If people would be so kind, please review. It helps guide my story and avoid cliches. I have reread my original chapters, and seen the glaring inconsistencies. I will be editing those first three chapters as I go along in the adventure.

Chapter 6

The night had taken on a heavy feel, and the air felt too cold against her skin. The young Rider was sat before the crackling fire, finding each spark and pop of the wood menacing. In her hands, she played with the blade she had taken from Uray's belt, which was the same bone dagger she had thought lost. Aragorn had dragged Legolas and herself to sit there, side by side, under his piercing gaze. The others sat or stood about them, interested in the events that were transpiring.

'Why did you hide your ability to communicate?'

'I…I was afraid,' she answered, a little surprised by how controlled the Man's voice was. 'I did not know what information you would pry from me, or how zealous you would be to gain information.'

'So your solution was to fool us?'

'That…is one was of phrasing my actions. I look at it more as protecting my people than tricking you.'

Aragorn nodded his dark head, seeing the reasoning as solid. He cast his gray eyes at the Elf beside her.

'You said she spoke to you on accident. Why did you not tell me?'

'I had promised her that if she told me the truth, that she knew our tongue, that I would not tell anyone. Please, Aragorn, do not look at this as a lack of trust.'

'I know you to be true to your word, but it still does not sit well with me.' The harsh edge had left Aragorn's voice, but Musica felt that it could return at any instant. The questions had only just begun, and her trembling would not stop. 'Musica, tell us, what purpose did your people have in these lands? What prompted you to attack a traveling company?'

'We thought you were of the Dark…' she answered slowly, watching the firelight dance in Aragorn's eyes, and seeing the question form there. 'The Dark were the reason my people left this land. Their presence has weakened, and the Drakes have yearned to return. My hunting party did not know what the Dark looked like, since our people left so long ago. We saw your party, and assumed, which…I now know was a grievous mistake.'

'You know not what these Dark look like, yet you attacked?'

'When you say 'you,' do you mean us Riders or the Drakes?'

Aragorn looked surprised at such a question. 'Is there a difference?'

'We may ride upon them, but we are not their masters. I had just told Legolas this, but my ancestors were once your kin, Immortals. Instead of yearning for the sea, we looked to the skies. We made a pact with the Drakes, sacrificing our immortality and binding our lives to theirs. It is they who desire to return here, as it was they who chose to leave.'

'What did the Drakes have to gain from such a pact?' spoke Gimli, his broad form stepping forward.

'Longer life. They were short-lived creatures, competing with Dragons at the time.'

The group stood in silence, taking in her words. Musica felt slightly more comfortable, having explained things, but she was wary to feel accepted.

'Though the pain will not abate, it has comforted me that your attack was not out of pleasure.' The voice had come from behind her, and she looked up at Haldir. 'Uray's actions shame us all, and I apologize on his behalf. I have told him to never approach you alone, and that you have permission to fight him should you feel threatened again.'

'I hope to avoid further conflict.'

'As do we all, though it cannot always be prevented.'

Musica thought on those words, the weight of the dead on her back. 'We hope for peace, yet my people attacked without question. What peace may come of such standards?'

'Have you any more questions?' she asked softly.

'Yes,' came the immediate response from the main interrogator. 'What actually transpired last night?'

Both Musica and Legolas cringed, the pair having secretly hoped to avoid this topic. The party about them were filled with renewed interest, since they had been sleeping when this event occurred. Musica did not know how to explain herself, and as she struggled to find words, the Elf spoke in her stead.

'In return for keeping her secret, Musica promised to answer questions. We ventured a short distance from camp, where she told me all that you now know.'

'You did not think she played you the fool?' Thalma remarked.

'Call me fool, but I know where to place my trust. I doubt she can beat me in a fair fight, as skilled as she is.'

'Legolas, friend, she wouldn't have to. Musica could have simply fled, and you would have been torn to follow and recapture her on your own, or lose time to take a horse. It is fortunate that Musica is too humble for such a devious nature.'

Her ears turned red at such comments. It was unsettling to hear Legolas state so confidently that she would have lost to him, though she later admitted it was blatant. Even with her frustration at the Elf's arrogance, she found Aragorn's compliment out of place. She was a prisoner, one whom was being pressed for answers, and she is thought of as humble and honest. This Man was strange to her, and she wondered at his life.

'Please, continue.'

'I would have asked more questions, but a noise met my ears, and one unwelcome. The Rider I had spoken with before had come, landing in the forest and approaching us.' The entire party tensed, realizing how close a Drake had come while they rested unawares. 'She offered Musica news from home as well as escape.'

Aragorn had leaned in to better look at the girl's face. 'It is clear that you chose to stay. I would prefer you tell us what transpired.'

'I…Ahmette, my sister…said that Father took the words seriously. He was trying to find three individuals to trade for my life. It is logical for them to assume what would happen to me here, seeing as you are mostly men…Ahmette wanted to rescue me from her own nightmares, and to save Father from the task of sacrificing three lives.' Musica searched for the right words, knowing how intently they all listened. 'I told her, I said that it wasn't worth it. A life is never worth the cost of another, and that I would rather stay here at risk to my person than go against the respect you have given me.'

The Elves had been dealt one shocking fact after the other, from her speaking Common, to Legolas knowing, to her refused offer of escape. She did not glance about, but if she had, she would have seen the distrustful expressions from before lacking. They looked to the Elf beside her for confirmation, and he nodded his golden head. No one spoke for a time before Gimli yawned.

'Another question, for you,' came Aldalda's voice. 'The way you mention your father suggests something...more. Is this merely my imagination, or is your sire of political standing?'

'My father is the ruler of my clan.'

'Then you are a princess?'

'No.'

Their surprise now turned to confusion; how many more surprises did she hold? Even Legolas was confused at her answers. Musica looked about from face to face before her embarrassment was too great.

'My sister Ahmette is the heir, as she is first born of a proper line. I am my father's last child, born of a different mother. No matter how he dotes on me, or how talented I am, society will not recognize me under that title.'

'I feel that you have given us much to think on,' Aragorn rose. 'We shall cease our questions for now so that we may all gain rest.'

Everyone returned to their sleeping places, each perusing the Rider's words, and each one letting her altruism wash over their grief. Aragorn clapped a hand lightly on Legolas' shoulder.

'It seems your trust is well-placed,' he commented, giving a nod and small smile to the girl. 'Rest well.'

Legolas looked over at Musica, and neither spoke. He stood, offering a hand before leading them back to the trees where they had watched the stars. She placed the bone dagger beside her, letting the anxiety be replaced with exhaustion. He resumed his sleepy state, eyes glossed over, and the night sounds disappeared from their notice.