Authors notes:- Thank you for all the reviews. Welcome to Lainy and thank
you for the reviews!! I hope you enjoy this! Please, please review!
**
Bysal urged his horse faster through the pass to Mirkwood. The other warriors matched his pace, their urgency etched on their faces. They were nearing Mirkwood and darkness filled the air, it was choking and to Bysal that meant dark tidings ahead.
A loud howl caught his attention but it was too late, in their haste they had not sensed the pack of wargs that were guarding the passage. The wargs leapt down onto the riders. Horses fell screaming in pain throwing their riders. The elves withdrew their weapons and formed a defensive circle as their horses in terror galloped away.
Bysal growled, every second they were delayed in this fight could spell destruction for Mirkwood. The wargs bared their teeth and charged as one at the elves.
The following battle was short lived but bloody. Wargs normally were little trouble to the large group of warriors and in their heightened state and desperation to reach their kin the wargs were very quickly dispatched.
Anwale staggered towards him, a lump forming on his forehead from a blow to the head.
"The horses are gone, we have wounded." He said.
"We cannot remain here more will come. As soon as we make it to the woods we will hide and treat them." Bysal replied
"Some will not make it to the woods." Anwale said indicating two severely wounded elves lying on the ground. Bysal raised his eyes to the sky cursing the fates in every language he could think of.
Looking around quickly he spotted an outcrop of rocks.
"We can hide there so we cannot be seen from the pass." Anwale nodded and the elves quickly hurried to the rocks.
The two severely wounded elves had mortal wounds and as much as Bysal wanted to get to Mirkwood he would not leave them behind.
Anwale was watching the conflict playing out on Bysal's features. Moving to kneel before him he met his tired look.
"Go on. Those who are wounded will stay here and catch up when we are able."
Bysal immediately shook his head. "No we stay together."
"Nay go. It will be a while before more come and by then we will be far from here. Legolas needs you. Go."
Bysal sighed and then rose to his feet. "Those who are able to continue on, please follow me. The rest will catch up." Just before they departed Bysal went to the two mortally wounded elves. One was unconscious but the other was alert enough for Bysal to talk to him.
As he went to speak words suddenly failed him. The elf lifted up a weak hand and Bysal wrapped his two hands round it and squeezed.
"I regret nothing. Go, save Mirkwood" the elf whispered.
Bysal leant forward and kissed the elf's forehead and whispered a short blessing. He did the same to the other elf and then he and the other elves hurried away eager to get to somewhere less exposed.
*
Aragorn's war party reached the hills that hid Mirkwood from view and suddenly he felt like he did not want to go on. Once they reached the peak of the hill there would be no escaping the truth. Black pillars of smoke had blotted the horizon for almost two days and it spoke of death and destruction.
They halted at the bottom of the hills for rest, they had travelled hard stopping only when they were about to drop through exhaustion. Aragorn, Eomer, Gimli and Gandalf scaled the hill on foot for a better look. Lying down at the top, only the top parts of their head visible, they saw the destruction of the great forest. No words could express their feelings of utter disbelief and horror, even Gandalf seemed shocked.
Parts of the forest were ablaze, the fires crawling up the bark of the great trees that once stood strong but now crumbled. Black smoke had lowered over the forest obscuring most of it from view. It was still. Nothing moved not even a wind. There was no sound as if the world was shocked at the levels of destruction.
"We are too late!" Gimli whispered unable to look anymore. A deep burning rage built up in his chest and grief clutched at his heart. He quickly descended the hill almost tripping in his haste to get away from the scene he just witnessed. The men and dwarfs below saw his expression and all become quiet. The other three descended in silence.
Aragorn slumped to the ground unable to do anything but breathe harsh breaths that sounded almost like sobs. Gandalf moved and sat next to him.
"Tis not your fault Aragorn" he said. "None saw this coming, it was not foretold."
"If we had come straight away when asked?!" Aragorn whispered in a voice full of agony.
"Then you would have still have been too late. It was too late when the request was made. There was nothing anyone could have done."
"We could have been there, fighting side by side." Aragorn muttered. "I failed him." Gandalf gripped his shoulder in comfort.
"What are we waiting for? A lightening bolt from the heavens?" Gimli demanded striding up to them with his warriors in tow. Aragorn blinked in surprise.
"And what do you intend to do?" Gandalf asked.
"Find Legolas. He is too stubborn to die. And kill some orcs." Gimli stated fire in his eyes.
"There is no point." Aragorn said despondently.
Gimli marched straight up to him. "Get up right now." He hissed. "Legolas will be disgusted to look at you like this." Aragorn's mind conjured up a picture of Legolas looking at him with a sad expression. *Help us* his voice echoed in his head. Aragorn took a deep breath and slowly rose to his feet. Adrenaline began to course through his veins.
