Sailor Elf : Why don't you get yourself a bazooka! That thing will make even bigger holes! LOL!
Aranel of Mirkwood : I hope you get this author alert 1 minute before the school bell rings. But wait a minute! It's Sunday!
astalder27 : Only above 18 can watch Troy in your country? Oh, the rate here in Malaysia is G, which means even a baby can watch it. But our censorship board here is terrible!
Neoma : Oh, yes there is! But we could only see the top of his thighs! I wished the camera had gone lower, much lower…
mogcat : I can' promise I won't kill Leggy. But I can promise I'll make his life as miserable as I can! Muahahaha!
LOTRfaith : Hey, there! Long time no see! To answer your question : No, he didn't. Not in this movie.
szhismine : Err…I don't know. I so like to kill him. Can I?
Fire Breathing Ferret : The cake taste so good, especially with the hair ball on top! Thanks!
melissa : You are going to be prouder of Leggy after this.
feanen : Kel's coming!
Kegikas Greenleaf : Oh, that's okay. Still, can you be my date one day? You know, be a stand-in for the real Leggy.
Enigma Jade : More elf torture for you, mate!
Sparrow Greenleaf : What's wrong? Aren't you able to see Troy? Oh, poor you! Never mind. We will talk more about Troy to drive you crazier! LOL!
Fairylady : Do it! Send Paris to me! I know exactly what to do to that little peacock!
beginng-end-314 : Believe the pictures you see. Orli looks awesome in Greek outfit. In fact, Orli looks awesome in nothing at all! Aaaaa!
Someone Reading : Yes, he bit him. So here's the orc's head, serve on a silver platter, marinated and ready to be eaten. Bon appetit!
farflung : Dracula's creatures of the night, hmm? You've seen 'Van Helsing' then? I so like that Wolf Man guy. What's his name? Will Kemp? He's cute!
LegolasLover2003 : That's so true! Sean Bean should be given more credit on the film. Don't worry. The ending pissed everyone! Hector and Achilles' fight is my favorite, while the scene where Paris clutches his brother's leg is very touchy. Love it. Love the film. Love the male actors. I just wished I had been selected as Helen so I can get into the same bed as Orli! He! He!
Haldir's Heart And Soul : As Leggy had thought, they will come.
Abbicat14 : Grounded from the internet? Wow. That's harsh. I know I can't live without the net.
Jennifer57 : I know what you mean. I wished I had an older brother like Kel or Hector too.
Most of you must have seen 'Troy' by now and found out how exciting the film was! I have seen it twice and am considering making another round. By the way, I'm very glad that many of you realized how Prince Hector resembles Keldarion's so much. God, he is so like Kel, isn't he?
Now, on to the story!
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I was awakened from my slight doze by the excited voices of the orcs that suddenly erupted around the camp.
The hunters had returned, bearing a carcass of a stag on their back. The rest of the orcs were practically jumping up and down with joy as the carcass was thrown to the ground. Now they would have fresh meat for dinner.
I sighed, feeling sorry for the deer. I was also feeling quite guilty to escape the orcs' food chain whereas the poor animal did not. But better the stag than me. At least it was already dead when they began eating him. Big Nose had attempted to eat me alive!
I turned my gaze away as the vile creatures swarmed the carcass like flies, growling and grunting and pushing at one another. The sight disgusted me so, and the sound was sickening. The scent of blood started to make my head swim. For once, I was glad that I was hungry because there was nothing in my belly for me to throw up, so nauseated I was at this horrific display of table manners.
Manners? What manners? I scoffed inwardly.
I thought they had completely forgotten about me, so intent they were on their dinner, but I was not that lucky. Blunt Horn suddenly approached me, carrying a cup in one hand. He crouched, yanked the gag out of my mouth and placed the cup near my lips. "Thirsty?"
Grimacing, I jerked my head away as the heavy stench of the stag's blood instantly filled my nostrils. "No! I don't want it!" I croaked around my dry throat, glaring fiercely back at him.
