Yep, I'm back with chapter 5. This is where thing start to get worse for our dear elf. Muahahaha

MCross: the evil Lady also features in Web of Lies, where I think you can learn a little more about her. Thranduil isn't here to comment since I shut him away in the wardrobe for being rude.

Chapter 5

Legolas stared at the man who stood in front of him. Unaware of the men closing in on him, so surprised he was at seeing the man whom he had thought was dead. When his wrists were seized by two of the men he jerked away, struggling even as they tied his hands before him. "Get off me!" he yelled "Release me" but the men did not acknowledge him.

Sannyn stepped forward "No, I don't think that is possible" he informed the Prince,

"How is it you survived? You were…" Sannyn's hand connected with his cheek, snapping his head to one side

"Silence!" hissed the man, and then turning to his men he said "Get together his packs and his weapons, and the horses. They will come in useful" He grabbed the rope that was attached to Legolas' wrists, then he swung up onto the horses back and rode out of the clearing, forcing Legolas to run behind him.

Legolas spat abuse at Sannyn as he ran behind him, he was furious both at the man and at himself for his current predicament. Grumbling curses under his breath the Prince glance up at the mortal on the horse, he could not understand how the mortal had survived. The last time he had seen the man, he had been tortured by him, and the reason was still unknown to the Prince, Legolas had escaped and pursued Sannyn across the plains in order to retrieve his Father's ancestral sword Edhel-Naur. The mortal had been seemingly crushed in a landslide after a battle with Legolas. The mortal should have been killed, but here he was stood before him. He stopped, his rope jerking Sannyn's horse,

The mortal stopped and turned "What the hell are you doing! Get moving Elf!" he spat

"How did you survive?" the Prince asked

"None of your damn business!" the man jerked the reins of his horse and rode away, causing Legolas to fall to the dirt with a grunt. The Prince was dragged along the ground for a few meters before the man came to a halt. Dazedly Legolas staggered to his feet and stood staring at the gorge, the walls reached to the sky, and even Legolas could barely see the top. The walls were smooth, impossible to climb, but pathways led up to the top, and the elf could see men standing guard on these ledges, below his feet, the ground was hard and sharp stones threatened to puncture the soles of his soft boots. The ropes around his wrists chafed his fair skin, and Sannyn would often ride faster causing Legolas to stumble. The other men too would jostle him trying to make him fall, so they could mock him. As they travelled further down the gorge Legolas began to feel increasingly cut off from the forests he loved. He could hear the sounds of the men talking around him, some of the conversations perfectly innocent, but one particular conversation drew his eyes to the speaker, a big burly man with dark hair was talking to his friend, a lithe being with sharp eyes. The elf Prince paled on hearing the words the man spoke.

The lithe man glanced towards the Prince and laughed "I think he can hear us Olboran" he struck Legolas on the side of his head, causing the Prince to stumble to the ground, the rope round his neck tightening briefly.

The Prince looked up at him anger in his eyes "What was that for" he demanded getting to his feet.

"It'll teach you not to listen in to our conversation!" the man replied, not really caring that Legolas had heard. A sly smile appeared on his features "Or do you like what you heard?"

Legolas looked away, a scowl marring his fair features. A moment later the group came to a halt and Legolas looked up, above him loomed a giant palace of rock, a citadel carved into the rock. Candles shone from open windows twinkling in the darkness; in front of them was an open doorway, and a tunnel leading deep into the mountains. Legolas grimaced "Great more caves"

Not far behind them, stood Estel hiding in the shadows, he had managed to slip past the guards unnoticed, and now stood facing the group with Legolas amongst them. He knew he would have to get in to the great citadel somehow and he knew there was a chance Sannyn may recognise him, but he could not leave Legolas in there. He knew he had to try something to get Legolas out of the enemy's clutches. When he had returned to the clearing he had thought Legolas had run, leaving the mortal behind, but then he had seen the hoof prints and the signs of somebody being dragged from the clearing and he had realised what had happened. He had followed the trail to here. Staying hidden from the men who held Legolas prisoner, just moments ago he had seen the face of Sannyn, and shock had overwhelmed him. He had thought the mortal dead. But he sat on his horse watching his men file inside before riding into the tunnel himself, leading Legolas behind him. The mortal watched them head into the depths of the tunnel then stared to plot his next movements…

