Title: Friendly Deceit
A/N: LotR story, my first. What if Saruman got hold of a member of the Fellowship and uh....well, you'll find out. Set in the time of the Two Towers, before Pippin/merry and Trebeard ransack it. I may take a few small liberties with time, but hopefully nothing to bad
Disclaimer: I own none, damn it, just Dani.
~*~
The night air was stagnant, the moon but half full and shrouded by a single cloud. The only light was that cast by the stars, shimmering weakly down upon the watchtowers of Edoras in the Kingdom of Rohan. There, on the wide shelf before the towering doors of the great hall, peering keenly out over the flatlands stood a lone figure. His startling blue eyes seemed to capture the glittering of the lights in the sky. Long blonde hair draped past lean shoulders, swallowed then by the fabric of the elven cloak he bore.
He stood quite still, as if a statue. His lips were pressed thin as if he were troubled, though his fair features remained passive. The night had not long been on the lands, the darkness just settling fully, though most of his company lay asleep inside. The small band, two men, an elf and a dwarf had arrived that afternoon, after many a long and sleepless day of travel.
Aragorn and Gimli were made of stouter things than most, but even their stamina could not forever hold. And Gandalf, the white wizard rested among them, the toll of flinging Saruman from the King's body telling on the increased stoop of his long frame. Yes, they all deserved an eve of respite, a night where none were held to watch and sleep came easy. His friends might not have taken rest at all, but Theodin's grief was new, and no other thoughts would enter his conscious that night. There would have been no point in taking council with the ruler of Rohan.
Still, Legolas was restless. He'd become accustomed to the wearisome journey, running leagues upon leagues with little or no rest. So to suddenly halt and be told to wait patiently vexed him. He preferred action to stillness, though he knew soon action would come upon him like a wave. Theodin needed to act, and act soon for his Kingdom would shortly be under siege. he knew the loss of a son was a grievous one, but his head told him the time for mourning was not now. Hopefully, Aragorn could make the King see his dire straits and action would come to him again.
He grew tired then of staring into the darkness. A few of the Rohhirim's horses grazed in the pastures below the city, but that was all his elf eye could see. He turned, cloak billowing behind him, and descended the stairs away from the palace. Lights burning in the stable on the level below beckoned him.
The light of the torches flickered, casting rippling waves of shadow upon the hides of the horses that rested inside. Shadowfax dozed fitfully in the largest stall at the end of the aisle. Arod, his own mount, smaller and slightly stockier than the wizard's horse, occupied the stall next to him. The gray, now aware of Legolas drew his head over the stall door into the aisle. He tossed his head as if beckoning him nearer. Legolas smiled and complied, examining briefly the other horses in the barn.
The King's mount, a heavy muscled gray watched the elf wander down the aisle. A long scar traced over his shoulder to the front of his chest. The wound was old and long healed, and the animal seemed to bear it almost proudly. Beside him was a bay mare, taller, but far lighter. He passed three more grays of varying shades, another bay and a chestnut before reaching Hasufel, the horse loaned to Aragorn. He shifted in his slumber but did not wake. Arod struck out at his stall door with a loud crack, impatient for the attention he demanded. Legolas complied, rubbing the horse's face and speaking to him softly in Elvish.
His sharp ears picked up the sound of footfalls outside moving toward the stable yard. He receded back into the shadows, where the light of the torches did not reach. The figure entered slowly, cloak and hood drawn up, concealing their identity. "hello?" The figure drew a long knife from his belt and took one of the torches from the wall. "You should not be here. After night falls only a call to arms allows any in the stables." No response. "It is useless to hide from me, I know you're here. The horses tell me so." The figure came forward, shoving the torch into all the dark corners of the stable, peering carefully into each stall as they passed.
Legolas moved swiftly, and lightly, as elves tend to do and no sound he made to betray him. He passed the figure and only the rippling of the air around him gave him away. The figure sucked in a breath and spun, clutching the hilt of the blade tighter. Legolas, despite himself, was finding this amusing. "Come out now, or I'll stick you. Then cute off your tongue so that you might never be troubled to answer another question ever again." Legolas chuckled. "You would laugh at me? Come out, or I'll raise alarm and the whole of Rohan's guard will fall upon you."
"That," the blonde uttered slowly, "is not necessary." 'The men of Rohan need be braver,' he thought, 'if they are to take on the Dark Lord.' Another rippling of wind and the torch blew out and someone pulled back the hood of the figure's cloak. If the elf was at all surprised, it did not register on his face. "Ah, now I see your true self."
