Yay! Chapter two. I hope this meets everyone's standards and I hope to get a bit on the orc-hunt out as soon as I can manage! Thanks to all you lovely reviewers out there!! Please keeping on reading and reviewing!
-A
Reunions
Quiet footfalls met the soft grass and leaves that covered the scarcely visible path the Rangers followed. The two Elves ducked and leapt over fallen branches and under low saplings. Twin smiles of exhilaration were set on their young-looking faces, they were running because they could, for the thrill of the wind against their faces.
Elladan glanced over his shoulder, smiling to see his foster brother, Aragorn, just a few paces behind him. Though the Man had some Elven blood in him, he could still not hope to beat the twins. They had reached Chetwood with no incident and they weren't expecting any 'til they reached Fornost.
Elrohir and Elladan both came to a swift halt, allowing Aragorn to catch up as they listened. The Ranger listened as well and they all exchanged a look before dashing off the path and hiding amongst the brush. All three had drawn bows, ready to reach for their quivers - just in case.
The riders approached easily, nearly all of them looked similar - lean, dark, and weather beaten. DĂșnadain riders. As one the three stood up carefully, smiles of recognition on their faces. Aragorn stepped out in front of the riders. "It's taken you long enough to find your way north, my friends."
"And it seems you've all grown deaf and blind; hardly even seeing a fellow DĂșnadan as well as two Elves ready to ambush.. tsk tsk." Elrohir smirked, clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth in a clucking sound. The lead rider jumped down and embraced Aragorn.
"Eymen! We'd nearly started to worry you'd been delayed." Aragorn embraced the other man whose hood had been thrown back to reveal a head of chestnut hair. The two Elves stood by, watching the reunion and awaiting their turn.
"Aye, a small band of trolls that we simply wanted to get around, not through. But here we are." Eymen smiled and returned the brotherly embrace, then caught sight of the twin Elves. "Elladan? Elrohir? By Elbereth I cannot tell whom is whom!"
The brothers exchanged a look and smirked.
"We shall hold our manners, Eymen, and toy only after we've slain the foul beasts we hunt. Elrohir would have it that we confuse you, but I say wait 'til the calm has come. It is good to see you again." Elladan stepped forward and was rather surprised to be caught in a bear-like hug.
"Perhaps we should simply carve your names into your foreheads." The Man grinned and then greeted the younger twin the same way.
"You'd have to catch us first, dear Eymen.' Elrohir grinned, then looked up at the rest of the riders. "We should be on our way."
'That we should. Druain!" Another Man rode forward, leading three horses. A deep coloured brown was the only one with saddle - the one for Aragorn, which he mounted gladly.
"I thank you Eymen for a break in our running!"
Elrohir laughed. "Aragorn! Surely your endurance improved since our last meeting?"
"Nay, it seems it hasn't, dear brother. We've worn our foster brother thin with our strong pace. Alas! I fear we will now use the fine beasts presented to us." Elladan grinned and mounted one of the two gray horses, his brother soon followed on the other.
"It is good to have you back with us, we will have great need of your light spirits." Eymen shook his head with a grin, then nodded that they continued onward. With smiles upon their faces, the twin lords of Imladris charged their mounts forward, the rest of the company thundering behind them on their way north.
