PART 15: (yeesh I can hardly believe I have 15 chapters in this thing
already!)
Legolas, Aragorn, and Willowfoot tramped back to the fire, where they sat down, save for the Ent, who stayed well clear of the flames and stood uncomfortably near the white tents that housed the remainder of the Company and the Rohirrim. Legolas spread his white hands over the warmth for a moment, then spoke in a soft voice.
"Willowfoot, where are your kindred? After the War of the Ring, we Elves heard no more of the brave Ents that marched on Isengard and helped to defeat Saruman. We assumed that many had perished, but we knew that some, including Fangorn himself, had survived the battle. Did you return to Fangorn? Please, tell of your doings throughout these long years."
Willowfoot made a bubbling sound and answered the Elf. "I, oh yes, I was there, indeed, at Isengard, that horrible place, ohoho, when it fell to my brothers and sisters. I fled, silly me, after the War, because I, oh yes, I was eager to get back to the coolness of the trees and live, oh beautifully, yes, in peace. I know not, no no, no more of Treebeard, for I saw him not, ohoho, after the Great War, so I did."
Aragorn looked at the Ent in interest; he was curious as to why Willowfoot had taken off. He was about to ask the Ent some very pointed questions when Legolas cut him off at a gesture, his sharp elven-ears twitching. He stood noiselessly, his bow clutched tightly in his hands. Aragorn could take a hint. He drew his sword and strained his own eyes and ears to pick up the sounds the Elf was hearing.
Legolas listened again, harder, then brought out the little gong with a swift motion and in the way Gandalf had shown him, flicked it lightly with a long finger. Immediately a noise such as never had been heard before in the woods of Fangorn rang out; it was the sound of a thousand oliphants trumpeting at the top of their lungs. Immediately there was action from the quiet tents, with men grabbing their bows and thundering out. Nuhision, his hair tousled a bit from sleep, thundered out and sprang onto the back of Telperonwen, who squealed in surprise and ran through the ranks, creating much confusion among the Rohirrim, who were all shouting.
Aragorn sat back, a smile on his lips. "So much for the element of surprise, eh Master Elf?"
Legolas threw him a glare and ran lightly over to Gandalf, quickly conferencing that yes, indeed there were orcs and they were coming that way rather quickly. Elrohir's nose was twitching, and he soon confirmed that Legolas was right. His twin brother and his father already sat atop their horses, bows strung and ready. Nelumaiel came to stand beside the Elves, bearing Nuhision's son Goden, who had his long sword drawn and gleaming in the firelight. The twenty Rohirrim sat atop their horses, bows strung and ready. Gimli found Legolas and together they sat on Arod, waiting, watching.
There was a long silence.
They held their breath.
Suddenly, an Uruk-hai came stumbling from the trees, his ugly face bared in a hideous grin, his Mordor-blade in front of him, his slimy muscles taut and ready. His eyes glowed with an unnatural green light, and he growled menacingly. Elladan casually raised his bow and shot lightning quick, catching the monster in the eyes. He fell, grasping his foul face, and melted in a flash of blinding red light. The assembly's eyes were dazzled, and for a moment they could see nothing. This was a mistake, for as soon as their vision cleared there were a hundred Uruk-hai advancing at a remarkable pace, growling and snarling deafeningly.
They went into action. Bows sang, swords gave off their metallic hot scent as they pierced flesh, and battle cries were shouted, disturbing the relative peace of Fangorn forest. The army was like a machine; in front of them, bodies fell rhythmically to the march of the horses' hooves. Even Telperonwen swallowed her fear and snatched her master's sword to behead one monster snarling in her face. She looked unordinately pleased and Nelumaiel, from where she stood shooting down goblins, gave her sister a proud look which issued a beautiful smile on the other centaur's face.
