Disclaimer: I do not own any characters, places and/or titles related to Professor J. R. R. Tolkien. Though Serminol, Lirnowen and other unrecognizable characters, along with the plot are completely based on stories sprung form my imagination. Do not sue me o_O. Enjoy.
Summary: Running blindly through the woods, Lirnowen has now left Legolas far behind her. Something is watching and waiting for her in the shadows cast by the cover of the large trees of Greenwood the Great.
Chapter Five: The Hunter and the Hunted
The light, plodding footsteps of the young girl seemed to echo more loudly than they should, in the lonely, dank forest. She had been walking for what seemed like hours on end. Yet it had really been only an hour.
With every intake of breath and step she took, Lirnowen became more aware of her frightening surroundings. The sun was fading in the sky, and she knew these woods would not be kind during the night. She had to find some source of cover to stay out the night, for she feared the glowing eyes and unfamiliar noises that could be seen and heard in the foliage all around her. She thought of no better place than a tree. She would climb to the highest peak, or however far the tree would allow to go, so that she might be safer for whatever lurked on the forest floor.
Little did she know that all places in Mirkwood lingered with the creatures that were not kind to strangers; even in the trees.
Finding a tree, suitable enough to accommodate her for the night. Walking a bit further, she found a tall oak with thick branches that led up into the leafy canopy. Proper foot holes were easy to find, as Lirnowen cautiously, yet hastily retreated up the grand oak. She only stopped when she felt the bone-chilling sense of eyes upon her. Whipping her head around to look behind her, she found nothing. Slightly shrugging her shoulders, she climbed higher upward, until she finally found a place that was both comfortable and far enough from the ground.
Lirnowen wrapped her arms around her frame, scolding herself for not bringing her cloak with her. The wind rolled in through the trees smoothly, and it's chill caused a shiver to run up Lirnowen's back. She knew this night would not be easy. The noises of the forest were going to keep her up along with the deathly chill that was now setting in. And there was, of course, that sense of being watched.
'I cannot help but wonder if Legolas and I are not the only inhabiters of this lonely wood this night...'
Her mind wondered for at least two more hours before fatigue set in, and her eyes closed to darkness as sleep claimed her.
Not but a few hours had passed since Lirnowen fell asleep, when she was suddenly jerked awake. The reason why, she knew not, as she frantically searched the tree branches around her. She knew not the time, only that it must be in the wee hours of the morning. That haunting place between night and morning.
Suddenly, something scuttled across the branches in the trees to the left of her. She only caught a glimpse of whatever the unknown creature was, from the corner of her eye. Fear arose in her, as she searched the overhang of leaves, to only search for nothing. Whatever it was had gone as quickly as it had came. Settling back down, Lirnowen began to close her eyes once more, only to hear another scuttling noise. This time it was coming from her right.
Slowly, she stood atop her branch, ready to retreat down the tree as fast as she could if something were to threaten her existence.
Scuttling.
'There it is again!' she thought as her head whipped from side to side, scanning the trees.
Just about to make her way down, Lirnowen was suddenly pushed from behind, by long, spindly legs. She let out a scream, feeling wind rush past her face and expecting a sudden impact to claim her life. Yet by some miracle, she lifted her hand back just in time to grab a branch.
She swung endlessly from the branch as her eyes met with eight giant shiny black ones. Screaming, she nearly lost her one-handed grip, yet she swung her other hand up just in time to create a better hold.
The giant spider above her, opened it's mouth, which oozed with slime, to reveal a long, sharp stinger.
A branch hung low just in arm's reach from her. She stretched her right arm out, grabbing the branch. Pulling it back, as if made of elastic, the branch whipped back, smacking the beast squarely in the eyes. Yet this only stunned it, it remained unmoved from its perch.
Lirnowen's eyes widened, but she kept her hold on the branch. Looking down, she estimated the fall to be at least two stories. As she looked back up, she found that spider was growing ever closer; she had no choice.
Letting go, she plummeted through the air, landing hard on the ground with a loud 'THUD.' She lay there for a few seconds, regaining her composure, to only find the giant arachnid halfway down the tree, making it's way straight for her. Jumping to her feet, making sure that none of her limbs were too hurt, she ran through the forest.
She did not get far before she cried out in pain. Her left leg, the one she landed upon, began to throb with a horrible pain.
'Please do not let it be broken...'
She silently prayed to herself, stopping so the pain could subside. She did not stop long, until the scuttling could be heard behind her. This time it sounded as though the creature was not alone. For the branches of above her rustled, and out of the corner of Lirnowen's eye, shadows could be seen leaping too and fro. From branch to branch. They were gaining on her.
Peaking up the pace, as much as she could, the young girl ran with the strength that left in her. She knew not where she was going, she only tried to avoid colliding with a tree, rather than the direction in which she was headed.
