All right, more for this one, might not be long been thunderstorms off and on all day…

Chapter 41--Fight For Freedom

Boromir, Aragorn and Gimli attacked as one. The first one went down with his skull slit by Aragorn's sword. Boromir knocked his opponent down with his shield then ran him through. Gimli chopped one's legs out form under him then severed his head.

One lunged for Syri who deftly sidestepped, kicking him in the arse to keep him going then Qui killed him with one solid blow from his sword. Syri gutted another as he ran to attack.

The leader stayed back form the fight, yelling orders and curses. "Do not kill them! They must be alive!!" he yelled. "The king will--"

Legolas slid his bow from his shoulder, notched an arrow and fired in one swift motion. The leader went down with the arrow in his mouth. "--Never visit your grave," Legolas finished grimly.

Qui gave him a rather startled, but approving look. He patted Legolas' shoulder then pulled out his club and waded into the fray.

Legolas heard hooves over the fighting and saw more horsemen coming. He groaned, they would be hard pressed to fight off reinforcements. "Aragorn!! We have to get out of here!! More are coming!!" he shouted.

It was true, but they were hard pressed and couldn't break away quickly or they'd be overrun. The other men arrived before they could flee. "Drop your weapons all of you or we will fire!" one ordered. Crossbows were aimed at the weary group. They had no choice, but to drop their weapons and yield.

"You are now the prisoners of King Arathorn," one stated as another soldier began gathering up their weapons.

"Hello, Merrin," Aragorn said with a grim smile.

"I wish I had not come here to investigate the commotion, you and I had no quarrel and you were my friend, Boromir as well as my captain," Merrin said.

"Then let us walk, Merrin, we have other important business," Boromir said.

"You know I cannot do that. It would be treason and my liege will want to question the elf," Merrin said.

"You know very well what father considers questioning, what he will do to him and to all of us if we are taken to him," Aragorn said.

"I am sorry," Merrin said again. He gestured to the guards. "Bind their hands, but do not harm them unless they resist."

None of them bothered to struggle. There was no way to escape right now. They could only hope there would be an opportunity later.

They were prodded forward towards the army at spear point as they approached the saw the Elven army withdraw into the trees despite the threats and curses of one of the Humans.

"That is my former father," Aragorn muttered. "This will be ugly."

Merrin paused before Arathorn and bowed. "We have captured some intruders, my liege," he said.

Arathorn turned. When he saw Aragorn and Boromir an unpleasant smile spread across his face. "So my wayward son and captain of the guards have returned. How delicious," he remarked.

One seized Legolas' arm and yanked him forward, shoving him to the ground at the King's feet. "This creature was with them, perhaps he will be of some use," he said.

Arathorn eyed Legolas then nodded. "Yes, I think he will be very useful, very useful indeed. We go to set up camp out of sight of the forest. Bring them!!" he ordered.

Once camp was set up they were thrust still bound into a tent. An hour later a soldier came in and dragged Legolas to his feet. "King Arathorn wants to have a little chat with you, elf," he said and dragged him away….

Dun, dun, dun--Big trouble now!! R/R please!!