Ringspell

Chapter 3.


A night disturbed...


Aragorn awoke abruptly some hours before dawn and looking around, was surprised to see the rest of the company also sitting in their blankets, a stunned look upon each of their faces. His mind beginning to clear itself of sleep, he quickly realized he could not see Legolas anywhere. The ever-watchful Elf never left the camp at night and Aragorn found himself fighting a sudden, irrational surge of panic.


"Legolas."


He called the Elf softly, knowing his voice would travel far in the still night. He counted the seconds as he waited for a reply. After twenty he began to feel genuinely concerned and called out again, louder. Still, there was no response. Nearby, Gandalf matched Aragorns concern with grumpiness.


"Where did that damn Elf go to?" He asked.


No-one knew.


"Legolas! Fool elflings, cannot keep their minds on one thing for one minute. Thank the Gods they do not often breed - Legolas!"


The old wizard barked into the forest like an angry bear, startling a flock of birds in the canopy and causing them to flap and call wildly overhead.


In a stunning moment of clarity, Aragorn realized that he had not seen a single wild creature since entering this ancient forest. Having just made that realization, he was instantly grateful for the proof that the wood was not in fact devoid of life.


"Perhaps, I should go look for him."


The Ranger rose to his feet, strapping on his sword. It was a chance to be alone with the Elf, if he found him.


- Alone? - A guilty voice inside him asked. - Why? -


- To talk... there is no harm in talking -


- Ah -


The guilty voice seemed satisfied, sinking back into a dark corner of Aragorns mind, awaiting its next chance to appear.


"I will go with you."


To Aragorns' despair, Boromir was rising to his feet.


"There is no cause for that." The Ranger snapped. "I am sure he is fine. He has just wandered off."


He tried to keep his voice steady but for reasons he could not explain he desperately wanted to see Legolas now. The longing became more persistent as each second ticked by. He wanted to be with the Elf, away from the others. Just the two of them. Now was his chance.


-Why?- Aragorn could not hear the guilty voice, for the sound of his pulse thumping inside his head.


"I am sure you are right, Aragorn, but if perchance our friend is hurt, it might not be wise for you to search for him alone." What was Boromir talking about? Our friend? Our friend? He and the Elf had barely spoken two words to each other since meeting in Rivendell. Jealousy began to seep through the cracks of the Ranger's rational mind.


"Just stay here with the others, Boromir." He said, as calmly as he could manage. “It will only take a minute."


Without waiting for further argument, Aragorn turned on his heel and disappeared into the trees, leaving a slightly bewildered company behind him.


When he was gone, Pippin spoke first.


“Does anyone else think it strange that we're all suddenly awake, for no reason at all?" He asked.


The others considered his question for a moment but only Gimli answered.


“Must have been some noise." Came his typically pragmatic reply.


The hobbits nodded their agreement, but a sense of uncertainty hung over the camp and Gandalf was clearly unconvinced.


“I do not think there was any noise." He said, almost to himself. “There rarely is, in this part of the wood."


As though acceding to his thoughts, silence moved in on them again.


“Well." Gimli proclaimed loudly. “Whatever it was is gone now and I'm going back to bed."


With that, the Dwarf rolled over and almost immediately began snoring.


“I don't see how anyone could sleep now."


Sam dragged himself out of his blankets and headed for the sack that contained their cooking utensils.


“Who's hungry?"


Four ravenous hobbits gleefully raised their hands and the company set about making a midnight meal.


To be continued...