The Wrong One

By Nefhiriel

A/N: Forgive me for not coming up with a brilliant introduction to this chapter...um...(sorts through a stack of papers) I don't really have any excuse, but this quote might just explain...

I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.
- Vincent Van Gogh

Yup, I'm afraid that's me... But, if my authors notes leave something to be desired, the story should make up for it. Hehe, that's what you're here for, isn't it...I'll just shut up now...

See first chapter for disclaimers. Reviewer responses at end of chapter.

Chapter 15: Breaking Their Hearts

Aragorn groaned as his aching body was jarred. Magog retained his merciless grip on the front of his shirt. Almost gagging at the smell of his rancid breath, he focused on just keeping conscious.

"So you dared to 'urt my friend?"

Strange, didn't his "friend" just call him an idiot?

Aragorn's inner voice mused absent-mindedly.

Dagron took a step toward them and yelled in pain as his leg gave out.

"Dagron, are you alright?" Magog asked, sounding particularly dense, even for him.

"Of course I'm not alright, you dim-wit!" Dagron was obviously not his usual charming self. "Just get on with it!"

Dim-wit? Hmm, definitely sounds like someone I'd like to have for a friend...

For once Aragorn was grateful for the little voice in the back of his head. Its weird sense of humor created a wonderful diversion. Anything that would distract him from his situation was welcome.

"I am gettin' on with it!" Magog whined resentfully. "Let's see..." He stood uncertainly for a moment. "What exactly do you want me to do, Dagron?"

Throttle me, stupid. What else?

"Should I tie 'im back up?"

So you're going to make him teach you step by step how to correctly mistreat a prisoner?

Aragorn decided it was time to quit listening. The voice was beginning to get annoying again.

"Do?" Aragorn could practically hear Dagron roll his eyes. "Teach 'im a lesson!"

"Oh." Magog chuckled in comprehension and Aragorn steeled himself for the blow.

"What, beating up the prisoners already?"

Magog jumped and nearly dropped Aragorn.

"Chief, it's you! I was just teachin' the prisoner a lesson. He 'urt Dagron, you know."

"Yes, so I see..."

Acharndil scanned Dagron with bemusement. Surely Dagron was the only man who could manage to get stabbed with his own dagger, by a bound captive, who was too weak even to sit up on his own. His mouth twitched at the thought of his talented lieutenant.

"Enough of that." his mouth was once more a straight line. "Untie the elves and bring them over here, Magog. Dagron, you'd better take care of your leg."

Other men joined Magog in unwinding the ropes that bound the three elves to the trees and then they brought them over to Acharndil, and lined them up in front of him. Six men held the elves while Magog, and the now bandaged and limping Dagron, grabbed Aragorn.

Acharndil assessed Legolas without interest, moved past him to Elrohir with obvious enjoyment, and then on to Elladan. He could feel their anger, their rage, and best of all, their pain and fear. They were afraid of what he might do to their brother. He stopped in front of Elladan.

Elladan smiled insolently, staring dispassionately past his captor's shoulder.

Annoyed with his arrogance, Acharndil seized his chin and roughly jerked it up to meet his gaze. He looked unflinchingly into Elladan's contemptuous gaze. Elladan looked just as unflinchingly back. Legolas, Elrohir, and he had unanimously come to an unspoken agreement: distract Acharndil from Aragorn at all costs. Any one of them could survive better than him, in the condition he was in. He felt a surge of triumph as Acharndil focused his attention on him. If it had been Elrohir, Legolas, or Aragorn...He preferred not to think about it. There was no need to, he reminded himself, Acharndil would settle for him—and only him. His insolent smile widened.

"Oh yes, you make me very angry, my Lord." Acharndil said, overcoming his irritation with visions of his upcoming victory. "Very angry indeed. I suppose you do realize you're making your punishment harsher the longer you keep that impudent smile on your face."

"Of course." Elladan replied without changing his smile.

"You're going to regret this, elf." Dagron sneered from beside him.

"I doubt it." Elladan said confidently.

"Oh, but you will." Acharndil let go of his chin. "You will beg us to stop before the end."

Acharndil walked over to Elrohir. Elladan's face fell.

No, Valar, not Elrohir...

