2. chapter: Rain
Legolas awoke feeling warm and comfortable, his head was resting on Rozarko's chest, he could clearly hear his heartbeat beating steadily. Legolas did not really know for how long he lay there, letting his mind drift, listening to the rain drop on the window, the steady beat of the heart just under his ear. Legolas turned his head to look at the window, the curtains was drawn, but he could faintly see the son outside. It was still early, he had a couple of hours before he had to be at the council meeting.
Rozarko started to stir, circling his arms around Legolas and holding him closer to him. Legolas smiled, and lifted his head to meet his eyes.
"Goodmorning" Rozarko breathed.
"You look… content" Legolas said with a wry smile.
Rozarko just smiled as answer, but the smile faded as they both heard footsteps running down the corridor, followed by a quick knock on the door.
"Are you two decent?" came Girion's voice.
"More or less" Rozarko answered, throwing the sheet over them.
Legolas rose from Rozarko's chest as he adjusted the sheet, just as Girion peeked around the door. Seeing that they indeed were, more or less decent, he quickly entered and closed the door behind him.
"What is it?" Legolas asked, getting into business mode.
"The rain has caused the forest river to flood" Girion told, "the delegation from Lorien is in trouble, they can not cross it. We are requested to ride out and aid as soon as possible".
He looked from Legolas to Rozarko, and back again.
"Can you two be ready in half an hour?" he grinned.
"Get out!" Rozarko growled as he tossed a pillow after the younger elf, hitting him right in the face. Girion just laughed as he sneaked around the door and closed it firmly behind him.
o0o
Legolas skillfully guided his horse and team through the forest. The rain was once more pouring down, leaving the ground underneath the hooves of the horses muddy, deep, muddy puddles shaped the forest floor. As they neared the forest river, the puddles became bigger and deeper. Suddenly a tree in the distance crashed and tumbled over. Legolas stopped his horse, listening to the forest.
Water suddenly came chasing towards them, taking down young and even older trees on its way. Legolas turned his horse sharply to the left, his team close by, racing for higher grounds.
Further beneath them, the water crashed by, leaving destructions in its way. Twisting arounds rock, clefts and trees, the elves made it as quickly as they could towards the forest river. Before them, the ground suddenly disappeared, Legolas stopped his horse abruptly. He looked stunned before him, the banks of the river had fallen because of the heavy rain, and the deep ravine had become even wider. Legolas looked to his right, the ground was flooded, the water gushing into the forest. To their left the ravine became a bit more narrow, and Legolas moved his team that way.
Legolas and his team left their horses and vent for the trees, soon they found a way to cross the river ravine by jumping from a tree on one side, to a tree on the other.
He ran through the trees as if orcs were cashing him, stopping from time to time to use birdcalls and listen to the forest, but there was no answer. Legolas had divided his team, told them to spread out in search of the Lorien delegation.
Rozarko bumped into Legolas' back when the prince once more suddenly stopped, Legolas did not even turn around to look at him, but seemed to be listening quite intense to the forest. Soon Rozarko heard it too, elven voice right head, down river, and they sounded almost panicked.
Legolas rushed forward at an even higher speed, jumping from branch to branch, twisting around trunks. Not long after they saw the Lorien delegation, they had searched for higher grounds, only a narrow escape to the north, towards the place Legolas and his team had crossed the river.
Legolas spotted Haldir, the Lorien marshwarden. He jumped from one branch to another, before he whistled to get Haldir's attention. The blond Lorien archer looked up to she the young prince right above him.
"There is a narrow path north of here" Legolas told loud and clear over the noise of the rain.
His eyes then locked with the beautiful, brown eyes of Ruviana, she looked frightened up at him, her horse scared and jumping from side to side. He sensed her silent plea, and felt at his chest seemed to tighten at the fought of her in distress. Without further thought, he jumped down from the branch and landed on her brown horse right behind her, circling one arm around her waist to take the rains, and the other smoothed her hair away from her neck. He felt as the immediately relaxed, only to be tense at his touch, but it was another kind of tenseness, one he welcomed. He planted a short, soft kiss on her cheek, "hello, my lady" he whispered before he turned her horse around skillfully, the mare seemingly more relaxed and focused.
