AN: Yes, I know, I'm late. But I HAVE AN EXCUSE!!!!!
I was in hospital. Again. They decided to do an ultrasound on my shoulder and found out that the clot decided to break off and travel ALL the way into my right arm, again. So now I have TWO clots. Lovely, I'm having the most greatest week. I've been keeping count and I've had over 56 needles (that includes 2 drips, twice daily injections of blood thinner *rat posion* and bloodtests) in the last 2 weeks, and the list is growing. So updates will actually be VERY VERY VERY slow. I have my SC in another 2 weeks.
Dedication: For the reviewers, not that there is many, but at least you're encouraging.
Chapter 3: Ambushed
Sleepy eyes stared out at the swaying green leaves that hung from the various trees that surrounded the palace. Legolas had spent the last few hours simply gazing out of his window and into the cool afternoon air and by the smell of it, a storm was going to hit within the next few days. Now most children; man, elf, or dwarf, would have screamed by now for something to happen.
But for Legolas, it was happening.
Calm little whiffs of cool air played with the stray gold strands that rose and then fell onto pale-red cheeks. A small smile tugged at the corners of rosy lips and a slender hand rubbed at an itchy nose every now and then. Outside, little finches flew around wildly and other wood-land birds called out to their mates, and the little elf's spirit flew with them.
Blinking himself out of his own world, Legolas looked around and wondered when his sister would call him for lunch. Deciding to find out when it would be, he pushed himself off of his bed and toddled down the corridor, letting his fingers glide over and along the various wood carvings on walls of his home.
~*~
Fifteen minutes later Legolas walked out of the kitchens munching on a delicious red apple. The roughness and sweetness made him thoroughly enjoy the snack that the head cook had placed in his hands. But he also held two more, another red and one green, and made his way towards the stables.
As he got closer, Legolas's ears picked up on angry cries and shouts in Sindarin. From then panic took over and, dropping the apples, Legolas bolted for the stables.
When he reached the doors, chaos met his horror filled eyes. Two elves that he knew and another two that he didn't were now trying to convince Jewel out of her stall. They had a rope tied to her halter and were tugging on it to encourage her to rise for them, all the while shouting at each other in anger for not doing their given task proper mind.
"No, leave her!" the little elf screamed in terror. "You said she would be safe!"
Táralóm barked an order at one of the elves, who took the rope. The black haired elf walked up to him and attempted to be friendly towards the younger elf, Legolas saw straight through it. "This is not a place for you, at the moment, my prince." Táralóm said, in what he hoped, was a calm voice.
His grey eyes still wide, Legolas shook his head. "Jewel, what are you doing? She is scared by you!"
Táralóm's eyes seemed to soften, and he knelt down. "She is suffering, you must understand, she will never come back from where she is."
Complete rage glazed Legolas's grey eyes at the sentence and he threw himself at Táralóm to try to get past the taller elf. "Jewel, NORO!! DELIO!" he yelled at the white mare.
"Legolas, stop this!" came a voice that meant salvation to his ears. Rogan stood there at the doors with utter confusion on his face, his hands at his hips. "What is going on?"
Táralóm stood straight up, looking the older elf in the eye and bowing slightly. "She is showing no signs or progress of our rehabilitation attempts, we are left with no other choice, it is for the best."
"That's a lie!" Legolas cried, tears threatening to spill. "I've been feeding and keeping her company. She is doing well!"
"My prince," Táralóm said, impatience in his body language and voice. "No offence meant, but what would you know of the care and well being of horses?"
"More than you, I take it." Rogan commented. "Is this really necessary?"
Bowing again, Táralóm nodded. "There is no other way."
"I WON'T LET YOU!!" screamed Legolas hatefully, and ran straight for the panicked mare. "Lheitho san! Lheitho san or I will hurt you!"
Upon hearing Legolas's voice, the mares ear's rose from her skull and she looked downwards at the little elf. He gently patted her sweaty neck as he whispered to her softly, looking deep into her dark eyes he undid the ropes and, glancing away to guide his hand more thoroughly, slipped her lead-rope onto her. Then he tugged on her halter and spoke to her again.
