There were nine of them, four halfings, two men, an elf, a dwarf, and a wizard. I watched them closely, as a hawk follows its prey. I didn't know who they were, or where they were going. All I knew was that they were a threat to my people.

"Is it time Reluki?" a voice asked behind me, whispering quietly.

I turned, as best as I could crouching to face my band of four. Lundril, a younger elf was crouching next to me, awaiting orders. His chestnut hair was bound in the traditional ponytail, the ends wavering against the dark green tunic. The bowstring that draped his chest was of fine quality, the quiver band blending into his green cape.

"No, lady night shall come soon," I whispered, staring into the youth's gray eyes, "We shall attack at dusk."

Lundril shook his head in disagreement, but said nothing. He made no sound as he walked into the shadows of the trees. I shifted my position; my tan boots ready to fly.

Turning back to the fellowship of nine, I watched as they settled in the fair woods, ready to make camp. They were to close. The village was only thirty walking lengths from their camp. This was to close; my people's secret was at risk.

My hands itched to knock my bow, my fingers plucking at the fine bowstring. The quiver's arrows were just within reach; many arrows ready to fly. I stood up slowly, arousing the band of four behind me. I turned to them, all ready to receive orders.

Four elves stepped from the shadows of mighty trees, each as fair and gray-eyed. Lundril's eyes lit up with joy, and I smiled softly.

"Are we to attack at dusk?" a shorter elf asked, the dark brown tunic making the young maiden's hair seem lighter than the others.

"Patience Nohrun," I chuckled, holding up my hand in a motion of silence, "They are to close for my pleasure."

"We are ready for your commands," an elf in a tunic of light green informed, knocking their bow one movement.

"Yes, at your command," an elf next to the one in light green echoed, dressed identical to the first in light green.

"Ready your weapons my friends," I ordered, turning towards the intruder's camp, "For at the second hour of dusk, we shall take nine prisoners."

Legolas glanced up at the surrounding woods, almost positive that something was watching them. The fire felt like a beacon, announcing the position of the fellowship. There it was again, movement of some kind. What was it? The swish of a cloak maybe?

"What bothers you Legolas?" Aragorn asked from across the fire, "Your gaze keeps returning to the forest's edge."

"I feel as though we are being watched," the elven prince frowned.

"You mean, like a wild animal?" Sam paled, the hobbit dropping his stick into the fire.

"If it were a wild beast then the fire shall surely ward it off," Gimli spoke, "Besides, who is afraid of wild beasts?"

The dwarf was answered with sharp glares from four hobbits.

"I stand corrected," Gimli muttered.

"You don't think it's a wild beast, do you Strider?" Pippin inquired, fingering his green traveling cloak nervously.

"No, it is not a beast," Legolas assured, still gazing at the forest's edge, "Not an animal."

"Come Legolas, best eat while there is still food left," Gandalf smiled, "I'm fighting these hobbits off your portion."

Laughter rose from the fellowship, four hobbits arguing to retain their reputation. The elven prince stood reluctantly, his gray eyes fixed on the edge of the forest. The light was fading, casting shadows that would trick all eyes but an elf's. Something seemed to move, like the wisp of a cape caught in a summer's breeze.

"Come on Legolas!" Boromir waved from the fireside.

Legolas sighed and turned his back to the forest's edge. It would have to wait.

My body slacked from its rigid position. The elf was suspicious. I turned back to my four companions.

"The elf is suspicious," I reported, "Dusk is almost near. Do not make a sound or movement that would arouse more suspicion."

"Sorry sir," one of the elves in green apologized, "It won't happen again."

"No need for apologies Kirodade," I frowned, "We learn from mistakes, isn't that right Dadenui?"

The identical elf in green snapped to attention from his resting-place, his twin staring down at him.

"Yes, we learn from mistakes," he echoed.

I nodded in satisfaction, and turned back to the fellowship. Shadows played the trees, the fire glowing like a beacon. Dusk was coming fast, and soon came the time to attack.

"Kirodade and Dadenui, you cover the halfings on the right side," I instructed, pointing down at the four halfings, "Lundril and Nohrun, take the side with the two men and the wizard."

"Where shall we seek you Reluki?" Nohrun asked, her light blonde hair clearly visible in the shadows.

