Wooohooo! Chapter 2! Welcome back to Striding Leaves, I'm guessing this means you liked the first chapter. If so, thanks! If not, maybe leave me a review on how to improve! If you don't tell me what's wrong, how the hell do I fix it?

Disclaimer: See chapter 1 for that!

Chapter 2: Friends with an Elf

The Sun crept slowly over the horizon almost as if She still expected it to be night-time. The morning air was crisp and fresh as it always was after a storm. The leaves of the trees were drooping with raindrops and mud was undisturbed on the ground. In their small cave the members of the Fellowship were beginning to stir.

The fire was already sparking cheerfully as Sam prepared breakfast with Frodo's help. Boromir was down at a nearby stream with the water flasks, refilling them for the journey ahead. Gimli was attempting to rouse the mound of blankets that was Merry and Pippin. Aragorn was scouting the paths ahead while Legolas checked his mental perimeter – a special ability that allowed him to sense when evil creatures were within a certain distance. When Pippin had asked him what it was like the Elf had simply replied: "When evil crosses the 'barrier' it's like someone throwing a rock at my head." He had then neatly dodged the rock Gimli had thrown at him.

*.*.*

After breakfast the Company set off once more with both Legolas and Aragorn's assurances that Orcs were not about to fall on top of them. They walked far that day, under the endless trees and veiled sky, over wild grass and ancient roots, until at last when the sun was just passing from its' zenith, Gandalf called for rest. The hobbits were delighted until they were forbidden a fire. So after a brief rest and a lunch of apples, they set off once more: Aragorn and Gandalf led the way with Boromir, Merry and Pippin chatting animatedly behind them; Gimli and Frodo were discussing the Bilbo's adventure with Gimli's father Glóin and the other dwarves; bringing up the rear were Legolas leading Bill for a change and Sam beside him, unable to think of anything to say.

"He is a fine animal, your Bill," said Legolas suddenly, breaking the silence. "Has he always been yours, Samwise?"

Sam was startled for a moment. "N-no," he stuttered. "No, we got him in Bree, Mr. Legolas, sir."

Legolas laughed; a silvery sound that made Sam gape in awe. "Why do you call me that, Master Samwise?" he asked smiling.

Sam frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

"You called me 'Mr. Legolas' and then 'sir'," explained Legolas. "I was merely wondering why."

Sam blushed crimson. "It's just proper, sir," he muttered, utterly embarrassed. Legolas laughed again.

"Simply 'Legolas' will do fine, Master Samwise," said Legolas, smiling widely. "We are friends are we not?"

Sam stared at Legolas. He, a friend of an Elf? "Well in that case, sir – I mean Legolas – you should call me Sam." Sam blushed again.

"If you wish, Sam." Legolas frowned. "Is there something wrong with Bill?" Sam watched the pony for a moment.

"Yes! He's limping!"

Legolas handed him the rein. "I thought so. Stay with him while I fetch Aragorn." He dashed off.

Sure enough, Bill had a stone stuck in his shoe. After Aragorn prised it out with his knife, the Fellowship were forced to stop for the remainder of the day, or risk laming the pony, at which Sam firmly put his foot down. So now forcibly halted for the day, many of the Company chafed at the delay. But they put up with it, quietly, sullenly, and bided their time. It was only a day after all.

Frodo and Sam had thought it wise to sort through the baggage and see if there was any fresh fruit or vegetables that they could savage for a meal. Boromir was testing Merry and Pippin's sword-fighting by setting them against each other which was proving to be harder than he thought as the cousins were making a mockery of each other and Boromir – quite deliberately – as Gandalf watched on, amused.

Legolas's head shot bolt upright and he stared into the trees.

"Our guard-dog has a scent," Gimli laughed, attempting to bait the Elf, who wisely chose to ignore him, focusing solely on what had caught his attention.

"Has he gone deaf as well?" whispered Boromir to Gandalf, who shook his head irritably. Aragorn wandered over to his friend and shook his shoulder gently.

"Legolas?" he said softly. "Are you all right?"

"Something strange is coming this way..." he trailed off, still staring blankly into the trees.

"Strange?" Gandalf repeated. "What kind of strange?"

Legolas got to his feet. "Not Orc or Goblin. Yet not of lightness either. It puzzles me." He turned to stare at Aragorn. "I shall investigate. I will not be long."

"Do you require any assistance, my friend?" asked Aragorn, his hand settling on his sword hilt. The Elf smiled.

"No. I will return swiftly." And with that he was gone, disappearing into the branches overhead.

*.*.*

Aragorn paced the campsite worriedly. Legolas had been gone for two hours.

"I'm going to look for him," he announced suddenly.

Gandalf sighed wearily. "Sit down Aragorn and stop your fretting. Legolas can take care of himself."

Barely had Gandalf finished speaking when there was a violent rustling overhead as Legolas dropped into the campsite. The Elf was pale and drawn, his tunic was ripped and his face was covered in small scratches.

"Legolas!" cried Aragorn as he took in his appearance. "What happened to you? Did you find what you were searching for?" he asked while guiding him over to a log to sit down.

Legolas shivered violently. "I did not find it," he said thickly. "What I did find was undoubtedly much worse." He shook again.

"What was it?" whispered Pippin, his eyes round with fear.

"Nazgûl," Legolas whispered, before trembling again. "They spotted me, had Orcs chase me--" he broke off sharply and gave a cry of fear. "They are coming!"