Good Eye Sniper

by FMHB

A boy sets out to avenge his family. A prince becomes the target of an unknown assassin. Both must learn to trust one another in order to save a family, two kingdoms, and an entire race of people. In a place where all is not as it seems; enemies become fr

6. To The Dungeons We Will Go

A/N: Here's the next chapter. I'm sorry it took so long, but I've been getting lately and my next slave to hope chapter is absolutely driving me crazy. I don't know what it is, but the chapters are easy to write for this story. Maybe the other story is more complicated who knows…heck I don't…lol. Well I hope this was worth the wait and that it keeps you interested and excited so enjoy…

Chapter Six: To The Dungeons We Will Go

Legolas walked cautiously down the dungeon steps, staring intently at each stair with intent distrust before walking on it and not a little reluctance.

It was not so much for fear of tripping, but rather a way to distract his mind, as he descended, into the dark cloying confines of the prison.

The young prince had a strong aversion to close confined places and had to use all of his self control to keep himself from running back up, into the warm liberating sunlight.

Legolas seldom visited the palace dungeons, having frequented the place only twice in his whole life. This being the second time.

The first time, as a mere elfling, he had snuck down here because he was curious as to what the dungeons looked like, and now the second to interrogate his first prisoner.

The first visit had not ended well, resulting in many a sleepless night, and perhaps being the greatest contributor to his present claustrophobia. But Legolas had a feeling that this second visit would be decidedly more unpleasant than the first, if the stubborn edain was to have his way.

The guard assigned to the prisoner, chatted amicably with the prince, as they walked along the dark corridor, telling him about how there had not been a prisoner in the dungeons in over two centuries.

Giving an elf such a punishment was considered drastic, except for the most heinous of crimes. The darkness and confinement, for long periods of time, could literally kill an elf, who thrived on sunlight, to live, as much as food or water. And dwarves and humans simply did not wander into their territory.

Thus the dungeons suffered from much misuse.

As Legolas followed the guard, listening to the guard's rumblings with only half an ear, the prince observed the prison's slow decay.

Fortunately, because of the lack of use, the dungeon lacked the foul odor associated with most prisons of similar fashion. However dust and cobwebs festered, making the place appear more like a spider's lair than a dungeon.

Legolas subconsciously glanced around nervously, fingering his dagger, as he imagined a giant spider jumping out of the shadows.

Keeping a wary eye out as he continued to follow his guide, Legolas could barely make out from the gloom a door that seemed to meld straight into the rock face. There was nothing extraordinary about the door, and if the prince had not been so wary of his surrounding he might very well have overlooked it. However, it made him pause in his step, because something about what the guard had said made its presence not ring true.

Where everywhere else showed obvious disuse, this door had been cleared away of dust and cobwebs. It looked as though the dirt around the door had also been disturbed recently, which would indicate current use. However, the guard had said there had been no prisoners here in two centuries. So where did this door lead and to what purpose?

"The prisoner is this way your highness." The guard called, indicating further down the hallway, when he realized the prince had stopped following.

The guard's response only confused Legolas more. If this wasn't where the prisoner was being kept then what was it being used for?

"Is there any other prisoners being kept here?" Legolas turned his question to the guard.

"No your highness. Just the edain. Like I said we haven't had any prisoners in over 200 years." The guard answered with slight wariness, in his voice, as though expecting some trick.

"Where does this door lead?" Legolas questioned, nodding his head at the cleared doorway, unsatisfied with the guard's answer.

The guard shuffled his feet uncertainty. "It…it's just another hallway my lord. Nothing important. We put the prisoner down this way." The guard stepped slightly further down the hall as though trying to coax the prince away.

Was the guard nervous? Legolas thought he had caught some reluctance in the guard's speech. The prince felt certain the guard was hiding something….something that lay behind this door.

"Where does the hallway lead." The elf prince insisted, unwilling to let the guard off so easily. Legolas did not like secrets and intended to find out what the guard was hiding.

"Just more cells, my lord. Nothing of interest." The guard replied quickly…too quickly, it seemed to Legolas.

The prince approached the doorway, certain upon inspection that slight footprint marks could barely be made out in the dirt in front of the door.

Legolas tested the door, but a heavy rusted metal lock firmly prevented movement.

"Where is the key to this door?" Legolas demanded unhappy that there was an area he had no access to.

