Disclaimer- All belongs to Tolkien.

A/N. Sorry for the late update / But I did my best to make this chapter exciting! I hope you enjoy:)

Chapter Four- Escape... or Not?

Aelorothi stared grimly out the tower window of his rooms early the next morning as the last stars faded in the dark sky. His mind was in conflict. If only his pack had not disappeared last night. Of all the ridiculous things to happen. He should never have left it there! He chewed his bottom lip in anxiety. But what could have happened to it? If his father or the guards had found it, he would already be in serious trouble. If Waerhanuha had found it, well, her loyalties wavered between him and his father- there was no way of knowing to whom she would turn it over. If it had been one of the slaves, they would have delivered it only to the person from whom they would gain the most. He stopped suddenly. That was it! Gain the most! If there was some way he could make it known to the slaves that whoever delivered it would be freed, more than likely, he would have his weapons and cloak within the next two hours- provided the one of the slaves did have it, and the guards never found out.

Aelorothi hurried to his bedroom door and listened for the guard. A slight snore echoed from the hall, and he grinned. Good. He is asleep. Aelorothi slipped from his rooms and made his way carefully to the kitchens. The large stone fireplaces already had large fires dancing merrily on the hearths. Slaves moved quickly about, chopping this, stirring that, washing dishes, preparing coffee, baking bread. Aelorothi looked around, looking for Namys. He frowned when her pale face did not appear amidst the dozens of cooks. Where is she? He wondered nervously. Certainly she did not try to go and get her brother out of the prisons alone… would she? He dearly hoped not.

An elderly slave woman approached him, wiping a pair of brown, wrinkled hands on her apron. "What do you want?"

"I am looking for Namys," he said, taking a step back.

The woman planted her hands on her hips. "What do you want with her?"

Aelorothi coughed nervously. "Well you see I am a friend of hers, and she promised to meet me this morning, but I cannot seem to find her. It's a matter concerning her brother."

The woman seemed appeased and nodded. "She's in the dairy room." She gestured across the kitchens to a wooden door standing open beside the pantries.

"Thank you."

Aelorothi hurried to the dairy room and closed the door behind him. Namys looked up from the butter churn as he approached. "Good morning, Aelorothi."

He sat down beside her on the bench in front of the butter churn. "I have changed plans. We must leave this morning within the next hour. Waerhanuha asked me to take her riding at dawn. We have to get your brother out of the dungeons now, or we never will."

Namys looked frightened. "How will we get him out though? He is in serious trouble, you know."

Aelorothi was almost afraid to ask. "What did he do?"

"He works in the armories. About a month ago, he fell down the stairs in the upper armory with an armful of swords and nearly hit the king."

Aelorothi winced. "I remember that. My father was terribly angry."

Namys sighed. "That's why I'm worried. What is going to happen when he finds out that you- his son, of all people- have disappeared with his beautiful young queen, and some of his slaves- one of whom nearly killed him not a month ago."

"You aren't making things any easier."

"Sorry." Namys leaned heavily on the top of the butter churn, discouragement written all over her face.

"But things aren't going to get done sitting here. I need a metal tray, like what you use for taking meals to the prisoners."

Namys stared, bewildered, at the prince. "A tray. What for?"

"Just get one please," He whispered, his patience running thin.

Namys disappeared into the kitchen and returned a minute later with the tray. "Here. Wil this work?"

Aelorothi nodded and stood. "I need you to do one more favor for me."

"Hmm."

"My pack and weapons disappeared last night-"

Namys jumped up, knocking the bench over, the heavy oak booming loudly on the stone floor. "I knew it! I knew she took it!" She shouted.

Aelorothi clapped a hand over her mouth. "Shhh!" He hissed.

"Namys!" The old woman's voice called from the kitchens. "What's going on in there!"

Aelorothi let her go carefully, and gestured at the door.

"I'm- everything is fine, Jesarë. I just knocked the bench over, that's all."

Aelorothi leaned against the wall with relief. "As I was saying, she did not take it. I left it in one of the lower halls behind a pillar and when I returned it had vanished. Hopefully one of the slaves has it. My point is, I need you to quietly let them all know, and tell them whoever returns it to me within the hour will be freed from slavery- providing they remain discreet!"

