Chapter 16 - Revelations
Alcandir was more confused by Medero’s sudden appearance than surprised. It had been years since he had seen his friend from Harad. As he recalled, they were both tracking the same fugitive and he had come out the victor resulting in a very angry and annoyed Medero.
The bounty hunter leaned back in his chair with a smug smile on his face. "How long has it been Medero?"
Medero mimicked his friend and shifted to sit back in his chair as well. Alcandir had a feeling that Medero wouldn’t answer his questions too easily. As a matter of fact, the two would probably sit here all night, drinking and reminiscing but neither would answer the others questions about their current job.
"Avoiding my question old friend?" Alcandir paused momentarily to study the effect this statement would have on his drinking partner. "You can rest assured that I will not steal this one out from under you. I am preoccupied with my own pursuit at the moment."
Medero’s smile broadened, "Steal is correct, Alcandir. I had apprehended that vile creature well before you came along."
A loud laugh burst from Alcandir, and the few patrons residing in The Inn turned to see what all the commotion was. It took a moment for him to regain his composure and he wiped the tears of mirth from his eyes. "I had almost forgotten how amusing you were Medero. Amusing and forgetful."
He paused once again to let out another slight laugh and then taking a deep breath continued. "You are fully aware that you did not have that vile creature, as you so affectionately referred to him, under control. When I came across you, it seemed rather that he had detained you. You should be quite grateful that I found you when I did."
"Now who is being forgetful, old friend?" Medero interrupted, his smile having now faded. "You more than likely stumbled upon us rather than use your investigative skills to find us. You should be thanking your Gods that you were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time."
"I jest Medero, you were always quite good at hunting down the ones you sought."
"Aye, almost as good as you. You gave me something to strive for."
The pair sat in silence drinking their ale and smoking their pipes. Alcandir started going over in his mind what he needed to do now that he was in Harad. He couldn’t very well walk into each town and start asking questions, that would certainly get him killed. Then again, he couldn’t spend the time that it would surely take to watch and observe each town until he found the elf prince.
Normally that is exactly what he would do. He would sit back and monitor the town and learn all that he could from listening in on conversations and watching the townspeople. He had found that the easiest way to get an honest answer out of someone was not to ask but just watch.
The silence between the two wasn’t awkward. They had known each other for far too long. Sounds from the pub filled the air and it was comforting. Alcandir had begun to feel more at home in a good pub than he did in any other place. He could do what he wanted, say what he wanted and all he had to do was throw a little money to the inn keeper to keep him happy.
His curiosity getting the better of him, Alcandir pressed his friend once more. "So, tell me my friend, what are you doing in Sadral?"
The smug smile came back to Medero’s face and he leaned forward resting his forearms on the table. "You just cannot bear the idea of me having a job that you are unaware of." He let out a soft laugh then continued. "If you really must know, I am enjoying a well-needed respite. I have just finished a job. Successfully I might add"
He studied his friend for a moment, looking for signs that Medero was telling the truth. Seeing that there was no lie in his eyes, Alcandir nodded his head and took another long puff from his pipe.
"Now, what brings you to Sadral, Alcandir?"
"I am working on something, as I am sure you have already guessed."
"Care to share?’
"Hmm, you first Medero." Alcandir was not about to share with his temporary companion what he was doing in Harad, but he was curious what Medero had been up to.
Medero turned his head, looking at Alcandir out of the corner of his eye, his eyebrow raised inquisitively. "I was retrieving some merchandise for one of the town Lords."
His answer seemed vague enough but Alcandir had been in his line of work far too long to not know what the man was talking about. Anger and disgust began to fill the bounty hunter and the merriment quickly fled the table.
"When did you become so contemptible?" Alcandir sneered.
Medero let out a frustrated sigh, "It is no different than what you do Alcandir."
"It is very different Medero," Alcandir checked his voice, he was starting to raise it in anger. "You prey on the innocent. I seek those guilty of crime. You bring disgrace to my profession."
Alcandir had no tolerance for slave runners. He did not know how anyone could do such a thing with a clear conscience. Stealing innocent people away from their homes, family and everything they hold dear was detestable. He was not an ignorant man, he knew that there were all types of professions out there and that not all of them were honorable. He knew that his profession wasn’t looked highly upon by all. There had been a few times when he had sought a wanted man only to find that he had rebuilt a life for himself and had a family, yet he had still taken them in for trial and punishment. It wasn’t an easy, well-liked profession, but it was honest.
Letting a rather exaggerated sigh flow from his flared nostrils, Alcandir continued his questioning. "Surely you did not manage to haul a group of prisoners to Harad on your own. Where are your men?"
