Title: Shadow Hunter
Author: Kali T'hara
Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance
Rating: PG-13
Summery: The Fellowship encounters a being of exceptional powers…but what effect does she have over Legolas? (Set during the end of FotR…kinda AU)
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the lotr guys…though I wish I owned Legolas…
Aragorn and Gimli led the group through the wild woods of the enchanted forests. Next in line came the four Hobbits, Frodo, Sam, Pip and Mary. At the back of the group came Boromir and Legolas. The eight had been traveling nonstop for the past three days making their way further towards Mordor. They were the Fellowship. They were the ones to bring the ring of power back to the fires of Mount Doom where it could be destroyed once and for all. Frodo was its keeper…the ring had chosen him. It was his job to bring the ring back to Mordor, even if it killed him.
But the Fellowship was breaking. Not but a few days before, Gandalf had fallen. Their guide, their protector…and their friend was gone. A feeling of remorse had draped itself over the Fellowship. Their usual high spirits and enthusiasm were gone with Gandalf. But they had to keep moving. Who knew how many Orcs had picked up on their scent by now. And that had been Gandalf's last words to them. He had told them to go on without him, and that's what they were doing.
Aragorn had decided to take the route through the forests. There was more coverage there and they could hide easier from what followed. But somehow he still felt that they were being pursued. He couldn't tell what it was. It wasn't Orcs, and he was sure it wasn't any more Ringwraiths. But something was tugging at the back of his mind, and he didn't like that feeling at all.
"Aragorn, can't we stop for a bit?" Sam whined tiredly.
"We must keep moving," he answered emotionlessly.
Boromir defended, "Come on, we're been going straight for three days. They can't go much further. They need the rest more than we do."
Aragorn paused, "All right," he agreed, "We'll stay through the night, but at daybreak, we're off."
The Hobbits looked relieved at Aragorn's decision. They set their packs down and began to make some food. Gimli, Boromir and Aragorn began to gather wood for a fire and shelter during the night. Legolas stood watch, his keen Elf eyes monitoring the forests' every move.
"Aragorn, leth monu grethanon," Legolas said suddenly in Elvish.
"Yes, I know. We've been followed for the past three days,"
"I knew that as well," Legolas confirmed and then whispered, "But our follower is here now. And hidden very well." His blue eyes searched every leaf the trees held.
The attentions of the others were seized at Legolas' words.
"Followed by what?" Pip asked nervously.
Legolas looked back at them all, "I have no idea."
Aragorn and Boromir drew their swords and Gimli drew his ax. Legolas readied his bow with an arrow. The Hobbits huddled in the center of the circle created by the others, swords drawn as well. Their eyes searched the forest up and down; sill nothing appeared.
Legolas' ear twitched; his powerful hearing served him well. Behind me… he thought as he whirled around, arrow pointed forward. To his surprise, an arrow stared right back at him. Its owner was dressed in black robes, a hood covering its face.
"Drop your bow!" Legolas ordered.
"Not until you drop your own," a voice came back.
TBC…