I hope you all read beyond "THE END" because the end has not come, not by a
long shot, and I can tell that my little joke didn't go over so well with
some of my readers. I haven't gotten much response in regard to the choice
of Legolas so I will go with the one opinion that was raised and that was
for Legolas to at Least TRY to save her.
I would also like to thank Megan0, I hope I got your fanfic name right. For reading and reviewing the first couple of chapters.
"No," cried Legolas. "Let me go." I must save her, I must go to her." he said as he struggled away from Aragorns grasp.
"Legolas, this is madness, we will go after her, but together." He said as he released Legolas who took the rope. "We will ride out together," he said to Legolas.
Legolas heard Aragorns words and knew he was right. "Aragorn, you have always been like a brother to me," be said as he placed a firm hand on Aragorns shoulder. "And it is for that reason that I know you will understand that she hasn't time for me to be as most elves and rationally think this through, I must go and hope you will follow as fast as your feet may carry you. She could be dying even now." He said as he looked down as the mist covered ground below and prepared himself to drop.
"She could also be dead." Said Aragorn. Just as he was about to jump.
Legolas looked up at him. "Were this Arwen, how would that fact change YOUR decision to jump." He said solemnly, in that raspy voice of passion that Aragorn had not seen in some time.
"Were that the case, I would pray the fall killed me, but I would jump none the less." He said. And with Aragorns parting words Legolas jumped, into the mist below. With thousands of remaining orcs to great him with sharpened steel, all of them standing between him, and her.
Caitlin was dragged by the Troll across the rocks and dirt away from the buildings, she felt her helmet come off and she reached around trying to find Gomaithis as the Troll stopped.
She rolled over onto her back, getting ready to at the orc who approached her from behind. So focused was she on this one that when another came up and grabbed her by the neck she was unprepared. He swiftly grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off the ground.
"So this is the girl." Said the orc as he peered at her, Caitlin took this opportunity, swinging her sword, striking the orc in the chest. He released her and staggered as the sword protruded from its chest, before falling to the ground. Caitlin tried to remove the imbedded weapon but it was lodged between his breastplate. She tugged with all her might as the other orcs surrounded her. She abandoned her task, seeing a small opening where fewer orcs swarmed in on her. She swiftly turned and ran toward it, an orc blocked her path and she ducked out of the way, sliding under his legs as the shale and loose rocks rolled her past the creature. She ran in the only place where orcs did not seem gathered, around a large boulder as the orcs pursued her. she was frantic. Meeting another orc around every turn. She ran into the arms of a large vile creature who held her fast, as the others came closer and closer. She elbowed him and scrambled free of his grasp. She ran looking behind her to see if they had seen which way she went. Then without warning, she heard a noise and just as she heard it, she fell to the ground against a hard yet furry beast. Looking up from the ground terror reached her as the warg loomed over her and attacked. It grabbed her calf, swinging her in the air in its jaws. "aaaAAAAAYYYHHHHH" She screamed as the beast tore though her leg and she felt the teeth chomp down harder on her leg. The warg threw her across the field as the rider reined it back. She lifted herself up, drawing the dagger from her belt, in preparation to fight. Blood poured from her leg and she leaned on the boulder. Steadying herself. She felt faint, as though she would pass out, but her grip on the dagger increased and she stood. She felt no pain from the leg; her body wouldn't let her feel it just yet. As a cold sweat came over her. She would not give in to this. And then she heard a strange noise a piercing loud sound that sent chills up and down her body but she could not listen. She stumbled forward; the orcs seemed preoccupied with trying to regain control of the warg. She did not know how she managed it, but she returned to the spot where the orc lay with her sword still embedded in it.
She sheathed the dagger and lowered her body. Bending her knees and grasping the hilt of the sword with her blood soaked hands. She screamed out as she lifted with all her strength, blood poured out of her torn leg and as she screamed orcs took notice, and all began to approach her. She pulled and felt the sword rise a few inches. She lowered herself even more and tugged on it. Breaking it free of its trap. The orcs around her hesitated for a moment, all startled that she had her weapon now readily available to her. But only a moment.
