A/N: Revised Chapter

-----------------------------

Chapter 4: If its not one thing, its another

I told my psychiatrist that everyone hates me. He said I was being ridiculous - everyone hasn't met me yet.

-Rodney Dangerfield

Darkness settled over the land of Angmar and brought with it a dismal and cold night. The new moon was quickly approaching and with her growing absence the nights were becoming darker. The wind howling around the base of the Hithaeglir Mountains was loud and frigid as two travelers sad huddle near the bas of the mountain a fire and completely miserable. They had managed to find some relief from the wind at the foot of the mountain, but it still blew inconsiderately.

"Does it not seem as if the weather itself has turned against us? I know it is colder farther north, but just two days ago the weather was quite pleasant. It's like the land itself is against our passage north," grumbled one very uncomfortable and slightly irate ranger.

Legolas was inclined to agree, but said nothing. He could tell Aragorn was irritated at the weather, the situation, at not knowing what was going on, the wind, the land, the mysterious monster, the troll's strange disappearance, and the lack of clues. Oh, yes, and don't forget me, he thought with a mental sigh. Legolas couldn't blame him for being irritated. He was frustrated himself and was in more pain than his pride would admit so sat silently, miserable and cold. Although he had spent the whole night before in unconsciousness he was still tired and this puzzled him. It was true that last night had not been a normal rest, but elves could go for quite sometime without the need for sleep. He was injured yes, and a sharp pain in his side just now reminded him of that, but that still could not explain his weariness. Why am I so tired? He thought with vexation. The only times he could remember of actually getting weary from traveling was the times he had either been poisoned or the time he had almost had his head knocked off by a mace. He winced involuntarily as he remembered how much that had hurt. He still felt sympathy for Aragorn as he remembered how much he had worried his human friend over that little incident. And at how much Aragorn had insisted on tending to him for what seemed like ages until he was thoroughly convinced Legolas was completely healed. He had been convinced that Aragorn was going to hover over him protectively forever. As he looked back at it now, despite how annoyed he had gotten with his friend at the time, the thought of having so good of an annoying friend brought a slight smile to his fair face.

Legolas could tell that Aragorn was probably worried for him right now as he sat quietly huddled by the fire. Legolas wasn't used to being cold and he didn't like it all that well. The only reason he could see for being cold was the simple fact that they were in this place. It must have something to do with the uneasiness constantly in my mind. Whatever the cause he didn't tell Aragorn. He is probably setting there worrying about enough right now as it is. Legolas hadn't known many humans, but he had never found one before with such a great capacity to worry. He supposed it was because Aragorn had compassion for other beings and that was why the elf liked him so. That kind of empathy was generally rare in humans. Yes, he thought, should the time ever arise, Aragorn will make a noble king someday.

As Legolas sat there, his tired mind kept drifting from thought to thought and he paid little attention to Aragorn's grumbling, which in turn caused Aragorn to become annoyed with his friend.

Aragorn stopped his verbal grumbling when he noticed that Legolas was paying him no heed. He admitted to himself that he wasn't really angry with Legolas. He was just worrying about their situation and his friend and his frustrations came out in the form of grumbling. He was sure that Legolas knew this and that was why he wasn't saying anything. But as Aragorn looked at him over the fire he wasn't so sure. Legolas eyes seemed distant which suggested he was thinking about something far away. Aragorn could also tell that his friend was still in pain and he wished he could do something more about it. The tea he had made earlier, while it dulled the throbbing in his own head, didn't seem to be doing much for the elf. Besides increasing the amount of herbs, which he knew the elf would refuse; Aragorn didn't know what else to do. He also noticed that Legolas was sitting closer to the fire than he usually did. That could just be my overprotective imagination, he thought, but it worried him all the same. What was disturbing him the most was how tired his friend looked. Aragorn was unaccustomed to seeing elves tired except when injured or poisoned. Legolas had looked tired and miserable all day, but to his credit he did not complain.

Aragorn was again questioning his decision about whether to continue this journey or not. It was not that he was afraid to enter Angmar. It had been many centuries since the Witch-King was driven out and although dark things undoubtedly still dwelled there they could hardly be as bad he was.

Looking back on this adventure later in life, Aragorn would come to realize just how wrong he was.

They sat there in companionable silence for awhile until the healer in Aragorn could no longer take it.

"Legolas, do you feel well?"

Legolas looked up at Aragorn with questioning eyes. Surely he did not look as bad as he felt. But the concern in his friend's eyes told him differently.

