1"That's Sam and Abbey!" Katelyn cried. She took off at a sprint through the trees with Legolas hot on her heels. Her legs were threatening to give out on her at any moment, but she pushed herself to her limits. Katelyn crashed through the last thicket of bushes and found herself back in camp, and beholding a sight that made her blood run cold. There were men... No, they were elves. Seven of them all clad in garb of greys and greens. Each one of them had a sword drawn, and two of them had Abbey and Samantha at knife-point with their hands bound tightly with some kind of silk rope that was unbreakable.

Before she could do or say anything, another elf she had not seen grabbed her from behind, pinning her arms behind her back and tying them with the same silken material. Katelyn cried out and struggled fiercely against her bonds. But the more she struggled, the more the silken rope tightened around her wrists. "Let me go!" she yelled, fighting hard against the elf's hold. He hissed something in her ear in the same language that Legolas had spoken, and pressed a dagger against her throat. Even though she hadn't understood what he had said, she got the message that he had told her to stop struggling or else. "Let-me-go..." Katelyn said in a deadly calm voice.

The elf tightened his grip on the dagger, pressing a little harder against her throat, and she felt a trickle of blood slip down her throat. Something flashed before her eyes. She was no longer standing in dark woods, but in sunlit ones with very different trees. Legolas and two men that looked very familiar were standing not far from her with weapons drawn... Then her vision flashed again, and she was back in the dark forest with the elves, and Abbey and Sam.

An angered voice suddenly rent the night air. "Stop! Lower your weapons and release them now!" It was Legolas. He stepped out of the brush, having finally caught up with Katelyn at last. His bright blue eyes were alighted with fury and rage as he stepped over to the elves. "Release them! Now!" he shouted again.

The elves did as they were told. Legs shaking from keeping herself from falling onto the knife and slitting her throat, Katelyn dropped to her knees. Legolas said something to the two elves by Abbey and Samantha. They nodded, and stooped down to cut their silken rope bonds. Abbey looked like she was on the verge of taking the knife the elf nearest her was holding, and shoving it through his stomach. Legolas knelt down by Katelyn and undid the ropes quickly, his face stern and his lips pursed.

"My lord," the elf that had caught Katelyn said grimly, taking a step toward him, "I must insist that you do not release these mortals-"

"You will do nothing, Ioren, but pray that my anger subsides quicker than I can reach my blade. What right do you have to treat three helpless women like this? Speak quickly!" Legolas shouted at the man, helping Katelyn to her feet, and keeping a protective hand on her shoulder.

Abbey and Samantha went quickly to Katelyn's side; Abbey glaring daggers at every single elf in the clearing except for Legolas. Samantha put an arm around Katelyn to steady her, and Legolas released his hand from her shoulder to continue his argument.

"We were sent to guard the borders, and bring before King Thranduil all whom we capture. You know the laws of this realm, Prince Legolas." Ioren answered firmly.

Katelyn stared at Legolas with an open mouth, shocked at the words she had heard. "You-You're a prince? You never thought to tell us that?" she asked with a hint of anger in her voice.

He did not answer her, but was staring hard at the elf called Ioren. "I know the laws of the realm. But the prince of this realm-"

"Our orders come from your father, the king. You have no authority over him, and therefore have no power to contradict his demands. Step away from the mortal, prince." Ioren said harshly, taking a step toward the two, holding another length of silken rope.

"You'll have to kill me first..." Legolas answered in a chill whisper, stepping in front of the three of them.

"Legolas, don't be a fool!" Katelyn pleaded, grasping his arm.

"Listen to the mortal, Legolas." Ioren hissed, his dark grey eyes glittering malevolently as he took a few more steps toward them.

Legolas glared at Ioren before turning his gaze upon Katelyn. "I am not going to let them treat a princess and her companions this way; not while I have the power to stop it." Legolas said to her.

"Legolas... You said that you love Tari. If you believe that I am her, then listen to me. If you love me, Tari, then let me go." Katelyn said calmly, trying to keep him from having to fight off eight well armed elves.

"But-" Legolas protested. Katelyn silenced him with a look.

She stepped out of his protective grasp and walked over to Ioren and the other elves.

Legolas turned to Abbey and Samantha and whispered, "Go with her... I promise that I won't let them harm you. I'll see to it that they pay for their insolence."

Abbey wasn't all that trusting to his words, and nor was Samantha, but they did obey him. As soon as they were within their grasp, they were bound with ropes again, and blindfolded. Katelyn felt someone gently take hold of her wrists and lead her forward. The person lifted her up into a saddle. She knew that soft, cautious touch; it was Legolas. He swung up into the saddle behind her and took up the reins. Willow did not protest under the extra weight.

Legolas quietly whispered in her ear, "We are not far from my kingdom now. I doubt that my father will believe that the real Tari has returned after so many years; especially when she does not have the ears of an elf. But do not fret, for I will not let him harm any of you." He nudged Willow into a walk.

"Where are Abbey and Samantha?" Katelyn asked worriedly, wishing that she could see where she was, and where they were.

"They are right behind us on their horses which are being led by two elves." he answered.

"Why are you riding with me?" Katelyn asked suspiciously, beginning to try and undo the ropes.

Legolas let out a soft laugh. "Would you rather it be Ioren behind you, or me? They thought that you would ride off if someone did not guard you."

"It is Abbey they should worry about; she's the stubborn one." she answered with the merest trace of amusement. Then her voice changed to slight distress and anger as she asked, "Why are they doing this?"

"Because not only are you trespassers, but you are mortal trespassers. Mortals are obviously not welcome in any part of Mirkwood. We believe them to be untrustworthy and prone to influence."

"I believe that can be truly said about anyone..." Katelyn muttered, wincing as the ropes tightened harshly as she struggled.

"Don't bother..." Legolas whispered to her in a slightly husky voice. "You will never get out of those ropes unless someone unties, or cuts them for you."

Katelyn sighed dejectedly.