**Oops! Typo! When Stephir is talking to Lady Talithia (" . . . I've got more men stationed at our sides hidden in the brush so I suggest you or your troops try anything . . .") it should be "so I suggest neither you, nor your troops try anything." Sorry if that caused a slight bit of confusion! But I'm sure you were smart enough to figure that out. :~)

I hope you all enjoyed the cliffie just as much as I enjoyed writing it! (and I enjoyed it very much) but now I guess I have to update, so here's chappie 4.

Disclaimer: If you haven't figured out that I own nada (except for a few of the characters such as Rinathen, Stephir, etc.) yet, then maybe you really weren't able to figure out my typo . . . but just in case, I'll say it again, I own nothing that J.R.R. Tolkien wrote. I guess I also have to say that (to my great joy actually) I do not own any of the songs in this chappie either. (And if it really needs to be said: I do not own the idea of plot bunnies, I believe that they belong to EMerald Queen . . .and you should all go read her LOTR fic Princes of Mirkwood, it's awesome)

= . . . =: (full) song

(* . . . *): me

(. . .) : (uh. . . ) not me (. . . ?) it should make sense. . . if not . . . tell me in your wonderful review that you'll all be leaving and I'll try to explain the strange thing that the doctors call my thought process. . . but I think you have to have a brain to have a thought process, and I don't think I've used that useless thing in ages, in fact, I don't think I even have one at all! ;~)

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Chapter 4: Annoying Songs

Lady Talithia was really getting on Stephir's nerves. She had spoken non- stop for the last hour that they had been traveling. She was going on and on about the trees, and asking questions about things and when he would just give any answer just to get her to shut-up, she would correct him, apparently already knowing the answer. It really bugged him.

"Soooooooo . . ." she dragged out as she seemed to always do before asking one of her 'wonderful' questions, "What are these flowers called?"

Stephir muttered something. He thought it was something along the lines of, "Dancing yellow and pink wargs" but he didn't really care.

Lady Talithia looked at him, oh, he's no fun, she thought and began singing softly, "Ninety-nine bottles of pop on the wall, ninety-nine bottles of pop, take one down, pass it around. Ninety-eight bottles of pop on the wall."

She looked at him again, and began to sing a little bit louder, "Ninety- eight bottles of pop on the wall, Ninety-eight bottles of pop, Take one down, pass it around, Ninety-seven bottles of pop on the wall."

Stephir said nothing, so she continued a little bit louder, "Ninety-seven bottles of pop on the wall, Ninety-seven bottles of pop, Take one down, pass it around, Ninety-six bottles of pop on the wall."

Still she got no response. She sang a little bit louder, "Ninety-six bottles of pop on the wall, Ninety-six bottles of pop, Take one down, pass it around, Ninety-five bottles of pop on the wall."

She began a little louder, now at her normal voice volume, "Ninety-five bottles of pop on the wall, ninety-five bottles of pop, take one down, pass it around, ninety-four bottles of pop on the wall."

Now she was in full song, gradually gaining volume with each new bottle, "Ninety-four bottles of pop on the wall, ninety-four bottles of pop, take one down, pass it around, ninety-three bottles of pop on the wall. Ninety- three bottles of pop on the wall, ninety-three bottles of pop, take one down, pass it around ninety-two bottles of pop on the wall. Ninety-two bottles of pop on the wall, ninety-two bottles of pop, take one down, pass it around, ninety-one bottles of pop on the wall. Ninety-one bottles of pop on the wall, ninety-one bottles of pop, take one down, pass it around, ninety bottles of pop on the wall. Ninety bottles of pop on the wall, ninety bottles of pop, take one down, pass it around, Eighty-nine bottles of pop on the wall. Eighty-nine bottles of pop on the wall, eighty-nine bottles of pop, take one down, pass it around, Eighty-eigh--"

"Do you plan to sing that whole song?" Stephir asked.

