Disclaimer: Same as when I began. However, Linriel does belong to me.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews. They are appreciated. I hope I don't disappoint anyone with this chapter. Please continue to read and tell me what you think
Sielge: I'm glad you liked the last chapter. What about Elrohir and Elladan? Well, you'll have to read to find out won't you. There is more in store for them. I can assure you of that. Thanks so much for your review.
The Cap'n: I'm glad you liked and thought it was cute. Yes, they must kill them. Hamath and Gerchen are really getting on my nerves and I'm the author. Imagine that. lol. Thanks for the review.
Kukumalu: /Celebrates with kukumalu/ I'm happy she is saved too. /gives innocent look/ Me do something mean to Elrohir? Would I do that? /grins evilly/ You shall have to read to find out. I'm glad you like the little cubs. Here's the next chapter for you. Thanks so much.
Lady of Rivendel78: Thanks for the review. Yes, why oh why did Elrohir hafta do that? I guess he loves Linriel a lot and he, like most guys, doesn't think before he acts. All he was thinking about was saving Linriel, not about what could happen to him. If only he had thought it through first then he would have known... well anyway thanks for the review.
Dreaminoflorien: /Laughs/ Of course no big deal for taking the poison. I love your dramatized version of my chapter. Thanks. Yes, I can totally see a few certain guys doing that. lol. Thanks so much for your help, mellon nin. This story wouldn't be half as good without you.
Irukapooka: Nope she didn't die. I couldn't kill her. I'm glad you liked that chapter. As for your question. Well, you shall have to read to find that out. Is Elrohir really as strong as he thinks? We shall see. Yes, we shall see. Thanks so much for the review.
Deana: Yes, that is a risky thing that Elrohir did. But who can blame him. He's in love. Yes poor Legolas. Lol. Thanks so much for your help, mellon nin. I really appreciate your suggestions. Thanks so much.
Blue Autumn Sky: I'm glad you thought it was sweet. All of your questions will be answered in the next chapter. Here's an update for you. Thanks so much for your review.
Dark Borg Drone: Yes, kill the evil people. Sounds good to me too. Gerchen is really getting on my nerves. Here's the next chapter and thanks for the review.
SaphireCat: I'm so glad you love this story. Thanks for the review. Here's the next chapter.
The Contessa: YAY! I have a new reviewer. I'm glad you like my angst. I'm having a lot of fun writing it. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing my story. If I may make one suggestion though. I'm not really into curse words, so can you please just tone it down a bit. Thanks I appreciate it a lot. Please continue to read and I hope you enjoy.
Elven Kitten: I'm glad you liked the chapter. I will try my best to keep it up. Thanks so much for the review.
Lindahoyland: I'm glad you liked. Thanks so much for the review. I tried to make it touching as well as angsty. Glad you liked.
Wadeva: Another new reviewer. YAY! Glad you started reading my story and that you like it. Glad you like the characters too except of course for the bad guys. Lol. Thanks so much for the review.
Mornflower: Hehe We can all dance together. I'm happy Linriel isn't dead too. Glad you like her. Thanks so much for the review.
Alia: G. L: I'm glad you are happy that Linriel isn't dead. Thanks so much for your review. I'm sorry I killed Cormir though. I'm glad you didn't kill me in ju jitsui class for that. It might be a good thing though that we aren't doing ju jitsui together for a while though. /gives innocent look/ Not that anything bad happens, I mean, I'm just saying. Hehe. Thanks for the review.
MusicDreamer: Yes, Linriel is saved. And don't worry the bad guys will be dealt with soon enough. Elrohir die from poison? /smiles innocently/ I wouldn't let the poor elf die, would I? Hehe. Glad you liked the chapter. Yes, it is too bad about Cormir. I liked him too, but such is life I suppose. Thanks again. I really appreciate your review.
Allison: Yes, I agree with you. That probably wasn't the smartest thing for Elrohir to do, but he isn't exactly thinking right now. But he is a guy after all, even if he is an elf. Besides, he thinks he is strong enough to handle it. Lol. Thanks for the review. I'm glad you like the chapter. Yes, school is very evil. Here's another chapter for you.
Alright that's everyone. Thanks so much. Also a BIG THANK YOU to Deana. The end of this chapter is ideas from her and I used some of her exact wording in this chapter. She really helped a lot. Thanks, mellon nin. I appreciate it.
Okay. Here is the next chapter now. It is in Aragorn's POV.
Chapter 16
No Such Thing as Sweet Revenge
'Bid my blood to run
before I come undone.'
I ran up the stairs of the dungeon and down the halls. So much had happened in the last twenty-four hours that I felt drained both mentally and physically. My body protested from lack of sleep. My head spun with thoughts of everything that had happened. During this time, I had almost lost my best friend to suicide, Cormir, who was like a son to me, had been murdered, and then I almost lost my brother as well. Too many thoughts ran through my head.
