Disclaimer: As I have said before, I own NOTHING! Except for Palandor, but he isn't that good. I would rather have the elf *pouts* Yes! For mouth-to- mouth for when I hyperventilate Spades! lol

Author's Note:

Thank you so much for all of the positive response! I am so excited with this fanfiction! Phwee! *high-fives all the reviewers* Last chapter I got a lot of "ow" responses and stuff like that. Hmmm... I wonder how that happened... ah, well, must not ponder too much on those thoughts! Lol I'm SO sorry that this update is so late. My sister and my mom were on the computer all weekend, so I worked on it the first day that I got the chance! Phwee! I'm so proud of myself! I actually worked on this on Tuesday! One of my busiest days! It's a miracle! Well, I did have help from my reviewers *wink wink, nudge nudge* I also had an 'inspiration' on this chapter so I worked on it! Phwee!

Another thing is that I put some important stuff in my bio, such as dates I may be posting and events that may keep me from posting. So, if you are ever wondering when I'll post the next chapter, check my bio!

This chapter, I am not going to start with our favorite ranger's POV (sorry Elessar fans *dodges a brick*), but with our favorite elf and dwarf. *hears a cheer erupt from a majority of the audience* Yes, we are going to hear more of our elf-boy's broken leg. Lol :)

More ramblings to reviewers at the bottom of the post. Please Review! Thank you! And now... [drum roll] *watches anxious faces of readers* [longer drum roll] I love to torture you . [longest drum roll] .. BA BA BA BA! Spiders and Interrogation!

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Chapter 4: Spiders and Interrogation

The horde of orcs and goblins had quickly arrived at a smoky, grungy castle, which had obviously seen better days. Its stale walls sat in the shadow of the Misty Mountains, and no doubt had passages that lingered deep into the mountainside. It groaned with the wind as the troupe neared the long intimidating gate, which reeked of blood. A few skulls had been laid randomly around the base, to scare off any of the unwanted.

It had been raining for some time now and the combatants were easily wanting to reach shelter, no matter how deftly fearful it appeared.

"We are finally here!" One of the orcs in the far back screeched exuberantly. A couple of them high-fived each other. The one carrying Gimli unbound the dwarf and forced him roughly into the ground. He groaned slightly as the orc buried a foot in his back before tying his hands painfully tight behind his back. Quickly, the orc pulled the dwarf from the ground and pushed him towards another orc, its hair laying it tattered remains. It grunted slightly.

"What makes you think *I* would want the stout one?" It croaked, the voice like a puddle of mud, sloshing abnormally around between pitches.

"I wasn't making you take *it*, Wookde!" The orc growled apprehensively. "Just put it by the other *thing*" He motioned towards the prince, whose leg was twisted in an odd direction and bore a face of excruciating pain.

Gimli raised his head a little at this. He peered at the fair elf. The prince was faring no better than the dwarf.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Legolas felt a sharp pain to his left temple as another orc kicked him again savagely.

When will it end? He asked himself.

The orc grabbed a handful of golden hair and yanked hard to pull the elf to his knees.

"Get up!" He heard something scream into his ear.

His entire head throbbed uncomfortably. The blood pounded in his ears and his world spun wildly. It was then that the elf felt an abnormal numbness in his left leg. The fair prince shifted slightly under the orc's tight grip and glanced down at his leg. It was twisted in an odd direction and he could see a large lump that stuck out from underneath his pant leg. The area was a dark crimson and he rightfully assumed that some serious damage had been done there, but he could not gauge it.

The orc noticed the slight shift and kicked the young elf in the ribs. The prince attempted to double over and shield his bruised ribs, but the grasp on his hair prohibited from him moving the slightest bit. Legolas peered over at Gimli, who was being shoved towards him.

"Gimli," The prince gasped to the dwarf. "Are you alright?"

The stout being snorted rudely, "What does it look like laddie?"

The elf looked away sheepishly. It had been rather obvious that the dwarf was rather uncomfortable and in pain.

All the while, they took no notice of the castle that was but a few yards away.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Aragorn slipped his riding gloves over his hands. A foul odor clung to them. With one hand he gripped the reins and Maltin's mane in one hand firmly and the other on the seat of the pommel. Silently, he counted to three before mounting Maltin, making sure not to hit her rear end as he swung his leg over her. He felt more comfortable in the saddle than when he was on the ground, but his foot ached slightly from the stirrup. He squeezed the young horse's side with his legs, but Maltin didn't seem to be in the mood to be ridden today. The young ranger squeezed harder, willing the horse to move. She made no visible effort to go *anywhere*.

