A/N: sorry it took so long to update. Life is busy. Chapter four is almost done so I'll be posting it within the next day or two.

Names are pronounced as:

Idrhenion (Eeth-rehn-ee-on) Legolas oldest brother

Adanessa (Ah-dahn- ehs-sah) Legolas's brother's wife

Thalion (Thal-ee-on) A friend of Legolas

The next chapter will have a bit of Boromir's POV. The elusive Aragorn will also make an appearence. This chapter as well as the next will be setting all the major characters into place, then the story will pick up speed.

Chapter three

It had been three days since Legolas had been sold to the King. The prince had obviously been mistaken when he said the King would see him that night, but instead of being happy about this respite, it only increased Legolas's anxiety. The silence, in his opinion, spoke more clearly than words in this case. Legolas had the eerie feeling that the King was staying away for a reason, and it wasn't a reason that would benefit Legolas.

A chamber-maid had been sent to stock his dresser with clothes, and he had taken all meals inside of the room. A guard was posted outside of his door, and Legolas could hear the shift changes every twelve hours.

The lack of contact with others was starting to wear on him. He felt trapped and was finding it harder and harder to sleep. A guard had brought him books when he asked for them, and Legolas liked reading but he wanted to have the option of doing other things as well. The silence was grating and the closed door effectively made him feel isolated from the rest of the world.

When the door opened Legolas looked up from where he was sitting on the bed, idly picking at the threads on a cover. Standing in the doorway was a woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. She was, Legolas noted in surprised, one of the most beautiful females he had ever seen, human or otherwise and couldn't be older than twenty.

She was wearing a emerald green silk dress with black seams that looked almost scandalous on her slim figure. She looked at him thoughtfully before speaking, "They said you reminded people of me. I did not believe them."

This was Lady Isabella then. Legolas wondered how he should handle this, before relying on centuries of training in diplomacy, "My lady, might I enquire your name?"

She tilted her head to the side, a small smile playing on her lips, "I am Lady Isabella, but I believe you have already realized this. You have heard of me, have you not?" She asked walking further into the room.

"I have." Legolas watched her wearily. The warnings Lady Amelia and Irvin had given him about her was nothing compared to actually seeing her. Her whole demeanor screamed 'dangerous' and something about her made him hesitate to speak with her. For all her beauty, if he had been in Gondor under a diplomatic purpose he would have stayed as far away from her as possible.

Unfortunately, he was a slave and from what Irvin said he couldn't risk offending her.

"I suspected you did. What, pray tell, have you heard?" Legolas didn't have time to think out his answer, as she was looking at him expectantly. He didn't know whether to be relieved or not when he heard a somewhat familiar voice speak in harsh tones.

"Isabella, may I ask why you are speaking with my slave?" The king said, sweeping into the room. He stopped inches away from Isabella, eyes hard and stance uncompromising. Isabella however didn't seem to think anything of this as she smirked slightly, her gaze lazily roaming the king.

"Boromir..my, my aren't we in a bad mood." She smiled playfully.

"Why exactly are you pestering my slave?" King Boromir asked again, his voice even harder this time. Legolas, personally, hadn't thought that was possible and watched carefully. Lady Isabella turned away from the king and sat down on the bed, so close to Legolas that her thigh was touching his.

"We were just having a interesting conversation about the similarties between us, " as she spoke her hand slowly caressed Legolas's thigh through his leggings and he flushed. This close he could easily smell her, the scent of wild honey and something elusive that he couldn't name, "I was just wondering what other similarties we have that are yet to be explored." Her voice was pure silk and Legolas drew in a sharp breath.

He wasn't supposed to be aroused by this! Embarrassed he looked away for a moment to gather his composure. When he turned back he looked at the King, trying to ignore the fact that a woman was sitting next to him running her hands casually over his inner thighs. The King was standing there as if carved out of stone.

"Isabella get your hands off my slave." He spoke slowly in a low threatening tone of voice. A look into the King's black eyes revealed anger, hatred and some other emotion Legolas couldn't identify. Legolas glanced at Isabella to see her reaction and she smiled, obviously pleased with herself and stood.

"As you wish. Have a pleasant day, your highness." Amusement was evident in her voice and she intentionally brushed past the king as she left.

If it was possible Legolas felt even more uncomfortable then when Lady Isabella was here. The King looked at him for a moment before speaking, "You will be expected at dinner tonight. Make yourself presentable."

He turned and left, shutting the door after him. Legolas could hear him berating the guard for allowing Lady Isabella entrance but Legolas was unsure if the guard could have stopped her anyways. According to Amelia, when Isabella didn't like you, you turned up dead. The guard was probably aware of this as well and didn't want to get on her bad side. Legolas could sympathize.

