Chapter Two

It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining through the leaves of the trees and the birds were singing contently amongst them. It was a good day to be walking through the forest Legolas thought. He still couldn't quite believe that he had finished his warrior training and was now on his first official patrol. Ten years of hard work had led to this point and he knew that it was likely to get even harder.

Even at his young age of 750 years, he had grown up with the knowledge that the darkness in his woodland home was growing ever stronger. At some point he would be required to lead his own warriors, it was a thought that made him apprehensiveness. He didn't think he would ever be ready for that.

"Legolas"

His thoughts were interrupted by a voice beside him, looking up he saw Hithon, his mentor and protector.

"Do not become distracted, young one" his mentor said "A lovely day now does not mean that it will stay that way"

"Sorry, Hithon" replied Legolas, kicking himself for being so obviously distracted. He wanted to prove that he was an ideal Mirkwood warrior, but he had to admit that he sometimes found the forest could cause him to lose focus. He had always heard the songs of the trees more than the average Mirkwood elf.

"Do not worry, Legolas" continued Hithon "You have done well so far, and it's okay once in a while to enjoy your surroundings even while on patrol. You just need to acknowledge when you are becoming distracted and return your focus to the task at hand."

Legolas' smiled at his mentor in thanks. When he had first found out that he had been assigned a mentor/protector midway through his warrior training, he had not been pleased. No other of the trainees had one, it was just because he was one of the King's sons and therefore his father believed that he would require extra training and protection. At first he had to admit that he wasn't the best student to Hithon. It had made him feel like his father didn't think he was up to being a warrior. But now that they had been working together for nearly 5 years he had come to acknowledge all the wisdom, experience and knowledge that Hithon provided him had helped him to become what he hoped was a better warrior. He was lucky to have him by his side.

The patrol's task this morning was to search an area of the forest for any signs of the giant spiders which unfortunately had moved into Mirkwood as the darkness fell. So far they had found no signs of the spiders, nor any webs or nests. Legolas had never been to this area of the forest before as it was far to the south-east of his father's stronghold. He had been in the patrol for around a month now but during this time they had kept to the east of the stronghold so this was the furthest he had gone down south.

Earlier this morning, Belelindir the leader of their patrol had shown Legolas, Helediron and Gailon, all inexperienced young warriors who only recently graduated from training, a map of the area that they would be searching. They would follow along the banks of a small river, then climb up onto an embankment, along a cliff then return down to the river via a steep trail near the end of the cliffs. It should only take them about half a day to complete the search all going well.

The patrol was now in the forest that grew along the top of the cliff, about halfway through their task. The trees here were too low and fragile to move about in so the elves were forced to walk on the ground, rather than their normal movement through the trees. Legolas was near the middle of the group, Hithon being on his right side and Helediron was close behind. Each was searching the surrounding forest for any kind of disturbance indicating the presence of Mirkwood's' unwanted guests.

Suddenly Legolas' senses flared in warning as he noticed a change in the song of the trees around them, he slowed trying to figure what had caused the alternations that he could detect. It seemed quiet as if the forest was holding its breath.

"Legolas? What is wrong?" Hithon asked from beside him.

"The birds" Legolas said still peering around, his hands tightening on his bow "They have stopped singing. The forest song has changed, it has gone quiet"

Just as he finished speaking, there was sudden clash of sound all around them, a great crashing that seemed to shake the ground. It seemed to come from every direction. Legolas was looking about trying to find the source when he heard Belelindir shout.

"Warriors, stand ready!"

They could not take to the trees, out of reach of any intruders, so each warrior paired with another and stood back to back, their bows ready. Legolas paired with Hithon as they always did.

"Stay by me, Legolas" Hithon said "It's just another battle. Trust your instincts and your training, and you will be fine"

Before Legolas could respond, there was a blur of movement from the trees and suddenly their enemies were upon them. They were not the giant spiders as Legolas had expected, instead they were Orcs. Large, horrible, dirty Orcs. It surprised him to see them out in the sunlight on a day like today for Orcs would usually hide away from the light and only appeared at night.

