Disclaimer: I do not own Tolkein's masterpiece, but only the original characters.

Yes, I'm back…at long last. I'm really sorry, but I just finished exams yesterday! Now back to the story.

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6. Darkness

He could hear the clatter of horse hooves as they approached. The rider was in a hurry, anxious to deliver some news. Thranduil hoped desperately that the news would be good as he waited for the rider to dismount. One look at Ranrieth's face was enough to quench any flicker of hope his heart might have harboured.

…

They climbed down into the ravine, sharp eyes searching everywhere, trying to find at least a trace of the elfling. Nothing. Thranduil had come, bringing lanterns, ropes, anything which could ease the search for his youngest, but so far there had been no success.

…

"It is useless."

Ranrieth turned to look at Anulon, head of the guards. Dawn was breaking, and the search had yielded nothing but a tattered bundle of odds and ends, belonging to the human. The younger elf nodded slowly, much as he was loathe to do so. The elfling would have either drowned or been killed by now.

He looked at Derwen. The prince was near his father, both their faces pale and drawn. His heart went out to them… the Valar knew what they had to be passing through. For elves who had immortality, the death of an elfling was double the tragedy. Ranrieth clenched his fists tightly. If the human were still alive, he thought, he'd get just exactly what he deserved. Death by spiders was too good for scum like that.

…

"Search along the riverbank, until you reach the next village. Ask if anyone has seen traces of an elf. Search in the surrounding villages. Offer money, food, whatever it takes to satisfy their greed and make them give any relevant information," Thranduil ended bitterly.

Anulon bowed. "As you wish, my lord." He turned to leave, but hesitated. "My lord?"

"What?"

"How long will we go on with the search?"

Anulon heard a sharp intake of breath. Derwen was behind his father, and he was looking at Anulon as though he had understood the implication of his words. Thranduil frowned, eyes glinting as he looked at the other elf. "Until I find my son," he replied grimly, and left.

He awoke as the first rays of light penetrated through the small window. His head ached and he desperately longed for a drink of water. His eyes fell on the murky water, but he felt sick at the very look at it.

The elfling stretched slightly, trying not to wake the other prisoners. The only one away was the dwarf, who ignored the elfling completely, for which Legolas was grateful. He wondered if his ada would come soon. He had been dreaming that he had woken up to find that he had been dreaming and that he was back home, before he awoke to face reality.

The sudden rattling of the door made him jump. The red haired man who had tried to take him to the cell the day before came in. He looked ever more huge and terrifying, and the elfling huddled down, wishing he could disappear.

The man came towards him, and grabbed him by the arm, jerking him onto his feet. By this time, the other people had woken up, and they stared at the child as he was dragged outside, stumbling, and a few of the women started murmuring and praying. The elfing looked at them for the last time, and met the eyes of the youngest woman. Courage, she mouthed, and the door slammed behind him, taking him into the unknown.

…

Legolas gasped as a bucket of freezing water was poured over his head. The guard laughed at the look on his face, and pulled at his cahin, forcing him to walk behind him. Legolas followed, trying to bear the humiliation of being chained and pulled like a beast. He had no choice; running was not an option, as he could scarcely walk with the chains they had placed on his wrists and ankles.

They moved through a long passage until finally they reached a room. Legolas had been too busy watching his step and trying not to trip, to notice where he was going. When they stopped he lifted his head up to meet a piercing gaze. The elfing froze. Kieldún was there waiting with another man he had never seen before.

…

Kieldún was well known in the trading business. One could always count of finding any kind of unusual creature in his hands. It was even rumoured that Kieldún had once manage to capture a a goblin and a warg for a rich landowner, though Esguon doubted the veracity of that statement. But he could not deny that Kieldún did indeed have a fine collection.

He looked at the small creature in front of him. It was watching him warily, and he could see that it was afraid. No one would have been able to get an elf but Kieldún. He'd never seen a young elf before, and probably never would have outside of the slave-trader's quarters. It would be ideal for what he had in mind. Esguon had made up his mind to take it. It would be a fine gift to his father; perhaps the old bastard would even be impressed for once.

"It's smaller than I expected," he said, pretending that he was not yet sure whether he wanted to buy it. Kieldún wasn't fooled. He was used to dealing with people, and knew quite well that Esguon wanted the elfling. Esguon, he thought to himself, was one of the biggest fools he had to deal with, but dealing with fools was more often than not, extremely profitable.

Kieldún scratched his cheek. "As far as I know, you never mentioned size," he pointed out.

"But are you sure that it'll fit with what we want?"

"It can run, and won't die easily. That's what you wanted wasn't it?"

Esguon pretended to look doubtful. "It looks as though it'll drop dead any minute."

"Appearances can be deceptive." Kieldún shrugged. "But if you think you can get something better elsewhere…"

"No…" Esguon shook his head. "I'll take it." He handed a bag with the money to the slave trader, who's eyes gleamed as he heard the clinking of coins. The idiot had paid twice as much as the elf was worth, without even haggling. Kieldún nodded at the red-head, who had been waiting at the door. The latter handed Legolas's chain to Esguon.

Legolas had been watching and listening throughout. He was sick with fear, but was determined not to be handed over to this man. He had instantly disliked the sharp face and the thin mouth; he did not trust those cruel eyes. He waited, and just at Esugon took the chain in his hands, he jerked forward. Esguon, was caught by surprised and nearly lost balance, cursing, as the elfling moved towards the door, desperately trying to run.

Yet the chains impeded a swift escape, and the doorway was blocked by the red-head's massive bulk before he could rush out. The elfling tried to doge their grasp, but there was no way to escape. Within a few minutes, they had cornered him like a trapped rat; he could do nothing but wait until one of them took hold of him again.

"Are you convinced now that he can run?" Kieldún asked Esguon, lips twisted into a smile. Esguon nodded and leered at Legolas. "We'll have a good hunt it seems," he replied soflty, and soon the room was filled with laughter, just as the elfling's heart was filled with dread.

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One thing I can promise, uploads will be much more frequent now, and more regular. Thanks to all reviewers :-)