Glorfindel watched the blonde archer while they rode through the forest, following Aragorn's tracks. It was apparent that the human had moved quickly to put distance between him and his followers. The elven horse had more stamina than normal breeds of horses but it still tired after a long and hard ride. The demanding landscape could take a lot out of the hardiest of horses and men if they were not prepared for it. The weather had stayed pleasant for the summer time and allowed them to move quickly after their 'prey.' At least, that was what Legolas had termed the human. Glorfindel agreed with him that the name was well earned. Legolas would occasionally start to mutter about things that he would do and say to the human once they caught up with him. Some of the things were making Glorfindel cringe and he didn't really realize how creative the young elf could be until that moment. It probably didn't help that Legolas traded ideas with the twins when Estel seemed to actually try and drive everyone crazy. There were countless times that Glorfindel saw the mischievous sparkle in the three elves' eyes as they plotted some prank on the Ranger. Lord Elrond sometimes got that same look and if it was scary in the twins' eyes then it was absolutely terrifying in the Lord's eyes. Looks like those sent chills up Glorfindel's spine and he feared to actually find out what they had planned. He really hated being the referee between them because more often than not, he was the one that became injured and not the other ones that actually started the whole fiasco. Why was he always the unfortunate one?
They had been riding for a few days and Glorfindel predicted that Lina must have reached Rivendell by now or nearing it. He had no worries that the woman would ride as fast as her horse could carry her and then some more. The twins and she would leave the next day or that day; it depended on when she arrived, but Glorfindel would set his money on the next day.
"I know what I shall do when we reach him. I shall tie him up to a tree in the dankest, murkiest, most Valar forsaken swamp and leave him there to allow all the bugs and mosquitoes to bite him up. That sounds good," Legolas said as Glorfindel rolled his eyes.
"Must we go into this Legolas? Yes, I know that you are going to tear into Estel when we meet up."
"You do not understand Glorfindel. This is at least the tenth time he has done something like this to me. He becomes guilty about some incident that he could not have prevented and then he tries to protect me and tells me to go home. You should have tied him to the bed and kept him here."
"He would have tried to get away."
"You should have drugged him or kept him sedated," Legolas muttered and Glorfindel laughed before suddenly stopping his laughter and horse.
"Legolas, halt. Those are orc tracks. It looks as if they came across Estel's tracks and decided to follow him," Glorfindel said and swung off his horse and knelt beside the tracks.
"How many?" Legolas asked as he looked down from his horse.
"It is hard to tell; the tracks are too many for me to be sure. I would say thirty or thirty-five perhaps with a few wargs," he replied and allowed his fingers to drift over the tracks imprinted in the soft dirt.
Legolas' eyes narrowed as he followed the tracks along the forest floor and didn't see any branching tracks. The tracks proved that the orcs seemed to have picked up Aragorn's trail and continued to follow him. Legolas had the bad feeling that the human had managed to get himself into an impossible position of trouble and danger and would probably need them to get him out. For some reason, it always happened that way.
"How old are the tracks?" he asked and glanced back to Glorfindel.
"Six hours at least."
Legolas nodded as Glorfindel stood to mount his horse before looking over at the prince. Legolas stared off into the forest and weighed the options that presented themselves to him. Thirty-five orcs and a few wargs would be hard for them to kill quickly; elves were good but not that good. And if they had Aragorn captive then it would be harder seeing how they would have to protect Aragorn from the orcs that would use him as a shield or bargaining tool.
"What are you thinking Glorfindel?" he asked and glanced over at the Rivendell elf.
"It would be better for us to observe for a day, I would say. You and I cannot take on thirty orcs with wargs amidst them. It would be a suicide mission and you know it."
Legolas nodded and cast his gaze back to the forest. "I know."
"Catch up to the group and see if they have Aragorn captured. Then wait for the opportune moment before rescuing Aragorn. If they have not caught him, then pass by and continue after Aragorn," Glorfindel said as they started to follow the tracks again, albeit cautiously.
"I agree, Glorfindel. Hopefully, if they have captured Aragorn by the time we meet up, the twins and Lina might have arrived by then."
