Disclaimer: la dee daaa....if I only had a brain, I'd own this.

A/N: sorry every1. I'm doing drama camp and I've had to work on that most of my free time. okay... oh, and this computer was being stupid. Wouldn't even start up; almost lost all my files but bro TannerMM3 was able to save them for me! Let's all thank Tanner! 1...2...3... THANK YOU TANNER! And thx tooooo.......

orligurl88: hehe I'm glad! And sorry for the long period of no update.

Lunawolf: dat's ok. Hehe...u'll c.

James'Gurl215: hehe. Thx! well, I'm hoping it'll be good.

bbysail28: oh, good!

Shuddering Starlight: (pretty name!) yeeeaaah...I wondered that tooo....

jhsdfijsdfa: (wow, that's your real name?) lol, wow. What's cliché? Oooooh...girl falls in love w/Legolas; he falls in luv w/her...they live happily ever after? Lol. Well, good for you!

Black Cherrie: good, glad you liked it!

lexi22: that's ok. Lol, yes I did meet sean astin (he is sooo nice!). Yes! I love sam!!!

MystiqueHottie8: lol, no, it will not. I think there's this chapter and one more. Then I'm done.

FunkyChunkyMunky: lol, sure. I sent it. Hope you like it!

Sarah: hehe, you'll see!

Piper xox Leo: now would I let Tebius get Gwyn? Course not. Don't worry.

Insane Elven Rock Baby: lol...heehee.

Marpessa: awww. How sweet, I'm a polite little troll. Do I sound like I care what you think? Uh, no. buh-bye!

Vampire Feuer: lol, yes, very long.

SilverStar-AquarianAngel: (love the names!) lolz, don't worry...

Arwennicole: heheheehe......

Aliana Archer: yeah, I know, aren't I evil?

CountessKatook: hehehe...

angel13: cool, glad you like it sorry it took so long to update.

smile101: lol. Thx.

Kramedart Trademark: wow, that's neat!

Crazy Cruzet: ooh, fun! Don't worry; s'fine.

p.s. arwennicole: lol, chap was GREAT!

a/n: the name darion, short for Eldarion is pronounced (for me, ne way): (DARE-ee-uhn) not (DARE-ee-own)

And without further ado, I present to you Chapter 29: Surviving

'I'm sorry,' whispered Icor as he locked Gwyn and Aragorn in the damp and dirty cell, and he truly looked it. I don't know how much it will be, but I will do all I can to get you out of here.'

Aragorn thanked him, but Gwyn could not speak. She sat on the grimy floor, her face in her hands. 'This is not happening,' she muttered to herself.

'Will the lady be alright?' Icor asked concernedly, glancing at her through the thick bars.

'She'll be fine,' Aragorn assured. 'Thank you for your concern.'

'Icor!' Tebius' voice barked from above. 'What is taking you so long? Do not trouble yourself with courtesies to the lady! Get the crystal and get up here!'

'Right away, my lord,' Icor called quickly. He looked at Aragorn. 'I am sorry, your highness, but I must take the crystal...'

Aragorn sighed, and reached into a hidden pocket in his tunic. 'I trust that it will be returned to it's rightful place?'

'I can only hope,' Icor answered, taking the purple crystal. He turned and quickly ascended the stares into the light. Some sort of cover was placed over the opening, and the only light source they were left with was the light from the torches that lit the passageway.

Aragorn lightly kicked a small pebble that was in their cell. 'You know,' he said, looking around, 'this place isn't actually that bad, is it?'

'Oh, no, not at all, Gwyn said sarcastically, looking up, 'it would make a lovely home.'

Aragorn chuckled. 'At least there are no rats,' he said brightly.

'That's true,' Gwyn agreed.

At that moment, a black rat scurried in the cell through the bars. It sniffed around a bit, then left.

Gwyn groaned deeply. 'You just had to say that, didn't you?' she snapped. 'You know that the instant you something like that—'

'Are you blaming me for the rats?' Aragorn asked incredulously.

'Well, maybe if you hadn't said anything, we wouldn't have seen them!'

'You're just in a bad mood,' Aragorn snapped.

