Out for a Ride

Chapter Four: The Ride for Life

Fairylady

A/N: NEW CHAPTER! I am working hard on updating sooner! The sooner the better! He he! Also more reviews! If you all haven't noticed, I am review freak! But hey! Who isn't?

Reviews:

balrog of altenna: THANK YOU FOR HOLDING ON FOR JUST A BIT LONGER!!! I warmed my heart when you said that! I sure hope this will be good! I just hope everyone stays for the revealing of the cloaked man.

Sirithiliel: I am reading your story(ies) and so far they are good. You will just have to wait a bit for a review from me because school started and homework everyday! It royally sucks. Glad you like Hunger and Deceit and Deception.

Dís: Sorry, Aragorn doesn't save the hobbits, but some one else does! Can't tell, you must read! Yes, who dares to threaten the Fellowship! How dare they! It will ome soon enough and hopefully it will shock you all!

Fiwen2: I hope one of them becomes your favorite! It makes my insides turn with glee!

Lady Tsuru: You like mysteries? Well, read more if you wish because I will write more.

Thank You reviewers! Oh, here is a little clue to the Cloaked man. You know him.

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By the first night of the first week,

A hobbit will fall.

By the second day of the second week,

A dwarf will fall.

By the third day of the third week,

An Elf will fall.

There will be twelve deaths in the time of twelve weeks.

The first three have been given.

If you, King of Gondor, can save your friends, you are worthy.

If one dies in anyway that I choose, you will suffer and the crown will be taken away.

Tomorrow is the first night of the first week, Aragorn.

By the first night of the first week,

A hobbit will fall...

Aragorn was in such a desperate position that life seemed to be falling all around him. Legolas and Gimli had already volunteered to ride to the Shire and protect their friends.

There was no stopping the two. Legolas had given Gimli some plants to chew on that would get rid of the alcohol consumed and its affect on the body. Now Aragorn didn't have to know how his Elven friend had recovered so quickly from the ale, mead, and wine.

Arwen had gone up to their rooms after hearing the note. She was still in shock from this new enemy they were facing. They had no name, no face, and no knowledge about the Cloaked man.

For Aragorn, nothing seemed right anymore. His two best friends had left hours earlier and dawn was just coming to the white city with a new light that could brighten anyone's heavy heart. But Aragorn was not so lucky for that one simple gift.

*Meanwhile*

Legolas sat on the back of Arod with Gimli in front of him guiding the horse through the lands at a very rapid speed. They had no time to waste, Legolas knew. Aragorn was counting on him to get to the Shire, he was counting on him to help their small friends.

Gimli sat with his eyes shut tight and hung onto Arod's mane with a death grip. He could tell by the way that Legolas sat that the Elf was thinking about what would happen if they fail. They couldn't, Gimli knew that and he was sure that Legolas knew that as well.

They had traveled for hours and it surprised Gimli that Arod could endure so much. In the horse's eyes was the same determination as his master had and the horsed didn't stop racing towards the Shire until they reached the very location of two of the hobbits.

"Merry! Pippin," Legolas yelled. His voice still fair, but urgency covered every word. "Come quickly! We must gather together with Samwise and Frodo!"

"Legolas?" Pippin spoke through a mouth full of cake. "What is the problem?"

"We must ride to Frodo and Samwise and make sure to stay in a group. There is pressing news in Gondor that all of the Fellowship must come and take part in."

"Like what kind of pressing news?" Merry stepped out from behind Pippin and stared at Legolas and Gimli. His eyes already said that he would join, but he wanted more information.

"Within a note sent by a cloaked man it said by the first night of the first week,

A hobbit will fall. Today is the first night of the first week. We have until sundown to get you all gathered up safely and on the road to Gondor."

Fear and understanding suddenly rushed into Merry and Pippin's faces and they took off to the back of their two-hobbit holes and came back with three ponies.

"One for Gimli. We are sorry Legolas that we do not have a bigger pony—or even a horse—for you."

"It is fine. Gimli, stay here with Merry and Pippin. I will return shortly with Frodo and Samwise."

Helping his dwarf friend off of Arod, Legolas made sure Gimli was next to the hobbits before nodding and patting Arod on the neck, sending the horse into another neck-breaking speed.

Gimli sighed when he looked over towards the tree-covered sunset. They had a half-an-hour at most. He knew his friend would be getting to the other two hobbits just when the sun would set. The very moment when evil can start attacking.

Legolas pushed Arod faster and faster. He needed more time! It was too long of a ride to the Shire from Gondor! Aragorn put all of his trust on Legolas's shoulders and by the Valor! Legolas wasn't going to disappoint him now!

Bag Ends was close now. All Legolas needed was a few more minutes! But just when he thought they had reached it in time, the sun went down and a powerful force of black magic came crashing into Arod and Legolas.

Arod went flying across the grass and didn't get up after that. Legolas stared in horror when his faithful companion didn't move again. With a cry full of pain, Legolas pushed himself off the ground and looked around for the dark force. Nothing but shadows surrounded him, so he took off towards the front door of Bag Ends and slammed into its wood. Splinters of wood went crashing to the floor and made it dangerous to cross the floor without shoes on.

"Frodo! Samwise! Frodo!" Legolas began to search the entire house, but stopped suddenly when he smelt the smell of tobacco being smoked. From the large amounts of smoke rings coming from the kitchen, Legolas knew that he had found the two hobbits.

"Frodo. Samwise?" Turning the corner and gazing into the kitchen, Legolas smiled when he saw three pairs of hobbit eyes staring at him.

"Legolas?" Frodo got up from his chair. "What are you doing here? Why are you bleeding?"

Taken back by the latter of things Frodo said, Legolas took a few steps back and looked into the mirror hanging on the wall. A line of blood escaped his mouth and nose from his fall off Arod and different scraps covered his face. But the thing that worried the Elf the most was the blood coming from his ears.

Why were they bleeding? He didn't hit them nor did he hear any loud noises. Legolas pondered this for a few seconds before remembering the urgency of his being in the Shire.

"There is pressing news in Gondor that needs the attention of all of the members of the Fellowship in Gondor before the second weeks second day. I advice you to bring what you hold value to live itself and nothing more. The less we pack the faster we will travel."

"Mr. Legolas, what is the pressing matter that Aragorn would want us for?" Sam asked. His eyes brows curved forward.

"By the first night of the first week a hobbit will fall. That was on a note that a cloaked man gave to a soldier that he had attacked. But that was only part of the message. The rest will be given to you in Gondor. Right now it is the safest place to be."

"Mr. Legolas! Why would not our own homes be safe?" Rosie asked, gripping her husband's hand as she did.

"Because, my lady, I have just been attacked outside of your very home. Before the ring was destroyed the Nasgúl came in here and tried to find the ring. With all the trees around I would say this would be a very safe place, but not with dark magic."

"What about Merry and Pippin? Did you warn them?" Frodo stared up at Legolas with hope and fear.

"Yes, Gimli is with them now. Come now and bring only what you hold true to your hearts and would die for."

There was a silent nod between all of the hobbits and with that Legolas left. He needed to check on Arod, his best friend. Dark magic could be harmful to a horse, but everything inside of Legolas would not allow him to think anything but that the horse was all right.

With all of his attention directed towards the land surrounding Bag Ends, Legolas traveled to the spot his horse laid.

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A/N: Now the big question! Should Arod live or die? Sorry to say I already know what will be happening to good old Arod.

Here is a great hint to find out whether Arod dies or not!

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