Hello. Yes, I'm back. How is everyone? Better than I am, I hope. I apologize for the delay. My granny's death not only broke my heart. I think it killed my muse too. I got the most terrible writer's block you can't even imagine. I couldn't even make out a single line, so depressed that I was.
Anyway, I'm now back to normal. Well, sort of. And I'll continue writing so as not to disappoint all of you, o my faithful readers. Thank you very, very much for those condolences and e-cards that you sent me. I'm so touch by your deep concern, knowing that you all care. Thank you again, and I hope no one has given up on me yet.
And now, after a very long period of waiting, let's continue on with 'The Incredible Adventure of Legolas and company'. (Someone's gonna get into deep trouble…)
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"Uh…Legolas? I believe it is time for your backup plan," Eldarion said, gazing hopefully at the elf.
"Backup plan? What backup plan? I don't even have a plan to begin with," Legolas muttered in rising anxiety as the slaves continued to cry out for his help and mercy.
"But surely you can think of something!" Eldarion started to panic. Pushing the other boy out of his way, the young prince desperately clutched at the steel bars with both fists. "And you need to think fast before the guards return!"
"Yes, well, I've already ran out of ideas." Legolas shrugged apologetically. "Besides, I can't think with all this noise ringing in my ears."
"Oh, Legolas…"
"I know, I know. I screw up big time, didn't I?"
"Then unscrew it!" Eldarion's eyes were huge and tear filled as he stared beseechingly at the elf. "Please, do something, Legolas. Anything!"
Around them, the slaves' cries grew louder and nastier. They repeatedly banged their fetters against the steel bars, trying to get Legolas' attention. Some of the women even began to wail in earnest. It wouldn't take long for the guards to hear the commotion and come down to investigate.
Even though overcame with sheer terror, Eldarion still had the will to meet the elf's stricken gaze head on and quietly said, "Leave me, Legolas. Leave now before the guards arrive."
Shocked, Legolas could only gape at the young prince.
"I can not leave you!" he retorted, incredulously. "I will not leave without you."
"But the guards are coming! You'll be caught!"
Yes, the guards had come. The sound of their pattering feet as they rushed down the stairs was clearly heard amid the racket. Aware of the approaching guards, the slaves quickly quieted down and retreated hastily to their sleeping pallets.
But the damage had already been done.
Still speaking in elven tongue, Legolas told Eldarion, "Whatever happens after this, don't say a word until I say so."
"What?" The boy was flabbergasted. "What is your meaning? What do you intend to do?"
"Promise me, Darion! Not a word, no matter what happens."
"But…but…" Eldarion was stammering in protest, but Legolas was no longer listening. The elf had whirled around, brandishing his dagger in one fist and striding purposely towards the exit even as a pack of guards was streaming in from that very direction. The men briefly hesitated when they caught sight of the tall stranger.
It was all the time the elf needed. In one fluid move, he leaped and kicked, knocking over two men. Before the guards could comprehend what was really happening, Legolas was already lashing about with his short blade, causing the men to scramble madly for cover.
What followed afterwards was a complete chaos. The prison was filled with the sound of the guards' yelling in alarm, echoed by their shrieks of pain as they fell under the unexpected attack. Armed with cudgels and swords, they tried to give fight but the unknown warrior was too inhumanly fast and precise for the men to keep up.
Eldarion's mouth dropped open as he watched the elf move. It was not his first time seeing Legolas in action, but it never ceased to amaze him every time he did so. His own father was a magnificent swordsman, but even the king of Gondor was no match to the elf prince's deadly gracefulness during a combat with more than five men simultaneously.
Ignoring the excited young slave behind him, Eldarion pressed himself against the steel bars, inwardly praying hard for Legolas' safety and quick victory. He began to breathe easier when the guards kept toppling to the floor, one after another. Despite the odd, the elf was clearly winning the battle. And he was not even shedding a sweat!
