Disclaimer: No own except Sarkáhn, Mistad, and Sarniâ.
Wow! Thank you all so much for the reviews and I hope that you are enjoying my story. Here's the next chapter.
The battle raged on between the elves and the orcs. Elladan was ferociously fighting two orcs at the same time, while Elrohir was backed up against a tree. The orcs seemed neverending. Elrond, who had just thrust his blade into an orc's chest, suddenly stopped for he sensed that something was wrong. After a moment of shock, it finally dawned on him, and everything began to make perfect sense. "These orcs just didn't come out of nowhere or attack without a purpose," Elrond thought with a sense of realization. "This is all a diversion to get Estel alone. Sarkáhn set us up!" His thoughts were cut off suddenly when he felt a sharp pain lance through his head.
"Estel!" Elrond yelled in a loud yet worried voice. Each and every creature, whether they were elf or orc, heard the outcry of the elven lord. The elves realized that something bad was happening, so they began to fight the orcs with almost a blind fury, taking out orcs in single slashes. Finally, after a long, extensive battle, the orcs were annihilated.
Worriedly, Glorfindel and the twins made their way over to Elrond. They were afraid of what was happening to Estel, and they feared that he was attacked by Sarkáhn.
"What is wrong, ada? What happened to Estel? Is he alright?" Elladan asked concerned.
"We must leave now," Elrond replied hurriedly. "This was just a diversion. Do you not see? Sarkáhn sent these orcs to occupy us to get Estel alone!"
"Are you sure?" Glorfindel inquired his trusted friend. He did not doubt Elrond's connection with Estel, but he was worried that Elrond was taking the whole Sarkáhn ordeal too hard and was now blaming every occurrence on him.
"I am positive. I would stake my life on it. Now, come quickly, we must find my son and Legolas," Elrond answered determinedly.
The elves got on their horses and rode in search of Estel and Legolas. No one dared to ask whether they were alright or not, because they could see in the Elf lord's eyes a great fear and worry for the lives of his son and friend. They all silently prayed to the Valar for help and guidance and to protect those who they were searching for. They also prayed that they would be alright.
Elrond did not look anywhere but straight ahead, for he did not want his eyes to betray his emotions to his fellow riders. On the outside, he looked extremely calm and temperate, not revealing a single emotion. His face was solemn and his posture was flawless. But anyone who knew him well could see the turmoil in his eyes. His eyes were the key to all of hisfeelings that he tried sodesperately to hide. Fear, worry, anger, sadness; they were all present in the elf's eyes, each one battling the other for complete dominance over the being's hold of calm.
He could not lose his son. He knew his heart would not take such a loss, and he would surely die of a broken heart. Estel was the hope of all Middle Earth, and if he died, all would be lost. But most of all, Estel was his son…his light…his hope…his life. He was the only thing that brought back his faith in race that he felt was hopeless. Estel gave him a new perspective and brought joy and life to a house that was covered in grief after the passing of his wife. But especially, he brought purpose and meaning to Elrond's very existence. Elrond loved him as much as own children, and there was no way that Sarkáhn was going to deprive him of his son.
Legolas found himself in a swirl of lights and colors, and he felt as if he were floating on a cloud high above the world. But his peace was disturbed when pain laced through his head, which throbbed unmercifully. He tried to open his eyes, which felt like they were weighed down by lead, but failed in his attempt. Then, he heard a yell and a grunt of pain. His mind raged because he knew who the sounds belonged to: Estel. His eyes shot open in time to see Sarkáhn raise Aragorn into the air, while choking him concurrently. He slowly sat up and with a burst of adrenaline, stood up and made his way at top speed toward Aragorn. Sarkáhn may have been extremely clever and he may have had quick instincts, but he did not sense the approach of the elf until it was too late.
Legolas tackled Aragorn to the ground knowing that he would never have been able to get to Sarkáhn before he was perceived. He knew it caused his friend a great deal of pain to land so hard considering the injuries he had, but he had no other choice. He put his arms around Aragorn's shoulders and gently eased him into a sitting position against his chest, hoping to ease his friends breathing. He also kept his eyes, which were filled with anger and pure, burning hatred, fixed on Sarkáhn's figure.
Aragorn lay on the ground coughing continuously. He could barely breathe and his airway felt as though someone had crushed his windpipes so that no air could get through. He desperately tried to gasp for breath, but every time he took in a deep breath, his ribs flared and sent waves of excruciating pain through his chest. He was on the verge of blacking out, but somehow he managed to keep himself conscience. He realized what kept him alive, and that what…rather who…was Legolas. He could feel calm waves of comfort and reassurance coursing through him from Legolas's hand. He relaxed slightly in his grip, but his breathing was still troubled.
"How dare you, you infuriating little insect! Do you realize how foolish you are to come between me and my prey? I could crush you with the snap of my fingers. You dare defy me; then you pay the price." Sarkáhn was enraged by Legolas's intervention. He was absolutely beside himself with fury. For an elf of all creatures to stop his plan from being fulfilled was the worst thing that could possibly happen. His whole figure trembled with rage, causing even Legolas to shudder somewhat in fear. This was no mere orc, unintelligent and impetuous. This was Sarkáhn, who was made to fight and kill, and whose only reason for existence was the annihilation of all elves.
Sarkáhn's entire figure became ablaze in flames. Sparks flew all over and the heat radiated for hundreds of yards. The sky grew as black as the night sky with no star or light visible except for the fire of Sarkáhn. The trees swayed dangerously and creaked and moaned as the winds blew stronger and stronger. Legolas and Aragorn looked on in pure terror at the sight before them. Neither one could move from the spot they were in. They just stared, wide-eyed and frightened.
Sarkáhn looked as he saw the fear in the victims' eyes and laughed ferociously.
"This shall be a most satisfying kill," He shrieked. "I have instilled the one emotion in you that makes killing worth while…fear. Although, I am disappointed, I had hoped you would have been a lot more of a challenge. Oh well, I guess I should admit when I am wrong and be thankful for what I have." Sarkáhn said the last words in a sarcastic way that it sent a chill up one's spine.
Legolas and Aragorn awaited the attack. They knew that they would never survive such an onslaught from such a powerful creature. They closed their eyes, held each other's hands tightly, and waited for the end.
Elrond sensed that time was quickly running out, so he urged his horse on faster. The other elves increased their speed also. They finally approached the edge of the woods where Aragorn and Legolas were. They had not expected the sight before them. The entire wood up to the edge was completely enveloped in darkness. The wind was strong and the whole place reeked of evil. But none of the elves allowed this to delay them. They made haste through the dark woods, trying hard to avoid the many trees in the path. Elrond led the way, knowing that he was the only one whocould to stop Sarkáhn's attack.
Each and every elf stared in awe when they saw the figure of flames before them, except for Elrond. He spotted Legolas and Aragorn sitting against a tree, hands held, full of fear. He knew the only way to stop Sarkáhn's attack was his ring. He made his way closer, stealthily moving from tree to tree. He came up behind Sarkáhn and yelled in a loud and enraged voice, "Sarkáhn, you spawn of Morgoth, your days are numbered!" With that said, he unleashed the power of Vilya and extinguished Sarkáhn's powers. Sarkáhn shrieked so loud that it hurt every person's ears. With that distraction, Sarkáhn disappeared from his position, leaving the woods the same as they were before, undisturbed and silent.
AN: Thanks again for the reviews! See, I didn't leave such a mean cliffhanger this time. At least I saved Aragorn and Legolas first. LOL. Please review, I would be much obliged!; )