Disclaimer- I own nothing!!!
Sofia- me too- I know but I have some big plans in store. Thanks
Uh- hi- thanks for your review as always. Sorry- but I gotta- it makes for a better story- please don't send your evil minions.
Dazler402- no- they aren't don't know each other yet- this is before Aragorn's born- thanks
Lady K4- Chaos and havoc coming right up- thanks
Orangeblossom07- thanks- I try. Have you read 'The Healer of the past' by EldarExilePrincess- if you haven't you should. It has similar themes and it's very well written
CurlyLocks- Hi Laura- welcome back- long time no see- but you're back now so all is forgiven. Thanks as always- hope I don't disappoint.
Leggylover4ever- sorry- people keep shouting at me for cliff-hangers- I don't mean to do it- it just happens- thanks.
Question- do any of my anonymous readers or reviewers want me to e-mail them a chapter when I've posted it- I used to find looking for fics to see if they've been updated rather tedious and I just thought I'd save you the trouble. Let me know in a review or send me an e-mail. xxx
The king stormed out of the throne room with haste. The box that he had received contained one of his most loyal friends and warriors, and he knew just what the message was.
"Thranduil, I beg of you leave them be. You can do no good now, it is late and they will be asleep. You will be able to do naught until the sun is up"
Eloria pleaded with him. Her eyes wide and filled with many emotions, terror being the most prominent.
She stood in front of him, effectively blocking his path. She took his hands in hers and looked at him.
"I know what it is you fear, but we will protect them. We will not let them go without a fight. Both of them would fight to the death for their children. You know this. Do not dwell upon it for there is nothing that you can do this evening"
His eyes, clouded by anger and despair met those of his wife. He stepped forward, embracing her, though not for her own comfort but for his.
"I will leave them. But tomorrow at dawn I will need Legolas"
Eloria nodded sombrely, she knew that before long Legolas and possibly her husband would be marching out to battle and they might not return alive.
She stepped out of his embrace as one of his advisers approached.
"My Lord, we must discuss tomorrows plans"
The King kissed his wife gently before turned and walking away with the adviser, leaving Eloria with a heavy heart and a head full of nightmares.
----
Legolas awoke to find himself stuck. Thalia had rolled on top of him during the night and even in sleep was refusing to move. One of her hands was buried in his hair, her fingers curing around the hair at the nape of his neck. Her other hand held one of his, making him smile.
Her lifted his head and looked down at her, his smile immediately fell. Her face was pale and black circles surrounded them. Sometime during the night she had wept, silver tracks marred her cheeks.
He lay back down and pulled her closer to him just wanting to hold her for a little while.
His thoughts turned sour as the minutes went by. They could no longer wait for Haldir. Something was stirring and it could not be ignored. Evil was advancing and Mirkwood was succumbing more to the darkness everyday. The trees whispered, bringing with them the dreaded news of death and torment.
Sword and bows were being readied even as he lay there. Elves were rising and preparing for a battle that would be inevitable, though it might not happen that day. And soon his wife too would rise and after readying their children, she would prepare for the arrival of a number of injured and dead elves.
Thalia awoke with a start when a guard pounded heavily on the door.
Leoglas immediately rose and answered it, quickly throwing on a robe to hide his nakedness as he did so.
"My Lord, the King requests your presence in the council chambers immediately"
Legolas nodded and shut the door. Thalia watched with slight confusion as Legolas threw off his robe and threw on his clothes just as fast.
"Thalia. You know that there may be a battle today. But you must promise me something. No matter what happens to me do not leave the healing chambers until my mother, my father or I come for you. You must promise me"
Looking bewildered she nodded. She slipped out of bed, wrapping a sheet around her body and stood in front of him, taking the task of tying his vambraces for him, just as a gesture, a gesture that she knew he appreciated.
"What about Haldir? Are you not going to wait, he should be here within the next day or so"
Legolas signed and shook his head. His eyes were dark blue with turmoil and speculation and regret.
