General Ramblings: Ok! Since we know everyone absolutely adores us, we've posted chaptre (chapter spelled cool) 2! Enjoy…grab a popcorn, maybe some beer…or wait, you actually shouldn't…come to think of it, we strongly advise you don't. (No, we are NOT conceited, well…I'M not, but maybe Sara is. nooo u just dumbhead (Sara.) Whatever. ANYWHO, on with the actual story, eh Precious?)

Warnings: Er, ok, this chapter is rated PG-13 to R for the violence. You have been warned.

Disclaimer: No. Just, no. OK?

Chapter 2: Dark Imprisonment.



Aragorn awoke in a dark cell deep in the Misty Mountains. His head was throbbing, and at first his memory failed him. The, suddenly, everything came rushing back. The orcs; the ambush.

He pushed himself to his feet and observed his surroundings. The chamber held many cells, and was dimly lit by torches. It was made of stone, and it was plain to see that it as very deep within the mountain. Suddenly, Aragorn remembered Legolas. Could they have gotten the elf? Legolas had been in the tree, silently shooting arrows but completely hidden from sight. Aragorn did not see him in any of the cells. Yes, he must have gotten away. That was the logical explanation. Aragorn sighed and put a hand to his head. Suddenly, he heard footsteps on the stone floor approaching the chamber. As he turned, his hand touched something strange on the cell wall. He looked and saw a dark reddish-brown stain. Blood; dried blood. He realized with horror that the stains coated the floor and walls of the well. More were in the main part of the chamber. Aragorn felt a sickening feeling rise from the pit of his stomach. He could do nothing but wait as the echoing footsteps drew nearer.



Legolas woke up groggily. It was dark. He blinked his eyes a few times to make sure it was not an after effect of being knocked out. He finally realized he was in a room made of only stone. He smelled blood and felt his stomach twist into a knot. He heard a scraping sound and turned around. A sliver of light came into the room and he heard low, rough voices.

Soon the door opened all the way and a large Orc appeared. He had a whip hanging on his belt and he was carrying a large club with spikes on it. Another Orc followed and the two of them walked over to where Legolas was lying on the ground. One of them sneered viciously.

"You're coming with us," he said in a harsh voice. "We're going to reunite you with your friend." Legolas' memory flashed back to the last glimpse he had of Aragorn, lying unconscious on the ground after the ambush.

The Orcs yanked Legolas roughly to his feet. They then bound his hands behind his back with rough cords that dug into his skin and caused a stinging pain at his wrists. Legolas tried to keep any emotion from showing on his face. One of the orcs snapped the whip in the air threateningly. "Get moving, elf scum!"

Legolas started forth slowly. He felt humiliated and helpless, like a beast or a slave being driven on by his masters, unarmed and at their mercy. It disgusted him, that feeling. Legolas suddenly came to the realization that he had been stripped of his weapons and armor.

"Faster!" one of the Orcs urged. Without warning he brought the whip down upon the elf's back with a loud resounding sound. At first, Legolas was unaware of the pain. Then, suddenly, he felt it. It was a stinging, a burning more intense than any he had ever felt before. Then one of the Orcs pushed him from behind and he fell forward to the cold stone floor.

The Orcs cackled. "Elven weaklings," said one. "We've only whipped him once and already he's fallen!"

Legolas felt a surge of anger and hatred run through him when the Orcs called him weak. He was not weak. Trying to ignore the intense throbbing pain that he could still feel on his back, Legolas pushed himself to his feet. The Orcs then started to lead him down a long, stone stairway. The foul stench of blood grew steadily worse as they made their way down to a dimly lit chamber…



"What do you want of me?"

"You are going to tell us everything we need to know," said the large Orc viciously. "Then you are going to tell us information we down even care about, just to stop the pain!"

Aragorn spat at his feet and hissed, "Never! You will never break me!"

