Thank you for all the great reviews! I aim to get 100 reviews by the end.
Woohoo!! Oh and to answer Legolas=SEXY I made the name of Azian up. I don't
know if Legolas had brothers or if he did what their names were. So I made
them up!!!
**
The advanced party galloped through Mirkwood everyone terrified that they would get there too late and would only see the aftermath of a slaughter. The trees thinned out as the blackened stumps of destroyed trees covered the landscape. Climbing a steep hill they drew to a halt. Aragorn's heart clenched as he saw the dark army thousands strong approach.
"Aragorn" Eomer called, Aragorn averted his eyes from the terrible sight and turned to where Eomer was looking.
"No." he whispered. He saw the army of the wood elves; if you could call it an army, appear. Fifty elves riding horses moved out of the tree line led by two identical elves riding white horses. The men gasped at the sight. The elves glowed from within and it made them look like they were from above, like they were precious and not meant to see such darkness and death.
"Who are they?" Gimli asked indicating the two in front of the other elves.
"The one nearest to us is the second youngest son of Thranduil, Azian and the one furthest away is the youngest son, your friend, Legolas." One of the Rivendell warrior captains said.
"Legolas, what is that cursed elf doing out there?" Gimli demanded.
"Defending his home and leading his people Master dwarf." Anwael the elf who had spoken earlier said as if wondering what else Legolas would be doing.
Aragorn watched the elves come to a halt and patiently wait for the army.
"You all see the enemy and you know what must be done." Before Aragorn could say anymore howls of wargs announced the presence of warg riders.
"To the left, to the left." A Rohan rider called. The party turned to see thirty wargs approaching at a gallop.
"It's a distraction." Eomer said desperately as he withdrew his sword. Aragorn just growled and called for the warriors to charge.
* The wind blew through Legolas's hair as he coolly surveyed the approaching army.
The brothers withdrew their swords together, looked at each other and then cried
"Herio!" The elves charged. The elves galloped at a ferocious speed towards the army and ploughed into the first line of Uruk Hai. The first line fell under the thundering hooves. Nudging Voronwer to continue he slew another orc before turning to look for Azian. His brother had turned his horse to aid another elf who had been taken off his horse by an arrow. Legolas cried out in warning as an arrow caught Azian in the back.
** Azian cried out as he fell from his horse's back. His shoulder burned and he knelt on the ground gasping for breath. He felt something behind him and he stood up trying to swing his sword in a defensive arch.
"Peace my prince" the person behind him said. Azian saw Rimmal appear beside him.
"This is going to hurt." He said and he pulled the arrow out. Azian groaned and let out a string of obscenities that someone of his noble birth should not repeat. Rimmal shook his head; he knew Thranduil and the older brothers of Legolas and Azian would not be pleased with the language that the youngest brothers had colourfully developed.
"Legolas?" Azian questioned as Rimmal covered the wound with a healing paste as several other elves formed a defensive barrier around the pair.
"I have not seen him but do not fear, the battle is spread out."
"Go find him. I will be fine. He is not well no matter how he tries to hide it."
Rimmal nodded and disappeared into the mêlée. Azian flexed his shoulder and lifted his sword and cut the head cleanly off an orc.
** "NO" Legolas yelled as he watched Azian fall. He turned Voronwer but before they could move a warg slammed into them. Voronwer stumbled and went down on his knees. Legolas fell forwards desperately trying to stay aboard but a Uruk Hai grabbed him and pulled him off. He hit the ground hard and the sword fell from his hand. The evil creature raised its own scimitar preparing to deliver the death blow. Legolas tried to roll out of the way but the cloak tightened round his neck. The Uruk Hai grinned as the scimitar came down. Legolas quickly pulled out one of his knives and plunged it into the creatures leg. It stumbled and the blow went wide. Legolas swore loudly in dwarfish as he struggled to undo the clasps of his cloak. *Why wear a cloak in battle, not very practical you stupid pointed eared.By the Valor Gimli* Legolas growled as the clasp eventually undid. Springing to his feet he withdrew the other knives and quickly dispatched the Uruk Hai. Looking around he tried to spot Azian. Most of elf warriors had been knocked off their horses and they in turn were causing their own kind of havoc on the dark army.