Eldarion smiled in relief when the last guard fell, twitching spasmodically from a fatal wound in the neck. Still clutching his bloodied dagger, Legolas frantically searched among the bodies. He was obviously looking for something, which puzzled the boy greatly. When he opened his mouth to ask, though, the young prince recalled the elf's earlier warning, so he kept his silence.
Legolas finally straightened with a triumphant smile on his face. He showed Eldarion the ring of keys that he had just found, taken from one of the dead guards' belt.
Exulted, Eldarion felt like jumping up and down with joy. But his smile immediately vanished when more voices came from the direction of the stairs.
Legolas heard it too, and he instantly reacted by throwing the keys at Eldarion. The boy was so surprised by the action he almost missed it when they ring of keys flew through the bars. He caught it before it could smack him in the forehead.
"Hide them!" Legolas shouted, and turned to face the next battle.
"Wha…?" Dumbfounded, Eldarion just stared at the keys. But he quickly slipped them down the back of his pants and sat down abruptly, blinking like a dazed rat.
If the situation was not so dire, Legolas would have laughed out loud at the boy's comical expression. Bracing himself for the looming confrontation, the elf was forced to admit, his luck had just run out. More guards were bursting through the entranceway, completely blocking his only means for escape.
And they were fully armed with loaded crossbows, aimed directly at his heart!
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"What do you mean, he's not there!"
"That's what I said. Legolas is not where I left him. I looked everywhere. He's gone!"
"But where can he be?"
"He is your brother. You tell me."
Keldarion turned away with a growl, "Stupid insolent insufferable pig-headed impudent elfling! I'll wring his bloody stupid neck when I find him!"
"If you find him, that is," Gallard muttered under his breath.
The elf prince whirled around and glared. "I heard that!"
The draq made the effort not to laugh as he watched his friend's face, which had turned as red as a ripe tomato. A levelheaded person, Keldarion was normally slow to anger. But when his temper did explode, he could even put his hotheaded brother and equally short-fused father to shame.
"I will find that stupid brat!" Keldarion vowed, jabbing down an index finger to stress his point. "And I will wring his stupid neck and squeeze the stupid juice out of his bloody stupid head!"
Gallard started to think that 'stupid' had become the elf's latest favorite word. "Oh, I just can't wait," he quipped. "What do you suggest we do now? Stick to our original plan?"
"It's useless without Legolas around, blast the brat's hide. We must proceed with our backup plan."
Gallard gaped in astonishment. "We have a backup plan? I didn't know that."
"If you have a troublesome younger brother like mine, you need to have a backup plan," Keldarion explained, looking vastly irritated. "No, scratch that. This is Legolas we are talking about. Make it several backup plans."
Gallard snickered, causing Keldarion to glare even more.
"All right, Kel, tell me more the about this backup plan. How do we proceed?" asked the draq after he was able to muster a straight face.
"Later. But first, show me the place where that stupid, little…" Keldarion took a deep breath before continuing in a much calmer tone of voice, "Just show me where you last saw my brother."
Grinning, Gallard nodded. "This way."
Leaving their mounts grazing by the brambles, Keldarion went to follow the draq. Gallard led the way through a thicket of desert bushes, heading directly towards the high structure of the keep's southern wall. The well-lit path that went up to the main gate was not more than a hundred yards away, but no passersby could notice the two friends for they were keeping close to the deep, dark shadows.
They walked in silence for several minutes before Gallard stopped and pointed upward. "There. I found him crouching behind the rampart, baking his brain out."
Eldarion looked thoughtfully at the indicated place. "You are sure they post no guards on the wall?"
"No guards, trust me. Beware of a guard tower next to the main house, though. It is always occupied."
The elf nodded. He made sure that his turban was in place and that his sword was strapped securely to his waist before placing his hands against the rocky surface.
Gallard looked skeptical. "Err…Do you think you're well enough to climb this?"
Keldarion paused and glanced over his shoulder. "Why? Are you offering to fly me up there?"
"Now you are confusing me with Gwaihir," the draq retorted. "Go climb, then. I'll be here to catch you if you fall."