"Why do you ask, Aragorn?"

"You do not look well, mellon nin."

As soon as Aragorn said it he knew it was the wrong thing to say. He saw the look in Legolas' eyes go from confusion to defiance.

"I am fine, Aragorn. I think it is time we retired for the night. I will take the first watch."

Aragorn knew it was of no use to argue with Legolas when he was like this, so with a resigned sigh he prepared himself to try and get some sleep in this windy and cold place.

"Very well my friend, until later."

And with that Aragorn rolled up in his bedroll. He was perplexed at how Legolas was so different from his father most of the time, but at times could be just as stubborn as Thranduil.

"Quel kaima, Aragorn."

Legolas knew it was pride that had made him snap at his friend and he was full of remorse as soon as he said it. He contemplated apologizing to Aragorn, but the ranger had already settled down and he did not know if he could have done it anyway. Legolas was tired and all he wanted to do was lie down, but he had told Aragorn he would take the first watch. Now the rational part of his mind was wondering why he had said it. Because, you dolt, you anger too quickly. With a sigh, Legolas resigned himself to the task, leaned his back against a rock, and let his mind take in all of the sounds around him.

The wind eventually died down to a light breeze that made things a little more bearable. Legolas could also hear much better without the wind blowing so assertively. He could now hear the ranger's steady breathing that signaled he had finally gone to sleep. Which, if I had kept my mouth shut, is what I would be doing, he thought dryly. Still, Legolas was glad for the abatement of the wind. For an elf who relied heavily on the senses of sight and hearing, which the dark hindered even his keen sight, he was comforted to be able to hear better. Since he could not see well anyway Legolas leaned his heavy head back against the rock and closed his eyes. He was far from being oblivious to his surroundings, though, for his sharp elven ears absorbed every sound around him.

Someone else close by was also having a miserable night. Although hardly affected by the wind and the cold Nadina was thoroughly bored. How two beings could just sit there and stare at nothing and talk about nothing for so long was beyond her. She couldn't report anything to her master if those two were going to just sit there and stare. She was becoming impatient Nadina was convinced that who ever had said that 'patience is a virtue' was probably hung for being a liar. She had moved closer to the rock the elf was leaning on so she could hear over the wind better, which annoying blocked her view of the pretty male, because she couldn't see anything from behind this rock. In life Nadina had hardly possessed the patience needed for spying and this was still true. Drawn out intrigues and manipulations were her lords favorite pastimes and not hers. In life she had relied on her looks and illusions to get what she desired. Which if it had been from a man she would always get what she wanted and she missed her ability to deceive and control them. Being this close to a handsome male Nadina desperately wished she had a corporeal body again and for the second time that day cursed her sister. This form, which survived only through her master's will gave her an ability to deal out pain and death she would have never have dreamed of in life, but at the same time took away most of the power she had once possessed. Nadina had once been a creature of the physical realm, lustful and strong, infatuating to some, and feared by most. Maybe not provocative anymore, she thought, but definitely still feared. The fates are cruel... to be beholden to a man. Well, sort of a man…

The wind finally died down, but it was of little comfort to Nadina, for the human was now slumbering and the elf was stoically keeping guard. Normally, anything lurking six feet from an elf on guard would undoubtedly be heard when it made the slightest of movements. But not having a physical form and not really moving was turning out to be quite advantageous right now. Nadina was entertaining herself now by thinking of ways, were she allowed, of how to talk to this elf that had so caught her interest. It was really just a pastime for she knew her master would find out, unless...

Something far off caught her ear, if she had one, and brought all of her senses back to the present situation. She focused and listened intently, but she didn't need to for just then she could feel them off in the distance. She risked silently coming around her rock to peer at the elf. He sat there apparently at rest with his eyes closed, but she could tell he was still fully aware of his surroundings. He must not have heard them yet, she surmised and she was torn about what to do. She was not to interfere, but if she didn't these two travelers would have quite a fight on their hands shortly and if they died she could find out nothing. If she did intervene, though, she risked further displeasure from her master and her very existence depended on him. Well, I can at least go see how many they're up against, she thought. And with that she shot off towards the south with great speed.