"Really?" the voice wavered a little. "I still do not see you. Come out into the light where my good eye can see."
Legolas finally did as was asked of him. He stepped out into the light, hands clasped before him. "Satisfied, milady?" He asked, a small smirk rising at the edge of his lip.
"Oh," came the surprised response. "You are one of the travelers that arrived today, the ones that brought Arod, Hasufel and Shadowfax back to us. Are you not?" Despite the recognition she gave, her defenses did not fall, the point of her knife still aimed at him. Amusing indeed.
"Yes, I suppose we could be seen as deliverers of horses. Though we bring with us other tidings as well, tidings of great import to your lord. Now, lady, would you please step into the light. Though mine eyes can see you, I would prefer not to speak to shadows."
She stepped forward, but stayed out of the arm reach of the elf. Her hand lowered the knife, but did not sheath it. The flames lit her hair, color of neither the fair blonde of typical Rohan nor the raven of the men of Gondor. it was somewhere between, the color of dark honey and hung light and straight below her shoulders. Soft, full lips were pursed angrily, her firm jaw set. One eye was a deep emerald green. The other might have been, but it was difficult to distinguish beneath the hazy blue cloud that lay over it. A scar, some three inches long ran through her eyebrow, over her eyelid and ended just below it.
"You look upon my eyes stranger. Be that it is only one eye, and the weaker I still see shadows from yet. Does my blindness surprise you?" she asked coldly.
"No," he responded. "Merely your boldness. I had thought perhaps Lady Eowyn was alone in her oddity, but it seems now that perhaps many of the women of Rohan have fighting hearts." He tilted his head as if to scrutinize her further. Her plain blue dress was that of the commoner style, and her hands were calloused. "What be your name milady?"
"You are the stranger here, you should answer that first. Who are you that disturbs my horses in their slumber?"
"Your horses?" the elf chuckled again. "Now your boldness goes too far."
"Many of these are the horses of the Eastern-mark and I raised them myself. Now I care for them here, including Eomer and Theodins' personal mounts. it is my duty not to let them be disturbed. Now speak and tell me who your are."
He laid one hand across his chest. "I am Legolas, son of Thranduin the King of Mirkwood. And you?"
"Danuriel, daughter of the herd-breeder Daniel of the Eastern-mark, keeper of the mounts of the Rohirrim."
"Well then, now that introductions are over, and you know both my name and my business would you not sheath your dagger? Or do you still hold me an my company with distrust?"
"I do not yet know what to make of you or the company you keep. You've been here not a day and suck a judgment would seem made in haste. I've no experience with dwarves or elves. And truthfully I am wary of those with the types of gifts your Gandalf possesses. It would seem easy to be tempted, corrupted by such power, and turn foul what once was fair. Is not Saruman proof enough of that? I was present in the hall when your band came, and before the wrath of the wizard I did fear for Theodin. Though it seems the beast that held him was slain, or at least sent away, perhaps there are more tricks still that Gandalf lay upon him? Who am I to know? But still, Theodin and his kin are as family to me, and I would be loathe to see them harmed."
Blue eyes glimmered faintly. "You have many thoughts and answer my question with many of your own. I see that your heart speaks truly. Do you have no answer for me though?"
"Give me but a day or two, so that I may further decide for myself your intentions. I would also take council with my lady Eowyn and see what thinks. Then perhaps I could answer your question more surely, and with shorter breath."
"All is well then, for you shall have your day. Though to hasten your inner search, I say now that we bear no ill will to those of Rohan. Gandalf may seem terrible in his wrath but I assure you his measures are always for good. he would not be easily tempted or swayed by dark things. You seem quite close to those that reside in the palace. So what do you know of our band of men, and dwarf and elf? What do you know of our tidings Lady Danuriel?"
Green eyes cast themselves quickly to the stone floor. "I am no lady, just a servant to my lords. And please, all others call me Dani, and I would have you do as well. Danuriel is too much a mouthful. As for what I know about elves and dwarves, only what I have heard in stories and song. Though I would say I do know that you are older than you appear. All that tells me of your age are your eyes. They are far too quiet and wise for a man of your seeming years."
"And our tidings?" Her good eye darkened.
