Disclaimer: I all ready told you it's mine now. ALL MINE!
A/N: Thanks so much everyone for your encouragement and feedback. It's really great to know that I'm getting the desired effect in my story. Thanks everyone. I have a few questions to answer from people, so here is a quick response and then on to the story. Enjoy because there are only two more chapters after this one.
Invisigoth3: Yes, but is it a good thing or a bad thing that Netelth believed Aragorn? That is the question. ;) Glad you are enjoying. Thanks for the review.
Alia G. L: Yes I know, Finalwen was rather annoying. He was actually suppose to be meaner, but I took that out. He will be back in the last chapter though. Yes we are getting to the good part. And no, I am not going to share LOTR. It's mine… ALL MINE. Lol. Just kidding. If I really had purchased it, of course I would share it with you….eventually.
Aranna Undomiel: Aragorn just playing nice so he can escape? Now what would give you an idea like that? ;) You shall see soon though. Thanks for your continual reviews. You have stuck with me and my stories for a long time and I really appreciate that. Thanks for always coming back and encouraging me on.
Chapter 34
Treachery
Got No Strength, Got No Love
Life Is Slowly Fading Away
Broken Promises Everywhere
You're Out Of Control
Dangerous Game
You're Playing With Your Soul
Devil's Game
You're Under His Control
Now My Friend
It's Time To Break This Evil Game
Now My Friend
It's Time To Break This Circle
The Time Is Short
Your Eyes Are Blind
It's The Devil In Disguise
Hey, Wake Up And Realize
He's Playing His Best Cards
-Narnia - Dangerous Game
Hoof beats echoed hard against the dry ground as the company of elves traveled as fast as the darkness would allow them to ride safely. They were all in great hurry to return to the palace. Suddenly one of the lead elves held up a hand and the others pulled their horses to a stop.
"Four horses are approaching us, Lord Elrond."
Elrond looked where Celeborn had directed. In the dim light of the moon and their torches, he could make out four figures.
"I believe our scouts are returning and with them ride two identical twins."
Elrond nodded. "Yes, they have found my sons."
"Let us ride to meet them. We have no time to linger." Gandalf said as he spurred his horse forward. In a few moments, they met the elves traveling towards them and exchanged quick greetings.
"It is good to see you, my sons. What word do you bring?" Elrond asked.
"We were coming to find you. We did not expect you to be traveling back so soon." Elladan spoke up. Then he looked around as if he feared the very trees were watching them.
"We are safe for now, young warrior." Gandalf said. "Tell us your news."
Elladan nodded and continued. "We have a message from King Thranduil. He believes an attack is being planned on the palace and for safety he and Legolas have relocated to a safe location."
Relief passed over Celeborn and Elrond's faces.
"This is good news indeed. We were coming to warn him, but we feared we would not come in time." Celeborn said.
"It is good news perhaps, but there is no way to tell if their relocation was for better or for worse. I fear there is more evil than what we see with our eyes." Gandalf spoke up.
Elrond nodded. "Then we must continue our haste to the palace."
Gandalf shook his head. "No, we must find the king. He is the one who the Nazgul wants and he will stop at nothing to find him."
"Do you know where this safe location is?" Celeborn asked the twins.
"It was a cave about a day's and a half journey from the palace. Salien said it was a cave he and Legolas had found years ago." Elrohir said.
"We should spread out to try to find it then. We have no time to delay." Gandalf said.
"We may not have to."
Everyone turned to look at the elf who had spoken. Kalen rode his horse forward a bit so he could face them.
"I believe I know the cave. Lady Linriel showed it to me many years ago. She said Legolas and Salien had found it, but Legolas did not wish to explore it."
"Can you find your way back?" Celeborn asked.
"Yes, I believe I can. I know the road they would have traveled from the palace. But we must hurry." Kalen replied.
"Lead the way, young warrior." Gandalf said.
Kalen smiled despite the circumstances. It felt good to be able to please the elf lords and the wizard. Now all he needed to do was find his way back to the cave.
Aragorn placed his hand on the ground checking hoof marks left by horses. They were faint and the trail was at least a few hours old, but it did prove he was going the right way. The company did not seem to be hurrying along, but at the same time, they were not traveling at a light pace either. Aragorn sighed and hoped he would be able to reach them before they made it to the cave.
Aragorn walked quietly back to his horse and realizing he was quite hungry, he pulled out a bit of food. For a minute, he sat down to consume his food and stared out into the woods. A wave of loneliness fell over him and Aragorn could not understand why. There had been many times in his life where he had been traveling alone and at times, he did wish for the company of someone else. But this was different. He did not just feel lonely. He felt alone. It was a feeling of emptiness that he could not seem to put a finger on. He tried to remember the old days when he would have fun with Elladan and Elrohir. He tried to reflect on his memories. Whenever he felt lonely, thinking of home always uplifted his spirits. This time it did not. This time he couldn't even focus on his past. It all seemed blurry and so far away.
With a sigh, Aragorn rose to his feet. He did not have time to dwell on it. He had to find Legolas and Thranduil. That was all that mattered now. He quickly mounted his horse and rode off in the direction of the trail.
