Title: Inseparable

Author: Me! Good ol' Legolas-gurl88!

Disclaimer: Do you guys still think I own Leggy? Sheesh! *tugs on chains attached to Legolas's wrists* Come on, Leggy! Let go!

Author/Apology Note: I'm REALLY sorry it took me so long to update! Ready for the long apology…? Here we go: The day after I posted, I left on a Band trip for four days (returning on Sunday, May 2nd) and when I came back, I had to study for 4 TESTS! EVIL TESTS! Anyway, I didn't have time to update, 'cause I need to raise my grades in Physics and Biology. It turns out, my teacher just postponed the Bio test, which is the one I studied for the most! So now, I'm taking it tomorrow and I'm updating this REALLY late, so I'm tired! Anyway, please read the 'Excited Author Note' please!

Excited Author Note: When we went on the band trip, our band signed up under three categories; Concert band, marching band and Jazz Band… we thought we did really badly, but at the awards thing-a-majig, WE GOT 1ST IN EVERY SINGLE CATEGORY! So, we brought home three 1st place trophies Sunday. I'm really proud of my band! YES! Thank you for listening to my babbling!

One More Excited Author Note: I FIXED THE SPACING PROBLEM! I FIXED IT! I'M SO HAPPY! So, now, instead of getting spaces between Lothlórien and other ones, you get the whole freakin' word! YAY! Tell me that's good news! YES!

On with the story!

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21. Friend for Friend

Two more of Morier's supporting guards entered the hall to keep Legolas from jerking away from his spot, one of them having a firm hold on his hair to keep his face pointed to Estel. Legolas winced as he heard the whip snap on Estel's back for an eighth time.

"STOP!" Legolas yelled, trying to free himself from the many hands that held him still. He began to fight as Morier continued to let the whip fall and Estel had passed out from pain. His screams no longer echoed in the hall but Legolas still couldn't bear to see his friend suffer. Legolas began to struggle, aimlessly throwing his good arm into any unlucky Elf that happened to be in his arms' length at the time. Many had let go out of shock and pain as Legolas punched, bit, kicked and did anything to free himself.

Finally, before Morier let down her fifteenth stroke, Legolas was free from the clutches of all the guards. He dove to Estel and blocked the boys' body with his own and he felt the whip tear into the flesh on his back. Legolas bit his lip in pain but did not utter a sound.

"Move aside, Legolas," Morier said. Legolas looked up at her, hatred glowing in his eyes. His lip was bleeding where he had bitten it and he was sweating from the pain his arm gave him. Legolas did not move. His body shielded Estel's who was moaning in pain under him. He would not give in so easily. The whip wound had torn into his tunic in the back and blood was slowly blossoming on the fabric. He was ready to take any pain Morier inflicted on him… as long as Estel was safe.

"I repeat-- move aside, Legolas, or face the consequences." Morier brandished the whip in her hand.

"Tuloamin naeg, Morier, a'loth Elbereth garore doheno bo llie faer." Legolas whispered, his voice trembling from pain. [Bring me pain, Morier, and may Elbereth have forgiveness on your soul].

"A'naa llie, Legolas." Morier answered sadly and let the whip fall again, snapping Legolas's right shoulder. Legolas cried out in surprise. [And to yours, Legolas].

"Daro, Morier!" Legolas called out, shielding his face with his right arm. As the whip stopped falling, Legolas cleared his throat and spoke in the Common Tongue. "I'm willing to make a deal with you." [Stop]

Morier lowered her whip.

"Talk," she said and Legolas pushed his body upward so he was sitting and then he stood up and faced Morier. He tried to block out Estel's whimpers as he prepared his offering in his head. Then, he opened his mouth and moved his tongue to form the words of his imprisonment.

"I'm willing to give myself for Estel."

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Almost a day later, Estel woke up to the sound of hoof beats and horse snorts. He felt strong arms grasping his small form firmly, yet delicately. The pain in his body was so terrible that he felt like he was going to go unconscious once more. There was a voice from behind him, the one holding him on the horse was talking to it, urging it to go faster. Estel opened a bleary eye.

"Legolas…?" he whispered, his voice painfully dry. He heard the voice grow calm and soothing, "Hush, Estel. Be silent." Estel had no intention of being silent. He had so many questions.

"Legolas… where am I?" Estel moaned. He heard no response, so he asked more questions, "How did I get out? Where am I? What's going on… Legolas… where are we going?"

"Did I not tell you to be silent, Estel? Now do as you are told. There's a good lad."

"You sound… funny… Legolas… different…" Estel persisted. His head hurt too much to turn it, but he saw Märon's mane and her ears. What struck him as odd was that she was bridled and he felt a saddle beneath him. Legolas never rode with a saddle… unless of course, Estel was riding with him… but where did he get the saddle?

"Legolas…"

"Hush, Estel."

"But…"

"Hush. We're almost to Minas Tirith. Don't worry."

"Minas Tirith… but Legolas… Ecthelion."

"That doesn't matter now, Legolas, what does matter is you. Now be silent. You are in danger and if you are not treated soon, you will become infected. Hopefully, we can get Lord Elrond to help."

