7

The wind howled mercilessly as it blew down the gorge and up the side of the cliff face where Aragorn was standing in the cold light of morning, staring down into its depths in disbelief. The bridge was down. Its broken length clattered uselessly against the side of the gorge. Looking across the divide Aragorn could see the start of the path that lead to the forest road that would take them into Mirkwood. He exhaled harshly with barely contained anger and disappointment. With the bridge down they would have to travel along the ridge looking for a path that they could use to cross the gorge. Aragorn kicked a shower of pebbles over the edge and watched then disappear in the distance. He turned to Legolas who stood quietly by, for he wanted to push on immediately. The elf was watching him closely, his face impassive. After traveling with him for two weeks Aragorn knew what that face meant; the elf was tired. He sighed irritably.

"Look, we will have to go back and search for another way across," he said trying to ignore the elf's expression.

Legolas nodded but Aragorn could tell his heart was not in it.

"All right," he snapped. "We will rest here for a while." He ungraciously found himself a nice spot to sit.

Legolas shoulders sagged in relief, but he knew better than to say anything just then. He went to the edge of the gorge and peered down. He could see the river winding its way through it many miles below. He noticed that the sides and bottom of the canyon was well covered with sturdy scrub and trees.

"Could we not just climb down?" he asked over his shoulder.

Aragorn guffawed loudly. "I do not know about you elf, but I cannot fly."

Legolas looked back and shrugged.

"And what of the horses?" the ranger continued.

"I did not think of that," Legolas confessed and he crossed to Aragorn's side and sat down.

Aragorn pulled out a well used map from one of his many pockets and perused it diligently. He did not want to admit it but he knew no other way to cross into Mirkwood. He traced the path of the Great River and saw that many miles to the south there was a juncture where the ridge leveled out low enough to cross. He did some quick calculations on his fingers and estimated that it would delay them by three weeks. They would come out near to one of the two villages of the woodsmen. That would mean a two month journey to the Elven King's Halls. Unacceptable, the snows would be upon them before they were halfway there. He ran his fingers through his hair distractedly and grumbled to himself.

Sensing his irritation Legolas rose and walked over to the stanchions of the broken bridge. He sat there legs dangling over the gorge. He enjoyed the strong feel of the wind in his hair and the pinch of the cold that came with it on his skin.

Aragorn gaze flickered over him briefly and the ranger shook his head. He turned to the map again and this time followed the river's path to the north. Some twenty miles up, the ridge leveled out again and this time gave onto the Forest Gate, an old path used by the elves to traverse the forest. For a moment it seemed their problem was solved, but then his eyes were drawn to Elladan's firm script. Goblin's Gate was written next to a tiny X halfway along the ridge. Goblins, nasty creatures that inhabited the underground tunnels beneath the Misty Mountain Range. They could not travel that way. Aragorn chewed on his bottom lip while he wrestled with the problem.

A long time passed before the absolute absence of noise penetrated his thoughts. He looked up and for a moment did not realize what was different. then he leapt to his feet.

"Legolas!" he shouted, running to the spot where the elf had last been seated. 'He could not have fallen!'

He threw himself flat at the very edge and looked down. The elf was a tiny figure half way down the side of the gorge.

"Legolas!" Aragorn bellowed.

The elf looked up at him and waved.

"Of all the crazy…" Aragorn blurted in relief.

The elf was climbing down the remains of the rope bridge.

Flipping onto his back Aragorn began to laugh.

……………………

It was early the next morning when Legolas finally made it back to the ridge where Aragorn lay.The rangerwas curled around his sword asleep on the cold ground. The blanket was tucked under his head and his heavy coat was wrapped about him. He stirred as Legolas came to stand beside him.

"Finished exploring?" he inquired upon opening his eyes.

Legolas gave a tiny smile, "It was most invigorating," he said.

Getting to his feet with a helping hand from Legolas, Aragorn began to brush off twigs and leaves that clung to him.

"Well as much as this respite was enjoyable we really need to move on," he started to say. He turned around to pick up his blanket, meaning to get their gear together. He stopped and stared. He took two steps forward in disbelief and stopped.

"Of all the crazy…" he whispered.

