A/N: Woohoo, I survived gum surgery, and now the stitches are out so I'm feeling more like smiling! -g- And I'm also feeling a lot more like writing...-rubs hand together- Thank you all so much for thereviews, Ican't tell you how many timesI read and re-read all the reviews I get from you ;-)

Hope you enjoy the chapter!

See chapter one for disclaimer. Reviewer responses will soon be on their way...

Chapter 7: Worthy Opponents

Kadrin smiled as he observed the elf from his shadowed position beyond the circle of light cast by the lantern. It would be very interesting to see his reaction. Indeed, the idea was too interesting to pass up.

He stepped out from behind the large pile of crates, stepping into the light and taking a seat on box only a few feet away from Legolas. Casually drawing up one leg and resting one arm on his knee, he stroked chin thoughtfully with the other hand. Waiting until he was sure the elf was watching, he purposefully drew out the coil of rope from beneath his cape. Then he took out another length of chain from his belt, the links jingling together eerily in the otherwise nearly silent room.

Now he had Legolas' full attention. He watched the human warily from his vantage point, tied against a heavy wooden supporting beam. He suppressed a wince as he shifted slightly. Dagron had, for once, proven himself quite diligent and thorough when he had tied him here—any tighter and the ropes would cut off his circulation entirely.

"Well, elf, I enjoyed our last conversation very much," Kadrin said, cocking his head and smiling curiously into the pair of defiant blue eyes.

"Really?" Legolas asked incredulously. "So you not only enjoy the capture, but afterwards you must torture your victim with 'pleasant' conversation." Legolas scanned the dark warehouse. It did little good. The lantern seemed to provide the only light, and that but little. He couldn't even be certain it was a warehouse he was being kept in. "I suppose next you're going to ask what I think of the weather?" he scoffed.

"No…" Kadrin humored him, his fathomless resources of patience not half-spent. "I was thinking more along the lines of: what do you think the chances are that your friend will do better than you?"

Legolas started, his normally clear eyes clouding with anger. "And which friend of mine are you planning on being bested by?"

Kadrin threw back his head and laughed. This elf was truly a pleasure to talk to. "So you are that confident in the skills of this human that follows you so faithfully?"

"Strider?" He tried not to show the alarm he was beginning to feel. "Yes, I have every confidence in him."

"You think a human will succeed where you, an elf, have failed?" Kadrin raised an eyebrow. Keeping an eye on the elf to gage his reaction, he began to fit the new chain to the length of rope.

"Race has nothing to do with it," Legolas said vehemently. "I learned long ago that honor and courage can be found in men, as well as elves." Looking pointedly at Kadrin, he added, "As can evil." He smiled insolently. "My friend could easily outwit you."

Kadrin nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps… I can only hope he will present a challenge." He tested the new chain noose, eyes shining with satisfaction.

Legolas couldn't repress a shudder. The chain was now at least a foot longer. Even Aragorn, tall as he was, wouldn't be able to reach far enough up to cut the rope. Not caring if his captor thought him weak, he closed his eyes briefly against the sight of the repulsive object.

Aragorn, mellon-nín, what have we gotten ourselves into this time?

Kadrin's peculiar smile remained unwavering. The elf was obviously worried about his friend, despite his bold words. It was tempting to linger, this elf provided conversation like he hadn't experienced in a long time… But he had a challenge to face, if this mesmerizing being told the truth. And more than that, he had a job to do. A new quarry to hunt. A human to catch.

-o0o-

Aragorn hurriedly led the way out into the street.

"Do you two know your way around here well?" He addressed his two elven companions anxiously. "What's the most direct route to the place where Legolas went to sign the treaty?"

Dolenil nodded grimly, putting any past animosity behind. Legolas came first. "That is the most direct route." He motioned straight ahead. He said more darkly, "Curse our decision to take rooms so far from where the trade-agreements took place."

Aragorn sighed, finding surprisingly little amusement at the moment in the fact that Dolenil had just cursed a decision that had been primarily his revered Prince's idea. "We couldn't have foreseen this. Legolas only wanted to be as far away as was politely possible. None of us wanted delegates popping in and out to exchange pleasantries. Now we must make the best of our circumstances." Without waiting for confirmation from either of the elves, Aragorn headed down the narrow alleyway that wound tightly between the buildings.

Dolenil ended up taking the lead as they drew closer. He'd accompanied Legolas once or twice before, and he knew the way well enough.

Aragorn didn't dispute the change in leadership. For him too, Legolas took precedence. He knew he'd never forgive himself if he allowed a petty quarrel to interfere with Legolas' safety. Haste was what was needed now, not argument.