"I…I don't know, my lord. That hallways been out of use for so long I'm uncertain there is a key anymore." The guard answered promptly.

"Then find out." Legolas replied disgustedly.

"Yes, your highness." The guard bowed stiffly in acceptance of the command. He squirmed a bit under the prince's fiery gaze, uncertain if Legolas wished him to carry out this task immediately.

Legolas allowed the guard to fidget a few more moments, of uncertain apprehension under his keen gaze, before walking past the guard towards the far end of the hallway that supposedly led to the prisoner's cell.

The guard remained standing indecisively. Did the prince wish him to take him to the edain's cell first or look for the key?

"You can look for this lost key later, but now I would speak to the prisoner." Legolas called over his shoulder waiting impatiently, for the guard to lead the way.

Legolas could not still the burning curiosity that nearly made him turn and look at the strange door again. He sensed something unsettlingly about the door, or more likely what lay beyond it. But he forced himself to patience. He would speak to his father about it later, but now he had more important matters to attend to…namely a young human boy, who seemed intent upon shooting an arrow through his heart, for reasons yet unexplained.

The guard increased his pace quickly, nodding once towards the prince before guiding him to the end of the long hallway.

Did the guard seem relieved? What was going on here? Legolas vowed he would uncover what dark secrets were playing out around him, whatever they might be.

The guard stopped at the very last cell and with a slight nod of his head indicated this was the cell Legolas sought.

"He is in there, my lord." The guard repeated the obvious.

Legolas frowned, at the drastic darkness in this half of the hallway. He looked around trying to uncover the source of the discrepancy. Throughout the prince's journey through the dungeon there had been a uniform brightness, that had just barely kept the prison from falling into absolute darkness, and now suddenly it was as though the end of the hallway was trying to suck up all the light.

Legolas spotted fire scones lined up periodically through the hallway, the source of the slight light that kept the dungeons scarcely bearable.

Legolas' frown deepened as he realized the last scone was annoyingly empty…the cause for the unnatural darkness. Someone had saw fit to remove the last torch light making it scarcely possible to see one's own hands…much less the prisoner. Legolas shook his head in disapproval.

The prince intended to have a good long talk to the guards about this…if nothing else it was unwise. A resourceful prisoner could use just such a lack of light to make an escape. Legolas would not be surprised if the young human had used just such an opportunity himself.

Legolas couldn't help, but shivered as he imagined being forced to sit in such absolutely impenetrable darkness. If the boy had not escaped than surely had gone mad by now...but no human's were suppose to be more resilient to darkness than elves were. The cloying black didn't eat at a human soul the way it did an elfs.

Even so it was still cruel to put anyone elf or man through such an experience. But surely it had been an accident…a mere oversight. Surely no elf would purposefully left the boy in such conditions. But how could no one have noticed? He couldn't even see the boy through the prison bars. It seemed a bit far fetched that no one had noticed that minor detail.

A nagging sense of unease tugged at the pit of the prince's stomach. Could an elf be so heartless, as to take away all light? Perhaps a human guard would have thought little of it, but an elf would have known how tormenting the darkness could be upon the soul...an elf would never wish to inflict that kind of senseless cruelty on another….or at least that was what Legolas had once believed. And if an elf could do such a horrendous act what other acts would they be capable of?

Legolas began to fear for the boy's safety. He had heard no noise emanating from within the cell's interior. Did the boy still live? The prince was overcome with a sense of rising urgency to see that the boy was alive and whole.

He began to pity the poor human boy who had been forced to live through such conditions, and the prince felt deep regret for having ordered the child placed here now. Legolas could not still the nagging guilt that started to rise in his chest…making breathing difficult. He had allowed this…he'd ordered it, and perhaps cost a mere child its life.

He regretted having waited so long to see to the boy. Legolas had wanted some time to collect his thoughts before confronting this stubborn human. The elf prince had been lost in thought deep into the early morning hours, foregoing a visit to the dungeons till he had gotten some breakfast in him. The young boy had spent the night here alone, perhaps feeling forsaken, perhaps breathing his last believing Legolas had ordered it.

