As the early morning went on, Linteanna stayed in the area where she had
spent the previous night. She wanted to remember every word that was said,
everything little thing that he did, she wanted to remember it all.
It was still considered early to all things when she decided to start traveling back. She made her walk slower this time. She was not able to take in her surroundings before because of her anger. But as she was walking back she noticed how the plants and trees had grown since she was last there. Each small step she took made soft crunching sounds, each insect that she heard, the wind that blew across her face – it all helped her remember what she had missed.
She was in a daydream of memories, but a playful shriek snapped her out of it. She looked around to see where it had come from, but she saw nothing. Then she heard another, and then laughing. She was curious so she slowly in the direction she thought it was coming from. The laughing became louder as she walked, and then finally she stopped and hid behind the large trunk of a tree. She cautiously peeped her head around the tree and she only saw Mithfalmawen. It looked like she was talking to someone, so Linteanna stretched her neck farther to see who it was. And a smile came across her face as she saw her brother.
She sat and observed them for a while, and she had never seen her brother like this. He was acting differently around Mithfalmawen, so Linteanna thought that it was obvious that he liked her. He was incredibly happy and more carefree, like nothing mattered but her. Their talking was too low to hear, but Linteanna still watched intently. She knew that there was calmness surrounding them because there were several little birds hopping around the place where Legolas and Mithfalmawen lay. And Legolas was leaning in for a kiss just as Linteanna thought it would be best to make her presence known.
"Greetings!" Linteanna said. Her voice was considerably loud and she not only startled the two elves, but she made all the birds fly away. The two elves' faces were bright red, and Mithfalmawen gave her a sheepish smile.
"Good morning, Linteanna. May I ask how long you have been standing there?" she said.
"Yes, how long?" Legolas chimed in.
Linteanna stepped towards them as they began to stand. "Oh do not worry, you lovebirds. How was your evening?"
"It was a fine night. The festivities were joyous, but I did not see my best friend Tancal, who was also the main reason for the celebration, all night. And I wanted to introduce him to Legolas, for I am sure that they would get along just fine. My father said that he was there for a moment, but then he disappeared."
"And yes, I did want to meet him, because Mithfalmawen has told me so many things about him. And where were you Sister, I did not see you either for the entire night," Legolas said.
Linteanna had forgotten that Mithfalmawen and Tancal were close friends, and she hadn't even thought about it the entire night. She and Tancal slipped from the real world and had completely forgotten the party also. Linteanna started to laugh as she tried to think of a way to tell her brother who Tancal really was.
"Well I have something interesting to tell you both," she started, "I actually spent the entire night with Sir Tancal, and that was the reason why we were both not attending the party. And Legolas…you have met him."
Legolas wore a puzzled look. "I beg your pardon, if I have met him, then I am sure that I would certainly remember."
"Ah, but you do. He is the elf that I was with when you came along yesterday afternoon…"
Legolas's face turned stern and he looked to Mithfalmawen, and he softened immediately because he saw that she was smiling. She said, "So you have met him! Well, what do you think of him?"
Legolas was hesitant with his answer but then it was completely forgotten when he saw a dark figure flash behind where Linteanna stood. At first he thought it was nothing, but there it was again. And it stooped still behind a bush. In alarm Legolas pulled Linteanna and Mithfalmawen behind him to protect them. Legolas could not figure out what it was, but he stood studied the dark, crouching creature. And then he concluded it was an orc. Its breathing was heavy and erratic and its stench was now apparent. All of them stayed completely still for a matter of moments, and then Legolas finally broke the silence.
"Here shows the stupidity of orcs. I think that it thinks we cannot see it." Then he slowly pulled his bow from his back and notched an arrow and let it fly free. As the arrow tore into its throat, the creature fell backwards with a grunt and grappled the empty air. Legolas stepped forward to inspect the body, but then the trap was sprung.