They began approaching her once more. And she rolled her shoulders back, leaning on her good leg and positioning the sword across her body. She thought of Gimli, was he all right? She didn't know. She had little hope that she would live to see the sun rise as she was surrounded by these creatures. But she wasn't dead yet, "who wants to accompany me in death" She whispered to herself, as a wind came up. They all approached and she began her attack. Swinging first at the closest orc just behind her. She sliced at its face, and then again at he orc beside the first. Caitlin remembered her vow at the beginning of this battle and she intended to keep it.
Legolas turned and struck gracefully at the enemy beside him, fighting his way through the swarm of orcs that blocked his path. He heard her, heard her scream. A cry that brought him not only hope for her but a determination that elves know well, this was his first calling, the first time he had a glimpse of the yearning his kin had to the calling of the sea. This was so similar to that and yet so different. He heard her and knew in that instant he would redefine the word love, the experience of home. The white shores were not his home. She was. He was close, and as he fought he saw the form of her helmet lying on the ground. Then another cry, a noise, but as he heard it he felt an uneasiness, and then a sensation came over him. "No. Oh Valor no." he whispered, scarcely able to breath at the prospect. He HAD to get through to her, now.
The gates opened up and Aragorn along with every able bodied solider galloped out to meet the orcs in battle. The orcs seemed to suddenly move forward like a coming of the tide as they went to meet the men on horseback. Legolas saw a path, a clearing to Caitlin. He wedged in between both orcs and horses as he ran to her.
The sun was now just a glimpse away and a horn sounded off in the distance. Caitlin felt her heart lifted as the battle seemed to grow silent and the army of 2000 Rohirrim began their decent down the slopes. Lead by Gandalf. She watched them come, as she began to feel the pain in her leg. She whirled around, hoping, preying the orcs would be to distracted by the new warriors to want to fight her. She could feel her head spin and her breath heave in and out of her chest as the pain of her leg over whelmed her. She saw, through her blurred eyes a figure coming towards her. "Caitlin." She heard. But her eyes drifted off into the distance. She saw a troll, holding a rope up to the sky. It was peculiar to her. As the figure came closer and closer her eyes focused and she saw him. Legolas. He looked distressed and as she smiled to see him. She also saw a great figure loom over. Its shadow covering everything, and a great wind blew her hair. Her expression turned to terror as the dragon and Nazgul came down and grabbed the rope the troll held to the sky. It took off and as it did a line of both men and orc fell as the rope was carried into the sky from under their feet. Caitlin suddenly realized what was happening and she knelt down to detach the rope from her leg. The Nazgul flew further and further away and as she saw the last few feet being pulled up wards she lifted her head with a pleading expression on her face towards Legolas's eyes as she was pulled into the sky.
The air was cold and she reached out her hand as she was lifted, just grazing the palm of Legolas's hand with her own at the last second, as he came to her.
Gandalf, in the midst of battle saw the Nazgul and his eyes went wide as the beast took flight with Caitlin in tow. "As I live and breath!!" he exclaimed. And he took of in the direction of the nazgul, galloping on shadowfax.
"THE BATTLE IS WON!!" yelled Eomer as he raised his sword and the remaining Orcs fled into the awaiting trees.
Then turning his horse he saw Gandalf rush off after the dragon. Legolas leapt onto Aragorns horse, as they sped together after the wizard.
"ROHIRRIM, LOOK TO THE EAST," Cried Eomer ordering his company to assist. All of them followed, swiftly, galloping across the dirt and soil, reaching the dry plains, two thousand warriors. All who soon caught up with Gandalf, Aragorn and Legolas.
The Nazgul was far ahead, and gaining speed. Legolas could see Caitlin still clutching Gomaithis in her palm, upside down her leg a deep red, covered in blood. All the company could make out her figure, but only Legolas's elven eye could see the pain she was in.
Caitlin did not see the thousands of warriors who followed far behind. And she thought for certain that she would be lost to the evil forces should she not do something. Caitlin lifted herself up with her abdominals, grabbing the rope with her sweaty, bloody palms and began to climb it. the creature seemed unaware or did not care of her activities as she climbed. She was determined at survive, she was strong, a warrior, a woman of great power and she could survive anything. As she reached the creatures leg she tied the end of the rope to the creatures foot, so that if the dragon dropped the rope, she would not plummet to her death.
