Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

A/N: Here is the next chapter. It a few things from the previous chapter so I hope it doesn't bore you. It is in Aragorn's point of view now. Enjoy and please review.

Chapter 5

I Will Return

'Breathe into me

and make me real'

The next morning I was up before dawn. I had not slept at all last night and I could feel the weariness over me. I ignored it though. I began walking around the yard as the sun began to rise. Slaves began coming from the house to begin their work on the fields. Guards patrolled the area, watching the slaves, making sure they were working.

I kept walking, keeping my eyes open for Legolas. I could only imagine what Gerchen's men had done to him. I did not see him in the fields, so I decided to check the stables.

I heard the whinnying of a horse as I approached. As I got closer, I heard an elvish voice speaking softly to the horse. I walked slowly so I would not disturb them. I peaked into the stable where I saw Legolas petting the horse. The horse was calm now and whatever had disturbed him was forgotten.

Legolas picked up the rake and began to clean the hay from the stables. I silently walked inside. Legolas glanced up. Seeing that it was I, he raised his gaze. He looked relieved that it was not someone else who had entered the stables. He looked at me for a moment, before returning to his work.

"How do you fare this morning?" I ask him as I walked a bit closer.

"I'm fine." He replied quickly.

I smiled, having heard that reply many times from my elven brothers, even when they were not fine. My smile quickly faded; however, as I saw him cringe in pain as he bent over to pick something up.

He rises quickly, too quickly, and almost looses his balance. He griped the wall so he wouldn't fall. I quickly walked to his side to steady him.

"What did they do to you?" I ask, knowing elves do not easily become dizzy.

Legolas put a hand on my arm, gently pushing me away. "Nothing you should concern yourself with." He replied. "It was just a dizzy spell. I am fine."

I backed away, but I was not about to let it go that easily. "How much sleep did you get last night?" I asked worriedly.

He shrugged. "I was unconscious for a few hours before the guards aroused me to work in the stables."

I did not like the sound of that. "Unconscious?" I asked. "You mean you passed out?"

Legolas shrugged. "What does it matter? Why do you care?"

"I care because you don't deserve to be treated this way. You deserve to be free." I replied. "And I'm going to help you escape from here."

"And how do you expect to do that? You think we can just walk out of here?" Legolas voice was angry and hopeless. He lowered his head and his voice and sadly continued. "I can not escape from here. Leave me, Estel. You will get yourself caught if you try to help me. Just forget about me."

"Forget about you?" I shook my head. "It's too late for that. I would regret it the rest of my life if I left you in these men's hands. I'll find a way to help you or die trying."

Legolas looked back at me, searching my face. "Why would you risk everything for me?" He asked.

"Because seeing you captured tears at my heart. I will not leave you here to die. I can not." I replied with confidence.

Legolas looked down. "It has been two years since I have felt any compassion or friendship from anyone." He looked up and stared into my eyes. "I can see why Elladan and Elrohir are so found of you."

I smiled. "We will escape from here."

Legolas drew in a deep breath and smiled slightly. "You are living up to your name of Estel. You have brought me hope." He grinned. "I named you rightly."

I stare at him, surprised by his comment. "You named me Estel?"

He nods. "I thought of the name and Elrond thought it fit, so that's what he called you."

I raised an eyebrow as a mischievous grin spread across my face. "So you're the one I have to blame for my name. And to think all this time I've been blaming poor Elrohir."

Legolas chuckled. "Perhaps I should have suggested, Presta. I've heard that it seems to follow you everywhere."

I place my hands on my hips and glare at him, which only makes him chuckle harder. "I am not trouble. My brothers are the ones that get into mischievous and always manage to pull me into it."

Legolas laughed. "Yes, blame it on the twins."

I laughed with him.

Finally, he drew in a deep breath. "You better get back before you are missed."

I nodded, reluctant to leave. Suddenly I heard footsteps approaching the barn. Legolas quickly resumed his work. So I didn't look suspicious, I began stroking my horse.

