For disclaimer, see first chapter.
Right Side of Justice
Chapter 11 – Wing It
When old age arrived, knocking at one's knees, those moments of inactivity became an activity all of its own. Benito was working at perfecting this gentlemen's sport (endeavoring to ignore the significant looks cast at him from across the saloon by John Peters), when a gun pressed against the back of his skull and he was rudely kidnapped.
"Nobody move! He's an old, frail man, but we don't care one bloody flea if we blow his head right off – that's 'cause we're crazy men!"
The kidnapper received odd stares from his cohorts.
Peters yelped as he was dragged off his stool by his neck, casting more alarmed looks at Benito. "This one too!" howled the kidnapper, his mask distorting his voice, "We don't care much about his head either!"
Benito was rather offended that everybody seemed to agree with the self-proclaimed 'crazy men' in that they didn't seem to care much about what happened to anybody else's head, save their own. This was their regularly scheduled entertainment venue.
Still, the barkeep preferred to keep four legs on his furniture, "What do you want?"
There was an awkward moment where the vociferous kidnapper looked to his comrades. Most of the people couldn't make out what was said furtively between two members of the gang, but a few swore they heard:
"What do we want?"
"I thought you knew."
"I don't! We never decided on that bit!"
"Look here, 'Wild Haired Bill', you're the one that wanted to run this thing – so run it!"
"But I can't run it if I don't know what we're heisting."
"People are starting to stare – just wing it!"
"This is a saloon kidnapping, robbery, thing…People are supposed to stare!"
"I've heard of people screaming, running each other over, throwing kegs of alcohol over each other's heads – but I've never heard of them sniggering in situations like this."
"Well, it's just 'cause –"
"Make something up, or I bloody will start blowing some heads off. Starting with yours!"
"But—"
"Beer! We want beer!"
Everybody looked at the new speaker – the tallest of the group and broadest in the shoulders. His stature suggested the sort who could make good on his threats.
The barkeep seemed prepared for these situations. He disappeared below the counter. When came back up, he held a case of rattling bottles. "Take them and go away."
Even before they were gone, normal conversation had recommenced.
On their way out, the outlaws mumbled something about keeping the kidnappers for safe keeping…
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"What the blazes was that?" Bryne whipped off his hat and mask, glaring down at Tyne - who was tapping a bottle thoughtfully.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I thought it went rather well, all in all…"
"'Crazy men'? Call yourself whatever you want, but don't drag all of us in with your random proclamations."
Legolas stepped between the two, tugging the scarf of his face. "At least we have what we went for – and then some." He glanced at Peters and Benito, then the crate of alcoholic beverages.
"Yeah, but—"
"Let's just be grateful everybody still has their head," Legolas eyeballed Scott significantly. He moved away, leaving Scott and Bryne chastised.
John Peters was sitting, shoulders hunched, out of the way. He looked up anxiously as Legolas approached. He was looking at Legolas the way people do when they want to look, think they shouldn't look, and are trying their very best not to look like they are looking.
"You're John, I presume?" Legolas tried to sound friendly.
"Yes, and you are who?"
"That's Legolas, or Mateo, or the Blood-thirsty Vampire Man of—" Scott felt the wrath of Legolas' eyes and quickly set to tightening his horse's girth.
"Ignore him," Legolas advised, but by the look on John's face, Scott had already done critical damage.
"You're him?" John's eyes widened, shooting to his feet.
Legolas sighed. "If by 'him' you mean a solitary sort, who prefers to keep to himself, who until now has not found it necessary to draw attention – if that is who you mean by 'him', then yes, that is I."
"But all you've ever done is draw attention," exclaimed John, looking Legolas up and down. "We're not even under the Harris jurisdiction and we've heard of you over on the greener side."
"Why is a private person so interesting to the nosey public? Why is my sort such an anomaly? That is one thing I have never fathomed about you huma—people." An old frustration knotted around his throat, almost cutting off the control of his tongue. Why couldn't humans just leave well enough alone? Even Aragorn had suffered from that same human curse – poking his nose where it shouldn't, and querying where he shouldn't ask.
"I'm sorry that we had to jostle you a bit, but it was necessary. I only ask one thing – is your offer still open?" Legolas voice was clipped.
John felt as if he was being commanded, not asked. "Well, I suppose that's right…maybe I should ride on ahead and let the Missus know you're coming…see what she has to say…"
"I think your wife will stand by your decision." Legolas smiled a well-practiced, predatoral smile, "I'm sure she'll appreciate your decisiveness."
"Yes, yes, I suppose you're right," stammered John, smoothing his frazzled hair with a sweaty palm. "Erm, yes, yes, the invitation is still open…I think."
"Excellent." Legolas shoved a pair of reins into John's clammy hands. "Lead on."
"You mean, now?" John looked to Bryne for some kind of support. He received only an unemotional blink. Legolas was still smiling. "Oh, yes, I suppose you do mean now…"
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A/N: That wasn't such a long wait, was it? This chapter was sort of an interlude – a gathering of thoughts and placement of characters. From the notions bouncing around in my head, Legolas and his outlaws are in for a tough ride that will take us to the end of Part I.
I really appreciate the encouragement on the last chapter. You guys are the best. Really. I've never had such…patient…readers. Sweat drop.
Anybody know how to fix these annoying backward quotes?
Happy belated Thanksgiving, by the way!
…and if I don't get another chapter before Christmas – a very blessed and Merry Christmas to all of you!
But let's hope I get to say that again, ne? I've got notions of a Christmas side-story for Mateo/Legolas, Benito, and Toril…:)
We shall see.
Oh, one more random comment. As a matter of fact, my LJ is an active journal – I'm always thrilled to get a 'hullo'. Um, so what I think I'm trying to say is that I'd love to friendlist my readers – it'll be a great accountability tool… Wince.