A/N: A new chapter at last! And a long one again at that! It seems that as this story goes by every chapter gets longer than the previous one! Anyway, answer to reviews first.
eck: See, I told you that question you asked several chapters ago would be answered later... Glad you liked the part with Legolas' mother, I enjoyed writing it too. Keep that part in mind, it might be useful later... (nothing I write is ever written innocentely, every detail counts as you will find out at the end of this chapter *eg*) As for Gimli's technique to free Legolas from the creature, you'll have to read to find out!
Alklachion: But I soooooo like to write evil cliffies!! And I soooooo like to annoy people with them! *eg* Anyway the cliffy in this chapter is a bit less evil... well it depends on the point of vue but... you'll soon find out...
the wannabe dwarf: Welcome! Here, have a seat among the regulars, it's nice to see a new face every now and then! Advertise and tell your friends about this story if you like it! *g* As for the Gimli romance, I didn't have the time to work much on it, you see, I had to read the new Harry Potter book, and to write this chapter, and... oh well. However a few pages are already written but I want to write some more and put more thought into it before posting anything.
I would like to thank Candice again because she did an awesome job once more by beta reading this chapter. Hopefully my english will improve thanks to her ;-)
A/N: It could be useful to read again the end of the previous chapter since this one starts exactly where the other ended.
Chapter 9
Freedom at last... or not?
"What do you say, Cindra? Do you agree or not?" Gimli finished, holding out the last of his rope to her.
Cindra looked at him motionless for what felt like an eternity to the Dwarf.
The young woman eventually took the rope from his hands with a sigh. "I am going to regret this…"
* * * * *
Gimli stared at the expressionless Elf in front of him. They were now both tied, sitting on the ground and facing each other, with their legs side to side.
He would make this creature leave his friend whether it wanted to or not. He still did not know how to proceed and nothing had happened since they had begun, but he would find a way. Gimli was determined to save his friend.
The Elf was staring back at him, his eyes empty.
Many people, thinking Elves to be cold and distant beings, might not find this observation abnormal. Yet someone who knew better, like Gimli - though he would probably never admit it openly - would be able to tell something was wrong.
Elves held the weight of centuries in their eyes. A hint of patience and calm for they were immortal. Most, especially Silvan Elves, showed curiosity and amusement for everything that surrounded them.
For one who knew them well, they were quite joyful beings.
"Gimli?" he heard Cindra ask quietly.
The Dwarf did not acknowledge that he had heard her and kept concentrating on the Elf's eyes. Was Legolas able to see and hear him? Was he conscious of what was happening? He had managed to escape the creatures hold once and almost succeeded in warning the Dwarf; would he be able to do it again? Did he know what the Dwarf was trying to do? Would he help him by fighting from the inside?
"Gimli, it does not seem like this is going to - "
Gimli impatiently hushed her, his eyes never leaving the Elf's. There had to be a way…
The young woman's silence did not last long. "It will be night soon, maybe we should - "
"Listen to me carefully," Gimli interrupted. "I will not move or withdraw until I can tell for sure that creature has left the one sitting in front of me."
Cindra stood still and remained silent this time. She was not sure whether his words were intended for her, the creature or Legolas. Since the Dwarf was still looking at the Elf and she knew it would be useless to try talk him into abandoning.
* * * * *
Aragorn looked at the sun skimming the skyline. Legolas and Cindra had been gone for quite a while now. Something was wrong. The Norean had specifically said she would not be long and he knew the Elf would not allow her to linger.
The King of Gondor jumped to his feet. "Ethiannor, Raighad, Niyan, Gimli," he called, "follow me, we - " He suddenly stopped as he observed the campfire. Gimli was not there.
When exactly had the Dwarf left the campfire? he wondered. He had not noticed his leaving, which meant it had been a very discreet and stealthy one.
"Have any of you seen Gimli during the last hour?" Aragorn questioned his men.
The only answers he got were confused whispers and shaking heads.
Gimli had followed Legolas and Cindra, Aragorn was now sure of it. And if the Dwarf had not warned him, it could only be because of one of two possibilities. Either Gimli was possessed by the creature or he knew one of the pair was and wanted to deal with it alone. In either case, he had better find all three of them quickly.
He turned towards his men again. "Come with me, we have to find - " He stopped once more, his attention caught by a rumble in the woods. The kind of rumble he was all too familiar with.
Oh no, he thought reaching for his sword, not now…
* * * * *
The creature kept looking at the Dwarf sitting in front of its host. He seemed determined to fulfill his plan. It had no desire whatsoever to possess the Dwarf, he was insignificant. If he thought his little act would be enough to convince it, he was greatly mistaken.
The problem was the Dwarf would not let go until he was sure the creature had deserted the Elf's body. The only way to recover its host's freedom would be to either get rid of the Dwarf - unfeasible while being held captive - or to comply.
Despite its reticence, the creature could see at least a couple of advantages in possessing the Dwarf. Especially if…
It contemplated with delight the bemused look on the Dwarf's face as its host smirked.
* * * * *
Legolas could feel the change in the creature's intentions almost as clearly as if they were his own. One moment it planned on not switching to Gimli, the next it suddenly seemed to be its main objective.
Unnerved he tried to prevent that smirk from playing on his lips but it was no use.
"What do you think is so funny?" Gimli asked coldly.
"You are, Dwarf. Your attempts to save your friend are pathetic."
At least it was no longer pretending, Legolas noted. Nonetheless, there had to be a reason for its sudden change of purpose.
"Tell me which is most pathetic," Gimli began with defiance, "trying to save a friend or completely depending on someone else to live?"
The creature must be plotting something, Legolas thought while it snorted - he was beginning to separate the creature's doings from his own.
"Are you trying to provoke me?" it enquired with a smile.
It was preparing itself to leave his body, Legolas was sure of it - he could feel it. While he was still subdued, its control was getting less octopus-like.
"Is it working?" Gimli questioned back rather casually.
"Unfortunately, no," the creature calmly answered. "It is real challenges I seek, not meaningless battles of wit."
If one of them was truly trying to provoke the other, it was the creature and not the other way round. Legolas suddenly realised something. Physical and eye contact. It was all it needed to switch from an host to another. Their legs were touching and Gimli kept staring at him. Oh Valar. The creature could switch to the Dwarf whenever it wished to.
"If you want a real challenge then try me as an host. It will not be as easy as it was with the Man and Elf."
"Do you really think so?" the creature teased.
"I dare you," challenged the Dwarf.
