Reviewer responses for Chapter Five:

Star Wars Forever: Hmm...more angsty feeling and sentiment in this chapter I think...hope you like it. I THOUGHT it would take me longer to update but I just came up with this and it seemed to fit! I can drag torture on for a long while...SINCE tomorrow is my BIRTHDAY I don't think I'll be online much. Here is the chapter before hand.

Deana: Again...yes poor Legolas!!! Here is what I decided for the next torture scene. Enjoy.

Jadesaber: I LOVE TO HURT LEGOLAS...so you can expect more of that. I don't mind cutting, hitting, whipping, breaking bones but I stay away from implied rape...ugh...

Marbienl: Glad to see you reviewing! AGAIN...hehe...thanks. I liked that idea of yours that involved tied up in a manner that would choke one of them if the other moved...read on...

Mornflower: All great ideas for torture...hope you like what I chose for the first episode of it. (Least first torture scene where it is BOTH of them.)

Kelsey: If you think making Estel promise to KILL his best friend was...harsh...wait til you read this chapter! You sure have a lot of brainstorms for this torture stuff...let's see if I can use any of it later on...

Lirenel: Good point you brought up...many people torture these two in their fics! WELL...since it's so popular I've done it again!!! Enjoy.

Gozilla: Thanks much for the review...I'm posting TWICE in one DAY...

TO MY READERS: I MAY OR MAY NOT CHOOSE TO POST AN UPDATE TOMORROW, AUGUST 5. IT IS MY 22ND BIRTHDAY AND I WANT TO HAVE SOME FUN SO I DOUBT I WILL BE ON THE COMPUTER ALL DAY TO WRITE UP THE NEXT CHAPTER. THAT IS PRIMARILY WHY I POSTED TWO CHAPTERS TODAY...JUST AS A GIFT TO YOU ALL BEFORE I SKIP A DAY. ENJOY IT!!!


Chapter Six: Torment

He hadn't meant to fall asleep, but he had and now he was being rudely awakened by two Orcs who were pulling Legolas from his side. Estel snapped into full wakefulness and cast sorrowful eyes toward his friend.

Please don't hurt him anymore, the man cried to his self. He was relieved when the Orcs left Legolas on the ground, but his relief was short-lived.

"Bring me the human!"

Urghartz was across the cavern, standing next to a crude chair that looked to have been stolen from some impoverished settlement long ago. It was made of wood and there were ropes tied to the arms and legs.

Estel cringed as he was half-led, half-dragged to the chair and thrust into it. He knew now that the Orcs meant to torture him too. He struggled, though knowing it was futile, hearing Legolas' pleas echo through the chamber.

He was surprised when the Orc leader dragged Legolas to his side and wrapped a rope around the Prince's neck. The other end of the rope was attached to Estel's arm, though he had no idea what the purpose of this was. He was soon to find out.

Urghartz moved in now, pulling the serrated blade from his waist. The wicked-looking knife gleamed in the firelight and Estel shrank back against the chair, holding perfectly still.

The Orc laughed, bringing the blade closer and closer to the man until it was resting against his chest. "Are you ready, human?"

Estel refused to answer and was rewarded with a deep gouge across his chest. His body automatically reacted, arms flying inward to protect his flesh. To his dismay, by pulling the arm attached to Legolas to his chest, he effectively choked off the Elf's air supply and Legolas began to struggle weakly.

It took everything Estel had to rip his arm away from his painful wound and return it to the chair arm, giving his friend the opportunity to draw breath. Urghartz laughed again. "You like my set-up?" he jeered. "If you can't control yourself you will choke him to death."

Legolas, whose back was to the chair and who was being held still by ropes tied to a nearby wall, gulped in air to make up for the last few breathes he missed. Estel turned his head and saw the truth in the Orc's words.

The Elf was tied securely to the near wall, far enough away that if Estel pulled his arm even inches closer to himself he tightened the rope around the Elf's neck. The Orcs were making him hurt his own friend.

Estel cast an evil glare at the leader. Legolas had heard the exchange and he directed a comment at Estel. "Don't worry about me, mellon nin. I wish I could take your place."

The man shook his head. "Never! I won't see them hurt you again."

He would have said more but he was cut off by Urghartz driving the knife blade into his thigh. Estel, not expecting the move, cried out shortly, cursing at the pain that small dagger could cause.

