Disclaimer:

Do not own Tolkien's Characters! Am not making money…etc…etc...

Rating:

R – to be safe.

Note: all takes place before the Fellowship of the Ring.


REVIEWERS PLEASE CHECK AT THE END OF CHAPTER FOR MY RESPONSES TO YOU! HANNON LE FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART! Silver Thorne

A/N: I don't think I can even begin to explain the endless reasons for why this update is so late. All I can offer now is my deepest of apologies. Thank you reviewers for bearing with me so patiently, so understandingly – you people make it worth everything! Hannon le.

CHAPTER NINE….(at long bloody last)

"Legolas!"

Glorfindel's cry tore through the impenetrable haze that momentarily blinded Legolas to all but the memories…

Valar…the memories…

Even the man staring up at him, pitchfork waving wildly had been but a dim, swirling figure, barely noticeable. Then came the distinct battle shriek of an orc and the elf prince already knew he would not turn in time to deflect the blow.

He did not have to. The stroke never fell.

The orc's grip on its blade failed mid-flight as the foul creature was thrown backward quite suddenly by an unseen force. Legolas' horse reared, nearly tossing the archer from the saddle. With enough lucidity to maintain his balance, the elf stared down in shock at the dead body of the orc, an arrow protruding from its skull. Legolas had barely turned his head ere a familiar voice pierced his shocked stupor.

"Watch your back."

Aragorn.

Legolas did not even spare the ranger a look and instead, drove his horse forward, nearly trampling the young lad with the pitchfork. Leaping out of the way of the thundering hooves, the angry mortal spat his disgust. Still reeling in pain from the arrow the elf had imbedded in his shoulder, he stubbornly mustered the strength to raise a fist.

"Curse you!" the man cried out, "Murderer!"

Legolas turned sharply in the saddle, his eyes flashing ire. He was off the horse before the man could raise his weapon. Long, white fingers curled in the mortal's clothing and drew the bloody, scarcely bearded face, close. Legolas' leaned in, his expression awash with a burning fury repressed by the weakest of resolves. The young man blanched.

"Go home!" the elf all but hissed.

And with that, the prince released the man with a non-too-gentle push, sending the mortal tumbling back. He drew his bow and swift death met any orc that possessed the audacity to approach him.

Aragorn stared at the distant flash of blond hair as the elf submerged himself into the dark, chaotic crowd. He spotted Glorfindel in the distance, charging after the prince with a look of fury that rivalled Elrond's, when the elf lord was riled. Glorfindel had been conveniently distracted whilst Aragorn had intervened. The last thing the ranger needed now was the wrath of the balrog slayer. Urging his horse in the opposite direction, so as to avoid Glorfindel, he swung his blade low. An orc's head flew from its body. Aragorn growled as his mind assaulted him, his body now driven by instinct.

Did you expect him to thank you? A whispered taunt.

His lip curled in a grim sneer as he dismounted, plunging his blade into the throat of a charging orc.

Push it aside. It matters not. Fight!


Fighting the urge to leave the chamber had been a futile battle and Elrohir had slipped from his room like a shadow. To his surprise and unease, Elladan had vanished, as had Estel. Concerned, he had sought Glorfindel, yet to his frustration, the elf lord had also seen fit to disappear. None seemed to know of their whereabouts or cared to locate them.

Tis' just my luck of late. Elrohir pondered darkly, scarcely avoiding collision with a passing elf.

Commotion had shaken the wood elves he had encountered and they rushed about wildly, barely sparing him a glance. Elrohir had been disconcerted at their abrupt dealing with him and had managed to catch a brief exchange between two passing elves about some dilemma in the healing quarters.

Now, the young twin limped his way down the large corridors. From his last visit to Mirkwood, years ere Estel had known it; he retained a rough notion of the healing house's location and wove his way toward this destination. His steps were quiet, despite his ungraceful hobble and he reached it ere he could believe that he had forgotten the way. Upon nearing, he heard muted groans and harsh whispers above the conversation of the Mirkwood guards, placed purposefully at the doors. Surprised, Elrohir considered his chances of being allowed inside.

Unlikely.

