THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICADED TO MY GRANDFATHER.
Willem de la Court 19/07/06

Ring of darkness and the Sword of Evil's bane.
Ch 9. Hunting.

Link and the others ran, following the trails left to them by the Orcs.
Aragorn stopped and placed his ear on the ground.
Boromir and Legolas used the short break to catch their breath.
"Where is Gimli?" Link asked, "I'll go get him."
He rushed off.
"Where does he get the energy?" Boromir asked.
Aragorn looked up, "Their pace has quickened. They must have caught our scent. Hurry!"
"Come on, Gimli, Link!" Legolas shouted before he rushed after the two humans.
"Three days' and nights' pursuit. No food. No rest. And no sign of our quarry but what bare rock can tell," The dwarf grunted.
"Here," Link said, holding something up.
"What is it?"
"It's a bunny hood, put it on."
Gimli looked at it, and put it on.
"Let's go!"
"Wait up," Gimli rushed after the Hyrulian warrior, noticing how easy it was to keep up with him.
Link smiled, "The bunny hood increases the speed at which one can run."
The two ran after the three other members.
Aragorn picked something up from the ground
"Not idly do the leaves of Lórien fall," he said
"They may yet be alive," Legolas realised
"Less than a day ahead of us. Come!" He ran off again.
The duo managed to catch up with the others.
"Come, Gimli! We are gaining on them!" Legolas shouted.
Gimli growled, but managed to keep up with the four taller members, "I am wasted on cross-country! We dwarves are natural sprinters! Very dangerous over short distances!"
Aragorn looked to the landscape below them.
"Rohan. Home of the horse-lords. There is something strange at work here. Some evil gives speed to these creatures, sets its will against us."
Legolas ran ahead and looked out to the horizon.
"Legolas, what do your Elf-eyes see?"
"The Uruks turn northeast. They're taking the Hobbits to Isengard!" came the reply.
"Saruman!" the ranger realised, "We must try to get ahead of them."
He started to run again.
"Keep breathing! That's the key! Breathe!" Gimli started muttering
"They run as if the very whips of their masters were behind them," Legolas said.
Link stopped, "If that's the case," he brought out his bow and took aim, "Let's knock a few of their feet."
"At this distance? That's madness."
Link fired several arrows.
Legolas gasped, "By the..."
"What!" Boromir asked.
"He hit them," the elf breathed.
"Okay, that didn't work," Link said.
"You killed some Orcs, how didn't that work?"
"They've sped up. And not slowed down like intended."
"A few Orcs less isn't so bad," Gimli said.
"Let's continue," Link said.
Aragorn and Boromir nodded.

They ran well into the night, before they no choice but to set up camp.
Link took out his ocarina and started a familiar melody.
The others couldn't resist the tune and slowly fell asleep.
Link stood up and walked away from the fire.
"Farore, what is it?" He said.
A shimmering green mist appeared in front of him.
It took the shape of a female.
"Link, the enemy is growing powerful. You can not face this foe alone. Tomorrow we will sent you allies to fight the ring. Watch the white wizard who's heart is black. His allies are powerful."
"I will, Farore, I will."
Link turned and walked back to the camp as Farore disappeared.