Disclaimer: Unfortunately, none of this is mine! :(

Title: Strike of the Serpent

Rating: R

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Notes:: Um…sorry?? Okay okay I know that doesn't cut it…but I really am. There's a lot of stuff going on in my personal life at the moment which I'm pretty sure nobody wants to hear about, so I'll spare you! Suffice to say that a lot of things have been keeping me firmly away from my PC recently… I can just apologise x 1,000,000 and hope you don't judge me too harshly (ie you can throw tomatoes, but no pickles please!)! I'd just like to thank all of you who have been so patient with me I really appreciate it cos it was that sort of time where extra pressure is the last thing you need, you know what I mean? But thank you all for your patience and here's some more for you!! I'll try to be quicker next time! I love you all!!!! .:Tithen Min:.

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Chapter 8

They had been left alone after the wizard's 'visit' and the Elf's continued silence was beginning to unnerve the Ranger. He kept glancing over at Legolas, but his friend did not acknowledge him. Finally, he grew tired of the long silence.

"Legolas! Listen to me, my friend, I know you can hear. He has you drugged, Legolas, you must fight it! I cannot do this alone, Legolas, please…"

He shook his aching head and fell silent, gazing detachedly at the contraptions that lined the walls of the cavernous chamber. Despair began to overtake the future king when he could see no way out.

"Ara-Estel,"

The Elf's voice was so weak that Aragorn almost missed the sound. His head whipped around and he stared at Legolas, who appeared to be struggling to open his eyes.

"Legolas!" He cried happily, " "Are you well, my friend?"

Legolas' low, amused chuckle was unexpected. "Well? 'Tis difficult to say Strider…I appear to be a little tied down!" He said, chuckling again.

Aragorn raised an eyebrow at Legolas' out of place humour. "Legolas? What is wrong with you?!" As he got no response, he tried again. "Sarcasm does not become you, my friend. How are you really?"

Legolas abruptly stopped laughing and shook his head tiredly. "I know not. I am having a hard time focusing on anything at present,"

Aragorn nodded. "I understand. Give yourself time, you have just fought off a wizard after all,"

Legolas opened his mouth to reply, but instead let loose a tortured groan, turning his face away from his friend's gaze.

"Legolas?!"

"He comes…" The Elf whispered, "No good can come of this,"

Aragorn's gaze went to the door, even as it flew open and they both watched Saruman glide in, followed closely by Grima.

"He did not fight me off, puny Ranger, I wished him to be awake for this."

Aragorn wrenched against his chains as Grima stepped closer to Legolas, running his hands over the Elf's chest, enjoying his helplessness.

Saruman followed Aragorn's panicked gaze with his eyes and frowned. "Back, servant! You can play with your little pet later,"

Grima frowned, but moved away, making Aragorn sigh with relief. Saruman chuckled.

"Oh no, Ranger, I have much worse things in store for you both."

As he turned and walked out the door, Aragorn wrenched against his chains once again.

"Leave him alone!" He cried, "He has suffered enough because of you!"

The ancient wizard rounded on him, his dark eyes blazing angrily. "Suffered? That Elf does not yet know the meaning of suffering, nor do you. I was going to let you rest a while, but now I think I shall not." He sneered, "Your tongue is too sharp by far, Ranger."

Aragorn's eyes grew wide with anger, but he held his tongue, if only for his friend's sake. The Istar smirked slightly, seeing the Ranger's reaction for what it was. He turned to Grima and gestured sharply towards the door.

"Out,"

Grima muttered under his breath, but did as he was told, shutting the solid wood door firmly behind him.

Saruman turned once more to Aragorn, hovering threateningly over his prone form. "Well, Ranger," He mused, "There is some…information that I wish to get from you. Where shall we start?"

Aragorn ignored the wizard's attempt at camaraderie, glaring defiantly at the ancient being.

Saruman raised an eyebrow. "Ah, I see we shall have to go about this the hard way." He muttered, casually strolling to the far side of the table that held Legolas, he seemed to be considering the devices on the walls, before he suddenly whirled and placed a hand on the Elf's chest.

