Strider kept telling himself not to look down at his friend's ashen face. He knew that if he did he wouldn't be able to keep hold of his emotions. He had seen Legolas hurt before, but this was different. This wasn't some arrow wound or a broken leg, it was something far much worse. Legolas had been exposed to the Black Breath, and he knew that if he was treated soon he would be dead within a few days. He cursed himself for allowing them all to be separated in Bree. When he had found Gimli and Merry the dwarf assured that the decision to split up was the right one, yet after having three of their company injured, and two who were near the doorstep of Death itself. He cast a quick glance behind him at Boromir, gasping for breath as he struggled to keep up with the Ranger. Merry's screams had reduced to soft whimpers, which was only a small comfort at the moment.

He couldn't bear hearing the young hobbit in so much pain, why hadn't he stayed where he was? What made him think that he could take on a Nazgul? Strider sighed and tightened his grip on Legolas. If Merry hadn't interceded they all would have been killed. And the Ring would be in the clutches of Sauron. he added grimly. In a way, he was grateful that the hobbit had intervened, but his act of courage may have very well cost him his life. "Strider!" Frodo's voice stopped him in his tracks and he turned around to face the hobbit, the one they were ordered to protect at all cost. "What is it Frodo?" he asked trying to keep his voice calm. He regretted losing his temper earlier with Pippin and he made a note to apologize once he got the chance. "We're all tired Strider, I know that Merry needs help, and Legolas. But we won't be able to get them to Rivendell if we all collapse out here."

Strider's eyes ran over the others and a wave of guilt washed over him. He had pushed them all too hard, they'd just come out of a battle with the Nazgul and then were expected to run all the way to Rivendell. His guilt grew when his eyes met with Boromir's. He hadn't even thought to treat his injuries before they left, yet here he was running while carrying Merry. "Forgive me, I should have let you all rest earlier." he searched for a place where they could rest, safe from any enemies who  may be lurking nearby. He led them to a small clearing surrounded by trees and carefully laid Legolas on the soft ground. The elf didn't stir. Boromir laid Merry nearby and Strider could see the small hobbit trembling. Turning to the other three hobbits he quickly asked, "Do you know what Kingsfoil is?" Frodo and Pippin shared looks of confusion, but Sam's eyes quickly lit up in recognition.

"Yes, I know it. Why?" he asked. "It will bring down Merry's fever, and it may help Legolas." Strider knelt down and started digging through his pack. "Go out and see if you and Pippin can find some, Gimli can go with you and I will be out there once I've tended Boromir." The two hobbits nodded and waited for Gimli to accompany them. Strider moved over to Boromir, who sat with his arm wrapped around his middle, and quickly began to treat his wounds. Frodo was watching the others leave, once they disappeared into the woods he turned to Strider. "Will they be safe out there?" he asked. Strider sighed as he bonded Boromir's shoulder. "They will be fine Frodo. As long as they stay in the woods." The hobbit made no reply. Instead he walked over to where Merry lay and sat down beside him. Strider briefly took in the grieved expression on his face and could almost feel his own heart break. 

He looked so lost, and hopeless. It was almost as though he had already given up on him, that his death was inevitable. Boromir seemed to notice it too and he told Strider, "I can take care of myself, go and help them." Strider hesitated. "Are you certain?" his friend nodded. "I've been injured far worse than this before. They are the ones who need help." he nodded in Merry and Legolas' direction. Strider sighed and stood up. He gave Frodo a quick glance and announced his departure. "Keep an eye on them, and do not hesitate to come get me if their conditions change." Frodo nodded without taking his eyes off his cousin. The Ranger turned his back and entered the woods. As he searched for the athelas. This one task Gandalf had entrusted him with, and already he was failing. He was barely managing to keep Frodo safe, he'd left Boromir to protect two hobbits on his own from the Nazgul, he and Merry were injured, and Legolas could be dead by dawn. Why did Gandalf always entrust him with such things? What had he been thinking the day he'd asked him to do this errand for him?

