A/N: Sorry I took so long to update, everyone! I've been rather busy the last…couple years now, right? Arg. I need to get back into writing. Anyway, now I'm in college, have completed my first year thereof, and am ready to settle down and start updating the fanfics again. So what do you say, shall we find out what happened to Legolas and Tienthe? Not to mention that scarred elf, Hearic. As always, please read and review!

A note to those who read Ignoramus Enlightened: It may still be awhile before I update that story, since I do not currently have access to any but the last of the HP books for reference.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or world created by Tolkien. Any variances in this story from the actual literature were made to further the story and character development, not to drive fans nuts. Be aware, there will be such. Please don't flame me over them, and thank you for your patience.

Chapter 9: Separated

Tienthe frantically grabbed at the boat as it flipped over, but missed as he was thrown several feet away. He inhaled some water as he went under, but Tienthe was an agile swimmer, and soon came the surface spluttering. Hurriedly, he looked about, trying to spot his friends, but none of them were in sight.

Diving, Tienthe tried to look for them underwater, but it was too murky – he didn't see any of them. Again and again he dove, but eventually he had to face the facts. Either the other three had made it or not, and drowning himself wouldn't help them right now. The dark-haired elf turned and swam for the shore.

Legolas wasn't as lucky as the others – as the boat flipped, he wasn't thrown clear. His foot got caught up in the ropes from the sacks they'd been in, and found himself trapped under the small boat. It took precious seconds to disentangle himself from the ropes, but he managed, and got to the surface before he drowned.

Looking around quickly, Legolas was unable to see any of his friends. The bulk of the boat obstructed his vision, and they could easily have been on the other side, but he hadn't swum in a long time, and was quickly tiring. After a moment's hesitation, Legolas came to the conclusion that he had to let Tienthe and Theriban find the others, or he might not reach the distant shore himself. Tienthe and Theriban were two of the best swimmers in Mirkwood, and Lentos wasn't far behind. They should be alright, and they'd have no trouble rescuing Kenturiel if she was unable to swim herself.

Hating himself for it, but knowing he'd be no help to them later if he drowned now, Legolas began swimming for shore.

Hearic cursed as the boat flipped, and immediately kicked to get free before he was trapped under it. As the dark elf broke the surface of the lake, he was disgusted to find that the orc had failed to do so. Why was everything going wrong? Shouldn't kidnapping a helpless girl be easier than this?

Hearic gripped the edge of the boat to keep himself above water while he thought. Maybe that was exactly the problem. Instead of just taking the girl, he had been over ambitious and tied to take the whole group, four of them warriors, with only a single orc for backup. That had been stupid. And unless he managed to recover from this mishap and catch the girl anyway, he would pay dearly for his foolishness, perhaps with his life.

Shuddering, he looked around hurriedly. There was no sign of any of the captives, but that meant nothing. The amount of time he had spent thinking his situation over was certainly long enough for them to get out of sight. There was only one thing to do. He would have to get to shore and find the girl. Hopefully, this time she'd be alone.

Hearic started to swim.

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A/N: There's a new cliffhanger for ya! I hope you guys liked this chapter, and weren't too bothered by how my writing style has changed in the last couple years. Please review!