Another long one, but you guys deserve every bit of it!….

Into the Labyrinth

Author: Mirfaen

*Chapter 18: Dangerous Plans*

Vahlia walked swiftly down a corridor that led to the fighter cells, her soft footfalls echoing faintly behind her. Her pace quickened when she rounded a corner and saw that two of her undercover guards were on duty.

Her heart relaxed slightly with relief as she met their eyes and a silent communication passed between them. The two guards nodded quickly and stepped aside to let her through.

Inside the fighters' stone passageway now, she broke into a run as she passed cell after cell, her heart tightening again as she thought of the reason why she was there. Her long dark hair and crimson gown billowed behind her in her haste. She slowed her dash upon reaching the end of the hallway and coming up to the last two cells.

She came abruptly face to face with the large dark eyes of the elf and for a long moment they stood staring silently at each other through his barred doorway. Without a word, she turned around and saw the young man lying on the floor of his room. She crouched outside the bars of his doorway.

"Furnerain?" She called softly, watching closely for any sign of response. He didn't move and she called his name again. This time he made a small noise and shifted. Moment's later, groggy blue eyes blinked open and looked up at her.

"Is something wrong?" He croaked, his voice somewhat hoarse, as he pulled himself into a sitting position.

"Many things are wrong, Furnerain," she replied. "But that is not why I am here. How do you fair?"

"I am well," he answered immediately as though she should have known better. A touch of black could be seen under one eye and his face was flushed. "I always sleep on stone floors."

"I doubt that," she said with a slight laugh. She rose and turned to look at the elf again.

He had not moved a muscle and she felt strangely fearful of him. Not a fear of harm, but rather a sort of awe and wonder of the unknown. She was literally gazing upon a fairytale figure, for that is how elves were regarded in Rahma.

Her eyes ran quickly over his bare shoulders and the blood-crusted claw marks that began on his left shoulder and went down his back. The surrounding skin was raised and tinted an angry red. Her eyes rose to his again and his eyebrows knit together.

"I am sorry," was all she could think to say, for she knew why the Lavi Brothers had not tended the injury or even given him another shirt. He said nothing and she turned back to the young man, who had gotten to his feet but stood gingerly with a hand gripping his middle.

"Has anyone come for you?" she asked and he shook his head.

"They will surely send a healer for you, but if they have not yet then I will try to send one of my girls. I'll have her bring enough supplies for both of you, though she will not be able to go inside your stall," she said, turning back to Legolas. He nodded silently, the first response she had gotten from him, and she felt encouraged by it.

"Has Kenan made his run?" Legolas asked suddenly and she nodded quickly, a smile forming on her lips as she was reminded of the success.

"Yes! He made it out and back without a hint of suspicion from Alymar or Amadeo. He found your friend Isorfinduil but was not able to reach Commander Busker."

The elf's eyes flared to life at the mention of his friend's name and he stepped forward, waiting to hear more. The young man's head lifted as well.

"Kenan told Isorfinduil to meet him three nights from now outside the Sleeping Demon. He also asked him to tell Cadell what is happening."

"Is that wise? Meeting him at the Sleeping Demon?" Legolas inquired solemnly, resting a hand distractedly on one the bars on his door. "It is too close to The Labyrinth."

"It will be dangerous, I will not lie. It will be hard for Kenan to get out without being seen. But it is a risk we must take. The outside world must know where The Labyrinth is and we need to get all of you out as soon as we can."

Vahlia's eyes came to rest on Aragorn and she noticed him gently rubbing his stomach. She looked back at Legolas and then her gaze dropped.

"I am so sorry you have to be a part of this. Too many years has this gone on and too many good men have I seen die by their hand. They must be stopped, but," her voice hitched as she became suddenly overwhelmed. She quickly calmed herself before continuing, "I'm beginning to wonder whether such a thing is possible."

"Don't say that, darlin'," Seon said softly from his room next to Aragorn's. "Just look around yourself at what you've done here already. You have nearly a third of the guards and workers going against the Brothers and the rest love you like a sister anyhow. You've gotten Kenan in touch with the other elf, which means Cadell will most likely know about it by tomorrow. But even more, you've given us fighters hope. Without your work here we would be sorry lot indeed."

Vahlia said nothing, but her eyes were glistening with unshed tears. She shook her head dismally. "I just want it to be over. You all are suffering far too much...it is taking too long. So much deception. So much death and despair."