"Yep! Sure do!" and she began again, right where she had left off, "-Eight bottles of pop on the wall. Eighty-eight bottles of pop on the wall, eighty- eight bottles of pop, take one down, pass it around, eighty-seven bottles of pop on the wall." She now stopped mounting the volume, but she was now almost yelling the song, "Eighty-seven bottles of pop on the wall, eighty- seven bottles of pop, take one down, pass it around, eight-six bottles of pop on the wall! Eighty-six bottles of pop on the wall, eighty-six bottles of pop, take one down, pass it around, eighty-five bottles of pop on the wall! Eighty-five bottles of pop on the wall, eighty-five bottles of pop, take one down, pass it around, eighty-four bottles of pop on the wall! Eighty-four bottles of pop on the wall, eighty-four bottles of pop, take one down, pass it around, eighty-three bottles of pop on the wall, eighty- three bottles of pop, take one down, pass it around, eighty-two bottles of pop on the wall! Eighty-two bottles of pop on the wall, eighty-two bottles of pop, take one down, pass it around, eighty-one bottles of pop on the wall! Eighty-one bottles of--"

"I don't mean to be rude, but would you please shut-up!" Stephir yelled at the top of his lungs.

Lady Talithia looked at him as if he was insane, "Of course not! But if you think I really must I'll sing something else . . . I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves! I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves and this is how it goes! I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves! I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves and this is how it goes. I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves! I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves and this is how it goes! I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves! I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves and this is how it goes! I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves . . ."

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Arwen spun her horse around. About twenty orcs stood, now unhidden, behind the bushes lining the road, arrows ready to shoot. "Don't be frightened now my Queen," the orc captain sneered, "We'll be sure to tell yer hubby up in his big, scary City that yer bein' given . . . special treatment." His comrades laughed hideously at his sarcastic tone as he mocked Minas Tirith.

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".I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves and this is how it goes! I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves! I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves and this is how it goes! I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves."

Will she ever stop singing? Stephir wondered as she continued to sing, unheeding the groans of the King's troops. Stephir had gathered from some of their 'companions' that Lady Talithia never sang, at least not in front of anyone, and so her troops were in too much shock to voice any complainants. Not that it would matter, Stephir thought as he wished once more that Minas Tirith were closer so that the singing could stop, or at least not be his problem anymore.

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Arwen's face darkened, and the orcs laughed even more as she looked at them in defiance. Two orcs walked up and yanked Legolas down from his horse, and began taking his weapons. Two more began towards Arwen. She slid down before they could touch her and threw her sword and dagger at them spitefully. The captain laughed again. "Let 'er be boys, she'll get used ter us soon enough . . . Globukh, yew know what ter do with the horses." He said to one of the orcs that had 'helped' Legolas down from his horse.

Globukh nodded. He took the reins of the horses, along with some of the weapons, and began towards the City.

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" . . . Everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves! I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves and this is how it goes! I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves! I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves and this is how it goes! I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves. I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves, and this is how it goes! I know a song . . . "

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Aragorn was pacing the floor. Gimli had given up on trying to get him to sit down. Suddenly a young boy burst through the study's door. "Sir! There is an orc outside the gates!" he said, out of breath, "He demands to speak to you."

"Since when have orcs been allowed to roam about freely in Gondor and give requests such as that?" Aragorn asked impatiently (*his pointless pacing had been interrupted.*), "Have the guards forgotten how to shoot an arrow?"

"Well Sir . . . they would have shoot except . . . well. . . the orc has both Queen Arwen's and your friend from Mirkwood's horses."

Aragorn froze and looked at the boy, "What do you mean he has their horses?"

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". . . a song that gets on everybody's nerves and this is how it goes! I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves. I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves, and this is how it goes! I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves- have I annoyed you yet?"

Stephir looked at her. "No." he said, his voice dripping in sarcasm.

"Oh. . ." she looked deep in thought, "Okay then! I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts! (deedaleedee) And there they are all standing in a row! (bumbumbum) Big ones! Small ones! Some as big as your head! How bout now?"

Stephir sighed, would it ever stop?

Lady Talithia took the sigh to mean 'no' (*just because she was enjoying tormenting him*) and she continued with the song as she tried to think up a new one to pester him with. "I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts! (Deedaleedee) And there they are all standing in a row! (Bumbumbum). . . "

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"He has their horses. Queen Arwen and the elf from Mirkwood are not with him, and it appears that no other orcs came with him but he says that he knows where they have been taken. . ."

