Hey everyone!! Hannah (Siri) here!!! I am SO sorry it's taken so long to post!! I couldn't get on for a while and we got busy and--well I'm sure you know the story ;) Anyways, I've got a post for you now! First I'll respond to all this lovely feedback! :D
None (Julia): You DON'T like Captain Naraka??? Oh but why? ;)
Cheysuli (Or should I say: Nilad): Yes, his legs probably do still hurt to a certain degree (especially since he's been running on them) but by now he's gotten so many injuries that he just feels terrible in general and we don't need to go into detail ;) And as for the orcs dropping from the ceiling (and Aragorn's knowledge of it) this was in fact mentioned. When Aragorn was beat up by all the nasty orcs earlier on he had been using the torch up until one of the orcs climbed up on the ceiling and outwitted him by dropping down from above. Aragorn had remembered that technique and was therefore able to warn the others. (Ironically enough ;)
Enigma Jade: Oh dear…she's having a tantrum! Don't worry! We've got another post here! ;)
Carrie: *winces* Oops…sorry it umn…took longer…sorry again :D
RainyDayz: YIPES!! *Tries to hide behind Sarah*. She has a PAINTBALL GUN!! *runs*
Conn Js: Oh…I'm sorry you're losing sleep! *tries to look dignified* Well you can't exactly blame us, I mean it's stupid Naraka and his orc goons who are causing all the trouble! And Legolas and Aragorn will back me up on that right boys?? *takes one look at them and hops in, what she hopes, is out of arrow range* Oookay never mind =D
SpaceVixenX: SMELLING SALTS!!! ;) (Or I've heard athelas works ;)
sabercrazy: *eyes go wide* Oh my!! Our poor tension's in MAJOR trouble!!
Chloe: ……Chloe, you're strange. Completely, totally, with out a doubt, or second thought, Strange and there's nothing you can do about it. I'm sorry but that's the truth ;) Hee hee, yeah, right, Aragorn--saved the world, VEEERY funny, we all had a good laugh!! ;) Oh and I don't think Legolas HAS a computer ;) Just FYI :D
Ruth: Oh dear. *turns* Sarah I think we're in big trouble. I mean after all, how could I live without COOKIES ;) (har har ;)
Cassia: It's a wonder to me that you ever get logged in! ;) That's too bad it keeps giving you so much grief! Oh and we most certainly CAN blame this on you just watch: Ahem! I would like to go on record to say that the previous cliffy and/or horrid ending is completely and/or totally, the fault of and/or was caused by Cassia and/or Sio but likely Cassia ;) (there, I blamed it on you :D ) Actually, yes we are in the process of writing another long story but it's taking us a lot longer than this one. Still we ARE planning to finish it eventually, though I am not sure how long from now, and it will star our favorite boys again :D (of course ;)
Lina Skye: Umn…Lina, would it do any good at all to tell you that we need to have Aragorn uh *looks at Lina's glare* Oh…yeah right, I thought not………couldn't we just borrow him for a second??? PLEASE??? ;)
Ecri: Oh yes, we love them truly… I mean can't you tell???…well then take my word for it ;)
LittleFish: Hey with a title like: Death or Despair we don't exactly get to make up our minds ;) =D However I am fairly certain things will be worked out by the end…fairly certain anyway…well I'm kinda-sorta-a-little-bit-maybe-sure…but it's not entirely likely *grin* Well, I'm glad you're liking it! Yes we like to cause trouble for those two, but then, doesn't everyone?? ;) And besides they are so fun to pick on!! I really doubt they appreciate it though. *pauses then snatches back award* ;)
Thank you again for so much lovely feedback!! We really appreciate it!!
Onto the next chapter:
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Death or Despair
By Sarah and Hannah
(disclaimers, explanations, and summaries
available at the top of chapter 1)
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Chapter 20
Defeat in Victory
Legolas let out a breath. He should have known it would be Naraka, that it would come to this — but right now he could not fight the man, right now his friend needed him. Naraka gave Legolas a forceful shove backwards, but the elf barely stumbled. With a swift movement he had pulled a knife from where it was strapped to his back.
