Disclaimers: See the first chapter.
I promised action. If it meets with your approval, I hope you R&R. Happy Holidays!
Chapter 5 -You Never Hear The Arrow...
It had been one of those nights when Estel could not recall truly ever falling completely asleep. Finally, just before dawn, he decided to give up and prepare for the trip he would take today. Instead of donning the fine, elegant lines of elven dress, he chose the dark, coarse clothing often associated with the northland rangers. The heavy, hooded cloak would afford him warmth during the mountain crossing into Mirkwood and anonymity when he needed it.
Estel prepared a bedroll and wrapped in it spare clothing and some personal items. Though Elrond said that there would be further discussion in the morning, Estel saw no reason for further argument. It was clear that Legolas was resigned to his company for the quest. Any other members of the family and their opinions would have no influence on the path he himself had decided upon. Though he avoided voicing this concern the previous evening, he worried that the evil attacking Thranduil's royal house, if left unchecked, would later move to attack those he held most dear in Rivendell.
* * * _ _ _ * * * _ _ _ * * *
When Estel finished gathering provisions in the pantry, he headed to the enclosed garden that served as a family room for Elrond's entire household. He was not surprised to note a lively discussion was already taking place - and he was the main topic.
Elladan seemed to rather vocally disagree with his father that Estel go alone with Legolas to investigate Sythian's Gorge. Legolas seemed to be closely inspecting the fletching on one of his arrows. Elrohir, as usual, was biding his time and allowing his brother to take the lead in the discussion. He'd like to let his brother think that he was honoring his position in the family as oldest even if his own birth followed by a few scant minutes. In fact, Elladan might be the oldest and boldest, but Elrohir was the strategist. Arwen, oddly, was nowhere in sight.
"Certainly he is a fine swordsman. You taught him all he knows, Father. But do you really think he is up to this quest? Elrohir and I could be ready in an hour to leave with them."
"Elladan, you forget Cassia's instructions to Legolas. He was to come for only one male of the house of Elrond. And I think that we all agree that her description fit no one other than Estel." Elrond walked over to his oldest and placed his hand on Elladan's shoulder in a soothing gesture. "I know that you hold Estel as dearly as Elrohir and your sister. We cannot measure him by elven standards and cannot hold him back from his own destiny. Nor can we do anything that could threaten the success of their mission. "
"I guess, in this family, I am forever destined to eavesdrop whenever my family is discussing my relative strengths and weaknesses." Estel made an exaggerated point to look around the room. "Arwen is not here? I would think she would be up to her elbows in a discussion of my relative youth and inexperience."
Legolas hid a smile by
clearing his throat. He had to admit that he liked Estel's spirit. Perhaps what
he lacked for an experience, Estel would make up for in sheer determination. He
seemed to be able to hold his own with his strong-minded adopted family.
As if to soften his words, Estel added as he approached his elven brother,
"If I had the choice, I can think of no one I would rather have at my side
then you, my brothers"
"You are lucky you made nice little brother. If I thought you lacked
sincerity, you would not be much use to Legolas." Elladan belied his harsh
words with a chuckle that was soon joined by everyone else in the room.
Legolas took this moment to cross the room and stand in front of the young Dunedain. "I will be glad of your company Estel. Since you take on my own troubles, I count you as my brother and promise to you and yours, I will guard your life with my own."
Estel was in no little way taken aback by such an oath from the prince on his behalf. Since he could think of no appropriate response, he nodded to acknowledge the statement and reached his hand forward to grasp the elf's and put a seal to their unusual alliance.
* * * _ _ _ * * * _ _ _ * * *
Within the hour the two were on horseback and leaving Rivendell for the heights of the Misty Mountains. If Estel had any regret, it was that Arwen did not seem to forgive him for his impertinence in Legolas's room last night. She did not show up with the rest of the family to see him and the Prince take their leave.
Legolas was contemplating Arwen is well. He had also noted absence and could not believe that she would hold a grudge against Estel. Her words of the previous night seemed to originate from genuine concern for the young man. Legolas had never known Arwen to be cruel or thoughtless, especially with the danger that there were heading into. There was a good chance that she might never set eyes on Estel again. Something was not right about the situation, but for the life of him, Legolas could not put his finger on what was bothering him. Soon after, his companion interrupted his train of thought.
"When I am among
the world of men, I am known as Strider. It was decided by my father and I that
hiding my association with the elves of Rivendell would be safer for all
concerned." Estel seemed self-conscious of this request and seemed to be
staring at a point somewhere between his horse's ears.
Legolas understood the concerns of the young Dunedain better than perhaps Estel
could know. His experience with men over the years was mixed and left him
cautious as well.
"Strider is a fine name, especially for trek as long as ours will be." The elf glanced over to his companion and noted that his lips had almost softened into a smile.