Just as Legolas stepped forward, two orcs flung themselves from a tree. One landed just beside Linteanna and the other hit Mithfalmawen in the back causing her to fly forward. She landed roughly on the ground, and when she turned to move there was much pain at her temple. She brought her hand up to feel for any injury and winced once she found the spot that was most excruciating. She panicked as she saw rich, red blood covering her fingers. There was a deep cut from where her head had slammed into the ground.
She was going to call out to Legolas, but her breath was cut short due to a heavy thing that jumped on her. Its weight was surprisingly heavy for the creature's miniature size. The stench was atrocious and that alone almost made Mithfalmawen retch.
The small but powerful beast searched for her hands and tried to pry her to the ground. Then she heard a ghastly shriek and she turned her head just as Linteanna had ripped her dagger through the other orc. Mithfalmawen cried out in disgust at the sight. She desperately fought against the dark enemy above her and tried to scramble away but the ever-growing pain at her head was starting to hinder her strength.
Suddenly the struggle went away as Legolas pulled the form from her. Mithfalmawen gasped as his hand flicked a knife upward against the orc's throat. Dark blood splattered to the ground and he let the body drop dismally.
In that very second, Mithfalmawen saw fierceness in Legolas's face, something that she never wanted to see. It was pure hatred and anger. Seeing it in his face scared her. She stared at him, then to the creature and the growing pool of blood in the leaves. She sat in shock and tears welled in her eyes. Her mouth, which had dropped open, was now trembling.
Legolas quickly bent down to try and comfort her the best he could.
"Everything is alright. Are you ok?" he asked as he searched her face.
"No…no, I'm not alright," she whispered. Her voice sounded weak to Legolas, and that made him even more upset.
Then came Nuinwath and Tancal with the rest of their patrol. They all had weapons drawn and they looked around searching for anything that was a threat. Tancal immediately walked to Linteanna and asked if she had been hurt. But when he saw Mithfalmawen on the ground and bleeding, he became alarmed. He knelt down beside her and tried to talk to her.
"Mithfalmawen, what happened?"
Legolas, still not forgetting the other day, pushed him away from her and helped her stand. When Legolas shoved Tancal, both Nuinwath and Linteanna had stepped forward fearing that a fight would erupt between them. Nuinwath didn't like the way this elf was acting towards Tancal, and Linteanna knew that Legolas would be mad at him for a very long time.
When Mithfalmawen was finally upright, she clutched to Legolas for safety. She felt dizzy and sick at the same time from the cut at her head, and she was still in shock.
"It is none of your concern, Tancal. If you and your patrol had been looking to the entire area, we would not have been in this situation," Legolas snapped.
Tancal was angered by Legolas's attitude towards him. "We came as fast as we could!" he said.
"And we are still not out of the situation in which you speak," Nuinwath interrupted. "It is not finished. More orcs come," he said as he pointed past him.
He was right. Legolas looked in the direction Nuinwath had pointed, and in the distance he saw maybe four dozen small figures trampling through the forest. Legolas tried to stay calm, but his thoughts could not leave the frightened elf that was in his arms. He stepped towards his sister and motioned for her. "Take her to the city."
"No, I am stayi-" she started, but Legolas was quick to argue.
"Please, take her," he begged.
"I must stay and fight!" she declared.
Then Legolas screamed in frustration, "Linteanna! JUST DO IT! GO!"
Linteanna and as well as everyone else was startled by the force of his voice. 'He is like a complete different person,' she thought to herself. She dare not argue any longer, so she sighed and put one of Mithfalmawen's arms around her neck. Before they went Legolas whispered to her, "Please, keep her safe…" His eyes were pleading and strained.
"I will, brother. Do not fear." And with that, Linteanna and Mithfalmawen headed back to the city. Legolas was still worried, but now he was a little relieved that he had both of them out of harm's way.
