CHAPTER TWO
The Lonely Mountain stood alone in the east of Middle-earth where the Dwarves founded the kingdom of Erebor. It was later destroyed by the dragon Smaug, and refounded by Thorin Oakenshield II. They live deep within the mountain, cherishing their jewels, and are not very hospitable to strangers. And, as history would have it, Elves and Dwarves aen't the best of allies.
Legolas turns to Guilen. "Whatever you do…do not do anything stupid," he says in a serious tone.
"What? Me?" he looks offended. "It is Bohlen who is looking for a battle!"
Bohlen just smiles. "Yes, but who usually gets into them first?"
"A likely story," Guilen grumbles under his breath.
Legolas looks around. "Stay alert. All of you."
Nasalos knows that was directed towards him and keeps his hand firmly on his sword. "The silence here is somewhat…peculiar," he comments. "Not a single animal in sight either."
"That is because we are being watched," Athlor answers, his eyes darting all over the mountain.
"Wha…?" Nasalos turns his head in every direction possible.
Athlor rides up beside him and squeezes his bottom jaw to turn his face back to the front. "Do not look so conspicuous if you want to stay alive," he says in a firm whisper. Nasalos gives a short nod that he understands.
"Maybe we shouldn't have skipped out on your training lesson after all," Guilen smirks.
"What do you mean?" Nasalos asks nervously.
Guilen looks at him and smiles. "I have detected at least three Dwarves hidden in the mountain tops."
Up in the mountains are rocky pathways with bushes and trees. It is easy enough to hide and strike at an enemy without them knowing. Nasalos's eyes aren't trained to look for things that aren't so obvious to the naked eye so he doesn't see what the rest of the elves see.
They halt their horses after hearing rocks rolling down the hillside.
Bohlen and Athlor turn their horses around and get their weapons ready, but no one is there. More rocks begin to slide in other parts of the mountain until the elves are positioned in different formations. Four, burley looking Dwarves finally jump down from their hiding places, looking grim at their trespassers.
"My mistake…it was four," Guilen recounts.
"You dare show your kind again in our region?" One of the Dwarves asks in a harsh tone. "You should know your kind is not welcomed here!"
"We do not mean to cause you trouble, Master Dwarf," Legolas replies politely, slowly getting off his horse and bowing. His actions make the Dwarves move quickly into a fighting position. "We only ask permission to pass through your domain to reach our next destination."
"And why should we let you pass and not kill you on site?" another Dwarf asks, sounding just as rude as the first.
"I am Prince Legolas Greenleaf from the realm of Mirkwood, a friend of Gimli, son of Glóin. We fought together in the War of the Ring."
"So, you are the elf-prince that fought with the Lord of the Glittering Caves?" He examines him suspiciously. Guilen and Bohlen exchange quick glances at Gimli's title. It is the first time they've heard of it.
"Yes. He was a very dear friend of mine before he passed from these lands," Legolas nods, the sorrow genuinely visible on his face.
"How do we know this is not a trick?"
Legolas thinks for a moment and takes something from the pouch tied to his horse. "If you know the story, Gimli gave the prince something precious that belonged to him to show his loyalty as a comrade." He unfolds the cloth and shows them the Nauglamír necklace that he brought along, which he figures would come in handy.
"The Necklace of the Dwarves!" they exclaim. They talked amongst themselves in their Dwarvish tongue, the language of their people, before addressing the elves again.
"Come with us. The king can decide what to do with you," the first Dwarf replies.
The prince puts the necklace back in the pouch and mounts his horse. He signals the rest of the Mirkwood Elves to follow cautiously behind them.
"Lord of the Glittering Caves?" Guilen asks Legolas curiously.
Legolas nods with a grin. "After the One Ring was destroyed, Gimli led a party of the Dwarves of Erebor to the Glittering Caves of the White Mountains in the realm of Rohan. Gimli became known as the Lord of the Glittering Caves after founding a colony there," he explains.
