Aragorn and company rode until the sun was low on the horizon. Then he halted, and the company broke from the trail to camp for the night.
"We will rest here for the night," he told his men, "for I do not trust this trail in the dark. Already it has twisted and turned back upon itself many times."
"Shall we allot times for a night-watch, my lord?" one of the men asked him.
"Yes, two on watch at a time, two hour shifts. We do not know how close we may be to Legolas, and the closer we get, the more on guard we shall need to be."
"I will take the first watch," offered Gimli. "I am sore from our ride, but not yet tired."
Aragorn smiled grimly. "I will watch with you."
"But sire," argued Faramir, who had come from the back of the line of horses, "you have had a sore trial today, and shall need to be rested all you can for tomorrow's hunt. I will cover both your shifts and my own if need be."
Aragorn rested his hand on Faramir's shoulder a moment and smiled. "No Faramir, I will watch. Legolas is like a brother to me. Besides, you men have had no less toiling a ride. I would not ask it of you to take any less rest than I."
"Then so be it," smiled Faramir. "May tonight bring us peace however."
"Indeed."
But there was no need for a watch at the moment. The men covered the ground with bedrolls for sleeping, others busied themselves building the campfire, or collecting kindling to last the night. A few others prepared the food, dried meats, bread, cheese, vegetables and fruits. Also given to each man sitting there, a piece of lembas bread to replenish them, baked by the Queen Arwen herself, and enough to last nearly two weeks. A few skins of wine and water were brought out, but the conversation was scarce and even the campfire seemed cheerless. All sat around the warming blaze of the campfire, trying to shut out the sudden chill that the wind bore.
The evening wore on. The stars peeked out from tattered patches of cloud, and the moon gave out a weak light, half hidden in clouds itself.
One by one the men turned in for the night, climbing underneath the soft fur of their bedrolls. The campsite grew even quieter then it had been before. Only Aragorn and Gimli were left awake, removed a little from the others, and peering into the darkness around them.
"Do you really think we'll be attacked tonight?" Gimli asked.
"Not likely, though it is hard to judge how close we may be to Legolas' abductors." They were the first words Aragorn had spoken since he'd talked with Faramir some two hours prior. Mostly, he's sat in thought, staring out into the distance, and none had dared to approach him.
Gimli grunted. "I do hope the elf is alright."
"So do I. I just wish I knew what sort of beings took him."
Gimli looked sharply at the king. "What do you mean?"
"The tracks are strange, very strange. Like orcs they appear, but at the same time, closer to Urak-hai. And the other prints are light, like an elf, but yet unlike an elf. It is a strange puzzle."
"But one we shall find the answer to."
Aragorn looked towards the dwarf, and caught the gleam in his eye. Gimli would travel all through the night if he could, and stop only when he could no longer stand. Aragorn smiled to himself. Such was the friendship that had been forged between the dwarf and the elf.
"Do not despair Gimli, we will find him."