But Acharndil moved back towards him, and past him. All three of the elves' hearts stopped as he as Acharndil paused in front of Aragorn. Contrasting sharply with the overwhelming panic of the three elves, Acharndil positively glowed with gratification. The elves frantically prayed that he was merely toying with their feelings. When Acharndil turned away from Aragorn there was an almost audible sigh of relief. Acharndil laughed as he witnessed these undercurrents of emotion. So, his suspicions had been right. With an unsuspected change, he spun, and landed a punch to Aragorn's stomach. Aragorn doubled over in pain as far as the restraining arms behind him would allow. Acharndil strode back over to Elladan and Elrohir as if he didn't even notice. The twins' eyes smoldered, but Acharndil retained his calm smile.

"Yes, my Lords, you will beg for it to end—but it won't."

"This is between only us!" Elladan nearly screamed, "Why must you involve others?" he lowered his voice to an almost confidential level. "Please, he's already suffered enough because of us. Let him go."

"He has suffered..." Acharndil pretended to consider, "And he will suffer more. You have sealed his fate with your own audacity. Of course, you sealed his fate thirty years ago."

"How can you blame them for the death of your family?!" Legolas still couldn't understand the insanity of this man's accusations. "They were trying to help! Either one of them would have given their lives to save your father's life. You act as if they wanted your family's death!"

"They may not have wanted it, but they are still responsible." Acharndil turned to the outraged elf. "As for their being willing to die to save my father's life...It would have only been their duty—seeing how they were the ones who endangered his life in the first place."

"To protect the villages, to protect your family!" Legolas countered.

"There was no need."

"Look," Legolas tried to keep his voice steady. Acharndil's need for revenge was clouding his reason. Arguing wasn't doing that much good and he was getting confused listening to the man's twisted logic. Even so, he wasn't going to let them hurt Aragorn without putting up a good fight. "there were elves as well as men killed that day. One of the elves was a friend of mine..." his voice turned sad at the memory, "But do you think that for a minute I blamed Elladan or Elrohir? My friend chose to help fight the wargs—as did your father." Legolas thought he might have struck gold, Acharndil was actually looking uncertain. "Accidents happen. People die fighting wargs. Elladan and Elrohir only wanted to help. Please don't do this."

Legolas let his plea hang. If this didn't knock some sense into Acharndil, then he didn't know what else he could say.

"It is their fault! And my father died needlessly." Acharndil tenaciously stuck with the lie he had repeated to himself for years. Repeated it until it was the only truth he was willing—or, it appeared, able—to believe.

He certainly has a knack for dashing hopes. Legolas thought without a touch of humor.

His last shred of reserve fled him. Acharndil would kill Aragorn, Elladan, Elrohir, and without a doubt, him as well. And at the moment it appeared that nothing short of personal intervention from the Valar could stop him.

"I don't understand why you have to do this to Estel!" Legolas cried desperately.

"Because, my dear elf, hurting him is the only way I can cut deeper than flesh. Just look how even a subtle hint of harm to him rouses you three out of your elven composure." Acharndil chuckled, "And I thought the elves were famed for their almost legendary dignity."

"You think we would let our pride come before our brothers life?!" Elrohir suddenly came to life. "I would get down on my knees and beg if it would do any good!"

"I'm afraid it wouldn't do a bit of good, but by all means go ahead if you want to." Acharndil was really enjoying himself. "But there is yet one difficult question to be answered: what exactly am I going to do with you?" he studied Aragorn.

Up till now Aragorn had remained quiet. What could he say? He could have yelled at his brothers and Legolas to be quiet, of course—not that it would have done the slightest bit of good. He had wanted to defend his brothers' names, but hadn't felt alert enough to come up with anything as eloquent as Legolas. Still, it was uncomfortable, being talked about as if you weren't present. What's more, Acharndil's easy manner and lofty words were getting on his nerves.

"I'm sure you'll think up something wonderfully excruciating." he muttered the first thing that popped into his head.

That was stupid.

Well it was its own fault, Aragorn reasoned with the voice. After all, he was only repeating what it had told him.

"I like you!" Acharndil guffawed loudly, "It's really too bad, we could have been friends under different circumstances, you and I."

"Very different circumstances." Aragorn said coldly.

"Have it your way than, we'll get straight to business." the elves' faces tightened. "You have all argued very movingly, so I have decided not to touch him." Legolas and the twins exchanged skeptical glances. "Dagron, he's all yours." their faces turned white.

"Only too happy, chief." Dagron beamed.

