𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐘━︎━︎L. Greenleaf

❝CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN❞

▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 ━︎━︎ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐊𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 Fangorn Forest, trying to follow a path that was becoming more and more faint as each moment passed. Ellaria couldn't help the shudder that rolled over her body as they went in deeper. She really did not like this forest and she was really hoping they would find Merry and Pippin sooner rather than later. Aragorn paused, kneeling down and furrowing his brows. "These are strange tracks."

     "The air is so close in here." Gimli muttered.

     Legolas glanced around. "This forest is old. Very old. Full of memory. . . and anger."

      "It is only slightly terrifying." Ellaria mumbled, glancing around as the tree groaned all around her. Gimli raised his axe. Her terror was suddenly replaced with awe. "The trees, they speak to each other."

     "Gimli!" Aragorn hissed. "Lower your axe."

     Gimli slowly lowered his axe, holding up his hands as if to surrender. Legolas's lips twitched with amusement. "They have feelings, my friend. The Elves began it: waking up the trees, teaching them to speak."

     "Talking trees." Gimli murmured. "What do trees have to talk about, hm? Except the consistency of squirrel droppings."

     "Gimli," Ellaria lightly chided, although there was an amused smile on her face. She turned her when Legolas began to swiftly move, his eyes narrowing at something in the distance. She was quick to follow him, coming to a stop slightly behind him when he held out a arm, silently telling her danger was near.

     "Aragorn," Legolas warned, "something's out there."

     Aragorn was quick to stand beside the two Elves. "What do you see?"

     "The White Wizard approaches."

     Aragorn slightly nodded. "Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us." He placed his hand on his sword, pulling it slightly from its sheath. Legolas readied an arrow as Gimli prepared his axes. Ellaria readied her own bow, quietly notching an arrow into it. "We must be quick." In one swift motioned they all turned. A bright light blinded them as Gimli threw his ax, but the wizard quickly shattered it. In sync Ellaria and Legolas released their arrows but they were knocked away. Aragorn readied his sword but it grew hot, forcing him to drop it.

     The wizard did not move to attack them, only standing there and using the blinding light to cover his face. "You are tracking the footsteps of two young Hobbits."

     "Where are they?" Aragorn demanded.

     "They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?"