Legolas cringed and tugged uselessly at his own ropes, wishing he could turn around and see his friend. But he was too securely held. It was even worse not knowing what they were doing to Estel. He longed to look into the man's eyes and assure him that he was not alone in his pain. He could not do even that.

Estel, now bleeding in two places, took a deep breath and tried to calm his ragged breathing. The Orc wasted no time in continuing his ministrations, cutting strategically, never hitting anything vital but eliciting maximum pain.

As the pain grew, Estel let out more and more cries until finally he shouted in despair. "Stop, please!"

At that, Legolas broke down and sobbed, ripping furiously at his bonds, his wrists bloody and torn from his struggles.

Seeing his captive beg, Urghartz smiled. "You were much easier to break then the Elf. I still have yet to make him beg," turning to Legolas he laughed. "Now I think we'll try again."

Legolas froze and his heart leapt into his throat. I will not be able to bear more abuse! If he tortures me now I will have no strength to hold my cries. But there was nothing he could do about it.

The Orcs untied his restraints and tugged him toward Estel. He was now able to fully see the man and his eyes widened at what he saw. The human was covered in cuts, some long and jagged, others just deep. All of them were bleeding and Estel was deathly pale.

The two friends locked eyes and Estel begged Legolas to forgive him with naught but a look. Legolas smiled wanly at the man's bravery and tried not to show his own fear. But when Estel was pulled from the chair and Legolas strapped to it, the Elf could not keep the fear from his eyes.

He resolved to remain quiet as long as he could. He frowned when Estel was brought forward again, barely able to stand. He was quickly pushed to his knees in front of Legolas.

Both had questioning looks in the eyes.

Their question was quickly answered when Urghartz thrust his dagger into Estel's hands. "You will do the cutting human."

Estel immediately shook his head, dropping the dagger to the floor. "I will not harm him."

The Orc growled angrily, lifting the dagger. He suddenly moved with astonishing speed, burying the blade deeply into Legolas' left shoulder. The Elf jerked and screeched, closing his eyes against the pain.

Ripping the blade free, Urghartz spat at Estel. "Either you do it or I will stab him until he dies."

Looking forlornly at the blade, Estel took it. He glanced up into Legolas' face, watching the pain-filled eyes rest on him. Legolas nodded lightly, showing his acceptance of what had to be done.

To Estel, this was the hardest thing he had ever had to do. Yes, he had hurt friends before, but only when removing arrows or blades, never as torture. This was the cruelest way to hurt him.

Urghartz was impatient and he nudged Estel. "Draw his blood, human! I crave to see the blood of an Elf spilt again."

Estel locked eyes with Legolas, than cast them down, bringing the knife to the Elf's arm. But it seemed the Orc leader wouldn't let him off that easy. "No, cut his stomach or chest where it is painful."

Legolas shook under Estel's hand and the man's heart broke. His own wounds were paining him greatly and he wavered slightly, nicking Legolas. The Elf drew in a quick breath, than let it out again.

Estel knew he had to do this but it didn't make it any easier. Bringing the knife up to Legolas' chest, he pushed it in just enough to draw blood and pulled it to the right, leaving a shallow slash that began to slowly pool with blood.

The Orc grumbled. "Deeper...more blood."

Estel felt a knife at his back. He bit his tongue, wanting nothing more than to lash out at these foul creatures for making him hurt his friend. Feeling the knife dig into his back did not make him move.

Urghartz realized he would not make Estel cooperate by threatening him. Still, he liked to watch the man's face contort in agony, so he pushed the blade in to the hilt and Estel arched his back against the pain, loosening his grip on the dagger.

Legolas jerked as if he had been stabbed instead of Estel. He cried out in a pained voice, seeing his friends plight. "Mellon nin, stop protecting me and do what you must."

Estel, despite the intense pain of the knife in his back, looked at Legolas and shook his head. "No..."

But Urghartz had other plans. Ripping the blade from Estel's back, he moved behind Legolas and brought the same dagger, dripping with the human's blood, against Legolas' throat.

Pushing in, he drew blood and Legolas froze, wide eyes locking on Estel. The man had no choice, hurt Legolas or Urghartz would kill the Elf. Drawing in a deep breath, Estel brought the knife back up to Legolas' torso.

