Duath uin Taur
"Darkness of the Forest"
By G. D. Gauss
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For disclaimer, rating, etc. see Chapter 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I haven't gotten a chance to read any reviews yet, I'm just posting as quickly as I can. Though, that doesn't mean you don't have to review still. I might just stop at the last chapter and make you guys wait for months and months to finally read the ending. REVIEW, PLEASE! *grovels* *men in white coats come and drag her away* *runs back* Oo! I just remembered something! Let's see who can be the first to review and tell me what the word 'lÿglam' means in Sindarin! I may think up something special to give you. Ready? Set? GO!
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Chapter 10 When the Shadow Strikes
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Blackness quickly fled his vision as Aragorn's eyes opened. The sky was still dark yet the storm had passed and the clouds were slowly drifting away east. Several soft elven voices were heard faintly from across the clearing. The human sat up and found that Legolas had risen from his bedroll. He stood with several warriors off near another of the camps. Garalith was speaking to him quickly and Isorfir added to it every few phrases.
There was worry in the king's eyes as he glanced over towards his sleeping companions. When he saw that Aragorn had woken, he turned back to Garalith and spoke some kind of instruction.
The captain took his warriors and ran quickly to the other camps. Legolas walked back to his own camp. Aragorn stood to meet him.
"What's going on?"
Legolas' brows were furrowed and he glanced about nervously. "Three horses spooked and took off during the night. Their owners went to look for them without consulting me or my guards. No one has seen them for hours."
Strider stared into the glowing embers of the campfire and sighed. "What did you tell Garalith?"
"To inform the citizens to stay with the group no matter what happens. If anyone needs to leave for any reason it will be my warriors and not without my consent. No one will look for them. We will have to stay here for several hours more in case they return."
"And if they don't?"
Legolas' eyes saddened; he dreaded this course of action. "We have no choice but to leave. We cannot stay here forever waiting for them, and we cannot risk all of us for the three of them and their horses."
The ranger nodded. "Did they tell anyone they would leave?"
"No, they told no one. simply ran after their animals. They made an unwise decision and it may prove to be their end."
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Garalith closed his eyes and lowered his head. Five hours had passed and still the elves did not return nor did their horses. He turned and strode back to the camp.
He met Legolas at the edge of the clearing, the king's face grim and pale. "They didn't return?" The captain shook his head. Behind them the elves packed their things and prepared to set off. All were silent and well aware of the recent goings on.
The warriors had finished their rounds of the camps and stood, waiting for the host to join them. In their midst, Vorfirion's face was the only one that held no pity. "What did I tell all of you before? Venturing out in this is a certain death trap. If we had stayed this would not have happened."
Elioril turned to his companion with annoyance. "I'm sure there are others who share your views. but the whole of the kingdom is under the rule of one and he has chosen this. You may agree or disagree if it is truly the wisest decision yet there is nothing you could do to change it. If you do not wish to travel further, so be it. Leave us and return alone to our crumbling home."
"What's the use if there's no kingdom, no army, and no people to fight for Greenwood?" said Vorfirion, his grey eyes alight with anger.
Elioril began to fear for his fellow's sanity. "What are you saying? That it should be you who rules the kingdom?"
"If that is what will make things right."
Vorfirion turned and strode off towards a group approaching them before Elioril could explain to him how absurd he was being. and how he suddenly feared for his king's safety.
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So it was with lowered hearts that the host joined on the snow- covered road and followed it westward. The gloom that was set upon them by the dark wood only deepened as they walked with no sign of their three companions. Several elves began to weep for fear of never seeing their loved ones again.
A shadow that stalked the forest caught the attention of Legolas and the warriors that walked near him. It was a dark presence that seemed to get closer by the minute. Light movements and the howling wind above the trees tensed the elves' nerves and made them press on even harder. Their pace would have gotten them to the edge of the woods that night had it not been for the time they waited in their camps. It was likely that another rest would be needed before the most difficult and perilous part of their journey was over.
Legolas leaned in close to Isorfir who walked beside him. "We need more haste. I do not like this shadow I feel."
