Hi guys, so sorry this is like a week late. Please forgive me. I have been very busy. So sorry. Off to Calgary, the to the lake, to a very boring family reunion, yep, that was my life, but now I have volleyball six hours a day this week, so don't expect miracles. I'll try.
Legolas: No don't we like being unharmed!
Elrohir: Update if you wish, you are nice to me.
Not for long...
But I don't own LotR, so don't sue me, I might not even be home!
Special Thanks to Deana who provided me with a Sindarien Dictionary who made the Elvish in this and coming chapters possible. Note if I make a mistake tell me how to fix it, just don't flame, please. I'll be the first to admit, I barely know what I am doing. So the grammar is a combination of Elvish, English, and French.
Answering to the Threat
Chapter Six: (No title as of yet)
(Sorry, very bored)
Chapter Six: Backwoods Towns
Placidly the youngest of the three brothers stood in their doorway. Elladan and Elrohir packed to journey to the elven realm of Lothlorien. He became fidgety in the silence and asked a question to fill the silence, "So 'Dan, 'Ro, what are your plans?"
"Straight to tell Galadriel, and then back to have a council with Ada. Unless of course we catch more word on the alliance, then we will linger to investigate." Finished filling his bundle, he slung it over his shoulder; Elladan shifted uncomfortably onto his good leg. "We might be a while, but brother, you should not worry over us."
"Le no band, muindor nin." You be safe, my brother.Elrohir whispered. The twins clasped shoulders with their brother as in elven fashion, then pulled in for a hug.
"Sui ned le," As of you.Melancholy hung in the air but was brightened by a typically offbeat comment. They fancied themselves witty.
"What would father say, us abandoning you on your first adventure.
"As I have said, do not stress your human mind over our welfare. We elves look after each other." Elladan passed him as he hobbled down the hall.
Elrohir rubbed his temple, lifted his bag, then followed them out of the room, "I will see to that he does not end up trying to kill himself. Wish me the Valar's favor. I will need all the blessings I can get. How does Ada put up with us?"
Following them out to Mirkwood's stables, he slowly realized that this was truly the first adventure he was going to partake in on his own. Loneliness crept over him, this was the first time his brothers, his best friends were not going to be their to accompany him. "Well," he thought, "I am finally free!"
"What was that Estel, you miss us so much already?" Elrohir swung up.
"Nothing," the ranger answered too quickly realizing he had whispered aloud, "that concerns eavesdropping elves." He also mumbled something about large ears compensating for something.
Before they left, Elladan got in one last playful jibe, "So Estel, you have had the talk, and we have need not of anymore surprises concerning Myliné and yourself when we get home."
Getting in a good laugh after spooking Elladan's horse, they all yelled Namarie, and the twins raced the two poor elven steeds to the gate almost not realizing that it was yet for it to be opened. Skidding to a halt, they waved and the guards released them to the wilds. The poor outdoors did not stand a chance.
That was two days ago...
Now the ranger stood bemused in a doorway. This room was much grander, and very much louder than the first. Ordinental weapons polished and etched were on every wall, above the fireplace, and above the door. A large tapestry was on one of the walls displaying the royal family, the king, Legolas, and the elven queen who like Elrond's wife had departed over the sea.
In the midst of this, Legolas stood at a desk packing food and clothing into a saddlebag. He was also skillfully ignoring the most distressed healer hawking him at every turn how he should be resting in bed, or even the closer gardens. Not gallivanting across Middle Earth, to certain demise. "But my lord, your ribs were badly cracked. You must remain here."
Legolas turned to the healer slowly and calmly, his voice matching his manner, "I said that I would leave to travel on the fifth day after the counsel, this day being numbered five implies that I depart. I am an elf of my word."
The healer not truly caring anymore mumbled, "Le torogion," You son of a troll.
Legolas did something decidedly odd. He did not take offence as Aragorn expected him to, but simply laughed mirthfully, his now mostly functional left arm clutching his shaking chest.
"Le, lathron min," You, my healer, "are the first among your ward to retort back with such..." he searched for the right word and gave Estel a wink, "Venomosity. You truly are alive. Have the day off. I warn you though; you should not insult the king. He might take offence, unlike me."
"My most graci-" he coughed out the last word, "sous Highness. When I return you will be in bed, or I, will use the elves I bring with me to put you there."
Aragorn inched over from the door and used a vacated chair. This show was getting more interesting by the second. It was as amusing as the twins talking themselves out of trouble for using him as target practice. Well this may prove better. Legolas seemed miffed. His gray blue eyes filled with indignation, his voice filled with pyre ordered, and "You will not Dare." The healer was already halfway into the hall.
Aragorn spied a footstool nearby and grabbed it. He had half a mind to walk in the hall to call spectators but he did have to travel with the elf afterwards. By Valar does he hold a grudge. Deciding the guards would bring enough of their own; he remained content in his chair.
