Aragorn pressed his ear to the ground. The wind went still and he listened for the footsteps of his prey. The he leapt from the ground and sprinted into the forest, bow and arrow in hand. The wind wiped through the long black strands of his hair. From behind a large oak tree Aragorn could see a large stag. He readied his arrow and pulled back on the string. Suddenly a familiar female voice called his name,
âAragorn!â The stag looked directly at Aragorn before leaping off into the brush. âWere you going to kill that deer Aragorn?â The black haired Elf asked from behind Aragorn. Frustrated, Aragorn looked back to greet Arwen.
âArwen, what are you doing here?â Aragorn put away his bow. Arwen stepped forward and embraced Aragorn. Their lips locked for a brief second before Aragorn pulled away. âDoes your father know that youâre here, with me?â Arwen lowered her head and smiled.
âNo, he doesnât. But, I had to see you again.â Arwen moved up to kiss Aragorn again but he stopped her with a finger on her lips.
âYou know how your father feels about you and I. Heâs likely to banish us both if he finds us together.â
âMy father can do as he pleases so long as I can be with you? Come, there is a location I wish to share with you.â Arwen grabbed Aragornâs hand and they ran off into the forest.
*****
In Rivendell, Elrond paced back and forth through the great hall. His eyebrows could almost touch each other they were pressed so hard.
âMy lord, the last time your daughter was seen, she was traveling north by horseback. Do you wish to have a scouting party find her?â After a moments thought Elrond came to his decision,
âYesâŠhave a small group find Arwen and return her to Rivendell at once!â
âYes my Lord.â The Elf left Elrond alone in the Great Hall.
âArwen must not be aloud to further this relationship with the human. I will not see her hurt, not again.â Elrond thought to himself as he quickly exited the Great Hall.
*****
Along the shore side of a majestic waterfall, Aragorn and Arwen walked hand in hand,
âIsnât this the most beautiful place youâve ever been? The last time is was here I was only a girl.â Arwen said as she took in the sights and smells of the land. The only noise noticeable was the chirping of the birds and the soft roar of the waterfall.
âYes, this is the most enchanting location I have ever been. Though if it were not for you, it would only be another waterfall in another forest.â Arwen smiled, she and Aragorn were the most content they had ever been.
âJust a little ahead there is a small clearing where we can sit.â Arwen lead the way to the clearing. Aragorn fallowed quickly behind her. They reached the clearing and sat down beside each other, neither saying anything. There was nothing to say. Aragorn took Arwen into his arms and placed a soft kiss on her waiting lips. Arwen returned his kiss and they continued to express their love for one another for several minutes. Suddenly, Arwen pulled away from Aragorn, her eyes darting left and right.
âWhaâŠ?â Arwen who placed a finger on her lips and gave him the signal to by quiet interrupted Aragorn. Aragorn looked in the direction Arwen was looking to. âI hear it to.â Aragorn whispered as he slowly stood. Arwen also stood. In a split second two large men burst out of the bushes and grabbed Aragornâs arms on either side. Another man grabbed Arwen from behind as well and wrapped a cloth tightly over her mouth with the help of a forth man. Aragorn burst free of his captures and unsheathed his sword. He swung high at the two men who had held him earlier. They ducked his fierce attack and charged Aragorn, knocking him to his feet. His sword fell from his hand and into the brush. By this time Arwenâs arms and legs had been tied and she lay on the ground helpless as her assailants mercilessly beat Aragorn. Aragorn was just as helpless as there was little he could do to stop the four men. He felt himself being lifted off the ground and dragged over to a large tree where he was tied and gagged. The last thing Aragorn saw before being stuck in the head by a large club was, Arwen being thrown over a manâs shoulder. Her eyes locked on Aragorn. A tear rolled down her cheek. Then the club hit his temple and his vision turned to black as consciousness left him.
*****
A small group of Elves ran closely fallowing two sets of tracks. As they came the waterfall they momentarily lost the tracks.
âSpread out, look low.â A blond haired Elf ordered as he knelt down searching for footprints. The other two Elves moved in opposite directions also looking for 2 sets of footprints. âQuickly, this way. They arenât far ahead now.â The first Elf said as he ran across the shoreline. He came to a small clearing where he found the unconscious Aragorn. Blood trickled from his temple. âGive me the healing kit.â The blond haired Elf extended his hand to one of his companions. He softly applied a cloth to the blood. Another Elf cut the ropes holding Aragorn to the tree and pulled the cloth from his mouth. âWake up my friend, you are safe now.â Aragorn stirred slightly, his eyes lifted slowly. Aragorn winced at the sharp pain throbbing in the side of his head. He raised a hand and pressed it against his head. âI am Legolas, this is Liliamne and Oreleed. We were sent to retrieve Arwen whom we thought was with you. What happened here?â Aragorn slowly stood up, using the tree for balance.
âArwen was with meâŠwe, we were ambushed by four men. They took Arwen and headed north east through those bushes.â Aragorn pointed in the direction that he spoke of.
âWe must find these men and return Arwen to Rivendell. Will you join us Aragorn?â asked Legolas. Aragorn picked his sword up from the ground and looked to Legolas,
âWe will find Arwen and deal with her captures accordingly.â
âHurry they have at least an hours lead on us.â Legolas sprinted off into the forest closely fallowed by Aragorn and the others.
*****
Inside a dark room Arwen lay tied and gagged on the cold floor. The trip had been long and frightful. Images of the defenseless Aragorn, the man she loved, being beaten, haunted her thoughts. She wanted so badly to help, if only she were stronger. She sat herself up against the hard wall. She could faintly hear the voices of her captures but could not make out words or sentences. Also from somewhere she could hear breathing. Moments later a dark haired man with a mustache opened the door and strutted proudly over to her. He was carrying a fairly large silver sword. The breathing stopped.
âHello my pretty,â he exclaimed, âhow are you feeling? Good I trust. My name is Jerrem.â He untied the cloth covering Arwenâs mouth.
âWhy have you done this to me?â Arwen asked softly but with a hint of anger in her tone.
âWell you see my dear, you being the daughter of a very important, very rich man, makes you an ideal hostage. You see, we intend to hold you hear for as long as it takes your father to pay your ransom.â The man knelt beside her.
âMy father will have you executed for what youâve done today.â The man chuckled and got up to leave,