Chapter 7 - Taking Action
Being summoned by the King was the last thing that Alcandir expected today, he had not yet completed serving his full sentence of two weeks for the trouble he had caused. This place really wasn’t all that bad either, the food was decent and there were windows so that the "guests" could get fresh air and see the outside world, it was a lot better than the dungeons, or so he had heard.
Not that he wasn’t happy to be out. He didn’t like being cooped up, he wanted to be out doing his job and enjoying the freedom that came with his life and career choice. Being trapped was probably Alcandir’s one fear. He had faced down some of the most deadly of men. He had fought orcs and wargs. But the idea of being trapped without sunlight and access to the outside world was terrifying for him.
He really couldn’t blame King Elessar for making him spend some time in jail. The King was only doing what he thought was best and he supposed that he did go a little overboard apprehending this last fugitive. It wouldn’t have been such a big deal if the criminal had just cooperated and done what he had so politely asked of him. But the man felt like he needed to protest Alcandir’s request by spitting on him.
The King of Gondor had requested that Alcandir spend the next two weeks thinking up a new method for accomplishing his work. The more he thought about it though, the more surprised Alcandir was that he had responded so nicely to the insult. However, if it meant retaining the King’s blessing to hunt in Gondor then Alcandir supposed that he could be a little more gentle with those he pursued.
The cell door clanged shut behind him and Alcandir looked to the guard wondering what had happened that would cause the King to allow him to leave his new home so early.
"Follow me," the guard requested.
Alcandir wasn’t sure exactly what to expect, he had never been on this end of the justice system and he felt somewhat like a fish out of water. "What, no manacles?"
"King Elessar did not think it necessary."
The bounty hunter was somewhat surprised at how much the King knew about him. He had only had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with his new liege on a couple of occasions, but he was loyal to the man and wouldn’t do anything to harm his King. As well, he really didn’t enjoy the hospitality that Gondor’s jail had to offer.
The jail sat across the courtyard from the Citadel and as Alcandir stepped out into the sunlight he inhaled a great breath and savored the fresh air. Walking across the courtyard, flanked on both sides by the Royal Guard, Alcandir couldn’t help but look up at the Tower of Ecthelion. It looked different from this angle and beautiful with the sun’s rays reflecting off of it.
They entered the Citadel and quickly walked down the long marble hallway. Alcandir was surprised when the guards lead him past the entrance to the great hall and stopped in front of a door further down the hall. Two heavy knocks were rapped on the door and a call from inside beckoned them to enter.
"My Lord, the prisoner, Alcandir, is here as requested." The guard bowed slightly and both guards moved off to stand on either side of the door.
"Come in Alcandir," Aragorn had risen from his chair and was standing at the head of a small table. He was in the company of several of his advisors and two elves, one with hair as dark as the midnight sky, the other with brown hair, not nearly as dark.
If it weren’t for the slight difference in hair color, Alcandir wasn’t sure he would even be able to tell them apart. Elves all looked the same to him. He hadn’t really had dealings with many of them and they all had the same haughty attitude, long hair and pointy ears.
"I do not suppose that I have been lucky enough to have my sentence repealed?" Alcandir asked with sarcasm.
Aragorn gave a little smirk, "Unfortunately no, but it has been modified slightly."
The elf with the jet black hair stepped forward eying the bounty hunter up and down, a look of discomfort and anxiety on his face, "My Lord, I still do not think that this is a good idea."
Aragorn turned his head to look at the elf and then looked back over to Alcandir, and he had an equally anxious look on his face.
"Alcandir, let me introduce you to Angrod," he said motioning to the elf. "He is Captain of the Elven Guard in Ithilien and very good friend to Lord Legolas."
Alcandir had heard of Legolas, he was the Elven Prince that had fought side by side with Aragorn during the War of the Ring. He was one of the few elves that was involved in the war and had built somewhat of a reputation for himself in doing so. However, Alcandir couldn’t say that he had ever met Lord Legolas, in fact, he hadn’t even seen the elf.
"I suppose, Alcandir, that you are wondering why I summoned you to meet with us." Aragorn stated, moving around the table and coming to stand next to Angrod.
"I must admit that you have piqued my curiosity."
"We have a job for you. An extremely important, highly confidential job." Aragorn looked once more to Angrod who shifted his weight from one leg to the other.
Now he really did have Alcandir’s curiosity piqued. Why would the King of Gondor, the same man who had just punished him for doing his job, now want to hire him? An important, confidential job. It sounded highly appealing and exciting.
Alcandir tilted his head slightly to the side and lifted his eyebrows, "You want to hire me?"
"Aye."
"What is this mysterious job? Did someone steal your horse?"