'It's not my fault that I am; I'm pregnant!' Gwyn shot back. She suddenly went pale. 'Oh, Valar,' she whispered. 'I'm pregnant!' She looked at Aragorn desperately. 'Daddy, I'm pregnant!' She bit her lip to stop herself from crying.

Aragorn walked slowly over to her. He sat down and put his arm around her, drawing her close. 'Shhhh...' he whispered. 'Everything will be alright, I promise.'

'How do you know for sure?' Gwyn groaned.

'Icor promised that he will do all he can to help us,' said Aragorn.

'What does his promise mean to us?'

Aragorn remained silent. 'We'll just have to trust him,' he said finally.

I need you like water, like breath, like rain;
I need you like mercy from Heaven's gate;
There's a freedom in your arms;
And it carries me through;
I need you...

That night...

Gwyn awoke in the middle of the night, shivering. She looked over at her father, who was sleeping uncomfortably. The fires in the torches were dying, barely illuminating the shadow of the guard on duty that night. His outline was familiar, but she could not see his face.

Sighing, she pulled the ratty blanket that had been provided tighter around her, and tried to get back to sleep.

Just as she was about to enter sleep, Gwyn felt an aching pain in her lower stomach. She groaned and stood up. Dragging her feet, she walked to the bars. 'My lord?' she whispered.

The guard started, but quickly met here where she stood. 'What can I do for you, m'lady?' A nearby torch illuminated his face.

'Icor!' Gwyn cried. 'Thank the Valar!' She winced as a wave of pain passed over her stomach...and a wave of fear over her heart. Not again, she thought desperately. Oh, please, not again! Isn't this bad enough already?

'My lord, are you married?'

Icor looked shocked. 'Y-yes, m'lady, I am. Why do you ask?'

Gwyn ignored the question. 'Do you and your wife live nearby?'

'Yes, but why—'

'Please, take me to your home.'

'Why—'

'I cannot explain now,' Gwyn interrupted. 'I must see your wife!'

Icor sighed. 'I can try, m'lady,' he said. 'But we must not be seen. And I must have you back within the hour.'

'That's fine, just get me to your wife, please!'

Icor took a deep breath. 'Very well...' He took a ring of keys off of his belt and inserted one in the lock of their cell. The door creaked open, and Gwyn slipped out. 'Come,' said Icor, and he cautiously ascended the stairs.

Gwyn followed, clutching her stomach. 'How far is it?' she whispered.

'Not too far,' Icor answered. They quickly approached a fading light.

Finally, they came up to a small cabin. Icor gently opened the door. He ushered Gwyn inside and lit a few candles. Once the door was closed. He walked to a door on the opposite side of the small living room. He knocked on it and softly called, 'Eira?'

No response.

He opened the door and disappeared inside.

Gwyn waited, on the verge of tears, for a minute or so. After was seemed like an eternity, Icor and the woman called Eira came out.

The woman was beautiful. She, like her husband, had blonde hair, but her blue eyes were a contrast to his brown eyes. 'Hello,' she said quickly, 'I'm Eira.'

'I'm Gwyn,' she said. 'I am so sorry for this, but I need someone to help...a woman.'

Eira nodded at her husband, who said, 'I will wait outside.'

He left the two.

'What is the problem, my dear?' Eira said gently.

'M'lady—'

'Eira.'

'Eira, once again, I am so sorry,' Gwyn said. 'But I—I'm bearing a child, and—'

'My goodness! You cannot be more than eighteen!' Eira exclaimed.

Gwyn smiled weakly. 'Actually, I'm fourty-eight.'

Eira stared.

'I'm an elf.'

'Oh.'

'But I am—things...aren't right.' Gwyn nearly cried out as she felt more intense pain.

'What is wrong?'

'I think...' Tears spilled down Gwyn's cheeks. 'I think I'm going to—'

'Thank you,' Gwyn whispered as Icor locked her back in the cell. 'Valar bless you and your wife.'

'Let me know if there's anything more I can do,' Icor said earnestly.

'I think that is all for now. There's nothing more than can be done.' She turned and dropped on the grimy floor. She huddled in the corner (trying not to disturb her father) and wept silently.

Why did I come? she thought, balling her fists. It's all because of that stupid crystal!

