Ayod – Just wait, nin mell! Major Orc bashing ahead! Quite literally in
one case!! I can hear you screaming now when you get to the end! (great
wicked grin!!) btw good luck on your finals!
Nancing Elf - Definitely kicking Orc *ss now! And no I haven't read Jocelyn's "A Nudge Out the Door". (TreeHugger adds the name to the ever- growing list of MUST READS!) And I have two words for Nirnaeth and Jess "Never again."
Shinigamio – You think the last cliffie was bad?? Just you wait, nin mellon! Just you wait!! You may want to have a shovel handy!
Karina – No character deaths? Hmmmm…You'll be much more impatient for the next chapter I think, My Most Excellent Friend!!
evyllen - Chap. 18 – I think I too will need to remind myself when I reread portions of the books that -no, Tolkien didn't write that, you did, or (add authors of ffnet's name) did. Pretty bizarre business all around! I'm starting to feel sorry for your cat! Though I am glad that you enjoyed that lovely sad scene and the song. So you're a Legolas. That's very cool! Way to go, evyllen!
Ranger – I am warning you now, nin mellon. I had one last cliffie for this fic and - well – you'll see. I think I do write for radio soap operas or movie serials! That is what it feels like sometimes. I guess that you have gotten over your fear of flying and Gimli will have to get over his fear of riding a horse! After all Aragorn wants to see him and the Elf ride together!
alliwantisanelfforchristmas - Thank you for my 200th review!! I am quite amazed by everyone's response to this story of mine. Wow. So you saw the movie 22 times?!! And your hubby went with you 7 of those times?!! Now I am jealous!! That date thing is really nice. Our kids usually accompany us wherever we go. And yes, you did sound like a certain Elvish princess that owns a shovel! You may certainly join the Red Hanky Brigade! Ranger will be opening a Red Hanky factory in Imladris I believe and I'm sure that he will give us a good deal! About the shovels – well – you'll see my note at the bottom of this chapter. I hope you computer is feeling better. They can be quite troublesome! And Yes! You remembered Lumbule. He was in "Whisper of Things to Come". I panicked momentarily after I posted the last chapter because I was afraid that I had maybe killed him somewhere along the way. But I hadn't. Whew! I think that Leggy and Elu will come to your house to pout and – uh – grab shovels. (TreeHugger hides under the computer desk)
Lakergurl13 – Cliffhanger alert ahead! This one has some pretty good action in it too, even if I do say so myself. But warning – BIG Cliffie ahead!!
Irena – I don't mind waiting for your chapters. They are so wonderful and exciting and thrilling that they are worth any wait. And again I am glad that you are better! So I am not the only one that has trouble with Author Alert. It's irked me a few times! Well, you loved and hated all the right parts. Just be prepared to sit on the edge of your seat a little longer, nin mellon!
Nirnaeth looked up as the other Orcs returned, and he couldn't quite stop his gasp of surprise when he saw that Mirkwood's prince was with them. His wrists were tied and one cheek was bleeding. The blue eyes were narrowed in anger and glittered darkly.
Jess surged forward, nearly escaping from his surprised captor, but all it earned him was a sharp cuff on the back of the head.
Lumbule gazed in satisfaction at his captives. Soon that traitor abomination would be here and all would be well. He yanked his newest prisoner into the center of the clearing.
"The Forsaken One is coming." He told them with a grin. "Egla Ash is coming to us." He patted Legolas' cheek enjoying the surge of wrath that filled the Elf's eyes.
: Egla Ash? : They were indeed after his friend. He wished he could think of some way to warn him, but he feared he would endanger the others if he tried.
The Orcs laughed and eyed one another. Blue Eyes was coming to them.
"Shouldn't one of us wait for him?"
Lumbule shook his head.
"No. He'll get here. He won't leave his friend."
It was all Legolas could do to keep from yanking away from his captor and diving for his bow placed so enticingly near, as the Orc behind him ran a hand down his hair. But he knew the others were coming. So he forced his body to relax. He could wait and when the time was right he would act. He managed to glance back at Nirnaeth and Jessolothrad and free his hair as well. The older Elf was staring at him in amazement and hope. He realized that help was coming. Then great anger and the need for revenge sparkled in the green eyes. But Jess looked frightened and it was with an effort that he calmed himself. The two adult Elves seemed unworried by their predicament so he must try. He drew a deep breath. Someone that the Orcs wanted was coming. He wondered who that was. He didn't know anyone called the Egla Ash. He just hoped that whoever it was, was not alone.
