I reached the head of the group just in time to head into the pass. I quickly strung my bow and pulled loose a few arrows, loosened my dagger from its sheath, and tapped Ebony with me heel. He pricked his ears and trotted a bit faster.
The first half hour of travel was relatively silent, very little chatter coming from my Faroth following behind. There was a slight vibration from the rocks ahead, but I hoped that it was not Orc.
Unfortunately, the Valar were not with me at that time. As the first Orc rounded the corner, I released my arrow, striking it down with ease. I nudged Ebony again, and he sped up, lowering his head to give me better aim. I shot again and again until we were too close for such things, then I worked on clearing a path for the others.
I baited the Orc, appearing injured, when the next second, I was killing them off again. Another arrow whizzed by my ear, and I held up my hand in acknowledgment of Legolas' help. Finally, I had cleared a path and was trying to keep them contained as the others passed.
Of course, I had help. Lots of help. Especially from Legolas, as he was very worried for my safety. I mean - he was the one who had cared for me after all my idiotic stunts...
But there were a few too many.
The others were able to get away, but I was now trapped in a battle, unable to break away for fear that they might follow us and hurt the others.
As I turned from killing off one of the last few, I was hit on the side of my head and slumped in the saddle.
"I hope Ebony can get us back to the others."
And then everything went dark.
Legolas' POV
"Where is she, where is she, where is she, where-"
"Legolas! Come quickly!" a voice called from the watch area.
I bolted without another thought, grabbing my daggers and bow on instinct.
I burst out of the clearing we had made camp in and came upon the Faroth I had talked with earlier holding Ebony by the bridle. He seemed to be very unsettled and restless.
He caught sight of me and broke out of her control, grabbed my tunic in his teeth and dragged me with him a short ways.
"Where are you going?!" The Faroth yelled at me as I mounted Ebony swiftly, I looked over my shoulder.
"I'm going to find Verca." And then Ebony took off, hooves falling against the ground with a sound like thunder, but so soft that it could scarcely be heard, and I vaguely wondered what breed he was.
We rode for maybe an hour or so, watching the dim-lit sky and the bright stars that could scarce be seen through the trees. Then sounds of screaming and swords clashing and the faint sound of a ringing bow sang out through the night.
Ebony spurred on faster towards it.
I almost went flying off as we skidded to a stop at the edge of the clearing.
And there she was. Screaming and cursing in Elvish and fighting off about four or so Orcs while backed against a tree. They could smell blood and she was covered in it. All of this I took in and understood in a second. And then I had dismounted and shot an arrow - painfully - into the closest Orc's skull and was running towards Verca.
She hadn't quite seen me yet, and maybe that was a good thing. Ebony charged behind me and chased off the remaining Orc as I reached her.
"Legolas -" she cried as she fell to the ground, "thanks." I picked her up softly and carried her toward Ebony, who bent at the knees to allow me to mount easier.
I let him take us back to camp, as I was only barely keeping my head on. Hey! I was busy trying to stop the bleeding... I could not help but think that this was very similar to all of her idiotic stunts and pranks that she had pulled years ago.
I stumbled into camp, barely able to walk straight and keep her from slipping from my arms.
Verca's Faroth took her away to their tents without another word, and I was left unattended to, knowing she was more important...
She would always be more important...
Wait... I shook my head at the thought and smiled to myself, ignoring it and wandering off to bed. It would be a long while before my friend woke again, and I wanted to be rested when she did.