Revised 28/04/05

AN: I only got 1 review for the last chapter. So Thank You Elven Kitten, if that last chapter was too graphic, it's not going to get worse that way…

But it will get worse. This chapter being the worst!

I have packed my suitcase, the muses too, Kimi Raikkonen is waiting outside in his Mclaren 2-seater. I am ready to emigrate to….well I won't tell you this. This chapter is evil! I swear, this chapter is very evil! (It's also the longest)

Goodbye for now

Aranel has left the building...

runs away

Chapter 7

Moonlight crept from behind a cloud, creeping through the balcony door and lighting up the sleeping elf king. But Thranduil was not sleeping peacefully; he tossed and turned in the clutches of a nightmare.

…:Dream:…

A face loomed up in front of him, laughing coldly, and then he saw an elf hanging from the roof of the cavern, golden hair hiding his face drenched in blood, the figure then looked up and cried out one word 'Adar'. A knife lashed out and cut the terror stricken elf's throat…

…:Dream Ends:…

Thranduil shot up in bed, a cry on his lips, "Legolas…" his breathing irrational.

"My Lord?" Tirinvo stood in the doorway, concern on his face.

Thranduil looked at him and waved him away "I'm fine, I'm fine!" he insisted turning him away, but climbing out of his bed. When convinced Tirinvo had left, he changed quickly into riding clothing and took up his sword. Then glancing about, after all, it wouldn't do to be caught sneaking out of the palace alone, he climbed down the tree beside his balcony and followed the route he had watched his son take so many times into the forest…

Thranduil had not spent a night alone in Mirkwood for many years, but he knew of the dangers. He crouched now in a tree, scanning the area for danger. When he was certain there was none he leapt from the tree, and bent to study the path. After making his decision he ran along the selected path, taking care to leave some sign he had come this way. Though as he continued along the path, he became aware he was being followed. The king glanced over his shoulder, but saw nothing. Drawing his sword he continued down the path, growing ever more uneasy with every step. But even this unease was not enough to prepare him for what lay around the next corner…

As he rounded the corner he saw a group of no less than twenty men, mainly Southron warriors. He blanched and stepped back, "Who are you to trespass into my realm?" he demanded

The warriors laughed mockingly and drew their weapons surrounding the elf king. Some grasped nets and chains, others clubs. Thranduil managed to dodge a few blows, but there were too many, his sword was knocked from his grasp, then all went black.

Alone in his darkened chamber, Raenthír stood alone gazing at his scarred face in the mirror, should it be fair, that he had nothing, while that elf prince had everything. The Elf had offered him mercy, and long ago friendship. He had offered him a place living in Mirkwood, living among elves again. Raenthír shook his head; Legolas was stupid and unkind with his words. Raenthír knew he could never live with elves or men again. The Southron warriors who he led, respected him, but only because he had lied about the origins of his scars…any other person would turn him away. He had watched Legolas before capturing him, seen the love he gave to the world, he did not understand. Why after all the pain he had been put through could the prince continue to love?

No Raenthír could never live in the world of light again…

He withdrew from the mirror and walked back towards the cavern where Legolas was kept.

Pushing open the cell door he strode into the makeshift cell. Striding over to Legolas he stood facing him. "Hello Again Legolas!" he said "did you enjoy your time alone"

Legolas glared at him in return. Raenthír laughed and signalled a Southron warrior forward. He held a whip in his hand, not the barbed one used before, but a long thin leathery one.

Legolas glared at Raenthír "Why do you do this, I did nothing to harm you!"

Raenthír laughed "Do you not remember?"

FLASHBACK

"Erunno, where are we going?" Legolas whined as h walked behind the trio of elves through the forest, they had told him they were to show him somewhere special in the forest. But they had been travelling for a very long time.

Erunno turned "You'll see when we get there" he said turning to Tirno and Mapalon who stood beside him. "I can't wait to see his face!" he smirked.

Mapalon looked at him "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Erunno laughed "Of course!"

Tirno too was worried "But if anything happens, King Thranduil will murder us with his bare hands!"

Erunno "He wouldn't. Besides what could happen"

Mapalon shrieked "That!"

