Late, but here it is: chapter 19. I would give all of you my warmest thanks for reading and reviewing. Each and every review is cherished ((hugs))
Thanks to San for once again editing for my, stress and all.
Now enjoy!
Alina
Rating: PG 13
Disclaimer: Not mine at all :(
Bonds
It was like a light touch upon the shoulder. A brush of a butterfly´s wing that was gone almost before it began. A sun-ray gracing a cool cheek in spring without being noticed.
Legolas knew that they were being watched.
Yet he felt no malice from the gaze that followed them, and when he glanced towards Beakon who trotted beside the mare, he could see that the dog´s ears were perked up, clearly noting the foreign presence too. But he did not seem to find danger in their visitors either. When the great black head turned towards the elf as if in question, Legolas quietly said: "Edtaer." /Steadily onwards./
From the corner of his eye the elf could see a shape that ducked behind bushes and used the broad backs of the trees for cover. He did not turn towards it as not to startle whoever was watching them. He expected their shadow to show itself when it considered the time right. Rushing things would not help matters.
It had not been long since they had left the human remains behind. The elf had taken his time to praise the child for his control over the horse, and, as he had hoped, this had diverted the boy´s attention from the body they had quickly turned their backs to. Or so the elf had hoped.
"What was that wolf?" The child now spoke up after a long silence. He leaned back against Legolas´ chest, taking care not to touch the drying gashes that the elf had insisted needed no immediate attention. "It had funny eyes and it did not howl like the wolves that sing in Imladris. Oh, and it was so fast, too. Elladan says a wolf cannot outrun a good horse."
Legolas could not help but smile. The boy had clearly considered his words carefully. The elf would have to do the same lest he would unnecessarily scare the young one. "You have a sharp wit, penneth. I am sure that Lord Erestor takes great pride in you during the lessons you no doubt have to endure."
To his surprise the boy turned sharply in his arms, causing a bolt of pain to shoot through him. Valar, he had been in pain for so long that he was beginning to get used to the feeling!
"Lord Erestor has taught me that it is impolite not to answer a question", the child said reproachfully. His eyebrows were drawn together in a scornful manner. "And you did not."
"Indeed." Legolas took a few deep breaths to hide his discomfort, glad that the boy was too occupied to have noticed. "I apologize. Will you forgive me?"
Clear grey eyes lit up with a quick smile as the boy nodded eagerly, all pretence of strictness swept away by curiosity. "Oh of course. Now, what was that wolf?"
Legolas slightly bowed his head as a sign that he would answer and the young human settled back against him, listening intently. A quick glance at Beakon showed him that there had been no change in the dog´s posture. He sensed that there was more than one watcher now, at least one to each side of them. Now and again a twig would snap or ice would crunch beneath a foot. Humans, of that he was sure now.
The elf was thankful that he could speak Elvish to the child, thus hiding their words from the visitors.
"You are correct that these wolves were not like others. They were swifter, fiercer and far more dangerous. Sometimes, young one, beasts of nature take sides. Some will help us and defend us against evil. Some will turn towards the enemy and be changed by it into something much more sinister than they used to be."
"But animals are not bad", the boy argued, "Ada says even the dangerous ones only kill because they want to eat."
"Aye", Legolas agreed, "unless they have been corrupted by the enemy."
"What enemy?" the child inquired, "the bad man that tried to hurt me in the woods?"
The elf sighed. "That man was evil, yes", he replied, "and evil can change things. Just as the forces of good can. Have you ever spent time at the shores of the Bruinen?"
"Of course!" The boy chuckled. "Such a funny river. Sometimes I think it sings to me. Elrohir says I´m silly."
"Lord Elrond´s twins should not call anybody silly", Legolas quipped, "for they can claim that trait for themselves. You are quite right, little one. That river may well sing to you. It is a good river that has formed a bond with Imladris and its Lord. It would never harm you."
The child kept chuckling. "So I was right", he said with satisfaction, "I shall have to tell my brothers!"
