CHAPTER 4 – Luka

The sun rose and light made its way through the thick trees of the woods as Arwen and Legolas packed up there camp and mounted their horses once again to continue on with their journey.

"So Arwen you are certain it was the lady Galadriel that you saw in your dream?" Legolas asked.

"I'm am certain Legolas I know for sure it is her who has done this and we must get to the garden as soon as we can." With that they rode off through the woods as fast as they could. They travelled through the woods on their horses for half of the day when they finally came to a large clearing, Arwen starting riding across the clearing but as she did Legolas called to her to stop.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Look there in the distance," Legolas said pointing across the field, "It appears to be a ranger on horseback heading our way." Legolas rode up to Arwen and they both sat there on their horses staring across the field.

"Fear not my friend, I believe we shall be safe and that ranger in the distance my very well be a friend of my love Aragorn. We must ride out to meet with him and see where he is journeying to, he may also need aid, although we mustn't stop for long as we still have a quest ourselves with by far more importance." Arwen and Legolas speed off across the field towards the stranger when they were close enough Arwen called out, "I am Lady Arwen Queen to King Aragorn do you know of him?" Legolas placed one hand on his bow and had a firm grip on it. The stranger reached them and they all stopped. The ranger wore a dark brown ranger coat with a hood on covering his light brown hair, he had deep blue eyes and a young looking face. Legolas thought to himself with out the coat he wouldn't look much like a ranger at all and he wonder if he could even lift a sword. On his back his sword was strapped and a small blade was shoved in to the side of one of his brown boots. His horse was all brown and look well looked after.

"Friend indeed Lady Arwen, so if your friend may let go of his weapon as I may give him a rather big challenge he may not want," The ranger said and Legolas let go of his bow.

"May I ask your name fellow stranger?" Legolas asked rather directly.

"I am known as Luka as King Aragorn once was I am also a ranger although not knowledgeable and talented as Aragorn every was but he often said I could put up a good fight. But it has been quite some time since I have seen Lord Aragorn although I did hear he is now the king and I have heard the tale of the ring and the great battle of not so long ago. But unfortunately I was rather ill for a rather long time but now I am back to my fit and fighting self once again." The ranger explained.

"May I ask what are you doing in this clearing?" Arwen asked.

"Of course my lady in fact as it is I am on my way to Rivendell to see an old friend of mine it has been I long time," Luka smiled.

"Then I am sorry to inform you master Luka but your friend maybe very ill as a curse has struck the elves a very powerful one and we are they only ones well enough to search for the cure," Arwen said with sadness.

"I'm awfully sorry my lady but how every could it happen?" Luka asked in disbelief.

"The story is very long and is full of great sadness I only wish we had the time to tell you but we must make haste," Legolas said.

"My friend Legolas is right we much find the great garden before..."Arwen started as tears started to fill her eyes.

"I understand my lady you need to tell me no more if it upsets you but if you choose to I will wait till you are ready as I have decided to join you as it is a noble thing for a ranger to do. Also as if my elf friend is suffering from this illness I must help. Would you have me join your party?" Luka asked.

" We may not have enough food and water for you?" Legolas said.

"I have enough for myself and extra if you need any," Luka replied.

"It is very kind of you to offer your service to us and it is greatly appreciated but our journey I fear is going to be a dangerous one," Arwen explained.

"Then count me in," Luka smiled.

"As you wish," Arwen answered and Legolas gave her a glance of uncertainty, "Now I will continue to lead us we will stop at nightfall."

"Lead away my lady," Luka said and with that Arwen took off Legolas followed with Luka behind. Legolas didn't really know if it was a wise idea to let a stranger join them but Arwen had trusted him and Legolas didn't want to argue with her.

A/N: Sorry took so long to add more but hope you like it. Please read and reveiw. THANKS