Didn't someone keep asking me for two chapters in one day? Your prayer has been answered! Here's the 2nd installment for today!

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Eldarion could not help lowering his gaze when he saw Movrak walking out of the house with Keldarion. The boy had a cloth-mask covering the lower half of his face, but he was still afraid that the merchant might recognize him upon sight.

"Don't worry," whispered Gallard, who stood next to him holding the reins to Keldarion's mount. The draq also wore a mask. "He won't know that it is you."

The young prince nodded. He fidgeted with the tail end of his turban, smiling when he recalled the previous one that Gallard had fashioned for him—the one that resembled a fruit basket. Before leaving the boarding house, Keldarion had glanced at it and immediately snatched the turban off Eldarion's head. He then whacked Gallard's head with it.

"You are useless," the elf had told the grinning draq. "I want him to look like a Haradrim servant, not a buffoon!"

Movrak came to a halt at the bottom of the stairs, frowning a bit when he noticed Eldarion and Gallard standing close to the wagon. "You brought companions with you?"

"They are my servants," Keldarion responded, before ordering Gallard, "Open the door. Show Lord Movrak what we have."

Smirking behind his mask, the Tasqamaran king obeyed. He went to the back of the wagon and quickly unlocked the door, flinging it wide open.

"Come have a look, my lord," he invited.

The merchant couldn't hide his excitement. He climbed up the wagon steps before Keldarion, gazing wildly at all sorts of weapons surrounding him. Those were the same collection of weaponry that Thranduil sons had confiscated from the band of robbers who had kidnapped Eldarion earlier.

Keldarion watched in slight amusement as the man oohed and aahed in admiration at everything he saw. Such a rare chance it was to have Movrak secluded from his guards. The elf almost leaped upon the man and knocked him senseless there and then.

Not now, Keldarion, he cautioned himself. Stick to the plan. Get Legolas, get the crown, and then you can get even.

"What do you think, my lord?"

"Impressive." Movrak nodded enthusiastically. "Impressive, indeed. But you've spoken of Legolas' daggers. Where are they? Show them to me."

Keldarion gave him a small smile. "I'd rather show them to you in the privacy of your own chamber, my lord."

"My chamber, hmm?" Movrak leered, gazing at Keldarion up and down. "Anything else you want to show me?"

The mercenary kept a straight face, ignoring the merchant's innuendo. "Those twin blades are priceless. I had to shed blood before I could get my hands on them."

"You kill him? Legolas, I mean."

"No. But I killed his brother. Legolas managed to escape with his tail between his legs," Keldarion curtly answered before he turned and stepped off the wagon.

Movrak arched his eyebrows, awestruck. He quickly followed the mercenary out. "You don't know where Legolas is?"

"I think I do, my lord. I've just discovered his trail. That's the main reason I'm here—to finish an unfinished business."

"Come again?"

Keldarion leaned closer to speak only for Movrak's ears. "I know you keep an elf captive, my lord. Right here, in this very keep."

The man slightly balked. "How did you know about that?"

"I'm Rowan, my lord. Rowan knows all," Keldarion said haughtily. "Besides, your men talk a lot when they are in town."

Thoughtful, Movrak went silent for a while as he pondered. He pulled Keldarion away from other listeners before he began talking, "I have a problem."

"Yes? I'm listening."

"You were right. I have taken an elf prisoner. He broke into this place last night and created such a lot of mess. I also believe he is the reason why more than ten of my slaves managed to escape."

The merchant continued to speak about his recent troubles, a little irritated that he had to share them with someone else in the first place. "You see, I have a feeling that the elf is here for something, but I'm not sure what it is. I did everything to make him talk but he is too damn stubborn!"

"He didn't tell you his name?"

"He refused!" Movrak almost spat at the word. "I've never met such infuriating creature before. Are all elves like him?"

"You have no idea," Keldarion replied, deadpan. "Where is he?"

"I put him under the rock. Maybe he has started babbling by now, or maybe he's dead already."

"The rock?"

Keep your cool, Keldarion. Keep your cool.

Keldarion resisted the temptation to commit murder on that very spot. "So, my lord, I see you still have that wonderful toy of yours."

"Yes, well, it's handy," the merchant said with a nonchalant wave of his hand. "I sure hope it serves its purpose. But so far, the elf still keeps his silence."

"Do you mind if I see him?"

Movrak stared at Keldarion, and then shrugged. "Sure. Why not? Maybe you can make him talk."

Oh, I sure will.

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Legolas opened his eyes when he sensed a company of people approaching. They were still outside his line of vision, but he could figure out who they were.

"Has he talked?" he heard Movrak ask.

"Not yet, my lord," was the guard's answer.

Someone came near. Legolas had to squint against the glare of the sun as he looked up. His own brother was staring down at him, his face a stiff cold mask.

"Ah, there you are, Legolas. I've been searching all over for you."

Legolas could only blink, unable to even speak.

"That's him? That's really him?" Movrak nudged Keldarion, greatly excited by this new development.

"None other."

"This is incredible!" The merchant cried out joyfully. "I have the famous Legolas within my clutch? Who would have thought of that?"

"It does boggle my mind," Keldarion dryly replied, staring so hard at Legolas that his younger brother had to look away.

"Make him talk, Rowan. Ask him why he is here."

"Don't have to. I already knew."

"You do?" Movrak gaped. "Then tell me."

