They took camp on the western bank of the Anduin, just north of the Falls of Rauros. Pippin and Sam sat around the small fire with Gimli. Legolas stood nearby, scanning their surroundings with watchful eyes.

"We'll cross the lake at nightfall," Aragorn said, unloading the boats, "hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north."

"Oh yes? Just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil?" Gimli began in protest. "It's an impossible labrynth of razor sharp rocks. And after that, it gets even better! Festering, stinking marshlands as far as the eye can see."

"That is our road," Aragorn answered and finished unpacking, "I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf."

"Recover my...... phfffff!" the dwarf sputtered in disgust, "take no heed to that, young hobbit."

Legolas watched through the woods when suddenly his senses caught something approaching. Quickly he walked over to where Aragorn stood.

"We should leave now," the elf stated.

"No, orcs patrol the eastern shore. We should wait until the cover of darkness," Aragorn replied looking to the east. He knew Legolas might be right, but he could not risk the lives of the others.

"It is not the eastern shore that worries me," Legolas' eyes scanned across the river bank. There was something out there, and it wasn't something that would just pass without confrontation. "A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near, I can feel it."

Just then Merry returned with a pile of fire wood, and noticed that Frodo was missing. "Where's Frodo?"

Aragorn realized it too. He searched around, until he laid his eyes on the shield of Boromir who was gone also.

The days passed in the Golden Wood and Anarrima's nights remained sleepless. Some days she would take Dimrost down to the Silverlode and watch it run through the trees. Ana would lay down in the tall grass while Dimrost grazed near the creek.

"Is this what I was meant to do?" She asked to the trees, and all who cared to listen, "Why me? What more do you want from me?" Dimrost slowly trotted back and nudged Ana's shoulder in answer. Watching the golden leaves fall from the mallorn trees, her mind drifted to the past.

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Anarrima walked out to the open field in her leggings and tunic. She was to leave Mirkwood in just a year and felt she needed some proper lessons with the daggers. There was only one person she trusted in teaching her...

"Le abdollen," Legolas smirked when she walked up.

"I think not," Ana said, "you're just extremely early." Secretly she tucked a piece of rope away and smiled innocently. "Where do we begin?"

"First," he said, giving her the pair of daggers while he sheathed his sword, "you must learn to quickly draw your weapon."

"Ready.... 1.... 2..... 3!" Before Anarrima could get a grip on the daggers Legolas drew his sword and kicked his foot on the inside of her knee. Ana's legs buckled underneath her and she fell backwards to the ground, Legolas kneeled over her, his sword at her throat.

"You cheated!" Ana accused, looking into his eyes.

"Cheated?" he chuckled. "There is no cheating in battle, only survival." He put his sword away and helped her to her feet. "Now, try it again."

Over and over they practiced, each time Ana being knocked to the ground. Now frustration began to set in. "One more time, Ana," Legolas said with an exasperated sigh.

"1.... 2.... 3!" Legolas charged with his unsheathed sword. Quickly Ana stepped aside and kicked his knee from behind. His legs fell out from under him and Ana shoved him to the ground. She grabbed the rope from her boot and bound his hands behind his back. Ana rolled him onto his back and laughed as he struggled to free himself.

"Ana! This isn't funny!" he yelled after her as she walked toward the palace gates, "You can't cheat like that!"

"Cheat?" She questioned and turned around. "There is no cheating in battle, only survival." With a smile she spun and walked away, leaving the guards to untie the Prince.

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