The bridge was up. It stretched majestically across the divide. With his mouth slightly open in pure astonishment he turned to Legolas who was standing there arms clapped self consciously around his middle. The effort it would have taken, the danger… the time. A roil of emotion went through him. He wanted to say so many things; he wanted to know how and why. He wanted to express his gratitude and concern. Instead he said.

"You better change out of those wet things." He then busied himself getting their things together. But Legolas had seen that moment when his eyes had said all the things that he could not. It made the elf smile.

……………….

Aragorn had wanted to send the horses across first, but Legolas reassured him.

"The bridge is strong, it will hold us."

"How can you be sure? It has not been tested."

Legolas did something he had never done before. He placed his hands over Aragorn's and squeezed it.

"Trust me," he said his blue eyes intense.

Aragorn stared at him for a long moment and for once did not argue.

…………………….

An errant gust of wind howled past and Aragorn paled as the bridge swayed. He grabbed the mane of his horse in reflex and the mare nickered nudging him in protest. Legolas was behind him and as Aragorn turned smiled reassuringly. Aragorn gave him a look that spoke volumes. They were both on foot leading their horses; they were just a little more than halfway across the bridge.

"What know you of Mirkwood?" Legolas asked to distract the ranger.

"Not much, I have passed through there but once."

"Once?" Legolas said incredulously and he stopped. "You know nothing of these people and you take me to this place!" Legolas' eyes were wide and panicked.

Greatly amused by the look of shock on his face Aragorn grinned. "Why Legolas, do you not trust me."

As the elf opened his mouth to reply two things happened simultaneously. He felt the bridge thrum beneath his feet and an awful stench borne by the wind reached his nose.

For an instant he seemed to be frozen in place then Aragorn saw his eyes change and narrow. An ugly feral scowl darkened his countenance. He pushed past Aragorn and the horses, hands reaching for his arrows. It was only when something whizzed past his ear that Aragorn realized they were in danger. Spinning around wildly he searched for the source. He saw nothing, but Legolas was standing legs splayed to minimize his movement, firing toward the end of the bridge.

"Yrch!" he shouted. "They are cutting the ropes!"

Aragorn reached for his bow but Legolas screamed, "No! Go back to the ridge! Take the horses and go back!"

Aragorn, with his heart thudding in his chest reached for the horses, but they, panicked by the emotion of their riders took off running…toward the orcs. The bridge swayed dangerously and Legolas danced out of reach as they thundered by leaning precariously against the waist high railing.

"Aragorn run!" he shouted.

The ranger needed no further urging. He turned and ran followed by closely by Legolas. The bridge pitched and yawed beneath their feet as the movement of the running horses and the actions of the orcs took their toll. Aragorn lost his balance once and was jerked back to his feet by the swift elf. Legolas pushed him forward and Aragorn could hear his ragged breathing.

'We will not make it!' his mind screamed.

A second before the bridge fell away under their feet Legolas grabbed at Aragorn and held him in a vice like grip.

They plummeted like fallen birds out of the sky.

The wind rushed past them and Aragorn tried not to scream. His heart pounded in his ears and his breath seemed to be pulled out of his body. Legolas' frightened gasps of breath filled his ear and all else seemed to fade…

They hit the waters of the swollen river with a terrible splash and disappeared beneath its depths.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

yrch…….orcs

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Lindahoyland…Legolas' loss of memeory is really what is insulating him from dying, but that nay change soon.

AinuLaire ……well I guess you were right!

Mornflower…. have a great time in camp! I'll have more for you when you get back.

Ciryaquen…. Elladan says he is unavailable, but I think he is just sulking. Actually so is Aragorn, I don't know why. I thought your review was great! And you have ta wait a bit for the blood, ah yes blood, lots of blood…

KnightGuardian… Thank ee sir knight. Or is it lady Knight, oh well.

Legolass , thank you very much.

Sielge……I'm trying I'm trying.

Ziggy…… Thanks a lot, Actually that image of him riding was just in my mind so long I just had to get it down on paper. I'm really happy you liked it too.

Tmelange…….thanks tme..

Inyuashaloverfan…okay okay! (smile)

Destinylot ………..thanks

Shanna……….Muchisimas gracias, vamos a encontrar a Talen de nuevo pronto

Grumpy………. Many thanks.