Chapter 13

          Bimley looked around nervously and feared for the safety of Mylea. He tried to pry himself up and go retrieve her. He had to try to talk some sense into her one last time. As he pushed himself upward, he fell right back down. It was hopeless for him, he was hurt and she was too fast. She had soon disappeared out of his sight.

          Mylea entered by using her elvish cloak to protect her. She pulled it tightly against her body for a bitter coldness had chilled her as she entered. She saw no sight of the others yet, but did not care. She hoped that she would find Saruman first, this was her battle.

          She then heard muffled voices and she threw herself against the wall silently. She scooted and her eyes kept searching around for any sudden movements. She was not paying attention to where she was leading herself because she soon fell backwards into a shady doorway.

          "I thought you would never come." Said an invisible voice, and Mylea scuttled off of the floor.

          "Where do we go now?" Aragorn questioned Gandalf.

          "I believe he is in the barracks of orcs underground." Gandalf answered unsurely.

          "Well let us go then!" Gimli exclaimed.

          Gandalf nodded slowly and started to lead them to where they could here the loud cries of orcs being tortured. It was a nasty sort of place that Saruman ran; he held these orcs as his servants. And they were willing to give their lives for someone who did not care for their well-being. They were just the scum of the earth to everyone that met them face to face.

          Elladan sped through Rivendell and was quickly making his way to Isenguard, where he knew Mylea was. He was not willing to lose her. She had to be safe he kept repeating to himself, trying to rid himself of the dark feeling in his heart.

          "Who is that?" Mylea spoke slowly.

          "You are alone, where have your other companions gone?"

          "That is no business of yours."

          "Oh but it is elf." The voice spoke, and now the person behind it emerged into the light.

          A tall lanky man stood in front of Mylea. He had a long white beard as well as white hair. His eyes were as dark as night and the snicker he wore made his face look contorted and mischievous.

          "I know your face…" Mylea started in shock.

          "I do not recognize yours dear, I have seen many elves and many men in my life. Where is Lord Aragorn?"

          "You will not have him!" Mylea shouted.

          Mylea's yell had echoed through the halls and soon found its way into Legolas' ears. He stopped dead in his tracks and the others kept walking.

          "Mylea." He whispered to himself.

          "What did you say?" Haldir asked, now stopping.

          "Mylea is in the castle."

          "She cannot be, she is with Bimley…she made a promise."

          "No, she did not; she never spoke agreement to our plan. Legolas is right; I know she is here as well." Aragorn spoke joining them.

          "Gandalf we must turn back!" Haldir called.

          Gandalf and Gimli turned and faced them. Gandalf had his eyes halfway closed and an expression of sadness was vibrant on his face.

          "I knew she would not stay…" Gandalf spoke to himself.

          "Where are we going now?" Gimli growled.

          "She must be with Saruman. I heard her voice come from up above…" Legolas thought aloud.

          Aragorn jumped ahead and started to lead them back up. He held his sword steady at his side and was at a running pace, with Legolas not far behind.

          "You are very brave to talk to a wizard like that." Saruman spoke and came closer to Mylea.

          Mylea held her ground and stared right back into his eyes. There was no reflection, only darkness hiding in them.

          "So you going to threaten me are you? Do you think it wise? Elves are magical creatures, but they have no power compared to the wise wizards."

          "Yes I should know this. You took my family from me like they were beaten animals." Mylea answered with angry tears welling in her brilliant green eyes.

          Saruman stopped his pacing of the room and looked straight into Mylea's face. It all flooded back to him…she was no regular elf. She was an elf of Basill, a place he had conquered thousands of years before. He should have known by her auburn locks of hair and those eyes, which pierced him with a stare. She was certainly quite beautiful, but he could not fathom how she had survived his wrath before.

          "You…I know you…"

          "You remember now do you? Do you remember how my family screamed and begged you not to take their lives? Do you remember the cry of the little children as you slaughtered them like pigs?"

          "How did you escape?"

          "That I will never truly know, I cannot remember how I was pushed away from my mother. I was hoping that you would hold the answer."

          "Oh if I had known…you would not be standing here right now facing me. My only explanation for you is that some orc must have taken pity upon you."

          "Well it is a good thing he did, for I have come for my payment Saruman. You owe me your life!"

          Saruman stared at Mylea in disbelief. She was standing so still, she was not going to try to run or beg for mercy. She held no inhibitions; she was seriously going to challenge him.

          At that moment Aragorn and the rest of the group had made it to the top once more. They heard Mylea's voice and ran to it, hoping it would not be too late when they arrived. Soon they reached the opening that Mylea had stumbled upon earlier and saw the two facing one another.

          Legolas pushed ahead of everyone and started to call out to Mylea. She did not turn, but just kept staring at Saruman.

          "Mylea, come to me, now!" Legolas shouted.

          "No Legolas." She answered softly.

          Saruman saw that Legolas was going to run and grab her, and quickly raised his staff and slammed the doors shut. Mylea did not flinch, just smirked to herself.

          "I am going to take care of something I should have finished long ago…" Saruman spoke.

          Legolas slammed his fists against the doors and screamed out for Mylea. Aragorn tried to help him budge the large iron doors, but their efforts were lost.

          "Mylea! We have to get in there!" Legolas yelled.

          The others merely looked at him with weak expressions.

          "We cannot break his curse." Haldir spoke.

          "I am not giving up!" Legolas roared and started to bang on the doors once again.

          Gandalf had a tear fall down his face, and put a hand on Legolas' shoulder and pulled him away.