Thank you again for the reviews. Hope you enjoy this chapter!!
*
Naema gasped in pain as she pulled the arrow out of her thigh, fresh blood ran down her leg. She had ridden hard and eventually lost the wargs. There had been no sign of Criyn since they split up. Her horse was breathing hard and sweat was running down his sides. Kicking him on she continued heading towards the advance party. At the top of a ridge she caught sight of dust in the distance, which after a few minutes materialised into two hundred galloping horses. The advance party. Carefully picking a path down the otherside of the ridge she headed towards them. She saw the King of Gondor Aragorn riding out to meet her and tiredly drew her horse to a halt.
"What do you have to report?" he said quickly anxious for information as he drew his horse to a halt. It was then he noticed that there was no one else with her and that she was injured.
"What happened?" he asked as the company caught up and drew to a halt.
"Criyn and I were surprised by wargs, they herded us into Mirkwood. We divided up and I made it out. I have not seen Criyn since."
"What of Mirkwood? Have you seen any wood elves? Legolas?" Gimli demanded.
"Darkness covers the realm, it is like a physical barrier. There are orcs, Uruk hai and warg riders wondering freely within the borders. I have found no trace of any wood elves."
"No trace of any elvish activity?" Aragorn asked.
"None that I can detect but the wood elves have being invisible down to a fine art. Only a wood elf can find another wood elf if they do not want to be found." Naema said. Although she was an Imladris elf she had fought a few times with elves of Mirkwood and admired the way in which they could disappear in the blink of an eye.
"Dismount and set up camp." Aragorn called to the tired warriors.
"WHAT?" Gimli roared. "We need to go in there right now and find that blasted elf!"
"Peace Gimli. We have wounded and everyone is exhausted. In the fight to come we need to be fresh and awake."
Aragorn dismounted and helped Gimli down all the while the dwarf made unsavoury comments about elves and men in general. Aragorn scowled at Gimli as he made his way over to the other dwarfs. He did not want to voice the other reason for their halt but it was becoming increasingly difficult to avoid. The dwarfs as time progressed had made increasingly vocal comments about riding and elves that made Gimli look like a meek deer. The men and elves were getting agitated and if this continued there would be fighting among themselves, which would cause disaster when faced with the battle ahead. Sighing he turned his attention back to Naema who had dismounted and was standing with the support of her horse. Summoning the healer of the party he guided her to the camp that was rapidly taking form.
"I am fine. I do not need a healer." She stated. Aragorn glared at her, he was not in the mood for damned elvish pride.
"You have an arrow wound and we need everyone in top condition."
"What about Criyn?" She demanded.
"We can do nothing for him at the moment. Now sit and have that wound seen to." Aragorn snapped and Naema sat down to tired to argue.
Leaving the healer to work Aragorn went to see to his horse and Naema's. Quickly he rubbed both horses down, gave them a small bit of water and loosened the girth. He then let them graze.
"Aragorn." He heard a voice call coming towards him. Eomer. The young king of Rohan was walking towards him.
"I think we have a problem." He said softly indicating the campsite. The elves were glaring at the dwarfs who in turn were glaring back. The men were rolling their eyes and eating quietly.
Aragorn growled. "This is going to be a repeat of last year, when the dwarfs refused to cooperate with the elves which allowed Sauron's forces to divide us." Eomer nodded.
The two kings walked over to the camped soldiers just in time to hear a dwarf make a nasty comment about elves and their stupidity. Before the situation could get out of hand Aragorn stepped forward.
"That is ENOUGH!" he yelled causing all eyes to become focused on him. "I have had enough of this pathetic arguing and bickering." One of the dwarfs opened his mouth to speak but was silenced by a glare of Aragorn's. "We need to put aside our differences and work together. The wood elves have suffered a slaughter beyond all comparison. Their race has almost been wiped out and they need help. Imagine if it was you and your people who had suffered this assault, you would want a united force to help not a group who bickers and fights among themselves. I know most of you came with us straight after the original attack and I know that all of you were affected by the hideous sights that you were witness to. You may not like the wood elves but hopefully you want to prevent another site like that happening to any more living beings. If Legolas can survive being tortured constantly by Sauron for almost a year then you can put aside your differences and fight together. If that is too hard for you then leave now because we do not want or need your help." Aragorn glared at each one meeting their eyes until they either looked away or nodded in support.
