Diphylla the Malevolent - Chapter 4
Disclaimer: Same as before.
Warning: Grossness! Decaying stuff! And I am trying (key word there: TRYING) to make it pretty graphic, so if you do not have the stomach for it, make sure a bucket is nearby!
A/N: New chapter! ^___^ Hope you like it!
Another A/N: '' is Elvish, "" is Common, / / is thought.
- - - - -
'May you go now, with Elbereth's guidance and blessing.'
Legolas stood along with the rest of the persons attending the council, and started to filter out of the room, off to do whatever tasks they were assigned to or those they volunteered for. The blond elf searched the crowd, and headed over to Aragorn who was standing with Lord Elrond who had ended the council.
The meeting had been very tedious. He had had to brief everyone on the Diphylla and her Undead, and was frequently asked to repeat information when the others were putting forth their suggestions on what to do. This had bored him greatly, and was he was anxious to head out.
It was determined that they would send couriers to each town within three days journey, gathering men and women with fighting experience to compile an army to fight Diphylla. A few would stay behind and protect the village, with instructions to head for the nearest town if attacked by overwhelming odds. If driven out of a few towns, they would eventually mass together in large enough numbers to protect everyone in a settlement, and hopefully drive the attackers off.
Legolas and a few other light riding elves volunteered would set out and inform the nearest towns of the plan, for all had heard of the mysterious attacks that were happening recently. They would then send off fresh messengers who would then repeat what they had down. The prince was going to Mirkwood, for it was after all the city where he had lived.
The prince glided over to the Ranger, 'Aragorn, I want to head off tonight.'
'Legolas, you must rest. Elves are not impervious to fatigue,' the Ranger stated, eyes serious.
Sighing, the elf said, 'I know that, my friend, but I would feel more comfortable if I reached Mirkwood soon. I have had a sense of impending threat since our conversation earlier, and I would much prefer to gather the forces together as soon as possible.'
'Then I shall go with you.'
'Aragorn, both of us know that we would make an ideal target.'
'You will make a perfect target if you ride out tonight alone,' Aragorn said. The prince crossed his arms in impatience, seeing as he desired to depart as soon as possible. 'Legolas, after all that has happened today... you must rest. I can see your need for respite as if it was written plainly on your brow.'
The elf smiled and shook his head, 'I feel as though I have a tremendous weight pulling on me, both mental and physical... and perhaps you are right, but the shadow of warning is growing in my mind.'
'I will not allow you to depart until dawn, Legolas,' Aragorn stated firmly, and cutting off whatever objection the elf was going to give, 'I cannot bear to lose you too.'
Sighing, Legolas looked downward, knowing that the Ranger was trying to protect him, but the sense of forthcoming trouble was almost overwhelming. 'Very well... I shall stay here tonight, but I shall ride at dawn.'
'That is all that I ask, and... I would feel more at ease if you could ride with a few others, because it is safer in numbers.'
'That is just begging for trouble, Aragorn. You should know that, for you are the Ranger!' the elf protested. 'If Diphylla somehow found out about a small party heading out from Rivendell, she would expect that it was protecting something, as it would be.'
'At least if there was an ambush, one might be able to make it to safety!'
'Are you really willing to compensate so many?' the elf said softly, looking Aragorn in the eyes.
The Ranger stood silent for a moment. If they sent out a group of three, and assuming each was ambushed, but one made it out, one would escape for every two that were caught. Considering how many towns they were going to ride to, they would lose too many, also building Diphylla's army for her. 'No... but I still will not allow you to leave until the morrow.'
'I know, Aragorn,' the elf smiled at his old friend, but it slowly became a frown. 'I must go pack now. Farewell, if I do not see you later.'
Legolas left, heading for his rooms, and Aragorn signaled to the stable- master who came over, with a quizzical look on his face, 'Yes?'
'Will you make sure that no one departs until the morrow, as decided?'
'Yes sir, and Elbereth bless.'
Awakening at the sound of birds singing stridently outside his window, Legolas rose, and went to the adjacent bathroom where steaming water was in the bathtub. After a quick wash, he dressed in a white shirt, throwing a forest green tunic over it, pale green stockings, and his belt.
