Well folks, on we go...

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Virag slowly reached out for the small bundle in Kent's arms. Outside winds swept across the plains, tearing at the grasses and the hair of the Uruks scattered across them.

Virag tried to but could not conceal the excitement that coursed through him. At last he had the child. The key, the link, the part that would connect past to future and would bring him the world he dreamed of.

His Lordship cowered as Virag pulled the blanket back from the infant's face. Tear tracks marked the boy's cheeks, but he gazed steadily into Virag's eyes. The Uruk was pleased to note no fear showed in the small face.

He threw his head back, letting a howl of laughter and joy escape his lips. His movement startled the child he held. The infant cried out, his cry mixing with that of the Uruk's.

Virag turned back to the man who had become no more than his pawn. It amused him that the instrument of the demise of men would be one of their own and a Lord no less.

Kent had few illusions about his safety. Especially now that the Uruk had the child. There were many hungry Uruks waiting in the fields bellow and most were not overly conscious of just what or who they consumed.

A smile cut across Virag's battered features, "I have another task for you."

Kent swallowed hard, hoping that it was not a task he would pay for in blood, "Yes?"

"This holding knows of us now, and thanks to the incompetence of another the travelers who carried the child with them know of my plans."

The words caught at Kent's attention, it was the first time he had heard the Uruk say that there were errors in his plan. And if there were errors it might be possible for him to shape this new error rather than the Uruk leader. He would simply wait for his chance.

Virag continued, unaware of the thoughts running through his supposed ally's mind, "They must be eliminated."

"It should not be difficult, the dwarf is injured, the woman blind, and the elf is a danger only to himself." Though he spoke scornfully a dark pit of fear opened within him. He remembered the rage that had filled the elf's face as he had swung gleaming blades down at his opponent. He remembered too the elf's promise on the practice field. But he had triumphed the last time, this would be no different.

Virag too knew of the companions' skills, "Do not take this lightly." He growled.

"Should even one escape and warn the King, all this would be for naught, and we will be remembered no more than those who came before us and failed. It is the victors who write history!"

"Of course. Do not fear. I shall not fail."

Virag turned away again, dismissing the man, "Should you fail it will not be me who meters out your punishment."

Kent swallowed again remembering the elf's cold eyes. Indeed there was another who would make Kent pay for any error. The man fingered the hilt of his sword. He would take the elf first, then there would be no more talk of punishment, and then perhaps the dark fear that gnawed at his heart would be silenced.

He made it through the Uruk-hai camp cautiously. The noxious fumes of their cook fires caught in his throat, making him gag. An Uruk laughed when he saw it, calling out after the Lord in its own guttural tongue. Though he did not understand the words that were spoken Kent felt sure that it was far from a compliment.

In his mind he began formulating a plan of his own for entry into his own hall; which if his wife had any say in the matter would be barred against his entrance. At the thought of her he sighed, once long ago they had shared a dream together, a future together. But now he knew deep within his soul only one of them would survive the coming struggle, and despite his efforts he could not determine which.

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Gimli held Inara as she knelt in the hall, horrified by the fate of her child. Legolas stood straight, facing away from the two, his shame burning through him. He had failed them twice. His hands gripped his bow, the next time he would not fail.

Marja stood behind them, her own rage tearing at her, warring with her grief both for the man she had lost, though she knew full well she had lost him long ago, had lost the one that she had once loved.

Legolas spun to face Inara and Gimli, his shame burning him anew at the sight of her tears.

"We will bring him back." He knelt before her, "I swear it to you."

Inara smiled, reaching out, tracing his face with her fingers, "We shall do it, but how?"

Gimli helped her to her feet. Inara touched him gently, feeling his concern as great as her own. She drew a great breath, releasing it slowly. There was no time for error in judgment. Nodin the last of her line, her people was in danger. Not dead, that could not be, she could not think of that. The Uruk wanted Nodin, wanted him for the blood that ran in his veins and for the power that would grant the Uruk leader.

"I know not." Gimli shook his head, "Between us and the lad lie thousands of Uruk-hai and their leader will not let the boy from his sight."

"We do not even know where he lairs." Inara spoke bitterly, to hide her growing fear that no rescue would be possible.

Marja came forward, "I know not exactly where, but I believe the leader of the Uruk-hai dwells in a cave overlooking the plains. A farmer coming down to the village stumbled across it. He fled for his life, making it here so that he might share the information with us.

"But we must be able to reach the cave." Gimli pointed out.

"We cannot go as we are, I am sure Legolas if not you or eye would catch the attention of the Uruks." A smile broke through the fear and worry that had shadowed Inara's face.

"You and I? You cannot come!" Gimli sputtered, "What if the Uruk's should capture you? What-?"

