Author: Jedi Ha'Li

Title: A Changing Fate

Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings or any of its characters (duh!) Some dude by the name of Tolkien owns it all (lucky bastard!)

Summary: Begins at the end of the first book (or the last scene of the first movie.) The Fellowship has just reached Parth Galen and are deciding which way to go. AU in which all are captured by Orcs and taken to Saruman. I know its been done before, but bare with me…I plan to incorporate a new twist J Also, plenty of character torture, for those of you that are into that (you know who you are!)

Authors Note: This is my first attempt at Lord of the Ring fan fiction. I've written quite a few Star Wars stories, hence the pen name. I love reviews, but I hate flames, just so you know. Constructive criticism is welcomed.

A Changing Fate

"We should leave." Legolas said, his eyes carefully scanning the tree line. "Now."

Aragorn shook his head. "No. Orcs patrol the western shores." He followed Legolas's gaze to the trees. "We'd best wait for cover of darkness."

"It is not the western shore that worries me. A dark threat has been growing in my mind. We are not safe here, Aragorn. I can feel it." Legolas turned to face his friend, worry etched on his face.

"Legolas…" Aragorn began, interrupted by the sound of a hobbit's voice. He turned to see Sam looking around worriedly.

"Where is Mister Frodo?"

"Frodo?" Pippin said merrily, stretching out in the sun. "He was going in search of firewood."

"Alone?" Aragorn demanded quickly. "He went into the woods alone?"

Pippin gazed up at the human. "Yes. Said he needed to be alone…to think, or something like that."

"No one was supposed to venture out alone! Not with Orcs patrolling!" Aragorn fumed. "We must find him!"

Legolas again turned his head to the trees, his ears perking up as he listened to a far off sound. "Many heavy footfalls, in the woods! The trees have raised voice in panic. The dark threat, Aragorn, is growing fast!" Before anyone else could react, the Elf sprinted off into the forest. "Orcs, Aragorn! The Ringbearer is in trouble!"

"Legolas! Wait for us!" Aragorn raced after his friend, followed closely by Boromir, Gimli and the remaining hobbits.

* * * * * * * * * *

Frodo wandered aimlessly through the trees, enjoying the quiet and the peaceful breeze that rustled his hair. He had longed for a bit of quiet time since leaving the safety of Lothlorien and a chance to walk in the woods and collect his thoughts had been too hard to pass up. He felt a bit guilty about not telling Aragorn or Legolas where he was going, but he knew in his heart that neither would have allowed him to venture off on his own. He lightly hopped over a fallen tree, singing a lively hobbit tune to himself. Absently, he noted that he had walked quite far as his feet led him up towards the slope of the hill. He came to a path, the dwindling ruins of a road of long ago. In steep places stairs of stone had been made, but now they were cracked and worn, and split by the roots of trees. For some while he climbed, not caring which way he went, until he came to a grassy clearing. At the edge of the clearing rested the remains of a large statue and it was there that he headed, to sit down on the large stone and rest. Cupping his chin in his hands, he stared eastward, startled to see the river such a great distance below him. He had indeed traveled very far without realizing it! Absently, he allowed his thoughts to stray, recalling all that had happened since learning the true nature of the Ring. Time went on and still he came no closer to gathering his thoughts.

Suddenly he awoke from his thoughts: a strange feeling came to him that something was behind him, that unfriendly eyes were upon him. He sprang up and turned around, cursing his foolishness at ignoring his surroundings until it was too late. An arrow whizzed by his head as the sound of many heavy footfalls filled his ears. He looked around, bewildered, as dozens upon dozens of Orcs rushed into the clearing, successfully cutting off his escape.

* * * * * * * * * *

Ugluk, leader of the Orcs, pushed into the clearing, issuing his orders in a loud, gruff voice.

"Capture the Halflings alive!" He barked. "Kill the rest!" His eyes surveyed the clearing, finally resting on a small form in the midst of a stone statue. Stalking up to the creature, he drew his sword.

He growled, his voice menacing. "Surrender Halfling, and come quietly!"

