Legolas wandered away from the camp, trying but failing to take control of his emotions. He knew that Estel was only joking and that he hadn't meant to hurt him.

After all he was the one who had never been able to tell Estel about Tauriel. Legolas hadn't told anyone about her or what had happened.

All Elrond, Gandalf, Estel, and the twins knew was what he had told them. That while he had been battling on Ravenhill a close friend of his had been killed.

But Tauriel had been far more than a "close friend," she had been his light and his fire. He missed her more than anyone could fathom, his heart ached at every memory he had of her.

As if to prove himself a point Legolas' chest began to burn with intense pain. Legolas stopped walking for a moment and allowed himself to sink onto the ground.

He wrapped his arm around his chest while using the other one for balance. Legolas closed his eyes and clenched his teeth, hissing in pain instead of screaming.

Usually the pain was far worse than this and Legolas was thankful that it subsided quickly.
Legolas got back to his feet and continued his walk, searching for a quiet place to rest.

Unfortunately for him there were no trees nearby. He decided that a large boulder would serve just fine as a substitue.

Legolas climbed onto the rock and sat down, he pulled his knees up against his chest and clasped his hands together on top of them.

He turned his head towards the west and watched the setting sun. Legolas had often hoped that after all these years that the pain he had felt over losing Tauriel would diminish, but that hope had been in vain.

The pain would never leave him. There would be days when he didn't notice it, yet it would still be there.

His heart was bound to Tauriel, just as her heart had been bound to his. Had their places been switched and it was Legolas who had been killed Tauriel would experience the same pain he was.

The only way to escape the pain was by doing the one thing Legolas couldn't do. Sail west to Valinor and leave Middle-Earth forever.

The option had been presented to him many times, and everytime Legolas had turned it down.

No one could understand Legolas' reason for staying, in fact Legolas didn't know that answer himself.

Perhaps it was his friendship with Estel, or how he was still bound to his people, his father.

Legolas sighed as he thought about the letter. He had read half of it while Estel had been preparing dinner.

He never finished it because it had said exactly what he had thought it would say. His father hadn't changed, he was still the same. He didn't care about what he wanted, and Legolas couldn't imagine him being any different.

Why are you lying to yourself Legolas? You know that your father loves you, but he needs to know that you love him just as much as he does.

Legolas blinked as the all too familiar voice sounded in his head. At first he had believed that the words he was hearing were his own thoughts in his head.

Soon he had realized that the voice he had been hearing was different from his own. It was so quiet, and gentle. It guided him through the darkest parts of his life, acting as a torch to light the path in front of him.

He only wished that he listened more-

Something caused Legolas to sit up straight and upright on the boulder. His head whipped behind him towards the direction of their camp.

Estel!

Legolas leapt off the boulder and ran as fast as he could, the sounds of battle had reached his ears long before he arrived.

He wanted to rush into the chaos immediately and help his friend but the sight of a net being cast over Estel and the orcs bringing him to the grounf caused him to freeze in his tracks.

Legolas watched in horror as a enormous orc stalked over to Estel and kicked him in the head, rendering him unconcious, and then carrying him away.

Legolas was rooted to his spot, panic-stricken and afraid for what would happen to Estel.

Legolas shook his head to clear his mind. He couldn't let fear control him now, Estel needed him.

Legolas raced into the camp and retrieved whatever he could. His small pack would have to be left behind. He was thankful that his bow, which he left laying next to his pack, had been undisturbed by the orcs.

Lastly Legolas retrieved Estel's dropped sword. He quickly wiped the blood off of it and held it tightly in his hand.

He hadn't used a sword since the battle at Ravenhill....

Thoughts of Tauriel being killed flashed through his mind. He gasped as he remembered holding her lifeless body in his arms, it seemed so real.

Legolas shook his head once again and pushed all thoughts of Tauriel to the back of his mind. He couldn't dwell on the past now, he had to focus on rescuing Estel.

Legolas broke off into a run, not knowing what had become of the horses or bothering to go search for them.

His only thought was Estel, and what those monsters would do to him if he was not saved.

»»»»

Estel was barely concious as he lay bleeding on the hard ground. He had barely any memory of the night before, or how he was captured, or what the orcs wanted from him.

He knew that they wanted something but after his most recent beating he could barely remember to breathe.

Estel stiffled a moan as he rolled onto his side. His hands were bound behind his back and ankles were tied together as well.

He had been in situations like this before, but he had to admit that this was probably the worst one by far.

One thought Estel was able to hold onto was Legolas. Was he alright? Had he seen what happened? Was he coming to rescue him or going to get help?

Estel hoped that Legolas was going to get help instead of coming after him alone. There was no need to drag his friend down with him.

He was the orcs' prisoner, he was the one they wanted. If Legolas arrived and he was discovered-

Estel coughed as a shudder overtook his body. The thought of Legolas being caught by orcs filled him with fear and caused him to tremble, which only aggrivated his injuries.

