CONTENT WARNING: Rated M for Strong language and violence.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything created by Tolkein and Middle-Earth. This is for entertainment only.

A/N: Back to the action! I am also trying something different with the Elvish translations in this chapter. Let me know if you like it better or if it deters from the story.
Enjoy!

- P
Song for the Chapter: "Never Let You Down" by Woodkid, Lykke Li


Chapter 17- Arachnophobia
Darkness cannot drive out darkness,
Only light can do that.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.


Aurora was enraptured by the Woodland forest. Everywhere she looked there was another beautiful sight that would take her breath away. The tall trees created a canopy of shade so dark it was hard to determine if the sun had set or not in certain areas and beautiful flowers danced along the forest floor in beautiful harmony. After traveling the forest for several hours it had become too dark to travel safely and the camp was made. Aurora sat with the other soldiers around the crackling fire listening to Augustus lightly strum his guitar. The beautiful sound echoing around the trees, lulling several of the elves to sleep. The scream caused everyone to jump to their feet, seeking the source. The elf fell to the ground next to the fire, foam rapidly coming from his mouth as he took his final breath, a large puncture wound visible on his neck.

"SPIDERS!" Another elf shouted and everyone began scrambling for their weapons.

Spiders? Aurora thought as she grabbed her dagger and bow and tried to steady her breathing. She had always had a great fear of spiders. What kind of spider does that kind of damage? She stayed close to her brother as they watched the soldiers engage large shapes in the darkness.

"What the fuck…" Augustus stated as a spider twice the size of Odin ran past the fire.

"Nope… Nope!" Aurora exclaimed, "Fuck this place. I'm out!"

They heard a high-pitched screech behind them and they turned to see one of the massive spiders reared on its back legs, poised to strike at them.

"Somma (Duck!)!"

Aurora felt herself being pulled to the ground as a sharp whisp of air flew over her head. She looked up and saw two arrows stuck into the monster and the third sticking from one of its multiple eyes. The spider swayed back and forth before collapsing to the ground where it remained unmoving.

Augustus and Aurora looked behind them to see a wide-eyed Legolas, "Follow me!" He ordered helping them off the ground. The trio turned and ran back towards the middle of the camp where they came upon Thranduil engaged with another one of the giant beasts. His dual swords glinted in the firelight as they quickly dispatched the spider's front legs before plunging deep into its skull.

"Naman rem dartha?! (How many remain?!)" Thranduil called to Legolas through the chaos.

"Law iston! (I don't know!)" Legolas replied.

"To the trees, engage them from above!" Thranduil commanded.

"Augustus, come with me," Legolas ordered as he began climbing the nearest tree.

"No," Augustus shook his head, "I'm not leaving Aurora."

"I will care for her," Thranduil had joined where they stood. The King locked eyes with Augustus as he spoke, "My son required your aid. Your sister will be safe with me, gweston (I promise)."

Augustus held the King's gaze for several moments and gave a sharp nodded and he pulled her into a quick hug, "Stay with his Majesty, Loser. I'll be back soon."

Aurora watched as Augustus climbed up the tree and into the darkness. She felt a grip tighten around her hand, she looked down to see fingers laced between her own. Her eyes met a piercing blue gaze as he squeezed her hand tighter, giving a chaste kiss on her forehead before he whispered, "We must move, stay close to me. Atha berio ven, Ilma nin (I will protect us, my Starlight)."

Thranduil pulled her behind him just as another spider jumped from the trees in front of them. He made quick work of the spider and they ran deeper into the woods. The sounds of the battle slowly began to diminish as more of the spiders fell on the elven swords. Thranduil paused so suddenly that Aurora ran directly into him, "No matter what happens, stay directly behind me."

Aurora followed his upward gaze and saw three massive shadows descending from the trees. She removed her bow from her shoulder and nocked an arrow, turning and placing her back firmly against Thranduil.

"Aurora what are you doing?" Thranduil hissed at her as the first spider touched the ground and stalked around the pair.

Aurora spoke with a confidence she wasn't aware that she had, "You told me to stay behind you, so I am. But I'll be damned if I'm going to do nothing."

Thranduil felt his lips involuntarily twitch into a smile at her proclamation. His little starlight warrior. He pressed his back closer to her and drew his blades as the final spider jumped from a low branch close to Aurora


Augustus followed Legolas up the tree, shooting his arrows into the spiders he saw along the way. Legolas jumped into a tree next to them and ordered Augustus to stay where he was. The two silently observed the scene below; the spiders challenged the soldiers on the ground and were quickly felled by blades and arrows. Augustus looked off into the distance and saw a massive spider attacking where the horses had been grazing. He saw the spider suddenly lift into the air; bloodied antlers protruding from the creatures back followed by the great elk tossing the limp body to the side. Augustus caught a shadow of Egg bucking and striking another spider as the horse galloped off into the darkness.

"Legolas?" Augustus turned his attention back to the elf and noted that his brow had furrowed even more.

"Something is wrong." He muttered, "The spiders, they aren't fighting as they should. They seem to be… distracting us instead of engaging."

