Maewyn: Shield Maiden of Rohan Part VI
The Umbars
by Luthien Meneldur
As the unholy army of the dead was lead from the exit of the caverns of the dead, Legolas smiled at the sunlight. Aragorn walked at the lead of the strange company, and Legolas could no longer see the doubt in his face as before, now he was confidant and radiant; and yet still there was worry to be had, and Aragorn would not speak, only lead.
Legolas began to smile at the sunlight, being in the caves so long he had missed life, and day. The army wavered behind them, and echoing footsteps could be heard occasionally, even in the open space of the fields they had come upon. He looked to his good friend Gimli. "I told you we would walk free again friend," he said smiling.
"Yes, and now we walk to battle," Gimli said proudly, ready for the oncoming fight.
Aragorn turned a corner in the rock's face, and they found themselves facing the river, and the Umbar ships. Aragorn stopped suddenly, and fell to his knees. The ships were already sailing past this point, and down the long slope of valley they would never reach the river in time to halt them. All hope drained from the Dunadan's face, and his eyes welled up.
Legolas grew worried, for he had never seen his friend so close to tears. He placed his hand lightly upon Aragorn's shoulder. "There is still hope Aragorn," he said.
"We have not the time to reach them," Aragorn said as if in agony.
"You place to much stock in time and place," The King of the Dead said, his voice ringing eerily in the open air. The King raised his sword in command, and the army followed him swiftly through the valley and across the water to the ships. Screams echoed across the hills, and after a short time the ships grew silent. They changed direction swiftly, and docked at the near port.
With Aragorn in the lead, the three companions ran down into the valley, and boarded the ships.
"We set sail for Osgiliath," Aragorn said as they made way.
The way down the river was swift, and the ships traveled at a great speed. Legolas had only little time to look out at the great green of the countryside as they sped by.
"There is such beauty in the world as I have never seen," he said to himself as he stood at the bow of the ship with Gimli at his side.
"You do not know the beauty of things until you have lost them," came a cold voice from behind him.
"Legolas! Legolas! One of them is talking to you," Gimli whispered frightened. "He's coming over here!" His voice betrayed his fear.
"There is nothing to fear in death Gimli," Legolas said, trying to reassure the dwarf.
"You should fear death, young elf, for in death you lose everything you love, everything you hold dear." The voice was frigid as the spirit of the King wafted toward them. He was transparent, and Legolas could see the ship through his torn and ragged clothing.
"I do not fear it. If I do find death, I will rest in forever peace." Legolas' eyes were defiant, not kind to this King of old.
The dead King let out a hoarse laugh that shook Gimli in his boots. "You are a fool!" He said harshly before fading away like fog in the light of day.
"Fear not Gimli," Legolas said. "We are soon to battle, and until we are we have such green pastures to look upon." His smile returned as he laid eyes again upon undisturbed grass and foliage along the river.
Their journey led them soon to the port at Osgiliath, and Legolas was glad that soon he would be able to find Maewyn. When they reached the port, he was dismayed to see a large crowd of orcs waiting for the Umbars. Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas ducked low beside the heavy sides of the ship, while the dead army faded into the air. There was a hole in the wood, and Legolas could see through to a captain that wore a skull-helmet upon his deformed and greasy head.
"C'mon you sea rats, I haven't got all day!" Came the voice of the captain.
The elf and dwarf took the cue from the leader and hopped overboard onto the port dock.
Once Gimli hit the ground, and recovered from the long jump, he yelled out. "There's plenty for the both of us! May the best dwarf win!"
Legolas immediately let his calm instincts take over, as he ran at the crowd of orcs with his bow drawn. He let fly arrow after arrow, letting nothing distract him. Once in close range he pulled his daggers from their sheaths on his back. His movements were swift, and fluid, and never-ending. One stroke flowed into another and into another, until the port was clear of any living creature other than the three companions.