Naur rode with an unconscious Legolas. He was having a difficult time
keeping his tall prince on his bay stallion. "Careful there...don't bounce
too much...There's a good boy..." he whispered in Elvish to his horse when
they reached an extra rough terrain. Naur wrapped his cloak tighter around
Legolas as a gentle breeze sang through the green leaves. Other than the
dark cloak and makeshift bandages around his wounds, the top half of
Legolas' body was bare and his fingers felt cold against Naur's.
The travelling group was silent except for the rhythmic trot of the horses' hooves. They now travelled in a lovely forest, the trees forming a huge canopy over their heads. Here, the forest didn't own the eerie silence as that that was heavy with the dark enchantments. An occasional raccoon or badger would great them timidly or an owl would fly above them, hooting a friendly welcome to the group of elves. The journey became light as the ground began to show a healthy growth of green grass and lesser loose stones. Silver stars peeped through the thick leaves and the moon made their path bright. Alu rode his piebald horse dreamily. He was getting bored and so started to sing a song to himself.
Rider we are
Travelling far
Under the blinking star
La, la, tra, la, la,
Under the blinking star
Bluebirds tweet
Oh so sweet
Hopping on little feet
La, la, tra, la, la,
Hopping on little feet
Rabbits hop
High on top
And horses go clipetty-clop
La, la, tra, la, la,
Horses go clipetty-clop
He chuckled as his horse joined in with a neigh. A smile was on Sul's lips and he sang,
It started to rain
On the green plain
Wetting the lonesome lane
La, la, tra, la, la
Wetting the lonesome lane
"Erm...I don't think lanes can be lonesome," Naur pointed out with amusement. "It can," Sul said, rolling his eyes. "You're spoiling my song," Alu complained. He led his horse to the front of the two and continued.
The wind blow
Where trees grow
Near the cool water flow
La, la, tra, la, la
Near the cool water flow
"Cool water flow?" Sul asked, interrupting the song. "It means river, okay?" Alu said and urged his horse into a gallop. Sul followed suit while Naur mumbled as he lagged behind.
The night slowly broke into day. And a beautiful day it was. The sky turned from pink to peach and then to a lovely blue. The wind blew the fluffy clouds in the sky while birds chirped their songs happily. Alu looked at the silent elf with him on his black and white horse. She hadn't said a word to them at all.
"My lady, why are you so quiet?"
Lalaith touched the horse's soft mane. Alu waited long for her reply and would have given up waiting when she spoke.
"I do not understand. How can you sing and joke when Legolas is hurt so badly?"
"The Prince has survived greater wounds than this before. He will be fine as he had said. Believe me," Alu said, smiling as Lalaith glanced towards Legolas. "What's your name?"
"Lalaith."
"Lady Lalaith, I too am worried about Prince Legolas as the others are. But it does no good to be troubled. It does not make His Majesty any better," he explained, slowing down his horse so that they were neck to neck with Naur's steed.
Sul stopped his horse when he reached a small clearing, thickly shaded with trees.
"I think it is best for us to stop here for the moment and rest our horses," he said, dismounting.
They had ridden without bridle or bit and saddle for it is the way of the Elves to ride bareback and only using softly spoken words of Elvish to guide their horses. But each horse has a large fabric cover made to feel like soft silk to keep them warm and with pockets on either side to store what belongings and weapons the elves needed on a long journey. And now, this cover Alu, Sul and Naur took off their horses and allowed them to roam free nearby. Naur laid the Elven Prince upon the grass while the two other busied themselves with another debate they had started.
Lalaith walked towards where Legolas lay and sat beside him, holding his hand in hers. She traced the lines on his palm, looking at his fair face all the while. "Please wake up..."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Legolas opened his eyes. Or perhaps it would seem more precise that he thought he opened his eyes for he did not know when he had closed them. And then he realised he was in a thick darkness. No light would register in his eyes and he could make out no form at all of his surrounding. He moved and was rather surprised to find that he had a body. Legolas looked down and found that he was dressed in a shining white robe. He gazed, dumb- founded, at both of his hands as if he had but seen them for the first time. He was puzzled by the fact that he could see only himself and nothing else. Darkness enveloped his entire surrounding.
