Disclaimer: I do now own LotR.

Yes... well, we all agreed on one thing for sure last chapter: Legolas is an idiot. XD Lol, I know, I know. But... he needed time alone. C'mon, give the poor elf some sympathy. XD And this would have been out sooner, but my dad decided to nuke (get rid of everything) his computer and not give us any profiles so... yeah. Couldn't save it really. Haven't really been able to do anything I usually do this whole weekend. ;-; ..:sighs:.. Oh well, I'll let you guys read now. n.n

Hope you enjoy. I dunno how much I really like this, but... whatever. Don't forget to let me know what you think, 'kay? 'Kay. n.n;;

Hunted

Chapter Six: Anger

The trees were restless, branches swayed, the wind howling, leaves crunching beneath someone's careless steps. The sound of a sword being unsheathed, the metal screaming as it left its protection.

He thought it was all another dream, for it felt so unreal. It wasn't until the cool touch of the blade was against his throat that he realized it was either an extremely detailed dream or that it was, in fact, reality. He decided on the latter when the sharp edge pressed harder. His warrior instincts took over.

Crystal blue eyes snapped open wide as he kicked at the assailant, knocking him back in surprise. Luckily, he had done it in time to where the blade merely grazed his skin, leaving a bright crimson trail across once unmarred flesh.

He glared at the elf before him. "Delnen," he growled.

Delnen had long dark hair, brown eyes and looked like he barely ate anything; yet he gave off the feeling that he could take on even the strongest of elves. He looked like he had lost his mind with his eyes slightly glazed over, a sleepy look seen in each, but there was still knowledge seen within them, the cunning he had used for his murders.

"Your majesty," the mad elf said, bowing mockingly, "you should not be sleeping outside all alone."

The blood streaked sword was raised again, at the ready.

For once, Legolas was incredibly grateful for Aragorn and the twin's over-protectiveness, for, without it, he wouldn't have had a weapon. He had taken his twin knives, figuring that, if they were going to force him into carrying around a weapon everywhere he went, it should be his own. The knives were small, too, so they had been easy to hide.

The golden-haired prince unsheathed the knives, flipping them out in front of him, getting into his fighting stance. "Let us get this over with," he said with steely resolve. He had been waiting for this moment, had even wanted to initiate it. Now that it was there, he felt almost nervous as if it was his first fight. This elf had killed so many others; only one of which had detected his presence. None had been able to put up resistance.

He closely watched the murderer, unblinkingly waiting for the first move.

…………

"Legolas?" Aragorn questioned, softly knocking on the door. The elf should have been done by now, it had been an hour; even if he had desperately needed to relax and get a break from them. The human knew they had probably been going overboard, but they had just been too worried with how careless Legolas usually was, especially since he had picked up the green leaf.

Now his panic rose to a whole new level when he heard no noises from the bathing-chamber.

Aragorn, Elladan and Elrohir all exchanged wary glances before the ranger knocked loudly this time, thinking that perhaps the wearied archer had fallen asleep.

No answer. No sound.

Fearing the worst, Aragorn quickly opened the door and was puzzled.

"Legolas…?" he whispered in confusion, stepping into the chambers and looking around.

"Where is he?" Elladan asked, going ahead of Aragorn.

A quick glance around the chamber answered their fear: Legolas wasn't there.

Suddenly, the wind picked up, thundering against the window, which rattled under the pressure.

The three frowned, for usually the window would not do such a thing.

Elrohir inspected it; eyebrows furrowed, he pushed slightly on it.

It opened.

It had been unlatched recently, for they often checked, especially now to make sure the mad elf had no point of entry.

Elrohir said nothing, only looked at Aragorn and Elladan with horror at the possibilities.

Then he turned back and opened the window wide, sliding outside with ease. They needed to find Legolas—no time to waste going around to a door.

"Elladan, go tell Ada," Aragorn said hurriedly, hoping the elf wouldn't argue. Elrond needed to be informed of this, perhaps he had seen Legolas.

Elladan opened his mouth to protest, but seeing the helpless look in his brother's eyes, he closed it and nodded. He knew how close Aragorn was to Legolas and could not make him go to their father instead.

"Be careful, Estel," he said caringly. Then he turned and left the bathing-chamber, hoping he'd run into the elf-lord on the way or, if not, that he'd be in his study.

Much to his dismay, he hadn't run into his father in the halls, but he did find him in his study, head on his desk, sleeping. Well, at least he had been easy to find and he definitely needed the rest. However, now wasn't the time; as much as he didn't want to, he gently shook Elrond, softly saying his name.

Immediately, the elf-lord shot up, eyes wide, looking around, before finally focusing on his eldest son. One look at Elladan and he could instantly tell that something was wrong. He abruptly stood and asked, "What happened? Is Legolas alright?"

"Legolas is missing. He left through the window in his bathing-chamber. Elrohir and Estel are looking for him," Elladan answered hastily. He wanted to get out there and help his brothers search for their friend. Knowing Legolas' habits, they would need it, for, if the blonde had settled down somewhere, it would have been somewhere they wouldn't expect. He had wanted to get away from his pestering friends; of that, Elladan was certain of. He felt guilty and was sure Elrohir and Aragorn felt the same. However, there was nothing they could do about it now.

