Rhavaniel cast a worried glance at Legolas, and he nodded then both set their eyes on the approaching orc.

As the orc now stood in front of the cell, Legolas' arm shot out and reached his through the barred door faster than the orc could utter a shriek. Grabbing the orc by the neck, he slammed his head into the metal bars, rendering him unconscious. Rhavaniel jumped into action and grabbed the orc's weapon, shoving the filthy steal into its neck and watched as its blood drained to stain the stone in satisfaction. While Legolas held the orc higher by the neck, Rhavaniel grabbed the set of keys and fumbled with the various sizes on the ring to find the correct fit.

Once she found the correct key, she turned the lock, and the door opened with a click. She let out a small smile and helped Legolas hide the body in the back of the cell. "Will you be alright?" She noticed the pain in his eyes.

Legolas merely nodded and strode towards the cell door. "Come, no time to waste."

Now the difficult part began: escaping Dol Guldur without being detected was their only hope. Both elves' senses were on high-alert as they took furtive steps down the first hall. It would not take long for the orcs to realize they were no longer in their cell. Orcs were stupid, but not completely clueless.

The two were silent as they moved, like a thief in the night.  Legolas found a dagger laying on the ground and grasped it in his hand. The torches cast moving shadows against the wall and soon voices accompanied them.

After a while, the elves came across a room filled with orcs drinking and cheering. They had to cross the entrance to get to the other side. Legolas pressed his back into the wall and peered into the dim room. The orcs were drunk, paying no mind to anything but their own mugs of what Legolas didn't want to know what lay inside. Griping the knife tighter, he motioned for Rhavaniel to cross. Once she did, he followed after her before both froze in their tracks.

"The elf scums have escaped!" An orc cried out, and soon the roaring and clanking of orc armor followed as they leaped into action.
****
Peace. There was none here in these enclosed, dark halls. How many times had he hoped? Yet even that was a mere wisp in his mind. He lost it all that day; that day he took everything from him, even his own soul. His soul was enslaved to darkness, only pain brought him satisfaction. Pain he would inflict on others, so they too would suffer. To see the agony in the eyes of another brought him peace, and he smiled as his thoughts turned to his captives. A sick, twisted smile that sent dread into the heart of whoever saw.

Esgaldel gripped his blade hilt till his knuckles turned even paler than they already were. Love, was that what he saw in the blonde elf's eyes? There could be no mistaking. He would tear that love apart and crush it underneath his palms.

Thundering footsteps broke through his thoughts, and he turned in a fury of dark robes to see who had dared to disturb him. His dark eyes glinted as they roamed over five panting orcs waiting for permission to speak, for they knew the consequences if they did not. "Report," Esgaldel growled.

"Master, the elf scums are escaping," an orc barked out in anger, though a slight hint of fear in his voice.

Esgaldel roared, thrust forward, and beheaded the orc while the others backed away, eyes wide in terror. "Find them! Do not leave one place left unchecked," Esgaldel hissed and stormed past his orcs. Such failures they were; inside he laughed at how his master choose and breed these pathetic orcs to serve him.  Barring his teeth, he broke into a run, dashing silently through the halls, one task on his mind.

Find the elves and make them suffer.
***
Both elves scurried into the shadows, praying that the darkness would conceal them. Their prayers were answered as the orcs thundered down the halls past them completely oblivious. Legolas could hear Rhavaniel's heart pounding, and he rested his hand on her arm, giving her a reassuring nod. The contact was enough to calm both of their anxious hearts and soon, the thundering noise faded into the distance. The two proceeded to dash down the hall, bounding up the many stairs surrounded in darkness.

Quickly, they reached the top of the stairs. They entered a room if it could be called that for there were hardly any walls save a few with gaping holes. They could see the outside, feel the breeze against their skin. A glimmer of hope perhaps, but it was short-lived. Legolas gripped Rhavaniel's hand and swallowed.

They were not alone.

As they turned, they were confronted by the last thing they wanted to see.

Esgaldel.

He stood there, sword drawn; his hair danced with the breeze like a black banner of death. His lips parted, and he smiled, revealing white teeth. "Leaving so soon?" He brought his sword up, inspecting it like nothing abnormal was happening. " That's a shame. Has my hospitality offended you so?"

Rhavaniel spat on the ground and clenched her hand tighter on the hilt of her dagger in her other hand. "You are a sick excuse for an elf."

Legolas' jaw clenched in mounting anger, his hope dawdling. "What corrupted you to such malice?" Legolas asked cautiously, watching his every move.

"Everything I have lost," Esgaldel's eyes darkened even more if that were even possible, yet a flicker of sorrow crossed them. He spun his sword in his hand and stalked closer. "And you will not be one of them. Guards!"

Legolas and Rhavaniel made a dash for the entryway, but looming figures of orcs stood in their way. They backed away.

More followed, blocking any means of escape, swords were drawn, yellow eyes glinting with bloodlust and darkness Legolas could not even dare to comprehend. Surrounded and outnumbered, Legolas and Rhavaniel grasped tighter on each other's hand; a small comfort yet not enough. Was this the end? Was this when their hearts stopped and souls left Middle Earth?

Rhavaniel gripped the shaking hand tighter, relishing in the small amount of comfort and hope it brought. How she wished to plunge this dagger into each one of these orcs and Esgaldel's black hearts. And she would. She would no die without a fight. Her eyes found Legolas' and in them, her own thoughts reflected. With a nod of confirmation, their hands separated, daggers outstretched.

The orcs roared in anger and charged, their own weapons extended to kill.

Adrenaline rushed through the two elves as they stood side by side slashing down the orcs. Though injured, Legolas paid no mind to the pain as he ducked under a mace, his dagger sliced the orc's throat. There was no time to watch in satisfaction as the orc drowned in his own blood before another crashed into Legolas. He killed it, slicing its foul head clean off. His eyes found Rhavaniel struggling to fend off a group of orcs that surrounded her. Jumping into the fray, he danced the dance of death, dangerous and graceful as he protected Rhavaniel with his body. His shoulder burned, and his side burst with intense agony, but he did not care; he did not feel.

Protect Rhavaniel, that was all.

Meanwhile, Esgaldel stood, back leaned into a pillar, arms crossed and eyes set ablaze with fascination as the pair tore his orcs apart. A strong team they make, he mused. Aye, it was too bad he would tear them apart.

As much as he enjoyed this, it had to come to an end. With a barked order, another large group of orcs rushed in and soon both elves were drowned into a sea of darkness. He watched momentarily as the orcs roared and cheered before raising his fist. "Enough!" He yelled. "I want them alive. Bring them." He licked his lips as each elf was dragged and shoved to their knees before him. Yes, this is how it should be, he thought.

Esgaldel couldn't help but raise an eyebrow as the blond spat at his feet. He rushed forward and backhanded the elf across the cheek, satisfied as the blond's head whipped to the side. He grabbed a fistful of the elf's silken yet filthy hair, momentarily fascinated at his softness. "Such fire in your veins even when you..." He leaned forward, lips brushing against a pointed ear," ...lost."

"Do not touch him," Rhavaniel hissed and struggled against the hands that once again held her down and threatened to take her hope.

"Is he yours?" Esgaldel smirked and released the blonds hair, smoothing it down as if he offered a gesture of kindness.

Rhavaniel frowned and held Esgaldel's sadistic eyes.

"Very well," Esgaldel backed away and smiled. "Take them below, I believe there are lessons to be learned and ones that will not be forgotten. I have heard elves fear the darkness... Let us see how long you last."

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