How can I be sure
In a world that's constantly changin'?
How can I be sure
Where I stand with you?
- The Young Rascals, "How can I be sure"
Note: One league=2.6 American miles
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Seasa's body unconsciously rocked back in forth with the movement of the horse, her eyes open but her thoughts straying to the realm of sleep. Elves have that uncanny ability to sleep with their eyes open, and she used it now, her gaze far off and her posture slackened. Legolas all but ignored her.
His eyes, instead, were intently searching the surrounding areas. Bits of burned foliage and dead leaves littered the ground, and Legolas knew they were getting closer. His back tensed and he consciously tried to release the tension from his shoulders. It wouldn't do to show how horrified he was; the men would be feeling the same emotions, and they would need a leader...
But even as he thought this, his heart and horse stopped in unison. His mount threw up his head, snorting, side stepping and Legolas - for a moment - couldn't breath.
Old, majestic trees were knocked to the ground and burned, their spirits fleeing and forsaking this earth. Wisps of smoke danced mockingly towards the sky, and the horrific smell of the burning flesh of many woodland creatures filled their nostrils. This scene stretched as far as the human eye could see, but Legolas could just see the green of trees beyond and it knocked him out of his momentary paralysis. He forced his horse to take several steps forward, cringing as the animal crunched on fried leaves. "Quick," he began in a loud, tight voice. Turning around to face his men, he continued, his face set in a stone-like mask, "Astalder, Set up a perimeter around the area. Catch any remaining Orcs, and kill them." Turning to Sindatil he ordered, "Take a small group of your best men and go after them. Don't go all the way to Dul-Guldor - stay at least two leagues back. But my heart tells me their mischief is not yet completed, they are only waiting for our presence here to fade."
Both elves nodded, their horses moving into tight gallops. Sindatil went right, Astalder left, their arms raised to order some of the men to follow them. When they had left, only four elves remained at Legolas's side. Turning to them, he sighed. "Come, my friends. We shall search the interior."
They nodded, immediately spreading out, four abreast just behind him.
Seasa's consciousness slowly came back to her, the hazy shapes slowly taking bold, defined silhouettes. Her brow furrowed as she saw the ruined forest and she gasped, "What--"
"Don't speak," Legolas said immediately, his voice harsh.
Taken aback, Seasa straightened, her eyes slowly taking in the destruction all around them. Her emerald eyes widened and she whispered quietly to herself, "Ed' i'ear ar' elenea.." She shook her head. "By the sea and stars.."
Legolas ignored her as they carefully picked their way through the forest. A few minutes later, they reached green, soft lands again and the Prince exhaled. In the foliage, hidden, he could see several of Astalder's company positioned should any Orcs return. There was no sign of Sindatil but he hadn't expected there to be. He dismounted, glancing around at the surroundings. Burnt grasses and foliage crinkled beneath his boots, and Legolas dropped to his knees, his head in his hands. His soul ached for this land; elves have a unique connection to the earth and all things good..they can feel what the earth feels..they are affected by reckless acts of hate..they can hear the earth groan in pain...
And as Legolas ran his fingers through the still smoldering ashes, his soul shuddered; for this forest--his forest-- was screaming.
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Seasa too, cautiously dismounted. She glanced around and shivered; the wind whipped through the clearing - before, the wind had to work its way through thick leaves and sturdy branches. Now, the forest had been raised to the ground and the wind delighted in its new territory. Seasa's eyes darted carefully from side to side; she looked alert - frightened. She drew the hood of her cloak over her head carefully, wild black locks of hair framing her face.
In the distance, she could hear them. They avoided her sight still - but she could still hear them. The orcs were approaching, but the Guard wasn't fully paying attention. They were still looking at the destruction of the forest. They were quietly mourning the loss of the weald; and though many stood on guard, their heads were bowed and their lips were moving without sound. They were praying.
But though Seasa could appreciate the beauty of nature, she hadn't heard the song of the forest in a long, long time. She'd simply stopped listening. And so this destruction did not effect her as sorely as it did her captors; her spirit was still on guard and shadows prowling in her mind were taking the shapes of orcs.
But so what? With the melee of a battle, Seasa could simply slip away. If the orcs came upon her, she could simply show them her necklace and they would know who she was --
Her necklace. It was gone.
Her fingertips touched her throat, as if her mind could simply not understand that it was gone. Damn it, she thought, but then shrugged. If the orcs were from Dol-Guldur -- and there was not a doubt in her mind that they were -- surely, they would recognize the mention of her village. Elves didn't speak of it anymore; she would gain their trust by simply speaking of her village and naming her father. If they weren't from Dol-Guldur, and seemed especially brutal, she could just make sure she was not found.
Her eyes lingered on Legolas's fair face. It will be simple, she thought, and raised her foot to take a step backwards. In the tree directly next to her, she heard the slightest rustle and glanced up. Her eyes locked with Astalder's, and her heart faltered. Something flickered in her eyes, and with her enhanced vision, she caught a glimpse of something hideous, dark and menacing approaching swiftly on from the South. She closed her eyes softly, and Astalder stared intently at her. What is she doing? He asked himself. Her face looked so conflicted--
With a deep breath, she screamed, sounding the alarm. Legolas's head shot up, Astalder drop to the ground and all elves in the immediate area snapped to attention. "Orcs, Orcs! Orcs approaching from the South!" She shouted, screaming. Legolas reached for his bow just in time, knocking down the first Orc. Elves seemingly materialized out of no where; arrows flew past Seasa's face with frightening intensity. She gasped as one grazed the back of her neck, and as another whistled through her hair, she screamed in fear. Legolas glanced over, his eyes still clouded with the intensity of battle. "Seasa, get down!" He urged, diving towards her and knocking them both towards the ground. They landed with a thud, Seasa suddenly horrified by her own actions. Those orcs were acting in the name of Sauron, but so was her father! She was only aiding the enemy by saving Legolas and his kin -- she had aided the enemey--
Sobs, born of exhaustion, fear and confusion, burst from her lips, streaming down from her eyes. She gasped, breathing heavily, realizing Legolas was next to her, kneeling as he shot up at the quickly fading Orcs. But that wasn't what interested her; her eyes latched onto the thin chain dangling from his pocket. She could just make out the imprint of a star in a pocket -- her star.
"You stole it," she whispered horrified. A wave of guilt crashed over her; she had saved this elf, when he only wanted to kill her father -- not only was he an over privileged, spoiled, disillusioned princeling -- but he was a theif!
She put her face into her hands. And as the last orc fell, she shuddered -- deep within her mind, she could hear her father whispering, "Do not fail me."
Oh father, she thought miserably as Legolas carefully stood up, proclaiming the area clear, I already have .