What Would We Lose?

Disclaimer: I do not own any of Tolkiens magnificant works nor am I getting paid for this. None of the characters are mine except Caimac (OC), andNerdanel...whose name is from the Sillamarian but based on a character I made up...so she's mine. Again...I don't own any of the original character. Rothinzil is introduces in this story chapter…he's property of Celebdil-Galad.

Rated: PG-13 some violence torture and cursing...not good for the little ones.

Summary: A close friend of Legolas' is in the hands of humans who want power over the Elven Kingdoms. How long will it take for them to gain the information they seek? how long will it take for that friend to be saved? How far will the bonds of friendship and duty go to keep that information safe?

Chapter 4: We meet again

I've waited

Now you've come

I'm sorry that I couldn't be strong

I couldn't protect you more

"Aragorn! Can't you run faster?" the blonde being hollered to the human behind him as he ran through the forest.

"I can only go as fast as my legs can carry me Elf." The dark haired human jested as he ran up behind his friend. "So what are we doing this time?"

"Aragorn- do we need a reason to run the woods? There is nothing here that will frighten you if that is what you are wondering." The Elf laughed clasping his friend on the shoulder.

"Legolas!" Aragorn cried incredulously.

"Sorry mellon nin." The Elf smiled widely at his friend as he walked through the forest. It was a rather sunny day for the middle of the year.

"Sure you are." The human joked as he gently shoved the Elf to the side. Only after he heard the bone crunching snap did he notice what had happened.

Legolas fell to the ground a cry of agony tearing out of his mouth. A large metal trap snapped the bones in his leg in two but the leg was still attached. The iron grip that the trap had was vice like. Aragorn fell to the ground trying to pry the trap from his friend's leg. But the metal was slick with blood and the metal wouldn't budge. He knew that it was hopeless. Legolas begged with his eyes as he bit his lower lip, tears welled up in his eyes. The pain was so intense, almost blinding.

"Well well well. Looks like we caught something boys." A sinister voice cooed from behind the trees.

Aragorn was quick to draw his sword as he stood in front of his friend. Legolas but his tongues in pain as he was trying move enough to protect him without jarring his trapped leg. But it was with no avail. Aragorn had a hard time concentrating on the people moving in the shadow of the trees and on protecting his friend who was in pain. His heart said to stay by his friend's side and help with the pain but something told him to protect as well.

"Some how I don't believe that we caught a bear, boys. I think we caught something better." The voice came again sly and callous.

"Show your face!" Aragorn cried as he watched a man walk towards him and Legolas.

"Ranger put that sword down before you hurt someone." The voice cooed. "Don't want anything to happen to your friend now do you?"

"What do you mean?" Aragorn's grip on the sword tightened as the man circled him, he could sense others hiding in the shadows of the trees.

"Well at the moment I think your little blonde friend is in quite a bind, in more ways then one." The man walked into a beam of light so Aragorn could see his face.

Aragorn turned to see a man holding Legolas' head back exposing the Elf's fair neck to a razor sharp dagger. A silver tear ran down Legolas' face, his eyes telling Aragorn there was nothing he could do. Aragorn knew it, he watched his friend wince as his wound was jolted, the metal jaws of the trap digging into his leg. Aragorn winced as he heard Legolas gasp in pain, and then he turned his attention to the unknown man.

"What do you want with us?" Aragorn demanded his voice quavering.

"What every man wants at least once in their life." The man paced in front of Aragorn like a cat cornering its prey. "Power."

"Then you have no need for us. We have nothing of the power you desire." Aragorn replied, his grip even tighter on the sword's hilt.

"Oh but on the contrary you have everything that I need. Power over the two Elven lords. Thranduil and Elrond I do believe Aragorn son of Arathorn." The man smirked deviously as he stopped in front of Aragorn.

Aragorn winced. His identity was quickly found out as was Legolas'. This wasn't good. Aragorn stole a look back at his friend. The Elf was not doing well, he was pale and sweat beaded his forehead, but his eyes remained alert; the Elf wanted him to stay his ground. Aragorn was torn once again between decisions. Attack the man and take the chance of his friend being killed, try and run and face the hidden men, or give in.

