Hi everyone! The cat is back. Sorry about the delay, but I was one of the lucky people caught in the big power outage. Thanks to all my reviewers for being so patient…By the way I'm changing the title of chapter 10 and calling this one corruption because it fits better….

Chapter 11--Corruption

Galion stormed down the street, rage radiating from him like a dark cloud. His surviving men followed silently. No one spoke for fear of drawing his wrath.

Galion was more determined then ever to get his hands on that Elf now and he'd make the other pay for his interference as well. Scowling, he headed for The Grinning Gargoyle Inn where his base was. He had sent out spies to find out where the elf was and he wanted to be where they could find him quickly once they had anything to tell him.

Legolas stood up and stretched. He and Qui had been locked in the cell for a long time and still no one had come to speak to them. Aragorn is going to be worried as well as furious, he mused to himself. Qui snored loudly and Legolas glanced over at him and smiled. The large man seemed to be able to sleep no matter what the circumstances. Legolas envied him that ability right now. He was tired, but too tense to sleep.

Finally Galion saw one of his many spies enter the tavern and immediately head towards him. "Well, what do you have for me?" he demanded.

The ragged beggar bowed nervously. "The city guards took them to prison for questioning, sir," he said.

"Are you sure of that, man? If you are lying I will slit your throat myself!" he warned.

"It is true, I swear it. I followed them right to the prison," the beggar said.

Galion handed the beggar a coin. "Leave me," he ordered. The beggar bowed and scurried off. Galion sat for a while, smiling cruelly. I have you now, he thought. He went to his room to fetch a few things then left.

Lord Vadren looked up as the door to his study banged open. He was about to yell when Galion walked in. "It is you. What do you want?" he asked.

Galion sat down. "Today your guards arrested two travelers after a fight that left some of my men dead. One is an Elf. I want him. In return you will receive thirty percent of the gold he brings me on the slave block," he said.

"An Elf, eh? Seems like such a creature would bring a high price. I want fifty percent for turning him over to you," Vadren said, "or no agreement."

Galion stood slowly and menacingly. "You are getting a bit greedy, Lord. Remember who supplies your many…appetites and that can cut you off just as easy," he said. "Think what would happen to you if word of your less then legal activities became known. Do not take advantage of my generosity to you."

Vadren paled at the threat. He knew if Galion carried out his threats he'd be ruined and imprisoned, perhaps even executed. "Very well. I will be generous. You may have the Elf for the price you offered. I will write a missive to the guards, ordering them to turn him over to you, but what about the Elf's companion?" he asked. He quickly wrote the missive and offered it to him.

"He has committed murder and the penalty is death by beheading. Carry out the sentence," Galion said. He took the parchment and left.

The cell door opened, waking Qui from his sleep. Three guards stood in the door. Two had swords drawn and aimed at Qui. "Come on, Elf. You are first to be questioned," the third ordered.

"Why are we not being questioned together?" Legolas asked.

"Because I decided not , now get out here," the guard ordered.

Legolas saw no choice, but to obey. He left the cell and the door was closed behind him. He started when the two guards seized him roughly and dragged him from the cell area. Once they were out of there shackles were clamped around his wrists. Only then did Legolas see the other man in the room. "You?!" he gasped.

"I said I would get you, Elf. The Lord of the city ordered you to be handed over to me," he smirked. He draped a cloak over Legolas, hiding his features and shackled hands. "Come along, fair one, we have a journey to make, no need to waste time," he said. "to bad that your friend will be beheaded for murder. You should be grateful to me for saving you from that fate," he added. He seized his arm in a painfully tight grip.

"Nay!" Let me go!" Legolas protested, struggling as he was dragged from the building…..

Poor Qui, poor Legolas, they better hope Aragorn gets there soon or it will be too late for both of them! R/R please!!