SHADOW IN THE TREES
By : mirkwood-elf-2931 & Thala


CHAPTER 14


A short two hours after dawn, the mountains had ended and they crossed the River Isen. From here, it was only a mile to the structure where Saruman had made his inhabitance.

"Angrenost." Landailyn whispered, as the tall round building came into view; staring up at it with nothing, but a feeling of despise within.

Arwen glanced sideways at her. She had not heard the fortress called this by anyone in some time.

They rode on, the tower growing larger with every step, until it was looming higher than ever, before all four of them. Far down the wall so they were not seen near the archway of the wall entrance, Landailyn readied herself for whatever scene she was about to behold.

Standing on her saddle, she jumped straight up to grab the top of the wall. Hanging by her fingers on the ledge, she pulled herself upward, until her eyes peered over the stone. There was the tower in the middle, but surrounding it was a sight she didn't think either of them had expected.

Passed the wall she looked over, the gardens that had surrounded the base of the tower had been once beautiful. But now all trees were gone, replaced by many deep pits in the Earth, full of fire light and the sounds of the clinging metal that had filled their ears not five minutes before they crossed the river. Small and some larger figures moved around the areas hastily in their work, as with every sense she only reconized them as Orcs.

Landing easily on the ground, she returned to her horse's back.

By her expression, Arwen could tell they're chance did not appear extensive. Landailyn quickly described what she had seen. And they knew now they had been wrong to think they could get in by themselves somehow.

Landailyn sighed. "We should have anticipated this. Saruman may be a traitor, but he is not a fool."

Arwen bit her lip, in frustration and thought. She knew this as well, but figured they could have come up with some sort of plan. She didn't know there would be Orcs literally everywhere.

After a minute of her own deep thinking, Landailyn opened her mouth to suggest something, only to snap it shut again, when there came the noise of a twig breaking from somewhere back of them. Faster than lightning, she slid off Athron again and knocked a fine crafted arrow, drawing back the stiff string of her bow and aiming it directly where the sound was thought to have come from.

"Car u naur." [Do not fire.] A voice called out.

Slowly, she lifted her head from her aim. She recognized that voice.

"Please, it is I," A tall, blonde man with arms raised on either side of him walked out from behind a nearby tree. "Teredith." He finished.

Landailyn was speechless. Why in the world was her 'temporary captain' in Saruman's territory? "Teredith, my friend, what are you doing here?" She finally found her own voice, quickly housing the arrow in her quiver and clasping hands with the Elf.

"My captain, I've come to inform you that a large amount of us are camped not far southeast." He motioned behind him. "We've come to aid you."

"Did my father send you out?" Arwen groaned, jumping down from her own horse to join them.

He smiled. "Actually yes, he and Lord Thranduil discussed the matter further after the two of you had left and both agreed there was only one thing to do, as you would need much help once you reached Isengard, knowing that with the White Wizard there would be no way to get in unseen. We've been following you all this time, but have kept a safe distance so you would not suspect. But we have finally reached our destination it seems." His eyes appeared distant as he spoke the latter words, staring up at the sky scrapping structure. "So as you see, I had to come forth now. Since you have seen over the wall, as I have, I am sure you understand."

Landailyn nodded only once. "I do. Indeed, trying in secrecy would be trying in vain, by what we've seen so far. It looks as though we'll be needing you, no matter our number against them. If you can hold them off long enough, just so we can get in. From there…" She paused and sighed in frustration. "I do not know."

Finally, Teredith noticed something wrong about the Noldor Elf. "My lady, your arm..." He paused looking them over for further visible injuries. "Are the two of you alright?"

Arwen half smiled at him. "It is nothing."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded the assurance.

"What about you, Captain?"

She shook her head, eyes trailing to the ground. "I'm fine, nothing happened to me."

He raised dark brows. "Nothing happened?"

Landailyn sighed, the events of the night before replaying in her mind. "Our friend paid a visit to our camp last night," She explained. "Lady Arwen was asleep at the time, while I stood on watch. Somehow, Thalawen managed to sneak up on us, there was a short battle between us and that is how Arwen acquired her injury."

He nodded heavyheartedly. "I see. Saruman has turned her against us then."

"Aye, that is why I'm not sure what it is we plan to do about it, once we are inside."

To himself, Teredith sighed sadly. "I will retrieve our group."

Landailyn and Arwen waited where they were for his return. Soon following him back, were many groups of Elven sentries. They all emerged soundlessly from the forest, every one clothed and armed, prepared for a battle.