Pursing his lips, the elf remained cloaked in shadow, wracking his brain for ideas. Once again, his twin had taken off, leaving him in the dark about the unfolding matters. After his strange premonition and dark, lingering sense of foreboding, Elladan had once again adopted the over-protective role he had practically mastered. Elrohir's brow furrowed. He questioned the wisdom in having confided in his twin. No doubt Elladan would now be unhealthily determined to keep him from every shadow of harm.

I am no elfling! Elrohir's mind spat. Yet he barely had the heart to be angry. There were reasons for the elder twin's behaviour, however aggravating it could be. Elladan had assumed his excessively protective role ever since…

Elrohir let his eyes drift shut. He did not wish to even think on such a dark memory. It had changed both he and Elladan deeply, yet Elladan more so.

And what does that say of me? Elrohir breathed a sigh. Unthinkingly, he recalled the words previously spoken between them.

"Why do you pull away from me in your times of need, Elladan?"

"You are mistaken, Elrohir"

"You are a liar"

A scream.

Elrohir's eyes snapped open as he was torn from his dark musings. The Mirkwood soldiers were also silenced and burst through the doors into the healing chamber. Elrohir leaned forward, seeing his chance. With a glance around the corridors he darted forward, ignoring the pain in his ankle. Curse the wound for troubling him now! Gritting his teeth, he gripped the doorknob and twisted.


The shrieking calls and resounding thunder of retreating orcs, echoed in the dark wood. Legolas watched through narrowed eyes as the Mirkwood elves picked their way across the corpse-littered forest, sending a final volley of arrows after the withdrawing creatures.

The elf prince turned to the nearest archer, "Pursue them, none leave alive. Chase them into the spider's pits if you must."

The elf looked momentarily confused at this order, but conceded nonetheless with a brief dip of his head. Legolas watched the team of wood elves depart, chasing after the orcs with grim determination etched into their faces.

He released a sigh as he watched the last elf vanish. Now, they faced a more unpredictable enemy. Legolas glanced toward the group of humans who had deemed it wise to rally together. Young men and even one of two angry women kept the approaching elves at a distance by spitting curses and threatening certain death with their pitchforks and rusty blades.

Legolas scanned the group, blood splattered and exhausted. How was he to reason with these mortals?

"Legolas!"

The elf turned his head, resisting the urge to let his eyes drift shut, "Lord Glorfindel."

Sure enough, the balrog slayer emerged, his hair matted and dirty, face caked with grime. Sat atop his horse, he glared down at the Mirkwood prince with a dark look of reproach.

"For one who might some day lead in his father's stead, you swiftly lack the wisdom that you would need to even grant yourself the opportunity."

Legolas blinked tiredly, "I do not recall you being appointed as my adviser, my Lord, much less my protector."

"And I am glad for the absence of such responsibility, you rival Estel." The elf lord's eyes narrowed as he slipped down from his horse.

"So it would seem." Legolas mused coldly, "Kindly look to your own charges, my Lord."

Glorfindel's eyes narrowed, but he did not get the chance to reply as he spotted in the distance a rather familiar looking human. His eyes widened in shock, only to harden in unabashed anger and exasperation. Aragorn caught his eyes across the fuming group of humans and swiftly averted his gaze. As Glorfindel thanked the Valar silently, distracted, Aragorn's eyes settled on something in the distance and widened in horror.

In the meantime, the remaining elves stepped closer to the group of mortals.

"Do not touch me!" a hysterical woman ordered from the crowd, waving a small knife at one of the elves who dared approach her.

Legolas frowned slightly and stepped forward to address the band of mortals. The Mirkwood elves immediately flanked him, some poised to draw their weapons at their prince's command. Even as he approached, Legolas could feel that crawling anxiety in his mind, and pain at having to face the people who his kin had unwittingly wronged.

And what of their wrongs unto you?

Legolas paused, eyes scanning the faces. It was suddenly quite hard to breathe. Had these people known the man who had haunted his steps? Was his family within the crowd? A vengeful brother? A mournful sister? An angry cousin? A grieving father? He barely registered the glances of those around him, waiting for him to speak.