He and Magog instantly set to work and Acharndil stepped back to watch.

Magog held Aragon while Dagron vented his pent-up anger. Alternating, he punched him on the right side of his face and then the left. Aragorn's head was easily knocked from side to side, but he remained silent. Dagron focused on the left side of his face, knocking it to the side twice.

Since he was unable to see, Aragorn didn't have any warning when Dagron decided to punch him in the chest. His fist landed squarely on a cracked rib. With a crack, it turned it into a broken rib. Aragorn was able to catch himself right before he would have cried out.

Dagron's throbbing leg only served to inflame his temper even more. He punched him in the side twice. Magog stepped back, beginning to get nervous that his "friend" might accidentally hit him in his anger.

Dagron stepped forward, grabbing Aragorn by the front of his shirt and thrusting him backwards. Aragorn's back contacted a tree with a painful thud. Before he could register just how painful, Dagron was clutching the dagger wound, twisting his arm nearly out of joint. Aragorn clenched his teeth and stifled a moan. He was not about to give his captors easy pleasure. Dagron pulled him forward and then slammed him back into the tree trunk, still keeping his tight grip on his arm. The sudden jerk Dagron made next proved to be too much. The agonizing pain convinced Aragorn that his arm had gone beyond being "almost" dislocated. He couldn't see, but if he could have he was sure he would be seeing spots by now.

Straining against the men that held them, Elladan, Elrohir, and Legolas flinched at every blow. Elladan had to constantly remind himself that yelling and cursing would only get Aragorn into more trouble—if that was possible. A tear slid down Elrohir's face. Legolas looked away, the helplessness of his situation was unbearable. He looked back, eyes boring into Dagron. What Elladan had said earlier held true for him too. When he was free, all of them, especially Dagron, would pay for this with their lives.

Dagron was apparently getting tired of Aragorn's stoic silence. In fury he randomly continued to punch him. Pulling him away from the tree, Dagron released his hold on the front of his shirt. Aragorn swayed on his feet. A last blow ended his tentative battle with gravity and he fell to his knees. Dagron booted him in the face. He crumpled, unconscious, to the ground. With a last snort of disgust, Dagron limped away.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Ten minutes had passed. Ten challenging minutes for most of the men in the camp. The elves had been tied to the trees again, but they absolutely refused to be quiet until they were allowed to see to the ranger.

"Just you be quiet, little elves, there's no way you're gettin' untied. Not while I'm still standing." Magog snickered at the snarling elves.

"He could be dying! Let me see to him!" Legolas was just as unyielding and obstinate in his quest to find out how bad Aragorn was as the twins.

"Untie him." Acharndil's authoritative tone held no room for argument and most people would have quailed at it unassailable command. He would not risk even the faintest possibility of the twins escaping, but he was not overly concerned about the blond elf.

"But chief, we're just goin' to kill them all anyways." Magog and his dull mental powers hazarded what no one else in their right mind ever would. "Why risk the elf escaping, just to keep the ranger alive a little longer?"

"Risk the elf escaping?" fortunately Acharndil was in a good mood. "Lets just say, I don't think we need to worry about it while his friend is in his immobile condition."

Magog grumbled under his breath but complied.

Legolas hurried to his friends side. He rolled Aragorn over and let his head rest in his lap. He felt for a pulse. It was going steadily if somewhat weakly. Legolas grimaced at the blood on his face.

"Water?" Legolas knew better than to expect mercy, but Aragorn had long ago taught him to hope for the impossible.

Something about the Silvan elf fascinated Acharndil. Maybe, he figured, it was his deep loyalty to human. Then again, maybe it was the way his unclouded sky-blue eyes pierced right through you with mesmerizing intensity. Possibly both. Whatever it was, he found himself granting Legolas's request, if only to see what he did next.

"Give it to him."

Still grumbling, Magog recklessly tossed a canteen of water. Whether out of an ineptitude at throwing things or unconcern that it reach it's destination, Magog only threw it in their general direction. It would have missed them by a few feet, but Legolas managed to temporarily shift Aragon and move to effortlessly catch it. Then he carefully relocated himself in a position so that his back was to them and Aragorn's face hidden.

"No mocking eyes for the moment, mellon-nín." Legolas whispered in elvish, at the same time ripping a piece of cloth from his outfit and wetting it. "Please, wake up." he wiped some of the blood away with the cloth and winced at the bruises that had been added to his face. "Wake up, Estel, let me know you're all right." obligingly, Aragorn moaned and tensed under his gentle administrations.