"But it's coming to an end," Seon replied, and Aragorn nodded slightly. Legolas had gone out of her sight to sit on his bed.

Echoing voices reached their ears then and Vahlia's head whipped around, her eyes large and anxious as she gazed back at the entrance of the passageway. The two guards were speaking with a medic, who seemed to be trying to get through. Vahlia instantly schooled her features and ran a hand under her wet eyes.

"She is not one of mine," she whispered.

Legolas appeared again at this doorway, hugging his arms to him. "Do not lose sight of what must be done," he said in a low voice, and his torch-lit eyes seemed to see into her soul. "You have come too far to doubt yourself now."

She looked at him before nodding in gratitude and then she stepped toward him quickly. "I must warn you before I go. Amadeo, he is...he is very angry right now, because of the warg. Underneath I see he is afraid of you," she spoke now in a low, rushed voice. She knew her guards could not delay the healer for much longer. "But the fear gives way to his anger and he is not through unleashing it yet."

Legolas had looked away while she spoke, but now he glanced back at her and gave her a single nod of thanks. It didn't seem as though he was overly surprised to hear it. Vahlia stepped back then and with a sigh, she nodded a farewell to them and turned, walking with quick, sure steps back to the entrance.

Legolas stood where he was, listening to her retreating steps and the words that were being exchanged between the two guards and the now frustrated medic.

"Let her through," Vahlia's voice echoed back lightly. "I was just following up with the job the Brothers did on the new kid. Sometimes they open up to me after Amadeo and Alymar are through with them. Didn't work this time."

**

"Now this is more like it," Juda Busker smiled as she surveyed her work.

A table had been set up in a back hallway of The Stone Troll with platters of food scattered about on top and candles burning nearby.

"It is quite lovely," Elrohir replied next to her with a small smile. He reached a hand up to scratch at his black hair as he turned to the plump woman. "You are sure you will not lose business by shutting down the inn for a night?"

"Oh don't worry about that, dearie," she chuckled and waved a hand at him. "Business is booming these days, one night won't make or break us. My husband knows I have my reasons for doing things. I only wish we could eat out in the main room instead of cramming in back here. But I suppose we shouldn't risk the other guests coming down in the middle of a conversation."

Elrohir smiled amiably again. "It is quite wonderful the way we have it, you needn't worry about that."

"Why thank you, dear, and thank you for helping me move the table," she said and moved her hand to smooth out a wrinkle in the tablecloth. "Now when are the others arriving?"

"They should be here already, actually."

Even as he spoke, they heard the creak of the front door and voices going in the other room.

"…were you planning on informing me of this, may I ask?" Elladan was saying.

"I'm not going to tell you every move I make, Elladan," came Isorfindiul's voice.

"Are you in complete disregard of your own safety? Not only that, but the safety of everyone involved?"

"This is a small matter, Elladan, let it go…"

"That's just the attitude that will get you caught one of these days! And then our cover will be blown and the whole operation will be shot. You should have had me go with you, I wasn't doing anything. Actually, I should have gone instead of you. At least then I wouldn't have to put up with your mouth for two hours."

Elladan and Isorfinduil both rounded the corner just then and behind them came a silent Cadell and another soldier. The latter two had wide eyes and seemed relieved to arrive in the company of Juda and Elrohir. Elrohir shook his head and glared at his brother and Isorfinduil but said nothing.

"Don't give me that look without knowing the story, brother," Elladan said indignantly. "Isorfinduil went alone to get Cadell and Elam."

"Stop going alone, Isor…" Elrohir droned and the others got a distinct impression that he had said it many times before.

"I am not a child who might stray down the wrong road." Isorfinduil replied in frustration, absent-mindedly running a hand over the top of the blue bandana on his head.

"Truly?" Elladan asked, and received a deadly glare in return.

"No, you are an elf with a knack for getting into fights who is being hunted by two separate gangs, that's what you are." Elrohir snapped.

Cadell and Elam's eyes flew even wider and Elam took a stunned step back. Juda began to chuckle and she bustled over to them. "Nothing to be afraid about of, boys. Elves are just like us, only…much different…"

"Elrohir!" Isorfinduil stared at his friend with the look of betrayal written over his fair features.

"We were going to tell them anyway," Elladan said with slight impatience.

Elrohir nodded. "That's what this dinner was for. Or at least partially."

Isorfinduil searched Elrohir's eyes for a moment and then his features relaxed slightly. Turning back to the others, they found that Cadell and Elam had not moved but stood as though their feet were rooted to the spot.

