Hey guys, new chapter! I'm updating today cos I've got 2 weeks of work experience now and will not have time to update anytime soon. I'm working in a wedding dress shop. Should be cool.
Faerlain
Rayame325 – Yay! Up, curse and blessings often go hand in hand in my stories. Thanks for reviewing.
Tiara Shin – Huggles for everybody! Grabs Leggy. Good luck in your exams! I have work experience starting tomorrow. Should be amusing – 2 weeks in a wedding dress shop lol. Elf Fantasy Fair! Well good. 'Corse Leggy isn't innocent! Teehee. Both wave. Talk soon hunni. Thanks for reviewing.
Kalayna – I don't know the first thing about horses, so I just guessed lol! Glad you like it. Thanks for reviewing.
Elerrina – Teehee, rain is fun. Glad you had fun in Chicago. Must have been well cool! The compass…its magic! Thanks for reviewing.
Chapter 6: Song.
I am blind.
In my left eye at least.
The whip went straight across it, and my vision cut out straight away. The pain itself made me lose consciousness, and when I awoke, I was back in my cell. Whether I screamed or not, I don't know.
I can hear the others paying for their cheering. They've been dragged along to the hall as well. They hold on for as long as possible, then the Orcs increase the torture, and they finally give in.
There is dried blood all over my face. I have tried washing it off with saliva, but most of it refuses to come off. I am no longer chained to the wall. I wear no bonds whatsoever. The Orcs obviously do not see me as a threat anymore.
I can only feel a throbbing where my left eye is. Or was. I do not even know if I still have an eye! There was so much blood…
I think my eyelids are stuck together with it. Either that or the eye itself is so swollen I cannot open it. I have tried to, but cannot feel anything except the constant throbbing. It is more aggravating than painful.
I wonder if Legolas is any closer to finding me. If Adar has let him try and search for me. I know what he's like. He won't want both his sons in danger.
But there is no way I can get out of here alone. I'm utterly helpless. I don't even know which Orcs has the keys to my cell door. Probably Meagereg or Seregrúth. They seem to be the ones in charge of me, Meagereg more so.
Seregrúth is stood out there now. I see him looking through the bars every now and then with my good eye. Yes I am still here. Where else would I be?
I keep praying that Legolas, or anyone, will come. I don't think I can stand much more. If I'm chucked back in that hall, onto that table, I'll completely lose it and go mad. I feel as if I'm going mad. The Orcs are slowly, but surely, succeeding.
"At least the rain's stopped." Gîlorn grinned at his older brother, but the grin faded at Legolas' serious expression. "Legolas? What's wrong?"
"I smell death," Legolas replied. "Can't you smell it?"
Gîlorn sniffed and grimaced. Yes, he could smell it. Blood and decay. Quite close to where the Elves now were. "What do you think it is?" he asked.
"I'm not sure," Legolas replied. "But I don't particularly want to find out either." He pulled the compass out. They were heading in the right direction again.
The Sun had finally risen, and the rain had stopped. But it was a gloomy day. Grey clouds raced across the sky, blown along by the fierce wind.
Gîlorn still rode with Legolas. His side ached, but the cuts were healing well. He was determined that by tomorrow, he would be riding Rofain again.
"How far from the palace are we?"
"About 25 miles I'd say. Thanks to the big boost we had on the first day. We must have gone no more than ten to twelve yesterday. And we can start galloping again soon, once the undergrowth clears a bit."
"Good. I hate going at this pace, it's too damn slow!"
Legolas laughed. "I know what you mean."
Suddenly, the trees gave way, and they found themselves in a small clearing. It was littered with bodies. The Elves recoiled at the sight and stench.
"There are Elves here," Thandiel told them. "This must be the…"
"…Remainder of Ladrenîl's scout," Legolas finished for her grimly. He sighed as he looked around.
It was a pitiful sight. Dark blood stained the grass and he could see golden haired bodies lying amongst the rotting Orc corpses. He dismounted and helped his brother down. The other Elves followed suit.
"What can we do for them?" one asked.
"The best thing we can do is…" Legolas paused.
"We'll have to burn them," Gîlorn said quietly. "We have no time or tools to dig graves with. And we can't leave them out in the open. They've been here long enough. Goodness knows what all that rain has done to them."
"He's right," Legolas agreed. "We have no other choice. We need to pile them and…and burn them."
It was hard work. Not physically, but mentally. There were people they knew, and as they sorted out the Elves from the Orcs, silent tears ran down many cheeks. Legolas and Gîlorn somehow managed to stay dry-eyed as they lifted one body after another.
