Duath uin Taur
"Darkness of the Forest"
By G. D. Gauss
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For disclaimer, rating, etc. see Chapter 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for the fabulous reviews you guys! I'm nearly finished adding in stuff to my story and putting in the finishing touches. I'm planning on putting up one chapter per day to give a bit of time for reviews yet making sure it's done by Monday. Soooooo, here's chapter 9:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 9 The Journey Begins
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The great gates of the palace opened for the last time. All the elves of Mirkwood filed out in a great host, all with packs on their backs, some leading horses laden with supplies. They had no concern about whether or not the food they carried would last them through the woods. They only hoped they would survive long enough to see the last of the supply.
The king and princess took up the rear of the group with a more- than-plenty supply of servants fussing over them. They continued to try to persuade the royalty to take a safer position in the center of the host. The suggestion was, of course, refused.
Legolas again waved off the servants. "Goodness! How did father deal with them all day long?" Beside him, Nanien sighed after she too fought off a hoard of them.
Just before the king and his sister stepped through the gates, a voice called to them. As they turned, a stable-hand jogged over leading two saddled horses. "Your majesties, your horses have been readied."
Legolas looked almost insulted at the elf's words. "Who else is riding?"
"No one, my lord."
"Was anyone forced to carry extra weight in supplies?"
"Yes, my lord, several of your warriors."
Swiftly, and much to the surprise of everyone within eyesight of the scene save his sister, Legolas removed both of the horses' saddles and pushed them into the arms of two nearby servants. "I will not carry less than my people nor will I ride when they are forced to walk."
Nanien stepped forward. "Nor will I."
"There you have it," said Garalith leading over his warriors. "You," he pointed at another stable-hand, "remove these saddles from their majesties' sights and fetch two pack saddles." The elf hastily took the saddles from the servants and ran back through the gates. "My warriors, if you are over-burdened remove your packs and we will redistribute the supplies. You," he pointed to one of the two servants that had had a saddle thrust at him, "find two packs for the Lord and Lady, quickly!"
The elf hesitated for only a moment, confusion written on his face when Méndel stepped towards him. "You heard the captain! Move!" The elf, now fearful, turned and scrambled back towards the palace doors.
Having had the situation taken care of for him, Legolas breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Garalith, Méndel." The servant and the captain nodded and left in their separate ways to prepare.
Soon, Gandalf and Aragorn were seen approaching the host, followed by the elf who had fetched two travel packs.
The human came up next to Legolas and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Take a last look," he said, staring up at the marbled and wood-carved walls and pillars of the palace. "I'm afraid none will ever look upon it again after we've left. It will remain only until the forest crumbles and brings the palace with it. Mirkwood will be no more under the shadow of evil."
Legolas' saddened eyes gazed up at his home. He was leaving for good. He reminded himself that soon would he also be looking upon Middle-Earth for the last time. This deepened the sorrow in his heart and he looked down, fresh grief welling up inside of him.
Mithrandir took both their shoulders in his worn hands. "It pains my heart to see this magnificent kingdom abandoned. yet if we don't hurry soon we may be traveling long into the night to stay on schedule."
When the extra supplies had been distributed to the two horses and the packs of Legolas and Nanien, the people of the forest set out on their long and weary journey. Their hearts mourned and their light feet were reluctant to leave, but they steadily gained speed as the palace grew smaller behind them. By midday they were moving swiftly as the elves were capable of, even in as large a group as they were. Under their soft green and brown cloaks, they were almost invisible though all remained alert and cautious, some quite paranoid at the stories they had heard of the darkness that loomed all around.
A sudden rustle some yards off to the south made all those near enough to hear almost jump out of their skins. The guards that walked on the edges of the groups pushed the elves on swiftly, searching the foliage and shadows with their keen eyes.
Several times again throughout the afternoon came rustles and rushes through the brush beyond their path. By evening, they all insisted on pursuing the road longer for fear of remaining in one spot too long.
Aragorn soon grew weary, though the tireless feet of the elves forced him to continue long into the night.
He paused by a tree and leaned against it. Legolas saw this and followed his friend. "Estel, are you well?"
The ranger nodded and waved him away. "I'm fine. It's just that even I am not used to the pace your people travel at. How is Gandalf faring?"
