Disclaimer: Blah blah. If you haven't gotten it by now, you never will.
A/N: My deepest apologies everyone. I know the last time I updated was in January and I am sorry. I've been dealing with a lot of stuff lately and I had too much on my mind to take time to write. Even though writing is my refuge, my chance to get away for a moment, I wasn't even able to do that. Things are better now and I will write as often as my school schedule allows. Please continue to review because your encouragement keeps these chapter coming. Enjoy and please don't kill me!
Chapter 26
Danger in the Night
Something's wrong, shut the light,
Heavy thoughts tonight
and they aren't of snow white.
Dreams of war, dreams of liars,
Dreams of dragon's fire
and of things that will bite.
Sleep with one eye open,
Gripping your pillow tight
Exit light
Enter night...
Enter Sandman- Metallica
"We're being overrun!"
Kalen looked up at the soldier that spoke with him then glanced out across the battlefield. Orcs and spiders were everywhere. The army of elves that were under his command were quickly falling against their massive numbers. Though they were trying to hold their ground and their skill in battle was exceptional, there was just too many of the creatures. Kalen swallowed hard. He could not pull the elves back any farther. They were already too close to the protected area of Mirkwood. Yet the ground was filled with elven blood. If he did not pull back soon or come up with some plan, there would be none of them left to fight.
"We can't pull back. Stand your ground." Kalen shouted towards the elves.
"My lord, there are too many of them. We will all die out here."
Kalen snapped his head back towards the elven guard. "Then we will all die for our home!" He looked out towards the gruesome battle before him. "We have no choice. If we fail, Mirkwood will fall."
The elven guard no longer questioned him, but resumed his position in the fight.
"Stand together." Kalen shouted at the warriors. "Reform the line."
The elves quickly moved to stand side by side with each other.
"Keep firing the arrows." He yelled to the warriors hidden in the trees and standing behind him.
Kalen kept trying to encourage his warriors, while trying to keep control. He slashed at the orcs near him. He was breathing hard and his strength was beginning to fail him, yet he persisted. Against all odds, the elven warriors did not give up. There was no one to help them. Reinforcements would not make it in enough time. They were alone.
Suddenly, Kalen raised his head as he heard horses fast approaching. He squinted his eyes and his face suddenly lit up. A large group of warriors on horses was riding up behind the orcs.
"Warriors from Lothlorien and Rivendell." Kalen shouted. Relief flooded his heart. They were not alone. Help had come.
Elrond raised his sword high as he charged towards the orcs, shouting a battle cry as he did. His sons and thirty other warriors followed beside him. The orcs were unprepared for the warriors behind them and were soon trampled underfoot by their horses and slashed by their swords. Many elves took aim and slaughtered the spiders nearby.
The odds of the battle quickly turned. It lasted for only a few more minutes until the remaining orcs and spiders finally retreated, fleeing into the woods. Elrond rode towards Kalen and dismounted.
"I'm sorry we didn't come sooner."
Kalen smiled at him. "I'm glad you came when you did. Thank you for your assistance."
Elrond nodded. "Tell me of all that has happened in Mirkwood."
Kalen nodded, noticing that Elrond's sons quickly went to work helping the wounded. The other warriors were helping, as well as cleaning up the scene. Kalen began to walk with Elrond, telling him everything he knew.
"Have you heard from Legolas?" Elrond asked eventually.
Kalen nodded. "Yes. Last I knew he was safe at the palace recovering from his wounds."
"Wounds?" The elf lord questioned.
"He was a captive of the Nazgul for a few days." As Elrond cringed Kalen quickly added, "But he is safe now."
Elrond nodded gravely. "What of Estel, the human you met at my home?" He asked, dreading the answer.
Kalen bit at his lip, contemplating his answer. He had still not forgotten the hurtful words exchanged between him and Legolas because of the human. Would Elrond respond the same way that Legolas had? Would Elrond condemn him for his actions to save the Prince's life?
"What happened Kalen? I have to know." Elrond said.
"How well did you know the human?" Kalen finally asked.
"He is like a son to me. I raised him as my own." Elrond replied, fear growing in his heart. "Tell me what has befallen him."
Kalen turned his face away from Elrond. "He tried to kill Legolas in the woods, so I left him for dead."
Elrond cringed and brought a hand to his face.
"Legolas said he was corrupted by the Nazgul. He said that Estel would never betray him in his own power." Kalen continued.
"How could you leave him in the hands of that evil creature?"
Kalen's face grew cold, but he was not able to meet the eyes of Elrond. "I did what I had to do to protect my friend. Maybe neither you nor Legolas thought I was right in my actions, but I don't regret leaving a human behind."
Elrond glared at him
"If you'll excuse me, I must tend to my warriors."
Elrond made no move to stop him. He understood the bitterness in Kalen's heart, yet at the same time, he hated the elf for leaving his youngest son. It worried him greatly that Estel was corrupted by the beast and he had no idea if his son was still alive. His heart was troubled and full of grief.
"Ada!"
Elrond looked up as he heard Elrohir call his name.
"Ada, this elf needs your expertise."
Elrond nodded and quickly went to work, helping the wounded. He refrained from telling his sons any news of their brother, deciding instead to hide his fears deep inside his heart.
It was not long before the wounded were tended to and the dead orcs were burned. The elves then traveled farther south before finally deciding to camp for the night.
The elves talked together for long into the night, but weariness soon overtook them. Elrohir volunteered for the first watch and before long, it was only him and his twin sitting near the fire. He stared at the fire for a long time, silently thinking of home. His thoughts were disturbed, however, as Elladan broke the silence.
"What is troubling you?" Elladan asked.
Elrohir looked up from staring at the flames. He had forgotten that his twin was sitting beside him. He shook his head slightly. "Nothing." He replied half-heartedly.
