Legolas stiffened as soon as he felt the hands on his ropes. It was not his guards; he could see them out of the corner of his eye bickering drunkenly. Besides, a guard would not be quiet or careful. But whoever it was had given no sign they were a friend.
He had taken careful note of his surroundings as he was lead in and was now using that information to try to discover what was going on behind him. The stands behind him rose up in rows: the lowest was about four
feet off the ground. A wooden railing was the only barrier between the front row and the tournament field. A cloth curtain covered the gap between the first row of seats and the ground. He was tied to a pole that rose up directly in front of the stands. So whoever his rescuer was, they must be in that front row.
However, he turned his attention to a more pressing matter and watched Boromir and Aragorn's progress. They would win through the gate, and it would go ill for him if he were still here when they did so. The line of soldiers directly across from him who were stringing their bows made him uneasy.
As the last of his ropes fell away, there was a roar behind him. The crowd in the stands had turned into a mob that was now surging forward onto the tournament field. Caught between the advancing soldiers before him and the angry spectators behind him, Legolas turned to his only option. Doubling over, he ducked under the curtain and took shelter under the
grandstands. The hollow scaffolding afforded a decent amount of room and, since the back was open, an escape route. Crouching down, he surveyed the little of the scene his refuge allowed.
The crowd, impatient with the delay and stirred up by the prisoner's escape, had become a riotous mass pushing towards the field. Aurelia found herself wedged in with no way out. As the back rows moved forward, she and others in the frond row were squeezed harder against the thin wood railing. Eventually, it burst under the strain, and Aurelia tumbled over the edge with a sharp cry. Half-stunned, she lay where she fell, unaware of the oncoming mob.
Legolas had watched the girl fall, landing just in front of his hiding place beneath the stands. Judging by the thunderous sound above his head, she would be trampled to death in seconds. Reaching out, he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her beneath the stands. No sooner had he done so than the forerunners of the mob swept down out of the stands to engulf the tournament field.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Back at the prison tower, Gandalf was waiting tensely. Gimli, on the other hand, was examining the stonework.
"This is very poorly made," he commented. "Just look at the gaps between these stones!"
Gandalf glared at him. "If I had my staff"
"So, who do you think will win, Aragorn or Boromir?" Gimli asked eventually.
"That's not the point!" the wizard retorted angrily. "Although,"he added, "it would be a tough call. In hand-to-hand combat I'd have to go with Aragorn, but Boromir may have the advantage in the joust."
Of course he would not! Gimli replied huffily. Aragorn is going to win. He is to be king, remember? How could he not win?
If Boromir wins, Gandalf stated, looking aloof.
I'll make you a bet, the dwarf threatened.
Gandalf replied. Of what?
Gimli said, looking down at himself. I'll bet you my boots that Aragorn will win.
Gandalf repeated, moving over to the barred window. If Boromir
wins, you can have my boots. Now please be silent, you're giving me a headache.
Gimli muttered something in his own language, and then moved over to the wall and began examining the stones again.
Gandalf shook his head in frustration, and turned back to the window. By
craning his neck, he could just manage to catch a glimpse of two guards down below. They were wearing heavy armor and carrying swords, and a horse was tethered nearby. From what he had picked up about this strange
land, Gandalf guessed that they were knights, who usually competed in the tournaments. He tried to make out a bit of their conversation, failed, and settled instead for surveying the landscape.
From what he could see, the tower that he and Gimli were in appeared to be surrounded by buildings. He guessed that they were in the middle of a city, but with only one window it was hard to tell for sure. He wondered what was happening with Aragorn, Boromir and Legolas. He wasn't worried about them, but he was beginning to wonder if he would ever get out of the tower. He glanced over at Gimli, who had pulled a small stone out of the crumbling floor and was attempting to chip away at the mortar. Gandalf snorted.
Are you going to dig us out? he asked contemptuously.
Gimli grunted, sending specks of mortar flying. I am merely trying to discover what type of mortar they have used here. It seems very brittle, and doesn't bond well with these rocks.
Well, please continue, Gandalf told him, rolling his eyes, and reverted back to looking out of the window. He was becoming very annoyed with Gimli. If help didn't come soon, Aragorn might only find himself rescuing one living being from the tower.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aurelia stared at her outlandish rescuer. He was much taller than anyone she had ever seen in her life, frighteningly so. He was wearing very odd clothing, and his hair . . . she had never seen anything quite like that, either. It was long and so blonde it was almost white, although he didn't look old at all.