The wizard surprised both when he appeared behind them. "Just as tuckered out as you I'll wager." Legolas could faintly hear the old being's slightly labored breathing and nodded.
"Then we shall rest for the night. Garalith!"
The captain turned from his position at the edge of the group and jogged over to meet his king. "Yes, my lord?"
Legolas quirked a brow with feigned irritation. "Garalith."
The captain grinned. "Yes, Legolas?"
"I wish to halt here. Our friends grow tired and I'm sure it would do us good as well."
Garalith nodded. "Yes, your majesty." Before Legolas could scold him again, he took off, chuckling to himself.
The king shook his head. "I wonder if I'll ever hear my name again." Just as the last word left his mouth, a large white snowflake landed on his nose. As Aragorn smiled and reached over to flick it off, several more drifted down through the dense boughs of the trees.
Gandalf let out a sigh. "Always when you least need or want it. Well, we'd best find some shelter if we don't want to wake up in a snowdrift!"
The host broke up into several groups. Making sure not to wander too far apart, they found various rock outcroppings, small caves, and dense groves.
Garalith led the king's group into a small clearing that was lined on one side by a huge rock wall. Supported by the wall, a large roof of limestone hung over the group under which they settled down and built a fire.
Outside, snow quickly gathered and the ground was soon covered by a thin white blanket. One of Garalith's guards, Isorfir, decided to investigate the winter wonderland. He stood in the center of the clearing, gazing up into the sky as white flakes fell upon his face.
"Isorfir, are you sure that idea's a smart one?" another warrior called from the campfire.
Isorfir ignored him. He bent down to gather a ball of snow in his hands and flung it at his friend. "Catch, Elioril!"
Fortunately, Elioril saw it coming and ducked just in time. Unfortunately, the ball flew over him, over the fire, and hit Legolas directly in the back of the head. Isorfir's face paled as the King of Mirkwood stood from his bedroll and turned to glare at the warrior. He suddenly flinched and shivered as the snow slid down his neck and beneath the collar of his tunic.
Isorfir froze in fear as his Lord and ruler slowly advanced on him. Suddenly, Legolas threw back his cloak and raced at the elf staring in confusion in the middle of the clearing. He threw himself at Isorfir and the two felt to the ground to the amusement of their companions.
They tumbled and wrestled in mirth and laughter. Legolas managed to get the younger elf underneath him and began stuffing handfuls of ice into his tunic. Isorfir's eyes went wide and he gasped as the cold slush melted against his skin, though he continued to laugh 'til his sides were sore.
As if answering the king's attack on the warrior, something hard and small hit him in the same spot in the back of the head. His head jerked up, just in time to see another object fall directly above him. He stood and quickly pulled Isorfir up with him. They both ran for the shelter of the outcropping as dozens of balls of ice the size of walnuts fell from the sky.
Brushing the snow from their tunics and leggings, they both settled down again near the fire to dry off. Aragorn came and sat near his friend. "And I was going to go out there and join the two of you."
Legolas shook his head. "It's terribly cold. My clothes are soaked!" Aragorn found a blanket and helped him wrap it around his shoulders. "Thank you."
The ranger then laid himself down onto his bedroll to sleep. He could not keep his eyelids open for much longer. Just as sleep began to take over his consciousness, a low howl pierced the night air. Several more, further off, answered it.
The elves remained silent and listened to try to locate them. "They're about two miles that way," Garalith said, pointing east, back towards the way they had come.
Aragorn tried to sit up, but Legolas put a hand on his chest and gently pushed him back down. "Do not worry. We'll keep watch while you sleep."
"I cannot sleep when I know they're out there so close."
"They won't come near. Not with this hale storm blocking their way. And look, Gandalf's asleep." He pointed to the wizard slumbering peacefully near them.
Gandalf opened an eye and smiled. "Well, I was! This howling nonsense is quite irritating. I should go out and teach them a lesson! Howling while others try to rest, how cheeky of them!" He continued to mumble to himself and rolled over in his blankets.
Aragorn allowed himself to be pushed down again and he pulled his own blankets up to his chin to block out the icy air. Legolas sat by him until he fell asleep. Later, the elves instructed to watch took their posts and he laid himself down. He also found it difficult to sleep while the shadowy unknown lurked in the woods not far from where he rested, but he soon drifted off.