He was interrupted by the elf, "Neither of you will be coming! This is my burden. My errors' led us to this juncture. And Gimli you are injured! You would be mad to attempt such a feat.

"Ach, it is nothing lad! A mere scratch, dwarves are made of sterner stuff than that!"

"And I too 'am made of sterner stuff'," Inara broke in.

Marja interrupted the three's argument by stepping between them, "Perhaps we should determine exactly what will be done, before we decide upon who shall do it?"

Gimli nodded, as did Inara and Legolas. He spoke more calmly than before, "You speak the truth. We should not fight among ourselves, especially when so many Uruks wait to meet us."

"Many Uruks wait for that privilege, perhaps too many, not even an elf could deal with such a hoard," Legolas interjected.

"An elf would of course need aid!" Gimli roared, "For an elf lacks the cunning of the dwarves. There is more than one way to fight a hoard such as this."

"What do you mean?" Inara inquired, before Legolas could respond in kind, as she hoped to prevent this from devolving into one of her companions' verbal contests.

"Simply that if we appear as Uruks they will have no reason to attack us."

"And how do you propose that we acquire clothing and armaments such as Uruk-hai wear?"

Gimli grinned, "I thought perhaps we could politely ask them for it."

Legolas too smiled, "I'm sure they would agree to share if we but asked."

He turned back to Gimli to work out the details of the plan with Inara. Marja joined them, but kept part of her attention on the building around them. She doubted they had seen the last of her husband. She had a score she wished to settle with him.

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Kent crouched beside the hall, concealed by shadows. For a moment anger swept through him. To think that he was being forced to sneak into his own hall, one that had so recently become his. No choice remained to him though.

The travelers were staying in the northern portion of the hall. Thankfully the old walls surrounding the hall were had not been repaired in decades. The holes were small, but he was not a large man and slipping through was not overly difficult.

The rotted wood pulled at his fine cloak, smearing it with dark stains and filth. He wiped at it with gloved hands to no avail, but there would be time to obtain a new cloak later, a finer cloak if he played h is cards right.

The passageways were as dark as ever. The house was surprisingly quiet. It surprised him that Marja had allowed this lapse. He would have called out all the guards and roused the servants. Soon though the quiet shadows began to grow on his nerves. As he made his way slowly through the dark passages he became convinced that the dwarf or the cold eyed elf waited around each corner or sheltered in every doorway he passed.

When he rounded the final corner he was almost surprised to find them actually there. The dwarf stood beside the blind woman, close enough to confirm what he had only suspected before. The elf leaned against the wall across from him, Kent's fists tightened at the arrogance of such a gesture, that the elf should be so relaxed in his home! He took a step forward angrily, when the woman's head snapped up.

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Inara looked up, "There's someone here." Her voice containing both fear and anger. "It's him, Lord Kent."

Marja spun, weapon in hand, gleaming dully in the firelight. Legolas pulled his own blades from the sheaths on his back. Gimli pulled Inara back before she could lunge around the corner.

Lord Kent cursed, but threw himself forward. His short sword shot out, catching Marja in surprise. She brought her blade up, catching his sword but he twisted away, knocking her aside with the flat of his blade.

He continued past her as she spun; falling against the wall, limp. His sword flashed up, only to be met by the elf. The smile on the cold face sent a wave of fear flowing free, but he pushed it aside. Now was not the time for such. Fear killed as easily as a blade.

He twisted up, catching one of the elf's blades on the sword, the other he swept aside with his arm, pressed against the flat of the blade. He caught the elf's arm under his own.

The two warriors strove against each other. A feral light entering Lord Kent's eyes, met only with a slow burning anger in the eyes of the elf.

Legolas heaved his arm, up, his rage flaring in his eyes; he pulled free, tearing a long gash in his opponents' sleeve.

He let the blood run down the blade and drip from the point.

Kent gasped, falling back a step clutching his arm.

"Let us finish it; this is a matter of honor."

Legolas closed, crossing blades with his opponent. Gimli moved to step forward, but Inara held his arm, "Wait."

Legolas scored another hit, blood running from a gash on his Lordship's face. Desperation began to show in the man's eyes.

He fell back, as if mortally injured, but instead snapped his fist up, knocking Legolas off balance as he turned to flee.

Marja stepped before him though; blood running from the side of her mouth, her eyes contained only sorrow as she slipped the blade into his chest. She held him as his knees crumpled.

Kent gasped, his eyes focusing on her features. He touched the tear that ran down her face.

"I am sorry Marja. I wish....I wish your world could have been mine."

He gasped, then went limp in her grasp. Marja sat unmoving in silence. No one spoke as Marja mourned what might have been.

Author's Note:

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Hi everyone! Here it is, and twice as long, as per request.