***White Light***

Aragorn had his eye always on the trail, so he did not miss a thing. Soon they came ti the Entwash and Aragorn stopped to survey the new trail Éomer spoke of. He dismounted, looking at the trail closer for the moment, and then he climbed back on Hasufel and rode on.

Demi was having trouble. She was not used to ridding behind a saddle. She was bobbing up and down and her butt was rather sore, but somehow she managed to do this rather gracefully. 'Thank Elbereth I'm an elf!' she thought.

 Aragorn dismounted again and looked over the ground.  He returned and mounted his horse. "There is little left to discover. The main trail is confused with the horsemen as they came back. The eastward trail is fresh. Let us follow that, but we must ride slower. The orcs must have known they were being followed and may have attempted to get their captives away." He said.

Again they rode on and the borders of Fangorn came closer. Demi noticed the sky was turning grey and she hoped they would not be caught in the rain. They saw that an orc, here or there would run off from the main trail and they saw them later on the ground, arrows protruding from their backs. By the time afternoon had come by, they came to the edge of the forest and they found a pile of smoking orc bodies. They all dismounted the horses and Demi held the reins of Brytta as she looked around.

Gimli searched trough the ashen bodies whilst Aragorn read the tracks, followed closely by Boromir who gave his insight. Demi wandered around and came across a stake. Upon it was an orc head, its expression showing great pain, anger and surprise. A white badge was on the monster's helm. Then feeling thoroughly grossed out, she sat down on the edge of the forest under one of its trees, Brytta standing next to her.

Rhia was standing beside Legolas, who looked outward across the plane. When nightfall came, they gave up the search, finding no trace of the two hobbits.

"We can do no more." Gimli said, his head bowed. "We have no idea what has befallen our wee friends. It will be hard news for Frodo, if he ever lives to hear it."

"Even though the end may be dark, I shall not leave this place yet. In any case, we cannot leave until morning." Said Aragorn.

They made camp under a tree that had many brown leaves, threatening to fall. It was a cold night and they only had one blanket each. Rhia really was having a tuff time keeping warm. Demi wanted to help, she really did, but she didn't ant to be yelled at again for no reason. She was sick of it.

Gimli gave up and said, "Let us light a fire! I care no longer for the danger."

"If the hobbits see the fire they may follow it out of the woods if they are in there." Legolas offered. It took a while, but Aragorn reluctantly agreed.

 "Aragorn, if you worry so much, then let me create a fireball and Gimli can find the left over wood from the Rohirrim. The light and warmth shall not fade 'till I command it to." Demi said.

"Very well…Gimli get the wood, but as soon as this wears you out too much Vaira, it is extinguished." Aragorn said. Gimli then found a large pile of wood and Demi's spell was cast. The fire burned bright and soon it was well warm enough that Demi and Legolas cast aside their blankets.

Silence filled the area. Demi stared into the forest across from her, thoughts wandering to this and that, yet in the darkness one thing came to mind. An unknown task. An unknown danger. Something she had to face. Legolas then broke the silence and her train of thought.

"Do you know why Celeborn warned us to not venture far into Fangorn?" he asked Aragorn, who seemed to snap out of a trance.

"Tales I have heard in many places, but if Celeborn had not said so, I would have only deemed them fables. I was actually going to ask you Legolas, and if a wood elf does not know, then what could a man say?" Aragorn replied, gazing from the fire to Legolas.

"Journeying further than I, I would have thought you may have known and I see no reason to wake Boromir for answers. He has lost much sleep worrying over the hobbits." Said Legolas, who nodded towards a sleeping Boromir, curled up on the ground. Demi smiled and followed Legolas' gaze to the sleeping form of Boromir beside her.

Aragorn then told them of Fangorn, and how the forest here and at the Barrow-downs was analogous. Also that it holds a deep secret.

"And let me never know!" said Gimli.

Slowly Demi fell to sleep, pulling her blanket over her, listening to the breeze dance across the leaves of the trees.

***

During the night on Gimli's watch, the dwarf sprang up, his mail clinking and his rapid actions woke them all. They stared in the direction that Gimli did. On the edge of the forest, some way off stood an old man cloaked, leaning on a staff.

"Well father, how may we help? Come and be warm if you wish." Aragorn called out. Demi did not like the offer. An old man would not journey so far of foot with just a staff and the clothes on his back. As Aragorn took a step forward, the old man vanished. In the distance Demi heard the horses cry and take off.

