Hey 2 chapters in 3 days not bad for me. Thank you to SpazticPoetGrl and
ZeroCool for your reviews. Hope you all enjoy this!!!
* Voronwer slowed as he felt his master's grip weaken. It had taken days for them to reach the borders of Mirkwood and with each day the elf that he carried grew more exhausted and with his injuries causing him pain he barely moved from his slumped position on Voronwer, but the faithful horse knew where to go and steadily continued.
"Tampa [stop]" Legolas whispered and the white horse obeyed. Legolas slid off the horse and hit the ground with a thud promptly falling on his backside. The elf laughed out loud, if only Gimli could see him now. The laughter promptly turned to tears and he remained on the ground too tired to move. Voronwer was watching him curiously and then deciding that his master had not been hurt further walked a little distance away to graze.
After a few moments Legolas decided against sitting down for a long time, as he knew his muscles would seize up and then movement would become almost impossible.
"Voronmer" he called softly and the white horse walked over to him. Using the horse as a prop he pulled himself to his feet. He started walking stiffly using the stallion as support. Looking at the trees he shivered, they felt alien and made him uncomfortable. It was home, the paths they walked were familiar to him but the atmosphere was different. The trees were afraid and their voices silent. Darkness had finally captured the elven realm and the grief clutched his heart so tightly that it hurt. He could feel the links to this world fading as he lost his battle against the grief.
The path they walked along became more worn as they neared the gates to the underground palace of the wood elves. As they approached the signs of battle became more apparent. Scorched trees from the fires set by the orcs stood tall and dark against the pale sky. The gates appeared in the clearing. Arrows and spears lay forgotten or embedded in the bark of the trees. Gauges in the stone of the walls leading up to the tall wooden gates showed where orcs had missed their targets. The giant gates were bowed inwards as evidence of the ferocity of the attacks from a battering ram. Walking up the steps the trees screamed as he sensed orcs descend on the clearing. He ran his hand over the scorched wood the magic that protected the gates long gone. He heard Voronwer cry a warning as the orcs started climbing the stairs. Legolas sighed and turned to face the dark creatures. Time slowed as they rushed towards him. Defenceless and tired he sank to his knees hoping that they would kill him quickly before they realised who he was. He watched the leading orc raise his club over his head and closed his eyes returning his mind to the stream that was hidden in his head.
The blow never landed but he didn't notice, just like he didn't notice the elven arrows that felled the orcs or the blonde elf that stepped forward to catch him as fell. He felt someone shake him and he watched the elf speak but heard nothing and then the darkness came again and everything faded.
*
"We should have left days ago!" Gimli yelled angrily not caring whom he was yelling at, which at the moment was the emergency council of elves that Lord Elrond had summoned.
"By the time you stop the petty bickering it will be too late."
"It is not that easy Gimli. There are very few elven warriors left that have not departed to the West." Elrond said trying to calm the angry dwarf.
"What is so hard about it? Legolas would have arrived in Mirkwood by now. Sauron would have sent the orcs already. You will fail them again and this time there will be no survivors. I have already summoned my dwarf warriors and we will be leaving as soon as they arrive. Although there is still hatred between the dwarfs and elves Legolas has managed to convince those who dwell with me that elves are honourable and we will not let them be slaughtered and THEY ARE NOT EVEN OUR KIN!" Gimli roared his face turning a bright red. He glared at all gathered there and then turned and left.
Gimli was fuming as he marched along the passage and he walked straight into Aragorn who was stood talking with Eomer.
"Slow down master dwarf." Aragorn said with a cuckle. Gimli whirled on him and Aragorn took a step backwards.
"I am beginning to rethink my new opinions on elves and revert back to my old ones." He snapped angrily.
"Peace Gimli it takes time to gather an army large enough to defeat the number of orcs that now reside in Mirkwood. An advanced force of 100 Gondor and Rohan warriors plus your dwarfs and 100 elves will leave at dawn."
"It will still be too late Aragorn. We have waited too long. If he dies I will hold you all responsible." Gimli continued down the passage without looking back.
"I agree with him Aragorn. We have waited too long."
"Mirkwood elves have survived for many more years than you and I or our parents have existed. They will resist until we get there."
"Aragorn we don't know how many survive, for all we know it will just be Legolas we find, if we find him at all." Eomer said with great sadness. He had grown fond of the young prince of Mirkwood during the war of the ring and had been greatly distressed when he learnt of Legolas's attack and imprisonment by Sauron.