In a matter of seconds the elves were advancing towards the oncoming band of orcs. They clashed together in shouts of anger and determination. Each elf fought at his own pace, but Legolas was moving so fast, fighting with a fury that could not go unnoticed. After Nuinwath had finished a creature and found no more around him, he turned and looked on the battle. He watched Legolas as he darted around, twisting his body in full rotation as he plunged the knife into the body of an orc and ripped upwards, slicing flesh, bone, and organs. He quickly moved on and the silver blur of his knife slashed creature after creature, piling bodies all over the ground and staining the leaves below their misshapen bodies.
Finally the last fell, and the elves were able to rest. They did not speak for fear of drawing more enemies. They silently eyed each other as they gasped for breath.
Tancal looked on the enraged form of Legolas. He stalked back and forth over the dead bodies, his face set with a grim frown. 'He is a machine,' Tancal thought, 'A very mean one when mad…well at least he is releasing his anger on these stupid things and not on me.' He searched the ground for any useful or extra weapons and found none. Then he looked up and he saw it.
** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** ***
Stupid ones think they will beat us, it thought. Its eyes ventured from the camouflage of the full plant towards the form that wouldn't stop moving. 'That one, the golden one, yes…I kill him, yes…he kill many of my brothers, I kill him.'
It moved slowly with care of not trying to disturb them, it wanted completely surprised with its attack. Excitement pitted in its stomach as it notched the arrow on the small black bow in its hands.
Golden one die now, it thought as it pulled its arm back.
** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** ***
The gleam of metal protruding from the leaves suddenly stuck out like a sore thumb. Alarm flew through Tancal's veins and he charged forward and cried, "Legolas!"
He forced his body in front of Legolas to protect him. The dark arrow flew and thudded with a sickening sound in his shoulder. The force of the arrow knocked Tancal back into the one he was guarding and they both fell to the ground. The fall wasn't as painful for Tancal because he had landed on the elf behind him. But now he was in immense pain as he struggled to sit up. He grasped at the arrow and glared towards the direction from which it came. Two elves from the patrol had already slaughtered the inane being that injured him.
Tancal searched for Nuinwath because he could not see him anymore. Then he saw him and he noticed that he was watching ahead intently. 'There must be more coming,' he thought.
Tancal inspected his wound and ultimately decided that it had to come out, but he didn't have the strength to do it himself. He turned to Legolas whose face now showed horror and remorse.
"Legolas, you must pull the arrow – quickly so I can still fight," Tancal said. Legolas didn't argue because he too thought it was the right thing to do. Tancal braced a hand against Legolas's shoulder and cringed as Legolas swiftly pulled the enemy's weapon from his body. The pain was almost unbearable and for a minute Tancal thought that he might not be able to fight after all. But once he caught his breath, he was ready to go again.
He rose and tried to readjust to the pain. He slowly rotated the shoulder that had been hit. He brought his arm back up and down to try and get used to the piercing feeling. He knew it wouldn't go away until someone tended to it.
Legolas was still on the ground from where he had landed. He was processing all that just happened. Tancal had saved him. After all the ways he had acted towards him. He was quite surprised by this. As he watched Tancal grimace, he couldn't help but feel regretful.
Nuinwath spoke in a loud whisper that broke everyone's train of thought. "This is strange," he said as he searched ahead. "None. Not one in sight. I saw a few crawling about, but they turned. They went towards the river."
"Then there were must go," Legolas said.
The troop moved cautiously through their surroundings. This was becoming most uncomfortable. The tension that enveloped them was enormous. There was an eerie silence in the forest now. No birds sang. No insects chirped. No animals were to be seen. It was like something had scared them all away. Someone would jump if a branch was stepped on the wrong way. Reflexes were on high alert. As they neared the rushing and roaring river, Nuinwath became nervous. It is too quiet – far too quiet, he thought. He stepped to the very riverbank, and then turned to look at all of the green foliage. He scanned towards the lower parts of the trees and plants, looking for dark figures that seemed out of place. He tried to take his time and be as careful as possible. His eyes were those of a hawk's. He could find anything if he paid enough attention. This time he just wasn't looking in the right place.
