21. chapter: Result
The new 1. Team: Legolas, (Rozarko and Girion), Anglond (second in command), Mirthral, Rogon, Logon, Tristan, Falael, Cyan, Kaleth, Galdor, Gilthron (third in command), Sharian, Jassin, Imizael, Halafarin, Fenian.
Age 776, late summer:
Legolas was running through the royal wing, Girion right behind him. The guards at the entrance jumped to the side to led them out, looking surprised as they ran past them. Legolas turned sharply down the corridor towards Rozarko's quarters. Outside Legolas knocked firmly on the door, hearing a surprised call for enter before he opened the door, looking straight for the bed. Rozarko looked beyond surprised to see Legolas inside his bedroom, but also knew it had to be important for Legolas to show up like that, in his patrol clothing and weapons.
"Legolas?" Rozarko asked surprised.
"We are riding out now" Legolas told firmly, "orcs and trolls are moving in from the north".
Rozarko looked stunned before he threw the cover off him, revealing he had nothing on underneath it. Legolas turned to leave and give Rozarko peace to get dressed, but then got a little, mischievous grin on his face.
"Sorry I am whisking him away like this, Jalen" he called back, chuckling when he heard a surprised grunt from the bed.
Soon the three of them ran over the grounds, the moon was hiding behind a thick layer of dark clouds, promising rain soon. Inside the headquarter there was quiet, only a few lights were lit. just inside the door was a bell, and with a nod from Legolas, Rozarko started to pull in the rope, making it ring loudly.
"Warriors!" Legolas shouted down the hall, "at attention! Now!".
Anglond was sleeping deeply when he suddenly heard the bell inside the headquarter ring loudly, soon after, he heard his captain shout to attention. His heartbeat was increasing rapidly, he felt like he had only just fallen asleep, and stumbled out of bed. On the other side of the room Gilthron and Galdor stumbled out of their beds as well, not looking any better. The tree of them ran for the drawer and pulled out their clothing, quickly and a bit clumsily getting dressed. Galdor was mumbling grumpily as he buckled on his weapons. Gilthron was still pulling on his booths as he jumped out of the bedroom, and Anglond was still buckling on his sword. They looked to the entrance and saw Legolas standing with his arms crossed, looking a bit impatient. Girion and Rozarko on either side of him.
Legolas heard commotion from inside the bedrooms on either side of the corridor, and soon the first warriors stumbled out of the rooms, some still getting dressed or buckling on their weapons. Some of them looked more disheveled than others, and some even looked like they hadn't got much sleep at all. Legolas stood at the front door with his arms crossed, waiting for the last ones to be ready. When done they all stood ready before him;
"Orcs and trolls are moving in from the north" Legolas told them, "we are riding out immediately".
Rain had started to fall, and the elves were quickly getting soaked as they rode through the forest. Mud and dirt were flying around them as the horses kicked it up. Legolas pressed his team forward, guiding his horse around the threes. They rode the entire night, and only stopped for a short rest in the early morning, just as the sun started to rise between the thick layer of clouds. The rain had lessened some, but was still falling.
It was late afternoon when Legolas' team finally reached the border, meeting up with Matheon's team. The second team looked exhausted, and just as soaking wet as Legolas' team was.
"Captain Legolas" Matheon called out, guiding his gray horse towards Legolas.
Legolas turned his dark horse around, meeting Matheon, clasping his forearm.
"We have tracked the orcs and trolls just north of the river" the second captain told, "they have moved north again after four days of travelling south".
"You have scouts to keep an eye on them?" Legolas asked.
"Of course" Matheon told, "I am waiting for their report this evening".
Legolas nodded.
"We were planning to move a bit more east" Matheon told, "and make camp at higher grounds just south of the river".
"Lead the way then" Legolas told, and waved his team with him to follow Matheon as they rode through the forest.
o0o
Fires had been made in the cover of the forest, and guards had been set around the camp, most to the north, keeping a close eye on the border. Legolas and Anglond had been in deep conversation with Matheon and his second in command, Aramir. Matheon gave a detailed report of the orcs and trolls activity and route.
Gilthron and Fenian came with mugs of hot tea for the captains and seconds in command, knowing they were just as soaked and cold as they were. The rain was still falling, but the elves had nevertheless made two fires to warm food and drinks for the teams. Legolas gratefully took the mug with steaming tea Gilthron offered him, and started to sip it as he listened carefully to Matheon's report.
