The group now numbering seven started off a few hours after Aragorn awoke and made way for Annúminas. Those not on horses rode Sauros even though the dragon complained good-naturedly at the added weight from all the passengers. Unbeknownst to the others, Sauros kept a close eye on Legolas for any lingering aftereffects of being consumed by Glaurung. He doubted that there would be any but he didn't want to chance it and possibly regret it later on. The dragon had grown to love all of his new friends and companions and brought it upon himself to protect everyone with his life. For the first time in many eons, Sauros actually felt close to someone other than one from his own species. That really didn't mean anything seeing how he was just reacquainted with all the other dragons at Tharbad sometime ago. Despite the times that Legolas and Aragorn seemed to drive the dragon to near insanity, Sauros enjoyed listening to their normal bickering over a small item. The twins did have more experience than their human brother but it did nothing to improve their maturity. Sauros suddenly pitied and held a new respect for Glorfindel and Elrond for having to put up with all three of them; four whenever Legolas visited Rivendell. The four could be more of a handful than a group of rowdy young dragons, and dragons could set things on fire. Come to think of it, Sauros thought, so could these four. And they could blow things up, on accident they always say. Somehow Sauros didn't believe that it was always on accident. Glorfindel seemed like more of a babysitter to Sauros than anything else but Sauros wasn't going to comment on it. He had been informed of the famous Glorfindel, the Balrog slayer, and the prowess of the elf. Sauros understood why no one would desire to battle the Gondolin elf.
They traveled quickly and were lucky enough to not encounter any other travelers or meet any delays. Sauros was almost disappointed; he wouldn't be able to see the four in action. Glorfindel would probably advise that Sauros shouldn't wish this for he didn't know what he was getting himself into. A few times, Sauros morphed into his human form when everyone was walking and would spar with the others. Most of the times, Sauros would lose to whomever he sparred against seeing how he was not experienced in the human body. In his dragon form, he had the advantage in strength, size, and basic brute force along with his tail, horns, and the obvious spouts of fire. When they neared Anúminas, Sauros took to the air and searched the ruins for any other life claiming the area for a resting stop or home. It looked as deserted as ever since Sauros first inhabited it. The area was surrounded by legends and ghost stories of restless spirits that frightened off any travelers from nearing the ruins. Embellished stories of terrified travelers always served better than actually seeing an apparition.
Sauros perched on top of a stone pillar as everyone walked or rode into the broken city. The city looked a bit better than the last time most of them had been there during their time at Tharbad. The snow was gone and the plants were blooming, giving the area a fresh green look and feel. The group decided to camp outside instead of inside one of the crumbling buildings and the weather permitted it.
"Where do we go from here?" Sauros asked Aragorn as the human looked around the area.
"Not really sure. I am looking for a statue that has their right arm extended out as if they are pointing in a direction. To the right of the statue will be a large wall," Aragorn described as Sauros thought for a moment.
"There are many statues in this city and one fitting that description is not coming to mind. I would have to search for it."
Aragorn nodded as Sauros took flight and went to search for the described statue. The Ranger wandered away from the camp and looked around him to the crumbling city, imagining what it used to look like in all its glory. He hoped that once, or if he mused, when he took his rightful place on the throne of Gondor that he would bring this city back to its splendor. He knew about the history of this city.
Annúminas had been founded by Elendil himself and was home to one of the three palantiri of the North-Kingdom. Once the numbers of the Northern Dúnedain started to dwindle the population of the city also dwindled. The Kings moved to Fornost to the east and only a few relics of its once greatness survived: the palantir and the Sceptre of Annúminas. The palantir was eventually lost to the cold northern seas. The Sceptre was originally the rod of office of the Númenórean Lords of Andúnië and passed to someone to keep it in safekeeping. Aragorn didn't know who had it or it was forever forgotten with history and lore; he didn't know if it even existed still. Rubbing his face, he found himself at the edge of the city looking towards the shores of Lake Evendim that lay by the city. Sometimes he felt as if the pressure of his awaiting destiny almost smothered him to death. There were very few times that Aragorn felt relieved from the pressure of expectations and those times were extremely rare. When Legolas and he traveled in the wilderness and was often referred to as Strider, which was one of the times. He was just a wandering body with no real worries or responsibilities. Sometimes when he was at home and just referred to as Estel, son of Elrond Half-Elven was another time. He felt like a young man, expected to be a king.
