Ok, excuse of the month. My Internet died. I had to print out the story and then re-type it at someone else's house. That was not fun. This chapter is less angsty, but I'll make up for it later mwuhaha!! Happy reading!

Disclaimer: I'm a lot of things, but the author of the Lord of the Rings is not one of them. Luckily I got some characters of my own in this one! Yay!

Chapter 7

Gimli rushed as fast as he could through the trees, which was not considerably fast right now because he was attempting to carry Eowyn (who was decidedly taller than him) and drag Sam along at the same time. As soon as they were a reasonable distance from the battle he slunk behind a thick grouping of trees and bushes before letting the other two go. He panted heavily as he sat. "Are you alright, Sam, lad?" he asked, concerned

"I'm alright Mr Gimli, Sir, but I'm afraid for Mr Frodo!" said Sam, his face full of fear

"Aragorn and the others will look after him." The two of them sat in silence for a second. Sam glanced at Eowyn worriedly

"Is there anything you can do for her?" Gimli glanced at Eowyn and sighed

"I am no healer, I would rather wait for Aragorn or Gandalf rather than risk doing more harm." After they spoke the two of them were once again silent for a time, a multitude of thoughts running through both of their minds. Gimli was worried for Legolas. Even he could see that having an arrow straight through your shoulder might be slightly dangerous. Suddenly he stood up, unable to take the silent tension any longer. Turning to Sam he spoke "I am going back to see what is taking them so long. Wait here with Eowyn and try to give her some water." With that he turned and walked out of the cluster of plants.

Gimli slunk through the forest. Although he could never match Legolas or the Hobbits he could still move fairly silently. He frowned as he neared the clearing. There was no sound whatsoever. He hid behind a tree. Slowly he moved his head round to see what was happening. He gasped as he saw what lay before him. Elvish, Gondorian and Orckish arrows lay scattered over the ground, swords were lying still embedded in Orc bodies and the stench of blood was in the air. He dashed into the clearing and began to search to see if any of his friends lay among the bodies. None were there. He could not decide if this was a good thing or a bad thing. He pounced on something he saw as he searched. It was Gandalfs staff, and it was broken in two. He began to back out of the clearing when he heard a low chortle. Gimli spun on his heel just in time to catch a small Orc who was trying to stick him in the back. Quickly he jumped backwards and embedded his axe into the Orc's shoulder. He grabbed it as it fell "Where are they?" he asked it, then repeated himself louder "Where Are They?" The Orc leered up at him, arrogant even in its last breath and Gimli was reminded strongly of a time during the quest when he had though Aragorn was lost.

"Taken!" laughed the Orc, punctuating it with a dying wheeze

"By whom?" snapped Gimli

"Sharkey got them. Sharkey always gets what he wants. In the end." Gimli groaned, this was going to make things difficult and the idiot Elf was already injured! He looked down at the Orc before him. He had the information he wanted and so made sure he got to kill this Orc as he had not the last time. He was not gentle. Afterwards Gimli swept up Gandalf's staff and returned to Sam.

Sam rushed out of the bushes towards Gimli as he returned, "It's the Lady Eowyn, Mr Gimli, Sir! She's all hot and feverish!" Sam's round face was a mask of terror. He suddenly noticed that Gimli was alone "Where are the others? Where's my master?"

"Taken." Replied Gimli before running towards where Eowyn lay hidden, with Sam puffing along behind him. Once in the hiding place he was shocked when he looked at Eowyn; blood was spattered all over her clothes and her face held a deadly pallor. He knelt down next to her "I wish now more than ever that Aragorn was here. My skills are inadequate." Sam looked shocked

"You cannot allow her to die!" Gimli sighed

"All I can do until we gain some assistance is staunch the bleeding" with that he tore his cloak into strips and laid them ready. He swiftly washed the wound with water. About halfway through the proceedings Sam went very pale and exited the space muttering about needing more water. He looked very green. Gimli bound the strips round Eowyn and gazed at her beautiful face "Do not die on me now Lady of Gondor and of Rohan. Not after so much hardship, and Faramir would kill me if I were to allow you to die." At that moment Sam plunged back in

"I was looking for water and I found…Well they found me…Elves Mr Gimli! I found Elves!" Gimli looked up in surprise as two Elves did indeed follow Sam back into the clearing. They were both female. The first was small with short brown hair that was tightly tied away from her face and blue eyes, while the second had long blonde hair that flowed over her shoulders and was a little taller than her companion. The blonde Elf knelt by Eowyn and pressed some herbs from her belt pouch into the human's mouth. The other turned to Gimli and smiled

"I am Nienna Telemnar and my companion is Enelya Elanesse. We found your friend in the forest. We have been searching for you all night. Enelya speaks little common tongue but I shall translate for her."

"Amin dele ten' he" said Enelya to Nienna in the melodic voice that all Elves have.