Which led Legolas to another problem. If the guards would allow her entrance, what would happen if she decided she did want him dead. Resisting the urge to groan, a very human-like thing to do, he picked up the book he had closed on the table and tried to take his mind off the unusual meeting, tonight's dinner appearance, and the fact that it was looking entirely to likely that he would end up dead before his father found out what happened to him.

Prince Faramir was going over the monthly crop rations when he heard a quiet deliberate knock on his study door.

"Enter." he called distractedly and Yasir, Faramir's personal servant and childhood friend came in, closing the door behind him.

"The King wants to see you." He stated immediately, not bothering to bow. Yasir would bow in public, but in private it was unnecessary as were titles.

Faramir looked up, "Now?"

"Before tonight." Faramir's face took on a sour look and Yasir sighed.

"Your going to have to forgive him eventually Faramir." Yasir said disapprovingly and Faramir looked at him angrily.

"No I'm not! Why would he give that slave Sakoya's old room?" The pure rage in Faramir's voice almost convinced Yasir that maybe he shouldn't have brought it up. Everyone knew that when Faramir was angry it was best to stay as far away as possible, though he rarely got angry. It just wasn't his personality.

They had been best friends for years though, and Yasir had the courage to say what needed to be said, not what his friend wanted to hear. It was a testament to their friendship that they could point out and examine each other without breaking the bond between them.

"That slave as you call him is a person, Faramir. It's unlike you to act so coldly toward a being regardless of race or social status. It's not the slaves fault that Boromir gave him Sakoya's old room." Yasir said patiently, a hint of censure in his voice, but Faramir wasn't moved.

"Maybe not. But that slave is in Sakoya's old room, sleeping in her bed! Why should I forgive Boromir for making the room of the woman who was more of a mother to us than our own mother a slave's room?" He practically spat the last two words and Yasir winced, but went on anyways. In for a pound and all that.

"There are many people who would consider Sakoya only a slave. No..no, don't get angry," Yasir told him, seeing the black rage slowly growing on Faramir's face," you know it's true. But no one is only a slave. You are open minded enough to realize that. You are also smart enough to realize that Boromir is not going to change his mind. You might as well deal with and get over it. You know your brother only gave him that room to get under Isabella's skin."

As Yasir said this however Faramir's face grew even darker, "I hate being the middle man between them. They are normally fine on their own, but they play these stupid games that inevitably hurt some innocent bystander. People keep getting hurt in this sadistic battle they're having. This slave is only the new pawn in their chess game and neither will hesitate to sacrifice him or play him to their advantage if it suits their fancy."

Yasir shot Faramir an understanding look. It was true. Lady Isabella and King Boromir didn't go well together. They brought out the worst in each other, but Yasir pushed his personal feelings on the matter to the side, using this statement as a chance to get through to Faramir regarding the new slave. "Exactly. You need to help the slave as much as possible. It's going to be hard enough on him with Isabella and Boromir playing him back and forth. Someone needs to show him some kindness. You've always liked Elves, Faramir." Yasir reminded him.

Faramir reluctantly nodded. "You're right Yasir," He shot his friend a fond smile, "I would have lost my mind a long time ago if I didn't have you to keep me sane."

Yasir smirked, "Just so we both know how much I do for you. I'm a wonderful friend." He said arrogantly.

Faramir declined to comment, instead pointing toward the stack of papers on his desk, "Oh ye wonderful friend, care to help?" He asked hopefully. Yasir stood up, shooting Faramir a bemused look.

"Sure. I'll get right on that, I'm just going to go to my room real quick." He said sarcastically, snorting as he left Faramir's study.

Faramir assumed, rightly so, that he wouldn't see his friend for the remainder of the day.

After Yasir left Faramir's he didn't have any place he really needed to be. He had always had this incurable curiosity that inevitably got him into some sort of mischief ever since he as a child. It was in fact, the things of legends, and had as children, almost gotten Faramir, Boromir and him killed on more than one occasion. Yasir had spoken to Lady Amelia, a friend of his, and she had asked him to watch out for the Elf.

Yasir knew that Amelia must regard the slave highly to ask for favors on his account, and as he walked down the corridor and outside to the fourth level he could feel that curiosity trying to break free. He had assured his promise to Amelia was fulfilled by making sure Faramir at least would treat the slave with the common decency that Faramir showed everyone, but he still wanted to see what it was about this slave that had everyone all worked up.

He glanced up to where he knew the Elf's room was and with a reluctant sigh, he turned around and went to the first level. The Elf would be at dinner tonight. He could wait until then.