He turned upon hearing a twig snap behind him and smiled weakly at Legolas as the elf purposely made noise to alert the human. Legolas could tell that Aragorn was thinking deeply about something that concerned him greatly. The Ranger only attained that slightly dazed look when something especially important was on his mind that was worrisome to him.
"Care to share some of that burden upon your shoulders with a friend?" the elf offered with a small grin as he sat next his friend.
Aragorn almost chuckled at that. Legolas, somehow, always knew when Aragorn wished to speak with someone about a problem he was encountering. Majority of the time, Legolas just sat there and listened to the human talk until he found the answer himself without Legolas having to say a word. It was a unique system but it worked for the two best friends. Aragorn could barely hide anything from Legolas without the elf discovering it within a few hours. It worked both ways too; Legolas could never hide anything from Aragorn no matter how hard he tried.
"You are far too insightful for your own good, my friend," Aragorn said jokingly as Legolas smiled.
"No, you just project your emotions too frequent."
Aragorn reached out and shoved Legolas gently as the two friends chuckled. They looked out across the hill and to the lake that glistened in the distance.
"I was just contemplating my destiny, as I often find myself doing as of late. Thinking about my mortality is also in there somewhere, I would assume. It usually always is. The knowledge that I will never be as intelligent, as quick, as strong, or as silent as an elf has always been an issue to me; this you know as well as I. I know that mortality is my burden but I find it hard to accept."
"No one can easily accept thoughts of their own death, Aragorn. Anyone would be lying to say that they accept death," Legolas said softly as he nudged the human's shoulder with his own.
"But where life is more terrible than death, it is then the truest valor to dare to live. I am not sure if I have enough valor left in me to follow me to my end."
"I do not believe that I understand."
"You have lived longer than I, Legolas, but we have both seen the hardships and the evil done by men. Eventually you will travel across the sea and I will be left here to battle constantly against the evil that seems to smear everything good without my close friend. Or I will die tomorrow and in several years you will have forgotten me, only to be remembered when your children ask you what you did as a younger elf. You will tell them of an edain that you spent but a few years with that was cursed by mortality that befell all of his kin. Your memory of me will be but a drop of water in the vast expanse of the Belegaer," Aragorn said quietly before turning to look at Legolas' shocked face.
Legolas had no clue that Aragorn felt this way. If he had, he would have ended that train of thought even before it started. He was almost offended that Aragorn would look upon their friendship under that light. Every second he spent with the Ranger he felt honored and held it close to his heart. He had never felt this close to anyone, elf or edain, before in the thousands of years he tread these grounds. The anguish in Aragorn's eyes was true and deep as Legolas looked at him with shocked eyes. Legolas would not trade his time with Aragorn for anything that could be offered to him. He took a deep breath before answering his friend.
"Aragorn, mellonin, no matter how old you become or how old I become, I will never forget you. Do you think that all the things that we have been through together mean nothing to me? Yes, you may not be an elf, but that does not concern me. You are my blood brother in more ways than just by blood; the number of times we have healed each other just might make us blood brothers actually.
"I do not think of you as an edain, elf, dwarf, or hobbit but my friend that I would not trade for all the fastest horses of Rohan. When I talk to my children about you, it will be about their father's best friend that watched their father's back through everything. You have protected my back more times than the Valar can count and I have counted myself blessed to be called your friend and to call you one of mine. You are much better as a friend and warrior than some elves I know. Do not think so little of yourself for I do not and neither does those we travel with. You may be named Estel, Aragorn, Strider, and anything else you may have picked up on your travels but you will always been known to us as 'a friend'," Legolas said passionately as he looked up at the shadow moving towards the two.
Aragorn glanced up at Sauros that stood a few yards away to give the friends their privacy. He looked back to Legolas and stood quickly as Legolas followed the Ranger's movements.
Looking out again towards Lake Evendim, he smiled softly before turning to Legolas. Reaching up, he tightly grasped the elf's shoulders and squeezed them in friendship. "Diola lle, mellonin." (Thank you, friend.)
"Lle creoso." (You're welcome.)
They walked towards Sauros as the dragon dipped his head in greetings before looking at Aragorn.
"I believe that I have found your statue. It is on the eastern side of the city. I will lead you there," he said and waited for Aragorn decision.
"Lead the way, Master Dragon."
Sauros started walking away from the lake and past their small camp where they picked up Elladan. Elrohir, Glorfindel, and Lina would stay at the camp to watch over the few horses and their packs. About twenty minutes into their trek, Sauros changed into his human form when the pathways started to become too tight for a full-grown dragon to tread through.