The warrior nodded. "It seems to be gaining on us. What do you think it is?"
"I'm not sure, but I fear the worst." Legolas glanced to the wizard that walked behind them all. He seemed to be conscious of whatever dwelled on their path as well. His eyes met the king's and confirmed the elf's thoughts.
Legolas again spoke to Isorfir. "Inform your captain that great haste is needed. We must move as quickly as we can." The warrior nodded and jogged off to find Garalith.
Aragorn gazed towards the northern side of the road, fear in his eyes. It might have been his imagination, but somewhere in the distance he heard a scream, long and mournful yet inhuman. Legolas took his arm and they ran to catch up as the group gained speed.
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Several elves collapsed to the ground and leaned on trees to rest. They had covered a great distance but at a high cost to their energy and spirits. Strider and Mithrandir nearly had to be dragged along as they found it incredibly difficult to keep up with the elves.
Nanien leaned on her brother for support. "How much longer have we to travel?"
Legolas sat himself down onto the forest floor and the princess kneeled down with him. "It should not be longer than another half a day's walk."
Suddenly, a guard ran towards them through the crowd. "Your highness! Come quickly!"
Legolas and Nanien exchanged glances, then swiftly stood and followed the elf along the path to the front of the host.
They were led off the road to a place where several guards stood in a group. Just beyond were six shadowy figures in the snow. As Legolas got closer, he felt his stomach turn as he realized what they were. The bodies of three elves and three horses lay in pools of muddy blood, torn and eaten away.
Nanien put her hand to her mouth stifling a cry of surprise, and she turned away unable to look at the sight.
Legolas closed his eyes momentarily. He came to Garalith's side and the captain shifted his gaze to the king. "Garalith, we must move on. This is a great tragedy, but whatever did this is near and we are doing no good if not making things worse by staying here. The danger is far from over though we near the wood's edge."
As Legolas and Nanien made their way back to their group at the end of the host, Garalith gathered his warriors. The host was again moved along at an exhausting pace, many of the elves in despair over their discovery.
The travelers were pushed harder and harder as fear filled them all. Afternoon dragged slowly into evening as the woods around them grew steadily darker.
A long and low howl made many hearts skip a beat. Evil was gathering around them and they could feel it. It was now so close that the forest itself seemed to be moving itself in around them as they traveled.
A rushing sound from behind was all the warning Aragorn had before he heard a bow twang and a yelp. He turned just in time to see a dark and hideous creature fall to the ground, an arrow protruding from its skull.
The creature was a warg, but to everyone's great alarm, nearly twice the size of the ones that had roamed the forest for many years. It was black and had front feet with paws almost like fingers. Its snout was short and the ears were smaller and set further down on it head. It was almost. human-like.
Low growls and rustles came from all around and the group had no choice but to halt where they were. The unarmed citizens and horses were pushed to the middle and many warriors lined the edges of the host. Their quivers were full and their bows were drawn.
Aragorn unsheathed Andúril and stood facing the path they had already tread. Dozens of black shadows appeared. The giant creatures came forward slowly at first, then the attack began. The elves highly outnumbered them, but ten matched the strength of one of the evil animals.
Arrows flew and destroyed many of them before they came close. As several wargs leapt at Aragorn, he swung his blade and beheaded each one in turn.
Gandalf raised his staff and a great flash of light emitted from it. The creatures growled and writhed, shielding their eyes with their hand- like claws. As they slowly regained their awareness and advanced one by one, the wizard's staff shot great bolts of lightning into their hearts.
Towards the other end of the group, roars and yelps came in great succession as the weapons of the elves slain the evil wolves. Then, the formation of the warriors shifted as the creatures steadily grew closer. Several animals suddenly leapt at one prey.
From his place across the way, Legolas heard a cry of pain and the last few howls as the wolves fled from the host. The king's face grew pale and fear gripped his heart. He and several others around him sprinted down the path towards the cry.
As they approached, Legolas pushed his way through a crowd that had gathered, only to have his heart nearly leap to his throat.
