Disclaimer: I own nothing!!
AN: Hehe. Louis is gonna love this chapter. LOL.
ALSO: A big HUGE thanks to all my reviewers for their comments on the last chapter! I was really glad that most of you liked it. Also EXTRA SPECIAL thanks to those of you (you know who you are) who gave me your opinions on the other stories I'm planning to write. It seems that a lot of people like "Pictures" so I'll probably be doing that one first, after "The Song of the White Wood," on account of that ones nearly done.
ALSO ALSO: Well, after tallying up the votes for whether this story and it's planned sequel should be a trilogy or just two stories…well, the votes were still tied, so I asked my beta to break the vote, and she said it would be better if it was a trilogy. I have to admit I was leaning towards that too. So sorry to all of you who wanted two long stories. I'm thinking the sequel to this one will have the same name ("Cheating Darkness, Part II"), and the last story in the trilogy will be named something different.
Thanks you guys, you are a big help.
***********Chapter 35***********
When Legolas's lips touched Eressa's it was as if he felt a huge weight lift off his shoulders. Valar, he had so wanted this. Now it was actually happening, and he couldn't believe it. It took all his willpower not to sink down onto the bed with her in his arms and make love to her right then and there, but for now he was satisfied.
Eressa had gasped when their lips touched and recoiled only slightly, but Legolas felt that as he continued to kiss her, she slowly sank into his embrace and even returned it with her own. She snaked her arms up and around his neck, pulling him even closer. It seemed like the natural thing to do, and besides, it all felt so good. He certainly didn't expect it when she reluctantly pulled away.
"This isn't a dream?" She asked uncertainly…breathlessly.
Legolas smiled warmly. "No, it's not." He answered softly, before he returned to her mouth, kissing her deeply and not regretting it.
Eressa was unfamiliar with the art of kissing, but Legolas obviously wasn't. The way he did it made her whole body seem to sing with pleasure and excitement, and she hadn't a doubt in her mind that Legolas had intended it to be that way.
Finally, Legolas unwillingly ended the kiss to allow Eressa—and himself—some air. He didn't unwrap his arms from her slim waist, however, and continued to hold her close to him, cradling her much like a mother would cradle a child. After a moment he dipped his head down toward hers again and pressed his forehead against hers, rubbing noses with her playfully.
"Eressa…" He began nervously. "I love…"
It was then that there was a loud banging on the door, which caused both the elf and the girl to gasp and jump.
"The guards." Eressa hissed, and she hurriedly pulled out of Legolas's embrace, just as the door was flung open.
Outside stood two guards. One Legolas recognized as Malkor, and he stepped forward to take Eressa out of the room. She gave Legolas one last glance before she disappeared. Then, as Malkor moved out of the way, Angarod appeared from behind him, with a fire blazing in his eyes. He stepped forward and muttered something to the guard about guarding the door.
Legolas stayed where he was, glaring at the man approaching him. Angarod didn't stop moving until he was directly beside the bed. He said nothing, but Legolas could sense that he was boiling with anger and was about to explode. He braced for a strike from one of his trainer's gloved hands.
Angarod saw the elf brace himself, and quickly lashed out, grabbing the elf's jaw in an iron grip. Legolas cried in pain as the pressure began to make the left side of his jaw throb. His cry, however, was muffled by the gloved hand across his mouth.
"So you thought you would spare the boy and take the easy way out, did you?" Angarod fumed. "Kill two birds with one stone, eh, elf?"
"Well, I'm here to let you know that I won't be letting you do anything like that again." He continued. "You got yourself a serious head injury now, so your gonna be staying here till you heal, but that won't save you from the punishment your gonna get once your better, oh no."
"And just remember this much, elf." Angarod's anger continued to build. "The next time you try and be merciful and sacrifice yourself for some kid, even if you are successful, they will die anyway. I don't care who it is. They will die if you repeat what you did yesterday. Do you understand me?"
Legolas winced as Angarod squeezed his jaw tighter but didn't answer.
"I SAID DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME!?!" Angarod bellowed.
Legolas cried out again as the angry man pushed down and banged his head on one of the planks, but this time he abandoned his stubborn acts, and nodded, despite the pain it caused him.
"Good." Angarod hissed between clenched teeth, and with a jerk he let Legolas's head out of his grasp. He stormed out and ordered the guard to close and lock the door.
