I do not own Lord of the Rings nor do I make any money from this story. All rights apply. Author's Note: The creatures that the Nazgûl ride are referred to as Winged Beasts in my book (A Tolkein Bestiary by David Day), the movie however, refers to them as Fell Beasts. DARK WINGS FIVE "This is the very nature of a Dwarf." Gimli opened an eye and saw Legolas' face. "You are going to be late if you continue to snore like that," said Legolas cheerfully. Gimli had both eyes open now, there was something wrong, he frowned. "It's still night," he grumbled as he realised what was wrong. "Nonsense," dismissed Legolas, "it is morning." "The sun comes up when it is morning," said Gimli, who had yet to make any attempt to rise. "The sun is up," assured Legolas. "I don't see it or its light," pointed out Gimli. Legolas glanced at the half closed window. "It is still behind the mountains," he confessed. "But I figured that you might want breakfast before we leave." Gimli sighed and pulled himself to his feet, Legolas smiled. "I will see you in the dining hall," he said and left, thus he missed the glare directed at him. Gimli hastily pulled his clothes on. He left his room and made his way to the dining hall. As he entered the hall he found Aragorn and Èomer awake and pouring over a map, plates of breakfast forgotten. Legolas was also looking at the map putting in occasional comments. The three looked up as Gimli walked in. "I would have through you to still be sleeping," said Aragorn good-naturedly not seeing Legolas' smile, however Èomer did but said nothing. Gimli too said nothing to Aragorn's comment but made his way over to the table. "Has the plan changed much from last night," he asked as he picked up a plate of food. "No, it remains the same. We are going over the finer points," said Aragorn. Gimli nodded, "We start the search at Helm's Deep." "The search in the caves starts at Helm's Deep. The Search, however, continues even as we ride," corrected Èomer. "I think your men are ready to leave," said Legolas, "I hear them outside." "Then let us be away for I have been up many hours," said Èomer. The four gathered up their possessions and made their way out to where the riders were gathered. The horses were ready and waiting for them and the riders were mounted. Once they were mounted Èomer gave the order to ride out. Aragorn rode next to him, Legolas and Gimli rode more to the back. They set off at a steady pace as not to tire the horses but still make decent speed to Helm's Deep. The first night of camp nothing was heard or seen but on the second, they all heard the cry of the beast far in the distance. "Why did it not come out last night or come to us?" asked Èomer. "Maybe it is still injured and hunger drives it out now," said Aragorn. "The call is from the direction we travel toward," said Legolas. "That is good, we are going in the right direction," said Aragorn. Double watches had been set both nights but after the cry no one really slept and camp broke early. They reached Helm's Deep after nightfall, the Keep was alive with activity as Èomer had sent word of their arrival. Èomer immediately pulled out a map of Aglarond and the Misty Mountains. "Gimli, apart from the Glittering Caves, how many others are there?" asked Èomer. "A few and fewer still which could hold a beast that size," answered Gimli. "Make the ones on the map that can," said Èomer. Gimli put down his plate of dinner and after a second of scanning the map he marked four places, they run along the outside of Aglarond. "These I know for sure are big enough though I do not think it would be there," he said. "Nor I," said Legolas. "It is too close to the Dwarves. I think it would want to stay away from people." "Agreed but it won't hurt to look, we can start there tomorrow," said Èomer. "The Gap of Rohan is twenty miles across we can cross it the following day, set up a camp at the base of the Misty Mountains and continue to search on foot." Aragorn nodded, "There are a many caves within easy reach. How many men are you taking?" he asked. "Six other groups of four, we can cover more ground that way." Èomer paused. "I'll be sending two of those groups Isengard's way." "Isengard?" questioned Gimli. "It will always be a threat to me," said Èomer simply. "It is late and we are rising early." "I know after all the riding Gimli will need rest," said Legolas lightly. "I have more stamina than a willowy Elf," stated Gimli. "I was not complaining earlier about all the riding we were doing," said Legolas. "It was the beasts that I was complaining about not the lack of rest. It is walking that tires a person," explained Gimli. "I seem to remember you complaining about walking as well," pointed out Legolas. Gimli gave a huge sigh. "If you remember we have been through this," said Gimli. "And as Èomer said it is late, goodnight," said Aragorn, not for the first time wonder how these two were friends. Èomer smiled at Aragorn expression rightly guessing what he was thinking about for the thought had often crossed his mind. Servants were called to show them their rooms for the night. Èomer was last to leave the table, he spent a few minutes studying the map in front of him. It was a