Legolas didn't sleep during the night. His senses were too busy picking up every sight and sound from the camp. He knew that Aragorn would have stayed awake also, but it was hard to communicate with the ranger, given how they were tied up and the direction in which they were facing. Legolas' only positive thought was that the campfire, situated in the middle of the camp, was large enough for the Hobbits' to feel the effect of its warmth. Legolas worried that perhaps the cold night air may affect Pippin beside him, but the young Hobbit's face reflected the orange hue of the fire, and his body took in its warmth.
Legolas turned his head to his right and noted Gimli lightly sleeping against the tree. Legolas smiled as he watched the dwarf occasionally twitch himself awake, not wishing to fall asleep entirely. Legolas looked passed Gimli and saw Boromir looking up at the early dawn sky. Boromir furrowed his brow, feeling Legolas' eyes on him. He turned his head and faced the elf.
''Did you sleep.'' The man asked the question in a barely audible breath, knowing that Legolas would still be able to hear.
Legolas shook his head and gave the man a slight smile. ''Nay. I have been awake all night.''
Boromir nodded. He knew that it was very unlikely that the elf required sleep, but even if he did, Legolas was devoted in using his keen sense and observational skills in protecting his friends.
Pippin's head dropped onto Legolas' side. Legolas peered down at the Hobbit and noticed him stirring. The sensation of his head falling suddenly woke Pippin. He soon realised where his head was resting, and he jolted himself back up straight.
''Sorry, I didn't mean to fall on you.' He said rather embarrassed.
''Do not be foolish Pippin. You do not need to apologise. How do you fare?''
Pippin shrugged, ''Still tied to a tree, I guess.''
Legolas smiled at him, ''Yes, I guess we are.''
''Did anything happen last night?''
Legolas looked over the camp. ''Yorik did not appear from his tent. Four men were on watch, the rest were sleeping in their tents. I listened all night for any noises but nothing. I have no clues to our location.''
''Perhaps Aragorn might know.'' Pippin said curiously.
''Yes, he may. However, until we are moved from these trees, it is going to be very difficult to communicate with him.''
Pippin stared up at the elf. He noticed how Legolas radiated light around him, there was an aura of life that the elves possessed and sometimes it was easy for the Fellowship to overlook this about Legolas, who had seemingly integrated with his mortal companions for many months now. Pippin stared at him with admiration, finding a strange comfort.
''Are you feeling settled Pippin?''
Pippin blushed, can he read my mind?
'No, I mean yes. I don't really know.'' Came the uncontrolled answer.
Legolas leant his head back against the tree and breathed in deeply.
''When all else fails, take in your surroundings. There is life around you Pippin. The trees, the grass, the flowers. They bring joy and energy. We are blessed to have them.''
Pippin furrowed his brow in thought, ''You find energy from grass?''
Legolas chuckled lightly. ''All nature is precious Pippin. And we have a duty to all of Arda, to keep it that way. Nature is life, and we elves thrive on that.''
''So this tree we are tied against. That is giving you energy?''
''In a way yes. I can feel its life. I can sense its thoughts. The trees are fearful.''
''Fearful?''
Legolas looked at Pippin solemnly. ''Yes, fearful.'' Legolas motioned his head, ''The fire.''
Pippin looked at the fire and then back to Legolas, ''They fear being cut down?''
''Yes, they do….'' Legolas' ears suddenly alerted him to a noise. He sat up straighter, eyes piercing down at Yorik's tent.
Pippin frowned and followed Legolas' eyeline and his heart skipped for a beat, realising who's tent the elf was focused on.
''What is it?'' The hobbit asked curiously.
Legolas narrowed his eyes, ''He is awake.''
Legolas turned his head to Boromir, ''Boromir. He is awake.''
The man nodded and elbowed Gimli in the side.
Legolas leant forward as best he could against the ropes holding him down. Trying to look past Pippin and Merry to look at Aragorn.
Aragorn noticed Legolas in his peripheral and turned his head, he mouthed, ''What is it?''
Legolas mouthed back, ''He is awake.''
The flap of the tent door opened and Yorik stepped out, stretching out his arms as he did so. He yawned loudly before making his way over to the fire. He was dressed in a simple tunic and leggings. As he sat down by the fire, two of his men ran over to him, one carrying a plate of meat and fruit, the other a cup which was likely filled with wine.
Yorik didn't say thank you as he roughly ushered them away.
The Fellowship eyed him curiously. Aragorn in particular was taking note of the relationships between Yorik and his men. He seemed to rule by fear rather than by respect.
Teren appeared by Yorik side.
''Good morning my Lord. What a beautiful morning.'
Yorik looked at the brightening sky, ''Indeed, it is a beautiful morning. Where are the prisoners?'
''Behind you, my lord.''
Yorik turned on his seat and eyed up the Fellowship, tied to the three trees. He studied each one closely, taking note of their sizes and appearances.
He turned back around to face the fire. ''When did they last eat?''
''Yesterday, we gave them bread and water.''
''Hmmm, I see. Untie them, keep them under watchful guard, give them bread and water. When they are done, tell them of their duty, and bring the special one to me. I have work to do.''