Legolas rubbed his now throbbing jaw as he listened to the sound of the footsteps leave down the corridor.
I didn't know they would be leaving me here…the elf thought. Eredor will think I died or something.
Legolas sighed and sat up, swinging his legs off the bed and touching the floor, his eyes resting on the sewing and nursing supplies Eressa had left in the corner of the cell in her rush to get out. He was genuinely surprised to find that the pain in his head didn't increase as he sat higher.
I wonder if I could stand. He thought, beginning to push himself off of the bed into a standing position.
He winced as the pain increased slightly, and the room became swirled. He lost his balance and fell back onto the dirt with a cry of surprise.
"Ow…" He murmured irritably, a bit angry that he couldn't a least stand up on his own. He reluctantly turned around and crawled back into the bed, lying down. Maybe he could sleep. Extra sleep would increase the rate of his healing.
Yes…that's what I'll do…sleep. The elf decided, and he focused his eyes straight ahead of him on the ceiling. He tried to reach for slumber in his mind, but his thoughts kept retreating back to the event that had happened only a few minutes before.
Legolas smiled and reached up a finger and set it on his lips.
I kissed her…I kissed her and she liked it…He thought proudly.
His thoughts of the past turned into daydreams of the future and he imagined some of the events that could happen this night, if Eressa came to him. He so hoped she would, but the guards might not let her, considering he was injured, and she had already stitched and treated his wound.
I love her…He said to himself for no real purpose. He smiled wider and removed his finger, and instead placing his hands behind his head.
He spent the remainder of the morning in that position, doing nothing but dreaming of Eressa and her soft pink lips, slim shapely body, and all the things he could do to please and pleasure her. There were a million possibilities.
Legolas slowly came to the realization of what he was thinking and suddenly realized that Eressa was not like the other, elven woman he had been with before, and her thoughts about that sort of stuff could be different. Not to mention she was only seventeen.
Why does she have to be so young? He wondered. Then he remembered one of the first sentences Eressa had said to him. She had stated when he asked her age that she would be turning 18 in a month.
Still…eighteen…that is quite young. He thought. I can wait though.
Finally, Legolas banished his thoughts about his love and eventually found sleep. (AN: This was when I went 'ok, enough about Legolas and his dirty mind.' LOL!) It pleased him when he didn't have any dreams. He slept peacefully, but he awoke late in the afternoon to a slam on the door.
The elf sat up, without pain surprisingly, and just in time to see the door open and a guard appear…with a tray of food held in his hands. Looking up at the guard's face, Legolas recognized him. It was Malkor again.
Malkor saw the elf stare at the tray and smiled. "You have to eat, don't you?" He asked with a chuckle, referring to the elf's baffled expression.
Legolas narrowed his brows as Malkor stepped forward. He took the food hastily and as soon as it was offered to him and dug in. It was merely a stale biscuit and some vegetable soup but to him it was like a feast. He hadn't had warm soup in ages, it seemed.
Only after he'd stuffed a considerable amount of food into his hungry mouth did Legolas notice that Malkor was still standing above him, staring as he swallowed his mouthful of food.
"Don't you have better things to do than to watch me eat?" He asked rudely, not at all in the mood to consider politeness, even thought Malkor was one of the only humans besides Eredor and Eressa that he would speak a word too.
The man didn't seem phased by the cruel tone in the elf's voice. He shrugged. "Actually I don't. Today is my day off duty."
Legolas paused his eating to look up at the man quizzically. "Then why are you here?" He inquired.
Malkor briefly glanced at Legolas's wound. "An injured elf should eat." He answered simply.
Legolas quickly turned his head so that the man couldn't view the gash in his head again. In doing so, he noticed that the door was still wide open. It would be so easy just to run out!
If I could stand up…He remembered sadly. Then he turned back to face Malkor.
"That does not answer my question: Why are you here?" He asked firmly.
Malkor grinned. "I'll tell you why. My wife. I told her about you and she couldn't stand to think of a poor creature like you sittin' down here without no food." He chuckled and when on. "And since Angarod didn't seem to care whether you starved to death or not, she whipped you up some of her soup. So I brought it down."