"Oronte, Jewel, oronte." Now only knowing his voice, she could now trust the small one, he would be kind and not yell harsh words to her sensitive ears. Rising herself a little, Jewel pushed her bulk up and nickered at Legolas gently when she was completely standing.
Táralóm watched for a few seconds, then attempted to take the lead from the tiny grasp. "Thankyou, my prince, can I have her now?"
"No!" Legolas replied looking fearfully at Rogan and Táralóm. "And you never shall!" Rogan walked closer and attempted to take the length of rope from Legolas. In an instant, Legolas smacked Rogan's hand away from the horse, who's head jerked up in a start.
"You touch her!" her said his fear turning to anger at the elf he'd considered a friend. "And I'll leave my own mark, not on your heart but on your skin!" and Legolas left with Jewel walking besides him.
~*~
Jewel happily munched on the apple that Legolas had picked up from the floor, giving his own fallen apple to his fathers stallion, called Embros, the little elf then boldly decided to ride his mothers horse. Now as he was still learning, a bridle and reins, minus the bit, was what he needed. Telling Jewel to stay, Legolas went into the tack room and found a big enough fitting for the horses head.
Taking off her halter, Legolas gently slipped the tack on her lowered head, buckling up the silver buckles and testing their strength. Satisfied, Legolas pulled the reins over her neck and led her to a nearby stump. Gathering the reins and her mane gently but firmly, Legolas pushed himself up and felt meters taller when he looked around at his surroundings.
Jewel's ears flickered around nervously and she lifted her head, as if looking for a danger that wasn't around. Her eyes were a little more wide and her nostrils were flared in agitation as her tail swished furiously from side to side.
"Jewel," Legolas asked a little worried at the horses behaviour. "Man na rhoeg?"
The horse tossed her head, making Legolas jump a little and hold to both her mane and reins. Whimpering slightly, the elf wondered why the mare was acting up so much when no danger was present. Then a frightful thought began to dawn.
"You fear me?" he asked quietly, as if not daring to believe it. "But I did nothing to hurt you. I fed you carrots . . ." Legolas trailed off, as if the carrots had meant everything to him.
Looking around, to make sure that no one saw how Jewel was acting, Legolas moved his body forward, asking the mare to move for him, and something seemed to change in Jewel immediately. She stoped her fidgeting around and shook her head, then complied and stepped forward, soon Legolas had her in a rising trot and then a collected canter. Galloping was too wild for him at the moment, especially as he didn't have an adult riding behind him.
Jewel was concentrating on keeping her step light and making sure that the elf upon her back was steady and sure of himself. Feeling his confidence grow, this maybe why that both Legolas and Jewel failed to notice the two figures coming down a hidden path.
"Legolas!" a female voice called out, "get off of her! NOW!"
The response was instantaneous.
Jewel threw her head up and reared, neighing wildly. She then tried to put her head down and buck, but her young rider was to quick and pulled as hard as he could to stop her from kicking out. Taking another plan of action, Jewel then tossed her head to the side, wrenching the reins out of Legolas's already raw hands, and swung sharply to the left and then the right, throwing Legolas off balance.
Before he could steady himself, Jewel reared again and this time dislodged her small rider. Legolas couldn't stay on, no matter how hard he tried, he slipped backwards off of Jewel, instinct took over and he rolled on the ground to get clear of the mares hooves.
Immediately, when he was clear, Legolas felt strong hands lift him to his feet and, as he watched, another elf took hold of the spooked horses reins. Looking up he saw that his sister, Alassë, was the one who lifted him up off the ground. She looked livid.
"What in Elbereth are you doing?" she hissed angrily. "You can no longer ride Jewel, she is too dangerous for you to ride. Legolas you don't have the skills nor the knowledge to ride her."
"She was alright when I rode her! And I don't need the skills for Jewel!" Legolas defended, dusting the earth from his leggings. "You scared her silly, that's she threw me off!"
Cassageln was patting the startled mare's neck, soothing her with words in his native tongue and scratching her ears, but Jewel continued to fidget, nicker and look around nervously as she did before Legolas had calmed her enough to ride. Looking over, he saw that an argument was starting to brew between the two siblings. "Listen to Alassë, Legolas, she knows what she's speaks of."