He had never come down to this part of the city; there are some places that even a dragon would not venture. The dragon felt ill spirits residing in this area, the guardians of those dead and of these streets. The eastern part of the city was silent as graves where no beast, good or foul, dared to venture. It looked like it was in continual winter season; no plants grew, no sun could pierce these dark shadows. A swift gust of wind swept down the barren street to sweep around the four explorers. They covered their faces to protect against the dust as the wind sent shivers across their skin. A faint voice was heard upon the wind, warning the trespassers away from that holy and sacred ground. The gust of wind stopped just as suddenly as it began and left the four in silence. Sauros repressed the shudder about to race through his body and quickly settled himself before glancing over at Legolas and Aragorn and his brother. All three of them sensed the evil permeating this area and the foreboding that came with it from the wind.
"What part of the city is this Sauros? There is malicious intent upon the wind," Aragorn asked quietly as he looked around the barren street.
"This was known as the Death Street and it is still called this. When Annúminas was still thriving, any people that were destined to die from age or disease were brought here. They believed and hoped that the kings of old would guide their souls to the afterlife and guard them. The House of Lost Kings is just a bit ahead, to the left of your statue actually. Are you ready to proceed?" he asked, almost wishing that the human would actually say no.
Aragorn stared down the street and towards the bend in the street before squaring his shoulders and walking past Sauros. His friends followed him without a second thought and they rounded the bed in the street to look up at the statue they were searching for. The statue was pointing towards the distance with one arm while his other arm held a sword above his head as is he was about to lead him army into battle. The expression on the statue's face was one of pure determination, cunning, and strength.
"He is your ancestor Aragorn. He is Aragorn the first; you were named after him," Sauros told him quietly as Aragorn slowly rounded the statue and looked at it from all angles.
Aragorn did see a slight bit of resemblance between the statue and him but he really wasn't concerned with that at the moment. He slowly reached out and pushed up the statue's extended arm pointing towards the horizon while only meeting a bit of resistance. The arm moved up and everyone heard the sounds of stone grating against stone as vibrations moved through the ground under their feet. Aragorn stepped away from the statue and towards the wall on the right that had Westron writing on it.
'None shall pass this threshold that would desire harm upon Isildur's line. The dead shall not allow it; beware those of untrue hearts for the dead know all.'
The stonewall moved to the side slowly to reveal a pitch-black set of stairs that led down into the cool ground. The slab reached the end of its track and the sound of impact echoed down the steps. Aragorn stepped closer and peered down the steps as his ears caught sound of something from down the dark hallway. The sound grew louder as he stepped back and motioned the other three back. A cold and dry gust of wind suddenly rammed into him and knocked the air out of him as he fell to his knees to gasp for air for his starved lungs. The cold wind pricked the back of his throat and down his esophagus to bind to the lining of his throat and lungs. A chill raced through him as he stumbled and fell to a knee before the chill left him suddenly. Bracing a hand on the ground, he panted a few times before turning his head and looking at his three companions. Elladan held a hand over his eyes as a barely repressed shudder raced through the dark haired elf. Legolas looked a bit dazed, as well as Sauros but none had any physical injuries from the strange wind. Sauros carefully stood and shook his head to clear the double vision before holding out a hand to Legolas to help him up. Elladan helped Aragorn to his feet and held his brother to ensure that he had his balance.
"Well…that was interesting," Sauros muttered and dusted off all the small bits of debris clinging to his clothes.
"Very," Elladan said dryly and unslung his bow from his shoulder just in case.
"I assume we may enter now," Legolas said and nodded towards the opening.
Aragorn nodded and led the way towards the entranceway slowly before peering down the corridor again. Stepping across the threshold, torches along the walls sprang to life just as his foot descended on the stone step. He put out his hand to balance himself at the sudden light before glancing over his shoulders at the other three. His footfalls echoed softly as he moved down the steps and pulled a torch from the wall to hold in front of him and ward off any creatures.
The steps wound deep into the earth and Aragorn started to worry about his elven friends behind him. It was well-known that elves did not like enclosed places such as caves or human built homes and Aragorn was sure that this place that they were currently in counted as one of those few places that elves did not like being. Stopping the group's movement, he turned and looked past Sauros to the two elves.
"Elladan, you and Legolas go back to the surface. I know how uncomfortable this must be for you. Sauros and I will return shortly," Aragorn said softly and wasn't surprised when Elladan shook his head vehemently.
"We will not Estel so do not even try to continue. I will not abandon you to whatever may lie down there and leave you to face it alone," Elladan said harsher than he really meant to.