"If I hear any more then the punishments will be severe." He snapped, turned and walked away back to the horses. Eomer followed him.
"You were a bit hard.severe punishment." Eomer said softly. Aragorn whirled.
"Maybe but I will not fail them again. Legolas was taken because we divided."
"Nay Aragorn. I was there when Balian uttered his last words. Legolas was beyond our help before we even got to Mirkwood. Sauron only showed him us to taunt us. We could never reach him."
Aragorn closed his eyes remembering the beaten and barely conscious elf being dragged out by Saurman and listening to his screams as Aragorn's army crumpled and was driven back. That sight would haunt his dreams for years to come.
Aragorn sighed, he had been sighing a lot recently. Eomer smiled gently at him and rested a hand on his shoulder.
"You will not fail Legolas or the wood elves or your people." He said.
"You have led your people wisely and they love you. Do not despair." Aragorn smiled at him.
"Thank you." Eomer's smile widened.
"Come and eat my lord." Aragorn nodded and followed Eomer back to camp. There was an awkward silence and Eomer leaned over whispered. "I almost miss the bickering." Aragorn laughed and began laughing even harder when the entire camp turned towards him. Eomer joined in.
"Pray what is so funny?" Gimli questioned suspiciously. As soon as Aragorn got himself under control he launched into a story involving Legolas, Gimli, a pot of red die and Gimli's beard, which soon had the entire company laughing as one.
* Azian settled down on one of the platforms high in the great trees. The survivors joined them quickly tending their own wounds while waiting for direction. The bodies of the fallen had been taking to the meadow, an enchanted place where the dead were buried to protect their bodies from the ravishment of the orcs.
"Legolas." Azian said softly who had been silent since seeing the enchanted meadow for himself.
"What happened with Silen?"
Legolas blinked his eyes slowly and unshed tears rolled down his cheeks.
"He said ." Legolas faltered remembering the leer and the forced kiss that reminded him so much of the times he spent with the evil men who resided within the castle.
"He said that he had been reporting on the goings on within Mirkwood to Sauron for many years and that he had been the one that.that had told Sauron to take me. He made up the rumors of the Uruk Hai on our borders and suggested that I lead a party to investigate."
"Why would he do that?" Jamaryn asked skeptically.
"Think about it." An elder warrior captain said. "Prince Legolas has been declared friend of Gondor, Rohan and even the dwarf realms. What better way to hit at all these people by kidnapping him? He knew the realms would unite to try and save Legolas therefore allowing him one chance to destroy Middle - Earth and the wood elves."
"Did he say why he betrayed us?" Azian asked
"He said he was Hiran and that he did not die. Sauron rescued him and he disguised himself to exact his revenge on the royal family."
The elves were shocked and silenced by the tale.
"Another betrayal. I am growing tired of being constantly betrayed and let down by supposed friends and allies." Azian snapped angrily "and I suppose he knows of our locations and plan."
Legolas nodded. "We need to move quickly before he gets back to Sauron. Go back to your parties and move them to the trees near the canyon. We will make our stand there. Herd the orcs into the canyon and then let loose the archers around the sides." Legolas announced. Everyone looked at him as if surprised by the coherent words and battle plan coming from an obviously unstable elf.
Legolas met the stare with a grim smile.
