Okay--NEXT CHAPTER, folks!! Thanks to my reviewers, you keep me going…..

Chapter 22

The four of them once again said their goodbyes and reclaimed the horses and the pony from the stable and left. This time they were not stopped for any reason and soon Gondor was out of sight.

"It's been a long time since I've had a chance to simply wander," Aragorn sighed. "I've missed it."

Jaisia pulled off her shirt and put it away. "It's hard to be a leader of any sort. I know that because of my father," she said.

"So where are we going after we see Gimli?" Aragorn asked.

"I'm not really sure. The Centaurs now have allies which was the idea," Legolas said.

"We want to see more of the world, we didn't explore Gondor," Jaisia pouted. "I don't want to go home for awhile."

"Yes, we need to learn lots of things to share with our tribe," Kai agreed.

"I see no harm in a little wandering, what do you think, Legolas?" Aragorn asked.

"I agree. It would do all of us good," Legolas said.

"Thanks, sweet cheeks," Jaisia said happily.

Legolas sighed. "Can't you think of a different nickname?" he asked.

"No--I think it's cute and I like how you react to it," Jaisia said and giggled.

They laughed and joked as they traveled. At midday they stopped by a small pond for lunch. They were well-supplied thanks to Arwen.

"I'll tend the horses," Legolas said.

Aragorn gathered up the water skins. "I'll refill these," he said. He knelt by the water's edge with his back to them.

Jaisia walked over and stood with her back to Aragorn and winked at Legolas. Using her left rear hoof, she gave Aragorn a push. She didn't do it to hard, but it was enough.

Aragorn tried to keep his balance futilely. He fell into the pond face first with a splash. He rolled over and sat up fast. "Damn! What the hell?!" he yelled.

The other three were laughing to hard to say anything. "You should see your face!!" Legolas finally gasped between snickers. "Absolutely priceless!"

Aragorn scowled and waded out of the water. "Watch it, sweet cheeks or you're going in next," he growled.

Legolas just laughed harder. "I'll keep that in mind, but you'd have to catch me first and we both know I can outrun you!" he said.

"You look so funny!!" Jaisia giggled.

Aragorn tried to hold his glare, but finally ended up laughing with them. "I can see I'll have to watch my back around you, Jaisia," he said.

"My sister is a mischievous one, you would be wise to watch her. Legolas has learned that as well," Kai said.

They had a cold lunch with bread, cheese, dried meat and dried fruit. Afterwards they cleaned up and got ready to go. Suddenly Legolas froze and looked to the west. "Riders are coming this way!" he warned.

Heh--Jaisia has a new victim…Whose coming? Are they friend or foe? You'll see!! R/R!!!