Upon hearing the scream Galadrien immediately began running towards camp.
Upon entering the clearing she gazed at the destruction around her. Two
guards lay dead with arrows sticking out of their chests, her horse also
lay dead and the camp was in shambles and the orcs were not done yet. Alana
was fighting off two orcs with a sword. Haldir was also fighting off orcs
with a sword; his bow lay broken at his feet.
Quickly Galadrien sprang into action, remembering her last archery lesson she took two arrows and pulled a feather from each. Taking aim at two orcs she quickly pulled and released the bowstring. The arrows shot and hit the intended targets square in the back, the orcs fell dead. She ducked behind a tree and used her covered position to slay more orcs. But soon she was out of arrows and the ones that lay around her were broken.
Quickly she assessed the situation, 2 guards dead, 2 fighting and 2 were missing along with the pack horses. Haldir spotted her, "My Lady take cover, take my horse and save yourself." But Galadrien had no intention of running away, 4 loyal servants needed her help. In a heartbeat she unsheathed her sword, the blue blade gleaming in the sun. Then she rushed into the fray.
Soon they found themselves encircled by orcs. It was looking very hopeless. The guards were injured severely and could barely stand, Alana's back was cut up, Haldir's right arm was useless and she had a nasty cut above her eye and blood was running down her face. But they were resolved to fight to the last man. The orcs began moving in closer. Galadrien flinched at the smell of them then took a deep breath and assumed a fighting stance. Then suddenly an arrow flew past her ear and hit the orc in front of her in the chest
Legolas and members of his fathers guard rode into the clearing, bows singing and swords drawn. The orcs turned their attention to the new attackers. During the ensuing confusion the two guards managed to get to their horses. But Galadrien soon found herself up against 3 orcs. She was backed against a tree and the orcs were closing in for a kill.
Then before she knew it two of them were dead and the one survivor was running for its life. Before any other orcs could do anything Prince Legolas rode over holding out his hand. Slinging her bow over her shoulder and re-sheathing her sword, she grabbed his hand and jumped up onto the back of his horse. Looking around she noticed that Haldir despite his injuries was on his horse and that Alana was riding with one of the Mirkwood guards. Leaning against Legolas's back she whispered, "Take me away from this place."
They rode for 2 hours then stopped where a small stream crossed the road. The two missing guards and the pack horses were there waiting for them. Jumping down from the horse she went over to them, "Where were you two?"
One of them answered, "When the Orcs attacked we were told by Mistress Alandriel to take the pack horses and to get help. We met Prince Legolas on his way to escort you to the palace and told him of the attack."
Galadrien sighed then sank to the bank of the stream; dipping her hands into the water she splashed her face. When she did it opened the cut on her forehead and it started to sting, which brought tears to her eyes.
Legolas jumped from his horse and walked over to her and kneeled down, "Here let me see that cut." Very tenderly he probed the skin around the cut, "Don't worry it's not deep but it will hurt for awhile." He tore a piece of cloth from the inside of his cloak and pressed to the wound. Soon the bleeding stopped and he removed the cloth, "There, now does that feel better?"
All Galadrien could do was nod. Looking around she saw one of the Mirkwood guards tending to the cuts on Alana's back. She walked over, "How bad are they?"
The guard looked up and said, "They are not deep, I am doing what I can here but she must see our healers. Your two guards will also need the healers help."
Galadrien nodded, "Then let us move out quickly."
Then she noticed that Haldir was still sitting on his horse. He had fashioned a makeshift sling for his injured arm. Walking closer she noticed that the color in his face was off and that his eyes were closed partially. Upon closer examination she saw that he was sweating profusely and that his breathing was very shallow and irregular. Then she noticed something that frightened her greatly, he held his left arm to his side and that it was covered with dried blood. "Ed' i'ear ar' elenea! Tua amin!" (By the sea and stars! Help me!)
