Hi everyone, this is my new story. This is the first chapter with many more to come. This is Chapter 1 and i wrote this to set the scene. It's a light hearted piece which involves plenty of action from our favourite elf. Reviews are most welcome, but don't be too harsh :P - Freddio

TThree weeks had passed since their departure from Rivendell and already the Fellowship had walked a vast distance. All were in good spirits, the mood was optimistic as they were yet to face any threats, although Pippin would argue that the gentle incline of the ground was a threat to his health. There was tension at first between Aragorn and Boromir; for the past few weeks they had both been trying to work out each other's intentions but after many nights of smoking pipe weed and sharing stories they both seemed content in trusting one another, for now anyway. The main cause of disturbance of an evening was made by the two most contrasting members. It was very common of an evening to hear Gimli and Legolas exchanged verbal jousts at one another. Some were very amusing to the rest of the group; even Gandalf couldn't help but laugh at some of the comments thrown between the two and tonight was no different. They had set up camp around a rock formation, Gimli and Boromir gathered fire wood, the Hobbits prepared food for the evening, Gandalf and Aragorn arranged the packs while Legolas checked the perimeter and scouted the area.

Gimli and Boromir returned with the firewood and carefully set up a fire for Sam to place his frying pan on. Gimli sat down against a large rock, pulled out his pipe and lit it.

'So, what's on the menu tonight laddie?'

'Sausages and some fried eggs. It was lucky we were able to find those chickens yesterday.' replied Frodo, aiding Sam with his utensils

'It certainly was Mr Frodo, although I'm not sure how I'm going to spilt them up seeing as we only have 4.' Sam looked curiously at the 4 small eggs.

'I'll go without Samwise' nodded Gandalf, 'Besides, you Hobbits seem to eat more than the rest of us combined.'

Aragorn laughed in agreement. He sat down on a large boulder next to Boromir and like the previous nights, the two took out their pipes and watched Sam cooked dinner.

'Almost done ladies and gents' Sam said in a triumphant tone

'Ladies?' Boromir questioned

Sam immediately blushed and spluttered out some form of explanation, 'Oh erm, I, I was just saying, you see, it's a term…'

Legolas saved Sam's torment with his arrival back to the camp. He dropped his bow and quiver and leant against the hard rock next to Gimli.

'Don't worry Sam, you were right about the Ladies, wasn't he Master elf?' Gimli chuckled as he looked in Legolas' direction.

Merry and Pippin beamed with delight as they knew they were in for another entertaining verbal battle between the two. Gandalf only sighed.

'Are you referring to me as a female, Master Dwarf?' Legolas' face was completely serious. Causing even the two men to smile as to where this was going to go.

'Well, with your well-kept long blonde hair and rather slim physique I would've thought many men would mistake you for a woman, especially from behind.'

The hobbits giggled loudly. Legolas looked up and down his body in a confused expression.

'Well at least my 'well kept' hair is not riddled with lice, like your dwarven counterparts. I've also heard many things about female dwarves, how they also grow long beards like the men, but I wouldn't know as I've never actually seen one, or maybe I have and just haven't realised' he replied with a smirk

Gimli grumbled with frustration, 'I'll have you know Elf that my mother was a very beautiful dwarf'

Legolas nodded, 'I'm sure she was. And I'll have you know Dwarf, that I am, not, a, female.'

Before anything could be further elaborated Gandalf shot up.

'Sam how is the food?'

'Well it's just about done.'

'Brilliant, let us all eat and then we must rest. We are setting off at dawn tomorrow. Frodo, you take first watch, Merry you take the last one.'

'Actually, Gandalf may I take the second watch? Merry is tired and I'm feeling quite refreshed.' Said Frodo

Gandalf looked at both Frodo and Merry and nodded, 'Very Well'

'Thanks Frodo' smiled Merry.

It was a clear night, it felt peaceful but the steady cool wind woke Frodo early. As he opened his eyes he saw Sam sleeping soundly beside him, he took extra care while sitting up to try not to disturb him. As he sat up he peered over the sleeping group, the fire was almost burnt out and there was stillness around. Usually it was not uncommon for Aragorn and Legolas to be awake, but both where sound asleep, well from what he could see. He steadied himself onto his feet and walked over to Merry who was lying on a boulder. Frodo chuckled quietly, Merry was fast asleep, it was a good job he had woken up early. He gently shook Merry until he woke.

''Merry, wake up''

Merry quickly jolted up

''Wha, I wasn't asleep, I was just resting my eyes!' He exclaimed

''It's alright, go sleep properly, I'll take over from you now.''

''ok, if you need anything wake me. I don't want Gandalf to know I didn't do my watch properly'' Merry replied in an innocent tone

Frodo smiled ''Go to bed Merry''

Merry settled beside Pippin and quickly drifted off. Frodo rested on a boulder and looked out onto the horizon. It wasn't long until dawn and Frodo decided to take this time to reflect on himself and the journey, he lit up his pipe and thought deeply for what seemed like an age. Before he knew, the sky began to turn red as the sun rose, it was a breath-taking site, but something scorned the beauty of it. Frodo furrowed his brow at a peculiar sound coming from the bottom of a hill not far from the camp site. He turned to face the group they were all sleeping silently. He picked up Sting from his pack and left the campsite towards the top of the hill, he sighed relief when Sting didn't' turn blue but the noises were now very clear. It was a woman screaming. He peered down from the top of the hill and saw two men attacking a woman. Frodo's eyes widened in shock and before he could think again he found himself charging towards them.

''Get your hands off her you beasts!''

The two men turned to the Hobbit

''Well, well what do we have here?'' asked one of the men.

''A halfing?'' questioned the other

''Looks that way. What are you doing out here alone halfing'' the first man asked

''It doesn't matter what I'm doing. You leave her alone'' Frodo held up his dagger. The two men stared at it.

''That is an elvish dagger'' The burly man said to the smaller one

''It certainly is, where you get that from, eh? Halfing?'' added the other

''That is none of your concern. Release her!'' Frodo stayed strong

''Alright, ill release her. If you give me that dagger.''

Frodo scowled at the man, but turned to the face of the fearful woman that was in a tight headlock in the man's arm. Frodo sighed.

''Fine, I give you the dagger and you release her.''

''Agreed. Come on then child, hand over the dagger.''

Frodo cautiously stepped closer to the bigger man and slowly handed the dagger to him while watching him ease the grip on the woman's neck. Eventually he let go of her and Frodo breathed a sigh of relief. The moment caught Frodo off guard and he suddenly felt a huge pull from the man, he picked up Frodo and threw him over his shoulder. Frodo screamed in protest.

'What are you doing!' He shouted, 'Let go of me'

The men laughed.

'You said we could have the dagger and you said to release the women but you never mentioned we couldn't take you.' He replied using brute force to stop Frodo from squirming.

'Let's take him back to town; he can spend his time in the jail.'

Frodo screamed and protested as the two men carried him off. The women laid on the bank of the hill, exhausted and terrified.

Thanks for reading, Chapter 2 will be here soon. Where the story begins to take hold :)