Eldarion sent Loki away when he came close to a city

Eldarion sent Loki away when he came close to a city. For all of the horse's ill behavior, he was smart enough to stay close enough to allow Eldarion a quick getaway if he needed it. The prince walked slowly when the city came into view. He climbed up into the trees and stayed where he was invisible. There was an air of hostility in the small city and it made Eldarion more nervous than he would like to admit.

He watched as people milled around the city. There were Edain, Elves, Dwarves, Halflings and… Eldarion did a double take. He had seen them in pictures, and heard true horror stories from his father and family friends but he had never seen them in person. Orcs and Uruk-hai moved around the town with the other residents. The situation officially became dangerous here. He was now certain that his Aunt was being held captive here.

His mind went back to the couple he saw on the road. The woman's face had been down when he came upon them. Her hair had been held behind her head in a bandana and one had been tied over her mouth as though she was ill. Her eyes had been silver and dazed…but full of recognition and pleading. She had spoken with a slur 'Ari' she had said. Eldarion slammed a fist against the tree. He was such an idiot. The woman hadn't been sick, the dazed look, the slurred speech. She was drugged and she hadn't been just any woman, she was his Aunt Gilraen.

Eldarion could just scream, he could've ended this mess right then. He and his aunt would be half-way back to Imladris by now. He traveled through the trees until he was quite a ways from the city and went about building himself a fleet. It would act as his base. He pulled off his pack and pulled out another sheet of parchment.

L

Once you're in the new quadrant, follow Loki down a hidden path, I'll meet you

E

The letter had to be discrete. Eldarion whistled and after a few moments, Loki came onto the path. He slipped a rope halter onto the horse and tied on the letter. "Uncle Legolas, is on his way, meet him in the quadrant and lead him here alright?" The horse snorted once and Eldarion stroked his nose. "I knew I could count on you." He said. Loki brayed softly and bumped his head against his master's before turning and trotting off.

Eldarion wrote another letter to go to Rivendell, letting Elrond know that he had located Gilraen but the situation wasn't the best. After, he wrote a letter to Elladan and Elrohir who were in the same quadrant letting them know as well.

Now all Eldarion could do was wait. He hated it. He was less than half a day away from his aunt but could do nothing about it. He knew that he didn't have enough skills to take on the evil in the town but that certainly didn't make him feel any better about it.

He sat back and thought about the town. The buildings were half-hazardly built, out of what appeared to be drift-wood. Even now, Eldarion could smell the salt from the ocean. He felt awful for his aunt, he knew what sea-longing did to elves. It was probably causing her more pain than her captor. He couldn't comprehend how any elf could live in that town after his Naneth had described sea-longing to him. He pulled his knees to his chest as his eyebrows pulled together in thought. This waiting was extraordinarily annoying…

Gilraen didn't sleep, she couldn't. The fear kept her awake through the night, and Taranel's two visits had not helped her to calm down. She felt exhausted and she could tell that her body wanted nothing more than sleep.

She jerked into better awareness when there was a knock at her door. She did not speak but the door was opened anyways. "Did you sleep well?" Taranel asked mildly, walking towards the bed where Gilraen was seated. Gilraen didn't respond but she did turn her head away from him. He caught her chin and forced her to look at him. "Were your lodgings not to your liking?" He asked, his voice deep.

Gilraen didn't respond and tried to look somewhere other than the eyes of her captor. "Are you hungry?" He asked. Gilraen sighed but met his eyes and nodded. She was well aware that she needed to keep her strength up and she couldn't manage that if her stomach was empty. Taranel smiled and stood. "I'll be right back with breakfast then, and you can get changed."

Gilraen rolled her eyes as Taranel left. At all of his nightly visits, he had attempted to convince her to put on one of the many dresses he had provided for her. She sighed and stood. Maybe, she could buy herself some time with good behavior. She went over to the armoire and opened up the door. She avoided the mirror and reached in to grab the plainest dress that she could find. It was brown and soft with green trimming. Gilraen sighed again and quickly changed.