Legolas continued on his task and did not seem to notice the absence of the other elf, save from not tripping over him. Finally he finished loading his bags, including most of the herbs that he said to the healer he would refuse to bring, he asked the ranger, who was by this time completely puzzled, "Ready?"
"Aye, I am," hearing voices approaching from down the hall, he fought to delay the elf. This show was going to be amusing, he would reasonably rescue the prince out of it at the end, but not before he has a good laugh, and something to blackmail him with. They still needed to complete their mission. He had examined the wounds that morning, and declared Legolas fit to travel, and at least protect himself in battle. He had been trained by the best, His father, Lord Elrond of Rivendell.
There were only two figures in the door, the obnoxious healer, and the King of Mirkwood. The king was expressionless, "Ion nin, my son, You say that you will leave to complete this task today?" However, it was not a question, Legolas still nodded.
"Estel, son of Elrond, I assume you have had the same benefit of your father's training in healing as your brothers?" Aragorn did the same as Legolas, and bowed his head.
"Would you say in all honesty than, that my son is fit to travel now, and fit to participate in small melees, if you could make it to the borders of my countries, on a uneventful journey?" The healer made a face. They had an edge.
"I would say that, King Thranduil." Legolas smiled briefly at him, and then a stony image replaced the appreciation on his face.
"Father you are not suggesting an escort." This elf has a habit of thinking that anyone listened to him when he was stubborn, and hardheaded.
"I will mearly double patrols in that region." The king shook his head wonderingly. 'Why was it that he had to deal with all of the tattle-taling children, they called the Eldar.' Aragorn remembered, 'He was the 'King''.
Excusing the elf maiden who had brought her supplies for the travel, Myliné sat down on the chaise and neatly packed her bag. Staring wistfully around the room, she noticed her reflection in the mirror. Her dress was elven-travelling garb, but the embroidery was beautiful, better than her feast day clothes. There was a high split on both sides of the dress for riding. There were two more like it in her sack. She was told that Legolas had had them made for the journey to Imladris. Her old dress was disposed of. Her hair was also neatly bound at the back of her head. It was out of her eyes. The elven maiden showed her how to do that. She was friends with the kind woman.
She looked down to another weight in her hands, the second gift from the prince. A card entitled to her came with them:
It would be well for you to train with these,
For the battle we arrived home from,
Will not be the last.
Do not drop these,
In times of terror.
Legolas Thranduillion
###############################
Twin long knives, their lengthened blades were held in her hands. Their elven make made them light, as if they were made of wood. Their sheathes hung at the belt at her waist. She vainly wished she would never had to use them. Even so a weapon master had come and taken her out to the practice fields and given her lessons. Though he said she did very well in the short time, she still thought that she was no fighter.
Estel, herself and Legolas were to head out of Mirkwood and journey to another elven kingdom that day, this one Far West. She was also sure, in spite of elven healing that the elf was unwell. She had seen him shot, nearly run over, cut, and crushed. She figured if it was anybody else, they would have been dead.
Out of all the elves she had met, she favoured him the least. He had an undying mask of cold boredom, though she noted, he was only irritable when dwarves, or others around. When he wanted something, he was quite reasonable, and charming. Then he reverts to the noble with no friends. His mannerisms must be somewhat dampened by him being unwell. She had yet to meet a truly happy sick person.
A knock resonated on her door, and then it opened showing her two male companions. Her father would have been appalled. Whereas she did not think of them that way, her love's murder was still fresh in her mind. His face laden with sorrow as he died protecting her haunted her every step; the memory replayed every night in her sleep.
Myliné invited them in to sit down. Legolas leaning casually against the doorframe facing her said he would stand. They will be sitting in the saddle all day. Estel was very heavily burdened. He seemed to be carrying two of everything, bedrolls, food sacks, and bags. Legolas had a single pack and his weapons strapped to his back. The ranger then asked if she wished any assistance in carrying her supplies down to the stable.
"You know ranger, if you truly want to help her efficiently with her bags, it would do you some good to let me carry my own. You said it yourself, I am well to travel. I know that your should still hurts. I saw smuggle herbs into your pouch. Hn!" Holding out his injured left he laughed victoriously as the ranger strolled in right past him. The well-used glare recaptured his face.
"The herbs Legolas are for you."
"I am fine, I brought some for you."
"The herbs you picked up were for fever!"
Legolas seemed at a loss, and all in good humor then came up with, "Well I am told you humans are wont to take sickly."
"I will be sick if you two continue on with this pointless argument! I will be on the road before nightfall and I truly would appreciate the both of you to join me on you little quest." Turning her back on them, she heard one of them, she was not positive who, remark that she was scary mad. Grabbing her things she held them in her arms and moved to face them. They seemed to on attention, waiting for some unknown general to dismiss them.