As the sun began to set in the distance, two of Matheon's scouts returned to give report.
"The orcs and trolls have moved further north" one of them told, his hair almost black and his eyes silver gray, "they are taking a small path leading deep into the gray mountains".
"How many orcs and trolls?" Legolas asked, "have you counted them?".
"We tried" the blackhaired scouts told, "there is five trolls, and at least twenty orcs, but they met up with ten orcs when they turned north, and we have heard sounds of more orcs in the mountains as well".
Legolas looked to Anglond.
"Are they gathering?" his second asked.
"Could seem like it" Legolas replied thoughtful.
"We have not engaged the orcs" Matheon told, "they have kept to just north of our border".
Legolas nodded, "and I think we keep it like that as it is now" he told, "they have moved far north of our border. We will keep holding a close eye on their movements with the scouts, and patrol the border closely".
Matheon nodded, "I agree" he told, "Elarus are moving up from the eastern border, and are patrolling the border as he moves around to the north. Valronen are meeting up with us from north west".
Legolas nodded, "then the border will be closely guarded".
"It will" Matheon nodded.
"Aronen will move the teams around and cover the rest of the forest" Legolas told, "four teams will be on our standby, if we need reinforcements, they move out immediately".
Matheon nodded his approval, they fell into comfortable silence for a while, barely registering as the others called for dinner. Rogon, Logon and two from the second team had made a stew of rabbit and vegetables found in the surrounding forest.
Rogon came to Legolas, softly placing a hand on his shoulder. Legolas almost jumped in surprised, earning laughter from all around him.
"I think that's a first" Rogon laughed, "I do not remember ever to have been able to sneak up on you before".
"Pray it to be the last" Legolas growled good-naturally.
Rogon chuckled, "oh, I do" he grinned as he handed Legolas a bowel of stew.
Legolas smiled grateful as he took the bowel. Anglond accepted a bowel from Logon, and they soon ate in silence, listening to the rest of the two teams talk, joke and bickering. Matheon was, with his brother, Pantheon of the third team, the second two best teams, and they often fell into friendly competition whenever they came across the first team.
As the evening went on, two of the scouts returned to give report on the activity. The orcs and trolls had split up in smaller groups and gone in almost every direction but south. Legolas and Matheon agreed to strengthen the border and set guards out, keeping a close eye on every possible enemy that would come near the border. Legolas and his team would stay at the border for a while, patrolling it and guard it the best they could. Matheon would stay as well, moving a bit more west while Legolas would patrol the northern border to the east.
o0o
A few weeks later:
"Orcs!".
Legolas bolted up from his pallet, all his senses already in high alert.
"Warriors, to arms!" Legolas ordered as he grabbed his own weapons, he could already hear the foul beats running through the forest.
"To the threes" Legolas ordered all of his elves, and they were in the threes in no time.
Soon arrows flew down at the orcs, killing many of them even before they could set foot inside their camp.
"Take cover" Legolas heard Jassin yell from up front, "crossbows"!".
Legolas only just managed to take cover behind the trunk as the first arrow flew right past him. Just as it had passed him, he turned at led one of his own arrows fly before he quickly took cover again. He notched an arrow and breathed deeply, listened to the noise from the ground, then he moved fast around the trunk, released the arrow and took cover again. He heard that it was a hit, and quickly notched another arrow. He heard before he saw the arrow approaching, and jumped away from the trunk just as an arrow from a crossbow hit it just where his heart would have been.
"They are surrounding us!" Legolas shouted and climbed higher up in the three, taking cover in the foliage.
He led his arrows fly, one by one, and heard as they found their marks on the ground. His head whipped around as he heard a pained cry from an elf.
"Kaleth!" he heard Cyan yell.
Legolas saw Kaleth fall from the three, and arrow in his shoulder, he hit the ground hard, and soon both Cyan and Falael was over him, protecting him from the orcs nearing.
"Cover them!" Legolas ordered just as he released his arrow.
They were covered, and managed to help Kaleth back up in the threes, covering him. Legolas heard another pained grunt from the other side.
"Just an arrow to the arm" he heard Tristan call out.
