The Lost City Of Cirus
Author's Note:
For anyone who's still reading this is a little shorter then the last chapter and I can tell you now that the war begins in the next chapter.
Please read and review.
Thirty
A March Of Many Thousands
The Sun was hot upon their backs as they headed into the West. All those who could were riding on horseback while the rest were on foot. The horses kept a slow pace so that those behind could easily keep pace. Small falcons had been sent on ahead as scouts and had been instructed to report back on the location and movement of the Chameles.
The rest of the morning passed by mundanely as they rode or marched in silence. Not a forced silence of any sort but no one much felt like talking, a cloud of depression hung over the massive army. They had a force like none gathered before and yet they had no idea how large the Chameles army was.
Midday came and went but they did not stop for lunch. A meal had been packed for every solider and they ate it as they marched. The Sun had disappeared behind gathering clouds as the afternoon came on and with every hour that passed they grew darker and more foreboding.
With the progression of the afternoon came news from the falcons. They returned and perched upon the outstretched arms of Pandion, Sphenurus, and Aquila. The birds chattered noisily to the Rocs before the Rocs responded and the falcons returned to the air.
"The Chamele army has halted and made camp down the western end of the White Mountains. There is a small forest well before where they are based. If we stop there and set up base camp we'll be hidden from sight and we can meet them either at their camp or, more likely, halfway and we will still have the mountains to our left" Pandion suggested after he had relayed the falcons message.
"Did they say how many?"
Despite the occasion Pandion had to laugh.
"Unfortunately for us birds cannot count."
Even Aragorn had to crack a smile at that.
"Did we get any information from them concerning the size of the army?"
"Only that they 'cover much of the ground'" Pandion quoted the falcon with a smile.
"Perfect."
Aragorn grinned sarcastically but was thankful for the information they had been given. At least they had that much.
"Do we know the exact location of this forest?" Aragorn finally added.
Sphenurus nodded and took his horse to the lead, beckoning all to follow him. Aragorn fell in behind the Roc and from then on they followed his directions as the continued on into the west.
Mid-afternoon hit with a downpour and the sudden rainfall caught all in the march off guard. A few horses were startled by thunder sounding in the distance and a lightning flash out over the horizon but no one was thrown.
Within minutes every one was soaked through. Rain dripped down through metal armor and seeped into the thick leather clothing worn by the Elven armies and every Roc present had water rolling off their feathers.
Despite the fact that his clothing was saturated, his hair was matted to his face and water was streaming down into his eyes, Legolas couldn't suppress a laugh as Aquila, sitting beside him on her horse, fluffed the feathers on her body and shook herself violently, sending droplets of water out in all directions to join the ones already falling from the sky.
Sphenurus quickened the pace of the march as he caught sight of the forest ahead of them. All those on horseback took on an extra passenger as the forest became visible to all, those still on foot broke out into a run.
Once they made it under the cover of the trees everyone did their best to begin setting up camp. The rain continued to come down but the canopy provided some shelter. Large droplets still fell through and so getting a fire of any sort going was out of the question for now.
Aragorn had all the assigned leaders of the respective armies set up their tents in a small circle near the center of the encampment. Just outside this circle Elrond set up several tents to serve as medic posts, those wounded in battle would be brought here and himself and a select number of Elves and Men would tend to them.
Legolas finished setting his tent up and tossed his gear inside, for now he didn't much feel like setting up his bed, he'd see to that task later. Casting about he sought out Aquila who he knew was setting her tent up beside his, probably with not much purpose as by the time night came they'd more than likely be sharing a tent.
He caught sight of her slim form bent over as she adjusted the flaps on her tent. He smiled slyly and sauntered silently over to her. His Elven footsteps made no noise as they fell upon the damp forest floor and he stopped just behind her bent form.
His hands fluttered over her hips and he gently grasped them as he pressed himself up against her backside. She straightened and lent back into his embrace as his arms circled about her waist.
She knew it was him as soon as his hands had fallen upon her hips, she knew his touch well now and the gentle way in which he eased her into his arms could only come from Legolas. An obvious bulge pressed against her backside and she folded her hands over the arms that encircled her.
He slowly turned her to face him and brushed her wet hair out of her eyes. She lent up and lapped at the water that was cascading down off his nose. He smiled and laughed that melodic laugh she had come to love so much before their mouths joined in a tender kiss, rainwater flowing down over swollen lips.
