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Everlasting Road: ch. 6
Legolas stood tensely at the edge of the corner. He could hear Gimli behind him still frantically chopping at the rocks. Nothing was happening, no other goblin followed the first one around the corner. Legolas' arm that held the bow string grew taught with anticipation. What was going on? Even Gimli had realized that nothing was happening and had stopped paying attention to the rocks. He turned and walked up to Legolas' side, wondering what was around the corner, but too fearful to stick his head around it to see. Legolas extended his hearing. He could still hear the goblins, seemingly just around the corner, but there was something else among them, something he could not identify, and the goblins were screaming in pain now. Slowly, his bow ever ready, Legolas advanced to the corner. Gimli followed, his axe ready in his hand. Legolas stopped at the apex of the corner and carefully rounded it, keeping his back pressed against it, expecting goblins to be waiting. But the only goblin he saw was dead, an arrow in it's back. Legolas knelt and grabbed the arrow. It was one of Liria's. Understanding flooded through him and he leapt to his feet and ran forward, Gimli falling behind, though running.
Legolas immediately saw a group of goblins surrounding something in a corner, and Legolas charged right into them. Arrows flew from him so fast that he was soon out of them, but he paid no heed and drew his twin blades. He fought so hard and so fast that the goblins could not even tell who they were being besieged by. By the time Gimli had caught up with Legolas, most of the goblins had scattered and those that remained were dead. Gimli hewed the neck of one as it ran by, then stopped when he saw his friend.
Legolas stood stock still above Liria's form. The grief on his face was almost too much for Gimli to bear, and he guessed at what had probably happened. Now, he was not sure whether Liria was alive or not. Legolas dropped to his knees beside Liria and pushed back the hair from her face. Her face was marred from the battle, and her eyes were heavily-lidded. Legolas swallowed and bit back a gasp of fear. His eyes strayed over the rest of her body, her clothing torn and bloodied, her arrows spent and her blades drawn but now at her sides, where they had fallen. Legolas closed his eyes against a sudden dizzy spell. As he did, he missed Liria's chest rise and fall. But Gimli saw it.
"Look, she is not dead, the Lady is not dead," Gimli exclaimed in a frenzied voice.
Legolas opened his eyes and looked at Liria who was still again, but he had hope and grabbed her hand, then spoke gently, "Liria, open your eyes, come back to us and tell us of your most heroic story."
Liria's lids fluttered and she gasped. Then she tried again and her eyes opened all the way. Her eyes were a sickly yellow color, but they were open. Legolas squeezed her hand in delight, she was not yet defeated.
The first thing Liria saw was Legolas' face, and his too was cut like hers. But her concern was only for him. He was bloodied, though she did not know that most of it was not his own. "I'm sorry," she said in a small voice, "I followed and tried to stop them before they reached you."
"You did," Legolas quieted her, "they never got to us. We are only here to help you. You fought bravely, better than any male elf could have."
Liria smiled with bleeding lips, "Perhaps I have finally shown up my brothers."
Legolas agreed with her, "You have outdone them all in a single day." Liria tried to smile again but was gripped by a sudden spasm. Her body shook and she gasped in pain, her eyes almost turned completely white before her body stilled and they regained some of their yellowish color.
Legolas looked on with fear and bent even closer to her, "No, Liria, you have to keep fighting this, your fight is not over. Do not even think about giving up now." Legolas knew that the only way an elf could be slain was if they gave up and allowed themselves to die.
Liria mumbled, half-dazed, "But it hurts, and there is no more reason to continue. The trees are safe, the elves are gone, you are always gone…" she trailed off and closed her eyes.
Legolas shook her and his voice rose, "No! I am here now, and I never will leave your side Liria. I want you to be my partner, come back to me." His voice broke with grief.
Liria's eyes opened again, they were now a light brown rather than the sickly yellow. "Always?" she asked in a faint voice, "Do you want me always for a partner?"
Legolas gripped her hand more tightly, "Yes, for all of eternity."
Liria took a deep breath and Legolas felt something settle inside of her, a new strength to heal. She slid so that she was sitting halfway up, and shook her head as Legolas tried to lay her back down. She took slow breaths and closed her eyes again, concentrating. In a few minutes, she was able to stand, with Legolas' help. Gimli stood at a distance from them and cleared his throat.
"I apologize for having to move so soon, but the goblins are not all dead and they will regroup and return. We must finish clearing the way out of here." Legolas looked at Gimli as he spoke and nodded. Then Legolas turned to Liria and went to pick her up to carry her, but she stopped him.
