CHAPTER 10

Please forgive the errors if there are some and continue to enjoy the story! (:

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He was seated in his usual chair in the middle of his dark lodge, alone and quietly contemplating of his previous actions, but not of that where he cold heartedly beheaded a man to have the Elf bid his command, but that of how he could deeply forge the wound he wanted Strider to feel.

It was a bad habit of his; he does not stop until he is contented- and he would not stop until Strider is beneath him- deep on the ground- dying.

When was the first time he felt this kind of drive- he could not remember- all he remembered was hearing the name and fear enveloped his heart for no apparent reason. He loathed him for that- to fear a man by name alone was a shameful thing and when he saw Strider in person the first time, the fear manifested to insecurity and he was pushed to hunt the ranger for he was a proud man and anyone who goes beyond him must go down. To bring the Ranger down became his ultimate goal for nothing could satisfy him more than to see him as low as dirt.

Raleigh shifted in his position and leaned on his left hand.

If there is something that should be done to attain his goal it must be done sooner. Tryon's trick has long been ineffective to Strider whatsoever and thus he was only wasting time. If there is something that should be done, Strider's only comrade must be involved. The Elf, Legolas, was a good catch, Raleigh thought, but somehow he knew that that proud elf would elude him- not now- for how could he, after witnessing a horrible death in front of him? No, that Elf won't disappoint him as of yet, so before the creature would be able to do something, he –Raleigh- would have to act first.

I could kill the Elf, he thought simply.

And thinking about its effect brought a wide smile on Raleigh's face.

Yes, it would be the most perfect plan, a dramatic ending to witness, especially to the ranger who, as he heard, had live among the Elves all his life, and thus gaining the epithet, 'Elf Lover' as well.

He still has his trump card after all.

There was a call to him outside the lodge and Raleigh gazed up in time to see Tryon enter his domain with an obvious frown on his face.

"What is the matter?" Raleigh started, straightening up his hold.

"The Elf and Strider seemed unfriendly." Tryon reported eyeing Raleigh.

"Indeed?" says Raleigh with a raise eyebrows, "Then why do you look as if you do not like it?"

"I don't." said the man, "Merely having them do this kind of thing is a waste! Why can't I just lash them both and have that ranger kneel before you! That would be more appropriate end-"

Raleigh made a noise between clicking his tongue and gritting his teeth and this instantly silenced Tryon.

"You will never understand a thing called emotion ever in your life, but I do not mind, that is what I admire about you, heartless scoundrel. This aside what else are you here for?"

Tryon cleared his throat with a little crease on his eyebrows as he spoke once again,

"We left the useless slaves at the mouth of the cave. Did you not tell me you will sell ten of them this afternoon?"

"I did."

"Then that leaves us only some to count and counting the heads of Strider and the Elf we are left with four more. Soon there'll be no more slaves, Raleigh, and our business shall be spoiled! The mass breakout of the women caused this to happen, that irksome Strider caused this to happen! Now what shall we do?"

Raleigh listened to Tryon's talking with an indifferent expression. When the man was finished Raleigh said rather easily,

"Then we just have to capture more of them in the future, you worry too much."

It was apparent that Tryon disliked the idea that Raleigh still favored Strider after what he did, but if he was angered by it he did not show it. Raleigh seemed satisfied with his own answer and quickly changed their discussion.

"What are those two doing now?"

"They never talk much I told you. The ranger seemed avoiding the elf somewhat but as long as their not together that is what you told me then it is all right."

Raleigh's eyes narrowed.

"Strider's not after the Elf you say?"

Tryon shook his head impatiently and Raleigh was left to ponder inside his own thoughta again for Tryon would not understand. Something is amiss and he did not like it.

"Have you seen them talk or even looked at each other from a far?" he inquired as though it was important to know. Tryon looked away, frowning as he did as he tried to remember what the lookouts have told him.

"They had a brief exchange of words this morning but it was as you said- the elf did not respond. That is all they've done." He said quite distracted of Raleigh's inquiry.

Raleigh frowned. It was impossible that Legolas would be able to tell Strider his plan in such a short time… But still something is amiss and Raleigh knew better than to ignore his judgment. He stood up quickly and ordered with swiftness and might of his voice, "Take those two in different cellars now! The other slaves are to be sold right at this moment and those who are left, bring them outside. I have something for all of them. Go!"

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Legolas could not comprehend what was happening. He was busily working on his favored 'rock' when two men grabbed him by the arm and dragged him back to his cellar. Darkness filled his eyes and it took him a moment before he could see through the blackness once again. The cold and empty cellar made him nervous but the head that was lying just before him made him flinch more.

