Authors notes: - Thank you for the reviews. :-)

OO

Haran ran as fast as his legs could carry him, he knew a couple of the orcs had seen him flee to get help and were close behind. Bursting out of the trees he stumbled to a halt. Before him was the definition of the word chaos, the fighting was everywhere and if the plan that had been discussed was in operation it was cunningly disguised in this mess. He needed to find an officer, but where? A snap indicated the orcs that had followed him were right behind him. With a deep breath he ploughed into the battle hoping not to get killed before he found someone.

O

Feren fell backwards as the orc's sword slashed across his chest and hit the ground hard. The orc stepped forward and swung his sword, Feren rolled but was far too slow and the blade caught him in the back. A startled and agony filled cry burst from his lips. It ended in a choke and a metallic taste flooded his mouth. Putting every ounce of strength into his next move he rolled onto his injured back and thrust out his sword. It was a pathetic attempt and it missed the creature by miles. The orc grinned and kicked the sword out of his hand sending the man sprawling. Feren looked for his sword and spotted it a few feet away. Determined he began to crawl but had barely made it a few inches when a crushing weight pinned him to the ground.

'I am going to die' he thought, accepting what he considered to be fate calmly. The weight of the orc shifted as Feren waited for the blow that would end his existence. His body tensed unconsciously and his fingers curled into the earth. A rushing of air and the blossoming of terrible pain meant that the blow had been given. Still darkness did not claim him and Feren wondered what he had done to deserve this cruel death. He could feel the blood flowing from the wound and he knew it was mortal.

"NO!" a voice cried which he dimly recognised as Aran. Tears began to run down his face as he realised that he would never again see his wife and child. Hands grasped him and turned him over. Aran's face peered down at him.

"You'll be fine. Its just a scratch."

"Maybe…to a…gi.ant troll." Feren gasped.

Aran pressed his hands to one of the many wounds but Feren used his remaining strength to shove him away.

"No…go!"

"What?"

"Kill….t.them." he demanded his eyes burning bright with fierce determination despite the fact that his life was flowing away.

"Ssh!" Aran hissed.

"Go…for.me. For…my son…" Feren smiled as a warm feeling engulfed his body and the pain dulled.

"We will win Aran. Nothing can defeat us."

"No." Aran whispered.

Feren clasped a chain around his neck and broke it. He shoved it into Aran's hands.

"For my son."

Feren sighed and went limp. Aran shakily closed Feren's eyes and tucked the chain into a pocket. He gently laid Feren down and rose to his feet. Looking around he saw that the orcs and men had moved on, all that remained were the bodies of the dead. A quiet rage filled his body until every nerve tingled in anticipation.

OO

Azian rubbed his hand absentmindedly on the withers of his grey stallion. It was a nervous habit that he had picked up many years ago but it served to sooth both him and his horse.

"Well you were right, but all things considered I think this problem is way above us." Kiren said wryly.

"Apparently so."

The elves regarded the mass of orcs and five Nazgul with expressions of dread and exasperation.

"Do you think the Valor is allied with Sauron?" Kiren questioned his expression thoughtful.

"At the moment I am seriously considering that as a valid reason for our terrible luck." Turning his horse Azian faced the elves that had come with him. Selecting two of the elves he ordered them to scout to either side of the gathered auxiliaries.

"Look for any sign of weakness, anything that could be manipulated." The two elves nodded and urged their mounts into a gallop. Dismounting Azian handed his reins to Jamaryn and Kiren did the same.

"Watch them and secure your weapons. Be ready for anything."

Azian then left indicating Kiren should follow.

"There is no way we can defeat them or even significantly reduce their numbers." Kiren remarked as they settled down on the ground watching over the gathered orcs. "We might stand a chance if those Nazgul weren't there but they could take us out before we even reached their lines."

Azian didn't respond, his gaze never moved off the army. Kiren waited patiently for a reply well aware that the weight on Azian's shoulders had increased dramatically. When he was small he had wished he was a prince, he had wanted to live in the palace and he was so envious. Now he couldn't imagine anything worse. The responsibility of Mirkwood was not something that he would ever want.

"You go back." Azian murmured so softly that Kiren was sure that he had misheard.

"Pardon?"

"You will take them and return to the main battle. If you can rout the orcs the chaos they will cause this army as they retreat will buy you some time to reform the lines."

"And where will you be?" Kiren questioned fearing he already knew the answer.

"I am going to find Legolas."

"What?" Kiren said frowning.

"Obviously whatever my father and Lord Elrond were afraid of concerning the pure ones has come to pass. That can only mean Legolas is in trouble. I will not leave him to the mercies of Sauron again."

"I agree but how do you know and I hate to say this, but how do you know that Legolas is still alive?"

Azian moved to protest his words but Kiren halted him.

"No hear me out. Legolas was not well when these pure ones claimed him and it is highly unlikely he could withstand any more torture. Also considering how valuable Legolas is to Sauron, how on middle – earth do you think that you can get anywhere near him to free him? I do not wish to condemn him to death for he is a friend and my prince but if I let you go in there then Mirkwood risks losing another of its princes. We have already lost Kahari; I do not want to lose you and Legolas as well."

Azian smiled at Kiren. "Your words are true and kind Kiren and I thank you for loyal service but I must do this. Mirkwood stands to lose all her princes, all her people. I need to do this and if that is incredibly selfish of me then fine."

"There is nothing I can say to stop you so I won't try. But know this, no one thinks of you as selfish. Go save our wayward little prince." Kiren leaned forward to give Azian a quick hug.

"Don't do anything stupid and die on us. Oh wait a minute that would be like asking the sun not to rise. Doing stupid things seems to go hand and hand with the Mirkwood royal family. Its in your blood."

Azian laughed. "Good luck to you my friend."

Kiren waved him off. "It's a few orcs and Nazgul. I've faced worse."

The two rose to their feet.

"Be careful." Kiren stated. "I do not want to be the one to inform the king of any incidents of any kind!"

"Any for that reason I will try not to die. No one deserves my father in an angry mood."

For a brief moment Kiren sobered. "Good luck."

Azian nodded. "You too."

They returned to the gathered elves.

"When the scouts return I wish you to return to the king and tell him of the army and of the information the scouts bring. You cannot defeat them so go back and make our army ready. I know you will make me proud."

"What about you?" one of elves asked.

"I am going to the tower, to find Legolas." There were shocked looks but also complete understanding. If they were in the same situation and their brother was in captivity they would do exactly what Azian was going to do.

"Bring him back to us my lord." The elf replied and they saluted the prince. Azian mounted his horse and without looking back cantered towards the tower.

OO