Glad to be back at last--here's the next chapter…
Chapter 37--King's Daughter
Sandi faced the undead army coming towards them and began to chant in a strong, clear voice. None of them recognized the language. She finished the chant with a sharply spoken word and clapped her hands. The sky darkened and bolts of lightening rained from the sky, starting fires and burning the bodies of the risen dead. No one else was harmed. The storm faded, its task complete.
Sandi turned to Legolas and Jaisia. "I know not what your people's death rites entail, but there is no shame in a pyre of sky's fire," she said.
"Nay, none at all," Legolas said. Jaisia nodded in solemn agreement.
"Obviously he will not surrender just as you said, my daughter," Aragorn said.
Sandi nodded and examined the gate. "He's locked it with magic. I cannot force it. I am not strong enough," she said.
Arwen frowned. "Then how can we get inside?" she asked.
The thought hit Legolas. "The dwarves!!" he burst out.
Gimli frowned. "What about the dwarves, elf?" he asked.
"I know what you are thinking! That's a great idea!!!" Jaisia exclaimed. She explained about the escape tunnels they had used to get out of the dungeon.
"If we use that we can get inside, perfect you two. Lead the way," Aragorn said.
Legolas and Jaisia led them back to the docks and to the warehouse. Much to their surprise they found Kyle and Lightfinger waiting for them.
"Where did you go? You said you'd come back!!" Legolas demanded.
"I could not, my master called me back," Lightfingers said. He gestured to Kyle.
"You are a slave?" Jaisia asked.
"No, but I am learning magic as his apprentice," Lightfingers said.
"And an apt pupil he is, the whole army can not fit into the passage as you surely know, King Elessar. I will help; I can open the gate for the armies while you enter the castle through the tunnel. Lightfingers will go with you," Kyle said.
"Can he be trusted?" Aragorn asked Legolas.
"Aye, they helped us before," Legolas said.
"My thanks, Prince of Elves, my condolences for the loss of your father. You will need much training Princess Sandi of Minas Tirith. The dark magic Darrin has passed to you can be seductive. Do not allow it to lead you astray or it will dominate you just as it did him," he said. Turning Kyle walked off without another word or a backwards glance.
"So which of you are going into the tunnels with me, King Elessar? There is no time to waste," Lightfingers said.
"Jaisia, Legolas, Arwen, Gimli, Sandi and myself will enter through the tunnels," Aragorn decided.
"Then go and may fortune be on your side," Kyle said and walked off.
The others followed the halfling down into the gloom of the escape tunnel.
Jaisia stayed close to Legolas, she could sense the anguish he felt over his father's death and she was worried about him.
All to soon they emerged from the tunnel into Jaisia's old cell. The cell door was closed and locked, but Lightfingers had no trouble picking the lock. Just as they left the cell Oren walked in through another door.
When he saw them the torturer's eyes widened in fear and he turned to flee. Jaisia was fast enough to cut him off and she knocked him down. He started to get up then found himself looking up the shaft of an arrow at an enraged Elf.
Legolas' eyes were cold as ice and merciless. He remembered the pain Oren had inflicted and how much he'd enjoyed the tortures he'd done. HE deserved death for his evil cruelty. Legolas' hands trembled slightly, the only sign of his inner turmoil, but one did feel it.
Jaisia shuddered as the pain, loss and grief Legolas felt swirled through her. She moved forward to try to speak to Legolas, but she wasn't sure she could stop him. She laid her hand on Legolas' shoulder and squeezed. "Do not do this little brother, soul-brother. He is not worth it," she said softly.
So should Legolas shoot the rotten weasel or not? What do you guys think? Let me know--R/R please!!