BRIDGES

Disclaimer: I know nothing, I see nothing, I hear nothing!

Summary: An adventure awaits our favorite ranger and elf. This is another "Fin" adventure.

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Chapter 12

The last of the suns rays were barely visible on the horizon. Estel watched the men as they moved about the camp. They were a dirty, loud bunch. Several had pawed through all their belongings, keeping only what they deemed valuable and discarding everything else. He could see his sword laying next to one man, and a dagger that Elrond had given him years ago attached to the belt of another. He seethed in anger when he saw the cloak that Legolas had been wearing now draped over the shoulders of a stranger.

He glanced over at his friend, but Legolas was still unconscious. He lay on his side in the dirt near the fire. There was dried blood on his face where Sandal had struck him. His clothes were damp and dirty. He turned to Tan and saw an identical look of anger cross his face. He thought of Fin. Even if she managed to survive the river, how was she going to get back here? And what would happen to her when she did? He had no doubt that these men would mistreat her in the most horrible way possible. The other elves that had come with Legolas would not even miss them for several more days. They would be too busy with repairs upstream to even worry.

It took him a moment to realize that the men at the campfire were now talking over their plans to collect ransom on their captives.

"Tomorrow, Kendal will carry a message to Mirkwood informing them that we have the elf. We will see what his value is to them," Sandal said to them, "A few of you will bring the horses to Dunland and sell them. I will stay and guard our prisoners. We will meet back here at dusk. Our little ranger friend should be ready to play by then!" he finished and turned to grin at Estel.

"I do not know, Sandal, if you can be trusted not to kill these elves before we get back. Remember what happened last time?"

"You do not have to remind me. I will keep them tied up, they will not even have a chance to escape. Last time was a mistake, if that elf had not tried to get away, I would not have had to remove his head!"

Tan looked at Estel in extreme distress. These men were indeed brutal, they would not hesitate to harm their captives. He thought also of Fin. What would be worse, a death in the river, or one at the hands of these men?

Estel sighed and leaned his head back against the tree. There had to be a way out of this. He would just need to stay alert until opportunity presented itself, and then act quickly. He looked at Tan, and saw in the elf's eyes that he was prepared to do whatever it took to get them all away safely.

Fin was steadily approaching the camp, and could just see the glow of a fire ahead in the dark. The sun had gone below the horizon several hours ago. She sighed gratefully and caressed the horse in thanks. The horse blew out a gust of air as if to say your welcome. A small amused smile lit her face. Legolas has truly taught you to communicate.

A feeling of apprehension began to grow in her mind, and as she got closer, she could feel a sense of dread and alarm. She could tell even from this distance that there were more than three beings around this campfire. She silently thanked the Valar for the silent feet of elven horses as she allowed the horse to approach even closer. Her hand strayed to the strap that held Legolas' bow to the horse's side. Being careful of her wounds, she swung his quiver around and fastened it to her back. She wanted to be prepared.

The horse stopped by her silent command, and she could just make out the strange voices of the men who she now could see seated around the fire. She heard the word "Mirkwood" and "ransom", and she glanced further to see Estel and Tan both bound to a tree. Tan's head turned in her direction as if he sensed her presence. She looked further and finally saw the fallen form of Legolas by the fire. His eyes were closed. She watched for several tense seconds until she could see that he still breathed, the rising and falling of his chest barely visible.

Knowing she did not have the strength to fight these men, or even to sneak up and free Estel and Tan, she turned the horse to head upstream. The other elves were only a few hours ride in this direction and she was sure the men would stay put through the night. She urged the horse to a trot, holding tightly on the reins, even as her body screamed in protest. She could feel her broken ribs grinding together, and her head throbbed mercilessly. She knew that several of her cuts were now bleeding, but could not stop to worry about them.

There was no sound but the feet of the elven horse. The moon was barely a sliver in the sky, but the night was clear and a million stars shone overhead. Fin took this as a good sign. Wearily, her body giving in to exhaustion, she leaned forward until she lay against the body of the horse. She wrapped her arms round its neck and pressed her face into its warmth. The smell of its body was comforting. She allowed her eyes to close as the horse continued on into the night.