Chapter
3
The search

Now, the party of riders began their ride out of Minas Tirith.

"We're leaving to search, not going to war." Sir Novos said to Marlina.

Marlina smiled. "Yes." Marlina began. "However the last party that left never returned." Marlina coolly stated. "No one knows what happened to them." She finished.

Now, Sir Novos, knew Marlina was trying to scare him. "Maybe they died." Sir Niam added.

"Doubtful." Marlina replied. "They were led by two of the best men to ever live." Marlina stated shyly.

Niam and Novos glanced at each other.

"You knew them?" Sir Niam asked.

Marlina slowly chose her words. "I knew them both, very well." She started. "They taught me Archery, and how to handle an Ax " She continued.

Niam and Novos smiled as she spoke so fondly, of these to men she had known nine years ago.

"Gimli taught us about the war for middle earth." Marlina said. "He and Legolas both fought beside our father, even when our father was a just ranger, who never even wanted to take the throne of Gondor." She finished.

"They fought beside your father?" Sir Novos asked, not quite believing what Marlina had said.

"Are you speaking of the Elf and the Dwarf, M'Lady?" Sir Niam asked.

Marlina smiled again. "Their names, are 'Legolas', and 'Gimli' dear Sir's." Marlina sweetly replied.

"Yes, M'Lady." Sir Niam said, as he began to pull out ahead.

"M'Lady." Novos said.

"Yes, Sir Novos?" Marlina replied.

"Legolas is the Elf, is he not?" Novos asked, trying to be respectful.

Marlina smiled at the sound of his name. "Yes, Sir Novos. He is the Elf." She said, as Sir Niam called Sir Novos to the head of the search party.

"M'Lady." Sir Novos said, as he went to join Sir Niam at the Head.

Marlina now let her thoughts drift, yet again, to Legolas.

'Why did Legolas choose Rivendell?' Marlina thought. 'Legolas, where are you?'

"We are almost there." Legolas said. "We can rest here for the night." He stated.

The looming sun cast long dark shadows over the rest site.

"I'll get a fire going." Merry said, as he began gathering lose sticks.

"I'll help." Pippin said, as he began to help pick up sticks.

"I guess I'll see what kind of wild fruit's are nearby." Sam said.

Gimli walked over to Legolas. "You alright lad?" Gimli asked, as Merry and Pippin got the fire going.

"Watch out Pippin, you're going to burn yourself!" Merry said, in the distance as he and Pippin started arguing again.

Legolas looked at Gimli and slowly nodded.

"You have been pushing yourself quite hard." Gimli said. "You rest tonight, I'll take first watch."

Legolas nodded in agreement.

"Now, let's eat." Gimli said.

"Legolas." Merry said. "Do you suppose the She-Elf will come to you again?" Merry asked.

"I do not know." Legolas answered.

"Suppose she does..." Merry began. "How does that dream link work?" Merry asked.

Legolas thought for a moment. "There is no way to explain it." Legolas began. "It is not something one can learn. Very few Elf's have the gift." Legolas finished.

"What did the She-Elf look like?" Merry asked.

Legolas thought back to his dream. "She had long blonde hair, with Simbelmynë flowers braided into it. She had deep blue eyes, and rosy cheeks and lips to match, with a beautiful smile... She wore a long white flowing dress, with a white scarf draped around her neck. Her skin was as soft as silk." He finished. Legolas leaned back against a tree.

"Gimli has listened to everything I've said..." Legolas stated.

Merry looked, and saw Gimli smiling, as he walked over.

"You lads enjoy talking about Marlina?" Gimli said, as he sat down by Merry.

"We weren't talking about Marlina." Merry began. "We were talking about the She-Elf that came to Legolas in his dream." He finished.

Gimli was silent for a moment, then spoke again. "I know Marlina when she is described." Gimli said proudly.

Legolas then leaned forward away from the tree. "Gimli, you are sure of this?" Legolas asked.

"Legolas, of this I am positive." Gimli concluded.

Legolas thought for a moment as Sam and Pippin began to roll out their sleeping mats.

"You lads need to rest, for the rest of the journey to Rivendell." Gimli said, as he took his place for first watch.

Legolas now lay against an old tree stump. Confused, he drifted to sleep.

"Five more days until we reach Rivendell." Marlos announced, as the riders set up camp.

Marlina then sat down to lie against a medium-sized rock.

"M'Lady." Marlos joked with a smile. "Are you alright?" He asked.

Being Marlina's younger brother was a task in its self, and worrying about her made it very difficult to stay focused on the task at hand.

"I suppose so." Marlina replied. She looked at her younger brother and could see the worry on his face, and in his eyes. "Marlos..." She began. "Please, try not to worry about me so much." Marlina said, as she placed her hand on her younger brother's cheek.