"Ah, yes…in Aglarond," Bohlen nods.
The Dwarves make them leave their horses outside and lead them into the Lonely Mountain. Torches are positioned on the cavern walls to light their way. One of the Dwarves takes a torch and hands it Legolas while taking one for himself. "The caverns get darker the deeper you travel into the mountain. Since you elves are not used to seeing in the dark like us, you will most likely end up getting lost within our passageways," he smirks.
After multiple turns and wooden walkways they pass, the company finally comes across a room that looks like a grand hallway meant for the king and his court. There are many Dwarves there, shocked to see the Firstborn standing before them. Every Dwarf gets his weapon ready.
"Why do you bring more of these creatures into my halls, Rundin?" asks the king. He is sitting on his throne with a piece of steak in his hand. He throws it down on the plate and licks his fingers. Nasalos makes a disgusted look with his eyes that he tries to hide.
"My Liege, this elf claims he knew Gimli, son of Glóin," Rundin answers. "They are asking permission to pass through our mountain."
"And what is your name, Master Elf?" he leans forward from his seat, eyeing him.
"I am Prince Legolas Greenleaf, friend of Gimli, who is known as the Elf-friend among my people," Legolas bows.
"I am Thorin Oakenshield the Second and ruler of these lands," he says. "Gimli was a great warrior—very brave and known throughout our kingdom."
"Yes, he was very courageous. I feel honored fighting alongside him."
"Story has it that he received a wound on his shoulder from fighting one of the Uruk-hais on your journey to Rohan. The wound was so deep that it took almost a week to heal. Some say that it could have ended his life. Is this true?" asks the Dwarf-king.
"The wound Gimli received was not on his shoulder but across his chest. The blade was dipped in poison that we had to counter before it seeped into his blood stream. Luckily, our fellow companion knew which plant to use that helped him recover quickly. It was only a matter of days before Gimli was back on his feet," Legolas explains.
Thorin brakes out into laughter, very amused by his story. "Well done, Master Elf!" he claps. "You are my cousin's trusted friend," he smiles.
"Cousin?" asks Nasalos.
"Yes," he nods. "His father was my mother's brother. Only the Dwarves of Erebor know that story. I had to be sure you were who you say you are, Prince Legolas. There are many of your kind that is still distrustful," he grimaces for a brief moment then changes his features back into a lighter expression. "Prepare a banquet!" he orders. "Any friend of the Lord of the Glittering Caves is a friend of ours!"
A long table was brought in with different kinds of food for the elves. Legolas tells his warriors to sit down and enjoy themselves as to not seem rude with the Dwarf-king's hospitality. He also advises that this will probably be the only real meal they'll have on their journey. "Eat hearty before we continue," he says.
"Are we sure that this food isn't poisonous?" Bohlen whispers to Athlor so low that only the elves can hear. He is also looking at the Dwarves horrid table manners in disgust.
"Only one way to find out," his brother answers back with the same look on his face. They watch while Guilen scarfs down everything on his plate.
"What?" Guilen looks at them with their judging eyes. "He said to eat hearty!"
Nasalos takes smaller bites of his food, rolling his eyes at Guilen's own table manners.
Legolas discreetly shakes his head at his Elves while he converses with the king. "My King, you had a made a comment earlier that I was wondering if I could ask about?"
"Yes, yes," he says as he calls a servant over for more wine.
"You mentioned my kind being distrustful. You didn't happen to run across any other Elves within the last few days have you?"
Thorin takes an angry bite out of his drumstick. "Those thieving Elves!"
"I'm guessing you have then…" The prince nods.
"A caravan of Elves came through our mountains close to three days ago, offering us gold and shiny jewels if we let them camp out in our territory for a night. They had a female Elf with them. At dawn they stole the gold and jewels back along with some from our caves before they left," he slams his wine goblet down on the table. "That is why we do not trust your kind! The Elves think they are better than all the other races because they came into being first—the Firstborn—when they are nothing but thieves and liars!"
