Heeeeeeyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know this took really long I'm so sorry. Right now I'm kindda high, just finished first day of exams, what else can I say! This took an hour! Wow record time for me!!!! Thanks for reading again!



Moving slowly out of the lane, towards the main street, littered with waste and mud, they almost immediately came in sight of the shadow that gave way to the riders. A cold chill picked up and passed through them. The only way out that they could see or know of was through the gates which they had passed through the night before, but that meant going past the hideous party, which was now lurking in the shadow of a dark half-shelter. The orcs, trying their best and succeeding, to appear frightening. But they were no match compared to their two masters. It was not something Legolas was looking forward to.

The heavens still pouring over the dreary world gave no relief to the two lonely travellers. It did nothing to build their confidence. Drawing nearer to the foreboding gates, it was now that one of the orcs, a particularly short, ugly one, came out before them. He had a knife at his belt and a sword in his hand. Clad in the foul leather and armour of the orcs he smelt like blood and raw flesh. It was sickening. When he spoke, it came out more like a series of primitive grunts, like that of a much more ancient uncivilised age than this, which could be somehow mysteriously deciphered into words. But it was only after he had circled the cart while the others watched like a piercing eye in the hiding darkness. The revolting orc circled them, went round to their side and spoke.

"What ya carryin'? Where to?" in rather pigeon common speech. Its voice was harsh and evil.

"Only hay, good sir," Legolas thought it best not to enrage the dumb creature, nothing good would become of it. It would be best to keep them polite and short.

"How long been 'ere?"

"All season. This is our last batch to the village down the valley yonder," Legolas pointed, his head well back in his hood. For once the rain was a blessing. It made visibility near zero.

The orc stupidly turned to where he was pointing then looked over at Emeriel suspiciously. He went over and looked her over.

"ow' long ya been toguther?" he asked grumpily.

"Several summers." The orc still looked suspicious, its clumsy eyes and brain fumbling over the new information. Emeriel rested heavily on Legolas' arm and back upon the hay behind.

Legolas though appearing calm on the outside, was a messy jumble of nerves inside. Please let them get through.

The orcs gave what could only be guessed as a nod, still glaring. A group circled the cart, grabbing Afod roughly by the reins, jerking his head. The others went to search the back of the cart. Thank Emeriel for her persistence. They searched for several minutes, seeming to grow irritated.

They looked towards the two riders standing off to the side. Without a movement the orc that had come up to them originally let go of the reins and motioned them on. Afod moved on slowly, relief shining through Emeriel.

A sudden wind picked up, and before they could do anything, their hood flew back and their dulled heads still shone through the darkness. Afod obviously seeing the look from the riders and the disgruntled orcs decided to taken matters into his own hands. He bolted and fled towards the gates. Before they even got a hundred metres out the gate, the black riders mounted and hot on pursuit. Legolas re-establishes control of the fleeing horse and steered him towards the River Anduin in the south. Urging him on with slaps of the reins Afod speeded, his work harder and more difficult with the cart strapped behind him.

They must not leave the path; to go into the woods with the cart would be fatal. Legolas got an idea. He handed the reins to Emeriel then told her to stay on the road. He stood, shifting his balance to flow with the cart and prayed Afod would not start. He called to the horse in elvish, and saw the stallion flicker then prick his ears. He was listening. He crouched low and prepared to jump, aware of Emeriel's gaze. If he missed at this speed it would either kill him or leave him injured, enabling the constantly gaining black riders to finally catch him. Their horses thundered ever closer, shrieking sounds of neither animal nor man. They were simply evil.

He leaped. And landed with a soft bump on Afod's strong back. Adjusting his position he turned to Emeriel. She knew what was next. Legolas gathered the reins tying them in a knot so Afod would not stumble. His pace had not wavered once during Legolas' jump. It may not be so this time.

Emeriel stood cautiously and looked towards Legolas. Her aim was true and she also landed behind Legolas. Sitting back, Legolas unbuckled the straps of the harness, loosening it from the horse now brown-red coat. It fell away, and with a little kick of his heels Afod had rid himself from his earlier confinement. Legolas grasped his mane and steered him into the woods, the trees a lot closer together. Their pace slowed as they hit bushes and long grass. Though it still held the frantic rush of the chase. Legolas urged Afod on, the dark riders slashing through the trees in tight pursuit.

Afod's legs pounded the ground, muscles gathering and releasing. It lasted minutes but seemed like hours.

Sunlight suddenly streaked through the arching branches, piercing the darkness that refused to retreat.

Emeriel was a blur of dull emotions, the powerful movement of the horse beneath her. Legolas' strong body next to her, hands around his middle laced with his clothing. She felt love and peace. Not even the dark riders could ruin it now.

They thundered to the river. Afod hesitated at the flowing water, but after a moment plunged into the swirling currents. He carefully navigated through the uneven waters, it reaching up to his middle.

Looking back, Emeriel was surprised to see the rider on the bank. He was unable to move his terrified horse into the wide river. It was terrible the way he beat and whipped at the poor beast. But nothing could move the horrified horse into those churning waters. Known by Legolas, was the fact that the Anduin intensely disagreed with the dark creatures. Any bridges built by any of the foul creatures of the dark were destroyed and washed down river, eventually into the sea, along with any of its carriers. The dark creature that the dark rider rode was probably being influenced or viciously dissuaded by the old magic that lived in its crashing waters. It had become increasingly malevolent to let the creatures of the dark cross its waters ever since the fall of the Dark Lord.

Thanks for reading already got next chapter written, just need to type up so up soon. Promise!! Love ya'll!!!!!!!!!!!