Chapter 1

Legolas reached their cell before the others did, and it freaked him out. He was usually the last one to arrive because he was was the strongest slave around, and the orcs allways pushed him until he could go no farther. The others would be waiting for him and smile relieved when he entered. He was always happy to see them, but never as happy as they were to see him. He knew why. The waiting was the worst torture. Waiting alone in a cell wondering when the others would come, wondering what state they would be in, and the worst question of them all: wondering if the others would be back at all. To Legolas, this night the waiting was even worse than it normally was, because this morning he had asked his siblings to smuggle items back to their cell. He had even asked Lainfea, although Limloeth had protested, because the little one could reach places unnoticed the others couldn't even dream about. The orcs would kill his brother and sisters if they got caught. What if he had send them to their death? What if they caught Limloeth? She had taken on the role of mother ever since the real nana died. What if they caught Lanthir, who taught Lainfea to read and write. What if they killed Lainfea? What if they had killed her before she had had a chance to live?

But then he heard footsteps coming his way. Heavy footsteps that clearly belonged to one of the guards, and three pair of lighter ones. One of them was skipping. Only one elfling in the world would be able to skip in a place like this. Lainfea.

When Lainfea was born Lalaith had told him she didn't expect the baby to last long. She expected the newborn to die soon because of all the darkness surrounding her. That's why his mother had called the baby Lainfea. Her body might be captive in a land of darkness, her spirit would soon be free. The first few months of the baby's life Lalaith was constantly expecting her to give up. To stop breathing. They were all trying not to get too attacted to the girl, but Lainfea was much too stubborn to die. She was a daughter of Thranduil after all. As it turned out she was much too stubborn to be touched by the darkness as well. In spite of the horrible circumstances, somehow Lainfea managed to grow into a kind, lovely little girl.

The cell doors opened and his three siblings were pushed inside.
"Goodnight" Lainfea said to the orc.
Lanthir turned. "What did you say to that orc?"
Lainfea smiled at him. "I said: Goodnight."
Lanthir's eyes narrowed. "Why would you say 'Goodnight' to an orc?"
"Because it is nice to say goodnight."
Lanthir grabbed her arm. "And why" he whispered "WHY would we be nice TO ORCS???"
He spit those last words in her direction.

Fear crept into Lainfea's eyes, along with tears. Legolas saw it happening and he gripped his brother by his throat. "What are you doing?" he asked, his voice low and threatning. "Why are you hurting our sister? She is young. She doesn't understand. Why are you hurting her?"
"LEGOLAS! Legolas! Let go of Lanthir."Limloeth intervened. "Legolas. Let go of him, you don't want to do this." Legolas blinked and looked at what he was doing. The blood was drained from his face. He let go immediantly.
"Lanthir … Lanthir I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to…"
Lanthir just breathed deeply. His face was pale, his eyes were wide.
Lainfea looked at her brothers with large wet eyes. "I didn't mean… I just wanted to be nice… Limloeth said it was nice to say goodnight."

Limloeth pulled the child into her lap. "It is nice to say goodnight. But the orcs are not nice to us. That's why Lanthir doesn't want us to be nice to them. Do you understand?"
Lainfea nodded. "Orcs are mean." She said.
"That's right sweetheart" Legolas said, as he kneeled to see into her eyes.
"Orcs are very, very mean. That's why we have to get out of here. Have you got the things I asked for?"
Lainfea giggled. Out of her dirty, torn clothes she pulled two sharp kitchen knifes, a key and a long pin. Legolas hugged her.
"You, my little one, are the absolute best little girl in the whole wide world!" Lainfea smiled proudly. "I've got the waterskins!" Lanthir announced, almost demanding to be praised al well. Legolas was suddenly reminded that his little brother wasn't so old eighter. Lanthir had matured quickly since their captivity, but he was only a handfull of years older than Lainfea.
Legolas put a hand on his brother's shoulder and pulled him close. "You did well."
"I'm sorry I made Lainfea cry." Lanthir apologized softly.
"It's all right, brother. I over-reacted. Can you forgive me?" Lanthir nodded. Legolas felt guilty as he noticed it hurt him to move his neck.
"And I've got the extra clothes and food." Limloeth said. "So, Legolas. Tell us…. what is your plan?