The Dwarves roar in agreement, slamming down their own wine goblets. "How do we know you are not with them?" a Dwarf calls out. Thorin carefully takes the question into consideration, glaring at the Elves. It now becomes a sensitive subject that Legolas has to be careful about, especially with his words.
"King Thorin, I assure you that not all of the Elves think that we are better or want to steal from the Dwarves. The King of Mirkwood, my father, and I, believe that all the races of Middle-earth bring a great balance to the Hither Lands. I cannot speak for those you have encountered in the past, but although we have different customs, we respect your ways and your leadership. If it will help put the king at ease, you may also search our belongings before we leave."
Thorin stays silent assessing his offer. He then roars into laughter again, starting a domino effect with the rest of the Dwarves joining in. "Gimli was right. You are the only Elf to be trusted! By my decree, you and your warriors may have safe passage through the Lonely Mountain."
"Thank you, sire," Legolas bows his head.
"Tell me one thing, Master Elf, you are not following these other Elves…are you?" he raises a curious eyebrow.
The Elf-prince stands and straightens his back. "As a matter of fact, we are," he replies. The rest of the Elves become still. They agreed to only give minimal information about their journey. "The Elf-maiden with them is my betrothed and I intend to get her back so we can marry."
The Dwarf-king places a firm hand on his shoulder. "Once you find them, consider the jewels they stole from us as a wedding gift!" he laughs some more with the Dwarves. Legolas thanks him again as they get ready to leave.
"Your betroth?" Nasalos gives the prince an unbelievable look when the Dwarves disperse from the dining hall.
"It gives us safe passage, doesn't it? Besides, I might just be her type…" he winks and walks away with a grin.
Bohlen speaks with the king who gives advice on the quickest way to travel. "Can we continue by horse?"
"No," he waves his hand. "You must eventually abandon your horses. Take the path of Mount Rerir, a peak in the far north of the Blue Mountains, above Lake Helevorn—the cold lands northeast of Beleriand. On the shores of its capital, Caranthir, take a boat that will bring you to the western edge of Eriador."
"Thank you," Bohlen bowes his head. If they can get to their destination quicker, the princess's kidnappers will be easier to track as they close the gap between them.
"Take this," Thorin hands Legolas a small knife. "The Blue Mountains, or the Mountains of Lune, as you call them, is still occupied by Dwarves. This was the knife I used against Smaug when I reclaimed this land, stabbing it in the fire-drake's eye. The Dwarves in the western part of the mountains are not as welcoming as I am. I would not be surprised if they killed on you on sight," he smirks. "This knife should give you safe passage. If not, I am honored in knowing a friend of Gimli, son of Glóin."
I I I
The Elves travel onward to rescue the princess. They take the path the king recommended, passing through Lake Helevorn, enduring the cold and wind until they reach the capital of Caranthir. Here, they abandon their horses and take a boat that brings them to the western edge of Eriador.
"Only take what is necessary," Legolas instructs his Elves. "We no longer have our horses so it's on foot until we get to the princess."
"Unless we can still steal some," Bohlen smiles.
"Dwarves don't ride horses—they're not even tall enough to get on one!" Guilen laughs. "The only horses we can steal will be from the princess's captures."
"I'd be careful about making jokes about the Dwarves," Athlor says as he discards some of his things.
"And why is that?" the Elf crosses his arms.
Nasalos rolls his eyes, "Because we are still in their territory. Do you not remember what King Thorin said?"
"The Dwarves here despise any other race besides their own," Athlor looks around the area. "It's better if we leave the horses out. They will only announce our presence even more."
"Hurry up everyone," Legolas walks around them. "We need to leave before we are seen."
"If we already haven't been detected…" Athlor comments.
Whatever they didn't bring is tied to heavy rocks and thrown into the water, hoping they would sink to the bottom to avoid being traced back to them. The Elves run swiftly on foot and as lithe as possible. Athlor and Guilen follow from the tree tops to evade any surprises. If the Elves are ambushed for some reason, at least the two can free those captured as they hide within the leaves and branches.
