Disclaimers: Read Ariandir's work for disclaimers because I can't be
bothered to type them out.
Sweat poured down Legolas's face soaking the neck of his tunic which was concealed behind his armour. His armpits stung and his stomach churned.
Some days previously a message had reached the court of his father informing them that orcs had attacked Mirkwood. Immediately his brothers, Istalindir and Aerandir, had assembled an army to go and meet the invaders and drive them out.
Legolas was commander of the 1st Royal Mirkwood Archers so naturally he played a part in organising that part of the proceedings. He had been in Thalandris at the time with his fiancé but had hurried back at the news to defend his homeland.
They had run into the enemy on the previous day by the eastern part of the forest. The archers hadn't been heavily involved in the fighting yet although a group of orcs got through but were quickly shot down. So far Legolas wasn't aware of any heavy casualties.
Now that night had begun to close in Legolas had begun to worry again. Orcs were known to attack in numbers at night so there would be cover. Perhaps this was on his brother's mind because they had erected lanterns and torches around the campsite. Suddenly a messenger appeared at Legolas's side making him jump.
"A message from your brother my prince!"
The messenger bowed himself away and Legolas opened the message he had just been given and read it. It said this:
'The forward post was attacked earlier on today and orcs have been spotted snooping around. We suggest you put up extra sentries tonight.'
Legolas smiled. His brothers were always trying to protect him but he took their advice. A few whispered orders were all it took and a few guards came out of the tents and walked off into the dark. Legolas and his men were stationed up on a hill over looking the campsite where his two brother's infantrymen were resting and joking.
Later on he was sitting around a fire writing a letter to Ariandir his fiancé. He smiled as he thought of the first time he met her.
"SIR!"
The shout brought him crashing back to middle earth with a shuddering jolt. The sounds coming from the campsite were different than earlier. The chat had turned into yells and hurried orders over the screams from a creature that sent shivers down Legolas's spine for they were the battle cries of orcs. He leapt up from the fire and rushed to the edge of the precipice and looked to the campsite.
"What shall we do sir?"
Legolas's no. 2 came and stood next to him and swore loudly in Elfish.
"NAIGRYN! What the hell happened?"
Below them the campsite was ablaze. On the edge was a tangle of orcs and elves fighting furiously.
"Yela a'hossor" Said Legolas and the order was passed around the camp. Call to arms
Five minutes later there was a row of elven warriors standing on the cliff over looking the campsite fully clad in armour.
"We're under cover at the moment sir but that won't last long. As soon as we fire the Orcs will make good use of their tree cover."
"Then we better make our first shot count!" snapped Legolas in reply.
"Fire then cover, fire then cover OK?"
There was a murmer of response from the elves as they cocked and each man picked his target. A bright flash as another tent went up in flames. The torches were turning out to be more a hindrance than a help.
"On my mark, FIRE!"
About fifty or more arrows were loosed into the swarm of orcs below but before they had even travelled five foot all the archers had ducked behind boulders or bushes. The screams and cries of orcs below filled the night air with satisfaction and Legolas allowed him self a smile. He risked a glance over the rock he was hiding behind on to the battle scene below. The orcs were retreating into the woods.
"We're winning" he murmured.
Then suddenly an arrow soared from a tree and struck the stone a few inches from Legolas's head. He quickly pulled his head behind the safety of the stone again.
"We've been spotted" he told the elf next to him.
"There in the trees on the other side of the clearing. Alright you archers, We're going to defend our ground at all costs."
The Elves around him all nodded and readied their arrows.
"Now!" Yelled Legolas and the jumped from they're hiding place and fired their arrows and then took cover again. A volley of arrows hit the boulders and bushes the Elves were hiding behind and covered them in a fine layer of dust. Legolas delicately spat a mouthful of dirt out and hooked another arrow.
"Now!" This time the volley of arrows came as they stood up and five or six elves fell coughing, grunting and screaming to the ground.
"Lye nuquarnuva sen e dagor"
1 We will defeat them in battle
Legolas looked at the Elf next to him. He had an arrow so deep in his chest that only six inches remained above the surface. He moaned the sentence again and then he died. This was the first elf he had seen die at the arrow and was upset inside. He knew that war brought casualties but he never imagined it to be this painful to watch his comrades die.
He looked over the rock again and saw that the orcs had gone. The Elves were cheering and setting about the difficult and saddening job of clearing up. An Elf messenger came up behind him and spoke to Legolas.
"Sire, You brother has been wounded. He is being taken back home to be healed and to get better"
Legolas stared at the messenger then sprinted away to the cutting, which led down to the campsite, to go and see his brother. When he got there he didn't have a job finding him. It was Istalindir, his eldest brother.
