Disclaimer: I am not J.R.R. Tolkien!

"Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception"

-Anjana, First Bloodrider of the krigsherre, General and Guildmaster

Chapter 9

(Jakira POV) When I saw who was at the door I wanted to scream because with that uniform and the embroidery and stripes upon the robes there was no doubt that I was facing the commander of the fort. Instead of screaming, I unsheathed a knife and placed it under Glorfindel's chin, so quickly that the commander would think it had always been there.

Then, after he took in our presence, before he could speak a word, I spoke, weaving a web of lies as I had so many times before.

"At last! What in Arda took you so long", I demanded in Haradaic, trying to make my tone sound like a mixture of relief and irritation. I was unsure whether I had succeeded but I must have managed passably for he did not look unduly suspicious immediately.

"What do you mean, o stranger who comes without warning", the commander asked, obviously taken aback at having his office occupied by someone else and then being questioned by a stranger. I looked at him piercingly, my mind working quickly as I sought to discover all I could about him.

Taking in his robes, fear, quick and smooth speech and gleaming but more decorative sword, I was able to figure out a few things about him. He was a decent commander but would have risen through the ranks by virtue of intelligence and cunning- not fighting capabilities. He seemed to enjoy his comforts. He showed fear so he must never have been in the back-stabbing capital or before the Lord of Gifts. He would also likely respond well to flattery. I could use all these points to my advantage.

"I told the incompetent guard that I had a high security prisoner and that I must speak to you at once! He sent me to this office and promised that you would be here soon. I have been waiting for nearly a quarter-hour!"

The last part was somewhat of a gamble but it added authenticity to my story and he had been giving the other speaker (who I could not see) a tour so he must have been gone from the office for at least a little while as they saw the less accommodating room that the other speaker had mentioned.

"I see", he said. "When I find out which guard it was the situation will be addressed. I suppose this is your prisoner, o insulted but still valued guest", he continued. Yes, he had definitely gained his position by praising those in power.

I felt my lip curving into a sneer. He cared nothing for the Shadow, nor did he care for the krigsherre, nor did he care for the Resistance. He cared only for himself and therefore could be bought. Though I disrespected him for it, I made note of it. Who knew when such information could help? Could be bought likely meant could be threatened and bullied as well. He was evidently faithless (or so he seemed, and I was usually an accurate judge of character) but perhaps not useless.

"Yes, o generous and insightful commander", I replied to his question, showing him none of my private thoughts and shoving Glorfindel roughly forwards as expected. I felt a flash of sympathy for him.

He was a trained warrior and he stood now with my knife at his throat, surrounded by what must seem to be enemies, and he couldn't even understand the words we were speaking. For all he knew I could have just betrayed him and joined with my countryman. He had only my words to assure him we were truly allies. I became abruptly glad that I had this part to play in this charade. Now, hopefully, I would be able to get us out of this situation alive.

Knowing it was necessary, I flipped down his hood, revealing the elf's distinctive hair and ears. "Why, that is an elf", the commander said in clear shock, taken aback by how dangerous this 'prisoner' was.

I looked at him lazily and somewhat scornfully. "Obviously", I replied. "Did you perhaps mistake him for a dwarf, o observational and deductive commander", I asked, amusing myself by deliberately baiting him.

The man flushed but I did nothing but raise an eyebrow. This was the exact reaction that anyone would expect from a member of the Rikajir. Relaxed, almost lazy, but ready to react in an instant and in complete control over the situation. Also slightly arrogantly, as if you were entertaining them.

"In my experience, I have found that dwarves are generally somewhat smaller", I added, enjoying myself for the first time.

"I know", he replied in a clipped tone, choosing to add no compliment to the end of this. Well used to the game of politics, I simply flicked my fingers the slightest way, as if I had taken offence and was considering doing something about it.

Immediately, he added in a conciliatory tone, "Though I have doubtlessly travelled less than you, o wise one, I have met dwarves in the past".

Before I could comment on the unlikelihood of this (which was extremely high) or ask for details, he added, "I have heard that it is nearly impossible to catch elves. They are supposed to be extremely dangerous, o brave one".

"They are", I replied calmly, unruffled and undisturbed, looking almost serene as I held a knife to an elf's throat and engaged in an exchange of power and mild politics with the commander. "That is why I was sent", I added, loving the impact those words had upon him.

I knew the game of politics and implications better than most and, though evidently good, this commander was too inexperienced on a large scale to pose a threat to me. I doubted he had ever played the game when his life and future or that of others was on the line. He played for ambition but that was not enough when faced with one who had once played for survival.

I knew that the few words I had just uttered had reinforced the idea introduced by the veil that I was a member of the Rikajir. I had implied that this mission and prisoner was so important that the Rikajir had sent someone. It implied that I was one of the best (and most dangerous) of the Rikajir. Finally, it implied to him that not only was I one of the most talented of the Rikajir but also that I was more dangerous than an elf- which I, of course, was not. But it was what he thought that mattered.

He straightened at once and said much more respectfully, "whom do I have the honour of addressing, o beautiful and deadly warrior?"

"The Rikajir, o commander of a great camp", I replied, applying just enough flattery not to give insult. Now, more than ever, I envied golden hair's speech and language. Such flattery was not expected where he was from and times were not wasted saying things that were, no doubt, not meant.

I thought that I had spoken well but I knew that I had said something wrong from his reaction. His eyes narrowed and his face closed. Something had made him suspicious but I could not think of what. Did I, perhaps, give too much flattery? But no, I had been barely civil!

"Might I know who among the Rikajir I have the honour of addressing so that I may send back a report earned by your performances? The correspondence between us has ever been strictly confidential so do not fear for your privacy, dangerous daughter of the desert", he said slowly and carefully.

I wanted to scream, I had had no clue that this camp made frequent contact with the Rikajir and might even recognize the names of proper guild members. There weren't that many who were skilled enough to be sent after elves. He had also neatly trapped me into being forced to give up a name. When my friend heard this tale (and, knowing him, he would hear of it, either from me or someone else) he would, no doubt, be extremely disappointed that I had left a window like that open. I was evidently out of practice in the politics he had tried so hard to teach me.

Not able to risk that he might recognize the name of a true guild member from a false one, I said the first one that popped into my head.

"You have the honour of speaking to Fariza of the Rikajir, o master of the army". But even before I had finished speaking I had let my spare hand drift down to the hilt of Glorfindel's sword which hung at my waist. I had said something wrong, I was sure of it.

Alright then, mild cliffie! This cliffhanger is an incentive for you to please review this chapter! But before we get into the begging, I shall thoroughly thank blackunicorne, EverleighBain and Guest for reviewing the last chapter. Your reviews continue to help me improve as a writer, encourage me and motivate me to write quicker! Thank you all for your reviews! Guest, I'm glad you like the story and Jakira! Now has come the time to beg reviews: please guys, if you read this review. A few words take only a few seconds to write yet mean so much to the author receiving them. I would really appreciate knowing what you think of my writing and characters and how I could improve. Now I'll extend yet another thank you to blackunicorne and EverleighBain because they have been amazing and I am immensely thankful for them and their support. So, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and are looking forwards to the next. Thank you everyone who has read, reviewed, followed or favourited this story. Have a great week (or less, I can be bribed into posting sooner by reviews :) ),

Samuel La Flame

P.S. Anyone else going to buy the extended edition of Desolation of Smaug?

The quote at the beginning was by Niccolò Machiavelli.