DISCLAIMER: I do not own Lord of the Rings, or any of the characters within Lord of the Rings. They are all the work of the amazing J.R.R. Tolkien!!!! (Heh, and we can't forget Peter Jackson and Newline Cinemas...) I'm not earning anything from this, except maybe amusement. Please read and review. Onward to the story then....
Racing noisily along, the ever faithful Samwise Gamgee rushed to meet Frodo at the river bank, wishing not to be left behind. The large feet of the gardener did not stop once reaching the water's edge, though, but instead charged directly in, splashing water this way and that as he went. The Hobbit waded deeper and deeper into the icy water. This was not a wise decision, for one so short, especially when said one cannot swim. With a look of alarm, Frodo yelled for Sam to turn back, but he was determined and continued onwards despite the rising water level around him. Desperately, Frodo began to steer the boat towards his friend, though prevailing very little in making much progress. The current of the Anduin was a difficult thing for the Halfling to battle, seeing as he was the size of a mere child and the length of the very oar being used was longer than himself entirely. The water was now barely beneath Sam's chin. The river threatened to swallow him up. And then, without warning, it did. The river overcame Samwise and his head became submerged with a last gasp for breath. A hand appeared above the surface, flailing about for something to grab.
All around him the sunlight seemed to come in shafts from above, piercing the clear, yet dark, water of the Great River. He could barely hear muffled voices above for the cold water rendered his eyes incapable of seeing anything but the disfigured shape of a nearing boat. Bubbles of precious air were escaping his lips as he struggled to swim. The water had taken a sudden depth to it, and the next thing Sam had known, he had plunged beneath it. His pack weighted him down severely, but he dared not remove it...were he to journey with Frodo, the supplies it contained would be needed. Now you have done it, Samwise Gamgee! Gone and sunk to the bottom of the river! Some good you've done to Mister Frodo...some good indeed! Thought the Hobbit hopelessly, as his air supply finally depleted.
And suddenly he heard a loud splash nearby, the sound traveling quickly underwater. Someone grabbed him by the arm firmly. Looking around, wondering who it was that had plunged in after him, Sam could see the long, thin outline of a person. Someone looked down at him from above. He had thought at first that Frodo was the one pulling him upwards, but no, this person was far too tall to be a Hobbit.
And then his head was above water again. He gasped, taking in the sweet air sharply. Never before had he been so happy to simply breath. Frodo, having finally reached the place where Sam had disappeared, breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Sam turned his head, still spluttering somewhat, to come face to face with Legolas, who looked extremely distressed and utterly drenched, his golden hair spread atop the water around him. The river had become just deep enough that the Elf could not reach the bottom and so he now treaded the water with a pained look while still keeping a tight hold on the Hobbit.
"Legolas!! What are you doing here!?" Exclaimed Samwise, mildly confused. He had been in such a rush to reach Frodo that he had run right past the Elf without taking notice.
"Never mind what he is doing here! You should be thanking him! After all, he dove straight in after you...! Sam, whatever were you thinking, you know you cannot swim!?" Sam's eyes widened.
"Legolas, sir...well, thank you!! I was in such a rush...the thought of swimming slipped my mind." Said the embarrassed Halfling, blushing deeply. Legolas smiled weakly in response.
"Are you alright, Sam?" The Elf's voice was soft and hardly audible, save to those who were very close. Sam nodded vigorously.
"Yes...I am now, thanks to you, sir. But if you don't mind me saying, you don't look so well yourself. Maybe I should be asking you if you're alright?" Legolas closed his eyes, pressing them firmly shut with a shake of his head.
"I am fine...merely short of breath..." panted the Elf.
"As well you should be!!" Cried Frodo suddenly, "the water is stained red around you!"
And so it was. Legolas looked down, seeing crimson blood mixing with the clear water that flowed around him. The wound on his arm stung horribly as the icy water moved across it, and his thigh as well as side throbbed incessantly. Indeed, it was taking all his strength to keep himself, as well as the Hobbit, afloat. Seeing Legolas' struggle, Frodo began to pull Sam into the boat, relieving the Elf of his added burden. Sam flopped into the boat, dripping wet from head to furry foot. He grabbed the sides quickly for he was always uneasy within boats, Elf wrought or not.