Crackling white energy shot from the point where his hand lay on Legolas' chest and Aragorn watched in horror as Legolas' body convulsed, arching upwards against the bonds that held him captive. His eyes were tightly shut and his mouth was open in a soundless cry of pain.

"No! Stop, stop it! What information would you have me give you?" Aragorn cried desperately, trying to stall the wizard.

Saruman removed his hand and Legolas slumped back to the stone surface of the table, gasping for breath. The Istar smirked evilly and moved towards the Ranger, but a weak, but firm voice from behind him stopped him in his tracks.

"Strider, if you breathe but one word to him I will kill you myself."

Aragorn closed his eyes as Saruman turned on the defiant Elf, hitting him hard across the face with his staff, its sharp edges cutting twin furrows above and below his right eye and wrenching a cry of surprised pain from the prince.

The Ranger sighed sadly, seeing the brutal truth of Gandalf's statement. Legolas would never allow Saruman to gain any information that would bring him to power, no matter what the cost to himself.

* * * * * * * * * *

Gimli knew of Legolas' close connection to trees and nature in general and he looked around in horror at the Uruks' most recent campsite within the ruins of the once beautiful gardens of Isengard.

"This place must have been torture for him, Gandalf!" He cried, "Look at it! Nothing but charred remains as far as the eye can see…"

Gandalf nodded grimly. "I fear you may be right, master Dwarf…" he trailed off as he caught sight of something, striding past the Dwarf and crouching in the dust, examining the ground intently.

Gimli came up beside him; careful not to disturb whatever the wizard was studying so closely. There was an obvious disturbance in the ashes on the ground, but the Dwarf could not fathom its significance.

Gandalf snorted slightly before straightening stiffly and glancing at Gimli. "An escape attempt was made…" He sighed, "I fear it was not as successful as they had hoped," He muttered on to himself as he followed the tracks of the escapees away from the spot where they had been tethered.

He stopped suddenly, feeling the charge that still remained in the air following Saruman's brief appearance. "This does not bode well for them…" He sighed, sighting the place where Legolas had crashed to his knees and the spot where the Uruks had re-taken Aragorn. "Not well at all,"

* * * * * * * * * *

Aragorn glanced over at Legolas for what seemed like the millionth time since the wizard had left them alone. The Elf refused to speak of what Saruman had inflicted upon him, remaining stubbornly silent and staring blankly at the ceiling high above their heads.

The Istar had beaten him harshly with his staff, digging his long fingernails into the healing brand as a parting shot before leaving them, but it was the pain he had inflicted when he had placed his hand upon him that frightened the Elf so much. Aragorn could see the truth, even if his friend would not speak. He knew Legolas did not wish for him to see his fear, what he thought of as his weakness. The prince did not see that Aragorn only saw him as strong, but too stubborn for his own good.

"Legolas," He called softly, "You cannot keep this up, my friend. I am here by your side, please talk to me, mellon."

Legolas' eyes flicked briefly in his direction, before returning to their spot on the ceiling. "I have nothing to say, Estel."

Aragorn almost cried; with relief that his friend was still with him, and with sorrow that he seemed to have lost whatever hope he had left.

"Come, Legolas, 'tis not true! You always have something to say, even when no one wishes to hear it."

The Elf snorted. "Aye," He finally turned his grey gaze to Aragorn's face, "Yet when you wish to hear me speak, I often have little to say…please do not push me, mellon, I am weary."

Aragorn nodded sadly, his eyes taking in the deep shadows of exhaustion beneath his friend's eyes, the bruises and cuts on his body. His slim frame appeared to have lost yet more weight and there was a haunted look in his eyes that the future king had never seen before.

"I know, Legolas. I know, my friend."

Legolas shook his head, a small smile gracing his face at last. "No, my friend, you do not. And that is one thing I am truly grateful for,"

Aragorn managed a slight smile in response. "I know that you do not wish to speak of it, Legolas, but do not shut me out, I wish to help."

Legolas smiled. "I know that, Estel, and I thank you for that. It comforts me,"

Aragorn paused for a moment before saying what he most wanted to. "He hurt you,"

It was not a question. The Elf quickly looked away before his Human companion could see the turbulent emotions in his eyes. "I am fine, Estel, 'tis of no concern."