A group of spiders stood in front of them gazing hungrily at them, instantly Tirno and Mapalon broke free and ran back towards the halls.

Legolas too turned to go, but found the way blocked. He soon found himself backed up against a tree "Erunno" he screamed in terror "help me!"

There was no reply, for Erunno had fallen and a large spider was stood above him. Both young elves cried out in terror as the spider sunk its teeth into Erunno's face and shoulder.

After that the next thing Legolas had remembered was waking up in his own bed, his father sat next to them. But he had since learnt that just after he had blacked out, a group of warriors alerted by their screams had arrived and rescued them. Thranduil had been furious with all four elves for venturing into known spider territory. But that had been hidden beneath relief at Legolas' survival.

For Raenthír though things would not be the same. Ilyanna had run out of the cure for the paralysis of the spider poison using the remainder not a day ago, and was in the midst of brewing more. That would not be ready for a week, and by the end of that week, paralysis had set into Raenthír's arm, he was blind in one eye, and the hair on the same side had fallen out. He developed a serious limp in his leg, and he would never smile again, his face damaged beyond belief. The cure had been made, and the poison dispelled. But nothing could be done for the paralysis and Raenthír had left Mirkwood, never to return.

FLASHBACK ENDS

Raenthír stepped towards Legolas "beat him" were the only two words he spoke.

The southron behind him laughed "With pleasure" he said, and Legolas paled at his voice, for this was the Southron who had attempted to rape him the previous night. The beating that followed was brutal, but it was nothing the elven prince had not experience before. He must have received over fifty lashes when Raenthír held up a hand

"You are strong young one" he said a curl of lip "But not strong enough. I will make you scream and beg for mercy before the end," A vicious smile played on his lips and I will enjoy watching you do so" he added

"I will never beg for my life!" the Prince replied stonily, as he recognised the scene playing out before him.

A cold laugh answered him "I never said for your life" replied the figure as a door opened and two more Southron warriors dragged a figure into the cell, golden hair covering the beings faces.

"No!" Legolas cried out, recognising the figure "No! Let him go!"

The Southron warriors dropped him at their leader's feet "We got 'im, Me Lord" said the taller of the two "We got the one you wanted, we got the Elf-King"

The figure laughed aloud "Chain him up near his Son, won't it be fun to see them beg for each other's lives"

"Let him go! Release him. He has nothing to do with this!" the Prince cried. The taller man stepped forward and threw his fist into the Prince's face.

"No one talks to the Master that way, Elven Scum!" he yelled, raising his fist again as the elven Prince felt the coppery taste of blood in his mouth

The dark figure stepped forward "Peace Arvon!" the dark figure said, catching the man's hand in one swift movement "A time will come when he will cry in pain at your feet, but not today."

Legolas struggled as his Father was chained beside him "Let him go" he ordered

Raenthír laughed watching as Thranduil stirred "You aren't in you palace now Prince Legolas" he said.

Thranduil stirred and looked around, he hung from the roof of a cave, he twisted around in anger straining against his bonds.

"There's no point" a voice informed him,

The king turned his head, hanging beside him was Legolas, his face bruised, and from what the king could see of his back he had been brutally beaten. "Legolas," he gasped "What…are you well?"

Legolas nodded "I'm fine, despite how it looks" he smiled

"Where are we?" Thranduil asked

Legolas smiled "A cave" he said with a grimace. "Do you remember Erruno?"

Thranduil nodded "The elf who suffered paralysis in a spider attack?"

"Ah so you do remember!" both elves looked over to the shadows, where Raenthír stood watching them

"What do you want with us?"

"I want to cause you both the amount of pain you caused me!" he laughed cruelly "and I know just how to start!" he turned to the warrior beside him "release the king"

As his bonds were unlocked Thranduil fell to the earth with a grunt, he found himself being pulled to his feet,

Raenthír walked forwards and handed the king a leathery whip, "Beat him. Whip him until I tell you to stop"

Thranduil glared at him "How dare you! I would never do such a thing to my son!"

Raenthír raised an eyebrow. "You will beat him, for if you do not. I will chain you back up and the man who stands beside me will be allowed to do what ever he wishes to your son."

Thranduil flinched, and looked over at Legolas pale face. "You cannot ask me to do such a thing" but he could see the obvious lust in the man's eyes and knew what the man would do.

