Return to Mirkwood
Chapter 9
Falling. Falling. Falling. A hundred emotions. A thousand memories. The icy water suffocating. Water all around. No way out. Falling through water. Falling. Going dark. Falling. A bright light, then... Nothing.
A cool silver light flooded in as he opened his eyes. The smell of forest surrounded him, but it was like no forest he had ever been in; not even the beautiful forest of LothloriƩn compared to this. The trees were tall and straight, their trunks and branches shone silver, they held golden leaves, and not a single one had fallen to the ground.
He was in a clearing, the cool soft grass was beneath him. He looked down and realised that his arm was no longer wounded, and his sleeve was no longer torn. He stood slowly and looked all around, then he saw a figure through the trees. The figure was ghost like; moving silently over the ground, stirring not one blade of grass. He knew who it was, but couldn't belive it. As the figure glided closer he felt so much joy in seeing her; it had been many many years. He remembered the day she had died, so much sadness and confusion. Now he felt calmed and quieted in her presence.
"Is this what its like to die?" He asked, quietly. His mother stood before him, her golden hair fell lightly onto her silver robe. She took his hands and looked deep into his blue eyes, her voice was clear and quiet.
"Yes, my son. But you cannot stay here."
The elf looked up again, a puzzed look on his face. " what do you mean? I am dead; I fell"
His mother shook her head, "you must save your people. Take these." She took a low branch from a tree, it seamlessly detached from the tree like melting ice, and it shrunk and twisted itself into a beautiful silver bow. She next made beautiful arrows and a shining white quiver. She handed them to the curious figure before her.
"They will always return to you, you will never lose them." She smiled and placed a hand on her son's cheek. "Be safe, my son."
Everything began to fade, he reached for his mother's hand but it slipped through his as he returned to the real world...
Days passed, and the prisioners saw no light, no food or drink.
"What are they waiting for?! Why don't they just kill us now!" Cried Gimli, frustrated and confused. No one aswered.
Suddenly there was the sharp sound of orcs shouting, and the clash of metal on metal. Tauriel stood quickly and tried to peer out of the small barred window; but she could not see much to her left or right.
One of the orc guards wizzed past the window, retreating from his pursurer; a cloaked figure ran to him and plunged a knife into his back. Tauriel jumped back, scared. The other orc jumped behind the figure and slashed down his heavy sword, but the figure elegantly raised his knife and brought into crashing down onto the orc.
Gimli was stood too, but was stationary near the wall. Thranduil did not react; he only lifted his head, his once bright eyes full of dark shadow.
Tauriel walked back as the figure turned and walked towards the door. She stepped away as it slowly opened, scraping along the stone floor. The figure was wearing a dark cloak, he was tall and silent as he entered the prison. His hood was pulled low over his face; masking it with a dark shadow. His voice was calm, as he spoke to the wary captives.
"I know where they have your weapons. It is safe, all the orcs in this passage are dead."
Tauriel hesitated, then left to find the weapons, Gimli following. Thranduil looked at the figure, but didnt move.
"Who are you?" He asked, his voice was rough and sore from the silence. The figure was about to approach when Tauriel returned, carrying the weapons.
The mysterious figure turned to face them all.
"Follow me, I know the way out." He turned but stopped as Tauriel spoke harshly.
"How do we know youre not some orc trick?!"
The figure took a step towards her, his face still hidden in darkness. Tauriel didnt flinch but pressed on.
"Why should we trust you?" She was filled with many emotions, her mind had been changed by the dark cave.
Although his face was covered, Tauriel knew he was staring at her, " because i'm the only chance you have."
Four figures moved silently through the dimly lit hallway; the cloaked figure at the back. He had not spoken any more. All was silent. Suddenly an orc jumped out from a narrow set back in the stone wall. The cloaked figure drew his knife and swiftly killed the orc. Then, Gimli looked closer at the knife; he recognised the white handle.
"Where did you get that?" He asked, Tauriel also saw it.
"I found it in the river." Claimed the figure, quietly. Tauriel turned away, and a flash of emotion flickered in Gimli's eyes.
Soon, they stopped at a split in the path, Thranduil turned to the figure, his eyes still clouded. "Which way?"
The figure pushed past the three and pointed to the left. Tauriel suddenly realised that their guide had an elvish bow slung on his back. His cloak was of elvish material too. She stopped in her tracks.
The figure turned, slowly to face the she elf. "Who are you?" She demanded, but a hint of fear rose in her voice.
He pushed back his hood.
Tauriel looked deep into the blue of his eyes, her heart filled with disbelief, but also with joy. Gimli stared too, his eyes wide. The dwarf walked towards the elf and hugged him tight.
"You are the craziest, stupidest, most amazing elf I have ever met!" Tears rolled down his face.
Thranduil hurried forwards and held his son tightly, both father and son cried tears of joy.
"Ion nin..." Thranduil whispered softly. Legolas held his father even tighter. Finally he pulled away.
He looked at Tauriel, who still had a look of confusion painted upon her face. But as he was about to walk towards her, orcs began to spill into the hallway. The sound of their calls was sharp to their ears, and the scraping of their heavy armour echoed around the stone chambers. They pushed them out, into the cold autumn sun.
The orcs drew their weapons and advanced, the huge orc Gimli had tried to fight with in the battle appeared from the ring of orcs; there were about 30 of them. The leader shouted out, his crackled voice echoing around the misty forest.