After the initial shock wore off for the commander and his lieutenant and they became somewhat more comfortable with the thought of dining with mythical creatures, Juda hustled them all to their chairs and began passing plates around. The three Elves seemed reluctant to eat, as though they had lost their appetites, but nonetheless they took hearty helpings and were sure to thank Juda.

**

Legolas stood uncertainly in the center of his cell and stared hard at a new blue sleeveless shirt that lay on his bed. The medic had tossed it into his room without a word right before leaving the fighters' hallway. Aragorn had asked the healer multiple times to see to Legolas or at least give him some of her ointments and bandages, but she hadn't said a single word in return. There was not much that she had been able to do for Aragorn as it was, save for a cream that was to be rubbed over his skin and would ease the ache.

Now Legolas moved his shoulder up and down, testing his injury and eyeing the simple shirt on his cot as though it had been sprinkled with poison. The tears in his skin were sore to be sure; had he been under normal circumstances and had the wounds been tended to earlier, they would have by this time closed nicely and be well on their way to healing. But now the skin around the claw lines was bright red and flushed. Laying a hand gently on his tender shoulder, he felt heat radiating and there were small, nearly invisible bits of fuzz dried into it from the floor rug.

**

"Are you completely out of your mind?!"

"Thank you for your concern, but no, I don't believe I am."

"Why didn't you tell us this earlier?!" Elladan's eyes were raging.

"It only happened yesterday!" Isorfinduil returned quickly.

"That is a whole day ago!"

The rest of the table was quiet, watching the two go at it once again. Elrohir's eyes were dark, but he didn't say anything.

"By the Valar, you are so smart! I don't believe I would have known that if you hadn't told me just now."

Elladan flew to his feet, the chair clattering onto the floor behind him and he towered down on the younger Elf. "Don't give me that! You don't even realize what could have happened in one day. They could have found you, and then where would we be? We would be back here clueless and at square one and you would be off to wherever Aragorn and Legolas are!"

Isorfinduil's eyes flashed and his face was hard but to the surprise of all, he remained seated. "All right. Perhaps I should have told you and Elrohir earlier. I apologize."

The room was stonily silent for a long moment as Elladan stared down at Isorfinduil, visibly seething. Then he closed his eyes and seemed to shake himself out of it. His face and body relaxed. Elrohir too seemed to let out a sigh and his shoulders dropped ever so slightly. He laid a hand on his forehead as though it pained him.

"Tell us more about this encounter, Isorfinduil," Cadell said suddenly, and they all turned and stared at him for a moment.

"I didn't believe Kenan at first," Isorfinduil said, and took his wineglass in his hand, swirling the contents around. "I thought it might have been a trick by Jase to trap me in the barn. But then he told me of Legolas and I knew he was being honest."

Elladan had silently righted his chair and was sitting down again. Isorfinduil continued to talk of his meeting with Kenan but as he spoke, he caught a strange exchange between the twins. Elladan's eyes had drawn to his brother and they stared at each other. Elrohir's eyes were deep and knowing and he gave a slight nod. Elladan returned the nod but his eyes were sorrowful and he looked away.

"…I got the impression that I should go alone. He left immediately after that." Isorfinduil finished and his eyes flicked back to the twins, who appeared as though nothing had happened. He narrowed his eyes at them.

Simultaneously the Elf twins raised their eyebrows at Isorfinduil's scowl and for the first time he was hit with how utterly similar they were.

**

Aragorn was resting on his stomach on his bed, feeling the cool sensation of the healing cream on his skin when he heard distant voices coming from the large chamber room just beyond his cell. Even through the wood of his walls, he recognized the voices of Alymar and Amadeo Lavi. Alymar's melodious voice was smooth and confidant, broken from time to time by the deep undertone of Amadeo.

Aragorn rose from his cot and eased up to look into the echoing fighting arena. It was completely empty except for the Lavi twins, who, to his surprise, were standing in the middle of the stone pit and drawing their weapons. They had removed their outer cloaks and were now in the shining green and red sleeveless shirts and black pants.

"Legolas," he said softly.

Alymar, in typical green, had drawn a large, formidable looking sword from his side and swung it before himself several times, allowing his wrist to twist and move with the blade. Amadeo had taken the nunchuks from his belt and was running his hand over the connecting chain, checking it for kinks. Then he moved his arm slightly and swung the the nunchuk in the air. It immediately became a rapidly spinning discus over his head, whirring with each rotation. The other nunchuk appeared in his other hand, circling close to his side.

