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Hi everyone. Thank you for sticking with me on this story. I hope you continue to read and enjoy! My thanks as usual to my Beta, Miss Sophie who keeps me on the straight and narrow!

Forever Yours

Chapter 12

The man walked dejectedly away from the stables toward the inn. He turned the greasy collar of his coat against the chill wind and bemoaned his situation; feelings of anger and frustration building inside him. He resented Anar's self-appointed leadership and desired nothing more than to be able to sate his lust with the she-elf, but that too was denied him and added resentment to his list of grievances. He slouched through the entrance to the inn and was stopped by the anguished innkeeper who rushed toward him and addressed him urgently;

"What you lot up to?" I told 'em, I don't want no trouble but there's one of 'em up there now and it sounds like he's brought the place down!"

The man looked at him, confused;

"Who you talking about?" he asked.

"The Elves, of course. Should 'ave known there was something bad going on when I saw you with the she-elf. You ought not to mess with them! They looks after their own!" stated the innkeeper; sweat pouring from his brow.

"How many?" demanded the man, grasping the arm of the innkeeper in a vice-like grip.

"Three, but only one of 'em's here now!" he answered, twisting to escape the increasing pain.

A look of realisation swept across the man's features. He released the innkeeper and withdrawing an evil-looking dagger from his waistband, darted up the stairs.

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It did not take Orophin long to locate Haldir and the Guardians and he quickly related to them all which had passed. Haldir looked askance at his brother;

"Surely you did not believe Legolas would deem to await our arrival err he takes action?"

Orophin looked blankly at his brother and realised how stupidly he had acted. He knew if it had been Rumil or Haldir held in similar circumstances, nothing would deter him from securing their release at the earliest opportunity.

"I fear I may have made a grave error," he replied, his voice heavy with regret. "I hopeI amwrong but it is unlikely! Come, before my folly betrays us all!"

The four Elves ran back toward the inn and saw Rumil running toward them from the rear of the building;

"I know not what has passed but I heard a loud disturbance from within!" he said, quickly.

"Legolas!" snapped Haldir, followed by the sharp order; "Draw your weapons!"

The four wardens withdrew their bows from their backs and made ready their arrows whilst their Captain drew his long-sword. With one accord they charged into the inn and raced for the staircase.

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Legolas stood in the doorframe, a picture of menace. His arrow aimed at two men who stood rigidly before him. His eyes quickly swept around the room and alighted on a sight which almost stopped his heart. His cherished sister lay bound at wrist and ankle upon the filthy bed. Her gown was stained with blood; her beautiful face bruised and cut; her eyes wide with terror. She sobbed his name in anguish and Legolas fought back the urge to shoot the men in cold blood for the injury they had done to her. His face contorted in hatred for all things mortal and he drew back on his bow-string even harder;

"Release her!" he snarled to one of the men.

Anard moved nothing but his eyes as he registered the appearance of his companion behind the Elf. Legolas noticed the hardly perceptible movement but was unable to react without relinquishing his stance. Arien saw the danger and cried out in an effort to alert her brother to the danger looming behind him, but her cry changed to a scream as she saw the lethal weapon swept in a deadly arc toward Leglolas' back. Legolas felt a searing pain as the blade sliced its way through cloak and tunic into his flesh. He sank to his knees, his bow falling uselessly from his grasp. His eyes met those of his sister and he registered the sheer horror on her face. As he slowly sank to the ground he said so quietly she barely heard;

"Forgive me!"

Anard moved toward the prone form of the Elf and rolled him over with a vicious kick of his boot. Arien screamed hysterically at his action and did not stop even when grabbed viciously and thrown to the floor beside her softly moaning brother. She strained her muscles in an effort to move closer to him, her eyes fixed onthespreading pool of blood seeping from beneath hisback. She spoke softly, imploring him to stay conscious and not pass into the Halls of Mandos. Anard spoke to the men;

"Time for a change of plans!"

He withdrew his own dagger, the blade glinting cruelly in the light. He bent and grasping Arien brutally by her hair, held the cold, razor sharp metal to her throat;

"She's of no use to us now. The Elves'll be after us for sure and she'll only slow us down!" he growled to his companions.

Arien felt the warmth of her blood trickle down her neck as the blade pierced her skin. Suddenly, Anard stood over her no longer but staggered backward, his hands snatching ineffectively at the arrow lodged in his neck; the only sound that of bubbling blood flooding his throat as his body fell limply to the floor; his eyes lifeless. His stunned companions made for the doorway and stopped suddenly as they looked down the shafts of four arrows aimed directly at them. Haldir stepped between his wardens and extended his sword toward the men;

"You have but a short time left to you! Before we send you from this world, let your last thoughts be that revenge of Elves is swift but merciful!"

So saying, Haldir extended his arm sharply and thrust his sword into the chest of one of the men. He twisted the blade as he withdrew it and theman collapsed to the floor at his feet,bloodgushing profusely fromthe gaping wound. The remaining man scarce had time to register the death of his friend, as an arrow from Rumil's bow slammed into his heart; his crumpled form falling atop his friend's corpse.

