Chapter 20

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The story is going exactly where I wanted to...so yeah... I'm enjoying this :)

Thank you for all the reviews :) Please continue reading until the end~ This will definitely come to an end. I am not sure if three chapters could do it though -.-

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Six Elves traveled day and night, following visible tracks of horses heading towards the Eastern plain. The long leagues did not tire them but their worry for the lost man did. Days had it been since they tracked what appeared to be an empty campsite; they concluded it was where the group took shelter. They also saw the place where Strider must have been tied and their longing to save him increased once more.

"He was probably too tired to escape." said Elladan when they surveyed the area where his brother was kept, "Aragorn is too used to the wild to let something as ropes tie him… something's wrong with him."

All the Elves agreed.

As they passed the curves and valleys of Arda, Legolas was thinking of nothing but the reason for Strider's unusual weakness. He tried to recall the last time he saw him. It was the dangerous deal with Raleigh… and then after that… the unexpected crumbling of the earth that nearly killed him… that Strider probably thought he was really dead. Could this be the reason? If so… then he must really show himself to that man…

It was sunset when the Elves saw the last tracks of the men's horses before it disappeared into a forest. Looking around they saw a great lake before them and dark lands over it.

"The Red Mountains…" muttered Glorfindel looking at the mountains with shadows on his eyes.

The rest looked over the shadowy mountain with apprehension.

"I feel a great threat of something unseen in this land." whispered Legolas with a troubled look.

"Aye," agreed Elrohir with great amount of dislike on his fair face, "I feel something undiscovered is there…" he turned to Glorfindel, "Have you been…?"

"Nay," replied the Balrog slayer tersely, "I would never set foot at such a dark ground although the Balrog had me… Long ago Elves of LorÌen have condemned this place for the evil it emits and warned all others to stay away. I see why they think it as threat… This mountain has no sign of light within it… it is a forsaken land…"

"That being said," came Elladan's voice as he looked at the trail before them, "These men are headed that way…"

There was a great silence among them in which Luthrean cleared his throat. It was the first time he loathed seeing an evil land with powers he could not explain made of what.

"Since I am certain that nobody would want to turn back," Glorfindel cut the silence, "I say when continue on. These men do not have an inkling as to what they are going after but I care not. I care for Aragorn who is among them. If he is too frail for fighting then he won't stand a chance among the devils of this land. Let's go and hope we are not too late."

The grimness on the Balrog Slayers voice sent an alarm on Legolas and his friends for what the elder one speaks of was true. Without hesitation Legolas pulled the reins of his horse and move forward. He could feel his horse's discomfort upon stepping his hooves on the dark ground but Legolas pleaded him on and the horse obeyed his voice. This was the same for the others.

What greeted them was a dark forest with hardly any breathing tree or grass. There was hardly any light from the sky as well for the trees' dark leaves wouldn't allow it so.

As they push deeply into the forest their discomforts grew and the screams of their instincts increased. It was no good to Luthrean for he felt the evil most for he was not a warrior like them. He was not used to the sudden evil that crept in his very skin. His vision blurred, his heart raced. He knew it was futile to even go further for someone like him. But he did not say so. He didn't want to hinder everyone's desire to save Strider. He felt his grip on his horse slipping as darkness continued consumed his senses.

"Hold on!" called Erenion's voice to the group.

Legolas and the others looked back and saw Luthrean unconsciously hanging on his horse. The horse seemed to feel his master's weakness that it stopped galloping after them. Erenion was beside the healer in one sweep of his horse.

"Luthrean!" called Legolas urging his horse back worriedly.

"He's only out cold." said Erenion when Legolas slipped down his horse to check his friend who was on Erenion's arms on the ground.

"What's going on?" asked Glorfindel as he and the twins came down their horses to see what was holding them on.

"Luthrean passed out... why?" said Legolas in concern. Glorfindel kneeled down and checked Luthrean's pulse and eyes. After much consideration the Balrog slayer muttered, "This young one… has not trained for battle evil and of that sort."

"He is a healer." supplied Elrohir in an undertone.

"I see… that explains it." Muttered Glorfindel standing up, "He must get out of this place fast."

Legolas looked at Luthrean's unconscious state. He had completely forgotten about the healer. Luthrean was a healer and not a warrior who could withstand such strong evil for the first time!

"I'll take him," said Erenion, standing up and helping Luthrean on his horse. The twins helped him and gave the ropes of Luthrean's horse on the warrior.

"I'll come back if I can."said Erenion. Legolas nodded at him while they mount their own horses. "Look after Luthrean… I'm afraid he really is not ready for long journey outside Mirkwood… its because of my-"

"Nay, my Prince," said Erenion steadfast, "I am sure Luthrean was glad he could come. Do not blame yourself."

Legolas looked piercingly at the warrior and nodded. Erenion looked at the rest and gave a small bow before pulling his horse's rein and that of the healer out of the dark forest.

"Be careful on your way!" Legolas called and watched the two horses vanish in the darkness leaving only the light of the elves until it disappeared.

"We must hurry as well… sunset is upon us." Glorfindel told the Prince. Legolas glanced back at them and nodded. Elladan and Elrohir were looking at him in concern as they hurried on.

"Do not worry about me," he told them as their horses hurtled with the wind across the dark trees, "I would really want to find Strider now…"

"My brother," started Elrohir with a light smile on his face, "No matter how dangerous the situations are, would always come through… beaten maybe…but alive and whole."