In a matter of seconds, the Orcs had reached the elves and the battle began. Arrows started flying as the warriors used their bows to cut down the closest Orcs. Legolas' aim was excellent and none of the enemy came too near to where Hithon and he stood. However the Orcs kept coming and before long he was down to his last arrow. Around him he could hear his fellow warriors begin to cast their bows aside and engage the Orcs with swords and knives.

"Ahhh!" a cry of pain shot through the battlefield.

Legolas twirled about to see Helediron fall to the ground clutching his thigh, blood welling up thru his fingers, above him stood an Orc of immense size, sword swing to strike a blow. The prince quickly drew his bow and fired. The arrow sailed towards the Orc striking it through the eyes, it teetered for a moment, sword still swinging before the beast fell to the side, its sword clattering on the ground. He sighed in relief, seeing Helediron's partner warrior jump in to defend the stricken elf from further attack.

Briefly distracted he had no time prepared as a large weigh slammed into him, knocking him to the ground. His training, however, kicked in and he managed to roll to his feet and move away from the sword stoke aimed towards him. Casting his bow to the side out of harm's way, he drew his twin knives ready for the next attack. It came swiftly, slicing through the air aimed for his side; he twisted and slammed one of his knives into the stomach of the Orc, hearing the air rush from his opponents lungs. The sword dropped from the black hands and the Orc toppled to the ground and after one last grunt, it fell quiet and still.

It was not the first Orc that he had killed with his knives, only a few days into the patrol they had encountered a small group of Orcs out to the east. However he did not think he could ever get use to the sight of the black blood that now darken his hands and knives.

Another Orc was upon him, but again he dodged out of the way and struck back slicing it across the chest. Not waiting to see it fall, he turned to take out the next one, and the next. There was just enough time for Legolas to see Hithon grappling with another, before he was once more shoved off balance as another Orc ploughed into him. The force sent him tumbling to the ground and for a moment he lay there stunned. He could hear noises around him but everything was a blur and any movement seemed to come in slow motion. He tried to raise himself from the ground, but as he got to his knees he felt another blow strike his head, just above his eyes, sending him once more to the ground.

This time, however he managed to roll with it, and he used this movement to stagger to his feet. His sight blurred once more, then cleared and he saw a huge Orc, larger than the one that had attacked Helediron coming towards him. The monster was nearly a head and a half taller than he was, and twice as broad. Legolas stood his ground and raised his knives ready to defend himself.

"Legolas!"

He heard Hithon call his name, distress was upon his mentor's voice. Looking quickly towards where sound had come from, he saw that Hithon was far to the right of him, Legolas having been pushed away by the enormous beast. He saw that his mentor was trying to get back to him but the tide of Orcs was too strong and he would not be able to look for him for help.

The Orc was approaching rapidly now and as he drew near, Legolas lashed out, his knife cutting through the dark armour and into flesh.

The beast did not even flinch.

Legolas had to step back, knives flashing up in defence, as the Orc raised his sword again and again. The strength of the blows was staggering, and despite the prince's own strength he was only just able to deflect each stroke. His arms were beginning to tire and he knew he was not able to keep his defence up for much longer. Already he was losing ground, being forced backward, one step at a time.

He tried to think of what Hithon would do. He managed to get a glance at his mentor, their eyes meeting briefly over the distance between them. He saw Hithon's eyes open wide in fear, and heard him yell out something towards him, but the noise of the battle prevented him from hearing what was said.

He hissed in pain as a stroke gouged a line through his upper arm, blood began to swell from the wound but he ignored the pain and strike back, this time managing to cut a wound along the Orc's side. However it hardly slows his opponent down. He could see that he was being forced further and further away from the battle. The trees that ran along the cliff face where the attacked had begun were now some distance away and the fighting had moved out towards the clear area near the cliff edge.

The cliff edge!

A wave of fear washed over him as he realised which way the Orc had forced him to retreat. He tried to gather his strength to change the direction of attack, but the Orc having sensed his fear suddenly made a lunge for him. Legolas stepped back automatically, but found his foot landed on nothing but air. He felt the Orc slam into him and he gave a cry of fear as he and his opponent tumbled over the edge.

