When Katie came to, she couldn't immediately tell where she was. Blinking around at the canvas sides of the low-roofed room, she realized she was in some sort of makeshift tent. The light glowing through the tent walls was golden, and she decided it must be evening. Good, that meant she hadn't been out for very long.

Cautiously, she sat up and crawled over to the tent flap. Lifting it slowly, she saw a number of elves outside, quickly setting up a temporary camp. Nearby was a campfire, where Legolas sat with the blanket still around his shoulder, eating a bowl of soup and laughing with Estel.

Katie emerged from the tent and went to sit beside them. It was beautiful out; the sun had finally burnt off the mist and golden evening light fell through the trees and dappled everything with amber.

"Katie!" Estel jumped up and led her to a seat on one of the logs placed there for that purpose. "How do you feel? Let me get you some stew."

"I'm fine; just really hungry," Katie answered as he fetched her some dinner from a pot by the fire. "And my feet are gonna be killing me by tomorrow morning."

There was a laugh behind her. "They probably will," Elrohir agreed, coming to sit beside her. "Legolas said the two of you walked all day."

"We didn't know where we were," Legolas said, by way of explanation. "But I think I can retrace our steps and lead us back to the cells."

Elladan joined them. "But you said Dorlarth wasn't there?"

"No." Katie shook her head. "He was in another building."

"Another? Where?" Estel asked, surprised.

"I don't actually know," Katie admitted apologetically. "They blindfolded me."

The twins looked appalled, as did Estel and Legolas. "Tell us from the beginning," Elrohir said gently.

Katie ducked her head and tucked her hair behind her ears. "The guards blindfolded me and tied my hands, then led me through the forest. I tried to keep track of what direction we went and how long we walked, but I couldn't." She fiddled with her spoon. "They took me into a building and down a corridor or something into Dorlarth's study. He said I looked cold and put his coat on my shoulders, and when I sat down, I felt something in the pocket.

"He wanted to know why Elrond wanted me alive. He—he threatened me." Katie didn't know why she suddenly felt like crying. She mentally berated herself for acting like such a baby. It was bad enough she had passed out earlier. She took a couple deep breaths. Someone put a comforting hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Legolas smiling reassuringly at her. He raised his eyebrows as if to say, "You alright?"

She nodded, straightened her shoulders and continued. "Anyway, then a guard burst in on us and said something to him—he looked kind of upset. They spoke in Elvish, so I couldn't understand them. Dorlarth left the room, and I took the object out of my pocket—it was a little vial, and I remembered what Elrohir said about him carrying the antidote with me. So I filched it and put something else in its place so he wouldn't notice right away. Then he came back in and said we had to "postpone the conversation". Then the guards took me back to the cells, and I gave Legolas the antidote. He's probably told you the rest."

They nodded and looked pensive. Katie realized the camp was very quiet and glanced around. All the elves were silent in their work, listening in on the conference with their excellent hearing.

"You two need your rest," Elrohir said finally. "We will camp here tonight. In the morning we can retrace your steps. If the path between the cells and the other building has been traveled a few times, we should be able to find it easily."

When Katie went to bed that night, she discovered that the tent had been put up for her alone, to give her, as the sole female, a modicum of privacy. One of the search party had also chivalrously given up his bedroll for her and would switch off with someone else when the watch was changed. Katie was touched by their courtesy, and she couldn't help thinking as she fell asleep, Wow, there are actually some perks to this patriarchal society thing!

000

After camp was struck the next morning, they moved out. Legolas rode with Estel and the two of them retraced the track to the cells, while Katie rode in the rear with Elrohir.

It was her first time on a horse, and her feelings were a mixture of excitement, apprehension and embarrassment. She was glad she was with Elrohir; he always treated her like his little sister, so she didn't feel like she had to impress him. But she still felt strange sitting behind him and holding onto his waist, praying she didn't fall off. She was also glad they were in the rear, so no one else in the company would be watching her from behind.

Elrohir really wasn't thinking about Katie's riding skills, or lack thereof. He was watching Glawar. He wanted to believe that the young elf really had had a change of heart, but he still should be carefully watched. Elladan, he knew, didn't trust him. His twin tended to be more cautious than himself—probably a good quality in a leader. Elladan was, after all, technically their father's heir, as the firstborn. He knew, though, that if their father sailed, his brother would share the rule equally with him. They did everything together, and always would. And someday, they would sail together.

