Disclaimer:  As usual I own nothing, except the big ugly critter at the end, wonderful thing that he is. 

The travelers continued through the night.  The snow so filled the sky that it was some time before Gimli even noticed the dawn.  Even now as they made their way down the mountain slopes to the villages of Rhohan bellow, white flakes still drifted down obscuring his view.  Gimli hoped that it would hide their trail as well.  These Uruk-hai behaved like none he had seen since the War of the Ring. 

            On the tired horse Legolas twisted, turning his head to catch some sound too distant or soft for the dwarf's ears. 

            "The Uruk-hai…" Gimli came up to his friend's side, squinting up at the elf.  Inara had already reached out a hand to steady him, should he collapse again.  They had nearly lost Legolas in the snow more than once on the journey down.  It was difficult for the horse to judge the slopes and in his present condition the elf was not the best rider. 

            "They follow..." Despite his words, the elf's eyes were vacant.   Gimli could see that his friend was far from here, somewhere deep in his own mind.  He sighed.

            "Aye, they are like no others I have known in some time."  The dwarf twisted his mouth into a wry smile and continued though he doubted his friend heard him. 

            "You should pay more attention to your riding though lad.  A dwarf can ride that infernal beast better than the way you're sitting it right now." 

            Legolas started slightly, his eyes focusing, "Gimli?  There was something on the wind.  Something comes."  He swayed ever so slightly, frowning. 

            Gimli eyed him carefully, trying to judge whether or not he would be digging the elf out of another snow bank. 

            "And… since you can't sit a horse at all Gimli, I doubt you could best me, even now."  The elf's face broke into a weak smile. 

            Gimli laughed in relief, "Don't be so sure what a dwarf can and cannot do master elf!" 

            Legolas nodded, shifting to keep one hand pressed against his injured side.  "Thank you, Gimli.  The wind…" He shook his head, "It is hard to concentrate." 

            "Just stay with us lad."  The dwarf touched his arm where he had it braced against the horse's neck.  Legolas just nodded again. 

            Gimli felt Inara's eye on him though she had been silent throughout the conversation.  He glanced back, but she was merely scanning the tree line, keeping half her attention on the elf and the little boy who squirmed in the cloak he had wrapped about him. 

            Inara frowned at Nodin's red face.  She shifted him up, so she could keep a better grip on Legolas, but Nodin just squawked and struggled more.  It took a moment of careful maneuvering, during which Gimli feared all three would tumble from the horse, but she eventually caught the flailing arms, keeping him against her side. 

            "Here, give me the boy."  Gimli slid his ax back across his back.  He disliked traveling unarmed, but he disliked even more the idea of Nodin knocking them all off during one of the more unsteady portions of the trail.  Or worse yet, his unintelligible, yet furious demands could attract the Uruk-hai.  Gimli believed the elf's words that they were not alone.  He could feel that without elvish senses. 

            Inara raised her eyebrows at the dwarf but handed down the squirming boy.  Gimli hefted him up, looking into Nodin's startled face before pulling his cloak into a sling where he settled the boy.  Nodin quieted quickly, his small hands exploring the dwarf's armor.  Gimli's leg twinged, reminding him of his own injury, but the rest he had had, however brief in Inara's home and the cold snow removed most of the sting from it. 

            "He's heavier than I expected," Gimli explained to Inara, afraid she would question his near stumble. 

            Inara looked as if she were going to say something, but after glancing at Gimli remained silent. 

            "Well, master dwarf, you seem to have a way with children." 

            "I'm just too formidable of an opponent, even for the likes of him."  Gimli flexed one snow-covered arm to prove his point.  Nodin giggled, reaching for the dwarf and Inara laughed.  Even Legolas managed a smile. 

            They traveled the rest of the day.  Gimli did not dare stop anywhere long.  Each time they did need to rest they stopped only when they could go no further as the elf quickly became anxious and Gimli did not dare light a fire to warm them as it could attract their pursuers.