By G. D. Gauss
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For disclaimer, rating, etc. see Chapter 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for the fabulous reviews you guys! I'm nearly finished adding in stuff to my story and putting in the finishing touches. I'm planning on putting up one chapter per day to give a bit of time for reviews yet making sure it's done by Monday. Soooooo, here's chapter 9:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 9 The Journey Begins
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The great gates of the palace opened for the last time. All the elves of Mirkwood filed out in a great host, all with packs on their backs, some leading horses laden with supplies. They had no concern about whether or not the food they carried would last them through the woods. They only hoped they would survive long enough to see the last of the supply.
The king and princess took up the rear of the group with a more- than-plenty supply of servants fussing over them. They continued to try to persuade the royalty to take a safer position in the center of the host. The suggestion was, of course, refused.
Legolas again waved off the servants. "Goodness! How did father deal with them all day long?" Beside him, Nanien sighed after she too fought off a hoard of them.
Just before the king and his sister stepped through the gates, a voice called to them. As they turned, a stable-hand jogged over leading two saddled horses. "Your majesties, your horses have been readied."
Legolas looked almost insulted at the elf's words. "Who else is riding?"
"No one, my lord."
"Was anyone forced to carry extra weight in supplies?"
"Yes, my lord, several of your warriors."
Swiftly, and much to the surprise of everyone within eyesight of the scene save his sister, Legolas removed both of the horses' saddles and pushed them into the arms of two nearby servants. "I will not carry less than my people nor will I ride when they are forced to walk."
Nanien stepped forward. "Nor will I."
"There you have it," said Garalith leading over his warriors. "You," he pointed at another stable-hand, "remove these saddles from their majesties' sights and fetch two pack saddles." The elf hastily took the saddles from the servants and ran back through the gates. "My warriors, if you are over-burdened remove your packs and we will redistribute the supplies. You," he pointed to one of the two servants that had had a saddle thrust at him, "find two packs for the Lord and Lady, quickly!"
The elf hesitated for only a moment, confusion written on his face when Méndel stepped towards him. "You heard the captain! Move!" The elf, now fearful, turned and scrambled back towards the palace doors.
Having had the situation taken care of for him, Legolas breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Garalith, Méndel." The servant and the captain nodded and left in their separate ways to prepare.
Soon, Gandalf and Aragorn were seen approaching the host, followed by the elf who had fetched two travel packs.
The human came up next to Legolas and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Take a last look," he said, staring up at the marbled and wood-carved walls and pillars of the palace. "I'm afraid none will ever look upon it again after we've left. It will remain only until the forest crumbles and brings the palace with it. Mirkwood will be no more under the shadow of evil."
Legolas' saddened eyes gazed up at his home. He was leaving for good. He reminded himself that soon would he also be looking upon Middle-Earth for the last time. This deepened the sorrow in his heart and he looked down, fresh grief welling up inside of him.
Mithrandir took both their shoulders in his worn hands. "It pains my heart to see this magnificent kingdom abandoned. yet if we don't hurry soon we may be traveling long into the night to stay on schedule."
When the extra supplies had been distributed to the two horses and the packs of Legolas and Nanien, the people of the forest set out on their long and weary journey. Their hearts mourned and their light feet were reluctant to leave, but they steadily gained speed as the palace grew smaller behind them. By midday they were moving swiftly as the elves were capable of, even in as large a group as they were. Under their soft green and brown cloaks, they were almost invisible though all remained alert and cautious, some quite paranoid at the stories they had heard of the darkness that loomed all around.
A sudden rustle some yards off to the south made all those near enough to hear almost jump out of their skins. The guards that walked on the edges of the groups pushed the elves on swiftly, searching the foliage and shadows with their keen eyes.
Several times again throughout the afternoon came rustles and rushes through the brush beyond their path. By evening, they all insisted on pursuing the road longer for fear of remaining in one spot too long.
Aragorn soon grew weary, though the tireless feet of the elves forced him to continue long into the night.
He paused by a tree and leaned against it. Legolas saw this and followed his friend. "Estel, are you well?"
The ranger nodded and waved him away. "I'm fine. It's just that even I am not used to the pace your people travel at. How is Gandalf faring?"
