Escaping the Goblins

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Nimue's hand slid over a crack in the mountain side. She could feel a change in temperature pour forth from it. The crack was big enough for her to stick to her fingers into. Then, summoning the elf magic within her, she cried out,

"Edro!" (Open!)

A brilliant flash of golden light erupted between her hand and the crack. Now the crack was widened to a point where she could slip in.

The passageway she found herself within was dark and cold. Nimue heard the sounds of scurrying Goblins up ahead. Pressing herself against the wet stone wall, she followed a few feet behind them.

"What luck!" She heard one say, "Elf-flesh tonight! I haven't had Elf-flesh since . . . I can't remember. Won't King Girgulk be pleased!"
Since the death of the last Goblin king, his heir, Girgulk had been ruling. There were tales of him being just as dangerous and stupid as the last king.

"You can babble on about him being pleased or not later, right now we have to get this elf to King Girgulk before he wakes up. He would want the pleasure of torturing the elf before putting him out of his misery. We had better hurry! The elf may be light, but I don't think we could hold him by ourselves if he was awake and fighting."

Nimue's anger had boiled over. She was about to rush forward and pierce the two hideous creatures with Rhiw, when she saw the two goblins pass through a doorway. The throne room of King Girgulk.

"Ah! You have brought me Elf-flesh then, Grimbuk, Baloch."

"Yes, your highness," they responded in unison.


One goblin had come up behind Legolas, who was being held up by Grimbuk and Baloch, and thrust the butt of his spear, fiercely into Legolas' back.

Legolas groaned, then slowly opened his eyes. He struggled against his captors, once he regained full conciousness.

"Your struggles are futile, Master Elf," said Girgulk with a harsh laugh. "Grimbuk and Baloch are the strongest goblins under my rule."

Legolas fought against his captors again, ignoring Girgulk's words. He kicked out his right leg, which struck a bowl nearby, filled with wine. The wine splashed all over the Goblin King. He roared and stood up in fury, his blazing eyes fixed upon Legolas.

Legolas, despite his situation, began to laugh.

"I suppose you think that's funny?!" Girgulk roared.

"Lasto al lalaith nin!" Legolas shouted, with a definant grin on his face. (Listen to my laughter! *Elvish insult*)

Girgulk gestured to Grimbuk who drew out a goblin dagger made a long gash across Legolas' back. The elf prince gritted his teeth, determined not to show any pain.

Baloch back-handed Legolas across the face and Grimbuk thrust his fist into Legolas' stomach. Legolas doubled over in pain, only to be forced to lean far back when another goblin yanked his golden hair. So fiercely was it pulled, that tears stung his keen eyes.

"Why aren't you laughing now, O' mighty elf? I find this immeasurably comical."

With that, Girgulk snatched up a spear, which had been leaning on the arm of his throne. He made to drive it through the elf prince's heart.

Suddenly, an arrow came whizzing from behind and struck the goblin king right between the eyes.

In their surprise, Grimbuk and Baloch let go of Legolas. The elven prince dove for his knives and bow and arrow, which he had seen the goblins set down near the doorway when he was brought in. Legolas was shocked to find that they were not there.

Suddenly, he saw a glint of metal in the torch-light near entrance to the throne room. He weaved through the confused goblins who were tripping over each other to get to Girgulk.

Legolas rushed out of the throne room, only to run into something that fell with him upon contact. Now, the prince was never clumsy but, having been a bit injured, his elvish sense of balance was not yet up to par.

Legolas sensed that he was now lying on top of -not cold hard stone- but something warm and lithe. Just enough torch-light spilled through the doorway that, when he raised himself up a bit and turned his head, to see what broke his fall, Legolas found himself nose-to-nose with Nimue.

Her eyes were wide and he could feel her chest rise and fall heavily under his own. He was also greatly aware of his feeling the rapidity of Nimue's heartbeat against his breast as they lay there.

Legolas was the first to snap out of the daze, though. He quickly got up and helped Nimue to her feet.

Nimue handed Legolas his bow and quiver and knives as they rushed toward the giant crack in the mountain-side.

A loud and ugly cry, arose from the goblins behind them, when they had realized that their king was dead. The entire hoard of goblins in the throne room rushed after the two elves, brandishing their crude weapons.

Legolas shot a volley of arrows behind him as he ran, felling a few of the leading goblins.

Nimue's Rhiw caught a goblin, who had sprung at her, in mid-air.

Legolas and Nimue slipped through the crack in the mountain-side and Legolas commanded the crack to seal itself, using the magic of the elves.

Legolas and Nimue continued their way over the Misty Mountains as fast as they could before the goblins could open a new entry-way.


Nimue welcomed the feeling of warmth that spread over her the closer they got to the base of the mountains.

She stretched her tired arms as she lead her horse down the rocky terrain. Nimue stole a glance at Legolas. His countenance was serious as he walked along with a far-away look in his eye.

Their horses had fled down the slopes after the goblins' arrival. Amazingly, the goblins had taken no notice of the creatures. There the horses had waited until their master and mistress came down the mountain-side themselves.

A look of discomfort suddenly crossed Legolas' face and he rolled his shoulders.

"Hir nin, are you all right?" Nimue hadn't seen him being beaten by the goblins.

"It is just a slight wound, I will be fine. It is healing already."

"Let me see it."

"No- Nimue, that is not necess-"

Nimue was already inspecting Legolas' back. The back of his tunic had large bloodstain.

"Hir nin, with your permission, may I lift your tunic, to see the wound?"

Legolas hesitated, then nodded his consent. He was sure the wound was healing, and yet he wasn't able to see it. It would be best for someone to examine it.

Nimue gingerly lifted the tunic and found that Legolas had been correct. The wound was healing, and quite rapidly at that. Before she could stop herself, Nimue gently prodded the slash across Legolas' back with her fingers. She felt Legolas stiffen, and take a sharp, hissing breath through his teeth.

Nimue quickly pulled back her hand. "I'm sorry!" she cried, "did I hurt you?"

"No, it's all right."

Nimue carefully lowered his tunic. "May I suggest something, hir nin?" She asked.

"Yes."

"Put on your overlaying tunic until you can get the one you are wearing washed."

"Hennaid. I appreciate your suggestion, Nimue, I shall take it." (Thanks)
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