"There is no time to wait. Everyday the enemy advances and multiplies, and as it does more elves are dying. We cannot afford to waste anymore time"
Thalia sighed, somewhat disappointed that her brother would not be around to help. Knowing that Haldir was with her husband would have lifted a huge weight off her shoulders, but alas, it was not meant to be.
She was beginning to feel like her old self again, shy and timid, afraid of what was to come and the possibilities of what might come to pass, despite the fact that she could do nothing about it.
Finally Legolas stood ready before her. He smiled and turned around, walking into his children's room to kiss them before he left. While he did so Thalia hurriedly got dressed. She jumped when gentle fingers ran down her back and started to tie the lacing on the back of her dress.
"Amin mela lle hervess nin" (I love you my wife)
"Tul-ad le nin hervenn" (come back to me husband)
She turned around, love clearly shining in her eyes and kissed him before standing back. Her eyes took in the warrior that he had become and she was overwhelmed with a fierce feeling of protection and dread mixed with faith and love.
He smiled at her expression and his mask fell, revealing an elf that was afraid for so many things and anxious about his next actions. His jaw was clenched and his brow furrowed as his eyes studied every inch of his beloveds face, just in case he never came back, though he knew in his heart that her image was engraved in his mind forever.
He kissed her forcefully; his lip telling her more that words could at that moment. Her drew back and hugged her before leaving the room.
Thalia stood still, looking at the door that her husband had just passed through, wondering whether he would walk back through it. Knowing that she was thinking thoughts that would only bring tears she set about making the bed and waking the children up.
----
Outside the city orcs were surrounding the boarders. Their orders were to retrieve the one who bore the mark. Mirkwood' s princess.
They didn't much care why their master wanted her but they were glad of the release of a battle. It had been long since they had killed elves and they were desperate for the sweet taste of blood once more.
"Oy, you wretch, get over there and stay there until I say so"
The malicious voice of a tall orc hissed at one of the lesser orcs whom he deemed ignorant.
"How much longer do we have to wait?!"
"You will wait until I tell you!"
The orc stepped forward and with one swift action beheaded the fool.
"Dinner boys"
Cheers went up as they descended upon the body of their dead kin.
A black arrow hit a tall tree with a dull thud, bringing the message that they had all been waiting for.
"Get up you filthy scum, we av elves to kill!"
Hissing and jeering the hoards of orcs trampled through the forest, killing flowers that had bloomed under the elves protection and injuring trees which had stood in peace for thousands of years.
The thundering of their footsteps and their snarls and growls alerted the guards who immediately, unseen from within the trees, cocked their bows and sent a message to the city.
Cries and snarls were heard as the elves rained arrows down upon the advancing orcs and soon elvish cries mingled with those of the orcs until the air was heavy with them and it could not be discerned who was fighting and what was won.
Elvish corpses were left behind, their bloodied bodies unrecognisable for the most part. And still the heaving mass thundered on.
Inside the palace The King had already issued orders for every warrior and guard to take up their positions, they were to defend their city until they breathed their last.
Legolas stood upon one of high battlements that rested upon the cliff- face of the city's entrance. His eyes veiled and his face stoic as he issued orders to his men.
----
Underneath the city a small number of orcs had managed to travel up the river and arrive at the underground entrance that was used for getting rid of unneeded water and the like. With a large effort the orcs managed to open the trapdoor and force their way into the dark cellar that held the many bottles of sweet wine.
Taking their time the orcs stole a few bottles, downing them quickly before thundering through the near deserted hallways.
One of the creatures took hold of a maid who had been busy, taking his time to delight in her fear, before slitting her throat. He grinned as his tongue licked her blood from his blade.
"Find her and bring her to me, I'll be in the cellars"
A large orc hissed at the smaller orcs before going back to the cellar.
---
Thalia stood, listening to the distant sound of swords clashing and cried and screams from outside. No elves had been brought in yet and she was growing more nervous as the minutes went by.
All of a sudden her eyes widened and she spun on her heel, heading for the door
"Thalia!"
Thalia stopped at the sound of her friend's voice.
"Prince Legolas told you to stay here, you must not leave"
Thalia turned and approached her friend, her eyes wild and panicked.
