OMG, did everyone watch Black Hawk Down or something?
Riten: -looks at reviews- Apparently so.
Yeah…….. Anyway, thanks for all of the reviews and movie comments from you guys. I passed the fifty review mark! Woo hoo! Anyway, here's the long chapter you've been asking for and I hope you enjoy it. You better because it took me a LONG time to write. The dragon slayer's leader shall have a name this chapter so I'll stop calling him 'the dragon slayer's leader' after that. Anyway, enough of me, on with chapter ten!
Nearly a week and a half later Legolas lay in bed quietly. He hadn't left the palace since the incident with the spiders, yet nobody seemed concerned except for Thaliel who had become increasingly worried at the prolonged absence of her master. Was he alright? Had he been hurt somehow and she didn't know? The poor mare barely ate as she stood with her head facing the stable doors just waiting for Legolas to come. But he didn't. She had waited day and night for him for the past week for him to come see her and she was beginning to worry the grooms. She wouldn't eat, sleep or drink unless forced to do so. Yet Thaliel's loyalty never wavered as she waited for her master to come. Where was he?
"Legolas?" The all too familiar voice of Thranduil floated through the room as he sat on the end of his son's bed. "Why aren't you outside?"
"I was tired," Came the slightly muffled reply. Thranduil could sense the fear in his son's voice and he frowned slightly. "Alright, what happened?" With little resistance, Legolas told his father what had happened with the spider nest a week and a half before.
"Legolas," Thranduil placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Everyone has an evil streak, including myself. You just have to learn how to control and ignore it." Legolas nodded, but it didn't quell his fear. What if he lost control again?
"Come on." Thranduil stood and headed toward the door. "I'm not going to let you lay here and have a pity party for yourself." Knowing that it would be better not to argue, Legolas quickly dressed and followed his father who was already at the end of the hall. Once he entered the stable, Thaliel neighed loudly and reared in joy at the return of her master. It took Legolas ten minuets to quiet her as she nudged him happily and butted his chest. "Hush," He ordered and she immediately became silent, ready to follow his instructions to the letter.
"She seems quite happy to see you," Thranduil commented in an accusatory tone. "She also looks a bit thin. I wonder why." Legolas hung his head in shame, nearly falling over when Thaliel stuck her nose in his face. "I'm disappointed in you. You've never let something this silly stop you before." Legolas had no retaliation for this so his mounted Thaliel in silence, almost falling off as she reared in excitement. "Is she a dog or a horse?" Thranduil asked, laughing loudly.
"Neither." Legolas replied with a smile. "She's a pain." Thaliel just cocked her head at Thranduil as if asking if he was going to mount or not. With a sigh the older Elf climbed on the mare's back behind his son. Once out of the stables, Thaliel whinnied happily and broke off into a wild gallop without even being told where to go. Both Elves had to hold for their lives as Thaliel shot off into the forest at a breakneck pace, unwilling to slow even at Legolas's command. They emerged from the forest half an hour later, but Thaliel still ran on as if she hadn't even noticed. Legolas gave her mane a good yank and she suddenly halted by digging her hooves into the dirt. The sudden stop caused Legolas to fly over her head onto the ground bringing Thranduil with him. Thaliel leaned over them, giving them a look that said 'What are you doing on the ground?' Both Elves gave her a glare as they disentangled themselves from each other and stood. They looked around, noticing that this wasn't where they normally came out.
"Do you know where we are?" Legolas asked sounding slightly worried.
After a moment Thranduil said, "She brought us farther south than she should have." The fact that he didn't sound worried seemed to calm Legolas. "Unfortunately, I must cut this visit short now. There are matters that I must attend to in Rivendell before tomorrow morning."
"Can't you stay just a little longer?" Legolas asked.
"No, I can't." Thranduil said shortly as he transformed. "I really wish I could. I'll try to come again soon." Thranduil took off and prepared to fly in the direction of the Misty Mountains but was blocked by a green body in front of him. "Since when have you been so eager to transform?" He asked, watching Legolas's strained wing beats.
"Since never." Legolas replied while trying to keep himself in the air.
"It would be easier for you to stay aloft if you were moving." Thranduil said, nudging his son toward the Long Lake before flying off toward Rivendell.
'Ada was right,' Legolas thought to himself as he glided over the empty expanse of land leading to the Long Lake. 'It is easier to fly when you're moving.' Little did he know that he was flying right into a trap. At that very moment the dragon slayers, tipped off by a frantic Calbeleth, was readying to kill him.
"Are you sure that he is coming?" The dragon slayer's leader asked.
"Positive." Calbeleth panted. "I saw him coming this way."
The slayer's leader nodded. "Everything will be ready when he gets here. If things go as planned you may get the hide to yourself." The slayer left the room. Calbeleth was about to follow, but something didn't seem right. The Prince was walking, well flying, right into an ambush without any idea what was going on. He would most likely panic and be murdered in the most horrible way imaginable. He could feel his stomach twisting up in guilt as he went outside. But it was too late now. The Prince's fate was sealed.
