A/N:Ok, after a few weeks off, here is chapter 4!! Thanks so much if you've actually waited for this chapter and I promise I'm gonna try and make these chapters longer!! Here it is... Enjoy
As the sun glowed red and began to sink below the horizon, a lone horse galloped towards the black mass that was Mirkwood. The figure upon its back seemed misshapen to the creatures that saw it, but in fact there were two figures upon the horse. After meeting the Elven messenger on the way to Mirkwood, Aragorn had taken Gimli and they were now riding together to their friend, whilst the messenger went to Lord Celeborn to update him.
The horse began to slow as it reached the eaves of the wood.
"Well, my old friend. I think now is a good time to stop. Brego is feeling tired. As am I" Aragorn swung himself of the horse, but Gimli stayed.
"We shouldn't rest. Even if Brego walked, we should go on. We chased the young hobbits for three days without rest – this is no different" Aragorn smirked as Gimli crossed his arms and ended up overbalancing and on the ground.
"Gimli, we should rest. Legolas needs us rested. If we arrived exhausted, we'd be a hindrance and no use to him. Do you wish that?" Gimli grumbled to himself, but began to help set up a temporary camp. Such was the stubbornness of Dwarves that Gimli would never admit that someone else was right.
Later that night, Aragorn sat smoking his pipe, facing towards the South where his wife and son were. No matter what he said to Gimli, Aragorn wished to be with his friend now. The longer they took journeying, the worse Legolas' situation was becoming. Unlike Gimli, Aragorn had heard about Thengoldrim before, on his last visit to Mirkwood. He had a feeling that this Elf wouldn't stop till he reached Legolas – and that thought made him full of dread. There was no need for him to stay awake, but Aragorn did this out of habit, watching into the darkness for any enemies that could attack. The night was so quiet that Aragorn could hear his own heart pumping rhythmically. When the sound stopped, he thought no more of it dismissing it as a sound he'd gotten used to and finally closed his eyes, lent against a tree...
Not far from Aragorn and Gimli's camp, a rider dismounted from their horse. There was no point to continue travelling, as the rider knew that King Elessar would be resting, and so would hear the horse approach. After taking care first of the horse, then of the rider's self, the rider finally lay against a tree for a few hours rest
At the palace, Thranduil was pacing his study. No more had been heard from Thengoldrim, but instead of relaxing, the silence increased his anxiety.
'It's the calm before the storm. I just hope that Elessar and Gimli arrive before the storm breaks, otherwise--' Thranduil sank into a chair and ran his hands through his hair. He knew that his wife was spending all her time watching over their son, hardly resting or eating, even though she thought he was oblivious to this. Anolinde would give her life for her only son, this Thranduil knew. He half-smiled as he remembered back to when Legolas left for Rivendell. Anolinde had almost taken his place, and after being dissuaded, she fretted until Legolas was with her, not allowing him to go anywhere out of her sight for almost two years, driving Legolas and everyone else mad. Thranduil worried what his wife would do this time to stop Legolas going into danger. He couldn't even persuade Legolas not to be rash for his mother's sake, as since their argument days before, Legolas hadn't spoken to his father, no matter how hard he tried. After a few moments, Thranduil rose from his seat and silently retired to his room, ready for another night of unsettled sleep.
Anolinde had left his room moments ago, presumably to fetch herself a drink. Legolas knew he had only minutes before she returned to stand guard. Quickly, he rose from his bed, where he'd been feigning sleep, and moved towards his closet. Fastening his Lórien cloak around his shoulders, Legolas made sure his quiver and knives were secure, picked up his Lórien bow and leapt lightly from his window onto the tree branch near to him. He swiftly climbed through the trees until he was out of site of his home. He slipped to the ground and began to walk South, towards the mountains, not realising that he was heading right towards Thengoldrim, and not noticing that Marcaunon was following
A scream pierced the silence as Anolinde found that her son had run away...
...and laughter as Thengoldrim found out that his prey was walking right towards him
Okkkay, that's that. And I'll try and make it longer, I just don't like going on for too long. And it means that its kinda a cliffie for next time )