Ok, I've been very naughty and not updated quick enough... sorry! My Internet had to be taken away for a while, I'll tell you down the bottom... I also have a bit of news you may be quite jealous of! So, you'll have a very BIG long chapter now to make up for my going away! So you'd better appreciate it!!!

Mellaithwen-Elven Maiden; Yeah Amy, I did! ^_^ He's almost in the clear... well, at the moment anyway. Oh, Fighting the Darkness is coming on well, I'm just ironing out a few bits then I'll start posting it here and on CBBC. ^_~

Connor; Aaaw, did you mean that?! -^.^- --- that's supposed to be blushing btw... thank you so much! Thank you!

Gwyn; BORING?! ME?!?! You must be joking... Lol, I know you are! ^_^ I'm not making this a slash coz a) I'm keeping it clean for everybody, and b) I'm not all that fond of it myself... nothing against anyone who writes/reads it... just not my cup of Earl Grey though! Funny you should say that for an idea though... *taps side of nose* I'm not saying any more...

Manders195; Sorry! ^.^ Yeah, I scared a lot of people with him not breathing, but hey! I scare a lot of people normally... he he he =) Lol, thanks for the review!

Deana; Funny, OW seems to be coming out of Lego's mouth a lot too... =) Ok, I'll keep your idea in mind... thanks!

Estel Elven Enchantress; Jo! ^_^ 'The Land'?! You mean that's what his name means?! Oh, all I did was type it into a name translator- its supposed to be Gondorian... well, you learn a new thing every day... yeah, I've got something lined up for him... you'll have to wait and see... ^_~

Sirithiliel; If I'm honest, I'm not all that sure myself! Lol! ^_^ Don't worry, I'd never insult a much appreciated and welcome reviewer and mean it... lets just say I have a twisted sense of humour... ^_~ Thanks!

Dha-Gal; Yup, again! You mean you want me to kill him again?! But I've killed him twice already!!! Oh well, I'll see what I can do! ^_~

Crystal Cold Tears; Oh no, I wouldn't forget about this one- it's one of my favourite ones I'm writing! In fact I couldn't forget about it, I've got too many reviews! ^_^ I like the ideas, I'm checking to see if they'll fit into the story... even if they don't, I might incorporate some of the elements of them into it somewhere... thank you very much!

Alida-Fruit; That's ok! ^_^ I'm glad you liked the chapter! YEAH, DECAPITATION!!! WOO!!! ^_^ Thanks for your review!

Well, I'll admit, it seems most of you seem to want Legolas and Gimli to get better and then go with Aragorn to kick some Orcish ass... you still don't know me well enough, do you?! =) I love plot twists... he he he... enjoy...

.:Chapter 8:.

Gimli pulled on his shirt as he sat on the bed, careful not to jar his stitches. He was quite glad that it didn't cause that many problems, unlike his trousers. The Dwarf shuddered. He didn't want to dwell on that.

He was just swinging his legs over the side of the bed when a young lad came into the room. The boy seemed to be one of the healers' apprentices. He jumped as he looked up, seeing the Dwarf looking straight at him.

"Oh!" he cried, almost dropping his tray of food that he carried. "I apologise Master Gimli, I thought you were still asleep!" He placed the tray on a small yet sturdy wooden table beside the bed. "Do you feel alright now?"

Gimli smiled at the youngster. "Yes laddie, I'm fine now." He turned and surveyed the food next to him. "Well well well... what have we here then?" He sniffed the soup and lifted a little on the spoon. Trying a bit, he pulled a face.

"Wonderful..." he sighed sarcastically. "Cabbage soup." He nervously eyed the bread that sat on the side. "I suppose that's stale as well, huh?" He laughed in his big booming voice.

The boy shifted uncomfortably. "Sorry," he mumbled. "I'm not that good a cook." He proceeded to laugh nervously.

Gimli smiled. "It's alright laddie, I don't mind." He looked the boy up and down. "What's your name son?" he asked.

The boy looked at Gimli. That was the second time someone had asked him that today. "My name's Conyc, sir," he told him.

Gimli thought for a moment. "Mean's 'the land', doesn't it?" he said finally.

"Yes," replied Conyc. "Or at least, that's what I'm told."

Gimli nodded his head, silent. Then, like a tidal wave, another thought hit him. Eyes growing wider, he tried to hop down from the bed.

