Even had the rescue party kept at their optimal pace night and day they could not have hoped to get closer to their quarry along the way. It would likely take them at least several weeks to make the journey, that was without accounting for the encumbrance of weapons and mail and supplies. Aragorn began to realize that he had acted hastily in marshalling the party when Legolas told him on their second evening out that their slight traces were already diminishing, telling him that they had moved at great speed. When the night sky was obscured by thick clouds which broke of their watery burden with dawn Legolas gave up even the pretense of trying to follow signs of passage.

That morning a white rider from Minas Tirith had reached them en route. Aragorn realized just how foolish their attempt must have looked to Gandalf, and stepping aside with him and Legolas they debated their options. Gandalf informed Aragorn that his family would be due in Minas Tirith by Midsummer, in two months time, thus not leaving Aragorn and Faramir adequate time for this new mission. There would be far too much requiring their attention at home, Aragorn understood, though he felt supremely guilty and had a feeling that Vaneldur would not take abandonment of their cause very well.

Gandalf proposed that the all former and present Rangers return to Minas Tirith and leave the work up to those who could travel in such a way that would not present any delay. The wizard found himself rather surprised that Aragorn, knowing as much as he knew him to, would attempt to storm the far-away kingdom. Such would likely have terrible consequences because of the rashness of Dark Elves.

Legolas was all for Gandalf's plan, growing annoyed as he was with the slow pace the Mortal faction forced on them. It was decided then, and with a deep sigh Aragorn went to Vaneldur to tell him of their decision. It was much as the king had expected, the young man's eyes gleamed of the sting of what he felt to be betrayal. Aragorn explained that Gandalf and Legolas would continue on since they fared a much better chance of speedy success than they did hindered by a whole party. Vaneldur understood Aragorn clearly, but utterly refused to be kept from his purpose. Aragorn knew the passion that drove the younger man, but he tried fruitlessly to convince him to stay and let other's help him.

Vaneldur would not have it though, and instead begged Aragorn's leave from his only just acquired rank.

Compassion flooded the king's mist grey eyes and he laid a hand to the captain's shoulder. "You have my leave, Vaneldur, but only temporarily. It is still your office and will be here for you when you return. Godspeed, lad."

Vaneldur knelt to Aragorn in abundant thanks for his understanding and went immediately to Gandalf and Legolas, who were ready to set forth. The two immortals glanced at each other, then at the young man. "You will have to keep up to us," Gandalf said.

"Elsewise follow us," Legolas added.

Vaneldur nodded silently and with that, and gruff-sounding "don't do anything stupid" from the lone dwarf of the retreating company, they set swiftly off to lands uncharted.

---

After three nights King Morion and his people, and their sleeping queen (read: captive), were but one day further from the crossing at the River Running. The original course, which would be quickest was changed as they took one of the very few rests they'd had. The King decided that instead of passing between Erebor and the Iron Hills, they would circle east of the mountains where few Dwarves dwelt. Mistrustful that someone, such as the young guard who he so often saw escorting her, might have objected to him taking his queen back home, and paranoid that, had they alerted the rather mean looking Dwarf who seemed to be friends with the rude young Mirkwood Prince, there was a possibility that a message could have reached Erebor and the settlement at the Iron Hills to be on the lookout.

Being so near their destination, and very sure that they were not being trailed by any of the humorously pathetic Mortals who guarded the city of Men, Morion allowed for a full night's rest before they came to the river and the last stage of their journey before they reached their home. Feeling so self-confident because of his latest acquisition and because they were yet so far from the watchful eyes of other's lands, Morion ordered no guard to be set through the night that all of his company might have their strength renewed in a night's sleep. He was eager to have his queen wake in her new home, and so wanted them to move all the faster the next day before his sleeping potion wore off.

What the Elf-king did not know, and would have known had he traveled less hastily, was that their sleeping site was directly in the line of a roving orc horde's path. The three-dozen or so deeply dreaming Elves made simple prey for the wild orcs. With more stealth than such vile creatures appear to have, they approached the sleepers and assessed each one. It was obvious that Morion was the highest ranking in this small group and the orc leader hatched a devious plot when he saw the she-Elf sleeping beside the king. There was a brief moment of dissent when several orcs of lower rank wanted to take at least two of the guards to feast upon but the leader silenced them and ordered that only the female be taken, and that they be very careful with her until he gave word otherwise.

Morning rose and with the new day woke Morion to find his Lady missing. There was a bloodcurdling cry when he saw the orc tracks leading away toward the Sea of Rhún. Rage flooded the king as he ran directly after their path, heedless of the men who followed him bewildered, and all else for that matter. He loudly swore most terrible vengeance on the hideously deformed beasts if even one of them had dared to harm his ladylove in any way, shape, or form.