DISCLAIMER: I do not own Lord of the Rings, or any of the characters within Lord of the Rings. They are all the work of the amazing Professor J.R.R. Tolkien!!!! (Heh, and we can't forget Peter Jackson and Newline Cinemas...) I'm not earning anything from this, except maybe amusement. Please read and review if you have time. Onward to the story then....

The three hunters set out ere the rising of the sun. The trail they had followed thus far had vanished from the land. They had been somewhat at a loss for which way they had best turn. Southward toward the Entwash or Northward to take a straighter way to the Uruk's destination? By Aragorn's counsel, they had chosen the Northward path, into the land of the Horse-lords and perhaps even to Fangorn, for by this way, the Uruk-hai would make a swifter passage to Isengard. So they continued yet, in the dim nigh before the sun's wake while the stars and moon twinkled faintly in the cloak of darkness. It was yet ragged where they traveled, for they had not reached the greenness of the plains of Rohan, and the path they followed was still somewhat enshrouded from them. But Aragorn traveled carefully, oftentimes retracing steps and running hunched over as to keep a closer eye on the ground leading to the western ridge. He would not miss a sign. Legolas traveled some ways ahead, for the rest, however he denied it, had restored much strength though not so much that he was contented with it.

Whilst they traveled, they came upon a puzzling sight. Foul folk which they followed were found quite dead, their bodies had seemed like naught but black boulders from afar, but they proved to be something of more disarray. They were too far from Minas Tirith and the Rohirrim scarcely traveled here, so who, then, could have slain the creatures? Aragorn, at length, resolved that though the actual slayers appeared to be the enemies of their similar foe, they were certainly not friends. More likely, it had been a quarrel between colliding forces. So they continued onward, leaving the bodies behind them.

At last, near a small stream, they found again clearer tracks of the Uruk-hai. Their path was made all the clearer by the assortment of things left behind and strewn about the trampled earth. And with this new discovery it seemed almost that the sun came to greet them and shed its light about them. Far off to the south could be seen a shroud of purple and colors of much beauty tinged about the edges of the White Mountains nigh to Gondor. Some short ways after this, the land became suddenly more ragged and declined quickly into a sheer cliff. The company had reached the East Wall of Rohan and as far as the eyes could see there were plains of lush greenness.

Legolas, though he made the climb downwards swifter than any man could, had been considerably slower than he would were his condition sounder. Generally, Legolas being known to be in high spirits, at least outwardly, would have leapt from one rock to the next with ease. Aragorn watched him with scrupulous and nigh unblinking eyes, as had been the case since they departed Amon Hen and Gimli watched both companions from his place some ways hindmost them. The Ranger sighed, knowing firstly that even if he could force the Elf to stop, it would be an unwise decision, and one that was not available to them if they truly wished to save the Hobbits. Not far after this, the Emyn Muil came to a very abrupt stop and the plains themselves were upon them. Even as they had neared, Legolas' down turned lips twinged upwards, for now, at least, lush grass blanketed the ground instead of merely rock and dirt. This land was far fairer and would grant much needed speed unto those that ran across its vastness. The sun shone brightly for them and they used it to their full vantage, and much time spent on rest was repented for. And during this, the three came upon a more hopeful sight even than the great eagle Legolas had spoken of ere they reached the grasslands. Aragorn had bid the other two companions wait whilst he had run over to whatever it is had caught his eye; were it even the sunlight's attempt at befooling his eyes he would not let it pass.

And it was forsooth a very fortunate thing he did not pass it by, for a small brooch that many would have passed by with naught more than passing glances was lifted from the dirt. A leaf of Lothlórien where no trees were to be found. It was stamped deep within the mud and earthen footprints of the Uruk host and barely visible save for those that searched for such a thing. It had been good indeed that they had not traveled this place by the scant light of the stars and moon, for it was some ways from the main tracks and quite hidden. With this new hope kindled from a fading candle in their hearts they went all the swifter until the light about them rather than inside them failed and a hard decision barred their way.

"Do we stop to rest or carry onwards during the dark of night?" Asked Aragorn at length, stopping Legolas and speaking loud enough for Gimli to hear even though he still hastened in their stead.

