The Elf turned in his sleep, dreaming he heard a noise. His ears pricked as his eyes flew open to scan the dark forest around him. All seemed well within the abandoned hollow he had made a hasy camp in. He sat up to check his horse, though the beast made no move, yet still he sensed something was amiss.
He stood quickly as he heard another noise in the forest beyong his camp. He pressed his back against the trunk of an ancient mallorn tree and readied his bow, delighting in the familiar creak of the arrow as he fit it against the knott.
He slipped quietly from behind the tree as he recognised the rhythmic sound of footsteps on the forest floor, pulling the heavy string of his bow back against his cheek. " Speak, or be silenced." He growled at the ghostly creature before him.
The breeze stole through the trees as the stranger pulled the horse they rode on to a sharp stop. " Please don't!" It cried in a desperate voice as it held it's hand before it's face. " I bring word to Legolas of Ithilien and Gimli of the Glittering Caves from Queen Arwen of Gondor. You are Legolas of Ithilien?" It said quickly.
Legolas relaxed the weapon in his hands, fitting the bow back into it's quiver quickly. He nodded silently to the rider and indicated for him to follow. " Unarmed riders should not wander the dark." He said quietly as they arrived back in the hollow of his camp. Legolas quickly built a small fire and sat himself against the base of a tree, regarding the rider with slitted eyes as he demounted and seated himself at the opposite side of the fire.
" I agree, but what of those of us who are armed?" The rider said slyly. He pulled back his cloak to reveal a long, slender dagger at his hip with a glinting smile. " What advice have you for the armed?"
" If it is stealth you seek in trying to find me, do not ride a horse, it gives the game away." He said flatly. " Why were you trying to find me? What word does Arwen Undomiel send?"
The rider sighed heavily and hung his head momentarily. When he looked up again, Legolas saw the glint of tears in his eyes, brightened by the fire light. " Where is Master Gimli, for she sends word to him also?"
" My companion has been called urgently to his home under the Hornburg, now what word does the Queen send?" Legolas replied impatiently. Something in the face of this messenger made his blood run cold, and as the man sighed heavily Legolas knew the topic of his message.
" Queen Arwen bid me tell you her husband's healthy deminishes, and he wishes for the comfort from friends of old. She bid me summon you to Gondor as swiftly as possible." The rider said sadly.
Legolas remained silent, when he replied finally his voice was sullen with grief. " Send word to your Queen Arwen that I shall come to Gondor before three days have ended. Go now, or I shall arrive before you." He stood smoothly and began to stub out the fire with his foot.
The rider stood also and bowed slightly before turning on his heel and leading his horse into the forest. Legolas watched him go as the sun began to rise over the canopy of ancient trees. He pulled himself from his revery before moving to the side of his horse.
" Come, friend, we shall travel along the Anduin, for it shall guide us to our destination." He said before leading the horse at fast pace in the towards the distant rumble of the river.