Aragorn led his small group quietly forward. He wondered what had happened. The Beornings guarded the High Pass, but he knew that Orcs still inhabited the regions beneath the Misty Mountains. And that was what he feared when Legolas didn't return. He glanced at Elu. What would happen when he encountered his own kind again? He knew the Orc was a friend, but what if those Black Thoughts came on him now? The Ranger's eyes narrowed. If they did Elu would be the first to die. He regretted that decision, but if it became necessary he could – and would – do it. He fervently hoped it wouldn't come to that.
It was suddenly very quiet. : So, : he thought grimly. : They know. : Now he was certain that it was Orcs. He turned to the others and noted with satisfaction that they seemed to have come to the same conclusion. Gimli and Eikenstan held their throwing axes lightly, ready to hurl them at a moment's notice, their eyes filled with stern determination. Boromir's sword was in his hand. Aragorn didn't doubt that the Man was ready. Riding for one hundred days must have been very taxing to a man used to action and the physical rigors of battle. He fancied that he saw a glint of anticipation in Gondor's Captain-General's eyes. Elu's face was taut with worry, but the Ranger saw anger flickering like a low flame in the blue depths as well.
Aragorn felt a smile tugging at his lips. If indeed it was Orcs, they didn't stand a chance. He flashed a grin at his small company of comrades as he notched an arrow. Boromir's return smile was immediate. He did look forward to this battle. The Dwarves grim visages allowed tight smiles to shine through. Elu bared his fangs in a feral grimace that was part smile and part snarl.
But then a shrill voice rent the still air.
"Forsaken One! I have your friend. Show yourself or he dies."
Elu's eyes widened in surprise and then narrowed in rage. He recognized that hated voice: Lumbule, his despised former companion beneath Emyn Mor Esgal and then captor who lead him to Dol Guldur. Anger such as he had never felt boiled in him. His hand tightened on his bow. When Aragorn motioned them forward, Elu halted him.
"Not yet, Dunadan. I need to face him. Alone."
"Elu – "
"Please. I must do this. Do not reveal yourselves yet. I must do this." He repeated, his eyes boring into the Ranger's.
Aragorn stared at him, brows furrowed in consternation.
"It is not just your life that is at stake." He hissed.
"I know that, Dunadan. Only too well. Signal me when you have come. I do not know how many there are, but Lumbule is mine. Give me that, Dunadan. Please."
Aragorn saw the myriad emotions flickering in the blue depths. He nodded reluctantly, hoping that he would not regret this decision.
Elu curtly nodded his thanks and the others watched as he reached into his quiver and drew out an arrow. Its length was long and black, ebony feathers glistened in the muted light of early evening. The Orc ran his hand down its smooth shaft, caressing the name carved there: Legolas Greenleaf. Then he held it aloft, even the blessed Valar must see it.
"Guide it this night, Elbereth Gilthoniel. Guide this arrow as it flies one last time." Then he set it against the string of his bow and moved through the trees.
"What is he doing?" Eikenstan hissed, afraid to guess what was happening.
Aragorn sighed and signed to him everything that had transpired in those fraught moments.
"May Mahal guide it as well." The Dwarf breathed quietly, shaking his head.
The Black Arrow would indeed fly one last time this night.
Elu made certain that he made as much noise as possible as he approached the clearing in the trees. He wanted Lumbule to know he was coming. He knew the Orc wouldn't slay him outright. No, Orcs were sadistic and cruel. He wouldn't want it to end too quickly.
"Your time with the Elves hasn't silenced your footfalls any, Forsaken One."
Elu positioned himself momentarily so he could see where the Elves were. Nirnaeth was on his knees behind and to the left of Lumbule who held Legolas tightly, a knife at the Elf's throat. Even though Legolas appeared calm, Elu could see the fury smoldering in his eyes. Legolas saw him as well. He blinked slowly to acknowledge his presence. Elu's eyes move last to Jess, the child was terrified though he struggled to hide it. A new surge of anger swept through the Orc. But this anger was controlled. He would choose when to release it. He stepped into the clearing.
Lumbule smiled, moving the knife against Legolas' throat. A small line of blood appeared and trickled down onto his collar. The hands tied with black rope tightened into fists, the lips tightening into a thin line.
Elu had noted the position of the other Orcs as well, they had their arrows trained on Legolas. He noted that the Elf's bow lay a few feet from his friend.
