Part 8

The farmer had no son or servant to send as a messenger and, besides, once Eowyn was out of danger, and he was sure that she was in good hands, it occurred to Legolas that both feeling and courtesy demanded he should ride to the Reeve’s house and deliver the bad news himself.

So, with a quick farewell to Eowyn, he mounted Brightstar and, leaving Arod in the farmer’s capable hands, set off for the town.

Above him, as he thundered down the road, a lowering sky was threatening more rain, and he knew that that did not bode well for the following day’s search...

...

The Reeve’s house was a miniature citadel, protected by a high wooden wall; Legolas rode up to the gatehouse, dismounted, and hammered on the gate.

“Legolas Thranduilion, of the Elven Colony,” he told the guard, “with urgent news for the Reeve of Newhome.” He was escorted to the Reeve’s private quarters, where a Steward asked him to wait in the study, whilst the man fetched his master.

To Legolas’ surprise, the Reeve came running—as if, having been told that the Elf was alone, he had made his own deduction: “My son?” he cried.

“I believe he has been abducted, sir,” said Legolas, “for ransom.”

The Reeve staggered; his face was as white as his linen. Legolas, calling to the Steward for help, guided the man to the nearest chair, and sat him down.

“Tell me everything...” the Reeve gasped.

“Arador disappeared in Eryn Hollen, sir,” replied Legolas. “Taken by at least two men. My wife and I pursued them, but my wife was injured, and—”

The Reeve’s head jerked up.

“She is well, sir,” Legolas assured him. “And there is every reason to believe that the outlaws will take good care of Arador, for they will want a good price for him. However—” The Steward had fetched a glass of wine for his master, and he handed it to the Elf. “Thank you. I do not intend to wait for them to contact us, sir,” he continued, “so I have come to ask you to raise the Watch. I will go with them to Eryn Hollen, and we will begin searching at first light. Here, sir, drink a little of this...”

The Reeve seized the glass, and downed its contents in one gulp. “I shall come with you, Lord Legolas,” he said, decisively. “Bedric,”—to the Steward—“say nothing of this to Lady Morwen. If she asks, just tell her that I have gone out to meet our guests. Now fetch Captain Hallas; there is much to organise.”

...

As Legolas listened to the Reeve giving orders to the Captain of the Watch, he could not shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. For when he had suggested that the outlaws’ motive might be ransom, a look had flashed across the Reeve’s face that had chilled the Elf to the bone.