Are you injured, Lady? he asked suddenly, making her jump. His accent was
hard to understand.
Was she all right? She hadn't really stopped to think about that. Surprisingly, after being shoved off of the grandstands and almost trampled, she felt quite well. Yes, I'm fine, she replied.
That is well, he said, the worried look on his face easing into a grin. You
would do better, Lady, to come with me than venture back that way. He motioned back out to the field, where the crowd was milling about and
screaming. Aurelia turned away from the scene to see him already hurrying away underneath the grandstands. She started after him, trying to catch up, but he was moving too quickly for her.
she called after him, and he stopped for her to catch up. The
last thing she wanted was to be left alone in this mess, even though
the alternative was to follow a man who she didn't know. As long as her father didn't hear about this . . . Can you slow down? she panted as she finally drew level with him.
Your pardon, he said immediately, genuinely looking sorry. I forgot myself. He started jogging again, more slowly this time, and Aurelia
hurried after him again. They exited out the back of the stands, and he
halted, looking around.
Do you know this city well? he asked, looking down at her.
I've lived here my whole life, she offered.
Could you direct me to the prison tower?
Of course, she replied, beginning down a narrow street. Follow me.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aragorn stood up in his stirrups and peered around. I think the tower
is over there, he said finally, pointing with his lance. Boromir
followed his lead, shading his eyes from the sun.
Yes, I believe that I see it, he agreed. They started into
a large street that was lined with market stalls and filled with crowds
of people. Fortunately, when their lances were noticed, a pathway was
made as people dived into nearby buildings and behind counters.
Thank you from the land of Gondor! Boromir called, turning backwards and lifting a hand in greeting to one of the trembling salesmen. The man shakily waved his hand, and then fell over in a faint. Boromir shook his head in puzzlement, and faced forward just in time to run face-first into a hanging wooden sign that had a picture of a fish on it.
Aragorn asked, laughing. Boromir glared at the swinging sign.
Devilish inventions, he muttered. Why is it up that high, anyways?
To avoid people walking into them, Aragorn said through a perfectly
straight face. I doubt very much that they were designed with the needs of mounted horsemen in mind.
Then how did you escape knocking into one?, Boromir retorted.
'Twas lucky I missed repeating your mistake Aragorn replied, slightly sarcastic. Before Boromir could say anything, Aragorn quickly cut him off. These are a strange people of small stature. I cannot place their origins, even among the Wild Men. But come, let us take this as a sign to be more wary.
Boromir rubbed his head and muttered a strangled sort of oath.
Aragorn said a few minutes later. There is the tower.
Gandalf is looking out of the window, Boromir observed, looking
upwards. He waved a greeting at the wizard, who lifted a hand in reply.
Aragorn hissed, grabbing Boromir's reins. We must approach with care. There are two knights guarding the tower, see?
We're bigger than them, and we have mounts, Boromir stated. We
clearly have the advantage.
We carry no weapons except for these dull spears, Aragorn reminded him.
They are fully armed.
Even so, I do not fear them. Let us ride up and demand entrance. If they refuse,then we must resort to force, Boromir declared.
As you wish, Aragorn grumbled. I see no better course.
And with that, they hefted their lances and rode straight at the guards.
one of the knights cried. What do you want?
We demand entrance, Aragorn replied. If you do not yield, it will come to blows.
We shall never yield ourselves to you, the other knight snorted. With what will you carry out your threat? We do not fear your lances and we see you are without swords.
Aragorn and Boromir looked at each other. We do not need swords to vanquish the likes of you, Boromir said haughtily. How shall we proceed? He whispered to Aragorn.
I followed your lead into this, Aragorn hissed. And you can lead us out.
The knights looked on smuggly, leaning on their drawn swords.
Boromir and Aragorn began a heated argument, which was broken off by a
cry of, Here it is! They looked up to see a young woman coming around
the corner of a building opposite from them, behind the knights. She
was followed by Legolas. The knights wheeled around with a cry. Boromir and Aragorn fell silent and Legolas and Aurelia stopped. None of the six stirred, each afraid that the slightest movement would tip the balance to the enemy's advantage.