"It is a long time since I last saw you, Forsaken One." Lumbule grinned. "But I have thought of you often. It would appear you do not know who you are. Are you an Orc or are you an Elf?" He laughed, looking to see if the others were enjoying his jests. The others laughed, things were going so well for them.
"I have been sent to slay you, Forsaken One. You cannot be allowed to live. They should have killed you in Dol Guldur. I heard you singing in there. You are a disgrace, Egla Ash. Singing like an Elf." He jerked on Legolas' hair. "Soon your friends here will be singing in the dark of Dol Guldur."
Elu paled, but he allowed his anger to burn more brightly, his resolve strengthening. He saw the flicker of anguish in Legolas' eyes when Lumbule mentioned Elu's time in Dol Guldur. : We do not look back, Legolas Elvellon. : he thought. :The past is passed. :
Suddenly Lumbule's face contorted with anger and disgust.
"You are not an Elf!" He shrieked. "And I can't believe that you think you are. You are an Orc! An Orc, fool! Like them!" He gestured toward the others who were staring at him, surprised by his outburst. "Like me!"
A low whistle sounded from the trees and Elu knew that the others were there. Other quiet whistles, perfect bird sounds, rang from the far side as well. Behind the Orcs holding Jess and Nirnaeth. The Orcs were too intent on Lumbule's rage to notice.
"I know what I am, Lumbule." Elu said quietly. "I am not Egla Ash the Forsaken One. I am Elu Heneb. Warrior of Mirkwood. I am an Orc. But," He smiled darkly. "I am not like you."
Then with a stunning swiftness that his time with the Elves had perfected, he raised the bow and the Black Arrow flew. It struck the stunned Lumbule in the eye. He stood with his mouth agape for several seconds then fell to the ground dead.
When the Black Arrow had hit the Orc, whizzing mere inches from his own face, Legolas had yanked the Orc's knife from its waist and sawed through the ropes binding his wrists. He rolled to the ground and grabbed up his bow and an arrow in one graceful movement and turned, letting it fly into the Orc holding Jessolothrad. The child was stunned by this swift turn of events and fell as the Orc toppled onto him. Nirnaeth's captors looked scared for a mere moment when suddenly they fell, axes protruding from their backs. Nirnaeth jumped up and ran to his son, he heaved the dead Orc off him.
"Jess! Jess! Are you alright?"
The child shook his head, dazed, and gazed up at his father. He smiled and flung his arms about his father's neck. Nirnaeth buried his face against the child's neck and held him tightly.
"Never again." He murmured. He helped Jess to his feet, then turned to glare down at the dead Orc. He took up the beast's sword and, grimacing, he hacked and bashed at its body until all the rage and pain he felt eased away. Jess had turned away, knowing that his father needed to do this. Nirnaeth dropped the weapon to the ground and sank to his knees, opening his arms to his son who ran into them. "Never again."
Across the clearing Aragorn had loosed an arrow into one Orc that stood several feet away fumbling in fear with its own weapon. He then drew his sword and stepped forward, his blade clashing with another Orc's. The beast swung wildly, in great fear for its life, Aragorn ducked under it and came up slashing the beast across the stomach. As it gazed down in stunned horror, the Ranger swung his own blade fiercely, decapitating it.
Boromir had roared a battle cry "For Gondor!" and rushed to engage two Orcs at once. His sword swung in an arc, slicing through one beast, blood spraying into the air. He turned to confront the other one, a grin of glee on his face. This was much better than too many days in the saddle! The other Orc quailed at his glance, but knew it couldn't flee. It swung its blade at the man who dodged it easily. The swords clashed harshly together. Boromir flung the beast back and it fell to the ground, which was slick with its fellow's blood. Boromir tossed his sword, caught it, hilt up and stabbed it into the fallen Orc.
The two remaining Orcs had loosed arrows and both struck home. Elu felt them pierce his back and he fell to his knees, then to the ground. Gimli and Eikenstan rushed them, their axes cutting into the Orcs' bodies and felling them.
"No!" Legolas tore across the grass toward him, dropping his bow as he fell to his knees beside the fallen Orc. "Elu." He whispered, one hand resting on his friend's back. The Orc didn't move. "No, Elu. You can't die. You can't."
The others had moved to join him, Aragorn kneeling swiftly at his side.
"Tell him not to die, Estel. Order him not to die!"
Aragorn looked at the Elf's distressed eyes and lowered his head sorrowfully.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, that was so very sadistic and I know it! I believe there is only one chapter left to this tale of mine, so I HAD to make this one the mother of all my cliffhangers. (Hands everyone a red hankie while she laughs gleefully) I know you want to come after me with a shovel, but you don't know where I live! Ain't fanfiction great?!!!