He was standing up. Standing upon nothingness. His feet stepped on no ground and yet he did not fall. Legolas took a cautious step, placing one foot in front of another and each time fearing that he would end up plunging into an unseen fissure in the ground. With arms out-stretched before him, he groped like a blind man. And his hands found hard surface on both of his sides. He began to think that he was in a corridor as he walked on. Legolas closed his eyes, pressing his lids tight against each other, and opened them again hurriedly. He still found the brooding darkness impenetrable even for his Elven sight.
"In a cave, maybe..." he thought he was and a slight fear crept into him. He, who was made to roam under the moon and stars and have the wind blowing at his face and hear the rustling of leaves in a tree, was uneasy in a closed in area. He felt almost claustrophobic. A cave is no place for a boundless Wood Elf.
Legolas continued to walk forwards. Then he began hear a drip drip sound further in front of him. The fear rose up in him again. Legolas took a deep breath and walked again. Somehow, he would find a way out of this cave and that fear must not rise once more. Fear. The strange feeling, an unstable wave that made his heart throb all the quicker. It must not overwhelm him. Legolas frowned, trying to stay focused and his senses were alert. His hands moved on the walls beside him. It was wet and slimy as a wall of limestone of a cave. He kicked on a rock. He was stepping on a solid ground now? Legolas was confused. Where was he?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
And they reached the borders of Mirkwood. It was only two days ride for the horses were swift but to Lalaith, it was a long time. She wanted to get Legolas back to Mirkwood as fast as she can so he could get the attention of healers sooner. Legolas has not awakened yet.
Lalaith lifted her head and looked around her. They have entered the great forest using the old elf-path. Two great trees, ancient and bent with the years it had lived, made an arch above them. The forest was old. Old as it has passed through many crossroads of time. Their horses made light bounds of joy, realising that they were finally back home. "Keep to the path. The guards will see us that way," Alu said to the others.
It was very dark in the woodland. Trees grew beside more trees and the leaves of every tree were thick as each plant strived to get sunlight. Still there were creatures in the dim forest, scurrying and scampering about, mostly still in the search for food. It was evening then when they reached the heart of the forest. Before them were the Enchanted River. The sound of the rushing waters was a soothing sound to the riders. Its water seemed black in the darkness of the forest as many would say the water is indeed black in colour but the Elves saw it as a clear stream, a river of mystery. They dismounted and walked to the bank.
On the other side was a boat, an Elven boat, skilfully crafted and shaped. Lalaith bent down to touch the waters when Sul caught her hand. "Do not touch it for it carries great drowsiness and forgetfulness." She stepped back cautiously and eyed the river.
"Please, can you two lend me a hand here?" Naur asked, carefully holding onto Legolas' limp body. Alu and Sul snapped out of their brief reverie and helped the elf. One could get into a trance just by looking at the running stream.
Alu whistled a low tune that sounded like the call of a wild bird and there was a rustle on the other side of the river. An elf rowed the boat over towards them. "Alu! Naur! Sul!" He exclaimed happily, "You've returned!" He jumped out of the boat and greeted each of them. And he gasped in horror when he saw Legolas. "My Prince...What has happened?"
They told him briefly about their adventure as he helped them to lay the Elven-Prince on the boat. "Are the spiders still posing a threat to the forest, Ril?" Naur asked, loading their belongings onto the boat. The elf nodded solemnly. "They have increased in astonishing numbers."
"Then we must all be wary. The spiders have gotten too bold for my comfort these days." Naur reminded them. They free the horses and took turns on the boat. Alu rowed across with Legolas and Sul. When they had gotten to the other side, Sul returned to get Lalaith and Naur. He warned Lalaith again as to be careful and not touch the water. Her eyes followed the horses while they galloped with joy, prancing and frolicking and kicking. And all of them reached the other side of the river.
