We are nearing the end of short chapters. In another 5 or 6 chapters, they will get much longer and have a lot more content.
Chapter 15
Author: Cel
She could feel eyes watching her every move. Very carefully, as to not cause any suspicion, Araréiel slowly moved her horse further from the riverbank, whispering gentle words into his ear.
"Gosta al. Moe a dínen. Si . . NOR! Avorn!" The horse quickly picked up speed, and the orcs followed suit. Voices became louder as the chase began; Araréiel trying to get to the other side of the riverbank, and the orcs trying to stop her.
In these parts, gathering firewood was not a difficult task and did not take much time to accomplish. However, when Imlain returned to camp he realized it was enough time for something to go wrong. Looking about, he noticed Araréiel was missing, as was her horse. "She's gone off following one of those dreams again. It will only get her into trouble," he muttered to himself. With a light thud, the firewood fell to the ground and Imlain ran to his horse. Within seconds, he had found her trail and urged his horse to ride fast. As he neared the riverbank, he heard loud voices. Unmistakable voices. Orcs.
Water rose all around Araréiel and she noticed, too late, that the river was much too deep to cross on a horse. Her horse would press on, but she knew it was not safe. Suddenly, the current grew stronger. She screamed in protest, but was dragged beneath the water, darkness surrounding her.
"And I wanted to kill her, but it seems the river 'as taken care of that, eh boys?" Morouk exclaimed loudly to his small company of orcs.
The orcs laughed hungrily and congratulated themselves. Although they were not able to make the kill, they knew her body would wash up to shore shortly and they would have their meal.
Suddenly, the whizzing of an arrow flew by Morouk's ear, right into the heart of his faithful companion, Koonshuh. Morouk looked over in the direction it had come from, but saw no one. Another arrow came, hitting another of his company. Where were they coming from? Again, Morouk looked around and could see no one. His company began to scatter and yell out. "Fools, hold your ground!" Morouk screamed, but they would not listen.
"We are under attack!" He heard quite a few shout.
It was no use. Within seconds, Four of his small company lay dead. Morouk swore under his breath as he ran to keep up with some of the company. More seemed to be falling , arrows flying from all directions. They did seem to be under an attack of some kind, but the elven company was small and she was alone when they began tracking her. It would have to wait. Rushing forward, he called out, "We will retreat for now, but this is not the end. Follow me!"
When the sounds of the orcs seemed to be all but gone, Imlain moved from behind the tree that was protecting him and rushed into the river. Araréiel's horse had made it to shore without injury, but Araréiel was no where to be found. His heart leapt into his throat. He could not lose her. Frantically he searched through the water, and then he saw her. Limp, pale, floating. Reaching out, Imlain grabbed hold of her body and rushed to the shore.
It didn't take the early morning sunrise or the sounds of birds overhead to wake Legolas. He had been pacing the camp for some time, wondering where Imlain was, as well as Araréiel. To leave a camp while on watch was, in Legolas' eyes, a horrible offense. It endangered all in the party. But what bothered him most, he realized, was the fact that both Imlain and Araréiel were gone. Together. His blood began to boil as he heard the sound of horse hooves approaching. A scowl was firmly set in place when he turned around. It took a moment for Legolas to react to the scene before him.
Imlain carefully dismounted from his horse and looked up into Legolas' face. In his arms lay Araréiel. She was wet, pale, and her eyes were closed. On closer inspection, and to his great relief, she was breathing. Laying her carefully down on the ground, Imlain covered her with blankets as Legolas fidgeted next to him. Every time Legolas tried to question him, Imlain raised a finger to his mouth asking for silence. After what seemed like hours, Imlain nodded his head towards where the horses were and stood. They walked together, a slight ways from the camp.
"Why did I awake to find no one on watch? What were you two doing? What happened to Araréiel? Will she be alright? How could you let this happen!?! Her father trusted us!" Legolas paused, "I trusted you." His voice was hushed, but that did not keep the anger from spilling out.