Disclaimer: Same as always

A/N: What is this? Is it actually an update? Yes, my dear friends, it is. I'm really sorry about not updating this. I've been so busy and I haven't had any good ideas and blah blah blah… I have been writing a lot lately, so now I have new ideas for this story. I hope to do another update soon. Thanks so much for staying with me and waiting patiently. In case you forgot here is a quick review.

Mirkwood is in danger, so Legolas begins his journey home. Many thoughts are lingering on Legolas' mind and he still worries about his sister Linriel, but is happy to hear that Elladan is recovering. Aragorn is traveling with Legolas and refuses to be sent away. As the two friends entered Mirkwood, they quickly realized something is wrong. They became trapped by orcs and spiders who had worked together to capture them. When they are captured they come face to face with the most evil creature imaginable; one of the Nazgul.

Okay., that's where I left you. Enjoy and please review. Oh, and one last note…. There is some torture in this chapter. Just a warning from here on out.

Chapter 15

Nightmares Begin

'If I could hear your voice, I know that I would be okay

I know that I've been wrong but I'm begging you to stay,

Won't you stay…

Will you be here? Or will I be alone…

Will I be scared?

You'll teach me how to be strong

And if I fall down will you help me carry on?

I cannot do this alone…

I am not alone I know you're there'

-Stay -12 Stones

Linriel woke up with a start. She sat up quickly in bed, breathing heavily. She looked around the dark room, trying to recall where she was. She was in the house of Rivendell in her own room. Linriel sighed, making herself relax. It was just a nightmare, she told herself. Yet, as soon as she closed her eyes, the images of the dream flooded back into her mind. She opened them quickly, forcing the gruesome images away. She bit her lip hard. She had never had a dream like this before. Her dreams had been horrific before, but usually only because they were memories or twisted memories of the past. This was not a memory. This was a horrible nightmare that was putting fear in her heart.

Linriel looked outside her window. It was still dark outside. With a small sigh, she laid her head back down on the pillow. She let her mind drift to other pleasant thoughts as her eyes slowly glazed over and she fell into elvish sleep.

Her pleasant dreams did not last long, however. Once again, something was hunting her in her dreams. She could sense the evil presence, though she could see no one. She turned around wildly in the woods, trying to escape the noises and sounds that were filling her mind.

With a gasp, she sat up in bed again. Her body was trembling and sweat ran down her face. For a moment, she sat there, trying to get her breathing under control. When she finally did, she stood up and walked to her window. She threw her cloak over her shoulders, before walking outside on her balcony.

The cool night air whipped around her so she pulled the cloak tighter around herself. She stared off silently into the distance, slowly breathing in the fresh air. Everything around her was at peace. Everything was quiet.

Linriel closed her eyes and tried to let that peace settle in around her. For a moment, it seemed to, putting her mind at ease, but then thoughts of her dreams returned. The first one had been the worst.

"Estel, don't do it!" Legolas yelled. "Estel, please listen to me."

The ranger paid no heed to the elf's words. With a grin on his face, he plunged the knife deep into Legolas' stomach.

Linriel shook her head quickly and rubbed her eyes. She bit her lip hard and clutched tightly to her cloak. 'It was just a dream.' She told herself. 'Estel would never betray Legolas like that. Estel is a good man.' She repeated this in her mind, but she had her doubts. 'That's what I thought about other men as well. Every time I have trusted a human, I have been betrayed. Would Estel, the adopted son of Elrond, do the same?'

Linriel shuddered at that thought and quickly pushed it away. She knew deep in her heart that Aragorn was not like that. She could see a special friendship between Legolas and him. He would not betray him like that. He couldn't. Linriel nodded her head to reassure herself. She forced a smile on her face.

"Stupid dreams." She muttered. "I'm just paranoid."

She yawned and stared off into the distance, determined not to think of her dreams again. They were only nightmares and did not deserve a second thought. Legolas and Aragorn were probably near Mirkwood by now. They were safe. There was no need to worry. She took a deep breath and sighed contentedly; letting those peaceful thoughts linger in her mind. Happily, she watched as the sun began to rise.


