Summary: What happened to the four Wraiths that were not immediately chasing Frodo in the Fellowship of the Ring? Set before the Council of Elrond, for the characters that you did not see...
A/N: Apologies for the delay, I know you want faster updates, and I am trying I promise!
Four Wraiths Behind You:
Friends of Old:
Elladan and Elrohir has ridden together allowing Aragorn a horse of his own until they came to Trollshaw. It had been a days-hastened travel, all due to Aragorns' eagerness to arrive at Bree before the Halflings. It wasn't that Aragorn didn't want to take the horse, as he explained to them, but he would have to leave it at some point, and Aragorn was not fond of sending horses out into the wild alone.
The reached the edge of the woods Aragorn noted, with more speed than he has anticipated.
"This is where we leave you," Elladan told him brother and the trio stopped.
Elrohir thought. "Be careful." He knew Aragorn would think it not out of care but for his lack of experience.
"As you wish," the Ranger smiled dismounting his horse. He and Elrohir quickly embraced and switched places. "I will be back soon," he assured them pulling his pack around his shoulders and watched the two Elves ride back the way they had travelled. When they were gone, he turned away from Rivendell and set out for Eriador, hoping to reach the village of Bree before the Shire ahead.
"Where are they going?" Legolas thought squinting down as the Wraiths took flight on their mounts and left Mirkwood.
The Elf waited for the last Goblin had travelled from sight. When all was quiet, and the area no longer reeked of their foul stench, he pulled his legs through the open window so he was not sitting outside the tower and could gaze over Mirkwood as it was enveloped in nightfall. Day was failing quickly as dusk settled in quickly. Legolas berated himself for allowing his mind to wonder about his homeland.
'There won't be a homeland soon if you don't hurry!' he told himself and carefully lowered himself down, mindful that immortality was not a cure for broken limbs, nor would it save him from falling.
Fortunately for the Elf, no craftsman or servant had gone to such lengths as to carve Dol Guldur smooth and clean, for it was just as disjointed on the outside as it was in. There were footholds or juts every so often just wide enough for Legolas to place his hands or feet.
It was still a rather mindless escape attempt as Legolas would soon discover, even for an Elf in perfect health which he was definitely not. Legolas ignored the pain returning to his shoulder and careful not to slip, used his bound hands to grip the stone of the tower till at last he was almost inline with the tree tops.
Several miles away, on the borders of Eriador, nightfall left the forests of Buckland quiet and eerie. Frodo and his companions, now four, hurried through the trees hoping to go unnoticed by the black riders following them.
Sam quickly spotted one silhouetted in the moonlight on the hill. "Get down!" he shouted.
The black rider moved away and the Hobbits crowded together.
"I have to leave the Shire," Frodo said, "Sam and I must get to Bree."
Merry looked at them both. "Right." He said. "Buckleberry Ferry. Follow me!"
As their brother headed westward on foot, so Elladan and Elrohir departed South on an errand of their father.
'There has been little talk between Imladris and the White Tower,' Elladan mused as they rode down the path of the Milheithel River. 'I wonder they he chooses them to take council with him now.'
'Because of The One-' Elrohir replied cutting his answer short, without needing to finish.
'I thought so too.'
'If he is correct, and you know as well as I our father does not use nor take his foresight lightly, there must be no shadow of doubt in his mind that it has been found.'
'Then come!' Elladan called racing ahead, 'and let us make such as journey worth the time!'
Elrohir nodded and whispering to his horse bolted off in pursuit of his brother.
It was a full days travel, and some more, before Aragorn finally took rest. He had been journeying alone again for 3 days, but finally stood upon one of the highest points west in Eriador of Middle-earth and from there could look far into the distance, picking out the small village of Bree.
'Less than two days,' he said hopefully. 'These we might need for later,' he added to himself and took out a bundle from his pack. He was stood on the watchtower of Amon Sûl; Weathertop. The bundled he unravelled was a small set of swords, barely the size of a knife, but if Aragorn knew Halflings, and he had seen and spoken with a great many, then he knew they were a perfect size…
'Your road takes you to Eriador, but do not expect it to end there.' Aragorn recalled the last things his father warned him. 'If there is need to return you must be prepared.'
That much he knew. He thought of Bilbo Baggins, still resting peacefully in the Last Homely House. 'I left everything to Frodo you know,' he said. 'He's a good lad… oh yes everything. Some things I hadn't wished to part with. Oh well!'
Frodo… Frodo Baggins. Aragorn would not forget that name in a hurry. Concealing the pack under a pile of loose debris, the Ranger climbed down from the tower and continues towards Bree. He was close, he could almost smell the ale again
Far from Aragorn and the relative safety of Amon Sûl Legolas continued his struggle from Dol Guldur. He climbed a little further contemplating a jump to the tree just inches away from him. There was nothing for it. Legolas gripped the wall with his fingers, moved his foot up slightly to allow himself to spring across the gap between tower and branch, and leapt.