With a nod from Haldir that they were ready to follow, Legolas spurred the horse into a galop, and guided it around the rocks and trees. The Lorien delegation quickly followed, watching as more elves came running through the trees to guide them towards even higher ground, and towards the ravine with the river running in the bottom.
Once at the ravine, Legolas jumped off Ruviana's horse, taking the rope Anglond was handing him, and tied it to an arrow before he shot it across the gab. The arrow imbedded itself firmly in a tree on the other side, and Cyan was already jumping from branch to branch, landing near the tree on the other side before he took the rope, and securely bound it around the trunk. Legolas had tied the other end of the rope around a trunk on his side of the ravine. Legolas then tied another rope to an arrow and shot it again, this rope was tied around the same two trees, just a little higher.
Then Kaleth ran across the rope, using the lowest to walk on, and the higher one to grab with a hand. Haldir stayed at the edge with Legolas, guiding his elves across, as Legolas elves used the trees to cross the ravine. Soon only Haldir, Ruviana and Legolas was left. Legolas then walked out on the rope, and with one hand he held on to the rope, and the other the used to guide and steady Ruviana as she balanced herself on the thin rope. Haldir was on her other side, steading her too.
She was a bit unsteady on the rope, but more because she was scared than off-balance. Legolas kept a hand on her as he slowly made his way across the rope. Suddenly her foot slipped, and she would had fallen into he river below them if Legolas and Haldir not had kept a firm hold on her arms.
She shrieked at first, but Legolas and Haldir quickly pulled her up again. She almost flung herself at Legolas, holding around his neck, pressing her head into his shoulder. Legolas kept one arm securely around her waist, as he steadily made it the rest of the way.
Once on safe ground, she still held on to him like her life depended on it. He chuckled softly as he stroked her back.
"We are over" Legolas told her softly, and watched as she slowly looked up and around herself.
Legolas guided her towards his horse, and with strong arms lifted her up on the magnificent steed. The rest of his team too shared their horses with the Lorien delegation, luckily, they had just enough. Legolas jumped up behind Ruviana, took the rains and then guided them through the forest towards the stronghold, and away from the flooding.
o0o
"How bad it is?" Thranduil asked Legolas as he stood before his father in the throne room.
"Bad enough" Legolas told, "the river had flooded more than I have ever seen it. Trees had tumbled over, and the water came crashing into the forest".
Thranduil looked thoughtful, "I have already ordered evacuation of all elves in a five-mile radius of the river and the flooding" Thranduil told, "do you think that is enough?".
"As for now" Legolas told, "but if the rains continue, we better evacuate more".
Thranduil nodded, "make sure there a teams on standby, ready to ride out and evacuate even more if necessary. Also send out teams to keep track on the flooding, and keep them reporting where and how much the flooding is".
"I will" Legolas told as he bowed elegantly, turning around and leaving the throne room.
The stronghold was filling with elves from the forest, and servants ran back and forth to make rooms ready for them. Legolas moved through the crowds of elves, and towards the rooms where the captains vacated. It was near the exit to the training grounds and the barracks just outside. Legolas walked into office, two captains was inside, sitting at the table in the middle, writing what Legolas assumed to be their report. They both at first looked up casually, but then their faced turned stunned as they all but elegantly jumped to their feet and bowed.
"My Prince" the one with dark brown hair said, "how can we be at service?".
Legolas looked from him to the other, he recognized them as Merkilar, captain of the tenth team, and Tipora, captain of the fourteenth team. Then he looked at the wall to his left, where a huge blackboard was hung, showing all of the teams, and where they were.
"How many teams are on standby?" Legolas asked, seeing that the board had not been updated, his team was still placed as on duty.
"Three, my prince, the tenth, fourteenth and twenty" Tipora said as he walked up to stand beside Legolas, a little intimidated by his mood.
"How many of duty?" he then asked as he corrected the information on the board, moving the teams around.
"Seven" Tipora told.
"Witch one?" Legolas asked coldly.
"The second, fourth, eleventh, nineteenth, twenty two, twenty nine, thirty five and forty one".
Legolas nodded as he once again moved the teams around, updating the board. He moved all the teams of duty to be on standby, including his own.
"Why have this not been updated?" Legolas said, turning shortly to meet Tipora's eyes.