Elladan raised an eyebrow. "Don't try to use that on me. If you do not want to talk to me about it, that's fine, but don't say it's nothing. I know when something is bothering you."
Elrohir smiled slightly, then looked off into the trees. His gaze seemed far away as if he was somewhere else entirely.
Elladan looked at him, knowing the look he had on his face. He always had that look when he was thinking about Linriel and when he wished to be with her. Yet, this time there was something more.
"Do you know what tomorrow is?" Elrohir finally asked.
Elladan looked at him curiously not quite remembering, but trying to recall. It was not Linriel's birthday, nor was it any special day for them that he could think of. Suddenly, however, realization dawned on him. "The wedding!" He said, speaking his thoughts aloud.
Elrohir nodded. "It will be the first day of spring; the day of our wedding."
Elladan placed an arm around his brother. "I am sorry you could not be there with her."
Elrohir sighed. "I don't even know if I will make it back alive."
"Don't you dare start thinking those morbid thoughts." Elladan reprimanded. "You two have been waiting for this wedding for far too many years. You just have to have it now."
Elrohir smiled slightly. "Do you think she remembers?" He asked after a few moments.
"I think you know the answer to that as well as I do." Elladan replied.
Elrohir chuckled. Of course she was remembering. She always knew the important dates and days that were special. Elrohir had never known her to forget.
"You will see her again, gwador nin. I know you will." Elladan tried to comfort. You two will have the most beautiful wedding ever. It will be wonderful."
Elrohir smiled. "It better be. We've been anticipating it for a long time."
Elladan laughed. "That you have." He was about to say more but an eerie feeling made him stop short. He looked to his brother in question. His twin apparently felt the same dark shadow pass over him for he began to look around in worry. Elladan grabbed his bow and stood silently.
"Something is out there. Something stirs." Elrohir whispered.
Elladan squinted his eyes. "Spiders! Swarms of them." He gasped. "Wake the others." He shouted.
Elrohir went quickly to wake everyone, but was stopped short. A midnight black horse leapt out from the trees, blocking his path. The rider was clothed in all black; its face hidden deep in the hood of its cloak. Elrohir froze as his blood ran dry. He reached for his sword, but his body seemed to be moving in slow motion.
Elladan stood beside his brother, paralyzed in fear as well. He tried to calm his breathing and fear, but to no avail. He saw the Nazgul draw a sword from his hilt and without a second thought, Elladan pushed his twin to the ground. The creature's sword barely missed his head.
The wraith hissed at them and his horse reared up. The twins rolled away to escape being trampled by the creature. Suddenly spiders began rushing in from every side of the camp.
Elrohir noticed all the other elves were already fighting, though many were already falling before the vast numbers of the spiders. Elrohir did not have time to look, however, because for some reason, the Nazgul was after him and his brother.
"Watch out!" He screamed at Elladan as the creature tried to stab him.
Elladan stood, barely blocking the Nazgul's attack. Another Nazgul, however, had come from the trees behind him and nearly stabbed him with his blade. Elrohir, however, had blocked the attack aimed to kill his brother.
Breathless already, the twins stood back to back.
"How are we suppose to defeat two wraiths?" Elrohir asked.
Elladan's voice mirrored the fear in his twin's. "I do not know."
Elrohir bit his lip. "Think of something quick." He said, watching the creatures circle them.
Suddenly the Nazgul let out an ear-piercing scream making everyone cringe in pain. Then both wraiths charged forward towards the twins.
Elrond suddenly woke up as he heard one of his sons scream to wake the others. He drew his sword and tried to rush to his son's aid. He saw a wraith near both his sons and his heart leapt into his throat. His worst nightmare was coming true. As he tried to run to them, however, spiders surrounded him. They seemed to pour from every direction. He soon joined the others in felling the evil creatures, but keeping them at a distance was not an easy task. He was trying desperately to stay alive while inching closer towards his sons, but it was proving almost impossible.
As the elf lord saw another Nazgul run from the woods, his heart fell. Though his sons were protecting each other as best as they could, they could not fight the Nazgul. They were powerless to do anything against him.
Elrond could not spend his time worrying for them, however. The spiders were closing in on him. He was surrounded. Suddenly, a large one jump at him from behind making him stumble forward. He gasped as the spider bit deep into his skin and he immediately felt the venom running through his veins.
Thranduil sat silently in his room, looking over some paper work. It was late into the night, but the weary king was too busy to rest. He raised his head slightly as he thought he heard a strange noise, but as he listened, everything seemed quiet. He yawned and laughed silently at himself. The darkness of the room was only playing tricks on him. With a sigh, he returned to his work. Again, however, he heard a sound. This sounded like a thump against his wall. He looked around the room, picking up the lantern he had on his desk. It provided little light around the vast room. Slowly the king took a few steps forward.
"Ophleth, is that you?" The king asked to the guard that was near his door.
He got no reply, which bewildered the king. Suddenly, he saw a shadow move across the room. His keen eyesight saw someone run into the next room.
"Who goes there?" The king shouted, lifting his light higher.
He quickly followed the stranger, but found the adjoining room empty. No one was in sight. Thranduil squinted his eyes. He could have sworn he saw someone, but perhaps in his weariness his mind was only playing tricks on him. He left the room, deciding to check on the guard by his door, just to be sure.
He found the guard slumped against the wall. He stared at him a moment. It was unlike his guard to fall asleep while on duty, but he knew everyone had been pulling extra hours lately. As he looked closer, however, he noticed the elf's eyes were closed. Thranduil knelt down and for the first time noticed blood on the elf's tunic. Thranduil gasped and shook the guard gently.
"Ophleth?"
The guard made no response. Fear filled the king's mind as he reached to check for a pulse. His breathing quickened and his face paled as he found none.
