Sorry for all of you all who already read this. Part of this chapter somehow got deleted, so I had to rewrite it. The part that I had to rewrite is the second Legolas part to the end.

"So... Lumornel. What brought you to your journey?" Saruman's deep voice rumbled in his chest as he paced slowly in front of me, his staff clanged softly on the cold, hard ground.

I stayed silent, mostly out of fear than out of being rebellious. And... if I open my mouth to talk, then I could say the wrong thing which could either get me killed or my friends killed.

The white wizard looks to the orc that is guarding the door, "cut her bonds. Let her limbs be free."

"But sire--" The orc began.

"Do as I say." The way Saruman didn't have to yell to get any of the orcs to do his bidding terrified me.

The orc approached me slowly in a fearful manner. It's stench made me want to gag. I felt the cold bite of the dagger and the soft growling of the rope as it was cut. I sighed in relief when my hands were free, rubbing my wrists to get the feeling of the ropes off. The orc did the same to my ankles.

I sat up and looked at the wizard curiously, did he know about my powers? If so, isn't he fearful of me? If he is, then he hides it well.

Saruman stopped in front of me, "answer me when I speak to you, child. What brought you on your journey?"

I opened my mouth but words didn't come. Shouldn't he know why I went on this quest? Doesn't he know that I am the One the prophecy speaks of? Everyone else seems to know before me. Plus, he's a wizard. Does he even know ab--

I felt a sharp sting on the side of my face as the force of his slap sent me sprawling on the cold floor. I cried out in pain and clutched at my cheek. His ring had hit directly on my cheekbone, making it feel like a rock had just rammed into my face. No doubt I would have a nasty bruise.

"Speak!" I flinched at his terrifying voice.

I sat up once more, clutching at my cheek as silent tears poured down my face like dew on mid-morning leaves. I gained enough courage to stand, nervously waddling on my feet.

"I-I wanted to a-accompany a friend." It wasn't a lie. But it wasn't the full truth either.

Saruman narrowed his eyes as if he knew I wasn't telling the complete truth. But he let it slide.

"Do you know of your origin?" His deep and loud voice stung my ears.

"I-I do not know what you mean..." I refused to tell him about Galadriel and Celeborn. I don't want to put my birth parents in any harm. If he knew the truth then he could somehow manage to capture them and use them as leverage. My brain told me that Galadriel and Celeborn would never allow themselves to be caught alive, but in my state, I wasn't thinking straight.

"Do not lie to me!" I flinched. I kept my mouth tightly shut while looking at my dirty boots. I had acquired a hole or two in them and mud caked the edges. At the next town I get to... If I ever get out of this place alive... I'll have to get them fixed and clean.

"Child..." he sighed, "if you do not cooperate I will be forced to use a more painful of course of action."

I stayed staring at my shoes. I noticed tiny bits of grass in the mud.

"What has Elrond discussed with you?" I kept my mouth shut. I knew of Elrond, but have never met him. But I wasn't about to tell him that. He is not going to get the satisfaction.

Saruman grumbled and leaned more on his staff.

"Have you experienced anything weird?"

"Like what...? A butterfly actually landing on me? Then most definitely." I held my breath, hoping my sassy attitude wouldn't get me punished. I knew he was talking about my way of manipulating energy... but he mustn't know about that. Ever. I would rather die that let him know. If he knew, then who knows what he'd use me for?

Saruman narrowed his eyes again, "Have you experienced anything unnatural?"

I held my breath. He knows. He must know.

"I-I still don't understand..." I lie. My knees start to quake from terror. Saruman's whole demeanor is very intimating, almost as much as Thranduil. Maybe more.

"Ignorant child," he muttered under his breath.

I clenched my jaw, how ignorant he must be to call me ignorant. Does he know how much I read? Huh?

"I would have rather you gone the less painful route. He wouldn't want you tainted." My eyes widen at his words. He? Who's he? And of course, my brain immediately goes to the worst case scenario: Sauron.

His hard eyes snap to the Uruk guard watching us at the door. "Leave us!" He barked. I never thought I'd see the day when an Uruk jumped in fright.

The two double doors clanged loudly shut, leaving us both alone. I looked back at the traitor and shivered. I almost wanted to ask what he was going to do, but my voice wouldn't work. Fear got clogged in my throat, almost choking me. You know what would be amazing? If I could just leave this place.

Saruman walked to the center of the room where a stone pedestal stood with a dark cloth covering a round object. My fear seemed to grow with every one of his steps. I dreaded what could be under that cloth, the power of what it could be is still unknown. It doesn't have to be used just for communication. With Saruman being a powerful wizard, he could use it for so much more.

The only sound in the room was the 'wffhp!' of the cloth being pulled off and the pounding of my heart in my throat.

A lone Palantír sat alone, balancing perfectly on the raised plinth and its black surface sparkling in the dim light.

•••••••••

"Well, they are gone," Aragorn said after a while of tracking our horses. "We cannot find them or catch them; so that if they do not return of their own will, we must do without. We started on our feet, and we still have those."