"Tis nothing..." Legolas' words were interrupted as a black arrow, whistling through the air, dove into the river only inches from his shoulder. Sam and Frodo gasped as more arrows assailed them from the trees, thumping loudly against the wooden boat as the Hobbits drew their hands back in surprise. None had direct blows, though one did fly far too close for comfort, lodging itself in Sam's pack, having struck a pot and gone no further. "You must leave!" Said the Elf urgently. Sam's arrival, however heartwarming his attempt to stay with Frodo had been, had caused delay; delay that was anything but needed.
"I could not live with myself were I to leave you here in such a condition!" Cried Frodo as Legolas clutched the side of the boat.
"You must. You will not receive another chance...the enemy is upon us!" Legolas said unwaveringly, though sparing quick glances to the trees around them, hoping that the arrows would not come again, at least until the Hobbits were well on their way and out of the Uruk-hai archers' range.
"But...!"
"Frodo, namárië, and Sam too...both of you must keep low in the boats, do not let yourselves be seen..." Legolas bowed his head slightly to each in goodbye. "May the Valar be with you," said the Elf, clutching the boat even tighter before he pushed it away with all the strength he could muster. A surge of pain spread through his arm, but it mattered not, his plan had worked. The small boat entered the current and began to very slowly drift away. Frodo scampered to the back of the boat, trying without prevail to stop their departure by plunging the oar into the river bottom. But, by now, the water had grown too deep, and it did nothing to stop them. Frodo could only helplessly watch as Legolas' form grew smaller and smaller as they floated away.
Legolas made his way out of the water with all the speed that was possible. The river seemed to flow not with water but a heavier substance, which seemed almost to drag him downwards. But Legolas was determined. Saruman's archers were still in the woods, no doubt tracking the Ringbearer. It was necessary that they be slain with all swiftness. And so he swam until he could reach the bottom of the river, after which he sprinted as much as his injuries would allow. Upon leaving the water, he scooped up his bow, a sharp pain ravaging his arm, but he continued nonetheless. Nocking an arrow, he concentrated. Far in the distance he could hear the air as it left the fowl creatures' nostrils, he could hear as they stamped their feet impatiently...he could hear the creak of a bow as it was drawn. With lightening reflexes, he let the arrow fly. It flitted swiftly across the wide Anduin and entered the trees, missing each trunk. A pained shriek informed him that it had successfully reached its target. All the while Legolas watched the creature Gollum float nearly unnoticed behind the boat. Legolas would not shoot him, for he respected Gandalf's words that the creature had some part yet to play. What it was, the Elf could not guess.
Prying himself from Gollum, Legolas looked further down the river to insure that neither of the Hobbits had been harmed and was deeply relieved to discover that they were not. Frodo had taken up the oar once more, and though he looked back in the Elf's direction sadly, he continued nevertheless, knowing the Elf's words to be true.
"Thank you, Legolas..." whispered Frodo to himself.
"What was that, mister Frodo?" Asked Sam curiously.
"Oh...it is just that...I feel horrible about this...about leaving Legolas in such a way. I fear for him, Sam. He is injured, and he is injured because of me! He received that wound while blocking me from an arrow! Yet he disregarded his own pain to let us escape...he is putting his very life at stake for us." Sam looked down, eyes focused on the bottom of the boat.
"Then...mister Frodo...we must not fail. I think...I think that he must have much faith in this quest to do such a thing; it would be a shame to make his efforts in vain. Don't you think, mister Frodo?"
"I suppose."
