Chapter 21

Due to request here is a quick summary of events:^^

Chapter 1-9

Legolas was captured by Raleigh's group whose business was to trade the creatures they could take. On the day that he was brought on the camp he saw an execution of a man called 'Strider' beheading another man and this brought hatred on his heart. He swore to never forgive him. When he was thrown inside a dark jail he was filled with hopelessness but one of the prisoners helped him untie his ropes. It appeared that it was the one they call Strider and his anger for the man did not subside a little. When the man confronted him why he was avoiding him the Elf told the man what he saw and what he thinks of him. This left the man to understand why he was loathed by the Elf. One day Raleigh had asked for Legolas' presence. When he got inside the leader's quarters he realized that Strider was also there. Raleigh told him he would sell him for he was quite a price and the Elf was filled with spite. When Tryon, Raleigh's right hand man came close on threatening the Elf with his skilled torturing tricks Strider acted and knocked the man unconscious. This heroic deed caused the Elf to reconsider his view of the man. Soon he became curious about him and found out why he was doing what he was doing. When Tryon came to take his revenge the Elf's anger for Strider was completely gone and was turned to Tryon who was torturing them. After the rough execution of events Legolas was ordered by Raleigh to stay away from Strider. The Elf did not want to heed but Raleigh's tricks, the same one he used to get Strider to follow him, worked on him as well. This trick involves killing a dozen of innocent prisoner in camp if they did not follow. Upon Strider's recovery on the torture he realized Legolas was avoiding him once more. The man dealt with this by telling Legolas he knew what was happening and told the elf he will help him escape. Strider chose to save Legolas, using quicklime and detonators to set up the whole camp into pieces.

Chapter 10-15

Upon their escape Legolas had told Strider that he was actually the Prince of Mirkwood and they were heading for his kingdom. They met giant spiders on Mirkwood forest but they were saved by Erenion's troop who had been looking for their Prince. Strider was greeted by cold shoulders upon arriving at the palace but the Elf Prince stood with him among his kin, even to his father, King Thranduil. The man was helped to recovery by Luthrean, a Healer, while Legolas was kept by his father to rethink his friendship with a mortal. On one of his loneliest night Strider had spoken in the dark about how he was he last descendant of Isildur. Someone heard him and he thought it was Legolas. The following days were lonelier without the Elf Prince and Strider had felt abandoned, thinking Legolas probably did not think highly of Isildur. A time came where King Thranduil had asked for the man's presence. The King told him about the threat of Raleigh's group in their lands and holding Erenion a hostage. The man was informed that the men wanted him as an exchange for the soldier's life. Strider did not hesitate to obey the King and give himself to the men. Legolas had found out about the plan later and confronted his father about it. The King was astonished but gave his permission to his son, asking him to take a troop of Elves with him. The Elf and man were reunited once more and together they met with Raleigh onto a deadly exchange with a plan on mind. Unexpectedly Raleigh had something up his sleeves as he exchanged the wounded Erenion to Strider. When Raleigh's group was gone, Erenion had revealed to Legolas Strider's true identity for he was the real one who heard it. He also told the Elf Prince that Raleigh knew all about it. When the Elf Prince and his group had tried to save Strider an unexpected incident happened. The forest exploded, killing everything on the vicinity. Strider saw it all and his sorrow for a lost of a friend weighed heavily on him.

Chapter 16- so on…

Unknown to him was the fortunate appearance of the Peredhil family who saved Legolas from peril. Elrond then had found out that his own lost son was in Mirkwood and that King Thranduil had sent him to his fate. His anger was nearly uncontainable. Legolas had been sleeping for long and when he woke up he was aware of the lost lives of his kin but this did not stop him to go after Strider. Lord Elrond and King Thranduil were against his will at first but agreed after one condition: that the Prince will travel with a healer. Luthrean was chosen to accompany him. Lord Elrond told the Elf Prince his twin sons were already tracking Raleigh's group and had asked the Elf Prince to tell him the tales of his son's adventure with him. He told the prince he couldn't come since a certain someone did not like the idea. On the human lands, the twins were waiting for Legolas and his companions. The twins recognized the Elf Prince together with Erenion and Luthrean and then another Elf whose name was not new to them; it was the Balrog Slayer Glorfindel. On their journey they treaded the path toward the Eastern parts were few beings lurk. On Tryon's view they were heading towards Rhun where Raleigh's brother, Sarali was living. He relieved the terror he felt toward the younger brother and considered him evil. He reminiscent Raleigh's past that included the mysterious disappearance of Sarali on the mountains of Rhun and then his sudden appearance, to the mysterious death of Raleigh's parents and the annihilation of their little village from the hands of goblins. Tryon never thought of Sarali as a man for he was the goblin's chief. He considered him evil.