But by far the most amazing warrior was Willowfoot the Ent. As soon as an Uruk-hai came near him, Willowfoot gave an incredible wallop with his strong wooden arm, knocking the thing out into the middle of the battlefield, guaranteeing its immediate expiry. The Ent, his hard face contorted into the most frightening scowl, picked up a goblin and tossed him with extreme force into the nearest tree, killing it on impact. Legolas, from where he grappled with one of the odiferous creatures, could now see why the Ents were such a terrific asset to have on the battlefield.
Legolas himself was an assassin in his own right, his years deep in the peaceful forest forgotten as he shot two orcs simulaneously and then in the next instant whipped an arrow through a third's eyes. By his side, Aragorn put Anduril's power to good use, using the sword as a bloody scythe, cutting down enemies from right to left. Elrond had Orcrist in his hands, stabbing right and left and generally diverting the stream towards his two sons, who were flanking him and shooting with incredible speed. At Legolas' back sat Gimli, who used his axe as a gruesome tool, cleaving the heads of the unlucky Uruk-hai who had not the sense to stay away from it.
Gandalf himself was holding his own in the direct centre. As he waved his staff, periodic bursts of red fire came shooting out of it, taking out as much as the army as far as they could reach. Unfortunately, these blasts were very sporadic, as it required most of Gandalf's concentration to issue them with the force that they were spraying out at. Luckily Nuhision and his Rohirrim army took care of any remaining goblins that the fire failed to reach and within an hour, the full hundred army of Uruk-hai lay in their own black blood on the forest floor.
There was a long silence, then Nuhision spoke. "Break camp. I will not stay where the stench of goblin-blood is there to insult my nostrils."
Elrond nodded and pointed at the tents, whereupon the Company and the Archers moved to take them down and get them packed quickly. Amidst the flurry of movement, Elladan remained, his chin quivering and his eyes screwed tight from pain. Elrond noticed his son and spurred Asfaloth over to where Elladan stood, shivering in pain.
"My son, what happened? Did a Mordor-blade touch you?" He jumped down from his horse and quickly tore the younger Elf's sleeve where he held his arm. A long gash, right to the bone, tore Elladan's smooth skin, and the edges of the wound were black, signalling Mordor-make. Elrond gasped. "Mithrandir! Mithrandir!"
Gandalf turned from where he was gathering the spent arrows and looked up. "What is it, Elrond?"
"Come and see Elladan. He's been stabbed." Elrond's voice was devoid of emotion as he supported his son on his shoulder. The younger Elf's face was deadly white, his dark eyes growing pale and streaming with black-tinged tears. Gandalf quickly ran over and began to examine the wound, muttering to himself as he did so. Elrohir noticed his fallen brother and gasped, running over and pushing Elrond aside so that he could support his twin on his lap.
"What happened? Is he all right?" The Elf's voice was frantic, his hands moving over his brother's hair in concern.
Gandalf looked up. "He has been stabbed by a Mordor-blade. We must get him to Lothlorien as quickly as possible. Kingsfoil, used to treat these wounds, will tide him over if it can be found. But kingsfoil has not been found in Fangorn since the Second Age. I do not know where it grows nowadays. I can give Elladan a spell to keep him alive, but I'm afraid we may not reach Lothlorien in time without the herb I need."
Elrohir's eyes closed and a single diamond tear fell onto his brother's forehead. "You cannot let my brother die. I will never forgive you, Mithrandir Stormcrow, if Elladan perishes." He raised anguished and angry eyes to Gandalf's gentle face.
It was then Willowfoot, who had been talking with Aragorn, noticed the group in the clearing. "Ohoho, one of the Mirror-Elves, Elrond's sons, has been wounded," he said with a gentle concern in his voice. Aragorn sprang up and ran over quickly, Willowfoot close behind him.
"Ahh, he is needing the kingsfoil weed, so he is. Ahh, but you are in luck, ohoho, because I, I of all of the Ents that reside in Fangorn, I, oh yes, I know where the last, the very last, patch grows."
Elrohir stared at the Ent with hope in his face. "Where, pray tell?"
