Here's the other chapter in honor of Cassandra's birthday!! Enjoy!!
Chapter 58--Desperate Measures
Legolas woke several hours later. He was surprised he hadn't been called back to help before this. He went over to Elrond. "What is going on?" he asked.
"Rian's army has not made any attacks. They are just going about daily tasks and ignoring us," Elrond said.
Legolas frowned. "Which means that they are up to something," he said.
"Or they are trying to get us edgy and nervous about their next move," Elrond said.
Legolas shook his head in disgust and walked off to find his friends.
Aragorn saw archers move to the front of the line and get ready to fire. "Watch out! Arrows!" he shouted.
The arrows arched through the air. Small bags dangled from them. One arrow thudded into the ground at an Elf 's feet and the bag broke. It sent up a puff of greenish smoke. The Elf coughed as he accidentally breathed in some of it. Suddenly he clawed at his throat. His eyes widened as he struggled to draw breath then he collapsed, thrashing violently. He was dead of suffocation in minutes.
"Gods!" Aragorn cursed. "Do not breath any of the powder. It is some kind of poison!"
The other Elves backed off from the lethal smoke as more arrows thudded to the ground among them, but not everyone could escape the powder. Seventeen more Elves were killed.
Galadriel whispered something and swept her arm outward. The next waves of arrows simply rebounded off thin air and were deflected back at the soldiers. They landed among them, releasing the deadly powder and killing some of the soldiers with their own weapon. Several of the Elves cheered.
"Celebrate later. Be prepared for whatever they are plotting next," Aragorn ordered.
Galadriel glided to Aragorn's side. "I would speak to you in council with the others, Aragorn," she said.
Aragorn hesitated at the thought of abandoning his post, but he also knew she wouldn't ask it of him if it wasn't important.
"There will be no more arrows. They will be sent back to the Humans. Come," Galadriel said.
Aragorn followed Galadriel to a clearing where King Thranduil, Prince Jadriel and all the Elves' highest ranked men waited. He took a spot next to the twins and Lord Elrond. Boromir was there as well.
"I have seen another vision. There will be reinforcements to the Humans' army. We will be over run unless something is done," Galadriel said. Concerned murmurs went around the circle. The army was already a formable force.
"Who can we ask for help?" Thranduil said wearily. He massaged his left temple with his fingertips and winced a bit.
"There is only one race, the dwarves. We will send a messenger hawk," Galadriel said.
"Elves and Dwarves have never aided each other. It is unlikely they will aid us," one Elf said.
Galadriel turned and looked at him. "Would you prefer death or a life of slavery? We must seek help where ever we have a chance of receiving it," she said calmly. She turned to Thranduil. "The decision is yours, King Thranduil."
"I trust your vision, Lady. Send the message and we will see what happens," Thranduil said. "We must not let Rian win now."
Jadriel gave his father a worried look. It was obvious King Thranduil was exhausted. He hadn't rested for days. Jadriel wished his father would just lie down for a while.
"I shall, but you must rest King of Mirkwood or you will collapse. You will be no use to your people then. I am sure Prince Jadriel can take over for a time," Galadriel said.
If anyone else had said such a thing to the proud woodland King he would have been furious. Since it was Lady Galadriel Thranduil just nodded. "You are right of course. You are in charge for now, Jadriel. If I am needed have someone fetch me," he said. He rose and walked off while the others returned to their posts.
An hour later a beautiful golden hawk soared up into the clear blue sky. Strangely no one in Rian's army noticed it as it flew to the East towards the Glittering Caves where the Dwarves dwelled in their stone halls. Soon it was out of sight of even an Elf's sharp eyes. All that the Elves could do now was wait and hope that aid would come, not many believed it would though….
There you go Cassandra, hope you liked your gift. Once again Happy Birthday! **Looks at snoozing plot bunnies and smirks** I snuck tranquilizers into their carrots--No singing this time!! Well, it's 5 am….To Bed!! R/R please, thank you!!