Hi! Wow, I didn't think I'd have enough time to start on my next chapter so soon! Well, it'z prolly cuz I'm secretly doing some of my homework during class, lol. Shhh! Well, it'z almost Christmas Vacation! So that means I'll be able to update more often. I'm also hoping that since LOTR2 is coming out soon, that lots of the people that started writing fics earlier this year when they remembered LOTR will start reading and writing fics again. That would be so great. Well, I'll stop bothering you now cause you probably would like to start reading now, lol.

p.s. Thanks to the two new people who have started reading my fic on Thanksgiving, Thank God for Holidays! Hmmm, can't wait 'till Christmas vacation when people don't have school! That means more readers! Lol.

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Kasumi awoke to a loud knocking on her door. She snapped out of dream, and looked at the door. She had almost forgotten where she was. She slipped out from the blankets.

"I'll be there in a second!" she answered, as she pulled on her leggings. As she pulled on her shirt over her undershirt, she rushed to answer the door.

It was the innkeeper. "Aegnorion would like me to tell you that you are expected down at the morning meal in ten minutes," he said politely, seeing that he had disturbed her sleep.

Kasumi looked at the innkeeper, he was a slightly short, chubby man, and not to be a stereotype, but she had heard most innkeepers were the like. "Thank you sir," she said, and she closed the door as he walked off.

She went to her bed, and pulled on her boots, doublet, and gauntlets, then walked over to the dresser. She pulled a brush from her pack and smoothed out her hair, it was horribly tangled from her travels, and luckily not dirty. After it was detangled, she took her pieces of cord and tied her hair in the traditional elven way, with two braids hanging at her ears. She washed her face in the provided basin, and grabbed her cloak. She swung her pack over her shoulder and headed downstairs.

As she rushed down the stairs, her thoughts fell onto the memory of Maliana and her running down to be on time for the morning meal. She laughed quietly, then became silent, that thought made her remember how long she had been away from her friends, and she struggled to forget it.

Kasumi made her way into the bar. It was empty, except for her companions, and some men sitting at a table in the corner. She sat next to Manwein, and asked how his sleep had been.

He thought the question over for a moment. "Well, I can't say it wasn't good. It was probably the best sleep this elf has had in a long time," he replied. "At least I wasn't kicked awake."

Kasumi smiled amused, recalling the memory of the orc captain kicking them awake. "Yes, I have to say that I agree. A decent bed is very welcoming after a while."

A woman walked into the room, carrying a tray. Kasumi guessed that it was the innkeeper's wife. She passed out bowls of hot cereal, to all of them. Kasumi smiled and thanked her, after she had received her bowl. The woman smiled back and accepted the thanks.

They all began to eat their meals, blowing at spoonfuls of their hot meal, then enjoying its sweet taste in their mouths. Kasumi and Manwein obviously enjoyed it the most, it had been a while since they had food that wasn't packed with salts and spices to preserve it, not including however the lembas, which was sweet and could be preserved a long time without salt.

As they finished their meal, the woman came back in and gathered their dishes and spoons. They all sat there and let the oatmeal settle into their stomachs, until Aegnorion stood up, and called for the innkeeper. Then they all stood up, and followed him outside, where they were greeted by horses.

They all mounted the horses that the innkeeper had lent to them, except for Kasumi, who had stopped inside to thank the innkeeper and his wife for their hospitality. They both bid her farewell, and bid her good fortune. As she turned to leave, the innkeeper's wife requested that she wait.

Kasumi watched clueless, as she scurried to the kitchen. She rushed back out moments after carrying a wrapped package.

"This is for you," she told Kasumi.

Kasumi smiled thankfully. "Why are you giving this to me?"

"I overheard that you and your friend are captives, and you were so kind. I must admit that not all of our customers thank us often," she said, handing her the package.

Kasumi was about to open it up, when she heard Aegnorion calling for her from outside. "Thank you very much," she said. "I can't begin to describe how nice it is to see a friendly face. I promise I will open it as soon as I can."

The innkeeper's wife bid her farewell, and Kasumi left to meet the other elves outside.

Aegnorion stared at her coldly as she mounted her horse. "What were you doing that was important enough to delay our arrival?" he asked. "We are expected at the castle at noon."

Kasumi hung her head solemnly, and apologized, hiding the package underneath her cloak.

He did not answer, but instead instructed them to follow his horse.

Kasumi followed last, hoping that he wouldn't notice. Unfortunately he did, and he sent Haydn to the back of the procession to keep an eye on her.

"I see he is wise enough not to trust me," she joked, as Haydn brought his horse next to hers.