"Salebriaeth, I cannot stay not knowing where my children are. I have to find them and bring them here. I can't leave them"
The other nodded, knowing that her friend would not be able to do anything without knowing where her children were and with a heavy heart she let her go.
Thalia ran down the corridor, bumping into many elves but not stopping to apologise. Her feet took her first to her their chambers, and then upon discovering their absence she went to Celenier' s room, perhaps they had taken refuge there.
She began to panic upon discovering that they were not there. Tears welled up within her eyes and her body tingled with panic and frustration. Her heart pounded in her ears and she could feel herself becoming hot. Taking a deep breath she set off again. Her fingers rubbing the ring that Legolas had given her so long ago. It was a small mithril band that had a small sapphire crystal in it in the shape of a teardrop. It truly was beautiful.
She shuddered as she pushed open one of the doors that lead to the lower levels of the city. On this level, some were taking refuge; they inclined their heads to her and expressed their worry when she asked about her missing children.
But still her feet walked on. The further away she got from the elves that she had seen only moments before, the more frightened she became. She stopped when she heard a noise coming from a hallway just behind her. Her breath froze in her chest and her eyes widened.
"Nana!"
Eleni cried out as she ran towards her mother desperately crying.
"Nana, I cannot find Niall, I am lost. I cannot find him!"
The tears ran down her cheeks in rivers and she hugged her mother tightly.
"Where did they go?"
Eleni pointed to a hallway that Thalia knew led to a reinforced passageway; they would be safe there.
"Alright, lets get you to the healing wing sweetheart"
Thalia said, her voice and heart a little lighter having found her daughter, though her heart bid her to leave quickly as evil was approaching.
Thalia nearly retched as the smell of decay hit her in a wave; Eleni was not so lucky and vomited all over the floor.
Her eyes widened and she ran to the nearest hallway, hoping that they would pass them without noticing. She held her breath and hugged Eleni to her chest tightly as the thump of their steps and the sound of growls and snarls got louder with each step they took.
"I smell...dinner!"
Thalia stiffened and put her hand over Eleni's mouth to avoid any mishaps and prayed to the Valar to help her.
She listened carefully to each and every sound, paying particular attention when the footsteps stopped. Shuffling and grunting noises reached her ears, making her all the more nervous.
Eleni whimpered involuntarily, alerting the orcs to their location. Without hesitation Thalia set of running as fast as she could with her elfling in her arms. Eleni screamed when a three of the orcs appeared behind them. Thalia nearly chocked when another orc appeared before them, blocking their path. She moved against the wall, praying that they made Eleni's death swift as she wished her to die in peace and not in torture. She cared not for her own life.
"Look what we've found"
"Get her! The master wants her"
They snarled at the two females, their eyes grazing maliciously over their bodies.
"What about the little one? Can we eat 'er"?
Eleni whimpered and hugged her mother, wanting the monsters to go away.
"No, 'e might 'er too"
The large orc stepped forward and pulled one of Thalia's arms from around Eleni and with a twist he broke her wrist and snatched Eleni from her and put the child in between his arms as if he was carrying a sack.
Eleni cried out and threw her arms out towards her mother,
"Nana! Nana!"
Her cries were desperate and brought tears to Thalia's eyes, she reached out for her child but was hit in the stomach with a sword, sending her to her knees.
"Touch 'er and we'll kill 'er"
They picked Thalia up and dragged her, silently down the corridor and to the cellars. Thalia was silent, she didn't want her daughter to die and she couldn't leave her on her own. She resigned herself to waiting. No doubt there were guards outside that she could shout for or so she hoped.
She tried to contact Legolas through their bond but found that he had his shields up. With a breathless cry she let the orcs drag her almost lifelessly to the hatch in the floor.
Eleni looked back at her mother who was being dragged across the stone floor carelessly. Her dress was getting dirty and there was blood trickling from a cut on her forehead where an orc had hit her when Eleni hadn't been looking.
Thalia watched as Eleni was dropped into the rushing waters below and she began to panic. Her panic was short live when she too was thrown though the hatch. She landed with a painful thump onto a crude wooden boat that had been fashioned from various bits of tree trunk and branches.
