Hey everyone,

ok so this is my first story and constructive criticism is welcome, so please review. I am not a professional writer, so let me know what you think. I am going on the assumption that Aragorn and Legolas are best friends or like brothers. Ill try to update once every few days.

And I dont own anything.

thanks and enjoy!

Twenty years before The Fellowship of the Ring…

Aragorn, son of Arathorn, had been travelling with some of his kinsmen who had come with him from Northern Eriador. They had traversed through the wilderness and fought through many ruthless brigands and foul creatures until they came to Imladris. Here they rested for a few days before pressing on to meet with Gandalf the Grey. The old Istari was waiting for them with information concerning the movements of the Enemy.

Legolas Thranduilion had been visiting Imladris for a few weeks when a weary Estel and his four, equally weary companions had sought shelter in the fair Elven refuge. The prince would not have tarried in Imladris for so long, had it not been for his father's strong suggestion to rest. One of Thranduil's "strong suggestions" was not to be taken lightly, for the disregard of one of these commands promised … .consequences of either a humiliating or laborious sort. At least, that's how Legolas saw it. If asked, Estel would probably laugh and not agree with his life-long friend.

So, after a hearty and warm welcome home, Legolas, who was growing quite restless of too many days with nothing to do, convinced Estel to let him accompany the Rangers on their task. Not much persuasion was required, for Estel had missed his greatest childhood friend very much and was looking forward to spending some times with the fair being.

Three days later, the five Rangers and the elf prince made their way south to Eregion. On the twelfth day of travel, they came upon a beautiful forest where they decided to make camp for the night. It was a clear night and all in the company decided to camp on the flatlands, not under bough.

At the first light of dawn, the small ragged band of rangers and the elf that was accompanying them swiftly broke up camp. They ate a quick breakfast of salted meats and dried fruits in companionable silence, collected their weapons, and set out on the path that would take them through the lush, green forest they had camped near. Their destination was the small town on the other side. A day's walk heading west through the woods would bring their company to the Wild Boar, a small inn in the town of Flatour, somewhere in the wilds of Eregion.

Estel and Legolas were acting as rear guard for the company as they walked through the woods. Galodar and Maegil, the oldest –save for both Legolas and Estel- of the company, were leading the group. Broeglin and Glaema, the latter of which was the youngest, had taken up the positions in the middle of the group. Being of Numenorian blood, Galodar and Maegil had walked Middle Earth fifty-six and forty-nine years respectively, and the men were still very capable and deadly with a blade. They had more experience then Broeglin and Glaema , who had seen thirty-two and twenty-four years, so they walked at the front, to protect the younger rangers from any surprise attacks.

Not that any of this would have been necessary, because the day had stated out normal enough, and Legolas had sensed no evil from these woods. The woods were peaceful and friendly and neither the trees nor the animals were disturbed in any way.

At midday, the hot sun's rays were filtering through the canopy of leaves when Aragorn decided to call for a halt. Thank Eru, there had been a nice breeze blowing all morning, or they all would have been extremely hot on this spring day. Right now, he was hungry and thirsty, and he assumed everyone else was as well. Unpacking some dried food and the water skins from their packs, Aragorn, Galodar, Broeglin and Glaema set about putting a small midday meal together while Legolas and Maegil scouted the surrounding area for enemies. They both took off in separate directions, Legolas going east and Maegil heading west.

Estel stared in wonder as Legolas seemingly melted into the woods. All of his life he had known elves and had seen their ability to simply disappear, especially Legolas. He had never really gotten used to it and it still managed to surprise him.

Estel smiled wrily and shook his head. "And in the middle of the day, too," he muttered to himself.

A soft chuckle, followed by a softer "I heard that," came wafting through the trees from where Legolas had just disappeared. Estel just grinned even wider and went about setting up the meal.

Some fifteen minutes later, Legolas slipped back into camp unnoticed, except for Estel.

"There is nothing to report," he stated calmly. Galodar, Broeglin and Glaema all jumped in surprise, turned to face the unexpected voice, and made a grab for the hilts of their swords. Legolas took great pleasure in trying to surprise the rangers and he allowed a sheepish grin to grace his features.

Galodar rolled his eyes and got back to his meal. He was muttering something about "elves" and "wringing this one's neck" around bites of food. Both Aragorn and Legolas chuckled and Broeglin and Glaema exchanged glances with each other; they were still not used to the company of an elf who was not serious all the time.

Still smiling, Legolas walked from the edge of camp and took a seat next to Estel. The man grabbed some of the rations and gave them to Legolas, who gratefully accepted.

Ten minutes later, Legolas abruptly looked up from his meal and grabbed the hilt of one of his knives, when he heard the sound of a branch breaking west of the camp. The elf turned his head towards the noise and his cerulean eyes rapidly searched the forest for the source of the disturbance. "What was that?" he thought. Aragorn, jolted from his thoughts by Legolas's reflexive actions, also put his hand to his sword and scanned the forest.

"What is it, mellon?" Estel asked loud enough for his rangers to hear, but soft enough for his voice not to carry too far. Galodar, Broeglin and Glaema all looked up from their meals as one to see their chieftain and his friend tense. They too put their hand on their swords and waited.

"I don't know," the fair being muttered in a soft voice, almost to himself. So soft it was that the three rangers sitting across from Estel and Legolas could barely hear him.

The forest had become deathly still. Nothing moved. There were neither small animals walking about nor were there any birds chirping as they had been all morning. Even the winds had ceased to blow. There was just complete, utter silence. It was…. unnatural.

Legolas's eyes widened slowly as a realization came to him. "Where is Maegil?" he asked the group without taking his eyes from the suddenly silent forest.

Aragorn's brow slowly furrowed together and he opened his mouth to respond when a loud, unearthly, bone-chilling shriek resounded from the west.