The Orc sneered cruelly and said, "It's not you pain you'll be talking for." Then the Orc turned and growled to the others, "Bring him in!"

Aragorn felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach as his thoughts went to Legolas. His fears were confirmed as more Orcs came in, partly dragging a golden haired elf who was putting a small resistance. When his gaze fell on Aragorn, his eyes widened.

"I see you know each other," taunted the Orc before he turned to Aragorn. "What's your name?!"

Aragorn hesitated and said, "Estel."

"The truth!"

"Estel," Aragorn repeated, more firmly this time. He then watched in fear as the Orc walked over to Legolas and caressed his cheek. "So fair," said the Orc. "We shall have to fic that."

Legolas jerked backwards and spat in his face, disgusted. "Amin feuya ten'lle, le ulund," he hissed angrily.

The enraged Orc snapped, "Restrain him!"

They pushed the elf against the wall and the large Orc said, "You will regret you did that, elf!"

Legolas coolly retorted, "I am not so sure I shall."

The Orc's fist connected with Legolas' jaw, snapping his head backwards.

"Legolas!" cried out Aragorn.

"Im triw, Estel. Ceru u fuio nia anim."

The already enraged Orc looked even more furious. "Do not speak in that foul tongue!"

"You're one to talk," snapped Legolas.

The Orc punched Legolas in the chest and Aragorn heard a sickening crack. The Orc heard it also, but ignored it as he once again questioned Aragorn. "Now first of all, you are going to tell us who sent you, and why. Then we want to know your true name and what you plan to accomplish by spying on us."

Aragorn looked over at Legolas. Their eyes met and Legolas gently shook his head. They could not betray Gandalf and Elrond. Aragorn looked and saw pain in Legolas' eyes. How could he let the Orcs harm him? There was no way for him to avoid both.

"Speak!"

Aragorn looked up at the Orc with hatred. "I will tell you nothing!"

The Orc sneered. "You think that what you are doing is wise, but we will break you. He turned to the Orcs holding Legolas. "Boys? He's all yours." Then he turned and left the chamber.

Aragorn watched in fear as the two Orcs sneered cruelly. They then turned to Legolas said, "Let's have some fun, elf scum!" They pushed him against the wall. He began to fight back, but a club connected with his chest. He doubled over and the Orcs laughed. They clubbed his back and Legolas fell to the ground. He lay there for a few seconds, trying to catch his breath. He attempted to stand again but the club once again fell on his back. He hit the floor hard on his head and dazedly tried to stand up again. The Orcs laughed and brutally hit him on the back again. He collapsed, breathing hard, obviously in pain.

"What's wrong, elf?" sneered one of the Orcs. "Are you too weak to stand back up again?"

Legolas took in a deep breath and attempted to stand again. This time a whip came down upon his back.

"Legolas!" cried Aragorn."

Legolas looked up with pain filled eyes. "Estel, dina; ceru u fuio nia anim."

One of the Orcs kicked him in the stomach. "I thought I told you to stop that!" He kicked Legolas again. "Get up!"

Legolas felt that he couldn't get up. It felt as though the club had broken his back. Suddenly, on the Orcs grabbed his hair and yanked him to his feet, and a sickening wave of pain shot through his entire body. His chest hurt where the rib had been cracked. Then the Orcs grinned maliciously and took out their whips.

"Let's see how long it takes him to fall this time." said one of them. He took the cords from Legolas' wrists, and blood flowed freely from where they had cut into his skin.

Aragorn turned away, tears streaming down his face. He heard the crack of a whip and saw when it landed on Legolas, leaving a huge gash across the elf's torso. Legolas bit his lip and closed his eyes to hold back the tears. The Orc raised his whip and brought it down again.

"Changed your mind yet, human?" asked the other, as he lashed the whip across Legolas' back and shoulders. "Had enough?"

