Chapter Six

     The delightful sound of trickling water met Maeg's ear as she followed Aragorn to a small water canal which flowed gaily, it's gurgling soothing to weary souls.

 "Is this water safe for drinking?" Maeg inquired desperately, her eyes pleading, her lips trembling.

 "Of course," Aragorn answered, slightly bewildered by her reaction as she nearly fell to her knees and cupped her hands and spooned the refreshingly cool water to her dried lips. She drank for several minutes before she finally rested her hands upon her still lap, her eyes searching the surface of the water in silence.

 "Are you ill?" Legolas muttered, his hand pulling back Maeg's loose hair from her face, his eyes beseeching her own.

     Heat rushed to Maeg's face, and she lowered her head in embarrassment as she slowly met the Elf's gaze.

 "Oh, I am fine, it's just I am drinking for two, rather than one," Maeg answered, a timid smile tugging her lips awkwardly.

 "Come, I shall show you the footprints," Legolas said, grabbing Maeg's hand and lifting her to her feet and leading her down the stream and nearly to the water's edge.  Small, light prints were surely pressed into the soft soil. The outline of them barely visible, Maeg reached down and ran her fingers lightly over the earth which held this joyous clue.

 "This is wonderful!" Maeg exclaimed, smiling.

 "So it is; come," Aragorn said, stepping to her side. "They seemed to have come here to take a drink and rest for a period of time." Aragorn studied the prints and the small area in which they were found, looking to which way the Hobbit's had gone afterwards.

 I feel as though I am being watched…and not by my companions… Maeg thought to herself, her eyes trailing to the lowering branches of the towering trees and the shivering leaves which chilled her heart.

    Gimli sat upon the ground, his axe resting in his palms as he closed his eyes and rested his back upon an old tree. His breathing became heavy and his head lulled slightly.

 That Dwarf! He shall get himself killed, without me! Legolas thought, a sigh escaping his tight lips as he silently walked towards the large tree and the small, sleeping Dwarf.

 "Gimli," Legolas said, gently shaking the Dwarf's shoulder as his eyes slowly rose to the tip of the tree.

     Gimli grumbled and shook his head awake and set his eyes on the Elf's, his brows furrowed in agitation.

 "I was just taking a rest before Aragorn had us running about once again," Gimli rambled, his rambunctious voice rising. "Why did thee have to awaken me in such a nice sleep?"

     Legolas let a smile escape and rest upon his lips and a soft chuckle rumbled from his chest. His hand took Gimli's elbow and lifted him from the ground.

 "My dear Dwarf," Legolas began, his voice soft. "If I had continued to allow you to sleep upon such a dreadful tree, you would certainly have been swallowed whole!"

     Legolas' words disturbed Gimli, his eyes shooting to the trees in surprise and alarm.

 "What are you speaking of?" Gimli asked his voice low. Legolas smiled secretly, enjoying the fact that this supposed Brave Dwarf was seeking his counsel.

 "Ancestors of old say that the trees' water supply was filled with this magical drink in which enabled them to think, speak, and even move!" Legolas was saying, his hands spreading about to show the tremendous trees about them.

     Gimli's eyes widened as Legolas spoke, his hands tightening upon his axe in consternation.

     Maeg watched the whole scene, and she could feel uncontrollable giggles rising up, ready to burst forth from her frowning face. Her eyes wrinkled, and her lips turned upward as the giggles spilled forth, drawing everyone's attention directly upon her.

     Gimli stood aghast at this sight, his jaw drooping; he looked to Legolas who seemed to not comprehend this happening.

     Maeg finally controlled her fitful laughter and breathed deeply, tears of merriment spilling down her ruddy cheeks.

 "I am so wretched for laughing at such a time as this," Maeg scolded herself, her mouth still in a smile. "But I just can't seem to help myself; these convulsions of laughter could not stay hidden!"

     Aragorn looked at Maeg's flushed face, and his stomach tightened, and his mouth constricted. He could feel the rumbling in his chest getting harder and harder to control. Before he knew it, his deep laughter was filling the closed, wooded area. With the resonating laughter of the stern ranger, Gimli began giggling, his robust chest heaving with his deep, mournful giggles. Legolas, however, did not openly laugh, but his tight mouth did turn upright.

After several minutes of uncontrolled laughter, Aragorn leaned upon his knees, catching his breath. He lifted his head to look into Maeg' compassionate eyes and smiled.

 "I cannot remember when I laughter so sincerely," Aragorn confessed, standing a straight once again and pulling his bow about his shoulder. "And I have you to thank for it," he said, bowing his head in respect towards the flushed mother-to-be before he went back to the footprints and yonder upon a stair-like rock.

 "I say," Gimli exclaimed, still regaining control over his chuckles. "It has been balm to have you with us on this woeful journey."

 "Why, thank you, Master Dwarf," Maeg said gaily, lifting her skirts and curtsying humbly, a teasing smile crossing her face.

 "You are-" Legolas began before he stopped short and whipped his head in the opposite direction, like a deer listening for hunters. All was still, not a sound was heard, save the rapidly beating heart of the distraught maiden.

     Slowly, with a savage glow in his eyes, Legolas turned to Gimli and Maeg. His low whisper sent chills of fear running up Maeg's spine.

 "The White Wizard approaches…"