(-)Chapter 11(-)

Aragorn shifted, it had been over a month since news of the guests had arrived. The man's wounds were healing well, the older ones had dissapeared and the newer ones were closed and dissapearing.

He glanced up as Sardyn turned the corner, "They're here," he nodded, rolling his eyes slightly, "finally."

Aragorn smiled nervously, eyeing the guard behind the other man, "Does Master wish for me to change now then?"

"Yes."

Aragorn nodded and turned, heading back towards his small room, which was more of a cell, being locked every night. He sighed, quickly changed and headed down to the kitchens, where the cooks were busy making dinner.

Khelekmeril was there as well, doing her job and making sure the floor and counters stayed clean.

Aragorm smiled at the child as he walked over to her, "Hello little flower," he joked, ruffling her hair, "how are you?"

"I'm good," she smiled and continued to clean up a small spill on the floor.

Aragorn smiled and paused as he sensed someone come up behind him, his smile widened and he turned to stare at the one behind him just as he reached him.

Sardyn started slightly and smirked, "I just can't sneak up on you can I?"

"Nope," Aragorn laughed slightly, "never will my friend."

Sardyn smiled and glanced down at the child on the floor, "Hello Meril, do you want some help? Venatral isn't expecting me any time soon and for the first time in months I managed to escape the guard for a while."

The elven child smiled up at him, "Thank you, but I'm okay."

"Okay, if you're sure."

She nodded brightly, she had learned quickly to trust him and spoke with him often now, and quickly finished what she had been doing.

Aragorn glanced up at Sardyn, "You came here for another reason."

"Very insightful," he muttered, "indeed, I thought you might want to know this, so you aren't too startled, the guests that are in the dining room, they are elves. They hide it well, I almost didn't notice, but I recognize the accent," he cocked his head to the side slightly, "now that I think about it you have the same."

Aragorn shrugged, "I suppose I knew some elves before I lost my memory."

"Indeed," Sardyn nodded slowly, frowning.

Aragorn was extremely nervous inside, -Elves? Who could it... we're near Imladris... could it be ada? Oh no... this can not end well...- he paused and hid a grin, -perhaps it can,- his mind began running through this, -I can use this to my advantage.-

"Bodruith!"

Aragorn winced in annoyance at the name and picked up a couple trays to bring out. He put on a nervous look and quickly brought them out and placed them on the table, stealing a quick glance at the elves. He had to do a double take.

Ada are you insane? Bringing Lindir, of all elves, with you?- he shook his head slightly in amusement, -I have to admit he's doing a good job though.-

He had to make a couple trips to the kitchen and back, bringing the trays with him. He could feel the thinly veiled shock of the two elves and wished he could reasure them, but if he did in the slightest it could ruin his plan. If he showed even the slightest recognition towards them he knew Venatral wouldn't let him near them.

He went to stand in the corner and watched as they continued to speak with the human, who was bragging loudly about his slaves. He resisted the urge to smirk at him, knowing his fathers and Lindir's ire was rising quickly.

Honestly he had never seen Lindir look so annoyed, it simply wasn't a look you'd associate the slightly hyper elf with.

The human, however, was completely oblivious.

Elrond listened to the man, trying to look interested though he was obviously disgusted, he glanced over at the other elf and sighed slightly, he had no idea why he let the elf talk him into allowing him to come.

He glanced over at his son, only to find him standing with his head down, shifting nervously, he flinched and turned away forcing his attention to the man in front of him again, "He is new?" he asked, trying to sound uninterested, "he seems nervous."

"Indeed," the man smirked wickedly, "he would be nervous, he knows what will happen if he makes a mistake in front of my guests."

Aragorn flinched, simply to look scared though inside he was rolling his eyes, the torture this man put upon him was bad, but he had seen worse, he winced unconsciously.

Venatral smirked, "Now, Lord Dirnener, how about you?"

Aragorn had to fight to keep from smiling at the name, -Very funny ada... you're making this increasingly difficult.-

"What about me?" he muttered absently.

"Well, do you own any slaves?"

Elrond frowned at him, "I believe I came here looking for help, not for idle chit-chat."

Aragorn snickered inwardly, -That was cold.-

Venatral looked surprised, "Of course... well then... who is it you're looking for?"

"My sons," the elf muttered, "they have managed to dissapear again."

"Sons? You do not look like one with children."

"Do I not?"