"We are going to die and I am going to take as many of those disgusting creatures with me as I possibly can. I do not fear death in fact I wished for it many times while in captivity. I nearly achieved death." Legolas continued showing the group the cuts on his wrists. "but I endured. I know some of you do not trust me and I do not blame you for it, if I was in your position I would not trust me either. I am not fully recovered and may never be like the elf I was before but I do not care. I have changed and I hope eventually I will be better for it. I can still hear his voice in my mind taunting me and I can still feel the darkness within me but I can defeat it and we can defeat them or at least be an amazing runner up. So what do you say? Shall we kill some orc?" Legolas said standing tall. Azian rose and stood next to him.
Rimmal a wise mature warrior captain stepped forward and bowed before Legolas.
"Amin khiluva lle a' gurtha ar' thar [I will follow you to death and beyond]" he said solemnly. Legolas grasped his arm and helped Rimmal to his feet, grasping his friend in a warriors grasp.
"Gurth goth rim lye [death to our foes]" Legolas said smiling. Rimmal smiled with him and repeated the sentiment. The others elves rose and shouted the sentiment before disappearing into the trees.
Azian turned to Legolas.
"Lets have some fun brother."
*
Lord Elrond sat upon his mighty steel grey horse watching the horizon with cool eyes.
"Even with our sight you could not possibly see Mirkwood from here my lord." Glorfindel said without humour feeling as keenly as Elrond did the need to get to Mirkwood as soon as possible.
"I know but I feel as if even Aragorn will be too late. I do not want to fail them again."
"I have heard many people express the exact same sentiments many times over the past year and it will get us no where. We cannot change the past so do not dwell there. Live for the now, we may miss the beginning of the fight but we will be there for the end. The wood elves will put up as fierce a fight as no has ever seen, I almost feel sorry for the orcs."
Elrond looked behind him at the amassed warriors readying the horses. Elves and men intent on one purpose. He was reminded of the last alliance of elves and men, although there were a lot less warriors they were fighting for the survival of a race. How he hated having to fight. The havens were calling and he was almost ready to answer the call.
"Mount up." Elrond called
He turned back to the gates of Rivendell and nudged his horse into a canter.
"Forward." And the army left Rivendell. Elladan and Elrohir in front scouting and the amassed warriors behind.
*
*
Naema gasped in pain as she pulled the arrow out of her thigh, fresh blood ran down her leg. She had ridden hard and eventually lost the wargs. There had been no sign of Criyn since they split up. Her horse was breathing hard and sweat was running down his sides. Kicking him on she continued heading towards the advance party. At the top of a ridge she caught sight of dust in the distance, which after a few minutes materialised into two hundred galloping horses. The advance party. Carefully picking a path down the otherside of the ridge she headed towards them. She saw the King of Gondor Aragorn riding out to meet her and tiredly drew her horse to a halt.
"What do you have to report?" he said quickly anxious for information as he drew his horse to a halt. It was then he noticed that there was no one else with her and that she was injured.
"What happened?" he asked as the company caught up and drew to a halt.
"Criyn and I were surprised by wargs, they herded us into Mirkwood. We divided up and I made it out. I have not seen Criyn since."
"What of Mirkwood? Have you seen any wood elves? Legolas?" Gimli demanded.
"Darkness covers the realm, it is like a physical barrier. There are orcs, Uruk hai and warg riders wondering freely within the borders. I have found no trace of any wood elves."
"No trace of any elvish activity?" Aragorn asked.
"None that I can detect but the wood elves have being invisible down to a fine art. Only a wood elf can find another wood elf if they do not want to be found." Naema said. Although she was an Imladris elf she had fought a few times with elves of Mirkwood and admired the way in which they could disappear in the blink of an eye.
"Dismount and set up camp." Aragorn called to the tired warriors.
"WHAT?" Gimli roared. "We need to go in there right now and find that blasted elf!"
"Peace Gimli. We have wounded and everyone is exhausted. In the fight to come we need to be fresh and awake."
