Disclaimer: I do not own LOTR or any of the characters. No profit is made from these stories, they are merely for the enjoyment of myself and anyone who cares to read them.

A Walk Out Of Reach

Chapter Two

Aragorn rode into the clearing and reigned in his mount. His horse pawed the ground impatiently as the ranger looked around searching for his friend. The clearing was empty except for the flock of birds he had startled. The air still echoed with the sound of their hasty retreat.

Aragorn sighed, worry etched in his brow. The feeling of dread building in his heart went up another notch at his friend's absence. He looked at the setting sun trying to determine if he was early. Deciding he was not he dismounted and led his horse to the greenest part of the clearing allowing it to feed.

He would give his friend more time. Perhaps he had merely been delayed by a small matter. At that thought he felt a tremor run through his limbs and shook it off. He was being over cautious, Legolas could take care of himself. His travel had been far and without rest and his horse was weary. Now that he thought about it so was he. He decided a short rest was in order regardless of his misgivings. He pulled his pack off his horse and laid it on the ground sinking tiredly next to it. From it the ranger pulled out a small item and unwrapped it without thinking. He took a bite of the elvish waybread and chewed slowly his eyes never stopping to rest.

The ranger sighed again as he finished the waybread. Legolas had yet to arrive. He looked at the sky a second time. The shadows were lengthening and night was fast approaching. He brushed the crumbs off his tunic and stood up.

Aragorn froze and cocked his head to the side. He thought he heard something. Glancing over at his horse he noticed it had heard the sound as well. The horse stood at attention, his ears twitching at the sound. He held his breath and listened intently. There, he heard it again, faintly. It sounded like the hoofbeats of an approaching horse. He bent down for his pack and quickly secured it to his mount. Then with one hand on the hilt of his sword he led his horse behind several bushes at the edge of the clearing. Aragorn drew his sword and peered through the branches ready for anything.

Just then a horse broke through the clearing and for a flicker of an instant Aragorn felt relief. It was Nimrothuniel, the prince's horse. That relief soon turned to dread however, as he realized the horse carried no rider and Legolas' pack was still attached to it's side. The horse stopped when it reached him, sides heaving. Nickering in distress the horse bumped Aragorn's chest urgently asking him to help his master.

Aragorn took note of the horse's heavy breathing. It seemed it had been running for quite some time for sweat lathered it's sides and ran down it's legs. Aragorn eyes widened in alarm as realization sunk in. Some evil had befallen Legolas. He shut his eyes tightly, dread turning to fear wrapping itself around his heart.

The ranger opened his eyes and looked at the distressed horse. He stroked it's neck gently, "What evil has befallen your master, Nimrothuniel?" The horse nickered and tossed his head bumping Aragorn's chest again. It was clearly trying to tell the ranger something. "Come, let us go to the stream. Its waters will refresh you. Then perhaps you can lead me to your master."

The ranger picked up the reigns and gently guided the horse to a nearby stream where it immediately quenched it's thirst. He rubbed the tired animal down, lost in thought. Fear had steadily built in his heart and now it threatened to choke him. He had to find Legolas... quickly.

TBC…