Frodo thought of all he had said to the Elf and wondered what he thought of Sam coming along. It had not been planned, but rather necessary for no time could be spared. Legolas had strived hard to guide the Hobbit to the river, where lay his departure, and Frodo could not have forsaken his efforts, especially when another chance to escape the coming battle would not arise. He pondered too whether the Elf had taken Frodo's apparent approval of Sam's companionship as somewhat of an insult. To refuse to take the Elf, but take a gardener? Ah, but Legolas would understand. Though the Elf was very often silent, when he thought strongly about one thing or another, he was not one to conceal his thoughts. In any case, there had been no time for Legolas to haul the Hobbit back to the river bank, and Frodo doubted the Elf had yet the strength. Pale had been the color of the Elf's face. Elements had very little physical effect on Elves, and so Frodo doubted it was the frigid temperature of the water that had caused him to lose color that was otherwise present. It had been pain that caused the Elf's brow to furrow. Alas, Frodo could do nothing against the current but let it take him where it would, save to Rauros.
All about shrieks of the dying Uruk-hai could be heard. From afar, Frodo could scarcely see the arrows swiftly leaving Legolas' bow and striking down the fowl archers across and around the bank. An arrow's path that had been aimed directly for the Ringbearer had been intercepted by one of the Elf's own, in midair from nearly forty paces away. Both Hobbits gazed back in awe as the Elf defended them until he drifted out of sight. And even then, they felt sure that the Elf's arrows still flew for not once were they struck by any foe as they rowed away down the Great Anduin.
Long was the Ringbearer still in sight for Legolas, and so, however painful it was, he continued to rain arrows upon any enemy spotted. Each time he drew the bow to its fullest and took comfort in the sweet plucking sound that the bowstring sang. Until, that is, he reached over his shoulder to his quiver only to grasp nothing more than air. Searching desperately, Legolas realized his arrows had nearly been spent. Six still remained, and he pledged to use these sparingly, if at all. They had been a precious gift from lady Galadriel herself, to accompany the longbow presented to the Prince of Mirkwood. He sighed outwardly at the thought of attempting to retrieve each and every one.
With a shake of his head, he turned to the trees, knowing he had done all that could be done to ensure Frodo's safe departure. Returning to the others was the best option now, though he dreaded the Ranger's reactions to the new injuries to add to the list. It is not as though any injuries recently obtained have been serious...but only that they become serious for Aragorn's mind's eye...he is downright amok when it comes to such things!
Upon reaching the campsite, there was no one to be found. The camp appeared to be deserted, for possessions were strewn about. Those who had been there earlier had left in a hurry, no doubt in search of the Ringbearer. Legolas hoped they had encountered none of the creatures that he had. And so again he set off into the woods in search of his companions. Little companionship did he find, but battle was plentiful. No sooner had he found the camp did more Uruk-hai arrive from the shrubbery, and now Legolas was glad that no others of the Fellowship were around. Instinctively, Legolas brought his hand over his shoulder to reach for an arrow, but this time he recoiled his hand. Not only was it painful, but with so few left, he could not afford to use them so leisurely. And so, instead, he drew his knives, the sound of ringing metal piercing the air as he did so, the sunlight dancing across the smooth metal surface.
The five Uruk-hai ran towards him, their own weapons held high above their heads as they came. To Legolas' dismay, this time all came at once, which would make situations all the worse. Had he more arrows, there would be little difficulty in disposing of the creatures from afar, with great speed as well. But even if he had more arrows, it would do no good to have them and be rendered unable to shoot them. A steady flow of blood had slowly dripped down his arm, staining the once green cloth a dark red. Not only that, but the broken rib was proving to be troublesome, and even more so aggravating.
There was a clash of metal as he locked weapons with the nearest of the lot. This time he had been more prepared for the tremendous amount of power behind the blow, but it still shook his arm to the very bone, from finger to shoulder. Another Uruk came at him from the side. Legolas lashed out with his left knife, cutting deep into the flesh of the creature. He was now caught in an awkward position, both arms spread in opposite directions, and it was even worse seeing as a third Uruk-hai had decided to use these to his advantage, for Legolas' chest and torso were left utterly unguarded. The Uruk-hai brought forth a giant fist directly to the Elf's already pained side, forcing him to crumple backwards. Legolas swiftly jerked both right and left knives up, down, then brought them side ways in opposite to deal fatal blows to two of his assailants, but the damage had been done. The Uruk-hai had struck his side, his most vulnerable place at the time, and Legolas could feel nausea descending upon him as his legs gave way beneath him. Collapsing to the ground, he could do nothing more than block the blows dealt towards him with failing arms. Three Uruk-hai still hovered above him, and he had only two arms with which to defend.
