Chapter Four
Legolas stretched as he walked from his room. He and Gimli had arrived at the outpost very late the previous evening and were grateful for rest when they got to the outpost. It was a cool, crisp morning, a sign that autumn was coming.
"Seems that there is to be some frost soon." Legolas said, more to himself than anyone else.
"Seems that way." Deedlit agreed, as she suddenly appeared beside him.
"I wish you wouldn't do that." Legolas said, a little put off that he hadn't heard the younger elf's approach.
"Sorry. So, what do you think of this place?" Deedlit asked, curiously.
"Truth to be told, I don't know what to think. I guess some part of me wishes that this outpost had been here during the War of the Ring. Rohan would have been glad of the help." Legolas murmured, his eyes distant as he watched the sun rise from his place at the wall.
"Rohan?" Deedlit asked, confused.
"It would take too long to recount the entire war to you and the rest, and it is likely that you wouldn't believe me, anyway……………Hmm…………A red sunrise……..not a good sign." Legolas muttered, as he turned and descended from the wall, heading for the archery targets. Before he could get to them, however, the sounds of hooves thundered up to the gate and panic-stricken voices called out to those inside in desperation and fear.
"It's Cecil and his troop! Let them in!" Deedlit shouted. Immediately the gate was thrown open and the terror-stricken group rode in. Roused by the noise, Parn rushed out into the courtyard, only to be met by about twenty fearful and bloodied elves and their equally shaken leader, Cecil. Forgetting himself in his haste, Cecil started explaining to Parn what had happened to them, but was only furthering Parn's confusion (and his own agitation), since he was speaking entirely in Elvish.
"Slow down, Cecil, I can't understand a word you are saying!" Parn said, shouting over the voices of the other elves.
//*// Quiet! //*// Legolas shouted, in Elvish. The response was immediate; the elves fell silent and they watched as Legolas took their leader aside.
//*// Now, from the beginning; what happened? //*// Legolas asked, calmly, speaking slowly so the half elf could understand him.
//*// They fell upon us so quickly, sir. They were unlike any Orcs we had ever seen. Neither bow nor sword could hinder them. They killed about half of us before we could even react. We ran like cowards, sir. //*// Cecil replied, shamefully, even though he was pale and shaking badly.
//*// I understand. There is no need to feel ashamed. We'll speak on this later. For now, go and reassure your men. They are about as frightened as you were. //*// Legolas said, a grim look taking over his features. Cecil nodded and slowly walked off, addressing his men in Elvish as he went.
"What were you able to find out, Legolas?" Parn asked, subdued by what had just happened.
"They were attacked by some above average orcs. If I didn't know any better, I would say that the Uruk-hai or the Olag-hai were the ones behind all this, but I can't be certain. Ara……..Parn, has there been any suspicious activity in this land lately?" Legolas asked, barely catching and preventing himself from saying Aragorn's name. Deedlit and Parn exchanged a grave look.
"There have been attacks made by orcs in the past couple of months, but none as bad as what must have scared those elves. Also, there's been some unusual goings on near Heroes' Bridge." Parn replied, looking up when he heard Gimli complain about the noise the Elfin soldiers were making.
"Heroes' Bridge?" Legolas asked. Parn nodded.
"About two years ago, Deed, Sir Spark of Flaim, Neese, King Ashram of Marmo, Leaf, Sheen, Cecil and I descended into the depths of the cursed Labyrinth to rescue a priest and two elves who were being held prisoner there by a demon elf. Not long after that the Bridge was erected to remember our victory and that of our predecessors." Parn explained.
"I see. Now explain what is going on at the bridge." Legolas said, wanting to know more.
"About six months ago, a weird fog appeared near the bridge. All ships that have gone into the fog, whether it be to investigate or try to go along the coast to Allania, have never come back. They disappear without a trace. King Ashram, the current ruler of Marmo, is very concerned about this for two reasons; one, he's worried about the men who were on those vanished ships and two, his sword, SoulCrusher, is reacting." Deedlit said, noticing when all of the color drained from Legolas' face.
