Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters or settings from Lord of the Rings or Xena the Warrior Princess

Author's Note:

Warning: Concepts contained in this chapter include blood and ugly orcs.

This is a LegoRomance (slow-burn)

~ XXIV: Enslaved ~

Outside Imladris, 3018 TA, October 28

Terrifying shouts and shrieks echoed along the passageways under the ruins, and the air was thick with fear of the goblins and orcs. The icy wind was biting the human's flesh, and she wasn't sure whether it was the wind itself or her response to what had transpired. There was no time to spare; they had to flee, she understood as soon as she awoke and realised they had been enslaved by the orcs.

The goblins were camping in a cave a few yards away from the ruins on its eastern side. An elf, a striving shining entity, was brought into the camp. He'd battled those beasts and caused them so much trouble that they had to soften him with blows to restrict his annoying power. The elf seemed infuriated, as he fought his way out from their clutches with unrelenting ferocity.

Xena was furious at their treatment of him, and she was resolved to destroy those heinous beasts once she escaped and rescued the elf. Because she was going to rescue him. For the time being, she was pressed up against a stone across from the orc camp.

While he was being guarded by the orcs, not much was spoken to him. They didn't have any cause to. Not after they had taken him and beaten him so badly that standing was difficult for him. For Legolas, the suffering was sheer misery; he had experienced a lot of pain during his existence, but it was nothing compared to what he was experiencing right now. The worst thing that could happen to an elf was to be enslaved by orcs. His father would be displeased if he found out about his son's failure.

The orcs, on the other hand, did not touch the human. For starters, she was out of her consciousness and not resisting, but even now, as she attempted to escape, the orcs were dismissing her. She tried to think positively, but she couldn't see how this would end well. Maybe it was intended to be the end for her. She pondered. She had been complaining about being alive ever since she landed in Middle-Earth. And now it's time. She was on the verge of death with the obnoxious elf.

"Secure him there over the pillar," Shagrat hissed, seeing his minion struggle to hold the struggling elf down.

Shagrat was the Captain of Cirith Ungol, and he led one of the most recent patrols in quest of the one ring. "We're carrying him back to the Tower of Cirith Ungol, so keep him alive! Don't let him down!"

Legolas survived the beating and all else the orcs threw at him, refusing to show weakness and disregarding his captors. The orcs found it exhausting since they couldn't simply handle the gleaming elf. Shagrat, on the other hand, was well aware of the elves' might, and the one they had just taken seemed to be significant. Xena sneered at them and had already begun to work on getting free from her restraints.

"Why aren't we killing it?" said one of the orcs. "It's pointless to keep it alive."

"I'm sure his flesh would be flavorful and juicy," another orc said, licking his lips and looking at the elf.

"Enough!" Shagrat shouted, "I said don't spoil it!"

"How about the human? We don't need her," a taller orc who had been staring at Xena since they had grabbed her question.

Shagrat hissed as he approached his companions. "You idiots, the master needs that one."

"But we could have fun with her," another evilly sneered while going in close and licking her cheek having her glare at it.

When Shagrat had had enough, he took his axe-forged sword and slashed through the orc's head, killing it instantly. "I said they shouldn't be spoilt!"

The orcs snarled and drew back, peering hungrily at the human. Xena stared at them but didn't say anything since she was more focused on untying herself while they were arguing. She shared a glance with the elf, but he didn't seem to notice her. It was as though sadness was still imprisoning him, and he hadn't yet recovered from the horses' deaths.

Shagrat skipped over to the bound elf and grabbed him by his long hair. "Blasphemous-Zanbaur (elfson)! Amal shufar, at udh! (Where there's a whip, there's a way.)" He cautioned the bruised elf, who was ignoring him. As the rest of the orcs threatened and cursed them, their new captive was finally bound down.

Hateful eyes pierce the darkness, filled with loathing and rage. The elf's countenance had turned to one of venomous hatred as he stared fearlessly at the Captain of the orcs. It was as though he had made a slight return to reality. He heard Shagrat talk, and his reply enraged Shagrat even more. He smirked angrily and ignored him, pulling the ropes a few times. His face stayed unchanged as he went silent.

"Glob! (Idiot!)" Shagrat shouted at him and struck him a few times on his rips and face, causing a heavy stream of blood to flow down his thin lips. "You'd best start acting like a grown-up and quit struggling! You are now officially ours!"

