The Tales Untold

Part Three

Invoke

I'm back, sooner than I expected to be. Here's the third story and by far my most dramatic. Yes, this one is filled with cliffies to bug you all. But this starts out a little calmer than the end of the second story, and then speeds up again.

I'm still not sure how long this is going to be… Uh, I'm not exactly finished yet. But I will! So, to enjoy the ride, keep your arms and legs inside the chapters at all times. Strap yourself in and have fun!

Name: Invoke

By: Jazie

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: For the last time, I don't own Lord of the Rings. Nor do I own Legolas, Aragorn, etc… I do not make any money off of this. HOWEVER, I do own Luinithil, Rada, etc… they are mine. You cannot use them. Well… I might let you use them if you ask nicely.

Warning: If there are any mistakes in here, they are all mine. That includes grammatical, spelling, and other stuff.

Summary: Now on a dangerous quest up north, Legolas and company encounter more than they had counted on. And there is a traitor within their group. Who can be trusted now?

An average minstrel would never find himself in this situation. But then again, Koto was anything but average.

The man stared out across the wilderness, at the mountains to his left, the nothingness to his right and the wastelands of the north in front of him. To the South was civilization. To the North was Mount Gundabad, full or orcs. Civilization or orcs? Ha! Now that was an easy choice. Orcs, by far. Orcs were what this minstrel could handle. To the South meant facing more bounty hunters. Like the one on his heels now. He had hoped to lose the bounty hunter by heading north, but it was a vain hope. This one was more determined than the others. Perhaps he should go east, then down south to Harad… no one would know him there.

Koto's sharp hearing caught the hooves coming from the south. The bounty hunter knew that Koto knew he was here, so there was no reason to hide his going. But the sound towards the left was what interested the minstrel more. Hooves… of a walking horse. Why…?

Koto quickly scrambled up the large hill. Here these annoying hills kept popping up everywhere. The mountains were tall and leered from the left, more threatening than the hills, but they didn't impress Koto. What caught him by complete surprise was that he saw a small group of people, and one horse, traveling northward at a fast walk. They weren't bounty hunters, but what would sane travelers be doing up here? Even the fearless minstrel had been wary about traveling so far north. Only desperation had forced him to do it.

The bounty hunter was right behind him, he could hear it. Cursing loudly, he decided those travelers might be his only hope. He began to run in their direction, letting gravity pull him down the steep hillside. Mud kept him on his toes—literally—lest he fall on his face and all hope of rescue be lost. The travelers were aware of him as soon as he had started their way. They halted, warily eyeing him.

Koto continued running, he could see the bounty hunter now. Each footstep was slower than the last. His strength was finally wearing down. But fear kept him going and soon the travelers were only a few feet away from him.

The ones he could see in the front were armed to the teeth. Just who had he stumbled upon? What if he was in worse trouble now? He slowly raised two empty hands in front of him, a gesture of surrender. "I am unarmed," he said, secretly glad that his half raised hood kept his youth hidden. "A bounty hunter is trying to capture me, and I have done no wrong. I humbly beg your assistance."

A distinctive snort came from one of the travelers. Koto's bowed head prevented him from seeing exactly who had made the skeptical noise.

He snuck a glance over his shoulder. The hoof beats had stopped. A horse's steaming breath warmed Koto's shoulder. Oh soot balls! He was done for if these travelers didn't help him! The bounty hunter dismounted. A hand clamped over Koto's shoulder as cold and unforgiving as iron. "Thank you for helping me capture this man," the bounty hunter rasped.

With his gaze directed at the muddy grass, Koto could only see the dark boots when someone of the travelers stepped forward. The boots were dark and carefully embroidered. He wondered who would dress in such a fashion, here of all places.

A low, smooth voice came from the travelers. "You are a bounty hunter trying to capture this man, correct?" The boots shifted dangerously. This one's step was that of a warrior, light and ready to spring at any moment. "May I ask why?"

"There is a price on his head large enough to tempt any bounty hunter. This one is not in the favor of very wealthy lord down south." The bounty hunter laughed hoarsely.

The dark boots shifted positions again. That same low voice purred in reply. "Well, in that case hand him over."