Aragorn said nothing, but called out Legolas' name once more. The elf looked over at him, his eyes clouded over by pain more intense than any that he had ever felt before. The orcs continued to whip him, and now the elf's back chest and back were a bloody mess. The skin on his arms hung loosely, exposing bone. The sight sickened Aragorn, and he began to feel wretchedly ill. Then, suddenly, it stopped.

The Orcs stopped whipping and clubbing, and Legolas collapsed. His breathing was harsh and ragged. Aragorn looked to the entrance and saw the Orc that had questioned him.

The Orc entered, smiling when he saw Legolas on the floor. Then he walked over to Aragorn's cell.

"Well?"

Aragorn's voice was uneven, and he could hardly force the words out. "No…I won't tell you…"

"Oh, really? Then I suppose you need some time to think about it." He opened the door to Aragorn's cell, and grabbed Legolas and threw him into the cell. Aragorn immediately rushed to his side. The Orcs said no more, and left for the night.

Aragorn took Legolas' head in his arms. The elf opened his eyes and looked up at him.

"Aragorn…" Legolas coughed, and blood came from his mouth. "I…feel…empty…" Then he went limp and his eyes closed.

"Legolas!" Aragorn cried. "Legolas!"

Legolas stirred and opened his eyes. They were glazed with pain. As they focused on Aragorn, the ranger said, "Are you all right?"

"I'm…fine," Legolas said weakly. "What happened?"

"You fainted," said Aragorn.

"No I…didn't," the elf said stubbornly. "Just…resting my…eyes."

"I'm sure," remarked Aragorn.

Legolas moved slightly and let out a low hiss of pain, "Ai…it…hurts…"

Aragorn looked over Legolas and felt angry tears prick at his eyes. The elf was losing blood rapidly. Aragorn took his cloak. He lifted up the elf as gently as he could, trying to ignore the pain in Legolas' eyes. He knew if he saw, then he might not be able to finish what he was trying to do. He placed his cloak under Legolas so the elf would not have his wounds infected. Legolas coughed again and more blood came from his mouth.

"Oh Valar," breathed Aragorn. What if Legolas had a punctured lung? He would drown in his own blood!

"Legolas," said Aragorn. "Are you able to take in deep breaths?"

Legolas tried to take in a deep breath, but ended up in a coughing fit. More blood came with his coughing. Aragorn muttered an oath under his breath. Legolas put his hand up to his mouth in an attempt to stop the coughing. When his coughing mostly subsided he pulled his hand away. It, too, was smeared with blood.

He was taking in short, raspy breaths now and it seemed that each breath gave him more pain. He closed his eyes, trying not to think about the pain. His teeth were clenched and his nails were digging into his palms. It was all he could do to stop tears of pain going to his eyes. Not only could he not breathe, but his back and chest still seemed to be on fire from the whips.

Aragorn tore some of his cloak and got several long strips. Then he winced; what he was about to do would hurt the elf terribly. He took the strips and lightly tied them together. Then he looked to Legolas again and took in a deep breath.

"Legolas, I have to set your rib I'll try to do it quickly, but it's going to hurt."

The elf nodded, and shut his eyes. Aragorn began to wrap the cloth around him, applying pressure where needed. Legolas winced in pain, and sharp gasp escaped his lips. Aragorn then bound it tightly.

Legolas looked up at his friend. "Aragorn…" he said. His eyes were full of sorrow as he stared up into Aragorn's eyes. "I need you…to promise me two things."

"Anything, Legolas."

"Promise me that…no matter what happens to me…you won't tell them anything about Gandalf or Elrond."

Aragorn nodded, blinking back tears.

"Also…I need you to promise me…something very important."

"And what is that?"

"They were once Elves, Aragorn. Elves..." his voice was cut off as he coughed. Another spasm of pain shot through his body, and he took a few breaths before he continued. "…Elves who were tortured…until they became what they are today."

"Legolas…"

"Aragorn," the elf said, a sudden urgency in his voice. "I don't want to become one of them. I cannot…please, mellon-nín...if I start become like them…don't let me live."