The rohirrim could see her climb the rope as they rode. "What madness possesses this woman that she would be so foolish as to attempt an escape from a dragon without assistance." He said as he rode alongside Gandalf. "no warrior has ever defeated a dragon alone." He said.
Caitlin, having secured the rope, unsheathed the dagger and plunged it into the beast side. The nazgul rider and dragon turned sharply to the right as the dragon screeched in pain. It released the rope and Caitlin was thrown from her grasp. The angle of the dragon's flight though, now spun her down across the air. the rope went slack and when it was taught by her weight she swung with great speed down from the dragon's right side all the way around to the other left side of the beasts back. Her swinging was with such a force that the rope swung all the way around to the top of the dragon. Caitlin landed squarely on the top of the beast back. She unsheathed Gomaithis and even before the nazgul knew where she was, she swung the sword across its neck, severing its head, which fell loosely to the ground. The nazguls body fell as well, taking with it the reigns as the dragon tried to chomp and bite at her. the reigns, with the weight of the nazguls body attached to them, sent the beast hurling to the ground. Caitlin braced herself against the saddle. Tumbling down off the creature as it hit the earth. Caitlin turned quickly with her sword in hand rolling across the ground as the dragon was getting up and sliced its head, sending it with one fetal swoop tumbling across the grass.
the thousands of warriors looked on as they rode toward her. Caitlin would have heard them, would have seen them, but she was so tired, and in so much pain. She knew she would be followed, her head was woozy. So leaning against her word she stuck the blade into the ground and sat on the grass, finding a peace in the knowledge that she had survived.
The warriors all rode up and Caitlin was surprised to see them. They all seemed hesitant. Having never seen anything like this before.
"by edoras..." gasped Eomer as he rode up to the dead dragon. The Rohirrim all seemed to be in shock as they stopped their horses, unsure what to do next.
Legolas immediately jumped from the horse and ran over to Caitlin, as did Gandalf and Aragorn. Legolas ran and knelt beside her, and she raised her arms to him with a great smile. Greeting her he hugged her tightly. "oh, oww. Oww that hurts." She said as he released his grip.
"oh, im sorry." He said as he stood. Extending his hand to help her up. "are you alright?" he said as she hoped on one foot and got to her feet, "no, im not alright?" she said.
"can you walk." He asked, but then disregarded the question and picked her up, easing the pressure on her wound. "your leg, you have lost so much blood" he said as he climbed up onto Aragorns horse once more.
"yes, I think I need a doctor" she said as her head spun even more.
"she needs a healer." Said Legolas he hadn't realized just how far they were from the keep, they had ridden quite a ways and the journey back would be slow. He was afraid the journey would be to far to long.
"can you go to the keep, fetch a healer" Said Aragorn.
"yes, that we can, but our horses are weary, and have been running for to long. it would take any of us twice as long as yours." Said Gandalf.
"that's fine, Legolas, Aragorn, go get the healer, I will ride with the rest and we will meet up again soon." Said Caitlin. She knew Legolas would ride swiftly and she felt she would be fine until his return.
Legolas seemed for a moment, hesitant. But then nodded and helped Caitlin off the horse. He took a look back and then he and Aragorn left, to the keep.
They watched the horse disappear over the horizon. They paused for a moment and then Eomer brought his horse next to Caitlin. "would you give me the honor of your company wizard." Said Eomer as he extended his hand to her.
"yes. It would be my pleasure," she said. As she lifted her sore arm and helped herself up onto his horse.
She sat herself down behind eomer, wrapping her arms around his back. As he rode.
"I have never seen such a feat." He said. "I never thought it could be done." He continued. "Aragorn may be the rightful king of Gondor, but you wizard are the leader of hope." He slowed his horse a small bit so that they were just behind the others. "look, my lady, as they pass you how they lower their eyes and how many bring their hand to their chest. This is the sign they give only to their generals and their king. Now they grace you with their respect." He said.
Caitlin seemed to raise her head up and straighten her back as she saw the men pass her. "and you, how do you feel?" asked Caitlin.
Eomer was silent for a moment. "like I said, I have never seen anything like what I just saw. I can see why your friends follow you as they do."