This darkness must assuredly have been absolutely terrifying, for the young boy and placing the prisoner in the farthest recesses of the dungeon must undoubtedly have made the child feel an even greater sense of isolation. Why had the guards chosen a cell so terribly far away. It wasn't as though there didn't have other cells to choose from…they had all the cells to chose from. So why this one? Was it just to add to the boy's fear, to make him feel further removed from the world?

Legolas was apprehensive about what state the boy might be in when he saw him. The cell was quiet…too quiet, and it filled him with a disquieting uneasiness.

Legolas stepped in front of the cell trying to pierce the deep recesses of the metal cage, looking futily for the lone prisoner supposedly contained inside. The darkness made it impossible to make out anyone. If the guard had not led him to this exact cell the prince would have believed it empty.

"Boy are you in there?" Legolas called out daringly, trying to keep the desperation from his voice. "I have some questions I want to ask you."

The prince's inquiry met with silence.

"He hasn't talked to anyone today, my prince. No one has been able to get a word from him. He's a stubborn one, that one." The guard offered helpfully…no doubt sensing the prince's concern.

"Answer me boy or I will be forced to extreme measures." Legolas answered, with as much force in his voice as he could muster. He was not sure what he would do if the boy called his bluff. He had no sure answer for what exactly extreme measures would entail, but he had found that threats seemed to elicit the most successful response from the infuriatingly stubborn child.

"You may torture me as much as you want." A voice rasped out from the darkness, followed by what sounded like the clinking of chains rubbing against stone. "I will tell you nothing." Coughing followed the bold statement that continued for several minutes before the cell subsided back into silence.

"Has the prisoner been fed?" Legolas shot the question unexpectedly at the guard.

"Uh…y…yes, my lord. I brought a tray into him this morning, b…but he didn't touch any of it." The guard replied nervously filling Legolas with a sinking suspicion.

"Open the cell. I would speak with the boy face to face." Legolas demanded, waiting expectantly for the guard to carry out his command.

The guard quickly complied, unlocking the door with little fuss.

Legolas entered, stopping abruptly in the doorway, blocking the guard from following him in.

"I will go in alone." Legolas responded.

"B…but my lord you can't enter a prisoner's cell unguarded. What if he attacks you? It's not safe." The guard protested vehemently.

"I am quite capable of handling the boy. I have my daggers should I need them." Legolas replied, stubbornly refusing the guards unneeded protection.

"But my lord he nearly killed you. The king would have my head if I allowed you to be injured." The guard persisted, worry evident in his voice.

"I will be seeing the prisoner alone." Legolas insisted, his tone brooking no argument. "But if it would reassure you, you may wait for me outside."

Without looking back for a response, Legolas continued into the depths of the cell expected the guard's obedience unquestionably.

The prince looked warily through the dark confines of the prison, not touching his dagger, but keeping his hand cautiously near to the weapon, should he need to draw it at a moment's notice. He truly didn't believe the boy was a threat any long, but old habits died hard, and Legolas would certainly rather be safe than sorry. After all humans could be so unpredictable.

"Have you come to torment me some more?" A voice whispered out of the darkness, helping direct Legolas to the prisoner's location.

Finally the prince came within a close enough distance to make out the young human, the site nearly making him gasp, only countless years of court training stilled Legolas' reaction, keeping his face locked in a neutral mask of indifference.

The boy was chained to the wall, which the prince suspected was the main reason why the prisoner's tray had remained untouched.

Legolas felt a flair of ire rise as he thought of what elf would be cruel enough to chain a boy like an animal and then starve him. The prince was tempted to confront the guard who had escorted him here in the first place…it was obvious the elf bore some blame for this irreprehensible treatment, and no doubt quite a few other guards besides.

The prince's keen eyes spotted various cuts and bruises contrasting sharply with the boy's too pale skin, causing a slow rage to burn in Legolas. Someone would pay for this.

What monster would torture a child this way? It looked like the boy had been beaten, to say the least, and then chained probably through the night without even a blanket to keep the chill at bay.

Legolas could make out the barely visible shaking the boy was unable to suppress, as cold caused the youth's muscles to spasm uncontrollably.

Legolas walked hastily towards the boy, intent upon seeing closer up all the damage that had been inflicted upon the hapless prisoner.

The young boy watching the prince's every movement with wary tension begin struggling weakly against his chains, as the prince started walking determinedly towards him.

Legolas was halted in his steps as he watched the boy's once defiantly stoic face, admirably hiding the pain and fear the boy must undoubtedly be feeling, convert in to a look of pure terror, as he watched the prince's advancement.