Do not be stupid, Gimli, Legolas could not help thinking while beginning to fear what might be to come. Why did the Dwarf have to be so stubborn? Could he not just -
He froze as it began. While staring intently at Gimli, it began leaving. No. No, no, he would not allow it to switch to his best friend and have him go through the same things as he had.
With all the strength he had left, he tried to retain the creature, to prevent it from leaving. But it managed to easily escape him as if sliding through his grasp. It left Legolas, leaving behind a feeling that some part of him had been taken away.
Once the creature was out of reach and probably already controlling Gimli as the Dwarf's blank stare suggested, Legolas suddenly felt incredibly empty and useless. He clenched his fists with rage, when his nails dug into his palms he realised he was now free to move.)
After an instant of relief, panic overwhelmed him again. Gimli was in great danger and if -
He watched as the Dwarf fell brusquely backwards, his eyes closed as if rendered unconscious.
"Gimli! GIMLI!!" Legolas called at the top of his lungs despite the fact that the Dwarf was only a few feet from him. He frantically pulled on the ropes that held him but that only made the rope cut deeper into his wrists skin. Gimli knew the Elf's strength, the knots were tight.
He turned to the Norean who was standing some distance away. "Cindra! Cindra, untie me!" he ordered with a tilt of his head towards his hands.
The young woman remained still despite his command and looked alternately at the Elf and at the Dwarf with a puzzled expression on her face. "W- what happened?" she eventually stammered.
"Come on, quickly!" Legolas impatiently demanded, casting a worried look at his friend.
"But… How am I to know that you are not… And that Gimli is… Well…" she stuttered.
The Elf sighed. She was right, someone external to all this mess could not tell. He himself could not be positive about the creature's fate. "At least try to see if he is all right," said he as he turned his attention back to the still unconscious Dwarf.
Cindra nodded and immediately moved towards them. As she leant over Gimli, the Dwarf's eyes opened abruptly. She jumped back in surprise while Gimli sat bolt upright, looking around but naught betraying what just occurred.
Legolas allowed despair to fill his heart. It was too late. The creature had taken possession of his dearest friend's body and mind. He closed his eyes, unable to face reality, not wanting to see the Dwarf in pain. He soon opened them when he heard Gimli's voice.
"Is that all? I expected more… trouble… and resistance…"
While Legolas knew it was not really Gimli speaking, he could not help asking: "What are you talking about?"
"Well, the creature! It seemed to give you trouble. Obviously it was easier to handle for me than it was for you, for the battle of will between it and I is over. And I won." While saying this, Gimli was faintly aware of the other two staring at him in disbelief.
"You mean…" Cindra began. "You… vanquished the creature?"
Legolas vigorously shook his head. "It is a trick. The creature wants us to think so."
"A trick?" Gimli snorted. "I knew you would say that. Why would I have not managed to get rid of it? Because you could not? Is it so hard to believe that a Dwarf could succeed where an Elf failed? I used to complain about the stiff necks of Elves but I admit I expected better from you," he finished with a slight pout.
Legolas examined his friend closely. It had been accurately phrased - Gimli could have said that. Either the creature was improving or…
"Gimli, if it is really you, understand me. How can I be sure about what happened?" reasoned Legolas.
The Dwarf sighed. "If you doubt my identity, ask me about something only I would know,"
The Elf shook his head. "That will not do, it has access to memories."
"Oh, has it? Hmm…" Gimli frowned. "Then there is no way to convince you I can think of." He paused. "Wait, the creature could have switched to someone else again!" he added suspiciously.
"I can assure you that it did not switch back to me," declared Legolas
"Then if it is not you nor me, maybe it…" His voice trailed off as both he and Legolas stared at each other until they simultaneously turned to Cindra.
The Norean suddenly felt like a sheep trapped in the middle of a pack of wolves. "Do not look at me like that, I do not even understand what happened. I am not even sure something *did* happen."
Legolas sighed. How could any of them know? The choice would be especially tricky for Cindra for she would have to decide to the best of her knowledge and belief whom to free.
"Maybe I should warn King Elessar," the young woman suggested.
"No. Cindra, free Legolas," insisted Gimli.
The Elf turned to Gimli, surprise obvious in his eyes. "Gimli, you do not even know if - "
"I do. I know something for sure and it is that you are no longer cursed with that creature. I clearly felt it switch to me." He turned to the young woman. "Cindra, come on, please free him." He looked at the Elf again. "I do not mind being held captive until you are convinced of who I am. It does not really matter."
Legolas stared at Gimli speechless, barely aware of Cindra untying the rope that held his wrists together.
"Wait," he told her, his eyes never leaving the Dwarf. "There is no hurry, we need to be sure about what really happened."
"We are both sure that the creature left you for me. What happened after, only I could know. I understand your misgivings and honestly I do not mind. Let it be that way, you free and I restrained until we can find a reliable way to prove what happened to the creature."
Cindra looked alternately at both of them, deep in thought until she finally gave a slight smile. "In case any of you is interested by my opinion, *I* think we are rid of this creature and I am going to free both of you."
Both Elf and Dwarf stared at her as if a third arm had just begun to grow on her back.
"Allow me to prove my point. Let's suppose Gimli is the one possessed by the creature. Would he ask me to free Legolas and to keep himself captive? Certainly not. Then let's suppose it is Legolas. Would he have shown any concern when Gimli fell back? The answer is still no. Now let's suppose I am the one possessed by the creature. Would I free any of you?"
She arched an eyebrow with a doubtful expression. She did not wait for any of them to answer before she finished unfastening Legolas' ties. Quickly she moved to Gimli and freed him as well.
Both friends stood up, releasing breaths they did not know they were holding. They studied each other closely for a little while, before raising delighted smiles.
"I am glad you did not have to endure the creature's presence," Legolas finally said.
"And I am glad you are no longer ailed with it," Gimli answered. He was about to add something but stopped as he saw in the archer's eyes a gleam he had learned to fear. A gleam that indicated the Elf was about to do something the Dwarf would not like. And he was not proven wrong.
In a swift movement, Legolas threw his arms around Gimli and pulled him in a tight and affectionate hug, lifting the Dwarf up to his own height with a strength no one would have suspected from someone so slender.
"What the -… What do you think you are doing, Elf?" Gimli complained, his feet desperately trying to reach the ground. "Put me down at once or I will use my axe to make sure you do not have enough arms left to ever do that again!!"
His threat did not have the expected effect but the exact opposite. Legolas tightened his embrace for he was now absolutely positive his friend was truly the one he was supposed to be.
"Legolas, I assure you, if you do not - "
The Elf eventually let him go, a wide smile still stretched on his lips.
Gimli scowled. "I hate Elves."
"You do not," pointed out Legolas.
