Sigh, I wish my plot bunnies would stop taking unplanned vacations. It messes me up and messes my schedule up.
Chapter 14--Rescue Party
For the first time since her mate's death Isolanthe appeared as the chieftain's mate. She gestured to several centaurs that served as guards. "Take my son and his accomplices away then gather a war party. My son has been taken and we must go to his aid immediately. Send a message to King Aragorn as well. He deserves to be informed," she ordered.
Centaurs scattered in all directions to follow Isolanthe's orders. She turned to Jaisia and Kai. "Do not worry, we will find him," she said.
An hour later a party of twelve Centaurs were gathered and ready to go and of course Jaisia and Kai were among them. Isolanthe nodded in satisfaction. "Find my son and return him to his family. Go!" she ordered.
"We will find him, chieftess," one of the Centaurs said and they group headed out of the village at a gallop. Unfortunately it soon got to dark to see any signs and they were forced to stop.
"We cannot afford to waste time! I do not want my little brother harmed!" Jaisia said.
"We will leave at first light, traveling at night is not safe. Someone could get hurt," the Centaur in charge said.
Jaisia just nodded miserable, knowing he was right. "I understand Hyden," she said. It would be a long night.
Meanwhile
Legolas could hear the Human's loud snores as he slept and knew it was time to make his escape before it was to late. The herbal potion worried him and he didn't want to be given more of it. He squirmed and wiggled his way to the wall and managed to struggle into a sitting position. The Human continued to sleep. Legolas began rubbing the ropes against a sharp spur of rock. He had seen a key tied on the Human's belt that he thought would unlock the chain.
Hours passed and Legolas began to fear that all his efforts were for nothing when the rope snapped. Wincing a bit because of sore muscles Legolas brought his hands in front of him and rubbed the chafed skin to sooth it. He crawled cautiously towards the Human and reached for the key then barely refrained from cursing. The key was scarcely a half-inch out of his reach. Please, valor, do not do this to me, he thought. He stretched as far as he could, ignoring the pain of the chain biting into his wrist then he had it! Legolas freed the key and backed off, watching the Human warily, but the snores continued unabated. He quickly freed himself and headed for the cave opening. He was almost there when the snores stopped. He cursed and bolted.
"Hey! Come back here! Damn you!" Nero yelled.
Legolas completely ignored him and kept going. Once he was outside he would disappear into the night and no Human would be able to find him. He heard a strange hissing sound that seemed vaguely familiar, but ignored it. Suddenly something tangled around his legs. He fell heavily to the stone. Looking down he saw a bola tangled around his ankles. He grabbed for it, even though he knew he'd never get it off before the Human reached him.
Nero reached him and seized his wrists, dragging him to his feet. "Nice try, little one, you almost made it. Of course your actions have consequences," he said. He dragged Legolas back to where he'd been chained and shoved him roughly to the floor. He rummaged in a pile of gear and pulled out another set of shackles. Returning to Legolas, he yanked his hands behind his back and chained them tightly.
Legolas hissed in pain as the cruel metal bonds bit into his wrists.
"Hurt? Believe me that will not be the worst of it though the punishment will be milder then it could be because this is only your first attempt," Nero promised. He returned to his gear and came back with a short, thick whip. He thrashed Legolas brutally until the pain sent him into blackness.
Nasty ##&&$ isn't he? Hopefully Jaisia will reach Legolas soon. R/R please! Also thanks to those that offered condolences on the loss of Dusty. Namarie!