"Legolas?" he asked groggily. "How...?"

"Acharndil ordered Magog to release me so I could see to you."

Aragorn tried to sit up as memories of what had happened came crowding back, pounding his taxed brain with savage cruelty.

"Elladan and Elrohir—are t-they alright?" he asked, his voice quavering with exhaustion.

"Shh, yes they're alright. It's only been about ten minutes since you were knocked unconscious, nothing has happened to them." Aragorn stopped struggling to sit up and let Legolas lower him back down. "Now rest."

Aragorn sighed and Legolas finished wiping his face. He held up the canteen and Aragorn took a drink. Realizing, and at the same time dreading, that he had to assess and do all he could for Aragorn's more serious injuries, Legolas started cleaning his wounded arm. When he finished he looked dubiously at the dislocated shoulder.

"Just d-do it, Legolas, y-you-know I hate the-suspense." Aragorn smiled wryly, tensing in anticipation for the pain.

As gently and as quickly as he could, Legolas slide the bone back into place. Beads of sweat rolled down Aragorn face and a suppressed groan of pain escaped his lips.

"There," Legolas began to feel his chest for broken ribs. "that's finished."

"You-you have-a m-much gentler t-touch than Da-gron, mellon-nín." Aragon joked lightly, then hissed in pain as Legolas succeeded in finding a broken rib.

"I should hope so!"

Legolas tried to keep his voice just as light, but the way Aragorn was gasping for breath worried him. And now that he looked closely he could see that he was also beginning to shake uncontrollably. He scanned his friend's battered form, closing his eyes in self-disapprobation as they fell upon the dark circles beneath his eyes. They had become ever more pronounced and ominously spoke for the all the nights he'd endured without sleep. Aragorn was probably, quite literally, half-dead from weariness by now.

"Rest while you can, Estel."

He hated the fact that this was all he could do: tell his friend to rest and hope that Dagron didn't make an appearance in the next hour, or two...Actually, Aragorn needed something more like twenty or thirty hours before Legolas would have pronounced him fit to open his eyes. Right now, though, pure survival depended on a few hours, at least. Aragorn couldn't sustain many more serious injuries and live. Buoyant spirit or no, sooner or later his body was going to refuse go on.

Twenty minutes...Thirty...Thirty-five...Legolas blessed each minute that went by as his friend continued to sleep. He could almost feel each moment tick by while Aragon drifted further and further away from exhaustion.

Legolas could feel Elladan and Elrohir's eyes, worriedly fixed and him and Aragorn. He looked up, catching their eyes and mouthed the words: "He will be alright". At least, that was what he wished to believe himself. The twins sagged against the tree and relief entered their still unalterable gaze.

He will be alright.

Legolas forced the optimism into his thoughts until it began to warm his heart with genuine belief. Estel would be alright. He smiled. Somehow both of them always survived, no matter how serious their wounds were. And right now his wounds, in themselves, were not that serious. He just needed sleep, and he was getting it.

"I'm nice an rested. How about your friend, elf?"

Legolas wanted to scream. Dagron was back already.

"Leave-him-alone." he ground his words out between angrily clenched teeth.

"I don't think so, elf. The ranger's all mine."

Legolas shifted to get in a better potion for glaring. Unfortunately, Aragorn woke up. The first thing he heard was Dagron, and Legolas felt him shudder. That was it. Dagron would not touch him. Legolas would make sure of that.

As gently as possible, Legolas lifted Aragorn's head and resettled him on the ground.

"You want some fun?" he rose gracefully to his feet to stand in front of Aragorn.

Dagron cocked his head and began to smile slightly. It was obvious he would very much like a chance to have the same kind of "fun" with the elf that he had had with his ranger friend. Still, he shook his head.

"No, get out of the way. The ranger's first." he walked closer. "Don't worry, though, you can 'ave your turn next. I won't forget."

"You will not touch him."

"Oh, won't I?"

"Not while I draw breath." there was a dangerous glint in Legolas' eyes.

"Then I guess we'll just 'ave to fix you first. And believe me, it'll be a pleasure."

Behind him, Legolas could hear Aragorn stir and begin to protest.

"Daro, mellon-nín!" Legolas commanded in elvish.

