A/N: Dazzler420 – Thank you.
Jebb – Yes, for the time being he is safe and so is she. But we know that is just an illusion.
I apologize for not posting this with the last chapter – I was having a discussion with my beta.
The days and nights seem to blend into each other as they alternatively rested and ran in hot pursuit of the Hobbits. The trail had turned north toward Fangorn, leading back the way they came. As they continued farther north, Legolas began to wonder if it had been Gollum who had set the Orcs on them or if Curunir were actually behind it.
It seemed very suspicious to him that the Periannath had not been killed but only taken. He was grateful they had not been slain but it seemed to him that if Curunir were behind this, then he suspected that one of the Periannath had the prize he was searching for. Legolas knew they had to catch the Orcs before they could turn over the two innocents into the hands of Curunir. Who knew what he would do once he discovered they did not have The Ring.
Not only were Merry and Pippin in danger from Curunir but also soon he would realize that his prize was still free and would do anything to claim it before Sauron did. The thought spurred Legolas to run faster after Aragorn.
Suddenly, Aragorn stopped and pointed to the distant horizon. Legolas looked out over the plain and saw that it was a group of horsemen.
"Horsemen," he murmured, confirming Aragorn's suspicions. "They are heavily armed and heading this way."
"Are there any Hobbits with them?" Gimli asked anxiously, pressing close to Legolas in the hopes that his keen elven vision would be temporarily transferred to him.
"No. I see no Hobbits," Legolas replied in a disappointed tone.
Gimli sighed heavily with regret but Aragorn was not so glum.
"Perhaps they have seen the Hobbits," Aragorn said. "We will wait here until they approach."
The three climbed up a small hill to await the horsemen. Aragorn waited until they were nearly passed before he called out to the riders. In a flash, the horsemen surrounded them pointing swords, spears and bows at the three travelers.
Legolas bristled at the arrogance of the men. How dare they threaten him and his companions? Could they not see that the three of them were simply passing through and meant them no harm? Their rudeness and haughtiness reminded him of why the Eldar usually avoided men in the first place.
Tense words were exchanged. Their leader, Eomer, The Third Marshall of the Mark, was suspicious of any unknown travelers in his land during this dark time. They could be spies for Sauron or the wizard, Saruman. But why would a man, a Dwarf and an Elf be tracking Orcs towards Fangorn? Their story was so odd that he was inclined to believe them.
Ordering his men to stand down, The Marshall spoke to the three about the band of Orcs he and his men intercepted just the day before. No, they had not seen any "children" or small men with the Orcs but it had been dark when they fell upon the party. It was possible that the small ones had been trampled or killed during the battle.
For his part, Aragorn informed Eomer of the death of Boromir and the fall of Gandalf. The Marshall was dismayed at the news. Darkness seemed to be reaching across all the land.
Eomer told the travelers that their king, Theoden, had fallen under some spell and banished them from the realm. He saw in Aragorn a kindred spirit and realized that they were all fighting a common enemy. Legolas recognized the change in Eomer when the Marshall understood they were all on the same side. He was not too proud to admit when he had made a mistake and Legolas admired his honesty.
To show his good faith in them and speed their journey after their friends, Eomer gave them two horses and warned them to avoid Fangorn Forest. Saruman had been seen lurking in and near the dark wood and no one could be sure of his motives. Aragorn thanked him for the horses and his advice as the three set off again on their mission to rescue the hobbits.
It wasn't long before the three companions came upon Eomer's trail. They followed it toward Fangorn where the tracks were confused. Orc tracks went back and forth in all directions as if they had scattered and been hunted down.
For several more leagues they followed the tracks closer to Fangorn until they could see the smoking heap of dead Orcs that the riders had left. The three of them dismounted and carefully combed the area for any sign of the missing Hobbits.
Legolas feared that they would never find the two nor any trace of them. Broken weapons, discarded helms, and ruined armor littered the battlefield. Aragorn gave a cry of despair when he saw the carnage, voicing everyone's helplessness at the situation. They had come so far only to find this destruction and no trace of their friends.
How many more deaths would he witness? Legolas wondered, sighing heavily and gazing down at the smoking ruins at his feet. This world outside of Mirkwood seemed full of death and destruction. How could Annowe bear to live under such conditions? He longed for the peace and serenity of his father's halls or Lorien. There was too much waste and ruin here.
Aragorn was crawling about on the ground searching for signs of the hobbits when he gave shout of triumph. The ranger had discovered part of a belt lying near the still-smoking mountain of Orc corpses. It was obviously one of the belts that had belonged to the Hobbits.
