Oookay! I uploaded this chapter quite quickly, don't you think? ;d Anyway, I'm curious how this chapter 'suits' you. :)) I hope you all have a nice weekend ;) And, to all polish readers, I hope you had a nice Independence Day! :D

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

~~~Chapter 15~~~

A dark night has begun and the whole fellowship was sleeping, except for Legolas, who had his watch. He still felt evil. He knew something's watching him, but he couldn't tell what it is. He looked around, Anduin was still peaceful, but trees were nervous. Too nervous. He picked an arrow to his bow and prepared for the shot. On the other shore, in bushes, there was a dark... something. Legolas quickly hid behind rocks and when the beast ran away, he released his arrow, hoping it will kill the intruder. Indeed, something shrieked loudly and eerily, what woke up his companions.

"What's happening, are we under attack?" asked immediately Aragorn, who jumped from his sleep as quickly as never before.

"What was that sound? It wasn't my dream, was it?" asked Frodo. He looked so scared.

"Calm down my friends. It was nothing we should be worried about." smiled Legolas, hoping it will make them calmer.

"But something was here, right?" asked Gimli, looking around confused.

"Yes. But I think I killed it."

"What was it?" asked Pippin.

"Even the wisest one does not know." he looked at the bushes opposite their position and again glanced at them, they were scared, he could see it in their eyes. "Go back to sleep." he smiled lightly to them.

"Are we safe?" asked Sam.

He wasn't sure of that, but he nodded silently. Hobbits exchanged looks but believing in the elf's words, they laid again. Only Aragorn, Gimli and Boromir stayed on their positions.

"It was a perfect shot, elf!" laughed Gimli, but didn't wait for an answer, and went back to sleep.

"Legolas, now I'm worried. Should I stay with you?" asked Aragorn. "Also, we can replace you."

"Nay, it won't be necessary, my friend. I will handle it on my own."

"You sure? I don't feel too convinced."

"Me either." said Boromir.

The elf looked at them again, saying nothing.

They exchanged their gazes and sighed with concern. Now, how can they sleep if something is hunting them?

"I'd like to stay with you, and Boromir I think as well." said stubbornly Aragorn.

"I see nothing will convince you." he gave him a weak smile.

"You see it well. I cannot go back to sleep now."

"Neither can I." said Boromir, sitting on a log near the dead campfire.

"I don't see any sense in this but fine. If you choose to sit here instead of some rest, I won't even try to stop you." he whispered and sat on a log.

"Great that you understand. Now, we must be very careful. Whatever it was, it could go for help. We need to be ready in case of an attack."

"Tell me something I don't know." said Boromir. "But I hope it won't come back here. I don't feel strong enough to fight with another stupid, stinky orcs."

"Do you feel something, Legolas?"

The elf shook his head, not even looking at his friend.

"No. Everything is peaceful, trees stopped being nervous and the river is still as calm as it was." he whispered and approached them.

Slowly, he started feeling next to Boromir comfortable enough to be near him and even talk to him. Despite his still rising fear, this human seemed to be honest and caring. He, as well as Aragorn, knew that this Gondorian is a little affected by The Ring. But he hoped he will be fine, and he won't allow the power of Sauron to take control of him.

"What does it feel like?" asked the man suddenly and the fair prince looked at him.

"Does feel... what?"

"The nature. What does it feel to hear it? Understand it?"

"You ask hard questions, Boromir." he said and they all, including Aragorn, realised that he used his name for the first time while talking to him.

He fell quiet for a moment, closing his eyes. But opening them again, he saw his calm face looking at him. He sighed and tried to respond.

"Feeling the nature and all connected to it is sometimes amazing, but another time it is difficult."

"What do you mean?"

"You know, when the trees scream in pain and suffer, I feel it all, and it hurts me as well, if not even more."

"But when the trees, as you said, are happy, you should be happy too. Why aren't you?"

Legolas was a little shocked by his question. Why did he ask about it? Does he know? His face fell emotionless, and his blue eyes turned cold. Boromir noticed his confused feeling, as well as Aragorn, and he shook his head.

"Never mind. Forget I asked anything." he tried to smile.

Legolas at first didn't answer but then, he forced a small smile. Aragorn sat next to him, a warmth was emitting from the ranger. He felt his gently hand on his back and saw a light smile on his face. It comforted him a little, and as a result he smiled back, sighing quietly. The fire burned off, and they were sitting in completely darkness, seeing only their faces, and a small amount of light from Legolas. Crickets were playing their concert, and from time to time, they could hear mice looking for food.

"I really think you should go to sleep. There is no need to sit here, you must rest." he said, tired of this creepy silence.

"Legolas, we know what's right for us. We, at least I, want to accompany you. Moreover, it is better if we are awake in case of any attack." answered him Aragorn.

"Aragorn is right. I want to stay here as well. You have no need to worry. At least not about us." smiled now Boromir and the elf responded with the same, but his eyes focused on the ground.

He felt peaceful, but something was still worrying him. The power of the ring increases slowly every day. But it is not this, what makes him feel nervous.

