LDiana - You read my mind! And yes, she calls them brothers now considering Elrond has called her daughter in earlier chapters, it seemed fitting they think of her as a bigger part of the family. Possibly in the future she'll see Thranduil as a fatherly figure, but that day might be a ways off.
Slightly shorter chapter today - more of an unplanned one I may add, as I spent all evening and earlier part of the night sitting with my MIL in the ER, and had plenty of time to sit and wait while they did their thing. (she'll be fine)
- S
- Chapter 46 -
Wind bowed the branches as it howled through the trees, sending leaves and twigs flying through the air as the storm moved in. Legolas shouldered his bow and gave a look to his troops, silently telling them to step up their pace. He led the way through the trees back towards the front gates of the Woodland Realm, winding through the trees on the forest floor and dodging anything that might have come flying at him.
It was slow going though, and for good reason. They had a mile yet to go before they reached home so he sent a silent prayer to the Valar that the storm would hold out until they were safely through the doors.
He looked behind him once more. Between the arms of two of his fellow guards, Hwinion was held upright as they walked on either side of him, supporting his frame while he trudged along. A broken leg was not a very common injury among elves, but the spider had gotten a lucky shot, snapping the leg between his pinchers; breaking the bones just above the ankle.
Galdiron would already be waiting; Legolas had him summoned by a messenger he sent ahead, and with the storm brewing above them they were attempting to return home from their patrol at all haste. He could have sent the remainder of his troop ahead, but safety lie in numbers and it would have been a foul move on his part as their captain to put them all in more danger.
He sighed heavily in frustration but if anyone was close enough to hear their captain, they would not have heard it over the howling wind. Eyes and ears open, he relaxed very little as they drew closer to home. His keen eyes could see the mountain already, but it was still a ways off.
Sidhel gave him a look as he stepped up beside him but Legolas did not meet his eyes. The latest nest wasn't exactly larger than previous ones; they'd been as prepared as they ever were when they attacked the spiders, but for whatever reason, Hwinion stepped too close to a spider playing dead and was injured as a result. With a single swipe of his blade, Hwinion had beheaded the foul creature before prying his leg loose from the spiders clutches.
Legolas determined it could have easily happened to any one of them, and scowled, knowing the spiders were getting just a little bit smarter and cleverer. To say it was frustrating would be an understatement. Arda was a big world, why did the spiders have to dwell here!
He could have kicked himself for such nasty thoughts. If the spiders were elsewhere in the world, they would just be someone elses problem, and perhaps more of an issue to townspeople or villages with less defensive skills than the elves. No, perhaps the elves were the best defenders for the job, despite how inconvenient it could be.
The rain didn't hold off, and all too soon sheets poured down upon their heads and within a matter of minutes they were all soaked. They wore no cloaks to shield themselves from the weather, so they bowed their heads and stepped foot after foot into the pounding rain.
Legolas looked over his shoulder once more. Hwinion's face was twisted with agony, and his ankle was bent at an odd angle. He could definitely imagine a broken bone was painful, though he'd never experienced one himself. Lips white with pain, Hwinion met Legolas' gaze with an apologetic glance, and the Prince's eyes softened. It was not Hwinion's fault, and Legolas reminded himself again that it could have happened to any one of them; even himself.
New orders would have to be sent out, especially if the spiders were playing tricks like this, and border patrols would have to be notified immediately.
Finally, at long last, the familiar sight of the front gates loomed just ahead. It was a long, slow, wet, and painful final march towards the gates but the party was met with guards who took over helping Hwinion into the mountain. Legolas followed behind, letting them lead their injured companion first over the bridge. Galdiron met them just inside with an aid, and a stretcher was brought promptly so Hwinion would not have to walk any further. He was carried off to the healing ward, but Legolas still followed. It was his duty as captain to ensure the well being of each member of his troop, and the injured came first.
The others followed for a short ways before Sidhel turned them down a different passage and out of sight. There, they would find food and dry garments. Normally Legolas would follow but in this case, he cared not about the water dripping from his hair. He wiped a hand over his face to remove the droplets that still trickled down his cheeks but it didn't do much good.
The healing ward was a quiet place and the moment they arrived Hwinion was placed on a more comfortable bed. His clothes were soaked but that was not Galdiron's main concern at the moment. He must have previously mixed a drink before their arrival and was attempting to get Hwinion to drink it all, nasty as it smelled.
Legolas knew that smell all too well. You were not a member of the guard for as long as he was without sustaining an injury of some sort, and the drink was one that would ease the pain and put the guard in a slumber so Galdiron could work more effectively on the broken bones.