By G. D. Gauss
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For disclaimer, rating, etc. see Chapter 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I haven't gotten a chance to read any reviews yet, I'm just posting as quickly as I can. Though, that doesn't mean you don't have to review still. I might just stop at the last chapter and make you guys wait for months and months to finally read the ending. REVIEW, PLEASE! *grovels* *men in white coats come and drag her away* *runs back* Oo! I just remembered something! Let's see who can be the first to review and tell me what the word 'lÿglam' means in Sindarin! I may think up something special to give you. Ready? Set? GO!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 10 When the Shadow Strikes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Blackness quickly fled his vision as Aragorn's eyes opened. The sky was still dark yet the storm had passed and the clouds were slowly drifting away east. Several soft elven voices were heard faintly from across the clearing. The human sat up and found that Legolas had risen from his bedroll. He stood with several warriors off near another of the camps. Garalith was speaking to him quickly and Isorfir added to it every few phrases.
There was worry in the king's eyes as he glanced over towards his sleeping companions. When he saw that Aragorn had woken, he turned back to Garalith and spoke some kind of instruction.
The captain took his warriors and ran quickly to the other camps. Legolas walked back to his own camp. Aragorn stood to meet him.
"What's going on?"
Legolas' brows were furrowed and he glanced about nervously. "Three horses spooked and took off during the night. Their owners went to look for them without consulting me or my guards. No one has seen them for hours."
Strider stared into the glowing embers of the campfire and sighed. "What did you tell Garalith?"
"To inform the citizens to stay with the group no matter what happens. If anyone needs to leave for any reason it will be my warriors and not without my consent. No one will look for them. We will have to stay here for several hours more in case they return."
"And if they don't?"
Legolas' eyes saddened; he dreaded this course of action. "We have no choice but to leave. We cannot stay here forever waiting for them, and we cannot risk all of us for the three of them and their horses."
The ranger nodded. "Did they tell anyone they would leave?"
"No, they told no one. simply ran after their animals. They made an unwise decision and it may prove to be their end."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Garalith closed his eyes and lowered his head. Five hours had passed and still the elves did not return nor did their horses. He turned and strode back to the camp.
He met Legolas at the edge of the clearing, the king's face grim and pale. "They didn't return?" The captain shook his head. Behind them the elves packed their things and prepared to set off. All were silent and well aware of the recent goings on.
The warriors had finished their rounds of the camps and stood, waiting for the host to join them. In their midst, Vorfirion's face was the only one that held no pity. "What did I tell all of you before? Venturing out in this is a certain death trap. If we had stayed this would not have happened."
Elioril turned to his companion with annoyance. "I'm sure there are others who share your views. but the whole of the kingdom is under the rule of one and he has chosen this. You may agree or disagree if it is truly the wisest decision yet there is nothing you could do to change it. If you do not wish to travel further, so be it. Leave us and return alone to our crumbling home."
"What's the use if there's no kingdom, no army, and no people to fight for Greenwood?" said Vorfirion, his grey eyes alight with anger.
Elioril began to fear for his fellow's sanity. "What are you saying? That it should be you who rules the kingdom?"
"If that is what will make things right."
Vorfirion turned and strode off towards a group approaching them before Elioril could explain to him how absurd he was being. and how he suddenly feared for his king's safety.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So it was with lowered hearts that the host joined on the snow- covered road and followed it westward. The gloom that was set upon them by the dark wood only deepened as they walked with no sign of their three companions. Several elves began to weep for fear of never seeing their loved ones again.
A shadow that stalked the forest caught the attention of Legolas and the warriors that walked near him. It was a dark presence that seemed to get closer by the minute. Light movements and the howling wind above the trees tensed the elves' nerves and made them press on even harder. Their pace would have gotten them to the edge of the woods that night had it not been for the time they waited in their camps. It was likely that another rest would be needed before the most difficult and perilous part of their journey was over.
Legolas leaned in close to Isorfir who walked beside him. "We need more haste. I do not like this shadow I feel."