He put his free hand on her shoulder, his midnight black eyes searching her forest-green ones. "You must do this. Oh, and somehow, I want you to get another dress like your own for this slave."

She frowned, but nodded. "Aye!"

"And remember- if the guards find out, or the king, we will all be as good as dead."

"Ok."

"Now, I must see what I can do about your brother."

Namys' eyes lit up. "His name is Rhunir. He is several inches taller than I, and he's got red hair, about so long." She gestured halfway to her elbow.

"I'll see what I can do." He looked away. "I can't promise anything, though. I will meet you in the stables within forty-five minutes."

Aelorothi turned to leave, and Namys grabbed his arm, her hand brushing the dark red silk of his tunic sleeve. "Thank you. Good luck."

OoOoOo

Aelorothi made his way up to Waerhanuha's rooms, briefly wondering what she was going to think when he showed up at the gates with three slaves. She would either immediately inquire after his need for them and alert the guard, or she would completely ignore them, and leave him wondering what she was planning, and when she would inform the king. Is nothing ever safe? He grumbled, furtively ignoring the Edain guards posted at the end of the corridor as he stopped in front of the future queen's chambers.

He raised his hand to knock, and hesitated.

What if she informs the king of our plans to escape? What then? Of course, Waerhanuha knew nothing of them now, but surely she would suspect something after the war between her and Namys last night in his rooms. Waerhanuha was not stupid. But he would have to chance it. There was no other way.

One of Waerhanuha's chambermaids opened the door when he knocked. "M'lord? Can I help you?"

"I need to see the princess."

The girl nodded her head and led him into a comfortably furnished sitting room. "If you would wait here, my lord. She is indisposed at the moment." And the girl vanished into the next room over.

Aelorothi stood silent for a moment and then ducked into the next room. The chambermaid's bedchamber. He made straight for the old wardrobe. He had to find a suitable disguise for Rhunir. A long brown dress, similar to Namys'. A stained gray apron. A black, hooded cloak. Perfect. Hopefully Rhunir isn't fat, Aelorothi thought. He ran back into the mainroom and dumped the maid's clothes just outside the door. I know this didn't work last time, but I have to chance it. He closed the door, and sighed inwardly with relief. Mission accomplished.

Aelorothi wandered over to the large window, taking in the view of the early autumn morning. Heavy snow covered the ground, blown in huge drifts up to the dark fortress wall below. The white blanket covering the entire valley went on for miles covering the north and western plains toward Thronztjar, his grandfather's domain, and Jyvdun, broken in the far west by the Jyvathí Mountains, where the dim light of early dawn threatened to spill over. Less than two hours' ride to the west, the Northern Cârn Dûm Mountains, looming above the fortress, served as a towering barrier between the Kingdoms of Cârn Dûm and Zyhphryuv, Waerhanuha's homeland. Even the mountain peaks, nearly too high to see from the tower window, were thickly coated in snow.

"Enjoying the scenery, I see."

Aelorothi jumped, a colorful string of curse words escaping his lips.

"Aethi!" The Avari princess exclaimed. "I never knew you used such words!"

Aelorothi flushed slightly. "Excuse me, my lady. You startled me." She looked rather handsome that morning, dressed in a light blue tunic and snug leather jerkin, her black hair pulled back in a thick braid. She looked nearly as wild as his twin half-sisters, Jarażmalë of the Avarelí Isles and Ktarajmalë of Zjaraka.

"Can I help you?" she asked, frowning when Aelorothi said nothing.

He panicked, his mind racing. "I- uh, I came to inform you that it has grown exceedingly cold overnight, and you may need a heavy cloak."

Waerhanuh's black eyes searched his face. "Something's wrong."

"No, my lady, of course nothing is wrong. We will be ready at the crack of dawn." Aelorothi looked straight at her. He was an excellent liar- a talent he had acquired over the years of his childhood. Usually not even his father could distinguish when he was telling the truth or a falsehood.

Apparently, she believed him. "Alright, thank you."

Aelorothi nodded and hurried from the room. The clothes was still him the hallway, and he scooped them up with relief. Now all he had to do was break Namys' brother Rhunir out of the dungeons and escape the fortress. Hopefully… that wouldn't be a problem.