"You bring with you dark news. Evil grows in the land of Mordor. That is all I know, but my heart tells me you speak the truth, as I fear that a dark time nears. Orcs and Huruk-hai from Isengard lurk on our borders. The forest is uneasy and the horses will not long rest beside the tree line. Your tidings leave me with a heavy heart. We shall have to fight."
Her eyes lifted to meet his as if in question. Legolas nodded slowly. "The darkness is gathering. War is near. Would you stand also, beside your kinsmen? Are you a warrioress, liken to Eowyn?"
"No," she replied seriously with a shake of her head. "I am fair with a blade and better with a bow, but not a warrior. My father taught me many years hence to hunt with a long bow. And the words milady speaks often ring true in my ears. Women may fall beneath the sword too, so she has been teaching me some skills with a sword. But I would dare not face Eowyn in open battle. her skill with a blade rivals any in the land, even Eomer. That said, I will fight if the need arises, for those I love. I should rather die spilling the blood of Orcs than live to be an old maid, knowing I could have saved even one life. I would stand with my lady, with my King."
Legolas regarded her curiously. "May I ask but one more question? I dare say it is a broad one, and may take a long breath to answer, but answer it fully, if at all. How is it you came to be here? How do you have councils with the lady and trust of Theodin? You speak words of loyalty to a King, but your voice holds them closer."
"To be quite fair, that is three questions, not one, but I shall answer just the same. I owe my life to the Rohirrim. My mother died at my birth, leaving me only with my father. He was long in the service of Rohan, a herd-breeder in the Eastern-mark in the days of Eomund. That is where I grew up, not behind city walls, but under the lights of the stars. They were wandering days, but I was not lonely for I had my father and the horses. I was ten when the Orcs struck us in the night."
She turned aside from him then, and though her words continued she seemed as if in a dream. Her eyes flickered, seeking long held memories. "My father and his men trie to push them back, but the Orcs were too strong and too many. Before he was cut down, my father sent me running for the herd. They took three of our finest colts, fresh from suckling at their dams' side. The three were as black as the starless night sky. They were Valhol, Valdier and Valherol, each by Valduriel, our finest stallion."
"I ran as swiftly as I was able, for the horses would not let harm befall me if they could. I was almost to them when the arrow pierced my shoulder and I fell. I still remember the foul odor of that thing standing over me. I screamed when I saw the flash of his blade. Then there was a pain and I do not remember much else but the sound of hoofbeats. When I awoke my eye burned, the Orc was trampled and Valhuriel lay dead beside me. The horses stayed with me many hours, a night and a day I should think." She nodded to Legolas' chosen gray. "Arod's dam was among them."
"I was well on my way to death when Eomer found me. He brought me back to Edoras. It was then, while my wounds healed that I formed friendship with Eomer and Eowyn. I had no other family and they took me in and have kept me in work and good circumstance for many years. Was that the answer you sought?"
"It is. Now, the night has grown deep indeed as we have stood here talking. You must need of sleep before the moon wanes and the sun rises. And I, should like to ride this fine night. If, of course, that suits the keeper of these stables."
Dani lifted an eyebrow. "I shall give you benefit of the doubt and believe that you do not mock me. Ride, if you must. Take Arod. Even if you ride again tomorrow he will bear you swiftly and without tire. Now I bid you good night Legolas the Elf."
"Till the morrow Danuriel of Rohan. May then you take council with Eowyn and decide if we be friend or foe." The girl departed with the quickest of smiles and Legolas turned his attention back to Arod. He merely opened the stall door and leapt nimbly up onto the horse's stout gray back. He sat lightly and urged the horse on, till they were racing past the gates or Edoras and onto the plains.
They galloped for a long while, Legolas neither steering nor urging the horse on. He was lost in thought and worry and his mind traveled to the perils wrought in their path, and the perils wrought before Frodo and Sam, though these were not quite so clear. It was as Celeborn and Galadriel had counseled in Lorien. The future was unclear. If Frodo were to succeed then the Three Elven rings should fade in their power and the days of the Elder would most certainly come to an end. But if he were to fail, then all that was once fair and beautiful in the world would fall to darkness.
His thoughts were interrupted when Arod drew back from his gallop. Legolas peered around him and a deep sense of unease welled up inside him. The night had grown darker, as if the light of the stars had somehow dimmed. Edoras was now a faint dot on the horizon. A single dark cloud blocked all light from the moon. Fog rolled at him at all sides, leaving only the forest clear. "This is an ill, unnatural fog that rolls down on us my friend," he told the horse quietly.
