A VERY long chapter to last my devoted readers a whole week. You get just
about everything in this chapter, so be prepared. Everything is still PG-
13; the rated R is coming soon though. I dearly hope you like what I have
written about and I hope it still is believable. I will write when I get
home and once I get over jet-lag. Please review on this chapter; I really
hope that I have a lot of reviews when I get home so I can reflect on what
I need to improve on or continue to do!
I also have an error in a previous chapter that I did not fix. I mentioned going over Caradhras, but I was entirely wrong, because the two Elves are taking an entirely different path. I did not fix it, but I will when I get home.
ELVEN DIALOGUE: "Delio" : Hide / "U-'osto" : Fear not / "Al-an-uir" : Not for an Eternity
The following week was full of more walking among the lands of Middle- Earth; the two Elves, after passing the Great River, were walking within the beautiful land known as the Vales of Anduin, the valley of Anduin located within Rhovanion. Rhovanion's valley was magnificent; full of old Elms and Oaks that were spontaneously located within various regions of the huge land. It being late summer, some of the trees were beginning to change colors and the land slightly flourished with astounding oranges, reds and yellows. The two Elves were lucky, for they had not seen much ominous weather and spent most of their time awake below a spanning blue sky with flowing, white clouds. The brisk breeze was less comforting than the warm summer one, but altogether there was little discomfort and their moral increased in their pleasant journey.
After their discussion, Legolas and Haemerethwen returned to their previous attitudes toward each other. Although Haemerethwen's spirit soared knowing that Legolas admitted his fondness of her, she did nothing to express the happiness that expanded within her, forcing away her discouraging loneliness. Legolas continued to contemplate his future, but usually he forced his mind to stray from that topic in order to maintain his cheerfulness. He continued to deny his inner emotions and with Haemerethwen not mentioning her feelings, he soon began to altogether forget that previous experience.
On the morning of the thirteenth day of their journey, the two Elves awoke to a chilling wind, reminding them of their close proximity to the Misty Mountains, their next obstacle to overcome.
"What distance must we travel before we reach the High Pass?" asked Haemerethwen as she slowly stood up and stretched her entire body. Legolas, who was unpacking their breakfast, looked up at her and smiled. Although he would deny his eternal inner emotions, the temporary physical desires reminded him of the intensifying interest he found with her.
"We should reach the lower part of the path by late afternoon; if we ride quickly, we should be able to spend the night within a cave an Imladris messenger uncovered to me," his eyes continued to roam her slender body and again remembered touching her supple skin, allowing him a memory that would forever soothe him. He dropped his eyes as her arms gracefully dropped to her side and she walked over to help him.
"Such a cave would have been useful in my previous journey," she stated, her grey eyes smiling upon him as she took in sight of his ethereal face.
"Aye, almost as useful as I," he jested and handed the substantial breakfast to her. She gently laughed at him and shook her head.
"Useful?" she asked, raising her eyebrows at him and sitting upon the grassy land.
"Might we have forgotten," he asked and sat down next to her, "A certain incidence involving trees and Olog-hai?" She wrinkled her nose at him and frowned, joking over the fact that after that night Legolas had continued to playfully mock her. Legolas smiled and began to eat his food.
"Aye, aye. I did not, however, forget about the contemptuous pride of the Prince of Mirkwood," she stated, sticking food within her own mouth. Legolas softly laughed and nodded his head in agreement.
"And who could forget the sensitivity of the Falathrim?" he joked. She pushed him with the arm closest to her, but he hardly moved. He laughed at her and stated, "Or the strength!" The two Elves continued to jest with one another until they had finished their breakfast, when they then packed up their few belongings and continued along their way to the High Pass.
The High Pass was the same path that Bilbo Baggins traveled along his Quest of Erebor; it traveled above Rivendell and would eventually lead the travelers to the fair city. The path was not as ruthless as the Redhorn Pass located upon the mountain Caradhras, which was the path the Fellowship of the Ring undertook. The High Pass was no longer a considerable threat to many travelers due to the Battle of the Five Armies, but after the War of the Ring, many of the goblins had returned to the dark places within the mountain range. Legolas and Haemerethwen were aware of the peril- Haemerethwen and her two companions were previously attacked by a small band of Goblins, but they offered no menace that could not be controlled- and were also aware of the more prevalent threat of Thrakdreg and his company.