The warrior nodded. "It seems to be gaining on us. What do you think it is?"
"I'm not sure, but I fear the worst." Legolas glanced to the wizard that walked behind them all. He seemed to be conscious of whatever dwelled on their path as well. His eyes met the king's and confirmed the elf's thoughts.
Legolas again spoke to Isorfir. "Inform your captain that great haste is needed. We must move as quickly as we can." The warrior nodded and jogged off to find Garalith.
Aragorn gazed towards the northern side of the road, fear in his eyes. It might have been his imagination, but somewhere in the distance he heard a scream, long and mournful yet inhuman. Legolas took his arm and they ran to catch up as the group gained speed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Several elves collapsed to the ground and leaned on trees to rest. They had covered a great distance but at a high cost to their energy and spirits. Strider and Mithrandir nearly had to be dragged along as they found it incredibly difficult to keep up with the elves.
Nanien leaned on her brother for support. "How much longer have we to travel?"
Legolas sat himself down onto the forest floor and the princess kneeled down with him. "It should not be longer than another half a day's walk."
Suddenly, a guard ran towards them through the crowd. "Your highness! Come quickly!"
Legolas and Nanien exchanged glances, then swiftly stood and followed the elf along the path to the front of the host.
They were led off the road to a place where several guards stood in a group. Just beyond were six shadowy figures in the snow. As Legolas got closer, he felt his stomach turn as he realized what they were. The bodies of three elves and three horses lay in pools of muddy blood, torn and eaten away.
Nanien put her hand to her mouth stifling a cry of surprise, and she turned away unable to look at the sight.
Legolas closed his eyes momentarily. He came to Garalith's side and the captain shifted his gaze to the king. "Garalith, we must move on. This is a great tragedy, but whatever did this is near and we are doing no good if not making things worse by staying here. The danger is far from over though we near the wood's edge."
As Legolas and Nanien made their way back to their group at the end of the host, Garalith gathered his warriors. The host was again moved along at an exhausting pace, many of the elves in despair over their discovery.
The travelers were pushed harder and harder as fear filled them all. Afternoon dragged slowly into evening as the woods around them grew steadily darker.
A long and low howl made many hearts skip a beat. Evil was gathering around them and they could feel it. It was now so close that the forest itself seemed to be moving itself in around them as they traveled.
A rushing sound from behind was all the warning Aragorn had before he heard a bow twang and a yelp. He turned just in time to see a dark and hideous creature fall to the ground, an arrow protruding from its skull.
The creature was a warg, but to everyone's great alarm, nearly twice the size of the ones that had roamed the forest for many years. It was black and had front feet with paws almost like fingers. Its snout was short and the ears were smaller and set further down on it head. It was almost. human-like.
Low growls and rustles came from all around and the group had no choice but to halt where they were. The unarmed citizens and horses were pushed to the middle and many warriors lined the edges of the host. Their quivers were full and their bows were drawn.
Aragorn unsheathed Andúril and stood facing the path they had already tread. Dozens of black shadows appeared. The giant creatures came forward slowly at first, then the attack began. The elves highly outnumbered them, but ten matched the strength of one of the evil animals.
Arrows flew and destroyed many of them before they came close. As several wargs leapt at Aragorn, he swung his blade and beheaded each one in turn.
Gandalf raised his staff and a great flash of light emitted from it. The creatures growled and writhed, shielding their eyes with their hand- like claws. As they slowly regained their awareness and advanced one by one, the wizard's staff shot great bolts of lightning into their hearts.
Towards the other end of the group, roars and yelps came in great succession as the weapons of the elves slain the evil wolves. Then, the formation of the warriors shifted as the creatures steadily grew closer. Several animals suddenly leapt at one prey.
From his place across the way, Legolas heard a cry of pain and the last few howls as the wolves fled from the host. The king's face grew pale and fear gripped his heart. He and several others around him sprinted down the path towards the cry.
As they approached, Legolas pushed his way through a crowd that had gathered, only to have his heart nearly leap to his throat.