To the Reviewers:
Rhonda – What minds we have, Rhonda? Cool, yeah, I guess we can write well at some points…others though…well, we won't go into that. Here's the next chapter…
TC - *Points at chapter* Maybe this will explain how they're going to get out of it? Not to say that it will make anything better, but who knows…and as for happier thoughts? Hmm…never thought of that in reference to our stories…lol…see Balrog for that one…
Cathy – Umm…they aren't? It is? How do you know? OK, long as you know, we'll figure it out eventually, honest. *Rubs head* Did you have to do that? It kinda hurt. We are not evil…we update in a timely manner so none of the readers have to wait OVER A MONTH to read the next chapter…the next story, now that's a different thing altogether…
Kar – Aww, what's wrong with caught in our clutches? It could be worse, they could all be caught in your clutches. Where would be the fun in a fic with them having a good time? They'd get bored, wouldn't they? Anyway, they have to heal soon, there's only 2 chapters left after this one.
Sparx – It is sad, Sparx, but it'll get better eventually, I think. Glad you got the chance to read it, and hope you had fun wherever you went. Hope ya enjoy chapter 17…
Chapter 17
Kaolith broke through the guards as they started to move and ran to her friend. What she saw stopped her in her tracks, her ears turning red as her eyes widened, staving off the tears of helplessness and anger. She blocked out what she saw, forcing herself not to see whom it was lying on the ground, shivering and curled in on herself. Pulling off her cloak, she overcame her shock and stepped forward to cover the she-Elf, shaking as she did so. "Oh Elbereth, please don't let her retreat back into her mind again and lose herself to everyone again." She prayed to Illuvitar to help her friend, and when she saw Selinde cringe, let the anger overcome her and stalked towards the tent. She was stopped from running, almost losing her balance, as Elladan grabbed her shoulder and turned her around, pulling her into a tight embrace that the Ranger only fought against momentarily.
"Kao, think about what you are doing first. You have no weapons, not enough strength to do anything except get yourself hurt further, would Selinde want you to get hurt because you didn't think?"
Squeezing her eyes against the tears, she shook her head no, knowing that if anyone had the right to end the life of Noor, it was Selinde. She was only beginning to understand that this man was the same that had enslaved her, and knew that the right of blood that was owed Selinde went back generations. No, she could not take that right from Selinde she would wait. But she would be right there to help if her friend wanted it.
"Come on little one, lets go help Strider and Legolas, and then we can all figure out what to do." He had seen the enraged Man coming out of the tent, and did not want to chance him turning his anger on Kaolith. He smiled grimly when she nodded, wiped her eyes, and led the way back to Selinde, recoiling when she saw the marks, and not knowing what to do. She bit down on the inside of her cheek, deciding that she would be strong for her sister, and there for her when she awoke, not matter what.
"Strider, what can I do to help?"
"You will do nothing my pet. She has angered me greatly, and therefore I am rescinding my promise to her. You will come with me."
"Oh no I won't. I don't care what you say, I'm staying right here." She didn't even flinch when he backhanded her, splitting her lip once more. "Do what you will, but if you try to take me, I will kill you, I care not." By that time, the twins and Legolas had moved to encircle the child, protecting her from the Man's wrath. Kaolith noticed as Terach and his party stood too, and began to move through the guards to stop Noor. They had had enough.
Fynn notched his bow, and fired, watching with delight as the Prince of Mirkwood fell, an arrow just missing his heart, as he had moved at the last second. He fell next to Selinde, and Kaolith could hear him groan. Relieved that he yet lived, something in the Ranger snapped, and she ran at her imminent 'master', and before anyone could react, grabbed a dagger from a guard, and plunged it into his heart. She felt a moment of satisfaction at Fynn's demise before everything went black.
"Oh Elbereth no, 'Ro, go help her…if you can."
Elrohir reached Kao and pulled her out of the reach of the guards. He grabbed the bloody dagger, and was threatening all who came too close. They once again reached the safety of their friends, and a standoff ensued.
Noor soon found his voice and ordered the guards to move on the prisoners.
"I want that girl!" He ordered.
As the guards brought up their bows to fire, they never knew what hit them. For a flight of Elven arrows took them all down. The prisoners watched in horror as Noor and two of his guards were able to reach the horses and flee. The rest of his men died that night.
Many wanted to follow the men, but Strider's voice held them back. "We need to tend to the injured now. I let him live once; I will not make that mistake again. When we are all ready to travel again, we will bring him to justice. Understand?" They all nodded their understanding.
Elladan then took charge. "Get that tent ready for the injured." He said pointing to Noor's tent. "Prepare the guard tents for the rest."
He stopped giving orders, which were being followed by all, when Estel called his name. "'Dan, I need Ada. You've got to get him across the river. Her injuries are bad." The injured were then taken to Noor's tent and Elladan went to see what he could do about the river.
Strider lay his charge down on Noor's bed, pointed Elrohir to put Legolas on the pillows in the corner, and saw Terach dump Kaolith against the other side of the bed. Glaring at the Elf, he didn't need to say a word to show his anger at the disrespect paid to his friend. He pointed to the side of the bed near Selinde, wondering if this was going to be a smart move, and stared the Elf down until he lifted Kaolith off the floor.
Ducking out, not wanting to be under the scrutinizing gaze of the Man any longer, Terach made his way down to the River to tote back extra water.
