Hi all!

I´m sooooo sorry I´m late with this /turns scarlet red/. My beta offered to take the blame but it was really me, between a new Teitho story and all that I simply needed time to catch up. But at least I can promise that ll post this time´s Teitho story tomorrow.

I promise the next update will be much faster! This is sort of a transition chapter and action will really break lose in the next, so please bear with me.

Thanks a usual to San for editing and of course to all who read (and especially those who review huge hug). Once again please excuse the delay.

Alina

Rating: PG 13

Disclaimer: Not mine

Preparing the Bait

"This is madness!"

Léod´s usually gentle voice vibrated with heated anger and he slammed his fist onto the table before him for good measure. He had risen with his shout and his chair clattered to the floor behind him, adding to the racket.

A sudden hush fell over the village's assembly room.

The mingled voices of elves and humans grew silent and eyes turned to the young ranger who suddenly felt very exposed where he stood. Yet he stubbornly repeated, "This is madness and you know it."

Legolas sighed. He had not anticipated his newly found friend to grow quite as agitated about his plan but hoped that a certain amount of calm from his side might soothe tempers, even though it was not really the human´s place to question Legolas' ideas in the first place.

"It certainly is not, my friend. There is some danger involved, yes, but not too much to take the risk." Seeing an angry response ready to jump from the ranger´s lips, the elf held up his hand, his eyes narrowing, and added, "There is no simple way out of this situation, Léod. We cannot hide here and hope to survive. We must act."

"Aye, act we must", the man replied angrily, "but there is a fine line between a calculated risk and suicidal madness."

"A line I have walked longer than you." Legolas´ rebuke was sharper than he had intended.

Léod did not back down but rather leaned forward across the table, his eyes flashing. "In that case it seems a miracle that you have survived this long."

The elf drew in a breath, feeling his own anger boil, and replied icily: "It is a miracle called skill, human."

To all who looked on it seemed that the air between the two warriors began to shimmer like a road in the summer heat and a few subconsciously backed away, wary of what might happen next. Few would have expected it to be laughter.

Heads turned towards Erestor who had remained quiet throughout all discussions that had raged around him for some time now, taking note of the different suggestions and weighing them in his mind. The sight of Legolas so heatedly defending himself against a human whose judgement he would have not even considered a short while ago was quite amusing to the older elf. He had to admit that this display of temper did not help matters though, and he gently pushed away from the wall he had leaned against to step closer to the Mirkwood elf.

"Now, Legolas, where does this ancient discussion lead us here?" he chided gently, "I am sure your father would frown at the lack of diplomatic skill you are displaying at the moment, ernil neth." /young prince/

The younger elf flinched ever so slightly, even though Erestor was unsure whether Legolas´ reaction was directed at the usage of his title or the idea of his father being present. True to his nature, however, the prince did not submit to the elder´s wisdom so easily.

"Adan tarlanc!" /The human is stubborn/ Legolas hissed, obviously slipping into his native tongue out of forgetfulness rather than planned disregard. "Telio thalia beria nin!" /He plays the hero protecting me/

While Erestor had smiled at the first remark, finding it rather endearing coming from one of the most stubborn creatures he had encountered in his long life, the second cast a frown on the advisor´s face and he answered in Elvish, seeking to end this before it went too far. His voice was carefully neutral but all who knew him recognized the edge it carried.

"Lam-cîn anlhagr noeth-cîn, ernil neth." /Your tongue is faster than your thoughts, young prince./ Erestor paused, satisfied when Legolas made no move to contradict him but waited, an expression of reluctant unease gracing his features. "Man pedo man adan beria, aglar egor mellon?" /Who can say what the human protects, fame or friend/

Seeing in the younger elf´s eyes that his words had the desired effect, Erestor smiled at the silent assembly and calmly stated: "It seems that the time of swift decisions has come. If you do not object – ", he nodded towards the village´s mayor and Bowder, who he clearly saw as the humans´ leaders,"- I shall try and sum up what measures might be taken?"

He was greeted by affirmative nods and moved forward, standing at the head of the table Legolas and Léod still sat at, facing each other in silence. The older elf did not look at either of the young warriors as he spoke but both could feel his attention on them like a gentle but warning hand on their shoulders.

"We all here know that a fight lies ahead, one that will not leave all of us alive." The silence deepened at these words, but it did not become oppressing. The dark-haired elf waited, watching intently as the faces around him melted from dismay into determination. Energy was surging through the room, growing like a fire that fed on dry wood.

"Yet I can also feel the willingness to meet this fate and overcome it. If we stand together once more we shall rise victorious. And those who will no longer be at our side will not have sacrificed themselves in vain." Erestor paused again, and it seemed to him that humans and elves alike were now listening with the rapt attention that was needed to come to a decision that would not be easy.

