A/N: I don't own anything you recognize. Thanks to BM originally, Lindahoyland and Darkover for reviewing.

Chapter 2

Aragorn Elessar was pacing around his study when the soft knock came. "Enter." He called turning back towards the door as his steward soundlessly appeared. "Did you find our sons?" He asked, noting the weary appearance of his friend. He quickly splashed a draught of wine into a goblet, handing it to Faramir as he dropped into a chair.

"I did, mellon nin." The younger man answered with a heavy sigh. "Apparently, they have connived a way to escape from their tutors whenever they take a whim to do so."

Aragorn blinked in shock. He opened and closed his mouth several times before he recovered his powers of speech. "They have what?"

Faramir closed his eyes and shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose with his fingers as he did so. He pondered how best to relate the tidings he had learned. "It seems that one of them has taken to forging our signatures. From what I overhead today, I believe that it is Elboron who is doing it, but I cannot be sure."

The king sank down into a chair opposite his friend, turning his own goblet in his hand. "You say that this is not the first time?"

"No, this is definitely not the first time for they were too at ease. Both boys knew that they wouldn't be caught. They were down at the swimming hole, playing without a care in the world. They were talking about sneaking out again tomorrow as well."

"Are they back in the city now?" There was a grim undercurrent to the king's question.

"Yes." Faramir sighed again as his lord leapt to his feet, his grey eyes glittering fiercely. "If I may be so bold, I do not think confronting them is the answer. I believe that conventional punishment will only serve to encourage them."

Aragorn stopped in midstride. "What are you thinking?" He asked cocking his head at his friend.

A rueful smile crept across Faramir's face. "Show the boys that such actions have consequences."

The king raised an eyebrow at his steward. "And what precisely do you have in mind?"

A mischievous glint came into the younger man's eyes. "Why catch them in the act, of course."

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Two days later, Elboron and Eldarion again gave their tutors the slip and headed out to the cave. Lost in their conversation, they never noticed the cloaked figures haunting their steps. As they approached the entrance however, a soft sound caught Eldarion's attention. He looked up to see a dark figure crouched above the mouth of the cave. The man's face was covered with a mask, only his eyes visible. "Elboron…" the young prince said quickly trying to grasp his friend's sleeve.

"What?" The steward's son replied, shrugging off the hand on his arm.

"There's a man up there on the rocks." Eldarion whispered attempting to hide the fear in his voice.

Elboron gasped and froze on the spot, his grey eyes widening in terror. "What do we do?" He whispered back.

"I don't know. Can we get back in the trees before he jumps down from there?" Eldarion bit his lower lip, his gaze scanning the forest around them.

"I don't know." Elboron slowly turned his head to look behind them. "Uh oh."

The crown prince followed his friend's look, not liking the reaction. Four more cloaked men had appeared behind them, effectively cutting off their escape. "If we split up, one of us might have a chance to get back to the city." he murmured. "You go left and I'll go right."

Elboron nodded slowly. "On three. One….two….three." He took off running in the opposite direction as his friend. He heard the prince's footsteps crashing through the foliage behind him. His heart pounded in his chest and his breath sounded harsh to his ears. He skidded to a halt behind a particularly large tree, trying to stop his panting. He leaned his head back against the rough bark as he attempted to recall any of the things his father and tutors had taught him. He closed his eyes for a moment to focus his thoughts. Suddenly he yelped as he was jerked sideways and thrown to the ground. He looked up to see cold grey eyes staring down him. "You will regret this." He said with more confidence than he felt. "My friend will bring help."

A soft snort was his answer as the man gestured behind him. Elboron twisted to see Eldarion still struggling in the grip of another one of the men. His heart sank at the dejected look on his friend's face and he offered no resistance as his hands were tied behind him and he was hauled to his feet. The two boys were firmly marched back to the very cave they had wanted to explore. Once there they were pushed into the small room they had found. One of the men drew the curtain and left them alone with their thoughts.

Eldarion waited until the man's footsteps had faded then he turned to the younger boy.

"We have to get out of here." He whispered furiously.

"How? There are seven of them and two of us." Elboron hissed back.

"I don't know but we have to do something." They sat in silence for quite awhile before the prince spoke, his voice shaking slightly. "I wish Ada were here." He admitted glumly.

"No one knows where we are." The realization struck the steward's son like a bolt of lightening. "These men could kill us and nobody would ever find us."

"I suppose this wasn't a very good idea. We should have asked one of our adas to bring us here." Eldarion murmured very softly, his grey eyes staring at the floor. Elboron nodded.

"I guess so." The silence was pressing upon the two captives and they shifted uncomfortably. The ropes that bound them, while not painfully tight, prevented any attempt at freedom. Suddenly the curtain was drawn back and two of their captors appeared in the opening. They lifted both boys to their feet and pushed them into the main part of the cave.

"Kneel." came the curt command from one of the men. Eldarion and Elboron shakily complied. A tall man who seemed to be the leader stood before them, his arms crossed over his chest. With his hood and mask in place, only his grey eyes were visible. He stared at the two boys with an intensity that made them both quiver with fear.

"What do you want from us?" Eldarion abruptly blurted out. The man simply raised his eyebrow. "If it is money, you won't get it. My father is the king of Gondor and he can track anyone. He'll find you."

Elboron took his cue from his friend. "My father was a ranger during the war. If the king doesn't find you, he will. He knows this land better than anyone."

"Silence." The young boys shuddered at the harsh word. The man's voice was both soft and hard. "There is something that the both of you need to learn." He signaled to the rest of the group and as one they all lowered their hoods and masks. Eldarion's eyes grew wide and Elboron gasped at the faces that now came into view.