More Heart of the Healer coming up!
Chapter 35--Discovered
It got dark and the three of them settled down to get some sleep. Several hours passed then Legolas woke up. He sat up and peered towards the cave opening. He was sure he'd heard horses and he thought he'd seen someone moving. He stared towards the entrance intently. Just as he'd decided he was mistaken he saw movement again. He leaped to his feet, giving Aragorn a thump in the side as he did so.
Aragorn was on his feet in an instant and yelled to Gimli and Qui. They scrambled to their feet as well. Qui tossed more wood on the embers of the fire and they blazed up.
The firelight revealed six figures dressed in black, only their eyes showed.
Aragorn cursed to himself. They were trapped and none of them were armed, except for Qui.
"The master wishes to see you. You will come with us," one said.
"What if we refuse?" Aragorn demanded.
"Then we will be forced to subdue you," he said.
Aragorn looked at Qui uncertainly.
You will swear we will not be harmed?" Qui asked.
"I cannot make such an oath," the man replied.
Qui was quiet for a long time as he considered their options. After a while he made his decision. He knew fighting would not be a wise idea. "We will come quietly," he agreed. He allowed one of the men to take his weapons.
Once that was done they were herded together and taken from the cave. One of the men paused long enough to draw a symbol in the soft sand that covered the floor of the cave then he followed the others out. Each of them were directed to a horse that they would share with one of their captors.
As the cave faded in the distance they wondered what fate laid in store for them. An hour into the trip they stopped and their eyes were covered with thick cloth. When the horses stopped moving and the blindfolds were removed it was dawn and they were at an elaborate temple- like building in thick woods at the base of a mountain. They dismounted and the horses were taken away and they were led inside. Their footwear was left at the door to be replaced by soft slippers as seemed to be the custom of this land. All but two of their captors left. Those two led them down the hall.
Legolas glanced around at the many beautiful tapestries and artwork that lined the hall in fascination. Some of it was very unusual and he wished he had more time to study it, but they soon entered a large room where a wizened old man sat.
Qui bowed and the other three copied the gesture.
The elderly man looked at their escort. "Leave us," he said. They bowed and left with out so much as a word. The man studied them silently for so long that it was starting to make them feel uncomfortable. Remembering Qui's warning, none of them spoke or moved.
"I wished to see the visitors that would make the finest of my night warriors run off so suddenly. I am Wai Chee. You will refer to me as Master Wai Chee. What are you called?" he asked.
They introduced themselves and bowed again.
"You two, come closer so I might see you more clearly," Wai Chee said. He gestured to Gimli and Legolas who reluctantly obeyed the summons. He studied them. "Interesting, I will have you shown to a place where you may rest." He clapped his hands and a young woman entered the room and bowed. "Show my guest to the guest chambers."
The woman bowed again and led them out. She took them into a room where several neatly rolled up mats were placed on the floor. You may rest here, good-night," the woman said and scurried off.
Exchanging resigned looks they settled down to rest. There was little else to do. They wondered how Mei Ling would ever find them now….
So you think they're in trouble? *Shares Smirks With Plot Bunnies* Guess you'll have to wait and see! R/R please!