Disclaimer: this is just fanfiction… JRR Tolkien wrote the real McCoy… and for that he is awesome.

A/N: this is probably one of the most boring stories you'll ever read, but I doubt if anyone's actually reading it anyway. If you are, have fun =D

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'Ain't' no Mountain High Enough

Legolas was extremely confused and hurt as he found himself and the remaining members of the fellowship roughly pushed up crudely built stairs to the pinnacle of Orthanc where already six Uruk-Hai guards stood, and were joined by four more. There sat Boromir already, by the side of Saruman. Boromir's eyes were now narrowed and full of malice. Saruman's transformation was already beginning, and it would only be a matter of time before it became complete. Then in his hands he would have the forces of Mordor, Isengard, and Gondor. They forced Legolas to kneel as the Uruk-Hai kicked his knees out from underneath him. They did the same with Pippin, Merry, Frodo, Sam, and Gimli. The Uruk-Hai grabbed Frodo, and under Saruman's command they dragged him up to where Saruman stood.

"Little hobbit. How dare you hide what was rightfully ours from us? The ring is ours, and now you shall pay the price for listening to that old fool, the Grey Wanderer. In a world like this, there is no place for rebels, only room for those who obey the command of those more powerful and stronger than them. Pay the fee little hobbit, the shops are closing, and it will only be a matter of time before they are closed forever," Saruman waved his hand, and an Uruk-Hai walked in behind the hobbit. He extended his hand. In it was a whip. He was about to whip poor Frodo to death, when Legolas objected, summoning up all of his strength and courage, he said to Saruman, "Stop! This little hobbit has done nothing to trouble you, and for that he should not be punished. I'll take the punishment for him. Do whatever the hell you want with me, but all I ask is that you hurt none of them. They have done nothing wrong," Legolas knew he had to do this. He had sworn to Frodo that he would protect him, "You have my bow", and he would do so now. As for the other hobbits, they were innocent little folk that were only dragged into this because of love and friendship. He had sworn his devotion to them all, and he would not live to break his oath. Also, he wasn't afraid of death. He knew the dwarf would try to do the same, but surprisingly the dwarf didn't protest to Legolas' actions. Saruman thought for a while, and he was greatly amused with Legolas' statement. He knew that he could not hurt any of the hobbits or that dwarf when Legolas was still alive. He could kill Legolas, and once he was dead, he could proceed with the death of the others. It was perfect! Even the Uruk-Hai agreed with this. Actually, they only wanted to torture Legolas mainly because he was an Elf; that endless smooth skin, that silky golden hair, those perfectly round blue orbs of his only made their blood curdle.

The Uruk-Hai ripped off Legolas tunic and began to whip him. Surprisingly enough to Saruman, Legolas did not cry out in pain. Soon his entire torso was covered in his own blood. Saruman ordered for the rest of the prisoners to be escorted to the dungeon. It would be hours before Saruman and the Uruk-Hai finished with Legolas. In fact, the "fun" was just beginning. First they began whipping him again, then a mob of 50 Uruk-Hai began attacking him, Saruman used a knife and began making various cuts on Legolas' body, and afterward they threw him in a large tank lined with huge spikes and filled with ice-cold water. After this was done, they began the cycle again, until Legolas was barely conscious. That was when they were forced to stop, and transported him to the dungeon where the other prisoners were. They also ceased because Legolas was boring. He never screamed in agony or cried out in pain.

They opened the door, and the Merry, Pippin, Sam, Frodo, and Gimli could not believe their eyes. What a sight Legolas was to look at. They hardly recognized him at all. The skin on his back and chest was peeling off, and there were many deep cuts and holes on his back. His arms, legs, and face were covered in countless cuts and bruises, and he had a huge gash on his cheek that would not stop bleeding. Legolas smiled painfully, and whispered, "Hey you guys! I'm not dead yet," and collapsed, bathing in a pool of his own blood. Legolas woke up sometime during the night, and began to plot a plan in order for their escape. They needed some kind of distraction; he would figure that part out later. At last after hours upon end of pondering, Legolas came up with the most brilliant plot. He woke them all up, and told them of his plan.

"When I give you the signal, run. We're all going to escape this hellhole," They all nodded; when you were desperate, you needed no backup plan. It was either do or die. He took a deep breath, as the door creaked open, and the guards came in. It was show time.

"Ah, my dear fellowship. I am very sorry, but today's the day that where we all say goodbye to each other as we enter our graves. Elf-boy here, can't save your skins anymore," Saruman gave a hearty laugh after observing the horrified looks upon all their faces. Legolas was extremely ticked off. Saruman had lied! Nonetheless, Legolas got himself into position, and began attacking the Uruk-Hai. Even though his body was bruised and broken, he still had his spirit, courage, and his mind was still awake. He gave a spine-chilling war cry, and the rest of the fellowship ran to the nearest exit. The Uruk-Hai plugged their ears when they heard this sound. It was a very un-elf-like sound, and that was what scared them. By the time they had gotten back into focus, the rest of the fellowship was nowhere in sight. They looked around the room, and only saw one person. Legolas. They roared, and charged at him, ignoring Saruman's shouts about the rest of them being outside Orthanc. Legolas knew he was going to die sooner or later, and so he began to scream again. Another voice joined his screams, and he turned around to see Gimli standing in the doorway.

"Crazy elf! You think you could do something courageous without me?"

"Stupid dwarf! I did this so you could all escape alive! Now leave! Leave while you can!" Legolas bellowed back at him.

"What?! Are you insane? I didn't come bolting back here to compete in a screaming contest with you! I came here because it's friends until the end!" and without another word, the two began kicking and punching the Uruk-Hai as much as they could. It wasn't long before they were completely surrounded by them, and eventually were defeated. Though they both died in the end, it was a good feeling for both, to know that they weren't alone when they died.

Outside Orthanc, from far away, the four hobbits watched as Gimli and Legolas' bodies were thrown out the window. Pippin had a huge urge to run up to where their bodies lay side by side, and recover them to give them both a proper burial. Merry quickly stopped him. This was no time or place to do something like that, even though they had been valiant members of the fellowship, and their friends. They just couldn't risk getting caught again, because then Legolas and Gimli's efforts would be in vain. Meanwhile, they ventured further and further into Fangorn forest. Night would come soon, and the Uruk-Hai would be out to find them. They needed to get away as soon as possible. After all the death they had witnessed and come to know, Gandalf's death, Aragorn's death, Legolas' and Gimli's death, they knew that this world was filled with nothing but death. Death might possibly be the answer to all their problems.