"Legolas" he whispered.
"You archers saved us. The arrows came just as I was being stabbed and hit the orc who got me so it didn't go too deep."
"Sire" Legolas turned to see an elf standing watching the scene with sadness. He beckoned Legolas over and said quietly:
"If we don't get you brother to Rivendell and to master Elrond he won't survive"
"Then make all haste to Rivendell and take all the wounded soldiers so that they may be healed by our friends."
As soon as these words had uttered his mouth the stretcher baring his brother was picked up and carried off. No sooner had Legolas seen his brother off, then he was approached by his other brother, Aerandir, to discuss the situation.
"The forward post was lost yesterday and orcs have been spotted snooping around. I suggest we prepare for battle."
Normally, as any brother would, Legolas would have questioned his brother's authority but this was war. There were no Peasants or Kings, just fighting men. Rank was nothing but an award.
"What do I need to do?" he said simply. He could think of nothing else to say. His mind was numb with the thought that his brother and friend might die.
"I will take over Istalindir's troops and you take over mine and look after your archers as well. You think you can do this?"
Legolas nodded and moved off to assemble the troops for the next attack. Twenty minutes and a finished letter to his fiancée later, Legolas was standing among the front line of troops for the first time ever, as he could remember anyway. The cries, shrieks and war cries from the Orcs were tormenting his mind and the smell was making his senses squirm. As the first wave of orcs came into view Aerandir called his troops to readiness but before he yell charge Legolas had bellowed 'FIRE'. A number of arrows poured into the advancing enemy and flattening a good number of them. Those that were left were not willing to brave the swarm of elves ahead and they turned to flee but arrows stuck them down before they had gone five paces.
"Well done brother!" yelled Aerandir over his shoulder as the cries of frustration wrenched the air from the opposing side. Then the full force of the army attacked. The Archers fired but they were still coming.
"Stand ready!" yelled Legolas to his troops as the advancing force shook off the hail of arrows. Then they were on them. It was full of shouting, crying, wounded warriors and in the midst of it there was Legolas, fighting to avenge his brothers wound and taking down as many orcs as Aerandir did. There was a moan next to him. He turned to see an elf on the ground writhing in pain. Legolas bent down by his side and lent over him.
"God help us!" He moaned and then, out of now where an arrow came and pieced the poor elf's side killing him instantly. Legolas turned with a feeling of absolute rage and anger to see an orc standing with his bow raised at the dead elf. There was such a blinding anger in him that he hadn't ever felt before. Without thinking he grabbed his bow, hooked an arrow and loosed it at the offending orc. It struck him in the head and flipped him over so he landed on his front in the mud.
Then all of a sudden there were no more orcs. All the attacking ones were dead and they couldn't see another one for miles. Legolas relaxed and turned to his brother to see him looking worried and puzzled.
"What's wrong?"
"That force wasn't really large enough to be an attacking army or a scouting group. There's something strange going on but I don't know what and that's what's worrying me" replied Aerandir
"Well, there are no more orcs in sight so do you think we better get home?"
"We'll leave a group here to protect Mirkwood but you're right. We should return home."
So the army picked themselves up and moved off home. They travelled through the prettier parts of the forest because Legolas wanted something to take his mind off the battle scene. They wondered back among the flowers and plants. By the time they reached the palace, Legolas was in a good mood. But his high spirits didn't last long. As they walked along the paths he saw armoured elves watching them with looks of sadness. And as they entered his fathers chamber he came face to face with Ariandir's younger brother, Galahem.
"Aelendir is in with your father now. They want to see you Legolas."
Completely at a loss to what his father wanted him for he entered the council chamber. There at the end of the table were Ariandir's older brother and General of the Army talking with his father in loud whispers.
"Legolas" called his father from the end of the table.
"We have some bad news. It's Ariandir. She's been kidnapped."
Legolas, for all the years to come, could never remember what happened next. All he knew was a sensation of nausea spreading through him like fire, and then he fainted. Next day he was up at the cockcrow and the only thing that stopped him going out to save Ariandir by him self was a stern word from his father and the memory of the battle.
"We must form a plan and the Army of Thalandris want to help."
"I assumed they would. But I would rather do this alone."
"There is no way I'm going to lose my sisters fiancé as well as my sister. Where ever you go I go too."
Legolas looked at the sad and determined look on his face and couldn't bring himself to turn him down.
So that's how it started. Legolas and Aerandir spent the next few days meeting with Aelendir and Galahem but to find out what happens next you'll have to wait to the next part of the story.
