Disclaimer: See chapter 1.

Review Responses:

Deana: Well your elfie will probably be safe for the rest of this story, maybe unless I'm attacked by another plot bunny, but I have two sequels in mind, and I'm afraid at least one of them is gonna be very dangerous for our favorite elf. He's my fav. Lotr character also.

Karone Evertree: Yeah my husband can be pretty great (when he wants to be.) Yes it is time for the escape, but only after I throw a monkey wrench in first.

Warning: Major cliffhanger ahead.

Confrontation

The prisoners waited through the next day. They were not disturbed by the orcs. The hoped Garin's plan would work. As nightfall came and went they started to worry. When they heard the key turning in the lock they were prepared for anything. What if Garin had been found out? What if one of the other slaves had betrayed him? But no, as the door opened they could see that it was Garin. They could also see the orc guards lying on the floor in the hallway.

"I guess the sleeping herbs I gave you worked." Aragorn stated motioning to the guards.

"Yes that special batch of blood ale I cooked up was given to all the orcs in the fortress. There are sleeping orcs everywhere. The other slaves have already started leaving. They go by the front gate, but we take a different path." Garin said grinning.

"What do you mean?" Legolas asked. Garin hadn't mentioned this before.

"I know a secret passage. It goes on for several days walk and comes out in a cave right below Lake-town." Garin explained leading them out of the cell. He gave them all slave robes to wear, in case some of the orcs had not drunken the ale.

Laston came running up the hall towards them. "All of the slaves are outside the gates. They are heading south."

"You think if the orcs wake they will follow the slaves south, while we head north through this passage you speak of." Elladan surmised.

"Exactly." He could see the dark looks the elves were giving him. "I never promised to lead them out of here, if that's what you are thinking. They knew the minute they left the gate; they would be on their own. They expected the risk. My job was to drug the orcs. That's all." He knew he was using the other slaves as a diversion, but he needed the diversion to get his friends out, and out safe.


It was decided that Garin would take the elves to the secret passage, while Laston and Aragorn would free Atavus and meet them there. Garin wanted to see Atavus badly, but he knew that if the two humans ran into any orcs, it would be easier to explain their presence in the Master's private halls. He being a dwarf would stand out too much.

The two humans crept silently to the Nazgul's private area of the fortress. All the orcs they came across were asleep. "The keys to her cell will be in the Master's torture chamber." Laston said leading the way. "Stay here and keep watch. I'll get the keys." Aragorn agreed keeping a sharp lookout. The pain from his shoulder had started to come back, and he had run out of the pain-killing herb the night before. He knew he would need Atavus' help soon, or he would not be able to continue.

Laston returned holding the keys to the Nazgul's private cells. They then made their way down the next two corridors and came to her cell. Aragorn handed the torch he was holding to Laston and tried each key until he found the one that would open her cell. As the cell door opened Laston held the torch up so they could see inside the small cell. Atavus was sitting in the middle of the room with her head lying upon her knees. "Atavus." Aragorn said kneeling beside her. She raised her head and looked into his eyes. A shocked gasp left his lips. He could see that she had been beaten again. There was a jagged cut running down the side of her face and he could see where the blood had dried as it ran down her throat and inside her tunic. She had many more cuts and bruises. "What happened?" He had thought once the Witch King was gone she would be safe.

"The orcs decided to play again." She whispered. He could see the pain in her eyes. He could also see she had been crying. She must have thought they weren't going to come for her. He quickly pulled her into his arms holding her wanting to take the pain away.

"I'm sorry, Atavus. We came as soon as we could." He whispered into her ear.

She stayed in his arms for a moment enjoying the comfort he offered. When she felt more composed she pushed him back. "We must go." She tried to stand, but immediately fell to the floor.

He began checking her legs immediately, and realized that her ankle was swollen to twice its normal size. "Your ankle is either badly sprained or broken. You're going to have to lean on me to walk."

She hated the fact that she would slow them down. "Go without me Estel. I'll only get you caught."

He would not accept that. "Do you remember what you told Legolas after we were captured? If one of us escapes all of us do. I won't leave you." He didn't wait for her to answer him. He stood and leaned over positioning his good shoulder under her arm and pulled her up. "Now let's go."