He pulled on his soft brown boots, put on his arm bracers, and his elfish cloak that he received on his journey to destroy the Ring. He then attached his long dagger and his quiver. Grabbing his bow and small pack, he left the room; satisfied that he had gotten everything.
The prince strode to the stable, and found that he was the first of the couriers to have arrived. He need not wait for them, for he had the longest path of them all. The others were going to towns within a day's ride, but his was a three-day journey if he went at top speeds. He was planning to stop in a village each night for rest.
He heard the sound of breathing and turned to see a stable hand sound asleep. The elf chuckled, /Aragorn is much too untrusting./
For this kind of journey, he needed a light mount, so he was taking Elbereth, his horse. She was named after the goddess that most of the elves use. Patting her, Legolas told her quietly what they were going to do and where they were going to go. The mare snorted her approval, so he gave her an apple, and then started to brush her down, since there would be no time while they was on the road.
After a few minutes of grooming his horse, the elf started saddling her, and was about to set out when he heard Aragorn coming. He turned and saw the Ranger, 'Good morning, Aragorn.'
His old friend nodded, but stayed silent, simply watching Legolas make his last check on his equipment. After a few moments, the elf was finished getting ready and looked at the Ranger, 'I must head out, for I have stayed as long as I can.'
'I know.'
'Do not worry, Aragorn. We will get your family back. I promise.'
'Legolas, it is not them I am worried about at this moment, it is you. I do agonize for them largely, but because of the immediate task, I am concerned about you.'
'You should not be so.'
'Of course I should! I am your friend,' Aragorn stated, and looking downward he added softly, 'and I am truly sorry for being so harsh to you yesterday. You did not deserve what I did to you.'
'That is all right...' he whispered, not being able to bear the sadness that returned to him as the conversation continued.
'No it is not. I can see it in your eyes, Legolas. The deep, aching pain that you feel when you lose someone you love...' he trailed. 'Not only did you lose Haldir yesterday... you lost me as well because of my behavior. After the way I acted, three times no less... No one is immune to what I put you through, Legolas. No one.'
At this point the Ranger looked up at the elf, not missing the hurting in his eyes. 'But I am so sorry, and I cannot even think to forgive myself, much less ask for your forgiveness.'
'What is done is done... there is nothing we do can undo it, only accept it or absolve one another, and put it behind us...'
'Something like this is not easily forgotten, Legolas!'
'Yes, but we must forgive and forget, Aragorn,' the elf said, putting a hand on the Ranger's slumped shoulder and squeezed reassuringly. 'But the only way to put it out of mind is to be exonerated, and my forgiveness you have always had... despite what happened.'
The Ranger grasped the elf's delicate hand, clutching slightly, trying to hide his tears. 'Oh Legolas, I am so sorry...'
'There is nothing to be regretful about anymore, Aragorn,' the elf said, smiling, 'my friend.'
At this, Aragorn embraced the elf, hugging him tightly as if he was going to fade away while they were standing there. He wept softly into the prince's shoulder, tears dampening Legolas' tunic. He ran his nimble fingers through the Ranger's dark, wavy hair, trying to resist lamenting as well, but knowing that it would only make the situation more depressing.
'I must be going now, Aragorn,' the elf whispered quietly into the Ranger's ear, hugging his friend for one moment longer, and then he stepped back. 'Do what you must do here, and I shall be back soon. Farewell,' and with that the elf grabbed the reins and pulled himself up and swung his leg over the side of his horse, in one graceful movement. He whispered to Elbereth, and she started off at a canter.
'Be safe.'
Two days full of riding past, and Legolas was now on the final day. Elbereth was used to these kinds of journeys, even though the prince did not go on them often, because he let messengers borrow her since she was one of the fastest mounts. Legolas on the other hand, was not used to this kind of riding. Over time he had less need for riding, for they had to go by foot more often. The constant riding was making his joints stiff and his body sore.
/I will be most thankful when I finally reach Mirkwood,/ he thought to himself. He would rest there for a few days, until they decided which warriors would go back to form the army against Diphylla. He would then return with them, at their slower pace.
