Disclaimer: Same as always. See first chapter.

A/N: Sorry this chapter took a little bit longer. I have been really really busy lately. My life has been crazy. I don't know when the next update will be so please be patient. I will put it up as soon as possible. Thanks so much for those who are reading. I know the last chapter was a bit confusing about what Legolas was seeing, but don't worry all will be explained later. Also Aragorn and Legolas will see each other again soon. So keep reading.

Oh and 'I missed the last boat' thanks for your wonderful review and for your opinion. I appreciate it. It is very true what you said, but that was in Aragorn's point of view and from his point, I made it that he thinks an elf prince should have that freedom. Just because he is a prince and is in that position. But anyway, thanks. I like having constructive criticism.

Okay, thanks to everyone else. I promise a response to reviewers next chapter. Just know that you all mean so much to me. Thanks.

Chapter 9

Unexpected Visitors

'All this time I can't believe I couldn't see

Kept in the dark, but you were there in front of me.'

"Estel?"

I blinked as darkness began to fade. Someone was calling my name. The voice seemed distance, but seemed to be getting stronger. Slowly my eyes opened. My vision was blurry and I tried to focus on who was calling me. The voice seemed familiar. I studied that face that stood in front of me for a moment through my blurry eyes. My head throbbed making it hard to concentrate. I saw a fair face with long black hair spilling down his shoulders.

"You gave me quite a scare, Estel."

I finally realized who it was and could not believe it.

"Elrohir?" I gasped as tried to sit up. That was a mistake. I felt dizziness sweep over me and I felt pain in my chest. Elrohir placed his hands on my shoulders and gently restrained me.

"Calm down." He chided with a laugh.

I moaned and brought a hand to my aching head. "What happened?" I asked, trying to recall how I got here. I was in a small tent, lying on the ground. Memory flooded back to me and I panicked.

"Elrohir what happened? Where am I?"

"Ssh, everything is okay. Sidh Estel. Umuma dela." Elrohir said, switching to elvish to try to calm me. (Peace, Estel. Do not worry.)

I drew in a deep breath, but still my gaze asked what had happened.

"What do you last remember?" Elrohir asked.

I blinked. "We were fighting. Karps attacked us. I was pinned to the ground. Then everything went dark. Next thing I know, I'm waking up here."

Elrohir smiled. "Good then you don't have any memory loss."

"So are you going to tell me what happened?" I asked impatiently.

Elrohir chuckled. "Yes, my impatient brother." He mocked. I glared at him but said nothing. "Elladan and I were searching for you. We had not heard from you for a while and father was worried." He began to explain.

"Are you sure it was father who was worried?" I asked suspiciously. "And not just two nosy, overprotective twins."

Elrohir glared at me. "What you like to hear the story, or would you like to make up you own?" He asked, with a playfulness that suggested my statement was probably true.

I grinned at him and nodded for him to continue.

"We were searching for many days." He started again. "We found you sometime ago, but we choose not to alert you or the others of our presence. However, when the Karps attacked your group, we had to do something. Elladan and I jumped into the battle and helped fight the Karps off. They ran away, but not after they had wounded your members."

I looked at him worried. "How many causalities?" I asked, almost dreading the answer.

"Nothing too bad. Many had serious wounds, but nothing life threatening. Elladan and I were able to manage to heal any wounds. You however, had me scared the most. I thought you would never wake up."

"How long was I out?" I asked.

"Three days now."

"Three days? Wow! Why didn't I wake up sooner." I asked as I struggled to sit up.

Elrohir steadied me. "You were fighting a fever. Your body reacted oddly to the wound you received from the Karp. It became infected and you had a high fever. It took a lot of skill to help you."

I nodded my head. "Thank you for saving me." I replied with a smile.

Elrohir laughed and patted my shoulder. "Anytime, brother."

At that moment, the tent opened and Elladan and Cormir walked in. "Estel, I'm glad you are awake." Elladan said with a smile as he came near me.

I nodded to him as he grasped my shoulders in a welcome.

"You gave me quite a scare, Strider." Cormir said as he clasped my shoulder as well.

"Thank you, Elladan and Elrohir, for following me and looking after me." I said to my brothers. With a glare at them and feigned anger I added, "Even when I don't want you to."

Elrohir and Elladan laughed. "Tanae Seasmin." Elladan replied with a grin. (It is my pleasure.)

I rolled my eyes. "You're so overprotective."

"Wait a minute." Cormir said suddenly. "I'm lost. Did you understand their language?" He asked

I smiled, realizing that Cormir had not understood. "Yes, I know the elvish language. I grew up with Elladan and Elrohir. They are like brothers to me." I explained.

