Author's Notes: This is only my second LOTR fic and it has yet to be
proofread by someone other than yours truly so feedback is definitely
welcome but please be kind. Like this story, I have a lot of others that
are work in progress so bear with me. The more reviews and comments I get,
the more I can write and the better the stories will be. Also, some of the
Elvish may be incorrect so I'd appreciate any help there too. This story is
a bit of a mix between book and movie-verse so there may be a few
inconsistencies as well. I call Aragorn Estel or Strider more often here
because I figured that to the Elves he is Estel as he was so named by his
mother (or was it Elrond o.O) But, to Shihaku and other humans he is the
Ranger named Strider. None of these characters save for those obviously not
created by the great Tolkien and since I am not profiting from this story
so don't sue me!
"//..//" denotes Elvish dialogue
Italics denote dream sequences or flashbacks (also Elvish words)
. denotes telepathic dialogue
Synopsis: Set before the Lord of the Rings books. On a hunting trip Legolas discovers an assassination plot for Estel for some humans apparently know he is Aragorn, the true heir of Gondor. But he is betrayed by a fellow Elf and as he rushes to warn his friend, he encounters a Ranger's aid who has more secrets hidden even from the Ranger herself. Will Legolas make it to Rivendell in time to warn his friend? And even if he does, will that be enough to save Estel?
THE SILVER LIGHT OF A WANING MOON
By Terra Forever
CHAPTER TWO:
In the morning Legolas and Shihaku made ready to embark toward Rivendell. Shihaku brushed her hair from her face and turned to Legolas. "You will have to keep up a fast pace Master Elf. Time is of the essence."
Legolas nodded slowly as he stood up, careful not to tear the wound. He would have no choice. "They will most likely be on their way on horseback. We are at a disadvantage and cannot waste any time." He watched as Shihaku adjusted her cloak. She is an unusual woman, he thought. She wears far fewer layers of clothing than I have seen any Ranger wear. True it is not very cold now but it is already nearing October; winter will be upon us soon. By the time we reach Imladris, assuming we are not hindered, it will be November. Yet, Shihaku's clothing was the least of her oddities for the fact that she, a woman, was a Ranger, was strange enough. Though Legolas was not one to discriminate on the basis of sex, he had never known Rangers to be female in all of his two thousand plus years.
Shihaku nodded ignoring Legolas' staring eyes. "We will pass them. They will be confident in their journey and will not expect us." She looked gravely then at Legolas. "If ever you feel you cannot move on do not keep silent, Prince Legolas. You must let me know at once. I do not wish to bring both news of an attempted assassination and your death to Strider." If it was true that Legolas and Strider were good friends then this Elf would most likely be as stubborn as the Ranger, perhaps more so. Either way, she knew that it meant Legolas would probably hide any pain or discomfort he felt. While this was an admirable trait, it could lead to many problems if Legolas' wounds were not tended to properly because he was too hard-headed.
Legolas forced a smile. "Of course, Lady."
Shihaku glared at him for the title, suddenly forgetting her worry about his injury. "I am no Lady, Prince. Do not fancy me with such titles. I am a Ranger. Call me that or by my name and no other."
Legolas merely nodded. The ferocity in Shihaku's voice regarding her name surprised him. "I mean not to offend you, Shihaku." The Ranger merely nodded to signify the end of their conversation. She hadn't meant to be so harsh but her name was a gift to her and it was no small matter. She was not one to talk about herself under any circumstances and she feared that Legolas would not be one to let things slide; she was sure to expect more questions from the Elf before they arrived at the Last Homely House.
The two hiked at a rather quick pace with no intentions on halting for any reason. If not for Legolas' wound needing careful treatment, neither of them wished to stop at all. For most of their trek, the Prince was able to set aside any pain that came from his wound, jarred with every movement he made, but thankfully not torn. If not for the nagging fears in his mind, this could have been a simple hunt for him. He has been injured before on his other adventures; this would be like any other but his friend's life was in danger. But finally as the day wore on, Legolas could not help but slow his pace ever so slightly. Though he could feel nausea threatening to breach his senses, Legolas continued to push it back; he would not give in so easily. He was grateful that the spider's venom was not entirely dangerous and wore off rather quickly, but his wound was still on the mend. The wound was deeper than he initially thought and had gone unattended for far too long. He was only thankful that his Elven abilities were keeping it from getting worse. And, he could not help but admit, Shihaku's healing skills did much to help ease the pain.
Though to most it would seem there was no change in Legolas' movements, the Ranger's keen eyes told her otherwise. When she had had enough of the Elf's foolishness, Shihaku jogged by his side and took Legolas' arm my force draping it over her shoulder. At first Legolas refused but Shihaku's glare was not one to take lightly. He also feared that in his attempts to retrieve his arm, the Ranger might just tear it off with the ferocity of her hold. She shook her head. Though they moved awkwardly at first, they found their pace and fell into step with each other, moving quickly past the dark forests of Mirkwood. How like you, Strider, to make friends like this, she thought. This Elf is so loyal to you like many others who have had the honor of meeting you. To say that Aragorn was charismatic would be an understatement for only the servants of evil were ever his enemies for the most part. Shihaku could not help but remember a few incidents where Strider's enemies were the servants of stupidity and ignorance rather than evil.
Finally, off in the distance, the sun began its descent and marked the end of their journey for the day. Legolas suggested they continue on a little further, but Shihaku forced him to the ground with a strong shove. The Elf could not help but wince at the smarting pain of his bottom upon impact with the hard ground. "Do not argue with me, stubborn Elf. You wish yourself an early death? Elf you may be, but that wound can still be mortal if you do not heed its own warnings to you." With that, with the help of the filtering moonlight through the trees, Shihaku began to examine the slowly healing wounds. Legolas wished she did so with much more kindness.
He hissed when Shihaku unwrapped the bandages and checked the wounds. She grimaced at the blood that stained the bandages. Though his wound was not freely bleeding, it was refusing to close entirely still. So she dug through her pouches and made a poultice of strong herbs. The pain from the herbs that stung his wounds made Legolas question whether they were really helping him or not, but he knew enough about healing to assure him that Shihaku had done nothing but help him mend, so far. "You were lucky that blow did not pierce an organ, Master Elf, or I would be carrying your body instead to Strider." She removed the poultice for a moment to check its progress and replaced it. Legolas said nothing, clenching his teeth instead as he leaned back against a tree holding the poultice against his wound himself. Shihaku looked at him and for a moment she found herself admiring his beauty. Injured or no, there was no mistaking Legolas' handsome features illuminated even more by the streak of moonlight on his face. The light of the moon reminded Shihaku of something and she turned away a little, as if hiding her face from the light.
