DISCLAIMER: OTHER THAN LORIEN, I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS IN THIS STORY, THEY ALL BELONG TO THE FANTASTICALLY TALENTED J.R.R. TOLKIEN AND I HAVE MERELY BORROWED THEM FOR THE SAKE OF A STORY. I, MYSELF, COULD NOT COME UP WITH A STORY SUCH AS LORD OF THE RINGS OR CREATE ANY OF THE CHARACTERS WITHIN THESE STORIES, SO I DO NOT PRETEND TO OWN ANY OF THEM. I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE STORY AND AGAIN, ONLY LORIEN IS MY CHARACTER.

Aragorn finished dressing Lorien's wound then he, Legolas, Lorien and Gimli all went to the riverside and set Boromir in one of the boats. As they pushed it off, they stood quietly, each saying their own prayer for Boromir. Legolas silently comforted Lorien as they said goodbye before Aragorn recalled their attention.

'Only carry what you can. We need to be swift on our feet and heavy packs will only delay us. Let us move on quickly.'

The remainder of the company followed Aragorn through the woods on to open plains. He, Legolas and Lorien moved quickly and swiftly, however Gimli was finding it more difficult due to his size and much shorter legs. Soon the sun was beginning to set and Aragorn halted.

'Why are we stopping?' Lorien asked, shocked by the sudden end to the days run.

'We must rest. None of us can go on. The orcs too will rest so we will not be too far behind them.'

'But if we continue, we shall catch up with them and we can save the little ones!'

'You know you cannot go on tonight Lorien. Your wound has tired you and it needs dressing again. We must rest and eat whilst we still have a chance and I shall tend to your wound.'

'Nay, I shall tend to my lady's wound!'

'Very well Legolas, I was not trying to push you away. Tend to your lady and make sure that she is well covered tonight. As the wound heals, Lorien shall feel the cold more and it is here in the darkness where the most danger lies. Gimli, you and I shall search for a little wood to start a small fire whilst Legolas tends to Lorien.'

'You mean we shall hunt for wood so as to leave the love birds alone.'

'Come Gimli, if we are to have a fire, it must be small and we must use it with great haste!' Aragorn and Gimli headed off into the distance and Legolas slowly untied the cloth that had been used to dress Lorien's wound. Lorien flinched slightly as the dressing was removed.

'I am sorry if I am causing you any pain.'

'It is not your fault my dear Legolas. The pain I feel runs deeper than the wound on my arm.'

'What is troubling you my fair Lorien?'

'What fate should come to those two poor hobbits. I wanted to save them Legolas, but I was unable to. Then Boromir was killed and he was like a brother to me.'

'Yes, but now you have me. We shall find the two hobbits and we shall save them!'

'But what should happen if we cannot save them?'

'Then we must go on and fight this war against Sauron. You know that is our destiny and it is the only way that we shall help the quest succeed.'

'Yes, but those two hobbits are close friends of the ring bearer are they not? If Frodo succeeds, then I am sure he will want to see his friends again!'

'And he will, but do not trouble yourself with that now. Let us be quiet and enjoy the time we have alone together.'

'I'm sorry Legolas, I don't mean to be so mournful.'

'It does not bother me, you have suffered a great loss, we all have. First we lost Gandalf, then Boromir, you witnessed the fellowship breaking before your eyes and there was nothing you could do.'

'You forgot the hobbits. I fear for Frodo and Sam, but I fear for Merry and Pippin more. What could the orcs want with two small hobbits?'

'That I do not know, but we shall save them. Now, can I hold you?'

'Legolas, you are a soft and loyal and gentle being, there is no will I have that would stop me allowing you to hold me.' Lorien replied with a slight laugh. Legolas moved closer and took Lorien into his arms. There they sat quietly for a few moments, enjoying the time they had together in the silent and dangerous world. Legolas softly cupped Lorien's face and kissed her softly. Lorien responded without question or hesitation. Soon the kiss deepened and Lorien slowly lay down on her back as her lover lay on top.

'Lorien, Legolas, we must move now, the orcs are not resting.' Lorien and Legolas looked up at Aragorn who in return looked at them with a sadness in his eyes. Legolas held out his hand and gently pulled Lorien up.

'I am sorry to spoil your time together.'

'It is not for you to worry Aragorn, Legolas and I will have many other times together once the enemy has been defeated. For the time being, those little hobbits lives rest in our hands and I want to be able to save them.'