"It is not many miles from here, oh no, such as it is. If you send a fast horse, I can lead someone to it, so I can."
Elrohir stood, but Aragorn pushed him down. "I will receive the kingsfoil weed for the Mirror-Elf. I will go with you, Willowfoot." He turned to Gandalf. "Could I have use of Shadowfax? He is faster than Gilgalad."
Gandalf simply nodded and whistled for the horse, who came trotting over immediately. Aragorn mounted Shadowfax, which was no easy feat for any other man, and wheeled him about to look at the Ent. "Show me, and quickly, Willowfoot!"
The Ent broke into a league-crossing run and the King, horse and Ent quickly passed out of sight, the moon shining on them weakly from behind a torn cloud. Elladan moaned and moved uncomfortably, Elrohir's hands on his face, passing his life force into his brother the best he could.
The rest of the army was alerted, and Legolas took turns sitting up with the twins, Elrohir never resting. It was some time later when the Ent and Aragorn came back, waving the precious plant in their hands.
Gandalf took charge. "Now quickly. We have not much time," and he quickly chewed the bitter kingsfoil and pressed it into the wound of Elladan. Almost immediately some colour came back to the Mirror-Elf's face and he moaned again. Gandalf signalled to Elrohir and the Elf easily lifted his brother in his arms. "Now come. We must reach the woods of Lothlorien within a week, or Elladan will die."
He turned to Willowfoot. "I, and my comrades, especially the Mirror-Elves, thank you deeply for your help in all matters."
The Ent lowered his eyes respectfully. "I live to serve, yes indeed, the King of Gondor, whose name is Elessar, that I do. And with his permission, sir, yes, indeed, I wish to accompany your army onto the fair wood of Lorien, so I do."
Aragorn nodded quickly. "We could do with your help, and the more numbers the greater abundance of intelligence against Zycrah."
And so it was settled. The army rode on, and Elladan moaned under the darkling sky as they thundered through the trees.
~TO BE CONTINUED~
Legolas, Aragorn, and Willowfoot tramped back to the fire, where they sat down, save for the Ent, who stayed well clear of the flames and stood uncomfortably near the white tents that housed the remainder of the Company and the Rohirrim. Legolas spread his white hands over the warmth for a moment, then spoke in a soft voice.
"Willowfoot, where are your kindred? After the War of the Ring, we Elves heard no more of the brave Ents that marched on Isengard and helped to defeat Saruman. We assumed that many had perished, but we knew that some, including Fangorn himself, had survived the battle. Did you return to Fangorn? Please, tell of your doings throughout these long years."
Willowfoot made a bubbling sound and answered the Elf. "I, oh yes, I was there, indeed, at Isengard, that horrible place, ohoho, when it fell to my brothers and sisters. I fled, silly me, after the War, because I, oh yes, I was eager to get back to the coolness of the trees and live, oh beautifully, yes, in peace. I know not, no no, no more of Treebeard, for I saw him not, ohoho, after the Great War, so I did."
Aragorn looked at the Ent in interest; he was curious as to why Willowfoot had taken off. He was about to ask the Ent some very pointed questions when Legolas cut him off at a gesture, his sharp elven-ears twitching. He stood noiselessly, his bow clutched tightly in his hands. Aragorn could take a hint. He drew his sword and strained his own eyes and ears to pick up the sounds the Elf was hearing.
Legolas listened again, harder, then brought out the little gong with a swift motion and in the way Gandalf had shown him, flicked it lightly with a long finger. Immediately a noise such as never had been heard before in the woods of Fangorn rang out; it was the sound of a thousand oliphants trumpeting at the top of their lungs. Immediately there was action from the quiet tents, with men grabbing their bows and thundering out. Nuhision, his hair tousled a bit from sleep, thundered out and sprang onto the back of Telperonwen, who squealed in surprise and ran through the ranks, creating much confusion among the Rohirrim, who were all shouting.