"What is going on?" he whispered, his hands forming into a fist. His thoughts immediately jumped to Strider and then to Raleigh. Something must have happened- did Raleigh found out that he failed to bid his command? Is something unfortunate going to befall him again and his friend?

As Legolas silently prayed for help from the Valar, Strider's voice knocked on his ear…

"We have to get you out of this valley…"

"We both have to get out from this place…" whispered the Elf silently as he leaned his back on the wall, looking up at the dark ceiling with close eyes, and drawing a sigh, "I cannot leave you here, not after everything…And I wonder what it is like to be with you as a free being. I think it would be a life full of unexpected turn of events… It would be delightful then…" Legolas opened his eyes and smiled. He stared ahead and while looking into oblivion he added, "You do not belong here…"

***

For hours Legolas waited in vain with only the dead morsel as a company. He had already said a silent prayer for the dead one and had asked for forgiveness and peace of heart as well. It horrified him to think he was the reason for his death and he was sorry. However, he turned his sorrow into a resolve that he will never let another man die because of him. He strongly added to stop Raleigh by all means but how to do it was still far from his grip. He was about to decide a way to help himself when his keen hearing heard approaching steps from outside. From experience he knew it was someone he could not trust and he braced himself when the door was opened. The same men grabbed him outside and Legolas struggled hard in defiance. Light of the midday sun greeted his eyes and he was blinded for a while.

"Stop moving or we'll drop you on the ground!"

"Drop me I'll say! That is more welcoming than your filthy hands!" Legolas cried angrily as he tried to shove them away.

"Quiet! We'll tie you up a tree if you do not keep your mouth shut! Your ranger friend has not yet been found so you better brace yourself to what Raleigh will do to you!"

Legolas' ears prickled and he craned his neck as he shot his captor a wild look.

"Strider-?"

"Yes, that man! Must have escaped when we weren't looking, now Raleigh's out to kill you."

Legolas did not respond but he lost the will to struggle and he let his captors drag him.

"It would have been much easier for him to really go…" Legolas whispered to himself, "I would gladly accept it, but I know in my heart, he is still here and it troubles me…"

From a far, Legolas could see a circle of crowd waiting for them to a place where Legolas was most familiar of- the place where everything had started for him- where he first saw Strider kill-

"Release him." said Raleigh's familiar form voice, Legolas looked up and saw him there- seated at the front view, patiently waiting and somehow expectant too. The gruff hands left the Elf's and Legolas looked around wearily as if expecting an attack from the crowd of men.

"I have gathered my men here for a very special show." started Raleigh when their eyes met and Legolas immediately noticed the hidden meaning in the words.

"What is this?"

"Entertainment." Raleigh answered wistfully with a knowing smile and Legolas was tempted not to curse.

"Strider has been found." Raleigh came up again and there was a murmur around. Legolas gave him a look and demanded out loud, "Where is he?"

"He'll be here." answered the man smiling, "He will not miss this I assure you."

The confidence in Raleigh's voice made Legolas' heart waver. Something is coming and by how this man was smiling, it was something worst than anything they have been to.

They did not wait long for after a few moments Tryon came out from a corner bringing Strider with him with his whip tightly wrapped around the ranger's neck. Legolas cried out angrily but hands from his sides grabbed him into a stop. The commotion was stopped when Raleigh raised his hand and motioned Tryon to release Strider.

"Something is wrong with him," Tryon said irritably, "He has not spoken a word of where he came from even if I had beaten him for long!"

Legolas' eyes stayed at the still ranger on the ground; the very idea of Tryon touching him again made his insides lurch and he struggled harder to be free from the filthy hands that were upon him.

"Strider!" he called.

"It does not matter if he does not speak," Raleigh said quietly, "We need his eyes for now not his sarcastic mouth."

Tryon looked at him before walking away fuming to himself, meanwhile, Raleigh gave Strider one look before nodding to those around them and in an instant, men were moving around. One approached Strider and made him stand; another one went to Legoolas and handed him- to his surprise- an arrow and a bow.

"What-?" he started in disbelief. He looked up and saw that Strider was looking his way with alarm visible on his eyes; their eyes met and Legolas worried to whom he will use the weapon.

"Take them out."

At Raleigh's orders, men moved around again and from the other side of the circle two slaves were taken out. Legolas and Strider's eyes widened in realization at the still unfolded plot.

"Put some of those red apples on their heads!" Raleigh commanded with a smirk.

