The fourth day was just like any other. When it was nearly mid-day,
Ifran halted Quasar and she and Legolas began to set up for a quick lunch
before riding off again. The horse was turned loose but did not stray far.
He knew he would be needed soon enough. As Ifran began to eat, Legolas
stopped and froze, lifting his head, his gray eyes transfixed on some
unseen object. Noticing this, Ifran stopped as well, following his gaze,
but there was nothing to be seen, save for the forest they'd just come out
of. She strained her ears and tried to peer further in the forest, but
still nothing. Ifran glanced at Legolas nervously, starting to put the
things away. If there was danger, she did not want to have to be delayed
anymore than necessary.
Legolas stayed in that position, crouched, unblinking, ever listening and watching. Ifran called Quasar to her. The bay was acting nervously, shying and throwing half-rears. He allowed himself to be bridled again and stood still as Ifran grabbed her pack and mounted, watching Legolas warily.
After a moment, Legolas jumped to his feet and sprang onto Quasar behind Ifran. "Orcs! Mounted Orcs!" he said softly in Ifran's ear. She turned back to look at him in surprise, and was reassured with a firm nod from the prince of Mirkwood. Facing forward, she urged Quasar to run with all speed he could possibly muster. As they sprang away, they all heard the sound of hooves, and then the sound of tearing foliage as the Orc band shot out of the forest. Quasar issued a shrill neigh of challenge and hurried on, driven by the fearful scent of the Orcs. The mounted enemy waved their weapons high in the air, shouting out war cries and taunts to the fleeing Elves. Ifran gave Quasar his rein and glanced behind her shoulder. They were beginning to gain. Legolas gently yet firmly had her face forward again.
"Do not look back, Ifran! They want to see your fear. Do not give them the satisfaction!"
Ifran never looked behind her again as the chase wore on.
Quasar never slackened his pace, only increased when the sound of thudding hooves of the Orc horses grew too near, too loud. Over hills and across streams they ran, horses of neither side tiring. Ifran was growing desperate for an escape, but Legolas kept encouraging her that they would, somehow.
As he looked ahead and strained with his Elf eyes, he quickly realized they were coming upon a steep hill, a very steep hill. It was almost a cliff, and nearly straight down. Yet what choice did they have? As he relayed the news to Ifran, he felt her stiffen in fear.
"Do not fear, Ifran. Quasar will pull us through. The Orcs will not be able to follow us."
Quasar seemed to pick up the news and charged full throttle at the ever-nearing slope. Hoof beats echoed in the minds of the Elves as they felt Quasar lift off from level ground and lengthen his stride, racing down the hill with such a speed and yet careful skill that the descent was over before they all knew it. As the bay touched upon the bottom, Ifran allowed him a few more running strides before halting to look back up at the monstrous slope they'd just conquered. Orc riders stood at the top, sneering and hissing, yet dumbfounded by this incredible feat.
Ifran, however, was not feeling as triumphant as Legolas. Closing her eyes to stop the dizziness, she swooned and would have fallen from Quasar had not Legolas caught her in time.
Legolas stayed in that position, crouched, unblinking, ever listening and watching. Ifran called Quasar to her. The bay was acting nervously, shying and throwing half-rears. He allowed himself to be bridled again and stood still as Ifran grabbed her pack and mounted, watching Legolas warily.
After a moment, Legolas jumped to his feet and sprang onto Quasar behind Ifran. "Orcs! Mounted Orcs!" he said softly in Ifran's ear. She turned back to look at him in surprise, and was reassured with a firm nod from the prince of Mirkwood. Facing forward, she urged Quasar to run with all speed he could possibly muster. As they sprang away, they all heard the sound of hooves, and then the sound of tearing foliage as the Orc band shot out of the forest. Quasar issued a shrill neigh of challenge and hurried on, driven by the fearful scent of the Orcs. The mounted enemy waved their weapons high in the air, shouting out war cries and taunts to the fleeing Elves. Ifran gave Quasar his rein and glanced behind her shoulder. They were beginning to gain. Legolas gently yet firmly had her face forward again.
"Do not look back, Ifran! They want to see your fear. Do not give them the satisfaction!"
Ifran never looked behind her again as the chase wore on.
Quasar never slackened his pace, only increased when the sound of thudding hooves of the Orc horses grew too near, too loud. Over hills and across streams they ran, horses of neither side tiring. Ifran was growing desperate for an escape, but Legolas kept encouraging her that they would, somehow.
As he looked ahead and strained with his Elf eyes, he quickly realized they were coming upon a steep hill, a very steep hill. It was almost a cliff, and nearly straight down. Yet what choice did they have? As he relayed the news to Ifran, he felt her stiffen in fear.
"Do not fear, Ifran. Quasar will pull us through. The Orcs will not be able to follow us."
Quasar seemed to pick up the news and charged full throttle at the ever-nearing slope. Hoof beats echoed in the minds of the Elves as they felt Quasar lift off from level ground and lengthen his stride, racing down the hill with such a speed and yet careful skill that the descent was over before they all knew it. As the bay touched upon the bottom, Ifran allowed him a few more running strides before halting to look back up at the monstrous slope they'd just conquered. Orc riders stood at the top, sneering and hissing, yet dumbfounded by this incredible feat.
Ifran, however, was not feeling as triumphant as Legolas. Closing her eyes to stop the dizziness, she swooned and would have fallen from Quasar had not Legolas caught her in time.