Frodo trembled, fright overwhelming him. Drawing his sword, he did his best to put on a brave face as he turned to confront the large leader.

"Leave me be, Orc!" He cried, cringing at how weak and small his voice sounded. Ugluk's harsh laugher rang in his ears.

"You will surrender, Hafling!"

"Never!" Frodo cried. "You will have to take me by force!" He raised Sting in front of him and prepared to fight.

"So be it! Seize the Hafling!" The Orcs charged Frodo, weapons raised. The first swarm reached him quickly, surrounding him in a tight circle and grabbing at his arms and legs to subdue him. Hacking his sword at any limb he could reach, drawing pained cries from the beasts, Frodo did his best to defend himself, wishing that he had at least told the others where he was going. A hard object connected with his head, the resulting crack sounding loud to his ears. He wavered slightly on his feet, his eyes glazing over as darkness crept at the corners of his vision. Raising his sword once again, he fought with renewed vigor, severing the hand of the Orc that clutched at his shoulder. Another heavy blow connected with his head and he fell slowly to the ground, stars dancing in front of his eyes. He lied on the dirt, panting, struggling to overcome the wave of nausea that threatened to overwhelm in as his head pounded loudly. The stars slowly gave way to darkness as Frodo felt himself being snatched up by a large Orc and flung carelessly over the smelly creature's shoulder.

'So this is it.' Frodo thought vaguely. 'The Fellowship will fail because I needed to be alone.' Despair overwhelmed him as the darkness finally claimed him.

* * * * * * * * * *

Legolas burst into the clearing and came to a sudden halt, finding himself facing a large army of Orc soldiers. Before the stunned creatures would react to seeing the Elf, Legolas strung an arrow to his bow and let it fly, striking the nearest Orc in the throat. Another arrow soared through the air, imbedding itself in the chest of another Orc, causing it to fall to the ground with a pained grunt.

Aragorn rushed up beside Legolas, his eyes scanning the army before him. "Is there any sign of Frodo?"

"None as of yet." Legolas said, another arrow piercing the heart of a swiftly advancing Orc.

"Whoa!" Boromir cried, coming to a halt near the pair. "Where in the hell did this army come from?" He dodged an arrow and drew his sword.

Gimli broke into the clearing, the hobbits in tail, and held up his ax. "We fight!" He growled.

"My count stands at ten, Master Dwarf!" Legolas laughed, letting fly yet another arrow. 'You will be hard pressed to catch up!"

"I will be dead before I let a pointy eared, arrogant Elf surpass me in battle!" With a cry, he flung himself at the nearest Orc, his ax expertly severing its head from its body. "One!" He shouted, before moving on to the next Orc.

* * * * * * * * * *

Grishnakh, second in command of the Orc army, flung his small bundle to the ground without care. The tiny creature groaned, its eyes still closed. Grishnakh gave it a swift kick to the middle before leaning down over the Halfling.

"Where is it?" He growled, his face inches from Frodo's. Frodo opened his eyes slightly, groaning at the pained caused by the bright light of the sun.

"Where is what?" He asked weakly, his mind still clouded from the harsh blows to his head.

"The Ring!" Grishnakh growled, his hands roughly checking Frodo's pockets. "I must have the Ring!"

Frodo's eyes flew open at the mention of the Ring, his hand automatically springing up to his neck and closing over his precious cargo. "No! You cannot have it!" He cried, trying to crawl out of the reach of the large Orc.

Grishnakh smiled evilly, his hand brandishing a large, lethal looking dagger. "Give it to me or die, Hafling!" He hissed. He grabbed the hobbit's head and slammed it forcefully back into the ground. Frodo's eyes glazed over, his head pounding. He moaned, trying meekly to keep the Orc's hands from his throat. A sharp tug at the chain around his neck, followed by a soft ping as the chain broke confirmed his worst fears. The Ring now lay in the hands of an evil Orc.

"You will not be able to control it!" He whispered weakly, blackness once again coming to claim him. "It must be destroyed!"