The Prince's heart ached painfully, as he watched the boy pull futily at the chains firmly binding him to the wall, causing already chaffed wrists to open up. Small trickles of crimson liquid flowed down the boy's pale bruised arms, only seeming increase the boy's panicked frenzy.

Legolas felt a deep sense of guilt, for putting that fear on the boy's face. He had never meant to instill such absolute terror in the child and it filled him with shame and regret that anyone should cringe from him so.

Even though the prince had stopped his advance, the young human continued to struggle against his bonds oblivious to the further damage he caused. The prince had to stop this before the human was injured irreparable.

The prince quickly closed the distance between them, and stooped before the bound boy hoping to stop the child from inflicting any further ruin to his own body in a useless act of defiance.

However Legolas' close presence seemed to drain away the boy's resistance as he desisted in trying to free himself. He stilled his movements letting his head drop weakly to his chest. His breath hung heavy in the cold air.

Blood loss, cold, pain, and darkness had all taken their toll on the young human eating away at his dwindling energy until he felt like scarcely more than an empty shell.

He had no more strength to fight off a further round of torture…it would kill him.

But isn't that what he wanted…to die?

Perhaps, but not like this… in some cold dark valar forsaken dungeon, far from all he'd ever known or loved, screaming himself into insanity.

Perhaps he deserved such a death…surely he did for the crimes he had committed, but that did not mean he wished his short life to end this way.

The trembling grew stronger as he allowed fear free reign of his weary body, and he cringed helplessly away from the pain he was certain was coming. "No more…please no more." He whispered.

"It is alright young one. I am not here to harm you." Legolas whispered soothingly. "I did not know you had been tortured. I swear I did not order this. I would never have allowed. I only seek to help you. Tell me where you are hurt?"

The last question seemed ridiculous to Legolas. It seemed more logically to ask where aren't you hurt, but Legolas hoped the boy could offer some insight on his own injuries.

"Who did this to you?"

"Just leave me alone. It does not matter. I do not want or need your help." The boy answered ferociously, lashing out in fear and anger, trying to regain his lost pride, after begging for mercy.

He had not expected the prince to be like this…to be kind. Where he had expected pain and punishment instead he was given apologies and compassion.

And it frightened him… this uncertainty. For what could the prince possible want from him to behave such?

After all he had very nearly killed the elf prince, so why then did the elf not seek retribution?

The prince had sent his guards already to torment him day and night. He said he hadn't, but why wouldn't he? How could he possible be so oblivious to what his guards were doing? And why shouldn't he wish to torment one had seemingly attacked him unprovoked?

His father would have understood about such a thing, but this was a Mirkwood elf. They were said to be hard and unforgiving. And so far they had been, up till now that is.

Such compassion seemed so out of place with everything he had seen thus far, and he waited apprehensively for the trick to be revealed. The ultimate revelation that the prince's empathy was all a lie, some cruel ruse made to destroy his last shred of hope, of ever being free of this endless darkness…not just the darkness of the cell, but the darkness of his soul….the darkness of his sin.

"I will be back in a few moments." Legolas replied simply. He was tempted to put a reassuring hand upon the boy's shoulder, but decided against such action, sure it would only frighten the boy further.

The young human did not trust him. The disbelief shone far too obviously from the boy's wide wary eyes. It was as though an act of kindness was as frightening to the child as the threat of torture…perhaps more so.

But why? Because he did not expect kindness especially from the elf he had tried to kill. And it was not unreasonable that he should expect further ill treatment after what my own guards did to him. Legolas thought bitterly. Why should he have any faith in our justice after what he's been through?

Legolas silently promised he would show this young human boy that Mirkwood was not the horrible place he thought it was…that elves were not so cruel, at least not most of them. But not now. The boy needed his injuries seen to and that meant he needed medicine and bandages.

Without further words or response Legolas left the uncomfortable cell and waited patiently for the guard to re-lock the door, before turning his full fury on the unsuspecting jail keeper.

"Why is that boy chained like some kind of animal? No wander he did not eat. He must be starving now. And who inflicted such grievous injuries on him? I gave no one permission to treat the prisoner in this fashion, and I will have answers."