"I do," affirmed Gimli.
"What about the Lady Galadriel?" questioned Legolas.
"Not the Lady Galadriel. Maybe it is just Silvan Elves," rectified Gimli.
"Did I ever tell you that technically I am not a Silvan Elf?" Legolas pointed out with a bright smile.
Gimli sighed. "All right. I believe it is only you I hate, then."
"Why did you go through all this trouble to help me if you do?" accused Legolas.
"I was bored," returned the Dwarf.
"That is not what I heard," said Legolas mischievously.
"You heard wrong. That creature was giving you hallucinations," explained Gimli matter-of-factly.
Legolas felt a sudden urge to hug the Dwarf once more but Gimli immediately recognised the gleam in the Elf's eye.
"Move and you will never be able to use your bow again." Hearing Cindra no longer being able to hold her laughter he turned to her. "And *you* had better not tell anyone about what happened," he warned.
"Tell who about what? I did not see anything," she answered, mirth obvious on her face.
Gimli grumbled something inaudible - inaudible to the Norean but probably not to Legolas since the Elf's smile widened.
"We should go back to the campfire before nightfall," the Dwarf eventually said aloud. "I cannot wait to tell the others a Dwarf succeeded where an Elf failed."
Legolas' smile slowly faded. Oh Valar, he was going to hear his friend boast about it until the end of his days… No, he corrected bitterly, until the end of the Dwarf's days…
Gimli picked up his axe and Legolas his bow, quiver and knives, all of which had been set aside during their 'captivity'. Somehow Legolas was thankful the creature had brought those along - though he dared not think of the initial use it had for them.
While Gimli began walking towards what Legolas believed to be the campfire's direction. Closely followed by Cindra, the Elf cast a look around, immediately locating where they were by identifying the different kinds of plants and trees. He knew this land well for he had scouted it many a time during his younger days - they were close to the southern border of Mirkwood. And he knew it to be no friendly land.
"Gimli, how long have we stayed here?" Legolas asked as he caught up with his two companions.
The Dwarf shrugged though he was a bit confused by the distress in the Elf's voice. "An hour I would say."
"No, I mean, stayed in this area. We did not move much since Crireth's death. How long ago was that?"
"Several days. Legolas, what is - "
"This place is not safe," explained Legolas. "There are hordes of Orcs patrolling around. Unless it has dramatically changed since last time I was here, staying at the same spot for too long would draw their attention to us. I am surprised we have not."
"I would not be so confident…" Gimli suddenly noted worriedly, looking as if he was listening to something coming from the campfire's general direction.
Legolas followed his gaze, but found hard to fully focus his attention. It seemed that his senses had remained weakened even after the creature left his body. Must be a side effect of long possession, he thought. While he hoped it would quickly pass, he eventually managed to hear some of what was going on.
"The campfire is being attacked by Orcs…" he murmured. The next second, he heard something else before Gimli this time and turned his head left. "And some of them have just found us…"
Legolas immediately drew his bow and swiftly notched an arrow on the string, hoping that even with hindered senses his eyes would not fail him.
At his side, Gimli handled his axe before asking in a low voice: "How many?"
"Too many, approaching fast."
Gimli nodded. "Good. I have always found it more fun when we were outnumbered…" he said, his tone so serious it made Cindra glare at him from behind.
"Not as many as the worst we have seen before," Legolas observed.
"Oh. You mean, no new record? Such a pity…" the Dwarf answered with disappointment.
The archer managed to refrain a smile. "Gimli, neither you nor I are in our best form…"
"I know," Gimli admitted gravely. "It will have to do though."
The Dwarf turned round and saw Cindra, pale and looking sick. Little did he know that it was their casual pre-battle chitchatting that was making her ill. How could they be so light-hearted? she was thinking.
"Cindra, stay behind," Gimli told her. "We will try to protect you but remain alert. Some others might attack from the rear."
Great, now she looked utterly panicked, though he was not sure whether it was because of his words or the Orc's grunts growing louder as they drew nearer. If she did not stop shaking soon her dagger would fall to the ground. And stabbing one's foot right before battle would not be wise.
"Now listen to me carefully," he went on. "Keep a firm grip on the handle at all cost. Do *not* lose your weapon. Arm always stretched at the end of a blow, so as to not let the enemy too close. Considering your lack of experience, use the point rather than the edge, you will have better chances to kill at first blow."
His last words to her were probably the worst. "Good luck," said he as he wielded his axe as Legolas shot his first arrow.
* * * * *
Her first kill, she attributed it solely to sheer luck.
Legolas soon ran out of arrows, for a moment she remained hypnotized by the sight of Orcs falling dead while the odd pair of warriors fought in a perfect symbiosis.
She might as well not have heard that slight noise right behind her. As she turned round quickly the Orc just impaled himself on her dagger's blade - a dagger she was holding firmly, like Gimli said, and her instinctively stretched out arm *did* prevent the Orc's sword from killing her first.
She slowly pulled the blade out of the flesh, taking a few steps back as she watched with disgust the limp form fall to the ground. She lifted a hand to her mouth, her last lunch rising in her throat at the sight of sticky red substance on the cold metal.
She felt a sudden urge to throw the weapon as far away from her as she could but Gimli's words echoed in her mind. 'Do *not* lose your weapon'.
She laid her back against a nearby tree and sank to the ground, trying to block all sounds of the ongoing battle. She just wanted to be somewhere else, *anywhere* else.
Maybe if she stayed still no one would hear or see her. Maybe they would just forget about her…
Her second kill was a bit more deliberate, though it was not really *her* kill.
She could not tell how much time had passed - maybe a full hour, maybe only a few seconds - until she clearly heard a noise, coming from the other side of the tree. She silently jumped to her feet and cast a wary look around the tree trunk. There she saw an Orc's back. An archer. He had not seen her but had obviously seen Legolas and Gimli for he was aiming an arrow at them.
Briefly distracted by the impressive accumulation of bodies in front of the pair, instinct immediately took over. After shortly wondering where she was supposed to hit - anywhere would do, she concluded - she sank the blade deep into the Orc's back, her eyes half shut.
A growl of pain escaped the Orc's throat as his deflected arrow hit the ground a few inches from Legolas' feet. Then the Orc turned around and faced her with a feral look.
The only thing she managed to think at that moment was that the Orc was much taller and stronger than she was. Funny how your brain could suddenly go on vacation when it was the only thing you had left.
What she least expected was a low thud as the Orc fell to the ground - and that she was still alive. She quickly realised Legolas had just used the Orc's arrow at his feet to shoot him.