The elf snorted at that but didn't give other untoward responses. Seconds later, he was swiftly scaling up the wall. Twinges of pain came from his still healing shoulder as he flexed and stretched for purchase. He ignored them, unwilling to let a mere arrow wound to hamper his progress. Still, he couldn't help but felt a bit surprise to find himself climbing as effortlessly as ever. The night before, he couldn't even stand on his own feet!
Legolas' tonic has worked wonders, Keldarion mused with a shake of his head. He had better be all right. Or else, I'll cram his own bitter medicine down his throat! Silly imp! I swear I'll choke that stubborn fool when I see him! I'll box his ears and kick his arse and…and…
The elf ceased moving abruptly. He clung there for a full minute, trying to gather his composure. He worked to tamp down his anger but…By the Valar, what a feat that proved to be! He was so furious he could spit!
Legolas had gone too far this time. Not only had he disobeyed Keldarion's orders by venturing into the city all alone, he had also trespassed into the enemy's territory without any weapons to speak of. He also had the gall to break his promise to Gallard and vanished from his post!
Ai! Talk about a hard-head! No one did it better than Legolas.
Keldarion shook his head, wondering why he was not born the only child. That could have saved him a lot of nerve-wracking panic attacks. Earlier that afternoon, when he woke up from his nap and saw no sign of Legolas, he had jumped out of bed cursing and swearing—much to Gallard's great amusement. While the draq flew off to look for the wayward elf-prince, Keldarion had to wait impatiently inside their room, alternately pacing and muttering and cursing and kicking at the furniture like a mad man. His temper had not improved when Gallard returned without Legolas. And, as if to mock him, his younger brother had sent him a slice of stupid orange cake, of all things!
Between him and Gallard, a quick plan had been quickly constructed. It took them a lot longer to leave the boardinghouse, though, because they had spent some time arguing about Gallard's attire. At first, the draq had refused to wear their disguise, preferring to stay bare to the waist so that he could take his eagle form anytime that he pleased. Keldarion disagreed, saying that they needed to pose as Haradrim mercenaries so that they could venture into the city unmolested. Besides, he wanted Gallard by his side where he could see him. The elf didn't want another misplaced companion on top of everything else.
In the end—after much cajoling and bullying from Keldarion—Gallard relented. By then, Keldarion was about ready to froth at the mouth from great frustration. Even though reluctant, Gallard had agreed to wear the hated turban and cloak while they rode for Movrak's keep. But as soon as they came near the wall, the draq quickly shed off his upper garments and transformed into the eagle that he was, before flying off to meet Legolas where he had seen him last. Not long after, he had hurried back to tell Keldarion the bad news.
And things continued to go downhill from there.
Heck. Things had already gone downhill long before then. They just needed to tumble down faster and faster before hitting rock bottom!
Based on past experiences, Keldarion believed that their mission was going to take a drastic turn, as it had always happened whenever his younger brother took matters into his own hands. His gut feeling told him that they were going to get involve in not one but two rescue operations. He truly hoped that what he felt was wrong, but there was one fact about his brother that everyone fully agreed on.
Legolas and 'trouble' mutually existed.
Enough said.
Sighing, Keldarion resumed his climbing. He pushed aside all the negative thoughts from his mind and concentrated on his hold and footing. He had not done rock-climbing for years, and he had a shoulder wound to boot. Elves might be agile and lightweight on their feet, but it still hurt like the very devil if you hit the ground head first.
Reaching the top, he pulled himself over and settled low behind the rampart. To his utter disgust, Gallard was already waiting there, grinning back at him like a fevered goat.
"Now what are you so happy about?"
"Oh, nothing. I'm just glad that I have wings," Gallard glibly replied.
Keldarion was not impressed. "Are you sure you're a king? Or maybe you are a court jester. Which one is it?"
"Ouch. You wound me." Gallard smiled ruefully. He then turned all business. "All right. Here is where I left that stupid insolent insufferable brother of yours..."
