Chapter 14: A Secret Revealed
When it was completely dark the four elves left the cave. They reached the tower a half an hour later. Hawk motioned for the twins and Elrohir to find all the remaining orcs, while she made her way to the tower. She knew where Morgost was going to be, he had revealed a little of himself to her when he captured her. When she was outside the upper room she drew her sword, there was a pale blue light radiating from it. She smiled; it was definitely an elvish blade. Her hand reached for the handle of the door.
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Estel held up his hand for the company to stop. He could tell that the orcs they were hunting were close. He motioned for everyone to spread out so they could close in on their prey. He nodded at Peregrin to gather the commanders. Mattew saw the order and made his way to the prince, Hayden at his side.
"What's the plan, your highness?" Peregrin asked his commander.
"They're looking for something, so they won't be expecting us." Estel explained, "If we spread out, we can catch them totally off guard. But don't get reckless, they are more then likely armed and ready for battle."
"How do you know what they are thinking?" Hayden inquired curiously.
"I received a message earlier that told me what was happening." The prince replied turning his gaze to the young man, "And who are you?"
"I am Hayden, second in command under Matthew." He bowed his head in respect.
"Hayden, Matthew." The prince mumbled.
"Your highness," Peregrin put his hand on his prince's shoulder, "is something wrong?"
"Is your daughter named Catherine?" Estel asked ignoring the other man.
"That is my daughter's name." Matthew replied confused, "But how do know of her?"
"I thought you disowned her." He countered.
"I disown anyone who would side with those creatures." He snapped vehemently.
"Get out of my sight, both of you," Estel growled, "before I kill you. Oh, and just for your information, those creatures, as you so disrespectfully call the elves, happen to include my grandmother. So I would be very careful, if I were you, about what you say about them."
"No one in their right mind," Hayden countered, "would marry one of them."
"If I recall correctly," the prince replied glaring at him, "you were going to marry one Lendemel Hawk, and I do recall that she is the daughter of Ammie and Legolas, two very prominent elves. I think that you two should go home, because Hawk doesn't need help from either of you."
"Lendemel's in trouble." Matthew brow furrowed in concern.
"Yes, that is why I came." Estel said calmly, "Catherine asked me to go to the aid of her sister."
"It's all my fault." The older man cried, "None of this would have happened if I would have accepted her. I should never have driven them away. She would be safe at home right now if I hadn't turned my back on her."
"No," the prince replied putting his hand comfortingly on the other's shoulder, "she had to leave. It was her destiny. No one could stop it, it was appointed to her at birth, when Valin chose her."
They were unable to say more because a rider approached with the news that the orcs had been spotted.
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The door opened silently and Hawk entered the chamber. Morgost was standing on the other side of the room with his back to the door. She raised her sword to strike; this was just too easy. He was going to be defeated in a matter of seconds.
"I see you came back to me, my little bird." His voice sounded pleased by the fact.
"I came back to kill you." She snapped.
"Ah, but no one can kill me, little bird." he turned to look at her an evil smile on his face, "So put the weapon down and I promise I won't hurt you."
"Forgive me for not believing you," she laughed, "but I know that I can kill you and I don't think I'll lower my sword."
"I really don't want to hurt you, little bird." His eyes narrowed into slits, "But if you refuse to drop the sword, I will."
His own sword was in his hand in a heartbeat. And without warning he charged at Hawk. But she parried the blow with ease. Morgost scowled at her. She was good. But he knew that no one could beat him, except the one with the ring. And she didn't have that. He smiled wickedly and struck again. But she countered it deftly.
"Careful, little bird," he laughed, "I might have to hurt you badly if you keep this up."
"I doubt it." She replied parrying another blow, "For I cannot be injured."
His sword flicked her hair out of her face to look at her cheek. The bruise he had given her was gone, as was the cut on her neck. That was impossible, no one could heal that fast. She raised Tiggara and removed his blade from the vicinity of her face. She smiled at his confused look. Then she lunged and her sword entered his flesh just above the abdomen.
Morgost pulled back shocked that he had dropped his guard enough for her to stab him. He wouldn't let that happen again. He needed to get the weapon away from her so he could grab her. He really didn't want her injured, but she was trying his patience. He might give her enough of an injury to make her drop the sword and then he would have her.
Hawk met his eyes fearlessly. He could try anything he wanted, but she would still defeat him. She raised her blade in challenge. He accepted by raising his own sword. The swords met and he used his weight to get within a few inches of her. Then he reached his hand down and drew his knife from his belt. He plunged it into her right side. Her mouth fell open in shock and pain.
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Estel looked around at the orcs. There were a lot of them but they were no match for the skilled soldiers of Gondor. He glanced down the line of soldiers and noticed that Matthew was fighting rather close by. He made his way over to him.
"Matthew," he called, "lets drive them back. Let them lead us to Hawk."
"A forced retreat." The older man replied, "It should work."
The prince motioned for the riders to close in and force the orcs back. Most of the orcs fled before the rage of the Gondorians. But Deloth knew that if he returned without the girl, he would be killed so he remained to fight. Estel saw him and quickly severed his head, sending it off down the line.
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Hawk looked down at the knife in Morgost's hand. She gagged at the sight of her own blood. Her legs gave out and she fell to her knees. Her left hand flew to her side. But he raised the knife again and she raised her sword with both hands to stop it.
"I warned you that I would hurt you, little bird." He said knocking the sword from her grasp, "But you refused to listen."
Hawk felt sick to her stomach, but she ignored it. She had to get her sword back. She needed to complete her task. Morgost forced her up, an evil smile stretching across his face.
"So, little bird," he sneered, "can't stand the sight of your own blood, is that it."
"No." she snarled through clenched teeth.
"Well," he replied running his finger down her cheek, "it doesn't matter now. For you are mine, little bird."
He lowered his head and kissed her savagely. Drinking in her pain and hatred. Hawk fought with all she had, but it was no use his hold was like a vice. He raised his head and dropped his weapons. She would pay for her little stunts. He would make sure of it. He would make her wish she had never been born. And then he would kill her.
Once he relaxed his hold, Hawk shoved him away in disgust and retrieved her sword. She pointed it at him menacingly. She would rather go out fighting than let him have his way with her. He laughed at the look of hatred in her eyes.
"You cannot kill me, little bird." He mocked, moving toward her, "Only the keeper of the ring of hope can do that."
"My name is Lendemel Hawk." She said plunging Tiggara into his heart, "My mother was Ammie Hawk," she pushed the blade further into his chest, "the keeper of Valin, she gave it to me the day I was born. And I say to you die."
Morgost fell to his knees. It couldn't be. The ring had left Middle Earth. Then he noticed the heart shaped band on her finger. She was the keeper of Valin. And this was his doom!
Hawk withdrew her blade and watched as he fell to the ground. She winced and fell to her knees. Her hand went to her side, which felt like it was on fire. Valin quickly took care of the wound, but that wasn't what was bothering her. She leaned over and retched violently. Then she slipped into unconsciousness.