He glanced over at Glorfindel as the other elf looked at him as they both came to the same conclusion. "Doubt it."
The elf closed the door behind him to leave Lina alone in the room with the dark-haired elf that sat behind the large desk. His hair was pulled back behind his shoulders as he wrote on several parchment papers without glancing up at the human that stood in his study. He could sense her slight fear and apprehension at the silence but was too respectful to break it first. Elrond had sensed her immediately when she had stepped into his realm and was already in his study by the time he saw the patrol coming into the courtyard with her following. Her weapons sat on the side of the desk he sat at with his papers and documents. He sensed no evil intent around her but he did sense a strange kind of fear; fear not from being surrounded by elves but another fear, one he couldn't place.
"May I ask why you entered my realm Lady Human?" he asked without glancing up from his papers.
Before she could answer, the doors opened again without a knock to admit two identical twins into the study. A quick glance told her that it was Elladan and Elrohir and she felt a thrill of excitement upon seeing them again but quickly repressed it. She didn't want to make a complete fool of herself in front of Lord Elrond. The elf lord looked a bit annoyed that his sons had entered without knocking but knew it was better to not admonish them, it wouldn't help any. They glanced at the woman in the study with him before turning back to their father.
"Has any news come about Estel, ada?" Elladan asked and ignored Elrond's scathing looks.
"I was just about to ask, Elladan, before you and your brother so kindly interrupted."
The twins bowed their heads and stepped back a few steps before Elrond turned to Lina again.
"My question, my lady?"
"About a week's time ago, I parted company with Lord Glorfindel and Lord Legolas. They departed in the other direction to track Lord Aragorn when he left without telling us from the town we resided in for the night. They sent me back here with specific requests to gather Lord Elladan, Lord Elrohir and Lord Sauros to meet them on their way to Annúminas or at the location. I rode here as quickly as I could and arrived at the borders of your realm earlier this evening and not wishing to wait till morn, I continued into your realm," she replied and kept her back straight and her gaze locked with the elf lords.
"Why did they request us?" Elrohir asked and Lina turned to him.
"I believe that they feared that what they were going to encounter would require more help than two elves, one male human and one female human. Lord Legolas had a vision that contained an old dragon that was black as night with blood red scars and blood red eyes. He felt a strong sense of fear and foreboding from the dragon in his vision and worried that they might need aid of Lord Sauros if the other dragon is real," she answered and looked over at the younger twin.
"Elrohir, please go and find Sauros. He may know something about this other dragon. I am sure that you wish to eat and rest Lady…"
"My name is Lina, Lord Elrond," she answered and bowed her head to him in respect.
"Lina from Tharbad?" Elladan asked and turned back to Lina.
"It is, Lord Elladan. You have not changed a bit," she smiled and laughed as the elf hugged her tightly.
He lowered her to the ground and they both turned to the window where a large red head appeared. "Greetings Lord Sauros."
"My dear Lina, so good to see you," the dragon responded with a dragon smile.
"Sauros, do you know of any dragon that is solid black and has blood red scars and eyes?" Elrond asked the dragon as he stood from his desk.
Sauros' eyes narrowed and his lips slid into a snarl. Everyone watched him as he turned away from the window and moved away from the building before releasing an ear splitting roar. Several minutes later, dragons descended onto the grassy hill and clustered around Sauros. Aurora, Kore, Nyxe, and Selene were all there while they listened closely to Sauros as he spoke quietly to them. They stopped talking as Sauros nodded his head and the others took flight to the air and flew away in different directions. Sauros stood where he was for a few moments before turning and walking back towards the balcony. His eyes were focused on the ground as he thought through the implications of what the other dragons told him, especially Nyxe.
"When were you planning on leaving to meet with the others?" he asked and the twins looked at each other and at Lina.
"Tomorrow morn, once Lina has the chance to rest," Elrohir replied and glanced over at the young woman.
"It would better if we left now. The others are about to face something that they cannot combat alone. We will fly to them," Sauros said as Elrond stepped forward.
"Sauros, what are you not telling us?"
