Okay thank you everybody that reviewed! And I said I would try to update before I left on vacation and I almost didn't but than I felt bad... real bad... because I love all you guys that took the time to read and review my story.
Tinnuial: Thank you I am SO glad you are interested because that is, after all, what I was trying to do! I hope I didn't update too late that you are no longer interested...
Orlibloomsgirl: Oh, do stop, I'm blushing! (Btw, that means: by all means do continue, LOL! ) I hope you like this new chapter!
MoroTheWolfGod: Will Pip do it? Hmm, I don't know maybe you should read on to find out. ;)
EMerald QUeen: Hmm, poor, poor Legolas... you do wonder what happened to him... so do I, LOL! ...no, I am just kidding, I know what happened to him but you don't so if you want to find out you will just have to read! Thanks for the lovely review!
Alida-Fruit: Thank you for all the compliments! I try to portray Legolas as Tolkien would have done in this situation but as Tolkien would never exactly torture Legolas... well, in any case, thank you...
Star-Stallion: Hmm, well Legolas actually took the news that I updated again surprisingly well, didn't you, Legso?
Legolas: Erm, ::in unusually high voice:: Yes, sure, uh huh, yep, of course! ::Gazes around uneasily::
See like I said he took the news surprisingly well...
Lady Lenna: Ohh ::blushes:: Thank you for the lovely review...
Kelly: Thanks for reviewing the story!!
So here is the new chapter (Oh, and if words are in ---lalala--- that means they are in Elvish but I didn't have time to translate them ok).
Chapter 3: Dreams
"I have no memory of this place."
Gandalf's last words were ringing in Legolas' ears... How long would they have to stay here? Would they stay here for all the rest of eternity? Doomed forever to wander in the darkness? Legolas sat beside the light again, and no sooner had he done that, when one of the Halflings wandered over to him. Pippin. As soon as Pippin arrived, Legolas gave a small smile to reassure him, because he looked rather nervous. Pippin sat next to him and said, "Legolas, can I ask you a question?"
Legolas smiled and replied with a hint of humor, "Certainly; you just did, but you may ask another one if you wish."
Pippin lightly touched Legolas' arm and asked softly, "Where did you get this scar?" At the last word he pulled up Legolas' sleeve a bit. Legolas' smile vanished immediately and a look came into his eyes that Aragorn identified as pain. Legolas was aware now that everyone was listening intently.
Legolas looked for words to explain that would not give anything away.
"I was... captured by the enemy..." said Legolas, slowly, stalling for time.
"But why would they want to do that to you?" asked Pippin incredulously."One: because of my Father and his place in Mirkwood, two: simply because I am an Elf, and three: is a reason that is of no significance to this discussion." Legolas said in tone that clearly said don't-ask-me-what-the-third-reason-is.
"What's your father's place in Mirkwood?" Pippin asked curiously.
Legolas hesitated for a moment before replying laconically, "He is the Elven King."
Pippin looked up at Legolas with surprise and awe in his eyes. "But then that would make you the..."
"Prince of Mirkwood? Aye," Legolas finished for Pippin. "Think nothing of it we are of the same status, and besides that... I do not deserve the title Prince." Legolas said the last sentence under his breath and only Gandalf heard, though he told Aragorn.
"Yes, Prince Legolas."
Legolas laughed and responded: "Did I not just say not to use my title, young Peregrin Took?"
Pippin blushed and replied, "My name is Pippin."
"And mine is Legolas," he said with a smile.
Everyone laughed at the tactic Legolas used to trick Pippin, though Gandalf remained silent, apparently deep in thought.
Suddenly Gandalf said, "Ah! It's that way!"
"He's remembered!" said Merry joyfully.
"No, young Meriadoc, but the air doesn't smell so foul down here," Gandalf said with a twinkle in his eye, as he led them down a set of stairs. "When in doubt, always follow your nose."
Legolas was relieved he was not going to be interrogated further and more than happily once again took up the rear. Aragorn was near Gandalf and the only source of light but judging by the look in Aragorn's stormy eyes, the ranger wished to question Legolas about something else. Something else Legolas was not so sure he was ready to speak about.
