Disclaimer: I'd be a bad elf owner so I'll leave the owning to Tolkien and just randomly borrow an elf or two for my mischief:P

Thanks to my reviewers! You guys are great! And sorry to them, since it's been a while…but hey I've got fanfic mojo, a working computer, and my visiting family is gone now so it's all good.

Chapter 4

"How is he?"

"He is coping," Aragorn answered.

"You will need to make sure he is focused for this task before setting out."

"He is always focused, my lord."

"He has never lost Arianna before though," Elrond clarified.

"How did they meet?" Aragorn asked.

"That is not a tale for me to tell. If need be, allow the young hobbits to ask of Arianna. It could help him to stay focused."

"How would it focus him? It would distract me…"

"As of now, the only way to find Arianna is to complete this quest. She was taken by an evil with great power, he knows this. Right now he will do anything to see her safe. He is focused Aragorn, more focused than he has ever been."

"You would use him as a pawn?"

"I will do nothing of the sort. I merely hope to see him survive this quest. He will not do so if he is distracted and has no will to go on," Elrond explained.

"He would not give up hope so easily-"

"Would you give up hope if Arwen were the one taken and you have no choice, but to continue on this quest while she could be dying or worse? A powerful spell has been placed upon the lands of Rivendell. The elves whom have dwelled here for so long are not able to find a trace of her or her captors. Would you have much hope, Aragorn?"

"I will keep an eye on him, but that is all that I can promise. I will not force him to speak about possibly painful memories."

"That is all I will ask. Gandalf wishes to speak with you. I believe he wishes to study some maps."

"Yes, my lord," Aragorn replied and left.

"Wake 'er up boys!" the leader ordered. A large Uruk-Hai lumbered over to her. Grabbing a fistful of her hair, he yanked her off the ground and in front of his master.

"Good. You have done well. What of the other?" Saruman asked.

"He was within the city, we could not get to him."

"Very well, I will be rid of him soon enough," he paused. "Leave us," he commanded the Uruks. "Welcome to Isengard…princess," he scorned. "Your stay will be most…unpleasant." Arianna could do nothing but glare. "I see you were not able to escape my minions. I am especially pleased to see that they got a few hits of their own in."

"Who are you?" she asked, her chin rising in defiance.

"Your new master until the dark lord asks for you."

"I would appreciate a name to accompany your face. That way I will know who it is that I need to ask for to claim my revenge."

"A name you seek? Have you not heard of the powers of Isengard? I am Saruman."

"The white wizard who has taken control of Rohan? It does not surprise me that you would sink low enough to have to resort to kidnapping maidens."

"You know more than I would like…princess."

"Why do you call me princess? I am not royalty."

"It is good to know that you don't know everything."

"What else is there to know about myself?"

"Why would I tell you? You will have no need of any sort of knowledge when Sauron is finished with you. And don't worry, your prince will be will receive his fair share of pain. My minions would love to taste royal elf meat," he sneered. "Take her to her new 'home'," he ordered the remaining Uruk-Hai.

Arianna tried to free herself as the monster dragged her to her feet. He strengthened its hold on her hair and arm as she squirmed. Shaking her roughly he commanded, "Stop your squirming, she-elf!" He began to lead her down the stairs to the dungeons. Arianna saw the doors leading outside and struggled to pull herself out of his grasp. Giving up her attempt, she quickly scanned the room for the numbers of exits and guards. 'I refuse to stay his prisoner!' she thought and felt herself fill with new motivation. 'He thinks he will make me a prisoner without a long fight, well I guess some wizards are just not very smart. I will get out of here, and I will stop Legolas from getting hurt,' she thought and fought back tears. 'He's not handling this very well, which is one of the reasons why I will be leaving soon,' she thought with a smirk. Her guard led her down a few flights of stairs before taking her through a series of tunnels full of some empty and some not-so-empty cells. She tried to remember the turns they took but it seemed as though the dungeons were made to actually prevent its prisoners from escape. 'Well so much for escaping from the dungeons,' she thought glumly.

"It has begun," a voice stated.

"One of them was taken?" the elf lord questioned.

"I can feel the turmoil of their hearts," she paused, "it is as we suspected. They might not survive this."

Celeborn sighed, "Which one was taken?"

"For either one to be taken is grave, but for the one who was taken it is dire indeed. She may not survive and he will follow her when she does not. A war amongst our kindred might ensue if our Mirkwood ties place blame upon those who were meant to protect her. Thranduil has his rash moments; he has come to think of her as his daughter. He will not take this ill news very well. Our enemies have struck us in our hearts, we need to be prepared for anything and anyone," Galadriel whispered.

The figure stepped silently into the room.

"What do you want Aragorn?" Legolas asked without turning to look at the ranger.

"Making sure you don't waste away."

"Why shouldn't I?" Legolas asked gravely.

"First, Arianna would not want you to; second, I wish to not be run through the first time I meet her because I did not keep you from giving up."

"She probably would," he stated softly.

Aragorn strode across the room and stopped next to the melancholy elf. "Will I need to shove the dwarf in the room to get you to leave it?" he asked, and chuckled at the elf's grimace.

"I don't believe torture would do much good right now."

"Tell me about the day you two first met. You never have told me the tale."

"I don't know if I should."