After about an hour's time, Bohlen put his hand up to stop them. He examines the dirt and some of the trees in front of him. "They are travelling in that direction," he finally says, pointing east.
"Nasalos, where are they heading?" asks Legolas.
The attendant studies their surroundings and the geography of the area. "It appears they are headed to the Firienfeld, the mountain-field of Dunharrow."
"The flat field of grassland high in the White Mountains?" Guilen asks, jumping down gracefully from the trees. "The road there is not an easy climb. Why would they take it?"
"It's a defensible location," Athlor joins Guilen, appearing next to him. "They could have an advantage there."
"Master Legolas, you don't think that perhaps the Firienfeld isn't the location they are trying to get to?" Nasalos wonders. Legolas slowly nods, looking on with concern.
"What are you talking about?" Bohlen looks at the both of them.
Legolas eventually faces the Elves. "Across the field is a road that leads eastwards into the Dimholt Forest and on to the Dwimorberg, the Haunted Mountain," he speaks. "We need to get to her before they reach that region or we may fail in this mission."
His warriors agree and so does Nasalos, nervously. They pick up their pace and follow the trail to the mountain-field of Dunharrow.
As Guilen says, the climb isn't easy. The road that leads to the field is a steep and difficult path leading up the face of a cliff. The Elves have to take an even more difficult route so that the kidnappers don't suspect them to be right on their heels. They climb the other side of the mountain using ropes and the rocks protruding outward as stepping stones. One wrong move can send anyone one of them plummeting down to their doom.
The Dimholt Forest is the dark woods beneath the Dwimorberg, the Haunted Mountain. From Dunharrow there is an ancient roadway that leads to the east, toward that place and the Paths of the Dead. The dead that dwell beneath it gives the Haunted Mountain its name, but the ranger, Aragorn, later known as King Elessar, allowed them to finally fulfill their oath to his ancestor, and let them rest peace.
Dwimorberg itself is no longer haunted but the forest still carries ancient spirits. Those who enter are never seen again and the ones who manage to escape came out losing their minds. Legolas wants to intercept the kidnappers before they have to enter the forest to make this rescue less complicated than it's already turning out to be.
I I I
"There they are, sire," Athlor points with his head. The kidnappers have their camp set up at the edge of the forest just before the entrance. There are maybe twenty of them all together.
"They won't be going anywhere until the morning. The forest isn't safe during the day, let alone at night," says Legolas.
The Mirkwood Elves are still hidden behind the cliffs when they finally catch up to them. "It looks we'll be setting up camp here…for now. Bohlen, Athlor—go and take a closer look at the princess's new friends, will you?" The bothers smile at each other and subtly disappear into the clearing.
"While they are getting acquainted with our soon-to-be friends, I believe it is time for your first lesson, Bookworm," Guilen picks up his sword.
"N—Now?" Nasalos looks at him then at Legolas.
"Now is as good of a time as any," the prince shrugs with a smile. The attendant slowly stands, taking his sword in his hand. "I am going to search for firewood. In the meantime," he turns to Guilen, "try not to kill him."
"Yes, sire," he grins widely at Nasalos. He charges at him immediately, putting the attendant in defense mode.
Legolas looks back and shakes his head with a smile. He knows Guilen will give Nasalos a good fight and show him what he's doing wrong and how to come at an enemy properly while blocking his attacks. If Nasalos is to survive, he will need to learn to protect himself as they will all need to be on their guards in these lands.
By the time the prince returns with the firewood, Bohlen and Athlor are already there, sitting on some boulders, talking to Guilen who has his blade plunged into the dirt, resting his hands on the handle. Nasalos is leaning against a rock wiping the sweat from his forehead. It looks like Guilen has given him a good workout.
"So what news do you have?" the Elven-prince asks, placing the firewood down.
"Well, as you know, they are Elves, but they don't appear to be from any of the well-known Elven kingdoms," Bohlen replies.
