I saw Return Of The King yesterday! Loved it!! It gave my plot bunnies a major boost!!!!

Chapter 31--Help From the Shadows

Mei Ling froze as a strange feeling swept over her. She clutched at a jade dragon pendant she wore around her neck then looked at it. It was glowing. She immediately went to her chamber and knelt. "Two as one. Their souls bound. Show me my other half's pain," she whispered. The image she received sent her back to her feet. She had work to do this night and she began gathering things she would need for it. Soon all was ready and the sky was dark. She left the temple and headed towards the city.

*Several Hours Later*

It was near midnight and still no one had returned, much to Legolas's relief. At the same time he wished someone would. He ached from the position he had been bound in and he longed for a sip of water. The foul taste of the drought lingered and it was making him sick. A soft thud from outside got his attention and his eyes widened when he saw the Samurai lying on the floor, either dead or unconscious. A figure dressed in black from head to toe entered the room. It was a woman, but that's all Legolas knew for certain, even her face was covered except for his eyes.

The woman walked over to him, pulling out a small vial and a cloth. She knelt and poured something on the rag then suddenly clamped it over his nose and mouth.

Legolas tried to pull his head away, but she wouldn't let him. Black spots danced in his vision then everything went black.

The woman in black put away the vial and cloth and tossed her unconscious victim over her shoulder. She took him from the house and disappeared into the night.

Qui woke feeling that someone was in the room. He looked around and his eyes widened. "Mei! What are you doing here?" he asked.

"More importantly, what are you and Legolas doing here?" Mei asked.

"Legolas wanted…Wait, he is safe?" Qui asked.

"He will be when I take him back with me. If I were you I would get out of here," Mei said. She gestured at Gimli and Aragorn. "They should go as well. Lord Hachi will not be pleased when he finds Legolas gone and will certainly send his Samurai to bring you all for questioning. I will take Legolas to our place. Hurry brother." Mei seemed to simply disappear into the shadows.

Qui didn't waste time. He knew Mei was right about Lord Hachi. He rose and dressed then hurried to wake Gimli and Aragorn.

"What is wrong, Qui?" Aragorn asked.

"We must leave now. Gather your things while I wake Gimli. Be quiet, we must leave without being seen or heard," Qui said.

Aragorn stood and did as Qui had said. "What about Legolas? We cannot leave him," he said.

"We are not, Mei saved him. Do not ask me how she knew he was here or that he was in trouble. I have no idea," Qui said and turned his attention to Gimli.

After explaining once again to Gimli they gathered their things and sneaked from the house. "Follow me, quickly and quietly," Qui said and led them west as fast as possible.

*Meanwhile*

Mei Ling entered the small cave behind the waterfall and went to Legolas's side to find he was still asleep. She had left him bound so that he couldn't escape if he woke before she returned. It was no longer any concern, so she cut him free. She brushed a strand off blonde hair off his face, tucking it behind his ear. "Sun child, you should not be here. You do not belong here and it is not safe for you," she said sadly.

Mei Ling had heard Lord Hachi discussing what he had planned for Legolas and it wouldn't have been pleasant. The Lord planned to present Legolas to the Emperor as a gift. The Emperor insisted on having only the most exotic and beautiful slaves in his palace. Legolas would have certainly been miserable, even though he wouldn't have had to bear the humiliation of rape. She had a feeling that being treated like a valuable possession or a pet would have been far worse. The Emperor would have ordered his slave trainers to break him and Mei didn't doubt they would have succeeded eventually no matter how strong Legolas's spirit was.

"I will not allow you to be hurt, Sun child. I will make sure once Qui and the others arrive that they take you away from here," Mei whispered. She moved away from Legolas and settled down to wait for the others…..

Mei Ling is back! Let me know what you think! R/R please!