large area to search for a flying creature, Èomer sighed and feeling a little despondent he made his way to his room. Gimli had been right in his assumption that the Winged Beast would not be in Aglarond, although the caves had been big enough they had not been long enough to hide in. They continued on to the Misty Mountains the following day, crossing the Gap of Rohan by late morning. As Èomer had said he sent two groups of men to Isengard, one he ordered to stay with the horses at the make shift camp being set up at the base of the Misty Mountains. He, Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas would go together up one of the eastern slopes with another group while two others would go up the western slopes, they were all to return the following evening. They all set off with light packs, the second group soon split from Èomer and the others to search the lower reaches. It was early afternoon when they came across the first cave but it was too small for the beast so they passed it but soon found another bigger one. "This one is large enough," said Gimli. "Then let us start with it," said Aragorn. Gimli and Èomer lit torches and they all make their way into the cave. Almost immediately the cave turned to the right and became darker. Aragorn glanced at Legolas, whose expression was blank. They walked for a few minutes before Gimli said, "This cave has been worked by Dwarves." "How do you know?" asked Èomer. "I can tell by the smoothness of the walls and the level ground," answered Gimli. Èomer moved his torch close to the walls; reaching out his hand, he touched them. They were cool and very smooth under his fingertips. Holding his torch up higher he saw that the cave had turned into a tunnel with a rounded top and flat bottom. They had not gone far when the tunnel split into three. "Which way?" asked Èomer to no one in particular. "Perhaps we should split," suggested Gimli. "Explore for twenty minutes then return." "Seems like a plausible idea," said Èomer, not seeing Legolas frown at the idea. Aragorn thought about it for a second then nodded. "But be cautious, we know not what is in these tunnels," he warned as he got a torch out of his pack. "Legolas, you will go with Gimli while Èomer and I take the other two tunnels." Legolas glanced at Gimli's torch, which had many hours of burning left and nodded. Aragorn lit his torch on Èomer's and took the middle tunnel, while Èomer took the left and Legolas and Gimli the right. Aragorn wondered at the wisdom of splitting up, if any of them came across something they might not be able to fight it alone. But then they did not have the time to inspect each tunnel as a group. "Twenty minutes," reminded Aragorn and started off down the tunnel, the others followed his lead. Aragorn slowly made his way forward, scanning the ground and sides of the tunnel for any sights of the creature or, for that matter, any sights of inhabitants. But there was nothing, he had not gone far when the tunnel came to an end. Lifting his torch high, Aragorn saw that the wall in front of him was shining with water. Leaning close to the wall he could hear the soft sound of running water. An underground river, perhaps. Aragorn stayed for a couple of minutes listening to the water run on the other side of the rock, he wondered if the other tunnels lead to the underground river. It would be a beautiful sight to behold and deciding he wanted to see it, he made his way back to the junction and went down Èomer's tunnel. It did not take him long to catch up with Èomer as he had not gone that far. Aragorn saw his torchlight and called to him. "Aragorn?" came Èomer's answer. "It is I. I came across a dead end," answered Aragorn as he made his way over to Èomer, who appeared to be studying the wall. "What have you found?" asked Aragorn curiously. "Something on the wall, it looks like old runes," answered Èomer. "Runes?" asked Aragorn. "I think so," said Èomer. "Gimli did say that Dwarves had made the tunnel," said Aragorn coming up behind Èomer. "That is what makes me think they are runes more than just markings," said Èomer stepping back so that Aragorn could see. Aragorn looked closely at the markings. "They are badly faded and worn," said Aragorn. "What do they say?" asked Èomer. Aragorn shrugged and looked around for more but could find none. "There were no markings in the middle tunnel or any sight of the Winged Beast. Let us go further and see what can be found," said Aragorn and told Èomer about the underground river. "That would be something to see," agreed Èomer. But it soon became apparent that this tunnel headed away from the sound of water and went deeper into the mountain. "Mayhap the tunnel that Gimli and Legolas took leads to water," said Èomer. "True, and there is no sight of the creature along this tunnel. It is also about time to head back," said Aragorn. Èomer nodded and the two of them started back. "Do you think we will find this creature?" asked Èomer after a few minutes. Aragorn thought about it then said, "I wish I could say yes with certainty but I also realise the odds of a search such as ours, so I truly cannot say but I do hope that we do." Èomer nodded and they continued on in silence.

