Pirate Gold

By Romania Black and Auzzie K

Well, Chapter Fifteen is up! Now our heroes are back in Minas Tirith! Yay! We're happy with how this story's coming along now. And we cannot contain our excitement about THE HOBBIT! YAY! I can't wait for it to come out! Anywhoo, here's Chapter 15, enjoy!

Auzzie K and Romania Black

P.S. We own nothing of J.R.R. Tolkien! sobs

King Elessar to say the least, was happy of their return. After many a good reuntion, the Mordor pirates were banished to Sauron's former wasteland to spend the rest of their days in the barren cruel oblivious desert among the molten remains of the Great Eye's fortress. The other pirates were pardoned for saving the Prince and Princess, and were offered a home in Rohan, but the pirates refused, saying that the sea was their home.

Two days went by at Minus Tirith. Everyone was preparing their leave.

"I wish we could travel by day, Danny. It would be safer," Brandy sighed, packing the last of their things.

"It would be safer, but this way, we'll reach Rohan in the morning two days from now, instead of three. The swifter we get there the better." Danny shut his bag and went to Brandy's side.

"True, I suppose. I wish we could've stayed longer, though." She looked out at the sunset. It was gorgeous.

"I do as well, luv. I do as well." Danny wrapped his arm around her and kissed her gently under the glow of the setting sun.

As they headed down the stairs of the throne room, they ran into Audyaveil, who looked a little damp.

"Taking a swim, Audyaveil?" Danny smirked.

"No, more like a bath, pirate," the elf grinned. "All this battling and fighting has given me great need for one.

Danny smiled in wonder. Even with damp hair, she seemed perfect and nothing was out of place. Elves. What a strange race.

"I take it you're leaving then," Audyaveil noticed their bags.

"Yes, I think it is time we head out. Yourself?" Brandy smiled.

"I will wait until Legolas comes back for me. Him and Gimli are going to accompany me to Greenleaf. You are going back to Rohan then?"

"Yes," Danny said as he started to walk off. "Hopefully we'll make good time. Where is Vardahir?"

Audyaveil turned to the window of the throneroom. "Vardahir, Eldarion, and Berethor joined to King and Queen this morning to present a report on what happened with the Mordor pirates, and then they are going to lead the escort of the Mordorians to the wastelands."

"Well, then," Brandy turned to Danny and then back to the elf, "Will you give them our farewell for us?"

"I will indeed, Lady Brandybuck," Audyaveil smiled and nodded her head.

"Goodbye Audyaveil! Fare thee well on your trip home!" Brandybuck smiled, turning to walk away. Danny stopped and stared at Audyaveil.

"Farewell pirate," Audyaveil smiled at Danny. "Take care of that girl of yours."

"I will," Danny said then paused, "Farewell...Mellon."

Audyaveil suddenly looked shocked and grasped ahold of Danny's shoulder.

"How did you learn--?"

"Brandy taught me. I asked her a little elvish, so I could understand what you all are saying, that's all."

Audyaveil let go of his shoulder and smiled at him as she had never done before. "Take care, Mellon Danny."

The pirate smiled and walked out the of throne room to rejoin Brandybuck.

Danny and Brandy were making their way to the stables talking about this and that, and readying their horses for the journey home. As they arrived at the stable door, they heard a noise coming from the inside tack room. Brandy went in first to investigate the sound. Danny followed behind closing the door, just in case it was someone stealing and they were going to make a fast break for the door. Brandy approached the door quietly. She opened it to see a small boy hiding behind a few square bales. He was bruised and cut, his hair was matted in places with blood. Danny looked over her shoulder shocked; he couldn't believe his eyes. Brandy appraoched the boy slowly. Then she truned to Danny.

"I know that boy," Danny said, still somewhat shocked. "I left him here before I came to Rohan to get you..." His voice trailed off.

"Run. Go get Audyaveil out here," She said turning back to the boy.

"Will you be alright alone?" Danny asked cautiously.

"Of course I will. Hurry, I don't know how long he's been injured this way." She placed a hand on the boys head. It was hot.

Danny nodded his head and ran for the Cidetal.

"Hello there. Are you alright?" Brandy said sitting on one bales. The boy tried to scoot farther back away from her, but failed for the bales behind him. She reached down to touch him, but he dodged her hand and hid his face. She couldn't tell whom he was, but didn't want to scare him anymore.

"I'm not going to harm you. I want to help you. Come out..it's alright." her voice sounded in the boy's ears. It was warm and trustful. She put out her hand and he reached for it. Yet, he was so weak he couldn't squeeze. She then grabbed his shoulder and helped him up the rest of the way. His clothes were torn and stained with blood. "What's your name?" she asked.

"I...I'm Thelion." he said quietly. Brandy smiled and placed her hand on his back.

"What happened to you?" she asked. He just looked at her, not wanting to talk about it. Brandy simply shook her head in understandment. Once again the boy's eyes widened with fear. Brandy hear another noise coming up behind her. When she turned to see it...all went black. ...

Brandy didn't recall ever feeling this bad when she awoke in the black room. It was slightly chilly. Her feet were damp, as if she'd been in water for a while. She reached across her and felt an arm. It was Thelion. She could barely see, but felt a pulse in his wrist which told her he was still alive. She could smell blood, and realized there was a cut on her forehead. She wiped the blood off her face and leaned over the small boy, Thelion.

Where are we? Brandy thought wildly in her mind. The room was so dark, so cold. She felt around the floor looking for something to prop Thelion up on. She felt a pot and shoved it under his head to set him up.

"You'll be okay," She whispered comfortingly to him as though he could hear her. "I promise."

At that moment the door swung open and light flooded into the room. Brandy was temporarily blinded. A man stepped forward out of the light and into the darkness of the room. Brandy, steaming with hatred, glared up into the blinding light.

"Who are you?" She screamed.

"You are fine," The voice replied.

"WHO ARE YOU?" Brandy shrieked, as she let go of Thelion's body and rushed towards the man at the doorway. "Where's Danny? Why did you attack us? Where are we?" She screamed.

"Brandy...Brandy! Listen to me!" The man shook her and held her tight against him. She couldn't make out his face, but the voice seemed so...familiar...

"Who are you?" She repeated.

"You were about to marry him, Brandy!" The man shook her. "A pirate? How could you? You were supposed to marry Eldarion!"

Brandy stopped and tried to peer into the man's eyes. "Wha--," Then it dawned on her. Shock shook her body with shivers. "No, it can't be..."

The man stepped back into the light. His square face was lit up, and he pushed the blonde hair from his blue eyes. Brandy let out a gasp.

"Don't you remember you're own brother, Eomin?" He said smiling at her, a shocked look still on her face.

"Eomin?" Brandy trembled. "What are you doing--"

"Yes. But don't worry, sister, dear! We're back home...away from him." He caressed her hair, but she drew away from him.

"WHAT?" Brandy said in disbelief. "What have you done? Where's Danny?"

"Welcome back to Rohan, sister," Eomin said, opening the door and walking out of it.

Hmmm? How's that for a cliffhanger? Well, you're going to have to check out the next chapter, becuase Danny's not exactly welcomed back with honors to Rohan, and Brandy's going to have one rude awakening!

Tune into the next chapter!

Romania Black and Auzzie K