"Legolas…"

"It is not, Legolas, Estel, it is Barlay."

"Wha--"

"Be silent." Barlay said and Estel fell asleep.

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Legolas lay in a bloody heap in the dungeon. He had just spent a little over an hour of brutal whipping by Celor, under the command of Morier. His clothes were in shreds and his broken and dislocated arm stuck out at an odd angle. Legolas could no longer feel his fingers due to pain. The only thing that he had the strength to do was shiver uncontrollably from cold and pain. Even if he was an elf, he could sense the cold all around himself.

He heard the dungeon door swing open and the hinges squeaked loudly. Legolas curled into a ball to protect his chest from pain. He heard water being poured and vigorous stirring. Then, he felt cold water being dabbed on his wounds and he cried out as it surprisingly stung.

"Dina, Legolas. Ha naa Belen. Im si… dina." The elf heard the voice ring out loud and clear in his head, yet, his mind could not process what the voice was saying. [Be silent, Legolas. It is Belen. I'm here… be silent.] Then, he replaced Elvish for Common Tongue, "Your wounds are great, Legolas. Be silent. I can help you. But Morier doesn't know I'm here, so you must be quiet or she will."

Belen grabbed a bandage and splint and set them down in front of him and grabbed Legolas's hurt shoulder, placing his wise hands in the areas of the shoulder they needed to be in for the de-dislocation. Then, he sighed.

"Legolas, listen to me. This will hurt, I know, but you must remain quiet, do you understand?" He waited for about a minute until the information was processed and Legolas slowly nodded his head. Belen sighed again and summoned up all his strength and swiftly jerked his hands. There was a loud crack and a yelp from Legolas as he could not contain a little sound, but overall, what needed to be done was done; Legolas's arm was relocated in it's proper area.

Then, Belen got to setting the princes' bones. The process was long and tedious, but finally, Belen was able to reset Legolas's arm and splint it. Belen turned to Legolas' not-as-grievous injuries, such as the whip wounds. He bandaged every one of Legolas's wounds, never running out of bandage as he had brought plenty. In the end, Legolas was able to open his eyes and stare at his long-time friend.

"Belen?" he asked.

"Yes, Legolas, it is Belen."

"I knew you'd be here. You were always here… in the past… always by my side when I was in need…" Legolas paused in the middle of his sentence to take a pained breath as a few of his ribs might have been broken. However, despite the pain, he continued to speak, "Where is Estel?"

"Estel is just fine, Legolas," Belen answered, taking Legolas's uninjured arm and rubbing it soothingly, "he is with Barlay and they are riding to Minas Tirith on Märon so Estel can be healed by Lord Elrond."

"Minas Tirith?" Legolas whispered.

"Yes, Legolas. Now, can you sit up? You haven't had anything to eat for a long time. I have some Lembas and wine here for you." Legolas nodded and used his undamaged elbow to prop himself up and Belen helped him the rest of the way up, leaning Legolas against the cold stone wall. He broke bite-sized pieces of Lembas off the original waybread and handed them to Legolas, who pushed them into his mouth and chewed lazily. Belen poured the flask of wine into a glass and passed it to Legolas, who drained the glass within thirty seconds.

All the while, Belen watched him, worry growing in his eyes. "Legolas, I swear to you, if there was anything I could do to get you out of here, I would do it, but Morier has set too many Elves out to watch at one time."

"It's alright, Belen… I know you would try… if it weren't so difficult."

"Legolas, you're alive. Morier said that your father wanted her to become ruler if both of you died. But you're alive. You shouldn't be treated in this manner."

"Morier has lied about a lot of things, Belen." Legolas said, leaning his head back and looking up a the ceiling as he talked to his long-time friend. "I would not put it past her to lie to you about her rights here."

"But why does she have it in for you?"

"I think this is revenge for her fathers' death, or so she told me."

"Well, Legolas, I will find a way to get you out of--"

"Here? I think not." Morier's cruel voice cut in. Legolas jerked his head in the direction the voice had come in and Belen twirled around. Morier smiled wickedly at the Healing Elf. "Belen, I'm surprised in you. After all, I did say to leave the dungeons, did I not?"

"That was for Estel, Morier, but I will not let you harm Legolas any further."

"What are you going to do about anything?" Morier cackled, "Belen, I dismiss you from my services."

"You cannot dismiss me. Only the royal can dismiss me." Belen said calmly, pointing to Legolas.

"But I am royal, Belen… I am Queen Morier."

"You are no Queen of mine… only queen of Udûn!" [Hell]

"Silence!" Morier said, pulling a dagger out from her pocket. Legolas made to stand up, but his wounds smarted and he collapsed, clutching his stomach and watching as Belen stood up. It looked as if Belen was prepared to fight Morier with his bare hands. He was outnumbered. It was himself against Morier and her dagger. Before Legolas could call out a warning to Belen, Morier lunged at him, the point of the dagger barely missing his chest as he turned at the last minute, trying to avoid it.

