Aluhen Nur, the former ambassador of Khand, was well-known for grand, expensive parties with the best belly-dancers coin could buy and fights between warriors for his guests' entertainment—although never to the death.
He had a wife, several concubines and nine children remaining, of which six were boys. He was considered to be a fair main who enjoyed life. When war had broken out between Gondor and Harad, he had sent his wife, concubines and children home to Khand, as they were in less danger to become victims of battle there than in Saharel. In this, Nur had been right.
He himself had remained in the city, although he was probably regretting that now.
Achilles stood threateningly in his great hall, one hand on his sword and steadily glowering at the man. Nur was good in that he tried to hide his nervousness, but he was not quite successful and Odysseus knew better.
"Where are your slaves?" Odysseus demanded.
Nur glanced from Odysseus to Achilles, and he seemed to realize that there was a similarity between Achilles and Patroclus—at least Odysseus hoped it was that.
"I believe I know who you look for; he is at work in the garden," Nur replied.
"Lead us," Odysseus commanded, giving Achilles a gesture to back off.
Nur obeyed. He led them quickly through the house and into a garden, which was enclosed by high walls on all sides. It looked not much different from the palace garden, although on a smaller scale. This either said something about the type of gardens in Saharel, or about Aluhen Nur's wealth.
A burly man approached them, alarm written on his face, holding a thick, short staff in his hand—the overseer of the slaves. Achilles immediately held his blade against Nur's throat again, so closely in fact, that if Nur even twitched, the skin of his throat would part against the sharp edge of the sword.
"Drop the stick," Odysseus ordered.
The overseer looked sour and torn, but he followed their orders after an instant of consideration.
The Ithacan took the staff and forced the overseer to come with them. It was better than having the man escape and possibly gather help from neighbours or who knew where.
They did not have to go far. They passed a high bush and suddenly, he was there: Patroclus.
"Patroclus!" Achilles shouted.
The boy's head jerked up, and then Achilles was already next to him and threw his arms around him.
"Achilles!" Patroclus cried out with joy.
He was thinner and more sinewy than he had been before, Odysseus noted. He wore loose clothing that was neither too fine nor too coarse. It seemed that Nur took at least some care with his slaves.
"We're leaving," Achilles declared. Not even glancing at Nur or the slave overseer—who did indeed look as if he wanted to object—he hauled Patroclus up against his body and marched with him past the two who had been in charge of the last months of his cousin's captivity.
"I suggest you talk to King Elessar, if you have a problem with us leaving," Odysseus said to them.
Then he followed Achilles and Patroclus, careful to watch their backs. But Nur and the overseer only looked angry and helpless. With Gondor ruling Saharel, there was no authority they could call on.
By the time they returned to their quarters, it was night and Machmad had returned. He took one look at Patroclus and said:
"I assume this is the one you have been looking for so long. I'm glad for you that you found him. Kahim, bring us some tea. We have to celebrate our friends' success."
The entire group came together. Patroclus was quickly overwhelmed by the others, who treated him as a friend. His Haradrim was no worse than Odysseus' and he was able to answer some of their questions.
To his cousin and Odysseus he was more detailed.
"The army carried me off with many others, most of them Trojan prisoners. They didn't keep a very close eye on us, and I was able to care for my wound, which was my luck. Suddenly, the army couldn't move on fast enough, and any who slowed them down too much were killed or simply left behind to die in the desert." Patroclus looked down, deep into his tea, and would not continue.
Achilles clasped his shoulder reassuringly. "You're safe now."
"I failed you, cousin," the younger man said in a low, desolate voice.
"How?" Achilles frowned. "You survived. That's all I care about."
"I was afraid. I have never been so afraid. Always that thought that I would be the next one to die..."
"A warrior who does not fear at all, is reckless. Fear is useful, but it must not paralyze a man. Obviously it didn't, otherwise you would not be here."
The warrior pulled his cousin towards him and held him tightly to his strong shoulder and chest.
"What happened once you got through the desert?" Odysseus prodded.
