Ugh... I'm sorry about making you guys wait longer than usual for the next chapter. I really don't have any other excuse besides (1) too much homework and (2) writers block is getting to me while (3) my muse has up and moved out. I don't know when she'll be back, but hey...

If you guys have any nifty ideas for my story that have been bugging you, lay 'em on me. Preferrably something that would happen when they get out of Moria (cause, that's where my writers block started).

Thanks!


Disclaimer: See prologue.

Chapter 25

Into the Darkness


The sound of Pippin's voice woke her, and she opened her eyes. How long had she slept? What was going on now?

She opened her eyes, hearing the rest of her companions making their way into the mine. It hasn't happened yet, she sighed, forcing herself to stand.

Legolas's hand upon her arm was a comfort, but she made him let go for the fear of looking weak in front of an already scornful Boromir.

But she was weak. She was dizzy, nauseous, feverish, cold, and her limbs were heavy with languor. Step by step, she followed after Aragorn, who drew his sword as he entered the dark threatening cave. Her hand strayed to the hilt of her own deadly blade, and she slid it from it's own sheath.

She could feel Legolas's tenseness as he passed her. He gave her a glance of concern, before continuing inside to survey the scene before them.

"'Tis a tomb!" Boromir declared, stepping back from a dwarf skeleton. Gimli howled in anger and misery.

Her breathing seemed to quicken in anticipation, and her grip tightened upon her sword. Frodo cried out, and she whirled around to face the entrance. She swayed dangerously, her vision blurring with the sudden movement.

Sam was yelling...

She heard Legolas's bow sing...

Ignoring the cry of Legolas to stay back, she sprinted toward the monstrous beast that held the Ringbearer high above their heads in a clawed tentacle. The freezing water soaked her clothes as she ran into the water and began to swing her sword at the flailing arms of the beast; hacking at every one that came near.

One of the Watcher's arms knocked her off her feet, making her fall back into the icy water. Before she could get back up, another had wrapped painfully around her stomach, and brought her up high into the air. Her sword fell from her grasp.

"Arodwen!"

She struggled with all the strength she possessed, her breath coming in sharp gasps as the tentacle tightened around her. She couldn't help but scream as she felt a rib break under the unbearable pressure. Frodo, whom she had seen clearly while being held above the water, suddenly disappeared from her sight. Before she realized what had happened, she felt her stomach do a somersault, and she was falling fast toward the water's churning surface.

Once again, she cried out. But this time because the arms of Aragorn had tightened their hold when they caught her. Arrows flashed past her face in quick succession. Her dimming sight allowed her to see the entrance of the mines. A rumbling and crashing of rocks and rubble echoed in her ears before silence and darkness overtook.

"We now have but one choice..." thump, thump, thump "We must face the long, dark, of Moria..."

Her heavy lids had finally closed against her will. She felt herself being lowered, and then more familiar arms holding her. A hand unintentionally pressed against one of her broken ribs, and she let out a muffled scream, letting tears leak from her eyes in the agony of it.

"Gandalf," Arodwen heard Aragorn say, very near to her, "The hobbits are weary, and Arodwen is injured. Would it endanger us to rest here?"

Arodwen felt the light from Gandalf's staff pierce through her eyelids as he moved closer. "Nay, it shant. Not now, as long as we are silent." The bright light dimmed to that of a dying candles glow as the wizard dulled the crystal that was nestled in the petrified roots of the staff.

Aragorn struck a tiny fire near her to provide some light. She opened her eyes, biting her lip against the searing pain that shot through her abdomen with each breath she took. The rest of the fellowship was many yards away, somewhat sheltered by tall boulders, most of whom were succumbing to the call of sleep already.

Aragorn was looking through the many herbs and medicines she had brought in her bag.

Legolas was kneeling beside her, his gaze soft. "Where are you hurt?" he asked, reaching out and brushing away her hair from her face to look at her. She was grimacing in pain.

"My ribs... they burn..." she gritted out quietly.

Legolas hesitated, but then let his hands rest upon her abdomen. She whimpered as the burning flamed up again. Starting at the hem of the tunic, he undid a few of the clasps up until just below her breasts.

"W-What are you doing?" she asked icily. She would have stopped him, but it literallyhurt too damn much to move an inch.

"I'm seeing how badly you are injured..." Legolas said, trying to ignore the blood that stained the fabric as he parted the sides to reveal a toned, yet severely injured abdomen. Elvish healing chants were not going to be enough for this... He could see were the tentacles had wrapped around her and suctioned to her skin. Each little circle where a 'sucker' had clung was red and bleeding profusely; for eachof the Watcher's'suckers'had at least four razor sharp fangs that pierced the flesh when they attached. Her stomach was a mass of black and purple bruises; some even tinged yellow.