As she adjusted the dress, a perfect fit of course, and tied the fabric tie behind her back there was a knock at the door. "Are you decent?" came Taranel's aggravating voice.

Gilraen didn't respond as she walked back to the bed and sat down. She knew he would come in anyways. As if on cue, as she sat down, Taranel opened the door. Bearing a tray of food. Gilraen's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. The tray was laden with fresh fruit, yogurt, Danishes, sweet rolls, poached eggs, sausage, and wheat toast. There were also two cups of fruit enriched tea. The napkins were yellow in color and Gilraen could see that they were embroidered with her family's crest. It was the same platter Elladan had presented her with before her wedding. Tears gathered in her eyes and she suddenly found that she had no appetite.

Taranel's face, however, bore a smile. "You decided to wear one of the dresses!" He exclaimed, "I am very pleased." He noted Gilraen's tears and frowned, setting down the tray. "What's wrong, is the meal not to your liking?" He asked.

Gilraen glared hatefully at the man who held her captive. "I've changed my mind, I'm not hungry." She hissed, "Please leave."

"Don't be like that, Gabrielle." He whispered.

Gilraen was instantly out of the bed and against the wall. Her eyes were wide with fear and fury. Taranel stood with a smirk. "You knew it was coming, love." He said, picking up a cup of tea and approaching her.

"No!" Gilraen exclaimed, walking along the wall and away from Taranel. "Please! Not now!" She begged. She didn't know what else she could do. "I've been good this morning, surely I've gained some privileges."

Taranel shook his head and opened his mouth to speak but Gilraen cut him off. "Please Taranel!" She exclaimed and he stilled as she had hoped. "I will do anything in exchange for only some more time as myself." She approached Taranel hesitantly and laid a hand on his arm gently. "Please." She begged, her eyes wide.

Taranel bent his head and pressed his lips to Gilraen's. Gilraen slammed her eyes shut but allowed it. Taranel wound his hand into her hair and Gilraen felt tears slip down her face in the ultimate betrayal to Legolas. Taranel pulled away and pushed Gilraen's face away from his. "There is your first payment." He whispered. "You have four days." Without another word he turned and stormed out of the room.

Gilraen fell to her knees and tears poured down her face. "I'm so sorry, Legolas." She whispered to the empty room. "I'm so sorry." She fell asleep curled into a ball against the corner.

Gilraen's eyes opened slowly. The room was dark and empty once more. She sat up and ran to the desk. She pulled out her letter and went to the window. She leaned out. It was noisy, like it had been the night before. She inhaled deeply before letting out a shrill whistle and ducking back inside.

Eldarion startled awake, unsure of what had woken him from his slumber. He looked around and down. Loki had not returned, he would have been surprised if he had. He stood on the tree limb and stretched. Maybe he should take a quick walk, or go and check the city out. He weighed his options, the city was a bad idea but he couldn't resist. He needed to know exactly what kind of numbers he was dealing with. He jumped down from his branch and stretched again before taking off swiftly to the city.

The city was still wide awake and Eldarion was glad that he had not been able to wash. His hair was matted and tangled and there was shadow on his face. Hopefully it would be enough to blend. He walked into the city and was careful to cover his sword with his cloak. He walked down the road as if he was heading towards the sandy beaches. However there was a candle in the window of a secondary window and it drew Eldarion's eye.

Eldarion pulled a pipe that he had snitched from his father and leaned against a post. He lit the pipe and raised it to his lips. A woman came to the window and Eldarion stiffened, his eyes wide. He masked his shock by taking another drawl from his pipe. "Gilraen!" He hisses, knowing she would hear.

He was right and his aunt immediately looked down. "Dari!" She breathed, "Dari, what are you doing, get out of here before you get hurt!" She exclaimed quietly.