The more time I waste here, Estel pondered, the less time I have to get to Legolas and Gimli!

The young man kicked his steed roughly in the side, wishing that she would canter from the barn and to his companions' aid. Maltin neighed disapprovingly at this. Thoroughly frustrated, the ranger threw his hands up in the air.

"We are getting nowhere!" He shouted to no one.

The young ranger quickly clapped a hand over his mouth. He knew that he was sure to be heard and seen now. In desperation, the king slapped Maltin on the rear end. With a neigh of displeased inferiority, she bolted off through the gate, tearing it from place. Loud scraping noises like iron being drug across the back of a screaming orc [my older sister gave me that one!]. The ranger heard a ruckus gather inside the castle, the gate still dragging across the ground. Aragorn stuck his booted foot out to kick off the gate, but it continued to catch in the constant gait of the horse. The bright sun nearly blinded him as it reflected off of the metal.

"Maltin!" He whispered hurriedly into her furry ear. "Let the gate go!"

Maltin, pleased that she had made her master angry once again, made an effort to canter over some rocks near the gate of the kingdom, making the gate bounce slightly over the surroundings, making more noise.

"Maltin," Aragron whispered more frantically.

She paid no heed and headed straight for the large portcullis at the Northwestern edge of Minas Tirith. The young ranger on her back glanced back as he heard the rhythmic sound of hooves behind him.

"Faster...Please.. I beg you," He pleaded with his steed.

She quickened her pace, just because she had heard the pleading in the king's voice.

"Thank you mellon-nin, " His smiling voice told her.

If they do not catch us and we continue at this pace, then we should reach the Druadan Forest where we can hide. The man thought.

He was very wrong though, in his thinking.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Palandor sprinted quickly down the long stone corridor that led to the glum courtyard. Many torches lined both sides of stone and his footfalls echoed loudly. His orc messenger followed closely at his heels.

"How long have they been here, Mouk?" The man demanded, his hood falling to reveal his features.

He looked about 38 and in good health. His face was line with a taut, well- kept beard that reached to the tips of his collarbone. It was a dark mahogany and incredibly shaggy. It matched his hair almost perfectly, which reached barely past his shoulders. His face housed two impeccably jade eyes that seemed to be able to burn a hole in anything, just by gazing at it. His nose sat squarely in the middle of his face, while his mouth seemed to have forgotten where to go and plastered itself to his right cheek.

"They only just arrived, my lord," Mouk replied curtly, his bald head shining as they passed each of the torches and his rotted teeth glimmering maliciously in the dim light that was available.

"Good, " The rugged human snarled. "Let us see to their *welcome* to ... how should I say this... their place of betrayal. Are the *preparations* ready?"

"Yes, my lord."

Palandor rubbed his hands together hastily as he and Mouk ended the ending of the corridor. A dim ray of light shone through a small hole in the upper part of the large brass door that loomed between him and his captives. He reached forward and gripped both handles and pulled hard. The doors slid noisily open. He grinned slightly as he saw that the orcs had dragged their prisoners into the grim courtyard, a trail of blood following the prince. The man inspected the *guests* and scoped out their injuries. The dwarf had a long cut that spanned across where his helm would have been, the small scratch across his cheek, and several bruises on his cheeks. HE could see no other damage, for the stout being's heavy and thick armor hid all else from view. The prince, on the other hand, was sporting several visible injuries. His temple was bleeding again and the life-giving fluid dripped down from his face and onto his already dirty tunic, his leg was abnormally swollen and there were several knots that stuck out at odd angles just below his knee, several bruises that marred his normally fair face, and his right sleeve hand been torn off to reveal a long ragged gash along the forearm that proved that the orcs had not gone easy on him.

The human smiled evilly. He slowly strode over to the dwarf and held up his chin, his arms were being firmly held by two large, muscular orcs.

"I will ask you nicely once, then I will have to get..*mean*," Palador said softly, gazing into the dwarf's angry eyes. "What is the King of Gondor's weakness?"

"I don't know, " Gimli spat back. "And if I did, I certainly would not tell *you*."

