I know it's taking forever, but the 7th chapter is finally here!Hopeyou like it!

-Part 7-

Pick Your Battles

Aragorn awoke to the sun shining brightly through the trees leafy branches. The rays of light played upon his face as the tree's leaves swayed in the slight breeze; it warmed his face and he smiled. He thought of home as he lay there basking in the warmth and a sudden longing came over him. He never realized that even being away for so short a time filled him with desire to once again be with his family. Family…

"Legolas?" Aragorn ground out voice raspy. The wound on his throat smarted and caused him to grasp his neck in pain. He looked around frantically, but the elf was nowhere in sight. He went to stand, but sorely realized that every movement caused his back and head to ache. Nevertheless he pushed the pain aside and stood up slowly. He was hit with a wave of dizziness and sunk back down against the trunk of the strong tree.

'This is going to be easy.' He said to himself sarcastically as he rested against the rough bark.

Leaves rustled as a breeze blew through the trees. Aragorn could hear faint footsteps padding along with a relatively quiet rhythm, but something was amiss. The beats would every now and then gain a step or two, signaling to the ranger that there were two people.

They grew louder with each passing moment and Aragorn grew nervous. He knew that he was unable to defend himself properly against one opponent, let alone fend off two. Someone began to climb up the tree. His peaceful moment forgotten Aragorn began to think of a plan for an escape if need be.

"Legolas?" Aragorn tested quietly, knowing the elf would hear him. When he heard no answer he began to make his way slowly over to the edge of the flet. Branches and leaves obscured his view of the ground below; their twisted arms tangled together in a web of sharp twigs.

'Maybe this was not as smart as I thought it would be.' he said to himself contemplating his next move. Whoever was climbing up the tree was making quick work of it, and before long Aragorn caught sight of the person he dreaded seeing.

Malazack landed on the flet with incredible ease and a smile split his face.

"Hello, ranger!" he said with a laugh that made Aragorn's blood run cold.

'Anything is better than this.' he thought staring at the mad man behind him. He took a deep breath in an attempt to relax his body; he covered his eyes with his arms and pushed himself off of the flet.

Branches tore at him and ripped his clothes as he recklessly made his way down the tree. His arm snagged on a protruding branch that was particularly sharp and he let out a cry of pain as his force ripped a deep gash in his arm.

After what seemed like an endless jungle of branches, he hit the ground with full force on his shoulder. He felt a sharp pain lance through it when he landed, but he ignored it, the adrenalin in his system the only thing keeping him moving.

He rose only to be knocked back down again by another person. Kelvar tackled him from behind sending pain lancing through Aragorn's body. Despite his injuries Aragorn fought back with unexpected vigor.

The ranger's blood was everywhere, yet by the time Malazack had made his way down he had almost overcome the younger man. Malazack drew his dagger and jumped into the rough fight.

Before Aragorn knew what had hit him Malazack had slid his dagger under the rangers throat. The fight was over. He had lost.

Malazack nodded to Kelvar who cautiously tied Aragorn's hands behind his back. Aragorn suppressed a groan as his dislocated shoulder was painfully manipulated into an uncomfortable position. Kelvar gave the rope a yank when he had finished causing the ranger to wince as the rough cord rubbed against the gash that ran from his elbow to his wrist. The young man only laughed.

"Walk, Ranger." Malazack spat. He shoved Aragorn away from him as if in disgust. Aragorn staggered clumsily. The adrenalin rush was all but over and his body was failing him.

The sun shone brightly in the sky as the two men forced the ranger to continue; at times they were half dragging him. Aragorn lost all track of time; he simply concentrated on breathing and putting one-foot in front of the other, his slowness earning him a shove every time stumbled.

Finally the ranger emerged from the trees and entered a small clearing. Aragorn soon found what he feared he would find. Legolas, who was gagged and tied between two trees, had blood dripping from under the gag and bruises forming on his face. The elf's eyes grew wide as he looked at Aragorn, who was obviously oblivious to the shape he was really in.

Anger burned in his chest as Malazack and Kelvar attempted to gag him. He fought, but his struggles were cut short as a fist impacted with his stomach. As the soiled cloth touched his lips the ranger firmly shut his mouth and again began to struggle. There was a faint scent on the cloth that Aragorn recognized as a narcotic.

Kelvar, noticing that this would take longer than he wanted it to, dug his nails in the gash on the ranger's arm. Aragorn yelled in pain, and as soon as he opened his mouth Malazack slid the gag into his mouth.

The drug took affect almost immediately, and Aragorn went limp. Malazack dropped him to the ground, giving him a kick.

"Kelvar, go tie him next to the elf." He growled nursing a black eye that Aragorn had given him during their fight.

Kelvar did as he was told and dragged the ranger's body to where Legolas was suspended. He roughly tied the ranger in the same fashion, but the ranger's feet were lower to the ground because Kelvar could not lift the unconscious human.

Legolas looked at his friend. He spotted his dislocated arm immediately by the way it hung from the bonds. Legolas vowed at that moment to protect Aragorn at all costs. He then allowed his head to sink back down.

"Do not fear Strider. We will escape, but we must pick our battles wisely my friend." he whispered to the unconscious ranger as he watched their captors with a glare.

Dun Dun Dun! Poor Aragorn and Legolas! Reviews Please... they're what keep me going! LaughsThanks 2 allmy reviewers.See you nextchapter!

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