"Fell in love with a beautiful stranger..." Krystal hummed quietly to
herself, the lack of recognizable music in Middle Earth beginning to drive
her insane. She had already sang of all N*sync, Backstreet Boys, Brittany
Spears, Ja Rule, Ashanti, The Beetles, Bruce Springsteen, and was in the
middle of Madonna.
Adjusting her hands, tightly clutched on the well oiled horse reins, she pushed back the grey, well knit hood that covered half her face in shadow, glancing up to study the menacing dark clouds that covered their once sunny path.
The horse beneath her shook it's chestnut white coat lightly as a gentle drizzle began to fall, and she suppressed a shiver, her mind flashing back to hours before, when she sat, wrapped, warm and content, in blanket in her adopted bed in her brightly lit, airy chambers, Elladan sitting on her bed.
--
"We'll be back soon," he assured her, a comforting smile on his face as he politely kept his eyes fixed on hers, trying his best not to notice that she was only in sleeping clothes underneath the blankets that surrounded her. He had wanted to wait until she had gotten dressed to break the news that they were leaving before late morning, going off on hunting, tracking party, but she insisted it wasn't a big deal. He fought the rising blush in his cheeks, but noticed the dismay in her face. "By tomorrow at latest."
Her eyes, latched onto his, widened in slight annoyance. "Tomorrow?" she objected, wrapping the covers tighter around herself. "How far away are you going?"
The eldest son of Lord Elrond shrugged, glancing out the window. The early morning sky was clear, but a few dark clouds far off could present a problem later, if the wind decided to toss them where their road led. "Depends on the wind," he told her truthfully, but she rolled her eyes.
She paused for a moment, thinking, her eyes not on him but on the light wisps of clouds outside her window. Finally, she eyed him again.
"Can I come, then? No offense, but you guys are really the only people I know around here..I mean, there's Elrond and Gandalf, but, well.." She explained, finding that the twins, Aragorn and Legolas acted more like people her age than say, Gandalf and Elrond.
Elladan shook his head instantly, the faint smile showing that he had anticipated her response. "No-- definitely NOT Krystal."
She sat up straight, insulted. "Why not? I know how to use an bow and arrow now, I can help!"
He shook his head vehemently. "No, Krystal it's too dangerous." His voice was firm and rang with conviction, but he hesitated just enough that she saw an opening.
She raised an eyebrow and cocked her head sideways, giving him a searching look. He hadn't mentioned anything about danger.
"What's so menacing about a hunting trip?" She pressed him, an inquisitive gleam in her eye. Her finger tips crept over the cream colored sheets as she regarded me curiously, drawing them closer around herself as a fresh breeze wafted in through the open window.
"Well...there's been some trouble with the men of late, but 'tis no matter, usually. However, my lady, we go very close to their settlements when we follow the white deer, as today we must and something *might* happen."
Her eyes narrowed. "What are the chances of a problem happening?"
He hesitated. "50 percent," he lied. It was really about 20, but he wanted to discourage her from trying to come, at the same time keep her comfortable so she wasn't worried about them.
She smiled. "Okay then, I'll be down in ten minutes."
The elf rolled his eyes, a tendency he had picked up from her. He was already dress, in forest green and wood colored tunic and leggings. His dark hair was pulled back, out of his face and his gray eyes were narrowed and scowling as she smiled at him.
Her hair was tousled, since she had just woken up, but her eyes were bright with mischief. The thick silk blankets were up to her chin, but her shoulder and a wisp of a silk, white night gown could be seen.
"Come on, E, pleeease," She sort-of-whined as he shook his head again. She had a wonderful - sort of - time at the ball last night, and wasn't ready for her fun to end. After Legolas dragged her, literally, onto the dance floor, they had almost enjoyed civil conversation the whole night. She was anxious to see if her good luck with him had run out yet, as she was sure it would.
He sighed, shaking his head again. "I said no." he said firmly, and she rolled her eyes again. "You sound like my father," she fired at him, leaning back to see how the comment landed. The elf's eyes widened in insult- Krystal had spoken only briefly of her parents, but it had not had been words of love and devotion of a caring daughter.
"I'm trying to be a *friend*, but if a father is what you need, than so be it." He snapped back, rising up slowly. "I'll see you when we get back," he said shortly, crossing the room in two strides and grabbing the handle of the heavy elven door.
