Chapter Nine
The trio had reached where, two nights ago, a carefree group had camped. The sun was high and tracking was easy. Belil knew her friends' prints as well as she knew her own. They all dismounted to be sure that they did not miss a single sign.
Half hour of walking, they came upon the net that had dropped onto their dear friends. Orc tracks were everywhere. Fear lanced through Legolas' heart and Belil almost collapsed. She would have if Aragorn had not caught her.
"Easy, kua." (Dove) Aragorn told her. "You cannot break now." Holding her tightly for a second longer, he then pushed her firmly away. "Now, let's see which way they took." Aragorn's voice put strength back into Belil.
Wiping her eyes, she nodded. All three scanned the area. It was Aragorn who found the path the orcs had taken, but it was easy to see. A heard of Oliphant's could not have done much more damage.
"Let's go." Belil said steely determination in her voice. Both human and elf were proud of how well she was holding herself together.
~ ~ ~ ~
Kordon was becoming increasingly frustrated with the male elf. He was getting nowhere and his captive was becoming numb to the bite of the lash. Blood almost poured from the wounds inflicted by the leather, and the elf was visibly weakening but only physically. He was still holding tightly to his mind.
"Well, my friend," and Kordon used the endearment to antagonize the elf. "If you won't speak, then maybe watching your companion suffer will loosen that tongue of yours." The ranger paused as he heard Haldir whisper something. "What did you say?" He asked, stepping closer so he could hear better.
"She will take the whip and never talk!" the proud elf warrior repeated. His voice strained at the effort, pain slurring his words.
Kordon grinned menacingly. "Oh, dear elf. That is not the kind of pain I intend to inflict." He turned away, facing his orc army. "The worst I could inflict upon you is what I've already done." He turned back to Haldir. He wanted to watch the reaction from his next words. "But the worst for a female elf is to be carrying a child of the enemy." Kordon spoke those words softly, but not soft enough for two pairs of elven ears easily picked them out of the air.
A shot of fear, much more painful than the whips, lanced through Haldir. Nilmandra did not move a muscle, but she had heard the ranger's words also. What this human intended was beyond any worst nightmare!
~ ~ ~ ~
The rescue party of three was following the path the orcs had taken, seeing the footprints of both the captives mixed in with those of the orcs. At least they were still on their feet and alive, thought Legolas; sure the others thought the same.
They came upon a cave entrance. "The tracks lead in there." Aragorn surmised needlessly. All saw where the creatures went. Even if there were no tracks to tell the tale, the smell alone would have let the man and elves know where they had gone.
As the trio sat and discussed what to do in hushed voices, a faint, but very easily heard by keen elven ears, voice carried through the opening. A panicked voice, filled with pain.
Both males reached out with lightening reflexes and grabbed Belil as she shot for the cave. They all recognized the voice. Haldir.
"You cannot rush in there blind." Aragorn whispered fiercely, struggling to hold Belil down. "It could be a trap." As his words sunk in, she gave a shattered sigh and reluctantly gave up her struggle. "We must hurry, but with all care." Aragorn finished, flashing a knowing look at Legolas. With that, they crept up to the dark mouth.
~ ~ ~ ~
"No!" Haldir shouted a sudden burst of strength in him. He strained at his binds and hisses back a cry of pain his efforts rewarded him with.
Nilmandra tensed, watching the two orcs advance on her, an evil grin distorting grotesque features even more. She was curled into a ball, her hand seemingly tucked into her knees, eyes mere slits, looking for all middle earth that she was on the verge of unconsciousness. She was, in fact, waiting for an opening. The stupid beasts forgot to check everywhere on her for weapons. The blade she had tucked into her boot was small but would be effective until she could get her hands on an orc simitar.
The first orc to lay his hand on her lost it in a blur of motion. In what seemed one single movement, Nilmandra had de-handed the orc and taken his weapon. She took advantage of the moment of shock and spun lightly around and slammed the blade into the rope above Haldir's hands, severing his bonds. There was a muffled moan as he hit the ground, numb limbs refusing to hold him up.
As the warrior watched Nilmandra in action (any other time or situation and he could have enjoyed it) cutting down orcs in rapid succession, his eyes fell to the hole where they had entered this stinking den. His brain, nor heart, would believe the vision his eyes beheld. His three friends were making their way stealthily into the cavern, and if they were but a figment, he should surely go insane.