There appeared to be about a hundred that had come of the four hundred and seventy-three they still had left from their attack. And Landailyn was glad to have them by her side again. She looked over at Arwen, who held an encouraging smile for her.

"As I said, our camp is not far away, so when we come back out, we can stop for those who need tending by healers. A few were also sent incase."

Teredith's words caught Landailyn's attention. She hoped that they would not be so needed in this round.

"Oh, I have something for you." Disappearing in the crowd of men, he spotted his horse and unstrapped what he needed.

Staying put, they watched him make his way back with his hands full.

"We found these on our path through Mirkwood not far from the palace, the tunic was several miles futher though. I should think you to be the ones to return them to her."

Being held in front of him were Thalawen's rightful Elven weapons and a tunic almost in shreds, but neatly folded underneath, its condition showing them obviously most of the reason for Thalawen's new behavior and appearance. The two stared down at them without a word, they could only imagine, though tried very hard not to. How could they have missed these important items along their way?

Landailyn stepped forward to take them from the Elf's arms. "Thank you."

With a small bow of the head, he walked back to the groups of men.

"Well, these should stay with you." She turned to face her friend.

Arwen nodded. "I will take her bow and quiver, but you will carry her sword. You're her friend now too, you know."

Landailyn wasn't sure she should be in possession of the weapon, it seemed very vaulable to Thalawen and it was only she that Thalawen would most likely trust with such things. Arwen had known the girl her whole life, she was her best friend, her adopted sister.

"Are you sure?"

"I am. It may not seem so now, but I could tell that Legolas was right; Thalawen befriended you quickly, she likes you very much. She told me so."

Landailyn only nodded and with a soft chinging of the metal, emptied the scabbard. The blade had been shined, doubtlessly by Teredith and turning it slowly in her hands, read the personal inscription. She smiled and finally placed Carafang at her right hip.

Arwen followed suit, strapping the leather quiver and bow on her back and putting Thalawen's tunic in a pack on Asfaloth. They could even use these extra weapons if needed.

"Alright," Landailyn faced her troop and began to lecture them as a whole, explaining their tactics and finishing with. "And I know that it does not sound like the greatest plan, but I truly do not see any other way."

She looked around at their nodding heads, almost surprised they agreed with her. For she was sure she was leading some of them to certain death and at the moment was not the proudest captain anyone had ever seen.

"We will do the best we can, Captain." Teredith stepped forward with his support.

Landailyn nodded another thank you to him. "Come, we have work to do."

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *


Straight black hair blew into her face as she stood on a balcony, giving orders to soldiers below. But it was brushed away by an impatient hand. "We will defend Orthanc," yelled Thalawen. "And kill the Elves that come for us! Be mindful, I warn you. This Elven army is strong and they fight well, but this day will be ours."

A roar erupted from below and next to Thalawen, Saruman grinned. Immensly pleased that his new captain of arms was doing so well.

"Kill all the blonde ones, but leave their leader to me! If any of you get near her, I will kill you myself, personally..." She let the statement hover in the air, let the impact of the words sink in.

As her threat reached the ears of the Uruk-hai, she looked across the grounds to see two shadows running through the wall's doorless entry toward Orthanc, a sea of blonde behind them. A slow, evil smile crept onto her lips. She raised her arms in invitation. "Now go!" she said. "And kill all who are not like you!"

Saruman nodded his approval to her and went back to his throne to await the intruders' arrival.


* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *


As the army of Elves fought the majority off, Landailyn and Arwen both fired arrow after arrow at any of the Orcs that dared come near, while bolting towards the end of the path where the tower sat. Ascending the long stair to Orthanc's front door, they stopped for nothing and no one.

Bursting through the doors, they found the inside looking exactly the outside, swarthy and malign. This entrance led them straight into a circular room, where they caught sight of a contrary colored figure sitting upon his throne like a king.

By this time, Arwen had put away Thalawen's bow and pulled her own sword, but Landailyn automatically aimed her knocked bow his way. "Traitor." Came her voice dangerously low and angry, as the two stood glaring at him.

He merely smirked. "Call me what you will, Elf. It does not matter anymore. I care nothing for your kind or any other."

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't put this straight through your blackened heart. Where is she?!" Landailyn demanded through nearly clenched teeth.

"She is here." His deep voice stayed calm, intending to infuriate them further for his personal enjoyment.

Before anyone had the chance to comment on this, Orcs broke through every door in the chamber, along with the Elven warriors trying desperately to hold them back as their captain had ordered it.

Landailyn and Arwen had no choice but to fight, they would deal with Saruman later. Someone also needed to find Thalawen. But where was she hiding?


TBC ...