I'm updating! Shock horror. It's only been…..a couple of months……ack, sorry guys!
I hope you all ha a good Xmas and equally dudey New Year! And thank you to Kerowyn for joining Evenstar Dreams! We're having fun on there aren't we? Anyone else who wants to join, go get the addy from my bio, PLEASE! Its really getting going now. Big cheesy grin.
Thanks to all reviewers, and just to let you know, there is only one more chapter after this one……heh heh heh……
Faerlain
Elerrina – Hi! Waves. We haven't spoken in so long. Indeed, Orcs are not all that stupid. Read on, and you'll see what happens. Thanks for reviewing.
SarahNM – I'm very pleased you're enjoying it. Grin. Sorry you had to wait so long, but here is the next instalment. Thanks for reviewing.
Tiara Shin –You know I can't resist a cliffie! I love them. There's another one at the end of this chapter too…Teehee! I'm so evil sometimes…snigger.
Huggles all Elves. They are just so huggable, it's unbelievable.
We all need to read – it's compulsory. Though if I don't update enough, we'll never get there! Slaps wrist, then Leggy's. He keeps distracting me!
Hope you and Haldy had a good Xmas. We did over here. Wink. And thanks for the imaginary snow – we got no real stuff. Pout. So speak soon and thanks for reviewing.
Rayame325 – He is quite quick on his feet sometimes isn't he? When he needs to be that is. Everyone fights – its natural. And his first battle is right ahead, so read on and enjoy! Thanks for reviewing.
Chapter 9: A Doomed Fight.
"Yer see him lads?"
Murmurs passed through the grouped Orcs. "Yeah, the shorter one with blonde hair."
"That's the one we're aiming for. And try and get his brothers if you can. Kill two birds with one stone. Or in this case, three!"
The cruel laughter echoed through the undergrowth as the fight began.
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Legolas loaded up his bow and aimed it for the ground directly beneath their tree. "Stay absolutely silent," he whispered to Hithaer, so quietly the younger Elf could barely hear him. "Aim for the neck – it's their weakest point."
Hithaer nodded and followed his brother's move. The two of them stayed as still as statues. The sound of fighting echoed through the tress, and Hithaer gripped his bow a bit tighter, his hands growing slightly slippery.
An Orc appeared below then, and Legolas instantly fired. It hit the target, and blood spurted out of the Orc's neck. He slumped to the ground gurgling.
More appeared after that, and Hithaer found himself automatically and naturally firing his arrows at the enemy, and quickly following them up with more. He didn't notice Legolas watching him proudly out of the corner of his eye as he too fired arrow after arrow.
"Don't use them all," he warned him. "We may need them later on."
"So now what?" Hithaer asked as even more Orcs appeared. "They need us down there."
"Exactly. Come on."
Legolas jumped silently down, landing delicately on his feet and unsheathing his twin daggers. He had landed in the centre of the rabble, and they snarled, slightly taken aback by his sudden arrival. He was quick to take advantage of their pause, and swung into action.
Hithaer could only watch as his brother almost danced with the lethal weapons, making swift work of any Orcs who got in his way. The blades shone in the sunlight, flashes of silver through the black mass of Orc armour.
Regaining his senses, he too dropped down and took out his knives. The Orcs turned to him, sensing he was younger and weaker. But Legolas was there beside him, and he knew he had nothing to fear.
He stabbed and sliced his way through the crowd, the adrenalin pulsing through his veins. He heard the clatter of horse's hooves, and knew that Ladrenîl was there too. The Orcs were doomed, trapped within the circle of Elves.
The numbers dwindled, and soon, every Orc lay dead or dying on the ground. Hithaer leant against a tree, recovering his breath whilst the other Elves walked around to check every single one was dead. A few still struggled for air, and he winced as either Legolas or Ladrenîl swiftly cut their throats.
He stood up straight as they went over to him. "You did brilliantly," Legolas praised, placing his hand on his shoulder affectionately. "I am very proud of you."
Ladrenîl grinned. "Same here Hithaer," he said. "I was surprised at how you have exceeded with your fighting skills."
"I have great teachers," he beamed.
The elder two laughed. "Is everyone ok?" Ladrenîl asked.
Apart from a few minor cuts and bruises, no one in the group was seriously injured. Hithaer dabbed at a cut on his arm with his sleeve as the others did a final check on the Orcs. He walked away from the tree, bending to retrieve his fallen bow.
The pain was something he had never experienced. Sharp and excruciating, it spread down his back. He felt dizzy and fell to his knees. Black spots danced in front of his eyes, and he blinked furiously. What was going on?
Legolas heard the sound of a bowstring being pulled taut, and then the whistle of an arrow through the air. Turning, he saw his younger brother collapse to his knees with an ugly black arrow protruding from his back. He gave a yell and ran to his side. The other Elves chased after the stray Orc archers that had somehow gotten away from the initial attack.
Legolas cradled his brother. Everything was happening in slow motion. He could hear the yells of his fellow Elves as they scrambled through the undergrowth after the few Orcs that had escaped them, but they seemed far away, quiet and meaningless. He looked down at Hithaer's ashen face. A tear splashed onto the skin, leaving a trail as it travelled down.
"Hithaer…"
"I messed up Legs…"
"No, no you didn't." He kissed his forehead firmly. "You were amazing today. I am so, so proud of you."
Hithaer coughed, and a small trickle of blood seeped out the corner of his mouth. Legolas quickly wiped it away, stroking his fingers through the flaxen hair. "Is this what dying feels like Legs?"
"I don't know," he whispered. "Does it hurt?"
"No, not anymore. I can't feel anything."
/Poisoned…/
"Well, that's good. Let's get you back to the palace."
But Hithaer shook his head. "I am dying Legs. I can feel it. Well sort of, seeing as I can't feel anything anymore." He gave a weak laugh, coughing up more blood.
Legolas let the tears fall. "You're not going to die Hithaer!" he hissed. "I won't let you."
"I can't even sit up on my own, let alone stand up. I have no strength. I'm not daft Legs; I know that arrow had poison on it. What Orc arrows don't? Don't worry, I'll be ok."
Ladrenîl suddenly appeared at Legolas' side, taking hold of Hithaer's hand. "I killed that bastard," he muttered. "He won't hurt us again." He firmly kissed the limp hand he held.
Legolas turned his teary face to Ladrenîl, not noticing the other Elves return and stand mournfully around. "What do we do 'Ren?"
Hithaer had never heard his brother sound so at a loss. Legolas could always be relied upon to have the answers, to assist you when you needed help. But now…he seemed helpless himself.
"We've got to get him home," Ladrenîl said through gritted teeth.
"I'm the faster rider," Legolas said quickly.
"Watch the arrow. You might have to ride home backwards Hithaer."
The three brothers gave a small chuckle. Legolas whistled for his horse, and mounted. Ladrenîl passed Hithaer up to him, trying not to listen to the boys cries of agony. Before they set off, Ladrenîl gripped the weak hand. "I'll see you when I get home," he told him. "And you'll see me, understand?"
"Sure thing brother." He smiled, and then was gone, Legolas galloping off through the trees.
I'm sorry for being evil, but its so much fun! Giggle.
So, now that I've done this chapter will some of you go check out Evenstar Dreams? You know you want to…go on, please…Nudges readers.
See you all soon!
Faerlain