The previous two nights the two Elves were slightly aware of a growing evil presence, but decided it was due to the goblins of the Misty Mountains. Haemerethwen did, three nights back, hear a distanced call that resembled the Black Speech and felt a slight cold tremble within her, warning her again of what lurked within the shadows. For the past few days, she gripped upon the handle of her axe and sat lightly upon her horse to anticipate any sudden attack.
"The light is still strong and yet we approach the High Pass," stated Legolas as the two Elves and their horses stood before the inclining path. Haemerethwen looked up to the brilliant sun and was surprised by its position; indeed, the sun would continue to warm the world for four to five hours more.
"We have made good time," answered the she-Elf. Legolas, who sat upon his horse in front of her, looked back at her and charmingly smiled at her.
"We shall easily reach the cave I recently spoke about," he stated, "Granting more time to assure us of our safety along this perilous route. Perhaps we shall evade many evils." He turned forward again and pressed Arod to continue upwards.
"By Valar, let it be so," whispered Haemerethwen as she too pressed her horse forward. Haemerethwen's fear was heightened as the horse slowly traveled the steep incline and she hesitantly looked around the surroundings in attempts to locate where hidden enemies may loiter. She could not shake off the fear that was accumulating within her mind and her heart began to race in its anticipation of evil. But evil did not arrive, leaving her anxious and gripping her axe tighter.
She forced her horse to walk closer to Legolas' and she suddenly caught the sound of his sweet voice silently flowing from his lips.
"What tale do you sing of?" she asked, wondering what sparked him to sing at such a desperate place. He answered without looking back.
"The tale always sung when in your presence."
"What might that be?" she queried. He looked back at her and questioned her with his eyes.
"Do you not remember?" he asked. She smiled at him.
"Sing it and I may," she stated. He smiled back at her, relaxed again in knowing that she had not forgotten his words. He motioned her to move next to his horse, creating a slightly uncomfortable proximity among the horses due to the narrowness of the path, but the humble creatures allowed it. His blue eyes sparkled when her clothed leg rubbed against his, but did not allow his body to react in the way he desired.
'He sought her ever, wandering far
Where leaves of years were thickly strewn,
By light of moon and ray of star
In frosty heavens shivering.
Her mantle glinted in the moon,
As on a hill-top high and far
She danced, and at her feet was strewn
A mist of silver quivering.'
The fair voice of the Prince of Mirkwood, though more silent than usual, again enchanted Haemerethwen and any other good-natured soul in the hearing proximity. The passion within his voice was stronger than the previous times he sang to her, indicating again the change overcoming his heart. Haemerethwen reacted to his words immediately and absorbed the pleasing sound; her heart beat faster when his eyes pierced through her own, leaving her blushing in the intimate manner he sang. She smiled when he finished.
"The Ballad of Beren and Luthien," she whispered, "How could you slightly believe that I would forget your voice?" He looked at her and brought his hand to her cheek, brushing it slightly with his fingertips.
"I did not believe it," he answered, slowly dropping his hand from her face. His eyes still locked onto her, memorizing every aspect of her beautiful face. The stray blonde hair brushing her face with the breeze, the silver-grey eyes indicating hidden desires and the slightly parted pink lips that formed a delicate smile. She did not match the uncontested beauty of Luthien or many other she-Elves, but she was indeed beautiful. Legolas' heart began to beat faster as he became overwhelmed in the growing desire within him; his continuous denial of his true feelings caused his craving to build-up and soon it would be too irresistible to disregard. However, he again forced the desire he had for her to be shut away.
"The cave can be seen from here," he stated, pointing to the area where it was located. Haemerethwen squinted her eyes to where he pointed and then nodded.
"Not too far," she stated with gratitude. The night was beginning to fall and Haemerethwen began to pale when she noticed the growing shadows along their path. The coldness, although temporarily forgotten due to Legolas, was continuing to accumulate within her, but this time more intensely. She looked back at Legolas.
"I feel a warning," she whispered to him, her eyes widening and searching the area yet again. Legolas silently stared forward and nodded.
