Disclaimer: All things related to Tolkien's works are his.

A Twist of Fate

Chapter III - ill luck

"Lay low your weapon, strangers", a voice called from the trees.

The ranger and the elf froze. Legolas sighed inwardly, what ill luck had befallen them now? Alone, he might have put up with more of a struggle but in their present situation, he did not wish to endanger the life of the heir of Isildur. They were sorely outnumbered, there would be time later for other plans of escape, or so he hoped. He lowered his bow.

"We mean no harm," he said, as calmly as was possible with about a dozen drawn arrows pointed at him.

"That will be for us to decide," came the cold reply.

"What business have you here?"

"Our business is our own."

Upon hearing this reply, a sudden revelation came to Tiddyn. This was his chance, a fast and easy solution to the problem which he despaired over. Two scapegoats- they could not have appeared at a better time. He steeled his voice and replied as menacingly as he was able.

"Not when it concerns the death of one of our men. Bind them."

Before both of them could react, the men were upon them. A fist caught Legolas on the temple and another on his ribs, followed by several more vicious kicks and punches. The elf lost sight of the ranger beside him as he was forced to the ground and his hands bound roughly behind him. He soon knew nothing as several more hard hits to the head rendered him blissfully unconscious.

~*~

The two captives lay bound to two separate trees.  Most of the men in the group had come to the conclusion that they had to be the murderers, as soon as Tiddyn had said the carefully chosen words that would sow the most fruitful seeds of suspicion. Not when it concerns the death of one of our men. It was obvious what that line implied. It helped that one of the two was an elf. Little was known about elves by the men from this town. Tiddyn himself knew little about that race. Men were always eager to blame the odd one out. It was so much easier to blame one which you knew the least about.

The captain's conscience pricked a little as he thought over what he was doing to two innocent people. But then the little voice in him, the one which he should very well have ignored, argued. They could very well be guilty. After all, what were they doing so near their camp.  He couldn't let the murder jeopardize his position. If he did not solve the problem quickly, he could very well lose this chance to prove himself.

Pushing aside his conflicting thoughts, he firmly resolved that he should complete this assignment, bring the two scapegoats along with them and then bring them back to his town where they could be properly dealt with. His mind was made up.

~*~

Legolas was the first to stir; he tested his bonds and gazed around the area before turning his gaze onto his friend.

"Aragorn…"

He whispered.

"Aragorn… waken, my friend!" He whispered more urgently this time, worried that perhaps the man had taken some grievous hurt.

The man stirred at last and stared blearily at his surroundings.

"What happened?"

"Don't you remember?"

It all came flooding back to him in an instant as the darkness fled from his mind. His mind went back to the last sentence that the strange man had spoken.

Not when it concerns the death of one of our man.

His eyes met the elf's who seemed to be thinking over the same thing. One word loomed in both their minds.

Murder.

"…of course!" Legolas exclaimed in sudden realization.

"There was a murder in their camp while we hid in the trees. They were looking for someone to blame…"

"…We fell out of the tree right into their hands- Instant suspects." Aragorn finished. He couldn't resist adding as an afterthought.

"I told you we should not have hidden in a tree."

"If we had just hidden in the tree till they left, like we were supposed to, this would never have happened." The elf retorted, glaring at the man.

Sensing tension, Aragorn gave way, "Peace my friend, I meant no offense."

~*

At last, the moment for revenge was approaching. Half a decade, he had waited and soon the fruits of his labor would be ready to savor.  The elf and the man had arrived at the right moment. Not that he could have any trouble avoiding suspicion without them, but they provided him with a much easier course of action.

Revenge would be sweet indeed.

~*~

TBC…

Well, another chapter out. Tell me what you think!

Response to reviewers ('_')

Lillybeth1: This chapter IS a little longer. Hope you liked it. :o)

Star-Stallion: Glad you're enjoying it. Did I mention that I really like your story, "Orcs!"…

Blackbird10: You seem really against Elladan and Elrohir, so you should be glad to know they won't appear in this story.

Gywn: Sucky luck strikes again… ha! Well put! They do seem to have bad luck don't they?

Ancalimawen: Thanx for adding this story to your favs list!

Itarilde-elenastar: Hey! *Yanks Legolas and Aragorn back to men with arrows by their collars* they belong here!  Err… in the midst of danger… as usual… :o)

Wanda: Glad you like the story and thanx for the review!

Anastasia Who: You'll see exactly how much trouble they're in soon…

Well, thanx for the reviews everyone!