Legolas was jolted out of his thoughts as a dark feeling overcame him. He urged Elbereth faster, while keeping all of his senses alert. A minute later he thought he saw something, but when he focused on the spot where it was, it was gone. Suddenly he heard a roar and was knocked off of his horse by a clawed paw that slit four tears in his tunic. He looked up and saw a bear, stunned and shocked.
The thing that shocked him was that the bear was decaying. It had dried blood smeared near an arrow through its chest and its eyes had small holes in them, from where he could see small worms in each and the wound. He grimaced and was surprised when his stomach did not reject his meager breakfast from the morning.
The bear swiped at him, but the elf rolled out of the way and jumped to his feet, taking out his bow. The bear lurched towards him and he shot an arrow into its forehead. It stood for a moment in suspended animation, and then fell heavily to the ground.
Before he could regain his breath, something jumped onto his shoulder and started clawing at his shoulder. He cried out and ripped the thing from his shoulder, throwing it to the ground where it lay moving. It was the skeleton of a squirrel. On impact the creature's leg bones shattered, and the pieces flew everywhere, leaving the squirrel incapable of attacking him again for it could not get up.
Sensing another presence, the elf whipped around and shot and the target with pinpoint accuracy, except the arrow never connected with its target. Instead, it bounced off of a magical shield with a five-foot diameter around the caster.
"Well, well, well, what have we here? Another messenger? And none other than the prince of Mirkwood himself!"
The elf kept his eyes and ears open, even though the undead animals around him had stopped when Diphylla spoke. 'Elbereth, go!' he called to the horse, who went unnoticed by the other animals. She took off immediately, knowing her way back to Mirkwood. He noticed Diphylla flinch at the horse's name, but that did not stop her for long.
"Galash no hontono!" she yelled to her party. They took off after Elbereth, wolf skeletons in the lead. Knowing that he could not help his horse now, he kept himself focused on Diphylla. "Well, have you thought about my offer from before? That wench was awfully quick to decide for you all."
"What have you done with them?"
"Nothing much... yet," she said in Common, her mouth turning upward in a wicked smile. "You should see the children... they are completely terrified by the Undead guards, and even more so of me."
She paused for a moment in which she said a spell, summoning more creatures. Legolas jumped back in surprise and disgust as a skeleton clawed its way up through the dirt in front of him, and then it went to the edge of the small circle he was enclosed in. He heard a rustle in the bushes to his right, and he saw a small dragon appear. It had a few arrows in it, which had probably killed it, some of its scales had fallen off, revealing discolored flesh, and parts of him were rotting.
"You know your friends will end up like that eventually, Legolas," she drawled, knowing that the elf despised anything that was repulsive.
His attention then focused back on her, and he asked the question that he could not hold back, "What have you done to Haldir?"
She cackled at this, enjoying the look of horror that came to the prince's face. "Oh yes, he was quite pleasurable. He is also one of the guards who are watching over your Ranger friend's family. You should hear her try to talk him into releasing them! But enough about them, it is time to talk about you! What will it be? Join me willingly or be torn apart?"
"I will never join you," he spat.
"You would have make a powerful ally, Legolas Greenleaf, but now you have sealed your fate. Kathliné incé."
At once all of the animals charged. The nimble elf shot a few of the half rotted creatures before they reached him, and then drew his dagger out and slashed at a wolf skeleton that jumped at him, cutting its vertebrate column, severing the head from the rest of the body. He continued picking off the ones that came at him singly, but very quickly the slower animals caught up and he was assaulted by many at the same time.
He cried in pain as he felt a searing pain in the back of his leg. The prince quickly changed his hold on the knife and sliced the wolf's skull off at the base. His senses were screaming at him as he kept destroying one after another.
At last he stood panting, for all of the creatures were immobilized, and Diphylla applauded, "Good job, Legolas. I knew you could do it."
Sheathing his dagger, the prince turned and took off running towards Mirkwood's city, knowing he could never defeat Diphylla by himself. Taken aback at this unexpected flight, she started muttering a spell, which he recognized from before.
He heard the animals bodies repairing themselves, and saw some of their bodies actually get up, find their heads, and place them back into their proper position where they were magically reattached. This propelled him faster, but he was losing energy fast because of the tear in his leg, which was growing with every movement, ripping more flesh apart and bleeding heavier.