Aragorn sat back, a smile on his lips. "So much for the element of surprise, eh Master Elf?"
Legolas threw him a glare and ran lightly over to Gandalf, quickly conferencing that yes, indeed there were orcs and they were coming that way rather quickly. Elrohir's nose was twitching, and he soon confirmed that Legolas was right. His twin brother and his father already sat atop their horses, bows strung and ready. Nelumaiel came to stand beside the Elves, bearing Nuhision's son Goden, who had his long sword drawn and gleaming in the firelight. The twenty Rohirrim sat atop their horses, bows strung and ready. Gimli found Legolas and together they sat on Arod, waiting, watching.
There was a long silence.
They held their breath.
Suddenly, an Uruk-hai came stumbling from the trees, his ugly face bared in a hideous grin, his Mordor-blade in front of him, his slimy muscles taut and ready. His eyes glowed with an unnatural green light, and he growled menacingly. Elladan casually raised his bow and shot lightning quick, catching the monster in the eyes. He fell, grasping his foul face, and melted in a flash of blinding red light. The assembly's eyes were dazzled, and for a moment they could see nothing. This was a mistake, for as soon as their vision cleared there were a hundred Uruk-hai advancing at a remarkable pace, growling and snarling deafeningly.
They went into action. Bows sang, swords gave off their metallic hot scent as they pierced flesh, and battle cries were shouted, disturbing the relative peace of Fangorn forest. The army was like a machine; in front of them, bodies fell rhythmically to the march of the horses' hooves. Even Telperonwen swallowed her fear and snatched her master's sword to behead one monster snarling in her face. She looked unordinately pleased and Nelumaiel, from where she stood shooting down goblins, gave her sister a proud look which issued a beautiful smile on the other centaur's face.
But by far the most amazing warrior was Willowfoot the Ent. As soon as an Uruk-hai came near him, Willowfoot gave an incredible wallop with his strong wooden arm, knocking the thing out into the middle of the battlefield, guaranteeing its immediate expiry. The Ent, his hard face contorted into the most frightening scowl, picked up a goblin and tossed him with extreme force into the nearest tree, killing it on impact. Legolas, from where he grappled with one of the odiferous creatures, could now see why the Ents were such a terrific asset to have on the battlefield.
Legolas himself was an assassin in his own right, his years deep in the peaceful forest forgotten as he shot two orcs simulaneously and then in the next instant whipped an arrow through a third's eyes. By his side, Aragorn put Anduril's power to good use, using the sword as a bloody scythe, cutting down enemies from right to left. Elrond had Orcrist in his hands, stabbing right and left and generally diverting the stream towards his two sons, who were flanking him and shooting with incredible speed. At Legolas' back sat Gimli, who used his axe as a gruesome tool, cleaving the heads of the unlucky Uruk-hai who had not the sense to stay away from it.
Gandalf himself was holding his own in the direct centre. As he waved his staff, periodic bursts of red fire came shooting out of it, taking out as much as the army as far as they could reach. Unfortunately, these blasts were very sporadic, as it required most of Gandalf's concentration to issue them with the force that they were spraying out at. Luckily Nuhision and his Rohirrim army took care of any remaining goblins that the fire failed to reach and within an hour, the full hundred army of Uruk-hai lay in their own black blood on the forest floor.
There was a long silence, then Nuhision spoke. "Break camp. I will not stay where the stench of goblin-blood is there to insult my nostrils."
Elrond nodded and pointed at the tents, whereupon the Company and the Archers moved to take them down and get them packed quickly. Amidst the flurry of movement, Elladan remained, his chin quivering and his eyes screwed tight from pain. Elrond noticed his son and spurred Asfaloth over to where Elladan stood, shivering in pain.
"My son, what happened? Did a Mordor-blade touch you?" He jumped down from his horse and quickly tore the younger Elf's sleeve where he held his arm. A long gash, right to the bone, tore Elladan's smooth skin, and the edges of the wound were black, signalling Mordor-make. Elrond gasped. "Mithrandir! Mithrandir!"