Arod shifted uneasily. His ears twitched and his nostrils flared, smelling something foul behind him. He began to back away from the fog without bidding from his rider. Legolas scanned the mist, but so thick and heavy did it hang that not even Elf eyes could pierce the veil. The land was eerily silent.
Suddenly, from all sides did the Huruk-hai burst from the fog. The large, hideous black creatures were all cast with the white hand of Saruman upon their chests. Arod's eyes rolled and he neighed shrilly. Legolas immediately went for his bow, drawing arrows faster than any mortal man could see. Four he shot through the chest, and three more through the neck before the came within reach of him. Their number was great and he held little hope for himself, but did not cease his fire. A tall, broad Huruk-hai grasped at his leg, but the blonde elf kicked him back.
When his last arrow was spent he drew his two long blades. He killed or injured a number more with them, slicing, hacking and kicking, but their sheer number was too great. A couple managed to sling ropes around Arods' legs and threw the gray bodily to the earth. Legolas rolled clear of his fallen steed, but the Huruk-hai were upon him before he had a chance to regain his feet. They poured over him, seizing his weapons and pinning him down. His head fell, he was defeated. What would Aragorn say, when he heard the news? What of Gimli?
Then the great swarming of Huruk-hai departed, leaving only the three that bore the elf down. A man uttered a word quickly in Orc speech and came forward. He was clothed all in white, shrouded by a cloak and hood, clutching a staff. One gnarled hand pulled the hood back and the face of Saruman the White smiled down on him gravely. Legolas' eyes widened.
"At long last we meet, Legolas of Mirkwood. Your company has long now defied my will. Little do they know that their defeat will come at the hands of one of their own. You have a part to play for me yet Elf." He turned, walking back toward the trees. "Bring him," he commanded. The Huruk-hai yanked Legolas to his feet and dragged him in Saruman's wake.
Chapter 1
Well? It's my first time writing a LotR story, so I hope this reads well. It was quite fun actually. Promise, Aragorn and Gimli will have much more substantial parts in the next chapter. Please tell me what you think, good or bad, make suggestions, whatever.
A/N: LotR story, my first. What if Saruman got hold of a member of the Fellowship and uh....well, you'll find out. Set in the time of the Two Towers, before Pippin/merry and Trebeard ransack it. I may take a few small liberties with time, but hopefully nothing to bad
Disclaimer: I own none, damn it, just Dani.
~*~
The night air was stagnant, the moon but half full and shrouded by a single cloud. The only light was that cast by the stars, shimmering weakly down upon the watchtowers of Edoras in the Kingdom of Rohan. There, on the wide shelf before the towering doors of the great hall, peering keenly out over the flatlands stood a lone figure. His startling blue eyes seemed to capture the glittering of the lights in the sky. Long blonde hair draped past lean shoulders, swallowed then by the fabric of the elven cloak he bore.
He stood quite still, as if a statue. His lips were pressed thin as if he were troubled, though his fair features remained passive. The night had not long been on the lands, the darkness just settling fully, though most of his company lay asleep inside. The small band, two men, an elf and a dwarf had arrived that afternoon, after many a long and sleepless day of travel.
Aragorn and Gimli were made of stouter things than most, but even their stamina could not forever hold. And Gandalf, the white wizard rested among them, the toll of flinging Saruman from the King's body telling on the increased stoop of his long frame. Yes, they all deserved an eve of respite, a night where none were held to watch and sleep came easy. His friends might not have taken rest at all, but Theodin's grief was new, and no other thoughts would enter his conscious that night. There would have been no point in taking council with the ruler of Rohan.
Still, Legolas was restless. He'd become accustomed to the wearisome journey, running leagues upon leagues with little or no rest. So to suddenly halt and be told to wait patiently vexed him. He preferred action to stillness, though he knew soon action would come upon him like a wave. Theodin needed to act, and act soon for his Kingdom would shortly be under siege. he knew the loss of a son was a grievous one, but his head told him the time for mourning was not now. Hopefully, Aragorn could make the King see his dire straits and action would come to him again.
He grew tired then of staring into the darkness. A few of the Rohhirim's horses grazed in the pastures below the city, but that was all his elf eye could see. He turned, cloak billowing behind him, and descended the stairs away from the palace. Lights burning in the stable on the level below beckoned him.
