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

Thanks for so many kind reviews! You continue to inspire me! ;)

Thanks to: Silent Angel; Celebwen Starmaiden; Vana Everyoung; eck; Earendil Baby; Karri; Lady Jaina; Ithilien; Mystical Magic; Narwenya; Skye; sol-nemesis; krisnkriss; szhismine; Artemisa; Meethrill; phoenixqueen; Imbefaniel; lil*bee; Spades; Estelle; dorkwad; Imirie; sirithiliel; The Exterminator Sango; Wicked Misty; Morgaine le fey; allafricannirish.

I surprised myself and managed to write another chapter! So for those of you that threatened so nicely (lol) I guess it paid off huh? ;) Karri, I'll try to get the trees in again for you. I liked them too. BTW... I wouldn't have minded being that tree holding our dear elf eh?! LOL

Again, thanks for reading and please keep those reviews coming! :) They really make my day...and get my hands typing faster! (grins wickedly)



A Walk Out Of Reach





Chapter Nine

Aragorn caught the elf's limp form before he fell. He steadied himself in the tree then slung Legolas over his shoulder. He managed his weight easily for it was true that elves were light creatures by nature. But he knew that Legolas had been right. Carrying him was cumbersome and would hinder his movements, but he was determined to do it. He would not leave Legolas while he searched for their horses. Not even for a moment. What if he could not find them? And what if he found them so far away that by the time he reached Legolas it was too late? No, he would not do as his friend asked for he could ill afford the delay. Even now he feared too much time had passed.

He mouth set in a grim line he made sure the elf was secure then slowly began to climb down the trunk. He did not rush even though everything in him told him to do just that. Only once did his feet slip out from under him. He wrenched his shoulder painfully before his feet once again found purchase on the tree. Breathing heavily, he clung to trunk trying to calm the frantic beating of his heart.

That was too close. For a moment he feared he and the elf would plunge to their deaths. When he had his breathing under control he began his descent again, this time with a little more caution. After what seemed like an eternity his feet finally found the forest floor. So great was his relief he had to restrain himself from kissing the ground. While the trees may be a place of comfort and safety for elves, he would never feel completely at ease amongst their branches. His feet were much fonder of the earth.

Carefully, he lowered the elf's still form to the forest floor. Legolas had not stirred at all during their descent. He worried that he may have struck him a bit too hard. He bent over Legolas and checked his pulse. It beat slightly faster than what was normal for an elf but that was due to the poison coursing through his veins. Next he gently lifted the elf's eyelids and peered into the silver eyes. The pupils were a bit dilated and his skin still burned with fever.

Aragorn sat back on his heels and studied his friend. Seeing him with his eyes closed made him uncomfortable. It signaled the severity of his illness and his condition only worsened as time went on. A purple bruise was beginning form on side of the prince's jaw. It stood out starkly against the paleness of his skin and Aragorn felt a stab of guilt at the sight. He ran his finger over it gently as if he could erase the mark with his touch.

Ai! He must not allow his thoughts to be distracted from the task now at hand. He stood and moved his arm in circles, stretching out his shoulder. It pained him but the pain could be managed. He had not wrenched it too bad. The ranger looked around studying his surroundings. Nothing was visible except for the trees. All seemed as it should be. Even the normal sounds of the woods had returned for he could hear the birds chatting amongst the trees.

He brought his fingers to his lips and let out another shrill whistle. His ears strained hoping to hear the sound of an approaching horse. He sighed again in disappointment for he could hear nothing but the birds and insects.

Aragorn tried to get his bearings. From what he could see while they had been in the trees, they had somehow managed to trek close to the eastern borders of Mirkwood. Now they must find the Anduin and follow it upriver. From there they would take the Old Road through the mountain pass to Rivendell. They must get word to Elrond and Thranduil of the large amount of orcs crossing through Mirkwood.

He crouched next to Legolas and checked his wound again. A little blood spotted the wrappings but it had not started bleeding again. That was good for he worried that being slung over his shoulder would place too much pressure on the elf's wound. If only their luck would hold. Aragorn lifted Legolas and carefully draped him over his shoulder for the second time that day.

He glanced at the sun. It would be a few more hours until noon. That left him plenty of time to find shelter before dark. The ranger turned towards the direction the Anduin lay and began his march.

When the sun was directly overhead he stopped for a rest on the edge of a large clearing. He lay the elf carefully on the ground again and sat heavily beside him. His shoulder ached and he was weary. Even though the elf was light the burden had begun to wear on him. The events of the previous night were just now catching up with him. He could not remember when he last slept.

