Okay, I know…I'm way behind, but I have the worse case of writer's block with this fiction….
Chapter 22--Mistaken Identity
Sari woke early and glanced around. She saw Legolas was still awake and smiled.
Legolas returned the smile. He wished he could communicate with her.
Sari made eating motions then stood. She shook her head when Legolas started to rise as well then left the cave.
Legolas thought about following her anyway then changed his mind. She must have a reason for wanting him to stay in the cave. He settled down and waited.
Sari moved through the thick woods with the grace of a deer gathering fresh fruit for them to eat for breakfast. She had finished and headed back towards the cave when she heard a noise. Sari stopped and turned towards the sounds. A group of men appeared from the trees. Terrified, Sari dropped the food and ran. Her fear increased when they started chasing her. She was so afraid that she led her pursuers right back to the cave without thinking about it.
Legolas jumped up, startled when Sari rushed into the cave, stumbling into him in her rush. "Sari, what is it?" he asked then cursed when he remembered she couldn't understand him.
Sari pointed a trembling finger back at the cave entrance.
The leader of the men saw the girl slip behind the waterfall and gestured for his group to follow her. "We have her now," he said. "Be careful. She must not be harmed."
Legolas saw indistinct figures moving through the waterfall. Instinctively, he reached for his bow then remembered all he had was the stone dagger. He didn't think that would help, so he picked up a rock instead and prepared to throw it at the first person that emerged.
Sari hid behind Legolas as the first person emerged and Legolas threw the rock then he realized who it was. "Look out!'" he shouted.
Aragorn was delighted when he entered the cave and saw the girl with Legolas then he saw the rock flying at him. "Damn!" he shouted and ducked. The rock missed him, but hit Qui, who was right behind him, in the shoulder.
Ouch, I would think you would be glad to see us, not throwing rocks at us," Qui complained.
"Sorry, Qui, Aragorn. All I knew that was someone was coming. I was afraid you were natives from the tribe that Sari comes from," Legolas said.
"Why would they be chasing you?" Gimli asked then grinned. "What did you do, run off with someone's daughter or sister?"
Nay! They were going to force us into ma…" Legolas began then caught himself.
"The tips of your ears are turning red, Elf," Gimli teased.
Legolas blushed even more and glanced over his shoulder at Sari then he realized she was still only covered in a blanket.
Sari seemed less frightened now. She was looking at everyone in turn with interest.
"Come on, Elf. Finish what you were saying a moment ago. What were you going to be forced to do?" Gimli pressed.
Legolas's face was nearly beet red by then and he scowled at him. "Not your concern, Dwarf, so drop it," he snapped.
Gimli studied the girl then looked at Legolas then burst out laughing. "I see now! They were going to use you as breeding stock!" he yelled then laughed even harder.
Legolas glared at the Dwarf. "It is not funny. They were willing to use drugs to force us into it and I am sure they are chasing us," he said.
Aragorn and Qui glanced at each other and even Gimli sobered at those words.
"Why did you bring her? You should have left her with her tribe," Qui said.
"She was kind to me. They might have done something to her if I had left her there. I could not allow that," Legolas said.
"what do you think will happen if they catch us after you took her away? Crazy Elf," Gimli mumbled.
"Stupid Dwarf," Legolas retorted.
"That's enough, you two. We have to decide what to do," Aragorn said, frowning at both of them….
So was this good? Gimli won't let Legolas live this one down…Don't worry! R/R please!!!