Wow, 595, you folks are great. Thanks!!!
Chapter 62-- Hares and Hounds
The attack came at dawn the next day. The armored fighters were able to get to them as arrows bounced off their armor, doing no harm. The Elves fought fiercely and slowly forced them away, but the attacks came in waves.
Wounded were being brought in so quickly that the healers were hard pressed to keep up. Legolas healed each severely wounded warrior then moved to the next. Three died before he could reach them. Blood scent filled the air. After six long hours there was a lull.
"We are being forced back further after each attack," Jadriel growled to Aragorn.
Boromir just shook his head wearily.
"Then let's play hares to their hounds," Syri said, coming up to them.
Jadriel gave her a puzzled look. "What?" he asked.
"Let them drive us back. Let them think we are retreating then strike at them. Each time we attack it will come from another direction. There will be no pattern for them to learn. You know the forest and none of them do. You know that," Syri said.
"You wish us to allow them deeper into our home?!" Jadriel asked incredulously.
"Why not? If they get lost they will be easy targets for you or the spiders and any other creatures that live here," Syri said. "They might find their way out, but is no guarantee where they will be when they do."
Aragorn laughed. "Perfect, Syri. If your folk work this properly they could lead them into danger instead of waiting for them to blunder into it, Jadriel," he said. "Let the hounds chase the hares in vain."
"It would at least buy us some time," Boromir agreed.
"What about the ones that appear to be rangers?" Jadriel asked.
"Perhaps I can talk to them. I am a ranger and they might listen to me. We may be able to change them from enemies to allies," Aragorn said.
Jadriel took a deep breath. It was his decision right now. "We will try Syri's suggestion. We must hold them until help arrives," he said. They went to spread the word among the warriors and move the wounded to a safer place.
The Humans struck again. The Elves fought fiercely, but were slowly forced to give ground. The Humans pushed forward harder, shouting in triumph.
Danna ad!!" Jadriel called. "Danna ad!!!"
The Elves turned tail and fled into the trees. The Humans yelled in triumph and bloodlust then followed.
Soon the hunters became the hunted as the Elves began to ambush them then fade back into the trees before they could retaliate. Soon the men were angry, decimated and lost. They wandered deep into Mirkwood to suffer who knows what fate.
Rian cursed in frustrated rage. Even with his superior numbers he was getting nowhere, but he was determined to succeed.
The Elven army eventually made their way to a new meeting place. None were hurt and they were all delighted by the success of the trick.
"Now I must do my part," Aragorn said and went off in search of one of the rangers. He hoped they would listen to him. He finally found one of the rangers and stepped out in front of him. "Well met, I wish to speak with you. I am no enemy," he said. "Will you talk?"
The ranger nodded. "I will," he said.
"I am known as Strider among the rangers of the north," he said.
"I am Stalker, what do you want?" the other asked.
"Why are you helping Rian attack Mirkwood?" Aragorn asked.
"Because King Rian has told us that his father, King Arathorn, was murdered in cold blood by one of the Elves that dwell here," Stalker said.
"The king was killed by a Elf that he had taken prisoner and raped. He was killed when the Elf could no longer bear it," Aragorn said.
"How do you know this?" Stalker asked. "It was never mentioned to us."
"Because the Elf is a dear friend." Aragorn said. He looked into the man's eyes. "I swear what I said is true." He waited tensely for them other ranger's reaction.
"If what you say is true then we have been lied to and we owe him no loyalty or service, but I do not know if you are telling the truth," Stalker said.
"There are many things about the king you serve that you do not know. He sent his men to attack wounded Elves and healers. He asked for a parley with the Elven King and when the King was riding away afterwards one of his men tried to shoot him in the back. A man like this does not deserve services from honorable men. I swear to you once again I speak only the truth," Aragorn said.
"I will think upon these things and speak to the others. Will you meet me here tomorrow at dawn so we may speak again?" Stalker asked.
"I will and gladly" Aragorn said. He watched the ranger leave, hoping that he might have gained them valuable allies…..
Danna Ad--Fall back
Cross your fingers and whatnot, maybe it worked!!!! R/R all…Sorry it took so long but it was the sites fault!!!!