I'm back! Yay! And I'm on spring break, so that is another good thing:bounces: But before we get on with the story, I must say something…

Jousting Elf with a Sabre- I am SOO, SOO sorry I forgot to thank you in my last chapter! I was desperately trying to finish it and it was so late at night, I was near delirium! The words were literally spinning on the computer screen. I saw your review and I was going to type the thank you up, but it just totally slipped my mind. I am sorry! To make it up to you, I offer you a part that will come later in the story. Just send me an email or review with the name of the character you would like and a description, and I will put you in! Create anyone you want and I will put he/she in for you! I am just so, incredibly sorry!

I think for time changes, I am going to use these &&& to represent it. So, if you see them blocking off a section of the story, you know that it is going back in time a little ways. Sorry I can't think of a better way to do it…

Alright… here we go.

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Chapter 20- Into the Caves

Morning had come on the grassy plains. A crisp, morning breeze cut through the air and the leaves on the trees made a quiet rustling as the wind blew through them gently. The wildlife was just beginning to stir from their slumber and could be seen starting their day. Though some had not slept.

The horses of the remaining company had finally came to a halt, much to the pleasure of the riders. Slowly, they all dismounted and stretched their stiff legs. Immediately after he had smoothed out his aches, Estel began to search for the warg trail they had been following all night.

The human knelt down in front of some bushes away from the group and examined the light imprints on the ground. He ran his fingers gently over them and a smile graced his lips.

'They are fresh.' He thought, standing up. Taking one last glance back at his companions, he pushed through the shrubs and followed the path carefully.

The tracks grew deeper and more scattered as he followed them. Small trees and bushes had been trampled down onto the earth, signing that it was very recently that the beasts had past through. As he followed the trail, the sound of rushing water met his ears and he furrowed his brow.

'There can not be any rivers way out here.' He thought curiously, but shrugged it off as he continued through the brush until he finally came to a clearing. His eyes widened and he gazed around in shock and wonder.

At the base of a towering cliff was a large, crystalline pond. A waterfall cascaded down into the water, and splashed up onto the rocky wall. The grass was a healthy green and white flowers sprang up every where from the rich earth.

Estel smiled at the surroundings, but quickly remembered his job and continued following the warg prints. They led him up to the face of the cliff, but suddenly stopped. He furrowed his brow and retraced his steps, but the trail always led him to the cliff.

He sighed and leaned against the rock wall, placing his head in his hands.

"Norui is going to kill me if I led them to the wrong place." He thought aloud. After sighing once again, he gazed around for a moment. His eyes suddenly rested on one part of the rock wall. He quickly knelt down onto the ground and fingered the tracks once more. He then noticed for the first time that they turned to the left and up a slope on the cliff. Estel smiled triumphantly, then stood and sped back to his companions.

The others were busy typing up their horses to the surrounding trees with a calm look on their faces, though inside they were full of restlessness and worry. Estel pushed through the brush, then gazed around the group until his eyes rested on the wizard, Mithrandir. He darted over to him and the Istar stopped what he was doing.

"Hello, young Estel. What is the matter?" He asked with tiredness in his voice.

"Mithrandir, I think I have found where the wargs have gone." He said quietly for only the wizard's ears, though he did not know why he did it. Mithrandir smiled.

"Good, very good. Let us make haste." He said, then quickly finished taking care of his horse. "Inform the others." The human nodded then ran off to do just that.

Within moments, the whole company was gathered at the base of the rocky wall. Elrohir was forced to stay behind to watch after the still unconscious Jaimea, though not without much arguing. Slowly and silently, the group climbed the rocky slope with Estel leading the way.

After a little while of climbing, Elladan suddenly growled.

"Where are we going anyway?" He asked, annoyed, "Look, the path ends at the waterfall! It is a dead end!" Estel opened his mouth to turn on his brother, but Norui beat him to it.

"Elladan, this is the right way. I know it is. Have faith in your brother's tracking skills." He said monotonously. Elladan grumbled again.

"Yes," Melyanna said, "Do not worry. I, too, feel that this is the right way." Elladan looked over at her and smiled. She smiled back, then continued the climb.

Once the reached the top, they found that a gap was broken into the trail. The rushing waters of the waterfall fell down between that, cutting off their path. Some of them had discouraged faces, but the others were not going to give up that easily. Estel stood up carefully, then launched himself suddenly into the water. The others waited for his call and they smiled when it finally came. Norui stood from his spot and leapt nimbly through the wall of water. Together, Estel and Norui helped their companions as they jumped through.