The light of the torches flickered, casting rippling waves of shadow upon the hides of the horses that rested inside. Shadowfax dozed fitfully in the largest stall at the end of the aisle. Arod, his own mount, smaller and slightly stockier than the wizard's horse, occupied the stall next to him. The gray, now aware of Legolas drew his head over the stall door into the aisle. He tossed his head as if beckoning him nearer. Legolas smiled and complied, examining briefly the other horses in the barn.
The King's mount, a heavy muscled gray watched the elf wander down the aisle. A long scar traced over his shoulder to the front of his chest. The wound was old and long healed, and the animal seemed to bear it almost proudly. Beside him was a bay mare, taller, but far lighter. He passed three more grays of varying shades, another bay and a chestnut before reaching Hasufel, the horse loaned to Aragorn. He shifted in his slumber but did not wake. Arod struck out at his stall door with a loud crack, impatient for the attention he demanded. Legolas complied, rubbing the horse's face and speaking to him softly in Elvish.
His sharp ears picked up the sound of footfalls outside moving toward the stable yard. He receded back into the shadows, where the light of the torches did not reach. The figure entered slowly, cloak and hood drawn up, concealing their identity. "hello?" The figure drew a long knife from his belt and took one of the torches from the wall. "You should not be here. After night falls only a call to arms allows any in the stables." No response. "It is useless to hide from me, I know you're here. The horses tell me so." The figure came forward, shoving the torch into all the dark corners of the stable, peering carefully into each stall as they passed.
Legolas moved swiftly, and lightly, as elves tend to do and no sound he made to betray him. He passed the figure and only the rippling of the air around him gave him away. The figure sucked in a breath and spun, clutching the hilt of the blade tighter. Legolas, despite himself, was finding this amusing. "Come out now, or I'll stick you. Then cute off your tongue so that you might never be troubled to answer another question ever again." Legolas chuckled. "You would laugh at me? Come out, or I'll raise alarm and the whole of Rohan's guard will fall upon you."
"That," the blonde uttered slowly, "is not necessary." 'The men of Rohan need be braver,' he thought, 'if they are to take on the Dark Lord.' Another rippling of wind and the torch blew out and someone pulled back the hood of the figure's cloak. If the elf was at all surprised, it did not register on his face. "Ah, now I see your true self."
"Really?" the voice wavered a little. "I still do not see you. Come out into the light where my good eye can see."
Legolas finally did as was asked of him. He stepped out into the light, hands clasped before him. "Satisfied, milady?" He asked, a small smirk rising at the edge of his lip.
"Oh," came the surprised response. "You are one of the travelers that arrived today, the ones that brought Arod, Hasufel and Shadowfax back to us. Are you not?" Despite the recognition she gave, her defenses did not fall, the point of her knife still aimed at him. Amusing indeed.
"Yes, I suppose we could be seen as deliverers of horses. Though we bring with us other tidings as well, tidings of great import to your lord. Now, lady, would you please step into the light. Though mine eyes can see you, I would prefer not to speak to shadows."
She stepped forward, but stayed out of the arm reach of the elf. Her hand lowered the knife, but did not sheath it. The flames lit her hair, color of neither the fair blonde of typical Rohan nor the raven of the men of Gondor. it was somewhere between, the color of dark honey and hung light and straight below her shoulders. Soft, full lips were pursed angrily, her firm jaw set. One eye was a deep emerald green. The other might have been, but it was difficult to distinguish beneath the hazy blue cloud that lay over it. A scar, some three inches long ran through her eyebrow, over her eyelid and ended just below it.
"You look upon my eyes stranger. Be that it is only one eye, and the weaker I still see shadows from yet. Does my blindness surprise you?" she asked coldly.
"No," he responded. "Merely your boldness. I had thought perhaps Lady Eowyn was alone in her oddity, but it seems now that perhaps many of the women of Rohan have fighting hearts." He tilted his head as if to scrutinize her further. Her plain blue dress was that of the commoner style, and her hands were calloused. "What be your name milady?"
"You are the stranger here, you should answer that first. Who are you that disturbs my horses in their slumber?"
"Your horses?" the elf chuckled again. "Now your boldness goes too far."
"Many of these are the horses of the Eastern-mark and I raised them myself. Now I care for them here, including Eomer and Theodins' personal mounts. it is my duty not to let them be disturbed. Now speak and tell me who your are."
