Brownie24 – So many questions…but I might have some of the answers in this chapter. I haven't decided yet if I want Emlin to be dead or not.

DreamsofDarkness – Thanks so much!

Spotnmushlover246 – Hehe. Thanks!

ElfPrincessLarien – Thanks! I kinda thought my plot was getting a bit complex and I've been trying to tie up some loose ends as I go along. You're right about needing to mention who certain characters are if I haven't mentioned them for awhile. I've forgotten how many characters I've incorporated into this story. I'll go back and re-read the story after I'm finished with it and make whatever changes I need to. Thanks for the advice.

SofiaB – You will know in this chapter. Read on.

Legolaslover – I'm trying to come up with a good moment for Aleera to discover her powers. Maybe in the next chapter.

Lou – Sorry for making you wait. Here it is.

Aidan – In one sitting, huh? Yay, gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling to know that the end of my chapters prompt you to read on. Hope I can continue to live up to it. Aaaahhhh, the pressure!

A/N – There are some graphic descriptions and some mild torture, but not sexual, in this chapter. The song Legolas partially sings is "Away from the Sun" by 3 Doors Down.

Chapter 24 – Catacombs

Aleera made her way through the narrow passage, the walls lined on either side by crevasses containing the remains of people. She knew not what kind of people, only that they were not elves. The downward pitch of the floor led her to believe that she was descending further than ground level. Behind her was a Kozari guard whom she heard was named Luxin. He was armed with a sword and occasionally nudged her with it in the direction he wanted her to go each time they came across a fork in the passageway. Gwinn walked behind Luxin. Whenever Aleera glanced back, the Kozari queen gave her an amused look.

"What have you done with Legolas?" Aleera finally asked.

"I would relish telling you that he is dead, but unfortunately he still lives." Gwinn wanted more than anything to see the elf dead. She had no idea what Pallando's plans were for him except that he wanted revenge on the elf's father. "Besides I have done nothing to him. He is Pallando's responsibility."

Aleera stopped in her tracks and whirled around. "You have done nothing to him?" she spat out with venom. The guard raised the blade of his sword to her throat, but only threatened her with it. "I saw with my own eyes an arrow hit Legolas in the back. It was an arrow that came from your bow."

Gwinn regarded Aleera curiously. When the she-elf had been captive in Kozar, she had been passive, listless, even cowering at times. She showed none of those traits now. Gwinn almost admired her courage…almost. "Although Pallando had instructed me to incapacitate the elf, let us say it is my retribution for what he did to my face."

Aleera tried to get passed the guard to get at Gwinn, but he persisted in keeping her at bay. "He should have killed you like the warg bait that you are!"

"My, such spirit from an elf who knows nothing of her own fate."

"Keep moving," directed Luxin forcefully with his blade.

Aleera allowed her gaze to remain on Gwinn for a moment longer before she turned around and continued down the seemingly endless passageways of these catacombs. She knew not what Gwinn had planned for her as they headed deeper into the ground. If they left her alone somewhere with no torch to light her way, she would be lost in these catacombs forever.

"You're in love with him and he with you," Gwinn iterated after a moment of silence between them.

"It is none of your business," Aleera stated curtly. She heard the Kozari queen laugh. Aleera narrowed her eyes at the callous behavior of this woman who lost her husband only a short while ago. "You seem rather cheerful after the death of your husband. I am suspecting that you had no love for him."

Gwinn barked out a laugh. "Your suspicions are correct. How could a woman of respect continue to watch her husband pleasure himself with others right before her eyes? He actually thought I enjoyed watching it."

Not that Aleera cared much, but she asked anyway. "Then why did you tolerate it?"

"I tolerated it because I did not want to bear the brunt of his despicable violent whims. Once it was out of his system, toward me he was gentle as a pup afterward. But he forever disgusted me."

"At least we agree on one thing," muttered Aleera under her breath. "So you feel no loss from his death then."

"Who do you think convinced him to pursue Legolas? I did. I knew he did not have the ability to beat the elf. And now, with Hurrnäd finally gone, Kozar is mine to rule as I see fit. I have my kingdom, Pallando has his elf."