Suddenly, orcs were falling in great numbers until they were all lying in growing pools of their own blood. Aragorn had the old ranger at blade point on the ground and Legolas was serving as lookout. Belil gave Nilmandra a hug but let go quickly at her sister's hiss of pain. Words were not necessary between the two, and Nilmandra nodded her head in the direction of the darkest corner. There Belil saw the crumpled form of her beloved. With a tortured cry she ran to him and collapsed at his side, afraid to touch him. There was not a spot, save his handsome elven face, that was not marred by the whip.
"Tell me you are real." Haldir whispered
Belil choked back a sob as she lightly touched her beloved's face. "I am here, mellamin" (my love) ignoring the intense pain it caused, Haldir reached up and cradled Belil's hand on his cheek, unshed tears glittering in his eyes.
Nilmandra walked to Aragorn, who was holding Kordor at bay with his broadsword. "He is searching for the son of Arathorn." She stated simply before heading for her fair haired beloved.
Aragorn was stunned, but recovered quickly. "So you are searching for me?" He asked calmly, looking the ranger in the eye. The steel grey eyes were as hard as their namesake. "Why?" He asked.
Kordor would not speak so Aragorn pushed the deadly tip of his sword deeper, causing a trickle of blood to drip down Kordor's neck.
"My employer hired me to find you." Deep down, Kordor was a coward, and he spilled all to the frightening human before him. Faced with the righteous anger of the son of the most feared ranger of all time was unnerving. "He...He said that," Kordor swallowed loudly as the tip of the sword was drawn back every so slightly to let him speak easier, "he had foreseen you as a threat to his future rule." Having said that, the old ranger impaled himself on Aragorn's sword, fearing the wrath of his employer more than death.
Stunned, Estel stumbled back a step, pulling the sword with him. Now they would not learn of who searched for him until the next attempt. Hopefully he would survive through that one too.
"Aragorn!" The panicked voice of Belil reached his ears and he ran for the two elves.
"He is hurt bad, we must get him to ada." Right there, in that filthy hole, Aragorn did what he could to slow infection until they could get Haldir to his father... two days away.
With Legolas holding Nilmandra in front of him on his steed, and Belil doing the same for Haldir, his blood staining her clothes, they galloped through the gates of Rivendell and rode straight up the stairs to the door of the palace.
Elrond threw open the doors and immediately directed his staff in what he wanted done.
~ ~ ~ ~
Three days later, found the foursome strolling the gardens, with Estel tagging along. The fast healing of the elves, combined with Lord Elrond's expert care, the two were fast on the road to recovery. Because of what had happened, all the fear and worry, the two couples were married while Haldir and Nilmandra were still bedridden.
"On the morrow, we travel to Mirkwood," Legolas was explaining to Estel. "winter there and then on to Lothlorien." He knew why his friend was asking for the tenth time. Legolas hid a grin.
"Oh." Was all Estel said. He had been hoping for an invite to travel with them.
Now Legolas let the smile out full force as he turned to his long time friend. "Would you care to come with us?" the innocence of his voice bellying the knowing grin.
Aragorn swatted his friend playfully and said, "You knew all along!" And all five burst out laughing. They had all known.
"You humans are too easy to read." Legolas got out after he calmed his laughter.
Aragorn shot Legolas a glare and renewed the laughter again. Elrond smiled his heart filling with love as he gazed down at his extended family. Yes, he accepted them all, even the stern Haldir. One last moment then he turned from the railing of the balcony above the laughing youngsters and entered his study.
~ ~ ~ ~
The day dawned bright, the sky mirroring Nilmandra's eyes. They were preparing to leave for Mirkwood, home to Prince Legolas. The trip would prove to be anything but uneventful. But that, nin mellon, is another story.
THE END
So, what did you think? I know, not the greatest, but it was my first attempt, so be gentle in your reviews, pretty please???? (grins). Anyway, my next story so far is non stop funny and action. Well, it had a few of my friend roaring with laughter so far. And of course, there will be torture and danger. What kind of story with Legolas and Aragorn doesn't have those ingredients??? I'm sorry to all you Legolas lovers out there that I married him off, but he is in good hands and married to my best friend. I had to write this story because it was my way of telling her what her friendship means to me? Did you catch it in there too??? Well, I hope at least some of you liked this one enough to want to read my next one. It will be much longer and more in detail. Here is a teaser for the next story.. Mithrandir is in great danger, can he be saved in time? The twins are sent on a mission that could very well be the end of their immortal lives.
