Author's Notes: Wow, it's been a while since I've updated. I think it was the writer's block. Yeah, it was the writer's block. Anywhoo, here's a very late fourth chapter. Enjoy! =)

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Chapter Four: In the Depths

The wind whistled angrily in Aragorn's ears as his insane fall lead him closer and closer to the cold, scaled bodies beneath him. His arms flailed madly in an attempt to defy gravity and somehow fly away - or at least to grab hold onto something. Panic surged through every vein in his body as the ground sped towards him in a blinding whirl of colors and hideous slithering shapes. ~Damn!! Damn, damn, damn, damn-damn-damn!~ He squeezed his eyes closed tightly. ~DAMN!~

Suddenly, Aragorn's questing fingers closed around something smooth and thin. He body made an abrupt and rather painful stop. Slowly, the young ranger opened his eyes and found himself hanging in midair only a foot above the ground. His stomach turned several times over at the sight of several dozen snakes fighting to rip off a toe or two. It wasn't until he felt his face grow hot and his mind go foggy that he realized he wasn't breathing. Barely daring to make the slightest move, he exhaled cautiously and breathed in the sweet oxygen he had deprived his lungs of for several minutes. With a painful lack of speed, Aragorn turned his head upwards just in time to see his elven friend's golden head pop out of the leafy foliage many yards above.

Legolas took in the situation quickly and breathed in relief at seeing his friend alive, which was certainly nothing short of a miracle. When he heard the crackling snap of the branches minutes earlier, his keen mind immediately inferred that Aragorn had fallen, but the actual fact of it had not truly registered until he had heard the human's panicked cry sounding from below him rather than behind. In every other situation, the fear that had arisen in him on this occasion would have been much less severe. After all, Estel had fallen from trees countless times when Legolas first taught him to climb. Perhaps it was the fact that the oak he stood in now was much, much higher than any Aragorn had ever fallen from before that made him so desperately afraid. Perhaps it was the hundreds of fatal reptiles down below climbing over themselves in urgent desire of a meal. Perhaps it was the fact that a very obviously unbalanced psychopath intended for his two victims to encounter danger, pain, and inevitable death. Whether it be one or all three of those reasons, Legolas definitely panicked. With all the fear that had escalated in him at his friend's fall, the sight of him alive - in immense danger, but alive - sent waves of relief flooding through him. Of course, that relief was quickly replaced by disbelief, frustration, and anger. ~By the Valar, Aragorn's idiocy could have killed him!~ He slapped his forehead. ~Blasted, clumsy humans!~

Aragorn stared up at his friend and smiled. His grin faded hesitantly when he saw Legolas' irritated scowl. "What?"

"You.you." Legolas sputtered, unable to form coherent words despite all the insults that were running quite rationally through his mind.

Aragorn winced. ~My, he does look rather upset~ He cleared his throat while attempting to look apologetic and innocent at the same time. "Insult me later Legolas. Right now, I'd appreciate it immensely if you helped me out a little." He nodded nervously at the bobbing, hissing heads that were mere inches from his boots.

Legolas sighed. Yes, he would berate his human friend later. "Can you climb up?"

"I think so," Aragorn took a deep breath and started to pull himself up, hand after hand.

Legolas felt his anger subside at seeing Estel draw nearer and nearer, closer to him and safety. He noticed the human's apprehensive glances at the ground. "Don't look down! You're doing fine!"

Aragorn smiled slightly, glad for his friend's support. Legolas was so close now - only a few yards or so more. Confidence slowly moved in as he heard that ominous hissing grow farther away. His eyebrows furrowed and a trickle of sweat slid down the side of his face. ~Just a little more to go~ Suddenly, he stopped.

Legolas frowned. "What are you doing?" Fear once again crept up on him when Aragorn's shaky voice answered him.

"Ehm - we have a problem here, Legolas."

The elf searched the vine for the reason behind Aragorn's uncertainty. He quickly found it. Right above Estel's forehead the vine was starting to split. The human's weight was obviously too much for the thin vine to take. Legolas' eyes shifted between the breaking vine and his friend's face, not completely sure of the consequences of his words, "Maybe you should climb up really fast. Maybe it won't break completely."

Aragorn nodded slowly, not exactly sure of Legolas' words either. He brought up his hand to close around the green surface and grimaced when the split widened. The rip had cut through more than half of the vine. "I don't think that's going to work."

Legolas's mind raced for an answer. Estel was too far away for him to grab, so that was out of the question. As he searched the ground for some kind of solution, his eyes widened slightly when an idea popped into his head. "Estel! You're hanging very close to the river. Perhaps you should try and fall into the water."