Grishnakh laughed harshly, getting quickly to his feet. "The Ring is mine now, hobbit. I will rule Middle Earth and you will be a slave." He delivered on more savage kick to Frodo's side before turning and running off down the hill. Frodo turned his head slightly, wincing at the pain. He smiled slightly as he saw Legolas rush into the clearing, his bow singing, then he knew no more.

* * * * * * * * * *

Ugluk was in the midst of a rage. The battle was not going as he had planned! He climbed onto a large rock and yelled his command to his army.

"Get me the Haflings!" He growled, gaining the attention of all those around him. "Kill the rest!" His army, finding renewed courage from the orders of their leader, attacked the Fellowship with renewed vigor.

"Ready yourselves!" Aragorn shouted, as a new wave rushed towards them. "Here they come!"

Boromir ran up to stand back to back with Aragorn. "Protect the hobbits!" He cried. "They seem to be the target!"

"Ai, they should protect us!" Gimli shouted, dispatching another Orc. "You heard the Orc! Save the hobbits, kill the rest! Do you think I could pass as a hobbit?"

"Nay!" Legolas laughed. "You have too much facial hair, Master Gimli!" His bow sang as arrow upon arrow went flying, quicker than the eye could see. "The count stands at thirty, Master Dwarf. Admit defeat!"

"Never!" Gimli cried. Raising his ax, he ran to meet the onslaught of Orcs rushing towards them, taking down all that he met.

"I guess we're charging." Boromir shrugged.

"Guess so." Aragorn agreed. "You first."

"Oh no, my King." Boromir grinned. "After you, oh Royal One!"

Aragorn sank his sword into the belly of an attacking Orc and laughed. "We should make the Elf go first! He's crazy enough to do anything!"

"Forget you both!" Legolas smirked. "While you two argue, the Dwarf's numbers grow steadily higher!" With a yell, he chased after Gimli.

"I told you he would go first!" Aragorn grinned. Issuing his own cry, he took off after his friend. He was in the middle of a sword fight with a large Orc when something caught his eye. He called out to the Elf.

"Legolas! The Ring!"

Legolas looked towards Aragorn, saw where he was pointing. The Ringbearer lay in a heap at the edge of the clearing surrounded by Orcs. Legolas charged towards the group, firing arrow after arrow as he ran. Five Orcs fell to his arrows while the other five looked up in surprise when he dove into the group, his knives drawn. Quickly dispatching the remaining Orcs, he leaned over Frodo.

"Frodo?" A groan from the young hobbit confirmed that he was still among the living. Aragorn came to kneel beside him, out of breath.

"How is he?"

"He is alive." Legolas said. "Frodo, can you hear me?"

"The Ring!" Frodo whispered weakly. "He took it from me. I could not stop him."

"Who?" Aragorn asked urgently. "Who took the Ring, Frodo?"

"A large Orc. He ran down the hill, to the East."

"Legolas," Aragorn said. "Find him and with all the skills that you possess, retrieve that Ring! For the sake of all Middle Earth. I will watch over Frodo."

Legolas nodded. "Be safe!" He called as he sprinted down the hill, his bow drawn.

* * * * * * * * * *

Grishnakh ran down the hill as fast as lightening, faster indeed than an Orc of his size should be able to run. In his clawed hand he clutched a prize, the prize of all prizes, the Ring of Power. Though his small mind could not comprehend the vast importance of the One Ring, he knew enough. His Lord, Saruman, desired the Ring, desired its power above all else. And now, by gift of fate, he, Grishnakh, processed that very ring. And it would be he who would become all powerful, not Saruman, and all the creatures of Middle Earth would bow before him.

Especially the Elves! Grishnakh thought, a growl resonating in his throat as he ran. How he detested the Elves, forever flaunting their immortality…their perfectness! He would have his fun with them before ridding Middle Earth of the hated creatures. He snarled again as he remembered the Elf at the top of the hill, expertly slaying his kind with that blasted bow! How he had wanted to grab him by that long, blond hair and slit his perfect throat! He could almost taste his sweet blood! But no, now was not the time for vengeance. The time would come for that Elf, if his brother Orcs had not already finished the job. Grishnahk was more concerned with getting the Ring to safety, and with beginning his reign of power.

