Unknown POV

They stood leaning against the wall of a building, hidden from the sight of anyone who happened to pass by. A hood covered their head and in the being's left hand they held a knife which they'd toss into the air and catch again. It was a quiet night; the rain kept most people inside which would make the shadowed figure's job much easier.

Tonight was what they had been waiting for, there could be no mistakes this time. If they failed there could be a chance that the target would never return to this city, and the hunt would take even longer. Voices caught the being's attention and they ceased their knife throwing, looking in the direction of the voices they remained poised and still.

Right on time, Keeping their back pressed against the wall they loosely held the knife by the blade, waiting for the right moment. The shadowed figure saw Thilan leading his troop of bandits through the street, they counted only six men which was odd since they knew that there were usually eight, where were the other two?

The target was nearing their hiding place clearly pleased with himself, though his demeanor remained much more relaxed than those of his companions. The being in the shadows knew that their excitement could only mean one thing, that they'd captured another civilian. Quelling their rapidly increasing anger, they raised the arm which held the knife, assuring theirself that they wouldn't miss this time.

"Oi boss! The Elf won't stop squirming!" Hames' complaint caused the figure to abruptly cease all movement. Had they heard correctly? Thilan stopped walking and turned around to fix an angry glare at Hames. The tall man was looking down at the small figure he held. A flash of lightning revealed what at first appeared to be a child, but the shadowed figure had  just enough time to see one delicate, pointed ear on the boy's head.

So the stories are true, Elves do still walk on earth.

Hames had one arm wrapped around the Elf, keeping his arms pinned to his sides, and kept his mouth covered with his other hand. Yet what filled the shadowed figure with curiosity was the faint glow that came from the Elf, in all their life they had never seen a creature so fair. The being's curiosity was soon replaced with anger when they saw the Elf trembling in his captor's grasp. 

He must be an Elf child, The shadowed figure once again raised their knife. They wouldn't allow the Elf to be in Thilan's clutches for a minute longer. Before they could make a move pounding footsteps along with frantic shouts caught everyone's attention. 

"Don't let him kill me!" The frightened voice screamed. "Don't-"

His cries were suddenly cut off and, then a dull thump was heard. Another flash of lightning showed the man's fate; a black arrow with white fletching was embedded in his back. Worried murmurs came from Thilan's men as they drew their weapons. The shadowed figure remained in their hiding place, deciding to see how this was going to play out. 

Perhaps I am not alone in this hunt after all...

/\\//\\/

Amarth's POV

I've already nocked another arrow by the time the man falls. It took awhile but I eventually caught up to him, and he led me exactly where I wanted to be. Six men surround Thilan and Hames, who still has Ramben in his grasp. I'm about to release my next arrow into the giant's head when Thilan grabs Ramben and puts a knife at his neck. 

Suddenly I'm frozen where I stand. I lower my bow slowly, my breathing becomes rapid and my heart is pounding. I know what's coming, but please not now! I don't have time for this!

"What's wrong?" Thilan asks tauntingly. "Afraid to use that little bow of yours?"

I can't speak.

My mouth has gone dry.

No...

My bow drops from my hands.

I'm no longer in Minas Tirith, I'm back at my old village. The one that's on fire, burning. 

I see a man, holding a knife to my son's throat, Rilien....

His eyes are begging for me to help him, to save him. 

But I can't move.

You couldn't save your son...

A voice hisses in my ear, suddenly Rilien is replace with Ramben, and the voice returns.

What makes you think you can save him? 

How can I save him? How can I save anyone? No matter who I love, no matter who I try to protect, I fail them. I've failed them all....

Yes, the voice purrs and hands grab my shoulders, you are becoming mine...

/\\//\\/

Ramben's POV

What's wrong with him? Ramben was even more terrified than before. When Amarth had first appeared his heart had leapt for joy, he was going to be rescued! But then Thilan had grabbed him, putting a knife at his throat. Amarth had told him about knives, he knew that they could hurt him and tried to remain as still as possible. Amarth would take care of it, he'd save him from Thilan.

But then Amarth had gone still, his bow had fallen onto the street. Now he was on his knees, staring straight ahead as if he was in pain, and his blue eyes were clouded. 

Amarth what's wrong with you? The elfling wanted nothing more to be at his friend's side but his captor prevented him from moving.

"Well, that was easy." Thilan said with a cruel laugh that quickly spread to the rest of his men. Ramben's eyes remained on Amarth, pleading for him to snap out of whatever had taken hold of him. Thilan suddenly dragged him forward with Hames and two other men following.

"You boys take care of him then meet us outside the city. Don't be late or you'll miss your share of the fun." Something about the way Thilan said that last word sent a shiver down Ramben's spine. 

What are they going to do to me?

