Chapter 2
Sorry for the committed mistakes!
Enjoy reading!
Strider hurried out of the room to follow Legolas who vanished from his view. He quickly strode down the empty bar and saw that the door was wide open. Cursing the swiftness of Elves, he ran out the Prancing Pony into the day light.
He was met by Bree- folks walking around in their daily routine and saw that some of them were looking into one another as if something distracted them from moving. Deciding that they must have seen Legolas, Strider walked down their path, following those who crane their neck as if this were road signs toward what we seek. He did not know why Legolas acted the way he did but knew he had to find him among this number of people. He looked around desperately and was successful when he noticed the inconspicuous tracks of the Elf only those with keen eyesight would be able to see and it was leading toward an alley. He hurried down the empty alley as he followed the tracks then stopped- the Elf's track was still visible for him to see but there was something odd about it. The track on the ground showed that the Elf stopped walking and that he stood on his ground for sometime. Kneeling down, Strider touched the space, felt the Elf's sudden tension, and realized that Legolas backed out of the valley and ran to the left. Strider's heart pounded when he saw new sets of footprints following the Elf's light ones and knew there was a chase. He looked up to where these new footprints had come from and saw from a distance the clear evidence of men; meters away from him was a box and on top of it were sets of bottles, some empty, and some not even touched yet. Comprehension struck the man and he raced after them as fast as he could.
Strider knew Legolas turned left and right nonstop to elude his enemy but it all seemed in vain for he still could see the nasty tracks of those chasing the Elf. Feeling the urgency of the situation, the man hurried to run as if his life depended on it with thoughts of Legolas cornered by these unforgivable drunken men. His quick pace did not let him down for after a long while he could hear shouts. He ran more along the empty street, feeling apprehensive and wishing that he would not be too late.
At last, with the last swing of his body, the last turn of his head and the last step of his light foot, Strider saw them into a corner. Legolas was hurled into corner with at least five men, with one of them already upon the Elf.
"Come on, pretty, do not run away from us… We won't do anything you would not like…" the drunk man grinned, his hands reaching for Legolas, "Come my pretty…Come on to me!"
Legolas pressed his body back against the wall behind him, supporting a bloody lip, as he tried to move away from the dirty hands that were trying to reach his body. Strider saw this and felt anger rising from with in him, his hands formed into fists as he shouted coldly and clearly:
"Do not touch him with your filthy hands."
Everyone looked up behind them, including the Elf whose lips parted at the sight of the man. Strider caught his eyes and they locked gaze. He saw how Legolas' once alarmed eyes softened and the man felt relieved that he came on time. Squaring his shoulders, he walked toward them with a grim expression. The five men before him looked at one another then back to the now approaching Strider.
"Who are you to interfere?" roared the one who was in the middle of the five, with a fuming irate expression on his face, "This is our catch! Go find your own!"
Strider made no move to respond except to walk swiftly passed them that startled even the Elf. He had never seen a man moved like that of an Elf. Legolas suddenly felt nervous when he saw Strider draw near him, more nervous than he felt when these drunken men were chasing him. With a shiver, he felt Strider stopped in front of him and touch his tensed shoulders.
"Are you all right, Legolas?" Strider asked with a kind expression on his face.
Legolas nodded and felt Strider's grip on his shoulder tightened. The hand then moved up to his bloody lip and wipe the trickle of blood off.
The five nameless men around them started to move and Strider whipped around dangerously, making them halt their movements. He eyed them for sometime, and seeing their bloodshot eyes and unfocused gaze, he straightened up and looked at them one by one.
"You gentlemen are under the influence of liquor. I suggest you leave now and not test my strength."
Legolas stood still, feeling Strider's commanding voice changing the atmosphere of terror in his heart. With a glance, he turned toward the men who looked at one another in disbelief. After a moment, there was a mocking laugh from one of them and Strider raised his eyebrows.
"Did you not hear what I said?" cried the drunken man, "That Elf is our catch! He is ours!"
He pointed his dirty fingers to the Elf and this made Strider's inside boil once more that he instantly grabbed the pointed finger and jerked it up hard, making the man howl in pain. Legolas breathed hard as the men around stirred treacherously but Strider gave them no heed. Instead, he leaned on the man he was holding.
"You are wrong." Strider said, "This Elf is mine."
Legolas' eyes opened up and he stared at Strider who pushed the drunken man away from him.
"Go!" he shouted fiercely, emanating a power that ruled over the men, making them step backward and split into a run.
Strider watched them go darkly then turned to the Elf who was staring at him unwaveringly. He raised his eyebrows, crossed his arms and looked at Legolas back.
"That's what you get for running away suddenly. Are you sure you are all right?"
Legolas blinked, and then frowned.
"I did not run away. It was my choice to leave, and you… you did not have saved me, you have no responsibility over me. But I thank you for coming to my rescue."
Strider recognized the stubbornness on the Elf's voice and had to blink. Legolas gave him a bow before walking around him to leave.
"Where are you going?" Strider wanted to know, turning to look at Legolas. Legolas glanced back to him and said quietly,
"I do not know. To where my feet would bring me I suppose."
Strider had to frown at this.
"A being like you should not wander around these areas. Many men desire your kind."
Especially you. He added silently and felt his heart roar in agreement.
Legolas looked at the ground looking uncertain before saying, "It does not concern you."
Strider shot the Elf a look with utmost surprised and anger.
"What kind of response is that?" he demanded, walking around to face the Elf who looked at him fiercely, "Do you not care to what might happen to you?"