Picking up his pace, he leapt over a fallen tree…and fell suddenly to the ground with a pained grunt. A sharp agony in his leg captured his attention as his eyes fell upon an arrow protruding from his thigh…an elvish arrow! Ripping it from his flesh with a hiss, he looked up the hill to see the cursed blond Elf rushing towards him. Grishnakh growled. It looked as if fate had allowed him time for vengeance after all! This Elf would die, slowly, by his hand, squealing like a stuck rat! Drawing his sword, he rose to face his foe.

* * * * * * * * * *

Legolas cursed softly to himself, angered by his misfortune, when the arrow missed its mark, striking the Orc in the thigh instead of the back. The leap over the dead tree had caught him off guard and the arrow had only managed to wound the large Orc, not kill him, as Legolas had intended. Ripping the arrow from his leg, the Orc stood, raising itself to its incredible height, as it glared at the Elf and drew its sword.

"You've picked a bad fight, Elf!" Grishnakh growled. "You will scream for death before I finally kill you!"

Legolas smirked, his bow aimed at the Orc's face. "You have something I want, Orc. Give it to me now and I may spare your life!"

"You mean this?" Grisnakh asked, holding up the Ring still dangling from Frodo's chain. "Is this what you are after? It is mine now! I will be all powerful! I will rule Middle Earth and all Elves will die!" He moved to slide the ring onto his finger. "Beginning with you!"

Quicker than sight, Legolas let loose his arrow, shooting off the Orc's finger just as the Ring was being slipped on. The Ring and bloody finger fell to the ground as the Orc howled in pain, lunging in a rage for Legolas.

"I will drink your blood for that, Elf!" He snarled, his sword raised above his head to deliver a deathblow. Legolas dodged the swinging sword and pulled out his knives, burying one in the surprised Orc's throat. Blood gurgled from Grisnakh's mouth as he weakly pulled at the knife before collapsing to the ground in a dead heap.

"An Elf does not scream for death, Orc." Legolas smirked, looking down at the still form. "Pity it was impossible for you to scream with that knife blocking your airway." He stepped over the Orc and bent to retrieve the Ring. Said Ring, aware now that it had a potential new master, whispered its evil thoughts.

Legolas Greenleaf! It whispered in his mind, taunting him with visions of greatness, telling him to claim the ring as his own. He turned the ring over and over in his hand, marveling at its smoothness, its sleek form, its precious appearance.

Yes! That was it! It could be his precious! He could use it, just for a little while, to rid Middle Earth of the evil threat they now faced. He could be Lord Legolas, benevolent and merciful ruler of all the realm. Visions of himself on white horseback, leading vast armies against the now powerless Sauron entered his mind, showing him what could be. He saw himself standing atop a great tower, gleaming sword in hand, looking out over the barren land while the people of Middle Earth bowed to their new leader. He could be King of all…

Legolas shook his head, trying to clear the images. Baron land. That was what had brought him back to his senses. The Ring would lead to the destruction of nature, no matter who wielded it. He was not meant to be King. Gaining control over himself, he smiled slightly. He had passed the test. The Ring would hold no power over him. Quickly orienting himself again to his surroundings, he realized suddenly just how precarious his situation was. He could hear Orcs roaming the woods all around him, calling to each other in their Black Speech, searching for something. Legolas looked down. Searching for him. And for the dead Orc that now lay at his feet. He had obviously stolen the ring for himself without regard to the Master he was supposed to serve and his comrades were not pleased. Legolas crouched behind a nearby tree, working out his options. His friends were still involved in a fight for their lives up on the hilltop, battling a many dozen Orc, and were vastly outnumbered. They could be in serious jeopardy and no doubt could use his help. However, it was now his duty to protect the Ring, to keep it from the grasp of evil that searched for it so persistently.

He had but one option that he could live with. He would hide the ring.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Gimli!" Aragorn called, swinging his sword to block yet another Orc attack. "Watch your back!"

