Chapter 4
Now it is in my blood
The yellow tinted pincers twitched once again, desperate to sink them into the pale and beautiful skin of the elf in front. His death would mark the fall of his kin in her opinion as for once she dwelled in the realm of Mirkwood long ago. Shelob blinked her many eyes at the elf in front holding his bow taught, ready to fire. Stupid elf. No matter he would die soon enough.
She stood ready to pounce her eyes flashing in the unnatural light he bore - elves and their light a pair that she would break. Here and now.
The hairs on her legs felt electrified with the thought of his death, it would come soon. Legolas stood still attempting to relax his breathing his arrow posed to fire. He knew of her weaknesses her just had to attack them swiftly before she took a firm grip on the situation.
Thoughts of victory hastily left this mind as she launched herself forwards, her pincers dripping with venom. Swiftly he fired his acquired arrow from the men of Gondor. The arrow stuck its target - her eyes. Screeching she continued her approach at great speed. Dodging her great weight Legolas loaded and fired another shaft. In her frustration she kicked her long black legs hoping to knock him. Nimbly he jumped and ducked the long reaches of Shelob, the light of the phial following him like a well-trained pony. Her screams were horrific they echoed off the walls and earthen floor, deafening to the delicate sense of an elf. Recoiling from her screams Legolas regrouped. Most of he shafts, the last of a fallen soldiers now stood broken in the elven quiver by the fight with the Nazg(l and his fall underground. Pulling the broken shafts from his battered quiver he counted the whole and usable arrows, his fingertips bleeding from the sharp points that had upturned in the quiver. Five were all that remained useable neither his own elven fashion but heavy weighty shafts of men's. He remembered trained with Aragorn long ago the pair had swapped weapons one time, arrows in all. Neither found their targets easily.
Standing taking aim again, his heat missed a beat. Shadows had begun to cover the light of phial in the shape of long fingers, the cavern dipped into darkness; his breath retuned laboured again, his wounded shoulder stinging freshly.
Glancing sideways he saw that the phial was not following him now but held in the hands of Gollum. Feeling rage build towards the creature for capturing his light and beauty that feed him his strength he ran towards the ragged creature blinded by the bright light. With three swift strides Legolas was beside him about to lose the arrow loaded in his bow ready to fire it into his throat. But before the string was taught something large and strong knocked him form his feet across the cavern away from the light.
A faint smash of glass not only lost the light of Galderial but symbolized the lose of his strengths and hope. Raising from his fallen position he noticed some many things at once. Firstly the darkness touched his very skin and chilled his insides. Then the pain. The pain of his lost pride and hope, wounds new and old reaching a climax of torture. His bow lay broken in his slim hands so to were the remaining shafts, the quiver broken into a sharp point bit into his skin above his spine.
The sudden loss of weight did not become clear at first as he was overcome by the feeling of lose in emotion and power.
"Precious" Gollum hissed.
The Ring!
Hurriedly and manically he felt his neck for the Ring - it was missing!
"We wants it!"
Manically he searched the earthen floor in an attempt to find the Ring - the last source of strength he had left, though he regretted to accept it. So the Ring had affected him, he longed for it, a sense of security that the Ring had given him over the long and lonely journey he had had after since Fellowship had broken.
His hands skimmed the ground lightly touching everything in his path, dirt, dust, small stones. and finally a metal chain, cool under his warm fingers. Grasping the chain quickly as if to stop anything taking it from him - after all it was his now, his own, his precious. Slipping the chain quickly in between fingers he glanced up into the blackness looking for her. Not taking any other risks with losing the Ring he slipped the Ring, chain and all into his left boot for safe keeping, for there it could not fall out or fall into the enemies hands. Standing straight and grimacing against wounds he drew out his knives Shelob still lurked though blinded in two eyes, she still could ambush him from any direction, and he knew it and so did she.
His breathing was laboured once more, but that was to be expected. He needed to calm himself otherwise she would find him. Though she had been accused to the life underground maybe longer then any dwarf finding him would be as easy for her then finding a sign in the daylight of any elf.
Rotating the blades underhand Legolas waited, for that was all he could do now and focus on the threat of Shelob nearby.