The cliff was not the highest in Mirkwood, but it was also by no mean the smallest either. He had enough time to feel the rush of air around him, the Orcs claws clutching at his arms and face, even as they descended, before they reached the ground.

Legolas's right foot hit the ground first, agony springing up through his body. He heard a crunch of bones and felt the weight of the Orc slam into his upper body, air rushing from his lungs.

Then there was nothing but darkness as his world was swallowed by black.


Hithon's heart was racing. He had just seen Legolas, his charge disappear over the edge of the cliff, along with one of the largest Orcs he had ever seen. He had tried desperately to get back to his prince's side when he had seen that the young elf had been forced from his position by his side, but it seemed as if he had failed in his duty to protect the young prince.

With sudden anger, he strike out at the current Orc he was fighting, who along with several other before him, had prevented him from helping his charge. The Orc gave way and with one more stoke of his sword, the Orc tumbled to the ground. Hithon looked around quickly, his sword raised, but no other Orcs appeared, so taking his opportunity he ran towards the cliff edge, falling to his knees as he reached it.

Looking down he saw a sight that would stay with him forever. On the grassy clearing below the cliff, not far from the gurgling water of the fast flowing river, lay Legolas. His eyes were closed and his face was pale, his body looked twisted and wrong. Most of all he was deathly still. On top of his prince lay the Orc, its body also still. The stillness of the picture before him caused his fear for his young prince to increase dramatically. He would not, could not believe that Mirkwood's youngest prince might be gone, his fea taken by Mando to the Hall of Waiting.

Just as he began to despair, tearing streaming down his face, he saw movement from below. He glimpsed Legolas' right hand twitch, and his sensitive ears picked up the sound of a pained moan.

"Legolas" he yelled, adrenaline pumping through him as he began to desperately search for a way down the deadly cliff. Just as he found a very lethal looking path to the clearing below, his attention was captured by another motion from the ground beneath. He discovered that the Orc was also beginning to move. Its fall having been broken by the body of Legolas, it was recovering faster than the young elf. With surprising quickness, it had gained its feet and was already searching for its blade which it had dropped during the descent.

Hithon yelled desperately to Legolas, pleading with him to move. He looked about trying to seek out his bow which he had dropped once he had ran out of arrows, but he knew even if he had his bow and an arrow he would not be able to risk shooting the Orc for fear of it hitting the young elf.

Watching helplessly, he saw the Orc pick up his weapon and raise it, aiming to strike across the neck of the slowly waking elf before him.

"Please Legolas, move now" Hithon ordered, his voice was firm, but his heart pleaded to his prince.


"Legolas!"

He awoke to the sound of his name being called over and over; whoever it was that was screaming it, their voice was overflowing with distress. He wondered what had happened but his head was pounding and he couldn't concentrate. Pain ran throughout his body and he gasped, the air rushing back into his lungs.

"Legolas, move!"

His eyes flickered open. The voice he could hear sounded desperate and he wanted to help. The world was a blur but he could see a dark shadow moving next to him, heard a scrap of something being picked up.

"Please Legolas, move now!"

The reaction was immediate, the order in the voice broke through his confusion and pain, and Legolas rolled to the side, away from the shadow. He heard the swoosh of something pass by his head and felt a nick of pain as it sliced his ear. The world came into sudden focus and he stared up at the hideous Orc above him, the one that had fallen with him from the cliff above. The beast overbalanced as its sword dug into the earth, dirt flicking up around them. While it was distracted, Legolas rolled back and reached out, catching its neck with both hands. Then in a display of sudden power he rotated his wrists, snapping its neck, the sound sharp in the pounding noise of his head.

He felt the body once more fall upon him, his arms unable to bare the weight. Agony swelled up all around and he was again lost to darkness.

When the light returned to him once more, he saw another shadow bending down over him; he lashed out automatically, adrenaline pumping. However, whatever it was caught him arm and he struggled to free himself. He almost cried out as his body protested in pain.

"It's alright Legolas. It's me. It's Hithon"

"Hithon" he said weakly, a sob of relief escaping him at the sound of his mentor's voice.

He felt Hithon drag the body of the Orc off him, pain flaring up briefly for a moment.

