a/n: Sorry this took awhile. I'll try to be quick for the next chapter—maybe even tomorrow or so if things go the way I plan. Thanks for your patience!

Something In the Dark

The thin, short man with dark goatee looked half-asleep. It wasn't weariness, though, despite the late hour. Something about his tone, the way he carried himself, and overall presence proclaimed he was the leader. The captain. Those half-closed, sleepy eyes seemed more like indifference.

She sat on the deck, tied with her hands behind her back and around a secondary mast. Her belongings lay at the captain's feet, her sword among them. He didn't raise an eyebrow and look at her curiously, as most would. Part of her had to respect that.

But she didn't respect him. She held few in such regard.

"You're from Gondor," the captain stated. Selanae answered with a shrug.

"Perhaps." She couldn't remember that detail, not that she wanted to anymore. Memory was a curse.

"My scouts have seen you in the company of that Ranger," he continued. There was a slight rise in his tone at the mention of Aragorn, but he leveled out. "You will be missed."

Selanae sighed. "Possibly. Could you please reach your point?"

The captain almost grinned at that, the most lively thing she'd seen from him yet.

"They will want you back."

Selanae didn't react, though she knew what he wanted now.

"Ransom?" she asked. "And what is my life worth?"

The captain's smile showed true and through to his eyes. "Gondor."

Selanae mirrored his smile. "Gondor. I expect I'll be held for some time then." The captain chuckled, drawing laughter from his men who watched on.

"They will do what we want," he said, "or they'll mourn over your dead body." All laughter stopped and was replaced with fierce, intimidating stares. The way it seemed orchestrated almost made Selanae laugh. She settled on her own indifference to the situation.

"They'll get over it quickly," she said, glancing away and up at the sky.

She didn't pay attention to much after that. The stars were out, lighting the sky quite brilliantly, especially since they were out at sea. They weren't far from shore; she could make out the line of the mountains. She wondered if she'd been out here before. It was very different from anything else she remembered. Gondor had its white stone and civilized cities. Rohan had its hills and plains. She wasn't sure which land she preferred . . . .

"You know he cares for you dearly."

Selanae blinked and sat up straighter against the mast. Where had that come from? She sighed. It'd been in the back of her mind since Legolas found her. She knew he was right—Eomer did care for her.

But as a sister, or as a heroine. Not as who she really was. And you know who you are?

She clenched her teeth together and stared out at the coastline. Selanae knew what she was capable of, and that was enough. Regardless of how she felt for Eomer—

She froze.

Something caught in her throat.

Horror.

Brutal honesty.

Fear.

What do I feel for Eomer? The question itself pointed towards her answer. The fear and horror returned, and Selanae had to swallow several times to calm her stomach.

Eomer.

She shut her eyes, seeing him immediately in her mind. His tall, stalwart frame, that eyes blazing with daring and determination. His hair in his face and wind-tossed as always. And that passion, about everything. There was no half-way with Eomer. It was all or nothing.

The image in her mind changed to that fear she saw, not in the tower this time, but how she imagined he looked when he discovered she was kidnapped. She knew it was presumptuous, but that didn't stop her.

Selanae shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. She scolded herself and her weakness. Nothing mattered right now. She would have to see what happened next.

She found herself hoping Eomer would take part in whatever future lie ahead.

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They should have found her by now. Eomer's fists clutched the reigns tightly. His knuckles were almost sore from the tension.

"She was here," Legolas said, studying the ground before the sandy beach. "But the sand changes. It's difficult to track."

Eomer sighed, and looked out over the ocean. As beautiful as it was, he had no time to admire it. His instinct urged him to hurry.

He dismounted, and led his horse forward over the sand. "Let's go this way," Eomer started. His men followed. He glanced to see that Legolas followed as well. The elf did, but his eyes were turned seaward. Elves favored the sea, but Legolas had assured Eomer that he would be fine. Eomer held onto that as if an oath.

"Where they are won't leave tracks in the sand," Legolas said. Eomer rolled his eyes.

"Is that your cryptic way of telling me they're on a ship?" he asked, flustered. "Because they are Corsairs. Some things are just known."

The elf smiled in spite of his frustration, and Eomer realized he should calm himself. He sighed, and nodded for the elf to continue.

"You truly care for her," Legolas said with a grin.

"You're just now discovering this?" the king of Rohan inquired with a raised eyebrow. Legolas looked away but the smile was still there.

He pointed up at the rocky hills. "We'll follow the coast from up there. We might be able to move further than they if the wind is against them."

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It took until the next afternoon, but they spotted a ship. Eomer, his men, and Legolas quickly dismounted their horses, and laid low to the ground. There was no sense in standing out, not now.

"What do you see?" Eomer asked. His eyes stared ahead, only making out the ship enough to know it was the Corsairs. Legolas slowly smiled.

"She's there," he said. "Along with at least 50 Corsairs." He turned on his side to face Eomer. "Any ideas?"

Eomer pursed his lips together with a scowl. He glanced to the elf and then back at the ship.

It took several minutes, but Eomer began to smile. Legolas raised an eyebrow.

"Yes," Eomer said. "I have an idea."