~~~o*o~~~

When sun has risen, all the hobbits and Gimli woke up almost at the same time. Frodo looked around, he dreamed about elves from Lothlórien. They were so kind and very beautiful. He couldn't get out of admiration. Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn proved that there is still good and hope in this world, although it may not be seen very often.

"What do you think of this idea?" asked Merry, bringing the black haired hobbit to life.

"Think of what?" he asked, his very blue eyes looked at his cousin.

"Of eating breakfast with everyone. The last time you have eaten with us was very long time ago, I don't even remember when." he joked but Frodo took it serious. "Oh my, Frodo. You should spend with us some time. Come on." he stood up and gave his cousin a hand.

Frodo nodded and got up, looking around. He saw Aragorn and Legolas talking, Sam and Pippin were listening to Gimli's another story from his childhood and Boromir was sitting in front of the fireplace. Frodo swallowed, feeling a gaze of Gondorian upon him. He was observing him and The Ring. He believed in his good side, what he surely had, but it was his wrong side appearing now.

He sat opposite and then others joined them.

"I made a breakfast some time ago." said Sam. "You should try it, mr Frodo, it's pretty good."

Frodo looked at him not saying a word but smiled after a second, nodding lightly.

"I definitely will, Sam. Has something happened in the night?" he asked Legolas turning his head towards him.

"No. After I had killed, or scared, this mysterious creature nothing disturbed the rest of the night." he answered gently, smiling calmly.

"What doesn't mean the danger is gone." broke in Aragorn.

"Of course it does not." said Gimli. "But it will give us some time."

"It may give. But also it may not. If it's an orc, what it likely is, it will return. With a support." whispered Legolas.

"How do you know that?"

"Because I know how orcs fight. They are never alone."

"We aren't alone either." said Sam. "We are together, right? Eight people working together can handle much."

Legolas nodded silently. The hobbit was right, but even if they weren't alone, orcs would kill them. If they attack, they will do it in a big group, and even this fellowship won't be able to protect each of its members. He has seen many, he has fought many, but he has never felt that fear, not including those days in hands of Men. Those were the worst and the most scary days he would have ever imagined.

He drifted off when a soft, gently and quiet voice brought him back.

"Legolas, are you alright?" asked the ranger.

He turned around, and saw his best friend looking at him mysteriously.

"What? Why, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, why are you asking?"

"Because you drifted off for a few moments. And you look concerned, has something happened?"

"N-No. Everything's alright, don't worry." he forced a small, fake smile, hoping it will distract the ranger for another questions.