"He's fine" Rimmal said appearing at Legolas's side. "Shoulder wound."
Legolas nodded in thanks before whirling and catching another orc in the chest.
'Call for retreat.' Legolas said and Rimmal quickly took up the call. Legolas searched the ground for his sword; spotting it he quickly hurried over to get it. Reaching down to pick it he saw a sudden flash and he was knocked to the ground. Groaning he turned to see Silen looking down at him, a malicious smile on his face.
"Look what we have here." He sneered and reached down to grab Legolas. Grabbing his sword he swung it at Silen who stepped backwards out of reach.
"So you want to play little one." Silen said withdrawing his own sword.
*** Aragorn dispatched the final warg looking around he took count of the casualties. Ten elves had been killed as well as twenty men and a further ten dwarfs. Too high!!
"Aragorn!" he heard Gimli yell. Turning he saw everyone's eyes fixed on a site in the distance. He turned to see the Legolas and Azian raise their swords and issue a cry and the elves charged. The scene looked hauntingly like Gandalf's arrival at Helm's deep, the elves charged into the front line of orcs. Only this time instead of being the saviours they were the last line of defence, the survivors of a slaughter who had no hope of triumphing over their enemies.
"Get the wounded onto horses. Eomer send a guard to stay with them." The young king nodded.
"Mount up. We have a battle to win." The tired warriors climbed back into the saddles. This delay had achieved its objectives. They had suffered casualties and were tired. The warriors took off at a gallop.
** Rimmal called for retreat. Stage one was complete. The surviving elf warriors retreated into the canyon where they regrouped. The orcs sensing victory charged into the canyon.
"Leithio I philinn [release the arrows]" Azian cried and thirty of the best archers fired down onto the orcs. Legolas would have been with them but he was leading the cavalry of twenty warriors who whould attack the back of the orcs. The retreating elves turned regrouped and raised their arrows.
"What is the situation?" Azian yelled over the din of battle.
"We have lost many on the initial charge" a roll of thunder drowned out his voice. The sky split open with a bolt of lightening and the rain poured down. Azian rolled his eyes.
Elvish war cries echoed as the cavalry charged into the back of the attacking orcs. Azian watched with a smile on his face, which slowly faded.
"Legolas? Where is Legolas?" he demanded of Rimmal.
"He ordered me to call for retreat, then disappeared."
"You were supposed to stay with him." Azian cried
"It is a battle my prince the tides turned us in different directions." Rimmal said calmly as he dispatched another orc. Suddenly Rimmal shoved Azian to the ground. The elven prince rolled and regained his feet looking for the reason for Rimmal's actions. His eyes widened in shock as he watched Rimmal collapse to his knees, a huge dark arrow in his chest. Azian rushed to catch Rimmal as he fell forward.
"No" he sobbed as he lowered the elf to the ground. He reached to pull the arrow out but Rimmal grasped his hand weakly.
"Leave it, it is mortal." He whispered his teeth already stained red.
"Why?" Azian whispered.
"You are my prince. I took a vow to protect you even if it meant death."
"Please, please don't die." Azian begged. "I can't do this alone. I need you."
Rimmal reached up and wiped a strand of wet hair behind Azian's ear.
"You are not alone. You're people are here and in there." He said resting his hand on Azian's heart.
"It has been a honour to serve you Azian." Rimmal whispered as the light of his eyes dimmed and went out. Azian howled in grief. He reached forward and closed Rimmal's eyes. Cold rage swept over him and he didn't feel the rain or the mud cloaking his skin, all he could feel was rage. Rage for Rimmal's death, for his brother's torture and for the attack on Mirkwood. Letting out a battle cry he rose with his sword and charged at the nearest orc killing it quickly before turning to another. He was so detached from his surroundings, only focused on killing the next orc, that at first he did not hear the alarm whistles.
"MY LORD!" a voice yelled and he turned sharply nearly taking the head off one of his warriors. Lowering his sword and breathing heavily he looked questioningly at the warrior.