A man walked into the barn. I recognized him as the man Gerchen had had punish Legolas last night. He looked at me and nodded his head in greeting.

"Can I help you, sir?" He asked.

I shook my head. "No, thank you. I just came here to see my horse."

The guard nodded and walked towards Legolas. I watched him out of the corner of my eyes.

For a moment, he just watched as Legolas raked the dirty hay then shoveled it into a wheel barrel. Then suddenly he kicked the wheel barrel. It fell to the ground, spilling its contents. The guard laughed.

"Pick it up, slave." He taunted.

Legolas bit his lip. Legolas was angry with the man and I guessed this had happened before. Without a word, however, Legolas picked up the wheel barrel and shoveled the hay back in.

The guard grabbed the shovel from Legolas' hands.

"Pick it up with you hands." He commanded.

Legolas glared daggers at the man. His fists were clenched tightly.

"Dina esta." I whispered. I didn't know if he could hear me, but I said it anyway. The guard was taunting him, looking for a reason to punish him. Legolas had to be strong.

Legolas let out his breath slowly. "Can you please give me back my shovel, sir, so I may continue my work." He said calmly.

"I said pick it up with your hands." The guard said as he shoved Legolas to the ground. The guard threw the shovel aside and pulled a whip from his belt. "Now!" He commanded.

Legolas was on his knees. His body seemed to be shaking. Suddenly the whip came down hard on Legolas' back. Legolas hissed in pain.

I tensed and clutched my fist. I had to do something fast. I looked back at my horse and kicked him in the leg, lightly, but firmly. My horse reared from the sudden kick, knocking me to the ground.

The guard heard his whinnying cries and turned to help me. He quickly calmed the horse as I stood.

"Are you alright." He asked.

I dusted myself off. "Yes, I believe so." I patted my horse. "Amthol doesn't like being cooped up for long in stables. I think he just needs some fresh air." I looked at Legolas.

The elf had risen and retrieved his shovel.

"Perhaps, the elf could walk him around the grounds a bit." I suggested.

The guard turned to look at the prince. "That slave? I don't know if you want him looking out for your horse. That slave is as worthless as they come."

I bit my tongue hard to keep from saying anything I would regret. I grinned, despite the fact that I wished to punch the guard for his words. "Perhaps, but my horse needs some air." I replied calmly.

The guard shrugged. "You heard him, slave." The guard snapped at Legolas. "Get over here!"

Legolas walked to where I was. "Yes sir." He said to the guard. He walked to where I was. His steps were weak and though no emotion showed on his face, I could see it caused him pain. Without another word, he took the reigns of the horse and gently stroked the horse's mane.

"Lean on him for support." I barely whispered in the elven language. With that, I turned to walk away. I heard Legolas speaking behind me. At first, I thought he was speaking silently to calm my horse, but then realized that his words were directed to me.

"Hannon le, mellon nin."

I looked towards him. He was facing the horse, but his elven words were clearly directed to me.

"You have brought me hope."

With that, Legolas led the horse out of the barn. I smiled as I walked the opposite way.

Suddenly Cormir ran towards me.

"Strider!" He called.

I quickened my pace to catch up with him. "What is it Cormir?" I asked.

"Gerchen has called a meeting. Karps attacked some of his men early this morning. I think he's going to send us out to find them." Cormir replied quickly.

I nodded and followed him into the house. We met with the other rangers in the den. Gerchen followed soon after.

"What's going on?" One of the men, known as Halond asked.

"My guards were attacked on the outskirts of my property. Only two of them returned, one badly injured. Karps attacked out of nowhere. If you have any hope of finding them, now would be your best chance." Gerchen informed us.

"Then let's kill them." A ranger, I knew as Trachen said boldly.

"You must be careful. They are cunning creatures. They attack in groups and work well as a team." Gerchen said.

"How many of them are we talking?" I asked.

"I'm not positive, but I'm assuming more than ten." Gerchen replied.