Then Haldir passed out, he slumped and slid off his horse. Galadrien caught him and sank to the ground under his weight. She laid him out and removed his hand from his side. What she saw made her physically ill. He had been stabbed with an orc sword and from the color that the wound was turning the blade had been poisoned. Then it dawned on her, if they did not get him to the healers at the palace soon he would die.
Galadrien fought back tears as she looked at the gaping wound in Haldir's side. She had known Haldir all her long life he couldn't die now, not like this. She had always thought that he would one-day sail west to the Havens and not be cut down by an orcs sword.
Legolas and the others upon hearing her cry came running over. "We must get him to the palace and quickly" said one of the guards.
Galadrien stood up, "I will take him." Then in one fluid jump mounted his horse. The guards picked up Haldir and placed him in front of her. She took off her cloak and wrapped it around both him and her.
Legolas put his hand on the horse, "You can't go alone."
Giving him a steely gaze she replied, "Well then I hope you can keep up because I am going." With that she gave the horse a sharp kick and galloped off down the road.
Holding Haldir close and keeping her head down to avoid low hanging tree branches she urged the horse to go faster, but it was not easy because it carried two full grown elves on its back. She could feel his heart palpitating in his chest. Silently she urged the horse to go faster even though it could not. "The poison must be working fast," she thought for Haldir was sweating and his skin was very hot to the touch.
Then she started thinking about the Orc attack, there were too many of them to be a roving band and the weapons were not standard Orc weapons. She had seen the arrows they were not made by Orcs, but she did not know who made them.
The sound of another horse brought her back into the real world. Turning around she saw Legolas on his own horse galloping towards her, "I told you not to go alone."
Looking at him she replied, "I see you caught up. Now lets see if you can keep up."
It seemed like hours later that they were riding into the courtyard of Thranduil's palace. They had already gotten word of the attack and swarmed about Galadrien and Legolas. Two people took Haldir from her and laid him on a stretcher. They started to take him into the palace.
She jumped from the horse and started to follow them; "Wait I want to go with you"
Prince Legolas stopped her, "You need to rest milady, let the healers do their work. I will take you up to your chambers." Galadrien sighed but followed him.
They walked through massive wooden doors into the halls of stone. First they walked through the main hall and up a set of stairs carved in the rock. Then he led her down a wide hall then down another hall on the left. He stopped in front of a large door, "These will be your chambers, mine is right next door on the right and Haldir when the healers discharge him will be to the left."
Galadrien pushed the doors open and entered her chambers. They were larger and more opulent than the ones she had in Lorien. The bed was very wide and covered in a moss green coverlet. The furniture was made of a rich dark wood with a warm glow to it. The only thing it lacked was a window, but there were many lamps that gave off soft light.
She sighed and sat on the bed, Legolas came and sat down next to her, "You should get some rest, it has been a tiring day." She nodded and lay down; Legolas pulled the coverlet over her. "Rest well milady."
Before he could leave she said, "Don't leave me alone, please stay with me."
Legolas nodded, "As you with milady." He lady down next to her and she laid her head on his shoulder and soon they both were asleep.
Galadrien woke several hours later and got out of the bed. Legolas was still asleep so she walked softly out of the room and shut the door without a sound. Catching a servant in the hallway she asked where the healer's wing was and was given directions.
Pushing open the door she walked into a softly lit room. Looking around she spotted Haldir lying on a bed in the corner. She walked over and sat next to him, they had dressed the wounds on his arm but the wound on his side lay open.
Then one of the healers came over to her, "The poison on the blade was ubiki poison, the assassins poison. We are making the antidote now." Then another healer walked over with a bowl of steaming liquid, "We put the antidote in this broth for him to drink, he is severely dehydrated and needs the liquid."
Galadrien reached out, "I will feed it to him." The healers nodded and passed her the bowl and spoon.
She set the bowl on a small table and then placed her arm under Haldir's shoulders and raised him up some but he did not waken. First she dipped a finger in the broth and ran it across his lips to moisten them. This caused him to lick his lips and swallow. Then she took some broth in the spoon and dribbled it on his lips, again he licked and swallowed. Though it took awhile she was able to get all the broth in him. She was setting the bowl down when she noticed that he was waking up. He gazed up and her and whispered hoarsely, "I love you." Then he passed out again and sagged onto the bed.
