Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings is not mine. The Anduin River is not mine.

Chapter Four

Thiris only nodded in response to Legolas' statement. "Can you walk?" she asked, purposely changing the subject.

"Yes. Where are we going?"

"We have to get you back to Lothlorien," Gimli answered, "but we'll have to make it fast. All our food got lost with the boat."

Thiris shrugged casually. "There are ways of finding food in the wild." Legolas nodded his agreement. Something about this Dwarf wasn't so Dwarf-like. Something that reminded the Elf of Aragorn.

The two Dwarves helped Legolas to his feet. "It'll be slippery along the bank in this rain," Thiris warned, "but we'll be less likely to run into Orcs. We all need to stay very close together. Orcs aren't the only thing we need to worry about."

"What do you mean?"

"I noticed a creature in the water a few moments ago."

"Gollum," Legolas nodded. "We shouldn't have any trouble from him. It's not us he's after."

"Then you are not alone."

"We were with six others."

"Dwarves? Elves?"

"None of either. Two humans and four Hobbits."

"Hobbits?"

"Yes. They're about --"

"I know what Hobbits are."

"I should've guessed."

"Yes, you should've. But what brings four of them so far from the Shire?" There was an awkward silence that was finally broken by Legolas almost collapsing. "Take my hand," Thiris instructed.

Legolas did, and a sudden warmth coursed through his body. His breathing became steadier and his eyesight cleared. "What did you do?" he asked, releasing the Dwarf's hand.

Thiris smiled and removed the glove from her hand, revealing a ring with a dark green stone. "Nay, not one of the Rings of Power," she said in answer to the question in Legolas' eyes. "A gift from Lord Elrond. We are close to Lothlorien, so its power is strengthened. But the magic of the Elves is waning. I do not know how long its effects will last, Legolas. We should reach the land of the Lady as soon as we can."

Legolas smiled. He had absolutely no objection to that.

"How fast is fast?" Belrond asked Mithnor. "Shouldn't we rest here for the night?"

"No. We can't stay anywhere long. The Orcs, or whatever foul breed of creature attacked us, will find us if we do."

"How far do we have to go?"

"At least as far as Cair Andros before I can find what I need."

"Cair Andros! Have you lost your mind? That's at best a three-day journey by boat!"

"Oi, and we only have one boat," Pippin added, "and we won't all fit in it."

"We will have to," Mithnor said evenly. "If we stay on shore, we're easy prey."

"You are mad!" Belrond exclaimed. "The boat will sink!"

"If tales are true, the boats of Lorien do not sink."

"What makes you think . . . ?"

"Where else would they be coming from with cloaks clearly made by the Elves?"

"Are you an Elf?" Pippin asked.

"Hardly," Mithnor laughed. "But I never learned your names, my friends, nor where you came from."

"Merry and Pippin, from the Shire," Merry said, "but how do you expect to fit all of us in that boat?"

"How many oars do you have?" Mithnor asked.

"Are you tryin' to change the subject?"

"Yes. How many?"

"Two."

"Good." Just then, something caught his eye. A second boat was floating, or, rather, being tossed, down the river. "Belrond?"

"On it, Captain." He rushed towards the river.

"Captain?" Merry asked. Mithnor gave no answer. "Still, a journey of three days?" Merry asked. "Will Boromir . . ."

"Belrond forgot to count on one thing when he gave us that number. He assumed we would be stopping. We won't."

"What?" Pippin half-shouted. This man was crazy.

Just then, Belrond returned. "The boat came right to shore," he reported. "It's perfectly in tact."

"A gift from the Valar," Mithnor sighed with relief. "Oars?"

"None."

"Then it's good that we have two."

"Um . . . how do you plan on not stopping?" Pippin asked.

"You are capable of sleeping in a boat?"

"I never tried."

"Here's your chance. Pippin, you're with me. Merry, you'll ride with Belrond and Boromir. I wouldn't split you up, but we'll need two people capable of rowing in each boat. Boromir is obviously not."

"Neither are you," Belrond objected, "and these two are tired."

"Which is why they're going to sleep in the boats." He tried to stand, but collapsed, clutching his side and breathing hard.

"Mithnor," Belrond said firmly. "Your plan won't work."

Mithnor looked around. "You're right," he said reluctantly. "We're surrounded."

Aragorn suddenly looked out to the river. He'd heard a splash, if that was possible over the rain, and what he thought was a hiss.

"Gollum," he muttered to himself. Curse the creature for his bad timing.

"Strider?" asked Frodo.

"Frodo! You should be asleep."

"I couldn't. I keep worrying about the others, about Merry and Pippin."

"Boromir is with them."

"If he hasn't been killed." Frodo was surprised to hear himself say it out loud. "If they don't find us . . . Aragorn, I know the Ring must do to Mordor, but I can't leave them!"

"We'll decide what to do in the morning."

"Not if you're completely dead from exhaustion, we won't."

"Very well; wake me in an hour. Or if you see anything."

"I will."

"What should we do?" Merry asked, not completely sure who he was asking.

"There's only one thing left to do," Belrond said. He rose, but drew no weapon. "We surrender!" he called out into the darkness.

Muahahahahaha. Hmm. What will the Uruk-Hai do, hm? No one's ever offered to surrender to them before. Muahahahahahaha.

Boromir–Oh, don't worry, I have no intention of stopping. I'm having too much fun torturing everyone to stop. :)

SirNotAppearingInThisFilm–Muahahahaha, yes, torture for no reason (evil grin) And there's more to come. :)

Iccle Fairy–Yes, I always love messing around with royalty (which explains why I like to torture Legolas) Hannon le.

Lady Lenna–Well, they might eventually make it to Fangorn. Whether or not Legolas will be alive to go crazy about the trees when they do . . . well, we'll see.