Ooo...Nice shiny new chapter. See we aren't dead, and contrary to what you may all have though, we also haven't given up on this story. This particular chapter has been hampered by sickness of both authors and betas, as well as the fact that Sun Queen and Ivory Moon have abandoned Eirual to go bask in the sun in Florida. Now this is a warning to all those who went through withdraw. Posting is going to be irregular for the next two months or so. Between final exams, and various trips, it is very unlikely that all three authors are going to be in the same province at the same time over the next little while. Please don't get upset with us, we haven't forgotten you, but life has happened to us and we can't really stop it. In the meantime the next couple of chapters should be relatively long. So, without further preamble, chapter 11.

The Nightrunners



Nine People In the Apartment From Hell

Soundtrack : The Old Apartment ( Barenaked Ladies )

Gabe was not a morning person. Normally this wasn't a problem, because he lived on his own. In the case of his last few days in America, he'd been living in an apartment so big that it hadn't been an issue. He hadn't been a morning dwarf thirty thousand years ago either. The advantage back then was that he had done most of his travelling under cover of darkness, bypassing the morning completely. Of course, back then there had also been no wait to use the toilet. Showers were nonexistent, and doing one's business just about anywhere had been considered as "helping Mother Nature" in the grand scheme of things.

"Alice, get the *HELL* out of the bathroom!"

Thirty thousand years ago there had also been no need to delay morning ablutions on behalf of a primping elven princess, either.

// I *knew* there was a reason we only brought one elf along on the Ring quest.// This was Gabe's only thought as he stood fuming in front of the *closed* bathroom door.

"Shut up, Dwarf! I'm trying to dry my hair. I'll be out in a couple of minutes."

Gabe had to pause for a minute in an attempt to unclench his jaw.

"Why can't you do that in the kitchen?"

"Why can't I do this in the kitchen? Mmm... let's see now. Oh *right*. There are two plugs in the kitchen. One of them has the fridge plugged into it and the other is currently producing coffee and toaster strudels on a regular ten minute schedule. Would *you* like to explain to the other six people in the house why the food has to stop? Besides, my hair is really long, and I'm brushing it as it dries. Didn't your mother ever tell you that it's really unsanitary, not to mention disgusting, to groom yourself in the kitchen? Go away, and I'll be out when I'm finished!"

Gabe stalked off down the hall, hearing vaguely derogatory comments about dwarves being shouted over the sound of the hair drier. He was so preoccupied with his 'I'm pissed off' stomping, that he completely failed to register the forlorn figure huddled on the floor until it was too late. Gabe tripped and went sprawling. Realizing he'd probably permanently screwed up his back, the ex-dwarf turned to see what he'd tripped over.

Peter was crouched in the hall, just outside the door to the storage room, which had been converted into a bedroom for Adam. He was covered in a floral patterned bedspread, which he had draped over himself like a tent. His eyes were fixed on a point on the wall in front of him, and he was slowly rocking back and forth.

"Peter, what are you doing out here? You never get up this early."

"Bed.... room...Evil. *EVIL*! Bad, bad...scarred for life. Never, ever *ever* want to see that again. Yuk!"

"Right then. Why don't we get some coffee into you, and maybe *then* you'll be coherent. Up you get, hobbit."

Gabe grabbed Peter by his upper arms and hauled him to his feet. As they headed towards the kitchen, they came across Mark, looking only slightly less frazzled than Peter, curled up in the armchair in the living room. As Peter caught Mark's eye, they both shivered, turning slightly green.

"Mark, what 's wrong with the two of you? Why aren't you still asleep in your room like Sam and Felix?"

Peter managed to choke out, "They are *NOT* asleep!"

Mark felt the need to explain further. "Let me tell you a little story. Once upon a time, for a *very* short period of time, we shared a loft with Sam and Felix. We don't anymore. Would you like to know why? Let me tell..."

"I don't need to hear *any* more of this, thank you. There are some things better left unsaid."

"Well, it wouldn't be so bad if we could oil the mattress springs to keep them from creaking--"

" SHUT UP!" Gabe was a strong proponent in the belief that some things were *definitely* better left unsaid.

************

While the hobbits were airing their dirty laundry, Adam stood on the balcony outside, staring out over the city he had abandoned ten years before. Their apartment was on the corner of the building, and so had a small balcony, with an ornate iron railing enclosing it. Their rooms were several levels up; glancing down, Adam could see two young men on the balcony below, sharing breakfast and conversing in French. Their voices rose on the morning air, adding a pleasant backdrop to the muted roar of distant traffic and the early morning voice of the city.

Adam smiled to himself. Whatever the reason, it was nice to be back.

He had a plaid blanket draped over his shoulders to combat the chill of the morning air, and was wearing several days worth of scruff. He was also drinking his coffee out of a neon pink Minnie Mouse mug. Alice, who had *finally* come out of the bathroom, emerged onto the balcony. The witch gave him one glance and wasn't sure if she wanted to laugh at him or give him a hug to cheer him up.