"You will not need to carry me either way, Shihaku. I will travel on my own feet of my own accord," Legolas said, his voice hard. He looked at Shihaku and their eyes met - both equally determined. There was something in Shihaku's blue irises that tugged at Legolas' mind but he knew not what it was. All he was sure of then was that he would not be carried by anyone -he had to preserve what honor he had left after his fight with Norvelin. Though he wondered if Shihaku would be able to bear him all the way to Imladris either way.
"You forget, Prince Legolas that I carried you to safety when we first met," said Shihaku. Legolas looked at her. "No I do not read minds, but the thoughts of others are not hard to see on their face or in their actions."
"Little escapes you then, Shihaku."
"That is why I am still alive. The same, I think, can be said for you."
"I thank you again for that. My life is indebted to you."
"I care little for your life, Prince Legolas. The life of Strider means more to me than yours. Though I know you to be King Thranduil's son, Strider is nearly kin to me."
"I understand." But that does not change the fact that I do owe you, Shihaku, thought Legolas. Though it seemed that his debts to her would not end there for they still had a long journey ahead of them.
"Rest now. Since we have settled at sunset, we rise before dawn. I will take watch."
"Wake me half into the night and I shall take the next."
"No. Sleep, or I shall make you."
Legolas did not know how but Shihaku could instill in him a certain fear making him hope even more she was not an enemy. Her words alone were enough to make him grow cold. Her blue eyes were even more chilling to the soul. He then wondered why her tone was so coarse. What sort of life brought her to have such a sharp tongue, wit, and senses. But, he knew that he would have to rely on all of these for survival and the success of his mission. He guessed that the natural life of a Ranger led Shihaku to be this way but the few others he knew through Aragorn were not even this coarse. He wondered how Strider faired when they were together. From the way she speaks so strongly of him, Shihaku and Estel seem close yet I do not remember him ever telling me of a female Ranger. How could such a thing escape his mind? Was he trying to keep her identity hidden for some reason? What if they are not really friends at all and she is merely leading me astray?
Shihaku knew that Legolas was thinking of her, wondering about her. You can imagine all you want, she thought. I do not care. Though it was not true that she didn't care for Legolas' life. He was still a life that she swore to protect as a Ranger; after all as such, she was an ally to all the Elves. Though there was more to her reasoning to save his life even beyond the fact that there would be great consequences should Legolas die. Whatever this was, she had yet to discover it herself. Most importantly to her at this time was that if Strider's life was in danger, she knew it needed saving far more than the Prince of Mirkwood's. Yet this was not a judgment Shihaku could truly make for she acknowledged the fact that she did not know what future lay ahead for the Prince. He will not die under my care, she promised, turning from Legolas to the sky above.
Hours later Legolas looked up at the stars for though he tried to sleep, it would not come, surprisingly enough. He could have sworn that not long ago, his senses were ready to fade into an eternal sleep. "Shihaku is a strange name," murmured Legolas suddenly. He did not bother to turn to the Ranger. Instead he kept to admiring the dark sky lit up by thousands of stars even his Elf eyes could not count. "What language is it in for it is neither Elvish, or Westron that I know of? And, I doubt it is Dwarvish."
"I do not answer to an Elf who should be asleep." I knew this would come eventually, thought Shihaku, sighing inwardly.
"Humor me."
"Why should I do that?"
"Perhaps then I shall be able to sleep with a sound mind; one less question to plague it."
"Then don't sleep and we shall see who will be sorry later." Legolas lifted his head up and looked at the dark figure whose face suddenly seemed to reflect the soft glow of the stars and the moon above. How unusual, he thought. Even in the darkness their eyes still met and each could see the other's blue irises. I cannot believe I am indulging this foolish Elf, thought Shihaku, shaking her head. But she knew that Legolas would never let it drop and perhaps he would sleep if she finally answered this one question. But, she promised herself, only this one question. "In a tongue, long lost, it once meant 'Waning Moon.' I was named after a bright moon but one that is still partly hidden in darkness."
Legolas' lips turned up in a thoughtful smile. "I can see why. Tis a fitting name. A bright light in the sky but still dark where mysteries run deep."
Yes that was part of the reason she was named that. But, there was a darker reason. She normally would not have said anything about it but from the way Legolas kept staring at her as if waiting for more, it was obvious there was something she was keeping hidden. "Written in the dead language it uses the characters 'death' and 'demon.' One can interpret it as the night I was found when much death was caused by fell creatures. Or, perhaps I am one who will ensure the death of these demons." Shihaku almost smiled at the memory of the arguments over her name by those who gave it to her.
"Even in darkness there shines brightly a light. This light will banish them forever and they will be sent to the evil shadows from whence they came."
Shihaku turned to Legolas and saw that his faraway gaze was turned to the stars. He was deep in thought and she would not be the one to disturb him. After a long silence between them and even throughout the forest, she saw that his breathing was slow and even signifying that the Elf was finally asleep. There was no denying the beauty of this noble Firstborn and it intrigued her for none of the other Elves she had seen could compare to him. He is no ordinary Elf, she thought. I see why he and Strider are close; it seems both of them have something great lying in wait until the right time comes for them to take their destined paths. She wondered though if Strider would finally come to grasp with who he was and take hold of his destiny rather than shun it.
Ere dawn, the two were already stretching their limbs, making ready to leave for another long trek across the lands westward to the Last Homely House of Elrond Half-Elven. They both discussed the idea of going through Lorien since they were so far south already and there they could ask Galadriel and Celeborn to help them but it would add a few more days to their journey. Even if they were provided horses and supplies, it may only create a wider gap between themselves and the assassins. "No, we go on to Rivendell without any delays," said Legolas. "I would like to think that we will be aided well in Lorien, but of that we cannot be certain. Besides, I do not know now whom to trust. There may yet be another traitor in the Golden Wood." Though he doubted very much that a traitor would escape either Lady or Lord of Caras Galadhon, they would lose too much time should they travel there.
Shihaku nodded and knew well that it also meant that Legolas did not trust her to carry word to Aragorn herself for if they traveled to the Realm of the Lady of the Wood, Galadriel would not let him leave until he was well rested. It is good that he does not trust me, she thought, since she herself rarely trusted anyone. This way they would be more wary of each other's actions and their surroundings. "We may find what we need on our way to Rivendell." She was hoping to find a horse. She cursed the fact that she did not choose to travel on mare or steed this time knowing it could mean success or failure. But while they were already set to travel onward without stopping at Lothlorien, she still wondered if it would be better for the Prince to be treated by the Lady of the Wood.