The wizard surprised both when he appeared behind them. "Just as tuckered out as you I'll wager." Legolas could faintly hear the old being's slightly labored breathing and nodded.
"Then we shall rest for the night. Garalith!"
The captain turned from his position at the edge of the group and jogged over to meet his king. "Yes, my lord?"
Legolas quirked a brow with feigned irritation. "Garalith."
The captain grinned. "Yes, Legolas?"
"I wish to halt here. Our friends grow tired and I'm sure it would do us good as well."
Garalith nodded. "Yes, your majesty." Before Legolas could scold him again, he took off, chuckling to himself.
The king shook his head. "I wonder if I'll ever hear my name again." Just as the last word left his mouth, a large white snowflake landed on his nose. As Aragorn smiled and reached over to flick it off, several more drifted down through the dense boughs of the trees.
Gandalf let out a sigh. "Always when you least need or want it. Well, we'd best find some shelter if we don't want to wake up in a snowdrift!"
The host broke up into several groups. Making sure not to wander too far apart, they found various rock outcroppings, small caves, and dense groves.
Garalith led the king's group into a small clearing that was lined on one side by a huge rock wall. Supported by the wall, a large roof of limestone hung over the group under which they settled down and built a fire.
Outside, snow quickly gathered and the ground was soon covered by a thin white blanket. One of Garalith's guards, Isorfir, decided to investigate the winter wonderland. He stood in the center of the clearing, gazing up into the sky as white flakes fell upon his face.
"Isorfir, are you sure that idea's a smart one?" another warrior called from the campfire.
Isorfir ignored him. He bent down to gather a ball of snow in his hands and flung it at his friend. "Catch, Elioril!"
Fortunately, Elioril saw it coming and ducked just in time. Unfortunately, the ball flew over him, over the fire, and hit Legolas directly in the back of the head. Isorfir's face paled as the King of Mirkwood stood from his bedroll and turned to glare at the warrior. He suddenly flinched and shivered as the snow slid down his neck and beneath the collar of his tunic.
Isorfir froze in fear as his Lord and ruler slowly advanced on him. Suddenly, Legolas threw back his cloak and raced at the elf staring in confusion in the middle of the clearing. He threw himself at Isorfir and the two felt to the ground to the amusement of their companions.
They tumbled and wrestled in mirth and laughter. Legolas managed to get the younger elf underneath him and began stuffing handfuls of ice into his tunic. Isorfir's eyes went wide and he gasped as the cold slush melted against his skin, though he continued to laugh 'til his sides were sore.
As if answering the king's attack on the warrior, something hard and small hit him in the same spot in the back of the head. His head jerked up, just in time to see another object fall directly above him. He stood and quickly pulled Isorfir up with him. They both ran for the shelter of the outcropping as dozens of balls of ice the size of walnuts fell from the sky.
Brushing the snow from their tunics and leggings, they both settled down again near the fire to dry off. Aragorn came and sat near his friend. "And I was going to go out there and join the two of you."
Legolas shook his head. "It's terribly cold. My clothes are soaked!" Aragorn found a blanket and helped him wrap it around his shoulders. "Thank you."
The ranger then laid himself down onto his bedroll to sleep. He could not keep his eyelids open for much longer. Just as sleep began to take over his consciousness, a low howl pierced the night air. Several more, further off, answered it.
The elves remained silent and listened to try to locate them. "They're about two miles that way," Garalith said, pointing east, back towards the way they had come.
Aragorn tried to sit up, but Legolas put a hand on his chest and gently pushed him back down. "Do not worry. We'll keep watch while you sleep."
"I cannot sleep when I know they're out there so close."
"They won't come near. Not with this hale storm blocking their way. And look, Gandalf's asleep." He pointed to the wizard slumbering peacefully near them.
Gandalf opened an eye and smiled. "Well, I was! This howling nonsense is quite irritating. I should go out and teach them a lesson! Howling while others try to rest, how cheeky of them!" He continued to mumble to himself and rolled over in his blankets.
Aragorn allowed himself to be pushed down again and he pulled his own blankets up to his chin to block out the icy air. Legolas sat by him until he fell asleep. Later, the elves instructed to watch took their posts and he laid himself down. He also found it difficult to sleep while the shadowy unknown lurked in the woods not far from where he rested, but he soon drifted off.