Venatral shrugged, "How many do you have?"

Elrond paused, "Five," he muttered, including Legolas with them to make it less complicated, he had the feeling he was here as well.

Venatral looked surprised again, "Five? They are all missing?"

"Four of them. My daughter is at home."

"I see," he muttered, looking uninterested again, "where had you seen them last?"

"Three of them had gone hunting for the day and did not return. The other has been away for a while and we had found his horse near home, it would not leave him for no reason."

Aragorn hid a smile, -Loyal creature.-

"Ah," he poked at his food then leaned back and crossed his arms, "what do you think happened."

"I believe they were taken," he said without blinking.

"You seem to care for them greatly," he raised one eyebrow, "for a Lord especially."

Elrond resisted the urge to glare at him, "Of course, I'll need an heir, when I pass. If something should happen to the oldest it's good to have another to take his place," the elf was disgusted by his own words but hid it well.

Aragorn raised one eyebrow in amusement, -So that's why he took me in,- he joked to himself, -to use as an heir when the twins killed each other!-

After a couple hours of talking they finally stood to retire for the night.

Aragorn went back into the kitchen, forcing himself to ignore the fact that the two elves had stayed in the room, hoping Venatral would leave before he did, but he was expected to leave before the man so he did. He glanced around the room, the cooks had all retired, Sardyn stood, waiting for him, in a corner with Khelekmeril. The ranger smiled and walked over to them.

"Ruith," Sardyn smiled, "all went well it seems?"

"Aye."

"What were they here for?"

"Lord Dirnener lost his sons," he fought to keep from smiling, "he's looking for them."

"Indeed?"

"Aye, are you sure they were elves, they acted like men," he said in a confused way.

Sardyn frowned, "I think they're covering up for something."

"Do you think they're here to help us?" the elfling asked hopefully.

"They might be," Sardyn smiled.

Aragorn nodded slowly, "Maybe," he smiled slightly.

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

That first night had been two months ago. The two seemed hesitant to leave, it confused Venatral but he was happy to house them. Or he at least appeared to be, he didn't actually like them and wished to be rid of them but didn't wish to look like a bad host.

Aragorn smirked, he was enjoying it really, the two elves were making it very difficult for the man to keep them 'happy'. He decided it was about time he put his plan into action. He's been captive for slightly over a year and had had enough... obviously.

He approached Venatral nervously, "Master?" he cowered slightly when the man spun to glare at him.

"What?"

"Your guests wish for a full tour of your house," he whimpered.

"Fine! Take them wherever they wish! Just keep them happy," he grumbled, "if they need me I'll be speaking with those cursed elves again."

"Yes Master," he muttered.

He smirked as he turned around, -Stupid man... only too eager to keep them happy,- he snickered silently, -of course, their complaining has him wanting them to simply shut up.-

He had to keep up the look though, until he was ready, so he nervously knocked on the door, flinching when it was pulled open.

Elrond froze when he found his youngest standing there, shaking slightly, "Yes?" he managed softly.

"The Master wants me to show you around," he swallowed nervously.

"I don't know..."

"Please Lord," he whimpered, "if I don't he'll hurt me again, I can't do it again... please."

Elrond immediately nodded, "Of course."

Aragorn gave him a confused look, but quickly dropped his gaze again. He showed them around, slowly working his way towards the armory, and quickly informed the guard that he had permission from his Master to show the guests everything they wished to see.

A/N

Elven Kitten: Hi! Yes... I am bored... again... Muaha! Torture for you Aaaaaaaaaaaaaall! Evil laugh Aaaaaaanywho... I'm gonna make this quick because the program I'm using is being weird and so I must fix it because it's very annoying... yes... lol

sielge - Yay! I'm glad you liked :)

Salan - Lol! To bad... how handy that would be otherwise... :P lol, hope you liked the chapter :)

IwishChan - lol, nooo... not Rohan :) lol, they know someones missing and they would be searching... they just don't appear anywhere cuz they don't know where to look... lol

MicroChips - No... no more smiting... for a while anyhow... smiting is fun :) Lol, yay Jim! Smite away! O.o... yeeaaah... well... O.o... burn his house down... interesting... lol

Elentariel - I'm glad you liked it! Thank you greatly for the compliments:D

E.K.: Ooooooookay then. Now... I must pull my computer apart and figure out why this stupid thing is doing what it is doing. :) lol, Namarie:P

Elenmeoi