"Adam, come inside and get some breakfast. Merry and Pippin just got up, so we might want to eat soon."

He turned to see his partner, standing on the threshold of the apartment. Alice glowed in the early morning light, framed by the shadows of the doorway. She was barefoot, wearing her jeans and her blue tank top. Over this, she had thrown what looked suspiciously like *his* bathrobe. She had left her hair down, and small curls were blowing across her eyes in the gentle breeze. Adam reached out instinctively to brush the hair away from her face...

" Estel," she breathed, leaning towards him.

...and he let his hand drop.

"Come on," he said suddenly. "We'd better go eat before all the food is gone."

Adam brushed past her, heading towards the kitchen door, leaving a very confused witch behind.

********

The ex-Fellowship sat in various attitudes around the kitchen table. Sam and Felix, who were looking *very* well-rested, were perched on the counter, eating toast with peanut butter and bananas. Mark and Peter were both on their third cup of coffee. Alice was toying with the tea-bag in her steaming mug, and Adam was sitting next to her, tugging absent-mindedly at a lock of his hair. Gabe came into the kitchen and sat down.

"Legolas hasn't woken up yet. There's been no change, so I guess it can only be a good sign. At least he hasn't gotten worse."

Alice nodded. "We need to track down the Elves. It's really the only choice we have." She turned to Adam. "Do you have any contacts here?"

Adam shrugged. "That's the real trick, isn't it? Most of my friends were connected in some way to White City Enterprises, and we don't know if they're trustworthy or not. If it were just me, I'd track them down, but I'm not willing to risk Legolas or any of you. Because if I'm wrong..."

The cop went silent for a moment. You could almost see the wheels turning in his head: if he *was* wrong, and his almost-family and friends were working for the other side now, what would he do? Where would it leave him?



Gabe broke the silence. "At any rate, we've been here for three days. I think it's time to do a little reconnaissance."

"What do you want to do?" asked Sam. He frowned in thought. "We'll have to search for the Elves, that's for sure. But what else?"

Adam glanced up from his coffee. "We should do a bit of scouting around White City Enterprises, see what we can come up with there. See which way the wind's blowing, so to speak."

Marked wandered over to the counter and snagged a strudel . "We should also poke around some of the magic hotspots, the mage bars, see what's going on in this city. We can check to see if there's been a rise in Dark magic recently."

Felix nodded. "It's a good idea. But should we stay together, or split up?"

"Strength in numbers," Alice said, "Plus, Adam's the only one who knows the layout of the city."

Peter looked thoughtful. "But a big group wandering around is a lot more obvious, and a better target."

"I agree." said Gabe. "Besides, we'll get more accomplished if we split up."

"Okay," said Alice. "Mark, Peter, do you two want to go check out what sort of magic's been floating around here recently? You've had some experience back in Necropolis, and neither of you have mage-killer tattoos. Just keep your heads down, and try not to piss anyone off, okay?"

"Will do."

"Sam and I can do some sniffing around White City Enterprises, ask some questions-"

"They're not going to have a big 'We're Allied With a Dark Lord!' banner hanging in their lobby, you know."

Felix shot Adam an evil glare. "Making sarcastic comments is Peter's job, not yours. We'll be careful."

"All right." Adam glanced around. "That leaves Gabe, Alice and myself."

"Someone has to stay here with Legolas." Gabe interjected. "It's not safe to leave him alone. I'll stay here, and you two can get out together and see if you can find the Elves."

Adam stared at Gabe, the dwarve's expression was just a little *too* innocent. //I'm going to have to talk to that man...//

"Okay," said Alice. "I guess that's settled. Oh, wait-" she hurried out of the kitchen and came back carrying a paper bag. She dumped the contents on the table. "Cell phones. Adam picked them up yesterday," she smirked. " We're not allowed to ask where he got them or why they have no serial numbers."

The ex-Fellowship picked up the phones, dropping them into various pockets. "They've been programmed with each other's numbers. If you get lost, or get in trouble, make sure you call for help." Adam said as he snapped his phone shut and slid it into the pocket of his jeans. "They're a little tricky to work underground, you can't get reception in some of the tunnels. They work better closer to the surface. If you get *really* lost, find one of the Information Terminals. They're *everywhere* in this city. This is le Quartier Notre-Dame, Bloc 709. Use the Metro if you need to get to any of the other Quartiers. And for God sake's, if you get caught, play the Stupid Tourist."

"Okay. We can do that."

"Try to keep a low profile," added Alice. "We all know who's out there, and we've already seen that they won't stop at anything to kill us. Be *careful*."

So the various members of the long-dead Fellowship dispersed; the rockers heading for the door, Gabe for the room he shared with Legolas, Alice to her stash of clothes, and Adam to the bathroom to shave. The last thing the hobbits heard before the door closed behind them was Alice calling, in her best Patronizing-Mommy voice:

"And put on more clothes! It's *cold* out there!"