Elrond turned and watched Estel and Legolas depart merrily. It was so soon since their last foray. So soon. Now the figures, upon prancing steeds, were swallowed by the trees. Elrond's blue-grey eyes narrowed, but he called after them,

"May all the blessings of the Valar be with you!"

Little did he know that he would not see them again for quite some time.

***

A tall blonde elf turned in his saddle and grinned at his mortal companion.

"Hey, Aragorn, I still remember that time you pushed me into a lake." His eyes sparkled.

Aragorn chuckled at the memory. "Hey, you stole my pipe-weed, so I thought I'd just take my oppertunity when you leaned over the water..."

He trailed off, letting the words speak for themselves.

"You know I detest the smell of Southfarthing leaf, and I prefer to keep the air clean of smoke."

Aragorn shrugged, still chuckling to himself, but his smile faded as he saw Legolas's mouth open to call a warning, and his blue eyes widened in horror at something behind Aragorn. The Ranger whipped around to look, but a branch just whacked him square across the face.

Seething, he turned to hear Legolas laughing.

"Keep your eyes on the road, mellon nín." Quipped the elf.

"What road?" joked Aragorn, anger fading, although a bruise started forming. The horses padded steadily on, eyes fixed ahead, steps light and cheerful. They were going hunting. Ahead of him, the elf's laughter rang out again, clear and pure. Aragorn smiled. The road would be much lessened while traveling with Legolas.

That night, they tethered their horses and slept in a clearing, changing watches. Sauron was gathering his strength, and they did not want to be caught unawares. The moon shone, a waning half, and clouds scudded across, always in a hurry to get to the other side. They drove their steeds hard the next week, wanting to make it past Isenguard as quickly as possible.

"Alas! We misjudged our time, Aragorn. There shall be only a crescent of the moon when we pass Orthanc, and the horses need rest." He puncuated this sentence by offering his horse a drink of water. It drank eagerly, sides heaving from the run.

"We do not rest here, then. In that clump of trees." said Aragorn shortly, also weary from the ride. The "clump of trees" turned out to be a small forest, just missing the mark where they would have been noted on a map. The trees were bare when they entered, as it was late fall. Dead and decaying leaves muffled their footsteps. Legolas pressed his ear to a tree, listening intently.

His face was troubled. "The trees are silent. There is not the faintest stirring of understanding or life within them, yet they live. I have seen this happen once before, a long time ago. But that was the time when I strayed too near Dol Guldur. Too near." He refused to elaborate when Aragorn shot him a questioning look. They unpacked, as silent as the rest of the forest. The day swiftly darkened, and clouds covered the thin sliver of a moon. Aragorn had just drawn his sword, intending to clean its blade, rather unecessary, and Legolas stood a little ways off, staring and listening into the shadows.

Then he made a quick motion to Aragorn, who came closer, blade still drawn.

"Yrrch!" He hissed. Aragorn ran to the horses and untied them, whispering soft and urgent commands for them to run back, away from the coming battle.

"Orcs." He translated briefly. "By the sound of them, it looks like they were trying to creep up on us. Too late to run now; we must fight."

Legolas responded with a grim nod and a set face. He drew his bow, and fired it as the first wave came roaring out of the darkness.

Soon, they drew too close to aquedatly fire at, so Legolas drew his twin blades, and stood in a ready stance.

With a yell, Aragorn launched himself into the fray, Andúril gleaming coldly. The clouds drew back to shine the moon upon the glade.

Legolas followed his friend, his deadly blades making equal work.

Defensive was their stance, and the orcs fell back, dismayed by the whirling blades. Then several giant Uruk-Hai surged forward, and the two companions were seperated. They valiantly fought on, each doing no deed greater than the other. Legolas slit the throat of one and ducked under another coming up behind him, with a foot pivoting to avoid a fallen arrow. Aragon lopped a head off, and it flew to crash and bring down a startled Orc.

Then Aragon turned, and saw a blade humming in the direction of the elf's head, and shouted. His cry was too late.

"Legolas!" The world seemed to slow down, and become silent. The blade was twisted slightly, and the flat slammed into his friend's head. Legolas crumpled to the ground, mouth still open slightly in a little gasp of shock.

Despair transformed into new fury, and the world blasted back with sounds. Aragorn leaped, and yelling incoherently slew many. He knew he was going to die, and a tear of hopelessness and grief ran down his face. Then a distant horn blew...the Enemy stopped fighting him. They turned tail and fled. Soon they were all gone, and even their cries has faded away. The Ranger crawled over to Legolas, and took his wrist.

There was a slight pulsing. "Alive!" Breathed Aragorn in disbelief. He snatched up his pack, however trampled the herbs inside might be, they were reasonably usable. He also tore a strip off his sleeve to use as a bandage, and pressed the herbs into it, letting some juices soak in. Then he wrapped it around the unconcious elf's head, and settled in for a restless night.

***

The silent trees were alighted with a pale yellow, the first light of dawn. With a start, Aragorn awoke from his dozing, and ran to Legolas, who reclined nearby. He looked ankiously at his friend's face, the white bandages stark against the blonde hair. Then two cloudy blue eyes opened, looking into his. Startled, Aragorn stepped back a few paces, then smiled in relief. Legolas seemed fine. Then his friend rose, and they stared at each other.

"Who...Who are you...?" The words came, slow, halting, suspicious. Aragorn gaped. What was wrong with Legolas? Surely this was not a joke.

"I am Aragorn, mellon nín. Estel. Strider." He added, hoping to see comprehension come over Legolas' features. It did not.

Legolas' eyes drifted to the sword lying drawn, bare, and glinting next to Aragorn, then those clouded eyes snapped back to Aragorn's face.

"Why are you keeping me here, stranger?" He pressed a slim hand to his head. His eyes grew wilder as mad thoughts raced through his head.

"No, but..." Began Aragorn, but the elf cut him off, backing away as he talked.

"Why have you injured me to the head so? No...It must have been a mistake...you must have meant to kill me instead!" The words grew louder and louder, then he turned around and started running, snatching up his daggers and bow. Aragorn ran after him, intending to tackle him and shake him out of this madness, but Legolas seemed to be quicker than light; he darted away into the trees.

Then a dark pang of dread racked Aragorn. The elf had lost his memory. And he was heading toward Isengard.

-Authors Note:- Disclaimer: Legolas is not my character. Neither is Aragorn. Dang. ;) Please Read+review!