Legolas watched them leave through the Banquet Hall and walk toward the gardens beyond. He sighed to himself, wishing he could show his affection for her more freely. Just as he was turning to leave, his thoughts were interrupted. A young guard ran quickly into the Great Hall and right up to the prince.

"My Lord! Orcs inside the borders!" shouted the guard urgently. As if to punctuate his statement, a loud horn sounded outside, announcing a call to arms.

"How many and at what distance?" asked the prince, as the hall started to fill with lords, ladies and servants alike.

"No more than fifty, my Lord," answered the guard. "Only a league at most."

"A scouting party," said Legolas, more to himself then to the guard. Then he ordered, "Get my weapons immediately."

As the guard left to fetch the prince's weapons, Aragorn and Linnah returned. Fear tainted Linnah's face.

"What is it Legolas?" asked Aragorn, concerned but calm.

"A small Orc party has invaded our southern borders," answered the prince. "My weapons are being brought to me and as soon as they arrive I will away to assist the Southern Guards."

"It is as we feared then. Gollum was tracked," said Aragorn.

Thranduil and four of the king's personal guards could be seen approaching from the Throne Room corridor. Linnah spoke up urgently, before the king could arrive. "Legolas! Lady Elessa went out riding again. She said the day was too pleasant to stay inside. She has not yet returned!"

Legolas eyes widened at this news. Aragorn's eyes widened at Linnah's informality. But before either could make mention of it, Thranduil and his guards joined them.

Linnah was so upset, she forgot to bow to the king when he joined them. Orlindel also joined the group, but Linnah paid him no mind.

"Legolas, what news?" asked the king.

"A scouting party of fifty Orcs father, no more than a league from the gate."

The king nodded and said, "Fortify the gate and meet me at the bridge."

"Aye, Sir," said Legolas.

"I will accompany you, Sire," said Aragorn.

"Your company is appreciated, Aragorn," responded the king. With that, Aragorn, Thranduil and his guards rushed out of the hall.

Orlindel was about to depart with them, when Legolas reached out to stop him. "Orlindel, I have been informed that Elessa went for another ride just before the alarm was sounded."

"What? Please tell me you are jesting." Orlindel stared hard at Legolas.

"I wish I were."

Orlindel wasted no more time and without another word, left to get his weapons.

A few of the guards that had been posted at the main entrance were ushering the royalty and servants towards the rear of the castle.

In the tumult, Legolas took a moment to reach out to Linnah. He was unconcerned with being observed. The entire castle was in uproar and he could care less about being proper. Her fear was making his heart break. He needed to reassure her, to calm her some how.

"Linnah, do not be afraid," he said softly. "I will find Elessa. The orc party is small and we outnumber them by the thousands. You are safe here."

"It is not me that I am worried about," said Linnah, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Shhh, Linnah. I am in no danger," said Legolas gently.

"Is it this Gollum that attracts them?"

Legolas paused for a moment. "It is most likely."

Linnah's mind started to race, but Legolas continued, his voice soft and soothing to her ears. "The castle is not being attacked, Linnah. If the orcs come to deliver a message, they will not live to return a response from us. If they are trying to claim Gollum by force, which is absurd by their numbers, we have the greater advantage, for we know our lands better than they. If the river does not cast its spell on them, we will surround them before they know any different." He lifted his hand and gently tucked a few stray hairs behind her ear. As his hand moved away from her face, he gently stroked her cheek.

The border guard returned with the prince's weapons and Legolas in a flash strapped on his quiver of arrows, notched his belt, sheathed his blades and took up his bow.

"I will be back before you know it," he said smiling at her.

"Please take care, please find Lady Elessa," she said almost pleadingly. The border guard raised an eyebrow in Linnah's direction, but said nothing. Noticing his inquisitive stare, Linnah quickly added with a curtsey, "my Lord."

Legolas slightly nodded his head and quickly left with the border guard.

The Great Hall was emptying. All around her, elves of every status were rushing towards the Banquet Hall and beyond. Linnah stood frozen to her spot. She felt completely useless and wished she could remain at the prince's side. She finally decided to go to the prince's chambers. At least there, she could feel close to him.

Outside, standing at the stone bridge before it crossed the great river into the forest, Thranduil, Aragorn, and several guards were waiting for word from one of the southern border scouts. Orlindel had gone ahead with Aeron and a few guards to the South in search of Elessa. Legolas appeared instantaneously from behind and asked the ranger, "Any new word?"

"We are awaiting some," answered Aragorn.

The prince motioned to his father that he was continuing toward the Southern Border. His father nodded his approval and Legolas continued on into the forest.

As he ran, far above him, well hidden in the trees, were the talans of the king's men. In times of trouble, these lofty abodes could also be used as lookout points. Several guards were using the height advantage of the talans and firing arrows into a group of orcs that were now appearing through trees far in the distance and heading in their direction.

Legolas quickly climbed up a tree to the nearest talan. He knelt at its ledge and began releasing his own arrows into the pack. The orcs were relentless and even though some fell to the piercing elven arrows, the rest continued on, as if driven by a menacing force that could not be seen. When the grotesque group finally passed under his hiding spot, Legolas leapt deftly from the tree branches as did several other Elven guards, who joined him in fighting the evil creatures hand to hand. At least twenty orcs did not stop and pushed ever forward. The rest took up their crude swords and attacked the elves.

A guard high up in a talan sounded an alarm as the orcs were coming dangerously close to the bridge. More elves joined in the fight and the orcs that stayed behind soon found themselves greatly outnumbered.

Legolas noticed Orlindel and Aeron among the other elves fighting. Orlindel had dropped his bow and taken up his blades. Legolas followed suit and between them and their comrades they made short work of the orc party. Knives, swords and spears sliced through the air and the hides of the enemies at blinding speeds. Black orc blood splattered the clothing of the elves.

Aeron motioned for some of the elves about him to leave the slain and head quickly toward the bridge, after the remaining orcs.

When but one badly injured orc in the group remained alive, Legolas raised his arm to halt the attack. The orc was on his knees. The prince leaned over the rasping body and angrily asked him, "Why have you entered our realm?"

The orc only laughed darkly in response. It was apparent that it held no fear of death or of the elf prince. Legolas tried another tactic. "If you do not tell me of your business here, I will be forced to extend your life only to torture it out of you slowly over the next thousand years. We have patience, it matters not when your tongue finally becomes loosened."

"Your words do not frighten me elf," sputtered the dying orc, black blood oozing from the corners of his mouth. "There are worse tortures in store for me from my own master if I returned without his prize." The orc laughed again and with a hoarse voice said, "I will tell you this, elf...you better hope she is not among you." With that, it spoke no more and the orc's body slumped uselessly to the ground.

Legolas was confused by the orc's last words. Who was this she? Was not Gollum that the Dark Lord was after? Was that not why the orcs had come? He did not let his mind linger further on this, because at present there was a more pressing matter to attend to. He looked over at Orlindel and shouted worriedly, "Did you find her?"

Orlindel looked heartsick. "Not yet. Aeron's group will take care of the rest of the filth, let's continue our search. We will cover more ground if we split up." He pointed toward the southeast, saying, "I will go this way. You head southwest and meet me near the Forest Road."

"As you wish," replied Legolas. Orlindel turned and ran deeper into the forest with three of the king's finest at his side.

Legolas left the ruined orc bodies and taking the three remaining elven guards with him, ran southwest.