Wow. 40 reviews already! Valar! I'm happy!
You guys are the best!
Haldir's heart and Soul: Really Drowning? That's worse than almost drowning
Ak-stinger: Can't promise that
Blondi aka Lucius: Blushes Thank you. I'm honoured
Swasti: Ah well…the axe will fall soon!
Kelsey-Estel: Me too. And I detest Evil!Thranduil fics. In fact, they are the only ics I've been known to flame in my anger! LOL. My Elf-King needs defence
Kel: Yeh, the little girl is an elf (and I like her too.)
Deana: Ah Damn! Stupid Typos. Always crop up when you don't want them to
Flames of the moon: Not telling that! That'd be telling too much
Elven Kitten: Thank you for the review! (So pleased)
Chapter 5:-When you think things can't get any worse…
When Thranduil reached the warriors he called them to a short halt so he could take Legolas from Tirinvo. As he seated Legolas before him on his horse, a tragic thought crept into his mind What if he dies now? Wha if he is dead before we reach home? Oh Legolas, hold on ion-nin!
The warriors rode as fast as he could, without further injuring Legolas, Thranduil had already sent a pair of elves ahead to inform Ilyanna she was desperately needed by the young Prince. Thranduil riding at the head of the group clutched the unconscious Legolas to his chest, praying the Prince would survive. He barely heard anything save his son's agonized moans, and every one of those made him feel as through his heart was being ripped in two. All he could sense was the path before him and Legolas pitiful form beneath him, The King's cloak wrapped around him.
"Ada…" Legolas moaned softly
Thranduil glanced down at his son who had now woken, his eyes half open "I'm here my Greenleaf," he said softly, holding Legolas closer for a moment, he felt his son bury a hand in his tunic, something he had not done for years, and a surge of worry spread over him.
Legolas lay half unconscious in front of his Father; his strength was draining every moment "Ada…" he moaned again as a fresh surge of agony spread over his body
Thranduil instantly felt guilty for jolting his son around but let it pass I have to get him home he told himself I can't lose him like I lost his Mother…
So intent he was on getting his son home he didn't hear Tirinvo's cry of "Thranduil watch out" he didn't notice the arrow flying towards him till it embedded itself in his shoulder. He grimaced in pain and ducked as another arrow flew towards him. Soon the air was thick with arrows as orcs came rushing from the surrounding forest. Thranduil cursed, a battle with orcs was no place for an injured elf Prince, pulling his sword out he swiped it a couple of orcs who came to close, but the orcs could see his vulnerability. Knowing he would have to protect the other elf with him they converged on him, trying to pull both him and Legolas of his mount. Thranduil hacked at them, while trying to keep an eye on Legolas.
"Ada…" Legolas fear filled cry crept into his ears and he clung closer to his son, determined not to let the foul orcs near him. He hacked a path through the orcs and tried to leap from the horse so at least Legolas could escape, but before he could dismount, Legolas grasped his Father's tunic desperately
"Adar, no!" he rasped weakly
Thranduil tried to pull away but found he couldn't without hurting his son further "Legolas, let go!" he complained while struggling to kill the orcs "You have to leave! Take Celebgil and go!"
Legolas stubbornly shook his head "I'm not leaving you here!" he replied glaring at his Father "I'm leaving with you"
Thranduil could not help but smile, despite his fear, Legolas still wanted to stay beside his Father's side, to make sure he didn't get killed.
Holding Legolas close he threw himself into killing the orcs that dared to threaten his son. His sword seemed a blur of silver as he decapitated or otherwise fatally wounded many of the attacking orcs. But so many kept coming, and so many seemed to decide that the elf king and his son were the weakest targets. Thranduil despaired at ever getting his son and himself to safety.
Legolas yelled a warning to his Father as an arrow flew towards him, thankfully Thranduil managed to avoid this one, but in his distraction Legolas didn't notice the dagger thrown by the orc until it buried itself in his gashed leg. He yelped in pain.
Thranduil glanced down at his son and swore. The elf King barely heard Tirinvo ride up beside him
"Get him out of here, Thranduil"
Thranduil shook his head "I cannot leave Tirinvo"
"No one will fault you for running from this battle when you have Legolas to care for" Thranduil looked at him from the corner of his eye "Go" urged the commander. Thranduil did not need telling again, he spurred his horse on, and away from the battle.
As he had expected, a number of orcs pursued him, but Thranduil managed to escape them, eventually he came to a stop, feeling suddenly weak himself Poison… he thought the arrow was poisoned
Shrugging of the thought he helped Legolas of the horse, thankfully, the Prince had slipped once again into unconsciousness, grateful for that, Thranduil pulled the dagger from Legolas leg, and wrapping a strip of his cloak around it. Then taking out his water skin he dribbled some of the contents into Legolas' mouth. The Prince woke up spluttering and looked blearily up at his Father
"Adar" he whispered, as the elf king stroked his hair tenderly. Before breaking into another coughing fit, Thranduil immediately pressed his cloak to his son's mouth, to contain the blood that would only attract spiders and other unwanted guests. When the coughing subsided, Legolas looked up at him and weakly smiled, "Adar, you are hurt…" he stated, his voice nothing more than a whisper as his eyes were drawn to the arrow wound in Thranduil's shoulder.
Thranduil shook it off "Not as much as you, Greenleaf, come, we must get you home"
Legolas nodded, as his Father lifted him onto the horse and climbed behind him. Before they got much further he slipped into unconsciousness once again
Thranduil frowned as he felt his son relax against him, knowing it meant he was once again unconscious. The King knew if he didn't get Legolas back to Mirkwood soon. His son would die.
And if that occurred, Thranduil didn't want to think of the consequences, which for the King and for Mirkwood would no doubt be dire.
TBC…
Only two chapters to go, heh.
Bye
Aranel of Mirkwood.
