World of Silence

by Phoenix53

When Middle Earth is threatened by a new evil, the Fellowship must seek the last of an ancient race for aid. But will they be strong enough to defeat their new enemey or will all of Middle Earth fall to its evil? LOC

3. Misunderstanding

Chapter Three: Misunderstanding

Meroryan woke suddenly, gasping for breath, sweat drenching her body, her heart pounding painfully in her chest. It took her a moment to realize what had made her wake so abruptly. Then she remembered the dream, and in doing so, blushed with both embarrassment and excitement. She had seen his eyes this time, her anonymous lover. They had been blue, but not a cornflower blue. They had held more gray inside their depths, tinted the color of the sea after a storm. Passion had caused them to deepen to a rich gray-blue. Such amazing eyes for a man.

For the past three days, she had been experiencing these vivid visions every time she allowed herself to fall asleep. They were frightening in their intensity and mystery. It always began differently, but the end result was the same. They would share a passionate embrace, lose each other in sensations of touch and taste, and then, before their union, the dream would dissolve into nothing, and she would wake, shaking and unfulfilled. But this time, she had come closer than ever to being able to see this mysterious dream man. She felt near bursting with excitement at knowing the color of those eyes that held her captive. Perhaps, with time, she would be able to she the rest of his fair features, for she knew he was fair by touch. High cheekbones slashed across a perfectly featured face. A slim upper-lip, crescented by a full lower one, gave kisses of such sweet seduction that Meroryan shuddered with pleasure to think of it. Soft, silky skin covered hard, trim muscles. She had never known a man to be so finely proportioned.

She knew from his reactions and tender touches that he understood her innocence. He would always be so tender and gentle with her. Yet, at times such as this last one, he would lose himself to their passion, guiding her through the whirlwind of their ardor. It was like nothing she had ever hoped to experience. And it both thrilled and terrified her. As always, in this dream, they had spoken very little. There never seemed to be a need to speak with him as such. But in the throes of their passion, she could always hear herself begging him for forever. And he would promise readily in a soft, lilting language that stirred her soul. But she knew that he didn't understand what she asked for. Forever for mortals was as uncomprehensive to them as death was to immortals such as her. And it only saddened her to think that, should she ever chance to meet this miracle man, he would be taken away from her by time itself. And despite all her powers, she could not stop fate.

She shook off the remnants of her latest visualization and let her gaze roam over their small camp. Elsie sat propped against a boulder on the other side of the small fire, her eyes closed heavily, her breathing deep with sweet sleep. Meroryan shook her head, smiling wryly at her friend. They had been wandering now for three days in this forest. They had found refuge during their first day and night here at the edge of a small brook. There, Meroryan had tended to their wounds to the best of her ability. She was not the healer that her sister Deloryen had been, nor had she the knowledge that Nadriel had of herbs and other such important things. She had been trained as a warrior, taught to utilize her power to fight evil in the most basic and skilled ways possible. But they had managed and had survived splendidly to this point.

Their second night had proved the most enlightening to the friends. Howls and snarls had filled the air around the clearing where they had made camp. Elsie had turned frightened eyes on Meroryan.

"What is that?"

Meroryan glanced at her friend, noting the fear filled eyes that held her own. "I don't know. But whatever it is, it doesn't sound exactly happy."

"No, it sounds HUNGRY! What are we going to do?" Elsie had edged her way closer to the fire, seeking both warmth and protection from the meager flames.

"Stay close to the fire. We should probably take turns at staying awake. I'll go first if you want to sleep. I'll wake you up to take a turn in about three hours. Sound ok?"

Elsie nodded, her eyes still gazing restlessly in the direction of the angry sounds. "That's cool. Guess it's the only choice we have eh? That or being eaten alive." Meroryan had smiled at her friends poor attempt at levity. But if it helped to ease her fears, she would comply.

Meroryan pretended to ponder the options. She tilted her head to the side, looking up at the trees in fervent contemplation. "Hmmm. Eaten alive.stay awake all night. Eaten alive.I think I'll take the first one Pat," she said, her voice mimicking that of a contestant on a game show. Corny though it was, it had had the desired effect. Elsie had laughed, breaking the tension caused by their fear.

True to her word, Meroryan had taken that first watch. But before she could wake Elsie to take her turn, the howling had ceased, the normal sounds of the night returning to soothe the pounding of her heart. They had not heard the horrible noises since, but each remained alert as they walked during the day, senses attuned to anything that seemed out of the ordinary in this forest. Though what would be out of the ordinary and how they could tell was beyond Meroryan. Still, better cautious than injured, or worse, dead.

They had found the glade hours before twilight had streaked across the night sky. Elsie had been idly commenting that she had never walked so much in her entire life when she had tripped over and unseen object. Meroryan had rushed to her aid, concern written all over her face. "Are you ok, El?"

Elsie had risen, turning angry eyes to the article that had caused her such an ungraceful fall. "Oh sure. Just totally pissed that I ran into this stupid thing!" She kicked at the large stone protruding out of the earth. "A whole forest floor made completely of dirt, and I have to find the only stone that sticks up!" She looked up at Meroryan, mouth open to ask when they would be making camp, but stopped short at the look on her friend's face. Meroryan had her mouth hanging open uncharacteristically and her eyes were wide with amazement.

"What's the matter with you?" She queried turning to see what had captured her friend's attention so thoroughly. She had gasped in surprise, wonderment filling her gaze. Before them, standing at around fifteen feet above the earth, were three massive statues. Hideous were their visages, yet somehow mystical. They must have been there for many years for the ivy surrounding them had grown tall.

For a moment they had both stood, transfixed. Meroryan had been the first to break the silence, whispering, "Wow." Elsie had nodded her ascent, still gazing in wonderment. By unspoken agreement, they had set up camp in silence, Meroryan starting their fire.

