Okay, guess it's time to get serious again. Did everyone like the last Chapter? This one's rated R--just in case... Well, here's the next one…

Chapter 34

The group was surprised to reach Rildar without further trouble and the city was huge!! A high, sturdy wall surrounded it and it was well guarded.

"So anyone know how we're going to do this" Gimli asked.

"We can't very well stroll through the gates and tell this Lord Andur to release the centaurs he's holding and to leave them alone," Kai agreed.

"We could braid Gimli's beard and put on the ribbon again then send him to this lord, that sight would scare anyone," Legolas remarked slyly.

Jaisia giggled. "I have the pink ribbon still," she said.

"Be quiet, crazy elf and centaur," Gimli glared.

"Later you three, this isn't the time," Aragorn chided though he grinned a little. "We can't make plans until we know more so we'll have to just go in. Jaisia, you'd better put on a shirt."

Jaisia pulled on a shirt and they headed toward the city. One of the guards stopped them at the gate. "Are you here for business or pleasure, stranger?" he asked.

"For now only pleasure though that may change," Aragorn said.

The guard looked over the group. "Is any of your party slaves?" he asked.

"No," Aragorn said.

"Very well, ten silver to enter the city if you carry weapons and six if you turn them over to me," the guard said.

"We must pay to enter this city? I've never heard of such a thing!" Aragorn protested.

"Then don't enter, it matters little to me--that is the law," the guard shrugged.

Aragorn frowned, but paid the guard the silver. "Now may we enter?" he asked.

"Of course, welcome to Rildar and enjoy your visit," the guard said and let them pass.

"I all ready dislike this place," Aragorn muttered. "People are staring."

Legolas nodded. "I agree and I have seen no races, but humans so far," he said.

"Let's find a tavern, that's a good place to get information," Gimli suggested.

Finally they found a tavern called The Peaceful Rest, but the centaurs couldn't get through the door so they had to wait outside. The other three went inside.

The tavern was rowdy and noisy. Smoke filled the air and the group could feel the other patrons staring at them as they headed for an empty table.

Legolas was following Gimli when a rough hand caught his wrist. Legolas was turned roughly to face the biggest Human he'd ever seen. He stood at least seven feet tall.

"Well, ain't ya a pretty boy, come 'ave a drink wit Mirt," he slurred.

Legolas shook his head. "No, thank you," he said. He hoped that Gimli or Aragorn would notice his predicament. He could hear some of the patron's snicker and some gathered around to watch. Aragorn, Gimli, a little help would be appreciated, he thought.

Mirt frowned in a way that would have been menacing if his eyes weren't crossed. "I said come 'ave a drink," he said, tugging on Legolas' wrist.

"And I said no," Legolas said. He noticed Aragorn and Gimli were trying to get to him, but couldn't push through the crowd. He was going to have to get out of this himself.

Trouble comes in BIG packages, right? Heh,heh…..R/R!!!!!!