"What do you want?" Aragorn asked his eyes finding a deep interest in the grass.

"Come with us peacefully, no escape attempts, no crazy harebrained attempts to run otherwise your Prince will die." The man pulled out his own sword checking the sharpness of the blade.

"Who are you?"

"Figure it out yourself Ranger." The man quickly advanced on Aragorn hitting him in the side of the head with the flat side of his sword. Aragorn fell to the ground unconscious.

The man walked over to Legolas and knelt before him. The Elf tried to shy away from him but it only brought on another wave of pain as the metal bit in bone. Legolas bit his tongue, the metallic tang of blood filling his mouth. He felt the human's hands near his leg, and quickly changed his gaze to that of the humans. Anger welled up in his chest as he saw Aragorn lying on the ground, a welt growing on the side of his head. Ice covered his eyes as he looked at the human before him.

"You would be wise to stop glaring Elf. It will do you no good. You're in no place to testing your fate." The dark haired man said. "Unless you want to lose that leg of yours, your highness."

Legolas fumed inside as a shower of stars danced behind his eyes, the pain was steadily increasing as the metal was pulled out of his skin. After many agonizing moments of pain the metal jaws were free and Legolas's leg was hastily thrown out of the way as the trap snapped closed again. Legolas gasped in pain as his injured leg hit the ground. His eyes camped shut and he didn't see the strange human coming over to look at his wound.

"We should probably let Egama look at that….heal you before anything thing else happens. Wouldn't want you to die too soon now would we?" the man assessed the damage from the trap.

"You'll do no such thing human." Legolas spat as he pulled away from the man.

"You have no choice Elf." The man sneered as two burly men entered the glade and held the Elf down. "Egama! Come!" the man barked.

"Yes Master Caimac. How can I be of service to my lord?" the shadowy figure whispered its voice grating and harsh as it slowly glided over the grass toward them, its black garb flowing.

"We need your assistance. Heal him. We need the Elf healthy for a while." Caimac motioned to Legolas who struggled against the hold of the men despite his wounds.

"Make sure he isn't awake for a while afterwards. Baggage is so hard to carry when they move a lot."

"Yes my lord." The creature bowed at the waist, dark hair falling out of the hood. The creature pulled back its hood to reveal a pale blue face with tattoos and scars. Black orbs glowed mysteriously in the eyes sockets. Black hair fell around the pale face as the wind picked at their hair. Sharp points of ears poked through the hair, demon like. "Hold still Elf, I don't want this to hurt too much."

Legolas quickly found that he couldn't move. His body was paralyzed and he had no way of escaping. Fear grew in his heart as he watched helplessly as the blue man knelt beside him. With his body being paralyzed, he realized just how much blood he had lost with the injury. It was quickly taking a toll on his body now that he was resting. His vision blurred and became hazed, all of his senses dulled.

'Is…is that man…blue?' his thoughts ran over the thought disbelieving. He felt the cold slender fingers being laid on his leg he tried to mentally pull away with no avail. A flash of pain and warmth spread through his body as he felt the bone, tendons, and skin meld back together in an instant. The pain was something he wasn't used to…a strange sensation that sapped his remaining strength. As his eyes closed, he saw the man called Egama being carried away by the one named Caimac, and some men come and bind him up. But after that…all there was, was darkness.

"Sir? Where do you want us to take them?" A soldier asked Caimac unsure how to address the unconscious human and elf.

"Throw them in with the other two prisoners." Caimac wiped his hands on his pants leg as he stood up.

"Prisoners sir?" the soldier asked not believing that there were two prisoners.

"Yes…prisoners. Remember the other Elf we captured not long after the girl? The male Elf, Rothinzil I believe. All four of them are connected and will cost a pretty coin when ransomed as a package deal." Caimac grinned.

"Yes sir." The soldier nodded beckoning for other guard to help tie up the human, and drag them back to the caves.

