I went and saw all the LOTR movies yesterday! It was fun! We watched them on my friend's big screen TV! It revved up the plot bunnies too!
Chapter 38--First Loyalty
Aragorn woke with a start then cursed to himself. He'd fallen asleep. He peered up into the tree and was relieved to see Legolas was still in the same spot.
"Enjoy your nap?" Legolas asked.
"You should have woken me," Aragorn said, "we are not in a perfectly safe situation."
"If anything had happened I would have, but nothing has. A guard came in and checked on us then left again," Legolas said.
"I hope we will be able to return home soon. Arwen is waiting for me," Aragorn said. He stood up and stretched.
"I am sorry for all this, Aragorn," Legolas said.
"Not your fault, so how long have we been out here?" Aragorn asked.
"About three hours or so," Legolas said.
"Then we should go in. I think it is time to push a little," Aragorn said.
Legolas nodded and climbed down, dropping easily to the ground. He followed Aragorn back to the temple and they went inside.
One of the men met them right away. "The Master wishes to see you," he said.
"What good fortune, we wanted to see him as well," Aragorn remarked.
The man took them to the Master's chamber then left.
Legolas was surprised to see Mei Ling standing in front of him, but then he noticed the grim look on her face, which worried him. Qui and Gimli were brought in and came up to stand by them.
"It seems everyone is here now. Mei Ling knows quite a bit about you, Legolas and I will know what she does," Wai Chee said. He looked at Mei.
Mei looked at Legolas then at Wai Chee. She knew what would happen if she told Wai Chee about Legolas's healing power. He would never let someone who had such a useful ability leave. Legolas would never see home again. It would also probably mean death for Qui, Gimli, and Aragorn, but the penalty for not obeying….She took a deep breath. I accept my fate for the one I love, but can never have, she thought. She squared her shoulders. "Remember what I told you, Qui," she said in Westrin. Wai Chee didn't know the language.
"Speak so I may understand you, girl!" Wai Chee snapped.
"I am sorry, Master Wai Chee, but I must refuse to speak of what I know," Mei said.
"You dare disobey me? Dare to break your oath of loyalty to me?" Wai said, his voice soft, but deadly.
"I must because someone else has earned my loyalty and I will not betray it," Mei said. She looked at Legolas again. "I love you, sun child and I will always be with you." She knelt and pulled her jet black hair over her shoulder, baring her neck then bowed her head. "I am ready, Master, to pay the penalty for my actions."
Wai Chee gestured to a guard, who stepped forward, drawing his sword. "Is this your final say? You will not speak?" he asked.
"It is and I will not speak," Mei Ling said.
Wai Chee gestured and more guards entered they took places near Legolas and the others to make sure they couldn't interfere. "It grieves me to do this, you were one of my best," he said. He nodded to the guard. "Carry out the sentence."
The guard brought the sword down, severing Mei Ling's head with one clean blow. The body convulsed violently for a moment then collapsed. No one noticed the amulet Legolas wore flare with green light then fade.
Legolas started to fall as his legs buckled, but Qui caught him and supported him. Aragorn and Gimli were to shocked to move or react.
"Take them back to their room and they are not allowed to leave it until I get the answers I want. Dispose of the corpse as well and have servants clean up the blood," Wai Chee said.
The guards led them from the room.
Once they were alone Qui led Legolas to one of the mats and lowered him gently down on it. He feared Legolas was in shock. He took one of the Elf's hands and noticed how cold it was. "Blankets," he said.
Aragorn fetched one and wrapped it around Legolas while Qui rubbed Legolas's hands, trying to warm them. They were all stunned by the horrible action and wondered what they were going to do now….
Ugh, gruesome….*Frowns At The Plot Bunnies* Sneaky little beasts, well, R/R please!