Abundant of thanks to all my lovely reviewers and readers, I love you all. I could never have done this without your support. Keep up the reviewing, I welcome criticism, just not overly done. Anyways love to all again and try not to kill me after this chapter.

km

Chapter 5

"So what is the story between you and Marchwarden Haldir?" Celebrian inquired as they make their way toward the pass. Skyler blushed slightly then said indifferently, "What do you mean, there's nothing between us except friendship."

Celebrian shook her head while laughing silently, then she said, "My dear there is no use denying it."

"Denying what?" Skyler replied stubbornly, "there is absolutely nothing between us, I mean for goodness' sakes we've only known each other for what? Four years or something?"

"You've been good friends for the whole time, haven't you?" Celebrian said knowingly.

"And, what is your point?"

"What I mean to say is," Celebrian paused then continued slowly, "Haldir and you are in love."

Skyler glared at her, "Stop it, what are you talking about? We never even really hug or you know do whatever soppy lovers were supposed to do."

Celebrian laughed, "My dear that is the notion of love. Real love doesn't occur like that, they creep up on you."

"Whatever." Skyler muttered indicating that the topic is close for discussion.

Celebrian smiled, "Well then, just keep in mind what I've said."

The party reached the pass the next day and proceeded to climb it. As Skyler advanced deeper and deeper into the mountain her restlessness grew. The path was too quiet, way too quiet. Most of the elves were strained too even though their elven façade hid the stress. Celebrian was unusually silent too.

What happened next was like a nightmare.

Suddenly black feathered arrows begin to fly towards them. Everywhere, all around them arrows flew. Skyler turned paled and grabbed her bow. The remaining elves who weren't taken down formed a ring around Celebrian but the arrows kept coming and it was difficult to shoot when one can't see the enemies. Then Skyler heard a cry, she turned around to see Celebrian on the ground with an arrow to her shoulder.

"Celebrian!" Skyler cried as she dropped down on her knees next to Celebrian, "Okay, hold still." Skyler said as she reached down for her dagger. She checked the arrows for barbs, satisfied that there were none Skyler whispered, "I'm going to pull the arrow out, please, hold still."

Celebrian nodded weakly. Skyler licked her dried lips nervously but she steadied her trembling hands and with one swift movement she pulled out the arrow. A small whimper escaped from Celebrian. Skyler ripped apart the bottom portion of her tunic and wrapped it around Celebrian.

"Lady Skyler you have to get Lady Celebrian away!" one of the guards shouted.

Skyler nodded and she pulled Celebrian up, with the Lady's daughter half leaning on her she stumbled out of the slaughtering field.

"Come on Celebrian, work with me here." Skyler said fiercely as Celebrian begin to slip.

"I feel very dizzy, Sky." Celebrian whispered.

Skyler turned even paler, damn, it was a poison arrow. Then instinct told her to turn around, but it was too late. Something came smashing down the back of her head and she crumpled down to the ground. The last thing she heard before she blacked out was Celebrian screaming.

"Oh Valar, my head." Skyler winced as she sat up holding her throbbing head then suddenly a thought hit her, "Celebrian!"

"Here." And a shuffled sounded next to her. Within seconds Skyler's eyes adjusted to the dark and she saw Celebrian crawling towards her.

"Where are we?"

"Somewhere in a cave's jail."

"Oh no, are you okay, the poison?" Skyler asked worriedly.

"I'm fine, they gave me something, I think to keep me alive for….torturing." Celebrian whispered her voice trembling, "how is your head. You were bleeding a lot."

"All is well, don't worry."

A raspy chuckle was heard, "What now, the human girl is awake." An orc came into view his grotesque face made even fiercer by his sneering. What made Skyler's blood ran cold however wasn't his face, it was the whip in his hand.

"So who should I start with, the pretty little elf or her human servant?" the orc snickered.

Skyler growled, "Don't you dare touch her you bastards!"

"Ho, we have a fierce one here boys!" the orc chuckled harshly, "well, we'll just start with you then, fetch her out!"

The iron door slid open with a callous groan and two orcs came in grabbing Skyler.

The rest was too horrible to describe, to Skyler the pain seemed unending as the orcs whipped and kicked and punched her until every inch of flesh on her body seemed to be ripped. No one ever heard her repeat what happened, except maybe Haldir and he never said anything either. Celebrian merely said a beating occurred, and she never went into the details. She only said…when Skyler was tossed back into the room there was blood everywhere…

"Sky, oh Valar, please answer me, Sky?" Celebrian cried as she dragged herself to the bloody bundle.

"…shh…I'm okay….don't worry…" Skyler gasped painfully.

"By Valar…" Celebrian sobbed as her hand wavered over Skyler's body, as if reading her thought Skyler grimaced, "It's fine, don't….you…don't touch me…" and then she fainted again.

The orcs came again next day and the process repeated itself since Skyler refused to let the orcs touch Celebrian. And if Skyler thought she was screaming yesterday, she was shrieking the next. When the orcs finished she wasn't moving anymore.

Celebrian muffled her own screams, "you killed her…by Valar…you killed…"

One of the orcs laughed coarsely, "We'll just leave her there for the elf to see. There's no use throwing her back in, the elf might tidy her up. She'll be our supper today"

With that the orcs left. What seems like hours later Celebrian saw a slight shudder, "Sky…sky?" she said in a low voice.

A small moan escaped the bundle, Celebrian whispered pleadingly, "Listen to me Sky, you have to crawl out of here do you hear me? You have to, they will eat you if you don't. Don't worry about me. Please, Sky, stand up and run. Run!"

Skyler stared at her, unwilling to abandon her, but Celebrian just mouthed, "Go!"

With what seemed like the last of her strength Skyler stumbled out the cave, and as if luck was with her that day the orcs were gone to who knows where. Stumbling around, Skyler bit back her screams as her body refused to cooperate with her. She knew she couldn't let the orcs see her, they would tear her apart. And so when she came to a stream, she threw herself in without hesitation. The cold water soothed and numbed her pain until she slipped into darkness once again.