Hi all!

Here´s chapter 20 - read, enjoy and please let me know what you think! I would like to thank you all for your support and all the wonderful reviews! One word about the sequel to "The Beckoning" - I swear this will come. I have even started writing it (as well as a sequel to "Ravens") but I have to finish one story before really plunging into the next. All I can promise is: They will come!

Thanks again to San for editing - even though busy with other things ((hugs))

Now have fun!

Alina

Rating: PG 13

Dislaimer: Still not mine...

Hideouts

A howl rose from snow-covered hills. Its tone was so dark that even the wolves that were just gathering to hunt, cowered beneath its weight, whining in fright.

The small group of elven riders and their horses that raced along across the snow, however, barely reacted. The steeds´ ears flicked in annoyance and their riders glanced about them, sharp eyes scanning for danger, yet their pace never slowed. Too urgent was their mission.

On and on the sound travelled, and more voices joined in as it moved across smooth plains and wove through bare trees. It brushed the black ruins of an abandoned hut, lightly touched the carcass of a slain horse and then reached a small village that saw elves and humans, side by side, preparing for their defence.

No matter whether mortal or not, all who heard the howl froze in their movements and listened. The wounded grew restless and the horses pawed the ground and neighed in protest. Even when the howl slowly faded away, dying a slow death of echo and shade, it left its foul mark upon all who were stained by it.

Lord Elrond turned to the blond elven warrior by his side. "I know", Glorfindel said before a word had been spoken, "alliances are formed on the other side as well. I shall double the guards. There will be no sleep tonight."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Even though separated from his kin, another elf also looked up at the fell sound, and so did the warriors around him. A hush had fallen over the group but was quickly interrupted by the strong voice of the human leader.

"So, friend elf, will you share our shelter? You are welcome to join us."

The lone elf stood quietly, suddenly aware that he was surrounded by humans. Expectant eyes were fixed upon him. He could sense curiosity and appreciation but also distrust and even anger. Scanning the ragged group he tried to place the reactions, but he was greeted by so much tiredness and sorrow that he quickly gave up.

Above them, the skies grew to steal as an early dusk crept up on them, and when a cold breeze picked up and brushed through the small gathering, even Legolas could not suppress a shiver. The hour grew late and his choices were limited indeed.

To his right, Bowder´s mare had stopped and contentedly rubbed her head against his shoulder. Beakon had returned to his side also, and when the little boy slipped off the horse's back to stand behind him, he had to hide the smile that he felt tugging at his lips. A fine escort that supported the prince of Mirkwood on this particular mission.

"Well?" the human leader spoke up, a hint of impatience in his voice. His eyes had darkened when he was not given an answer. "Why does it take you so long to accept our hospitality? Is our company so far beneath you that you will not even endure it for shelter?" A murmur rippled along the humans, but Legolas raised both hands in a soothing gesture before he replied.

"Not at all, my friend", he said, "I was merely considering whether I could burden you with our presence. Times are dark, and hospitality is not easily given without paying a high price. Please forgive me if my hesitation seemed rude to you."

The huge human stepped closer and peered at Legolas as if trying to see him clearly, but then his expression suddenly changed to a wide grin and he patted the elf on the back with the force of a young bear. "No offence taken, master elf. I am Cann, and I welcome you to my small band of fighters!"

Legolas bowed lightly to the sounds of welcome and relief that were uttered by the other men. He could not help feeling that he had just endured an escape as narrow as that from the young man´s sword in battle, and the thought did little to ease his mind. Even so, he mounted the mare and joined the humans when they prepared to leave. Horses had been brought from a hideout in the woods. They were as wildly assorted as their riders, ranging from broad beasts that seemed better suited to pulling a plough, to thin creatures, looking weak but nonetheless not budging beneath their burdens.

Neither the wounded nor the dead were left behind, and Legolas once again lifted the boy onto the horse to sit before him. The child yawned openly when they left and his eyes were drooping as they rode, yet his mind would not let him rest just yet.

After only a short distance the group left the snowy ground of the woods to ride on within a shallow river. It was not deep enough to reach the horses´ knees, but the unsteady ground and fading light forced a slow pace upon them.

"Why are we riding in the river?" the child asked from where he lay nestled against the elf. The young voice sounded slightly raspy and Legolas looked down at the boy, trying to find out whether his young charge was unwell, but he could not detect anything amiss.