Legolas knelt in the soft brown soil dirt close to the water and started to scan also. They have to be somewhere, he thought. But out of nowhere his thoughts strayed to a completely different subject. Mithfalmawen. He desperately wished for her safety and healing. She and her injury made revenge come to his mind. If only I could launch a surprise attack from the trees. What a terrible mess they would be in, he said to himself. As he thought about the idea, something clicked in his head.
"Trees," he barely whispered. He turned his body and glimpsed up towards the numerous towering giants. All the blood seemed to drain from Legolas's face. Sure enough, there they were. The wretched, devious orcs themselves. He quickly looked down and took in a deep breath as he tried to count how many he just saw. "How dare they use the trees," he softly muttered. He didn't realize that he was talking out-loud until he saw the puzzled faces of Tancal and Nuinwath staring at him.
He stepped forward in anticipation and started to whisper in a low voice. "There is no time to explain. The enemy hides high up towards the skies, but do not look yet. Do not let it be known that their position has been learned. Act as if they are not there."
The two elves that stood by him gave him slight nods, and then he thought about the situation. Acting insouciant, Legolas put his knife back in its sheath and pulled his bow. He acted like he was going to adjust something. His true reason was that he wanted a long-range weapon. Tancal saw Legolas do this, and he walked away from them and started to rotate his shoulder again without looking up. While doing so, he caught the other elves' attention and motioned to them in a secret language.
Nuinwath thought about looking up, but when he almost got the guts to, he didn't. The sun was starting to become harsh and warm against all things, and it added to the tension that was around them. Small beads of sweat gathered on his brow. Finally he glanced up and to his horror he managed to lock eyes with one of the creatures. That set it off. With a guttural, fanatic cry the orcs started their assault with many black arrows. Legolas stayed calm and he answered back with his amazing and accurate skills.
The orcs finished their aerial assault and started making their way towards the ground. Tancal was beside Nuinwath as the orcs jumped and crawled from the trees. It seemed to be going too fast for him, and the pain in his shoulder was starting to restrict his movement. Surprisingly the enemies started to fall just as quickly as they had attacked. Tancal looked out and tried to eye all of his companions to make sure nothing had happened. Legolas had run out of arrows and now he resorted back to his knife. The other elves were making progress against the foes. We have won, Tancal thought to himself.
It was good to have a victory for his first patrol. He turned to speak to Nuinwath, and it quickly turned into slow motion. He looked upon Nuinwath's blank face and then to his neck where a jagged piece of metal was lodged. He tried to say his name, but he did not succeed. Suddenly the protruding metal was pulled, and the sight of its disappearance made Tancal gasp. Nuinwath's hands were immediately grasping at the wound. A gurgling sound was emitted from his throat as he tried to breathe. Tancal thought that he was desperately trying to move towards him, but he was frozen with shock, fear, and panic.
Nuinwath tried to take a last breath and he closed his eyes. His knees buckled and he fell backwards. The villainous orc that had inflicted the deadly wound stepped out of the way just in time and he stepped back as if to observe his hideous work. Nuinwath had fallen into the river with a splash that seemed to travel directly to Tancal's eyes, but the tears did not fall.
Suddenly he heard a cry from one of the other elves and they came running all too late. They silently gawked in dismay as they watched their captain's body be carried down the waters. This was interrupted by a gruesome screech. It almost sounded bestial. Tancal's head snapped around and the orc was gone. So was Legolas.
One of the elves yelled, "There!" and pointed towards a blur of movement off in the trees. They all ran as they saw Legolas struggling with the enemy who had just killed Nuinwath. As they reached the spot where they wrestled, Legolas thumped him in the head with the bottom of his knife. This caused the orc to black out and the creature lay limp and motionless on the ground.
Legolas rose and his eyes met several other pairs that were saddened and devastated. After he had looked at each one of them he finally said, "This miserable creature will not have an easy death. We will take him to Master Elrond. He will pay."
