Yay for changes! I edited the bit about the last alliance. Huzzah!

Enjoy!

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"Just keep a careful watch, Legolas."

"Aye, it would be easier if there was something for me to watch." Legolas muttered somewhat under his breath. His eyes scanned the countryside, if it could be called that: a dark grey plain without tree or beast. To the east lay deep marshes, wreathed in mist, whispering dark secrets of a darker past. To the south, ever the more menacing, dark shadowy peaks, that all the while echoed an evil that had not yet a shape. Legolas shuddered.

He turned back to his companion. Aragorn bent down close to the dark soil. His robes were mudstained and torn, and his hair hung wildly about his face. Legolas watched him carefully. Aragorn sifted the soil between his fingers before bringing it to his nose, as if he could smell something other then evil filth.

"Maybe you should try tasting it." Legolas teased.

Aragorn shot a sharp glance back at him. "What happened to keeping watch?"

Legolas feigned a surprised and solemn glance. "My apologies."

Aragorn sighed, standing again to full stature. "I suppose you will want to know if I found anything, and the answer is no. It seems nothing has crossed these lands for many years, save the occasional band of orc."

"And yet, for a land so empty, it seems so full." Legolas said, quite somberly. Indeed, Aragorn was almost surprised at the tone, but he knew of what Legolas spoke. He knew well how Dagorlad earned its name.

"Then what shall we do now?" Legolas asked, finding a seat upon a small gray stone. "Perhaps it has been in vain, as Mithrandir said."

Aragorn found a seat on the earth, and began to draw unintelligible sketches in the dirt with his hunting knife. Mithrandir had accompanied them for some time, appearing and disappearing, as was his way. He managed to follow their progress down the Anduin, in the shadowy glens of Mirkwood, and all across the Rhovanion. However, he never stayed for long, and only appeared when he was truly needed.

It was not unlike him, Gandalf always had a way of finding more important business. However, nigh two years ago, Gandalf had given up altogether. He seemed frustrated, as wizards often get, and advised against the ordeal altogether. But Aragorn was then far too proud to abandon the quest, and Legolas was loath to forsake his pledge of service. So the two hunters continued.

And now both were beginning to have their doubts. How could a creature of such humble origins be so clever? Clever enough to evade the watchful eyes of an elf, the tracking skills of a ranger, and the keenness of a wizard. Aragorn thought. Perhaps he is dead. But something inside him argued that it was not so.

Through the mind of Legolas ran similar thoughts, but more prominent then in the mind of the ranger was the thought of the growing evil. All ways had now become fell. Just two nights ago they had been ambushed in the dark by a stray band of orc. Were it not for their careful watch they surely would have perished. Legolas still thought that the encounter was too close for comfort.

He worried about his young partner, as well. Legolas was nimble of mind and body, and could regain strength as quickly as he lost it. But Aragorn was mortal, and Legolas saw plainly that the eight years of pursuit hung heavily on him. It effected him deeper then he would admit, for every time Aragorn was short for breath, or collapsed into a heavy slumber, Legolas was reminded of his friend's mortality. He prayed that such days of toil would not destroy Aragorn in the end.

"Perhaps he was right." Aragorn said finally. And for the first time Legolas saw hope leave his eyes, eyes that had once been so full of hope they had earned Aragorn the name Estel among the Quendi. The sight nearly left the young elf broken.

Yet, the dread passed quickly as a new wind rushed through the plains. A wind Legolas would later claim was sent from Manwe himself.

"Did you feel that, Legolas?" Aragorn said rising to his feet.

"I sense naught but a breath of air that has seemed to bring life to our quest. But I am sure you see more. Come, what news does the wind of the west bring?"

"It speaks of fire and doom, yet it gives me hope, for I now have my guesses as to where our fell friend ran off to. Or perhaps…"

"Was taken to." Legolas finished. "But if he has been kidnapped,.." he faltered. "We certainly cannot assault the gates of Mordor, dormant or not dormant, orc and other foul-"

"Perhaps we will not have to." Aragorn smiled wryly.

"Aragorn," Legolas laughed. "You can't possibly believe that he could escape from such a place? Many men and elves of far greater stature lost their lives attempting such a feat."

"Yes, but Gollum is small and full of trickery. Part of me senses that he knows far more then we give him credit for, and that his role in the tales of men is greater then what we perceive. Either way, the wind brings me happy tidings, and I think they shall bring us what we seek. Come!"

He began across the countryside.

"Where are you going?"

"The Dead Marshes! From thence is where the wind sends forth!"

Legolas ran after him. The Dead Marshes. Perhaps our kin give to us a sign.

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H'ok. Some quick FYI's if necessary: Dagorlad signifies Battle Plains, as explained on your handy dandy M.E. map. From the Last Alliance, if I assume correctly.

Once again, thanks for the reviews, and some imput as where you would like this to go