As my friend's life had slipped away, my sadness seemed unbearable. My anger was raging and I wanted to kill the man who had done it. Yet, another part of me was rejoicing that Linriel was alive. I was overjoyed that Legolas had not lost his sister and Elrohir had not lost his love. Still, I was enraged that Gerchen had captured Legolas and Linriel in the first place. I was furious that he had used me as bait for the illegal capturing of the Karps. I was also afraid of what Gerchen had accomplished while I was treating Linriel. I was fearful that Gerchen would turn on me, accuse me of helping his slaves and trying to spoil his plan.
With a sigh, I pushed all of my thoughts behind me. If I stopped to dwell on all that had happened, I would surely be unable to continue. Right now, Elladan needed my help, and that was what I needed to focus on. Suppressing everything; however, was not easy. Rage burned deep within my heart. Gerchen was going to pay for what he had done to Legolas, his sister, and everyone else he had harmed. He was going to pay. I would see to that.
I was pulled away from my thoughts as I stepped outside. I quickly scanned the area, taking in everything I could at once. I saw a few Karps still in the fields fighting the guards, but most seemed to be still be looking for something-their cubs most likely. Elladan was not far away from me, but instead of fighting the Karps, he was battling with Gerchen's men. Four of them surrounded him, attempting to kill him.
"Get that elf." Gerchen yelled.
Elladan looked up and saw me. "Estel, you must get the other cub. The Karps will not leave until you do." He yelled as he fought.
I nodded, realizing I had still left the young cub in the dungeon. I hated to leave Elladan to fight Gerchen's men, but I knew he was more than capable of defending himself. By the looks of it, though he was greatly outnumbered, the guards were quickly falling under his elven blade. I turned to head back inside, but before I could, I was forced to the ground. A heavy weight on my chest pushed me hard onto my back. I looked up to see baring fangs of one of the Karps. His claws dug into my chest and he uttered a low growl in his throat.
My heart beat loudly against my chest and I struggled not to panic. I tried to reach for my sword or knife with my hand, but the force of his body weight would not let me draw it. I struggled against him, but there was nothing I could do.
As the beast lowered his head towards my face, I held my breath. Slowly he began smelling my body. Starting with my head, he slowly moved down my chest. He stepped off me just slightly, but enough for me to fully push him off. I rolled out from underneath him and stood up. He glared at me, growling low, but did not attack. Confused, I slowly backed away into the house. Once inside I fled back towards the dungeon. I grabbed the cub's cage that I had left there. My heart almost stopped as I saw Cormir lying on the ground. I swallowed the lump in my throat and ran back towards the outside.
Elladan was still fighting the men, but most of the guards that were left were preoccupied with the attacking Karps. Some of the men were attempting to capture them, but none of them were having much luck. Gerchen was no where in sight.
I quickly opened the cage door that I held and lowered the cage to the ground. The cub was unsure at first and uttered a small cry. At that moment, it seemed like every Karp turned to look at me. Two of them instantly jumped to my side. The cub saw them and immediately ran from the cage. One of the Karps sniffed him thoroughly before running off. The cub followed closely behind. One by one, the Karps started to disappear into the outer woods. Three guards started to trail them, but found it useless. Slowly the guards began heading back, looking around for Gerchen for orders.
"Strider, help me!" Someone suddenly yelled.
I turned my head towards the scream where I saw the ranger Trachen fighting against two Karps. I wondered why there were still attacking, but I quickly figured it out. Another Karp was trapped underneath a huge net that was staked to the ground. The Karp was fighting to get out and the others were fighting to free him.
Quickly I jumped off the balcony I was on and drew my knife. I began to cut at the thick rope of the net.
"Strider, what are you doing?!" Trachen yelled as he looked at me. "We have one captured. Don't let it go!"
"It's the only way, Trachen. These creatures are meant to be free." I said as I cut a hole on the net large enough for the beast to escape.
"You traitor!" Trachen yelled as the Karp escaped. "That was the reason we were all called here. We were supposed to capture them. Now you just blew our whole profit. Gerchen was right when he said we couldn't trust you."
I looked at him confused. "You knew they would come?" I asked, looking around to make sure the Karps were no longer a threat.
"Gerchen had a meeting with us last night. He said you would probably turn on us all." Trachen said bitterly.
I sighed. "If we didn't release their cubs they would have killed us. There were too many of them."
Trachen would hear no more, however. He shook his head and walked off. I sighed and went to look for Elladan. I soon found him on the other side of the house. His hair was a bit tangled and he had a few obvious cuts on his arms. He looked up from cleaning his blade as I walked towards him.
"Are you alright?" I asked him.
He nodded. "Your friend?"
