Disclaimer- I don't own anything or anyone that you can recognize

Reviews- rogue641- I'm not evil just a very psychotic angst writer!

DawnStrider- Well the wait is finally over, I just hope you don't get disappointed Invisigoth3- Yes, yes fan fiction writers are so mean (starts to think of new ways to torture Aragorn and Legolas)

A/N- Major spoilers to my previous story in this series Whispering Tears!

Part 5

"It all began sixty years ago, when I met a young man not much older then yourself. His name was Rorin. He was hurt; some wargs had attacked him in a forest near my home. I brought him back and the healer tended to him. He stayed in Mirkwood till he recovered, we became great friends and when he left, he promised to visit again. I said I would visit him also, but he told me that would not be wise. I didn't understand at the time so I let it be. He returned within six weeks and the visits continued regularly after that. I started to notice bruises on him so I got suspicious. When I asked him about it, he told me his father drank a lot and was angered easily. He told me not to worry and stupidly I believed him. My home never trusted humans, but almost every elf in Mirkwood loved Rorin! During one of his visits we went on a hunting trip, only to meet up with his father. He was angry and started screaming at Rorin. My young friend only coward and listened, that night I learned his mother was murdered by a rogue elf who hunted humans. His father in return hunted down elves and killed them slowly. He also took his pain out on his son. He pulled out a bow and was about to shoot me, but Rorin jumped in front of me and the arrow hit him instead. I held him in my arms and the last words he said to me was, 'I loved you like a brother' then he died. His father in grief and confusion fled. I can not trust a race that will harm their own blood." Tears streamed down the elf's face as he remembered the tragic night his friend died. Aragorn stared at him with amazed green eyes. Not knowing how he could have kept all that inside for so many years.

"It seems to me that grief is what is holding you back." The human said breaking the awkward silence that fell upon them.

"What do you mean?"

"It sounds like you and Rorin were great friends; I think you're afraid that if you let yourself get close to another human they'll die just like Rorin did." Aragorn stated, wisdom showing through his eyes.

Legolas was amazed by the human's words. For many years he had been denying that fact, it was easier just to blame the race that killed his friend. But listening to Aragorn's words, he knew he was right. Legolas was only running from his grief and looking for someone to blame it on.

"You speak with much wisdom for one so young Estel. Thank you for helping me understand the ghost of my past." It was now Aragorn's turn to be surprised. The elf prince had called him nothing but human since the day they met, and now he called him by his elven name.

"I was happy to help, especially a friend." He glanced up at the elf chained to the wall with hopeful eyes, as Legolas gave him a small smile.

"The creaking of the cell door brought them back to the reality of the situation. Emermin stood over them with a sly smile that was most unnerving.

"Well elf since your little friend her can't work for a while, looks like you'll be taking on double the load." He spat out unchaining him and shoving him out the poorly lighten dungeon. He was bound with shackles on his hands and feet, as the dungeon door slammed shut behind them trapping Aragorn inside alone until Legolas was finally aloud to return.

"Can't having you run off now, can we?" Emermin asked tauntingly as he had the guards lead him to the workers garden. He was led through many winding hall ways trying to remember the way as they went. Finally they came to a giant garden. Legolas could see many other elves working. They stopped at an elf with blonde hair and blue eyes. Legolas was shocked at who it was.

"Erdil, this is our new slave Doletir. Make sure you teach him the rules and the consequences for breaking them." With that Emermin left the two elves, who were staring at each other with sheer amazement.

"Erdil, everyone thought you were dead." The elf prince said to the elf that has been missing from his kingdom for fifty five winters.

"I was captured by these humans. You are right my prince they shouldn't be trusted."

"No Erdil I was wrong, it took a good friend to help me realize I was consumed by grief not hatred." Erdil nodded not completely understanding his prince, but having some idea at what he meant. The older elf explained to Legolas the harsh rules of King Patruus and the cruel consequences. All of the elven slaves here only worked. Tending to the gardens, cooking, cleaning, and many other chores. Of they disobeyed any order given to them; they were flogged for what the king called 'Foolish Elven Pride'. The king always watched when his slaves were being punished, and sometimes he even took it upon himself to punish them, cracking his own vicious whip upon the elf's bare back. It was said that his whip has a bite sharper then a warg's fang.

"Also my lord, they will punish you even if you haven't done anything."

'But that's going against their own rules. Is it not?" The younger elf asked in confusion.

"This is not a game Legolas." He spoke using the prince's real name carefully.

"They will not play by the rules. They will make up any excuse they can think of to punish you. Do you understand?"

"I understand completely." He replied remembering his father's servant did not play by his own torture rules with him; in fact he kept changing the rules of his cruel games.

"I will pass this news one to my companion, the human I told you of earlier." He said as he continued to pick the potatoes out of the soft dirt.

"That would be wise young one. Humans do not heal like us; it is very unlikely he will survive."

"He must survive Erdil; he is the first human friend I've made since Rorin. If he dies I do not think my heart could take the grief." They continued to work as the guards walked passed them, cracking their whips as if they were teasing them.

Aragorn lay in the dark dungeon. His legs killed him and had almost wished the healer had not come to care for them, since he did not bother to be gentle. He wished Legolas would return, the elf's presence seemed to calm him and in someway gives him hope that they will somehow get out of this mess. He couldn't tell how long it was till Legolas finally returned, but to him it seemed like centuries.

Again the elf was chained to the wall. He was lucky that the shackles were placed close to the floor that he was able to sit down. He was exhausted, it was at least two hours past dark when they finally let him go back to their cells.

"It's past dark." Legolas spoke suddenly breaking the silence. All Aragorn did was nod, not knowing what to say. Legolas Finally explained the events of the day, including what Erdil had told him. About the rules and the torture games. He wouldn't tell him about how Erdil said he may not survive he didn't want to scare the boy anymore then he already was.

"Estel you're shaking. Do not worry I have been in a situation similar to this, I promise we will make it out of here." He promised hoping it wouldn't end up being broken.

"You have been a captive before?" The boy asked in sheer amazement.

"Yes a long time ago, when I was just an elfling." Legolas answered looking away afraid of the memories that he was trying to run away from, but relived every night in his dreams.

"What happened? If you don't mind me asking." The elf looked him with sad eyes as if he was reliving the memories right now.

"One of my father's servants, Finarato, wanted revenge on my grandfather, for when he led the troops into battle. During the battle my grandfather died along with many other elves including Finarato's youngest son, Farothel. He took his revenge by abusing me, the youngest son of Thranduil." he explained barley above a whisper. Aragorn had to lean in to hear him and he was surprised at what he heard.

"I don't know how you could have survived all that. I understand now how it is so easy for you not to trust anyone even elves. This way there is less chance of you getting hurt." The son of Thranduil nodded, understanding exactly what the youngest son of Elrond was saying.

"This place reminds me a lot of where he kept me, the place I almost died." He said looking into Aragorn's afraid green eyes.

"I made it out of that shadow of torture; we will make it out of this one." Legolas said as determination shown through his voice. A while later the both finally fell into a deep sleep, managing to survive their first day.