Without waiting for a response, Elladan turned and left, going to the area outside of Legolas' escape route, sure his father was right behind him.

On the way, Elrond stopped briefly, and told one of his guards to send out a search party for the missing prince who was in extreme danger. He didn't care if he was being paranoid or overly cautious. The green leaf behind held between slender fingers never left his mind. He had to do everything to make sure that the one who had been threatened, the one he would give his life for, would live.

Elrond hurried after his son, who waited impatiently for him while he gave orders. Then they ran to find their beloved blonde elf.

…………

Aragorn sighed when Elladan left, grateful that he hadn't argued. Then he quickly followed after Elrohir, running to catch up with him, feeling an ice-cold fear grip his heart, numbing his mind.

What if the killer had already gotten to Legolas? What if they were too late?

He mentally shook his head. He couldn't afford such thoughts, not when his dearest friend's life was in such peril. They had to make it in time. They would make it.

However, he still couldn't shake off the bad feeling that had nestled itself into his heart.

He caught up with Elrohir and ran beside him, both keeping a sharp eye out for Legolas.

…………

Legolas bit back a cry of pain when Delnen's blade ripped into his side. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to stay upright despite his body's command to curl into itself.

The mad elf had injuries of his own, a deep gash to his left thigh and a smaller one on his left shoulder. Those, however, hardly slowed him down; if anything, it fueled his need to fight, to kill. None of the others had been strong enough to put up any fight and, while that had been good for covering his tracks, he had started to wish for someone worthy. The young, warrior prince of Mirkwood was definitely worthy.

Both elves were breathing heavily, willing their bodies not to falter or stumble, to not give in to blood loss. It was an easy thing to do really, when one's life was in danger.

Delnen attacked again, strongly and ruthlessly, but still with his given elven grace and speed.

Each blow shook Legolas' body, his arms straining with the continued effort, pain shooting through his bleeding side. He was forced to stay on the defensive side as the quick attacks gave little room to do anything else.

Finding an opening, the blonde ducked and thrust a knife at Delnen's abdomen.

However, Delnen, having years of experience, changed his stance, and blocked the knife; knocking it out of Legolas' grip, preventing the would-be fatal wound. He whipped around and sliced a deep cut into the archer's back.

Legolas immediately collapsed under the sword, gasping in pain.

Before he could regain his footing—or breath—a foot was heavily pressed onto his back; directly over the newly-acquired injury and he couldn't stop the cry of pain that escaped his lips.

Delnen smirked, raising his sword.

Another one down.

…………

The four had met up while searching for Legolas and were now doing so together; still with no luck.

Finally, after what must have been an eternity, they heard the sound of metal singing against metal, followed by a pained cry.

Instantly, Legolas' name screamed at them and they ran faster towards the sound, pain gripping them tighter than before.

The sight they were greeted with did nothing to reassure them.

Legolas was helpless under the mad elf's control, the elf they found to be none other than Delnen. All of their efforts had been in vain, for here there friend was; at the mercy of the one they had been desperately searching for.

They bit back a scream of the prince's name and gave silent commands to each other to split up and surround the killer.

However, they were left with no time, the gleaming blade; stark in the darkness came down on Legolas.

Giving no thought to his actions, Elrond grabbed the dagger at his side and threw it with well-trained accuracy, at the murderer.

He was grateful for the fact that he had decided to carry the weapon around ever since it had become apparent that the killings weren't going to stop.

At the last second, Delnen jumped out of the dagger's path and looked at the elf-lord with glazed eyes.

Aragorn, who had gone to the right when they had split, charged the mad elf from behind. Enraged by the interruption, Delnen easily blocked the attack and knocked the human to the ground.

Elrond had reached Legolas, using the distraction wisely, and the twins had joined their brother in the fight.

"Legolas?" said the elder elf, deeply concerned by the blood loss and the way his breath came in quick gasps, eyes scrunched up tightly.

The young elf managed to open his eyes and look at Elrond dazedly before re-closing them and then going limp.

Elrond's eyes widened in fear and he quickly grabbed Legolas' outstretched arm, checking the pulse. Relieved to find one, he looked towards his sons, fighting for their lives—and Legolas'.

Anger replaced relief and he picked up one of the twin knives that Legolas had been forced to discard, deciding to try his luck again.

Waiting for an opening, he forced himself to calm down so he would be able to aim correctly.

All three of his sons suddenly charged and Elrond had his opening.

Carefully aiming, he threw the knife…

And there ya have it. Legolas was saved (or was he?). Delnen was caught; is he going to live or die? Yeah, enough with the stupid questions. Hope you guys enjoyed a little, though. I know. I'm still horrible at fighting scenes. I'm trying, I'm trying. I'll get them one of these times. XDD …I hope.

I've had too many other fics on my mind recently and really want to write the others. I'm almost actually finished with seven. Pens keep dying on me. Three within two days. ..:shakes head:.. They hate me. n.n Good news: out of the... six or so other fics I want to write, there are two LotR one-shots, and they're on the top of the list. XDDD I need some way to write everything at once. Any ideas? XD;; Don't forget to check out this: http/ nightshadow131 .livejournal .com to get info and whatnot. n.n

Anyway, let me know what you thought of the chapter. n.n Always appreciated. Just don't be too harsh, I'm not that happy with this chapter either. XD