Disclaimer: I do not own LOTR. Nor it's characters.

AN: Wow...I'm a jerk for making you guys wait this long...Well if you're still waiting for it, here it is. It's just been so difficult to plan out while finishing school and being sick :s. But enough excuses! on with the story!

WOTMH chapter 4

Twenty-Four days before the current events, Legolas was mounted upon Arod as he began the journey back to Mirkwood. He said nothing to his contingent as they journeyed; something that was very out of character for Legolas. Those who attempted to start conversation with the elf were denied and finally none of the other warriors would attempt to do so anymore. None of the other warriors knew of his feud with the King of Gondor save his Captain and old friend Aerandir; so there was general confusion amongst the contingent as to why they were leaving Gondor.

After many hours of travel, Aerandir rode up next to Legolas and eyed the prince carefully. "You are frightening your warriors your highness," Aerandir admonished.

Legolas looked up startled. "Frightening them? How so?" Legolas inquired glancing around worriedly.

"You have never been so quiet, my lord," Aerandir teased, "they fear you have taken ill…or been bewitched." Aerandir laughed at his own joke causing several of the others around them to laugh nervously.

Legolas rolled his eyes. "Your humor slays me mellon nin," Legolas commented dryly, "I just do not feel like talking right now."

"I do not see why you are so somber. It was a fight your highness. One that will be resolved within the week," Aerandir replied simply turning a mischievous smile on Legolas, "just like all the others."

"What do you mean by that?" Legolas demanded looking angry. The surrounding elves shrunk back from the look but Aerandir merely grinned.

"I mean that sometimes I swear it is not Arwen that human is married to, but you," Aerandir replied innocently before laughing loudly.

Legolas narrowed his eyes. "THAT is not funny," Legolas growled before going quiet again and looking straight ahead.

Aerandir sighed seeing Legolas was more bothered by this fight than any of the others he had with the King. "Estel…he is stubborn your highness," Aerandir said carefully, "he will see in time that he has overreacted…and then you know that human will come begging for you to return."

"Not this time my friend," Legolas answered forcing a smile, "he truly believes I have betrayed him. It will take much time for him to forgive me, let alone realize that I would never EVER for any reason betray him or his trust."

Aerandir was quiet for a moment before he grinned. "Care to wager on that your highness? I predict he will come after you within the week," Aerandir responded, his eyes twinkling, "he cannot go on much longer without you."

Legolas laughed. "You truly do compare our friendship to that of his relationship with Arwen," Legolas responded, "but I will take your wager for as you said, Estel is stubborn. It will take him much longer to come after me…if he so chooses."

"If he does not come on his own…then Arwen will knock some sense into him. That elleth adores you as one would a brother…I have a feeling that refusal on the part of Estel will result in banishment from their bedding chambers," Aerandir chuckled.

Legolas laughed deeply this time, causing all of the surrounding warriors to smile. "That," Legolas chuckled, "is a wager that I won't bet against." Legolas smiled as he thought of Arwen. Though she was normally the even tempered and charming elf that she presented to her people, those who knew her well knew not to anger her or hurt her friends as she could make even the most proud man feel as if he was a mere child.

Aerandir and Legolas rode with the rest of the contingent in another silence; this one more pleasant than the last. For hours, nothing out of the ordinary happened. It wasn't until just before dusk that Legolas stopped suddenly, halting his contingent. "Your highness?" Aerandir questioned quietly.

Legolas waved him quiet before his eyes opened wide. "We are being attacked!" Legolas called to his contingent as he spun Arod around. "Make for the trees! They will provide protection for us!" Legolas's cry was met with immediate action as the contingent spun to follow their prince. Arrows rained down upon them felling several of his contingent as they made their way to the shelter of the trees.

Their flee was in vain, however, as not even a league later they were overcome by many other horsemen. Legolas called for the others to fight back as he unsheathed his own twin blades and began to fight. As he cut down one of the men, he turned and was shocked to see many of his elves lying dead on the ground as the rest were being cut down as he watched.

So distracted was Legolas, that he did not see the man to his left bearing down on him. Distantly he could hear Aerandir calling a warning to him, but it was too late. The last thing Legolas remembered was a sharp pain in his head as he fell to the ground.

