Thanks for all your kind reviews everyone! It's deeply appreciated! Here's more for you. I hope that you continue to enjoy….
Chapter 5--Betrayed
Legolas walked slowly back towards the inn about an hour before dusk, reluctant to go back. When he entered the inn Darren was talking to two Human men.
"So you are finally back," Darren said.
"I am not late returning," Legolas pointed out.
"But you made these two gentlemen wait when they are most eager to meet you," Darren said, gesturing to them.
The two men turned towards him and smiled.
Warning clamored through Legolas's mind. Something wasn't right about this. He took a step back towards the door, only to bump into a third man who had entered the inn behind him.
"So where are you going, little one?" the man asked.
Legolas went for the knife, but his wrist was seized and the knife snatched away before he could grasp it.
"Now, now, would not want you to hurt yourself," the man sneered.
One of the men handed Darren a sack. "Thank you, innkeeper, a pleasure to do business with you," he said.
"My pleasure, sir and thank you," Darren said.
"You sold me to them? You miserable bastard!" Legolas snarled.
"Nothing personal, Elf," Darren sneered and turned away.
The other two men left the bar and walked over to him.
Legolas struggled as his hands were pulled behind his back and bound, but he couldn't fight off three of them and was quickly overpowered. He was dragged out of the door despite his struggles and protests.
A fourth man waited with the group's horses and the men quickly mounted. "Give him here!" one of the men ordered.
Legolas was hefted onto the the man's horse like a sack of flour. It was humiliating as well as uncomfortable.
At the man's command the Humans rode out of the town, heading south.
Legolas slumped, accepting that there was no way for him to escape right now, but he would watch and when a chance came he would be ready. He didn't know why the men had wanted him, but he was sure he wouldn't like the reason.
They only traveled for three hours before it got too dark for them to continue, which suited Legolas fine. He was aching all over from the uncomfortable position he was in.
The men dismounted and Legolas was pulled from the horse roughly. The man shoved him to another that looked like some sort of soldier. "Make sure my gift is well-secured," he ordered.
"Yes Lord Dalton," the guard said. He dragged Legolas to the side and shoved him to the ground under a tree and bound his ankles tightly. "That should hold you," he said. He walked away towards the others.
Legolas took the chance to study all four of his captors. Three looked like soldiers, probably the fourth man's escort since he was some sort of Lord. The only question left was whose gift as the noble had said was he supposed to be. That worried him.
One of the soldier's brought over food when it was ready, but had to feed Legolas because he was not allowed to free the Elf's hands.
Legolas forced himself to endure the humiliating procedure. He needed to eat and keep up his strength, so he could be ready to escape when a chance showed itself.
Eventually all the men were settled down to sleep except for the one chosen to stand the first watch.
Legolas tried to free himself from his bonds for a while before giving it up as a lost cause. He forced himself to relax and eventually slipped into reverie.
Morning came and the men prepared to leave. This time Legolas was allowed to ride upright, which was at least a bit more dignified and comfortable, but this time he shared one of the soldiers' horses instead of the Lord's mount. They rode at a swift pace, still heading for the north….
Looks like Aragorn and the twins will arrive too late, too bad! Evil Snicker R/R please!