Before I post the next chapter I would like to apologise for the delay and to say a very big thank you to my new Beta, Miss Sofie. I recently contemplated withdrawing Forever Yours because of a comment about a chapter early on in the fiction by someone from another site. This person had read something quite sinister into it that I never imagined anyone would when I set out to write it. I have a very genuine love of children and her comment upset me so much I lost all feeling for my story and felt I didn't want to continue. Miss Sofie helped me through this really difficult episode and those of you who are reading this on a regular basis have her to thank for its continuation. She helped me to see things logically and I have decided to continue writing. To anyone reading this story who feels uncomfortable with the early Arien/Haldir arc, I can only say I feel so sorry you cannot recognise sheer innocence when you see it and we live in a sad, sick world!

Sorry for that gloomy intro but I had to get that out of my system.

On a lighter note, I received quite a few reviews for the last chapter – thank you so much. I'm glad you're enjoying it. I hope I can continue to keep your interest. A few of you are out for Illadris' blood. As we say in Britain – 'Don't get your knickers in a twist!' – lol. She'll get her comeuppance but I'm not giving hints of how this happens!

So, after all that, let's get on with it!

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Forever Yours

Chapter 11

A new day dawned and with it Arien's hope diminished. She had not slept for fear of those around her. She could not imagine what was to become of her and a desperate sadness overtook her soul. She remembered the cool woods and the comforts to which she was accustomed and wished longingly she had appreciated them more. She feared she would never again see familiar surroundings or her loved ones again. Her thoughts turned then to Haldir. Her heart lurched at the image of him in her mind and she realised how deeply she truly felt for him. She allowed her mind to enter the realms of dreams and saw herself with the gallant Marchwarden. She imagined herself in his arms; his lips upon hers; declarations of love being exchanged between them. Sadly Arien returned to reality with the realisation that she had never been kissed by her love nor was she likely to be. A solitary tear coursed down her face and a gruff voice assailed her ears;

"Feeling sorry for ourselves are we? Yer'll feel more than sorry soon enough!"

One of the men spoke to Arien and she felt the mocking tone of his voice. She was thankful she could not understand his words for she instinctively knew they would be hurtful. She turned her head from him to remove his revolting visage from her sight but he reached out and wrenched her face back to his, his fingers biting cruelly into her face.

"Phah! Don't understand a word, does yah?"

"Untie 'er and give 'er summat t' eat!" ordered his companion.

Arien looked at the last to speak. She had heard the word Anard mentioned several times and supposed by its manner of use that it was the name of the one who had spoken. She assumed he was indeed the leader of the group as he controlled the actions of the others. Arien started in alarm as one of the men approached her carrying a small dagger. Her fear was relieved when he simply cut the bonds binding her wrists and she let out a small moan as the fibres of the rope caught in her wounds as they were snatched away. He thrust a small hank of bread into her hands and she looked at it in disgust. It was stale and dry and tiny spots of green mould speckled the hard crust. She looked at him questioningly, unable to believe he expected her to eat it. The man saw the disgust at his offering on Arien's face and lashed out at her angrily, knocking the bread from her hands and delivering a stinging blow to the side of her face.

"Bleedin' Elf!" he spat. "Think yer so much better than us mortals don't ya?"

Arien fell backward onto the bed and once more curled herself into a ball, whimpering pitifully.

Anard yelled angrily to Arien's assailant;

"Stop 'itting 'er face! She'll be worth less if she's marked! If yer 'as to 'it 'er, then do it so's it don't show."

Moving across the room to the bed Anard hauled Arien up to face him.

"Shut yer blabbering!" he shouted at her, harshly. "I'll 'ave a few things to say to that she-elf next time I sees 'er! 'No trouble!' she says, 'You'll make a pretty penny from 'er!' she says! Well you'll 'ave to bring a heavy purse to make up for all the trouble you've been!"

He threw her away from him and spoke to the others once more;

"You!" he said, pointing to Arien's main antagonist. "Go out to the stables an' check on the 'orses. I wants 'em ready to go by nightfall. I asked the farrier last night for another 'orse for 'er ladyship but nothin' fancy, like. We won't be needin' it once we're rid of 'er! 'Ere's the coin for it. Don't pay no more mind! There'll be nobody around this early and least that knows of us, the better!"

Anard threw a jingling purse to the man, and his companion pushed him out the door. The man grumbled but went on his way, muttering to himself. Anard picked the discarded bread from the floor and rubbed it against his filthy jacket. He walked over to Arien and held it out to her;

"There, good as new! Best eat it, my pretty, 'cause you'll get nought else."

Arien took the bread from him and afraid of the consequences to do otherwise, began to take tiny nibbles of it, all the while fighting the nausea which built within her.

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Haldir and his group halted a short distance outside the run-down village. They had made good time, and dawn was just breaking as they awaited their Captain's orders;

"We will enter the village and split into two groups. Since only Legolas and I speak the language of Men we cannot spread ourselves thinner. We shall make inquiries in the places where people would gather and visit frequently. Legolas, take Rumil and Orophin and check at the inn. In a place so small it is unlikely the occupants there would not have knowledge of any recent events out of the ordinary. I and the remaining Guardians will check the livery stables. Cover your heads with your hoods so as not to engender curiosity. Even though the inhabitants hereabout are used to the sight of Elves, it is not to our benefit to announce our presence. Should you discover anything of relevance, it should be a simple enough task to locate each other in such a small place.

Haldir had allocated his brothers to Legolas as he felt the prince would be more comfortable in the company of friends and watched as the three Elves set out on their undertaking. He left immediately after with the two wardens.

