Translations

Nadorhuan- cowardly dog

Ta naa neuma - It is a trap

A'maelamin- my beloved

Amin mela ile- I love you

Tenna' ento lye omenta melamin- until next we meet

Chapter 9 Reception and After

The ceremony was over. Most of the guests were celebrating inside the great hall. Legolas, Yesel, Aragon, Arwen, Elladan, Elrohir, and Elisel were all in the courtyard. Legolas and Yesel were trying to slip into the woods for a little alone time, but every time they made to leave, Elladan and Elrohir would catch them and yank Yesel out to dance with them.

"Come on Legolas, just because you married her doesn't mean we can't have fun with her," Elladan teased him.

"Yes," piped in Elrohir. "You have to learn to share." Legolas looked to where Aragorn was sitting, laughing.

"Can I have a little help please," he implored him. Aragorn took pity on him and motioned the twins to let Yesel go.

"Come on guys, fun is fun but you should let her go know."

"Since when do we listen to you little brother," Elrohir asked him.

"It should be the other way around," Elladan added as they advanced on him. "Legolas, go," Aragorn called out to him. Legolas did not need to be told twice. He grabbed his wife's hand, shouted, "Thank you," over his shoulder, and they ran into the woods. Aragorn laughed at his brothers.

"Looks like your little brother outsmarted you again." He ran as they chased him. Arwen and Elisel laughed at the spectacle. All laughter stopped suddenly as they faintly heard Legolas cry, "Yesel." They all exchanged a hurried glance.

Legolas crashed out of the woods. he had been wounded in his shoulder.

"Orcs," he shouted. "I'm not sure how many. They grabbed Yesel. I came back to get help," He collapsed onto a bench.

"Which way were they heading." Aragorn asked him.

"Towards the bridge." Aragorn bound up his shoulder while barking out commands. "Elrohir, go get our weapons from the weapons room. Arwen, go inform Thranduil and father. Take Elisel with you. Tell them that the four of us are going to rescue Yesel, and to gather and equip a party, but not to send them out until they hear from one of us. I'm sure we can get her back." Arwen turned to go but stopped at a touch from Aragorn.

"Tell Ada to be ready. We'll need his healing skills when we get back." Her eyes widened slightly but she nodded. She took Elisel by the hand and led her into the palace. Elrohir was soon back and the four of them headed into the forest to hunt for Yesel.

They hadn't gotten very far when they were attacked by a group of eleven orcs. After a short battle, nine of them were dead, one had run off, and Legolas had one pinned against a tree.

"Where's my wife," he yelled at the creature. The orc laughed.

"Rotziggy took her. You're to pay for your crime. You'll never see her alive again." Legolas angrily drove an arrow through its throat.

"What did he mean by that," Elrohir asked.

"Yesel and I were attacked by orcs earlier this year. The leader escaped and vowed that he would settle the score. I killed his mate," Legolas said dully. Aragorn laid his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"We'll find her Legolas. I promise." He nodded and they took off again. When they reached the river they stopped. They took cover in the brush about 200 yards away from the bridge. They could see Yesel and an Orc standing on the bride. At the bottom on the opposite side were two more orcs. Yesel had her hands tied behind her back. There was a cut above her eye and they could see blood staining the arm of her dress.. The orc was holding onto a rope that was tied around her neck and was pointing his sword against her side. He was talking to her, but not even the elven ears could pick up what he was saying.

"Call out to your lover and let him know where we have you, and mayhap I'll let you live," the orc growled at her. The other two orcs laughed.

"Legolas knows you have me, trust me. He will come to get me, and when he does you will die." Her remark drew more laughter.

"Bah, he worries me not. Look how easily we stole you away from him, how easily he was wounded.."

"Nadorhuan," Yesel said contemptuously. Rotziggy knew enough elvish to know she had insulted him.

"What did you call me," he thundered so loudly that even the others hidden in the bush could hear him. Yesel raised her own voice, and it carried to them.

"I called you a cowardly dog. You did not do anything. You hid in the shadows until your underlings had wounded Legolas. You did not emerge until he was gone and I was safely bound. You are no better than a dog, and like a dog you make mistakes. Your biggest mistake was in leaving Legolas alive. He will find me, and when he does he is going to kill you. And this time I will not stay his hand." Legolas and the others smiled to hear Yesel insult an orc, and Legolas prayed that her faith in him would not be betrayed. The smile was quickly wiped off their faces as the orc reacted to her words.

"Shut up elf," he roared as he slapped her across the face so hard it dropped her to her knees. In the bushes it was all Aragorn could do to keep Legolas from rushing out.

"If you go out there now he will kill her for sure just to spite you. I know it's hard to watch but we have to come up with a plan." He turned to the twins, and although they showed no outward sign, inside he knew they were remembering their mother's torture at the hands of the orcs.

"Ro, Dan," he whispered, using his childhood names for them. "Can either of you get a good look at the opposite shore? We need to know if there are any more orcs over there. They might be setting a trap for Legolas." Both of them scanned the shore.

"I can't see anything," Elrohir reported, "but I'd need to stand up and move a little closer to be absolutely sure." Elladan agreed.

"I can't get a good look from this vantage point." Aragorn sighed.

"I didn't think so. We need to come up with a plan and quickly. If that orc threatens or hurts her one more time, I will not be able to stop Legolas from charging out there."

Rotziggy yanked her back up. Blood was trickling from the corner of her mouth.

"How brave of you to strike a captive prisoner." She had lowered her voice again.

