Yeh, yeh, alright guys! Loopholes DO NOT COUNT! But hey, I'll update, just for you! You cheeky lot!
This is a short chapter, and all about Leggy! Read on, and you'll find out what I'm blabbering on about! ^_^
~Lainfaer~
jacqui()- Your review counts as six? Ok then! Thanks for the review!
devonshire tea()- Here's a new chapter to cheer you up. Sorry about killing her!
Elerrina- Yes, I did have to kill her! Heehee, I am evil! -_- Good luck in your performance thing by the way. Sorry if I sound really dum, but what exactly is pep band? And also good luck in your spring play. You like acting and being on stage? So do I!
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Chapter 11: Desperation and Discoveries.
Legolas looked round in despair at the ruined village. The houses still smouldered, as if the flames had only just been extinguished. It smelt of burning wood and flesh. Him and his scout moved fearfully forward, their horses stepping delicately over the fallen bodies. He looked at a few, but none were either Gwaloth or Beinlóth.
He dismounted, and searched round on foot. His group followed suit. They saw that many of the dead were Orcs. Legolas headed for the stables.
They were empty and smoking slightly. He stepped cautiously inside, fearing the worst. But there were no signs of horse, human, or Elf. He searched every pen, but there was nothing.
Then he came to the skeleton of what used to be Beinlóths' house. It had been burnt down, and now only a blackened skeleton remained. He saw a body lying outside where the door used to be. It was that of a young-looking girl. He walked over, and looked at the face.
It was not Beinlóth, as he had feared. It was Alonia. He knew her; she had seen him the stables. She was dead, suffocated by the smoke, and he could see many burn marks on her skin. He left her, and looked round the house itself.
There was the man, lying in the hallway. He had a knife in his back, and was also badly burnt. He felt a twinge of pity for him, as he knew he had been kind to Beinlóth. Then he saw the woman. She was in the same state as her daughter. He left her too.
"Nothing," he grimly informed his party when he returned. "She's not here, neither is Gwaloth. Search the rest of the village, or what is left of it at any rate. I'm going to Gwaloths' house." The group split, and started their search.
Gwaloths' house no longer stood. It had completely collapsed before the Elves had even arrived. A quick look told Legolas neither of the women were in there.
He eventually arrived at the gates, and immediately saw the arrows. He jumped down and inspected them. He recognised them. They were Gwaloths' arrows. It had rained very recently, and so the mud had run away most of the prints. But some could just about be seen. He could see many horses' prints in the mud, but one set in particular led out of the gates, away from the village.
He gathered his party together, and they followed the hoof prints. They continued away from the village, and Legolas could see that the horse had been galloping, by the way the prints were spaced out.
They eventually stopped at a clearing, a good couple of miles from Milathon. They dismounted and looked around again. Footprints were now also visible, and they were small, delicate prints. They were very faint after the rain, but Legolas could just about depict them with his keen eyesight. There were dragging marks on the ground, as if something solid had been pulled along the floor. He started fearing the worst.
He followed the track, and came to the bush where Beinlóth had so carefully hidden Gwaloth. He parted the leaves, and hung his head.
"My Lord?" one of his company called. "What is it?"
"Its Gwaloth," he answered, putting the leaves back in place. "She's dead."
Many gasps passed through the scout, and many heads were hung. He carefully pulled her out, and immediately noticed all her weapons were missing, along with her cloak.
"She has no weapons or
cloak," he told them. "Someone else has taken them."
"Beinlóth perhaps?" one suggested.
"That is what I am hoping," he answered. He easily picked her up. "Come on, she deserves a proper burial." He remounted Fán, and they set off again. There were no more tracks to follow.
They cantered back the way they had come. The group was silent, and many looks were directed at the bundle in their Princes' arms. He held her close, the tears threatening to fall. But he refused to cry yet. She was one of his closest friends, and he was heartbroken at losing her so soon after he had found her again.
They reached a stream, and found once again, more horse prints. "There were many horses here," Legolas exclaimed. He handed Gwaloth to another, and searched the ground. "They were just standing around for a long while," he said. His group eagerly listened. "Then, some tracks come from this direction." He pointed the way they had just entered from. "And here," he said smiling, pointing at a set of new prints. "Footprints, identical to the ones where we found Gwaloth. Small and light. These must be Beinlóths' prints. Then," he continued, following the tracks, "they lead away from the stream, into the trees." He stood and followed. "I cannot see them anymore. The rain, plus other animal tracks have washed and scuffed them away. But they were here. She must have all the horses from Aronuels' stable with her." He remounted Fán and took Gwaloth into his arms again.
"Then she is safe?" someone asked.
"I think we can trust those
horses," he replied, still smiling slightly. "I have never seen such devotion
from horses to their mistress. In fact, they weren't even hers. They all
belonged to Aronuel. They loved each other a great deal. I think they will look
after her, yes."
"They have a stallion," someone told him, pointing at a set of prints. He was
an expert tracker, and could easily tell the difference between mares' and
stallions' prints.
Legolas trotted over. "How
can you tell?"
"They are larger. And the shape is slightly different. If she has a stallion,
then she is certainly safe."
"That's good. Now, we must return to Mirkwood. Gwaloth must be buried. She has clearly been out in the open a long time. It has rained, and she isn't in the best condition. But whoever did hide her, hid her very well." They carried on, back to their home.
"We will return for you Beinlóth," Legolas whispered to himself, and also to Gwaloth.
"And we will find you, and you shall come back with us, I promise."
Told you it was short and all about Leggy! At least they have realised that Beinlóth could be alive. I'm not making any promises though! ^_^
Chapter 12 coming soon….when I get enough reviews! ^_^
~Lainfaer~