He laid one hand across his chest. "I am Legolas, son of Thranduin the King of Mirkwood. And you?"
"Danuriel, daughter of the herd-breeder Daniel of the Eastern-mark, keeper of the mounts of the Rohirrim."
"Well then, now that introductions are over, and you know both my name and my business would you not sheath your dagger? Or do you still hold me an my company with distrust?"
"I do not yet know what to make of you or the company you keep. You've been here not a day and suck a judgment would seem made in haste. I've no experience with dwarves or elves. And truthfully I am wary of those with the types of gifts your Gandalf possesses. It would seem easy to be tempted, corrupted by such power, and turn foul what once was fair. Is not Saruman proof enough of that? I was present in the hall when your band came, and before the wrath of the wizard I did fear for Theodin. Though it seems the beast that held him was slain, or at least sent away, perhaps there are more tricks still that Gandalf lay upon him? Who am I to know? But still, Theodin and his kin are as family to me, and I would be loathe to see them harmed."
Blue eyes glimmered faintly. "You have many thoughts and answer my question with many of your own. I see that your heart speaks truly. Do you have no answer for me though?"
"Give me but a day or two, so that I may further decide for myself your intentions. I would also take council with my lady Eowyn and see what thinks. Then perhaps I could answer your question more surely, and with shorter breath."
"All is well then, for you shall have your day. Though to hasten your inner search, I say now that we bear no ill will to those of Rohan. Gandalf may seem terrible in his wrath but I assure you his measures are always for good. he would not be easily tempted or swayed by dark things. You seem quite close to those that reside in the palace. So what do you know of our band of men, and dwarf and elf? What do you know of our tidings Lady Danuriel?"
Green eyes cast themselves quickly to the stone floor. "I am no lady, just a servant to my lords. And please, all others call me Dani, and I would have you do as well. Danuriel is too much a mouthful. As for what I know about elves and dwarves, only what I have heard in stories and song. Though I would say I do know that you are older than you appear. All that tells me of your age are your eyes. They are far too quiet and wise for a man of your seeming years."
"And our tidings?" Her good eye darkened.
"You bring with you dark news. Evil grows in the land of Mordor. That is all I know, but my heart tells me you speak the truth, as I fear that a dark time nears. Orcs and Huruk-hai from Isengard lurk on our borders. The forest is uneasy and the horses will not long rest beside the tree line. Your tidings leave me with a heavy heart. We shall have to fight."
Her eyes lifted to meet his as if in question. Legolas nodded slowly. "The darkness is gathering. War is near. Would you stand also, beside your kinsmen? Are you a warrioress, liken to Eowyn?"
"No," she replied seriously with a shake of her head. "I am fair with a blade and better with a bow, but not a warrior. My father taught me many years hence to hunt with a long bow. And the words milady speaks often ring true in my ears. Women may fall beneath the sword too, so she has been teaching me some skills with a sword. But I would dare not face Eowyn in open battle. her skill with a blade rivals any in the land, even Eomer. That said, I will fight if the need arises, for those I love. I should rather die spilling the blood of Orcs than live to be an old maid, knowing I could have saved even one life. I would stand with my lady, with my King."
Legolas regarded her curiously. "May I ask but one more question? I dare say it is a broad one, and may take a long breath to answer, but answer it fully, if at all. How is it you came to be here? How do you have councils with the lady and trust of Theodin? You speak words of loyalty to a King, but your voice holds them closer."
"To be quite fair, that is three questions, not one, but I shall answer just the same. I owe my life to the Rohirrim. My mother died at my birth, leaving me only with my father. He was long in the service of Rohan, a herd-breeder in the Eastern-mark in the days of Eomund. That is where I grew up, not behind city walls, but under the lights of the stars. They were wandering days, but I was not lonely for I had my father and the horses. I was ten when the Orcs struck us in the night."
She turned aside from him then, and though her words continued she seemed as if in a dream. Her eyes flickered, seeking long held memories. "My father and his men trie to push them back, but the Orcs were too strong and too many. Before he was cut down, my father sent me running for the herd. They took three of our finest colts, fresh from suckling at their dams' side. The three were as black as the starless night sky. They were Valhol, Valdier and Valherol, each by Valduriel, our finest stallion."