Nancing Elf - Definitely kicking Orc *ss now! And no I haven't read Jocelyn's "A Nudge Out the Door". (TreeHugger adds the name to the ever- growing list of MUST READS!) And I have two words for Nirnaeth and Jess "Never again."
Shinigamio – You think the last cliffie was bad?? Just you wait, nin mellon! Just you wait!! You may want to have a shovel handy!
Karina – No character deaths? Hmmmm…You'll be much more impatient for the next chapter I think, My Most Excellent Friend!!
evyllen - Chap. 18 – I think I too will need to remind myself when I reread portions of the books that -no, Tolkien didn't write that, you did, or (add authors of ffnet's name) did. Pretty bizarre business all around! I'm starting to feel sorry for your cat! Though I am glad that you enjoyed that lovely sad scene and the song. So you're a Legolas. That's very cool! Way to go, evyllen!
Ranger – I am warning you now, nin mellon. I had one last cliffie for this fic and - well – you'll see. I think I do write for radio soap operas or movie serials! That is what it feels like sometimes. I guess that you have gotten over your fear of flying and Gimli will have to get over his fear of riding a horse! After all Aragorn wants to see him and the Elf ride together!
alliwantisanelfforchristmas - Thank you for my 200th review!! I am quite amazed by everyone's response to this story of mine. Wow. So you saw the movie 22 times?!! And your hubby went with you 7 of those times?!! Now I am jealous!! That date thing is really nice. Our kids usually accompany us wherever we go. And yes, you did sound like a certain Elvish princess that owns a shovel! You may certainly join the Red Hanky Brigade! Ranger will be opening a Red Hanky factory in Imladris I believe and I'm sure that he will give us a good deal! About the shovels – well – you'll see my note at the bottom of this chapter. I hope you computer is feeling better. They can be quite troublesome! And Yes! You remembered Lumbule. He was in "Whisper of Things to Come". I panicked momentarily after I posted the last chapter because I was afraid that I had maybe killed him somewhere along the way. But I hadn't. Whew! I think that Leggy and Elu will come to your house to pout and – uh – grab shovels. (TreeHugger hides under the computer desk)
Lakergurl13 – Cliffhanger alert ahead! This one has some pretty good action in it too, even if I do say so myself. But warning – BIG Cliffie ahead!!
Irena – I don't mind waiting for your chapters. They are so wonderful and exciting and thrilling that they are worth any wait. And again I am glad that you are better! So I am not the only one that has trouble with Author Alert. It's irked me a few times! Well, you loved and hated all the right parts. Just be prepared to sit on the edge of your seat a little longer, nin mellon!
Nirnaeth looked up as the other Orcs returned, and he couldn't quite stop his gasp of surprise when he saw that Mirkwood's prince was with them. His wrists were tied and one cheek was bleeding. The blue eyes were narrowed in anger and glittered darkly.
Jess surged forward, nearly escaping from his surprised captor, but all it earned him was a sharp cuff on the back of the head.
Lumbule gazed in satisfaction at his captives. Soon that traitor abomination would be here and all would be well. He yanked his newest prisoner into the center of the clearing.
"The Forsaken One is coming." He told them with a grin. "Egla Ash is coming to us." He patted Legolas' cheek enjoying the surge of wrath that filled the Elf's eyes.
: Egla Ash? : They were indeed after his friend. He wished he could think of some way to warn him, but he feared he would endanger the others if he tried.
The Orcs laughed and eyed one another. Blue Eyes was coming to them.
"Shouldn't one of us wait for him?"
Lumbule shook his head.
"No. He'll get here. He won't leave his friend."
It was all Legolas could do to keep from yanking away from his captor and diving for his bow placed so enticingly near, as the Orc behind him ran a hand down his hair. But he knew the others were coming. So he forced his body to relax. He could wait and when the time was right he would act. He managed to glance back at Nirnaeth and Jessolothrad and free his hair as well. The older Elf was staring at him in amazement and hope. He realized that help was coming. Then great anger and the need for revenge sparkled in the green eyes. But Jess looked frightened and it was with an effort that he calmed himself. The two adult Elves seemed unworried by their predicament so he must try. He drew a deep breath. Someone that the Orcs wanted was coming. He wondered who that was. He didn't know anyone called the Egla Ash. He just hoped that whoever it was, was not alone.