"There were hardly any of us left by that time. The soldiers were getting annoyed because there was so little of the loot left. They hurried us to Saharel and then we and the loot were divided up very quickly. Aluhen Nur requested me. Apparently I reminded him of his son. He was ambassador of a country called Khand and had some power at the court. I think otherwise they might not have bothered with me long anymore. I planned to escape. But I didn't know how I could ever cross the desert on my own."
"It was good that you did not attempt it," Achilles said.
Odysseus nodded in agreement.
Patroclus yawned, and abruptly Odysseus realized how late it was. The sun had gone down long ago, and they should probably go to bed soon.
"How are we going to get home?" Patroclus asked quietly.
Odysseus had shied away from that thought before—he did not want to try the desert again. But perhaps there were other ways, namely ships. He would have to talk to Machmad and Kahim.
Machmad planned to stay in Saharel for another week. He pulled Odysseus aside the next evening after the market had ended and said:
"Kahim told me of your visit to the Palace. You are a king and your companion a lord? You never told me, although I suspected that neither of you were ordinary men."
"I apologize if we deceived you," Odysseus replied. "I respect you and Kahim much, and without your help we would not have found Patroclus. But I did not believe it wise to speak without caution. Besides, what does it matter when our lands are far away and there is no way for anyone here to know whether we are lying or not?"
"You speak wisely, friend. Yet I believe that you spoke the truth, and I find it hard to continue treating you as a common guard. Your contract is nearly ended, and I should release you from my service. But you have use of me and would probably wish to return with me."
"You're right, we would much rather prefer to go with you. You plan to return to the coast, and we must go there as well. We are warriors, and we can and will be of use to you in protecting your caravan. Let our status not be a barrier. Were I in my own lands, I would not have need as I do here. But as it is, we even need the coins you pay us, for we need to find a way home."
Machmad nodded. "Things will remain as they are now between us."
"Thank you."
Two days later, they received an invitation to the palace. They were somewhat surprised, but assumed it was because they had taken Patroclus away from his slaver. They had been asked to come at the end of the King taking petitions, and this time, they met both the Steward and the King. While King Elessar sat on the throne, Faramir sat on the Queen's smaller chair as he had last time. Even more striking than the two were the men standing to one side of Elessar's throne: one was a very pale, tall and slender man with bright blue eyes. He wore his pale blonde hair in several braids, and his ears were pointed. Odysseus' instincts told him that this was an elf. The elf's companion was quite the opposite: he was short and nearly squat, with a long, thick, red beard and braids in both his hair and his beard. His nose was large, and his eyes dark. He wore a rich cloak with gems that glittered like the stars in the night and armour that was a masterpiece.
"Greetings! I hear you were successful. I assume this is your friend?" Elessar said.
Odysseus had been right in assuming that the King of Gondor had ears and eyes in Saharel. It was also possible that Aluhen Nur had complained to either the Steward or the King, but he doubted it.
"We were successful, yes. This is Patroclus, Achilles' cousin."
"Greetings, Patroclus," Elessar gave the younger man a slight nod. Turning back to Odysseus, as the Ithacan had always acted as their spokesman, he said:
"I had the major-domo find all slaves of Haradrim nobles in Saharel that were taken from your country, and gave them the same choice that I gave to the former prince: to try their luck in Gondor or to return to their homeland. Nearly all of them want to return, but the way is far and dangerous. I realize that some of them might have been your enemies in the past. Still, their chance is slim without your help. Would you lead them?"
Odysseus was surprised. Paris had said that none were left alive, but he had only known of those in the palace. Elessar had apparently had the personal houses of the nobles searched.
"How many are there?"
"Nineteen."
"While I would be willing, please allow me to confer with my companion."
Odysseus explained the matter to Achilles and Patroclus. While Achilles did not look as if he truly wanted to be the guide of a group that would very likely be mostly made up of youths, if not children, and most of them women, Patroclus immediately agreed that he wanted to help them. After all, he had shared their fate. For his cousin's sake, Achilles allowed himself to be persuaded.