"I ran as swiftly as I was able, for the horses would not let harm befall me if they could. I was almost to them when the arrow pierced my shoulder and I fell. I still remember the foul odor of that thing standing over me. I screamed when I saw the flash of his blade. Then there was a pain and I do not remember much else but the sound of hoofbeats. When I awoke my eye burned, the Orc was trampled and Valhuriel lay dead beside me. The horses stayed with me many hours, a night and a day I should think." She nodded to Legolas' chosen gray. "Arod's dam was among them."
"I was well on my way to death when Eomer found me. He brought me back to Edoras. It was then, while my wounds healed that I formed friendship with Eomer and Eowyn. I had no other family and they took me in and have kept me in work and good circumstance for many years. Was that the answer you sought?"
"It is. Now, the night has grown deep indeed as we have stood here talking. You must need of sleep before the moon wanes and the sun rises. And I, should like to ride this fine night. If, of course, that suits the keeper of these stables."
Dani lifted an eyebrow. "I shall give you benefit of the doubt and believe that you do not mock me. Ride, if you must. Take Arod. Even if you ride again tomorrow he will bear you swiftly and without tire. Now I bid you good night Legolas the Elf."
"Till the morrow Danuriel of Rohan. May then you take council with Eowyn and decide if we be friend or foe." The girl departed with the quickest of smiles and Legolas turned his attention back to Arod. He merely opened the stall door and leapt nimbly up onto the horse's stout gray back. He sat lightly and urged the horse on, till they were racing past the gates or Edoras and onto the plains.
They galloped for a long while, Legolas neither steering nor urging the horse on. He was lost in thought and worry and his mind traveled to the perils wrought in their path, and the perils wrought before Frodo and Sam, though these were not quite so clear. It was as Celeborn and Galadriel had counseled in Lorien. The future was unclear. If Frodo were to succeed then the Three Elven rings should fade in their power and the days of the Elder would most certainly come to an end. But if he were to fail, then all that was once fair and beautiful in the world would fall to darkness.
His thoughts were interrupted when Arod drew back from his gallop. Legolas peered around him and a deep sense of unease welled up inside him. The night had grown darker, as if the light of the stars had somehow dimmed. Edoras was now a faint dot on the horizon. A single dark cloud blocked all light from the moon. Fog rolled at him at all sides, leaving only the forest clear. "This is an ill, unnatural fog that rolls down on us my friend," he told the horse quietly.
Arod shifted uneasily. His ears twitched and his nostrils flared, smelling something foul behind him. He began to back away from the fog without bidding from his rider. Legolas scanned the mist, but so thick and heavy did it hang that not even Elf eyes could pierce the veil. The land was eerily silent.
Suddenly, from all sides did the Huruk-hai burst from the fog. The large, hideous black creatures were all cast with the white hand of Saruman upon their chests. Arod's eyes rolled and he neighed shrilly. Legolas immediately went for his bow, drawing arrows faster than any mortal man could see. Four he shot through the chest, and three more through the neck before the came within reach of him. Their number was great and he held little hope for himself, but did not cease his fire. A tall, broad Huruk-hai grasped at his leg, but the blonde elf kicked him back.
When his last arrow was spent he drew his two long blades. He killed or injured a number more with them, slicing, hacking and kicking, but their sheer number was too great. A couple managed to sling ropes around Arods' legs and threw the gray bodily to the earth. Legolas rolled clear of his fallen steed, but the Huruk-hai were upon him before he had a chance to regain his feet. They poured over him, seizing his weapons and pinning him down. His head fell, he was defeated. What would Aragorn say, when he heard the news? What of Gimli?
Then the great swarming of Huruk-hai departed, leaving only the three that bore the elf down. A man uttered a word quickly in Orc speech and came forward. He was clothed all in white, shrouded by a cloak and hood, clutching a staff. One gnarled hand pulled the hood back and the face of Saruman the White smiled down on him gravely. Legolas' eyes widened.
"At long last we meet, Legolas of Mirkwood. Your company has long now defied my will. Little do they know that their defeat will come at the hands of one of their own. You have a part to play for me yet Elf." He turned, walking back toward the trees. "Bring him," he commanded. The Huruk-hai yanked Legolas to his feet and dragged him in Saruman's wake.
Chapter 1
Well? It's my first time writing a LotR story, so I hope this reads well. It was quite fun actually. Promise, Aragorn and Gimli will have much more substantial parts in the next chapter. Please tell me what you think, good or bad, make suggestions, whatever.