An- Hey Hey everyone! Here's a present for you, just a few days before christmas! LOL! Enjoy!

Chapter 28

Brilliant pain pulled Niori's shocked brain out of a dead, hazy sleep. Her head crashed back against her pole, her eyes snapping open as stars flashed in front of her.

"WHERE IS SHE!?"

Her head whirled in confusion, her ears hearing but not understanding the words that were screamed only inches from her bewildered face. She blinked, the stars fading as she tried to focus on the face, the furious face, before her.

"ANSWER ME!"

Niori stared, Aras's face finally making sense to her exhausted brain. She didn't answer, still trying to focus her mind enough to figure out what was going on.

He smashed her in the face again, sending her frail body flying backwards. She felt hot iron flood into her mouth as her teeth bit down hard on her lip. She grimaced in pain, spitting out the blood as the tears stung her eyes.

"WHERE IS SHE!?" he screamed again his face bright red with rage as he prepared to strike her again.

What is he talking about? Niori wondered…oh shit.

He had finally figured out that Silmarwen was gone; it had taken him four days, but he had finally figured it out.

Niori had had no illusions that he wouldn't find out; Aras was damn smart, much to her disadvantage. Hell, she was surprised it had taken him this long…she had just been hoping that their team would get her first.

"Away from here," she replied simply, coldly.

If possible, Aras's face contorted in even more rage.

"You whore!" he hissed, grabbing her wrists and pulling her into his shaking, angry body.

"What's wrong?" she asked him, her voice icy, "pissed off that I pulled one over on you? Took you long enough too…three days she's been gone."

He didn't speak, just glared at her with complete hate in his eyes.

"You are such a fool," he spoke finally, "you let one run away and doom yourself and the other brat to die…and I assure you, you will pay for this with your life!"

"Who said she ran away?" Niori spoke evenly, ignoring the threat as she looked straight into his eyes and letting just a little smugness come into her face, "Who said she wasn't running to?"

As the words passed her lips, understanding dawned in his eyes. His mouth opened, and yet no sound came out. He stared at her for a moment, the wordless shock apparent in his disbelieving face.

"You really didn't think I'd find a way to do it…and you call me the fool!"

Without warning, Aras pulled Niori on to her feet and shoved her towards the nearby woods. She stumbled and fell to the rough ground, but that didn't stop him. Instead of pulling her back to her feet, Aras's foot connected with her unprotected side with enough force that it sent her flying past the tree line. When she landed with a small cry, he finally did grab her hair and pull her to her feet by it as he shoved her into the closest tree.

"What's wrong?" Niori hissed, glaring evenly at him, "Scared?"

"You don't even understand do you?" Aras pushed he harder into the tree, scraping her nearly bare back against the trunk as pain shot through her back, "Even if your precious friends come and rescue you, you're still marked. Even if you escape now, I'll get you back! How do you think I acquired you in the first place!"

Niori looked at him, unable to hide the confusion that swam across her face. What was he talking about?

"You don't even know do you!" Aras laughed in her face, "You were traded to me. I got the location of your camp, as long as I took you off the hands of a certain Elf wench!"

"Lillianna…" Niori whispered in complete horror. How could she have done it…? They hated each other yes, but how could Lillianna let this happen to her??? How could she betray them all

Before she even realized what was happening, Aras's sword was pulled out of his belt, and with one fluent thrust, had shoved the blade through Niori's shoulder, impaling her to the tree.

Niori's scream echoed through the silent trees, bouncing off every surface and seeming to grow louder than fade. The scream just kept coming out of her mouth, no matter how she tried to stop it…the pain just kept overflowing her mind and body.

She had been though pain before, probably even worse, but even as she knew that, she hurt so much…so much that it felt as though she had never been in this much pain before…

She hurt so much; it was like her entire upper right body was on fire…it was like a hot poker had been shoved into her shoulder.

"I am going to hurt you so much that you will beg for death when I am through with you," he growled, twisting the hilt of the sword a little, causing pain to shoot through her again and making a whimper fall from her lips.

She wanted to speak, to come back with some cold, witty comment, but when she opened her mouth again, she could only whimper again.

"I want to kill the little girl before you, so that you get to see her die," he continued, his eyes smouldering like hot ashes, "but I don't think I could wait until her death to kill you; I don't think I could stop myself from killing you right now, even if I wanted to."

