The Wrong One

By Nefhiriel

A/N: Hannon le!!! All you reviewers were just AMAZING, and your kindness was overwhelming - to say the least! Really, every time I read, or even think, about one of the many reviews I received, I get this ridiculous grin on my face : ) You all put such a spring in my step with you WONDERFUL, ENCOURAGING reviews! I'm glad you all didn't think the chapter was as bad as I thought it was ; ) I tend to have occasional panic attacks about my writing skills (artist temperament, I guess : ). Usually Imbecamiel sits me down, and patiently (ever so patiently!) talks me through them. But since she wasn't having the best of weeks either...She thanks you for all your support as well ; )

Important notes for this chapter: I'm afraid that earlier I forgot to add this before posting the story. I was going to have it be about two days journey to Acharndil's camp, so Aragorn was taken from Rivendell in midmorning of the first day, and arrived in the camp the evening of the second day. Sorry I didn't make that clear.

Also, the events in this chapter don't all take place at the same time. So when it starts out from Legolas' perspective, it's the morning of the fourth day, then, when it switches back to Aragorn's perspective, it's the morning of the third day, or the day after he arrived at Acharndil's camp. I hope this isn't too confusing for anyone (heaven knows it was confusing enough for me to figure out!) - sorry for all the weird switches : b

See first chapter for Disclaimers. Reviewer responses at end of chapter.

- Dedicated to Leeanne: a very encouraging friend, who never ceases to make me laugh with her hilarious "insights" into my story, and her...um...interesting adjectives : ) I salute you, President of the F.F.F.F.F! -

Chapter 8: Never Give Up

It was a gloomy company of four that gathered for breakfast that morning. The identical downcast expressions on Elladan and Elrohirs' faces made the two of them even more difficult for Dolenil to tell apart.

Sitting down with a sigh, Legolas pretended to take an interest in preparing the food.

Has it really been three days since Aragorn was captured?

Food was the last thing on his mind.

It already feels like it's been ages...

The smell of burnt food eventually caught his attention and he resumed stirring in a half-hearted attempted to salvage it. Giving up, he dumped the charred remains on the ground. Nobody was interested in eating anyways.

"Shall we continue in the same directions?" Elladan pulled his pack up from the ground.

The others nodded and shouldered their own packs. They split up into two parties and silently mounted their horses.

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A sleepless night had passed and now Aragorn could feel the sun's thin rays seeping through the crack, warm against his face.

Each new watch that came was fresh and eager for fun. Aragorn could, quite literally, feel himself draining of all energy. All he could do is slump against the wall and do his best to sleep.

He had gotten used to the two hour shifts, listening for each new pair of footsteps. Now he heard a pair of footsteps that he already knew. One firm, lingering step and then the other foot fell more hesitantly and was brought up again quickly. He stiffened as the lightly limping footsteps came towards him.

Acharndil.

No doubt, Dagron was close behind him.

Cheerful thought...

"Sleep well?" Dagron taunted him. "I would think that it would be hard, seein' how you was never allowed to close your eyes. I really should talk to these men about that."

"Don't bother," Aragorn forced his voice to remain steady. "I'm used to sleeping with my eyes open. It's a trick you learn early on when you live among elves."

"Why you—"

"Enough!" Acharndil's smooth voice echoed through the cavern. "We must get down to business." He stepped closer to Aragorn. "I have here in my hand a letter that is going to be sent to Rivendell." He read aloud a short letter that made Aragorn's blood boil with anger. "Do you have anything to ask of your family? Perhaps you wish to beg for your life?"

"Never." Aragorn matched his voice to the calm voice of his captor, adding more confidence and defiance than he felt.

"Never is a very long time—do you really wish me to give you more reasons to beg for mercy? I'm sure a few lines written by you would do much to convince them..."

"You think that I would go against my own family? How twisted is your mind, that you would think I would trade my life for those of my brothers?! I know that my father and my brothers would give their lives for mine. I will do no less."

"How touching." sarcasm dripped from his words. "But it's not your life or theirs that I require at the moment."

"Then what?"

Acharndil disregarded the question.

"If I had your brothers under my power right now I wouldn't kill them right away. I would make them suffer first." he paused, as if deep in thought. "But now for you. I do hope you realize that I don't really enjoy doing this..."

