Wow! Can I just say I am so so so excited by the amount of people who either followed/favorited this story? Literally, it made my day each time I received an email telling me someone else added this story. Ya'll are the best and I thank you for taking the time to read this little story of mine! I hope I can keep living up to your expectations! Again, I ask that if you have some form of critique please do not hesitate to send it my way. I am still very new to this world and this is my first attempt to write anything for LoTR. But please, no flames. I love ya'll so much for reading!

Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own any of it. But how I wish I did!

And here we go…

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

When Legolas woke he found himself in a cell of some sort. A single torch was in the far corner of the room, flickering in the subtle breeze coming from the barred window high above him. The light was just bright enough for him to make out the unmoving body of Estel across the room from him. His wrists were secured in iron manacles and held just above his head. Legolas' wrists were also chained but they were resting on the ground beside him. His shoulder was throbbing but he realized with surprise it was no longer dislocated. He frowned, why would they place his shoulder back in its socket?

He was unable to speculate further as he heard a soft groan from his right. He glanced to the opposite corner and noticed Calwen chained there for the first time. She was held in the same manner as Aragorn, her wrists suspended just above her head, and Legolas could see a dark stain on the collar of her shirt extending down her chest. Slowly her eyes blue eyes fluttered open and she blinked rapidly a few times before taking in her surroundings. Legolas could tell the moment she noticed him because she started pulling at the chains around her wrists, trying to get to him, "Hir vuin, are you well?"

Legolas nodded and gave her a tiny smile, "Yes, they seem to have fixed my shoulder though it still throbs. Are you okay Calwen? There is blood on your clothing."

Calwen shook her head, "It's nothing. It's from when they knocked me out in the forest. Do you know where we are?"

Legolas sighed with a shake of his head, "I woke up just before you and Estel is still unconscious. We couldn't have travelled very far though so we must be close to Mirkwood."

Calwen nodded her agreement, "King Thranduil will notice our absence by the afternoon when we do not return as scheduled. And since it is you and Estel he will assume the worst."

Legolas chuckled softly, "Yes I am sure he will and since it seems Dúlindir was not taken he can lead my father to our last location and they should be able to track us to wherever we are."

Calwen's face seemed to smooth and Legolas could see relief glowing in her eyes, "I'm glad he was not taken as well."

Legolas smiled kindly, "As am I."

Aragorn's groan of discomfort ended their conversation as Legolas turned his eyes to his friend. The Ranger seemed unharmed for the most part and Legolas was grateful for that small mercy. More often than not the human was injured more because his body was so much frailer than that of an elf, "Estel?"

Aragorn's silvery eyes blinked open slowly and it took a moment for the bleariness in them to fade. Finally though clear silver looked in Legolas' direction, "I see we've found ourselves captured again."

Legolas could not help the small laugh that passed his lips as he nodded, "Aye, so it would seem. Are you injured?"

Aragorn shook his head, "No, for once I am in one piece. And it would seem you are too, though you weren't when we were in the forest. How did you fix that shoulder of yours?"

Legolas frowned slightly, "I didn't. When I woke it was already mended."

Aragorn looked as confused as Legolas by this, "We were captured but your injury was healed? That is not normal."

Legolas couldn't agree more. He opened his mouth to say as much when the sound of footsteps reached his ears. He glanced to the door, wishing he was not so close to it but also thankful it was not Estel or Calwen who were chained beside it. Normally whoever was closest to the door was the one tormented first. He prayed this situation would work in the same manner.

The sound of a key sliding into a lock echoed through the now silent cell and a moment later the door swung open on rusty hinges. The grating sound vibrated through Legolas' head and he winced. The darkness was making his ears even more sensitive than normal.

Footsteps came closer as whoever captured them entered the dank cell. Legolas watched as a hooded figure stepped into the center of the room, his figure tall and lithe like an elf. But just like the elves in the forest something about him was wrong. The way he stood and walked was no natural for an elf. The elegance every elf was born with was all but absent from this creature. And when he turned toward Legolas, the blonde elf noticed his eyes were just as black as Thawon's. There was more evil in them though, a sinister edge and cold intelligence Thawon had not possessed.

"Prince Legolas Thranduilion, I did not believe Thawon when he first told me he captured you on the paths of Mirkwood. And yet, here you are. This truly is a testament to how powerful my disciples have become. Then again, no mere elf could stand against them anyway. It's amazing what dark magic can do and the power it can grant those who accept it," the strange elf's voice was what Legolas imagined darkness sounded like. Cold, emotionless and filled with a power that sent shivers up Legolas' spine.

"Who are you?" Legolas was slightly surprised his voice came out as strong and steady as it did. Inside he was terrified for reasons he couldn't understand. Something about this dark being before him was making everything inside him squirm and writhe uncomfortably. He knew this being was evil, "What are you?"