Aragorn led his small group quietly forward. He wondered what had happened. The Beornings guarded the High Pass, but he knew that Orcs still inhabited the regions beneath the Misty Mountains. And that was what he feared when Legolas didn't return. He glanced at Elu. What would happen when he encountered his own kind again? He knew the Orc was a friend, but what if those Black Thoughts came on him now? The Ranger's eyes narrowed. If they did Elu would be the first to die. He regretted that decision, but if it became necessary he could – and would – do it. He fervently hoped it wouldn't come to that.
It was suddenly very quiet. : So, : he thought grimly. : They know. : Now he was certain that it was Orcs. He turned to the others and noted with satisfaction that they seemed to have come to the same conclusion. Gimli and Eikenstan held their throwing axes lightly, ready to hurl them at a moment's notice, their eyes filled with stern determination. Boromir's sword was in his hand. Aragorn didn't doubt that the Man was ready. Riding for one hundred days must have been very taxing to a man used to action and the physical rigors of battle. He fancied that he saw a glint of anticipation in Gondor's Captain-General's eyes. Elu's face was taut with worry, but the Ranger saw anger flickering like a low flame in the blue depths as well.
Aragorn felt a smile tugging at his lips. If indeed it was Orcs, they didn't stand a chance. He flashed a grin at his small company of comrades as he notched an arrow. Boromir's return smile was immediate. He did look forward to this battle. The Dwarves grim visages allowed tight smiles to shine through. Elu bared his fangs in a feral grimace that was part smile and part snarl.
But then a shrill voice rent the still air.
"Forsaken One! I have your friend. Show yourself or he dies."
Elu's eyes widened in surprise and then narrowed in rage. He recognized that hated voice: Lumbule, his despised former companion beneath Emyn Mor Esgal and then captor who lead him to Dol Guldur. Anger such as he had never felt boiled in him. His hand tightened on his bow. When Aragorn motioned them forward, Elu halted him.
"Not yet, Dunadan. I need to face him. Alone."
"Elu – "
"Please. I must do this. Do not reveal yourselves yet. I must do this." He repeated, his eyes boring into the Ranger's.
Aragorn stared at him, brows furrowed in consternation.
"It is not just your life that is at stake." He hissed.
"I know that, Dunadan. Only too well. Signal me when you have come. I do not know how many there are, but Lumbule is mine. Give me that, Dunadan. Please."
Aragorn saw the myriad emotions flickering in the blue depths. He nodded reluctantly, hoping that he would not regret this decision.
Elu curtly nodded his thanks and the others watched as he reached into his quiver and drew out an arrow. Its length was long and black, ebony feathers glistened in the muted light of early evening. The Orc ran his hand down its smooth shaft, caressing the name carved there: Legolas Greenleaf. Then he held it aloft, even the blessed Valar must see it.
"Guide it this night, Elbereth Gilthoniel. Guide this arrow as it flies one last time." Then he set it against the string of his bow and moved through the trees.
"What is he doing?" Eikenstan hissed, afraid to guess what was happening.
Aragorn sighed and signed to him everything that had transpired in those fraught moments.
"May Mahal guide it as well." The Dwarf breathed quietly, shaking his head.
The Black Arrow would indeed fly one last time this night.
Elu made certain that he made as much noise as possible as he approached the clearing in the trees. He wanted Lumbule to know he was coming. He knew the Orc wouldn't slay him outright. No, Orcs were sadistic and cruel. He wouldn't want it to end too quickly.
"Your time with the Elves hasn't silenced your footfalls any, Forsaken One."
Elu positioned himself momentarily so he could see where the Elves were. Nirnaeth was on his knees behind and to the left of Lumbule who held Legolas tightly, a knife at the Elf's throat. Even though Legolas appeared calm, Elu could see the fury smoldering in his eyes. Legolas saw him as well. He blinked slowly to acknowledge his presence. Elu's eyes move last to Jess, the child was terrified though he struggled to hide it. A new surge of anger swept through the Orc. But this anger was controlled. He would choose when to release it. He stepped into the clearing.
Lumbule smiled, moving the knife against Legolas' throat. A small line of blood appeared and trickled down onto his collar. The hands tied with black rope tightened into fists, the lips tightening into a thin line.
Elu had noted the position of the other Orcs as well, they had their arrows trained on Legolas. He noted that the Elf's bow lay a few feet from his friend.
"It is a long time since I last saw you, Forsaken One." Lumbule grinned. "But I have thought of you often. It would appear you do not know who you are. Are you an Orc or are you an Elf?" He laughed, looking to see if the others were enjoying his jests. The others laughed, things were going so well for them.