The trio had reached where, two nights ago, a carefree group had camped. The sun was high and tracking was easy. Belil knew her friends' prints as well as she knew her own. They all dismounted to be sure that they did not miss a single sign.
Half hour of walking, they came upon the net that had dropped onto their dear friends. Orc tracks were everywhere. Fear lanced through Legolas' heart and Belil almost collapsed. She would have if Aragorn had not caught her.
"Easy, kua." (Dove) Aragorn told her. "You cannot break now." Holding her tightly for a second longer, he then pushed her firmly away. "Now, let's see which way they took." Aragorn's voice put strength back into Belil.
Wiping her eyes, she nodded. All three scanned the area. It was Aragorn who found the path the orcs had taken, but it was easy to see. A heard of Oliphant's could not have done much more damage.
"Let's go." Belil said steely determination in her voice. Both human and elf were proud of how well she was holding herself together.
~ ~ ~ ~
Kordon was becoming increasingly frustrated with the male elf. He was getting nowhere and his captive was becoming numb to the bite of the lash. Blood almost poured from the wounds inflicted by the leather, and the elf was visibly weakening but only physically. He was still holding tightly to his mind.
"Well, my friend," and Kordon used the endearment to antagonize the elf. "If you won't speak, then maybe watching your companion suffer will loosen that tongue of yours." The ranger paused as he heard Haldir whisper something. "What did you say?" He asked, stepping closer so he could hear better.
"She will take the whip and never talk!" the proud elf warrior repeated. His voice strained at the effort, pain slurring his words.
Kordon grinned menacingly. "Oh, dear elf. That is not the kind of pain I intend to inflict." He turned away, facing his orc army. "The worst I could inflict upon you is what I've already done." He turned back to Haldir. He wanted to watch the reaction from his next words. "But the worst for a female elf is to be carrying a child of the enemy." Kordon spoke those words softly, but not soft enough for two pairs of elven ears easily picked them out of the air.
A shot of fear, much more painful than the whips, lanced through Haldir. Nilmandra did not move a muscle, but she had heard the ranger's words also. What this human intended was beyond any worst nightmare!
~ ~ ~ ~
The rescue party of three was following the path the orcs had taken, seeing the footprints of both the captives mixed in with those of the orcs. At least they were still on their feet and alive, thought Legolas; sure the others thought the same.
They came upon a cave entrance. "The tracks lead in there." Aragorn surmised needlessly. All saw where the creatures went. Even if there were no tracks to tell the tale, the smell alone would have let the man and elves know where they had gone.
As the trio sat and discussed what to do in hushed voices, a faint, but very easily heard by keen elven ears, voice carried through the opening. A panicked voice, filled with pain.
Both males reached out with lightening reflexes and grabbed Belil as she shot for the cave. They all recognized the voice. Haldir.
"You cannot rush in there blind." Aragorn whispered fiercely, struggling to hold Belil down. "It could be a trap." As his words sunk in, she gave a shattered sigh and reluctantly gave up her struggle. "We must hurry, but with all care." Aragorn finished, flashing a knowing look at Legolas. With that, they crept up to the dark mouth.
~ ~ ~ ~
"No!" Haldir shouted a sudden burst of strength in him. He strained at his binds and hisses back a cry of pain his efforts rewarded him with.
Nilmandra tensed, watching the two orcs advance on her, an evil grin distorting grotesque features even more. She was curled into a ball, her hand seemingly tucked into her knees, eyes mere slits, looking for all middle earth that she was on the verge of unconsciousness. She was, in fact, waiting for an opening. The stupid beasts forgot to check everywhere on her for weapons. The blade she had tucked into her boot was small but would be effective until she could get her hands on an orc simitar.
The first orc to lay his hand on her lost it in a blur of motion. In what seemed one single movement, Nilmandra had de-handed the orc and taken his weapon. She took advantage of the moment of shock and spun lightly around and slammed the blade into the rope above Haldir's hands, severing his bonds. There was a muffled moan as he hit the ground, numb limbs refusing to hold him up.
As the warrior watched Nilmandra in action (any other time or situation and he could have enjoyed it) cutting down orcs in rapid succession, his eyes fell to the hole where they had entered this stinking den. His brain, nor heart, would believe the vision his eyes beheld. His three friends were making their way stealthily into the cavern, and if they were but a figment, he should surely go insane.