"What are you trying to do!" shouted Legolas angrily as someone from the crowd placed an apple on each of the head of the slaves, "What is this atrocity!"

Raleigh did not respond to him but merely smiled at his own wits.

"Why don't you practice, Elf? We wouldn't want an early death for these two, would we?"

The crowd jeered and laughed and it reminded Legolas and Strider something similar. Tryon was watching Strider- still bothered for the man's silence and troubled still of his whereabouts a moment ago.

Legolas stared irately from Raleigh to the two slaves who were trembling before his eyes but not moving from their position. Something flared up inside his heart- this ridiculous show- absurd ploy- cruel tactics-! I have had enough-!

"Shoot the apples- or my men here will shoot it for you, what say you?"

Three or so men raised their own weapons and Legolas knew they will not care if they hit their target or not. He bowed his head and looked at his hands and at the weapon.

"What is the difference if I hit the target… you would still have me kill them in the end." He raised his voice and glared at the man who was now- for him- the wickedest man he had ever met.

Raleigh raised his eyebrows.

"Do as I say." he threatened and his eyes bore pointedly to the still quiet Strider. Legolas' eyes followed where he was looking and he said no more. He took his weapons and before anyone could react- released the arrows with his quick reflex with twangs.

Two apples were struck at the very center and both fell behind their bearer. For a moment, nobody seemed to breathe, even Raleigh was silenced. Strider's eyes glinted but still he did not say a word. The two slaves quacked in fear but were in disbelief that they were still alive.

Legolas defiantly glanced up to Raleigh once again with a challenging face and the man returned the look with interest.

"Impressive." he remarked, nodding, and relaxing on his chair he added thoughtfully, "As I was told, Elves prowess at this weapon, how foolish of me not to believe."

His eyes turned to slits suddenly and before Legolas and Strider's eyes he gestured a line to his neck with his thumb. There were cries and Legolas sharply turned before him and saw the slaves slew by- Tryon!

His own cry was nothing compared to the shock the two slaves have- after the relief of finding themselves still alive from the dangerous arrows of the Elf- come meet their end at the dagger of a kinsman.

Strider stood there gaping with his mouth half open, his mind had gone blank from the sudden death blows. It took him moments before he remembered what he was suppose to be doing and when he did he cried out urgently-

"LEGOLAS!"

Raleigh was plain delighted of his own plan when a deafening blast blared through his ears and before he could give a second to react, his world began to crumble.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Raleigh could not think of anything but to cover himself from danger. The explosions of what he thought must be detonators that were well hidden inside his mines made him swear and roar with rage. He tried stand up with all his might above the crumbling earth but the shaking did not halt.

He lifted his eyes and what greeted him were his men, shouting, panicking and running in all directions, avoiding the rain of large rocks that were washing down through all of them from the sky. Dust filled his lungs and instincts told Raleigh that it was too dangerous to linger. He hasted away from the continues explosion and ran for his life. He could not understand what happened; all were forbidden to go inside the mine he found himself- so how could something like this happen?

He bumped to people he could not make out if his minions or his slaves but it made no difference for he pushed them away. Then Raleigh stopped dead on his tracks, his mind racing. Someone made his detonators explode by slipping through his guards. Who would think of such a plan? Who has the capacity to go wherever he wants, to disappear completely when he wish to and work within the shadows? Who has the courage to stand against him?

"Strider." He murmured, his chest heaving shallow breaths as his anger started to explode on its own. He whipped around and saw no sign of Strider or of the Elf, and he shouted with all his might the name he most hated, the name he most loathed, the person who he was willing to kill now no matter…

"STRIDER!"

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Legolas was oblivious of everything save the hand that was dragging him deep into the now visible trees, away from the crumbling rocks and collapsing earth, away from the prison that had become his darkest dream. His heart was racing as they ran but he was willing to follow. The hand did not fail him. It tugged and pulled and led him out of danger. It did let go after they reach the end of a river but the nagging of its owner's voice became his other lead.

"Hurry! We must not waste time! He will figure out what happened and soon he will be on our heels! Hurry, Legolas!"

Strider's voice encouraged the Elf to run faster that in no time he was upon him too. He did not say a word, time was precious and the distance they would be able to make was important.

They ran and ran as if the pursuer were yards away. They neglected the call of their sore feet and tiredness. They ignored even the ache of their heart. They ran until their breaths were gone. They ran until all their muscles were crying. It was important, they knew, to run away, to seek the freedom that had belonged to them long ago. They could not stop, they resolved, they will not stop.

They must be free.

~TBC~