Thanks for your reviews. I hope you will enjoy it further because it will go in directions I can't see at the moment and it makes the story much more interesting for myself.

Sorry that it takes me long until I post the next chapters but I have to learn to pass my exams. They start in three weeks and I don't feel like I know everything yet, so I still have to learn much more. Especially in maths ;)

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Part 3

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It was difficult for Aragorn to sit in his chamber, not being able to do anything to help his friend. Why did he come back now? Why? Now, that the war is over? Aragorn sighed heavily. He had hoped that the fighting and battling was over now that Sauron was defeated. Worry came to Aragorn when he thought about his friend. He knew that Gwann-Agar could easily kill Legolas on his travel. Maybe he would do worse things to his elven friend than just killing him. Memories of Dol Guldur shot through his mind. Aragorn closed his eyes and tried to suppress the cruel sight. A sudden voice ripped him out of his thoughts and he looked up.

"My lord, there is someone who wants to speak with you. Hw said it's urgent." The servant left his room. Aragorn sat there his look still at the closed door. He just hoped that this would end up in a good way. But deep inside he felt something grow. Just like the shadow of Mordor before they started the journey to destroy the ring. Aragorn stood up wearily. He needed rest but obviously he had to do more to deserve it.

When he entered the throne room, an old friend awaited him. "Gandalf! It is ever an honour to see you." The old wizard smiled at him but his eyes were thoughtful and distant. "Unfortunately I bring no good news to you. Some of the northern villages were burned down by orcs and uruk-hais. I fear that they have found a new leader. But this is not all. I have heard that there should be a creature of fire. If these people have seen it right, it could be a Balrog. If this is true, everything we fought for could be lost. These are mighty creatures and everyone who has fought against one lost his life."

Aragorn stared in disbelieve at the wizard. "A Balrog? Are there any left? I thought the one in Moria was the last living in Middle Earth." Gandalf slowly shook his head. "No I fear that there are more of the foul creatures. There were hundreds of them under the rule of Morgoth. It is quite possible that some of them are still alive hidden in some old caves or mines." Gandalf suppressed a shudder when the memory of his long fight in Moria floated through his mind.

Aragorn was taken aback. He would not have suspected such ill news. "Have you anything about their new leader?" – "No unfortunately not. No one got a glimpse of him because he holds himself off and orders his forces from the background. But I have a suspicion and I hoped you could help me with it." Gandalf looked in Aragorns eyes, searching an answer. The man stared back at the wizard. Suddenly he knew what Gandalf wanted. "Gwann-Agar is back. He has sent us a torturing device of Dol Guldur. But that wasn't everything. Legolas had some sort of vision with the message that Gwann-Agar is back."

Gandalfs eyes narrowed one moment; his suspicion confirmed. "I thought it was him. I knew that he survived after Dol Guldur and I chased his tracks now and then. He first travelled back to Angband but after he heard that the ring was found he started north. Gwann-Agar was there when the battle began but he was smarter than Sauron and left Mordor before the ring was destroyed. He lived during Morgoth rule. We even don't know if he wasn't equal with Sauron at this time. But he knows the orcs and has the strength to lead them." He made a pause collecting his thoughts. "I'm sure he also has the power to rule a Balrog." Gandalf took some steps to get near the human. "Was there a message or something to find out what this creature has in mind?" – "No there was nothing. Nothing but a vision of Legolas."

Gandalfs fear rose. "What was this vision about?" The Istar felt that Aragorn was suddenly at unease. "He had a vision about his father's death. Legolas decided to leave immediately." There was silence. Gandalf stared at Aragorn in disbelieve. He shouldn't have let him go. "When did he leave?" – "This morning. I tried to persuade him to stay until my brothers arrived but he was too upset to wait." – "Your brothers are still one their way? Then I hope that they aren't in danger too. When will they arrive?" Aragorn sighed. "They should be here tomorrow, if nothing happened."

Gandalf looked deep in the human's eyes. "You ride after Legolas and I will wait until your brothers are here. It is too risky and far too dangerous to be spread up like this. I hope we are not too late. This vision, was Legolas wounded?" – "Yes he mentioned it. And his father was dead." – "Gwann-Agar was long enough with Morgoth to learn the evil practice to set visions into the enemies head, leading him to the place he wished him to be." Aragorn was shocked. "You think Gwann-Agar caused his vision in purpose?" Gandalf nodded. "Yes. Enough talking, you have to go now. Ride as fast as you can, his lead could be his death."

Aragorn saddled his horse Brego and rode fast. He hoped that he would find the route Legolas took. The sun was nearing dusk leaving the wide plains in a red gleam. The life of his friend lay in his hands and he wouldn't give it away that easy.

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"We are near Rohan now." Elladan sighed. "Yes but we need at least two days more until we arrive in Gondor." Elrohir yawned into the darkness of the night. "Only if we make no further pause but I don't think I could stand it without rest." Elladan raised an eyebrow. "You're really getting old. I wonder how you survived the battle of the black gate. Or were you lying on the ground and resting while we fought the enemy?" Elrohir nudged his brother with his elbow in the ribs. "No I was the one saving your life the whole time. You aren't able to stay uninjured during the slightest fight." Elladan snarled.

"I hope the others fare well. I still have the feeling of being watched." Elladan glanced at his brother, catching the slightest expression of fear in his face. "I really hope that too my brother."

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The sun was shining brightly and Aragorn could see the tracks of Legolas' horse. He crossed the Anduin several hours ago and rode west side of Mirkwood. The human entered the great wood, missing the bright sun immediately that shone only slightly through the thick leaves. The sunlight suddenly sting in his eyes too much to be natural. Aragorn held up to cover his eyes preventing the light to dazzle him. Something glittered on the ground, reflecting the sunbeams. "Daro (stop) Brego!" Aragorn jumped off his brown horse, rushing to the object. "Oh no." The dark haired man grabbed the elven dagger by the hilt. It was one of Legolas hunting knives. He held it up. The blade was covered with dried blood. Looking at the ground Aragorn recognized the first time the tracks of not mere orcs but "Uruk-hais." They were more than four. Outnumbering his elven friend but Aragorn had no doubt that his friend could have killed all of them. There had to be something else.

Aragorn searched further, bending on the ground. There it was, a barely recognisable track of an elven footstep. Aragorn stood up and looked at the ground. There were signs of a bloody fight, a lot of blood and a single elven dagger. It doesn't made sense. Legolas killed some but there were not a single body or at least a piece of one. Someone paid special attention to that place and the dagger was the only message given to him in purpose.

The man had no other chance. He knew that Gwann-Agar wanted him to follow his friend but he had no other choice. Aragorns only hope was that Legolas could ride away on his own. For what reason he didn't know but Gwann-Agar let his friend pass. Aragorn mounted Brego and rode further. He tried to reconstruct the scene before his eyes. Ever and ever again but one deciding detail was missing. Legolas must have been hurt as the Uruk-hai attacked him else he would have killed them all. "Noro lim, Brego!"

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I hope you enjoyed it. I promise the next one will be longer and you will see the first encounter of Legolas and Gwann-Agar (my favourite parts of the story)

Please r+r