Pallando. Aleera repeated the name in her mind. She knew she had heard the name before Gwinn mentioned it. It was a very faint memory, from many years ago. She thought her father had said the name in conjunction with her great-great-grandfather. But she was not certain.

"In there," said Luxin as he pointed to the left.

Aleera had to duck to get through the tight opening that led into a small darkened cavern. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she spied an aged man seated on what appeared to be a stone bench dug directly from the cave wall. He smoked his long-stemmed pipe and ignored her as she entered. Aleera glanced several feet away from the man and saw a slumped figure, lying face down on the floor. "Legolas!" She rushed over, falling to her hands and knees and visually inspected his injuries before she touched him. There was a bleeding gash on his left arm and she knew he also had one on his torso. But it was nothing compared to what drew her widened eyes. There was a bleeding wound on his upper back, slightly to the left of his spine, where he had been hit with an arrow. Another inch and he would have been either dead or crippled. The arrow was gone, no doubt pulled out by the old man sitting nearby.

Gwinn sat down beside Pallando, who seemed deep in thought. The wizard never had much to say, never volunteered anything unless she probed him in a way that did not threaten him.

"What took you so long to get her down here?" Pallando finally asked.

Gwinn sighed impatiently. "It took some time for the guards to subdue her and to remove her armor once she regained consciousness."

"An army of Kozari warriors cannot subdue a single she-elf?"

Gwinn ignored the comment and turned her attention to the two elves. "What do we do now that we are all together?"

"We wait."

"For what?"

"For the rescue party."

Aleera carefully ripped Legolas's tunic at the hole made by the arrow, then ripped the fabric of the shirt beneath. Her eyes watered at the sight of the bright red blood on his back and the way it bubbled from the deep wound. She looked up at the stoic figures seated against the wall. "His wounds need tending."

Pallando turned to the she-elf. "You mistake me for someone who has an interest in seeing him live."

She narrowed her tear-filled eyes. "So you will let him bleed to death?"

"Bleeding to death is perhaps the least cruel way for him to die. But I have visions of something far more exciting."

"Who are you?" Aleera asked.

Pallando turned to Gwinn, who folded her arms and shrugged indifferently at him. He turned his attention back to the she-elf who he realized had some kind of connection with Legolas. "I am Pallando."

"You are an Istar."

Pallando raised his eyebrows. "You are incredibly clever, elf."

"What do you mean to do with us?"

"While I will decide the fate of the son of Thranduil, your fate lies in the hands of the queen of Kozar."

Aleera's eyes shifted to Gwinn and the Kozari queen smiled sadistically at her. "I did nothing to you. Your quarrel was with your husband who is now dead."

Gwinn regarded her with curiosity and disdain. "So you think I should release you?"

"I will not leave without Legolas."

Gwinn turned to Pallando. "I am of a mind to believe that they are in love."

"But of course they are," agreed Pallando. "I think this will most certainly serve my cause."

Aleera stared down at Legolas's wound again. Neither Pallando or Gwinn looked as if they were going to help Legolas. She needed to stop the flow of blood. She reached down and tore the edge of her tunic. Then she placed the strip of cloth over the wound and held it firmly in place.

A young elfling of eight years ran through the woods. He came out into a clearing and ran over a bridge across a fast-flowing river. Up ahead were great wooden doors and standing before them was an elf maid of extraordinary beauty. She smiled warmly and crouched as the elfling rushed up to embrace her.

"Naneth, mas gar le?" (Mother, where have you been)

"Im gar an Esgaroth, Legolas." (I have been in Lake-Town)

Young Legolas kissed his mother's cheek with great affection and she returned it by kissing his brow.