The next chapter will be up soon, I didn't have a stopping point really so I guess this is as good a place as any. Aiko alima
I would also like to thank Megan0, I hope I got your fanfic name right. For reading and reviewing the first couple of chapters.
"No," cried Legolas. "Let me go." I must save her, I must go to her." he said as he struggled away from Aragorns grasp.
"Legolas, this is madness, we will go after her, but together." He said as he released Legolas who took the rope. "We will ride out together," he said to Legolas.
Legolas heard Aragorns words and knew he was right. "Aragorn, you have always been like a brother to me," be said as he placed a firm hand on Aragorns shoulder. "And it is for that reason that I know you will understand that she hasn't time for me to be as most elves and rationally think this through, I must go and hope you will follow as fast as your feet may carry you. She could be dying even now." He said as he looked down as the mist covered ground below and prepared himself to drop.
"She could also be dead." Said Aragorn. Just as he was about to jump.
Legolas looked up at him. "Were this Arwen, how would that fact change YOUR decision to jump." He said solemnly, in that raspy voice of passion that Aragorn had not seen in some time.
"Were that the case, I would pray the fall killed me, but I would jump none the less." He said. And with Aragorns parting words Legolas jumped, into the mist below. With thousands of remaining orcs to great him with sharpened steel, all of them standing between him, and her.
Caitlin was dragged by the Troll across the rocks and dirt away from the buildings, she felt her helmet come off and she reached around trying to find Gomaithis as the Troll stopped.
She rolled over onto her back, getting ready to at the orc who approached her from behind. So focused was she on this one that when another came up and grabbed her by the neck she was unprepared. He swiftly grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off the ground.
"So this is the girl." Said the orc as he peered at her, Caitlin took this opportunity, swinging her sword, striking the orc in the chest. He released her and staggered as the sword protruded from its chest, before falling to the ground. Caitlin tried to remove the imbedded weapon but it was lodged between his breastplate. She tugged with all her might as the other orcs surrounded her. She abandoned her task, seeing a small opening where fewer orcs swarmed in on her. She swiftly turned and ran toward it, an orc blocked her path and she ducked out of the way, sliding under his legs as the shale and loose rocks rolled her past the creature. She ran in the only place where orcs did not seem gathered, around a large boulder as the orcs pursued her. she was frantic. Meeting another orc around every turn. She ran into the arms of a large vile creature who held her fast, as the others came closer and closer. She elbowed him and scrambled free of his grasp. She ran looking behind her to see if they had seen which way she went. Then without warning, she heard a noise and just as she heard it, she fell to the ground against a hard yet furry beast. Looking up from the ground terror reached her as the warg loomed over her and attacked. It grabbed her calf, swinging her in the air in its jaws. "aaaAAAAAYYYHHHHH" She screamed as the beast tore though her leg and she felt the teeth chomp down harder on her leg. The warg threw her across the field as the rider reined it back. She lifted herself up, drawing the dagger from her belt, in preparation to fight. Blood poured from her leg and she leaned on the boulder. Steadying herself. She felt faint, as though she would pass out, but her grip on the dagger increased and she stood. She felt no pain from the leg; her body wouldn't let her feel it just yet. As a cold sweat came over her. She would not give in to this. And then she heard a strange noise a piercing loud sound that sent chills up and down her body but she could not listen. She stumbled forward; the orcs seemed preoccupied with trying to regain control of the warg. She did not know how she managed it, but she returned to the spot where the orc lay with her sword still embedded in it.
She sheathed the dagger and lowered her body. Bending her knees and grasping the hilt of the sword with her blood soaked hands. She screamed out as she lifted with all her strength, blood poured out of her torn leg and as she screamed orcs took notice, and all began to approach her. She pulled and felt the sword rise a few inches. She lowered herself even more and tugged on it. Breaking it free of its trap. The orcs around her hesitated for a moment, all startled that she had her weapon now readily available to her. But only a moment.