"I think I can still remember how to walk," she informed him.
Legolas had to smile briefly, she was still the same. Then he nodded and turned to return to the blockade. He could hear Liria following, though slowly and painfully. Gimli had already reached the rocks and was working on them again. Legolas bent to help while Liria leaned against a wall, breathing shallowly. Finally, they had a gap big enough for them at the top of the rocks. Legolas went to Liria, "You first."
Liria walked to the gap on her own, but could not manage to get through it. She finally consented to Legolas' help and he boosted her up so that she could pull herself through. Then Legolas turned to Gimli and helped him up into the gap. When the others were through, Legolas stepped up to go through himself, but stopped and jumped suddenly to the side. A goblin arrow struck the area where he had just been.
Legolas whirled and reached for an arrow of his own, but stopped. His quiver was empty. Another arrow came at him, and he could see dim shapes coming forward from the dark tunnel. Legolas made his decision and turned for the gap. He moved extraordinarily fast and was halfway through the gap when an arrow pierced his back. Legolas paid no heed to it and threw himself through.
He landed on the other side in a painful pile, rolled onto his side and shouted at Gimli, "Close it back up, quickly!"
Gimli's axe flashed forward and in no time he had chopped more rocks from above to fall and block the gap. And just in time, for they could hear the goblins stop and wail on the other side. Legolas stood up slowly and cried out when he straightened. Gimli ran to him concerned. Legolas turned so that Gimli could see the arrow.
"Pull it out," Legolas gasped, and set his teeth.
Gimli reached and yanked the arrow swiftly out. Legolas' breath exploded from him, but he did not cry out. He took a step and said, "We have to keep going and get out of here before they break through."
Gimli started off again, leading them through the remainder of the caves. Legolas came after Gimli, and Liria after him. Soon, they were all outside of the caves. It was a different area from where they had come in from and the sun was just starting to rise. Gimli wanted to stop to allow his friend to heal, but Legolas pushed them on. He wanted to get as far away from the caves as possible before the goblins had a chance of getting out.
They continued on until Legolas heard a crash behind them. He turned quickly, then winced at the uprising of the forgotten pain in his back. In the next instant, he forgot all of his own pain as he saw Liria laying facedown on the ground. Gimli was walking to her side, but Legolas got there first. He knelt beside her and she rolled onto her side.
"I am sorry," she said in a whisper, "but I cannot go on any longer today. If you must, go ahead and leave me, I will be able to defend myself."
Legolas shook his head, "Does your pain affect your reasoning? I already told you that I wish you for a partner, am I going to go back on my word already? Of course I will stay with you," he glanced at Gimli, "we both will. It is I who should be sorry for pushing you when you were in so much pain. But we are far enough away now, and we will rest for as long as you need."
Liria nodded, contented, and almost immediately fell asleep. While she slept, Legolas examined her to ascertain the full extent of her injuries. She had many flesh wounds, but nothing particularly grievous. When he got to her right calf, however, he went still. The back of her calf had been slashed down all the way to her ankle, severing part of her Achilles tendon even. Legolas swallowed in sudden guilt, to think that he had made her walk this far on such an injury, and she had not said a word. Legolas bound the wound as best as he could. What she really needed was elvish medicine, something to make the wound close both on the inside and outside, but he was not trained in that and did what he could.
Gimli watched Legolas examine Liria impassively. Even when he found the horrendous leg wound, his gaze remained the same. He himself was struggling with emotions, he was grateful towards her and she had gained much respect, but there was still an iota of jealousy towards her. Plus, he could not be sure of her intentions towards his friend. Gimli sighed and shook his head, he couldn't figure it out, and probably would not until later on.
When Legolas was done with his examination, Gimli spoke up, "You have been injured as well, let me see it."
"It's nothing," Legolas insisted, yet did not pull away when Gimli stepped up to him. Legolas removed his bow and quiver and took off his light, elvish cloak. Gimli pushed up Legolas' tunic to reveal the skin and bit his lip at what he saw. To think that his friend had suffered such a wound from a place that Gimli had assured would be safe. The puncture was deep, as the arrow had gone far, and it was ragged from when Gimli had hastily pulled it out. It was already bruised all about the wound and blood was laced about on his back. Gimli cleaned it as best as he could and bandaged it, but he was less skilled than Legolas and doubted that it would help him much. Yet Legolas insisted that Gimli had done well.
