'lo everybody. I just want to take this time to dodge anything you might want to throw at me and to tell you all how sorry I am. I didn't mean to keep you waiting this long, I swear! I had a terrible case of writers block…and a two week break in Hawaii. But I'm back now and I'll start writing more, I promise. Thanksgiving break is coming up and hopefully I'll get another story out by the end of that if not sooner. Thanks for being patient…or not. Oh and Kris says that it wouldn't be the best thing for you guys to maul me.

See chapter one for disclaimer, summery, and all that other fun stuff.

Chapter six

Cause of hate

Two pairs of eyes peeped from around an open door. The rest of the bodies moved stealthily after. Elladan and Elrohir tiptoed silently through a quiet hall. Elrohir nearly toppled his twin when Elladan stopped suddenly and jerked his brother around a corner and flattened both of them against the wall. A moment later the very angry and very wet elf lord, Glorfindel, stormed past the hidden twins muttering dire curses and threats to the empty hallway.

Elladan and Elrohir leaned against each other, all but collapsing from soundless laughter. Elladan finally burst when his brother did a perfect impression of the angry Glorfindel. His laughter pealed through the halls. Glorfindel stopped dead and turned to where the twins had concealed themselves. Elladan and Elrohir made no effort to hide their mirth now Elladan shoved Elrohir and took off sprinting to the nearest exit,

"Run El," he shouted.

But Elrohir could hardly walk for laughing, he was caught by the collar and was spun about to face the fuming elf lord. Elrohir had time only for one cheeky grin before he was hauled off to his father.

"I try and raise you right and look what you do to me, I'm old before my time. You'll soon send me off to the heavens." Lord Elrond slowly paced around his son. "You could make this much easier on me an the rest of us here, if you would just try to behave and for the love of Valar, tell me where Elladan is." Lord Elrond finished with a sigh and clasped Elrohir's shoulder.

Elrohir tried not to smile "Please ada, trust me when I say, I don't know where Elladan is." He grinned at his father but kept silent.

Elrond, finally exasperated, threw up his hands in despair "Why don't you terrorize each other for once and leave the household in peace?"

Elrohir's face mirrored indignant surprise "Ada! Me, against my own brother? That would be suicide! Nay father, I think not."

Lord Elrond sighed heavily, but used a stern tone of voice. "I you think that your going to get of that easy, you have another thing coming!" As soon as I get you and your brother in the same room together, you'll wish you had gone after Elladan."

Elrohir nodded innocently to his father and strolled out the door exiting his study. Elladan was leaning against the wall juggling two hot pastries purloined from the kitchen.

"You heard?" questioned Elrohir

"I did." answered Elladan

"Mayhap we should go looking for Estel and Legolas, I would not mind a hunting trip myself. Just until ada calms down, and hopefully forgets about this." Elladan spoke around a mouthful of the pastry.

Elrohir nodded and both quickened their speed "sounds fine I'll meet you outside the garden wall." Elladan and Elrohir immediately walked separate ways, the twins were still under the threat of being caught together.

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Aragorn, even though he had intended to return to his temporary home at the house of Dal, wanted to look about the town. It was out of curiosity as well as studding the area. The large wooden structure in the town was truly a marvel. It held just as many shops and houses as it did on the ground. Aragorn eventually got lost in it's winding allies and Col had to show his the way to access the ladders to get down to the ground. Col showed Aragorn everything their rather large town had to offer in the ways of information. The entire process was quite lengthy.

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Legolas's nearly healed wound on his ribs had torn open, he could feel the blood run down his stomach and it felt as if several of his ribs were broken as well. Legolas panted and hunkered down. His range of movement was limited, and he could not stand without having to hunch over. Dal had aimed the majority of his attacks a the elf's ribs and back. He did not want to disable the elf's ability to walk, he had other plans for him.

As it were, Legolas was hoping fervently that Aragorn would come back. The circulation to his hands had been cut off from unintentional tightening on the rope. But Legolas could hardly help that, he had tried to avoid the kicks that Dal aimed at him. It was too much of an effort to do more than groan when the pain became to insufferable. The struggle to rise to his feet was nothing compared to what it would feel like if he faced this human on his knees, it would be too much like groveling for his elvish pride to handle.

