They traveled without rest until they reached Isengard. Orthanc loomed over head and the air was thick with smoke.

They brought them to the center just in front of the tower. They shoved them off the wargs they had been carrying them on.

Aragorn landed hard on his right leg. He winced, but didn't show any sign of pain. An orc pulled him to his feet and shoved him forward.

He walked behind Legolas who glanced back to see if he was alright. Aragorn took in his surroundings in dismay.

There were orcs everywhere. All the trees had been felled and around them were deep casms that belched black smoke.

As they were led forward the orcs quickly realized that there were prisoners and began shouting and jeering at them.

Aragorn ignored them and continued walking. One orc threw a knife which landed inches from Aragorn's feet.

Another orc threw something at Legolas which hit him in the shoulder. Aragorn couldn't see what hit him, but watched as Legolas continued walking as if nothing had happened.

Most of the orc's ranting was directed at Legolas, which wasn't a surprise to Aragorn, considering the history between elves and orcs.

Other orcs were trying to get to them with their swords and spears. The only thing keeping them away were the wargs that guarded them.

They finally reached the entrance to Orthanc where an uruk-kai was standing guard. He narrowed his eyes at the orc that led them.

"What is this?" he growled. "Saruman did not send for any more prisoners."

"We found them near the border. We brought them here for questioning."

The uruk snarled and looked down at the prisoners. He shouted something in the black speech and four more uruks appeared.

He ordered them to take the prisoners into the tower. The uruks walked over and shoved them roughly up the stairs and into the darkness of Orthanc.

------------------------------------------------------

They led them up some stairs that seemed to go on forever. They finally entered a room that only had a large black chair and a small table that held something that filled Aragorn with dread.

They were brought to the other side of the room and were forced to their knees. They sat in silence for what seemed like hours.

Aragorn was sitting between his friends and quickly glanced at each one. As he looked at Legolas he noticed the elf's hands moving slightly, like he was trying to hide something.

Legolas saw Aragorn looking at him and he moved his bound hand slightly, revealing to Aragorn what he held.

A knife. Legolas quickly hid it again and Aragorn turned away. It didn't surprise him that Legolas had a knife. He knew that he usually kept one hidden in one of his boots.

Although; how a single knife was going to aid them in a place like this was beyond Aragorn.

Even if Legolas could use it to kill the four uruks and manage to take their weapons, they would still have Saruman to deal with.

As well as a massive army of orcs. Footsteps sounded from outside the room.

Aragorn knew immediately that it was Saruman. The wizard entered the room followed by two uruk-hai.

He stood in front of them and smiled. "My uruk-hai say that you three were found spying near my borders." He spoke as if speaking to a child.
"Could one of you tell me what you purpose was?" Aragorn kept his head lowered and refused to meet the wizard's eye.

For one thing he didn't know how to respond. They hadn't been found near Isengard, they had encountered Boromir near the border of Gondor.

Secondly, he knew that Saruman seeked the ring. If he knew that Boromir had it he would send his orcs to Gondor, and that if they left today they would be able to catch him.

Aragorn realized that their best option was to remain silent.

Saruman began to slowly pace in front of them. "Perhaps you were looking for something?"

No response. Saruman stopped pacing. His gaze landed on Aragorn. "Or someone?" He walked away from them and stood near the door.

Aragorn looked up and was struck with terror. Two orcs came in dragging two small bundles. As they brought them closer, it turned out to be two hobbits.

Frodo and Merry. Aragorn stared at them in horror. They were both pale and covered in scars and bruises. Their clothes were torn and their hair matted with blood.

They didn't move, Aragorn was almost sure that they were dead.

Fury engulfed them like a fire. Seeing their friends in this state, knowing that they had been tortured by the hands of the one who stood before them.

Saruman walked back over to them and smiled. The kind of smile that is supposed to seem friendly, but only succeeds in angering whoever it was intended for.

"Do you think that I didn't know about your "fellowship?" the one that Gandalf foolishly put his trust in to carry out the task of destroying the Ring?"

"I know that one of the halflings carries the ring." He continued. "And since these two do not have it... I was wondering if one of you three could enlighten me."

As he waited for a response Aragorn's mind raced as he tried to asses the situation. Saruman only had Merry and Frodo. That meant Sam and Pippin had to have escaped at one point. But where and when he didn't know.

None of the hobbits had the ring. Boromir did. Saruman obviously didn't know. Which was only a small comfort at the moment. They could try to trick Saruman, but Aragorn doubted that it would work.

All they could do was remain silent. Saruman waited for a few more minutes before speaking again. "Very well. If you will not tell me..." He turned to the orcs that stood by Merry and Frodo.

"Kill them." Aragorn's head shot up. The orcs had taken out their cruel daggers and were about to carry out their master's order.

"Wait!"
Aragorn stiffened. He turned to Legolas whose face was striken in fear.

Saruman grinned and held up his hand, the orcs lowered their weapons, clearly dissapointed.

Saruman began making his over to Legolas. "At least one of you is willing to save your friends." He stared at Legolas who had lowered his head. "Although, why would an elf concern himself with the lives of a few mortals?"

Aragorn could sense his friend's anger and noticed the elf's hands shaking.

The knife! Aragorn looked in fear at Legolas as he realized what he was planning.

Legolas! Don't!
Saruman continued to approach the elf until he stood over him. "Especially Thranduil's son. Who would think that the son of the King of Mirkwood would befriend mortals? Including a dwarf!"

Aragorn held his breath and silently pleaded for the elf to hold back.

His thoughts were in vain. Right when Saruman was about to speak again Legolas leapt up and plunged his knife into the wizard.

Saruman screamed in pain. He swung his staff which sent Legolas flying backwards. He crashed into the wall and lay there unmoving. Aragorn and Gimli didn't hesitate as they leapt to their feet and charged the orcs.

It was a short and hopeless struggle. The uruk-kai quickly subdued them. Saruman, clutching the place where he had been stabbed, tried to stop the blood from flowing.

"Take them away! Imprison them!"

The uruks pulled them to their feet and grabbed the hobbits, who were oblivious to anything that was happening.

Two uruks had Legolas, each holding him up by one his arms, and began dragging him towards the others. The elf was barely concious. Saruman held up a hand.

"Not him." his voice was low and filled with hate. The uruks stopped and Aragorn turned around in horror.

Saruman looked at Aragorn and smiled a wicked grin. He was going to make the elf suffer. Aragorn fought against his captors but it was no use.

They led them away from the room and deeper into Saruman's tower.