A/N: Time for the responses to the latest reviews.

Hordak's Pupil: While this is true, Vlad can hardly go looking for something that he has never heard of. The silence wouldn't just be about Its location, but the Item Itself.

Inukagome15: As you will soon see, Elrond and Glorfindel do still know English. (Aren't time paradoxes fun? I learned to appreciate them watching the various Star Trek series.) Anyway, I deliberately played with the functions of natural portals to enable the paradox. The characters will discuss this eventually. Also, Vlad has been given a ghost sense by other fic authors. It's just that his works differently than Danny's. That is what we have done here.

Once again, thank you to all readers. I love reviews, so please let me know what you think of the story. Enjoy!

Author's Note from Miriam1: I realize that this chapter feels more like filler. However, the interaction that will take place once they get to Rivendell will make it worth the wait.

Chapter 3: Travel

Disclaimer: I do not own Vlad Masters or The Lord of the Rings.

Vlad suddenly woke to someone shaking him gently and speaking to him quietly. He opened his eyes to see one of the twins kneeling beside him. It was still dark. At first, Vlad thought there was a problem and looked around. The others were packing their gear. The fire pit had been covered over by the chunk of turf that had been cut out to make it.

The bedrolls had mostly been rolled, except for Vlad's. One of the beings walked to the edge of the clearing and gave a low whistle. Within seconds, there was a sound of hoofbeats, and the horses entered the clearing, standing patiently to receive their tack. Here was something the man could help with. He enjoyed going on long rides at home, and knew how to put the tack on. Vlad got up and walked over to the neat line of saddles.

His companions seemed pleased that he was trying to help, and one led a horse over, indicating which saddle belonged on it. Vlad nodded and placed the light saddle blanket on the horse's back. The horse turned its head around and gave him a friendly nudge. He patted the horse kindly and moved to put the saddle on. He was surprised at the weight, which was unusually light for a riding saddle. The girth strap was designed to be less restrictive on the horse's breathing and movement than saddles he had used back home. Vlad went to get the bridle next, but there was none. All he found was a rope headstall, which allowed the rider to control the horse's direction of movement without digging into the horse's mouth as a bit tended to do.

His companions had saddled the other horses when he finished. The horses' riders attached their saddlebags and mounted. With only six mounts, it seemed Vlad would need to share. He had rarely seen two riders on a single horse, because it tended to slow the horse down. These people were in a hurry, obviously, since it was barely sunrise. So why slow down the group by taking on another person, when there is an insufficient number of mounts?

Vlad was surprised when one of the twins moved his horse closer to the man and held out a hand. He took it and quickly found himself yanked up onto the horse, behind the rider. The horse only shifted a little under the added weight. Each rider took up his reins and urged their mounts into a steady canter.

Vlad noticed that the horse he rode had no trouble staying in the lead. In fact, the twin he rode with seemed to be competing with his brother as to who could reach a certain tree at the top of the next rise. As each rise was reached, they would select their next target. These impromptu races were very close, and they seemed to discuss the winner of the last race as they were holding the current race.

From Vlad's relatively unnoticed place, he rolled his eyes as the twins 'raced' to the next hill. This 'game' they played reminded him of a silly game that Daniel might play with his friends. It made sense for Daniel to play them; he was a child. Surely, such behavior in grown... well... whatever these things are... was unseemly.

They came out of the forest and turned onto a well-used road. They had not been on the road very long, when the sound of hoofbeats came from behind. Whoever was approaching was moving fast, and there were a lot of them. Vlad's head snapped in the direction of the noise, and the others looked at him sharply. His companions reined in their horses, and the hoofbeats drew closer. Six pairs of eyes narrowed in thought, but they were distracted as a party of eight horsemen turned a bend in the road behind them.

The other group approached, and the twins moved forward to meet them., smiling as the horsemen drew up a few feet away. One of the first things Vlad noticed was that, unlike his current companions, this new party was comprised of humans. They spoke in that language that his companions tried to use with him. But these people knew it well enough. The men were all very tall, taller than himself by nearly a foot. They were lean, but well-muscled, and obviously strong. Their eyes were silver-grey, like those of his companions, and had an eerily similar glow in them. They also all had raven-black hair, like Daniel and Jack.

Elladan greeted Aranarth warmly. The eldest son of the late king, Arvedui, seemed deeply worried. "What have you been doing that has you so worried, my friend?"

The one-time Crown Prince of Arthedain looked at him solemnly. "We have been scouting in the Weather Hills. Orcs have overrun the entire region. Angmar is preparing to wipe out what remains of the Northern Dúnedain. I am going to Imladris to warn your father."

The young elf nodded. "We will meet you there, then. Our errand is less urgent." He looked back at the man behind him, studying the scouts. "We found this Man in the Trollshaws. He does not appear to understand Westron, but Father may be able to help with that."

Aranarth nodded. "We had better go on. I will see you in Rivendell." He signaled his men, and they were soon galloping down the Road as fast as they dared push their mounts. When the Dúnedain had gone around the bend, Elladan nodded to his brother, signaled the others, and also continued on.

Glossary

Arthedain- one of three kingdoms formed out of Arnor several hundred years earlier. It was the last surviving one. Its last Crown Prince became the first of the Chieftains of the Rangers.

Dúnedain- (Sindarin) plural. singular- dúnadan.descendants of the Men of Númenor. They dwell in two distinct kingdoms: Gondor in the South, and Arnor in the North.

Imladris (S)- Rivendell. Founded in 1697 SA by Lord Elrond Halfelven.

Road- the Great East Road. It crosses the length of Eriador in an East-West direction.