"He has an eternal luck in surviving," added Elladan with a wink to the Prince, "Due maybe to his future duties to Middle Earth...but mainly because of his own will to survive."

"Indeed, but he would not last long if not for Elrond's healing mastery." Glorfindel said ahead of them who was apparently listening.

"That too!" Elrohir grinned.

Legolas felt light hearted. It was ironic to feel that way within the dark land of Rhun but somehow Strider's past with his brothers had made him smile for no reason. He realized he knew so little of the man he proudly called his friend. If only Valar would allow him so, then he wished upon all hope to meet Strider in his days in Rivendell too. And if that's not possible anymore, then let it be that he meet the man in a more peaceful circumstances and not on a dangerous voyage that could take any of their lives.

Praying silently, Legolas looked ahead with a clear vision on his blue eyes.

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Strider felt the cold ground. He was lying on it. Pushing himself, he sat up with his heavy body and felt his shoulders. It was numb. Blinking into semi-darkness he remembered where he was. It was some time ago after Tryon's death that he was thrown into this dungeon. He was not tied anymore but was kept locked in the dark cold room with only a torch as his light.

Pathetic. He thought dully. Stretching his neck, Strider tried to stand up. It was not impossible to gain strength when every now and then he was given a plate of food and water from the door's gap. Yes, he could stand. He massaged his arms, and then stretched his shoulders and legs. It felt good.

Taking a great inhale of breath, Strider exhaled it through a shout with all his might. He kept on roaring until his stomach felt no air inside. It felt good. When at last all his emotions deep in his heart was out, he breathed roughly again. There were footsteps running from the outside and next thing the man heard a loud clatter on his door and some angry shrieks from the goblins guarding him. One of them actually looked at him from the door's window. Strider looked at the door with raised eyebrows.

"I cannot understand a word you are saying so don't bother." He told the goblin darkly.

The goblin shrieked angrier and then walked away with what sound like threatening words. Strider did not bother. He merely shook his head and looked at his dirty and bloody clothes.

"I look a mess." He told himself and was amused he cared. Sighing again, he looked at the door. Wouldn't it be nice to escape? He thought while his hands firmly tightening into fists.

Walking near the door, Strider touched the side bars holding it. It was well made.

Thinking of the materials he would need to break it, the man heard another set of footsteps coming. Stepping away from the door, he waited for his adversary. As he expected the door was unlocked from the outside. It opened and revealed a man standing next to the goblin guarding him. He recognized the man's eyes. It was the one who had laughed so loud on Tryon's death. Strider's eyes narrowed.

"Wonderful, you are awake." said the man with his face hidden in the darkness and Strider could only make out his glinting dark eyes. "How was your rest, dear prisoner?"

Strider did not respond but waited for the man to come out of the dark. Sarali did and stepped inside the room with his smile reaching his ears. Strider felt the man's menace at once.

"Who are you?" he asked hastily when the man had looked at him from head to foot. "Where is this place?"

"Ah, questions questions…" grinned Sarali, "I am Raleigh's brother, Sarali, and he gave you to me as a token, did you not remember?"

Strider's eyes narrowed once more.

"Where is he?" he demanded.

"Am I likely to tell you?" asked Sarali testily, "No matter, prepare yourself; you are on to a battle later."

"What? Battle?"

"You thought I'd feed you for no reason at all?"

Strider did not speak. Sarali smiled sweetly.

"No matter," he repeated as he came closer the ranger, "But do tell me as I am truly interested… how are you related to the Elven folks…?"

Strider frowned deeply.

"And why is that important to you?"

Sarali raised his thin eyebrows and with hawk like ability, grabbed Strider by the neck and pushed him roughly on the wall. The ranger was startled and felt the pain as the back of his head slammed directly on the stoned wall. Sarali's strength was something unexpected.

"Tell me." Sarali's dark eyes glowed menacingly.

Strider roared and felt his neck burning but did not speak. He distrust this man! He would never reveal anything about the Elves! He will bet his life on the line!

Sarali dropped the ranger and left the room at once whilst shutting the door. Strider choked hard. He heard the locks on the door again and saw from his half open eyes that he was once again alone. Coughing hard he realized something. He saw from the depths of Sarali's eyes that he was not human. He realized he was up to someone made of the evil. And this made him curse.

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Raleigh stood before the large window with his hands behind his back. It was only the start of his revenge. He calculated Tryon's possible death but he did not expect it to come sooner.

No matter. He had other plans. Sarali could play as long as he wants. He long realized the vermin's trust on him. He doesn't care. He will have his revenge.

The door flung open behind him. He whipped around and saw Sarali enter while holding his hand onto the other.

"What's the matter?" he asked impassively.

"I knew I could not touch someone with the power of the Elves protecting him." muttered Sarali darkly as he sat on a chair with grim satisfaction, "I knew… but I still did…foolish…"

"What did you do?" asked Raleigh with a frown on his face.

"That prisoner will battle my goblins until his last breath." continued Sarali as though he had not heard his brother. "That's my kind of entertainment, Rey."

Raleigh did not speak. So his brother would start sooner with the ranger. The vermin.

Still he did not speak. His time will come... Raleigh closed his eyes patiently. All will fall into his plan.

~TBC~

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