SS1

       Crumpling leaves echoed through the forest, or though it seemed to Legolas. He spun around, poising his bow, an arrow ready to be fired. Gimli took no notice of his elven companion and continued whistling merrily along the road. Legolas strained to hear more sounds of movement behind them, trying desperately to drown out the whistling dwarf. Under any other circumstance, he would have hissed at Gimli to be quiet, but there was no telling what creature he might have heard. Speaking was a risk he couldn't afford to take.
       Though his hearing was not so sharp as that of Legolas, Strider knew what sounds he should hear. He noticed the abrupt abscence of Legolas's scarcely heard steps, and put a hand out to silence the oblivious dwarf. Legolas sighed with relief at the sudden silence. He heard it again, this time in front of them. He turned towards it, arrow still aimed. Strider and Gimli quickly moved from the elf's line of fire. Legolas followed the noises in this fashion for a few minutes, until the forest became silent, even to his keen ears. He lowered his weapon, confusion and fear evident on his fair face.
       "What is it, Legolas?" Strider asked, keeping his voice low.
       "I heard something. Something advancing on us, first from behind. It moves unnaturally, though."
       "Or we could be surrounded." Gimli mused. He looked to Legolas for affirmation.
       "I doubt it. It moved the same way on both sides of us."
       "Alright," Strider instructed. "Move with haste, keep quiet, and be alert. We may be under attack."
       "Again, Sir Strider, I doubt that as well." Legolas said, staying absolutely still. "We have been in enemy territory for a good time now, we could have been under attack ages ago. I think, whatever moves in this forest, plans nothing more than to see us into Mordor."
       Both Gimli and Strider were struck by this thought, however much sense it made.
       "So if we were to turn back," Legolas continued, "Then we would be attacked. But not now, I don't think. Not as long as we are headed for Mordor."
       Strider nodded slowly. "Still, be alert. Let's move on."
       "Do you think young Frodo and Sam have reached Mordor yet?" Gimli asked, and hour or more later. He had ceased his whistling since Legolas had heard advancement in the forest.
       "I don't think so. If Frodo and Sam had come to Mordor, we would be dead. Whatever is in the forest may think we have the hobbits with us."
       Gimli looked over his shoulder again, towards the elf. His bow was still ready, and he was still watchful, hardly paying attention to his two companions.
       "Do you think Legolas really heard something?" He whispered to Strider.
       Before the human had a chance to respond, an arrow flew past the dwarf's ear, lodging itself deep in a tree.
       "Never doubt an elf's hearing, Gimli. It never fails, unless, of course, someone happens to be whistling loudly." Legolas was suddenly next to Gimli, and the dwarf was beside himself. Legolas had snuck up on him, without a sound, as was so often the way with elves.
       "Perhaps, but not their aim."
       "Or so it seems," Strider said, amused with the situation. "Take a closer look at that arrow, Gimli."
       The dwarf turned his attention to the tree. The arrow had caught an apple, and held it against the tree. He noticed another arrow lying on the ground, and asked Legolas about it.
       "I had to dislodge an apple before I could spear it. Do not cross me again, or next time I will not aim at a piece of fruit."
       Gimli gaped at him for a moment, before closing his mouth and hurrying after Strider.
         Legolas bent to pick up his arrow, still wary of the unknown creatures around him. It was strange to him. In the forests surounding Rivendell and Mirkwood, he knew every creature by it's sound, but he could not tell this new sound. Whatever was watching them was not made by nature. He plucked his arrow from the tree, then hurried after the other two noislessly.

         Gimli had stayed silent for a good while after his confrontation with Legolas. Since he met the elf at the council of Elrond, he had disliked him. Now he hated the elf, with every fiber of his being. He stared at the ground as he walked, coming up with as many reasons as his small mind would allow why he shouldn't like Legolas.
         Strider broke into his thoughts, his voice still low. "We should rest now, and perhaps finish our journey by sunset tomorrow."
         "Hmm," Gimli said in agreement. Legolas remained silent. The three set a small camp in order, but though all were tired, none could sleep. Danger could be felt in the air around them. Gimli felt uneasy, and true to his fashion, started smalltalk.
         "So... do either of you have ladies in your lives?"
         Legolas said nothing, but gave the dwarf a look that told him he was treading into extremely personal water.
         "Ay," Strider responded, ignoring the look Legolas was giving. "Mayhaps you even know her. Lady Arwen Evenstar."
         "The elf?" Gimli asked, surprised.
         Strider nodded. "And you, Gimli, what lady have you?"
         "Alas, none. Yet many times my heart has wandered."
         "Legolas?" Strider asked.
         The elf looked at him. "None." He said simply.
         "None at all?" Gimli prompted. "Surely there is someone."
         "No, there is no one."
         "But that cannot be!"
         "Fancy this, a dwarf is telling an immortal what can and cannot be!" Legolas said, keeping his angered voice quiet. "If you must know, there was a lady some time ago, before either of you were even thought of. But, she did not feel the same. Eternity is a long time to let your heart control you, a long time to be with someone."
         "Eternity is also a long time to spend alone." Strider protested, "If you truly loved someone, you could not bear eternity without them!"
         "If you even know what love is." Gimli added.
         Legolas did not even look at the dwarf, nor did he say a word of defence. He simply stood up, bow in hand, and walked away.
         "I don't think you had to say that, Gimli." Strider mused. "This is going to be a very long journey if the two of you do not work out your differences. We fight for the same good! We fight for Frodo and for Sam. What good are these petty remarks?"
         "You are but a human, Strider. You cannot understand the differences between an elf and a dwarf. You see nothing but in its simpliest form."
         "I see the remains of this fellowship falling apart." Strider rose to search for Legolas. "Keep watch for the enemy. The Wraiths are still on our trail, plus whatever Legolas heard earlier." He paused. "Small steps Gimli, small steps. You two must work things out for the company."
         "I still doubt he heard anything. Attention deprived, that one is."
         But his words fell on no ears for Strider had already dissappeared into the heart of the forest.