And now the action begins. . . I guess now is a good time to mention that I collect quotes and some of them make it into my stories. . . I don't plagiarize, but if you see something you recognize, that's why.
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The elven prince woke hours later to the sound of screams. He instinctively reached for his knives, but cold metal bit into his hand as he did so. "I wouldn't reach for those, if I were you."
Legolas tried to let his eyes grow used to the darkness, but the adversary gave him no chance to gain his bearings. He grabbed the elf by the collar, and pulled him close, so that their noses were almost touching. Legolas recoiled, recognizing the scent of human.
"You're not like the others."
Legolas forced the weariness from his body. He felt strangely weakened, but did not have the time to wonder why. "I'm sorry?"
"You're blonde, and your eyes are different."
Legolas said nothing, though if he had wanted to reply, he wouldn't have known what to say. The man tugged on him. "I want to know why you're different."
"I'm not from here," the prince spoke absently, looking for an escape. He wondered who this man was, and how many more like him there were in Rivendell.
"Where are you from, then?"
"Mirkwood."
The man laughed sinisterly. "Perfect. A friend of Thranduil, are you? You wear his crest."
Legolas quickly hid his surprise. "I am but a servant in his household." He felt a small blade being pressed against his exposed throat. He allowed himself to be backed against the wall.
"Now, you are going to tell me the truth, to every question I ask. If you lie, I will kill you. If I think you're lying, I will kill you. If you leave anything out, I will kill you. As a matter of fact, you are going to have to work very, very hard to stay alive. Do you understand?"
Legolas nodded, biting back his fear.
"First question. Who are you?"
"I told you, I am but a servant in the house of Thranduil."
The man, whom Legolas could now clearly see, shook his head. He had dark hair, much like Aragorn's, a stout neck, and was quite tall for a human. He looked fearfully familiar.
"Tsk tsk, Thrandullion."
Panic rose in the prince's stomach. This man knew him, but from where?
"I need answers, so I am going to give you one more chance. Who are you?"
There was no point in hiding his identity now, other than certain death. "I am Laegolas Thrandullion, second son to King Thranduil of Mirkwood."
The man smiled wickedly. "That's better. Now, where is Mithfalas?"
Legolas could not stop his body's shudder as realization added to his fear.
"Ah, you remember me. That is well." He moved his free hand to trace the J on the prince's abdomen through his nightshirt. "Tell me where your brother is."
"I know not." The metal dug into his skin. Legolas protested, taking small breaths. "He travels everywhere, and I have not seen him in many long years. I truly know not where he is."
The man leaned in closer. "I think you're lying to me."
Legolas slammed his fist into the human's temple, and watched him slump to the ground. "I am." He grabbed his knives, and ran into the dimly lit hallway of the elven lord. Hundreds upon hundreds of men were raiding the halls, looting what they could with captives in their arms. He looked around desperately, unsure of what to do.
He caught sight of Aragorn, and called out to him.
"Run, Legolas! Father has commanded everyone to run!"
"And do you intend to leave him?" He was shouting to his friend above the roar of panic, and across the staircase. He worked his way to his human friend. "I will not abandon lord Elrond now."
"Nor were we planning on it," Elladan said, coming up behind them with Elrohir.
His twin joined in. "We are holding our last stand in the library. From what we've heard, they have let all of the captives go. We know not of what they search."
"They are searching for me," Legolas said. "There was a man in my room, and he knew me." He turned his eyes to Aragorn, and pointed to his hidden scar.
"They knew?"
Legolas nodded. "Let's get to the library then."
The foursome began running, dodging in and out of marauders and thieves.
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"Aragorn, I told you and Legolas to run! Why are you here?"
"Begging your grace, my lord," Legolas interjected, "but we were not about to leave you fighting on your own."
Elrond sighed and shook his head. "So very like your father, Legolas."
Legolas made no response but to spin around when the door shook. "Here they come."
"Everyone behind a bookcase! Every other one. We'll at least catch them by surprise."
Legolas held his knives at the ready, looking to his right, where Elrohir was just two cases away. His friend gave him an assuring nod just as the doors were broken through.
The five occupants of the library were deathly still. None seemed to breathe, let alone move. Legolas closed his eyes briefly as he heard one of the men traveling up his aisle. He did not want to be the one who gave them all away, but he jumped forward, catching the man completely off guard.
The blow Legolas dealt, however, was not fatal. The man reached his hand up, grabbing the prince around the throat. "You have evaded her twice, I will not let you get away a third time."
The prince dropped one of his knives, using his free hand to pry at the man's grasp around his neck. He was quickly cutting off the elf's air supply, and the others were too involved in their own battles to help him.
The man who had attacked Legolas in his room tightened his hold with one hand, and tried to wrench the knife from his opponent with his other hand. Legolas could not move easily, but he managed to lodge the weapon into the man's forearm.
The man recoiled, loosening his grip. Legolas threw his body to the side, away from the man.
"You will not get away, Legolas, brother of Mithfalas!"
"I have escaped you twice. You've said that already. What makes you think you would beat me this time?"
