Woo hoo! People still want to read my story! Yay!! ::sigh:: I'm so happy. (For anyone who has ever seen The Emperor's New Groove, I am saying it like he did, I love that movie!) Thank you everyone who reviewed and convinced me to keep it up! This chapter is dedicated to MoroTheWolfGod, Muses Fury and Karine!
Just to let you know, this chapter picks up like right when the last one left off so here we go…
Chapter 6
The violent chant of the forest's dark trees had so increased in speed that as Legolas sprinted toward the strangely flashing light in the not-so-far distance, it seemed rather to become a steady hum tickling the elf's sensitive ears.
Then, in the midst of his rush to aide his lost companions, something happened to Legolas that had never before.
He fell.
Legolas, being a creature of innate grace and poise, was so bewildered by the mere fact that he had fallen to the rough forest floor that he did not at first realize how exactly he had come to be there. Rather than falling over his own feet or stumbling over a protruding root, as men are so apt to, the elven prince was tripped.
Furthermore, Legolas was extremely surprised and astonished to see that the cause of his fall was none other than his old friend Gandalf the Grey. Yet Gandalf was not the true source of this mischief. Instead, Legolas' keen eyes could see that the ancient wizard was been quickly pulled through the dirt by some force which remained largely hidden under the ground. It almost appeared that some grossly oversized grub or worm was the culprit due to the rapid and cylindrical movement of the forest floor directly before Gandalf.
In fact, by looking further beyond Mithrandir, Legolas could make out several other forms being pulled by similar unseen forces. Like him, these "forces" were clearly moving toward the beckoning light.
The prince was drawn out of his contemplations, during which he was deciding what exactly had been propelling his friends across the wood, when a harsh roar of rushing water broke the still silence of the night. Continuing his sprint, Legolas finally discovered the origins of the mysterious light as well as the now deafening roar.
As a wood elf, it was Legolas' nature to admire and cherish all manner of growing things and from the time he was but the smallest of elflings, he had felt a personal connection to trees in particular. So needless to say, as the elf ran into the clearing and beheld a giant and grand tree gracefully growing out of the middle of a river, his first impression was one of awe and wonder. Never in his thousands of years on Middle Earth had Legolas come across a tree of such large magnitude and equally large magnificence.
However, these natural reflections were soon replaced with great foreboding and fear. Instead of being the friendly giver of shade as Legolas had first perceived, the fair elf instantly saw it for what it truly was underneath the natural beauty; the dark and evil father of the wretched trees inhabiting this forest, surrounded by swirling and angry waters, the creature creating the violent roar now echoing throughout the forest.
Situated in a straight line near the river's shore were Legolas' eight companions. Relieved tat he had found all of his companions in seemingly good health, the weary traveler advanced toward his slumbering friends.
He he he (think evil okay!)
Legolas stopped abruptly and looked toward the father tree.
You think to save these creatures elf?
The woodland elf cringed at the vile hisses emanating from the twisted bark of this large central tree.
You need not answer me, elf. But do not be foolish. You cannot win, these sacrifices belong to me now.
"Light and Beauty will forever prevail in the fight against evil, of which you are a child," spoke the Prince of Mirkwood boldly.
Silence! Your mere voice grates my every nerve. Ahh… my children approach. I would suggest running, but it would do you no benefit.
"I run from no creature, be he man, elf, dwarf or orc!" Shouted Legolas as he unshouldered his bow and readied an arrow. "Send me your worst."
You speak boldly, foul beast of light and beauty. But this is not a match of words, but of strength and power. And this is one battle you will sorely loose.
As Legolas began to shoot back a witty retort to the plant, he heard the heavy pounding of footsteps on the forest floor. He watched as six tall men uniformed in long, heavy and thick black robes emerged from the surrounding foliage. They made no move on their own, though the elven warrior was fully prepared. Indeed, they seemed to be waiting for instructions.
Subdue the elf, slaves, but do not kill him. You know well that the light and goodness on which I survive is purest when the subject is yet living. Yes, you take care of that creature while I devour his companions.