As fast she ran, it seemed as though she could not shake of the hideous beings on her tale. She thought of giving up. Crashing to the ground to be over taken by the venomous spiders. But no,
'I cannot give up. I'm too stubborn for this. I can make it.'
She grew a spurt of energy, and ran faster than ever before. Running deeper into the dense Greenwood, to only run into something.
"OF COURSE! I avoid the trees, yet I still run into..."
Her head raised, and her eyes met with not bark, not eight black eyes, but two gray, stern orbs.
"Why did you run?" His voice was stern and menacing once more, as he reached an arm down to grab her up. She rubbed the growing bump on her head and tried to put two and two together.
"I thought you were...I thought you had cracked..."
Lirnowen bit her bottom lip as she looked up at him. He gave her a side glance that would have made her stand straight and call him 'sir,' if the situation would have permitted.
As she was about to speak once more, Legolas unsheathed the knife at his hip and looked in front of him. To Lirnowen's horror, they were being advanced upon by five spiders, three of them bigger than the one that chased her down the oak.
"Run to your left. Do not look back, and do not stop."
With a commanding voice, Legolas did not look at the human girl, but merely stood his ground, waiting for the spiders' onslaught.
"Where shall I run to..."
"JUST RUN!"
Asking no further questions, Lirnowen bolted. Once again, running blindly through the hanging moss, and over grown foliage of the forest. She heard the screeches of pain, but she did not dare to cast her eyes behind her. He told her to run, and right now, she was trusting him.
Behind her, Legolas gracefully slashed at one of the spiders that advanced towards him. Cutting one of the spider's eight legs, Legolas whipped around to strike out four of the eyes of a monster creeping up behind him. The two creatures lay in agony as the other three dove in for the kill.
Legolas pulled out an extra knife, strapped to his leather boot, and hurled it towards the center spider of the three. The knife embedded it's self within the poisonous mouth of the spider. The other two fled for the time being, in fear of the elf opposing them. Legolas took this opportunity to sprint away, following Lirnowen's tracks.
Sweat pouring from her forehead, and limbs aching, she could take it no longer. Lirnowen allowed herself to collapse, to only be saved from hitting the leaf-covered ground, but strong arms wrapped around her torso.
Her eyes were hazy, but she could make out the silvery tendrils of hair that hung around her face. The elf stood over her, looking deeply into her eyes as he watched them glaze over.
His mind took him back to memories of someone else's eyes glazing over.
'No...'
His voice was faint, and it was the last thing Lirnowen heard before she blacked out. Still held within the elf's arms.
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Remember to please review! Whether positive or negative, all comments are appreciated!
Summary: Running blindly through the woods, Lirnowen has now left Legolas far behind her. Something is watching and waiting for her in the shadows cast by the cover of the large trees of Greenwood the Great.
Chapter Five: The Hunter and the Hunted
The light, plodding footsteps of the young girl seemed to echo more loudly than they should, in the lonely, dank forest. She had been walking for what seemed like hours on end. Yet it had really been only an hour.
With every intake of breath and step she took, Lirnowen became more aware of her frightening surroundings. The sun was fading in the sky, and she knew these woods would not be kind during the night. She had to find some source of cover to stay out the night, for she feared the glowing eyes and unfamiliar noises that could be seen and heard in the foliage all around her. She thought of no better place than a tree. She would climb to the highest peak, or however far the tree would allow to go, so that she might be safer for whatever lurked on the forest floor.
Little did she know that all places in Mirkwood lingered with the creatures that were not kind to strangers; even in the trees.
Finding a tree, suitable enough to accommodate her for the night. Walking a bit further, she found a tall oak with thick branches that led up into the leafy canopy. Proper foot holes were easy to find, as Lirnowen cautiously, yet hastily retreated up the grand oak. She only stopped when she felt the bone-chilling sense of eyes upon her. Whipping her head around to look behind her, she found nothing. Slightly shrugging her shoulders, she climbed higher upward, until she finally found a place that was both comfortable and far enough from the ground.
Lirnowen wrapped her arms around her frame, scolding herself for not bringing her cloak with her. The wind rolled in through the trees smoothly, and it's chill caused a shiver to run up Lirnowen's back. She knew this night would not be easy. The noises of the forest were going to keep her up along with the deathly chill that was now setting in. And there was, of course, that sense of being watched.
'I cannot help but wonder if Legolas and I are not the only inhabiters of this lonely wood this night...'
Her mind wondered for at least two more hours before fatigue set in, and her eyes closed to darkness as sleep claimed her.
Not but a few hours had passed since Lirnowen fell asleep, when she was suddenly jerked awake. The reason why, she knew not, as she frantically searched the tree branches around her. She knew not the time, only that it must be in the wee hours of the morning. That haunting place between night and morning.