Sweat poured down Legolas's face soaking the neck of his tunic which was concealed behind his armour. His armpits stung and his stomach churned.
Some days previously a message had reached the court of his father informing them that orcs had attacked Mirkwood. Immediately his brothers, Istalindir and Aerandir, had assembled an army to go and meet the invaders and drive them out.
Legolas was commander of the 1st Royal Mirkwood Archers so naturally he played a part in organising that part of the proceedings. He had been in Thalandris at the time with his fiancé but had hurried back at the news to defend his homeland.
They had run into the enemy on the previous day by the eastern part of the forest. The archers hadn't been heavily involved in the fighting yet although a group of orcs got through but were quickly shot down. So far Legolas wasn't aware of any heavy casualties.
Now that night had begun to close in Legolas had begun to worry again. Orcs were known to attack in numbers at night so there would be cover. Perhaps this was on his brother's mind because they had erected lanterns and torches around the campsite. Suddenly a messenger appeared at Legolas's side making him jump.
"A message from your brother my prince!"
The messenger bowed himself away and Legolas opened the message he had just been given and read it. It said this:
'The forward post was attacked earlier on today and orcs have been spotted snooping around. We suggest you put up extra sentries tonight.'
Legolas smiled. His brothers were always trying to protect him but he took their advice. A few whispered orders were all it took and a few guards came out of the tents and walked off into the dark. Legolas and his men were stationed up on a hill over looking the campsite where his two brother's infantrymen were resting and joking.
Later on he was sitting around a fire writing a letter to Ariandir his fiancé. He smiled as he thought of the first time he met her.
"SIR!"
The shout brought him crashing back to middle earth with a shuddering jolt. The sounds coming from the campsite were different than earlier. The chat had turned into yells and hurried orders over the screams from a creature that sent shivers down Legolas's spine for they were the battle cries of orcs. He leapt up from the fire and rushed to the edge of the precipice and looked to the campsite.
"What shall we do sir?"
Legolas's no. 2 came and stood next to him and swore loudly in Elfish.
"NAIGRYN! What the hell happened?"
Below them the campsite was ablaze. On the edge was a tangle of orcs and elves fighting furiously.
"Yela a'hossor" Said Legolas and the order was passed around the camp. Call to arms
Five minutes later there was a row of elven warriors standing on the cliff over looking the campsite fully clad in armour.
"We're under cover at the moment sir but that won't last long. As soon as we fire the Orcs will make good use of their tree cover."
"Then we better make our first shot count!" snapped Legolas in reply.
"Fire then cover, fire then cover OK?"
There was a murmer of response from the elves as they cocked and each man picked his target. A bright flash as another tent went up in flames. The torches were turning out to be more a hindrance than a help.
"On my mark, FIRE!"
About fifty or more arrows were loosed into the swarm of orcs below but before they had even travelled five foot all the archers had ducked behind boulders or bushes. The screams and cries of orcs below filled the night air with satisfaction and Legolas allowed him self a smile. He risked a glance over the rock he was hiding behind on to the battle scene below. The orcs were retreating into the woods.
"We're winning" he murmured.
Then suddenly an arrow soared from a tree and struck the stone a few inches from Legolas's head. He quickly pulled his head behind the safety of the stone again.
"We've been spotted" he told the elf next to him.
"There in the trees on the other side of the clearing. Alright you archers, We're going to defend our ground at all costs."
The Elves around him all nodded and readied their arrows.
"Now!" Yelled Legolas and the jumped from they're hiding place and fired their arrows and then took cover again. A volley of arrows hit the boulders and bushes the Elves were hiding behind and covered them in a fine layer of dust. Legolas delicately spat a mouthful of dirt out and hooked another arrow.
"Now!" This time the volley of arrows came as they stood up and five or six elves fell coughing, grunting and screaming to the ground.
"Lye nuquarnuva sen e dagor"
1 We will defeat them in battle
Legolas looked at the Elf next to him. He had an arrow so deep in his chest that only six inches remained above the surface. He moaned the sentence again and then he died. This was the first elf he had seen die at the arrow and was upset inside. He knew that war brought casualties but he never imagined it to be this painful to watch his comrades die.
He looked over the rock again and saw that the orcs had gone. The Elves were cheering and setting about the difficult and saddening job of clearing up. An Elf messenger came up behind him and spoke to Legolas.
"Sire, You brother has been wounded. He is being taken back home to be healed and to get better"
Legolas stared at the messenger then sprinted away to the cutting, which led down to the campsite, to go and see his brother. When he got there he didn't have a job finding him. It was Istalindir, his eldest brother.