Knowing that there was not much that he could do for Selinde until the Elves found the healing supplies, Aragorn quickly checked the back of Kaolith's head, feeling for fractures, and glad that he did not find any. Then he moved on to Legolas, ripping the cover off of one of the pillows and preparing to help his brother remove the arrow. Knowing that Elrohir's hands were steadier, the human moved to steady Legolas's shoulder. Hoping that he would remain unconscious until after they could bind the wound, the two healers wasted no more time, and before anyone could have seen, the arrow was on the ground next to them, the wound was wrapped, and Legolas was awake and breathing heavily. In the instant that Legolas had awoken, he had let out a cry, enough to wake Kaolith, and the three were laughing as she tumbled out of bed, landing hard next to it.
"What'd I miss?"
They all just laughed again.
"You have not missed much, Kao, except that we are free. Our fathers arrived on the other side of the river in time to take down those who had captured us." He was really hoping that she would just assume all were dead, but he should have known better.
'Noor?" She asked
Legolas was also curious and turned to face Strider.
"No, Noor and two of his personal guard escaped." He reached out and grabbed Kao. "When we are all healed, we will go after him. I will not leave him free again."
Kao nodded, then turned her attention to Selinde.
"How is she?" Kao was very concerned for her friend.
"It is bad," Estel answered her. "The supplies that I need have not been found and 'Dan is seeing if he can get Ada over here to help."
"Then I will go do what I can do." Kao said and headed outside. Elrohir followed, to keep her out of trouble. Legolas also tried to rise, but was pushed back down.
"Don't make me restrain you Legolas," Strider said. "Your injury is much worse then you believe. You will stay here until I or my father gives you leave."
Not having the energy to disagree, Legolas laid back down.
************
It was still raining, and Elladan was having a hard time figuring out how to get the others across. But he should not have worried. Those on the other side tossed Elven rope across and Elladan and the Mirkwood warriors tied it off. Safety measures were addressed, and several Elves started to cross the river.
As soon as Elrond and Gandalf had crossed, they were taken to the tent.
************
When Kaolith saw that the Maiar and Lord had arrived and were taken to her friend, she turned to the woods, knowing that Elrohir was watching her back. She wandered in and out of the trees, trying to clear her mind and make sense of all that had happened. Now was not the time to tell anyone that she had no idea when they had left Rivendell, knowing only that Selinde was hurt and that she was supposed to know why. Determined not to panic, she was unfortunately becoming far too used to these lapses, and did not see an end to them at any time soon.
Looking down at the ground, she noticed that she stumbled upon a large patch of athelas. "'Ro, look what I found. We should bring it back, just in case."
Smiling at the Ranger, sensing that she was hiding something and lapsing into healer mode, much like he and his brothers often did, Elrohir pulled the still-bloody dagger from his belt and bent down to help her gather the herb.
"Whose dagger is that 'Ro? Why is it bloody?" She had chosen her words carefully, hoping that he wouldn't pick up on the reason behind the questions. She hadn't counted on the dagger having been in her hands earlier.
"So how far back have you lost your memory this time, little one? You do still remember who I am, don't you?" Elrohir shook his head at the stubbornness of humans in general seemingly intensified in the three Rangers in their current company.
"Far enough."
"When? We can't help you unless…" he trailed off, seeing Kaolith drop her gaze to the forest floor, finding her boots suddenly interesting. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, willing her strength. He almost missed her answer, it was that quiet.
"Rivendell."
"Oh, Kao." he knew that each lapse must be taking a toll on the girl, but also that she would not think about it until she knew that Selinde was all right.
"What happened, 'Ro? Why is Selinde hurt like that?"
Not sure that he should be the one to bring her to the present; he suggested they return with the athelas. He wanted to see his father, among other things. She nodded numbly and followed, cradling the valuable herbs in her arms, struggling to remember.
When they reached the tent, both were soaked through, but relieved to see the healers hard at work. Kaolith dumped the athelas on the bed, and was led to where Legolas and Strider were waiting. Shivering slightly and relaxing, she waited for Selinde to wake up.
When she finally did, the Ranger was taken aback at the Elf's attitude towards her; she did not understand.
As Selinde slowly focused on her surroundings, she could see that she was in Noor's tent. But she couldn't figure out why her friends were also there.
"Where is my master?" She asked. "He will not be happy that you are in here."
Elrond and Gandalf were both surprised with the she-Elf's reaction to them being here. Even after the explanations they had got from the others. And Kao could not accept it at all.
"Stop it Selinde, quit calling him your master. He is gone, you can stop it now."
Selinde looked at the girl and almost ignored her. But decided not to after all.
"Keep yourself out of my business little one. I did all in my power to protect you, and I received no thanks for it. I wish for you to stay away from me, until you have learned to control your impulses." She lied back down, and then spoke one more time. "Leave, all of you. I would rest now."
Kao wanted to speak, but she was pushed from the tent. They all left except Elrond who was still seated by her bed.
"Don't you think that was a bit harsh Selinde?" He asked the injured Elf.
"You do not know of what you speak. Ask Kao how she thanked me for my sacrifice. She threw it in my face." She closed her eyes, and Elrond thought that sleep had finally taken her. He had tried to give her something to help her sleep, but Selinde had refused. He glanced at her one more time, before leaving the tent and seeking out more answers.
Selinde waited for him to leave, then slowly got up and dressed herself. She found her weapons, which had been stored here after being confiscated, and prepared to leave. She would have to deal with Kao and the others later, but she had to end this once and for all.
She was feeling bittersweet about being in captivity this time, for as much as she despised it, she had learned a lot about herself. After all these years, she knew that her life was hers and that she would always have control, no matter the circumstance. She also had a debt to pay, and figured the others wouldn't understand. She knew that a guard had been placed at the door of the tent, so she took her dagger and cut a hole in the back. Thanking Illuvitar for the rain, she slipped to the horses, found hers, and headed after Noor.