Legolas felt like he had been setting there for hours, which he had, and he was growing so tired he felt like swallowing his pride and waking Aragorn. The only thing keeping him awake was his stubborn will and the fact that along with feeling uneasy he now also felt like he was being watched. Now you are becoming paranoid as well, he scolded himself. Every once in a while he opened his eyes to scan the area and saw absolutely nothing. He could also hear absolutely nothing abnormal, but still the feeling lingered. Legolas was beginning to think that his mind was becoming tired and playing tricks on his senses. It is well past midnight and time to wake Aragorn, he thought. He was just in the middle of this thought when all of a sudden he felt something terribly cold brush against his arm that sent a shudder down his spin. All thoughts of rest and weariness forgotten, Legolas' eyes snapped open to be greeted by...nothing. He swiftly and gracefully rose to look and listen all around him. Nothing was there and he still could not hear anything. Did I just imagine that? Legolas didn't think that option possible. In that brief second of contact he had felt two things. One was a frightening cold and the other was an overwhelming sense of evil that seemed to intensify the coldness. He didn't think he was capable of imagining something so evil, but yet there was nothing near by.

Wincing from the pain his sudden movement had caused Legolas moved to the edge of the firelight and scanned the area. He then moved all around the campsite while searching the horizon. He still could not hear or see anything moving. What by Illuvitor is going on? Legolas was growing frustrated again and at the moment was seriously questioning his sanity. He moved as far away from their camp as he could without losing sight of it and looked around the area for tracks as best as he could in the dark. He found, of course, nothing in the dark. Could anything ever be that simple? He thought almost bitterly. Legolas realized he was only agitating himself and stopped his search. He hadn't told Aragorn about his feelings earlier, but he decided to tell him about this. He stood there perfectly still for a second, closed his eyes, and took a deep and claming breath. This had the desired effect and calmed him down considerably. He was just about to turn around and head back to their camp when another, but far lesser, shudder went down his spin. He knew what that feeling was at least. Orcs. He could then faintly hear them as their guttural voices carried down the valley. Great, that's all we need. His left shoulder was so stiff he didn't know if he could aim his bow effectively let alone shoot it at all. The band of orcs were coming from the south and heading up the valley towards them. As Legolas stared down the valley his sharp eyes could almost make out the massive swarm of dark shapes, and if he could see them, although his eyes were undoubtedly better than theirs, he was sure their fire stood out like a big sign in the night saying "over here, come and get it." Well, our direction his made up for us now, north it is, Legolas thought. The elf then bolted off the way he had come yelling for Aragorn to get up as he ran.

It took a long time for Aragorn to fall asleep and when he did it was a troubled sleep. His worries carried over into his slumber and his dreams were troubled. Through all of them he felt a sense of uneasiness and worry. His sub consciousness was almost glad when Legolas voice broke into his sleep. Aragorn expected that Legolas was waking him up to take over the watch, so he rolled over toward the sound of his friends voice and opened his eyes. When he did his eyes widened because the last thing he was expecting to see was the elf running toward him at full speed waving his arms in the air. Aragorn came fully awake and rose to his feet to greet Legolas as he reached the campsite.

"What is going on? What's wrong?"

"I would suggest you quickly gather you bedroll, it is time to move out," Legolas said as he gathered his own bedroll and bow.

Aragorn didn't know what was going on but he gathered his things as he talked.

"Why? What is wrong?"

But he didn't need to ask because by then he could also pick out dark shapes moving rather hastily in their direction and he could hear excited nonsense coming from them.

"Orcs?"

"Yes, my friend, and quite a few," Legolas said.

That's the understatement of the year, Legolas thought.

The two friends were away in no time and running to the north. They ran along the base of the mountain for sometime and then turned in towards it in search for anywhere to go or to find a more defensible position should the need arise. Which as it was turning out, and with their luck, seamed to be the most likely turn of events. They followed the mountains as they swept out to the west and then drew back in towards east. The two dashed around the huge outlet and then came to a complete stop. In front of them snuggled between mountains was a wooded area.

"I would never have thought it possible to run into a forest in this barren place," Aragorn said between gasps.

"Neither would I, but it has come at a most opportune time. We may yet avoid them in the woods where the trees will provide us cover."

Aragorn, out of breath said nothing, but gave a quick nod and with that they bolted full speed toward the familiar protection of the trees. The voices behind them were starting to grow louder and more excited as they gained on their prey. Legolas was running in front of Aragorn and he kept glancing back at the approaching mass. He could have easily out distance his friend and the orcs, but he would never leave Aragorn behind. As they approached the edge of the woods Legolas slowed and then finally stopped as he held his right arm out to halt Aragorn.