My eyes widened. A group of ten Karps would not be easy to destroy.

"Then let's go kill them once and for all." Cormir stated.

I sighed at his ambition. Cormir was young and not as well learned as the others. He was skilled; however, and had proved many times to be a fierce warrior. I hoped his eagerness however would not get him killed.

Within the hour, we were ready. My horse was saddled and packed with my supplies. We were almost ready to head out. Before we left; however, I returned to the barn. I had to let Legolas know that I was going to be back. Though I wanted to help him, my job at the moment was as a ranger. No matter how much I wished to just take him and run, abandoning all my work as a ranger, I knew it was futile. I had to wait. I would make my escape with Legolas when the coast was clear.

I looked around the barn but Legolas was no where to be found. Suddenly I heard raised voices somewhere outside. I walked outside. Legolas and another slave were arguing about something. I strained my ears so I could hear them.

"You worthless slave. You never do as you're told." The one slave yelled at Legolas.

"I was doing something else I was told to do." Legolas retorted.

"You are always make excuses. Wait till I tell, Master Gerchen."

I saw Legolas becoming angry. He clenched his fists hard. I was about to step out to solve the argument myself, when I noticed one of the guards heading towards them.

"Oh good. Here comes one of the guards now. Wait till he hears you were slacking again." The slave seemed to be grinning.

Legolas bit at his lip. His anger was quickly turning to fear.

"What's the problem here?" The guard asked.

Both Legolas and the slave tried to speak at once.

"Silence!" The guard called. He turned to Legolas. "Elf you know the rules. Everyone is above you, even the slaves. Keep your tongue and allow him to speak."

Legolas lowered his head as the slave began to tell the guard how Legolas had slacked off. He wasn't doing his job and how he was causing trouble.

The guard glared at Legolas. "Elf, you are more hard headed than I thought. You don't learn, do you slave? Guess it means another lesson for you."

"Please let me explain." Legolas pleaded.

The guard punched him in the face. "Silence elf."

The blow caught Legolas and the upper jaw, making Legolas stumble. The guard grabbed him and began to lead him away.

I couldn't stand any longer and allow this to happen. I had to do something. I stepped out towards the guard.

"Excuse me, but I think you might be making a mistake." I said calmly.

The guard looked at me. "Excuse me, sir?"

"That slave." I pointed to Legolas. "He was caring for my horse. I asked him to do it. If he didn't do something he was asked, it was my fault."

The guard looked at Legolas then back at the other slave. He seemed to be considering what I had said for a moment.

"I came back here to ask him for the saddle for my horse." I said, hoping that would allow Legolas to be freed.

The guard nodded. He shoved Legolas towards the direction of the barn. "Go!" he said.

"Thank you." I replied as I turned to walk away.

"But what about his work?" The other slave complained.

"Do it yourself." The guard commanded. "Unless if you want a lesson as well."

The slave coward and quickly ran back to his work.

I smiled at Legolas as we entered the barn. He looked at me.

"Your horse is already saddled." He stated.

I chuckled. "It was the best excuse I could think of at short notice. It worked didn't it?"

Legolas smiled. "Thank you, Estel. You saved my life."

I grinned. "Next time you need saving, just give me a better warning. I hate spur of the moment things."

Legolas laughed. "I'll keep that in mind. So what it the real reason you are here."

I sighed. "I'm leaving Legolas and I don't know for how long."

Legolas lowered his head. "Oh, I see."

"I have to do what I came here to do. I hope to return in a few days." I replied sadly.

Legolas looked up. He opened his mouth to speak, but quickly closed it. "Then may you have a safe journey." He said with a sigh.

I placed a hand on his shoulder. "I will be back, Legolas. I promise."

Legolas nodded. "I know. Worry not for me."

I smiled. "Goodbye my friend. Stay out of trouble."

With that, I left. A few minutes later, I left with five other rangers. My two hopes were that Legolas would be okay and that I would return quickly. I could only hope.