"Perhaps we should take care of this later?" Aquila asked slyly as she rubbed a well-concealed hand up against his swelling groin.
Legolas bit down on his lower lip to suppress a groan as Men, Elves and Rocs hurried about them, preparing various things for the camp.
"Why wait?" He whispered to her as he backed her suggestively towards her tent.
"Because" she started as her gazed flicked over his shoulder "I believe Aragorn requires our presence at a little gathering."
She smirked up at the Elf who looked bewildered for a moment.
"Legolas!"
That moment of course did not last as Aragorn's voice sounded from behind him and the looked of bewilderment was replaced with one of shocked embarrassment.
Legolas held onto Aquila, who tried not to enjoy his discomfort too much, and turned only his head and shoulders in Aragorn's direction.
"Aragorn. You've set your tent up then?" Legolas attempted to keep his voice even.
Aragorn brought a hand up to his mouth in order to hide a smile.
"Yes and apparently so have you, so you'll have time to attend a small meeting I've arranged to have in the large tent set up at the camps center?"
"Of course Aragorn. We'll both be in attendance."
"Good to hear." He began to walk away before he turned back to the couple. "It starts in a few minutes."
Legolas nodded vigorously to confirm that he'd heard his friend and then Aragorn turned away again and continued on his way.
Legolas breathed a heavy sigh of relief and Aquila burst out laughing, her body shaking so much she could barely support her weight. Were it not for Legolas holding her in his arms she probably would have collapsed to the forest floor.
The rain had stopped for the moment but fierce winds gusted through the forest and so efforts were being made to ensure that all the tents were tied down tightly.
Inside a large tent at the center of the camp Aragorn had gathered Elrond, Pandion, Sphenurus, Aquila, Legolas, Aniond, Haldir, Gimli, Eomer, Faramir and Seobryn. They had been discussing their plans for the next day for sometime and some by now were suppressing yawns.
"I know everyone's tired but do we finally all agree on a plan of action?"
As he said this Aragorn cast his gaze accusingly from Pandion to Eomer. Both remained silent and so Aragorn sighed in relief before addressing the others.
"Very well then. We march at first light tomorrow, I wont half the Roc army to remain at the rear of the group, the rest are welcome to spread out as they please. As for the rest of your armies you know where you're needed. Sleep well and I will see you all in the morning."
Dismissed, everyone left and returned to their tents to get some much needed sleep. Everyone had already eaten and most were easily able to get to sleep, even over the howling wind and the thunder of the rain, which had started to fall again, upon canvas tents.
Aquila had disappeared into her tent without so much as inviting Legolas to join her. This bothered the Prince to some extent but he settled for the fact that the cots they had set up for beds were only meant to fit one person. So, feeling slightly rejected, Legolas dragged himself into his tent and undressed himself for bed.
All his clothing was still soaked through so he stripped it all off and hung them out on a makeshift clothes line, which was little more than some string strung across the inside of the tent.
So naked, but at least dry, he climbed onto the cot, which was only a foot or two off the ground and protested some under his weight as he climbed on, he pulled up the grey wool blanket they had been provided and lay his head on the thin white pillow.
He closed his eyes and tried his best to get to sleep but he missed Aquila in his bed. Despite the fact that he felt little of the warmth or cold of night he missed the feel of her body pressed to his and the heat that it radiated. Felt lonely for her not being there and wasn't sure what he did with his arms when he used to sleep alone.
Just as he was about to make another attempt at sleep he heard the flap of his tent shift. He would have put it down to the wind working the ties loose and then flipping it open, but for the feminine form that stood at the tent's opening.
Without words or conformation of whom she was Legolas flung his blanket from his bare body and, with arms held out to her, beckoned her to come to him. With soft, graceful steps she crossed the tents floor to his cot, not bothering to tie down the tent flap.
As she reached him he sat up slightly and as he smoothed his hands over her flat belly and round to her hips he could see, even in the stormy darkness, that she was as naked as he.
She placed her hands over his and slid them down his arms till she was close enough to kiss him. Their lips met and fire ignited their blood, Aquila leaning into the Elf beneath her as he sought entrance to her mouth. She welcomed his tongue and allowed it to explore her mouth before she massaged it with her own.
He tried to pull her down on top of him but she slipped out of his grasp and placed a finger to his swollen lips to silence his protest. He propped himself up onto his elbows to get a better look at what she was up to.