"I will heal shortly," Legolas told her, seeing her thoughts in the blue eyes transfixed on him. "I am an Elf, remember? I have better things to do than be injured."
Shihaku said nothing and fought the urge to roll her eyes at him. Foolish Elf, she thought. You are still young yet. Though she knew that he was still older than she was. And, even though Legolas was young, it was his youthful strength that probably allowed him to continue on this journey despite his injury. It may well have saved him many times over on past adventures, she thought.
As they moved on in their swift pace, trekking through the woods and fields, Shihaku held her hand up to signal a warning. Their hard work the past two days was well worth it. They had caught up with Norvelin and his group. "I do not think that Norvelin travels only with that small band from earlier," she murmured looking at the tracks she discovered. "There must be hunters and assassins hidden somewhere around him."
Legolas nodded but he was only half listening for his ears were tuned elsewhere. Shihaku looked at him for a moment, silent to allow his ears better focus. "They are not far at all, Shihaku. I can hear them making their way though I still cannot see them." He pointed up and before the Ranger could even nod or shake her head, he had already jumped up to a branch and was climbing to get to another one. Shihaku decided to stay on the ground, following the tracks and nearing the group that made their way toward Rivendell. Think you that Strider will be so easy to kill, she thought. Not even with your whole band could you stop him and his destiny. Especially not if either Legolas or I am around to make sure of it.
Legolas carefully and noiselessly jumped from branch to branch keeping his eyes on Norvelin whom he spotted first riding with an air of nobility upon his dark brown horse. He rides as if he had already won, thought Legolas disgustedly. You would think him to be some sort of hero deserving of some great reward when all he deserves is death for his crimes. I wonder what other foul deeds this creature has done.
Reminding himself that there was a greater issue at hand rather than revenge, Legolas concentrated on his enemies. He was sure that the humans who accompanied him were good hunters and had heightened senses, but none could compare with an Elf's. He had to make sure that Norvelin did not even suspect the presence of anyone other than his party. A part of him wanted to engage in a fight and end this now but he knew that Shihaku was right - there were probably more of them hiding. His last encounter with the group told him that to be outnumbered would not bode well for them. Legolas searched the forest floor for any hidden foes. We must slow them down at least, he thought. The best way to accomplish that was to injure as many men as they could -especially Norvelin himself.
He searched for any signs of Shihaku and saw her behind a tree not too far away. Their eyes met and she nodded as if knowing his thoughts. Reaching for his bow and an arrow, Legolas aimed at Norvelin. Almost as if hearing the bow being readied, Norvelin stopped and looked around him feeling himself being watched by unfriendly eyes. Unbeknownst to the Elven Prince, he had been spotted by a scout on the ground. No mere human would have been able to see Legolas so high above, but the scout was an Elf, a traitor much like his commander. Legolas heard the sound of an approaching object and saw a dagger being thrown to his head with deadly accuracy. The Elf dodged, but at the price of his balance. Losing his footing Legolas found himself falling but in a last desperate attempt, he still fired his arrow, which still managed to scrape Norvelin's chest.
"AGH," cried Norvelin, as the arrow scathed his skin. His steed reared, frightened by the arrow but it quickly calmed down hearing the comforting words of his rider. He turned and heard Legolas fall hard on the ground. Norvelin need not have seen Legolas or the arrow that struck him to know who dared attack him. The Elf pulled on the reins and the horse trotted to the sight just as Legolas got to his feet. "Ah, so the Prince is indeed alive," muttered Norvelin, a mix of anger and disappointment filling his eyes. "Where is your Ranger to save you now?"
In an answer to the traitor's question, arrows from above rained down on them striking several of the hunters and the Elf who had spotted Legolas. I should have known that there would be Elves in this party, thought Shihaku. Legolas had taken this time to loose his own arrows, jumping up to a tree branch, avoiding Norvelin's long dagger.
"You think that the two of you, alone, can stop us?" Norvelin hissed. He saw the blood from his wound and glared at his Prince. He touched the wound, wincing slightly at the pain but it was obvious he was more upset about the fact that he was just struck. He looked up at his foe. "You shall pay for that, Legolas."
"Think of it as my gratitude for your gift to me," Legolas retorted.
"Do not think to strike the Prince of Mirkwood again," said Shihaku her arrow trained on Norvelin.
"I wouldn't dare, Ranger, but you will find that you are in no position to give any sort of order," sneered Norvelin.
Shihaku found herself surrounded by hunters, weapons drawn. She narrowed her eyes. "Think you that they will be able to kill Strider all on their own without a leader? Without payment? I know that more than half of your company is made up of bounty hunters. They are not paid enough to continue on such a task without you to play your role."
Norvelin turned to Shihaku to see more clearly who he was facing but again her face was covered by the shadow of her hood. It was his mistake to turn away from Legolas. The young Prince knocked Norvelin off his horse and Shihaku jumped to avoid the arrows aimed at her and landed on the ground to face the humans. She unsheathed her sword and engaged with them. Legolas and Norvelin struggled against each other and though Norvelin was older, he found that Legolas was quite strong, much stronger than he expected. We must change that, he thought.
Legolas moved as if he was dancing, parrying, thrusting, and spinning around with his Elven knives. Norvelin had faced Legolas before, but never had they been out for blood. The traitor could not help but still admire the Prince for his skill with the knives for few others could better him with this art. Legolas dodged as arrows and knives came for him from the sides, still managing to fight Norvelin at the same time. Sweat collected on his brow as he fought. He did not know how long he could keep this up. This is worse than fighting Orcs, Legoals thought. At least I do not need to smell their foul stench. But, the Prince was tiring and Norvelin seemed only to be going faster, moving his blade up, down, around and from the side. Although Norvelin was injured, he was much more rested than Legolas. For a brief second as the Prince turned to dodge a thrust, his eyes fell to Shihaku who was successfully holding her own. He had never seen her fight and even in the few seconds that he saw her, Legolas could not deny the skill she possessed.
Shihaku in turn, as she fought, kept her eyes on Legolas and Norvelin. She knew that Norvelin was not a fair fighter and would resort to anything to win. Though she was forced to fight with more men than Legolas, they were not as skilled as the traitorous Elf. All of her enemies' thrusts could be blocked or avoided with ease and she found herself being annoyed at their low level of fighting. She expected more of a challenge from men who were supposedly attempting to kill Strider. Just as she stabbed a bounty hunter in the chest with a small knife, she heard her name.