Outside the preparations were almost complete. A huge catapult had been set up and was now being loaded with a gigantic barbed spear. Despite the fact that dragon's scales were impenetrable, with years of practice and superb aim, one could hit a dragon where its scales overlapped and pierce the soft flesh underneath. It had to be done with precision, though, or else the weapon would be useless. Once the flesh was pierced a dragon would panic, leaving its wings unprotected. From there all one had to do was tear its wings and bring it to the ground. It was game over once an injured dragon was on the ground. 'This isn't right,' he though. Tension rose as the minuets passed. The eyes of every slayer present were locked on the sky as they waited for the shape of a dragon to appear on the horizon. They didn't have to wait long. Sure enough, Legolas glided toward the lake, ready to bank for home once he passed over it.
"There it is." The slayer's leader announced, his voice sinister. "No dragon escapes Melindo Fenumë."
Legolas slowed slightly as he neared the lake, stilling his wings to glide on an air current. Something didn't feel right. He just shrugged it off as a paranoid feeling and continued on. 'Why are all of those men down there?' He wondered mentally as he got closer, fueled by his curiosity. He slowed to hover above the lake, not knowing the danger that he was in.
"Fire!" The catapult was launched sending the spear toward Legolas. He turned to flee, but it was too late. As if guided by some evil hand, the spear lodged itself under the scales right blow his right wing. He screeched in anger, fear and pain as he felt himself plummet to the ground. He caught himself, though, and rose back into the air clumsily, the spear digging ever deeper into his flesh. He cried out again as the slayers on the ground loaded another spear into the catapult.
"Just try to escape from me, worm." Melindo chuckled cruelly. Calbeleth on the other hand just stared blankly at the sky. 'I must have been crazy to do this.' He thought in horror as the next spear was launched. This one lodged itself in Legolas's right rear leg, digging so deep that the wooden shaft was only partially visible. His eyes flashed in anger as he cried out again, the pain becoming unbearable. Another spear came whizzing toward him, but it didn't hit. Taking a deep breath, Legolas aimed for the spear and released a fireball from his mouth. There was nothing left of the spear but still the fireball continued on its path, hitting the catapult. It burst into flames, distracting everyone but Melindo and Calbeleth.
"Follow it," The latter ordered. "and kill it if you can." Calbeleth nodded as Melindo went to rally the other slayers. He leapt onto his horse and rode off after Legolas, already knowing where the Prince was headed.
Every time he had to flap his wings, Legolas whimpered in pain as each movement drove the spear deeper and deeper into his flesh. He glided as often as he could to cause as little pain as possible. Relief washed over him as the edge of the forest came into view yet he knew that he still wasn't safe. He tried to land as softly as he could, but a stray wind gust knocked him off balance sending him crashing to the ground on his already injured leg. He roared in pain once more as he collapsed onto his belly, panting and gasping for breath. He had to get help somehow….. His eyes strayed to the trees where Thaliel was standing. She had a look of panic on her face as she took a step closer, wondering what was going on.
"Thaliel, go get Galion!" He ordered. Yet she still seemed confused for some reason. 'I have to think. How to get her to listen?' After a few minuets of intense thinking, it clicked. 'Talk to her in horse!' After a series of neighing and whinnying, Thaliel shot off toward the palace, leaving Legolas alone. With any luck she would be back with Galion soon. Still, it couldn't hurt if he tried to call his father. He turned his head in the direction of the Misty Mountains and let loose a roar, than another. When he was met with silence he tried again. He still received no reply and began to panic, wondering if something had happened to his father. For now all he could do was wait for help to arrive.
Thranduil was studying some documents in front of him when he heard Legolas's distress call. Thinking that his son was only trying to bother him, he shrugged it off and continued working. A few minuets later he heard another call, this one more panicked than the other two. The Elvenking glanced toward the open balcony doors for a moment before standing and passing through them. He turned his head in the direction of Mirkwood and just stared wondering if he should go check it out. He sighed and prayed to the Valar that nobody would see him before leaping off the balcony railing. After transforming in mid-air he flew off toward home, taking his son's silence as a warning.
Galion had just finished his work when there was a knock on the door. "Come in." He said and the door opened to reveal one of the young servants.
"There's something that you should see," He said, beckoning for the butler to follow. Galion sighed and left the room following the servant boy until they got outside.
"Now what did you want me to….." Galion froze mid sentence. Thaliel was in the courtyard but she was far from calm. The mare was screaming and rearing at the grooms that tried to calm her down. She looked panicked beyond belief, but that wasn't all that made him freeze. Legolas was not with her. He approached the mare quickly with every intention of calming her down, but she wouldn't have any of that. Thaliel grabbed the front of his tunic in her teeth and yanked him in the direction of the edge of the forest. "You can all go now; I've got her under control." Galion ordered, watching the disgruntled Elves walk away. When all of them were out of earshot he muttered, "Take me to him." Thaliel was more than happy to comply and she set off at a mad gallop even before Galion had been able to seat himself correctly.