"Im gar ant an le, meleth nin," said Alfirin as she reached for a large box wrapped in soft green suede. (I have a gift for you, my love)

Legolas stared wide-eyed at the box and promptly sat down on the steps. He carefully untied the suede ties holding the fabric together around the box. Then he lifted the lid. Inside was a black bow with leaf etchings painted in gold. "I cû!" (A bow)

"Le andrann si, Legolas." (You are of age now)

"Hannon le, naneth," Legolas choked out in tears as he hugged his mother again. "Nâ bain." (Thank you, mother. It is beautiful)

"Bad rado lin adar. E innas dulu le echadi philinn." (Go find your father. He will help you make arrows)

Legolas rushed off in search of his father, pausing only to stretch the bow in mock battle. "Hado i philinn!" he yelled and released the bowstring as he made a whooshing sound. He stopped and turned again in the direction of his mother. He could sense her unconditional love for him, something that his young mind did not fully comprehend. (Release arrows)

"Naneth…" whispered Legolas. (Mother)

Aleera bent over Legolas when she heard him speak. Earlier she had carefully pulled his upper body on her lap so she could continue to keep pressure on his wound. The flow of blood had slowed slightly after she had used many more strips of cloth torn from her tunic. "Dar ú-rinc, Legolas." (Remain still)

"Aleera," Legolas uttered painfully. "Am man le si?" (Why are you here)

"Mar im teli an le hain raeda nin." (When I came for you they caught me)

"Car hain naegra le?" (Did they hurt you)

"Nay," Aleera whispered back into his ear. She glanced up and saw the Istar observing them. She now knew who he was. Pallando was the friend of her great-great-grandfather, Alatar.

Legolas made a move to get up, but he cried out in agonizing pain, his upper back searing from the wound there. He slumped back down on Aleera's lap, feeling utterly helpless. His inability to move would hinder any chance of protecting Aleera if he needed to. "An man car le tolo an nin? An man le ú-dartha an Aragorn?" (Why did you come for me. Why did you not stay with Aragorn)

"Im tiri le dannen. Aníron ú-dulu ha." (I saw you fall. I could not help it)

"A i ingem si?" (Is the old man here)

"Aye, e a en Istar." (Yes, he is of the Istar)

"Your exchange in Sindarin is quite touching, elves," announced Pallando from where he sat. "It is only fair to advise you that I know your language."

"Why did you tell them that?" asked Gwinn, her mouth agape in annoyance. "You could have heard if they were planning something."

Pallando shook his head confidently. "They have no plans. He cannot move and she cannot protect him."

Aleera raised herself to look Pallando in the eye.

"I would not underestimate her," interjected Gwinn. "She inflicted a number of injuries to my guards when she awoke."

Legolas slowly turned his head so that he was able to look at the old man sitting beside the Kozari queen. He attempted to probe the Istar's mind once again, but was confronted with an impenetrable barrier. Not often was Legolas able to penetrate the mind of Gandalf, so he assumed the Istari had the ability to ward off those that tried. But the queen of Kozar had no such abilities. He explored her mind and discovered that she had no knowledge of what Pallando planned. He only sensed her hatred for him and Aleera, and of all elves, it now seemed. She was conjuring up many ways to inflict pain upon them, some that made him shudder. He also noted that she felt no loss over the death of Hurrnäd and was in fact elated that he was gone. Legolas wondered how he had missed this particular emotion when last he probed her mind. "You are an Istar. Why do you side with this despicable woman who calls herself a queen? She is good for nothing but food for wargs."

Gwinn got up furiously and was about to walk over to the elf to give him a proper beating, but Pallando grabbed her arm to hold her back. "Watch your pretty mouth, elf or I will shove the business end of my sword down your throat." Gwinn sat back down, fuming over the elf's reference to her. "I grow tired of this, Pallando. Why do we wait?"

Legolas's eyes narrowed at the mention of the name uttered by Gwinn. Pallando was a name he knew well. It was a name his father had uttered many times and always with a deadly silent anger Legolas sensed even from afar. Only once had his father told him why that name brought anger upon him. Pallando had tried to hurt his mother, Alfirin. Legolas did not quite understand how until he was older and the thought of rape made him ill. But Thranduil had killed Pallando and never did his father mention to him that Pallando was an Istar. Could it be that this Istar merely had the same name?

"I am expecting the company of a certain elf soon. So have patience," said Pallando in a soothing, yet malicious tone.

Pallando's statement only confirmed Legolas's suspicions. "What quarrel do you have with this elf?" asked Legolas, not yet hinting that the elf could be his father.

"He tried to kill me once, long ago. Over a she-elf."

