Thanks for the reviews. They've been a real treat.

If you like humor/parody, check out my The LOTR Characters Interview at a SUPERMARKET.

Hopefully this chapter is not too confusing. Unfortunately the twins do not make another appearance in this fic. Once Elladan is better and recovered he and Elrohir will just fade into the background. Sorry for those who are fans of the twins. I just don't think they are suited to the progression of this fic. Enjoy!

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~Chapter 7~

~A Journey into Darkness~

Gandalf met Eldarion at the doors to the great hall. The healer had tended the cut on his cheek, and Elladan remained in the healer's wing with Elrohir at his side. He had changed into a pair of loose fitting trousers, and shirt with a sheath that held Anduril wrapped round his side.

The White Wizard led the boy through the door and pointed to a seat that was situated next to his mother and Frodo Baggins. Everyone that had been summoned was in attendance apart from the twins. Elladan was still suffering from what had happened to him and was unable to attend the meeting. Elrohir hadn't wanted to go without his twin there and elected to remain beside him and have Eldarion report to them once the meeting was finished.

Everyone was seated in a circle, with Arwen, Eldarion, Faramir and Gandalf sitting in the most elegant of chairs. The others were situated around them forming the rest of the tightly composed circle. Royal guards were posted inside the hall but only at the doors so most of the conversation that was to be held was not heard.

Once everyone had been seated Gandalf stood from his place and walked to the centre of the circle, turning and looking everyone in the eye before finally resting on the gazes of both Arwen and Eldarion. The young man held his mother's hand, and the Queen seemed so fragile that the wizard was sure she'd fall and shatter into tiny little pieces of glass.

"You all know why you have been called here." Gandalf said, his tone ringing high in the hall, and everyone's eyes turned towards him. "The enemy has struck again but this time using simple folk as his servants. Elladan Elrondion was possessed for a time by Morgoth. Before the attack Morgoth convinced Elladan to go to the Labyrinth and ask the owner Marquade to detain the King in his little Labyrinth tunnels. He of course was threatened and had no choice in the matter. He complied. Shortly thereafter Elladan attacked Aragorn. Unable to defend adequately against an elf being possessed by a dark lord Aragorn was overpowered and taken to the Labyrinth. There he was captured by the Knights and borne towards the harbour. Even if I had left I would not have been able to free Aragorn this time. The Knights would keep a vigilant outlook for me. Yet we still have time to act before fate meets him."

He paused before adding: "I have sent out a signal to Valinor using a special firework that has the ability to be seen by the elves. It's light travels fast and over long distances. The signal will have reached Valinor by now. The elves will be alerted to what has happened; in fact the Lady Galadriel had already foreseen this danger. We could not forestall it either. In response to my signal the elves should begin building ships and forging new weapons for they will go to war on Numenor."

"What about the Valar? Will they do nothing?" Arwen asked her voice shaking. "Will they not aid us?"

Gandalf shook his head. "They know of what had occurred but they no longer wish to be part of this world. Yes, they protect those of the line of Numenor because of Luthien and Beren, for their line shall never end, but they have chosen to not mix into the affairs of others. Middle-Earth is ours to protect. The Valar cannot always be there to aid us. I am a messenger of the Valar; one who does their bidding. I came here to aid them; and in a way part of the Valar have come here as well, for I am a part of them. Arwen, the Valar do aid us but not in visible or physical ways. They will ensure Aragorn survives this. They know what will happen to the line of Beren and Luthien if he should die. They would not go back on their promise to her."

"I suppose not." Arwen said sadly. "My family has been torn apart. All I want is him back."

"It is not easy to watch someone you love suffer." Legolas responded. "If I could I would turn back the time to the First Age and ensure that Morgoth never rose in evil then nothing of this sort would have happened."

"If only it was that possible." Commented the wizard. "But come we must discuss the best course of action!"

Faramir stood from his seat hands held behind his back, clearing his throat he spoke in a clear and well-mannered voice, speaking about an idea that was forming in his head even as he listened to the talk around him. "I will admit that this idea is neither brilliant or fool-proof but I do have an idea that could work if thought through properly."

"Go on." Encouraged Gandalf and Eldarion.