"Yes my pr…" The guard attempted to answer before the prince continued vehemently on, causing the guard to back away a few steps from the prince's unexpected wraith.

"I will go to the healers for supplies, and you will see food and blankets brought immediately. When I return I expect the boy to be unchained. He is a prisoner not an animal and I expected him to be treated accordingly. And I want the names of all the elves responsible for his mistreatment, including your own. I promise you there will be grievous reprimands for all responsible, and my father will hear of how the guards have been treating the prisoner. And for Valar's sake get some light down here, before I go mad."

The guard watched the prince rant with wary apprehension and wandered if he had gone made already.

Before the guard could offer a reply or a defense of any sort, Legolas had turned away and began the walk out of the dungeons alone. The prince's fury was palpable, as it sizzled the air with tension.

The guard gulped nervously as he watched the enraged prince disappear in the darkness. The elf guard rubbed his neck fretfully as he imagined the executioner's axe cutting through flesh and bone.

"The prince is becoming a problem it seems…we may have to change our plans around a bit." A voice called eerily from the shadows.

The guard jumped anxiously and turned towards the voice.

An elf stepped calmly out of the shadows…smiling evilly at the guard's unease.

"Ye…yes master." The guard whispered. "W…what should I do? He wants a list of all the guards involved with the p…prisoner."

"Give it to him." The elf answered calmly. "Perhaps it will keep him distracted."

"But…but what if he finds out..." The guard stuttered.

"He'll find out nothing if you keep you mouth shut." The elf glared angrily. "I would hate for you to meet with an unfortunate accident because of some carelessness on your part."

"B..but master h…he saw the door. He was suspicious. I saw it in his eyes. W…what if he asks about it again?"

"You will just have to see to it that he doesn't." The elf answered firmly. "I don't care what you have to do just make sure he doesn't get through the door. It wouldn't do for them to be found. Because if they are found your head will join the royal families on the executioner's block much …much sooner than you would want."

The guard rubbed his neck fearful again before he ran off to do as the prince had commanded, followed by the unknown elves eerie laughter ringing in his ears.

Well there you all have it….next chapter finally completed. I hope I didn't get too nostalgic (ewww big word) … ) I hope I left you on the edge of your seat so you'll be waiting for the next chapter.

Reviews: As always I have to thank all of my readers and especially reviewers for your input.

QuinlanRamseyI loved how you could see all the dimensions are was trying to portray with Estel (or should I say the unknown assassin…wink wink). I love playing with his emotions because he is such an expressive character. I'm a bit worried about how I did with him on this last chapter and I would love to hear what you think…I started out with him being defiant and then he gets scared and it almost seems too abrumpt…I'm not sure if maybe I went a bit extreme trying to express him emotions.

But I definatly think that's my favorite part of this story is the scenes where I can play with how Estel is feeling. I wish I was as good at depicting Legolas, but I feel constrained with him. He's always been taught that expressing emotions particularly fear and sadness are appropriate. But at the same time Legolas does not often have his father's temper so he always seems so emotionally stagnant. Elves just don't express emotion well…it's so hard to depict what their feeling without changing their character.

I think the ending of this chapter is just going to add to your questions about what the king did to Estel's family. I'm afraid I've only added more mystery to an already tangled web. Even I am getting confused, which isn't good since I'm writing the story…lol.
And yes STH is still being worked on I've nearly finished the next chapter…I just have a lot of re-reading to do. I don't call it editing because I don't check well for grammar and spelling, but rather for flow. I always make sure the story sounds intresting, it flows well, it hopefully doesn't contradict itself, etc. And that is a painfully agonizing process, because I refuse to post until I've met satisfaction.

Well Keep reading and hopefully keep commenting. )

DeanaNO!….you SAID IT! Poor Estel! How could you? Naw I think that's a pre-requiste these days for my stories. About every review just has to say it. I really feel bad for Legolas because I can't seem to make anything bad happen to him so he never gets the sympathy Estel does.

I'm glad you liked my review. I try to make them entertaining so you'll read them. I spend a good 10 minutes or more per review because I think you all have earned a good reply if you took your time to write a review. And plus reading all the nice comments I get just puts me in a euphoric (I never get to use that word so stick with me ) mood.

But isn't it funny when you do such a good review that someone reviews your review. You know that's awesome.

I hope you keep reading and keep enjoying.