"Surely," began Gimli in a huff from all his running, "even those we pursue must have needs for rest?"

"But these are no ordinary Orcs as you may see them, Master Dwarf. They are a strange folk and the name Uruk-hai better suits them. But Orcs scarcely travel during the daylight hours yet these creatures do, without halt. They will not stop for rest during the night, the time which they favor."

"We may go amiss the path we follow during darkness," argued the Dwarf, the intended firm effect lessened somewhat by his loss of breath.

"Nay, the path goes straight..."

"I do not underestimate the far-sight of Elves, but not even thine own eyne could see so little a thing as a footprint in the far distance afore us, much less a brooch. And what if one of the Halflings were to escape once more? The darkness would enshroud his path from us."

"I think not that there will be another escape, save if we are the ones to devise it. The Hobbits' captors will not let them out of their sight anew."

"But Gimli does speak the truth, and darkness will not aid us in the least. I would that we had some light to travel by, but we do not, else I would not bid us stop till Merry and Pippin were safe with us once more and all their captors slain. But there is yet one thing more that we have not factored in," and at this Aragorn turned to Legolas, who still stared anxiously in the direction he yearned to continue in, "Legolas, whether you like it or not, your condition is this factor. Though you are averse to stop, you also tip the scale and persuade me to contend against you."

"Ai, Valar, can I never escape this? If I am indeed that final factor then should not it be I who has the last say in this?" Cried Legolas, his brow furrowing downwards in frustration. "True, we may miss a sign, but as I have said before, I doubt another escape will bechance and even so, we risk more by lengthening the distance between ourselves and our foe than by traveling without light," he continued, gesturing in the way the tracks faded into the now thickening night and further to the host they chased.

"My friend, a fool you are if you say you can continue this toilsome run posthaste. I have granted you more wisdom in my mind than you deserve, then. We know what it is you would say and will believe naught of it," said the Dwarf, planting his feet firmly where he stood and shifting his weight to lean on the butt of his axe.

"Alas, now it is two against but one..." said the Elf at length, shaking his head in disapproval, "very well, then, Aragorn, I will follow your counsel, whatever it be, for though I long to travel onwards, I know we must stay together."

"It is a difficult decision, and one that I wish did fall to me, but the peril of missing something in the night is great and so I would bid us use this time to rest, if only for a short time." Upon hearing these words, Legolas sighed, disheartened to some extent, but did not argue further. Perhaps it was wisest to wait? But, then again, perhaps not? Who could say?

And so rest they did, at least Gimli and even Aragorn did. In truth, save for very fleeting moments, the Ranger had not slept since Tol Brandir, and though he too wished that they could draw nearer to the Uruk-hai during the night, he knew that their bodies, Elven or not, would fail them if they did not take their own strength into consideration. But Legolas did not join his comrades in a slumber and instead kept his senses entirely appendant upon the land about him. All this time he could feel the Uruk-hai growing farther and farther and with them went unwillingly the two young Hobbits.

Aragorn rose from his light sleep to see Legolas' form silhouetted against the rising sun, his back to his companions and eyes set across the plains. It seemed that Legolas, perhaps also in an act of defiance against the Ranger's will, had not rested throughout the whole of the night and to this, Aragorn could not help but sigh. As Aragorn roused Gimli from his deep sleep, the Elf did not tear his gaze from where he watched, though he was well aware of his comrade's stirring. With the assurance of the Dwarf's wake, Legolas began again the long run that would last all day, both Gimli and Aragorn following in his stead.

To everyone's displeasure, no new signs from the Hobbits were found during that day, and the sun betrayed the travelers before they could go as far as they wished. Once more, they stopped for the night, and once more Legolas protested to no avail. While two of the company slept, again one was left, staring into the endless black of night with eyes that tried desperately to part the blankness. When the sun rose again, Aragorn found the Elf standing in much the same manner as he had the previous night. At this, the Ranger began to wonder if it would not be wiser to give the Mirkwood Prince a blow to the head ere the sun set again, though he decided against this. Suffering the wrath of the son of Thranduil was not something that Aragorn wished to do.