Aragorn hardly had the time to register the sound of metal being pulled from a sheath. Suddenly he felt the sting of a dagger as it was thrust into his arm. He couldn't muffle the cry of surprise that sprung from his lips. After that, he just had the time to steel himself against the pain as the dagger was jerked back out.

Acharndil straitened himself to his full height and strode from the cave, shouting a command to Dagron as he left.

"Take something and tie that wound up. The letter says he is alive, and alive he must remain, for the time being."

Gritting his teeth, Aragorn forced himself to remain still as Dagron wound a dirty piece of cloth around his arm. He finished it off with a yank, tying it off harder than was needed.

Despite the pain and weariness he could have almost felt at peace. Even facing torture and death would have been nothing if it would save other lives. If it would prevent this monster from carrying through on whatever his intentions for Elladan and Elrohir were, then he could embrace death easily. What made his present condition unbearable was the knowledge that any day—any moment—they could come walking into the trap—the trap that he was baiting.

He sighed as he felt his shoulder begin to throb.

He could have kicked himself for getting caught. Well, it appeared that in the future he would have plenty of volunteers to do that for him...

If only I could warn them!

His thoughts screamed at him to do something, anything. But deep in his heart he knew that no warning would be strong enough to keep his brothers and Legolas from searching until they found him. It was a comforting, and at the same time, a horrible thought.

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Acharndil gripped the bloody dagger in one hand and the letter in the other. He stuck the dagger into the saddle of a horse that stood nearby and sat down to add a few more lines to the letter. Finishing, he carefully folded the letter and tied it to the saddle, just below the dagger. He smiled with satisfaction at the already drying blood that covered the blade. Dagron reemerged from the cave, and Acharndil gave a few brisk orders before taking the horse's lead rope and heading out into the woods.

He used every skill he possessed to cover up his trail and that of the horse. Pausing, he looked back and was rewarded for all his efforts with a virtually invisible path. But he wasn't content yet. He continued on until the sun began to descend towards the west before he heard the sound that he had been waiting for: running water.

Acharndil eagerly waded into the stream. Still leading the horse, he spent the better part of an hour going down stream. Finally he halted. He smiled the same self-satisfied smile as he scanned the knife and letter. This was a horse that had been stolen from the elves. It would, without a doubt, be back to Rivendell by this time tomorrow. How he would love to be there when Lord Elrond and his sons received this.

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Elrond paced up and down the long hallways of Imladris.

Today was the fourth day since the search parties had left, and still they hadn't received any news. Not from his sons, nor from the captors. He tried to comfort himself with the knowledge that at least there hadn't been any bad news yet, but it didn't help the foreboding he had in his heart. The knowledge that Estel was going through something terrible refused to depart from his thoughts.

He sensed Glorfindel's presence and quickly turned.

"News?" it was more of a statement than a question.

"Yes, it seems that Acharndil has sent us a message."

Elrond perceived that Glorfindel was hiding something. His gaze pierced the blond elf, causing the him to look away. Now he knew something was seriously wrong.

"What is it?"

He strove to steel himself for whatever Acharndil had sent, but nothing could have completely prepared him for what Glorfindel pulled out from the folds of his cape. His eyes were immediately riveted on the elvish dagger. It was a dagger he new well, Estel's dagger—covered in blood.

Reaching out, he silently took it from Glorfindel and studied it carefully.

It was obviously human blood.

Glorfindel watched as his friend sunk into a chair, his stunned gaze still resting on dagger.

"It's not necessarily his blood." When he received no answer from Elrond, he continued. "There was a letter as well."

He held out the message which Elrond slowly took. Sensing that his lord needed to be alone, Glorfindel began to turn around and quietly move towards the door.

"Glorfindel?" Elrond asked, half pulling himself out of his stupor long enough to give his instructions.

"Yes?"

"Make sure to send some elves out to see how far the horse's tracks can be followed. Somehow I doubt that our enemy would have left a clear trail to be followed—this plan has been too well thought out for that—but we must make an effort."

"I'll send some elves out immediately."

Left to himself, Elrond slowly reread the letter:

To the "Lords" Elladan and Elrohir,

You took from me something that can never be replaced. You have caused me more pain than I can ever express, and now I intend to have revenge. The only way I can see to do this is to make you suffer, just as I have.

