So many evil thoughts on what happens next…it's hard to decide which would be the most fun! *Evil Snicker*

Chapter 30--Unknown Fate

Aragorn whirled and started back towards the gate immediately. He was stopped when Qui grabbed his arm. "Let me go. We cannot abandon him!" he said.

"If we try anything they will kill us and then there will be no one to help Legolas," Qui said.

""What if that bastard hurts him the way Arathorn did? I do not think he can bear such a thing again," Aragorn said.

"I agree. WE must help him," Gimli said. 'No one, Elf or not, deserves to suffer like that."

"He is safe from that. Lord Hachi is not like that," Qui said. "Come, we must go and consider what to do next."

Reluctantly, Aragorn and Gimli followed Qui back to Nikito's house.

*Meanwhile*

One of the Samurai that had taken Legolas away entered the room where Hachi waited. "The prisoner has been secured," he said and bowed.

"Good, you may go. Send my herbalist to the prisoner. I will meet him there," Hachi ordered. He handed the Samurai a piece of parchment. "Have him brew this before he comes. He is to bring it with him."

"Yes, Lord, at once," the Samurai said. He took the parchment and bowed his way from the room.

Hachi went to the room where the Elf had been taken. He brushed past the Samurai that guarded the door and went inside.

Legolas was sitting on the floor when Hachi entered. HE immediately scrambled to his feet.

"No reason to be alarmed. I have no intention of harming you as long as you obey I…." Hachi began. He was interrupted by the arrival of an elderly man carrying a cup.

The elderly man bowed. "I have brought the drought you requested, my Lord," he said.

"Very good," Hachi said. He called the Samurai into the room then turned to Legolas. "I want you to drink this. If you do not I will have my Samurai hold you while it is poured down your throat."

Legolas swallowed. He glanced at the cup then at the Samurai nervously. He didn't dare drink whatever it was without knowing what it would do to him.

"You have hesitated to long," Hachi said. He nodded to the Samurai who headed towards him.

Legolas looked around for an escape route, but there wasn't one. He cried out in pain as his arms were seized and yanked behind his back then bound them. His head was yanked back and a rough hand forced his mouth open.

The elderly man poured some of the liquid into Legolas's mouth.

Legolas gagged on the foul-tasting fluid then spit it all over the elder, making him recoil and drop the cup. It hit the floor and shattered.

"Clumsy fool! Go make more now!" Hachi yelled.

"I-I used the last of the herbs I needed, my Lord," the man stammered.

"Then get more and do so quickly or else!!" Hachi bellowed.

The man bowed and all but ran from the room.

"Bind his feet and gag him. It does not matter if he is comfortable, just do not damage him. He must be unblemished for what I am planning," Hachi said and left the room.

Legolas didn't bother struggling as the Samurai carried out his Lord's orders and returned to his post. He wondered what Lord Hachi had been talking about. All he could do is hope that Qui and the others would be able to help him.

*At Nikito's House*

Aragorn would not rest. He paced up and down like a caged lion while Qui and Nikito talked softly. Finally he stopped and looked at then, exasperated. "how long are we going to wait before we go get Legolas back? He has no right to hold him," he said.

"Legolas has even fewer rights. He is a foreigner, all of you are. That causes a problem. You can not just storm in or you will certainly be arrested," Nikito said.

"So what can we do?" Gimli asked.

"That is what we are discussing," Qui said. They went back to their conversation.

Aragorn sighed. "Just hold on, Legolas…please," he whispered……

CLIFFHANGER!!!! R/R please!