"I feel it as well," he whispered back. They continued onward with Haemerethwen's fear doubling when the illuminating moon became covered with a dark mass of clouds. The night was falling fast, much to the disappointment of the Elves who had hoped to reach the cave before the darkening of the path. Legolas cursed within his mind for not accurately remembering the distance to the cave; through the past few nights, Legolas noticed the intense and unnatural fear that Haemerethwen portrayed when night began to fall and he was alarmed at their current position. He could see from the corner of his eyes that Haemerethwen's fear was turning her to a frenzied state, which would not help them if they were suddenly attacked- something Legolas began to feel was imminent.
Haemerethwen sighed in relief when the cave suddenly loomed in front of them and Legolas relaxed in his posture. The two Elves gracefully jumped off their horses and pulled them deep within the crevice of the mountain, hoping to escape the eyes of any passing evil. After settling her horse, Haemerethwen immediately slumped down the wall and covered her face with her hands. The fear was beginning to strangle her nature and it was so overpowering that her body needed a slight rest. Noticing this strange behavior, Legolas immediately knelt down beside her and concern showed through his strong eyes.
"Haemerethwen?" he soothingly asked, "What ails you so?" She slowly dropped her hands from her face and looked up at him, fear and sadness expressed within the dimming light of her eyes.
"Fear," she whispered. He grabbed onto her hand and pulled her back to a standing position. She slightly swayed and he swung his arm around her waist to secure her.
"Of what?" he gently queried. She looked down to the ground, ashamed that such a pitiless emotion was forcing her to succumb.
"Of him," she answered, "Of Thrakdreg." Legolas questioned her again with his eyes.
"Who?" he asked. She allowed a small smile to show and thanked Thranduil that he did not lie in stating that Legolas had no idea of his real reason behind joining her. She glanced back up at him.
"He follows me," she answered, "With no relent for the past one thousand years. It began when his small group attacked the borders of Mithlond and the company I was with easily defeated them. However, he escaped and three of us followed him, knowing he was the leader of the group. It was a trap and. . . we. . .I. . ." she stopped and swallowed hard, reliving the memory within her mind.
Legolas wrapped her in his arms and allowed her to become comforted within his hold. For a moment, he forgot about how he was the Prince of Mirkwood and she a messenger. As he felt her shivering due to her memory, he tightened his grip upon her. Legolas welcomed the chance to hold her again and breathed in her intoxicating smell; his thoughts returning to how much he wanted her to be his. Previous thoughts forgotten, Legolas slowly loosened his hold upon her and stepped back slightly to glance down upon the pale she-Elf. 'Still so beautiful at such a desperate time," he thought. She directed her eyes up to him and tried to smile, but to no avail. He smiled down at her and in a fluid motion brought his hand to chin and lifted her lips up to meet his. The softness of her lips surprised him and a tingling sensation pricked his lips, allowing him to savor the pleasantness of it.
Haemerethwen immediately relaxed at the touch of his lips and, for a moment, she again forgot her fear. He wrapped his arms around her lithe body powerfully and she felt a sense of protection within him. Legolas soon pulled his lips slowly away from hers and, although the kiss was quick, she felt entirely satisfied and complete. She kept her eyes closed a second longer and then looked up a smiling Legolas. She returned the smile and then blushed.
"U-'osto," he stated and then went to the horses to unpack. Haemerethwen stood a while long, contemplating the strangeness of the entire situation. Her smile remained, though, and she soon turned to help Legolas in unpacking. They said nothing to each other, but both were beaming in the delight that had just occurred. No words were necessary.
As Legolas was setting down the last possession they had brought, the two Elves caught the sound of a foot clumsily hitting a rock further out the cave. Legolas immediately drew his bow and quietly commanded: "Delio." She did not heed his charge, though, and drew her bow and stood behind and to the side of him. Both Elves cursed themselves for allowing their minds to be distracted at such a demanding time.
They stood for a long minute before an arrow was shot out of the darkness from one of the attackers. Whistling towards Legolas, he turned just in time to escape its piercing shaft. The two Elves could not see their attackers yet, but the evil ones saw their target. Directly after the first arrow flew another one, this one also aimed at the Prince. However, the aim was slightly off and he escaped unharmed. Haemerethwen released an arrow into the darkness towards the supposed archer directly after the creature had shot his second arrow; the arrow caught the attacker off-guard and the shrill cry echoed within the cave.