"There are more orcs coming. A second army my lord." Azian stared at him in disbelief.
"You are sure?"
"Yes my lord."
Azian sighed. He whistled for a full retreat. They would retreat to the tree line and make the last stand. No orc would reach the forest if a wood elf remained he vowed angrily.
[Retreat] he cried and he heard others take up the call.
** Legolas felt a similar rage build, like that of Azian, but of course he did not know that. Everything dimmed except for the figure stood in front of him, Silen. The traitor was taunting him but Legolas didn't listen. He used the rage against Silen and waited for the dark haired elf to make a mistake. Silen was so confident and that would be his undoing. The two elves duelled matched in strength and skill. The rain poured down plastering his hair to his head and the drips ran down the back of his neck and back. Mud plastered his body.
"Soon you will be back in your masters care. He is looking forward to having his pet returned." Silen taunted.
{He speaks the truth pet. I have missed your screams. It is so quiet.} Sauron whispered in his mind. Legolas faltered and cried out as Silen's sword cut into his arm. Legolas retreated backwards and tripped over a dead elf. Staring into the empty depths of the elf's eyes he felt the rage build up again. Standing up he saw Silen laughing at him.
{I am not you're pet. I am no ones pet. I am an elf and I am free. I will destroy you} Legolas snarled in his mind and charged at Silen. The elf was taken back by the ferocity of Legolas's attack. He desperately tried to attack but Legolas was unstoppable. Silen cried out as Legolas's sword plunged into his stomach. Legolas withdrew the sword and watched unforgivingly as Silen fell. The traitor's blood mixed with the mud and rain.
"You have betrayed elves and will not be welcomed in the Halls of Mandos and your soul will be in endless torment. You have failed. Mirkwood will not be defeated and I as her prince shall destroy the evil within its borders but you.you will wonder for all eternity and it is all you deserve." Legolas watched as Silen's gasps lessened and died. Silen was dead. Legolas did not feel elation he just felt empty. Turning he heard the calls for retreat and saw his people fleeing. He saw the dead elves on the ground and didn't mourn. He felt numb as he retreated. He killed more orcs and watched more elves die but the numbness did not fade, it only strengthened. There would be no dawn for him and he did not care.
**
**
The advanced party galloped through Mirkwood everyone terrified that they would get there too late and would only see the aftermath of a slaughter. The trees thinned out as the blackened stumps of destroyed trees covered the landscape. Climbing a steep hill they drew to a halt. Aragorn's heart clenched as he saw the dark army thousands strong approach.
"Aragorn" Eomer called, Aragorn averted his eyes from the terrible sight and turned to where Eomer was looking.
"No." he whispered. He saw the army of the wood elves; if you could call it an army, appear. Fifty elves riding horses moved out of the tree line led by two identical elves riding white horses. The men gasped at the sight. The elves glowed from within and it made them look like they were from above, like they were precious and not meant to see such darkness and death.
"Who are they?" Gimli asked indicating the two in front of the other elves.
"The one nearest to us is the second youngest son of Thranduil, Azian and the one furthest away is the youngest son, your friend, Legolas." One of the Rivendell warrior captains said.
"Legolas, what is that cursed elf doing out there?" Gimli demanded.
"Defending his home and leading his people Master dwarf." Anwael the elf who had spoken earlier said as if wondering what else Legolas would be doing.
Aragorn watched the elves come to a halt and patiently wait for the army.
"You all see the enemy and you know what must be done." Before Aragorn could say anymore howls of wargs announced the presence of warg riders.
"To the left, to the left." A Rohan rider called. The party turned to see thirty wargs approaching at a gallop.
"It's a distraction." Eomer said desperately as he withdrew his sword. Aragorn just growled and called for the warriors to charge.
* The wind blew through Legolas's hair as he coolly surveyed the approaching army.
The brothers withdrew their swords together, looked at each other and then cried
"Herio!" The elves charged. The elves galloped at a ferocious speed towards the army and ploughed into the first line of Uruk Hai. The first line fell under the thundering hooves. Nudging Voronwer to continue he slew another orc before turning to look for Azian. His brother had turned his horse to aid another elf who had been taken off his horse by an arrow. Legolas cried out in warning as an arrow caught Azian in the back.
