Sorry for such a delay. Got occupied with work amoong other things. Well, here's the next chapter that I'm sure some of you are waiting for.
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Elladan led the way further into the forest as they continued their search for Haldir. They had manged to find a few signs that showed someone had passed recently.
"They definitely went this way. They certainly didn't fly to wherever they are now," he finally said.
"Then let's go and get him out of there," Nanaylia stated.
She started to head further into the forest when Legolas grabbed her arm. She turned towards her brother to find a worried look on his face.
"What is the matter?" she wondered.
"I'm worried about will happen to you," replied Legolas.
"About what again? Legolas, you know I can take care of myself," Nanaylia said in total disbelief.
"I realize that but these are the same gargoyles who kidnapped you, helped change you into one of them and left you for dead when everything got too tough for them," Legolas explained.
"We all know that Legolas but that didn't stop them from coming back. I know this area and I'm not afraid. At least not yet I am. Let's just go find Haldir and get him out of here. I hate to see what they're doing to him right now," Nanaylia protested.
Legolas released his sister before they headed further into the forest. Elladan and Elrohir glanced at each other as they felt the slight tension between the brother and sister. The twins could also tell that the two were also nervous, probably old memories coming back.
"I wish we didn't have to come back in here," Elladan quietly said.
"You're not the only one," agreed Elladan.
They continued to walk further into the forest, wondering if Haldir was even still alive.
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Banside walked up to Haldir, who didn't appear to notice that he was there. The gargoyle snickered before kicking Haldir in the shin. The elf slightly cringed as he glanced over at Banside.
"So nice to see that you're awake. I was wondering if you were still alive," Banside said.
"Unfortunately," Haldir said, a slight cringe in his voice.
"I saw what Yancha and you were doing earlier. I found it very entertaining if you ask me although I'm sure you wouldn't say the same," Banside told him.
Haldir growled as he watched the gargoyle pace back and forth in front of him.
"You should know that we are happy to have fun with an elf again. It has been 15 years since we last came across an elf," Banside told him. "It's funny though, the elves who were last here, you happen to know personally."
Haldir narrowed his eyes, careful to watch what the gargoyle was doing. He was very well aware of what happened 15 years ago and how Nanaylia was found.
"Were you ever told of what happened specifically in here?" Banside wondered.
Haldir thought for only a moment before a look of shock crossed his face. No one really wanted to tell him everything that happened, particularly not. Haldir looked away, not knowing what to say.
"Did Thranduil ever tell of you of what he did?" Banside told him.
"What did he do?" asked Haldir.
"He didn't tell you that he actually stayed behind in here to try and save his son? Legolas was mentally and physically injured when we brought him here all those years ago," Banside told him.
Haldir tried not to show his surprise as he continued to follow Banside's movements.
"We even brought Thranduil, the great king of Mirkwood, to his knees in his own palace," Banside said.
He turned and took a few steps away from Haldir, a laugh sneaking its way into his voice.
"I only wish that Legolas hadn't realized the truth about his sister's death. We had them right where we wanted them," Banside put in.
Haldir growled as he listened to the gargoyle. Banside stepped up to Haldir's side and the elf wondered what he was going to do. Haldir closed his eyes and prepared for the worst. Banside smirked at the elf's reaction as he moved closer.
"You don't worry just yet elf. Nothing's going to happen to you. At least not yet," Banside told him.
The gargoyle stood up and began to walk away from Haldir, who carefully watched him. Banside quickly turned around and kicked Haldir in the chest, the air wooshing out of the elf's lungs. He gasped for air as Banside walked away from him.
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Galadriel watched the flame on the candle as it flickered in front of her face. Thranduil and Celeborn were both pacing back and forth. Barely anything had been said between them for hours and all of them could feel the tension that was slowly rising in the room.
"They're getting close," Galadriel suddenly said out loud.
Thranduil and Celeborn stopped their pacing and turned to face her.
"Who's close to what?" Celeborn wondered.
"The children. They're close to where Haldir is being held captive. I can sense it," she replied.
"I sincerely hope they can him out of there without any problems. I'd hate to see someone injured again," Thranduil admitted.
Galadriel sighed before glancing out the window. In the back of her mind, she knew someone would be hurt before the whole situation was over but she wasn't sure exactly who yet. She didn't want to tell Thranduil or Celeborn for she didn't want to make them worried if nothing happened in the end.
"Please let them come back safe," she murmured.
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Elladan walked up to one of the trees and placed his hand on the trunk. His brother stood nearby and crossed his arms.
"I never thought we'd back back here again so soon," Elrohir muttered.
"I know what you mean. I hope we find Haldir soon so we can get out of here," agreed Elladan.
The twins headed towards where Nanaylia and Legolas were standing nearby.
"We've been searching for hours Legolas, do you really think that he's in here somewhere?" wondered Nanaylia.
"He has to be in here. He wouldn't be missing if he wasn't," Legolas replied.
"Not necessarily. He could have easily gotten injured somewhere else in these woods. It is big and dangerous in here or have you forgotten that?" wondered Nanaylia.
She crossed her arms and stared at her brother. Legolas turned and it soon became a staring contest.
"Quiet, both of you. We have a problem," Elladan quietly yelled at them.
His brother and friends glanced over at him to see that he was motioning to them to head towards his direction. They silently walked over to him to find out what he was looking at. They gasped as they stared at the gargoyles in the clearing before them.
"I can't believe there are so many!" Legolas barely said.
Elrohir's stare went over the group and his eyes lit up in hope when he saw Haldir laying near a tree on the outskirts of the clearing. The bad part about it was that he was on the other side.
"There he is, now how are we going to get him out of there?" wondered Elrohir.
"The only way I know how to. I say once I get in there, the three of you get back to the palace. I can take care of things here after I'm reaquainted with them," replied Nanaylia.
The three were all shocked by her idea. Legolas opened his mouth to protest but Nanaylia held up her hand to stop him.
"There's only one way to possibly get him out of there and all of you know this is it," she simply stated.
Legolas bit his tongue and nodded, the look of protest still obvious on his face. The three watched her, not liking this idea at all.
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Banside sat down next to the fire, keeping an eye on the prisoner nearby. He picked up a few pieces of meat and placed them in his mouth. He slowly chewed as Haldir watched him with a worried eye.
"This might be you sooner or later. We don't get too much to eat here," Banside told him.
"Thanks for the warning," Haldir replied, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Banside turned towards Haldir and carefully watched him.
"Did you know that there aren't too many gargoyles left? We're trying to reproduce but there are many factors preventing us from doing so. Most of what's left is right here but there are a few who are elsewhere," Banside told him.
"Really? About how many, would you say, are not here?" wondered Haldir.
"Well, there's Shentree and Sathed for starters. I haven't seen them in years but I know they're still alive. I wouldn't know exactly how many others there are besides them," Banside replied.
"Have you forgotten about me already? I'm so devestated!" came a strangely familiar voice.
Banside quickly stood up and took a defensive stance. Haldir glanced in the direction that Banside was staring in and his eyes flashed surprise. The gargoyle smirked once he saw who it was and immediately drew out of his defensive stand. He crossed his arms and began to laugh.
"How good it is to see you again Narcissis," Banside told her.
Narcissis stepped into the light of the fire and smiled at him, arms crossed.
"It's good to be back," she said.
TBC...