Author's Note: I'm so sorry it took me so long to update. I've been a bit busy with school, exams, vacation, unexpected visits from relatives, and my other stories. Plus, I had a bit of a writer's block.

Kalayna: Thank you for reviewing! I'm sorry about irregular posting. Yup. I'm gonna write all of my stories completely before I start posting in future stories.

Warm arms were wrapped around Legolas when he woke up. Beneath him, he could feel the horse moving. A splitting headache made the elf flinch, only to have a comforting voice murmur," It's alright, Legolas. You're safe now."

Legolas tilted his head back and saw Aragorn staring at him. With a slight smile, he muttered," I really don't like orcs."

Following the statement the prince drifted off again, leaving Aragorn rather amused. Gimli appeared at his side with a concerned glance at the limp elf. For once he was riding the horse without anyone else. As Aragorn met the dwarf's gaze, he read the unspoken question, responding lightly," He's going to be fine."

With a hesitant nod Gimli pulled his horse back and rejoined the hobbits. Aragorn smiled slightly as he saw the hobbits lean in and listen to Gimli's report. They had been extremely concerned about Legolas. Merry and Pippin shared a horse, as did Sam and Frodo. When the huddle broke up, the hobbits were visibly relieved, and Pippin went so far as to start singing.

At the sound of the cheerful tune, Legolas lifted his head groggily, searching for the source of merriment. A shadow of a smile appeared as he hummed along. Aragorn stared at the prince with a highly amused expression, but the elf barely seemed to notice. He had closed his eyes and added his own voice to Pippin's. The hobbits looked over at Legolas in surprise when he started singing. Gimli laughed and added his own voice to the pleasant song. Soon, all of the former companions were singing.

As the singing came to an end, Legolas softly spoke," Hannon le, my friends."

Soon they reached the gate of Mirkwood's palace, the prince's home. King Thranduil came to greet them personally. With him he brought a healer. As they approached the king, Legolas straightened and masked the pain he was feeling. He dismounted on his own, although it lacked his usual grace. When his feet touched the ground, the young elf's knees nearly buckled, sending him stumbling forward. It was only then that he registered the gash through his thigh. Vaguely, he wondered when he had obtained that wound. Aragorn was at his side instantly, helping Legolas walk over to his father.

"My son, what have you managed to get yourself into this time?" Thranduil questioned sternly. The anger was evident in the king's eyes, and Legolas knew better than to ignore the question.

Smiling guiltily, he admitted," I found some orcs near our borders. Unfortunately, Raenin and I were outnumbered. I knew one of us had to return to inform you of the danger, and I couldn't leave Raenin to the orcs. So I provided the necessary distraction."

"You found it necessary to be captured, tortured, and possibly killed by orcs?" Thranduil demanded with disbelief. Legolas was shocked by his father's words, and found himself without an answer.

Pain and confusion showed clearly through the young prince's eyes as he replied," I'm sorry, ada..."

Much to the surprise of those watching, Thranduil pulled Legolas into a tight hug, whispering," Never scare me like that again, Legolas!"

An unwelcome pair of eyes were watching the reunion. While the Mirkwood guards were quite skilled at their jobs, the inconspicuous young human had managed to get within viewing distance of the palace. He had climbed through the trees along a well planned route. The path had been decided carefully by Saruman himself. As he had traveled deep into Mirkwood, the brown haired boy remained hidden and far from the guards. It had not been part of the plan to allow Legolas return to his home. There was always, of course, a back-up plan.

Neralin, the spy, silently called a bird to him. The bird was his messenger. The boy attached a small note to the bird's leg, and it set off to deliver the message to Saruman. During his momentary lapse of attention to the world around him, Neralin was spotted. An elven voice cried," Look! There is something in that tree!"

The young spy silently cursed to himself. Quickly, he strung his bow and aimed at the injured prince. As an arrow whizzed past his head, he released the string, sending a projectile straight for Legolas' heart. Suddenly, he felt the cool tip of a dagger resting against the base of his throat. A soft voice whispered," I wouldn't move, if I were you."

His arms were pulled behind him and bound tightly with rope. Neralin couldn't supress a sigh of frustration as the elf who had captured him passed him down to those below. He managed to keep a mask of serenity as he was pushed toward the king, as well as the elf he had just attempted to murder. It was not easy, considering his heart was hammering so hard he felt it would burst out of his chest, and his head was swimming. A cold, tingling sensation occupied the pit of his stomach, a feeling that he recognized as fear. Rarely had Neralin been so afraid. The last time he felt so strongly was when his village had been attacked by orcs when he was barely three years old. He had watched his parents be murdered, and he himself had been taken prisoner.

An involuntary shudder overcame the young man when he thought of the events leading up to his union with Saruman. The years of torture at the hands of the orcs, the mental visions of his parents' murder...all were too much for him to bear. When Saruman had demanded his allegiance, he was already broken. With no more to lose, Neralin had agreed.