Legolas blinked. It surprised him greatly that a human would care enough about a slave…a slave that belonged to another race actually, to take the time to bring food down to him on his day off. It surprised him even more that Malkor's wife was so kind as to cook food for him.
"Uh…tell…tell you wife the soup is very good." He muttered reluctantly, eyes cast downward.
Malkor nodded, satisfied at the response he got from the elf. "I'll tell her, alright. She'll be glad."
With that, Malkor turned to the door. Legolas watched him go, but just before he was about to shut and lock the door again, he cried out.
"Malkor!" He shouted softly, saying the human's name for the first time. "I…uh…thank you."
Malkor smiled warmly. "It's not a problem, my friend." He said. Then, he closed the door and Legolas heard the lock click. He stared at the wooden and iron door for one moment longer before he allowed himself to smile softly. Then he continued to enjoy his soup.
*************
The day went by faster than Legolas had imagined it would. After he had finished his meal, he had taken the time to mark down the days he'd been here, using a stone that had chipped off of one of the walls. Having no other place to put it, he scraped it on the walls themselves. Legolas didn't worry about Angarod or anyone else seeing the dates—it was unlikely that any man here knew how to speak elvish, much less read it.
After that he took out the scissors and planks from beneath his bed and begun to carve stakes. He had about three good stakes done when he started on something more challenging—a bow. He used the largest piece of wood from his bed, and although it would leave him with an uncomfortable hole in the flat, it would make a bow just big enough to be used by him.
Before he knew it, he heard the sounds of the guards placing the other slaves back into their cells, and the sun was setting. He smiled, his empty tray and soup bowl sitting on the floor beside the bed. Eressa would arrive soon...he hoped.
He grinned and looked down at his work. His bow was nearly halfway carved—it astonished even him how fast he had gone about it. Deciding that it was a day's work, he quickly placed the unfinished bow, the stakes and scissors underneath his bed again. He covered his bed with his blanket in order to hide the hole he left in it.
Eagerly, the elf sat and waited for Eressa to arrive. He so hoped that the guards would let her. He needed to see her again. He began to worry it would never happen when the sun completely set and only twilight lighted his cell, but then there was a pound on the door and it banged noisily open.
And there stood Eressa with Malkor and another guard behind her. The kind guard flashed Legolas a smile before allowing Eressa to enter. Legolas found it hard not to smile back, but he did manage a glance of thanks as the door was slammed shut and he disappeared.
Then Legolas turned back to Eressa. She didn't approach him warmly, smiling as he had imagined she would. Instead she was standing with her hands tightly clasped in front of her, her head down, cheeks red as apples in Autumn.
Oh no…Legolas thought to himself. She's having second thoughts about letting me kiss her…
Legolas was right. During the time they were apart, Eressa had thought constantly about the actions they had taken that morning. She admitted that when Legolas had kissed her it wasn't unpleasant…but her reaction to him frightened her. When he had kissed her she suddenly didn't care about the rest of the world anymore…and she would have done anything then to just stay safe in his arms forever. No other person—not even her own brother—had made her feel so strongly before. It made Eressa wonder if she was making the right choice by agreeing to see him again when the guard Malkor had so kindly asked. She felt the elf's intense gaze on her and began to open her mouth timidly.
"Legolas I…" She started, but he cut her off.
"Please, do not speak Eressa." He said. He wouldn't lose her now, when he had just begun to have her. "I want to tell you something first."
Eressa closed her mouth and managed to look him in the eyes but didn't move from the spot.
"Will you not sit down?" He asked, his eyes pleading.
Eressa sighed and then sat on the bed next to him, still red in the face. He opened his mouth to say those three words he had wanted to say for days but she interrupted before he could get it out.
"Why did you kiss me?" She asked sternly, but quietly, and Legolas blinked in surprise.
"You didn't…enjoy it?" He asked uncertainly.
Eressa blushed more deeply and covered it up with her small hands. "I…I don't know if I did or didn't…no…yes…yes I did."
Legolas smiled. He reached forward and pulled her hands away from her beautiful, flush face. She tensed a bit when she touched her but didn't pull away. He looked her straight in the eyes and spoke.
"I kissed you…" he began shakily. "Because…Eressa…I've fallen in love with you."
Eressa's face was a mixture of complex emotions, but she didn't appear shocked or appalled. She opened her mouth to answer him, but at first nothing came out.
