Sorry about the late update all, but the MSN service was down and I couldn't get online…. So here's the next part…
Chapter 18--Arrival In Mirkwood
Aragorn and the others reached Mirkwood at dusk and slowly entered the forest, leading their horses. Ten minutes had barely passed when they were challenged. "Why do you return, human? By King Thranduil's orders I could kill you," a voice said.
"I am here to help," Aragorn said.
"Most believe that you have done more then enough," the sentry retorted.
Elrohir stepped forward. "He is with us and attacking him is like attacking us and right now it seems Mirkwood needs allies, not more enemies," he pointed out.
The sentry leaped lightly down from the tree. "True, I will take you to the King and allow him to decide the man's fate," he said. "Follow me."
When they entered the throne room Thranduil was obviously less then pleased. He rose from his throne "You are foolish for coming back here after my warnings. I could have you killed here and now," he said.
"Sire, please, Legolas is my friend. I would have taken his place if I could have. I want to help. Tell us what happened,' Aragorn said.
Thranduil sank onto his throne, anger seeming to drain from him. "Jerrin betrayed me, I fear he told Arathorn who and probably what Legolas was, he told Arathorn things about our defenses as well. I am sure of it, yet he did not attack. Then I received a message with a lock of my youngest son's hair. The message demanded I surrender Mirkwood in return for my son's safety," he said. "And your answer?" Aragorn asked; he had a notion he knew.
Thranduil's anguish was obvious in his face and voice. "I refused, I had no choice. I love my youngest son, my beloved Nyssa died bringing him into the world, he is all I have of her and he looks just like her. I am sure she would hate me for abandoning him, but I had too. I cannot place my kingdom and people in my enemy's hands for one elf, even my son. I do not understand why he was sent here after my message," He said.
"Your message said to send him home immediately, that you were eager to see him," Elladan said.
"I wrote no such message, I told Galadriel that we were on the brink of war that it was not safe for Legolas to return," Thranduil said fiercely.
"Some one under Arathorn's command altered your message so Legolas would be sent then they took him. It is a often used trick in war," Syri said.
"But how did they do it and how did they get a hold of one of the messenger hawks?" Elrohir mused.
Syri shrugged. "That I can not answer," she said.
"Our path is clear, we have to find some way to get Legolas out of Arathorn's hands," Aragorn said determinedly.
"But how? We can not sneak into a palace full of guards and bring him out," Boromir said.
"We may not have to, we have an ally in the castle who may be able to help us," Syri said reluctantly.
"What? Who?" Boromir asked.
"My daughter," Syri said softly. Everyone stared at her in shocked surprise except Qui.
"I did not know you had a daughter," Boromir said.
"I had her when I was nearly sixteen, she was the result of the rapes I suffered at the bandit leaders hands. I could not bear to raise her; she was the perfect image of the man who raped me. I gave her to a foster family who raised her well. She and I managed to put aside the long separation and become at least friends. She knows about Legolas, That is the business I had to attend too when I left. I am sorry I did not tell you Boromir," Syri said.
"I understand," Boromir said softly.
"Thank you, anyway she is a guard in the castle. If we can contact her she will be able to help, perhaps even get Legolas out of the castle," Syri said.
"So let us make some plans," Aragorn said. They put their heads together and began to plan their next move….
Yahoo!! To the rescue!! R/R please!!!