The horse made a sudden move that Katie wasn't prepared for, and she momentarily tightened her grip on his waist. He glanced over his shoulder at her. "Are you alright?"

She looked up and smiled a little nervously. "Yeah. I'm just not used to horses."

"Maybe it would help if we talked," Elrohir suggested.

"Well, I do have a question," she said, dropping her voice. "Why does everybody act so strange around that guy?"

Elrohir thought he knew who "that guy" was, even without translation. He dropped back so that his companions couldn't hear them with their sharp ears.

"He was involved in Dorlarth's conspiracy," he answered in a low voice. "He and his older brother Gúrvel attacked the front door to draw us from Legolas's room."

"What!" Katie exclaimed in a whispered shout. "Then why the hell is he riding with you!" Elrohir shot her a look at her use of language. "Sorry," she added.

"His brother killed himself rather than be captured," Elrohir explained sadly. "Glawar, however, had a change of heart after being questioned, and wishes to redeem his honor and that of his brother, and humbly asked to be allowed to ride with us. Our father agreed." Katie was shaking her head in disbelief. "Do not worry about it; we are keeping an eye on him."

000

The ride back to the cells didn't take nearly as long as the walk had. But as they neared the place, Elladan heard shouts and halted the line. He knew what those kinds of voices meant: orcs.

The elves all drew their weapons. Legolas slipped off Estel's horse to better fire the bow one of their number had supplied him with. Elladan turned back toward Elrohir, who nodded, drew his sword, and turned to say something to Katie. He would remain behind and protect her.

When everyone was ready, he gave the signal, and they all charged forward. They burst out of the trees into the clearing, shouting a war cry. The orcs all jumped in alarm as their attackers thundered out and bore down upon them. They had apparently just come across the door to the cells and were attempting to break in when they were surprised. Most barely had time to draw their swords before they were cut down by a flashing elven blade or slain by a swift arrow. Elladan, Legolas and one other elf fired at their vile enemy while Estel and the others charged into the fray, swords blazing in the light. In a few short minutes, all the orcs lay dead on the ground.

Elladan rode back to Elrohir, who resheathed his sword upon his brother's approach. Katie had a tight grip on the younger twin's waist, and looked a bit white. "May I have the keys to the cell, Katie?" Elladan asked, pulling up beside them.

Katie unfroze and pulled the ring off her belt, where she had kept it since taking it off the guard the day before. When she handed it to him, he smiled and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Thank you. You had better not come out to the clearing, Ro," he added. His brother nodded in understanding. Fifteen hacked orc bodies were not a pretty sight for a young girl unaccustomed to violence. There was no reason to give her more nightmares.

When he returned to the clearing, the search party was having an earnest discussion about their fallen enemy.

"What is a band of orcs doing out here?" one of the elves asked. "There have been no orcs in these woods for many years. Trolls, yes, but not orcs."

"And why would they be trying to break into this cell?" Estel added. "Unless they thought there was something here to plunder."

"These look like the yrch of Mirkwood," Legolas said thoughtfully, "the ones that reside in Dol Guldor." He pronounced the words with fierce distaste.

"Dol Guldor?" Glawar repeated.

All eyes turned to him.

"Yes," Legolas answered evenly. "Why, what do you know of the place?"

"Dorlarth obtained the substance that he poisoned you with on a trip to Mirkwood a decade ago," Glawar answered slowly, as if just now piecing together some information.

Elladan frowned. "That must have been the last time we made a visit to Lasgalen." He paused. "Dorlarth and two others went riding for a few days. They said they wanted to commune with the ancient trees of the Greenwood." His voice grew hard at the thought of Dorlarth's duplicity.

"Perhaps the poison came from Dol Guldor itself," Estel suggested quietly. "Now the Necromancer has some business with our blackmailer."

Elladan looked down at the keys in his hand. "Perhaps the questioning of the guards can wait," he suggested. "If Dorlarth has discovered that orcs were headed this way, he may flee. We must catch him." The others murmured agreement.