"It feels much better now," he assured Gimli with a smile. Secretly, Legolas fought back waves of pain and fatigue. He knew now that the arrow must have been poisoned. From what, he did not know, but hoped it would soon pass out of his system. Liria had not appeared to have been pierced by any arrows, so she probably did not have any poisoning. For that at least, Legolas was grateful. He would know in time if the poison would cause any trouble.
Gimli spoke, "You should rest as well, my friend, for you have suffered. I will remain at watch so that you need not worry, that will be my price for making you enter the caves."
"Gimli," Legolas spoke gravely to his friend, "do not blame yourself for the caves. I have no regrets for going in there and seeing the great chamber. It was beautiful, as you promised. And the goblins cannot be controlled, they have been around since our time and will probably remain after us even. It is not something you have power over. Ease your heart, dear friend, for I will still always carry fond memories of the cave."
Gimli brightened considerably, he had been feeling guilty. Now he set out to his watch position with earnest as Legolas settled down and fell asleep. Though Gimli insisted on being the look-out, Legolas still knew that he would probably be the one to sense danger first, asleep or not.
When Legolas awoke next, he was confused. He thought that they were still in the caves for it was very dark. Soon, he figured out why. Night had fallen and there were no stars or moon. They had slept the whole day away, a first for him. He glanced around. Gimli lay sleeping noisily, his axe in his hands, as he had fallen asleep on his watch. Then he glanced at where Liria lay and frowned. She lay very still, unnaturally so, even for one asleep.
Legolas crept over to her softly and touched a bare forearm. Her skin was unbelievably cold. Quickly, Legolas withdrew his own cloak and placed it over her. Then he looked into her face. Her breathing was shallow and her eyes had a bruised look. Damn her and her pride, he thought. She would die silently rather than let others know to help. Legolas had an idea of what was wrong, blood loss. He still did not think that she had been poisoned, for he himself was feeling better with no effects. She probably had not eaten since he and Gimli had gone into the caves. She needed something to make up for what she had lost.
Legolas stepped over to their packs and brought out a handful of lembas. He brought them back to her and, though she was still asleep, started to force feed her. After a while, her body started to respond to the food and ate it without him having to force it down her throat. After she had eaten about three, her skin looked to have more color and was not as deathly white. She was still cold however, so Legolas wrapped his arms around her and lay next to her to warm her with his body heat. They remained that way for the rest of the night.
Everlasting Road: ch. 6
Legolas stood tensely at the edge of the corner. He could hear Gimli behind him still frantically chopping at the rocks. Nothing was happening, no other goblin followed the first one around the corner. Legolas' arm that held the bow string grew taught with anticipation. What was going on? Even Gimli had realized that nothing was happening and had stopped paying attention to the rocks. He turned and walked up to Legolas' side, wondering what was around the corner, but too fearful to stick his head around it to see. Legolas extended his hearing. He could still hear the goblins, seemingly just around the corner, but there was something else among them, something he could not identify, and the goblins were screaming in pain now. Slowly, his bow ever ready, Legolas advanced to the corner. Gimli followed, his axe ready in his hand. Legolas stopped at the apex of the corner and carefully rounded it, keeping his back pressed against it, expecting goblins to be waiting. But the only goblin he saw was dead, an arrow in it's back. Legolas knelt and grabbed the arrow. It was one of Liria's. Understanding flooded through him and he leapt to his feet and ran forward, Gimli falling behind, though running.
Legolas immediately saw a group of goblins surrounding something in a corner, and Legolas charged right into them. Arrows flew from him so fast that he was soon out of them, but he paid no heed and drew his twin blades. He fought so hard and so fast that the goblins could not even tell who they were being besieged by. By the time Gimli had caught up with Legolas, most of the goblins had scattered and those that remained were dead. Gimli hewed the neck of one as it ran by, then stopped when he saw his friend.
Legolas stood stock still above Liria's form. The grief on his face was almost too much for Gimli to bear, and he guessed at what had probably happened. Now, he was not sure whether Liria was alive or not. Legolas dropped to his knees beside Liria and pushed back the hair from her face. Her face was marred from the battle, and her eyes were heavily-lidded. Legolas swallowed and bit back a gasp of fear. His eyes strayed over the rest of her body, her clothing torn and bloodied, her arrows spent and her blades drawn but now at her sides, where they had fallen. Legolas closed his eyes against a sudden dizzy spell. As he did, he missed Liria's chest rise and fall. But Gimli saw it.
"Look, she is not dead, the Lady is not dead," Gimli exclaimed in a frenzied voice.