Finally they arrived at the place Gandalf was going to have them sleep that night and Legolas said he would take the first shift. Aragorn said he would stay awake and watch with the Elf. It did not take long for everyone to fall asleep, but Legolas felt he could not sleep even if he had a choice. He felt too suffocated by the darkness that surrounded him.
Aragorn came over next to Legolas and asked, "Nar le mae?"
"I am fine, Aragorn, why would I not be? Fear is unworthy of a warrior," Legolas replied stubbornly, with a defiant look flashing in his eyes.
Aragorn felt exasperated. Why, oh, why, did Legolas have to be so darn stubborn? He knew very well he was NOT okay and yet he refused to show any sign of weakness! "Legolas, do not worry; I do not think you incapable of taking care of yourself, it is only that I..."
"You quite right, son of Arathorn," Legolas interrupted angrily, "I am not unable to take care of myself and I do not need you to act like my father. I do not need someone to take care of me as though I am a mere elfling! Just because I am not my father the strong Elven King of Mirkwood, who would never get caught in the trap that I did, does NOT mean I am helpless! Now if you would be so kind, is not the point of taking watch to be silent and watch?"
Aragorn watched as Legolas silently strode past the Halflings to take watch from the other side of the room they were in. Aragorn knew Legolas did not like being in here just as he knew Legolas needed his space for now. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of unbearable silence, other than the occasional snore of Gimli or one of the hobbits, they woke up Gandalf and Boromir for their shift.
"Legolas, my friend, take some rest; you need it," Gandalf said as he stood up. His old hat tipped awkardly off the side of his head and he straightened it as he blinked.
"Aye, Mithrandir," Legolas said wearily, "though I do not think I shall be able to get any rest whilst we are in Moria."
Legolas went over to a wall away from the others of the Company, and though he did not think it possible, he did eventually arrive in the realms of Elven slumber, though his dreams were far from pleasant and as was usual for an Elf, it was vivid.
"Hello, my pretty Prince; so glad you decided to join us today." He spoke as though Legolas had a choice and was living the life of luxury. "Have you decided to enlighten us on the whereabouts of your brother?" said Saruman, silkily.
"Never!" spat Legolas at the fallen wizard.
"Ahh, I see we did not learn our lesson last time. This time I will make sure you know what it is about!" He turned to a group of Orcs who stood behind him and snapped: "Vushnak, gather your orcs and give our Prince a lesson in obedience! You have fifteen minutes to do whatever you want with him, but leave him alive!"
"Yes, my lord," said the Orc called Vushnak, with a cruel sneer, and scuttled out.
"Duldrus, Burog, would you be so kind as to escort the Prince to the area where he will be learning his lesson today, same place as last time." It was not a proposition.
Now Saruman caressed Legolas' cheek and said, "Be obedient, your Highness, and mayhap my pets will be nicer to you." Legolas pulled back in revulsion and Saruman laughed cruelly as they led him out.
The orcs attacked Legolas with blunt and sharp swords and with whips that that were sharp at the end, so that every time they hit him and pulled back, skin came off, leaving him raw and red. The whips caressed every inch of his body but Legolas still refused to cry out. Soon his back was but a bloody mess, and yet they continued. Legolas hissed in pain through his clenched teeth. He hadn't known such pain was possible. His entire body was screaming in agony at him. One of them gripped him by the neck and dragged him upwards. He threw him against one of the walls and began punching him, then they threw him on the ground and he could hear them laughing harshly.
Finally one of the Orcs called Vushnak said something in the black speech and they all laughed. Another Orc, Oknag, came forward bearing a piece of white hot metal. Legolas felt a sickening feeling rise up in him as he saw the metal. Oknag held it above him taunting him, then put it against one of his many wounds and held it there, enjoying the pain Legolas was going through. Legolas bit back a scream at the pain he felt, the metal burned his open wound and sent white hot pain coursing through his veins, Legolas felt as though he might die. Though he bit his lips, and clenched his teeth, and attempted to think of something other than the pain, it dominated his thoughts and he could not help it: he screamed. He heard the low guttural laughter of the orcs. Finally Oknag pulled it away, but it was not out of mercy.