"Why shouldn't you?" Aragorn asked cautiously, knowing the fine line he was treading.

"It was always our secret. Where we met became our secret place. We shared our first kiss there, we pronounced our love there, and we even became betrothed at our secret place."

"Where is this secret place?" Aragorn asked, his curiosity peaked.

"I cannot tell you, but I have felt the need to return there. I don't think I will be able to go alone." Aragorn listened, wanting to help his friend, but knowing that he could not ask for him. "Will you and Arwen go with me?" Legolas suddenly asked. "Ari would want to share it with you two."

"We would be honored," Arwen answered from the door.

Legolas led them through the large garden of Rivendell. Both Arwen and Aragorn were curious as to where Legolas was taking them. Neither knew of any special gardens or ponds in this part of the land. Soon they took a sharp turn and watched as Legolas pulled back some vines hiding a secluded garden with a small waterfall and stream running through it.

"How did you find this place?" Arwen asked.

"I don't know. That day, I had a strange feeling and it seemed to want me to go somewhere, I followed and it led me here."

"Is that how you met?"

"Not entirely," he added with a grin.

"Ah ha! Take that you evil spider!" a young Legolas said as he made a stabbing motion at the air with a stick. "Ha! I have defeated you! Today, you made the mistake of attacking the greatest warrior in all of Middle Earth!" he said puffing out his chest. "No one can defeat the mighty Prince Legolas!" he boasted. He heard the vines rustle and spun around. "Stop there intruder!" he called.

A small figure stopped inside the entrance. "Are you the mighty Prince Legolas?" a girl's voice asked.

"Of course I am! Who are you?" he asked and took a cautious step closer.

The girl seemed to think for a moment before answering, "I am the adventurous Lady Arianna seeking a great warrior to help me on a quest!"

"Well, you need the best warrior for any quest. What kind of quest is it?" Legolas asked as he stepped closer.

"I have to find some…blueberries!"

"Blueberries?" Legolas asked with disappointment.

"Yes, then I can dye the twins hair blue!" she smiled.

"That sounds like a worthy quest, I will join you!" Legolas grinned and walked up to her. "Do I know you?"

"Have you ever been to Lorien?"

"No," Legolas sadly answered.

"Then I don't think I know you." She smiled and removed the hood off of her head.

"I think I know you. I don't know how. When did you arrive?" Legolas asked dropping his stick.

"A few minutes ago. My parents are sailing to Valinor," she said with a tear running down her cheek. "The Lady Galadriel says that I need to stay though."

"My nana (mother) sailed away too. Do you need a hug? My Ada gave me a hug and I felt a little better."

Arianna smiled and gladly hugged the little boy. "Does this mean we're friends?"

"Do warriors have friends?" Legolas asked skeptically.

Arianna tilted her head as she contemplated the answer. "I think so. What if they don't? Will you sail away too?"

"Of course not, Ari! You're my friend now!" Legolas grabbed her hand and started leading her away. "Let's find those blueberries! Uncle Elrohir and Uncle Elladan are always getting into trouble. I think they need to have their hair dyed!"

The two children ran through the banquet hall. "Ari, this way!" Legolas said leading the way across the room. The two children were oblivious to the adults eating their lunch. Lord Elrond watched as Legolas and Arianna ran through the room holding the other's blue hand. Moments later, Elrohir and Elladan ran into the room with blue hair and red faces.

"Ada!" they cried. "Those brats did this!"

Thranduil raised an eyebrow in question, as did Arianna's parents. The elflings in question came running back into the room screaming. "Ada!" Legolas cried and hid himself and Arianna behind Thranduil's chair. "The monster ate Findy! It's after us!" Legolas stated as a mud-covered Glorfindel trudged into the room.

"Lord Glorfindel?" Elrond asked curiously.

"Findy?" Legolas asked earning a glare from Glorfindel for the shortened name.

"The wonderful children scared my horse as I was riding in the gates. It reared and I was dropped into the mud. These two came over and thought the mud ate me and became a monster."

Elrohir and Elladan were repressing the urge to laugh. "I see," Elrond answered. "If you wish, you may go wash up, and then return for lunch while I take care of these two…trouble-makers."

Legolas and Arianna gasped and backed up. "Findy! Save us!" Legolas called and pulled Arianna out of reach. "Elrond can be mean," he told her. "I don't think he likes elflings!" Arianna looked at Elrond uneasily.

"Legolas!" Thranduil scolded. "You deserved that punishment."

"Yes, Ada," Legolas pouted.

"Are warriors supposed to pout?" Arianna asked Thranduil.

"Why?"

"Because Legolas is the greatest warrior in Middle Earth!" she proudly stated causing Legolas to blush.

Thanduil chuckled. "What makes you say that, little one?" he asked skeptically.

Arianna glared. "Legolas told me so!"

"It seems as though you two are getting along well," he stated.

"Ada, she's my friend!" Legolas stated happily.

"You two caused everyone that much trouble the first day you met?" Aragorn chuckled. "Now I understand the rest of your stories about her. Trouble-makers!"

"Yes we are—," Legolas stopped. "Thank you for coming with me. I need some time to gather my thoughts."

"Archery field?" Aragorn asked knowingly.

Legolas nodded with a small smile.

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