"I am Nima! King of the orcs! Sauron may have fallen but we are still strong. You will not escape! " He drew his own sword and pointed it to the sky. "Kill them!"
The many orcs ran to the four friends, they were in a clearing edged with trees; there was only open ground. Legolas drew an arrow in his bow, silver on silver. It shot so easily, so perfectly. Tauriel weilded her daggers and Gimli held his axe high above his head. Thranduil held his sword in his hands and stayed close to Legolas; he would not lose his son again.
The orcs got closer and closer. The fight began.
It was not long until all the friends lost sight of one another, Legolas frantically searched for Tauriel; he needed to be with her. But all he could see was the swarming mass of orcs in every direction. He caught a flash of Gimli striking down his enemies but in a second he was gone again. Legolas swung knife around; slashing at the few orcs fight lasted a long time, there were no pauses between enemies; after one was slain many more were ready to swarm in.
But even the many orcs were no match for the brave fighters; soon, all their opponents were dead. Legolas looked around him, his father was helping Gimli up from the frosty ground. He smiled, hus father had never been such close friends with a dwarf. Then he realised someone was gone, his head spun with anxiety and fear ;where was Tauriel?
Legolas looked up at his father as he shouted over to him. "She followed six stragglers back into the cave! I tried to stop her but she got away from me."
Without hesitation, Legolas ran into the caverns, he soon heard the sound of dagger on sword. He ran into a small hall, with separate tunnels leading away from it. Tauriel was swiftly finishing off more orcs, soon they all lay dead on the ground. Tauriel didn't notice Legolas, and continued around the corner down one of the passages. Six orcs, his father had said six; there were only five there. Legolas quickly ran after Tauriel, but he was too late. He stopped arubtly as he heard her scream, it pierced through his ears and into his heart.
Tauriel felt the cold of metal on her throat, Nima towered behind her, his other hand held her arms tightly behind her. He forced her forwards, Legolas turned the corner just as they did. His eyes met hers, his were filled with fear. She tried to move away as Nima's sickly voice sounded by her ear.
"You killed my second in command, Ohla will be avenged!" She realised that Ohla was the orc Legolas has killed, she found herself drowning in fear for her friend.
She cried out as he pressed the blade further into her skin. Legolas dropped his knife and his bow to the stone ground.
"Please!" He pleaded, his voice shaking slightly, but still strong. "Don't hurt her!
Tauriel found it hard to breathe, the icy blade was beginning to cut her skin. She tried not to wretch as Nima's hot, rotting breath fell close to her face.
" Little elf," he mocked, "you think you can save her? Well i challenge you to a fight! You will surely die anyway!" He laughed cruely, Legolas picked up his knife with shaking hands.
Nima let go of Tauriel and threw her against the stone wall, she crumpled to the ground with a thud, unconsious. Legolas took a step towards her, but Nima slashed out with his sword. Legolas looked at her limp body, he had to win this, for her.
He ran forwards, knife across his body. Nima thrust out his long sword but Legolas avoided it and went to stab his knife into the orc, but Nima twisted around and his sword missed the elf by just centimetres. Legolas jumped up and over Nima's head, he landed silently and plunged his knife out, but it only hit thin air. Nima charged, pushing Legolas into the hard wall, he quickly moved aside as the huge orc brung his sword crashing down. Before he could regain his balance, Legolas stabbed his knife into the orc king.
Nima growled and his voice gurgled and spat as he tried to speak.
"We will, we will rule again! You have won today, but orcs will rule Mirkwood!" A loud breath escaped the orc, then he fell back, his darkened eyes staring at nothing.
Legolas dropped his knife, trying to get his breath back. He suddenly turned as he heard quiet groaning. Tauriel had sat up, leaning against the stone. He ran over and knelt beside her.
"Are you ok?" He asked gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and nodded. Legolas helped her up. Tauriel looked at the body of the orc, a black mound in the shadows.
"You killed him." She whispered. She wrapped her arms around her friend and felt tears running down her cheeks. "I was so scared." She held onto him, as though he was the only other thing in the world. He pulled back and gently wiped away her tears, he moved her face up to his.
"I would never have let him hurt you." He smiled and leaned forwards to kiss her. Their lips were so close he could almost feel hers on his. But a sudden yelling stopped him.
"Legolas?! Tauriel?!" It was Gimli and Thranduil. Legolas turned away, frustrated. He saw that Tauriel also had an annoyed expression, but she kept hold of his hand tightly.
Gimli smiled as he saw his friends, unaware of what he had interupted. Thranduil followed; he no longer looked silent but a new fire had burned inside him, happiness and freedom guided him once again. Gimli looked over at the dead orc, and pulled a silly face at it.
"A, good timing; it seems like you took care of 'oh so great king orc'" he chuckled, a new joy had too got rid of his sadness. Legolas scowled at his friend.
"Oh sure Gimli, great timing." He said, sarcastically. Tauriel tried not to laugh. Gimli looked on, confused then he noticed that their hands were entwined.
"Oh." He said quietly, "well, um... anyway uh..." He turned away as Legolas raised his eyebrows at his friend. Thranduil took over from the embarrassed dwarf.
"We found the battle survivors, they have a camp in the forest, we will lead them home, together." He walked towards his son, Tauriel moved away. Legolas hugged his father close.
"Together, father."