"The Orcs!" Legolas gasped his memories of the battle above only just now returning.

"Belelindir and the others taking care of them, do not worry" Hithon replied a little breathlessly. "The patrol will be down here as soon as they can"

"I'm sorry" Legolas said, his voice trembling. Opening his eyes, he saw Hithon kneel down next to him and take his hand. His mentor's long dark hair had come loose from his braids and had fallen across his face.

"You have nothing to be sorry for Legolas" Hithon said softly, as he swept away the hair that had covered his eyes, which were already searching for injuries.

"It hurts" Legolas said faintly, feeling tears begin to form in his eyes. He hated to show weakness but he was unable to stop them. He had been incredibly frightened when he had fallen, but he was still scared now. He knew that he had been badly injured but he wasn't sure how exactly.

"Focus on me" his mentor said "I know it hurts but I want just listen to my voice. Can you do that Legolas?"

He was glad that Hithon sounded so calm and steady; he needed someone like that right now. He tried to nod, to show that he understood, but Hithon reached out and held his head still.

"Don't move. Just tell me where you are hurt, what pains you?"

Closing his eyes, he tried to discover where exactly he was injured as it seemed as if pain was coming from everywhere.

"My leg" he said, feeling a constant throbbing agony coming from his right limb. He a single memory of his right leg hitting the ground before everything went black. He knew that it must be broken but he wasn't sure how badly. He tried to sit up to look, but Hithon stopped him immediately. "I said not to move" then after a pause he spoke again "You're leg is badly broken". Legolas noticed the Hithon did not make any promise that he would be fine, that everything will be alright.

"What else?" Hithon said distracting him from this thought.

Tears were running down his cheeks, his heart which had been racing throughout the battle and fall, had begun to beat even faster.

"Legolas! What else?" Hithon's voice sounded loud in his ears.

He knew that he had to admit what had been scaring him the most ever since his fall.

"My…my back" he said quietly.

He saw Hithon's eyes grow wide at his announcement. It was worst fear of all elves, not much could cause a permanent injury to an elf, but two things were most feared; the loss of a limb, unfortunately elves could not grow back a hand or a leg, and the severing of the spinal cord.

Legolas had only known one elf who had suffered a severe injury to his back. The elf had been slashed across the back by an Orc blade. For months he had been confined to a bed, unable to move his legs, every life necessity needing help from someone else. He had managed to regain the use of his limbs, but the last time Legolas had seen him, he was only just able to walk a few steps unaided.

Many had thought that he would sail, take a ship to the West, but he was stronger, stronger than Legolas could ever image he himself could ever be. He had stayed and fought because of his family, a wife, and young child that he wanted to see grow up in the home, in the forest, that he too had grown.

Legolas did not know what his future would hold if he had damaged his back, but he knew that it would not be anything like what he had hoped it would be. He did not think he would survive it. Movement at his side distracted him and he saw Hithon move towards his head, he tried to look towards him, but his mentor grabbed his head with both of his hands. "Do not move, Legolas. Just keep still".


Hithon's mind and heart was in a state of panic, but he forced himself to remain for the sake of his young charge. He knew that he had to keep Legolas calm and to do so he needed to be calm himself. The prince's confession of the pain in his back had shaken him, and he knew that the young elf had seen the brief despair that had sprang up in his eyes. Taking a steadying breath he moved so that his knees rested against each side of his charges' head, hoping that this would help keep him still until help could arrive.

Even as he thought this, he felt the vibration of footsteps approaching and within moments he heard Baralindir yelling out orders as the patrol reached them.

"Talathon, Faron, Thannor set up a perimeter. Make sure those Orcs are gone."

"Legolas!" Baralindir said as he dropped to the ground beside them, taking up the slightly shaking left hand of his prince in his own.

"Sorry, Sir" Hithon heard Legolas reply with a painful gasp, his entire body seen to shake as waves of pain raced through it.

He felt helpless and could only watch as Nadhor, the patrol's medic began to remove Legolas' boot from his injured foot. He knew that it must be causing him immense pain, but there was barely a moan from the stricken elf. Hithon gently caressed the elf's clammy brow, hoping that it would help distract him from his pain.