Legolas woke up to darkness and pain. He blinked his eyes to rid them of the darkness but it did no good. His body ached with dull pain as he took in his surroundings. From what he could tell the room was made of stone, cold and wet stone. There was no light as far as he could tell but he could see some with the light he gave off. Aragorn's prone body lay nearby bound hand and foot. It was then that he noticed that he too was bound only by his hands; they were numb and twinge a bit. But he shoved the thought of his hands out of the way as he remembered what had occurred. The man named Caimac taking them for power over the two Elven lords. 'Father will love this.' Legolas thought sarcastically to himself as he propped himself on a rock that was nearby, wondering about the blue skinned man. The more he thought about the more confused he got. But when he heard a soft scuffling he broke out of his revere, all senses listening intently.

Someone was walking around the room but they stayed in the darkness moving quickly silently, stealthily. As instinct Legolas tensed and wished for a weapon of some sort. Slowly he got up, advancing on the person when he saw a soft dim light in the darker corner. Two figures were in the frail light, one not moving one hasty and nervous. Legolas crept up behind the moving figure and places his hand on the beings shoulder forcing to turn around. The being gave a hushed scream quickly covering their mouth with their hands. Legolas stepped back a moment in shock.

"Rothinzil?" Legolas asked his voice barely a whisper.

"L…Legolas?" the squeaky voice called back unsure. "Legolas it is you!"

"What are you doing here Roth? What has happened?" Legolas questioned surprised to see his friend.

"Well I was supposed to be going to Rohan to speak with the leaders but that didn't work out too well…I got captured en route." Roth hung his head, his dark hair falling into his face. "I meant to tell you about going but I had to leave quickly and well you were with Aragorn couldn't find you…so I left. But you're here now!"

"What happened to you…you're not shaking crying and all…" Legolas backed away from Rothinzil afraid.

"Nothing…you mean because we're in a dark room? I think I was lucky…my cell was lit. They got tired of me …sorry my lord...but I also tired antagonizing them but it's not as effective as when you do it."

Legolas sighed as he looked over Roth's shoulder. He saw the shadows move in the corner, and heard a slight groan. Roth's head quickly spun around as he looked worriedly at the shadow.

"Rothinzil…tell me the truth. What is that in the corner…it isn't a warg is it?" Legolas raised his eye brow as his voice dripped with sarcasm.

"You'll never let me live that down will you my lord?" Rothinzil spoke softly as he turned and walked to the corner. "If you really want to know my lord…you'll have to come over here to see…you could light up the situation a little better…"

Hesitantly Legolas walked over to where his friend knelt beside the figure. He could see just a slender figure covered in bruises, welts; bleeding, festering and a brilliant red. The arm hung loosely at their side, popped out of the socket. 'A female.' Anger boiled in Legolas' veins as he vowed to kill Caimac for what he had done to the woman even if he didn't know her.

"She's an Elf like you Legloas." Roth whispered as he held the woman's limp body in his arms gently trying to cleanse the wounds without causing her pain.

Legolas knelt beside Rothinzil. The glow from his body lit up just how bad the extent of her injuries were, a hole went completely through her hand the size of an arrow and had long stopped bleeding. Bruises stood out darkly on stark white skin. Her chest barely rose and fell as she took the life giving breaths. There was a mark on the girl's skin around the girl's index on her right that caught his eyes, a small tattoo hardly noticeable until one looked hard enough. Something was familiar about this girl that the prince couldn't put his finger on.

"What happened to her?" Legolas gasped as he saw the welts and felt the fever emanate from her skin.

"I am guessing torture…Caimac is ruthless… But from what I have heard the guards were saying that she was caught before I…dressed like a prince with princes weapons and seal…but they didn't know what one… So Caimac did everything to get his answers…and I am guessing the prince was you…and Aragorn was a bonus." Rothinzil replied his voice hushed and serious. "She's been in fits for a while now…caught in dreams caused by fevers. She keeps repeating 'you have to…you have to run now.-'"

"'Get away…you have to save yourself.'" Legolas finished Roth's sentence.

"How did you know my lord?" Roth asked surprised.

"Someone told me that not too long ago…" Legolas became quiet as he remembered.

"Who? If you don't mind me asking." Roth questioned being wary of his prince's thoughts.

