Hello, and welcome back! I actually finished all of my homework! YAY! So I decided to get this chapter up already!

OMG, Star Wars 3 was AWESOME! Between the Jedi-killing spree and the fight between Anakin and Obi-Wan…SPECTACULAR!

But LOTR was of course, better.

Anyway, in this chapter Gandalf finally finds out what's going on, Aragorn and Eowyn for some reason go back into the Faithful lair, and find a surprise! And more angst!

Gandalf stared at the door that Eowyn had just disappeared through. He turned to Merry and Pippin.

"Do either of you know what is happening?" he asked, not really expecting an answer. And he didn't receive one, as Merry had just told Pippin another bar joke. But then his answer walked slowly into the room. Aragorn, supported by Eowyn, entered and sat heavily on the bed that he had left less than seven minutes ago.

"What is it?" Merry asked, a trace of fear in his voice. "Didn't you find Legolas?" Aragorn sighed mournfully.

"No, Merry. Both Legolas and Gimli have been captured." Pippin jumped up, panic written all over his face.

"Captured? By who? Why? We have to save them!" he said quickly. Aragorn smiled shakily.

"Hold on, little one. First let me tell you who. They were captured by corrupted Men of Gondor. Their captain is called Harnad. It is he who inflicted these wounds on me. He did this I think because he thinks I am the one who drove Denethor to madness, as I have in my possession a palantir. He wishes to make me die for this, and also all of the people who aided me in this supposed crime. Including Legolas and Gimli, and yourself. But I do not know anything else-"

"I do." Eowyn said unexpectedly. Aragorn looked at her, astonished. She blushed and continued. "Before I could find Aragorn, I attended a short meeting of the Faithful. They spoke of much, but it is clear that they think you are a…a servant of Sauron. They think that you want to assume the kingship in order to use Minas Tirith as one of Sauron's outposts- like Minas Morgul."

Gandalf sat down, too shocked to speak. How could he not know this?

"Where?" he stammered.

"In the throne room. Behind the walls there is a secret opening to the hideout." Answered Eowyn.

"So now you know. But I must go back." Aragorn said, standing up.

"But wait!" Merry said. "You cannot mean to go back there! You are already hurt!"

"I know!" he replied with steel in his eyes. "But if any trace of that poison gets on Legolas, he will die. And Gimli I am not sure about, but they must be rescued." With that he spun on his heel and headed for the door. But before he left, he whispered to Gandalf, "Please, my friend, guard the Halflings. I would never forgive myself if something happened…to either of them." Gandalf nodded and put a hand on his shoulder.

"We will be here when you return. But take care of yourself. I don't want to tell the healer that you got yourself banged up again!" Aragorn smiled and left. Eowyn followed, putting the armor back on.

When Aragorn began in the direction of the throne room, Eowyn laughed and steered him around.

"You don't expect them to let you walk in just like that, do you? We must find you some armor before we go in." Aragorn nodded and instead turned to a guard that looked like he had just come off duty.

"Pardon me, captain, but could I borrow your armor? It is very important to me and Master Gandalf that we get a full set." The captain bowed and stammered,

"Um, of course my lord." He immediately began stripping off his armor and handing the pieces to Eowyn, who was trying hard not to laugh. When they were finished, the poor man was left standing in his underclothes in the middle of the Citadel.

"Thank you, soldier. We will return this to you tomorrow." Aragorn clapped the soldier on the back before beckoning Eowyn behind a pillar where he donned the armor. Suddenly he scanned the ground and came up with a red flower.

"Your armor still has the red 'X'. Could you put it on mine?' Eowyn nodded and quickly did do. And together, they made their way into the Throne Room.

It was empty, save for one lone servant who was reverently looking for something. She looked up as they entered.

"Have you seen the Lord Steward? He should be here right now!" she said, while looking behind the throne.

"He is in the Houses of Healing, still recovering." Eowyn answered, trying to deepen her voice and seem more like a man. The servant immediately rushed past them and out of the room.

"Where is the passage?" Aragorn asked. He was already at the side wall, looking for an entrance. Eowyn hurried over.

"I don't exactly know how to open it. Last time someone came out and I was able to get in." But Aragorn didn't reply. He was already carefully examining the stones on the wall. He looked up with a grin, or as close as one could get with a cut on the face.

"I found it." He said simply. Eowyn gaped.

"How did you get it so fast? I examined it for at least an hour before I was able to enter!" Aragorn shrugged.

"It was part of my training to identify secret codes and locks. This is the kind of lock I would find in a…orc den." He looked troubled for a moment and it seemed a flash of pain flickered in his eyes. Eowyn could only wonder what horrors he had seen or suffered inside an orc lair. But it passed and Aragorn pressed hard on one stone. It went deep into the wall and there was a resounding click. A section of the wall rolled away. Aragorn checked for other soldiers before rolling the door open the rest of the way.

There was still no one in sight. In fact, the corridor was completely empty, as far as they could see.