He laughed. "Well, you need not feel bad. He doesn't trust anyone, and if he does, those people are most likely under threat of death if they are to break his trust."

They both laughed, and after they had settled down, Kasumi remembered the package.

She pulled it from underneath her cloak, and set it on her lap.

"When did you receive that?" he asked quietly, looking at it curiously.

"Well, what kept me so long inside the inn was that I was thanking the innkeeper and his wife for their generosity. Then, afterwards his wife, gave me this packet, she had found out that I was a captive, and she was pleased that I was thankful for their kindness," she said, as she untied the cord that held the paper onto the package.

He nodded, then thought about what she had said. "Do you dislike being a captive?" he asked, then laughed at his question. "I mean, I know you must dislike it, but...," he thought of how to state his question, then he suddenly felt foolish. "I am sorry, please excuse my imprudence. I have no idea what I am trying to say."

She smiled and assured him that she did not mind. "Do you mean to ask whether I feel contented, if not entirely happy being where I am?"

He nodded. "Yes, that is somewhat like what I was trying to say, you put it into words better than I can anyhow."

"Well," she thought. "I wouldn't exactly say that I entirely love being here, but I have to say, it is not all too dreadful."

He smiled. "That's good," he admitted, happy that she didn't really hate being there. "What was inside the package?"

Kasumi gasped, she had forgotten about the package. "Oh yes," she said, peeling the wrapping off of it. She lifted a small note from the wrapping.

"What is that?" Haydn inquired. "What does it say?"

"Dear child," Kasumi read. "It has also come to my attention that you were a rescued captive of a band of orcs. It fills my heart with joy that you were rescued, and that you were spared the awful fate of their wrath. Unfortunately, my oldest daughter was a victim of them, and was not rescued. You remind me of her, and because of that I thank you, and I would like you to have what once belonged to her." Cutheniel looked down amidst the packaging, and her she opened her mouth in delight.

Haydn looked her, perplexed. "What has she placed in your possession Kasumi?"

From the paper she lifted a pendant and chain, and it shimmered in the starlight. She lifted it to her eyes, and stared at it gleefully. It was beautiful, the chain was mithril, skillfully braided, and the pendant hanging from it was as clear as glass, but as sturdy as crystal. She had never seen such a gem before, it was cut so that every ray of light that hit it was reflected by one of its many facets. It shimmered in the twinkling light of the moon and stars, and Kasumi silently thanked the kind woman for her lovely gift.

"Haydn," she said turning to him. "What kind of stone is this?"

Haydn looked closely at the pendant, and his eyes widened amazed. "That is one of our most precious gems here in the Dark Realm. 'Belthil' is the name we have given it, because no word in our language can describe it, so we use Quenya."

"Divine Radiance," Kasumi said, translating its name. "Its name suits it well, it is the most beautiful stone I have ever seen."

"Yes, she was very kind as to give you that Kasumi," Haydn said.

"Indeed she was," Kasumi whispered, as she struggled to clasp it around her neck. It was difficult. She looked at Haydn, "Could you...?"

"Of course," he said, moving his horse closer to hers, so that their legs brushed together. He reached over, and she pulled her hair away from her neck. He made a great effort to fasten it, its clasp was small and delicate, and difficult to lock. Finally after much struggle he managed to get it to lock securely about her neck. She let go of her hair, and it fell back behind her neck.

They both looked at the pendant hanging from the chain. It hung at her chest, and shimmered brilliantly.

"Thank you," she said gratefully, and stared in wonder at the beauty of the pendant.

"Your very welcome," he said, admiring the way it lighted up her face, with light and joy.

She touched it, thinking about the innkeeper's oldest daughter, who had befallen the frightful fortune of being taken imprisoned by orcs. "Did you know the innkeeper's daughter?" she asked Haydn curiously.

Haydn thought back for a moment. "I couldn't really say I knew her, but I have seen her several times when we stop at the inn."

"Was she beautiful?" Kasumi asked, wondering that was why the daughter had the necklace.

Haydn closed his eyes, trying to remember. He shook his head. "No, she wasn't particularly attractive, rather plain if I must say, but she was beautiful on the inside. Kind to everyone she was, very friendly, and she was always smiling."

Kasumi nodded.

"That is probably why her mother gave it to you," Haydn said.

Kasumi smiled, and thought. "So I'm not pretty?" she joked playfully.

"No that is not what I meant by that," Haydn said, blushing embarrassedly.

Kasumi smiled back. "Do not worry, I was just teasing you."

"Oh, that is a relief," he said, trying hard to stop blushing. "You are not in any way plain, Kasumi. In fact you are very beautiful," he said, his cheeks a bright red, despite his resistance to blush.

