Chapter 15
Iiten was fading. Legolas and the others just outside the room could feel the tenseness as covered bowls of used bandages were taken from the room. The bone protruding from Iiten's leg had made a rather large hole in his leg and they were having a difficult time stopping the bleeding enough for the wound to clot and begin healing. The healers continued on regardless though, the entire company had woken up in a cheerful mood this morning, and the insurance of a day well ended still lingered in his mind. The fifth sense of the north was infallible. So either Iiten would survive or something extraordinarily miraculous would happen that would overwhelm their sorrow over his death. Needless to say the first was both more appealing and more likely.
They all startled when Holil landed on the platform, seeming to appear out of the slanting rain. Four others landed through the gap in the short railing as well, shaking water from their garments. Holil brushed past them straight into the room where Iiten lay. He emerged seconds later, his white-gold hair luminescent in the gray light.
~You're hours early! Did you suddenly recognize the plants or something? The outpost was hours away we expected you to return after dark!~ Legolas demanded.
Holil leaned on the railing, smiling at the stormy skies. ~It was really particular actually.~ he began.
~We had been travelling the upper roadways in an effort to cover as much distance as possible without any unexpected encounters. It was working for the most part when my path had a rather abrupt change into a strip of tree less area. There was a boulder in the center of the field however, and an easy ascension back into the trees just on the other side. I was in the air intending to land on the rock when Geletar in front of me spots the cloaked figure crouching in the shadow of the rock. It was drawing a knife!~
Several of the archers listen intently, motioning for him to continue while Geletar shakes his head and hides his face in his had. The other archers that accompanied them are listening readily but with smirks.
~The emblem of Mirkwood archery he knocks the knife from the figure's grasp, and into the dense foliage that covers the ground. By now I am aware of the threat and place myself out of it's vision on the other side of the massive stone. It was kept at arrow point while I interro-~
~While you ordered her not to move and then tried to remove the lady's cloak. She was apparently herb gathering in the nasty weather, roots, mushrooms, chestnuts and sage from what I saw. Naturally we hadn't expected a lone elf maid in the middle of the forest and it turns out there was a village not far away. She knew what the plants looked like in any case and cut several of them for Holil here. They were growing at his feet! Naturally we turned back at once, time was of greatest importance.~
Iiten's voice wafted out of the room. ~Did you by chance get her name? What did she look like?~ Holil and Geletar sent each other hurried glances.
~I did not think of it at the time.~ Holil whispered. ~Nor I, however shall we find her to thank her?~
~You didn't think to ask her name? What kind of archers are you?~ Iiten cried.
Legolas leaned towards Fathiel. ~He sure seems a lot better.~ He murmured. Fathiel grinned and nodded.
~No matter!~ Iiten continued. ~I know she is the most beautiful lady in the wood, worthy of any and all men's admiration and honor. I am sure she knew my plight and stood directly in Holil's path next to the healing herbs through incredible use of her clairvoyance!~
~Iiten, no ones clairvoyance is that accurate.~ Fathiel pointed out.
~Nevertheless! I shall seek her out and pledge my undying gratitude to her.~
~Perhaps we were better off when he was injured.~ Holil grumbled.
Iiten was fading. Legolas and the others just outside the room could feel the tenseness as covered bowls of used bandages were taken from the room. The bone protruding from Iiten's leg had made a rather large hole in his leg and they were having a difficult time stopping the bleeding enough for the wound to clot and begin healing. The healers continued on regardless though, the entire company had woken up in a cheerful mood this morning, and the insurance of a day well ended still lingered in his mind. The fifth sense of the north was infallible. So either Iiten would survive or something extraordinarily miraculous would happen that would overwhelm their sorrow over his death. Needless to say the first was both more appealing and more likely.
They all startled when Holil landed on the platform, seeming to appear out of the slanting rain. Four others landed through the gap in the short railing as well, shaking water from their garments. Holil brushed past them straight into the room where Iiten lay. He emerged seconds later, his white-gold hair luminescent in the gray light.
~You're hours early! Did you suddenly recognize the plants or something? The outpost was hours away we expected you to return after dark!~ Legolas demanded.
Holil leaned on the railing, smiling at the stormy skies. ~It was really particular actually.~ he began.
~We had been travelling the upper roadways in an effort to cover as much distance as possible without any unexpected encounters. It was working for the most part when my path had a rather abrupt change into a strip of tree less area. There was a boulder in the center of the field however, and an easy ascension back into the trees just on the other side. I was in the air intending to land on the rock when Geletar in front of me spots the cloaked figure crouching in the shadow of the rock. It was drawing a knife!~
Several of the archers listen intently, motioning for him to continue while Geletar shakes his head and hides his face in his had. The other archers that accompanied them are listening readily but with smirks.
~The emblem of Mirkwood archery he knocks the knife from the figure's grasp, and into the dense foliage that covers the ground. By now I am aware of the threat and place myself out of it's vision on the other side of the massive stone. It was kept at arrow point while I interro-~
~While you ordered her not to move and then tried to remove the lady's cloak. She was apparently herb gathering in the nasty weather, roots, mushrooms, chestnuts and sage from what I saw. Naturally we hadn't expected a lone elf maid in the middle of the forest and it turns out there was a village not far away. She knew what the plants looked like in any case and cut several of them for Holil here. They were growing at his feet! Naturally we turned back at once, time was of greatest importance.~
Iiten's voice wafted out of the room. ~Did you by chance get her name? What did she look like?~ Holil and Geletar sent each other hurried glances.
~I did not think of it at the time.~ Holil whispered. ~Nor I, however shall we find her to thank her?~
~You didn't think to ask her name? What kind of archers are you?~ Iiten cried.
Legolas leaned towards Fathiel. ~He sure seems a lot better.~ He murmured. Fathiel grinned and nodded.
~No matter!~ Iiten continued. ~I know she is the most beautiful lady in the wood, worthy of any and all men's admiration and honor. I am sure she knew my plight and stood directly in Holil's path next to the healing herbs through incredible use of her clairvoyance!~
~Iiten, no ones clairvoyance is that accurate.~ Fathiel pointed out.
~Nevertheless! I shall seek her out and pledge my undying gratitude to her.~
~Perhaps we were better off when he was injured.~ Holil grumbled.