"What 'might' actually happen to me?" Legolas questioned back, "I do not know- I am not a seer. But one thing is certain, I will move forward."
Striders saw Legolas' determined eyes and grit his teeth, clearly stung at the stubbornness of the Elf.
"Thank you for saving me again." said the Elf, giving another short bow and walking around the man again.
Strider squared his shoulders as sudden comprehension struck him at that precise moment.
"Stay."
Legolas stopped walking and glanced back to Strider who had his back on him.
"What did you say?" he asked a little confuse.
"I told you to stay," replied the man, turning around and facing Legolas, "You cannot go; you are forgetting you are already mine."
Legolas' eyes slowly widened and he draw in a breath as the man approached him and grab his shoulders.
"Strider-" he started feeling edgy but the man shook his head.
"I take back what I said; your offer a moment ago in the inn was not necessarily. I bought you from your owner, making you legally my property."
Legolas opened his mouth to speak but no words came out as the man's statement shook him.
"I am your master, and you are my servant starting from this day on." finished the man as he let go of the Elf and turn on his heels to leave. Legolas stared after him in disbelief.
Strider's own words surprised him more than it did to the Elf. He could not think of any excuse of what brought him to say it but one thing was for sure- he did not want Legolas to be out of his life until he confirmed what the beast inside his chest was roaring for. He knew his words were harsh but he does not know how else to make Legolas stay beside him. He knew he sounded cruel but…Oh Valar!
Shaking his head, he called for his new servant to follow him.
Legolas watched the man's back walk away and looked at the ground; trying to sort out his thoughts, he heard his Master call him and swiftly made to follow.
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It was an uncomfortable walk for the two along the alleyway. Nobody spoke until both came out of it and faced the Bree-folks who were walking around the street to do their own business. Some of the people turned a glance at their direction and Strider felt Legolas shifted his foot uncomfortably behind him. He turned around to face him.
"You should not worry from now on, I will protect you."
Legolas blinked and tried to press his chuckle. Strider frowned at this unexpected gesture.
"What seems to be funny?"
"Well," started Legolas, feeling the eyes of the people boring on him but decided it was unimportant, "I am your servant, shouldn't I be the one saying that?"
Strider felt his cheeks turn hot and he immediately turn around with a crease on his eyebrows.
"How can a weakling like you protect me?" he said with no ill intention and Legolas merely raised his eyebrows. Strider shook his head and said, "Come on."
He snatched the Elf's right hand from his side and pulled him along the street. Legolas looked at the hand holding his own and then up at the man pulling him.
Bree-Folks crane their necks as they looked at the pair passing before them and Legolas was thankful for Strider's firm grip on his hand. He could feel men gazing at him differently like how the drunken men had looked at him and it made him feel uncomfortable. It was this hand pulling him that made him feel safe; it was as if he would never get lost. Strider walked on, pulling his servant with a frown on his face.
They entered the Prancing Pony and it was as empty as they left it that morning. Small people were around the tables wiping it but the two tall beings did not give them a look and headed directly up to their room where the door was left ajar.
"Since you are coming with me, you might as well get ready." started Strider as they entered the room after a moment. Legolas went to open the window and then look at the man.
"Where are we going?" he asked lightly.
"Up North," answered the man, sitting on a chair, "To the Ranger's camp."
"So you are a ranger?" the Elf inquired looking curiously at the man before him.
"That I Am." nodded Strider, "We will gather some equipment around town later, so I suggest you get ready."
Legolas nodded and sat on the bed, looking down at his hands. Strider was lost in thought when he noticed the silent Elf. He watched him silently and admitted to himself that the Elf was too attractive for his own good it was no wonder why many people were mesmerize by this heavenly appearance. He saw Legolas close his eyes and sigh. This bothered the man so and he tensed; he felt his heart leap and the beast inside him started to roar in agony.
But why? Surely… No…
The Elf opened his eyes gradually as he felt his master's gaze on him. He looked up to see Strider stand up and walk briskly toward him.
"Strider-?"
The man paused in front of him bearing a hard look on his face. Legolas watched him with apprehension until the man pushed him with his strong hands and pinned him down the bed with hands leaning on either side of his head.
Surprised at the sudden gesture, Legolas did not know how to react. He looked at Strider straight in the eye with his heart beating hard against his chest. The man looked down at him with an expression the Elf could not read and it made him more nervous.
"Are you not going to struggle?" Strider asked indifferently.
Strider knew why he was doing this, knew that he had fallen with the fair being and knew he want him bad; it was what the beast inside him wants. However, something bothers him greatly with this new discovery…
Legolas stared back at him, his nervousness vanishing at the sudden question.
"You…" the Elf started slowly, closing his eyes. Legolas heaved a deep sigh for this sudden change of mood and tried to calm his thundering heart. He opened his eyes after a while and said, "You are my Master. You have my body and my soul. I will not struggle."
Joy and fear dominated the man's heart as he slowly straightened himself up and sat on the bed. Legolas did not move but close his eyes again, feeling suddenly exhausted. Strider shook his head and looked down at Legolas who had opened his eyes and looked at him.
"You are too obedient." The man declared, standing up and dusting his clothes. Legolas sat up and watched him with curious eyes. The man glanced at him with a straight-face and said:
"Do not tempt me to do things, Elf. Now get ready and tidy yourself up. We have a lot of things to do."
With that, the man left the room with his cloak rustling behind him, leaving the startled Elf to contemplate about his Master's actions.
~TBC~