Dinerion, for his part, had enough to focus on, staying disaster-free as he kept pace behind the two of them.

By the time they reached the house where the treaty-signing had taken place, all three of them were nearly ready to knock down the door. To Mordor with diplomacy, they need answers now.

The sleepily-bumbling man who opened the door quickly turned obsequious at the sight of the two elves, and a human, all evidently armed and determined to enter.

"My Lords," he said, bowing. "it is still very early. If you will wait…"

Aragorn put his foot in the doorway, and said firmly, "We will see the master of the house now."

It was said in the tone of one used to commanding, and the man, obviously used to obeying, hesitated. He stepped back deferentially, allowing them entrance. "I will have to see if my Lord is ready to see you."

"Tell him we must see him," Aragorn said urgently. "It is of extreme importance."

"But, my Lords, the master is undoubtedly still abed. I doubt he will wish to see anyone until this afternoon, at the earliest. After last night—"

"It is about last night that we wish to speak with him!" Dolenil looked ready to march up the stairs and search the bedrooms.

Aragorn put a restraining hand on the elf's shoulder, and said as politely as his shaken nerves would allow, "If you would please inform your master that there are some elves from Mirkwood asking for him, we would be most indebted."

The servant grumbled a bit, but finally headed upstairs. After a couple of excruciating minutes had passed, the master of the house didappear.

Not trusting Dolenil to keep his tempter, Aragorn addressed him before the elf had a chance. "Forgive us for waking you, but something urgent has come up. Is Prince Legolas still here?"

The man blinked at them blankly, tired eyes scanning them with confusion. Aragorn suppressed a few colorful phrases, which sprang to mind—quite a few. The man was apparently either suffering from amnesia or, more likely, a severe hangover and exhaustion from a late night of celebration.

"Prince Legolas?" The man asked, still blinking tiredly, as if trying to clear the cobwebs from his mind.

"Yes, Legolas, the Prince of Mirkwood, son of King Thranduil, heir to the throne…" Aragorn said, his impatience bordering on sarcasm. "He was here last night, was he not? We need to know if he's still here now."

A light dawned behind the man's eyes, and he seemed to regain some of his senses. "Ah, The Prince of Mirkwood! Yes, yes, he was here last night. Why? Is something wrong?"

Aragorn closed his eyes briefly and said wearily, "Yes, unfortunately there is. I'm afraid that Legolas has gone missing."

"Missing?" the man repeated with alarm.

"We received a message saying he has been kidnapped. We had hoped he'd stayed here last night…" The ranger's voice trailed off.

"No, he was in a hurry to return to his friends—I suppose that would be you—and he left the celebration quite early." The man rubbed his forehead agitatedly. "This is horrible…The son of Thranduil disappearing here, not far from my home… Please, you must allow me to help—I will give you all the aid I can."

"We thank you for your offer..." Aragorn paused, realizing they'd never been properly introduced.

"Eathol, my name is Eathol." Before Aragorn could remember his manners and introduce himself, the man hurried on, "Please, tell me what I can do to help?"

"Thank you, Eathol, for your offer, but I'm afraid there is little you can do to help at the moment. We must search for the Prince now, and hope his captors haven't taken him far."

"But surely I could alert the authorities for you? I could gather a search party…"

"Again, thank you." Aragorn was truly grateful for the man's willingness to help, but he was chafing to start looking for his friend. "I think it would be best we do this alone for the time being. I do not wish to alert his kidnappers. I fear they are holding him hostage."

Eathol's face paled considerably at his words. "Hostage? Surely not… Who would do such a thing, and why?"

"I'm afraid I can not answer all your questions right now." Aragorn wasn't about to explain all the complications about Acharndil and the letter they'd just received. "We must leave." He glanced at Dolenil and Dinerion, who'd remained silent during the conversation. He could tell their nerves were on edge.

"I could easily gather together some other men, and my own son would be more than willing to be your guide, if you should need one. You will tell me if you need anything? " Eathol asked as they turned to go.

Aragorn nodded. "Yes, thank you."

As soon as the door was firmly closed between them and Eathol, Dinerion let out a long breath. "It's a wonder that Legolas ever managed to escape from there—I thought he'd never let us leave!"

Aragorn chuckled lightly in agreement, before quickly sobering. "Is there another direction Legolas might have taken last night?"

"Yes," Dolenil answered, relieved to finally be doing something. "he may have turned to the right and walked along by the lake. It's longer, but better lit and more heavily traveled: there's less of a chance you'll get lost going that way."

