CHAPTER TEN

The Encircling Mountains aren't anything like they thought it would be. The range is covered in tall grass and scattered trees make the shadows a perfect place for hiding.

"Now I see what you mean," Guilen looks around them. There are also various birds flying around making it hard to pin-point different movements since they're masked in the sounds of their wings and squawks.

"Do you remember how you got through the mountains when you were kidnapped, milady?" asks Athlor.

Nadira shakes her head. "My vision was covered so I could only hear what was going on around me. It seemed that they knew exactly where they were going. I also didn't hear any battles being fought along the way."

"It's strange that the Gondolindrim didn't attack them," Guilen comments. "Surely, they could have seen them moving about."

"I'm sorry that I am not of any use," she says quietly.

Nasalos smiles at her. "Don't be sorry, princess. They clearly had your kidnapping planned."

"Yes, well. I just wish that I could have done more at the time," she shrugs.

Legolas notices that something else is bothering her from the look on her features. For the past day or so Nadira appears to have something weighing on her mind hasn't said anything about it. The prince never asked about it in hopes that she will tell him on her own accord.

As the Elves continue, every other sound is keeping them on their toes. Guilen resorts to his bow instead of his blades so he can strike quicker. Everyone stays silent for the most part as they continue to walk cautiously.

Nadira wonders if the Gondolin warriors would recognize her, given that there are orders for her return. According to her knowledge about their warriors who protect the Encircling Mountains, they attack with no remorse. They are trained to follow orders no matter how life-threatening or immoral it was.

"Everyone stop!" Bohlen orders.

"What is it?" Legolas jogs to his side.

"Look there," he points.

"The white stoned rocks…"

"Prefect," Guilen says sarcastically and raises his bow toward the trees. Athlor does the same in a different direction.

"Nadira, stay close," Legolas tells her.

Before she can reply, an arrow pierces Guilen in the shoulder.

"Blasted Elves!" Guilen grits his teeth, dropping to one knee. He brakes the arrow in half and throws it on the ground. "They're going to pay for that!"

Bohlen's sharp eyes sees one and shoots him down from a tree. Soon, more arrows begin flying their way.

"Can you stand?" Athlor tries to get Guilen to his feet. Guilen nods and runs with his company to avoid being hit again.

The Gondolin warriors jump down from their hiding places and follow in pursuit. Their faces are masked with scarves and helmets, their clothing blending into the background of the area. The Mirkwood Elves couldn't see them at first because they were camouflaged into their surroundings.

Nasalos is one of the last ones behind and gets an arrow in his leg. He falls down, rolling against a tree.

"Nasalos!" Nadira exclaims. When Guilen doubles back to help him, he finds an arrow pointed at his head.

"Do not move," the Gondolindrim says. By the time the others Elves reach him, they are surrounded.

"Stop!" Nadira commands, walking in front of the Mirkwood Elves. The Gondolindrim focus their arrows on her in case she makes a hasty move.

They all look at her, surprised by her actions.

"Nadira…" Legolas watches her, concern etched in his features.

"As Princess Nadira, daughter of King Turgon of Gondolin, the Hidden City, I order you to stop!" she says with authority. She takes out a pendant that was hidden around her neck. "By the royal crest I bear, you must do as I say. Disobedience without proper documents from the king himself is punishable by death."

One of the Gondolindrim walks in front of his company, wearing a captain's helmet. He taks it off and smirks at her for her bold words. "Princess Nadira."

"Captain Tylen!" Nadira says relieved.

"Lower your weapons," he tells the Gondolindrim. The one by Guilen also backs away. "Forgive me, princess. We had to be sure it was you."

"Yes, I understand."

"Your father has the whole city on high alert in case the enemy tried something…tricky."

Captain Tylen has long silver hair and green eyes. You can tell he was an experience warrior by his presence alone and how everyone is quick to obey him. He never leaves the city to command direct attacks unless it was of high priority for him to be posted outside the gates.

"Is the city safe?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"I'm glad…"

"So, you must be the Mirkwood Elves?" the captain finally turns his attention to them.

"Yes. I am Prince Legolas, son of King Thranduil."

"I see. The king sent his own son. How…admirable. If my eyes do not deceive me, I see that the legendary Captain Bohlen is also among you."

"Thank you for your kind words, but I have fallen from that title many decades ago," Bohlen slightly bows his head.

Captain Tylen merely smiles. "You might have lost the title, but your skills in obtaining it will forever remain."

"I hate to bring down interesting introductions, but with all these pleasantries aside, what are you going to do now?" Guilen boldly interrupts.

The captain smiles again at how confident they all seem. "I will have two of my warriors escort you through the valley and into the city. We cannot leave our posts since the enemy hasn't been captured."

"Thank you," Legolas politely bows his head.