With the grace of an Elf, Morier spun around, her robes swishing wildly and she charged at the Healer again. He turned again at the last minute, but was not anticipating Morier to swing her arm around and stab his arm. Belen cried out in pain as Morier harshly pulled the dagger embedded in his arm out. The fight lasted probably only three minutes, but to Legolas, it seemed an eternity to watch his friend slowly die at the hand of Morier. Belen needed a weapon… but what could Legolas do? He could not fight and outnumber Morier… he couldn't even stand. Then, it hit him like a ton of bricks… the dagger! Of course! How could he have forgotten?!

Legolas braced himself for pain as he reached over his knees towards his boot. The pain came full blast, but this was a matter of life and death for his friend and he could live a few moments of pain if it meant his friend would live. Slowly, he grasped the dagger he had hidden in his boot and pulled it out, the sound of the metal slicing his leather boot slightly. The dagger in his hand glinted madly in the bit of light. He looked at Belen, who now sported a bloody lip and a torn tunic as well as the arm injury.

"Belen!" Legolas called and Belen swung around and saw Legolas throw the dagger in his direction. He gracefully caught it by the hilt and plunged it into Morier's thigh. She screamed a blood-curling scream and pulled the dagger out. Before leaving the room quickly, she mustered up her strength and threw the dagger in Legolas's direction and it hit his leg. He cried out, but luckily, his leather boot had stopped the whole blade from inserting into his flesh. Only about an in had actually punctured his skin and for that, he was lucky.

Belen gasped loudly, trying to regain his breath as Morier closed the door and locked it, closing both of them in. Then, he rushed to Legolas, who pulled his dagger out from his leg and Belen took up the cloth and dabbed Legolas's new wound. Legolas, however, pulled his leg away.

"Don't waste the herbs on me, Belen, it was not deep. You, on the other hand, have a worse wound to tend to. Let me help." Legolas pointed to Belen's arm wound. Belen sighed and shook his head. Then, he sat down on Legolas's left side so Legolas could use his good arm and not have to strain his ribs to reach the elf and Legolas gently dabbed Belen's arm with a new cloth.

"Thank you, Legolas. That dagger saved my life." Belen said finally after the stinging of the Athelas subsided. Legolas laid down the cloth and took up some bandages and started to wrap Belen's arm very poorly as he was only using one arm to do it.

"I never go anywhere without a dagger, Belen, you know that." Legolas said.

"For that, I'm glad."

"This wound is deep, Belen, so do not pressure it."

"You should talk, Legolas, mellon-nin," Belen said, eyeing all of Legolas's wounds.

"That's different. I'm the prince. I can do what I want and you can't stop me, so there." Legolas said, adopting a childish voice and Belen laughed slightly.

"Aye, mellon-nin, I've never been able to stop you from hurting yourself."

"Let's just hope we live to see more broken bones inflicted upon me." Legolas said, all laughter gone from his voice.

"Hoping is all we can do, now, Legolas, we're trapped in here and I doubt Morier will ever let us out."

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Yay, another chapter done! Happiness! Just to let you know, I'm not sure when the next chapter is gonna be up (I have to write it first!) so just keep checking temporarily and sooner or later (hopefully sooner) it will come up! Thanks for waiting so long! Review time!

The evil witch queen- I don't have a clear idea of what I'm gonna do to Barlay. See, for me, it's not the right time for him to know his own daughter is the evil one, but it's really hard for me to keep him in the dark when everyone is referring to her all the time! Sorry I haven't read your story! My pretty good excuse is in the author notes, so refer back to that if you want to know why I haven't had time! Lol! I WILL definitely try to read your story! I swear it! Adios for now!

Mistopurr- Magic vacuum cleaner? That's a new one… better than hot dogs! Lol! That reminds me of one year (I probably already told you this) when we had an ant infestation and I literally went crazy, 'cause everywhere I looked, there were about twenty ants roaming, so I got out the vacuum cleaner and sucked 'em all up! All the while, I was laughing like a maniac and that's when my mom decided we should rid ourselves of all the ants… so I could keep my sanity! But it had gotten so bad that I was at the point of never wanting to go home! Sad, isn't it? You know what's really sad? I'm mad at your biology teacher and I don't even know who she is! I hope she comes around! I'll marry Legolas if Morier doesn't first… Ah ha, ha, ha, haaaaa! Done with randomness and insane laughing…

Leggylover03- For now, just pretend that Vilya or Nenya don't exist! That seems to be a big thing for you, so I might write a story involving them later, but for now pretend they don't exist! PLEASE remember this is a fanfiction story! Lol : ) talk to you later!

Trinityelf- YAY! I brought my grade up! Sorry I made you so sad : ( Troy comes out in NINE days! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!! I sure hope Lurtz comes around. My mom said that he's probably not done maturing yet, 'cause boys mature slower than girls. Anyway, I feel bad, 'cause I never have anything to say to you when the time comes for me to respond to reviews! WAH!

Gilraen Felagund- Don't worry! I've got everything under control… I hope… : ) Talk to you later!

Thank you all so much for the 131 reviews! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HAPPY I AM! YAY!

Please, remember to review before enjoying more fanfiction! It would make me most happy, and I'll try to review sooner!

Luv,

Legolas-gurl88