"Maybe but I believe some survived and that they are in need of help."
* Legolas shifted and pain radiated through his body. He moaned and he felt a hand on his face and flinched.
[Be calm Legolas. You are safe] a soft voice said in elvish. Legolas recognised the voice and sighed as a hand smoothed his hair. Opening his eyes slowly he saw a blonde elf knelt by his side.
[Azian] Legolas whispered in disbelief at his older brother.
[Legolas] Azian said softly as a tear rolled down his cheek [I thought I had lost you.] Azian watched his younger brother blink his eyes as he slowly awakened. He again whispered Azian's name and a pale hand reached up and ran down his cheek. Tears ran down Legolas's face.
[You are real?] Legolas questioned.
[Yes yes dear brother. I am real] Azian choked clasped his little brother's hand. Legolas let out a small cry as he began sobbing. Azian reached out and wiped away the tears on Legolas's pale face. His little brother sighed and leaned into the touch. Azian leaned down and kissed his forehead.
[Sleep now little one] he whispered as he rose and moved onto another platform hidden high in the branches of the trees. Walking along the branches he moved to another tree.
[How is he?] a voice inquired as Azian stepped onto another platform. Looking around at the other warriors he sighed.
[He has awoken. He thought I was a dream] Azian laughed a short bitter laugh. [He is exhausted both physically and mentally. He has many wounds. There are scars from a whip along his back. He has a wound from a blade of Mordor in his shoulder. They have been treated recently but it will never heal properly. He is so thin and weak] Azian said softly crying.
[How do you think he escaped?] Silen one of the warriors questioned.
[No one escapes Sauron. He was released for a purpose] Jamaryn said bitterly.
[He escaped] Azian said confidently
[You have seen him. He is too weak to walk let alone escape from a fortress. The dark one released him for a purpose and he has led them to us. We must go and leave him behind] Jamaryn continued angry at the others for believing blindly that Legolas had escaped.
[He is my brother and a Prince of Mirkwood. I will not leave him behind] Azian snapped
[Then you shall die when they come for him] Jamaryn exclaimed and disappeared into the trees. Azian hit the platform in anger and he rose glaring at the other warriors daring them to challenge him and repeat the sentiments Jamaryn had just expressed.
[I will not leave him behind. You are free to do as you wish] he said as he made his way back to his brother's side.
* Voronwer slowed as he felt his master's grip weaken. It had taken days for them to reach the borders of Mirkwood and with each day the elf that he carried grew more exhausted and with his injuries causing him pain he barely moved from his slumped position on Voronwer, but the faithful horse knew where to go and steadily continued.
"Tampa [stop]" Legolas whispered and the white horse obeyed. Legolas slid off the horse and hit the ground with a thud promptly falling on his backside. The elf laughed out loud, if only Gimli could see him now. The laughter promptly turned to tears and he remained on the ground too tired to move. Voronwer was watching him curiously and then deciding that his master had not been hurt further walked a little distance away to graze.
After a few moments Legolas decided against sitting down for a long time, as he knew his muscles would seize up and then movement would become almost impossible.
"Voronmer" he called softly and the white horse walked over to him. Using the horse as a prop he pulled himself to his feet. He started walking stiffly using the stallion as support. Looking at the trees he shivered, they felt alien and made him uncomfortable. It was home, the paths they walked were familiar to him but the atmosphere was different. The trees were afraid and their voices silent. Darkness had finally captured the elven realm and the grief clutched his heart so tightly that it hurt. He could feel the links to this world fading as he lost his battle against the grief.
The path they walked along became more worn as they neared the gates to the underground palace of the wood elves. As they approached the signs of battle became more apparent. Scorched trees from the fires set by the orcs stood tall and dark against the pale sky. The gates appeared in the clearing. Arrows and spears lay forgotten or embedded in the bark of the trees. Gauges in the stone of the walls leading up to the tall wooden gates showed where orcs had missed their targets. The giant gates were bowed inwards as evidence of the ferocity of the attacks from a battering ram. Walking up the steps the trees screamed as he sensed orcs descend on the clearing. He ran his hand over the scorched wood the magic that protected the gates long gone. He heard Voronwer cry a warning as the orcs started climbing the stairs. Legolas sighed and turned to face the dark creatures. Time slowed as they rushed towards him. Defenceless and tired he sank to his knees hoping that they would kill him quickly before they realised who he was. He watched the leading orc raise his club over his head and closed his eyes returning his mind to the stream that was hidden in his head.
