A/N--Thank you, thank you for your reviews! It makes me happy and more importantly it makes the plot bunnies happy too!

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Chapter 41--Unexpected Ally

Legolas laid on the cold, stone floor, trying to sleep, but unable too. He didn't know how long he had been imprisoned, but judging from how terribly hungry and thirsty he was he was sure it had been a long time. He stood slowly and walked over to the door to study it yet again. He hoped to find a way to get out. The door was made of some kind of dense wood, reinforced by iron bands. There was no way to get it open by force. Legolas leaned his head against the door and tried to calm himself without much success.

The sound of an iron bolt sliding back made him back away from the door as it opened to reveal Wai Chee and two guards.

"It has been two days, golden one. Are you ready to answer my questions? If you do I will release you from this cell and return you to your friends," Wai Chee said.

Legolas wanted out of the cell, but Qui's warnings about the secret being the only thing keeping them safe were still clear in his mind. "There is nothing to tell," he said.

Wai's eyes narrowed. "Really? It seems further measures are necessary. I think you have too much room. That will be remedied," he said menacingly. He nodded and two guards seized him and dragged him from the cell.

They took Legolas down the hall and into another room. There were various devices of torture in the room. It was an old torture chamber. Wai Chee walked over to a cage and opened the door. "Your new chamber, Elf. Not very roomy at all I fear and you will have to be chained, but I suppose you will just have to bear it," he said.

The cage was definitely small, barely three feet wide and five and a half feet tall. Movement was impossible and anyone in it would not be able to sit down even free.

Legolas strained to get free as he was led towards it. He would never be able to bear this! He would surely go mad! His breathing became harsh with rising fear.

Once in front of the cage the guards paused at Wai Chee's upraised hand. "Are you sure you have nothing to tell me, Elf?" he asked smugly. It was obvious he was aware of Legolas's fear and was enjoying it.

At that terrible moment Legolas almost told him, but it passed. He would not put his friends in danger. "I have already told you that there is nothing to tell," he said.

"As you wish, secure him," Wai Chee ordered.

The guards spun Legolas around and he was shoved backwards into the cage. Legolas felt cold metal against his back and shivered, closing his eyes. Cold metal clamped shut around his wrists and the clang of the door shutting made him wince. He opened his eyes reluctantly and found the bars of the door were scant inches from his face.

"Two days from now I will return to see if you are ready to speak, but you will be brought food and water at dusk. Of course someone will have to feed you," Wai Chee smirked. He gestured to the guards and they left.

One paused at the door and glanced back, almost seeming sympathetic then left the room.

*Meanwhile*

Aragorn was pacing angrily when the door opened to reveal a guard. "What do you want?" he demanded.

The guard glanced furtively over his shoulder then closed the door. "Please keep your voice down. No one must know that I'm here," he said. "I came to try to help."

"Why?" Aragorn demanded.

"I do not like Master Wai Chee's cruelty and because of Mei," the guard said. He told them what had been done to Legolas.

Aragorn and Qui traded anguished looks. They both knew how horrible that sort of confinement would be for Legolas.

"You say because of Mei. Why?" Qui asked.

A bittersweet smile flicked across the guard's face. "I loved her," he said softly. "I could not save her, but I can save those that she willingly died to protect."

Qui studied the guard's face and realized he believed him. "Then you will help us?" he asked.

"I will try my best. I must go now before I am discovered," the guard said. He left before anyone could say anything more.

The two men and one Dwarf exchanged looks of uncertainty and faint hope.

"Do you think he meant it, Qui?" Aragorn asked.

"Yes, I think he did," Qui said.

"I just hope he hurries before Legolas breaks. He must be terrified if the guard told the truth about what Wai ordered done to him," Aragorn said…

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A/N--All right, now I need some help from you guys. Can someone give me a good Japanese name for this guy? Leave it in a review and you get credit if I use yours! Thank you! R/R please!