Disclaimer: Still own nothing, but what I have created.
A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long to post. I have been so extremely busy. These past two weeks have been hard, stressful, and busy so I have not had much writing time. Please forgive me. This chapter is rather long, so I hope that makes up for it some.
I don't have time for a response to everyone, but I just want to say thanks. All your reviews mean so much to me and you all are the ones that keep this story going. Thanks for keeping me encouraged.
And yes, on the last chapter, probably what you were thinking happened to Linriel, did. Throughout the story it might have one or two, more references like that, but nothing too bad. Thanks so much again for all the reviews. Here's the next chapter.
Chapter 4
Orcs!
'I will never know
Myself until I do this on my own
And I will never feel
Anything else until my wounds are healed
I will never be
Anything till I break away from me
And I will break away
I'll find myself today
I want to heal
I want feel like I'm somewhere I belong.'
Linkin Park 'Somewhere I Belong.'
Aragorn patted his horse, Amthol, tenderly on the neck. They were only four day's journey from Rivendell now. It had been a long, tiring journey, but mostly uneventful. Once they had spotted orcs, but they managed to avoid them. They were all weary and everyone was excited to be home. The twins were ready to be home and see their father again. Aragorn was ready as well, for it had been almost three years since he had been home. Legolas and Linriel were eager to reach the house of Rivendell where they knew they could find peace and rest before their journey home.
Aragorn looked up at his companions. They were all a few feet ahead of him, talking silently amongst themselves. Aragorn hung back, thinking to himself. Suddenly he was aware of another horse beside his own. Aragorn looked up and was surprised to see Linriel riding beside him. She smiled at him.
"What are you doing back here all alone?" She asked sweetly.
Aragorn smiled, despite his shock. "I was just thinking." He replied.
"I see. Care to share what you are so focused on?" Linriel asked.
Aragorn chuckled, but lowered his voice. "I'm trying to think of a way to get Legolas back for stealing my boots and hanging them in the trees. I need to think of something good."
Linriel grinned. "I could be of assistance."
Aragorn grinned. "What did you have in mind?"
Elrohir rode near Elladan and Legolas. He laughed to himself as he listened to an old joke between them. He looked beside him to talk with his lover, when he realized she was not beside him. He quickly looked back and saw her with Aragorn. At first he became worried, but seeing her smile and laugh quickly calmed his fears.
"Legolas?" He said. He motioned with his head behind him.
Legolas turned his head and stared wide-eyed at seeing Linriel smiling and laughing with Aragorn. He turned back to Elrohir with a questioning gaze, but he merely shrugged.
Elladan looked at them, too. "I thought since what happened with the slave traders, your sister avoided humans." He commented to Legolas.
Legolas nodded. "She does. She always hated being around any humans, no matter who they are. Ever since Heodym betrayed her, she has avoided contact with them."
"Then why the sudden change?" Elrohir asked.
Legolas shook his head. "I know not. All I know is that Estel seems to have a special way about him of gaining one's trust."
"That he does." Elladan stated.
"Do you have a death wish?!" Aragorn gaped at Linriel. "Legolas would kill us."
"Correction. He would kill you!" Linriel said with a laugh. "I'm only giving you ideas, I never said I would help you."
Aragorn shook his head and looked up. He noticed Legolas and Elrohir looking back at them, but as soon as he met their eyes, they looked forward again. Aragorn grinned.
"You know, we are being watched."
Linriel looked up. She smiled as she saw her brother glance quickly at her. "My brother is worried and curious as to why I am back here with you."
Aragorn looked at her. "Why are you back here with me, My Lady?"
Linriel looked at him and then down at her horse. "Because I am tired of my memories of the past. I want these wounds inside my heart to heal. I want to feel real again. Yet, the only way I can truly heal is if I break away from my fears, break away from myself, and face what I am afraid of."
Aragorn nodded sympathetically. "You have nothing to fear of me, Lady Linriel. I know you have many memories of darkness in your past with humans, but I promise you that I would never do anything to hurt you. I would willingly protect you with my life."
Linriel looked up at him. She saw truth behind his eyes. "Why? You hardly even know me."
"You are a friend to my brothers, making you my friend as well. I protect my friends." Aragorn stated.
Linriel smiled. "You are a great man Aragorn son of Arathorn and you will make a great king one day."
Aragorn stiffened and stared into the trees. "I hope you are right."
Linriel was about to say something more when she saw Legolas and Elladan dismount from their horses. She rode near them.
"We will stop here for a short rest." Legolas said as he steadied her horse for her.
Legolas offered his hand to his sister and she took it as she gracefully dismounted.
Aragorn dismounted and was met by Elladan. Elladan placed a hand around Aragorn's shoulders and began to walk with him.
"Walk with me, brother." Elladan said.
"What is on your mind, Elladan?" Aragorn asked.
Elladan sighed. "Elrohir and Legolas are worried for Linriel." He looked up at Aragorn. "You need to be careful, Estel. You do not know the memories that dwell in her heart. She has been dealing with humans way before you were even born."
Aragorn nodded. "I understand, but she told me that the only way she can truly heal from those memories is if she faces her fears."
Elladan nodded and looked behind him. Linriel and Legolas were laughing together. "I just don't want to see her get hurt. I fear she might not be able to face those memories alone."
Aragorn nodded. "I will be careful."
Elladan nodded, but suddenly tensed. Conversation from Legolas and Linriel suddenly stopped. The elves all began to look around. Something in the air didn't feel right. Aragorn noticed their reaction. He looked around, but saw nothing through the trees. He lowered himself to the ground and placed his ear against the dirt.