Legolas immediately lost his fortitude. "My father told me you were dead!" he shouted, startling Aleera. He tried to get up, only to be held down by her. "How is it that you still live?"

Pallando looked at the elf with renewed interest. "So you have heard then?"

Legolas could not suppress his anger and hatred now that he knew for certain that this was in fact the Pallando that tried to rape his mother long ago. "My father told me what happened."

"I loved her!" Pallando confessed.

"You know nothing of love. To try and take someone by force is not love."

Pallando sneered evilly. "Oh, but she was willing. I could see it in her eyes. She wanted me."

"You are delusional. My mother loved my father. She would never betray him. Elves do not betray each other." Legolas felt tears stinging his eyes, even though he knew he spoke the truth. But there was still a small inkling of doubt in his mind as he thought of what Seledred did to Aleera and he quickly pushed it away with loathing. Alfirin would never be unfaithful. It was just not possible.

Pallando continued to push the elf's sanity. "Her actions were suggestive toward me. Perhaps your father couldn't satisfy her. So she wanted me to take her like the whore that she was."

"I will kill you and this time you will be dead for good!" shouted Legolas as he attempted to get up again. But his arms and legs would not cooperate with him and he slumped back down. He turned his face away and heard the Istar laughing.

"You cannot even move, elf. How do you think you will be able to defeat me?"

"Im dan nesto," whispered Legolas under his breath. (I have but to heal)

Aleera leaned over Legolas and brought her lips close to his ear. "Do not listen to him, Legolas. He tries to elicit pain unto you with his words."

"He lies," he continued to whisper. "My mother would never betray my father."

"I know." Aleera gently lifted the cloth from Legolas's wound and found that it had stopped bleeding. "Heal yourself, meleth nin so we can find a way out of this." (my love)

Legolas quietly began to sing. It was the one thing that relaxed him and made him concentrate on healing. "I miss the life / I miss the colors of the world / Can anyone tell where I am / And now again I found myself so far down / Away from the sun that shines into the darkest place / I am so far down away from the sun again / Away from the sun again."

Gwinn turned toward the elves. "Keep quiet, elf!" She did not want to find anything pleasant about him, nothing to make her sway from her hatred of him and of her and of all their retched kind.

Legolas only paused briefly before taking up the song again. "I am over this / I am tired of living in the dark / Can anyone see me down here / The feeling is gone / There is nothing left to lift me up / Back into the world I know."

"I said keep quiet!" Gwinn yelled.

"And now again I found myself so far down / Away from the sun that shines into the darkest place / I am so far down away from the sun."

Gwinn could stand it no longer. She stood up and stomped over to the elves. Pallando did not stop her this time around. She delivered a kick into the elf's ribs and was satisfied to hear him grunt in pain. But it did not stop him.

"That shines to light the way for me to find my way back into the arms that care about the ones like me / I am so far down away from the sun again."

Gwinn raised her foot and slammed her heal into the wound on his back. The elf cried out in pain. "I told you to keep quiet! Are you deaf?" Then with a speed she had not thought possible, the she-elf was on her feet. Gwinn felt the pain in her face before she even realized she had received a blow.

Aleera stared at the screaming Kozari queen after slamming the heel of her hand into her damaged nose. She had acted on impulse, without even thinking of the consequences. Just as she had acted earlier when the Kozari guards were trying to remove the armor from her.

Pallando approached and pulled Gwinn away. "Luxin," he called out. The guard entered immediately. "Take him."

The second Luxin approached Legolas, Aleera lunged at him in fury. He tried to get away from her, but she jumped on his back and sank her teeth into his ear. Luxin cried out, trying to shake her off his back.

Pallando sighed heavily and grabbed Aleera around the waist, pulling her off the Kozari guard. She lashed out with her arms and legs like a wild animal and he tossed her aside.

Aleera was far from finished. She came to her feet and moved toward Pallando again. He extended his hand and she was knocked backward into the hard stone wall by an invisible force.

"Pick him up and take him to the surface," said Pallando to Luxin, who held a hand up to his bleeding ear.

Aleera shook her dazed head and looked up in time to see a large stone moving in front of the narrow entryway. The small cavern was soon bathed in complete darkness.