Legolas had to remind himself to take in a breath as the being approached him. The very air seemed stolen from his lungs. Just looking at the Nazgul in front of him burned at his eyes, but somehow he could not tear his gaze away. Whether it was because of fear or because of some unseen power that the Nazgul held over him, Legolas did not know. Perhaps it was both.

The Nazgul focused his eyes on Legolas. To the elf, it seemed as if the Wraith was boring a hole right through his soul. He could feel a dark presence enter his mind, searching into his thoughts. He quickly pushed it away, putting up barriers in his mind. He held many secrets in his mind and he knew that if the Nazgul was to find them, many lives would be in danger. All his knowledge of Mirkwood and Rivendell would be exposed, his identity as Prince of Mirkwood, his secret of Aragorn's identity, it would all cause trouble in the lives of many in Middle Earth. He could not let that happen. He blocked out the Nazgul with all his strength. His defense was strong, even against the evil power of the Ringwraith.

The Nazgul chuckled, low and deep. "You think you are strong, elf." He whispered in a cold hoarse voice. "I will break you."

Legolas swallowed hard, trying to keep his defiance. "Never!" He spat.

The Nazgul growled in a deep low voice. "We will see." He growled with confidence.

Legolas glared daggers at him, trying hard to push away the fear that was in his heart. His confidence was low. He had no idea of the power of this creature and he feared that the corrupted creature had more than enough strength to break him.

The Nazgul turned to look at the orcs. "Question him as you see fit." The Nazgul commanded.

The orcs nodded with a horrifying gleam in their eyes. Legolas defiantly kept his mouth shut, refusing to answer any of their questions.

The Nazgul, however, was no longer focused on the elf. His attention was turned to the human. He focused his eyes on Aragorn, probing his way through Aragorn's mind. Aragorn resisted him, pushing away the evil thoughts of darkness that were trying to overcome him. He blocked the Nazgul out with all his strength. The Nazgul pressed harder.

'The human is strong.' He fumed to himself. 'His defense will not break as easily as other humans. He holds a deep secret. I can feel it. I will need to shatter his defenses. I need to know what he hides.'

"You are weak, human!" The Nazgul lied.

Aragorn trembled. He couldn't hold up for long against the Wraith's ability to search through his mind. He swallowed hard, holding out for as long as he could. He tried to form words, but no words came out. He was too afraid and he was using too much strength to keep the Nazgul out of his mind.

"Leave him!"

The words that were suddenly shouted made the Nazgul turn his head. He saw the elf glaring at him and though he was being beaten by the orcs, his eyes held fear for his friend. The elf cringed slightly, but looked back up.

"Leave him alone! He means nothing to you." Legolas spat.

The Ringwraith glared down at him. "I have found your weakness, elf. The human is weak. He will break in time and you will be forced to watch it all. Your spirit too will break as you watch him suffer." His cold menacing voice hissed.

He looked at the orcs. "Break the human, then I will question him."

The voice sent shivers through Aragorn's whole body, making him cringe. He took a deep breath, trying to keep a straight face. He had no idea what the Nazgul wanted with him or Legolas, but he was determined to keep silent; no matter what.

The orcs nodded, obviously pleased. They circled Aragorn, trying to decide how to 'play' with their captive. The leader slammed his fist into Aragorn's stomach, making him double over. The other orcs took the initiative and began to kick and punch at Aragorn. Aragorn recoiled and tried to curl in on himself. He tried to protect his face and head with his hands, while curling into a little ball to protect his ribs and stomach. The orcs kicked at his back and legs, not caring where they hit. One orc slammed his foot down on Aragorn's ankle, making Aragorn flinch and try to curl in closer. Still the orcs found unprotected areas, driving kicks and punches painfully to them.