The man drew back from the stout being sharply. With a wave of the hand, orcs were set upon the dwarf, beating him roughly.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk.." He scolded. "What *am* I going to do with you? Well then, let us try the weak one."

The human side-stepped a couple of stones to stand in front of the elf, who was also being held securely. The captor tugged at the prince's golden hair.

"I am assuming you treasure your great flowing locks," He said crudely to the fair being. "But surely you will not miss them."

He drew out a dagger and held it to the edge of the blonde's long hair. Legolas was far too weak to reject, his head lolled slightly.

"I will ask you the same question..." Palador said softly as he smirked. "What is the king's weakness. He has but one, and do not tell me no, for I have heard rumors of your friendship and how far back in spans."

The prince looked up at the man.

"I shall tell you no such thing, " The blonde said, a certain edge to his voice.

The dagger sliced across many layers of hair, the ends falling into the human's hands. It left a long uneven cut along the back of the prince's head, hair falling in bits and pieces. Gimli roughly began to resist, knowing how much the elf's hair belonged to him.

"Take them to their *rooms*," He snarled roughly. "We shall try again in morning. with more serious consequences."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Aragorn rode out of Minas Tirith swiftly, the gate still dragging, but now catching on loose roots and soil. The ranger breathed a sigh of relief. He was out of the city limits, but knew it wouldn't be long before they sent guards.

Wait. He thought. If Arwen is taking care of the city, then I should have no fear of guards coming after me. Although, I should stay in the Druadan Forest tonight, just to be safe.

Maltin also seemed glad to be out of the towering city. She had always loathed how she rarely got out into the open and with other parts of nature. She now pranced happily around.

The gate caught on a long root and it pulled the horse to its knees, throwing the relaxed Estel from her back. He tumbled forward a few yards before stopping, his feet hitting the ground with a loud thump. Maltin neighed satisfactionally. She had succeeded in finally ridding herself of her burden. Swiftly, she righted herself, but before she could take off. The ranger had thrown himself back over her.

"Not so fast." He muttered to her.

She snorted. The horse had just not been fast enough.

"Please, we must hurry to the edges of the forest.." The king said softly to her. "Unless you want to get captured again."

At this, Maltin bolted off towards the forest, cantering swiftly out of view of the white city.

[later, that everning]

Maltin slowed to a trot as the pair neared the forest border. Her rider sighed with relief. They were out of the reach of the guards and anyone who might be pursuing them.

"Into the forest, mellon-nin," Estel whispered.

For once, Maltin obeyed. She had always wanted to go into the forest, to see the lush greenness about her, but had never gotten the chance. As she happily trotted in, her hooves sinking slightly in the mud, the ranger heard something to his right, then his left. He motioned for his steed to stop and she did. He spun around, trying to find the source of the noise. When he found none, he drew out his bow. An arrow was fitted to it by the young king, before e heard a loud thud behind him. Maltin bucked and threw the man from her. She galloped into the thick of the forest, soon out of sight. The rugged human turned to look his attacker square in the eyes.

A spider.

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Author's Note:

Now here comes the fun part! Answering reviews! Phwee!

Elfmage: lol you too? Thank you! You are too kind! And yes, there will definitely be more angst

Deana: lol yes, I got a lot about our poor prince! Lol and I WILL try to update more

Caunoiech: wow! Really? That's so nice of you! I do love the Author Alert feature!

Colagreenleaf: don't worry the ranger will get to the elf soon enough.. But not without more angst.. And spiders

Stephanie-Lou don't you just hate it when that happens? Lord,. as I said above, more angst is coming!

Jazi: don't worry, I try..

Star-Stallion: thank you! Maybe we could send around a petition for no homework! *wink wink*

Lili: I do try, I really do!

MoroTheWolfGod: I can't really hurry with this story *sigh* it's not prewritten, which was a stupid thing of me to do.

Spades:I got a review like yours on the first chapter and I really have been trying to draw it out. but it is so hard! ( hopefully I will get better!

Callie: thank you! I've always wanted to do that! Phwee!!

Legolas's Cousin: sorry! Wrong! Keep guessing, although that was a pretty close guess! Think 'closer'. *wink wink*

Well! That's all! Off to post! Weeeeeeee!!!!!!! *jumps out of chair* until next time!

Dha