"Legolas, don't—"

"Aragorn, stay down."

Dagron advanced and Legolas had to switch his attention back.

"One last chance. Move, elf."

"No."

"I was 'opin' you would say that."

With a swing, Dagron's fist connected with the side of Legolas's head. It caught him while he was still distracted with making sure his friend stayed down, and brought him crashing to the ground.

To Be Continued...

Reviewer responses:

Star-Stallion: It was thoroughly satisfying to have Aragorn stab Dagron in the leg... Shucks! How did you guess it was going to get worse for him after that? (sigh) Can't hide anything from you. LOL. Thank you!

Mornflower: Oh well, we'll leave the job of using foresight to Elrond : ) I've never actually heard that song...I've heard of it, but I tend to listen to soundtracks (PotC - LOVE it!) and classical music. Thanks for reviewing on your way to supper, AGAIN. (good Lord, how many times does this girl have to eat? LOL )

HarryEstel: Yes, Acharndil has very well laid plans...but he didn't take one thing into account: Elrond. We'll just see how his father-instincts play out in the rest of the story : ) Thanks!

jacquelinestel: There are DEFINITELY very few sights prettier than the review box! LOL. Oh man...I miss those two... But I don't blame you for tying them up and shutting them in your closet – I'm sure they can be exhausting! (and an embarrassing oddity to explain to your company too : ) Thanks!

Tinorial Peredhil: Oh yes, definitely have to love that impetuous Elladan! (joins Tinorial in smothering highly resistant elven warrior) And I love you too! (grabs fleeing Elrohir) Well, like I told you, I REALLY don't go around hurting characters... unless I HAVE to... (eg) Hey, if YOU can kill of Estel in one of YOUR stories...Why should you get to have all the fun? I'll damage, maim and/or kill off whomever I please! LOL, I'm an author, I can do those sort of things, you know. I'm a FANFICTION writer, what's more, and I LOVE to do those sort of things! (evil laughter) Hehe...J/K... I think... Yup, some things will never change – at least, I certainly hope not! Nope, can't get enough of that elven sarcasm! And sarcasm from highly protective and angry elf is the BEST, wouldn't you agree? I imagine this chapter did have you flinching along with the elves... (shudders for poor Estel) Hmm, you sound like you know the inside of a villains mind pretty well. I wonder where on earth an innocent, sweet person like you would come up with such ideas? LOL. It's dangerous to share those kind of thoughts on here, you never know what story your evil theories might pop up in... : ) Yes, I just love hurt/comfort fics. But in order for the hurt characters to be comforted you need Elrond! Leave getting them hurt to me... er... that is... Acharndil and Dagron... (eg) Isn't Mora wonderful and responsible? It's so necessary to a good plot to actually have a responsible character who is going to get all the reckless heroes out of trouble : ) Oh, Dolenil will be so disappointed not to have someone dressing up in a mockery of him and his overly clean paranoia...(sarcasm alert) Mr. Cleanion : ) OK! I admit it – I AM enjoying myself too much! LOL. Hannon le, mellon-nín!

Lizzie Blakeney: (blushes) I'm glad you liked it! So happy to hear you think I'm keeping things exciting! Thank you so much!

Naesse: I hope this was soon enough : ) Thank you!

elitenschwein: (grins) No, it definitely wasn't too clever of El & El to attempt taking on the entire camp at once. But, where Estel is concerned I'm afraid those two tend to throw caution to the wind... And sadly, they usually get in a LOT of trouble because of their recklessness. Acharndil certainly is frustratingly single-minded in his quest to accuse SOMEONE for his family's death. Hmm, I'm afraid that the twins pain is going to be emotional in this story (I don't know why, but I enjoy a furious Elladan so much! Weird, I know...). Oh yes, wouldn't it be wonderful it elf-looks could kill? : ) I'd be glad to translate the curses for you:

Nadorhuan—cowardly dog

Fuinion—son of darkness

Llie n'vanima ar' lle atara lanneina—you're ugly and your mother dresses you funny

That last one would be Legolas' last credible insult : ) BTW, I'm not much of an elvish speaker either - I'm not even certain that those curses are right : b Hehehe, you collect curses in elvish? That's hilarious! A great idea, too. I would LOVE to hear your list! I had such a hard time finding even these three curses. Anyways, no, as you've read, things are NOT going to good for Estel... Glad you liked the chapter, thank you for reviewing both chapters!

