(-)Chapter 7(-)

Aragorn froze, he could suddenly seem to hear the trees crying in their anguish, he slowly glanced down at the bloody sword in his hand. His gaze turned up towards the bloodied, pale elf hanging from the tree in front of him. He jolted in pain and anguish as the sight of all the blood and the screaming of the trees mingled and a bright light filled his entire vision. He stumbled forward slightly, his eyes flashing as they opened again. His gaze fell back to the sword in his hand and he growled, dimly recognizing the shining red blade as his own.

It would see the blood of only one other being today.

He turned slowly and turned his gaze up to meet Kelanus's eyes.

The wicked look of victory swiftly left the man's face when he saw the angered look in the other man's eyes.

"How dare you," Aragorn hissed, "try to make me kill my best friend."

Kelanus froze as he realized he had no other weapon with him. In his anger he had not thought to keep any weapons on him. The only other blade he had brought with him was embedded in the elf's stomach. The whip he had dropped next to him. He had another sword with him, why he had grabbed two, he did not know but he had, but it had been dropped on the other side of the clearing when he entered and found he had two.

Aragorn noted that as well and picked it up off the ground and tossed it to the man, "I will defeat you fairly."

Kelanus managed to catch it and he shook in fear, backing away from the man. He knew he could not beat him... but he would try, his eyes hardened and he took up an offensive stance.

Aragorn stood with the sword off to the side slightly, it shone an angry red in the new light, the blood dripping from it slowly, glittering before falling to the ground and mixing with the morning dew.

The two blades clashed angrily, suddenly, the metalic sound ringing in the clearing and drowning out the trees' anguished cries.

The blades seperated, both opponents being spattered by the blood being flicked off Aragorn's blade. The elven sword itself seemed angry at the elven blood that coated it. Although it seemed like a century had passed before the two blades locked again it had happened in all actuality in the blink of an eye. The next time they clashed seemed half that, the one that proceeded seemed more up to speed.

To anyone who entered the clearing that moment it would seem to them like a great blur of red, black, green and brown.

Instead of blocking the next shot as was expected of him, Aragorn dropped and pushed himself to the side, tripping the other man who's momentum which he had expected to be countered threw him forward and he landed on his stomach.

Kelanus spun around and was about to get up when he found a blade pressed against his chest, he knew this was it, but he just glared up at the man.

Aragorn glared down at him, "Only a stupid man, would try to kill the friend of the heir of Isildur," he hissed, his eyes flashing before the glinting blade was plunged into the slaver.

His mask dropped then and he fell to his knees, leaving his sword sticking out of the man. He grabbed the other sword, which stayed clean, if you ignored the blood spatters of the dead man and the elf, then sliced through the ropes. He carefully lowered the elf to the ground.

His gaze shot up as he heard someone approach, he knew at that moment he had to keep them thinking he was as he had been before or he would be tied up with his friends and they would have no chance of getting out of here. He pressed his back against a tree and put on a look of horror.

His gaze locked onto that of Sardyn's as he entered the clearing and his eyes widened in relief and hope. He was thrilled that the man was alright. He opened his mouth to say something but was cut off as the other eight men entered the clearing. He inwardly cursed them.

They all froze in horror at the bloody scene. In all truth it looked as though someone had come through with a group of orcs... complete with a troll. Blood coated everything. The men's gazes all seemed to fall on Aragorn simultaneously.

"I-it was the elf," Aragorn whimpered, before closing his eyes in pain, -I'm so sorry Legolas, it's the only way...-

The men glared at the unconscious elf.

Sardyn just glanced at Legolas in confusion, -There is no way the elf could have done this in that state... could he? It didn't add up. He was covered in cuts and stab wounds, yet the blade that Kelanus had apparently used seemed almost clean,- He shrugged, -something must have happened to make it work, Ruith is seemingly incapable of lieing.-

He glanced down at Kelanus in disgust but cocked his head to the side, he didn't expect this, the final look the man held was one of pure shock, horror and realization, and... sadness? He frowned.

"Ruith?" he sighed and shook his head, "go back to the camp, I wish to speak with you a moment okay?"

Aragorn nodded, inwardly nervous, wondering if the other had seen through his story. He actually wanted to tell him the truth, but so far he obviously hadn't been able to. He trusted him, he had always been a good judge of character, and he knew he could trust Sardyn.

He swiftly left the clearing and made his way to the camp, hoping to speak with his brothers. It wasn't to be though, for half the men followed him.

The twins and Nathil both started in shock and fear at the blood that spattered the man and the look of anguish on his face.

Sardyn entered the clearing slowly, carrying Legolas carefully and brought him over to where the other two elves and the human were tied.

Aragorn was at his side in the blink of an eye, making Sardyn jump and stare at him in surprise, wondering how he'd come upon him so quietly.

"Ruith," he sat back, "can you bring me hot water and bandages?"

Aragorn nodded and went off to do that. As the water was heating up he walked over and sat next to Sardyn.