"Aye," Aragorn snorted, "I am well acquainted with your definition of 'fine', Legolas-"

"Strider, I told you not to push it!" Legolas growled, and Aragorn jumped at the unexpected outburst, staring wide-eyed at his friend.

"Legolas…I-"

"Please, Estel, I am weary. Leave me be for now," He spoke in the tone of a tired mother trying to quiet her child and Aragorn was slightly stung by his friend's unconscious gesture. He nodded uncertainly, uneasy about the Elf's sudden change of mood. He sighed softly; frustrated he could do no more.

Legolas, for his part, looked over guiltily at his friend, before returning his gaze to its original position. He was weak and weary, and knew that it was painfully obvious. The fever still raged inside him, which unsettled him greatly, and the throbbing brand on his shoulder served as a painful reminder of where they were and the fact that this was far from over. He knew he had to protect Aragorn from harm at all costs, but he knew not how.

"I am sorry, my friend, I am not myself these days. Please forgive me,"

Aragorn shook his head. "There is nothing to forgive, mellon nìn, I understand. Once we are free of this place-"

Legolas chuckled. "Estel is an apt name for you, my friend. But do you not even consider the possibility that we may not both get out of here alive?"

Aragorn shook his head. "Nay, Legolas, I do not. For to do that would be to give up all hope and fall into despair. Such I cannot do,"

"It is well for you that you have that choice, Estel." Legolas said cryptically, "And I would not see you fall into despair, for that would be the end of my own hopes as well, such as I have." He paused, a brief grimace crossing his fair face, "He is returning. Estel, whatever he threatens, whatever he does, do not speak, my friend, please. For all our sakes,"

"But, Legolas-"

"The fate of Middle Earth matters more than the fate of one Elf, Strider. He must not get the information he seeks, that cannot happen, otherwise all will fall to darkness and every Man, Elf and Dwarf in Middle Earth will suffer a fate worse even than our own."

Aragorn sighed, finally understanding. Legolas wished for the free peoples of Middle Earth to remain so and for his own people to pass over the sea in peace, even if he could not be with them. Aragorn's heart ached for his friend, that he would care so much for people he had never met…

His thoughts were cut short as the door burst open, startling him even though he had known it was coming.

Saruman smirked. "Have my answer yet?" Aragorn glared fiercely at the ancient being that loomed above him in frayed white robes and felt hatred such as he never had before.

"No?" The Istar questioned, "Pity. I shall have to use other means to get what I desire," he sighed, beckoning to someone outside the door. Aragorn watched as Grima slunk in, eyes as ever focused on Legolas. Saruman waved a hand and the Elf's restraints fell open.

"Take him," Saruman ordered, fixing Aragorn with a self-satisfied smirk as Grima carefully picked Legolas up and began to carry him out of the room.

The future king struggled madly against his shackles. "No!" He cried, "Legolas, fight him! Let him go!"

He noticed that Legolas did not struggle, staying limp and passive in his future master's grip. The Elf's eyes were once again mostly closed and glazed, his mind far away, which greatly disturbed the Ranger.

Saruman turned to follow Grima out of the room, but paused, looking back over his shoulder at Aragorn. "Will you tell me what I wish to know, Human?"

'Do not speak…please…' Tears running down his face, Aragorn shook his head, tearing his gaze away from where Legolas was held so possessively, so triumphantly, by Grima.

Saruman nodded. "Very well, Ranger. Then you have sealed his fate," He laughed, turning and walking from the room, leaving the crying Human alone.

* * * * * * * * * *

Hours later, Aragorn awoke, once again looking up at an unfamiliar ceiling. He had not even realised that he had fallen asleep, but Saruman had obviously taken advantage of his lowered guard and moved him to another cell. This one was slightly smaller than the last, with one very small window set high up in one wall and a pile of straw in one corner obviously meant to serve as a bed.

He barely had the time to take all of this in before the iron door was thrown open and two Uruk Hai tossed Legolas unceremoniously back into the cell and slammed the door with a resounding clang that echoed several times before dying.