elvingirl3737: Oh yes, there's my favorite word again—womping! Imbecamiel and I both agree that it's a perfect word to describe what Aragorn is often put through : ) You don't mind?! You don't mind that our poor ranger is getting a WOMPING?! (shakes head) Wow, you sure are subtle about it...LOL. (snickers) That's right, bite her Elladan! Yeah, take her finger off Elrohir! Um... I mean.. be nice now, boys, no biting reviewers. Oooo! I get the golden star award for believable villain?! Thank you, I'm glad Acharndil's believable and cruel enough for you. Now, now, mellon-nín, do you really think that I'd "kill 'em and have him weep over their dead bodies"? I'm not THAT evil... am I? Hmm... On second thought, just think of all the lovely angst we could have if I DID kill them all off! Maybe I should consider that after all... (eg) Be careful what you wish for around me : ) Thanks so much for the review!

Anorwen06: I know, isn't it wonderful? I've created a perfect setting for heaps of angst! (characters glare) Ok, let's be moving on... Isn't Aragorn amazing? (huggles ranger) Yes, I think your sign-off phrase is really neat! You were homeschooled too? Oh, that's awesome! You know, it's interesting, it seems like ninety percent of my favorite stories are written by other Christian homeschoolers. The funny thing is, I usually read the story first and then later on find out that the author is either Christian, homeschooled, or both! We all seem to have some sort of "magnetic" attraction to each others' work : ) Hehehe, I'm afraid I didn't make it – I'm supposed to be doing school right now. But good for you, congratulations! LOL. Thank you!

Troubles8806: (grins) Aha! So I'm still managing to confuse you? I'm glad to hear it : ) I sure hope that this plot makes sense in the end...At times I managed to lose myself while I was writing it, but then, I'm easily confused. LOL. Hope you enjoyed the chapter, thanks for reviewing!

polingly: (chuckles) Oh no, Russian roulette is not a game you play with Aragorn, even a half-dead Aragorn. But you know, Aragorn really had no choice, he would have gotten in just as much trouble if he hadn't thrown the dagger—though he might have avoided getting on Dagron's bad side (wait, would that mean that Dagron has a good side?). (chuckles again) Now I REALLY can't wait to know what you think about the end if this story, and how I handled Acharndil. I doubt that anything I can think of to do to him would quite compare to whatever Leeanne might think of... Maybe I just aught to hand him over to her? (Acharndil shudders) LOL. Hannon le, mellon-nín!

viggomaniac: (glares and begins to mutter between clenched teeth) Taking the high road, Nefhiriel, taking the high road... (clears throat) Well, you aren't doing nearly as much harm as you think you are by mentioning "it" so often. I, of course, have Cassia on my author alerts, so every couple of days... "Update alert! New chapter by Cassia! New chapter added to Between Darkness and Dawn!" Ugh! And my sister would never allow me to take her off my alerts! I can't escape from "it"! But really, you are wicked.... : b Yes, Acharndil does resemble Aragorn in a vague, more care-worn sort of a way. I thought you might like his methods of revenge : ) You know, it's funny, beating up Aragorn not only supplies good morale for the bad guys...it also, strangely, supplies good morale for my readers, and you in particular...(coincidence?) Hehe, I thoroughly enjoyed writing the part where Aragorn stabs Dagron. Me? Pandering to you? Um, you can think that if you want, but the true confession is...(looks sheepish) I just couldn't think of anything better for Dagron to be calling Aragorn. I mean "elf" is, in his opinion, enough of an insult, so that's fine for all the elves. But what to call Aragorn? I suppose he could have just called him "ranger" or something, but that just didn't quite "do" it. (am I making any sense at all?) Anyways... Hannon le, mellon-nín!

A special thanks Joshua Nenya for adding me to your favorites!

Next chapter should be here on Friday or Saturday, as usual (you know, the creative side of me screams at saying the same thing over and over... I guess I'm going to have to find some "different" way of letting you all know the next chapter title and update time...). Just to be creative (or evil, your choice), I'm not going to tell you what the next chapter will be called. I will tell you, though, that the next chapter marks a major turning point in the story (how's that for vague evilness?).

Thank you all SO much for the wonderful feedback! I REALLY appreciate it!

- Nefhiriel

Vice President and Co-founder of the SNWCG & member of the F.F.F.F.F.