King Theoden looked around the hall. He began to notice, for the first time, the people in the room. There were his advisers, who of course poorly advised, his generals, whom he had the up most respect for. The Wizard Gandalf and the dwarf Gimli., who were arguing over the importance of alcohol. Aragorn, who at this point in time was cleaning the orc blood off of his sword. But then he noticed the quietest of Aragorn's friends. The elf from the realm of Mirkwood. His intense sky blue eyes were staring strait ahead. He was thinking, of what Theoden did not know. The elf's expressionless face gave nothing away. The king silently wondered how old the woodland being was, He cannot be more than 25, he thought to himself. He had heard stories of elves and their immortality, but surely they cannot look young their whole life, however long it may be.

Something caught Theoden's eye in the corner of the the room. A young man, a messenger most likely, urgently whispering something in one of his marshal's ear.

"What!" the marshal quietly exclaimed back at the man.

"Gromling?" Theoden became worried.

" One of our scouts sent a message."

"And?" Theoden asked, a little agitated.

"It tells of a troop of Urukai headed here, there were almost 5 leagues away…" Gromling now looked very serious, " …yesterday."

The King, surprised that orcs had gotten this close, discontinued his eye contact with the general. His breathing became more rapid as he looked about the room searching for a solution. He noticed the elf had come out of his thoughts and was now staring at him, waiting for an answer.

Theoden looked down, "What do you mean sent a message?" he asked, "Where is the scout?". Theoden looked at the young messenger, fearing the answer.

"This is the message sir." He held up a bloody piece of parchment with symbols from an illiterate author, "It was tied to his horse that returned a little while ago. We had to make sure of what it said before we could tell you."

Theoden took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, "Prepare the-"

"Theoden!" Aragorn interrupted, putting his perfectly clean sword back in its scabbard, "With all due respect, this is an opportunity to gain information."

"What do you mean?" The king was waiting to be enlightened.

"When you hunt Sauron's vermin for long enough you get to know how they work. Every night before they sleep, the leaders talk about the coming day for their troop…and others."

"We'll know Sauruman's move before he makes it." Theoden could see where the ranger was going.

"How do we know where the orcs are?" interrupted Gromling, "Let alone if they will be stopping for the night."

"If they know of your scout they will have quickened their pace. They should be 3 leagues from here by sundown." Aragorn quickly answered, "They have a big day ahead of them, so they will camp to regain their strength."

Theoden nodded in agreement, "Gromling, send out our best scout."

"Not even your best scout could get within listening distance of an orc encampment." bellowed Gandalf from across the room.

"Then who do you propose we send on this impossible mission?" asked Theoden, his patience was running thin with Aragorn and his friends.

"There is only one kind creature in Middle Earth that can complete this task as swifly and silently as possible." answered Aragorn. Theoden thought he knew the answer, but kept quiet just to be sure. He noticed Aragorn and his elven friend lock eyes. Legolas silently nodded and left the room to prepare.