Aragorn and Legolas

The wind blew hard, stripping the brown leaves from the trees as it passed. It blew into disarray the dark hair of the man who was hunched over a small pile of wood and dries grass, attempting to light a fire. He struck the flint again, wiling the spark to blossom into flame. But the wind gusted again and the spark was lost. He sighed, letting the tool fall from his hand. He was cold and hungry. The winter snows were still some months away but the winds had brought the icy feel of them to the lowlands already.

He was camped in a natural shelf not too far from the edge of the wood. He had spent the last few years watching the outskirts of the lands of the Periannath or Halflings they were called. Guarding it really, at the behest of Gandalf the Grey. The wizard had come to Imladris in search of the ranger, requesting the help of him and his people to watch against the arrival of the enemy, which enemy was vague, but the fact that Gandalf was worried was enough for the man.

However, four years were almost gone and no danger had come. Aragorn had grown restless and leaving his kin to keep watch, had drifted further and further from the edges of the Shire. He was now camping alone closer to the Old Forest.

He pulled his dark worn leather coat, closer about his shoulders, sniffing wearily. He glared at the unresponsive bundle of tinder and eased down to the ground, pressing his back against the bole of the tree that formed a natural lee over his camp. He drew his legs against his chest and hugging them tightly closed his eyes against the hunger and the cold. He drifted off into a half sleep until a stealthy sound awakened him. He did not jerk awake, but listened carefully. There to the left, a faint whisper of cloth against shrub. He opened his eyes peering into the tangle of foliage. Nothing moved, but Aragorn slowly drew his sword. He pulled his legs under him quietly, ready to spring at the slightest sign of danger. However, he was unprepared for the feel of cold steel against his throat. His enemy was above him. He held his inhaled breath, not daring to move.

"Hmmm, a ranger caught off his guard." An amused voice said, as a figure dropped lightly in front of him.

Aragorn's eyes opened wide as smiling blue eyes stared into his. The elf sheathed his knife and held out his hand to the man. Aragorn gladly grasped the proffered hand and coming to his feet, hugged the elf hard.

"Legolas." He said pulling back, staring at his friend in disbelief. "It has been too long my friend. How did you find me?"

"Lord Elrond, he told me you had gone off with Mithrandir. I reached the ranger's camp two days ago. From there I followed the obvious signs." Legolas' lips quirked as he tried to hide his smile. Aragorn cocked an eyebrow. "Obvious, I think not."

"Even so, here I am."

"Indeed." Aragorn took a small step back as hunger assailed him once again.

Legolas' eyes narrowed as he took in the ranger's paleness and the slight tremor in his stance.

"Aragorn you are cold. When last did you eat?" He held onto his friend's arms as he swayed and lowered him to the ground.

"I could not get the fire going." Aragorn gasped pulling his thin coat about his shoulders.

Legolas quickly undid the clasp at his neck and draped his own cloak around the shoulders of his friend. Aragorn huddled in the folds of the elven cloth glad for the extra warmth. He watched as the elf deftly piled the wood and grass into a different pattern and soon had a cherry fire going. A low whistle brought Sule his horse forward and he quickly took two wrapped bundles from around the neck of the proud mare. He offered thick slices of honey bread from one of the packs to Aragorn and patted the other. "Lembas." He said.

Aragorn ate his fill, three whole slices, and leaned back content in the warmth of the fire, his full stomach and the company of his friend. Legolas simply watched his friend, noting that the years had left no mark upon him. For this he was glad. Although Aragorn tried valiantly to stay awake, his eyes soon closed and his gentle breathing and soft snores filled the small camp. Legolas shifted into a more comfortable position and kept watch for many long hours. But the cozy fire and the evenness of Aragorn's breathing caused him too, to slip into a peaceful slumber.

Aragorn shouldered his meager pack into a more comfortable position as the two friends walked, talking earnestly together. The mare followed them silently occasionally chewing at succulent grasses that reached her hocks.

"They have become bolder. The last two years, we have had to double our patrols to keep them at bay. But kept them we have. We have halved their number at least." Legolas' face was grim as he recounted the many battles with the giant spiders that lived in Mirkwood.

Aragorn nodded, knowing that lately, the shadow that glowered in the east had grown darker, emboldening the evil things of the world. "We too have kept watch; more and more strangers have come west, always asking questions about the olden days, seeking out forgotten myths. I have had to stay in Bree over long many times for that is where they frequent."

"Even Imladris has had its woes." Legolas rejoined.

"Imladris!" Aragorn stopped, putting one hand to his friend's chest to stop his forward motion.

"What has happened?"

"Do not panic, Strider." Legolas' eyes twinkled a bit as he stressed the nickname the rangers had for his friend.

Aragorn grimaced in embarrassment for a moment as he remembered how he had gotten the name in the first place. Legolas' smile broadened at his friend's discomfort.

"Tell me what has happened, please." The ranger repeated.

"Well, Elrohir told me that there have been orc sightings near the borders of Rivendell, large numbers, but they do not engage the warriors, who are sent out to challenge them. They have retreated for the most part. But still some lurk in the hills to the south."

Aragorn digested this news frowning. "They must be planning a bold strike, feeling out the defenses."

"That is what Lord Elrond has said."

"Then I must return. My family has need of me." Aragorn declared.

"I will go with you." Legolas said, glad that Aragorn had made the decision. The two turned east and made for the East - West road that would lead them to the south of Rivendell.

The three orcs snarled as the three elves, two dark haired and one golden sat their horses quietly. They were less than a league away from the rocks behind which the orcs hid. The elves had been there for the last four hours and showed no intention of moving.

"Let's go round 'em and carve 'em up." Darnik growled in his captain's mangled ear. Garuk shook his head silently.