She lowered herself to the floor and knelt beside the cot. Then, with a hand placed firmly on his left thigh she lent over him and took his flaccid member in her other hand and began to stroke it. His head fell back and he thrust his hips up slightly, enjoying her manual stimulations with minimal noise on his part.
As she felt his member swell and stiffen in her hand she began to stroke him more firmly and could feel him begin to squirm under her ministrations. While she continued to stroke him she placed soft kisses across his belly and dipped her tongue into his navel briefly before trailing her tongue down over his hip and planting kisses along his inner thigh.
A quiet moan escaped the Elf's lips as her lips pressed a kiss to the head of his engorged member. Aquila smirked up at him in the darkness before closing her mouth over his length. His suppressed moans and the unconscious thrusting of his hips told her just how much she was pleasing him and it was this knowledge that fueled her own passions, a familiar heat spread throughout her body and she felt herself become wet at the thought of taking him into her.
She stood from the floor and smiled down into Legolas' pleading eyes. She then placed a knee on the edge of the cot and cringed slightly as it complained further under her added weight as she swung her other leg over the Elf's body.
Kneeling just above his hips she ran her hands up and over his bare chest, feeling every inch of his skin, memorizing the feel of it beneath her hands. In a mirrored move Legolas slid his hands up her sides before bringing them round to cup her breasts. He kneaded them gently and pinched the nipples between his fingers, driving the air from her lungs as she gasped in pleasure.
She reached a hand down between them and grasped his member gently. She positioned herself over his erect length and using her hand, slowly guided him into her. She removed her hand from his shaft and placed it on his muscled abdomen with her other hand to support her weight as she lowered herself onto him until he was fully sheathed inside her.
As she looked down into his lust-filled blue eyes and he gazed back up at her both knew that this could be the last time they shared the pleasures of the other but that fact was never spoken.
Legolas gripped Aquila's hips firmly in his strong hands and as she lifted herself slightly from him, he withdrew from her before thrusting slowly back in as she lowered herself again. They began a slow rhythm; Legolas thrusting up into her tight heat as she pressed her hips down to meet his.
Their pace began to quicken slightly as they each felt the pleasure building between them. Aquila allowed Legolas to control the speed at which he penetrated her as she began to rotate her hips, adding a new element of pleasure for them both.
"Aquila!" Legolas gasped as he doubled over and pressed his face between her breasts.
She held his face to her as she continued to grind her hips against his. His groan was muffled by her soft mounds and as she hit a particularly sweet spot he thrust forcibly up into her, causing her to toss her head back and moan his name in delight.
"Oh….Legolas…"
Gripping her hips even more tightly he increased the pace of their coupling as he felt his climax drawing nearer. Aquila gasped and moved her hands to his shoulders as her moans became louder, her level of pleasure drawing up to its threshold.
She gasped wordlessly and clutched at the beautiful Elf's shoulders as her whole body trembled, pleasure sweeping over her and consuming her wholly. Legolas growled ferally as he felt her inner-walls convulse around him and his hips jerked upwards as he spilt himself within her.
Her whole body trembled in his arms as he brought her down with him. His back hit the cot and it creaked more loudly than before, it had probably been creaking throughout their lovemaking but he had not heard it. He let her lay along his body, as there was really no other way to fit the two of them on the small cot, besides, she really didn't weigh much at all.
With her head resting on his chest and her arms wrapped loosely about his neck her soft breathing told him she was already asleep. Smiling to himself he carefully brushed her damp hair from her face before circling his arms about her and bringing his hands to rest on her buttocks. He smirked in the dark tent before he closed his eyes and easily drifted off to sleep.
"Legolas we have to…" Aniond stepped into Legolas' tent but stopped dead and even had the grace to blush as he saw the naked pair lying on the cot in each other's arms.
He hurried back out of the tent and turned his back to the entrance, dutifully blocking the opening so none could see his Prince in such a state.
"Legolas!" He tried again, louder this time, but still no response.
He sighed in annoyance and coughed loudly before trying again.
"Prince Legolas!"
Aniond smiled as, judging from the annoyed groaning coming from inside the tent, the other Elf had finally heard him.
"Did you want something Aniond?" He called out.
"Are you descent my Prince?"
There was a lot of rustling followed by a flash of light and then Legolas answered.
"Yes, come in Aniond."
