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Chapter Nine- Down the Anduin

Fog lay thick on the land. A chill was in the air. The only sound was the sound of horse's hooves. A lone rider, clad in black and mounted on a black horse, was carefully making their way through the northern reaches of Middle Earth. There had been rumours that enemies of the Dark Lord were gathering in the region, hoping to gather enough people to make a stand against him. So, his assassin had been dispatched to discover the truth, and eliminate anyone who would stand and fight.

Aragorn called for Aica and Legolas and the two elves hurried to join their companions at the boats. Frodo, Sam and Aragorn had taken to one, Boromir, Merry and Pippin took to the second, leaving the third to the two elves and Gimli, who, despite a newfound friendship with Legolas, was grumbling about having to travel with the 'pointy-ears'.
The comment amused Aica. She was well aware of the animosity between the two peoples, but she had noticed that Legolas and Gimli had a great deal of respect for each other and there was no doubt in her mind that by the time their quest was done they'd be the best of friends.

And so began their journey down the Anduin. The wind ruffled their hair as they rowed down the river, caught up in the current. On the river they felt safer than they would if they were travelling by land. By river they had a chance of outrunning their enemy. They expected to spend ten days on the river, on the tenth they should reach the Falls of Rauros, once there they would camp on the western shore until nightfall, before crossing the river and continuing their journey on foot.
As dusk was approaching on the first day Aragorn led the trio of boats into a sheltered cove, protected from any land pursuit by a thick cluster of bushes and brambles.
Sam set about making dinner for them, although Aragorn made sure to tell him to extinguish the fire before night had completely fallen.
They ate in silence, Boromir seemed almost sullen, sitting slightly apart from the rest of the Fellowship. The only sound was the noise of their chewing and the rushing river. After the meal was over and everything packed away, ready for the continuation of the journey, the Fellowship settled down for the night. Legolas and Aica stayed where they were, to take the night watch.

The sky was clouded that night, no stars nor sliver of moon shone through. Aica unstrapped her weapons, laying her newly acquired blades across her lap. She also drew her smaller blade from its hidden sheath. There was no doubt that they'd been forged by the same smith. Clearly, they connected Aica to her hidden past. The blades were inlaid with bronze and the hilts wrapped in red leather.
Her head jerked up as a strange cry reached her ears. It was distant but clear. Legolas rose to his feet and Aragorn sat up from where he'd been sleeping. 'What was that?' He asked worriedly.
Aica got up slowly. 'I'm not sure.' She replied. 'I've never heard anything like it before.'
'Neither have I.' Legolas agreed. 'But I know I don't like it.
'A sound like that can never be good. Did you see anything?' Both elves shook their heads, confirming they'd seen nothing. 'Keep your eyes peeled, but let us hope that whatever it was is far off and not hunting for us.
Legolas and Aica shared a concerned look as Aragorn settled back down to sleep. Neither wanted to voice their fear that the creature was indeed hunting for them and, even worse, was already on their trail.

They spent the rest of the night patrolling the camp, every small noise putting them on edge. In the morning, when they told Aragorn they'd heard and seen nothing more he seemed relieved, but Aica, at least, could tell that he was quietly still worried.
They didn't hang around. As soon as everyone was up they packed up the boats and set off once again. Legolas, Aragorn and Aica remained on edge. They made good progress that day. The river flowed steady and true, carrying them ever downstream.
They stopped once at midday and nothing seemed amiss, there was no sound or sight of pursuit. That stayed the case for the rest of the day's journey.
Legolas and Aica took the watch again that night, Aragorn joined them for a short time, but with no sign of pursuit he went to sleep shortly after the others. Aica felt the night was too still, but Legolas assured her that he could sense nothing amiss.

Their next sign of pursuit was two days later. That had just navigated a set of rapids when an arrow thudded into the boat carrying Boromir, Merry and Pippin. Legolas and Aica immediately drew their bows and scanned the surrounding trees for their assailants. Aica spotted the orcs first and loosed an arrow, Legolas quickly following suit. They swiftly outran the orcs, but Legolas's gaze was drawn skyward. High above their heads a winged creature circled. Legolas drew the bow of the Galadhrim and loosed an arrow. The arrow found its mark and the creature jerked and spiralled towards the ground, disappearing behind the trees. A shriek reached the ears of the two elves, and they shared a worried glance, it was clear to both of them that it was the same creature they'd heard a few nights before.
'What manner of beast was that?' Boromir asked.
'A servant of the enemy. 'Aica replied shortly. 'Pray we do not see another. She and Legolas sat back down. Gimli looked slightly ill at the sudden motion.