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He waited patiently with his arms folded across his chest for Gandalf to arrive. Beside him Boromir continued to cast wary glances at Legolas, who was watching the branches on the above them wave gently in the breeze above them while humming softly to himself. Gimli sighed impatiently from where he sat on a fallen log. They were in the midst of an uncomfortable silence, which was brought on by the wizard's late arrival. Aragorn smiled to himself in amusement as he thought of the usual excuse Gandalf would give him when he was accused of being a late. He noticed another uneasy glance from Boromir and decided to find out what had unsettled the usually stoic warrior.

"What troubles you my friend?" his tone was light but for some reason it made Boromir jump. "What did you say?" he asked blinking several times. "You seem nervous, is something troubling you?" Aragorn repeated. Boromir hesitated, looked over Aragorn's shoulder, and answered quietly, "I'm not comfortable with him here." Confused, Aragorn looked behind him at Legolas, who had sensed that the two men did not want him partaking in their conversation and had moved to join Gimli on the fallen log. "Why are you so uneasy around him? I told you before that he is harmless, unless you're an enemy." grinning he couldn't help but add, "You didn't do something to get on his bad side, did you?"

Boromir shook his head. "I have not spoken to him." Now Aragorn was confused. "Then what about him makes you uncomfortable? I told you before that he would be here and you said that you were fine with it." Boromir sighed exasperatedly as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't know Aragorn, perhaps it is because I have never encountered an elf before and-there is something, unnatural, about him." Aragorn didn't know what to say. He had grown up among elves and was used their other worldly traits. "Well I can assure you Boromir, that as far as elves go, Legolas is about as normal as you will get." That caused Boromir's eyes to widen and another odd look in the elf's direction. They'd only been gathered for three days, and already Legolas' unusual character had unsettled him. Noticing a familiar figure approaching them, Aragorn ended the conversation by adding, "In the eyes of the elves, Legolas is considered odd and I'm considered normal. And I am not even an elf."

That was an inside joke between him and Legolas, on account of a comment Lord Elrond had made about them a few summers back, that Aragorn acted more like an elf than Legolas did. That was the same day Legolas had started calling him "Filthy Human" whenever he got annoyed with him. Pushing those memories aside, he and the others stood together as Gandalf entered the clearing. "We were told to meet you here by noon." Gimli stated crossly glaring up at the wizard. "Did you mean to arrive precisely an hour late?"  Legolas questioned slyly before Gandalf could defend himself. "Forgive for arriving late, I am in a hurry though so I must keep this meeting brief."

"What is it Gandalf?" Aragorn asked, noting how worried his friend looked. Lowering his voice he said in a heavy tone, "The Ring has been found." Aragorn's eyes widened. "So it was Bilbo's Ring." he stated grimly. They all knew about the Ring the hobbit, Bilbo, had in his possession. They also knew that Gandalf had never been certain of its true purpose, until now. "His nephew, Frodo, is currently in possession of it," Gandalf continued, "I sent him and a companion of his to Bree where I told him that I would be waiting for him. Sauron's servants are seeking him and the RIng, he will be safe in Rivendell and that is where he needs to be escorted to."

"What does this have to do with us Gandalf?" Legolas asked. "I must seek council from Saruman on the matter, if I am unable to meet Frodo in Bree I will need someone who can." Turning to Aragorn he stated, "I need you to ensure Frodo's safety, he must reach Rivendell alive." Aragorn nodded. "When did he leave the Shire?" "He should be halfway to Bree by now, You must hurry, I would rather the four of you be there to meet him before he arrives. Too many spies roam the lands these days, and I do not want Frodo alone."  There was much more worry than normal in Gandalf's voice, which only made them want to get to Bree faster. "We will set out immediately. Do not fret Gandalf, Frodo will get to Rivendell safely."

"I do not doubt you Aragorn, nor any of you. I know that you will take care of him. Now go! We don't have another moment to waste."  Then the wizard disappeared into the forest in the direction of Isengard, and that was the last Aragorn had seen of him.