The man only laughed as he pulled Legolas' knife from his arm. "I can beat you now because that's what I'm trained to do."
"You, sir, have done wonderfully so far."
Legolas' sarcasm was not dampening the enemy's mood in the least. In fact, his smiled grew wider. "I will take such great pleasure in watching you die, elf." He pulled a pouch from his coat and emptied its contents into his hand. With a quick smile at the elf, he blew into his palm, and Legolas found himself inhaling a white powder. He coughed, trying to rid himself of the substance. Within seconds, he crumpled, unconscious.
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The prince awoke sometime later on a cold stone floor. His body immediately went into overdrive. He tried vainly to calm his nerves. He tried to fight the memories of what happened every time he woke on a stone floor. He had no doubts this would be different.
Legolas listened carefully for signs of anyone else. Finally, he ventured a very quiet whisper. "Aragorn?"
"He's not here. No one's with you."
Legolas cringed. He was stricken by the voice, and could think of nothing to say. The man gave him the opportunity.
"Where is he, Thrandullion?"
"I do not know where Mithfalas is."
He chuckled. "And if you did?"
Legolas pulled himself up, resting against the bars that closed around him. "If I did, I would not tell you."
He leaned close to the elf through the bars. "Breaking that rebellious spirit will be most pleasing."
"Breaking your neck will be more pleasing," Legolas spat out the words before he thought about the consequence of them.
The man reached through the bars, grabbing a fist of the prince's hair, holding his head close. "You will submit to me, or you will-"
"Die? Gladly."
"No, elf. You will not die. Death would be too easy a way out for you. You will suffer pain, humility, and embarrassment for the rest of your condemned life, long after I am gone. You will never cross the sea, and yet you will never see Mandos."
Legolas stiffened at the words, which he should not have taken heavily. But something in the voice made him sober, and made him scared of the inevitable future that this evil man promised.
"You will spend the rest of your life in servitude to men. One day, you will break and tell us where your brother is. We will kill him. You will see everyone you know die with time or pain, but you alone will be forced to take it all."
Legolas had one strangely comforting thought in all of this. Elves could die of a broken heart. But Legolas balked at the idea. He was a warrior, and he would not die of a broken heart. It would show his weakness, and as a warrior in the name of Thranduil, he had no weaknesses.
"Tell me, when was the last time you screamed?"
Legolas remained silent, and the man smiled.
"Was it when Jeralin gave you that lovely little scar?"
Legolas pierced the man with a deadly glare, but his smile grew all the wider.
"It was, wasn't it? Well, that was quite some time ago. I think we shall remedy that." He grabbed something from a table behind him, then unlocked the cell door, allowing himself to enter Legolas' hold.
Wrapping a thin hand in the prince's hair, he exposed the elf's throat.
Legolas bit back tears as old memories and new anguishes surfaced. He felt steel lying against his skin. He silently prayed to the Valar for this to end quickly.
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Elrond watched his son in the stables, readying his horse. "Estel, be sensible."
The human ignored his father, tightening the cinch on his saddle. Maybe riding into Evandeal was insensible, and maybe Legolas wasn't even there, but he could not leave his friend alone.
"Estel, you can't go."
Aragorn turned to his father, tears ready to spill from his eyes. "There were many times when Legolas could have left me to die. A few when he didn't even like me. I will not leave him to torment or death, or whatever is planned for him."
Elrond folded his arms across his chest. He could swear that the young human was so like Arwen in his stubbornness some days. "And if he's not in this little town that you are going to?"
Aragorn shrugged. "I don't know. But I'll figure that out when it happens."
"I suppose you'll be taking the twins with you?"
The human shook his head. "I go alone. I can get further in a human town without elves. Elrohir rides to Mirkwood, as we speak. He is informing Thranduil of what happened."
"And Elladan?"
"Dan will wait on the edge of the forest, a good day and a half's ride from Evandeal. I go into the city alone."
"Promise me you won't get yourself killed."
Aragorn laughed. "I promise, Ada, but I cannot leave Legolas to this fate."
"Then ride fast, my dear boy. Bring Legolas back in one piece, and I would prefer it if you came back that way as well."
The human smiled and nodded, mounting his horse. "I will see you soon, Ada." He sped off in the direction he remembered the wicked town being in, vaguely aware Elladan joining him.
"Estel, I'm really worried. What if Legolas isn't even there, and you go and get yourself killed? Then what? I'm not going back to Ada without both of you."
The ranger, being snapped out of his thoughts, slowed his pace. "I've been thinking about it, Dan. The people that took Legolas and me to Evandeal last time were Gondorian. Mar was from that town, so it would make since that he was somehow involved with Gondor as well, wouldn't it? If Legolas isn't there, we ride to Gondor. If something happens to me, you ride there."
The elf nodded.
Aragorn was thinking sad thoughts. If they found Legolas alive, in the clutches of Her, he would never trust the race of men again. Aragorn himself would have to work very hard to prove his honor. His heart went out to his friend, wherever he might be.