"You trespass in the Woodland Realm of King Thranduil." Legolas announced, his eyes clearing, "Endangering not only those who dwell here, but yourselves in the process. Though I am justified to grant fitting penalty for-"

"Your heartlessness has been penalty enough, Elf!" Spat one of the men, a burly man sporting an ugly scar down the side of his face, "Tell your high King that! Tell him to come forth and bury the bodies of our children!"

A resounding jeer came from the crowd, shaking the forest. The elves stirred, glancing at Legolas for guidance. Glorfindel's attention had been redirected from Estel to the woodland Prince, who just stared wordlessly at the mortals. Yes, words escaped him.

Legolas clenched his jaw, uncertain how to respond. He did not want to care; he did not want to think. He suddenly felt that aching grief, that sickening sea of nausea.

Let this be another dream.

"No elf has slain your children." His voice sounded distant, far away…weak.

"You chased the Mordor filth into our homes!" cried a woman, her eyes wide and red from crying, "Your quandaries are settled at the price of my children!"

Legolas shifted, trying to swallow down the knot in his throat.

Answer her! Speak!

"These ill, regrettable outcomes have been unknown to us…" He began, struggling to find the right words, "You must understand that we never-"

"Your words do not replace our homes, or our families!"

The crowd stirred again, anger radiating in waves from the horde. Legolas nearly reeled from the grief he sensed. Is this what his people had caused? Is this the justification for what that man did to him? For each sickening caress he had to endure? For each-

"Bring out your King!"

"Let him answer, elf!"

Legolas' mind struggled for lucidity. They wanted his father and judging by the nature of their fury – they wanted blood.

Protect your King. Protect your father.

"The King has ordered his people to scour beyond our own borders the darkness the orcs might bring to your families." He managed to find the words, slowly, painfully, "I cannot bring back your families, nor can I make amends for-"

"Bring out your King!" the mob chanted again, refusing to heed his words.

"Hear me!" Legolas called out, only to be silenced by the roar of the crowd.

A man leapt at him, fingers curled as if to tear out his throat. An arrow imbedded itself in the man's leg before he could touch the prince and another was nocked ready to fire.

"Baw!"Legolas cried, swinging his arm out to hold back the guards.

Fury erupted. The crowd surged forward and Legolas was thrown back into a protective circle, suffocated by his own helplessness and the mass of bodies pressed against him, shielding him.

Baw! No! No!

"Baw!" Legolas shoved a guard aside, his lungs screaming out the command.

For a moment everything was as obscure and uncontrollable as his fate had been at the hands of his tormentor. His limbs felt leaden, unresponsive. His words were not heeded, lost in the din that was as deafening as his own mind, screaming, demanding.

Stop this! No!

By the time he managed to break the formation of the archers, the mortals had scattered. One lay dead at his feet, eyes staring lifelessly up at him, arrow protruding from a bloody head. In an instant he was back where he had been the moment Aragorn had stabbed his attacker in the head. The moment his tormentor had fallen, staring up at him, mouth open in a silent scream. Legolas' legs threatened to give way and he barely managed to tear his mind from the memory.

Glorfindel gripped his shoulder, "Legolas?"

"Trail them!" The prince cried, pulling away from the supportive grasp. He turned on a Mirkwood soldier, "Follow them and ensure their safety! Spiders shall seize the chance to feed! Go now!"

"My Prince?" the guard appeared perplexed and stared at Legolas as if he had suffered an unseen blow to the head.

"SI!" The prince all but hissed.

The elves flew from their positions and soon Legolas was left standing in the middle of the clearing, alone, save for Glorfindel and two guards who had remained with him. He stared down at the dead human.

But it was over, it had ended with Aragorn's disposal of his tormentor.

Valar, let it have been over. This cannot be real. Not again.

"Legolas?"

Resisting the urge to snap in irritation, he turned his gaze toward Glorfindel.

"Come away from this, pen-neth." The Eldar murmured, extending a hand toward one of the prince's rigid shoulders.

"Do not address me so, my Lord." The prince growled, turning toward his horse, escaping the touch smoothly, "I should think Aragorn requires your attention, not I."

Estel! Glorfindel whirled around, turning toward where he had last seen the young human. Yet Aragorn had vanished.