"Touch her and I will wait for you in hell just to make sure you get there!" Niori finally managed to growl, because no matter how much she hurt, she would push it aside for Arien.

Aras advanced towards her again, and as she looked into his eyes, Niori realized that she was truly going to die.

He would kill her now, just like he had promised. In the end, nothing she had done fight him mattered…she was still going to die.

Tears gathered in her eyes as a million thoughts ran through her mind; unlike what she had heard, her life didn't flash before her eyes…only regrets did.

She would never be able to tell Carla she was so sorry that she had said those awful things. She couldn't tell Legolas, no matter what, that she loved him, and he would always have heart. Couldn't tell Jane and Erin and Carla that she loved them more than anything else, that they were the best part of her life. Couldn't make sure Arien and Silmarwen were okay and safe….

Couldn't say goodbye.

She closed her eyes and controlled the urge to cry out in despair…

She didn't want to die.

She waited, hearing as his footsteps came closer and closer. She waited, wondering how he would kill her. His sword was already in her shoulder…he would probably kill her with his bare hands…

Suddenly, a distant scream shot through the air, and Aras's footsteps stopped instantly. Niori waited in elongated moment…and when nothing happened, she slowly opened her eyes. She saw that Aras was no longer focused on her…but on the distant camp, where new, loud sounds were emitting.

He turned back to her for a moment, pure hate turning his eyes black as coal. For a moment, she thought that he would come at her again, but instead he tore his eyes away form her helpless form, and turned and rushed back towards the camp.

"Damn you!" he hissed as he left, and in his eyes, Niori saw that even if she was safe for now, he would not give up…he would still kill her eventually, if she didn't end up killing him first.

Her mind swayed as the pain, fear, panic and blood loss finally hit her full force. She forced her eyes to stay open, knowing that something, hopefully their rescue, was happening.

Don't pass out….Don't pass out…

She was still boarding on the edge of consciousness when the shadows around her shifted and moved, forming the shape of a man…forming the shape of the 'Dark One'.

He moved towards her calmly, and her heart seized up with fear again. Even though Aras was gone, was he going to kill her now? He wanted her dead, as he had made clear at the very first, so was he now going to take it into his own hands?

Yet instead of killing her, he leaned in and whispered words into her ears. Her eyes widened in horror as the words passed from his lips and into her ear.

"I'll never!" she cried, barely able to voice the horror she felt.

"You'll not have a choice," he replied as he faded back into the shadows.

As he faded, it was as if everything had been drained out of her. She knew she was losing her battle to stay conscious, and no matter how she fought, she couldn't keep her eyes open. Finally, her eyes rolled back in her head as her head fell forward as her mind shot down into a black abyss of nothing.

l.l.l.l.

Adrenaline surging through her veins like molten lava, Jane sliced her sword through the nearest Eastern man before he could connect that they were being attacked. Her breath let out in a satisfied 'whoosh' as he sunk to the ground in front of her. Elijah stopped beside her, panting. He had his sword raised, and his eyes were bright with the fervour of battle.

"Good luck." He whispered, kissing her cheek, "I love you". And with a meaningful smile he ran off with the rest of the men. Jane nodded silently to herself, touching the warm spot where his lips had touched her skin.

Suddenly, she noticed a brute of a wild man running towards her at top speed. He was looking at her in a peculiar way… She knew that look…her stomach clenched painfully with fear as she recognized the expression on his face- he was looking at her like she was a piece of delicious meat, ready to be eaten.

With a growl, she threw her arms up and met the man's weapon with her own. Their swords clashed noisily, but the sound was drowned out by the cries and shouts from the people around them. He pushed down on her sword with his own, trying to break the lock she had on him. Jane's arm muscles screamed painfully with the effort of keeping his weapon away from her. He was pushing harder, and it was becoming near impossible to hold her weapon up; it was getting closer and closer to her shoulder. She yelled with the effort- suddenly, the man dropped his sword and looked at her, puzzled. Then he fell to his knees- the look still there- and then he fell on his face. Behind him stood Pippin, holding up his bloody sword and grinning triumphantly.

"Thanks again." Jane breathed, wiping her brow.

"Don't mention it." Pippin grinned, turning and stabbing an Eastern man in the calf muscle. The man's howl of pain could be heard from all around.

"I have to find Niori…" Jane chanted to herself, taking down the men that happened to cross her path.

