(Haldir and Rabid Possum sit in the "lair", a chess board in front of them.)

Haldir:  (slamming a playing piece on the board)  Haha!  Beat that, you rodent!

Rabid Possum:  (casually smiles and knocks Haldir's piece with her own)  Checkmate.

Haldir:  (Freaking out)  What?!  You can't do that!

Rabid Possum:  Can too!  Which means—Haldir of Lorien—you have lost!

Haldir:  (clenching his teeth)  You know, where I came from, my people trap, kill, and eat creatures like you for breakfast!

Roseblade:  (from her bedroom)  Haaaaaldir!

Haldir:  (rolls eyes)  Oh god…

Roseblade:  (pokes head out from beyond bedroom door.  We can hear the song "My Heart Will Go On" from "Titanic" playing inside)  It's about time for you to say the disclaimer.

Haldir:  (folds arms)  I don't want to.  You can't make me.

Roseblade:  (moans)  Haldir, what is with you lately?  Are you PMS-ing or something?

Rabid Possum:  (giggles)

Haldir:  What does that mean?  PMS?

Rabid Possum:  (raises paw)  Um…if he doesn't want to do it, I will.

Roseblade:  Thank you, Possum.  I would greatly appreciate if you would.

Rabid Possum:  With pleasure.  Ahem.  Roseblade doesn't own any of the characters from Lord of the Rings.  She does however, own those that she created herself, such as Eredor, Eressa, and a character you all have met before but don't know very much about:  Maryn, aka Lady Curdolin.

Haldir:  (under his breath) Show off.

Roseblade:  Wonderfully said, Possum!  Now, if you two will excuse me, I have to finish doing my hair.  Have to look good for my William, you know.  (disappears back into bedroom)

Haldir:  (under his breath again)  Not much chance of that.

Roseblade:  (from inside bedroom)  I heard that!

**************Chapter 52******************

Legolas didn't find himself on the shores of the Stream of the Dead.  He didn't find himself anywhere.  He was lost to darkness.

Thankfully, he was lost to pain too.  He found it pleasant, the darkness embraced him and hung him comfortably aloft. 

Is this what it is like to die?  He asked nothing and no one.

He was held there for some time, enjoying the silence, the serenity.  The silence was shattered when there was a loud thud.  Little did the unconscious elf know that it was the sound of his own limp body falling to the floor.  The shackles that had constricted his wrists released.

"Be careful with him now."  A female voice said softly.  "He's near-dead already, and I don't want him harmed any more than he already is."

Legolas's body began to feel again.  Remarkably, the pain was not what came first.  He felt the hands that lifted him up, carrying him, much like the darkness had.  Once in a while he could hear a soft whisper from the female voice.

"Set him down here, and get me some water, and bandages." 

Legolas didn't think about what was happening around him.  He didn't wonder whether he was still alive or dead.  He just listened to what he could hear and felt what he could feel.

The sudden pressing of a damp cloth to the inside of his forearm suddenly released the pain his body had been suffering.  He heard his own voice cry out, felt his body jerk in response to the pain.  It was the pain that triggered his brain to work again. 

"Hold him still!"  The female voice returned, urgency in her tone this time.

Legolas suddenly felt many hands on his body, holding him down.  His instinct to struggle kicked in, but his weakened, bloodied body could only respond to pain, not the commands of his brain yet.

He screamed when he felt the cloth return to his wounded flesh, his body trembled from the abuse.

What are they doing to me?  He thought for the first time since he had woken up.

Legolas wanted to open his eyes, and he tried, but it was no use.  He decided it was best that way anyway.  He didn't want to see what the cruel humans were doing with him.

His wounds were being bandaged now.  The pain was less than before, but still nothing Legolas could bare.  His head cracked against whatever thing his captors had laid him on as his body jerked once more in agony.  He moaned.

It was odd when he felt the soft touch of fingertips against the skin of his cheek through the pain.  There was a voice from above him, the same female voice. 