"Please?" she tried, one last time, her final desperate attempt. She wasn't sure why she wanted to go so badly, truth to be told she didn't care that much, but something, deep inside her, was telling her to go. She *needed* to go.
"I'll just sneak out after you," she said suddenly as the through struck her. "It's not hard to follow your trail if I set out close behind you."
He sighed, and let out a breath. Estel used to follow he and Elladan out on their hunting trips, convinced 'he could do it too! He's a big boy!' Their trips were often dangerous and made more perilous all together with the added worry of a unapt child following behind them.
His eyes closed in resignation, he shrugged. "So be it." He muttered, swinging open the door. "Dress warmly," he called in advice, though he was clearly unhappy as she flashed him a brilliant smile, just before the door shut and he entered the hallway.
"It'll probably rain."
"I love the rain!"
--
She shook her head now wistfully. She shouldn't have come, much as it pained her to admit it. But she was here now, and was going to make the best of it.
The sky, usually so cheerful and welcoming, was dreary and overcast. Mainly light gray clouds bound together to make the sky appear colorless, but a few brazen dark gray clouds were poised menacingly over them.
While they had been in the forest, the trees had provided some shelter, but now their path led them across a long, wide, field. The grasses brushed her feet as she sat astride the horse, but it wasn't any good for the rain falling on her head.
To her left, Aragorn was silent, his silver eyes narrowed in concentration as he kept his senses alert.
Ten minutes ago, Elladan and turned back to their whole party, which consisted of the twins, the young ranger, the prince of Mirkwood, and 4 Rivendell hunters, that they were now in human territory, and to watch their steps.
Glancing to her right, she saw Legolas, who appeared to be talking with his horse. Krystal shook her head slightly, a wisp of black hair falling across her face as the wind started up. Doctor Doolittle strikes again.
The company was silent, and Krystal let her thoughts stray. How long had seen been here, in this place?
She tried to add it up..She had met Legolas and Aragorn the night of prom, and it had taken them almost three weeks- three weeks she had almost no recollection of, she had been so enthralled with riding but anyway, and then..it had been about a week at Rivendell. Four weeks? A month? Was that all?
Did her family miss her yet? Did they even know she was gone? Did her little brother just sit at school all alone, waiting for Krystal to come pick him up, since no body knew that she wasn't there? Wasn't even in their time period, or so it seemed.
Did Michael freak out, figuring she had left with someone else? Did her friends worry, or just brush it off with a few more drinks? Drinks..had her mother remembered to lock the alcohol cabinet, so her little brother couldn't get to it..that was usually Krystal's job. Job..what about her job at the bakery, had anyone called and told them? Would she get fired? Would anyone believe where she had been all this time? Would they think she was crazy? But she had the dresses, presented to her as a welcoming gift from Elrond, and she had the memories..but would they believe her? Would they lock her up, alone, in the mental institution if she tried to explain about men and elves? Would they?
A slight shudder passed through her then, at the thought of being alone in a padded room. She wasn't crazy, this *was* really happening. Right?
She shook it off. She just wouldn't tell them- ever. They would never need to know. Ever.
On her right, Legolas studied her. She appeared to deep in thought, but deep in troubling though, as she began to shiver. He didn't feel the cold as sharply as she did, but by glancing at Aragorn he could see the wind chill was not that bad. Making a descion, he leaned over and tapped her.
"What keeps the lady so deep in her thoughts?" he asked pleasantly, his voice low as not to betray their presence to the beasts-- the deer or the humans.
She glanced up as if startled, flustered for a moment. "It's nothing," she muttered in response.
He frowned. " 'tis not nothing. What worries you so, my lady?"
She shrugged, letting go of the reins for an instant to wrap her cloak tighter around her. "I was just thinking about home."
It took him a moment to realize that she wasn't talking about Rivendell.
Leaning back, he nodded. "Ah," he said. "Home."
She nodded slightly, prepared to leave it at that, but he wasn't satisfied. "What about it?"
She glanced over at him sharply. "What are you, writing a book?"
His level gaze met hers. "Perhaps."
"Leave this chapter out." She snapped.
He stared for a moment, the smirk fading from his lip, before he leaned back properly in his saddle. Okay then.
Behind him, Elrohir snickered. "Nice one," he said with a crooked grin. The prince ignored him as one of the guards behind him whispered up to Elladan in warning.