"Legolas you will not over tax your many injuries, the minute they become burdensome, you will, discreetly if you wish, tell Estel." Myliné easily forgot who they were, and pretended they were her much younger brothers. A small pang of sorrow lumped in her throat; they would be dead too.
"Estel give him all of his bags please. And both of you will not utter another word in argument, jest or not if it is within my hearing range."
Legolas was unamused, per say, to have been taken to task by a young human. However, Aragorn did see slight embarrassment creeping onto his face. He was still mad, Legolas retorted, "Can I go down to the stables, or does that violate the set of nursery rules you have set for the both of us?
Leaving all sense of maturity behind, she took a step, and shoved him, hard.
The elf barely flinched and turned walking down the hallway.
Looking at still fuming Myliné, he told her, "Well one of us eventually had to do that."
Legolas stopped, winked at Estel, and started humming a human drinking song about running away from mean wives. Myliné did not know that, so she glared at Estel when he started laughing.
"You ranger are not of the hook yet." She smiled as Estel paled. "You will not baby him, or he will be offended about his loss of machoism and push himself too far." Then she gave him a look that sent shivers down the marrow of his bones.
Arriving much ahead of his party at the stables, Legolas stopped at the stall of his nameless warhorse. It was empty. A nose buried itself into his back and cloak. Turning around, he shook his head. It was a game they used to play: hide and seek. Then she backed up and reared, plain and simple she needed to run.
Calling out to the stable hands, he inquired about two horses for his companions. "One, a gelding, gentle, shorter, as fast as you can find. It needs to be able to respond well to my elvish commands. I might have to send it running if we are attacked. Wait, is my mare's foal in?" The stable hand was already on his way to get him.
Legolas loaded his stuff onto the saddlebag for his horse. "And for the ranger..."
"I'll take something fast, nice, and big." Estel caught Legolas' shoulder, and smiling whispered into his ear, "Myliné is saying goodbye to her acquaintances, so don't expect her soon. For all her talk about leaving, I believe they are redoing her hair."
Suddenly with a cry, Estel rushed over to the two other horses, prepared for the journey, "We need tack if you please."
Laughing, Legolas turned back to his mare, she nickered and nuzzled his bead, her neck pinning him between her body. He stroked his animal thanking her softly for bearing him, and his friend home. He asked her to forgive him, for not checking over her after battle himself. The horse snorted, and nuzzled his hair. He kept on whispering softly into her ear in elvish, he got on better with this horse almost better that anyone else. She was a wild gift from his naneth. When he trained her, he did not use the elven way with animals to befriend her. Sure he was bucked off, kicked, and stepped on, though it was much more satisfying when she finally became his steed. He always strived to get things through blood, and sweat, versus a silver platter.
Looking up he saw a silver falcon watching him. "Come down my bird,' Celebtir landed on his outstretched wrist.
He heard a human, obviously Myliné coming down to the stables, and she grabbed the reins proffered to her. She stroked the horse, and inquired about its name. Hearing it also had yet to get one she asked, "Is it one of the prince's mounts?"
Chuckling softly, he saw her mount the animal, and she called down to him, "Are you ready to go? I'm leaving right now."
Nodding, he mounted his mare, the animal standing perfectly still. He ignored the small tinge in his shoulder. He watched as the falcon cried midair, its piercing shouts telling of no danger ahead. Catching eyes with the mounted ranger he trotted his horse off to the gate. Myliné was behind him, and Estel bringing up the rear. Looking back, he saw his father at the stables. He rode on.
Coming out of the western borders of Greenwood, two days out on their journey, he changed direction slightly, and headed towards a small town, with an inn. Legolas knew that sleeping on the rough ground was hard on the girl Myliné. He would try to avoid it as often as they could. There was bound to be many rougher nights ahead.
Aragorn sped his gelding up to be trotting beside Legolas' and asked, "Where are you headed? Imladris is that way."
"There is a small town out here, a collection of traders, farmers and such. There be a warm fire, many a beds, and wine. It is would be wise to take advantage of this. We also may hear word of our quarry." He lowered his voice so only the ranger could barely hear, "It also may be the few nights of good sleep she is going to have." With that Legolas dropped back and explained their plans for the night. It was almost dark, and any resident of Mirkwood knew of the perils of riding at night. Not that ever stopped him, but he had to look out for others. He knew the town was close.
A small distance back from the gates, Legolas put up his hand for a halt. He pulled up out of his bag and large worn black cloak, and a thick strap of braided leather. He tied the leather over the tips of his ears, and threw on the black cloak over top of all his other clothes. He pulled the hood down to over his eyes. "They need not know my race if we are to collect information easily. It brings much unneeded attention. Listen closely for rumours of strange attacks, or groups of wolves massing. I am going in separate than you. Meet me hear in the morning. See you later, there is only one inn. You don't know me." With that, he raced the horse off.