"Yrch!" spat Legolas. Haemerethwen's color drained from her face in this realization, but did not allow the fear to consume at this critical point.
With the death of the archer, the Orcs began to charge the two Elves. There were many Orcs; too many for the two Elves to protect themselves against. Arrows flew from the two Elves and pierced into the charging enemies; black blood spewed forth from many Orcs as the arrows shred through skin, muscle and bone. However, many Orcs remained and soon the two had to defend hand to hand against the numerous creatures that attacked mercilessly.
Without her daggers, Haemerethwen could not protect herself as effectively. Soon five Orcs were upon her and she killed many with her axe, but then she caught the hilt of a scimitar to the right side of her cheek. The force was so powerful that she stumbled backward and temporarily lowered her axe, allowing the Orcs to quickly end her. One tripped her legs up and she fell down backwards; her head violently hitting the stone floor and she lowering her guard even more. Immediately she felt her right shoulder become sharply pierced with a blade; the pain caused her to become nauseous, but she did not let on to the Orcs about how much pain they caused. The Orcs retaliated against her stoicism by kicking her in the ribs continuously with the strong armored feet and soon she heard a sickening crack after one particularly forceful kick and a sharp pain surrounding the left side of her ribs. She gasped in agony, but would not relent in trying to protect herself. She grabbed onto a kicking Orc's foot and powerfully twisted it to the right and then forward; the Orc shrieked from the painful ache and fell down after her tug and Haemerethwen felt some success. However, a quick kick to the jaw caused her to spit out thick blood and her small rising self-esteem with it. The kick almost knocked her out of consciousness, but she would not allow herself to succumb.
Legolas was defending himself much better than Haemerethwen was. The merciless fighter efficiently slaughtered the surroundings Orcs; he slashed many of the Orcs and occasionally sliced off limbs, leaving many blood- curdling screams to spill out of the creature's mouth as it witnessed its death. The Prince ducked, back stepped and sliced his way through many of the enemies, but he became distracted when he heard the sound of Haemerethwen powerfully hitting the ground. This momentary distraction allowed one of the Orcs to throw its scimitar at Legolas, piercing him on the upper part of his right chest.
Surprised, Legolas stepped backward and glanced down at the blood slowly flowing from his wound. However, he grimaced and pulled out the poisoned blade, dropping to the ground with a wince. He then continued to fight against the gathering Orcs and desperately tried to regain the strength being released with his blood. Legolas' usual fluid motions were slowly decreasing and soon a second thin slash down the left of his abdomen accompanied this first wound. Legolas again stumbled and gasped from the pain, less excruciating than the first, but the combined force too much to bear.
An Orc then grabbed Legolas by the neck and pushed him sideways into the wall, intensifying the pain by bearing pressure upon the chest wound. He directed his attention to the Orc that smiled when knowing that he had the Elf's attention.
"She is mine," he stated in a deep, powerful voice and then pointed to a bleeding Haemerethwen who was being picked up by a filthy Orc. She was still conscious, but she offered no resistance to the creature. Legolas frowned at the Orc standing in front of him and sneeringly stated:
"Al-an-uir, Yrch." The Orc stood silently for a few moments and glowered at the Elf, then beckoned for the Orc that carried Haemerethwen over his shoulder to come towards him. He forced Haemerethwen to look upwards at the pained Legolas who was beginning to choke due to the Orc's grasp upon his neck. She painfully smiled up at him and whispered, "U- 'osto." Legolas stared at the she-Elf and then back at the Orc, spitting in its face. The Orc grabbing onto Legolas' neck smashed its fist into the Prince's face, breaking his nose and spraying blood along the cave floor. Haemerethwen gasped as the Prince heavily fell to the floor and did not move. The group of Orcs then moved out and left the dying Legolas upon the ground.