Aniond entered the tent and nodded to Aquila, who was standing beside Legolas in her Half form looking slightly embarrassed. Legolas had managed to pull on a pair of tights but had not quite managed the tunic, or the rest of his clothes, yet.
"I swear I saw very little Princess." Aniond smiled at her and she tried not to blush.
Legolas was not even fazed by the situation and waited patiently for Aniond to continue.
"We're leaving for war Prince Legolas. You might want to dress. I will see you outside in a few moments."
"Thank you Aniond." Legolas replied rather somberly.
The other Elf nodded and left the tent. Aquila went to gather her weapons from her own tent and Legolas quickly dressed himself for war.
When he emerged from the tent he poked his head inside Aquila's tent, not really expecting to find her there and his assumptions were correct. He stood outside her tent, casting his gaze around, trying to spot her amongst the throng of people, Men, Elves, Dwarves and Rocs, all going about their preparations.
It didn't take long for him to spot her, standing with Elrond, Pandion, Aniond and Sphenurus. Legolas strolled over and swept his eyes over Elrond in his armor as he approached.
"Well Elrond, I didn't expect you to be joining us in battle. Your presence however is greatly welcomed."
"Good morning to you too Legolas." Elrond replied.
An uncomfortable silence fell over the group as they waited patiently for Aragorn's orders to march.
They came all too soon and as the massed forces began to make their way out of the cover of the trees Aquila took a moment to envelope her brother in a fierce hug, one he returned with strong arms. She had kept her promise to Legolas and agreed to remain at the back of the march with the other Rocs who had been selected as part of that tactical group.
She watched her brother, Aniond and Elrond leave to join the front ranks and knew that Legolas had to go with them. She threw her arms around his neck and sobbed quietly into his hair. She had promised herself she wouldn't act as she was but her heart hurt just knowing they would be separated.
He wrapped his arms tightly around her and held her until the last possible moment. He then pulled back from her and stared down into her watery eyes and wiped a thumb under each eye to clear away her tears.
"I must go know. Know that I love you and my heart belongs to no other, nor will it ever."
"I love you too."
With that he turned and joined the others, leaving only Sphenurus with her, he did not look back once as he joined Aragorn at the head of the march. He could not look back, it hurt too much, and if he did he was sure he would take her up in his arms and flee this battle before it had even begun. This would be the first battle he had been in where he had something to live for, and that made dying all the more frightening.
Sphenurus put a comforting arm about Aquila's shoulder. He had remained with her, under Legolas' instructions, to watch over her. Not that in Sphenurus' opinion she needed it but he knew the Elf was just after peace of mind, and he was happy to give it. Pandion had also suggested they remain with the rear group as this particular group, consisting solely of Rocs, was the sky tactical team. They had been briefed on their duties and each was happy to be in the air, naturally Legolas felt this would be the safest place for his Princess. Sphenurus only hoped that he was right.
The march was like none seen before. Thousands upon thousands of troops from four different races had gathered and within those races were groupings of peoples from different realms. This was an army to be reckoned with. Aragorn's only fear was that it would not be enough.
No scouts could fly during the night as the winds had been too fierce for the small falcons to fly in and it was too risky to send a Roc the day before battle. So they still had little idea of how big the army they would be facing would be and only a small amount of knowledge on the Chameles themselves and the weapons they fought with. They were facing such an unfamiliar enemy it made the battlefield, which was familiar to them, seem insignificant as any point of advantage.
The dust rose about them as they marched through grasslands, which were desperate for rainfall. The sun rose behind them and all the Rocs turned their heads to greet its warmth before setting their eyes back on the path ahead.
Morning passed slowly and as the front of the march came up over a rise they halted the entire force. Aragorn stood at the army's head with many of his friends beside him, but all eyes were focused on the sight before them.
From the hilltop they could see an army as large as their own; perhaps slightly smaller, Aragorn could not tell, but they were ready for them. Aragorn spotted their biggest break in that the only form of armor they seemed to wear were shinning silver chest plates and nothing else.
Their King stood proudly at the army's head, red head crest glowing all the more brightly in the morning Sun. His raised a clawed hand to signal his troops to ready themselves. They obeyed without word and the only sound that rose up from the colour-coded army was the clatter of metal on metal.
Aragorn turned to address his army.
"Are we ready!"
A hearty cry of 'yes!' went up from the army.
"Then on my signal!"
He held his sword, at the ready, above his head and all knew when the blade dropped the charge was on.
To be continued…