"Her name was Nerdanel…but this can't be her…she wouldn't get this way." Legolas mused to himself as the Elf in Roth's arms stirred.

"…Somethings…happen so others…don't hav-have to suffer…my p…prince." A strident voice issued as crystal eyes opened briefly, their cores filled with pain.

"Nerdanel…it really is you…" Legolas gasped.

"My lord." Nerdanel whispered her eyes half opened. "I'm sorry….I couldn't keep your secret….m..my lord." She tried move to kneel before he prince but fell back wincing and gasping in pain.

"Don't move!" Roth cried out as he pulled Nerdanel back into his arms. "You need to rest so that you can heal. Legolas do something….tell her she needs to rest!"

Legolas stared at his lost friend unsure whether to believe it was her or not. He could see the flicker of thrill and amusement barely in her eyes-covered by darkness that none could heal. But it was still the same Nerdanel that covered and taught him so much.

"Mellon-nin. Saes Do not move any more." Legolas knelt next to the Roth and took one of Nerdanel's frail hands into his bound ones, gently rubbing the back letting her know he was there for her. "If I were able my friend I would have never let this happen to you…if only I knew what was going to happen that day you…"

"Made…you wear a dress?" Nerdanel laughed softly trying to suppress the coughs that formed in her chest.

"Legolas?" Roth quizzed as he looked from Legolas to Nerdanel who wore a half hearted smile on her face.

Legolas shook his head, despite the dire of the situation he still found the fact he had to wear a dress to get out of a situation amusing. "She covered me not long ago. Between studies and my father I grew up with her as my friend…she was also my teacher. She made everything seem easy and…simple. But we were being chased by these men and she covered for me…she made me wear her dress while she dressed in my clothes and stood in as me."

"Pretty…stupid…now that I think…-bout it." Nerdanel smirked. "I…think I got in…m…more trouble then you."

"In a manner of speaking…I'm sorry you had to go through this Nerdanel…." Legolas hung his head.

"This is not…the time to be so..sorry Legolas…" Nerdanel grasped Legolas' hand in hers, her grip weak.

Roth held the girl in his arms letting the two friends talk. He saw just how deep their bond went. Almost as deep as the way Legolas and Aragorn got along so well. Every now and then he would wipe the grime away from her brow, or smooth out her uneven hair. A pang of sorrow shook his heart as he wished he could take away her pain. Something drew him to her but he was unsure what it was. She reminded him so much of Legolas…a dedicated friend who would get in harms way to protect another. Something caught the corner of his eye, a slight movement in the darkness.

"Legolas.." Roth murmured quietly motioning for Legolas to look in the direction of the noise.

A groan of pain issued from the moving shadow as Legolas smirked. "It's Aragorn." Legolas gently put down Nerdanel's hand and went to Aragorn's side. "Aragorn? Aragorn…wake up stupid ranger."

"Vain Elf." A slurred voice muttered darkly. "My head aches and you insist one talking so loudly?"

"Are you alright?" Legolas insisted again kneeling by the human's side.

"I can't move Legolas. My hands and feet….they're tied together." Aragorn whispered harshly at the Elf.

"And you think I would know that?" Legolas shook his head as he moved toward the ranger's feet. "If you stop moving I will try and untie you're feet…there is someone you need to meet."

"Valar? Please say it's someone who can get me something for the head ache." Aragorn complained as he heard soft laughter come from the corner.

"Rothinzil…its not that funny is it?" Legolas muttered as he made quick work of the knots even though his hands were bound. "Done my friend."

"Took you long enough." Aragorn tried to quickly stand up only to fall back, Legolas quickly supporting the unbalanced man.

"Foolish human."

"Not a word Elf."

"Just follow." Legolas cut back motioning for Aragorn to follow him to the corner where he knelt by Roth and Nerdanel's side. "Nerdanel meet Aragorn another friend of mine."

"A human? Figured…." Nerdanel bowed her head towards Aragorn. "I thought I told you about humans-"

"You're beginning to sound like my father." Legolas glared at Nerdanel who quickly and gladly became silent. "This human has saved me numerous times and I am proud to call him brother. Same as I am proud to call you sister."