Like a wave breaking on the shore she appeared behind poised and ready to kill, only this time so was he.
Slashing at her face once more he darted underneath her thrashing feet and clicking pincers, though in complete darkness he sliced her underside and ignored her screeches that rang through his ears and continued his onslaught. Finding a foothold on her side he began to climb up onto her back, gripping hard as she shook violently to dislodge him from her now- under-attack back.
In a attempt to throw off her attacker Shelob ran unsteadily around the cavern, she had sensed that the tables had turned no longer was this elf afraid of the darkness but fighting for his life and he would stop at nothing to have his way.
Ramming herself into a wall had the effect she wished as Legolas fell head over heels onto the floor his golden hair streaming behind him though unseen in the darkness landed elegantly on his feet. Though his enemy had now fled from the scene, he knew she was not far for he could sense her and Gollum too. He was no longer a threat to him though he would deal with him later over the destruction of his light. He missed light and longed to see daylight and starlight and once more to escape the stillness of the dark and feel the heat of the sun and the breeze against his cheeks again.
Snapping his head round, though seeing nothing in the darkness he could feel her presence, she was planning once more.
(Legolas)
"Estel?"
The fighting he had seen in his dreams was over. Neither of the reaming members of the Fellowship lingered in the fortress they had fought in but rode swiftly on horseback. Horses of Rohan Legolas noted. He had wondered what had become of the company during the long lonely hours of shi journey as much as he longed to see them he knew he must continue with his journey. Wishing he cherished his memories with the company. The death of Boromir form Faramir had been a surprise though he could remember the man clearly on what would have been the day he died; he had been the last person to see him alive. His state of mind would not have been the think to tell his family as a comforting thought - the Ring had taken him.
"None of use should be alone. You at least" Boromir had said while Legolas sat alone on one of the broken faces of a large stature. He had heard then man approach, but did not look up, the trees spoke to him and he listened closely. They spoke of shadows in the area, not just orcs but some closer. He knew who they spoke off for it was clear to the elf, now the Ringbearer that the man had been seduced to its powers.
"I can protect myself"
Boromir stopped collected wood and watched the elf sit stationary listening to the tress.
"What do they say?" he asked.
"They talk of the orcs nearby"
"Have you told Aragorn?"
Legolas looked up. That was the first time he could remember Boromir calling Aragorn by his first name in their journey. Looking into his eyes he saw the uncomfortable shadows in the mans mind.
Rising from his position Legolas watched the man follow him with his eyes; they fell greedily on the Ring.
"He knows"
Boromir watched his companion walk away afraid.
"Are you sure you do not suffer needlessly? Let me help you" he stepped towards the elf, but within two strides the elf had vanished up the nearest tree.
"Legolas!" he called half annoyed and half surprised in the elf's actions. "Let me help you bear your troubles" his voice was soft yet acted like a hammer on Legolas' mind, he climbed higher.
Below Boromir had thrown down his woodpile and shouted up into the leaves.
"I only want to the strength to save my people!"
"The Ring would not help you" "Only by the blood of my people are your forests kept safe!"
Above Legolas fingers fingered his bow, he did not wish to kill Boromir but if it came to it he would not miss.
"My people! They sacrifice their lives! And you princeling do nothing!"
(So he knows who I am)
Boromir had clearly had enough; He started to throw pieces of wood and stones up the tree where Legolas sat.
"Come down here you coward!"
Twang!
An arrow struck the ground inches from the mans feet - a warning shot. The man froze briefly and looked up into the tree.
"Trying to shoot me?"
In the tree Legolas had been distracted, orcs were near. Moving stealthily in the branches he did not notice the weak branch that he now planted his weight on.
Crack!
Boromir jumped on the fallen elf not caring if he were wounded or not.
The fall had dazed him but the man leaping on top blurred his vision, only his reflexes saved Middle-Earth falling into another darkness.
Faster then any eye he had pressed his fist into the mans windpipe before pushing him away flashing a knife towards him.
"Give it!" Boromir charged. Easily Legolas tripped him and swiftly turned only to find orcs approaching them fast. They were still unaware that the Ring had changed hands - they still wanted the halflings and anybody else could be disposed.