"What are you doing?!" cried Conyc, rushing to grab the Dwarf's arm before he fell.

"I need to see my friend!" said Gimli, pulling away from the boy. In his haste his injured leg gave way under him, but thankfully Conyc was able to keep him upright.

"Do you mean the Elf, Legolas?" he asked.

"Of course! Do you know how he is?" asked Gimli frantically. He just wanted to see his friend and make sure he was alright.

"Yes," replied Conyc. "He should be fine; King Elessar gave him an antidote."

Gimli released the breath he didn't even realise he was holding. "That's good. Can I please go now?" he asked.

Conyc stood silent, a thoughtful look on his young face. He was trying to think of a way to get the Dwarf to see the Elf. Then he had a bright idea. "Well, I really shouldn't do this, but I suppose it won't do too much harm." He ran out of the room for a moment. Gimli frowned and leaned across the bed to try and see where Conyc had gone, when he was rewarded as the youngster reappeared around the doorframe again.

"What's that you've got there laddie?" asked the Dwarf, meaning the long bit of wood that the skinny dark haired boy held in his right hand. Conyc smiled.

"I thought you could use this as a crutch," replied Conyc. He held it upright and leant against it. "Seems sturdy enough. It should be the right height too."

Gimli took it gratefully from the Gondorian. Slowly, he eased up off the bed, feeling the cold marble floor under his bare feet. Leaning on the stout stick, he hobbled along towards the door.

"Thank you very much Conyc," he smiled, turning back to the lad. "I appreciate it. Now, if you wouldn't mind telling me exactly where that fanciful Elf is..."

~*~*~*~

The lead Orc grinned maliciously as he pulled up his hood. The others in the group did the same. The cloaks had been made especially by their new master, his art in black magic creating garments that would make them look like they were of the race of Men if they wished.

They approached the gates of Minas Tirith in small groups. The white City had become more accepting of people in the few years of King Elessar's reign.

"Friend or foe?!" called a guard loudly.

Eralg smiled, yet it was not a true smile; it never reached his eyes. "Friend!" he called back.

There was silence for a few moments, until...

"Open the gates!" called the guard.

The Orcs were allowed to walk straight into Minas Tirith... and their target was the Palace...

~*~*~*~

They say the first thing that comes back to a person is their hearing. Legolas could only see darkness, couldn't smell anything, or feel anything. But he could hear. There were voices floating around in a mist of nothingness, concerned grim voices. He drifted for a moment, just listening to the words; How? When? What? Too many questions- his head hurt.

Then he felt it; a slight burning around his arm and a sickly, queasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. It was definitely not as bad as he had felt a while ago, but it was still uncomfortable.

The sick feelings inside made him groan. How many times had he been in this situation, he thought to himself. Sometimes, he wondered if the Valar had made him meet Aragorn as a curse...

~*~*~*~

Conyc walked lightly down the stairs, intending to go home and have supper with his mother. His father had died three winters ago. He was just making his way down the path when a rough pair of hands grabbed him and pulled him to an alleyway. Another hand was forced over his mouth so he wouldn't scream.

"Listen boy," growled the large burly man that held him. He had a large rounded nose and a toothy grin, a lengthy scruffy grey-brown beard, and his eyes... they were beady, glittering black in the moonlight.

"You work at the palace?" he asked.

Conyc nodded, terrified. The man smirked.

"That's good. Now you're gonna take me and my friends there, ya 'ear?!" He brought his face closer to the boy's. "And if you don't..." Conyc tried to scream as the man's face melted into one of a fearsome Orc.

"You'll regret it..." finished the man, brandishing a small but deadly looking knife...

~*~*~*~

Aragorn sat up straight in his chair as he heard a soft groan.

"Legolas, are you awake?"

The Elf frowned slightly before turning his head in the King's general direction. Aragorn let a smile break loose across his face as Legolas opened his eyes blearily.

Gimli, who had entered the room not moments before, beamed and hobbled over to his friend's side. "Glad to see you back laddie!"

Legolas took one look at the pair above him and sighed. It looked like everything was going to be alright after all. Grinning weakly, he couldn't resist a quip; "You two, both here? Oh Eru... I've died and gone to hell..."

~*~*~*~

Arwen exited the room to leave the three friends together. She smiled gently as she shut the door softly behind her.

Suddenly she felt a little jolt in her stomach. She laughed lightly as the baby kicked again.