"Lord Elladan," he hissed from his place far back in line. "There are deer, in the wood. 20 paces ahead maybe. Don't move."
The horses stopped in unison, their ears perked and dark eyes bright. Krystal held her breath, preparing to take her mount and duck out of the way should the deer, or the elves for that matter, charge. Everyone's attention was focused solely on the white deer that stood grazing under the shelter of the canopy of trees.
A shout from Aragorn on her left was all the warning she had before the war cries reached her ears.
Glancing up sharply, her eyes widened to see several dozen men riding towards them furiously, their bows outstretched and their swords clenched tightly. Their screams echoed in her ears and she widened to hear the furious cruses hurled in their direction. They were about 150 feet away, and closing fast.
She stared at them in shock. What *were* they doing?
Around her, everyone began to move and quickly. Legolas glanced back, seeing her staring transfixed, and grabbed her horse's reigns, giving them a sharp tug.
"Move." He ordered firmly, his blue eyes dark with concentration as he swung his bow over his arm, and she nodded, edging her horse on.
Her horse flew back towards the forest of Rivendell, the other elves ahead of her and behind her. This was a battle they would not win, clearly outnumbered as they were. Plus, none were prepared for battle, only hunting- if they stayed to fight, things would go ill.
The men spotted their prey fleeing, and they quickly rushed into the forests to head them off. The elven horses stopped short as several men appeared in front of them, their horses snorting, eyes wild.
Krystal tried to keep her calm, and her horse as well. She kept a steadying hand on her horse's neck, though the beast's breathing was labored and she fidgted. Next to her, Legolas glared at the men furiously and Elladan's gaze was thunderous.
Behind them, she heard the white deer, forgotten skip off happily. Oh well.
"Move," the eldest twin ordered fiercely to the burly man who smiled crookedly at him. The man flexed his muscles dangerously as his smile showed he was missing a tooth. The elf barely refrained from rolling his eyes. What an oaf.
"Oh, why don't you make us?" The man taunted dangerous, as the 8 other men with him drew their bows and pointed arrows directly at their hearts.
Elladan grew silent.
"We have done you no wrong," Legolas spoke up in a effort to let both parties escape unscathed, "Let us pass."
"Why should we?"
"Why would you not?" The elf asked back, trying to keep the cold fury he felt at the foolhardy humans to himself.
The human seemed baffled, Krystal noted with dull amusement. She would have found his lack of intelligence funnier, perhaps, if the several arrows pointed at her heart would magically disappear.
No such luck.
Elladan's face was grim, and his foresight told him what the man would do. The human's face was contorted in fury and the men beside him frowned.
"Kill them!" the man ordered easily, deciding he would like to watch these elves die. He didn't like elves much. They thought they were *so* great. Always in his land, taking their food, shootin at the men when they saw them. What was a few elves, dead or alive? Not much, he reasoned. Not much at all.
Aragorn had remained silent during this affair but lifted his sword now, his eyes blazing. The men's eyes widened to see a man with the elves; they hadn't noticed him.
"You will let us pass." Aragorn said firmly, the sun catching the light of the blade. His dark locks stood out in contrast of the fair elves, and Krystal noted in admiration; he was most definitely buff, ripped, however you said it- muscular.
The man nodded at his men, ignoring Aragorn's words as waves of arrows were fired at Isildur's heir. Krystal ducked, keep her head close to the horses as one arrow brushed over her head. She didn't know what else to do; behind her, Legolas was firing furiously, his arrows landing true in their hearts and several men fell, but more came from the main group to take their place. The elves fired all their arrows within minutes, and only their swords and knives were left to defect the sharp tipped shafts.
"Surrender and we may spare your lives," one of the men called gleefully from the sidelines. Legolas's face contorted in fury, and picking up his dagger from his waist where it had been strapped to his belt, chucked it at the man's heart, his aim deadly. The man fell dead against the tree.
Aragorn charged, his sword shedding blood with every step they took. Several fell under the human's mighty blade, and Elrohir followed behind him, but soon it was apparent that they would have to surrender or they would die fighting. They did not have the resources the men did.
Finally, the man in charge called out one last time, "Surrender or you'll all visit the Hall of Mandoas!"
Breathing heavily, Elladan, Elrohir and Aragorn traded looks, before the ranger turned and flashed Legolas one. With reluctatance, the prince nodded. There was naught they could do.