Elsie had told Meroryan she would take that first watch. Yet there she sat, sleeping peacefully through the night. She sighed, smirking lightly in spite of all that had happened to them. She wouldn't be able to sleep for the rest of the evening anyways. She might as well spend the night thinking on their situation and how best to get them back to where they came from. She had no idea what to do. And that scared her the most. In all her long years, she had never felt so alone or uncertain. Always Nadriel and Relampago had been there to aid her and guide her. Now, here she was, lost and confused in a foreign place.

She got up from where she had been reclined on the ground, walking around the fire, past her sleeping friend. Climbing up to sit on the knee of one of the statues, she stared out into the night, absorbing the light given off by the stars. For the hundredth time since awakening in the forest, she wondered where they were. They had not seen any signs of civilization for these past three days and these forests were unlike any that she had ever known. They spoke to her of newly defeated evil, of strange creatures that haunted the trees and of long forgotten memories. All of it disturbed her thoughts and made her wonder what history was about to unfold before them.

She sighed, her gaze piercing the night. For a moment she hesitated, then Meroryan made a decision. For the first time in over a century, she opened her mind. It was a practice that she had long since abandoned in the modern world with modern technology. But out here, she was reminded of the wilds of her home and such things were necessary. She closed her eyes, gathering all her strength to this one task. Anyone who would have been watching them would have been startled when she reopened them. Her emerald eyes, those that rivaled the deepest verdure of the forest, shone a brilliant green, illuminating even the whites of her eyes. Their luminous quality, challenging the same glow that a cat's eyes would make in the dark, shone with power unleashed. Meroryan had taken great pains to harness such a gift. Nadriel had spent many hours teaching her the simple method of 'seeing'. When her power was focused thusly, she could see beyond the farthest reaches of human sight. As though she were an eagle, she could see many leagues beyond wherever she happened to be. The other benefit was an increase of the senses. Even without opening her mind, Meroryan had a canny sixth sense that had aided her through many battles and times of hardship. But while seeing, she could increase these senses and pick up minute traces of sound as far as such powers would take her own sight.

And so, she searched the forest, letting her gaze touch upon the things that were hidden therein. Turning her body so that she could look behind her, she could just make out the faint edges of a river, or lake. She strained her eyes, trying to make out anything beyond that, but cliffs and stone were all that she saw. Perhaps they would make their way in that direction on the morrow. Maybe they would run into some friendly people. Who knew.

Meroryan abandoned her vigil, letting her head drop to her knees. She had gone too long without practicing her skill and the effort of it now had exhausted her. Sweat sheened her skin, making it shine in the bright night. She would have to rebuild her strength in this new place if she were to keep them alive. The helplessness of their situation came crashing down upon her all at once and tears formed for the first time in over 1300 years at the corners of her eyes. Her whispered plea echoed among the surround pines. "Gaia, give me strength. Let us pass through this forest without harm. Aid us in our survival."

Raising tired eyes to the sky, she sought out the Dragon's Keep. There it shone, dimly, along the horizon. Her voice held sorrow and desperation, vulnerability tainting her normally calm tone. "Oh, Nadriel. Where are you? I need you, my friend. I need you."

The wind stirred around the glenn, rustling the leaves and carrying the scent along its path. From his slumber, Nadriel stirred, lifting his head from where it lay and turning his face into the wind. Relampago shifted his stance as well, restlessness infusing his body with new strength. Nadriel sniffed the air, as though searching for something. And it was then that he heard the plea, and the desperation therein broke his heart.

After a moment, he lifted his own voice to the stars. "Hold on, my child. You must first find your courage. Long has it been since you have had to face such evils as those that now taint this land. I am with you always. But our time has not yet come. You must be strong for a while longer yet. Patience, Meroryan, patience. There are those that will aid you. Fear not."

The sun rose from behind the mountains, refreshing the sky and permeating the landscape with light. Birds began to chirp and sing. Squirrels argued playfully while chipmunks scolded them for their tempers. The trees whispered a silent song of greeting to those that now stirred in the camp below them. Arwen opened the flap of the tent that she shared with her husband and breathed deeply of the crisp morning air. The darkness that had consumed her thoughts last night had vanished, replaced with the bright colors of the dawn.

She turned at a sound behind her, smiling when her husband's strong embrace enfolded her waist. "You shine so brightly this morning, my love," he said, placing a chaste kiss to her forehead.

Arwen smiled, leaning into the touch. "Flattery will get you everywhere, my Lord."

Aragorn laughed, the joyous sound filling her heart. "Then I will try to remember that for future reference. But now I must ask you something of a serious nature. You have much to tell me today, melamin. I would know what you and Legolas were so worried about yestereve."

Arwen turned in the embrace, facing her husband with a look too innocent to be believed. "I know not of which you speak, coramin."

Aragorn shook his head, "You are a poor liar, a'mael. Now tell me, what haunts my dearest friend and my love so?"

Arwen sighed, turning her gaze back to the soft light of the morning. She paused in her thoughts, trying to make some sense of what she was about to say. "We have felt a presence."

Aragorn frowned, "Presence?"

"Aye, my love. A presence. And not a good one at that. It radiates evil intention. It wanders over the land with the darkness, much like a mist, shrouding the light of the stars and the moon, dimming them somewhat. It has grown in strength as we have neared the mountains."

Aragorn turned her back to face him, placing his fingers under her chin and gently raising her eyes to his. "Why did you say nothing of this? Why did you keep such things from me?" he asked her, confusion and hurt hidden behind the depths of his eyes.

Arwen smiled softly, her hand running a caress across his brow. "I only said nothing because I did not wish to trouble you, Estel. You have born so much pain and sorrow that I thought only to spare you some levity at this time. Nothing more. I am sorry of any hurt I may have caused you."

"I am only troubled that you did not share your burden with me. I would have you be free of such things. Lle caelaya il'oio sinta natie en'naikel."

"Lle Iltanaka tanya amin ilsintuva'oio nat'io en'ksha. Amin deluva yassen lle."