But, another voice cut in, you wanted to go, didn't you? You begged Legolas to let you go with your father.

Gwyn sighed, silent tears rolling swiftly down her face. I can't blame this journey for what happened. The same thing would have happened if I had stayed home with Legolas. Legolas. What was he going to say? What would he say when Gwyn told him that their unborn child was dead?

I've had one miscarriage already; why do you torture me with two? Gwyn screamed silently in her head to the Valar.

She pounded her fist on the ground, pain piercing her heart. Why? she mouthed, wanting to scream in her pain. Why is my child dead? Why can't I be in Legolas' arms? Why can't he be here to hold me? Why do I have to feel such pain?

Tonight I need your sweet caress;
Hold me in the darkness;
Tonight you calm my restlessness;
You relive my sadness...

Next morning...

A loud rattling awoke Gwyn and Aragorn with a start. An unfamiliar guard was unlocking the cell door; Tebius stood behind him, smiling in a disturbingly sadistic manner. 'Good morning,' he said sleekly as the guard dragged the two out. 'I trust that you are ready for today's game?'

Gwyn scoffed. 'Game?'

'That's right,' Tebius laughed. 'I like to call it 'hanging'.'

Gwyn's mouth dropped open.

'What do you mean?' Aragorn demanded.

Tebius looked coldly at him. 'Well, you entered this place, did you not?' he asked.

'Yes, but only with good intentions!' Gwyn protested.

Tebius laughed coldly. 'Yes, and you nearly spoiled my plan,' he snapped.

'What do you mean, 'your plan'?' Aragorn spat.

'Well, I suppose I can tell you,' Tebius said idly. 'I mean, you are going to die in a few minutes after all, right?' He grinned. 'Well, you see, I paid a friend of mine a great deal of money to steal the crystal for me, because I could not remove it; he could; for he had not sworn the oath to the Valar. I told him to bring it to me, so I could dispose of it. For, you see, I am permitted to touch the crystal, but not remove it.

'I wanted to go to war...and this accursed crystal'—He reached into his pocket and held the crystal up—'was the only thing stopping me. The fool I had entrusted must have gotten cold feet and taken it to Gondor, where it could easily be returned.' Tebius grinned. 'But now that I have the crystal back, there is nothing stopping me.

'So...now that you have been enlightened, let the fun begin.' He laughed and took hold of Gwyn, shoving her up the stairs; the guard did the same to Aragorn.

When they reached the top, they saw a tree with two ropes hanging down from it. A large crowd (looking disgusted) was surrounding it. On of the men was holding two brown horses.

They were led over to that man and shoved upon the horses. Gwyn looked at her father in horror as the ropes were tied around their necks and their hands bound behind their backs. Oh, Valar, was all she could think. Just as a man raised his hands to slap the horses' rumps, two arrows came whizzing out of nowhere. The heads cut through the ropes and freed Gwyn and Aragorn.

'WHAT?!?!' Tebius yelled, looking frantically around.

Two figures came out from behind two large trees. It was Legolas and Estel.

'Legolas!' Gwyn cried, her heart nearly bursting with relief and happiness. 'Estel!'

They both grinned at her. Gwyn dismounted and ran to her husband, nearly knocking him over as she hugged him.

'Kill them!' Tebius ordered. 'Kill all of them!'

'Uh-oh,' Legolas muttered. He gently pushed his wife off to the side. 'Hide, Gwyn, and keep safe.'

'But—'

'Now!'

'But—'

'For me, darling...please.'

'Fine,' Gwyn muttered, and went quickly behind a tree near Tebius, where no one would expect her to be.

The men drew their swords and advanced.

Aragorn had come over quickly. 'Estel, give me your sword,' he said, for Estel also had a bow.

In the ranks, one man leaned in and whispered something to a second man. The whisper soon got around to all the men, and they stopped in their tracks.

'What are you doing?' Tebius screamed. 'Why do you stop?'

'We won't do it,' a man spoke up, who Gwyn was sure was called Russag. 'It's wrong.

'Well,' Tebius said, regaining his composure, and glancing to his side. 'I think you need a little...persuading, hmm?' He slid his hand around the tree he stood by and pulled Gwyn out. His other hand unsheathed a dagger from his belt, and he held it to her throat.