"I know that my other idea was a disaster so I don't expect you to take this idea but…" he took deep breaths, "here goes. There was a Fellowship of the Ring during the War, right? So I thought why not a company of people willing to go to Numenor, and fight Morgoth or attempt to retrieve Lord Elessar from him. I know its folly but it's a thought."

"That, Prince of Ithilien, was exactly what I was looking for," Gandalf said, "the assemble of another Fellowship willing to go to Numenor and fight against Morgoth. To retrieve the bearer is folly. Morgoth will never let him go. But an attempt to defeat him is not out of the question."

"But who would go?" Éowyn asked. "We cannot ask those who have risked their lives before to do so again not when they have families to look after."

"No we cannot." Gandalf said. "However I will go; anyone wishing to come should stand."

Before his mother could prevent him, Eldarion stood and unsheathed Anduril and laid it at Gandalf's feet bowing before him. "I lay this sword before you as I pledge myself to this quest. I do so for the sake of my family but most of all to my father."

"I think, young Prince, that this task was meant for you. You will not follow me I will follow you.

Then Frodo stood and walked towards Gandalf and the Prince. "I will come because I owe a debt to Strider for protecting me and renouncing the Ring when he had the chance to use it. To honour this debt I humbly swear to protect you, Eldarion, my Prince."

One by one the hobbits stood and announced that they would go with Eldarion. Then came Legolas and Gimli together who vowed to fight to the death for both Aragorn and Eldarion. Last of all came Faramir who pledged his services to the Prince.

So it came to be that another Fellowship of Nine was assembled in the Year 25 of the Fourth Age. Yet the events to come were to be one of the treacherous times that sixteen-year-old Eldarion would be forced to live and survive through.

*****

There was not much to do before the Fellowship was due to depart. Word had got round the city that the King was a prisoner in the North but no one knew of his true fate except for the Fellowship. They did not wish to alarm the citizens of Minas Tirith of the possible threat of Morgoth. However messages soon spread saying that the remaining members of the Fellowship had united and with two added additions (Eldarion and Faramir) were to set out to the North and attempt a rescue.

Of course many thought this to be foolhardy and a pointless waste of time, yet they admired the fact that they were willing to tread through the wildness to find their King. However that was not what Gandalf was planning.

The wizard knew that Aragorn had been taken to the Orcs in the harbour and so he had elected to follow the river round to the edge of Middle-Earth. There he hoped to find Cirdan waiting for him in a boat. From there Gandalf would not say.

It was in the early morning that they set off, as they didn't want their direction noted by the inhabitants of the city. Arwen and her daughters with Éowyn came to say farewell to them. None of the Princesses truly new what was going on but they could tell that something of great importance was about to happen. Tears flowed down Ancalimé's cheeks, as she was the only one old enough to understand what was happening. She hugged her elder brother wishing him good luck.

Eldarion carried Anduril hoping to return it to his father when they found him; but he also carried his father's dagger, one that the King had given the Prince on his thirteenth birthday. He tried to shake of the warning in his heart but he could not rid his head of the images of his dream that he'd had not only few nights ago. The image of his father's face as he killed him was too much. He wished it to fade away.

At last the Fellowship was ready to leave. Goodbyes had been said and tears had been shone. Then the company departed; Gandalf leading the way out of the city and so out onto the Pelennor Fields and down towards Osgiliath to the River.

Their pace was fast and swift and it took the company no less then ten minutes to cross the distance to Osgiliath. A garrison of Rangers stood on guard in the city watching the rivers edge.

The Orcs boats had been hidden further up the stream from watcher's view so technically no one in Osgiliath had known of the Orcs presence. They passed through the city with relative ease only stopping to send one of the soldiers on a small errand to the White City to alert Arwen and Éowyn of the fact that they had reached Osgiliath and were passing out from the city and towards the river and to also wish them well and to rule the kingdom with honour and dignity.

With that Gandalf led the Fellowship down a small track towards the harbour, the very some track that he had followed a few nights back when Aragorn had received the wound to his shoulder.

Coming to the harbour they found recent tracks showing the converging of Orcs and a rather large beast. Frodo found a small piece of clothing, and was quickly identified by Eldarion as a piece of his father's cloak.

"An attempt at escape?" Legolas asked.

