All right everyone, time to get down to serious business…
Chapter 74--Silent Shadow
An hour before dusk Mei Ling left the camp and headed towards the Human army's. She would wait until the attack began then use the confusion of the attack to free Legolas. Once he was free she would make sure he got safely into Mirkwood out of harm's way.
Hours had passed and Legolas could tell by the dimming light that the sun was setting, his last sunset if Rian carried out his threat. Legolas wished he could have seen it. He knew that Rian would indeed do as he'd threatened. He closed his eyes wearily; perhaps the Valor would claim him first. He hoped so.
Suddenly screams sounded from outside. "To arms! The Elves are attacking!" a man yelled.
Legolas's heart leaped with hope, perhaps he would be saved after all then the two guards entered the tent with drawn weapons and his heart sank again.
"Too bad, Elf, we have orders from King Rian. He said we were to kill you if the Elves attacked. Do not worry, I will make it fast," one said. He started towards Legolas, raising his sword.
Legolas closed his eyes, not wanting to see the blow fall. They flew open again when the Human gasped and he looked up. A dagger was buried in the Human's chest. He toppled heavily to the ground. The other guard lunged forward and a dagger seemed to magically appear in his throat. He clawed at his throat, trying to scream then he collapsed as well.
Legolas turned his head, trying to see who had killed the guards. "Mei?!" he gasped, startled.
"Shush, we must be quick," Mei said. She got her daggers and cleaned them then used one to cut Legolas's bonds. "Listen to me, sun child, we are going to sneak out the back of the tent and I want you to head straight for the woods. You are not to stop no matter what," she said.
Legolas got to his feet. "I can fight. I owe Qui that," he protested.
"Qui is alive, but badly hurt," Mei said.
Legolas stared at her. "Alive? He was hurt and there was blood everywhere!" he said.
"Yet he is alive and with your skills he can be saved. Promise me you will do as I asked, sun child," Mei said, "if you do not I will tie you up again and carry you back."
Legolas didn't doubt she meant it for an instant. "I will do as you say," he said.
"Come with me then. I will be right behind you," Mei said.
They left the tent through a slit Mei had cut in the back then headed for the woods. The air was smoky and flames rose from the siege engines to light he night. Legolas could see strange Men and Dwarves fighting alongside the Elves as they fled for the shelter of Mirkwood. The tent was set from the trees, so they had to circle round the camp, trying to stay out of sight.
Despite their efforts two guards noticed them and charged. Mei shoved the daggers she'd thrown earlier into Legolas's hands. "Keep going, sun child and do not stop, no matter what you see or hear. Go to my brother and save his life!" she ordered. She drew two long daggers and met their charge.
Abandoning Mei didn't sit well with Legolas, but he obeyed. He could hear the sounds of battle as he ran on. He forced himself not to look back.
*Meanwhile*
Mei blocked the guards' way, so they couldn't go after Legolas. "You will have to kill me before you can harm him!" she warned.
"As you wish, wench, the King will probably reward us for killing you," one said.
"If you can kill me," Mei retorted. She gestured towards them with her daggers. "Come slay the shadow if you dare!"
The guards exchanged smirks and moved in on Mei with drawn swords.
Legolas kept running for the woods while trying to keep an eye on the fight, so he wouldn't blunder into someone. He was almost to the forest when someone stepped into his path. Legolas skidded to a halt and slowly looked up…
Heh, heh, the Queen of Cliffhangers strikes again!!! R/R please!!