"SHIHAKU your left," Legolas cried out in warning, seeing another Elf aim an arrow at the Ranger.
Shihaku sensed the danger and in one fluid motion, as soon as she stabbed the bounty hunter, she pulled out the knife, turned and threw it at her would be assassin, striking him in the skull. The Elf fell to the ground with a sickening thud but it was not heard amidst the fray.
Shihaku, thought Norvelin, an unusual name. It was not a name in any language that he knew. Regardless of its origin, he now knew what Ranger aided the son of Thranduil. She would die too but first he must dispose of Legolas.
Shihaku shoved her opponents with her bow, knocking them to the ground with a force stronger than they ever expected from her. " // Duck,//" she shouted in Elvish, surprising Norvelin. Legolas did not hesitate and dropped to the ground as two arrows flew overhead to hit two assassins behind him. The Prince quickly got to his feet, lashing out at Norvelin again. Shihaku could have struck Norvelin but she knew better than to intervene. She knew that Legolas had a score to settle. As Shihaku moved among the men, she felt a sadness growing inside of her. When she fought wargs, orcs, or any other fell creature she knew that they were evil through and through, but these were humans and not necessarily born evil. Their hearts were once pure and only twisted by the hand of darkness. But, she felt no remorse as she struck each opponent down. She did, however think of a mild curse when she soon found herself surrounded yet again and pushed further away from Legolas. So they are not completely stupid hunters after all, she thought raising an eyebrow. But that will not save them in, regardless.
Just as she turned to check on Legolas' progress she saw him with his back against a tree, his knives locked together with Norvelin's blade. Legolas' brow was damp with sweat and his face was full of fury. Why wouldn't Norvelin just die, he asked himself, but deep inside he knew the answer and he refused to admit to it. He could smell Norvelin's breath, feel it against his skin, they were so close. He could see his own frustration mirrored in Norvelin's eyes. No doubt he wished I could just die as well, he thought. No such luck, foul traitor. I will not let you win so easily. I will not die until I make sure you regret your dark deeds!
Shihaku ducked a blow to her head and drove her fist into a hunter's gut, knocking the wind out of him. Someone to her right came charging at her and so she threw the man she was dealing with first at him. She could hear the sound of steel meeting flesh as the charging man accidentally struck his fellow hunter. Another one came at her, swinging his blade wildly like a crazed fool rather than a warrior of any sort. With graceful ease she avoided each swing. When he came at her with all his strength she side stepped the man, put out her foot, and tripped him. With a cry he began to fall as he felt his sword taken from his hand and plunged into his chest. Shihaku grabbed the quiver from his back and slung it over shoulder. She turned to face the others when she heard a small cry tinged with pain. Legolas! She ignored a sharp sting in her arm as a blade scraped her when she turned to see Legolas cringing. She soon found out why he cried out when she noticed Norvelin holding something against Legolas' injured side.
Legolas nearly dropped one of his knives because of the pain, his hands trembling, but instead he swung upwards to Norvelin's surprise. One of the Elven blades slid down the right side of Norvelin's face leaving a long, deep gash bleeding profusely. Legolas ducked to avoid Norvelin's blow. He stood just as Norvelin felt the side of his face and looked at the blood on his hand, looking at it with such surprise it seemed as if the wound was such an atrocity.
"Had the Prince been stronger you would no longer have a face to admire," said Shihaku, appearing by Legolas' side. It was time to retreat. There were too many for them now especially with Legolas injured. She had a brief glimpse of what it was Norvelin struck him with and knew that he was in danger.
Norvelin glared at the two, straightening his posture. "You will not make it far, Ranger. Legolas will die and so will Aragorn."
Shihaku narrowed her eyes. "I would tell you to think yourself lucky that the Prince's blow only glanced your face and did not kill you, but you are not quite so fortunate. The next time we meet, neither Legolas nor I will be so kind as to give you a quick death."
Norvelin would have retorted had he not felt a shiver down his spine. It was not Shihaku's words that chilled him, but the severity of her voice that made him fear that her words were indeed a promise she intended to keep. Legolas, regaining his grip on his knives, held onto them tightly. He glared at Norvelin as if to say that Shihaku's declaration did indeed speak for him as well.
"Then I shall have to kill you now," Norvelin told them. He made a lunge for both of them, but his long dagger struck the tree trunk instead. Looking up, he saw that Shihaku and Legolas had jumped into the air and were making their way across the branches above, none of their enemies' arrows coming near them. Norvelin held up his hand to cease their attack. "Save your arrows. They will not get far. That poison will slow them down and soon the Prince of Mirkwood will be dead as he should have been long ago." But Norvelin was not as sure as he was before of Legolas' fate especially with that Ranger to aid him.
Not long after they retreated, Legolas found himself weakening to the point where he could not run and he dropped down to the forest floor where he nearly collapsed. Shihaku looked at the dart protruding from his side and set it aside as she studied his injury. The dart itself would not have been a painful blow if it had not struck a still healing wound, ripping it open. Norvelin knew well that Legolas was injured here. he stabbed him here not only to create more pain but to ensure that his poison would go straight into the Prince's blood, she thought.
Legolas was breathing heavily and he looked ready to pass out. "Stay with me, Legolas. I do not think it safe for you to sleep now until I know what it is that ails you." Legolas could not speak but he heard her and tried his best to focus on staying conscious. When he heard Shihaku mutter an obscenity under her breath he knew that she did not know what poison flowed in his veins.
"We must keep moving. There is nothing we can do now," he told her through clenched teeth. He started to sit up but both the pain that now coursed through his body and a pair of strong hands on his shoulders kept him still.
"Wait here." Shihaku disappeared and returned shortly after with some herbs. Daring to make a fire she boiled the herbs in water and made a solution for him to drink. "This should numb some of the pain and keep the infection down. I will make a poultice that will slow the poison's travel in your veins but alas I fear I do not know what else to do. This poison is unknown to me." Why could it not have been spider's venom again? Or perhaps even Orc poison? Or the hundred other poisons I know?
Shihaku's voice was tinged with regret and Legolas looked at her to see the sincere worry in her eyes. Though she tried to hide it, it was obvious that this poison was unnerving her almost more than it was Legolas. He put his hand over hers. "I will be fine. Once we reach Lord Elrond he'll be able to cure whatever poison is in my veins. Rivendell is not far now." Shihaku said nothing for Rivendell was at least more than a week's journey still. She admired the Elf for his bravery if nothing else but she was not quite as confident as she wished she could be. Considering how Norvelin did not bother to come after her, Shihaku knew it meant that the traitor was quite sure that this poison would be Legolas' end.