Blunt Horn laughed. "But why? We know you haven't drunk all day. Come. Drink."
"No! Blast you! Get that thing away from me!" I yelled, struggling helplessly as Blunt Horn gripped my jaw, holding me still as he attempted to pour the vile content down my throat. I clamped my mouth tightly shut, kicking at the orc to dislodge him off me.
Enjoying the spectacle, two orcs eagerly came to Blunt Horn's aid. One sat on my legs, while the other threw his fist into my solar plexus. My mouth instinctively opened as I cried out in pain. Blunt Horn immediately dispensed the entire content of the bowl down between my lips.
I started to gag as the sweet, metallic taste of the stag's blood filled my mouth, running through my gullet. I coughed. I choked. I would have spit it at all out but Blunt Horn forcefully clamped a hand over my mouth and pinched my nose. Running quickly out of air, I had no other choice but to swallow, crying heavy tears as I did so.
Roaring with laughter, they released me. "Well, that was not so bad, was it?" Blunt Horn asked with a grin.
Panting and gasping, with stag's blood running down my chin, I sent him a killing glare through my tears, wishing that my hands were untied so I could wring his ugly neck. Instead, I raised my legs and kneed him on the groin with all my might.
"Arkk!" Blunt Horn howled in pain, holding the offended body part. He then glared at me, bearing his teeth in a loud growl. Then, faster than the eyes could follow, his massive fist came swinging and hit me squarely on the face.
My head snapped to the side from the blow. I blacked out for a few moments, but then Blunt Horn grabbed a fistful of my hair and forced me to look straight at him. "Do that again and I will kill you! Slowly and painfully."
I totally lost it then. I laughed. Copious of blood was now dribbling down my nose but still I laughed and laughed. Incredible fear, pain and despair combined might have triggered this strange reaction in me.
Blunt Horn was so not amused.
With a snarl, he whipped out a dagger and cut the rope that bound me to the tree. He then yanked me to my feet before shoving me to the middle of the camp, sending me sprawling to the hard ground on my belly. With my arms still bound behind me, I was not able to quickly turn myself over before Blunt Nose returned to my side, holding a thin branch he had just snapped off from a nearby tree.
Without warning, he swiped the branch down. "Laugh, elf! Laugh! Let's see you laugh again! Come on, laugh!" he was yelling as he kept hitting me without mercy.
It was like being whipped. I was screaming with agony with every stroke that fell on my body. I tried to roll over and scramble away, but Blunt Horn firmly placed one booted foot on the back of my neck, keeping me immobile. Completely helpless, I could do nothing to stop the blinding pain as the branch came lashing over and over against my back, my legs, my buttocks.
It seemed like forever but he finally stopped. By then, I was past caring. I was already wishing myself to die to escape the excruciating torture.
Blunt Horn placed his foot under my belly and flipped me over. He leered down at my face, saying, "Why so quiet, little prince? Why are you not laughing now?"
I could only moan in reply.
He chuckled. "Serve you right! Now, how about some more drink?"
No! I was weakly shaking my head as Blunt Horn brought me another cup filled with the stag's blood. He grabbed my hair and yanked me upright.
"Great. Here we go again," he said when he saw the way I firmly clamped my mouth shut. "Fine! If you don't want to drink it, then wear it!"
With that, he poured the entire content over my head. I jerked in revulsion as the blood soaked into my hair and dripped down my face. Still warm, it was sticking to my skin.
The orcs were laughing all around me, enjoying my absolute misery. How I wanted to spit back at them. To roar and snarl to scare them away!
But I was already defeated. I could do nothing but surrender myself to oblivion.
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"Wake up. Wake up, little prince. Wake up," someone was calling me in a low guttural voice.
My eyes fluttered open, and saw Big Nose grinning down at me with a peculiar expression on his face. "Awake, eh? Good. Then let's get started," he said and began tearing at my tunic with a blade.
My eyes widened in alarm. "What…what are you doing?" I asked, struggling to get away from him, ignoring the stab of agony coming from the welts and lashes I had just received earlier.
