Just a sneak peak at what is to come!

"It's dark here," Thaladir said, fingers tapping at his chest. "I don't like it. It doesn't sit well."

Crouched to the ground, Legolas didn't answer. He let his hand stray to the weight in his own chest as he looked at the tracks. Before Gollum's footsteps had been clear even among the orc tracks but now they were barely a smear in the dust below dead leaves.

"Legolas," Thaladir continued, "We should turn back. We are too few to be so deep in the forest."

But Legolas shook his head, eyes trained on the ground. "We cannot. Who knows what this creature has already told the enemy of our realm. We cannot risk leaving him with the orcs."

Suddenly, a twig snapped far above and Legolas froze, slowly he moved his hand from the ground to his bowstring where an arrow sat loose.

A low hiss and a moment later a spider dropped from above, hairy legs flaring, reaching. Legolas ducked and rolled, drawing an arrow and shooting. The spider screeched in pain, rearing back before lashing out in a vain attempt at revenged as Legolas dodged it.

"Spiders!" Thaladir called. And they hoped his voice would carry back to the others. 

To be continued...

Credit for the wonderful cover goes to @Stars_Alight. Hannon le, Mellon!