Legolas groaned.

'If you do not obey my orders, the lady dies.' Tebius paused. 'On second thought...' he said thoughtfully, 'if you three'—he pointed to Legolas, Estel, and Aragorn with his dagger, then quickly returned it to his prisoner's throat—'put down your weapons and come quietly...I will let her live.'

Gwyn bit her lip. Legolas and Estel were their last chance of escape. Just as they began to set their weapons down, she cried, 'NO! I'm the one who will come quietly!'

Tebius raised his eyebrows. 'Really? You would like to take me up on my offer, then?'

'I would,' Gwyn breathed, and Tebius let go of her. The second he did, she rammed her elbow into his stomach, knocking the wind out of him. She grabbed his arm and flipped him over her shoulder. But he had grabbed her left wrist, and her arm was pulled and twisted at the same time. She felt something pop, and wrenched her arm from his grasp. She cried out and grabbed her shoulder in pain.

Four men rushed over and pinned Tebius to the ground.

Legolas ran over to his injured wife. 'What's wrong?' he asked, supporting her.

Gwyn struggled to speak. 'Pain,' she managed at last.

'Where?'

'Shoulder.'

Legolas gently examined her shoulder. 'You dislocated it,' he said softly.

'Oh, wonderful,' Gwyn said through gritted teeth. Worried eyes gazed up at Legolas. 'Can you...?'

'I can put it back in place, but it's going to hurt,' Legolas said.

Gwyn laughed painfully. 'It can't be any worse than it already is.'

'Alright...give me the weight of the shoulder.'

Gwyn relaxed.

Legolas kissed her gently to distract her as he moved. Gwyn let herself be distracted, but a second later screamed in pain as Legolas popped her bone back into the socket. 'Shhh...' Legolas whispered, squeezing her supportively. Tears rolled down her cheeks. 'That hurt,' she said weakly.

'I know,' Legolas said softly, wiping her tears away with his thumb. 'You'll be fine.'

They looked at what was going on behind them. The men had put Tebius up on a horse, his hands tied behind his back and a rope around his neck. Gwyn covered her eyes, putting her head on Legolas chest as the horse ran.

The men cheered. Icor stepped up. 'We would like to thank the Lady Gwyn, and her father, King Aragorn for returning the crystal, and to the two brave men who saved their lives.' The men cheered again, and Icor pulled the crystal from Tebius' clothing. He tossed it in the Sea of Rhûn.

The water glowed purple, then turned even bluer that it had been before.

'Tebius had been planning for a very long time,' Icor continued, 'and we have also been planning—against him.'

'But now you need a new commander,' Aragorn cut in.

'Icor was second-in-command,' Russag spoke up. 'So he should take over.'

The men cheered in agreement.

'So that's settled,' Icor said, grinning. 'Now we can all get back to our normal lives.' He turned to the four of them. 'Needless to say, you're free now. Thank you so much.'

'And thank you for your help last night,' Gwyn said softly as she bid him good-bye. 'For that I owe you my life. And please express my gratitude to your wife, also.'

Icor smiled. 'Farewell,' he said, taking her hand and kissing it...Gwyn did not stop him this time. He turned and left with his men.

Gwyn turned to Legolas, grinning, and they all began to set off for home.

'You like him,' Legolas teased, nudging her gently.

'I do not!' Gwyn cried indignantly.

'Do too.'

'Do not!'

'Do too.'

'Legolas, he's married, for Valar's sake!'

Legolas grinned. 'And so are you.'

'I know that,' Gwyn scoffed. 'And I do not like him.'

'You do.'

'Do not!'

'Do too.'

'Legolas, stop it! You know I don't, don't you?'

'I think you do.'

'I think I don't.'

'I think you do.'

Gwyn made an exasperated noise and threw her hands up in the air. 'You're impossible!' She grinned. 'But I love you, anyway.'

'And you like him.'

'DO NOT!'

Silence.

'Do too.'

'IT'S NO USE!'

'What I would like to know,' Aragorn spoke up as they walked through the dark mountains, 'is how Legolas and Estel got here.'

'Yes,' Gwyn piped up, nudging her husband. 'How did you get here?'