"Hush."  It said kindly.  "It's almost all over now, young elf."

Normally, Legolas would have been insulted at a human calling him "young", but this time he barely heard the words.  But the simple, kind tone of the woman's tongue comforted him, if only a little.

They finished bandaging him in a matter of minutes.  The rough, thick strips of cloth were bound tightly to Legolas's bleeding forearms, in an attempt to stop the bleeding and save his life.

He felt the edge of a glass at his lips.  He felt the cool stream of water trickle through his open mouth and then he realized that he was dreadfully thirsty.  He commanded his body to drink, and remarkably, this time it obeyed.

In a matter of short seconds, the water in the glass had gone, but Legolas thirst for more.  Not even a whole lake could quench his aching, dehydrated body.  He wanted to beg for more, but his last energy had spent.  He fell into darkness once more.

*************

It was not until water returned to his lips nearly an hour later that Legolas once again revived.  He drank greedily from the glass offered to him, and this time he felt a gentle hand under his head, helping him until every last drop was gone.

"There."  A gentle male voice said.  Legolas recognized the voice from somewhere.  "He drinks like a horse."

"I hope he lives.  I hate to see any creature suffer."  The female voice from before was there too.

"As do I."  The man returned.  "The seamstress girl that you saved…she would be heartbroken if he died."

Eressa?  Legolas thought suddenly.  They are talking about Eressa?  She's alive?

He desperately wanted to open his eyes, to speak now.  Would his beaten body allow him too?  He had to try.

"Yes…I know."  The female voice answered grimly.  "Malkor…you have been here a long time.  Go home.  I will watch over him until another guard comes."

"But milady…"

"Do not argue with me.  You have a family to feed.  Go home, Malkor."

Malkor?  Legolas thought, confused.  I know that name…

There were footsteps that retreated out of the room.  Legolas heard the woman shuffling next to him and whispering to herself softly.

"You poor thing…"  She said to him.  "How could a hearing, seeing, feeling creature do this to another?"

Legolas struggled to open his mouth or his eyes.  Finally, he felt his eyelids flutter open.  The first thing he saw was the light of several candles.  The room gradually brightened until Legolas could see normally.  His sight moved to the ceiling, where a chandilier was burning.  Slowly, his eyes moved downward and he caught the first glance of the woman whose voice had been with him since he'd awakened.

Her hair was what drew his attention first.  It was long, shiny and healthy, so much it even looked like an elf's hair.  It was drawn back into a long, brown braid, but strands of hair fell around the edges of her face.  Her face was sharply formed, her cheeks a healthy pink.  Legolas looked into the blue eyes that stared back at him with curiosity.  Her lips parted in an expression of surprise.

Legolas looked at her for a long time, and she said nothing.  He noticed that she couldn't have been a slave or servent, for she was dressed in apparel far too extravagant for the common folk.  A wash of green velvet fell off her shoulders and surrounded her sitting form.

"Who are you?"  He asked suddenly, surprising both himself and the lady.  He hadn't made any effort at all…it had just been done.

"I…"  The woman struggled for an answer.  "I am the…the Lady of the House."

Legolas frowned.  This was Lord Curdolin's wife?  Then he remembered:  He had seen her once before, when he was in the ring for the first time.  But still, he found himself confused, for this woman was not a day over thirty, while Lord Curdolin was most likely closer to half a century old.

Legolas looked down and tried to raise his arms so he could survey the damage that had been done to him.  A mistake.  The second he tried, pain shot up his arms and into his brain, causing him to cry out.

"Don't move!"  Lady Curdolin said to him, placing a hand on his brow.  "I have given you a drug to ease the pain, but it will move quickly in your system only if you are still."

Legolas whimpered as the pain subsided slowly.  But he took the Lady's advice and lay still.  Panting, he turned to look at her again.

"Why….are you helping me?"  He asked, a hint of resentment in his voice.  "How?"