"Laron. Jornen. Take them to the king."

"Yes, captain," they bow.

"Your father will be very pleased to know that you are safe," he says to Nadira. She half-smiles and continues on with the Mirkwood Elves with the company of the two Gondolindrim at the lead.

"My apologies for your shoulder," Laron bows to Guilen. "I will have one of our healers look at it as soon as we reach the city."

"It's a mere scratch. Nothing to fuss about," Guilen shrugs at his wound.

"Finally, we can relax a little," sighs Nasalos. He's walking alongside Athlor for support with one arm around his shoulder. Luckily, the wound isn't too deep. Laron also offers him treatment when they arrive.

Athlor shakes his head at the attendant. "Don't let your guard down just yet."

"What do you mean? We have safe passage now."

"It doesn't mean anything," Guilen replies.

Nasalos is confused at their words. He doesn't know why they're still being so paranoid when the princess's own people are leading them into city.

Nadira casually chats with the Gondolindrim warriors asking how the city is doing and the actions her father has taken. Legolas and the rest of the Elves slowly walk behind them, still assessing the area.

"Do you feel the same as I do?" Bohlen quietly asks the prince.

Legolas nods with concern.

"What is with all this uneasiness?" Nasalos asks his kinsmen.

"Something in the air doesn't feel right," answers Legolas. "It shouldn't be this easy…"

"We have to keep in mind that we have never travelled here before. Yes, the security around Gondolin is kept secure but the king has been expecting us with the princess so their assistance in escorting us safely should not be overlooked," the attendant tries to reason. "The Gondolindrim seem like hospitable Elves and it would be rude of us not to trust them in their own territory."

"Maybe…" Guilen looks around mundanely.

Nasalos shakes his head at him. "Look at the princess. She seems to be enjoying our esc—"

His words are cut short after arrows pierce both Gondolindrim in the back with Nadira screaming at the surprised attack. She tries to run back to Legolas but a pair of bolas are thrown at her feet causing her to fall to the ground.

"Nadira!" Legolas moves to run but pauses short.

"Stay right there, Prince of Mirkwood…" an Elf comes out from behind a tree with an arrow pointed at Nadira. "One move and my finger might just slip."

"Legolas…" she looks panicked, still lying on the ground.

"Don't worry, everything is going to be all right," he says.

The Elf laughs at them. "My, how touching!"

Legolas recognizes him to be the Elf on the horse that rode off with Nadira in the forest when they first tried rescuing her. The other Ossiriand Elves finally appear, surrounding them.

"Lower your weapons!" one of them orders. The prince nods to his comrades to obey. The Mirkwood Elves do so reluctantly. The Ossiriand Elves take their weapons away, leaving them defenseless.

"You gave us quite a troublesome journey," the leader says. "But, thank you for distracting the Gondolindrim earlier so that we could sneak by ahead of you," he smiles.

"Who are you and what is it that you want with the princess?" Legolas asks with serious features.

"Forgive me. How rude of me of not introducing myself to you. I am Rumil, leader of the scattered Elves of Ossiriand."

"What do you want with the princess?" he asks again.

"So many questions already," he shakes his head. "We hardly know each other. But, don't worry, prince, we'll have plenty of time to get acquainted."

The leader swings Nadira on his new horse with her hands and feet tied and a handkerchief covering her mouth. She glares at Rumil while he accepts it with a smile. "Shame on you, princess, for leaving without saying goodbye," he says.

They bound the arms of the Mirkwood Elves and make them walk to a different part of the mountains that leads them into the Forest of Region where their campsite is located. How they remained undetected by the Gondolindrim is still a mystery to the Mirkwood Elves.

"Tie them to the trees. Make sure they are watched at all times. I will keep the princess in my tent," Rumil smiles at Legolas who clearly doesn't like his plans. He takes Nadira with him who is still tied up. He sits her on a chair and ties her to it, removing the handkerchief over her mouth.

"Release me!" she demands.

"I don't think you're in any position to be giving me orders, princess," he smiles, sitting in a chair across from her. "Your little Mirkwood friends have given me a lot of trouble trying to track you down," he says in an irritated voice.

"Rumil, please," she begs. "Don't do this!"

"Don't do what?" he stands angrily. "You brought this upon yourself!"

"Please, if you let them go unharmed, I will do whatever you want…"

"I saw the way the prince looked at you. Is he a new lover of yours?" he smirks bitterly.

"He means nothing to me! You have no use for them. It is me you want."

"Hmm…maybe I will have some sort of use for them. They could play well into my plans," he caresses her cheek. She turns away angrily at his touch. He forcefully grabs her jaw to make her face him again. Silent tears fall down as she glowers at him. "I bet your dear prince doesn't know the truth, does he Nadira? In fact, I don't think anyone does, do they?" he lets go of her face.

