Wahh, my cable is out!! Poor me, but lucky all of you since I'm bored another chapter is here!!!

Chapter 37

The door was unlocked and opened about two hours later to reveal a servant. "Good day, my lord has bidden me to show you to the bath chambers so you may refresh yourselves. He has asked you to be his guests at dinner this evening," she said.

They group exchanged glances and shrugs. "Very well--we accept," Aragorn said for all of them. They followed the serving girl to a huge room with a tiled floor.

"Please call if you need anything, my lords and lady," the servant said. She curtsied and left the room.

Kai frowned. "Wonder what brought this on," he said.

"Probably didn't want the crazy elf to get egg and tomato all over his furniture," Gimli snorted.

"Or he didn't want to look at the egg stuck in the stupid dwarf's beard," Legolas returned.

"Look! Our packs, " Jaisia said.

They got cleaned up and dressed in clean clothes, though they weren't usually considered proper garb for a dinner with a lord. None of them cared though.

"We must be careful, offer no information if you can avoid it. If he knew who I and Legolas were it could mean trouble," Aragorn warned.

The same servant girl led them to the dining room where a tall man, richly dressed, with black hair and blue eyes waited. "Welcome, my dear guests. I am Lord Andur!!" he said. He stood and walked over to them. He was a head taller than Aragorn. He shook everyone's hand and waved to the table. "Please be seated," he said.

Everyone did and as usual the Centaurs had to lie down, but thick cushions were provided for them to lie down on. Servants brought in food and wine. After everyone was served the servants stood along the table in case they were needed.

Andur tore into the food with enthusiasm. "Please, enjoy--I hire only the finest cooks," he said.

Seeing no choice, they did so. The food was excellent as Andur claimed, but none of them had much appetite. Soon as they were finished the servants cleared the table and left.

Andur leaned back into his chair and studied them, especially the twins, Legolas and Gimli. "We see so few of the les-- I mean other races here," he said.

He was going to say lesser, I fear we are in grave danger, Legolas thought. His eyes roamed over the room warily.

"Perhaps it's the welcome they receive that keeps them away. Most folk don't like being cursed or pelted with eggs and rotten food," Gimli said bluntly.

Lord Andur threw his head back and laughed heartily. "So blunt, sir dwarf, your kind are not one to waste time with pretty words--" he said. He looked at Legolas. "And what do you say sir elf?"

"It is done, my lord," Legolas said neutrally. He didn't want to talk right now. Every nerve in his body screamed danger. He didn't trust the oily Human at all.

"While elves love to waste time with pretty words!! A rather annoying trait of theirs," Andur chuckled. "So what has brought you to Rildar?"

"We are travelers, out to see the wonders of the land," Aragorn said. "We decided to travel together for safety."

"I have heard of the unfortunate incident in the tavern, such a pity," Andur said, shaking his head.

"Then you should have heard that my companion reacted to prevent me from being stabbed in the back," Aragorn said.

"Oh, there is no doubt the murder was done in self-defense, but brawling is also against the law here. I fear there are consequences for that," Andur said. "A fine of three hundred silver, can you pay it?"

"I believe you know that all money we carried was removed from our packs, most likely by the guards who arrested us," Aragorn said.

"You can not prove this, since you have no money to pay the fine then you must suffer the other penalty. Five years in prison where you will serve in any way I deem suitable," Andur said. He clapped his hands and ten guards entered. "Take them to my personal dungeons, you may place them in the same cell, but make sure they are well secured."

Without weapons they were forced to go silently. They could hear Andur laughing as they were led from the room and taken below to the dungeon.

Locked Up Again!! Like this peoples-hate it? R/R!!!!