"Ehm" the older captain stammered, looking back at Merkilar for help, the blond captain took pity on his friend and rose to stand beside them.
"We just returned this morning, my prince" Merkilar told, "is has been rather busy around here with the flooding and heavy rain".
"I know" Legolas said, turning to meet Merkilar's eyes, "we have just started evacuating, and therefore, I need to know what teams are available if, or rather when, we need to evacuate at a larger radius. That's why this" Legolas slapped his hand at the board, "needs to be updated at all times!".
With that said, he turned and left the room, going outside into the rain, over the past the training grounds and into the barracks, where he knew the other captains would be.
Sure enough, inside he found the captains and teams of duty, they all looked up as their prince and commander walked inside.
"You have all been moved of duty to stand by" Legolas told them, "I need one team to go into the forest and keep track of the flooding, and reporting back on its cause".
Valronen, captain of the twenty nine team, stood, "we can be ready in an hour, my prince" he offered proudly.
Legolas smiled gently, "thank you" he then turned to the others, "stay ready if needed. We may have to evacuate even further if this keeps on going".
o0o
As suspected, he found his team in their headquarter, gathered around the oval table in the meetingroom, papers was gathered on the table, along as a huge map. They were already trying to keep track on the flooding. When Legolas entered, they all looked up.
"Any new of the progress of the flooding?" Anglond asked.
"No" Legolas told, "elves in a five mile radius from the river are being evacuated. I have put all team at home on stand by, including you" Legolas told, looking at them with a pointed stare, "the twenty nine team is riding out within the hour to keep track on the flooding".
"What about the teams still out there?" Gilthron asked.
"They are evacuating the rest of the elves" Legolas told, "and those at the border keeps patrolling, there have not been reported any flooding there".
Anglond nodded, taking a paper and reading it over.
"We will try our best to keep track on the flooding" Anglond told, "as well as the whereabouts on all teams".
"I thought that was my job" Legolas grinned.
"Well, then we will help you" Anglond smiled, "as long as we are not to ride out".
Legolas nodded and settled down at the table as well, taking a paper from the stack and reading the report. Falael had ran to the barracks, telling the captains that all report regarding the flooding was to be sent to the first team's headquarter.
A knock sounded on the door before it opened and Valronen walked inside, already wet from the rain.
"We are ready to ride out, my prince" he said with a quick, but elegant bow.
Legolas nodded, "make haste, but be careful, the trees are tumbling over out there".
"We will be careful" Valronen promised, "we hope to have the first report back here within three hours".
Legolas nodded and dismissed the captain.
o0o
A little more than three hours went by before the first report was coming in, the flooding had moved even more out, threatening a settlement to the east. Legolas had hung the map on the wall of the first teams meetingroom, and drew the flooding on it, as well as the settlements evacuated, and those still out there. He drew the position of all teams as well, and moved them around as the reports kept flying in.
"Anglond" Legolas called, his second in command coming to stand right behind him, "tell the fourth team to ride out to this location" Legolas pointed at a settlement on the map, "tell them to evacuate the settlement".
"Yes captain" he said with a quick bow and then ran off in search of captain Elarus.
Legolas breathed deeply as he watched the map he had created, watched as the flooding came closer to the stronghold and palace. Ten minutes later, Anglond told that the fourth team was riding out.
Suddenly the door burst open, Legolas whipped around, his entire team grabbed their weapons. In the door stood a guard from the stronghold, breathing heavily as if he had run quickly, which he probably had.
"The river before the stronghold" he told, "its water is rising fast".
Legolas wasted no time and ran after the guard towards the stronghold, through its many corridors and staircases, until he was at the main entrance, with the Stonebridge over the river. Legolas' team came up behind him, and looked just as chocked at the water below them.
"Close and seal the gates on this side" Legolas told, "keep them the others open".
As Legolas moved inside and watched as the gates as seal, another guard came running.
"The waters under the stronghold is rising as well" he told, looking frightened.
"Evacuate the lower levels" a strong and regal voice sounded from behind the guard, Legolas was relieved to se his father there, "keep the water gates as open as they can, open the emergency water gates as well, that should keep most of the water at bay".
The guard looked relieved as well, bowed to both king and prince before bolting off to the lower levels of the stronghold.