The Elf gave her a short nod before turning his attention back to closer concerns.
* * * * *
Gimli laid the tip of his axe on the ground and let go a sigh of exhaustion, laying his elbows on the handle of his favoured weapon.
"Well, I believe we fared quite fine," the Dwarf said calmly, sweat dripping down his shoulders.
"Better than *they* did, anyway," Legolas answered with a slight smile while indicating the pile of dead Orcs, the only clue betraying his recent battle being his slightly ruffled hair.
"Wounded?" Gimli asked his friend.
"No," the Elf answered. "You?"
"Same." The Dwarf turned round. "Cindra?"
"Yes?" The Norean was walking warily towards them, still casting worried looks around.
"Are you all right?" asked Gimli.
"Well, I am alive… Which is quite enjoyable…" answered Cindra distractedly.
"No wound, then?" Gimli rephrased.
"No wound," the young woman confirmed with a nod.
"Fine. I hope they fared as well as we did at the campfire," Gimli added with worry.
"I can hear Aragorn's voice," Legolas noted, "though I can not tell about his men."
"Let's go back to the campfire." Gimli paused before looking up to the Elf, a light in his eyes that looked strangely like challenge. "How many?"
"More than you can ever dream of," Legolas answered casually.
Cindra stared at them. What were they talking about?
"I see. You do not want to tell me your poor score," taunted Gimli.
"I would not want to add to your misery," confessed Legolas.
"Worry not about my misery and tell me your figure," challenged Gimli.
"As you wish, Master Dwarf. Thirty two," Legolas said calmly. "What about you?"
Gimli stared blankly at the Elf in silence for a couple of seconds. "Let's go back to the campfire," he eventually said, turning round.
Legolas stopped him, holding his shoulder. "Oh no, Master Dwarf, you started this game, let's finish it," he said, not even trying to hide how much he enjoyed the situation.
Gimli hesitated a few more seconds. "Eighteen," the Dwarf eventually muttered under his breath as if ashamed.
"Eighteen!" Legolas exclaimed with delight. "My, Gimli, are you unwell?" He reached out to the Dwarf's forehead, as if to check for a fever but Gimli harshly pushed his arm away.
"It is because of that bow of yours. The ones you shot should not count," Gimli concluded with a slight pout.
"Why should they not?" Legolas asked with a fake indignant tone.
"We should start counting only when we have both begun to kill," said Gimli peevishly.
Cindra was still staring at them. They were discussing their kills?? Were they putting on a show just for her or did they usually do that even alone? She had thought their pre-battle talking to be quite a thing. The post-battle one was another - though it was obvious they had already been through this argument before. It was incredible the way they managed to sound like bickering children…
"Do you wish to count how many of them I shot and deduct them from the total? I need to retrieve my arrows anyway, so it is no bother. Though considering the number of arrows I have it would still - "
"I think that is quite enough, Legolas," Gimli stopped him grumpily.
The Elf smiled. "Worry not, Master Dwarf. After all, even if it is not up to your standards, eighteen is not that bad," Legolas mocked.
"And I thought *two* was a pretty decent score…" Cindra intervened.
Both Elf and Dwarf stared at her for a few seconds, then exchanged a look. All three of them broke into laughter, the tensions from the last days suddenly lifting from their shoulders.
The young woman wiped tears of relief from the corner of her eyes, glad that everything was now over. No more creature, no more battle… Soon she would be back home and all that would be no more than an unpleasant memory…
"We should go back to the campfire," Gimli repeated once he calmed down.
Legolas nodded and within minutes he retrieved all of his arrows. Soon he joined the Dwarf, smiling mischievously, opened his mouth as if to say something, closed it again and finally said: "Nonetheless, you have to admit that - "
"Legolas, I said it was quite enough…" warned the Dwarf.
Cindra watched them walking away side by side and bickering for a little while before following them, shaking her head. And they really thought no one would see at once what great friends they were?
She only had the time to take a couple of steps before feeling a strong arm wrap around her waist.
* * * * *
Gimli turned round at hearing the young woman's gasp and immediately drew his axe at the sight of the Orc. At his side, Legolas had already an arrow notched, but was holding back as the foul beast was holding the Norean in front of him like a shield.
Cindra was struggling to get free but immediately stood still when the cold blade of a knife was pressed against her throat.
"Drop your weapons," the Orc growled towards Gimli and Legolas.
Both Elf and Dwarf remained motionless for split seconds.
"I cannot get him…" Gimli murmured to the archer.
"I know…" Legolas whispered back.
Gimli slowly lowered his axe reluctantly, keeping the Orc under his scrutinizing look. As for Legolas, he seemed to be taking his time.
"Drop your weapons!!" the Orc snapped again while increasing the pressure of his blade against the Norean's skin menacingly. "I will not repeat it."
Cindra dared not to breathe. Gimli had almost dropped his axe to the ground. But what was Legolas doing? His eyes were narrowed, as if he was trying to evaluate a distance or an angle. Cindra paled. He was not seriously considering doing *that*, was he? The Orc's body was mainly protected behind hers, except maybe for his head, protruding above her shoulder. Her eyes grew wide with fear and she mouthed a silent 'NO' to the Elf.
As she did so, in the twinkling of an eye an arrow whistled past her ear. Instinctively she closed her eyes as she felt the Orc fall to the ground, his blade sliding along her shoulder.
It took her several seconds to realize that Gimli and Legolas had already walked next to her.
"Are you all right?" the Dwarf asked cautiously.
"Huh?" was all she managed to answer, still too stunned to formulate a full coherent sentence.
"You are wounded," Legolas remarked worriedly, indicating her shoulder with a nod.
The young woman quickly looked over the wound. It seemed the Orc's blade had left a bloody trail behind as it slid along her shoulder.
She slightly shook her head. "This is just a superficial wound, nothing to worry about. It will heal quickly."
"My apologies. None of this should have happened. I should have heard him coming," Legolas explained. Hopefully he would soon recover the full keenness of his senses.
"There is no need to blame yourself," Cindra answered. "I should not have remained behind either."
"Let's go back to the campfire and have your wound tended properly," the Dwarf offered.
Gimli allowed his two companions to walk ahead of him. He was glad it was all over. He had expected it would be harder but he was not going to complain. Seeing a smile on his Elven friend's face again so soon was more than he had hoped.
Nonetheless, he was a tad worried by that new headache he had at the back of his head…
----------------------------------
End of Chapter Nine...