Haemerethwen watched, through her left eye, the slow fading of Legolas as she was roughly carried over the shoulder of an unknown figure. She pleadingly cried out to the unmoving figure, hoping that a single response would prove her irrepressible beliefs to be wrong. Yet, as the distance grew between them, she began to succumb to the numbing darkness; she still silently stared at him until consciousness departed, not believing that he would never rise again.
I also have an error in a previous chapter that I did not fix. I mentioned going over Caradhras, but I was entirely wrong, because the two Elves are taking an entirely different path. I did not fix it, but I will when I get home.
ELVEN DIALOGUE: "Delio" : Hide / "U-'osto" : Fear not / "Al-an-uir" : Not for an Eternity
The following week was full of more walking among the lands of Middle- Earth; the two Elves, after passing the Great River, were walking within the beautiful land known as the Vales of Anduin, the valley of Anduin located within Rhovanion. Rhovanion's valley was magnificent; full of old Elms and Oaks that were spontaneously located within various regions of the huge land. It being late summer, some of the trees were beginning to change colors and the land slightly flourished with astounding oranges, reds and yellows. The two Elves were lucky, for they had not seen much ominous weather and spent most of their time awake below a spanning blue sky with flowing, white clouds. The brisk breeze was less comforting than the warm summer one, but altogether there was little discomfort and their moral increased in their pleasant journey.
After their discussion, Legolas and Haemerethwen returned to their previous attitudes toward each other. Although Haemerethwen's spirit soared knowing that Legolas admitted his fondness of her, she did nothing to express the happiness that expanded within her, forcing away her discouraging loneliness. Legolas continued to contemplate his future, but usually he forced his mind to stray from that topic in order to maintain his cheerfulness. He continued to deny his inner emotions and with Haemerethwen not mentioning her feelings, he soon began to altogether forget that previous experience.
On the morning of the thirteenth day of their journey, the two Elves awoke to a chilling wind, reminding them of their close proximity to the Misty Mountains, their next obstacle to overcome.
"What distance must we travel before we reach the High Pass?" asked Haemerethwen as she slowly stood up and stretched her entire body. Legolas, who was unpacking their breakfast, looked up at her and smiled. Although he would deny his eternal inner emotions, the temporary physical desires reminded him of the intensifying interest he found with her.
"We should reach the lower part of the path by late afternoon; if we ride quickly, we should be able to spend the night within a cave an Imladris messenger uncovered to me," his eyes continued to roam her slender body and again remembered touching her supple skin, allowing him a memory that would forever soothe him. He dropped his eyes as her arms gracefully dropped to her side and she walked over to help him.
"Such a cave would have been useful in my previous journey," she stated, her grey eyes smiling upon him as she took in sight of his ethereal face.
"Aye, almost as useful as I," he jested and handed the substantial breakfast to her. She gently laughed at him and shook her head.
"Useful?" she asked, raising her eyebrows at him and sitting upon the grassy land.
"Might we have forgotten," he asked and sat down next to her, "A certain incidence involving trees and Olog-hai?" She wrinkled her nose at him and frowned, joking over the fact that after that night Legolas had continued to playfully mock her. Legolas smiled and began to eat his food.
"Aye, aye. I did not, however, forget about the contemptuous pride of the Prince of Mirkwood," she stated, sticking food within her own mouth. Legolas softly laughed and nodded his head in agreement.
"And who could forget the sensitivity of the Falathrim?" he joked. She pushed him with the arm closest to her, but he hardly moved. He laughed at her and stated, "Or the strength!" The two Elves continued to jest with one another until they had finished their breakfast, when they then packed up their few belongings and continued along their way to the High Pass.
The High Pass was the same path that Bilbo Baggins traveled along his Quest of Erebor; it traveled above Rivendell and would eventually lead the travelers to the fair city. The path was not as ruthless as the Redhorn Pass located upon the mountain Caradhras, which was the path the Fellowship of the Ring undertook. The High Pass was no longer a considerable threat to many travelers due to the Battle of the Five Armies, but after the War of the Ring, many of the goblins had returned to the dark places within the mountain range. Legolas and Haemerethwen were aware of the peril- Haemerethwen and her two companions were previously attacked by a small band of Goblins, but they offered no menace that could not be controlled- and were also aware of the more prevalent threat of Thrakdreg and his company.