Aragorn stood up off of the ground, he had been trying to track out horses--that had run off. We had been tracking the horde of Uruks and found them in a burning heap. The putrid stench was horrific. In the smoldering pile of dead black beasts, Gimli had found one of the hobbits small belts. At the time we assumed them dead, I had even said a small elvish prayer for them. That night we rested right outside the Fangorn Forest. Gimli had insisted we light a fire. Eventually, we did. The trees had seemed to reach out of the fire, welcoming it. Even though the cold did not bother me much, I welcomed the warmth; it had seemed to chase away the cold and emptiness that the Ring brought. For once, I felt more like the old elf that had gathered at the Council of Elrond.

Earlier, Gimli had looked up and he saw on old cloaked man and deemed him to be Saruman. Hatred filled me at the mention of him, and the Ring seemed to flare up inside of my mind. Aragorn tried to welcome in the old man but he would not budge and soon disappeared. That was when I noticed our horses were gone.

"Feet!" Gimli's explanation brought me back to the present, "but we cannot eat them as well as walk on them." He threw fuel into the fire and slumped down on the ground.

"Only a few hours ago you were unwilling to sit on a horse of Rohan," I laughed. "You will make a rider yet."

"It seems unlikely that I shall have the chance," Gimli grumbled again, but I caught a subtle tone of pleasure. No Dwarf enjoyed riding horses.

Soon after our little discussion, Aragorn stated he would take the first watch. Gimli and I rested on the ground. It seemed to me that as soon as the dwarfs head hit the ground, he started snoring. I sighed at the dwarfs talent as quickly sleeping. My thoughts began to become more and more tangled as the Ring wrestled with them. The Ring liked messing up my thoughts, making me think the good is bad and the bad is good.

The eerie whispering of the Ring started in my mind. I squeezed my eyes shut and covered my ears with my hands. I soon forced myself to sleep, trying to dream of pleasant things. But ultimately failing.

•••••••••

I jerked awake from my dream-state to Aragorn shaking my shoulder.

"Goheno nîn, Mellon nîn, for waking you."

I jumped to my feet, telling him not to worry about it. My dreams have been dark of late, I was glad to be awoken.

I watched as Aragorn settled down in my spot, drawing his cloak over himself for warmth. I looked over at Gimli, who is still snoring like a wild boar. I smiled to myself, my two companions are at peace. For now, they are.

And they can stay that way if you would give me to Sauron

I cried out softly, jumping back.

"Legolas, my friend, are you alright?" Aragorn sat up.

I tried calming myself down with deep breaths before I turned around. I let my gaze soften, "yes. A stray field mouse startled me."

Aragorn, believing my statement, laid back down and fell asleep. I turned around slowly, waiting for the Ring's next onslaught.

I sat with my legs crossed on top of a green hill. I tilted my eyes up towards to heavens. The beautiful night sky looked as if someone poured ethereal paint across the sky in a streak, little glowing speckles trailing out of it and spanning the rest if the sky. Anyone could find courage and peace when looking up at the stars that Elbereth has provided for us. Nothing is more beautiful than the stars.

Except me.

If anything could be more beautiful than the stars it would Lumornel. She is like a star herself. Her hair is as white and glitters as brilliantly as the stars. Her beauty matches that of the stars.

I couldn't stop myself from thinking that. But it's completely true. She is as radiant and beautiful as Elbereth herself.

My mind then whirled ahead and I immediately wished I could take back what I said.

Don't you dare hurt her.

She's already hurt.

No. I tried calming myself, but my fists clenched angrily by my sides and my jaw ached from gritting my teeth.

No!

I don't have to hurt her. Saruman is doing it for me. Soon she'll be gone beyond your reach and everything thing else you care about will be diminished into nothing. You will have nothing left. You'll belong to me.

"No!" I practically cried. I walked a little down the hill, pulling at my hair, and ended up sinking to my knees. Tears tried to leak out of my eyes in frustration and doubt.

"No! You can't have them! You can't have her!" I probably looked like I've lost my mind. But maybe I have.

But I already have them in my grasp

"No!" I whimpered, "no." I collapsed on the ground, grass itching my face and in my mouth. Tears escaped my eyes as doubt started to engulf me, "no. No! They're my friends. My family. My people. You can't have them!"

You can't trust them. I have them in my grasp. They work for me and soon they'll be dead.

"No! That can't be true...!" By now my words barely made sense through my blubbering. I hate being this weak.

"Prove it."

I don't have to. You can see it in their every action.

Doubt started to fill me like wine filling a goblet. And the goblet it almost full.

"Just don't hurt her. Or any of them." I had to resort to begging. It's the only thing I have left.

Then join forces with Sauron. Go to Mordor and your family and friends will be kept preserved.

No...

Join me! Or they will all be tortured to death!

