Well here is the fourth chapter :) Thanks to Glenstorm63 for all the corrections ! I hope you will like it ^^

PS : I think it is important to precise that this story is not a Aragorn/OC ! It will only be friendship ;)


Aragorn…

Aragorn knew the situation was not ideal. When he had talked to the farmers just outside Diliun, the little village where he and his rangers had rested for the past few days, he had heard about orc attacks and had stopped his men to ask some questions. The villagers had been so kind to them that he wanted to help them if it was possible. They had told him that the horde was composed of a dozen of the monsters and that there was probably the same number at their camp. As this would be roughly twenty-five orcs, this was fair game for 15 rangers.

So they had made their way toward the supposed locality of the camp and after some time they found it. The problem ? Well, instead of two dozen, there was at least forty of the creatures. So even if the rangers could manage to take down twenty of them with their bows it would still leave at least the same number if not more to kill afterward.

Aragorn was still discussing their different options with Halbarad when he sensed it again. For some time now he had had the impression of being observed, so he looked around him once more, trying to determine the source of this feeling. He was about to resume his conversation when he heard it. The slight rustle of the leafs on the tree next to him. He only had half a second to move before a shadow fell in a crouched position at the exact place he was only a moment ago.

In a quick and now almost natural reaction Strider unscathed his sword, ready to fight. Except his adversary did not get up to protect himself but rather stayed crouched and launched his leg in a half circle, knocking the ranger's feet out of under him. The man's back hit the ground sharply, disorienting him a little. Knowing his sword was now useless he decided to go for the dagger hidden in his coat. But before he could actually grabbed it his wrist was sized and pinned beside his head and the edge of a knife was pressed against his throat.

Knowing he needed help he quickly looked around him only to find that his rangers had their hands raised and were all surrounded by men threatening them with bows and arrows. Alarmed and trying to find way out of this dangerous situation, it was only when Aragorn actually looked up to his aggressor that several things caught his eyes. First the man in top of him was a woman, secondly she was dressed like a mercenary, and finally her own eyes were in the shade of a bright light, almost like the moon. When all these facts added in his mind he could not help but let a heartily laugh out.

Dollaew…

Laughing ?! This man was at her mercy and had the audacity to laugh ? Was he insane ?

Laew had been on a mission, leading a group of twelves mercenaries, when she had encountered some troubles. Their objective had been fairly simple at first, destroying a pack of orcs who were terrorizing a small village. This in exchange of some food, as it was not a rich place. From the description of the village chief, the creatures were no more than two dozen, so not too risky for their group.

The problem was, after a brief reconnaissance mission the scouts had reported more than forty. Which was far more than anticipated. Deciding to see if their was any angle of attack that could maximize chances of success they had circled the beasts' camp from far away. This is when they had found traces of recent activity, which had led to their rapid location of the group of rangers. Always being careful the mercenaries had decided to first take the advantage and then ask the questions.

That was why they had taken places discreetly around the group, careful to not be seen or heard. From what they had observed the men seemed to be trained rangers, so a simple encirclement tactic would not work. And that was why Dollaew, as the captain, had decided to find and take their chief down, knowing that it would unsettle the others enough for her men to act.

So Laew had identified and targetted the man who seemed to be the leader immediately, and despite herself she had been impressed. This man, Strider, from what she had heard, had almost spotted her more than once and definitely had known something was off. And more importantly he had actually managed to evade her when she had sprung into action. Despite all her training, it was only her elvish reflexes which had helped her to keep the upper hand.

Now, he was laughing! She found herself annoyed at the man under her. Who was this man ? Had she met him before ? She could not remember him, but something about him seemed very familiar. She could not place it. He even seemed to rejoice in a her confusion which must have been evident ! Damn him ! She was most definitely feeling her ego being bruised !

even seemed to rejoice in a her confusion which must have been evident! Damn him! She was most definitely feeling her ego being bruised !

Aragorn…

"Hello Dollaew. Nice to see you again." Aragorn greeted the Isil elf with a cheeky grin.

He felt the mercenary's body freeze.

"Who are you ?" she asked in an cold voice.

This would have probably have made anyone else cower in fear, but the memories of a lullaby and a sense of security were still too strong in him to be wary of the elf upon him. He could feel the looks from both rangers and mercenaries but knew neither would move without an order from either leader.

"You don't remember me ? Oh, I'm hurt. More than twenty years ago I was the Hope of Imladris."

