Ok, now the action is starting! They are now going back to Imladris to face the Dagnir-o Lóre. Thank you for all my reviews, replies are below. ^_^
Lainfaer.
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NO REVIEWS!!!!!!! I am very upset and disappointed with my readers. Where've you all gone? :-( It has been a week now, and no one reviewed Chapter 9. If I don't get any reviews for this chapter after one week again, then this story faces coming down. I live on reviews, ok? I have to get reviews to write, and no reviews = no more chapters. Get the picture? Good. Hopefully, this little announcement will kick-start some of you into reviewing. Thank you.
Lainfaer.
Chapter 10: The Journey, Part 1.
"Adar had such a go at me last night," said Legolas glumly as he and Elrohir readied their horses. "I've told you more than once, and I'll tell you again… YOU ARE NOT TO LISTEN IN ON PRIVATE MEETINGS!!" he mimicked. Elrohir laughed.
"Well look at it this way. If you hadn't, they would have tried to keep you here. Because you managed to intervene, you are now coming with us."
"I would have found a way to sneak along anyway," Legolas replied. He went to put on his quiver, but winced as it touched his wound.
"Oh give it here," said Elrohir, putting down his grooming brush, and walking over to Legolas. He gently helped the Prince to place his quiver on.
"Thanks," said Legolas gratefully.
"Legolas, I don't want to sound all boring and grown-up, but…"
"But you are going to anyway," Legolas interrupted. Elrohir smiled. "'Fraid so. Are you sure you are strong enough for this journey? It's a long way."
"It's a journey I have been on so many times, I could quite easily do it blindfold," Legolas replied. "I am strong enough, do not worry. What about you? You got hurt too."
"Yes, but I wasn't unconscious for days on end." Legolas scowled. "That was not my fault. Perhaps the arrow was tipped with a mild poison that I was able to fight off, but it still made me unconscious."
"Or it might have been that the Orcs had not brushed their teeth recently, and the smell of their foul mouths made you pass out," Elrohir wondered. Legolas laughed.
"That is the more likely explanation."
By the time their horses were ready, and they had ridden out into the courtyard, the sun was starting to peep over the tops of the trees, and everyone else was waiting.
"Is everybody here?" Gandalf called.
"There are 200 Elves as you requested Gandalf, and I believe that we are now all present," Balaremel replied.
Legolas looked over at his father, who was stood on the palace steps. His hand drifted sub-consciously to his side, where the sword sat. Thranduil had given it to him earlier that morning. He smiled at the King. Thranduil smiled back.
"We are ready to depart then," Elrond announced. He too, looked up at the King. Thranduil walked over to the group. "Namárie. Quel marth," he said graciously, bowing. (Farewell. Good luck.)
"Diolla lle," Elrond and Gandalf replied, bowing their heads. Legolas swallowed nervously. Now that he came tot hin about it, he was going to really miss home, and his family. He could see his mothers shadow moving behind her balcony curtain. They had had a sorrowful farewell earlier. She had not wanted to go down, as she felt she would be too upset. She said she feared for her sons' life.
*Flashback
"I will be fine naneth," Legolas promised as his mother paced around her room. Eilianu looked despairingly at her son. "I'm sorry Legolas, but I am just scared of losing you. I fear for you, I fear for your life." Legolas went to her side. He took hold of her hand. "Garo-estel mí nin naneth. Im turo-cár hé." (Have faith in me mother. I can do this.)
"I know, but I am just worried. It's a mother thing." Legolas smiled, and embraced her. "I will be ok," he assured her. He kissed her, then left, pausing at the door for one final look.
*End of Flashback.
Legolas shivered remembering the despair in his mothers' voice. He did not really want to leave her, but he knew he had no other choice. He had to save these people. He looked back at the carriages behind them. Four carriages, each carrying five people. Elrohir was also in one of them. It was to be a slow journey, and a dangerous one. The path was bound to be riddled with Orcs and such creatures.
"To Imladris," said Gandalf, and headed the procession off with Elrond at his side. The rest of the company started moving. The carriage wheels were surprisingly quiet as they trundled over the ground. Elladan rode beside Legolas, and could sense his friends discomfort.
"Meldirnin? Is there something troubling you?" he asked as they passed under the archway.
"Just thinking about my mothers words from earlier," he replied. Elladan nodded. He knew what Eilianu had told her son, or some of it anyway. "Do not worry Legolas. It's just her natural motherly instincts kicking in. She wants to protect you. She doesn't want you to go riding off into danger like you are now." Legolas smiled. He knew Elladan was right.
"I know. I just hope I will be ok, so she doesn't get hurt."
"You'll be fine," Elladan assured him. They continued to ride in silence for a while.
The pace seemed painfully slow to the two Princes. Elrond and Gandalf said they were travelling as fast as they could go, but it felt like they were going at the speed of snails.
The first day passed uneventfully. They chose to continue on through the night, then rest the following evening. If they kept going along in this way, they should reach Imladris in a considerable time.
"I wonder…" started Elladan quietly after a long silence.
"Wonder what?" Legolas asked, looking at him.