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Legolas regained consciousness a little while later to hear his name being called frantically. Groaning, the prince opened his eyes groggily. Darkness met his vision and he started. He struggled to remember the last few moments he had been conscious. "LEGOLAS! Your highness please!" he heard again. Turning his head slowly and adjusting his eyes Legolas could vaguely make out the silhouette of Aerandir.

"I am awake Aerandir," Legolas croaked wincing as the volume of his voice made his head spin, "what has happened?"

"You do not remember?" Aerandir asked frowning.

"I…vaguely remember an attack, but naught else…I fear I have injured my head. Nothing is very clear at the moment," Legolas responded with a groan as he attempted to sit up.

"We were attacked by a group of rogue humans," Aerandir reported, "they slaughtered most of the contingent your highness; I am saddened to say we are the only survivors."

Legolas snapped his head to stare at Aerandir in shock. He realized only moments later that moving quickly was not a great idea. "Why leave us alive at all?" Legolas pondered aloud, "if he killed all the others, then why would he allow us to live?"

"I do not know your highness, but I do not believe it bodes well for us," Aerandir replied gravely.

"I agree my friend. Nothing good can come from this," Legolas replied with a frown. He paused for a moment before he looked sharply back at Aerandir. "You have not informed me whether you are hurt or not," Legolas said squinting his eyes to look closer.

Aerandir grinned. "I am well your highness. Just scratches," he replied quickly.

Legolas smirked. "Mmm hmm," he drawled, "I've heard that one before."

"Usually coming from you," Aerandir quipped with a laugh.

"Aye. And I am usually lying. So I will ask you again; are you hurt? Truly?" Legolas pressed.

Aerandir sighed. "I have a wound in my left thigh from a stray arrow. It is not deep, and I have wrapped it already," the elf replied.

"Nothing else?" Legolas asked again.

"No, nothing else your highness," Aerandir replied leaning his head back against the wall wearily.

Legolas seemed to accept this and also leaned against the wall. "I don't suppose you have any idea where we are," Legolas muttered, his eyes remaining closed.

"I was only semi-conscious during the trip your highness," Aerandir replied softly.

Legolas cracked an eye open. "From an arrow wound? One that is 'not deep'?" he questioned doubtfully.

Aerandir smiled sheepishly. "It may have been deeper than I led you to believe. I lost some blood and was weary from travel and the battle," Aerandir admitted.

"Since you were semi-conscious, perhaps you could give me a vague estimate then," Legolas replied waving his hand nonchalantly.

Aerandir thought for a moment. "I would say we are in the Northeast territory that you and Estel were discussing today in your council." he replied, "As far as we know, this is the only place that we have had troubles with the men."

Legolas nodded thoughtfully. "Probably a good guess," he murmured, "but what do they gain by keeping us here?"

Aerandir frowned. "Who's to say that they gain anything your highness?" he asked quietly, "they could just be keeping us for…entertainment."

Legolas looked to Aerandir and glared halfheartedly. "'Can always depend on you to find the silver lining," he grumbled with a sight, "but I suppose you could be very right."

The pair were silent for a few moments and Legolas shifted uncomfortably. Aerandir looked across to the prince. "I never asked what your injuries were your highness…other than the obvious," he stated motioning towards Legolas's head.

Legolas smiled. "I am well. I think I may have bruised myself when I fell from Arod earlier," he replied, frowning as he thought of his horse, "as far as I can tell the head wound is the only real injury I have."

"That at least is some good news," Aerandir replied closing his eyes as the pair lapsed into silence once more.

"I hate waiting games," Legolas grumbled passing his hands over his face wearily.

"Perhaps you should rest some more your highness. Who knows when we may have another respite," Aerandir advised.

Legolas nodded as he shut his eyes and dozed lightly. He was awoken again some time later to the sound of footsteps coming down the hall outside their cell. The two elves made eye contact nervously as the door clanged open. In walked a dark haired man who stopped and stared at the two elves through cold dark eyes. "I see you two are both finally awake," he drawled.

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I hope that was worth the wait!! I am really trying to write more! :) Sooner this time.