A dark mist whirled, slowly lightening and revealing images. He could see a battle field, dead orcs littering the floor. The image slowly changed and showed a lone figure, wandering in the wilds and pulling something behind him. Slowly the figure came nearer and more details revealed themselves. The figure seemed to be an elf which pulled a litter and on the litter was another figure. The image changed again so the surroundings could be seen. The elf headed for a hill. Slowly the view changed again, showing more of the surroundings. A big river was running on one side of the travelers while a forest loomed in some distance on the other side. The view drew closer to the lone elf and the litter again and the faces of the elf and the person on the litter were revealed. The view changed again and a large group of orcs could be seen, obviously chasing the two travelers.
Elrond awoke with a gasp. He shot up in bed and gripped his head. The images had been so vivid that he had no doubt that he had experienced a bout of foresight. He had seen Legolas, while Aragorn was lying on the litter that Legolas pulled. If it was real and they were charged by that large group of orcs they would stand no chance against them. Legolas alone couldn't fight that many orcs.
He stood and pulled a robe over his nightclothes. Then he headed straight for Glorfindel's door. He gave a sharp knock and waited impatiently. It was in the middle of the night and his seneschal must have been asleep.
After a moment the door opened, revealing Glorfindel, similar dressed in a robe over his nightclothes. His hair was mussed and he looked at Elrond curiously, stepping aside to let him enter the room.
Elrond only got in a few steps before he spoke. "I had a bout of foresight. I want to head out early on the morrow with twenty warriors."
"What did you see?" Glorfindel asked. It was seldom that he had seen Elrond so shaken and so determined at the same moment.
"Estel and Legolas are in trouble. I hope we will be in time."
"Come, sit and tell me what you saw," Glorfindel invited.
Elrond was tense and impatient but he knew that they couldn't just leave in the middle of the night without preparations. So he sat down and told Glorfindel what he had seen.
"Hmm," Glorfindel looked thoughtful. "Are you sure that this lies in the future?"
"Absolutely," Elrond was absolutely convinced that it had a meaning that he had seen these vision.
"Even if we ride hard, it will take at least ten days for us to reach the Anduin," Glorfindel mused. "I hope we will be in time. Did you consider sending a bird to warn Thranduil?"
"A bird will take a few days. We can send one but I want to head out in the morning. They can already have left or the bird will not arrive, what then?"
"I'll make sure that everything is ready," Glorfindel assured.
"Thank you. Since Elladan and Elrohir are with the rangers, Erestor will have to take over. I'll inform him of our departure." Elrond inclined his head at Glorfindel then he headed to Erestor's quarters to tell him that he would have to take over the running of Imladris for a while.
At dawn the courtyard was full of warriors mounting their horses. Each of them carried a bow and quiver in addition to the usually used swords. They would need to take the orcs out from afar given the number Elrond had seen in his vision. Taking a larger group was no option, it would only slow them down since they would have to hunt to get everybody fed or take pack horses which would also slow them down.
Elrond and Glorfindel mounted their horses and shortly after that the group galloped out of Imladris in the direction of the high pass.
Elrond just hoped that the warning had come in time and they wouldn't be too late.
As soon as the sun had risen above the horizon, Legolas made ready to head out. Aragorn had warmed up over night, his clothing was now dry and he was wrapped in his own cloak and what was left of Legolas'. The elf carefully rolled his friend onto the litter. Before they could start he needed to leave the ranger alone for a moment. Since their water skins were gone, along with the rest of their packs, he needed to get the ranger to drink now. He moved to the shore of the river, wetted a cloth in the water and returned to Aragorn. Gently lifting the head of the ranger and supporting him with one hand, he trickled water into his mouth with the other. He worried about the fact that Aragorn hadn't woken yet but that was something he couldn't change, so he decided to concentrate on the way ahead.
He picked up the handles of the litter and started south at a moderate pace. It would be a long trek and he needed to conserve his strength. Aragorn remained motionless and didn't give any signs of waking, much to Legolas' worry. The elf knew that it was a bad sign if the ranger stayed unconscious for much longer.
In the afternoon he finally heard a low moan coming from his friend. He stopped, lowered the litter and leaned over Aragorn. "Estel, can you hear me?"
Another moan came and Aragorn's eyelids fluttered slightly. After a moment they slowly lifted, only for the human to slam them back shut with a groan.
"Easy," Legolas said quietly, "you took a bad fall and you have a head injury. I can imagine that you have a headache."
"A bad one," Aragorn murmured, blinking and then squeezing his eyes shut again with a moan.
Legolas sighed. "Unfortunately I can't give you anything for that. We lost our packs so I don't have medicine."