"Elf lost his light"
(Gollum)
His mind had slipped away possible into unconsciousness his head still throbbed his shoulder worse so.
Indeed he had lost his light.
But she had not lost her pray.
No speed an elf processed could save him form her attack as she dropped down form the ceiling sinking her fangs into his neck from above.
His blue eyes widened with shook and disbelief. He had been attack and bitten too! A rumble rose from his throat into his voice and out into the air with anger and disappointment. The long knives slashed at every inch of flesh he could reach before his body began to shut down. His senses began to fade, first his eyes - not that he could see anything, then his senses, soon his hearing faded much to his relief for the screeches of Shelob were loud and rung in his ears. His body began to feel cold; numbness spread from his toes up his legs his torso spreading to his finger tips. The grip on the blades slipped they fell with a clatter on the ground, not that he needed them - she now lay dead in the darkness nearby, twitching in death.
He did not feel himself touch the ground or notice the blood flowing from his new wound.
(Now the darkness is in my blood)
Mordor now flowed through his veins along like his own life force. It was part of him, bound by the Ring.
A band of orc moved slowly and carefully through the underground maze that were Shelob's lair. Each carried a torch they feared her and would attack with flames if she tried. One of the orcs flashed his torch towards the glass shards and cried in black speech pointing to the broken glass. Others gathered slowly and sluggishly towards the shards others backed away frightened as torchlight reflected back.
Some pressed ahead the firelight uncovering other sightings.
"She's dead!"
One orc inspected the wounds Shelob bore; "Only an elf could do this" The other orcs behind cringed and hissed for they hated elves, their distant relatives. The hisses and curses fell away as the touch beams fell upon the fair elf in front lying injured and dead to the world.
"Pity its dead"
"It's not dead. She doesn't kill her prey she paralyses it - see" the orc touched Legolas' neck bite revealing its shallow depth.
"Let's kill it!"
"No," the leader orc knocked away claws that reached towards the pale skin of the elf "we take him up first and play"
Evil smiles erupted from the band - play for them torture for Legolas.
Now it is in my blood
The yellow tinted pincers twitched once again, desperate to sink them into the pale and beautiful skin of the elf in front. His death would mark the fall of his kin in her opinion as for once she dwelled in the realm of Mirkwood long ago. Shelob blinked her many eyes at the elf in front holding his bow taught, ready to fire. Stupid elf. No matter he would die soon enough.
She stood ready to pounce her eyes flashing in the unnatural light he bore - elves and their light a pair that she would break. Here and now.
The hairs on her legs felt electrified with the thought of his death, it would come soon. Legolas stood still attempting to relax his breathing his arrow posed to fire. He knew of her weaknesses her just had to attack them swiftly before she took a firm grip on the situation.
Thoughts of victory hastily left this mind as she launched herself forwards, her pincers dripping with venom. Swiftly he fired his acquired arrow from the men of Gondor. The arrow stuck its target - her eyes. Screeching she continued her approach at great speed. Dodging her great weight Legolas loaded and fired another shaft. In her frustration she kicked her long black legs hoping to knock him. Nimbly he jumped and ducked the long reaches of Shelob, the light of the phial following him like a well-trained pony. Her screams were horrific they echoed off the walls and earthen floor, deafening to the delicate sense of an elf. Recoiling from her screams Legolas regrouped. Most of he shafts, the last of a fallen soldiers now stood broken in the elven quiver by the fight with the Nazg(l and his fall underground. Pulling the broken shafts from his battered quiver he counted the whole and usable arrows, his fingertips bleeding from the sharp points that had upturned in the quiver. Five were all that remained useable neither his own elven fashion but heavy weighty shafts of men's. He remembered trained with Aragorn long ago the pair had swapped weapons one time, arrows in all. Neither found their targets easily.
Standing taking aim again, his heat missed a beat. Shadows had begun to cover the light of phial in the shape of long fingers, the cavern dipped into darkness; his breath retuned laboured again, his wounded shoulder stinging freshly.