A lanky, foolish-looking man jumped in front of her, and gave her a look of disbelief- she was a woman with a sword. He swung at her and she dodged the blade. Before he could react, she plunged her sword into his chest, and he fell to the ground struggling for breath.

"Tell me where you keep your prisoners, and I will ease your suffering." She spoke with authority, but as calmly as possible, although she was breathing heavily. She put her boot on the man's chest and leaned on it.

The man cringed and wheezed at the pain. "I ain't tellin' you nothin'" He said nastily, in a cockney accent. "You should' 'ave been brought to us 'oo, ya pretty thing." He licked his bloodied lips obscenely, and Jane, appalled, finished him off with a blow to the head.

"Niori!" Jane screamed uselessly; her voice was drowned out by the roar of battle. "Where are you?"

I hope Carla is having better luck than me. Jane thought hopelessly.

1.1.1.1.1

Carla flung her sword into the ribcage of a barrel-chested man, who barely had time to react. He dropped his sword, and Carla grabbed it and swung it around. She threw him against a pole and held the swords crossed against his neck. One simple swipe would take of his head.

"Where are the prisoners?" She growled, pushing the sword into his neck. The man laughed at her humourlessly as blood spurted from his mouth, and he died.

l.l.l.l.l

Arien bit down a terrified scream as she tried to curl herself into a small ball. The sounds of battle raged all around her, and she wished that she could turn invisible. So far, no one had noticed her tiny form, and for that she was thankful.

Last time she had been caught up in the middle of a battle, she had been captured…and this time she feared she would end up dead, even if it were by accident.

Please come find me Elderion, she prayed, come find me and rescue me.

Someone touched her hunched shoulder, and this time Arien couldn't help but scream. She cowered, waiting for the pain of the blade as it punctured her body.

It never came.

Arien looked up in shock, her heart hoping beyond hope that she would find her brother, or even Niori, kneeling above her, coming to take her away from this place.

It wasn't Elderion or Niori before her, but the young Easterling boy who had been helping her for days.

His eyes were wide as he took hold of her wrist, pulling Arien to her feet.

"Come!" he spoke, his words as choked off and clumsy as ever, "Escape!"

Arien didn't even question him as he started to pull her along, running at a speed beyond her. She ran beside him, stumbling with every step, her hand clasped tightly in his, away from the raging battle.

When she started to fall, her barely paused to catch and steady her. One quick glance told him that she was just too weak to move this fast, so he pulled her up into his strong arms and continued to run.

When they broke into the trees, he tucked her on the ground, hiding her safely behind a large, thick bush. She curled herself up again, knowing that the smaller she was, the more likely no one would see here.

"Hurt?" he asked her seriously, his dark eyes scanning her for any words.

"No!" Arien replied, shaking her head ventemetly. She tried to smile at him reassuringly, but her lips wouldn't cooperate…she was still terrified.

The boy sighed in relief, glancing back at the camp, his face grim. Arien felt her heart pang for him.

That was his own people who were being attacked, who were dying. Even if they were monsters, they were still his own; they could be his friends, his family…

And yet he'd rather save her than fight beside them.

"Thank so much," Arien whispered, raising her hand and placing it on the side of his face, a soft smile finally crossing her lips.

There was a somewhat distant sound that reminded Arien of a string breaking, and then suddenly the boy gave a cry of pain as an arrow flew past them, grazing his arm.

Arien cried out in shock, her hands covering her mouth as he pulled his sword out and whirled around, his face dangerous as he knelt in front of her, prepared to defend her.

Arien peeked over his shoulder, her eyes widening as she realized that the one who had shot at them was her brother, who was advancing towards them, restringing his bow and his eyes raging in hate as he looked coldly at the boy in front of her.

"NO!" Arien screamed in horror as she lunged out from behind him, terrified as she realized they were about to attack each other.

"Elderion no!" she screamed again, throwing herself between the boy and her brother's arrow. Elderion faltered, staring at his sister with unreadable eyes.

"He's helping me!" she continued, looking between them, praying that at least one of them would lower their weapon, "…he saved me!"

From the sheer desperation apparent on Arien's face, Elderion lowered his bow. As the other weapon was lowered, the boy brought down his own sword.

Arien felt tears hit her eyes as she realized she was safe. Her brother was finally here to take her home. With a short cry, Arien sprung to her feet and flew into her brother's arms.

l.l.l.l.

