Disclaimer: I do not own LotR; I think we all know that by now…

Sorry 'bout all grammar and/or spelling mistakes.

See, I told you either Monday or Tuesday. n.n Almost wasn't able to post it today, though. I made sure I did, since I told you all that. n.n I really hope you enjoy this chapter, and don't forget to let me know what ya think, alright?

Enjoy. n.n

Bound

Chapter Seven: Fear

It was dark. The blackness surrounded him, engulfed him. Everywhere he looked… darkness. He could see nothing, hear nothing.

Then, the crude laughter started, the sneering, the taunting. It drowned out all other thoughts, the cruel voices repeated over and over again, never wavering in his panicked mind.

He tried to block out the sounds, tried to cover his ears, to do something – anything to rid himself of these awful voices. However, he was forcefully reminded of his current situation by the ropes on his wrists and ankles as he tried to get away from the voices. This, obviously, only caused his panic to rise to a new level. They were going to get him again. They were going to torture him mercilessly. He couldn't handle it, not again. He couldn't endure their hands on him again as they beat him into unconsciousness before they woke him with freezing water. He couldn't do it. Not again. Never again.

Light. He needed light. Some type of assurance that there was nothing in the room with him; nothing but the voices.

Voices, that's all they are, he tried to calm himself through reason.

However, when the voices' owners showed themselves all too vividly in his mind, he could no longer keep himself together; no longer think of them as just voices.

He threw his pride away as he cried out for them to stop, pleaded them, begged them. He didn't care, he just wanted them to leave him alone, wanted the agony to stop.

He tried to get out of the ropes, tried to loosen them, but it was to no avail, they were too tight. He still thrashed about, doing anything he could. He had to get away, had to escape from their hurtful touches.

Suddenly a light was lit, as a candle won over the unbearable darkness. However, Legolas didn't notice, as consumed as he was in his traumatizing memories.

"Stop him," someone ordered, though the elf writhing on the ground was still oblivious, completely unaware of his present surroundings.

The brown-haired man shook the blonde, trying to break him away from whatever plagued him, but it did not work, nothing did. The human looked around and spotted a glass of water.

He quickly picked it up and splashed it on the trembling elf. That always worked, right?

Not for this elf.

The reaction he received was not what he expected, to say the least.

The orcs had dumped water on Legolas many times throughout his capture, to drag him back to awareness so they could have more "fun". Because of this, the man's idea backfired.

The blonde elf screamed something in Elvish that neither human understood, and scooted away from them as best as he could, given the ropes that bound him tightly.

"You made him worse!" the man at the door shouted, with a curse.

"I'm sorry, my lord, that has always worked," the other said loudly over Legolas' anguished cries.

Adanel didn't understand either. It was all too obvious that something had recently happened to the beautiful elf. Why else would he react like this towards the dark or simple water? Besides, he had also noted how stiff the elf's movements were, belying elves' usual graceful movements. He knew this elf must have been recovering from recent injuries and most severe to be still affecting him.

The brunette echoed his lord's earlier curse, and went closer to the elf. He smacked him roughly, hoping to shock him back. He could think of nothing else, and the blonde's breathing was much too quick.

To both of the human's surprise and relief, the thoughtless act had brought Legolas back to reality. He was shaking violently, muttering things quietly under his breath, his eyes wide with fear as he watched the one closest to him.

"It worked, my lord," he stated needlessly.

"Good. No water is to be splashed on him!" the black-haired man warned.

They could not afford to have the elf screaming like that. It could ruin his plans; it was unlikely, but possible. No one really dared defy him anymore, not since they learned they could do nothing to prevent him. Still, he did not wish for anyone to hear the elf's pleas, they could think he was torturing them now.

No, he could not do that, for that would spill precious blood. That, he could not waste.

"Aye, my lord," the brunette confirmed. He had to wonder what had happened to the elf as well. No one else had ever reacted this way, even if he candle had burnt out.

"Oh, and Tanol? Do not let the candle burn out again," Adanel ordered, not wanting a repeat of this situation. He knew that the human would make sure it wouldn't. Out of everyone in the village, he trusted Tanol the most; he knew he would not let him down.

When they had first entered the room (to investigate the reason for the elf's screams) they had been surprised to be greeted with darkness. Luckily, Adanel had come from his room and the hallway wasn't lit at this hour so he had had a candle to navigate. This had enabled him to leave the lit candle in the room with the blonde elf, for he didn't need it on the way back. Legolas' noises had awoken a lot of people in the house and they had filled the hallways with light, thinking it was an emergency.

One thing came of this night: they now knew the elf was terrified of the darkness. They had already known that he had been injured, but hadn't really taken note of it since it did not effect what they were doing. It only made them more cautious around him.

Adanel left once he was sure that the elf wouldn't have another breakdown. "I'm counting on you."

Tanol nodded solemnly, understanding the seriousness of the situation.

The door shut and he turned back to look at the elf still shivering on the floor.

He sighed heavily. What should I do with him now…? he wondered as he watched the blonde.