Glancing sideways he saw that the phial was not following him now but held in the hands of Gollum. Feeling rage build towards the creature for capturing his light and beauty that feed him his strength he ran towards the ragged creature blinded by the bright light. With three swift strides Legolas was beside him about to lose the arrow loaded in his bow ready to fire it into his throat. But before the string was taught something large and strong knocked him form his feet across the cavern away from the light.
A faint smash of glass not only lost the light of Galderial but symbolized the lose of his strengths and hope. Raising from his fallen position he noticed some many things at once. Firstly the darkness touched his very skin and chilled his insides. Then the pain. The pain of his lost pride and hope, wounds new and old reaching a climax of torture. His bow lay broken in his slim hands so to were the remaining shafts, the quiver broken into a sharp point bit into his skin above his spine.
The sudden loss of weight did not become clear at first as he was overcome by the feeling of lose in emotion and power.
"Precious" Gollum hissed.
The Ring!
Hurriedly and manically he felt his neck for the Ring - it was missing!
"We wants it!"
Manically he searched the earthen floor in an attempt to find the Ring - the last source of strength he had left, though he regretted to accept it. So the Ring had affected him, he longed for it, a sense of security that the Ring had given him over the long and lonely journey he had had after since Fellowship had broken.
His hands skimmed the ground lightly touching everything in his path, dirt, dust, small stones. and finally a metal chain, cool under his warm fingers. Grasping the chain quickly as if to stop anything taking it from him - after all it was his now, his own, his precious. Slipping the chain quickly in between fingers he glanced up into the blackness looking for her. Not taking any other risks with losing the Ring he slipped the Ring, chain and all into his left boot for safe keeping, for there it could not fall out or fall into the enemies hands. Standing straight and grimacing against wounds he drew out his knives Shelob still lurked though blinded in two eyes, she still could ambush him from any direction, and he knew it and so did she.
His breathing was laboured once more, but that was to be expected. He needed to calm himself otherwise she would find him. Though she had been accused to the life underground maybe longer then any dwarf finding him would be as easy for her then finding a sign in the daylight of any elf.
Rotating the blades underhand Legolas waited, for that was all he could do now and focus on the threat of Shelob nearby.
Like a wave breaking on the shore she appeared behind poised and ready to kill, only this time so was he.
Slashing at her face once more he darted underneath her thrashing feet and clicking pincers, though in complete darkness he sliced her underside and ignored her screeches that rang through his ears and continued his onslaught. Finding a foothold on her side he began to climb up onto her back, gripping hard as she shook violently to dislodge him from her now- under-attack back.
In a attempt to throw off her attacker Shelob ran unsteadily around the cavern, she had sensed that the tables had turned no longer was this elf afraid of the darkness but fighting for his life and he would stop at nothing to have his way.
Ramming herself into a wall had the effect she wished as Legolas fell head over heels onto the floor his golden hair streaming behind him though unseen in the darkness landed elegantly on his feet. Though his enemy had now fled from the scene, he knew she was not far for he could sense her and Gollum too. He was no longer a threat to him though he would deal with him later over the destruction of his light. He missed light and longed to see daylight and starlight and once more to escape the stillness of the dark and feel the heat of the sun and the breeze against his cheeks again.
Snapping his head round, though seeing nothing in the darkness he could feel her presence, she was planning once more.
(Legolas)
"Estel?"
The fighting he had seen in his dreams was over. Neither of the reaming members of the Fellowship lingered in the fortress they had fought in but rode swiftly on horseback. Horses of Rohan Legolas noted. He had wondered what had become of the company during the long lonely hours of shi journey as much as he longed to see them he knew he must continue with his journey. Wishing he cherished his memories with the company. The death of Boromir form Faramir had been a surprise though he could remember the man clearly on what would have been the day he died; he had been the last person to see him alive. His state of mind would not have been the think to tell his family as a comforting thought - the Ring had taken him.
"None of use should be alone. You at least" Boromir had said while Legolas sat alone on one of the broken faces of a large stature. He had heard then man approach, but did not look up, the trees spoke to him and he listened closely. They spoke of shadows in the area, not just orcs but some closer. He knew who they spoke off for it was clear to the elf, now the Ringbearer that the man had been seduced to its powers.