The bounty hunter ceased laughing. "What did you say?"

"I said hand him over. If there is a price on his head large enough to bring one of you dense thugs this far north, I want him. Perhaps you have heard of me. I am the Striker."

Oh! This was precious! Precious, indeed! Koto nearly escaped from the clutches of this horrible bounty hunter to fall into one of the most feared for-hire trackers, warriors, and bounty hunters! A perfect example of Koto's luck. Even this bounty hunter had to have heard of the Striker. Supposedly an elf she was no one to be underestimated. She had never quite stooped to being as ruthless as other bounty hunters, but she was no less effective or dangerous. In Eriador there was always a few warriors to be feared, and the Striker was on that unwritten list.

The bounty hunter seemed to realize that.

"You are the Striker?" he asked hesitantly.

"Yes I am, and I would very much like to have that man handed over to me. Now." The Striker's tone left nothing to chance.

The hand dropped from Koto's shoulder. The minstrel kept himself from shaking. So far this situation had not improved much. The bounty growled softly to himself, but mounted his horse and started southward. He knew he was no match for the Striker. He would find another job.

The Striker sighed loudly. "That was unexpected. You know, man, I would turn you in to whoever put that price on your head, but I've been promised a pretty price by someone here to accompany them to the North. So you are free, I suppose."

Koto looked up. The group numbered about eight, he guessed. A dark haired, rugged seeming man was observing him. "Night falls quickly here," he murmured to the Striker. "We should camp here, before we reach the mountains. The hills supply some cover."

"May I camp with you tonight?" Koto took a step forward, his head still bowed a little. "That bounty hunter might come back."

"If he knows a thing about the Striker, he will not," the Striker muttered. "It's your call, Legolas. Let a poor man freeze out in the wilderness or not."

Another voice came from the group. "What harm could it cause? I don't mind."

The travelers separated and quickly began their own tasks, some unloading supplies from saddle bags, some doing other small things. Koto took a few steps back and sat down on a mossy clump. Rubbing his hands over his shivering arms he wondered if he had just dreamed what had happened. The Striker had found him and not struck? She was just letting him go? Her pay to stay with this group must indeed be a good one. Koto took this time to observe all the travelers carefully.

The first was the Striker. Her long black hair hung down to her waist, but she paid it no mind as she unrolled a blanket. Her eyes were as dark as her hair, cold as a winter night. They seemed to have a bit of glowing green in them, but Koto could decide on this or not. A spear sat by her blanket, a sword hung at her glossy belt and a bow and quiver were strapped to her belt. She meant business.

The second being was the man. He had raggedly cut hair and his clothes had obviously seen better days. But he had a power around him that spoke more eloquently than any fancy cloak. The others respected him. He also had a sword and bow. Koto had met a few rangers in his time, and this man could be one of them. The ranger directed an elf to go sit by a child.

Those two were the next victims of Koto's careful evaluations. The elf had long dark hair, brown as the mud that covered most of his clothing. He, too, carried weapons, but he didn't seem a warrior. It was impossible to guess his age, but he seemed a trifle older than the Striker. There was vacancy in his eyes that frightened Koto a little. There was something strange about that elf. The child was more commonplace. She had darker skin than any of them and her hair echoed it's darkness. Her eyes were huge, observing everything around her with a certain… something. No weapon was hers, but who would let a child handle a weapon no matter the task? Her clothes were worn but well made. Both her manner and skin spoke of a southern home.

Then there was another female. Another elf, blonde. Her clothing was strange, green and brown. A sleeve was ripped off of one arm at the elbow, but she didn't seem to mind. Only strong muscles were revealed by the rip. Her eyes gleamed like purple gems. She stroked the neck of a large gray horse. It snorted, nuzzling its probable owner. The female patted the horse, then reached in a saddle bag and tossed a bed roll to the child he had already studied.

"Abel, catch this," she called. The child grinned and caught it in midair. Then she poked the dark haired elf with it.

"Luinithil, please help me unroll this," she pleaded. "Oh, and thanks, Rada!"