The ranger nodded with gritted teeth then his eyes closed and he relaxed into unconsciousness once more.
Legolas touched his brow with a worried frown, checking for fever but finding Aragorn's temperature normal. He sighed. There was nothing much he could do for his friend except trying to get him to help as fast as possible. He stretched for a moment, trying to ease his cramped muscles. As he did so, he glanced in the direction from which they had come and suddenly he froze.
Far in the distance, nearly even out of his eyesight, he could make out movement. He concentrated and tried to see more details and he felt dread slam into him. It looked as if a group of orcs was either following them or at least moving in their direction by coincidence. He didn't understand it. Normally orcs didn't move by daylight and even if it was cloudy, the sun was in the sky and would make traveling for the orcs uncomfortable.
Deciding not to think about it much longer but instead putting as much distance as possible between them and the orcs he picked up Aragorn's litter once more and marched on. From time to time he checked the progress of the orcs and found to his dismay that they hadn't fallen behind much. The only choice he had was to keep going and hoping that they were not following them.
He continued on until night was falling and it got dark. Allowing himself a short break he went to the river to drink something and to wet a cloth so that he could dribble water into Aragorn's mouth again.
He continued on through he night, allowing himself only short breaks. In the morning he couldn't see anything of pursuers. Aragorn moaned and moved his head so Legolas put the litter down and knelt next to it, watching the ranger for signs of awakening.
After a moment the ranger moaned again and lifted his right hand to his head. Legolas caught it and prevented Aragorn from touching his head. The ranger's head turned slightly in his direction but he kept his eyes firmly shut. "Legolas?" he whispered.
"I'm here," the elf assured him.
"What happened?" the ranger inquired.
Legolas frowned but he knew that people with a concussion could forget things so he tried not to get too worried. "We ran into a group of orcs and you took a bad fall," he explained.
"That's why my head hurts so bad?" Aragorn murmured.
"Yes," Legolas confirmed.
The ranger drew a deep breath and opened his eyes a bit. He squinted up at Legolas. "You alright?" he asked.
"Yes," Legolas reassured him, a bit surprised that even in his condition Aragorn thought to check on Legolas' wellbeing.
The ranger turned his head and groaned. "Why are you pulling me, where are the horses?" he whispered.
"We lost them at the cliff," Legolas explained. "You fell down in the fight with the orcs and I had to follow you."
"You look worried," the ranger observed.
"It is still some distance until we reach somewhere where I can get help for you," Legolas explained. He didn't think that mentioning the orcs would be wise.
Aragorn nodded in understanding. It looked as if he wanted to say something more but he slipped once more into unconsciousness and his drawn features relaxed slightly.
Legolas sighed. He had hoped that his friend would show some improvement but he wasn't much better. Well at least he wasn't worse either, since swelling of the brain had been of some concern to Legolas. As he touched Aragorn's brow he felt to his dismay that the ranger had a slight fever. That was something they certainly didn't need. He went to the river and wet a cloth which he then placed on Aragorn's forehead. He decided to let the human rest for a while without being jostled and settled down next to the litter. From time to time he checked his friend's fever and went to the river to rewet the cloth. Luckily the fever hadn't risen yet.
From time to time he checked the direction in which he knew the orcs to be. Finally he spotted something and groaned. He could make out movement. It looked as if their bad luck would keep on. Worse, it seemed as if the orcs were really following them. He didn't understand it. Why would such a large group bother with an elf and a human? Did some orc recognize him? That would be an explanation why they were so persistent. Capturing Thranduil's son would be a big achievement. But the orcs shouldn't even know that he existed, they certainly didn't know how he looked. He shook his head. It was a moot point to think about it now. They were obviously pursued, that was the fact he should concentrate on. He was certain that the orcs couldn't see them so it seemed that they had found their tracks and were following them.
He once again picked up the litter. Their time for rest was over. He needed to get moving again and try to shake their pursuers off. Having to drag the litter behind was slowing him down considerably, giving the orcs the chance to catch up to them. Sighing, Legolas began to move, he hoped that they would reach safety before the orcs reached them.
The petitions for the day slowly came to an end, much to Thranduil's relief. The last case for today were two neighbors who had a dispute over the fruits of some trees on the border of their dwellings. After Thranduil had spoken justice to both elves' satisfaction they thanked him and turned to leave the throne room. The other assembled elves also turned to go, small groups talking quietly when Angon strode into the throne room and headed straight for Thranduil.
The captain of the royal guard wore an anxious expression and Thranduil straightened in his throne, suddenly certain that whatever news Angon had, he wouldn't like it.
Angon stepped closer and came to a stop in front of the king. "What is it? Thranduil asked.