"As we have all agreed at the beginning of the meeting, we cannot meet our foes in open battle for they are too numerous. Doom would be fast to come should we choose that path."

Heads nodded in agreement, urging the elf on.

"Neither can we hope to outlast our enemies in the village, for well-protected as it is, it will not withstand the onslaught of this union of raiders and werewolves."

An uneasy murmur rose at the blunt way Erestor named the enemy, but it was quickly drowned by the calm posture of Imladris´ advisor. A slight smile played upon his lips. "There is no harm in saying out loud whom we stand against", he said quietly, "we should not give their mere names power over us, for they have none."

Having established silence once more, Erestor placed one hand on Legolas´ shoulder and grasped Léod´s with the other.

"As our two young warriors have suggested, our greatest hope may lie in a ruse. There is no escaping the battle, but we might well diminish our foe´s numbers before it begins. The lake might prove our greatest ally."

The elf looked to Bowder and the mayor when he spoke on. "Tell me, does the lake carry a solid layer of ice at this time?"

The mayor gestured at Bowder to answer and the hunter stepped forward, his massive frame catching his listeners´ attention easily.

"Nay, that lake is treacherous." The human glanced at Legolas briefly, remembering what the elf had suggested to Léod before their argument had flared up. "Legolas´ eyes must be sharp indeed, for he was correct to suggest that there are currents beneath the ice. They are fed by a shallow creek that flows into the lake towards the south."

"But that does not mean that the ice will simply shatter beneath the enemies!" Léod spoke up, visibly trying to control his fresh surge of anger. Or was it worry? Legolas watched the ranger intently, not sure what to make of the other's behaviour.

Bowder grumbled his agreement but his brow was furrowed in thought. "No, young ranger, not if a few of them simply walk across the ice. If many if them do, though, and in a certain direction…" He trailed off, suggesting that the plan might actually work.

An exited murmur began to rise but Léod stubbornly talked across it, becoming more livid. "Yet why should they do that? Do you intend to draw a path for them onto the ice and ask the politely to tread on it?" His eyes challenged Legolas for an answer, and the seated elf felt Erestor´s hand tighten briefly on his shoulder.

When the young archer spoke, however, no heated anger was left in his tone. "Our foes will do as all creatures would", he replied softly, effectively stilling all other discussions as people strove to hear what he said, "they will choose the swiftest path to their prey."

"And you suppose that said prey should be you." Léod´s voice was flat. "Pray tell, and please do not be offended, but why should you prove such a special prize?" Before he could even be answered the young man pushed on, shaking his head as he spoke. "Neglecting even that fact, suggesting that you would be worth the effort picking you off the ice instead of simply shooting you, would they not suspect a trap if you sat there in the middle of the lake, practically begging them to get you?"

"I think", Erestor´s calm voice cut in, "that I can answer at least your first question, if your impatience permits."

He smiled at Léod, who colored slightly at the rebuke, and then looked down at Legolas, seeking his approval. It was clear to him that the prince had harboured the same thoughts as he but he wanted to be sure that he was allowed to speak them. The younger elf nodded, a slightly pained expression on his face. He did not look forward to any of this, but it might just work.

"It seems", Erestor spoke, "that our foes are driven by two needs. The raiders wish for booty, the werewolves for strong bodies to posses. I dare say that both would see an advantage in capturing a son of Thranduil, king of Mirkwood, alive."

Léod´s eyebrows shot up in surprise and Legolas could not help but grin wryly at him. At this moment the young ranger bore an amusing resemblance to young Estel when he had accused Legolas of not looking like a prince, lacking a crown.

Erestor went on smoothly. "Of course, while that means that the prince is worthy bait" – he shot a look at Léod at these words – "it still leaves us with the predicament of how to inform our foes of this fact and place Legolas on the lake in a convincing manner."

Surprisingly, it was Léod who stood now. "I recall a ruse we once used against a band of orcs", he said, slight reluctance in his tone. "We engaged their scouting party in a short melee and during that fight pretended that one of our number must be protected at all cost, for he supposedly held the knowledge of a great treasure. We rushed that ranger off from our midst and sure enough he was followed. He lead the orcs into circle of rocks where our archers sat waiting, taking out all orcs who ventured into their range."

Erestor nodded to himself. "This sounds like a workable plan, young human. But we would have to make sure that Legolas alone reaches the lake, for anyone left at his side would be considered expandable and simply shot by our foes."

"Aye", Bowder agreed, "and the risk remains that only few would follow the prince while the rest would chase us back to the village."

The advisor smiled at the hunter´s easy implication that he would be part of this dangerous plot but decided not to comment on it. He opened his mouth to reply but Legolas beat him to it, smiling faintly as he spoke.

