had thought was possible for an elf. When Tirkanul and Irenon shoved him to his knees and chained him to the wall once more, he was too weary to fight back. A week had gone by since he had met with Giran, the king of whatever country this was.

"Your highness!" Ithilion called worriedly. "Are you all right?"

"The same, Ithilion," Legolas called back. "I wish Ada would do something! Maybe he really did want this. Maybe that's why nothing has happened!"

"Legolas!" Gilion interjected. "How can you say that? Don't you know it's not true?"

"No!" the young prince cried, his voice cracking as he spoke. "I don't! I thought Ada wouldn't do such a thing, but now I'm not so sure! It's been a week since we got here!" At this point, Mirkwood's crown prince burst into quiet weeping.

********

Another week passed. No news came that Thranduil was leading his people from Middle-Earth, so Giran decided to get drastic. He had left Legolas alone with his patrol that week and decided to put the pressure on. If Legolas would cave in and acknowledge Giran as his king, Thranduil would break, feeling betrayed by his son and heir.

Gashdul and Zurdok finally returned from the dungeon, leading a fighting elven prince. Giran scowled at Legolas's thin face. This elf was the most stubborn captive he had ever had. He signal for Gashdul to unbind him and hand him two knives that had been taken from the body of a fallen member of Legolas's patrol. He nodded at Zurdok, who drew his sword. "Legolas, if you wish to see your patrol alive again, you will either kneel and acknowledge me as your rightful king or defeat Zurdok here. Which will it be?" Giran threatened.

Legolas said nothing, but circled round and round Zurdok. He seriously doubted that he could win the fight in his malnourished state. The orc struck the first blow. Legolas quickly ducked the low aimed at his head with ease. The elf struck out with lightning speed. Zurdok could not move out of the way fast enough and took a glancing blow to his side. He howled with anger and advanced on Legolas. Giran could no follow the fight from that point on, for all that could be seen was a flash of metal, a fair, lithe body, a swarthy, heavy body, and mingled blond and black hair whipping around he flashing blades. Around ten minutes later, Legolas cried out as he fell to the ground clutching his arm. Zurdok lifted his blade to deliver a fatal blow, but Giran stepped in and removed the sword from Zurdok's hand. "I told you no killing!" the king said pointedly. "Now remove him."