Whomever it was that was approaching the camp was making every effort not to be noticed. The figure wore a cloak of Elvish material that was designed to fade the wearer into their surroundings and walked with a slow, careful gait - picking its way through the wood and avoiding any dry twigs that would herald its approach.

If it had been either of his companions on watch that night, Legolas was not sure the figure would have been spotted - and that was no reflection upon the man or the dwarf. Whomever it was that approached was being very, very careful.

He gently shook both sleepers awake, pointing surreptitiously at the approaching figure. "They are making quite the effort not to be noticed," he murmured.

Aragorn sat up swiftly but silently. Following Legolas' gesture, he spotted the figure moving stealthily towards them. He had not Elvish vision, but he could see what was shown to him easily enough. He casually got to his feet and nodded to Legolas. Muttering near silently, he said, "Pretend you're waking me to change watches, but keep alert. I'm going to try to pace out of their sight..."

Legolas nodded, lying down on the warm blankets where Aragorn had been sleeping. He lidded his eyes just enough to create the illusion of sleep, but was able to keep his sharp eyes fixed on the approaching figure through his eyelashes.

Aragorn stretched for a moment, then casually sauntered off into the trees. He made a standard quick watch-circuit before starting to branch off to one side. When there were several thick tree-trunks between himself and the approaching figure, he swiftly and silently moved past the figure and began to creep up on it from behind.

Using every Ranger skill and every bit of Elven-trained grace he had, he sneaked up on the figure and grabbed it from behind, pressing the flat of his knife against its collarbone. To his surprise, the figure in his grasp had feminine curves. But surprise didn't make him release her. "May I ask what you are doing, sneaking up on my companions?" he spoke softly, but a threat underlay his words.

The woman drew in a breath, muttering an Elvish curse that she'd been caught off guard. "You may always ask," she purred silkily, bemused.

He recognized her voice instantly and shifted his grasp on her. The knife, he returned to its sheath. "Arwen," he breathed. "What in Elendil's name are you doing out here?"

Arwen smiled as the death-grip she'd been caught in transformed effortlessly into an embrace; she returned it warmly, brushing a kiss to his cheek. "Are you not pleased to see me, mīl-nin?"

"I am always pleased to see you, Arwen," her name rolled off his tongue like a caress. "But I worry, for this is a dangerous place. Come, let me reassure my comrades that all is well and then we can hear your tale."

"All of Middle-earth is dangerous in the age we live in," she pointed out, taking his arm and allowing him to lead her back to their camp.

"I know; but this place has been most tragic for us, these past days." His voice was soft, edged with regret.

A frown creased her brow, "What has happened?" she murmured, stopping still, and taking his hands in her own.

His eyes met hers, full of grief but with a determined edge to them. "Boromir fell to the Uruk-hai in battle. The orcs have taken Merry and Pippin. And Frodo and Sam have left for Mordor alone. I will tell you the full tale another time, should you wish."

"This indeed lays heavily upon my heart," she whispered, scarcely believing his words. Where it another, she might have accused him of falsehood. "And this, following so soon in the wake of Mithrandir's fall... Ai, Elbereth..."

Aragorn gently pulled her into his arms again, holding her in a comforting embrace - though whether it was more for her comfort or his was anybody's guess. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a figure approaching from the camp. Turning his head, he recognized Legolas; the Elf was watching him closely, probably wondering what had come to pass.

"Pan mae, Legolas," Aragorn called softly. "We will join you in a few moments."

Legolas nodded and returned to the camp, a look of curiosity on his face. Something rather unusual was happening, but he trusted Aragorn's judgement.

She stood there in his arms, her head upon his chest, letting the soft throbbing of his heartbeat act as a balm to her worries. So many partings... two of the Fellowship falling to the shadow - it did not bode well. Perhaps her arrival was even more opportune.

Moving a little, Arwen felt the gauntlets he now wore upon his forearms press into her back. She turned a little, drawing one arm around to discover what the new addition was. "What... what are these?" she whispered, tracing the White Tree of Gondor with a finger.

"Gauntlets," he replied softly. "From Gondor. They belonged to Boromir."

Something warm flickered in her eyes, and she lifted her hand from the gauntlet to the Evenstar that hung at his throat. "Then you have indeed begun walking upon that path..."

"Yes..." he admitted reluctantly. "As Boromir lay dying in my arms, he worried for his city and his people. To ease his heart and his passing, I promised him that I would do all I could to protect the people of Gondor. I do not know what I might accomplish, but somehow, somewhere I must find the strength to keep my vow."