At his nod, the men rushed forward, snatching their knives and yanking them down from the horses to the ground. When one of the men got to Krystal, he stared in surprise, before a slow, menacing smile found his face.
"Well, well, well..what do we have here?"
Adjusting her hands, tightly clutched on the well oiled horse reins, she pushed back the grey, well knit hood that covered half her face in shadow, glancing up to study the menacing dark clouds that covered their once sunny path.
The horse beneath her shook it's chestnut white coat lightly as a gentle drizzle began to fall, and she suppressed a shiver, her mind flashing back to hours before, when she sat, wrapped, warm and content, in blanket in her adopted bed in her brightly lit, airy chambers, Elladan sitting on her bed.
--
"We'll be back soon," he assured her, a comforting smile on his face as he politely kept his eyes fixed on hers, trying his best not to notice that she was only in sleeping clothes underneath the blankets that surrounded her. He had wanted to wait until she had gotten dressed to break the news that they were leaving before late morning, going off on hunting, tracking party, but she insisted it wasn't a big deal. He fought the rising blush in his cheeks, but noticed the dismay in her face. "By tomorrow at latest."
Her eyes, latched onto his, widened in slight annoyance. "Tomorrow?" she objected, wrapping the covers tighter around herself. "How far away are you going?"
The eldest son of Lord Elrond shrugged, glancing out the window. The early morning sky was clear, but a few dark clouds far off could present a problem later, if the wind decided to toss them where their road led. "Depends on the wind," he told her truthfully, but she rolled her eyes.
She paused for a moment, thinking, her eyes not on him but on the light wisps of clouds outside her window. Finally, she eyed him again.
"Can I come, then? No offense, but you guys are really the only people I know around here..I mean, there's Elrond and Gandalf, but, well.." She explained, finding that the twins, Aragorn and Legolas acted more like people her age than say, Gandalf and Elrond.
Elladan shook his head instantly, the faint smile showing that he had anticipated her response. "No-- definitely NOT Krystal."
She sat up straight, insulted. "Why not? I know how to use an bow and arrow now, I can help!"
He shook his head vehemently. "No, Krystal it's too dangerous." His voice was firm and rang with conviction, but he hesitated just enough that she saw an opening.
She raised an eyebrow and cocked her head sideways, giving him a searching look. He hadn't mentioned anything about danger.
"What's so menacing about a hunting trip?" She pressed him, an inquisitive gleam in her eye. Her finger tips crept over the cream colored sheets as she regarded me curiously, drawing them closer around herself as a fresh breeze wafted in through the open window.
"Well...there's been some trouble with the men of late, but 'tis no matter, usually. However, my lady, we go very close to their settlements when we follow the white deer, as today we must and something *might* happen."
Her eyes narrowed. "What are the chances of a problem happening?"
He hesitated. "50 percent," he lied. It was really about 20, but he wanted to discourage her from trying to come, at the same time keep her comfortable so she wasn't worried about them.
She smiled. "Okay then, I'll be down in ten minutes."
The elf rolled his eyes, a tendency he had picked up from her. He was already dress, in forest green and wood colored tunic and leggings. His dark hair was pulled back, out of his face and his gray eyes were narrowed and scowling as she smiled at him.
Her hair was tousled, since she had just woken up, but her eyes were bright with mischief. The thick silk blankets were up to her chin, but her shoulder and a wisp of a silk, white night gown could be seen.
"Come on, E, pleeease," She sort-of-whined as he shook his head again. She had a wonderful - sort of - time at the ball last night, and wasn't ready for her fun to end. After Legolas dragged her, literally, onto the dance floor, they had almost enjoyed civil conversation the whole night. She was anxious to see if her good luck with him had run out yet, as she was sure it would.
He sighed, shaking his head again. "I said no." he said firmly, and she rolled her eyes again. "You sound like my father," she fired at him, leaning back to see how the comment landed. The elf's eyes widened in insult- Krystal had spoken only briefly of her parents, but it had not had been words of love and devotion of a caring daughter.
"I'm trying to be a *friend*, but if a father is what you need, than so be it." He snapped back, rising up slowly. "I'll see you when we get back," he said shortly, crossing the room in two strides and grabbing the handle of the heavy elven door.
"Please?" she tried, one last time, her final desperate attempt. She wasn't sure why she wanted to go so badly, truth to be told she didn't care that much, but something, deep inside her, was telling her to go. She *needed* to go.