The morning of their final day on the river dawned bright and clear. Legolas and Aica were on watch, having taken over from Aragorn and Boromir. Aica was perched on a rock by the river's edge. The sun's first rays filtered through the trees on the opposite bank. Aica closed her eyes as the sun hit her face. Legolas, who was checking the packs, caught sight of Aica as the sun hit her. In his eyes she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Around him the rest of the camp was beginning to stir. Aragorn asked him to get Aica to help him prepare the boats to depart. Legolas watched her for a moment longer, before hopping up onto the rock and crouched down next to her. 'Come, we must prepare to leave.' He offered Aica a hand, which she took, and he helped her up and down from the rock. Together the two began to back up the boats, before they started off again.

As they set off Aica noticed that Boromir seemed extremely agitated and on edge. Tall cliffs towered above them as they rowed towards the falls of Rauros. Around mid-afternoon they rounded a bend in the river. Ahead of them two statues rose high above them on either side of the river: the Argonath. Aica heard Aragorn speak to Frodo. 'Frodo, the Argonath. Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin.'
Between the Argonath the Fellowship paddled. Beyond the statues, across a lake, the Falls of Rauros cascaded down into a deep ravine. The Fellowship turned and headed for the western shore. They disembarked from the boats and began to set up camp. Aica noticed Legolas looking around warily. 'You feel it too?' She asked.
Legolas nodded in response. 'We should not be lingering.'
'We cross the lake at nightfall.' Aragorn was saying. 'Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north.' He'd really stepped up to become the leader of the company since their time in Lothlórien.
'Oh, yes!' Gimli butted in. 'It's just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil. An impassable labyrinth of razor-sharp rocks! And after that, it gets even better! Festering, stinking marshland, far as the eye can see.'
'Are you afraid, Master Dwarf, of a little mud?' Aica teased. There was a pause as the others processed that she had just made a joke. Legolas smiled to himself; it was nice to see her relax a little.
Aragorn had his own response to Gimli's comment. 'That is our road. I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf.'

'We should leave now.' Legolas approached Aragorn as Gimli began to grumble to himself.
'No.' Aragorn replied. 'Orcs patrol the eastern shore, we must wait for the cover of darkness.'
'It is not the eastern shore that worries me.' Legolas continued, his voice low. 'A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Aica feels it too. Something draws near, we can feel it.' Aica stood nearby, adjusting the strap of her quiver nervously, something wasn't right.
'Where's Frodo?' Merry asked suddenly, having just returned from collecting firewood.
Everyone present quickly looked around. Frodo wasn't the only one who was gone. 'Boromir's gone too.' Aica added.
Aragorn relaxed slightly. 'He should be safe then.'
'Why doesn't that comfort me?' Aica muttered to herself, although Legolas heard her.

'Worried?' Legolas joined Aica by the river's edge.
'Boromir's behaviour has me concerned.' Aica admitted, wrapping her arms around herself.
'Let's hope it'll pass.'
Legolas was about to walk away when Aica spoke again. 'You were watching me this morning.'
'I was.' Legolas confirmed. 'I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. You just looked so... peaceful in the sun.'
Aica cocked her head slightly. 'I can't say peaceful is a word that has ever been associated with me.'
'Well, that's how you looked this morning. And it's not necessarily a bad thing.' Legolas replied sincerely. Aica smiled slightly at him as he turned and walked away.

At that moment Boromir came wandering out of the woods, a dazed look on his face. 'Boromir.' Aragorn's voice jerked Boromir out of his stupor. 'Boromir, where is Frodo?'
'He ran off.' Boromir mumbled.
'He ran off? Why? Where?' Aragorn demanded.
Boromir mumbled something unintelligible and shrugged.
'He's gone!' Pippin cried, jumping to his feet. 'Come on Merry, we must find him.'
'No!' Wait!' Aragorn cried, but it was too late. Merry and Pippin took off into the woods. Aragorn turned to Boromir. 'You will follow those hobbits and you will protect them.' He ordered, before turning to the others. 'Sam come with me. The rest of you, spread out, keep your ears open. We have to find him.'
They all quickly gathered their weapons before heading into the woods.