"Something is nearing while that which we seek strays farther. Can you not sense it? A great host approaches very far in the distance," said Legolas after a long silence and much thought. Aragorn nodded, for he had indeed felt this, though his eyes were not keen enough to have seen it. The earth told him what his eyes could not.

So again they set out, though the land seemed to shake very faintly beneath their feet; a forewarning of something headed their way. Both Legolas and Aragorn had felt it and wondered just what it could be. Friends or foes were the two words that crossed their minds most oft. This question would soon be answered. Near midday, the trembling of the earth about them deepened greatly and seemed almost to become a rhythmic beat. And then all three could see the great company of horses that drew ever near them, though for Dwarf and man it seemed like naught more than a dark blur across the fields.

"Riders," said Aragorn, gazing deeply at the advancing horses, as they were now told to be, and of course, their riders. A smile graced Legolas' lips, for he had known far ahead of time what they were, and had counted there to be one hundred and five and three horses that ran free of passengers. The Elf wondered at this for a time, before informing Aragorn of what he saw. The Ranger told of the horseman that were quickly descending upon them, the Riders of Rohan. It was decided that they were already too near for any hopes of avoiding an encounter with them, and so they waited in silence, hidden amongst the grass and rock.

Soon the Rohirrim came into far clearer view, and it could be seen by all that the mounts they rode were fair indeed. For it was true that the horses of Rohan were most praised and wonderful among all Middle-earth, save, of course, the Mearas themselves. The men that they bore were all tall and fair, as well, and each had a thick head of blond, braided back like the manes of their horses. They held spears and weapons and were clad in chain. They were upon the Aragorn and his companions swiftly, many galloping past, the mighty hooves beating against the earth. Though, it appeared that the presence of the three went unnoticed, or at least, it did until Aragorn stepped out from hiding and called to them.

"What news from the North, Riders?" At hearing this, all turned their horses as one and came quickly to encircle the three, their mail jangling as spears were brought forth. One man came forward, past the rest, to stand nigh those who stood in the center of all this. He sat tall upon a great steed and looked down from his perch as if to examine those in front of him.

"Who are you and what business have you in Rohan, strangers?" Asked the man, removing his helm.

"I am called Strider," said Aragorn, not revealing his true name or heritage, "we have come from the North in pursuit of Orcs, or fouler folk, mayhap." At this, the man frowned and studied Aragorn once more, with a suspicious and pondering eye.

"In truth, we though you to be Orcs yourselves, and it is fortunate that you are not. You are unwise to seek Orcs in this manner, and three would have done little good against a number so great as were they who you pursued. But, Strider, that is not a name for a Man... and there is something strange about you and your company. How is it that you went unseen by us?"

"We are cloaked in the garb of Lothlorien, given us by the Lady of the Wood. This is likely what concealed us," answered Aragorn, considering the man just as he was being considered himself.

"So old tales of the Golden Wood are true, then? If you have the favor of the Lady, then mayhap you wield Elvish sorcery as well? It is not oft that one escapes the net of Lórien...if one enters it at all," said the man, looking at Aragorn once more, possibly more suspiciously upon hearing this, before turning towards Legolas and Gimli. "But why have you kept to silence?" Gimli, having bristled much at the words of this man, was loath to reply politely.

"Give me your name, Horse-master, and I shall give you mine," he said in his gravelly tone, his hand lending to the handle of his axe and gripping it tightly. The man appeared angered, but did not act brashly to this remark.

"It is not oft that a stranger gives his name second, but very well... I am Éomer, son of Éomund and am called also Third Marshal of the Riddermark."

"And I am Gimli, son of Glóin. You would do well not to forget it, or to affront the fair Lady of Lothlórien." At this, Éomer became more heated, and dismounted his horse and strode in Gimli's direction as if to threaten him.

"I would cut off your head, Dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground." Legolas, seeing the Third Marshal's hand stray to the hilt of his sword, though he could hardly blame the man, stepped between the two and nimbly drew his bow, though he could not hide a wince at the motion. He had nearly forgotten about his shoulder in his haste to nock an arrow. All around them, the Rohirrim advanced closer, bringing the points of spears and their own bows threateningly closer.