So, this cliffy is less evil, right? No? Oh well. You guys are never happy. *g*
I still don't know how long it will take me to write the next chapter, I'm rather busy these days. But if you write a long and nice review it might hurry thinks up... *wink* *wink* Hmm... Actually, even if it's short and evil it will do... lol
Next chapter: "Poisonous guilt"
eck: See, I told you that question you asked several chapters ago would be answered later... Glad you liked the part with Legolas' mother, I enjoyed writing it too. Keep that part in mind, it might be useful later... (nothing I write is ever written innocentely, every detail counts as you will find out at the end of this chapter *eg*) As for Gimli's technique to free Legolas from the creature, you'll have to read to find out!
Alklachion: But I soooooo like to write evil cliffies!! And I soooooo like to annoy people with them! *eg* Anyway the cliffy in this chapter is a bit less evil... well it depends on the point of vue but... you'll soon find out...
the wannabe dwarf: Welcome! Here, have a seat among the regulars, it's nice to see a new face every now and then! Advertise and tell your friends about this story if you like it! *g* As for the Gimli romance, I didn't have the time to work much on it, you see, I had to read the new Harry Potter book, and to write this chapter, and... oh well. However a few pages are already written but I want to write some more and put more thought into it before posting anything.
I would like to thank Candice again because she did an awesome job once more by beta reading this chapter. Hopefully my english will improve thanks to her ;-)
A/N: It could be useful to read again the end of the previous chapter since this one starts exactly where the other ended.
Freedom at last... or not?
"What do you say, Cindra? Do you agree or not?" Gimli finished, holding out the last of his rope to her.
Cindra looked at him motionless for what felt like an eternity to the Dwarf.
The young woman eventually took the rope from his hands with a sigh. "I am going to regret this…"
Gimli stared at the expressionless Elf in front of him. They were now both tied, sitting on the ground and facing each other, with their legs side to side.
He would make this creature leave his friend whether it wanted to or not. He still did not know how to proceed and nothing had happened since they had begun, but he would find a way. Gimli was determined to save his friend.
The Elf was staring back at him, his eyes empty.
Many people, thinking Elves to be cold and distant beings, might not find this observation abnormal. Yet someone who knew better, like Gimli - though he would probably never admit it openly - would be able to tell something was wrong.
Elves held the weight of centuries in their eyes. A hint of patience and calm for they were immortal. Most, especially Silvan Elves, showed curiosity and amusement for everything that surrounded them.
For one who knew them well, they were quite joyful beings.
"Gimli?" he heard Cindra ask quietly.
The Dwarf did not acknowledge that he had heard her and kept concentrating on the Elf's eyes. Was Legolas able to see and hear him? Was he conscious of what was happening? He had managed to escape the creatures hold once and almost succeeded in warning the Dwarf; would he be able to do it again? Did he know what the Dwarf was trying to do? Would he help him by fighting from the inside?
"Gimli, it does not seem like this is going to - "
Gimli impatiently hushed her, his eyes never leaving the Elf's. There had to be a way…
The young woman's silence did not last long. "It will be night soon, maybe we should - "
"Listen to me carefully," Gimli interrupted. "I will not move or withdraw until I can tell for sure that creature has left the one sitting in front of me."
Cindra stood still and remained silent this time. She was not sure whether his words were intended for her, the creature or Legolas. Since the Dwarf was still looking at the Elf and she knew it would be useless to try talk him into abandoning.
Aragorn looked at the sun skimming the skyline. Legolas and Cindra had been gone for quite a while now. Something was wrong. The Norean had specifically said she would not be long and he knew the Elf would not allow her to linger.
The King of Gondor jumped to his feet. "Ethiannor, Raighad, Niyan, Gimli," he called, "follow me, we - " He suddenly stopped as he observed the campfire. Gimli was not there.
When exactly had the Dwarf left the campfire? he wondered. He had not noticed his leaving, which meant it had been a very discreet and stealthy one.
"Have any of you seen Gimli during the last hour?" Aragorn questioned his men.
The only answers he got were confused whispers and shaking heads.
Gimli had followed Legolas and Cindra, Aragorn was now sure of it. And if the Dwarf had not warned him, it could only be because of one of two possibilities. Either Gimli was possessed by the creature or he knew one of the pair was and wanted to deal with it alone. In either case, he had better find all three of them quickly.
He turned towards his men again. "Come with me, we have to find - " He stopped once more, his attention caught by a rumble in the woods. The kind of rumble he was all too familiar with.
Oh no, he thought reaching for his sword, not now…
The creature kept looking at the Dwarf sitting in front of its host. He seemed determined to fulfill his plan. It had no desire whatsoever to possess the Dwarf, he was insignificant. If he thought his little act would be enough to convince it, he was greatly mistaken.
The problem was the Dwarf would not let go until he was sure the creature had deserted the Elf's body. The only way to recover its host's freedom would be to either get rid of the Dwarf - unfeasible while being held captive - or to comply.
Despite its reticence, the creature could see at least a couple of advantages in possessing the Dwarf. Especially if…
It contemplated with delight the bemused look on the Dwarf's face as its host smirked.
Legolas could feel the change in the creature's intentions almost as clearly as if they were his own. One moment it planned on not switching to Gimli, the next it suddenly seemed to be its main objective.
Unnerved he tried to prevent that smirk from playing on his lips but it was no use.
"What do you think is so funny?" Gimli asked coldly.
"You are, Dwarf. Your attempts to save your friend are pathetic."
At least it was no longer pretending, Legolas noted. Nonetheless, there had to be a reason for its sudden change of purpose.
"Tell me which is most pathetic," Gimli began with defiance, "trying to save a friend or completely depending on someone else to live?"
The creature must be plotting something, Legolas thought while it snorted - he was beginning to separate the creature's doings from his own.
"Are you trying to provoke me?" it enquired with a smile.
It was preparing itself to leave his body, Legolas was sure of it - he could feel it. While he was still subdued, its control was getting less octopus-like.
"Is it working?" Gimli questioned back rather casually.
"Unfortunately, no," the creature calmly answered. "It is real challenges I seek, not meaningless battles of wit."
If one of them was truly trying to provoke the other, it was the creature and not the other way round. Legolas suddenly realised something. Physical and eye contact. It was all it needed to switch from an host to another. Their legs were touching and Gimli kept staring at him. Oh Valar. The creature could switch to the Dwarf whenever it wished to.
"If you want a real challenge then try me as an host. It will not be as easy as it was with the Man and Elf."
"Do you really think so?" the creature teased.
"I dare you," challenged the Dwarf.
Do not be stupid, Gimli, Legolas could not help thinking while beginning to fear what might be to come. Why did the Dwarf have to be so stubborn? Could he not just -
He froze as it began. While staring intently at Gimli, it began leaving. No. No, no, he would not allow it to switch to his best friend and have him go through the same things as he had.