"I shall take the dwarf and elf," I smiled, drawing my hood, signaling for the others to follow suit, "Wait for the my word before becoming noticeable. Move now, and take caution, for they are wary of our presence."

We fanned out, the greens and browns blending into the leaves and trees. Avoiding twigs and stones, I used the shadows as stepping stones, the leaves cushioning my boots. The fellowship was talking quietly, enough to mask any noise we did happen to make. The elf sat silently, making my steps more precise and planned.

Our attack was going well.

The golden haired prince sat silent, feeling eyes on his back. Something was not right, somebody was watching.

"Who have been silent all night now Legolas," Frodo called out, breaking the prince's concentration, "Pray tell us what is on your mind."

"Somebody is watching us," Legolas whispered, the nine companions growing quiet, "I can feel them."

The fire's embers popped, no one speaking a word.

"You elves are always saying something about feeling watched," Gimli protested, standing up in annoyance, "There is nothing in these
woods that a good fire won't keep away!"

"Think again Master Dwarf," a cold voice said behind Gimli and Legolas, "You are under siege in the name of Aludril."

The fellowship turned to face a single archer, the shaft of their bow knocked and drawn. The owner was dressed in a series of tunic, tan in
color. A hood covered the stranger's face, and only the red wood of the bow could be seen clearly. Gloves with the fingers removed and half
the palm gone gripped the bow, ready to let it go.

"Who are you, and what do you want?" Aragorn asked softly, drawing his sword.

"You heard me the first time sir," the archer repeated, "You are under siege in the name of Aludril."

"If we're under siege, shouldn't there be more than one person?" Merry piped from in back of Legolas, "I mean, what can you do against
nine of us?"

The archer did not show concern about the statement, only holding their bow tighter.

"Do not make me use violence," the archer ordered, "You are on Aludril territory, you are therefore trespassers."

"We shall not be taken prisoners by a mere archer," Gimli scowled, drawing his axe closer.

"Archers Come!" the bowsman shouted, the cry echoing through the trees.

Two archers appeared from the shadows behind the hobbits, both dressed and hidden in green tunics. Aragorn, Boromir, and Gandalf were
met with two archers also, one with a dark green hood and cloak, one in dark brown.

"Well, I give up!" Pippin said after a moment, "They're to tall for me."

Legolas drew his bow, pointing his at the archer in front of him.

"Gandalf?" Aragorn looked at the wizard, "What shall we do?"

Before the aged wizard could speak, Boromir drew his sword, his eyes glittering with the fire of battle. The movement alerted the two archers,
their bowstrings growing tighter.

"Put away your weapons, we are not afraid to shoot," the tan archer commanded.

Boromir did not reseath his sword.

"Aragorn, we should fight for our freedom," Boromir insisted, "We outnumber them."

"How can you threaten us when you outnumber us?" Aragorn asked, his attention the archer in tan.

"Kirodade," the tan archer called out, one of the archers guarding the hobbits head snapping to attention, "Grab one of them."

The green archer nodded, and quick as a flash grabbed the one nearest him.

"Let Master Frodo go!" Sam cried out, drawing his sword as well.

"Do not step nearer halfing," the archer with Frodo commanded, drawing an arrow to the ringbearer's neck, "Or he shall pay for your
mistake."

"I guess we have but no choice than to surrender," Gandalf sighed, "Put your weapons away Legolas, Sam, Boromir."

The three reluctantly put there weapons away, each eyeing one archer or another.

"I am glad you do not choose violence," the tan archer commented, a hint of amusement in their voice, "Kirodade, Dadenui, take the
hobbits. Lundril, Nohrun, take the men and wizard. I shall take these two."

"Where are we taking them?" the archer in brown asked, slinging their bow over their chest and putting their arrow away.

"To Aludril, Nohrun," the tan archer said.

"Pack your belongings up tight," the archer in dark green ordered, "The village begins thirty strides from here, but we must climb the wall."

"Wall? What wall?" Pippin asked.

"Silent halfing," one of the archers in green growled.

The fire was out and things were loaded until the fellowship was ready. The archers stood silently, watching from beneath their cloaked faces.

"Company move out," the tan archer ordered, and the fellowship started on their way to an unknown place.