"Mount up. Ready your weapons. We have a forest to reclaim." He shouted and Gimli roared his approval. The other warriors hastened to comply, the time for battle had come.
* Legolas was cold, not a simple cold but a bone numbing cold. He was where he had fallen, face down on the ground. Blood had trailed across his face and pooled on the rough stone. It was the only warmth he could feel.
"Welcome back" the voice hissed and he felt a movement of wind as its owner swept by him. Legolas would have flinched but his body was frozen as if it knew that any movement would be agony.
"Get up." It demanded. Legolas wanted to move, to run, to fight back but his body wouldn't co - operate.
"Last time. Get up."
Legolas knew that if he didn't move the punishment would be severe. He tried with every bit of strength he possessed to move. His fingers of his right hand twitched slightly but the rest of his body failed him. He almost sobbed in frustration.
Suddenly his whole body erupted in agonising pain. A scream from his already hoarse throat made its way past his swollen lips. He writhed in agony. He was hauled to his feet by a pair of orcs and dragged out of the room.
* "My lord." A scout called galloping up to Aragorn and Eomer who were at the head of the army. They had entered the forest and so far encountered no resistance. It was far too easy and they watched the trees with trepidation. The scout drew his horse to a halt his face red with exertion.
"There is something we think you should see." He said with a note of fear in his voice. Aragorn and Eomer exchanged looks.
"Keep alert" Eomer called but the warriors were already on high alert, nervously fingering their weapons.
The two kings followed the scout further down the trail into a large clearing and stopped.
"No" Aragorn breathed. He heard several others enter the clearing but nothing distracted him from the site before him. He got down off his horse and numbly walked across the grass.
"Aragorn!" a voice called. Gandalf. "It is a trap, we must leave."
Aragorn did not heed his words and continued on. He stopped in front of a large tree and looked up. Pinned crudely with metal pegs to the tree was the body of an elf. Just below carved into the tree was the eye of Sauron.
"By the Valor" he whispered. He moved towards the tree and reached up trying to remove the pegs. He became more and more frenzied as his attempts failed to dislodge them.
"Aragorn we must leave." Eomer said approaching him.
"We must get him down." Aragorn said anxiously. His hands were cut and bleeding but still the pegs did not become dislodged.
"There is nothing we can do for him, but we must try to save the others. It is a trap."
Aragorn could hear screeches of the orcs as they descended on the army.
"We can't leave him.Legolas!" Aragorn cried anguished.
"It is not Legolas." Eomer said grabbing Aragorn and practically dragging the man away. "We must go.now!"
Aragorn turned to see the orcs charge into the clearing. Holding his sword high he let loose a war cry and charged. Eomer beside him.
*
Legolas vaguely felt the sun on skin but was in too much pain to be able to think too much about it. The orcs dragged him and every rock and stone he hit sent waves of pain throughout his body.
He heard sounds of battle. Clashing of metal, screams of orcs and cries of men echoed. Dimly his mind realised that aid had come and he felt rage build up. They were too late, so many had died, Mirkwood had fallen.
"King Elessar!" he heard the voice cry and Legolas was forced to his knees. A hand entangled in his hair pulling his head upright. His eyes saw the battle below and watched it halt as if invisible barriers had appeared between the combatants.
His eyes turned to try and see the cloaked figure that had tortured him. His eyes caught sight of it and it stepped forward. The cloak fell to its feet and the full horror of it appeared to all. Legolas's eyes widened in terror. It was Sauron.
"Let this be a lesson to all those who oppose me. To all those who destroyed the Ring of Power and to the elves. See this destruction and learn. Darkness will spread and envelop Middle - Earth and I shall rule you all."
Legolas began to struggle violently as Sauron turned to face him.
"I have destroyed the wood elves and their home. Here before me is the youngest Prince of Mirkwood, knelt in submission. He will serve me as a servant of Sauron." Sauron stepped up to Legolas. One of the orcs held out Legolas's arm. Legolas began to thrash but his weakened body did not put up much of a fight. Sauron wrapped his hand around the elf's slim wrist and he began to chant an evil ancient spell.
Legolas felt his wrist burning and he screamed long and loud as the mark of Sauron was burnt into the skin.
"At this very moment your countries are under attack. The destruction of Middle - Earth has begun!" Sauron cried and Legolas was enveloped in darkness.
* Aragorn ran forward as Legolas screamed. Eomer lunged at him hauling him backwards.
"No. You'll be killed." Eomer said as he held tightly to the man.
Aragorn trashed wildly, he had to help Legolas before it was too late. He heard Eomer cry for retreat and felt himself being dragged away. His eyes watched as Legolas was taken away.