"They must be from a smaller realm and most likely Elves who have turned into thieves, picking up treasures and whatever else they can get their hands on," Athlor adds.
"They all wear a crescent symbol on their outer tunics. The Elf who seems to be the leader also has the marking on his tent," Athlor draws it in the dirt with a stick. "Have you seen this before, sire?" he looks at Legolas who didn't seem to like what he sees.
"That is the crest of the Laiquendi. They are Elves of Ossiriand, Land of the Seven Rivers," Legolas tells them. Ossiriand is another woodland realm to the east of Beleriand, lying between the Mountains of Lune and the River Gelion. The Gelion has six other rivers that run through the land, giving it its name.
"No wonder why they ventured this way. It is close to their old territory," comments Nasalos. "They suffered great losses in the First Battle of the Wars of Beleriand. By the Second Age, the Laiquendi became scattered, hiding their existence, living like nomads throughout Middle-earth. Only a few were willing to seek refuge in other Elven lands while others continued to carry out their resentment on those who did not aid them in their campaign."
"I understand that they are bitter at us for staying out of their quarrels, but that was centuries ago! Why kidnap the princess and wage a possible war with the Hidden City with so few in their battalion?" wonders Guilen.
"Maybe they want to train her to become a female warrior?" Bohlen chuckles.
"Whatever their reasons, we can ask them later. Our mission is to get the princess and return her to her father," Legolas cuts the jokes. "I suspect that they will use the Dwimorberg as their hideout—if they can get through the forest. Once they manage that, no one will dare follow after them."
"Except for us," Athlor smirks.
"If it gets that far, I will enter the forest—alone. I will not risk any of your lives in there."
"You're not serious are you? Going in there alone?" Nasalos looks at Legolas with concern. "Only a few have managed to get out of that forest alive."
"Well, you know me…" he gives Nasalos a crooked grin, "I could never say no to an adventure."
"More like a suicidal mission!" Nasalos exclaims. "I cannot let you go in there, especially not by yourself, Master Legolas. Your father will be very displeased if you do not return!"
"Apparently, you do not know my father," he mumbles, patting his shoulder. "He is always displeased with something."
"He's right though, sire," Athlor speaks. "You cannot go into the forest alone. Even if you manage to rescue the princess on your own, the forest is tricky. The spirits in there will give you no mercy. And if not for the spirits, the creatures that roam in that area will make sure you do not escape."
"That is why I am going with you," Bohlen stands. "This is the first real battle we are going to have on this mission and it would selfish of you, sire, to not let me participate," he says with some humor in his voice.
Legolas grins, eventually agreeing with a nod of his head. "I never could keep you from enjoying a good fight."
"And I will be the first to start it!" Guilen raises his Elven-blade.
"You are all mad!" Nasalos throws his head back in disbelief, having a hard time with what he's hearing.
"Yes, they are," Athlor agrees, also standing. "And that is what makes us Mirkwood warriors," he grins at the attendant.
"You do not have to go, Nasalos," Legolas tells him. "You may stay here and keep watch. If we do not return by dawn, go back to Mirkwood and tell my father of what has happened here. And attach my apologies with it."
Everyone is looking at him for an answer. He looks at each Elf, wondering what they are thinking as well. Nasalos contemplates many things, different scenarios, and finally sighs.
"I cannot do that, Master Legolas. Your father appointed me to keep you out of trouble and that is what I plan to do…or at least try. Besides, you said I wouldn't make it back alive on my own," he says in a small voice.
They all smile with a little more respect for him.
"Very well then." Legolas assesses their situation. "Since it looks like I won't be getting rid of any of you that easily," he jokes, "we will wait until they are asleep. Keep all movements light and avoid all casualties if possible. They are still our kinsmen. I will sneak into the princess's tent and rescue her. Guilen, Bohlen, Athlor—you know your standard formations. Nasalos—you will keep an eye out for anything moving in the dark besides us."