Aragorn bowed his head before her, pulling her closer to him for a warm embrace. His heart felt lighter, knowing that she was by his side, with him always. She raised her head from his shoulder, where it had been resting. "Legolas gave me the impression that he had known for some time that things were not well."

Aragorn smiled wryly, his mouth pulling to one side in a grimace-like gesture. "Legolas has never been one to express his fears unless they are based on pure fact. On few occasions has he come to me to tell me his suspicions and even then, gaining facts from him is much akin to pulling teeth."

Arwen smiled knowingly, "It is true. For as long as I have known him, he has always kept his feelings and emotions close to him. Rarely does Legolas let one know when he is worried or troubled. That he even spoke of it last night when I approached him is something of a miracle."

"Perhaps Gimli was right in that he needs an elf maid to ease his worry and lighten his ever pensive mood. I would grant that he has taken fewer lovers to his bed in his many centuries than a common ranger would take in his entire lifetime."

At this, Arwen gazed thoughtfully toward her husband. "Truly my love? And just how many fair ladies have you entranced before we were wed?"

Aragorn had the good graces to flush in embarrassment. "Only one, amin vanya er," he said, holding her close to him. Arwen hummed in a pleased manner, feeling his embarrassment sufficient retribution for his earlier comment. They stood that way for some time, holding each other close, before Aragorn sighed wistfully. "If indeed both of you have felt this evil, we should hurry on to Rivendell with all possible haste. It will not take us long to arrive and I feel that Elrond should know of your concerns."

"And what concerns would those be Aragorn?" asked a gruff voice from his left. He turned as Gimli and Legolas approached the couple.

"And good morrow to you my friend. We slept quite peacefully, thank you for asking. How did you fair last evening?"

Gimli sighed in frustration. "My sleep went as peacefully as it could possibly go with an elf snoring in my ear all through the night."

Legolas snorted, giving Gimli a look that suggested he had awoken wearing his armor all upon his head. "So you did wake yourself with that deafening racket you were making. I was beginning to wonder if you should ever snore loud enough to cause yourself the amount of discomfort you cause to others with your profound, albeit loud, musical abilities."

"Harumph. I should think that anything musical that did not involve either trees or stars would be beyond your comprehension, Master Elf. But enough of that. Aragorn has yet to answer my question. You spoke of concerns. What are those?"

Aragorn glanced at Arwen before turning an unblinking gaze on Legolas. For a moment, all was still. Legolas met his piercing glance without flinching, then nodded his head ever so slightly. Gimli noticed the movement and glared menacingly at the elf. "So you have been keeping secrets from me, Legolas? Is it necessary then for me to fetch my axe?"

Legolas held up his hand, "Peace, mellon. I kept nothing from you that I did not keep from anyone else on this journey. Arwen, in fact, is the only other that I know of that has any inkling as to my suspicions."

"Ah, then the elves have been collaborating behind the mortal's backs eh?"

Arwen laughed, the melodic sound echoing through the camp, causing the heads of those who were about to turn in wonderment. "The elves, as you say Mast Gimli," she began, causing Gimli to flush in embarrassment, "have not been collaborating about anything. I approached Legolas last eve because I felt a presence that grew stronger as we came closer to our destination. Legolas merely confirmed my fears."

Legolas nodded, adding, "It does not radiate from Rivendell specifically, but more from the mountains behind it. I felt it ere we crossed Tharbad. And it has steadily grown. It emits evil from within the mist, yet what it is specifically I cannot say." He shook his head, the golden locks rustling in the morning breeze. "I did not wish to cause any undo alarm based merely on my own feelings."

"Typical elf," Aragorn said, smiling lightly. "No matter. The question now arises as to how we will deal with the problem."

"I believe that we should hold to your earlier counsel, my lord, and make for Rivendell straightway. There we may seek the counsel of my father and Gandalf."

Aragorn nodded his head, gazing pensively across the camp. He caught sight of four small bundles being shifted carefully around the fire his men had built. He smiled, catching the sound of their snores: they were still fast asleep.

"Perhaps we should wake our small friends before we break camp for the day. I wouldn't want to leave them behind."

Legolas and Gimli smiled, taking in the sight of four hobbits in bedrolls. Pippin and Merry were laying side by side, but Merry had his feet in Pippin's face and vise versa. Sam was laying on his back, arms stretched wide, snoring loud enough to put a dwarf to shame. Frodo, laying on his side, was the only one that wasn't emitting the uncouth noise. He lay, facing away from the group that watched them, his breathing even and deep.

It was Legolas' quiet voice that drew them from their reveries, expressing the thoughts that were on all of their minds. "He has been through so much, and yet holds so strong. I do not think even an elf could have shown such courage and determination as he has shown."

Arwen nodded, feeling her heart swell with love for this tiny being that had saved them all. "He carries the weight of it still. I will be both glad and sad when he passes to the West. His heart will finally know peace again, though I will sorely miss his company."

Aragorn turned his eyes away from the huddled mass to gaze upon his wife tenderly. A look of understanding passed between them, a secret bond that only they could ever know being shared. Gimli, who had been the only one to witness the intimate gaze, cleared his suddenly tight throat and grasped onto Legolas' gauntlet clad wrist. "Come, my friend. Let us see if we cannot rouse the four halflings and save them from Imrahil's blade. I have seen his hand wander dangerously close to it ere one of the hobbits snores and I fear what his actions may be should they emit another."

Legolas allowed Gimli to drag him for a few feet before pulling his arm away. He couldn't quite resist, though he did try, the opening to tease his dwarf friend. "Ai, elvellon, I fear that the little ones have begun to sleep too closely to you at night. Alas, they have taken on this annoying habit of yours of snoring. You have been teaching them well, though, I suppose," he continued, ignoring the scorching look he was now receiving, "for they have become almost as loud as you."