Aragorn had no idea why his friend had stopped, but he stopped nonetheless when the elf held out his arm. Now what? He thought.

"What is wrong?"

Legolas didn't exactly know what was wrong, but he did know that he really did not want to enter these woods. As he approached the woods warning signals went off in his mind to stay out. They were so strong he couldn't get his legs to respond and walk him into the trees. Pull yourself together, he scolded himself, you're a wood elf. There might not be anything in there, but there is definitely something out here. Not liking the idea of entering the forest anymore, but liking the idea of facing so many orcs out in the open even less, he was left with no options.

"I do not, it's just, nothing... let us go," Legolas said as he forced his legs to move.

Aragorn stood there and watched, as his friend seemed to struggling over something in his mind. Never before had he seen an elf not want to enter a forest and it was slightly unsettling. It was even more unnerving when Legolas finally spoke and he seemed to fumble over what to say. But then the elf started moving again and the sounds of pursuit behind them were fairly loud by now, so Aragorn didn't have time to contemplate the issue anymore as they headed into the protection of the trees.

It took all of Legolas' willpower to make his body move into the cluster of trees. The two moved in under the canopy while thinking of what to do. Although the night air was crisp to the point where one could almost see their breath, the air under the canopy was heavy and warm. The forest for its part looked pretty much like a normal forest. See, Legolas thought, this land is making you paranoid. We are still alive. No sooner had he finished this thought when suddenly a great weight dropped on him and it felt like something had physically slammed into him. It was so oppressive his breath caught in his lungs and he couldn't breath. The world seemed to spin for a brief while and his vision danced and darkened. It got to the point where Legolas feared he would pass out, but just as suddenly as the feeling had descended it went away and his vision cleared. He gulped in the stale air, which seemed immensely fresher than before, to refill his starved lungs.

Legolas realized he was kneeling on the ground, which he didn't remember collapsing to, and that Aragorn was crouched down beside him and supporting him from falling over as he continuously tried to talk to him.

Aragorn was right behind Legolas as they entered the woods and stopped to look around for a solution to their little problem closing in from behind. Aragorn was about to say something to his companion and turned to him just in time to see the color drain from Legolas' face as his eyes rolled back into his head and his knees gave out. Aragorn instinctively rushed to him and put his arms around the elf's shoulders to support him as they sunk to the ground. Legolas was quite fine a second ago and his sudden collapse took Aragorn by surprise.

"Legolas, are you alright? Can you hear me?" the ranger asked with worry lacing his voice.

It did not appear as if his friend was totally unconscious, but he did not seem to hear Aragorn as he spoke to him. He was at a loss for what was the cause of the elf's apparent illness. He continued to talk to his unresponsive friend in hopes that he would snap out of it.

"Legolas? Legolas! I cannot help you if I do not know what is ailing you. Talk to me. What is wrong? Legolas, can you hear me? Legolas!"

To Aragorn's immense relief the slack form in his arms tensed up and he could feel the elf's breathing become deeper. He was even more relieved when Legolas raised his head and looked at him.

"Ays, mellonamin, I can hear you."

So great was his relief when Legolas spoke that Aragorn could have shouted out loud. He contained himself, though, and merely took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He was still worried, for his friend was still pale and he did not remove his arm from around the elf's shoulders.

"Mani marte?"

"I do not know. The air suddenly felt oppressive and heavy and I could not breathe. It has passed now. I am fine."

As Aragorn looked at his friend he was not convinced, but with the sound of approaching voices he did not have time to argue the fact, so he simple nodded and helped Legolas to his feet. Despite their situation it worried Aragorn that his friend rose rather shakily and even more so that Legolas did not oppose his help in rising. They took off deeper into the forest generally heading away from the mountains now. Aragorn noticed that the normally graceful and light stride of his elven friend now resembled the somewhat clumsy stride of a human dodging through the trees, so he unconsciously stayed near him as they ran.

In truth, Legolas did not even convince himself and he could tell by the look in Aragorn eyes that he did not convince him either. He was feeling somewhat unstable and was glad for Aragorn's help. As they ran on he was aware at how close Aragorn was running next to him. Ready to catch me again, Legolas thought with a smile.

"Where may I ask are we heading?"

The ranger was surprised to hear the humor in the elf's voice as he asked this question. They were running who knows where to into a seemingly hostile land with a large number of orcs pursuing them and by the tone of his voice, Legolas was actually able to find something amusing in this situation. Only an elf, he thought dryly.

