Fourth chapter: Free
King Thranduil was sitting on his throne, his two youngest sons were standing on the floor below him. Ismil, the captain of the palace guards had told Thranduil that Legolas' old team were bringing in an orc, who had a massage for the king. Thranduil sat deep in thoughts, normally he didn't negotiate with orcs, but this one came from Dol Guldur.
Anglond and Mirthral were dragging in the orc before the king, behind the rest of the team were walking. They put the orc before the king, and held their swords before its neck. The orc was heavy chained and couldn't move much.
"You have been brought before me, orc, what do you have to way?" Thranduil asked in a calm but regal voice.
"I have something for you, elf king!" the orc spat.
Thranduil arched an eyebrow at the orc, and waited for the orc to continue.
"It in my front pocket" it spat again.
Tristan walked forth and drew out a leather wallet from the pocket, it was closed with leather straps. He slowly opened it, and when he saw what was in it, he made a face of complete surprise and shock.
"My king" he said in a low voice.
Thranduil was already on this way down the steps to the throne. He took the wallet from Tristan and looked inside. He could not help he small gasped that escaped him.
"Get Arin" he said, and Rogon walked off to get her.
"Where did you get this?" he then asked the orc.
"Where do you think?" the orc said with a smirk, "from a pretty elf prince right finger of cause".
Lucien and Gilmarkar turned to their father when they heard, and he showed the ring inside the wallet.
"That is Legolas' wedding ring" Lucien gasped, "where is he?" he asked the orc with anger in his voice.
"Oh you think I would tell you?" the orc laughed.
"Why have you come" Thranduil asked, "what do you think you think you can achieve?".
"Send your patrols away from the southern Mirkwood" the orc said.
"Why" Thranduil asked.
"Then you get your pretty elf prince back, or, what's left of him" the orc laughed.
"What?" came a female voice from behind, Arin had arrived and looked at Thranduil with a mixture of shock and surprise.
Thranduil handed her the wallet, and she took out the white mithril ring, formed like branches and leaves in a delicate pattern. She recognized the ring in a second, her husband's wedding ring. She looked up at Thranduil, who nodded towards the orc. Arin turned and faced the orc with all her anger.
"Where is my husband?" she asked with so much force, that the orc looked frightened for a second. "You have his ring, what have you done to him?".
The orc didn't say a word.
"Throw him in the dungeons" Thranduil ordered, and Anglond and Mirthral walked off with the orc, the rest of the team fallowed.
"What does this mean?" Lucien asked and walked to lay an arm around Arin's shoulder.
"Apparently Legolas seems to be alive" Thranduil said, his voice grave, "for now at least. The orc was from Dol Guldur, so Legolas most still be in their dungeons".
"After all these years" Lucien whispered, "he can't still be alive? Can he?".
Tears were starting to roll down Arin's cheeks, and Lucien squeezed her shoulder.
"He is a lot stronger than you think" Thranduil said, "but you are right Lucien, sixty-seven years is a long time, I honestly don't know if he could survive this long. But something tells me he is still alive, and fighting to stay alive every day that passed".
Thranduil walked over to Arin and putted a hand on her cheek, the brushed away a few of her tears.
"He is fighting to stay alive for you Arin, for you and your son".
"He doesn't know he has a son" Arin cried.
"He knows he has a child, that is enough".
Something awakened Legolas. He lay still for some moments, wondering what had awakened him. Then he heard it, someone was calling his name, a voice he didn't recognized, but didn't sound threatening. It was a young voice, fair and melodious. But there was an urgency to it.
Legolas tried to call back, but it didn't come out more than a whisper. He heard the voice come closer, and light was shining towards him from the corridor.
A young elf stood at the cell door. Legolas only saw a faint shadow; his strength was failing him quickly. He was shivering over his whole body. The young elf yelled something Legolas only registered as a faint echo, but soon two others joined him and they broke down the cell door.
One of the voices off the elf kneeling beside him, he recognized as Rozarko, and the other he thought was Girion, but not sure. They tried to talk to him, but he had not the strength to reply. The young elf took out two white twin knifes, Legolas thought they looked hauntingly familiar, and cut him loose from his chains. Rozarko lifted him up and hold him close while they fled the dungeons.
For the first time in sixty-seven years, Legolas felt the wind blowing at his face. Girion took his cape off and draped it around Legolas, who was beginning to shake more in Rozarkos arms, who was whispering soothingly to him. But Legolas didn't pay attention to the words, he was too tired.
Everywhere around him it sounded like a big fight was going on, and he heard loud voices yell orders he didn't have the strength to hear. Soon, he didn't hear anything.
Legolas became completely limp in Rozarkos arms, the shivering stopped, and he couldn't feel Legolas breathe anymore.
"Legolas!" he yelled and lay him on the ground, "no, no, no. Not now!" he almost cried.
Everyone in the courtyard of Dol Guldur stood still and watched Rozarko lay their seemingly lifeless prince on the ground.
"His pulse is very weak" Rozarko said to Girion.
But before they could do anything, Elrond and Galadriel was by their side. Both of them laid a hand on Legolas' heart, and a soft white light began to glow on the spot.