Lady Curdolin sighed.  "Because no creature should suffer the way you have.  I convinced my husband you were worth more alive than dead, even if you were a rebellious slave."

Legolas clenched his teeth.  "I am no slave."  He said harshly.

The Lady clasped her hands in her lap.  She said nothing for a moment, but then opened her mouth.  "I agree."  She said softly.  "Or rather, you should not be."

Legolas inhaled and then exhaled, and then his eyes sparked.  "Where is Eressa?" He asked directly.

Lady Curdolin sighed again.  "She is fine, good elf.  I also convinced my husband to keep her alive."

Legolas tried to look grateful through his pain.  "Thank you for helping her."  He siad.

"You thank me for helping her but not for helping you."  The Lady said.  "Do you only care for her, and not for your own self?"

Legolas looked at her and did not answer.  The lady sat back in her chair, defeated by the elf's glare.  "Forgive me.  I should not ask such things."

"Why would a person like you ask for a slave's forgiveness?"  Legolas asked.

Lady Curdolin did not hesitate to answer.  "Because it was you who said you were not a slave, just minutes ago."

Legolas turned away.  His tongue moved around in his dry mouth.  "I am thirsty."  He said slowly.  "May I have some water?"

"I'm afraid you can't."  The Lady said regrettably.  "The medication I gave you to stop your pain with flush out too quickly if I do."

Legolas shut his mouth tightly.  He stared up at the ceiling, and at the flickering shadows on the walls.

"I must leave."  Lady Curdolin said suddenly.  "My husband doesn't know I'm down here.  A guard will come to tend to you in a few minutes."

Legolas didn't respond.  Lady Curdolin got up out of her chair and placed it against the wall at the opposite side of the room.  She then walked to the door.  Legolas heard her pause as she neared it, and turned his head again to find her staring at her with her blue eyes.

Lady Curdolin blinked and then turned her eyes downward.  She walked out the door and shut it with a soft thud.

Legolas was left with the shadows and his thoughts.

****************Personal thing*******************

Yah!  I actually  have time enough to review to you wonderful people!!  Go me!

Nikki:  Thank you thank you thank you thank you so much!  Moulin Rouge is like the best musical/movie ever made!!  And thank you for liking my disclaimer and saying it's funny!  I thought I was incapable of being funny!  Thank you!  *hugs*  Speaking of funny, that "hang in there, Legolas.  Literally" comment made me laugh!  God, yes!  Give me that sledgehammer!!  *grabs sledgehammer*  Damn computer!  I'm about ready to rip out it's wiring!  Oh, and thank you for the apple pie!  Tis very good, and Haldir loves it!  Thank you again!

ethernal_dragon:  Hi!  Thank you so much!  Your compliment that my writing was 'truly addictive' was very flattering!  Yes, it was sad.  But Eredor had to die.  Somebody had to die.  You know, I actually based Eredor on a guy in my class.  And now I've killed the character of Eredor.  Is that slightly psycho?  Heheh!  Thank you again!

LegyLuva:  Yes, he is!  Dead, I mean.  And Eredor, not Legolas.  Legolas will not die.  I can promise you that none of my stories will contain ANY Leggy-death!  What would we do without him?  Haha!  Thank you so much, girl!  Luv ya!

Legolas-gurl88:  You are SO not crying!  My story makes you cry?  Why?  I don't understand!  I don't want to make people THAT sad!  Maybe I'm insensitive.  Anywho, thank you very much!  Oh, okay, you can say goodbye to Eredor before he goes.

            Roseblade:  (pokes Eredor in the ribs)  Hey, you!

            Eredor:  (miraculously revives)  Oh…uh…hi.

            Roseblade:  You need to say goodbye to Legolas-gurl, kay?

            Eredor:  Oh, alrighty then!  Goodbye, Legolas-gurl!  (turns to Roseblade)  How was that?

            Roseblade:  Great.  Now go back to being dead.  I can't continue the story with you alive.