At this, a thin and calculating smile spread over the pale face, "I am Ulunnor, but you will call me Master just as the rest of my disciples do. As for what I am, I thought it would be obvious. I am an elf. Not an elf like you of course. I have been touched by darkness and unlike my brethren I did not turn into an orc when pushed to the breaking point. I became something better and stronger. And now, I can make other elves like me. You will become like me as well once I'm done."

Legolas scoffed, ignoring the fear growing in his chest, "I will never become something as dark and twisted as you. Uuvanimo! (Monster!)"

Ulunnor's smile only grew wider, "You say that now but before I'm done you will be begging for the power I can offer you. You will be the strongest of my disciples and with you beside me Mirkwood will fall."

"You know nothing. Legolas would never betray his people, no matter what you do to him," Aragorn's voice was low and dangerous and Legolas could hear the anger smoldering just below the surface.

At the sound of Aragorn's voice Ulunnor turned to him. The sinister smile was still present on his face and he did not look the least bit perturbed, "Ah, Aragorn. I nearly forgot you were here as well. The son of Arathorn and the heir to Gondor. You are to be the future King of Men. You are almost as great a prize as Legolas. You may be human but there is enough elf blood in you for my powers to work on you almost as well as they do on your elvish friends. I must say though, a Man befriending the son of Thranduil is not something I would have expected. After all, everyone knows how much Thranduil hates Men. Even if they are of Númenorean descent. How did you manage to get so close to his precious little Prince?"

"Estel has long been a friend of the elves and not even my father would turn him away," Legolas snarled, not liking how Ulunnor was eyeing his friend. Almost like a shark eyes its prey right before eating it.

Ulunnor turned back to Legolas now, that skin-crawling smile still in place. Legolas was determined to smack that smile off his face before this was all over. Ulunnor moved to Legolas now, his gait smooth but devoid of the elegance normally associated with elves. He stopped just in front of Legolas, crouching so they were eye to eye, "You are going to be very fun to break. Such strength in your eyes. Such stubbornness as well. But when you are with me, you will be glorious."

Legolas spit in his face, "I will not join you, uuvanimo. I thought I made that perfectly clear already?"

Ulunnor's hand darted out from his cloak in a blur of motion and wrapped itself around Legolas' throat. His grip was like iron and Legolas found it impossible to draw even a tiny breath in. His legs kicked and thrashed, trying to desperately to throw the dark elf away from him. His hands clawed at the arm and still Ulunnor did not move. He could hear Aragorn shouting, demanding Ulunnor stop or he would die. But Ulunnor just squeezed tighter and Legolas thought for sure his neck would snap under the pressure. Black dots were beginning to dance across his vision and his was swimming. He was going to pass out soon.

Just as Legolas felt his eyes begin to roll back in his head Ulunnor's and left his throat. He coughed and choked on the fresh air his lungs greedily pulled in. His whole body was shaking and no matter how hard he tried it wouldn't stop. He opened his bleary eyes which he couldn't even remember closing, and shot the darkest glare he could at his captor. Ulunnor smirked as he stood, "Let this be lesson one: I do not tolerate disrespect. Next time you choose to lash out at me I will not be so kind."

And with a flourish of his cloak Ulunnor was gone.

Legolas could practically feel Aragorn's eyes on him. He did not doubt the young healer was obsessing over all the things that could be wrong with him right now. Aragorn was very much a mother-hen when it came to healing and he was one hundred times worse when it came to his friends. With a sigh that ached Legolas turned to his concerned friend. He was not surprised to find silvery eyes glue to his neck and wondered just what he must look like. He knew there would be bruising on his neck, he could feel the throbbing ache of it already. When he spoke, his voice was thin and scratchy, "Amin naa eithel, mellon nin." (I am well, my friend.)

"Uma il- risa a' amin (Do not lie to me)," Aragorn's voice was strict as he stared his friend down, "I am not a fool, Legolas. I can see the bruises on your neck from here, even in this dim lighting. And your voice sounds like it is barely there. Can you breathe without trouble?"

Legolas took one deep breath, wincing slightly as it scratched up his throat, and nodded, "Yes. There is some pain but that is normal I should think."

Aragorn nodded, "Good. I do not want to watch you die because you were being stubborn and wouldn't tell me something was wrong."

Legolas smiled slightly and turned to Calwen, who up until this point was silent, "Naa lle eithel? (Are you well?)"

Calwen's pale eyes looked to him and Legolas could see the fear lurking in their depths. Calwen was a brave and noble Warrior, but she was very young and Legolas knew this was probably the first time for her as a prisoner. He and Aragorn were too used to such things and often forgot what it was like that first time they woke in an unknown place, bound and locked away from help. She offered him a small smile and a nod, "Yes, hir vuin. I am fine. Merely worried about what this Ulunnor plans to do now that he has us."

Legolas was also worried about Ulunnor's intentions. He obviously wished to turn them all toward the Darkness to help in his quest to rule all of Middle Earth. But Legolas also had the feeling this "gift" he was offering was something they had to choose. He did not want to think about the methods this dark elf would use to make them accept his power as their own, "Aye that worries me as well. Whatever he is planning, it cannot be good."