JC-PuzzlerI'm still trying to figure out why those elves felt the need to senselessly torture Estel. I could say I'm a senseless Estel torture fanatic and you have to have someone do the torturing, but that what be cruel and senseless so I decided to actual put them in the plot…which means yes eventually they will get names once I come up with some…lol. And just because I like to slip little story secrets into my reviews because I can't even keep my own stories secret I'm going to tell you that the guard you read in this chapter also happens to be reluctant elf. OH,..Aww the mysteries of the unvierse revealed. Now don't go giving that to the press or selling it on ebay or anything.

I really loved your review…no not just cause its positive praise. It was fun to read…It just had some much life to it. I don't know how to describe it, but I love the way you wrote it. I loved how you depicted your actions and then say oh it will be okay Legolas was punish them. I could just feel so much emotion behind it like I could actually see you and hear you saying that. Oh It's just one of my favorite reviews and I hope to hear more from you.

And yes I will definatly check out your sw story. I actually like stories that happen after episode 6 the best…just talking about star wars and making strange associations. I so think Harrison Ford is kinda like Viggo Mortison (please forgive me I can't remember how to spell his last name anymore). They both have these awesome sexy smiles and just seem so terrible mature. I don't know how to say it, but they just seem to fit in the same cateogory.

silvertears630I think you should be scared if you are pleased…lol. No I'm just teasing….you should be scared of me because I have a very sick mind. I swear I daydream about good torture angst scenes.

Now who said anything about Legolas saving the day…poor Legolas. Everytime Estel gets in trouble we all demand Legolas get him out of it. I'm afraid the poor elf is threatening to go on strike…he keep saying Estel gets in trouble ever chapter. But I told him that's cause he's always getting Estel into trouble and then he threw his shoe at me…yeah I'm serious. No idea why. And you would think that wouldn't hurt cause come on elves climb trees so how heavy can their shoes be…but they got those spiky bottoms cause they climb trees and plus really good aim…so I don't think I need to say more.

But yes Legolas will be helping save the day cause it's in his contract…lol

And let me reassure you that I am happy to take Estel torture advice. If you have a great torture idea I'd love to hear it. After all you have to torture the poor boy with some variety or it just gets boring.

jacquelinestel and wackorangerOh yummy Caramel…but what about caramel covered in chocolate…oh delicious.

You see that Estel blames me for everything. Did I shoot the prince with an arrow…I don't think so. I don't even know how to shoot an arrow so I am not taking any responsible. And did I tell those elves to torture him? No…okay well maybe I suggested it. But they were so thinking about it.

I think my emotions are definatly my best writing skill. If nothing else I love to get indepth so that you as the reader can feel it. I've always though those have been the best fanfic stories because those are the stories that put that tingly feeling in your stomach when something bad is about to happen and make you start crying when some really sweet thing happens or make you fall into despair when hope seems truly gone. Oh I just love emotion. It's the heart of any good story…you can't avoid that component.

I hope I continue to please and continue to make you laugh and cry and go home happy. )

Arami: Man you readers are getting brutal…see it's all this violence your reading…lol. :rubs throat apprehensivly: I'm kinda scared to torture estel anymore…it sounds like my neck is on the line. Now I know how that poor guard feels who's being threatened with beheading.

I definatly touched on the fact Estel doesn't want to be treated, but at the same time he doesn't want to die. He thinks he's just going to be tortured some more and possibly executed so he just doesn't see a whole lot of logic in having himself patched up when he's just going to get injured again. And he always just feels terribly guilty. He almost killed an innocent elf and now he just almost feels this is what he deserves…it's not true, but Estel is just so confused. His emotions are just all over the place. And then he wants to seem brave, but then he just ends up breaking down in front of Legolas….and then poor Legolas just doesn't know what to do. He doesn't know any humans and elves just don't have these emotional outbursts and so it really does leave the prince at a loss.

And I just want to say that the whole Estel torture was really Legolas' idea. He said it was to get back at Estel for getting him into so much trouble. I was going to argue the point, but then Legolas said he would strangle me if I didn't …Ah suffocated if I do…Suffocated if I don't.

Jemma452"it couldn't have not happened" I love that! See instead of saying aw poor Estel your very philosophical and say that is how it must be. And it's true. Where there is Estel there must be angst and where there is angst there must be torture.