He ducked the well placed aim agilely, rolling quickly back onto his feet, his laughter ringing musically through the forest. "One more comment like that, Master Elf, and I will have to fetch my axe. You would do well to heed such a warning if you wish to keep that fair visage you prize so highly intact."

"Ah, Master Gimli you do lighten my spirit. For a dwarf to jest so about besting an elf is almost too humorous for my aching ribs to stand!"

Gimli gave one last warning growl before turning his attention to the task at hand. They now stood just before the hobbits, staring down at them. "Now, the question becomes, how best to wake these four slumberers."

Legolas glanced around, his eyes winking with mischief as he suddenly spotted the exact thing. He left Gimli's side, ignoring the dwarves sound of protest, and walked to the other side of the camp. Aragorn watched the elf with growing curiosity. He and Gimli had been standing there for some time and when Legolas had turned away so suddenly, his interest increased tenfold. He watched him reach down to pick up the buckets that were used to water the horses and raised a tired hand to his face, shaking his head at the antics of one who supposed to be so calm and aloof.

Gimli had been tracking Legolas' progress across the camp with curiosity, wondering what had caused the elf to take off without a word. He watched as he bent down to grab something in his hands. When he turned with the items of his intent clasped firmly in his hands, Gimli smiled devilishly. Perfect, he thought. When Legolas reached him, he took one of the buckets and together they turned to stand over the hobbits.

"Shall we then?" Gimli asked in a gruff voice, humor lighting his eyes.

Legolas appeared to ponder the sleeping forms before him, cocking his head as though in deep thought. His eyes twinkled with an unholy light before her answered Gimli. "I think we shall." And with that, the two friends dumped the icy cold water on the smallest companions in their company. The camp was quickly filled with shrieks and protestations of indignation and outrage. Legolas and Gimli burst into raucous laughter and moved quickly away from the thrashing, sopping figures. Pippin, amazingly enough, was the first of the four to stand and glare menacingly at the figures doubled over with laughter.

"THAT WAS NOT FUNNY!" he bellowed, his tiny form bristling with anger. Sam had stood by this time and was busy helping Frodo to his feet, while Merry made his way to stand beside Pippin. The two folded their arms across their chests and made no pretenses to hide their anger. Arwen hid her smile by turning away from the hobbits, valiantly trying not to laugh out loud. Aragorn, who couldn't suppress the smile that quirked the corners of his mouth upward, stared with calm resignation at the two huddled figures now struggling to remain upright despite their laughter. He chanced a glance at his soldiers, shaking his head slightly at their grins of amusement. They took the hint and turned away from the chaotic scene, finishing their preparations to depart, but a snicker or two could still be heard from their general direction.

Meanwhile, Frodo and Sam had joined Merry and Pippin in glaring at the dwarf and elf. Legolas was trying in vain to compose himself and act as a prince should while Gimli wasn't even making the effort and had fallen to the ground in a less than graceful heap. It was Legolas that finally turned to the hobbits in an attempt to assuage their anger. "Peace, good friends. We meant no offense, truly. We were simply worried that you would oversleep our time of departure and we would be forced to leave you behind."

"And you couldn't think of any other way to awaken us?" asked Merry, highly sarcastic.

"Nay, my friends. I fear any other means by which we might have tried to rouse you would have been too dim to hear amongst your heavy snores. You have taken on Gimli's annoying habit."

Sam wrinkled his brow, watching cross-eyed as a water droplet ran down his nose to hang there precariously. "That's not fair Mister Legolas. We're hobbits and for a certainty there's no way we could possibly be louder than a dwarf." He immediately clapped his hands over his mouth, staring with wide-eyed horror at Gimli. Legolas fell to his knees, unable to stifle the laughter that consumed him. Even Aragorn allowed himself to burst into great guffaws. The whole camp was soon roaring with laughter at the expense of one dwarf.

Gimli stood silently, his face as red as a tomato. "Ha, Ha, Ha. Let's everyone laugh at the dwarf."

"T-thank y-y-you," gasped Merry. "I t-think I w-w-will."

It took a moment for calm to descend once more upon the camp. Sam immediately ran up to Gimli, stuttering apologies to him left and right. The others dispersed quickly enough, setting to breaking camp with all haste. Legolas was still chuckling quietly, moving towards where the horses had been tethered for the night. Arod was there, stamping his feet in restless indignation. He walked over, as far as the rope would allow, and stretched his neck out to his master.

Legolas smiled at the horse's antics, reaching out his hand to stroke the soft muzzle. "Arod, mani lle umien?" The horse whuffed gently at Legolas' hair, sending the silken strands flying. He continued to snuffle, butting his muzzle against Legolas' tunic, searching. The elf laughed, smiling wistfully. "I am sorry, mellon. I have nothing to give you at this moment." Arod butted him in the chest forcefully, snorting as though saying, how could you forget? Legolas simply laughed, saying, "I will find you an apple before we head out." He suddenly turned serious, his worry coming up to overwhelm his light mood. "Be ready, Arauka Er. I fear we may have need of your strength and speed ere this journey ends." Arod nickered quietly, taking in his master's pensive mood. In the forest, the trees whispered softly in the breeze.

Elsie woke to the sounds of birds chirping in her ear. And it was all she could do not to throw a stone at them and tell them to shut up. She could vaguely hear Mer humming to herself somewhere over to the left, but all that mattered to her right at this point was more sleep for her aching body. This was the third night in a row that she had had to sleep on the cold, hard ground, and, by GOD, this was the last! She would press Mer to keep walking until they found some sign of civilization or so help her she was going to murder her on the spot.

With her new resolve to find a warm bed before the evening had approached, she slowly opened her eyes, sitting up and rubbing the sleep that still clung to them away. Meroryan glanced up from her crouched position by the fire. "Good morning, Scrat. Sleep well did we?"

"Good morning yourself, Prat. And don't we look chipper this day," she said, heavy sarcasm flowing into her voice.