"I'll just sneak out after you," she said suddenly as the through struck her. "It's not hard to follow your trail if I set out close behind you."
He sighed, and let out a breath. Estel used to follow he and Elladan out on their hunting trips, convinced 'he could do it too! He's a big boy!' Their trips were often dangerous and made more perilous all together with the added worry of a unapt child following behind them.
His eyes closed in resignation, he shrugged. "So be it." He muttered, swinging open the door. "Dress warmly," he called in advice, though he was clearly unhappy as she flashed him a brilliant smile, just before the door shut and he entered the hallway.
"It'll probably rain."
"I love the rain!"
--
She shook her head now wistfully. She shouldn't have come, much as it pained her to admit it. But she was here now, and was going to make the best of it.
The sky, usually so cheerful and welcoming, was dreary and overcast. Mainly light gray clouds bound together to make the sky appear colorless, but a few brazen dark gray clouds were poised menacingly over them.
While they had been in the forest, the trees had provided some shelter, but now their path led them across a long, wide, field. The grasses brushed her feet as she sat astride the horse, but it wasn't any good for the rain falling on her head.
To her left, Aragorn was silent, his silver eyes narrowed in concentration as he kept his senses alert.
Ten minutes ago, Elladan and turned back to their whole party, which consisted of the twins, the young ranger, the prince of Mirkwood, and 4 Rivendell hunters, that they were now in human territory, and to watch their steps.
Glancing to her right, she saw Legolas, who appeared to be talking with his horse. Krystal shook her head slightly, a wisp of black hair falling across her face as the wind started up. Doctor Doolittle strikes again.
The company was silent, and Krystal let her thoughts stray. How long had seen been here, in this place?
She tried to add it up..She had met Legolas and Aragorn the night of prom, and it had taken them almost three weeks- three weeks she had almost no recollection of, she had been so enthralled with riding but anyway, and then..it had been about a week at Rivendell. Four weeks? A month? Was that all?
Did her family miss her yet? Did they even know she was gone? Did her little brother just sit at school all alone, waiting for Krystal to come pick him up, since no body knew that she wasn't there? Wasn't even in their time period, or so it seemed.
Did Michael freak out, figuring she had left with someone else? Did her friends worry, or just brush it off with a few more drinks? Drinks..had her mother remembered to lock the alcohol cabinet, so her little brother couldn't get to it..that was usually Krystal's job. Job..what about her job at the bakery, had anyone called and told them? Would she get fired? Would anyone believe where she had been all this time? Would they think she was crazy? But she had the dresses, presented to her as a welcoming gift from Elrond, and she had the memories..but would they believe her? Would they lock her up, alone, in the mental institution if she tried to explain about men and elves? Would they?
A slight shudder passed through her then, at the thought of being alone in a padded room. She wasn't crazy, this *was* really happening. Right?
She shook it off. She just wouldn't tell them- ever. They would never need to know. Ever.
On her right, Legolas studied her. She appeared to deep in thought, but deep in troubling though, as she began to shiver. He didn't feel the cold as sharply as she did, but by glancing at Aragorn he could see the wind chill was not that bad. Making a descion, he leaned over and tapped her.
"What keeps the lady so deep in her thoughts?" he asked pleasantly, his voice low as not to betray their presence to the beasts-- the deer or the humans.
She glanced up as if startled, flustered for a moment. "It's nothing," she muttered in response.
He frowned. " 'tis not nothing. What worries you so, my lady?"
She shrugged, letting go of the reins for an instant to wrap her cloak tighter around her. "I was just thinking about home."
It took him a moment to realize that she wasn't talking about Rivendell.
Leaning back, he nodded. "Ah," he said. "Home."
She nodded slightly, prepared to leave it at that, but he wasn't satisfied. "What about it?"
She glanced over at him sharply. "What are you, writing a book?"
His level gaze met hers. "Perhaps."
"Leave this chapter out." She snapped.
He stared for a moment, the smirk fading from his lip, before he leaned back properly in his saddle. Okay then.
Behind him, Elrohir snickered. "Nice one," he said with a crooked grin. The prince ignored him as one of the guards behind him whispered up to Elladan in warning.
"Lord Elladan," he hissed from his place far back in line. "There are deer, in the wood. 20 paces ahead maybe. Don't move."
