Chapter 9: Running
You could have flown away
A singing bird
In an open cage
Who will only fly
Only fly for freedom
Ceslon jerked his head up at the sound of Legolas' voice and nodded. "How are we going to leave? You only have one horse, which will carry you and Estel. How will I get out?"
Legolas shook his head. "You said you are from Bree, correct?"
Ceslon nodded. "Yes, but my family no longer lives there. They were sold as slaves as well. My wife and our baby daughter live in the city. She came here hoping she would be able to buy my freedom, only didn't have enough money. She works there, hoping to raise enough to buy me."
"The city is not far; take my horse with Estel and I will meet you in the city," Legolas said to him. "You will be able to find your wife and I will continue on my way with Estel."
Ceslon looked gratefully at Legolas. "Oh, thank you!"
Legolas nodded gravely. "When you find your wife, you must run. Lord Nelkoo will want to find you, it would be best if you three left the city completely."
"We will, it wouldn't be safe to linger," Ceslon replied, serious.
"We must go; I will help you settle Estel on the horse," Legolas told him. Ceslon nodded but Legolas didn't see him. His attention was fixed on his friend and his beaten body. "We are leaving now, Estel," He whispered.
Aragorn's eyes opened slightly and he smiled. Lifting a hand he gently touched his friend's cheek. "You did well dressing like a human. Hopefully you will be able to get rid of that haughty gait." His voice was barely above a whisper since he had screamed himself hoarse. It hurt him to speak, but he needed to say something to his friend.
Legolas had to smile at the remark, but he was still incredibly worried about his friend's wellbeing. "Rest, mellon-nin, your body needs to save energy. We have a long run ahead of us, if you would like to be free again."
Aragorn closed his eyes and fell back into a deep sleep.
Legolas picked his friend up as gently as possible but he still noted how Aragorn arched his body, trying to escape the pain, even in sleep. He walked from the room with Ceslon at his heels.
"No one walks these halls at night. Even the slaves and servants are too tired to leave their rooms. The guards don't bother; we know the punishment for being out of our rooms at night," Ceslon said quietly in Legolas' ear.
Legolas nodded and slipped into the stables. He went to his horse's stall and, with much fumbling of the latch, opened the door to let her out.
Deçwen snorted when Legolas let her out and quickly tacked her up. She could smell Aragorn and was nosing around looking for her rider. She loved Aragorn - he was a good master.
"Hush, Deçwen," Legolas soothed. He turned to Ceslon. "Alright, mount her."
Ceslon looked at Legolas as if the elf were crazy. "How? There ain't any saddle!"
Legolas sighed and quickly led Deçwen near the edge of the stable so that Ceslon could use a block. "Are you settled?" he asked.
"Yeah," Ceslon replied. He had been raised around horses, and was quite good with them.
Legolas nodded. "Hold Estel tightly," he commanded softly. He gently lifted Aragorn onto Deçwen's back so that Ceslon could get a hold on him. "Ride quickly. I shall meet you in the city near the gates. Wait for me."
Ceslon nodded and turned Deçwen while he held Aragorn tightly.
Legolas didn't want to trust the slave with his best friend, but he knew he had to. It was the only way to help Aragorn and free Ceslon. Sighing, Legolas began the two-mile run to the city.
- - - - -
Elladan and Elrohir had been riding for three days. They were both incredibly worried about their younger brother and their friend Legolas.
"'Ro!" Elladan called to his brother. "'Ro, we are nearing the camp."
Elrohir nodded. "I know. I too can see the fires."
There was rustling behind them and a man no older than twenty stepped from the shadows.
"How may we help you?" the youth inquired, tired.
Elladan raised an eyebrow at his twin, who raised one in return.
"We are here to speak with Halbarad," Elrohir answered quickly. He decided that Elladan would snap at the youth if he had answered.
"Who shall I tell him you are?" he asked.
"He knows who we are," Elladan snapped.
