A/N Sorry for my lack of updating. I've been busy working on other stories, but you guys deserve an update so here you go! Thank you, everyone, who's stuck with this story so far, you guys are awesome!

Okay enough rambling, on with the story!

Chapter 12

When Frodo awoke he thought the events of the previous day were just a dream. Once his foggy mind cleared, however, and he saw that he was still under the boughs of Fangorn, he knew that this was no dream. Sitting up he noticed his companions sleeping soundly beside him. Sam on his right, Merry and Pippin on his left. Careful to avoid waking them; Frodo stood to his feet and walked around the clearing to stretch his legs.

He remembered watching Gandalf and the others leave Fangorn. He hadn't tried to convince his friend of letting them come, he'd known that it would have been pointless. Besides Gandalf was right; it was too dangerous to go walking about this land with the Ring, especially with Saruman in the picture.

What was Gandalf planning to do about Saruman? Why did he need Aragorn and the others to go with him? Frodo sighed and neared a small stream; bending down he cupped some of the cool water in his hands, pouring it down his throat. He closed his eyes and let the wind blow against his skin, for the first time since leaving Lorien he felt peaceful.

He could hardly hear the Ring's call, and though the burden hadn't lifted entirely, it was definitely lighter.

Perhaps it's this place, or something else. What could it be? He decided that he would simply enjoy the respite for now, who knew how long it would last? Looking around he wondered where Treebeard was. The ent had brought them here and the four hobbits had fallen asleep almost immediately.

It's his forest, he has the right to go where he wishes I suppose.

A noise from behind caught his attention and he turned around to see Merry stirring. His cousin yawned and stretched his arms over his head. Sitting up he rubbed his eyes and gave his head a little shake.

"Good morning," Frodo said softly.

"Morning," Merry yawned and stood up. Stepping around Pippin he went to stand next to Frodo beside the stream. He was silent as Merry crouched down and splashed water onto his face.

"Are you well?" Frodo asked.
"A bit tired," Merry yawned again, "but other than that I'm fine."

Frodo smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. He still felt guilty about what had befallen his friends; they'd been captured and he hadn't been there to help them! Even now Merry had a scar on his forehead, what else could have happened to him if they hadn't been able to escape from the orcs?

Merry was studying his cousin; his eyes narrowed.

"Are you alright?" Merry asked.

"I can't believe that I let you get captured. I shouldn't have wandered away from the others, it's because of me that this happened!"

"What are you talking about? None of us could have known that the orcs were coming, or that this Amarth you mentioned would show up. Things like this happen Frodo, when they do we have to do our best to push through them."

Frodo lowered his head and Merry placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Yes, we were captured, but we're all here now. Even Gandalf is alive! All of us are alive Frodo and that's all that matters. Not what happened in the past, this time right now is what's important."

A ghost of a smile appeared on Frodo's face. "You sound like Gandalf."

"Well, someone has to be the giver of profound wisdom while he's away."

Frodo chuckled and nodded his head. "Thank you Merry."

"Anytime. Now come on, let's see about finding something to eat. I know that the moment he wakes up Pippin will be wanting breakfast."

)0()0(

They would arrive at Edoras tomorrow according to Gandalf. For now, the five had made camp for the night, allowing their horses a chance to rest. A small fire had been made, the horses were grazing nearby, it was almost peaceful. Yet there was a cold feeling of tension in the air that made Aragorn shiver. The closer they drew to Edoras, the colder he became.

Near the fire, Boromir and Gimli sat conversing quietly with each other. Gandalf was with Shadowfax, one of the Mearas, and was stroking him silently with his hand apparently lost in thought. Legolas lay motionless a few feet away from the others, he had not awakened since Fangorn. His hair had returned to its normal golden color and he appeared to be sleeping peacefully.

Aragorn was still trying to process what he had seen: Legolas had completely healed the dying tree with nothing but his bare hands, how?

"Aragorn, come join us by the fire." Gandalf's voice brought him out of his thoughts. He turned away from Legolas and walked over to where Gandalf and the others waited.

"What is it Gandalf?" Aragorn sat down next to Boromir who had just finished sharpening his sword.

"We must be prepared for when we arrive at Edoras, there are dark forces at work here in Rohan and if we wish to succeed in our task we will have to be ready to face them."