XxX

Gimli walked a little ahead of Legolas as they made their way down the tunnel, Gimli kept his eye on the ground looking for footprints while Legolas kept his gaze on the torch in front of him. He was, however, listening intently, ready for anything that would come out of the darkness. Faintly he could hear the sounds of running water coming from up ahead. "Gimli," he said, "there is water further up the tunnel." "A river?" asked the Dwarf. "Running water," said Legolas glancing at the walls of the tunnel looking for any sigh of the water. Long minutes passed as they walked the sound getting louder but not deafening. "It is not a fast or deep river," said Legolas listening. "More a spring, I think." As they went along Legolas thought he saw something on the walls, walking over, he saw that there were carvings on the tunnel side. "Gimli," he said. "What?" asked the Dwarf looking back but not stopping. "There are…" started Legolas but was cut off by a splash and complete, sudden darkness. The only sound was that of the running water and Legolas' own breathing. "Gimli?" he ventured. There was no response, Legolas looked round but could see nothing at all. He reached out and touched the wall for support, he waited a few for his eyes to adjust but there was no light for them to adjust to. He took a calming breath and tried again, "Gimli!" "What!" came the short reply. Breathing a sigh of relief, Legolas asked, "Where are you?" Silence. "Gimli," hissed Legolas. "In your spring," answered the Dwarf darkly. "Are you injured?" asked Legolas. "Not physically," came the answer. Under normal circumstances Legolas would have laughed at this but at this moment he was in a cave with no light. He could hear Gimli moving around in the water. "Where is the torch?" he asked. "It went out," answered Gimli. "Is that why it is so dark?" snapped Legolas sarcastically. Gimli ignored the question. "I need some help," he said. "You said you were not injured," said Legolas. "I am fine but require some help getting out of this river. The sides are rather steep," explained the Dwarf. Legolas stood still for a moment, trying to calculate how far ahead Gimli was when the torch went out but he had not been looking at the Dwarf so knew not. "Legolas?" "Yes?" "Are you going to help me or not?" asked Gimli impatiently. "I am coming. Slowly for I can see nothing and do not wish to swim," answered Legolas as he started towards the sound of Gimli's voice. After a few steps he stopped. "Say something," he said. "What?" asked Gimli. "Speak so I can hear where you are," explained Legolas not adding that the dark was driving him mad. "How far away are you?" asked Gimli. "Close, I think," came the answer. "Hurry up a bit, I am wet and cold and do not want to be in this river any longer," said Gimli, which was the truth; he should have thought more about splitting before suggesting it to the others. Thinking of the others he wondered how they were fairing and if they had found anything. Just then some pebble fell into the water next to him. "You might want to stop now," he warned. "I already have, I am leaning over the edge with my arm out. Can you catch hold of it?" asked Legolas. Gimli reached up and slowly moved his arm from side to side until his fingers brushed against another's. "Ha!" he exclaimed as he grabbed hold of Legolas' fingers but the hold was tentative. "Can you not get a better grip?" asked Legolas. After a few attempts Gimli managed to get hold of Legolas' wrist, "Ready?" asked Legolas. "Yes," replied Gimli. He heard Legolas hiss though his teeth as he pulled Gimli up, he hung for a few seconds before he was lowered again. "Wait a moment but do not let go," said Legolas. Gimli could hear him shifting his position above him. "Ready?" asked Legolas again. "Yes," repeated Gimli. As Legolas pulled Gimli pushed off from the ground, resulting in him moving faster than Legolas expected, for a second he was over balanced and thought they were both going to land in the river below. However, he managed to right himself and pull Gimli up at the same time. Scraping the inside of his arm in the process. "Why did you not tell me you were pushing off?" asked Legolas angrily. "I did not think I would be a problem." answered Gimli sitting down next to Legolas. "You were almost back in that river. In the dark," said Legolas, who was did not notice that the tunnel was lightening. "I was trying to help you," pointed out Gimli, not having noticed either. "When ever has an Elf needed a Dwarf's help?" asked Legolas indignantly. "When you failed the first time…" "You were heavier than I thought," interrupted Legolas flatly, looking up suddenly he said, "Light," and looking back down the tunnel he was Aragorn and Èomer coming their way. He frowned had they been longer than twenty minutes, possible since Gimli had fallen into the river. In a mine. A Dwarf falling in a mine. Legolas suddenly laughed. "Have you gone mad?" asked Gimli suspiciously. "No, I am quite sane. Though I do worry about you sometime," added Legolas seriously. Gimli ignored the Elf and turned his attention to Aragorn