Legolas was just about to answer when a sudden wave of dread swept over him. Only a heartbeat later Beakon let out a growl and shot away into the woods. A terrified scream echoed over the snowy ground, followed by a gurgle and muffled shouts. Voices began to ring out around them.
"Attack, attack", a throaty voice called, "rush to help!"
Feet ran to their sides, and now Legolas could see some of the men that had hidden from them. They were clad in simple clothes and the weapons they carried seemed self-made. One man turned towards them and blocked their path. He bore a simple spear that he held at his side to show that he did not mean to attack. He held up his free hand and spoke very slowly and clearly, his eyes upon Legolas´ face as if he tried to read his features.
"Do not go on." The man´s voice wavered slightly when behind them another scream was heard. "There is danger ahead."
"Are the wolves here?" the child called out in alarm, using Elvish as he turned once again in the elf´s arms to look at him. "We should call Beakon!" Without waiting for a reply, the boy called out: "Beakon, telo nev, telo nev!" /Come here, come here/
The man stepped back nervously, lifting his spear as he glanced about him.
"Peace, friend", Legolas quickly intervened, "my young friend is merely calling back his dog." Holding up his hands in a gesture similar to the man's, the elf slipped off the mare and walked closer. He could sense that the fight that raged close-by was not lead by werewolves, but other humans. The conclusion was not difficult to draw.
"Let me join your friends against the raiders", he spoke, his voice laced with a hatred he did not know he still harboured, "if you guard the child, I guarantee that my bow shall bring down many foes."
A baffled look crossed the man´s face but he nodded and Legolas ran before the gesture was completed. "Call me if an enemy approaches you", he shouted back to the boy, "do not hesitate, I will come back for you."
"Legolas, wait!" The confusion in the boy´s voice almost made the elf stop, but then the sounds and smells of battle were upon him and he drew his bow. No raiders would escape his wrath.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Elrond watched silently as a group of ten warriors galloped away from the human village. Had the situation been different, he would have smiled at the almost shocked expression on many elves´ faces at the image of Erestor leading the way. His coat flapping behind him in the cold wind, the older elf was already well ahead of the others who were hard-pressed to meet his pace.
The advisor had insisted to be the one to retrieve Estel, arguing that he had left Imladris with exactly this aim in mind. Elrond knew that no words could lift the burden of guilt off his dear friend´s shoulder - a friend who still deemed his good-night-tale to the boy responsible for his predicament.
"He will not stop at a herd of Oliphaunts", Glorfindel said slightly, stepping to the other Elf´s side, "and Valar have mercy on any soul that dares come between him and the child."
"Aye", Elrond agreed with a sigh and forced himself to turn away, "and my mind is eased knowing that his fierce will is bound upon finding Estel. Even so, sometimes I mourn my own burdens, my friend." Together they walked the village, watching as their earlier instructions were carried out. Some of the outer buildings were being taken apart to build barricades. Having far too many wounded to move elsewhere, Elves, Rangers and villagers had agreed to make this their fortress before they rode out to hunt their foes.
"You are not free to follow your heart", the blond warrior said with sympathy, "for a leader must lead all and not heed any fears for his loved ones. But do not forget, Elrond, that this is what makes so many love you with a loyalty that burns more fiercely than a Balrog´s flames. All here will gladly act as your shadows and defend you children with their own blood."
The Lord of Imladris turned to his friend with a warm glow in his eyes. "Hannon le, mellon-nin. But I pray that no blood needs to be spilled for the safety Estel and Legolas, and neither for the lives of the twins."
Glorfindel was just about to answer when a ranger approached, bowing respectfully to the elven lords. "Forgive me for interrupting", he said, "but I was sent to question the villagers about the events before today's attacks. They say that during the past days, numerous humans have disappeared. There are rumours that a village to the south has been wiped out by a joined attack of wolves and raiders."
"By the Valar", Glorfindel breathed, "who knows how many have been turned into beasts of darkness already?"