Gimli swung around, brandishing his ax in time to see an Orc who was sneaking up behind him. Swinging his ax in a high arc, he cut off the Orc's head before he could take another step.

"My count stands at 30, Master Aragorn! Let that Elf beat that!" Gimli called.

Aragorn smiled. "I'm sure he's having a bit of fun himself in that forest! Half the beasts went off in chase of him and the Ring!" He ran up to stand back to back with the Dwarf.

"Ai, he can take care of himself if anyone can." Gimli said confidently. "It is us I'm worried about! These blasted Orc are appearing out of thin air! Attack from the side!" He called his warning, turning to fend off an oncoming sword. His ax was deflected by a heavy blow from an Orc sword, the handle of the sword connecting with his skull. Gimli grunted as he fell to the ground, his ax dropping from his hands.

"Gimli!" Aragorn cried, turning to protect his friend. He sliced down with his sword, burying it deep in the Orc's head. Pushing the dead Orc aside, he knelt down to check on his friend. He smiled in relief. The Dwarf was not dead, only unconscious. Quickly getting to his feet, he stood over his comrade and raised his sword, protectively.

"Aragorn! Arrow!" Boromir shouted, having seen the large Orc leader raise his bow. Aragorn turned in time to deflect the arrow as best he could, but he was unable to keep it from burrowing into his shoulder. Falling to his knees, he quickly gritted his teeth and ripped the arrow from his flesh, flinging it to the side. However, his momentary lapse in concentration would prove to be his downfall. A grunt from behind forced him to turn as the hilt of a sword crashed into his skull, knocking him into the realm of unconsciousness. He fell in a heap next to Gimli.

"NO!" Boromir cried, rushing towards Aragorn. He was halfway there when a large arrow struck him in the side, knocking him heavily to the ground. Pippin and Merry quickly surrounded him, their swords raised as the Orc army surrounded them.

"This is not good." Merry said, looking nervously around.

"Not good indeed, Merry." Pippin agreed, looking equally nervous. "We will defend our friends to the end, eh Merry?"

"Aye, Pippin. It's been a pleasure knowing you!" Merry said, a humorless grin on his face.

They each issued a loud battle cry as the advancing Orcs reached them, the hobbits doing their best to protect their fallen comrades. Both hacked and swung at as many Orc limbs as they could, successfully injuring a large number of Orcs before each found themselves being swooped up by large Orc arms. Merry grunted, scrunching up his face in disgust as he was flung over an Orc shoulder.

"Pippin! Help!" He cried, struggling in vain to get free.

"No! You help me!" Pippin yelled, finding himself in the same predicament. The battle seemingly over, the hobbits found themselves facing the large Orc leader.

* * * * * * * * * *

Legolas hopped lightly down from the tree he had climbed and looked around carefully. The Orc search party had long since moved out of the area, leaving him a clear path back up the hill to the battle. Moving as quickly and as silently as he could, he ran up the hill, stopping just at the edge of the clearing. Leaning next to Frodo, he surveyed the battle. To his dismay, he realized that it had not gone in his friends' favor. Aragorn and Gimli lay in a heap next to each other, blood seeping from head wounds and from a hole in Aragorn's shoulder. Boromir also lay on the ground, a large black arrow protruding from his side. Pippin and Merry were valiantly trying to protect the human, but neither was having much luck. A cough to his right grabbed his attention and he raised his knives in defense.

"No, Master Elf! It is only I!" A small hobbit moved out of the bushes, coming to Legolas's side.

"Sam!" Legolas cried in relief. "Sam, you must listen to me! Watch over Frodo, see that he is safe!"

"And what will you do?" Sam asked, fear in his voice.

"I must help the others." Legolas said, moving closer to the battle. "Whatever you do, watch over Frodo! Do not try to help us!"

Sam nodded numbly, taking vigil over his fallen Master. "I will not let anything bad happen to Mister Frodo!" He promised.

Legolas grinned. "Good, Sam. With Valor's luck, I will join you in a moment's time with the others!" With one last smile at the hobbit, he moved slowly into the clearing.