But, once again, there was no fear or emotion from the elf. He only glared coldly at Shagrat, a veiled sadness in his eyes.

Xena was about to rush over and punch the elf in the face. He was a fool; if they continued harming him like that, the elf could die. Her heart was pressing against her chest, and she felt helpless. She felt helpless at the time. "There's something I've been dying to say to you," she said suddenly to the leader, capturing his attention.

Shagrat managed to free himself from Legolas after a few more efforts and beatings. He rose up and approached the person. He looked at her, perplexed. "Closer," Xena whispered softly, waiting for the orc to approach her. She threw her head front when he had bowed and leaned near enough, fracturing his nose and causing him to bleed.

Shagrat growled and hit her in the face once, causing her lips to bleed. The elf, as well as the human, were still fending him off and not answering. But he wasn't in a rush; they were now his slaves, and he had all the time he needed to shatter their will. Because he'd shatter them, especially the elf. Shagrat's pride and strength made him want to take his time with this one. He would give the elf to the master as promised, but first, he would have his way with him.

"If you both wish to live you must pledge allegiance to us and quit resisting!" Shagrat continued, giving the last blow and walked away.

Legolas's griefing grey-blue eyes connected with Xena's, and he grinned at her earlier deed, which resulted in Shagrat's nose shattering. Xena, too, flashed a grin. They knew they were doomed, and the horses' deaths were still hurting their hearts, yet even at their lowest moments, their fighting spirit did not break.

In Elrond's house, Aragorn met with Elrond and Gandalf to warn them about the assault and that Legolas and Xena had been left behind and ambushed by a gang of orcs. Despite knowing how talented Legolas and Xena were, they were concerned that the worst may happen.

"How many are there?" Elrond inquired, attempting to determine what they should do next.

"They were many," Aragorn continued, "and I fear they will not be able to flee."

"Then go, take as many guards as you need," the Lord of Rivendell said. "As long as they are trapped, it might cost them their lives."

"I know my Lord." Aragorn accepted and bowed, ready to begin the new mission of saving his loyal friend and Xena.

"Wait," said Gandalf, "you dash into combat but not victory; I will accompany you. You'll need my assistance."

As promised, Aragorn and the Grey Wizard gathered as many guards as they could and rode back to find the human and the elf. Glorfindel joined them this time after discovering that the prince of Mirkwood was in jeopardy. He was well aware of what would occur if Thranduil found that his own son had been hurt or, worse, perished while still in Imladris.

The troop rode down the path they had been following for hours until they came upon the opening where the combat had occurred. There were so many slain orcs that their corpses filled the ground. When Gandalf saw that the horses had been slaughtered, he shared a solemn look with Aragorn. Legolas' bow and Xena's Chakram had been discovered a few yards below. Glorfindel gathered the weapons and secured them against his horse. It was obvious that the orcs had kidnapped them.

They resumed their journey after burying the horses and burning the orcs' bodies, following the trails that the orcs had left behind. It was morning, and the creative golden sun rose slowly. The gloomy black sky has transformed into a brilliant Royal blue sky. The brightly coloured milky clouds awoke from their slumber and began to move around the sky. They had discovered the ancient remains, which were buried in a cave outside of Imladris.

"It's a horrible place," Glorfindel said with a shiver as he began telling Aragorn about the ruins ahead of them.

"Who do you think to build it?" Aragorn inquired, his gaze drawn to the wreckage.

"I don't know, and we don't need to know," Gandalf interjected, "but the Dark Lord is surely a possibility."

"Evil seems to like ruins like these, and I can sense the darkness dwelling," Glorfindel acknowledged the terrible presence surrounding the ruins.

"Be fast now," Gandalf said, "we have to find our way in, rescue Legolas and Xena, and leave without being slain."

The idea seemed simple enough, but sneaking into an orc camp without being observed was more difficult than it sounded. The orcs were hardly intelligent creatures, but they were many, and it seemed difficult to slip inside without being spotted. They argued for a long time while they tried to find a way inside. If they couldn't get inside, Aragorn recommended they try calling them out. Fight them on the outside of the ruins while someone sneaks in and saves Xena and Legolas.

((Upcoming Chapter Twenty-Five))

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