'You are brave and courageous Lorien and I do not regret your joining us, even if the road ahead could be the last you see.'

'I shall make sure that it is not the last road Lorien sees, even if it is the last road I see.'

'Nay Legolas, death on this mission is not in your destiny. I feel that your destiny is to give hope the elves and make them great again, and Lorien will be by your side. Now we must go!'

  Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas and Lorien set off quickly from their resting pace. Lorien was ahead of the field, eager to save Merry and Pippin from whatever fate the orcs had in store for them. Legolas kept up with her much of the time, never leaving her side or allowing her to go off alone. As they moved on, Lorien looked at her elf and found that she was still amazed by his beauty and courage. His depth of heart also touched her, although many were unfortunate not to see this side of Legolas. Around others he kept himself closed and seemed cold at times. Lorien felt blessed that he had chosen to open up to her and show him what lay beneath the harsh exterior.

  Daybreak soon came and still the remaining four moved on, no weariness seemed to have come about them as they moved. Legolas ran on ahead and looked out over the plains. Lorien caught up with him.

'Do you see anything?'

'No, the orcs have moved fast. Some evil force seems to be driving them at great speed and keeping them from us. Have you not seen anything?'

'I have not had chance to rest and what I have seen is not of Merry and Pippin. I have had strange dreams about Gandalf, but I think they are just dreams, I fear that my mind is still convinced that Gandalf may return yet.'

'But we saw him fall, you saw him with your own eyes. Gandalf could not have defeated the Balrog and got out of Moria alive, it is impossible.'

'Nay Legolas, for us it may be impossible, but Gandalf was a wizard and a great one at that. Only time will show us if I am just dreaming.' Lorien turned to face Aragorn as he approached. He and Legolas spoke for a second before Aragorn put an ear to the ground.

'The ground trembles under their evil feet. They are moving fast, we must continue with as much haste as we can. Come Gimli!'

 The company continued their hunt of the orcs and had crossed many leagues before Aragorn stopped and stooped down to the ground.

'The leaves of Lothlorien do not fall idly.' Aragorn spoke sternly as he showed the others on of the broaches from the cloaks that Galadriel had given them.

'Then they are still alive!' Lorien said with hope.

'Although I am not certain, my mind tells me that they are. We are catching the orcs and should be on them by nightfall. Do not worry Lorien, the hobbits are cleverer than you think and they are survivors, they should be alive, for the moment at least.'

  They continued their journey late into the night and still carried on, stopping only briefly to eat a little of the way bread that the elves had also provided them with. Soon the sun was rising again and Lorien and Legolas stopped as it rose slowly in the east.

'A red sun rises, blood has been spilt this night.'

'I am now afraid for those two poor hobbits. I pray that we are not too late.'

'We must move quicker now and keep hope in your heart Lorien.' Aragorn's words were neither comforting nor cold. Lorien followed Legolas and Aragorn quickly, looking behind her every now and then to check on Gimli. Soon they came to a hill and Lorien stopped dead, Gimli running into her.

'What is wrong Lorien?' He asked as he pushed himself back up and brushed himself off.

'Can you not feel it? The earth shakes beneath us. What evil is coming towards us now?'

'Quick, hide behind that rock!' Aragorn shouted. The four travellers reached it just as the first horseman rode over and down the hill. Many more followed him. As the last went over the hill, Aragorn stepped out and the others followed him.

'Riders of Rohan! What news do you have?' The leader turned round and galloped towards the company. His companions followed and soon stern faced horsemen surrounded the company. Their leader dropped down from his horse and approached Aragorn.

'Who trespasses on the land of Rohan? Give me your names!'

'I am Aragorn, with me travel Legolas, Gimli and Lorien.'

'Well, Lady Lorien, princess of Gondor! Tell me, what are you doing travelling in days of such turmoil? And tell me why it is that I should not kill you all? You know what the price of trespassing is!'

'If you touch my fair lady, I shall kill you.' Legolas pulled back and arrow in his bow, preparing to fire.

'Legolas, be calm. Eomer, nephew of the great king of Rohan, we are seeking two friends of ours, two small hobbits. They were taken by a company of orcs.' Lorien watched as Eomer's face fell.

'We ambushed and killed a company of orcs last night.'

'Did you not see two halflings with them? The size of children they would be to you.'

'We did not see any and we left none alive. I am sorry Lorien.'

