You guys, when I asked you to pick a twin I expected you to pick one, not give excuses! –grins-. So, the final vote went to me when it turned out a flat tie. I myself have always been partial to Elladan, so, that is our chosen twin. Poor guy…

So, once again last chapter I forgot the translations. I will TRY to remember to include them this chapter, I'm bad at that though. :o) Bug me about it you guys!

So, in this chapter we get to know a little more about everyone's favorite Queen, Aragorn gets into trouble, and Legolas angers Caireth…again. Did I mention the orcs:o)

So, nervous. This is the first torture scene, don't know what I was thinking, I'm not Cassia and Sio for Varda's sake!

Hmm, it looks like I might adopt a kitten, name suggestions? Dad says no elvish…but you never know…

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Aragorn's hand tightened around the hilt of his sword, his eyes scanning the grass and land before him. It was never a mart thing to anger orcs, and he didn't make a habit of doing it. He did wonder (for he was mostly sure it was orcs) what they were doing in Rohan, he would have to ask them if he got the chance.

"Show yourself," he hissed. There was no answer, not that he had expected one, orcs liked to make their victims nervous. But right now Aragorn was more angry then nervous. "Look," his voice was dangerous, "My best friend has been captured by some wayward humans who want to see how good a tracker I am, I am not in a good mood, and if you are anything but an orc it would be wise for you to step out this instant!" He seriously hoped he wasn't talking to air, that wouldn't look overly impressive.

"Strider, calm down!" a voice hissed. For an instant Aragorn hoped it was Legolas; that would surely make his life easier. He closed his eyes though and sank to the ground, it wasn't Legolas.

"Randir, what are you doing here, I don't need another friend to be taken hostage, go home."

"With you looking like someone died, what kind of elf would I be if I did that?" the silver haired warrior asked, stepping from behind the hill he had been standing behind. "Indeed, what kind of friend would I be?"

"A smart one," Aragorn replied, shaking his head. Randir hadn't known him as long as the prince (who had known him for fifteen years) but he had known him long enough (for six years) to see the worry flashing in his eyes.

"Estel," he said softly as he sat down next to the man. "How long has it been since you slept?"

"Only two days," the human replied, trying to put the other at ease. It wasn't working.

"Mhm, and when, pray tell, were you planning to sleep again?"

"Sometime close to when you scared me, I thought you were an orc," the man said, making no effort to open his eyes.

"An orc!" the elf cried in mock rage.

"Yes," the man replied, "an orc. You know, big, black, evil?"

"I know, Estel. And you know what else I know?"

"That you need to leave right now?"

"No, that you need rest, I will take first watch."

"You," Aragorn grumbled, "are as bad as Legolas, and possibly my brother's."

"Thank you!" Aragorn grumbled something, but lay on the ground, his eyes closed and he was asleep almost instantly.

It was nearly midnight (Randir had made the decision to stay up the whole night and let the stubborn human sleep) when the elf was jerked out of his thoughts by a frantic whimper. Randir spun around, his hand on his dagger, only to find the human still asleep, caught in the throes of a nightmare.

"Legolas…no…help…can't…let…them…Legolas!"

---&---

Isn't it funny, Legolas thought to himself as he sat, tied to the same pole he had been tied to the past day and a half, how I am so tired? I shouldn't be, I am an elf. He knew that wasn't it, this place, wherever it was seemed to be sucking up his energy. Caireth visited him occasionally, but not often. He had seen nothing more of the others. As he eyed the plate of food that had been placed in front of him (he would never eat as though he was a beast, it was untouched) he remembered an incident that had happened a few years ago.

Flashback

The stars shone brightly in the early evening, and all was as calm as it could be. Legolas and Aragorn sat on the private veranda with Elrond, Erestor, Glorfindel, several Lorien delegates (including Galadriel, Celeborn, and Arwen,) and the twins he was smiling at his friend who looked so utterly love struck that he wanted to laugh. He would be the first to admit that the elven woman was beautiful, but she seemed no more than a friend to him. Apparently the same could not be said fir his human friend. He realized Lord Elrond was saying something.

"…as we have no delegation from Mirkwood present I am sure Legolas as their prince would be glad to play that part."

"Of course, Lord Elrond," Legolas answered smoothly. He knew Elrond would stop him from doing anything stupid (not that he would.)

"What is the orc situation in Mirkwood?" Haldir asked. Legolas who had not had the most recent experience with the orcs deferred to Aragorn.

"My human friend can better relate the recent developments; he recently took a place in a battle with them. I was…unable to fight."

