I managed to get the next chapter out in a week! This is only getting in to the story so nothing major is happening yet. Still, I hope you enjoy!

Two cloaked figures raced to the village gate. One was carrying the other, looking exhausted and hurried. As they reached the gates someone called out to the two.

"Who are ya and what d'ya want?"

Looking up to where the voice came from they steadied the person they were carrying.

"There was an orc attack. He is injured and needs help. Please. Can we come in."

Sighing, the gates were slowly opened. Just as the travelers entered the man who hailed them from the behind the gates caught the arm of the figure who spoke.

"You never said what yer names are."

Pausing he thought.

"This is Strider. My name is Legolas."

A WARM WELCOME

The fellowship had moved on from their momentary camp. Gimli sighed. He didn't know, or really care, what happened, but the way Aragorn and the prissy elf had acted was confusing him. However, when Gandalf had questioned them they had insisted that nothing was wrong.

Sighing again he shifted his axe into a better position. There hadn't been a good fight for days and his pent up anger was aching to have a go at the elf. It didn't help matters that the ring kept egging him on.

He wouldn't do it though. Gandalf and the hobbits relied on him to do his job and be part of the fellowship. Not kill off its own members.

Sighing once more Pippin came up to him.

"Are you alright or have you got a toad in your throat?"

Gimli looked at the youngest hobbit confused. Hearing Pippin's words Merry walked over to them.

"What are you saying Pip?"

"I was asking if he had a toad in his throat."

Looking perplexed, Merry inspected Gimli, making him feel very uncomfortable.

"I didn't hear him coughing."

Pippin stared at him exasperated.

"No! He kept on sighing."

Pausing to think Merry tipped his head to the side.

"In that case he would have a seal in his throat."

"A seal! Have you ever even seen a seal?"

"No. But Sam's gaffer said that's what it sounds like. Just ask Sam!"

Merry and Pippin drifted towards Sam, not once pausing in there discussion. Gimli was left staring at them in complete confusion.

Seeing the confused dwarf, Boromir walked up to him.

"I haven't a clue what they are saying most of the time."

Just nodding numly in agreement, Gimli kept his eyes trained on the hobbits who were now all discussing animals, completely straying from the original conversation.

"I've found it's best to just smile and nod and hope no-one asks me what they're talking about."

Finally snapping back to attention Gimli looked up at Boromir and chortled.

"I guess ye"re right!"

Gimli felt some of his anger dissipate. He didn't speak to Boromir much. Usually he was either hanging around the hobbits or distancing himself, lost in thought. It didn't help that Gimli himself never went up to speak to the Steward of Gondor's son. He wasn't quite sure why, and whenever he tried to explain it in his head his mind came up blank.

They walked in silence for a while. It wasn't uncomfortable exactly. Just silent.

After a while, Boromir nudged Gimli, making him start. Looking to where the man indicated, he saw the two hobbits make towards them again.

Gazing up at them wide eyed, Merry asked:

"What do y' reckon Strider and Legolas are talking about."

Turning to look, Gimli watched the ranger and the elf, who were in deep conversation. Their tones were hushed but every once in a while a word or two reached his ears. Unfortunately, they were in elvish so they meant very little to him.

"I don't know, it's in elvish. Doesn't Frodo speak some of it? Why don't you ask him?"

Boromir spoke, moving back to the hobbits. Gimli, however, kept his narrowed eyes on the pair. What could they be taking about that caused this much secrecy?

"We did. But he said that even if he could understand them he wouldn't tell us. He said they were speaking too fast though."

"And we're not asking Gandalf! He would just tell us off for eavesdropping. What he Merry!"

Looking at Pippin earnestly, he replied.

"No he wouldn't Pip."

Pippin started looking cheerful and hopeful.

"He would just tell us off for being nosey."

Upon hearing that Pippin looked almost distressed again.

Gimli tore his glare away from the duo and spoke to his companions.

"Ah, forget them. There's no point in -"

"Daro!" (Stop)

Whipping around Gimli saw Aragorn charge at the archer, yelling in Sindarin. Legolas sidestepped his attempt with ease, expressions of exasperation and innocence dancing upon his face.

"Ai! Sîdh Estel." (Peace)

"Why you!"

Making yet another attempt to tackle the elf, who barely leaped away in time, he swore in dwarvish. Gimli marveled at his use of the language but Gandalf just looked on disapprovingly.

"Strider! This is no time for being overdramatic. The rest of the company bares no will to hear your shouts and the orcs need no encouragement."

A cheeky grin was now pointed at the dúnadan, who made a to charge again before spotting Gandalf, and straightened.

"Contrary to popular opinion, I do not always get injured."

Legolas smiled even more.

"I am not so sure about that. You're always in Elrond's healing wards."

"Oh yeah? Remind me Ernil, is it just me that's constantly in my father's healing wards? And who was worse for wears that time?" (Prince)

Legolas dropped his smile and rolled his eyes.

"And who was the one that got us in that mess in the first place?"

Most of the fellowship was watching their argument, if you could call it that. Gandalf cleared his throat.

"Can you solve this yourselves or do you need some help to speed it along?"

Smiling, Aragorn swung his arm around Legolas' shoulders.

"What do you mean Gandalf?! There's nothing too solve! Just two friends getting along."

Shrugging his arm off, Legolas replied lazily.

"Sure. Just make sure you don't break my arrows. Or my bow."

The dúnadan scuttled away from the elf, fear flitting across his face.

"You look like you've done that before Mister Strider."

Aragorn looking sheepishly from Legolas to Sam,who had spoken.

"Yeah… well. I'm not doing it again. Even if it was by accident."

Pippin bounded up to his side and looked up at him.

"What happened!?"

Aragorn grimaced.

"He… told me off,"

He shifted his glance to the elf nervously, who was walking, arms crossed expectantly. Gimli snorted at the man's unease and failure of speech. Even Boromir couldn't hide his amusement and interest despite trying hard.

"And then we were ambushed by orcs, I was injured and after I recovered he told me off… again."

Frodo walked up to him as well.

"You must of known each other quite a while then."

The ranger and archer looked at each other and grinned. Legolas answered:

"Since he was a child."

Gandalf called out to the fellowship, telling them to pick up their speed.

"We can make it to Órinor before the end of tomorrow if we keep up the pace."

No one saw the dark looks Aragorn and Legolas traded.

I forgot to mention last time that Órinor is a village I made up. I don't quite know where but I hope it doesn't matter! I would really appreciate any comments that you could give me. Please wait until the next chapter!