"Burn the Orcs as well," Legolas ordered. "There's enough carrion in this forest as it is."
Soon the bodies were sorted into two separate piles. The Elves had hopelessly checked for any pulses, but of course found none. Legolas did a mental count in his head. There had been 15 in Ladrenîl's scout. Three were missing, probably captured. 6 had returned to the palace. And there were 6 dead here. Now they were finally all accounted for.
A burning branch was thrown onto each pile, and after hushed prayers for the Elves, the group set off again, wanting to get quickly away form the smell. The wind was in their favour, and carried it in the opposite direction.
They started galloping again, and covered a lot of ground quickly. Legolas kept checking the compass. It was turning steadily to the right now all the time.
They camped again that night. The next morning, Gîlorn was well enough to ride by himself, but could feel Legolas watching him. They camped alternate nights, trying to go as far as they could each day.
A week soon passed, and Legolas began to lose hope. They would surely be too late to reach Ladrenîl. He wouldn't be able to survive this long in captivity. If by some miracle he did, then they might just be in time.
He was sat by the fire one night as they camped, studying a map and looking at the compass. They were heading ever further south. And in his heart, Legolas knew where his brother was being held.
Dol Goldur.
There had been rumours spreading that evil was once again brewing in that evil place and now Legolas deemed them to be true. It was only a few more miles away. They would reach it the day after tomorrow at the earliest.
Gîlorn came and sat beside him. He saw Legolas' finger resting lightly on the tower. "That's where he is, isn't he?" he asked softly.
Legolas nodded. "I fear that is true Gîlorn," he sighed. "If he is, I have no idea how he'll survive this long."
"He's strong Legs," Gîlorn reassured him, snuggling closer to his older brother. A cold harsh wind was blowing around them. "He'll be ok, you'll see. We'll find him, take him home, and everyone will be happy again."
Legolas slipped an arm round his younger brother's shoulders. "I hope you're right Gîlorn," he murmured into the golden hair. "I really do hope you're right."
Someone, somewhere, is singing. They're taking a big risk aren't they? It's an Elven tune, I know that much. I crawl nearer to my door to listen.
An old Mirkwood melody. It must be Glînvara or Balamrûn. I smile, and murmur along. I don't have much strength left in my voice due to lack of water. My throat is dry and sore. The last drink I had was hours ago.
I have considered asking the Orcs how long I have been captive here, but there's really no point. They'll just laugh at my questions, and jeer at me, just like they always do. There is never any point asking an Orc a question. You never get a sensible answer.
I'm actually getting rather bored now. I haven't been taken out of my cell since they blinded me, and have been left to my own devices. I just sit here in total darkness, singing quietly under my breath and doodling in the dust. Not that I can actually see what I'm doodling.
And I keep hearing voices in my head. I am slowly going mad, I'm sure of it. It might just be echoes of people further down the corridor. But I'm not entirely convinced on that theory. I mean, one of the voices sounds just like Sîladiel, my sister, and another sounds like my father! They keep giving me ideas on how to escape, ideas that only those two could really come up with. Sîladiel's are all sensible and kind of obvious when I really look at them, but fathers are a bit risky, rather drastic.
I mean, how am I meant to dig my way out of here? I don't have anything to dig with Dad!
Even my eye has stopped throbbing, so I don't have that to keep my mind occupied. I still can't open it. Unless it is open, and I'm just not seeing anything.
Bu when I lift my hand to feel it, my eyelids are definitely stuck together with dried blood. It feels horrible, all rough, and sticky. My own blood covers my skin…yuck!
Someone's coming. I slide back against the wall, and sit there, hand dangling, hands doodling in the dust. The footsteps stop out side my door, and it is opened. I look up, and a cup is pushed in. I crawl forwards and drink, not caring what it is. As long as it's liquid, I honestly don't care.
"Eat this," a gruff voice orders. I'm given another bit of the 'bread'. I chew it, wincing as it crunches against my teeth, and wash it all down with the rest of the drink. I hand the cup back, and my door is shut again. The footsteps walk away and fade down the corridor.
/At least it's something/ the voice that sounds like my sister says.
Be grateful for it father adds.
"I am," I croak as I settle back against the damp wall.
The voice is still singing. It is in the Common tongue at the moment. Then it switches fluidly to Sindarin, and the Orcs start howling. I chuckle. They hate the Elven language. Burns their ears.
The voices grow louder, and other voices join in. I try, and get as loud as my dying voice can manage. There are yells and growls echoing everywhere, and soon, people start laughing. I can hear the two Dwarves that are in here chuckling loudly, and the humans are cheering us on.
