Sue: thanks that you enjoy reading my stories. I really like people telling me that :) As for Legolas checking Estel first before getting him out:

It's not the fact that Legolas didn't think to get him out immediately: when he thought about it, he unconsciously realized that he needed to know what condition Estel was in. Could he stand? How much could the ranger help himself? How badly hurt was he? And since Legolas is an elf, he could quickly check up on him and figure it out. Once he knew, he could get him out (I hope this sounds logical, it really does when it's all in my mind, sigh…) Just know it didn't take all that long… Hope you like the next chppie!

grumpy: thanks for the review! Sigh, I really like them – I never knew until I started to write how much they mean… hmm, perhaps I should start blackmailing you guys: no updates until I get at least 5 reviews for a chappie! ;)

Nili: *sniff*, my favourite writer and reviewer – glad you're back! But you know the screeching? That was the horse, so don't blame Legolas – he's blond ;) (no insult meant to blond people, I know most are smart). One thing though: "what's wrong, no picking on me this time? Have you finally accepted that you will die of frustration? Well, come on girl; it's not so bad… Is it?" You know, if you give me some nice ideas, I'm sure I'll manage bigger chappies. Patience, that's what I need; just make the reader suffer through the slow progress described in many words… Perhaps in a next story. ;) Sorry, this is again a short one, hope you like it anyways…

Disclaimer: I don't own them, just wish that I did… sigh. They belong to the wonderful professor named J.R.R Tolkien…

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Chapter 4

When they were out, Legolas carried Estel a little further until they had reached the cover of the woods. There he gently laid the young human on the grass and picked at the second lock until it finally released the ranger's wrist. He threw the shackles some distance away, angry when he saw what damage they had done to his friend. His wrists were raw, almost bare to the bone and bleeding, the imprint of the shackles still visible. Estel had struggled wildly against his bonds, no doubt about it.

Small tremors had ran through his friend while he had been in the water, but now he started to tremble even worse in the cold night air and his lips were blue with the cold. Remembering the pack that he bore on his back, Legolas started rummaging through it until he found a dry shirt. Estel needed to get dry and warm. The elf whistled and soon, his own horse appeared and stood beside him, gently nudging Estel with its soft nose.

"Don't worry, Talei, Estel is strong. He will make it." He said to the animal as he rummaged through his own pack that hung from his horse's saddle. I hope so. Legolas took out a blanket and knelt down besides the unconscious ranger. He needed to get into dry clothes, but the elf was loathe to take off his leggings for fear of the jostling it would bring. His friend had been abused bad enough already.

"Estel?" He queried. When there was no answer, Legolas started to carefully take off the man's shirt and drying him with the blanket. "It's all right now, little one. I'm just going to put something dry on you and stem the bleeding and then we will make haste towards your father." The elf was not certain if the human could hear him, but he continued his monologue throughout his ministrations, hoping that the tone of his voice and the elven words came through and calmed Estel's mind.

Estel's chest was a myriad of bruises and Legolas could easily recognize the imprint of heavy orc boots. Checking to see that none of the ribs had broken through the skin, he put the dry clothes on his friend and wrapped his own cloak around him. Next he wrapped Estel's wrists in some bandages which he always kept in his pack, staunching the bleeding. He did the same for the cut on Estel's face.

When he came to Estel's legs, the elf was uncertain what to do. They needed to be immobilized. Legolas gently stroked his friend's hair and sighed. The road home will be hard on you.

The elf scanned his surroundings, looking for anything that might work as a splint. His eyes came to rest on some nearly straight branches; they would have to do.

He slowly stood up and touched Talei's neck. "Keep an eye on him for just a moment, dear friend."

Talei whinnied and moved his head up and down, seeming to nod in acquiescence before moving his head down and placing his nose near Estel's neck, warming the pale skin with his breath.

Legolas walked to the branches and had just picked them up, when Talei whinnied. Legolas looked back and saw Estel moving just the tiniest bit. Hurrying back, he laid the branches nearby and knelt next to the ranger, stroking his forehead.

"Hush, Estel."

Estel's eyes flickered halfway open; they were still glazed, but no longer from terror – shock was setting in. Why is my sight so fuzzy? He thought as he tried to focus on the blurred figure in front of him. He vaguely remembered traveling with his Mirkwood friend before… Before what? He moved his lips, trying to ask the figure in front of him, but no sound came out. The ranger frowned and squinted his eyes, rewarded for his efforts when his sight focused for the briefest of moments and allowed him to see his companion. Comforted by what he saw, but still confused as to what had happened, he tried again. "L-legolas? Where…"

The elf laid a finger on the man's lips. "Shh, little one. You're out of the cave and the orcs are gone, we're in the forest and soon, Talei will bear us back to your father. I must try and immobilize your legs first though."

The young man wearily closed his eyes, not even responding to Legolas calling him 'little one'. He always fiercely defended that he was considered a grown up man among his own kind. 

Legolas went through his own pack and produced a small bottle. "Estel?"

Estel slowly moved his head, indicating he had heard.

"I'm going to lift you so you can swallow something." Legolas went behind the ranger and gently lifted him so that his head rested on the elf's stomach. Legolas held the bottle against Estel's lips and tipped it back slowly. The young ranger swallowed without hesitation; trusting his friend implicitly. Soon the bottle was empty – it was only a few minutes later when he seemed to sag, being sent into blessed unconsciousness and free of pain.

Legolas laid his friend down on the ground again; glad the potion was quick in giving the wanted relief. He then used the branches and several other bandages and immobilized Estel's legs. After he was satisfied with his work, he gently picked the human up in his arms. Now came the hard part – getting him home. Making a stretcher and having Talei drag it wouldn't work – the road would not permit it and it would jostle his friend too much. So that left only one option – Estel would have to ride on Talei's back.

Legolas winced with the prospect of what he had to do – he knew his friend's legs should stay level right now, but his worried mind did not see any other way than to sit him up on his horse. Luckily it would not take very long before he reached the elven home, then his young friend would get the help and rest he needed…

Talei knew what the elf wanted and he bent through his knees, making it easier for Legolas to place the human on his back. When Estel was on, he carefully rose, making sure that the young ranger did not fall off. He was very fond of the human, who often gave him some sweet sugar lumps when he thought his elf friend was not looking.

As soon as Estel was on the horse, his body slumped forward towards Talei's neck. Worried, Legolas placed his hand on his friend's shoulder – steadying him. When he was sure that the man would not fall down for the moment, the elf quickly picked up Estel's bag again and attached it to the saddle.

Finally… now he could start the way back towards Estel's father. Legolas winced; dreading Lord Elrond's reaction when he once more received his foster-son in bad health. He jumped onto Talei's back and sat behind his friend, gently lifting him up by the shoulders and placing him in an upright position again. "You know your father is going to ban you from ever leaving home again, don't you?" He whispered, guiding his friend's head to rest on his shoulder. Of course, there was no response from the unconscious figure.

"Hold on, Estel." Legolas whispered to his friend. "Hurry, Talei. On to Rivendell!"

And Talei sped away, careful of the way he ran so the young ranger on his back would not be jostled too much. It was a couple of hours later when they arrived in sight of the Last Homely House.

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TBC