"Just!?" he heard Mirthral yell from another three, "how will you shoot with only one arm?".
Then a horn was heard from the west, and Legolas breathed relieved, Valronen was on his way. He soon heard riders coming in hard, and the orcs started to scream. Just then, he heard the arrow, and soon after felt boring pain in his thigh, he hissed angrily and looked down, and arrow sat deep in back in his upper thigh. Riders was crashing through the camp down, and Legolas bit down his pain as he covered them, letting his arrows fly.
Soon it was over, the rest of the orcs had been slain, and Legolas breathed deeply. He tried to move his leg, but the arrow in his thigh made it difficult to move it, and he could not get it out himself. Slowly, he started to climb down the three, a bit more clumsily than he would have liked. He tried to find footing with his injured leg, but slipped past the branch and crashed to the ground instead. Just before Valronen's white horse. Valronen looked stunned down at Legolas. All air left Legolas at the impact, and it took a few seconds before he realized he had fallen down from the three.
"Aren't you one for making an entrance" Valronen grinned as dismounted.
"Shut up" Legolas growled and tried to get up, but after a few failed attempts, accepted Valronen's extended hand, just as Rozarko, Girion and Anglond joined them.
"You alright?" Valronen asked, holding back his mirth.
"Yes" Legolas assured a bit too quickly.
"You call an arrow very close to your ass, alright?" Anglond laughed.
Valronen looked behind Legolas, "it is quite close to your ass" he chuckled, "doesn't it hurt?".
"It hurts like hell" Legolas growled a bit angrily, "will someone, please, just pull it out?".
Without a word Rozarko took hold of the arrow and pulled it out in one swift move. Legolas hissed in pain as his left leg buckled, Valronen guided him down on the ground.
"We need to stop the bleeding" he told gently as Rozarko pressed down on the wound. The guard quickly took some bandages and while Girion and Anglond removed the torn leggings, Rozarko dressed the wound, and helped Legolas in a new pair of leggings. Valronen helped him up when they were done.
"All orcs are dead" Valronen then told, "my team are already gathering them north of here and makes ready to burn them at the border".
Legolas nodded, then he turned to Anglond, "how many wounded?".
"Kaleth with and arrow to his shoulder" Anglond told, "Mirthral is tending to him now, he will be fine, but his arm will be in a sling for a few days though, at least. Tristan was hit in the upper arm by an arrow, it is only a scratch, Gilthron is tending to him, Jassin was starched by an arrow as well and have a small wound to his calf".
"That's all?" Legolas asked.
"Well" Anglond grinned, "our captain was almost shot in the ass" he laughed.
"It was the thigh" Legolas corrected.
"But close enough" Anglond grinned.
Valronen stayed with Legolas' team for a week, making sure the wounded was healed before he moved on. Kaleth had had his arm in a sling for the whole week, complaining the whole time that he was fine, and had no need of it, but everytime he tried to move his arm, it sent parks of pain through it.
Legolas was getting along with is injured thigh quite well, he could not press his left heel down, and limped a little on the leg, but could move around unhindered otherwise, though it hurt to ride.
After a week, most of the injured was healed, and back to active duty again, and Valronen left the first team, sure they would be fine on their own again.
Two months later:
Fall was beginning to take its tool on the forest, the foliage was beginning to change into the yellow, orange, brown and red colors of the autumn. As the fall came closer, Legolas mood got more and more bad. He felt restless, there had been minimal orc activity at the border, and the large pacts they had seen earlier, had scattered in the mountains and moved even further north and east, out of the elves reach long ago.
It was early morning, Legolas had just woken up from a restless sleep. He walked to sit down next to Cyan, who had the early morning watch. Cyan looked surprised as Legolas sat down, but did not address him in the beginning, just waited until Legolas started to talk.
"If you want to be replaced, I can take the watch for you" Legolas offered quietly as he looked out to the forest.
Cyan smiled gently, then shook his head slowly, "no, but I wouldn't mind the company though, even if it is silent".
Legolas smiled gently, but didn't say anything as he just sat and looked as the sun rose and filled the forest with light. Just then, a white falcon flew in and landed beside Legolas, carrying a message. Legolas slowly took it and unfolded it, reading it. There was one short sentence on the small piece of paper.