It was still considered early to all things when she decided to start traveling back. She made her walk slower this time. She was not able to take in her surroundings before because of her anger. But as she was walking back she noticed how the plants and trees had grown since she was last there. Each small step she took made soft crunching sounds, each insect that she heard, the wind that blew across her face – it all helped her remember what she had missed.
She was in a daydream of memories, but a playful shriek snapped her out of it. She looked around to see where it had come from, but she saw nothing. Then she heard another, and then laughing. She was curious so she slowly in the direction she thought it was coming from. The laughing became louder as she walked, and then finally she stopped and hid behind the large trunk of a tree. She cautiously peeped her head around the tree and she only saw Mithfalmawen. It looked like she was talking to someone, so Linteanna stretched her neck farther to see who it was. And a smile came across her face as she saw her brother.
She sat and observed them for a while, and she had never seen her brother like this. He was acting differently around Mithfalmawen, so Linteanna thought that it was obvious that he liked her. He was incredibly happy and more carefree, like nothing mattered but her. Their talking was too low to hear, but Linteanna still watched intently. She knew that there was calmness surrounding them because there were several little birds hopping around the place where Legolas and Mithfalmawen lay. And Legolas was leaning in for a kiss just as Linteanna thought it would be best to make her presence known.
"Greetings!" Linteanna said. Her voice was considerably loud and she not only startled the two elves, but she made all the birds fly away. The two elves' faces were bright red, and Mithfalmawen gave her a sheepish smile.
"Good morning, Linteanna. May I ask how long you have been standing there?" she said.
"Yes, how long?" Legolas chimed in.
Linteanna stepped towards them as they began to stand. "Oh do not worry, you lovebirds. How was your evening?"
"It was a fine night. The festivities were joyous, but I did not see my best friend Tancal, who was also the main reason for the celebration, all night. And I wanted to introduce him to Legolas, for I am sure that they would get along just fine. My father said that he was there for a moment, but then he disappeared."
"And yes, I did want to meet him, because Mithfalmawen has told me so many things about him. And where were you Sister, I did not see you either for the entire night," Legolas said.
Linteanna had forgotten that Mithfalmawen and Tancal were close friends, and she hadn't even thought about it the entire night. She and Tancal slipped from the real world and had completely forgotten the party also. Linteanna started to laugh as she tried to think of a way to tell her brother who Tancal really was.
"Well I have something interesting to tell you both," she started, "I actually spent the entire night with Sir Tancal, and that was the reason why we were both not attending the party. And Legolas…you have met him."
Legolas wore a puzzled look. "I beg your pardon, if I have met him, then I am sure that I would certainly remember."
"Ah, but you do. He is the elf that I was with when you came along yesterday afternoon…"
Legolas's face turned stern and he looked to Mithfalmawen, and he softened immediately because he saw that she was smiling. She said, "So you have met him! Well, what do you think of him?"
Legolas was hesitant with his answer but then it was completely forgotten when he saw a dark figure flash behind where Linteanna stood. At first he thought it was nothing, but there it was again. And it stooped still behind a bush. In alarm Legolas pulled Linteanna and Mithfalmawen behind him to protect them. Legolas could not figure out what it was, but he stood studied the dark, crouching creature. And then he concluded it was an orc. Its breathing was heavy and erratic and its stench was now apparent. All of them stayed completely still for a matter of moments, and then Legolas finally broke the silence.
"Here shows the stupidity of orcs. I think that it thinks we cannot see it." Then he slowly pulled his bow from his back and notched an arrow and let it fly free. As the arrow tore into its throat, the creature fell backwards with a grunt and grappled the empty air. Legolas stepped forward to inspect the body, but then the trap was sprung.