Meroryan struggled not to laugh at her friend. Her blond hair was sticking out in every direction, eyes still heavy lidded with sleep, and there was grass and leaves sticking to certain parts of her body like glue. But she didn't think it prudent to comment on her friend's state of being at present so she continued burying the fire. "I couldn't sleep very well last night, so I didn't bother trying. I've been up for a long time which would explain why I seem to have a greater awareness of how bright the sun is shining and the promise that flows with it."

Elsie chose to ignore the bantering tone in her friend's voice, focusing instead on the part about her not sleeping. She sat up straighter, her eyes growing increasingly worried. "What do you mean by 'couldn't sleep'? Do you mean you slept for a little while then were awake? Or did you not sleep at all?"

Meroryan sighed, not really wishing to answer that question. "I slept for a little while." She noted Elsie's worried expression and sought to assuage her fear. "Calm yourself. I slept long enough."

"But your still wounded pretty badly," Elsie said, protesting. "Don't think I didn't see you clutching your side yesterday as we walked. And you limp slightly, too. Sometimes, when I listen hard enough, I can even hear you catch your breath and wince. I know you're in a lot of pain so DON'T try and hide it from me." With every sentence, Elsie had been growing more and more perturbed at her friend. She knew that Meroryan didn't think she saw more. But she had noticed as they walked that her friend had been growing more and more shallow in her breathing. Sweat had been coating her face and arms and it worried Elsie to no end.

"I know that you've been staying up at night ever since we heard those things. But you have got to rest. You're hurt far worse than I am and if we need to, we can slow down and rest more often."

Meroryan smiled sadly, her heart going out to Elsie. She knew what it cost her to say those words, knew that she longed for them to find people and shelter as soon as possible. "I will not slow us down, my friend. The wounds aren't bad and I promise to rest as soon as we reach a suitable location where we are safe to do so."

"You had better," she grumbled, "or else I'll be tying you to the nearest bed!"

Meroryan let a full-throated laugh burst forth after that comment. The sweet sound echoed through the trees. It felt so good to be able to laugh in at a time like this. When all else seemed hopeless and felt futile. Elsie grinned back, feeling merrier than she had since waking up with dwarves pounding anvils in her head.

"I think we had better get moving, you and I. The sooner we start out, the sooner we can find that civilization that you so crave to find."

Elsie jumped to her feet, a dull ache settling with the harsh movement. She winced marginally, grateful that Meroryan had been otherwise occupied so that she missed it. She had enough to worry about without trying to help Elsie out and Elsie didn't want to make it worse. With the fire carefully extinguished, Meroryan turned to the East, toward the river she had seen flowing the night before.

"I think we should head that way," she told Elsie, pointing in that general direction. "We came in last night by that big fella over there. If we keep heading in one direction, we're bound to run into someone sometime soon."

Elsie glanced from the trail behind them, to the trail in front. Her head tilted, she weighed their options and had to agree with Meroryan's idea. She nodded her assent, meandering over to where Mer stood, waiting patiently for her to make the decision. "Alright. We'll go your way. But if we don't reach some sort of town or village by nightfall, so help me Mer."

"Calm down," she said, laughing. "I promise. If we don't reach a city by tonight, you can personally use me as a pad and pillow. Or throw me in the nearest lake or whatever."

"Deal." Elsie sighed heavily, stretching her muscles in her legs and preparing herself mentally for another day of long walking. "Let's go before my feet change their mind and we end up stuck here for the rest of our existence."

They shared a laugh, passing between towering pines and elms, exiting the glade. Behind them, the glade and forest grew suddenly quiet. Darkness began to shroud the western edges of the clearing. And the eyes that tracked the progress of the two friends, grew menacing and dark.

The hobbits were still feeling quite antagonistic towards a certain dwarf and elf as the company departed once more for Rivendell. Aragorn had already taken the instigators aside and spoken quietly with them, but neither appeared too contrite for their actions. A smirk still played around Gimli's mouth as they headed towards their mounts.

He glanced over at the halflings, a grin splitting his features at the glares and indignant looks that graced their normally cheerful faces. "Perhaps next time you won't be so tempted to sleep in whilst everyone else is making ready to leave, my little friends."

Frodo and Sam shared a look before huffing off to their ponies, while Merry and Pippin remained, each glaring forcefully at the dwarf. "If I were you, I would be careful from here on out. You never know when retribution will stare you in the face," Merry said threateningly.

Gimli smiled, ceding the conversation to the hobbits and turned to where Legolas stood by the stallion. He groaned inwardly, not relishing the fact that he would have to spend another morning and the better part of the afternoon on the back of that beast that the elf called a horse. "I do hope you told that monster that you call your mount to tread more softly this day, Legolas."

Legolas turned his head, his lips curved slightly upward in a parody of a smile. "He will tread as softly as he has always tread, Gimli. Perhaps you should ride with one of the knights of Gondor, so that you may compare stallions and find a favorite one."

The dwarf huffed, "I need not ride a different horse to know that all of them are not as good a travel as one's own feet."

Aragorn laughed, having come up behind them on his own mount and hearing the exchange. "I fear that you would not make the festivities in time, my friend should you walk the rest of the way to Rivendell. Perhaps if you had the longer stride of the elves, or even of human men, you would be permitted to walk. But in this instant, it would serve you better to ride."

The dwarf simply grimaced at the King and went to Legolas so that he could help him mount. Swinging up in front of him, the elf nudged Arod gently, moving him to the front of the line next to Arwen and Aragorn. In no time, Aragorn had given the signal to ride out. The company moved forward, each person eager to reach the final destination of food, warmth, and soft beds that awaited them at Rivendell.

The peace of the forest surrounded Legolas as they rode through the Trollshaws. The decided leisure of their travel made it easy for Legolas to lose himself in the haunting beauty of the forest. Illuvatar's song rang among the trees. Peace, hope, harmony; all united and intertwined in the melody that assaulted his senses. It was like being born anew after a storm of darkness.