"No!!! Legolas!" he screamed as his friend disappeared back into Dol Guldur.
"NO!!!"
**
**
Bysal urged his horse faster through the pass to Mirkwood. The other warriors matched his pace, their urgency etched on their faces. They were nearing Mirkwood and darkness filled the air, it was choking and to Bysal that meant dark tidings ahead.
A loud howl caught his attention but it was too late, in their haste they had not sensed the pack of wargs that were guarding the passage. The wargs leapt down onto the riders. Horses fell screaming in pain throwing their riders. The elves withdrew their weapons and formed a defensive circle as their horses in terror galloped away.
Bysal growled, every second they were delayed in this fight could spell destruction for Mirkwood. The wargs bared their teeth and charged as one at the elves.
The following battle was short lived but bloody. Wargs normally were little trouble to the large group of warriors and in their heightened state and desperation to reach their kin the wargs were very quickly dispatched.
Anwale staggered towards him, a lump forming on his forehead from a blow to the head.
"The horses are gone, we have wounded." He said.
"We cannot remain here more will come. As soon as we make it to the woods we will hide and treat them." Bysal replied
"Some will not make it to the woods." Anwale said indicating two severely wounded elves lying on the ground. Bysal raised his eyes to the sky cursing the fates in every language he could think of.
Looking around quickly he spotted an outcrop of rocks.
"We can hide there so we cannot be seen from the pass." Anwale nodded and the elves quickly hurried to the rocks.
The two severely wounded elves had mortal wounds and as much as Bysal wanted to get to Mirkwood he would not leave them behind.
Anwale was watching the conflict playing out on Bysal's features. Moving to kneel before him he met his tired look.
"Go on. Those who are wounded will stay here and catch up when we are able."
Bysal immediately shook his head. "No we stay together."
"Nay go. It will be a while before more come and by then we will be far from here. Legolas needs you. Go."
Bysal sighed and then rose to his feet. "Those who are able to continue on, please follow me. The rest will catch up." Just before they departed Bysal went to the two mortally wounded elves. One was unconscious but the other was alert enough for Bysal to talk to him.
As he went to speak words suddenly failed him. The elf lifted up a weak hand and Bysal wrapped his two hands round it and squeezed.
"I regret nothing. Go, save Mirkwood" the elf whispered.
Bysal leant forward and kissed the elf's forehead and whispered a short blessing. He did the same to the other elf and then he and the other elves hurried away eager to get to somewhere less exposed.
*
Aragorn's war party reached the hills that hid Mirkwood from view and suddenly he felt like he did not want to go on. Once they reached the peak of the hill there would be no escaping the truth. Black pillars of smoke had blotted the horizon for almost two days and it spoke of death and destruction.
They halted at the bottom of the hills for rest, they had travelled hard stopping only when they were about to drop through exhaustion. Aragorn, Eomer, Gimli and Gandalf scaled the hill on foot for a better look. Lying down at the top, only the top parts of their head visible, they saw the destruction of the great forest. No words could express their feelings of utter disbelief and horror, even Gandalf seemed shocked.
Parts of the forest were ablaze, the fires crawling up the bark of the great trees that once stood strong but now crumbled. Black smoke had lowered over the forest obscuring most of it from view. It was still. Nothing moved not even a wind. There was no sound as if the world was shocked at the levels of destruction.
"We are too late!" Gimli whispered unable to look anymore. A deep burning rage built up in his chest and grief clutched at his heart. He quickly descended the hill almost tripping in his haste to get away from the scene he just witnessed. The men and dwarfs below saw his expression and all become quiet. The other three descended in silence.
Aragorn slumped to the ground unable to do anything but breathe harsh breaths that sounded almost like sobs. Gandalf moved and sat next to him.
"Tis not your fault Aragorn" he said. "None saw this coming, it was not foretold."
"If we had come straight away when asked?!" Aragorn whispered in a voice full of agony.
"Then you would have still have been too late. It was too late when the request was made. There was nothing anyone could have done."
"We could have been there, fighting side by side." Aragorn muttered. "I failed him." Gandalf gripped his shoulder in comfort.
"What are we waiting for? A lightening bolt from the heavens?" Gimli demanded striding up to them with his warriors in tow. Aragorn blinked in surprise.
"And what do you intend to do?" Gandalf asked.
"Find Legolas. He is too stubborn to die. And kill some orcs." Gimli stated fire in his eyes.
"There is no point." Aragorn said despondently.
Gimli marched straight up to him. "Get up right now." He hissed. "Legolas will be disgusted to look at you like this." Aragorn's mind conjured up a picture of Legolas looking at him with a sad expression. *Help us* his voice echoed in his head. Aragorn took a deep breath and slowly rose to his feet. Adrenaline began to course through his veins.
