A/N) Sorry its taken me so long to get this chapter out, loads of stuff been going on. First the strain of going back to school after the Christmas period; then my birthday last Friday, and going out on Saturday and buying my first Lottery Ticket. Also there is the matter of course-work deadlines still looming in the horizon. Please forgive me. I will try and update every week, but it depends on my busy-schedule. On Mondays I cannot write as I do Trampolining and usually Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday's the teachers decide to bombard us with tons of homework. But it will depend on how long the chapter is before I post it.
Thank you for all the wonderful reviews that I have been receiving. It's made my day.
Onto Chapter 3: Scouting and Planning
The Forge of Friendship
Chapter 3
Scouting and Planning
Gandalf returned a while later entering into the clearing. His robes blew around him. Aragorn was no where to be seen. Legolas was sitting on a log, his elbows on his knees leaning forward, his face confused.
"You seem to be worried about something?" the wizard asked, sitting beside the elf.
Legolas glanced at the wizard. "I am." he said, "It's what Aragorn told me. You were right I do understand him, but I can't see how someone could do that to a child."
Gandalf smiled slowly. "You would have to meet the same man that did what he did to Aragorn in order for you to understand the situation and his motives."
"If I did I'd kill him even if I was restrained I'd find a way to kill him."
"My dear Prince, I highly doubt that anyone could hold you back when you've got your mind settled on something."
Legolas grinned slightly.
"So where has Aragorn gone?" Gandalf asked, "I do not see him here."
Legolas pointed towards a clearing of trees that led into a darker part of the forest. "He went through there. No doubt he's scouting out the territory. Out there is a spider's nest off to the east, and ahead about a mile is the men's camp. I wouldn't be surprised if he stumbled across the camp."
"We will wait for his return. It's time I gave Aragorn some independence of his own."
*****
Leaving the small camp Aragorn had traveled through the darkened wood, listening to his surrounds making sure that no one could pounce on him. His hand was forever on his sword hilt; his eyes roamed his surroundings taking in each tree that he saw and memorizing it so that he could follow the trees back to Gandalf and Legolas.
A loud shriek pierced the air and he stopped in his tracks, listening intently, glancing around watching for any signs of movement. He pulled his sword out and gripped it, turning around stepping quietly through the undergrowth. Something was not right.
I'm not alone, he thought.
Even before he had a chance to defend himself five spiders jumped down from trees landing in a circle around him. Fear built in his heart. Even after all these years of training with the twins; they had never taught him how to defend himself in these type of situations.
On instinct he leapt to the side, sidestepping to the right to avoid a spider's swipe as a claw descended. He struck out with his sword-arm and successfully managed to take the claw from the insect.
Free of the circle, he ran towards a bunch of trees and dived into the undergrowth. He fell suddenly as his foot tangled in a piece of root sticking out of the ground. He pulled himself up and grabbed his sword, turning as a spider launched itself at him. He ducked and skewered the spider.
Not daring to look back the young man made a break for a line of trees ahead. He came into a small clearing and looked around at his surroundings.
Tents were pitched up; men in cloaks walked around; and two elves could be seen tied to a pole. Quickly he pulled up his hood on his cloak and concealed his face. He had found the man's camp.
He entered into the camp and walked around, taking in each man's face. The two elves appeared beaten and scared; both of them seemed dead. They were bound securely by rope tying their hands behind them. As he walked he heard two men speaking urgently to each other and listened, being careful to remain hidden in case they discovered him.
"Doyni! Where have you been?" the blond haired man said, glancing at a smaller man with dark hair.
"I'm sorry dear brother, but we could not find the Prince anywhere. He is no where near the Gates." the man called Doyni replied.
The blond man crossed his arms and cursed. "We need him. All these other elves have been useless. He is the one who we can use against the King. Once we have him in our grasp we will be able to convince the King to do exactly what we want."
Aragorn breathed in sharply, hardly daring to believe what he was hearing. These men were after Legolas!
"What of the wizard and the Edain?"
"According to my information they left a few hours ago. The Prince has most likely gone back to the Palace. I do not think we can nab him."
"Very well. I'm sure another time will present itself."
Aragorn quickly hurried away.
*****
It was midday when Aragorn returned to camp. Both Legolas and Gandalf were waiting for him. Before any of them could speak, Aragorn said; "I've found the men's camp."
Legolas looked up sharply. "You have?"
Aragorn shrugged. "Well, after falling into a nest of spiders, I stumbled across the camp."
"And what did you do?"
"I stole into the camp, cloaked so that they could not see my face. Most of the men were doing that anyway so I figured I could get away with it. I saw two elves held captive. They appeared beaten and half-alive. I heard two of them speak; they spoke of Legolas."
Gandalf glanced towards the Prince. "What did they say?"
"They're searching for you. If what you say is right about their motives wanting to know about the evil in these woods, then they expect your father to know. They intend to hold you against your father so that he will tell them what is going on."
Legolas sighed. "That puts me in a bad position."
"However these men believe that you are back at the palace, and myself and Gandalf have left." Aragorn said. A twinkle was in his eyes as he spoke.
"You have a plan?" Gandalf asked, clearly reading the signs.
"I do."
"Then what is it?" Legolas asked, clearly frustrated with the situation. His fists were balled and a frown was upon his face, giving him a rather scary look.
"You will not like it." Aragorn said.
"I'll be the judge of that!" Legolas snapped. His calm demeanor had been shattered by Aragorn's confirmation of the current circumstance.
"Very well," Aragorn began, glancing at Gandalf and then resting his eyes on the elf. "I can infiltrate the men's camp and become allies with them, even though I do not wish to. I can take them down from the inside."
"How do you propose in gaining their trust?" Legolas asked, though he had an inkling of what it might be.
"Simple. Hand you to them. Say that I wish to join them. They would not ask any questions if I gave them the elf they truly wished to have, would they? That way we are both in the camp. I can find out reasons as to why they really are doing this, and you can be there to clarify what I discover. We will make an escape and bring your father's warriors to the camp."
"Why not just do that?"
"Because we need to know 'why' and what reasons they are doing this for. It can't be as you say. There something else behind this. I feel it."
Legolas sighed. "I do not like this idea. Mithrandir? Your views?"
The wizard sat smoking listening to the whole exchange. When Legolas asked him, the wizard took one more puff on his pipe and said: "It is a splendid idea! Legolas, its time you trusted some of the Edain! If you follow to what young Aragorn says then I'm sure everything will turn out perfectly. As long as I'm on call, you should be fine."
Legolas got to his feet and glanced around, before saying, "Alright. You can take me as your prisoner to these men. But.....if you abandon me in what-so-ever or prove that you are unworthy of my companionship then I will hunt you down and kill you. Agreed?"
Aragorn nodded.
In the next hour everything was set. Aragorn had disappeared with Gandalf for a while leaving the Prince with his guards. Aragorn bound Legolas' arms behind his back lightly, so not to cause any lasting effects. Then waving goodbye to the wizard, Aragorn led Legolas towards the men's camp, to see what fate planned next for them.
TBC
Chapter 4 deals with Aragorn and Legolas in the men's camp.
