IMPORTANT NEWS: I am most likely unable to update until next Saturday. And I DO have a valid reason for it. Exams. I'm currently sitting my GGSE's (English tests that allow you to go onto courses for 6th form and then onto University) and this Monday I've got 2 and on Tuesday I've got 3 to sit, followed by another 2 on Thursday. The following week I've got 5 to sit as well. My last 2 exams are spread out over two weeks. It's just I need to do well and I don't want to mess up my exams by worrying over that I need to update on Wednesday. So just for these next two weeks, updates will only be on Saturdays.

Once again I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Chapter 5

Evil Encounters

As darkness rolled over the land of Gondor, five figures silently exited the city of Minas Tirith, riding upon horses. Aragorn led, wearing his Rangers attire, behind him came the hobbits on ponies, with Legolas at the back, his sharp ears and eyes forever scouring the plain for any threat that might be present.

They rode for many miles towards the river just beyond Osgiliath. Once here Aragorn followed the River, which would eventually join the Anduin. As he rode he began to remember. He saw the great boat he had been forced to board upon, manned by Orcs. He could see the hold in which he was kept for most of the journey. Then came the memory of Morgoth's voice rattling threats and his future into his head. He shuddered closing his eyes, attempting to block out the memory.

As night drew on and the road headed further out towards the sea, Legolas felt a deep sea longing in his heart. He fervently wished that Aragorn had never asked him on this journey. Long years it had lain deep in his heart until the fateful day at Pelargir when he heard the cry of the seagulls, but he had promised himself to not cross until Aragorn passed and Arwen faded.

"We'll rest here for the night." Aragorn said, looking round with weariness in his eyes.

Each companion settled down for the night, but only Aragorn remained a wake, images of the past haunting him.

The next few days were spent travelling slowly up the River Anduin. Frodo kept an eye on Aragorn but he noticed no change in the man. This journey was not helping him at all. Even Legolas began to doubt that the King would ever completely heal from his injuries.

Then three days before they were due to return to Minas Tirith something happened.

Aragorn was woken by a dark presence in his mind.

Elessar.

A shadowy voice seemed to call to him, asking for him to come to them. Curious, but frightened, he slowly got to his feet, careful to not wake the others. He walked into the forest following the instructions the voices told him to follow. His hand remained gripped on Anduril.

Who are you? He wondered.

Someone you've met before. Aragorn halted hearing the reply. His eyes sought out movement in the surroundings, and then he froze, his eyes going wide in horror.

The Knights.

They stalked towards him intent on grabbing him.

Petrified, he could not move as they swiftly crossed the distance and encircled him. A hand came to rest on his shoulder and he shivered, as darkness seemed to wind itself round his heart.

His vision clouded over and he fell back, unconscious, into the arms of the Knight.

Frodo watched this with mounting horror. He had heard Aragorn sneaking off and followed him. When he saw the Knights the hobbit realised this was Aragorn's test. If he could fight off the Knights then he would be free of his pain, but seeing the man fall into the arms of one of the Knights, Frodo realised that there was nothing that would be able to heal the King.

As he watched he heard the harsh voices of the Knights and what he heard made his skin turn cold.

"Go to the camp. Bring me the hobbit Baggins. He will serve well in our purpose. Do not fail. Meet me at the 'cave'."

Then the Knights departed leaving only one with Aragorn, who heaved him onto his shoulder and carried him away.

The hobbit turned and ran. He needed to get back to the camp and warn the others. He pushed bushes, branches and tripped several times when he came rushing back into the camp. "Legolas! Pip! Merry!"

Legolas was awake for he had woken and noticed Aragorn and Frodo missing. He was just about to wake the others when Frodo's shouts woke them anyway.

"What is it? Where's Aragorn?" Legolas demanded, fear showed heavily in his eyes.

Frodo breathed, struggling to catch his breath. "It's…the…Knights. They're…not…dead. They have…Strider. They're coming here…to get me."

Realization sunk in. "Gandalf said they were dead! He saw them die!"

"No one may kill us." Hissing of the Knights caused them to turn and face them. "Only the heir has strength to destroy us, but he's not well is he?"

Legolas gritted his teeth and notched an arrow in his bow, firing at them. "You will release him, now!"

"No." they hissed back.

And the battle began.

Aragorn tugged at the bonds holding him, secured tightly to the wall. He felt afraid, sick to the stomach. He knew he could not escape the Knights but he did not want to give up.

"Why struggle, little one? There is no hope for you." The remaining Knight laughed.

"Let me go." He whispered back.

"You are ours as is that little Shire rat!" the knight hissed, "he will join us very soon and then you will learn what you were born for!"

Aragorn suppressed a shudder.

The Knights came at them with such ferocity that Legolas and the hobbits had trouble keeping them at bay. Their weapons were useless. Legolas leapt to Frodo's aid, but he miscalculated and was sent crashing to the earth. He heard a snap as he landed. One of his ribs had broken with impact.

With the elf flung aside the Knight found it easy to snatch Frodo. The hobbit squealed, dropping Sting as he kicked out. He could not escape the grip of the enemy.

In a last attempt to free Frodo, Legolas charged, but his opponent was too fast. The Knight pulled out a knife. Legolas ducked, but the Knight, anticipating the move changed direction, roughly digging the knife into the elf's side.

Legolas' eyes widened in horror. He looked down at his side that was covered in thick, silvery-red blood; his hand clutching the wound, he fell to the ground. The Knight lashed out hitting him severely in the face, sending him crashing to the ground, unconscious.

Merry and Pippin watched as the Knights left with a struggling Frodo in their midst's.

TBC

I hope it didn't seem too rushed! Next chapter is longer!

Review Responses:

Celebdil-Galad and Tinlaure: Do you have any ideas I can use for Merry/Pippin fun conversations? Also the Legolas angst that I promised you has begun at last! But you'll have to wait till next Saturday to find out what I've got planned for your dear elf. You might want to kidnap my Nazgul: he's sitting here laughing, (and he's annoying! He wants more cliff's but I don't want to write them myself! He nicknamed himself the Evil Torturer Flying Nazgul of Aragorn and Legolas!) Yeah, I'm aiming to make Arwen feel worried because of Aragorn's condition: glad its working! Thanks for reviewing!

Grumpy: Yes, that came as a dilemma to me when I first starting writing this fic: how was I to ensure Aragorn remained in Middle-Earth? Then I thought of Frodo and because he understands the darkness he is most suited in helping Aragorn in his healing. I hope you found this chapter interesting!

To usagipegusus and got-lotr for reviewing!

Until next Saturday!