"A' diola lle, torn," Naur thanked Ril who disappeared into the trees. The elves hid their belongings in the hollow of a great tree but took along all their weapons and food, as much as they could carry without causing any problem for they now had to walk. Now, Alu carried Legolas and Lalaith walked close beside them. There were cobwebs hanging from many trees. These just got more and more as they walked onwards. Lalaith felt uneasy for the air was still here and the smell of the trees and plants was different here. The shadows were darker in this place as if the sun has refused to shine on this part of the forest.
Sul walked in front as a guide. His joyous manner was now of alertness and great wariness. They sang not as their path continued to dim till no light illuminated the road before them. The elves walked in a single file; Sul up in front, followed by Alu and Legolas, next was Lalaith and then Naur. It seemed that Naur had always been the last and he was not too happy about it although it has been so because he was the youngest of them.
Suddenly, all of the elves tensed and fitted their bows with two arrows each. There was a rhythmic scrunching sound of dead leaves being stepped upon and it was getting closer. Alu had put Legolas down, laying him against a tree and the three elves formed a protective circle around Lalaith and their prince. Their eyes were searching the forest for the source of the noise. Perhaps it was just another forest creature. But it was not so, for a black shape now loomed over them and it was hissing.
@~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~
I've done another chappie! How do all of you like it? Can't wait for your reviews =) *takes a bag of potato chips and waits expectantly for reviews to arrive* I'd be very very disappointed if none arrives *hint hint* =P Anyway, the elves are back in Mirkwood now and Legolas is still unconscious. Well, you have to remember that he had used up all of his energy plus the fact that he had been hurt several times (two slashes by the orcs and a magical blast by the Shadow) so it would be only real that he fainted for though he is a great warrior and all, he is not superman. Oh, cruel me...
Dear Lady Gwen of Avalon, You liked Jack Sparrows? Whee...me too!!! Loads of eye-liner =P
Dear Radiion-hobbitwarrior, LOL! I'm glad there isn't a shadow thingy threatening your friend =) Anyway, I've updated...hope you like this chapter too
Dear Toby Keith Fanatic, So happy you liked the chapter =D and sorry about the Legolas fainting thing...it was necessary though.
Dear tourignyne, Did I spell your username correctly? Opps...HOCKEY STICK!!! Help!!! Okay...okay...I've updated...I've updated...!!! =P
Dear Fluff Writer, And here you have it MORE =)
Dear The Hobbit Ivy, Here goes for you too...more...! And I've updated =)
Dear Aldulin, Aww...I'm so glad you like it! I was a bit worried about my grammar mistakes. I've got loads of them in every chapter =P
Dear Tinuial, I'm a fan too! Oh and I've other stories about Legolas but they are not as good (mostly humour). You can find them by going to my profile page. =D
Dear PeguinsGoMoo, Prepared your fix...Hope you're satisfied with it =)
Dear Undomiel, What? 20 CHILDREN!!?? Poor poor Lalaith... =P
Dear Snowmane, Yay! I've finally getting along with Addy-Math. Sigh...all the practice and questionings does great wonders. Have you waited long for this chappie? If so, then I'm sorry...have to practice more =)
Dear elfchick123, I've updated as soon as I can! How do you like this chappie? =D
Dear Meadow, I'm glad to know that it doesn't suck =P And well, I've continued!