On their arrival on Sarali's fortress the remaining men on their group was fed to the goblins. This angered Strider but he was pulled by Tryon inside the castle. Raleigh immediately made a deal with his younger brother and told him he'll give Strider as a gift. Sarali took no interest to the man until he realized his connection with the heavenly beings he loathed. He was stunned by how a mere man like Strider could have the powers of Elves and this made him curious. He was pleased by this discovery until Tryon called out to Raleigh. Sarali showed a sign of dislike to Tryon and whispered something on Raleigh's ears. Raleigh did not hesitate to kill Tryon. Strider was enraged. He was sent on the dungeons where he waited for his fate.

Legolas and his group had arrived at the land of Rhun and felt the darkness that covered the land. They did not hesitate to continue their search until in the middle of their travel Luthrean fell unconscious because of his untrained skills to fight the vile power within the forest. Erenion immediately set off to help him out of the forest and Legolas' group continued their search. The twins told Legolas about Strider's luck of surviving and this made him smile and pray for his friend.

Strider woke up inside his cellar and felt much better than the later days. The goblins were serving him food and water that made up for his weakened body. He had thought about escaping but then Sarali met up with him and confronted him about his coming battle and asked about his relationship to the Elves. Strider saw Sarali for what he is and refused to say a word. Sarali choked him but then hurried away from the cellar. Strider swore never to tell Sarali anything about the Elves. Sarali returned to his room and found Raleigh there. He told him how he could not touch Strider and about the prisoner's coming battle, his kind of entertainment. Raleigh listened patiently and said nothing. He was biding his time to act out his plan next.

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I hope that was comprehensible^^ anyhow Update Update!

Thank you for the comments and feedbacks! And Aw sorry for the mistakes^^

Now Read On!

Strider touched the door of his cell quietly and thought how a kick would not open it easily. He sighed and looked around the four corners of his cell in the dungeon. All was made of stone, escape was impossible without a sword.

A Sword. How he missed the touch of a sword.

He paced around the cell thinking hard. The vile creature with dark powers had told him he will have a battle. But with whom? Will he battle Raleigh? That's unlikely. Knowing that person, he was too smart to be led in this kind of ridiculous fight. Then probably this Sarali had a slayer, far greater than others. Maybe he just wants him to be killed. But why did Raleigh take him to that place? What was his reason for killing Tryon…?

"He's really out f his mind." Strider muttered, walking down a corner and slumping down the ground. "He's as stubborn as a rock yet shrewd. That fellow…what is he thinking…?"

He had only started trying to figure out Raleigh's intentions when he heard not for the first time the sound of feet coming down from the passageway. He knew it was the scurrying feet of the goblins so he got up to his feet with a frown on his face. He could hear them outside his door with the keys rattling as they unlocked the bars. Strider waited for the door to open and when it did he was met with spikes pointing threateningly on his face. There were at least ten goblins before him and they motioned for him to raise his hands with a few shrieks. Strider raised his arms and the goblins immediately locked it with chains.

Strider knew better than to ask the goblins where they were taking him once the chains started pulling. He was escorted along the passageway with the spikes pointing and poking on his back side. He followed their tug, turning to corners with torches serving as lightings to the path. Strider could not see where they heading until on the far end he could see more light. As they drew nearer he could hear voices of many goblins. It dawned on him finally on who he was fighting against when they reached the entrance and he saw a large crowd of goblins staring down at him with armories on. There was a large circle in the middle like the ground was hauled to form a hunch. He stared at it and then at the goblins. It was like an arena to him, like the one he used to see the folks on Bree were using whenever they would have a skills' match. His eyes traveled around it. So this was the battle field, he thought silently. His eyes then traveled again on the goblins before him. And they are the enemy.

