Disclaimer: I own any characters you don't recognize from JRR Tolkien's
Lord of the Rings. I know I've forgotten to put the disclaimer in before,
so please don't sue – I'm not wealthy, and I'm not making any profits off
this story (or any others that I write). Thank you.
Author's Note #1:Thanks again to all those who have reviewed thus far (ArwenUndomiel, Yanlica, John Tsaganakis, Celine, Carami, twf, noname, aga_xris, BlueJewel, Tomboy Princess, and The Wolf Child)– I truly appreciate your feedback. :o)
Author's Note #2: As indicated in the previous chapter, I'm going to be trying to write from different character's points of view, at least for the next little while. Let me know what you think!
Chapter 9: Reprehensions
Haldir's POV
The trip back to Lothlorien was quick – Alex was anxious to get out of his leggings, which were undoubtedly becoming sticky with the peaches sweet nectar. I paced back and forth in the entranceway while he changed – I could not help thinking that every moment we spent here would mean a moment less for Alex and Sarah to practice ready for when they leave these fair woods. The Orcs are well-trained warriors, and these siblings need to be prepared if they are to survive.
Alex seemed to sense my agitation as he opened his bedroom door. "I'm sorry about this…" he said. "I guess I should have eaten the peach on the way to practice, like Sarah did."
I nodded. "It isn't to be helped now. But we must get back – you have got a great deal to learn over the next week before we leave…"
By now we had stepped outside and were climbing down the stairway towards the ground. I sensed Alex pause on the stair (humans are not as quiet- footed as the elven folk). "We're leaving that soon?" he asked.
I looked up at him and nodded. "The time of your first true battle fast approaches. Come on," I said smiling, "Sarah will be waiting for us to get back."
Now it was Alex's turn to nod as he once again started descending the steps. As we walked back to the practice field, I told Alex more about what little I knew of the enemy and what he and his sister would be fighting for. I briefly recounted the War of the Ring, when Isildur had slashed the ring from the Evil Lord Sauron's hand, and told of the journey that the Fellowship was now on to rid the world of evil once and for all. Alex seemed pretty impressed.
By now we were approaching the field once again. When I could not see Sarah practicing, I called out to her, but there was no reply. Alex started calling her name too, worry clearly etched on his face. A sense of foreboding filled my heart as I searched the area, only to find what I had been dreading most – Sarah's bow lay on the ground by a small pool of blood.
Alex's POV
"Orcs have been here. I fear they have taken Sarah," Haldir said.
I walked up beside where Haldir knelt surveying the ground. Looking down, I immediately wishing I hadn't as I saw the pool of blood. 'Sarah's blood…' I thought to myself. I felt sick inside. 'How could I have been so stupid?' I admonished myself. 'If I hadn't carried those peaches with me this afternoon, she'd still be here. If I hadn't insisted on going back to change, or had asked Haldir to have her come along, she'd still be safe…'
"You should not blame yourself, Alex. We were both to blame," Haldir said softly, anger clearly blazing in his eyes. I guess my emotions were easy to read at that point. "They can't have gone far, as this blood is still relatively fresh. I will take you back to the safety of Lothlorien. A search party will be set up, and we'll get your sister back."
"No," I said firmly. "Sarah is my sister, and I'm going with the search party to find her."
Haldir watched me for a moment, looking as if he was trying to find a way to say that it was too dangerous for me. I stood my ground, though, and wouldn't give in. Finally he nodded his consent.
"Alright," he said. "You may come. We must get some supplies before we leave, though, or we will not be focussed enough to fight these Orcs."
I nodded in agreement, and the two of us jogged back the way we had come. As we ran, tears pricked the corners of my eyes and I made a silent promise to Sarah. "We'll find you, Sarah, and when we do, these Orcs will pay for kidnapping you. Just hold on. Please… hold on…"
Author's Note: Keep an eye out for the next chapter when you'll find out where the Orcs are taking Sarah, and what they have in store for her! In the meantime, please click the "Review" button below and let me know what you thought of this chapter!