"Sweet Elbereth…" Glorfindel moaned, striding forward, "Estel!?" He called out into the forest, glancing around fiercely.

Legolas' eyes narrowed and he turned his horse away. Why should he care?

"Estel!?" Glorfindel's voice was edged with a hint of concern that effectively stayed Legolas' command to ride back.

Turning his head slightly, the elf prince reluctantly let his gaze sweep the forests. Aragorn was most probably avoiding the elf lord's wrath. It was not as if he could not protect himself.

Was it?

That sickening feeling began its slow manifestation once more and Legolas found his gaze darting to every tree, looking for the scruffy ranger. He strained his ears, desperate to perceive an answering call to Glorfindel's now anxious shouts.

"ESTEL!?" Nothing. Silence.

Glorfindel all but leapt onto his horse and charged into the forest, unheeding of the Mirkwood soldier's cries. Legolas gritted his teeth and swung his horse around.

What are you doing?! His mind screamed.

He did not question it and instead rode after the anxious Eldar, his own eyes scanning the forests for any sign of the ranger. He cursed the Valar for throwing Aragorn into his life once again, cursed them with a pained desperation he could not escape. A pained desperation he should not have even had.

Why did it still hurt? Even after all the times he had convinced himself it did not?


Elrohir narrowly avoided a flying vase which crashed against the wall next to his head. The screaming woman would not relent and though the men had been restrained by the guards, the woman had elusively escaped their grasp. Now it was only Elrohir who stood between her and the exit.

Elrohir instinctively held his hands out in a seemingly peaceful gesture. The woman stared at him, her wide eyes brimming with tears.

"Where is my brother!?" she cried, her eyes flitting wildly about the room as two other elves began to approach her.

Elrohir glanced at the two healers and subtly shook his head, warning them to stay back. The woman looked ready to bolt and stared at the door behind the elf twin.

"Your brother?" Elrohir inquired, keeping his voice soft and calm.

"Where is he!?" she called out, further distressed, shaking in mixed anger and fear.

"You're bleeding." Elrohir stated quietly, motioning toward her arm.

Sure enough, blood seeped from a wound concealed by a dirty cloth, both torn and crimson stained. Momentarily distracted, the woman glanced to her arm as if noticing the wound for the first time. Her bottom lip quivered.

"Will you let the healers treat it for you?"

The woman pierced him with another glare, as if she sensed some ulterior motive to his sudden, unexpected concern.

"Let me go…you…you have no right to keep me here!"

Elrohir drew a breath, "How did you come to be here?"

The woman's eyes narrowed in suspicion, "Your people brought me here! Let me go!" she moved to run past Elrohir, yet the elf seized her around the waist.

His efforts gained him a slap and a wriggle of hysteria as the woman twisted and turned wildly.

"He said he would find my brother! Let me go!" she clawed at the door, wailing sharply in his ear.

In her wild struggle, her foot lashed out to kick Elrohir viciously in the ankle. The elf gasped in pain, but only gripped her tighter. The guards came to his aid, the two mortal men they had been restraining already slipping into the world of dreams after two herb-soaked rags had been placed over their noses. The guards hauled her away from Elrohir as gently as was possible. She was proffered a muttered apology as the healer pressed a similar rag to her nose. Eyes wild and darting she clawed at the air, staring wildly at Elrohir. The twin fought to ignore the pain in his leg and instead sought focus, taken aback by her words.

With a whimper she limply fell into one of the elf's arms, who lifted her carefully and placed her on the nearest bed. Elrohir forced strength into his throbbing ankle and approached the bed, laying a slender hand against her forehead.

"Where is he…" she whispered weakly, drifting toward the welcoming black of unconsciousness, "he said he'd find him…he…"

"I will find your brother." Elrohir vowed, his eyes warm, "I promise you."

Though the words lacked the promise they supposedly held, they seemed to quieten her whines and eased her passing into the drugged sleep. Elrohir frowned as he stared down at the woman, wondering where she hailed from and just what these people were doing here in Thranduil's kingdom. That familiar sense of foreboding tickled his mind and he turned his gaze to the nearest healer.

"Kindly explain to me what has happened."