"The orc situation in Mirkwood is getting out of control; it appears they may have allied with a small clan of spiders which makes them more troublesome." Once of the other elves, named Elberen eyed him.

"Human, I would prefer if the elf prince answered. His experience is better than yours. Humans can be so…dumb." They had been speaking common, but the last word was in elvish, Aragorn smiled stiffly. The twins had fixed the offending elf with a death glare, and so had Legolas.

"I would ask you not to talk about my son that way," Lord Elrond said pleasantly.

"Son? He is a human my lord, they are mangy creatures, disloyal as well!" The twins raised identical eyebrows.

"May I remind you, that my brother and I, my sister, and our father are half elves, does that make us…"

"No! No of course not!"

"Elberen, let me make this clear," Glorfindel began leaning forward on his elbows, "Estel is as much of a son to Elrond as Elladan and Elrohir, and I would give my life for him as easily as I would for the other's, please hold your tongue when you are discussing my lord's family in such a degrading manner." The elf glanced at Celeborn who was frowning.

"Elberen, perhaps it would be best for you to return to your room," he said quietly. The elf glared at Aragorn before rising and walking away.

After the small meeting they began talking about how Elrond's sons were, how Lothlórien was for Arwen and the like. It was in the middle of this that Legolas leaned over and whispered into Aragorn's ear.

"You look like a love-struck orc," he murmured. Aragorn glanced at him but smiled innocently.

"Thank you, Legolas," he hissed. Elrond raised an eyebrow but chose not to comment. As he turned back to inquire to Galadriel on how Arwen was doing in her studies Aragorn lifted his goblet of whine. "Bottom's up!" he said softly and promptly dumped it all over Legolas' head. The elf spun around, sputtering and laughing. Elrond heaved a sigh and put his head into his hands, Glorfindel and the twins were stifling laughter, Galadriel and Arwen were smiling (in a way that only women can, Aragorn thought to himself) and Erestor smirked.

"I am beginning to think," Elrond could be heard saying, "that Arathorn and Gilraen had the right idea…"

Of course, Elrond hadn't spoken with either of them for the rest of the night and Legolas had smelled like wine for days, but that had all been small, that night was one of his fondest memories…

"What are you smiling about elf?" Caireth asked smoothly as she stepped into his tent. "Oh, and you haven't eaten your food! That's wasteful you know!"

"I wouldn't eat food you supplied it I was starving, lyg!"he snapped. The woman's eyes flashed.

"I would like nothing better to hurt you, elf, but my lord said…"

"By all means Caireth, injure him!" someone called. Her grin changed instantly, and there was a light in her eyes. Legolas frowned slightly, this woman was insane.

"Elf, let me tell you something, I am going to 'talk' with you, and I am going to enjoy it!" she gave a small laugh to this that made Legolas want to hit her. There was something different about this woman, different from those he was used to, she enjoyed causing pain…she enjoyed torture. For the first time Legolas realized he might be in trouble.

The searing pain of a whip cracked through his whole body and he twisted away, a small moan escaping his lips, he hadn't expected it. When the next lash fell he refused to let a cry slip from his lips. The lash fell over and over. Caireth was frustrated with the lack of response from her prisoner.

"Scream for me," she whispered into his ear, "Scream so loud your ranger can hear you." And two hours later, Legolas did scream.

---&---

Aragorn stood next to Randir, his eyes scanning the plains. He had the feeling they were close, he needed to find Legolas, and he refused to let Randir walk into danger with him. He glanced at the elf guiltily. He couldn't believe he was going to do this…

"Randir, I need you to go back to Rohan, if they give you any trouble tell them you are there with a message from Thorongil. Do not speak to anyone but the queen, they will not be happy. Tell her…I have found it."

"Found Legolas? Where?"

"Randir, do as I ask, please," Aragorn said, his tone almost begging. I will not bring him into a mess he shouldn't even be part of, I will never do that, he thought to himself. Randir looked doubtfully at him. "Please," Aragorn repeated. The elf looked at him and moved closer.

"Keep yourself safe Estel."

"I will bring him back, I promise you Randir."

"There is no one more suited for the job Estel, no one in the world."

Aragorn watched the elf run off towards the halls of the king. He watched him till the elf was far out of sight and hearing, and just as he turned around a scream rent the air. A scream Aragorn knew only too well.

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I am late, I am late. I know I know I know! And I can not apologize enough. But for some reason, real life decided I wasn't going to be allowed to spend much time typing away, go figure. So, once again, the winning twin turned out to be Elladan, poor guy…

On a side note, person who is making me grovel for her to update. Tell me WHAT WAS SO FUNNY!

Sorry guys…now on to your regularly scheduled reviewing!