/I don't own anything you recognize in this story. /
Chapter Six
The party of orcs camped noisily on the bank of the river. Watching them, hidden among the leaves in the highest branches he could get to, Legolas debated on what he should do next. If he shot from above, he might not get all of them before his all of his arrows were spent and then he would be trapped in the trees for who knows how long. Perhaps until he died, no doubt, which seemed inevitable at the position he was at the moment.
Estel glanced at his companion intensely. It seemed that the elf's forehead was furrowed tighter than usual when he was in concentrating, making his eyebrows knit together, making it seem as they were connected into one. Estel surpassed a chuckle, not wanting to draw the attention of the orcs.
"What do you propose we do next, Master Elf?" Estel asked, unable to stop a soft chuckle.
"I don't know yet, will you keep your voice down?" Legolas snapped, not liking the position he was in any better than Estel, but unable to think of what to do next.
Estel shook his head, still chuckling. "You're the one who got us up here in the first place, my dear friend, and you're the one who has to bring us out again."
"Well, you're not helping matters much," Legolas retorted. "And you're going to make them notice us if you don't be quiet."
Estel didn't say anything more, but the elf could still see a hint of humor in his eyes and the corners of his mouth. Legolas hid a smile as he went back to deciding what he should do next without getting killed in the process. The human reminded Legolas of his brother and the adventures that the two of them had whenever they were together. Legolas squeezed his eyes shut, forcing the tears back that had come into his eyes. This was no time to be sentimental, yet he couldn't help it as his memories swept him back in time.
--
300 years earlier
"Your arrow's crooked, little brother," Sadron said, helping his brother straighten it out.
Legolas watched his brother silently. His brother was always serious about one's weapons. "You might as well be dead if your equipment's messed up," Sadron constantly reminded those in his scout group. Legolas smiled slightly. Sadron always wanted everything to be in its best condition never wanting to lose anybody because of a flaw. And most of the time he brought everybody in one piece minus a few cuts and bruises.
Sadron glanced into Legolas' face. "What are you smiling at? This isn't funny."
Legolas tucked his smile away, keeping a neutral face. "I wasn't trying to jest, brother. I just think you're being a little too serious?"
"Do you want to live or die, Legolas?" Sadron asked. "Because I don't think this is fun and games. You don't go out on scouts enough; you wouldn't have any idea what kind of danger we're in. Orcs aren't like us—"
Legolas raised up a hand to silence him. "I understand, brother. But you also have to understand that we can't be serious all the time, Sadron. We weren't made to be serious."
Though he was trying to be serious, Legolas could see the corners of Sadron's mouth twitching into a smile. One punch on the shoulder led to another and soon the two brothers were playfully wrestling each other.
"You always know how to make me laugh, Legolas," Sadron finally said, laughing as he tried to get his breath several minutes later.
"You were always an easy target," Legolas exclaimed, blowing strands of hair out of his face.
"Lord Sadron!" a voice called out.
Sadron and Legolas turned to the voice and watched as one of the guards that they had put up to keep watch come running toward them. Sadron gave Legolas a questioning glance before walking to meet the guard.
"Orcs, along the banks on the far side of the river. We don't have much time before we're sabotaged," the guard panted.
Sadron nodded. "Tell the others to make ready. We'll see a battle and many lives lost before this is over."
The guard nodded and turned to run off, telling the others the news. Legolas immediately grabbed his bow and quickly fitted an arrow into it. He was about to head off when Sadron grabbed him by the shoulder.
"No, Legolas. You stay here. We need someone to stay here and watch the supplies. You know these things will take anything they can get their hands on," Sadron stated.
Legolas sighed, shifting his feet. "Then let someone of lesser value stay here. I'm just as skilled as a fighter as you, Sadron."
"No," Sadron said firmly. Seeing Legolas' face, Sadron added, "One of us brothers needs to stay alive. Someone needs to stand in line when ada leaves."
"Then you stay here and let me go instead," Legolas pleaded. "You're the firstborn. Father'll want you to be in next in line for the throne. You're the one our father has trained in the rise to the throne."
Sadron shook his head. "Ada needs you more. You're the one who will be able to help Mirkwood move on."
"But Sadron—" Legolas started.
But Legolas could only watch helplessly as Sadron ran to join the others, disappearing among the trees.
--
"Legolas?"
Estel's voice snapped the elf back into the present. Legolas glanced over at the human, who had a concerned look on his face. Legolas shook his head, indicating that he was all right. Estel sighed, not pushing his companion. How long was Legolas going to hide in the shadows?
"This is what we'll do," Legolas finally said. "We'll climb higher and then cross into the next tree and keep going until we're directly over them. When I give the signal we'll jump. And the fight will begin."
"And you're sure this will work?" Estel asked.
Legolas flicked his eyes over to Estel. "It had better be, or we'll be dead."
Estel could feel a chill passing through him, but shrugged it off. He nodded in agreement.
"Let's get it over with then," he said.
Legolas stood slowly and climbed higher before leaping silently over to the next tree. It was time for his revenge.
--
Author's Note: Sorry it took me a while to update, but I was busy. I hope this chapter satisfies you and that you'll keep reading when I get the next chapter up. Thanks to those who have reviewed, I thank you once again. I'll update when I can and I hope you keep on reading.
Don't forget to review, it'll make me happy .