Gandalf turned from where he was gathering the spent arrows and looked up. "What is it, Elrond?"
"Come and see Elladan. He's been stabbed." Elrond's voice was devoid of emotion as he supported his son on his shoulder. The younger Elf's face was deadly white, his dark eyes growing pale and streaming with black-tinged tears. Gandalf quickly ran over and began to examine the wound, muttering to himself as he did so. Elrohir noticed his fallen brother and gasped, running over and pushing Elrond aside so that he could support his twin on his lap.
"What happened? Is he all right?" The Elf's voice was frantic, his hands moving over his brother's hair in concern.
Gandalf looked up. "He has been stabbed by a Mordor-blade. We must get him to Lothlorien as quickly as possible. Kingsfoil, used to treat these wounds, will tide him over if it can be found. But kingsfoil has not been found in Fangorn since the Second Age. I do not know where it grows nowadays. I can give Elladan a spell to keep him alive, but I'm afraid we may not reach Lothlorien in time without the herb I need."
Elrohir's eyes closed and a single diamond tear fell onto his brother's forehead. "You cannot let my brother die. I will never forgive you, Mithrandir Stormcrow, if Elladan perishes." He raised anguished and angry eyes to Gandalf's gentle face.
It was then Willowfoot, who had been talking with Aragorn, noticed the group in the clearing. "Ohoho, one of the Mirror-Elves, Elrond's sons, has been wounded," he said with a gentle concern in his voice. Aragorn sprang up and ran over quickly, Willowfoot close behind him.
"Ahh, he is needing the kingsfoil weed, so he is. Ahh, but you are in luck, ohoho, because I, I of all of the Ents that reside in Fangorn, I, oh yes, I know where the last, the very last, patch grows."
Elrohir stared at the Ent with hope in his face. "Where, pray tell?"
"It is not many miles from here, oh no, such as it is. If you send a fast horse, I can lead someone to it, so I can."
Elrohir stood, but Aragorn pushed him down. "I will receive the kingsfoil weed for the Mirror-Elf. I will go with you, Willowfoot." He turned to Gandalf. "Could I have use of Shadowfax? He is faster than Gilgalad."
Gandalf simply nodded and whistled for the horse, who came trotting over immediately. Aragorn mounted Shadowfax, which was no easy feat for any other man, and wheeled him about to look at the Ent. "Show me, and quickly, Willowfoot!"
The Ent broke into a league-crossing run and the King, horse and Ent quickly passed out of sight, the moon shining on them weakly from behind a torn cloud. Elladan moaned and moved uncomfortably, Elrohir's hands on his face, passing his life force into his brother the best he could.
The rest of the army was alerted, and Legolas took turns sitting up with the twins, Elrohir never resting. It was some time later when the Ent and Aragorn came back, waving the precious plant in their hands.
Gandalf took charge. "Now quickly. We have not much time," and he quickly chewed the bitter kingsfoil and pressed it into the wound of Elladan. Almost immediately some colour came back to the Mirror-Elf's face and he moaned again. Gandalf signalled to Elrohir and the Elf easily lifted his brother in his arms. "Now come. We must reach the woods of Lothlorien within a week, or Elladan will die."
He turned to Willowfoot. "I, and my comrades, especially the Mirror-Elves, thank you deeply for your help in all matters."
The Ent lowered his eyes respectfully. "I live to serve, yes indeed, the King of Gondor, whose name is Elessar, that I do. And with his permission, sir, yes, indeed, I wish to accompany your army onto the fair wood of Lorien, so I do."
Aragorn nodded quickly. "We could do with your help, and the more numbers the greater abundance of intelligence against Zycrah."
And so it was settled. The army rode on, and Elladan moaned under the darkling sky as they thundered through the trees.
~TO BE CONTINUED~