They began approaching her once more. And she rolled her shoulders back, leaning on her good leg and positioning the sword across her body. She thought of Gimli, was he all right? She didn't know. She had little hope that she would live to see the sun rise as she was surrounded by these creatures. But she wasn't dead yet, "who wants to accompany me in death" She whispered to herself, as a wind came up. They all approached and she began her attack. Swinging first at the closest orc just behind her. She sliced at its face, and then again at he orc beside the first. Caitlin remembered her vow at the beginning of this battle and she intended to keep it.
Legolas turned and struck gracefully at the enemy beside him, fighting his way through the swarm of orcs that blocked his path. He heard her, heard her scream. A cry that brought him not only hope for her but a determination that elves know well, this was his first calling, the first time he had a glimpse of the yearning his kin had to the calling of the sea. This was so similar to that and yet so different. He heard her and knew in that instant he would redefine the word love, the experience of home. The white shores were not his home. She was. He was close, and as he fought he saw the form of her helmet lying on the ground. Then another cry, a noise, but as he heard it he felt an uneasiness, and then a sensation came over him. "No. Oh Valor no." he whispered, scarcely able to breath at the prospect. He HAD to get through to her, now.
The gates opened up and Aragorn along with every able bodied solider galloped out to meet the orcs in battle. The orcs seemed to suddenly move forward like a coming of the tide as they went to meet the men on horseback. Legolas saw a path, a clearing to Caitlin. He wedged in between both orcs and horses as he ran to her.
The sun was now just a glimpse away and a horn sounded off in the distance. Caitlin felt her heart lifted as the battle seemed to grow silent and the army of 2000 Rohirrim began their decent down the slopes. Lead by Gandalf. She watched them come, as she began to feel the pain in her leg. She whirled around, hoping, preying the orcs would be to distracted by the new warriors to want to fight her. She could feel her head spin and her breath heave in and out of her chest as the pain of her leg over whelmed her. She saw, through her blurred eyes a figure coming towards her. "Caitlin." She heard. But her eyes drifted off into the distance. She saw a troll, holding a rope up to the sky. It was peculiar to her. As the figure came closer and closer her eyes focused and she saw him. Legolas. He looked distressed and as she smiled to see him. She also saw a great figure loom over. Its shadow covering everything, and a great wind blew her hair. Her expression turned to terror as the dragon and Nazgul came down and grabbed the rope the troll held to the sky. It took off and as it did a line of both men and orc fell as the rope was carried into the sky from under their feet. Caitlin suddenly realized what was happening and she knelt down to detach the rope from her leg. The Nazgul flew further and further away and as she saw the last few feet being pulled up wards she lifted her head with a pleading expression on her face towards Legolas's eyes as she was pulled into the sky.
The air was cold and she reached out her hand as she was lifted, just grazing the palm of Legolas's hand with her own at the last second, as he came to her.
Gandalf, in the midst of battle saw the Nazgul and his eyes went wide as the beast took flight with Caitlin in tow. "As I live and breath!!" he exclaimed. And he took of in the direction of the nazgul, galloping on shadowfax.
"THE BATTLE IS WON!!" yelled Eomer as he raised his sword and the remaining Orcs fled into the awaiting trees.
Then turning his horse he saw Gandalf rush off after the dragon. Legolas leapt onto Aragorns horse, as they sped together after the wizard.
"ROHIRRIM, LOOK TO THE EAST," Cried Eomer ordering his company to assist. All of them followed, swiftly, galloping across the dirt and soil, reaching the dry plains, two thousand warriors. All who soon caught up with Gandalf, Aragorn and Legolas.
The Nazgul was far ahead, and gaining speed. Legolas could see Caitlin still clutching Gomaithis in her palm, upside down her leg a deep red, covered in blood. All the company could make out her figure, but only Legolas's elven eye could see the pain she was in.
Caitlin did not see the thousands of warriors who followed far behind. And she thought for certain that she would be lost to the evil forces should she not do something. Caitlin lifted herself up with her abdominals, grabbing the rope with her sweaty, bloody palms and began to climb it. the creature seemed unaware or did not care of her activities as she climbed. She was determined at survive, she was strong, a warrior, a woman of great power and she could survive anything. As she reached the creatures leg she tied the end of the rope to the creatures foot, so that if the dragon dropped the rope, she would not plummet to her death.
