Chapter 15

Terrico saw Legolas being put into a cage, blood flowing from a wound on his leg. She charged Balen toward the goblins, but Driikk, who had teleported to the area just past the snares, suddenly jumped out and shot a Water Arrow spell at Balen. The balrog dodged it, but before he could fling his whip, Driikk cast a teleportation spell over the group of goblins, the cage with Legolas, and himself. Terrico let out a long string of curses when she realized what had happened. She was so angry she unleashed her full magic power. Lighting surged from the sky and struck down most of the goblins and orcs there, while flame dragons, triple normal size, flew out of her staff and attacked those that survived her sudden storm. Her eyes glowed red, and a sharp wind whipped her hair wildly around her. Her anger and power surged into Balen, who charged roaring deep into Driikk's armies. After a moment or two of Terrico's rage blasting down on them, what little remained of the goblin and orc armies retreated, running at top speed for the mountains. Truly exhausted from the battle, Terrico slumped over on Balen. The balrog walked carefully behind Aragorn back towards the Shire. They'd lost many men, a few dragons and hobbits, but the loss of Legolas hurt them more than anything. Gimli walked next to Balen, sadness over Legolas and worry over Terrico overcoming any fear. Balen, who knew common, spoke quietly to Gimli. "The elf they captured, Legolas, was he in the Mines?" Gimli looked up at the balrog, very much surprised that he could talk. "Yes, once, when we were in the Fellowship. A balrog attacked us. Was that you?" Balen shook his head slightly. "No, it was the oldest of us balrogs. He was fueled with greed. We balrogs really only want to be left alone in the caves. I am still very young for a balrog. Before Terrico came into the mines I had never met anyone who wasn't a balrog. She helped me lead the others deep into the mines, where she sealed them back into the caverns we'd lived in for centuries. I stayed out, and I let her catch me in a special orb that held me until she went to get her Sorceress status. No one ever realized that I could talk or that I was intelligent enough to know what everyone was saying." Balen looked sad. "I know what Driikk is going to do. He's going to use Legolas to force Terrico to do what he wants. I know that Terrico loves Legolas, and I'm worried that she might give in to Driikk." Gimli put his hand carefully on the balrog's shoulder, surprised that it did not burn him. "I think that Legolas will be able to take care of himself. For now, let's just worry about Terrico." Balen would have nodded, but the motion would have thrown Terrico. "If Driikk tries to persuade her by threatening to kill Legolas, she'll let him die." Balen's words shocked Gimli. "But only because she can resurrect him now that she is a sorceress. All she needs is one bit of him. A tooth, a nail, a bit of hair, anything. It will be enough for her to bring him back. I know she carries a bit of his hair with her, where I don't know. I know he has a bit of hers, too. If he dies, she will know and resurrect him instantly. She is very powerful now. She is tired now, she has exhausted her magic. Driikk knows this, and he will wait a few days so his army can heal and so that when he takes over Terrico, she will be healed, since a controlled mage does not regenerate magic power." Balen's knowledge astounded Aragorn, who was listening in front of them. He turned around. "How do you know all this, balrog?" "My name is Balen, your highness. I know all of this because Terrico told me and I hear very well. I heard what Driikk said when he saw that Legolas had been caught. He knew Terrico was going to unleash her full power." The army finally exited the woods. Balen took Terrico back to Bag End, led by Gandalf, Sealeaf, and Frodo. Sealeaf was deeply saddened, and Frodo was eager to dismount, as he felt his weight become a very heavy burden to the dragon. They laid Terrico on one of Frodo's beds, and let her sleep without disturbance. Sealeaf and Balen were too big to go up the lane, so they went back to Aragorn's camp. Gimli and Gandalf sat outside of Terrico's room to guard her. The hobbits brought bandages, food, and blankets out to Aragorn's men and to the other hobbits that were dismounting from their dragons. Most of the dragons were unharmed, but a few had slashes or arrow wounds that needed attention. Aragorn's men were surprised that despite victory, their leaders were sad. They knew the elf was important, but they did not know who he was. Aragorn ordered his fastest runner to send a message to Thranduil: "Legolas has been captured. Aragorn needs reinforcements, archers if possible. Goblins and orcs threaten the Shire and Terrico. A goblin-mage plans to hold Legolas hostage so an elven mage, whom Legolas was involved with, will allow him to use her to bring back Sauron. Gandalf, a host of dragons, one balrog, and many hobbits engaged in one battle where Legolas was captured. A speedy response is necessary." The runner took off, aided by a speed spell from Gandalf. Aragorn sighed and sat down in his tent. He looked at a sketch of Legolas and the rest of the Fellowship he kept with him at all times. For the first time in a long time, he cried. He wished Arwen was there, but most of all he wished Legolas had been killed rather than captured. They would have dealt with his death a lot easier than they did with the thought of goblins torturing him. He lay awake on his bed in his tent for a long time, until an uneasy sleep came over him, plagued with dreams of goblins and Legolas.