"Foolish elf." Nerdanel whispered as she closed her eyes relaxing in Roth's arms, her muscles slowly letting go.

Rothinzil tensed as he felt the woman go slack in his arms but quickly calmed when he felt her breathe slowly. He watched as Aragorn warily eyed the woman.

"Friend of yours Legolas?" Aragorn questioned one eyebrow raised.

"Yes. She was my tutor a long time back. My friend before you…and I wonder why I didn't heed her warning." Legolas grinned as he turned from Aragorn.

"What warning?" Aragorn asked insulted as he went back to his dark corner.

"That elves and humans should never be friends." Legolas jested as he moved to take Nerdanel from Roth's arms. "Roth…you need sleep my friend. You cannot deny the facts."

"Its fine my lord I promise. I think I can handle watching over you, Aragorn and an unconscious Elf." Roth looked the prince in the eyes, his hazel eyes glowing.

"What's on Rothinzil?" Legolas paused to look the younger Elf in the eyes again.

"Nothing my lord." Rothinzil bowed his head to hide his eyes.

"You lie mellon-nin." The prince whispered softly enough that Roth could hear and no one else as he took his place with his back against the cold stone wall, his bound hands dangled between his knees as he slowly fell into sleep.

The soft glow that came from the Elves beat away some of the darkness which made the dark haired Elf very happy. He never liked the darkness…too many memories…too many things that happened to his lord. He gently shook his head trying not to disturb the broken Elf in his arms while trying to push dark thoughts from his mind. He wished with all his heart that he could ease Nerdanel's suffering but she already told him not to before Aragorn and Legolas were casually dropped in. Roth gently pushed a damp lock of the woman's hair from her face, as she shivered. The damp and cold of the holding cells and stone walls did nothing to help the Elf get better, rather made everything worse. So the desperate Elf finally admitted that he needed to do something for the person he was quickly falling in love with, and with that he wrapped his arms around her small frame gently making sure to keep her warm and not harm her any more then she already was. Roth rested his back in the corner looking over to Aragorn and Legolas who were resting, both braver then him. 'I only wish I could do more.' Roth thought to himself as he too slowly fell into sleeps dark embrace.

Caimac watched in the shadows as the three Elves and human slept. It sickened him to no end. His stomach churned with the mixing species. Humans were never to be friends with the immortal scum. But at least he got his desire. The prince was in his hands and all would pay in the end. He listened to the soft breathing of the four making sure they were all asleep. The human and the prince were drained from the capture and Egama's healing. Caimac made a mental note to get Egama to heal the she-Elf before the night was over even if he was weak. The mage server him and would do his bidding no matter what. He chuckled under his breath as he realized just how many strings of fate he held at the moment. An Elvish prince, his two friends and the princes dying girlfriend, a full set of bargaining tools ready to be exploited and torn apart. The she-Elf could be used to make the Prince spill his soft human loving heart out. The dark haired one obviously found a soft spot for the woman as well which could also be used to get to the Prince. Caimac was so deep into his planning that he never noticed the blue skinned mage appear by his side.

"Master…you summoned me?" Egama whispered trying not to disturb his master.

"Egama!" Caimac snarled angry that he was disturbed while he made his plans, but his face quickly changed to a wicked grin. "Egama…you know me so well."

"We are bound Master." A rustle of fabric told Caimac that Egama was bowing to him as he spoke. "What do you want me to do with them?"

"Heal the girl…marginally…enough that she will survive but not enough that the pain will be gone. Make sure she won't last too much longer. We can't let them have a happy ending."

"Yes master." Egama bowed low as he snuck back out into the shadows heading towards the cells.

Caimac sneered as he left the room taking one last look at the cells. He knew that the mage would do his bidding well. He didn't need to be watched over like a serf. He mentally congratulated the mage as he left, needing to get the stench of Elves out of nose.