Angon looked around, noting that except for the guards no elf was near enough to eavesdrop. He bent forward lightly and lowered his voice so the guards wouldn't hear. "The northern patrol sent word. Baranon and Estel's horse have showed up at the forest gate. They found no sign of Legolas or Estel."
Thranduil felt the fear rising in him. "Did they search for tracks?"
"They are searching at the moment. The horses weren't injured and there was no sign of a struggle. The horses were carrying their packs so it looks as if they were sent away."
Thranduil took a deep breath. "In other words we don't have the slightest idea where Legolas and Estel are or what has happened to them."
"Yes," Angon confirmed, the dismay clear in his voice.
"Alert the warriors. I want a group to set out immediately to search for them."
"As you wish. We will find them." Angon left the throne room and headed for the warrior quarters to assemble a group.
"I just hope they'll be well," Thranduil murmured before he turned towards the royal quarters.
Word had spread quickly among the warriors that their prince was missing and it didn't take long for a group to assemble and ready for departure. Angon would lead them while Galdor, who was eager to search for his friend, had been ordered to stay at the stronghold. With Legolas and Angon gone somebody had to be in charge of the warriors and so, much to his dismay, Galdor had to stay behind.
While the warriors readied for departure Angon went to the royal quarters to report to Thranduil that they were ready. As he entered the corridor to the royal quarters he saw Thranduil coming towards him. The king was fully armed and dressed for travel, carrying a pack with him.
Angon gave his friend a disapproving look. "What are you doing?"
Thranduil didn't even slow down, forcing Angon to fall in step beside him. "My son and Estel are missing, do you think I will sit by idly and do nothing while you go out and search for them? Feron and Dilloth will take care of everything until we're back."
Angon sighed inwardly. He had expected this. He wanted to protest but the determined look in Thranduil's eyes convinced him that he could spare his breath. The king wouldn't listen to his arguments. He would not stay in the stronghold and let others search for his missing son and his companion. He knew that after the losses he had faced, his father, his mother and finally his wife, Thranduil wasn't able to bear more, the king would search the whole of Arda for Legolas if he had to. So the captain only shrugged his shoulders and accompanied Thranduil on his way to the doors.
As they entered the courtyard, about fifty elves were milling about, readying themselves for departure.
Thranduil turned to his friend and raised an eyebrow. "You don't take any chances, do you?"
Angon just shrugged. "I suspected you would come. I'll not risk my king."
Stable hands brought their horses and while they mounted, another elf joined them, armed and carrying a satchel.
"Celairdir," the king greeted, "what are you doing here?"
The healer motioned for a groom to bring his horse. "I'll be coming with you in case I'm needed." He held Thranduil's gaze steadily, silently conveying that there was a high probability that Legolas and Aragorn were injured if not worse.
Thranduil only nodded, not being able to talk at the moment. The fear for his son and the human sat like a stone in his stomach. He let his gaze roam over the yard, noticing that nearly everybody was ready for departure.
Celairdir fastened the satchel around his horse and mounted, turning his steed around to join the others who were waiting to depart.
Thranduil turned his own horse, moving in front of the group. He raised his hand and on his silent signal, they were off.
For Thranduil the next days were pure agony as they made their way to the forest gate. For him they moved much too slow but he couldn't change it. The horses and the warriors needed to rest. It would do no good if they were exhausted when a fight was more than likely. He often volunteered for one of the watches since he couldn't find rest anyway. The worry for Legolas sat in his stomach like a heavy piece of ore.
Celairdir and Angon tried to get him to rest without much success.
"I don't want you to take a watch tonight," Angon told Thranduil in the evening as they sat at the fire. "You need to get some rest. It won't do Legolas or you any good if we find him and you're completely exhausted."
"I'll find no rest," Thranduil stated, staring into the fire.
Celairdir sat down beside him, handing him a cup of tea. "You must at least try," he admonished gently. "Angon is right, you need to rest."
Thranduil sniffed the tea suspiciously.
"It contains only calming herbs," Celairdir assured him.
The king took a sip and slowly drained the cup. The three elves were silent for a while, each following his own thoughts and worries.
Finally, Angon clapped Thranduil on the shoulder. "Come, lay down and try to get some sleep."
Thranduil had refused the comfort and privacy of a tent. He simply slept on the ground, like all other elves. So he unrolled his bedroll and lay down on it, silently observed from Angon and Celairdir. Celairdir nodded to Angon, silently confirming that he would keep an eye on the king while Angon went to take his watch.
In the morning as Angon rose, Thranduil was already up and Angon exchanged a dismayed look with Celairdir, both of them rolling their eyes.
TBC