Legolas heard a shrill cry and risked a glance back. He had forgotten about the dragon. It was running as fast as its little legs could carry, using his leathery wings to drive itself faster still.
In the distance he heard some shouting, knowing he was approaching Mirkwood fast, and he could hear the dragon gaining on him. He knew that he could not fight a dragon, disregarding its size, for you needed certain weapons or magic, and you needed to know its weaknesses.
/One needs specific weapons to defeat certain enemies.../ he thought as an idea burst in his head.
During that moment, as he drew towards the walls of the city, he stumbled for he was not concentrating on ignoring the pain of his leg. This gave the dragon enough time to catch up and tackle Legolas.
The elf rolled over, causing the reptile to lose its footing, but its claws ripped his shoulders as it tried to hold on. He grabbed his dagger and slashed at the creature, cutting its wing off. It howled in pain, giving him enough time to get up.
Enraged, the dragon leaped at Legolas as he sidestepped and sliced at it, making a long cut across the side of its head. The creature whipped its body about, claws lashing, and bit the elf's right wrist, causing him to cry out and drop the dagger. The reptile held on while the prince pried vainly at its jaws, sinking his teeth in while still clawing at Legolas' exposed body.
When the prince was about collapse from the excruciating pain, he heard a light swoosh as an arrow came flying and embedded itself in the dragon's head. The creature shrieked, releasing his victim and turned towards its attacker. Before it could finish turning, four more arrows pierced its scales, killing the thing once more.
Legolas heard movement behind him, realizing that the other resurrected animals were coming. He went as fast as he could to the gate where two elves pulled him inside and closed the entrance.
- - - - -
A/N: So, what didja think?? Any good? Dying to know what happens next? Me too! (j/k, j/k) It was nice to get out this burst of creativity or whatever you wanna call it. Now maybe I'll sleep at night (or then again, maybe not...)
Another A/N: And a very special thanks to Enigma Jade, Fei Jiao, Lady of Legolas for their continued reviews on my story! ^___^
Disclaimer: Same as before.
Warning: Grossness! Decaying stuff! And I am trying (key word there: TRYING) to make it pretty graphic, so if you do not have the stomach for it, make sure a bucket is nearby!
A/N: New chapter! ^___^ Hope you like it!
Another A/N: '' is Elvish, "" is Common, / / is thought.
- - - - -
'May you go now, with Elbereth's guidance and blessing.'
Legolas stood along with the rest of the persons attending the council, and started to filter out of the room, off to do whatever tasks they were assigned to or those they volunteered for. The blond elf searched the crowd, and headed over to Aragorn who was standing with Lord Elrond who had ended the council.
The meeting had been very tedious. He had had to brief everyone on the Diphylla and her Undead, and was frequently asked to repeat information when the others were putting forth their suggestions on what to do. This had bored him greatly, and was he was anxious to head out.
It was determined that they would send couriers to each town within three days journey, gathering men and women with fighting experience to compile an army to fight Diphylla. A few would stay behind and protect the village, with instructions to head for the nearest town if attacked by overwhelming odds. If driven out of a few towns, they would eventually mass together in large enough numbers to protect everyone in a settlement, and hopefully drive the attackers off.
Legolas and a few other light riding elves volunteered would set out and inform the nearest towns of the plan, for all had heard of the mysterious attacks that were happening recently. They would then send off fresh messengers who would then repeat what they had down. The prince was going to Mirkwood, for it was after all the city where he had lived.
The prince glided over to the Ranger, 'Aragorn, I want to head off tonight.'
'Legolas, you must rest. Elves are not impervious to fatigue,' the Ranger stated, eyes serious.
Sighing, the elf said, 'I know that, my friend, but I would feel more comfortable if I reached Mirkwood soon. I have had a sense of impending threat since our conversation earlier, and I would much prefer to gather the forces together as soon as possible.'
'Then I shall go with you.'
'Aragorn, both of us know that we would make an ideal target.'