Quickly Galadrien sprang into action, remembering her last archery lesson she took two arrows and pulled a feather from each. Taking aim at two orcs she quickly pulled and released the bowstring. The arrows shot and hit the intended targets square in the back, the orcs fell dead. She ducked behind a tree and used her covered position to slay more orcs. But soon she was out of arrows and the ones that lay around her were broken.
Quickly she assessed the situation, 2 guards dead, 2 fighting and 2 were missing along with the pack horses. Haldir spotted her, "My Lady take cover, take my horse and save yourself." But Galadrien had no intention of running away, 4 loyal servants needed her help. In a heartbeat she unsheathed her sword, the blue blade gleaming in the sun. Then she rushed into the fray.
Soon they found themselves encircled by orcs. It was looking very hopeless. The guards were injured severely and could barely stand, Alana's back was cut up, Haldir's right arm was useless and she had a nasty cut above her eye and blood was running down her face. But they were resolved to fight to the last man. The orcs began moving in closer. Galadrien flinched at the smell of them then took a deep breath and assumed a fighting stance. Then suddenly an arrow flew past her ear and hit the orc in front of her in the chest
Legolas and members of his fathers guard rode into the clearing, bows singing and swords drawn. The orcs turned their attention to the new attackers. During the ensuing confusion the two guards managed to get to their horses. But Galadrien soon found herself up against 3 orcs. She was backed against a tree and the orcs were closing in for a kill.
Then before she knew it two of them were dead and the one survivor was running for its life. Before any other orcs could do anything Prince Legolas rode over holding out his hand. Slinging her bow over her shoulder and re-sheathing her sword, she grabbed his hand and jumped up onto the back of his horse. Looking around she noticed that Haldir despite his injuries was on his horse and that Alana was riding with one of the Mirkwood guards. Leaning against Legolas's back she whispered, "Take me away from this place."
They rode for 2 hours then stopped where a small stream crossed the road. The two missing guards and the pack horses were there waiting for them. Jumping down from the horse she went over to them, "Where were you two?"
One of them answered, "When the Orcs attacked we were told by Mistress Alandriel to take the pack horses and to get help. We met Prince Legolas on his way to escort you to the palace and told him of the attack."
Galadrien sighed then sank to the bank of the stream; dipping her hands into the water she splashed her face. When she did it opened the cut on her forehead and it started to sting, which brought tears to her eyes.
Legolas jumped from his horse and walked over to her and kneeled down, "Here let me see that cut." Very tenderly he probed the skin around the cut, "Don't worry it's not deep but it will hurt for awhile." He tore a piece of cloth from the inside of his cloak and pressed to the wound. Soon the bleeding stopped and he removed the cloth, "There, now does that feel better?"
All Galadrien could do was nod. Looking around she saw one of the Mirkwood guards tending to the cuts on Alana's back. She walked over, "How bad are they?"
The guard looked up and said, "They are not deep, I am doing what I can here but she must see our healers. Your two guards will also need the healers help."
Galadrien nodded, "Then let us move out quickly."
Then she noticed that Haldir was still sitting on his horse. He had fashioned a makeshift sling for his injured arm. Walking closer she noticed that the color in his face was off and that his eyes were closed partially. Upon closer examination she saw that he was sweating profusely and that his breathing was very shallow and irregular. Then she noticed something that frightened her greatly, he held his left arm to his side and that it was covered with dried blood. "Ed' i'ear ar' elenea! Tua amin!" (By the sea and stars! Help me!)
Then Haldir passed out, he slumped and slid off his horse. Galadrien caught him and sank to the ground under his weight. She laid him out and removed his hand from his side. What she saw made her physically ill. He had been stabbed with an orc sword and from the color that the wound was turning the blade had been poisoned. Then it dawned on her, if they did not get him to the healers at the palace soon he would die.