Legolas opened his eyes and looked at Liria who was still again, but he had hope and grabbed her hand, then spoke gently, "Liria, open your eyes, come back to us and tell us of your most heroic story."
Liria's lids fluttered and she gasped. Then she tried again and her eyes opened all the way. Her eyes were a sickly yellow color, but they were open. Legolas squeezed her hand in delight, she was not yet defeated.
The first thing Liria saw was Legolas' face, and his too was cut like hers. But her concern was only for him. He was bloodied, though she did not know that most of it was not his own. "I'm sorry," she said in a small voice, "I followed and tried to stop them before they reached you."
"You did," Legolas quieted her, "they never got to us. We are only here to help you. You fought bravely, better than any male elf could have."
Liria smiled with bleeding lips, "Perhaps I have finally shown up my brothers."
Legolas agreed with her, "You have outdone them all in a single day." Liria tried to smile again but was gripped by a sudden spasm. Her body shook and she gasped in pain, her eyes almost turned completely white before her body stilled and they regained some of their yellowish color.
Legolas looked on with fear and bent even closer to her, "No, Liria, you have to keep fighting this, your fight is not over. Do not even think about giving up now." Legolas knew that the only way an elf could be slain was if they gave up and allowed themselves to die.
Liria mumbled, half-dazed, "But it hurts, and there is no more reason to continue. The trees are safe, the elves are gone, you are always gone…" she trailed off and closed her eyes.
Legolas shook her and his voice rose, "No! I am here now, and I never will leave your side Liria. I want you to be my partner, come back to me." His voice broke with grief.
Liria's eyes opened again, they were now a light brown rather than the sickly yellow. "Always?" she asked in a faint voice, "Do you want me always for a partner?"
Legolas gripped her hand more tightly, "Yes, for all of eternity."
Liria took a deep breath and Legolas felt something settle inside of her, a new strength to heal. She slid so that she was sitting halfway up, and shook her head as Legolas tried to lay her back down. She took slow breaths and closed her eyes again, concentrating. In a few minutes, she was able to stand, with Legolas' help. Gimli stood at a distance from them and cleared his throat.
"I apologize for having to move so soon, but the goblins are not all dead and they will regroup and return. We must finish clearing the way out of here." Legolas looked at Gimli as he spoke and nodded. Then Legolas turned to Liria and went to pick her up to carry her, but she stopped him.
"I think I can still remember how to walk," she informed him.
Legolas had to smile briefly, she was still the same. Then he nodded and turned to return to the blockade. He could hear Liria following, though slowly and painfully. Gimli had already reached the rocks and was working on them again. Legolas bent to help while Liria leaned against a wall, breathing shallowly. Finally, they had a gap big enough for them at the top of the rocks. Legolas went to Liria, "You first."
Liria walked to the gap on her own, but could not manage to get through it. She finally consented to Legolas' help and he boosted her up so that she could pull herself through. Then Legolas turned to Gimli and helped him up into the gap. When the others were through, Legolas stepped up to go through himself, but stopped and jumped suddenly to the side. A goblin arrow struck the area where he had just been.
Legolas whirled and reached for an arrow of his own, but stopped. His quiver was empty. Another arrow came at him, and he could see dim shapes coming forward from the dark tunnel. Legolas made his decision and turned for the gap. He moved extraordinarily fast and was halfway through the gap when an arrow pierced his back. Legolas paid no heed to it and threw himself through.
He landed on the other side in a painful pile, rolled onto his side and shouted at Gimli, "Close it back up, quickly!"
Gimli's axe flashed forward and in no time he had chopped more rocks from above to fall and block the gap. And just in time, for they could hear the goblins stop and wail on the other side. Legolas stood up slowly and cried out when he straightened. Gimli ran to him concerned. Legolas turned so that Gimli could see the arrow.
"Pull it out," Legolas gasped, and set his teeth.
Gimli reached and yanked the arrow swiftly out. Legolas' breath exploded from him, but he did not cry out. He took a step and said, "We have to keep going and get out of here before they break through."
Gimli started off again, leading them through the remainder of the caves. Legolas came after Gimli, and Liria after him. Soon, they were all outside of the caves. It was a different area from where they had come in from and the sun was just starting to rise. Gimli wanted to stop to allow his friend to heal, but Legolas pushed them on. He wanted to get as far away from the caves as possible before the goblins had a chance of getting out.
They continued on until Legolas heard a crash behind them. He turned quickly, then winced at the uprising of the forgotten pain in his back. In the next instant, he forgot all of his own pain as he saw Liria laying facedown on the ground. Gimli was walking to her side, but Legolas got there first. He knelt beside her and she rolled onto her side.
