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Part 1: Flee of the Fallen

Chapter 2: The Caged Fighter

Index Table:

Neural Queue:A specialized organ, resembling a braid, that Na'vi use to connect with other creatures or the environment, allowing them to form a physical and spiritual bond.

Spirit Tree:Also known as the Tree of Souls, a sacred and powerful tree that connects the Na'vi to their ancestors and Eywa, the deity representing the interconnectedness of all life.

Ikran:A large, colorful flying creature, also known as a mountain banshee, that the Na'vi bond with and ride. The bond between a Na'vi and their Ikran is deeply spiritual and lifelong.

Pandora:The lush, habitable moon where the Na'vi live, known for its rich biodiversity and bioluminescent flora and fauna.

Na'vi:The indigenous humanoid species of Pandora, known for their blue skin, bioluminescent markings, and deep connection to nature.

Bioluminescent Markings:The glowing patterns on Na'vi skin that light up in the dark, reflecting their emotions and connection to the natural world. These markings are unique to each Na'vi and add to their ethereal appearance.

Rae's senses slowly stirred to life.

The air around her was damp and cold, filled with the scent of moss and earth. She could feel the rough stone floor beneath her, and as her eyes fluttered open, she was greeted by an almost impenetrable darkness. Panic surged through her veins as she sat up, her tail swishing in exploration.

Despite the dim lighting, Rae's Na'vi vision allowed her to see more clearly than a human could. The outlines of the cell bars, the moss-covered stones, and even the faint glimmers of movement beyond the bars became discernible. Her keen senses picked up the subtle nuances of her surroundings, giving her an edge in understanding her environment.

"The creature is awake," Rae heard a male voice say.

"Go alert the prince, Falon," another voice yawned, the sound of a door closing following his words.

Prince? What is a prince? Rae's brows furrowed as she tried to recall anything from the children's book she had read at the deserted human station. Aha, she suddenly remembered a story: a girl named Snow White (or was it something else?) had died after eating a poisonous apple, and someone named Prince had passed by and revived her by kissing her. Rae remembered being disgusted by that story when she read it as a child. The story had various flaws. First of all, why couldn't that girl just connect her neural queue to the apple and determine if it was edible or not? Second, even Mother Nature could not revive someone, and that being named Prince certainly did not have that kind of power.

Soon, the one named Falon came back without the being named Prince. "The prince said he's busy and will inspect the prisoner later, but he mentioned to give it some food."

"Food then, shove it through the bars. I don't want to be bitten by that horrific-looking monster."

Prisoner, bars, monster.

Then it clicked.

She was in a prison.

Rae's heart raced as she processed this realization. Her mind churned with thoughts of escape and survival. She had to stay vigilant and use her Na'vi abilities to find a way out. As the guards pushed a plate of food through the bars, Rae's sharp eyes caught every detail. She observed their movements, their expressions, and the way they interacted with her, treating her as if she were a dangerous animal.

Picking up the food that was given to her, she sniffed it, feeling the rough texture between her fingers. Beside the small, dry, spongy food, Rae noticed a container with liquid. Her heart sank as she realized it was muddy water. Picking up the container, she sniffed the water cautiously, her heart sank as she realized it was muddy water. Picking up the container, she sniffed the water cautiously, her Na'vi senses telling her it was far from the clear, pure water of her Pandora. Nevertheless, she took a small sip and bit into the spongy food. It was some kind of grain, baked into its current shape. These stupid people without neural queues and their stupid food—the worst kind in the entire world, Rae thought. Even those evil witches from human tales are much better than these people; at least they give you natural food like apples. And it's their fault if they haven't recognized how poisoned that apple is.

The sounds of the dungeon began to filter through her foggy mind. The distant drip of water, the faint rustle of unseen creatures, and a wailing that echoed through the halls—a pitiful, mournful cry that sent shivers down her spine. It was unlike anything she had ever heard, filled with a sorrow and madness that seemed to resonate with the very stones of the dungeon. She could hear something sneering: "My precious, a hobbit, a hobbit took it. Baggins."

A hobbit? What's a hobbit? And what creature has been whispering such words? Surely Baggins was some kind of name?

Her last memory was of the forest, her connection to the tree, and then... nothing. The realization that she was trapped here, in this dark, foreboding place, filled her with a growing sense of dread.

With a swift fumble of keys, the door to her cell swung open. The guards who had been speaking outside her cell stepped inside, accompanied by a small group of others, all heavily armed. One of them roughly pulled her to her feet, his grip bruising her arm. "Blindfold it," he ordered another guard.

Immediately, Rae felt a piece of cloth being tied over her eyes, plunging her into darkness. Panic surged through her veins, and she growled in frustration, her instincts screaming to fight back. She thrashed and clawed at the blindfold, her nails scraping against the rough fabric. Two of them grabbed her arms and forced them behind her back, binding her wrists tightly with coarse rope. The fibers bit into her skin, causing her to wince. Rae's heart pounded as she struggled against their hold, but their grips were unyielding.

