The rest of the Company trekked tirelessly through the forest.  Actually, the Hobbits were very tired, but they didn't voice their complaints to the others.  Aragorn led them, following the Elf's blood at times, and sometimes other, more noticeable clues.  Arrows from Legolas' quiver had fallen out occasionally as the Makwraiths had fled.  Aragorn smiled to himself as he ran.  The Makwraiths were sneaky when unseen, but careless when running.

            Finally, Pippin was too tired to go on. "Aragorn, I can't go any longer tonight." the Hobbit cried.

            Aragorn slowed and turned.  A look of annoyance slowly disappeared as he saw how tired the Hobbits were. "Very well.  You four can rest here.  The rest of us will continue today and meet you later on."

            "No, Aragorn.  We will all stop now.  Even you are only a man, and even a Ranger must rest." Gandalf broke in. "We did not sleep last night, and though the sun burns brightly in the sky, my eyes urge me to lie down and close them."

            "We will travel again in a few hours, until night." Aragorn conceded.

            Gimli blinked sleepily, leaning against his axe handle. "The Makwraiths travel by night.  They may return."

            "That is a good point.  We must be ready for them." Frodo said. "Maybe we will have the chance to follow them."

            "Did you not see how swiftly they traveled?  We would not be able to run that fast without the speed of five horses." Sam laughed shortly.

            "Exactly.  I see what Frodo is thinking.  If we capture a Heilres, we have a chance." Aragorn replied.

            "Later, then.  We must sleep now, but not here.  Go into the woods a little ways.  I will take first watch." Gandalf said, noticing that Merry, Sam and Pippin were nodding off in the middle of the road.

            The Company walked into the shade of the trees, out of sight of anyone passing on the road.  The Hobbits lay down immediately, almost falling to the ground in their haste to sleep.  Gimli and Aragorn joined them, only more slowly.  Gandalf stood, leaning against a tree, thinking about past times.

            A long time ago, there had been nine of them.  But then Boromir had been killed after being corrupted by the ring they had sought to destroy.  After the ring had been destroyed and Saramun had been defeated, they had gone their separate ways.  Somehow, they had found themselves together again, travelling to no apparent place, until now.  Now, another of their number was gone.  And now they had a purpose.

            Somewhat strengthened by the thought of having a goal and having with him people who were driven enough to reach this goal, Gandalf sighed.  He folded his hands into his sleeves, his wizard's staff hidden by the folds of his cloak.

            An hour later, Gandalf woke Aragorn to take the watch.  The two hours of rest passed uneventfully for the Company and soon they were on the road again.  When the sun had passed beneath the mountains and trees and the sky was a wash of pink and orange, deepening shadows pushing the light away, they stopped to rest again.

            Once again, Gandalf took the first watch.  The night came upon Middle-earth and the air grew still.  And once again, the Makwraiths rode through the forest.