'You will make a perfect target if you ride out tonight alone,' Aragorn said. The prince crossed his arms in impatience, seeing as he desired to depart as soon as possible. 'Legolas, after all that has happened today... you must rest. I can see your need for respite as if it was written plainly on your brow.'
The elf smiled and shook his head, 'I feel as though I have a tremendous weight pulling on me, both mental and physical... and perhaps you are right, but the shadow of warning is growing in my mind.'
'I will not allow you to depart until dawn, Legolas,' Aragorn stated firmly, and cutting off whatever objection the elf was going to give, 'I cannot bear to lose you too.'
Sighing, Legolas looked downward, knowing that the Ranger was trying to protect him, but the sense of forthcoming trouble was almost overwhelming. 'Very well... I shall stay here tonight, but I shall ride at dawn.'
'That is all that I ask, and... I would feel more at ease if you could ride with a few others, because it is safer in numbers.'
'That is just begging for trouble, Aragorn. You should know that, for you are the Ranger!' the elf protested. 'If Diphylla somehow found out about a small party heading out from Rivendell, she would expect that it was protecting something, as it would be.'
'At least if there was an ambush, one might be able to make it to safety!'
'Are you really willing to compensate so many?' the elf said softly, looking Aragorn in the eyes.
The Ranger stood silent for a moment. If they sent out a group of three, and assuming each was ambushed, but one made it out, one would escape for every two that were caught. Considering how many towns they were going to ride to, they would lose too many, also building Diphylla's army for her. 'No... but I still will not allow you to leave until the morrow.'
'I know, Aragorn,' the elf smiled at his old friend, but it slowly became a frown. 'I must go pack now. Farewell, if I do not see you later.'
Legolas left, heading for his rooms, and Aragorn signaled to the stable- master who came over, with a quizzical look on his face, 'Yes?'
'Will you make sure that no one departs until the morrow, as decided?'
'Yes sir, and Elbereth bless.'
Awakening at the sound of birds singing stridently outside his window, Legolas rose, and went to the adjacent bathroom where steaming water was in the bathtub. After a quick wash, he dressed in a white shirt, throwing a forest green tunic over it, pale green stockings, and his belt.
He pulled on his soft brown boots, put on his arm bracers, and his elfish cloak that he received on his journey to destroy the Ring. He then attached his long dagger and his quiver. Grabbing his bow and small pack, he left the room; satisfied that he had gotten everything.
The prince strode to the stable, and found that he was the first of the couriers to have arrived. He need not wait for them, for he had the longest path of them all. The others were going to towns within a day's ride, but his was a three-day journey if he went at top speeds. He was planning to stop in a village each night for rest.
He heard the sound of breathing and turned to see a stable hand sound asleep. The elf chuckled, /Aragorn is much too untrusting./
For this kind of journey, he needed a light mount, so he was taking Elbereth, his horse. She was named after the goddess that most of the elves use. Patting her, Legolas told her quietly what they were going to do and where they were going to go. The mare snorted her approval, so he gave her an apple, and then started to brush her down, since there would be no time while they was on the road.
After a few minutes of grooming his horse, the elf started saddling her, and was about to set out when he heard Aragorn coming. He turned and saw the Ranger, 'Good morning, Aragorn.'
His old friend nodded, but stayed silent, simply watching Legolas make his last check on his equipment. After a few moments, the elf was finished getting ready and looked at the Ranger, 'I must head out, for I have stayed as long as I can.'
'I know.'
'Do not worry, Aragorn. We will get your family back. I promise.'
'Legolas, it is not them I am worried about at this moment, it is you. I do agonize for them largely, but because of the immediate task, I am concerned about you.'
'You should not be so.'
'Of course I should! I am your friend,' Aragorn stated, and looking downward he added softly, 'and I am truly sorry for being so harsh to you yesterday. You did not deserve what I did to you.'
'That is all right...' he whispered, not being able to bear the sadness that returned to him as the conversation continued.
'No it is not. I can see it in your eyes, Legolas. The deep, aching pain that you feel when you lose someone you love...' he trailed. 'Not only did you lose Haldir yesterday... you lost me as well because of my behavior. After the way I acted, three times no less... No one is immune to what I put you through, Legolas. No one.'