I bit my lip with a sigh.
"I am sorry, Estel." Elladan said sympathetically.
I nodded. "Where is Hamath?"
"I managed to catch him before he went outside. We battled with each other, but it did not last long. I took the cage and freed the cub. I'm sorry that I did not stop him from killing your friend or that you were not able to take your own revenge." Elladan said sympathetically.
I smiled sadly. "It is all right.
Elladan placed a hand on my shoulder. "Will you be alright, gwador nin?" (my brother)
I nodded. "I am fine. Why did Gerchen order his men to attack you?" I asked, changing the subject.
Elladan began to walk back towards the house. "He said I was spoiling his plans and that I was invading his property. He ordered his men to kill me and I had no choice, but to defend myself."
I nodded as I walked with him back to the house. "We need to find Gerchen and settle this all."
Elladan nodded as we walked into the house.
"I hear voices this way." Elladan said.
I followed him down the halls and into Gerchen's study. I heard raised voices as I entered the room. My eyes immediately took in the scene. Gerchen was lying on his back with a sword pointed at his neck. He hands were up and he was pleading for his life. I looked at the attacker and was not fully surprised at seeing Legolas.
"Give me one reason to let you live." Legolas spat at the man.
Gerchen panicked as he tried to think of an answer. "Because slaves shouldn't threaten their masters."
Legolas fumed. He brought the blade up and was ready to plunge it into Gerchen's stomach. "Wrong words!" He snapped.
"Legolas stop!" I yelled.
Legolas turned to look at me. "He deserves death, Estel."
"I know he does." I said as I walked towards him. "But this is not the way to end this."
"Leave me! Let me get my revenge on all that he did to me; all that he did to my sister." Legolas said bitterly.
"Legolas, put the sword down and think about this." Elladan said.
"I have thought about it." Legolas said as he placed the blade back near Gerchen's neck. "I have dreamed about killing him. He deserves nothing better."
I walked closer to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know." I said sympathetically. "But if you killed him, you would be no different than him. Let me have the sword, Legolas."
Legolas drew in a deep breath and looked into the eyes of his tormentor. He closed his eyes tightly and griped hard on his sword. Slowly, he slid the blade off Gerchen neck, barely skimming him with the edge. With his face down, Legolas handed me the sword.
I took it from him and squeezed his shoulder gently. I knew how hard that was for him.
"Hannon le, mellon nin. Though I do not doubt that I would have regretted killing him, I am glad you stopped me." Legolas said.
I nodded to him.
Suddenly Gerchen decided to try to seize his opportunity. Before I could see it, he tried to stand to his feet to sneak off. Elladan, however, caught his movement and placed his foot on Gerchen's chest, forcing him to the ground.
"Going some where?" He questioned sarcastically.
Gerchen glared at him. "You have no right, elf."
"Oh, I believe he has every right. You are going to pay for the crimes that you have committed here." Aragorn said.
Gerchen glared at him. "I knew I couldn't trust you, Strider. I should have killed you when I had a chance."
"So what should we do with him?" Elladan questioned. "I say we tie him up in the forest and use him for Karp bait." Elladan said with a mock tone.
"We will let my father deal with him." Legolas said, obviously not in the mood for humor. "He will be furious when he finds out that this man has captured both his son and daughter."
I nodded. "I believe King Thranduil will deal justly with him." I said glaring at Gerchen. "Not that he deserves much."
"Your father is the king?" Gerchen asked unbelieving.
Legolas couldn't keep the smile from his lips. "Yes, and he isn't very fond of humans either."
Gerchen stared wide-eyed at this new information. He was shocked that all this time he had held an elf prince and had not realized it. He lowered his head in defeat and Elladan pulled the man to his knees.
"We should restrain him in the dungeons until we are ready to leave."
Elladan suggested.
Legolas nodded. "My father will give him what he deserves."
Suddenly the expression on Gerchen's face hardened as he looked up.
"Your father will not have the opportunity to judge me, Prince!" Gerchen exclaimed.
I looked down at him. To my shock, the slaver suddenly pulled out a hidden knife and plunged in into his own chest.
"Better to die...at my own hand..." Gerchen whispered. "Than to be executed...by your king..."
With that, he fell to the ground. Elladan knelt and checked for a pulse. He shook his head, as he found none.
I looked at Legolas. Anger flashed into his eyes. "Legolas?" I questioned.
"He did not deserve an easy death." Legolas muttered.
I put a hand on his shoulder. I could not imagine the pain that Gerchen had put Legolas through for Legolas to have no pity on him. I did not blame him though and I wished I could ease his pain some how.
"At least, he can torment no one else now. You are free Legolas. We can return home." I comforted.
Legolas looked up at me. Relief flooded over his face. He nodded with a smile. "Yes, Estel. Let us head home."