Hi there, all…I'm back after a great weekend trip!

Chapter 18--Uncertain Fate

When Zonobi returned to the village with his find curious villagers gathered around him. "I must speak to the shaman. Where is he?"

"He has went to gather herbs and will not be back until dusk," a hunter said. "What is this you have found?"

"I do not know. I found him on the beach. I claim him as mine," Zonobi added sternly. The villagers backed off and he headed for his hut. Once inside he lowered his burden onto one of the sleeping mats. Taking out some thongs, he bound the creature's wrists securely then went to find his sister to tend the many wounds he bore.

Finally Zonobi found her by the river. "I need your help, Sari. Come with me," he said. He led her back to the hut.

Sari moved quickly to the stranger's side. "What is he?" she asked.

"I do not know. I found him on the beach. The shaman will know and I will follow his wishes," Zonobi said.

"I will tend to him if you wish to go back to your hunting. He is bound and unconscious. He cannot harm me or escape," Sari said.

Zonobi considered her words then nodded. "I will do that," he agreed. He left the hut.

Sari gathered the things she needed and went to work. She cleaned the cuts and scrapes and put salve on them. She had just finished when she heard him moan and stir. He was waking up. She sat back on her heels and waited.

Legolas opened his eyes, feeling the sting of an abundance of cuts and scrapes, plus a throbbing headache. He instinctively started to go into a healing trance then remembered what Qui had said about using them. He stopped himself then other thing seeped into his thought. He was in a building, not on the beach and his hands were bound. He tensed and tugged at them, but they refused to give then a hand touched his forehead.

A girl, no, young woman leaned over him. She had long black hair and brown eyes. Her skin was dark brown as well. She said something, but Legolas couldn't understand her.

Sari was amazed by the stranger's sky colored eyes and sun colored hair. She could see the stranger couldn't understand her and it was disappointing. She wanted to speak to him badly. She saw him try to get loose and she wished she could free him, but she couldn't. She stroked his hair, marveling at how soft it was, trying to soothe him.

Legolas sensed no danger from her, but he didn't like being so helpless among strangers. He gave up struggling and laid still. Eventually he slipped back into a healing sleep.

*Meanwhile*

Aragorn, Qui, Gimli and Captain Kellon gathered in Aragorn's chamber to look at a map of the area.

Qui pointed at an island. "He might have washed up here. I know these waters and there is a current. It would have dragged him this way. We should check there first," he said.

"Is it inhabited?" Gimli asked.

Qui sighed. "I am afraid so. Several tribes live there though they are not as advanced enough to have metal weapons," he said.

"Did Legolas still have his knives?" Aragorn asked.

"No, one was buried in a pirate's back, the other by the railing and his bow was where it had been dropped," Qui said.

Aragorn cursed. "I swear I will lock him in his cabin to keep him out of trouble from now on. Set course for this island immediately," he ordered.

"Yes sire, at once," Kellon said. He refolded the map and left the cabin, closing the door behind him.

***************************

When Legolas woke up a second time he felt much better. The wounds no longer stung and the headache was gone. He was still bound though. Someone else, a man, leaned over to study him. He pulled back and suddenly Legolas was dragged to his feet and roughly led from the hut.

Legolas looked around, seeing about thirty huts. One was bigger then the others and it was that one he was being led towards. He was pulled inside before he could think of resisting. The air was thick and smelled of unfamiliar herbs. He was forced to his knees, facing an elderly Human man.

"This is the one I found, Shaman Nigel," Zonobi said.

"He is pale and strange, not one of the people. He is an outsider," Nigel said. "I must pray to our ancestors and decide what must be done. Until then he is yours to deal with. Now take him and leave me."

Legolas couldn't understand a word of the conversation, but he had a feeling he was in danger. He was yanked to his feet and pulled out of the hut…..

So they still might be cannibals…..or worse….R/R please…