With all the strength he had left, he tried to retain the creature, to prevent it from leaving. But it managed to easily escape him as if sliding through his grasp. It left Legolas, leaving behind a feeling that some part of him had been taken away.
Once the creature was out of reach and probably already controlling Gimli as the Dwarf's blank stare suggested, Legolas suddenly felt incredibly empty and useless. He clenched his fists with rage, when his nails dug into his palms he realised he was now free to move.)
After an instant of relief, panic overwhelmed him again. Gimli was in great danger and if -
He watched as the Dwarf fell brusquely backwards, his eyes closed as if rendered unconscious.
"Gimli! GIMLI!!" Legolas called at the top of his lungs despite the fact that the Dwarf was only a few feet from him. He frantically pulled on the ropes that held him but that only made the rope cut deeper into his wrists skin. Gimli knew the Elf's strength, the knots were tight.
He turned to the Norean who was standing some distance away. "Cindra! Cindra, untie me!" he ordered with a tilt of his head towards his hands.
The young woman remained still despite his command and looked alternately at the Elf and at the Dwarf with a puzzled expression on her face. "W- what happened?" she eventually stammered.
"Come on, quickly!" Legolas impatiently demanded, casting a worried look at his friend.
"But… How am I to know that you are not… And that Gimli is… Well…" she stuttered.
The Elf sighed. She was right, someone external to all this mess could not tell. He himself could not be positive about the creature's fate. "At least try to see if he is all right," said he as he turned his attention back to the still unconscious Dwarf.
Cindra nodded and immediately moved towards them. As she leant over Gimli, the Dwarf's eyes opened abruptly. She jumped back in surprise while Gimli sat bolt upright, looking around but naught betraying what just occurred.
Legolas allowed despair to fill his heart. It was too late. The creature had taken possession of his dearest friend's body and mind. He closed his eyes, unable to face reality, not wanting to see the Dwarf in pain. He soon opened them when he heard Gimli's voice.
"Is that all? I expected more… trouble… and resistance…"
While Legolas knew it was not really Gimli speaking, he could not help asking: "What are you talking about?"
"Well, the creature! It seemed to give you trouble. Obviously it was easier to handle for me than it was for you, for the battle of will between it and I is over. And I won." While saying this, Gimli was faintly aware of the other two staring at him in disbelief.
"You mean…" Cindra began. "You… vanquished the creature?"
Legolas vigorously shook his head. "It is a trick. The creature wants us to think so."
"A trick?" Gimli snorted. "I knew you would say that. Why would I have not managed to get rid of it? Because you could not? Is it so hard to believe that a Dwarf could succeed where an Elf failed? I used to complain about the stiff necks of Elves but I admit I expected better from you," he finished with a slight pout.
Legolas examined his friend closely. It had been accurately phrased - Gimli could have said that. Either the creature was improving or…
"Gimli, if it is really you, understand me. How can I be sure about what happened?" reasoned Legolas.
The Dwarf sighed. "If you doubt my identity, ask me about something only I would know,"
The Elf shook his head. "That will not do, it has access to memories."
"Oh, has it? Hmm…" Gimli frowned. "Then there is no way to convince you I can think of." He paused. "Wait, the creature could have switched to someone else again!" he added suspiciously.
"I can assure you that it did not switch back to me," declared Legolas
"Then if it is not you nor me, maybe it…" His voice trailed off as both he and Legolas stared at each other until they simultaneously turned to Cindra.
The Norean suddenly felt like a sheep trapped in the middle of a pack of wolves. "Do not look at me like that, I do not even understand what happened. I am not even sure something *did* happen."
Legolas sighed. How could any of them know? The choice would be especially tricky for Cindra for she would have to decide to the best of her knowledge and belief whom to free.
"Maybe I should warn King Elessar," the young woman suggested.
"No. Cindra, free Legolas," insisted Gimli.
The Elf turned to Gimli, surprise obvious in his eyes. "Gimli, you do not even know if - "
"I do. I know something for sure and it is that you are no longer cursed with that creature. I clearly felt it switch to me." He turned to the young woman. "Cindra, come on, please free him." He looked at the Elf again. "I do not mind being held captive until you are convinced of who I am. It does not really matter."
Legolas stared at Gimli speechless, barely aware of Cindra untying the rope that held his wrists together.
"Wait," he told her, his eyes never leaving the Dwarf. "There is no hurry, we need to be sure about what really happened."
"We are both sure that the creature left you for me. What happened after, only I could know. I understand your misgivings and honestly I do not mind. Let it be that way, you free and I restrained until we can find a reliable way to prove what happened to the creature."
Cindra looked alternately at both of them, deep in thought until she finally gave a slight smile. "In case any of you is interested by my opinion, *I* think we are rid of this creature and I am going to free both of you."
Both Elf and Dwarf stared at her as if a third arm had just begun to grow on her back.
"Allow me to prove my point. Let's suppose Gimli is the one possessed by the creature. Would he ask me to free Legolas and to keep himself captive? Certainly not. Then let's suppose it is Legolas. Would he have shown any concern when Gimli fell back? The answer is still no. Now let's suppose I am the one possessed by the creature. Would I free any of you?"
She arched an eyebrow with a doubtful expression. She did not wait for any of them to answer before she finished unfastening Legolas' ties. Quickly she moved to Gimli and freed him as well.
Both friends stood up, releasing breaths they did not know they were holding. They studied each other closely for a little while, before raising delighted smiles.
"I am glad you did not have to endure the creature's presence," Legolas finally said.
"And I am glad you are no longer ailed with it," Gimli answered. He was about to add something but stopped as he saw in the archer's eyes a gleam he had learned to fear. A gleam that indicated the Elf was about to do something the Dwarf would not like. And he was not proven wrong.
In a swift movement, Legolas threw his arms around Gimli and pulled him in a tight and affectionate hug, lifting the Dwarf up to his own height with a strength no one would have suspected from someone so slender.
"What the -… What do you think you are doing, Elf?" Gimli complained, his feet desperately trying to reach the ground. "Put me down at once or I will use my axe to make sure you do not have enough arms left to ever do that again!!"
His threat did not have the expected effect but the exact opposite. Legolas tightened his embrace for he was now absolutely positive his friend was truly the one he was supposed to be.
"Legolas, I assure you, if you do not - "
The Elf eventually let him go, a wide smile still stretched on his lips.
Gimli scowled. "I hate Elves."
"You do not," pointed out Legolas.
"I do," affirmed Gimli.