Following his encounter with the mercenary, Aragorn had researched the guild and later the Isil elves. He had been saddened by what he had read and had understood why Dollaew had tried to find solace elsewhere.

Dollaew…

Estel? No… There was no way the cute little boy she had rescued years ago had become this annoying ranger ! And no it was not just her ego talking ! But the grey eyes and brown curly hair were indeed what had seemed familiar to her, and he did not seem to be a menace.

So Laew got up and extended her hand to the man on the ground. He took it and slowly got on his feet. They did not look away from each other one moment but both of them discreetly ordered their men to stand down, which they did with some confusion.

"So, what are doing here ? It is a little far from the North for you, is it not ?" asked Dollaew, trying regain the upper hand.

"Well we needed to do some business in Rohan and on our way back we heard about this pack, so we thought we could help, but I think we just find ourself in the same situation as you, am I wrong ?"

Aragorn was not an idiot and knew the mercenaries before him must have been engaged to do the same job.

"Well, in this case I have an idea. You want to take down this pack and so do we. So why not join our forces and lead a common attack ?" the she-elf asked, knowing it was probably their only chance to succeed.

She had worked once or twice with rangers before and knew most of them were capable fighters. And maybe she was intrigued by who had become the young boy, that she had rescued all those years ago.

"And what would we gain from this ?" It was not Estel of Imladris who asked the question, but Strider, chieftain of the Rangers of the North. Laew understood and even respected this.

"Well, you will have done half the work so I offer half the price we were supposed to collect. Does this meet your approval ?" she teased lightly, knowing the proposition was more than fair, as this period of the year was propitious neither for the hunt nor for farming.

"Then we have a deal." and they clasped their forearms in a warrior way.

They decided to form a squad of archers by regrouping the best in both groups. They would be the first to attack, shooting as many foes as possible and would be placed in sort of covering the North from the trees. Then, once the creatures would be distracted, the remaining of the mercenaries would arrived by the South, taking them in the back. And finally the rangers still on the ground would split in two groups, one lead by Strider and the other by Halbarad, and would barged from the East and West.

The plan was surprisingly approved by everyone, and so the attack begin. Between the mercenaries and the rangers the orcs didn't stand a chance. They were disorganized and panicked after the first salve of arrows, not once noticing the shadows creeping behind them. When they did it was already too late, the rangers were charging, not letting a chance for the orcs to build a defense.

The fight was handled swiftly and without injuries, but it was when the victory was almost there that Dollaew saw an orc about to thrust his sword in Strider's back. With lightening-speed and great precision the mercenary captain threw one of her twin knives in the creature neck, killing him instantly.

Aragorn…

Upon hearing the noise behind him Aragorn turned around only to see an orc crumbled, a knife deeply embedded in his throat. Recognizing the weapon he scanned with his eyes the battlefield, and finally found Laew fighting viciously, but only with one knife.

She did not seemed at ease and quickly unscathed a dagger, fighting once again with two weapons. Obviously while being strong enough -she did have broad shoulders- she was used to counter brute force by speed and agility.

There were only a few orcs now, all of them taking care of by either rangers or mercenaries, and so the man permitted himself to pick up the knife, making his way toward the fighting elleth. He swiftly beheaded one of the two orcs in front of her and waited for her to finished the second.

"I think it belongs to you. You should be careful with where you put you weapons. It can be dangerous." he teased handing her the knife in question, trying to pass his thanks for saving his life once again.

Dollaew…

"Indeed, thank you. I hope it did not bother you, looks like I lost it in the heat of the battle." she replied good-naturally, understanding the meaning behind the words.

After a brief check it appeared no one sustained grave injuries, a fact that both leaders greatly appreciated. Once back in the village they both went to the chief's house. The man was clearly surprised to see the ranger chief along with the mercenary captain, but he simply gave the recompense to the black-clothed woman. He was far too happy to be freed from the creatures terrorizing his peaceful village to bother with details.

Once outside they shared the provisions, one half for each. They were about to part their ways when Strider asked an interesting question.

"And what if I want to see you again ? I may have use of your talents in some missions on y own."

"Well what would you say about meeting in Bree in two months ? So we can discussed it ?" she proposed, wanting too to work again with the man.

"Very well. See you in two months !" the ranger called before leaving.

Little did they know that it was the beginning of a strong and durable cooperation and friendship.


I hope you liked it ! Please r&r and give me your opinion :)