"Come back to us, prince of the green forest" Elrond and Galadriel said in soft voices.
A soft white glow formed underneath their hands.
"Please Legolas" Rozarko pleaded, "do not give up. Not now".
He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss upon his forehead. In that moment, Legolas started to breathe again, but they could still not get in contact with him.
"We have to get him out of here" Elrond said, "this place is draining his strength, and he has not much of it left".
Rozarko lifted Legolas again, and walked towards the exit gates. The elite team were gathering around them to protect them from leftover orcs. There weren't many orcs left, and those who were, were easily killed by the skilled elven warriors. Rozarko held Legolas close to him, and made sure he was safe.
"Stay with us" he whispered to Legolas while he ran for the exit.
Soon they were out of Dol Guldur, and Rozarko handed Legolas to Girion while he mounted his horse. When he was seated, Girion handed Legolas back to Rozarko, who made sure Legolas was seated comfortly in front of him, with Girions cape wrapped around him to keep him warm. Then they were of, galloping towards the woodland realm, and they didn't stop before the evening.
A fire was burning in the middle of the clearing, some elves were taking care of the horses, others making dinner. In the trees surrounding the clearing, three elves were sitting watch, camouflaged in the foliage. Rozarko, Girion and Elrond was taking care of Legolas near the warming fire. He was beginning to gain consciousness again. Galadriel was going back to Lotlorien with her few warriors, knowing Legolas was in safe hands.
Legolas felt warm, for the first time in years. Someone near him was talking, but he could not jet hear the words. He tried to lift his arm, but it felt too heavy. When he finally opened his eyes, everything was hazy, and he felt dizzy. Someone was softly calling his name, Elrond he thought. But what was Elrond doing here? And where was he by the way?
He took a deep breath, "Elrond?", it came out as barely a hoarse whisper.
"Yes Legolas" came the soft reply.
Legolas moved his head towards the sound of the voice, and soon his tired, blue eyes found those wise, gray ones of Elrond. Elrond smiled softly to Legolas, and let hind fingers run through his silver blonde hair.
"You are safe now, penneth" Elrond said.
"You look awful" Rozarko grinned from behind Elrond, who shot him a dirty look.
"I'm always looking great, Rozarko" Legolas replied with a smile.
"Well, now we know he is getting better, his humor isn't gone" Girion laughed from the other side of Legolas.
"There is someone who would like to meet you, Legolas" Rozarko said.
Elrond and Girion stood and walked over to the other side of the fire while a young elf came closer. His hair was almost as light blonde as Legolas', and he looked like him when he was very young. His eyes were the same silver blue color as Arin's.
"Legolas, this is Aegnon" Rozarko said, "your son".
Aegnon sat beside Legolas while Rozarko walked away to give them some privacy.
"I'm" Legolas started, sighed and continued, "lost for words".
"It quite alright, ada" he said, his voice as melodious as Legolas'.
"I tried" Legolas whispered, "every single day I tried to come home to you".
"I know" Aegnon replied, his voice strained, "naneth never lost hope".
"I'm sorry" Legolas whispered.
"For what?".
"Not being there".
"You are here now, that is all that matters".
"I do not even know you".
"Well" Aegnon said with a smile, "my favorite color is deep blue, like yours. I love to read books lying on my stomach in front of the fireplace, just like you. And, let me think, I think my temper is from naneth, everyone seems to think so. I love to climb trees, swim and ride in the forest. And I am practicing with my bow whenever I can. Once I was allowed to try yours, but I couldn't pull the string".
Legolas was quiet for a moment, processing all the information his son was giving him.
"Well" he smiled, "thank goodness you have your mothers temper. The temper on my side of the family isn't something to brag about".
"Lucien isn't that bad" Aegnon laughed, "and grandpa isn't either".
"That is only because you're his grandson".
Aegnon thought for a moment, his head held tilted to the side. "Well" he said, "you're probably right about that. He has been good to me though, and Lucien too. I think they tried to fill in some of your place".
"I'm glad they did".
"But they weren't you though".
"I know. I'm sorry" Legolas whispered, his voice a bit strained. He felt his strength failing him again, and he began to feel very tired.
Aegnon saw that, "you are tired, ada. I will let you sleep".
"I have just met my son for the first time, and now you are asking me to sleep?" Legolas said with a wry smile.
"Yes" Aegnon said with a huge smile on his lips. He bent now and kissed Legolas on the forehead, "goodnight ada".
"Goodnight son" Legolas said, almost halfway asleep.
Aegnon walked over to where Elrond, Girion and Rozarko were sitting, eating the stew there was made earlier that evening. Rozarko handed him a bowl, and he sat quietly on the bedroll beside his father's bodyguard and ate. The others around the camp let him eat his dinner I peace, glancing over at their commander now and then.
When Elrond was finish with his dinner, he walked over to Legolas and laid a hand on his forehead. A fever was rising from the multiple old wounds on Legolas' body. Thereafter he measured his pulse and breathing, both too slow. Rozarko handed Elrond a bowl of cool water and a cloth.
