Chapter 10
Cúroniel watched the human study the ground. He had not protested when King Thranduil assigned Estel to his patrol, but he kept the boy at his side to better gauge his ability.
"They have doubled back and are moving single file to confound the trail. Not like Orcs at all, but I see definite Orc sign." Estel reached out and touched a broken twig. "Last night. No later." Then he frowned as he saw a clear footprint. "Goblins?" He looked at Cúroniel. "Goblins with Orcs? Could that be?"
The Officer of the Guard returned the look with a certain hardness. "At one time I would not have believed it. But I have recently seen Orcs with Wargs and am not surprised. Bedevilment seems not to have gone with the Necromancer."
He agreed with Estel's interpretation of the signs and absently moved a forefinger along the string of his bow as he thought. "Goblin guile and Orc ferocity." His prey had just become more dangerous. The corner of his mouth drew up slightly with a subtle but steely smile. He believed that one was measured by the strength of one's enemies.
He was reassured with Estel and gave him an approving nod. "Come. We will join the others."
Estel's brow was troubled. But it didn't concern Orcs or Goblins.
"They say you rescued Legolas. Would you tell me what happened?"
The directness of this human was almost an affront. Cúroniel reeled on Estel but could only see concern in the serious blue eyes. The human did not wear the look of a child, but of a man, full-grown and confident. There was earnestness about him that implied trust.
"You see - he is my friend. And I would not ask him, but I would know what has given him such pain."
Estel's sincerity touched his heart. Cúroniel's eyes clouded and he sighed. "He could only watch as his friends were eaten by Orcs. We got there too late to save them." He would say no more.
Silence accompanied them to the clearing.
As per the new Alliance, skilled warriors from Rivendell had been integrated into each of the Mirkwood patrols, and it was soon apparent that the enthusiasm for the hunt and persuit of the enemy was contageous. At any other time, such an assemblage of fair Elves of both Mirkwood and Rivendell would have caused the forest to rejoice if not for the fell countenances, bright weapons hewned to an even more lethal sharpness (if possible), and the deadly purpose evidenced on each face.
Elladan, Elrohir, and Legolas were separate from the gathering of warriors, who were eager to leave, since the trail had been discovered. They were speaking in low tones so as to not be overheard by the keen hearing of their companions.
"When Arathorn was killed by Orcs, Aragorn's mother brought him to live with us. He was two." Elladan was wistful as he recounted the past. "Father named him 'Estel'."
They turned to look toward the clearing as Cúroniel and Estel came out of the woods.
As Estel raised a hand in greeting, Legolas suddenly saw the scene change. A noble King wearing a white crown that had wings made of pearl held aloft a deadly sword with jewels that caught the sun and gleamed, seeming to have a life of its own. His raiment shone as silver, and he looked as a King of Old, newly come from the West, cloaked with power and a brilliant light. The face was hardened and burned with an inner glow which overshadowed all else. It was unfamiliar and lined with dignity and age, but the eyes caught Legolas' attention. He felt his pulse quicken and took a quick breath. They were unmistakably those of Estel.
Legolas glanced at Elladan and Elrohir and knew by the shine in their eyes that they saw it too.
TBC
Cúroniel watched the human study the ground. He had not protested when King Thranduil assigned Estel to his patrol, but he kept the boy at his side to better gauge his ability.
"They have doubled back and are moving single file to confound the trail. Not like Orcs at all, but I see definite Orc sign." Estel reached out and touched a broken twig. "Last night. No later." Then he frowned as he saw a clear footprint. "Goblins?" He looked at Cúroniel. "Goblins with Orcs? Could that be?"
The Officer of the Guard returned the look with a certain hardness. "At one time I would not have believed it. But I have recently seen Orcs with Wargs and am not surprised. Bedevilment seems not to have gone with the Necromancer."
He agreed with Estel's interpretation of the signs and absently moved a forefinger along the string of his bow as he thought. "Goblin guile and Orc ferocity." His prey had just become more dangerous. The corner of his mouth drew up slightly with a subtle but steely smile. He believed that one was measured by the strength of one's enemies.
He was reassured with Estel and gave him an approving nod. "Come. We will join the others."
Estel's brow was troubled. But it didn't concern Orcs or Goblins.
"They say you rescued Legolas. Would you tell me what happened?"
The directness of this human was almost an affront. Cúroniel reeled on Estel but could only see concern in the serious blue eyes. The human did not wear the look of a child, but of a man, full-grown and confident. There was earnestness about him that implied trust.
"You see - he is my friend. And I would not ask him, but I would know what has given him such pain."
Estel's sincerity touched his heart. Cúroniel's eyes clouded and he sighed. "He could only watch as his friends were eaten by Orcs. We got there too late to save them." He would say no more.
Silence accompanied them to the clearing.
As per the new Alliance, skilled warriors from Rivendell had been integrated into each of the Mirkwood patrols, and it was soon apparent that the enthusiasm for the hunt and persuit of the enemy was contageous. At any other time, such an assemblage of fair Elves of both Mirkwood and Rivendell would have caused the forest to rejoice if not for the fell countenances, bright weapons hewned to an even more lethal sharpness (if possible), and the deadly purpose evidenced on each face.
Elladan, Elrohir, and Legolas were separate from the gathering of warriors, who were eager to leave, since the trail had been discovered. They were speaking in low tones so as to not be overheard by the keen hearing of their companions.
"When Arathorn was killed by Orcs, Aragorn's mother brought him to live with us. He was two." Elladan was wistful as he recounted the past. "Father named him 'Estel'."
They turned to look toward the clearing as Cúroniel and Estel came out of the woods.
As Estel raised a hand in greeting, Legolas suddenly saw the scene change. A noble King wearing a white crown that had wings made of pearl held aloft a deadly sword with jewels that caught the sun and gleamed, seeming to have a life of its own. His raiment shone as silver, and he looked as a King of Old, newly come from the West, cloaked with power and a brilliant light. The face was hardened and burned with an inner glow which overshadowed all else. It was unfamiliar and lined with dignity and age, but the eyes caught Legolas' attention. He felt his pulse quicken and took a quick breath. They were unmistakably those of Estel.
Legolas glanced at Elladan and Elrohir and knew by the shine in their eyes that they saw it too.
TBC