"Do you think that they have dreams? The people that are asleep I mean."
"Probably. But I don't know if they'll be nice or nasty."
"What if Elrohir is dreaming of Íríma?"
"I hope not," Legolas replied, looking up at the sky. It was darkening, and clouds were beginning to gather. "I have a feeling it is going to rain," he said glumly.
"Hoods up then," said Elladan, covering his face with his hood. Legolas laughed. Elladan grinned at him from underneath the fabric. "What? What's so funny?"
"Is that Elrohirs' cloak by any chance?" Elladan checked. "Um…yes. He must have mine. Oops."
"I thought so, because his is slightly larger than yours, and that looks too big for you."
"Oh well, its nice and warm anyways." Legolas just shook his head, and placed his hood over his head as the first drops started to fall.
"Remember the last storm we were in?" Elladan asked. Legolas shivered. "Don't remind me."
The storm lasted for the rest of the day. By the time evening had arrived, the Elves were wet, tired, and grumpy. Their hair clung to their faces in clumps, and everything seemed to have become wet.
They managed to find a sheltered clearing, and camped for the night. Watches were set up, and the horses were left to roam freely. They would not leave their masters.
As Legolas took his first turn at watching, he pulled his cloak tighter round his body. He could not feel the cold, but it was still raining, and it was starting to get to him.
"Stupid rain…stupid weather…stupid Dagnir-o Lóre…"
"I know how you feel," Elladan sighed, sidling up beside him. Legolas looked at the older twin. He looked tired and drawn. "You should get some rest."
"I'm fine," Elladan assured him, looking at the Prince. Legolas raised an eyebrow. "Of course you are."
"I am. I am per…perfectly…ok," Elladan argued, trying to stifle a yawn.
"No you're not, you are shattered. Go and get some sleep. No arguments!" Legolas said sternly as Elladan started to protest. "We are nearer Mirkwood than Rivendell, so I actually still have rule over you, plus…I am older. Go and get some sleep, now!" Elladan frowned, but he did as he was told.
Legolas grinned to himself as Elladan trooped back to his bedroll. He looked back out into the drizzling rain. All was quiet. The only sound was raindrops hitting the leaves of the giant beech trees above them. The clouds obscured the light of the moon, and so the only light came from the Elves' faint torches. Legolas frowned. They may be Elves, but they still needed a bit more light than that to see into the ever increasing darkness. And the rain made it ten times worse.
//Oh well at least there's no thunder.//
A loud crash overhead made a few Elves jump.
//Maybe not.//
****
"I hardly slept last night," Legolas complained the next morning as they set out for Imladris once again. He yawned. "See!"
"How come?" Elladan asked, taking a bite out of his apple, which was his breakfast.
"A, because of the storm, and B…I'm not sure about B yet, but I kept thinking about the Dagnir-o Lóre. What if we're too late Elladan? What if Imladris is already completely taken over? What if I can't destroy him? What if…"
"You sound just like your father," Elladan informed him, chucking the core into the bushes. "If, if, if, all the time. So many questions, and not many answers. Can't you just be content with 'maybe', or 'of course'? Why must you question everything?"
"Don't blame me, its not my fault," Legolas sulked. Elladan laughed at the expression on his friends' face. "Of course it isn't Legolas. Of course it isn't."
The going was good that day. Even though they were such a large company, they had covered a good twenty or so miles by mid-afternoon.
"This is good," Gandalf
whispered to Elrond. They were riding right at the head of the group. "If we
can keep up this pace, we will be in Imladris in just a few days. See, the Misty Mountains approach. We get through the High Pass, and we're there."
"That's the part I'm worried about," Elrond answered, frowning. "It will be
overrun with Orcs. How can we get all four carriages through safely?"
"We will have to go in separate groups," Gandalf replied. "If we have about 50 Elves to each carriage, plus Legolas, Elladan, you and I, we should be ok. Put a mixture of the strongest, and not so strong warriors in each group, and if they are attacked, they will put up a good fight."
"Very well. I will go and inform Legolas of our decision. He can organise the groups, as he knows their strengths and weaknesses." Elrond turned his horse, and went back to the two Princes, who were keeping guard at the back.
"Gandalf and I have had an idea to get through the Pass," he told them. "It is bound to be packed with Orc scouts, and so we must be prepared." He quickly told them of the plan.
"If we send one group every couple of hours or so, then they will be nicely spread apart, but near enough to call on for help," Elladan agreed. "Legolas, get planning." Legolas rolled his eyes, but started scanning his eyes over the people they had brought with them.
"Legolas is starting to see what groups to make up," Elrond informed Gandalf as he joined the wizard back at the front. "He will have them sorted by tomorrow."
"Good, good," Gandalf said, looking ahead of them. "It is rather quiet, don't you think?" Elrond listened carefully. No birds were singing, and the wind was gentle. It made a soft rustling on the still wet leaves. The sky was slightly cloudy, but apart from that, it was a pleasant afternoon.
"Now that you come to
mention it my friend, it is," Elrond agreed. "Perhaps we had better send scouts
on ahead to check the area out."