Nadhor had managed to remove the boot and had cut Legolas' legging so that he could assess his right leg. Hithon, with even his little medical knowledge could see that the leg was severely broken; the bone had pierced through the skin so that it stuck out at a point just above the ankle. He could also see that the ankle did not look quite right, but he could not tell exactly what was wrong.

"Nadhor?" The patrol leader asked.

"He has a compound fracture to his lower leg and his ankle is badly dislocated" Nadhor answered plainly. "I will need to splint his leg before I can fix his ankle"

The patrol leader turned to the surrounding elves. "Gailon go look for a something we can use for a splint, Thannor start a fire going." He said, and after hearing their confirmations he turned his attention back to Nadhor and Legolas.

"Any other injuries?" he asked.

"His back" Hirthon said quickly before Nadhor could reply. "He said that he had pain in his back". He saw Belelindir and Nadhor face's pale at his words, and hoped that Legolas had not seen the fear that passed across their eyes.

The medic's attention now turned back to Legolas, and he asked gently "Legolas where is the pain in your back? Is it up near your neck or further down?"

The young prince's voice was weary with exhaustion. "My neck does not pain me, it my lower back that does" Hithon knew that the adrenaline that had kept the prince going during the battle and fall was now beginning to wear off. They would need to work fast.

"Can you move your toes for me?" Nadhor was asking. He had removed the boot from Legolas uninjured foot and to Hithon's relief he saw the toes on that foot moving as they should be. But as he looked at the injured foot he saw that those toes were still.

"Try moving the toes just of your right foot?"

The older elf was amazed how steady the medic's voice was, for he knew his voice would have been filled with fear if he had had to ask that question. Hithon's heart was racing with alarm at the sight of the stilled toes, but Nadhor did not seem so fearful and his next comment helped to ease, at least a little of Hithon's distress. "The injury to his foot might to pressing on a nerve preventing movement" The medic informed them. "Legolas, can you feel this?" he asked as he squeezed the injured elf's right toes.

"I … I feel tingling" Legolas said weakly. Hithon hoped that this was good sign.

"Right Nadhor, what needs to be done? Belelindir questioned.

"First I need to set his leg, and then I can deal with the dislocation" answered Nadhor efficiently.

"What of his back?" Hirthon asked.

"I can do nothing for him here; he needs the healers back at the palace. Best we can do is to keep him still and get him back to the palace as fast as possible" replied the medic.

Gailon had quickly returned with the necessary items to create a splint so with the help of some other warriors of the patrol they held Legolas firmly as Nadhor reset the bone into its correct position. Hithon held the young warrior's head, but he trembled at the cry that can from his young charge as the bone was repositioned. "It's nearly over my prince, and then you will be able to rest" he said, hoping that this would be true.


Legolas clenched his teeth, trying to ignore the pain as Nadhor splinted his foot. Every movement sent a shock of pain racing throughout his body. He really wished that it would just end so that he could rest.

"Hithon?" he gasped as he felt the medic finish the splint.

"I am here, Legolas" his protector said. Hithon's hands were still placed on either side of his head, keeping him still. "Not much longer now"

The young elf knew that his ankle would have to reposition next and he was not looking forward to it at all. He definitely knew that he was not going to like it when he saw Belelindir unbuckle the leather scabbard around his left leg, in which he kept a small knife. He watched as his patrol leader removed the knife, placing it carefully on the ground beside them, and then taking the scabbard he turned towards the prince.

"Legolas I need you to bite down on this" Belelindir said, his voice was steady, but he could hear the regret and despair that lingered within it.

He hesitated only for a moment, before opening his mouth and allowing the older elf to place the toughen leather between his teeth. "We will be right here with you" his patrol leader said, taking up the sicken elf's hand in his own once more.

The prince could tired not to think of what was going to happen next. He knew that it was likely to be painful. He had seen dislocations before and knew that they could be difficult to reposition. He closed his eyes trying to will his shaking body to relax.

"I'll try to make this a fast as possible, my prince" Nadhor said as he placed his hands upon the injured ankle, then giving no further warning he started to relocate it.