"I am sorry," she said in a whisper, "but I cannot go on any longer today. If you must, go ahead and leave me, I will be able to defend myself."
Legolas shook his head, "Does your pain affect your reasoning? I already told you that I wish you for a partner, am I going to go back on my word already? Of course I will stay with you," he glanced at Gimli, "we both will. It is I who should be sorry for pushing you when you were in so much pain. But we are far enough away now, and we will rest for as long as you need."
Liria nodded, contented, and almost immediately fell asleep. While she slept, Legolas examined her to ascertain the full extent of her injuries. She had many flesh wounds, but nothing particularly grievous. When he got to her right calf, however, he went still. The back of her calf had been slashed down all the way to her ankle, severing part of her Achilles tendon even. Legolas swallowed in sudden guilt, to think that he had made her walk this far on such an injury, and she had not said a word. Legolas bound the wound as best as he could. What she really needed was elvish medicine, something to make the wound close both on the inside and outside, but he was not trained in that and did what he could.
Gimli watched Legolas examine Liria impassively. Even when he found the horrendous leg wound, his gaze remained the same. He himself was struggling with emotions, he was grateful towards her and she had gained much respect, but there was still an iota of jealousy towards her. Plus, he could not be sure of her intentions towards his friend. Gimli sighed and shook his head, he couldn't figure it out, and probably would not until later on.
When Legolas was done with his examination, Gimli spoke up, "You have been injured as well, let me see it."
"It's nothing," Legolas insisted, yet did not pull away when Gimli stepped up to him. Legolas removed his bow and quiver and took off his light, elvish cloak. Gimli pushed up Legolas' tunic to reveal the skin and bit his lip at what he saw. To think that his friend had suffered such a wound from a place that Gimli had assured would be safe. The puncture was deep, as the arrow had gone far, and it was ragged from when Gimli had hastily pulled it out. It was already bruised all about the wound and blood was laced about on his back. Gimli cleaned it as best as he could and bandaged it, but he was less skilled than Legolas and doubted that it would help him much. Yet Legolas insisted that Gimli had done well.
"It feels much better now," he assured Gimli with a smile. Secretly, Legolas fought back waves of pain and fatigue. He knew now that the arrow must have been poisoned. From what, he did not know, but hoped it would soon pass out of his system. Liria had not appeared to have been pierced by any arrows, so she probably did not have any poisoning. For that at least, Legolas was grateful. He would know in time if the poison would cause any trouble.
Gimli spoke, "You should rest as well, my friend, for you have suffered. I will remain at watch so that you need not worry, that will be my price for making you enter the caves."
"Gimli," Legolas spoke gravely to his friend, "do not blame yourself for the caves. I have no regrets for going in there and seeing the great chamber. It was beautiful, as you promised. And the goblins cannot be controlled, they have been around since our time and will probably remain after us even. It is not something you have power over. Ease your heart, dear friend, for I will still always carry fond memories of the cave."
Gimli brightened considerably, he had been feeling guilty. Now he set out to his watch position with earnest as Legolas settled down and fell asleep. Though Gimli insisted on being the look-out, Legolas still knew that he would probably be the one to sense danger first, asleep or not.
When Legolas awoke next, he was confused. He thought that they were still in the caves for it was very dark. Soon, he figured out why. Night had fallen and there were no stars or moon. They had slept the whole day away, a first for him. He glanced around. Gimli lay sleeping noisily, his axe in his hands, as he had fallen asleep on his watch. Then he glanced at where Liria lay and frowned. She lay very still, unnaturally so, even for one asleep.
Legolas crept over to her softly and touched a bare forearm. Her skin was unbelievably cold. Quickly, Legolas withdrew his own cloak and placed it over her. Then he looked into her face. Her breathing was shallow and her eyes had a bruised look. Damn her and her pride, he thought. She would die silently rather than let others know to help. Legolas had an idea of what was wrong, blood loss. He still did not think that she had been poisoned, for he himself was feeling better with no effects. She probably had not eaten since he and Gimli had gone into the caves. She needed something to make up for what she had lost.
Legolas stepped over to their packs and brought out a handful of lembas. He brought them back to her and, though she was still asleep, started to force feed her. After a while, her body started to respond to the food and ate it without him having to force it down her throat. After she had eaten about three, her skin looked to have more color and was not as deathly white. She was still cold however, so Legolas wrapped his arms around her and lay next to her to warm her with his body heat. They remained that way for the rest of the night.