Okay, my schedule's been a little bit thrown off by the shutdown of the site that's coming up on Sunday, so I'm afraid I won't be able to get as much out before I leave for break. I'll try and update from home, but I won't be spending every night on my computer there like I do here (I really do enjoy not having a "life" yes, before you ask!) and anyway, I won't have an internet connection for my laptop so it will be a matter of burning things to a CDRW and transfering them, so...can't promise many updates until January! Sorry, all! :( Have a nice Winter Solstice if I don't see you again before then!

Chapter Ten: Voices in the Dark

"Eldarion!" Gimli shouted again, listening hard as the echoes faded, unanswered. He sighed, and the two friends continued trudging on in the darkness of the maze-like tunnels. They pressed close upon the companions, and Gimli worried in the corner of his mind unoccupied with fear for the boy how the elf was doing. Legolas seemed to be in control, but Gimli knew from long experience with the elf that it could very well be just an elaborate act. In the darkness, he could not see his friend's expressions to puzzle out his mood. But the dwarf also knew that no matter what he said, the elf would never acquiesce to leaving Gimli to search on his own while he fled to the comfort and safety of the open air.

"We should split up," Legolas repeated insistently, breaking into the dwarf's thoughts.

Gimli shook his head stubbornly, as he had the past five times the elf had suggested it. "As I have now said enough times to have pounded it into even your flighty skull, Master Elf, that would create more problems than solve."

"We could cover more ground faster."

"Ay," Gimli agreed with a snort, "and then when one of us found the lad, he would have to try to find the other, lost somewhere in these confounding tunnels." The dwarf was getting fed up; he was impressed that Legolas would have the courage to wander alone through the dark warren, even for Eldarion, but that it was a brave idea did not necessarily mean it was a good idea. "That would waste even more time, and if we wonder in opposite directions, it may prove impossible to return…"

He did not want to frighten his friend, but he had to somehow convince Legolas of the dangers inherent in separating. If that meant the he had to scare him a little, he did not like it, but he would do it. "Besides," he said quickly, not wanting his friend to dwell on his last comment, even if it had been necessary, "Eldarion may be difficult to reach, and it could well require the both of us to extricate him."

He heard Legolas sigh with frustration behind him, and grinned. "And where has the legendary patience of the elves gone?" he teased his friend, trying to keep their spirits up in the darkness.

"It has been smothered by this rock," Legolas snapped back.

Gimli fell silent, and the proceeded down the confining tunnel without words. He had wanted only to lighten their spirits, not draw a shadow upon his friend by reminding the elf of how difficult it was to be down here.

"I am sorry," Legolas apologized after a space. "I did not mean to be so harsh. The cave…presses on me; I did not speak falsely, it truly has sapped my patience."

"I know," Gimli replied softly. "I am sorry to have made light of it."

"Then as we are both most sorry creatures indeed, perhaps we could put it from our minds," Legolas suggested with a determinedly lighter tone of voice.

Gimli smiled slightly. "Perhaps even elves can occasionally show wisdom," he admitted.

"And perhaps even dwarves can occasionally recognize it."

Gimli grinned; he had succeeded in spite of himself in cheering his friend, it seemed. Pleased with himself, the dwarf continued forward with a slightly faster step. As long as they could find Eldarion soon—he forced himself to continue ignoring his worry for the young prince; if he thought about his fears, he would loose the concentration and calmness so necessary to his endeavor—they would be all right.

He swallowed; Aulë, let the boy be unharmed, Gimli silently pleaded.

………………………….

Eldarion woke to throbbing pain. He groaned and instantly regretted it as the pain in his head spiked for a moment. He started shivering, although the movement aggravated his headache almost as much as his moan had. It was so cold! He wrapped his arms tightly around himself, trying not to let his teeth chatter—he had a feeling that would be painful for his aching skull.