Suddenly, something scuttled across the branches in the trees to the left of her. She only caught a glimpse of whatever the unknown creature was, from the corner of her eye. Fear arose in her, as she searched the overhang of leaves, to only search for nothing. Whatever it was had gone as quickly as it had came. Settling back down, Lirnowen began to close her eyes once more, only to hear another scuttling noise. This time it was coming from her right.
Slowly, she stood atop her branch, ready to retreat down the tree as fast as she could if something were to threaten her existence.
Scuttling.
'There it is again!' she thought as her head whipped from side to side, scanning the trees.
Just about to make her way down, Lirnowen was suddenly pushed from behind, by long, spindly legs. She let out a scream, feeling wind rush past her face and expecting a sudden impact to claim her life. Yet by some miracle, she lifted her hand back just in time to grab a branch.
She swung endlessly from the branch as her eyes met with eight giant shiny black ones. Screaming, she nearly lost her one-handed grip, yet she swung her other hand up just in time to create a better hold.
The giant spider above her, opened it's mouth, which oozed with slime, to reveal a long, sharp stinger.
A branch hung low just in arm's reach from her. She stretched her right arm out, grabbing the branch. Pulling it back, as if made of elastic, the branch whipped back, smacking the beast squarely in the eyes. Yet this only stunned it, it remained unmoved from its perch.
Lirnowen's eyes widened, but she kept her hold on the branch. Looking down, she estimated the fall to be at least two stories. As she looked back up, she found that spider was growing ever closer; she had no choice.
Letting go, she plummeted through the air, landing hard on the ground with a loud 'THUD.' She lay there for a few seconds, regaining her composure, to only find the giant arachnid halfway down the tree, making it's way straight for her. Jumping to her feet, making sure that none of her limbs were too hurt, she ran through the forest.
She did not get far before she cried out in pain. Her left leg, the one she landed upon, began to throb with a horrible pain.
'Please do not let it be broken...'
She silently prayed to herself, stopping so the pain could subside. She did not stop long, until the scuttling could be heard behind her. This time it sounded as though the creature was not alone. For the branches of above her rustled, and out of the corner of Lirnowen's eye, shadows could be seen leaping too and fro. From branch to branch. They were gaining on her.
Peaking up the pace, as much as she could, the young girl ran with the strength that left in her. She knew not where she was going, she only tried to avoid colliding with a tree, rather than the direction in which she was headed.
As fast she ran, it seemed as though she could not shake of the hideous beings on her tale. She thought of giving up. Crashing to the ground to be over taken by the venomous spiders. But no,
'I cannot give up. I'm too stubborn for this. I can make it.'
She grew a spurt of energy, and ran faster than ever before. Running deeper into the dense Greenwood, to only run into something.
"OF COURSE! I avoid the trees, yet I still run into..."
Her head raised, and her eyes met with not bark, not eight black eyes, but two gray, stern orbs.
"Why did you run?" His voice was stern and menacing once more, as he reached an arm down to grab her up. She rubbed the growing bump on her head and tried to put two and two together.
"I thought you were...I thought you had cracked..."
Lirnowen bit her bottom lip as she looked up at him. He gave her a side glance that would have made her stand straight and call him 'sir,' if the situation would have permitted.
As she was about to speak once more, Legolas unsheathed the knife at his hip and looked in front of him. To Lirnowen's horror, they were being advanced upon by five spiders, three of them bigger than the one that chased her down the oak.
"Run to your left. Do not look back, and do not stop."
With a commanding voice, Legolas did not look at the human girl, but merely stood his ground, waiting for the spiders' onslaught.
"Where shall I run to..."
"JUST RUN!"
Asking no further questions, Lirnowen bolted. Once again, running blindly through the hanging moss, and over grown foliage of the forest. She heard the screeches of pain, but she did not dare to cast her eyes behind her. He told her to run, and right now, she was trusting him.
Behind her, Legolas gracefully slashed at one of the spiders that advanced towards him. Cutting one of the spider's eight legs, Legolas whipped around to strike out four of the eyes of a monster creeping up behind him. The two creatures lay in agony as the other three dove in for the kill.
Legolas pulled out an extra knife, strapped to his leather boot, and hurled it towards the center spider of the three. The knife embedded it's self within the poisonous mouth of the spider. The other two fled for the time being, in fear of the elf opposing them. Legolas took this opportunity to sprint away, following Lirnowen's tracks.
Sweat pouring from her forehead, and limbs aching, she could take it no longer. Lirnowen allowed herself to collapse, to only be saved from hitting the leaf-covered ground, but strong arms wrapped around her torso.
Her eyes were hazy, but she could make out the silvery tendrils of hair that hung around her face. The elf stood over her, looking deeply into her eyes as he watched them glaze over.
His mind took him back to memories of someone else's eyes glazing over.
'No...'
His voice was faint, and it was the last thing Lirnowen heard before she blacked out. Still held within the elf's arms.
-------------------------
Remember to please review! Whether positive or negative, all comments are appreciated!