'Ahh, delicious, Gimli commented, rubbing his stomach, 'food always seems to taste

better outdoors.'

'Ha ha,' Legolas laughed lightheartedly, 'you would have still been a glutton no matter

what the conditions, you and that great appetite of yours.'

'Ho, ho, ho,' Gimli chuckled, 'what do you think gave me the strength to slay all

of those orcs?'

Gimli reached for another piece of bread. 'Zizzz..thud!' A wooden arrow

whizzed by embedding itself in the ground beside Gimli's hand. The pair instinctively

grabbed for their weapons and dodged to cover. Another arrow bounced off the rock

Gimli had run behind.

'Orcs,' Gimli spat as he examined the arrow.

By the time Gimli had finished his thought, Legolas had felled three of the five

orcs. It was harmony as Legolas loosed another arrow. The projectile sang boldly,

reaching its mark in the chest of one of the unfortunate creatures.

'Confound it!' Gimli said rushing forward, 'save some action for me.'

Within seconds, black blood stained the yellow grass of the plains. Legolas had

taken down all but one. His marksmanship had proved valuable as three of the orcs had

taken an arrow to the throat and one, an arrow to the heart. As for the final orc, he had

been beheaded by Gimli's keen axe.

'That's more like it,' Gimli said auspiciously.

He look to his companion. Legolas had a concerned look upon his strong features.

'What is it?' Gimli asked, suddenly on the alert.

'It is just that,' Legolas mused, 'I didn't hear the orcs coming, they made no

sound at all.'

'Ah, it's okay. We all let one slip by us at some time or another,' Gimli

comforted.

'No, it is not like that!' Legolas exclaimed perhaps a bit more forcefully than he

had intended. Come here.'

With that, Legolas sprang nimbly up the small mound where the dead orcs lay.

Gimli followed suit, bounding up the knoll. The intuitive elf was crouching, examining

something on the ground.

'What is it?' Gimli asked, 'have you found something?'

'Look at the ground here,' Legolas instructed, 'and tell me what you see.'

The dwarf stooped, scrutinizing the land closely.

'I don't see anything,' he replied at length.

'Exactly!' Legolas said in a very matter-of-fact tone, 'the orcs didn't leave any

foot prints. In fact, they didn't disturb the land at all, not a single overturned pebble or

flattened blade of grass. Something has gone to miss.'

'Yes, something has indeed gone to miss,' a gruff voice came from behind them.

The duo turned, facing the speaker. The voice belonged to a tall, unkempt, but

very fierce looking man. He was, of course, Beorn, a skin changer. Legolas bowed

respectfully. Gimli quickly followed his example, beard brushing along the ground.

'What's this,' Beorn growled, 'oh stop, we haven't time for such nonsense.'

'What has happened?' Legolas asked incisively.

Beorn looked worried, 'I am not quite sure. Lately strange things have been

happening. The animals have been acting strangely and every sort of evil beast

imaginable has appeared. The wind blows an odd omen. Even Nature seems to be

wary.'

'But, what could have caused such an occurrence?' Gimli asked, eager to get to

the root of the problem.

'I am not sure,' Beorn replied, 'that is why I need help from the two of you. I am

sure Gandalf will know what is wrong. Would you be willing to travel to his counsel?

'Of course,' they agreed, 'where is he?'

'It seems that he was headed for Rivendell,' Beorn notified them, 'he should be

arriving there in about a month.'

'We'll go there immediately,' Legolas complied.

'Yes, certainly,' Gimli agreed.

'Be watchful for, if I am right, Middle Earth is no longer safe,' Beorn told them,

'be swift and be safe.'