            Eredor:  (cheerfully)  OK!!  (dies again)

How was that?  Oh, and I'll try and see what you write if I have time, but my mommy might kick me off the computer soon and I have to finish these reviewer responses, so I'll try and type real fast, kay?  Thank you again!

The Noble Platypus:  Yes, he's dead.  PLEASE don't cry!  The story has an uplifting ending, I promise!!  No SECKSHOOWAL TENSHUN????  NO WAY!!  Actually, Legolas will be feeling the SECKSHOOWAL TENSHUN during the next couple-a chappies…methinks you have to figure out who is vibes are going out to, heheh!  Awww, I love you too!  *drops shield and gives you hug*  Thank you so much!!  Thank you thank you thank you!!  Hehe!  I hope the pop up thingy didn't screw my computer either.  At least it's not like our last computer, where the moniter would sometimes turn off or just turn pink all the time!!  Thank you again platy!  You're the greatest friend an author can have!!  Luv you!  Bye!

Kelly L.K.:  Thank you very much!  You will have to find out what's gonna happen next!  Thank you again!  Bye!

Crystal Snowflakes:  Great job at what?  The chapter as a whole, or just killing Eredor in specific?  Hehe.  Sorry about that.  He had to go.  Necessary for the story stuff, you know!  Don't cry!  Heh, love you!  Thank you!  Bye!

Deana:  SORRY!!  He really is dead and he won't be coming back!!  I'm sorry!  I didn't realize you liked him that much!  *cringes*  Thank you for reviewing, anyways though!  Luv ya!

DiamondTook3:  You were not.  Why are so many people crying?    I don't get it!  Should I be sad too?  Sorry I had to kill Eredor.  Necessary for the story.  I'm adding a new character though!  You know who she is (well, sort of).  Thank you very much!  Bye now!

PaliminoRider16:  I knew my story was gonna be way to long in the first place!  LOL.  Thank you.  I'm gonna try to wrap it up in less then…well, now it's 8 chapters.  It might happen, it might not.  But I'll have to you know that if you want it done in that amount of time I'll have to sacrifice details.  I dunno.  I hope it'll turn out well.  As long as you like it, then great!!  Thanks again!

Ariel:  Ah…I see from your e-mail that you're a Johnny Depp fan…my kinda girl!  Anywho, thank you very much!  I adored your compliments!  Oh, and your comment about Legolas hanging from the ceiling all sweaty and glistening isn't stupid…it's just plain creepy!  LOL.  Thanks girl!  Seeya later!

Elven Kitten:  Yes, I'm mean and I killed him.  I'm sorry.  But I had to do it.  Don't worry, Eredor's in a better place now.  I will keep "it" up, whatever "it" is!  Thank you!

XxDarkgoddessxX:  YEEEEEEEEEESSSS!!!!  LOL.  I'm sorry I made you cry!  Jenni, what's so depressing?  I hope it goes away.  I don't like it when any of my friends are depressed!  Here's a cake with a Legolas face painted on it with edible airbrush paint! *gives you giant cake*  I hope you'll be better soon.  Hey, I wrote you an e-mail!  Go check it out.  Anyway, thank you!  I'll see you later!

Rachel13:  AHHH!!  *hoists sheild*  I'm sorry!  I'm sorry!  I'm sorry, ok?!  LOL.  Thanks for reviewing, even if you're mad cuz I killed Eredor.  It had to happen, girl!  I'm sorry!  LOL.  Thanks.

itarilde-elenastar:  I'm sorry I had to kill him!  I had to, it was vital to the story!  I'm sorry!  *wipes away your tears*  Yes, I can bet that what's being done to Legolas and Eredor hurts a lot.  I saw this awesome show about ways people were tortured in midevil times and it was awesome so now my characters in my stories stand no chance!    And my computer has been acting more and more normal lately.  All that happens now is that I get a million annoying pop-ups.  Ugh.  Thanks again!