Don't worry, no romance--not in this one anyway….

Chapter 41--Revealing Secrets

Mei Ling went to the chamber she had been given and dug in her pack. Finding what she was looking for, she nodded to herself and left the room. She checked on Legolas and was pleased to see he was still on the balcony. She hurried around the corner and made her way to his chamber. She looked around and found she was alone. Quickly, she picked the lock and went into the room, closing and relocking the door behind her. She concealed herself and waited.

It was nearly midnight before Legolas went to his room with Qui close behind him. Legolas unlocked the door while Qui settled down by the door. "You do not have to do this, Qui," he said.

**It is a matter of honor and I must do this** Qui signed.

Legolas sighed and nodded. "Good night then," he said. He went into the room and closed the door. It was dark in the room, but Legolas had no trouble seeing. He was halfway across the room when he sensed something was wrong. He immediately turned back towards the door only to run right into Mei Ling.

Mei Ling quickly brought her hand up to her mouth and blew some white powder directly into Legolas' face before he could react to her presence. Legolas coughed as he inhaled some of the powder then suddenly he could no longer stand. He would have crumpled to the ground if Mei hadn't caught him. Fear surged through him when he found he couldn't move or speak.

"Sorry, sun child. Do not fear, I will not harm you. I will give you the antidote to the powder as soon as I have you immobilized," Mei said. She lifted Legolas up then laid him gently on his bed. Pulling out some strips of silk, she tied him down. After she finished she took out a vial and opened it then held it under his nose.

It smelled horrible, but after a few minutes Legolas found he could move again. "Why are you doing this?" he gasped.

"I have no choice," Mei said, taking out another vial and opening it. She seized him by the jaw and squeezed, forcing his mouth open.

Legolas tried to cry out, but her mouth covered his before he could.

**Meanwhile**

Aragorn, Elrohir and Elladan led the troops towards Mirkwood. They were making good time, but Aragorn seemed troubled.

Elrohir urged his horse forward so he was riding alongside Aragorn. "What is troubling you, Aragorn?" he asked.

"I am worried about this business. I cannot help but wonder if this war could be avoided even though it is all ready been declared," Aragorn admitted. And like Boromir I know how strong a force Minas Tirith can gather. We will be badly out numbered even with the extra troops."

"All we can do is try our best for Mirkwood and its people, Aragorn. We will fight with all we have," Elrohir said. "Do not lose heart."

Aragorn managed a smile. "Yes, we must keep heart and we will win this battle. The troops of Minas Tirith are not used to fighting in forests. We can take advantage of that," he said. He urged his horse forward at a gallop and the rest of the group followed.

Late that afternoon they arrived at the meeting place where they were to wait for Syri and Boromir to return from Lorien with whatever troops the Lord and Lady of the woods were willing to send.

The next morning a sentry spotted a troop coming towards them. "Someone is coming--they wear the symbol of Lorien!" he called.

"how many is there?!" Aragorn called.

"Over one hundred!!" the sentry called.

Aragorn sighed. "A hundred," he muttered. "That is all Lorien saw fit to send us?"

"It will be enough. It has to be," Elrohir said. "Heart, Estel, keep heart."

Aragorn took a deep breath and nodded. "Let us go meet our allies halfway," he said. He, Elrohir and Elladan moved down the slope towards them….

Heh, got you all again--I'm sure all of you know that Estel is elvish for hope and is one of Aragorn's many names. R/R please!!!