There was a ringing clang as Naraka brought his sword up and the two blades met near the hilts: the elf giving full attack at close quarters and driving the man back with quick parries before they could draw apart far enough for the shortness of his blade to tell against him. Seeing an opening, he whirled in a tight half circle, trying to pull around the captain, but Naraka would not let his prey escape him. With a harsh kick to the elf's midsection he sent Legolas tumbling back, clearing the thick of the battle and landing near the base of the wall. The prince exhaled hard as a rock dug into his back, but rolled forward again, and Naraka leapt at him only to be met by the elf's weapon.
Legolas got up slowly, battling the spikes of pain that were tingling through his nervous system, and backing slightly, trying to get more room and catch his breath. Not wanting to give him that time, Naraka slammed his sword down beside Legolas' head, and even as the elf moved to the side, he smashed a mail covered fist into the prince's stomach. Legolas' cry was quenched as the air left him in one gush — he slumped to the ground, already badly bruised. Naraka was stronger than Legolas had known and he had an unpleasant feeling he had only seen the beginning the captain's rage. Gazing without seeing at the dust-covered stones next to his face, his body curled in as he tried to inhale properly, he suddenly heard someone give a cry; near but somehow sounding very far away.
"Strider." Legolas whispered as Naraka brought his weapon to fall on the elf's neck, but the elf was far from giving up.
Rolling aside, he dragged himself to his feet in the same motion, his breathing still uneven as he caught Naraka across the arm with his blade and kicked out, causing the man to stumble back. Legolas pushed his advantage and drove the man back further, but Naraka was not one to be outwitted easily and he quickly regained his footing: slashing in return at the elf, forcing him to defend himself rather than leave, and dragging the fatal combat on.
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Aragorn had received no warning of the orcs' coming, and when they had surrounded him it had been like a familiar nightmare, a horrible occurrence he could not control. Abandoning their latest prey — five dwarves, now dead — they eased around and through the chaos to block him in and take him down.
The ranger brought up his sword; this time the orcs had not the advantage over him. By some cruel twist of irony, Rigrak appeared to be leading the contingent of monsters and Aragorn leveled his sword first at the larger orc. This time he had a weapon and he would not be nearly vulnerable.
As he had expected the orcs decided to toy with him — they had no reason to keep him alive this time, but no matter what sort of orders Furnmorth had given his troops regarding the quick dispatching of the defenders, it hardly mattered. They wished to enjoy their kills and their twisted minds would have it no other way.
Aragorn slashed at the first orc who ventured near him, but the creature had been expecting that and swung to the side, cutting his scimitar at Aragorn's head. The ranger felt a strange, cold sensation wash over him when he realized that this scimitar, like many of the others being used to massacre the dwarves, had been made by him. It made him all the more wish to end this.
A few more orcs tried to take him down on their own, but when it became clear that the human was not going to let them get anywhere close, they charged him at once, no longer interested in playing. Two sinewy arms wrapped around him from behind and he turned quickly enough to stab it before another dove for his chest. By the time he threw this one off as well, the first had already regained both it's feet and it's grip and drove it's dagger hard into Aragorn's shoulder, just below his original wound. The ranger let out a pained cry and stumbled forward, going to his knees when Ragrak's heavy hand slammed him hard in the back of the head. The human tried to struggle away, but he was grabbed and held down as the ugly creature above him brought his sword down to remove Aragorn's head.
A piercing shriek caused the group to turn sharply, in time to see the leftmost of their company fall, an arrow embedded in it's throat. Two others fell similarly. And that was when Aragorn's rescuers charged. Six dwarves had detached from the fight and begun to take down orc after orc — the contingent had been too occupied with Aragorn to realize that they were being surrounded at the same time. As one of the orcs holding Aragorn fell, the ranger sprang up and cut down the other, lunging forward to stab Ragrak in the chest. The orc lashed out one last time, trying to catch Aragorn in the face, but Aragorn pulled away too fast, taking his sword with him and leaving the orc dead. The dwarves dispatched the last of the orcs with a sort of grim satisfaction and he turned to the one at their head.