Hwinion winced and recoiled but Galdiron was persistent and soon the drink was finished. Now they had to wait, and while they waited for the drink to take its proper effect, Galdiron was busy checking bandages and the supplies he would need to set the bone properly.
Legolas stood by the head of his bed, still dripping rain water on the floor. Another healer frowned at the mess the guards made on their impeccably clean floor, but the Prince was not worried.
"Away with you," Galdiron's voice said quietly from beside him as Hwinion's eyes drifted off into a troubled slumber. "There is nothing more you can do here." Galdiron's order to leave wasn't overly welcomed, but the healer knew very well he was one of the few people – aside from the King himself - that could give the Prince an order and expect it to be obeyed.
Legolas fixed him with a challenging look but Galdiron was relentless.
"You are no good to him soaking wet and cold," the healer said firmly, wishing the Prince would not test his patience this day. "It will take time to place the bones properly. The drink will put him out for a few hours, and I will send word once he begins waking up if you wish to be beside him when he does."
Legolas was not overly satisfied, but a shift by the door caught his attention and Sidhel leaned against the door frame, still soaked and holding his bow. Sidhel tilted his head, indicating Legolas should follow, and reluctantly Legolas gave Hwinion one last look before turning away, allowing the healers to do whatever it was they needed to do without his interference.
Sidhel fell into step with him just behind his shoulder, and the two of them strolled down the quiet hall towards the chamber his troops would still be occupying. He had no news to bring them of their friend and companion, other than he was in good hands. A broken leg would put Hwinion down for a few weeks, unless Galdiron had some special tricks up his sleeve that could fix his leg in an instant.
Sidhel said nothing as they walked, and neither did Legolas. In fact, upon entering the chamber not a word was being spoken as his fellow guards dressed in clean clothes, passing their soaked items off to be washed and mended as needed. They looked up as he and Sidhel entered, but no one pressed him for information for they knew it was too soon for anyone to know anything.
They were down a member, they all knew that, and now Legolas had to search carefully for someone to replace Hwinion, even if it was just temporary. One less guard would not suffice, so only once they were all seated in the dining hall did he bring up the topic, grim as it was.
"Hwinion will need to be replaced for the time being," the Prince announced, placing his elbows on the table and looking at each of their faces in return. "If you have a recommendation for a replacement, I will hear it."
Legolas knew most everyone in the army of the Woodland Realm, as was his duty to know his fellow soldiers, and he could have easily chosen someone to step up to take Hwinion's place alone. However, it was important his entire team agreed and was comfortable with their new member, even if he or she was only a replacement. The last time they had to replace someone, was when Tauriel was banished. Finding someone to replace the open vacancy had been especially difficult for Legolas, since she had been his second in command. Now Sidhel upheld that position, as was proper for him and the vacant spot had been filled but not without heavy debate.
The she-elf promoted to his company was exceptionally talented with a bow and blade, and sat across from him now at the table. She fit in well with the rest of the guards and so far he was pleased with her performance within the group.
A few names were given; some repeated, and the ones that were repeated he would consider the most, though it would ultimately come down for final approval by the King.
They did not patrol only one section of the woods, but instead moved where they were needed most, often times taking them days or weeks away from home.
Legolas did not linger in the dining hall long, and once he was finished he excused himself and took up his weapons, then stepped out into the passage that would take him to his own chambers. His father would be in council meetings for most of the day, and even though the news of Hwinion's injury would have been carried to him, he would not be able to leave the councilors quite yet.
Turning down the familiar corridor, he headed straight for the royal wing. Today did not go like he planned, and the frustration grew within him. It was after he closed the door to his chamber louder than usual that he felt it, a small tug on the back of his mind, like a small silver thread that stopped him right in his tracks. A tiny feeling of calm snaked out from the thread, digging at his mind, attempting to take hold and form roots. It was a small thread that captivated him momentarily, and for a short time he allowed the feeling to consume his inner senses.
For almost two weeks he shoved the thread to the back of his mind, needing to concentrate on either the dangerous or demanding tasks at hand, not allowing himself to think about it at all or what it symbolized, but there it was. Suddenly, he didn't feel so angry, and he fed off of the emotional tug.
It was her.
Flies swirled around the carcass and Shyloh scrunched her nose at the stench. Boss shifted restlessly beneath her as a new wave of smell drifted to them on the shifting breeze. The body was definitely that of a man, but he had to be the foulest looking human she had ever seen. Elladan and Elrohir examined what they could, but then backed away, coming to some sort of understanding of what happened. Blank eyes stared out into the fading evening sky, never to blink again. The body wasn't exactly rotting, he was probably killed sometime that afternoon, but the smell of him was enough to make her gag.