We have a healthy baby
Legolas almost crushed the paper in his hand, he rose from his seat next to Cyan and walked to the fire, throwing the paper in it. Legolas felt like braking something, he cast one look at Rozarko, who had woken up the moment Legolas had left his place beside him. Rozarko knew Legolas needed space, but nevertheless got up and silently followed him into the forest, away from the other. He kept his distance to Legolas, giving the prince some much needed space, but just keeping a close eye on him, just in case.
Legolas had just sat down on the ground, and looked emptily ahead of him for a long time. Then he had suddenly got up and ordered the team to move out, leading them further east.
Only a few days later, Legolas got a message from his father, telling him to return as quickly as possible, they needed him for the blood test. Legolas knew he was not needed to cover the border, and therefore he returned to the stronghold.
o0o
The courtyard was busy when Legolas returned, another team was about to ride out just as they returned, and warriors, elves, stables cares and horses ran around the courtyard. Girion had jumped off his horse, and with the rains in one hand, he took the rains of Legolas' horse in the other. Legolas spotted his father on the steps, but froze as he saw Ruviana walking out of the doors behind him. She was carrying an infant baby in her arms. He dismounted as she walked down the stairs. They stopped in front of each other, and she carefully placed the baby on the ground before Legolas.
Rozarko had just handed his gray horse to a stable care when he turned and saw what Ruviana did. If Legolas picked up the child, he was acknowledging it as his own.
"Don't pick him up, don't pick him up" Rozarko kept whispering to himself.
Legolas didn't even look at the child, he looked firmly at Ruviana for a short while, his eyes cold. Then he carefully stepped around the child and her, and walked up the stairs and inside the stronghold. Rozarko breathed relieved as he too, walked inside.
Thranduil walked with Legolas back to the royal wing, Belstram, Rozarko and Girion right behind them. Legolas quickly washed and changed before he walked to his father's livingroom. Thranduil was sitting in one of the chairs by the fire, a glass of wine in his hand. Legolas sat down heavily in the couch, taking the other glass of wine on the table and took a sip, sighing as he seemed to sink even further down in the couch.
"Did you avoid your home for the past two and a half months?" Thranduil asked softly, a little smile tucking at the corners of his mouth.
"No" Legolas said with a wry smile, but with one look from his father, he sighed, "yes, yes I did".
Thranduil just nodded with a little smile.
"So" Legolas then turned serious, "when are they planning to do the blood-test?".
Thranduil breathed deeply, "to night" he told, "the council have been called together the moment you stepped into the stronghold. Four healers have been called in as well, to make sure the test run smoothly, and are not compromised".
"Compromised?" Legolas asked surprised.
"The blood will be drawn in the council hall" Thranduil explained, "both your blood and the child's blood will be drawn and compared in the hall by the healers, while the council are present".
"How long before we have the result?" Legolas asked.
"A few minutes only" Thranduil told, then he looked intently at Legolas.
"The result will be negative" Legolas told firmly, not one drop of doubt in his voice.
Thranduil leaned back in the chair, looking from Legolas to the fire instead, "I just needed to be sure" Thranduil said in a low voice.
Legolas nodded as he took a sip of the wine.
"You did not pick the child up" Thranduil commented gently.
"He is not mine" Legolas told, "that was a Sylvan tradition, it was her way to make me acknowledge the child, if I had picked him up, I would have acknowledged him as mine, that's why I did not pick him up, or even look at him".
Thranduil nodded, "I remember faintly to have heard of that" he said lowly, "you never siege to amaze me of just how much you know of the Sylvan traditions".
Legolas smiled gently, "I do admit that I embrace them more than the Sindar".
"I have noticed" Thranduil grinned.
"Do you disapprove?" Legolas asked stunned.
"No" Thranduil reassured, "no I do not" he smiled gently.
They sat for the rest of the day in comfortable conversation, and when the time for the test arrived, they both changed to something more formal and walked together to the hall.
The hall was filled with councilors, a few from the jury as well as the prosecutors and advocates. Cassius and Langdon arrived with the four healers, Belenor, Jalen and two healers Legolas knew was highly trained. Belenor and Jalen carried the equipment they needed to use to drawn and compare the blood.
