where tears fall: Thanks for all the lovely reviews! I really appreciate them!- a special thanks to Lyn for her reviews and critisizims! Well, here is the next chapter:


Legolas rolled his eyes at the idiotic grin on the man's face. He continued cracking his oversized muscles in attempt to frighten his two captives. Dater's eyes traveled from Legolas over toward Strider and paused at the human.

The fair elf immediately knew what that meant.

Dater wasn't allowed to critically injure him, for they needed him. But it seemed as though he was allowed to hurt Strider, for he was expendable.

Legolas tried to gulp down the dry feeling in his throat. He couldn't let Strider get hurt. It was Legolas' fault that they were in this mess in the fist place. The humans wanted him. Strider should have never been apart of this…

Legolas sucked in a tight breath, causing a streak of pain to shoot through his ribs. He wouldn't let the human, his friend, be punished.

So Legolas did the one thing that he knew how to do best while being helplessly tied to a tree: use his mouth.

"Look, if you plan on torturing us then, by all means continue standing there and your stench shall kill us within the hour." Legolas remarked with an air of annoyance in his voice.

Dater's gaze turned sharply from Strider to Legolas. He clenched his fists into a ball as he stomped over to Legolas. The fair haired elf noticed how the human's tan face had turned an unusually dark shade of red and how his breathing was now caught in between his teeth.

Aragorn was completely stunned.

Why would the elf do that?

He was basically asking to be beat. The chastising look he gave the elf was lost on the fair being as he switched into 'glare' mode.

Dater moved closer and rammed his fist into the elf's stomach, smiling greatly when Legolas feebly gasped for breath.

Pain racked his already weakened ribs, wrapping itself securely around his middle. Legoals closed his eyes in attempt to block out the pain, but mostly to prevent himself from crying out.

Before Legoals had regained his first breath, another painful blow was cruelly offered to his ribs and then his face, creating a pounding sensation that echoed through his body.

Dater was definitely stronger than he appeared, which was very strong.

Aragorn's eyes widened in realization at what the elf had done.

The elf was trying to protect him…

No. He didn't need protection (despite what his brothers and father had said).

He didn't need someone to look after his every move.

He was grown now and could easily defend himself.

Aragorn ground his teeth together with a new energy that flowed through him.

He would not let the let 'Findel' suffer in attempt to protect him.

"I disagree. We would first die of his hideous appearance."

Aragorn said, smiling at the elf who gave him the same exact look that he had given the elf only a few minutes before.

Dater turned on his heel, his face now slightly purple, as he made his way over to Aragorn, temporarily forgetting about the blond elf.

"Why do you have to make it hard on yourselves?" Dater growled out.

The question was obviously rhetorical, yet Aragorn was tempted to answer.

Dater jammed his fist into Aragorn the same way he had done to Legolas, this time letting it linger there longer before pulling back and striking again at his face.

Aragorn's mind was swimming with the last hit, but not enough that he could not feel the intense pain shooting, through what seemed like, his whole body.

Legolas pulled at his bonds; ignoring the pain it caused his ribs and leg.

"Why are you doing this?" he croaked out in attempt to stop Dater from attacking again.

This seemed to catch the burly human's eye as he turned slowly to Legolas.

Dater was clearly fuming now, and is he was to get any redder, the elf was certain that smoke would flow out of his ears.

"Why? Why?" Dater's eyes were wild as he stomped up only inches away from Legolas and crouched down to meet the elf in the eyes.

"Because you and your despicable kind ruined our lives." Dater spat.

Legolas could only stare, blue eyes shinning, and muster a small, confused, "What?"

"All of us here had real lives with wives and children." Dater said while gesturing to the men sitting lazily around the camp.

"We had a little town, not too far from here, and our lives were great." He said gently while staring up into the clouds as if, somehow, they were helping him tell the story.

Legolas noticed how Dater's voice had quieted considerably, and how it was drenched with grief and sorrow for a time not long ago. He face had softened and his eyes were yielding.