Cormir nodded. "So that's why you seemed so comfortable around elves on our travels. You are used to them."

"I should be. Living with these two has not been easy." I joked.

Elrohir smacked me. "We could say the same of you." He joked.

I smiled. "So are we still near the river or did we travel?" I asked.

"No, we traveled a short distance to a safer location. Your group wants to finish their hunt, so Elrohir and I have decided to help in the search." Elladan replied.

I nodded. Suddenly my thoughts flew to Legolas. I had to alert Elladan and Elrohir of his dire circumstances. We needed to get back to help him. I opened my mouth to speak, but closed it as I realized Cormir was present. I sighed.

"Cormir, can I trust you with a secret that you can tell no one of?" I asked. I knew his answer, but I had know for sure.

"Yes, of course. I won't tell anyone." Cormir replied, seriousness in his voice at hearing my seriousness.

I nodded. I knew I could trust Cormir with anything. I turned to my brothers. "There is a slave back at Gerchen's establishment." I began to explain. Elladan and Elrohir nodded as I continued. "He is has been there for two years and his spirit is fading. He barely holds on to hope anymore."

Elrohir and Elladan cocked their heads, waiting for me to elaborate.

"He is an elf." I said simply.

Their eyes widened, but I spoke before they could.

"And not just any elf. He is Legolas, the elf prince of Mirkwood."

Elrohir gasped and put a hand to his mouth. Elladan closed his eyes with a sigh. Cormir stared in shock.

"How did an elf prince get captured?" Cormir asked.

"I do not know. What matters is that we get him out of there." Elladan replied opening his eyes. "We can not leave our friend as a slave."

I nodded. "So what are we going to do?" I asked.

Elladan sighed and thought for a second. "We'll have to wait till after the search. Then Elrohir and I will follow you to Gerchen's establishment. Maybe we can talk to Gerchen about setting him free or letting us buy him."

Cormir shook his head. "I don't think Gerchen will give him up that easily. Legolas is a prized slave."

I looked down, thinking silently to myself. I wanted to help Legolas escape. He was an elf and a friend. He needed to be rescued. My kindness in my heart tormented me however. Why should Legolas be the only slave that mattered? Shouldn't the others matter as well? Just because we didn't know them, it didn't make it right to leave them as slaves. It just didn't feel right to worry only for Legolas.

"What is it, Estel?" Elrohir asked.

I looked up.

"You have that look like you are contemplating something because something doesn't feel right." He added.

I smiled slightly at his keen sense of observation. "It's the other slaves. No one should be kept as a slave. Why should we just care about Legolas because we know him? The other slaves have family and friends too. It doesn't seem right to not worry about them."

"Slavery is a part of life, though Strider. It is not common, but it still exists. The slaves are part of Gerchen's life. It's how he built his establishment. It is sad, yes, but we can't really do anything about it." Cormir said.

Elrohir shook his head. "No it isn't right, but I think Cormir is right. There isn't much we can do."

Elladan sighed. He was about to reply when the tent flap opened again.

"Ah, Strider. You are awake." Our leader Hamath said. "We were worried."

I nodded.

"If you are up to it, we will be leaving tomorrow morning then." He said

"I'll be ready, sir."

"Good." He said, then disappeared out of the tent.

"That was brief." Elrohir commented staring at the place where the man just was.

"Hamath and I aren't on the best terms with each other. We don't talk much." I replied briefly.

Elrohir nodded. "I see." He said, though his voice suggested he was confused.

"It's a long story. Hamath is just a hard man to get along with." Cormir explained.

The twins nodded.

Elladan sighed. "We have to try to come up with a plan to save Legolas and perhaps the others if possible."

The others nodded.

"For now you must rest, Estel. I want you to regain your strength for the journey." Elrohir said.

I rolled my eyes. "Sui li iest, a bieria pen." (As you wish, o protective one.)

The twins smiled and turned to leave. Cormir followed, but I stopped him.

"Cormir?"

He turned around as I continued.

"I would appreciate it if you don't let the others know how well I know the twins. They might become suspicious."

Cormir nodded. "You have my word. The only thing the men know is that the twins showed up at just the right time. They have both helped all of the men, so I doubt anyone will be suspicious."

"Thank you." I said with a smile.

Cormir smiled. "One day, you must explain to me how you became so close to them."

I nodded with a smile. "One day, Cormir. One day."

I sighed peaceably as I lay back down. Sleep sounded good, though many thoughts still swarmed my mind. I was grateful for the help of the twins. Perhaps now I did have a chance to rescue Legolas from his imprisonment. Somehow, we needed to come up with a plan to save him. We needed to get him out of there, before it was too late.