"It is a ruse to keep others from finding us", the elf explained, "for traces can be hidden beneath water."

"Does the water wash them away?" Interest seemed to momentarily win the upper hand over the boy´s drowsiness. "Can nobody find us now?"

Legolas chuckled. "No, little one. The horses´ hooves will still move the pebbles they step upon. Some may brush the plants at shore and bend them. Or a piece of cloak might get caught against a low-hanging branch."

The child was silent for a moment before he inquired: "But it would need a very good tracker to find us? Not anybody could just follow us?"

"It would take a very good tracker indeed. Do not be afraid." Legolas smiled. "Someone like Elladan or Elrohir might be able to follow a track like this. You should ask them to show you." His smile widened into a grin when he envisioned his friends crawling through the mud with the inquisitive youngster. He would have to make sure to witness the first lessons.

The child yawned again. "I will", he agreed, his words a little slurred. "Or I will ask you." With this innocent threat, grey eyes slipped shut and the boy fell into blissful slumber.

Legolas shifted slightly to become more comfortable and keep his burden from pressing against any of his injuries. This was becoming a difficult matter, as it seemed that his whole body ached now. He could even feel the cold that rose from the creek crawl into his bones.

Wearily, the elf watched the humans around him. None paid him any particular attention now, for all had to keep their wits about them in order not to stumble and hold the wounded on the horses. He could see how tired they looked. How starved. How worried. It was nothing short of a miracle that they had prevailed against the raiders. Few seemed trained with arms in any way.

But some were.

The young man who had almost cut Legolas´ head off in battle pushed his horse alongside Bowder´s mare. The elf immediately noted the origin of the stout animal and his eyebrows rose in surprise.

"You are a ranger." It was a statement that washed the youth's almost constant smile off his face in his amazement, but then the man chuckled joyfully. "Yes, and not the only one around here. It was lucky for these people that we found them. I might be young, master elf, but it is my fate to be here. I was taught that not age but heart makes us what we are."

"You must have had a wise teacher", Legolas replied, "and a brave one, too, for training you with a sword must have called for a stout soul."

The ranger made a dismissive gesture. "Not at all", he said easily, his voice free of bragging, "I´m quite natural with a blade. But should I ever be forced to pick up a bow, make sure to stand behind my back. Preferably half a mile off."

"I shall remember that", Legolas replied seriously, "Because an arrow is even more difficult to dodge than a sword."

To the elf's surprise, he grew quite comfortable in the conversation with the ranger who belatedly introduced himself as Léod. The young man even knew the history of his name which had been carried by a lord in Rohan. "I do not know my origin", the youth freely shared, "for I was found by the rangers when I was but a boy. Yet I could ride a horse well then already, so the plains of the horse lords might well be my home."

Suddenly Léod rose in the saddle and pointed ahead. "There is our camp", he announced. "By the Valar, it is time! My limbs are about to freeze off."

The small group left the river and followed a thin path through the dense trees. Legolas could see several guards hidden in the trees and behind some stray rocks around them, and he could sense even more elsewhere. This place was difficult to approach without being noticed. That was a good thing, because flickering light and the smell of smoke clearly announced that a settlement was near.

Suddenly, the ground fell away rather sharply to reveal a wide hollow. Tents and makeshift huts had been erected here. Fires burned among them, and animals had been ushered into small trellis that were scattered along the slopes of the camp. A few dogs barked at them but were quickly hushed by their owners.

Women and children stepped forward to greet the returning riders. Few men were to be seen, and Legolas concluded that he had seen most of the fighting force these humans possessed. And of this low number not few had been lost.

Soon, cries of mourning and despair were to be heard, and the elf sought a space for himself, the child and the animals at the edge of the dwelling. He was loathe to intrude on these people in their hour of sadness. Settling down with his back against a rock he watched in silence. The child remained sleeping in his arms, and the animals settled down at his side just as they had done beside Bowder´s hut.

The light had completely fled the skies now and the figures of the humans were mere shadows that stood out against the unsteady lights of their fires. Suddenly, their shapes seemed fleeting to Legolas, quivering and lacking the solidity that promised safety. Just like a ray of light could dispense of any shadow, illness and age would dissolve those souls that would not go down in battle.