Dude, I love messing with Calbeleth. It is soooooooo much fun! Anyway, I'll shut up now so you can read the rest of the chapter.
Calbeleth bit his lip as he watched Legolas from afar. He could see the Prince's eyes darting this way and that and knew that there was no way he would be able to get close. That was alright, though, because he knew in his heart that he wouldn't have the guts to kill the dragon in front of him. 'He attacked the slayers! How can you let that go unpunished!' There was that voice in his head again. 'He attacked out of self defense. He took out the main threat and left. Besides, nobody was injured.' He told himself firmly. He looked behind him to see if the rest of the slayers were on their way, but the absence of voices and torches told him differently. 'I wish I could set things right.' He pulled his legs up to his chest as he watched the creature in front of him, tears brimming his eyes. 'Help won't come in time.' Unfortunately for Legolas, Calbeleth was right. The slayers came so silently that even he didn't notice them at first. But Legolas did. He could smell the unfamiliar stench of the men and growled, looking around for them. Smoke poured from his nostrils as he looked around, ready to set fire to the first thing that moved, whether it be animal, tree or person. A twig snapped behind him and he flamed, setting fire to the unfortunate slayer behind him. He stood quite awkwardly on three legs as he roared again. He felt something tearing the membrane of his already injured right wing and turned to see another slayer dragging his sword through the thin material. The unfortunate man didn't live much longer as Legolas's tail smashed into him sending him flying into a tree. The others backed off, knowing that they could be next if they decided to cross this dragon. Just as another bold one was about to attack, a flurry of arrows flew out of the trees, one striking the bold slayer in the throat. Many more were felled as the group fled with Melindo in front.
"You got lucky this time, worm. You won't get lucky again." When he was satisfied that they were gone, Legolas collapsed on to the ground once more.
"What happened!" Galion ran out from the cover of the trees followed by an exhausted Thaliel.
"Dragon slayers." Legolas managed to choke out, holding back a whimper of pain. Galion winced when he saw how deep the spears had been driven into Legolas's flesh. "I'm going to have to pull them out." He said gravely. Taking hold of the shaft below Legolas's wing arm he looked to the Prince who had his jay firmly clamped around a dead log. "One….. two…. three….." Galion yanked as hard as he could on the shaft, pulling it right out. Legolas dug his teeth into the dead wood to prevent himself from crying out. Now that there was nothing blocking it, blood poured freely from the wound. Galion grimaced at the heavy blood flow and quickly moved onto the other shaft. This one came out with a bit more difficulty, but Galion was able to pull it out after moving it a bit. Now that there was nothing to hinder him, Legolas transformed on the spot. Galion gasped in horror when he saw the extent of Legolas's wounds. There was a gaping hole in his right shoulder blade and one on his left thigh. He tore his tunic into strips to make temporary bandaged for the Elf. Gently lifting him onto Thaliel's back, he climbed up as well. After getting a hold on Legolas's waist, he said to Thaliel, 'I know you're tired but if he doesn't get help soon he is going to die." The mare nodded with a seriousness in her eye that was rarely seen. She ran as fast as her tired legs would carry her, determined to save her master's life. Not too far away, Calbeleth spurred his horse on after her, wanting to know the fate of the Prince. He would never forgive himself if the Elf died.
"Galion, what….. oh Valar……" Thranduil was shocked at the sight in front of him. "What happened?"
"Supposedly there's a group of dragon slayer somewhere around Long Lake. They got him even before he knew what was happening." Galion replied quietly. Unbeknownst to either Elf, Calbeleth was watching through a crack in the door. He was absolutely stunned at what he saw. Legolas was deathly pale, not counting the places on his thigh and shoulder where blood seeped through the heavy bandages. His vision was slightly blurred by tears as he watched the grief stricken King take hold of his son's hand, stroking it gently and murmuring soft words to Legolas. He turned away unable to watch any longer. Once he was down at the end of the hall he let the tears of guilt flow freely. If the Prince died it would be all his fault.
I think messing with Calbeleth is my new favorite pastime. And I just realized that I made Thaliel like a dog in a horse's body. Sad, aren't I?
Riten: Yup.
-glares at Riten- You'll pay for that later. Anyway, I know that the slayer's leader's name is really, really sad and stupid, but its meaning gives him some irony if that makes any sense to you guys. If anyone would like to figure this out on their own, go to the elvish translator on I'll let you guys try to figure it out and I'll tell you next chapter. I hope you liked this chapter and don't forget to review! Oh, and if anyone has any questions or comments feel free to mail of the e(e-mail) me.