"Sit and 'ol yre brat"
An orc smacked her across the back of her head and thrust Eleni into her arms. Thalia couldn't breathe and chocked desperately, Eleni patted her on the back and she soon regained her breath.
"I'm fine sweetie, I'm fine. We're gonna be fine, daddy will find us. It'll be alright"
The orcs laughed at her show of bravery and threw a couple of sticks at her.
"You're precious daddy won't know where to find you"
An orc sneered at a terrified Eleni.
"And you..."
One of them kicked Thalia in the leg as he spoke,
"Nobody'll want you when the masters finished wi you"
The words sent shivers down her spine and she stiffened, not knowing what they were talking about but grasping the underlying threat well enough.
She watched helplessly as the raft was pushed along the waters, splashing them with water, as the waves got rougher. She could sit and watch as the trees came into view. The trees spoke only of evil, they were prisoners now and there was nobody to get them. ---
Legolas fought with everything he had, his knives slashing and twirling at a great speed as the orcs came at him. He was taken aback and stopped fighting when an orcish cry rang out and the hoards drew back into the forest.
Black blood streamed down the blades of his knives and onto his hands.
"I have never seen orcs run from a battle before"
An elf said from a few yards away, Legolas nodded as a sudden realisation hit him. He approached the elf and grasped his arms,
"Go and make sure that everyone is accounted for, including the dead and then report to the King. They were after something"
The elf nodded and set off at a run to a group of elves that stood near the gates.
Legolas stared at the bodies of his friends on the floor in disbelief, never had he seen so many elves killed in such a short amount of time. There was something other than orcs at work. And he was about to find out.
He was startled by the sound of an elvish horn that announced that the Galadhrim had arrived. He turned to look and smirked wryly at the sight of the troops who had obviously caught the orcs that had withdrawn.
Their golden armour gleamed in the morning light giving Legolas a little hope. Their arrival was welcomed with open arms. Haldir gave orders to his troop and watched them as they dispersed and began helping their Mirkwood kin.
Haldir turned and approached him with a seriousness that worried him,
"Legolas, they have Thalia"
Sofia- me too- I know but I have some big plans in store. Thanks
Uh- hi- thanks for your review as always. Sorry- but I gotta- it makes for a better story- please don't send your evil minions.
Dazler402- no- they aren't don't know each other yet- this is before Aragorn's born- thanks
Lady K4- Chaos and havoc coming right up- thanks
Orangeblossom07- thanks- I try. Have you read 'The Healer of the past' by EldarExilePrincess- if you haven't you should. It has similar themes and it's very well written
CurlyLocks- Hi Laura- welcome back- long time no see- but you're back now so all is forgiven. Thanks as always- hope I don't disappoint.
Leggylover4ever- sorry- people keep shouting at me for cliff-hangers- I don't mean to do it- it just happens- thanks.
Question- do any of my anonymous readers or reviewers want me to e-mail them a chapter when I've posted it- I used to find looking for fics to see if they've been updated rather tedious and I just thought I'd save you the trouble. Let me know in a review or send me an e-mail. xxx
The king stormed out of the throne room with haste. The box that he had received contained one of his most loyal friends and warriors, and he knew just what the message was.
"Thranduil, I beg of you leave them be. You can do no good now, it is late and they will be asleep. You will be able to do naught until the sun is up"
Eloria pleaded with him. Her eyes wide and filled with many emotions, terror being the most prominent.
She stood in front of him, effectively blocking his path. She took his hands in hers and looked at him.
"I know what it is you fear, but we will protect them. We will not let them go without a fight. Both of them would fight to the death for their children. You know this. Do not dwell upon it for there is nothing that you can do this evening"
His eyes, clouded by anger and despair met those of his wife. He stepped forward, embracing her, though not for her own comfort but for his.
"I will leave them. But tomorrow at dawn I will need Legolas"
Eloria nodded sombrely, she knew that before long Legolas and possibly her husband would be marching out to battle and they might not return alive.
She stepped out of his embrace as one of his advisers approached.
"My Lord, we must discuss tomorrows plans"
The King kissed his wife gently before turned and walking away with the adviser, leaving Eloria with a heavy heart and a head full of nightmares.