"Thank you, friend."
"Our pleasure, human." Nowin grunted, already returning to the battle.
The Dúnadan turned; now that he was free of this trap he had to find Legolas. His eyes darted around the chamber, but the blurred motions of the many dwarf and orc warriors distorted his vision and he could not see the elf. At last he sighted him, against the far wall —
Aragorn did not wait another moment, but charged across the chamber, to the aid of his friend.
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Legolas slashed at Naraka's sword arm, barely grazing it as the captain jerked to the side, landing a blow on Legolas' shoulder. The elf let out a hiss of breath, but did not have time to absorb the pain: he was already moving. And his frustration was beginning to mount. He could not fathom what he would do if he arrived too late — if Aragorn died because he was not there. Spinning towards the man again, he tried desperately to get past him.
"You want to save him," Naraka sneered, "don't you?"
Legolas pushed forward trying to take advantage of Naraka's slight distraction, but the captain was too alert for that, and he knocked Legolas back into the wall just behind him, the sneer still on his face.
"Do not even bother — he's dead by now." The words came with such cold certainty that Legolas felt something in him snap. He lunged forward with every intention of taking Naraka down bodily in that very charge, but his inattention to all around him caused him to miss the orc who tried to rush him from the battle. The elf saw the orc at the last minute and stumbled backwards, but this stumble was enough for Naraka. Pushing the orc aside, he forcefully knocked his sword hilt into Legolas' wrist. The dagger clattered to the floor and Legolas gasped as the iron pommel dug into his skin.
In a strange replay of the past, Naraka once more grabbed up a fist full of Legolas' hair and dragged the elf before him to the rock wall, pressing him back against it. There was no way Legolas could escape the man and his other dagger was now trapped and useless.
Naraka pressed his own sword against Legolas' throat. "No cutting yourself free this time, elf. You are mine." Legolas did not flinch, but faced the captain boldly, defying the man's evil with a shimmering valiance in his gray eyes. Naraka jeered disgustedly; he would take great pleasure in seeing those eyes clouded in death. He jammed his weapon in sharply, causing the elf to wince as the cold steel bit into his flesh.
"What did I ever do to you, Naraka?" Legolas asked softly with the last of his breath, his eyes searching those of the captain.
"Why does it matter?" Naraka returned. "You're going to die."
Suddenly, and seemingly from no where, a figure came flying towards them and slammed into the captain, knocking him off balance. The man turned angrily to the intruder, and, raising his sword hand again, he cracked the hilt harshly against Aragorn's chest, knocking the young ranger sideways into the wall. The impact caused the ranger to flicker out cold for a brief moment before consciousness returned and he struggled up again.
Naraka was thoroughly weary of this young human ruining his plans, and interfering with his lust for blood. Turning away from the elf he raised his sword: he would finish this *child* once and for all.
This however was a grave mistake. As Furnmorth had always known, Naraka was unstable to the point of foolishness when he was personally provoked, and turning away from Legolas was the foundation of his own death.
Jerking forwards, Legolas retrieved his own dagger, sharply wrenching it from it's sheath. Naraka's sword was but a hair's breadth from Aragorn's head when Legolas dagger was driven into his back.
The man did not make a sound as he stumbled away from Aragorn, his grip on Legolas' hair tightening reflexively as he turned wide, shocked eyes on the elf. For a moment the two eyes locked, then the captain let out a choked gag as he breathed his last. Sinking to the ground he dragged Legolas down with him and with a last hoarse whisper of air, the man was gone.
Legolas inhaled unevenly, for a moment unable to move. The next thing he felt was Aragorn's hands gently prying Naraka's cold fingers from his hair. Legolas turned to look at the young human and could easily see that his friend was bleeding badly from a shoulder wound, but the prince knew he too was not in much better shape. Aragorn carefully laid Legolas' hair over the elf's shoulder and looked into his eyes.
"Are you well my friend?" He asked softly.
"I am well," Legolas replied lightly. "Though I would ask you the same."