The guard outside Legolas room escorted him to the great hall. They didn't talk much along the way, though whether that was due to the guards nature or the fact that Legolas was having a strange and confusing set of emotions that he wasn't sure how to work through, was anyone's guess. Legolas was torn between anger beyond anything he had ever felt before, even when the Men had captured him, annoyance at being in this position in the first place since he was careless enough to get captured, and Legolas could admit to himself a tiny bit of fear. A month ago, the thought that he would be a slave would have never crossed his mind.

Not because he was a prince. Elves didn't have slaves. They never had and they never would. To add insult to injury he was the youngest son of King Thranduil. The son of a Elven King reduced to being the pleasure slave of the King of Men. Just thinking about his father's reaction to that was like a nightmare. If Elves had nightmares, which they didn't.

Still, Legolas couldn't help but feel a little hopeful everytime he thought about his family. They had a bond which meant that they might be able to tell that something was wrong if they thought about it hard enough. Maybe Imaldris would send a message letting his father know that he hadn't arrived. This was a bit unlikely. Imaldris hadn't even known he was coming, it was a spur of the moment decision. It was likely that Thranduil would send a messenger to Imaldris if his brother Idhrenion wife Adanessa had her elfling.

But that wouldn't help Legolas now so he wasn't in a very good mood as he was led into the great hall. People were already seated and the noise was loud but not unbearably so. As he glanced around he couldn't help but feel satisfaction that Minas Trith's great hall was average compared to his father's. It was a small somewhat spiteful satisfaction, but he would take what he could get.

Unfortunately this triumph was short lived, being instantly overshadowed when he was led to the the dais. From hundreds of years of training he was able to keep his face completely free of all expression. Eleven people were sitting there, three of whom he recongnized and there was only one open seat that just happened to be next to the King's facing the rest of the great hall. Swallowing his distaste he gave a little bow, which the King didn't bother to acknowledge and walked around the table.

"At least you dressed." The King sneered as Legolas sat. Legolas bit his cheek to stop the response that was on the tip of his tongue and looked at his plate. It was nothing like anything the gaurds had brought him and even less like what Lady Amelia cooked. It didn't smell bad, but he was hesitant to eat it.

"Legolas, how are you settling in?" Legolas glanced up, startled, but it didn't show. Or at least he hoped it didn't. Prince Faramir was speaking and Legolas thought it was a ignorant question.

"To being a slave? As well as any free being can I suppose." The words escaped him before he could stop himself, but he didn't retract them. Instead he stared at the Prince with challenge.

To his credit, the prince didn't look away and Legolas knew from experience that human's usually couldn't hold an Elf's stare. Eventually however when the man next to him spoke the prince did look away but Legolas would swear he saw a flicker of guilt and remorse in his eyes.

That was interesting. Legolas looked at the prince calculatingly. If he didn't push to hard to soon, he might be able to convince Faramir to help him escape. Faramir looked at him questioningly, apparently sensing his gaze and Legolas smiled at him. This confused the prince even more which was Legolas goal. Humans were so easy to manipulate.

"Aren't you going to eat?" The prince finally asked, though he still looked a little confused. Legolas glanced down to his plate and struggled not to make a face.

"What is it?" Prince Faramir smirked and took a bite of his own plate before answering.

"Calves feet and rats." Legolas almost gagged. Rats? Thalion was right, humans were barbaric. Well except Amelia, Irvin and Ida. He closed his eyes in disgust when the prince made a huge show of eating the next bite.

"It really doesn't taste bad, you should try it." A smooth voice across from him said. Legolas reluctantly opened his eyes but refused to glance at the prince or anyone's plate. The man who spoke was in his mid twenties with long wavy black hair and blue eyes that were currently looking at Legolas in amusement.

Legolas had never met him before and didn't plan on taking his word for it so he simply looked at him blankly. The man however didn't seem to be put off by this because he leaned over the table slightly and studied Legolas as if he was an insect or an animal that he couldn't quite figure out. The amusement was replaced with fascination and it made Legolas a little uncomfortable.

"I've never seen an Elf before." The man spoke finally, his gaze still roaming over Legolas as if seeking some secret. Legolas didn't feel any sexual advances coming from the man, but Legolas still didn't like being looked at so insolently.

"I couldn't imagine you have." he responded but his gaze clearly said he thought the man was being rude. The man noticed this and smiled obviously enjoying himself. It irked Legolas that this man enjoyed his discomfort.

"Yasir, it's rude to stare." Prince Faramir said, having finally turned his attention away from the man sitting on his left.

The man, Yasir, snorted and rolled his eyes, "When have I ever cared about that?"

"Good point." Faramir responded dryly, and Yasir bumped his shoulder playfully. Legolas watched the display of familiarity carefully and decided that he would be a little nicer to this Yasir, since he was a good friend of the Prince.