Suddenly, orcs were falling in great numbers until they were all lying in growing pools of their own blood. Aragorn had the old ranger at blade point on the ground and Legolas was serving as lookout. Belil gave Nilmandra a hug but let go quickly at her sister's hiss of pain. Words were not necessary between the two, and Nilmandra nodded her head in the direction of the darkest corner. There Belil saw the crumpled form of her beloved. With a tortured cry she ran to him and collapsed at his side, afraid to touch him. There was not a spot, save his handsome elven face, that was not marred by the whip.
"Tell me you are real." Haldir whispered
Belil choked back a sob as she lightly touched her beloved's face. "I am here, mellamin" (my love) ignoring the intense pain it caused, Haldir reached up and cradled Belil's hand on his cheek, unshed tears glittering in his eyes.
Nilmandra walked to Aragorn, who was holding Kordor at bay with his broadsword. "He is searching for the son of Arathorn." She stated simply before heading for her fair haired beloved.
Aragorn was stunned, but recovered quickly. "So you are searching for me?" He asked calmly, looking the ranger in the eye. The steel grey eyes were as hard as their namesake. "Why?" He asked.
Kordor would not speak so Aragorn pushed the deadly tip of his sword deeper, causing a trickle of blood to drip down Kordor's neck.
"My employer hired me to find you." Deep down, Kordor was a coward, and he spilled all to the frightening human before him. Faced with the righteous anger of the son of the most feared ranger of all time was unnerving. "He...He said that," Kordor swallowed loudly as the tip of the sword was drawn back every so slightly to let him speak easier, "he had foreseen you as a threat to his future rule." Having said that, the old ranger impaled himself on Aragorn's sword, fearing the wrath of his employer more than death.
Stunned, Estel stumbled back a step, pulling the sword with him. Now they would not learn of who searched for him until the next attempt. Hopefully he would survive through that one too.
"Aragorn!" The panicked voice of Belil reached his ears and he ran for the two elves.
"He is hurt bad, we must get him to ada." Right there, in that filthy hole, Aragorn did what he could to slow infection until they could get Haldir to his father... two days away.
With Legolas holding Nilmandra in front of him on his steed, and Belil doing the same for Haldir, his blood staining her clothes, they galloped through the gates of Rivendell and rode straight up the stairs to the door of the palace.
Elrond threw open the doors and immediately directed his staff in what he wanted done.
~ ~ ~ ~
Three days later, found the foursome strolling the gardens, with Estel tagging along. The fast healing of the elves, combined with Lord Elrond's expert care, the two were fast on the road to recovery. Because of what had happened, all the fear and worry, the two couples were married while Haldir and Nilmandra were still bedridden.
"On the morrow, we travel to Mirkwood," Legolas was explaining to Estel. "winter there and then on to Lothlorien." He knew why his friend was asking for the tenth time. Legolas hid a grin.
"Oh." Was all Estel said. He had been hoping for an invite to travel with them.
Now Legolas let the smile out full force as he turned to his long time friend. "Would you care to come with us?" the innocence of his voice bellying the knowing grin.
Aragorn swatted his friend playfully and said, "You knew all along!" And all five burst out laughing. They had all known.
"You humans are too easy to read." Legolas got out after he calmed his laughter.
Aragorn shot Legolas a glare and renewed the laughter again. Elrond smiled his heart filling with love as he gazed down at his extended family. Yes, he accepted them all, even the stern Haldir. One last moment then he turned from the railing of the balcony above the laughing youngsters and entered his study.
~ ~ ~ ~
The day dawned bright, the sky mirroring Nilmandra's eyes. They were preparing to leave for Mirkwood, home to Prince Legolas. The trip would prove to be anything but uneventful. But that, nin mellon, is another story.
THE END
So, what did you think? I know, not the greatest, but it was my first attempt, so be gentle in your reviews, pretty please???? (grins). Anyway, my next story so far is non stop funny and action. Well, it had a few of my friend roaring with laughter so far. And of course, there will be torture and danger. What kind of story with Legolas and Aragorn doesn't have those ingredients??? I'm sorry to all you Legolas lovers out there that I married him off, but he is in good hands and married to my best friend. I had to write this story because it was my way of telling her what her friendship means to me? Did you catch it in there too??? Well, I hope at least some of you liked this one enough to want to read my next one. It will be much longer and more in detail. Here is a teaser for the next story.. Mithrandir is in great danger, can he be saved in time? The twins are sent on a mission that could very well be the end of their immortal lives.
