Yes, I'm back with an update. Wow, I think this is a record for me. I've never updated in less than two months and now it's only been what? Like, two weeks? Give me some cred. :D

Enjoy! This chapter is a little longer than the last one.

The room that had been prepared for me was the same one in which I had stayed during my time in Rivendell; for that I was glad. Night had fallen and many retired for the night, as Elrond's great council concerning the ring was to be held on the morrow. The silence of Imladris was ironically most welcoming. After bathing myself and changing into clean clothes, I stepped outside onto the balcony in my room that led out into the comely garden. The sturdy rails supported me as I leaned tiredly against them, looking out into the distance.

The moon shone fully and brightly and it is perhaps because of it that I was able to spot the shadow in the garden. Immediately, I recognized it and quietly walked down the stairs of the balcony. My elvish skills I see have not yet abandoned me, for even under the direct light of the moon I was able to conceal myself in the darkness- element of surprise being on my side. I watched as the effigy of my intent walked towards my direction- entirely unaware of my presence- and sat on the bench beneath the magnolia tree behind which I stood obscured from view. Once he settled, I silently walked out from behind my hiding place, making my way towards him.

But as I drew closer, he jumped up from his sitting position in a speed I did not know was possible, and in a matter of seconds a gleaming blade was pressed against my throat, reflecting in it the pale light of the moon. I looked up into Legolas' eyes that were squinted in anger, raising my hands up as a sign of peace. Never had either one raised an arm against the other. Slowly, his features softened and he brought his dagger down, sighing before re-sheathing it. Neither one of us uttered a single word, and Legolas turned away, not wanting to meet my gaze either because of shame or something much more complicated. Finally, I could not take the silence.

"You do not sleep," I said to him, deciding that it was best if I did not speak of what just happened.

"I'm not tired," he responded dryly.

I cocked my head a little in annoyance and put my hand on his shoulder, turning him around to face me. He hissed as if in pain, wincing beneath my touch and quickly I withdrew.

"What has happened to you, Legolas?" I asked in stern tone that demanded an answer. I have never seen him like this before- so distant, so emotionless.

Legolas turned away again. "I do not wish to speak of it."

"Well you're going to have to!" I exclaimed, a little more harshly than I wanted to. When he still didn't say anything I softened my tone. "Legolas, please, my friend. It burns my heart to see you like this. I know that it has been twenty years since we have last seen one another, but I did not think that time can breach a friendship. If it is something I have done, then please…"

"It's not that, Aragorn," he interrupted.

"What then?" I asked desperately, trying to read his thoughts as we have often done with one another.

He sighed and finally turned to face me. "A few years ago, I was scouting woods in the north. It was getting late and I needed to make camp. I found a fair spot and was about to settle down when I saw a light from a fire in the distance. As I drew closer to the spot, I saw about twelve men gathered around a fire. They seemed like honorable men, rustic to the look, but nevertheless kind. Or so I thought. I walked into their camp to greet them, completely abandoning all sense of circumspection. They in turn welcomed me to stay at their camp and so I did. I dined with them and then retired for the night. I did not understand why I was so wearied, for elves do not tire easily, and yet I didn't really care. Later on I found out it was because a heavy drug was put into my drink, strong enough to work even on an elf.

"When I woke up it was already midday and I realized that I was bound hand and foot. I was in a wagon and the constant bumping made my head hurt incredibly. I was finally brought to some kind of dwelling- where they must have lived. Each day from then one they would beat, starve, and torment me. I was constantly drugged by force so there was nothing I could do to defend myself. They thought I would become dependent on whatever herb it was that they were giving me, but fortunately Valar had shielded the elves away from such addictions. Nevertheless those six years were the longest years of my life."

I listened to him in horror. Six years? That was longer then any living creature, even an elf, can endure under such torture. What he said made me so angry. I wanted nothing more then to have those people in front of me right now so that I may smother the life out of them with my bare hands for what they did to my friend.

"What was it they wanted from you?" I asked.

"Entertainment," he spat out. "Every night I would be brought in front of their leader as he dined and he would watch in amusement my helplessness as they beat me for hours straight, not tiring or getting bored. They used instruments beyond my knowledge on me. About six months ago, soldiers from Mirkwood that were scouting for me finally found me and helped me escape from that horrid place. I was brought to Rivendell for healing and here I have been ever since."