She smiled. "Thank you very much Haydn. That's a lot coming from a dark elf. It is nice to know that I am not considered plain by a dark elf," she said smiling widely, as he turned his head away, to hide his flushing face. She laughed a little, and looked at ahead at the road.

"How long until we reach the palace?" she asked curiously.

"Noon," Haydn said, his face now back to its regular shade.

Kasumi looked up into the sky. "How can you tell if it is noon, or not?"

Haydn looked up at the moon. "Do you see where he moon is positioned right now?" he asked, pointing to its place in the sky. Kasumi looked up and nodded. "Well, it acts just like the sun, at high noon it is directly above us. So, just pretend it was the sun."

Kasumi nodded. "So then...it is midmorning?" she queried.

"That is correct."

"Then what happens when this moon sets?"

"When the moon sets, then the sky is left with stars. They light our land well enough," Haydn explained.

"Oh," Kasumi said. Noon was almost upon them, and Kasumi was anxious to reach the palace. She looked at the surrounding buildings, they were getting larger as they entered the center of the city. She had to admit, the city was bigger than she had expected, it had taken them two hours to reach where they now were, and it was all city, save for a whole half hour where they passed by fields of crops and country houses.

From the front of the procession, Aegnorion called to Haydn. After Haydn had rode ahead to catch up with his captain, Manwein slowed his horse down, so as to ride alongside Kasumi.

"We are almost there, another twenty minutes they said," Manwein told her as he settled beside her.

Kasumi gulped nervously.

"Are you nervous as well Kasumi?" he asked quietly.

Kasumi remained silent, but gave him a slight nod. Her hand traveled up until it reached her pendant, she wrapped her fingers around it, and closed her eyes.

Manwein's eyes fell on the charm. "When did you acquire that pendant? I have not seen you where it before."

"Do you recall my tardiness at the inn?" she waited until he nodded to continue. "Well, the innkeeper's kind wife gave it to me to keep."

Manwein nodded, and did not ask any further. "It is very beautiful, she must have thought you were very worthy, to bestow such a gift upon you."

She smiled, he may have been nervous, but his charm never ceased. She looked ahead, and her lips which once smiled, dropped into a straight line.

Manwein looked up as well, and could see what petrified her. From above the many buildings, they could see the top of a large structure, and they had no doubt that it was the palace. Their horses rounded a corner, and there was the palace, in all its entirety. It loomed over them, but strangely did not fill them with doom, and dread like they had expected. The castle walls were a pearly white, and softly glistened in the dark. Its windows beckoned to them silently, the unknown depths inside gave out a warm glow.

The gates were already opened and guards stood outside to greet them. Their horses stopped in front of the gate, and Kasumi dismounted as soon as Aegnorion did. Four guards approached, and coaxed the horses to follow them to the stables. Kasumi stood anxiously beside Manwein and awaited the doom that was to become of them.

An elf came up to them, he wore an elaborately adorned vest, green leather, with ivy leaves sewn onto it in gold thread. He smiled as he approached Aegnorion.

"Ah, look who's back. The conquering hero back to brag about more of his achievements!" they patted each other on the back, obviously very good friends. "So, were the orcs any trouble?"

Aegnorion laughed, and shook his head. "Not at all, it seems orcs become lower in intelligence every day," the two laughed, and the guard slapped him gently on the shoulder.

"Yes, it does seem so. Have you any trophy to show off this time?" the guard, whom Aegnorion had called Drauganca, "Jaws of a Wolf".

Aegnorion shook his head. "No, I am sorry my friend," he bowed his head solemnly.

"Oh," Drauganca whispered quietly.

"I've got something even better," he said raising his head back, smiling as he saw Drauganca look back in surprise. He pointed in the direction of Kasumi and Manwein.

Drauganca laughed merrily. "Aegnorion my friend, you were always quite the joker," he looked at the two captives. "A pretty fine catch you have there, stolen property I presume."

Aegnorion nodded. "Now dear friend, if you do not mind, we are expected to meet the King very soon."

"Yes," Drauganca said, moving aside. "It was wonderful to see you again friend."

Aegnorion bid him farewell, and ordered their company to follow him inside.

Kasumi gulped, and clutched Manwein's hand for comfort as they walked into the castle, wondering what would become of them.

Manwein held her hand warmly, trying to hide his own nervousness, he assured himself that they would find a way to escape, and return to the life they had once peacefully lived.

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Well, I hope that's enough for now. So what do you think will happen? Hmmm, well keep guessing cause I won't tell you until I write again. So Namarie!