Now I do believe that this could be day 3…

Estel's last chance at rescuing Legolas…

Anyway, I was a bit cruel last chapter wasn't I. Well anyway,

Shidoslovr: She is an evil bitch. And I promise you, she will die before this ends.

MCross: Yes I'm sure they aren't clones, you stole the clones! Hahahaha! I have a muse cloner, keep the clones if you wish. I own the real things. Still!

Chapter 8

Estel hurried back into the citadel, a plan forming in his mind, he had spent the day in the forest nearby hiding the clothes and Legolas' weapons which he had stolen, now all he needed was to escape this place with Legolas. To do that he had to find the Lady, and weave the lie he had prepared, entering her study he saw her and smiled and bowed "My Lady, my Love!" he greeted her with a kiss. "How are you?"

She smiled sweetly "I am fine, but I cannot wait until tomorrow!"

"Neither can I, but there is something I must ask, it concerns the elf." He paused "it is tradition in my family, that the man, before his wedding makes a sacrifice to the gods, usually it is sheep or goat, but originally it was one of the firstborn, but that practice was long forbidden, deemed too dangerous, in the fear of the elves wanting revenge for their kin, my great grandfather was slain by one such elf. I must go into the woods and cut his heart from his body while he still breathes and present it to the gods as the sun rises. It ensures a long and happy life for the both of us. Rumour has it, that if I carry this practice out, I shall be blessed with his immortality!"

"That is what we both want." She smiled at him "You can have the elf; you deserve to kill him, Strider"

Estel could not help but smile, "Thank you!" he said kissing her, and I shall set out at midnight"

Midnight soon came, and Estel found himself growing increasingly worried, he felt his plan was sure to fail, but it could not…

For that would be disastrous.

Striding into Legolas cell he bound Legolas hands and led him, holding onto his bound wrists out of the cell and up the stairs.

The men laughed at Legolas predicament, and a few looked disappointed "Sad so slay one of such beauty," whispered one.

Under their gazes Legolas felt all the previous night's humiliation once again; he glanced at Estel, knowing the man was there to rescue him, to take him from this place. But as he stared at the rangers back, a sliver of doubt planted itself in his mind Are you sure he's your friend? He could be like the others? What if he…

Legolas shook away the doubt, Estel was not like them. He couldn't be. But still the doubt remained, after all, couldn't people's actions be deceiving, he had always believed that Thranduil loved him, but now he knew the truth. Maybe Estel desired more than friendship, maybe the twins disliked him, maybe his whole life had been a lie!

Legolas knew none of this to be true, but with everything that had occurred in the last days; he felt he didn't know what the point to his life was anymore. Of course, similar things had occurred before, but he had always known his Father had been sick with worry, pacing the corridors of Mirkwood, if not out searching for him. I don't need a son!

His Father's love could not have been a lie, or couldn't it?

Legolas did not know just what to believe anymore, he felt lost, like a leaf blown in the wind, a tree fallen in the forest, or the child that looses his way. So lost he was in his own thoughts that he did not notice they had reached the empty stables.

"Legolas, Legolas!" Estel stood before him a knife in his hands "I need to cut your bonds"

Legolas nodded numbly, holding out his hands, Estel sliced the bonds with his knife and handed Legolas the reins of his horse

"I'm taking you home, and then you can heal all your wounds."

Legolas shook his head "No, I can't" he whispered, beginning to remove the reins and saddle from his own mare

Estel thought he meant he could not return home, "Legolas, you know your Father loves you"

Legolas said nothing and climbed on his horse, causing the mortal to sigh

"You don't have to stay there" he said "Just have your wounds treated."

No answer.

Estel reached over and gently squeezed his friends shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile, Legolas weakly smiled back, and together the two rode from the stables, feeling more and more confident as the time passed by, that they would escape.

Sannyn stepped from behind a stall, a wide grin on his face, behind him the maid beckoned him back to the hay, but he ignored her. He had heard all the pair had said, and it was now time to have revenge on Strider for gaining a higher status than him. He left his lover and hurried up the steps, getting dressed as he ran, and burst into the Lady's study with a cry of "My Lady, Strider has betrayed us!"

Estel brought his horse to a halt, in the clearing, and dismounted, soon to be joined by Legolas who leant against his horse, struggling to breathe, Estel walked to the undergrowth and produced Legolas' weapons and pack, he pulled out a few medical supplies and walked to Legolas, frowning at the lack of salve the Prince had brought.

"Sit down" he said to the Elf Prince, since you thought it unnecessary to bring salves, I'll just have to bandage your wounds"

"You don't have to" Legolas replied "I'll be fine"

"No, you won't"

"I will, I'm just a…" he closed his eyes "Just do it, Estel. I want to be out of here."

Estel nodded, and proceeded to treat his friends wounds the best he could, as well as was possible when provided only with bandages.

When Legolas' torso was wrapped with bandages, the Prince put on a shirt and buttoned it, before slipping into a spare tunic and fastening his quiver to his back. "You almost fooled me in the citadel, I thought you really were evil" Legolas said with a smile, "how did the life of a King suit you?"

Estel grimaced "Don't remind me, I ran away from that future. I couldn't go back to it."

"You would make a fine King, Estel."

"He will make a fine dead King" a voice said, both turned to see Morévende standing there, flanked by about ten soldiers. "I want them alive!" she added, "so I can torture them both myself!"

TBC…

Ah, the big battle shall begin tomorrow…