Estel groaned as he came to his senses. The memories of last night were foggy and unclear as he tried to recall them.

Pain coursed throughout his body and for a moment Estel wished that he could slip back into nothingness.

It wasn't until he realized that he was standing that he pushed the thought aside. Why was he standing?

Estel forced his eyes open and slowly took in his surroundings. He was standing with his back up against a tree, held in place by rope that was tied around his arms and chest, roppe had been tied around his legs as well.

As Estel wondered why the orcs would tie him this way when one of them suddenly appeared in front of him.

"The human is awake!"
The orc shouted alerting the rest of his fellow orcs.
Any hope that Estel had of escaping was dashed as more abd more orcs surrounded him.

There were dozens upon dozens of them! All of them carrying weapons and with dangerous gleams in their eyes.

Estel immediately began searching the crowd for Legolas but to his dismay he saw no trace of his friend.

Ai Legolas, where are you? What have these creatures done to you?

Estel had heard a little about what had happened to Elrond's wife, Celebrian, when she had been captured by orcs.

They had tortured her without mercy and after she had finally escaped she had sailed to Valinor, unable to live with the pain or memories that her captivity had wrought.

Neither Elrond nor the twins had dared to think about what would have happened if the orcs had killed their mother. At least she was safe in Valinor, and one day they would be reunited again.

Estel shook his head to clear his mind. Now was not the time to be thinking about that! He had more pressing matters to focus on.

"So you've finally decided to join us."
Estel looked up and tried to keep his body from trembling. Stalking towards him was the orcs' leader, he was far taller and stronger than any of the other orcs and Etel could bet that he was smarter too.

He had heard the orc's name before but he couldn't recall it at the moment. The monsterous orc was standing just inches from where Estel stood.

His face was scarred as well as the rest of hid body. Sharp, disgusting yellow teeth could be seen while he esmirked. Weapons adorned the beast's body, cruel and ready to strike down anyone he came across.

Estel mustered whatever strength and courage he had left and forced himself not to tremble before this creature.

A minute passed before the orc spoke again.
"Tell me human, do you know why you are here?"
Estel's only reply was silence.

"Don't you remember yesterday? We told you what we wanted from you and you refused to answer. I'm sure you can see what happened next."

The orc smirked again as Estel's eyes darted over his injuries. Knowing that he wouldn't get any answers with silence he decided that he would talk to the orc.

"What do you want from me?"
The orcs laughed at the weakness in the man's voice. The lead orc raised his fist in the air and the laughter immediately died down.

"You have knowledge that my master wants."
The orc said calmly.
"What kind of knowledge? And who is your master?"

"He is the one who has been hunting for you. In fact I was the one charged with finding you and getting the information he needed."

The orc began to pace back and forth in front of Estel, the Ranger's eyes never left the orc.

"We were told that you would be easy to find because of your traveling companion. Who happened to be an elf. We spread word throughout the north saying that whoever brought these two to me alive would get a rich reward."

The orc stopped pacing and grinned menacingly at Estel.
"Of course if you want something done right you have to do it yourself."

At the mention of Legolas Estel was once again filled with fear as the fate of his companion continued to remain unknown to him.

"Where is he?"
Estel demanded in a much bolder tone.
The leader smiled revealing all of his sharp and crooked teeth. Estel shuddered at the disgusting sight but refused to take his burning eyes off of the orc.

"Let me show you."
Turning to the orcs he shouted,
"Bring me the elf!"

Estel's stomach dropped as he saw several orcs approaching, half-shoving and half-carrying Legolas towards the clearing.

The elf's hands were bound together in front of him and his tied legs dragged uselessly behind him.

He had been injured but not as bad as Estel thought he would be. His eyes were wide and alert as he was forced through the gathered orcs.

A filthy rag had been shoved into his mouth to prevent him from speaking, it was clear from Legolas' facial expression that he was furious.

However the moment Legolas laid eyes on Estel his expression changed from anger to worry for his friend.

Estel had clearly been injured far worse than he had which was surprising. Since orcs hated elves more than they hated men Estel had naturally assumed that the orcs would have absolutely no mercy on the elf.

The orcs brought Legolas forward until he was two feet away from the leader. They still gripped him by the shoulders as Legolas turned his head to look at Estel.

Estel recognized the look his friend was giving him, he was trying to tell how serious Estel's injuries were and how fast they would need to escape.

Yet it seemed highly unlikely that the orcs were going to allow that to happen.

The leader marched over to the orcs and yanked Legolas out of their clutches. The orcs scowled in what seemed to be disapointment but didn't dare to challenge their leader.

The orc in question was hauling Legolas to the spot where he had been standing before and turned the elf forward so that he was facing Estel.

"I was surprised that an elf would be stupid enough to risk himself for a human. Especially when everyone knew that the end would result in both of you getting captured."

The orcs laughed at the helplessness of their captives. Yet Estel noticed something else in their laughter besides mockery, there was excitement as well.

Once the laughter died down the leader lifted Legolas until his toes were just off the ground. The elf's back was being forced against the leader's chest as his right arm held him firmly in place.

Estel wished that he could break the ropes and run to his friend's aid but he knew that it was impossible. All he and Legolas could do was wait for an opportunity to escape.