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Haldir and the Guardians neared the stables. They stopped when they spied a lone man making his way toward them, his head down; his hands thrust into his pockets. Haldir signalled to the others and all three slipped silently into a narrow lane between two nearby houses. He did not wish to question the stable owner in the presence of others. He watched as the man entered the stable yard and disappeared inside the wooden building. Shortly afterward the man exited and returned the way he had come. No-one saw the stealthy passage of the three Elves as they made their way toward their destination. Once inside they saw a bedraggled man seated in the dimness of a small room offset to the main stable block. They were almost upon him before he realised their presence and he was startled by their sudden appearance. He looked up to the place he supposed their faces to be and saw only shrouded features. He was afraid and jerked backwards from his chair, falling onto the straw strewn floor.

"Be not alarmed, my good man," said Haldir. "We seek only information."

The man was surprised at the sound of Haldir's voice as it was like no other he had ever heard. However, the soft, lyrical tone did nothing to soften the formidable and commanding figure who stood before him. His mind led him to think of the Elves who dwelt in the mysterious and dangerous woods close to his home. He had never seen an Elf but knew of many in the village who claimed they had crossed paths with them over the years and relaxed when he remembered none spoke of any ill done to them. He picked himself from the floor and bowed low. He hoped that if the strangers were indeed Elves, they would be placated by his compliant behaviour.

"How may I assist you, my lords?" he asked, his voice rather submissive.

Although they could not understand his words, both wardens glanced to each other in amusement at the sight of the grovelling mortal, but at a glance from the Marchwarden, re-assumed their stalwart stance.

"I would assume that as keeper of these stables you see many of the inhabitants hereabout?" asked Haldir.

"Aye, my lord, that's true enough. I likes to think I'm more in the know than most!" stated the man proudly.

"Then you would have heard if anything untoward or unusual had occurred in the last few days?" replied Haldir.

"There ain't much 'appened as I know. A few strangers 'ave passed through and there's a rough gang staying at the inn. One of 'em was 'ere just now. Seems they're moving on tonight 'though!" said the man.

"What did the stranger want?" said Haldir.

"Another 'orse. Seems like they're taking more with 'em than they arrived with," answered the man, feeling rather smug that he had been able to state the obvious to the Elf.

Haldir thought for a moment and nodded. He signalled to his wardens and after offering thanks to the stable owner, left to find the others.

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Heavily cloaked, Legolas, Rumil and Orophin made their way stealthily through the quiet streets and soon stood before the inn.

On entering, Rumil wrinkled his nose at the sudden assault on his senses. He looked to the others and saw an expression of disdain on their faces also.

"How can they live like this?" he inquired of his companions.

"This is not the way of all Men, Rumil," replied Legolas. "Whilst there are many villages such as this, there are also places of grandeur and elegance, though I too have never understood how anyone could live in such conditions. I am ever thankful their ways are not ours!"

They looked around in the dim light and caught sight of the innkeeper. A few strides later they stood before him on the opposite side of a battered, ale-stained serving counter. He peered at them intently and despite their cloaked appearance stated simply;

"More Elves!"

The three exchanged quick glances and once closer to the man, Legolas encouraged him to expand on his statement.

"You're the second lot of Elves I've seen recently. There were two 'ere yesterday, 'though only one remains," he said.

"Tell me of this," replied Legolas.

"I noticed 'em night before last; both female, if I'm not mistaken. Saw 'em talking to a group of three men in the corner. Seemed to be a bit of a ruckus, like, and shortly after, one left. T'other stayed with the men." answered the innkeeper..

"Where are they now?" asked Legolas, anxiously.

"Got a room upstairs, they 'ave! Ain't seen much of 'em. Most people what stays 'ere keep to themselves."

"Where upstairs exactly, asked Legolas, anxiously.

"I don't want no trouble!" stated the man.

Legolas leant over the counter and grabbed the man by the front of his shabby jacket, hauling him up until their faces almost touched.

"The only trouble you will have is if you refuse to answer!" growled Legolas.

"Alright, alright!" stammered the man. "Top of the stairs, second on the right!".

Legolas released the startled innkeeper and relayed his findings to the brothers;

"He speaks of two female elves who arrived yesterday. They must have been Arien and Illadris. The coincidence is too great for it to be otherwise!" he stated. "He says although one departed, the other remains with three men in a room above us. Though I know not why Illadris brought her here, it is clear she lied to us. The elleth will pay dearly for her deception when we return! Come, we must find Arien!"

Legolas turned and made for the stairway but Orophin caught him;

"Hold, Legolas!" We must do nothing without telling Haldir and the others. We know little of these men. If Arien is indeed with them, we must think this through. We cannot risk placing her in further danger!"

Legolas looked at his friend, both angry and frustrated at Orophin's intervention. He wanted nothing more than to know if the female in the rooms above them was indeed his beloved Arien. Thinking quickly, he ordered:

"Rumil, there has to be another exit from this building and stand your guard there. Orophin, locate the whereabouts of your brother and bring him here! I shall keep watch until you arrive."

Rumil nodded his assent to the prince and departed. Orophin looked suspiciously at Legolas,

"I am not entirely convinced, Legolas," he said, hesitatingly. "I must be sure of your intentions. I will not leave this place until I am certain you will not attempt to perform any foolhardy acts!"

"I will do nothing to endanger myself or any other, my friend. Now go!" replied Legolas, sternly.

Reluctantly, Orophin departed the inn in search of the Marchwarden and his Elves.

Legolas watched Orophin leave and when he was sure he was alone, made his way silently up the staircase. He reached the door of the second room and listened intently. At first he heard only the low rumble of male voices but soon realised they were interspersed by a faint whimpering. He did not require further proof and without a thought of his words to Orophin, withdrew his bow, knocked and arrow, and kicked full-force against the door.

Tbc

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Well, there you have it. Please R&R. Your reviews really encourage me to post quicker – hint-hint! Chapter 12 should be up in a few days.