Once they had all reached the other side, they saw that the path stopped and the mouth of a large cave was before them. They trudged in without another thought. After traveling a little ways, the only sound that filled their ears was the constant dripping of water. The ground was slippery and rough, making it hard for even the elves to keep their balance. There was no light to show them the way so they had to rely on their senses to keep them going.

Arwen glanced around and sighed.

"I don't see anything." She said.

"Neither do I." Estel said, beginning to think that his tracking skills did fail him this time. Norui stopped suddenly and turned to face them.

"Legolas is here, I know he is. I can feel it."

"Then where is he? We just seem to be walking to nowhere." Elladan spoke up. He was becoming tense due to the elve's natural dislike of caves. Norui ignored him and faced forward again, continuing the trek through the unnerving darkness.

The tunnel stretched on and on, but the darkness seemed to lift a small bit, much to the pleasure of the company. The passageway suddenly opened up and they all froze.

They had come across a large cavern. Sparkling stalactites littered the cave's roof, some looking to be hundreds of years old. The occasional drop of water would fall down from the tip, disrupting the mirage on the shallow water in waves of ripples. Light streamed down in some places of the room and they all smiled for the daylight once again.

Norui stepped forward carefully, watching his feet as he took his steps, and the group followed slowly. His two sisters came up next to him and he smiled at them. The sixth sense he had for his brother was also running through Lothron and Melyanna.

As they continued their search, they gazed around in awe at their surroundings. Even the elves had to marvel at its beauty. So entranced by the cave, they barely noticed the sudden low growling that came from another tunnel deep in the shadows. Their senses heightened suddenly and they drew their swords, ready for anything that they may come across. They then strode down this tunnel with alert eyes and ears.

Once again, they found themselves in another stalactite filled room, though it did not match the previous room's splendor. They stealthily darted across the room to hide behind a large boulder in the middle where they could spy around without being noticed. The first thing that caught their attention was a dirty piece of cloth in the shadow snagged on a stalagmite. After scanning the area to be sure nothing was approaching, the Crown Prince left his hiding spot to inspect the material.

Norui crouched down and fingered it. He slowly pulled it off the stalagmite and studied it. Dried blood stained it all over and was torn in numerous places. His heart leapt when he realized clearly what it was. It wasn't just cloth, but a tunic; Legolas's tunic.

Not wanting to discourage the others, he swung his pack off his shoulders and quickly shoved the tunic inside. He choked back a lump in his throat and quivered. He stood as he tried to keep his emotions back, but stopped when a hot breath trailed down his neck and he froze, eyes widened. Something wet and warm dripped onto his neck and rolled down his back and his breath caught in his throat.

Norui's emerald eyes met those of his companions which were filled with panic and worry. He saw Estel and Elladan begin to come forward, but he shook his head. They frowned, then reluctantly went back behind the boulder.

The prince turned his gaze to the floor as his grip tightened around the hilt of his sword. The stench of the beast's breath was unbearable and Norui had to fight back the bile that was creeping up his throat. He tried to calm himself as he stared hard at the floor, waiting for the right moment.

The rattling of a kicked stone sliding across the floor caught the warg's attention and Norui smiled. In one swift motion, Norui swung his blade and it impaled it deeply into the warg's back before the creature even realized it. Without a noise, the warg fell to the side, its eyes rolled into its head and blood dripping from its mouth.

Norui sighed, trying to brush off the adrenaline that flowed through his body. He ran his hand through his hair then glanced back down at the sword embedded in the creature. With a grunt, he withdrew the blade and wiped the blood off on his leggings. He was about to return to his comrades, but the soft sound of shuffling feet reached his ears. His wide eyes darted ever which way, searching for the approaching creatures. Finally, he spotted them making their way out of yet another tunnel in the spacious cavern.

The whole remainder of the pack that they had been tracking all through the night strode forward. Norui noticed that even the black warg that had tried to get to Legolas was there, but was limping heavily on its back leg. He prayed that the shadows would hide him and they wouldn't notice him as he watched the wargs trail out. Two reddish-brown wargs came out of the tunnel, carrying something in their jaws. Norui strained his eyes to see what it was, but soon his face fell.