"Dúlindir should be on his way to my father right now, if he is not already there already. He will bring help and we will escape this place," Aragorn said, the confidence in his voice wavering only slightly. Legolas knew he was worried they were beyond his father's reach because those same thoughts were passing through his own mind. What if his father could not save them in time? What if they became just like Ulunnor? They were strong but every man, and every elf, can be broken.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Dúlindir ran through the night, pushing his legs as fast as they would go. He needed to warn King Thranduil about these dark elves and track them before it was too late. He knew Legolas and Aragorn could handle themselves no matter the situation but even their stubborn wills could only last so long. And Calwen….they were both so new to this world of fighting and he did not know how long she could hold out before she broke. His sister was strong, she had to be after the death of their parents, but he knew she could be broken. He refused to allow his Prince and his sister to be turned against their people. He knew that was the intention of these dark elves. The one in the forest spoke of a master, someone who wished to have Legolas on his side for coming battles. If the Prince was somehow broken and turned against them all they stood no chance. Thranduil was a brave and just King but he would not harm his own son. Dúlindir knew this.

Just as dawn was breaking over the horizon he burst through the first checkpoint into the palace. No one tried to stop him or if they did he did not pay enough attention to hear it. He was in a rush and already too much time had passed. How many hours had it been already? Four? Five? Too many. He kicked his legs even faster, ignoring the burning in his chest and the screaming of his muscles as he pushed his body farther than it should ever be pushed. He thanked the Valar for the speed and agility they blessed all elves with as he finally reached the main gates of the palace. He was nearly there.

"Dúlindir! Where are you rushing to?" a voice he took no time to recognize called after him. He did not respond or even acknowledge the speaker and he knew that would draw ridicule later but he did not care. There were lives at stake!

Finally, blessedly, he was just outside the King's throne room. He was a panting and sweaty mess but he knew King Thranduil would pardon it just this once. So without another second wasted he burst into the throne room and raced across the wide room to the throne at the opposite end.

Thranduil was speaking with a few of his advisors when Dúlindir burst in and he looked startled by the appearance of the young Warrior. Dúlindir bowed quickly and approached his King. Thranduil sent his advisors away and Dúlindir could see the confusion and even a hint of worry growing in his eyes, "Amin Aran (My King), I…I bring…I bring news."

"Seere (Peace), Dúlindir. Catch your breath and then tell me of this news," Thranduil said kindly. He glanced toward the doors, as if expecting someone else to come waltzing through at any second. Dúlindir cringed, knowing he was waiting for his son and the rest of the party to enter, "Where is my son, Dúlindir? And you sister?"

"That is the news I bring you, amin Aran. They have been captured. Legolas, Estel and Calwen were all taken. We were traveling toward Dol Guldur when we heard a noise ahead of us. We took to the trees at Prince Legolas' instruction because we were uncertain what was approaching us. Three elf-like creatures entered the path below us and Legolas joined them on the forest floor to find out if they were in need of anything. They were unlike any other elves I have ever seen, amin Aran. They were dark and twisted and they spoke of a Master who wished to rule Middle Earth. They wanted to Legolas to join them and when he refused they threatened him. That is when Calwen and Estel joined Legolas on the ground. I remained in the trees with my bow drawn and ready. But before I could even loose a single arrow Estel and Calwen were unconscious. Legolas followed them a moment later," Dúlindir paused and knelt before Thrnaduil, "I failed you, amin Aran. Forgive me."

Dúlindir heard the King fall back onto his throne and when he looked up he saw not a King, but a father. The worry and fear etched into the face of Thranduil was that of a father as he worried for the son he may never see again. Dúlindir felt his guilt grow as he watched his King struggle to pull himself back together. This was not the first time Legolas was captured but with orcs they knew what to expect and they knew Legolas could hold himself together long enough to either escape or be rescued. These dark elves were a new threat though and no one knew what they would do to the Prince and his friends.

After another minute Thranduil sat up a little straighter and Dúlindir saw the determination in his eyes. They were hard now and Dúlindir saw the Warrior in his King coming forward, "Are you well enough to travel back to the point where Legolas was taken?"

Dúlindir nodded, "Of course!"

"Good. Take four Warriors with you and see if you can track where my son and the rest of your party was taken. Send one back if you are successful and I will have a battalion ready to free them from these dark elves," Thranduil ordered the father gone and the Warrior King taking over. Dúlindir knew Thranduil would go himself to track his son if his people didn't need him here. Before Dúlindir could turn to leave a hand fell on his shoulder, "I do not blame you for this, Dúlindir. There was nothing you could have done save what you already have. Thank you for not being foolish and getting yourself captured as well."

Dúlindir dipped his head respectfully, "Diola lle, amin Aran." (Thank you, my King.)

So, I hope this was okay and met/exceeded your expectations after the last chapter. I know it's kinda short and a little slow but I felt it was a needed chapter so…yeah! As always, any and all reviews are welcomed and I look forward to hearing from ya'll again soon!

-Tempest