"What about the Lady Galadriel?" questioned Legolas.
"Not the Lady Galadriel. Maybe it is just Silvan Elves," rectified Gimli.
"Did I ever tell you that technically I am not a Silvan Elf?" Legolas pointed out with a bright smile.
Gimli sighed. "All right. I believe it is only you I hate, then."
"Why did you go through all this trouble to help me if you do?" accused Legolas.
"I was bored," returned the Dwarf.
"That is not what I heard," said Legolas mischievously.
"You heard wrong. That creature was giving you hallucinations," explained Gimli matter-of-factly.
Legolas felt a sudden urge to hug the Dwarf once more but Gimli immediately recognised the gleam in the Elf's eye.
"Move and you will never be able to use your bow again." Hearing Cindra no longer being able to hold her laughter he turned to her. "And *you* had better not tell anyone about what happened," he warned.
"Tell who about what? I did not see anything," she answered, mirth obvious on her face.
Gimli grumbled something inaudible - inaudible to the Norean but probably not to Legolas since the Elf's smile widened.
"We should go back to the campfire before nightfall," the Dwarf eventually said aloud. "I cannot wait to tell the others a Dwarf succeeded where an Elf failed."
Legolas' smile slowly faded. Oh Valar, he was going to hear his friend boast about it until the end of his days… No, he corrected bitterly, until the end of the Dwarf's days…
Gimli picked up his axe and Legolas his bow, quiver and knives, all of which had been set aside during their 'captivity'. Somehow Legolas was thankful the creature had brought those along - though he dared not think of the initial use it had for them.
While Gimli began walking towards what Legolas believed to be the campfire's direction. Closely followed by Cindra, the Elf cast a look around, immediately locating where they were by identifying the different kinds of plants and trees. He knew this land well for he had scouted it many a time during his younger days - they were close to the southern border of Mirkwood. And he knew it to be no friendly land.
"Gimli, how long have we stayed here?" Legolas asked as he caught up with his two companions.
The Dwarf shrugged though he was a bit confused by the distress in the Elf's voice. "An hour I would say."
"No, I mean, stayed in this area. We did not move much since Crireth's death. How long ago was that?"
"Several days. Legolas, what is - "
"This place is not safe," explained Legolas. "There are hordes of Orcs patrolling around. Unless it has dramatically changed since last time I was here, staying at the same spot for too long would draw their attention to us. I am surprised we have not."
"I would not be so confident…" Gimli suddenly noted worriedly, looking as if he was listening to something coming from the campfire's general direction.
Legolas followed his gaze, but found hard to fully focus his attention. It seemed that his senses had remained weakened even after the creature left his body. Must be a side effect of long possession, he thought. While he hoped it would quickly pass, he eventually managed to hear some of what was going on.
"The campfire is being attacked by Orcs…" he murmured. The next second, he heard something else before Gimli this time and turned his head left. "And some of them have just found us…"
Legolas immediately drew his bow and swiftly notched an arrow on the string, hoping that even with hindered senses his eyes would not fail him.
At his side, Gimli handled his axe before asking in a low voice: "How many?"
"Too many, approaching fast."
Gimli nodded. "Good. I have always found it more fun when we were outnumbered…" he said, his tone so serious it made Cindra glare at him from behind.
"Not as many as the worst we have seen before," Legolas observed.
"Oh. You mean, no new record? Such a pity…" the Dwarf answered with disappointment.
The archer managed to refrain a smile. "Gimli, neither you nor I are in our best form…"
"I know," Gimli admitted gravely. "It will have to do though."
The Dwarf turned round and saw Cindra, pale and looking sick. Little did he know that it was their casual pre-battle chitchatting that was making her ill. How could they be so light-hearted? she was thinking.
"Cindra, stay behind," Gimli told her. "We will try to protect you but remain alert. Some others might attack from the rear."
Great, now she looked utterly panicked, though he was not sure whether it was because of his words or the Orc's grunts growing louder as they drew nearer. If she did not stop shaking soon her dagger would fall to the ground. And stabbing one's foot right before battle would not be wise.
"Now listen to me carefully," he went on. "Keep a firm grip on the handle at all cost. Do *not* lose your weapon. Arm always stretched at the end of a blow, so as to not let the enemy too close. Considering your lack of experience, use the point rather than the edge, you will have better chances to kill at first blow."
His last words to her were probably the worst. "Good luck," said he as he wielded his axe as Legolas shot his first arrow.
Her first kill, she attributed it solely to sheer luck.
Legolas soon ran out of arrows, for a moment she remained hypnotized by the sight of Orcs falling dead while the odd pair of warriors fought in a perfect symbiosis.
She might as well not have heard that slight noise right behind her. As she turned round quickly the Orc just impaled himself on her dagger's blade - a dagger she was holding firmly, like Gimli said, and her instinctively stretched out arm *did* prevent the Orc's sword from killing her first.
She slowly pulled the blade out of the flesh, taking a few steps back as she watched with disgust the limp form fall to the ground. She lifted a hand to her mouth, her last lunch rising in her throat at the sight of sticky red substance on the cold metal.
She felt a sudden urge to throw the weapon as far away from her as she could but Gimli's words echoed in her mind. 'Do *not* lose your weapon'.
She laid her back against a nearby tree and sank to the ground, trying to block all sounds of the ongoing battle. She just wanted to be somewhere else, *anywhere* else.
Maybe if she stayed still no one would hear or see her. Maybe they would just forget about her…
Her second kill was a bit more deliberate, though it was not really *her* kill.
She could not tell how much time had passed - maybe a full hour, maybe only a few seconds - until she clearly heard a noise, coming from the other side of the tree. She silently jumped to her feet and cast a wary look around the tree trunk. There she saw an Orc's back. An archer. He had not seen her but had obviously seen Legolas and Gimli for he was aiming an arrow at them.
Briefly distracted by the impressive accumulation of bodies in front of the pair, instinct immediately took over. After shortly wondering where she was supposed to hit - anywhere would do, she concluded - she sank the blade deep into the Orc's back, her eyes half shut.
A growl of pain escaped the Orc's throat as his deflected arrow hit the ground a few inches from Legolas' feet. Then the Orc turned around and faced her with a feral look.
The only thing she managed to think at that moment was that the Orc was much taller and stronger than she was. Funny how your brain could suddenly go on vacation when it was the only thing you had left.
What she least expected was a low thud as the Orc fell to the ground - and that she was still alive. She quickly realised Legolas had just used the Orc's arrow at his feet to shoot him.
The Elf gave her a short nod before turning his attention back to closer concerns.
