Chapter 2: Pranks and…Orcs?
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or places, they all belong to Tolkien. I am just writing this for fun. I am making no money from this.
The next day they set off before the first rays of light appeared on the horizon. As the sun rose, no clouds were visible, and the four companions were enjoying each other's company.
They rode through the valley at a slow pace, knowing they didn't need to make haste. Shortly after the sun rose, they decided to stop for breakfast. They ate a small portion of Lembas bread and decided to go on.
They continue riding on for the rest of the day, but the weather didn't remain like that. Shortly after they finished breakfast, clouds started to appear on the blue sky, but that was all, so they didn't pay attention to it.
The twins knew an excellent place to stop for the night, where they could find the rest they needed after a day's ride. It was a clearing in the forest, with a river passing nearby, and a small waterfall. While Elladan and Elrohir tended to the horses, Estel and Legolas went fishing.
While Elladan and Elrohir tended to the horses, they started talking in hushed whispers.
"'Ro, c'mon, it's simple, they won't notice we are planning this" Elladan said to his twin bother.
"I know 'Dan, but do you think it is wise?" Elrohir responded.
"Of course, right now they are fishing, so when they wash the dishes the only thing they need is a small push, that is all" Elladan stated as if it was too obvious what needed to be done.
"So okay 'Dan, then we will do this" Elrohir replied.
Meanwhile, Estel and Legolas were fishing. But, as Elladan and Elrohir were doing, they were also plotting against the twins.
"What do you think Estel?" Legolas asked his companion.
"Yes, that would work wonderfully" Estel replied with mirth.
"So alright, now we only need to get the lizards, and make sure to put them in their boots while they are asleep" Legolas made a summary of the prank which they would pull on Elladan and Elrohir.
"I think it is fine. But Legolas, that doesn't mean one of us will have to have the last night watch in order to put the lizards in both boot pairs?" Estel doubted their prank would work correctly.
"Yes Estel, that is why one of us has to choose the first watch, the second and third your brothers, and the fourth, one of us. Why don't you take the first watch?" Legolas asked his human friend.
"That is fine with me. But don't forget, put them in their boots. They hate the lizards, and they can't bear to touch them. Just imagine the look on their faces when they discover the lizards in their boots" Estel replied almost laughing at the faces their brothers would pull at having lizards in their boots.
"I know that, they have always hated them. Lizards are always useful when pranking your brothers. That is why we need to catch some fishes if we want to eat, but remember, our main target is to get those lizards without your brothers noticing" Legolas stated.
The sun was getting low, almost hiding behind the mountains. Estel and Legolas had gotten enough fish for the dinner, and had putted the lizards in a safe place.
Now Elladan and Elrohir were frying the fishes over the fire, while Legolas and Estel watch them.
"I think they are ready 'Dan, I do not want to miss dinner just because you burnt the fish" Estel said.
"I'm not that bad cooking Estel" Elladan responded his little brother in a somewhat offended tone.
"Well at least check the fish, it already smells of fried fish" Legolas said.
"I think just someone might be too hungry to wait for dinner to cook properly" Elrohir said, gazing directly at Estel.
"Hey, it is not my fault! We have not eaten anything since breakfast!" Estel exclaimed as his stomach gave a lurching noise.
Everyone laugh at that. And the bickering continued between the four friends. When the fish was ready, Elladan served everyone on their plate.
The night sky was a little cloudy. Just now a soft breeze started to blow. After everyone finished, Legolas and Estel went to the stream to wash their plates and refill the water skins. They were so concentrated on what they were doing, that they didn't notice the twins walking behind them. Then suddenly, the twins charged forward, and pushed Estel and Legolas into the river.
Legolas resurfaced, somewhat shocked at what had happened. He had expected the twins to pull pranks on Estel and him, but not this soon. Estel resurfaced a moment later, and afterwards they crawled out of the water.
Elladan and Elrohir tried to remain serious fighting the urge to laugh, but after seeing the look on Legolas and Estel's face, the giggles turned into laughs.
"You are too wet, how did you manage to fall in?" Elladan asked, with certain mirth in his voice.
"Just shut up 'Dan" Estel said somewhat annoyed.
"Oh Legolas, you fell into the river!" Elrohir exclaimed.
"Well I can thank someone for it" Legolas replied staring at the twins.