She sits there, silent. Her eyes to the ground.

"Just as I thought. I wonder what your new friends would think if they knew the truth about you? Would they still be willing to return you home to your precious father or abandon you? Which of the two do you think it will be. Hmm?"

"I hope your life ends before this very next day," she answers bitterly.

"Such a harsh tongue for a princess who is supposed to be innocent and well-mannered," he chuckles cynically.

"You won't get away with this!"

Rumil caresses her cheek again. "My dear princess…I practically already have. Be thankful that you and your friends are still alive. I could have easily killed you earlier!"

"You can't kill me," she smirks scornfully. "You need me alive in order to rule Gondolin. Without me, this plan you have been concocting for the last decade will burn into ashes! You'll still be nothing but a lowly thief and kidnapper!"

He raises his hand to strike at her. She flinches away, getting ready for the blow…but it never comes. "That is a warning, princess. The next time you fall out of line, I will not be so sympathetic to the fact that you are a maiden," he says and walks out of the tent.

Nadira struggles against the ropes that hold her but they are tied too tightly. She yells out in her frustration. She has to do something before Legolas and the others are injured or killed. She doesn't know Rumil's plans for them but whatever it is, it wasn't going to be in their favor.

Rumil walks over to Legolas who would have killed him if he could. "You don't look very happy to see me, Prince Legolas," he jokingly frowns.

"What do you plan to do with Nadira?"

"Lighten up a little! There's no need to be so serious. You took something from me and I merely took it back."

"Nadira isn't an item you can claim," Legolas grimaces.

"Such affection you have for her," he scoffs at him. "I wonder if you'll feel the same way about her after hearing the truth."

"What truth?"

Rumil sighs. "It's quite an interesting story actually, but we can save that for a later date. Since I am feeling generous today, I will go ahead and tell you a part of my plan to ease some of your curiosity."

He slowly walks around the tree that Legolas is tied to, the prince and his comrades waiting for the Elf to explain. "Ever since my people have been scattered, we have no real place of residence. We were once a proud people of the Laiquendi, skilled craftsmen, and strong. Now we are seen as nomads and weak in the eyes of others! Our king, too trustworthy and too soft of a heart with not enough courage, relied on King Turgon's word of helping us in battle as if it was written in steel. When Turgon's aid was finally needed, he betrayed us, falling back because we were not worth saving since he had nothing to gain in return."

"Everyone knows how selfish Turgon is," Guilen scoffs.

The Ossiriand leader glares at him. "Our king thought otherwise…and that is what got him killed!" he says angrily. "Since the day we lost our home, I vowed to make Turgon pay. I finally started to come up with a plan, almost a decade ago, which is close to completion."

"And what do you plan on doing exactly?" Legolas asks. "Kill Turgon?"

Rumil smiles. "But, of course! And not only that…I plan on taking over his kingdom!"

Bohlen shakes his head. "His army is vast. You cannot defeat him with the small number of Elves you have."

"Yes, you're right," he agrees. "That's why I have Princess Nadira."

"What?" Legolas asks confused.

"You see, King Turgon holds his daughter close to his heart and will do anything to protect her. I will strike a bargain with him to keep her alive. Once he agrees, I will kill him. The princess can be such a feisty maiden wouldn't you agree, Prince Legolas? She's also not as innocent as she seems," he smirks at him.

Legolas tries to lunge at him but his ropes restrict his movements. Rumil merely laughs at his failed attempt.

"I still don't see how you're going to get into the city undetected. Even if you enter the same way you did, his security has doubled in size," Legolas glowers.

"Oh, that's right. You are also probably curious to know how we snuck into the city," he smiles at the Mirkwood Elves. "I don't really know if I should tell you that?" he ponders on the idea. "Well, I suppose since we will be killing you, anyway, why not?"

He walks around Legolas again before telling his story. "There are secret tunnels, passageways underneath the entire city and in the palace that only a few of the king's trusted protectors know about. These tunnels are used to lead the king outside the kingdom to safety should something happen to the city. By studying the maps we acquired, we practically strolled inside."

"How did you get these…maps?" Bohlen asks. They have to be working with someone from the inside.

"I can't tell you all my secrets," he places a finger on his lips. "Besides, I've already told you too much. "But, I'll tell you one more thing as a bonus. Nadira was right in saying that I need her alive in order to bargain with her father. But, in the end…she'll die just like him."

"Don't you touch her!" Legolas struggles to get loose again.

"Humph," he grins. "And what are you going to do about it?"

Legolas lowers his head, a deeper anger bubbling to the surface. He slowly lifts his head and glares at Rumil that sends chills throughout his company.

"I swear on my crown that I am going to kill you."

Author's Note: We're finally getting to the good stuff so stay tuned. Thank you for your previous reviews.

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