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Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing the first chapter...I'm glad you all seemed to like it! : )

I hope you enjoy this one... Please read and review!

Onwards...

The day dawned in various blinding shades of yellow the next morning, a fact, Sam noticed, that Legolas seemed rather relieved at.

The gardener had woken up just slightly earlier than dawn, watching the world around him slowly rouse. He had turned on the dusty, twig scattered ground so see the Elf and Legolas still wide awake, eyes and ears sharp in the darkness. Sam figured that hadn't slept all night and he wondered why they both stayed up.

Pushing this troublesome thought from his head, he slowly clambered to his feet, reaching for his trusty knapsack full of breakfast supplies. He set about his usual morning routine with a brisk pace, wanting to get everything reading before Mr. Frodo awoke.

'You are sure?'

Aragorn nodded at the wizard, running a hand down his face. Gandalf looked troubled and he stole a look at the rest of the Fellowship. The pair were sat at the edge of the camp, away from listening ears.

'We must change course, Aragorn. This road is too easily followed, especially at the pace we are going.'

Aragorn nodded again, grey eyes narrowed in the sunlight coursing down on their backs. Twigs snapped behind them and both man and wizard spun round, facing Boromir, who had his hands full with firewood.

Gandalf relaxed fractionally, nodding at the Gondorian, who carried on his way.

'What about the Woodland Path?' Aragorn suggested. 'It extends our route by a fair few days, but will be safer for us all.'

Gandalf nodded. An extra forty days would be nothing in the long run; as long as the Ring was moving closer to the Fire, anything would be possible.

Aragorn bowed his head and moved back into the camp, clapping a hand on Legolas' shoulder, making the Elf jump slightly.

'My apologies, Legolas.' Aragorn said sombrely, sitting down between his friend and Gimli. 'I did not mean to startle you.'

Legolas nodded without looking at him, eyes narrowed in concentration. Gimli snorted from his position next to Aragorn.

'Sleep well, Elf?' he asked wittingly, knowing full well Legolas had not.

'Nay, Dwarf' answered Legolas. 'I had to make sure you were all safe from attack or harm whilst you slept. I've heard that Dwarves are very hard to rouse once they fall asleep.'

Gimli huffed and said nothing in return, shooting a glance in Legolas' direction, who pointedly ignored him.

They all looked up when Frodo rose from his spot on the ground, untangling his cloak from his legs where he had thrashed around during the night, dry leaves and mud clinging to the woollen fabric.

'Good morning to you, Ringbearer' smiled Gandalf.

Frodo offered a weak smile in answer, nodding to the rest of the Fellowship, unnerved by the attention bestowed upon him.

'We must change course' announced Aragorn, to the group at large. Frodo sat down, a hand going to his chest where he held the Ring on a chain. Pippin and Merry turned to stare at the man with wide eyes, bits of sausage halfway to their mouths, forgotten. Even Boromir turned to the Heir of Isildur, incredulous.

'"Change course"?' he repeated, looking at Gandalf. 'What foolishness is this?'

'Behind us, the Ringwraith's follow, matching our steps day by day' said Legolas softly. 'If we do not do something, and soon, they will be upon us.'

'And you know this how?' asked Boromir, turning to the blond elf.

'I have sensed them, felt their presence. I am rarely mistaken.'

'Perhaps you are mistaken now, Elf.' Added in Gimli. 'I have not sensed a thing, and I have as keen ears as an Elf.'

'If I am mistaken, it shall be my fault and I will apologise. But I believe it would be safer to steer from this path and to take ourselves away from danger.

'This is not open to debate.' Growled Aragorn, voice steady. 'We leave in one hour.'

Boromir grumbled under his breath and Gandalf shot him a look, as though daring him to speak.

Frodo cleared his throat. 'How long will this alteration cost us?'

Gandalf sighed and turned to the Hobbit. 'Forty days. We travel southwards, in the direction of Isengard, although we will not travel that far. From there, if our path is clear, we will chart a course through Nimrodel and continue east.'

Frodo nodded and looked at his food, picking around it. He did not want to travel so far, though it seemed he had no choice. All for the sake of the Ring.

'I shall scout out our path ahead.' Offered Legolas, not touching his food. Since this quest had started Sam had only seen him drink water, and sparingly at that. It was if the Elf survived on nothing.

Gandalf nodded and Legolas reached for his bow.

'I shall accompany you, since the danger may pose a threat to individuals travelling alone.' Boromir stood up and grasped his weaponry.

It was not a request.

Legolas gave him a level look and slowly nodded his head. It would not hurt to get to know the human better.

The Fellowship slowly packed up their camp, disposing of all evidence of their being there at all. Gandalf nodded at their progress and turned to watching Elf and Man retreat into the forest in front of them.