** Azian cried out as he fell from his horse's back. His shoulder burned and he knelt on the ground gasping for breath. He felt something behind him and he stood up trying to swing his sword in a defensive arch.
"Peace my prince" the person behind him said. Azian saw Rimmal appear beside him.
"This is going to hurt." He said and he pulled the arrow out. Azian groaned and let out a string of obscenities that someone of his noble birth should not repeat. Rimmal shook his head; he knew Thranduil and the older brothers of Legolas and Azian would not be pleased with the language that the youngest brothers had colourfully developed.
"Legolas?" Azian questioned as Rimmal covered the wound with a healing paste as several other elves formed a defensive barrier around the pair.
"I have not seen him but do not fear, the battle is spread out."
"Go find him. I will be fine. He is not well no matter how he tries to hide it."
Rimmal nodded and disappeared into the mêlée. Azian flexed his shoulder and lifted his sword and cut the head cleanly off an orc.
** "NO" Legolas yelled as he watched Azian fall. He turned Voronwer but before they could move a warg slammed into them. Voronwer stumbled and went down on his knees. Legolas fell forwards desperately trying to stay aboard but a Uruk Hai grabbed him and pulled him off. He hit the ground hard and the sword fell from his hand. The evil creature raised its own scimitar preparing to deliver the death blow. Legolas tried to roll out of the way but the cloak tightened round his neck. The Uruk Hai grinned as the scimitar came down. Legolas quickly pulled out one of his knives and plunged it into the creatures leg. It stumbled and the blow went wide. Legolas swore loudly in dwarfish as he struggled to undo the clasps of his cloak. *Why wear a cloak in battle, not very practical you stupid pointed eared.By the Valor Gimli* Legolas growled as the clasp eventually undid. Springing to his feet he withdrew the other knives and quickly dispatched the Uruk Hai. Looking around he tried to spot Azian. Most of elf warriors had been knocked off their horses and they in turn were causing their own kind of havoc on the dark army.
"He's fine" Rimmal said appearing at Legolas's side. "Shoulder wound."
Legolas nodded in thanks before whirling and catching another orc in the chest.
'Call for retreat.' Legolas said and Rimmal quickly took up the call. Legolas searched the ground for his sword; spotting it he quickly hurried over to get it. Reaching down to pick it he saw a sudden flash and he was knocked to the ground. Groaning he turned to see Silen looking down at him, a malicious smile on his face.
"Look what we have here." He sneered and reached down to grab Legolas. Grabbing his sword he swung it at Silen who stepped backwards out of reach.
"So you want to play little one." Silen said withdrawing his own sword.
*** Aragorn dispatched the final warg looking around he took count of the casualties. Ten elves had been killed as well as twenty men and a further ten dwarfs. Too high!!
"Aragorn!" he heard Gimli yell. Turning he saw everyone's eyes fixed on a site in the distance. He turned to see the Legolas and Azian raise their swords and issue a cry and the elves charged. The scene looked hauntingly like Gandalf's arrival at Helm's deep, the elves charged into the front line of orcs. Only this time instead of being the saviours they were the last line of defence, the survivors of a slaughter who had no hope of triumphing over their enemies.
"Get the wounded onto horses. Eomer send a guard to stay with them." The young king nodded.
"Mount up. We have a battle to win." The tired warriors climbed back into the saddles. This delay had achieved its objectives. They had suffered casualties and were tired. The warriors took off at a gallop.
** Rimmal called for retreat. Stage one was complete. The surviving elf warriors retreated into the canyon where they regrouped. The orcs sensing victory charged into the canyon.
"Leithio I philinn [release the arrows]" Azian cried and thirty of the best archers fired down onto the orcs. Legolas would have been with them but he was leading the cavalry of twenty warriors who whould attack the back of the orcs. The retreating elves turned regrouped and raised their arrows.
"What is the situation?" Azian yelled over the din of battle.
"We have lost many on the initial charge" a roll of thunder drowned out his voice. The sky split open with a bolt of lightening and the rain poured down. Azian rolled his eyes.