Shyloh had no problem backing Boss away from the body even more just to get away from his smell, and the horse was more than willing. She waited until they searched the surrounding area, looking for clues as to which direction the Wildmen went after they left their comrade behind to die from the blows he was dealt for whatever reason. She held tight to the reins of their mounts so as not to contaminate any sort of clue, but once Elladan determined he was sure they headed east, did he return to her with Elrohir on his heels.
"You're sure they went east?" she asked hesitantly. She didn't want to question her brother by any means, but the worry was obvious on her face.
"From what we can tell they split. Some went east and some south," Elladan said grimly. "We should head back toward the west."
"Did they kill him on purpose?" she wondered anxiously.
"Possibly. Hard to tell why they turned on him but I do not plan on finding out anytime soon. We need to move in case any decide to come back to strip him," Elrohir said.
"Strip him?"
"Sometimes they'll come back and take what they want; boots, trinkets, and whatever else they can salvage and fight over. Perhaps he angered one of them and it triggered a fight. Impossible to tell why, but he was dealt a few heavy blows," explained Elladan.
Elrohir settled into the saddle then snatched the lead for the pack horse from her and urged the horses forward.
Take her by the safest way, Elrond told his sons, and they intended to do just that at all cost.
They ran the horses for a while until they came to a rocky grassland and had to slow back down to a walk. She could feel the hairs on the back of her arms stick up and she kept her eyes peeled for the slightest hint of danger. The twins were on edge too it seemed, and they hurried their mounts along the second they cleared the dangerous patch of ground.
They rode southwest now, directing their travel back towards the Anduin. At some point they would have to cross the rushing rivers but that was not for some ways yet. Many miles still stretched between them and Lorien, and when they were forced to stop and make camp after darkness fell, they did so as quietly as possible.
The wind stilled and shifted around them in light bursts, and dark clouds blocked out the light of the moon and stars. They broke camp before daybreak, eager to get back on the road once more.
Closer they came to the Anduin, and she could hear the rushing of the raging waters a little better each day they rode towards the west.
Elladan called for a halt on their fourth day after leaving the Gladden Fields, his face grim and anxious. His eyes trailed the ground as he carefully stepped his horse around a trail only he could see, so she kept Boss standing silent where he left her, and Elrohir followed his brother, eyes searching the perimeter for trouble.
"They passed through here not long ago," Elladan said quietly, more so to his brother.
"We need to be quiet," muttered his brother.
She wasn't going to argue, but the twins drew their bows nonetheless so she did the same. A prickly feeling crept up her arms again and she knew without them telling her that danger lurked nerby. Despite their attempts to pass them up, even she could see the fresh boot print in the dirt. It was as clear as day to her, and she eyed it warily as she rode Boss past it. The enemy was near.
Boss tugged on the reins, a habit he did when he was nervous or anxious, and it told her something wasn't quite right. His ears flicked back and forth with worry, so she drew an arrow from her quiver just in case. The landscape changed suddenly, and the high rocky shelves offered the perfect place to hide, but it would not help the riders much if they were attacked. The horses could not scale the rocky walls like the elves or Men, so they hugged the rocks when possible.
The tall reeds of the plains were now gone as was the softer footing. Now, rocks were kicked out from beneath their hooves and the noise echoed in the quietness, setting her teeth on edge. If she could hear those sounds then surely others could too.
The falls of the Anduin roared in the distance and they had to ride further south before they came to a more level ground. Though they were a few miles away from the river yet, the rushing waters came to them like a steady hum and she found the sound to be distracting. She tried to focus on noises around her as they rode, but found it difficult to do so.
Elladan and Elrohir rode in front and behind her, with the pack horse bringing up the rear. The rocky walls stretched up high on either side of them, forcing them to ride in single file with their eyes turned upwards, not liking the fact that someone could be watching from above. She shuddered at the thought but while she let Boss pick his own path behind Elladan's horse, she gripped her bow and the arrow in her hands tightly until they came to a more open space and could ride a bit more freely.
She wished they were riding through the tall reeds instead. Right now she felt too claustrophobic, even if the steep rock walls were gone and replaced with shorter boulders and shallower ledges. A scraggly tree grew up here or there out of the rocky ground, reminding her of the pines she was forced to climb with the dwarves to escape the orcs. Their roots spread out over the stone, looking for any sort of foothold to anchor themselves to. They passed the trees without much thought, the twins knowing that the Wildmen were not much for climbing, and if they were to expect an attack it would come from ground level.
Boss' hoof slipped out from under him and a shallow river of shale rock cascaded down the steep slope they walked along; the noise echoing painfully in her ears. Elladan twisted around quickly in his saddle to check on her, just as the first sound of an arrow singing through the air met their ears.