Just as Legolas stepped forward, two orcs flung themselves from a tree. One landed just beside Linteanna and the other hit Mithfalmawen in the back causing her to fly forward. She landed roughly on the ground, and when she turned to move there was much pain at her temple. She brought her hand up to feel for any injury and winced once she found the spot that was most excruciating. She panicked as she saw rich, red blood covering her fingers. There was a deep cut from where her head had slammed into the ground.
She was going to call out to Legolas, but her breath was cut short due to a heavy thing that jumped on her. Its weight was surprisingly heavy for the creature's miniature size. The stench was atrocious and that alone almost made Mithfalmawen retch.
The small but powerful beast searched for her hands and tried to pry her to the ground. Then she heard a ghastly shriek and she turned her head just as Linteanna had ripped her dagger through the other orc. Mithfalmawen cried out in disgust at the sight. She desperately fought against the dark enemy above her and tried to scramble away but the ever-growing pain at her head was starting to hinder her strength.
Suddenly the struggle went away as Legolas pulled the form from her. Mithfalmawen gasped as his hand flicked a knife upward against the orc's throat. Dark blood splattered to the ground and he let the body drop dismally.
In that very second, Mithfalmawen saw fierceness in Legolas's face, something that she never wanted to see. It was pure hatred and anger. Seeing it in his face scared her. She stared at him, then to the creature and the growing pool of blood in the leaves. She sat in shock and tears welled in her eyes. Her mouth, which had dropped open, was now trembling.
Legolas quickly bent down to try and comfort her the best he could.
"Everything is alright. Are you ok?" he asked as he searched her face.
"No…no, I'm not alright," she whispered. Her voice sounded weak to Legolas, and that made him even more upset.
Then came Nuinwath and Tancal with the rest of their patrol. They all had weapons drawn and they looked around searching for anything that was a threat. Tancal immediately walked to Linteanna and asked if she had been hurt. But when he saw Mithfalmawen on the ground and bleeding, he became alarmed. He knelt down beside her and tried to talk to her.
"Mithfalmawen, what happened?"
Legolas, still not forgetting the other day, pushed him away from her and helped her stand. When Legolas shoved Tancal, both Nuinwath and Linteanna had stepped forward fearing that a fight would erupt between them. Nuinwath didn't like the way this elf was acting towards Tancal, and Linteanna knew that Legolas would be mad at him for a very long time.
When Mithfalmawen was finally upright, she clutched to Legolas for safety. She felt dizzy and sick at the same time from the cut at her head, and she was still in shock.
"It is none of your concern, Tancal. If you and your patrol had been looking to the entire area, we would not have been in this situation," Legolas snapped.
Tancal was angered by Legolas's attitude towards him. "We came as fast as we could!" he said.
"And we are still not out of the situation in which you speak," Nuinwath interrupted. "It is not finished. More orcs come," he said as he pointed past him.
He was right. Legolas looked in the direction Nuinwath had pointed, and in the distance he saw maybe four dozen small figures trampling through the forest. Legolas tried to stay calm, but his thoughts could not leave the frightened elf that was in his arms. He stepped towards his sister and motioned for her. "Take her to the city."
"No, I am stayi-" she started, but Legolas was quick to argue.
"Please, take her," he begged.
"I must stay and fight!" she declared.
Then Legolas screamed in frustration, "Linteanna! JUST DO IT! GO!"
Linteanna and as well as everyone else was startled by the force of his voice. 'He is like a complete different person,' she thought to herself. She dare not argue any longer, so she sighed and put one of Mithfalmawen's arms around her neck. Before they went Legolas whispered to her, "Please, keep her safe…" His eyes were pleading and strained.
"I will, brother. Do not fear." And with that, Linteanna and Mithfalmawen headed back to the city. Legolas was still worried, but now he was a little relieved that he had both of them out of harm's way.