"Uhm..." he shifted, trying to look nervous, "who... who is the new master now?"

Sardyn flinched and sighed, "Daranon."

"Oh," Aragorn frowned slightly, "what... is he going to do?"

The man sighed again, "He will go to the trading post."

"Oh. That is tomorrow isn't it?"

"Aye."

It's going to be a long day,- Aragorn sighed.

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

It had been a long day,- Aragorn thought to himself in annoyance.

Long, yes, yet he had not gotten the chance to speak with Sardyn and they had packed up and had been travelling all day. They had reached the slave trading post last night.

The three elves and the young human were tied up to seperate posts, Aragorn had been told to sit with them and stay there.

The only thing he could think of was the fact that it would be extremely easy to escape with all the people running about everywhere, getting their slaves out and chained or tied, ready to sell. Aragorn shook his head, how a person could sell another and feel no guilt about it was beyond him.

Legolas was breathing heavily, his eyes half closed, he tried his best to look fine but his body simply would not cooperate.

The twins just glared at anyone who dared even glance at them.

Nathil stood, trembling in fear and disgust.

Aragorn sat beside them all, keeping his scared, confused look, though it hurt his pride more than he'd admit, he knew it had to be done. He would have dropped the look, of course, if they weren't being watched by one of the men at all times.

During the duration of the day, the men were given many offers but they were either too low, or the fact that one of the elves had supposedly killed one of their 'masters' was found out, and they were turned down or just left.

Aragorn curled up on the ground and feigned sleep, finally able to be rid of the look he had to wear. He listened to each man that passed, knew when they slowed to look at them, heard all their offers. It disgusted him to no end, knowing that he was putting up with this. He paused, opening one eye just enough to see the man that approached. He held an air of importance, yet Aragorn could tell he was just a servant. This didn't look good. Daranon looked pleased.

The exchange was made and their bonds were cut, quickly being replaced with chains.

The servant eyed Aragorn, "Will this one need bonds?"

"Unlikely," Daranon sneered, "he'd do anything you ask of him. Pathetic one, him."

The servant shrugged, "Very well. Come."

Aragorn scrambled to his feet and quickly followed him, tossing one last, desperate look at Sardyn, who was sitting on a blanket, reading. His view of him, however, was quickly thwarted as they merged with the group of men and slaves and were surrounded.

They were just outside the small town, of sorts, when they were stopped by a voice.

The servant turned and frowned, the men who accompanied him, holding the elves and human's chains, paused.

A look of hope entered Aragorn's eyes when he caught the hooded form of his oddly found friend.

Sardyn slowed in front of the man, "This may seem odd, but I have been watching that one," he motioned to Aragorn, "his predicament has interested me for quite some time now and I've been curious to find out how it will go. Do you think your lord would mind if I came along and asked for a position in his household?"

The servant frowned, "I give you no promise, but I see not why you can't try."

"Thank you."

Aragorn shot him a nervous smile.

As soon as the other men's backs were turned Sardyn turned to Aragorn, "Are you okay?"

Aragorn caught the whisper easily and smiled slightly, "I'm... okay. I want to speak to-"

"We'll be there in about three hours, it really isn't that far off," the servent said suddenly, unknowingly cutting the man off.

Sardyn nodded, "You weren't given horses?"

"Yes. They are just past that hill there."

"Ah."

Aragorn sighed in annoyance, once they were on horseback he would have no chance to speak to Sardyn.

A/N

Elven Kitten: lol, I caved :)

sielge - lol, that's what will happen:P Points up lol, I hope you liked it :P

pippin the hobbit elf - XP that sux... lol, then you're friend is an odd one... oh yes... :P I'm glad you like Legolas and the twins... Blinx from which trip now:S lol, well then, I just might have to update more often... lol it's so annoying... stupid bell always rings when you're actually into what you're doing... -.-... lol shakes fist at school :P

Angel - Lol! Me? Evil? Never:P well maybe a little... :P O.o... yes... I'm sure everyone would be thrilled if I killed off Legolas... :P lol, (I say yes :P) lol, I don't think it's awful O.O, I'm glad for constructive criticism :D, if it helps you improve, there's nothing wrong with it :) Blinks innocently Sardyn's not an elf now:)

horsiegurl - Glad you like it:)

IwishChan - Lol, well he wouldn't see it that way! There would be no point in them fighting at all if that were the case! And then they wouldn't be fun to write when they're alone... :P lol (jk)

BregoBeauty - Thank ya:) lol, but then... all goes well if Aragorn kills Kelanus :) :P Hope the update was soon enough:P lol

marbienl - Cha, and depressing is not fun... O.o... obviously... that was a rather pathetic comment... XP Yay! And now he has his memory back :P all is well! ...Well... not really... XP lol, did you guess right?

MicroChips - O.o...o.O squeak O.o...o.O o...kay... O.O... 9-3425

E.K.: ... XP Darn... Micro signs off right before I post... lol ah well... you can wait. :) Namarie:)

Elenmeoi