"What?!" exclaimed Aragorn. "Legolas, no…"

"Promise me, Aragorn!"

The tears started to flow freely down Aragorn's face now. He managed a nod. Legolas smiled weakly.

"Do not be troubled, Estel…I do not think it will come to that."

"Legolas, I do not think I can bear watching this for another day."

"You cannot tell them…"

"But…Legolas, I care about you! How can I just stand by and watch?"

Legolas shook his head. "You musn't tell them. You promised."

Aragorn nodded. "Rest now, mellon-nín. You are hurt and weary, and I do not doubt that we will be forced to endure many more hardships in days to come."

Legolas looked around the dark, foul chamber. "This dark place has never known the light of the sun. I wonder…if I should ever see daylight again." With that the elf fell asleep, and many nightmares haunted him that night.



Elrohir looked down on the resisting Orcs. For three days already he and his brother had been keeping watch over them, and still they learned nothing. At the moment Elladan was asleep, and Elrohir found the lonely night watch extremely dull.

Suddenly, the Orc who was keeping guard looked sharply to the right. Elrohir heard a rustling coming from the bushes there.

The Orc raised his long knife. "Who's there?"

Another Orc emerged from the bushes. "It's only me, you scum, put the knife away."

The guard sheathed his weapon. "What do you want?" He asked in disgust.

"Only came to tell you to keep a sharp eye out."

"For what?"

"Spies, you witless worm. We caught two back in the Misty Mountains, an elf and a man."

Elrohir's heart stopped, and he heard no more of the conversation. Quickly he turned and roused Elladan.

Elladan looked up at his brother, upset that he had been shaken from his pleasant dreams. "What do you want, Elrohir? It is not my turn yet, you know that!"

"Elladan," Elrohir said in a panicked voice. "A messenger just came from the Misty Mountains. He told the guard that they have two captives."

Elladan rose quickly to his feet. "Not Estel and Legolas!"

His brother nodded grimly. "An elf and a man, he said. Come! We must call the horses and return to Rivendell with all speed. We must tell Ada and Mithrandir!" Without further delay, the brothers summoned their horses and started to ride, swiftly and silently, back to their home to bring this ill news to their father.



Legolas wove in and out of haunted dreams. Aragorn stayed awake most of the night, watching helplessly as the elf tossed and turned in his sleep. Aragorn could not sleep; too many thoughts were going through his mind. What would happen to them? Were they doomed to perish in the darkness? Aragorn lay down on the uncomfortable stone floor, looking up at the ceiling. He didn't want to think anymore. He didn't want to feel this constant uncertainty that was tearing at his heart and mind.

Aragorn looked over at the beaten, tortured elf once more. How could he make this decision? Everything had gone wrong, and it was his fault. Why did he not heed Legolas' warning? In the moment, he had not been aware of anything but the Orcs charging towards him. And now, because of his mistakes, the elf would suffer.

The sound of footsteps came down the corridor again, and Aragorn went over to Legolas and shook him gently. The elf looked up at him, and both waited as the footsteps drew ever nearer.



The sun rose over the lands right as Imladris came into view. Elladan breathed a sign of relief. He urged his already exhausted horse to go faster and his twin did the same. It wasn't much farther; the stallions could rest once they arrived. They had ridden hard and fast the entire night.

In a little less than an hour, they had arrived at the large gates of the Last Homely house. A surprised voice called out, "Elladan? Elrohir? Were you not out scouting for your father and Mithrandir? You have not been gone yet for even a fortnight…"

Elladan rode forward and said, "We must hurry, Taurdil. Open the gate!"

"Yes, yes, of course." He turned and cried, "Edro Annon!" The gates opened and they quickly rode in. They left their horses with the stable master after a few quick words of praise. Then they rushed to where they figured their father would be.

They arrived within a few minutes. The door was shut. Elrohir knocked lightly and waited for an answer.



