Fading Light

Traitor

Estel grimaced as the arrow in his leg was jostled by the men who forced him forward.

He could see Jakov standing in front of the fire, arms crossed and a look of pure anger on his face.

The moment Estel was in front of him Jakov slammed his fist into his face. Estel gasped and collapsed on the ground.

"I should kill you now."
Jakov growled.
Estel raised his hand to his face, feeling the blood that was flowing from his face.

"After you're dead I'll go back and kill the rest of your friends. I'm sure that their deaths won't bother you much, considering that they left you behind."

Estel ignored his words. He had told Halbarad to run and find the others. If they could get to the Rangers in time they could still save him.

But if Jakov was going to kill him then the chances of that happening were impossible.

So this is how it ends. Murdered at the hands of a mad man.

Before Jakov could do anything a voice alerted him of someone's approach. Estel rolled onto his side in order to see who was coming and was shocked to see Legolas and Brion.

Upon closer inspection Estel realized with a jolt that Brion was holding a knife to Legolas' neck.

Brion and his prisoner stopped walking a few feet away from Jakov and his men, Legolas' expression was as calm and unreadable as usual.

Perhaps this is a trick so that they can get to me.

Estel held onto that idea, hoping that it was true. He knew that Brion didn't like or trust Legolas, but surely he wouldn't hand him over to Jakov to save him.

"What do you want?"
Jakov shouted.
"And why do you have the elf prisoner?"
Brion tightened his grip on Legolas who remained silent.
"I've come to offer you a trade. The elf for my companion."

Jakov stared at him skeptically.
"Do you honestly expect me to believe this? This is obviously a trick to rescue your friend."

"I can assure you that this elf is no friend of mine and I would gladly kill him right now."

Brion grinned smugly as he noticed the fear that flickered past Jakov's eyes.

"But that wouldn't serve you well at all would it?"
Brion pressed the blade tighter against Legolas' neck.
"You need him alive, and to see him die now, after you got this close to capturing him, well..."

Jakov glared at Brion, then Legolas, and finally Estel. Everyone held their breath as they waited for Jakov to give his answer.

"Give me the elf and I'll give you your friend."
Brion shook his head.
"Bring him to me and then I'll give you the elf once he is safe and out of your hands."

Jakov scowled and Brion caused a small cut to appear on Legolas' neck, drawing blood.

"Time's running out Jakov. Give into my terms or the elf dies."
Sighing in frustration Jakov grabbed Estel by the shoulder and dragged him over.

Estel couldn't believe what was happening. He met Legolas' eyes and searched them for any sign that this was all a trick but he found nothing.

"I brought him to you."
Jakov threw Estel down at Brion's feet.
"Now give me the elf."

Brion smiled apologetically.
"Sorry, but I have other plans."
Brion struck Legolas on the head with the handle of his knife, rendering him unconcious, then he threw the knife into Jakov's stomach.

The man stumbled backwards in shock, clutching at his stomach in pain and surprise. Minutes later he fell onto his knees and then collapsed onto his face, dead.