"Well, I find it hard to believe Legolas was thinking of that last night. Still, we should look at all possible routes. Why don't I go back the way we came, looking more closely for any signs. You and Dinerion go the other way." Aragorn was a little startled at how quickly Dolenil complied, nodding silently and leading Dinerion along the edge of the water without so much as one complaint and no more than a moment's hesitation. Shrugging, he headed off in the other direction.

-o0o-

It was fairly sunny out, the wispy patches of cloud only floating across the face of the sun every once in a while, and then only managing to cover it partially. Even in the overcrowded alley, shafts of sunlight found their way down between the tightly-packed buildings.

Apprehension gnawed at Aragorn's heart, despite the cheerful weather. If Legolas had taken this way last night, when it was completely dark out… He could just picture a lurker hiding between two buildings, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike out at an unsuspecting passerby. He shuddered.

Elves had tremendous hearing capabilities, and even on a very dark night their sight was far superior to a human's, and he knew from experience that Legolas had fast reflexes, but that didn't make him invulnerable. Besides, even from his amateur point of view, the narrow alleyway seemed the ideal situation for a kidnapping. And Legolas hadn't known he was in danger, so why shouldn't he have taken a route through the shadier part of town? The average ruffian didn't pick a fight with an elven warrior—especially here in Laketown, where the residents were allies, and even the most ill-intentioned were familiar enough with elves and their skills to keep their distance. So why would he have worried?

So far, he hadn't found any signs of Legolas, or his captors, and the lack of evidence was maddening. If they had to go and make his friend vanish into thin air, couldn't they have left a few clues behind? Other than the dagger and pretentious letter they'd left in his room, that is.

He walked slowly, anxious to find any evidence that might help him know what had happened to Legolas. The worn cobblestones beneath him were covered here and there with snow, and every now and then he could make out a footprint. Really, the difficulty wasn't that he wasn't finding footprints, but that he was actually making out a whole lot of footprints. It was dispiriting to say the least, and the chilling pictures his mind kept sending him of stalkers in the night weren't much of a comfort either. As he hurried past another gloomy dead-end with a shudder, he began to feel extremely childish. Thank Illúvatar Dolenil wasn't here with him.

But then again, at the moment, he had a strange feeling company—even Dolenil's company—wouldn't have been the worst thing to have along.

-o0o-

Kadrin worked hard to suppress a chuckle. Two simple captures in a row. If he weren't so disappointed in the lack of challenge they were presenting him with, he'd be enjoying himself.

The ranger was walking, more like strolling, through the alley, hardly looking up at all. With the advantage of being able to see him clearly in the daylight, without the human seeing him, it was really too easy. Also, thanks to the elf's ingenuity, he'd been reminded to add a longer chain to the end of his rope. Despite the human's height, he'd never be able to reach high enough to cut the rope.

It was still hardly past dawn, but the early-risers of Laketown would soon be up, and he'd have to remove the man before that. This would have to be quick.

-o0o-

Aragorn kneeled, unheeding of the wetness that was soaking through his pants. The signs of a struggle were obvious to his trained eyes, but the strange thing was, it appeared that who ever had been struggling had been struggling against no one. The footprints here looked to belong to but one person. The marks from the boot looked like Legolas', but who or what had he been fighting? It made no sense. Unless… He paused, considering the possibility. It made no sense—unless the attack had come from above.

Slowly, he tilted his head upwards. His eyes widened, and he froze, as a chain suddenly dropped around his neck. Before he had time to recognize the threat, the noose was drawn tight. He gasped and he instinctively reached up to feel the cold, impenetrable metal. Even as he felt lack of oxygen begin to rob his brain of functional thought, he suddenly felt cold fury flow over him. Whoever was on the other end of this rope was, undoubtedly, the same person who'd captured Legolas.

Anger hotly coursing trough him, he tightened his hold on the chain, and pulled with all the strength his rage would lend him.

TBC...

As an end note, I'd just like to give a special thanks to all of you who reviewed "Freezing": Ainu Laire, invisigoth3, Star-Stallion,QueenofFlarmphgal, Evergreene, Patty, HarryEstel, viggomaniac, Poppy Cotton of Underhill, Black as the Shadows, XoGiggles, lindahoyland, KerowynGreenleaf, and Silivren Tinu

And thanks also to Poppy Cotton of Underhill for reviewing "He's Gone", and to Black as the Shadows for reviewing "First Impressions".

Thank you all so much!

Dun dun dun dun... Wow, I just realized this chapter ends in a cliffie! Well, what do ya know... Next chapter, as usual, should be up on time by Sat.:-)