The footsteps drew ever nearer and Legolas tensed. Aragorn noticed and said, "Do not lose hope, Legolas. There is always hope. There is always a light to vanquish the darkness."

"Aye, Estel," responded Legolas, "But out there…the sun rises everyday and shines her beautiful light on me…and I know I can keep going…and everything is going to be okay. That although so much evil has happened…that we'll survive and all that was good shall be good once again. That the sun will rise. But here? Here there is no sun…no light…no hope."

As he was saying this, he was once again lit up with the elven luminescence. But as he finished, he was once again dimmed, as a feeling of dread and hopelessness overcame him.

The same three Orcs from the day before entered the chamber once again. The leader walked forward to the cell, while the other two stayed back, fingering their weapons.

"So," said the head Orc," have you changed your mind yet?"

"No." said Aragorn quickly, trying not to think about the decision he was making. He kept his gaze away from Legolas, keeping his face emotionless.

"You are a tiring fool," the Orc said. "You know that sooner or later we will find the truth." Then, motioning to the other two as he said, "Ognak! Ugdush!" he walked forward and unlocked the cell. Aragorn quickly rose to his feet.

Legolas mustered what strength he could and stood against the wall. The two Orcs approached them, grins spread across their hideous faces. Legolas did not back away, bit his expression clearly showed that he was disgusted. He kept all emotion from his eyes. He refused to show any weakness or fear. That was an unworthy act of a warrior.

The Orcs reached him and Legolas tensed, waiting for the pain of the whip. However, it did not come. Instead, they grabbed him, their jagged nails cutting into his already raw skin. He winced in pain and attempted to pull away. A small scuffle broke out and in a few seconds Legolas was once again subdued. He now had long, bloody scratches on his arm.

They dragged him out of the cell and locked the door once again. Then they roughly pushed him forward. They pushed him towards the wall. There were shackles high up on the wall and they shoved his hands in. Then the large Orc turned back to Aragorn.

"For every time you do not answer my question, the elf receives ten lashes, each time, adding ten more."

Aragorn winced as the Orc began interrogating him. "What is your name? Why are you here?!"

"My name is Estel," answered Aragorn, only slightly hesitating. "Our purpose is our own."

The Orc turned back to Legolas and said, "Let him have it, boys. Make him count them!"

The whip cracked and fell across Legolas' back, leaving a burning fire in its wake. When Legolas made no attempt at counting, he snapped, "Add five more! Count 'em, elf, or you'll be getting ten more next time! And we'll start new every time you don't!"

The whip came down again and Legolas quietly said in a whisper barely to be heard, "One."

"I can't hear you, elf! Start over so I can hear you!"

The whip came down again. Legolas closed his eyes and clenched his teeth. Finally he managed to say the word "One." Crack! "Two." Crack! "Three…" After what seemed like an age the whip came across his back for the fifteenth time. His skin almost seemed to hang in shreds. He hadn't known this kind of pain was possible. The Orc turned back to Aragorn with a cruel sneer upon his fetid face.

"Now then," he said. "Tell us the truth!"

Aragorn tried hard to keep his voice steady. "I have given you my answer."

The Orc smiled maliciously. "Very well, then." He turned back to Legolas. "So that I can hear you, elf!" The other two brought their whips down mercilessly on Legolas' back. The elf gritted his teeth and shut his eyes. He took a deep breath. "One." He kept counting, each time using more effort, barely getting the words out.

Aragorn watched, wishing every moment that there was something he could do to stop it. He couldn't bear to look into Legolas' eyes.

Finally, Legolas counted the twenty-fifth lash. The Orc looked to Aragorn, and it was plain to see that he was exasperated. He strode over to the cell, while the other two stayed with Legolas, occasionally whispering to one another.

Aragorn watched as the Orc unlocked his cell. He walked in, and the two stood face to face.

"I have lost patience with you, human. I want to know the truth, now!" the Orc said.