OoOoOo

When he reached the dungeons, he straightened his tunic, stood as tall as he could, and marched around the corner, trying to keep the bundle of clothes and the tray as much out of sight as possible. His heart sank when a pair of edain soldiers appeared in the doorway, one of them quite tall and muscular-looking. They stopped him, their long black spears pointed at his chest. Aelorothi gave them the most intimidating look he could muster. "I must speak with one of the prisoners. King's orders."

The guards exchanged looks. "Should we let him through?" the short, wiry one whispered. "I don't know if I trust him."

"I don't know if I'm inclined to let you bother our prisoners." The tall one replied to Aelorothi's question, eyeing him as if he were some lower life-form, as if daring him to take just one more step.

"Are you going to let me through or not!" Aelorothi snapped.

The short one chuckled and leaned against the doorframe. "Maybe we are and maybe we aren't."

"Well then you might want to consider obeying before I have both your heads."

The short one laughed again and clapped his free hand to his chest. "I am grievously offended," his tone of voice saying the exact opposite.

Aelorothi clenched his jaw, wishing he were not burdened with the metal tray and the clothes. "Let me pass."

The tall guard exchanged looks with his companion, still unsure. After all, it was another one of those unnerving elves- only this one had a dark, menacing look to him with his fathomless black eyes. "Who are you to order us around?"

"I am Aëlorothi." The elf snapped, his melodious voice ringing angrily throughout the stone maze of the dungeons, his eyes flashing.

"Who?" the big man asked, his eyebrow pressed together in a bewildered look.

The short man grabbed his companion's arm with one hand and his spear with the other and yanked him out of the doorway. "The King's son!"

Aelorothi brushed past them, fuming. "Idiots! Take me to Rhunir. Now."

The guards ran past him, stumbling over each other in their hurry to appease the 'fury' of the King's son; and if they did see the odd burden their prince carried, they dared not ask. Aelorothi, partially amused and partially disgusted by their fear, followed them through the winding corridors, staying in the center of the passageway away from the putrid stink of the cells and the filthy hands that reached from them, as their even filthier owners pleaded to be set free. His lip curled in repugnance, and his anger towards his father only increased.

The guards finally stopped in front of a small cell in the very heart of the dungeons, and the short man unlocked it. "Here he is."

Aelorothi grabbed the keys from the guard's hand. "Leave us."

They hurried away, clearly relieved they had not lost their heads, as the prince had threatened.

Aelorothi opened the cell door, peering into the darkness. "Come here."

There was a moment of silence, then a scuffling noise, and then a figure appeared in the doorway. A tangled mass of flaming red hair gleamed in the dim light.

"You are Rhunir, correct?" Aelorothi whispered.

A slight nod. "Yes." The boy couldn't be older than nineteen.

"Good." Aelorothi pulled Namys' brother from the cell and locked the door. They ducked into an alcove, and Aelorothi proceeded to explain. "I have come to free you. Namys-" here the youth grabbed his arm "-is fine. She sent me. We are getting out of here."

Rhunir's forest-green eyes, identical to his older sister's, widened. "But the guards! We will never get out of here alive!"

"Shhh!" Aelorothi hissed. "You are as loud as your sister! And yes we will! But you must trust me!"

Rhunir nodded slowly. "Who are you?"

"My name matters not. I am but a slave. Here," he handed the bundle of clothes to Rhunir. "Put these on."

Rhunir stared at the dress and then back at his rescuer. "This?"

"Do you want to escape or not? Hurry!"

Seconds later, Rhunir had been transformed into a tired-looking slave girl. Aelorothi tucked his long red hair into the headkerchief and handed him the metal tray. "Perfect. Just try to keep your head down as much as possible."

Suddenly, voices could be heard approaching as the guards returned, murmuring anxiously between them about the King's son. Aelorothi and Rhunir flattened themselves into the wall, just within the shadows of the alcove. Rhunir's short breath's echoed loudly in Aelorothi's ears and he prayed they had not been heard. But the guards passed, heading in the direction of Rhunir's cell.

"Come!' Aelorothi whispered frantically. "We must leave now!"

