Reviewers

butterfly284z7: *jumps up and down* YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY.....*maintains composure* A new reviewer! No offense to my faithful reviewers, but I love to get new reviewers! I'm so glad you love my story. You've been a silent reader? I do that A LOT. I'm just too lazy to type out a whole review sometimes, but I eventually do review once. This is so cool.....ok I'm overreacting *clears throat*. Thanks, and I hope you enjoy this one!

RoseoftheWorld: I sort of took the crying part from my own experiences. My cousin was adopted from Russia about 5 years ago. My aunt and uncle never thought they would ever be able to have kids. But they finally got a little boy. I cried my eyes out. I just kept saying, "You're my baby cousin!" It's not the same as having a new nephew, but I basically thought of him as my new little brother, and I've always thought of him that way. Ok, now that I've told you my lame life story....lol....I'm glad you liked it. I was pleased with that chapter too. Hope you like this one as much!

Lutris (who is too lazy to sign in) *giggle*: Yeah, my dumb life gets in the way of everything! School most of all. But I look at it this way....in 7 days, I'll be home free, until I get out of school in 3 years......and then go to college for about 4 years.....I'M NEVER GOING TO GET OUT OF SCHOOL!!!!!!!!! I hope my life is worth it! Hehe. Yes, his "unknown side" was necessary, I thought. Happy you liked it. Maybe I will add more hints........like I just did......never mind, I'll stop talking.....


Author's Notes: I HAVE 40 REVIEWS!!!!!! I'M SO HAPPY!!!!! I'm so glad I'm back into this. I feel much better :-D. tehehe. Ok, I'll get to the story already.

Chapter Ten


"This is the border of our palace." Galenhil said, turning around to look at the home he was leaving.

"What, Galenhil, are you afraid of leaving home?" Legolas jeered.

"No, it's just......it's just that it's been a long time since I've left home. I have not stepped out of these walls since.......well, since Elenedhil."

Legolas lowered his head as the memories came flowing back.

"You know how strict father has been, Legolas. He could hardly let you leave when you asked him. And besides, Linduial was so nervous about Armirendur and the child, and Celebanna is still learning her battle skills, so I had no one to go with. I can't go out here alone......you know that."

"What do you mean, you can't go out alone? Aragorn asked, quite surprised that he, an elf, would not want to connect alone with nature.

"He's...."

"Don't, Legolas!" Galenhil warned, his eyes wide.

"Why not? They should know that you're afraid of spiders."

"Spiders? I never thought an elf could be afraid of spiders!" Gimli said, astonished.

"I never thought a dwarf could be so ugly!" Galenhil returned the indignity.

"Why I..."

"Galenhil, stop it. Gimli meant naught by it." Legolas interrupted Gimli before he could say something stupid.

Galenhil steered his horse to Gimli's.

"No one insults me, especially a dwarf."

He turned his horse and galloped ahead.

Legolas spoke next, explaining to Gimli.

"Did I mention he has a fond dislike of dwarves?

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"Where the devil is Galenhil?"

The group had been searching for him since the earlier episode, and Legolas was getting uneasy.

"That elf could have fallen into a bottomless pit for all I care!" Gimli snorted.

"Gimli, I understand that you are angry at Galenhil, but that gives you no right to wish harm upon him." Estel, being the peaceful one of the group, warned.

"I'll wish harm on him if I like. That lad made fun of a dwarf....No one pokes fun at a dwarf."

Legolas couldn't help but laugh, much to Gimli's loathing.

"Now don't you get started with me!" Gimli said, indignantly.

"Dear Gimli, I was merely jesting. We all know dwarves have....amazing powers and add a great deal to Middle Earth." The sarcasm was evident in Legolas's voice.

"They do, and you know it, elf! Why, we mine mithril. Without that thousands would be dead, because the mithril saved their lives. And we have amazing stone work and architecture. The Mines of Moria are a perfect example..."

"I have heard nothing sound of the mines. They are full of evil and malice."

"And may I ask, master elf, if you have ever been there before?"

"I must admit that I have not, but..."

"Do not assume things before you have seen them. The mines are a beautiful place."

Legolas was tired of arguing with Gimli. He knew he would get far more brawling with Galenhil in the mix.

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It was nearly sunset, and still there was no sign of Galenhil.

"Legolas, we should stop to rest. Gimli and I grow weary and...."

"Then go rest, if you must. I, on the other hand, will keep searching." Legolas gestured for them to leave.

"Now, lad, do you think we are dumb enough to leave YOU alone, by yourself, while you are still healing? If we stop, you do too." Gimli said stubbournly.

"Fine, you shall be up all night with me. You insisted."

"Legolas!" Aragorn said, his tone almost whining.

But Legolas was not listening to Aragorn. He shushed them.

"What is it, mellonin?" Estel asked.

"Something stirs in these woods." He paused for a moment to analyze the sound. "Just as I thought. They hunt only at night."

"Who does?" Gimli asked.

"Spiders...."

Gimli and Estel had heard much of the spiders of Mirkwood, who stood nearly a human's height and were highly ferocious. Gimli, especially, had no intention of facing these creatures, if at all possible. But now, the opportunity was irreversible.

Legolas drew his twin blades from their holsters at his hips, holding them in front of him in a defensive position. The moon, which was just peeking out from behind the clouds, shone off of the silver metal, making them look almost glowing and unearthly. His eyes darted back and forth, sensing the approaching danger.

"We must be on our guards. I sense them also. They are very close." Estel said, unsheathing his sword. "Come Gimli, Legolas."

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Legolas was becoming more and more uneasy with every step he took. He was not only nervous for himself, but for his friends, for they had never faced these creatures and would surely not know what to expect. And he was afraid for Galenhil, for his deathly fear of spiders would undeniably paralyze him and prevent him from fighting. Legolas knew what he had to do.

He waited for the perfect moment, when Aragorn and Gimli were both distracted from the elf, and slipped away. He knew that, with Gimli present, Galenhil, if he were in danger, would not want to be embarrassed, especially in front of a dwarf.

So Legolas set off, alone, to find his brother......

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*I know, this was boring, but the last chapter will have action in it, I promise. There's a reason why Galenhil doesn't like Gimli.......can you guess it?