"I can protect myself"
Boromir stopped collected wood and watched the elf sit stationary listening to the tress.
"What do they say?" he asked.
"They talk of the orcs nearby"
"Have you told Aragorn?"
Legolas looked up. That was the first time he could remember Boromir calling Aragorn by his first name in their journey. Looking into his eyes he saw the uncomfortable shadows in the mans mind.
Rising from his position Legolas watched the man follow him with his eyes; they fell greedily on the Ring.
"He knows"
Boromir watched his companion walk away afraid.
"Are you sure you do not suffer needlessly? Let me help you" he stepped towards the elf, but within two strides the elf had vanished up the nearest tree.
"Legolas!" he called half annoyed and half surprised in the elf's actions. "Let me help you bear your troubles" his voice was soft yet acted like a hammer on Legolas' mind, he climbed higher.
Below Boromir had thrown down his woodpile and shouted up into the leaves.
"I only want to the strength to save my people!"
"The Ring would not help you" "Only by the blood of my people are your forests kept safe!"
Above Legolas fingers fingered his bow, he did not wish to kill Boromir but if it came to it he would not miss.
"My people! They sacrifice their lives! And you princeling do nothing!"
(So he knows who I am)
Boromir had clearly had enough; He started to throw pieces of wood and stones up the tree where Legolas sat.
"Come down here you coward!"
Twang!
An arrow struck the ground inches from the mans feet - a warning shot. The man froze briefly and looked up into the tree.
"Trying to shoot me?"
In the tree Legolas had been distracted, orcs were near. Moving stealthily in the branches he did not notice the weak branch that he now planted his weight on.
Crack!
Boromir jumped on the fallen elf not caring if he were wounded or not.
The fall had dazed him but the man leaping on top blurred his vision, only his reflexes saved Middle-Earth falling into another darkness.
Faster then any eye he had pressed his fist into the mans windpipe before pushing him away flashing a knife towards him.
"Give it!" Boromir charged. Easily Legolas tripped him and swiftly turned only to find orcs approaching them fast. They were still unaware that the Ring had changed hands - they still wanted the halflings and anybody else could be disposed.
"Elf lost his light"
(Gollum)
His mind had slipped away possible into unconsciousness his head still throbbed his shoulder worse so.
Indeed he had lost his light.
But she had not lost her pray.
No speed an elf processed could save him form her attack as she dropped down form the ceiling sinking her fangs into his neck from above.
His blue eyes widened with shook and disbelief. He had been attack and bitten too! A rumble rose from his throat into his voice and out into the air with anger and disappointment. The long knives slashed at every inch of flesh he could reach before his body began to shut down. His senses began to fade, first his eyes - not that he could see anything, then his senses, soon his hearing faded much to his relief for the screeches of Shelob were loud and rung in his ears. His body began to feel cold; numbness spread from his toes up his legs his torso spreading to his finger tips. The grip on the blades slipped they fell with a clatter on the ground, not that he needed them - she now lay dead in the darkness nearby, twitching in death.
He did not feel himself touch the ground or notice the blood flowing from his new wound.
(Now the darkness is in my blood)
Mordor now flowed through his veins along like his own life force. It was part of him, bound by the Ring.
A band of orc moved slowly and carefully through the underground maze that were Shelob's lair. Each carried a torch they feared her and would attack with flames if she tried. One of the orcs flashed his torch towards the glass shards and cried in black speech pointing to the broken glass. Others gathered slowly and sluggishly towards the shards others backed away frightened as torchlight reflected back.
Some pressed ahead the firelight uncovering other sightings.
"She's dead!"
One orc inspected the wounds Shelob bore; "Only an elf could do this" The other orcs behind cringed and hissed for they hated elves, their distant relatives. The hisses and curses fell away as the touch beams fell upon the fair elf in front lying injured and dead to the world.
"Pity its dead"
"It's not dead. She doesn't kill her prey she paralyses it - see" the orc touched Legolas' neck bite revealing its shallow depth.
"Let's kill it!"
"No," the leader orc knocked away claws that reached towards the pale skin of the elf "we take him up first and play"
Evil smiles erupted from the band - play for them torture for Legolas.