Hi everyone, sorry I'm so late, my plot bunnies keep deserting me and real life takes over when they do. Thanks for your patience and reviews! They mean a lot to me!

Chapter 22--Pursuit

Aragorn dismounted and knelt to study the ground again while the twins waited impatiently. "This is the way they went," he said. He held up a torn piece of cloth. "This is from Legolas's cloak."

"I hope he is alright," Elrohir said.

"He will be. They would not take the trouble to kidnap him and carry him off if they wanted to kill him," Elladan said.

Aragorn remounted and they continued, eventually they were forced to stop and set up a camp as it got to dark to continue.

Morning seemed to come much to soon for Legolas's taste. He still felt horribly tired and he was famished. He watched as his captors took their time preparing to leave, seething.

"What is wrong, kin slayer? Do you not like our hospitality?" one smirked. "It will go much harder for you in Mirkwood. I am sure that your punishment will be far worst then any ever seen and you deserve it richly." He grabbed Legolas by the hair and roughly dragged him to the horse.

Legolas bit his lip to keep from crying out as pain screamed through his scalp. He was glad to be slung over the horse's back again even though it wasn't comfortable. He was sure some of his hair had been ripped out by the roots.

The twins and Aragorn were up before dawn and ate a hasty breakfast. Mounting, they urged their horses on as fast as they dared go. They found the deserted campsite and Aragorn dismounted to look around. He soon found what he needed. "We are only a couple hours behind them, let's go!" he said. He mounted and they took off at a gallop. Finally they saw riders in the distance and they charged.

Both Elves went for their weapons as they approached then stopped. It was obvious they recognized them. "Do not interfere sons of Elrond, this is Mirkwood's business," one said.

"I wish we could, but you have a friend of ours and we have come to retrieve him," Elrohir said.

"He is a kin slayer and must be punished. That is the law," the Elf argued. "Do not force our hand."

Elladan glanced worriedly at Legolas, noticing how battered and terrible he looked. What have they done to you, mellon-nin?

"Release him or we will have no choice, but to take him," Aragorn warned.

Both Elves went for their swords then their horses reared violently. Caught off guard and off balance, both Elves toppled from their mounts. The horses immediately galloped off without a backwards look.

Aragorn and Elladan quickly subdued the two Elves before they could recover. They bound them back to back. Elrohir went to the horse Legolas was draped across and lifted him down. He cut his bonds with his knife. "Are you hurt?" he asked.

"No, I do not believe so, just sore, thirsty and hungry," Legolas said.

"We can fix that when we are a good distance away from these two. It will take a long while for them to struggle lose from their bonds," Aragorn said. He gave Legolas a concerned look as well. "Can you ride?"

Legolas started to answer then swallowed his pride, knowing they had to move quickly. "I fear not. I have had no food or water for a day and a half. I fear I might fall if I ride alone," he admitted.

Both the twins and Aragorn knew Legolas must feel truly awful to admit that. Elladan guided Legolas over to his horse and helped him up then mounted behind him.

Aragorn glanced at Elrohir. "what did you tell their horses?" he asked.

"Not to allow themselves to be caught," Elrohir said. He went to his horse and mounted.

Aragorn chuckled to himself as he did the same. Everyone knew well Elrohir's strong link with horses. They obeyed and trusted him. "Let us go. Father will be worried," he said. They urged their horses into a gallop and headed for Imladris.

Legolas is saved at last! Now perhaps he and his father will be able to talk and settle this mess. R/R please!