* * * _ _ _ * * * _ _ _ * * *
They covered quite a distance, following up river as it led to the Misty Mountains. Cassia guaranteed that the evil that was causing his father's illness would leave him unhindered until he reached Rivendell. Legolas was on edge because now there were no guarantees. As they climbed in altitude, the temperature dropped. Legolas noted that Strider occasionally would tighten his cloak around himself to ward off the chill. They made their camp in a hollow under an outcropping. Being still fairly close to Rivendell, Legolas thought that it might be safe to start a fire. As Strider took care the horses, Legolas gathered wood and started a small sheltered fire. Suddenly, he thought he heard a sound. He moved stealthily in the direction it seemed to come from. In the dim light, Legolas thought he saw fresh hoof prints. The rider seemed to be quite light and suddenly, Legolas understood the circumstances behind what happened that morning. He didn't like the situation, but he could see no immediate harm. He returned to the fire just in time to see Strider smooth out his bedroll.
"I'll take the first watch. I'll wake you when it's your turn," suggested the young ranger. Strider sat on the bedroll with his back against a tree. He took his broadsword out and laid it negligently across his lap. "Sleep well Legolas."
Legolas noted that anyone looking at the camp would think the ranger's veiled eyes were asleep. Up close, Legolas could see that they never lighted in one place for very long. With this knowledge, he felt he could sleep well tonight.
A few hours later, Legolas took over the watch. It was completely uneventful. But that would not last for long.
* * * _ _ _ * * * _ _ _ * * *
The next morning, they rose before dark, ate a cold breakfast, saddled the horses and were underway in short order. They were two hours out of camp when Strider stopped his horse abruptly. Soon, he continued forward without looking at the elf, and bit out quietly, "We are being followed. One, maybe two on horseback… and a hell of a lot more on foot."
With a brief hand gesture, Legolas told Strider that he was going to move forward and off to the side. Strider instantly knew that the elf was trying to get some distance in order to use his arrows to best advantage. So Strider was the bait. He put his hand on the hilt of his sword and proceeded forward. They did not have long to wait.
Orcs burst out of the trees on either side of the path. If Legolas had not moved forward, they might have been flanked, but their last minute maneuver may have saved their lives. Legolas immediately started firing off arrows, which to his companion, seemed at a blazing speed - taking out the two closest orcs and giving Strider some breathing room.
Strider's blade dipped and swung down again and again, whistling a song of death as it cleaved through the orcs who were on foot. Legolas counted about twenty, with several on the ground and out of the fight already. With Strider in the thick of the fray, Legolas had to slow down and pick his targets with care. They seemed to be having some success when the unthinkable happened.
One of the orcs, possibly just a jot more intelligent than his slow witted companions, circled around and came at Strider from his right while the ranger was dealing with two others on his left. Grasping the man's leg, the orc heaved the unsuspecting Strider off his horse. It was the last act that orc ever accomplished in this life, as Legolas dispatched him to the hereafter with a well placed bow shot that bisected it's bony skull.
Momentarily distracted, one orc came close enough to almost touch the elf. Legolas's booted foot shot out, catching the orc on the point of its chin. An arrow followed at pointblank range, so powerfully cast that it passed though the orc and embedded in the ground just before the orc fell back upon it, impaling himself yet again.
Legolas's attention was drawn back to Strider. His arrow had bought the young man some time to gain his footing and the ranger had wisely started to work his way to the trees on one side of the path. While still focused on firing arrow after arrow, on one level the elf was impressed with the ferocity and skill of the Dunedain. Yet he could see that the sheer numbers were taking there toll on the youths stamina and he could perceive a slight slowing of the blade as it swung back and forth.
Moving his horse in closer, Legolas fought to get to the ranger as the numbers of orcs dwindled. There were now only three orcs between himself and the ranger. And with one more bolt, only two were left alive. The two orcs had driven Strider to the foot of an ancient tree. Just as Legolas was about to dispatch one of the orcs to even the battle, he heard the whistle of an arrow as it sped toward the ranger. Taken by surprise, Legolas paused for one fateful moment.
He heard the arrow make sickening contact with flesh. It drove through Strider's left shoulder and pinned him to the tree. His right arm still free, the ranger struggled to raise the broadsword to afford himself some defense. For one heart-wrenching moment his eyes made contact with the elf. Consumed with pain, fear and finally defiance, the elf was amazed when he caught the barest of smiles on his companion's face. And then the most amazing thing happened. The ranger flipped his grip on the broadsword so that he held it like a javelin and lofted it toward the elf with amazing force.
It impaled an orc that Legolas had not seen sneaking up on him from behind.
With lightning speed, the prince twisted his bow so that it was parallel to the ground. He notched two shafts simultaneously and let them loose in one fluid motion. They connected with the orcs on either side of the ranger, killing the foul smelling monsters instantly. Falling at the ranger's feet, they had only been an arm's length from taking Strider's life seconds before.
Legolas saw the fierce fighter sag in relief and then gasp as the movement against the arrow in his shoulder sent a bolt of pain down his arm and up though his chest.
His face pale and shiny with sweat, Strider attempted to stretch his right hand to grasp the shaft pinning him to the tree. Pain prevented him from reaching it and he dropped his hand back to his side with a frustrated groan.
Favoring Legolas with a sickly smile, Strider sighed, "I think I could use your help here again." Before the elf could dismount, a voice in the trees from the opposite side of the path broke the silence.
"Make one move and I will kill him before your foot touches the ground."
TBC…