'Legolas!' He screamed in his mind.

The young prince was being dragged by his wrists in the wargs' mouths, unconscious. His face was covered in large bruises and cuts. Blood trailed down his chin from a split lip, but this was minor compared to what his torso looked like.

His chest sported a deep gash all of the way across. The wound was an angry red in color, but that was not all. His abdomen had the same kind of slashes, though not as deep, but looked to be near infection. His whole body was a deathly pale and his chest never rose to indicate he was breathing.

Norui paled and his whole body went numb. Everything around him seemed to disappear and all he could see was his helpless brother being dragged across the jagged, rocky floor; surely making his back an utter mess as well. Despite his better judgment, he screamed.

"Legolas!"

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Once again, the youngest prince found himself thrown onto the ground and was dripping wet. He could hear the wargs pacing around him anxiously. His heart was pounding hard in his chest as he tried to blink away the mist in his eyes. After a few moments, he decided to risk sitting up, for the wargs seemed in no hurry killing him, but he stopped suddenly.

A blinding light flashed through the small area. Legolas clenched his eyes shut and buried his face in his arms, trying to hide from the painful light. There was a sharp crack and then everything seemed to slow. The light began to disappear and the prince sighed with difficulty. He heard light foot steps coming towards him and he lifted his head hesitantly.

Before him stood a tall being with long, black hair. Her face was marred with scars and abrasions, giving her a look of malice. She wore an elaborate, black gown with a flowing cloak of the same color. Legolas's eyes widened in fear as her icy, gray eyes pierced into his.

She would not let him leave her gaze, no matter how hard he tried. The being smirked then, and Legolas's eyes rolled into his head and he fell into the void of darkness once again.

With a sigh, she turned her gaze from the unconscious prince to the wargs. The beasts watched her expectantly and she rolled her eyes, turning away from them to sit upon a rocky perch in the back of the small room.

"Devour him." She said in a soft yet evil tone. The wargs growled and charged for the prince. They slashed at him at first, but that did not last long. In their race for food, their aggression increased and they found themselves fighting amongst each other. The person on the throne rolled her eyes again and rested her head in her palm.

'Stupid beasts.' She thought, annoyed. Suddenly, she perked up, as did the other wargs. She stood from her throne and gazed around. A moment later, her once confused face turned into one of anger and hatred.

"There are here."

The wargs began to paw at the ground and growl deep in their throats. They glared around at each other, forgetting their previous fight and the elf that sat before them. The person stepped down towards them with her fists clenched.

"Take him." She commanded. The two reddish-brown wargs that carried him before picked him up in their jaws again. Another flash and a crack filled the room. Soon, the black warg led its pack out into the labyrinth of passages with Legolas dragging behind them.

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There we go! Another chapter. This one is a lot shorter then the other ones I think, though. I hope it is still enough for you. It just seemed like a good place to stop.

Jousting Elf with a Sabre- You are first today because I am NOT going to forget you again:punches self for the stupid mistake: Thank you! I am flattered. I hope to you continue to read and I hope I don't disappoint you. Remember to tell me what you would like your character to be like. Just get my email at my bio page. :) Thanks again!

Eowyn White Lady of Rohan- Ooh, you defy your Ada's orders! Bad! lol. Thank you for your review, mellon-nîn!

Lasien- Your name in English? Hmm, well, I am not sure, but I think it is something like Daughter of Leaves. Something along those lines. :shrugs: I'm no master at elvish, though I wish I was…I'm glad you liked the chapter! Here is more for you!

Legolas's Girl 9- LOL. You wanna share the brothers? Hmm, well, alright. :hands her a big basket full of food, toys, clothing, etc.: Here is all of Norui's stuff. He is very picky when it comes to eating, and he has to have all of his clothes dry cleaned otherwise they chafe his skin. Oh, speaking of skin, he has this special body wash that he always uses, otherwise he won't wash. He needs lots and lots of attention so make sure he gets that!...Thank you for reading and take good care of Norui!

Sotui- Mae govannen, mellon! Manen nalyë? Im maer. Hannon le!

Wandering Star- Thank you for reading! I hope you catch up soon, since you read chapter one only…Thanks again!

Okay! I better not have forgotten anyone again! If I did, I give you permission to beat my senseless with random objects. Namárië!

Until Next Time,

Manwathiel