"The horses!" yelled Legolas, but they were gone. There was nothing they could do, lost near Fangorn, having no choice but to carry on without aid though the forest. But if that failed, then they did not know what needed to be done.

"Well, what is done is done, and there is naught we can do about it." Said Aragorn at last. "I wish to know what to make of the old man."

"I think I may have an answer to that riddle. Saruman, whom else? And it would do you well to remember the words of Éomer. 'he walks here and there, like an old man, hooded and cloaked'. There may be more trouble in store for us yet." Gimli said.

"Indeed, that may be so, but the old man wore a hat, not a hood. I do not doubt your guess my friend." Aragorn replied, deciding to take watch first. Demi could not sleep now and instead feigned it. There was no reason that Saruman may not know of her. She did no doubt his power, for it far surpassed her own. But why did he flee? What does he have to fear?

***

Dawn came at last, along with a cooked breakfast. When light had brightened more, Aragorn searched the area again for Merry and Pip. Legolas, Gimli and Boromir meanwhile discussed the old man.

"Let us search now and guess later!" Aragorn said. "Legolas, tell me what you heard of the horses first."

"Clearly did I hear them. They sounded as horses would after meeting a friend they have not seen for a long time." Legolas said.

"Let us again search these grounds for our friends, towards the forest. Our first priority is to find them, and then we may discuss our night visitor. If by chance the hobbits did escape, they would have headed into the forest to hide. If no trace remains to be seen…then let us search the ashes." Aragorn then said.

Everybody followed orders; even though the hope it proved that they would be as good as a ranger was at a low. Demi's eyes searched the ground, but she could find naught, only the footprints that had been traced yesterday. Her eyes wandered ahead into the forest. They all wished the horses would return. If they made it out of the forest alive, it would help to have the horses.

The hours passed by slowly. Demi was crouching down not far from camp with Gimli, examining the ground when Aragorn called out from the riverbank. The pair jumped up at once and darted over to him, Boromir, Legolas and Rhia not far ahead.

"Look!" the ranger shouted with glee, holding a leaf that wrapped their elvish bread. "There are crumbs on this mellorn leaf and a few on the ground by where I found it. This is news indeed!"

"And here are a few pieces of rope that were cut. The bindings of the hobbits." Said Boromir, holding up the cord.

"An odd riddle. The captives escape from their bonds and captors whilst a battle goes on! Even with the Rohirrim circling. They were unseen! They made their way off and sat down to feast on bread and marvel at their skill. This was definitely a hobbit." Said Legolas with a smirk.

"There may be something we have missed, for they could not simply cut the cords without a free hand. But one was carried here, as the marks say, one orc and its blood was spilled a few paces away. It was killed by the Rohirrim and dragged over to the fire. The hobbit was not seen, wearing his cloak of Lórien. He ate for he was exhausted and hungry. I doubt he had eaten since we made camp by the Anduin.

"He cut the bonds with the orcs knife, rested, ate and crept away. I'm just glad he had lembas in his pocket, even when he didn't have his pack he had food. I can only hope they are both together." Aragorn said.

"How would one of them have a free hand? The orcs would not allow it." Rhia asked.

"I do not know cousin. I also don't know why one orc carry them both away. I think your theory now comes into play here Vaira. They think that either Merry or Pippin may be the ring bearer. They had orders to capture the hobbits and keep them alive. They were to kill us. Unlucky for them, they did not. I do not think though, the orcs knew why they had to complete their orders." Said Aragorn, pondering for a moment. "We know at least they escaped. Let us go into Fangorn now. Aure and Vaira, you must stay behind and see if you can track where the horses went." The girl's did not like this.

"What!" they yelled in unison.

"There may be a chance you can find them." Legolas agreed. "Aure, you can track and Vaira, you read the signs well."

"What if you find Saruman! You don't have the power to face him!" Demi argued.

"No!" the four males yelled.

Rhia scowled.  Demi crossed her arms over her chest. They didn't like the idea of being stuck together, alone.

***

"If we do not return by sunset go on to Edoras without us. You will be safe there. Be sure to be back here by the same time. Midday if you can and do not stray too far." Aragorn ordered.

The girl's expressions had not changed and since the decision to leave them behind, they had packed up and hidden any traces of their camp.