"It's been a long time since we had an elf among us."
The leader snarled through that crooked smile of his as he traced the point of Legolas' ear with one of his claws.
"They're always so fun to have around. Especially when we want to have a little fun."

Estel bristled and forced himself not to lunge forward. He knew that the orc was trying to get a rise out of him.

Legolas remained still and focused his attention on Estel; trying to assure his friend that everything would be fine.

"You said that your master wanted us."
Estel said louder than he had been speaking before.
"Why?"

The leader laughed; his movements jostling a very angry and irritated Legolas.

"Did I say that he wanted both of you? No my master only wants you and the information you have. The elf however,"

The leader paused and licked his lips, causing both Estel and Legolas to shudder.

"Well, whatever we want to do with the elf is up to us."
The orcs roared in excitement while Estel felt as though he were going to be sick.

He could see the madness and craving in the orcs' eyes, he knew what they wanted. And one look at Legolas showed that he knew too.

"Although, I might be willing to give the elf a chance to escape."
At the leader's words the orcs' roars of excitement diminshed into confused and disapointed growls.

Estel narrowed his eyes at the leader. He knew that he was bluffing. Orcs hated elves too much to just allow one to go free after they had caught him.

But the leader had no intention of letting the elf escape, although he would love to make the human think that there was a chance to save the elf's life.

"If you give me the information my master needs I will let the elf run free, although his hands will remain bound and he will be blindfolded."

The orcs began to laugh as their leader continued.
"We'll give him a headstart and allow him a chance to escape from us. That is if you tell me what I need to know."

"Which is?"
Estel asked in annoyance. The orc's words had infuriated him a way he had never thought possible.

"My master has reason to believe that an enemy of his has returned, and it seems that you know where he is."

"Who is it?"
Estel demanded.
"The heir of Isildur."

»»»»

Estel felt as if he had been punched in the stomach. His mind reeled in shock as he struggled to process what he had just heard.

By now Estel had guessed who this orc's leader was; which meant that he also knew why he sought Isildur's Heir.

What terrified him was the knowledge that he did know where the heir was, and that if he told the orc his location, he would be killed.

"I'm waiting human. Tell me where he is and I'll let the elf go."

He is right in front of you.

Estel looked up and met Legolas' gaze. There was confusion in his friend's eyes, and also sorrow as he realized that Estel would not tell the orc what he desired to know.

"I cannot tell you where he is."
Estel stated flatly.
The orc feigned a look of horror as he gripped Legolas tighter, which was mostly due to anger.

"Why not? Don't you want to save your little elf-pet?"
Estel forced himself not to look at Legolas. It would only make things harder than they already were.

"I cannot tell you because there is no heir of Isildur."
Estel tried to sound as convincing as possibe but he could tell that the leader didn't believe him.

"Do you think that I'm stupid human? My master knows that Isildur's heir lives. And he knows that you know where he is."

The leader took a menacing step forward, Legolas kept his eyes fixed on his friend.

"I will give you another chance human, tell me where he is and the elf will have a chance to escape and you will have a quick and painless death."

The leader took out a dagger and held it up to Estel's face.
"And if you don't, then we'll kill the elf and bring you to out master. He can question you himself and trust me, he can be a hundred times more cruel than
I."

Estel believed it, considering that he had guessed who the orc's master was.

"Are you going to tell me?"
Estel glanced sideways at Legolas. His friend was hiding all of his emotions under a veil of indifference.

Yet the Ranger could tell the Legolas was slightly trembling in his captor's grasp.

I'm sorry mellon nin,
I'm so sorry.

"I already told you before."
Estel said locking eyes with the leader.
"There is no heir of Isildur."

Estel held his breath as he waited for the leader's reaction.
To his surprise the orc sighed amd shrugged his shoulders.

"Very well. Have it your way human."
The leader turned away from Estel and dragged Legolas with him.

The orcs parted as he walked towards a large tree and stood before it. He turned to face Estel again while still holding onto Legolas.

"I will give you until dawn to change your mind. And if you still refuse to cooperate,"
The leader took the dagger that he had held in front of Estel and slashed it down the side of Legolas' right cheek.

The elf winced in pain and Estel could hear a muffled cry of pain come from his friend.

The leader turned to Estel and held up the dagger so that he could see it.

"Then I will kill him. And I can assure you that his death will be slow and painful."

The leader inspected the bloodied dagger and then turned to Legolas.

The elf closed his eyes and fought back nausea as the orc's tongue lapped the blood off the side of his face.

This time Estel couldn't hold back his anger as he lunged forward. The orcs laughed as the human cursed them as he struggled to break free.

The leader turned to smile mockingly at Estel as several orcs came and tied Legolas to another tree the same way Estel was.

After the elf was secure the leader removed the rag from Legolas' mouth and leaned his face just inches from Legolas' own.

The elf nearly gagged at the smell of the orc's breath.
"If I were you I'd convince your "friend" over there to reconsider hiding the truth from me. After all, your life depends on it."

With his point having been made the leader and the rest of the orcs abandoned the clearing.

Leaving Estel and Legolas alone in the darkness.