Alcandir saw Aragorn’s expression tense at this statement and he knew immediately that the job was for something much more valuable than a horse.
"Come, have a seat Alcandir," Aragorn motioned to the table and he and the elf, Angrod, moved to take seats opposite him. They both watched him closely as he took his own seat.
Aragorn leaned back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest. His face looked somewhat pale and the anxiety that Alcandir noticed earlier was still there, accompanied by something else, fear.
"Approximately one month ago, elves began disappearing from the forests surrounding Ithilien. Three elves as of roughly one week ago. Vanishing without any signs of what happened or where they have gone to."
Aragorn now leaned forward resting his arms on the table and looked closely at Alcandir. Angrod was sitting similarly, not moving his eyes off of the bounty hunter and the look in the elves eyes was unnerving. Alcandir felt as though the elf were looking into his very soul, that he could see things inside of him that Alcandir himself had forgotten.
Scanning from King to elf and back again, Alcandir asked, "What does this have to do with me?"
"This morning it was discovered that another elf was taken, but this time there was some evidence left behind." Aragorn slid the arrow across the table to Alcandir.
Alcandir picked the weapon up in his hand and twirled it around, looking closely at the fletching. He slid his fingers along the shaft and then grazed his thumb over the edge of the arrow head. "This arrow is of Harad make. Which region is harder to determine, however." He raised his head and looked into the King’s eyes, "You think the elves were taken to Harad?"
Aragorn and Angrod looked at each other, neither of them saying anything, but the elf made a small dip with his head as if encouraging Aragorn to continue.
"That is precisely what we think, and we want you do go and retrieve them." Aragorn held Alcandir’s gaze, almost daring him to deny his request.
"Why me? Why not have Lord Legolas take care of this matter, he is their liege and Prince. Surely he has the resources to retrieve his missing people."
Aragorn’s face dropped even more and his eyes seemed to cloud over slightly, "The fourth elf that was taken, was Lord Legolas. We are not exactly sure when he was taken, he left Minas Tirith several days ago. That arrow was found lodged in the neck of his horse midway between here and the Elven colony. For us to send more elves to bring him home would be foolish and if I were to go after him..."
"You would both be dead before you stepped ten paces inside their lands." Alcandir finished for him.
"Aye" said Aragorn
"Why should I do this, what is in it for me?" Alcandir wasn’t sure that he wanted to go to Harad again. The last time he had been there was not the most memorable of experiences and the land itself lacked something to be desired.
"Let us just say that if you decide against the job, you will be begging for work as stable boy. I will make sure you are never paid a bounty again. Here or in Rohan."
"Well, that is some incentive." Alcandir didn’t know what he would do if he couldn’t be a bounty hunter. It was what he was born to do and he knew nothing else. "But, my Lord, I have never met Lord Legolas, I do not even know what he looks like. He could be in this very room right now and I would not know it."
"He is golden haired and very distinctive. Trust me when I say, you will know him when you see him."
"What of the other three elves?"
"If you can find them then bring them home." Although he was feeling extremely bound by his duty to Gondor, Aragorn was beginning to feel more comfortable about the arrangement. Alcandir was the very best at tracking people, almost as good as he was, and there was no doubt that he could do this. "I can send some men with you to assist in the search."
"That is much appreciated, my Lord, but I work better alone." Alcandir had not had a partner in his work in years. He found that most men were only interested in their own gain and could not be trusted. The last time he had worked with someone on a job the results had been near disastrous and he swore he would never do it again.
"I am sorry to have to ask this my Lord, but what if I do not find him alive?" Alcandir hated asking this, especially after he saw the reactions of the elf’s two friends sitting across the table from him. Both man and elf turned green and he could have sworn that he saw both sets of eyes tear up before they both dropped their eyes to the floor.
Alcandir could tell that this Elven Prince was dearly loved and he wondered what this elf had done to earn such love and devotion. What can one have done to be worth so much to so many? He was very interested in meeting one who had such an effect on the King.
Without raising his head Aragorn responded in barely above a whisper, "Bring him home."
Alcandir looked back and forth between the two once more, then with a large sigh he rose from the table. He had much to do before he set out for that Valar forsaken land. "I should be going if I wish to depart by tomorrow morning. I have much to prepare and a long journey ahead."
"Alcandir," Aragorn called to the retreating form, "by any means necessary."
Alcandir turned back to the King and Elf. He looked them both in the eye and nodded his head acknowledging that he understood the statement, he was being ordered to bring the elf home no matter the circumstances or risk to his own life. He could feel the eyes on his back as he exited the room, some in hope, some in distrust. No matter what they felt, Alcandir had sworn to do a job and he had never failed to bring in the one he hunted. He didn’t know how to fail.