"I have told you as much of the truth as I can tell you." Aragorn answered. "You will get no more from me."

The Orc was furious. He drew back his fist and punched Aragorn in the stomach.

Aragorn doubled over from the unexpected blow. Before he knew it, the Orc clubbed his legs and he fell to his knees. Aragorn felt pain rush through his legs, and for a moment he considered that they might be broken.

At that moment, Legolas cried out and lunged forward, restrained only by the chains, given unexpected strength from the rage and hatred that drove him.

"Daro! Kela, nador huanrim!"

The lead Orc turned to him, fury showing in his eyes as evident as a blazing fire.

"Restrain him!" he yelled. Legolas felt the rough hands of the other two Orcs pushing him savagely against the wall. The Orc left Aragorn's cell, slamming and locking the door behind him. Aragorn struggled to his feet and clutched the bars.

The Orc undid the clasps that bound Legolas' hand, and the elf collapsed to the ground. He looked up as the Orcs began to speak to one another in their harsh tongue. One of them left, and the leader grabbed Legolas' jaw. Legolas winced as the Orc's tough, jagged nails bit into the skin on his face. Then, the other returned. In his hand was an iron rod, heated so that the end sparked and glowed an eerie red. There seemed to be some sort of brand at the end.

"Well, elf," said the leader. "I guess there's only one way we're going to silence you." He motioned to the Orc holding the brand and tightened his grip on Legolas' jaw. "Open your mouth."

The elf tried to pull away weakly. The Orc's grip tightened even more. "Open it, or we do the same to your friend!" Legolas hesitated for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth, the Orc's grip easing slightly only to permit him to do so.

"Legolas!" cried Aragorn. The Orc holding Legolas turned to him.

"Quiet, you!" The Orc said. Then he once again focused his attention on Legolas. "Get your tongue out, elf scum! Don't delay us!"

Legolas did so, all resistance gone from him. The other Orc pressed the brand on his tongue, and Aragorn heard a hiss as it made contact.

For a moment, Legolas felt nothing. Then, as the brand was taken from him and the Orc holding him let go, a searing pain rushed through him, and he let out a long, agonized scream.

And Aragorn beheld upon his tongue the imprint of the eye of Sauron, a scar of evil silencing him from his beloved native language, one of the only aspects of his beautiful world that had still remained with him.



Elvish translations:

Im triw, Estel. Ceru u fuio nia anim : I'm fine, Estel. Do not worry about me.
Amin feuya ten'lle, le ulund : You disgust me, you hideous monster
Estel, dina; ceru u fuio nia anim : Estel, be silent; do not worry about me.
Mellon-nín: My friend
Daro! Kela, nador huanrim : Stop! Get away, cowardly dogs!

We love you! Thank you for all the nice reviews! You're our bestest friends in the entire nooniverse. Erm, yeah. Anywho, we would reply to your reviews, but my internet isn't working, so Sara is going to have to save this to a floppy and (hopefully) post it by Saturday. (If not, don't blame me, eh, precious?)

Ok, Sara gets to talk now. If I don't have it up by Saturday…well, shoot me. No…actually don't…I'm very sensitive. And ignore the fact that Kelly is being evil right now and hogging up all the talking space at the end. She likes to ramble.

No! (Kelly here) I want to listen to angsty music and she wants to listen to happy. I feel like bursting out in song, but I think I sound bad. Anywho, yeah. And NO, I do NOT ramble! Do I, Precious? No, we doesn't. Dang it. Boromir you great prat, STOP rambling!!! (Simba says hi, so does Jimbo)

See what I mean? Jabber, jabber, jabber. And she has a gorgeous voice by the way…so…hey Kelly, they're probably tired of our wonderful conversations. We'll go beat each other up now.

Ok, bye everyone! together We won't grow up! Just to learn to be a parrot! jabber, jabber; pokes Sara.

Signing off!

Steel Sword and Silver Bow