"Shh! Quiet! We don't want to wake the others, do we?" he hissed, throwing what remained of my shirt aside.
I quickly look around. Sure enough, the rest of the orcs were asleep, including Blunt Horn who sat slump against the tree which I was tied to before. From the look of things, Big Nose was the only one to stand watch, but that was not what he was actually doing.
Blast it! What is he trying to do, anyway?!
"I won't eat you, elf. I'm hungry no more. But we are going to have some good time, little prince. A very good time," Big Nose was crooning over and over as he jerked the boots off my feet before reaching up to unlace the ties of my leggings.
At first, I was confused with his intention. But then I recalled the stories I heard from Keldarion of what the orcs liked to do to their elven captives. I panicked. "NO!"
Big Nose slapped me. Hard. "Shut up! Don't wake the others! I don't want to share you…"
"Get off me! Get off me, you filthy swine! Get off!" I was yelling and shouting at the top of my lungs as I bucked and jerked, trying to wiggle out from under him. Valar! This is not happening to me! This not happening!
Big Nose was yanking at the waist of my leggings when someone roared, "What the hell is this?!"
Blunt Horn was standing over us with his arms akimbo. His nostrils flared as he glared at Big Nose, who groaned loudly in annoyance. "None of your business, so back off!"
"None of my business?" Blunt Horn roared. "This elf is my business! He's our hostage! Now step away from him!"
"Why? So you can have him all by yourself?" Big Nose shouted back, getting to his feet and facing his leader eye to eye. Then they both started to argue with each other in their black tongue, sending accusations back and forth.
I watched this sudden turn of event in slight amusement, while the rest of the orcs also stirred awake and gathered around us. The two's argument suddenly turned brutal. Big Nose yelled and swung his fist, hitting Blunt Horn savagely on his chin. Growling in anger, Blunt Horn lifted his own fist and struck back.
As their two cohorts pummeled each other, the other orcs wildly cheered them on. I was left completely unnoticed. Getting myself out of harm's way, I scooted slowly backwards, wincing all the way as the lashes all over my body were still smarting and bleeding.
My bound hands suddenly brushed over something sharp and metallic lying on the ground. I glanced down and saw that it was a small dagger, the blade that Big Nose had used to tear at my tunic just now.
My hope for escape soared. I quickly palmed the blade and scooted further backwards. The group was still watching the fighting orcs, cheering and hollering their support and insults. They were paying no attention to me, so exciting the stupid skirmish was to them. Using the dagger, I started sawing at the rope around my wrists as fast as I could. Twice I accidentally cut my own skin, but the pain was nothing, as long as I could get free.
Several moments later, the rope finally snapped. Looking up, I saw that they were still ignoring me. My mind ran fast as I figured out my next move. I had two choices. I could silently get to my feet and slither away into the dark to get as far away from my captors, or…
I caught sight of a bow and full quiver lying abandoned several yards away.
…or I could fight back and make sure the orcs never came after me again.
A part of me told me to run, not to take great chances, and just flee my captors while I still could. Another part of me refused to take the easy way out.
What I did next was based on pure impulse. Call it stupidity. Call it reckless. But the truth was, I didn't think. I didn't feel. I simply acted, leaping to my feet and running towards the bow and quiver of arrows.
The orcs instantly realized of my sudden movements. They started yelling in warning but my hands had already caught the weapons. With skill born out of hundreds of years of practice, I put two arrows to the string and let go, striking down two enemies before they could even raised their own bows.
By that time, Big Nose and Blunt Horn had stopped fighting and were staring at me in great surprise.
"Fools!" Blunt horn shouted. "Strike him down! Subdue him, I said! Seize him!"
I nocked a couple more arrows, shooting at the two orcs that came swinging at me with their sword. They instantly fell down amid their guttural cries and shrieking, an arrow sticking out of their throat each.
In spite of the major quaking of my heart, my hands were as steady as a rock as I shoot in rapid successions at the coming orcs. They were also shooting back at me, but I managed to dodge all their shots, saved for one. The arrow ripped through my left side, grazing me, but I closed my mind to the pain.