Elladan rode back to Elrohir and Katie again. When he reached them, he dismounted and handed his reins to his brother. "They are riding on to Dorlarth's main stronghold," he explained. "I will stay here with Katie. Do you go with them; Legolas can ride Gilmith." Elrohir nodded, and Elladan helped Katie down from the horse. He watched Elrohir's retreating back, knowing that the others would fill his twin in on the rest of their recent revelations. He turned back to Katie.

"How are you holding up?" he asked with a half-smile.

"Honestly? Hope you won't think I'm a wuss, but right now I'm just very glad I'm a girl."

Elladan laughed.

000

The search party made haste through the forest. Estel and Legolas (riding Elladan's horse) took the lead again: Estel's tracking skills were phenomenal for someone of his age. Elrohir again took the position of rear guard. One of his comrades, Aradun, had dropped back to fill him in on the earlier discussion, including Glawar's part in it.

After a few minutes, Glawar dropped back to ride beside Elrohir. He did not speak at first, nor indeed did he even look at him. Eventually, he opened his mouth.

"I want to earn your trust, my lord," he said quietly. Then he turned toward Elrohir, who was scrutinizing him. "How may I do that?"

Elrohir took a deep breath before answering. "I want to trust you, Glawar Gwestion. But your trustworthiness must be judged on your actions, rather than your words. You must follow orders and prove your loyalty and your honor."

Glawar nodded in understanding. Just then, the word came down the line: "We have arrived!"

000

Elladan stood in the midst of the trees, watching a bird high up in the branches. Katie crouched on the ground with her back to a tree trunk, staring into space. After a little conversation, they had fallen into a companionable silence.

"I'm sorry you had to stay here with me," Katie said finally. Elladan looked down at her. "I know you'd rather be with the others."

"I would rather know you were safe and let my brothers find Dorlarth," Elladan replied gently.

"Thanks." Katie stood up and flashed him her bright smile. "But I still feel pretty useless."

"Useless?" Elladan looked surprised. "Your escape from the cells led us to find Dorlarth! Not to mention you probably saved Legolas's life with that antidote."

Katie squinted at him. "Say that again," she said slowly.

Elladan frowned in confusion. "You saved Legolas's life," he repeated. Then comprehension dawned.

"I did, didn't I?" Katie said emphatically. "I saved his life. Then why am I still here?"

Elladan didn't answer her. Instead, he held up a hand for silence. He had heard a sound in the forest. "Orcs approach," he whispered. "Katie. Run and hide. And do not come out until I tell you it is safe. Do you understand?" Katie nodded and fled into the trees. Elladan reached for his bow.

In a few moments, two orcs burst from the trees—and both fell with an arrow in their throats. Elladan had had millennia of practice, after all—he was no stranger to killing orcs.

But he couldn't shoot them all before they came too close, and soon he had to drop his bow and resort to a pair of long elvish knives. An elven warrior of Elladan's skills could take out quite a few orcs on his own. But it was difficult—and there were more orcs than he usually felt comfortable handling by himself.

He dodged and stabbed and swung his knives through the air with super-human speed, killing the hideous, squeaking creatures all around, but there were just too many. Elladan felt a searing pain flash through his side and knew he'd been cut with an orc blade. Barely breaking his stride, he swung out and slashed the throat of his attacker, who fell without a sound. Ignoring the burning pain in his side, Elladan concentrated even harder on the task before him, and soon all the orcs lay dead around his feet.

He finally let the pain in, and clutched his side, doubling over. With the expert eyes of a healer, he examined the wound. It would take more than a few stitches, but what worried him was the speed with which he was losing blood.

"Katie!" He stumbled forward, looking for his pack, which he had dropped on the ground out of the way before the fighting began. "Katie, you can come out!"

There was a great deal of rustling, and Katie emerged from the trees. She gaped, horrified, at the orc corpses, drenched in black blood, that covered the ground. "Those… are orcs?" she gulped. She looked like she was going to be sick.

"Katie." Elladan's tone commanded her attention, and she looked up at him, then noticed the way he held with side with bloody fingers and how white his face had blanched. "Katie, find my pack. We have to stop the bleeding."