"Adar…" Legolas said "Please, do not let him touch me" the desperation in the prince's voice told the king what he had to do.

The elf king looked at Raenthír "I cannot beat my son…" he whispered

Raenthír smiled, "Very Well, you know the consequences" The man stepped forward, gazing hungrily at Legolas.

Legolas began to panic and thrash "No Adar please! Please I beg of you, I would rather suffer a beating at your hands that be tormented by him please" he cried

Thranduil stepped forward then, tears in his eyes. "Stop. I will do as you ask" he said. He took the whip and walked up to Legolas "I am so sorry, Legolas" he whispered "I am so sorry…" he placed a hand on his son's face.

Legolas shook his head, "Adar, I love you." He said simply "I ask you to do this, because I fear the consequences otherwise"

Thranduil closed his eyes. "I don't think I can do this. You are my son. I love you"

Legolas knew this would cause his Father much pain too, and he did not want that, but he feared being at the other man's mercy. "Please, Adar" he whispered

Thranduil nodded numbly and walked to stand behind Legolas. He raised the whip, blotting out all thoughts that this was his son. Then bracing himself he brought the whip down on Legolas' back. He heard his son stifle a whimper, and waves of guilt assailed him. "I'm so sorry, Legolas. I'm so sorry…" he whispered over and over again as he continued in the beating not able to take his eyes from the lashes on his son's back, the lashes he was causing. Every single lash cutting into his heart like someone was slicing it up with a sharp knife.

Legolas hung there numbly; tears rolling down his cheek. Guilt gathered in his heart for begging his father to do this.

The whipping was painful as all were, and he had to bite back screams of agony, for he knew to scream would be to cause his Father more pain.

The whipping continued for what seemed like hours. And when Thranduil finally heard the command to stop, he fell to his knees, tears falling from his eyes, and his shoulders shaking. "You are a monster" he yelled at Raenthír "No Father should ever have to treat his son such."

Raenthír looked at him "Mine did" his face was emotionless "And did so without regret. He chose to"

Thranduil glared at him "I am not your Father, Erunno!" he yelled "I do not delight in pain"

Raenthír stalked forward and slapped the king "You do not address me such. Has your son not informed you of my name? I am Raenthír."

Thranduil looked at him, fury in his eyes. "You deserve everything you got!" he hissed.

Raenthír glared at him "Chain him up again" he ordered.

Thranduil moved lightning swift away "No," he said his voice tinged with pain "Unchain my son, let me hold him" he stared into Raenthír's eyes "I swear we will not make any attempt to escape."

Raenthír looked at he king, his mind forming more ways of causing pain to them. "Unchain the prince." He said, taking a swig from his water bag. Then pausing and throwing this to Thranduil. "And you can clean his wounds a little!" he snapped at Thranduil.

The elf king caught his son as the Prince fell to the ground and wrapped him in his cloak. "Haven't you played enough of your games" he said "Let us go"

Raenthír looked at him, "Oh no," he said "The games are just beginning." He turned and swept out of the room, leaving his captives behind.

Elrohir sat atop his horse beside Tirinvo, ahead of Mirkwood's warriors. He looked around the clearing, at the scene. Two Southron warriors lay nearby, dead. Tirinvo clutched Thranduil's blade. A deadly silence had descended on the elves; they were worried for their king and their Prince, and ultimately, for Mirkwood without a ruler. Elrohir looked around wishing that Elladan was there, the elder twin always knew what to do, even though Elladan would not think it out, Elrohir could not seem to think of any plan without his brother telling him to hurry. "I shouldn't have let him leave the cave" he muttered.

Beside him Tirinvo placed a hand atop his shoulder, the captain of Mirkwood's warriors smiled reassuringly at him "I do not believe he would have listened to you" he said, "he is very much like his Father, neither will listen to advise if they are already decided with what to do. Indeed the only person who can often change Legolas' mind is his Father. The only person who can change Thranduil's mind is also often Legolas. Do not blame yourself"

Elrohir nodded, "Thank you" he said.

"They went this way" called Estel from across the clearing.

The elves waited no longer, they followed the path in search of the King and his son.

TBC…