Dear saturndragon, Yup Jack Sparrow was great! Liked the part where he sang the song...hehe...=P
Dear Arien_Kaleneil, I've updated! Hope this chapter is worth your anticipation =)
Yay, and that's my replies to all my wonderful, beloved reviewers. A smilie for each one of you =) =P =D Did I miss anyone? Hope not...Anyway, the next chapter might take a longer time since I'll be having my major exam soon. Oh, how I hate it. This exam is suppose to determine my future...ARGH!!! Have to study, practice and ask loads of questions (since I haven't the slightest idea in several topics)!!! Okay, see you all in the next update! *sends her love and many many hugs and kisses to her readers*
The travelling group was silent except for the rhythmic trot of the horses' hooves. They now travelled in a lovely forest, the trees forming a huge canopy over their heads. Here, the forest didn't own the eerie silence as that that was heavy with the dark enchantments. An occasional raccoon or badger would great them timidly or an owl would fly above them, hooting a friendly welcome to the group of elves. The journey became light as the ground began to show a healthy growth of green grass and lesser loose stones. Silver stars peeped through the thick leaves and the moon made their path bright. Alu rode his piebald horse dreamily. He was getting bored and so started to sing a song to himself.
Rider we are
Travelling far
Under the blinking star
La, la, tra, la, la,
Under the blinking star
Bluebirds tweet
Oh so sweet
Hopping on little feet
La, la, tra, la, la,
Hopping on little feet
Rabbits hop
High on top
And horses go clipetty-clop
La, la, tra, la, la,
Horses go clipetty-clop
He chuckled as his horse joined in with a neigh. A smile was on Sul's lips and he sang,
It started to rain
On the green plain
Wetting the lonesome lane
La, la, tra, la, la
Wetting the lonesome lane
"Erm...I don't think lanes can be lonesome," Naur pointed out with amusement. "It can," Sul said, rolling his eyes. "You're spoiling my song," Alu complained. He led his horse to the front of the two and continued.
The wind blow
Where trees grow
Near the cool water flow
La, la, tra, la, la
Near the cool water flow
"Cool water flow?" Sul asked, interrupting the song. "It means river, okay?" Alu said and urged his horse into a gallop. Sul followed suit while Naur mumbled as he lagged behind.
The night slowly broke into day. And a beautiful day it was. The sky turned from pink to peach and then to a lovely blue. The wind blew the fluffy clouds in the sky while birds chirped their songs happily. Alu looked at the silent elf with him on his black and white horse. She hadn't said a word to them at all.
"My lady, why are you so quiet?"
Lalaith touched the horse's soft mane. Alu waited long for her reply and would have given up waiting when she spoke.
"I do not understand. How can you sing and joke when Legolas is hurt so badly?"
"The Prince has survived greater wounds than this before. He will be fine as he had said. Believe me," Alu said, smiling as Lalaith glanced towards Legolas. "What's your name?"
"Lalaith."
"Lady Lalaith, I too am worried about Prince Legolas as the others are. But it does no good to be troubled. It does not make His Majesty any better," he explained, slowing down his horse so that they were neck to neck with Naur's steed.
Sul stopped his horse when he reached a small clearing, thickly shaded with trees.
"I think it is best for us to stop here for the moment and rest our horses," he said, dismounting.
They had ridden without bridle or bit and saddle for it is the way of the Elves to ride bareback and only using softly spoken words of Elvish to guide their horses. But each horse has a large fabric cover made to feel like soft silk to keep them warm and with pockets on either side to store what belongings and weapons the elves needed on a long journey. And now, this cover Alu, Sul and Naur took off their horses and allowed them to roam free nearby. Naur laid the Elven Prince upon the grass while the two other busied themselves with another debate they had started.
Lalaith walked towards where Legolas lay and sat beside him, holding his hand in hers. She traced the lines on his palm, looking at his fair face all the while. "Please wake up..."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Legolas opened his eyes. Or perhaps it would seem more precise that he thought he opened his eyes for he did not know when he had closed them. And then he realised he was in a thick darkness. No light would register in his eyes and he could make out no form at all of his surrounding. He moved and was rather surprised to find that he had a body. Legolas looked down and found that he was dressed in a shining white robe. He gazed, dumb- founded, at both of his hands as if he had but seen them for the first time. He was puzzled by the fact that he could see only himself and nothing else. Darkness enveloped his entire surrounding.
