Disclaimer: I've seen Return of the King, and boy is it amazing! Although, I was in tears for the last two hours of the movie! Hehe, I was crying like a baby when Sam thought Shelob had killed Frodo, even though I knew that he wasn't dead!

Even though it is the best film ever, I still have one tiny complaint – namely Sarumon! I want a show of reviews (see what I did there) of people who agree with me that the ending was totally wrong by the fact the Shire was just fine and there was no sign of Sarumon anywhere!

Enough of my idle chit-chat, I now present to you Chapter 3 of Namaarie!

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Chapter 3: The Fading Sun

Legolas sighed as he secured his pack to his horse, and stared at the slowly rising sun, gleaming red and orange and illuminating everything around it. The woods of Mirkwood are beautiful this morning, mused Legolas to himself as he mounted his horse. He was dejected to leave his homeland, not knowing whether he would return or whether it would still be there if he returned. He averted his melancholy gaze from the only home he had ever known, and urged his horse forward. As he was trotting forward, his mind wandered to Alasse – as he was used to doing. He didn't know what to expect when he saw her, and making it more painful to see her wounded. He couldn't bare to see her fair skin scarred.

As he trotted forward, and closer towards the edge of his homeland, Legolas began to notice that the trees were thinning out – he had never been this far to the borders before. He could see pale blue and tinted red sky, and as he reached the clearing, he was hit by hundreds upon hundreds of Elves waiting for him at the end of the Old Forest road. He stopped his horse beside Narquelie, who was staring over the army into the sunrise.

"Everything in order Narquelie?" Asked Legolas, making Narquelie turn away from the horizon.

"Already for the off Sir," grinned Narquelie, taking his opportunity to tease Legolas, "just waiting for the Captain's order, Sir!"

Legolas frowned at his friend, "Narquelie could you please be serious, just this once?"

"I'm sorry, Legolas." Apologised Narquelie, unable to keep a smirk off his face.

Legolas shook his head disapprovingly, but all the same, he couldn't help but smile. He turned to face the vast Elven army, and took a deep breath.

"We have a long journey ahead," he shouted in his own tongue, "but this is not out of our reach, and we cannot fail. Our very survival may depend on us."

"So no pressure then?" Muttered Narquelie, but loud enough for Legolas to hear.

Legolas ignored him; "we ride west!" He shouted, kicking his horse, and galloped forward, leaving all he knew behind, and hundreds of riders and their horses following his pace.

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The company had been riding for one day and night before they reached the shadow of the Misty Mountains. They passed over the Old Ford and the great towering mountains came into view, casting great shadow over the company, giving them an overwhelming sense of foreboding. Legolas decided that this would be an ideal place to stop and rest for the long journey over the High Pass. Once all the horses had been seen to, and Legolas had given the night watchmen their duties, Legolas sank to the ground with his back to a tree. He took out some Lembas bread and ate it without a trace of thought.

"Everything is in order, Captain." Said a voice from above him.

Legolas looked up and saw Narquelie grinning down at him, "Thank you Narquelie." Seating him self beside Legolas, Narquelie took out some of his own Lembas bread.

"And I do wish that you wouldn't call me Captain, Narquelie." Frowned Legolas; "there really is no need."

"Yes there is," replied Narquelie finishing his Lembas bread, "it gets to you, that's a good enough reason for me."

Legolas scowled at his friend, and he put his hand behind his head and sighed. He then voiced something that had been praying on his mind ever since they had left the sights of Mirkwood.

"Narquelie, I know this sounds strange," he said, trying unsuccessfully to keep the fear out of his voice, "but do you not find it peculiar that we have not ran into anything? I mean, we do not know where these Goblins are hiding, they could be anywhere."

Narquelie looked pensive, " I had not thought of it that way." He said, "I just thought that it was all down to our good fortune."

"I'm being serious Narquelie," whispered Legolas, "I'm starting to feel something drawing near, something sinister. And it will not go away, they are near."

"You have no idea how ridiculous that sounded, Legolas!" Smirked Narquelie, thinking he was being reassuring, "nothing is going to happen to us. We have a good few hundred Elves here, nothing is likely to attack us in a hurry."

No sooner had these words left his mouth a strangled yell echoed all around them, and a ghastly shout could be heard, at least two hundred Goblins burst from nowhere, brandishing swords and axes. They looked as if they had not seen the light of day for many years; their giant yellow eyes were bloodshot with murderous rage. Legolas and Narquelie jumped to their feet and drew their swords, shouting orders to the Elves.

"Draw your swords!" Shouted Legolas over the pandemonium, and they didn't need telling twice.

He ran forwards and took out two Goblins in seconds, and narrowly dodged half a dozen arrows that fell from the sky like rain. It was not a battle, it was a massacre. The Goblins had the advantage of catching the Elves by surprise, and many of the Elves were slain weaponless. Legolas turned to find that Narquelie had left his side, and that he was by himself. The battle raged until the early morning, when the red sun rose above the horizon. It was only then that the Goblins dispersed, killing any Elf that happened to get in their way. The leader turned round to face the scattered army and smiled malevolently.

"We will come again," he growled at them, "with even more, and you will fall!"

Legolas dropped his sword and sank to his knees. All around him were the bodies of his fallen comrades; the survivors were staring at him, waiting for their orders, looking distraught. Disbelief and guilt were overwhelming him, he had lead them into danger and now at least a quarter of their army were dead. One of the guards that had been on watch ran over to him, a nasty gash cut across his chin.

"Your Highness," cried the Elf, "you have to come!"

"Caranthir, what is wrong?" Said Legolas, struggling to his feet.

"It's Narquelie Elensar!" Replied the Elf; "he is severely wounded."

"What!" Legolas burst out, "take me to him!"

Legolas ran after Caranthir who lead him over the battlefield and towards the Old Ford. Then Legolas saw him. Narquelie was laying on the ground, his cloak was soaked in blood, which was trickling over the ground, like a river that had burst it's banks. His eyes were wide open and a look of utmost terror was upon his face. Legolas couldn't take in what he saw at first, and he walked slowly over to his motionless body. Another Elf was bent over him, checking his pulse; he sighed and looked up at Legolas, who knew straight away what was going on.

"No," he muttered, "he cannot be dead!"

"I'm afraid he his Your Highness," said the Elf solemnly, "there is nothing more that we can do to help him. He's gone."

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Author's note: Awwww, I'm sorry that happened! It will get better I promise, well, ahem anyway! I hope you enjoyed that, I may have a little time delay on the next one as I have loads of college work! Please read and review!