"Stop trying to stick up for her!" the 5 year-old shot back. "She knows nothing of Jewel's suffering!"
A brief flash of anger went across Alassë's face, but she shelved her harsh feelings aside to calm her brothers confused mind. Legolas then walked up to his brother and took Jewel's reins, despite his brothers protests.
"Legolas," his sister pleaded and placed her hand upon Legolas's shoulder. "She is unrideable, let her be free. Let her remember and not think she is being punished for something she didn't do."
"I do not believe you," Legolas said, tightening his grip on the leather reins. "Not after Rogan lied to me."
"You must take her back!" Cassageln yelled at his brother. "She is too dangerous, we will make sure that she is safe from being harmed."
"No, no!" Legolas cried, shaking his little head furiously as he held Jewels reins. "You will only take her from me! She is scared, she does not understand that it was not her fault!"
And with that he clambered onto his mothers horse who pranced in uncertainty. With a click of his tongue, Jewel leapt forward and cantered out of sight leaving the two older elves behind.
"LEGOLAS!!" Cassageln screamed after his brother and he started to run after the younger elf and white horse but his sister held him back with a hand and a glance.
"Even sick, Jewel is too fast." She said calmly. "Only one horse, fathers stallion, can equal her speed, only we don't have the skills to ride him! It is folly trying to catch them now!" Alassë looked around, as if she searched and hoped that some miracle would reveal itself to them
"Then how do we talk sense into him?" her brother pleaded. "Legolas is like Lúrin when he gets a false thought in his head."
"I don't know." Alassë finally said, looking in the direction that her youngest brother had disappeared. "But I fear for his safety."
~*~
Looking behind him to see if his sister or brother were following, Legolas pulled Jewel into a brief halt. His senses were heightened to hear the little foot-falls or the slowly released breath of a fellow elf. After a few moments there was none so he again pushed Jewel into a canter.
They soon reached a small creek and both the elf and horse had a quick and refreshing drink from the clear shallows. The little elf watched as the mare went slowly from drinking to gradually grazing on the sweet greenery. An idea sparked. "There is a clearing not too far, do you care to race the shadows?" Legolas asked softly, rubbing her neck.
Jewel nodded as if this was the most wonderful thing in the world to think of. Grinning, Legolas took the reins and mounted once again, tuning Jewel west he urged her into a canter. Within moments the forest opened and a field of green and tall grasses lay at both of their feet. Smiling with pure happiness, Legolas didn't think twice and kicked the smooth sides of the equally excited mare.
Jewel took off like a shot, leaving Legolas breathless. For a moment he was afraid that he was going to lose his seat, but then he leaned into the mare and began to sense the rhythm of her movement. Legolas could feel the muscles of the beautiful Andalucian rippling beneath him as they raced past startled dear, boulders and other grass-land wonders.
The wind wiped the elflings hair into a frenzy and he screamed with joy as he felt like he was truly flying and everything was normal again. His mother would be waiting for him with open arms and he would tell her how much fun it was on her horses back and was she proud of him.
Much of the afternoon was spent like this until both elfling and horse was exhausted and near collapsing point. While Jewel again grazed greedily besides Legolas, his eyes half closed as he fancied himself thousands of years from now enjoying himself after a tiring war. His great and brave war- horse would carry him into every battle with a look of daggers in his eyes and while it was home, he would be as gentle as a lamb around all the children.
Soon sleep took over the elf and he was unaware of any danger that threatened his peace and contentment.
~*~
Jewel's panicked cry awoke Legolas with rapid urgency.
Not having any weapons to defend himself with, Legolas tried to stay hidden in the tall grass, hoping that his cloak would help conceal his presence. Suddenly a strange language flowed towards him, and grey eyes widened in terror.
"Orcs!" he whispered rooted to the spot. "Here . . . in Mirkwood?"
A wet something touched the elfling's back and he nearly jumped out of his skin. Turning over he saw that the wet thing was actually Jewel's mouth, she had first spotted the orcs when taking a drink from the nearby spring. Patting her muzzle gently, Legolas let out a breath, and tried to pinpoint where the orcs were now.