"Mount up. Ready your weapons. We have a forest to reclaim." He shouted and Gimli roared his approval. The other warriors hastened to comply, the time for battle had come.
* Legolas was cold, not a simple cold but a bone numbing cold. He was where he had fallen, face down on the ground. Blood had trailed across his face and pooled on the rough stone. It was the only warmth he could feel.
"Welcome back" the voice hissed and he felt a movement of wind as its owner swept by him. Legolas would have flinched but his body was frozen as if it knew that any movement would be agony.
"Get up." It demanded. Legolas wanted to move, to run, to fight back but his body wouldn't co - operate.
"Last time. Get up."
Legolas knew that if he didn't move the punishment would be severe. He tried with every bit of strength he possessed to move. His fingers of his right hand twitched slightly but the rest of his body failed him. He almost sobbed in frustration.
Suddenly his whole body erupted in agonising pain. A scream from his already hoarse throat made its way past his swollen lips. He writhed in agony. He was hauled to his feet by a pair of orcs and dragged out of the room.
* "My lord." A scout called galloping up to Aragorn and Eomer who were at the head of the army. They had entered the forest and so far encountered no resistance. It was far too easy and they watched the trees with trepidation. The scout drew his horse to a halt his face red with exertion.
"There is something we think you should see." He said with a note of fear in his voice. Aragorn and Eomer exchanged looks.
"Keep alert" Eomer called but the warriors were already on high alert, nervously fingering their weapons.
The two kings followed the scout further down the trail into a large clearing and stopped.
"No" Aragorn breathed. He heard several others enter the clearing but nothing distracted him from the site before him. He got down off his horse and numbly walked across the grass.
"Aragorn!" a voice called. Gandalf. "It is a trap, we must leave."
Aragorn did not heed his words and continued on. He stopped in front of a large tree and looked up. Pinned crudely with metal pegs to the tree was the body of an elf. Just below carved into the tree was the eye of Sauron.
"By the Valor" he whispered. He moved towards the tree and reached up trying to remove the pegs. He became more and more frenzied as his attempts failed to dislodge them.
"Aragorn we must leave." Eomer said approaching him.
"We must get him down." Aragorn said anxiously. His hands were cut and bleeding but still the pegs did not become dislodged.
"There is nothing we can do for him, but we must try to save the others. It is a trap."
Aragorn could hear screeches of the orcs as they descended on the army.
"We can't leave him.Legolas!" Aragorn cried anguished.
"It is not Legolas." Eomer said grabbing Aragorn and practically dragging the man away. "We must go.now!"
Aragorn turned to see the orcs charge into the clearing. Holding his sword high he let loose a war cry and charged. Eomer beside him.
*
Legolas vaguely felt the sun on skin but was in too much pain to be able to think too much about it. The orcs dragged him and every rock and stone he hit sent waves of pain throughout his body.
He heard sounds of battle. Clashing of metal, screams of orcs and cries of men echoed. Dimly his mind realised that aid had come and he felt rage build up. They were too late, so many had died, Mirkwood had fallen.
"King Elessar!" he heard the voice cry and Legolas was forced to his knees. A hand entangled in his hair pulling his head upright. His eyes saw the battle below and watched it halt as if invisible barriers had appeared between the combatants.
His eyes turned to try and see the cloaked figure that had tortured him. His eyes caught sight of it and it stepped forward. The cloak fell to its feet and the full horror of it appeared to all. Legolas's eyes widened in terror. It was Sauron.
"Let this be a lesson to all those who oppose me. To all those who destroyed the Ring of Power and to the elves. See this destruction and learn. Darkness will spread and envelop Middle - Earth and I shall rule you all."
Legolas began to struggle violently as Sauron turned to face him.
"I have destroyed the wood elves and their home. Here before me is the youngest Prince of Mirkwood, knelt in submission. He will serve me as a servant of Sauron." Sauron stepped up to Legolas. One of the orcs held out Legolas's arm. Legolas began to thrash but his weakened body did not put up much of a fight. Sauron wrapped his hand around the elf's slim wrist and he began to chant an evil ancient spell.
Legolas felt his wrist burning and he screamed long and loud as the mark of Sauron was burnt into the skin.
"At this very moment your countries are under attack. The destruction of Middle - Earth has begun!" Sauron cried and Legolas was enveloped in darkness.
* Aragorn ran forward as Legolas screamed. Eomer lunged at him hauling him backwards.
"No. You'll be killed." Eomer said as he held tightly to the man.
Aragorn trashed wildly, he had to help Legolas before it was too late. He heard Eomer cry for retreat and felt himself being dragged away. His eyes watched as Legolas was taken away.
"No!!! Legolas!" he screamed as his friend disappeared back into Dol Guldur.
"NO!!!"
**