So much death waiting to happen. Legolas watched a woman kneeling beside one of the bodies. She had buried her head against the dead one´s chest and would raise it again and again to cry out her grief into the night. Two small shapes clung to her thin frame. How could she carry on when she herself might succumb to hunger or fever any day?

"Do you mind?"

Legolas flinched at the sound of Léod's voice, strongly enough to make the boy in his arms make a muffled sound of disapproval before settling down again.

The young ranger sat down with a look of apology on his features. "I did not mean to startle you", he said, "but I thought you would appreciate an extra pair of eyes to watch that child. You seem to be quite fond of him."

"There is nothing to apologize for", Legolas replied rather stiffly, "For I was not startled at all. The boy is under my guard and I shall continue to watch him, yet I do not mind your presence."

"Thank you, neither do I mind yours." There was a hint of mirth in Léod´s words. "I guess that means we shall not need to draw weapons and fight for this spot of rest. If you do not take offence, then, I shall make good use of my time."

Legolas eyed the young man, not entirely sure what to make of his reaction, but when the ranger pulled out his sword and began sharpening it with slow, deliberate movements, he leaned back again to watch the camp. The boy felt warm and heavy against his chest and above him, the clouds ripped open to reveal the heavens.

The elf gazed up at the stars, wondering to himself when the Valar would finally grant him peace again.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Daro!" /Hold/ Erestor brought his horse to an abrupt stop, as did the warriors behind him. They had ridden hard and covered a lot of ground, passing the dead raiders and horse that Glorfindel had told them about. They were close now to the hut of Bowder, the human hunter, and the smell of cooling smoke lay in the air.

However, this was not what had startled the advisor. His gaze had roamed the ground for tracks for the entire ride. It had been easy to follow the path the Balrog slayer had taken, and just as easy to see where Legolas had ridden, but now a new kind of tracks had joined those of the steed's hooves.

"Droeg" /wolves/ one of the warriors spoke, a note of disgust in his voice as he added: "Beraid droeg." /Cursed wolves./

"Aye." Erestor slipped off his horse and crouched down. Light was fading already and it would soon retreat fully, leaving the world in darkness. Unless the elves were willing to carry on the light of hope. "They were many", the elder elf said thoughtfully, "and they took their time here to examine the horse's tracks."

He stood, gazing about him. "Most followed the horse", he said, keeping his voice even, "while one other resumed into the woods."

"Why would not all of them seek to kill Legolas?" one of the warriors said. "They might have considered him easy prey."

"Possibly." Erestor gazed into the forest. He knew that they had neither time nor resources to follow both trails, and there was no doubt in his heart that it was their duty to follow Legolas. Even so, he felt a nagging in his heart that told him grave danger lay both ways.

Sighing, the advisor sank down to his knees and laid his palm across of the clear paw-prints. He felt the warriors forming a circle around him even as his inner sight fled this place.

He could sense hot breath as soft paws sank into the snow. A smell filled the sensitive nose, the odour of humans. The dark shapes of trees danced past eyes that were forever trained upon the next kill. And yet there was more than bloodlust in this mind. There was a plan. A sense of cunning that was interwoven with the deep satisfaction of confidence.

Voices began to take shape in the distance, and soon he could make out the words that were spoken. "He will be here soon." A male voice. "He promised to return. Do not lose confidence in him, for he has led you in battle before."

Aye, the dark mind thought, and he will do so again. Oh yes, I shall lead you into battle.

The wolf´s bulk stopped. Close-by, next to a tree, a bundle of clothes lay waiting. The smell of men was close now, mingled with that of horses. Saliva dripped off the opened mouth, yet the beast forced its animalistic instincts to obey and retreat deeply into its mind.

Deep breaths. Deep breaths and even deeper concentration.

Fur to hair.

Paw to hand.

Snout to mouth.

The beast groaned as it changed, but it endured the pain. It embraced it with a black heart that would make sure that every torture it suffered would be returned to its enemies manifold.

Having regained the form of the human he had once been, the beast dressed and then approached the waiting group.

Trusting, relieved faces turned to him when he drew near. Such fools. Such wonderful, easily deceived fools.

"Ranger!" A man in rags walked up to him, his lone weapon a spear. "We have waited long for your return."

"Aye" the beast answered with a smile, "and returned I have."

TBC