Sigh--almost done, it's been fun, thanks to those who reviewed….

Chapter 29--A Brave Sacrifice

Darrin laughed and stepped aside to reveal a lever in the wall. "Do you know what this does? It releases the chains from the wall. You are here to save your wife and daughter, sire. Well, you will only have time to save one. The chains release at the same time--" Darrin laughed cruelly, "--who will you save, your daughter or your wife and the unborn child she bears?"

Legolas saw Aragorn turn white and his heart bled for his friend. He reached for his bow, eyes grim.

Darrin looked at him. "No, I think not," he said then pointed and gestured.

Pain roared through Legolas and he crumpled to the ground, it felt like he was being torn apart. He couldn't get breath to cry out.

Gimli and Jaisia charged him, but a gesture sent them flying into the wall to the left like toys thrown by an angry child. They laid motionless.

Lilith started a spell of her own, but another spell flung her back. Her head hit the wall with a sickening crack and she fell, unconscious.

Darrin laughed. "I am stronger now, I can destroy all of you," he exalted. He looked at Kyle as the white mage began a spell. Darrin shouted a single word and a huge block fell from the ceiling.

Kyle had no time to dodge, no time to cast a spell. The three hundred pound block landed on him with a crash, crushing him.

Sandi screamed in horror as her mentor was crushed then began to sob.

Legolas gasped for breath as the pain ceased. He managed to get to his feet and get to Aragorn's side. His feeling of dread was even stronger.

"Darrin was clearly enjoying himself. "There are only two of you now. You will be easy for me to handle. I will make a deal, sire, have your wife renounce the throne, leave and never return, and I will spare your lives," he gloated and laughed loudly.

Movement to the left caught Legolas' attention. Gimli was stirring! Legolas didn't look, not wanting to bring attention to him.

"I will never allow you to take my throne, you are nothing, but a coward and a murderer. You do not deserve respect!" Aragorn sneered. "I spit on you and your bargain!"

Darrin's face contorted with rage and he gestured. Aragorn was flung back against the wall. "Then both the woman will die then you and the elf!!" he yelled and reached for the lever.

Suddenly Gimli slammed into him from the side, sending them both tumbling directly for the pit then they toppled over the edge.

"Gimli!!" Legolas screamed and ran to the pit to see Gimli had managed to grasp the edge. Legolas grabbed his wrist. "Hold on, I will pull you up!" he cried. The dream ran through his mind.

Unfortunately Darrin had managed to grasp the Dwarf's legs. He glared up at Legolas. "Perhaps I have failed, but I will take you and the Dwarf with me into darkness, damned elf" he snarled and began to chant.

Gimli looked up at Legolas, eyes calm and serene. "Do not grieve for me, axe brother. I make this sacrifice for my friends and you, remember what we shared, tell Arwen I forgive her, farewell, crazy elf," he said and twisted his wrist free of Legolas' grip.

Legolas tried to hold on, but he couldn't. The Dwarf and Darrin plunged into the flames. "NOOO! Gimli!!" he screamed, but it was to late. The brave Dwarf was gone along with the wizard.

Strong hands gripped his shoulders and pulled him away from the edge of the pit. "Legolas, he saved us all, but he is gone, come away, please," Aragorn pleaded. He pulled him back despite his struggles.

Recovered from the collision with the wall, Jaisia enfolded Legolas in her arms, opening the bond between them and sharing his pain. "He was very brave, little brother, very brave," she whispered.

Just then Cade burst through the door with seven guards and the hobbits. The guards froze when they saw their King back from the dead. Cade roused them. "Do not just stand there!! Free the Queen and Princess of Gondor!" he ordered. The guards leaped to obey.

Sam noticed Legolas and Jaisia. "Aragorn, is Legolas hurt?" he asked.

"Not physically, mentally, Gimli is dead," Aragorn said grimly……

I know the dream sequence was different, but certain things had to be left out or it would have given it away. I wanted it to be a surprise. This is not quite the end, but soon…..R/R please!!