"What do I do if I see anything?" he asks.
"Do what you must. All I ask is you try to stay alive," he answers.
Nasalos has no comment.
They work out the rest of the details and wait until the campfires die down. Legolas and his Elves go over their plan several times so that each Elf knows his responsibilities. If for some reason any one of them is captured, the rest are not to act brave. These are direct orders from Legolas. Once the princess is safe, he will go back for his missing kinsmen while the others return her to Gondolin.
When the time comes, they move through the campsite quickly and quietly. They knock the Elves on patrol unconscious with the butts of their Elven blades, gagging them and tying them up with rope. Athlor signals Legolas to move forward to the princess's tent, which is only a few feet away from the leader's.
Cautiously entering, Legolas see there is still a little bit of light left from the candle on the table. It appears the princess is sleeping. He slowly approaches, wanting to be careful and not startle her. He throws the blanket off, ready to muffle her screams with his hand, when he sees that she isn't in the bed. In her place is a disguise of carefully stacked pillows under the blanket.
"Where in Eru's name are you?" Legolas quietly says aloud.
"Looking for someone?" a voice whispers behind him. He turns around and quickly ducks the candle holder that barely misses his head. With one swift motion he has his blade at their throat. The assailant gasps and drops the candle holder on the floor, causing a loud thud as it lands. Legolas takes the burning candle and holds it up to their face.
"Princess…Nadira?" he asks.
"Who are you?"
"I come on behalf of your father."
"What's going on in there?" one of the Ossiriand Elves asks, making his way inside. Legolas blows out the candle, grabbing the princess by the arm, and makes a different exit by slashing a portion of the tent by her bed.
The two Elves tumble outside onto the grass. Legolas quickly gets to his feet and helps the princess so that they can make their escape. "We need to go, right n—" he stops mid-sentence when he finally gets a closer look at her. She is fixing her hair so she can see, removing pieces of grass from her locks.
She has dark, shiny, raven hair that flowed down to her back like a river, with small braids towards the crown of her head. Her fair skin seems to sparkle in the moon's light as her big, blue eyes searches for any other traces of grass on her garment. She finally looks at Legolas when she realizes he's staring at her.
"Are you all right, Master Elf?" she asks.
"Golas," Bohlen clears his throat, "we need to get a move on. The whole camp is awake!" he whispers harshly.
"You can thank the princess for that," Legolas rolls his eyes. Nadira drops her mouth open in protest but gets dragged again before she can say a word.
The three run through the campsite, the two warriors fighting off the Ossiriand Elves. She hides in between Legolas and Bohlen so that she can avoid getting hurt. Guilen and Athlor finally come to their aid, shooting arrows at the enemies, while Nasalos is nowhere to be found.
Legolas and Bohlen split apart to fight off more of the Elves that start to surround them. It's difficult to stay with the princess because they are trying to deflect the attacks while making sure she's safe by fending off her kidnappers. One of the Ossiriand Elves gets Legolas on his back, trying to press his sword against him. He kicks him off as Athlor shoots at arrow through his chest.
The prince rolls on his side and swiftly jumps to his feet. "Where is the princess?" he yells out to the Mirkwood Elves.
"There!" points Guilen. An Elf has scooped her up on his horse, riding off in the direction of the Dimholt Forest. She struggles against him but he's too strong for her. The rest of the Ossiriand Elves follow them inside.
"Dammit!" Legolas kicks the grass beneath his feet. He didn't want the fight to change locations and risk the Mirkwood Elves's lives in there.
"What are we waiting for?" Bohlen asks, but he's already running after them. Athlor is right behind his brother.
"Sire?" Guilen stops half way to find Legolas clearly upset by the outcome. Legolas merely stands there with his hands on his hips. He didn't even want to look in that direction. "Sire, whether you like it or not, we are going in there," he tells him sternly. The prince isn't able to do anything but follow his fellow Elves.
