Here it is--the next chapters…aren't ya thrilled?!! *Snicker* I got over 400 reviews--GO ME!! Er, sorry….

Chapter 46--No Quarter

"I have made my decision," Thranduil said. He looked each person in the eye as they waited in tense silence. "We fight," he said. "There will be no quarter. If any of you wish to leave, you may. I will not judge you for it."

"We will fight for Mirkwood, sire," Elrohir said. They all spoke their agreement.

"My thanks, we will use the time before we must give our answer to prepare," Thranduil said.

Time flew by much to fast and all to soon it was time to give the reply. When Thranduil and his escort rode out. Rian and his escort were all ready there. Rian had a cocky smirk on his face. "So, Elf, have you made a wise choice?" he asked.

Thranduil frowned then smiled. I will remove that smirk from your face, he thought. "I do not answer to Elf though I suppose I should expect poor manners from a Human," he said distastefully.

Rian's face reddened with rage and the smirk disappeared. "What is your answer?" he demanded.

"I will not surrender my land and people to a tyrant. We will fight you to our last breaths. Be warned that there will be no mercy shown," Thranduil said.

"We will show no mercy either!!! You have doomed yourself and all your kind to death!!!" Rian said.

"But we will die free," Thranduil said coldly. He and his escort rode off without another word.

Rian was so angry that he couldn't speak for a long instant. "Fire! Fire now!!" he ordered finally. The ball of burning pitch flew high and true. An instant later a cluster of trees burst into flame.

Aragorn yelled orders as the Elves assigned to him worked to contain the flames. The burning pitch would not be stopped with water, so they concentrated on the trees around the fire. "Haldir, Elrohir, Elladan!!! Get ready!!" Aragorn yelled.

The twins and Haldir climbed large trees as close to the edge of the forest as they could get. They set arrows to the string and took aim; waiting for the command.

"Fire!!" Aragorn yelled. The shots went off together and the arrows arched towards their targets. The aim was perfect.

Three soldiers manning one of the catapults were fatally shot. One was cranking down the arm of the catapult, but was killed before he finished.

The ball of flaming pitch was fired, but went three feet up and landed right on the catapult. It burst into flames.

"Secondary target--fire!!" Aragorn yelled.

This time the arrows were on fire and again the flight was true . The men manning the catapults scurried to find shelter, but this time they were not the target .

Each catapult had a vat of the pitch beside it. The arrows landed into the vats and the pitch exploded. Nearby men and catapults alike were sprayed in fiery pitch. Thanks to Aragorn's and Boromir's suggestions and guidance the catapults were out of commission. The Elves cheered as the attack was stalled. Only a few trees were burned and for now Mirkwood was safe.

"Pull back! Pull back now!!! We must regroup and plan our next strike!!" Rian yelled. He glared towards the triumphant Elves. "You have won this round, damn you, but the final one will be mine," he muttered grimly.

Thranduil sighed in relief as the soldiers pulled back. Turning he began directing the Elves in preparation for the next skirmish.

*Meanwhile*

The Lorien and Rivendell forces had merged as they traveled as swiftly as they could towards Mirkwood to lend additional aid to the struggle.

Celeborn gave his lady a concerned look as she stared blankly forward for an instant, but she came to herself quickly. "Are we to late, my Lady?" he asked.

Elrond, who rode on Galadriel's other side looked concerned as he waited for her reply.

Galadriel smiled at both men in turn. "All is not lost. Thanks to your adopted son, Lord Elrond, Mirkwood has not fallen," she said.

Both Elven Lords sighed in relief….

BTW--Pitch is tar, nasty huh? Those men got burned badly!!

Hope this is ok. I've never written a large-scale battle scene before….R/R please!!!