Legolas was unable to contain the painful moan that escaped him at the first touch of pressure on his foot. His teeth clenched the leather so tightly that he was sure that he was going to end up biting straight through it. He was determined, however, not to scream, no matter what the pain may be. It was however taking a lot longer than he had expected it too, even longer than it had been to set and splint his leg and soon the pain became overwhelming. He was unable to stop himself lashing out as he tried to get away from the agony. He kicked out with his uninjured leg, feeling his foot collide with something soft. Hands held him down and he could hear voices but his mind would not allow him to understand what they were saying.

He suddenly felt his throat tighten and his stomach clench, he began to gasp and he tried to roll over but his body refused to obey. He heard Hithon's voice, seeming to come from far away, and then he felt his world tip to the side as he was turned, his head and neck held firmly by strong hands. The leather scabbard was removed from his mouth just as bile reached the back of this throat. He gagged and for a moment he was unable to breathe, then a hand firmly touched his chest and finally he was able to expel the fluid and bile that was blocking his airways. He gasped again trying to get in more oxygen, his breathing coming in rapid rasps.

"Slowly" he heard Belelindir say "Just slowly". He could feel the pressure of a hand upon his chest and he tried to slow his breathing to meet its slow rise and fall. As his breathing slowed, he began to again feel incredibly weary. The pain was just too much, his body was shaking uncontrollably. He just really wanted to pass out but so far he hadn't been that lucky.


Hithon looked down at the shaking young elf that lay before him and his heart almost broke. This day has started off so well and now it had turned into a nightmare. His worry increased as he noticed that Legolas had retched up blood. His pales lips were spotted with it.

"Nadhor, have you fixed it?" he asked harshly to the medic. He knew that it wasn't the elf's fault that Legolas was still in so much pain but he just wanted to get his charge back home and to safety.

"I'm sorry, Hithon. It's not going back into place very easily" Nadhor apologised. He was looking down at the dislocated ankle worryingly. Hithon could see that Legolas toes were slowly losing colour and he knew that this was a very bad sign.

"Can you do anything? Try another way?" Belelindir asked, his voice was focused and encouraging.

"There is something I can try, but …"

He was cut off by Hithon "Just do whatever is needed, he doesn't time" the older elf demanded. He could see that Legolas was getting weaker and weaker every minute they delayed.

The medic looked toward Belelindir knowing that as patrol leader he was the one to make the final decision. "The muscles in his ankle won't relax so I will have to cut the ligaments so that I can relocate it. It will cause more damage but if I don't get the leg fixed soon …. well he might lose the use of it" Nadhor finished reluctantly.

Hithon wanted the medic to just get on with it, whatever he needed to do; he just wanted his charge free of the pain. It seemed to the older elf that Belelindir was taking ages to answer, but just as he was about to say something, the patrol leader spoke. "Do what you need too, Nadhor" he said giving the medic a nod.

Nadhor was ready, for he had been gathering the necessary items even as Belelindir considered what to do. He had taken a short, thin wooden box out of his healer bag which contained a fine silver scalpel. Taking the sharp scalpel carefully from the box, he placed it gently into the steaming hot water which Thannor had place beside them.

Turning to Belelinder and Hithon, the medic asked "Can you move him onto his back again?" Working together they carefully turned the ailing elf, who was still shaking and seemed to be only semi-conscious.

"Hold on, Legolas" Hithon said softly, hoping that the young elf would hear him. At his words, he saw the young elf open his eyes briefly; they contained both fear and pain, but also trust and strength. Their woodland prince would not give up so easily. As Belelindir replaced the leather scabbard back between Legolas' teeth, Hithon could see the bite marks that would forever be imprinted into the toughen leather.

"Alright, I am ready" Nadhor stated, now holding the small scalpel in his fingers. "Hold him still"

Hithon tighten his grip on his charges head, making sure that he could not move and risk further injury to his back. He knew that the medic had begun when he saw Legolas' eyes widen ever so slightly but the prince did not fight back as he had on the first attempt. He could tell that the young elf was extremely weary; his face was slick with sweat. Suddenly Hithon heard a popping sound and felt the prince jolt once, and then he went limp, his face going slack as conscious finally left him.