Afterwards they continue washing the plates. The two soaked friends changed into their spare clothes. They add more firewood and kindling to the fire so that Estel and Legolas could warm up and dry their soaked clothes. Thogh Legolas didn't need it as much as Estel did due to his Elven abilities. Estel on the contrary, was human, and could get sick. That is why he needed to get dry and warm.
While they were at it, they decided to sort out the night's shifts. Estel decided to go first, as he was a little cold, so that he could be near the fire and tend to it. Legolas, who was already warm thanks to his Elven abilities, which make Elves not to feel too much the cold, decided to take the last watch, giving as an excuse he wanted to see the sun rise. So the second turn was Elrohir's and the third was Elladan's.
When Estel roused up Elrohir, he was much warmer, so he went to his sleeping roll and fell asleep almost immediately. During Elrohir's turn, nothing was amiss, just that the breeze was slightly stronger, and now the sky was starless due to the heavy clouds now in the sky.
Elrohir then waked up Elladan, and Elladan then waked up Legolas. Legolas then strapped his bow and quiver to his back, along with his long white knives.
Legolas waited a little more until he was certain Elladan and Elrohir were deeply asleep. He silently crept to the place Estel and he had chosen to put the lizards in, and took them out. He then went to Elladan and Elrohir's boots, careful not to wake them, and put the lizards in the boots.
Just half an hour had passed, and there were still three more hours for the dawn to brake. Just then a light rain started to fall, putting their fire out, but it didn't wake the two Elves and human sleeping because they were well hidden under the canopy of the trees. Legolas then noted the night had less light, as all the stars and moon were covered with heavy dark clouds.
"Oh no" he thought, "just what we needed. A storm! I hope Estel won't get sick, or Lord Elrond will have our hide if one of us returns injured again"
Then he felt it. The dark presence of orcs nearby. He went to investigate, and found that they were near, they could not outrun them in this weather, and their horses were set loose for the night. "Oh Valar" he thought "The horses will run at the presence of orcs, we must gather them and send them to safety" He could hear them now, they were a group of about thirty orcs, they would be greatly outnumbered. Wargs were also present. By each passing minute, the rain fell heavier and heavier, it seemed as it would never stop.
Taking the best course of action, he returned and roused up his friends.
"Wake up! Orcs are nearby, we cannot outrun them, and they have wargs with them! We've got to fight! "
"Legolas what! Orcs here? They seldom come this close to Imladris!" Elladan exclaimed from his sleeping roll.
"You already hear me, they are nearly here. I'll call for the horses to send them to safety, while you three get ready for a fight. Then we will break camp. We have just the necessary time to do this." Legolas said. He then added in a somberly tone. "We are greatly outnumbered"
So while Legolas went for the horses, Elladan, Elrohir and Estel went to get ready for the fight. The instant the two Elves putted on their boots, they started screaming and got them off.
"Really Estel, you and Legolas are only planning this of the orcs as another of your pranks. And you putted lizards in our boots!" Elladan exclaimed with horror at the prospect of having lizards crawling in his boots.
"Yes Estel, you and Legolas know we hate them!" Elrohir said.
"The orc thing is true they are nearly here. We are sorry about the lizards, but it seems faire since you throw us into the river, so hurry up" Legolas said.
"Do not worry over this incident with the lizards, we will make you pay after we finish with the orcs" Elladan said.
"Yeah, do not expect us to remain like this, we will get revenge" Elrohir stated, but Legolas and Estel knew the twins were only joking, saying it to try to lighten the situation.
As Elladan grabbed his sword, and Elrohir tied the straps of his quiver and bow, Legolas, with the help from Estel who already had with him his bow, quiver and sword, putted their packs on the horses, and sent them off to safety, telling them they would call them.
A thunderbolt was heard, and a lighting strike was seen in the distance. Just then the battle cries of orcs were heard, with the occasional snarling and howling of a warg. With almost no light and heavy rain, the four companions prepared themselves for the upcoming battle and storm.
Author notes: Thanks to all my reviewers! You are awesome! Don't worry, more is coming soon! Also the angst in the following chapters!
Please Read and Review. Sugestions and opinions are always welcomed!
Response to Reviewers:
Deana: You are my first reviewer! How awesome. This is my first attempt at fanfiction. Anyway I'm glad you like my story:). Here is your second chapter. Don't worry the real angst is coming in the following chapters! LOL.
HarryEstel: You are right. Trouble follows those four wherever they go. And the snow will come later. Hehe. As you said poor Estel! Things won't go too well for this ranger!