16

The orcs grunted and howled with glee as they closed in on the solitary elf who was struggling along with his burden. They fanned out and circled him. He carried only a long knife and to their eyes appeared weak and vulnerable. He was garbed not in customary Mirkwood green, but in an old shirt and dark leggings. His long hair was unbound and unkempt and errant tendrils fluttered in the breeze. The orcs thought him no warrior but a stray, one of the elves who lived on the edges of human villages.

The elf stopped and faced them the knife held loosely in one hand. He shrugged the rope off his shoulders and stepped away from the load of wood and waited for them. The orc leader raised a fist and they stopped then spread out in a kind of semicircle around him. The leader laughed and made a rude gesture at the elf. This one he wanted alive, to have some fun with before they killed and ate him. With a grunt he signalled them forward.

The elf, who had stood there so helplessly moments before moved so quickly that the orcs were left baffled. He rushed forward darting between two of them. He slit the throat of the one to his left and turning stabbed at the chest of the one on his right. The orc on the left dropped without a sound, but the other who had escaped with just a scratch, wheeled and caught the elf a glancing blow on the arm with the club he carried. The elf cried out and clutched at his arm. The others thinking him defeated rushed forward. With quick glances over his shoulder the elf backed up and as the first orc lunged at him, let himself fall backward in the snow. The orc of course followed the movement and the elf rose, plunging the knife deep into its chest.

Slain, the orc fell taking the knife with him. The last two stopped for a moment when they saw another of their member go down. Then realising that the elf was unarmed rushed him together. The orc leader got in a wicked blow with his wood mace. It hit the elf just below the shoulder blade. With a cry the elf went down to his knees. Howling in triumph the other orc swung at his head but the elf ducked low and the club whistled through empty air. He rolled forward and threw himself at the knees of the mace wielding orc. They tumbled and the elfgained control of the mace. The orc slapped him, a hard, open handed slap that flung the elf back. But the elf did not lose his hold on the mace. When the orc dived for him he swung… The impact split the orc's head open and black blood gushed out onto the white snow.

The elf staggered to his feet breathing hard. There was one orc still standing. The orc and elf circled each other wearily. The elf was favouring his left side and the orc noted this. He feinted to the right with the club and the elf turned to block the blow but the orc kicked out and got him under the left rib. The elf fell to the ground and scrabbled backward in the snow. But the orc did not rush in; he had learnt from his companions mistakes.

Using the mace for support the elf got halfway to his feet, he was leaning heavily on the mace, eyes locked on the orc.

The orc took his time; he circled the elf forcing him to turn to keep him in view.

The mace fell from the elf's grasp and he sank to his knees. He coughed, a broken sound that brought flecks of blood to his pale lips. It was the sight of the blood that made the orc lose all caution. The elf was hurt, no threat. Holding the club high above his head the orc rushed forward intending to bash the elf's head in. The elf watched him come calmly. With a triumphant sneer the orc brought the club down with all his force. At the last second the elf shifted, scooped up the mace and pushed up with his considerable strength. The jagged barbs broke through the orc's throat, tearing past flesh vein and bone. The creature choked, hands going to his ruined throat. He fell sideways.

Splattered with black ichor and torn flesh the elf tried to get up but could not.

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Viggomanaic------- Again I must say thank you for your fantastic review.

Lindahoyland------- Good enough?

KittiMarlowe --------- Kit you are too kind.

Blaise---------thank you very much

Grumpy------- Thanks grumpy, but why do you hate snow?

OokamiJudge------ Thanks and I haven't decided yet.

Shanna----- Mil gracias querida mia.

Tmelange----- made me think of a bull fight there. thanks.