"We're coming, Auntie, we'll get you out soon." Eldarion promised.

"Just go!" Gilraen hissed. "This is too dangerous, and take that thing out of your mouth or I will be speaking with your father."

Eldarion nodded discreetly and tapped the pipe before he obeyed his aunt and walked off.

Legolas was nearly to Eldarion's quadrant when he heard the sound of a galloping horse. He, stepped off of the path and looked to see Loki barreling towards him. The horse took a few strides past him before coming to a dead stop and turning. Loki trotted towards Legolas and presented his neck.

Legolas saw the note in the rope halter and pulled it out. It took him only a moment to read before he swung up onto the horse's back, causing Loki to stamp his foot agitatedly. "Let's go, Loki." He hissed. He wound his fingers into the horse's mane and leaned forward as the stallion barreled back the way he had come.

Gilraen walked away from the window and back over to her bed. There was another tray of food sitting on the bedside table. There was fish and pasta in what smelled like a wine sauce. Beside the hot plate was a salad doused with vinegar and oil and a roll. A cup of plain tea sat on the tray. Gilraen sighed and picked up the silverware, cutting into the food. She needed to eat and recognized that, Eldarion was coming and she needed to be able to get away quickly.

Her thoughts went to her nephew. She couldn't believe that Arwen had left him help with the search, and she couldn't believe that he was smoking! It was dangerous for him to be in this city and Gilraen was worried. She hopped that he was camped in the woods a good ways away from this place. It would be her worst fear if he was captured by Taranel, she knew that he wanted her alive, but he would probably kill Eldarion on the spot. That is, if they were lucky. Gilraen shuddered to think about what Taranel would do if he didn't kill Eldarion on sight.

She heard voices below her window as she finished her meal. She darted to the window and saw Taranel speaking with an orc. That was odd, she had figured that he wouldn't leave the house while holding her captive. She moved quickly away from the window and to her door. She tried it out of curiosity and was unsurprised to find it locked. She went back to the bed and sat with her tea.

Minutes later Taranel came and opened the door. "You're awake." He said calmly. Gilraen nodded and sipped at her tea trying to hold her calm façade together. "Do you want to take a look around the house?"

Gilraen desperately wanted to scream 'no' and tell him to get away from her but she had just bought herself time and did not want to lose that. Instead, she nodded slowly and set her tea down. She stood up and walked over to where Taranel had extended his hand to her. Her hand was clammy but she took his. She wanted to gain herself as much time as possible and if this was the only way to do it…well, she wouldn't enjoy it.

Taranel pulled her along at his side. My room is at the end of the hall." He said as he led her down the stairs. Through the dining room there was a music room complete with a harp, violin, and various wind instruments. He then lead her out through the dinning room and into the kitchen. He moved his grip from Gilraen's hand to her wrist. The grip was surprisingly tight and Gilraen jerked away fearfully as Taranel opened what appeared to be the pantry door. However, the door revealed a dark stairway and Taranel flung her down the wooden stairs.

Gilraen let out a yell of shock and pain as she tumbled down. Her chest burned and as she landed at the bottom her leg twisted beneath her and she heard a sickening crack. Her scream rose in pitch and she gasped for breath. The pain made her nauseous and her vision swam.

She vaguely heard her captor's voice. "This will be your lodging for the next two days." He said coldly before slamming the door.

Gilraen whimpered and shuffled her way to the wall. She pulled her good leg up to her chest but jerked it away immediately, she had broken ribs. She tried to school her breathing into short breaths as tears rolled down her face. The pain in her leg burned like fire and she didn't know if she could set it. She leaned forward slightly, grimacing at the pain in her chest and ran her hand down the leg. She hit the break point and jerked back, slamming her back against the wall. Her ribs screamed in protest and she knew there was no way for her to set the leg herself.

