With the wind having calmed, every sound surrounding them was now much more hearable to them. And the other way around- they were sure every move they made could lead to them being detected. That's why they rode carefully and slowly, even though they were quite a bit away from the noises.
-They must be stupid not to have set out any guards…- Aragorn whispered hoarsely.
-I wouldn't be that sure… look- the elf nodded in the direction of the woods, where a dark silhouette was slightly moving, not enough to be seen by human eyes.
-Did he see us yet?-
-It's too dark for him-
-We'll have to kill him-
They fell silent again. The man was stirring, visibly uncomfortable on the hard ground. He hadn't spotted the two riders, otherwise he would be sitting calm as a rock. Legolas reached for his bow and nocked an arrow. He drew carefully and started to aim.
-Wait- Aragorn put his hand on the elf's shoulder in a panicked move. Legolas glanced over to his friend without putting down the weapon at first, but then saw what his friend meant. The man they had seen at the edge of the forest stopped to move and whistled, not expecting the sound he made to be heard by the elf's sensitive ears. Then he disappeared in the forest.
-He gave a signal. Do you think he saw me aiming?- Legolas asked while putting away the weapon.
-He's too far away… he couldn't have. But that's what I thought before he even saw us… he can't be human-
-Well, if he's an elf then we're dead. I could see him very well- Legolas wrinkled his forehead.
-Nothing's lost yet… we might as well be some merchants travelling to Laketown…-
-Let's pray they don't think us to be. Money is what they're after-
A silence fell and it was deadly indeed, as both of the two friends saw no way to get out of this situation alive. They waited in total silence. None of them dared to talk so as not to chase away any thought the other one might have.
-I'll be your hostage- Legolas whispered suddenly.
-What? They'll n- Aragorn tried to protest
-They'll notice I'm an elf. If you introduce yourself as some kind of a bandit they might let you team up with them- Legolas interrupted.
-What about y-
-They won't touch me if I'm YOUR hostage… just don't name the price you'll get for me too high or they'll kill you. Now quickly, make us look like the lie we're going to tell-
Aragorn nodded and took over Legolas' reins while the elf was disarming himself. The elf handed over all of his weapons and his leathern arm-guard to his friend, who quickly put it on and took the string off the bow. He then strapped it to his saddle together with the arrows. Legolas' knives disappeared in Aragorn's saddlebag. The last thing the elf did was let his hair down.
-I'm not from Mirkwood. Else they'll know immediately who I am based on my hair. Please act convincingly- Legolas said while offering his white wrists to Aragorn.
-Quiet- the dark-haired barked back and tied his friend's hands tightly with a leather strap that he attacked to the saddle as well. Legolas nodded as Aragorn looked at him.
The watchman had already returned to their sight, now on horseback and with four other men. They were riding towards them in a crazy pace, still it took about six minutes for them to approach.
-Oi, you there!- one of the five riders coming at them shouted through the distance. The men were all heavily armed, two arrows were pointed at the two friends. The group surrounded them and the man who looked most important rode out closer towards them.
-Who are you?- the man asked. He couldn't be older than 23, and yet his body was extremely sturdy, almost stiff. His shoulder-length, greasy, black hair was falling into his dark eyes that appeared to be unnaturally small in his wide face.
Aragorn waited a second before replying. -They call me Daw. I'm returning to Lake Town.
-From where?- the leader huffed.
-Rohan- Aragorn answered without hesitation.
-Who's that with you?- the black-haired nodded into Legolas' direction who was looking down on the earth.
-Caught him near Lorien. Was away on his own. Got someone in Lake Town that will pay for one of his kind-
-It's a weird thing Gilian's pack did't get across of you…- The man mumbled while inspecting them critically, then turned around to face the way he had come from.
-You're coming with me. Elric will want to hear you out and then decide what to do with you-.
With these words, the men formed an escort around Aragorn and Legolas. They started to ride towards the pack's camp.
After some time, Aragorn glanced towards Legolas. Their eyes met for a split second. It was clear now- Gilian and his group had split up and the friends were
just about to encounter the other group; there was no way to escape.
Guys, guys, guys! I'm starting to get excited myself. This chapter is short, yes, but still nice I hope. The next chapter will get your blood pumping; brace yourselves!