In a matter of seconds the elves were advancing towards the oncoming band of orcs. They clashed together in shouts of anger and determination. Each elf fought at his own pace, but Legolas was moving so fast, fighting with a fury that could not go unnoticed. After Nuinwath had finished a creature and found no more around him, he turned and looked on the battle. He watched Legolas as he darted around, twisting his body in full rotation as he plunged the knife into the body of an orc and ripped upwards, slicing flesh, bone, and organs. He quickly moved on and the silver blur of his knife slashed creature after creature, piling bodies all over the ground and staining the leaves below their misshapen bodies.
Finally the last fell, and the elves were able to rest. They did not speak for fear of drawing more enemies. They silently eyed each other as they gasped for breath.
Tancal looked on the enraged form of Legolas. He stalked back and forth over the dead bodies, his face set with a grim frown. 'He is a machine,' Tancal thought, 'A very mean one when mad…well at least he is releasing his anger on these stupid things and not on me.' He searched the ground for any useful or extra weapons and found none. Then he looked up and he saw it.
** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** ***
Stupid ones think they will beat us, it thought. Its eyes ventured from the camouflage of the full plant towards the form that wouldn't stop moving. 'That one, the golden one, yes…I kill him, yes…he kill many of my brothers, I kill him.'
It moved slowly with care of not trying to disturb them, it wanted completely surprised with its attack. Excitement pitted in its stomach as it notched the arrow on the small black bow in its hands.
Golden one die now, it thought as it pulled its arm back.
** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** ** ***
The gleam of metal protruding from the leaves suddenly stuck out like a sore thumb. Alarm flew through Tancal's veins and he charged forward and cried, "Legolas!"
He forced his body in front of Legolas to protect him. The dark arrow flew and thudded with a sickening sound in his shoulder. The force of the arrow knocked Tancal back into the one he was guarding and they both fell to the ground. The fall wasn't as painful for Tancal because he had landed on the elf behind him. But now he was in immense pain as he struggled to sit up. He grasped at the arrow and glared towards the direction from which it came. Two elves from the patrol had already slaughtered the inane being that injured him.
Tancal searched for Nuinwath because he could not see him anymore. Then he saw him and he noticed that he was watching ahead intently. 'There must be more coming,' he thought.
Tancal inspected his wound and ultimately decided that it had to come out, but he didn't have the strength to do it himself. He turned to Legolas whose face now showed horror and remorse.
"Legolas, you must pull the arrow – quickly so I can still fight," Tancal said. Legolas didn't argue because he too thought it was the right thing to do. Tancal braced a hand against Legolas's shoulder and cringed as Legolas swiftly pulled the enemy's weapon from his body. The pain was almost unbearable and for a minute Tancal thought that he might not be able to fight after all. But once he caught his breath, he was ready to go again.
He rose and tried to readjust to the pain. He slowly rotated the shoulder that had been hit. He brought his arm back up and down to try and get used to the piercing feeling. He knew it wouldn't go away until someone tended to it.
Legolas was still on the ground from where he had landed. He was processing all that just happened. Tancal had saved him. After all the ways he had acted towards him. He was quite surprised by this. As he watched Tancal grimace, he couldn't help but feel regretful.
Nuinwath spoke in a loud whisper that broke everyone's train of thought. "This is strange," he said as he searched ahead. "None. Not one in sight. I saw a few crawling about, but they turned. They went towards the river."
"Then there were must go," Legolas said.
The troop moved cautiously through their surroundings. This was becoming most uncomfortable. The tension that enveloped them was enormous. There was an eerie silence in the forest now. No birds sang. No insects chirped. No animals were to be seen. It was like something had scared them all away. Someone would jump if a branch was stepped on the wrong way. Reflexes were on high alert. As they neared the rushing and roaring river, Nuinwath became nervous. It is too quiet – far too quiet, he thought. He stepped to the very riverbank, and then turned to look at all of the green foliage. He scanned towards the lower parts of the trees and plants, looking for dark figures that seemed out of place. He tried to take his time and be as careful as possible. His eyes were those of a hawk's. He could find anything if he paid enough attention. This time he just wasn't looking in the right place.