"And keep it you will, meleth-nin." The warmth was there in her gaze again and this time there was no mistaking it: it was pride. "You shall keep it, and be victorious... 'From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king'," she recited.

The look in his eyes was of pure love and appreciation. "You always had faith in me, mīl-nin. Perhaps I shall someday discover the strength in myself that you so believe in." He paused, and heard faint voices from the camp. "Shall we join the others before Legolas gets worried again? I still wish to hear what brings you so far from Imladris."

She stilled him with her hand, "Parts of the prophecy are already true..."

"How so?" He waited for her answer, not afraid but somewhat apprehensive.

"Your fire was woken in the ashes of Boromir's death," she pointed out. "And then there are other elements..."

"Our hope has walked into the shadow, not shone from within it. We must hold to hope, for it is out of our hands now."

Arwen reached beneath her cloak and withdrew a sword. A Human broadsword - not the curved kind her people fought with... the broadsword bore scars upon the blade - as if it had been shattered...

"Narsil..." he breathed, recognizing the sword and the pattern of the scarring. "They reforged Narsil?"

She nodded, pressing the weapon into his hand. "'Renewed shall be blade that was broken'; somehow we knew it was time..." Her eyes studied his face carefully, "And I swore that I would take it into the Fires of Mordor to bring it to you if I had to..."

Aragorn stared at the sword in his hand in breathless amazement. "Then this is Andśril, the sword forged anew." His eyes met hers again with a small smile. "I am doubly grateful, meleth-nin. To you, for bringing it to me, and to Elendil, that you did not need to seek within the Fires for me."

"I do not fear for me, Estel... My fear is for you when you are away from me..." She dropped her eyes; it was not something she had admitted aloud before.

He cupped her face with one gentle hand, lifting her eyes again. "I understand. Though at this moment, my Evenstar, I do not know which I would fear more: to watch you leave again, alone, or to bring you with us on our mission. One cannot help but fear for another when that other is held dear to your heart."

Arwen turned her face to press a kiss in the palm of his hand. "Yes... My father was not happy that I chose to take the sword, rather than send another. But either way, aran-nin, I would rather be by your side. Should we win, I will rejoice with thee. Should we lose, we will die, but not alone..."

He looked deeply into her eyes and saw the truth there, shining with love. He bent his head to kiss her softly and when the kiss ended he whispered in her ear, "Then you shall join us, meleth-nin, and together we shall do the best we can do."

"I was hoping you would see it my way..." she smiled warmly up at him, taking his hand in her own. "Come, Legolas and the dwarf *will* be concerned about you."

Together, they entered the small clearing where Aragorn's companions waited. The Elf and the dwarf were sitting together, talking quietly. They fell silent and looked up when Aragorn and Arwen joined them.

A look of relief crossed Legolas' face; now he understood what had kept Aragorn so long. And he knew there was no danger from her. "Lady Evenstar," he greeted her with a smile and sketched a bow.

"Prince of Mirkwood," Arwen smiled, sitting down at Aragorn's side by the fire.

Gimli greeted her with a polite enough nod, muttering something that sounded a lot like 'Another elf. Just wonderful... and a wench, too...'

"Gimli, my friend," Legolas said in a cheerful tone, "Please do not underestimate our Lady, here. You were taken enough with Lady Galadriel - can you not give Lady Arwen a chance?"

Arwen smiled warmly at the dwarf, ever politic. "My grandmother spoke highly of you, Son of Gloin," she bowed her head, brushing back her long dark hair before it fell in the flame.

"The Lady of the Wood," Gimli nodded. "You're Elrond's lass, are ye?"

"I am," she nodded.

Aragorn gently took Arwen's hand in his as they sat quietly. Finally, he spoke again, "Arwen shall be joining us on our quest. At present, Arwen, we are preparing to follow the orcs and rescue Merry and Pippin.

"You have my sword," she nodded, solemnly. And then held up her hand to forestall the protest she could feel building in the dwarf. "I have lived 3,000 years, Gimli, and wielded a blade for most of them. I will not hold you back."

"You need not trust her to watch your back, Gimli. I trust her to watch mine and I will watch hers, if you and Legolas are content to do the same for each other." Aragorn's voice was soft, but firm.

"I do not mean to misjudge ye, lass," Gimli grumbled, a little embarrassed. "Tis an honour to have the Daughter of Elrond in the Fellowship," he bowed.