Gimli was watching Aragorn, he could see his friend's age resting on his brow. Aragorn looked drawn and worried. Then he nodded, "Take us to him then, and we shall see if they are really the same horses."

"Very well Sir," the boy said and led Aragorn and Gimli to the gates. Just as the boy had said, an orc stood waiting outside with two horses. Aragorn motioned for the guards to open the gates and he stepped through, Gimli at his side.

"What business do you have with Gondor?" Aragorn asked commandingly. He looked at the horses, they were indeed the same ones that Legolas and Arwen had taken with them.

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"Oh I know what I can sing!" Lady Talithia said brightly. Everyone around her groaned, even her own troops. And so she began happily:

=You Are My Sunshine

My only sunshine.

You make me happy

When skies are grey.

You'll never know, dear,

How much I love you.

Please don't take my sunshine away

The other nite, dear,

As I lay sleeping

I dreamed I held you in my arms.

When I awoke, dear,

I was mistaken

And I hung my head and cried.

You are my sunshine,

My only sunshine.

You make me happy

When skies are grey.

You'll never know, dear,

How much I love you.

Please don't take my sunshine away.

I'll always love you

And make you happy

If you will only say the same

But if you leave me

To love another

You'll regret it all some day;

You are my sunshine,

My only sunshine.

You make me happy

When skies are grey.

You'll never know, dear,

How much I love you.

Please don't take my sunshine away.

You told me once, dear

You really loved me

And no one else could come between

But now you've left me

And love another

You have shattered all my dreams;

You are my sunshine,

My only sunshine.

You make me happy

When skies are grey.

You'll never know, dear,

How much I love you.

Please don't take my sunshine away.

Louisiana my Louisiana

the place where I was borne.

White fields of cotton

-- green fields clover,

the best fishing

and long tall corn;

You are my sunshine,

My only sunshine.

You make me happy

When skies are grey.

You'll never know, dear,

How much I love you.

Please don't take my sunshine away.

Crawfish gumbo and jambalaya

the biggest shrimp and sugar cane,

the finest oysters

and sweet strawberries

from Toledo Bend to New Orleans;

You are my sunshine,

My only sunshine.

You make me happy

When skies are grey.

You'll never know, dear,

How much I love you.

Please don't take my sunshine away!=

Why me? Stephir thought with a sigh as she began another, now solemn, round of "You Are My Sunshine".

What he didn't notice was that tears were now flowing from Lady Talithia's eyes as she remembered the golden haired elf that she had sung that song in remembrance of in the darkness that had surrounded her since the fateful day that would always haunt her: June 27, fifteen years ago.

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"My business? Same as yer little visitors down south, fer the most part that is, but I'll be lettin them tell yew that part of it, " the orc sneered. "If yew wanna know what happened to yer little elfy friends- naw wait, the lady elf was not jus' yer friend was she . . . naw, she was yer wife," the orc roared with laughter, apparently finding it very funny. "Still, if yew wanna know what happened to 'em though jus the same, ya gotta let me in and treat me with respect. Yer to be callin me by name, Lieutenant Globukh, and--"

"No such thing will be done," Aragorn said coolly, "You are in my country and you will follow my terms."

Globukh glared, "Which are what, my sniveling King?"

Aragorn ignored the insult, "You will tell me what has happened to the riders of these horses and why I should believe you when you tell me."

"And if I don't?" the orc asked with malice.

Aragorn drew his sword, and the orc stepped back; he wasn't stupid. (*Well, by orc standards he wasn't anyway*) Globukh couldn't resist one last sneer at Aragorn thought. He then said, "Very well, yew'll get yer way."

Aragorn sheathed his sword, but he made a point that it was in view of Globukh. "Well?"

"They've been taken, I've got proof," he pulled out Arwen's sword and dagger, as well as Legolas' bow that he had received from Galadriel. Aragorn and Gimli took them grimly. They knew that Legolas would have fought until he could fight no more to keep his bow. They knew what the messenger said was true, Legolas and Arwen had been taken.