He was standing up. Standing upon nothingness. His feet stepped on no ground and yet he did not fall. Legolas took a cautious step, placing one foot in front of another and each time fearing that he would end up plunging into an unseen fissure in the ground. With arms out-stretched before him, he groped like a blind man. And his hands found hard surface on both of his sides. He began to think that he was in a corridor as he walked on. Legolas closed his eyes, pressing his lids tight against each other, and opened them again hurriedly. He still found the brooding darkness impenetrable even for his Elven sight.
"In a cave, maybe..." he thought he was and a slight fear crept into him. He, who was made to roam under the moon and stars and have the wind blowing at his face and hear the rustling of leaves in a tree, was uneasy in a closed in area. He felt almost claustrophobic. A cave is no place for a boundless Wood Elf.
Legolas continued to walk forwards. Then he began hear a drip drip sound further in front of him. The fear rose up in him again. Legolas took a deep breath and walked again. Somehow, he would find a way out of this cave and that fear must not rise once more. Fear. The strange feeling, an unstable wave that made his heart throb all the quicker. It must not overwhelm him. Legolas frowned, trying to stay focused and his senses were alert. His hands moved on the walls beside him. It was wet and slimy as a wall of limestone of a cave. He kicked on a rock. He was stepping on a solid ground now? Legolas was confused. Where was he?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
And they reached the borders of Mirkwood. It was only two days ride for the horses were swift but to Lalaith, it was a long time. She wanted to get Legolas back to Mirkwood as fast as she can so he could get the attention of healers sooner. Legolas has not awakened yet.
Lalaith lifted her head and looked around her. They have entered the great forest using the old elf-path. Two great trees, ancient and bent with the years it had lived, made an arch above them. The forest was old. Old as it has passed through many crossroads of time. Their horses made light bounds of joy, realising that they were finally back home. "Keep to the path. The guards will see us that way," Alu said to the others.
It was very dark in the woodland. Trees grew beside more trees and the leaves of every tree were thick as each plant strived to get sunlight. Still there were creatures in the dim forest, scurrying and scampering about, mostly still in the search for food. It was evening then when they reached the heart of the forest. Before them were the Enchanted River. The sound of the rushing waters was a soothing sound to the riders. Its water seemed black in the darkness of the forest as many would say the water is indeed black in colour but the Elves saw it as a clear stream, a river of mystery. They dismounted and walked to the bank.
On the other side was a boat, an Elven boat, skilfully crafted and shaped. Lalaith bent down to touch the waters when Sul caught her hand. "Do not touch it for it carries great drowsiness and forgetfulness." She stepped back cautiously and eyed the river.
"Please, can you two lend me a hand here?" Naur asked, carefully holding onto Legolas' limp body. Alu and Sul snapped out of their brief reverie and helped the elf. One could get into a trance just by looking at the running stream.
Alu whistled a low tune that sounded like the call of a wild bird and there was a rustle on the other side of the river. An elf rowed the boat over towards them. "Alu! Naur! Sul!" He exclaimed happily, "You've returned!" He jumped out of the boat and greeted each of them. And he gasped in horror when he saw Legolas. "My Prince...What has happened?"
They told him briefly about their adventure as he helped them to lay the Elven-Prince on the boat. "Are the spiders still posing a threat to the forest, Ril?" Naur asked, loading their belongings onto the boat. The elf nodded solemnly. "They have increased in astonishing numbers."
"Then we must all be wary. The spiders have gotten too bold for my comfort these days." Naur reminded them. They free the horses and took turns on the boat. Alu rowed across with Legolas and Sul. When they had gotten to the other side, Sul returned to get Lalaith and Naur. He warned Lalaith again as to be careful and not touch the water. Her eyes followed the horses while they galloped with joy, prancing and frolicking and kicking. And all of them reached the other side of the river.