"And no magic." Added Aragorn. Demi chose not to answer. It would not be wise to let her mouth fly in such an anger. Rhia still did not speak, but glared at them all. She knew they wouldn't find the horses. It was just a way to get the girls talking and to keep them safe. But Aragorn could not promise either. He just kept hoping.

The boys followed Aragorn into the forest. Rhia picked up her stuff and set off. "From which direction did you hear the horses take off?" she asked Demi coldly.

"North east." Demi replied, glaring daggers, picking up her pack and following Rhia who was bent over looking for horse tracks. After a while they found hoof-prints and followed them. Ten minutes later, an extra set was found. The horses' prints then followed the forest edge. The girls trekked after them until midday, when they had found themselves far from camp.

"They followed this way for a long way. Let us go back now as Aragorn ordered us to." Rhia said. Demi nodded and took off ahead. The two spoke only at need and nothing had been resolved. At last Demi slowed down so Rhia could catch up.

"This is stupid." Demi said.

"What is?"

"Us fighting. I can't even remember how it began. Do you?"

"Um…no, but…no."

"Can we just forget it then?"

Rhia stopped still and thought for a moment, Demi with her. "Sure, why not? I'm sick of talking to the guys and Legolas hounding me about making up with you."

"Good, me too." Demi extended her hand and Rhia took it. "Friends…"

"Forever and a day." Rhia laughed.

***

They talked and came back to camp a couple of hours later. The boys were still not back, so they ate and rested. Beyond the eaves of the trees, Demi saw four forms moving quickly towards them. She grabbed her pack and Rhia then hid behind a tree.

"What?" asked Rhia.

"Someone is coming." Demi whispered back.

"Its Aragorn!"

"I don't know. Just stay still and quiet. Lets wait till they're out in the open."

Sure enough, Rhia was right, but their friends were not alone. They heard Legolas say, "They have not yet returned. What shall we do? It will be a weary walk."

"We are back!" shouted Rhia, running over to them with Demi. They both stopped short when they spotted…

"Gandalf!" the girls yelled, flinging their arms around the wizard. He was almost lost for air when Aragorn and Boromir pried the girls off him.

"But you died!" Rhia said, tears in her eyes.

"Yes. I did, but I am back at the turn of the tide. Come now. Time presses and I shall not walk to Edoras." Gandalf said, letting long, high pitched whistle. Barely a minute passed when a horse was heard in the distance, then shortly after, the sounds of hooves. Aragorn pressed his ear to the ground, listened then stood up.

"There is more than one horses coming." He announced.

"There are four!" Legolas said. "I see Hasufel, Brytta, Arod and … and a very great horse ahead of them."

"That is Shadowfax. He is the prince of all horses and a mearas. He and I are going to battle together." Gandalf said, a smile on his lips.

The horse Gandalf spoke of came up to them at a great speed. The glistening white horse, gorgeous and unlike no other. The fairest of his race, and his three kindred fell into place behind him. Shadowfax slowed his pace and came up to Gandalf, nuzzling against Gandalf's neck. Brytta, Hasufel and Arod stood by their ridders.

"We go at once to Edoras and the hall of Théoden, your master." Gandalf said to the horses, which bowed their heads. "Please use all the speed you can, as the errand is of great need. Hasufel shall bear Aragorn; Arod shall bear Legolas and Aure; and Brytta shall bear Boromir and Vaira. Gimli, you shall ride with me by the leave of Shadowfax."

"This time, I'm in the saddle." Demi whispered to Boromir.

"I do not think this a good idea, are you sure? I am the more accomplished ridder." He replied.

"Definitely." Said Demi. She loved ridding but preferred the saddle to bear back. Boromir was in for one hell of a ride!

***

Authors: Note: Yeah, it's me again. School royally sucks! I can't wait for the holidays to come, but they aren't for weeks. I hate legal studies class, just thought I'd let you know, and Chemistry. I should have taken music instead.

Anyways, enough about me, how are you guys!????

Levanna: NO, its cool, I have been meaning to let you guys know about part two for a while, should have sooner though. Thanks, I like the name too!

Elessar_Evenstar: Yes, I thought at first it was a bit drastic, but it will all play out well. I have plans for Boromir, good ones too, put I can't tell you! Not yet anyway. Belegdae is an excellent name. I do wih I would have thought of it, but since it is a Rohhric horse, Brytta worked. Elvish rules though. I really like that name.