(-)Chapter 10(-)

Elrond paced in his study, a worried expression on his face.

Lindir watched him in mild amusement, "They may just be fine my lord. You know how they are."

"Indeed... but Legolas would not do this."

Lindir sighed, "I suppose not... but what could have happened? Why would they leave Imladris' boundaries? They had said they weren't going anywhere and they wouldn't without at least leaving a note."

The door was flung open suddenly, revealing a rather startled looking elf.

"Erestor!" Elrond exclaimed in surprise, it was not in the elf's nature to burst in like that unnanounced.

The elf winced, "I'm sorry my lord... but a horse has been spotted in the woods, it looks like it's been there a while."

"That is not overly unusual Erestor, there is more, yes?"

"Aye, it's Dollnaur."

Lindir was on his feet in an instant and half way out the door before Elrond even blinked.

The half-elf immediately followed the other nervously, knowing this couldn't be good.

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The tall black horse eyed the elves as they approached but allowed it upon recognizing them.

Elrond sighed, "It is definately Estel's horse. I'll send a letter to Gondor and one to his friend in Rohan and ask of him. If he were leaving it would not be without saying his farewell's first. Send one to Glorfindel as well."

Lindir nodded, "We'll find him, I'm sure he's fine," inwardly something told him he was very wrong.

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Khelekmeril wandered down the hall, looking for the man she had come to trust, but being unable to find him anywhere. He wasn't usually hard to find and a sharp fear suddenly sprouted in her heart, was he in The Room again? She whimpered slightly and fled to the dungeon, desperately hoping she wouldn't find him there.

She had gone out originally to tell him that they were going to be expecting visitors again. These ones were apparently looking for someone. Or so she had heard from the kitchen staff... who had in turn found this out from the stable slaves who had found out when a messenger slave of the Masters had met up with a messenger they had never seen before and had snuck a peek at the contents of the envelope.

The letter had arrived a month ago and the Master had only just written back to invite them over to discuss this further.

She bit her lip and pushed the door open as she reached it. She flinched at the blood in the room and slowly walked up to the form on the floor.

Aragorn sighed and pushed himself up as he heard her coming, "Meril? What are you doing here little one?" he asked with a slight wince as he pushed himself off the floor.

"I was looking for you," she muttered, "we're gonna have guests again soon."

Aragorn offered her a slight smile, "Good, perhaps he'll leave me alone for a while," he shook his head, "he wouldn't want me looking bad for his guests," he grumbled.

"You should just listen to him, you wouldn't get into trouble then."

Aragorn just sighed, "I," he paused and shook his head with a slight smile, "I just don't know what to say to that..."

The door was suddenly pushed open and the two both glanced up at the person that entered.

Khelekmeril stood in front of the man and eyed the newcomer, "What do you want? You're not hurting him anymore," she crossed her arms and glared up at the man.

Aragorn chuckled slightly, "Sardyn, you'll have to excuse her. Managed to shake the guard?"

"For a while," the man smiled at the child.

The elven girl just blinked in confusion.

Aragorn smiled, "You need not worry about him Meril."

"But he's one of Master's guards."

"I know, he's just acting as one until we can escape."

Sardyn blinked and cocked his head to the side, "Indeed. I have not heard of you speaking of escape before."

"I've never had the chance to sp-"

The door was flung open again and Venatral stepped in, looking rather displeased, "Sardyn! Clean him up. I want his wounds healed before my guests arrive."

"Of course," the hooded man lifted the other off the floor and headed towards his small chambers.

Aragorn flinched at the slightly rough treatment.

Khelekmeril quickly followed them.

Sardyn set the man on his small cot in the corner of the dark room and quickly set to work on his wounds.

Aragorn sat up as he went to tie off the bandages and pushed his hands off with a smile, "Try it this way," he laughed slightly, unwinding the bandage and re-tying it, "it'll be less likely to come undone."

Sardyn blinked, "Where did you learn this?"

"I..." the man glanced at the guard in the corner who was watching them carefully, "I can't remember..."

Sardyn sighed, "Ah..."

Aragorn glanced at the guard again out of the corner of his eye and gave the other a meaningful look.

Sardyn just blinked at the look in confusion.

Aragorn sighed.