Egama approached the cell doors, locked as usual. His hands drew into the depths of his dark robe to bring out a single key. His thoughts retraced the moments in which Caimac first gave him the key, mentioning that he was only to use it when told. This moment counted as being told. Sliding the key into the iron lock and turning it, the lock opened with a snap that echoed in the empty cave. The blue mage winced at the sound, the sharp sound still rumbling in his head. His black eyes noticed movement coming from the human, the Ranger. He would have to stop the human from speaking, and hindering his process. 'A small distraction cannot happen.' Egama thought to himself as his slender hands pulled the iron door closed behind him with a clang, waking the human up fully. Quickly Egama glided over to the human making the least amount of noise possible.

"What are you?" Aragorn asked his voice a harsh whisper.

"Be quiet human. I cannot have you disturb me." Egama replied pulling his hood back, his hair falling into his face as he knelt by Aragorn.

"That isn't answering my question. You're not from here are you?" Aragorn tried to move away from the blue man, wary.

"No. I am from over the seas. Now be still. I cannot have you disturb me." Egama whispered reaching a hand out to place on Aragorn's shoulder.

"…" Aragorn scooted further away from the pale blue hand trying to get closer to Legolas to wake him. "Why do you serve that man?" Aragorn asked his tone vicious as he questioned.

"Caimac is my master. I serve him…please stop moving." The blue mage insisted. "Please don't make this harder then it already is."

"What do you mean by that?" Aragorn stopped moving away when he heard the desperation in the man's voice.

"Caimac is my master. He found me when I came to these lands. He thirsted for my powers...since I am a mage. I longed for a home so I made a contract with him. A blood contract." The mage stopped moving as he sat on his heels watching the human, his eyes glowing. "I do what he bids, he praises me, I live. The only thing I have to worry about is Caimac dying."

"Why?" Aragorn was curious now. The mage was a foreigner and was a servant to a sadistic man, it didn't seem right.

"I am bound to him by blood. If he dies…I die. It was part of the contract. It's the way things go. I am bound to him, forever to serve him." Egama placed his tattooed hand over his heart in reverence.

Aragorn was curious as to the meaning of the tattoos that adorned the blue man's body.

"What…what are those tattoos for?"

"Memories of my family…my village…my freedom." Egama was quiet. "But I say no more." The man pushed a lock of hair from his face behind his ear as he muttered something in a strange language.

Aragorns voice caught in his throat. His body stopped responding to his commands He couldn't move, and he couldn't yell to get the others. His eyes suddenly grew heavy as he tried to stay awake. The blue men had used a spell to immoblize and make the human sleep. Aragorn's last thoughts were of warning to the others even though he could not speak.

Egama sighed as the man finally fell into sleep. He had pried too far and spoken about too much. Standing up again the man walked over to the two in the corner. A strange feeling emanated from the male Elf as he held in female in his embrace. Egama shook his head as a memory flashed through his eye, a female beckoning to him a smile gracing her face. A tremor of pain spread through the mages body as he remembered his duty and went closer to the two Elves.

Roth felt the man drawing nearer but didn't wake up. He wanted to know what was going to happen and protect Nerdanel. So he stayed motionless as the blue man knelt next to him and Nerdanel.

Egama muttered a few guttural words as a mysterious red glow came from his hands. He picked up one of Nerdanel's slim hand into his and put a hand on her forehead. A grimace moved onto her formally impassive face. Her body convulsed every so slightly as some bruises and more damaging wounds vanished from her skin. Internally the bleeding stopped and any lingering blood was broken up. Egama had fulfilled healing her partially as was part of the deal. Then he placed a curse on the Elf that would slowly eat away at her energy, draining her until there was nothing left. A cold sweat broke out on his brow as well as Nerdanel's. As soon as he could Egama let go of the power and Nerdanels hand. Using his magic drained him to the max but it was his duty to his master. The glow receded from his hands as he stumbled to get to his feet. He struggled to get out of the cell, locking the door after he left. Looking back with longing, Egama took a step away from the friends. He wished he had the freedom they had, but the for the price he paid, his life was worth it.

Well...is really been a while since I've posted and this is how much I've written since the last post. grins Poor Elvsies are going through the wringer more then once. Please comment and tell me how I'm doing. MD