Every Man for Himself
Disclaimer: I still haven't received any letters or phone calls telling me that Lord of the Rings is mine pouts. I just don't understand it! lol. So the things that you recognise as being of Tolkien's creation – they still belong to him, while Desmond and Reynard are mine. What's this? You've never heard of Desmond and Reynard? gasps Well I'll just have to introduce you then… grins evilly
Chapter 2: Scheming
3 May 3019 – After Sundown
Desmond son of Desril watched carefully as a small figure made his way to the door of the bustling inn. He allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction. The little one was alone at last. He quickly drained his pint and got to his feet, walking swiftly past the bar to the door in pursuit. Along his way, he grabbed the shoulder of one Reynard son of Reynor. The man cursed as he spilt the ale he had been about to drink down his front.
"Shut yer mouth Rey yeh great lug!" hissed Desmond. "We have work ta do!"
"Now?" replied Reynard. "I wanna finish me ale!"
"Nothin' left ter finish now," snapped Desmond. "Asides, you was only here to gawp at them barmaids. If yeh think yeh'll get anythin' more'n ale outta young Arlyn yeh'll need the gold first!"
"Don't tell me yer still on about that flamin' scheme again!" groaned Reynard in agitation. "I'm tellin' yeh, it won't work! The halflin's always got some'un scamperin' about with 'im."
"So is that why I just saw the little imp leavin' here all on 'is lonesome?" snapped Desmond impatiently. He pushed Reynard out of the door and onto the street before following himself. "Yer good at findin' people Rey," coaxed Desmond. "I can't do this without yeh."
Reynard thought about this for a moment, glaring at the taller, darker fellow all the while. But at last he grumbled his agreement. After all, he could do with some more gold… Desmond grinned at him with a malicious air.
"Good," he said. "Now this little halflin' shouldn' be too hard ta find. Dark hair, blue eyes and half our height. Heard 'im say 'e was goin' back ta the palace."
Reluctantly, Reynard grinned too. "Well then," he said. "Let's get us some gold."
The two men lifted the hoods of their black cloaks to shadow their faces, and swiftly they moved through the maze of streets and alleys. A lifetime of thieving had taught them all of the roads and convenient shortcuts in the city. They knew the twists and turns of Minas Tirith better than the backs of their hands. Eventually, they caught up with the hobbit who continued on his own way, completely oblivious to the two large shadows that had joined his own.
"This'll be easier than I thought," murmured Desmond, half to himself. His dark mind lapsed into thoughts of what he would do when he became rich. Visions of being waited on hand and foot by the city's more… desirable company… filled his mind. To say the least, he was most disgruntled when his partner-in-crime interrupted these thoughts with a tug on his sleeve.
"Des," hissed Reynard. "Have you thought about how we're gonna get the halflin' with all these folks about? And what are we gonna tie 'im up with? And how are we gonna keep 'im quiet? And how-"
"We won't need ta tie 'im up," growled Desmond, his beady black eyes always trained on the hobbit as they continued to stalk him. "We cover 'is mouth, pull 'im into an alley and knock 'im out. Then we carry 'im back ta my place and go from there."
Reynard breathed a soft 'oh' of understanding and focused the rest of his attention on the hobbit.
Frodo paused at one of the stalls that was still open for business. He looked in fascination at the hundreds of trinkets that glittered in the warm glow of some lanterns. He never ceased to be amazed at the contraptions of Men. They were… well… different. They weren't quite so delicate as those of Elven make, nor were they as complicated as the ones made by Dwarves. They were strangely solid, yet mysterious. Rather like Men themselves, he mused. He smiled at his thoughts. Yes, Men certainly were a mystery to hobbits. After all – why in the Valar's name did they need all these ridiculous bits and bobs?
He turned away from the stall, smiling his thanks at the lady who owned it. But almost as soon as he had stepped onto the main road again, he was practically whisked off by a pair of strange men.
"Look!" said Reynard eagerly. "'E's coming this way."
"Right," said Desmond quickly. "I've got an idea. Follow my lead, okay?" Reynard had barely enough time to nod in acknowledgement before Desmond lowered his hood and jumped out of hiding, right in front of the startled hobbit.
"Good evenin' young master!" cried Desmond with as bright a smile as he could manage. "How are yeh this fine night?"
"F-fine thank you," stammered Frodo, still recovering from his shock at turning around to see these men in front of him. The taller one with the darker, more straggly hair – the one who had spoken – took his arm and started guiding him down the street.
"Glad ta hear it!" boomed Desmond. His smile broadened. "All set ta turn in fer the night I imagine?"
"Er… yes," answered Frodo. "I guess so."
"Well, my good sir!" cried Desmond. "I have just the thing fer yeh! How would yeh fancy a nice light book ta read afore yeh drop off. A good ol' story always helps me get ta sleep."
"Yeah!" piped Reynard. "Works like a charm!"
"We sell the best books that money can buy in this city!" put in Desmond. His smile widened as he saw Frodo's eyes light up. Desmond had always been good at telling people just what they wanted to hear. He was like one of those fly-eating flowers that they got way down in southern Harad. He lured in his unsuspecting prey with the right words, then when they were close enough… BAM! He shut the trap. This hobbit was going to be just as easy to bait as all the rest. "How would yeh like ta take a look at our stocks?"
For a moment Frodo hesitated. It was getting late… The others would probably be on their way back soon. They would be terribly worried if they returned and he had not. But then again, it had been ever so long since he had been able to enjoy a good book. He hadn't yet had the chance to explore the grand libraries of the citadel. Even in Rivendell he had been too preoccupied to give its enormous library the proper attention that he felt it needed. Yes, he had been itching for a good book for a long time. He smiled up tentatively at the two men.
"Alright," he said. "I'd like to take a quick look, if you wouldn't mind. You must be getting ready to close up."
"Nah," dismissed Reynard with a wave of his hands. "Take all the time yeh want!"
"We're just gettin' started," hissed Desmond under his breath.
Frodo frowned as the men led him into a dark lane. It was almost as if someone had pulled a cloth over his eyes. He could only very dimly make out the two large figures on either side of him.
A prickle of fear slithered up his spine, making him tremble. Considering the events of the last six or so months, it was to be understood that he was no fan of the dark. He turned his head about – desperate for something other than shadows to greet his eyes.
Perhaps if he hadn't been so plagued by this mounting fear, he would have realised sooner that they had stopped walking. But alas – when realisation dawned, it was too late. Something heavy and painfully solid impacted with the side of his head. It was a merciful thing that he was unaware before his limp body impacted with the cruel stone of the cold ground.
TBCA/N: First of all, THANK YOU LEXI! I couldn't have done this without you! Thank you for all your support and input. You've been my angel! :D Another huge thanks to Iorhael for taking the time to help me out. You have been an inspiration! :D
Ashley – I'm glad you liked it! I've always wondered if Elve's get drunk too, hehehe. But more on that in the next chapter… ;)
Breon Briarwood – I totally agree! They are famous last words! Hope that popcorn is good!
cpsings4him – Awww you're so sweet! Thank you sooooo much! J I hope I continue to live up to your great praise!
CuriousCat – Thank you! Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm looking forward to finishing the next one…
lovethosehobbits – Lol, hope you still are! Is this soon enough? ;)
Mythwen – Frodo and Sam do seem to live by that law don't they. And you're right! It is never good when anyone says that!
rabidsamfan – I hope you're still 'hanging nicely', lol. Thanks for your review!
Shadow The Tiger – My deepest apologies for leaving you hanging like that, lol. Hope this chapter makes up for it a bit.