A/N I know, late update. Sorry!
And a quick note on the Elvish used in this chapter, I've used the word Glamhoth which is actually orc host to substitute for the Elvish word for Urgals seen as there isn't an Elvish word for that. And I kind of figure Urgals are somewhat like orcs and I think that is what Legolas and Gimli would see them as anyway.
Chapter 37- Wishes Granted
They stood on a pebble beach on the banks of Lake Kóstha- mérna. They could see a waterfall on the other side of the lake that they had to get to, but the only way was around the vast lake, across a thin strip of land on either side of it.
They would have to be careful with leading the horses across it; it was only a few steps wide. Another horn sounded behind them. Each turned and expected to see a mass of Kull streaming out of the trees toward them. They hurried on over the precarious spit of shore, which was covered with slim making it slippery. And Saphira had to scramble across best she could, her two feet dragging in the water.
Yet another horn sounded and they turned again. Eragon paled. The huge hulking figures of the Kull emerged from the surrounding forest where the company had been but minutes before. Murtagh swore harshly.
The Kull, much to their dismay, split up and began around both sides of Kóstha- mérna. They has no escape route now, they would have to fight.
Legolas fired a few shots into those that approached then turned and commanded the others to run while he followed, dragging an unwilling Gimli with him, they had almost reached the opposite shore nearing the waterfall. Saphira took off and made for the Kull. She flew to the opposite side of the lake, the Kull here had gained more foot on this side and were already half way to the other side whereas the others had been held back a bit by Legolas' volley of arrows. Taking a Kull in her mighty talons, she tore it to shreds as it screamed in agony. A few seconds later the bulky helpless body crashed into the lake. Though the determined Kull continued on. She went for her next attack, only to be met with a hail of black arrows, which pierced her wings. She roared in agony and fell into the lake with an almighty crash sending a tidal wave of water up around her as she submerged. The Kull shuffled uncertainly to the water's edge, grunting in their hideous coarse tongue. One jabbed its spear in the lake, laughing in its vulgar manner.
Suddenly, Saphira's head shot up from the depths, powerful jaws locked onto the spear, splintering it in two like a twig. But the other Kull only jabbed back at her with their crude spears, bloodying her nose. She growled viciously, recovering and snapping back. She could hold them at bay for a while, giving the others a chance to escape.
The Kull on the other side of the lake hurried after the rest of the company, which had now reached the other side of the lake.
Eragon, Murtagh, Legolas, Gimli, the horses and the She-Elf Arya stood on the beach on which was wider giving them more space to move, behind them was the waterfall. A wall of water gushing down the sheer cliff and foaming on the rocks below. They turned to Eragon for their next instructions. He looked around wildly, trying to remember what Arya had told him.
He picked up an ample sized rock from the ground and hurled it at the side of the cliff next to the waterfall, shouting, "Aí varden abr du Shur'tugals gata vanta!"
Nothing happened.
He tried again, shouting louder above the roar of the falls, pounding his fist on the cliff.
"Humph, I wish I could muster a legion of Dwarves, fully armed and filthy!" grumbled Gimli as he watched the Kull move closer toward them.
Legolas smiled. "A hundred of Mirkwood's finest archers!"
"Bah! Well, we have neither. Just an Elf with a bow and a Dwarf with an axe, so may the best of us win!" Gimli said raising his axe.
"Very well, that old game is it? What was it last time, forty-two? I say we better that right now!" said Legolas loading another arrow into his bow.
Gimli laughed happily shaking his axe with excitement as Legolas fired a succession of arrows into the mist of the oncoming Kull.
"Eragon, sometime today would be nice!" said Murtagh, raising his sword ready to attack.
"I know! I'm working on it!" he replied, his fist was now bruised from pounding in the stone cliff and his voice was hoarse from all the shouting he was doing.
Saphira abandoned the Kull she had been holding off, noticing the advance of those on the other side of the lake. She flew over and placed herself firmly in front of the company.
Gimli cried out, disgruntled. "Well Legolas, how many did you get?"
"Nine so far. Soon my arrows will be useless though and it will be knife work here," he replied.
Saphira crouched in a defensive position, ready to spring to attack. A Kull came up from the side, slipping past while attention was diverted to the rest of the host.
"Eragon look out!" shouted Gimli as the Kull went to hurl its enormous spear at an unsuspecting Eragon. With power seemingly impossible for his size, Gimli flung his axe right into the chest of the Kull. Its eyes rolled back in its head and it fell. Legolas darted out form behind Saphira and wrenched the axe from the Kull's lifeless body, handing it back to his friend. "Nice shot!" he said, patting the Dwarf on the shoulder.
"Thank you. Well, one for me- nine for you and plenty more to come!" said Gimli jovially.
"Bring it on!" Legolas challenged, a fire in his eyes.
"Eragon hurry!" Murtagh called.
"It's not like I'm delaying on purpose!" Eragon shouted back annoyed. He retraced through Arya's memories to see if he had missed anything. Then it hit him. They were on the wrong side of the Lake! They had to go through the waterfall to reach the Varden. He relayed his realisation to the others who frowned.