Sauros bowed his head and broke gazes with the elf lord before raising his head again and looking at the elf. His eyes were troubled with concern and something older that the elves did not recognize. It was rare that the dragon was ever concern about anything; he was a dragon, not a lot of things can worry a dragon.
"The description is of a very old dragon. We all believed him dead but apparently not. He was one of the strongest dragons ever known and just as ruthless. If he is still alive, then we may have some problems."
"But who is he, Sauros?"
"He is named Glaurung and he was the very first of the dragons. He was the vanguard of Morgoth's forces during the first age and created an unbelievable amount of destruction for Middle-Earth. He hates all the races of Middle-Earth and would enjoy nothing more then to see them all eradicated."
"I knew it," Legolas hissed softly from the leafy foliage above the camp below Glorfindel and him.
The two had finally caught up to the group of orcs, which were either lucky or unlucky that they had captured Aragorn. They had left their horses about a mile behind and walked the rest of the way before taking to the trees. The loud and crude sounds from the creatures of Mordor easily led them to the group that was just stopping for the night. The human rested on the ground with his hands tied behind his back and his feet tied together. His eyes were closed while blood streamed down his face from a vicious cut on his brow. He was breathing shallowly and trying to curl around himself, seeming to try and protect his chest. A random orc lashed out and kicked Aragorn in the gut and the human jerked forward and coughed up blood. Legolas looked over at Glorfindel worriedly before motioning to him to move back and away from the group.
"You are a better healer than I, Glorfindel. What is your opinion?" Legolas asked while they stayed up in the tree.
"If he is coughing up blood then it may be something serious, but I can not be sure without checking him over. The fact is that I need to look him over soon or it could turn into a fatal injury."
"Glorfindel, unless you have forgotten how to count; there are about forty orcs down there and two of us. We are both good warriors but not that good," Legolas said honestly.
"He might die unless we do something, Legolas," Glorfindel argued quietly and saw the words hit home.
"What do you suggest we do?"
"You take as many as you can with your bow from the trees and I will get to Aragorn quickly to protect him and get him out as quickly as I can. You do understand that this may not go over very well, Legolas."
"I know but we have to try and help him."
The two looked back towards the group and sighed before splitting and moving to different sides of the camp. They maintained eye contact to be able to signal to each other as Legolas pulled out an arrow and notched it in the bowstring. Glorfindel held his double blades in his hands and readied to jump from the tree branch at Legolas' signal. When he signaled, Glorfindel jumped from his perch and took off two orc heads before touching the ground. The camp jumped into motion as arrows rained upon them from the quick handed archer hiding in the trees. Glorfindel quickly fought his way to stand above Aragorn and guard him against any orcs that got a rare bright idea. His movements were limited to a ten-foot radius around Aragorn's body and he kept to that small area. He was constantly moving in a circle and leaping over Aragorn to get to the other side quickly. His almost frantic movement earned him small cuts and scrapes from not moving away quick enough. He looked over and saw Legolas on the ground with his bow cast aside and he was using his blades for the close contact. A wound on his thigh was bleeding heavily from an orc arrow that was lucky to strike its target. Or it may have been that the orc shot for Legolas' chest and it missed to hit his thigh. Glorfindel would have fallen over laughing if that was the case.
A while later they soon found each other on opposite sides of Aragorn and the orcs were keeping a circle around them just out of reach of their blades. The fighting had stopped for a moment and everyone was breathing deeply, preparing to lunge and attack.
"It has been an honor fighting with you, Legolas," Glorfindel commented in the elvish tongue without looking at the elf at his back.
"Oh Glorfindel, please do not talk like that. We will have many fights ahead of us still along with the human at our feet," Legolas replied as his eyes drifted between the snarling orcs.
"I doubt it, mellonin."
"Now!"
