The Other

Ch 6-

The two elves walked on, searching for the dwarf, for days they marched but no sign of Gimli was to be found. Daria felt the dwarf's spirit failing but she would not tell Legolas, that would only weaken him. Each night Daria tried to make Legolas sleep, but to no avail, the elf was worried and nothing could help that.

Not a single living thing did they find in that great forest aside from the trees. Although, it is said that where mysticism trails mysticism will follow. And so it was, Legolas with his determined face and soft eyes, and Daria with her pleasant features and curly black hair, and both with light footsteps and upright posture's continued on, bringing with them all the secret creatures of the forgotten wood.

Every once and again, Legolas would glance at Daria and in response, she would tell him how close Gimli was. It was no use hiding her magic, Legolas was too smart for that. He could see her beauty, it was greater than any he had seen, not merely her outward appearance but she had character and personality, something you don't find with most she-elves. Her eyes held her story, and yet they were empty, he somehow knew that she had never known friendship and never would know really what it meant. 

All that her heart truly ached for was a kindly spirit. Merely to be in the same room with one was more than she had hoped for. So Daria was happy, or as happy as one can be in such a situation.

They came upon a little hollow and decided to rest for a while. There was a small stream running through the soft grass with pebbles lining the edges and bouncing the clear glistening water back and forth. Legolas bent down and cupped a handful of water and drank, it was very cool and refreshing and something was odd about it, very familiar.

Meanwhile Daria was searching the grounds for a walking stick, finding one that suited her, she started to scrap off the arms protruding from it and smooth out the rough parts. Both were very quiet as they stood in this spot. Daria looked up slowly, something was very wrong about this place. Walking slowly towards the stream she peered into it and plunged her hand into the now freezing cold water.  She brought her hand out and sniffled a bit from the lack of heat. She was holding a pendant, it was traced in fine silver that seeped through the glass and spelled something in elvish.  She shook her head in confusion, "I know I should be able to read this but that language has passed me by."

Legolas took the pendant and gazed at it, "it belonged to an elf, it was for his marriage". He said somberly.

The two elves looked back at the water, it looked so surreal the way the water moved, it clung to the sides as if it was afraid of itself.  They looked up and saw how perfect this little place was, a perfect paradise, untouched by any sort of evil. The trees were full and green, the grass was perfect, no leafs scattered the ground like the rest of the forest. They were suddenly disturbed by this place and after Legolas tucked away the pendant they ran from the little hollow.

They continued walking for quite some time until the oddness caught up with them again, Legolas stopped and listened, "Do you hear that?" he asked.

She stopped and listened then they both realized, they had not seen a single living-breathing thing, the forest was empty. A chill went down Legolas's spine.

"We must leave now." Daria whispered.

They started off again, slowly walking away then breaking into a run. A scream echoed from the trees and hit Legolas like a knife. "Gimli." Legolas muttered and they both took off towards the sound.

Gimli was running when they caught sight of him.

"Gimli!" Legolas shouted, but he kept running. The elves long legs and quick step was too much for the short stout little dwarf and they quickly caught him. The dwarf collapsed in a heap.  Blood was flowing freely down his face and matted in his hair. Bits of his cloak had been torn off, as if by a wild animal. He fell unconscious.

Legolas looked at his wound and tried to wipe some of the blood away but Daria stopped him, "There is no time, we must leave." She said, all the while feeling a growing sense of dread gaining on the trio. Legolas slung Gimli over his shoulder and followed Daria. Legolas wasn't really sure she knew were she was going but it was better than staying in one spot. The truth was she didn't really know where she was going either.

Hey everyone! Please review, I'd really appreciate it!  And if you get the chance try reading some of my other stories, "moon dance" is an original of mine and "the trip" is also an original please read and review all of these!!