The boy closed his eyes (not that it made a difference in this darkness) and tried to center himself as his father had taught him. Eldarion was an apt pupil, but his lessons were only in the beginning stages and were never intended to handle such a situation—not yet. He breathed slowly and evenly, as adar had taught him, listening only to the soft sound the air made as he inhaled and exhaled. He frowned slightly; something wasn't right. Why was he repeating his name? That wouldn't help. Adar had never told him that it would help him to—

The boy's eyes shot open and he tried to shoot to his feet but the rocks on his legs, forgotten in excitement, prevented him. He wasn't repeating his name; someone else was! It was so faint he could hardly hear it, even with his exceptionally sharp ears, but he knew it had to be his uncles.

"Uncle Legolas!" he screamed as loud as he could, trusting that elven hearing would have no problem catching his voice if he could make out theirs. "I'm here! Uncle Legolas! Uncle Gimli! I'm here!" He listened closely, straining his ears, but could hear no answering call. He held his breath; they had to have heard him—they had to!

Reviewer Responses:

Deana – yay, a dance! I love dancing with joy at fanfiction things! Ow indeed…heh. Heh heh. Heh heh heh…evil laughter alert!

Chief Devoted Reader (a.k.a. Katatonia) – Hadhafang is the name of the sword Arwen carries in the movie; it belonged to another elf-maiden before her, Idril I believe the name was.I'm not sure if he does in the books, having not yet read the Silmarillion—although I will have by the time I return from break! Or at least starte on it!—but at least in the movie, it's the sword Elrond carries in the Last Alliance. So I could have said "grabs for an implement of death" or "grabs for something sharp and pointy" or "has to borrow Andúril" but I like Hadhafang. I have a nice little reproduction I got at the Renaissance Faire for only $40 at the Pirate Auction, and I adore it. It is now part of my costume! Obviously it's not the highest quality, and has some manufacture issues, but I love it! It's my favorite of all the swords I have (in conjunciton with my brother)…couldn't be because it's elvish, hmm? And unlike Legolas's knives, it has a sheath (again, cheap, just black leather, but for forty bucks I'm not complaining!) so I can carry it. My, but that turned into a loooong explanation…anyway, getting on with things: Actually, the only reason the updates are so fast is because I have, so far, up to chapter thirteen written, and am just tweaking them before I post, as well as giving myself time to do more so that there won't hopefully be any exceptionally long waits. I'm working on them as we speak, but I post a bit faster than I write, so eventually I'll catch up to myself and they'll slow down. Sorry! :( Your side of the deal…hmm, let me think…um, you don't kill me first of all, and you promise to keep reading as long as I keep posting! How's that? grin!

Alma – eeek, didn't think of that…okay, how mad am I willing to get Arwen at me? Especially with what future fics hint at possibly putting her through? Hmmm…er, maybe I ought to think about getting the kid rescued soon…yeah…ahem. Not that I'm giving in to the pressure. Just for my own health and safety, you understand. I really don't need the daughter of Elrond and granddaughter of Galadriel any more pissed at me than she probably already is. It's unhealthy. Oh yes, lots and lots and lots of issues for everyone's favorite elf-prince! We're all twisted, aren't we? Heh. Yay, stay on task! Me is waiting eagerly! :)

Grumpy – Nope, he is definitely not scared. But, have they indeed stopped "dawdling" and found the kid? Well, maybe we'll find out next chapter…heh heh heh!

Jebb – Thank you! I love working with those two. And I'm glad you like my take on Eldarion! I'm sure Aragorn feels the same.

James – Thanks! And it's "immensely"—I need spell check desperately. See, I even miss-typed that and had to go fix it. Spelling…ick! Anyway, as to your request/command, let me think….hmm…Nope! Oh, okay, fine. No new physical hurts for awhile. Mental anguish, on the other hand…bwahahaha!

BanbieBunny – Yay! You have an account now! Oh, that's so great! does a little happy dance for Banbie! I can't wait to read your stuff! grabs the Elf and Dwarf and does a big happy dance for Banbie! Oh, and Legolas wants to say that he's very glad he could help and offers a big celebratory hug. And I'm your first favorite! Ooh, I feel so loved!! :)