"He is having a fever, right?" Rozarko said in a low voice, glancing worried down at Legolas.
"Yes" Elrond said quietly, "he has several old wounds who haven't healed properly".
Elrond wiped Legolas' forehead with the cold cloth. Legolas seem to register the cold, and moved his hand towards Elrond, who took it in his free one.
"It alright, penneth" he whispered, "sleep now".
Rozarko whipped his head up when his head rustle in the leaves of the trees straight ahead. Soon Mirthral appeared in the foliage, jumping lightly on to the ground and hurried over to Rozarko.
"A patrol of orcs is heading right our way" the said in a low voice, "they will reach the camp within an hour".
"I hoped we were long enough from the fortress" Rozarko said, looking grave, "sound the alarm, we are leaving immediately".
Mirthral blew three short blows in his horn, telling the camp to brake instantly. Soon everyone was packing up, readying the horses, blowing out the fire, and getting Legolas ready for travel once again.
Not even ten minutes after, the elves were on the road again, heading north towards the woodland realm, with a patrol of orcs not far behind them. Rozarko once again holding Legolas close in front of him, wrapped warmly in blanks. Legolas was still sleeping, or mayby unconscious, Rozarko didn't know. He had not weaning once while they broke camp, or galloping through the forest, and Legolas was not a heavy sleeper, he knew that, he tiniest noise could wake him up. He put a hand to Legolas' neck, measuring his pulse. It was still too weak. Girion who was riding next to him glanced nervously to Legolas now and then.
When the sun raised, the elves were almost at the sourthen border of the woodland realm, and would reach the palace within nightfall.
The elves stopped at a small stream, to let the horses rest and drink. They placed Legolas, who was still unconscious, near the roots of a large beech. The beech seemed to reach out towards Legolas, almost at it sensed his need of protection. Rozarko, Girion, Aegnon, Mirthral and Rogon formed a protective ring around their prince while Elrond looked to him. The others from the team set watch in the trees surrounding them.
"Orcs are catching in on us" Tristan said from the tree above Rozarko, "it is not the same pack as last night, but nevertheless they are tracking us, and fast".
"Elrond?" Rozarko turned and looked the Imladrian lord in the eye.
"He is in a very bad shape" Elrond replied, "how long can you give me?" he asked Tristan.
"Half an hour before the orcs reach us" Tristan replied, looking nervously down at Legolas, who were becoming paler and weaker from every minute.
"How many?" Rozarko asked.
"About forty" Tristan replied.
"If it is necessary, we hold stand" Rozarko said, and all around Legolas nodded in agreement.
Tristan disappeared into the foliage once again to give the message to the team. Elrond worked hard on Legolas, tried to get some strengthening in him. He tried some herbs who were known for strengthening the heart and pulse, and something to ease his breathing, who were becoming strained. And last, he tried to get the fever down, it was burning Legolas up from inside, and the woodland crownprince was in obvious pain. The hard ride from the night before hadn't done anything good for him either.
When the half hour was running out, the elves could begin to hear the orcs running through the forest. Those who were not standing watch around Legolas, move forwards with bows and arrows ready. Not many minutes thereafter, the elves around Legolas could hear the orcs screams. The team were fighting hard against the orcs so they wouldn't reach their vulnerable prince.
After some time though, the orcs broke through the defense. Rozarko, Girion, Aegnon, Mirthral and Rogon all drew out their bow, and when the orcs became visible through the trees, the arrows flew. When the orcs came to near, the elves drew out their swords or knives. Rozarko and Girion were the two who staid closes to Legolas, while the others attacked the orcs with all their might.
The orcs were coming closer, and soon both Rozarko and Girion joined the fight. But they didn't move two meters away from Legolas and Elrond. The rest of the team joined the fight from behind the orcs now. Aegnon, the most inexperienced one of them, was surrounded by orcs, and did everything he could to fight them off. Tristand and Falael tried to get to him. They broke through the orcs and fought side by side with their young prince and commander's son. A horn was being blown, and the elves knew more orcs were coming.
Rozarko looked over to Girion, "sound the alarm" he said, "maybe we are lucky a patrol will hear".
Girion blew three times in his horn, and continued whenever he could. He would kill and orc, blow three times in the horn, alarming the others patrols who may be nearby that they needed help, and then kill another orc.
More orcs were coming through the trees, arrows flew towards the elves, Rogon was hit in the thigh, and Galdor in the right shoulder. But the elves kept on fighting.
"Aegnon!" an elves yelled over the noise of the battle.
All elves froze for a moment, Rozarkos head whipped towards the sound. Near the stream, the young elven prince fell with an orc arrow piercing his throat. Tristan knelled beside him, and in that moment reinforcement arrived. An elven horn was being blown, and horses galloped over the stream and felled the orcs.
Tristan carried the dying prince over to Rozarko, who laid two fingers on his wrist to find a pulse.
"I'm sorry" he said with a strained voice, "he's dead".
"No" Tristan breathed and fell to his knees, Aegnon still in his arms.
Elrond walked over, placed a hand on Tristan's shoulder.
"I'm so sorry" he said in a low voice.