Authors notes: - Thank you so much for all the reviews. I hope you enjoy the chapter and please review or email me any thoughts you have on the story thus far. :-)

OOOOOOO

Aragorn froze but did not attempt to defend himself. He could feel the cool metal of the blade of the knife resting against the column of his neck, so close that it scraped across the skin every time he breathed out.

"Do it." He said calmly. "I deserve nothing less."

Everyone had become still watching the scene, frightened of the possible outcome. Legolas was unstable; Sauron had been successful in causing significant damage to the elf mentally and before they would have had no doubt that Legolas would not wound or kill his friend, now they were faced with uncertainty.

"True." Legolas stated not moving an inch closer but neither backing away. The two sets of eyes bored into each other, daring each other to make a move.

"What are you waiting for?" Aragorn asked casually seemingly unconcerned that his life hung on a knife-edge, literally.

A variety of emotions flashed through Legolas's blue eyes and his hand began to waiver. Neither moved and the tense silence continued.

"Is that all you can say?" Legolas demanded after a time.

"What is it you wish me to say? There is nothing I can possibly speak that will alter your opinions or justify my actions in your mind."

"In my mind!" Legolas exclaimed angrily. "So you think your actions can be justified, only not to my fragile mind?"

"He did not say that Legolas!" Aeolian said trying to sooth his brother and to get him to put the knife down.

"Be silent." Legolas snapped and the knife was pressed slightly harder against Aragorn's neck. Aeolian backed away quickly.

"So you all believe that I am now unstable and therefore no longer worth saving, therefore I can be used as you see fit to further your aims, even when it goes against my wishes?" Legolas questioned his demeanour remaining angered but Aragorn saw the deep sadness in the elf's eyes.

Aragorn remained silent knowing that whatever he said would be twisted and taken as something completely different by the elf.

"Say something!" Legolas demanded almost frantically, willing Aragorn to do something, say something that would help him. To make it all better, to make it go away. To justify the cruelty he had suffered.

"Say something!!" Legolas screamed his hands beginning to shake.

Aragorn remained silent. Legolas cried his frustration and flung the knife away.

"Why? Why?" Legolas practically sobbed the last word almost so soft that it could not be heard. "I could have killed you."

"I knew you would not." Aragorn stated complete assurance evident in his voice.

"How could you? You used to know me but you said I am different now. I am not who you once knew. How could you know?"

"You could never kill anyone in cold blood and you have not changed that much to make that an option now. I still trust you to do me no harm."

Legolas visibly drew himself together. "I hate you." He snarled. Legolas backed away from the group, the turmoil he faced playing across his features.

'How can he know so much about me when I know so little about myself?' Legolas asked himself confused and weary. I hate him...I hate him...I hate them all

A shocked silence was left in the elf's wake.

Aragorn let out a deep sigh and staggered slightly bumping into Azian as he did so.

Azian tried to steady him but he was not too steady on his feet and they both toppled, only to be caught by Aeolian.

"What a weary and worn group we are." He commented tiredly.

"On that note I suggest we move inside because I can say with certainty that a number of us will be on the ground shortly." Gandalf stated barely on his feet.

Aeolian agreed and directed the elves that had come with him to help carry his father and support the wounded. They had barely moved a few paces before a low growl echoed.

Aragorn watched as Legolas marched back towards them, picking up the discarded knife as he went. For a brief instance he thought that maybe the elf had had second thoughts about not killing him but he quickly dashed that idea as the elf walked straight past him. The group had slowly turned to face the new threat, a pack of warg riders.

Legolas stepped in front of them and pulled himself to his full height.

"What is he doing?" Gimli demanded. "Fool of an elf!"

"Attempting to save our lives." Gandalf said. "Now everyone slowly move backwards."

"What are you doing here?" Legolas demanded angrily. The riders looked at each other. "Do you think I, you master, am incapable of handling these pathetic specimens?"

Several of the orcs backed their wargs away but more of them remained.

"We just want a little fun? How about you give us one? The smallest?" One of the orcs asked.

"No these are important. There are plenty others." Legolas continued. The orc who had spoken urged his warg forward.

"Important?" it questioned. Legolas growled and flung the knife at the orc lodging directly in its throat.

"Do not question me!"

The orcs looked at each other before charging the elf, one of them struck a glancing blow across his temple and Legolas dropped like a stone.

The warg riders moved to surround the group.

"Never did like elves especially Sauron's pet." One of them sneered and the others jeered. "Now lets have some fun."

The group closed ranks with the most able elves on the outside. Eomer was cursing fate, the Valor and anything else he could possibly think of. Before anything else could be said the wargs leapt at the group. Several of the elves fell quickly. Aeolian fought desperately knowing that both his brothers and fathers lives were in his hands, but he was overwhelmed and fighting a losing battle.

The altercation was over swiftly. Azian was lying on the ground unconscious next to Thranduil with a warg nudging and pawing his body, none to gently. Eomer was sat on the ground gazing around as if he had no idea where he was. Gandalf was also unconscious and Gimli was knelt on the ground too exhausted to do anything further. Most of the elves that had fought bravely to defend them were dead and only two remained, pinned to the ground by two wargs. The only ones still on their feet were Aragorn and Aeolian but they were both wounded. The orcs grinned at the easy victory and were about to partake in the spoils when a scream indicated the arrival of a Nazgul.

Aragorn raised his eyes to watch the creature descend. With a thud it settled on the ground near the group. The wargs backed away fearful of the Nazgul. Dismounting the creature the wraith approached.

"Take all but the dead to the tower." It hissed as it gazed across the area. Aragorn shuddered as it turned to face him. "He will be pleased."

The orcs looked very disappointed and angry that their playthings were about to be taken away from them but they did not say anything; a Nazgul was not something to anger. They tied the hands together of all those who were conscious and commanded them to walk.

The Nazgul moved forward and indicated the unconscious elf king and wizard. "Bring them as well, leave the others." Thranduil and Gandalf were bound and placed on wargs in front of the riders.

"What about 'im?" one of the wargs asked indicating Legolas. The Nazgul approached Legolas and knelt beside the body. A hideous hand reached out and brushed across the elf's forehead. Legolas choked and began to twitch. The Nazgul rose and moved to remount his creature.

"He is too damaged to be of use. Leave him to wargs."

Aragorn's eyes never left the still form of Legolas as they were marched out of the clearing, willing his friend to rise as the riderless wargs descended on those left behind. The last sight he saw, as the Nazgul rose with a scream was a warg grabbing the elf's arm between its powerful jaws.

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