"There is shadow upon us." Legolas stated.
Legolas and Erydben halted their horses, both Elves searching the depths of the forest all around them, horses patting the ground nervously.
"It is the Orcs." Erydben said in a low, dangerous voice. "Let us ride further. We would know their purpose before they gain more ground in the forest."
Legolas looked back towards the Kingdom longingly; hunting Orcs had become regular duty since they were first spotted lurking near the edges of Mirkwood. They had moved further into the forest, despite the regular slayings wrought upon them from the Elves. It was certain that they would attempt to attack the Kingdom, but from which front and when remained to be seen. Legolas and Erydben made it their task to find out.
Erydben did not miss the longing glance. He laughed softly. "And what would you be doing there that you could not do here? Has the forest not all the amenities you could desire?"
Legolas turned his head forward and nodded solemnly. "Yes, were it not for the Orcs I would surely like the forest today. But I have an ill feeling and it only increases as we near the shadow."
"Think no ill thoughts brother. But instead, seek solace from your bow. I would not see us come this far without something to show for it." Erydben glanced sideways at his youngest sibling, grinning deviously.
Legolas could not help but return the grin. Even in the darkest moments, Erydben inevitably saw the humor in it.
"You have grown much young Prince. Some thought they would never see you smile." Erydben said, still grinning.
"Perhaps it were the same folk who said they thought you would achieve greatness, but alas, that has yet to happen." Legolas said good-naturedly.
Erydben laughed out loud. "And an attitude at that, you truly are a brat Prince."
Legolas stopped grinning and gave a quizzical look at Erydben which only made the older Elf laugh harder. Erydben paused in his laughing to gaze ahead in thought, eyes still twinkling with mirth. "After the wedding-"
Legolas sighed as audibly as he could. Erydben stopped what he was about to say, facing Legolas, who sent him a warning glance in return. Although Erydben was not about to let the matter drop. "Father was somewhat disappointed."
"I was present, was I not?" The answer was short and curt, much like all the answers he gave when it concerned his father's recent marriage.
"She is a good wife."
Legolas waved it away with a flick of his hand. "She may very well be, perhaps even a good sister, for surely that is all she is to me. Faerla is not of age to have born even I."
Erydben snorted. "That is a lie dear brother and you know it well. She nearly matches the King's age."
"Why do you never cease to let me be on this matter? You know my feelings well enough; it does not do to question me on them at a moment's notice."
Erydben nodded, apparently content with his brother's argument. So they rode on in silence. Until…
"She has deep concern for you."
Legolas stopped. For a moment he stared straight ahead, as if placing his thoughts in order to respond to such an odd statement.
"Why?"
"She is a wise Elf, Legolas. Knowledgeable in the ways of Galadriel, some say. She knows your feelings, perhaps better than you know them yourself. She would be disheartened to see you fall into disarray."
"And she has told you thus?"
Erydben shrugged. "She does not need to. I see her looks for you, and they are etched with worry. Do not judge one so harshly who is not deserving of it. Save it for your true enemies."
A sharp shift in the wind made both Elves stop, both facing the south where an odd smell seemed to be emanating. The horses snorted softly, sensing what their riders sensed.
"They are near Legolas. Ready your bow."
Legolas did as commanded, releasing his reins and notching an arrow. There were sharp sounds of twigs being snapped throughout the forest, echoing to the ears of the Elves. Birds flocked away, crying in alarm as they did so. The trees seemed to moan in protest.
"There are many more of them than there are of us." Legolas whispered.
"Even so, we shall stay until they are within our sights. We will know their number before we run from battle."
An Orcish howl made Legolas pull back on his quiver further; the Orcs had thrown silent precaution to the wind. They wished for the Elves to know of them. The ill feeling Legolas had felt upon leaving the sanctity of the Kingdom now increased ten-fold.
"Erydben, we should turn." He whispered urgently. "Now."
Erydben fought with his wills. He would be damned to turn and flee from an enemy so hateful as the Orcs, but he knew Legolas spoke wisely. He faced Legolas, grim regret in his eyes, but nodding nonetheless.
"Fly!"
At the command, Legolas shouldered his bow and arrow, and grabbed the reins for his horse in one fluid movement. They were galloping through the paths swiftly, but the upturned roots and low hung boughs of trees impeded their strides. The Orc screeching had turned into a chorus. They knew of the fleeing Elves.
Legolas was aware of movement in the bushes beside him, although a second too late. An Orc exploded from the bushes, leaping onto Legolas still on the horse. The sudden uneven weight threw the horse's momentum to the side, and as a unit, all three fell to the ground. Legolas was up in a moment, throwing off the Orc, and drawing his bow. Before the Orc could raise itself from the ground, Legolas had fired an arrow at close-range into it's chest. Turning, he quickly fired off three more arrows, all hitting their mark with practiced perfection.
Erydben was battling with bow and arrow, and after firing one arrow, he circled, aiming his bow to strike an Orc in the jaw while Legolas fired an arrow into its back. The battle was soon too close to use arrows effectively. Both Elves turned to their double white knives. Legolas was spinning and kicking and slashing, all without tiring. He had fought before; Orcs were not nearly new to him. But so unmatched…
Something very sudden happened to him, that at first he was unsure what it was. He had never experienced the likes of it before.
Pain.
He found himself leaning his back to a great oak, unable to remove himself when he tried; he could not move his left shoulder. A look of complete shock and amazement flitted across his face when he saw a thick arrow impaling his shoulder to the tree behind him, blood staining the shaft. His vision seemed to blur, but quickly re-found itself when he saw Erydben battling six Orcs by himself. Legolas again tried to move, but only grunted in pain and frustration when he could not free his shoulder. Legolas turned back to the scene in front of him, and began struggling wildly when he saw Erydben on his knees in front of the approaching Orcs.
One notched an arrow, aiming for his brother's heart.