Aragorn stared at him in disbelief. "You must be insane! I don't know how deep that river is and neither do you. Besides, I could very easily miss!"

"Well, I don't see another solution."

"Isn't there anything up there you can hold out that I could grab?"

Legolas quickly scanned the trees. "No. All the branches around here that aren't as thick as your leg are rotting away. They'd break if you tried to hold onto them." His fingers brushed over an old, rotting piece of timber by his side. He nodded at the split in the vine, which was growing as Aragorn's weight pulled it apart.

"You don't have much time. I'm completely serious, Estel, you should jump!"

"No!"

Legolas wrapped his fingers around the long branch. A few seconds of silence passed between them before the Prince of Mirkwood sighed. "I'm really very sorry, Estel."

Aragorn forced down the returning panic and frowned up at his friend. "For what?"

The ranger's eyes widened in shock as a large gray branch descended from above and whacked him hard in the shoulder. He felt his hands slip as he lost his grip on the vine that, at that moment, completely broke and fell in a coil to the serpents below.

"LEGOLAAAAAAAAS!!!"

Said elf watched apprehensively from above as his best friend started to fall, the unstable piece of wood crumbling in his hands. He had known the branch would have been no good in holding Aragorn up, but it was perfect for smacking Aragorn in the right direction - towards the river, that is. Despite his friend's fall into the foaming waters, he was relieved to see the snakes hiss angrily, then depart into the brush as quickly as they came. Apparently, they felt Aragorn was far too much trouble.

A loud splash and a spray of white foam announced the young human's entry to the dark, unknown depths. Aragorn's mind was working in overdrive as he felt the icy cold water penetrate him to the bone. His sword and heavy clothing were dragging him down, but fortunately, the river's fast current kept him from sinking. Legolas' speed and agility came into play as he sprinted off through the trees, following his friend's dark shape as it sped downriver. Estel's head kept disappearing and reappearing above the bubbling, blue-green surface.

"LEGOLAS!" Splash. "I AM GOING TO-" Gurgle. " - KILL YOU!!"

Legolas winced apologetically. "I said sorry!!"

"YYEEEAAAAARRRRGH!!"

The elf swung quickly through the trees. ~I take it he's not accepting my apology then~

Fast-flowing, teal wings beat against Aragorn's body as they carried him swiftly downstream. He could barely make out Legolas' lithe form as he jumped from branch to branch gracefully in a successful attempt to keep up. It seemed to Aragorn that he had been in this whooshing, cold, watery confusion for hours, though only minutes had passed. ~Illuvitar, that elf is going to DIE~

His thoughts raced.

~It's not enough that a hundred snakes tried to bite my legs off, but I end up being smacked into and caught in a river that leads to Light knows where!~

However, as angry words and rather crude curses sped through his head, he felt himself gradually slow down as the water grew calmer. The beating waves that had previously been so forceful were now feeling rather gentle against his exhausted body. He glanced upwards and was glad to see Legolas - despite his irritation - still keeping up easily.

Legolas kept his attentions divided between his friend and the branches in front of him. "There are a lot a low overhangs up ahead, Estel. You're going slow enough now to grab one of them!"

Aragorn took the advice and, as a low branch came into view, reached up and closed his fingers tightly around the rough bark. He came to a jolting stop and took the opportunity to grab it with the other hand as well. The river pushed at him uncomfortably, but he held on with determination written all over his tired face. Legolas leapt gracefully down onto the base of the branch that Aragorn held in a very dramatic death grip. The Elven prince checked over Estel's soaked form from a few feet away.

"You alright?"

Aragorn glared. "I won't dignify that with an answer."

Rolling his eyes, Legolas stood smoothly and, step by step, made his way to where Aragorn clung pathetically on. "Well, at least you're alive."

His anger fading, Aragorn managed a weak grin. "Sorry to disappoint you."

Legolas laughed slightly. "No need. I'll find a more successful way to kill you later."

Aragorn let go of the branch briefly to grab hold of Legolas' outstretched hand. For an instant, blue met gray and a familiar sense of brotherhood passed between them.

"Thanks."

"Not a problem. Now let's get you out of there. I-" The Elven Prince frowned, azure eyes shifting quickly from relief to concern. "What's wrong?"

The grin had vanished from Aragorn's face, replaced by surprise and a
tinge of pain. "Legolas, I think something is -"

SPLASH!!