"Rhach lin del!" Legolas half spat half groaned the words. Curse your fear

To answer his words, Legolas received another kick to his chest. Legolas closed his eyes anticipating another blow, only it didn't come. His eyes snapped open and fixed themselves on Dal's. The boy held Legolas's gaze for a few seconds before he was forced to look away. So he instead directed his words past Legolas, so he would not have to look at the elf.

"Come on you, your master should be getting home soon and I would not have him ruin my fun. He should not mind too much."

Legolas didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He nearly smiled in relief, Aragorn would know something was wrong if he got back to the house and he was not there. Dal said himself that the ranger would not be long in returning. But, on the other hand, Dal was taking him someplace where he would undoubtedly cause him further harm .

Dal walked in a half circle around Legolas, trying to see where the best place would be to untie him so that he would hold the lead. Legolas managed a crouch, this was going to be difficult. If Legolas could keep Dal from getting to the rope for long enough, maybe Aragorn would show up, if he could keep Dal a bay.

Dal launched himself for the bed, Legolas flung himself back wards, but handled the first attack well. The rope remained tied to the bed as Legolas succeeded in kicking him away. He did not, however, escape without injury. Dal had knocked him over and the elf cracked his head sharply against the bedpost. Legolas's vision swam and went out of focus. Seeming that Legolas was momentarily subdued, Dal took the opportunity to tackle the elf once more. Legolas felt the breath leave his lungs as Dal stamped down hard upon his chest with one of his boots. The elf's injured ribs screamed in protest as Dal grinned and leaned more of his weight on Legolas's chest. fringes of black were beginning to form around the edge of his vision, Legolas blinked furiously trying to clear it away. He struggled and kicked out, but Dal just leaned more heavily on the elf's chest, making him fight to hold back cries of pain. The young man untied the rope and took his boot from Legolas's chest. Trying to fill his lungs with air was like the pain of a knife ripping though his chest.

Dal yanked the rope hard. Since the rope was attached to his hands that were tied behind him, the pull jerked his arms to one side and felt as if he were trying to wrench the elf's arms out of their sockets. Legolas let himself fall to one knee. He resisted as hard as he could. Pulling against Dal was no an easy task, even though the elf was stronger by a tenfold. But as weak as he was, although he hated to admit it, he could not break free.

Dal forced Legolas down the stairs to the sitting room. His father was out in the forest, but his mother was quietly sewing in the room. She looked up when Dal and Legolas walked through he room she looked up briefly.

"I'm to meet Strider in town." Dal muttered the lie quickly and yanked Legolas through the door, slamming it on the way out.

Dal kept up a fast pace once outside, he Legolas had to practically run to keep from being dragged. The elf found that it wasn't the easiest to run with broken ribs. As it were, he couldn't get enough oxygen and the black that rimmed his vision seemed to fog it as well. Normally graceful, the elf was stumbling over tree roots and other obstacles in his way. Dal didn't take him a great length into the forest, but to Legolas it seemed as if hours had gone by. His legs were wobbling and felt like jelly. He could not comfort his aching ribs as his hands were tied behind him. Legolas saw that Dal had brought him to a large shack in a clearing near the edge of the forest. It was nearly overgrown with brambles and bushes, it was the perfect disguise, even the wood elf was surprised.

"Welcome to your new home elf." Dal's sneer held more hatred than words ever could. There was something there as well, fear. Legolas felt at the moment that he would rather risk the wargs than this boy.

Dal pushed Legolas through the creaky door on the shack. To his surprise, two more young men were inside. They cringed back when Legolas entered. Dal moved in between him and the young men.

"He can't hurt you, he's tied." Dal reassured the boys.

"Now you'll pay for all the ruined crops, all the droughts, and all countess other spells that your kind have brought on us." It was one of the young men who spoke.

Legolas could not believe his ears. Aragorn had not been exaggerating, these people actually thought that the elves had brought these disasters to their town. He had no more time to ponder this stunning accusation, for his head snapped to the side as Dal backhanded him across the face, splitting his lip. A trickle of blood ran down his chin.

"You see, he bleeds like us." Dal triumphantly showed off the blood like a trophy.

With gleeful grins, the boys untied Legolas's hands from behind his back and retied them in front. They threw the excess rope over a low wooden beam and raised the elf so that he stood on tiptoes. It was all Legolas could do to keep from crying out. The strain on his ribs was excruciating. Frantically he search his mind for a way to escape, although he only came up with, //Where is Aragorn?//

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Elrohir glanced sideways before dropping off the small wall that bordered one of the gardens. He uttered a quiet whistle and a moment later Elladan appeared from the foliage of a nearby tree. He smiled at his brother and walked to him. Elrohir and Elladan both sported a haversack with some things they would need to find Estel and Legolas, as well as survive on the trip. Elladan had wisely packed a kit well stocked with medicinal herbs and plenty of bandages. Knowing Legolas and Estel's rather annoying habit finding trouble, anyone would have thought it a necessity.

