"My lord," Seobryn said to Aragorn. "The army is turning."

Aragorn stood. "What?"

"The Trolls and Ums, they are turning. North, towards Mirkwood."

Aragorn's eyes widened. Mirkwood was where Arwen was! But… how would the army know that she left Gondor? Unless they had spies, there was no way they could have found out.

"Any word of Legolas and Arwen?" he asked. Seobryn shook his head.

"No, my lord. But I am sure they made it."

"Yes, they must have. Or the army would have no reason to go to Mirkwood." Aragorn sighed. "I can't stay here while they are advancing. I must also go to Mirkwood and warn Legolas. But I have no son to rule in my stead, and Eriador and Rhun armies are already on the way to aid us. I don't know what to do…" He sighed. "It's a week's voyage. If they left Mirkwood, then I would have no way of knowing."

"When the armies get here, we may send them back if you wish," Seobryn suggested.

"No, it would all have been in vain. It is a long journey for them. We cannot ask that of them."

"What would you have me do, then, my lord?"

Aragorn paused to think, then finally sighed. "I would have you rule in my stead, only if you would. I must get to Arwen."

"Me, my lord?"

"You work closest to me, you know what I would do in situations and are probably my most faithful servant. I have no son, so it is up to you, if you would take such a position."

"I would."

Aragorn smiled, but his face still showed his weariness and stress. "My thanks. I shall be back when I can, but I don't know when that will be. Let the armies rest here if they desire to, then turn back when they wish. Send our deepest apologies with them, and tell them that we will make up for it with the children of Isildur if we must."

Seobryn shock showed on his face. "My lord? You have merely two daughters. If you shall give them away, that would leave no one to marry."

"I will have a son before I am dead, mark my words. I will adopt Yrinvan if I must. Goodbye, Seobryn. Do not let our kingdom fail." With that, he exited the room to prepare his horse.

Aragorn rode hard and did not sleep or even stop any of the nights, and he got to Mirkwood late evening on the 4th day. He could barely keep his eyes open as he walked into the castle, escorted by Elral, a personal attendant of the Legolas and Gwilith. He was able to find them in the throne room.

"My Lord and Lady," Elral began, bowing. "Lord Aragorn of Gondor."

Legolas stood. "Aragorn," he said. "What is this surprise?"

"I think they sense her," Aragorn replied, skipping the pleasantries entirely. He did not even bother to address Legolas or Gwilith. "The Trolls and Ums. They know she is here."

"How do you know this?"

"They were near Gondor when they suddenly turned towards here. I do not know how they know where she is, but they do. I fear we will not be able to outrun their army yet a third time."

"You saw the army?"

Aragorn nodded. "They will be here by dawn."

Gwilith's face showed her worry. "We must get Arwen out of Mirkwood at once."

"It is too late," Aragorn replied, shaking his head. "They did not realize she had left Gondor until 6 days after she left. If it will take them that long, then they will not know she is gone from here until they arrive."

"Then what are we to do?"

Aragorn looked to Legolas. "What are we to do?" he asked him.

Legolas thought. He wondered if they should hide Arwen in a remote place, but the army would surely find her sooner or later and most likely kill her. But he, like Gondor, also did not have the army to fight them.

"I do not know," he admitted. "The forest may slow them down a bit and give us more time."

"More time for what?" Gwilith asked.

"I wish I knew," he replied. "But whatever it is, we will have more time to do it. We-"

It was then that Ohtar entered the room. He took note of everyone's worried face and asked, "What is it? Are we in danger?"

"We will be fine, son," Legolas replied. "What is it you need?"

"What is going on?" Ohtar persisted.

"Ohtar," Gwilith said. "What do you need?"

"Tell me," he insisted. "I may help a bit."

Legolas showed a faint smile. He doubted that Ohtar would be able to help, but he told him anyway. "There is an army coming near that we do not have the strength to fight. They are after the human, Arwen."

"And you are thinking of bringing her somewhere else?" he asked.

"It has been addressed, but we are not sure if it would work."

"No, it certainly wouldn't. Nónd tells me that I cannot run from my foes. We may fight them, or outsmart them. Never run."

Legolas paused. Outsmart them… that would work, if only he had a plan. For Trolls were never smart, they would be easily fooled. If only he knew how to fool them…

"Thank you, I will keep that in mind."

Ohtar smiled. "I am glad to help. Goodnight father, mother."

"Goodnight," they both answered in turn. Then Ohtar left.

"We may outsmart them," Legolas said. "Tell me, Aragorn, how smart are the Ums?"

"I don't know, why?"

"They will be easily defeated, we need only a plan."