189 reviews, not bad--I thank you and the plot bunnies thank you!! This story is going well--don't you think? I was worried at first!! Person A, I had muses once, but the plot bunnies ate them--Shudders.
Chapter 25--Journeying Home
They rode hard that day and continued as late into the night as they could safely. Syri feared pursuit from Minas Tireth. Legolas was quiet for most of the ride, wondering what he was going to tell Aragorn. "It is getting to dark to go on. We do not want to risk injury to the horses. We will rest here for the night and continue in the morning," Syri said, dismounting. "I will tend the horses."
Legolas leaped down. "I will take care of dinner," he offered.
Syri laughed. "That will be easy, I do not want to risk a fire so dinner will be bread and cheese with dried meat," she said.
Legolas smiled. "A true gourmet meal," he said. He dug through the pack.
They ate dinner then Syri took first watch. She noticed it took Legolas a little longer then usual to enter reverie and that bothered her a little. I am sorry, Legolas, you do not deserve to go through all this, but do not worry. I am getting you home where you will be safe no matter what, she thought.
The night went by without incident and they woke early and got ready to leave. Just as they were ready Legolas heard something in the direction they had come from. "Syri--I hear horses!" he said.
"Damn!" Syri cursed. "Stay here, I will go have--" she began.
"Better let me, I do not think they are close enough for you to be able to see them," Legolas said. He left before Syri could protest. He wasn't gone long. When he returned he looked worried. "It is Jandra and she has four men with her, there are four horses with tack but no riders," he said.
"Damn, did any have bows?" Syri asked.
"No, just swords, what do we do?" Legolas asked.
Syri was wondering that herself. Their horses would tire before they reached Mirkwood, but with remounts Jandra and the men could switch mounts when one tired. She and Legolas wouldn't have that option. Sooner or later the band would run them down. She glanced at Legolas who was unarmed, no surprise there. "We have to leave and ride for Mirkwood as fast as we can," she said.
They mounted and urged their horses into a gallop. After three hours the horses were tiring and their pursuers were rapidly gaining on them.
"Stop, Legolas, we will kill the horses if we keep pushing them," Syri said. They pulled their horses to a stop and dismounted. Syri tethered them and handed Legolas her dagger. "Get ready, I am going to try to reason with her, but we might have to fight," she said. They waited for the riders. All to so they caught up and reined in their horses five feet away from them.
"Hello there, mother, I see you found the prince, to bad--now I will have to kill you both. After my men and I are done with you of course," Jandra said. She leered at Legolas.
Syri saw the leer on Jandra's face and the looks the men were giving her and her blood ran cold. She would not be put through such indignity again and she wouldn't allow Legolas to go through it again either. "Jandra, why are you doing this? I thought you understood why I did not raise you. Is that the reason for this?" she asked.
"Of course not, the reason I am doing this is for power and a kingdom. I will gain both through Arathorn's son. You could not understand, you are happy to be a common mercenary. Well--mother--that is all you had ever been," Jandra sneered.
Legolas glanced at the guards-- wondering how they would react to her talk of power and a kingdom, surely they were loyal to the prince of Minas Tirith.
Jandra caught the look "These men are loyal only to me, lovely one, they will not help you." she said.
Legolas flinched at the hated nickname that brought back unpleasant memories of all that he had went through at Arathorn's hands.
"Enough chatter, we fight, get them!!" Jandra ordered. Dismounting, Jandra and her men drew weapons and headed towards them….
Sigh--no happy chapter yet, but this was a little better--maybe--R/R everyone!!!