Title: Pseudonym

Author: Lauren

Editor: Ed the Editor (whom really exists)

(for disclaimer and summary see chapter 1)

To my reviewers:

Lady of Middle Earth - Sorry it took so long to update. I didn't realize how hard it is to update when you have school and a boyfriend. I'm having a hard time managing my time. Hope you like this chapter.

Innocent_Immortal - *sends evil invisible ninja hamster to annoy her* I would never let you borrow Elijah. Review about my story next time. :P

Daisy Princess - *gives her a cookie* I don't have that much to say to you. Good guess. Have fun reading this chapter.

To my readers:

Ok, everyone. This story is coming to an end. :cry: Only one more chapter after this one. I hope you all enjoyed it.

~*Chapter 10: A Daring Rescue*~

Vanwathulë paced his chamber. He was in a bad mood, he couldn't find the desired spell to bring out the power. It was then that he realized he had lost his control over Aralataien and ran out of his room to find some guards.

~**~

With Aralataien's help and Rahane's keys, Endmacar had no trouble finding his brother. When he saw Adrian beating Elenion, Endmacar almost ruined their advantage of surprise, but Aralataien held him back. She whispered ever so slightly, "Adrian is a one of the best warriors here, we must have the advantage of surprise. Shoot him with your bow."

Endmacar strung and arrow on his bow careful not to make a sound. He aimed and fired the bow.

Adrian heard the arrow and dodged to the left slightly. The arrow thudded into the wall, just inches from Elenion's head.

He turned around and saw Endmacar and Aralataien standing in the doorway. "So the fools have come to try and save the prince." He waved his hand looking for the line of power that controlled Aralataien. "What have you done to your necklace, dear Aralataien?"

"I got rid of it."

Adrian switched his concentration to his father. He pursed his lips when he realized his father was putting all his concentration into something else. He would have to deal with this all on his own. "Sorry that I can't stick around you two, but I really must be going." He pulled on some strings of magic and disappeared in a cloud of smoke. He searched around for Captain Rahane's life line, but it was no where within reach. Adrian appeared next to some guards milling about in the hallway. They came to attention as Adrian came blustering up.

"My lord, what is it?"

"Find my father. NOW!"

~**~

"Come on Endmacar, we have to hurry. Most likely Adrian has gone to get more men to help him because he's scared."

"I thought you said that he was one of the best warriors here."

"He is, but there is someone better."

"Who?"

"Me. Now let's get Elenion down." Elenion looked a lot worse up close than he did in the doorway. He had welts all over his skin and blood running down his front. "Oh Elenion, I'm sorry." She ran her hand across his check.

Endmacar unlocked Elenion and let him fall onto his shoulders. For the second time in a year, Endmacar carried his unconscious brother. They made their way through the halls with Aralataien checking around each corner for any guards. She thought it strange that no one would be there waiting to stop their escape, but she soon found out why, when she poked her head around the last corner.

There was Vanwathulë with at least fifty men. She sighed and turned back around the corner to face a concerned Endmacar. "We need to get him out of here, immediately. It seems some of his wounds are becoming infected already. He's extremely warm."

"It seems though we have found out where Vanwathulë and all the guards have went to."

"Ah...a slight problem. I wish Elenion were awake, it would make it so much easier." He took out one of his daggers and handed it to Aralataien. And began to count how many arrows he had left. "I trust you can use that."

She tested the balance and weight by spinning it in her hand a few times. "Yes. What do we do about him?" She nodded towards Elenion.

"Leave him here for now, I guess." He paused a moment and looked her over. "Ready?"

"I have one more question before we go around that corner, why do you all of a sudden trust me?"

"I believe you to have good intentions. The eyes are a window to the soul, and yours tell me that your love for Elenion is true. I also know what it is like to be separated from parents at a young age."

"Thank you. Let's go."

They leapt around the corner, but before anyone could move, Endmacar let out a shrill whistle that carried through the cave entrance and out into the dimming sky. Then he reached for an arrow and began firing them in rapid succession. The humans were slow to react and it cost them about ten lives before they began to charge. At this point Endmacar was down to one arrow, he put away his bow and drew his remaining dagger as the first few men reached them. He attacked the first few killing them with a few good swipes of his dagger.

Aralataien had a harder time, these were the people she had grown up with. However after the first person reached her, intent on killing her, she began to see how Endmacar could kill so easily. The odds were against them greatly and they were soon overwhelmed. Just when she thought she could take no more, she heard a cry of Anbrethil and the men began to slacken off. She killed off the last few men surrounding her with a series of quick jabs, but before joining in the fray, she looked around. There were at least twenty elves, battling against the men. The tide was turning quickly, but one lone figure caught her eye, Vanwathulë was escaping!

She ran over to where Endmacar was finishing off a few humans. "Endmacar! Give me your bow and last arrow, quickly!"

He didn't even stop to ask questions, the look in her eyes told him all. She watched his back while he took out his remaining arrow, his bow, and handed them to her. She hurriedly pushed through men and elves fighting each other. The elves were winning, this battle would be over soon. She reached the entrance, with little to no interference and spotted Vanwathulë heading down the well-trodden path. She began to run after him, he was not getting away with this.

~**~

Vanwathulë had slipped out of the cave soon after the elves arrived, knowing the outcome of the battle. About halfway down the path he heard the soft fall of feet behind him. He stopped knowing very well who it was. When his pursuer stopped he turned around. "Duriel, what a pleasant surprise."

"Do not call me that. My name is Aralataien, daughter of," she faltered her, earning her a smirk from Vanwathulë, "Lord Esgalon and Lady Amariswen."

"Very well, Aralataien. Oh yes, how is your friend, Elenion?"

"You'll pay for what you did to him. You'll pay for what you did to me and my parents and all the other innocent beings you killed." She notched the arrow and drew it back.

"Oh, are you going to kill me? I doubt you have the nerve to shoot me. Even with Lawr, you had to be "prodded" in certain ways. If you are going to shoot me, shoot me now!"

Aralataien's mind flashed back to the day when she stood across the cavern from Lawr, in the same position she was in now. Without realizing what she was doing, she released the arrow. It buried itself in Vanwathulë's chest. A look of surprise crossed his face.

"Oh." He laughed mirthlessly. "I wasn't expecting that." His knees buckled and he fell to the ground.

She stared on in shock until she felt a hand on her shoulder. Aralataien turned to face Endmacar. No words were exchanged, but all was understood. Aralataien nodded and they headed back up to the caves.

A/N: Interesting... You will review.