"I will have to make an impression in the fight then", he said calmly, "so they do not believe they will get to me easily."

x0x0x

"I will have to make an impression in the fight!" Léod shook his head as he repeated Legolas´ words back to the prince, shaking his head. There was no harshness in his tone, though, for it rather carried a tinge of dark amusement. "I will have to stay at your side, elf, or else you will never look threatening enough for more than a few half-fledged raiders to follow you."

Legolas chuckled, feeling mildly surprised that the comment did not anger him. "Aye, please do stay at my side." He smiled at Léod across the horse´s back that he prepared to take out into the fight. "I would feel much more comfortable knowing where you are so I can take cover should you decide to use your bow."

Léod laughed out loud at this as he slipped his saddle onto the grey mare that would carry him. "You keep in mind my warnings to you, that is good to know!" Turning more serious again, he added: "But don´t believe I will let you out of my sight. Bowder and I will follow you to make sure you reach the lake alive." He smiled faintly at the memory of the discussion he had lead only a few moments ago. "I barely convinced lord Erestor to leave that task to me. He seems a bit protective of you."

"Way too much so", Legolas grumbled, letting his fondness of the advisor shimmer through his words, "but he has the boy to think of, too. I am not surprised that he would rather stay close to the village to keep the child safe."

Léod nodded, stroking his mare´s neck before he slipped the bridle´s bit into her mouth. He took note of the fact that the elf did nothing to ready his own steed but pat and talk to it. He had heard that elves rode their horses without any aid, but he was still slightly baffled by the truth of this fact.

"I am amazed that the little one did not find a way to sneak in on our meeting", the ranger commented, "I would have thought him well capable of doing that."

Legolas grinned. "Oh aye, he would. He is a smart one and stout of heart. It aches me to leave him behind yet again. The last time I did so almost lead to disaster." He sighed. "Alas, my choices are limited. I would have explained things to him but he sleeps. Bowder´s wife has taken him into her care yet again and it seems she coaxed him first to eat and then to sleep."

"This may well be a blessing." Léod pulled his mare´s saddle strap as tight as it would go and then looked at the elf. "Shall we go now, my prince?"

"Call me that again and you shall be the one looking out for my arrows, human!" Legolas could not help but smile at the ranger´s back as they lead their horses outside. His steed followed him trustingly, but his heart ached for his own stallion. He did not doubt this horse´s willingness to bear him where he told it to go, but he would have preferred to have his own mount's strong will and resourcefulness to count on.

A wave of cold air met them when they stepped outside, and anxious faces watched them on their way to the village's gates. Torches had been lit to chase away the early evening´s darkness, and in their flickering light Legolas could see the still figures of the Imladris warriors still perched on the sloping fence.

It eased his heart to know that these elves remained behind to help the villagers against the raiders that would no doubt attack them soon. Yet he also knew that even the skilled immortals would fight a losing battle should their plan fail. He shrugged his shoulders, unconsciously trying to ease the burden of responsibility that weighted on him. He had chosen this path and it was no use lamenting the consequences.

At the gates the small group of fighters waited, their breaths mingling with those of their mounts in the freezing air. Erestor nodded to Legolas before lightly jumping onto his horse´s back. There was no cheering from around them, no battle cries being raised. Just countless pairs of eyes trained on them as they left the village, filled with a mixture of hope and fear.

When the gates had noisily closed behind them, the dark-haired elf cast a look at the fighters behind him. "On our way then", he said quietly, and in a silent cloud of white they raced off, the snow quietly billowing around them like a shroud.

x0x0x

Within one of the houses in the village, Estel stirred uneasily. He rolled over and found his face buried in soft yet slightly smelly fur. Waking more fully, he pushed away from Beakon and looked around warily.

He had only intended to take a short nap after his meal, eager to find out about the warrior´s meeting the town was buzzing about. But then Brehan had taken him into her arms and she had sung to him. He had lost himself in the comfort she offered and now he woke to darkness and to a room empty but for the great black dog.

A sudden fear gripped his heart and he stumbled out of the bed, flinching when his bare feet met the cold wooden floor. Swiftly padding to the window, Estel caught a glimpse of a group of riders silently leaving the village while all the humans stood by, watching. All but him.

Estel felt a sting in his heart when he saw who was leaving into the darkness. Bowder. Léod. Legolas. Erestor. All gone without a word to him.

He felt his chest tightening painfully and sat down in a heap where he had stood. Salty tears sneaked down his cheeks.

Beakon lowered his shaggy head and nosed him gently, his rough tongue rather sloppily wetting his face even more. Without a word Estel slung his arms around the great beast´s neck, allowing the strong heartbeat he felt there to calm him.

He would not be left behind. He would not stay and watch.

Resolve strengthened his heart and he got to his feet, wiping away his tears.

He, Estel of Imladris, would fight, too.

TBC