I have in my power someone who is very dear to your hearts. May each hurt I cause him cause your hearts to break even more. May each torture I inflict upon him give you the same agony that I have had to live with all these years. I hope you enjoy the feelings of helplessness as you sit there, unable to ease his pain.

Death is too good for you, I would not ask for your lives—yet. But beg from me on his behalf, come and place yourself under my power, and I may be merciful.

I will give you four days to make your decision, then I will meet you at the large willow that stands at the lower fork of the strean, Gwaurnen. But be careful. If I do not return from our meeting then... Well, let's just say that my men wouldn't look too kindly upon your brother. His life is in your hands. Think hard before you do anything rash, or the ranger will pay for your mistakes. Remember—four days.

Elrond shuddered as he read the last lines.

The blood on the dagger is his. But rest assured, he is alive. How long he remains that way is up to you. Surrender yourselves without a fight and his life may be spared.

You know who I am.

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"It looks as if they've just disappeared into thin air!"

Legolas nodded his agreement with Elladan. They had found no traces of Acharndil or Estel and it was already the evening of the fourth day.

"We had better stop at Rivendell to pick up some more supplies, and talk to Ada." Elrohir commented. "We could make it there by tonight."

None of them liked to admit it, but all understood that the likelihood of Aragorn still being alive if—no, when—they found him was pretty scarce. They hated having to go back to Rivendell without anything substantial to report, but they were going to need some more supplies. Besides, there was always the chance that Elrond had recieved some news since their departure.

The sun was almost below the horizon as the five travelers rode their weary way into Rivendell. They instantly went to find Elrond.

When they arrived at thier father's study, Elladan and Elrohir, who were in front, stopped so abruptly that Legolas almost bumped into them. Looking around the twins, he saw what had caused the sudden stop. All eyes were immediately captivated by the elven dagger that lay on the table in front of Elrond. In a glance they could all tell that it was, without a doubt, human blood.

Elladan seized it, his shocked eyes taking it all in. Slowly, he set it back on the table, his face flooding with sorrow and rage. Both the twins and Legolas knew it to be Estel's hunting knife.

"Estel?" Elrohir said with alarm.

"Ada, what has happened?" If Elrohir was alarmed, Elladan sounded nearly frantic.

Elrond handed him the letter.

"This came a few hours ago."

As Elladan took it and began to read, Elrohir and Legolas looked over his shoulders and scanned the paper as well. When Elladan looked up his eyes were burning with rage.

"I will kill him if what he says is true. If he has hurt Estel..." he let the unfinished threat hang.

"We must be calm if we are to get through this, and save Estel from this madman." Elrond was talking to himself as much as anyone else.

"But you heard what he's doing to Estel! Ada, he-"

Elrohir quietly spoke up from Elladan's side.

"He will kill him, El, if we try to do anything."

"Then why don't we agree to his terms?" Elladan was almost in tears. Everyone else hung their heads mournfully as they listened. None of them knew what to tell him. "I don't know what this Acharndil has against us, but it's our fault that Estel is blind and a captive, it should be our lives that get him out of this." Elrohir gave a slight nod. Then Elladan realized with new anguish that this bargain would save one of his brothers, but at the same time it would doom the other. "Maybe he would just accept one of us, maybe he would just accept me." he ended tiredly, dropping into a chair and hiding his face in his hands. He knew the futility of his words.

Elrohir kneeled on the floor next to his brother and attempted to comfort him. His own grief could be contained no longer, and tears ran down his face and onto his brothers lap. Sobs wracked Elladan's shoulders as he buried himself in his brother's embrace. Elrohir couldn't bear to see his usually strong brother in this state.

"Shh, El. Don't give up yet. He'll be alright, just wait. Estel won't despair and neither will we. He'll come out of this alright."

Legolas watched the scene unfolding before him silently. He shed no tears. Indeed, one might have almost thought him unmoved if it were not for the heartbreaking grief in his eyes.

Estel, mellon-nin, gwador-nín, don't give up. Please hold on. I promise, I'll come find you. And when I do find you, I swear I won't leave you, no matter what.