Both lunged and sliced through orcs and the battle started again as the orcs' war cries filled the air. Legolas stayed by Aragorn's body and a stab of fear hit him as the distance between Glorfindel and he started to grow and orcs filled the gap. The arrow piercing his thigh was throbbing mercilessly as an orc boot slammed into it and stars exploded in his vision as his leg almost gave out from under him. Another kick and it did as he fell to one knee and looked up just as an orc blade swept towards his head. Suddenly, the orc jerked a stood still for a moment before falling to the floor dead. The arrow sticking out of his back looked familiar as Legolas looked closer. The fletching looked very similar, just like…the twins! Legolas looked up to the surrounding forest and saw arrows zipping from the shadows to pierce orcs surrounding the two elves and human. Three figures charged from the forest quickly followed by a large shadow that wiped out a group of orcs with one swipe. All the orcs were killed in only a few minutes as Legolas tried to stand. His leg gave out under him and someone caught him before he hit the ground. Looking up, the other elf's dark hair spilled over his face but Legolas recognized Elrohir.
"Elrohir, I am so glad to see you," he said, relieved to see the Noldor elf.
"And you also Legolas. I should have known that Aragorn and you would some how meet up," the elf replied and helped Legolas across the camp to Sauros.
Elladan knelt next to Aragorn while Glorfindel cradled his ribs gently. Aragorn's bonds had been cut and the elder twin was quickly checking over his little brother for injuries. Sauros was keeping an eye on the surrounding dark forest to ensure that no orc that had missed their assault was thinking about trying his luck once again. Elrohir gently lowered Legolas to the ground and carefully looked at the thigh wound, which looked worse than it actually was surprisingly. Glorfindel whistled sharply for their horses and flinched when his ribs protested sharply before sitting down at Lina's insistence.
"We should be moving away from here soon. Other animals will be attracted by the smell of blood, no matter how foul it may be," Sauros advised and Elrohir nodded.
"He is right, we must move away from here and camp somewhere to tend these wounds."
Elladan gently slid his arms under his little brother and gently lifted him into his arms before moving towards Sauros. Glorfindel and Lina rode the two horses with Aragorn's horse following close behind while everyone else rode on Sauros' massive back. They moved through the forest quickly for a few furlongs before stopping amid a thick clumping of trees with a nice clear spot to build a fire and camp. A fire was quickly built and everyone bustled around for healing herbs, food, and blankets.
Elrohir knelt next to Legolas and looked over his thigh wound again before looking up at the younger elf.
"Are you ready, Legolas?" he asked and reached for the arrow shaft.
"Do it," he said and found his bow handle and tightly gripped it.
Checking that he had a good grip, Elrohir placed his other hand against Legolas' thigh and counted to himself before jerking the arrow free. Legolas' leg jerked under his hand and the elf bit his bottom lip while tightening his grip upon his bow. Tossing the crude arrow onto the ground beside him, Elrohir pressed a clean square of cloth against the wound to stop the bleeding that had restarted from removing the arrow. Holding the cloth tightly to the wound, he looked at the arrow's head and sighed in relief.
"You were lucky this time, mellonin. There is no poison on the arrow head," he said and lifted the cloth to look at the small wound.
"Wonderful," Legolas ground out and released his grip on his bow. "How is Estel?"
Elrohir glanced over at his twin and saw him looking over at them once hearing Legolas' question. Elladan nodded before turning back to the unconscious human and prodded his ribs again. His brother wasn't as bad as the elf initially thought. His lungs and ribs were bruised from some kicks from the orcs and countless bruises seemed to the extent of his injuries. The bruise forming at the side of his head was probably the reason for his current state of unconsciousness but Elladan knew that Aragorn had a thick head and he would just be left with a headache when he woke. He rubbed some soothing ointment on the bruises and recruited Lina's help to wrap his ribs before carefully lowering the human to the ground and pulling a blanket over him. Glorfindel's ribs were just badly bruised from an orc that had barreled into him and fell on him when one of Elrohir's arrows killed him. Eventually, they all sat around the fire once everyone was looked over for any wounds and were treated. Sauros looked at Legolas and Glorfindel and everyone knew that the only reason that Aragorn was spared the scathing look was because he was unconscious.
"Would you two like to tell me what you are doing that concerns a dragon named Glaurung?"
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It is the new chapter!!!!! Yeah, I am so happy that it is out now. Sorry if it took a bit longer than the normal chapters but I just came back to college for the Spring semester and that took the majority of my time. So, here is the new chapter and I hope everyone likes it. Please, please review for me all of my faithful little readers. Heehee, I am okay, really I am.