"Did you have any trouble?" Elladan asked his twin.

"No more than you." came the reply.

When they were a goodly distance from the house of Elrond they thought it say to converse. Elrohir nudged his older brother with an elbow.

"Who do you think we'll be packing home to father this time Elladan?"

Elladan snorted and in a serious tone he answered "Hopefully neither." After a pause though, a smile broke out on his face and he added "But I'm guessing Estel."

Elrohir laughed out loud and shoved his brother "Stop reading my thoughts brother, I know it's going to be Estel. He's always wanting to know just how far he can push his luck before it gives out. No doubt he's got Legolas someplace where they can cause all sorts of trouble."

"I've no doubt, my brother" laughed Elladan pushing Elrohir slightly before drawing him to him and throwing an arm about his shoulders.

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Aragorn wiped the perspiration that formed at his temples away with the sleeve of his shirt. He was now carrying his coat, since the heat of the day forced him to shed layers. Col walked at his side. He had guided Aragorn though the labyrinth like town for a better part of the day. They were now making their way back to Col's house. Aragorn smiled and ruffled the boy's hair. In truth, Aragorn was not many years Col's senior.

Aragorn had an unpleasant feeling of guilt that was worming it's way into his stomach. He didn't mean to leave Legolas alone all these hours. He was in for a lecture when he got back Estel was already apprehensive at leaving him alone with Dal. He tried to tell himself that Legolas was going to be just fine and fuming at Aragorn for making him worry like that. But the ranger had a distinct feeling there was something more.

Aragorn unconsciously quickened his pace until Col had to jog to keep up. Col looked at him from the corner of his eye.

"I'm worried too Strider."

Aragorn squeezed Col's shoulder but kept silent. Aragorn could hardly keep himself from running once the house was in sight. The feeling of unease seemed to grow as they entered the door. Col and Dal's mother stood as they walked though the door.

"Where's Dal?" she asked "He said he was going to meet you with…it" She trailed off, not knowing what to call Legolas.

"We didn't ask him to meet us mother." Aragorn left Col to talk with his mother. He instead ran up the stairs and pushed the door to his room in. The door swung open and slammed against the wall. Legolas was not in the room. Aragorn had already known this, but he had wanted to see it himself. A white hot anger built up in Aragorn and threatened to erupt. With fists clenched, he turned. Col stood in the doorway hugging against the wall.

Col's eyes scanned the empty room as if looking for Legolas as well. He cringed under the glare of Aragorn, trying to make himself as small as he could. Estel noticed the boy's fear and forced his face to smooth.

"It's not your fault Col." He sighed "Not your fault."

The last part seemed to be a thought spoken aloud, or maybe a reminder. Aragorn's gaze leveled on Dal "do you know where Dal might be?"

Col though a moment before answering. "I think so." the answer was given reluctantly. Aragorn was almost out the door and close to dragging Col behind him before a word from the young man stopped him.

"Strider?"

"What?" came the clipped answer.

"You won't hurt my brother will you?"

Aragorn had not been expecting this. It caught him by surprise and he stopped walking completely. He did not turn just yet. He seemed apprehensive a facing Col.

"Col…do you think that Dal would harm Legolas?"

The question did not answer Col's. "I don't know. It might depend on whether Dal is more afraid or angry at Legolas."

Aragorn nodded and continued walking. Col knew that his question had not been answered. It made him a little hesitant to show Strider to where his brother was. Maybe he shouldn't. But then Legolas would be in danger. While Col pondered the elf's fate verses his brothers, Aragorn's thoughts lied in only the safety of Legolas. He would do anything to ensure that. Col didn't know how much he would sacrifice for his friend that was as close as a brother.

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Breath came in ragged gasps for the exhausted elf. The boys were shy to touch the elf at first, but in seeing how he was able to feel pain as much as themselves emboldened them to new heights. They discovered, to their surprise, that Legolas could handle more pain than they had expected.

