I'm sorry for the phenomenally long wait I've put you though. Between my computer crashing, finals and everything I really forgot about this story. Well obviously I remembered and got writing again.
Thank you Galinda-girl for betaing this as well as the previous chapters which were recently re-posted.
The two parties met each other in what Legolas could only identify as primitive behavior beyond the likes of ancient men. And their captives didn't even deem them worthy of half that respect. Legolas was painfully thrown on the ground, where to the orcs' dismay he was on his feet a moment later. He was ready to fight these vile creatures and show them all just how stubborn of an Elf he was, but something caught his eye.
Two somethings. Two hobbit-sized somethings.
Merry and Pippin squinted through the darkness and although the disturbance between the orcs did not go unnoticed, nothing could be seen from their place on the ground. And even less could be done.
One of the orcs pushed Legolas down and secured the bonds again cuffing the Elf before lumbering off. Then he left. After a moment a new guard took over, but a fight over in a far corner of the orc camp quickly drew his attention. At least for the moment they were alone.
As silently as ever, Legolas scooted closer to the hobbits. They smiled slightly, but it never reached their eyes. This was not a rescue. Legolas should have gone with Aragorn and Gimli to help Frodo. "You shouldn't be here!" Merry whispered his voice harsher than he intended. "Fro…" Legolas shook his head, his eyes flashed in warning. "Our cousin needs you."
"He is beyond my sight. Your cousin left usafter you were taken. I tried to follow him and Sam, but," he lowered his voice, "Aragorn held me back. We were tracking you when I was captured." Legolas stared off into the darkness, and his voice all but disappeared into the night. "Now I am of no use to anyone." But as he planned the hobbits never heard his moment of weakness.
Legolas' eyes darted back and forth to make sure they were not being overheard. "How do you fair? I am no healer, but as a friend I must know."
"Not nearly as bad as you from the looks of it! They haven't done anything to us." Pippin explained. "Well they haven't done anything to us yet."
Legolas mused to himself a moment. "Have they mentioned where they're taking you and why?" He believed he knew where they were headed, they were to close to Fangorn Forest for it to be anywhere but Isengard, yet he did not want to alarm the hobbits if they were still ignorant of what was in store. Unfortunately, he had no idea why they were here.
"I'm not sure but I think they believe Pip or I have the Ring" Merry looked down at his hands. "Any way to cut this rope?"
Legolas reached for his knife, realizing two things. Not only were his hands bound, but also his weapons had long since been taken. Beyond that, he had been stabbed, and from the feel of it the attacker had twisted the blade.
"No. And that might not be the approach needed right now. Simply cutting your bonds will be the least of our problems. Say we accomplish that small feat, what then?" Merry thought hard, taken aback a bit by the new piece of information. "So what is our other option?"
"It's as hard for me to suggest as it will be for us to endure." Legolas admitted. "Our other option is to stay and stay silent at that; divert the Eye away from your cousin in the belief we truly are the remaining company. Eventually we will pay for our lies though, most likely with our lives. It is not something I'd wish to put you through but it is something that can be done if necessary."
"But it would help the Fellowship?" Pippin asked, making sure he had his facts straight.
Legolas nodded, "Anything that gives your cousin more time is a gift from the Valar. It would help more than you know."
Pippin was silent a moment then spoke up, "Then I have a new idea. How about we let them believe we have the Ring, as you said, and go with them, escape in Isengard. That way, we'll be free, and our cousin has a greater opportunity!"
The Elf looked him over in careful consideration before speaking. The idea was flawed and bland, not to mention next to impossible. How were they to escape once within the confines of Orthanc if they could barely think of an escape plan out on an open plain? But it was better to give the hobbits hope. "You truly are wiser then credited for Peregrin Took." But secretly he knew that when the time came the plans would follow along a different course.
I'd like to thank everyone who's reading and reviewing this story. You'll all wonderful. xD Beyond that I hope you keep doing so and please leave feedback on any of your thoughts.
The real...ah, let's say adventure...starts in the next chapter.