Disclaimer: Same as always

A/N: I'm so sorry. I thought I had this chapter up, but I guess I never posted it. I have more written so I shall post soon (if things go as planned). Thanks for all the reviews. Hopefully this chapter will answer the questions everyone seems to be asking. Enjoy and please review.

Chapter 23

Narrow Escape

I watched the world float to the dark side of the moon
After all I knew it had to be something to do with you
I really don't mind what happens now and then
As long as you'll be my friend at the end

If I go crazy then will you still call me Superman
If I'm alive and well, will you be there holding my hand
I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might
Kryptonite

You called me strong, you called me weak,

But still your secrets I will keep
You took for granted all the times I never let you down
You stumbled in and bumped your head

If not for me then you would be dead
I picked you up and put you back

On solid ground
-Kryptonite - 3 Doors Down

Legolas sighed heavily. For over a week, he and a few other elves had been trying to maintain control over the southern border. Yet despite their efforts, the orcs and spiders were slowly pushing them further and further north. Legolas was doing his best to hold his ground against the creatures, but there was simply too many of them. He could not hold out forever, even with the skills of the elves. In desperation, he and a few other elves were trying to ascertain the orcs next movements. They had been pouring over maps all morning, planning their moves carefully. Trying to figure out where they would strike next was not easy, but they needed to be prepared.

"Prince Legolas!"

Legolas turned his head to see one of the lookouts heading towards him. The elf bowed before addressing his commander.

"Sir, orcs have been spotted about two miles due east of here. They are heading north towards the perimeter we have established."

Legolas' eyes narrowed. "How many?"

"Not many, my lord. Perhaps fifty." The scout replied.

Legolas looked down at the map. The orcs were heading straight towards their strongest defense. It did not make any sense. If the Nazgul was controlling their actions, they had to know they could never break through the elf forces set up around that area. It did not seem logical, unless it was a trap. Legolas looked back down at the map, trying to see what the creatures were up to. Within a few moments, the wise elf prince formulated a plan. He called his elven leaders to him to instruct them.

"Shinta, take two groups of twenty elves and head west towards the outer edge of the forest. I fear a trap from the orcs and, if my suspicions are correct, their best target would be here." He said pointing to a location on the map near the outer edge of the forest.

The elf bowed. "Yes, sir."

"Halith, your two groups will stay here and protect this area." Legolas continued. "Hold your ground until I return. I will take another group and head east where orcs have been spotted. If something is amiss there, I wish to be there to take command."

Halith bowed his head.

"Any questions?"

When no one responded, Legolas nodded his head. After bidding farewell to the other elves, Legolas set of with his group. He led them at a quick pace towards the east. Within a short time, Legolas met with the other elves who were already prepared for an attack. Legolas made sure everyone was in place, before leading forward. He would meet the orcs head on and any that did make it past his warriors would be killed by the elves behind him.

He soon saw the orcs traveling towards them. He dismounted from his horse and hid behind a tree. The other elves followed suit.

"Draw your bows, but don't shoot until I give the command." Legolas commanded.

The elves nodded their response.

Legolas waited patiently for the creatures to be in archery range. He desperately wished he, too, could draw his bow to assault the orcs. For a moment, he looked silently down at his right hand. Strength was beginning to return to his fingers and he could move them slightly, all except his ring finger. He still had no feeling in that finger. Legolas drew in a deep breath and looked back up to face the oncoming orcs. He drew his knife with his left hand, ignoring the stiffness of his shoulder. The orcs were in close enough now. He raised his right hand in the air, ready to drop it as a signal to the other elves. The elves waited silently, but keenly.

Suddenly, Legolas saw something that caught his eye amidst the orcs. He stared wide-eyed, not believing what he saw.

"Dina!" Legolas called. (Stop) "Don't shoot."

All the elves stared at him, but Legolas paid no heed. He knew the orcs probably heard his command, but the elf prince did not concern himself with that. There was only one thing on his mind. There standing in the midst of the orcs was a human; and not just any human, it was Estel. Legolas stared at his friend, not really believing what he saw. The human was alive. He still had a chance to save his friend, to rescue him from the evil clutches of the Nazgul.

"Slay the orcs, but no one touches the human." Legolas commanded.

The elves were confused, but no one dared question the elf prince. The elves quickly went into battle against the orcs. They drew their arrows, hurling them at the foul creatures. Because of the warning, however, most were able to hide behind trees. Drawing their swords, the orcs rushed at the elves. The elves met them in close combat, whipping their swords around with grace and ease, yet fierceness that no other could match. Their skill and number proved useful against the foul creatures.