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The first reaction Aragorn had to the removal of Acharndil's nauseating presence had, naturally, been one of relief. Acharndil was gone, but the words of the letter remained behind to haunt him every waking hour. In other words, constantly.

He could only think over the cruel words so many times before the urge would come on him to strangle one of the guards and make an escape—or die trying. The latter outcome was undoubtedly the likeliest. He couldn't believe that he was waiting around to be used against Elladan and Elrohir. He should be doing something!

Cursing his own condition, he struggled to remain calm. If an opportunity for escape presented itself, he would be ready.

In the meantime, the present was pressing. He had escaped Acharndil's suffocating attention, but Dagron was all too eager to make up in his leaders absence.

To Be Continued...

Reviewer responses:

sielge: So did you like what I had in store for Estel? (grins) I'm glad I'm still managing to keep you anticipating each new chapter! Thank you for reviewing!!!

Lady Leeanne: (locks Dagron in closet) I would let you throw your dirty Kleenexes at him, Leeanne, but I'm afraid that might scare him off, and I still have need of him if I'm to finish the story... (at least if I want any ending other than "...and they all had a change of heart and decided to let him go, apologize for the inconvenience, and disappear into the sunset, never to do anything villainous again..." : ) After I'm done with him, I'll let you pin him up on your wall and you can do whatever you want with him. But rest assured, Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas all share your sentiment towards all the "creepy guards", LOL. Wait a minute - I've got an idea! (scans cast of characters and points to one of the guards) Hey you, come here! (guard looks nervous) Come on! (Nefhiriel grabs panicking guard and drags him over to Leeanne) Look, here's a superfluous guard you can have as your VERY OWN! Feel free to do WHATEVER you want with him (it could be very interesting to see the effect your "killer feet" would have on this one...), mellon-nín, he's all yours! ("superfluous" guard screams as he's tossed into Leanne's room) Well, I won't keep you long since you now have..."work" to do... (grins) BTW, if you ever get bored of "Mr. superfluous guard", please recycle him, so that I can clean him up and pass him on for further readers' enjoyment : ) Thank you, mellon-nín! (Ooo, and you were sly to get past Polly: older sisters can be so hard to outdo sometimes : )

Mornflower: Oh no, you're sick?! Ack! I hate it when that happens : ( I was actually sick when I wrote this chapter, so I guess this is just a...sick...um...sort of a chapter, LOL. I hope you're feeling better soon. Glad you didn't think that there was anything wrong with the chapter : ) Thank you so much for taking the time (even though I'm sure you're feeling terrible!) to review for me!

polingly: First of all, I want to warn you that I'm writing this late at night, and my brain-power isn't at its normal level...So if I say anything REALLY dumb... ; ) I don't know what's wrong with me tonight – usually I'm such a night owl! But I really wanted to push and get all my responses typed up tonight, since tomorrow's is going to be pretty busy. (sniffs) But my back hurts...(sniff) And I'm so tired! Ack! (smacks herself) Quit whining Nefhiriel! Enough about me and my nocturnal problems, LOL. I'm glad that you didn't think the chapter was bad – it IS dedicated to you after all : ) Aww, poor Aragorn (why am I continually saying that...), things just keep getting worse for him! I'm glad you liked that one part I wrote, I tried very hard to get into Aragorn's perspective. Oh, but I resent that, Estel, I am NOT in cahoots with SAURON!!! OK, so I MIGHT hang out with the Ringwraiths occasionally... (grins) Anyways...Thank you so much for continuing to encourage me and support me with your reviews, it means so much to me! Oh, and one more thing, about the death threat: be SURE to take a turn with the superfluous guard I gave Leeanne – throw Kleenex at him or something – but don't come after the poor author with the boot knifes! In fact, if you're REALLY mad, I'm sure there's another superfluous guard hanging around here somewhere... (evil characters shrink back in terror) LOL. Thanks ESPECIALLY for the death threat, gwathel-nín : ) You sure know how to make my day...

elvingirl3737: EVIL?! Naw... the poor villains are just...misunderstood...(receives disbelieving glares from reviewers) OK, so they DO have a slightly nasty streak... LOL. Yes, and it was a wonderfully fiendish idea to not let the Estel sleep...Wish I'd been the one to come up with it : ) Actually, I got the idea from reading one of Baroness Orczy's Scarlet Pimpernel books (Eldorado). I probably should have said something about that in the last chapter, but being the forgetful author that I am... : b I'm very relieved that you didn't think the quality of the chapter was too horrible : ) Like I said earlier, I tend to have these panic attacks about my skills... Thanks for the encouraging review!

