Chapter 18 – Hard Earth and Red Water

In a large eerie cave, void of any life except the evil beings themselves, a figure was being dragged towards a seat at the end of the hall. The figure could be considered big, but compared to his captors, he was anything but big.

"Drop him, and go," commanded Zalryn, their head.

His dark followers did as he told, but two stayed behind in case the captive tried to escape or attack. This did not please Zalryn, for he narrowed his eyes and said,

"Do you think your leader is not strong enough to defeat a crippled human? You mock my abilities?"

The smaller of the two stepped forward and stammered,

"N-no, master...we dare not, but thiss human had the ability to kill three of usss, so-"

"I said LEAVE!"

They had angered their leader. At his roar the two huge bulk skid off into the darkness, leaving Zalryn and his captive alone.

Vortayn was awoken by a nasty stench. Blood, shit, sweat mixed together was like acid to one's respiratory system. He coughed, trying to repel the air but in vain. His vision was blurred as his memory of what happened swarmed in. Calegris and he were hunting down the horse when they heard evil approaching. Reaching back where their company was, they found the horse torn apart by a herd of large creatures similar to trolls. They were cutting it up with their long weapons, each being a combination of different weapons. One was holding a spear with a crossbow across and a small scythe at the middle. It seemed they had merged all sorts of weapons together. When the two arrived, a dozen or more pairs of yellow eyes stared at them as the creatures stopped their feast. Seeing new delicacies ahead, they abandoned the horse and were going to surround their prey. Calegris did not give them that privilege. He was filled with disgust and anger with what they did to the horse that he shot a creature before it stood. Chaos broke out and being outnumbered, Calegris and Vortayn ran. The creatures had amazing speed and perfect aim, for soon they managed to put an arrow through Vortayn's arm. If Vortayn was to die, he would die in a fight, thus he turned around to face the approaching enemies. At first he was getting the upper hand. Two died almost instantly as they tried to ambush him from the side, but another had already raised its scythe. Swoosh was the sound of Calegris' arrow and another dropped dead, but more were coming.

Calegris wasn't far ahead when he realized his companion had fallen. As he approached the scene Vortayn yelled,

"No! Stay away! Promise me to go warn the others and bring them safely to Searia!"

A spear went through his leg. Calegris ran forth to aid his comrade, but Vortayn managed to give him a look that told him to go. The creatures weren't stupid. One of them started towards the delicious elf when Vortayn slashed its neck.

"GO!"

As reluctant as can be, Calegris sped off to find the others. Though the time spent and words shared were little, Vortayn was a strong and reliable human. Leaving such a noble comrade behind broke Calegris' heart, but he had a promise to keep. He must bring the party through the Iron Hills to safety.

As soon as Calegris disappeared, the creatures' reinforces came. These looked the same, but they were much more evil as well as stronger. Screaming, Vortayn was mortally wounded with his arms and legs were treated like a pincushion. However, before they could do any more damage, the head of the army stopped them and brought the vulnerable human back to their leader. Another battle cry rang as the others left for the rest of the company.

Zalryn was obviously furious with the escape of others, but at least one was captured. He had decided to squeeze as much information from this captive as he could, but this option seemed unlikely after knowing how much resistance the captive showed. Nevertheless, one was better than none.

Vortayn tried to adjust his vision as his pain returned. Fighting to keep his screams down, he moved his dangling arms and legs to sit up, to no avail. Zalryn stepped forward to view his prey.

"So, warrior, you have killed my men and paid the price. Now you will provide me with what I want if you want to return to your companionssss."

Vortayn could taste evil just by hearing the voice. He could not see the face of his enemy, but he could make out the strong limbs and sharp claws, and was that a tail he saw moving? With his limbs handicapped, there was no way Vortayn could return to his company, and he would rather die than betray Irthal.

"Go ahead and kill me, for you will not get anything out of me!"

Zalryn looked down at him with amused yellow orbs.

"Whether you like it or not, I will get something from you," hissed Zalryn as he drew a small thin knife. "And I will give you something other than death, something far...far worse."

Zalryn took another step and Vortayn could see him clearly now. A scream followed.