Aragorn glanced around: though still raging like the tide against the shore, the battle was obviously drawing to it's close.
"I will be well when it is finished." The human replied quietly.
Legolas carefully removed the dagger from Naraka's back and retrieved his other, rising to his feet.
"Then let us finish it."
Aragorn nodded and stood, drawing out his sword, and he coming up beside the elf. Together they turned away, springing into the struggle once more, and leaving the still form of the captain where it lay. Naraka: ambitious, cruel, jealous, violent — and ultimately: his own bane.
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The battle wore on for many an hour. Though leaderless, the orcs continued to fight on their own strength, coming at the defenders again and again, heedless of danger. But it soon became clear that they would not walk away in victory, if they were capable of walking away at all. The dwarves were leaving no orc alive — covering the cavern floor with their hideous corpses and staining the floors black.
Aragorn and Legolas stayed always side by side, fighting back the enemy and cutting down every orc that came close. The elf had obtained a fresh quiver of arrows from Nowin and now he was able to join the archers. By the time Thúril and Bonfur arrived with their dwarves, the battle was nearly won. The orcs had no chance against an army of this magnitude and they were soon destroyed. Not one remained alive of Naraka's army.
Dorm raised his bloodied axe in triumph, his voice rumbling across the chamber, "Gilthad!"
"Gilthad!" The rest echoed, their voices resonating through the halls of the great mountain and reverberating back to them.
As the dwarves turned to congratulate one another and celebrate their victory, Aragorn and Legolas stood quietly by and watched them. Both elf and human were slumped with weariness, each having sustained many wounds in the fight, and Aragorn exhaled slowly as he surveyed the room. Everywhere the bodies of orcs and dwarves were strewn as chaff in a strong wind, piled thickly in the middle and filling the blocked tunnel that led back to Gundabad. Legolas turned to look at his friend, his eyes filled with sorrow and a faint disbelief.
"Such a waste."
Aragorn wrapped an arm around his shoulder where he had been stabbed. "It was all a waste from the very beginning."
Legolas nodded silently.
"Furnmorth made a terrible mistake when he took us." Aragorn observed. "When he took Kelegalen, when he took Nethtalt — he did not realize that though most would simply bow to his wishes and stay confined within his will, that did not mean everyone would. In all his careful planning, he never took hope into account."
"A point we would do well to remember." Legolas murmured, watching as the dwarves began to move through the chamber, searching for survivors. "It is ever the way of living things, immortal as well as mortal, to forget such notions as hope when we have the most need of them. Helkhmorn denied it's existence, Bronadui denied his need for it, and Stavhold had not the courage to hold onto it and make something of it."
"I wonder if we will ever see any of them again." Aragorn pondered quietly. "I should have wished to know how they fared, especially Kelegalen."
"Aye," the elf agreed, "and Nethtalt. I, at least, was not able to thank them for assisting in the escape plan." These words seemed to put Legolas in mind of something and he turned full to face the human. "Aragorn, can you forgive me for—"
The young ranger was obviously anticipating the words, for he cut them off before they were completely out. "Legolas, it was I, you will remember, that made you swear that you would continue on even if you were alone."
"It was I who made you swear it first." Legolas recalled, a mirthless smile on his face. "I had no idea it would be you."
"Nor did I, honestly," Aragorn smiled slightly, "but I suppose it was for the best. I never could have made it through the snow of these mountains with such ease as you, especially with Naraka and his trackers so close behind."
"I could have used you in trying to convince the dwarves, though." Legolas muttered, a note of annoyance in his voice.
"Gave you some trouble, did they?" Aragorn not bothering to conceal the undertone of amusement in his voice.
"They could not seem to decide whether to believe me or behead me." Legolas replied matter-of-factly. "Though I do not suppose I got along with them any better, for that matter."
"Legolas Greenleaf," Aragorn shook his head with laughter, "I dearly hope to be there the day you find a dwarf with whom you *do* get along!"
"It is likely to be the same day I wish to enter a cave on my own free will."
Aragorn chuckled, bemoaning lightly, "Alas, I fear the day will never come."
TBC…