"Please tell me you are joking," said Murtagh furiously. "The horses will never follow through there!"
"I will take care of the horses," said Legolas. " Put Arya on Saphira's back. It is better than getting hacked to death! Come!"
Arya was secured in Saphira's back and the dragon took off, startling the Kull as she flew up.
Legolas promptly took charge of the horses, tapping into their frightened bewildered minds and speaking to them in his own gentle tongue. "Glamhoth angennol. Glamhoth dago le, gerich tolo na nin. Heniach nin? Telich na ammen a ú-achas! Saes aphado nin!" (Urgals are coming. Urgals will kill you, you have to come with me. Do you understand? You come with us and fear not! Please follow me!).
It seemed to get through to the animals and they followed Legolas' commands, though reluctantly.
The Elf plunged underneath the falls as the water hammered down on his head. He went under, the tremendous force of the water pushing him and the horses down as they tried to resurface. He grabbed hold of one of the horse's reins and pulled it along. It kicked with all its might, swimming through the cascade. The other two horses must have followed after. Legolas was pushed to the bottom of the lake, scraping his knee on the bottom, ripping his leggings. All he could hear all around him was the tremendous roar of the violent surge of cool water. He managed to kick off up against a rock powerfully enough for him to be brought part way back to the surface, and all the time his thoughts were divided between getting air back into his starved lungs, and hoping Gimli would make it alright through the falls.
He felt a strong hand grasp hold of his tunic and pull him up, dragging him out of the water. He gasped in air, thanking the Valar that he was back on the surface. Eragon and Murtagh were next to be dragged out. He waited for Gimli, but he did not come and all around him was the sound of combat, though he barely acknowledged it before plunging back into the water. A voice shouted to him in dismay, but he did not heed it.
He was forced under by the sheer power of water that fell on his shoulders, forcing him under again. He tried to see through the streams of white bubbles that floated past his eyes.
Then he picked something out in the gloom. Something bulky on the lakebed. He dived down to retrieve it, knowing full well that it was his friend.
Gimli took in mouthful after mouthful of water, unable to get to the surface, weighed down by his heavy Dwarven armour. This was it. This is how he was going to die. Not fighting bravely on the battle field having slew many foul enemies and still struggling on with his multiple injuries, but at the bottom of some lake, in a land far from home because Gimli the Dwarf was not strong enough to fight this one enemy: water.
He felt someone grab him by the back of his mail shirt, pulling with all their might, dragging him up, up, up. The next thing he knew he was laid on a pebble beach, the thunder of the falls nearby and the horrendous cries of some beastly creatures. And someone was calling his name. Shaking him. He knew his helmet had been removed and he felt a lot lighter than usual. He opened his eyes blearily to find himself staring up into the face of his Elven friend.
He coughed up some water off his chest and spat it out then smiled up at Legolas with his bedraggled hair and soaked clothing. "You look like a drowned rat!" he said hoarsely.
Legolas glared back but managed a smile. "You can speak for yourself!" he shot back helping his friend sit up.
He turned to hear a gruff voice grumbling next to him in a language that sounded rather familiar. "Akh Guntéraz dorzâda! What were they thinking, leaving you all to drown! Bah!" a small man- no, Dwarf! Sat wringing out his long braided beard nearby. He was stocky and clad in a chain mail jacket. Around him were others of his kind as well as men. All clad in mail with axes in their stubby little hands.
Legolas turned his attention back to Gimli and smiled. "Well my friend, I guess you have got your wish!"
A/N There! I'm sorry about the late update, I've been on half term as well, just been doing a lot of things! Anyways, hope you enjoyed that, and now for the section of the book you have all been waiting for, my friends, we have just entered the Dwarf kingdom! Let the good times roll!
Tim, Digidestined of Loyalty- I know! I could very well be finished soon! I love Star Wars! Yeah, I think it would work, though you never know until you try it right!
Cylliel- Yup, they made it all in one piece, a little wet but ok. All they have to get past now is the twins :shudder: I hate them!
Zammy- Thanks, wow, 16? I thought there were quite a few!
TrekkieGreenieShannaraElfOfMe- Yeah, isn't one still on Galbatorix's possession too? So it's most likely going to be evil. Hmmm, wonder who the other Riders will be though.
Moonyasha- Silly Malthen! I don't think I could find a place for him in this one, maybe in the next I could slip him in or something. Dunno, depends what the almighty Poalini has in store in Eldest! Thanks though, I'll keep him in mind! Yay! finally at the Varden, let the fun begin!
Lestatlover1784- Bah, stupid homework. Hehe, annoying the teachers! I hate that! People hanging over your shoulder, it seriously bugs me! Anyways, mail you laters!
Trev- Thank you! Glad you like!
The-burglar- Yeah, I love this book! Can not wait for the next. Hehe, yep, and we will be hearing a lot more from Gimli and the Dwarves of Farthen Dur!