"How long?" She managed to choke out eventually. "Why?"
Legolas chuckled. "Why?" He repeated. "Why not?"
Eressa bit her lip. "There are a million reasons! I'm not nearly as pretty as some of the other women you could have, and certainly could not be as fair as elven women, though I've never seen them!"
"I think you are beautiful. The most beautiful person—elven or human—I've ever met. And I love who you are…love isn't completely dependent on one's looks." Legolas answered softly. "But to answer your other question: I'm not entirely sure how long I've been in love. In fact…in fact when I felt myself doing so, I would have done anything to stop it."
Eressa frowned, and Legolas continued on nervously. "I wouldn't allow myself to fall in love...with a human…I used to hate humans. But you're different. You aren't like the others. Still I didn't want to fall in love with you…I don't know why now. But I did anyway…and I don't regret it."
His eyes glimmered with a flicker of heat, and Eressa found herself not become frightened as she did before.
"I…I don't know what to say, Legolas." She stammered, nervous. Her eyes dropped to her feet again.
"You don't need to say anything." The elf answered, smiling gently at her. His hands were still locked around hers, and he held one up to his lips and kissed the knuckles tenderly.
"I love you, Eressa." He breathed, as she gazed up at him again. "I want to show you how much I love you."
Eressa was hit by a wave of guilt. Here he was, the object of only her wildest dreams, confessing his love to her, and she didn't have an answer for him.
"I…I…" She muttered and then finally gave up trying to speak, instead casting her eyes downward and blushing again.
Legolas knew what she was struggling with. He had feared that this would happen, but he had also prepared for it. Eressa was young and inexperienced in love, she had never felt it before, and therefore would not recognize the feeling when at first she felt it. He wanted her desperately to return the words he had said to her, but he didn't want to pressure her into saying something false either.
"Eressa." He said. "I won't force you to say it."
"But I want to." Replied the blushing girl. "I don't want to disappoint you. But I just don't know."
Legolas smiled. "I'll help you."
He slowly leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips. She didn't recoil…she couldn't. She wanted it. It disappointed her when he pulled away.
"What does your heart tell you?" Legolas asked gently.
Eressa's eyes narrowed and they floated downward towards her feet. She reached a finger up to her lips and she blushed yet again. She couldn't tell him she loved him yet, but she couldn't deny the truth either.
She opened her mouth shyly. "It's telling me that you should kiss me again."
Legolas grinned, and though it was not the confession of love he had hoped for, he obeyed willingly. But this time he didn't make the kiss so intense…it was softer…less passionate. He wanted Eressa to deepen it if she wished to. She began to, but then to his dismay, pulled away.
Eressa saw his look of question and disappointment and offered an honest answer.
"I…I don't think I'm a very good kisser." She stammered, blushing a shade redder.
Legolas chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Don't even say a thing like that." He leaned forward and kissed her again, this time deepening it himself.
His hands left her own and came to both sides of her face, then into her hair, as he had always wanted. But their exploration was halted suddenly when his fingers closed around something wooden. He pulled away and disentangled his fingers from Eressa's locks. Then he realized what he had felt.
"You are wearing the comb I made you." He observed.
Eressa smiled lightly and removed the hairpiece from her tresses. "Yes. I love it."
Realizing that she mentioned 'love' again, Eressa frowned and looked at her comb doubtfully. Legolas noticed this and placed a finger under her chin, forcing her to look up at him.
"I told you I won't pressure you to say it, and I meant it." He assured her. "You'll know in time."
Eressa shook her head. "But I want to love you."
"Then you will." Legolas told her as she replaced the comb in her hair. "It takes time."
Eressa rolled her eyes. "It didn't take you too long."
Legolas grinned, and told her his thoughts. "I recognize the emotion. You've never felt it before, therefore you won't recognize it right away when you feel it."
Eressa blinked and went into deep thought. "Well, what I do know is…that you've made me feel like I've never felt before, Legolas. When I'm around you…I don't care about anything else…I don't know if that's wicked of me or not…but at the same time you make me feel so…right. Like no matter what happens, everything will be fine in the end."
Legolas smiled warmly at her as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "I'm pleased to hear that, melamin."
Eressa looked at him strangely. "Melamin? What does that mean?"