"I do not know. And what do you find so amusing about all of this?"

Legolas could tell by the tone of Aragorn's voice that he thought he had gone totally mad and would have told him so if had the breath to spare. Legolas could no longer hear the sounds of pursuit behind them and so for his friend's sake stopped.

"I no longer hear our friends behind us anymore. Stop and catch your breath Estel."

Right at that moment Aragorn felt two things at once. He was annoyed right now at his friend for being an elf and the fact that running across the entire country of Angmar was not even making him out of breath and at the same time worried that his friend had completely lost his wits. He never thought he would hear an elf utter the word "friends" in any sentence pertaining anything to do with orcs.

"Legolas are you well or have you gone mad?" he said as he raised his hand to his friend's forehead to check for signs of a high temperature.

Legolas did not know exactly what he found amusing in all this, but seeing the confused and out of breath look on Aragorn face was definitely amusing and he couldn't help it and he started to laugh.

Aragorn could not feel any abnormal heat coming off of his friend, so when Legolas actually laughed he was quite convinced the elf had gone insane.

"WHAT is so funny?"

"Oh, Strider, if you could see the look on your face right now you would be laughing too."

"We're in a forest we have never been in before which is probably infested with orcs and you're enjoying this? ELVES!"

Aragorn was all bark and no bite as they say and they both knew it. For laughter, especially when coming from elves is contagious and he could have almost laughed himself.

"At least we have lost them for now," Aragorn said changing the subject.

"Yes," Legolas agreed as he stifled his laughter and tried to become more serious.

"They probably spread out when they entered the woods, which is slowing down their pursuit."

Aragorn nodded his head in agreement.

"We will only have to elude them until close to dawn and then they should crawl back into whatever dark hole they came out of. And if they have spread out, which I agree with you they probably have, any encounter will not be as bad as it would have been to fight the mass out in the open. Although I am still surprised to find a forest in this valley, it is a most welcome sight."

As they rested there for a short while Legolas was again aware of the heaviness in the air. During their dash threw the trees he had almost forgotten about the intense flood of whatever it was he had felt earlier. Just standing there now doing nothing he was acutely aware of it once more and as he felt it rising again he became panicked that it would overwhelm him once more. Trapped. That was the word for it and it came to him now that that was what he had felt earlier. Trapped and alone. He felt the vertigo and weakness building up inside him again and it filled him with dread for he did not want it to come. He reached out and held onto to the tree next to him for support, as he was no longer sure which way was up anymore. His breathing was again becoming labored and he consciously tried to take slow and steady breaths but this only succeeded in making him even more lightheaded. Legolas' head was now whirling so much, although he couldn't really tell, he was pretty sure he was down on the ground on all fours. The world around him was reeling so much in fact that he couldn't focus on anything and it was making him quite sick watching everything spin out of control. If he would have had the breath, which was now coming in quick and shallow gasps, he was sure he would have retched by now. 'Make it stop,' he pleaded to whoever was listening as he clutched his head; at least he thought he was anyway. 'Please, make it stop,' he pleaded again.

Aragorn was leaning up against a tree with his eyes closed as he forced his heart rate to slow down and the throbbing in his head to go away. All of this running might not affect an elf, but he admitted to himself that he was tired. His head was, mercifully, finally calming down when he heard a soft moan to his side. His eyes shot open and came to rest on his friend. Legolas was leaning against a tree clutching at it with one hand and his head with other.

"By the Valar," he said breathlessly as he quickly moved next to his friend.

Not again, he thought with a worried frown.

As he reached the elf, Legolas' weak hold on the tree faltered and he fell down onto his hands and knees. His breathing was quick and raspy and his fair face was bone white. Fear was building in Aragorn heart for his friend was obviously suffering and he knew neither the cause nor what to do about it. He did the only thing he could and wrapped one arm around the slender form for support and grabbed the elf's hand with the other in hopes that Legolas could feel that he was there for him. He tried to get through to him like he had before by constantly talking to him. It didn't seem like Legolas could hear him at all, but Aragorn, for the lack of anything better to do, kept trying. Aragorn's heart nearly broke when he actually heard his friend, normally so strong and stoical, quietly pleading for this attack or whatever it was to stop.

"It is alright my friend, it will pass like it did the last time. Breathe Legolas, it will pass. I am here for you. Just breathe."