The brothers are waiting for them at the entrance to the forest. "Listen carefully to what I tell you," Athlor begins, "this forest is known for the tricks that it plays with its victim's mind. It will try to use things that are familiar to you to throw you off, make you go deeper into the forest until it kills you. Keep your eyes and ears alert at all times. Most importantly, keep your eyes leveled or to the ground." One by one the Elves nod before they run inside after the Ossiriand Elves.
"Look for the rider. He will have the princess!" Legolas yells out to his companions.
It's dark and eerie inside. An evil mist covers the forest with different creatures making sounds into the night, scurrying all around them. Bushes are shaking and the trees are swaying as if the forest was alive. Within a few minutes, the Ossiriand Elves come out of their hiding and attack the Mirkwood Elves. Legolas sees the rider with the princess and goes after him.
He battles his way with each opponent, ducking and jumping over logs and bushes to get to them. Something big suddenly slams into the prince from the side, throwing his body across the way. It's a large, wild boar-like creature with sharp tusks that is jabbing at him. Before he can get to the princess, he had to kill this animal before it kills him.
I I I
The rider gradually slows his pace, thinking the prince didn't survive the battle. A victorious smirk graces his lips and he continues. "You will never get away with is!" Nadira glowers at him.
"Typical of you to say," he chuckles. "But I think I already have…"
"Says who?" Legolas jumps down from one of the trees, knocking the Elf off the horse, who hits his head on a small rock.
"Master Elf!" Nadira looks relieved.
"Are you all right?" he asks, untying her hands.
"Yes, thank you," she half-smiles.
"We need to get out of this forest." Legolas notices the area getting foggier. "And before your friend here wakes up. C'mon."
By the time they get back to the rest of the Elves, Bohlen just finished his fight with the last Ossiriand Elf. The rest of the Elf's companions are sprawled in different areas on the forest floor.
"You missed a good fight," Bohlen smirks at Legolas.
"Where is Guilen?" he asks. He only see the two brothers. He knows Nasalos is also missing, probably hiding somewhere back at their camp, but Guilen, he lost track of when he went after the princess.
"He went after one of them through there," Athlor answers, pointing with his bow. The forest didn't look any friendlier with shadows moving around. A particular shadow is slowly moving in their direction, a shadow that appears to have two heads.
Legolas has the princess move behind him as he stands there ready to fight. "Ready yourselves," he orders.
The shadow moves closer, limping almost, until it becomes two. The Elves look at the creature confused, not sure what it can be. Suddenly, it reveals itself as Guilen and Nasalos. They all look at each other even more confused. Guilen has his arm slung over Nasalos's shoulders, so the attendant can help him walk. The warrior seems to have gotten into some kind of trouble.
"What happened?" asks the prince.
"Most importantly, where were you?" Bohlen looks at Nasalos's wearied features.
"I was on lookout by one of the tents when the whole campsite suddenly burst awake and everyone was caught in some sort of fight! I was going to charge in and help until one of the beams that fell hit me on the head. I was lying unconscious underneath a tent," he explains, rather embarrassed. "When I woke up, the campsite was empty. I saw you running into the woods so I followed and found Guilen first."
Nasalos set Guilen down on a nearby branch to sit. "After I won the battle with the Ossiriand Elf, something in the forest began to call me. I couldn't help but follow the voice into the fog. Deeper and deeper I went, memorized by the sound. Before I knew it, I had stumbled into a thorny ditch. I was about to lose my grip on the roots until a pair of hands pulled me out," says Guilen. "I am in your debt," he nods at Nasalos.
"So, what happened to you?" Bohlen points to Nasalos's ankle. "Did that happen in a fight?"
"Umm…well, no. Not exactly," Nasalos slouches, looking away. "Something grabbed at my foot and I fell…"
Bohlen explodes into laughter. "Of course only you would be injured by a plant. Really, Nasalos, I wonder sometimes if you are meant to be an Elf."
Nasalos is about to open his mouth to say something in return but Legolas cuts him off. "We don't have time to chit-chat. We need to leave this forest—now. Can you run?" he asks.
