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 thereā¦" 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 ...