Legolas was shown to the table that was placed in the middle of the hall, and seated at the end of it, while Ruviana sat at the other end with her son in her arms. Belenor placed Legolas' arm on the table, while Jalen and a blond healer approached Ruviana. All in the hall kept a close eye on the healers' movements, to make sure all went as it should.
Belenor placed a small knife on Legolas' arm, and with a small nod from Legolas, he made a small cut, just enough to get a potion of blood into a small bowel. Just then infant crying was heard, and Jalen came to the middle of the table with his small bowel of blood just as Belenor did. The four healers started to compare the blood, the hall was completely silent as they worked. After a few minutes Belenor looked up.
"The result" he said and looked straight at the king, "are negative. Prince Legolas is not the father of lady Ruviana's child".
Thranduil nodded his thanks before he rose. There were heard whispers around the hall, some surprised, others, and that was the most of them, was not surprised at all.
"The result is clear" Thranduil told to the hall, "this case is closed, and as a result, the wedding between prince Legolas and lady Ruviana are cancelled".
Ruviana rose abruptly, making her chair fall over as the rose, the looked hotly at first Thranduil, and then Legolas before she turned and left the hall. Legolas sent Langdon a look which said, "I told you so". Thranduil dismissed the meeting, and Legolas was one of the first to leave the hall.
When Legolas entered his livingroom, he slammed the door shut and glided down it, he pulled his legs up before him and rested his head on his knees. He suddenly felt so exhausted, his hands were shaking, and he felt relieved. A small part of him had been afraid what the result would show, he was sure the child wasn't his, but still, he had been so worried that somehow, the blood-test would have been positive.
Someone knocked on the door, but Legolas ignored it. He did not want company now, he just wanted to be left alone. It knocked again, softer this time.
"Legolas" he heard Rozarko call from the other side of the door, "I'm right here when you need me, al right".
Legolas did not answer, but nevertheless smiled a little. He felt warm with the thought that Rozarko was right there when he needed him, just on the other side of the door. He did not know for how long he sat there, but it felt like hours, and it was completely dark inside when he got up from floor and slowly opened the door.
Rozarko smoothly moved into the livingroom, he took one look at Legolas before he drew the prince into a tight hug, holding him closely for a long time. Suddenly, Legolas began to laugh, a heartfelt, joyous laugh Rozarko seldom heard. Soon, Rozarko was laughing too. They had no idea for how long they just stood in the dark laughing, but it felt so good.
"We better light some candles" Rozarko said between laughs.
Legolas nodded, and together they lit the candles in the room. Soon a soft glow filled the room in a warm light.
"I'll have to admit" Rozarko said with a careful smile, "I was a bit worried that the result would turn out positive".
Legolas tilted his head slightly, "you were?" he grinned.
Rozarko shook his head in dismay, "I know, I am awful".
"Can I get that in writing?" Legolas teased, "I think that's the first time I have ever heard you admit that".
Rozarko quickly straightened up, "I do not know what you are talking about" he said mock innocent.
Legolas shook his head and sighed.
"What now then?" Rozarko asked quietly.
"I have a long report to write, and a huge pile to read" Legolas told and looked at his desk, there was indeed a huge pile of documents and reports on it.
"It meant with you" Rozarko corrected, "and Ruviana?".
Legolas breathed deeply as he walked towards the desk, "the wedding is canceled, as you properly already know" Legolas told as he sat down in his chair, "what will be of Ruviana I do not know, and right now I do not care, but I hope she will go to the father of her child, and get a happy life after all".
Rozarko nodded and took the chair before the desk, watching as Legolas took a blank document and started to write.
"For myself" he said without looking up from the paper, "I am not sure at the moment, I will go back into my own, old routines. Maybe someday my father will find a new bride for me, I hope not. Maybe I will find one myself before he has the chance to decide again".
He wrote something down on the paper and was quiet for a few moments, "for now though" he said, still not looking up, I will give the team some time off, and I have a lot of paperwork to finish" he added with a wry smile, looking up shortly at Rozarko.
Rozarko smiled, "I think they would be pleased to hear that" he said as he took the first report of the pile and started to read. He made two piles of what needed immediate attention, and a pile of those who could wait.
Legolas finished his report in a few hours and looked at the two piles.
"This one need your attention first" Rozarko said and pointed to the smallest one.
Legolas smiled as he took the first report, reading it through.