You are putting to much stock in Prince Faramir helping you. It's doubtful he will. The thought he had been ruthlessly supressing since the half formed plan had first entered his mind, reared it's ugly head. Sure, maybe Legolas was relying to heavily upon a Man whom he didn't even know, betraying his brother to help Legolas, was a little vain and unlikely, but it was the best he could come up with.

Dinner was over all too soon, and Legolas didn't bother eating it. The King had ignored him since he sat down but know that dessert was coming he finally turned his attention to his slave.

Much to Legolas's chargin he found that he was offended that the King hadn't seen fit to visit him except when Lady Isabella did. It wasn't that he wanted the King to like him or that he wanted to be someone's pleasure slave. No, Legolas's thoughts were far more complex than that. He was starting to feel like the King thought he wasn't good enough to pay him attention or lie with him and the thought rankled Legolas. He didn't want to have sex with the King but it angered him to be put aside so easily.

Your going insane. A small voice told him, and Legolas agreed. He had to get away from Gondor before the rest of his sanity fled. Not that Legolas blamed his sanity. If he was capable of fleeing he would too. However, Minas Trith was far too guarded for an escape to be successful if he didn't have help from someone who knew their way around.

"You may go to your room." Was all the King said. Legolas felt his jaw drop open as he looked at the King but quickly shut it. How dare he!

"I will escort him." The man, Yasir, immediately volunteered and the King nodded his approval absently already engaged in a conversation with his councilor.

Legolas immediately stood and walked out the room behind Yasir. Outside he was as composed as ever but inside he was seething. He had been dismissed to his room like a little elfling and was barely able to contain his temper.

For a moment he let the rage to flow through him, allowing himself to revel in it. Anger was good. He could deal with anger. It was better than the confusion he would have to deal with if he thought even a little on why the King paid him no attention. Since he was first captured his emotions and thoughts had been in constant turmoil and he wondered if the drugs had a lingering affect. He hoped not but he had never seen the drugs they gave him and hadn't been able to identify it by taste or affect.

However, once the cool night air hit him, his anger receded, having no real target to take it out on.

He had almost forgotten about Yasir until the man spoke, "Do not think overmuch on the behavior of the King." The man said while motioning to two burly guards to follow them.

Legolas carefully hid his eagerness to question the man. He had learned a long time ago that it was easier to get your answers when you let someone speak on their own terms. He was sure it could work the same on humans so he stayed quiet on the walk back only glancing at the man to show he was listening.

The man walked close to Legolas but wasn't looking at him. Instead of going directly to Legolas's room, once they reached the fifth level he walked over to the walls and jumped up nimbly, sitting on the walls. Legolas glanced back at the guards who looked on alertly but not intrusively.

With a frown more of confusion than frustration Legolas followed the man sitting a few feet away from him, his long legs dangling over the city's walls. Legolas caught his first real view of the stars since he got to Minas Trith and gazed at them enraptured. It was comforting to think that in Mirkwood, his friends and family were looking at these same stars.

After a few minutes of silence Yasir began to speak again.

"It's a mind game. The King would have probably already taken you to bed, but he enjoys your confusion and the turmoil he knows your in too much to end the game just yet. He wants you so confused that you can't think straight. He doesn't just want to possess your body, he wants to possess you. To do so, he will have to make you willingly give him all control over yourself. It will be easier for you to do so if your in turmoil."

Legolas processed this information slowly. It cleared up a few things but he still didn't know what to think. Did the King really think Legolas would lie with him willingly? Legolas doubted that even the King was that arrogant. "Why does he want to possess me?" He finally settled for, since the man was looking at him for his response.

The man smiled bitterly, "Because he can't have the one he really wants. Not yet. But your better than nothing."

Legolas thought he knew the answer but asked anyway, "Who does he want?"

The man turned to face him fully, "Isabella."

He's in love with her. Legolas eyes widened in realization and wonder. The King wanted Isabella, but Yasir was in love with her.

"Why are you telling me this?" Legolas asked softly. He was beginning to feel sorry for this man, but this added a whole new twist to this already twisted situation he found himself in.

"You deserve to know," The man paused as if he was going to say something but stopped, "I'm expected at the feast." He said jumping down. The conversation was evidently over and the walk to Legolas room was made in a awkward silence.

"Goodnight." Legolas said and the man merely nodded impassively, taking a glance around the room for a moment before leaving, the door closing behind him.

As Legolas was changing a thought suddenly occured to him. What the King was doing to him wasn't so different than what he was doing to the Prince at dinner only on a much larger scale. The question was, now that he knew what the king was trying to do, could he use it to his advantage?