It's always up to the Elves isn't it?
We sing on and on and on. The Orcs bang against our doors, but that won't silence us. My voice is growingstronger the more I sing. If we can keep this up…
"I honestly never thought I would get this close to this place."
"Same here."
Gîlorn peered through the trees. "There are Orcs everywhere," he hissed. "We'll never be able to take them all on."
"Remember your training," Legolas hissed back. "Think tactically."
Gîlorn frowned and was silent for a moment. Then his face lit up. "I have a perfect idea," he said. He moved closer to Legolas to explain. "Spread out throughout these trees," he began. "So we more or less surround the tower. Make sure you keep at least one person in sight at all times, either to your left or right. We'll fire arrows at them, taking down as many as we can that way. It'll confuse them, having attacks coming from all sides. We take advantage of this, and continue our silent attack." He emphasised the word 'silent'.
"And what about when they charge at us?" Legolas asked. He was smiling.
"Draw out knives and fight close combat. Stay on your horses. They can trample some if they feel like it. We all have stallions. Big stallions too. It'll work!"
Legolas grinned widely at his brother. "You'll make a fine Captain one day Gîlorn," he said proudly.
"Thanks to you and Ladrenîl. You're the ones who have been training me. I just put your brains together, and came up with the idea."
"It's simple, but brilliant," Legolas told him, patting his shoulder. "I'll tell the others. You get them stationed out one by one where you want them to be." He went and told the rest of the group Gîlorn's plan.
Gîlorn felt very pleased with himself for coming up with that idea. Legolas was right; it was simple, but it could work. There were loads of Orcs out and around the tower, but if they kept to the plan, they could take them all down bit by bit.
Soon, every Elf was in place. They notched an arrow to their bow, and waited. Legolas and Gîlorn had stayed in sight of each other. They looked, nodded, and fired.
This was the signal, and so the others also fired. A hail of arrows rained down upon the unsuspecting Orcs, and confusion reined. Arrow after arrow flew trough the air, each finding a target.
A few managed to find their brains and charged into the undergrowth. But because of the way the Elves were spaced out, they normally charged into empty undergrowth. One came between Gîlorn and Legolas. The younger turned his bow and shot it quickly. It gurgled and slumped to the floor. He faced the main area again.
This continued, and then the Orcs got a hold of themselves. They charged.
Each Elf drew his knives, leaving his or her bow hanging from a nearby branch. The Orcs came running, baring teeth and scimitars. They were met by sharp Elven daggers, swinging down through the air to slice their throats. The Elves were so quick and precise, that the Orcs literally gave up after a few minutes. They still tried to defend their tower, but the Elves were just too good.
Legolas urged his horse into the clearing, and the others followed. The rest of the Orcs were taken down, and soon they stood amidst a sea of dead bodies.
"Don't Orcs ever bathe?" Thandiel asked, wrinkling her nose.
They laughed, and started looking for a way into the tower. They soon found it, thanks to a new group of Orcs pouring out of it. They were soon taken down, and after dismounting and hiding their horses in the undergrowth, they entered.
"Cellin, you stay out here with Finvelin and Gaerlin," Legolas told him. The three Elves nodded, and waited outside the door. He turned to Gîlorn. "Coming or staying?"
"Coming," Gîlorn answered without hesitation. "I have not come this far to be left behind at this point."
Legolas nodded in understanding, and led the other 5 into the Tower of Dol Goldur.
Immediately, all 6 felt the evil presence. They shivered and gripped their bows even tighter. There were walking down a long dark hallway and there were no lights to show them the way.
They went along at a tediously slow pace. Legolas was in the front, followed by Thandiel. Then came Cullas, Brethiliaur, and Tatharion. Gîlorn took up the rear, keeping his eyes on their backs in case anyone got in from the outside.
The darkness seemed never-ending. Legolas was holding his bow in his right hand, and feeling the wall with his left. It was slimy and damp, but he needed it to guide him where to go. He could feel the evil positively pulsing within the stone.
Soon, the path started going downhill. And Legolas could see firelight glinting up ahead. Soon, they came to the first bracket on the wall. He took the torch out and held it aloft briefly to check their path.
It was littered with bones. As Elves were so light, they were just walking straight over the top. He swallowed, and looked ahead. The path they were taking curved slowly to the left, and continued sloping downwards. He lowered it again, and carried on walking.
Then, he heard the singing.
Singing, singing, singing. It's good to sing! Don't ask me where all these random ideas are coming from! I honestly do not know. See you soon guys.
Faerlain