He didn't know if he should try to help him or if he would lash out at him for even going near him. He didn't even know his name!

Legolas took a deep breath, keeping his eyes open so he could see the light. He had to make sure the orcs were only in his memories; nothing more. He had to force himself to calm down, especially since he was stuck in this room… wherever it was. He needed to be more aware of his surroundings. He knew there was someone in the room with him, he felt their presence. And he still could not let go of the panic that still gripped his mind in a tight vice.

Taking another deep breath, he forced himself to swallow the panic; he could deal with it later. He shifted his eyes around the room from his lying position on the floor. He wished for nothing more than to stand or sit up, for he felt far too vulnerable just lying there, ropes binding him.

Blue orcs stopped dead in their tracks when they laid their sights on the one who had been taunting him earlier. His eyes hardened, his gaze turning into a glare.

"Do not look at me like that. I'm the one who woke you from… whatever state you were in…" the brunette responded. He couldn't believe how quickly the elf's emotions changed.

Legolas did have to be grateful for that at least. Those memories horrified him, paralyzed him.

He nodded slightly to show his appreciated. He hated the fact that they had seen him like that. He must have seemed so weak. How many had seen him?

Water dripped down his face as he stared up at the human uncertainly. What was he going to do? He was just standing there; doing nothing but staring.

Wait… water? Where did that come from…? he thought puzzled. He had been too dazed before to fully comprehend what was going on around him. Sure, he had felt the water and had reacted to it, but then the orcs' hands and tortures completely took over his mind.

"Why am I wet?" he wondered aloud.

Tanol looked at him, eyebrows raised in surprise. "You do not know?" he asked curiously. The elf's attitude only got stranger the longer they had him. Maybe he wasn't the best choice that their lord thought him to be.

"…Nay," the blonde answered slowly, obviously confused. If the circumstances had been different he would have been taken aback to realize that he was having a civilized conversation with this human, the one who had captured him and continued to keep him captive.

"It matters not," the brunette said shortly, not knowing how to explain the behavior of the elf back to him. He'd probably think he was making it up anyway… or maybe not…

Legolas huffed in annoyance. Should have expected as much, he thought as silence won over the two.

After a moment Legolas started to move around, trying to sit up and lean against the wall that was close to him, so he wouldn't have to look at the human from the floor.

Tanol turned his gaze back to the elf, hearing his movements. "What are you doing?" he questioned, watching the elf struggle but accomplish nothing. "Those ropes are not going to loosen," he added in a warning tone.

Legolas stopped for a moment and glared up at the big human. "Why would I try to loosen them with you right here?" he asked rhetorically. Honestly, of all the thoughts. He had tried before anyway and that had failed miserably.

He prayed to the Valar that this human wasn't going to stick around for much longer. He needed to think of some way of getting out of this room; out of this house, for he had a horrible feeling and it only grew as the hours passed. How long had it been so far?

Legolas resumed his struggle to sit up. Easier said than done, that's for sure, he could barely do anything with the ropes.

Tanol glared at the elf he was stuck with until someone took over. He really didn't care what the blonde was attempting to do; he was just trying to make things more interesting for himself.

The silence between them stretched forever and Legolas did not mind in the least. He just wanted the man to leave. However, he didn't think that would happen anytime soon. He did have to leave eventually, though. When that happened he would escape. He would have to be incredibly stealthy about – not be mention be able to pull off miracles – but he could not stay there any longer, especially after what had just happened.

The elf also wondered if Aelin and Ellun were alright. He knew they were involved now since they had been taking care of him for nearly a month. The ones who had captured him knew that, for they had come to the couple's home in search of him.

There was more going on here than he wished to admit. He hadn't wanted to get involved in something so big. He had just wanted to find Estel, but he hadn't even been able to start.

Now, however, before he did anything else, he would have to help Ellun and Aelin resolve this… Well, he still didn't know exactly what it was, but he had a feeling he wouldn't be able to get away from it until it was over.

Looking over to the human left in the room with him it really didn't seem like he'd get out of there until they wanted him to.

He had no idea what they were planning to do either, so he decided to give it a try and ask the brown-haired human.

Tanol looked over at the blonde from the chair he had sat down in, the only one in the room. He smirked and answered, "You shall just have to wait for that, my friend."

Legolas felt a shiver slither down his spine at these words and the way they were said. It was going to be something he wouldn't like, that was for sure.

Valar please help me, I cannot do this again, the elf begged, eyes closed.

Dun, dun, dun. See, it's getting closer... though that prob'ly didn't help much, huh...?. n.n;; There's actually only a few more chapters left, and I even have the next chapter almost ready to go. So don't forget to review, 'kay? n.n

Man, I really don't like Adanel's name… Why did I name him that…? ..:sighs:.. Guess it doesn't matter…

But anywayz… I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and will continue to like this fic. n.n;;

Well, I'm off to read, one of my favorite stories was updated today and I need to read it. ..:grins:..

Ja ne