Life After High School - Ten Years Later.
By Risty and Silver.
Disclaimer: We don't own them, only our characters.
Summary: Just read the damn thing.
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(Benny's POV)
It took Lucas and I a long time to persuade the others to wait, at least until morning. Most of our arguments, that we had no equipment, that we would just end up getting killed, that we had no idea where they had taken the kids and since they were on horseback they had had a good head start, nearly all fell on deaf ears. Luckily Damon finally saw sense and went off to comfort Emma after Lucas promised that we would take action first thing the next morning. Then Frodo started, saying that he wanted to come with us. I had to be firm and told him that it wasn't possible. It was going to be hard enough to take care of ourselves, I had explained, without having to worry about looking out for him. He did not have the skills we had, the ability to hide in the shadows, to move quietly without anyone suspecting we were there. And he could not fight either, not real fighting with knives and crossbows.
"Frodo" I told him. "Once we find out where they are keeping the kids, I promise that we will do everything in our power to get them out of there alive. But if you come with us, you will slow us down and that could cost somebody their life, whether it be us or the children."
In the end he saw my point of view and, although they were very upset, Lucas persuaded him and Jaime to go home and try to get some sleep. It had been a tough night for all of us.
(Emma's POV)
Damon, Forrest and Blaze were all set to go straight out and search for our children, but Benny and Lucas persuaded them to calm down and wait until morning. I felt terrible, I couldn't cry but I was numb inside. I couldn't help remembering what Boromir had said about being able to take Kane away from me and I felt so guilty that I hadn't been able to protect my son. I felt angry too, that Lucas and his group had not been able to protect the children, although I knew that they had done their best and that I was being unfair.
Jaime and Frodo left to go back to the inn. Frodo had wanted to go with the group the following morning to look for Kane and Ria, but Benny had told him that it was not possible. I stood at the kitchen window and looked out into the darkness, tears sliding down my face. That is where Damon found me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I turned to him and he held me as I cried.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, and I think he was crying too. "I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault," I said quietly. "You did all you could. But Boromir…Boromir will stop at nothing to get what he wants."
"We will find them," he promised. "We will find them whatever the cost."
But we both knew that it was just a wish and that reality could be very different. And our fears were confirmed when Benny stuck his head into the kitchen.
"Listen Damon" he said quietly. "I really don't want to worry you…"
"What is it Benny-boy?" Damon said wearily. "Not more bad news, I hope."
"Afraid so" Benny told us. "Randy and Gimli…they've gone."