Chapter Six: Sightless and Separated
Eldarion opened his eyes but could see nothing. He was puzzled until he remembered that he was in a cave. But hadn't there been torches a moment ago? And what was he doing lying down? These rocks really weren't comfortable bed substitutes. He tried to stand up and found he couldn't. For some reason, he couldn't get his legs to listen to him. He attempted to at least sit up, but gave up on that idea. His legs seemed to be stuck under something heavy. Leaning forward as much as he could, the tips of the boy's fingers brushed rock. What was he doing with his legs under the rocks?
He laid back down, rubbing his pounding head. Where were Uncle Gimli and Uncle Legolas? Why had they left him here all alone? The little boy shivered, suddenly feeling cold. He was alone in the darkness of the cave, and he couldn't get up. He hoped his uncles came to rescue him before he got scared.
Because it wouldn't do for the prince of Gondor to be scared. And he wasn't. Not really. He knew his uncles would be here to save him any minute now. He could be brave until then. This was an adventure! He liked adventures, he really did, so there was no reason to be afraid. He was safe with his uncles. Even though they weren't here right now. He gulped, trying to see in the pitch black. But it was all right. They'd be here soon. Very, very soon…he hoped.
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Gimli opened his eyes. He saw nothing but darkness, but long years of time spent learning the secrets of caves had given him senses of stone. There was rock close above him, and more rock against his side. He shifted slightly, and felt something pressing down on his shoulder. Trying to estimate whether moving was a good idea or not, he cautiously explored the stone with his hands—or rather, hand, for one arm was caught beneath the rock that lay partially on him. He was thankful for the thick chainmail he nearly always wore, knowing that without it he would be in considerable pain right now. He would hurt as soon as his body caught up with him, he knew, but bruises were preferable to broken bones—and a few cracked ribs never killed anyone, he thought as he drew a particularly painful breath.
Judging that shifting out from under the rock would not start another collapse—it seemed to be a lone piece of stone that had for whatever lucky reason decided that the dwarf was a good spot to rest upon—he summoned his strength and shoved. Gimli gritted his teeth against the pain that flared in his shoulder and managed to push the rock off of him. Muttering curses under his breath, the dwarf stood up, ignoring the protests of his right side. He looked around, but of course, in the pitch blackness, could see nothing.
"Legolas?" he asked, his voice carefully pitched low to carry but not loud enough to disturb fragile stone. "Eldarion?" The was no answer. The dwarf refused to allow himself to think of the myriad of different reasons for the silence. Clamping down tightly on his fears, Gimli started a careful inspection of the rock around him. He had to know if there was danger of another collapse before he could start moving around to search for his friends.
He did his best not to picture them awakening, alone and lost in the darkness, but his thoughts didn't seem interested in cooperating.
…………………………………
Legolas opened his eyes. Opened my eyes? What were my eyes doing closed? he thought blearily. He shook his head to try to clear it, and realized immediately that that was a bad idea. Clutching his head, the elf tried to figure out what was going on—and why it was so very, very dark. Then he froze.
A stray thought whispered through the elf's mind. It had been dimly lit last thing he remembered—firelight flickering off walls of smooth rock. Gimli had been there, as had Eldarion. The boy had been excited about something, he remembered vaguely. In fact, he had started jumping around…and for some reason Gimli had tried to stop him…but why? And where were they now? For that matter, where was he? The throbbing in his head seemed to make it difficult to think properly. Then he remembered: they had been in the cave. They had been in the cave, and then there had been a sudden rumble, and then darkness and sharp pain…then nothing. But that meant…
Legolas looked around wildly, ignoring the protests of his head at the sudden action. A thrill of fear ran through him. He was in a cave. "Gimli?" he whispered softly, ignoring the slight tremble in his voice.
No answer.
"Gimli!" the elf shouted, but only mocking echoes answered.
All right, so tell me, who actually read chapter four and didn't groan, thinking, oh, man, now the elf's gonna get lost in a cave? I didn't even intend for that to happen; this was just going to be a brief fic on friendship, showing the joys with Eldarion and the deeper stuff with the other two—just a cute little fic. But as soon as I finished typing Legolas's last line of chapter four, I suddenly knew that this was going to be a much longer fic than I'd originally intended…
Reviewer Responses:
Lindele – well, now you know…bwahahaha?
Katatonia – loadsa love to you too! We'll just see who's the most mature at the end—my money's on Eldarion…
Werelemur – what is it with the crown? Sigh…
Deana – nooooo… I would never put out favorite little princeling through anything angsty…snicker!
Alma – Ah ha! The real reason why dwarves are mortal! Worrying about elves! We have solved the mystery! I'm so glad you like my little Eldarion. I'm having lots of fun with this kid, even if I am almost as mean to him as I am to Legolas and Gimli. And I'm definitely enjoying Shadow Lands; I don't need to know what's going on! Ask my friends, I'm clueless in RL anyway! But the beards…still can't wrap my mind around those…trying, trying…
Alatariel – well, what do you expect when you take Gimli, combine him with Éomer, and add a wee bit too much ale in front of a scornful elf? And thank you for the dramatic music—I completely forgot to create a soundtrack! I'm glad you're willing to provide.
Ash – you are a wicked, wicked person, but I suppose I shall do as you wish nonetheless; hence the chapter you just finished reading…although I'm definitely siccing Glerfindle, my mini-Balrog, on your Nuzgûl! Get 'em, Glerf!
Mysterious Jedi – thank you. I'm glad you found it too! May the Force be with you. :)
Drone – dammit, why does everyone want to hear about the bloody crown? I sigh and bow to the inevitable…I'll work something up after I finish this fic for all you evil Nuzgûl-creators, all right? All right!
I have decided that FFnet is evil beyond belief. It took me forever to freakin' upload this thing, and I'm still not sure that the format's working. It didn't work last night, and I'm trying again now! It's driving me nuts! But I am determined to finally post this, as I didn't get it out as soon as I wanted to, due to FFnet being down for upgrades--upgrades, by the way, which have driven me to distraction! Augh!
Okay, rant over...I hope everything shows up...