The rohirrim could see her climb the rope as they rode. "What madness possesses this woman that she would be so foolish as to attempt an escape from a dragon without assistance." He said as he rode alongside Gandalf. "no warrior has ever defeated a dragon alone." He said.
Caitlin, having secured the rope, unsheathed the dagger and plunged it into the beast side. The nazgul rider and dragon turned sharply to the right as the dragon screeched in pain. It released the rope and Caitlin was thrown from her grasp. The angle of the dragon's flight though, now spun her down across the air. the rope went slack and when it was taught by her weight she swung with great speed down from the dragon's right side all the way around to the other left side of the beasts back. Her swinging was with such a force that the rope swung all the way around to the top of the dragon. Caitlin landed squarely on the top of the beast back. She unsheathed Gomaithis and even before the nazgul knew where she was, she swung the sword across its neck, severing its head, which fell loosely to the ground. The nazguls body fell as well, taking with it the reigns as the dragon tried to chomp and bite at her. the reigns, with the weight of the nazguls body attached to them, sent the beast hurling to the ground. Caitlin braced herself against the saddle. Tumbling down off the creature as it hit the earth. Caitlin turned quickly with her sword in hand rolling across the ground as the dragon was getting up and sliced its head, sending it with one fetal swoop tumbling across the grass.
the thousands of warriors looked on as they rode toward her. Caitlin would have heard them, would have seen them, but she was so tired, and in so much pain. She knew she would be followed, her head was woozy. So leaning against her word she stuck the blade into the ground and sat on the grass, finding a peace in the knowledge that she had survived.
The warriors all rode up and Caitlin was surprised to see them. They all seemed hesitant. Having never seen anything like this before.
"by edoras..." gasped Eomer as he rode up to the dead dragon. The Rohirrim all seemed to be in shock as they stopped their horses, unsure what to do next.
Legolas immediately jumped from the horse and ran over to Caitlin, as did Gandalf and Aragorn. Legolas ran and knelt beside her, and she raised her arms to him with a great smile. Greeting her he hugged her tightly. "oh, oww. Oww that hurts." She said as he released his grip.
"oh, im sorry." He said as he stood. Extending his hand to help her up. "are you alright?" he said as she hoped on one foot and got to her feet, "no, im not alright?" she said.
"can you walk." He asked, but then disregarded the question and picked her up, easing the pressure on her wound. "your leg, you have lost so much blood" he said as he climbed up onto Aragorns horse once more.
"yes, I think I need a doctor" she said as her head spun even more.
"she needs a healer." Said Legolas he hadn't realized just how far they were from the keep, they had ridden quite a ways and the journey back would be slow. He was afraid the journey would be to far to long.
"can you go to the keep, fetch a healer" Said Aragorn.
"yes, that we can, but our horses are weary, and have been running for to long. it would take any of us twice as long as yours." Said Gandalf.
"that's fine, Legolas, Aragorn, go get the healer, I will ride with the rest and we will meet up again soon." Said Caitlin. She knew Legolas would ride swiftly and she felt she would be fine until his return.
Legolas seemed for a moment, hesitant. But then nodded and helped Caitlin off the horse. He took a look back and then he and Aragorn left, to the keep.
They watched the horse disappear over the horizon. They paused for a moment and then Eomer brought his horse next to Caitlin. "would you give me the honor of your company wizard." Said Eomer as he extended his hand to her.
"yes. It would be my pleasure," she said. As she lifted her sore arm and helped herself up onto his horse.
She sat herself down behind eomer, wrapping her arms around his back. As he rode.
"I have never seen such a feat." He said. "I never thought it could be done." He continued. "Aragorn may be the rightful king of Gondor, but you wizard are the leader of hope." He slowed his horse a small bit so that they were just behind the others. "look, my lady, as they pass you how they lower their eyes and how many bring their hand to their chest. This is the sign they give only to their generals and their king. Now they grace you with their respect." He said.
Caitlin seemed to raise her head up and straighten her back as she saw the men pass her. "and you, how do you feel?" asked Caitlin.
Eomer was silent for a moment. "like I said, I have never seen anything like what I just saw. I can see why your friends follow you as they do."
The next chapter will be up soon, I didn't have a stopping point really so I guess this is as good a place as any. Aiko alima