The next day dawned with the three not feeling any more rested. Legolas had eschewed the company of the other two early on the previous night and sat huddled against one leg of the structure in the centre of the room, silent and unmoving. Esendri and Elrohir had exchanged many a worried glance, but still Legolas had not shifted through the course of the night, although it was clear he was still awake. Neither had felt it appropriate to approach, and so they had waited out until the first rays of Arnor's light started to fill the room again.

Midday came and went, and still there was no sign from their captors.

"Legolas?" Esendri said eventually.

Legolas shifted, but did not answer.

"What did the Dyrian do when he took you away? Did he tell you what his plans were?"

"No."

"Did you see what became of Lithroleah?"

"Lithroleah?" Elrohir said.

Esendri quickly filled him in on the events of the previous day. Towards the end, his words trailed off as he saw how Legolas was not giving the slightest indication of acknowledging their presence or conversation.

Sympathy surged through Esendri as he saw that Elrohir too was looking at Legolas with a mixture of pain and guilt.

"Look at him, Esendri, look at how he is fighting against the forces which wish to break him down."

"I know," Esendri whispered, fear in his limbs returning.

"Think you he will allow me to share his burden?" Elrohir said, eyes burning.

"I wish that he would, but you know the answer as well as me, Elrohir."

Elrohir hugged himself as a sudden chill ran through him.

"I do not know how much longer this can carry on."

Before Esendri could answer, the door was flung open.

Esendri tried to run to Legolas, but the Dyrian held out his hand, and he found himself stopped by a strong force.

"Now then, have you thought about it properly?"

"Indeed I have, and the answer still remains," Legolas said, rising from his position. His friends noted the tilting of his chin and the sparkle in his eyes, and they were filled with sudden pride at his defiance.

"Oh?" the Dyrian's voice was low.

"I would release us this instance were I you," Legolas said. "And I may yet spare your stinking life!"

"Who are you to parley with me?"

"The reasoning in simple: I have great power. You covert this power. I refuse to give it to you. I turn it on you. You tragically get killed by it."

The Dyrian spat and moved in closer. "Are you suggesting we pit our strengths against one another?"

"I will be happy to oblige if you release my servant from your spell this instant."

The Dyrian roared with rage as violet flames shot out from Legolas's fingers and caught him straight in the chest.

"Release him!" Legolas cried.

Watching on in horror, Elrohir felt a cold feeling of dread descend over him. There was pure fury in Legolas's face, as well as a cold purpose that he had never seen before in him.

Beside him, Esendri stiffened as a hand seemed to wrap around his neck and tighten, pushing forward with cruel, measured pace. The air started to choke off, and he clawed at his throat, trying to understand why the Dyrian was laughing, why Legolas was shouting --

"Leave her out of this!" Legolas screamed, and a larger stream of sparks flew from him.

The pressure around Esendri's throat was released suddenly, and he flung himself onto Elrohir, who had started to run to Legolas as the Dyrian began his counter-attack. The two waves of magic hit each other with a blaze that almost blinded them.

Esendri called upon his own command of magic without a second thought, a desperate blanket which smothered him and Elrohir, neutralising the effect of Legolas's own power which crashed into the Dyrian and everything in the room.

"Stop!" Elrohir screamed from beneath the protective layer Esendri had cloaked them in. Legolas could not carry on with this malice, this hatred.

He reached for his sword, flung Esendri aside, somehow managing to reach Legolas, where he brought the scabbard down hard on Legolas.

Falling to his knees, Legolas's world reeled. He was trying to keep upright, trying to stop the world from spinning so horrifically around him. All he wanted now was to be at home, far away from this unnatural place, far from where the Dyrian would not stop laughing, away from all this madness.

Esendri did not say anything as the Dyrian struck Legolas hard on the face and dragged his now-unconscious body out of the room.

Beside him, Elrohir began to weep.