AN: Thanks for reading! Here is chapter 2!

Chapter 2

Legolas was able to shoot down 3 orcs before one came charging at him. He drew his knives to continue fighting. He was too focused on the charging orc that he did not notice the one coming at him from almost behind him. The second orc managed to slash his side before Legolas was able to kill him as well as the first. He put his hand to his side and noted as it came away bloody. He looked up preparing to fight through it when he noticed the last of the orcs being killed by one of the men.

The men quickly pulled the bodies of the orcs together to burn them. It was then that Legolas noticed that these men were not ordinary men, but Dunedain. This increased Legolas' respect for them, but only slightly. The may hunt orc now, but I have defended my home against them for millennia.

The man who had stopped Legolas before came up to him. "Thank you for your help and sorry about before. I'm pretty glad you didn't shoot me," he paused, "Though I don't think my friends would have taken it very well if you had," he grinned at Legolas who simply nodded back at him. It was then that he noticed the small red drop falling from Legolas's hand. "Are you hurt? Here let me help you! I did not realize-" the man reached out to help.

"No, thank you," Legolas said simply, "If you can just give me some bandages and redirect me towards Imladris, I will be on my way." He must think I'm a child. I can tend to myself.

The man looked confused and slightly hurt by his refusal, but Legolas did not have time. The sooner he got to Imladris, the sooner he could return home to help his people. He was handed bandages by another Dunadain who called the man "Strider." What a strange name.

Strider walked away to talk to the other Dunedain, but Legolas could still hear them.

"Lord Elrond will want to know about these orcs. They are much closer than they have been in a while."

"I will go," Strider volunteered. "Halbarad," he said with a simple nod.

Legolas had awkwardly wrapped the bandage around his wound when Strider came back over to him. He chose not to comment on the elf's bandaging skills, but instead said "Well it seems we have a common destination and with orcs clearly back in the area, we would be safer traveling together; however, before we set out, I would like to know a little more about who I am leading into the safety of Lord Elrond. He works well with us Rangers, so we would not want to take strangers without being sure of their intentions."

"My name is Legolas, I am an emissary sent me to Imladris to retrieve medicine to treat the warriors fighting the increasing number of orcs encroaching on our land," the elf held his head high, though he withheld his full title, just to be safe.

Strider nodded and introduced himself as well, "I am Strider. If King Thranduil has need, the rangers will help see it filled."

Though the Rangers did not go near Mirkwood often, the elf appreciated the sentiment. He was slightly worried about taking the human with him though, He was sure he would only slow him down. The Dunedain called Strider quickly gathered his things and they set out at a much quicker pace than Legolas had anticipated.

As they walked, Strider took the lead, clearly being very familiar with the land. Long before he should have been tired, Legolas began to slow down. He looked down and noticed that blood was seeping through the bandage he had insisted on putting on himself.

Hearing the elf's pace slow, Strider turned back to look at him and also noticed the blood. He had been irritated and hurt by the lack of trust from the elf earlier when he had offered to help. He hesitated to offer help now. "Would you like me to rewrap that for you?" Strider asked trying to keep his tone from sounding condescending.

Legolas grimaced as he touched his side, both from the pain and from the tone of the Dunedain's voice. He had clearly been rude earlier thinking he could tend his own wound. The wood elves were not used to asking for help from others, even other elves, but he nodded his agreement.

Strider dipped his hands in a stream and dried them before gently unwrapping the elf's torso. The wound was still bleeding, but with cleaning and a tight wrapping, it would heal quickly. He reached in his bag for some herbs to prevent infection. "This might hurt a bit," he warned as he tightly wrapped a new bandage around the elf.

"Thank you," Legolas muttered when he was done. It had hurt, but surprisingly less than a wound normally did when his own elf healers tended him.

Strider nodded and asked, "Would you like to take a break or continue?"

Legolas took a deep breath to test his wound with the new wrapping, "I am fine to continue."

As they walked, Legolas was again surprised at the Dunedain's ability to move through the forest with such stealth. It vaguely reminded him of an elf.

Hoping to mend the poor impression he felt he had made, Legolas tried to begin a conversation. "Do you visit Imladris often?" he asked his traveling companion.

Strider smiled and seemed a little lost in memories, "Yes," he replied, "I actually grew up there. I have often wanted to venture to Mirkwood as well. Will you tell me about your home?"

Legolas grinned, appreciating the man's interest in his home, "It is the most beautiful of all woods and the sound of the wind through the trees is pure music. I am sure it would beat even your famed waterfall of Imladris." Here he paused, raised an eyebrow, and snuck at look the man to see how he would take to being teased.

Strider chucked good naturedly, "I am sure a wood elf would think so," he teased back. Looking around added, "Well this is as good a place as any to make camp for the night. We should be able to make it to Imladris by tomorrow afternoon."

They dared not set a fire, though they sat side by side. Legolas was starting to feel the pain from traveling all day and in his side when Strider started the conversation, "Is Mirkwood really struggling that bad?"

As Legolas sighed and being distracted responded, "Yes and no, it is an ongoing battle and more and more warriors are getting hurt. My father was hoping—" he froze as he realized what he had just said. Strider didn't even flinch. "You knew?" Legolas guessed.

"I did, I grew up in the house of Lord Elrond," he reminded him smile a small grin, "I know your name Legolas Greenleaf."

Legolas nodded and realized that Strider must be the adopted human son of Elrond he had heard about. He also felt a bit relieved. He was starting to like this human and though friendships with mortals was difficult due to their shorter lifespans, he liked that he didn't have to try to find a time to reveal his true heritage and risk ruining what could still be a friendship. Before he could ask any more questions, he heard a sound. Though far off in the distance, it was a sound he would know anywhere. "Orcs," he spat in disgust.

Both were on their feet in an instant and moved towards the noise. The found a vantage point from which they could see the orcs. Legolas could feel his disgust towards the creatures growing inside of him and began to raise his bow.

Strider pushed it back down, "Come we can go this way following the river and we will not have to cross them. We can go back to Imladris and bring more warriors to track them down."

Legolas looked at him as if he were crazy, "And risk them getting away? No! We can take them!"

Strider shook his head, "No way, you're already injured. It would be crazy for the two of us to take on all those orcs. We're going to Imladri. We will track them. I promise." He looked straight into the elf's eyes to try to convince him. He was getting angry, he had lost many people to orcs and he wasn't about to lose another in a hopeless and needless battle that they could win when they came back with more support.

Strider turned and began quietly running his chosen direction. He assumed Legolas was following, but when he turned around the elf was nowhere in sight. Of course, you're stubborn, elf.

AN: Hope you're enjoying the story! Let me know what you think! I love hearing your thoughts!