At this point the Ranger looked up at the elf, not missing the hurting in his eyes. 'But I am so sorry, and I cannot even think to forgive myself, much less ask for your forgiveness.'
'What is done is done... there is nothing we do can undo it, only accept it or absolve one another, and put it behind us...'
'Something like this is not easily forgotten, Legolas!'
'Yes, but we must forgive and forget, Aragorn,' the elf said, putting a hand on the Ranger's slumped shoulder and squeezed reassuringly. 'But the only way to put it out of mind is to be exonerated, and my forgiveness you have always had... despite what happened.'
The Ranger grasped the elf's delicate hand, clutching slightly, trying to hide his tears. 'Oh Legolas, I am so sorry...'
'There is nothing to be regretful about anymore, Aragorn,' the elf said, smiling, 'my friend.'
At this, Aragorn embraced the elf, hugging him tightly as if he was going to fade away while they were standing there. He wept softly into the prince's shoulder, tears dampening Legolas' tunic. He ran his nimble fingers through the Ranger's dark, wavy hair, trying to resist lamenting as well, but knowing that it would only make the situation more depressing.
'I must be going now, Aragorn,' the elf whispered quietly into the Ranger's ear, hugging his friend for one moment longer, and then he stepped back. 'Do what you must do here, and I shall be back soon. Farewell,' and with that the elf grabbed the reins and pulled himself up and swung his leg over the side of his horse, in one graceful movement. He whispered to Elbereth, and she started off at a canter.
'Be safe.'
Two days full of riding past, and Legolas was now on the final day. Elbereth was used to these kinds of journeys, even though the prince did not go on them often, because he let messengers borrow her since she was one of the fastest mounts. Legolas on the other hand, was not used to this kind of riding. Over time he had less need for riding, for they had to go by foot more often. The constant riding was making his joints stiff and his body sore.
/I will be most thankful when I finally reach Mirkwood,/ he thought to himself. He would rest there for a few days, until they decided which warriors would go back to form the army against Diphylla. He would then return with them, at their slower pace.
Legolas was jolted out of his thoughts as a dark feeling overcame him. He urged Elbereth faster, while keeping all of his senses alert. A minute later he thought he saw something, but when he focused on the spot where it was, it was gone. Suddenly he heard a roar and was knocked off of his horse by a clawed paw that slit four tears in his tunic. He looked up and saw a bear, stunned and shocked.
The thing that shocked him was that the bear was decaying. It had dried blood smeared near an arrow through its chest and its eyes had small holes in them, from where he could see small worms in each and the wound. He grimaced and was surprised when his stomach did not reject his meager breakfast from the morning.
The bear swiped at him, but the elf rolled out of the way and jumped to his feet, taking out his bow. The bear lurched towards him and he shot an arrow into its forehead. It stood for a moment in suspended animation, and then fell heavily to the ground.
Before he could regain his breath, something jumped onto his shoulder and started clawing at his shoulder. He cried out and ripped the thing from his shoulder, throwing it to the ground where it lay moving. It was the skeleton of a squirrel. On impact the creature's leg bones shattered, and the pieces flew everywhere, leaving the squirrel incapable of attacking him again for it could not get up.
Sensing another presence, the elf whipped around and shot and the target with pinpoint accuracy, except the arrow never connected with its target. Instead, it bounced off of a magical shield with a five-foot diameter around the caster.
"Well, well, well, what have we here? Another messenger? And none other than the prince of Mirkwood himself!"
The elf kept his eyes and ears open, even though the undead animals around him had stopped when Diphylla spoke. 'Elbereth, go!' he called to the horse, who went unnoticed by the other animals. She took off immediately, knowing her way back to Mirkwood. He noticed Diphylla flinch at the horse's name, but that did not stop her for long.
"Galash no hontono!" she yelled to her party. They took off after Elbereth, wolf skeletons in the lead. Knowing that he could not help his horse now, he kept himself focused on Diphylla. "Well, have you thought about my offer from before? That wench was awfully quick to decide for you all."
"What have you done with them?"
"Nothing much... yet," she said in Common, her mouth turning upward in a wicked smile. "You should see the children... they are completely terrified by the Undead guards, and even more so of me."