And among such a sweet song, he could still feel the mist at its edge. Legolas frowned, apprehension furrowing his brow. With the dawn, it had reduced in power considerably, but was still there, ever-present among the tranquility that many had fought so hard for against the shadow that Sauron had cast over their world. He did not understand from whence it came. Certainly the orcs still wandered the land, but many had resorted to burrowing deep within the caverns of the Misty Mountains. The danger should be over. But this new threat that he felt worried him more than he had let on in his counsel this morning with Aragorn, Arwen, and Gimli. It seemed darker than anything he had ever felt with Sauron. It had taken everything the free people had possessed to defeat the Dark Lord. Should this new danger prove a greater evil than that of Sauron, he was anxious that they might not be able to rise above it.

It was Gimli that roused him from his ominous thoughts. The dwarf had been trying to gain his attention for several minutes and had finally resorted to whacking the elf none too gently on the shoulder while calling his name quite loudly in his sensitive ear. Legolas looked over his shoulder, chagrined at having been caught unaware. "My apologies, friend. I was lost in my thoughts."

"Mmm." The dwarf eyes the elf carefully, knowing that whatever was on his mind would not be shared with him unless he prodded his friend sufficiently. "Would those thoughts have anything to do with what we discussed this morning, Legolas?"

Aragorn and Arwen heard this and slowed their mounts to see what Legolas' reply would be. "It there aught worrying you that I should be aware of friend, other than the concerns that we spoke of earlier?" Aragorn asked.

Legolas shook his head. "It is as I said before, mellon. I know not what worries me specifically, nor do I know how to express such feelings without worrying you unnecessarily."

Aragorn was about to reply, but a small voice interrupted his thoughts. "What are these concerns of which you speak?"

In their preoccupation with their topic of conversation, the four had failed to notice that the hobbits had ridden closer to them and had overheard the exchange. It was Frodo who had asked the question and Arwen sought to assuage his fear. "It is nothing, friend Frodo. Legolas and I have felt a presence is all."

"What kind of presence?" Pippin asked, him being the most curious of the four.

Gimli, Aragorn, Legolas, and Arwen all exchanged a look, before Legolas answered him. "We are not yet sure as to what the presence is or what it means. But both Arwen and I have felt that it brings ill-intent with it."

At this news, the hobbits each wore uneasy expressions. "Ill-intent? What kind of ill-intent?" Sam asked, concern and unease covering his features.

"We do not know as of yet, Samwise," replied Aragorn. "What we have told you is everything that we know for a certainty, and even then, we are uncertain if our guesses are correct or not."

"Well, that doesn't do us much good, now does it." Merry piped in, his head still whirling with what he had been told.

"It.it isn't,.do you think." Frodo's quiet voice caused all to glance at him. He had bowed his head, his face slightly pale and a deep sorrow radiating from him.

Arwen smiled in understanding, compassion and love for the hobbit making her voice soft and comforting. "No, Frodo. It is not Sauron. You will not have to bear the burden this time."

All noticed both the relieved look that crossed his features and the way that Sam moved closer to his side. Once again, Aragorn was glad that Sam was so close to Frodo. It made it all the easier for him for the remainder of his time in Middle Earth.

"So what exactly do you suppose it if?" Merry asked.

Legolas shook his head, lifting his eyes to search the forest. "I am not sure, little one. All that I am certain of is that this mist that hovers on the edges of the mountains bears evil." He looked regretfully at the tiny men who trotted their ponies beside their mounts. It was Araforn, however, who spoke next, his mind focused on easy the hobbits anxiety. "I know that this does not give you much assurance, Meriadoc. But know this, that we will always be there to protect you, and we will never give up on you, no matter what." All nodded their assent quickly, the truth of Aragorn's words echoed in the minds and hearts of every member that had ridden with them in times of hardship before.

Their attention returned to the ride ahead, the sun glimmering through the leaf tops above them. Gimli, who was not faring very well after riding so long, shifted uncomfortably in his seat behind Legolas. The elf was quick to notice, and turned his head to look over his shoulder at the dwarf. "How are you faring, Mast Gimli?" he asked, a twinkle of merriment in his eyes at the start of what he hoped would be an engaging battle of wits.

"I am faring just fine, Legolas, and thank you for asking. I merely wish that this beast would cease his strutting. The walk is giving me quite a headache. Yet," he said, sighing heavily, "I suppose it cannot be helped either. With you as his master, he was bound to pick up some of your horrid habits sooner or later."

"Truly? I was unaware that walking uprightly was a thing to be admonished. I suppose for one so stunted, though, that such a feat would seem so impossible for him to accomplish that he would envy others their dignified position."

"Stunted!" Gimli cried, outraged. "The only thing that is stunted in this company is your intellect, Master Elf. It appears that your mind has become so slow, that you have failed to notice the superior being that rides with you!"

"Superior!" Legolas said, almost choking on his held in laughter. "What an absurd word for a dwarf to use. I did not know that the dwarvish vocabulary consisted of such a word. You worry so much about your gems and stones, I didn't realize that you even noticed that the Eldar existed anymore! 'Tis glad I am thought that you have finally succumb and recognized how truly blessed you are to have the Eldar in your presence."

"Blessed!" Gimli harrumphed. Legolas could practically feel the heat from his glare warming his back. "You should be the one thanking your stars for my company on this journey. Rare is it that the Elves are given the opportunity to sit with members of my race, and so they should welcome any and all chances to learn from such people as we!"

"Learn from the dwarves? My, my, Gimli. I had not realized that the Glittering Caves had affected your mind in this way." He reached a slender hand around his back and felt Gimli's forehead. "Well it appears as though you have no fever, but the lack of light combined with all the pounding that must constantly go on inside your head has obviously turned your brain to mush!"