Legolas dismounted from his horse and looked around. "Are you sure we are going the right way?"
Salien looked at him as he dismounted from his own horse. "I believe so. It's been a long time since I've been back to this cave."
"So have I, but I seem to recall that we are a little too far west." Legolas said.
"I was thinking we were too far east." Salien replied.
Thranduil rolled his eyes. "I should have never trusted you two with finding this cave. You both are going to get us lost in our own woods."
Salien laughed. "Now that would be a story to tell your kids one day, Legolas." Salien changed his voice tone to try to sound like a young elf and then like Legolas. "'Ada, did you ever get lost in the woods?' 'Yes, my son, I got lost only about a day's journey from the palace.'"
Legolas glared at him. "The only story my children would hear is that some stubborn, big headed elf got me lost in the woods. I was only following him, assuming he knew where he was going."
Thranduil rolled his eyes again, but he could not help but grin. "Okay you two. One of you had better find out where we are going before I tie you both up and leave you. In the meantime, I am going to have a bite to eat."
Legolas nodded and pulled out a map. "Just give me a second, Ada. I'll have us back on track in no time." He gave a mocking glare to Salien.
The elf chuckled, but seemed distracted by something else. Legolas paid no heed and busied himself with the map. Salien looked out towards the woods and shivered. Suddenly, he felt very alone. His mind flashed back to his capture. It had not been far from this place that the Nazgul had captured him and a few other elves. He felt a sharp pang in his heart and he pushed the memory away. How ironic that their journey to a safe haven would lead them back here. A cruel twist of fate.
"Did you hear that?" One of the guards said suddenly.
All the other elves turned to look at him. They had been so engrossed in their other thoughts that no one seemed to know what the elven guard spoke of.
"I thought I heard a sound coming from the woods." The guard replied.
"What kind of sound?" Legolas asked as he instinctively pulled out his bow.
Suddenly, they all became aware of footsteps crossing the ground. It seemed to come from all around them.
Legolas looked around in fear. "Orcs. They've found our trail."
"How is that they have snuck up on us?" A guard asked as he pulled out his bow.
His question went unanswered as Thranduil spoke up. "Quickly, we can outrun them on horseback and head back towards the palace."
Legolas nodded. Avoiding confrontation was their best bet. Before anyone could move, however, all the horses suddenly reared in fright. Startled by some unseen force, all the horse began to panic. Before any one could stop them, the horses fled into the woods at a high gallop.
Legolas went to battle mode immediately. If running was no longer an option, fighting would be.
"Protect the king." He shouted immediately.
The other elves instinctively moved around Thranduil to protect him. The king drew his sword, ready and highly capable of fighting.
"Salien, I need you behind me. We need to get rid of these orcs quickly." Legolas said as he twirled one of his knives in his hand.
"That won't be necessary, Legolas."
Legolas turned behind him. His heart fell and the blood drained from his face at what he saw. Salien was standing behind Thranduil with a dagger pressed against the king's throat. Legolas looked at him with horror, hoping that Aragorn had not been right about his best friend.
"Salien, don't do this."
The elf only smiled. "It was a perfect setup to capture you both. I've been planning this for a long time. Drop your weapons or your king dies."
Thranduil shook his head slowly at Legolas. Legolas stared at him then back at Salien. The orcs immerged from the woods and began to close in around the elves. Legolas saw no possible way for escape. At the same time, however, he could not let his father be captured. Aside from being his father, Thranduil was the king of Mirkwood. If the Nazgul captured him, all of Mirkwood would soon fall into ruin.
Thranduil looked at Legolas and quickly mouthed a few words to him. "Run, save yourself and Mirkwood."
Legolas understood what his father said, but he couldn't possibly obey. Thranduil gave him no choice, however, for he began fighting with Salien. He elbowed the elf in the ribs and clutched the hilt of the dagger that Salien held. As he began struggling with the elf, Legolas leapt into action. He slashed at the oncoming orcs, while trying his best to get to his father.
"Run, Legolas!" Thranduil yelled. "You are the last hope of Mirkwood."
Legolas looked over at his father. The king had managed to stab Salien with his own knife and was now fighting with the orcs.
"No, Ada. I won't leave you." Legolas said.
"Go! My life is forfeit. You can make it faster through these woods." Thranduil said. He laid a hand on Legolas' shoulder and squeezed gently.
Legolas knew his father was right, but he couldn't make himself do what Thranduil had asked. He couldn't run; couldn't abandon his father to the mercy of the orcs. Thranduil gave him a shove and Legolas stumbled towards a clearing.
Before he could start moving, however, a great pain washed over him. His whole body throbbed and ached. His fingers became numb and his legs felt like they would collapse. A nauseous feeling came over him and his body trembled. He knew immediately what it was, but this time it was stronger than ever. The evil power he could feel was more powerful than ever before. It was so strong that Legolas had to fight to stay conscious. He raised his head slightly as a Nazgul stepped out from the trees in front of him. Two more Nazgul stepped out from his left and right. Dealing with one of them was hard enough. Dealing with all three would be impossible.
"Welcome back, Prince of Mirkwood." The Nazgul sneered as he approached closer. "So nice of you to return with your father."