"Where do you think you're goin'!!"
Legolas felt himself pause in mid air and missed the tree completely. Groping for anything to break his fall, he came crashing down through the thin branches and landed spectacularly in an old gnarled bush.
'Woodelves do not fall from trees,' Legolas cursed pulling himself clear of the bush and coming almost face to face with an irate looking Goblin which almost had his head off with a swing of its sword.
Legolas ducked and dodged another simultaneous attack from the Goblins sword, if you can call it a sword Legolas thought grasping a stick with his hands and using it to fend off the attacker. It was a crudely designed weapon for only one purpose; to beat its opponent to death. Legolas didn't find himself drawn to discovering the extent of Goblin weaponry and so ducked, thrust his stick at the Goblins head and broke into a run. Legolas ran as fast as his legs would take him and then some more. He ran so determinedly that he fell many times without his hands to steady himself. The Goblin was still behind, and joined by several more, all shouting and hissing, brandishing their swords high above their heads and calling. Eventually Legolas put some distance between them, but he wasn't satisfied.
Finally Legolas stopped, lost for breath. He thought he was heading West at least, for that would take him away from the forest. Legolas didn't like to leave Mirkwood but sense told him to take another route to the Northern Kingdom, and so he did. Exhausted he hurried on, soon clear of the trees. Wind blew across the Wilderland and Gladden Fields. Legolas looked around observing his surroundings in the dark, for he had never been so far south and was interested to know what lay beyond his borders.
He turned North and upon reaching the Great River began to follow it North to Carrock and the High Pass.
Legolas was quick on his feet, and kept up a good pace outrunning the enemy host as they approached the Elven Kingdom. When he left, the night was still young, and it was not early morning. He desperately wanted to reach his home in the next day, and warn them of the danger.
Without warning, a volley of arrows flew from the trees, and Legolas fell to the floor on his hands. Wondering if he had been spotted, his question was answered by the approach of Dol Guldur's army. About a dozen Orcs and Goblins came at him from the trees. They hadn't ceased the chase.
'Well,' thought Legolas. 'I didn't think it would end like this.' He hoped to be killed, if need be, fighting in battle for a just cause like his Grandfather in the last alliance, not helpless and bound at the mercy of Orcs. It just wasn't befitting for an Elvish Prince, or any Elf Legolas thought helplessly.
'Gurth gothrim Tel'Quessir!' He shouted defiantly,
'Death to the foes of the Elves!'
Everything that happened next seemed like a dream to Legolas. More arrows rained from the trees, but they did not come at him. The Orcs and Goblins that approached fell dead, and those that survived were killed on the second and third volley. Only one made it close enough to deal a blow to the Elf; Legolas fell to onto his back and waited for the final strike. His head was already pounding hard, it was difficult to tell what was happening. But once again, none came. Legolas stared at the trees trying to focus. Bright eyes looked back at him and try as he might; he couldn't suppress the smile that spread from his heart to his lips.
'Taur'quessir,' came a voice, 'Cormamin lindua ele lle,
Sylvan Elf, I am joyed to see you.'
An Elven Archer came towards Legolas and helped him up.
'Heruamin Legolas, we thought you were dead!'
So did I… Legolas thought. 'The Orcs' he breathed, 'They come from Dol Gul-'
'We know,' The Elf interrupted, 'Tis alright. Our archers have been sent to stop them, and more are prepared to ambush them.'
'How?'
'When you went missing,' he explained, 'And the guard protecting Gollum ambushed, your father knew something was wrong. You have been gone for almost six days!'
Legolas couldn't believe it. The Elf, Silinde, who Legolas had known for as long as he could recall, unbound his hands and set the prince free.
'What happened to the guard?' Legolas asked gravely.
'All returned save you. Two were badly wounded, but they rest in the Kings halls and will live. We are leaving Mirkwood,' he finished, indicating his companions. Legolas looked at him in surprise, not expected the Elves to abandon their homely lands.
'But you are needed here! Legolas exclaimed,
'It is your fathers will, Lord Elrond of Rivendell must be told.' Legolas understood and nodded.
'He was entrusted to us,' Legolas thought, 'And we failed. I will go with you, for it is also my fault.'
Legolas should have known that was not true, but it was his responsibility to help mend the situation, and so, with the disapproval of his friend, Legolas took the cloak and place of one of the Elves and rode with Saelbeth, Silinde and Galdor towards the mountains.
It seems to be hinted at, do we want more Elf angst and pain, or should we hurry along to Rivendell!
Kept-Secret - Ah Legolas angst and pain, well definitly more angst, and they've still a way to get to Rivendell so we'll see what happens!
MorierBlackleaf - Thanks Morier, I should probably get more Frodo in but as his story was told, Legolas wins for the moment! Aragorn will have his part soon too
Tychen - Definitly a guilt trip! I won't make them blame Legolas, though he may blame himself!