The previous two nights the two Elves were slightly aware of a growing evil presence, but decided it was due to the goblins of the Misty Mountains. Haemerethwen did, three nights back, hear a distanced call that resembled the Black Speech and felt a slight cold tremble within her, warning her again of what lurked within the shadows. For the past few days, she gripped upon the handle of her axe and sat lightly upon her horse to anticipate any sudden attack.
"The light is still strong and yet we approach the High Pass," stated Legolas as the two Elves and their horses stood before the inclining path. Haemerethwen looked up to the brilliant sun and was surprised by its position; indeed, the sun would continue to warm the world for four to five hours more.
"We have made good time," answered the she-Elf. Legolas, who sat upon his horse in front of her, looked back at her and charmingly smiled at her.
"We shall easily reach the cave I recently spoke about," he stated, "Granting more time to assure us of our safety along this perilous route. Perhaps we shall evade many evils." He turned forward again and pressed Arod to continue upwards.
"By Valar, let it be so," whispered Haemerethwen as she too pressed her horse forward. Haemerethwen's fear was heightened as the horse slowly traveled the steep incline and she hesitantly looked around the surroundings in attempts to locate where hidden enemies may loiter. She could not shake off the fear that was accumulating within her mind and her heart began to race in its anticipation of evil. But evil did not arrive, leaving her anxious and gripping her axe tighter.
She forced her horse to walk closer to Legolas' and she suddenly caught the sound of his sweet voice silently flowing from his lips.
"What tale do you sing of?" she asked, wondering what sparked him to sing at such a desperate place. He answered without looking back.
"The tale always sung when in your presence."
"What might that be?" she queried. He looked back at her and questioned her with his eyes.
"Do you not remember?" he asked. She smiled at him.
"Sing it and I may," she stated. He smiled back at her, relaxed again in knowing that she had not forgotten his words. He motioned her to move next to his horse, creating a slightly uncomfortable proximity among the horses due to the narrowness of the path, but the humble creatures allowed it. His blue eyes sparkled when her clothed leg rubbed against his, but did not allow his body to react in the way he desired.
'He sought her ever, wandering far
Where leaves of years were thickly strewn,
By light of moon and ray of star
In frosty heavens shivering.
Her mantle glinted in the moon,
As on a hill-top high and far
She danced, and at her feet was strewn
A mist of silver quivering.'
The fair voice of the Prince of Mirkwood, though more silent than usual, again enchanted Haemerethwen and any other good-natured soul in the hearing proximity. The passion within his voice was stronger than the previous times he sang to her, indicating again the change overcoming his heart. Haemerethwen reacted to his words immediately and absorbed the pleasing sound; her heart beat faster when his eyes pierced through her own, leaving her blushing in the intimate manner he sang. She smiled when he finished.
"The Ballad of Beren and Luthien," she whispered, "How could you slightly believe that I would forget your voice?" He looked at her and brought his hand to her cheek, brushing it slightly with his fingertips.
"I did not believe it," he answered, slowly dropping his hand from her face. His eyes still locked onto her, memorizing every aspect of her beautiful face. The stray blonde hair brushing her face with the breeze, the silver-grey eyes indicating hidden desires and the slightly parted pink lips that formed a delicate smile. She did not match the uncontested beauty of Luthien or many other she-Elves, but she was indeed beautiful. Legolas' heart began to beat faster as he became overwhelmed in the growing desire within him; his continuous denial of his true feelings caused his craving to build-up and soon it would be too irresistible to disregard. However, he again forced the desire he had for her to be shut away.
"The cave can be seen from here," he stated, pointing to the area where it was located. Haemerethwen squinted her eyes to where he pointed and then nodded.
"Not too far," she stated with gratitude. The night was beginning to fall and Haemerethwen began to pale when she noticed the growing shadows along their path. The coldness, although temporarily forgotten due to Legolas, was continuing to accumulate within her, but this time more intensely. She looked back at Legolas.
"I feel a warning," she whispered to him, her eyes widening and searching the area yet again. Legolas silently stared forward and nodded.