_________

Narla felt awkward when she woke up that morning. Though the chill from the cry they heard last night had not subsided, Narla found it hard to look at Legolas in the eyes during that day. She didn't know when it started, but her heart lifted each time her glance met Legolas'. Jeez, I'm acting like a high school girl with a major crush! Narla was practically kicking herself mentally. He's sarcastic, arrogant, not human...not even real for god's sake! But no matter how hard she tried, her body would react differently. Her cheeks would turn red almost immediately if her skin touched his, or she would do something clumsy when she noticed his stare. Of all time to fall in love, why now? Deep in her thoughts, Narla rammed straight to a tree.

Stars in her eyes, Narla got up swearing softly. Legolas helped her up and touched her shoulder,

"Are you alright Narla? Why are your cheeks pink? A fever? Alas! You are red now! Is it the heat?"

Legolas obviously didn't know what he was talking about for the weather that day was windy. As they went nearer towards the mountains, the climate became cold. Legolas had felt an odd tension in the air when Narla started avoiding his glances. He did not realize he was the cause to her awkwardness, in fact, he found her actions amusing. Even their horse notice Narla's odd behavior that day and it would have treated it as comic relief if she hadn't stepped on its foot or bumped onto its tail so many times.

Narla mumbled something in embarrassment, or so Legolas thought, and tried to walk ahead of him. Being an elf, Legolas covered the distance shortly and before they reunited with the others, he decided to know a bit more about this strange friend.

"Tell me about your world. Do you always say 'shit' when you fall?"

Surprised by this sudden curiosity and peculiar question, Narla looked at Legolas with one eyebrow as up high as possible. Obviously she didn't swear softly enough, but she laughed anyway.

"No, Legolas. Shit is a bad word. Say it not."

Usually, Narla would end her vocabulary explanation at that, but Legolas was rather persistent that day.

"But why would you say that when you fall?"

Narla knew he was teasing her, so she played along.

"If you must know, it is rude to question a girl's actions in my world."

It was Legolas' turn to raise an eyebrow. His suspicions returned as he recalled how close she seemed with Gimli and how quickly her wounds healed. This girl was special, not just because she was from another world as she claimed, but her role in this mission did not seem as simple as being a gem-bearer.

"Would you tell me about the gem which you bear?"

Narla was taken aback at the sudden change in atmosphere. Perhaps she had overdone her jokes. Nevertheless, she answered,

"There isn't much to tell. I had just received it as my birthday present. My aunt handed it to me, leaving a note stating it belonged to me parents and they specifically told her to give it to me when I turn twenty one."

Legolas thought about this. Odd. Why wait twenty-one years to give a necklace? Unless, of course, Narla's parents knew what it was. They knew it was one of the four magical gems. But this raised even more questions into his mind and he absent-mindedly spoke to himself.

"Hmm. Very Odd. If only we had found out something about it in Mount Erebor."

Narla heard this and started doing some thinking of her own. Long forgotten about her shyness around Legolas, Narla wondered if it was possible for the dwarves to have some knowledge on her gem as they loved shiny objects.

"I wish Gimli was here with us," Narla said softly.

"Why?"

"Well, perhaps he might know something about my pendant since he likes jewels."

"How would you know that?"

"I read it in the book somewhere."

"What book?"

"The Lord Of T-" Narla turned around to see a smiling Legolas.

He had tricked her! She knew that he insisted that she knew of them, but she had managed to hide it well, until now. It would be so hard telling a fictional character that he was fictional. Well, at least in her world.

"What book Narla? I am fairly aware that a certain hobbit friend of mine is writing a book of his journeys, but I doubt it is finished. Pray tell me, what is there to hide?"

The last statement came out as a surprise for Narla. Legolas looked almost...distressed that she didn't want to tell him about the book. Giving up, she decided to give it a go. Maybe he would not take it as hard as she thought. Besides, she had to tell him the truth someday.

"Ok, I mean, alright. I will tell you everything. I know of Middle-Earth from a book published in my world a long time ago. It is called-"

A battle cry was heard. This time it was nearer to them and Narla's face turned white. She was not ready for battle yet as she still had a lot of things to learn. Nevertheless, she drew out Gaildryn instantly, holding it up in a much more professional way than before. Legolas concentrated on his surroundings, he sensed fear and blood in the air. A group of evil beings were heading their way. Legolas and Narla were not far from the meeting place with their company, so they sped towards it hoping to reach it before the stampede did.