Legolas glared upwards at the Uruk-hai who had struck him, now raising his rusty sword high above his head. With a grin, he let it fall towards the seemingly helpless Elf. But Legolas took his chance and lashed out with a foot, connecting with first the shin of the attacker and then just where the armor connected, leaving it thin and weak there. The Uruk-hai looked downwards with a crooked grin, the kicks having caused no pain. Legolas clenched his teeth as he groped for another solution. And then a solution was shockingly unneeded, for his foe fell forward upon him, quite dead, his sword falling from his fowl hand whilst he fell. As Legolas looked around, he spied the remaining two that had been in the company of five lying dead as well, small throwing axes embedded deep in the bases of their necks. Legolas' bright orbs widened.
And then his rescuer peered out from behind the slain Uruk. Gimli the Dwarf, little more than half the creature's size, pulled his axe from the back of the dead Uruk-hai that had been so near striking a fatal blow.
"Gimli!"
"Gotten yourself into a spot of trouble, eh, laddie?" Said the Dwarf smugly, coming nearly eye to eye with the Elf, for Legolas still sat upon his knees, a knife in each hand. In all my years I never thought I would see the day when a Dwarf saved an Elf...I do not suppose I will ever live this down...
"Indeed, I have. But nothing that I could not have dealt with, I am sure." Legolas grinned, struggling to sit up not only because of his side, but because of the immense weight of the corpse that lay across him.
"Is that so?" Said Gimli in his low voice, hoisting his axe higher upon his broad shoulder. "Then I think you will become good friends with that stinking corpse...for I would say you lack the strength to move it." The Dwarf smiled broadly and gazed down mockingly at the Elf.
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Hope you liked it. Again, I must apologize for the extended wait between updates this time around. I must admit, I have become somewhat lazy, but I will use the excuse of school once more. In any case, I will strive to be quicker about my updates, I know it's annoying to wait for things...I can't stand it myself.
Deana: Ow is right...lol. I'm glad to see you are still so enthusiastic.
Laurenke: Thanks for the comment. Finals? I'm glad I don't have to take those yet...I hope you do well.
Tears of Eternal Darkness: Thank you! Cliffhangers are quite fun to write.
Boromir: It would appear that I have the Son of the Steward commenting on my story!! How fun. Thank you so much for your kind words, mellon nin.
Gemini969: Will do...and hopefully with increasing speed. Thanks again.
Galadrielady945: Yup. I certainly do like Legolas. Thanks for the comment, I really appreciate it.
Lisande: Actually, I heard the cast laughing about Orlando Bloom tipping a kayak in the cast commentary and thought it would be interesting to write about. Glad you liked!
Orliey: Wow. Thank you for the very kind words. It seems I have gone from a very lighthearted story to a more serious one although I hope to switch between the two.
Randomramblings: Thank you, thank you.
Mrscribble: Just a few more days till it's over. I'm glad you liked it...but it isn't over yet. In fact....I hope to go on for quite a while. Thanks a bunch.
Kelsey: Ah, elf torture. Well, I'm trying to stay away from too much of that, because it would be slightly unrealistic, at least in my point of view. Legolas, however tough he is, is still susceptible to injury...but I do not wish to torture him. Yes, I was somewhat torn myself as to what I should write...but I think I have a fairly clear idea of how I want the story to go...and, of course, I'm also trying to follow Tolkien's guidelines. Legolas would be extremely helpful on Frodo's journey to Mt. Doom...but I think that would be straying too far for me. Your comments are always so wonderful! Thank you.
Celebrean: Hopefully this won't become too much of a Legolas angst...Thanks so much for the comment.
eryn lasgalen elf: Lol. How could I not let him save Frodo? After all, Frodo is the Ringbearer. I'll be sure to update soon.
Thank you (again) to everyone who has reviewed...and thank you to any of you who choose to remain silent. I must begin work on the next chapter...and schoolwork...See you all soon.
-Jamie (Lintulinda i luvasi ello eldar)