Legolas swore an elvish curse softly, his eyes roaming over each wound.

"That bad?" Arodwen murmured, her eyes closed again.

"Aye..."

Aragorn had returned, and he too swore, but not as softly. She saw the bottles and herbs in his hands, and her eyes widened. "Hold a moment Estel!" she hissed, "What herbs are you using on me?"

"The ones you need." he replied cheekily, kneeling down next to her, and looking over her wounds.

"Aragorn-" she began reproachfully, trying to scoot away, but only managing to cause herself more pain.

"Hush and sit still little one." Aragorn reprimanded, taking some clear liquid and pouring it over the gashes.

"Aragorn! Don't use that one--!"

Legolas clamped a hand firmly over her mouth as she screamed. The disinfectant burned like white hot flame as it cleansed the injuries inflicted by the beast.

"You... bastard..." she gasped when Legolas removed his hand. The prince raised an eyebrow at her foul language. She glared at Aragorn with hatred. "You don't... use that kind... unless, it's serious..."

"Your welcome." he chuckled, now smoothing on a creamy white paste made from Athelas. It gave her a gentle cooling sensation as he gently applied it. Every once in a while, he would pause, and find a yellow serrated tooth embedded in her flesh. Legolas couldn't help but wince everytime he removed one.

When he went to hand Legolas the bandages and finish, she shook her head.

"The grey bottle." she said, nodding at her bag of herbs, asking him to get it.

Aragorn retrieved the vial, looking at it skeptically. "What is this potion?" he asked, not giving it to her.

"Lord Elrond, gave it to me... It will help my ribs so I might be able to walk tomorrow..." Arodwen said, still biting her lip. The pain was still throbbing.

Aragorn uncapped the stone-grey bottle, and brought it to his nose. It smelled like the Niphredil blossoms Arwen used in her hair from her grandmother Galadriel. (A/N: And he knows this because...? lol, sorry, couldn't resist) They grew only in Lorien.

Legolas took the healing brew from him, and let Arodwen take a tiny sip. She gave a grimace at the taste, but swallowed.

Finally, Legolas gently but tightly wrapped thick white bandages around her abdomen to prevent infection and help prohibit movement that would hurt her broken ribs even more. Aragorn put out the flames, sternly telling her to rest until they set out again, and then went to relieve Gandalf from his watch.

Legolas could see her even in the darkness. He fetched their blankets, and returned to her side. Her eyes were closed, but her face betrayed her discomfort to him.

The prince removed his weapons, and set them beside him; he did not care if the keen Aragorn was keeping watch or not, he did not feel safe without them. She jumped when he laid a hand on her shoulder. "It is only me..." he whispered. He had folded his cloak for her to use as a pillow with a spare one spread upon the ground, and now gently laid her upon them, careful not to put too much pressure on her injury.

"Thank you..." she whispered as he tucked her own warm cloak around her.

Legolas smiled, even though she couldn't see it. "You are welcome... melamin..." (my love) He felt his heart swell with joy when she did not protest or even flinch at the endearment. Legolas was about to move away and let her rest, when he remembered something.

"Arodwen... Are you still plagued by those nightmares?" he asked softly, hoping that the vile orcs had ceased their calling to her.

"Yes..." she murmured, "They had ceased when I was in Rivendell. But now that we have left... they do not leave leave me alone." she answered with just as much quietness, as though she feared a nightmare might start when she spoke of it. "Why do you think I never wake others to take watch? I do not wish to sleep..."

Legolas did not even have to think about what to do next. He laid down beside her, and let his arm rest upon her uninjured waist with elven gentleness. "Then I shall keep them away..." he whispered in her ear, his warm breath caressing the tip, delighting him when she gave a small shiver.

"Sleep now, mir nin. The road will not be merciful tomorrow." (my jewel)

Despite the sharp stab of pain that jolted through her when she moved, Arodwen rolled over so she was facing Legolas, meeting his surprised stare. She untucked the cloak he had wrapped around her, and laid half of it over him so he too would be comfortable. Legolas gave her an intoxicating smile, and placed a warm tender kiss on her forehead. Wrapping his arms around her again, he pulled her against him without aggravating her wounds. "Good night..." she sighed, finally letting her heavy eyes close.

Legolas watched her fall asleep within seconds; his pleased grin still in place.

She was beginning to let go of her fear...

REVIEW! Also, there is a (deadly) species of squid that does have four razor-like teeth in each little 'sucker' thingy. So, yeah, it's possible. Creepy, huh?