            None of them saw the Uruk-hai, yet all felt them.  Sometimes Gimli could feel a chill run down his back that had nothing to do with the snow.  Legolas' mind increasingly wandered, the dwarf had a harder and harder time holding the elf with them.  As the sun began to sink they saw for the first time a sign of men.  Bellow them just onto the plains of Rhohan stood a tiny village.  It's lights became visible as the world darkened around them. 

            Legolas was slumped over the front of the horse.  Inara's arm on his shoulder, holding him there, but it was limp, and her head would fall forward onto her chest as she fell asleep riding, only to jerk back up in a moment.  Even Nodin had fallen asleep to the steady crunch of snow under Gimli's boots. 

            As they stumbled towards the town, Gimli heard an animal call out in the night.  Legolas' head snapped around, causing Inara to exclaim and catch at his shoulder.  Gimli reached back, holding his ax in front of him, careful of Nodin's sleeping form. 

            All of them, even the now exhausted and ornery horse began to move faster, making for the town that promised them sanctuary.  It seemed to take them hours to reach the town's thick wooden gates, but the rising moon told them it had taken only one. 

            All the way down they had jumped at the slightest sound.  One time they had even run, making Nodin wail and Legolas gasp in pain.  They had been more careful after that, only hurrying, not running. 

            When they reached the gate Gimli had slung his ax across his back and banged upon the wooden logs that stretched far above the small party's heads.  An old man's eyes peered through a crack in the barricade as a small strip of wood slid back.

            "And what does the likes of you want at this hour of the night?"  His voice was rough, despite his age. 

            "We need shelter for the night.  We're heading for the inn."  Inara answered before Gimli could explain to the man why they needed entry.

            "And who might you be lassie?  It's awfully late for a lady to be traveling this season." 

            "I am Inara, the elf and the dwarf are my friend.  The dwarf is holding my son.  Do we look like snow demons or Orcs to you?  Let us in!" 

            "Of course, of course.  I need to be careful.  There are still Orcs here in the high country.  Uruk-hai too."  He added importantly. 

            "I know."  Inara whispered to herself, "I know."  Gimli looked up upon hearing her.  To his surprise he saw sorrow in her eyes.  Whether for the destruction of her home or an older grief he did not know though. 

            Finally, the old man swung the heavy gate aside, admitting the travelers to the small town. 

            From high above, unseen by the gatekeeper another set of eyes studied the town.  Hidden within the last fringe of trees Virag and his followers watched the town hungrily.  Poshnak licked his lips, as he rubbed his hands together. 

            "Will we take them in the town?  Will we taste the flesh of the villagers?" 

            Virag frowned in disgust at his second, "Soon, Poshnak, think with your head not your stomach.  We will take them as they leave.  They can't stay there forever.  The town's people will try to rescue them and you can have as many of them as you like."

            "And the elf?  Who gets the elf?"  Poshnak crowded close to Virag, his eyes shining hopefully. 

            "I don't care.  If you get there first, you can have him.  Now get back!"  Virag cuffed Poshnak, knocking the smaller Uruk-hai back further into the trees with the others.  He turned back to study the town, ignoring the sullen look his second shot in his direction. 

Author's Note:

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Well, still not too long, but updated in only 6 days, so not too bad.  I've decided I'm going to opt for sooner updates rather than longer chapters.  If you'd prefer it the other way around, just tell me. 

All right everyone, now who wishes they were Inara and got to sit with Legolas on a horse?  Raise your hands! 

Roseblade22:  So far so good.  I'm glad you like it.  What do you think of our Uruk-hai friend?  Do you think he works as a character?

Coolio02:  Thank you very much!  Reviews like yours help me keep writing. 

stardust-creations:  I hope you like the plot thus far.  I'm trying my best to stay original, it's though there are so many LOTR fics!

White Wolf1:  I certainly hope so too, but telling would give the ending away…