Two orcs came up with an idea. They grabbed Aragorn's arms and pulled them away from his body over his head. With a firm grip, they held his arms. Aragorn tried to struggle and kick free, but two more quickly grabbed his legs. They held him tight as Aragorn struggled to free himself.

The orcs jeered at him and kicked him hard in his unprotected ribs. Aragorn closed his eyes tightly and clenched his teeth as they continued. A few blows fell to his face and Aragorn winced visibly. After a few minutes, the orcs became bored however, and came up with a new plan.

One pulled out a whip and lashed it painfully across Aragorn's chest. Aragorn's body was shaking from their abuse and his breathing was rapid. Struggling, he sucked in breath, wincing at the stabbing pain in his sides as he did. Another blow fell across his chest, soon joined by another.

Another orc pulled out a whip and began to reign down blows on the defenseless human. Blows fell against his chest, stomach, legs, and even his face. One blow fell painfully near his eye leaving a huge welted mark.

Aragorn whimpered as he tried to turn his face away. The pain seemed unbearable.

Legolas could only watch in horror as his friend was beaten relentlessly. He pulled hard against the ropes that bound him, but only managed to bruise his wrists. A gag had been placed over his mouth, so he could not even comfort Aragorn with his words. He was helpless to do anything. His anger raged inside of him as he clenched his fist tightly. Watching his friend suffer and being unable to help him made him even more furious.

Tears lingered in the elf's eyes, but he refused to let them fall in front of these evil creatures. He wouldn't let the Nazgul break him through his friendship with Estel. He hated seeing his friend hurt like this, but he could not give in to the Wraith. Too much was at stake, if he did. If the Ringwraith learned the he was the Prince of Mirkwood, there would be no hope left for Mirkwood. Legolas knew he would be used against his people and the home and people that he loved would be destroyed.

If the Nazgul learned of Aragorn's identity, the race of men would be doomed to die and Estel would be used to destroy the kingdoms of men.

Legolas knew he could not let that happen. He had to protect Aragorn and he had to keep both of their secrets locked away in the deepest place of his mind. He would carry their secrets to the grave if need be. His only hope was that Aragorn would have enough strength to hide their secrets as well, and that he would make it out of this alive. That was only thing that mattered now to the elf. Aragorn had to live and their secrets must be kept hidden. Otherwise, the consequences would be fatal to many.


Three Hours Later


Aragorn pressed his head hard against his wrists, silently wishing to return to the blissful state of unconsciousness. Yet, he was not so fortunate. Without moving, Aragorn tried to assess his situation. His hands were bound to a tree and he was lying painfully on his stomach.

"Glad to see you finally awake." A gentle voice called from beside him.

Aragorn turned his head to the right to see his friend looking at him. Instead of smiling at the sight of his friend, he lowered his head in shame.

"What is it, Estel?"

"I can't resist his power, Legolas. I am too weak."

Legolas shook his head. "Nay, my friend. Bellch le! Goro lim, uayech er. (You are strong. Just hold on for you are not alone.)"

"His power is too strong. I fear I will break the next time he questions me." Aragorn said as he shifted slightly.

"Goro lim a estel. Aur'e entuluva." (Hold on to hope. Day will come again.) Legolas tried to comfort.

Aragorn looked at him. He wanted to be strong, but holding on to hope seemed near impossible now.

"I do not know if I can hold on to hope for the both of us. I need your help." Legolas said.

Aragorn looked up at him. He knew Legolas was right. The only way they could possibly survive was to work together and keep each other strong.

"The Nazgul wishes to use us against each other. By weakening one of us, he will weaken the spirit of the other. He will use our friendship against each other." Legolas warned.

Aragorn nodded. "Then we won't let him. Though our friendship may be our greatest weakness, it is also our greatest strength. If we keep each other strong, the Nazgul can never break us."

Legolas smiled. "That is the attitude of the Estel I know. If we stand together, the Nazgul won't have any chance."

Aragorn sighed slightly, blocking out the pain in his body. More than anything else, he hoped Legolas was right.