"We must move her from this place, she is in danger." Said Nienna to the others "We will bring you to a place of safety. Come with us now. All will be explained when we have the time." Gimli seemed doubtful. He had never been in the company of Elves without Legolas or another to guide him, but the Elves made the decision for him. Together they lifted Eowyn and bore her down a pathway that appeared hidden unless you knew it was there.

Gimli and Sam found themselves hurrying through the forest, trying hard to keep up with the much longer legged Elves. Sam of course had the hardest job. Eventually they found themselves on the edge of the small forest and facing Fangorn across a wide open space. Following the Elves signal they slid onto their knees and crawled through the long grass. Gimli and Sam nearly fell over each other when their guides were suddenly still. They were all silent until they heard the heavy tramp of Orc footsteps. "Stay here!" whispered Nienna, and she and Enelya began to crawl forwards. Together they attacked the Orc party. It was an almost comical sight to see the surprise and fear on the Orc's faces as one by one their legs were cut from beneath them. When all the Orcs were down the Elvesa returned and beckoned them onwards. Soon they broke the cover of Fangorns trees and stood and ran. The two Elves led them to what looked exactly like a cave wall and Enelya stepped forward. She seemed to speak to the wall "I'narr en gothrim glinuva nuin I'anor" then a faint reply came

"Lye nuquernuva sen e dagor" the wall seemed to slide open and with it reveal a group of Elves and the deeper part of the forest. As they stepped inside Nienna whispered to Gimli and Sam

"The Ents helped us build this sanctuary after we came to Fangorn to stay." A tall Elf stepped forward with the dark hair customary to Rivendell

"Welcome. I am Aikanáro. We have been waiting for you" He gestured Sam and Gimli towards the fire and the gate closed behind them almost as if it had never been there in the first place.

After they had been fed and watered the two of them sat amidst a circle of Elves. Sam's face was bright with rapture to be in the company of so many Elves; he had never quite gotten over his excitement at meeting them, but underneath it lay a deep seated fear for his master. Soon Aikanáro stood up and began to speak to them "After the War of the Ring, many Elves of all the kindred's heard that Fangorn was alive once more. Immediately several of us travelled here to live. For the last nine years we have lived here in peace and although that may seem long to you it is but a fleeting moment to us. But at midnight, four months ago smoke rose from Isenguard once more. Or course we knew not what was happening so I sent my scouts to inform me of what was going on. I believe you met two of them." He indicated Nienna and Enelya (The latter blushing furiously at the attention) and then continued, "What they told me was almost impossible to believe. Saruman alive again? Impossible! But we could do nothing, as our numbers were too few. However we sent runners out to Lothlorien, Greenwood and Imladris to inform them of our plight. Luckily for all they believed us and set about re-gathering Tel'Mithrim to do what we could not and infiltrate Isenguard. Unfortunately as you can see, it has failed."

"We refuse to abandon out friends!" stated Gimli sharply

"My master is there," continued Sam "He was the ring bearer. Saruman hates him. I would rather be inside there myself than allow him to face it!"

"Uuma dela" said Aikanáro "I merely wished to offer you whatever aid myself and my people can. We hate the tree killer as much as you do. Perhaps more." His green eyes sparkled with fire directed at Saruman.

"Oh." Said Sam in a small voice, while Gimli blushed heavily

"I must know for now however," said Gimli "where is the Lady Eowyn?"

Another Elf replied, this one with silvery hair and blue eyes "My name is Inwe, I am head of Healers. Eowyn is with my best people. If anyone can heal her it is them."

"In the meantime," said Aikanáro "We must discuss what is to be done about your friends in Saruman's clutches."

"I feel," said Nienna "That the only thing possible is for some of us to continue the quest with Gimli and Samwise." Aikanáro smiled at her

"Was that a volunteer, Nienna?"

"Manka lle merna." She replied, Enelya too stood.

"Amin khiluva lle a' gurtha ar' thar" she said sharply

"Any others who wish to take part in this speak now." He counted those who stood. "No more than six I think. And we already have two. Good, Larien, Amrod, Maeglin and Taurnil shall go. As for entrance I think I have way for you to get inside." Said Aikanáro, Gimli had been just about to reply when an Elf ran into the glade. There was blood on his hands. Aikanáro stood "What has happened?"

"The Lady Eowyn, she has stopped breathing. I fear she will not last the night!"

That was a huge amount of Elvish. This is the only chappie I get to use so much of it so I might as well go crazy. Here be the translations

Amin dele ten'he I am worried for her

I'narr en gothrim glinuva nuin I'anor The bones of our foes will gleam under the sun

Lye nuquernuva sen e dagor we will defeat them in battle

Tel'Mithrim The grey comapany

Uuma dela Don't worry

Manka lle merna If you wish

Amin khiluva lle a' gurtha ar' thar I will follow you to death and beyond.

I finally got more reviewers than I could list! Yay! Thanks to all reviwers

To Rick Starkey: I didn't kill her you see…yet!