"Don't call him that!" Keldarion hissed.
"Why not? You did."
"I used to change his diapers so Ihave the right to call him anything I want."
Gallard blinked. And then he gave the elf a slight bow. "My apologies."
"Never mind." Keldarion jerked his head. "Carry on."
Stifling his laughter, the draq continued, "Right…um…This is where I left your charming little brother. He looked bored out of his mind, surveying the sentry pattern. As you can see for yourself, he is not here anymore. So where is he now? Only the stars know."
Keldarion peered over the rampart, his eyes sharp as he scanned the inside of the keep. He instantly saw the great excitement surrounding one of the small buildings. "That shed is on fire!"
"I think it's the smithy." Gallard nodded, watching the men below worked together to put out the flame even though the smithy itself was already beyond help. "Do you think Legolas had anything to do with this?"
The elf gave the draq a droll look. "Do I really need to answer that?"
Gallard chuckled. "Silly me. Of course this is Legolas' doing. But where the blazes is he? And why burn the smithy?"
"If I knew Legolas' mind correctly, the fire is just a diversion."
Frowning, Gallard stared at his companion. "What is he up to, do you think? And why do I get this feeling that whatever it is doesn't mean good? "
Keldarion didn't answer. He got the same feeling too.
"Oh, look! Something is going on over there!" Gallard exclaimed not long after as some of the guards suddenly went rushing through the entrance that led down to the prison.
Still not speaking, Keldarion stared at the scene with increasing horror. He knew exactly what this latest development meant.
Legolas had just blown his cover.
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"Cease! Throw down your weapon! Put your hands on your head!"
Legolas ignored the orders. He gripped his dagger to his side and stared unflinching at the guards who had their loaded crossbows aimed straight at him.
"Do as you're told! Drop your weapon and surrender!"
The guards were growing more agitated when the stranger still refused to obey. Clearly, the men were afraid of him, and for good reason. Their comrades' bodies lay scattered at their feet, never to get up again. They did not know who this strange person really was, but he was sure one very dangerous warrior. To have killed eight men armed with only a dagger was totally unheard of among ordinary humans.
Legolas smiled without humor. He was aware of Eldarion's worried gaze on him but gave the boy no heed. He knew he was cornered, and that he was only a breath away from getting shot. Still, 'surrender' was not a word to be found in Legolas' survival manual.
Then, to everyone's great disbelief—himself included—Legolas boldly made a sudden dash towards the human blockade. Deadly arrows flew off simultaneously. Expecting the danger, the elf leaped high and twisted in the air, out of harm's way. Even then, his dagger was already slashing at the nearest throats.
Once again the prison was filled with the sound of screaming men. Legolas landed in their midst, kicking and hacking in frenzy. As he searched for an opening to escape, the guards quickly reloaded their crossbows. A savage kick from the elf caused one of them men to stumble against his comrades, spoiling their aim. The men cursed.
Eyeing the now empty doorway, Legolas made a quick run for it.
He didn't make it.
Something hit him in his left leg, causing him to lurch and topple hard to the ground. The dagger flew out of his hand and landed far out of his reach. He struggled to rise but the guards were already upon him.
"Say nothing, Darion!" he shouted in Elvish, hoping that the young prince of Gondor could hear him amid the racket.
Eldarion was horrified when he saw Legolas fell. He watched in dismay as the guards scrambled to pin the elf down, twisting his arms behind his back as he thrashed about for release. Then one of them raised a cudgel and swung it down towards Legolas' head.
Sickened to his heart, Aragorn's son could not bear to watch. He shut his eyes and hastily turned away, but the sound of the elf's sharp cry could not escape his hearing. When he dared to look back, Legolas was already unconscious and the guards were dragging him into an empty cell.
As tears of fury and regret ran down his cheeks, Eldarion slumped against the wall, shaking uncontrollably from fright and grief.
Oh, Legolas, please forgive me, he whimpered inwardly. By the Valar, what have I done?
TBC…