Odysseus turned back to Elessar:
"We would have to speak to them. Do they know who we are?"
"Prince Faramir told them, yes. They said the same: they wish to speak to you first. Prince Legolas and Lord Gimli will be present in case their aid is needed."
"You mean in case there is trouble," Odysseus replied with a smirk.
Elessar smiled easily. "Or that. They have experience with feuds."
Prince Legolas and Lord Gimli were as different as the wood and the stone their respective races were said to be so fond off. Prince Legolas' walk was inaudible, while the dwarf was as loud as a whole group of men. They walked in front of them, and Patroclus watched them closely with great fascination.
"What's the point of having two watchers who don't speak our language?" Achilles grumbled to the Ithacan.
"I'm certain they will understand when we're about to rip each other's throat out—if it comes to that."
Lord Gimli and Prince Legolas led the Greeks into an airy room with a view of the garden where Odysseus had spoken with Paris. Eight people awaited them, so not all of the nineteen Elessar had spoken about. Odysseus found it curious that Paris was not present either. Of the eight, three were women and five were men. They varied in ages, although Odysseus would have estimated the oldest man to be around forty summers, and the oldest woman just over fifty. The youngest of the group was a boy of perhaps fifteen.
"I'm Odysseus, King of Ithaca," Odysseus began, as tradition demanded that conversation be started by the one with the highest rank. "This is Achilles, Lord of the Myrmidons, and his cousin, Patroclus. Who speaks for you?"
"We all do," the eldest among the women replied. "We speak for those who are not here. My name is Eulalie." Pointing to the other women, she went on: "These are Mamie and Lois." And continuing with the men, she introduced them in order of their age: "These are Phestos, Alastor, Kostis, Oineus and Castulo. All of us were from Troy, except Kostis, who fought for King Nestor of Pylos."
"Are there any more Greeks among the nineteen Elessar spoke of to me?" Odysseus asked Kostis.
"Only two more, King Odysseus. One fought for King Diomedes, and the other fought for King Ajax."
"Do you know of any other Greeks who survived?"
"None who remained in Saharel, to my knowledge."
"Very well. We are brothers, of course, but I'm surprised the others trust us this much."
Alastor snorted. "Trust has nothing to do with it. You're our only chance to return home. We would not know where to travel, but you do. Let us be frank: we have no belongings; Troy lies destroyed; one of the women in our group was made a widow because of you; many others lost family or friends to the Achaeans. Yet we come to you for aid. But what do you demand in return?"
"Will Prince Paris return with you?" Achilles demanded now.
"He is so far undecided," Oineus replied, his expression revealing nothing of his thoughts.
"A shame. He might have been useful as a thief, since you have nothing," Achilles returned.
Castulo, the youngest, snickered before he remembered to control himself and bit his lip. The others did not react except for some uncomfortable shifting.
"What do you want?" Eulalie demanded again.
"You've said it yourself: you have nothing to give except yourselves."
Lois paled. "Is that the price you would take?" She asked.
"I did not say that. We will think on the matter. We can meet again tomorrow."
They still had some time before Machmad would leave Saharel. If they wanted to safely take anyone with them, they needed the merchant's support.
To his surprise, Machmad and Kahim did not worry about it.
"It's quite common for families to travel with a trading caravan; there is safety in numbers, no matter where you are. Sharing company does not require payment in these lands. Food, on the other hand, does. I imagine, however, that King Elessar may be willing to help you there. He is known for being generous."
Odysseus thanked him. "Would you hire Achilles and I again on the return trip? It would help us with any supplies we would need between the end of our road together and our homeland."
Machmad frowned a little. "It seems unseemly to me to hire a king and a lord to protect my wares. But there are many who would say that merchants know no morals, so I suppose my soul will survive and the gods will not blame me more for that than for any other deeds in my life."
"Thank you again, Machmad. You have been of great value to me and my friend, and I will never forget you."