"Legolas!"

Across the hall, Legolas tugged gently at the blue shirt again, attempting to pull it down over his head with as little pain as possible. It was a difficult task, the fibers of the cloth catching on the tears in his back and dragging them downward. Legolas sighed, being half in his shirt and half out. Then, with one last frustrated, painful tug, he yanked the shirt all the way on and then quickly pressed his heated back up against the cool wood paneling of the wall.

"Legolas?"

"Yes?" He quickly answered and just then, the sound of distant metal clanging reached his ears. He had heard it for several moments but it just now registered.

"Look in the fighting pit."

Legolas was loath to leave the cold wall that was providing some comfort for his aching and burning back, but he nonetheless he moved over to his bed and looked out into the chamber. In the pit was Alymar and Amadeo, circling and slashing at each other in a blur of rapid movements. Their technique was nearly flawless. Had Legolas not known better, he would have considered them as Elves upon first glance. Their movements were fluid and graceful yet at the same time vicious and powerful.

Legolas had seen wielders of nunchuks before and was highly impressed with the skill with which Amadeo swung his own over and around his head, attacking his twin first with one hand, then with the other while constantly keeping the weapons moving.

**

"It would be much safer for you to go with several others. I could arrange for some of my more stealthy soldiers to accompany you." Cadell offered hopefully.

Isorfinduil immediately began shaking his head. "That would be far too suspicious. They have spies all around town and a group of soldiers would be reported much sooner than just a wandering loner. Anyway, Kenan might get scared off and think I had betrayed him."

"But what if he's betraying you?" Elrohir asked. "He could have just told you all that so that you would believe him and go there alone."

"I don't think so," Isorfinduil replied. "I was alone when he first found me. If he was betraying me he could have done so then."

"Unless he was told to bring you closer to their headquarters so that a capture could be done more quickly and quietly." Cadell said and Elladan gave him an approving glance.

Isorfinduil was silent. He had taken his bandana off earlier and he scratched the tip of his pointed ear as he thought. "But why would he tell me so much about the Labyrinth and then wait three days to meet with me again? If he was doing this merely to bring me in, I don't think he would give me the time to tell all you about it."

"He could have been lying to you," Elladan said simply. "He didn't tell you where it was located, did he? So he has told you nothing yet."

"No, I think he was telling me the truth," Isorfinduil sustained, not wanting to believe otherwise. "But I will allow that there is a fifty-fifty chance that he was lying. Even so, would we give up what chance we have of saving Legolas and Aragorn? We just can't pass that chance up. I have to go."

"Then take some soldiers with you," Elam suggested.

This time Elrohir shook his head. "They can't be in plain sight with him. If he goes with a troop of soldiers around him, no one will show to meet him. But I agree that you should not go alone. Elladan and I will follow you at a distance and hide in the trees to the side of the Sleeping Demon."

"No, no," Isorfinduil said, shaking his head again. "As far as we know, you two are still unknown to them. You must remain that way. If I am taken and you are seen, they will hunt you down as well."

"You are not going there alone." Elladan said quietly but firmly. He was looking distractedly at the wineglass in his hand.

"I quite agree," Juda put in suddenly. "This is dangerous business and these are dangerous people you're dealing with."

The table was quiet for several minutes. Isorfinduil stared at the candle flickering on the table before him. Then his eyes rose and he looked steadily at Elrohir before turning to the Commander.

"Cadell," he began, "would your soldiers be able to follow me at a distance and then hide nearby as the twins would have?"

The Commander's face lit up. "Yes, they could!"

"Only a few. Not many."

"Yes. I know just the ones to do it."

"I will stop by your headquarters on my way there."

**

Aragorn was immersed in watching the battle in the pit. Alymar's use of his sword was accomplished and deft but at the same time had a strange foreign flare to it. Some movements Aragorn had never seen used before and it was fascinating to watch.

Even more interesting to see was the nunchuks in action. His eyes could hardly follow the whizzing flashes of the weapon. Amadeo held one of two metal rods that were attached by a length of hefty chain in each hand and seemed to have each of his future attacks planned out in his mind.

Alymar's large sword glanced off the spinning discus' of the nunchuks time after time and the green twin seemed hard pressed to find an opening with which to attack his brother.