He knew that Aragorn was correct. It was difficult for him to remain under ground for any extended periods of time and the time continued to tick by and they didn't know where this pathway would end. The darkness was suffocating him but he was keeping it at bay for the time. He saw Aragorn look past him to Legolas and the dark haired elf had no doubts that Legolas would follow Aragorn still. Instead of annoyance on Aragorn's face, an expression of shock and fear washed over Aragorn's features. Aragorn pushed past Sauros and Elladan to thrust the torch to his brother before standing in front of Legolas to look at him.
The fair-haired elf was gasping for breath with his eyes clenched tightly. A sheen of sweat covered his face and his nails were digging into his palms drawing blood. He was shivered uncontrollably as Aragorn held the elf's face and brushed aside his hair. Aragorn swore at himself angrily, he shouldn't have allowed Legolas to come down here. How much of a fool could he be? He knew how the elf still reacted about enclosed places from his experience in Tharbad. This place was almost like he was back in that cage in the castle at Tharbad, being smothered by the darkness.
"Legolas! Legolas, look at me mellonin. Open your eyes and look at me! Legolas Thranduilion!" Aragorn snapped as Legolas' eyes popped open to lock with the humans before darting around him to see the walls.
Legolas whimpered softly as the darkness surged forward to overtake him and taunt him. This was far worse than the dwarves' cave when he was with Lina; much, much worse. His body felt numb with fear and cold as he gasped for air. Turning back to his friend, Aragorn's face blurred momentarily as he felt someone lowering him to the ground.
"Look at me; it is only you and me here; look at me! We are sitting in a large field by the swimming hole. You know the one, about a mile from Imladris; the sun is shining brightly and the bugs are jumping around while the birds sing in the trees. The horses are grazing nearby; do you feel the open air?" Aragorn said sternly without taking his eyes off the blue eyes of his friend.
"Yes, yes I do Aragorn," Legolas replied as his heartbeat slowed slowly.
"Okay, hold onto that field mellonin and breathe deeply. Hold onto the sensations while I check your hands," Aragorn soothed and slowly released his hold upon his friend's face.
Mentally swearing at himself, Aragorn gently picked up Legolas hands and opened the elf's fingers to look at the small wounds on his palms. There were not bad but he wanted to clean them as soon as he possibly could but his supplies were at the camp. It would be best to just wrap the elf's hands and clean them thoroughly when they got back to the camp. Accepting the stripes of cloth from Sauros, Aragorn quickly bound his friend's hands and tied off the ends before looking him in the eyes again. His eyes still had a shadow over them but he had control. Aragorn reached up and grabbed Elladan's arm to pull the elf down to his level.
"Elladan, take Legolas back up to the surface and to the camp. Clean his hands and bandage them," he directed and helped Legolas to his feet as his brother gaped at him.
"Aragorn, you can not be serious!"
"I am fine, Ara-"
"Enough! Both of you!" Aragorn really didn't mean to snap at his brother and friend but he needed to get through the elves' thick skulls. He took a deep breath before speaking calmer this time.
"I appreciate both you wanting to stay with me but this is no place for elves to be. Legolas cannot handle it down here and even if you do not wish to admit it, neither can you Elladan. I cannot move ahead without worrying about how you two are faring down here. I will have Sauros here to aid me," Aragorn said softly.
He could see the doubt and worry in his brother's eyes but he knew in the end he would win out. Elladan knew he wasn't at his best in this type of situation and would only hinder the others.
"Please Elladan."
"Alright Aragorn; but if you encounter any trouble, promise me that you will come back for us and the others."
"I promise."
Elladan shouldered his bow as Legolas tightly hugged Aragorn. The two turned and started back up the steps until they were out of Aragorn's sight. He turned and looked to Sauros who was leaning against the wall. The dragon raised his eyebrows and tried to smother the grin threatening to break his face.
"Wipe that grin off your face, dragon."
"Your wish is my command."
"Let us continue on."
Aragorn held the torch in front of him and continued on while Sauros took up the rear and kept glancing behind them to ensure that nothing was sneaking up behind them. They had to brush aside cobwebs that had apparently been there for a long while; dust covered the sticky mesh as the small constructors of the web scuttled away. Aragorn was glad that normal, small spiders made these webs and not the ones notorious in Mirkwood. His eyes swept side-to-side along the floor looking for any kind of traps or weak areas in the stone. A sliver of light from the torch reflected off something at ankle level and he stopped quickly.
"What is it?" Sauros asked softly as Aragorn slowly knelt.