At least Aragorn was hoping it would pass soon. He was sure this spell was draining as much energy out of him as it was his friend. He tried to sound strong and comforting, but he thought that his voice sounded unsure. His fear continued to grow for it seemed that the longer this lasted the more Legolas was struggling to draw in much need air and his lips were starting to take on a bluish tint.

"By Illuvitor, what is causing you so much distress?" Aragorn asked the darkness in despair.

He forced all of his will to the task, but no matter how hard he tried Legolas simply couldn't inhale in any air. He felt weak and empty inside, his limbs were beginning to tingle, and he was growing extremely cold. The reeling he had experienced minutes ago was being replaced with an overpowering sense of lightheadedness as his consciousness started to slowly leave as his body shut down. In the back of his cloudy oxygen- starved mind he knew that he was about to die and he felt sympathy for Aragorn.

Aragorn's fear soon turned into desperation as the seconds (which felt like hours) past and he felt his friend's hand growing cold. Legolas arms no longer had the strength to hold him up and he would have sunk completely to the ground had Aragorn not had a hold of him. He drew his friend up against his chest as if he could lend him his own strength and fight off what was happening. Aragorn wasn't even aware of what he was saying anymore or whether it was in Sindarin or Westron, and right now he didn't care, he just knew he was talking. Aragorn was cursing everything right now and desperately wishing his father were here, because he would know what to do where he did not. His friend was obviously suffocating and about to die in his arms and he could do nothing about it except to helplessly watch.

As Legolas' mind started to slip away he felt a tiny ember of warmth flare up from deep inside. It was slowly growing and pushing back the consuming cold. As the liquid like warmth slowly spread throughout his body he noticed it was also unfreezing his lungs as well and he could draw breathe again. His body instinctively started gasping for air and to his amazement he found it was working to draw air into his lungs again. He mercifully gulped in deep breaths, which started to clear the fog from his mind. He became aware that he was being held up against something warm and that something had a hold of one of his hands. As his mind cleared further he could hear a comforting and familiar voice and he immediately knew who was talking to him and figured Aragorn was probably cradling him. Like the previous time, which he was grateful, just as quickly as it had started the oppressiveness lifted and he was left feeling confused and weak on the inside. The comforting warmth he had just felt also vanished in the blink of an eye for which he was not so happy about. Legolas gripped onto Aragorn's hand like a lifeline and after feeling so alone he was comforted by his companion's closeness. He didn't know if he even had the strength to open his eyes right now so he just lay there as his body calmed down and returned to a somewhat regular rhythm again.

Aragorn was sure Legolas was about to die when all of a sudden his hand began to warm a bit and then he inhaled a deep breath and continued to breathe deeply. He watched in amazement as the color came back to the elf's face and he felt the heat returning to his body. Aragorn was sure he never heard anything so grand as to hear his friend able to breathe again. This time Aragorn didn't refrain and he literally shouted out loud when Legolas gripped his hand back. He couldn't tell if Legolas was unconscious or simply lying there with his eyes closed and right now he didn't care. His friend was alive and breathing and so he didn't disturb him. He took this time to follow his friend's example and took a few deep and steadying breaths himself. After their fight with a snow troll the previous night and their mad dash tonight coupled with Legolas' two alarming episodes Aragorn had to admit his nerves were getting a little frayed. He looked down to see two tired, but bright blue and alert eyes looking back at him somewhat questioningly.

"Please do not do that again. I do not know how many more times my nerves can stand it," said Aragorn with a slight smile on his face.

"Neither do I, mellon nin, neither do I," Legolas replied as he smiled weakly back.

"I don't know about you, but I have had enough excitement for one night."

Legolas simple nodded his head in agreement and closed his eyes again as he inhaled deeply. Aragorn was greatly relieved his friend seemed better; when the elf's eyes suddenly opened and he looked to the side.

"I wouldn't get ready for a quiet repose quite yet, my friend," Legolas answered quickly as he clumsily managed to drag his tired body to his feet.

Aragorn was just about to ask the elf what he meant by that comment when he finally heard it too. The sound of orcs and more disturbingly the sound of many orcs echoed all around the area and answered his question. Legolas, hurt shoulder or not, instinctively drew his bow and Aragorn unsheathed his sword. The two companions drew their weapons just in time to be greeted by at least half a dozen of those orcs as they pummeled through the bushes right in front of them and with a collective whoop broke into a full speed run as they finally caught up with their prey.

Sweet Eru, Aragorn thought wearily as he prepared to defend himself, if it's not one thing, it just has to be another, doesn't it?

TBC…