Keldarion faced the man. "He is Gondor's loyal ally. He came for a certain thing that you have in your possession."

The man frowned. "I have many things, Rowan. Can you be more specific?"

"This concerns a priceless relic, my lord." Keldarion smiled meaningfully. "Something that used to belong to Isildur."

Movrak was clearly shocked by this. Amazingly, he was able to keep his composure. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, I think you do."

Flustered, Movrak stared at Keldarion, down at Legolas, then back at the mercenary. "But how did you find out about it?"

"The same way he did." Keldarion nodded at Legolas' way. "Your men talk too much."

The merchant whirled around to glare at his guardsmen, who instantly shrank away with fear. Turning back to Keldarion, Movrak said, "I guess I need to find out who among them gave away my secret. But first thing first. What are we to do with him?"

Both looked down at the silent Legolas at their feet.

Keldarion made a show of biting his lower lip, as if deep in thought. "I tell you what, my lord. I have a personal matter to settle with this creature myself. How about you give him to me, and then you shall have all the weapons in my wagon for free."

Movrak's eyes bulged, surprised by the generous offer. "Are you serious?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Genuinely angry now, Keldarion scowled at the man. He truly wanted this over and done with. Valar knew how much longer Legolas could bear under the rock's weight.

"Then it's a deal!" The merchant announced with an over-bright smile, enthusiastically pumping Keldarion's right hand to seal the agreement. "Take the elf. Do whatever you want to do with him."

"I'm glad you approve, my lord." Keldarion inclined his head with false gratitude. He turned towards Eldarion. The young prince was standing as still as statue, staring without blinking at the rock and its current victim.

"You, boy! Go unload those weapons."

Eldarion blinked. He stared dazedly at Keldarion, causing the elf to repeat his order, "Don't just stand there. Move it! Empty the wagon!"

The boy jerked to attention. He bowed repeatedly at Keldarion before rushing back to the front court. Movrak watched him go.

"How old is the boy?"

"Fifteen," Keldarion shortly answered.

"Is he good looking?"

"Very."

"I'll buy him from you."

"He is yours."

Incredulous, Legolas stared at his brother. What the heck are you doing?

Movrak told one guard to inform the servants to help Eldarion with the wagon. Then he gave the order to free the elf from under the rock. The guards rushed about to do his biddings, one of them already handling the lever of the mechanism. The pulley screeched again as the rock went slowly up—a high shrill sound that grated on everyone's nerves.

"We need to oil that thing," Movrak pointed out.

Keldarion just grunted in reply, his attention mainly on his brother. When Legolas finally came into full view, Keldarion almost collapsed to his knees.

Legolas looked awful.

There was a choking sound coming from Gallard who stood several feet away, but the draq quickly smothered it down. Keldarion dared not look at his friend. He dared not look away from his brother, in fact. He simply couldn't, as if he had turned to stone.

By the Valar, Legolas. What have they done to you?

"Not pretty anymore, is he?" Movrak chuckled, intensely pleased with his handiwork.

"He looks like a burnt lizard," Keldarion softly said, which was not far from the truth.

There were red, angry blisters all over Legolas' skin. His face was dirty and bloodied. His body was black and blue, covered with bruises and filth. Helpless and totally vulnerable, he had been kept immobile that way for hours.

Deeply stricken, Keldarion had to blink away his tears lest Movrak saw them and made comments.

After they cut off his bonds, the men hauled the elf to his knees. Legolas nearly screamed in anguish from the sudden intense pain. He knelt there unsteadily, rubbing at his chafed wrists and trying to gather his bearings. His head swam. His vision started to blur. The soreness in his tummy grew tenfold.

"Where are his clothes?" Keldarion demanded. A guard rushed forward to give him what he asked.

Keldarion then threw the garments at his brother's face, "Cover yourself! Your flesh repulses me!"

Trembling, Legolas picked them up and painfully began to get dress. He noticed they didn't give him back his boots.

Movrak leaned closer to Keldarion, commenting, "I think he's afraid of you."

The elf gave no response, keenly observing his brother's slow progress. Legolas' soft whimpers were audible only to his ears.

When he was fully clothed, Legolas stayed where he was, swaying, fixing his stare at the ground.

"Are you done?"

Without waiting for Legolas' answer, Keldarion beckoned Gallard to come forward. "Bind his hands and lock him in the wagon. Make sure he doesn't escape."

Gallard hesitated for a brief second before he walked over to Legolas. Taking out a scarf, the draq pulled Legolas' arms behind his back and tied the long cloth around his wrists.

Looking satisfied, Keldarion faced Movrak once more. "Well, my lord? Didn't you say you wanted to see something?"

"Oh, yes. Legolas' twin blades." Movrak brightened. He wiggled his brows roguishly. "But perhaps afterwards you can even show me your blade."

There was that sly innuendo again.

Keldarion told himself not to throw up.

"Let us move to my chamber, Rowan. We won't be disturbed there," Movrak added with a big grin.

"By all means, my lord. Lead the way." Keldarion slightly bowed. Then he went off with the merchant without a backward glance to his brother.

With Gallard's support, Legolas struggled to his feet. He leaned heavily against his friend as he limped forward, his mind reeling from this sudden turn of events.

"Play along, Legolas," Gallard whispered through the corners of his mouth. "All will be well."

Indeed, it would.

Because Rowan the mercenary had come and rescued him yet again.

TBC…

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