"I feel it as well," he whispered back. They continued onward with Haemerethwen's fear doubling when the illuminating moon became covered with a dark mass of clouds. The night was falling fast, much to the disappointment of the Elves who had hoped to reach the cave before the darkening of the path. Legolas cursed within his mind for not accurately remembering the distance to the cave; through the past few nights, Legolas noticed the intense and unnatural fear that Haemerethwen portrayed when night began to fall and he was alarmed at their current position. He could see from the corner of his eyes that Haemerethwen's fear was turning her to a frenzied state, which would not help them if they were suddenly attacked- something Legolas began to feel was imminent.
Haemerethwen sighed in relief when the cave suddenly loomed in front of them and Legolas relaxed in his posture. The two Elves gracefully jumped off their horses and pulled them deep within the crevice of the mountain, hoping to escape the eyes of any passing evil. After settling her horse, Haemerethwen immediately slumped down the wall and covered her face with her hands. The fear was beginning to strangle her nature and it was so overpowering that her body needed a slight rest. Noticing this strange behavior, Legolas immediately knelt down beside her and concern showed through his strong eyes.
"Haemerethwen?" he soothingly asked, "What ails you so?" She slowly dropped her hands from her face and looked up at him, fear and sadness expressed within the dimming light of her eyes.
"Fear," she whispered. He grabbed onto her hand and pulled her back to a standing position. She slightly swayed and he swung his arm around her waist to secure her.
"Of what?" he gently queried. She looked down to the ground, ashamed that such a pitiless emotion was forcing her to succumb.
"Of him," she answered, "Of Thrakdreg." Legolas questioned her again with his eyes.
"Who?" he asked. She allowed a small smile to show and thanked Thranduil that he did not lie in stating that Legolas had no idea of his real reason behind joining her. She glanced back up at him.
"He follows me," she answered, "With no relent for the past one thousand years. It began when his small group attacked the borders of Mithlond and the company I was with easily defeated them. However, he escaped and three of us followed him, knowing he was the leader of the group. It was a trap and. . . we. . .I. . ." she stopped and swallowed hard, reliving the memory within her mind.
Legolas wrapped her in his arms and allowed her to become comforted within his hold. For a moment, he forgot about how he was the Prince of Mirkwood and she a messenger. As he felt her shivering due to her memory, he tightened his grip upon her. Legolas welcomed the chance to hold her again and breathed in her intoxicating smell; his thoughts returning to how much he wanted her to be his. Previous thoughts forgotten, Legolas slowly loosened his hold upon her and stepped back slightly to glance down upon the pale she-Elf. 'Still so beautiful at such a desperate time," he thought. She directed her eyes up to him and tried to smile, but to no avail. He smiled down at her and in a fluid motion brought his hand to chin and lifted her lips up to meet his. The softness of her lips surprised him and a tingling sensation pricked his lips, allowing him to savor the pleasantness of it.
Haemerethwen immediately relaxed at the touch of his lips and, for a moment, she again forgot her fear. He wrapped his arms around her lithe body powerfully and she felt a sense of protection within him. Legolas soon pulled his lips slowly away from hers and, although the kiss was quick, she felt entirely satisfied and complete. She kept her eyes closed a second longer and then looked up a smiling Legolas. She returned the smile and then blushed.
"U-'osto," he stated and then went to the horses to unpack. Haemerethwen stood a while long, contemplating the strangeness of the entire situation. Her smile remained, though, and she soon turned to help Legolas in unpacking. They said nothing to each other, but both were beaming in the delight that had just occurred. No words were necessary.
As Legolas was setting down the last possession they had brought, the two Elves caught the sound of a foot clumsily hitting a rock further out the cave. Legolas immediately drew his bow and quietly commanded: "Delio." She did not heed his charge, though, and drew her bow and stood behind and to the side of him. Both Elves cursed themselves for allowing their minds to be distracted at such a demanding time.
They stood for a long minute before an arrow was shot out of the darkness from one of the attackers. Whistling towards Legolas, he turned just in time to escape its piercing shaft. The two Elves could not see their attackers yet, but the evil ones saw their target. Directly after the first arrow flew another one, this one also aimed at the Prince. However, the aim was slightly off and he escaped unharmed. Haemerethwen released an arrow into the darkness towards the supposed archer directly after the creature had shot his second arrow; the arrow caught the attacker off-guard and the shrill cry echoed within the cave.