**

"What do you think of it, Elrohir? Were they honest men?" Cadell asked the younger twin a little later. The dinner table had been cleared off and they continued to as the night wore on.

Elrohir let out a long, somewhat weary breath and shook his dark head. He had taken his hat off as well and welcomed being free of it for a time. "I think not. They shared too many glances when they thought I wasn't looking. I felt nothing but deception when I was near them."

"Could you tell what they were after?" Isorfinduil asked, watching Elrohir intently.

"Not exactly," Elrohir replied. "I know they wanted me to take the bait on whatever they meant by the 'hook up.' They perked up when I said I was a trained swordsmaster."

"Perhaps they are with The Labyrinth and their job is to recruit new fighters. Although recruit is most likely the wrong word to use."

"I think I should take them up on it," Elrohir said thoughtfully.

"No way," Elladan immediately said. "Just let it be. They left you alone and I think we should keep it that way."

"We don't know how long they'll leave me alone though."

"You think they'll come after you too now?" Cadell asked.

"Perhaps. I'm just saying we can't be sure. They were quick enough to 'recruit' Legolas and Aragorn." He returned bitterly.

"Yes but they probably just got tangled where they shouldn't have been and got caught." Elladan replied. "For them they had no choice to back out. But with you, we do have a choice."

"It's for them that I am risking it. Just as Isor is."

**

Amadeo backed up a quick step in order to adjust his grip on the nunchuk's metal rods. Almost instantly he was moving back in, his eyes trained on his twin's body, watching for twitches and tightening of the muscles that would give away his next move.

He felt the power of the heavy metal and chains that swung in his hands and he absorbed it into his own body. He felt the power of his arms as they moved and the strength of his legs as they brought him toward his opponent. His mind was focused on his goal.

The fury that he felt was building inside him. Every angry thought that entered his mind was quickly stored up and bottled. He would not let his anger be released on his twin, one of the few people who really understood him. It would be saved for another.

**

"Then it is settled," Cadell leaned back in his chair with a final air. "Isorfinduil will meet Kenan but not without stopping at headquarters first so that my soldiers can follow him. And Elrohir, you are going to find the son of that bartender and get the hook up with Lanin and Rabonu. If you are still insistent, that is."

Elrohir just nodded slightly. "Even if they aren't with The Labyrinth, they still need to be brought to justice. Especially after what you said about Rabo being the leader of a gang."

Cadell nodded his blond, curly head. "A large one. Rabo and Jase have been long time enemies."

"Won't that be interesting if Jase finds out that the "pretty boy" is joining up with his rival?" Isorfinduil said with a short laugh.

He suddenly found himself at the receiving end of two equally dark glares.

"You must remember, I'm not the pretty boy," Elrohir said firmly. "That's Elladan. I just happen to look exactly like him."

**

A huge apology to everyone for the terribly long time it took me to spit this out. I realize it's been several months, and I'm so sorry for that! The past month has been the worst I have ever had, work-wise at least.

I am going away for a week starting next Wednesday but I don't think it will interfere with the next chapter. I haven't decided whether to do Opposition Upon Meeting next or the next chapter of Labyrinth. I'll see what mood I'm in.

A big thanks to all my reviewers! I love getting all your reviews! Unfortunately the responses will have to be short and sweet this time:

Elenillor – I agree about the Elrond thing! That's so right! :) Thanks so much for being so specific, I love that!

Leggylover03 – Glad you liked it, you'll just have to wait and see!

Lady of Nimrodel – Thank you so much for all you said! I hope you continue to enjoy it! But don't let me deprive you of sleep!! :)

Tithen Min – Thank you! Happy New Year to you too! (Wow, I took that long??)

Niani – Sorry I made you wait so long this time too! I hope you still like it!

ASL – Thanks so much! I'm glad you're sticking with me! Yeah, I hoped the rug part would get to you guys…:)

Lokinvia – I'm glad you like it! Thank you! Excitement….eee! Even I'm excited!

Libby – Ouch, sounds like you had a rough time with a heel thing. I hope it healed okay! Thanks for the review, I'm glad you're liking it!

Trin – Haha! Well there you go! Just for you! (And several other people, I guess…) I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Cosmic Castaway – Haha, yeah, Legolas – Achillies' long lost brother! I'm so happy you like it, and thank you so much for the review!

Bookworm, .303 – I'm glad you like it! Thank you so much for the review!

**

Until next time, all! Which will not be quite so long, I assure you!

Mirfaen