Hello again dear readers! It's Shadow here, posting for Rach. She gave me creative license with the title, and I hope she likes it, however, if she doesn't, I can change it…I think?

"……" speech

'……' thoughts

Time skip/Meanwhile

Name: An Uncommon Friendship

Series: The Lord of the Rings (LOTR)

Summary: When Estel meets Legolas a promising friendship develops. However, one man learns of them and becomes determined to rip them apart…literally.

Rating: T because I'm being paranoid and she told me too. XD

Other Things: As my friend isn't… overly fond of yaoi or slash couples, the friendship /is/ a friendship.

Disclaimer: Sadly, neither Rach nor I own LOTR. If we did… o.0; Believe me, it'd be "insanity and cookies."

Notes: All death threats for cliff-hangers are to be addressed to Rach, 'kay? -holds up envelopes- I'll personally see she gets them. However, death threats for late posts…. Those are my fault. Please forgive us both for those two things. I'm a lazy bum. xD (Also, I'm still learning how to read her cursive, so if I mess up a bit, I'm super sorry!) Anyway, Rach would like to thank all that review and would like me to ask if anyone knows the elvish word for "female elf". R&R please!

Translation: mellon nin my friend

An Uncommon Friendship

Chapter II: For the Sake of a Prince

"There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm."

- Wills Cather

"I think we've finally caught up with them," whispered Elladan.

They had traveled for three days, only stopping to rest and feed their horses. They themselves rested as they rode, one sleeping as the other two leading. They had passed several camps on the way that had been made by the orcs during the day. At all of them there had been evidence that a captive had been tortured in some way, then tied to a tree.

"Why do you think that?" asked Estel.

"Three reasons. First, the trail here is less than three hours old. Second, it's almost dawn. And third, our horses are being very skittish." Elladan leaned over to his twin, who was resting, and said, "Elrohir, we're getting close. Wake up."

Elrohir blinked and was instantly alert. "We need a place to stay, don't we?" He glanced then pointed. " That tree looks like a good place, doesn't it? I do believe it has a flet in it already."

Estel squinted at said tree. A huge oak, it was located near a clear stream. Several low branches provided easy access to the wooden platform hidden in the branches.

They rode over to the tree and dismounted. As they stowed their gear in the flet, including the weapons they'd found, Elladan and Elrohir hid the horses. Then they took up the trail the orcs had left on foot.

Silently, the three moved toward the orcs' encampment. Estel counted twenty orcs dotted around the clearing. Then he began to search for the captive…what was his name?

Legolas. That was it.

As he looked around, he saw something extremely pale seemingly floating on the far side of the clearing. He blinked and it shifted into focus or someone tied to a tree in a standing position. He was obviously an elf. No adult male human was that thin…or that pale. Elves were usually pale, like alabaster. This one - who Estel guessed was Legolas - was sheet white. His long blond hair was matted with blood and dirt. He was wearing cloth boots, brown breeches, and what would have been a lime green tunic if it wasn't bloodstained and torn. Ropes around his torso, thighs, and calves kept the elf in a standing position against the tree and his hands had been brought around the tree and tied behind him. Legolas's head was tilted to one side and around his neck appeared to be…

"Elladan?" Estel whispered.

"Yes?"

"Is that a collar around Legolas's neck?"

Elladan squinted at the captive elf. Then his face turned into a mask of fury and he whispered something to his twin. Elrohir looked at Legolas a for a moment, then closed his eyes. Estel heard him muttering, "May the Valar have mercy on their souls because I certainly won't."

Estel understood his brother's anger. He knew that if he saw a collar around one of his brother's necks, he would kill the one who put it there.

"Come on. We need to get him out of here," said Elladan. His anger was still evident in his voice.

As they circumvented the clearing, Estel could see more about Legolas that wasn't immediately apparent. For example, what at first glance looked like a shadow over the left cheek(?) of the elf 's face was in fact a large bruise, probably from where an orc had backhanded him. Also, the braids in his hair signified that, in addition to being royalty he was also a senior warrior.

As they'd agreed before they left the flet, Elladan and Elrohir went over to the Legolas while Estel hid behind a tree to watch.

He watched as Elrohir removed the collar from around Legolas's neck. Then he drew a knife and began to cut the bonds around Legolas's hands.

This woke the elf. He groaned softly and shifted his hands as much as he could, trying to throw Elrohir off. Elrohir immediately withdrew the knife and whispered, "Legolas, mellon nin, please stop moving. I don't want to accidentally cut you."

Immediately, Legolas froze. "Elrohir?" he said out of the corner of his mouth.

Elrohir smiled. "In the flesh."

"Are Elladan and Estel with you?"

This time Elladan answered. "Yes, we're here."

Elrohir resumed cutting the ropes. As they fell away from Legolas's wrists, Estel noticed that there were bloody marks from where they had bitten into his skin.

Elladan came forward and together, he and his twin began cutting the remaining ropes. As Elladan wrapped an arm around his chest, Legolas winced. Elladan the soft intake of breath and stopped. "Broken ribs?" he said softly.

"No," Legolas whispered, "Just bruised. Keep going."

Elladan loosened his grip around his chest and began to cut ropes.

When all the ropes were cut, Legolas fell forward against Elladan's arm, then straightened. Elrohir whispered, "Estel, can you help Legolas back to the flet?"

"Yes," Estel answered, hurrying forward to support Legolas, who had begun to collapse.

"When you get back, give him my spare tunic and cloak," said Elladan. "I'm sorry, but that thing is disgusting."

"You're not the one wearing it," Legolas dryly replied.

"What are you two going to do?" asked Estel.

Identical evil smiles appeared upon the twins faces.

"We're going to repay those orcs for what they've done."

"Be careful," whispered Estel as he helped Legolas away.

Shadow's Commentary: The ''s are places were I believe that Rach was trying to kill the evil little yaoi fangirl in me. . Oh well, still love 'er anyway. Oh and Rach, so help you if those places spawn a One-shot. XD That's it for chapter 2! Three will be here soon, along with four. I've got them and now all I have to do is get my lazy self to post them.