Reviewer responses for Chapter Three:
Deana: OH...glad I did it I am CERTAIN there will be further conversation and definitely more time before Thranduil accepts Estel totally, but this worked for the purposes of the story. Thanks for reading...it is starting to get good now...
Mornflower: LOL, I thought long and hard for that line...about a minute! LOL Does your brother read fanfiction or is he just always around when you are reading it?! Enjoy this chapter!
Marbienl: Yeh, fast...I've been told I'm TOO fast by some! ANYWAY, I know I like authors to update fast so I'm reciprocating. Legolas and Thranduil are both stubborn and prideful, they might not react well to each other right away...but then again, Legolas and Estel are not going to come home in good shape...
Star Wars Forever: Hehe...the torture is approaching, mellon nin!
Koriaena: Thanks for the review...I did like that line too.
Kelsey: LOL on what you want to see. Just for you and because I'm nuts I wrote a little one-shot humor story that ends in your first request of flying food...Under a Different Roof...check it out! As for the "ish" in there...I have JUST the place!!! not for a few chapters though
October Sky: grins Glad you are happy and finally got to see Legolas spill his guts, (NO not literally spill them, figuratively!!!)
Chapter Four: Urghartz and the Cave
Estel knelt on the ground with his best friend's weapons clutched to his chest for a few minutes before he regained his composure. Looking up at Rodwen, he sighed and spoke quietly. "I have to remove the arrow, mellon nin. I will go quickly. I may need you to help me bring Legolas home."
Rodwen neighed lightly, nudging Estel's shoulder in an affectionate way. The mare had taken to the man, knowing that he was her master's good friend. She trusted him implicitly and knew he would not intentionally hurt her.
Estel took hold of the bolt, thankful it didn't go deep, and tugged quickly. The horse jerked and stomped in pain, but did not kick the human. She was nickering softly again as Estel wrapped the wound and tied off the strip of cloth.
"You will be all right, Rodwen. You are lucky that the arrow did not dig deeper, though you running did not help it." Estel stood now, looking around. He hadn't realized it, but dawn was approaching and the night had already begun to lighten.
I'll not get any sleep this night, the man thought wearily. I have to find Legolas, he is in the hands of the enemy and I know what Orcs do to Elves.
Gathering up his pack, Estel grabbed the lead of his own horse and led him off along the trail the Orcs had left behind. If Legolas' trail had been easy to follow, this one was much more so. The Orcs left a wide swath of crushed and trampled undergrowth.
Traipsing through the forest as fast as he could, Estel tried not to let his mind linger on Legolas' fate. But images of his friend's face crumpled in agony would not leave his mind alone. Rubbing his forehead, Estel readjusted the sword at his hip and quickened his pace. The faster I free him, the safer we will both be.
Soon, the sun was up in the sky and Estel knew that the Orcs would have sought cover. Since this was an unfamiliar forest to him, the man didn't know where he could find a cave suitable for the Orcs purposes. He hoped that wherever they had taken refuge was close.
He did notice that the trees grew less and less dense as he followed the trail. "Perhaps there are cliffs or caverns ahead, surely the trees would thin out around such outcroppings," he muttered to himself.
His assumption was correct, it seemed, for Estel soon saw rocks rising in the near distance. He slowed his pace, worrying that the horses would make too much noise. He knew they would not be able to come with him; horses were not suited well for caves.
Turning to Rodwen and his horse, Firnion, Estel spoke quietly. "Stay here, keep from sight and make little noise. I will return with Legolas. If neither of us return by nightfall, go back to the palace and bring help." Rodwen, who dwelt in the palace, tossed her head in silent acquiescence.
Satisfied that the horses would do as commanded, Estel stole away; picking his way through the brambles toward the cliffs he had seen. As he drew near, he could make out large openings in the rock faces. Caves. Surely the Orcs have taken cover from the light here.
He was glad that he had likely found his friend's captors, but there was a disadvantage to caves. It would be harder to sneak up and escape with Legolas. If he had been in the trees, in the open forest, he would be afforded more hiding places. As it were, he didn't have that luxury.
You are going to owe me, Legolas! This is the second time I am saving your life, he joked to himself. Inwardly, he knew he would not have been able to save the Prince's life that first time if Legolas hadn't first saved him.
Sighing, he pushed onward, into the darkness of the cave.
Consciousness returned slowly to the Elf; and with it a strong, throbbing headache. He tried not to groan, but as soon as he opened his eyes they were hit with the bright light of a large fire.
For a moment, he didn't know where he was, confusion flitting across his face. Then it hit him. Literally.
A strong backhand knocked his face to the side and Legolas jerked back, away from the offending black hand that had dealt the blow. "So, the little Elf decides to join us again." The Orc who had hit him leaned forward, his foul breath making the Prince reel in disgust. "We're going to have a bit of fun with this one, I think!"