----
Legolas awoke to find himself stuck. Thalia had rolled on top of him during the night and even in sleep was refusing to move. One of her hands was buried in his hair, her fingers curing around the hair at the nape of his neck. Her other hand held one of his, making him smile.
Her lifted his head and looked down at her, his smile immediately fell. Her face was pale and black circles surrounded them. Sometime during the night she had wept, silver tracks marred her cheeks.
He lay back down and pulled her closer to him just wanting to hold her for a little while.
His thoughts turned sour as the minutes went by. They could no longer wait for Haldir. Something was stirring and it could not be ignored. Evil was advancing and Mirkwood was succumbing more to the darkness everyday. The trees whispered, bringing with them the dreaded news of death and torment.
Sword and bows were being readied even as he lay there. Elves were rising and preparing for a battle that would be inevitable, though it might not happen that day. And soon his wife too would rise and after readying their children, she would prepare for the arrival of a number of injured and dead elves.
Thalia awoke with a start when a guard pounded heavily on the door.
Leoglas immediately rose and answered it, quickly throwing on a robe to hide his nakedness as he did so.
"My Lord, the King requests your presence in the council chambers immediately"
Legolas nodded and shut the door. Thalia watched with slight confusion as Legolas threw off his robe and threw on his clothes just as fast.
"Thalia. You know that there may be a battle today. But you must promise me something. No matter what happens to me do not leave the healing chambers until my mother, my father or I come for you. You must promise me"
Looking bewildered she nodded. She slipped out of bed, wrapping a sheet around her body and stood in front of him, taking the task of tying his vambraces for him, just as a gesture, a gesture that she knew he appreciated.
"What about Haldir? Are you not going to wait, he should be here within the next day or so"
Legolas signed and shook his head. His eyes were dark blue with turmoil and speculation and regret.
"There is no time to wait. Everyday the enemy advances and multiplies, and as it does more elves are dying. We cannot afford to waste anymore time"
Thalia sighed, somewhat disappointed that her brother would not be around to help. Knowing that Haldir was with her husband would have lifted a huge weight off her shoulders, but alas, it was not meant to be.
She was beginning to feel like her old self again, shy and timid, afraid of what was to come and the possibilities of what might come to pass, despite the fact that she could do nothing about it.
Finally Legolas stood ready before her. He smiled and turned around, walking into his children's room to kiss them before he left. While he did so Thalia hurriedly got dressed. She jumped when gentle fingers ran down her back and started to tie the lacing on the back of her dress.
"Amin mela lle hervess nin" (I love you my wife)
"Tul-ad le nin hervenn" (come back to me husband)
She turned around, love clearly shining in her eyes and kissed him before standing back. Her eyes took in the warrior that he had become and she was overwhelmed with a fierce feeling of protection and dread mixed with faith and love.
He smiled at her expression and his mask fell, revealing an elf that was afraid for so many things and anxious about his next actions. His jaw was clenched and his brow furrowed as his eyes studied every inch of his beloveds face, just in case he never came back, though he knew in his heart that her image was engraved in his mind forever.
He kissed her forcefully; his lip telling her more that words could at that moment. Her drew back and hugged her before leaving the room.
Thalia stood still, looking at the door that her husband had just passed through, wondering whether he would walk back through it. Knowing that she was thinking thoughts that would only bring tears she set about making the bed and waking the children up.
----
Outside the city orcs were surrounding the boarders. Their orders were to retrieve the one who bore the mark. Mirkwood' s princess.
They didn't much care why their master wanted her but they were glad of the release of a battle. It had been long since they had killed elves and they were desperate for the sweet taste of blood once more.
"Oy, you wretch, get over there and stay there until I say so"
The malicious voice of a tall orc hissed at one of the lesser orcs whom he deemed ignorant.
"How much longer do we have to wait?!"
"You will wait until I tell you!"
The orc stepped forward and with one swift action beheaded the fool.
"Dinner boys"
Cheers went up as they descended upon the body of their dead kin.
A black arrow hit a tall tree with a dull thud, bringing the message that they had all been waiting for.