Legolas, however, made his way quickly towards his friend. He did not concern himself with the battle and only killed a few orcs that managed to get in his way.

"Estel!" He yelled.

The ranger paid no heed to his words, content in standing back and watching the battle. Legolas finally reached him and stared him in the eyes. The human made no attempt to hurt him or move away.

"Estel, you have to remember who I am, who YOU are!" Legolas told him. "Don't let this Nazgul control you any longer."

The ranger made no indication that he even heard the spoken words. His dull lifeless eyes stared straight ahead.

"Estel, are you even listening? Can you hear me?" Legolas shook the human gently.

The man, however, shrugged the movement off and simply walked away. Legolas' heart dropped, but he was not about to give up on his friend. Estel was still alive and he believed the memories of Estel were still there, buried down deep inside of him. He had to believe Estel could still come back.

With a quick look around, Legolas saw the elves had slain all the orcs and were now cleaning their blades and finding their arrows. Aragorn, however, was walking away, deeper into the forest. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw an elf notch an arrow to his bow. It was aimed at Estel.

Legolas quickly crossed the distance and stood in front of the arrow. The elf was startled.

"I said, no one touches the human." Legolas fumed.

"I'm sorry, my prince. I was just readying my arrow, in case he tried to escape. None can be left alive." The elf known as Techan said.

"Stay here and gather your things. I will return." Legolas stated. He walked towards the forest, but turned around. "And the human will be accompanying us back to the palace."

Techan stared at him confused, as did all the other elves. Legolas heard their murmuring behind him, but he paid no attention.

"Has the prince lost his mind?" One elf said.

"What does he want with a human?" Another elf asked.

"Why won't he let us shoot him?" Asked even another.

Finally, one elf known as Galabad stood up to defend his prince. "In all my years of serving under Prince Legolas, I have trusted his judgments and his commands. The Prince is wise beyond his years and any decision he makes should be followed full-heartedly by those of us under him. If he has chosen to rescue the human, then so be it. We are not the ones to question him."

All the other elves sighed and lowered their heads. They quickly went back to their work, readying themselves to leave whenever the prince was ready.

Legolas walked towards Estel, keeping an eye out for any scattered orcs. He stood in front of his friend, preventing him from going further.

"Estel, lasto beth nin tolo dan nanglad. Lasto beth nin!" He pleaded. (Listen to my voice come back to the light. Hear me!)

The man stared straight ahead as if he had not even heard the words of his friend. Then suddenly, his eyes grew darker and he stared right at Legolas. He said something in a language unfamiliar to the elf, before walking around Legolas. Legolas closed his eyes for a moment, shaking his head. It hurt him inside that his friend was unrespondent to him and hardly acknowledge his presence. He knew there had to be some way to bring Aragorn from the shadows; he just needed to figure out how. He needed the time.

Legolas opened his eyes and drew his knife. He hated what he was about to do, but knew he had no other choice. He approached the human from behind and slammed the hilt of his sword on the human's head. He quickly caught Aragorn as his unconscious body slumped down. Quickly resheathing his knife, he placed Aragorn over his shoulder. He started heading back to his group, but stopped suddenly. A cold chill ran up his spine, making his broken fingers tingle in pain. His breath caught in his throat and his heart froze. A dark shadow passed over him weaving into the very depths of his soul. Feeling the vileness evil of the Nazgul for the second time felt even worse to Legolas than the first. Every injury given from the Nazgul throbbed with pain. Horrific memories flashed into his mind. Legolas began to panic and his legs felt weak underneath him. His body began to tremble and he almost stumbled. Forcing himself to breathe and stay calm, he took a few steps forward. He continued in taking a few quick breaths as he quickened the pace. The Nazgul was near and they had to escape before they were found. After what seemed like forever, he reached the other elves. As fast as he could, he loaded Aragorn onto his horse and mounted behind him.

"Let's move!" He commanded. "The Nazgul is near."

The others quickly mounted their horse and took off riding behind their prince. Legolas began to breathe normally as the distance from the Nazgul increased. The pounding in his heart began to fade and the pain of his wounds became only a dull ache. Still Legolas couldn't help the unease that rose in his heart. Rescuing his friend had seemed all too easy. If it had been a trap, why had the Nazgul not attacked them? Why had they been able to escape from his clutches? It troubled Legolas, but he pushed it from his mind. He was overjoyed that his friend was in fact still alive and that he now had the chance to save him from the darkness that was in his soul. This comforted him and gave him hope. With a sigh of relief, Legolas looked over at the other elves. After feeling the dark presence of the evil creature, everyone seemed relieved that they had escaped in time. None of them knew, however, that the Nazgul had stood silently in the trees, watching them the whole time.