Gimli laid the tip of his axe on the ground and let go a sigh of exhaustion, laying his elbows on the handle of his favoured weapon.
"Well, I believe we fared quite fine," the Dwarf said calmly, sweat dripping down his shoulders.
"Better than *they* did, anyway," Legolas answered with a slight smile while indicating the pile of dead Orcs, the only clue betraying his recent battle being his slightly ruffled hair.
"Wounded?" Gimli asked his friend.
"No," the Elf answered. "You?"
"Same." The Dwarf turned round. "Cindra?"
"Yes?" The Norean was walking warily towards them, still casting worried looks around.
"Are you all right?" asked Gimli.
"Well, I am alive… Which is quite enjoyable…" answered Cindra distractedly.
"No wound, then?" Gimli rephrased.
"No wound," the young woman confirmed with a nod.
"Fine. I hope they fared as well as we did at the campfire," Gimli added with worry.
"I can hear Aragorn's voice," Legolas noted, "though I can not tell about his men."
"Let's go back to the campfire." Gimli paused before looking up to the Elf, a light in his eyes that looked strangely like challenge. "How many?"
"More than you can ever dream of," Legolas answered casually.
Cindra stared at them. What were they talking about?
"I see. You do not want to tell me your poor score," taunted Gimli.
"I would not want to add to your misery," confessed Legolas.
"Worry not about my misery and tell me your figure," challenged Gimli.
"As you wish, Master Dwarf. Thirty two," Legolas said calmly. "What about you?"
Gimli stared blankly at the Elf in silence for a couple of seconds. "Let's go back to the campfire," he eventually said, turning round.
Legolas stopped him, holding his shoulder. "Oh no, Master Dwarf, you started this game, let's finish it," he said, not even trying to hide how much he enjoyed the situation.
Gimli hesitated a few more seconds. "Eighteen," the Dwarf eventually muttered under his breath as if ashamed.
"Eighteen!" Legolas exclaimed with delight. "My, Gimli, are you unwell?" He reached out to the Dwarf's forehead, as if to check for a fever but Gimli harshly pushed his arm away.
"It is because of that bow of yours. The ones you shot should not count," Gimli concluded with a slight pout.
"Why should they not?" Legolas asked with a fake indignant tone.
"We should start counting only when we have both begun to kill," said Gimli peevishly.
Cindra was still staring at them. They were discussing their kills?? Were they putting on a show just for her or did they usually do that even alone? She had thought their pre-battle talking to be quite a thing. The post-battle one was another - though it was obvious they had already been through this argument before. It was incredible the way they managed to sound like bickering children…
"Do you wish to count how many of them I shot and deduct them from the total? I need to retrieve my arrows anyway, so it is no bother. Though considering the number of arrows I have it would still - "
"I think that is quite enough, Legolas," Gimli stopped him grumpily.
The Elf smiled. "Worry not, Master Dwarf. After all, even if it is not up to your standards, eighteen is not that bad," Legolas mocked.
"And I thought *two* was a pretty decent score…" Cindra intervened.
Both Elf and Dwarf stared at her for a few seconds, then exchanged a look. All three of them broke into laughter, the tensions from the last days suddenly lifting from their shoulders.
The young woman wiped tears of relief from the corner of her eyes, glad that everything was now over. No more creature, no more battle… Soon she would be back home and all that would be no more than an unpleasant memory…
"We should go back to the campfire," Gimli repeated once he calmed down.
Legolas nodded and within minutes he retrieved all of his arrows. Soon he joined the Dwarf, smiling mischievously, opened his mouth as if to say something, closed it again and finally said: "Nonetheless, you have to admit that - "
"Legolas, I said it was quite enough…" warned the Dwarf.
Cindra watched them walking away side by side and bickering for a little while before following them, shaking her head. And they really thought no one would see at once what great friends they were?
She only had the time to take a couple of steps before feeling a strong arm wrap around her waist.
Gimli turned round at hearing the young woman's gasp and immediately drew his axe at the sight of the Orc. At his side, Legolas had already an arrow notched, but was holding back as the foul beast was holding the Norean in front of him like a shield.
Cindra was struggling to get free but immediately stood still when the cold blade of a knife was pressed against her throat.
"Drop your weapons," the Orc growled towards Gimli and Legolas.
Both Elf and Dwarf remained motionless for split seconds.
"I cannot get him…" Gimli murmured to the archer.
"I know…" Legolas whispered back.
Gimli slowly lowered his axe reluctantly, keeping the Orc under his scrutinizing look. As for Legolas, he seemed to be taking his time.
"Drop your weapons!!" the Orc snapped again while increasing the pressure of his blade against the Norean's skin menacingly. "I will not repeat it."
Cindra dared not to breathe. Gimli had almost dropped his axe to the ground. But what was Legolas doing? His eyes were narrowed, as if he was trying to evaluate a distance or an angle. Cindra paled. He was not seriously considering doing *that*, was he? The Orc's body was mainly protected behind hers, except maybe for his head, protruding above her shoulder. Her eyes grew wide with fear and she mouthed a silent 'NO' to the Elf.
As she did so, in the twinkling of an eye an arrow whistled past her ear. Instinctively she closed her eyes as she felt the Orc fall to the ground, his blade sliding along her shoulder.
It took her several seconds to realize that Gimli and Legolas had already walked next to her.
"Are you all right?" the Dwarf asked cautiously.
"Huh?" was all she managed to answer, still too stunned to formulate a full coherent sentence.
"You are wounded," Legolas remarked worriedly, indicating her shoulder with a nod.
The young woman quickly looked over the wound. It seemed the Orc's blade had left a bloody trail behind as it slid along her shoulder.
She slightly shook her head. "This is just a superficial wound, nothing to worry about. It will heal quickly."
"My apologies. None of this should have happened. I should have heard him coming," Legolas explained. Hopefully he would soon recover the full keenness of his senses.
"There is no need to blame yourself," Cindra answered. "I should not have remained behind either."
"Let's go back to the campfire and have your wound tended properly," the Dwarf offered.
Gimli allowed his two companions to walk ahead of him. He was glad it was all over. He had expected it would be harder but he was not going to complain. Seeing a smile on his Elven friend's face again so soon was more than he had hoped.
Nonetheless, he was a tad worried by that new headache he had at the back of his head…
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End of Chapter Nine...
So, this cliffy is less evil, right? No? Oh well. You guys are never happy. *g*
I still don't know how long it will take me to write the next chapter, I'm rather busy these days. But if you write a long and nice review it might hurry thinks up... *wink* *wink* Hmm... Actually, even if it's short and evil it will do... lol
Next chapter: "Poisonous guilt"