Four men were advancing towards Amarth who still seemed oblivious to his surroundings. Ramben opened his mouth to shout a warning when Thilan's hand clamped over his mouth. "We can't have any of that now can we little one?" The man whispered in his ear. Ramben shuddered and tried to get away but Thilan only tightened his grip as he led him off. As he was taken away Ramben couldn't decide who was more scared for: Amarth or himself.

/\\//\\/

Amarth's POV

I slowly begin to come out of whatever trance I was in.

It...

It wasn't like the others at all.

What is happening to me? 

Ramben!

Instantly I'm on my feet, Ramben's name repeating itself over and over again in my head. I have to get to him! However it quickly dawns on me that I'm in a little situation. Four men armed with swords surround me, and one is about to drive his weapon straight through my abdomen. 

I'm dead.

I hear the sound of a blade sinking into flesh, and a body crumples onto the street.

The strange thing is, I'm not dead.

In fact it was the man who was about to stab me who is dead, there's the hilt of a knife sticking out of his side. Suddenly a blade flies past my ear, I can hear it cut through the air before it becomes embedded in another man. The two remaining men try to flee but before they can two more knives go flying, and both men collapse lifelessly onto the street.

I think I was just saved by a professional assassin. 

Or am about to be killed by a professional assassin, good thing I used to be one.

I have my swords out in the blink of an eye and whirl around to face a cloaked figure.

Alright why is it whenever I'm in a place full of men I'm always encountered by someone in a hood?

"Who are you?" I demand raising my swords, ready to strike if this stranger proves to be a threat.

"No one important." The figure replies taking a step forward, I quickly block their path.

"I can believe that," I say keeping my voice cool, "but even unimportant people have names. So why don't you remove your hood and tell me who you are?"

The figure sighs and I can see their shoulders sag. "If I do can I retrieve my weapons and go? I'm in the middle of a hunt."

This catches my interest.

"You're after Thilan too?" I ask.

The nods and reaches their hands up, pulling off their hood and revealing the last thing I wanted to see.

"Oh great," I growl lowering my swords, "you're a man."

"Do you have something against men?" He asks stepping past me, probably to retrieve his knives.

"As a matter of fact I do." I reply shortly.

"Why? Are you not a man yourself?"

I keep my mouth shut after that question and am grateful for my hood being up. There is no way I'm telling him that I'm an Elf, in fact why am I still here talking? I have to go after Ramben!

"Well it's been a pleasure, but I really must be going." I return my swords to their sheaths and start forward in the direction Thilan went.

"I could help you." The man calls out from behind me.

"I don't need help go away." I keep walking.

"What if you freeze again?"

"Were you spying on me?" 

"I know where Thilan is taking the Elf."

This stops me in my tracks. I turn around and see the man standing just a few feet away, all four of his throwing knives have been collected and now he just stands there, waiting for my response.

"How do you know where he's taking him?" I ask narrowing my eyes, I don't trust him at all.

"I've been trying to hunt down Thilan for years," the man replies, "his crimes have gone unpunished for long enough, and since no one else in this forsaken place will convict him that task has fallen to me. Now do you want my help or not?"

I want to take the time to think about this, to ponder his words and decide whether or not he can be trusted, but the longer I stay here the further Ramben gets.

"How do I know that you won't try and take the Elf? Or that you aren't leading me into a trap?" 

"I have no interest in the Elf, I only want to see Thilan answer for his crimes."

This being seems very intent on getting his revenge...

"Besides," he continues, "where Thilan is going there's more of his men waiting. If you tried to rescue your friend on your own you'd be outnumbered and killed."

I don't like the sound of that...

I close my eyes and sigh. Though it goes completely against my better judgment, I decide that I have no choice but to accept his help.

"Alright, I'll let you come. But as soon as Thilan is dead and I have the Elf we are parting ways for good, and if I ever see you again I'll kill you. Is that understood?"

The man doesn't even blink, "Understood."

"Alright then," I turn around and start forward again, "let's go."

The man falls in beside me, pulling his own hood back up over his head.

"Darovel." He says.

"Excuse me?" Did he just sneeze?

"That is my name, Darovel. What is yours?"

Oh, so he didn't sneeze.

"Arder." I give him the fake name I always use whenever someone I don't like, trust, or want dead asks me what my name is. Besides, why would I tell him my real name? 

"Interesting." He falls silent after that and quickens his pace, not wanting to be outmatched by a human I do the same. I can only hope that Darovel isn't lying to me, because if he is and Ramben is hurt because of it...

Well, you know what I'll do to him.

/\\//\\/

A/N Hey guys! Hope you're all enjoying the story so far!

I just wanted to take a second to let those of you who don't know, I am working on a collab with the wonderful members of FellowshipofOCs and if you're wanting more Amarth you should check out our book Phantoms of the Past, a LOTR fanfic starring our characters from our own fanfictions. So if you want to check that out I'd greatly appreciate it! You won't be disappointed. 

Alright I'm out.