Trees and Stone

Chapter 7

Disclaimer

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In the morning, Kathios hid on the balcony while Elrond came in, checking Legolas's wound. He couldn't figure out why it was bleeding more that it was before. Legolas didn't know either, or at least Kathios told him not to know. If Kathios heard anything about him from Legolas, he would kill everyone in the room, including Legolas. Legolas had also been able to securely wrap his arm so that Elrond would not know.

"Here Legolas. Eat. Someone will be up a little later to take your tray away. When you are done, just put it here on this table." Elrond told him. Legolas thanked him and he left. When he was gone, Kathios came back into the room.

"You were lucky this time that they didn't find out, Legolas. You best keep it that way." He glared at the elf on the bed. Kathios took the tray from him and set it on the dresser. "I don't think you deserve to eat, little elf. Now then," He reached down and tugged at a tuft of Legolas's golden hair. "What fun shall we have today?" A nasty smile crossed his face. Then his eyes lit up. "I have an idea." He pulled some rope he had swiped from his belt. He tied Legolas's arms together tightly, across the forearm so that the rope dug into the skin, and the cut that Kathios had given him that night. Then he cut the excess and bound his feet together. Legolas couldn't move to save his life, Kathios was satisfied. Then he pushed up Legolas's shirt and cut away at the bandages around his middle. Legolas shook his head.

"Please don't…" He pleaded. Kathios ignored him and brought out his knife once again. He started making lines around the knife wound so that there were squares around it. With each square, he dug deeper and deeper into the skin. Legolas's entire body started shaking. He was in this immense pain. When Kathios felt that he had enough squares, he went to the corner of the outermost one, and drew a line with the blade of his knife, cutting deeper as he got closer to the knife wound. He stopped just before he reached the wound. He did that to the last three sides. When he finished, he sat back and admired his work.

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The guards stood when the cook came to bring food to Kathios. One of the guards unlocked the door and the morning light streamed into the room. The cook looked out, confused. "Where is Kathios?" She asked. The guards rushed into the empty cell.

"No!!!" They cried, and ran away to find Elrond.

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"WHAT?!?!?!!?" Elrond roared, standing up from his chair and slamming his hands on his desk. The guards cowered a little, for Elrond was always frightening when he was angry.

"We don't know how he got out!" One of the guards said, moving his hands to protect his face. Elrond threw his head back and sighed.

"I suggest you start looking for him." Elrond said. If only looks could kill…

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Soon, there were soldiers running all over Rivendell, searching for the escaped prisoner. Kathios returned from the balcony and looked down at Legolas. There were tear stains on his cheeks from the pain that Kathios had issued him. "Seems they have found out I am missing." He said. Legolas said nothing. "So we might as well get you good and gone before they find me, eh?" He asked. Legolas made no move. "Fine. If you want to be unresponsive, then I shall make your decisions for you." Legolas's eyes shifted to him. Kathios smiled. He pulled his bloodstained knife out of his belt and moved to Legolas. He raised it, and brought it down across Legolas's face, leaving a diagonal cut from the corner of his forehead to the opposite side of his chin. Legolas could feel blood seeping onto his face, and he knew soon his vision would be clouded by it. His entire body was screaming in pain. Then, much to Legolas's dismay, Kathios climbed up onto the bed and stood over Legolas, one foot on either side of him. "I know a fun game, Legolas. Here's the rules: I drop the knife, and wherever it lands, you get a knife." He grinned and Legolas bite his lip and closed his eyes. Kathios held the knife up high in the air and dropped it. The knife penetrated Legolas on the side. Legolas, unable to control himself, screamed in pain. Kathios kicked him in the ribs to make him shut up. Then he dropped it again. This time it his Legolas's thigh. Another swift kick to the ribs. Legolas had tears streaming down his cheeks again. Kathios was laughing.

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An elf maid was hurrying through the halls when she heard a scream. Then laughing. She paused and stood in front of the door. That was where the elf prince of Mirkwood was. She wanted to knock on the door, but something was telling her to simply go to Lord Elrond.

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Two elves on horse back rode through Rivendell, confused as to why there were so many soldiers out. One of them stopped a soldier. "Lord Elladan! Lord Elrohir! You've returned!" He said. The twins nodded their dark heads.

"What's going on?" Elladan asked.

"A dangerous soldier is free from the cell. We don't know where he is, and Elrond will kill us all if we don't find him." Then the guard ran away.

"A dangerous soldier?" Elladan repeated, looking at his twin. Elrohir shrugged. They rode on. They were soon home, and found Elrond standing on the steps with Aragorn, Mithrander and Arwen. Arwen screamed in delight when she saw her brothers. They slid off their horses and embraced their sister, then embraced their good friend Aragorn. Then Elrond.

"Ada, what's going on?" Elrohir asked.

"Kathios is bent on killing Legolas, but he has escaped from the cell." Elrond said through gritted teeth.

"Where is Legolas?" The two asked hopefully. They hadn't seen their friend in a long while.

"In his room. He stopped Kathios from stabbing me, but got hurt himself." Mithrander explained. The twins looked at each other. They both took off for Legolas's room. Aragorn and Arwen followed. Elrond tried to call them back, but Mithrander stopped him.

"Let them see him…"

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As the twins, Arwen and Aragorn were running for Legolas's room, they ran into a maid. "Twins! Thank Valar! There's something wrong! I heard screams and laughter in Master Legolas's room!" She told them.

"Oh no…" Aragorn whispered and started running. The others followed. Aragorn knew at once where Kathios was.

When they reached the room, Aragorn smashed open the door. Kathios jumped and turned. He was still standing over Legolas. Arwen screamed when saw Legolas lying on the bed, covered in blood. She turned her head away.

"Get away from him Kathios." Aragorn said dangerously. Kathios snorted.

"But he is almost dead. Give me a few more minutes." Aragorn growled. Elladan and Elrohir pushed into the room.

"Stop now Kathios!" They shouted together. Kathios climbed off the bed.

"So the twins have returned." He said, glaring at them. Quicker then lightening, both had their bows out with an arrow strung. Kathios shrugged. "Legolas will die anyway." He said. Both fired the arrows at him, and they struck him in the chest.

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Saruman smiled and looked deeper into the palantir. Kathios would not die yet.

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And he didn't. Kathios walked forward and pulled the arrows from his chest. The elves and Aragorn stepped back in surprise. "I cannot die when my master watches over me." Kathios told them.

"Who's your master?" Aragorn asked, afraid of the answer.

"Saruman!" Kathios cried, and lunged at them, his knife out and ready to kill.

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The maid finally reached Elrond and Mithrander. She bowed to them. "My lords, something is wrong in Legolas's room. I heard screams and laughter. I already told the twins and Arwen and Aragorn." She said. Mithrander and Elrond looked at each other and ran past the maid. Kathios was in Legolas's room.

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Woop! End of Chapter um, 7? Yes, chapter 7. Yeah, I'm ona roll! But I'm hungry and dinner isn't ready yet! * tear * Anywho, read on! Cause I'm gonna start right away on chapter 8! Don't forget to review!!!

Peace In~

Banana Nut Muffin