"I might say" Thranduil said as Legolas came into steps with him, "that you are handling this extremely well, and even feel a little redundant".
Legolas chuckled, "that was not my intentions".
Thranduil chuckled as well while giving Legolas a few claps on the shoulder, "I know, you are just shoving remarkable leader skills".
Legolas moved his maps and reports to the king's office as the rain was making the grounds extremely muddy, and all worriers was moved from the barracks, and into the stronghold as well. Legolas had just drawn a new line of the flooding from Valronen's last report when Anglond entered the office.
"Legolas" he said with a voice that made Legolas turn around quickly, looking his second in command straight in the eyes, "Elarus' team have not yet made it to the settlement".
"When where they to arrive?" Legolas asked urgent.
"Two hours ago," Anglond told, "I have tried to get word to them with the falcons, but haven't heard anything at all. We are ready to ride out in search of them" he offered.
"Go" Legolas said reluctant, then turning to Girion, "go find Tipora".
Girion nodded as he ran from the office in search of the captain, Legolas then turned back to Anglond, walking forth until he stood right before the cinnamon brown haired elf, his steel gray eyes almost seemed to pierce Legolas. With a gentle hand, Legolas placed his hand on the back of Anglond's head, resting his forehead against his.
"Be careful out there" he whispered, "and please find them".
"We will" Anglond promised, closing his eyes for a moment.
Then the contact broke, and with a short, but elegant bow, Anglond left the office.
Legolas then turned to his father, who were standing beside his desk, looking a but pale. With a few steps Legolas stood before him, placing a hand on his cheek, getting his attention.
"I'm so sorry" Legolas whispered emotional.
Something snapped inside Thranduil at those few words, and he took both of Legolas' hands, holding them gently.
"You only did what you had to" Thranduil told, looking Legolas straight in the eyes, "this it not your fault, you were leading your worriers, and doing the best to protect out people and home".
Legolas nodded, trying to make sense of his father's words, but still felt as if he held some of the blame.
It wasn't often Legolas sent his team out without him, but when he did, he felt awful, worrying almost sick if something would happen to them. He knew they were the best, he knew they were more than capable defending themselves, and he trusted Anglond not only with his own life, but the lives of his closest friends and team.
Hours went by, and reports kept rolling in on the flooding, it had almost reached the settlement by now, and Legolas had even sent out yet another team to evacuate more settlements. The flooding of the river before the stronghold was kept at bay by the sealed off gates. All emergency water gates in the stronghold had been open, allowing the massive amount of water to flow out through many tunnels and underground rivers. The many waterfalls of the stronghold and palace was falling with even more water, and some passageways had been closed off because of the water. The lower levels had been evacuated, and all people inside had been given quarters around the stronghold.
A knock sounded on the open door, and both king and prince turned away from the maps and report to look at the elf standing in the door. Thranduil dropped the paper he had been holding and ran to embrace his son. Legolas looked stunned at the captain standing next to him.
"Captain Elarus" Legolas said regally, "you were reported missing".
"I heard" Elarus said with regret, "we managed to evacuate the eastern settlement, they are safe within the stronghold".
"What happened?" Legolas asked a bit urgent.
"The flooding was far more worse than we had thought, and we were forced to move north around it, keeping at higher ground and taking a longer route".
"Why did you not report back?" Legolas asked.
"We did" Elarus told, "but we never heard back".
"Then the falcons may not have arrived" Legolas stated, "we received one from the settlement saying that you were to arrive hours ago, but had not yet arrived. I have sent the first team out in search of you".
"We did not meet the first team, commander" Elarus said with remorse.
Legolas breathed deeply before he turned around, walked to the double balcony doors, and opened them. The rain was still pouring down, but he didn't care. He turned for the first tree he saw, and jumped off the balcony and into its branch. He placed a gentle hand on the trunk, placing his forehead against it as well.
"Will you give my team a massage?" Legolas asked inside his mind, a soft, white light glowed from him an into the tree.
Yes Legolas head the tree answer at it rustled its leaves gently.
"My team in on the way to the eastern settlement, tell them to return home, the people are safe".
The tree hummed as it once more rustled it leaves.
The massage it on its way the tree told, and Legolas breathed relieved, thanking the tree sincerely.
Now Legolas just hoped they got his massage in time, and would be able to return home safely.