Empty. At the intersection of the base of Iron Hills and River Carnen stood a lonesome tree, its handful of leaves struggling to survive. Legolas scanned the area quickly. He found footprints, a small and a large and one hardly noticeable except to the sight of elves. Not understanding this, Legolas decided to take a risk.

"We must cross the river."

"What?" cried Narla in dismay as the tension increased. She felt a chill through her spine looking at the gushing river with its many sharp rocks protruding along the current. Legolas spoke softly to their loyal horse and asked it to run as fast as possible south. He did not think the pixies would find it as they had not followed. The horse gave a neigh of protest, but it seemed to know the danger of the situation and turned away, galloping as fast as it could across the winding path.

The elf prince pulled Narla by the arm and they ran to the edge of the river. The footsteps had ended there where a couple of vines dangled from high branches spreading across the river.

"No, wait, you can't possibly think of using these vines to cross?"

"Aye, hold on!"

Before Narla could breathe another word, Legolas pulled her close and grabbed one of the longer vines. Speaking words in elvish, he jumped off the edge with the vine twisted around his arm and Narla in his other. It happened so fast that Narla didn't have time to scream. When they reached the other side, she just blinked in confusion. She could have sworn that the vine wasn't long enough to swing them over. With no time to ponder on magical vines, Narla followed Legolas as he moved ahead in search of the others.

Swoosh! Legolas duck just in time.

"Calegris! Mirgom!" called Legolas as he recognized his kindred's arrow.

"Y-young master!" cried Mirgom in relief and joy as he appeared from behind dark bushes.

Along with him came a worried Irthal and terrified Oriah. Seeing Narla recovered and well Oriah leapt to hug her. She started crying in relief, joy and fear altogether. Narla felt the same as she returned her friend's hug. Irthal was lightened that the gem-bearer was safe, but her fear for her partner remained. No such reunion was seen among the elves. Mirgom was close to tears, but Legolas stayed alert.

"What happened? Where are Calegris and Vortayn?" asked Legolas as unease settled on him.

"I-I know not, young master," answered Mirgom, extremely distressed. "A herd of unknown dangerous creatures headed for us when they were looking for the horse and we ran, my prince. We dare not stop until we crossed the river. We plan to attack them if they start crossing Carnen."

"You plan well, Mirgom, but beware not to shoot your companions! I heard them coming before we crossed. We must make haste!"

With Legolas back in the party, the rest looked more assured. They waited for the unknown evil behind bushes as Mirgom had, with Legolas standing on top of the nearest tree to the river to keep a lookout.

"This is odd. They have retreated," reported Legolas as he focused on the group of dark shapes speeding the opposite way from them.

"Could it be they have given up their chase?" asked Irthal, lowering her weapons slightly. She was completely exhausted both physically and mentally.

"Nay, I doubt these creatures would stop their hunt," replied Mirgom, his weapon still aiming for anything that would move across the river.

Suddenly something shook in the shadows on the other side of the river. A figure appeared and collapsed.

"Mirgom no!" shouted Legolas but it was too late.

Out of shock Mirgom had let fly his arrow and it flew straight through the leg of...Vortayn.

"Vortayn!!" cried Irthal, both in relief and horror.

Her partner was deeply wounded, with his entire body bleeding profusely. There was an ugly gash across one eye and his torso had been slashed over again and again. One leg had a few sharp metals stuck to it, and Mirgom's arrow now added to the collection. It was amazing how he could travel all this way without dying of lack of blood. Mirgom had turned white and froze like a stone when he realized that he had hit his companion. Oriah screamed and almost fainted had Narla not held her. Narla herself turned away from the scene before she could throw up at the gore. Irthal ran to the bank and almost leapt into the current if Legolas had not stopped her.

"We must bring him over and save him!" cried Irthal in distress.

"We will, but we must be certain it is not a trap the enemies had set up for us," Legolas said sternly, though one could see from his features that he was as upset as the others about their comrade.

At that moment, Vortayn trembled as he held out a hand for help. Then he collapsed altogether.

Author's Notes: Hey ppl! I added more romance recently…sorry to keep you guys waiting! Thanks for all your reviews and comments once again! I realize this chapter isn't as exciting as the rest, thus I decided to change the ending of this chapter! Thank you, Eloquea, for pointing out the mistake in this chapter! Keep the reviews coming!