The Journey Chapter Two Meeting Friends "Do you hear that?" "Hear what?" Halbarad asked as he sat up from lying on the ground. "Horses approaching." Aragorn stood up and peered across the landscape, "Come, they're elfish mounts." Halbarad jumped up and quickly began securing his pack and horse, as Aragorn did the same. "Aragorn, we're meeting three elves, correct?" Halbarad was finished packing his horse and was watching the group. "Yes, why do ask?" "Because there are four elves in that party." Aragorn turned around from his horse to face the incoming party. By this time the party was close enough that Aragorn could begin to make out details of the riders. "I believe that is Glorfindol. In fact, I know it's him." "I wasn't aware that he was coming with us." "Neither was I." But before he could say anything more he was being hailed. "Hail, Aragorn son of Arathorn, lord of the annoying little brothers!" "Greetings, my dear overbearing brothers." "Aragorn!" Elrohir threw himself at his adopted brother, knocking him to the ground. "Elrohir, get off. Alright, you asked for it." And next thing Elrohir knew, he was lying in puddle of mud with his cloak pulled up over his head. After disposing of his brother, Aragorn approached the others three new arrivals, all of whom were still on their horses. "Father, seems to trust us to get into trouble, Aragorn, so he sent Glorfindol here to keep an eye on us." Elladan answered the obvious unspoken question. "Oh, oh come, Glorfindol, don't look so glum, you've been saying how wanted a real adventure for fifty years now." Aragorn addressed his old mentor. "Baby-sitting was not what I had in mind." "Don't worry about him, Estel, he's been like that for two days, since we first left Imaldris." Luinel answered cheekily. "Luinel, it's good to see you again, you weren't home last time I was there, off to Mirkwood I heard." Aragorn turned his attention to the lady. "Yes, we seem to miss each other any more now. But, anyway, are you ready to go? We still have a long ways to travel over the next week." "Halbarad, are you ready? Good, let's go." Aragorn swung on to his horse, grabbed the reins of Elrohir's horse and took off. The rest of the riders quickly reined in their horses and followed after Aragorn. "Hey, wait a second, come on, get back here. That's nor funny!" Elrohir yelled as he took off running after everyone else. ********************** "We should be thinking about making camp for the night." Elladan shouted out so that everyone could hear him. "There is a small river just a few minutes farther ahead, we can camp on the bank." Luinel supplied. "Very well. Stop at the river?" They continued to ride in silence for the remaining few moments before arriving at the aforementioned river. Once they arrived, Glorfindol immediately began to take charge. "Luinel, you and Halbarad, go collect wood for a fire. Elladan and Aragorn will scavenge for food. I'll take care of the horses." "Yes sir." Four voices chimed. Everyone soon dispersed all over to their assigned jobs. By the time everyone had returned, Glorfindol had the horses unpacked and the bedrolls had already been spread out on the ground. It didn't take but a moment to get a fire started and Aragorn to decide to cook for his elven companions. After dinner, they swapped stories for awhile before deciding on the watch rotation and retiring for the night. "Someone approaches." It was a little past midnight when Halbarad raised the alarm as everyone quickly sat up Elrohir walked into the light. "It's okay, it's just me, you all really need to relax!" Elrohir flippantly remarked. "Hey, Elrohir, what took you so long, we've been here for hours." Elladan asked innocently. "Yeah, like you don't know why." " Would you care for some lembas?" Luinel asked, tossing a leaf-wrapped package towards the late-arrival. "Sure, thanks." "If you children are quite finished, I suggest you continue resting, we ride hard in the morning." Glorfindol sounded quite put out as he pulled his cloak over his head. What he didn't see was the rest of the party glance at him and then at each other, not did he see the evil glint in everyone's eyes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~