Teren nodded at his master's words. Yorik stood up, and walked back to his tent, making sure to give Aragorn one final glance. Aragorn watched as Teren walked away from them out of his sight.
Merry let out a sigh of relief, it was loud enough for Aragorn to hear.
''Are you ok Merry?''
''Yes, I'm fine. I thought they were going to come over to us, is all.''
''They still might yet my friend.''
A few moments later, Teren reappeared, he slowly slinked his way to the group. Teren snarled as he stood in front of Aragorn.
''My master has been kind enough to grant you food.'' He spat through his rotting teeth.
''We are most grateful'', replied Aragorn diplomatically.
''Boruk and Lindon are going to untie you. You will sit in a line and we will give you food. Anyone steps out of the line, then one of you will be killed. Understood?''
Aragorn nodded, ''Understood.''
Boruk and Lindon appeared holding a dagger each. Lindon walked to Aragorn and cut the ropes free that were binding him and Merry. Lindon motioned for Aragorn and Merry to step forward and lower themselves to their knees.
Boruk stood in front of Boromir and Gimli, he waved his dagger in front of them, ''No funny business from you two eh!''
Neither said anything in response. Though Boromir fought back the burning desire to rip the dagger from the man's hand and plunge it into his chest. He composed himself, knowing that now was not the appropriate moment for such force. They needed a plan first before such brutal action was taken, and ideally, it would be best if everyone in the Fellowship was aware of such a plan.
Boromir and Gimli knelt down beside Aragorn and Pippin. All four of them under watch by the careful eyes of Yorik's men. Boruk then made his way over to Legolas and Pippin. He laughed in amusement, making both Legolas and Pippin inwardly cringe. He sawed at the rope and it wasn't long until both Legolas and Pippin were freed from their bindings. Boruk pulled Pippin up and all but through him on the ground next to Gimli.
''Hey watch it!'' Yelled the Hobbit.
Boruk took no notice. Legolas stood up and gracefully walked to Pippin's side, barely making a sound. Boruk watched as the elf knelt down next to his friends without any fuss. It angered him, he wished for the elf to act out, so he had an excuse for violence. Teren was talking, but Boruk ignored him. His eyes were bearing down on the back of the elf's head. He felt a purge of anger soar through his body, his hands clenched into two tight fists. He growled loudly, so loud that it made Teren stop talking.
Boruk couldn't contain the urge, he stepped forward, closer to Legolas, pulled him up from under his arms and threw him to the ground. Legolas, unperturbed by the actions, carefully pushed himself back up onto his knees. This only angered Boruk further, the man raised his fist, about to strike the elf's face….
''Boruk! Stop!''
Boruk's hand stopped mid motion, Legolas didn't flinch in the slightest. The man turned to Teren, anger plastered over his face.
''What in Middle Earth do you think you are doing?''
''The elf. He looked at me funny.'' Boruk retaliated, putting his arm back down to his sides.
Legolas couldn't help but smirk.
Teren stepped forward, challenging the man.
''Do…not…touch…. him''
Aragorn raised his eyebrow at Teren's words curiously.
Teren turned his attention back to the Fellowship.
''As I was saying, we have a simple job for you. The building that you were housed in before. It needs extending. I want the dwarf and the hobbits cutting down trees. The two men, you will be constructing. However, I want a pen built first, you need somewhere to stay, so we will do this today''.
''A pen?'' Asked Merry curiously.
''I would have you tied up to the trees. But my master makes a worthy point - that if you are to help us, then you need a suitable place to rest. You will build it yourself, under our supervision of course. Don't be thinking you will be making for an escape now. We are only allowing you until sunset, so you best work as quickly as possible if you want somethin' decent.''
''What is your end goal here?'' Boromir asked with an irritated tone.
''End goal?'' Teren let out a little laugh, ''Quite simply, you will stay with us, until someone pays enough for you, or you die.''
''Pays for us?'' Gimli retorted gruffly.
''We are dealers, mercenaries, tradesmen, travellers. Nothing in this world is free. We do what we have to do to get by. If someone is happy to pay a tidy some for you lot, then fine, you are free. Mind you, if you turn out to be worthy workers, your price might just be too high for any takers.''
Aragorn furrowed his brow and carefully looked at Legolas, not wanting to draw too much attention to the elf. Legolas's expression was blank, something troubled him. Teren didn't mention the elf, Aragorn thought.
''You mentioned all but one of us. What of our elf?''
A tense silence suddenly fell as Teren looked at Legolas and turned back to Aragorn. Boromir looked between the Elf and Teren and suddenly realised that Aragorn spoke the truth, nothing of Legolas was mentioned.
Teren cleared his throat, ''It is not my place to say on the dealings with the elf?''
Aragorn tensed, ''What do you mean!''
''Estel, daro.'' Came Legolas' response
Boruk stepped forward and slapped Legolas hard across his face, ''Don't even think about using that Elvish language nonsense ere' in this camp.''
Teren raised his hand, ''Boruk, please.'' Teren looked at Legolas, ''The elf will be joining Yorik. He has some business that involves the elf specifically.''
Legolas cocked his head curiously.
Teren continued. ''I have spoken too much. Eat your food. When you are done, it is time for you to get to work. As for the Elf, Boruk will escort you to Yorik.''