Elvish war cries echoed as the cavalry charged into the back of the attacking orcs. Azian watched with a smile on his face, which slowly faded.
"Legolas? Where is Legolas?" he demanded of Rimmal.
"He ordered me to call for retreat, then disappeared."
"You were supposed to stay with him." Azian cried
"It is a battle my prince the tides turned us in different directions." Rimmal said calmly as he dispatched another orc. Suddenly Rimmal shoved Azian to the ground. The elven prince rolled and regained his feet looking for the reason for Rimmal's actions. His eyes widened in shock as he watched Rimmal collapse to his knees, a huge dark arrow in his chest. Azian rushed to catch Rimmal as he fell forward.
"No" he sobbed as he lowered the elf to the ground. He reached to pull the arrow out but Rimmal grasped his hand weakly.
"Leave it, it is mortal." He whispered his teeth already stained red.
"Why?" Azian whispered.
"You are my prince. I took a vow to protect you even if it meant death."
"Please, please don't die." Azian begged. "I can't do this alone. I need you."
Rimmal reached up and wiped a strand of wet hair behind Azian's ear.
"You are not alone. You're people are here and in there." He said resting his hand on Azian's heart.
"It has been a honour to serve you Azian." Rimmal whispered as the light of his eyes dimmed and went out. Azian howled in grief. He reached forward and closed Rimmal's eyes. Cold rage swept over him and he didn't feel the rain or the mud cloaking his skin, all he could feel was rage. Rage for Rimmal's death, for his brother's torture and for the attack on Mirkwood. Letting out a battle cry he rose with his sword and charged at the nearest orc killing it quickly before turning to another. He was so detached from his surroundings, only focused on killing the next orc, that at first he did not hear the alarm whistles.
"MY LORD!" a voice yelled and he turned sharply nearly taking the head off one of his warriors. Lowering his sword and breathing heavily he looked questioningly at the warrior.
"There are more orcs coming. A second army my lord." Azian stared at him in disbelief.
"You are sure?"
"Yes my lord."
Azian sighed. He whistled for a full retreat. They would retreat to the tree line and make the last stand. No orc would reach the forest if a wood elf remained he vowed angrily.
[Retreat] he cried and he heard others take up the call.
** Legolas felt a similar rage build, like that of Azian, but of course he did not know that. Everything dimmed except for the figure stood in front of him, Silen. The traitor was taunting him but Legolas didn't listen. He used the rage against Silen and waited for the dark haired elf to make a mistake. Silen was so confident and that would be his undoing. The two elves duelled matched in strength and skill. The rain poured down plastering his hair to his head and the drips ran down the back of his neck and back. Mud plastered his body.
"Soon you will be back in your masters care. He is looking forward to having his pet returned." Silen taunted.
{He speaks the truth pet. I have missed your screams. It is so quiet.} Sauron whispered in his mind. Legolas faltered and cried out as Silen's sword cut into his arm. Legolas retreated backwards and tripped over a dead elf. Staring into the empty depths of the elf's eyes he felt the rage build up again. Standing up he saw Silen laughing at him.
{I am not you're pet. I am no ones pet. I am an elf and I am free. I will destroy you} Legolas snarled in his mind and charged at Silen. The elf was taken back by the ferocity of Legolas's attack. He desperately tried to attack but Legolas was unstoppable. Silen cried out as Legolas's sword plunged into his stomach. Legolas withdrew the sword and watched unforgivingly as Silen fell. The traitor's blood mixed with the mud and rain.
"You have betrayed elves and will not be welcomed in the Halls of Mandos and your soul will be in endless torment. You have failed. Mirkwood will not be defeated and I as her prince shall destroy the evil within its borders but you.you will wonder for all eternity and it is all you deserve." Legolas watched as Silen's gasps lessened and died. Silen was dead. Legolas did not feel elation he just felt empty. Turning he heard the calls for retreat and saw his people fleeing. He saw the dead elves on the ground and didn't mourn. He felt numb as he retreated. He killed more orcs and watched more elves die but the numbness did not fade, it only strengthened. There would be no dawn for him and he did not care.
**