"They know we are here." He whispered back harshly.

"Then let us retreat sir." Mordurk's gravelly growl was meant to be a whisper, but across the way Lord Glorfindel inclined his head staring directly at their hiding place.

"Back, back you spawn of slugs!" Garuk crawled backward on his elbows and knees, his anger numbing the pain of the sharp nicks he received from the rugged rocks about them. Soon, soon he promised himself, the ground would be bathed in elf blood. He stopped for a moment to pull a swath of long flaxen hair from his leather jerkin. He sniffed it, running the soft silken strands across his marred cheeks. Not this one though, no death for this one. This one was his.

Aragorn leaned low on the mare's back, urging her on. The horse ran smoothly as though sensing her rider's need. At her side matching her pace ran Legolas. The elf's feet were a blur of movement as they ran up the slope of a high hill. At the summit they stopped. Aragorn quickly dismounted, giving Legolas and Sule a chance to catch their breath. They had been taking turns to ride the horse so that she would not be worn out by their combined weight.

"Your turn mellon nin." Aragorn said.

"I can go on… a bit further." Replied the elf between breaths.

"There is no need." Aragorn responded. "I would have you reach Rivendell alive. Besides I can run as fast as you can."

"Yes," replied Legolas with a quick grin, "but not as long."

"Even so you will ride." Aragorn said jutting out his jaw stubbornly. Legolas simply nodded, knowing better than to argue with that look. He was bent over slightly, long hands resting on his knees as he brought his breathing under control.

Aragorn shaded his eyes with his hands surveying the lands that lay in the distance. They still had to reach the peak of the Northern pass. For all their speed the journey had taken two weeks and Aragorn was loathe to tarry longer. In his heart he felt that his family needed him.

Elrohir held his breath and his eyes narrowed slightly as he released his arrow. It flew true imbedding itself deep into the left eye of an orc. The brutish creature gave a pitiful yelp and fell to the ground dead. The rest of the pack was startled into flight. Elrohir stepped out from behind the tree, his bow hand dropping. To his left Elladan rose from the leaf littered ground sword also dropping to his side.

"Why will they not fight back?" Elrohir ground out between his teeth.

"They are baiting us." Elladan replied, frowning as he thought. There were twenty elves of Rivendell hidden in this area among the trees. Each was armed with a bow and sword. So far they had killed at least fifteen orcs in the last month. But each time they attacked, the horrible creatures would run away higher into the mountains or across the plains to the forest.

Lord Glorfindel approached the twins at a fast walk. "They are gone for now. Let us return. It would not be wise to remain here as night falls."

Night was slowly falling as the two riders descended the rocky incline that led to Rivendell. Aragorn and Legolas had decided to forego the more commonly used route that lay to the south and instead had circled to the north, taking the path down the mountain side. But as Sule skidded slightly on a loose patch of shale, nearly unseating Aragorn, he wondered if they had made a mistake. He involuntarily and suddenly tightened his hold around Legolas' waist, causing the elf to gasp in surprise.

"Sorry!" Aragorn said with a sheepish grin, that Legolas could not see. He felt the elf's body shake with mirth. They had scarcely traveled one league more when a black arrow twanged into the earth in front of them.Startled Sule reared, her front hooves waving angrily in the air, nostrils dilating. Aragorn fell with a yelp of surprise taking Legolas with him. The elf fell on top of him squashing the air from his lungs. Legolas rolled to one knee immediately, his arrow notched and ready to fly. His eyes darted left and right in the fading light, but no target moved. Another black arrow sang through the air burying itself in the earth away to his left. He shot in that direction, not knowing if he hit anything. At his side Aragorn had drawn his bow.

"Back behind these rocks!" Aragorn called sliding backwards behind two craggy boulders that stood a little to their right. Legolas rolled again coming to rest against Aragorn's shoulders. "I cannot see them." He panted, blue eyes searching the lower slopes.

"They are hidden behind those boulders." Aragorn whispered nodding to a screen of large rocks that lay almost at the foot of the mountains just beyond the tree line.

"We must move, or they will pin us down." Legolas said in his ear. "They can work their way above us if we remain."

"I know, but if we move we risk injury. There are no large rocks near enough for us to take cover." Aragorn replied quickly. Legolas risked a look, peeping out from behind their hiding place. Immediately an arrow whistled through the air burying itself close to where they hid. He pulled back. "I see what you mean." He said with wry humor.

The elves all stopped as the sound of a single galloping horse reached their ears. At a signal from the elf lord the warriors melted into the trees, their bows stretched, arrows notched. A white mare, rider less, bore down on them, ears flattened against her skull. She wore no halter or saddle; an elven steed. She stumbled to a stop as though sensing their presence. Glorfindel approached the horse speaking softly to the distressed animal. He laid his hand on her heaving flanks. She snorted, nudging him with her muzzle.

Elladan and Elrohir came forward looking at he horse curiously. Elladan held her head, peering at the tooled leather insignia that decorated her brow. "It is the crest of Mirkwood." He said suddenly looking across at the elf lord.

"Legolas!" all three exclaimed together.

"She came from the mountains!" Elrohir said looking up toward the northern pass. Without another word the golden haired warrior lord began to run, leading his band of fighters to the foothill of the Northern Mountains.

Notes

Mellon nin my friend

To

Ria Erif. I'm glad you liked it.

Amy. I hope this little of Garuk whet your appetite for more. Thank you for your kind words.

Ivoryi Your words were precious to me.

L.M. Lachance. Feel free to sound hokey anytime. It was deeply appreciated.

Solitare. Thank you for your blessings.

Silvertoekee. There are more sniffles ahead, hope you like them.

Twilight Unicorn. You left me speechless. Hannon le.