The blow never landed but he didn't notice, just like he didn't notice the elven arrows that felled the orcs or the blonde elf that stepped forward to catch him as fell. He felt someone shake him and he watched the elf speak but heard nothing and then the darkness came again and everything faded.
*
"We should have left days ago!" Gimli yelled angrily not caring whom he was yelling at, which at the moment was the emergency council of elves that Lord Elrond had summoned.
"By the time you stop the petty bickering it will be too late."
"It is not that easy Gimli. There are very few elven warriors left that have not departed to the West." Elrond said trying to calm the angry dwarf.
"What is so hard about it? Legolas would have arrived in Mirkwood by now. Sauron would have sent the orcs already. You will fail them again and this time there will be no survivors. I have already summoned my dwarf warriors and we will be leaving as soon as they arrive. Although there is still hatred between the dwarfs and elves Legolas has managed to convince those who dwell with me that elves are honourable and we will not let them be slaughtered and THEY ARE NOT EVEN OUR KIN!" Gimli roared his face turning a bright red. He glared at all gathered there and then turned and left.
Gimli was fuming as he marched along the passage and he walked straight into Aragorn who was stood talking with Eomer.
"Slow down master dwarf." Aragorn said with a cuckle. Gimli whirled on him and Aragorn took a step backwards.
"I am beginning to rethink my new opinions on elves and revert back to my old ones." He snapped angrily.
"Peace Gimli it takes time to gather an army large enough to defeat the number of orcs that now reside in Mirkwood. An advanced force of 100 Gondor and Rohan warriors plus your dwarfs and 100 elves will leave at dawn."
"It will still be too late Aragorn. We have waited too long. If he dies I will hold you all responsible." Gimli continued down the passage without looking back.
"I agree with him Aragorn. We have waited too long."
"Mirkwood elves have survived for many more years than you and I or our parents have existed. They will resist until we get there."
"Aragorn we don't know how many survive, for all we know it will just be Legolas we find, if we find him at all." Eomer said with great sadness. He had grown fond of the young prince of Mirkwood during the war of the ring and had been greatly distressed when he learnt of Legolas's attack and imprisonment by Sauron.
"Maybe but I believe some survived and that they are in need of help."
* Legolas shifted and pain radiated through his body. He moaned and he felt a hand on his face and flinched.
[Be calm Legolas. You are safe] a soft voice said in elvish. Legolas recognised the voice and sighed as a hand smoothed his hair. Opening his eyes slowly he saw a blonde elf knelt by his side.
[Azian] Legolas whispered in disbelief at his older brother.
[Legolas] Azian said softly as a tear rolled down his cheek [I thought I had lost you.] Azian watched his younger brother blink his eyes as he slowly awakened. He again whispered Azian's name and a pale hand reached up and ran down his cheek. Tears ran down Legolas's face.
[You are real?] Legolas questioned.
[Yes yes dear brother. I am real] Azian choked clasped his little brother's hand. Legolas let out a small cry as he began sobbing. Azian reached out and wiped away the tears on Legolas's pale face. His little brother sighed and leaned into the touch. Azian leaned down and kissed his forehead.
[Sleep now little one] he whispered as he rose and moved onto another platform hidden high in the branches of the trees. Walking along the branches he moved to another tree.
[How is he?] a voice inquired as Azian stepped onto another platform. Looking around at the other warriors he sighed.
[He has awoken. He thought I was a dream] Azian laughed a short bitter laugh. [He is exhausted both physically and mentally. He has many wounds. There are scars from a whip along his back. He has a wound from a blade of Mordor in his shoulder. They have been treated recently but it will never heal properly. He is so thin and weak] Azian said softly crying.
[How do you think he escaped?] Silen one of the warriors questioned.
[No one escapes Sauron. He was released for a purpose] Jamaryn said bitterly.
[He escaped] Azian said confidently
[You have seen him. He is too weak to walk let alone escape from a fortress. The dark one released him for a purpose and he has led them to us. We must go and leave him behind] Jamaryn continued angry at the others for believing blindly that Legolas had escaped.
[He is my brother and a Prince of Mirkwood. I will not leave him behind] Azian snapped
[Then you shall die when they come for him] Jamaryn exclaimed and disappeared into the trees. Azian hit the platform in anger and he rose glaring at the other warriors daring them to challenge him and repeat the sentiments Jamaryn had just expressed.
[I will not leave him behind. You are free to do as you wish] he said as he made his way back to his brother's side.