Gimli was about to make a sarcastic comment of his own when suddenly Legolas stiffened before him. "What is it friend?" he asked, dropping all attempts at banter and letting his concern for Legolas show in his voice. The last time he had seen such an expression was during their quest to destroy the ring.

Aragorn had halted his horse after he realized that Legolas was no longer following him. He turned, but the question he had been about to ask died instantly on his lips. Legolas was staring out into the forest, his eyes intent, his body rigid and poised for action. Arwen came up beside him, softly calling Legolas' name. There was no response. Casting an anxious glance at his wife, Aragorn moved beside the elf, Arwen joining him not a second later. The hobbits were just behind Arod, each wearing an expression of both concern and curiosity. What had made the elf stop so suddenly and why would he not respond to any of them. Arod had begun to dance nervously beneath Legolas and Gimli, wondering why they had stopped moving.

Gimli shook his friend's shoulder, all the while calling his name. Still, Legolas did not respond, his attention riveted on the trees beyond. Aragorn reached out a hand, squeezing his shoulder hard in an attempt to bring him out of whatever trance this was that he was in.Then, quicker than the eye could see, he had notched an arrow and aimed it at the woods to their left. The jumped, unprepared for such a movement, but his hiss answered all their questions. "Yrch!" he said, shifting to his native language without realizing it. Instantly, all in the company drew their weapons, Frodo's own Sting glowing bright blue in the light.

"Prepare yourselves for an attack!" Aragorn shouted to the guards, who were waiting restlessly to see why they had stopped so suddenly, immediately shifting into the warrior that all knew from the War. "Spread out, but do not become separated! Protect the hobbits!" He looked to his right, meeting Arwen's eyes. She had drawn her own Elvish blade, moving her mount next to his. "Be careful, melamin," he told her.

"And you as well, love." They shared a look filled with love before turning to face the evil beings that were close enough now for the entire company to hear. The rumblings and rustling of the bushes and trees suggested a relatively small group. Nevertheless, each member held their ground as the noise came closer and closer to where they were taking their stand. Suddenly, a scream of terror pierced the air, shrieks of rage following the haunting sound. Aragorn and Legolas looked at each other, each mirroring the other's own thoughts in his eyes. That had not been the scream of an animal. But of a human.

"We've been walking for hours and still no end to this menagerie!" Elsie said, plopping down on a boulder to rub her aching feet. Meroryan stopped, looking over her shoulder in sympathy.

"I'm sorry, friend. But we have to keep going. I get the feeling that we're closer to civilization than we had hoped we'd be by this time." And indeed it was true. Meroryan had been feeling more and more at peace the further they had walked toward what she now had confirmed was a river. There was a sense of such joy and wonderment emanating from the area ahead of them that it made Meroryan hurry all the more in order to reach the place. She had an uneasy feeling about the trees behind her. They had suddenly grown dark and shadowed, as though something unpleasant now lurked there, just out of her senses. The sooner that they reached the haven ahead of them, the better she would feel.

"Ya think so, eh?" Elsie said, looking up from her task. "Well," she sighed, rising, "I guess we better head out. You've haven't been wrong so far and I'd hate to waste what little luck we've acquired on this unexpected Crocodile Hunter expedition we've been on for the past three and a half days."

Meroryan laughed, feeling lighter than she had since arriving. "True enough. Come then. Let's head out. We-." All thoughts and speech fled as panic rushed through her system. The haunting feeling that she had felt earlier had returned, and whatever was pursuing them was close by. Close enough that she could hear the breathing and smell the foul stench of the creatures. Warnings bells signaled in her head and instinct took over. She crouched low, her arms moving to balance herself on the balls of her feet.

"What's the matter?" Elsie asked her, terror making her voice quake. She had been astonished when Meroryan had suddenly halted, going rigid with tension and staring intensely at the forest just behind her. But before she could ask her again what was wrong, Meroryan had jumped forward, grabbing her arm painfully and breaking into a run the way they had been headed from the beginning, dragging Elsie in her wake. "Ow! Mer! You're hurting me!"

Meroryan kept running, opening herself to try and sense what could possibly be behind them. She felt it, drawing closer to them even as they ran in the opposite direction. She hissed under her breath, the pain in her ribs and knee returning with a vengeance. "Just keep running, Elsie. Something is wrong. I can feel it!"

Elsie struggled to keep up with the pace that her best friend was setting, her head starting to ache terribly as she quickly became breathless from exertion. "What's wrong!"

"Just keep going!" Meroryan replied, urgency and something else in her voice that made goosebumps rise on Elsie's skin. And they ran. She could hear what had caused Meroryan's panic now. Harsh cries and screams echoed in the trees directly behind them and just to either side of where they ran. Footsteps crunched through the underbrush. Whatever was chasing them, it was either huge, or there were a lot of them.

Meroryan kept a tight hold on Elsie, not wanting to leave her behind for those creatures to get a hold of. She had lost too many people in her life. She would not let her friend die. At a sound in front of them, Meroryan screeched to a halt. If it were possible, the creatures had managed to somehow get in front of them, cutting off their escape. They were surrounded now, with nowhere to run. And yet she still held hope. For beyond the evil and ever growing danger that she felt around them, there was another presence further beyond, among the trees just in front of them. It was a soft, glowing presence, one that carried with it hope and peace and strength. If she could get them to whatever it was, they might just stand a chance.

Meroryan let go of Elsie's arm, once more resuming her defensive crouch. She backed them up, waiting until she felt Elsie stop, her back against a tree. She could better protect her this way, keeping her safe from both the front and back. "Listen to me Elsie, we only have a minute before those things are going to show themselves." They could hear the snarling and growling growing closer and closer. "I need you to do everything that I tell you ok? When I tell you to run, I want you to do it. Run as fast as you can, as hard as you can. Don't stop, don't look back. Do you understand me?"

Elsie was violently shaking her head, though Meroryan couldn't see it, her focus and eyes solely on the woods beyond. "No! No, I won't do that! I'm not going to leave you here with whatever comes out of those trees!"