Angry shouts brought Neralin back to reality. The dwarf whom Neralin now remembered was known as Gimli, was shouting dwarvish curses. The human, now King of Gondor, was supporting Legolas with the help of King Thranduil. Neralin chuckled to himself as he realized that the King of Gondor and King of Mirkwood were working together to help the Prince of Mirkwood, the only common link between the kings. With a small amount of satisfaction, Neralin saw that his arrow had struck the elf, although not fatally.

Strong hands still gripped Neralin, guiding him toward the king. Much to Neralin's surprise, Legolas sent a sympathetic smile his way. Somehow, Neralin felt as though the prince had glanced into his soul, seeing all that had transpired to lead him to his current predicament. Upon their approach, all fell silent as the beings watched Neralin being lead forward. He shifted uneasily under their stares. Legolas, who was still smiling, asked," Why did you shoot me?"

Neralin fought hard to contain his laughter at the ridiculous question. Keeping his face impassive and his voice calm, he replied," I must obey my master."

Aragorn gave him a scrutinizing look, as though he were trying to glimpse into Neralin's mind. The spy focused again upon Legolas when he stated," I thought as much. It's my unfortunate duty to lock you in a cell until you are no longer a hazard to my people. Alas, I regret putting such a young human through such a fate, especially one who has suffered as much as you."

For a few moments, all of the stares were redirected to Legolas. How could he have known about Neralin's past? The elven prince just smiled knowingly and continued," I can see the traces of your suffering upon you clearly. The way you stand so rigidly shows that this is not the first time you have been in captivity. Your eyes alone tell tales of suffering and torment, along with an unfortunate lack of hope."

The young spy attempted to step back, to run, anything to get away from the being who seemed to know far too much about him. When escape was not possible, Neralin questioned," How could you know all this?"

Legolas looked distant as he responded," I know the signs of someone who has been tortured into hopelessness, separated from all who care and left on your own. I know, because I have been there."

Neralin's face contorted in confusion. He couldn't imagine a prince suffering anywhere near as much as he had. His voice held an underlying challenge as he retorted," You couldn't possibly have gone through what I have! You're an elf, and a prince! You sit around all day while servants are forced to obey your every command. Your warriors are forced to fight while you enjoy an evening of pleasure with fellow royalty. Occasionally you must make a diplomatic journey to other realms, where you are once again pampered!"

A great weariness was in the prince's voice as he said softly," If only you knew how far that is from the truth. I fear what other lies Saruman may have fed to you."

With one eyebrow cocked, Neralin was led away. He didn't understand the tone Legolas had used. The prince had spoken as though the mere act of remembering his past brought pain and exaustion. Neralin rationalized that Legolas must have been feeling the effects of his injuries. Once Neralin was in the cell, the ropes were removed, and he was left alone in the dark again. As the cell door clicked shut, the young man pushed himself into a corner, drawing his legs up to his chest and wrapping his arms around them. When no more sounds could be heard outside, he rested his head against his knees and cried.

Once Neralin was out of sight, Legolas' breaths started to become ragged. The arrow had pierced Legolas in the stomach. Blood flowed from the wound, making the elf feel dizzy. He felt himself being guided up to his room, and heard comforting voices around him. Soon, his back touched his bed, and Aragorn was requesting materials to help him remove the arrow. With a few small cuts to widen the entry wound, the arrow came out. After cleaning the wound and applying healing herbs, Aragorn stitched the wound back together. A bandage was placed over the stitches, and Aragorn moved on to the rest of Legolas' beaten body.

When Aragorn finished cleaning and binding Legolas' many wounds, Gimli and the hobbits slipped into the room, occupying the seats nearest the elf's bed. Legolas blinked many times in succession, attempting to clear his eyes. Giving his friends a mischievious smile, he said," Wasn't that fun?"

His comment was recieved with glares from all who were in the room. Turning his expression more serious, Legolas asked," Has anyone gone to question our...guest?"

"No," Aragorn responded with a sigh," we were going to wait until you were ready to talk to him. Your father seems to think you need more practice with questioning prisoners. Besides, you would understand him better than anyone else. You were his target, so you should talk to him."

Legolas nodded, accepting the explanation. Slowly, he started pushing himself up, with the obvious intention to go question the boy they were holding in the dungeon. Aragorn promptly tried to force him to remain in bed. The attempt was unsuccessful, and Legolas stood unsteadily. The injured elf stumbled out of the room and down the stairwells to the dungeon. Aragorn and Gimli exchanged a glance and followed the elf.

