Author's Note: Hello...I thought I'd update. Be warned, this chapter is really short, I'll never post a chapter this short again, and in my opinion it doesn't flow very well. It's a pretty crappy chapter, but it's a transition and I needed it. I'm very, very sorry, and I'll update very soon with a longer and hopefully less crappy chapter! My apologies!

Reviews: Thank you so much to all of you who reviewed. Unfortunately I don't have time to respond to each one individually, but I wanted you to know that each review was important and I am very grateful for your input.

The forest had become unnaturally silent. Otherwise, the ambush had been set up perfectly. The orcs were surrounding the elves, hobbits, man, and dwarf, yet none had any suscpicions yet. They were lurking just out of earshot of the elves, thus giving them the upper hand. Not only did they outnumber the company greatly, but they also had the company completely surrounded, so none could escape. Saruman smiled, knowing that his plan was working.

Thranduil paced anxiously in his study. In a chair sat Gandalf, contemplating the best way to reach the Fellowship and their guards before Saruman's evil plan befell them with little sucess. At last, with a heavy sigh, Gandalf stated, "We must not remain here. I will go with your warriors and your best tracker. We must find them while they still have a chance!"

"Aye," Thranduil agreed, "I only hope it is not too late. Mirkwood cannot survive the fall of her prince."

Soon, Gandalf and Thranduil had assembled a large group of warriors, leaving quickly in the direction of what would soon be an ambush.

Legolas' grace was slightly diminished from his still-healing injuries. All in his company noticed the difference, though none wished to point this fact out to the elf. Aragorn and Gimli had been watching him carefully. Both had agreed, when Legolas was out of earshot, that it would have been better to have left the elf in the palace, at least until he was healed. So concerned were they with Legolas that none, save said elf, noticed the forest grow silent.

"The sounds of the forest have gone silent," Legolas warned, "danger approaches."

Moments later, the sound of heavy footsteps could be heard. All around them, pouring out around the company were the orcs, more numerous than any had believed possible. There was no escape. Elves drew their bows, shooting arrows in rapid sucession. Legolas found less sucess than usual, for though he still was more accurate than any other in the company, his movements were slower, hindered greatly by his healing injuries. All too soon the archers were forced to use their knives or swords, fighting in hand-to-hand combat to try to survive.

Aragorn was slashing and parrying, fighting well without a doubt, though it soon proved to be too little. Surrounded by seven orcs, there was little the man could do. He was quickly disarmed and the last thing he saw was a hilt of a sword rapidly descending toward his head. Less than fifty feet away, Gimli too was struck unconscious. Legolas was fighting surprisingly well. With a desperation that shone in his eyes, he cut down orc after orc, only to see his companions swiftly falling. From were he stood he could not help Aragorn, nor Gimli, thus he decided to help the hobbits.

An orc stabbed deeply into his chest as Pippin turned. A cold darkness surrounded the hobbit as he felt his grasp on consciousness, and life itself, slipping. It was becoming harder to breathe, now. The last thing he saw was Legolas, fighting desperately to reach him.

Legolas nearly cried out in despair as he saw Pippin fall. He stabbed angrily at the orcs, trying to reach his fallen companion before it was too late, but missed the orc behind him. A sharp pain shot through his side as one orc stabbed his healing arrow wound, and the world swirled into darkness. Soon Frodo, Sam, and Merry had fallen, and the elven guards were slaughtered. The orcs quickly bound their unconscious prisoners, setting off toward Saruman's lair. Left behind were the slaughtered elves and Pippin, who had been stabbed through the chest. Saruman had no interest in the dead.

TBC

Author's Note: Once again, I apologize! Please, please review!