Chapter 3
Attack.
The door burst down, and thousands of Orc rushed in. I felt myself being lifted. I began to scream but heard Legolas' calm voice in my ear. "I apologize, Amalynn, for this, but I must get you to safety." He carried me over into a separate hallway where there were a group of soldiers who were assigned to protecting my family and I. I heard Legolas' calm voice once again, "I'm sorry, but I must go help my father." Legolas was suddenly gone, and I was alone with the guards. "Do not worry Princess, we will protect you," the closest guard shouted. "I thank you, but, alas, I need my sword to assist my family!" "No, miss, you'll have to stay here with us." I looked at the small group the guards were protecting, and, to my great surprise, saw my mother. "Mother!," I said as I went to her, "The guards, they won't let me fight." "You mustn't fight Amalynn! It's far too dangerous!" "Please. Mother, I must help papa!" She looked me over once, then set her firm mouth to another waiting scowl. "No, Amalynn, you are a lady, the men can handle this." "You're not worried about Papa!" I looked at her in disgust, "I shall fight!"
And with that, I rushed to my room, grabbed my sheathed sword and rushed back down stairs. I began performing intricate cuts and jabs, as I'd been in fencing my whole life. I was not, however, prepared for the sheer force that the orc seemed to be built of. At several different times, I was nearly knocked down. Suddenly, two strong arms began lifting me from the chaos. I tried to look back and see whom it was, but the dark concealed them. I screamed and thrashed, realizing too late that I was being pulled out the door. I finally broke free enough to twist around and see my captor.
I screamed, "Let me back inside, Saelnir, I must fight!" "No, you're coming with me." "No!" I punched him in the face. He held his nose as it poured blood. I tried to run but he tackled me to the ground and held my arms down. "Damn you!" "Such naughty language for a young lady." He tsked at me. I spat in his face. His facial expression contorted into one of disgust, and he slapped me across the face as a punishment. I flinched, ready to receive more abuse when he unexpectedly was pushed off me. I shakily turned my head, terrified at the thought of another attacker. I sighed in relief when I beheld that it was my father. "Papa!" "I never liked him." He picked me up and hugged me to him. "Now, come on, we've got to keep fighting!" We ran back into the chaos. I swung at everything black and disgusting.
I turned to deliver another killing blow when I was hit in the back of the head. Everything went fuzzy, then completely black, I heard simply one voice, my father's. "AMALYNNNNNNNN!" I fell; then came darkness…
The first of my senses that returned was smell. I smelled trees, rain, and something earthy. Then came hearing, I could hear the crunch of leaves under boots as they walked. Finally, I realized I was being carried. I couldn't lift my eyes, "Papa?" I asked hopefully. I was greeted by a soothing shush. "Pardon my carryin' ya, Princess. I was instructed to do so by my captain." I tried to sit up in this man's arms and forced my eyes open. "Where. Is. My. Father?" He chuckled, " Your father is fine, miss. He's back at yer home, he sent ya with our army to protect ya from any stray Orcs. " "And, who's army is this exactly!" He sat me down, "Why, it's Prince Legolas', o' course!" "Oh," I felt a trifle idiotic, "Where, exactly, is Legolas…?" "Up at the front Miss, I'll take ya up there if ya like…" He smiled again. "That would be wonderful, thank you….If you don't mind my prying, who are you…?" "I'm general Thalon!" "Thank you for carrying me, General. I'm very grateful.." I smiled at him and watched as he got slightly bristled. "No problem, a'tall, milady. Now, let's go see Prince Legolas." "Let's." He took my arm and led me up to the front, "Yer highness, Princess Amalynn t' see ya." "Ah, you've finally awoken. Thank you Thalon." I smiled at the general as he bowed and stepped to the side. "My sincerest apologies for your head wound, Saelnir has been taken into custody." I solemnly looked up into his honest eyes, "I thank you. " He grunted uncomfortably, "Anyhow, you are going along with my men and I so that we may escort you to Rivenda- Amalynn, are you alright? You look rather pale." I tried to nod but felt dreadfully dizzy. "It's your wound, I fear. Shall I have the healers attend to you?"
I shook my head slowly, "No, thank you, I'm…quite alright.." He looked at the ceiling for a moment, said something under his breath, then brought a chair for me. "Won't you sit down?" I stared at the chair for a moment, wondering if I could try to sit down and manage to not fall, then sat. He began talking again, pacing the room as he spoke, "As I was saying, we're to escort you to Rivendale then you are to stay there until the situation in your kingdom is under control. I'm sorry to inconvenience you so." I smiled shakily, "Rest easy, Legolas, I bare you no ill will." He nodded, "And for that I am glad." "Pardon me, but how much time shall the trip require?" "We're nearly at the city's brink, so, much less than a fortnight, we set out for the city at dawn." I nodded, my lightheadedness fading away almost as quickly as it had come. "You may leave now if you wish, you need rest." I paused for a moment at his allowance of me to leave. I shook my head and left, enjoying the cool air on my face. I was finally free, for the time being, but it was more freedom than I'd ever had.