Legolas leaned forward and gave her another quick kiss. "It means 'my love' in my language." He answered. "You don't mind, do you?"
Eressa shook her head. "No. I'm just a bit tired. We had a lot to do today." She explained, referring to her work above, in the house.
Legolas nodded. "I see. We'll sleep then." He said, not finding the idea displeasing himself. He laid down, uncomfortably considering the hole he had made in his bed, but nevertheless managed to make room for Eressa to squeeze in next to him.
She held him tightly when she moved next to him, and Legolas snaked his arms around her in a strong yet loving embrace, he kissed the top of her golden head before whispering 'goodnight' to her.
"Goodnight, Legolas." Eressa replied, feeling like the luckiest girl in the world. She hadn't told Aleka about the kiss she and Legolas had shared this morning, but now she was dying to! It seemed unbelievable that Legolas wanted to be with her of all people…he made her feel so special, and she loved that.
"I love you." He breathed as he felt her breaths grew deeper and slower. She smiled and snuggled up closer to him, making Legolas burn with desire for her. It surprised and shocked him that it was her youthful actions that made him want her so much. But…he decided, he wouldn't touch her unless she wanted him to. Otherwise she could lose her trust in him.
Legolas frowned as he stared up at the ceiling. He couldn't allow that to happen.
"Legolas?" Came her voice, one last time.
"Yes?" He asked.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight, melamin."
*************Personal thing************
AN: Boi, can you say SAPPY?? I really didn't know how to write it. LOL. Tell me what you think!
LegyLuva: Thanks for your opinions on my other story ideas! I like "Pictures" too, so I'll definitely be doing that. Why would the Ringwraith one be silly? I think that a female Ringwraith could have been very possible! I mean…they don't really have any…things…confirming them to be males or females…
Yeah, I want to do a "Pirates" one too, but I need some more requirements. Prolly have to wait a bit on that one. Oh, I can't wait. This will be fun.
Thanks!
Samwise the Strong: Um…I don't want to be so forthright, but…NO! I like Legomances! And sorry, but I'm not to interested in writing ones about Sam or the other hobbits. Reading them is fine, but writing them is…yeah. Ugh. Them "Pirates" slash-fics make me shudder. I actually tried to read one once (I was curious) and all I can say is…I'm scarred.
Legolas_gurl: Thanks! And I'll keep a look out for your story on the bookshelves, ok? Good luck with it! Don't worry, I won't steal the title. Yep, Barbossa comes back. Hehe. Thanks. I haven't seen the whole Troy trailer yet…I'll have to download it or something…it's probably gonna be on when I see RotK…Orli…yum….thanks again, bye!
Crystal Snowflakes: Yes, I think "Pictures" is unique too! I really want to do it. And YAY! My lift should become less hectic right now! Musical is OVER, BABY! Yaya! Good luck with handling your tough life though! I hope you can make it! I nearly didn't! Luv ya!
*hugs from the guys and me!*
Wilwarin: Thank you for reading! Also thank you for reviewing! Sorry, but as you must have read above, I chose the other option…I hope you aren't mad or anything. I won't change the storyline one bit, it's just gonna be split so it's not so dang long, that's all. Yes! Go read my other fics, please! No many people read that one, and that's part of the reason I started this one instead. I'm hoping that now that I have reviewers that like this story…they will read that one too! Thanks a lot!
Deana: HOLY MOLY!! You must read really fast, or you stayed up all night reading! Good for you! You deserve a cookie! *gives you cookie* Here's Chapter 35 for you!! I hope you liked it. THANK GOD!! Some one who didn't think of "Gladiator!" Go you!
Nirobie: Thanks! And also thanks for your comments on the other stories! They are very encouraging! Luv ya! Bye!
Ral: Thanks for your vote, but sorry, the other option is gonna happen. Don't worry the plot won't change or anything. Thanks anyway, though! Also thanks a bunch for the comments on the kiss! I'm glad you liked it! Thanks again!
The Noble Platypus: *covers ears when you squeal* AH! Don't do that! I have very sensitive ears! Here's the chapter you were waiting for! Didja like it? I hope so! I'll update as soon as I can!
And yeah, I'm gonna try and get to work on "Pictures" tonight if my parents don't throw me off the computer. It's a maybe issue…don't worry I'm definitely doing it!
SECHSHOOWAL TENSHUN!! Hehe!