He bent forward, elbows on his knees and hung his head tiredly. The inside of his eyelids scratched his eyes and his throat was dry. He berated himself for the hundredth time. How he had not the sense to take his pack and water bottle? He was a ranger, he should know better!

He sat back and rested his weight on his elbows letting the sun warm his face lost in thought. If Elrohir were here he would scold him mercilessly for being so careless. When Aragorn had been younger he would often wander off without provisions. It was afterwards that he would be subjected to the lectures of his older brother. Especially, when Elrohir and Elladan had to bail him out of trouble! And that had been quite frequently. He chuckled softly at the memories.

Aragorn sat next to Legolas reluctant to get to his feet. His eyelids grew heavy and he struggled to keep them open for he knew he must get up. He needed to find shelter before dark. But the sun was so warm and he welcomed its bright light after the dark night. He tried to get up but instead found his eyes drifting shut.

He woke with a start. Jerking upright he sat still listening intently. He had heard something. He looked hurriedly at the sun. Its position in the sky had not moved much since he looked upon it last. He must have drifted off for only a short while.

Turning his head sharply he heard it again. Hoofbeats! He stood quickly and lifted Legolas in his arms. He placed the unconscious elf behind a tree and crouched beside him. Peering around the trunk he readied his sword. He knew not who approached and listened carefully trying to determine their number. It only sounded like two riders but he could not be certain. Their pace was hurried.

Aragorn's frown turned into a smile when he spotted the horses. "Nimrothuniel! Aslathon!" It was their horses that now strode purposefully towards him. Both stopped when they reached him and Aslathon nickered softly in his ear. "You are a welcome sight my friend. Where have you been?" He stroked the horse's neck comfortingly.

He turned to Nimrothuniel and found the horse nosing Legolas form, nickering in distress. Aragorn tugged on the dangling reigns pulling the horse away from the unconscious elf. "Your master is not well my friend. It is well you showed up just now for we have need of your aid."

The ranger moved around the horses and led them to a nearby tree. Both his and Legolas' packs were still strapped to the horses. Just then he noticed the hindquarters of Nimrothuniel. They were slashed and dried blood clung to the wounds. His eyes widened in alarm. "What evils have you met to cause such wounds?" The horses only nickered softly in response.

Aragorn checked both horses over carefully. Aslathon had only a few minor slashes and those had already closed. The elf's horse did not fare as well. He had quite a few slashes and several of them were very deep and had bled freely. Using supplies from his pack he cleaned the horses wounds as best he could frowning the whole time. Both horses had met up with something in the woods. From the looks of the cuts he would guess it had been wargs. He surmised this is what caused their delay to his calls. Fortunately the injuries were not serious and both horses would heal nicely.

Once Aragorn was done tending to their wounds he turned his attention to the elf. His eyes remained closed and he had not moved from where he had left him. Grabbing his water bottle he strode over to Legolas and crouched next to him. Placing his arm under the elf's neck he lifted him up slightly and brought the water bottle to his lips. Carefully he tipped the bottle until the elf had swallowed a bit of water. He lowered him gently then corked the bottle and tucked it into his pack.

Although he now had access to his medicine pack he would not use any of the herbs yet. He needed a fire and this was not the place to make one. He must find a more secure shelter.

Aragorn turned to the horses and spoke to Aslathon "I have need of your swift legs friend. I must ask you to carry us to safety." The horse tossed his head ready to help his master in any way he could.

The ranger felt a wet nose in his ear and turned to the culprit "Nimrothuniel, I fear your master cannot ride on his own. He will ride with me on Aslathon. Will you follow?" Eager to aid his elf he too tossed his head in agreement.

"Very well. I shall make ready." He made sure both his and Legolas packs were secure on the horses. He decided to keep Legolas' quiver and bow strapped to his back, the white handled knives once again tucked in their place. He may have need to reach them quickly. The ranger turned to his friend.

It took a bit of doing but he finally managed to get both him and Legolas on his horse. He sat for a minute catching his breath from the exertion then moved the elf a little settling his back securely against his chest. Gently he brought Legolas' head to rest against his shoulder and wrapped his arm tightly around his midsection.

He took the reigns in his free hand and kicked his heels a bit urging his horse forward. Nimrothuniel followed closely behind unwilling to let his master out of his sight.