"Get up you filthy scum, we av elves to kill!"
Hissing and jeering the hoards of orcs trampled through the forest, killing flowers that had bloomed under the elves protection and injuring trees which had stood in peace for thousands of years.
The thundering of their footsteps and their snarls and growls alerted the guards who immediately, unseen from within the trees, cocked their bows and sent a message to the city.
Cries and snarls were heard as the elves rained arrows down upon the advancing orcs and soon elvish cries mingled with those of the orcs until the air was heavy with them and it could not be discerned who was fighting and what was won.
Elvish corpses were left behind, their bloodied bodies unrecognisable for the most part. And still the heaving mass thundered on.
Inside the palace The King had already issued orders for every warrior and guard to take up their positions, they were to defend their city until they breathed their last.
Legolas stood upon one of high battlements that rested upon the cliff- face of the city's entrance. His eyes veiled and his face stoic as he issued orders to his men.
----
Underneath the city a small number of orcs had managed to travel up the river and arrive at the underground entrance that was used for getting rid of unneeded water and the like. With a large effort the orcs managed to open the trapdoor and force their way into the dark cellar that held the many bottles of sweet wine.
Taking their time the orcs stole a few bottles, downing them quickly before thundering through the near deserted hallways.
One of the creatures took hold of a maid who had been busy, taking his time to delight in her fear, before slitting her throat. He grinned as his tongue licked her blood from his blade.
"Find her and bring her to me, I'll be in the cellars"
A large orc hissed at the smaller orcs before going back to the cellar.
---
Thalia stood, listening to the distant sound of swords clashing and cried and screams from outside. No elves had been brought in yet and she was growing more nervous as the minutes went by.
All of a sudden her eyes widened and she spun on her heel, heading for the door
"Thalia!"
Thalia stopped at the sound of her friend's voice.
"Prince Legolas told you to stay here, you must not leave"
Thalia turned and approached her friend, her eyes wild and panicked.
"Salebriaeth, I cannot stay not knowing where my children are. I have to find them and bring them here. I can't leave them"
The other nodded, knowing that her friend would not be able to do anything without knowing where her children were and with a heavy heart she let her go.
Thalia ran down the corridor, bumping into many elves but not stopping to apologise. Her feet took her first to her their chambers, and then upon discovering their absence she went to Celenier' s room, perhaps they had taken refuge there.
She began to panic upon discovering that they were not there. Tears welled up within her eyes and her body tingled with panic and frustration. Her heart pounded in her ears and she could feel herself becoming hot. Taking a deep breath she set off again. Her fingers rubbing the ring that Legolas had given her so long ago. It was a small mithril band that had a small sapphire crystal in it in the shape of a teardrop. It truly was beautiful.
She shuddered as she pushed open one of the doors that lead to the lower levels of the city. On this level, some were taking refuge; they inclined their heads to her and expressed their worry when she asked about her missing children.
But still her feet walked on. The further away she got from the elves that she had seen only moments before, the more frightened she became. She stopped when she heard a noise coming from a hallway just behind her. Her breath froze in her chest and her eyes widened.
"Nana!"
Eleni cried out as she ran towards her mother desperately crying.
"Nana, I cannot find Niall, I am lost. I cannot find him!"
The tears ran down her cheeks in rivers and she hugged her mother tightly.
"Where did they go?"
Eleni pointed to a hallway that Thalia knew led to a reinforced passageway; they would be safe there.
"Alright, lets get you to the healing wing sweetheart"
Thalia said, her voice and heart a little lighter having found her daughter, though her heart bid her to leave quickly as evil was approaching.
Thalia nearly retched as the smell of decay hit her in a wave; Eleni was not so lucky and vomited all over the floor.
Her eyes widened and she ran to the nearest hallway, hoping that they would pass them without noticing. She held her breath and hugged Eleni to her chest tightly as the thump of their steps and the sound of growls and snarls got louder with each step they took.
"I smell...dinner!"
Thalia stiffened and put her hand over Eleni's mouth to avoid any mishaps and prayed to the Valar to help her.