Aragorn nodded giving him a doubted look. But as the elf predicted, he didn't ask anymore.

~~~o*o~~~

After breakfast, when on the sky appeared yellow sun and there were no clouds, everyone was preparing for next steps of their journey.

He was standing a few meters away, sensing something evil, when Aragorn's voice filled the air.

"We cross the lake at nightfall. Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north."

Then, another voice. The voice of Gimli.

"Oh, yes? It's just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil? An impassable labyrinth of razor-sharp rocks! And after that, it gets even better! Festering, stinking marshlands far as the eye can see."

"That is our road. I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf." his voice was calm, although he could sense an irritation deep into him.

"Recover my...?!" he snorted offended and turned away

Legolas looked deep into the forest, he saw no one. Forced by his growing concern, he approached Aragorn.

"We should leave now." he whispered quickly.

"No. Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for cover of darkness." he answered.

'It isn't a good idea.' he thought but didn't tell him. If they don't go now, they may not go at all. Aragorn looked at him when he spoke again.

"It is not the eastern shore that worries me. A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near. I can feel it." he turned his head to him.

The ranger, now looking worried, placed his hand on his shoulder.

"You probably right. But we must wait."

"It isn't wise Aragorn, you know that." he said but the ranger didn't answer.

He was worried but he wasn't sure it is good idea to go now. It may scare the hobbits.

"Where's Frodo?" they heard Merry and both looked at the place where the hobbit was the last time.

He wasn't around, neither was Boromir. The man's shield is here but the owner is not.

"Boromir is gone." said Aragorn. "Better go search for him."

"You think it is the ring?" asked Gimli.

"I wouldn't risk saying 'no', for he surely feels its power."

"What are we waiting for? Let's go find them!" said Sam and quickly got up from his knees, taking his frying pan with him.

They all very quickly got ready and ran into the forest. Aragorn and Legolas were on the end of the fellowship.

"Legolas, I will go on the left and look for Frodo, take hobbits and Gimli. You will go on the right."

"You want to go alone? Aragorn!" he asked and stopped running.

Aragorn stopped by himself and placed a hand on his shoulder, seeing tears in his blue eyes.

"I will be okay, I promise." he smiled and after a second saw Legolas nodding.

The ranger ran away and he joined the rest.

He felt fear and sadness in his heart. He was worried, he knows the orcs are coming. But these aren't normal orcs, they are much stronger than those from Mordor. Gimli's loud breath was disturbing his mind, but he couldn't feel neither Frodo, nor Boromir nearby. Also Aragorn disappeared from his sight. Suddenly, a shriek filled the air and everyone stopped.

"Did anybody else hear this? Please, tell me this was only my imagination." gulped Pippin.

"I must disappoint you Pip. I heard it too." responded nervously Merry.

"Don't fear, go, hide somewhere, Gimli and I should handle them on our own." whispered the archer and prepared his bow, fearing of Aragorn, Boromir and Frodo.

The hobbits nodded and ran away, hiding under the fallen log.

"Gimli, come on, we must find the rest." ordered the elf.

"Stop giving me orders, elf!" snorted Gimli.

"Gimli, please, we don't have time for arguments. What is important, we need to protect the Ringbearer and find our friends."

"... Fine. But do not give me orders, I will handle this situation on my own."

Legolas remained silent and nodded quickly. They both ran away from the hobbits, hoping they will be fine.

He was running fast, seeing the first orc. He immediately attacked him and killed by the arrow. The beast shrieked and fell on the ground, with face in leaves.

"Aragorn!" he shouted looking around nervously.

Gimli hit another orcs with his axe hardly, crying out of rage and anger. Legolas felt a presence of his best friend nearby. He knew he is close. He was killing orc by orc, shooting angrily. They didn't even manage to get closer to him, because they immediately were falling dead. When they got rid of every enemy here, they could go ahead to continue their searching...

T.B.C

When I was writing this fragment with Legolas saying "We should leave now" I just saw this scene from the movie in my mind. And I thought again "Jesus, we should have more of such good films". Now, I hope you liked it, the next chapter is a little 'messy' if you know what I mean, but I really do hope it isn't that bad. Thank you for reading. ;)