Legolas looked at Estel and grinned.

'Well,' he said, 'about a day after you left, Arwen and Eldarion turned up. I remembered what you had said about coming with you, Gwyn, and decided that it would be a wise decision. I had your mother to take care of the throne for me and Eldarion to watch Laurelle and Ani, so I took Estel with me.'

'And it's a good thing you did,' said Aragorn.

'You think?' Estel joked, and everyone laughed.

That night...at the camp set up...

Gwyn sat by the dying fire, thinking about everything that had happened to her over the last two days.

'Gwyn?'

Gwyn jumped, but looked up to see her husband. 'Yes?' she answered softly.

Legolas sat beside her. 'Why aren't you sleeping?' he asked.

'Why aren't you?'

'Couldn't,' they answered simultaneously, then laughed.

Legolas looked gently at his wife. 'Gwyn?'

'Hmmm?'

'I wanted to wait until we were alone to ask you, and now that we are...'

Gwyn's heartbeat sped up. She knew what was coming. 'Yes?' she said nervously.

'First question: what did that man, Tebius, mean when he said that you wanted to 'take him up on his offer'?'

Gwyn hesitated. 'He—he—' and she told him everything that had been said to her.

When she finished, Legolas cursed under his breath, earning him a smack on the arm from Gwyn.

'Sorry,' he apologized. 'You know, it's a very good thing that Tebius is already dead...otherwise you'd be married to a murderer.'

'Legolas!' Gwyn scolded. 'Really!'

'Well, it's true,' Legolas protested.

'I know, but still...'

There was a silence between them...but after a moment Legolas said softly, 'Thank you.'

'For what?'

'For being loyal to me.'

Gwyn smiled. 'You're welcome. You know I would never betray you.'

'I know,' Legolas smiled back. He slid his hand around her neck and pulled her in closer and kissed her gently.

To distract him from his second question, Gwyn deepened the kiss. Legolas played along, but after a few minutes, pulled away. 'Well, if that's all...' Gwyn said quickly, starting to stand up. But Legolas pulled her back down by her left arm. 'No, that is not all,' he said. 'Sorry,' he added when she cringed in pain. 'Now,' said Legolas, 'second question: what did Icor help you with last night?'

Gwyn turned her face away. She didn't understand why she couldn't answer; the night before she would have done anything to be able to tell him. 'I can't say,' she mumbled finally.

'Why can't you say?' Legolas asked, a strange look on his face.

'I—I just can't.'

'That's not a reason.' His voice had gone from soft and loving to harsh and firm.

Gwyn got up and walked over to a large field; the grass was taller that she was and went seemingly on for miles. Legolas followed her. 'I think I know why you cannot say,' he said softly.

Gwyn spun around, and Legolas was not surprised to see tears streaked down her face.

'You do?'

He nodded.

'Why, then?'

Legolas did not answer for a moment. Finally... 'You betrayed me, didn't you?'

Gwyn looked as though she had just been slapped. 'I did not!' she cried. 'How could you—'

Legolas held up a hand to silence her. 'If you didn't betray me, then what did happen?'

'You want to know what happened?' Gwyn repeated, her voice shaking as tears streamed unrestrainedly down her face.

'Yes, I would.'

Gwyn tried to steady her voice, but it shook with pain as she said, 'I had a miscarriage, that's what happened!' And before Legolas could say a word, she turned and ran into the tall grass, wishing that she could be running from her life.

'Gwyn!' Legolas called after her, and she heard him running after her. 'Gwyn, wait! Please!'

Gwyn ignored him and kept running. In a matter of seconds, though, he caught up with her and grabbed her arm to stop her...it happened to be her left arm.

She cried out in pain and tried to pull free of his grasp. 'Gwyn, stop! You're only hurting yourself more!'

'I'm not hurting myself, you're hurting me!' Gwyn snapped. 'Let me go!'

Legolas released her, but she did not run.

