^_^ Ah, something about this story makes em smile when I write it, and of course, reading all the lovely reviews... speaking of which... I HAVE HIT 100 REVIEWS!!! ^_^ *huggles everyone who has reviewed this story*

Gwyn; Yeah, that's probably the quickest spaces of time in which I've updated something! ^.^ Seemed though, I'd updated so fast no one expected it, so it took a while for my regulars to start reviewing! Oops!

Sirithiliel; Very good! It was actually "strange how that works", but it was hard! Well done!!! He he, you'll have to wait and see... =)

Alida-Fruit; Woo, thank you!!! -^.^- I'm blushing! Lol, thanks, I try my best at humour. A very interesting rescue mission indeed... =)

lOtReLvEn19; Thanks! Ah, but the torture in this story isn't as bad as the torture in others... it's a thing I just seem to write naturally... =) Thanks!

Sparrow Greenleaf; Ah, that's good thinking! It could well be another affect... thanks for the compliments!

Callie3; Oh thank you!!! I was actually rather wary of the way I had portrayed Faramir! And I was seriously concerned of the way I had made Aragorn and he interact... I'm glad I got it spot on! ^_^ Phew!!! Yeah, I've created a new name for him... Denethor, Twitcher of Gondor... He he he...

Darcy Took; Thanks! Oh, you've changed your sig! The Darcter... I like it!!!

Deana; Ah! Perhaps we've found a surprise cure... you can imagine it...

     LEGOLAS: I worked it out! 'Scuse me why I take a nap... *goes to sleep on recommended soft bed. Wakes up later* See?! No aches, or pains... all better! *anvil falls on him* Ow... =S

     Oops... sorry Legolas! ^.^

Anarya; Ok then... I believe you... *grins* No, seriously, I do! *grins again* I gotta stop that... =) Lol, I never though of it that way! Perhaps it's some subconscious thing I've wrote that will reveal new plot inspiration at a later date... *looks at what was just written* Jeez... that's deep... I'm scared!!! I'll tell you at the end! Sorry, but I don't want to give a single thing away... ^_~

XM6; OK!!! ^_^ *Note to self: Stop shouting at much appreciated reviewers...*

Chanra; True... being expected certainly wasn't good in Arwen's situation! Well, there'll be some unexpected things later on... you just wait... =)

Well, it was lovely to have you all review last chapter! Now, lets cut this and get onto what you really wanna see... the story...

.:Chapter 11:.

A filthy Orc hand came in and pulled the rag from her mouth. Arwen steeled herself, commanding a fearless expression upon her face. "What is it that you want?!" she cried, glaring at the tall man above her.

He merely grinned.

"You try to look as though you are not afraid," he whispered, pausing. He raised his staff so that Arwen stared straight into the ruby eyes. It was snake-headed in appearance, the head down to the neck cast in ornate gold, then below fashioned from a sturdy strong wood, probably from a tree with magical properties. As she gazed at it, it seemed that soft red beams slowly spiralled out of the glittering jewels in its head.

"Yet you are afraid..." he continued, still adopting the silken, menacing voice he conducted with such evil skill. "Your spirit trembles with terror within... I can feel it..."

Arwen fell silent. How did he know?!

"I repeat," she began, her voice quavering slightly. "What do you want with me?!"

The man threw his head back and laughed; a dark cackle that seemed to chase anything that was good away into the shadows. His eyes, almost black in colour, locked into hers once more.

"Forgive me," he said, almost with charm. "It is not you I want, my dear..." He stalked forward and placed a long bony hand on her pregnant belly where the baby still lay.

"It is this..."

Arwen wrenched away from his grasp, horrified. "No!" she gasped, her eyes wide. Tears pooled, welling up and spilling down her soft cheeks. "No!!!"

He merely sneered. "Take her into the chambers, down the second passage!" he ordered to the Orcs, turning on his heel with a swoop of his cloak and striding off. The foul beings grabbed her roughly by the shoulders and shoved her forward, down into a dark tunnel, lit only by random flickering torches on the wall...

~*~*~*~

"Aragorn told me naught of this," said Faramir, deeply anxious. "Are you well?"

Gradually, Legolas regained himself and his eyes fluttered open. He gulped down a few deep mouthfuls of air before replying. "It has passed. I'm fine now Faramir, but thank you for your concern."

"Has Aragorn moved on to Mordor now?" asked Gimli. He desired to catch up with his friend and tell him about everything else that had happened to the Elf after his departure. This certainly seemed to be something not to be taken lightly.

"Indeed he has," said Faramir. He trailed away slightly.

"Legolas... do you wish to return with me to Minas Tirith?" he posed finally. Legolas was surprised.

"Why do you ask that?" he wondered aloud.

Faramir shifted uncomfortably on his horse's back. "I am worried that these pains may be a herald to some other factor, perhaps with that poison that was in your system but a few short days ago." He sighed. "You know as well as I you are not fully healed yet."

Legolas' eyes hardened to a stony glare, but his anger was not directed to his friend. "No. My decision is made. I go."

Faramir simply nodded, his face grim but his heart accepting the Elf's choice. "Very well..." He turned his horse towards the White City with a tug of the reins. "Take care! Aragorn has told me many a tale of how much trouble you as a three can get into, either on your own or in groups." He smiled after what seemed like a lifetime of frowning. "Do not give your friends any more worries!"

With that, he pressed the steed's soft belly with his heels, and the animal rode off, leaving only a cloud of dry dust behind it. The Elf and Dwarf watched as he departed, before turning themselves and heading East. If they got a good gallop, they should hopefully get to the caves by the end of the day before Aragorn could get himself into danger...

Gimli smiled. "You'd do well to heed his warning lad," he said, chuckling. "I've noticed I only ever get into trouble when you're around..."

~*~*~*~

Brego slowly trotted up the ashen hill, his hooves sinking slightly into the soft slope. Aragorn gazed up fearlessly at the wide opening of the cave. In it, inky blackness dwelt, no glimmer of light or any such hope.

The Man gripped the reins tighter, swallowing hard, and he urged his steed up the last few steps to what could possibly be his doom...

~*~*~*~

A bit shorter this time but you get the general idea... please R&R!!! I can promise you now that if you review, great things will happen... like a new chapter perhaps? ^_~