Disclaimer: I do not, repeat DO NOT, own any of these characters. J.R.R. Tolkien does and I have utterly no problems with that at all.
Oh yes and if my story is the same as anyone else's I am soooooooo sorry. I would love to read all the LotR stories but I don't have the time. Please if it is the same, don't be mad, PLEEEEEAAAAAASSSSSSEEEEE.
Legolas stared in horror at the knife. It was amazingly dirty – so covered with slime and dried on blood that it was about half an inch thicker than it should have been – and it wasn't straight but jagged, it was obviously intended to cause pain rather than a clean cut.
Hool kneeled down and gently tapped the knife with a crooked finger. A small cloud of rust and dirt sprayed off the weapon causing Legolas to cough and then gasp in pain. The agony was added to as Hool plunged the blade deep into the elf's right shoulder and twisted it around in the wound.
The Prince however took his chance to get his own back once the pain became so severe it was numbing. He weakly kicked out with an unchained leg and completely knocked Hool off his feet. The orc landed sprawled on his front and began to struggle to get up, his armour and short legs making it difficult to get upright again. It would have been a rather comical sight had Legolas not realised that Hool was going to get very angry, and Legolas was in no position to defend himself.
Finally Hool struggled to his feet, once again swearing in Orc and glaring at the elf. He stood over the Prince snarling in his own language and slammed a huge iron capped boot down on the offending foot.
Legolas couldn't help but scream as the bones in his ankle and foot were snapped apart. The cry of agonizing pain quickly subsided into a low sobbing until Hool dragged the knife out of Legolas's shoulder when it turned into whimper of hurt.
Hool stood back, surveyed the battered elf and stalked out of the room, leaving Legolas alone again.
Aragorn stood up immediately and drew his sword. Gimli leapt up after him, brandishing his axe high above his head. Various Rohirrim soldiers yanked weapons from various scabbards, packs, quivers and one or two of them grabbed logs for protection.
The black-cloaked rider stopped its horse and turned its head to survey the multitude of weapons it was being threatened with. Then it carefully held up both hands and pulled its hood off. It was a she-elf.
"I am sorry to have worried you" she spoke clearly, trying to show she was no threat, "I have come on orders of King Thranduil of Mirkwood. Or so I wish you to believe. Please do not ask any questions, it will make my life a lot more difficult. And why am I being threatened with a piece of kindling?"
The Rohirrim with the logs dropped them hastily, blushing furiously.
Aragorn stepped forward, her voice was familiar, she was from Mirkwood he knew, she was... Who was she?
"Thiel?" he suddenly exclaimed, "Eowynthiel? That is you?"
The she-elf grinned, her long brown locks momentarily obscuring her vision.
"That would be me," Thiel replied, "And you would be Strider, Aragorn and Estel. I remember that much."
"Yes, they are all me. But tell me what are you doing in Rohan?" asked Aragorn grabbing her horse's reins and offering her a hand.
"I said no questions, but I will answer anyway. Our soldiers that returned from the battle, informed us of the Princes' situations. Or at least one of them," said Thiel scrambling incredibly ungracefully off the stallion,
"Eléndel is still alive, mellon nin, and very well. He was merely bruised by the explosion. I came to inform you of that and to help you. Mirkwood is in trouble, yes, but I have no wish to stay locked in the palace or the smithy's repairing or making swords, when people need more help here. Our army can hold the dark forces back as long as necessary; they have done so for too long to give up. These are the places that are in urgent need and I will help."
Aragorn smiled weakly at her and handed the reins to a nearby soldier.
"If you insist, lady. But tell me one thing, you do know how to handle a weapon?" he asked.
"Strider, I am a blacksmith. I make weapons. Do you not think I know how to use my own craft?" she replied still smiling,
"There is a Lord of this city?"
"Of course"
He led her up the steps to the Golden Hall, with Gimli jogging curiously behind, trying to understand the snatches of elvish as they spoke.
In the great hall, Gandalf and Theoden were still talking about Gondor. They did however stop when Thiel performed a sweeping bow to them.
"Mithrandir. King Theoden," she said standing up.
"Eowynthiel, why are you here?" said an astonished Gandalf.
"You need help" she stated, "I can".
Closer to the door Gimli hissed to Aragorn,
"Who's she laddie?"
"Legolas's best friend. Not in a romantic way though" he muttered back,
"They've known each other too long. Born in the same year. Their mother's died in the same month. The only difference is that Thiel's father died too, when she was very young. She's very smart even though she had no real teaching, though she acts more of a man than an elf. Slightly crazy. She's the best blacksmith in Mirkwood too, one of the best in Middle Earth for that matter. And don't worry, she has nothing against dwarves."
"Good" grunted Gimli.
Apparently Theoden and Gandalf had come to an agreement about Thiel. She walked back to the man and the dwarf smiling triumphantly.
"It has been settled. I am staying," she said and glanced down slightly finally noticing Gimli,
"Oh, my apologies. I never saw you."
"Gimli, son of Gloin," the dwarf mumbled, hefting his axe over a shoulder to grasp her offered hand.
"That is a nice axe. Never could make axes. Do you know how?"
Gimli seemed nonplussed then suddenly gave a small self-important snort,
"Aye lassie, I do. We may have something to while the time away now!"
Aragorn shook his head as the pair began to walk down the steps. He would leave them together. He would have to. There was always Eowyn to apologise to.
Sorry about not updating for a bit. Our Internet crashed for ages cause we got a new system and I was a bit swamped with homework. Don't think they should be allowed to give us that many. Also sorry if it's a bit short or anyone's out of character. And Thiel is a total made up character, I got her full name from a name generator decided it would sound better shortened. Is anyone going to review? Pwease? I won't take so long updating if you review. Even criticism is welcome.
Here's a bit of my own wisdom:
"Never burn yourself when making muffins"
(If wrecks, believe me.)