'We are to be used to sate this creature's horrible appetite,' thought Legolas as he came to the grim realization that safely removing himself and his companions from this situation might not be as simple as he had thought.
The rush of steel against sheath brought the elf's attention back to his six opponents. Slowly they advanced to form a rough semi-circle, barricading Legolas from the tree, the river and his friends. At the same time, Legolas could plainly see the father tree's great roots gradually rising from the rushing waters and inching their way towards his companions.
'Ai, Elbereth,' thought Legolas worriedly, 'how am I to save my companions as well as myself?'
Attack now, you fools! Now!
All six of the men raised their rusty swords in unison and before they could bring them down upon the fair head of the elven prince, Legolas quickly pulled out his long knives and sliced at the neck of the closest rival. He then dropped to the floor and kicked out the feet of three other men. Seeing a sword raised ominously above his head, Legolas rolled over and simultaneously threw one of his elven knives at the hidden face of another man. Noting that the men, though menacing in their drab garb, were neither the most intelligent nor the most gifted fighters, Legolas took advantage of this opportunity of confusion and ran to the aide of his comrades.
Slashing with all of his might at the heavy roots which were slowly grasping at the eight, Legolas soon freed the four young hobbits, who were in the most danger, and, as they are small and light, quickly tossed them farther from the eerie shore. He quickly analyzed the situation and realized that the four men who were still able to fight, one having been slashed at the neck and the other stabbed in the face, were now rapidly advancing upon him. Desperate for aide himself, Legolas made a hasty decision. He kicked Aragorn in the face. While Aragorn moaned in pain, but regained consciousness, Legolas moved on to kick Boromir in the face as well. As the two men rose to their feet, cursing and casting menacing looks at the elf, Legolas shouted, "Quickly, behind you!"
While the two men of the company might have only seconds ago lay unconscious on the river shore, they quickly realized the gravity of the situation. Without a word they unsheathed their swords and readied to attack while Legolas fought off the stubborn roots encircling the dwarf and wizard.
In a flash of silver light Aragorn and Boromir ripped at the four men. Though they were outnumbered two to one, the men had little difficulty in ridding themselves of their rivals.
"Hurry!" shouted Legolas as he continued to fend off the tenacious roots. "Grab the hobbits and Gimli and run!"
"No, we will not leave you to fight this evil alone," announced Aragorn as he moved toward the hobbits.
"Do not believe I am attempting to destroy this tree, I am simply stopping these roots from dragging our companions into this noisome river. Now go, I will be directly behind you."
Nodding quickly, Aragorn shouldered Gimli and Frodo while Aragorn took the other three hobbits under his arms. As soon as the others were out of sight Legolas lifted Gandalf over his shoulder and ran for both of their lives.
Did you think you would get away that easily elf?
Suddenly Legolas felt a strong pull on his ankle and, for the second time, fell to the floor with Gandalf lying across his back, prohibiting him from reaching his weapons.
I may have lost a large feast, but the light of an elf will make up for them I should say.
Legolas grasped at the floor but could find no hold strong enough to stop his backward pull toward the river and it's revolting inhabitant. Never before had he felt so completely helpless.
As I said before, o fair one, I always win.
"Not in the case," said Aragorn as he jumped through the dark surroundings of the clearing and slashed at the root surrounding Legolas' ankle. "Lets run, nin mellon."
This is not the last you have heard or seen of me! I will have you!
Catching up quickly with the other members, several of which had awoken from their unnatural slumber, the Fellowship wordlessly agreed to continue running until they were out of the dreaded wood.
Not the end!!!! Not by far actually. In the next chapter, what is this town the fellowship stumbles across? Is it possibly connected to the tree of evil? Ooooo, spooky, huh? Please review, thank you much!
*P.S. To anyone who has friends or family who are currently fighting in Iraq, my prayers and those of my family are continuously with you and your loved ones. God bless us all in these times of chaos.