OoOoOo

No one stopped the slender cloaked figure and the tall slave-girl as they hurried through the fortress, and Aelorothi and Rhunir met Namys in the stables within ten minutes. The siblings hugged briefly, tears of joy welling up in Namys' eyes at the sight of her little brother, even if he was rather oddly dressed.

"Did you find my things?" Aelorothi demanded in a whisper.

"Here." A slave-girl, even taller than Rhunir and Aelorothi, moved from behind the horse in the nearest stall and handed an all too familiar bundle to Aelorothi. "I stumbled over it last night in the dark." By the newcomer's voice, he assumed it was a man.

"Show me your face."

It was the dark-tanned, weathered and scarred face of an edain guard. "Do not be alarmed. My name is Evárd, of the Dunedain Rangers. I wish to escape and return to my people, and I will do what I must to assist you." He pulled at his long dress. "Otherwise, I would not be wearing this accursed thing."

In the darkness, Rhunir chuckled. "Nor would I."

Aelorothi double-checked his pack to assure everything was there. "Good. And the horses?"

Evard gestured to four stalls. "These. Everything packed but your stuff."

"The princess and her edain friend just rode into the courtyard," Namys called from her lookout at the door.

"Hurry!" Evard whispered, handing Rhunir and Aelorothi the reins to two of the horses. He helped Namys mount her's, and sprang onto a large black.

Aelorothi rode to the front of the small group. "Now, remember- I am the King's son. You are three slaves of the Princess'. Keep your heads down, and ride behind me. Do not say anything, under any circumstances." The other three nodded gravely at him. "Hoods?" Evard grinned and pulled his back up over his face.

Aelorothi nodded. "Let's ride."

OoOoOo

Waerhanuha smiled as Aelorothi rode up to her. "Aethi, I was begininning to think you had forgotten."

Aelorothi smirked. Who could forget her? "Hardly, my lady." he replied.

She frowned at his three companions. "But why in Arda did you bring them for?"

"To care for you, my lady. Captain Fyraví-" he gestured at the edain captain beside her "-is to protect you. And I am here to entertain you." He gave her his most charming smile. "But look! Dawn is breaking- shall we not start out?"

"Of course!" Waehanuha nudged her horse's sides with her boot-heels. Aelorothi, the Captain, and three 'slave-girls' followed. They passed through the inner gates as the first pink light of morning spilled over the mountains, and Aelorothi was beginning to think they had truly escaped as they crossed the bridge and rode through the main gates, when suddenly a loud cry went up.

"Stop! In the name of the King!"

And the very blood froze in his veins.

OoOoOo

ooh I am evil *cackles*

I plan to update soon! Feel free to ask any questions :)

Please favorite *grovels at your feet* and review! I love reviews- nice or criticizing, I don't care! (although I do generally appreciate nice reviews)

And I want to thank A'Numireth and my Guests for hanging in there, and patiently waiting for updates :)

~Aërlinwë Greenleaf

Notes (just to put a picture in your minds)

Aëlorothi- a Maian/Avari prince. He is about 17, in the years of men. He has jet black hair halfway to his waist, and fathomless black eyes.

Namys- originally a Breelander. She is 25, rather short and slender, has long reddish-brown hair, and dancing forest-green eyes.

Evárd- a Dunedain Ranger. He is around 28, about Strider's height and built. He has jet black hair, shoulder-length, and the bluest cobalt eyes in Arda.

Rhunir- originally a Breelander. He is 19, a few inches shorter than Evárd, has tangled fiery red hair, and sparkling forest-green eyes.

Waerhanuha- an Avari princess. She is 22, and as tall as Evárd. She has long ebony hair, and black eyes.

Captain Fyraví- originally from Fornost. He is a tall, strong, gruff old man, about 75 years old, crowned with silver hair, and gifted with steel-blue eyes, fierce and sharp as an eagle's.

Jarażmalë (pronounced Jah-rahz-mah-lay) and Ktarajmalë (pronounced Tah-rahj-mah-lay) are also children of Queen Aëtarmë, but by a different elf, so they are Aelorothi's half-sisters. They are the princesses of the Avarelí Isles and Zjaraka, which belonged to their father, an Avari from the seaside-tribes, not part of the Morhszajhany Kingdoms (Cârn Dûm, Jyvdun, Thronztjar, and Zyphrynuw)