She leaned back and shut her eyes, imagining the faces of her family. She saw her father, leaning out over the balcony as a falcon flew towards him and lighted on the stone banister. He took the letter and read it. His stressed look turned to one of relief. Gilraen realized that she was seeing the future but the vision changed. It was the twins this time. They were seated across from each other on either side of a fire. Gilraen watched as the same bird flew towards the twins. They looked up and Elladan raised his gloved hand. The bird landed and Elladan took the note before the bird took off again. Elladan's eyes widened in jubilee and determination. "Eldarion's found her." He told his brother, "lets get cleaned up here, he needs back up."

The vision shifted again, this time to Estel, Arwen, and three of their children. They were all sitting and eating, when once again the falcon soared and landed on Estel's outstretched arm. The children laughed as the bird flew around their heads once their father took the note. He read the note with a grin. "Well done son." He whispered. He turned to his wife. "I told you he could do this love." He said with a smirk as he handed the note to her. Arwen took the note and sighed in relief. "You were right of course" She said.

The vision shifted once more and Gilraen wanted to freeze the moment. It was her husband riding full speed on Loki's back. "Legolas," She whispered, wishing that he could here.

She was shocked when he spoke. "I'm coming, love" He said. "You won't wait much longer."

She sighed…he hadn't truly heard her, of course, but the sentiment meant the same. This vision stayed longer than the others. She began to wish he really could speak to her, tell her that he would be there in time. "I love you Legolas, please hurry!" She whispered to the scene before her.

Legolas stiffened and Loki pulled to a halt. "Gilraen, Gilraen is that you! Where are you?" He yelled desperately with his voice cracking.

Gilraen could see the desperation on his face and wished desperately to take it away but her own heart was racing. "Legolas! Legolas, Can you hear me?" She called as quietly as she was able.

She watched as Loki began to prance around anxiously and Legolas reared him in as he spoke. "Oh, Gilraen!" He exclaimed. "I can hear you! Are you alright? Where are you?"

A sob escaped Gilraen's lips. "I'm alright." She said with a wince, "You just need to follow Eldarion's instructions, he knows where I am."

"Oh Gilraen, thank the Valar! I promise that we'll be there soon!" He paused a moment as he kicked Loki into gear again. "It is impossible to know how long this will last, you must tell me, love, who is it that holds you captive?" I heard his voice become a slight snarl.

"It's Taranel." Gilraen admitted slowly, knowing it would infuriate her husband…husband. That sent her into a fresh wave of panic over her situation. "Legolas!" She gasped out. "Legolas, he means to make me his wife!"

She watched as Legolas eyes darkened with fury and he let out a snarl at her words. "He will die this time, Gilraen." He hissed, "That I promise you."

I heard a door creek open and I knew Taranel had opened the door and my body quivered with fear. "I love you." I whispered to Legolas. I hated to tell him to goodbye but I felt exposed, blinded as I was.

Legolas heard the goodbye and panicked. "Gilraen, is he there!" He called to me as I pulled away. "I love you to, I'll be there soon!"

As I pulled out to look up at Taranel I realized he was speaking. "- a lovely sentiment, my gem." He hissed. I saw the leer in my eyes and I was sure that mine were wide with terror. "You have been down here quite a while…I was lonely, my bed was cold."

I wonder if Eldarion heard my screams.

Legolas screamed Gilraen's name to the harsh night, begging for her response, but it did not come. He shut his eyes and laid his head onto Loki's neck. He concentrated on evening his breaths. Taranel, that monster, had his wife. This was the second time, for crying out loud!

He remembered the first time so clearly. He had taken her to a lair so obvious…it had been a small hut so close to her home. By the time they realized what was going on, two months had passed. Taranel had fled and taken Gilraen with him. They didn't catch up with the fiend until they were into Mirkwood.

Legolas rode behind the twins, their eyes frantic with worry, through his forest home. His pride suffered to allow their lead in his territory but it was their sister that they all chased and Legolas knew that for now, their love overruled his. They all stilled for no more than a moment when they heard a spider's screech and a hauntingly familiar scream. They dismounted before beginning to run toward the sound.

