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Chapter 71--A Matter of Honor

Rian reached out and Legolas instinctively flinched, pulling back. Rian frowned and studied him. "What is wrong?" he asked. "I have absolutely no interest in bedding males if that is what concerns you. That was my late father's preference. I found it perverted and sickening."

Legolas still eyed him warily. He didn't trust him at all considering what he had done so far. "You tried to have one of your men shoot our King in the back after a peace talk and had your men attack our wounded and healers. Why should I trust your word?" he asked.

"Mostly because you have no choice. Now answer my question. What is your name?" Rian demanded.

Legolas shook his head. "I will not tell you anything," he said.

Just then a guard entered the tent. "Sire, it is ready," he said.

"Very well," Rian said. He gestured to the guards. "Take him to the empty tent and bind him securely. If he escapes I will have your heads." He looked at Legolas. "We will finish this talk later." He left the tent with the guard.

The guards dragged Legolas roughly into another tent and shoved him roughly to the ground. They wrapped rope around his ankles tightly and tightened the bonds on his wrists. They went out to stand at the tents entrance.

Legolas struggled against the bonds, but gave up when they proved to strong and well tied to get loose. He closed his eyes in despair, remembering Qui had died trying to defend him.

*Meanwhile*

Qui crawled stubbornly towards the Elven camp. His wounds still poured blood and his vision was blurry, but he refused to die before he told of Legolas's capture. He owed him that much after his failure. After what seemed like hours he saw Syri, still watching over the healers. He started to crawl towards her, but his arms gave out. Still he dragged himself forward, refusing to give up.

Just then Syri looked towards him and her eyes widened. "Qui!!! Elrond, Elrond, come quick!! Qui is back and he is hurt!!!" she shouted as she ran towards him.

Qui silently begged the dragon spirit to allow him to tell them what he needed too before he joined his ancestors so his honor would not be so tainted.

Syri knelt beside him, horrified at the severity of his wounds. "Qui, what has happened?" she asked.

Elrond dropped to his knees on his other side and reached out to tend his wounds.

Qui shook his head and pushed his hands away. His hands shook as he began to sign. *Forget my wounds. The Humans attacked us at the river. They took Legolas. You must succeed where I failed and help him* he signed.

"Syri will go tell Aragorn while I tend to your wounds and do not tell me no because I will not accept that," Elrond said. He nodded at Syri who rushed off.

Only then did Qui relax and allow Elrond to start tending his injuries even though he was sure that it was too late to save him now. At least help would be sent to Legolas. That was all that mattered to Qui. He sighed contentedly and closed his eyes, allowing darkness to take him at last.

Syri found Aragorn with Boromir and ran up to them. "Aragorn, I have terrible news. Qui is seriously wounded and Rian's men have taken Legolas!" she cried.

Aragorn's eyes darkened with anger and worry. "How long ago?" he asked.

"Hours I think. Qui was barely able to move when I saw him. Elrond is tending him," Syri said.

"Take me to him. We have to find out how long ago it was," Aragorn said. He and Boromir followed Syri back to where Elrond knelt by Qui.

Elrond looked up. "He is unconscious. He lost a lot of blood," he said.

"Can you wake him? We must find out when Legolas was taken," Aragorn said.

"No, look at his knees and hands. They are raw and scraped. He crawled all the way back here," Elrond said. "His strength is gone."

"Will he live?" Syri asked.

Elrond sighed wearily. "I do not know. The wounds were many and severe. It is all up to him now," he said.

Aragorn sighed. Legolas was certainly in Rian's hands by now. "I must tell King Thranduil that his son is Rian's hostage," he said and hurried off.

Syri fell against Boromir and he wrapped his arms around her waist.

Elrond went to get help to move Qui into the healers area where he could be watched…..

So what do you think? Should Qui live? He is very brave…..R/R please!!!!