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Elrohir skidded into Thranduil's dwelling, losing his footing on the smooth floors. A guard moved forward to help him up, but Elrohir jumped to his feet.
"I need to speak with Lord Thranduil immediately!"
The guard bowed his head, leading the Noldor elf to the Great Hall. "Wait here."
Elrohir waited, but without patience. Legolas was in danger and the king was inside exchanging formalities based on his arrival.
The doors reopened. "Lord Thranduil will see you."
Elrohir strode into the room, straight towards the throne, and bowed low. "My lord."
"Rise Elrohir, son of Elrond. What news have you?"
"No news, milord, but a fact shrouded in mystery."
"Go on."
Elrohir nodded. "Rivendell was attacked by men not very long past. They harmed no one, stole nothing, and took no prisoners, but for Legolas."
Thranduil's eyes flashed desperately. "Tell me what happened."
"I know not much of the events, milord, and for that, I apologize. I know only that someone attacked Legolas in his chambers, and then again in the library. We were fighting against many men, but one of them blew a sort of powder at Legolas, and he became unconscious. Then they all left, but we know not for where. Estel is looking for your son, my lord."
The king's mind was spinning. This couldn't be happening. In the hands of men, Legolas had visited the Halls of Mandos, and almost lost use of his hands. He had almost lost his son, the only person left for whom he truly cared. "Where does the human think he has gone? My guards will aid in the search."
"He would not tell us, milord, for he thought it better to go without the company of elves. A group of elves in a town of men would look suspicious."
Thranduil rose from his seat. "You want me to trust a human with my son's life? A human? The very race that made him so wary in the first place?"
Elrohir tried not to flinch at the growing anger in the elven king's voice. "My lord, Estel has proven himself many times over to your son. Legolas is wary of men, yes, but he trusts Estel. You should, as well."
"So, Elrohir, what am I supposed to do? Sit here and twiddle my thumbs while some ranger tracks my son?"
"Estel will find him, milord, I promise you that." Silently, Elrohir willed Estel to hurry, wherever he was.
"I need to search for him, Elrohir."
The younger elf looked up, shocked by the pleading in the elf lord's voice.
In a much quieter voice, and to himself, Thranduil whispered, "I cannot lose him as well."
"Pardon, my lord?"
Thranduil shook his head, and said nothing. Elrohir sighed.
"I know that you want to find him, milord, but I know not where you would start."
Thranduil nodded. "Do you not suppose that it may be the same men that took him and Strider last time?"
Elrohir hesitated. He knew they were the same men, but if Thranduil knew that, he would charge into the town and ruin any chance that Legolas had for escape. "No, milord, they did not look familiar, even to Estel."
"Thank you. You may go."
Was Thranduil near tears? Surely he was seeing things. Elrohir nodded, and left the throne room without another word.
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Legolas had his eyes closed, but he was not grimacing or showing any signs of worry. This man wanted him to be scared, and though he was, he would not give that knowledge to his captor.
"I could slit your throat," the man whispered, barely inches from the elf's face. Legolas could smell the acrid mead on his breath.
"And to what purpose?"
Once again, he saved himself life, but not pain, with the simple question. He would never tell where Mithfalas was, but they would certainly never get the answer if he were dead.
"No purpose but my pleasure. You are becoming a great pain to me, Prince, and I will not have that. It is near time you learn to respect your masters."
"Oh, good, then I still don't have to worry about respecting you." Legolas smiled despite himself.
The man's eyes flashed dangerously, and he threw the blade to the ground beside him. "You have dishonored me enough, Elf. Now it is my turn."
Legolas cringed as the man unexpectedly shouldered him into the wall. His breath caught in his throat, making him gasp slightly. The attack did not stop. A fist landed in every vulnerable spot on the elf's body. Finally catching his breath, Legolas tried to fight back. He landed a fist in the side of the man's head, and aimed another blow, but the human caught his arm.
"I have not begun to dishonor you, elf."
Legolas looked at him, the confusion clear in his eyes.
He smiled, placing a finger on the elf's fair cheek and tracing a line lightly to his jaw. His smiled widened as Legolas winced and shuddered.
"Ah, familiar to that, are you? I should have guessed. Do not cross me again, or I will leave you with more than just a threat." He released his hold on Legolas, but the elf did not move.
The man exited the cell and locked it behind him. Reaching the door at the far end of the room, he turned back towards his prisoner. "You are completely alone, elf. And so it shall stay until you have learned some manners. I'd behave if I were you."
The heavy wooden door closed with an echoing sound.
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To my reviewers:
Deana: As soon as I can. . . and I imagine I'll get a lot of "poor Legolas"s for this chapter, lol.
Sky14: Lol, well, you're gonna have to wait 3 or 4 chapters for that info. . . but maybe it's because he actually IS dead?
Lindahoyland: Oh, if you didn't read a few stories past, the scar he has is a brand from Jeralin, and evil man who enslaved Legolas. (Just keeping you up to date so you don't get lost.)
Faerlain: Lol, I want to join the fanclub. . . lol! I'm glad you like the relationship between Leggy and Arwen. I'm working hard on that one. . .