"A trip wire of some kind."
"A trip wire for what?"
"That is the fun part; finding out what for. But I would rather not and say we did," Aragorn said grimly as he stood up from his kneeling position.
Lifting his foot high, Aragorn stepped over the wire to be sure that he cleared it. Putting his weight on his foot to lift his other foot over, he felt the stone depress under his weight and a soft grounding sound from around him. His eyes widened as he looked up from his foot to Sauros as the dragon stared at him.
"I do not think that is a good sound," Sauros said as Aragorn shook his head.
"I do not think so either. I think it best if we run for it."
Almost on cue, they both tore off down the hallway. The floor shifted under their feet as they struggled to keep their balance and run at the same time. Sauros' eyes pierced the darkness ahead of them and saw some light glint off metal that was swinging towards Aragorn. Reaching forward, he grabbed Aragorn's shoulder and pushed him to the side.
"Against the wall!"
Both of them flattened themselves against opposite sides of the wall as a very big double edged axe swung down the pathway and swung by them. It continued to swing back and forth as the two scooted down the pathway with their backs pressed against the wall. Once clearing the axe, they leaned against the wall and gasped for air.
"That…that was fun," Aragorn panted and leaned against a small stone column that came up to his elbow.
Sauros nodded and rested his hands on his knees as he looked at Aragorn. The column under Aragorn's elbow suddenly shifted and Aragorn jumped back in alarm. The column slanted to the side and the stone grinding started again inside the wall. Looking at each other, Sauros and Aragorn tore down the pathway again in an almost comical fashion. Running, they heard the whiz of arrows zinging behind them just as they ran by. The arrows came from small holes in the wall and the arrows were old; just how old, Aragorn really didn't want to know. He really didn't want to stop and find out. Rounding a small corner, his eyes suddenly didn't see the ground and instead saw a very deep pit directly in front of him. The distance to the other side seemed immense as he scrambled for a quick solution.
"Jump!" Sauros yelled knowing that they couldn't stop in time.
Aragorn pushed off and felt time slow and almost stop as they went through the air. He swore he could almost hear his brother and Legolas lecturing him for this escapade. First almost being sliced in half by a mammoth axe, then causing a volley of arrows being fired at them, then almost falling into a pit because he couldn't stop quickly enough; they would laugh hysterically at that.
Sauros caught the edge of the other side and slammed into the dirt wall as Aragorn did the same and jerked his head to the side as dirt rained down on his face. They hung there panting as the sounds faded until silence was once again restored.
"Your brothers were right in warning me," Sauros mumbled and Aragorn weakly raised an eyebrow even though the dragon couldn't see him.
"What did my brothers warn you about?"
"Your nasty habit of wanting to touch everything! They told me that you did the same thing when you were a child and it got you into trouble and you still do it! Why must you humans always touch everything?" Sauros snapped and glared at the human hanging next to him.
"If you dare tell my brothers about all of this then I will castrate you; I swear to Valar I will."
"Like to see you attempt it."
Aragorn glared over at Sauros as the dragon glared back. Sauros' lip twitched and soon they were both smiling.
"We shall finish this later. Let us get out of here," Aragorn said and started to pull himself up.
"Just as long as you do not touch anything else."
"Shut up, dragon."
'But where life is more terrible than death, it is then the truest valor to dare to live.'—Sir Thomas Browne
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I wish to apologize profusely for those awaiting this chapter; I know that I took forever to get it out to you. I have been having problems with finding time to work on my stories. That and I have major writer's block on this chapter but I killed it and smashed it to smithereens and everything was flowing beautifully and I had a perfect direction of where I wanted to go with the chapter…and then I had to go to class. But I am working on this story; it is just taking me a little longer on chapters than normal so please be patient with me.
Another thing *geez, sure is a lot of author's notes*. A lot of this back ground information in this story came from a marvelous website titled Encyclopedia of Arda. I am too lazy to go researching through all the books so this website is a blessing. The address is: anyone needs help with background and do not know where to look; this is a marvelous site and very helpful.
A HUGE thank you goes out to all those that reviewed my new story 'An Ancient Bond' and say that they love it. I will take everyone's advice about it too heart and am trying to make it my best story so far. Do not know if I will succeed but I am really trying because I can sense how great this story will become. If anyone has any good advice or a scene that they think would be marvelous for this story, please let me know and I will love you to infinity and beyond. *huggles everyone*
Lauren- Diolla lle, mellonin for betaing my new chapter for me. I double-checked the spelling for sceptre and it can be spelled both ways: scepter and scepter. Do not know why they have both but oh well. I think that I like the sceptre, it looks better; I do not know why.