Vana E: Lurker…I didn't know they had names for people like that! Well, thanks a bunch for reviewing and thanks even more for reading! I appreciate it! Ah…so you're an Elf Torture fan…well, I can't say when exactly, but yes…there is more elf torture coming, but not until Legolas gets better. That might take a long time, but stick around, cuz the thing I have planned for him next is really bad…my other Lego-loving reviewers are gonna kill me…even though it don't cause any permanent damage…um…yeah, enough spoilers! Ok, you don't like the Authors Notes. Sorry. I'll try and keep them at the bottom of the page from now on! Thanks a lot!
Whitecoyote: Thanks! You want to kiss Lego? KAY! Hey, Legolas, come here!
Legolas: (from computer) I'm in the middle of a story!
Me: I don't care! Whitecoyote wants a kiss!
Legolas: Oh…fine. (sqeezes out of computer monitor)
You: (almost faints)
Legolas: (kisses you)
You: (faints)
Legolas: I don't have to give her CPR do I?
LOL! Well, should he or not? Tell me! Yeah, that guy is kind of eww…Anywho!
Newcomer: I am…BATMAN!
You, Will, and Pippen: (…)
Newcomer (aka Batman): I think I lost my way…could you give me directions?
Pippen: Where are we anyway?
Will: (to Batman) Are you gonna save me or not?
Batman: Hell no! I only save small children or the occasional pretty girl!
Pippen: Well Will is dang close to a pretty girl!
Will: What!! You little…really little LIAR! I'm not a pretty girl!
You: Yeah, Pippen! I'll have your head hacked off for that!
To be continued….don't ask where the Batman thing came from….heeh.
XxDarkgoddessxX: Ah, the first kiss! No, the ball hit him on the side of his head, so his mouth (other than his teeth being knocked out) is pretty much unaffected. Plus he's already healing! Yay!
Yep! Inuyasha's back on and OMFG!! (I don't mind the language as long as it's like abbreviated) I saw them three episodes with Sesshomaru and OMG!! They are the coolest damn things I ever saw!! Sesshomaru is so FRICKIN' AWESOME!!!
Tango's update was great! Two chappies!! I hope she don't take as long for the next one…I can't wait until Legolas and Robyn have their first kiss! Johnny is really hot…IN EVERY MOVIE HE'S IN!! Speaking of movies! I have The Two Towers Extended DVD Edition!!! YAAAAAAAAAY!!!
Well, I'll be seeing you! Bye Jenny! Luv ya!
And good luck with Anjelica and your hair.
Elainor: You might have to wait a little while…remember, I have this story and that story and The Song of the White Wood….yeah, I'll have my hands full…but I'll try and write it soon I promise!
Thanks for the compliments on the kiss! I didn't put in a bad cliffie this time, Yay! Thanks a bunch, girl!
Nikki: I'm glad you like it so much! I like it too! I'm so happy I finally got it over with…now…how to do sex scenes…LOL—Just kidding! No lemons for me…maybe mild limes at the most….hehe. Thanks a lot! And thanks for the comment on my stories!
PalominoRider16: Well, you wanted romance, you got it! Thanks! I really want to do the PotC fic too, and I have more requirements now! See the bottom! Thanks a lot!
Bunny-lover: Thanks! NO, they will not find out Legolas is a prince. Sorry…well, ok, Eressa will…but only when she finds out from other sources..I'm not supposed to say who the other sources are…no spoilers sorry! I'll update as soon as I can and thanks! Yes, I do know that the PotC DVD is coming out! December Second in the USA, December First in the UK! Yay!!
Gothamin: No, don't worry! I'll never kill Leggy! Don't hurt me! *cringes* Thanks for the compliments! I'll keep up the writing as long as you keep up the reviewing!
Future Story Update: My friend Louis has given me more requirements on the PotC fic she wants me to do. The requirements are now as follows:
-Must be about Jack Sparrow
-Must involve him going to someplace either very far north or very far south—NOT east or west.
-No Barbossa stuff
-Must take place before the movie.
-Pretty sure she wouldn't like a romance…which is okay, cuz I'd rather not write a romance either. Not that Jack's not hot or anything, I just…don't want to. Hum.
Well, that's about it! Tune in next time for the next episode of Cheating Darkness!