The goblins beside him started unlocking the chains. They gave him a sword while some were pointing their spears on him as if daring him to attack them. Strider held the sword on his hands and felt a power suddenly returned back to his hands. He gripped the sword tight and waited for the noisy goblins to assail him. He was suddenly pushed in the middle of the circle. Afterwards he heard a loud laugh from somewhere. He looked around and saw that Sarali was sitting comfortable on a dais, just above his goblins, looking amused and staring down at him with fancy eyes.

"Strider!" he called with a note of ridicule, "Do entertain me with your skills. I heard from Rey that you were quite exceptional when it comes to battle. Prove yourself and survive my challenge."

Strider grinded his teeth and raised his eyebrows to Sarali with a mound of dislike.

"Why should I prove myself to you?"

Sarali's eyes glinted with his smile remaining.

"Call it what not, this is for your survival. Rey told me you were exceptional so then I got to know why my dear brother would praise a human such as yourself." And with that Sarali clicked his fingers together. Strider watched as a dozen of goblins came inside the ring at once. So it wasn't one on one after all… He looked back at Sarali who was grinning like a maniac on his chair then at the goblins who were hungry to kill him.

Strider knew he had to fight. The goblins screamed and yell before him and within seconds the battle had finally started.

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Glorfindel raised his left finger, whilst halting his horse. The three younger Elves heeded his sign and they all listened quietly. They could hear shrill shrieks and cries from what they recognize as voices of goblins from somewhere.

"I knew it." whispered Elrohir with a disgruntled look, "Goblins! This place is reeking with their foul scent!"

"That we knew." nodded Elladan seriously as he faced the others, "But what we don't know is the reason why they are making this thrilled sound. I am worried that they found someone worth the shout."

Legolas' mind immediately jumped to his human friend and without ado the four Elves goaded their beasts to continue. They passed the forest onto the clearing swiftly. It was apparent to them now how evil was clothing the area of Rhun. The darkness brought by the clouds within the very area was a sign that it was abandoned by daylight. It was apparent for them also that them as beings of the heavens were not welcomed. Within another mile Elrohir was finding it hard to breath, Elladan's face was sweating hard and Legolas was gripping the rein of his horse to tightly. Only the Balrog Slayer was steady on his horse with no sign of pain except for the frown on his face. Finally when he could not let it go on and when the horses had started to cry in discomfort, did he round on the young elves.

"The darkness here is too deep. It is dangerous to go on."

"I won't stop!" cried Elrohir indignantly, though his eyes were watering. "I am here for my brother-"

Glorfindel looked at Elrohir sternly that made the younger twin close his mouth.

"I was not going to tell you to stop the search. I am merely going to tell you to be careful with the air you breathe. The evil here is more than I anticipated. It is too dangerous for our kind. It's like the very land is trying to throw us out."

"I know what you mean." Legolas nodded as he tried to focus his eyes, "But I cannot imagine what kind of creatures could withstand this evil power. Where is this coming from?"

The Balrog Slayer turned to look around to the next forest they were heading.

"There are legends about this land…" he muttered slowly, but then shook his head and sitting straight on his horse, "No matter, we should not linger here. We must finish our task before this evil completely throws us out. Let us hurry!"

They started out once more to the next forest with the dark atmosphere suffocating them slowly. The moment they entered the next batch of dead trees before them the Elves's senses panicked at what they found next. It was the cold air that brought their attention to it and Elrohir who was most sensitive of all cried, "Blood! I can smell blood in the air! Its not a goblin's blood but humans! What is this place?"

"Lower your voice." Glorfindel advised with a deep frown on his fair face. He looked ahead of them and understood at once. "There is a fortress just beyond these trees, it s where the blood is coming from… Seemed like a number of humans died in there. Most probably they were eaten by the goblins, judging from the way it spread like this in the air."

Legolas breathed hard, "You do not think Strider…?" he was lost for words.

The Balrog Slayer looked at him solemnly.

"We won't know until we get there." He said finally.

Legolas looked at the ground, his hands losing its grip on his horse's bridle.

"If a fortress is beyond these trees then it is possible that Raleigh knew where he was heading." Elladan voiced his thoughts among the group. "And if a fortress is there then it means we need a plan to infiltrate it. If it is a base for goblins then it will not be easy."

"It will be easy to go in." Glorfindel looked ahead toward the forest once more, "It's the coming out we should worry. Beyond those wall is a greater evil, I could not comprehend how it existed. If we plan to go on then some of us must stay behind in case some of us are trapped. We need to split into a group."