Everything was eerily quiet, too quiet for Legolas's mind. He'd played hide-and-seek with his siblings and knew when they and the world went quiet they were sneaking up on something.
Then everything happened at once.
Jewel reared and kicked out her front hooves, she did this as Legolas was rising. He turned and was struck in the left knee by Jewel's rising feet. Screaming, he fell to the ground in pain. Jewel landed then bolted into the forest with the reins flapping wildly amongst her front legs.
A cry went out and two orcs went chasing after the retreating horse, attempting to slay her with their cruelly made arrows. Tears poured down the elflings face as he tried to hold back the vomit that wanted to surface, the pain was horrendous and almost to much to endure.
It seemed that his cloak did hide him, but it didn't prevent injury. His young mind panicked and his pain filled eyes looked for a shelter, but as he placed his right hand out to steady himself, a huge foot came down upon it and he felt bone start to crack.
This time the orcs noticed. A gnarled hand came down and yanked Legolas up by his green cloak and braided hair. "Well, well, well," the orc sneered pleasurably, bringing the elfling's terrified face to it's own ugly pug- like one. "It seems we have caught our prey after all."
Legolas's only reply was only to whimper in utter terror and disbelief at what was happening, although his eyes remained closed. Tears of anguish and fright slipped between the closed eyelids and leaving their salty trails down pale cheeks.
The orc harshly barked something out to it's companions and Legolas opened his eyes to see what was happening. Looking around, the little elf knew that his time was now being very slowly counted towards his own and unwanted end.
While he had looked for a quick access into the plain, his young mind hadn't counted on needing a fast and easy exit. Now looking into the cruel eyes of the orc that had a hold of him, Legolas began to realise his mistake already.
There was no escape for him.
************
Translations:
1) Jewel, NORO!! DELIO = Jewel, RUN!! HIDE!!
2) Lheitho san = Release her!
3) Oronte, Jewel, oronte. = Rise, Jewel, rise
4) Man na rhoeg? = What is wrong?
I was in hospital. Again. They decided to do an ultrasound on my shoulder and found out that the clot decided to break off and travel ALL the way into my right arm, again. So now I have TWO clots. Lovely, I'm having the most greatest week. I've been keeping count and I've had over 56 needles (that includes 2 drips, twice daily injections of blood thinner *rat posion* and bloodtests) in the last 2 weeks, and the list is growing. So updates will actually be VERY VERY VERY slow. I have my SC in another 2 weeks.
Dedication: For the reviewers, not that there is many, but at least you're encouraging.
Chapter 3: Ambushed
Sleepy eyes stared out at the swaying green leaves that hung from the various trees that surrounded the palace. Legolas had spent the last few hours simply gazing out of his window and into the cool afternoon air and by the smell of it, a storm was going to hit within the next few days. Now most children; man, elf, or dwarf, would have screamed by now for something to happen.
But for Legolas, it was happening.
Calm little whiffs of cool air played with the stray gold strands that rose and then fell onto pale-red cheeks. A small smile tugged at the corners of rosy lips and a slender hand rubbed at an itchy nose every now and then. Outside, little finches flew around wildly and other wood-land birds called out to their mates, and the little elf's spirit flew with them.
Blinking himself out of his own world, Legolas looked around and wondered when his sister would call him for lunch. Deciding to find out when it would be, he pushed himself off of his bed and toddled down the corridor, letting his fingers glide over and along the various wood carvings on walls of his home.
~*~
Fifteen minutes later Legolas walked out of the kitchens munching on a delicious red apple. The roughness and sweetness made him thoroughly enjoy the snack that the head cook had placed in his hands. But he also held two more, another red and one green, and made his way towards the stables.
As he got closer, Legolas's ears picked up on angry cries and shouts in Sindarin. From then panic took over and, dropping the apples, Legolas bolted for the stables.
When he reached the doors, chaos met his horror filled eyes. Two elves that he knew and another two that he didn't were now trying to convince Jewel out of her stall. They had a rope tied to her halter and were tugging on it to encourage her to rise for them, all the while shouting at each other in anger for not doing their given task proper mind.
