DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything belonging to Lord of the Rings. They are all the works of the fabulous J.R.R Tolkien :) I do own Orel (who appears in later chapters) and the story line is mine but pretty much everything else it his.

This is my first fanfiction so please be nice :) I've wanted to write something like this for a long time and now, finally, I have done it! XD

I'm only 14 (and I know that my age shouldn't be an excuse for bad writing) and I have my heart set on being an author when I'm older so any tips or constructive criticism is much appreciated

Now! On with the story! ENJOY! :D

The only sound was of the horse's footfalls of the leaf-coated floor. The sky was obscured by the thick branches of the trees and the light of the stars hadn't fallen on the grass at all.

Aragorn and Legolas rode silently through the forest, almost obliged not to speak. The two friends were riding back to Rivendell after a camping trip, but unfortunately, due to the flooding of a large river, they had been forced to return home by a different route. The woods that they were now riding through was unknown to both of them and it had taken some time to gather their bearings. Even now, they were uncertain of the correct path home. Both of them were weary and the thought of being in an unusual place meant both had taken to being constantly on guard. At first glance, nothing seemed amiss but neither companion could shake the feeling that all was not as it seemed.

Aragorn was the first to break the silence. "It's late. Perhaps we should stop and rest," he suggested.

Legolas chuckled. "Tired Aragorn? I knew that the endurance of men was limited but I never realized quite how much."

Aragorn didn't waste time with a retort. "That may be, but at least the arrogance of men is not so great as that of the elves."

"I don't know what you mean," replied Legolas innocently.

Aragorn laughed and then rode up so as to be alongside Legolas.

"Come on, mellon-nin, enough jesting. We hope to ride no further in this dark."

Legolas sighed and then, agreeing with Aragorn, the two came to a stop.

Some time later, when Aragorn had got a fire going, they settled down to talk. They discussed plans for their journey over the next few days and then Aragorn retreated to his current favorite topic of conversation: Arwen.

Legolas added some more fuel to the fire and listened to Aragorn talk happily about his true love, smiling faintly.

After a few moments, Aragorn seemed to notice that Legolas had fallen silent.

"Sorry," he said. "Am I boring you?"

Legolas shook his head. "No. mellon-nin. Not at all."

Aragorn frowned. "What's wrong?" he asked, concerned at the elf's silence.

Legolas looked surprised. "Nothing! Why do you ask?"

Aragorn shrugged. "You seem...subdued, that's all."

Legolas was silent for a moment and Aragorn was about to turn away, assuming the end of the conversation, when Legolas touched his arm.

Aragorn looked back.

"It is the woods," said Legolas softly. "They are unfamiliar to me and it makes me uncomfortable,"

Of course. Legolas was a woodland elf and the trees held a special place in his heart. He looked to them for comfort and strength so it was only natural that he would feel uneasy in an unknown spot.

"What do the trees say?" asked Aragorn after another moments silence.

"Nothing," replied Legolas.

Aragorn looked at him in confusion.

"They do not wish to share their thoughts with me. They appear...almost hostile,"

Aragorn frowned, feeling his friends unease at the situation.

"I am not used to such behavior..." murmured Legolas, almost sadly.

Aragorn patted Legolas's arm, in an attempt to reassure him. "Do not worry. I'm sure there is a simple explanation. Perhaps you should just get some sleep for now,"

Legolas gave Aragorn a smile and nodded, before resting his head against the tree behind him.

"I'll take first watch then," Aragorn whispered, as Legolas's breathing became steady.

The night moved on, continuing to shroud the forest in darkness. Aragorn prodded the fire and tossed some more wood onto it, in an attempt to bring warmth and light. He too was tired and wished more than anything to rest, but he also knew that sleep would bring Legolas some relief from the discomfort he was feeling. Aragorn felt his eyelids attempt to slide shut but quickly opened them again. He sighed, worried that sooner or later, he would fall asleep. He considered waking Legolas and ask to swap shifts but he only had to glance at the peaceful elf to know that that option was out of question; he didn't want to disturb him. Aragorn turned his attentions to the flames before him, watching as the bright colours danced before his eyes. After a while, the colours started to merge together; just one big flaming streak of orange. And then, as his head lolled onto his chest, he fell asleep.

Only a little way away from the camp, where the foliage thickened to provide a cover of dark leaves and branches, a figure stood. His hands were curled firmly around the handle of a gleaming sword and he was focused entirely on the two forms around the campfire. He watched intently as the human fell asleep, smiling with cruel delight when he did.

He smiled and nodded his head towards the small camp. Silently, a group of hunch-backed, rotten-fleshed orcs came out of the forest. But there was something different about them. They didn't amble along, jerking with rough movement. Instead, the seemed to glide almost across the ground, making no noise and, in fact, making little movement at all.

The first orc, the leader, pointed a stubby finger at the camp and with identical grace, led his band out of the bushes and straight towards the man and elf, who sat, slumped against the tree trunks, sound asleep.

The orcs gripped their weapons tightly, in case either should wake up. Two orcs detached themselves from the main group and positioned themselves, one aside Legolas, the other aside Aragorn. The leader met their eyes and nodded his head. The two orcs raised their weapons and then, as the leader signaled, brought the hilt of their axes down on the heads of their target.

Translations:

Mellon-nin = Friend

I hope you enjoyed this and more chapters will be up soon. Please review because that will encourage me to write more XD