{}«Legolas' POV»{}

"How is your shoulder?" I ask Thaladir as we ride east. We knew we would have to leave that way initially before sneaking our way west to Imladris. Adar had seen us off as he had promised, though he was still not convinced that this was wise. Elhael agreed with him, and had tired her best to talk me out of it.

"Fine." Thaladir answers, before changing the subject. "We should camp here tonight."

I readily agree as we have been riding since the first sign of light this morning.

"How much further do you think we should go before turning west?" I ask my captain as we settled down for the night.

"We should ride for half the day tomorrow before rounding back west just to be safe."

I shake my head in agreement. "That's what I was thinking."

After getting something to eat, Thaladir and I settle in for the night while Dolenel volunteers to keep watch.

The night passes without incident and morning comes bright and cheerful. Birds flutter from one tree to another in the cool air.

We ride east until midday, before turning north for several miles. By late afternoon, we are heading west several miles outside the borders. Little conversation was passes between the three of us until we made camp that night.

"Do you think word has spread?" Thaladir asks, referring to our departure.

"I hope so." I answer. "If he really is after me, then hopefully these attacks will stop."

Thaladir nods. "Now, we need to worry about covering our own tracks."

Silence falls as we eat. An unnatural rustle of leaves causes me to freeze. "Did you hear that?" I ask no one in particular. Thaladir shakes his head.

"Probably nothing more than a deer." He says and I relax a little, assuring myself that he is probably right and I lean back against the tree again. Minutes pass and I hear it again. Something was moving around, rustling the leaves and I know it is no deer, deer aren't that clumsy. I reach for my bow, Thaladir and Dolenel stand up at the movement. Thaladir steps silently towards me.

"What is it?" He asks in a whisper, scanning the area.

I hold the silence for a moment before movement catches my eye. Thaladir and I both freeze in our positions, waiting for the adversary to make himself known. We don't have to wait long as a cry comes from behind us and turning, I see Orcs break through the trees into the light of the fire.

"I'd say word has spread." I hear Dolenel say as I send an arrow through an Orc's head and it falls dead.

I can make out ten or fifteen in the clearing. We are outnumbered, again. I continue to shoot, bringing down several. I don't see and Orc archer, unless they are hiding in the dark, which is possible. Thaladir stands behind me, both of us covering each other's back. Most of them have fallen by the time they are within arm's reach. I drop my bow and switch to my knife and I hear the medal of Thaladir's blade come from its sheath. Orc's advance, their own weapons drawn. It only takes a few minutes to finish most of them off. The rest turn and flee.

A little out of breath, I turn to Thaladir. "Are you alright?"

He nods, breathing heavily. "Yes," He looks around. "where is Dolenel?"

The two of us look around, then, through the trees came our companion.

"That was one of the strongest foe I have met in some time." He said before plopping himself down on the ground, seemingly weary, but not a spot of blood --his or otherwise-- or dirt could be found on him.

"I suppose it worked." Thaladir comments, taking a seat next to Dolenel. I nod but don't answer. We will have to be more careful now that we are heading back west. We can't afford the risk of being attacked again or even followed. Sheathing my knife, I pick up my bow and start to scout the area. No other enemy came across my path.

The rest of the journey goes smoothly. We see no sign of Orcs or any other foul creature after that night till we reached Imladris.

<><><><><><><><>

Light snow starts to fall as we ride into the valley. Aragorn and Elrohir are there to greet us as we enter.

"Mae Govannan Legolas, I'm glad to see you again." Elrohir said as we embrace.

"And I you." I answer with a slight smile. "Though I wish it was under more favorable circumstances."

Anger flashes across his face at the statement, though it is not directed at me. "Yes." He says simply. "Come, there is much for us to tell you." The five of us walk into what was once Lord Elrond's study.

"Saes, have a seat." Elrohir says, clearing the books off several of the chairs. "Please excuse the mess. My brother and I have had a harder time than we thought adjusting to our Adar being absent."

"Where is Elladan?" I ask, noticing that there is no sign of the other twin.

"Resting." Was the answer and he called for someone to send for his brother. "He injured his leg the day before Aragorn arrived while we were fighting a pack of orcs that we had been tracking along our borders. He will be fine though, thankfully. The arrow wasn't poisoned which we found odd."

"Has there been any more news concerning Arwen?" I ask, feeling it better to get straight to the point.

This time Aragorn answers. "No, but we have been going over old maps for the last few days waiting for you to arrive and we found something that may be of use."

"Indeed." I turned around to the voice to see Elladan, leaning on a crutch. "There is another gate near the East side. It is not shown on most maps for it is small and the path to get there is hard. But if only a few went, then we should be able to get inside."

"Do you know if this gate is still in tacked?" Thaladir asks.

"No, But it our only hope in getting in without being seen. We should go in few numbers if we hope to keep our presence unknown."

"I agree." Aragorn said.

After some arguing between the twins, it is decided that only Elrohir would join us. Elladan would stay behind to look after the hidden valley.

We left three days later with fifteen of Imladris' best warrior's. A layer of snow covers the ground but it isn't enough to hinder the horses and after a little more than a week, we were almost to the beginning of the little known path. 

"This is it." Elrohir said pulling his horse to a stop. "It should lead East up the mountain and then turn South in the direction of the mine."

It is hardly visible through the snow and the only way one could tell it was there at all was the way the rocks seemed to be parted on either side. It could be easily overlooked if one was not looking for it.

"Thaladir, you, Dolenel and the rest should stay here and set up camp." Aragorn says. "Legolas, Elrohir and I will go up. Stay as quiet as possible."

Thaladir nods and he, Dolenel and the rest start to set up camp. I dismounted and gathered what we would need for the hike up. We estimated the trip would only take a day or more on foot.

For the first several hours, the path is not too hard to follow. But as time goes on, it gradually becomes more difficult. The rocks that line the sides slowly disappeared and by evening a cliff has formed in its place on one side. Sharp rocks poke up through the snow on the path. We don't stop until we came to an overhang in the mountain and stopped under it for the night.

"What is our plan once we are inside?" I ask.

"You and I will go in." Aragorn answered. "Elrohir, you will stay at the gate and return to the other if we do not return within four days."

Elrohir opens his mouth to argue but after one look from Aragorn he thinks better of it.

<><><><><><><><>

The wind blows hard, throwing the falling snowflakes into our faces as we near the gate. It is more of a hole than a gate. Perhaps at one time there was a door. But if there ever was one, it has since rotted away. Leaving only the small entrance in the rock, only slightly smaller than the average door.

Aragorn and I step inside and Elrohir positions himself outside in the bushes. Inside is dark, stone lining all sides. Aragorn lights a torch and we follow the tunnel deeper into the side of the mountain. It leads us down some steps and into a small room with two doors. One on either side.

I walk up to one of the doors and Aragorn goes to the other.

"Which direction should we go?" I whisper from the other side of the room.

"This way looks like it may lead down. We will follow it. They are probably keeping her on the lower levels."

I nod and follow him. Just as he predicted, the path leads downward. We walk without a sound and soon it leads us out onto another path. This path looks to be more worn. We keep to it, staying straight going past several less worn paths until we hear what we hoped we wouldn't for a while yet. Voices. Voices coming toward us.