Flush with excitement, the three of them renewed their search for any signs of the two. They had been here but where were they now? They refused to believe that any more ill had befallen the two Hobbits. As they searched, Aragorn spotted the trail and with a growing sense of dread pointed to Fangorn Forest.
"The trail leads there," he said solemnly, remembering Eomer's warning about Curunir.
"Then let us follow," Legolas said as he stepped into the darkness. He did not fear Fangorn although it was ancient. Mirkwood, with its giant spiders, bats and wolves was much more intimidating to him than just some large old trees. After they had come this far, he was not about to be deterred by the wizard, either.
Aragorn and Gimli hesitated but soon followed, leaving the horses outside the trees. It did not take long for Aragorn to pick up the trail and the three of them moved deeper into the primeval wood.
Legolas could almost hear the trees talking to him. The forest was ancient – even older than Mirkwood and Legolas longed to stop and listen. The trees seemed angry but not at them. He looked around, his gray eyes wide with curiosity. There was no evil here but a wariness and watchfulness. Branches groaned in the wind.
The trees are speaking to each other! He murmured to himself. What a strange place this was.
"Lower your axe, Gimli," Aragorn advised the dwarf.
So, he can feel it as well, Legolas thought to himself.
Gimli reluctantly obeyed but continued to cast anxious glances about him.
The forest seemed to close in and watch them suspiciously. Legolas had the distinct feeling that the trees wanted to know what they were doing. Silently, he answered them, hoping that they could understand him. Perhaps they might even help if they were so inclined.
Aragorn continued to track the Hobbits deeper into the forest and then he suddenly stopped. Legolas could feel the trees stirring around him. In the distance, he glimpsed a blur of white among the trees and his senses tingled with alarm. Someone was there! Eomer had told them that Curunir sometimes walked the land disguised as an old man. Was it Curunir? He held his breath and silently prepared his bow.
"The White Wizard approaches," Aragorn whispered. "Do not let him cast his spell upon you!"
Gimli readied his throwing axe, Aragorn drew his sword and Legolas drew his bow. The forest had gone deadly silent, watching and waiting.
In a flash of light, the White Wizard appeared to them upon a small rise. Legolas let his arrow fly and the wizard easily deflected it as well as Gimli's thrown axe. Aragorn dropped his sword with a yelp of pain as its grip grew flaming hot in his hand.
The brightness of the wizard dimmed and in awe they recognized their old friend, Gandalf.
Aragorn and Gimli bowed in awe at the wizard. Legolas reverently bent down on one knee. The white wizard came toward them.
"Gandalf!" Aragorn exclaimed, standing up to greet his friend. "We thought we had lost you! How do you come to be here in Fangorn?"
Gimli, too, stood up and moved toward him. Legolas rose up and studied the wizard from a distance. Certainly, he had heard of such things as the return from the Halls of Mandos but he had never seen it actually happen. What strange days these were!
"Gandalf?" Questioned the wizard, puzzled at the name. "Yes, Gandalf. That was what I was called."
"You are no longer Gandalf the Grey," Aragorn noted. "You are now Gandalf the White."
Legolas was still in awe of the transformation of their old friend and stared openly. Gandalf did not seem to mind, however.
"Tell us of what you know!" Gimli cried, anxiously pressing the wizard for answers. "We are searching for the two young hobbits and fear they are lost in here!"
"Fear not, master dwarf, the hobbits are safe and in the care of the guardian of Fangorn. They have nothing to fear and will remain in his care," Gandalf informed them. "And, as for us, we are more urgently needed elsewhere."
The three travelers exchanged quizzical glances.
"Where are we needed?" Aragorn voiced their question.
Gandalf smiled. "Let us sit and rest for a while and I will explain everything to you." He sat down on a fallen log and waited for the others to join him.
They talked well into the evening, Gandalf explaining his transformation in Moria and his subsequent travels to Lorien and Edoras. They were needed in Edoras to release King Theoden from the evil spell that Saruman had put him under. With the King of Rohan weakened, his people would be an easy target and offer little resistance to the enemy. Gandalf was determined that this should not happen and he wanted them to aid him in his bid to free Theoden.
The three were fascinated by his tale and did not interrupt him with questions or ask for further explanation. They were so thankful to see him after they thought they lost him that the telling of the tale did not matter.
It was not until later that Gandalf remembered that he needed to speak to Legolas privately about Annowe. But that would have to wait until they were on their way to Edoras.