"Legolas" he whispered.
"You archers saved us. The arrows came just as I was being stabbed and hit the orc who got me so it didn't go too deep."
"Sire" Legolas turned to see an elf standing watching the scene with sadness. He beckoned Legolas over and said quietly:
"If we don't get you brother to Rivendell and to master Elrond he won't survive"
"Then make all haste to Rivendell and take all the wounded soldiers so that they may be healed by our friends."
As soon as these words had uttered his mouth the stretcher baring his brother was picked up and carried off. No sooner had Legolas seen his brother off, then he was approached by his other brother, Aerandir, to discuss the situation.
"The forward post was lost yesterday and orcs have been spotted snooping around. I suggest we prepare for battle."
Normally, as any brother would, Legolas would have questioned his brother's authority but this was war. There were no Peasants or Kings, just fighting men. Rank was nothing but an award.
"What do I need to do?" he said simply. He could think of nothing else to say. His mind was numb with the thought that his brother and friend might die.
"I will take over Istalindir's troops and you take over mine and look after your archers as well. You think you can do this?"
Legolas nodded and moved off to assemble the troops for the next attack. Twenty minutes and a finished letter to his fiancée later, Legolas was standing among the front line of troops for the first time ever, as he could remember anyway. The cries, shrieks and war cries from the Orcs were tormenting his mind and the smell was making his senses squirm. As the first wave of orcs came into view Aerandir called his troops to readiness but before he yell charge Legolas had bellowed 'FIRE'. A number of arrows poured into the advancing enemy and flattening a good number of them. Those that were left were not willing to brave the swarm of elves ahead and they turned to flee but arrows stuck them down before they had gone five paces.
"Well done brother!" yelled Aerandir over his shoulder as the cries of frustration wrenched the air from the opposing side. Then the full force of the army attacked. The Archers fired but they were still coming.
"Stand ready!" yelled Legolas to his troops as the advancing force shook off the hail of arrows. Then they were on them. It was full of shouting, crying, wounded warriors and in the midst of it there was Legolas, fighting to avenge his brothers wound and taking down as many orcs as Aerandir did. There was a moan next to him. He turned to see an elf on the ground writhing in pain. Legolas bent down by his side and lent over him.
"God help us!" He moaned and then, out of now where an arrow came and pieced the poor elf's side killing him instantly. Legolas turned with a feeling of absolute rage and anger to see an orc standing with his bow raised at the dead elf. There was such a blinding anger in him that he hadn't ever felt before. Without thinking he grabbed his bow, hooked an arrow and loosed it at the offending orc. It struck him in the head and flipped him over so he landed on his front in the mud.
Then all of a sudden there were no more orcs. All the attacking ones were dead and they couldn't see another one for miles. Legolas relaxed and turned to his brother to see him looking worried and puzzled.
"What's wrong?"
"That force wasn't really large enough to be an attacking army or a scouting group. There's something strange going on but I don't know what and that's what's worrying me" replied Aerandir
"Well, there are no more orcs in sight so do you think we better get home?"
"We'll leave a group here to protect Mirkwood but you're right. We should return home."
So the army picked themselves up and moved off home. They travelled through the prettier parts of the forest because Legolas wanted something to take his mind off the battle scene. They wondered back among the flowers and plants. By the time they reached the palace, Legolas was in a good mood. But his high spirits didn't last long. As they walked along the paths he saw armoured elves watching them with looks of sadness. And as they entered his fathers chamber he came face to face with Ariandir's younger brother, Galahem.
"Aelendir is in with your father now. They want to see you Legolas."
Completely at a loss to what his father wanted him for he entered the council chamber. There at the end of the table were Ariandir's older brother and General of the Army talking with his father in loud whispers.
"Legolas" called his father from the end of the table.
"We have some bad news. It's Ariandir. She's been kidnapped."
Legolas, for all the years to come, could never remember what happened next. All he knew was a sensation of nausea spreading through him like fire, and then he fainted. Next day he was up at the cockcrow and the only thing that stopped him going out to save Ariandir by him self was a stern word from his father and the memory of the battle.
"We must form a plan and the Army of Thalandris want to help."
"I assumed they would. But I would rather do this alone."
"There is no way I'm going to lose my sisters fiancé as well as my sister. Where ever you go I go too."
Legolas looked at the sad and determined look on his face and couldn't bring himself to turn him down.
So that's how it started. Legolas and Aerandir spent the next few days meeting with Aelendir and Galahem but to find out what happens next you'll have to wait to the next part of the story.