The names of Lord Borin and Longford are my own. The rest is all Tolkien's brilliance. This is a joining chapter. The story will be able to start properly now
Legolas woke up from his dream state and bolted upright, eyes scanning the group. He counted the number, only 8, he stood up and walked to the edge of the camp and scanned the horizon, nothing was present but suddenly his ears caught another sound. Screaming, it sounded like Frodo, he turned back to the camp and noticed he wasn't there anymore, he leaped over to Aragorn and awoke him.
''Aragorn, Frodo has gone''
Aragorn hazily opened his eyes from his sleep and saw the blonde elf above him. He took a moment to take in what he had been told but as it hit him he jumped up.
'What do you mean he's gone?''
''I heard screams in the distance, it woke me. As I listened closer It was him screaming, he was on watch, he isn't here anymore.''
''I'll tell Gandalf, you wake the others.''
Legolas nodded in agreement. A few moments past and all the Fellowship where awake and packing their equipment.
'So what did you hear Legolas?' asked Gandalf
'I heard Frodo's screams and two men.' The elf replied, putting his pack and quiver on his back.
Gandalf sighed, 'You and Aragorn go to where you heard the voices, we will catch up.'
Aragorn and Legolas ran to the top of the hill and peered down, they noticed a motionless figure at the bottom of the hill, they quickly ran down to body. Aragorn gently moved the hair to reveal the face.
'It's a women.'
Legolas bent down with him, 'Is she alive?'
Aragorn checked her pulse and nodded affirmatively. With his touch the women awoke, she jolted back in fear when she saw both Aragorn and Legolas.
'No, don't be scared my lady. We mean you know harm, we want to help you.'
She looked curiously at Aragorn.
'Who are you?' she questioned
'I'm Aragorn and this is Legolas, we are travellers, are camp is near. We found you lying here, what happened? Are you hurt?'
She sat up, 'No I am not hurt. I was making my way to my father's farm when these two men attacked me. Then this halfing came and helped me…'
'Halfing! What happened to him?' interrupted Aragorn
'I can't remember very well, I was thrown on the ground' She paused for thought, 'No! they took him into town, they said they were going to put him in the prison.'
Aragorn looked at Legolas with a dejected look then turned back to the women
'Where is this town? Will they harm him?'
'It's the town of Longford, about 5 miles from here. If you are travellers there is an inn to rest and places for you to eat. The town is run by Lord Borin, he is a powerful and rich man. If you cannot afford the fee to release your friend then you will have to make business with him.'
'Great Politics' Legolas rolled his eyes
'But no harm should come to your friend'' the women added
'What is your name My Lady' Aragorn asked while helping her stand
'Eleanor, Sir'
'Do you need any help returning to your home Lady Eleanor?'
She smiled, 'No I'm fine thank you'
Aragorn nodded, 'Very well, thank you for your help.'
…..
The rest of the Fellowship joined Legolas and Aragorn.
'Well, what did you learn' Asked Gandalf
'Frodo has been taken to a nearby town called Longford. He has been placed in their prison.'
'A prison! Mr Frodo will be punished in there' cried Sam
'He will be quite safe Sam. The woman who was here told us the town has an inn and places to eat. We can release Frodo for a fee, if we cannot afford this fee then we have to seek arrangement with Lord Borin.' Added Aragorn
'Then we only have one choice, we go to this town.' Boromir said sternly
'Ai, we have been travelling for 3 weeks now. I could use a good ale.' Gimli added light heartedly
Gandalf smiled, 'Very well, let's hope this will not be too much of a hindrance
Pippin beamed, 'You hear that Merry? We can sleep in a bed!'
'I know Pip, and eat good food'
'Hey what's wrong with my food Merry?' Asked Sam with slight surprise
'It's not exactly a feast Sam' Smiled Merry
'Come on Hobbits, we must set off' said Aragorn
Merry, Pippin and Sam nodded and picked up their backs and made their way with the others towards Longford.