For a moment, Aragorn could do nothing but stare in shock at the damage done to his friend while the Elf struggled, and failed, to rise from the floor. The Man came back to himself suddenly, hurrying over to Legolas' side and gently scooping him off the floor. Carrying him over to the wall, he carefully sat the archer against it and looked him over in the dim light from the window and gasped softly.

He had clearly been tortured and looked terrible. One eye was blackened and swollen shut; the other was glazed with pain and shock. Bloody welts decorated most of his body, as did large black and purple bruises. Burns marred the left side of his neck, his upper right arm and the left side of his abdomen, just above the waistband of his tattered leggings. His right shoulder was dislocated and his left ankle was broken.

Aragorn closed his eyes in misery. He could do next to nothing for the archer without his supply of herbs and tools. All he could do was set the bones, rinse the wounds and hope that that would be enough.

He reached for the bowl of stale water that had obviously been left in the cell for them. Tearing a strip from what little remained of the Elf's cloak; he dipped it in the water.

"Fool of an Elf," He muttered to himself fondly, "How is it I always end up having to fix you?" He jumped when Legolas laughed weakly, having thought he was unconscious.

"Heard…that," he muttered.

"Good!" Aragorn retorted. "It is true!"

Legolas chuckled at the familiar argument, but stopped abruptly, wincing as his shoulder jarred. Aragorn frowned.

"I will need to fix that, mellon. It is dislocated,"

Legolas closed his eyes and took a deep breath, visibly trying to relax himself. He nodded, "Do it,"

Aragorn tightly gripped Legolas' arm just above the elbow and braced his other hand against the Elf's collarbone. Taking a deep breath, he rotated Legolas' arm into the correct position and pulled sharply until he heard a distinct pop, which indicated that the joint was re-aligned properly.

He glanced up to see that his friend had lost consciousness, finally succumbing to the pain and weariness of his body. Aragorn sighed, picking up the cloth again and starting to do what he could for the wounds the prince had taken.

"I am sorry, Legolas. Sorry I did not do more and I once again failed to protect you…"

He finished, and carefully laid Legolas on the straw in the corner of the cell, lying beside him to try and keep him warm. He felt the heat still radiating off his friend's body even though he was shivering. It was painfully obvious to him that his friend was very ill, and that there was nothing he could do to help him. Still musing on this, his own exhausted body pulled him into a deep sleep.

* * * * * * * * * *

Aragorn awoke some time later, feeling cold. He realised that he felt cold because the Elf was no longer beside him and started to get up, looking around frantically for his friend. His eyes finally lighted on Legolas, standing at the far wall of the cell, his back to Aragorn.

"Legolas? Are you alright?" He asked softly, not wishing to startle the prince. When no response was forthcoming, he took a few steps closer. "Legolas-"

"Stay away, Estel."

The sudden sound of Legolas' voice stopped him in his tracks and his eyes grew wide. "What? Legolas what is it?"

Legolas dropped his head. "Please do not come near me, Estel. He-he is inside my head! I cannot see hope any more, my friend, I-"

He broke off, turning to face Aragorn fully. The Ranger gasped.

Legolas' once-beautiful grey eyes were pitch black.

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:p I'm still in Tahoe!! Nyah nyah you can't catch me! ;)

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My huge thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter;

MoroTheWolfGod, DXPrincess, Ivory Novelist, Alice7, Lefty, Sirith, Irish QT, Ivorybrowneyes, Lady Jaina, tamara, Aniviel Freespirit, Amber Eyed Goddess, Kelsi, itarilde-elenastar, Gwyn, LegolasLover2003, Black Hawk, Riva van Dyk, fireball, TrinityTheSheDevil, I-like-chickens, Kourin Lucrece, Elithraniel, Celticgoddess578, Lillybeth1, Ral. Thank you all for your massive patience with me and I hope that this chapter was worth what I unintentionally made you wait!!! I am so sorry! :(

Anyway because I want to get this out to you as soon as I can it's literally going up as soon as it's finished. I'll reply to you all individually at the end of the next chapter thank you all for taking the time to give me some support and confidence! Hope you enjoyed and I'll have more up as soon as it's written. Huggles for all!!! :)

.:Tithen Min:.