Augustus watched as Legolas climbed up to the top of the tree and looked above the canopy. When he reappeared his features had gone pale and Augustus could see the fear in the back of his eyes.

Legolas moved quickly and called over his shoulder, "We must find my father and Aurora."


The spiders stalked silently in a circle around the pair, their legs shuffling through the thick underbrush. Aurora could hear the clatter of their fangs as their eyes watched them with vicious intent.

"Thranduil," Aurora whispered, "is it normal for them to just… Circle?"

Why weren't they attacking? Thranduil tensed at the realization just as the sound of footsteps reached his ears. He turned in time to see the lone figure emerge from the trees and the spiders immediately retreated to the trees. Thranduil moved quickly and put himself between Aurora and the figure and raised his sword. Aurora felt her stomach drop as she recognized the figure. She clung to the back of Thranduil's robes as she felt one of his arms pull her closer to his back, the cool metal of his blade touching her shoulder.

"Leave now or suffer my blade Nazgul." Thranduil fumed, glaring at the hooded figure.

"I am not here for you Elvenking." The Nazgul hissed and turned his attention to Aurora, silently extending a robed arm in her direction, "It is time. Your destiny awaits you."

Aurora felt the familiar stab of pain behind her eyes as the Nazgul spoke, she clung to Thranduil's robes tighter to keep herself from collapsing. The vision flashed in her head in a jumbled mess.

She stood in a vast cave and was surrounded by orcs who were bowing and cheering. She felt a heavy pressure on her head and looked to her reflection in a mirror and was startled at her appearance. She wore a billowing black gown that dusted the floor of the cave, her dirty blonde hair was pulled back and a grand red and blank crown sat on her head. She made eye contact with her reflection and audibly gasped as she looked into her deep black eyes.

"You see now Burz Gothlob(Dark Queen)," Thranduil flinched at the sound of the black speech and Aurora could feel the Nazgul's unseen eyes burning into her, "It is your destiny to follow to the Master."

The Nazgul took a step towards her and Thranduil swung his blade, the Nazgul stopped mid-stride and turned his focus back, "I offer you mercy Elvenking. There is no stopping the Master."

"Innas suila-gurth sennui tirad ech mab-din.(I would greet death rather than see you take her)" The venom in Thranduil's voice was almost palpable as he pulled Aurora even closer to him.

"So be it."

The Nazgul moved so quickly that Aurora almost didn't see him until he was upon them, the sound of his sword clashing with Thranduil's echoing through the forest. The two engaged in heated combat until the Nazgul suddenly jerked backward. Aurora blinked in disbelief as she saw the arrow stuck in the figure's shoulder. Her head whipped around to see Legolas leap to the ground and sprint towards them.

Before Aurora could ask the question, she saw a shadow over her as she met her brother's eyes as he jumped down next to her. The three elves momentarily surrounded Aurora as the Nazgul screamed in rage. Legolas and Augustus loosed their arrows as they and Thranduil quickly advanced on the Nazgul. After a final screech, the creature disappeared into the darkness.

An eerie silence fell over the forest. Thranduil and Legolas quickly returned to Aurora's side and cupped her face in his hand, "Are you alright, Ilma nin (My Starlight)?" Legolas heard the deep concern in his father's voice and felt a slight twinge in his chest.

Aurora looked into his concerned eyes and then quickly scanned the forest, "I think so. I just — "

At the same time as the dagger flying through the air, Aurora screamed in pain. She felt as if her heart was being ripped from her chest, her vision blacked out as she crumpled to the ground. Thranduil and Legolas kneeled at her side confused and scared.

"Aurora, what is it?" Legolas implored feeling his father tense at his side.

Not answering them, Aurora opened her eyes and scanned the forest through her tears. "AUGUSTUS!" Aurora screamed.

Realization dawned on Thranduil and Legolas as she pulled away from them and bolted towards the shape that had slumped to the ground. Aurora reached his side in seconds and rolled him over, her eyes shooting to the dagger sticking out of his side. Aurora could feel a dark presence around the blade.

"NO!" Aurora shrieked as she met her brother's eyes, she saw his eyelids begin to droop as his breathing became shallow, "Augs, no!"

The other elves and joined her, Legolas dropped to the ground and reached for the hilt of the blade, his eyes widening in horror. "Ada (Father)…" He breathed and held the hilt out for his father.

Thranduil's face hardened as his eyes narrowed, "Legolas, retrieve my elk and Egg. They are the two fastest. Go!" His voice echoed around the trees as he watched his son run into the night. He turned his attention back to Aurora and his chest felt heavy at the sight of her cradling her brother in her arms as she cried. "Aurora, listen to me," Thranduil knelt beside her and forced her to look at him. "We will ride for the palace now. I will carry your brother and you will follow on Egg. Do you understand?" She looked at him through tear-streaked eyes but her vision was far away. He shook her softly, "Do you understand me?"

Aurora blinked several times and her eyes refocused onto Thranduil, "It's bad… Isn't it?" She whispered, dreading the answer.

Thranduil sighed heavily, "He's been stabbed with a Morgul dagger."