Author's Note #1:Thanks again to all those who have reviewed thus far (ArwenUndomiel, Yanlica, John Tsaganakis, Celine, Carami, twf, noname, aga_xris, BlueJewel, Tomboy Princess, and The Wolf Child)– I truly appreciate your feedback. :o)
Author's Note #2: As indicated in the previous chapter, I'm going to be trying to write from different character's points of view, at least for the next little while. Let me know what you think!
Chapter 9: Reprehensions
Haldir's POV
The trip back to Lothlorien was quick – Alex was anxious to get out of his leggings, which were undoubtedly becoming sticky with the peaches sweet nectar. I paced back and forth in the entranceway while he changed – I could not help thinking that every moment we spent here would mean a moment less for Alex and Sarah to practice ready for when they leave these fair woods. The Orcs are well-trained warriors, and these siblings need to be prepared if they are to survive.
Alex seemed to sense my agitation as he opened his bedroom door. "I'm sorry about this…" he said. "I guess I should have eaten the peach on the way to practice, like Sarah did."
I nodded. "It isn't to be helped now. But we must get back – you have got a great deal to learn over the next week before we leave…"
By now we had stepped outside and were climbing down the stairway towards the ground. I sensed Alex pause on the stair (humans are not as quiet- footed as the elven folk). "We're leaving that soon?" he asked.
I looked up at him and nodded. "The time of your first true battle fast approaches. Come on," I said smiling, "Sarah will be waiting for us to get back."
Now it was Alex's turn to nod as he once again started descending the steps. As we walked back to the practice field, I told Alex more about what little I knew of the enemy and what he and his sister would be fighting for. I briefly recounted the War of the Ring, when Isildur had slashed the ring from the Evil Lord Sauron's hand, and told of the journey that the Fellowship was now on to rid the world of evil once and for all. Alex seemed pretty impressed.
By now we were approaching the field once again. When I could not see Sarah practicing, I called out to her, but there was no reply. Alex started calling her name too, worry clearly etched on his face. A sense of foreboding filled my heart as I searched the area, only to find what I had been dreading most – Sarah's bow lay on the ground by a small pool of blood.
Alex's POV
"Orcs have been here. I fear they have taken Sarah," Haldir said.
I walked up beside where Haldir knelt surveying the ground. Looking down, I immediately wishing I hadn't as I saw the pool of blood. 'Sarah's blood…' I thought to myself. I felt sick inside. 'How could I have been so stupid?' I admonished myself. 'If I hadn't carried those peaches with me this afternoon, she'd still be here. If I hadn't insisted on going back to change, or had asked Haldir to have her come along, she'd still be safe…'
"You should not blame yourself, Alex. We were both to blame," Haldir said softly, anger clearly blazing in his eyes. I guess my emotions were easy to read at that point. "They can't have gone far, as this blood is still relatively fresh. I will take you back to the safety of Lothlorien. A search party will be set up, and we'll get your sister back."
"No," I said firmly. "Sarah is my sister, and I'm going with the search party to find her."
Haldir watched me for a moment, looking as if he was trying to find a way to say that it was too dangerous for me. I stood my ground, though, and wouldn't give in. Finally he nodded his consent.
"Alright," he said. "You may come. We must get some supplies before we leave, though, or we will not be focussed enough to fight these Orcs."
I nodded in agreement, and the two of us jogged back the way we had come. As we ran, tears pricked the corners of my eyes and I made a silent promise to Sarah. "We'll find you, Sarah, and when we do, these Orcs will pay for kidnapping you. Just hold on. Please… hold on…"
Author's Note: Keep an eye out for the next chapter when you'll find out where the Orcs are taking Sarah, and what they have in store for her! In the meantime, please click the "Review" button below and let me know what you thought of this chapter!