~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~*
Well, there's Chapter 2. Um..how was it? Decent at least? Don't hesitate to let me know!
"//..//" denotes Elvish dialogue
Italics denote dream sequences or flashbacks (also Elvish words)
. denotes telepathic dialogue
Synopsis: Set before the Lord of the Rings books. On a hunting trip Legolas discovers an assassination plot for Estel for some humans apparently know he is Aragorn, the true heir of Gondor. But he is betrayed by a fellow Elf and as he rushes to warn his friend, he encounters a Ranger's aid who has more secrets hidden even from the Ranger herself. Will Legolas make it to Rivendell in time to warn his friend? And even if he does, will that be enough to save Estel?
THE SILVER LIGHT OF A WANING MOON
By Terra Forever
CHAPTER TWO:
In the morning Legolas and Shihaku made ready to embark toward Rivendell. Shihaku brushed her hair from her face and turned to Legolas. "You will have to keep up a fast pace Master Elf. Time is of the essence."
Legolas nodded slowly as he stood up, careful not to tear the wound. He would have no choice. "They will most likely be on their way on horseback. We are at a disadvantage and cannot waste any time." He watched as Shihaku adjusted her cloak. She is an unusual woman, he thought. She wears far fewer layers of clothing than I have seen any Ranger wear. True it is not very cold now but it is already nearing October; winter will be upon us soon. By the time we reach Imladris, assuming we are not hindered, it will be November. Yet, Shihaku's clothing was the least of her oddities for the fact that she, a woman, was a Ranger, was strange enough. Though Legolas was not one to discriminate on the basis of sex, he had never known Rangers to be female in all of his two thousand plus years.
Shihaku nodded ignoring Legolas' staring eyes. "We will pass them. They will be confident in their journey and will not expect us." She looked gravely then at Legolas. "If ever you feel you cannot move on do not keep silent, Prince Legolas. You must let me know at once. I do not wish to bring both news of an attempted assassination and your death to Strider." If it was true that Legolas and Strider were good friends then this Elf would most likely be as stubborn as the Ranger, perhaps more so. Either way, she knew that it meant Legolas would probably hide any pain or discomfort he felt. While this was an admirable trait, it could lead to many problems if Legolas' wounds were not tended to properly because he was too hard-headed.
Legolas forced a smile. "Of course, Lady."
Shihaku glared at him for the title, suddenly forgetting her worry about his injury. "I am no Lady, Prince. Do not fancy me with such titles. I am a Ranger. Call me that or by my name and no other."
Legolas merely nodded. The ferocity in Shihaku's voice regarding her name surprised him. "I mean not to offend you, Shihaku." The Ranger merely nodded to signify the end of their conversation. She hadn't meant to be so harsh but her name was a gift to her and it was no small matter. She was not one to talk about herself under any circumstances and she feared that Legolas would not be one to let things slide; she was sure to expect more questions from the Elf before they arrived at the Last Homely House.
The two hiked at a rather quick pace with no intentions on halting for any reason. If not for Legolas' wound needing careful treatment, neither of them wished to stop at all. For most of their trek, the Prince was able to set aside any pain that came from his wound, jarred with every movement he made, but thankfully not torn. If not for the nagging fears in his mind, this could have been a simple hunt for him. He has been injured before on his other adventures; this would be like any other but his friend's life was in danger. But finally as the day wore on, Legolas could not help but slow his pace ever so slightly. Though he could feel nausea threatening to breach his senses, Legolas continued to push it back; he would not give in so easily. He was grateful that the spider's venom was not entirely dangerous and wore off rather quickly, but his wound was still on the mend. The wound was deeper than he initially thought and had gone unattended for far too long. He was only thankful that his Elven abilities were keeping it from getting worse. And, he could not help but admit, Shihaku's healing skills did much to help ease the pain.
Though to most it would seem there was no change in Legolas' movements, the Ranger's keen eyes told her otherwise. When she had had enough of the Elf's foolishness, Shihaku jogged by his side and took Legolas' arm my force draping it over her shoulder. At first Legolas refused but Shihaku's glare was not one to take lightly. He also feared that in his attempts to retrieve his arm, the Ranger might just tear it off with the ferocity of her hold. She shook her head. Though they moved awkwardly at first, they found their pace and fell into step with each other, moving quickly past the dark forests of Mirkwood. How like you, Strider, to make friends like this, she thought. This Elf is so loyal to you like many others who have had the honor of meeting you. To say that Aragorn was charismatic would be an understatement for only the servants of evil were ever his enemies for the most part. Shihaku could not help but remember a few incidents where Strider's enemies were the servants of stupidity and ignorance rather than evil.
Finally, off in the distance, the sun began its descent and marked the end of their journey for the day. Legolas suggested they continue on a little further, but Shihaku forced him to the ground with a strong shove. The Elf could not help but wince at the smarting pain of his bottom upon impact with the hard ground. "Do not argue with me, stubborn Elf. You wish yourself an early death? Elf you may be, but that wound can still be mortal if you do not heed its own warnings to you." With that, with the help of the filtering moonlight through the trees, Shihaku began to examine the slowly healing wounds. Legolas wished she did so with much more kindness.
He hissed when Shihaku unwrapped the bandages and checked the wounds. She grimaced at the blood that stained the bandages. Though his wound was not freely bleeding, it was refusing to close entirely still. So she dug through her pouches and made a poultice of strong herbs. The pain from the herbs that stung his wounds made Legolas question whether they were really helping him or not, but he knew enough about healing to assure him that Shihaku had done nothing but help him mend, so far. "You were lucky that blow did not pierce an organ, Master Elf, or I would be carrying your body instead to Strider." She removed the poultice for a moment to check its progress and replaced it. Legolas said nothing, clenching his teeth instead as he leaned back against a tree holding the poultice against his wound himself. Shihaku looked at him and for a moment she found herself admiring his beauty. Injured or no, there was no mistaking Legolas' handsome features illuminated even more by the streak of moonlight on his face. The light of the moon reminded Shihaku of something and she turned away a little, as if hiding her face from the light.