The hooded man stood and nodded slightly, "That'll do it," he muttered, "be careful. Lord Venatral will be highly displeased if you are still wounded when his guests arrive."

"Of course," Aragorn muttered, looking towards the floor.

Khelekmeril frowned slightly from where she sat in the corner after refusing to leave while saying she was finished her job anyway and was unneeded.

The guard followed the man as he left and Aragorn sighed when the door shut, immediately getting to his feet.

The elven child frowned, "I don't think you should get up. You have to heal."

Aragorn smiled at her, "I'll be fine. I'm not as hurt as I make them believe. It looks worse than it really is."

She frowned again, "I know it's bad enough, there was a lot of blood."

Aragorn sighed slightly and sat down simply to calm her, "Don't worry little one, I'm alright."

She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes, "I'm not little."

Aragorn laughed softly, "Of course not."

"You can't say that, I'm older than you," she informed him with a giggle.

"Ah, right, I'm so sorry," he bowed his head mockingly, "please forgive me my lady."

She put her nose in the air jokingly and laughed, crawling over to him and sitting beside him.

Aragorn ruffled her hair good-naturedly, "So, do you have any idea who these new guests may be?"

Khelekmeril shook her head, "No, just that they are looking for some people who went missing," she shrugged, "and that they don't live too far away, so they'll probably be here in a few weeks. They're not coming right away."

"I see," he frowned, "Meril? Have you been down in the dungeon's lately?"

"I had to go down a couple days ago."

"How are the elves doing?"

"They are okay. They are hurt... but they're okay. They talked to me a bit. They're nice."

Aragorn laughed, "Indeed? Just don't try pulling anything over on them. It's death to the inexperienced."

The elven girl blinked in confusion, "Huh?"

Aragorn smiled, "Never mind, you'll find out when we get out of here."

"You think we will?"

"Yes."

She sighed, bowing her head and staring at the floor, "You seem so sure."

Aragorn glanced over at her, "We will Meril. We'll make sure of it."

She whimpered slightly and curled into herself.

Aragorn frowned in worry, "Are you okay?"

"That's what my nana said before Master killed her for an escape attempt."

Aragorn's eyes widened and he winced, "Ai... I'm sorry Meril."

She shook her head, "It was a long time ago now. It doesn't hurt as much anymore."

Aragorn lifted the child into his lap and stared her straight in the face, "Meril, I will get you out of here if it's the last thing I do."

She sniffed and burried her face in his shoulder.

"Gwilb, tithen lhoth," he soothed, smiling slightly as he stood and wandered over to the small barred window, "este, faith teli." /Quiet, little flower ... rest, freedom come(s)/

"Im estel," she muttered quietly. /I hope (so)/

Aragorn smiled unconsciously, "Never lose hope," he muttered, as though from memory.

He shook his head and carefully laid the child on the cot in the corner. He sat beside it and stared out the window, frowning, a sense of foreboding running up his spine. The ranger shuddered slightly and sighed, laying against the wall and falling asleep.

A/N

Elven Kitten: XP... I posted late... as usual... and have little time to write... lol. I might be updating more often than before as well because (As usual again) I've gotten ahead of myself and am finished this and have already started the next story... so yeah... XP lol Is in fear from being threatened The elfies don't wanna die! Shakes fist as Micro No threaten the elfies... :P

sielge - Too much time... XP I'm so mean... lol

BregoBeauty - :) I'm glad you liked it! Hope this one turned out okay XP lol

Aranna Undomiel - Lol! Well... I'm bored very often... XP lol :P I ish glad you like Sardyn! I'm glad the beatings did not change your mind on him. :P Lol! I imagine being beaten would be worse than that... but we can't be sure:P lol pretty sure though... lol

IwishChan - No, Sar hid it well, Aragorn's a good healer :) lol, I hope you liked the chapter:)

MicroCHips - lol, that would be fun. Be smitten... lol. Nopes... if anyone's allowed to smite Kelanus after his death it shall be Legolas only. Poor elf never got the chance... shakes head sadly lol

grumpy - He'll be thinking much soon enough... lol

E.K.: (Side note: I couldn't help but love the fact the elvish word I managed to find for freedom is faith.) Hope you all liked the chapter:) Namarie!

Elenmeoi