"SoulCrusher?! You mean to say that a mortal man has taken up the Witch King's cursed blade?! How did this happen and why?!? Doesn't he realize how dangerous that sword is?!" Gimli asked, now in on the conversation.
"Hold on, do you mean to say that the SoulCrusher belonged to another before Beld of Marmo?" Parn asked. Both Legolas and Gimli looked at one another, then nodded.
"The sword your friend carries is none other than the sword of the Witch King. That sword is almost as old as time and as evil as the Dark Lord himself." Gimli said, his voice grave.
"Then it's no wonder Beld fell. Yet Ashram seems able to withstand its power." Deedlit murmured, thoughtfully.
"That's because he doesn't use it very much. Even he has told me how uneasy he is when that black blade is drawn." Parn admitted.
"That leaves one question; what do we do now?" Deedlit asked.
"We leave from here as soon as we can with half of the force that is here. Parn, you lead the way. If any orcs come between us and our destination, cut them down. Your sword has the strength, since it seems to know you." Legolas said, then thought "And I know who you are, even as you do not."
"This sword knows me?" Parn asked, now really confused.
"Yes. Though it may go under a different name now, in Aragorn's time it was known as the Anduril, the fabled 'Flame of the West'. And you, Parn, are Aragorn's descendent. You, and only you, can use that sword's true power." Legolas said, as he watched Parn unsheathe his sword (which, up until that time, was called 'SoulHealer') and look upon the gleaming blade in awe.
"Then that would make Parn the rightful king of Valis." Deedlit murmured, remembering what she had heard about Anduril and it's owner and was stunned by the revelation.
"Valis? Is that what Gondor is called now?" Legolas asked. Deedlit only nodded in response.
"But I'm not cut out to be a king. Besides, Etoh's ruling Valis now and doing a far better job at it than I would have had I been crowned." Parn said, humbly.
"And that, I feel, is for the better. If Sir Parn had been laden with a royal burden, then he would not be able to make clear decisions about what to do now." Sheen, the resident Mairi priest of the outpost, said, wisely.
"Very true. I will say no more about it." Legolas said, not wishing to trouble his friend's descendant with his royal heritage.
"Maybe you can tell me more about Aragorn later after we've set off from here. Needless to say, you've awakened some curiosity of him in me." Parn said, then turned to the stablehands to tell them to get some horses ready.
"What do you have planned, laddie?" Gimli asked, as a breeze moved through the courtyard.
"Get on the road to Valis as soon as possible. From there, we should be able to catch up with some friends there and travel to Marmo together." Parn replied, as he mounted his horse.
"We'll go with you, Parn. We need to face our fears. If not now, then never." Cecil said, still a bit shaky, but nowhere near as bad as before.
"Are you sure, Cecil? You've had a pretty bad scare." Deedlit said, concerned for her brother.
"Don't worry, Deedlit, I'll be all right. It's time the elves learned how to truly fight Orcs again. This way mortal men can walk about freely and without fear." Cecil said, bravely, as his followers gathered behind him and silently agreed.
"Then let's get going. I get the feeling that time will be of the essence before long." Legolas said, as elves and men got on their horses and prepared to leave.
"Free Knight! Listen and listen well! I want some of you to remain here while the rest go to Marmo with me! Guard this place well and protect the innocent that come here for shelter against the threat! Remain here until you are called for!" Parn shouted, sounding very much like a king in that moment.
"Fly then, Knight of Lodoss, and may the gods watch over you!" the remaining men shouted back.
"And may the stars shine on us as well." Legolas murmured, as they departed from the outpost in a cloud of dust and the thunder of hooves.
/*/ And the Riders of Rohan have risen again! /*/ Gimli shouted, in Dwarvish, from behind Legolas as they rode. In the distant city of Roid, the people raised their heads, almost in response to the mention of their city's ancient name, and looked to the west. Little did they realize that there were dark days ahead; darker than they had ever seen.