Legolas knelt in the soft brown soil dirt close to the water and started to scan also. They have to be somewhere, he thought. But out of nowhere his thoughts strayed to a completely different subject. Mithfalmawen. He desperately wished for her safety and healing. She and her injury made revenge come to his mind. If only I could launch a surprise attack from the trees. What a terrible mess they would be in, he said to himself. As he thought about the idea, something clicked in his head.
"Trees," he barely whispered. He turned his body and glimpsed up towards the numerous towering giants. All the blood seemed to drain from Legolas's face. Sure enough, there they were. The wretched, devious orcs themselves. He quickly looked down and took in a deep breath as he tried to count how many he just saw. "How dare they use the trees," he softly muttered. He didn't realize that he was talking out-loud until he saw the puzzled faces of Tancal and Nuinwath staring at him.
He stepped forward in anticipation and started to whisper in a low voice. "There is no time to explain. The enemy hides high up towards the skies, but do not look yet. Do not let it be known that their position has been learned. Act as if they are not there."
The two elves that stood by him gave him slight nods, and then he thought about the situation. Acting insouciant, Legolas put his knife back in its sheath and pulled his bow. He acted like he was going to adjust something. His true reason was that he wanted a long-range weapon. Tancal saw Legolas do this, and he walked away from them and started to rotate his shoulder again without looking up. While doing so, he caught the other elves' attention and motioned to them in a secret language.
Nuinwath thought about looking up, but when he almost got the guts to, he didn't. The sun was starting to become harsh and warm against all things, and it added to the tension that was around them. Small beads of sweat gathered on his brow. Finally he glanced up and to his horror he managed to lock eyes with one of the creatures. That set it off. With a guttural, fanatic cry the orcs started their assault with many black arrows. Legolas stayed calm and he answered back with his amazing and accurate skills.
The orcs finished their aerial assault and started making their way towards the ground. Tancal was beside Nuinwath as the orcs jumped and crawled from the trees. It seemed to be going too fast for him, and the pain in his shoulder was starting to restrict his movement. Surprisingly the enemies started to fall just as quickly as they had attacked. Tancal looked out and tried to eye all of his companions to make sure nothing had happened. Legolas had run out of arrows and now he resorted back to his knife. The other elves were making progress against the foes. We have won, Tancal thought to himself.
It was good to have a victory for his first patrol. He turned to speak to Nuinwath, and it quickly turned into slow motion. He looked upon Nuinwath's blank face and then to his neck where a jagged piece of metal was lodged. He tried to say his name, but he did not succeed. Suddenly the protruding metal was pulled, and the sight of its disappearance made Tancal gasp. Nuinwath's hands were immediately grasping at the wound. A gurgling sound was emitted from his throat as he tried to breathe. Tancal thought that he was desperately trying to move towards him, but he was frozen with shock, fear, and panic.
Nuinwath tried to take a last breath and he closed his eyes. His knees buckled and he fell backwards. The villainous orc that had inflicted the deadly wound stepped out of the way just in time and he stepped back as if to observe his hideous work. Nuinwath had fallen into the river with a splash that seemed to travel directly to Tancal's eyes, but the tears did not fall.
Suddenly he heard a cry from one of the other elves and they came running all too late. They silently gawked in dismay as they watched their captain's body be carried down the waters. This was interrupted by a gruesome screech. It almost sounded bestial. Tancal's head snapped around and the orc was gone. So was Legolas.
One of the elves yelled, "There!" and pointed towards a blur of movement off in the trees. They all ran as they saw Legolas struggling with the enemy who had just killed Nuinwath. As they reached the spot where they wrestled, Legolas thumped him in the head with the bottom of his knife. This caused the orc to black out and the creature lay limp and motionless on the ground.
Legolas rose and his eyes met several other pairs that were saddened and devastated. After he had looked at each one of them he finally said, "This miserable creature will not have an easy death. We will take him to Master Elrond. He will pay."