"Yrch!" spat Legolas. Haemerethwen's color drained from her face in this realization, but did not allow the fear to consume at this critical point.
With the death of the archer, the Orcs began to charge the two Elves. There were many Orcs; too many for the two Elves to protect themselves against. Arrows flew from the two Elves and pierced into the charging enemies; black blood spewed forth from many Orcs as the arrows shred through skin, muscle and bone. However, many Orcs remained and soon the two had to defend hand to hand against the numerous creatures that attacked mercilessly.
Without her daggers, Haemerethwen could not protect herself as effectively. Soon five Orcs were upon her and she killed many with her axe, but then she caught the hilt of a scimitar to the right side of her cheek. The force was so powerful that she stumbled backward and temporarily lowered her axe, allowing the Orcs to quickly end her. One tripped her legs up and she fell down backwards; her head violently hitting the stone floor and she lowering her guard even more. Immediately she felt her right shoulder become sharply pierced with a blade; the pain caused her to become nauseous, but she did not let on to the Orcs about how much pain they caused. The Orcs retaliated against her stoicism by kicking her in the ribs continuously with the strong armored feet and soon she heard a sickening crack after one particularly forceful kick and a sharp pain surrounding the left side of her ribs. She gasped in agony, but would not relent in trying to protect herself. She grabbed onto a kicking Orc's foot and powerfully twisted it to the right and then forward; the Orc shrieked from the painful ache and fell down after her tug and Haemerethwen felt some success. However, a quick kick to the jaw caused her to spit out thick blood and her small rising self-esteem with it. The kick almost knocked her out of consciousness, but she would not allow herself to succumb.
Legolas was defending himself much better than Haemerethwen was. The merciless fighter efficiently slaughtered the surroundings Orcs; he slashed many of the Orcs and occasionally sliced off limbs, leaving many blood- curdling screams to spill out of the creature's mouth as it witnessed its death. The Prince ducked, back stepped and sliced his way through many of the enemies, but he became distracted when he heard the sound of Haemerethwen powerfully hitting the ground. This momentary distraction allowed one of the Orcs to throw its scimitar at Legolas, piercing him on the upper part of his right chest.
Surprised, Legolas stepped backward and glanced down at the blood slowly flowing from his wound. However, he grimaced and pulled out the poisoned blade, dropping to the ground with a wince. He then continued to fight against the gathering Orcs and desperately tried to regain the strength being released with his blood. Legolas' usual fluid motions were slowly decreasing and soon a second thin slash down the left of his abdomen accompanied this first wound. Legolas again stumbled and gasped from the pain, less excruciating than the first, but the combined force too much to bear.
An Orc then grabbed Legolas by the neck and pushed him sideways into the wall, intensifying the pain by bearing pressure upon the chest wound. He directed his attention to the Orc that smiled when knowing that he had the Elf's attention.
"She is mine," he stated in a deep, powerful voice and then pointed to a bleeding Haemerethwen who was being picked up by a filthy Orc. She was still conscious, but she offered no resistance to the creature. Legolas frowned at the Orc standing in front of him and sneeringly stated:
"Al-an-uir, Yrch." The Orc stood silently for a few moments and glowered at the Elf, then beckoned for the Orc that carried Haemerethwen over his shoulder to come towards him. He forced Haemerethwen to look upwards at the pained Legolas who was beginning to choke due to the Orc's grasp upon his neck. She painfully smiled up at him and whispered, "U- 'osto." Legolas stared at the she-Elf and then back at the Orc, spitting in its face. The Orc grabbing onto Legolas' neck smashed its fist into the Prince's face, breaking his nose and spraying blood along the cave floor. Haemerethwen gasped as the Prince heavily fell to the floor and did not move. The group of Orcs then moved out and left the dying Legolas upon the ground.
Haemerethwen watched, through her left eye, the slow fading of Legolas as she was roughly carried over the shoulder of an unknown figure. She pleadingly cried out to the unmoving figure, hoping that a single response would prove her irrepressible beliefs to be wrong. Yet, as the distance grew between them, she began to succumb to the numbing darkness; she still silently stared at him until consciousness departed, not believing that he would never rise again.