Oh! Before I forget! Dha-Gal and I did this co-authorship short story; I guess you could call it a short story. But it is a small hilarious thing that I and she did on instant messaging and we thought that it was so hilarious that we should post it. Well it is up under my name and the title is "Confessions of a Mirror". Just a cute little funny snippet, you can love it or hate it. Does not matter really. Just something fun.
Roccovende- He went off by himself and he gets into trouble. It is like in his contract or something, I swear it is. Heehee, I am so bad to him and Legolas. But it is so much fun. Funny about the "Like I had an all-night drinking fest with the twins." I called a good friend of mine at like 3:30 in the afternoon, and the night before she had gone out drinking, and when I called her, I woke her up and she had the worst hangover. I thought it was hilarious myself. Kept yelling into the phone to magnify her headache. If you can not handle the aftereffects then do not drink. Or at least do not come whining to me.
Gwyn- A reviewer reviewed a while ago and planted an idea into my head about Lina and now I can not get it out. I will not allow this story to turn into a Mary-Sue; I will stake my life on it! Well maybe not that extreme, but I stake my…uh…uh…I will stake Astro on it!
Dha-Gal- Most of my friends are hilarious when they are drunk. I just get philosophical on everyone. I have my bags of skittles all piled up on my desk next to my laptop and in front of my printer. Well, at least one bag. Heehee. I think we should work on a new chapter for the "Confessions of a Mirror" and put it up. This time it should contain stuff about Elrond and Thranduil. That would be hilarious. Oh, of all the rhymes we could come up with that eyebrow thing.
Elven Kitten- I left the penguin at home with Peanut the cat. They have started to get along. The penguin no longer tries to drown Peanut the cat in the toilet. Penguins are not allowed in my dorm room at college. Pity, I think he would have liked it here.
SilverKnight7- Sugar and caffeine are good! *evilly cackle* I was talking to a good friend of mine that goes to a college up in Asheville or Anderson and she said that the student body does not use coffee to stay awake. They use the college's sweet tea. It is one of those: "Would you like tea with your sugar?" I thought it was hilarious.
Deana- Well, thank you very much for the compliment.
Ringmarciel- I have noticed that too. I think I actually like fanfiction stories much better than the movies. I like the story Elrond much better than the movie Elrond. He just seems mean in the movies, do not know why actually but he does.
Star-Stallion- Scottish accents are the best in the world. Well maybe right behind Irish. I will accept that my writing is good but it is not great. There are some much better writers out there than me. It may be because I have read so much that of all the writing styles; I have just mixed them into my own. Apparently, you are the only one that likes how I write; my college English professors said that my style of writing is terrible.
Elvendancer- Well, thank you very much for the confidence in me and my writing ability. I am trying very hard to keep Lina from turning into a Mary-Sue. Hope that I will succeed.
Astievia- Thank you. I am at 117 now! I am just so bloody excited the thrilled!
Vanessa- Thank you very much for the compliment.
Snow-Glory- I mean come one, you have to expect that from Aragorn. Then it would not be our loveable Aragorn. Heehee. That question about the dreams is about to be partially answered; not entirely answered, but partially. The real reason (the voices also) will be explained towards the end. Thank you so much for the compliment.
Cloud-123- Thank you so much *holds hand over heart and bows while sweeping hand and arm out* Hannon lle.
Grumpy- *blushes* Okay, so from now on I will stick to just Legolas and Aragorn stories. Got it! LOL. Glorfindel is just being a lovely dear. I just want to huggle him to death.
Kandice- A NEW REVIEWER! A new reviewer! I just love new reviewers! Drinks all around! *blushes* Well thank you very much (I never do well with big compliments; I get all flustered). Just for you, I have actually towed around with the idea of killing Lina. Not saying if I will or how but the idea is staying in my mind. Diola lle.
Legalady- I really try to avoid cliff hangers as much as I can but the chapters just seem to stop there. This one is not really a cliff hanger, is it? I do not think so but this is me the author speaking and not a reader.
