Legolas came to in a dark dungeon like room. He blinked once or twice and allowed his elvish eyes to pierce the darkness. Elemariel. This thought suddenly hit him. She wasn't here, at least, not in this room. He tried to turn around, but flinched as the chains holding him pinched his skin. Where was he? How long had he been unconscious? He didn't know the answer. Suddenly the door opened, and a tall man clad in all black walked in. On his head was a small band of gold.

"I should have known." Legolas whispered to himself in his native tongue.

King Elmindor of Aldoryth. One of the most feared names in the history of Middle Earth, along with names like Melkor, Sauron, and Saruman.

"Ah yes, Prince Legolas. I remember you quite well. Thought you defeated me didn't you? I must admit, your attempts almost did me in, but you must learn that I am a far stronger figure then you are." Elmindor strung his words together in a manner that made him sound like a snake.

"I won't play your mind games, and I won't allow you to get a response out of me."

"Hmm, smarter then you were last time I met you then. But that's okay, if my words can't get a response out of you, I'll have to take to actions. Now if I'm not much mistaken, you're very good friends with the princess we captured along with you, is that correct?"

"What have you done with her?" Legolas asked, almost not wanting to know the answer. But he had to know. The chances that Elmindor had done something he was proud of and needed to brag about were great, and the more he bragged, the more Legolas found out.

"Oh, don't worry about her. She cracked like an egg, told us everything about what you're doing here. Of course, I did have to resort slightly to my "tools", but it didn't take long."

Legolas' fists clenched and unclenched, as he tried to pierce Elmindor's voice to figure out if he was lying or not.

"Where did you take her?" Legolas asked, trying to keep the waver of worry out of his voice and the fear out of his eyes. If anything happened to her on his account, he would never be able to live with himself. Not again. It couldn't happen again.

"You don't believe me do you? Well, you might as well see the sorry sight for yourself. Guards!" Elmindor said, obviously having to contain his glee.

Two of Elmindor's guards came in, with Elemariel in between them. There was blood all over her traveling dress, and her hair was matted with it, but she had a determined, set look on her face, and Legolas couldn't detect a single glimpse of pain or fear in her eyes.

"El, are you okay?" Legolas asked her in Elvish. The less Elmindor knew of their conversations, the better off they were. But Legolas was surprised when Elmindor did nothing to stop their conversation; he just stood listening, as if he was trying to understand their words.

"I'm okay. They tried to beat the truth out of me, but I swear I didn't tell them anything. I would never betray Gondor like that." Elemariel paused before whispering in a nearly inaudible voice, "I would never betray Ada like that. I would never betray you like that. Not after all you've done"

Legolas barely caught these last words, but he did hear them.

"I swear to you, I will get you out of here, as soon as our opportunity comes." Legolas told her, still in Elvish.

"Enough talking!" Elmindor yelled, obviously unable to stand the beautiful language that was reaching his ears. He walked around behind Elemariel and threw her to the ground on her back. Legolas braced himself against his bonds. Elmindor drew his sword and placed the blade against Elemariel's heart.

"Now Legolas, you cost me my kingdom, it's time for you to watch as something you cherish is taken away from you." Elmindor's voice was dripping with hatred.

"No!" Legolas yelled. "Take me instead of her, she's not the one you hate."

"Hmm, no, I think I'd rather take her life and watch you suffer. I think I like that much better." Elmindor pressed his blade into Elemariel's chest a little harder.

"Please, just leave her out of this!" Legolas hated having to beg his enemies for something, but he had to try to save her.

"No, I really do like this way much better." Elmindor turned back to Elemariel and prepared to strike.

"You fool!" Legolas said loudly. He knew how to touch Elmindor's nerve, and though he was afraid to do it, he would have to. "You would take the lives of mere children, and then what do you have? Nothing! Are you afraid that I might overcome you again? Are you afraid of the possibility that you might try to take my life and I would escape, making a fool of you again?" Legolas knew he was playing with fire, but he had to do it.

Elemariel's eyes widened. She couldn't believe Legolas was doing this for her. Elmindor turned and sheathed his sword. But he also took a twisted leather whip and walked over to Legolas.

"You know not the mess you have just gotten yourself into, dear prince. Now I was going to let you have a breath and let the girl suffer for you, but now the pain will lie on your shoulders." Elmindor whispered to Legolas.

Elemariel climbed slowly to her knees. She looked closely at Legolas' face. There was definitely fear in his eyes, though he did a very good job at hiding it. It twisted her heart to see it.

"Legolas, no." Elemariel pleaded.

"El, it's okay. I'll be okay." Legolas quieted her with his words. He didn't want Elmindor to remember that she was there.

But Elemariel seriously doubted that Legolas would just be okay after Elmindor delivered the first blow. Legolas winced in pain and the whip was one of the most brutal weapons Elmindor could have chosen. He slapped Legolas' back repeatedly with his weapon. One of the guards stepped within Elemariel's view. She could hear Legolas' ragged breaths, but Elmindor wasn't able to do what he was trying to do. Elemariel knew that no matter how hard Legolas was beaten, he would never give his captor the pleasure of seeing pain on his face or hearing him scream.

Finally the lashing sounds ceased, and Elmindor came back into view, stepping where the guard had been.

"You will soon find that I am the king here again, and I will not have my throne overturned again as easily. If you try to cross me, I will do the same to you. How do you like my work?" Elmindor asked her. He then stepped out of her way so she could see Legolas. He looked terrible. His shirt was ripped and blood ran down his back at various areas. She tried to shut out the awful image. Legolas was seemingly knocked out by the force of the beating. She hoped. She looked for some sign that he was alive. When she was certain that he was breathing, she turned back to Elmindor, who took her bound hands and led her over to stand in front of Legolas' beaten form. He tied a chain to her hands, and started to leave.

"I'll be back to see to you and your friend." Elmindor looked pleased with the pained look on her face, and left the dungeon.