Aragorn jerked his horse to an abrupt halt and dismounted in a hurry that nearly cost him his balance. His eyes scanned the ground, searching, probing the thick, heavy earth for some sign…

Valar…some sign…please.

"Estel!"

Glorfindel. Aragorn ignored the call and continued to stare at the ground, turning in circles, frustrated, eyes desperately searching.

"ESTEL!"

The pounding of hooves drew his attention as none other than the renowned balrog slayer burst into sight, closely followed by…Aragorn's eyes widened in surprise.

Legolas?

He was distracted briefly and instead turned his gaze back toward the forest, swallowing down the knot that had lodged in his throat. Glorfindel drew his horse up alongside Estel's and dismounted in an air of frustration followed by a sigh of relief. He stormed forward.

"Aragorn!"

"NO!" Aragorn spun around, hands held out to halt the elf lord.

Glorfindel froze. Legolas eased his horse to a stop and stared down at the ranger, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. Yet despite his misgivings, his mind raced. Aragorn appeared strangely troubled; something Glorfindel's sudden relief had blinded him to notice.

"Do not disturb their tracks!" The ranger explained, turning his eyes back toward their previous task of sweeping the earth.

Glorfindel looked bewildered and glanced around expectantly, "What tracks can you hope to find? Elves, orcs and humans alike have trampled through here. It is impossible to track anyone."

Aragorn's eyes widened at the realisation but he refused to believe it.

"No. There will be something."

"Estel, just who are you tracking? And by the Valar what do you think you are doing here!?" the elf lords voice boomed in the forest.

Legolas would have scowled. The last thing they needed was to draw any attention of lingering spiders, let alone orcs. Glorfindel seemed uncaring.

"You defied my command for you to remain in-!"

"No. He was right behind me." Aragorn whispered, his breath hitching in his throat.

Glorfindel was silenced, his rage forgotten. Even the elf prince's attention was snared. All the bitterness and irritation within Legolas suddenly dissolved into a growing sense of apprehension and he turned his gaze on Aragorn.

Who? Of what does he speak?

"Valar no…"

"Estel?" Glorfindel strode forward, gripping Aragorn's shoulder, "Aragorn?"

The ranger turned his eyes on Glorfindel and a glint caught the elf lord's attention. Dropping his eyes, the Eldar stared at the dagger that Aragorn held limply in his hands. He seized Aragorn's wrist and stared intently at the weapon, stared at the intricate carving on the blade…

His stomach tightened in horror, eyes wide.

He knew this dagger; Elrohir had one just like it…seldom did these daggers ever part with their owners. Glorfindel's eyes trailed the elvish script across the blade.

Elladan.


Elvish Translation

Baw - NO!
Pen-neth - Young one
SI! - Now!


[Silver Thorne appears. Clad in full body armour – the kind that ricochets bullets!]

Reviewers! This time, there are no words. No apologies that will most likely be accepted – yet I grovel! My heartfelt "sorry" shall have to suffice for I am truly, deeply vexed that I have left updating this for sooooo long. I hope you patient, wonderful souls can find it in your hearts to forgive me! I hope to have the next chapter up a.s.a.p! For news of my progress etc. please check my live journal page also to be found on my bio page under "homepage". Well, with that said, I bid you all a most fond goodnight. I would love to hear your thoughts on this chapter! Hannon le again! Much love!

Silver Thorne


Katiestar - [cowers for fear of well deserved whaps!] I'm sorry! But thank you for reviewing the now ancient chapter 8! Lol! I am ever appreciative! Thank you so much! I hope I am safe from whapping and I hope you are well! My lateness is as appalling as it is shocking to myself! I cannot believe it has been so long! I'm so deeply sorry, mellon nin! I shall attempt to redeem myself [gets ready to duck some serious whaps!]

Iawen Londea – Hello! I come bearing apologies in abundance! Thank you for your review for chapter 8! I hope that you can forgive my lateness in updating. Thanks for the heads up about the old authors note too!

Das Blume – Considering the length of time that has passed since I last updated [cowers] I hope that your computer is now free from those old "ghost files". I hope that you are keeping well! I also hope I have your forgiveness for the late update! laughs I'm ever grateful for your wonderful feedback! It keeps me going, mellon! [hides behind muses who are just as likely to kill her] I'm sorry for having left this so long!