"Hush little one, your time will come..." she whispered. As she turned, she jumped slightly as she saw the lithe boy in front of her.

"Oh, Conyc!" she gasped, putting a hand to her chest and laughing aloud. "You scared me dear!"

"I apologise my lady, but there are some... visitors, to see you," said Conyc. "I shall take you to them."

Arwen nodded gratefully and followed the youngster down the hall. She did not notice Conyc pull down his sleeve to hide the bleeding cut on his forearm...

~*~*~*~

Legolas rolled his eyes as he listened to Aragorn lecture him... again. He had given up counting the number of times he had woken to find himself propped up on soft white pillows into a sitting position... was this around the sixtieth time?! Who knew?

"You've got to keep taking that until it is all gone, hear? Every day," said Aragorn, the tone in his voice stern and serious. Legolas looked into the bottle again and screwed up his nose, the rank smell making him gag.

"You could at least have made it a nicer colour than orange..." sighed the Elf. Aragorn laughed. He popped the cap back on and looked at the vessel. It had a long leather strap so it could be worn around the neck, and it was made of a thick yet still breakable green-coloured pottery. "Just to match my clothing..." he thought sarcastically.

"It's not as bad as the potion Ada gave you after that spider attack you know..." grinned the King.

Gimli's ears pricked up. "Spider attack? I haven't heard about this!" He looked at Legolas, expecting a response. He got one, but not one he wanted.

"You're not going to hear about it ever!" growled Legolas. His face was dark.

"Oh come on Legolas; you'll have to tell Gimli why you're afraid of spiders someday!" smiled Aragorn. He watched as the Elf's mouth dropped open and the bright blue eyes widened like opening gates. The King grinned again. "Oops..."

Gimli beamed. "Well Master Elf, a lot coming out into the open now, eh?!"

Legolas blushed deeply. He'd have to tell him someday... drawing in a deep breath, he began...

"It was an ordinary day in Mirkwood... apart from the fact that monstrosity," He pointed to Aragorn. "Was coming to visit. Basically, we went out for a walk, and ended up straying off the path, through no fault of my own!" He added, to prove his point. He paused for a moment before carrying on, but his voice was quieter now.

"We got lost..."

Gimli noticed that Legolas' voice had lost its usual larking tones and now seemed grimmer, more detached. The Elf's eyes swam into darker tones, a deeper, more intense blue, and he frowned, remembering that day.

"We realised too late that we'd strayed into a spider's nest. It had great dripping black fangs..." Legolas shuddered involuntary. "It bit me..."

Aragorn continued for the Prince, to spare him any more reliving of memories. "I managed to get Legolas back to the Elven realm, where Lord Elrond was able to heal him. It took a long time though..."

There was silence in the room for a while. Gimli coughed brashly. "Well, what's in the past is in the past... no use fretting about it now!"

The other two seemed to brighten slightly. Yes, what was in the past was exactly there... Legolas was feeling better now, and Gimli felt fine. Arwen's baby would be born in a few days... yes; they could leave this sorry saga behind and look to a brighter future...

So they thought.    

~*~*~*~

She walked through the thick wooden door into the small dimmed room. Seeing nothing but shadows around the walls, she backed up again towards the door, but someone slammed it. Some fiery torches flared up and revealed a ring of black clad people surrounding her.

"Conyc, what is this?" questioned Arwen, wondering who these cloaked, hooded strangers were. Conyc looked back at her with wide, watery eyes. Arwen frowned. "Conyc?!"

"I'm sorry," whispered the lad, hanging his head shamefully. Suddenly, one of the foreigners dropped his hood. Arwen screamed shrilly as she saw a disgusting, disfigured Orc's face staring at her.

"My Lady," he growled maliciously, a toothy smirk upon his face.

"I'm sorry my lady!" sobbed the boy, tears spilling down his eyes. "There wasn't anything I could do..."

Arwen screamed the first word that came to her lips as a large grinning Orc strode up to her and raised his huge iron fist, ready to strike.

"Aragorn!!!"

Her whole world went black in a painful explosion of stars...  

~*~*~*~

So... what did you think? ^_^ Oh yeah, my bit of jealousy-provoking news; I SAW ROTK TODAY!!! ^_^ It is the best film ever!!! GO SEE IT NOW!!! ^_~ I'm hoping that this is where it starts to get a bit more... interesting... ^_^