What Used To Be

Disclaimer: I only own the characters you don't recognise.

BTW, what does AU actually stand for? I've been wondering for a while now and it'll probably be something really obvious. The only one I can think of (that makes sense) is Authors Universe.

FemaleSpock: Well, it's planned out in my book as being about 5 more chapters long. But then, chapter 8 was supposed to be chapter 6 according to my book so it may be more. I'm pretty sure it'll be finished by the new year though. Which is only 5 weeks away! I'm glad you like these messages...I like writing them. You are appreciated (well not just you but everyone who reviews although you especially because you were my first reviewer ever.) :) :)

Swanfeather: Well you didn't think I was going to make him sail, did you? I hope not. I'm glad you liked the chapter best chapter yet? Wow I didn't want to go too overboard and drag on for ages (like Treebeard) but wanted to let you all know how hard this was for him. :) :)

Nosterineth: Well maybe it's not too hard for you although it's easy for me now (what does it mean anyway? Is it a character from something, or what?) But you must of noticed how rubbish I am at spelling and stuff. (Although it wasn't until I started trping in Word and seeing all those little red lines that I realised just how bad I really am.) Happy you liked the chapter :) :)

stlova: Um OK a LOTR movie question...right...OK, what is Gimli's first line in The Fellowship of the Ring? Also, I presume you've watched all the behind the scene stuff that came with the movies, right? If you have...can I ask you a question on that? Because they were just so hilarious. I'm glad you liked the chapter! :) :)

Chapter 8

Legolas watched the men from where he sat with disgust. He had been surveying the camp for about an hour now, and already he was bored.

Dari was somewhere in the cave, he knew, but as far as Legolas could see there was only one way in. Through the front - where at least half the men were sitting. The sun was starting to go down now, and they were all getting ready for an evening meal. Legolas could see Eradan, but not the captain. This worried him slightly. If he wasn't here, he was probably with Dari. He knew what that meant, and this made him even more determined to get in there. Eldarion hadn't exactly looked well when Legolas had seen him earlier so he dreaded to think about the state he might be in now.

He couldn't just go running in there, though. Not by himself. Maybe if he had had some back-up....but he didn't, so there was no point in dwelling on it. He began to crawl nearer to the cave mouth. As he got nearer to the group of men, he began paying attention to what they were saying again.

"What's the captain going to do with the boy when we get there then?" One was just asking.

Eradan glared at him. "Whatever it is, it's not going to be nice." He cackled.

"But if you're askin' me, the brat deserves it." Another put in.

"Well nobody was askin' you, were they." The first man spat.

"I just want to get going, get out of here. Place gives me the creeps."

At least I'm not the only one. Legolas thought bitterly. Then he looked towards the entrance again. He couldn't see anyone immediately in the cave, but they had to be in there as he counted fourteen men outside, and there hadn't been anyone in the surrounding area. That left around eight inside...admittedly not many. If he could get rid of everyone outside the cave, he could handle the ones inside. He didn't want to kill anyone, but he would if he had to. All he wanted to do was get Dari out of there, safe. It couldn't be that hard.

Legolas turned and surveyed the trees. How could he get the men out of there? A plan began forming in his mind. Legolas quietly moved back and around the clearing, but not too far away from the opening. Slowly, he took one of his arrows from his quiver and aimed. He let his breath go for a second and released his arrow.

He watched in satisfaction as the arrow flew past an unsuspecting Eradan's head and into a tree. Everyone in the camp stopped what they were doing for a moment and looked at the arrow in shock. Legolas sighed. He only had so many arrows, but nonetheless he pulled another one out, moved a few paces away and let another one go, just missing a second man. This time he got a reaction, and most of the men jumped up. Legolas darted quickly into the trees (or he would of been trampled by a group of men) and watched as ten of the group hurried by below him, weapons drawn. Knowing there was no time to loose Legolas dropped back to the ground and went to deal with the other men. One of them had disappeared into the cave but there was still three out there, warily watching the arrows in the tree.

Pulled out his knives and sneaked up behind the unsuspecting men. Quick as a flash, he hit him - hard - over the head twice with the handle of his knife. They made an unpleasant cracking sound, but before the other men could react to him, he had pushed his knife into one's arm, not to kill but wound, and kicked him to the floor and made use of his fists by knocking the other out. He spared only a moment to look at his work before moving onto the cave.

To his annoyance, the first thing he saw was another man, waiting about two metres inside the cave, just out of sight in the dark.

"What-" Legolas had cracked him over the head with his knife as well before the man could finish his sentence. He waited tensely to see if the mans cry had bought any others, but it seemed fine. Cautiously he began to move down the cave.
It was one of the most horrible places he had ever had the misfortune to set foot in. Every inch of his body was telling him to turn around and get out, and only the thought of Dari drove him on. However bad this was for him, he knew it was ten times worse for Dari. It didn't really make a difference though.

Legolas couldn't even keep to one side of the cave. His faint blue glow meant that he would be even more visible in the dark corners than in plain view. Plus, this place seemed to go on forever. The deeper into the cavern the more nervous he got. He couldn't help but wonder where everyone was - it didn't seem very well protected.

But the answer was given to him pretty soon. There was a small side chamber, and gathered in it were there other eight men. Seven were standing in a circle, laughing and one was in the middle - the captain, of course. He didn't need to see Dari to know Dari was there. It was obvious, and it was also obvious that these men hated Eldarion and his family very much. Legolas felt sickened by what was happening - whatever it was, Dari hadn't done anything, it was all just to spite Aragorn.

He couldn't see what was happening, but he could certainly hear. He could hear every evil word, every bitter whiplash, every desperate scream.

"That's right," The captain whispered. "Scream like a little baby - shoulda heard my Falas scream, you should have. Trapped, she was. But you don't care about that now, do you? DO YOU?"

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Dari cried. It was followed by several screams, which meant several whiplashes too.

Legolas closed his eyes. He just couldn't block out that last scream of Dari's...strange. He had only known the child for a few days, and he had been closer to Hal anyway, but he wanted to kill these men for what the were doing anyway.

No-one is going to die, he reminded himself.

Then it stopped. The room fell into silence. No more laughing, no more screaming, no more cruel words. Just the laboured breathing of Dari and the sharp click of the captains shoes as he moved around the small room.

"Yes?" He asked finally, softly.

"Er- erm, captain outside - we are being attacked, there were arrows and-" One of the group stuttered at being asked a direct question from their captain, who clearly scared them.

The captain swore loudly. "Well, what are you just standing there for?" He hissed. "Get outside! Now!"

Legolas's heart seemed to stop. If they came out, he was in full view. He would be found out and then what use would he be to Dari? Right now he felt like swearing loudly too.

Legolas looked at the dirt ground. Could he smear it on his face to disguse himself? Could he make it back to the opening? Could he-? It was no use. This whole thought process had only taken a split second, and now the men were trampling out at top speed.

They stopped pretty quickly when they saw Legolas though.

"Who're you?" One demanded aggressively.

Legolas swore loudly in response.

................................

OK short chapter I know but I can't really help it :) Please review :) Thanks for reading :)