"Where are they?" Aragorn asked.

"They're on their way, as we speak, to a our temporary headquarters for . . . special treatment."

Gimli now spoke, "Which means what exactly?"

The orc sneered at Gimli, but the hilt of Aragorn's sword was still visible. "It means that they'll no longer be pretty, unspoiled elfies anymore, they'll be good, sturdy orcs!" he broke into laughter again. "Captain Erurbag'll probably begin the torturing as soon as they reach the headquarters, so if yer goin ter wanna rescue 'em, I'd suggest yew be leaving right now. Oh waaaaaaait," he drew it out in sarcasm, "yew don't knooooow where headquarters is do yew?"

"No they don't Globukh, but I remember very clearly." A curved knife appeared against Globukh's neck, a look of horror crossed his face. "Hello again, so glad that I will be able to finally repay you for all you put me through. But I think I'll let you live, for now, so that I can kill you with the help of Legolas, I'm sure he will enjoy it."

Now a look of pure evil distorted his already gruesome features, "I'm sorry to tell yew, but yer dear Legolas will either be dead or will have forgotten yew completely in his agony. He has been taken by orcs, isn't it ironic that they're the same band of orcs that-"

"You lie," hissed the woman holding the knife to Globukh's neck.

"Do yew really believe that?" Globukh asked, evil glinting in his yellow eyes.

Aragorn found this a very interesting conversation, he looked over Globukh's shoulder to see Stephir, his troops, along with the blue-clad warriors. The woman with the knife was the black clothed woman Aragorn had seen on the mountain. He thought hard, how would this woman know this orc and how did Legolas tie in? One thought crossed his mind but he dismissed it, it was absurd. But, he thought, what if . . . Aragorn looked at the woman closer, it looked as if her skin had once been olive, and now the color was fighting to return desperately. Her face did not seem to be so sharp angled up close, in fact it seemed to be rather round and soft. He looked at her farther, no, it couldn't be.

"Oh honestly! Do I really look all that different?" she said, noticing how Aragorn was looking at her, obviously confused. "Here, maybe this will help." She reached up (one had still holding the knife threateningly to Globukh's neck) and pulled back her hair to reveal two pointed ears- elf ears. She then reached up to her forehead and pulled. The hairline gave way and the wig of very convincing golden hair was removed. The woman took out several hairpins and the rich, dark hair tumbled to her shoulders. Aragorn stared at her, her dark brown eyes stared back.

Her troops were gaping. They had never seen their queen as she really was and they were fascinated at what they saw. They had known that she was from a strange land to the west, but they had never known she was an elf! They had never even imagined that they would have been lucky enough to live in a land where elves where no longer seen and yet be ruled by one.

"Rinathen?" Aragorn asked in disbelief.

Rinathen smiled, "Hello again Aragorn. Now tell me, where are Legolas and Arwen. I want to see them again."

Globukh's eyes held evil, merciless laughter. Aragorn wanted to kill that orc, but he would leave that to Legolas and Rinathen, if Legolas could be rescued. He sighed. He did not want to be the one to tell Rinathen that Legolas and Arwen had been taken. He motioned for Stephir. "Take the orc prisoner, make sure you get all of his weapons. I want him in a cell with three guards. If he gets away it'll mean your position as captain, and seeing as you just recently earned that position, I suggest you try to keep it," he whispered darkly.

Stephir nodded and motioned to several of his troops. Globukh went without a fight, but laughter could still be seen in his yellow eyes as he was taken into the City.

Rinathen was now looking at Aragorn with a pleading look, she could tell something was wrong, she desperately wished that what the orc had said was not true. Aragorn looked at her, she had looked so happy at the obvious thought of seeing Legolas again; he hated to have to destroy that hope. He sighed again. "Rinathen, this is Gimli, son of Gloin, he is a friend of mine and Legolas'."

She nodded respectfully as Gimli said, "My lady, I have heard much about you, I do indeed grieve that you would not only return on a day so close to June 27, but on the exact day that Legolas was to be taken."

She looked at Aragorn. "So then Globukh was not lying?" she asked, tears in her voice.