"I have been sent to slay you, Forsaken One. You cannot be allowed to live. They should have killed you in Dol Guldur. I heard you singing in there. You are a disgrace, Egla Ash. Singing like an Elf." He jerked on Legolas' hair. "Soon your friends here will be singing in the dark of Dol Guldur."
Elu paled, but he allowed his anger to burn more brightly, his resolve strengthening. He saw the flicker of anguish in Legolas' eyes when Lumbule mentioned Elu's time in Dol Guldur. : We do not look back, Legolas Elvellon. : he thought. :The past is passed. :
Suddenly Lumbule's face contorted with anger and disgust.
"You are not an Elf!" He shrieked. "And I can't believe that you think you are. You are an Orc! An Orc, fool! Like them!" He gestured toward the others who were staring at him, surprised by his outburst. "Like me!"
A low whistle sounded from the trees and Elu knew that the others were there. Other quiet whistles, perfect bird sounds, rang from the far side as well. Behind the Orcs holding Jess and Nirnaeth. The Orcs were too intent on Lumbule's rage to notice.
"I know what I am, Lumbule." Elu said quietly. "I am not Egla Ash the Forsaken One. I am Elu Heneb. Warrior of Mirkwood. I am an Orc. But," He smiled darkly. "I am not like you."
Then with a stunning swiftness that his time with the Elves had perfected, he raised the bow and the Black Arrow flew. It struck the stunned Lumbule in the eye. He stood with his mouth agape for several seconds then fell to the ground dead.
When the Black Arrow had hit the Orc, whizzing mere inches from his own face, Legolas had yanked the Orc's knife from its waist and sawed through the ropes binding his wrists. He rolled to the ground and grabbed up his bow and an arrow in one graceful movement and turned, letting it fly into the Orc holding Jessolothrad. The child was stunned by this swift turn of events and fell as the Orc toppled onto him. Nirnaeth's captors looked scared for a mere moment when suddenly they fell, axes protruding from their backs. Nirnaeth jumped up and ran to his son, he heaved the dead Orc off him.
"Jess! Jess! Are you alright?"
The child shook his head, dazed, and gazed up at his father. He smiled and flung his arms about his father's neck. Nirnaeth buried his face against the child's neck and held him tightly.
"Never again." He murmured. He helped Jess to his feet, then turned to glare down at the dead Orc. He took up the beast's sword and, grimacing, he hacked and bashed at its body until all the rage and pain he felt eased away. Jess had turned away, knowing that his father needed to do this. Nirnaeth dropped the weapon to the ground and sank to his knees, opening his arms to his son who ran into them. "Never again."
Across the clearing Aragorn had loosed an arrow into one Orc that stood several feet away fumbling in fear with its own weapon. He then drew his sword and stepped forward, his blade clashing with another Orc's. The beast swung wildly, in great fear for its life, Aragorn ducked under it and came up slashing the beast across the stomach. As it gazed down in stunned horror, the Ranger swung his own blade fiercely, decapitating it.
Boromir had roared a battle cry "For Gondor!" and rushed to engage two Orcs at once. His sword swung in an arc, slicing through one beast, blood spraying into the air. He turned to confront the other one, a grin of glee on his face. This was much better than too many days in the saddle! The other Orc quailed at his glance, but knew it couldn't flee. It swung its blade at the man who dodged it easily. The swords clashed harshly together. Boromir flung the beast back and it fell to the ground, which was slick with its fellow's blood. Boromir tossed his sword, caught it, hilt up and stabbed it into the fallen Orc.
The two remaining Orcs had loosed arrows and both struck home. Elu felt them pierce his back and he fell to his knees, then to the ground. Gimli and Eikenstan rushed them, their axes cutting into the Orcs' bodies and felling them.
"No!" Legolas tore across the grass toward him, dropping his bow as he fell to his knees beside the fallen Orc. "Elu." He whispered, one hand resting on his friend's back. The Orc didn't move. "No, Elu. You can't die. You can't."
The others had moved to join him, Aragorn kneeling swiftly at his side.
"Tell him not to die, Estel. Order him not to die!"
Aragorn looked at the Elf's distressed eyes and lowered his head sorrowfully.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, that was so very sadistic and I know it! I believe there is only one chapter left to this tale of mine, so I HAD to make this one the mother of all my cliffhangers. (Hands everyone a red hankie while she laughs gleefully) I know you want to come after me with a shovel, but you don't know where I live! Ain't fanfiction great?!!!