Disclaimer: I own nada!
(((((((((((((((Chapter 17))))))))))))))))))
It was only a few hundred yards. Only. Legolas hated the word. He forced himself to speed up, but already his legs were becoming weak with fatigue.
Something is wrong…He thought to himself. I should not become weak like this…it must be the dark magic surrounding this place.
After what had seemed like hours Legolas finally skidded to a halt, digging his heels into the dirt and checking behind him to see if his race had been noticed by the enemy.
Already the elven troops were weaving and making their way into his view. He caught a glimpse of red color and saw Hathol breaking through the orc lines, his head held high and fire in his eyes. The orcs that dared attack him broke upon his staff and armor like water on rocks. Hathol suddenly glanced up and caught Legolas's stare. For a moment he looked astounded, then smiled, then turned back towards the battlefield, slashing a dark line of blood into the air with his staff.
Legolas blinked and turned around, away from the noise and chaos of war. In front of him was the tall, arched and iron double doors. He spied it for but a second before he realized that he couldn't hope to move it by himself.
Desperate, Legolas unsheathed his sword, holding it out in front of him. With a cry of determination he thrust it forward hard, and it slipped into the crack between the doors—and became stuck.
"Damn it all!" Legolas cursed himself. He yanked on the hilt of the sword, trying to draw the blade out. But it moved not an inch.
Legolas, behind you.
Legolas jumped at the voice in his head. It was Ithilion's voice again. He quickly looked behind him, heeding the voice's warning…but he saw nothing. The battle was going on as planned, and the elven forces were crushing the orcs slowly. Slowly, but surely.
I must be going crazy. Legolas thought. He began to turn back towards the door.
Before he could face the iron obstacles again, he heard a deafening crack, followed by a blast of cold, harsh wind. The doors flung open and cracked against the sides of the fortress, making a mighty, thunderous sound echo throughout the valley. Legolas felt a spike of red hot pain pierce his upper back on his left side, just under his shoulder blade. It knocked Legolas off his feet and for a moment he was dazed and laying facedown in the dirt. The elf prince reached back quickly and winced as his hand closed around a four-inch blade of shrapnel protruding from his body. His hand wrapped around it and with a single hard pull, jerked it out. Thankfully, the wound was not bleeding much. Legolas stared at the piece of metal for a moment and then he suddenly realized why Ithilion had ordered him to turn around.
Had I been facing the door, this would have pierced my heart…Legolas thought. He blinked his eyes and turned over onto his back.
A dark form appeared in front of him, it's arm raised. In it's hand it held a dark sword. Legolas heard the menacing hiss that came from within the creature and smelled the stench of decaying flesh…
"Nazgul." He growled in realization as his vision cleared and his enemy was revealed to him. Quickly Legolas scrambled up and stood to face the creature.
The Ringwraith's hiss grew into a dark and terrible laugh. It did not advance on Legolas any further.
"Pick up you're weapon, Legolas Greenleaf." It mocked. "For I do not wish to fight an unable opponent."
Legolas blinked. My sword? He looked to his right and saw his sword lying not ten feet from his feet, having been thrown aside when the doors had slammed open. Cautiously, and not taking his eyes off the Nazgul for a second, he moved over and gripped his sword.
He held it in front of him, trying not to let the tip of the blade tremble like his hands. He'd never fought one of these creatures before. No one he'd known, save for his grandfather and Lord Elrond, had fought one of the Nine. He was petrified. He knew not what his own power was compared to that of this creature.
The creature sniffed the air and seemed to sense his fear. "Come, little Prince." It laughed again. "Or will you retreat like the coward you are?"
Legolas's eyes hardened, and he pressed his fear down until it was at the very bottom of his heart. "Where. Is. Eressa." He spat out.
The creature hesitated, then hissed. "She is alive." It whispered into the breeze. "If you can get past me, then you may see her."
"And my child?" Legolas asked.
He had hit a sour note in the Ringwraith's song. It's tone instantly darkened. "The Child has not yet been brought into this world."
Legolas silently breathed a sigh of relief. "Very well. I accept your challenge."
"Excellent." The Nazgul replied. Then it stepped forward with ease, swinging it's sword in an arch meant to lob off the elf's head.
((((((((((((((((Personal thing))))))))))))))))
I know I know! It's so short it's pitiful, but it's better than nothing, right? Of course right. Anyway, you guys won't have to wait much longer for me to get back on my regular schedule, because my school musical will be done in exactly one week. Thanks to all of you for being so patient with me! I love you!
Roseblade22