She nodded and turned to obey, grabbing the pack out of the undergrowth. As she turned back to her friend, he collapsed soundlessly on the forest floor.

"Dan!" she cried, and ran forward to kneel beside him. He was bleeding profusely from his left side. She opened the pack and dug frantically for some cloth. With shaking fingers, she pressed it over the wound, gulping and praying she wouldn't be sick. But the wound was bleeding through the cloth already.

Just then, she heard hoof beats approaching them through the forest. Oh, no, she thought desperately, could this get any worse?

She wouldn't run and hide this time. Elladan had protected her; she would protect him. Still holding the cloth in place with one hand, she drew one of Elladan's knives with the other and held it at the ready. With more desperation than courage, she faced her oncoming adversary.

TBC

AN: I do love a good cliffie, don't you? –grins wickedly—

You know what? Fight scenes are really hard to write. Especially if the enemy is a bunch of faceless monster servants.

For those of you who may be confused: Dol Guldor is a stronghold in southern Mirkwood, which is the base of operations for the Necromancer. Gandalf goes off to investigate the Necromancer in The Hobbit. It was believed that he was the Witch-king of Angmar, but it actually turned out to be Sauron himself, hiding out until the War of the Ring, when he repossessed Minas Morgul in Mordor. (If I've got any of these details wrong, please forgive me; I'm not a Tolkein scholar!) So Dorlarth is messing with some pretty dangerous stuff.

The discussion about orcs and trolls: yrch is what Legolas calls orcs in Moria. :) The twins and the rangers cleared the area around Rivendell of orcs—and if you don't know why the twins hate orcs so much, I'm sure you'll find out, either in this fic or one of the sequels (Yes, I hope to do more than one). The mention of trolls referred to the ones the dwarves and Bilbo meet in The Hobbit. I thought I'd give a nod to canon. :)

I know it's been a week since the last update. Mea culpa! Although I did warn you that I was a little stuck. But I am very proud of myself; I made myself write through my block Friday night, and lo and behold, ideas just came! So I managed this chappie without any help from Dana, and I've also figured out what Glawar is up to, and I've basically got the rest of the story outlined. Couple technicalities to fix up, but the big points are all in place. I'm very excited!

As soon as it gets through the queue, I'm posting a drawing I did of Elladan on Elfwood. I'll put the link on my bio as soon as it's up, if you want to see.

Hermione at Heart: Well, it's certainly telling me where it wants to go! Thanks!

RenegadeKitsune: Yes, I thought the Beatrice Maneuver was fun. I myself have never actually stuck something in my cleavage, although I've been tempted to when I'm in a dress and have no pockets. Yay! Chatting on AIM!

EresseElrondiel: Free at last… free at last… Thank Eru Almighty! They are free at last. Hee hee. Sry. Had to do that. I like that—"wipe the floor with Dorlarth's slimy ass." I doubt very much that the elves would put it that way, but… :)

baka-san: Wow, Singapore! I'm getting readers from all over the place, aren't I? –is tickled— The "gimme-ideas-quick" cap is officially back on:)

Saltwater: —hands you an ice-pack— Don't beat yourself up! Rofl oh my gosh. Your reviews always brighten my day. Hee hee! Wow, my first proposal of marriage! Even if it is technically for my foot… Yeah, I loved Legolas and Katie leaning on each other, too. Gave me warm fuzzies. I didn't know there were ring-tailed possums in Australia! Possums certainly hiss here. Thanks!

Ravens Destiny: Thanks—I loved the Master Card commercial, too. :) Yeees… the Angry Eyebrows of DOOM! (at least when Elrond does them…)

Aranel-DiSonne: Mmm… Unconscious Legolas… enough to make any fangirl drool. :)

Madd Hatter: Smoke 'em, hm? lol

Thanks also to werewolflemming (still a flippin' awesome screenname!), faeriekittie306 animelover, and ThoseRainyDays. Reviews make my day! Oh, and if you press that happy little purple button at the bottom, the twins will jump out of your computer screen! Take them to school or work with you! Impress your friends and co-workers! Get a simultaneous backrub from one and foot massage from the other! Think of the possibilities (not like that, you perv)! Please review! –blows kisses—