Thanks to my reviewers that keep me going…don't know what I'd do without you…

Chapter 8--The Search

Qui moved through the now busy streets, searching for Legolas, but he wasn't in the market place. He asked several merchants if they'd seen him, but they hadn't. After an hour of looking he left the market place and went deeper into the town.

Legolas had started back towards the docks or at least that was where he thought he was heading. The town's streets seemed to go in random directions and it was a bit confusing. He paused to look around for landmarks or a sign to guide him back to the docks, but there didn't seem to be any. Fool, you should have let Qui come with you then you wouldn't be in this mess, he thought. He'd only walked ten minutes when he saw the men that jumped him before coming towards him and they didn't look happy. Legolas froze. "Oh, damn," he muttered.

They hadn't seen him yet though. Legolas looked around and saw an alley. He went toward it then heard a yell. Looking over his shoulder without stopping, he saw one of the men point in his direction. They headed right towards him. Cursing to himself, he bolted into the alley only to discover it was a dead end. He put his back against the wall and waited.

"Hey, come here!" someone called.

Legolas looked around and saw the little girl from the marketplace gesturing to him from a small opening in a wall. "Hurry before they see you!" she said and slipped through the opening.

Legolas had to worm through on his stomach and he barely fit through the opening. A normal Human could have never fit. Once he was through he stood up. Obviously the building had been deserted for a long time.

The girl gestured for him to be quiet. They could hear the men stomping around and talking, trying to figure out where he was. Finally their footsteps and voices faded as they walked away.

"It is safe now," the girl said. "I did not thank you for helping me yesterday. My name is Thaila."

"I am Legolas and I believe we are even now," Legolas said.

"You were lucky I was hear to help you escape from them," Thaila said.

"Who were they anyway?" Legolas asked.

"Some of Galion's bullies," Thaila said.

"Galion?" Legolas asked.

"He is a slaver and runs a lot of shady businesses in town. No one dares cross him because anyone that does disappears. Everyone is afraid of him. Merchants have to pay him a fee for protection or they find their shops trashed or burned. The so called Lord of this place does not even dare try to stop him," Thaila said.

"That is not right," Legolas said.

"No, it is not, but that is how it is. I just stay out of his way. I only helped you because you helped me," Thaila admitted. "I have seen him kidnap people right of the streets to sell, especially young pretty woman. If he had taken you no one would have helped you."

Legolas shook his head in disgust. "I need to get back to the dock and my friends. Can you take me there?" he asked.

"It would be better if I went and got them. You would be safer if they were with you, otherwise his brutes will come after you again," Thaila said. "Describe them to me and I will go right now."

Legolas could see the logic in her suggestion so he thoroughly described Qui and Aragorn to her and told her the name of the ship. But will you be safe? I do not want you to get hurt," he said.

"I will be fine, Galion is not interested in a ragged, dirty street urchin. Stay here and do not leave the building no matter what. By now there will be a lot of people looking for you. I will be back with your friends as soon as I can be," Thaila said. She slipped out of the building and Legolas could hear her running off. Sighing, he sat down to wait.

Qui was starting to worry. He'd looked everywhere for Legolas and was having no luck at all. Just as he was turning to retrace his steps a small girl came up to him.

"Are you Qui?" she asked.

"Yes and who might you be?" Qui asked.

"Thaila, I can take you to Legolas. I know where he is," Thaila said.

"Very well, lead the way, little one," Qui said and followed her….

See, the girl did repay the favor. R/R please