They reached the scene and froze. There was a giant spider before them, that they had been expecting. However, what they had not expected was to see Taranel of all people defending Gilraen from the spider. They were shook out of there reverie, however, when Taranel realized that he would lose and he bolted.

The spider did not go after him when much easier prey was available. "Catch him!" Legolas commanded the twins when they had a moment of hesitation. "I can deal with the beast." He drew his daggers and the Great Spider turned to face him with a hiss.

The twins took off after Taranel as Legolas leaped at the spider. The spider was quick work for Legolas. It was much easier for one who had been eradicating the beasts one by one for centuries. The creature dropped and Legolas ran to kneel at Gilraen's side.

He touched her face gently to try to get her to focus but her eyes darted towards where I could see Elladan poised to kill Taranel. "DO NOT KILL HIM!" she screamed. The sound was desperate, pleading. "Elladan, please, no!"

Elladan threw a confused look to his sister before spinning his blade and landing the hilt against the elf's head, knocking him unconscious in one swift movement.

Legolas turned back to Gilraen to analyze her condition. She was covered in bruises and there were several open gashes across her arms, some of which appeared to be infected. Her hair was matted badly and there were tracks of tears and dirt on her face. Her lower lip quivered as she stared into Legolas' face as he did hers. "You came." She whispered.

"Of course we did." Legolas responded in a whisper a sad smile pulling to his lips as Elladan and Elrohir bound their captive. He had been so afraid of finding Gilraen on the brink of death that he nearly wanted to yell his joy to the forest but he refrained, just settling for brushing Gilraen's hair away from her face.

Gilraen lunged up with more strength than Legolas thought possible in her state and threw her arms around his neck. Legolas felt the hot tears fall on his neck and further stain his tunic but he didn't mind, not as long as she was safe. "Thank you." She whispered.

It was a month before Taranel's trial was held. It was overly complicated, because the original offense had occurred in Rivendell but the conflict had moved to Mirkwood. The rulers decided it would be best for them to decide on the sentence together. However, at the trial, Gilraen did something unexpected to everyone. She had plead with her father and Legolas' to simply let Taranel go.

"Please, my liege, Ada!" Gilraen addressed both the king and her father at once. "Taranel did not understand the affect his actions would have!" She exclaimed. "He has been so lonely for so long!" Legolas knew that his spying was both mature and wrong but he wanted to be where Gilraen was, and watch after her.

King Thranduil turned to Elrond with a raised eyebrow and the Lord of Rivendell nodded. "Gilraen," he began. "Please, he kidnapped you, iel nin, do not ask me to let him walk free."

Gilraen turned her full attention to her father. "Adar, please, you don't understand!" She exclaimed. "He just wanted companionship!"

"He hurt you, Gilraen!" Elrond exclaimed desperately, his eyes wide.

"He didn't mean to!" Gilraen had finally started yelling and there were tears in her eyes. "He doesn't remember…how to act, civilly."

Elrond shut his eyes tightly and Thranduil called a recess, shooing the seated citizens out as Elrond walked around the Podium to his daughter. "We promise to look at everything carefully, Gilraen." He whispered to her and her shoulders relaxed in relief . "However, he will be punished, he has hurt my daughter." He ran his thumb gently over a fading scar that slashed across her brow. "Do not ask me to forget that."

Gilraen's shoulders slumped, she knew it was the best she would get and she nodded. "He doesn't understand." She said again.

"I know." Elrond said to appease her. "I think it best that you go wait with your brother's and Legolas for what remains of the sentencing." Gilraen heard the order and nodded before leaving the room as she dried her tears.

Legolas really hated to see Gilraen cry.

hm hm... two chapters in two weeks...cmon I'm doing good. Reviews are great incentive ; )