That was a few names to remember. The child was Abel, the male elf Luinithil, the female Rada. In a few more minutes he was able to study the last one, a blonde male elf. There was something about him that made Koto want to shudder. He had been called Legolas. So he was a bit of a leader among this group, that was obvious. But something about him… Koto decided to shrug it off. This whole group was strange in one way or another. They hired the Striker, traveled this far north and were armed to the teeth. Whatever they were doing, it was no pleasure walk. Finally the group settled down in a circle. They had decided no fire would be built. Koto sat outside the circle and managed to catch the man's name. Strider. Hm, Striker and Strider. Koto repeated this to himself, a bit amused. Suddenly all heads were turned towards him. Koto swallowed.

"Look at me," the Striker commanded. "I would like to see exactly who I have risked life and reputation to save from a dense bounty hunter." She snapped her fingers.

"I'm just a minstrel." Koto carefully controlled his breathing. He slowly stood up and pulled his hood off, revealing his light, wavy hair. A youthful face stared back at the Striker, with piercing blue eyes set above a wry mouth.

"Exactly how big is the price on your head?" The child, Abel, spoke up. Her huge eyes gazed at Koto curiously.

Koto answered, a trace of a smile on his face.

The Striker stared at him. "You're younger than I had first thought. Tell me now, and quickly, why does a minstrel of all things, have a price on his head large enough to flatter any criminal. You do not seem the type, forgive my reasoning. You are reasonably clean, innocent looking and that harp hanging from your shoulder looks like the real thing. So, what is the story behind this?"

"It is too long a story to bother you with now," Koto replied with a shrug. "Just a small piece of advice, though. Never come up with insulting songs about very important, rich, people in unfamiliar towns."

Rada didn't even bother to hide her laughter. "I like this one."

Koto beamed at her. "I would love to accompany you, wherever you are heading. I need the protection, and I will find a way to repay you, Striker."

Strider shook his head. "Oh, no. We are not picking up another traveler."

"What do you mean, 'another?'" the Striker asked suspiciously.

Ignoring her, Strider frowned at Koto. The minstrel tried to look as earnest as possible. "We are on a serious task." Strider locked his eyes with those of Koto. "Dangerous. More dangerous than that bounty hunter chasing you."

Koto blinked twice. "Danger? Fine, I like excitement."

"Let me put it this way." Strider released a long sigh of irritation. "You cannot come."

"I have to! I am indebted to your friend here," he pointed at the Striker, "and I will pay it back somehow. I can be helpful. I was once a soldier, I studied at lore, even was a magician's apprentice…"

"Strider, he could help," Abel put in. Her dark hair was tucked behind her ears carelessly as she donned her most pleading expression.

"No, no, and last no." With a sigh, Strider turned to the blonde male elf… Legolas was his name. "Are you going to support me in this?"

The elf appeared to hesitate, and then nodded in agreement. Rada's frown deepened and the Striker's face was unreadable. Abel began to whine at Strider.

The ranger shook his head. He obviously had something important invested in this task of his. Something near to his heart. Well, minstrels had to know how to play emotion just as well as any harp. And Koto was no exception. "Please, my lord." Koto bowed deeply. "You have saved my life and I would repay my debt. My sense of honor will not allow me to simply abandon you thus. I am better company than I look, too," he couldn't help but add.

"Leave him here," Legolas murmured. "I have little patience for him right now." Abel began to whine louder. The elf stared at her in irritation, then seemed to reconsider. "Actually, we could take him along just to make her be quiet."

Koto's sharp hearing caught the words not meant for his ears. Making a mental note that he didn't like that particular elf, he kept his innocent silence.

"But…" Strider's face was tense.

"If he simply slows us down, abandon him. But if we stay here arguing, it will delay us more than if we humor him." That Legolas had a sharp tongue as well as a short temper. Maybe he wasn't having a good day or something. Koto would have liked to say something by now but polite manners kept him from it. He was very curious by now and more than his desire to repay the Striker urged him to stay with this group.

Rada shrugged. "We can always decide in the morning. Let's sleep, the evening is darkening."

Koto wrapped his heavy cloak around him and let out a long breath. Maybe, just maybe.

Well, there's the first chapter. Not a cliffie yet, probably to your relief. *Grins laughs evilly*