So sorry that it's been so long since I last updated! And that this was such a short chapter, but school's starting and as much as I hate to admit it, it has to take priority. But I promise the next chapter will be way longer!! Just stick with me, K? On with the show!

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Problems Along The Way

Chapter 3

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"We must leave, and we must leave quickly," Gandalf said to the remaining members of the Fellowship.

Aragorn was still on his stomach, peering into the icy waters below. "Neither of them have surfaced yet. We cannot leave them!" He couldn't just leave Legolas here. The Elf was his best friend, and he could be hurt.

"It may be that neither of them will surface, Aragorn," Gandalf replied quickly, "and even still, we are no use to anyone if we are dead."

This seemed to snap the others out of their surprised stupor. "What do you propose we do? We can't outrun them," Boromir voiced his concerns.

This wasn't good. None of them had had any sleep since the previous day, and there was no way that they could outrun the wargs, even if they had just had a full night of sleep. "We must find somewhere to hide," Gandalf said at length, "Aragorn?"

The Ranger was now standing facing Gandalf, and he seemed lost in thought. "We'll make our way down the ridge as we had planned," he said resignedly, "we shall find a place shallow enough to cross the river, and perhaps that shall throw them off our trail. The rocky hills around here are littered with caves, and some open into the sides of the ravine. We should find a place to hide there."

"Very well. Let us make haste."

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The world around him was utter blackness. There was nothing; no air, no light, no sound. Just cold and blackness. Then he hit something. Hard. He realized that he had been pushed along at a great pace on some kind path until he had hit something. Then he remembered falling. //I'm under water!!// He pushed off the surface he hit with all the strength that he could muster. His lungs burned, and his limbs ached. Dwarves weren't good swimmers in the first place, and all of his heavy armor wasn't helping.

After what seemed an eternity, he broke the surface of the water. He inhaled deeply, getting in more water than air, and sluttering and coughing, he struggled to make his way to the edge of the pool. He found the edge, but he still couldn't touch bottem. //And why is everything so dark?// With one last burst of strength, he heaved himself out of the pool and lay down on the hard, rocky surface, struggling to breath properly. Once he had calmed down, he tried to take in his surroundings. //Okay, 1)It's dark, 2) I can't hear that waterfall, 3) is that water dripping?//

He got the same feeling he did whenever he was in his chambers at home. //I'm in some kind of cave underground.// He waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness; there was the pool in front of him, //There must be a tunnel leading from under the waterfall to the pool in this cave//, but he couldn't see how big the cave was around him. He pulled out his axe, thankfully secured in his belt, and gave the stone ground a few taps, waiting for the echo to come back to him. After deciding that the cave wasn't to big, but had other tunnels leading off from it, he climbed to his feet in order to explore. He had only walked a few steps when he heard something that quite disturbed him: breathing.

It was faint, but he was sure of it. Cautiously, and as quietly as he could, he made his way over to where the breathing was coming from, ax in hand. He strained his eyes to see in the darkness, and either his eys were getting better, or there was a faint glow coming from up ahead.

Finally, he got close enough to see what it was he was seeking. And what it was surprised him. It was Legolas, and he was unconscious, or at least he seemed to be. He was laying on his back with his eyes closed (very un-Elf like), and he was shivering. There was blood on his forehead, which Gimli suspected to be from impact with the same rock he hit. His lips were blue, and he seemed to be cloaked in an unnatural glow compared to the darkness of the rest of the cave. It was only then that Gimli realized just how cold it was in the darkness.

He cautiously walked over to the Elf and lowered his ax. He knelt down beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Wake up elf!" he said softly. Nothing. He gave him a little shake. "Elf, wake up if you value your life." Legolas didn't even flinch. The Elf never slept with his eyes closed, and always woke if someone so much as stirred in their sleep. He started to worry. //Worry? No, why should I be worried about an Elf? It's his fault that we're down here in the first place!// "Legolas, wake up now or I shall be forced to snap that bow that you prize so much!" The pale Elf shivered even harder.

They couldn't stay here. They were both soaked and freezing cold, and none of their companions would be able to find them here. //The rest of The Fellowship! I hope that they fare better than us!// With newfound strength and resolution, the Dwarf bent down and cafefully heaved the unconsious Elf over his shoulder. "You owe me, Elf."

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Sorry to leave you hangin'. Don't worry, the next chapter will have more Pippin in it. And for all of you expecting to see some Legolas and Gimli bonding, *sticks out tongue* too frickan' bad!!

Legolas: Oh thank Manwe! You scared me there for a minute!

Gimli: Bloody Elf!

Pippin: Shh! She's going to write about me!

Teah: Quiet! Teah's thinking! Back in your pen!

Legolas, Gimli, Pippin: ...