"Stop it! Silence! You have to do this. You have to trust me! Please trust me, my friend. There are people out there who will help you. I can take care of myself, as you well know. I'm not a defenseless child. Run in the direction I push you and keep running. When you get to them, tell them where I am. I'll hold on as long as I can and I promise," she turned then, looking her friend in the eye, brown meeting green, "I promise you I will not leave you!"

Elsie nodded, opening her mouth to reply, but abruptly shut it, her eyes widening as she looked at the trees. Meroryan turned quickly, her own gasp filling the air. The monsters had stepped from the pines, moving slowly and cautiously toward the two women. They were horrible to behold. Their faces were distorted, horribly deformed, their skin black and harsh looking. They wore their hair long and tangled, greasy looking and pulled back into knots. Their bodies were thick, covered with battle armor and they carried fierce looking weapons in their brutal looking hands. They stopped in a semi-circle around the women, slowly tightening it as they moved forward. Meroryan counted quickly, estimating there to be around thirty of these foul looking creatures. She would only have a moment to distract them and get Elsie out of here before she would be surrounded again.

"Listen Elsie," she hissed under her breath, not daring for these things to hear her lest they speak her language. "I'm going to distract them, but we'll only have a few seconds. You're going to take off through those trees right in front of us. Understand?"

Elsie squeezed her hand to tell her she understood. Meroryan tensed herself, readying her muscles for what she knew was to come. "On my mark.stay close behind me. Ready, .GO!" she shouted, pulling them both toward the demonic beasts. They were taken by surprise by so bold a move from one seeming so defenseless. Meroryan lashed out at the nearest beast, kicking him fiercely in the face and knocking him on his back. She twisted her arm, throwing Elsie in the direction of the opening she had created. "RUN!"

She didn't look to see if her friend had obeyed, knowing that she would. Once she gave her word she never went back on it. But her attention was drawn back to the battle at hand when an arm came too close to her face for comfort. She turned then, using all of her skill to keep herself alive so that she wouldn't be the first one in their friendship to break her word.

Elsie ran, hearing the sound of feet running after her. They were following her! She ran harder, losing the heaver sound of the skirmish behind her along with Mer. Tears sprang to her eyes at the thought of her best friend in the middle of such danger, but she forced herself to run harder and faster than she ever had in her life. She could feel her strength ebbing away and fought with all her might to keep her burning legs and lungs going.

A noise right behind her and a sudden pain in her shoulder caused Elsie to scream in fear, jerking her body away from the pain. But it wouldn't let up. She felt something stuck in the wound, pain radiating from it and spreading quickly throughout her body. But on she ran. She could see a clearing in front of her, a trail just beyond that. And the sound of horses and of people shouting filled her ears. She had never been so glad to hear such things in her entire life. She was almost there, just a few more steps. And then the creature grabbed her, keeping a tight hold of her shoulder, shredding her flesh in the process and pulling her backwards. The clearing was right before her eyes and she saw many men on horseback. Although there was something strange about the people before her, she paid no heed to it, crying out for help even as she fell into crushing arms against a hard body that gripped her ribs too tightly.

There was a shout in front of her, and then the grip lessened, letting her body drop to the earth with pain. She looked up, just in time to see several men rushing to her aid, killing the foul things that were still behind her. She could barely hear their death cries as she drifted slowly, giving her body up to the pain. A man knelt quickly by her side, his arms going around her comfortingly. There was a abrupt, ripping pain in her shoulder once again as whatever that had been caught in it was pulled free. Then she was being laid on her back, her eyes locking with that of the man before her. She had to tell him about Meroryan.

Aragorn had been shocked to see the woman come into their view beyond the trees. She was shorter than most he met, with blond hair, and her distress and pain was evidence enough to prove to him that she was no enemy. He had moved forward to kill the Uruk-hai holding her when an elvish arrow had planted itself right between the eyes. The rest of the foul creatures had been already been disposed of by the time he knelt beside the girl. Arwen was on her knees next to him, quickly assessing the wounds. She pulled out the arrow that had caused her to scream earlier, grimacing over the low moan that the girl let out.

They laid her on the grass, the others slowly making their way over to see what was happening. Aragorn took off his cloak, laying it over her prone form, when her eyes caught his. Then she spoke.

"Please," she started, her voice a breathy whisper as she slowly lost consciousness and gave into the pain. "Please, you have to save her."

Aragorn looked up at Legolas, who stood just above him. Their confusion showed plainly on their faces. Arwen turned the woman's face towards her and asked, "Who? Who is it that you speak of?"

"Mer.you have to save her. She made me run.I.had to leave her.get help.help her.they'll k-kill her.please." she made to rise, anxiety clear in her brown eyes. Aragorn pushed her back down, not wanting her to injure herself further.

"Hush, now. We will find her and bring her back. Just rest." Turning to Arwen, he said, "Stay with her. Imrahil, stay here with ten of your men and the hobbits. The rest of us will go to find the other one. Hurry! The Uruk-hai will not be gentle with her!"

Elsie watched as some of the men took off in the direction from which she had come, each holding their weapons in front of them to ward off any attacks. Mer was right, she thought. We'll be ok now. Please God, she prayed as she lost herself to the darkness swimming in her mind, let her be alive. Keep her safe for me. And then she blacked out, the last thing she saw being the angel by her side. Perhaps she would die. Then, there was no more.

Author's Note:

"Melamin"-My love

"Coramin"-My heart

"A'mael"-Beloved

"Lle caelaya il'oio sinta natie en'naikel."-You should not ever know things of pain.

"Lle iltanaka tanya amin ilsintuva'oio nat'io en'ksha. Amin deluva yassen lle."-You cannot be sure that I will never know things of evil. I would share your worry.

"Mellon"-Friend

"Elvellon"-Elf Friend

"Arauka Er"-Swift One