"Good idea. Balaremel, come here please." The Captain rode up. "Yes
Mithrandir?"
"Send a few Elves up ahead. It is too quiet for my liking. We have to make sure the area is safe for us to enter. The carriages are easy targets."
"Yes Mithrandir." Balaremel bowed his head slightly, and sent a group of five, plus himself up ahead to look around.
The group slowed down a bit, waiting for the scout to return. Now everyone could feel the silence, and were starting to get restless.
"This silence worries me," Legolas whispered to Elladan. He felt he shouldn't raise his voice too much.
"Same here. Adar and Mithrandir have sent a scout on ahead. Do you think they'll find anything?"
"If they do, it'll probably just be Orcs. They're easy to get rid of."
"I hope they've cleaned their teeth this time then." He grinned, then received a slap round the head. "Shut up!" Legolas hissed, glaring, but he was smiling too.
Back at the front, Gandalf, and Elrond looked out for the scout, which had not yet returned. "Where are they?" Elrond wondered aloud, worry starting to set in.
"They're probably having a good look round, just to make sure," Gandalf replied, but he too was starting to worry.
Suddenly, one of the scout returned. It was a young warrior, Thilivren. He was covered in blood. "My Lord…Gandalf," he wheezed. He was very out of breath, and his horse was panting. "Orcs…loads…up ahead…Captain Balaremel…sent me back…requests help…urgent." He started to slide off his horse, and another Elf galloped forward to catch him.
"Elladan!" Elrond called back as Elves started galloping in the direction Thilivren had come from. "Up here now!"
The twin came hurrying up
to his father. "What's wrong Adar? Where are they all going."
"Large Orc scout up ahead. Go on up there. We'll make sure Legolas stays here.
Go, quickly."
"Yes Adar." Elladan dug his heels in to Wilwarins' flanks, and she galloped
forward. He unsheathed his sword as he went.
Once almost half the Elves had gone to help, Elrond sent for Legolas. He hurried up, worry creasing his brow. "What's wrong my Lord?"
"There is a large group of Orcs, not far away. You must stay here, and help protect the carriages. Elladan has gone to help deal with them." Legolas stared in the direction the Elves had galloped off in. The dust was still settling on the ground after the mad rush of hooves on the dry path. He looked back at Elrond.
"Why can't I go?"
"I promised your father that I would not put you in any danger. You are still healing, and so you must stay here." Legolas just nodded. He knew it was not a good idea to get on the wrong side of his father when it concerned his children. Especially Legolas, as he was the only son. The other was a girl, Celeblaith. She was only six months old, and Legolas treasured her dearly.
That was the main reason he had offered to take the message to Imladris. To protect her. Mirkwood desperately needed help, and so he had said he would go. He would do anything for her. Even die for her, if it ever came to that.
She had visited him when he was healing after the attack. Eilianu had brought her in, and Legolas had held her. She had beautiful golden hair, and bright blue eyes, just like her brother. She was a very quiet baby, unlike her brother.
"Legolas," Gandalf said softly. "You're daydreaming."
Legolas shook his head. "Sorry Mithrandir. Just thinking about Celeblaith." Gandalf smiled. He knew how much the Prince cared for his sister.
"Go to the back, and keep an eye out there," Elrond told him. Legolas nodded and went back to his place behind the carriages. He wanted to go with Elladan, but he knew the carriages were of utmost importance.
The fight lasted quite a while, but soon the Elves were returning, bedraggled and tired. Many were covered in blood, and not all of it Orc. A few had been lost, but no more than six or seven.
Elladan led the group back, and he had a gash in his arm. Many others had cuts on their legs or arms, and so the group retreated to a secluded clearing in some nearby trees. The injured were cared for, and Legolas tended to Elladans' arm.
"How many were there?" he asked as he bathed it.
"At least a hundred," Elladan replied grimly, wincing when Legolas' cloth brushed over the cut.
"Sorry," Legolas said quickly, and bathed it as gently as he could.
"Where's Balaremel?" Elladan asked, scanning the clearing. He had not seen the Captain since the fight.
"He'll be having any wounds tended to. I have seen him, don't worry," Legolas assured him. Elladan sighed. "Good. He's a wonderful fighter. You should have seen him going at those Orcs. He seemed to switch into total Warrior Mode. It was a bit scary."
"That's Balaremel alright," Legolas laughed, removing Elladans' bloody sleeve and chucking it onto the nearby fire. "You'll have to dispose of your whole tunic. We can't have any Orcs finding it." Elladan nodded, and carefully lifted the blood-soaked garment over his head. He handed it to Legolas, who chucked it into the dancing flames.
He helped Elladan clean himself up and put on a clean tunic. He bandaged up his arm, and then they ate some food. It was getting dark again, and so the group had decided to stay and rest for the night. The injured were in no fit state to continue throughout the night.
So, was the last chapter just too rubbish to review? If so, then I hope this one was better. Please review. Else I'll get upset again. :-( Please? I'm literally begging now people!! Chapter 11 up as soon as I get some reviews. ^_^
