Well, now we get serious. There's gonna be a lot of twists …(I hope)

Chapter 29--Command Performance

It was time to leave all to soon for all of them. They left Nikito's house and headed towards Lord Hachi's. "Remember what I told you. Aragorn, you are and a healer and Legolas is your apprentice. Gimli is an old friend of your family who is traveling with you," Qui reminded them. "Remember to speak only when spoken too and give as little information as possible."

"We will remember, Qui," Aragorn said.

"Good, just be very cautious what you say and do. He is a Lord and if he is insulted in any way he could order any thing done to us and it would be done," Qui said.

Aragorn frowned. "I do not like the sound of that. What would happen if we did not show up?" he asked.

"It would be considered an insult to our host, since I have already accepted," Qui said.

"So why did you accept?" Gimli asked.

"Because if I had refused he would have been angry. He is powerful and could cause a lot of trouble for us. He could have sent his samurai to take you and Nikito would not dare interfere," Qui said.

"So if there is no choice then we will have to make the best of it," Aragorn sighed.

They reached the gates of Hachi's home and two samurai blocked their way. "What business have you here?" one asked.

"We were invited here by Lord Hachi," Qui said.

"You have been expected. You may enter," the samurai said. They stepped aside and they were allowed to enter.

Legolas was fascinated with Lord Hachi's garden just as Qui had known he would be. "Perhaps later you can spend some time here, for now he is waiting," Qui said.

Servants with soft leather slippers to replace their footwear met them at the door then all left except for one. She bowed deeply to them. "If our honorable guests will follow me I am to escort you to Lord Hachi," she said.

They followed her into a large luxuriously decorated room where Lord Hachi waited. They all bowed and he inclined his head. "You may stand," he said. He waited until they'd done so then studied Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli. His gaze returned to Aragorn. "Introduce yourself and your companions," he said.

"Yes, my Lord, I am Aragorn, a healer, Legolas, my apprentice and this is Gimli, a good friend of my family who has chosen to travel with me," Aragorn said.

Hachi nodded coolly then his eyes moved to Legolas. He gestured imperiously at him. "You, come closer," he ordered.

Legolas didn't like that, but he obeyed. He stopped just out of Hachi's reach. He felt his eyes moving over him, so slowly that it was making him uncomfortable. He kept his gaze down.

"Look at me, Elf," Hachi demanded.

Legolas raised his eyes and looked straight into his.

"Sky eyes, a shame you are a man though I admit you put most pf my women to shame. You are more beautiful then any of them," Hachi said.

Legolas was sure he was being baited, so he didn't answer or react.

"Go back to your friends'," Hachi ordered. As Legolas did so he clapped his hands. Servants began bringing in food and drink.

Hachi sat down at the table then gestured. "You may sit on my left, Qui and Aragorn to my right," he said.

They took the seats he indicated then Legolas and Gimli sat as well.

Legolas was rather glad he didn't have to sit next to Hachi. There was a hint of cruelty in him and it made Legolas nervous.

The food was delicious and well prepared, but Legolas couldn't relax enough to enjoy it. He was relieved when servants cleared the table. Perhaps they'd be able to leave soon.

No such luck, instead Hachi began talking about his families' many accomplishments and the many powerful people he knew.

It seemed to drag on forever, but finally Hachi wound down. "Enough of that, now there is only one thing that must be done before the evening ends," he said. He clapped his hands twice and four samurai entered the room. Hachi gestured and one roughly dragged Legolas to his feet.

Qui managed to catch Aragorn's arm before he leaped to his feet. "What is the meaning of this, my Lord?" he asked.

"Legolas will be my…. guest for awhile," Hachi said. "Take him."

Aragorn and Gimli watched helplessly as the Samurai forcefully led Legolas from the room.

"My Lord, this is not acceptable," Qui said.

"Would you wish to be my…guest as well?" Hachi asked. "Escort them from my home."

Weaponless, they had no choice, but to go. They were escorted to the gate and shoved out. The gates clanged shut behind them and locked………

*Snicker* Back to cliffhangers! R/R please!