"I'm surprised that you didn't have to call in any of the other orcs you have hidden, or those two down there." She laughed. "You do well to keep them hidden. Look what happened to the band you sent back behind you. You sent out a band of eleven, and only one came back." "Keep talking elf. Give me another reason to hit you again. I enjoyed it immensely the first time." He raised his hand to strike her again, but stopped when he heard a voice call out, "Leave her alone." He looked over and saw Legolas emerge from the brush. Aragorn could not hold him back, and in truth had no desire to.

"All I had to do was threaten you to get him to come out. Do not speak to him or I will kill him, then you. And it will not be painless, this I promise." He stepped behind her.

"Where's your friends," he asked Legolas.

"We split up after we were attacked. I'm the only one who came this way." Rotziggy cackled.

"That was your mistake. Come closer."

"Let Yesel go first."

"I think not. I like her just where she is. Now throw down your weapons and come here." Legolas didn't move, so the orc took his sword and ran the tip of it over her shoulder. Blood immediately stained her dress.

"I could do this all day but I don't think she could stand it. Throw down your bow and come here or I will stab her again. It's your choice elf." Legolas bent down and put his bow on the ground while whispering, "Be ready," to his friends. He straightened up and took several steps toward the bridge away from the brushy cover. He was totally exposed. As he got closer he could see that Yesel had several bruises on her face and that she was bleeding from numerous wounds. He also scanned the opposite shore for signs of more orcs, but in his worry for Yesel and his anger at the orc holding her, his normally sharp eyes passed right over the hidden orcs. Yesel felt Rotziggy tense in anticipation of giving the signal for the orcs to attack. She knew that Legolas did not see the hidden orcs. he was too focused on her. She had to warn him, or the orcs would kill him. She knew that the orc would try to kill her, but she thought her chances for surviving through this were almost nil. She was already feeling weak from blood loss, but if she could save Legolas, it would be an acceptable risk.

Rotziggy raised his hand, the one holding the sword.

"For Rotyee," he started to yell just as Yesel cried out, "Ta naa neuma Legolas." He dropped to the ground only seconds before the hidden orcs appeared and began firing. Aragorn, Elladan, and Elrohir started returning fire. Legolas scrambled over to his bow. He grabbed it and stood up just in time to see the orc furiously jam his sword up to the hilt in her side. He yanked the sword out, wiped it off on her dress, then threw her to the ground at the bottom of the bridge. "Yesel," Legolas cried out in anguish. The orc looked at Legolas, laughed, and said, "Now we're even." Legolas felt a rage come over him and he gave himself over to it. Heedless of the arrows flying around him, and of the pain in his injured shoulder he stepped forward, aimed and shot. His aim was true and the arrow buried itself into Rotziggy's head. He was dead before he hit the ground. The remaining orcs fled when they saw their leader killed.

Legolas dropped his bow and sprinted over to Yesel. He dropped to his knees beside her, and cut the ropes that bound her wrists. He then picked her up and cradled her in his arms, as he felt for a pulse. He couldn't find one at first, but finally felt a very weak one.

"Estel," he yelled. "Help me." To Yesel he whispered," Yesel , A'maelamin, please wake up." Aragorn, Elladan, and Elrohir had been watching him. Aragorn turned to the twins and said, "Go back to the palace, and let them know what happened. Bring Father back here quickly. Tell Thranduil that Legolas will need him this night. Do not bring Thranduil here. Make him stay at the palace." He ran over to Legolas. Elladan spat and said, "Damn all orcs."

"Do you think she's still alive," Elrohir asked his brother.

"I don't know. If she is it won't be for long I'm afraid," Elladan answered grimly. They ran for the palace.

Legolas looked up at Aragorn with misery etched in his eyes.

"Her pulse is so weak. She's dying Estel." He dropped down beside them.

"I sent Elladan and Elrohir back to get Elrond. If any could save her, it will be him. We shouldn't move her." Tears started to roll down Legolas' cheeks. He hastily wiped them away when Yesel opened her eyes and whispered, "Legolas." He looked down into her bright green eyes. Eyes that were now filled with pain.

"I'm here my love," he replied tenderly.

"Are you alright? Your shoulder."

"It's fine."

"I knew you would come."

"I should've been here sooner. You shouldn't be here. You should be safe at home with your family." She shook her head.

"I am home with my family." She cried out in pain as Aragorn pressed a piece of his tunic against the wound in her side to try to stop the bleeding. Her cry pierced Legolas' heart. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner. I'm sorry I let them take you. I'm sorry that you stayed with me. I'm sorry my love kept you here."

"My father was right. Before he left he told me never to be sorry for loving someone, that love is the greatest gift you can give someone. You gave me your love and your heart. I have been blessed." She tried to take a deep breath but coughed up blood instead.

"Estel."

"Yes my lady," he replied, as he bent down to hear her.

"Watch over my husband. He will blame himself for this. Promise me you'll help him through this. Don't let him follow me. I want him to laugh and love again. Promise me, please."

"I promise on my honor Yesel." She smiled up at him, but the light was fading from her eyes.

"Tell Elisel I love her. Give her my harp." Aragorn stood up as Elladan and Elrond approached. Elrond knelt down as Legolas looked at him imploring, "Save her please." Elrond quickly examined her and saw that he could not save her. Her injuries were too extensive. He met her look and saw that she knew.

"I'm sorry Legolas, there's nothing I can do."

"You didn't even try. Please. I can't lose her."

"Legolas, you won't lose me. I'll always be a part of you. Amin mela ile." She put her hand on his cheek.

"Tenna' ento lye omenta melamin." Her eyes closed. Her chest fell and did not rise again. Legolas leaned down and kissed her. Aragorn made a gesture of respect and said, "May the Valar watch over your journey home."