"No!" I cried. I could feel the icicle of my sanity start to crack. I could feel the insanity of the Ring drip down to the tip, making it grow bigger and heavier.

I felt something on my shoulder.

I whipped around and quickly grabbed my knife that was hidden in my boot. How could I get lost in my thoughts?! I'm supposed to be protecting Aragorn and Gimli! Whoever these intruders are will die.

I got into a fighting stance, knife in hand. I got a good look at these intruders, they were—I blink—they were just Aragorn and Gimli.

"Legolas," Aragorn says worriedly, his hands out in surrender.

My brow furrows, did they hear me?

"Lad, put down the knife," my eyes travel to Gimli. His ax at his side, appearing to just be held loosely, but I know that Gimli can have his ax embedded in my head in less than a second.

I look down at my half extended arm. My hand grips the knife handle like a lifeline, the blade glints dangerously under Elbereth's stars.

I look back up at my companions, they seemed to have stepped closer. I took a step back.

"Stay where you are," my voice wavered.

Aragorn took a dangerous step forward, hands still out. "We aren't going to hurt you. Just hand over the knife."

C-can I trust them?

No.

I tried my best not to whimper. I want to trust them so badly, but how do I know if the Ring is lying or not? Even the best of people can betray you.

I suddenly felt a hand on my hand and jerked. While I was lost in thought, Aragorn had come up to me. He gently pried each of my fingers off of the knife and slowly back up to where Gimli stood.

Gimli looked to the horizon, "The sun will be rising soon, we might as well set off."

The dwarf and man began packing up our camp--picking up our small amount of packs and covering up our tracks.

I stood uselessly on the edge. I wanted to scream, I wanted to run home, I wanted to not exist. I'm tired of fighting the Ring! I can feel my hold on my mind slipping, the icicle of my sanity cracking even more.

We set off down the hill, Gimli grumbling about the hooded old man that he saw.

If you don't give me to Sauron, I will let your secret loose upon your world.

I stopped in my tracks. I couldn't move. Couldn't think. Couldn't breathe.

When everyone knows what you did, no will want you.

I couldn't argue, the Ring is right.

Lumornel and your 'friends' will hate you. Your father will disown you. Your people will make you an outcast.

I will unleash your secret and destroy you. Give. Me. To. SAURON.

And with that, I collapsed.

And

        The

              Icicle

                        Broke.

*********

I screamed. My throat felt raw. My back arched off of the cold stone floor of Orthanc.

Saruman has been going at for what felt like forever. It could have been minutes. Or it could have been hours. Turns out that Palantir's have another use than just communicating over long distances. Or maybe just wizards can use them in this way.

Anyways, Saruman has been using his Palantir to see into my mind and see my memories. I have been experiencing my life over and over for that past whatever. Everything I have ever felt; touch, pain, or anything else I have been feeling over and over again. All in the course of a couple minutes. My nerves have been firing over and over again. I'm surprised I haven't died.

The same thing goes for my sight, taste, smell, and hearing. My vision has been flickering through my whole life. My tongue feels heavy and hot with everything I have ever tasted. My nose is burning and my eyes are watering. And my ears are ringing with every sound I have ever heard.

Let's just say if someone brings something up from my past, I'm going to scream.

With a muffled bang sound that only I could here, my life memories stopped and my back fell to the ground. I took in as much air as my oxygen starved lungs could, and laid there shivering from the ghost of pain on my skin. I felt like if I even moved I would vomit. My clothing and hair stuck to my skin with sweat and every muscle in my body ached.

I tried to prepare myself for the next onslaught of the Palantir's attack. But it didn't come.

I wanted my head to look for Saruman, but nausea like I've never known took over. Through muffled hearing, I could hear Saruman, with an exasperated voice, call out to an uruk guarding the door. "Take her down to the cells."

I could do nothing but whimper as an Uruk-Hai lumbered towards me and grabbed me by the wrists. I could feel it's gritty, dirty covered, fingers touching me and I tried to mentally shrink away from reality.

When the uruk started dragging me I finally saw Saruman. He is hunched over his Palantir, white hair sticking to his forehead, whispering words the other entity listening from the other side. Sauron.

The uruk drug me through many dark halls and down many flights of stairs. I will, for sure, beyond a doubt, have some miserable back pain for awhile.

Finally, we reached what seemed to be the very bottom level of the tower. Down here it is dark and dank, I'm pretty sure I can hear water dripping somewhere down here. Cells lined the walls, I was dragged to the second to last one on the right. Right in the darkest corner. Great.

The Uruk picked me up from the collar, opened the barred door to the cell, and pushed me in. As I fell to my knees, I heard the cell door clang shut. That one sound reminded me of one of the dreams I had.

Terror and adrenaline filling my veins, I crawled to the lightest corner of the cell. But instead of seeing an Uur Rauko, I saw, in the darkest cell next to mine, a cloaked figure.

*********

Sorry again for taking so long.

Do me a favor, okay? Don't die and keep reading.

Novaer, melloneamin!