No Way Out

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CH IX


“I will go first and take a hit at each of them. Then you come charging up seconds later and do the same. Hopefully it will be enough to disorientate them and knock them on the ground. Then we shall continue in close range for hand to hand combat. Agreed?” Haldir gave orders as if he were back in the Golden Woods, commanding his men. But he gave the Prince no time to protest.

Haldir sprinted from the cage as soon as the door had been lifted. Charging across the ground he ran at the first man and punched him in the face, not stopping for a moment as he twirled around, ducked under the other man’s arms and kneed him in the stomach. Slowing his pace, he came to a stop, just in time to turn around and see Legolas approaching the men, whom were half-dazed and groaning in pain.

The Prince’s gait was squared and determined as he neared the Men, his fists clenched at his sides as he stared directly at them. He did not appear tentative, though the slightest signs of hesitance were shimmering in his blue eyes, but only Haldir noticed it.

The larger of the two men bared his teeth at Legolas like an aggressive beast, his eyes glaring up heatedly as he clutched at his stomach. With a howl of rage the Edan righted himself clumsily and charged at the Elf, but as he attempted to catch the golden headed Eldar with flailing arms, Legolas swiftly dodged him, throwing out his foot to trip his attacker. He then dropped to the floor, his knee digging in to the man’s exposed back while Legolas restrained his arms and growled into his ear.

“I do not want to fight you.”

Before he could say anything else, strong arms were suddenly braced around his neck, strangling him.

Haldir unfairly rolled his eyes at Legolas’ remiss of the other man. Actions like these could prove fatal. Running back to the Edan and the Prince, Haldir processed how best to amend the situation as he went. With a jolt of inspiration, Haldir stopped behind the man whom was strangling Legolas, reached out with his hands and cruelly tickled him under the arms.

The man’s hands immediately left the younger Elf’s neck and batted Haldir’s hands away, while the sounds of laughter for the first time were heard coming from inside the ring. With the man distracted, Haldir swiftly kicked out, tripping the man so he landed hard on the rocky and sand covered ground. Quick to take the advantage, Haldir straddled the man’s chest, and began pounding the Edan’s face with his fists until he was unconscious.

Haldir made sure the man proved no further threat hastily then turned to see how Legolas was faring.

When the limbs squeezing the Mirkwood Elf’s neck abruptly released him, he instinctively lifted a hand to rub at his tender neck as he panted for oxygen, his captive took advantage of his lapse and turned onto his side. Stars danced before Legolas’ line of vision momentarily as the man’s foot connected with his temple, and the Prince fought to focus his attention on him. Shaking his head, his eyes followed the blurry figure as it lunged at him, and using pure instinct, Legolas estimated where the on-coming kick would strike, he grabbed the man’s ankle, using both hands to twist it and make him lose his balance.

Literally throwing himself on the inmate, Legolas and he briefly wrestled around on the floor, each prisoner trying to overpower the other. Eventually gaining power over him, Legolas straddled the man, striking him in the face as Haldir had taught him, leaving the Edan dazed. He gripped the man by the ears and slammed his head on the ground hard enough to render him unconscious.

Panting heavily, Legolas stared down at the motionless figure blankly for several seconds before rising on strained legs and stepping away.

Haldir rose quickly and went to Legolas’ side, grabbing hold of the Elf’s upper arms gently, leading him out of the ring. As the crowd awarded the champions their praise, Haldir decided to stall their exit. Releasing Legolas, he played up the victory, bowing and punching the air with his fists, a wide grin over his face. The audience loved it and clapped harder, shouting obscenities and many coming for a second time as the Marchwarden silently thanked them for their support.

Nudging Legolas with his elbow, Haldir cast the Prince’s attention towards the south-east section of the stands, where fewer men were seated. To the crowd, however, it seemed he was encouraging his fellow Elf into also giving the crowd his appreciation. However, before Haldir could make up his mind whether or not it would be worth a try jumping the wall this time, soldiers came out and ushered them back into their cage. As they approached the wall, Haldir gauged the height and assumed that with some small amount of leverage, he would be able to scramble out of the ring.

Pointedly looking at Legolas, he wondered what the Prince’s thoughts were on the matter.

Legolas crossed his arms in front of him as he watched the men being dragged away by several Haradrim through the bars. He fought to contain the adrenaline pulsing through him now, if only to quench his nagging conscience which chastised him for causing pain to another in order to bring excitement to others.

“What have I done?” He subconsciously whispered to himself.

Haldir looked to Legolas, still wanting to know what the Prince thought about the ring perimeter, but seeing the younger Elf’s forlorn countenance, all thoughts of escape left his mind, yet the urge to leave flared stronger than ever before. With a sympathetic sigh, Haldir pulled Legolas to him once more, one arm wrapped around the slighter shoulders, the other holding a slim hand across his own torso, lightly rubbing his thumb over the back of Legolas’ hand.

“Legolas, it is alright, really it is. If you did not stop him, he might not have held back or have been as merciful as you… he might have killed you!” Haldir persisted, trying to make Legolas see sense. Yet for several moments the Prince and he continued in silence, slowly walking back to their cell.

“Believe it or not, I could not bear the thought of losing you!” Haldir exclaimed, coming to a stand still, forgetting their soldier escort and brought Legolas about to face him. “I am grateful to you for going through this horrible ordeal, if only for my selfish need of another Elf in here with me… Please do not leave me…” he whispered brokenly, his eyes glistening over with tears and portraying how much he needed the Silvan Elf.

Legolas gazed at the Marchwarden silently, his heart clenching at the pain in Haldir’s eyes and the strain in his voice. It was so hard to believe that someone he had met mere days ago could care so much for him. The Lorien Marchwarden had risked his life for him more than once, and the Prince could not help but mentally berate himself for not realizing how much his emotional states often affected the other Elf.

Reaching his hand out, Legolas took the Silver-haired Elf’s own in his, gently tugging it when the Guards began fingering their weapons.

“Come, Haldir.”

Taking one last look at the fading sun as they were led deeper into the darkness of the prison, Legolas concentrated on nothing but the comforting warmth of Haldir’s hand. Having the Galadrim soldier around him gave him a sense of security, one he desperately needed now that he was being led farther away from the fresh air and beaming sun.

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REVIEWS:

Yanic lol, sorry to worry you like that. Yes, that little scene between Legolas and Haldir has to be a favourite of mine, too. Heh... what can I say, as much as we want to see some sexy Elf smut, we try to keep things as realistic as possible.

Ertia Oh yes, indeed it was un-edited The more recently posted chapter VIII is the beta'ed copy. Don't worry about the nagging, we deserved it, anyway... and abandon the fic?? Never!

JILLY Hehe, well, thank you! No, no, no, don't bite off your fingernails! If you have an itch, you may need to scratch! :P And don't worry, I doubt anyone or anything would dare to stand between our head-strong Haldir and what he wants! :)

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