"Move," one of the guards commanded.

Rae stumbled, her senses disoriented by the sudden loss of sight. She could hear the heavy footsteps of the guards around her, their armor clinking with each step.

Countless hours of training with her father had taught her to maintain a sharp mind while being at a disadvantage. "Absorb as much detail as you can like a sponge, in case it all comes in useful one day."Those had been her father's exact words, and Rae needed to live up to his expectations. The journey through the hall seemed endless, but Rae's determination never wavered. She focused on every sensation, every subtle change in her surroundings, using her Na'vi instincts to stay aware and alert.

Finally, they came to a halt, and the blindfold was brutally pulled away.

"King Thranduil awaits the prisoner."One of the guards announced.

King?

Rae blinked against the sudden light, taking in her surroundings in awe.

She now stood in a vast chamber that was filled with a crowd of curious beings, unlike anything she had ever seen. All conversations stopped abruptly as Rae entered. The high ceilings were supported by intricately carved wooden beams, their surfaces adorned with delicate leaf patterns and ornate designs that seemed to shimmer in the torchlight. The walls were lined with tall, slender columns that appeared to grow organically from the floor, their surfaces covered with vines and tendrils of green.

At the far end of the hall, elevated on a dais of polished stone, was a large, ornately crafted chair. Seated upon the chair was an imposing figure, his posture exuding both pride and a certain air of boredom. His piercing blue eyes scanned the room with a mixture of boredom and impatience, and a crown adorned with twigs and autumnal leaves rested regally upon his head. This must be the King Thranduil they were talking about, she realized.

Beside the imposing figure stood another being Rae instantly recognized from her previous encounter. Legolas, his presence was quiet but commanding, his keen eyes fixed on Rae, carefully left blank without emotions.

"Who are you, and what foul purpose brings you to my realm?" Thranduil demanded.

Rae hung her head: "My name is Ra'evani. I mean no harm to your realm."She heard the crowd give a collective gasp, and her Na'vi hearing caught the phrase: "Creature with no etiquette."

Thranduil's gaze narrowed, his suspicion deepening. "You expect me to believe that you simply wandered into Mirkwood? Your presence here reeks of deceit. You are no different from the foul creatures that serve Mordor." So she is now in Mirkwood, a name that suits the gloomy nature of the woods. And why would any creature serve something named Mordor?

Rae's anger flared. "I swear, I am telling the truth. I bring no harm to your realm."she insisted.

Thranduil's expression remained cold and unyielding. He turned to Legolas, speaking in a language Rae couldn't understand. Legolas listened intently, his expression remaining blank, though his distrust could be sensed a mile away.

"Father, she does not appear to be like the creatures we know from Mordor," Legolas said quietly, addressing Thranduil. "Her appearance and mannerisms are different."

So, that Legolas is the king's son, which makes him a prince.

Thranduil considered this for a moment before returning his gaze to Rae. "You are barbaric, just like the other creatures of Mordor," he declared, his tone final.

At Thranduil's words, something within Rae snapped, and she growled, baring her teeth the sound primal and raw, echoing through the grand hall as the crowd gasped.

One of the guards, his face twisted with disdain, responded with a swift, brutal kick to her side. Rae almost smiled, blows of this force could never harm an inch of her Na'vi body.

With a fluid and powerful motion, Rae twisted away from the guard's grasp, her movements swift and precise. She struck back, her hand connecting with the guard's chest, sending him stumbling to the ground. Certainly, these creatures had underestimated a Na'vi warrior's strength as they charged at her, and with a powerful swing of her forearm, two were flung across the room. An arrow caught her thigh as she grunted in pain and pulled out the head, almost stabbing a soldier in the process. The crowd watched in stunned silence, their expressions a mix of fear and awe. Finally, two of the guards managed to hit her on the temple with the hilt of a sword.

Twice.

It took three more blows to the head until she fell unconscious once more.

"Gollum, that creature has been speaking these words for eternity. I would do anything to shut it up for a while," the guard named Falon scoffed.

She was back in the cell, sprawling on the rough, cold stone floor

"Alas, this is actually the safest and most convenient post in the entire kingdom," another guard sighed.

As night fell, at least Rae thought the moon had risen, the temperature dropped further in the dungeon. The eerie wailing of the creature she now knew as Gollum echoed through the dungeon, a haunting melody of despair and madness. His mournful cries were punctuated by occasional mutterings about something precious, and Rae couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the tormented being. After all, she understood the pain of loss and the weight of sorrow all too well.

Just as she was beginning to drift off, Rae heard the faint sound of familiar footsteps echoing down the corridor. Her mind raced with possibilities, but fatigue soon overcame her.