Deana- I love your story, girl! Every time I see an author alert in my inbox, I start bouncing around excitedly; especially if it is from your story. Three days seems too bloody long! I am impatient, I know this. I think if the characters were real then they would all run from me. Honestly, I do think that. My friend just told me today that I am insane but that was because I was annoying the shit out of her and it was hilarious too me.
Roz- You did kind of disappear on me there for a while but that is okay. I kind of disappeared off the update planet; took a small hiatus. I find time to write, usually late at night because that is my best writing time. Classes take up my entire day and evenings are spent studying, writing, and reading. My updates will probably be spaced about a week or so apart because of my limitations on time right now.
Roccovende- I would just love to be a fly on the wall in Elrond's house. It would be so interesting, I think. Do not get that Elrond eyebrow thing going with me. I kept giving that look to my plot bunny when I was forcing him to spit out this chapter and he kept procrastinating. Poor Poppy is cowering in the corner of my room because I persistently pushed him for this chapter. But once it started going it would not stop.
Gwyn- I am taking your advice to heart about 'An Ancient Bond'. I hope to develop the idea a bit more; it sounded very viable to me as something that could actually happen. I will explain a lot of it when Elrond talks to Aragorn after all of it kind of clears up; at least I hope it will clear it up. Anyway, yes I love my stuff Astro. He is like the companion to my car (Putt-Putt) when I leave him in the backseat. I know this chapter had only a little bit of Legolas angst but I will put more in later. Have no fear.
Star-Stallion- Hannon lle, mellonin. I agree; whoever thought up of exams should be drug out in the middle of the street and shot. I think they were created by Satan as a huge joke. It is a conspiracy theory, I swear.
Catmint- Glaurung is a bad dragon, very bad dragon. I would not want to face an irate Elrond either. If you want a really good laugh then go and read theinsaneone's story Two Men and a Thorn Bush. It is bloody hilarious and the last chapter pertains to Elrond. I fell off my chair laughing, it is so funny. One of the funniest things that I have ever read. Seriously, go and read it.
SilverKnight7- You had snow-days? Well phooey you. My evening classes were canceled once a few weeks ago because of bad weather but no snow. We rarely get snow in a coastal city. Oh well, the downside to living by the beach.
Ringmarciel- Dragons are cool and so are unicorns. Even though I love horses (and I define unicorns as horses) I think I love dragons more. Maybe it is because of Sauros and how much I have bonded with him.
Bill the Pony2- I am glad if you read the story and happier if you review. I know when I first started at fanfiction.net I usually only read the stories and very rarely reviewed. I was a lurker, I will admit.
Legalady- I know it was short but this one is longer! Does that make up for my shortness in the other chapter? I hope it does. I know; when I watched RotK with my friend I kept expecting the Saruman and Wormtongue bit at the end and I felt slightly shorted when it was not in there. But it was okay because they still did a magnificent ending.
Grumpy- Did the delay of explanation add to the suspense? I hope it did; that was what I was aiming for.
Cloud-123- Hannon lle, mellonin. I am glad that you are enjoying this story so much.
Elvendancer- You will be happy to know that I am keeping sane hours now. School is kind of forcing me to. That and at the end of most days I am feeling just utterly exhausted and could not even hope to write. I am feeling left out; I did not get any snow days. Just a cancellation of one class; and I was actually intending to skip that class.
Snow-Glory- Glaurung did not take possession of Legolas' soul just kind of took him over for a moment. Nothing long term. Sauros is just the best; I am falling in love with my dragon. He is just so dang cool!
Kandice- Oh, that is why you were in a pool of bad smelling mineral water. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as the others.
Elven Kitten- I tolerate the cold. I mean I went to London, England in January; it was snowing when my plane landed. I adapted and survived.
Lina Skye- Where are you from in South Carolina? I sent you an email a while ago but you never responded.
ELFan- Thank you very much my friend. I am glad that you enjoy my stories so much. I have the idea for a third story after this one and I hope to be able to write it once I finish with this one. The plot will have to be developed a bit more. I know exactly which story you are talking about; it is a marvelous story. Cassia's stories are very good; I am addicted to them.
Saiyuki123- Thank you very much for the compliment. I am glad that you enjoy my stories.
Vampy2k- Thank you very much. I love hearing praises from my reviewers; it warms my heart beyond belief. I am working very hard on the chapters and writing as much as I possibly can with the time that I am given.