Arwen smiled again, patting the dwarf's hand. "It is an honour to be accepted into so glorious a company..."

Legolas smiled his agreement and turned his gaze to Aragorn. "Do we still depart at first light, Aragorn?"

Aragorn's eyes hardened and he gave a sharp nod. "Aye, we do, Legolas. I shall take the remainder of the watch; you should all take some rest."

She eyed her betrothed carefully; had he rested enough? She would not voice that concern aloud, would not second-guess him in his element. "First light," Arwen nodded, firmly.

Legolas resumed his place in Aragorn's abandoned blankets, this time to truly rest. He lay there, in the manner of Elves, his eyes open but falling asleep none the less.

Aragorn felt he had rested enough earlier in the night - Legolas had been the one on watch when Arwen was spotted, after all. It also allowed him to be sure that Arwen rested, for he believed she had been hard upon the road in order to reach them.

Gimli passed the Elvish woman the water-skin they'd all drunk from that night to save trips down to the river, and she drank from it gratefully, setting up her bedding from the pack she wore upon her back.

Aragorn helped Arwen to settle, then kissed her forehead gently. He then stood and moved a short distance away to sit and watch for what remained of the night.

A little before dawn, Arwen awoke. She'd rested well enough and it had been a habit for so very long to get up in time to see the sun rise over the Rivendell Falls with her father... Sitting up quietly, she got up and headed down to the riverbank to wash and enjoy the dawn.

Legolas woke a few moments later and murmured a morning greeting to Aragorn. He was about to head for the river for a quick wash-up when he saw Arwen there. With a soft smile, he gestured to Aragorn to go instead and sat down on a nearby rock to watch over Gimli and their things.

Aragorn smiled and whispered thanks to Legolas, then headed down to the River. He stopped beside Arwen and bent to dip his hands into the water.

She started at the splash, caught in her own thoughts as she half-swum in the cold water. "That's twice you've startled me, Estel," she remarked, swimming over to the blanket she'd lain out to serve as a towel.

He smiled gently and teased, "So am I getting better or are you getting careless?" He splashed a handful of water on his face, then wiped the water from his eyes with his fingertips.

"If I'm the one to watch your back, meleth-nin, pray it is not the later," Arwen pointed out, climbing out of the water and starting to dry herself off.

Aragorn glanced at her once, dazzled by the beauty of her slim form shedding droplets of water that sparkled in the first bit of dawn light. Then he tore his eyes away and looked instead upon his own reflection. He loved her and wished her no dishonor in thought or fact.

"I know, and I trust you. We shall keep each other safe."

"We shall," Arwen nodded, dressing swiftly. She'd brought her warm gray riding-coat, but instead of the skirts that she usually dressed in, wore a tunic and breeches underneath. "I will not hold you and your company up; I swear it."

"We shall hold you to that, meleth-nin." His tone was quite serious. "We travel hard, and press on as much as we can. Orcs are swift, and this group can move in sunlight. We are already some distance behind, but we hope to catch up as there are many more of them than of us."

Arwen nodded, quiet and thoughtful. "Do they head for Isengard or Mordor?" she asked.

"Isengard. Mordor's orcs, to our best knowledge, still cannot travel by day."

"From that I can derive some comfort... for Frodo and Samwise at least," she sat down, lacing up her boots and tying up her hair.

"Indeed. It is one small grace for they who walk into the fires alone. Our hope lies with them, but our mission lies here and on that we must focus." Aragorn waited for her to finish tying back her hair, then held out his hand to her for the walk back to the camp.

The Four breakfasted quickly, and destroyed all evidence of their camp before the faint glimmer of light in the east even began to turn the sky golden.

"Well, lass, looking forward to our hunt, are ye?" Gimli grinned at Arwen, obviously excited at the prospect of battle.

"I look forward to seeing with my own eyes that Merry and Pippin are safe," she smiled down at him. "And I will certainly fight hard to ensure that..."

"As will we all. We hold true to each other, to the last," Legolas agreed. He checked the last of his arrows and returned them all to his quiver. Slinging it and his bow over his shoulder, he took up the pack they had brought with them - containing little more than food for the trip.

"If we are all ready," Aragorn waited for a nod from each in turn before continuing, "Then we go!" The group set out at a brisk run, hoping to cover as much ground as possible in as little time as they could.

* * * *
Elvish Glossary
'meleth-nin' / 'mīl-nin ' = my love
'Pan mae' = All is well
'aran-nin' = my king