"No, leave her!" the little elf screamed in terror. "You said she would be safe!"
Táralóm barked an order at one of the elves, who took the rope. The black haired elf walked up to him and attempted to be friendly towards the younger elf, Legolas saw straight through it. "This is not a place for you, at the moment, my prince." Táralóm said, in what he hoped, was a calm voice.
His grey eyes still wide, Legolas shook his head. "Jewel, what are you doing? She is scared by you!"
Táralóm's eyes seemed to soften, and he knelt down. "She is suffering, you must understand, she will never come back from where she is."
Complete rage glazed Legolas's grey eyes at the sentence and he threw himself at Táralóm to try to get past the taller elf. "Jewel, NORO!! DELIO!" he yelled at the white mare.
"Legolas, stop this!" came a voice that meant salvation to his ears. Rogan stood there at the doors with utter confusion on his face, his hands at his hips. "What is going on?"
Táralóm stood straight up, looking the older elf in the eye and bowing slightly. "She is showing no signs or progress of our rehabilitation attempts, we are left with no other choice, it is for the best."
"That's a lie!" Legolas cried, tears threatening to spill. "I've been feeding and keeping her company. She is doing well!"
"My prince," Táralóm said, impatience in his body language and voice. "No offence meant, but what would you know of the care and well being of horses?"
"More than you, I take it." Rogan commented. "Is this really necessary?"
Bowing again, Táralóm nodded. "There is no other way."
"I WON'T LET YOU!!" screamed Legolas hatefully, and ran straight for the panicked mare. "Lheitho san! Lheitho san or I will hurt you!"
Upon hearing Legolas's voice, the mares ear's rose from her skull and she looked downwards at the little elf. He gently patted her sweaty neck as he whispered to her softly, looking deep into her dark eyes he undid the ropes and, glancing away to guide his hand more thoroughly, slipped her lead-rope onto her. Then he tugged on her halter and spoke to her again.
"Oronte, Jewel, oronte." Now only knowing his voice, she could now trust the small one, he would be kind and not yell harsh words to her sensitive ears. Rising herself a little, Jewel pushed her bulk up and nickered at Legolas gently when she was completely standing.
Táralóm watched for a few seconds, then attempted to take the lead from the tiny grasp. "Thankyou, my prince, can I have her now?"
"No!" Legolas replied looking fearfully at Rogan and Táralóm. "And you never shall!" Rogan walked closer and attempted to take the length of rope from Legolas. In an instant, Legolas smacked Rogan's hand away from the horse, who's head jerked up in a start.
"You touch her!" her said his fear turning to anger at the elf he'd considered a friend. "And I'll leave my own mark, not on your heart but on your skin!" and Legolas left with Jewel walking besides him.
~*~
Jewel happily munched on the apple that Legolas had picked up from the floor, giving his own fallen apple to his fathers stallion, called Embros, the little elf then boldly decided to ride his mothers horse. Now as he was still learning, a bridle and reins, minus the bit, was what he needed. Telling Jewel to stay, Legolas went into the tack room and found a big enough fitting for the horses head.
Taking off her halter, Legolas gently slipped the tack on her lowered head, buckling up the silver buckles and testing their strength. Satisfied, Legolas pulled the reins over her neck and led her to a nearby stump. Gathering the reins and her mane gently but firmly, Legolas pushed himself up and felt meters taller when he looked around at his surroundings.
Jewel's ears flickered around nervously and she lifted her head, as if looking for a danger that wasn't around. Her eyes were a little more wide and her nostrils were flared in agitation as her tail swished furiously from side to side.
"Jewel," Legolas asked a little worried at the horses behaviour. "Man na rhoeg?"
The horse tossed her head, making Legolas jump a little and hold to both her mane and reins. Whimpering slightly, the elf wondered why the mare was acting up so much when no danger was present. Then a frightful thought began to dawn.
"You fear me?" he asked quietly, as if not daring to believe it. "But I did nothing to hurt you. I fed you carrots . . ." Legolas trailed off, as if the carrots had meant everything to him.