Her mind drifted back to Marlos being born, Marlina had been the first to hold her sweet little brother. She had been so happy that day, and everyday that followed. Then her mind drifted to her own coming of age. After the beautiful ceremony, Marlos had given her a beautiful hair clip, that he had hand-made just for her. Marlos had said it was a promise to forever trust, love, and respect Marlina, as his older sister.

Her memories then fell away when Marlos replied.

"You suppose?" He asked.

Marlina knew he could see her pain, Marlos could always see through her, always could, and always would.

"Marlina, I can see you're not alright. You are in pain. I can see it in your eyes." Marlos continued. "However you're to strong, and stubborn, to ever admit it." Marlos finished.

"What happened to trusting me?" Marlina asked.

Marlos looked at Marlina's hair clip and smiled. "I trust you, with my life, and the life's of everyone around me." He answered. "I will, however, trust you more if you let Lantyce take a look at you." Marlos said.

Marlina smiled at him. "Very well, M'Lord." Marlina joked, with a slight giggle.

Marlos smiled and quietly laughed. "I'll get Lantyce." He stated. He stood, and kissed the top of Marlina's head.

Marlina leaned against the rock, and waited for Lantyce to come, and say there was nothing wrong and nothing she could do.

Lantyce then came and said what Marlina knew she would say.

"Marlina," Lantyce started. "You need to rest." Lantyce stated.

All Marlina did was lean against the rock again.

Lantyce decided she was going to stay with Marlina to keep an eye on her.

Marlina and Lantyce were wearing what they had worn when they left Minas Tirith. They wore fitted chain mill.

Marlina's chain mill stopped at the hips and was layered over a long wine colored dress.

Lantyce' chain mill also stopped at the hips, but was layered over a long soft Ivory dress.

They also wore leather belt's that went over their stomach and lower back.

Marlina's hair clip pulled half of her hair behind her head.

Lantyce had her hair braided behind her head.

Lantyce was Marlina's best friend, and she always would be.

Sir's Niam and Novos, sat with Marlos talking about many things. And then, Sir Niam began to speak of Marlina.

"I think Marlina, is in love, with this 'Legolas' person." Sir Niam began. "I find it disturbing, and highly inappropriate." Sir Niam finished.

Marlos glanced over at Marlina to see that she was asleep.

"I disagree, Niam." Sir Novos began."I think Marlina cares for both men. She has known them her whole life." Sir Novos continued. "She needs to know what happened to them." Sir Novos stated.

Sir Niam still disagreed. "Marlos," Sir Niam began.

Marlos returned his mind to his present company.

"Did these men fight at your Father's side in the war?" Sir Niam asked.

"Yes, I believe so." Marlos answered. "They are very close to my Father. Why do you ask?" Marlos replied.

"It is hard to believe, My Lord." Sir Niam said.

Marlos smiled. "Please friends, eat."

"We will be in three groups. Group one goes left, group two goes right, group three, is with me… Vonas will welcome us to his clan." An Uruk-hai announced.

"Now!" The Uruk-hai shouted.

"Incoming!" Marlos yelled.

Marlina then snapped awake, as did Lantyce.

They both grabbed their swords and joined Marlos, whom was forming a quick defense.

"Marlina, I need you to lead the Archers." Marlos said.

Marlina wasted no time, forming her archers on a higher ground.

Out of nowhere, the camp had been swarmed by at least 300 Uruk-hai.

"Archers ready!" Marlina called out, as the Archers including Lantice and Lantyce, readied themselves. "Fire!" Marlina ordered.

Now, the crossfire of arrows flying, was becoming hazardous.

An Archer behind Marlina, was hit and fell to the ground, knocking Marlina down off the ten-foot ledge, they were standing on.

Marlina, was instantly knocked unconscious by the hard fall, lay on the ground helpless.

Marlos, and Sir's Niam and Novos all saw Marlina fall.

"Niam!" Novos called. "Go and help Marlina!"

Sir Niam wasted no time getting to Marlina.

She had a very bad wound on her forehead.

"Lantyce!" Niam shouted. "Help!" Niam called.

Lantyce quickly found her way to Marlina's side.

At that moment, an Uruk-hai attacked Sir Niam and wounded Lantyce.

Then the Uruk-hai grabbed Marlina, to take to Vonas.

"Retreat!" The head Uruk-hai ordered.

All the Uruk-hai now fled with their hostage.

"Marlina!" Lantyce shouted, with no answer.

Note From TheSeaChelle: I know this is my shortest Chapter... I'm looking for feedback and input. I'm always open to everyone's opinions!

~Chelle