With a cry, Elijah sliced the head off an Eastern man, the man's blood splattering his clothing. This man wouldn't tell him anything about Niori or little Arien. None of the half-alive men would say a goddamned thing.

He spat angrily in the mud. He was getting nowhere. Suddenly, a flash of blond hair amongst the sea of helmets caught his eye. Jane's helmet had fallen off, and she was struggling to fight off three Eastern men at the same time.

In an instant, anger surged through his body, and he stalked over, stabbing the first man, and throwing a knife at the second. Jane took the third man, who was distracted by the sudden addition to their party.

"Elijah!" Jane breathed, forgetting all senses and kissing him. "You okay?"

"Yeah. I'm alright." He muttered. "Have you gotten any word about them?"

"No. no, nothing." She spoke, her brows furrowed. "Well, I'll keep looking. Love you!"

And she was gone. Swallowed by a wall of big, sweaty men, fighting for their lives. Elijah whipped around in time to meet a sword with his own before it could hit him.

l.l.l.l.

"Carla, where the hell is she?!"

Jane's large, hysteric blue eyes shone into Carla's brown ones, and Carla was sure that her own eyes reflected the same franticness.

"What if we're too late?" Jane murmured in terror, "What if she's already dead? What if they killed her?"

Carla couldn't reply because her mouth was so dry.

Where the hell was Niori?

Arien had told them after the battle was over and half the enemy had turned tail and run, that Niori had not been there when Arien had woken up about an hour before the battle started.

Everyone who was not injured was searching for her, but so far there was no sign of her, dead or alive.

"She can't be dead!" Carla cried angrily, screaming up at the impending sunset and feeling furious tears string her eyes.

If Niori was dead, Cara wouldn't be able to live with herself. This would be all her fault…and in all honesty, if it turned out that Niori's blood was on her hands, Carla would either go insane or kill herself.

If Niori was dead because of her, than she didn't really deserve to live either.

Carla continued walking not realizing that Jane had broken off from her side until Jane's horrified scream broke through the air.

Carla whipped around, her heart racing in shock, knowing that something was beyond wrong. Jane didn't scream bloody murder for nothing.

Jane stood statue still, the scream ripping from her throat as she stared with horror into the woods in front of her. The scream just wouldn't stop coming…

She had been moving away from Carla, continuing to search for her friend, when a glint of metal from the trees had caught her eye. She had stopped and peeked into the woods…and when she realized what she was seeing, she couldn't help but scream.

Carla, along with every other person within ear shot, came rushing to where Jane was standing, whose throat had finally constricted, cutting off her scream, but now she stood mute in horror.

Niori was dead…Jane wouldn't scream like that if she hadn't been dead.

Despite her apparent horror, Jane was acutely aware as everyone rushed towards her. Despite she was horror struck, she knew that there was no way they could see her like this…not like this. As the flash of blond moved into her line of sight, Jane knew that out of all of them, she had to stop Legolas from seeing this.

"Stop him!" Jane screamed, and from the tone of her shrill voice, everyone knew that she was talking about Legolas.

Carla grabbed onto Legolas's arm, stopping him in his tracks. Legolas turned to look at her, the utter desperation there causing Carla's entire body to go numb with fear. He looked at her for confirmation of their worst fear, and from the tears shining in her eyes, they both figured that Niori was dead.

"Don't…" Carla told him, gripping his arm tightly, "You…Jane…"

"I have to," Legolas told her softly, "No matter what, I have to."

Carla let him go, knowing that in the end she would probably regret it. He moved past her slowly, reproachfully, and unable to stop her own feet from moving, followed closely behind him.

No matter what lay before her, Carla knew that she had to see it just as much as Legolas did.

No one spoke as they moved towards Jane, who still stood there, looking into the forest with tears sliding down her pale cheeks.

As they drew close enough, Carla closed her eyes. She gripped onto Jane's hand suddenly, fearing to open her eyes and see what lay before her. Jane squeezed back, giving her all the bravery she needed to open her eyes.

It was as though all the air had been sucked out of her when she finally saw what had happened, why Jane had screamed and what had happened to Niori…

She was impaled to a tree.

l.l.l.l.l

An- To every one of our reviewers out there, we wish you the best and happiest holiday possible! No matter what you celebrate, from Christmas to the Solstice and everything in between, let the season bring you all you wish for!

Love from us all,

Niori, Jane, Erin & Carla