AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry 'bout the wait. Writer's block.

DISCLAIMER ~ I own nothing, this disclaimer goes for the whole story.

                                                                                                                                                                       

            It really wasn't his fault.

Was it?

            Rumil thought about this, bound hand and foot, gagged and stuffed in a rough burlap sack. He couldn't tell whither he was right side up or upside down.  All he remembered was after they had bowed to Galadriel, they had headed off to their Talan…

            // Rumil could see a dark, humanoid shape through the broad branches of the Mallorn tree. He could tell that it wasn't an elf, for there was no glow from underneath its hood. It was probably a human… but what was a human doing in the Elven forests of Lórien?

            He looked towards his older brothers, Haldir had just slapped Orophin hard on the back. The thought came to his mind to call them, but by that time, the Creature would probably already be gone; it was already moving.

            With grace only akin to Elves, he began carefully crept towards the dark creature, using the shadows of the mallorn's branches  as cover.

 Haldir was calling him now, his voice becoming frantic. He knew he should have answered, but he couldn't risk giving his hiding  place away. He turned back to glance at his brothers, but they were hidden by the thick foliage. When he turned around, the dark creature was gone.

            At that point, he had turned around, ending his stalking and deciding to go back to the Talan before Haldir and Orophin decided to flay him alive.

Then he had leaped back onto the ground, but before he could collect himself a vicious blow to the back of his skull plunged him into deep oblivion. //

            He couldn't remember much after that, although he tried. He wasn't sure if it was because there was nothing more to remember, or that the blow to the head had somehow erased part of his memory, which he highly doubted.  Haldir had always said he had very bad memory problems.

            Haldir.

            His brother's name made his heart contract. It was a very bad time to worry the March warden, especially just before a mission.  A stressed Haldir made a very miserable companion, he felt sorry for Orophin.  Before he could continue the thoughts, he was dropped head first onto the ground. He grunted as the hard earth made contact with his head.  So he had been upside down after all.

            "Hey, Cornan, I think old Elfy boy is awake," a disembodied voice said.

            Suddenly the sack opened and sunlight flooded the interior, making Rumil wince and blink several times. Someone abruptly grabbed the corners of the bag nearest to the elf's head, making him tumble out. He landed hard on his chest, grunting again.   He could hear the trees talking about him, surprised to see an elf captive of men.  

            "He looks like a stick," one of the men said, using his boot to prod Rumil's ribs. The elf tried to sqirm away, but in his bound state, it made him look like a fish freashly caught, flopping on the bank.

            "It's not his fault you look like a barrel, Aranath," Cornan admonished.  Aranath snorted his response.

            "It doesn't matter what he looks like, they'll slaughter him if it means a few gold pieces.  Besides, there's a good amount of flesh on his bones," another human named Senret said, bending down and taking a dagger out of his boot…

                                   

            "Maybe they've already slit his throat," Haldir's mind ranted as he rushed to pack his traveling equipment, his frantic and hurried moments making him drop things. "Or maybe they've flayed him alive or flogged him to death. Or maybe they've-"

            "Haldir?"

            Orophin's concerned voice broke through Haldir's morbid thoughts. He had his quiver strapped to his back and was carrying two traveling bags.  "Haldir, I'm sure Rumil is fine. He's over two thousand, he can take care of himself."

            "He's still a child in the eyes of the eldar," Haldir said, not turning around to meet his brother's eyes. Orophin sighed and strode towards his brother, taking the older elf's shoulders, he turned him around.

            "Haldir," Orophin said the name firmly, making his brother look directly into his own crystal blue orbs.  "Do you remember what  Rumil made you swear on the night you were appointed captain of the Galadhrim?" Haldir nodded.

            "He made swear that if anything befell him on a journey or quest, I was to not look back and continue until the mission was completed," Haldir said with remorse, and to his utter shame, tears of helplessness appeared in his eyes. "I think I might have made a mistake when I swore that oath. For I am about to break it now."

            Without another word, he stuffed a pair of extra breeches and slung his pack over his shoulder, leaving an exasperated Orophin behind.

TBC…

                                                                                                                                                                                   

            This chapter is 108 words longer than the previous one, not counting author's notes an review replies.

Stelf ~ Thanks, but it's the truth. I suck at name making.

Lady of Legolas ~ Fanks. I can't think of anything else to say. I hope this chapter meets your expectations.

Amanduriel ~ See? 103 words longer, be proud of me!!!

The Lady of Light ~ I just thought of the beginning since my friend just whooped my @$$ in chess.

Eluvia ~ Homework and writer's block, can you blame me? No, I'm 13,  they won't let me be on FF.net if I'm twelve. Typo.

LiquidDreamer ~ So you mean I can do anything?! I'll go check out some of your stories now!

Soulsearcher~ HELLOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know, my writing is very shallow compared to yours.  All my friends are taller than me too. I like being short, you can fit in the little lockers at the swimming pool. Amusing.  Update WARW soon!!

I got stung by a wasp today. First time in 13 years.  Half way through french class I started writing elvish. It was strange.