Haldir' attention turned immediately to the stricken children of Thranduil. He knelt beside Arien and pulled her into a tender embrace. She fought against him, blinded by her tears and oblivious to all save her injured brother's unmoving form. Haldir freed Arien from her bindings and she threw herself from him, her frantic hands moved over Legolas' face and shoulders. Her desperate cries filled the room;

"Come away, Arien," said Haldir, gently. "You must allow Orophin to aid him!

Haldir dragged Arien gently but surely away from the semi-conscious Elf, and Orophin wasted no time in beginning his ministrations. He had learned his healing skills many years before he had joined the Galadhirim. Before the loss of his parents, he had intended to become a healer but following their horrific demise at the hands of Orcs, his desire to avenge their deaths overcame his want to learn the healing arts and he abandoned his studies in favour of bow and sword. However, the knowledge imparted to him during his years of study oft proved invaluable on the field of battle and through the years he had saved many lives. He turned Legolas onto his front in order to examine the wound. The laceration was deep and the blood loss great. Orophin reached into his tunic and withdrew several small pouches and vials. He laid them on the floor before him and removed a stopper from the largest vial. He enlarged the tear in Legolas' tunic with his knife and after checking carefully for any debris, slowly poured a fine powder into the gash. The wound hissed as the potion cauterised it and the bleeding gradually stopped. Orophin asked Rumil to retrieve binding cloths from his pack and both Elves proceeded to remove Legolas' cloak and tunic in order his injury could be dressed. Rumil suggested placing the prince on the bed but Orophin refused. He was disgusted by the rank filth of the human village and was sure the floor was cleaner than the fetid bedding.

Haldir held Arien's trembling body against his own and murmured words of comfort as they watched the brother's efforts. He then spoke to one of the wardens;

"Find the innkeeper and tell him we require another room that we might tend to our injured friend. The room must be thoroughly cleaned, the bedding fresh. Whilst this is being done, he may collect the bodies of these vermin!"

Haldir nodded in the direction of the dead men and a look of utter revulsion contorted his fine features. His face assumed familiar gentle contours as he looked once more on the vulnerable, desolate elleth in his embrace. Arien's gaze passed from her brother to Orophin and back again;

"Please, Orophin, do not let him die!" she begged.

"I will do all I can, Arien, but his wound is deep and my skills limited. I pray the Valar in their wisdom will look favourably upon him and spare him."

After a short while, their room was ready and they gently moved Legolas to the comfort of a soft bed. Orophin felt it could have been cleaner but acceded as there was no alternative. Haldir led Arien to the bedside and she knelt beside it, her brother's hand in both hers and tears fell from her pleading, upturned eyes as she mouthed silent supplication. Orophin moved to her side and gently attempted to treat her numerous cuts and bruises. She seemed oblivious to his presence and not once did she waver from her ministrations.

Haldir called Rumil to his side;

"Take the wardens and return to Lothlorien. Advise the lord and lady of all that has passed and await their instructions. We shall require transport and healers for Arien and Legolas. Be swift, my brother for I fear for the life of the prince!"

Rumil made his farewells and departed. He carried feelings of great sorrow in his heart and hoped when next he saw them it would be in less grave circumstances.

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On arrival in Lothlorien, Rumil lost no time in imparting his information to the lord and lady. Celeborn was dismayed to hear of the injury to the prince and looked worriedly to his wife;

"I fear we cannot withhold this information from Thranduil. I believe he should be informed now, before the situation worsens!"

Galadriel considered his words before replying;

"You are right to be concerned, my love. I believe we should request his presence immediately. It is clear now that Illadris must be held accountable for her actions and their results. To attempt to keep her trial and its outcome within our realm would not be prudent or diplomatic."

The lady turned then to Rumil;

"My dear warden, I know these past days have been for you, but I would have no other take word to King Thranduil. Take companions to give you safe journey and make haste!"

Rumil bowed in acknowledgement and acceptance of his new orders and swiftly left the audience chamber.

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Illadris grew weary of her enforced detention within her talan. She had grown more nervous with each passing hour since hearing the Marchwarden had been sent outside the borders of the realm and despite persistent questioning of her guards, had been unable to determine either the reason or destination of his travels. The lady's words echoed in her mind and she feared the outcome should her plot be uncovered. She opened the door to her dwelling and looked across the short bridge which connected it to the main walkways of Caras Galadhon. A lone sentry stood guard at the end of it and as she watched, he suddenly jerked himself rigidly to attention. Illadris saw the reason for his attentiveness and withdrew slightly at the sight of the Lady of Light approaching her home.

Once inside, Galadriel addressed Illadris;

"I am come to tell you that your evil scheme has come undone. Those to whom you abandoned Arien now lay dead and she is delivered from the fate you so cruelly planned for her. You must face judgement for your acts, Illadris, and not just to your people. I have this day requested the presence of King Thranduil. You shall have a fair trial, but know this; if you are found guilty, it is my intention to deliver your fate into his hands."

Illadris had assumed she would face the judgement of her own people and was shocked to learn otherwise. Thranduil, although a just king, was swift to judge and swifter to punish whatever he perceived as wrong-doing. His dungeons were deep and offered accommodation to anyone who angered him sufficiently. For any Elf, imprisonment was the worse fate imaginable and a cold shiver of fear overwhelmed Illadris.

Tbc

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