"You will not need to carry me either way, Shihaku. I will travel on my own feet of my own accord," Legolas said, his voice hard. He looked at Shihaku and their eyes met - both equally determined. There was something in Shihaku's blue irises that tugged at Legolas' mind but he knew not what it was. All he was sure of then was that he would not be carried by anyone -he had to preserve what honor he had left after his fight with Norvelin. Though he wondered if Shihaku would be able to bear him all the way to Imladris either way.
"You forget, Prince Legolas that I carried you to safety when we first met," said Shihaku. Legolas looked at her. "No I do not read minds, but the thoughts of others are not hard to see on their face or in their actions."
"Little escapes you then, Shihaku."
"That is why I am still alive. The same, I think, can be said for you."
"I thank you again for that. My life is indebted to you."
"I care little for your life, Prince Legolas. The life of Strider means more to me than yours. Though I know you to be King Thranduil's son, Strider is nearly kin to me."
"I understand." But that does not change the fact that I do owe you, Shihaku, thought Legolas. Though it seemed that his debts to her would not end there for they still had a long journey ahead of them.
"Rest now. Since we have settled at sunset, we rise before dawn. I will take watch."
"Wake me half into the night and I shall take the next."
"No. Sleep, or I shall make you."
Legolas did not know how but Shihaku could instill in him a certain fear making him hope even more she was not an enemy. Her words alone were enough to make him grow cold. Her blue eyes were even more chilling to the soul. He then wondered why her tone was so coarse. What sort of life brought her to have such a sharp tongue, wit, and senses. But, he knew that he would have to rely on all of these for survival and the success of his mission. He guessed that the natural life of a Ranger led Shihaku to be this way but the few others he knew through Aragorn were not even this coarse. He wondered how Strider faired when they were together. From the way she speaks so strongly of him, Shihaku and Estel seem close yet I do not remember him ever telling me of a female Ranger. How could such a thing escape his mind? Was he trying to keep her identity hidden for some reason? What if they are not really friends at all and she is merely leading me astray?
Shihaku knew that Legolas was thinking of her, wondering about her. You can imagine all you want, she thought. I do not care. Though it was not true that she didn't care for Legolas' life. He was still a life that she swore to protect as a Ranger; after all as such, she was an ally to all the Elves. Though there was more to her reasoning to save his life even beyond the fact that there would be great consequences should Legolas die. Whatever this was, she had yet to discover it herself. Most importantly to her at this time was that if Strider's life was in danger, she knew it needed saving far more than the Prince of Mirkwood's. Yet this was not a judgment Shihaku could truly make for she acknowledged the fact that she did not know what future lay ahead for the Prince. He will not die under my care, she promised, turning from Legolas to the sky above.
Hours later Legolas looked up at the stars for though he tried to sleep, it would not come, surprisingly enough. He could have sworn that not long ago, his senses were ready to fade into an eternal sleep. "Shihaku is a strange name," murmured Legolas suddenly. He did not bother to turn to the Ranger. Instead he kept to admiring the dark sky lit up by thousands of stars even his Elf eyes could not count. "What language is it in for it is neither Elvish, or Westron that I know of? And, I doubt it is Dwarvish."
"I do not answer to an Elf who should be asleep." I knew this would come eventually, thought Shihaku, sighing inwardly.
"Humor me."
"Why should I do that?"
"Perhaps then I shall be able to sleep with a sound mind; one less question to plague it."
"Then don't sleep and we shall see who will be sorry later." Legolas lifted his head up and looked at the dark figure whose face suddenly seemed to reflect the soft glow of the stars and the moon above. How unusual, he thought. Even in the darkness their eyes still met and each could see the other's blue irises. I cannot believe I am indulging this foolish Elf, thought Shihaku, shaking her head. But she knew that Legolas would never let it drop and perhaps he would sleep if she finally answered this one question. But, she promised herself, only this one question. "In a tongue, long lost, it once meant 'Waning Moon.' I was named after a bright moon but one that is still partly hidden in darkness."
Legolas' lips turned up in a thoughtful smile. "I can see why. Tis a fitting name. A bright light in the sky but still dark where mysteries run deep."
Yes that was part of the reason she was named that. But, there was a darker reason. She normally would not have said anything about it but from the way Legolas kept staring at her as if waiting for more, it was obvious there was something she was keeping hidden. "Written in the dead language it uses the characters 'death' and 'demon.' One can interpret it as the night I was found when much death was caused by fell creatures. Or, perhaps I am one who will ensure the death of these demons." Shihaku almost smiled at the memory of the arguments over her name by those who gave it to her.
"Even in darkness there shines brightly a light. This light will banish them forever and they will be sent to the evil shadows from whence they came."
Shihaku turned to Legolas and saw that his faraway gaze was turned to the stars. He was deep in thought and she would not be the one to disturb him. After a long silence between them and even throughout the forest, she saw that his breathing was slow and even signifying that the Elf was finally asleep. There was no denying the beauty of this noble Firstborn and it intrigued her for none of the other Elves she had seen could compare to him. He is no ordinary Elf, she thought. I see why he and Strider are close; it seems both of them have something great lying in wait until the right time comes for them to take their destined paths. She wondered though if Strider would finally come to grasp with who he was and take hold of his destiny rather than shun it.
Ere dawn, the two were already stretching their limbs, making ready to leave for another long trek across the lands westward to the Last Homely House of Elrond Half-Elven. They both discussed the idea of going through Lorien since they were so far south already and there they could ask Galadriel and Celeborn to help them but it would add a few more days to their journey. Even if they were provided horses and supplies, it may only create a wider gap between themselves and the assassins. "No, we go on to Rivendell without any delays," said Legolas. "I would like to think that we will be aided well in Lorien, but of that we cannot be certain. Besides, I do not know now whom to trust. There may yet be another traitor in the Golden Wood." Though he doubted very much that a traitor would escape either Lady or Lord of Caras Galadhon, they would lose too much time should they travel there.
Shihaku nodded and knew well that it also meant that Legolas did not trust her to carry word to Aragorn herself for if they traveled to the Realm of the Lady of the Wood, Galadriel would not let him leave until he was well rested. It is good that he does not trust me, she thought, since she herself rarely trusted anyone. This way they would be more wary of each other's actions and their surroundings. "We may find what we need on our way to Rivendell." She was hoping to find a horse. She cursed the fact that she did not choose to travel on mare or steed this time knowing it could mean success or failure. But while they were already set to travel onward without stopping at Lothlorien, she still wondered if it would be better for the Prince to be treated by the Lady of the Wood.
"I will heal shortly," Legolas told her, seeing her thoughts in the blue eyes transfixed on him. "I am an Elf, remember? I have better things to do than be injured."