As he lay there Estel wondered why he couldn't see the orcs or remember why they wanted him. He also wondered how long he had been lying on the ground unconcious.

Estel stiffened as he felt something touching his legs, well his ankles to be exact. Panic began to overwhelm him as he pictured an orc preparing to torment him even more.

Estel forced himself to stay calm, if he acted now then he would lose all hope for a surprise attack.

He felt the rope around his ankles fall away but he still refused to move. Whatever monster was next to him would be the first to pay fot what the others had done to him.

Estel felt the rope around his wrists being tugged and pulled. He waited for just the right moment....

Once he felt the rope around his hands fall he immediately rolled onto his right side and made a mad grab for whatever laid in front of him.

Estel couldn't believe his luck when his hands came to rest around the hilt of a knife.

He could kill this orc and escape!
Had Estel been in his right mind he would have paused to consider why and orc would free him from his bonds, but his thoughts were consumed by pain and fear.

His only thought was to get away, and run as fast as he could and escape the creatures who had harmed him.

As Estel struggled to rip the knife out of the hands of its wielder he failed to hear the quiet voice that pleaded for him to stop fighting.

Estel felt a buring sensation of triumph course through him as he succesfully tore the knife out of his attacker's hands and prepared to stab him.

Two hands shot out and grabbed Estel's wrist, preventing him from bringing the knife down any further.

Estel swung out his other arm in an attempt to strike his opponent in the face but his reflexes were too quick. He removed one hand from around Estel's wrist and caught his fist just before it collided with his face.

Estel wouldn't give up. He wouldn't allow himself to be harmed any more by these orcs. Estel grimaced as pain coursed throughout his body but he ignored it as he desperately tried to bring the knife closer to the creature's heart.

That is, if it even has a heart.

Just before Estel bring the knife down any further a voice called out to him from the darkness.

"Estel! Mellon nin saes daro!"

Estel? Mellon? Why would an orc-

Horror crept in as Estel suddenly realized what he had been about to do. He wasn't being attacked by an orc, Legolas had come, and he was trying to save him.

"Estel? Are you alright?"
Legolas whispered carefully lowering the hand that still held the knife away from his chest.

"L- Legolas?"
Estel blinked in confusion as he tried to make out the figure in front of him. It was so dark out; and he was still weak from losing blood.

"It is alright now Estel."
Legolas whispered calmly.
"I am going to get you out of here, I am taking you home."

Estel calmed just a little as he felt Legolas place one arm behind his back and the other under his knees and carefully lifted him into the air.

Legolas tried to go as fast as he could without causing Estel too much discomfort. So far he hadn't seen any orcs and for a moment he believed that for once they would escape a situation without any further trouble.

Of course he was wrong.

Estel tensed as orcs suddenly appeared out of the shadows, some held torches while others carried weapons.

Estel could feel Legolas' grip on him tighten as he calmly assesed the situation.

"It will be alright Estel."
Legolas whispered quietly into Estel's ear.
"I will get us out of this."

"Look what we have here boys!"
One of the orcs announced pointing at Legolas.
"An elf trying to save his little human friend! We all know how this is going to end for him don't we?"

The other orcs snarled or laughed in their cruel, mocking tone that sent a shiver down Estel's spine.

He wasn't afraid for himself, he was afraid for Legolas. Only the Valar knew what the monsters would do to him.

The orcs continued to close in around them. Legolas refused to show any sign of fear before these creatures.

As if some quiet signal was given the orcs attacked. Legolas charged towards them as well; surprising the orcs and giving him just the opportunity he needed in order to push his way past them.

But his victory was short lived as an orc grabbed him from behind and jerked him backwards. Estel felt himself being ripped out of Legolas' grasp and falling hard onto the ground.

Orcs surged around Estel and grabbed him. Estel struggled in vain to break free and reach his friend.

Legolas!

His mind screamed the name as the orcs began to strike him with their fists.

As he fell into oblivion the last thing he saw was Legolas disappearing under the mass of orcs.

»»»»

Hey guys how's it going? It's me the writer behind the words of this fanfic! I just want to let you guys know that this story is reaching it's final climax.

AND THEN IT WILL BE OVER FOREVER!!!!

Can you believe it? It's been how many months since I started this series and now it's almost over.

I haven't even been on Wattpad for a year and I'm already almost done with it!

But do not despair my friends! There's still quite a few more chapters before this book is finished and after that-

Quick question for those of you who have read Return of the Shadow and The Hidden Enemy, you guys remember Amarth right?

My little elf OC who everyone likes? Well he's still getting his own book so y'all have that to look forward to after this one if finished!

For those of you scratching our heads and going, "Who's Amarth?"
Well I only have one thing to say, "READ THE OTHER BOOKS"

Haha just kidding.
But seriously, if you want the whole Edge of a Knife experience I suggest that you read the trilogy.

Ok I won't keep you guys any longer. Enjoy the rest of your day! Or night....