And for a moment, just a moment, Legolas thought he might have seen a tear grow in the man's eye…

But as soon as it had appeared, it ended and Dater whirled back around, his face now raging with anger.

"But you and your elven companions came in during the night." He said, pointing his finger accusingly in Legolas.

"Your vile race came, when were where gone, and destroyed our village, killing everyone and burning it to the ground!"

Legolas's jaw dropped. His eyes widened. "No…"

"Yes! You killed our families." His voice was cruel and sad at eh same time.

"Now, we are going to give all of your kind what they deserve. We will show no mercy, just like you showed none." Dater said, strongly cupping Legolas's chin in his hand.

His eyes burned with the fire for revenge. His grip did not betray his feelings. And Legolas knew that if Dater was allowed to, the human would kill him in an instant.

But there was no way that any group of elves would attack a harmless village and kill all the inhabitants. There was just no reason unless the village was threat, or the elves were attacked.

But even then, the elves would not kill every one. Certainly not the women and children.

Legolas's mind was turning; there was no possible way…

"Who…Who told you this?" Legolas croaked out.

Dater released his grip on Legolas's chin making sure to do it in a way to aggravate his split lip.

He turned around and cupped his hands behind his back, as if to gain the composure he never had.

"Not that it is any of your business, elf, but Sadir was the one who positively identified the arrows as elven." Dater stated in a way that suggested that Sadir was the wisest of the group. And by the look of the other men around the camp, he probably was.

Legolas took this chance to glance at Strider.

Aragorn gave a knowing look, confirming that he was thinking the same thing the elf was:

Sadir most likely had lied to get the men angry at the elves.

But then came the question that had been in Legolas's mind every since he had found out about Sadir: Why?

"But I don't understand why he needs you, elf." Dater spat, still turned away form Legolas and Aragorn.

"I mean, what makes you so special?" he said quietly.

Legolas nearly cried out with relief. Dater had no idea that he was Legolas, crown prince of Mirkwood.

But relief was quickly replaced with worry. Dater would most likely soon find out, and when that happens, things would get very ugly…

Legolas turned his head slowly to Strider, causing another strand of golden hair to fall into his face.

He would have to tell Strider soon. The human deserved to know. He just hoped Strider was smart and would not turn on him…

"Dater!" The voice of Sadir echoed throughout the camp. Legolas didn't miss how all of the men straightened at the sound.

Dater turned and gave a look to the captives that said 'you got off easy this time' and stomped off through the camp, leaving the two bewildered captives to themselves.

oooooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooo

King Thranduil sat at his desk head in the familiar position in his hands, letting his golden hair spill over his shoulders.

A knock at the door caused the king to look up as a small elf entered the room. The elf bowed slightly at the presence of his king.

"Any news on my son?" Thranduil said while standing up abruptly.

"No, my king." The small elf said. Thranduil's face fell considerably as he sat back down into his chair.

"But there is message that has just arrived for you." The elf said handing a small letter to Thranduil.

The small elf left the king to his privacy as Thranduil continued to stare at the letter, dreading what may lie inside. He hesitantly slid open the envelope and pulled out he piece of parchment inside.

The king's heart dropped when a small lock of golden hair fell from the letter on to his desk. He didn't need to inspect it closely to see that it was his son's. Thranduil grasped the golden lock and turned once again to the letter.

Summing up the strength that he assumed left his body when the letter was opened, he read:

My dear King Thranduil,

It seems as though I have encountered your dear son. Do not be troubled. He will be returned to you with his human friend relatively unharmed as long as you follow my wishes. On the contrary, if you do not do as I say, I can not account for what may happen to him…

You know what I desire. I will deliver more information to you soon.

Sincerely,

Sadir

Thranduil could not help but let his head slide down into his arms as his tired blue eyes filled with unshed tears.

He did not even consider the remark about the "human friend".

His son was in the hands of a mad man. And if he did not do as he asked, Legolas- his son, the one thing that Thranduil loved more than anything, would die…


where tears fall: whoa... things are not looking good for those two... (he he ) :)

anyways- review and tell me what you think! thanks for reading!