Aragorn was grave, but said nothing to answer her question. "Follow me, we will talk."

She did so. Her troops were shown to another part of Minas Tirith where they could stay and their horses were taken to the stables. Aragorn, Gimli and Rinathen went to Aragorn's study. "Sit down Rinathen." She remained standing. "Sit down!" Reluctantly she did, and looked across to Aragorn where he was sitting in a parallel chair, Gimli in one next to it. Aragorn leaned forward and but his head in his hands. "I don't want to be the one to tell you this . . ."

Rinathen looked down at her clenched hands, she felt tears well in her eyes. No, she thought, I was so close to seeing him again, but I had to take that detour . . . But she didn't want to think of why she had come to Minas Tirith to see Aragorn instead of heading straight to Mirkwood in hopes of seeing Legolas sooner. "When . . . when was he . . . taken?"

"He was trying to run. He didn't want to remember you because it caused him too much pain to not be able to help you, wherever you were. He had left about two hours before you came. I had wanted to go out to talk with him, but Arwen insisted that she go because she could relate to your loss- she didn't feel the pain near as much as he did but she still missed you. That's as much as we know. We could question the orc, but I doubt that he would tell us more than we already know."

Rinathen's tears began to trickle down her cheeks. Two hours; two stupid hours earlier and she could have spared Legolas and Arwen both the pain and torture that the orcs would inflict on them. "I'm sorry." She said quietly.

"You did nothing worth apologizing for, Lady Rinathen," Gimli said comfortingly, "It was not your fault you were taken, and it was not your fault that they were taken."

"Yes it is. If I had stayed inside fifteen years ago like I was supposed to, then I would not have been captured, and Legolas would not have given himself away as being my lover as he tried to get to me and Globukh."

"So that's how you know Globukh, he was the one that took you?" Aragorn asked interested.

"Yes, he's been after me ever since my escape as well," she paused, not wanting to relive through memory the days she had run before becoming a queen. The only royalty she had ever wanted to be was a princess of Mirkwood- through marriage. But now she was a queen, and all of Mordor was after her with blind hate.

"Why don't you tell your story from the beginning," Aragorn asked, "So that we can understand more thoroughly. What does Legolas 'giving himself away' have to do with anything?"

Rinathen sighed. "That goes into what I came here to tell you. But I'll begin at the beginning, hopefully you will believe me, for I first found it hard to believe as well."

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Well there ya go! **gawks at the bottom of the page where it says 'Page 10** Now you get to wait and ponder what is going to happen next. Have fun!

Hopefully you don't hate me too much for putting in a bunch of songs (a bunch of annoying songs at that) in this chapter. You can blame it on the fact that as I wrote it Nick Jr. was on in the other room (I have a lil' bro.). Or you could probably blame it on the fact that 'sleep' is just a memory. Or I guess you could just blame it on the fact that I'm just plain insane sometimes (which is the most probable out of the three reasons) **shrugs** Oh well.

By the way, the coconut song is from 'The Lion King' so don't go thinking I'm smart and I came up with it all on my little lonesome self. It's kinda a family inside joke, but hey, I like the song. Yeah yeah, I know: Disney is evil for taking over the world (yes, Disney is taking over the world oooooooohhhhh . . .**plot bunny runs past** here bunny bunny bunny . . .nice bunny . . . good bunny) but hey, it's a good song!

Personal Review Thingy-Ma-Bobby:

Kermy: Thanks, glad ya like it!

outlawgirl08: Aww . . . you hate cliffies? To bad . . . cuz I love to write 'em! :~)

original-creativity: Thank you! I'm glad that you agree that I'm evil!

orli4eva: **gives thanks for mental hugs** hopefully this chappie won't get messed up too . . . (just watch, with my luck it will :~P)

I would hand out cookies, but I can't do that all the time. Plus, I don't think you want the hard ones in my cookie jar . . . but I guess if you really do, oh well, to bad, review (as you all will be doing ;~) ) again and I should have fresh ones next time! Hehe

"Dictatorship with a smile!" -a friend (don't ask me what it has to do with the fic but hey, I think it's great)