Looking around, to make sure that no one saw how Jewel was acting, Legolas moved his body forward, asking the mare to move for him, and something seemed to change in Jewel immediately. She stoped her fidgeting around and shook her head, then complied and stepped forward, soon Legolas had her in a rising trot and then a collected canter. Galloping was too wild for him at the moment, especially as he didn't have an adult riding behind him.
Jewel was concentrating on keeping her step light and making sure that the elf upon her back was steady and sure of himself. Feeling his confidence grow, this maybe why that both Legolas and Jewel failed to notice the two figures coming down a hidden path.
"Legolas!" a female voice called out, "get off of her! NOW!"
The response was instantaneous.
Jewel threw her head up and reared, neighing wildly. She then tried to put her head down and buck, but her young rider was to quick and pulled as hard as he could to stop her from kicking out. Taking another plan of action, Jewel then tossed her head to the side, wrenching the reins out of Legolas's already raw hands, and swung sharply to the left and then the right, throwing Legolas off balance.
Before he could steady himself, Jewel reared again and this time dislodged her small rider. Legolas couldn't stay on, no matter how hard he tried, he slipped backwards off of Jewel, instinct took over and he rolled on the ground to get clear of the mares hooves.
Immediately, when he was clear, Legolas felt strong hands lift him to his feet and, as he watched, another elf took hold of the spooked horses reins. Looking up he saw that his sister, Alassë, was the one who lifted him up off the ground. She looked livid.
"What in Elbereth are you doing?" she hissed angrily. "You can no longer ride Jewel, she is too dangerous for you to ride. Legolas you don't have the skills nor the knowledge to ride her."
"She was alright when I rode her! And I don't need the skills for Jewel!" Legolas defended, dusting the earth from his leggings. "You scared her silly, that's she threw me off!"
Cassageln was patting the startled mare's neck, soothing her with words in his native tongue and scratching her ears, but Jewel continued to fidget, nicker and look around nervously as she did before Legolas had calmed her enough to ride. Looking over, he saw that an argument was starting to brew between the two siblings. "Listen to Alassë, Legolas, she knows what she's speaks of."
"Stop trying to stick up for her!" the 5 year-old shot back. "She knows nothing of Jewel's suffering!"
A brief flash of anger went across Alassë's face, but she shelved her harsh feelings aside to calm her brothers confused mind. Legolas then walked up to his brother and took Jewel's reins, despite his brothers protests.
"Legolas," his sister pleaded and placed her hand upon Legolas's shoulder. "She is unrideable, let her be free. Let her remember and not think she is being punished for something she didn't do."
"I do not believe you," Legolas said, tightening his grip on the leather reins. "Not after Rogan lied to me."
"You must take her back!" Cassageln yelled at his brother. "She is too dangerous, we will make sure that she is safe from being harmed."
"No, no!" Legolas cried, shaking his little head furiously as he held Jewels reins. "You will only take her from me! She is scared, she does not understand that it was not her fault!"
And with that he clambered onto his mothers horse who pranced in uncertainty. With a click of his tongue, Jewel leapt forward and cantered out of sight leaving the two older elves behind.
"LEGOLAS!!" Cassageln screamed after his brother and he started to run after the younger elf and white horse but his sister held him back with a hand and a glance.
"Even sick, Jewel is too fast." She said calmly. "Only one horse, fathers stallion, can equal her speed, only we don't have the skills to ride him! It is folly trying to catch them now!" Alassë looked around, as if she searched and hoped that some miracle would reveal itself to them
"Then how do we talk sense into him?" her brother pleaded. "Legolas is like Lúrin when he gets a false thought in his head."
"I don't know." Alassë finally said, looking in the direction that her youngest brother had disappeared. "But I fear for his safety."
~*~
Looking behind him to see if his sister or brother were following, Legolas pulled Jewel into a brief halt. His senses were heightened to hear the little foot-falls or the slowly released breath of a fellow elf. After a few moments there was none so he again pushed Jewel into a canter.