Legolas blinked. Where Aragorn had been only a second before only dark water swirled. His outstretched hand was empty. Confusion was apparent in his eyes as he grasped the brown bark and scanned the waters hurriedly. "Estel!? ESTEL!?!?"

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Cold, murky water filled Aragorn's nostrils as he felt himself being pulled down, deeper and deeper. He was quickly losing sight of the moonlight from above, as well as the soft glint of Legolas' blonde hair. Turning his head while trying not to swallow any more water, Aragorn's eyes widened at the sight. A gray, exotic-looking fish of some sort had a strong grip on his ankle. Odd bulges jutted out from its pudgy body and it's jaw was far too large compared to the rest of it. It's tail hung in limp slivers, as if another creature had tried to digest the appendage, but had coughed it back up. Long black whiskers sprung from various places in no particular symmetry or pattern whatsoever. Short, spiked teeth lined the inside of its mouth in intimidating rows. Aragorn quickly decided it was the ugliest thing he had ever seen in his life. Ironically, the strange attacker had blue eyes remarkably similar to those of his Elven friend's, but they held none of the compassion. Instead, those bright, gleaming eyes harbored a cold, unfeeling emotion that sent shivers up Aragorn's spine.

Aragorn winced when he tried to pull his feet free; his skin stung painfully where the creature's short fangs were buried in it. He risked a glance upwards. The surface was invisible to him now. For the millionth time that day, he felt panic invade his senses completely. He tried desperately to calm himself. ~Alright, Estel, think, THINK~ Thinking was quite beyond him at that point. All he could seem to do was fight to keep from sinking any further. His chest throbbed painfully, his lungs burning from the lack of air. His head was beginning to feel light. ~That's never a good sign~

Desperately, Aragorn grabbed at the hilt of his sword that still hung heavily at his hip. He pulled the gleaming blade from its sheath and slashed at the fish. However, the water greatly hindered his movements at the blade barely nicked the creature's dull scales. Thinking quickly of another alternative, Aragorn switched hands and thrust the ancient weapon directly at one if its cold, merciless eyes.

Ice cold shivers ran up his spine as an eerie, unearthly screech vibrated off the algae-encrusted boulders beneath the dark surface of the river. A slight fog of dark maroon blood spread through the water and disappeared a few inches from its torn eye. In its shocked pain, it released Aragorn's ankle from its death grip and writhed its gray body in the water, searching for some release from the agony. The young human did not hesitate. Immediately, he kicked his legs hard to propel himself upwards - towards light, towards land, towards something much better than the death he would inevitably face in the depths. Head painfully spinning, Aragorn struggled not to open his mouth in a vain attempt to acquire desperately needed air.

~Damn!~

His weapons and heavy clothing pulled at him as he swam as hard as he could. For a few seconds, he deliberated giving his precious sword to the murky unknown, but he quickly abandoned that train of thought. Anduril was far too special a weapon. As well as he could while swimming, Aragorn fumbled with the brooch at the base of his throat and unclasped it. His cloak drifted away from him; he felt himself immediately go faster without the dead weight on him dragging him down.

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Legolas cursed in all the languages and dialects he was able to. Eyes narrowed and jaw set in steadfast determination, he unslung the weapons from his back and unclasped the Elvish cloak from around his shoulders. In two swift movements, the gauntlets on his wrists lay discarded on the ground. ~The madness never ends, does it?~

He poised himself to jump. Suddenly, he paused and looked behind him at his weapons dangling by their straps from the branch. With hands that moved incredibly fast, even by Elven standards, Legolas whisked his two gleaming blades from their sheathes. Holding them tightly in clenched hands, the young Prince dived headfirst into the icy cold water. Glad of his immunity to temperatures, he streamlined his body and forced his eyes open. He best friend would not die tonight - not if he had anything to do with it.

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Aragorn's eyes widened with urgency. He could see the moonlight bouncing off the ruffled surface of the river and propelled himself ever harder, striving to reach safety.

~So close. So. Close.~

Suddenly, he felt himself stop. Panicked and on the verge of passing out, he looked down to see the great fish with a mouthful of Anduril's sheath. One eye socket was obviously damaged beyond repair with tissue and nerves grotesquely lining it. Aragorn struggled to pull the belt from his waste, but gradually, his watery surroundings started to grow dim. He felt lightning bolts of pain ricocheting through his skull, his chest on fire. His hands grew slack in the water and a bubble issued forth from his slightly open mouth. His eyes drifted shut. Someone called his name, "Estel." The blue-green water and hazy confusion changed slowly into a much more appealing scene. Grass. Sunlight. Rivendell in its springtime splendor. Aragorn smiled softly. "Estel." A cool breeze brushed lightly across him, ruffling the new green leaves of the trees. Imladris' silver and gold arches gleamed in the bright afternoon rays. "Estel." He looked to his right. A small bubbling stream ran through the rocks by his side. Trout flipping in the crystal-clear water. Birds above singing in the tall sycamores. The leaves whispering secrets of beauty -

Something slapping him hard across the face.

