DISCLAIMER: I do not own The Lord of the Rings, all rights to J.R.R. Tolkien!
Sorry its so short, everybody. Enjoy!
"Hurry up, you two!" Aragorn shouted back to Legolas and Elrohir. The Ranger cast Elladan, who was riding right beside him, a fleeting smile before turning back to face the road.
"Why don't you slow down?" He heard the younger of the twins retort. Aragorn twisted in his saddle again and he and Elladan both fixed the young elf with humored looks.
"What?" He asked.
Legolas kicked his horse into a faster pace and came up beside Aragorn.
"Hey, don't leave me back here all by myself, Legolas!" He cried before joining them as well.
"Quiet down, Ro. You are going to scare all the game away." Aragorn said softly.
"So? It is not like we have seen anything yet."
The two elves and man looked at Elrohir.
"Why do you guys keep looking at me like that?" He asked, an exasperated look on his face.
Chuckling, Aragorn turned back around in his saddle just in time to see an elegant doe flee into the woods. "There!" He hissed, pointing. He watched as the animal stopped and stood stock-still, watching them with sparkling brown eyes.
"What?" Legolas whispered.
"That doe." Aragorn said, slowly and quietly sliding out of the saddle and knocking an arrow to his bow. "And don't even bother dismounting, either." He turned his head slowly to face his two brothers and best friend. "This one's mine."
The Ranger crept silently through the forest, watching as the doe dashed away into the thick trees. He didn't give chase, because he knew the sound of running feet would only frighten her further. Taking one look back at the three elves before disappearing into the forest, his gray eyes barely caught Elrohir give him a thumbs up. He let a smile appear on his lips before edging his way into the dense foliage. He had only gotten a few yards in when he heard a small rustling sound nearby. Turning quietly to face it, he saw the deer calmly munching on a small patch of weeds.
He raised the bow and sighted down the shaft at the animal's heart, prepared to release the arrow. But, before he could, a loud twang sounded and the beast fell to the forest floor, an arrow sticking out of its neck. Surprised, the man glanced down at his own bow, wondering if he had accidentally let go, but he found the arrow still waiting patiently on its string.
He waited a few minutes to see if anyone would come and claim their prize, and, when no one did, he curiously approached it. When he made it to the deer's side, he knelt and found the arrow had green feathers, and the shaft was thin but firm.
Looks much like an elven arrow. He thought. Then he noticed a small piece of paper threaded through the arrow and nestled close to the brightly colored feathers. Cautiously, but not being able to control his curiosity, he yanked the arrow from the deer and slid the paper off, trying not to get any blood on it.
He unfolded the mysterious parchment and studied it for a minute.
Meet me here at sundown; come alone. And leave the deer; I shot it.
The Ranger looked up and glanced around, trying to think of who could want to meet him here. Finally, though, he stood and slid his still waiting arrow back into his quiver. He obediently left the deer, since it was true that he hadn't shot it, so it wasn't rightfully his. Besides, he wanted to know who had left him this note.
He returned to his brothers and friend, not caring if he was being loud enough to scare away any more game. When they came into view, he shoved the paper inside his pocket and slung his bow over his shoulder.
"You did not catch it?" Elladan asked.
Aragorn shook his head. Normally he would have been disappointed that he did not catch the deer and prove that he was just as good as his elven brothers, but he didn't this time. Something about the note had left him dazed and confused.
"Let's hunt a little more then set up camp early." Legolas said, glancing at the sun then down at Aragorn. "You did not get very much sleep last night."
The Ranger mounted Roheryn and gave the elf an annoyed look. "I got plenty of sleep, thank you very much, Legolas."
An amused smile appeared on the Mirkwood elf's face as he clucked to his horse and the foursome began riding again.
As they continued to ride, the three elves joked and laughed, not bothering to stay quiet, but Aragorn remained silent.
"What is wrong, Estel? Warg's got your tongue?"
Elladan's words snapped the Ranger out of his reverie and he glanced up at the elf before shaking his head slowly.
"No. I was just thinking."
"About what?"
The man swallowed hard and glanced down at his pocket, where a corner of the paper was peeking out. Should I tell them about it? He looked at his oldest brother. No. No, I cant. They will insist to come along or not let me go at all.
"Things."
"Fine then. Keep your secrets." Elladan said, a broad smile on his face. "We do not want to hear them anyway, do we?" He looked at Elrohir and Legolas, who, laughing, shook their heads. But when the eldest twin turned back to Aragorn, he found the man once again caught up in his thoughts; sea gray eyes staring blankly between his stallion's ears.
Sighing, Elladan looked at the two other elves. "He must be very disappointed about that doe if he will not even respond to a simple jest." The elf looked at the Ranger. "It was even funny."
Well, I hope you all liked it! I will be doing Song of the Day/Question of the Day again starting next chapter. Please review! It will make an aspiring author's day! And you don't even have to have an account to do it! Lucky you!
Mrs King Aragorn