Legolas walked down the corridor, his eyes darting from side to side at every small noise. He had never grown out of his fear of the dark, a fear that had lingered since he had been captured by men at a young age; he had been kept in a dark cave until his Father had rescued him. He had not liked dark and confined spaces since that time and the thought of being trapped in this weaving cavern frightened him. He tried to remember the path they took, should he get chance to make a bid for freedom, but he found it impossible. Too many twists and turns, so many paths they did not tread. The Prince was soon hopelessly lost in a multitude of passages and he knew if he was to escape, he would surely lose himself in the twisting caverns. The possibility of him being rescued was also remote, anyone who dared venture unwelcome into these tunnels would likely end up dead or captured. The darkness, punctured only by a few torches every few metres, was oppressing, and the Elven Prince was beginning to worry that he would never see the light of day again. He hated this overwhelming dark, he had never like dark enclosed spaces, not since he was a child. When he had been captured by men, and imprisoned in a cave, kept in the darkness, terrified. After that night the elfling had spent many a night in his Father's bed, huddled close to his Father. Those days had long passed, and things had changed; now I know the truth…

Legolas shook his head, dispelling thoughts of his past, of his Father. It would not do to show weakness in front of these men, it would only increase their ridicule further. The smell of horses assailed his nostrils as they came to the end of a corridor, Sannyn leapt from his horse and led him to a flight of stairs, Legolas watched as the horses were stabled, almost protesting when he saw his mount forced into a small stall. But before he could speak he was pulled though a door. Up the winding stairs they passed, Sannyn leading Legolas, and two men following behind. Here there were windows, but these were small, and did not let much light through, and in the darkness outside, more torches were positioned along the walls, casting an eerie glow about them. The top of the stairwell ended on a corridor, and across from the stairs stood an ornate double door, through which Legolas was led.

The room could only be described as beautiful; the room had been formed purely from stone, columns decorated the room, each one as beautiful as the last. Windows on the wall opened onto balconies, but it was the sight ahead of him that caused him to stir. A huge dais stood in front of him, onto which was placed a ornate wooden throne. Seated in the throne was a beautiful woman, black hair framed a pale face, nested in which were two cold blue eyes. He stared at her, wondering who she was, and what she wanted with him. Shuddering slightly under her piercing gaze, he stood still as the men dropped to one knee. Her frown deepened "Will you not bow to me?" she said

"I bow to no one!" Legolas snapped back

"Not even you're Father" she said smiling

"He does not ask it of me!" the prince replied

Her eyes flashed and she stood, striding over to stand before him, she matched his height, without warning she struck him across the face, he fell back, surprised by her strength "Now bow to me!" she snapped,

Legolas rose to his feet, "Make me!"

Sannyn rose to his feet at the Lady Morévende's bidding and seizing the rope around Legolas' neck threw the elf to his knees, before the elf could rise to his feet, Sannyn placed his foot on the Prince's neck, forcing him into a bow. Legolas struggled, but could not free himself from beneath Sannyn's weight

"Get off me!" he spat, his voice muffled, for his face was pressed to the ground.

"You shall also address me as 'My Lady'"

Legolas shook his head "Never!"

At her instruction Sannyn stepped back off Legolas and wrapped a hand in his hair. "Do as Lady Morévende says!" he snapped, tightening his grip and making Legolas wince. Legolas said nothing.

"Take him to his cell" spat Lady Morévende; Sannyn wrenched Legolas to his feet, his hand wrapped tightly in the Prince's hair, then grabbing the 'leash' pulled Legolas from the hall and along the corridor, the elf Prince protesting all the way. Sannyn led him down a corridor, and down a flight of stairs, the steps ended in a large corridor, no light shone hear, and Legolas could hear the cries of prisoners. At the end of the corridor was a wooden door, Sannyn pushed it open and cut Legolas' bonds before pushing Legolas into the cell. He fell to the ground with a grunt. Rolling over he watched the door shut with a finalising bang. And he was left in darkness…

"My Lady, a man waits outside. He says he wishes to see you."

The lady, once again seated in her throne sighed deeply, "and to think. I thought the problems were over for today."

"Shall I send him in?" the man kneeling before her asked

"I suppose so."

The man rose and strode to the back of the hall, opening the doors he spoke a few words and another man strode in, he bowed low to the Lady and looked into her deep blue eyes. She stared back at him, he was handsome, long dark hair framed a face that bore piercing eyes. He was no as beautiful as the Elf, but this man...he was more handsome than she had imagined any man could be. "What do you want" she called to him.

"My Lady. I come from a farm beyond the Misty Mountains. I come to ask to join your forces. My farm was destroyed, the buildings burned, the crops ruined, my family, my Ma and Pa, my wife, and my two sons were all slaughtered."

She stared at him "Who did this"

"Elves! I heard rumours of your plan to destroy Mirkwood. I thought to help"

"You heard right" she turned to the other man "Take him to the barracks. Show him around." She told the man, he nodded

"Thank you my Lady" he said, turning to leave

"Wait, what is your name" she asked her voice flirtatiously soft, telling him he could advance well if he gave into her charm.

"Strider"

TBC…

Aragorn to the rescue! But…will his plan succeed…

Or will things go horribly wrong…

Um…this is me we are talking about…

Aranel