Finally, Legolas reached Neralin's cell. The boy didn't hear the elf's quiet approach, and Legolas could hear quiet sobs echoing through the hall. Once he opened the cell door, the crying came to an abrubt halt, but Legolas could still see the boy's shoulders shaking with his now silent misery. Legolas walked into the cell slowly, laying a comforting hand on Neralin's shoulder. He knelt, so he would be closer to eye level with the boy. Softly, he asked," What is your name?"

After a moment the boy looked up, rubbed his wet eyes, and replied," Neralin. I can't remember who my father was. It's been so long..."

With that, Neralin started crying again. Legolas' heart went out to the young human and he asked," How old are you, Neralin? How long has it been since Saruman took you away from your family?"

"I'm...I'm seventeen," Neralin choked out between sobs," Orcs destroyed my home when I was three. They...they killed everyone in the village. They killed my parents and my little sister. But...they took me to Saruman. I joined him because I was afraid, and I didn't know what else to do. I was only three! The orcs were so cruel...they always are. When Saruman was training me, my failures were punished harshly. I was handed over to the orcs, and they could do anything they wanted as long as I lived and wasn't permanently damaged. By the time I was seven, I had given up hope. I would dream of escape, but I knew it would never come. I thought I may finally know freedom during the War of the Ring, but Saruman survived, and no one knew were I was. This is only the second time I've been given a mission by myself. I'm very sorry that I shot you, Prince Legolas. I didn't want to, but...but I can't take the orcs' punishment anymore. I failed my mission. I fear what awaits me when Saruman comes."

Legolas pulled Neralin into a close hug, whispering," No evil shall befall you while you are under my protection, Neralin. You are a guest of Mirkwood, and I will protect you as I would any citizen of this realm. You have my word."

Shocked, Neralin pulled out of the embrace and asked disbelievingly," You would do that for me, even after what I did? I deserve whatever punishment you feel is necessary."

"You have been punished enough for all the mistakes you'll ever make, Neralin," Legolas told him with a smile. The elf stood, extending a hand to help the boy stand as well. Together, they exited the cell to find a highly amused human and dwarf just outside the door.

Neralin shudder involuntarily, and Legolas put a comforting arm around the boy's shoulders. Aragorn smiled mirthfully," You're going to have a lot of fun explaining this to your father, Legolas."

With a glance at Neralin, Legolas replied," Whatever lecture he comes up with will not change my decision. I believe Neralin deserves a second chance, and I intend to give him one. No matter what adar says."

Thranduil's eyes blazed with anger. Looking down at his stubborn son and the timid human beside him, he asked, "Why do you stand up for a criminal, Legolas? You demand his freedom, while a court would demand his death! He may be young, but he has spied on us, and attempted to murder you! You cannot allow such a criminal to walk free, my son."

"He acted because he was afraid!" Legolas declared defensively, "He was taken by Saruman when he was only three! I do not blame him for his crimes. Had I been faced with the same circumstances, I would have acted the same way. We are fortunate enough to have known the comforts of love and family for centuries, but this boy only knew them for a few short years. Surely you cannot believe that he wanted to commit these crimes!"

"How can you believe that he did not?" Thranduil retorted, "We have naught but his word on that! There were no orcs holding a dagger to his throat, forcing his actions! He acted of his own free will. I cannot believe that you are so foolish as to not see this, Legolas! You should have learned by now that humans cannot be trusted."

Legolas was enraged by his father's last comment. His voice was murderously quiet as he responded, "You still allow your prejudices to overrule your judgement, adar. You believe all humans are untrustworthy. What, then, would you consider Aragorn? For he is human, and one of the most trustworthy beings I know."

"This has naught to do with Aragorn, Legolas," King Thranduil shot back," you know this. Aragorn is an exceptional human. He was raised amongst elves. This boy we are judging now has done nothing to earn your trust, my son."

"He lies not," Legolas pressed on, "I have been around humans long enough to know when I am being lied to. His very being, silent as he is now, shouts that he has suffered greatly, and wishes naught to have hurt anyone. What have I done to earn your distrust, father? Why do you question my judgement?"

"You are still young, Legolas," Thranduil said softly, "You have much to learn about the ways of the world. I must consider the safety of those in Mirkwood, as well as your own. I cannot allow your compassion for others to be the downfall of this realm."

The king immediately regretted his words as Legolas' eyes filled with pain. The prince replied nearly soundlessly, "I have learned more about distrust and pain than anyone should ever have to, adar. I'm sorry if I seem like such a failure to you. I will take Neralin with me, we will leave in a few hours. I will not allow you to punish him, and I have sworn to protect him. He will no longer be your responsibilty when we leave. Perhaps I am not fit to rule Mirkwood when you leave, but I will not allow Neralin to encounter any more suffering."

"Legolas," the older elf called softly to his son.

Legolas turned back briefly, his eyes full of determination. "Namarie, adar."

Sorry this chapter didn't have a lot going on. Don't worry...it'll speed up soon! Please, please, please review!! I'm not updating until I have at least 5 new reviews!