The three Elves remained looking at the Balrog slayer who looked back at them.

"Elladan, you and I shall lead." He started finally, "Legolas and Elrohir will make another group."

The younger Elves nodded.

"Prepare your battle skills. There might be hundreds of goblins in there. We will infiltrate from the back part while the two of you stay put and wait for us. We must do this quietly so as not to alarm the goblins. And no arguments." He added hastily when the Legolas opened his mouth and Elrohir started to shake his head. "If this is a small case like a group of foolish men then I might have considered. But I can feel a menace not even I could comprehend. So listen to me or die, Elflings."

Legolas blinked for the Balrog slayer suddenly made him remember his father. With a defeated sigh, he nodded. Elrohir nodded reluctantly and Elladan gripped a hand on his right shoulder to console him.

"Then let us hurry." Glorfindel said once more and the four of them continued on.

The travel was short and within another mile they could make out the dark towers of the hidden fortress in Rhun. Glorfidel signaled for the young Elves to dismount their horses and hide them along the giant rocks behind the trees. They had instructed the horses to stay put and not to make a sound while they stealthily creep around the high walls carefully. They rounded on, seeing some of the goblin's head guarding the walls. They climb quietly on a nearby tree that reached its branches up to the high wall and then watched what was before them.

Surprisingly the inside of the walls were not what they expected. The grounds were empty with only two to three goblins holding spears and walking around the floor.

"Hundreds?" Elrohir's voice broke the silence, "There's only three!"

"Quiet, 'Ro." Elladan told his twin brother. "We definitely heard a great number of them crying a little while ago. They must be…underground or something…"

"If that is the case then we can go on as a group and split inside." The Balrog slayer nodded at the three Elves, "We must make it quick. Follow your instincts; it may lead you to Aragorn."

As the four Elves lightly jumped down the ground, something on Legolas' mind lingered. Aragorn's name. The name sounded so mighty… like it belonged to a King…

"Of course." He muttered as Glorfindel headed the attack towards the threesome goblins and quietly slitting their necks, "He is also the son of Arathorn."

And with that, the four Elves made their move stealthily.

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Strider ducked his head and then brandished the blade of his sword on one of the goblin's head which flew away. There were more cries around and shrieks from the goblins as they continued to tackle him. It was an endless battle.

He felt an air of spear passed before his cheeks and he immediately grab hold of it and tug it from its wielder. After the pull he sent his elbows backwards and hit one of his attackers on the face. The next one attacked from behind and he felt a sharp pain on his side. Trying to ignore the pain he turned and swathed the goblin's head with he hilt of his sword. There were a dozen of dead bodies of goblins on his feet and this made the goblins back away a little to regard their prey.

Strider breathed hard, his lashing eyes still on his opponents, his sword ready at hand. He was unaware of the wounds he had acquired for his body had started to become numb. But he was sure they haven't hit the vital places that could kill him. He would not allow it, to die before them just like that. The voice at the back of his mind was telling him never to give up hope.

With a turn he felt another one attack him, followed by another. He raised his sword and the goblins fell on the floor, headless. The other goblins looked at him warily. There was a clap from somewhere. Strider looked up and saw that Sarali had stood up and was watching him with a satisfied smile.

"Well done." He said while clapping in motion, "I couldn't expect more from you Strider. You really are exceptional, rare and special."

The man merely grunted and then killed more of his attackers with bloods dripping from his head, fingers and sword. The attacks continued while Sarali continued speaking.

"Oh, did I forget to tell you? We captured a lost child on the forest and now the goblins are holding him. Do you want to save him?"

Strider halted on his movements and then stared hard at Sarali, his mouth opening. His senses warned him for an attack behind but Sarali continued on.

"Alas, you are too late. The child is dead." And he laughed his loudest.

Strider stared and then felt something heavy hit him on the head that made him crash hard on the ground. He thought his head had broken due to the pain that made him stifle a moan. Inside his breaking head he could hear Sarali's laugh.

"I was only teasing you, Rey said you were this foolish, I guess you are, now look what happened? Are you dead now?"

Strider moved his hands and then tried to get up. He couldn't open his eyes due to the pain that still held his head. He was afraid he was dying in that way. Somewhere around he could feel the presence of goblins rounding on him. He shot his hands on the floor out of instinct and tried to locate his sword. When he found the hilt he immediately tried to stand up and shook his head. He felt more winded.