"Perhaps the soldiers only met at night. During the day they have to attend to their shifts, I would guess." Aragorn said slowly, voicing the thoughts of both of them. "Where were the cells?" Eowyn started down the corridor. After walking for quite a while, they came to the cell that Aragorn had previously been in. It was empty, except for Aragorn's coat, which actually made it look like someone was in there. Aragorn quickly turned away, peering down the corridor. "I don't like this. It feels too empty. At least a few men should be here." Eowyn nodded and continued walking. After a while they came to a fork. There appeared to be nobody either way.

"We should split up," Said Eowyn at last. "I don't like being alone here, or you being alone, but if we are to find them we must move faster." Aragorn reluctantly agreed.

"I will take the left. If you should find them…promise me you will get them out first. There is a chance that they were more grievously wounded than I. I do not wish them to die for something that is my affair."

"Aragorn…" Eowyn started. But when she saw the determination in his eyes, she knew better than to protest. "Alright. I promise."

"Agreed. Good luck." Aragorn said quickly. He instantly turned to the left and resumed walking, picking up his pace slightly. Eowyn looked back at him for a moment, and then disappeared down her corridor, drawing her sword.

Aragorn sped down the corridor. He had an uneasy feeling that he had chosen the way with the soldiers. He had not voiced this to Eowyn only because she was worried enough already.

Suddenly he doubled over and clutched at his chest, panting. He quickly remembered the man kicking him in the chest, and wondered vaguely how many ribs were broken. The pain had been…manageable, but now it was killing him.

Aragorn leaned against the wall for support, trying to control his breathing. Legolas needed him, and now was not the time to collapse. He grimly noted that he had been in this same position about ten years ago…

The sound of a door slamming jerked him out of his thoughts. He straightened, wincing, and peered down the corridor ahead of him. There was another corner, but he could see shadows moving around, talking. Aragorn crept closer, silently drawing his sword. He managed to catch a stream of words coming from what was no doubt a cell around the corner, and from a voice he knew only too well.

"Yes, the ranger is dead. Don't look at me like that. You are perfectly aware of what he did- what you helped him do! But do not worry. You will be joining him soon."

Aragorn did not stop to think. He tore around the corner and toward the cell on the right. There was only one guard at the door. Aragorn took advantage of his surprise and drove Anduril into his breast plate. The shining blade easily went through the armor and into the man's heart. He instantly died. Aragorn pulled out his sword, only thinking for a moment that he would kill no more men of Gondor, corrupted as they were. The moment passed and he yanked open the door.

Legolas was on his knees, bound and gagged, between two guards. Harnad was poised directly above him, facing the door. In his hand was Aragorn's dagger, the blade covered in a shining clear liquid. Aragorn stepped forward. Harnad saw him and instantly went white as a ghost.

"Y-you…you were…" He stammered. Aragorn smirked at him.

"Not until I kill you." He said slowly, bringing his sword up for attack. But before he could move, Harnad quickly shouted,

"You two! Quickly! Kill him!" At this the guard wheeled around, bringing Legolas with them. The two quickly dropped him and drew their swords, charging in on him. Aragorn tore his eyes from Legolas's still form and parried a blow from one of them. As he whirled around, he saw thatLegolas had a bleeding gash on his forehead. A new anger rose inside him and he switched from defence to offence, driving the guards forward, trying to get to Harnad. But fighting two skilled guards was not easy, even for him. Whenever one would attack his left, the other would attack his right. Once only, he missed a parry and a strong blow came on his chest, slicing open the thin shirt and enhancing a steady blood flow from a new cut. Finally he managed to crack one on the head, and he fell to the ground. Legolas inched forward, trying to reach the man's sword and cut his bonds.

But Aragorn had forgotten Harnad. He had been cowering in a corner, watching the fight with an occasional "Come on! Get him!" or "To the right, you fool!" But when Aragorn had brought one down, he also started forward, Aragorn's dagger still in his hand. It only took one shot…

Aragorn struck another blow, only to have it parried back at him. He growled in frustration. This was getting old, and what about Harnad? Suddenly he remembered. He still had the poisonous dagger! With renewed vigor, Aragorn fought back and slammed the man against the stone wall. Panting, he turned and found Harnad on the other side of the room, dagger cocked and aimed at a figure trying uselessly to free himself.

Dun dun dun….

Sorry! Had to have another cliffy! And sorry about being late! My Interned was screwed MOST OF TODAY, YESTERDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND TUESDAY! That's four whole days! I nearly died. But I watched FOTR and was better.

Anyway, PLEASE REVIEW! I decided instead of waiting days, I will wait for…five reviews. SO if you want to see what happens, make people review!

Answers to reviews…

viggomaniac: Yes, so now Legolas and Gimli need rescuing. And poor Aragorn is hurting again…sure hope nothing happens to Merry/Pippin/Gandalf evil grin Thanks for reviewing!

Leela74: Yes, Star Wars ROCKED! My favorite character is Obi-Wan. Poor guy…his 'brother' turning to the dark side…Only thing I didn't like was the lame R2-D2 humor and the droids saying 'ow' and stuff. And other than this one, I think Phantom Menace is my favorite. Qui-Gon rocks my socks!

lindahoyland: Yes, Aragorn is in trouble. Good thing he has his own personal hobbits telling bar jokes! Thanks for reviewing!

THANKS for reviewing! I look forward to hearing from you again!

-QueenofFlarmphgal