"You would die before your stroke fell," said Legolas, heatedly. Éomer, seeming to appear unworried by the arrow point so near him, continued to speak and Aragorn hastened to place himself in between. The tall man strode even closer to Legolas and studied him too, his eyes coming to rest on bloodstains that had not left the Elf's enclothe.

"Is it such a wise decision, Elf, to draw a weapon when surrounded? And furthermore, is it wise still to be so ready to fight when you appear to be unable to do so? I would not be so eager to obtain more wounds," at this, Legolas began to lower his bow, a perplexed look spreading across his face. He seemed almost to be embarrassed that his weaknesses had been so easily discovered. With a last glare at Éomer, he returned the arrow to his quiver and released the tension from his bow without need for Aragorn to stop a coming of blows.

"I am more than able to defend myself, but you are correct. It would be unwise of me to shoot down one who seems to have also the same foes as do we. You speak of these Orcs as though you have come across them?"

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Well there's that! And I really apologize for that long wait... but I did post a new story...so at least I wasn't slacking off...entirely. I also wish to apologize if this followed the book/movie too closely... I simply could find no way around it and hope it was original enough. I will update as soon as I get back from camp! Anyways, again, all the reviews have been so kind! Thank you, thank you! And that goes for any silent readers as well. I'm sorry to say that this will probably be my last update before I head of to camp on Monday. I'll be gone for two whole weeks! I hope you'll stay with me. I'll be sure to keep thinking out the next chapter(s) while I'm gone....and perhaps I'll be able to sneak in an update on my other story before I walk out the door?

Bookworm,. 303: Lol. That's happened to me before and it can get VERY irritating. Thanks so much for the review...ah, yes...Gimli does snore indeed! Lol. Ooh, and you must update, yourself! I can't wait for your next chapter.

Tears of Eternal Darkness: Thank you so much...and I really hope I can get back into the habit of faster updates once I get back from camp.

Gismo: I'm really glad you're liking it, and so glad you're reviewing. I really appreciate it. I want the story to deepen, but I love to add in humor.

Eryn lasgalen elf: Lol...I wish I had updated sooner...personally, I can't stand a long wait, but alas, I fear I may have caused one. Thank you, again!

Deana: My mom is watching me like a hawk now, even though it is summer, so consequently, my writing time has been cut short. At this very moment I can see the sun rising. I had best type faster lest my mom should find me! I suppose it is a good thing that I don't have a labtop...I would probably go without for days on end.

Celebrean: Yum, nachos. Legolas and Aragorn are my favorite characters, as well.... although I have always liked Gandalf in the book(s) and the movie(s). Thanks a bunch.

Orliey: I'm trying to choose each word carefully. I'm so glad you like it. I had quite a bit of fun writing that bit. Thank you!!

Kelsey: It's comforting to know that you think I am...I always worry about writing realistically, etc. Thanks so much. I'm a bit torn, actually... about writing past Fangorn. I think I have decided that I will end this story upon being reunited with Gandalf? Perhaps not. I may go on to the very end as I had originally planned. My mind is a fickle thing. Lol.

Ithildiel: I'll be sure to check into that site right when I get back from camp, and thanks for telling me about it. I can't wait to find out more about Erethien and to read more of your work. Thanks again.

Princess of Legends: Don't worry about it...my parents are oftentimes my worst enemies. But, I'm glad you're back now and even happier that you approve of the story. Thank you!

Boromir: Glad you liked. Lol... it would appear so. Thank you!

AliciA: It was the strangest thing... almost immediately after I reviewed your story I began to write these responses... and I was pleasantly surprised to find that you had reviewed back! Thank you so much!!

Well, that's it for now... I am off to my Japanese camp with the coming of Monday morn... and I'm fretting (as are my parents) because I have yet to pack my bags! But I've got my Kanji dictionary in hand and am prepared to endure two weeks of naught but Japanese! Lol. Until next time!

-Jamie (Lintu...)