Pirate Gold

by Romania Black and Auzzie K

Chapter Eight is finally up! Wahoo! Sorry about not posting the specifics on Chapter Seven; I was in such a rush to post it, it slipped me mind! LOL! anyway, here's the chapter for you! It's a little more romantic than the others. we also own nothing of the late J.R.R. Tolkein, sadly enough! 6 Have fun reading!

Sincerely,

Romania Black and Auzzie K

P.S. for a note: Audyaveil is the correct spelling of the elf's name. At times, I know it was Audyveil. Sorry about that!

There was silence for a moment amongst the group.

"What people are you going to meet Danny?" BrandyBuck said curiously, walking over to him. He glanced at her then Audyaveil. He knew the elf wasn't a fan of his kind and she didn't fully trust him, or his crew.

"Just a couple friends of mine, that is all," he said quietly. Audyaveil heard them talking and raised her head skeptically.

"Danny? Who did you say you wanted to meet up with?" The young elf said walking towards him. Danny rolled his eyes. Elves think they have to know everything.

"Just some friends," he said looking away. Audyaveil shook her head in disbelief.

"I don't think we should. That would be too many to keep track of. It's not like we need anymore people with us. Plus even if they are your "crew," they are still pirates."

BrandyBuck was kicking the ground with her feet. Danny gave Audyaveil a look of shock, "How dare you assume my mates are pirates!" He said loathingly.

"Am I wrong?" Audyaveil asked. Danny stiffened as if struck in the face. The elf smiled.

"My crew...You think they will turn on us, don't you? Well, your wrong!" Danny bellowed, storming off into the forest near them. The darkness overtook him, and he was gone. BrandyBuck watched as her love vanished and turned to look at the young elf. Audyaveil took a deep breath and sat next to her. Brandy looked at her then the darkness.

"Why do you have to say such things? Danny and his men are the finest pirates around. They can help us, you know. You have to trust them. Sometimes you have to trust someone other than the elves," Brandy said furiously getting up. Audyaveil looked up at her and smiled grimly.

"I'm sorry, but it is not that simple. Pirates have always been tricky and not among the trusted in Middle Earth. Men like Danny are hard to come by. You have seen what they did to Berethor, Theodor, and Vardahir," she said getting up. From a distance, Vardahir heard her name mentioned and walked towards them, leaving Eldarion sitting on the rock Danny had left his hat on.

"I heard my name. What's wrong now?" Vardahir said faintly, standing beside them.

"Nothing, absolutely nothing," Brandy stood up swiftly and took off into the darkness where Danny had gone.

"Was it something I said?" Vardahir asked softly, her brow furrowed.

"No, Vardahir, it was not. It was merely me, trying to talk reason into that girl." Audyaveil sighed.

"Danny?" Brandy yelled out. She was worried about him. He had never walked off like htis before. She soon found herself by a lake. The moon shined down casting the night light on the water. A couple feet away was Danny, he was staring out into the water; his hat lay at his side.

She walked over to him and smiled softly, "Are you okay?"

Danny looked at her and then wrapped an arm around Brandy. A cool breeze blew through the trees and nestled itself around them. Brandy looked up at Danny with concern in her eyes.

"What is it? Don't worry about Audyaveil. She's just trying--"

"I know," Danny cut her off. "I just...We just...we need help, that's all." He started to move away from her, but she drew him back into her arms. She stared up at him.

"What? Help for what?" There was a skeptical concern in her voice.

Danny sighed. "There aren't just those twenty pirates that are after us. Now that we have Vardahir back, they'll go back to Minas Tirith, only this time in bigger numbers. And who knows what they'll do then! I know friends who can help...help us...," There was a pause in his voice.

"Danny, we can convince Audyaveil to let you help the kingdom! I know we can! Oh Danny," She wrapped her arms around him and embraced him. "Why didn't you just tell her that to start with?" There were tears in her eyes. "Why must you be so, so difficult?"

He accepted her embrace and looked down upon her slender face. "I just...I just don't trust Audyaveil...that's all."

"Why not? She's Eldarion's best friend--"

"Something's not right here," Danny warned, pulling her close to him. She could smell the spicyness on fresh-shaved chin. "I don't want...I don't want you hurt," He choked out. Brandy looked astonished.

"Is that what this is all about? You? Keeping ME safe?" She felt almost like laughing.

"Well, yes!" Danny said defensively. "Of course! It's always been that way!" He looked at her offensively, but she was grinning widely at him.

"Oh, Danny," She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately, for a long time. For Danny, time stood still, the moon staring down upon them. For Brandy, time had started again, and it was moving forward in front of their eyes.

Yes, It was short, but hold on! Chapter Nine is coming up! Stay tuned, and Rock ROCK ON!

Auzzie K and Romania Black bid thee good day!