HarryEstel: Yes...I have this "little" obsession with leaving chapters on cliffies...not that you'd notice...LOL. Glad you liked it again! Hope this was fast enough : ) Thank you for reviewing!

viggomaniac: I have to say you remind me of my sister...(that's a good thing ; ) She's constantly telling me that my writings are better than I think they are. All the time I tell her: "You're my sister, you're biased, muinthel-nín." She continues to insist that she's not, and that other people would like my writings as well, to which I insist that I'll need more opinions before I'll believe it. Then I get wonderful reviewers (like you!) and of course all I have to say is: "Imbecamiel...They're just being nice to me..." Imbecamiel: "You've got a review from CASSIA, for crying out loud, how much more proof do you NEED?!" Nefhiriel: "Um...Well...She must just be being nice to me too..." Imbecamiel: "NEFHIRIEL, quit being so depressing!!!" I'm just kind of hard to convince : b Hmmm, I don't know if I want you running around in my story (it might be slightly confusing for the other readers, you know?)...But I suppose you could sneak behind scenes, between chapters, and comfort Aragorn – bring a blanket, he's shivering : ) Just don't spoil any of the lovely angst I've worked so hard to create. Sorry, I did kind of slice the poor ranger, but at least I didn't dice him! (viggomaniac glares) Hey! (Nefhiriel points at Acharndil) It was his idea! Oh, so you like my idea for not having him sleep? I'm such a genius – yes, I'm positively brilliant! OK, OK...So it wasn't my idea. (sighs) I got the idea from one of the Scarlet Pimpernel books (Eldorado), by Baroness Orczy. The hero, at one point, is kept awake for days (actually, by the end, it's more like weeks) as a means of torture, and I've always thought that it was so incredibly heartbreaking! I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to try it out on Estel, could I? The ungrateful Edain refuses to appreciate my creativity! I mean, most authors would have just cut him up, or something – but I'm always searching new and interesting ways to hurt him! (pats Estel) Poor guy, you just don't appreciate true art when you see (well, I guess that would be pretty hard to do if you're blind. Ok – feel) it. Anyhow, I suppose it's time for this rambling author to put a plug in it and let you get on with what little life you have left apart from the fan fiction world, LOL. Thank you for your continual support and encouragement!!!

Naesse: (blushes BRIGHT red) Thank you so much for saying that! I REALLY appreciate all the encouraging reviews you've sent me! Thank you!!!

jacquelinestel: I like what you said about Estel and coffee being "akin to nitro and glycerin" : ) Hehe, that sounds SO much like my brother... Oh no, a sleep deprived Estel is NOT a pretty picture...But the only people he could torment at the moment would be Acharndil, Dagron and the other "bad guys". I'd better warn Dagron: one of these days that sleepy ranger is going to turn on you – and then don't you come crying to me! It would be just what he deserved, LOL. Poor Estel. He was just telling me how he was CERTAIN that all the girls on here would rise up in his defense and come to his rescue, tell me I was cruel, and beat me into a bloody pulp for daring to harm him. You should see the look of horror on his face as he read one review after another...all "Oooing" and "Ahhhing" over my wonderful new method of torture. (grins) Poor guy... He was really counting on all of you to help him! Anyhow, thank you so, so SO much for reviewing!!!

(counts reviews) Nine companions to talk to this insane author... So be it - you shall be the fellowship of the reviewers! (umm Elrond... I knew all this pressure would get to him eventually... : )

A special thanks to Someone Reading, Amlee and midnightwolf3 for adding me to your authors alerts!

I just have to say it once more – THANK YOU!!! (huggles squirming reviewers) I LOVED each and every review SO much!

The next chapter is titled: "Keep on Going", and it should be up (I'll try! This next week is going to be REALLY busy for me) Tuesday or Wednesday.

- Nefhiriel

Vice President and Co-founder of the SNWCG, and member of the F.F.F.F.F