He raised his hand to strike Legolas again, but the appendage was quickly grabbed by another, larger Orc, before it had a chance to fall. "No, you will not. I will have all the fun here. I was the one, after all, who shot him down. Not to mention, I am your leader."
Legolas watched this new Orc with dread. He was larger then most of his kind, thick and sturdy. No doubt very strong as well. Hanging from his belt was a long, serrated dagger and a short, wicked-looking whip.
Seeing the Elf's eyes on his waist, the Orc smiled and jeered. "You seem interested in my implements, Elf. Don't worry; you will soon become very acquainted with them all."
Seemingly glad that his captive was conscious, the Orc grabbed Legolas by the shoulder and dragged him up. The Elf winced as blood rushed back to his legs and his wound screamed with pain.
Stealing a glance downward, Legolas found the arrow still embedded in his left leg. The Orc, unfortunately, had once again followed his gaze. Before Legolas really realized what was about to happen, the Orc bent and ripped the arrow from his flesh.
Legolas screamed out, dropping to his knees and clutching his thigh, slowing the stream of blood pouring through his fingers. The Orcs laughed, overjoyed that they had caused the Elf pain.
Clenching his teeth, Legolas made a mental note to hold in all sounds he possibly could. I won't make this fun for you, I won't! He told himself, vehemently chastising his weakness.
Once again grabbing the Elf by the arm, the Orc leader drew him up again and dragged him toward the far corner of the cavern. As he was pulled along, Legolas took the opportunity to examine his surroundings.
He was in a large cavern with a huge bonfire in the center, over which spits of meat were sizzling. I didn't think Orcs cooked their meat...Legolas thought to himself. Perhaps they only do when they have the time to.
Besides the fire, there was little else of interest in the cavern. It was filled with jeering Orcs, all watching the Elf with interest. There looked to only be one entrance and he eyed it with longing.
He snapped out of his thoughts when the Orc threw him against the cavern wall and fastened his arms above his head with metal cuffs. The length of chain was just long enough to allow him to stand flat-footed, but his injury made even this unbearable.
"You will never forget me, Elf. I'll give you a name to put to the face that will haunt your dreams until I kill you," the leader laughed, mocking Legolas with a theatrical bow. "I am Urghartz, leader of this band, and you will scream my name when you beg for mercy."
Legolas shook his head and spat out a flurry of Elvish words. "Lasta lalaithamin, Nadorhuan!" {Listen to my laughter, cowardly dog!} He wouldn't let these Orcs get the better of him.
Urghartz eyes narrowed. "None of that now!" he growled. "I won't have no Elf-speak in here...that foul racket!"
Foul? Elvish is foul!? Compared to their Black Speech it is music to my ears! The Prince thought to himself, finding it rather funny that the Orcs found Elvish to be foul when their language was painful to Elvish ears.
Legolas smirked and replied, "Dolle naa lost!" {Your head is empty!}
This earned him a swift jab in the gut and Legolas jerked back against the cavern wall, shutting his eyes for a moment as he regained his senses. That was nice of you! And you didn't even know what I said!
Legolas was slightly surprised that he was able to even think of jokes in this situation. He realized it was all that was keeping him from screaming in fright. The Elf wasn't a coward in any way, shape or form. But being in the hands of so many foul creatures, chained to wall as he was, would be scary for anyone.
Estel, I hope you find me...just don't get yourself caught in the process!
Urghartz grunted; an apparent command to the others to back away and give him some room. Drawing his pronged whip from his belt, the Orc advanced on Legolas with an evil grin.
"I will enjoy this Elf scum," he said, raising the whip slowly above his head.
Legolas steeled himself, looking into the Orc's eyes with an unwavering glare. The whip suddenly descended, tearing a deep gash across the Elf's chest from his right shoulder to his left hip bone.
His eyes snapped shut for a moment as he dealt with the pain, but no sound escaped him. With a single tremble, he opened his eyes and fixed them again on the Orc's. He could feel blood begin to run down his torso, surprised at the damage this whip could do.
Then he noticed the barbs at the end of it and groaned inwardly. Great, what have I gotten myself into? This whip could easily strip the flesh from my body in no time.
He jerked as another vicious lash opened a strip across his belly, pain beginning to blossom. In moments, Urghartz was frantically lashing into the Elf, desperately trying to elicit sounds from him.
When the tunic was so full of blood that it looked to be made of red fabric, Legolas finally cried out, a loud, piercing scream of pain. Then he fell into blissful oblivion.
The cry echoed painfully loud throughout the tunnel. Estel's heart leapt into his throat. "Legolas!" he whispered, swiping at his eyes. The cry had been so full of intense pain that Estel gripped his sword tightly in fury. "I'm coming, mellon nin, hang in there!"
A/N: Evil me, I know! But don't worry too much...I'm nearly finished with the next chapter and should be able to post it in a timely manner...HOPEFULLY i will have plenty of reviews to respond to in the next chapter hint hint LOL. Thanks to all of you who are reading this...even you lurkers who don't review...
-Gwenneth