Getting through the gait of the town, he headed for the only inn, it looked a 'interesting' place. The Rohan Lady, was somewhat seedy, though it was pretty good for a backwoods tavern. Stepping in off the street, he glanced around, taking in what he saw, a bar, and a young girl, standing on a tall table in the middle singing, if it could be called that a sad story. Some young men her watching her, throwing tips onto stage. She swiftly tucked them into her a pocket. Sitting down at a place open in the middle of the bar, he appeared to be watching her too. He was listening through the floating pieces of conversation, hearing nothing about strange occurrences. 'Nothing yet.'
The bartender finally noticed his new arrival, and made his way down where Legolas sat. He was a weasely looking man, looking Legolas up and down, he said boldly, "Get a room, order something, or get out! I do not need your type ruining my place and causing trouble. In fact, I do not know why I even let a brigand like you in here. So make yourself profitable, or get lost."
Deepening his voice, and drawling it a little, he told the barkeep, "A room, and a glass of the good red wine."
The thin little man looked at him suspiciously, "You got money?" Legolas held up and shook his coin purse. "A copper penny for the wine, and a silver dollar, two if you want a horse stabled." Legolas described the mare tied up outside, and the man ordered a young looking kid to take care of her. Noting how expensive this place was, Legolas was glad he did not just give Estel a couple of coins. He and Myliné were at a table talking waiting to be served. They just got in, and did not even look his way, good.
Paying the man, he pushed a large glass of red something towards his mouth, and taking a sip, he winced and shook his head. This was better that nothing though. A woman, extremely inebriated, went to sit beside him. He ignored the clothing she was not wearing, and sipped his cup. "Hey sweetie, you are so handsome tonight, how about getting a room for two?"
Legolas stifled a groan; this was partially why he hated other races so entirely much. He lied, "My dear wife will be upset." She glared at him and made her way to a table, Estel's. Legolas moaned.
Two figures stood in the darkness waiting, watching their query ahead. A group of orcs were standing three miles away from a sleeping town. There were only forty, but the odds were not in there favor. So waiting out in the cool night, they listened for bits of conversation. Noise travels well in the chilled air.
"The overseer said that its time we got some help around here."
"Wargs, they'll let you you ride 'em!"
"I say this is a celebration for fresh meat."
The two listening warriors glanced at each other, one made a gestured with his hands, touching his ears, and then pointing at the enemy. They both stepped back out of hearing range.
"Elladan, we need to get around them and inform the towns' people." Elrohir whispered softly directly into his brother's ear. "Split up. The horses are fine where we left them by the creek."
"'Ro, get around left. They do not have very many sentries. Maybe if we can scare them off from the town, we can follow and try and figure out who the overseer is, or even who the person is training the wargs."
Sneaking around they, went there separate ways, and arrived at the gate of the town almost together. Knocking softly on the metal, a slot moved open and the face of a very tired man appeared. "What so you two want. We ain't got no inn, go fend 'or you selves."
"No sir that is not why we are here. There are forty orcs waiting several miles of the gate, and they are hungry, do you have any fighters to protect your town?" The gatekeeper's eyes widened, he disappeared and a large bell went off. He came back, opened up a door and ushered them in. "Quickly now, we owe our thanks to you two. You might ye be?"
Looking at each other, they lowered their hoods. A gasp of astonishment rose from the gathering crowd of town's folk carrying various bows, quarterstaffs, and even the occasional sword. "We are Elladan, and Elrohir of Rivendell, we will aid you in the fight tonight. If any orcs flee, leave them, we hunt them for you."
The village just consisted of a two streets running parallel of each other. There were only twenty-eight men who came to fight. Elladan wished that the entire group of orcs did not go on the raid. They sent guard every fifty meters down the inside edge of the wall to wait for the grappling hooks, the orcs getting over would be slow.
A loud scream was given off by the gate and half the warriors and Elladan raced for it, to protect the possibility of a breach, the yell was cut off. They arrived there to look straight into the eyes of a hungry looking orc, he yelled out. "Hey boys, new plan. Get the elf."
I hope all of you people thought this was good, so why don't you tell me, hint hint.
Aragorn: Please just review her, it make her update faster, therefore finish the story faster. And our torment.
Reviewer responses:
Xkuroxshinobix: hope I spelled your name right. Thanks for the review!
Shadowfaxgal7: Forgive you for what? You reviewed, that all I want. Sorry I lied about the date of posting. I had to go do lifeguarding at the pool, and shopping, which I hate. Then when I got home, it was force the teenager into slave labour night. Folding laundry.
Mornflower: I like your interesting reviews, keep them coming. Thanks for your support of my story.
Deana: Thanks so much for the elvish, I hope I used it correctly.
