Hi everyone! This is the last update before the Thanksgiving holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Chapter 18--Ship of Fate

Jaisia woke from a restless sleep and her first fault was what a horrible nightmare she'd had. It was then she felt the ship move under. Tears filled her eyes as she realized that her tribe had really been attacked. She fought them back and looked down at Legolas. The Elf was deep in healing sleep. The leader of the raiders had known what was wrong and had given Legolas the antidote. The fever had broken soon after. Thirty other Centaurs were chained in the hold as well as Human captives. She wondered if any of her clan had escaped. Legolas suddenly stirred, drawing Jaisia's attention to him. She was relieved to see his eyes were open and aware.

"Jaisia, what happened?" Legolas asked hoarsely.

Jaisia wished she could give him some water, but there was none. She told him everything that had happened.

"I am sorry, Jaisia," Legolas whispered.

"It is alright, Legolas, just rest. You have been sick," Jaisia soothed, stroking his hair.

"Where is Kai?" Legolas asked, fighting reverie.

"He was hurt bad, but he is still alive. I can feel him through our soul bond," Jaisia replied. "Now rest, you still are not completely recovered and you will need your strength." She began to sing softly in Elvish. She was glad to see him slip back into reverie.

An hour or so later two men walked down the ramp into the hold and walked along the row of captives. One of them was the leader of the raiders.

Jaisia pulled Legolas closer to her protectively and glared at them.

Xavier smirked at her then studied Legolas, noticing his eyes were open. "It looks like the antidote worked," he said. "That is good. I hate to lose money." He reached out to touch Legolas.

Jaisia pulled back, taking Legolas with her. "Do not touch him!" she snarled. "Leave us alone!"

Xavier's eyes hardened and turned cold. "We must work on teaching you the proper attitude for a slave. You have no rights," he said ominously.

"I have the right to kick your teeth in if you do not get away!" Jaisia snarled.

"We will see," Xavier said. The two men walked off.

Jaisia hugged Legolas closer to her. "Do not worry, little bother. I will protect you," Jaisia whispered. "I will not let anyone hurt you if I can help it." She closed her eyes and fell asleep herself.

Meanwhile

Aragorn sat back with an exhausted, but relieved sigh. It had not been an easy battle, but he had succeeded. Kai would survive, but he grieved for the many Centaurs that had been lost. He wondered if any had escaped the slaughter.

It was a bad night for all that had escorted Aragorn and the scout back. They spent most of it digging graves and laying the dead Centaurs to rest. At dawn movement caught Aragorn�s attention. His sword was all ready in his hand before he could see who was coming.

What a horrid thing! Terrible, awful plot bunnies! R/R please!