"What must we do?" Boromir asked slightly leaning forward.

"You told me that you met Èomer during your pursuit of the hobbits," Gandalf faced Boromir who nodded, "Hopefully he took care not to mention any of your names. If he hasn't then it is important that none of you speak your names aloud, especially you Boromir. There's no telling what our enemy would do if he discovered that the son of the Steward of Gondor was within his grasp."

Turning to Aragorn he added, "Or the heir of Isildur. Your heritage must be kept a secret Aragorn, no matter what the enemy cannot discover that you live."

Aragorn nodded in response.

"Are you saying that our enemy is in Edoras?" Gimli asked.

"I am not certain, but there is evil within the king's halls, and I have no doubt that Saruman is behind it. All of us must be on our guard."

"What about Legolas?" Aragorn didn't have to specify what he meant. They all knew what he was worried about.

"As far as I know Saruman knows nothing about Legolas. He knows of Thranduil and that he has a son, but he does not know his name. Keep in mind that this is the farthest and longest Legolas has ever been away from his home, and the reason for that is because Thranduil has kept him there for almost his whole life."

"What if Saruman finds out that Legolas is a Keeper?" Aragorn glanced over at the elf, he was still asleep.

"I do not know. It is important that no one outside of our company discovers who Legolas is. At least, until he learns to control his power."

Boromir's eyes narrowed, he rubbed his chin with his hand. "Gandalf, how did you know that Legolas was a Keeper? We were told that no one knew of them."

"I do not know what this Amarth told you," Gandalf looked over at Legolas, "but he is either wrong or lying. I have heard of the Keepers before, though it was a long time ago, and the tales were so farfetched that I regarded them as nothing but a myth. However, I did not disregard them completely."

"What does this mean for Legolas? What will happen to him now that he's "awakened" as you say?" Aragorn questioned fingering the hilt of his sword.

"I know you're worried about him Aragorn, but you cannot keep him from his path."
"And what is his path?"

Gandalf sighed, "I do not know. He must find out for himself."

With that, he stood up and said, "Get some rest, all of you. We leave for Edoras at dawn."

)0()0(

Amarth watched the small camp from the Between. All of them were asleep except for the one called Gandalf. All of their lights were glowing, the wizard's was almost too bright for Amarth to look at. His gaze wandered over to Legolas, his light was getting brighter by the second, he would awake soon.

"You work in strange ways Amarth." Darkness walked over to his side, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Of all the ways you could have unleashed his power, you had him heal a tree."

"He was raised by wood-elves," Amarth replied coldly, "they love their trees. I knew he would respond to it being in pain."

"So you've resorted to hurting trees?"

"It worked didn't it?" Amarth snapped.

Darkness said nothing as he let his eyes settle on Legolas.

"He is still far from controlling it," he mused, "if he is left untaught chaos will follow while his powers try to unleash themselves. Perhaps I will just take him now and spare him the trouble."

"If you touch him Darkness I swear I'll kill you myself," Amarth growled.

"Easy little elf, I am not so foolish to act while that wizard is around." Darkness chuckled and ruffled Amarth's hair. "Why do you keep your hair short Amarth?"

Amarth jerked away from him, turning his back on the Dark Keeper.

"When will you take him then?"

"I will wait until the right moment," Darkness turned back to Legolas, "And don't worry, I do not plan to harm him. I only want to… enlighten him."

Amarth's hands clenched into fists, he closed his eyes.

"Just don't hurt him."

Darkness laughed, "I will never understand you Amarth. You claim to hate everyone, yet here you are pleading for the life of one elf."

He waited for a response but received none. Turning his back on the Between Keeper he began to walk away. Looking over his shoulder he added, "Keep Legolas alive until I am ready for him. I hope I am not wrong to trust you with this, considering your past attempts to keep others alive…"

"LEAVE!" Amarth shouted whirling around, his blue eyes blazing. Darkness chuckled and vanished. Once he was gone Amarth dropped to his knees, his hands grabbing the sides of his head. Memories flashed before his eyes; faces of those he once knew appeared, the faces of those he'd failed.

If only he could go back, if he'd just done things differently, they wouldn't have died…

"What can I do?" He muttered, tears forming in his eyes. "I can't go back so why should I care? They're gone, all of them are gone and it's my fault!"

It's all my fault…