"A' diola lle, torn," Naur thanked Ril who disappeared into the trees. The elves hid their belongings in the hollow of a great tree but took along all their weapons and food, as much as they could carry without causing any problem for they now had to walk. Now, Alu carried Legolas and Lalaith walked close beside them. There were cobwebs hanging from many trees. These just got more and more as they walked onwards. Lalaith felt uneasy for the air was still here and the smell of the trees and plants was different here. The shadows were darker in this place as if the sun has refused to shine on this part of the forest.
Sul walked in front as a guide. His joyous manner was now of alertness and great wariness. They sang not as their path continued to dim till no light illuminated the road before them. The elves walked in a single file; Sul up in front, followed by Alu and Legolas, next was Lalaith and then Naur. It seemed that Naur had always been the last and he was not too happy about it although it has been so because he was the youngest of them.
Suddenly, all of the elves tensed and fitted their bows with two arrows each. There was a rhythmic scrunching sound of dead leaves being stepped upon and it was getting closer. Alu had put Legolas down, laying him against a tree and the three elves formed a protective circle around Lalaith and their prince. Their eyes were searching the forest for the source of the noise. Perhaps it was just another forest creature. But it was not so, for a black shape now loomed over them and it was hissing.
@~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~ @~/~
I've done another chappie! How do all of you like it? Can't wait for your reviews =) *takes a bag of potato chips and waits expectantly for reviews to arrive* I'd be very very disappointed if none arrives *hint hint* =P Anyway, the elves are back in Mirkwood now and Legolas is still unconscious. Well, you have to remember that he had used up all of his energy plus the fact that he had been hurt several times (two slashes by the orcs and a magical blast by the Shadow) so it would be only real that he fainted for though he is a great warrior and all, he is not superman. Oh, cruel me...
Dear Lady Gwen of Avalon, You liked Jack Sparrows? Whee...me too!!! Loads of eye-liner =P
Dear Radiion-hobbitwarrior, LOL! I'm glad there isn't a shadow thingy threatening your friend =) Anyway, I've updated...hope you like this chapter too
Dear Toby Keith Fanatic, So happy you liked the chapter =D and sorry about the Legolas fainting thing...it was necessary though.
Dear tourignyne, Did I spell your username correctly? Opps...HOCKEY STICK!!! Help!!! Okay...okay...I've updated...I've updated...!!! =P
Dear Fluff Writer, And here you have it MORE =)
Dear The Hobbit Ivy, Here goes for you too...more...! And I've updated =)
Dear Aldulin, Aww...I'm so glad you like it! I was a bit worried about my grammar mistakes. I've got loads of them in every chapter =P
Dear Tinuial, I'm a fan too! Oh and I've other stories about Legolas but they are not as good (mostly humour). You can find them by going to my profile page. =D
Dear PeguinsGoMoo, Prepared your fix...Hope you're satisfied with it =)
Dear Undomiel, What? 20 CHILDREN!!?? Poor poor Lalaith... =P
Dear Snowmane, Yay! I've finally getting along with Addy-Math. Sigh...all the practice and questionings does great wonders. Have you waited long for this chappie? If so, then I'm sorry...have to practice more =)
Dear elfchick123, I've updated as soon as I can! How do you like this chappie? =D
Dear Meadow, I'm glad to know that it doesn't suck =P And well, I've continued!
Dear saturndragon, Yup Jack Sparrow was great! Liked the part where he sang the song...hehe...=P
Dear Arien_Kaleneil, I've updated! Hope this chapter is worth your anticipation =)
Yay, and that's my replies to all my wonderful, beloved reviewers. A smilie for each one of you =) =P =D Did I miss anyone? Hope not...Anyway, the next chapter might take a longer time since I'll be having my major exam soon. Oh, how I hate it. This exam is suppose to determine my future...ARGH!!! Have to study, practice and ask loads of questions (since I haven't the slightest idea in several topics)!!! Okay, see you all in the next update! *sends her love and many many hugs and kisses to her readers*