Shihaku said nothing and fought the urge to roll her eyes at him. Foolish Elf, she thought. You are still young yet. Though she knew that he was still older than she was. And, even though Legolas was young, it was his youthful strength that probably allowed him to continue on this journey despite his injury. It may well have saved him many times over on past adventures, she thought.
As they moved on in their swift pace, trekking through the woods and fields, Shihaku held her hand up to signal a warning. Their hard work the past two days was well worth it. They had caught up with Norvelin and his group. "I do not think that Norvelin travels only with that small band from earlier," she murmured looking at the tracks she discovered. "There must be hunters and assassins hidden somewhere around him."
Legolas nodded but he was only half listening for his ears were tuned elsewhere. Shihaku looked at him for a moment, silent to allow his ears better focus. "They are not far at all, Shihaku. I can hear them making their way though I still cannot see them." He pointed up and before the Ranger could even nod or shake her head, he had already jumped up to a branch and was climbing to get to another one. Shihaku decided to stay on the ground, following the tracks and nearing the group that made their way toward Rivendell. Think you that Strider will be so easy to kill, she thought. Not even with your whole band could you stop him and his destiny. Especially not if either Legolas or I am around to make sure of it.
Legolas carefully and noiselessly jumped from branch to branch keeping his eyes on Norvelin whom he spotted first riding with an air of nobility upon his dark brown horse. He rides as if he had already won, thought Legolas disgustedly. You would think him to be some sort of hero deserving of some great reward when all he deserves is death for his crimes. I wonder what other foul deeds this creature has done.
Reminding himself that there was a greater issue at hand rather than revenge, Legolas concentrated on his enemies. He was sure that the humans who accompanied him were good hunters and had heightened senses, but none could compare with an Elf's. He had to make sure that Norvelin did not even suspect the presence of anyone other than his party. A part of him wanted to engage in a fight and end this now but he knew that Shihaku was right - there were probably more of them hiding. His last encounter with the group told him that to be outnumbered would not bode well for them. Legolas searched the forest floor for any hidden foes. We must slow them down at least, he thought. The best way to accomplish that was to injure as many men as they could -especially Norvelin himself.
He searched for any signs of Shihaku and saw her behind a tree not too far away. Their eyes met and she nodded as if knowing his thoughts. Reaching for his bow and an arrow, Legolas aimed at Norvelin. Almost as if hearing the bow being readied, Norvelin stopped and looked around him feeling himself being watched by unfriendly eyes. Unbeknownst to the Elven Prince, he had been spotted by a scout on the ground. No mere human would have been able to see Legolas so high above, but the scout was an Elf, a traitor much like his commander. Legolas heard the sound of an approaching object and saw a dagger being thrown to his head with deadly accuracy. The Elf dodged, but at the price of his balance. Losing his footing Legolas found himself falling but in a last desperate attempt, he still fired his arrow, which still managed to scrape Norvelin's chest.
"AGH," cried Norvelin, as the arrow scathed his skin. His steed reared, frightened by the arrow but it quickly calmed down hearing the comforting words of his rider. He turned and heard Legolas fall hard on the ground. Norvelin need not have seen Legolas or the arrow that struck him to know who dared attack him. The Elf pulled on the reins and the horse trotted to the sight just as Legolas got to his feet. "Ah, so the Prince is indeed alive," muttered Norvelin, a mix of anger and disappointment filling his eyes. "Where is your Ranger to save you now?"
In an answer to the traitor's question, arrows from above rained down on them striking several of the hunters and the Elf who had spotted Legolas. I should have known that there would be Elves in this party, thought Shihaku. Legolas had taken this time to loose his own arrows, jumping up to a tree branch, avoiding Norvelin's long dagger.
"You think that the two of you, alone, can stop us?" Norvelin hissed. He saw the blood from his wound and glared at his Prince. He touched the wound, wincing slightly at the pain but it was obvious he was more upset about the fact that he was just struck. He looked up at his foe. "You shall pay for that, Legolas."
"Think of it as my gratitude for your gift to me," Legolas retorted.
"Do not think to strike the Prince of Mirkwood again," said Shihaku her arrow trained on Norvelin.
"I wouldn't dare, Ranger, but you will find that you are in no position to give any sort of order," sneered Norvelin.
Shihaku found herself surrounded by hunters, weapons drawn. She narrowed her eyes. "Think you that they will be able to kill Strider all on their own without a leader? Without payment? I know that more than half of your company is made up of bounty hunters. They are not paid enough to continue on such a task without you to play your role."
Norvelin turned to Shihaku to see more clearly who he was facing but again her face was covered by the shadow of her hood. It was his mistake to turn away from Legolas. The young Prince knocked Norvelin off his horse and Shihaku jumped to avoid the arrows aimed at her and landed on the ground to face the humans. She unsheathed her sword and engaged with them. Legolas and Norvelin struggled against each other and though Norvelin was older, he found that Legolas was quite strong, much stronger than he expected. We must change that, he thought.
Legolas moved as if he was dancing, parrying, thrusting, and spinning around with his Elven knives. Norvelin had faced Legolas before, but never had they been out for blood. The traitor could not help but still admire the Prince for his skill with the knives for few others could better him with this art. Legolas dodged as arrows and knives came for him from the sides, still managing to fight Norvelin at the same time. Sweat collected on his brow as he fought. He did not know how long he could keep this up. This is worse than fighting Orcs, Legoals thought. At least I do not need to smell their foul stench. But, the Prince was tiring and Norvelin seemed only to be going faster, moving his blade up, down, around and from the side. Although Norvelin was injured, he was much more rested than Legolas. For a brief second as the Prince turned to dodge a thrust, his eyes fell to Shihaku who was successfully holding her own. He had never seen her fight and even in the few seconds that he saw her, Legolas could not deny the skill she possessed.
Shihaku in turn, as she fought, kept her eyes on Legolas and Norvelin. She knew that Norvelin was not a fair fighter and would resort to anything to win. Though she was forced to fight with more men than Legolas, they were not as skilled as the traitorous Elf. All of her enemies' thrusts could be blocked or avoided with ease and she found herself being annoyed at their low level of fighting. She expected more of a challenge from men who were supposedly attempting to kill Strider. Just as she stabbed a bounty hunter in the chest with a small knife, she heard her name.
"SHIHAKU your left," Legolas cried out in warning, seeing another Elf aim an arrow at the Ranger.