The first round of punishment left Legolas swinging slowly from the beam he was tied to. Dal and his friends were pleased that the elf was getting his just reward, although they could not make him cry for mercy or forgiveness.

Legolas's torso was a mass of welts and bruises as were his shoulders. They had used straps and stout sticks to beat him with. Legolas swallowed bile that crept up his throat, the slow swinging pressed against his ribs even more than just standing still. He tried to stop, but the momentum, however little, threw him off balance. Thank Valar he had something to take his mind off the pain. Gradually he had grasped the rope his hand was tied to. It bent his hands back at an awkward angle, but he had a pretty firm grasp on it. He could hoist himself up if he could bear the pain. To the look of things, the boy were ready to have another go at Legolas. When the elf judged that they were close enough, he lifted himself up, gasping from the strain it put on his ribs, and kicked out with long legs. Legolas hit Dal squarely in the chest and the blow sent him flying backwards. To land heavily on the ground.

The elf lost no time. He swung his legs up to wrap around the beam. He hauled himself up so that he was crouching nimbly on the rafter making fast work of freeing himself. He was not able to draw any breath without excruciating pain lancing through him. One of the other youngsters nearly knocked him from his perch with a long branch. Legolas ignored the strike to his already aching body, he was only concerned that his hands were getting looser. Then, with a final yank to the knots, he was free!

Legolas sprang from the shaft. He sailed over the lads heads and hit the floor in a roll. He moaned when his injured ribs met the ground, but did not stop. He threw the door wide. Weaponless, and injured, Legolas knew he could not put up a sufficient fight like this. Forcing his pride to an indignant whisper, he did the only sensible thing possible, he fled to the trees. He might make it to safety there.

Back at the shed, Dal had gotten his wind back after the elf had attacked him. Angrily he snatched up his bow and quiver full of arrows. //He thought he could get away did he?//

Dal was not the best archer in the village, not even close. But anyone could hit a bird from this distance, and Legolas was certainly larger than a bird.

The shaft slammed into his shoulder, making the elf cry out in pain. Legolas could not extract it now, so he snapped it off and continued his flight. The boys had surrounded his escape to the forest. He had been to slow. To avoid them now he would have to go towards the town. Another arrow shot through the foliage far to close to Legolas than was comfortable. The though of having anyone shooting at him in the first place was not exactly comforting either. Legolas shook his head. This was going to be interesting once he ran out of trees to hide in.

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Randomramblings: thanks….glad the ouch wasn't for my writing. Glad you think I got a clear picture goin'. Oh…sorry…I think I've kept you waiting long enough for this, next time I'll get it in sooner.

Elfmage: Sorry… If you can believe it, I tried soo hard to get this out before I left. I found an internet café while I was there and that was the only way I could have posted a warning to you guys. Yah! Another who would rather read friendship than slash, we're growing…or just speaking out. Haha…I'm not overly fond of cliffie's myself, but they're sure fun to write. It makes for an exiting beginning for the next chapter. Mwahahah…I so love elf torture and angst, you'll get a good piece of it in my stories.

Deana: I've been having to dish out a healthy share of "I'm sorry's" today. I would have reacted with much more angst than you guys did. I don't deserve just patient readers…although you seemed pretty frantic, I take that as a good thing.

Lauranna Starbreeze: I might have dropped dead for all the time it took to get this out. Is awesomeness a word? Well well…you learn something new everyday. I'll keep dishing 'em out if you like it some much. Good thing I plane to make a series.

Red Tigress: yes, a cliffie. You have no idea how much I was smiling after I read you review. Thanks a bunch. It took a lot to find a good translator.

Leggylover03: Oh don't worry…They will get dragged back one way or another in some sort of pain. It wouldn't be complete without a lecture from father and a forced does of seeping draught to end a story.

Heiwen: You have no Idea how many ideas I got on those plain trips.

Nikki1: I know I beat up on leggy…but you know you like it.

Leggylover03: Good lord…your eyes must be a sight to see by this time. Hope you didn't go blind so you can read this.

Lauranna Starbreeze: same to you.

Legolas_gurl: I took your advise and some of my own…how do you think it turned out?

Me: Glad you liking the story…I'm just here to entertain. It was a trip. I went to Hawaii, and now I'm back to bring you another chapter.

Star-stallion: Sorry it took so long to update. Yah, you like it. I'm so glad!

Ladymarytavington: You're quite a skilled writer yourself. Thanks for reviewing, I'll see you in Biology.

TBC…