Don't hurt me!! Or you'll never get more--here's the next chapter….
Chapter 36--Unexpected Intruders
Jadriel knelt to examine the ground then nodded at Legolas. "It came this way, let us go," he said. They hurried on after their prey.
After another hour they finally spotted the deer. "Get it, Legolas before it runs again," Jadriel whispered.
Legolas slid his bow from his shoulder and notched an arrow then took aim. Suddenly the deer looked the opposite direction from them and bounded off to the left.
""Hold, something scared it and it was not us," Jadriel hissed.
Both Elves froze and waited for the thing that had startled the deer to show itself. Five Humans emerged from the trees. Gondor soldiers!!
"Valor! How did they get this far into Mirkwood without being spotted?" Legolas whispered. "A sentry should have warned others of their presence by now."
"We must stop them, we can handle five. Shoot them down, Legolas, but only wound one so we may question him," Jadriel ordered.
Legolas swallowed and nodded. He fired the arrow meant for the deer at them. The arrow sank to the fletching in the lead soldiers throat and he fell.
The other four didn't have a chance to flee, they fell to Legolas' arrows one by one. Jadriel and Legolas left the trees and moved towards them.
The lone survivor glared at them, unable to run because of the arrow in his knee. "Damned, murdering Elves! You killed my comrades!!" he spat.
"Keep an arrow aimed at him, Legolas," Jadriel said and turned to the Human. "None would have been killed if they had not trespassed in our realm, why are you here?"
"I will not tell you, Elf. I am not afraid to die," the soldier snapped.
"It never ceases to amaze me that Humans are so willing to throw what little life they are granted away," Jadriel said.
"It is an honor to die for the glory of my King, kill me, I care not," the soldier said proudly.
"We must take him back to the castle, go fetch a few guards. I can watch this one," Jadriel said.
Legolas didn't like leaving Jadriel alone with the soldier, but he nodded and hurried off.
Soon Legolas returned with some guards who took charge of the prisoner. "We must insist you return with us, Prince Jadriel, Prince Legolas. There may be more lurking out there. I have sent out patrols to make sure, but I prefer not to take chances," the captain said.
"Very well, Valen, we will come back with you," Jadriel said.
They returned to the palace where the soldier was taken to the dungeon. He would be held there until Thranduil had time to question him.
Legolas returned to his room, worried about how the soldiers had gotten into the forest. He feared the sentry had been killed. He hated the thought of more lives being lost because of a Human King's greed. Arathorn was dead, who was King now? And had Jandra succeeded in her plans.
Someone knocked on the door an hour later. Legolas opened the door to reveal a servant. "Prince Legolas, your father wishes you to join him in his study immediately," he said.
"Very well," Legolas said. He walked to the study and went inside. Jadriel was all ready there with Thranduil. "What is it, father?" he asked.
"I fear Jerrin told the King of secret ways into Mirkwood before he was killed. That is how they got in. A map was found on the soldier. I fear we are now finally at war with Gondor. We have no other alternative now," Thranduil said. "Neither Jadriel or you are to leave the palace."
Legolas nodded. "Yes father," he said.
"You may go, Greenleaf, Jadriel, I need to speak with you," Thranduil said.
Legolas was glad to leave the study. He went to find his friends and tell them what was happening. He wondered how Aragorn would react to the news…..
War is beginning!! Look out--R/R please!!!!