'But, how? They were not orcs, they were innocent!'

'We burnt the bodies of the orcs just beyond the hill. I feel that you have a greater task than just this and I shall leave you be. Take these three horses. Two had owners who fell last night, the other we found roaming these lands yestermorn.' Lorien watched as the horses were brought forward and joy filled her heart.

'Shadow!' Lorien walked towards the black horse and he responded to her voice, giving a soft grunt.

'He is familiar to you?'

'He is my horse! I left him in Lothlorien, but he has found his way to me.'

'Horses are loyal Lorien. He would not bear any of us and would let no one put on a saddle. He only let us place reins on him.'

'I have always ridden him bare back, I had no use for a saddle and he will bear no other than myself, unless I give him or her permission.' Lorien watched as Shadow bent down and she mounted him. Legolas and Gimli mounted a white horse, whilst Aragorn had been given a bay horse.

'May you find those who you are looking for.' Eomer and his men set off towards the golden city whilst the company headed towards the boards of Rohan. They rode swiftly and soon came upon the site where the orcs had been burnt. Lorien dropped down from Shadow before he stopped and ran over to the ashes that still smouldered in the new sun. Tears fell down her cheeks as she bent down and picked up a broken belt that had been worn by Merry. Legolas moved swiftly to her side and comforted her.

'We have failed them Legolas! We stopped to often and now their bodies lie with these servants of Saruman.' Legolas said nothing and held Lorien as she cried.

'Do not despair yet Lorien, for I feel these hobbits are still alive.'

'Lorien pulled her head back from Legolas and looked at Aragorn.

'But how?' Aragorn described the tracks he saw on the ground and the others followed him as he moved. Suddenly he stopped and the company looked up at the forest before them.

'They ran into Fangorn forest.'

'What despair made them run into such a forest?' Gimli gasped, horror evident in his voice. Lorien walked ahead and entered the forest. As the company walked, she could here the trees moaning, as if they were talking to each other.

'This forest is old. The trees talk to one another.' Legolas said with the softest of voices.

'These trees are angry, they have withstood many attacks and wars. The air in here is stifling, yet I find the forest beautiful.' Lorien replied.

'The forest is evil and I shall not be caught unaware.' Gimli said as he raised his axe.

'Gimli, lower your axe!' Aragorn calmly gave his order, but made it sound more like advice than an order. Lorien stopped and listened quietly.

'What do you hear Lorien?' Aragorn asked.

'Someone else wanders through these woods. Someone of great power.'

'The white wizard!' Legolas replied.

'Saruman walks through these woods!' Gimli raised his axe again and suddenly Lorien pulled out her sword. Legolas saw the change in Lorien and reached for an arrow whilst Aragorn also wielded his sword. They turned but the power before them disarmed them quickly and they stood, powerless, waiting for the wizard to reveal himself. At first he was clad in grey and looked like an elderly man. Then, as he threw off his cloak, a bright, white light shone from his staff and the company shielded their eyes. At last the light subsided and the company looked upon the wizard's face. At first they were scared, then Lorien gave a joyous cry.

'Gandalf?'

'No, it cannot be!' Aragorn exclaimed.

'Yes, that is what they use to call me!'

'But how?' Legolas asked, hope had begun to fill his heart.

'It has been a treacherous journey.' Gandalf began to tell them of his battle with the Balrog and how he had been brought back to life for the sake of the quest. The company listened intently and as Gandalf finished, Lorien ran forward and hugged the old wizard. Gandalf laughed softly.

'Do not worry my child, there is hope yet. You wish to know about Merry and Pippin? They are safe, they met someone they didn't count on. As for me, I too am back and I am glad to see that the company have realised your value as a fighter and as a member of the company, for I knew that you would come to play a part. Now we must go and see King Theoden, King of the Mark and of Rohan. Merry and Pippin are safe, but our quest now lies elsewhere. The one eye is ever moving and Sauron has set his sights on Rohan.' The company followed Gandalf to the edge of the woods and Shadow came trotting up to Lorien.

'You have a loyal steed there Lorien.' Gandalf said before he whistled a soft tune into the wind. A sound of hooves could be heard and the company looked to see a great white stallion approaching them at some speed. Lorien marvelled at the beauty of the horse that approached them.

'That is Shadowfax. He is a great steed and has been my friend through many terrible times.' The company, now reunited with Gandalf mounted their horses and began to ride at a great pace.