**A/N: It's been quite a while since I last added to this story eh? It's the fault of all the school crap I have to do. But now I have long weekend, and what better way to spend it then write some more. I am so pathetic.**

Stepping out on to the uneven road, Legolas caught sight of Raneth rounding a corner up ahead. He quickly caught up to her side, looking back to make sure that no one was watching them.

"What was that all about?" he asked, " Do you work for that man?"

"It is not your business to ask such questions, and no, I do not work for anyone but myself," she said coldly, "Why is it you are so insistent on asking me all sorts of questions?"

"After I saw you murder that man- " he started, before being cut off by Raneth who stopped her horse to look straight at Legolas.

"You should not meddle in the dealings of others. I never gave any indication of inviting you to come with me. In fact if I remember correctly, there were many occasions I hinted for you to leave and yet you still follow. Why is that?"

"Even I do not know my own answer to your question. Though perhaps it is because of my curiosity that I come with you," Legolas answered unsurely. Raneth stared unmoving at him for a moment before answering.

"You might yet prove to be useful if you stay, though if you should hinder me at all…." she said, stopping in mid sentence before continuing along the road as she had done before.

Silence came between them for the next while as they proceeded along the lonely road, each in their own thoughts. At last Raneth came to a stop by a nameless inn on the side of the road. She pulled her hood over her head to cover her face, instructing Legolas to do so as well. Leaving their horses outside, the two entered the inn through a heavy wooden door and stepped into the lighted tavern. Once inside, the innkeeper made his way to them and asked what he could do.

"Can you tell me in which room I can find one of your guests? He goes by the name of Daethor," she asked the short, bearded man.

"Ah yes, he is staying in the second room to the right, just up the stairs," he said, "though right now he is sitting over there with some other men if you wish to speak with him now." The innkeeper indicated to a group of about a dozen men drinking at a table at the other side of the room.

"He seems to be quite preoccupied at the moment, perhaps I will meet with him later on. Do not worry about telling him of my arrival, I do not wish to disturb him." Raneth told the innkeeper. He nodded then turned his attention to some rowdy men in the corner who were calling for more ale.

"I am going up to Daethor's room, there may be something he has that I am looking for. I am sure you can be of some aid and help me find it," Raneth said to Legolas while going up the stairs. They reached the door of the room and entered through the unlocked door. It was a small poorly lighted room with a wooden desk along one wall and a bed tucked in the corner. Various papers were scattered all over the bed and desk, and some strewn carelessly on the floor.

"What is it you wish to find?" Legolas asked her, his eyes gazing over the mess of papers.

"It is map of the northern region of Mirkwood. It shows in detail the lands of the Woodland elves I believe." she said, rummaging through the piles of paper on the desk. "There should also be some writing on the other side of it."

Legolas had only a moment to think of why she was searching for map of his father's kingdom before he heard the heavy footsteps of several men coming up the stairs.

"Here it is," breathed Raneth with a sigh of relief as she picked up a scribbled map from the desk. The footsteps stopped outside the room they were in, and voices could be heard from the other side of the door.

"Quick, under the bed," she said, grabbing Legolas's wrist then darting under the bed pulling him down with her.

The area under the bed was dusty and there was little space between the two though their positions allowed them both to look out on to the floor of the room. Less than a second later the door opened and seven men walked in holding candles that lighted the room and discussing the price of something amongst each other. Six of them were dark skinned men who seemed to be Easterlings. The other man who seemed to be a local of Rohan was looking through the papers on the desk.

"You are sure this map is accurate? Our masters plan depends greatly on this," said one of the dark skinned men threateningly. "Our payment for it is more than generous. You had better been telling the truth about this map you have for us."

"Yes, yes. I received it from a reliable source. Unless the king has suddenly changed his methods, this precisely shows his borders' weak areas," replied the lighter skinned man who was frantically shuffling through the papers on the desk. He continued searching there for a few moments before moving on to rummaging through the papers on the bed while muttering nervously to himself. The other six men were obviously becoming inpatient and suspicious of the other man.

"Well? Where is it? We do not have all night to wait," said one of the other dark skinned men, anger evident in his voice.

"I cannot seem to find it, perhaps I misplaced it. It is here somewhere…"replied the fair skinned man who was now desperately shuffling through the papers all over the room. He went on looking for a few more minutes before the same dark skinned man spoke again.

"You are taking far too long for this, it would be faster if my men did this themselves," he said, grabbing the desperate man and pushing him against the wall. With that, he drew out a long gleaming sword and stabbed his snivelling captive twice through the chest.

"Whatever your other plans to double cross us were, they are sure to not happen now, Daethor," laughed his killer. Letting go of the dead man he ordered the others to search the rest of the room for the map.

From under the bed, Raneth tightly clutched the map as she and Legolas tried moving closer to the corner of the wall to avoid being seen.  From where they were, they could still somewhat see the men searching the room, scattering papers everywhere in the process. As they watched, they saw feet of someone walking towards and stopping at the bed. The man above them looked through the papers on top before starting to stoop down to look under the bed. Thinking quickly, Legolas pulled his dark cloak over Raneth and himself. There would be very little chance of escaping if they were found, for the six men there were armed with deadly blades and Raneth's and Legolas's position left them with very little mobility to defend themselves. The two elves held their breath and froze, hoping that the darkness would conceal them.

**A/N: Well you know how it goes folks, read and review! Good or bad, I like to hear your opinions……Please.**