He positioned it against his friend's lower right side and hesitated. The hesitation was a mistake. An Orc behind him, after a glance from Urghartz, threw his weight forward onto the man's back while digging another blade into his shoulder, and Estel jerked in pain.

His jerk drove the dagger deep into Legolas' side and the Elf cried out in pain, shrinking back from his friend and snapping his eyes shut.

Urghartz laughed happily.

Estel, when he regained his senses, opened his eyes and looked at his hand. He gasped. The dagger was buried to the hilt in his best friend's side, his own hand clutching it, blood pouring over his wrist.

"What have I done..." he muttered, pulling his hand away, leaving the knife in the wound in his shock.

Legolas was breathing rapidly, trying to control his body, but failing miserably. Tears of pain trickled down his face. Not just pain from his wounds, but the pain of knowing that this was tearing Estel apart.

Slowly he opened his eyes and looked at his friend. Seeing the blame and self-loathing in the man's eyes, Legolas spoke weakly. "It is not you, Estel. You are not to blame. Please do not hate yourself."

He was cut off when Urghartz cast aside the dagger at his throat and stooped down. He retrieved his own dagger by ripping it from Legolas' side, drawing another painful cry from the Elf.

It appeared the Orcs were finished for now. Untying both captives, they threw water and dirty rags to them and left them with instructions to fix each other up. Eyeing the rags; both set to the task wearily, using strips from their tunics to bind wounds, not touching the rags.

Before long, though some wounds were still bleeding and other minor ones were untended, both Legolas and Estel passed out from pain and blood loss, lying side by side on the cavern floor, each pale as ghosts.


"Hir nin?"

Celronen moved closer to the King, uncertainty and concern showing in his dark brown eyes. When he got no response from Thranduil, the Elf moved closer, eyeing his lord closely.

Thranduil was sitting on the balcony, staring off into the forest as the sun slowly began to breach the trees. It was first light; Legolas and Estel should have been back by now if nothing had gone wrong.

The fact that they had not returned meant something had gone wrong and Thranduil was beside himself with worry. He was so consumed with his thoughts that he did not hear Celronen approach, nor did he hear the question the warrior address him.

"Hir nin? Are you listening to me? King Thranduil?"

Still getting no response, Celronen sighed. Reaching forward he touched the King on the shoulder. The tap roused Thranduil who jerked and spun around, his eyes widening when he saw the frowning warrior.

"Cel? What are you doing here? Why did you touch my shoulder?" he was genuinely confused, not fully comprehending why he didn't hear the other Elf's approach.

Sighing, Celronen crossed his arms across his chest and spoke quickly. "We should send out search parties, hir nin. I have a feeling something bad has happened. I know the Prince gets into his moods from time to time, but he never leaves in the dead of the night and the fact that neither of them are back worries me."

As he was talking, a commotion was being stirred up below the balcony. Eventually it grew loud enough to draw the attention of Thranduil and Celronen. Leaning over the balustrade, Thranduil addressed the stable hands that were gathered.

"What seems to be the problem?"

Looking up, Nindal, the head stable hand, quickly answered the King. "Hir nin, this mare and her companion came flying to the gates moments ago and we are unable to calm either of them down."

Thranduil nodded, and then glanced toward the two horses. His eyes widened. "Rodwen!"

To the utter surprise of all those assembled, the King vaulted over the balustrade and landed gracefully on the ground beside the stable hands. He was immediately moving toward the horses.

"Rodwen, what news have you?" The King said, gently stroking the agitated mare's head. It took a few moments, but he soon was able to get the gist of the problem. "Estel and Legolas must have been taken. Rodwen has a healing arrow wound and is desperately trying to lead us somewhere."

Turning to Celronen, he addressed the warrior. "Gather together a party of warriors. We will follow Rodwen and find our Prince and his friend."

"Yes, hir nin."

Hurrying off, Celronen smiled grimly. Finally they were setting out. And at least they would have a sense of where to look, thanks to whoever had sent Rodwen back to the palace.

He only hoped they weren't too late.


A/N: I hope that bit of torture was enjoyable to read. I think it was pretty good, but you guys are the judges of that, you are the readers and I long to please you! :-) SO...please do review and tell me what you did and/or didn't like...what you want to see (seriously, I might just do it) and so on.

-Gwenneth