A/N: Nothing really right now. The last chapter was sort of a filler, sorry about that. Now the action actually begins. This is going to be a long chapter too.

Chapter 2: First Impressions

Legolas woke in a cell with the other seven living members of his contingent. His wounds had been cared for while he slept, and it looked like the others were the same.

He looked at his surroundings. The walls were made of solid bars of iron on two sides, the front and the left side. The back and right wall were stone, the right had an iron grate in it, in which you could see led out to a hall, with shiny wooden floors. The bars were not connected to the ceiling at the top, but rather stopped with spikes on top about eight or nine feet up. No way to get out there. There was a simple wooden bench in the cell, and a pot.

Outside, through the bars, was a flat stone floor, a bench against the wall and a grate on the other side of the room, where Legolas could see grass and flowers sticking through the bars. The rafters up above were of solid oak, and there was coiled rope hidden in corners so well that he almost missed them. He briefly wondered what they were for.

When Legolas heard a groan, he drew his attention to the occupants in the cell. Asides the seven that came with him, there were also two of the messengers his father had snt to the Iron Hills. Their wounds were mending a little, but he could easily see that even their elven healing abilities had its limits. It looked like they had been starved also, which didn't help them at all.

Prince Legolas, is that you? Asked one of the messengers, Nimrome.

Aye, tis I, Legolas. Can you tell me what happened? Legolas answered.

I'm afraid not, the elder elf began. I fell into a nest of spiders unawares, and was bitten before I could get out. I fell unconcious, and the next thing I know, I was here.

Do you happen to know where here is? Legolas asked.

I'm not sure, but according to the servants, we are somwhere near the Lonely Mountain. The drug that was used on us is urorn. The servants said that the prisoners are sold for slaves. We are going to be slaves if we don't get out of here, Nimrome said.

If we are going to be slaves, then I'd rather none know that I am a prince, Legolas said.

the elder said thoughtfully. We should give you a different name. Esgal perhaps?

Aye, Esgal will do well for me. I shall tell the others of my new name. Is there anything else I should know? The prince, now named Esgal, asked.

Aye, there is an escape planned. I know not where or when it shall take place, only that the servants will perform it soon.

Hannon lle, mellon-nin, Esgal replied. {Thank you, my friend.}

Just then, the into the big room opened, and a girl, about twenty-two, walked into the room, bearing a bowl of fruit, though not enough for all of them, and a pitcher of water, only three-quarters way full.

The door banged shut behind her as a silver-haired man came in with her, bearing keys. The silver-haired man unlocked the cell door, and the woman walked in. Legolas noticed that they were careful not to touch, for some unknown reason.

Hurry and tell them, Arina, we have not much time, the silver-haired man warned.

Listen, all of you, the girl Arina, began. I will only tell you this once. There well be an escape attempt tonight. When you get the chance, run into the mountains. There will be a cave there, weel-marked, you can't miss it. Go there and stay in the back. You have until dawn to get there, or we shall leave without you.

Arina, we have to go now, or they will be suspicious, the silver-haired man said urgently.

Coming, Zane, she replied, turning back to the prisoners. Remember what I said, go at the first chance you get. You will know when the time is right.

Zane and Arina took their leave, locking the cell back when they left. Legolas prepared to wait the day out under the grate in the cell.

*****

Arina was in etiquette classes, and failing horribly.

Lady Arina, if you can not walk with a single book on your head, how do you expect to walk with six on your head for finals? You really are a troublesome girl. I don't know what King Peldel was thinking, letting common filth like you into my perfect classes. You've been nothing but a disgrace ever since, reprimanded her tutor, Mistress Hoggin.

Yes, Mistress, came Arina's meek reply, but underneath she was seething. Her tutor had interrupted her daydreams, daydreams of a certain blonde-haired prisoner that she had caught a glimpse of.

She tried hard to concentrate on keeping steady, but her rickety shoes made it near impossible. Finally, her mistress called the class to an end, and Arina was able to meet her friends in the halls.

Somebody looks dreamy today, taunted Mikala, her friend. Who is it? Zane again? I pity you sometimes, what with the curse and all. Zekk has been wanting you for a long time now, you should see him soon.

Oh Mikala, I wish I could see Zekk, but every time I see him, it gets harder to go away. I hear his pleadings in my dreams, and if I go again, I will surely claim him as my own. And if you must know, it is not Zane, it is someone completely different. He's a prisoner, she said.

A prisoner? Arina, I hope for your sake that this is a passing thing. You are a runner, it is your job to get them back into Mirkwood, nothing more, nothing less. It is likely you will never see him again after this escape. Even if he likes you back and wants to take you with him, want will come of Zekk? He will go to a labor came when he is twelve, like all the other men, never knowing his mother. Do you want that? Oh, please Arina, let this be a passing thing. Please. . . Her friend pleaded.

We shall see. Time will tell, it always does. Do you have the note? Arina abruptly changed the subject.

Here. It tells the signal, the escape route and the exact time,Mikala said, handing Arina the note. As they passed the grate in the floor, Arina dropped the note and kicked it in, hoping it would fall into the right hands.

*****

Legolas had been dozing lightly when he was hit in the face with a piece of parchment. He awoke abruptly and aught it before it was forever ruined on the damp floor of his cell.

He opened it to find a map, with an escape route, a time, and the words `fly like an eagle' on it. Nimrome studied it and remarked that the words must be the signal and the time was exactly the time it was to go off. They must use the planned escape route.

*****