"Hmph!" Medero shook his head in mock disgust. "You know their type, they took their pay and fled. They were eager to get drunk and bed some women after the work they put in with this last job, being as difficult as it was."
Then realization started to dawn on Alcandir. Could he have been so lucky as to stumble across the man responsible for Legolas’ abduction in the first town he stopped in? If so, would Medero tell him where the elf was? Surely he wasn’t here in Sadral, as far as he knew the Lord of Sadral didn’t use slaves.
Medero had fallen silent since Alcandir’s last comment and he sat now with his arms folded tightly across his chest. He was angry and wasn’t hiding it and Alcandir figured now was as good a time as any to ask the other man what he needed to know.
"Medero, was it a group of elves that you were retrieving for this Lord?" He paused to measure the expression on Medoro’s face. "Answer truthfully."
Alcandir already knew the answer. Medero’s face practically screamed "yes". The look of shock at the bounty hunter knowing was so distinct and obvious. This was the key to completing this job and going home. This man was the solution to making the King of Gondor happy. That was if the elf still lived.
"Where are they Medero?" He continued. "Which Lord did you sale them to?"
Alcandir was desperate now. He couldn’t believe he was so close. He could see Medero contemplating his options. He could see that the man was trying to figure out how to get out of this inn without telling him a single thing. Alcandir was not about to let him leave so easily though. He needed to hear what his old friend had to say and he would force him to tell if necessary.
Medero took a large swallow of ale and then looked to Alcandir. "What is this information you seek worth?"
Was he serious? I should reach over and squeeze the answers I seek out of you. Alcandir thought to himself. He couldn’t believe that Medero was going to play these games with him. Okay then, we’ll play
Alcandir pushed out his bottom lip and shrugged his shoulders. "To me, it is worth naught. To the King of Gondor, much. To you, your very life."
He watched once again as Medero tried to work things out in his head. He knew that the man wasn’t very bright but he was well surpassing all expectations today.
"Maybe I should help you with your decision here Medero." Alcandir stood and pulled his chair closer to the other man, "If you do not tell me where the elf is, then I will take you back in his place and personally hand you over to King Elessar and his friends and inform them that you are the reason that their friend is gone."
"So, you only seek one of the elves?"
"I think you know whom I seek Medero. I was sent for one specifically, but I will take all I can get."
Alcandir didn’t mind telling his old friend this information. He knew that, even though Medero had stooped to a new low with slave running, he wouldn’t inform anyone that he was in Harad seeking the elf.
"I do know of whom you seek," Medero answered. "I did not realize who he was until I had turned him over to Kalen."
"So they are in Marek then."
This elf must be held high in the Valar’s favor.
Alcandir stopped his thoughts. Getting the elf out of Kalen’s grasp was not going to be an easy task. Kalen was cruel and did not hesitate to use violence to protect what he believed belonged to him. By now, Kalen would most assuredly infer that Legolas and the other elves were his property.
"Do you think that Kalen will sale the elves to me or do you think I will have to take them by force?" Alcandir asked his friend.
"Kalen knows who it is that is in his possession and he is very pleased. You may be able to purchase the other three elves but he will not give up that Prince." Medero paused and looked Alcandir directly in the eye. "If you truly intend to take the golden elf then prepare yourself for a war."
Alcandir considered this for a moment. "I know of Kalen’s reputation. He is unjust and lacking compassion." He stopped to think for a moment, "Would he kill us if we asked him to sale us the elves?"
"What do you mean us? I am not going back there."
A smirk appeared on Alcandir’s face, "Oh, I think you will. I need you to introduce me as one interested in paying a very large sum of money for some elves." He could see that Medero was not buying into this plan. The man was scared. "Medero, help me with this one thing and I will make sure that King Elessar is never aware of your involvement. Ride to Marek with me and get me an audience with Lord Kalen and all will be forgiven."
Alcandir waited and watched with patience as Medero mulled it over in his mind once again. He could see that his friend was fighting an internal battle and Alcandir wasn’t sure what he would do if presented with the same decision.
"When do we leave?" Medero asked, his shoulders slumping and his head down.
"At sundown." The smirk turned into a smile, "You will not regret this friend. You will regain some of your lost honor."
Medero stood from his seat and started to head to the bar to order another ale. He stopped midway there and turned back to Alcandir. "I will be dead before my honor is restored and you will be with me." Alcandir had never had such luck in searching for his prey. To have the elf virtually handed to him was a huge surprise, one that was definitely unexpected. Marek was only a few days ride from Sadral. He could retrieve the elf and be home before he knew it.