New chapter, yay for me! Don't kill me please…I think it might be a tad short but I do know it is longer than the last chapter and has more action so please please be kind!

The departure from Imladris had been a somber occasion. Although promises of visits and letters were made by all it still did nothing to lessen the sorrow. Now Legolas, Aragorn and a small party of elves, among them Elladan and Elrohir, were four days journey from the gap of Rohan. Elrond had sent word to Éomer in advance of the Groups arrival, though the Rivendell Elves would only be going as far as the border. The day had dawned moist, overcast and colorless. A fine mist softened the edges of their more jagged surroundings and seemed to bring down spirits amongst the companions. Barely a word had been spoken since the departure from camp that morning and they had already been riding for six hours. " Do you want to rest?" Aragorn inquired casting a glance at Legolas. The elf continued to stare ahead, hair drawn back from his face and his expression unreadable.

" No…why do you keep asking?"

" I'm only worried."

" Well stop." Legolas' voice held an edge and Aragorn slightly angered fell silent. The Elven escorts pretended not to have heard the exchange and they once more continued in silence for several minutes until Elladan spoke up.

" Actually I wouldn't mind a small stop…to refresh the horses and such. We really should eat. Sunset is beginning." He gestured offhandedly towards the sky. Elrohir quickly seconded the decision and Aragorn nodded.

" Alright then." Legolas appeared somewhat annoyed with it but stopped and dismounted without any comments. Aragorn watched torn between concern and frustration at his partner's actions. Elladan smiled re-assuringly at his little brother.

" Do not worry so, he's just grown tiresome of being treated like he is a child…or perhaps made of glass."

" Well no one would treat him in such a manner if he ceased acting like a child in the first place." Aragorn said patting Roheryn's snout. There was a soft 'oh no…' from Elrohir and the man looked over his shoulder. He could vaguely see the form of Legolas disappearing up into one of the trees

" He heard you." Elladan said with a sigh. Aragorn rolled his eyes.

" If he's expecting me to chase after him-"

" He's not." Elrohir replied. " He wants to be alone and he feels most relaxed in the tree…" Aragorn became silent and busied himself with setting up the campsite.

* * * * *

" This is wonderful." Aragorn addressed Elladan with a small smile. He took another spoonful of soup from his bowl.

" Of course it is, what did you expect?" The older twin answered. Legolas ate his quietly. He hadn't spoken a word since they'd stopped and set up their camp. His eyes remained emotionless as he stared at the fire. Not even the brilliant orange light could bring life to them. His food was hardly touched. Aragorn had been watching him constantly though he said not a word to his Elf. Suddenly another from the party sat up suddenly, a look of puzzlement on his face. Aragorn watched as one by one the Elves all seemed to pick up on something.

" What is it?" He asked glancing over his shoulder. He could see nothing.

" Shhh." Elrohir said with a hint of anger. His hand easily found the knife that hung from his belt and he climbed to his feet gracefully and silently. The others followed his lead and still confused Aragorn too rose from his place.

" What's wrong?"

" Orcs." An elf to his right answered softly. All had drawn their weapons. Legolas was glancing to his right, an arrow notched and ready.

" But-"

" We left the grounds of Imladris mere hours ago, never have orcs dared venture so close to the borders." Elladan said, eyes once more scanning the clearing. Aragorn's eyes narrowed in anger at the answer.

" How far away are they?" He asked.

" They're close." Was the reply. Soon the steady drum of feet seemed to surround them. An arrow went whizzing by the Ranger's head and struck the tree behind him.

" Legolas, take cover!!" He shouted drawing his sword.

" I will not!" Legolas called back from across the clearing. He shot an arrow into a thicket of bushes and there was a scream. Aragorn cried out frustratedly.

"The children!"

" I'll be fine, nothing will happen." Yet another arrow was loosed from the elf's bow and was answered by yet another scream of agony. Orcs came rushing out from all directions. The air was singing with arrows, orcs fell in numbers, though truth be told there were only perhaps thirty at most. Aragorn immediately fought his way to Legolas' side.

" Climb up into a tree, now." He ordered through gritted teeth, his sword making contact against the metal helmet of a particularly large orc. Legolas glared openly at the man before notching another arrow and firing.

" No, I'm not going to hide, I'm sick of being treated like this!" He ducked suddenly as a rock flew threw the air where his head had been seconds earlier.

" I want you to climb up there now, if not for me for the children, I will not have them injured over your pride, it seems to me we've had this conversation already. Now go!" Aragorn shoved Legolas, more roughly perhaps than intended towards the nearest trunk. The anger in the Elf's eyes only intensified.

" No!" Aragorn slew an oncoming orc and glanced back at his husband.

" Legolas, now!" He grabbed a hold of the slender arm and with as much strength as he could muster he pushed Legolas upwards. Legolas resisted, digging his feet into the ground. Aragorn's grip increased and Legolas winced despite himself.

" Let go of me!" He said in a low voice, twisting away. Aragorn looked exasperated.

" Legolas please, no one thinks of you as a coward, now go." The man's look had become one of pleading and with a final sigh Legolas grabbed a hold of an over-hanging branch and began to pull himself upwards into the intricate nest of leaves and twigs. A sharp cry of pain sounded from somewhere behind him. The voice was all too familiar.

" Estel!" He dropped back onto the ground and ran towards the ranger. Elladan and Elrohir had also both turned at the sound and were picking their way back towards their brother.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

" Are you sure this is from her chamber?" Elrond questioned eyes downcast. A parchment was clasped tightly in his right hand. Glorfindel nodded slightly.

" I wish it weren't so my lord but it is and we must accept the truth."

" You do not think I know this!" Elrond snapped, anger flashing across his features. Glorfindel remained silent. " Where is she?"

" In the garden, do-"

" Yes fetch her, there's nothing we can do about this now…" With another curt nod Glorfindel exited the room. With an expression of great sadness Elrond sank down into his chair. The writing on the parchment was without a doubt hers.

Bah ha…so obvious what is going on…