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My breath came in ragged gasps as I finally slowed to an unsteady trot. We had been caught unawares, the night had been cool and the trees had spoken of no danger, but apparently our foe is strong enough even to fool the ancient trees of the forest. I stumbled and collapsed against the cool bark of a tree as reality took hold on to my body and I succumbed to tears. My friends, my brothers in arms, were gone, all gone.
Flashback
"Legolas we should stop for the night. It has grown late and the evening star has climbed high in the sky already." my second in command Andaer advised, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"I feel as if there is a threat, but I cannot distinguish it, also the trees seem to not sense anything. It is as if they are in a waking dream." I replied apprehension coloring my voice.
"That may be my prince, but it is better for us to be rested and light as a summer rain when danger comes, rather than tired and as slow as the trees."
I smiled at the comparison and sighed contentedly.
"May folly come to those how do not heed your wise counsel mellon nin. Once again you have flaunted your annoying ability to spout practical wisdom when my heart tells otherwise."
"It is a gift of mine, isn't it?" Andaer replied laughingly, "I trust you already have a place in mind penneth?"
"You dare doubt my powers in the woods of Eryn Lasgalen? I demanded feigning irritation "of course I have a place in mind!"
"Then pray tell dear prince."
"It is a small glen about three furlongs away from here it is well sheltered and has a stream running through it."
"Well what are we waiting for?" Andaer demanded cheerily, "company mount up!"
This was our regular patrol, so they reacted immediately and without complaint. The horses being used to being out on patrol quickly and quietly moved into a comfortable, but ground covering jog and we arrived to the glen under five minutes leaving us with enough time to set up the camp, and fish for our dinner, which has always been very time consuming when it comes to this patrol. I had cornered a glistening trout, and failed to notice until it was too late several pairs of arms lift me into the air.
"You look hot, Legolas, let us help cool you down." Offered Andaer as I struggled to twist out of my friends grip.
"No 'Daer! I am just fine, actually I feel a bit of a chill coming on. You guys know my father would be very disappointed if his only son got injured because of a cold he caught while on patrol with the ones he calls his friends." I reasoned.
"You really think that he's going to fall for that?"
"No, but it was worth a try."
"Next time try someone that I'm really afraid of."
"I will do anything for you if you say that in front of my father."
"Here's my answer." Andaer replied as they tossed me into the chilly stream.
Even with centuries of being an elven warrior I couldn't keep myself from yelping from the shock of hitting the water. Suddenly a foul stench filled the air as the horses took off and the trees trembled.
'Run! Flee! They are coming! You must flee from this place! Run now!' The trees cried out.
'What? Who are they?' I demanded in my thoughts.
The trees convulsed in terror one more time before becoming deathly still. They came out of nowhere. They were as lethal as they were graceful, their blades sung as they sunk into the flesh of my companions. I could do nothing as I sat there in water there in shock of their ruthlessness and was almost smite in two if it had not been for Andaer. The breath was ripped from my lungs as my friend became a dead weight.
A dead weight.
"Andaer! No!" I cried.
He gave me a shaky smile. "Run my brother; do not let us die in vain. Listen to the trees, they will guide you."
"No! Come with me I can get you help in Rivendell. I-"
"No, only you can get away," A wet cough shook his frame and blood stained the water and his lips an unearthly black, "Take my sword, I will no longer need it."
"Please 'Daer, please don't leave me."
"I am sorry my brother, I go to Mandos now. Go…"
His eyes glazed over into an unseeing dream and his body went limp. For the first time I noticed the river running black with my friends blood. With a chocked sob I took his sword and dashed into the night.
End Flashback
As the morning sun rose to dry the dewy earth my tears dried as well. I may have not died with my friends that night, but I could avenge their murders. Taking Andaer's sword I placed it into my own scabbard and ran on swift feet into the waking forest.
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