The question hung upon the village like a dark cloud, and all who sensed it worked even harder to build the protective wall that was meant to guard them all.
In the barn that had been turned into a shelter for the injured, the healer Calen turned from the ranger he had been treating, when Elladan tossed restlessly upon his pallet, mumbling to himself. The older twin´s eyes were still closed, but the frown on his brow betrayed troubled dreams.
By his side, Elrohir began to mirror his distress. Calen swiftly retrieved some freshly heated water and sprinkled athelas into it, replacing the bowl between the twins that had grown cool. The soothing effect was slow to set in, and the blond healer could hear what Elrond´s sons were saying. The words of each alone made no sense at all, but laced together they grew into a message of dread.
"Cor lhumren..." /A ring of shadows.../
"...anglenno haroyn abonnen." /...closes in on the heir of mankind./
" Gyth altirad..." /Foes unseen.../
"... ahpadar mellyn." /...follow friends./
Suddenly, two pairs of green eyes shot open. Confusion and fear was mingled in them, and yet the twins spoke as if with one voice.
"Estel, where is Estel?"
"Safe", Calen answered soothingly, "he is safe."
It broke the young healer´s heart that his words might well be a lie.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Legolas dropped his bow when his last arrow was spent. Before him, the fight had turned for the poorly equipped humans. He had never seen men fight with such wild bravery and vigour and he silently wondered what it was that they were fighting for.
Even though he hated to admit it, the elf was grateful that he would not have to endure a long fight at close range. His various injuries throbbed uncomfortably when he drew his knives, but he did not allow such petty subtleties to stop him. Towards his right, Beakon valiantly stood before two men that had fallen, bleeding from many wounds but still trying to defend each other against two raiders.
Even though the attackers were on the retreat, these two refused to budge. They seemed unawares that they would soon stand alone, so intend they were to finish off the work that they had begun.
Legolas approached swiftly, and the first dropped with a slit throat before he knew what hit him. The second turned to the elf with a snarl and lashed out with a club. The rusty nails that spiked the weapon´s head narrowly missed the elf´s side.
As Legolas dodged the blow, he was forced to side-step and one of his feet got caught in the armpit of the raider he had just brought down. His attention slipped for a mere fraction of a heartbeat, and he heard Beakon´s warning bark too late to react. From the corner of his eye he could see the club approach the side of his head, but just before it could connect with his skull, its course was diverted by a slightly bent blade.
It had appeared out of nowhere from behind the elf. Its wielder must have swung it just past Legolas´ head to intercept the club, yet he managed to take most of the force from the vicious swing. Even so, his sword was pushed backwards towards the elf. Having gained a few precious heartbeats, Legolas nimbly ducked away and out of his saviour´s way.
To his immense surprise, the young human who had saved him could barely be sixteen summers old. He was well-muscled already but still bore the softness of youth upon his beardless features. Even so, he allowed no mercy for his foe and cut the raider down in one wide swing.
The deed done, he turned to Legolas with a grin on his face. "That was a close call, was it not?" He laughed. "I nearly had to take down your head to keep it on your shoulders."
Sensing that the fight had died around them, Legolas slowly lowered his knives and answered with an air of wonder in his tone. "Aye. There must be great confidence in you to wield you sword in such a manner."
The young man shrugged as he sheathed his weapon. "Yes, but then again, if I had missed, I would not have made things worse, for you would have been dead anyway."
Before Legolas could reply to this certainly correct analysis, he heard a horse approach and swiftly turned to see the mare trot into the clearing, the young boy and the man left behind to protect him safely on her back.
From all around them, humans began to gather while others tended the wounded and retrieved the dead. A tall man with blood dripping off his side stepped towards Legolas just as the elf had reached his young human friend.
"I thank you for your help, master elf", the man said in a deep voice, "Let me offer you and the child our hospitality." He made a sweeping gesture, encompassing the tired fighters around him. "What you see here is the last alliance of the Villagers of the Dale", he announced, "and we greet you amongst our midst."
TBC