and Èomer, who had just arrived. "What happened?" asked Aragorn taking in the scene. "The Dwarf fell into a river in a mine," said Legolas with a smile. "You distracted me," accused Gimli. "Yes," said Legolas remembering, not realising he was agreeing with the Dwarf. "There were markings on the wall," he said getting up and walking over to them. The others followed him. "They look like the ones from the other tunnel," said Èomer. "The other tunnel has markings in it?" asked Gimli still looking at the wall. Èomer nodded. "I would like to see them," said Gimli. "I would like to leave," said Legolas, his arm was stinging and he wanted to clean it. "I am afraid we have to leave Gimli, we do not have much time in which to find this Winged Beast, besides the marking are as faded as these," said Aragorn, who had moved to look over the edge at the river, which was more of a spring. Legolas nodded his agreement and started to leave, Èomer followed him. He too preferred the free air of the grasslands to the caves. Aragorn followed with a wet Gimli. As Legolas stepped out of the cave he drew a deep breath, filling his lungs with sun warm air. "Glawar," breathed Legolas. ( Sunlight.) Aragorn and Gimli were still a way behind them, but Èomer had kept up with him. "What happened to your arm?" asked Èomer, just as happy to be out of the cave. Legolas looked down and saw blood on the sleeve of his shirt between his tunic and vambrace, "It was scraped pulling a heavy Dwarf out of a pit," explained Legolas as he took off the vambrace and rolled up his sleeve. Using his water skin, he rinsed his arm of dirt and blood before drying it. By the time he had pulled his sleeve down and put on his vambrace, Aragorn and Gimli had arrived. "Are you alright?" asked Aragorn. "I am," answered Legolas picking up his pack. "Shall we continue?" "Yes," answered Èomer, "there is still plenty of daylight left." Aragorn had a suspicion that this search was going to take a while, there were just so many places that the creature could hide and if it flew as Legolas said, it could come from anywhere. The mountainside was rough and uneven as they walked along looking for suitable caves and in some areas, any caves. The further they went the wilder the terrain became with scatterings of brush here and there as well as the occasional cliff or overhang. They walked for two hours before they came across another cave big enough to hold the beast, there were also scuff marks on the ground before the entrance. "Legolas, I want you to stand outside and keep guard," said Aragorn. "I don't want to be trapped inside with my only exit blocked by an angry creature." "As you wish," said Legolas. "We will be back before nightfall," said Aragorn as the three of them went into the cave. Legolas hid a smile, how would they know when the sun had set if they were inside a cave. Turning Legolas scanned the area, all was still. He could see Fangorn in the far distance, knowing on the other side lay Mirkwood. Looking up he could see the snow-capped tops of the mountain shrouded in mist. He knew both reasons, spoken and not, for his guard outside. He did prefer to stand guard than wonder around in the dark of the caves. XxX Aragorn, Èomer and Gimli make their slow way down into the tunnel. Occasionally Aragorn would stoop and inspect the ground. "This ground has been disturbed recently. By what I cannot say," he said after a while. "Then this may be the cave," said Èomer, who stood looking over Aragorn's shoulder. "Look at this," called Gimli, who had gone further. "Looks like blood," said Èomer as he joined Gimli, Aragorn crouched down and touched the dark stain on the ground. "I believe you to be right, Èomer," he said after a moment. "This cave goes further by quite a way," said Gimli shining his torch ahead of him. Taking a few more steps, he came across more stains on the ground. "These are older," said Aragorn, once Gimli alerted him to them. "How much older?" asked Èomer. "Maybe two days," answered Aragorn. "How much further does this cave go?" "I am not sure," mused Gimli, walking further down the tunnel but not leaving Aragorn or Èomer's sight. After a few minutes, he turned round and came back. "This cave is very deep. It slopes down not far from here and the angle is steep," said Gimli. "If it chose a cave in this region of the Misty Mountains then this is it, I think," said Èomer. "I am inclined to agree with you," nodded Aragorn. "I think we should head back and find out what sort of trouble that Elf has got himself into," said Gimli. Aragorn smiled at the comment but said, "Let us go," turning round and making his way back, Gimli following behind him. Èomer followed more slowly, feeling that this was the right cave and hoping that they would catch the creature soon. He wondered, not for the first time, where the creature had come from and what it was doing here. It vexed him no end that he did not know the answers and the fact that the creature had come to Rohan. Glancing up he saw that Aragorn and Gimli had stopped in the cave mouth. Walking up to them he saw why - Legolas was not there.