"Who were they?"

But Legolas shook his head. "I will speak no further of this."

"Legolas…" I protested, but he raised his hand to silence me.

"No, Aragorn. I will tell you no more. If you are truly my friend then you will leave me alone and not question me."

Slowly and reluctantly I nodded. Despite my deep concern for him, I understood that my requesting of him telling me more would be no use. He would only retire further away. When Legolas received my answer, he faintly smiled in gratitude and left in the direction of the House. I too went back to my room. I will leave him alone for now.

Morning came too swiftly for my liking. Erestor came to wake me up and I prepared myself for the council that was to be held in the court outside. Many had attended, some of which I knew and others who were new to me. Frodo had fully recovered and was sitting by Gandalf. Legolas was there as well and once Elrond began to speak, he locked his eyes with mine for a second before averting his attention to the elf lord. In the end, it was decided that Frodo would take the ring to Mordor to destroy it. Eight would go with him: Gandalf, the three hobbits, a dwarf named Gimli, a man of Gondor Boromir, Legolas, and I. I was not surprised that Legolas volunteered to go, for he needed something to avert him from his ordeal. But the fact that besides me there would also be another man, worried me. I did not know how Legolas would take to this, but apparantely he was more concerned with the presence of a dwarf.

We headed out South under the lead of Gandalf in the direction of the mountains. Several times we had stopped to rest on our journey, and each time I would try to speak with Legolas. But he would always find ways to avoid me and spoke only when necessary. Once when I was trying to find him, I saw him sitting on a rock by Boromir, involving himself in an engaging conversation with the man. This little detailed surprised, for he seemed calm around the man and much less tense than he was around me.

Now we were once again regaining strength. I was sitting down, smoking a pipe and watching as Boromir was teaching Merry and Pippin to spar. It was quite an amusing sight.

"Move your feet," I told Pippin and the little hobbit obeyed. To my surprise the halflings weren't half-bad with the sword.

Suddenly, I noticed that Gandalf, Legolas, and Gimli- who were standing a few meters away from us- were looking to the horizon with worried looks on their faces.

"What is that?" asked Sam.

"Nothing, it's just a wisp of clouds," Gimli replied, but unfortunately it was not a mere wisp of clouds. It was something far more perilous.

"It's moving fast," said Boromir beside me, stepping out protectively in front of the hobbits, "against the wind."

All of a sudden Legolas yelled out what I could not, confirming my suspicion. "Crebain from Dunland!"

"Hide!" I screamed out to my companions and quickly moved to gather as many of our things as I could. If those foul crows should spot us, we would be in peril.

My companions and I quickly hid ourselves beneath bushes and behind rocks until the birds passed us by, but I knew that we had been spotted.

"Spies of Saruman," said Gandalf getting up from his hiding place. "Our passage south has been watched. We must take the paths of Caradhras."

At once, we all looked to the snowy mountain. A lump formed in my throat, for those paths screamed of danger.

"No!" protested Boromir. "It is folly to go up that mountain. We will never make it out alive."

"What do you suggest we do then, son of Gondor?" said Gandalf in an angry tone.

"We can go through the Gap of Rohan," replied the man, "and take the west road to my city."

"The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard," I objected. We could not risk Saruman detecting us again. Besides, the last place the Ring would be safe is in the land of Men. In their hands it would be more dangerous than in the hands of Sauron himself.

Suddenly Gimli spoke out, "If we cannot pass over the mountain, let us go under it. Let us go through the Mines of Moria."

I looked to Gandalf for an answer. What Gimli suggested was perhaps the most rational decision.

"Let the Ringbearer decide," answered the wizard after a few moments of pondering and battling the demons within himself that I knew still existed. Gandalf was the most fearless person I have ever met, but Moria was the one place that frightened him. Nevertheless, a decision was made. We were to go through Moria.

Tbc…

Yeah, I know I cut out the Caradhras seen. I have no idea why, though. It just came like that. Maybe I was just too lazy. Anyway, please review. Your comments mean a lot.

Ella