"Where are the others?" She noticed that a young human she didn't know was the only one with Estel.

"They are waiting for us at a secret passage out of here. This is Laston. He will show us the way." Aragorn said helping her down the first hall.

"Our weapons. I saw them in the Nazgul's torture chamber. They are under the weapons table at the side of the room." She said knowing they would need the items before long.

"Okay. Laston you stay in the hall and keep watch, while we retrieve the weapons." Aragorn said steering them to the torture room again.

After entering the room he sat Atavus down on the floor next to the door, then made his way quickly to the table she had spoken of and retrieved their weapons. He turned as he strapped his sword to his side. But the sight he saw stopped his forward movement. He hadn't noticed the orc standing in the darkened corner of the room.

"What is this? An escape attempt." The evil orc voice said snarling at him.

"Yes it is. And we will be leaving soon. And you will be dead creature." It was Uglúk, the orc captain.

"How did you get past my men?" The orc asked approaching.

"They're all taking a nap." Aragorn answered sarcastically, but honestly.

"Well I'm not napping, and you will not leave this room alive, and definitely not with my favorite toy." The creature taunted.

"You're very brave when you're facing and unarmed opponent, orc scum. But let's see how you do in a fair fight." Aragorn drew his sword and stood his ground waiting for the orc to approach him.

"He doesn't fight fair, Estel." Atavus screamed trying to get to her feet, but only making it to one knee.

"Don't worry little one, as soon as I dismember the human we can play some more." The vile creature taunted.

Atavus knew that Estel was the best swordsman she had ever met, but with an injured shoulder she wasn't sure he could best the beast. An idea came to her then. She would try to distract the orc long enough to give Estel the edge he needed.

"Why do you hate me so much orc?" She asked the creature before her. "Oh I know you hate all races besides your own. But you hate me more than any other. Why?"

The creature had made the first swing towards Aragorn, but her words distracted him. "Why shouldn't I freak." He answered trying to return his attention to the human who was forcing him back with a series of deadly blows.

"No, that's not a real answer Uglúk." She said finally gaining her footing. She then started to slowly make her way around the room using the wall to support her weight, as she continued to speak. "There has to be more to it. There always is."

"You talk too much freak." He said spinning towards her voice. It was a mistake that cost him as Argorn's blade sliced his shoulder blade. He quickly turned back to the human blocking the next blow, then forcing one of his own, only to be blocked by the human.

"Ever since you first discovered what I was, you have gone out of your way to make my life a living hell. Why? What makes me any different than any other slave?" She continued around the room spying her destination.

"Do you think you are the only one of your kind?" The orc asked, having to turn away from the fight again to see where she was. His lack of attention earned him a deep slash on his arm. He howled in pain and went back to fighting the human.

Aragorn knew what Atavus was doing. It was ingenious, but he wasn't sure why she moved around the room.

Atavus had frozen for a moment when the orc asked her the question. She thought for a moment. "As far as I know I am the only one. Am I wrong?" She asked continuing the painful journey to the weapons table in front of her.

"Well you are not. And your kind all deserves to die." The orc said showing more anger than before.

"But why?" She asked reaching the table she headed for. "Why do you want to kill us all?"

"Because you ruin the lives of the orcs who sired you. It is not their fault you were born. But they pay for it anyway." The creature said not facing her this time, trying to concentrate on the human who was turning out to be more than a match for the orc.

"Uglúk, my kind are not the ones that make them pay. Yours is." Atavus said picking up what she was looking for.

The orc turned completely facing her, with pure rage on its face. Atavus chose that moment to strike as she hurled the dagger in her hand at the creature. The blade sunk deep into the creature's chest. It looked down at the blade, and then turned to flee the room. Aragorn began to follow to make sure the wound was fatal, but heard Atavus call him. "Estel. Please don't leave me. I can't make it on my own. Let him find a hole to die in somewhere." She pleaded, all of her anger and energy spent.

He turned back to her supporting her again. Laston had entered the room after nearly being knocked over by the wounded orc. He quickly came forward taking the extra weapons. "Come, they will be worried about us."