Gandalf frowned stroking his beard. "No not an escape attempt. Possibly rivalry between the Orc clans over who gets custody of the prisoner. Signs point to the fact that there was something amiss here."

"Mithrandir!" Faramir stood over two Orcs bodies. Both Orcs had been stabbed to death. "You may be right about the rivalry."

"Why fight over the custody of a prisoner?" Eldarion asked. Young and inexperienced as he was the young Prince didn't know much about the tactics of Orcs and what they usually did to those unlucky enough to become their captives.

"They wanted blood spilt. Something interesting to do on the journey or otherwise they'd rebel." Gimli answered.

Eldarion's face paled and he felt sick inside. "Beasts to do such things."

"I do not think that the Orcs would be allowed to harm Aragorn. The Knights would not allow any harm to befall their special guest would they?"

"I suppose so."

"Then we must hope that no pain is in store for Aragorn before he comes to Numenor." Gandalf murmured mostly to himself.

Scouting out the area the Fellowship soon started the track up the river that would eventually lead them to the sea. Every step they took led Eldarion towards his destiny.

*****

The last few hours had gone by in a blur for Aragorn. The beast had emerged from the path out on the Pelennor Fields and swiftly taken flight. Barely five minutes had gone by when Aragorn found himself in the hands of the Orcs being man-handled towards the boats. Before he had even been brought to the ramp a scuffle had broken out among the tribes.

In the assuring mess Aragorn had determined that one group of Orcs wanted custody of him while another wanted him too. He supposed it was because they wanted blood spilt yet he was unsure with his prediction. The two Orc leaders had broken up into a fight after shouting in their hideous language, though by the looks both of them were giving him, Aragorn realised the argument was about him.

In the end another two Orcs had attacked the other and so a brawl had started. In the midst of this Aragorn had been forgotten by the Orcs and the Knight. The Orcs it seemed were not terrified of the Knight, and perhaps had some power over it.

Taking a chance Aragorn had decided to try and wiggle away. His endeavor failed when he was caught by three Orcs who stomped their heavy feet on his back and prevented his wiggling movement. With his hands and arms and legs and ankles securely bound by the chains he had no hope of escaping.

A few minutes later the fight had broken up and two Orcs could be seen dead on the earth. The Captains. It was quickly decided that Aragorn would become a 'guest' on the Knight's boat. The King had to wonder why the Knight would choose to journey on a boat instead by flight yet he never found out.

Retrieved by the Knight – it didn't trust the Orcs – Aragorn's ankles and legs were free. It hissed in his ear as the Knight pulled him to his feet. "Move your highness!" the title was a slur.

The Knight led Aragorn deep down into the bowels of the boat and into a small musty-smelling room, which he could only gather to be his cell. Orcs held him as the Knight removed the chains. Then the Orcs roughly forced onto him binders of steel that wrapped round his wrists and ankles, trapping him against the wall, unable to move. The position he was in was uncomfortable. His arms had been forced above his head and chained with the binders and he could not move them down. His ankles were relatively the same, so he was forced to stand chained to the wall, unable to move into a more comfy position. But what surprised him most was the collar that the Orcs fastened round his neck. This made sure his head was held in one position only. He could not turn and was forced to look at the Knight as it checked each restrain.

Finally all was done and the Knight straightened from his task. A cold shiver whipped its way up the King's back.

"Do not worry heir of Numenor. You shall not be harmed tonight though if you cause trouble I will rethink my promise to hand you over unharmed."

Aragorn did not reply only looked stonily ahead. The Knight laughed and it seemed that a cold wind was flying through the air. Aragorn trembled lightly and he wished fervently that he were beside Arwen, snuggling up to her.

Once the Knight had left him alone, the former Ranger had taken to dreaming of Arwen and thinking of her. It was folly to attempt escape; besides he couldn't anyway, the bindings were too tight and held him securely. There was no escape for him that night.

He gently fell into an uneasy sleep.

As he woke a few hours later he found the boat rocking and the sounds of angry voices reaching his ears. He tried to fathom what they were saying but he could not.

As he waited the voices became clearer; they were coming closer. A gut feeling fell into his stomach as he could hear what the foul Orcs were saying. They spoke of him. Once more he was the object of their attention.

//Probably bickering over what to do with me// he thought.