Sam watched him go, then turned his attention to Frodo. "Come, Mister Frodo." He said, grabbing hold of his friend's cloak. "We must hide ourselves, as Master Legolas ordered." Dragging his friend, he made his way to a large group of bushes deeper within the safety of the trees.

* * * * * * * * * *

Ugluk stalked up to the two Halflings, hate blaring from his eyes. Standing before them, he raised a lethal looking dagger. "Which one of you has the Ring?" He demanded.

Pippin and Merry both shrank back as best they could in the grasp of the other Orcs.

"We do not have it!" Pippin stammered, his fear evident on his face.

"Leave them be, Orc!" Boromir mumbled, from the ground. "Pick on someone your own size!"

"Quiet human!" Ugluk snarled, kicking Boromir roughly in the side. "We will deal with you soon enough!" He turned back to the hobbits. "I will only ask this one more time! Which one of you has the Ring?" The dagger moved dangerously close to Merry's throat, causing him to cry out.

"We've already told you!" Pippin pleaded. "We do not have it!"

An arrow put an end to the conversation, hitting the Orc holding Pippin in the chest. The Orc looked dumbly down at his middle, disbelief evident on his face, before he fell to the ground, dropping Pippin. Pippin landed on the ground underneath the large Orc.

"Get it off me!" He cried, struggling to free himself. Another Orc wrenched him free, grabbing hold of him to keep him from running away.

"It's the Elf!" Ugluk growled. "Bring him to me!" He yelled, raising his sword. The Orcs, at his command, rushed towards Legolas.

* * * * * * * * * *

Legolas raised his bow, taking down one Orc after another as they ran for him. He quickly spotted the leader, who was stalking towards him, sword raised and ready for battle. Legolas reached behind him, pulling his last arrow from his quiver. Saying a small prayer to the gods, he steadied himself, took careful aim and let the arrow fly. It struck Ugluk in his shoulder, but did nothing to slow him down. Glancing down at it as if it were only a minor irritant, Ugluk pulled the arrow out and licked it before dropping it to the ground.

Legolas grimaced at the sight of the Orc tasting its own blood. Taking a deep breath, he pulled out his knives and rushed towards him. Their weapons clashed loudly, knives striking sword as the two battled. Legolas managed to evade the long sword, blocking each strike with his small blades. Dodging yet another blow, he leaned in, burrowing one of his blades in the Orc's already wounded shoulder. Ugluk howled, his rage growing. He lunged for the Elf, slugging him in the head. Legolas's head was knocked sideways from the force of the blow, dropping him to the ground. He landed on his back with a grunt, immediately moving to jump back to his feet…only to find himself staring at the sharp point of the massive Orc's sword.

"I would not move, Elf, if you value your life!" Ugluk growled, moving his sword closer to Legolas's throat. Shrinking back into the dirt, wishing he was not so vulnerable on his back, Legolas tried one last desperate move. Kicking out with his leg, he knocked the sword to the left and rolled swiftly to his right out of harm's way. Ugluk roared in anger, rushing after the still rolling Elf. Legolas rolled over and over, avoiding the Orc's ferocious kicks, before coming in contact with a large rock. Smacking up against it, he grunted as he ended up on his back once again. Before he could leap to his feet, Ugluk's sword came down, piercing his shoulder and successfully pinning him to the ground. Legolas screamed as an agonizing pain erupted in his bleeding shoulder.

"What's the matter, Elf? Feeling a bit of pain?" Ugluk taunted before wrenching his sword from the wounded Elf's shoulder. "Pick him up!" He ordered, Two Orcs rushed to Legolas and roughly hauled him to his knees. Ugluk grabbed a hand full of Legolas's hair, turning his head to face him. "I would keep you around, Elf, for the amusement of my men, but I'm afraid I was only ordered to bring in the Halflings and you have caused too much trouble for your own good!" He moved his sword to rest on Legolas's chest. Legolas closed his eyes, waiting for the sword to pierce his skin.

* * * * * * * * * *

Authors Note: Please be good little readers and don't forget to leave a review. If the story is liked, I plan to update every couple of days. (I've got some Legolas torture planned for the next chapter!)