She paused for a moment in which she said a spell, summoning more creatures. Legolas jumped back in surprise and disgust as a skeleton clawed its way up through the dirt in front of him, and then it went to the edge of the small circle he was enclosed in. He heard a rustle in the bushes to his right, and he saw a small dragon appear. It had a few arrows in it, which had probably killed it, some of its scales had fallen off, revealing discolored flesh, and parts of him were rotting.
"You know your friends will end up like that eventually, Legolas," she drawled, knowing that the elf despised anything that was repulsive.
His attention then focused back on her, and he asked the question that he could not hold back, "What have you done to Haldir?"
She cackled at this, enjoying the look of horror that came to the prince's face. "Oh yes, he was quite pleasurable. He is also one of the guards who are watching over your Ranger friend's family. You should hear her try to talk him into releasing them! But enough about them, it is time to talk about you! What will it be? Join me willingly or be torn apart?"
"I will never join you," he spat.
"You would have make a powerful ally, Legolas Greenleaf, but now you have sealed your fate. Kathliné incé."
At once all of the animals charged. The nimble elf shot a few of the half rotted creatures before they reached him, and then drew his dagger out and slashed at a wolf skeleton that jumped at him, cutting its vertebrate column, severing the head from the rest of the body. He continued picking off the ones that came at him singly, but very quickly the slower animals caught up and he was assaulted by many at the same time.
He cried in pain as he felt a searing pain in the back of his leg. The prince quickly changed his hold on the knife and sliced the wolf's skull off at the base. His senses were screaming at him as he kept destroying one after another.
At last he stood panting, for all of the creatures were immobilized, and Diphylla applauded, "Good job, Legolas. I knew you could do it."
Sheathing his dagger, the prince turned and took off running towards Mirkwood's city, knowing he could never defeat Diphylla by himself. Taken aback at this unexpected flight, she started muttering a spell, which he recognized from before.
He heard the animals bodies repairing themselves, and saw some of their bodies actually get up, find their heads, and place them back into their proper position where they were magically reattached. This propelled him faster, but he was losing energy fast because of the tear in his leg, which was growing with every movement, ripping more flesh apart and bleeding heavier.
Legolas heard a shrill cry and risked a glance back. He had forgotten about the dragon. It was running as fast as its little legs could carry, using his leathery wings to drive itself faster still.
In the distance he heard some shouting, knowing he was approaching Mirkwood fast, and he could hear the dragon gaining on him. He knew that he could not fight a dragon, disregarding its size, for you needed certain weapons or magic, and you needed to know its weaknesses.
/One needs specific weapons to defeat certain enemies.../ he thought as an idea burst in his head.
During that moment, as he drew towards the walls of the city, he stumbled for he was not concentrating on ignoring the pain of his leg. This gave the dragon enough time to catch up and tackle Legolas.
The elf rolled over, causing the reptile to lose its footing, but its claws ripped his shoulders as it tried to hold on. He grabbed his dagger and slashed at the creature, cutting its wing off. It howled in pain, giving him enough time to get up.
Enraged, the dragon leaped at Legolas as he sidestepped and sliced at it, making a long cut across the side of its head. The creature whipped its body about, claws lashing, and bit the elf's right wrist, causing him to cry out and drop the dagger. The reptile held on while the prince pried vainly at its jaws, sinking his teeth in while still clawing at Legolas' exposed body.
When the prince was about collapse from the excruciating pain, he heard a light swoosh as an arrow came flying and embedded itself in the dragon's head. The creature shrieked, releasing his victim and turned towards its attacker. Before it could finish turning, four more arrows pierced its scales, killing the thing once more.
Legolas heard movement behind him, realizing that the other resurrected animals were coming. He went as fast as he could to the gate where two elves pulled him inside and closed the entrance.
- - - - -
A/N: So, what didja think?? Any good? Dying to know what happens next? Me too! (j/k, j/k) It was nice to get out this burst of creativity or whatever you wanna call it. Now maybe I'll sleep at night (or then again, maybe not...)
Another A/N: And a very special thanks to Enigma Jade, Fei Jiao, Lady of Legolas for their continued reviews on my story! ^___^