Oops, sorry, Jan--I goofed--I should have added that in, he was angry and it gave him a little more strength so he didn't faint....Sigh, I had planned to start the sequel to Bonds Reborn, but the plot bunnies wouldn't let me…They want more of this fic--perhaps I'll get to the sequel tomorrow--I promise not to make you wait to long…
Chapter 25--An Escape Plan
"I am glad to see you too, Legolas, come, we must get out of here," Aragorn said.
"The guards will not allow me to leave here, Aragorn. They will kill me first," Legolas said.
"He is right, Algere is a spiteful toad, he would order his guards to do that," Delia broke in.
"So how do we get out of here?" Boromir asked.
Delia sank down in a chair. "I do not know," she admitted.
"We must form a plan rather then rushing out blindly," Gimli said. They fell silent as everyone considered how to escape.
"Oh!! I have an idea!!" Delia exclaimed, leaping to her feet. "But I need to fetch some things from my chamber first."
"Before you do that let Legolas heal your wounds," Boromir said.
Delia did and when it was done she turned to Boromir. "Will you come with me? I do not want to go out there alone," she asked.
"Of course, my lady," Boromir said. He followed Delia from the room.
Aragorn exchanged puzzled looks with Gimli and Legolas then shrugged.
Boromir and Delia returned with their arms full of clothes. She was wearing a yellow dress. "We will walk out, two guards and their wenches," Delia explained.
"Who's going to be the other wench?" Gimli asked.
Delia tossed Legolas a blue dress. "Definitely your color," she said.
"What?! Why me?" Legolas demanded.
"Oh, come now, no one else will pass for a woman. It will only be for a little while," Delia said.
Legolas glared at the dress. "One detail, this accursed collar is going to be rather obvious," he grumbled.
"Kneel, elf and let me have a look at that thing," Gimli said. "A dwarf knows locks."
Legolas grumbled, but obeyed. After a few minutes there was a soft click and the collar loosened. He reached up and pulled it off. Standing up, he tossed the collar aside.
"Hurry, get into the dress so we can get out of here. I'll turn my back while you dress," Delia said and turned away.
Reluctantly, Legolas changed into the dress. "I feel like an idiot," he complained.
"Do not worry, you look lovely," Gimli teased.
"Shut up, dwarf," Legolas retorted.
"Now, now dear, do not pout," Gimli said, snickering.
Delia turned and examined him. "Not bad, we just need some finishing touches," she said.
"Yes, we do, a lady does not have a flat chest," Boromir said.
"Easily fixed," Delia said. She pulled out some rags and stuffed them into the dress in the appropriate place then stepped back. "Perfect, one last thing." She put a hat on his head. "There, that hides your ears. We are ready to go."
"Amazing, no one would think you were a male," Boromir said. "The illusion is perfect."
"This is humiliating!!" Legolas griped.
"It is the best way to escape, let's go," Aragorn said. "I will walk with Legolas, Boromir can escort Delia."
"It would be a pleasure to be such a lovely lady's escort," Boromir said gallantly, causing Delia to blush.
The five of them left the room, hoping the plan would work and they would be able to escape without a fight that would draw to much attention.
**Meanwhile**
Algere finally got the gag loose and yelled for help. The slave that brought his breakfast and dressed him entered the room. He stared in surprise at his master's plight.
"Do not stand there gawking at me, witling!! Untie me or you will be sorry!!!" Algere shouted.
The slave looked around and found a dagger. Picking it up, he went to his master's side. "I always hated you for what you did to me and even now you threaten me. Well, it is over, I am reclaiming my freedom now," he whispered.
Algere was to shocked to cry out as his own dagger was plunged into his heart. The slave cleaned the blood off his hand on the expensive blankets then slipped out of the room……
Hahahahaha, this was a fun chapter to write!!! Poetic Justice, Algere killed by one of the slaves he mistreated and scorned, you guys like? R/R please!!!