They soon reached a small creek and both the elf and horse had a quick and refreshing drink from the clear shallows. The little elf watched as the mare went slowly from drinking to gradually grazing on the sweet greenery. An idea sparked. "There is a clearing not too far, do you care to race the shadows?" Legolas asked softly, rubbing her neck.
Jewel nodded as if this was the most wonderful thing in the world to think of. Grinning, Legolas took the reins and mounted once again, tuning Jewel west he urged her into a canter. Within moments the forest opened and a field of green and tall grasses lay at both of their feet. Smiling with pure happiness, Legolas didn't think twice and kicked the smooth sides of the equally excited mare.
Jewel took off like a shot, leaving Legolas breathless. For a moment he was afraid that he was going to lose his seat, but then he leaned into the mare and began to sense the rhythm of her movement. Legolas could feel the muscles of the beautiful Andalucian rippling beneath him as they raced past startled dear, boulders and other grass-land wonders.
The wind wiped the elflings hair into a frenzy and he screamed with joy as he felt like he was truly flying and everything was normal again. His mother would be waiting for him with open arms and he would tell her how much fun it was on her horses back and was she proud of him.
Much of the afternoon was spent like this until both elfling and horse was exhausted and near collapsing point. While Jewel again grazed greedily besides Legolas, his eyes half closed as he fancied himself thousands of years from now enjoying himself after a tiring war. His great and brave war- horse would carry him into every battle with a look of daggers in his eyes and while it was home, he would be as gentle as a lamb around all the children.
Soon sleep took over the elf and he was unaware of any danger that threatened his peace and contentment.
~*~
Jewel's panicked cry awoke Legolas with rapid urgency.
Not having any weapons to defend himself with, Legolas tried to stay hidden in the tall grass, hoping that his cloak would help conceal his presence. Suddenly a strange language flowed towards him, and grey eyes widened in terror.
"Orcs!" he whispered rooted to the spot. "Here . . . in Mirkwood?"
A wet something touched the elfling's back and he nearly jumped out of his skin. Turning over he saw that the wet thing was actually Jewel's mouth, she had first spotted the orcs when taking a drink from the nearby spring. Patting her muzzle gently, Legolas let out a breath, and tried to pinpoint where the orcs were now.
Everything was eerily quiet, too quiet for Legolas's mind. He'd played hide-and-seek with his siblings and knew when they and the world went quiet they were sneaking up on something.
Then everything happened at once.
Jewel reared and kicked out her front hooves, she did this as Legolas was rising. He turned and was struck in the left knee by Jewel's rising feet. Screaming, he fell to the ground in pain. Jewel landed then bolted into the forest with the reins flapping wildly amongst her front legs.
A cry went out and two orcs went chasing after the retreating horse, attempting to slay her with their cruelly made arrows. Tears poured down the elflings face as he tried to hold back the vomit that wanted to surface, the pain was horrendous and almost to much to endure.
It seemed that his cloak did hide him, but it didn't prevent injury. His young mind panicked and his pain filled eyes looked for a shelter, but as he placed his right hand out to steady himself, a huge foot came down upon it and he felt bone start to crack.
This time the orcs noticed. A gnarled hand came down and yanked Legolas up by his green cloak and braided hair. "Well, well, well," the orc sneered pleasurably, bringing the elfling's terrified face to it's own ugly pug- like one. "It seems we have caught our prey after all."
Legolas's only reply was only to whimper in utter terror and disbelief at what was happening, although his eyes remained closed. Tears of anguish and fright slipped between the closed eyelids and leaving their salty trails down pale cheeks.
The orc harshly barked something out to it's companions and Legolas opened his eyes to see what was happening. Looking around, the little elf knew that his time was now being very slowly counted towards his own and unwanted end.
While he had looked for a quick access into the plain, his young mind hadn't counted on needing a fast and easy exit. Now looking into the cruel eyes of the orc that had a hold of him, Legolas began to realise his mistake already.
There was no escape for him.
************
Translations:
1) Jewel, NORO!! DELIO = Jewel, RUN!! HIDE!!
2) Lheitho san = Release her!
3) Oronte, Jewel, oronte. = Rise, Jewel, rise
4) Man na rhoeg? = What is wrong?