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It was the fourth day since they had left Bree, after completely scouring the South Downs for Gollum they were nearing the Old Forest. Aragorn and Legolas were surprised to find the sudden change in climate – for the past three days the sun had shone fiercely down on them. And now, suddenly, the air was chilly while the sun, hidden behind thick clouds, began to descend. Even more unexpected, the landscape had changed, high hills rose up from the valley. Covering these hills were numerous mounds and on these mounds were standing stones, pointing towards the sky like jagged teeth. For some reason this made Aragorn feel uneasy. He turned to Legolas, whose face displayed the foreboding Aragorn felt.
Yet the Man didn't voice his fears and neither did his companion.
As they made their way down the valley, and closer to the strange mounds with its standing stones, mist descended upon them. Aragorn's horse jerked his head as if in fear, and Legolas' mare stopped in her tracks. Aragorn spoke to them softly in Elvish, attempting to calm them down but to no avail, they too realised there was imminent danger. Looking up Aragorn saw Legolas' face was whiter than normal; he seemed to be in a more dire need of gentle words rather than the horses.

'Legolas,' said Aragorn, in concern 'are you alright?'

'I am fine, mellon-nin' he replied, his voice wavering as he tried to sound confident, 'But strange evil lurks here.'

'Yes, I thought you would have realised sooner. This is where the Barrow-wights dwell.' replied Aragorn sounding more unruffled than he felt, in truth he had just grasped the reason behind the mounds. He felt a heavy knot in the pit of his stomach; he had walked so easily into grave danger and taken Legolas along with him. He silently cursed himself – if anything happened to the Prince… He did not know how he would live with himself

Legolas' face took on an odd, strained expression. 'Well, hadn't we increase our pace to avoid any such confrontation?' as he said this, his horse reared on her hind legs, neighing angrily. Subduing her with Elvish words, he stroked her mane.

'She senses your fear, Legolas.'

'Of course she does, and she can sense the evil in the air as well. What jest are you carrying out here, Aragorn? Why are we idling away our time without making haste to be far from this place?' snapped Legolas cantankerously.

'Because,' replied Aragorn 'it is too late, they have sensed our arrival. They will make it as impossible as they can for us to depart. Look.' he gestured toward the heavy fog that was now rapidly engulfing them from all sides. Legolas sucked in his breath and dismounted his agitated horse. Aragorn did the same. But the fog was now attempting to divide them, swirling threateningly between the two. Legolas was too busy attempting to restrain his mare to notice. 'Set her free, they will not harm her and we can find her once the mist has cleared,'

Sullenly, Legolas let her go and she galloped away. Aragorn, too, released his horse who followed suit. 'I am sure they would have led us to the road,' muttered Legolas.

'They do not think like we do – the road holds no security for them.'

'Lasto,' Legolas hushed him, 'What is that?'

Aragorn turned around and saw nothing. Yet he could feel a presence which filled with him dread. 'It is searching for us.' A guttural moan echoed across the valley, sending chills down Aragorn's back. Swivelling around to face Legolas, his throat constricted to find that the Elf was nowhere near. 'Legolas!' he called out.

'Aragorn, where are you?' the voice was near yet filled with immense fear. Dimly in the fog, the ranger could make out a white hand searching for him. Instinctively, he reached for it and pulled its owner toward him. Legolas tumbled into Aragorn's arms, his beautiful face frightened. Aragorn drew him tighter to his chest, relief coursing through his body. Legolas reciprocated by wrapping his arms around the ranger's waist and burying his face in the Man's chest. Aragorn felt the body he was holding trembling with fright, he stroked Legolas' back and impulsively bent his head and placed a kiss on the golden head. He realised his mistake too late. Perhaps Legolas had not felt it for he did not react.

A cold wind blew causing strands of the Elf's hair to gently flick Aragorn's face. To their left he sensed movement, he knew the time was coming, he knew what he had to do. And he was right, a dark shape – the figure of a man – loomed over them. Two eyes shone palely. He felt as if he were being crushed under the remorseless weight of the dark. It instilled fear in Aragorn's heart; he would not let Legolas witness it. Extricating himself from the embrace in which he held the Elf, he delved into his pocket to retrieve a small star-glass. It had been gifted to him many years ago by his foster father, Lord Elrond of Imladris. He had been told it would give him 'light in dark places, when all other lights go out'. He held the phial out, his heart pounding, and cried out 'Aiya Eärendil Elenion Ancalima!' Slowly, as if waking up, it glimmered and the light began to grow. As it grew, the darkness receded, as if cowering before the formidable majesty of the light. He thrust it in the direction of the wight, who growled with fear and began to back away. Hope soared inside Aragorn, he walked forward and toward the spirit, slowly and deliberately, one hand outstretched holding the magnificent star-glass, while the other was clasping the hand of the Elf. He looked over his shoulder at Legolas; a small smile crossed Aragorn's lips at the Elf's awe, as well as at how stunning he looked lit up by the white light of Lórien. The Man turned back to his opponent, his joy swelled to see the wight disappearing along with the fog that surrounded them. He felt Legolas' hand tighten around his; he gave it a reassuring squeeze and waited for the last wisps of the mist to disappear. As the world around them returned to its normal state and they could see the twinkling stars in the sky once again, the light of the star-glass died out.

'That,' whispered Legolas, 'was beautiful.'

'Not to mention, it aided us a fair bit,' grinned Aragorn.

'That too, mellon-nin.' smiled Legolas.

'Are you alright?'

'I am fine, I wish I could have been of some assistance, but I do not think I have ever faced anything so dark.' Legolas said looking embarrassed.

'It is fine, Legolas, we are both in unharmed and in perfect condition – do not fret.' replied Aragorn, reassuringly. 'Come now, let us find our horses,' Legolas nodded and turned away, Aragorn noted grimly, as he followed him, that Legolas had now let go of his hand.