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Chapter 21--Hunted

Nigel was furious when Sari was not brought to the fire when she was supposed to be. He was even more furious when the woman was found bound and gagged and Legolas was missing. "Useless fool, you could not keep one captive from escaping?!" he snarled at Zonobi.

Zonobi knelt at the shaman's feet, trying to lesson his wrath. "I will take the best of our hunters and trackers. The golden one does not know this place and he will be burdened with Sari. We will catch them and bring them back, so the ceremony can be finished," he said.

"If you fail another ceremony will be held tonight and you will be the victim," Nigel said dangerously. "Now go and do not let them escape!"

Zonobi rose and hastily gathered a hunting party then they hurried off.

Legolas was in a bit of a quandary. He knew that they would be pursued, but he had no idea if the others were looking for him or if they had left him for dead. It got worse even if they were looking he had no idea where. He glanced over at Sari who still followed him meekly. He pulled her into the cover of some dense trees. He had decided to risk healing her of the drug, perhaps she would know of a safe place to hide. He slipped into the trance and soon it was done.

Sari 's eyes widened with fear and she looked around before looking at him.

Legolas smiled at her, hoping to calm her down. The next problem was how was he going to explain what he needed her to do.

It seemed Sari had a thought of her own. She grabbed Legolas's hand and led him quickly through the trees. She seemed to know what she was doing, so Legolas followed without complaint.

*Meanwhile*

Hishi knelt and studied the ground then nodded. "They came this way. They are close I think," he said.

"Good, come…we must catch them before they get to far," Zonobi said.

Hishi rose and the group moved off again. "I do not see why Shaman Nigel would want your sister and the strange one to mate," he remarked.

"He has his reasons and it is not for us to ask questions, only to obey," Zonobi snapped.

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After two hours of walking Sari led Legolas to a waterfall. They passed through and entered a cave that was hidden behind it. It was a perfect place to hide.

Weary from the escape and healing, Legolas sat down to rest. He had just closed his eyes when Sari touched his arm. He opened them and looked at her.

Sari knelt in front of him. Blushing, she made a rather obscene gesture then pointed at him then herself then gave him a questioning look.

Legolas found himself blushing as well as he got the meaning. He shook his head no, but he wondered why her brother would have wanted them to lie together.

Sari looked greatly relieved at Legolas's answer. She smiled and hugged him then settled down and went to sleep.

Legolas watched the mouth of the cave. He hoped that they would not be able to find them here. He had no weapon except the stone dagger which he doubted would be much use if they were found or attacked.

*Back To The Hunters*

Zonobi was getting angry as he watched the trackers examine the ground. They had lost the trail an hour ago and the men were having trouble finding it again. He knew what would happen if he failed. He would be sacrificed. He shuddered at the thought of dying like that.

Finally one of the trackers let out a triumphant cry. He had found the tracks and once more they were on their way.

Zonobi swore that he would punish both his sister and the pale one when they were caught again and he knew exactly how to do it. Smiling grimly, he returned his attention to the hunt. He was confident that they would find them….

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