Dur En Thurin Naur – Mellon nin! Indeed I am alive, though I don't think I shall be for much longer! LOL! I'm running out of ways to say sorry! So I'm REALLY REALLY REALLY SORRY! How are you? Keeping well? Grr…am so sorry again about late updating! Thank you for your last review, I am deeply grateful! Hannon le!

Irish Anor (Irish QT) – Oh lord! I cannot even fathom you forgiving the lateness of this update, dear reviewer! But I shall beg of you forgiveness nonetheless, mellon nin [smiles ]
thank you for your wonderful patience!
Devoted! Patient! Lovely Reviewer! Thank you so much for your last review! To answer your question, no I am not fluent in Elvish laughs I suck at languages – I have enough trouble with ENGLISH! LOL! I hope that you are well and can accept my apologies! Let me know how you are!

Angel With No Wings - [shifts on the spot] Heh…And you thought the "last" chapter was overdue? LOL! Perchance….sorry…is rather trite? I'm still going to say it! I'M SORRY mellon nin!! I hope that you have been keeping well and that life has been smooth sailing…as it were . Please let me know how you are! Thank you so much for your last review! Your feedback is always a deep joy to read. It lifts and inspires for it is so insightful and encouraging. I appreciate every single word and give you my deepest gratitiude! Again – many, many, heartfelt thanks and huge bundles of apologies! P.s. I completely agree with you, the absence of the twins in ROTK was sorely missed. Though I shan't vent all my thoughts on that film for fear of being hunted down and shot by hundreds of fans who found it met their expectations. LOL!

ElvenSoulHello my dear, Elvensoul! [smiles] I always love reading that lovely name! And how are you? I certainly hope that life is treating you well! Hannon le for your last review for chapter 8! Free time will finally be mine hopefully, at least for a while, so I shall try my best to update often! I'm so sorry to have kept it hanging like this with little to no indication of when I'd update – please forgive me!

Ivorybrowneyes - laughs Yes, I still exist! Despite my deplorable absence. I am so sorry I have taken so long in updating this story [cringes] it's terrible I know. I am deeply sorry. I shall immediately search out an elf for you and send him your way! Blond or Brunette? grin Keep well, mellon!

Kirsten5138 ­– Hello Kirsten! I'm soooooooooooooooooooo sorry! I think the whole "evil" author thing is quite fitting – I'm terribly sorry I have taken so long in updating – life has been a big sodding mess, filled with work and no time to get on with anything remotely creative! I apologise! More elf angst to come! Be well, mellon!

Silvertoekee - grins Hello again! Thank you so much for your review! I feel utterly shitty that it has taken me so long to update, thank you for your patience and kind words. May you forgive my tardiness! Hannon le again!

Millisa - [grin] found that 48 hour day yet? I'm still bloody searching for it! Hows about you? [smiles] Hannon le! Thank you so much for your last review, it might seem a lifetime ago now. [laughs] I loved your endearing "May you always be kissed by your muse"! Most amusing! It brought a grin to my face!...I think my muses gave up on me ages ago LOL! How is life treating you? May we both find the 48 hour day!!

Me – Hello there! I'm sure you've given up on me by now! [laughs] Thank you so much for your last review! I'm so sorry this is late…no…wait….VERY VERY LATE! Gah! Damn work! Dammit all! [composes self] Thank you so much again!

IMTrinity – [looks sheepish] Erm..looks like this whole "updating thing" took longer than I'd anticipated….[cough] understatement [cough]. I'M SORRY! Thank you for your last review and encouraging comments. I hope that you haven't given up on me! Though if I were you I probably would have! LOL! Thank you again and once more, I'm so sorry!

Gemstone - [bows down to you] [grin] Hannon le! Hannon le! Thank you so much for your last review, it was so encouraging to read and has boosted my confidence. I flopped recently, believing that all my ability to write had gone horribly down the drain. Reading reviews like the one you so kindly left me for chapter 8 was a little kick up the arse that I needed. I'm so sorry that this has taken so long. :(. I hope that you have been well, mellon nin! xxx

Elf-Formally-Known-as-Legolas - [laughs] I bet you're not thinking "screw the promptness" now you wonderful reviewer you! [LAUGHS!] Kill Legolas? Good Lord! Your evil streak outshines mine [grins darkly] hehe. I digress from the main thing I must say which is "THANK YOU" for your last review, I am ever grateful and of course, ever apologetic for my late, horrifically late, that is, update! Thank you again Nicole. Let me know how you are doing!