The ground seemed to tremble beneath him. He could hear fast approaching footsteps. Suddenly, they heard a loud cry in the woods.
"Orcs!" Legolas stated as he drew an arrow to his bow.
"They are coming in fast." Elladan said as he too put an arrow to his bow.
"Can we outrun them?" Linriel asked.
Elrohir shook his head as the vile creatures came into view. "Nay, we have no choice, but to fight them."
Aragorn drew his bow and stood between his brothers. He saw Legolas give Linriel one of his twin elven blades.
"Only use it if you have to." He told her.
Linriel nodded and quickly climbed up a tree. The branches of the trees hid her from unobservant eyes.
Elladan and Elrohir looked at each other, sharing a silent message. They nodded to each other and turned their eyes to the forest. A few seconds later the elves released their arrows. They met their targets, felling three of the evil creatures. Aragorn released his arrow as the orcs came into his view, killing another.
The group heading towards them was large, consisting of more than thirty orcs. The companions stood their ground, releasing another hurl of arrows. Before long; however, the orcs were in close enough for combat. A few of them took their positions behind trees to fire arrows. The rest charged in with swords drawn.
Arrows began to fly at the companions. Aragorn drew his sword as an orc rushed him and quickly blocked an attack.
"Kill the archers!" Elladan shouted, aiming his arrow at one of the hidden orcs. His arrow flew true.
Elrohir shot at another, but quickly drew his sword as an orc rushed him.
The battle soon erupted into chaos. Orcs seemed to be coming from every direction. Arrows were flying wildly through the trees. The companions were doing their best to fight off the orcs as they dodged attacks. They were all highly skilled in battle, but their skill was being put to the test.
Elladan slashed at one of the creatures then whipped his sword around just in time to block an attack from another. He quickly slashed at the creature, but the orc moved his blade just in time. His blade caught Elladan's left shoulder, tearing skin down to his elbow. Elladan gasped in pain, but swung his sword at the creature's head. His strike hit the orc and felled the creature. Elladan grasped at his shoulder wound in pain. Blood was pouring from the wound, soaking his tunic. He could tell the cut was deep.
Elrohir saw or rather felt his brother get injured. He quickly turned his attention to his right. More orcs were swarming in on Elladan. Elrohir quickly drew his bow and rapidly fired three arrows. They each met their target, but what neither of the twins saw was the orc that was aiming an arrow at the twin.
Elrohir saw the arrow just a second before it hit its target.
"Elladan!" Elrohir screamed.
The arrow embedded itself into Elladan stomach. Elladan gasped in pain. His sword fell from his hand and his hands flew to the wound. They were immediately covered in blood. Elladan fell to his knees as Elrohir raced to his side. Gently, he lowered his brother to the ground.
Elrohir looked up. More orcs were coming at them. He had no time to care for his brother.
"Hold on, Elladan! Don't give up!" He said to his brother as he placed a hand on his chest.
"Elrohir!" Aragorn yelled suddenly.
Elrohir turned to look just in time as an orc slashed his sword at Elrohir's head. Elrohir rolled out of the way, cutting the creature as he did. Aragorn rushed to his brother's side as Elrohir stood. He glanced at Elladan who was lying semi-conscious on the ground.
"We need to fight fast." Aragorn stated, seeing his brother's dire condition.
Legolas glanced at Aragorn and Elrohir. Elladan looked like he had lost a lot of blood. He knew the twin was probably already near death's door. Legolas slashed furiously with his blade. He did not have both of his twin daggers, but Legolas was deadly regardless of that. Many dead orcs lay at his feet. Still, more kept advancing.
Aragorn stood near Legolas. He plunged his sword into one orc and quickly slashed at another. Legolas quickly slashed at an orc behind Aragorn, before it could injure his friend.
Suddenly someone screamed. Legolas looked up in the tree where Linriel hid, just as her body fell to the forest floor.
"Linriel!" Legolas screamed running to her.
Elrohir reached her first and knelt by her. She was gasping for breath. Her face was pale and contorted in pain. An arrow pierced through her right hip.
"Linriel can you hear me?" Elrohir asked desperately.
Linriel looked up at him with pain filled eyes. Legolas pushed hair from her face, as Elrohir looked down at her wound. The arrow was deep in her flesh and blood poured freely from the wound. Elrohir placed a piece of torn cloth around the arrow wound to try to stop the bleeding. He had done the same for his brother.
Aragorn could only steal a short glance at Linriel. Both Legolas and Elrohir were at her side, leaving Aragorn to fight alone. Aragorn fought bravely against the horrid creatures. His arms protested painfully because of weariness, but his adrenaline was high. He slashed at the orcs near him, barely missing blades aimed to kill him. One slash caught his arm, but only barely skimmed him. Another blade skimmed across his chest, leaving a bloody trail.
Aragorn cringed, but continued fighting. There were too many of them for him to fight single-handedly; however, and he could see orcs near Linriel and Elrohir.
"Legolas?" Aragorn called. "I cannot fight them myself."
Legolas looked up. He saw Aragorn bravely trying to hold the orcs back, but a few were getting past him. They were headed right towards him. Legolas picked up both his knives and charged at them. Driven by anger, Legolas slashed furiously at the foul creatures. He spun around, thrusting his blade into one, while blocking the attack of another. Legolas' heart beat fast and his adrenaline raced as he moved at almost lightening speed.
Elrohir desperately wanted to help in the battle, but he did not want to leave his beloved. He looked down at Linriel. She was barely conscious. Suddenly an orc crept up behind the twin. With a clubbed axe the orc swung at Elrohir's head. It impacted him on the side of his temple. Elrohir fell to the ground unconscious, blood trailing from his head wound.
