Chapter Thirteen

Legolas rose at daybreak. He quickly dressed and left his room, gathering his weapons and cloak as he did. He headed to the dining chamber, sure he would meet up with the others there. Elrohir was already there, and Legolas sat across from him and helped himself to bread and honey.

"Elladan is up, he went to the stables first. He will be here soon."

Legolas nodded. "I hope Estel is feeling up to scouting. We will need his skills."

"Aye, his eyes have grown sharp. I am sure he will be feeling well enough. Father made sure he had a tea for his headache before he retired last night. I think he slept well and deeply!"

"Are you implying that your father drugged the future King of Gondor?"

"Aye, that is exactly what he did," replied Estel as he entered the room from the hall and sat down. "Although I dare say I was weary enough to sleep well on my own. It's nice to know how much he cares!"

The three friends laughed at this jest.

"What is so amusing?" Elladan entered the room from the door that led outdoors. He removed his cloak and sat down at the table.

"Ada, and his wonderful teas!"

"You are right, Estel," replied Elladan knowingly laughing, "he thinks we do not know he does this, but all of us have at one time or another drunk of ada's mysterious home brews."

Tan entered, apologizing for having overslept. He joined the others and the talk quickly turned to the scouting mission that lay ahead.

"If we head back to the lake, and travel just beyond, there is a ranger meeting place there. We may meet up with one of my brethren, or be able to find a message. I believe we should start there. They may have some further knowledge to share," Estel volunteered. The other nodded at this idea.

"That is a good place to start. It will at least give us a starting point," agreed Legolas. He had grown to trust Estel's instincts, especially when combined with his knowledge of the area surrounding Rivendell.

The meal was finished and the scouts stood. Elrond entered just then and bade them tarry as he told them to have a care and return unharmed. The twins were millennia old, and Estel was very experienced, but they were still his children. Legolas was also as dear to him as a son, and he was growing quite fond of Tan as well. The elf had accompanied Legolas on many journeys and had proved to be a true friend.

The air was cold and the warm breath of the horses rose like steam. There was a light coating of snow on everything, and the sunlight twinkled off each crystal, making them appear to glow. The sky was a cloudy gray, and Elrond was sure he could sense snow in the air. His eyes glanced at the scouts as they left, assuring himself that they were well dressed, especially Estel, and amply provisioned. They would only be gone for a day or two, but it was cold out, and the weather could turn anytime.

They reached the lake just before noon. The sun had refused to appear from behind the low, thick, dark clouds that hung in the winter sky. They quickly picked up Estel's tracks from days before in the snow, and followed them north. The lake was still in site, but now they came to terrain that was rocky and hilly. This was the edge of the Trollshaws. Beyond were many caves, and though it had been centuries since any live trolls had been seen in this area, that was no guarantee that there were none there now, especially with the rumors and stories that Estel had heard and told the others. Trolls were known to travel the Misty Mountains and Estel knew that Legolas and Tan had encountered one several years ago. Not many beings traveled the Trollshaws, and then they only did so during bright sunlit days.

Estel dismounted in order to have a closer look at the surrounding area. It was easy to miss a sign when traveling on horseback. Estel found signs that at least one other ranger had been here. The rangers often left messages for one another in places known only to them. The messages themselves were cryptic, using techniques that had been used by rangers for centuries. These included rock formations, markings on trees using leather or twine, or branches or other plant life.

"A ranger was here just this morning. He is heading west, along the edge of the Trollshaws. He has picked up a trail, of what he does not know," Estel said as he turned to his horse.

"Is he alone, or do others travel with him?"

"He rides alone. He leaves no sign that he has been in contact with any other."

They turned and headed west, hoping to catch up with the other ranger. For several hours they traveled in silence, their elven horses as silent on the ground as the elves they bore. Legolas began to feel uneasy; he scanned everything within his line of vision, keening sight and sound on his surroundings. Something was not right, something was out of place. Estel noted his friend's concerned look. They had traveled together long enough that they had developed a way to communicate without words. Stealth and silence were too important when your life may depend on not being seen or heard. Words were unnecessary when so much could be conveyed in a single expression or movement.

Estel guided his horse toward Legolas. Legolas indicated his feelings with his facial expressions, and then used his arm to sweep across his chest indicating the direction in which he felt danger was present. He looked to his brothers and Tan, and noted that they too had strained, concerned looks on their faces. Legolas and Tan both now clutched their bows that had been moments before on their backs.

Estel held up a fisted hand, his companions stopped. They dismounted and began to creep silently forward. The trees were thick in places here, and the path was very narrow. Through the trunks to the right they could see the lake. Footsteps appeared on the path suddenly, seeming to come from nowhere. Rangers, when traveling alone, did not use many well-known paths, preferring not to leave any trace of their presence. They could not travel as elves, who left barely no footprints behind. Normally, they would flit in and out of the thicker trees, using logs, rocks, and roots to hid their footprints. At times, they would even climb trees, which is what the case appeared to be now. The footsteps suddenly started, and the ranger must have been using the trees to cover his trail.

Legolas had gone off the path, slipping silently through the trees. He had drawn his bow and nocked an arrow as the feeling of dread quickly built. He entered a small clearing just ahead of the others and was the first to spot the body of the fallen ranger. He appeared to have been attacked. He lay on his back; his stunned eyes open, staring out at nothing.

He was surely dead.