I am so glad that you think the words flow well. I try very hard to ensure that I create such an effect. And I definatly pity Estel. I know that I could never go through half of what he's already experienced and I just imagine what that would feel like. A lot of writers in a scene like this often make Estel and Legolas for that matter both just so brave where they refuse to cry out under torture, but I imagine that it doesn't make you more of a "man" because you don't cry out. I live for that emotional angst. I want to know what Estel's feeling not seeing it all bottled up and just somewhat implied.

I'm patting…see I'm patting. Man Arami wanted to strangle me. I think I perfer the back patting. Less deadly.

Grumpy: Grumpy my goal is to turn your name to cheerful…I think that might happen in the last chapter where everything is happily ever after. Those elves definatly were being unpleaseantly rude to say the least.

I can't promise Estel's immediate release, and I don't see a "true" healer in the future. But lets just say Legolas is gonna play doctor (Doctor Legolas…sounds like my next chapter title…wink wink).

viggomaniac"I'm a maniac maniac that's for sure. And I'm obsessed with Viggo like I never was before." Yes I have to say that ever time I get a review from you because I can't get the song out of my head. I've been singing that song all through these reviews.

I love your name it is just a fun name…we could start a viggomaniac club for all the people that read this story. Cause see a maniac isn't just obsessed with viggo or Estel in this case , but obsessed in a derranged toture-loving kinda way. It's just a name after my own heart I tell ya.

Insane is one thing…but a maniac is just a class of its own!

Great plot or Estel torture. I think I love it mostly for the Estel torture. See sth was Estel getting tortured as a slave now Estel gets tortured as an assassin. I'm starting a whole series.

I really appreciate your comments. I certainly have no complaints about praise. But I also love the way you just told me my strong points and my weaknesses. And I am definatly considering taking you up on your offer of being my editor so to speak or beta reader. I actually was hoping maybe if your game you might do that when I've finished the story? It's just that I'm such a slow writer that it already takes weeks to months to post and I'm afraid it would just add extra time if I waited to have it betaed. I figured it would be awesome if after I have a finished work someone would edit through it and make sure I'm not contradicting myself and that the story just flows. I could do something where I let you read the last chapter before I post it to maybe sweaten the deal and I will definatly include credit for your help at the beginning of the story.

Let me know what you think and if your intrested. That will surely be months away still, but it's something to keep in mind. And plus you can have all the time you want to work on it in your spare time. There will be no rushes or anything.

Kathleen LaCorneilleYou really just summed his emotions up so well…I'm always pleased when I find a reader who really understands the character and can see how their background can effect their emotions. And the thing that makes it so angst is that he's truly so alone. In most stories even when he's alone he still can think about his friends and family to give him strength. But he has nothing now. He thinks his family are all dead. He is not Legolas' friend. He has no one to confide in and no one to turn to and I think that helped contribute to his distract actions of going all the way to Mirkwood and trying to assassinate a member of the royal family.

My name is kinda weird. I wanted to change it to HopeandLight, but I didn't and haven't and probably won't now. But anyway…I can't tell you what FMHB stands for because then I'd have to kill you. It's topic secret I'm afraid. …Naw it stands for FACE, MURDOCK, HANNIBAL, and B.A. I don't know if you have ever seen the A-team, but it's just an old 80's tv show. It was about these four guys who are all military (gotta love a man in uniform) and are sent to jail for a crime they didn't commit so they escape and become mercenaries. It's really just a fun show and I wrote my first fanfiction on the tv show. It's not on this site. It's on a site called under the name faceinating. And the story is called the seduction of templeton peck. I must warn you that it's first off a completely humerous story and is also heavily slashy. It's basically the exact oppossite of this story. It's just a funny little thing I played with. Maybe if your bored one day you might check it out.

:Push Legolas back toward Kathleen: I don't want him either. Wait What am I saying:grabs Legolas back: I just happen to want them both. I'm strarting the first herom were I'm the only women surrounded with several handsome male specimens. I just can't give Estel up…I need my high. I can't do it.i….I Love HIM!

"For Gondor's Sake" I've found a new saying. I'm so going to have to use that. I have story coming up were Estel is finally king and he's going to say that all the time now. I love that. You said a curse Gondor's sake is awesome!

And I want to congradulate you on writing the longest review I've ever had. I loved it!