Aragorn dismounted and helped Gimli down all the while the dwarf made unsavoury comments about elves and men in general. Aragorn scowled at Gimli as he made his way over to the other dwarfs. He did not want to voice the other reason for their halt but it was becoming increasingly difficult to avoid. The dwarfs as time progressed had made increasingly vocal comments about riding and elves that made Gimli look like a meek deer. The men and elves were getting agitated and if this continued there would be fighting among themselves, which would cause disaster when faced with the battle ahead. Sighing he turned his attention back to Naema who had dismounted and was standing with the support of her horse. Summoning the healer of the party he guided her to the camp that was rapidly taking form.
"I am fine. I do not need a healer." She stated. Aragorn glared at her, he was not in the mood for damned elvish pride.
"You have an arrow wound and we need everyone in top condition."
"What about Criyn?" She demanded.
"We can do nothing for him at the moment. Now sit and have that wound seen to." Aragorn snapped and Naema sat down to tired to argue.
Leaving the healer to work Aragorn went to see to his horse and Naema's. Quickly he rubbed both horses down, gave them a small bit of water and loosened the girth. He then let them graze.
"Aragorn." He heard a voice call coming towards him. Eomer. The young king of Rohan was walking towards him.
"I think we have a problem." He said softly indicating the campsite. The elves were glaring at the dwarfs who in turn were glaring back. The men were rolling their eyes and eating quietly.
Aragorn growled. "This is going to be a repeat of last year, when the dwarfs refused to cooperate with the elves which allowed Sauron's forces to divide us." Eomer nodded.
The two kings walked over to the camped soldiers just in time to hear a dwarf make a nasty comment about elves and their stupidity. Before the situation could get out of hand Aragorn stepped forward.
"That is ENOUGH!" he yelled causing all eyes to become focused on him. "I have had enough of this pathetic arguing and bickering." One of the dwarfs opened his mouth to speak but was silenced by a glare of Aragorn's. "We need to put aside our differences and work together. The wood elves have suffered a slaughter beyond all comparison. Their race has almost been wiped out and they need help. Imagine if it was you and your people who had suffered this assault, you would want a united force to help not a group who bickers and fights among themselves. I know most of you came with us straight after the original attack and I know that all of you were affected by the hideous sights that you were witness to. You may not like the wood elves but hopefully you want to prevent another site like that happening to any more living beings. If Legolas can survive being tortured constantly by Sauron for almost a year then you can put aside your differences and fight together. If that is too hard for you then leave now because we do not want or need your help." Aragorn glared at each one meeting their eyes until they either looked away or nodded in support.
"If I hear any more then the punishments will be severe." He snapped, turned and walked away back to the horses. Eomer followed him.
"You were a bit hard.severe punishment." Eomer said softly. Aragorn whirled.
"Maybe but I will not fail them again. Legolas was taken because we divided."
"Nay Aragorn. I was there when Balian uttered his last words. Legolas was beyond our help before we even got to Mirkwood. Sauron only showed him us to taunt us. We could never reach him."
Aragorn closed his eyes remembering the beaten and barely conscious elf being dragged out by Saurman and listening to his screams as Aragorn's army crumpled and was driven back. That sight would haunt his dreams for years to come.
Aragorn sighed, he had been sighing a lot recently. Eomer smiled gently at him and rested a hand on his shoulder.
"You will not fail Legolas or the wood elves or your people." He said.
"You have led your people wisely and they love you. Do not despair." Aragorn smiled at him.
"Thank you." Eomer's smile widened.
"Come and eat my lord." Aragorn nodded and followed Eomer back to camp. There was an awkward silence and Eomer leaned over whispered. "I almost miss the bickering." Aragorn laughed and began laughing even harder when the entire camp turned towards him. Eomer joined in.
"Pray what is so funny?" Gimli questioned suspiciously. As soon as Aragorn got himself under control he launched into a story involving Legolas, Gimli, a pot of red die and Gimli's beard, which soon had the entire company laughing as one.
* Azian settled down on one of the platforms high in the great trees. The survivors joined them quickly tending their own wounds while waiting for direction. The bodies of the fallen had been taking to the meadow, an enchanted place where the dead were buried to protect their bodies from the ravishment of the orcs.