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Aragorn sighed in relief when he came across Gimli and the hobbits. They had found enough athelas to treat both Merry and Legolas. They raced back to the clearing to find their companions exactly as they had left them. The only difference was Legolas, who was now moaning. Aragorn wanted to go to him first, but he knew that Merry needed immediate attention. Legolas is strong, he told himself, he can hold on for a little longer. He knelt down beside Merry and quickly worked to apply the athelas to his wound. His screams started again when his arm was moved. Behind him, Pippin was watching with his eyes wide in horror. Frodo walked over to his cousin and led him away to sit with Boromir and Gimli. Aragorn was grateful when Boromir began to talk with him, taking the young hobbit's mind off of Merry's screams. 

To his surprise Sam remained at his side. He looked shaken, but calm despite what he was seeing. "Is there anything I could do to help Mr. Strider?" he asked timidly. Aragorn smiled warmly. "There is not much, but you could keep an eye on Legolas while I help Merry. Let me know if any change comes over him." Sam nodded and moved over to the elf's side. Aragorn went back to applying athelas to Merry's wound. He hadn't told them yet, but the hobbit had been wounded by a morgul blade. Not stabbed, but the damage had been done. He had just finished binding his arm when Gimli suddenly stood up, "Riders!" A shiver ran down Aragorn's spine. Had they been found already? He quickly stood up and drew his sword as the riders moved closer. Gimli had his axe and even Boromir had his sword out. They stood protectively in front of the hobbits and their injured friends, though he hated to do it, he turned around and drilled Frodo with a hard stare. "If I tell you to run Frodo, run. Do not wait for us."

He could see the reluctance in Frodo's eyes but he didn't give the hobbit anytime to argue. They braced themselves for the familiar forms of the Nazgul, but when they expected to hear the screams of the Nazgul, they heard a voice call out, "Estel! Is that you?" The others looked at each other in confusion whereas Aragorn's face lit up in recognition as three riders entered the clearing. "Mae govannen Elladan!" Aragorn sheathed his sword and walked over to meet the riders who dismounted. They were elves, two of them had dark hair and were strikingly similar in appearance, but the third had golden hair and had the bearing of a warrior who had lived through hundreds of battles in his life. "We have been looking for you Estel." One of the elves, Elladan, commented. His eyes quickly landed on Merry and Legolas and filled with concern. 

"What happened to them?" the other dark haired elf asked. "Merry was cut with a morgul blade, and Legolas was exposed to the Black Breath." Aragorn explained, his voice took on a note of urgency and his relief was replaced with fear. Sensing his panic the golden haired elf quickly took charge. "We will get them to Rivendell, Elladan and Elrohir can take them." the two elves nodded and went to help Aragorn mount them on their horses. "Wait, who are you?" Pippin asked fearfully as he watched his cousin being lifted into Elrohir's arms. "They are the sons of Lord Elrond, and I am Glorfindel." the golden elf answered. He then turned to face Frodo who was standing protectively in front of Pippin and Sam. "Are you Frodo Baggins?" he asked. Frodo nodded. "I am to bring you to Rivendell. Your enemies are almost upon you and you cannot hope to outrun them on foot. You will ride with me and come with your friends."

"I'm not leaving them behind to the Nazgul."Frodo stated, challenging the elf with a hard stare. Aragorn was moved by his loyalty, but at the same time he knew that they had to get Frodo to safety. "You must go with them Frodo, it is the only way to ensure that the Ring does not fall into the enemy's hands." he told him sternly. "What about the rest of you? What if they-" his words were cut off by Glorfindel who held up his hand. "The Nazgul are after you Frodo, they will not bother with your friends, it is the Ring that they want." Frodo still hesitated until Sam placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll fine Mr. Frodo. Go and make sure Merry and Legolas get the help they need." A weight lifted off Aragorn's shoulders when Frodo finally nodded his head. He walked over to Glorfindel who helped him mount his horse. The elf mounted behind him and looked down at Aragorn. "I will send out a party of riders to meet you as soon as I reach Rivendell." 

Aragorn nodded and watched as the three elves kicked their horses into a run. The moment they vanished from sight the shrieks of the Nazgul pierced the air.