Ah, chapter eight! Eight is a wonderful number (my lucky number, actually). So let's hope that this chapter is good.

This time we get a look at Elrohir again, Estel, and then perhaps Elladan (poor, poor, Elladan). Yes, Elladan does have a headache and now, no horse. Well, there is Varda...

And don't hate Legolas too much: it really isn't completely his fault, is it?

Anyway, enjoy!

-Romen

PS—I couldn't help myself; I love writing this story so much (plus, it's a three day weekend sings Ode to Joy)

8. Plans are Calculated

Elrohir put one hand on his aching arm. He had been riding for over a day now, and he felt like he needed some rest. 'No,' he thought to himself firmly. 'This is an important message; it needs to be delivered as quickly as possible."

He patted Jinny on the head and smiled. "We can make it the rest of the way, mellon-nin."

Elrohir knew that Jinny wasn't tired, but he wanted to divert the attention off of himself. He hated being wounded, and ever since Estel had come to live with them, it seemed to happen frequently. He was glad that Elladan wasn't traveling with him. Elladan probably would have made him stop already, even though it was only a cut on his arm.

Estel would have been the perfect traveling companion. The man hated to stop for anything. Elrohir was sure that he already pushed them on to a much faster pace.

Elrohir shook his head. He shouldn't be thinking about Estel. Concentrate on the task at hand.

He knew that's one of the main reasons that he hadn't wanted to stay behind at the caves. He would have too much time on his hands, time that would most likely be filled up with thoughts of Estel.

He patted Jinny behind her ears once again. "Keep going, girl."

-

Estel opened his eyes. For a minute, he thought he was back in Rivendell. He tried to sit up. The flush of pain reminded him of where he was, and he laid back down.

"Are you awake again?" Klia leaned over him, smiling. Estel returned the smile.

"What time is it?" he asked, trying to sit up again.

"Several hours after sunrise," she answered, not trying to push him down. "You are concerned with time, aren't you?"

Estel didn't answer. He had a sudden urge to leave this place and get back to Imladris. "Why are you keeping me here? Why haven't your people killed me yet?"

Klia finally attempted to make him lay back down. "You're tired, and you need your rest."

"I need to..." Estel grabbed her arm. He gasped.

Klia hastily pulled her arm away and tugged her sleeve over the long jagged scar that ran down her arm.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," Estel began, feeling embarrassed at his overreaction.

Klia waved it away. "Don't worry; I'm used to that."

"How did it get there?" he asked, feeling his own arm.

Klia took a deep breath and went over to the small table, sitting down and running a finger over a crack in the wood. "Our villages have been attacked frequently through-out history, Estel," she said softly.

"I don't remember telling you my name," Estel said quickly, hating to interrupt her story but having to know.

Klia smiled wryly. "You talk in your sleep."

Estel could feel his face flush. Klia didn't notice; she was already looking back down at the table, her lips pursed.

"Anyway, the village I lived in was attacked by a rabble of orcs when I was younger," she continued, still not looking up. "My parents were slain while trying to protect me, and my brother was elsewhere on the battle-field, so I had to defend myself. Needless to say, I was wounded." She once again revealed the scar on her forearm, frowning at it. "It's hideous, isn't it?"

"No, it's not ugly," Estel said softly, wondering why he was trying to console her.

Klia stood and crossed her arms. "It is the only reason that I haven't yet found a suitor."

"I don't see how that's possible," Estel wondered aloud, immediately regretting saying it. He was making a fool of himself.

Klia smiled down gratefully at him. "You should get some rest," she said softly, exiting the hut.

Estel laid back down and stared at the hole in the roof. The sky was a bright blue, and soft white clouds were blowing slowly by. He felt guilty that he was lying there when he should be helping his friends fight against the Wild Men.

The Wild Men; were they really that bad? He didn't mind Klia's company. She seemed like a kind person.

Thinking of the Wild Men made him almost start choking on nothing but air. He was their prisoner. He was trapped in this small hut. They were probably going to kill him soon, or torture him to get answers out of him. Answers to what questions? Estel sat up slowly, knowing better than to shoot up in a hurry. He wondered who stood behind the flap over the door, and how far they were away. He gulped, looking around for other means of escape.

The hole in the roof. He stared up at it, estimating the distance from the floor to the roof. Right now he was too injured to try, but if he got a lot of rest, he might be able to climb out in a few days. He laid back down, frowning. He had to escape. He had to leave this place as soon as possible.

-

Klia glanced at her brother as soon as she had exited the tent. He took her by the arm and led her inside the stables after checking to see if anyone was around.

"Are you sure that it's him?" Klia asked, trying to hide the doubt in her voice. "He doesn't seem to be like him."

Berve scowled. "Klia, how many times do I have to tell you? It's him! You didn't see the fire in his eyes that night! It has to be him; we've finally found him!"

Klia crossed her arms and looked down thoughtfully, biting her lip. "I don't know..."

"You shouldn't worry about it so much." Berve tipped her chin up gently. "It'll be fine." He looked deep into her eyes. "He'll be here for quite some time. We won't send him away yet."

"I know...I just don't think that this is what he wants."

"Klia, if it isn't him, you know what we'll have to do." Berve smirked. "We'll have to kill him."

Klia felt her heart stop, and she nodded. "I know. It just seems so strange and...and a bit easy, I have to admit."

Berve patted her on the back. "Like I said, don't worry. Just continue with what you're doing. You're doing great, by the way."

Klia flashed him a smile. "Thank you."

She stepped away from her brother, wondering if she was really doing the right thing, and a bit guilty for accepting his praise.

Duh-duh-duh-DAAH! The responses:

Deana: Sorry that Legolas wasn't in this one. I'll probably post the next chapter before I get back to regular life. And you're right, poor Estel is stuck with these psycho people!

CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur: Did you like this one? It's more of a transition chapter in my opinion, but it was necessary for the development of Klia (boo, hiss). I don't understand why I don't like her…

IwishChan: He does need to thank them! But remember, they have some strange conspiracy going on, so he should probably watch his back. I hope you liked this chapter!