"Estel!"

Aragorn's eyes shot open. In a moment, he was coughing up what seemed like gallons of moldy riverwater, and his entire body burned with a pain that came from just about everywhere.

"By the gods, my friend, no need to hunt tonight. You've hacked up enough fish to last us a month and a half!"

Breathing with some difficulty, Aragorn wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and looked up slowly. A tan and gold blur slowly shifted and unified until it became Legolas' grinning, but concerned face. The young ranger sat up and shook his head to clear his rattled brain. "What happened?"

"Well, you were dragged down by a rather large fish and -"

"I know that," interrupted Aragorn, "How did I get up here. All I remember is swimming. Well, trying to swim anyway."

The Prince of Mirkwood helped his friend to a sitting position. "I jumped in after you, of course. I saw that thing had you by your sword and it didn't look like you were enjoying it too much either. Anyways, it wasn't expecting me, so two quick swipes and it was gutted."

Aragorn winced.

"Then I sort of swam you back up here. You weren't exactly protesting, so I took that as condescension." Legolas patted Aragorn on the shoulder. "Don't feel too pitiful, my friend. At least you blinded it. Well, half blinded it anyway."

Aragorn scowled. "I could have killed it."

"Right. I'm sure gaping with your eyes closed is a new battle technique."

"Maybe."

Legolas laughed out loud this time, "No gratitude?"

Aragorn could not stop himself from smiling. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it," Legolas grabbed his silver twin blades and stood in one fluid motion. "Come on. We have to get out of this place in case those snakes decide they want another go at us."

Aragorn groaned slightly as he stood awkwardly, his clothes and dark hair dripping. "Won't argue with you there, Legolas."

With Legolas aiding Aragorn with a steadying hand, they went as quickly along the riverbank as possible with Aragorn in his present state. Legolas kept his longbow in his hands, just in case. Odd sounds issued from the dark wood to their right, but they ignored them and continued on, letting hope dominate. For now anyway.

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"Legolas, tell me that's a bright light ahead of us or I swear I'll go insane."

Said elf looked up groggily. He had been staring at his feet for a good hour or so - not a very good way of practicing alertness, but weariness was setting in. One eyebrow arched. "By the Valar, I think you're right!"

A little while ahead of them, white-gold rays of sunlight shimmered, a bright contrast to the subdued darkness of the Black Wood. Legolas stepped forward a few paces and stopped, staring. Just beyond that light, he could make out something - something that was assuredly not more trees.

"Estel, I see - I see grass!"

Aragorn's entire being, body and mind, immediately perked up with that statement. His tongue sticking out of the side of his mouth just slightly, he grabbed Legolas' wrist and dragged him forward, urging his legs to move faster. The elf needed no urging. Before three seconds had passed, Legolas grabbed Aragorn's wrist and sprinted off towards the welcoming sight that was so, so close. He could feel the warm sunlight on his skin as they neared it and smell the fresh scent of grass.

Together, Legolas and Aragorn burst through a thin veil of obstructing foliage and into a small stretch of plain. Estel took a moment to survey his surroundings, to gaze admiringly at the river that had turned a clear blue, at the soft sky, at the lush green grass - or rather, it was close enough to grass to be satisfactory. He grinned.

"I never thought weeds looked so good."

Legolas laughed and punched him lightly in the shoulder. "Don't get too excited. Do you think we should camp here then?"

Their eyes met briefly.

"Ah-" Aragorn hesitated. "You know what happened the last time we tried to sleep."

"Well, are you tired?" The elf reached behind him and stretched out his back.

"No, not anymore."

"Good, neither am I."

Aragorn paused for a moment and a thoughtful expression appeared on his tan face before he turned to look at his companion. "First, we get attacked by growling balls of fur, then savage snakes, then a mutant guppy. What do you think he'll throw at us next?"

Legolas wrinkled his brow. "I'd rather not think about it. Onward?"

"Onward."

With the dark, eerie woods at their backs and the winding river at their sides, they took their first steps into new territory.

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Until next time, then! R&R!!