Hello all, hope everyone is ready for the next part of the tale….

Chapter 36--A Ceremonial Fate

It had been nearly three hours since Legolas and Jaisia had been separated. Legolas had been shoved into a tent and his ankles rebound. He had reached out to Jaisia only to sense she was asleep. That worried him because it wasn't like her. The Elf struggled against his restraints for what seemed like the hundredth time, but they still refused to give.

Footsteps approached the tent from the outside and two men entered the tent. One drew a knife made of bone and cut Legolas' bonds. Standing, he gestured for Legolas to get up and follow them.

Wary, Legolas did and they left the tent. They entered another tent. Legolas let out a startled cry. "Jaisia," he cried. He knelt by the Centaur as her eyes opened sleepily.

(Little brother, are you hurt?" Jaisia asked.

(No, I am fine, but what is it they have done to you?) Legolas asked.

(Made me drink something, I think it was drugged. I am so tired) Jaisia said. Her eyes closed and she went back to sleep.

The two men pulled Legolas to his feet and forced him from the tent despite his struggles. They took him to a larger one. A man sat on a cushion of thick furs surrounded by half-naked women. He was wearing Legolas' knives and his bow and quiver laid by his side with Jaisia's sword. He and the guards talked briefly and one of the men brushed Legolas' hair back to reveal his ear. The man nodded and grinned. He began talking and gesturing.

Must be their leader, wonder what they are saying, Legolas thought. He was led from the tent and taken to a small pond where five women waited. Four were young, but the fifth was elderly. She wore dozens of charms made of bone. A shamaness like Lilith? Legolas wondered.

One of the men nudged him to get his attention then he pointed at Legolas then at the water and made scrubbing gestures.

I do not think so, especially not in front of an audience, Legolas thought. He shook his head no.

The man scowled and pointed more emphatically at the pond, adding something in his language that by his tone was an order and most likely a threat.

"No," Legolas said, glaring at him.

The Shamaness said something then the men nodded. One seized Legolas' shirt and literally tore it from his back while the other grabbed at his leggings.

Legolas fought to no avail. He was stripped and dragged into the water despite his struggles. "Release me!!" Legolas protested.

Three of the women slipped into the water and began scrubbing Legolas down while the men held him immobile. Another washed his hair thoroughly. Once they were finished he was dragged from the water and a kilt of leather bleached white was wrapped around his waist then he was forced to kneel before the Shamaness. She chanted softly for several minutes then nodded and left the tent.

The only woman who hadn't entered the pool painted strange symbols on his chest then hung several bone charms around his neck. His hair was brushed until there were no more tangles and the braids were unfastened as well. After that the women left.

Hous passed and Legolas was getting increasingly nervous. He sensed something was wrong and it worried him. could hear drums and singing outside. The sun was starting to set when he was led from the shelter. There was a huge crowd with a wide path between them. The two guards led him up the path. The Shamaness stood by a platform with the five women, the platform was painted with the same symbols Legolas had been marked with.

As they reached the platform Legolas realized what it was--an altar!! He was going to be sacrificed!!! He began to fight against the guards grip, but he couldn't get lose. He was lifted onto the altar and restrained while the women bound him to it spread eagle with leather thongs.

Once Legolas was immobilized the men retreated into the crowd and the women stepped back. The Shamaness stepped up and began to chant, raising a bone dagger above his chest.

(Jaisia!) Legolas cried, but she was still asleep, probably still drugged. The Shamaness finished the chant and the dagger plunged down……

Muhahahaha, evil, evil me!!! R/R please!!