She listened carefully to each and every sound, paying particular attention when the footsteps stopped. Shuffling and grunting noises reached her ears, making her all the more nervous.
Eleni whimpered involuntarily, alerting the orcs to their location. Without hesitation Thalia set of running as fast as she could with her elfling in her arms. Eleni screamed when a three of the orcs appeared behind them. Thalia nearly chocked when another orc appeared before them, blocking their path. She moved against the wall, praying that they made Eleni's death swift as she wished her to die in peace and not in torture. She cared not for her own life.
"Look what we've found"
"Get her! The master wants her"
They snarled at the two females, their eyes grazing maliciously over their bodies.
"What about the little one? Can we eat 'er"?
Eleni whimpered and hugged her mother, wanting the monsters to go away.
"No, 'e might 'er too"
The large orc stepped forward and pulled one of Thalia's arms from around Eleni and with a twist he broke her wrist and snatched Eleni from her and put the child in between his arms as if he was carrying a sack.
Eleni cried out and threw her arms out towards her mother,
"Nana! Nana!"
Her cries were desperate and brought tears to Thalia's eyes, she reached out for her child but was hit in the stomach with a sword, sending her to her knees.
"Touch 'er and we'll kill 'er"
They picked Thalia up and dragged her, silently down the corridor and to the cellars. Thalia was silent, she didn't want her daughter to die and she couldn't leave her on her own. She resigned herself to waiting. No doubt there were guards outside that she could shout for or so she hoped.
She tried to contact Legolas through their bond but found that he had his shields up. With a breathless cry she let the orcs drag her almost lifelessly to the hatch in the floor.
Eleni looked back at her mother who was being dragged across the stone floor carelessly. Her dress was getting dirty and there was blood trickling from a cut on her forehead where an orc had hit her when Eleni hadn't been looking.
Thalia watched as Eleni was dropped into the rushing waters below and she began to panic. Her panic was short live when she too was thrown though the hatch. She landed with a painful thump onto a crude wooden boat that had been fashioned from various bits of tree trunk and branches.
"Sit and 'ol yre brat"
An orc smacked her across the back of her head and thrust Eleni into her arms. Thalia couldn't breathe and chocked desperately, Eleni patted her on the back and she soon regained her breath.
"I'm fine sweetie, I'm fine. We're gonna be fine, daddy will find us. It'll be alright"
The orcs laughed at her show of bravery and threw a couple of sticks at her.
"You're precious daddy won't know where to find you"
An orc sneered at a terrified Eleni.
"And you..."
One of them kicked Thalia in the leg as he spoke,
"Nobody'll want you when the masters finished wi you"
The words sent shivers down her spine and she stiffened, not knowing what they were talking about but grasping the underlying threat well enough.
She watched helplessly as the raft was pushed along the waters, splashing them with water, as the waves got rougher. She could sit and watch as the trees came into view. The trees spoke only of evil, they were prisoners now and there was nobody to get them. ---
Legolas fought with everything he had, his knives slashing and twirling at a great speed as the orcs came at him. He was taken aback and stopped fighting when an orcish cry rang out and the hoards drew back into the forest.
Black blood streamed down the blades of his knives and onto his hands.
"I have never seen orcs run from a battle before"
An elf said from a few yards away, Legolas nodded as a sudden realisation hit him. He approached the elf and grasped his arms,
"Go and make sure that everyone is accounted for, including the dead and then report to the King. They were after something"
The elf nodded and set off at a run to a group of elves that stood near the gates.
Legolas stared at the bodies of his friends on the floor in disbelief, never had he seen so many elves killed in such a short amount of time. There was something other than orcs at work. And he was about to find out.
He was startled by the sound of an elvish horn that announced that the Galadhrim had arrived. He turned to look and smirked wryly at the sight of the troops who had obviously caught the orcs that had withdrawn.
Their golden armour gleamed in the morning light giving Legolas a little hope. Their arrival was welcomed with open arms. Haldir gave orders to his troop and watched them as they dispersed and began helping their Mirkwood kin.
Haldir turned and approached him with a seriousness that worried him,
"Legolas, they have Thalia"