I realized how long it'd been since this was updated so I decided to do it right away. Thanks for your patience…

Chapter 12--An Escape and An Old Ally

Legolas refused to stop struggling as he was dragged away from the prison. They were drawing a lot of attention because of it.

"Stop it, Elf or you will be sorry," Galion warned.

"Damn you!" Legolas hissed. "Let me go!"

"You will be harshly punished when we reach our destination," Galion growled, tightening his grip.

Legolas was desperate. He had to escape. He saw two burly and very drunk Humans coming toward them. It gave him an idea. Once they were next to Galion Legolas threw his weight to his side into his captor.

Galion slammed into one of the men and lost his grip on Legolas. The minute he did Legolas bolted as fast as his legs could take him.

Galion tried to follow, but the drunk he'd bumped into blocked his way. "Where do ya think yer goin'?" he growled.

Galion was infuriated at the delay. "Get out of my way, fool!" he yelled.

The drunk promptly punched Galion in the face, making him stagger backwards.

Legolas ran until he had lost himself in the crowd. A hand grabbed his arm and he jumped.

"Relax, Elf, I will not hurt you," a familiar voice said.

"Gimli! Am I ever glad to see you!" Legolas gasped.

"Why are you shackled? What are you doing here?" Gimli asked.

"It is a long story, but it will have to wait. Qui is in trouble. Can you help me get him out of jail?" Legolas asked.

"What?! Never mind. I will get these off first. Come over here," Gimli said. He led Legolas into a forge. He had Legolas kneel and lay his hands on the anvil.

Skillfully Gimli used some tools to undo the shackles. "Now we will get Qui and you will tell me what is going on as we go," he said. They hurried off as Legolas started to explain.

*Meanwhile*

Galion was even angrier then he'd been before. His men had taken care of the two drunks, but the Elf had escaped. He ordered the men to search until the Elf was found and recaptured. After that he went back to the inn to wait and seethe. He also needed to stop at a healer's and get his broken nose tended too.

Aragorn followed Thaila to the prison and walked in without bothering to knock. Thaila went in with him. "I demand to speak to whoever is in charge," he said.

"That would be me. What do you want?" a guard asked, walking over to him.

"I want two friends released a large man and an Elf," Aragorn said.

The guard looked Aragorn over, noting his clothes and smiled. "You are obviously well off. How much will you pay for their freedom?" he asked. His eyes were bright with greed.

Aragorn tossed the man three gold coins. "Now bring them," he said.

"Go get the big man," the man ordered. "The Elf was turned over to Galion by orders of our Lord."

Thaila had told Aragorn about Galion. He cursed and quickly gestured Qui to his side when he was brought out. "Do you know where Legolas might have been taken?" he asked Thaila.

"I might, but I cannot promise," Thaila said uncertainly.

They hurried out of the jail without another word to the guards.

The head guard smirked. "Go tell His Lordship that the prisoner was broken out of jail and give the description of our gold-giving fool," he said. He laughed as the guard hurried off.

Gimli and Legolas were making their way back to the jail when they saw Aragorn and Qui leave. Legolas started to call out to them.

Gimli stopped him before he could. "No, do not draw attention to us, Elf. We will follow then and reveal ourselves when it is a little less crowded. We do not want any of that man's cursed men knowing we are here," he said. They followed the others as quick as they could.

"We are being followed," Qui hissed.

"I know, do not turn and let them know we are on to them. Down this alley. We will ambush them," Aragorn said. They ducked into an alley and waited for their stalkers to enter…

See, this town is corrupt in a lot of ways, even the guards…Hope no on gets hurt in this little ambush. R/R please!!!