"Yes, I believe so," Nasalos answers, testing his ankle.
"Good. Let's go."
"You did well, Bookworm," Athlor pats him on the back then follows their leader.
They are almost at the beginning of the forest making good time. However, the princess suddenly hears her name being called and stops running. None of the Elves seem notice that she's missing so she follows the voice that sounds like her father.
"Father…is that you?" she asks. She thinks she sees a figure that resembles him and continues to chase after it. "Father? Father, please wait!"
Hurry, child, hurry… she hears.
"I'm coming, father!"
Nadira finally slows by a clearing where the mist is heavy and thick. It begins to lighten the farther she walks into it. The figure she was following is finally becoming clearer. She smiles thinking her father has come to rescue her as well.
"Come here, child…"
"Father?" she says, smiling, placing her hand on its shoulder. The figure turns around revealing the undead. It's a skeletal figure of what looks like her father with tattered clothing and boney fingers that grabs at her arms. "Let go of me!" she screams, falling onto the ground.
"Come here, child…" it repeats.
The creature throws her hard on the ground as more skeletal figures appear from the mist, moving closer in her direction. She inches away backwards until she is trapped. Their faces become more hideous and monstrous as they hiss at her. One of them grabs her again and opens its mouth widely to kill her. She closes her eyes from fear when she hears its head shatter.
An arrow has pierced through its skull.
Legolas draws more arrows at the creatures while the other Elves cut them in half with their blades. "Are you hurt?" he asks.
"No…I'm fine," she says, panting frantically.
"C'mon!" he helps her up.
They sprint as the others are already in the field. Almost out of the forest themselves, Nadira falls down. She screams out again as something gets a hold of her leg. One of the undead has their hand around her ankle trying to drag her back inside. Legolas takes out his Elven blade, cuts the hand off, and pulls her with all of his might out into the opening. They both land on their backs as the hand that still grips her ankle turns to dust.
"And you couldn't have done that more gracefully?" she says to Legolas, slowly getting her balance together as Athlor helps her up. She looks at her dress and frowns at the ripped material. "Great," she sighs.
Legolas sits there on the grass, astonished. "Do you also need help, Master Golas?" asks Athlor.
He ignores him and he gets up himself. "Forgive me, princess, that I wasn't able to pry his dead fingers off your ankle in gentler manner as he tried to kill you...again. And yes, I'm glad that you are alive and safe as well, and that risking our lives to save you was not done in vain," he replies sweetly with a hidden bitterness in his tone. He can't believe how ungrateful she seems.
"Who are you?" she asks, eyeing them. "You are not warriors from Gondolin."
"We thought you wouldn't notice," he smiles sarcastically. "We are warriors from Mirkwood sent by your father to return you home."
"Mirkwood Elves? Why in Eru's name would my father send you?" she almost scoffs. "Our Gondolin warriors could have done this task just as easily and would have rescued me much sooner than you."
The Mirkwood Elves raise an eyebrow at her remark.
Legolas continues to smile while keeping his cool. "I'm sure your warriors would have found you sooner or later, however, your safe return means an ally between our kingdoms."
"Do not fret, princess, we are the best warriors Mirkwood has to offer," Guilen smiles proudly.
She looked him up and down. "I'm sure you are," she half-smiles, which brings Guilen's smile down into an insulted frown. "I have a few belongings left at the campsite I need to get before we leave. You," she points to Nasalos, "what is your name?"
"N—Nasalos, milady," he answers. He doesn't look like warrior so she presumes he's some sort of attendant.
"You may gather my things for me. Come," she tells him. Nasalos looks at his fellow comrades with a confused look. "Well, come on then!" she says again. Nasalos hurries to catch up with her.
Bohlen walks up beside Legolas with a smirk. "Charming isn't she?"
"Lovely," Legolas rolls his eyes.
Author's Note: We finally got to meet the princess! Sweet isn't she? Hehe.
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