I made a quick count then. Nine orcs down, four more to go.
I reached for more arrows but found the quiver already empty. One orc was almost on top of me, swinging his sword. I quickly stood up and sidestepped, the blade missing me by mere inches. I brought up the bow and used its sharp tip to stab into the orc's neck. He was still gagging in his own blood when I threw the bow aside and grabbed the fallen sword, swinging it just in time to block another attack.
I pivoted, brought down my blade and pierced my opponent's belly. It took me seconds to realize that he was Big Nose—the nose in question looked bigger than ever. Another orc came for me but I leaped high and vaulted over him, striking my blade into his head. I landed nimbly on my feet, and turned to face the last and remaining orc; Blunt Horn.
He stood a few feet away from me, staring in disbelief at the slain bodies of his cohorts lying scattered on the ground. Glaring back at me, he growled, "You are dead, you little elf!"
I didn't respond. In fact, I didn't even flinch when he came charging towards me with his sword held high, aiming for my neck.
My body was hurting and weakening but, charged with adrenaline, I failed to notice. I was only aware of Blunt Horn, the sharp tip of his blade, and the quick jerk of his swinging arm. At the last moment, I ducked and rolled, quickly getting back to my feet behind him. Before he could even turn, I stabbed the tip of my sword into his kidney.
He roared in pain, whirling around as I yanked the blade out of his flesh. Blunt Horn made the last attempt to cut me down, so I raised my sword again and ran it through his neck, severing his head off. Then I watched in silence as he crumbled, joining his cohorts on the ground.
I didn't know how long I stood that way, unmoving, slightly panting with exertion. The critters of the night were returning back to life all around me—singing and croaking and cooing. Slowly, I began to grow aware of my entire body—the agony from my wounds, the stiffness in my limbs, the weakening of my muscles, the dripping of my blood.
I also started to realize that this was no illusion. It all had really happened.
They are dead! I exulted inwardly. I'm free!
Then, all of a sudden, the sound of thundering hoofs was heard approaching fast from somewhere in the darkness. I blinked at the direction, my joy short-lived. What now? I thought in great despair. More orcs?
The riders finally came into sight, and I nearly died from the great relief that assailed me. They were the Mirkwood elves. And my brother was riding at the head of the procession!
"Legolas!" Keldarion cried out as soon as he saw me standing there among the dead bodies of the orcs.
I didn't reply. I couldn't. I felt so tongue tied while my mind had gone numb. Kel is here?
"Legolas! Are you all right?" Keldarion quickly dismounted and ran to me. He gripped my shoulders and ran his eyes all over my body, wincing at the wounds and the amount of blood that covered me from head to toe.
"Legolas?" he asked, much softer this time.
"Kel?" I whispered back. "You…you came?"
"Of course, I came! I came for you," he heartily replied. Hearing that, something inside me lit up, warming me all over. My heart felt as if it was at its bursting point.
Then my body started to shake, violently. Must be the shock, I thought as the blood drenched sword fell from my loosening grip. My head swam. My knees buckled. I felt myself sliding to the ground but Keldarion instantly caught me in his arms. "Legolas!"
There was a buzzing of activities around me, but I couldn't quite decipher what they were. I was barely alert when Keldarion took off his cloak and wrapped it around my trembling form. He lovingly ran his hands through my dirty hair, stroked my face, and kissed my brow repeatedly.
"Legolas? Legolas, please look at me," he was calling again. "Legolas!"
I snapped back to awareness, gazing back at him in confusion. "Yes?"
He sighed and hugged me fiercely. "Stay with me, little brother. We are taking you home," he said, as he gently rocked me back and forth within his protective embrace. "I'm taking you home."
"My lord?"
That was Commander Linden's voice. He was staring at me with great awe in his eyes. Turning to look at my brother, Linden said, "The orcs are dead. They are all dead."
Keldarion gazed down at me in wonder, as Linden knelt beside us and continued, "Prince Legolas killed them all."
TBC…