It was going to be a long road ahead indeed.

-x-

Twenty miles ahead of the rest of the Fellowship, Legolas turned his head, ears twitching, eyes narrowing. Footsteps. He was sure of it. He stifled a sigh as heavy footfall sounded behind him and he cursed under his breath. If they were being followed it was no wonder they were being so easily tracked.

Boromir walked slowly behind the Elf, keeping pace. It was unnerving to walk with Legolas, who rarely spoke unless spoken to, more in tune with the wilderness around him than the living, breathing things he travelled with.

'So, Elf-'

'My name is Legolas.' Legolas didn't turn around, eyes narrowed.

Boromir coughed. 'Legolas. You are sure we are being followed? There is no doubt?'

Legolas sighed, turning to face the human before him. 'Why do you not trust? In council you did not listen to Lord Elrond, and now you do not listen to me. I do not expect your allegiance, but I hope to have proved myself trustworthy thus far.'

Boromir stood there, lost for words. The trees swayed above their heads, autumn leaves falling to crown their hair with their crispness.

'I did not say I did not trust you, although to the contrary you have shown me no different. I am just questioning you; it does not mean I do not trust.' Boromir looked at Legolas, who he was infuriated to see was not even listening to him. The Elf's attention seemed to have piqued by the forest over Boromir's shoulder and the man wheeled around.

'What is it? What do you see?'

'Footfall.' Legolas stated, lithe fingers gripping at his quiver. Boromir reached for his sword, eyes narrowing.

The whole world became silent. Not a creature moved and the very air they breathed seemed to freeze before them. Legolas, not even daring to risk to breath, silently beckoned Boromir to move towards him and the man obeyed. They stood back to back, weapons raised, each listening to the best of their ability.

Boromir felt Legolas stiffen behind him, heard his arrows rattle in his holder as one was removed. On the small, barely there path they had found themselves on, in the thicket of the trees, no one moved.

Heavy footsteps sounded and Boromir cocked his head.

'It is a rider.' He whispered, recognising the footfalls as one of a horse, rather than of a man. Legolas nodded, eyes trained on the trees in front of them.

The hoof-falls slowly got louder and the tension grew. They got no faster towards them and Legolas held his breath as a black steed came into view through the trees. A rider, clad in black, torn robes, sat upon it, armoured hands at the reins. The elf felt Boromir turn and he reached out a hand to stop him moving. It would not do to make any sudden movements.

The ride kicked the horse forwards, making slow but steady progress towards them on their woodland path. Obscured by thick set trees, there would be no way the horse could make it through towards them. Legolas slowly drew his bow and Boromir heard the arrow sing through the air, watching it as it hit its mark; the riders chest.

The Nazgul howled, whether or not in pain, Legolas did not know, but he quickly positioned another arrow and let it loose.

-x-

Aragorn stood stock still at the front of the group, holding up a hand to still the others. A strangled scream had sounded through the trees, silencing the singing birds and rendering the Hobbits speechless.

'Nazgul' he whispered, turning to Gandalf, who looked worriedly at Frodo, who had grabbed his shoulder, the pain of the blade shooting through him.

'What about Boromir and Legolas?' asked Merry, looking worriedly at the path in front of him, shooting a glance at Aragorn, who seemed to be thinking much the same.

'Come' Aragorn swallowed his fears for his friends and carried on leading the group.

He only hoped Legolas and Boromir were all right.

-x-

'It is not making a difference.'

'I did not expect it to.'

The Rider had not moved towards them since Legolas had fired at him, three arrows now protruding from his body.

As they watched, to their horror another two riders joined the first, not one of them advancing towards them. With each of their faces turned towards the pair stood in front of them, they slowly moved sideways, their carefully trained horses whinnying into the darkness of the forest.

'They are moving away.'

'This was not an attack.' Legolas murmured.

They both turned as Aragorn crashed through the trees behind them, the Hobbits, Gimli and Gandalf close behind them.

'This was a warning.' Finished the Elf.

'Nazgul?' breathed Aragorn, looking in every direction, wild eyed.

'Three of them' confirmed Boromir, sheathing his sword.

'Three?' Gandalf looked at the Hobbits.

'There is a small rock formation about three miles ahead.' Legolas told them, Aragorn turning to his friend.

'It is enough to camp on. It has a got vantage point we can use to our advantage.'

Gandalf nodded. 'Your skills and senses are well received, Legolas.' He smiled.

Frodo looked around him, then through the woods. How could there be so much danger around them and he not know?

'We make for the formation' Gandalf announced and rallied the hobbits around him.

Hopefully danger would be lessened there.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter...I noticed in the last one my timeline was wrong so I decided to add in a little detour for our Fellowship...

Thank you for reading...I would love to hear all your views! : )

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