"Legolas." Azian said softly who had been silent since seeing the enchanted meadow for himself.
"What happened with Silen?"
Legolas blinked his eyes slowly and unshed tears rolled down his cheeks.
"He said ." Legolas faltered remembering the leer and the forced kiss that reminded him so much of the times he spent with the evil men who resided within the castle.
"He said that he had been reporting on the goings on within Mirkwood to Sauron for many years and that he had been the one that.that had told Sauron to take me. He made up the rumors of the Uruk Hai on our borders and suggested that I lead a party to investigate."
"Why would he do that?" Jamaryn asked skeptically.
"Think about it." An elder warrior captain said. "Prince Legolas has been declared friend of Gondor, Rohan and even the dwarf realms. What better way to hit at all these people by kidnapping him? He knew the realms would unite to try and save Legolas therefore allowing him one chance to destroy Middle - Earth and the wood elves."
"Did he say why he betrayed us?" Azian asked
"He said he was Hiran and that he did not die. Sauron rescued him and he disguised himself to exact his revenge on the royal family."
The elves were shocked and silenced by the tale.
"Another betrayal. I am growing tired of being constantly betrayed and let down by supposed friends and allies." Azian snapped angrily "and I suppose he knows of our locations and plan."
Legolas nodded. "We need to move quickly before he gets back to Sauron. Go back to your parties and move them to the trees near the canyon. We will make our stand there. Herd the orcs into the canyon and then let loose the archers around the sides." Legolas announced. Everyone looked at him as if surprised by the coherent words and battle plan coming from an obviously unstable elf.
Legolas met the stare with a grim smile.
"We are going to die and I am going to take as many of those disgusting creatures with me as I possibly can. I do not fear death in fact I wished for it many times while in captivity. I nearly achieved death." Legolas continued showing the group the cuts on his wrists. "but I endured. I know some of you do not trust me and I do not blame you for it, if I was in your position I would not trust me either. I am not fully recovered and may never be like the elf I was before but I do not care. I have changed and I hope eventually I will be better for it. I can still hear his voice in my mind taunting me and I can still feel the darkness within me but I can defeat it and we can defeat them or at least be an amazing runner up. So what do you say? Shall we kill some orc?" Legolas said standing tall. Azian rose and stood next to him.
Rimmal a wise mature warrior captain stepped forward and bowed before Legolas.
"Amin khiluva lle a' gurtha ar' thar [I will follow you to death and beyond]" he said solemnly. Legolas grasped his arm and helped Rimmal to his feet, grasping his friend in a warriors grasp.
"Gurth goth rim lye [death to our foes]" Legolas said smiling. Rimmal smiled with him and repeated the sentiment. The others elves rose and shouted the sentiment before disappearing into the trees.
Azian turned to Legolas.
"Lets have some fun brother."
*
Lord Elrond sat upon his mighty steel grey horse watching the horizon with cool eyes.
"Even with our sight you could not possibly see Mirkwood from here my lord." Glorfindel said without humour feeling as keenly as Elrond did the need to get to Mirkwood as soon as possible.
"I know but I feel as if even Aragorn will be too late. I do not want to fail them again."
"I have heard many people express the exact same sentiments many times over the past year and it will get us no where. We cannot change the past so do not dwell there. Live for the now, we may miss the beginning of the fight but we will be there for the end. The wood elves will put up as fierce a fight as no has ever seen, I almost feel sorry for the orcs."
Elrond looked behind him at the amassed warriors readying the horses. Elves and men intent on one purpose. He was reminded of the last alliance of elves and men, although there were a lot less warriors they were fighting for the survival of a race. How he hated having to fight. The havens were calling and he was almost ready to answer the call.
"Mount up." Elrond called
He turned back to the gates of Rivendell and nudged his horse into a canter.
"Forward." And the army left Rivendell. Elladan and Elrohir in front scouting and the amassed warriors behind.
*