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Chapter 8

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Beinion speeded through the trees like a bullet. I have to get to Mirkwood in time he thought Maybe Legolas still has a chance.

Coming into his vision was the Mirkwood palace. Nearly there he urged himself to go faster. But by now, his legs were protesting from the non-stop journey to get here. He was nearing unconsciousness but he had to go on.

Reaching the gate, he barely had the energy to shout out. "Open the gates; it is I, Beinion, son of Daugion."

The gates slowly opened and Beinion ran through to the courtyard. "Alert the king… orcs… thousands…coming this way…" With that, he collapsed onto the ground. The soldiers stood there, dumbfounded for a moment.

"Quickly alert the king, now!" The commander of the armies, Thalion commanded. Two soldiers nodded and dashed to the king's room.

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"My king! My king!" Two soldiers burst through the door.

"What is it?" Thranduil asked. "Speak quickly."

"Beinion son of Daugion arrived saying that there was thousands of orcs heading this way," the younger of the two, Morcion said, quickly.

Thranduil sat there, stunned. "Where from?" he nearly feared the answer.

"I do not know, but I believe it was from the south, as Beinion had gone with a patrol there," the other, Landion said. Fear was evident on the king's face.

"My king, is there anything you want us to do?" Morcion asked, shakily.

"Yes, yes prepare for war," Thranduil said, his eyes darting.

The two elves bowed and hurried out to carry out their orders.

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Thranduil still sat there, but now his head was buried in his hands. Fear was eating him away. Legolas was out there, either with thousands of orcs on his tail, or dead.

He slowly stood up and started for the Houses of Healing. Maybe Beinion can answer some of his questions. Before he could open the door, Tolúviel and the twins burst through.

"Father, is it true?" Ohtar asked, fear quaking through his voice. Thranduil nodded.

"Legolas..." Fallaner muttered. "He is still out there, fighting for his life or dead. There was no way he could have avoided such a force."

"We always have to hope," Tolúviel said, but her eyes tell differently. They spoke of doubt and fear for her little brother.

"Beinion was the only one to come back, he will have some answers, I hope," Thranduil whispered. With that, the four of them walked out of the room and headed to where Beinion lay unconscious.

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Beinion groaned as he was slowly gained conscious. "Legolas…" he whispered.

"Beinion?" a voice asked. "Are you awake?"

He slowly opened his eyes and was surprised to see the royal family, not including the youngest.

"Beinion, how do you feel?" Tolúviel asked. Beinion nodded.

"I feel fine," he croaked, his throat parched. Ohtar and Fallaner quickly poured some water for him. "Thank you."

"Beinion, what happened?" Thranduil demanded. "Where's the rest of the patrol?" Beinion closed his eyes and shook his head.

"We heard orcs, and I saw them, thousands of them, so we turn to flee for they were many," he began. "Legolas made me promise, to come and warn you, if the situation grew too dire. The orcs caught on with us, and I had to keep my promise, so I reluctantly left and came straight here."

"Legolas… he stayed and fought," Thranduil said, grief etched his voice. It was a fact, not a question.

"Yes," Beinion said, sadly. The other elves bowed their heads. They all knew Legolas couldn't stand a chance.

"I made him leave," Thranduil whispered. "I blamed him for something that was no fault of his." He bowed his head. Beinion looked at him, remembering what Legolas had said to him. The twins looked away, anger evident on their face, half blaming their father and half blaming the orcs. Tolúviel bit her lips to keep from screaming out in frustration and grief.

"My king," Beinion whispered. "Legolas also told me to tell you…"

"What!" the king asked.

"He told me to tell you he was sorry," Beinion said, looking away from the king. "Sorry for what happened to his mother."

At this, he could not contain his tears anymore, Thranduil cried, his children following, and then Beinion.

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Legolas groaned and slowly opened his eyes. He groaned again when someone kicked his side.

"The elf has wakened," a harsh voice said. Legolas groaned a third time when his senses began to kick in and he felt the harsh throbbing at his head.

He looked around. Where am I? He thought. He tried to think hard, this place looks familiar but he couldn't remember. Panicking, he racked his brain for any answers, but he found none. But more importantly... who am I?

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