Story Name: Dark of Night
Pen Name: Elena Roan
Disclaimer: Don't own any of them, written purely for enjoyment.
Rating: M
Warnings: very dark
Summary: When Legolas journeys from Mirkwood to Rivendell seeking answers to his unease and troubling dreams, little does he realise what awaits him and his gwador.
Editor: Michelle
Timeline: III 2990 (Aragorn 59 years old)
Note: AragornStriderEstel

Chapter 3: Dark Tidings

He glanced up from the map he was studying intently as another Dùnadan rode into the camp. Normally he would allow the man to choose his next actions, whether to seek the healing tent, tend his horse, report directly to him, or a myriad of other things that were entirely at the discretion of the Rangers upon their return to base camp as long as at some point they reported on their mission. Normally. However this was far from normal. The man's entrance, though outwardly the same as any other, seemed to have an urgency about it and Halbarad was convinced that something was not right.

The man swung down from his horse and looked around. Halbarad recalled that his code name was Raven and was just about to call out to him when the Ranger spotted him and hurried over.

"What is the matter?" Halbarad asked the other man, trying to deny the dread building in him.

"I was scouting here," he replied, indicating an area on the map; prompting Halbarad to mentally run through the Rangers located in or near there. It was short and the name that stood out the most to the older Ranger was Strider's. "I came across a horse that had been killed."

Halbarad suddenly had a feeling he really didn't want to know any more but he asked anyway: "Killed?"

"Savaged would be a better word for it," Raven replied, running his hand through his hair. "Halbarad, it was Strider's horse."

Halbarad felt a chill race through him. "Was there any sign of Strider?"

"Aside from his equipment, which was still on the horse, no."

Halbarad froze in dread for a moment, then turned towards the open area where most free Rangers congregated after a mission and before being sent on another.

"I need a messenger!" he called over loudly to them.

Several of the Rangers looked at one another quickly, then a group of five headed in his direction, if he needed a messenger he likely needed others as well.

"What is it?"

"I need someone to take a message to Rivendell. Then I need several to go with Raven to where he found a dead horse and find out what you can."

As he spoke one of the Rangers in front of him flicked his eyes up to something happening behind Halbarad, then softly cleared his throat.

"Halbarad, I do not think you need to send a messenger to Rivendell any more," he quietly commented, waving a hand to indicate something or someone.

Halbarad turned to look and felt both instantly relieved and more concerned at the sight of the four elves, two dark haired and two golden haired, dismounting.

---

"They look like they are in a battle conference," Legolas commented softly as they rode up to the hidden base camp of the Dùnedain.

Glorfindel glanced across at the prince, he had been quieter than normal since they'd left Imladris and the ancient warrior was still trying to decide whether to pay extra mind to protecting the younger elf or step out of the way and watch him annihilate any opposition they encountered. For the prince was either out of his mind with worry, or suppressing the very real battle lust that could take an elf when a loved one was in danger.

But it was Elladan who answered. "Let us hope that it is merely their preparation for another mission and not a confirmation of our worst fears."

Legolas didn't reply but couldn't shake the feeling that it would only get worse before it got better. As they dismounted he noticed one of the Rangers with Halbarad indicate to him that they'd arrived, causing Aragorn's second in command to turn and look at them. He felt dread settle even heavier as he saw the myriad of emotions that chased each other across the Ranger's face; relief and fear being the prominent ones.

With a sigh he set off over to Halbarad, the twins half a step behind him flanking him and Glorfindel bringing up the rear.

"Greetings Prince Legolas, Lords Elladan, Elrohir and Glorfindel," Halbarad greeted them, a little nervously, as they reached him. "What brings you here?"

"Greetings Halbarad," Legolas replied for all of them, having to force himself to remember his manners. He felt tenser than the string on his bow. "We were hoping we could find out Strider's location."

"Well...," Halbarad stalled for a moment, then continued before any of the elves could do more than open their mouths to argue their case. "How about Raven tells you what he has discovered first."

The Ranger Halbarad indicated went a bit white as the four sets of elven eyes landed on him but gamely launched into his tale. "I was scouting out an area when I came across a dead horse. It had been savaged." He paused for a moment then took a breath. "I recognised the horse, it was Strider's. It still had all of his gear with it."

Legolas' face darkened, and the Rangers had to fight the instinct to back away from the elf, then he spun and started back towards the horses. The twins took one look at his face and stepped out of the way, leaving him for the much stronger ancient elven lord to handle.

Glorfindel grabbed the prince as he tried to move past, musing inside even as he tried to calm the enraged royal elf down that at least he knew what it was keeping him quiet now. Likely if they chanced to encounter any creatures of the shadow the prince would just bowl them over.

"Let me go," Legolas demanded, his eyes still fixed on his horse.

"Wait, we need to find out where he was to have any hope of finding him," Glorfindel answered, refusing to let go. Clear blue eyes, now flashing a fire that nearly seemed to scorch their target, met Glorfindel's. "I know you are worried, but racing into the wild without knowing where he was will not help."

"I can show you," Raven said softly, and nearly flinched as the comment drew the prince's gaze to him. "I can be ready to leave in half an hour." He nearly sighed in relief as the royal blond elf nodded curtly, pulled out of Glorfindel's grip and moved off.