Galadrien fought back tears as she looked at the gaping wound in Haldir's side. She had known Haldir all her long life he couldn't die now, not like this. She had always thought that he would one-day sail west to the Havens and not be cut down by an orcs sword.
Legolas and the others upon hearing her cry came running over. "We must get him to the palace and quickly" said one of the guards.
Galadrien stood up, "I will take him." Then in one fluid jump mounted his horse. The guards picked up Haldir and placed him in front of her. She took off her cloak and wrapped it around both him and her.
Legolas put his hand on the horse, "You can't go alone."
Giving him a steely gaze she replied, "Well then I hope you can keep up because I am going." With that she gave the horse a sharp kick and galloped off down the road.
Holding Haldir close and keeping her head down to avoid low hanging tree branches she urged the horse to go faster, but it was not easy because it carried two full grown elves on its back. She could feel his heart palpitating in his chest. Silently she urged the horse to go faster even though it could not. "The poison must be working fast," she thought for Haldir was sweating and his skin was very hot to the touch.
Then she started thinking about the Orc attack, there were too many of them to be a roving band and the weapons were not standard Orc weapons. She had seen the arrows they were not made by Orcs, but she did not know who made them.
The sound of another horse brought her back into the real world. Turning around she saw Legolas on his own horse galloping towards her, "I told you not to go alone."
Looking at him she replied, "I see you caught up. Now lets see if you can keep up."
It seemed like hours later that they were riding into the courtyard of Thranduil's palace. They had already gotten word of the attack and swarmed about Galadrien and Legolas. Two people took Haldir from her and laid him on a stretcher. They started to take him into the palace.
She jumped from the horse and started to follow them; "Wait I want to go with you"
Prince Legolas stopped her, "You need to rest milady, let the healers do their work. I will take you up to your chambers." Galadrien sighed but followed him.
They walked through massive wooden doors into the halls of stone. First they walked through the main hall and up a set of stairs carved in the rock. Then he led her down a wide hall then down another hall on the left. He stopped in front of a large door, "These will be your chambers, mine is right next door on the right and Haldir when the healers discharge him will be to the left."
Galadrien pushed the doors open and entered her chambers. They were larger and more opulent than the ones she had in Lorien. The bed was very wide and covered in a moss green coverlet. The furniture was made of a rich dark wood with a warm glow to it. The only thing it lacked was a window, but there were many lamps that gave off soft light.
She sighed and sat on the bed, Legolas came and sat down next to her, "You should get some rest, it has been a tiring day." She nodded and lay down; Legolas pulled the coverlet over her. "Rest well milady."
Before he could leave she said, "Don't leave me alone, please stay with me."
Legolas nodded, "As you with milady." He lady down next to her and she laid her head on his shoulder and soon they both were asleep.
Galadrien woke several hours later and got out of the bed. Legolas was still asleep so she walked softly out of the room and shut the door without a sound. Catching a servant in the hallway she asked where the healer's wing was and was given directions.
Pushing open the door she walked into a softly lit room. Looking around she spotted Haldir lying on a bed in the corner. She walked over and sat next to him, they had dressed the wounds on his arm but the wound on his side lay open.
Then one of the healers came over to her, "The poison on the blade was ubiki poison, the assassins poison. We are making the antidote now." Then another healer walked over with a bowl of steaming liquid, "We put the antidote in this broth for him to drink, he is severely dehydrated and needs the liquid."
Galadrien reached out, "I will feed it to him." The healers nodded and passed her the bowl and spoon.
She set the bowl on a small table and then placed her arm under Haldir's shoulders and raised him up some but he did not waken. First she dipped a finger in the broth and ran it across his lips to moisten them. This caused him to lick his lips and swallow. Then she took some broth in the spoon and dribbled it on his lips, again he licked and swallowed. Though it took awhile she was able to get all the broth in him. She was setting the bowl down when she noticed that he was waking up. He gazed up and her and whispered hoarsely, "I love you." Then he passed out again and sagged onto the bed.