The door to his cell opened and in stepped two filthy, dishevelled looking Orcs. At their waist two scimitars could be seen either side of them. The Orc's gazes fell on him and Aragorn couldn't help feeling rather afraid. He kept his face straight as they approached, not wanting them to see his fear.

Thankfully they did not notice.

One of the Orcs pulled out a shiny key. Stepping up to the King the Orc looked him in the eye declaring: "Now, the master wishes to see you. If you do not co-operate with us and come peacefully we will be allowed to harm you in anyway we wish. And believe me we will make you cry in pain."

//Not much of a threat// Aragorn thought. //Yet he has a point. I dare not rebel. I do not wish to harm my loved ones//

He was aware that Morgoth's threat through Elladan about killing his family could still be done. He did not wish for death to find his children so soon in their young lives. Their life on Middle-Earth had barely begun.

He waited patiently as the Orc released the chains. The other Orc watched waiting for the chance to grab him if Aragorn was to make a move to escape.

//Perhaps when I was young I would've attempted a foolhardy escape. It will be impossible to get off this boat anyway//

Once free the other Orc produced rope and tied his hands in front of him, cutting off the circulation. Within minutes his hands would be numb. The Orcs grabbed his arms and pulled him along the corridors until finally they came to the deck.

Aragorn was thrown to the deck in front of the Knight. In the sky the shriek of its steed could be heard. He carefully pulled himself to his knees and asked himself 'how am I to see the master if we are not in Numenor?'. From what he could gather the boat was still in Middle-Earth for familiar territory surrounded him.

"You are wondering how you can meet my master if we are not at Numenor?" the Knight asked, its voice cold.

"Yes," Aragorn whispered surprised.

"The mind link he did to the elf. He intended it for you but you were too strong. Now with darkness raging within your wound *and* that you are in my care he can speak to you whenever he so wishes. And now he will."

Aragorn had barely a moment to register what the Knight said before overwhelming agony reached into his mind. Before he realised it his voice echoed out in a scream. He crumpled to a heap at the Knight's feet.

Through his agony he heard the taunting voice of his captor: Morgoth. It was cruel as he laid there, pain whipping through his body at different intervals, with Morgoth's voice in his head.

If only he knew what his pain was doing to Frodo and Arwen, perhaps he would fight, but his strength was spent, and eventually he knew no more as he faded into unconsciousness.

*****

Frodo stumbled in his step as pain blossomed in his shoulder where the Witch-King had stabbed him in the shoulder so many years ago. A small cry escaped his throat.

"Mister Frodo?" Sam asked grabbing hold of the hobbits shoulders and holding him tight.

As he tried to speak, Frodo caught flashes of the Witch-King in his mind's eye and then the images faded to that of a man curled up in a ball, hands to his head, and crying in agony. "Stri…Stri…Strider." He managed.

Eldarion glanced up at Gandalf. "Frodo? What is wrong?" the Prince asked.

It was some minutes before Frodo's fit passed and he lifted his head from Sam's shoulder. His eyes were glazed with pain. "Memories of the past mingled with that of what is occurring now."

"What did you see?" Gandalf asked, softly, his eyes concerned. "We must know."

Frodo's eyes widened as he prepared himself to speak. "I saw a boat. I saw Strider. He was in pain; my shoulder hurt as he screamed. I do not know why. The agony was too much for me."

"I see what is happening," Gandalf spoke, "Morgoth is beginning to make Aragorn weak so that it will be easy to extract the Numenorean Power from him. Frodo is connected to the darkness that Morgoth uses. The evil of the Witch-King resides in your shoulder wound, so whenever Morgoth uses his evil on someone you know and love; you will feel it, Frodo. The fits will get worse as we come closer to Numenor." He said. "Tell me do you know where they were?"

"I saw the sea." Frodo answered.

Gandalf nodded. Faramir said: "Then they have not yet left Middle-Earth?"

"No. They will not do so for a few days. We have time to catch up to the boats. When we do we will decide in what to do."

*****

Far off in Minas Tirith, Arwen felt her heart tear in two once more as she felt her loved ones pain. She fell to the floor and wept, not moving, not even when Éowyn pleaded her to. All Arwen wanted was her husband back, safe in her arms.

TBC

Well what do you think? Was it good? Chapter 8 will be up on Saturday! Namárië!