The horses stopped in unison, their ears perked and dark eyes bright. Krystal held her breath, preparing to take her mount and duck out of the way should the deer, or the elves for that matter, charge. Everyone's attention was focused solely on the white deer that stood grazing under the shelter of the canopy of trees.
A shout from Aragorn on her left was all the warning she had before the war cries reached her ears.
Glancing up sharply, her eyes widened to see several dozen men riding towards them furiously, their bows outstretched and their swords clenched tightly. Their screams echoed in her ears and she widened to hear the furious cruses hurled in their direction. They were about 150 feet away, and closing fast.
She stared at them in shock. What *were* they doing?
Around her, everyone began to move and quickly. Legolas glanced back, seeing her staring transfixed, and grabbed her horse's reigns, giving them a sharp tug.
"Move." He ordered firmly, his blue eyes dark with concentration as he swung his bow over his arm, and she nodded, edging her horse on.
Her horse flew back towards the forest of Rivendell, the other elves ahead of her and behind her. This was a battle they would not win, clearly outnumbered as they were. Plus, none were prepared for battle, only hunting- if they stayed to fight, things would go ill.
The men spotted their prey fleeing, and they quickly rushed into the forests to head them off. The elven horses stopped short as several men appeared in front of them, their horses snorting, eyes wild.
Krystal tried to keep her calm, and her horse as well. She kept a steadying hand on her horse's neck, though the beast's breathing was labored and she fidgted. Next to her, Legolas glared at the men furiously and Elladan's gaze was thunderous.
Behind them, she heard the white deer, forgotten skip off happily. Oh well.
"Move," the eldest twin ordered fiercely to the burly man who smiled crookedly at him. The man flexed his muscles dangerously as his smile showed he was missing a tooth. The elf barely refrained from rolling his eyes. What an oaf.
"Oh, why don't you make us?" The man taunted dangerous, as the 8 other men with him drew their bows and pointed arrows directly at their hearts.
Elladan grew silent.
"We have done you no wrong," Legolas spoke up in a effort to let both parties escape unscathed, "Let us pass."
"Why should we?"
"Why would you not?" The elf asked back, trying to keep the cold fury he felt at the foolhardy humans to himself.
The human seemed baffled, Krystal noted with dull amusement. She would have found his lack of intelligence funnier, perhaps, if the several arrows pointed at her heart would magically disappear.
No such luck.
Elladan's face was grim, and his foresight told him what the man would do. The human's face was contorted in fury and the men beside him frowned.
"Kill them!" the man ordered easily, deciding he would like to watch these elves die. He didn't like elves much. They thought they were *so* great. Always in his land, taking their food, shootin at the men when they saw them. What was a few elves, dead or alive? Not much, he reasoned. Not much at all.
Aragorn had remained silent during this affair but lifted his sword now, his eyes blazing. The men's eyes widened to see a man with the elves; they hadn't noticed him.
"You will let us pass." Aragorn said firmly, the sun catching the light of the blade. His dark locks stood out in contrast of the fair elves, and Krystal noted in admiration; he was most definitely buff, ripped, however you said it- muscular.
The man nodded at his men, ignoring Aragorn's words as waves of arrows were fired at Isildur's heir. Krystal ducked, keep her head close to the horses as one arrow brushed over her head. She didn't know what else to do; behind her, Legolas was firing furiously, his arrows landing true in their hearts and several men fell, but more came from the main group to take their place. The elves fired all their arrows within minutes, and only their swords and knives were left to defect the sharp tipped shafts.
"Surrender and we may spare your lives," one of the men called gleefully from the sidelines. Legolas's face contorted in fury, and picking up his dagger from his waist where it had been strapped to his belt, chucked it at the man's heart, his aim deadly. The man fell dead against the tree.
Aragorn charged, his sword shedding blood with every step they took. Several fell under the human's mighty blade, and Elrohir followed behind him, but soon it was apparent that they would have to surrender or they would die fighting. They did not have the resources the men did.
Finally, the man in charge called out one last time, "Surrender or you'll all visit the Hall of Mandoas!"
Breathing heavily, Elladan, Elrohir and Aragorn traded looks, before the ranger turned and flashed Legolas one. With reluctatance, the prince nodded. There was naught they could do.
At his nod, the men rushed forward, snatching their knives and yanking them down from the horses to the ground. When one of the men got to Krystal, he stared in surprise, before a slow, menacing smile found his face.
"Well, well, well..what do we have here?"