"Ah… not dead?"

Strider opened his eyes and saw the blurry image of the goblins around him. He gripped his sword. The blow on his head was still making him dizzy but he tried to stand straight. He suddenly fell into fits of coughing blood. The blow made him aware of his wounds. He felt his body breaking from pain. He knew defeat when he sees one...

"Breaking down, are we?" Sarali's words brought the man back on his situation, "You are such an entertaining fellow. I'll have the goblins spear you to pieces, do not worry."

Strider gripped his sword but his strength left him and the sword fell out of his hands. Shock and pain filled his body next and he crouched on the ground, coughing.

It was really all over. The blood was gushing out nonstop… It was all over…

Sarali looked down at Strider's body, looking unhappy. With a wave from his hand the goblins raised their spears, ready to strike.

"I had my fun." the pale man said in a low voice, "You can die."

The goblins raised their weapons. Strider continued coughing- he knew they were about to kill him. Maybe it hadn't been such a bad idea, to die that way. When he dies he'll bring with him the weigh of those other lives that died because of him… From the people he killed back on Raleigh's camp… to the Elves that died because of him… Legolas dying… His foster father would not even want to know him if he found out he was responsible for it all… That was right, his foster father. He forgot how Lord Elrond had looked like… But he knew his warmth lingering on his body...

If he could only have a glimpse of the Lord Elrond, or even his brothers, or maybe even the Evening Star then maybe he wouldn't regret dying after all… or maybe the next face he would see will belong to his Elf friend, the Prince of Mirkwood, who would come and fetch him from the underworld…

He would regret seeing him there.

Strider felt he was being shaken. Something warm- the opposite of the presence of the goblins - was surrounding him. Someone was calling.

"Open your eyes! I beg you, don't die on me!"

It was a familiar voice. He had come to take him at last.

Strider felt the pain on his head once more. Hold on…he thought, if there was pain… was he really dead? Then how come this familiar voice is leading him to go back to the light…?

"Strider!"

Strider opened his eyes slowly and light rained his sight. Blinking hard he realized he was looking at a pair of blue orbs, looking down on him. Then the face became clearer and he recognized the face.

"You…?"

Legolas, the Elven friend he was expecting was looking down at him with fear on his eyes. Strider stared long at the Elven face as if struck by lightning.

"Are you still alive?" he asked in a horse voice suddenly that did not masked his pain. "Legolas?"

"Shouldn't I be asking that?" the Elf Prince asked nervously as he helped Strider to sit up. "Finally I caught you. I thought for a second there we were too late…"

Strider looked at the Elf in disbelief. Slowly his vision became clearer and he saw that he saw still amidst the goblins in the ring of soil. But he saw two more Elves standing before him with their backs on him, as if shielding him from any attacks. He recognized them.

"Elladan! Elrohir!"

The twin brothers looked at him grimly and then back at the opponents. Strider turned back to Legolas who was looking at him worriedly.

"Your head," he said frowning.

Strider didn't know where to start. Everything seemed to come by suddenly- maybe he was already in the fits of delusion. Legolas could not be alive! That's impossible! he saw him die and yet he...

Just then he heard a wail of someone, like a crow crying loudly. It was Sarali. Strider looked at him and saw that the pale man was pointing at them with hatred etched on his eyes.

"Kill them!" he shrieked.

Strider tried to stand up but Legolas put a firm hand on his shoulders. He looked back at the Prince, and found it surprising that he was still there. Was it all just a dream?

"You might want to keep your head down." The Prince advised him, still looking at the man's wounded head with great concern, "Glorfindel doesn't look happy. He's going to attack. You don't want to get caught into it."

"Glorfindel's here?" Strider mouthed falling into disbelief once more as he saw Elladan and Elrohir bend down near them. They winked at him, like old times that made his heart flutter, and then both twins said,

"Brace yourselves; the Balrog Slayer's going to be the Goblin Slayer right this moment!"

Strider felt Legolas tugged him down the ground. The moment he did he felt something that nearly shook his own heart.

It was Glorfindel's anger.

~TBC~

Hmm... I should have put 'Reunion' as the title but that's too obvious haha...

Thank you for reading guys! ^o^

Until the next chapter! Treats treats!

And yeahhhh the end is near xD