Deana – Hello there Deana! [laughs] You are quite at liberty to insult me all you wish for my horrendously late updating. Thank you so much for your encouragement, I hope you know how much it is appreciated! It makes it all worth the while to come back and finish this story! Hannon le!

Snow-Glory – [evil laughter] Legolas is going to die very soon. Die the death he should have died long ere he could sink into an ever growing pit of misery, he shall die slo- [slaps muse] [cough!] [grin turning into sheepish, cowering] Erm I can't think of anymore words, mellon. I wish there were more ways to say "sorry" for my late updating. Thank you for your last review, the feedback is always wonderful – however undeserving I am! Thank you so much!

Twisted Fool – [smiles] Hello! I return from the dark abyss that is now titled "the world of shit" comprising of work, college, work…more college…exams… to "the light" which is the creativity and the rewards of having such a wonderful reviewer such as you! More angst on the way, mellon nin! Please forgive my heavily belatedly update!

Kyra1 – [fears sharp implements] Hello Kyra! For you I also have an abundant flow of "I'M SORRY, SO SORRY, SO SORRY, SO VERY SORRY!". Yes, this is terribly late and seems not enough to express my regret at having kept this story in a phase of lingering nothingness for so long. Please forgive me! Thank you for your last review! It was a welcome encouragement!

LOTRFaith – [grins nervously] Erm. I'M SORRY! I know that outburst hardly suffices and for that I am sorry all over again. This update is so late it's appalling! [cringes] Despite my evilness, I thank you deeply for your last review. Thank you so much!

Saffire506 – Hello Saffire! Gods. For a while I was scared to even think about updating again for it had been so long I wasn't even sure I remembered how to write! Lol! Of course, thank you so much for your lovely review and I am so sorry that I have made this wait so damned long [scowls in general direction of college]. Please forgive me and know that I am truly grateful for your encouragement. Hannon le!

White Wolf1 – I would bake you a fat ass cake and deliver it personally if I could to show how deeply, truly, immensely, inescapably SORRY I AM! Alas, I cannot do that…and I'm sure you'd rather beat me to death than accept my appalling cooking! Thank you so much for your last review, the feedback was a wonderful thing indeed to read! So hannon le from the bottom of my heart!

NeuroticSquirrel - [ducks behind muses] You probably hate me a whole lot! laughs I'm so sorry indeed that this update is late! I wish I had finished this story long ago to save the misery of knowing I have felt it hanging and in its wake left a lot of frustrated, yet wonderful reviewers! I'm so sorry, but thank you so much for your last review!

Legolas4me – I think now that I really do deserve a big slap for not having updated sooner! I'm so sorry! Thank you for your patient and kind review!

Black Hawk – Nin noss faer! Rochon! Pen muin! All these endearments should show how much I have appreciated your constant, unwavering (same thing I know, but I'm trying to make a heavy point here LOL) support and encouragement. It has meant the world! Of course, I'm sure you know the depth of my appreciation. I hope you are well, meldir. Much love to you xxxxx

musicwolf78 - I return at an appallingly LATE time for which I deeply apologise! [smiles!] Thank you so much for your last review to chapter 8 – it was lovely and amusing to read, hannon le, mellon!

Zoe - [laughs] and last, but "certainly" not least, ZOE! How can I thank you? You have been another constant throughout the time that has passed between chapter 8 and the LATE LATE LATE Chapter 9. hannon le for your constant encouragement. I am honoured to have such a wonderful, faithful reviewer. You deserve a big fat-ass cookie. Thank you for your patience!


A/N: If I have missed anyone out, PLEASE let me know who you are for I wish to thank EVERYONE who has been so kind, understanding and amazingly patient with me. I am not sure how much more I can say this, but I sincerely am sorry! I hope it never takes this long again to update!

Much Love, as Always!

Silver Thorne