Legolas painfully willed himself to look up and immediately regretted having done so. Saruman was coming towards him with a glint in his cold eyes. He stepped up to Legolas and with a sadistic smile, said, "Now are you willing to talk, my pet?"
Legolas said nothing but stared at Saruman icily. Saruman grew angry and said, "You will learn your place here, Prince Legolas. People don't respect you here. You are my slave! And until you learn to behave so, you will be treated like one!"
Then, before Legolas' pain-numbed mind he could register what he would do, the Wizard kicked him in the face. Legolas went sprawling across the floor as he held back tears and a moan. Blood was seeping out of his mouth where he was kicked and trickling out of a new wound on his forehead. The fall had agitated Legolas' burn but he made no impression that he was in pain. He leaned forward so his fair hair, which now hung mostly in bloody clumps, fell in front of his face, masking his pain. He was breathing heavily, but he would not allow the Wizard to break him.
Instead he sharply drew in a breath stumbled up, surprising Saruman. He swayed on his feet but retorted, "Well, I knew before I came on my little excursion here, but after the lessons you have taught me I have learned further... my place is way above filthy monsters like YOU!"
Then while Saruman was stunned for a moment Legolas took advantage of the situation. Though he could not use his hands, he kicked Saruman hard in the stomach and while he was doubled over Legolas kicked him in the face. Orcs immediately restrained him, and gave him some wounds of their own. Saruman stood up, blood shining now on his face as well.
"You will regret that you ever did that, Elf!"
"I am not so confident I shall!" Legolas retorted coolly.
Saruman's eyes flashed and he snapped, "We will have another chat later, your highness, but for the moment I cannot bear your face for another moment!" He turned to the Orcs, "You may have him for another 10 minutes, then put him back in his cell!" and he strode away snapping orders at the orcs to stop staring.
Legolas jerked awake in a cold sweat. The whole Fellowship was staring at him with concerned looks on their faces. Aragorn came over and put his hand on Legolas' shoulder then he said, "Legolas, my friend, are you all right?"
Legolas looked up, but instead of Aragorn he saw Saruman gripping at his shoulder and saying, "Legolas, my pet, are you willing to talk today?" Legolas pushed him away roughly and said: "Let me go! Don't touch me! Don't touch me!" He began to attack the ranger, still seeing Saruman leering over him with a cruel smile.
Aragorn held him pinned against the floor as he cried, "Legolas, mellon-nín, im Estel! Daro!"
Legolas stopped fighting and looked at Aragorn with confusion in his silver eyes. Then understanding took place of the confusion and Legolas murmured softly, still shaking, "'Twas naught but a dream..."
Aragorn then said, "Legolas, mani marte? Nar le mae?"
"Im triw, Aragorn, ceri u fuio nia anim," Legolas replied irritably, ashamed that the entire Fellowship had seen his weakness at its very worst.
"Baw, Legolas! Lin u triw a im ceri fuio le!" said Aragorn just as irritably as Legolas.
"Antolle ulua sulrim, Aragorn, dina!" Legolas said without thinking.
Aragorn said nothing and Legolas suddenly felt horrible, "Im naer, mellon-nín, edhored anim. Im isto u sih im pedo ---but, please, I do not wish to worry the little ones---"
"Ha er triw, mellon-nín, ah lin u, lin firith."
"Im iston," said Legolas, so quietly that only Aragorn and Gandalf could hear.
Now Gandalf said, "Legolas, I think you owe your fellow comrades the truth about what happened to you."
"Im iston," Legolas repeated. Then he spoke in the common tongue, "Do you all truly want to know, for the story is not that of a pleasant one."
Mani marte? Nar le mae?: What happened? Are you well?
Im triw, Aragorn, ceri u fuio nia anim: I am fine, Aragorn, do not worry about me.
Baw, Legolas! Lin u triw a im ceri fuio le!: No Legolas! You are not fine, and I do worry about you!
Antolle ulua sulrim, Aragorn, dina!: Much wind pours from your mouth, Aragorn, be silent!
Im naer, mellon-nín, edhored anim. Im isto u sih im pedo: I am sorry my friend, forgive me. I know not what I say.
Er triw, mellon-nin ah lin u, lin firith.: It is fine, my friend, but you are not.
Im iston: I know