'How could you?' she demanded. 'How could you think that I betrayed you? After all we've been through; all the years we've been together? I chose probable torture and death over betrayal while I was with child! I would rather die a thousand slow deaths by torture than betray you! I would have my flesh torn off my body; my heart ripped out and be left to bleed; my wrists slit and be forced to stay alive rather than betray you! How could you not know that? How could you ever think that I would betray you?' Gwyn's whole body was shaking; her cheeks were covered in tears that streaked from her eyes down her neck, wetting the neck of her traveling clothes. She was nearly shouting as the passionate love and loyalty pouring from her very soul escaped her lips in those words. She did not even know what words she spoke; it was simply as though her heart and soul were controlling her mouth.

Legolas was speechless. 'Gwyn, I—I—'

Gwyn was not finished. 'You say that you know me like I know myself...perhaps even better. If you do, then why would you—how could you not know what love I feel; what loyalty? Tell me, Legolas; would you go through the same if only it meant that you would not betray me?'

'I would,' Legolas answered softly, without hesitation.

'Prove it,' Gwyn whispered. 'You don't have to prove it by going through it, but prove it by knowing that I would go through it for you and never doubting my loyalty. Can you do that?'

'Yes,' Legolas said. 'I can do that. I'm sorry for doubting you; I truly am.'

'I know,' Gwyn murmured.

Legolas stepped closer to her and reached out, gently tilting her chin up to look at him. 'Darling, why was it so hard to tell me what really happened?' he asked softly.

'It was—just too painful,' Gwyn whispered; she bit her lip to stop the tears. 'Just thinking about it...Legolas, I was alone...' and she spilled the whole story.

Legolas sighed. 'It's alright,' he said gently. 'Cry. Cry all you want. I'm here now.' He wrapped his strong arms around her, and she burst into more tears; crying on his shoulder...just crying out her pain. He unbraided her hair and caressed it gently as he held her, whispering soft words of comfort. 'We'll try again, alright?' he said.

'No! It's not alright!' Gwyn sobbed. 'I won't go through this again, Legolas! I won't!'

'Shhh...' Legolas whispered. 'You don't have to. It's alright.' He rocked her gently, letting her cry her heart out.

The next morning, Gwyn would not look her husband in the eye. He tried to catch her eye several times, but she always turned her face away. This went on until about noon, when finally, Legolas pulled her aside from the group. 'Gwyn, are you angry with me?' he asked firmly, yet gently.

'No,' Gwyn answered quietly, still avoiding eye contact.

'Look at me.'

Gwyn looked slowly up, but looked down again very quickly.

'If you're not angry with me, Gwyn, then why won't you look at me?'

'Because...because I know how much you were looking forward to another child, and last—last night I told you that I would not...' Gwyn mumbled.

'Oh, Gwyn,' Legolas sighed. 'We have an eternity to have another child. And I will wait as long as you want until you are ready.'

Gwyn looked into his gorgeous blue eyes for the first time that day. 'Even if it's never?'

Legolas took a deep breath, but answered resolutely, 'Even if it's never.'

'Thank you, Legolas,' Gwyn said quietly.

'You're welcome, darling.' Legolas leaned in and kissed her softly.

Two weeks later...

'Mama! Daddy! Grandfather! Estel!' Laurelle and Ani came running out of the castle as soon as they saw the four, Eldarion close in their wake. 'Mama!' Ani cried, jumping into his mother's arms, as Laurelle squealed, 'Daddy!' and ran into Legolas' arms.

Gwyn began to shower her son with kisses. 'Eeeew...' Ani whined. 'Mother...stop...'

Eldarion laughed out loud. 'You won't mind it so much someday, Ani,' he said jokingly.

'Well, I do now,' Ani said, struggling to get out of Gwyn's arms.

'Were you two well-behaved for your uncle?' Gwyn asked, taking Laurelle from Legolas' arms and kissing her forehead.

Laurelle nodded emphatically, and sent her twin brother a warning look, and he, too, began to nod vigorously.

'Were they, Darion?' Gwyn asked, laughter in her eyes; for she thought she knew the answer.

'Not. At. All,' Eldarion answered, the same laughter in his eyes.

'Yes, we were!' Laurelle protested. 'Most of the time...no, wait...some of the time...'

Everyone laughed.

Okay, not quite as long as the other one, but it came purty darn close! Tee hee! Hope everyone liked it; the next, Chapter Thirty: Departure, will be the last.