Shihaku sensed the danger and in one fluid motion, as soon as she stabbed the bounty hunter, she pulled out the knife, turned and threw it at her would be assassin, striking him in the skull. The Elf fell to the ground with a sickening thud but it was not heard amidst the fray.
Shihaku, thought Norvelin, an unusual name. It was not a name in any language that he knew. Regardless of its origin, he now knew what Ranger aided the son of Thranduil. She would die too but first he must dispose of Legolas.
Shihaku shoved her opponents with her bow, knocking them to the ground with a force stronger than they ever expected from her. " // Duck,//" she shouted in Elvish, surprising Norvelin. Legolas did not hesitate and dropped to the ground as two arrows flew overhead to hit two assassins behind him. The Prince quickly got to his feet, lashing out at Norvelin again. Shihaku could have struck Norvelin but she knew better than to intervene. She knew that Legolas had a score to settle. As Shihaku moved among the men, she felt a sadness growing inside of her. When she fought wargs, orcs, or any other fell creature she knew that they were evil through and through, but these were humans and not necessarily born evil. Their hearts were once pure and only twisted by the hand of darkness. But, she felt no remorse as she struck each opponent down. She did, however think of a mild curse when she soon found herself surrounded yet again and pushed further away from Legolas. So they are not completely stupid hunters after all, she thought raising an eyebrow. But that will not save them in, regardless.
Just as she turned to check on Legolas' progress she saw him with his back against a tree, his knives locked together with Norvelin's blade. Legolas' brow was damp with sweat and his face was full of fury. Why wouldn't Norvelin just die, he asked himself, but deep inside he knew the answer and he refused to admit to it. He could smell Norvelin's breath, feel it against his skin, they were so close. He could see his own frustration mirrored in Norvelin's eyes. No doubt he wished I could just die as well, he thought. No such luck, foul traitor. I will not let you win so easily. I will not die until I make sure you regret your dark deeds!
Shihaku ducked a blow to her head and drove her fist into a hunter's gut, knocking the wind out of him. Someone to her right came charging at her and so she threw the man she was dealing with first at him. She could hear the sound of steel meeting flesh as the charging man accidentally struck his fellow hunter. Another one came at her, swinging his blade wildly like a crazed fool rather than a warrior of any sort. With graceful ease she avoided each swing. When he came at her with all his strength she side stepped the man, put out her foot, and tripped him. With a cry he began to fall as he felt his sword taken from his hand and plunged into his chest. Shihaku grabbed the quiver from his back and slung it over shoulder. She turned to face the others when she heard a small cry tinged with pain. Legolas! She ignored a sharp sting in her arm as a blade scraped her when she turned to see Legolas cringing. She soon found out why he cried out when she noticed Norvelin holding something against Legolas' injured side.
Legolas nearly dropped one of his knives because of the pain, his hands trembling, but instead he swung upwards to Norvelin's surprise. One of the Elven blades slid down the right side of Norvelin's face leaving a long, deep gash bleeding profusely. Legolas ducked to avoid Norvelin's blow. He stood just as Norvelin felt the side of his face and looked at the blood on his hand, looking at it with such surprise it seemed as if the wound was such an atrocity.
"Had the Prince been stronger you would no longer have a face to admire," said Shihaku, appearing by Legolas' side. It was time to retreat. There were too many for them now especially with Legolas injured. She had a brief glimpse of what it was Norvelin struck him with and knew that he was in danger.
Norvelin glared at the two, straightening his posture. "You will not make it far, Ranger. Legolas will die and so will Aragorn."
Shihaku narrowed her eyes. "I would tell you to think yourself lucky that the Prince's blow only glanced your face and did not kill you, but you are not quite so fortunate. The next time we meet, neither Legolas nor I will be so kind as to give you a quick death."
Norvelin would have retorted had he not felt a shiver down his spine. It was not Shihaku's words that chilled him, but the severity of her voice that made him fear that her words were indeed a promise she intended to keep. Legolas, regaining his grip on his knives, held onto them tightly. He glared at Norvelin as if to say that Shihaku's declaration did indeed speak for him as well.
"Then I shall have to kill you now," Norvelin told them. He made a lunge for both of them, but his long dagger struck the tree trunk instead. Looking up, he saw that Shihaku and Legolas had jumped into the air and were making their way across the branches above, none of their enemies' arrows coming near them. Norvelin held up his hand to cease their attack. "Save your arrows. They will not get far. That poison will slow them down and soon the Prince of Mirkwood will be dead as he should have been long ago." But Norvelin was not as sure as he was before of Legolas' fate especially with that Ranger to aid him.
Not long after they retreated, Legolas found himself weakening to the point where he could not run and he dropped down to the forest floor where he nearly collapsed. Shihaku looked at the dart protruding from his side and set it aside as she studied his injury. The dart itself would not have been a painful blow if it had not struck a still healing wound, ripping it open. Norvelin knew well that Legolas was injured here. he stabbed him here not only to create more pain but to ensure that his poison would go straight into the Prince's blood, she thought.
Legolas was breathing heavily and he looked ready to pass out. "Stay with me, Legolas. I do not think it safe for you to sleep now until I know what it is that ails you." Legolas could not speak but he heard her and tried his best to focus on staying conscious. When he heard Shihaku mutter an obscenity under her breath he knew that she did not know what poison flowed in his veins.
"We must keep moving. There is nothing we can do now," he told her through clenched teeth. He started to sit up but both the pain that now coursed through his body and a pair of strong hands on his shoulders kept him still.
"Wait here." Shihaku disappeared and returned shortly after with some herbs. Daring to make a fire she boiled the herbs in water and made a solution for him to drink. "This should numb some of the pain and keep the infection down. I will make a poultice that will slow the poison's travel in your veins but alas I fear I do not know what else to do. This poison is unknown to me." Why could it not have been spider's venom again? Or perhaps even Orc poison? Or the hundred other poisons I know?
Shihaku's voice was tinged with regret and Legolas looked at her to see the sincere worry in her eyes. Though she tried to hide it, it was obvious that this poison was unnerving her almost more than it was Legolas. He put his hand over hers. "I will be fine. Once we reach Lord Elrond he'll be able to cure whatever poison is in my veins. Rivendell is not far now." Shihaku said nothing for Rivendell was at least more than a week's journey still. She admired the Elf for his bravery if nothing else but she was not quite as confident as she wished she could be. Considering how Norvelin did not bother to come after her, Shihaku knew it meant that the traitor was quite sure that this poison would be Legolas' end.
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Well, there's Chapter 2. Um..how was it? Decent at least? Don't hesitate to let me know!