"Hush, 'Dan," Elrohir scolded.
The youth gave a wry grin and nodded his head. "I will take you to our camp."
"Thank you," Elladan muttered, irritated.
When they entered the Ranger camp Halbarad was there to greet them.
"Elladan. Elrohir. How good to see you. What can I do for you?" he asked the twins in Elvish.
"Have you seen our brother?" Elrohir asked.
Halbarad shook his head, confused. "No. Not recently."
"Do you know where he might be?" Elladan asked. His worry was mounting. If Halbarad didn't know where Estel was, then things could not be good.
"No. I'm sorry. The last I heard he was in Bree," Halbarad replied. He felt bad that he could not supply the twins with more information.
Elladan nodded mutely before he turned his horse out of the camp and rode off.
Elrohir, making apologies, wasn't far behind.
- - - - -
Ceslon reached the city gates and hid in the shadows while he waited for Legolas. He looked down at Estel. He had watched this Ranger so many times and had never gotten up the courage to talk to him because he was a Ranger. "I'm sorry, Estel."
Estel barely heard him. He didn't understand what Ceslon was apologizing for anyway. "I just want…" He paused for a breath. "I just wanted to thank you for…for helping me." He closed his eyes and let darkness embrace him. It was darkness' cold embrace, but it was the only comfort that Estel had left.
Ceslon looked out from the shadows and nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw Legolas running towards them. "It didn't take you all that long," Ceslon commented. He was amazed. "Er…yer glowin', Legolas."
"I know," he replied absently. "How's Estel?" He was checking the man worriedly. He didn't want his friend to die and he didn't want infection to settle in.
"I don't know," Ceslon said. "I think he is no better than he was before. I'm sorry I can't help you."
Legolas nodded. "You may go in the gates if you like. Find your family. Send word when you reach Bree with your family."
Ceslon looked at him, embarrassed. "I can't read or write."
Legolas sighed. "That does not matter. Find someone who will write it for you."
Ceslon nodded. "Thank you for helping me." He dismounted somewhat clumsily from the Deçwen's back and ran through the city gates just as they were closing for the night.
Legolas watched to make sure that Ceslon got in safely before he mounted Deçwen and rode off. He kept a protective arm around Aragorn while he held the reins in the other. It would take him a month of hard riding to reach Imladris. That was a month of hard riding he knew Aragorn could not handle. If he was lucky, he might make it there in a little over two months. "If I'm lucky," he whispered. "Please, Valar let me be lucky!"
- - - - -
Elladan and Elrohir arrived in Bree just as the sun was setting. As soon as they entered the gates they flicked their hoods up. They had ridden hard for two days, barely taking the time to rest.
Elladan rode over to a stable and quickly paid the hostler to keep his horse and Elrohir's for the next three hours. "Come."
Elrohir looked at his twin. "What's wrong, Elladan?"
"We're going into one of those foul places Estel likes to frequent when he gets information," he replied. He hated inns. Estel had taken him into one once, and it had been awful. He knew Elrohir hadn't been inside of one, and he felt bad about taking his twin into one of those places. It assaulted Elven senses.
"Oh," Elrohir replied. "Are they really as bad as you say?"
Elladan nodded. "Yes. Come."
Elrohir rolled his eyes and followed his twin into the Prancing Pony. As soon as he stepped into the door he froze. The sounds and smells were horrible. If Elladan hadn't lightly pulled him, he would have turned around and run out.
"Sorry, 'Ro," he mouthed. It hurt his senses as well, but he had known what to expect.
Elrohir nodded to his twin. "Let's just find a place to sit. If we're lucky, maybe we will hear talk of the Slave Trade."
"If we're lucky," Elladan whispered.
TBC…
So sorry about no reviewer responses. isn't letting me into my review thing. ::growls:: I will review in the next chapter. Please review!! They make me feel so special. Once again, I am really sorry!!!
