For Disclaimer and other notes see prologue
Hey guys sorry for the long delay, we had problems with writers block…but were back now and hopefully have the next chapter up in a week. Sorry about the wait.
Thank you so much to Gwenneth who betaed this chapter and helped us out of writers block! We couldn't have done it without you! Thank you!
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Stranger in Shadows
By: Amanda & Shelby
Chapter 3
The Weight of the Warg
Thranduil walked through the halls of the palace of Mirkwood, his mind was racing to the point he could not keep track of. His son and Thaladirith has been missing for over two weeks now. They offered to go on a hunting trip to find food and were suppose to come back in a week, weather they had caught something or not.
I knew I shouldn't have let them go! Thranduil thought to himself. Legolas had no other job to complete when he asked, and argued his point clearly.
The clouds had brought down so much rain, homes had become flooded and destroyed. Food had become scarce and families that were abandoned by there homes were now living with others, or scrunched in the palace. The palace had also gone under construction as the river had over flowed. Mud was everywhere as the rain still wouldn't give the wood-elves a rest.
The king knew that he shouldn't have let his son go with friend into the woods without more of a hunting party. Most of the others were busy and the land was growing full of shadows and hatred; calling for more guards to be out on duty for a longer time and protecting those in need or any families that sorrowed from a lost loved one, either in the flood or lack of food.
His mind elsewhere, Thranduil stopped abruptly as he went around the corner, nearly butting into a second elf. He looked up to meet the eyes of Randir, one of the weapon designers in Mirkwood, but his current position was by the front gates with Thalion, Thaladirith's father, filling in for the missing guard.
"Excuse me my lord." He responded, slightly bowing his head and moved over to the side, allowing Thranduil to pass.
"No news of my son?" The kings voice was weary, staying up all the night with very little food caused him to become very tired and mindless.
"Not yet, my lord"
Thranduil let out a deep sigh in response and moved forward once more.
A few days ago he had sent a few extra guards and any willing elves to go search for the missing elves. It was a very small party, but time was growing late and darker by the hour and he was getting uneasy as night took over the sky.
Thinking once again he made his way back to his study, and sat in the chair by his desk, covered in papers that garnished the top of the desk. So many things running through his mind; homeless and the heartbroken elves, food, evil and his son. His son. He ran his long hands across his pale face in frustration, and gave a loud sigh.
The king got up from his chair and paced the room several times, pausing here and there with one arm across his chest and the other hand atop his brow with his eyes closed in concentration.
A soft, timid knock was heard on the door. "Enter." He responded not opening his eyes.
"My lord" Randir entered, the search party has returned. Worry was seen in the elfs eyes as he barred the news to his king.
Thranduil snapped his gaze from where it was being held and motioned for him to continue, and his heart sank when he saw the look upon the face of the weapon designer.
Randir looked down. "It doesn't look good. Thaladirith is fighting for his life as we speak and…" he paused. A pause that seemed to last forever." And, a-and Legolas wasn't found."
Horror streaked across the Thranduil face.
"This arrow was the only thing that was found, buried in the mud, next to a hole. A gigantic hole that was not made by any of the Mirkwood elves not too far from the Elf Path, by the Mountains of Mirkwood."
Randir paused again, not sure how to continue this. "The party fear it was a trap. He would not have survived, Randir paused and went down to a whisper, tears coated his eyes. "For there was too much blood that stained the mud."
Traveling down the Anduin was not an easy journey. Though rain had slowed down, but they had been out for days and have not made much progress; hiding from the lightning, there horses sliding from the mud and delayed by the elf. They had a long time before they reached there destination even on their horses.
They had a rough time getting back to camp to retrieve their horses that they left when they went to retrieve their prize the day before. Half the time they had to drag him in the net thought the mud because he was still unconscious.
Frimond was forced to make Legolas ride with Amrin, they had no other horse and Legolas couldn't support his own weight. Amrin was a big man and always picked on the elf when he had the chance.
Legolas watched the small far away light from the campfire that the men huddled around, talking quietly. The elf was tied to the back of a tree with his wrists bound so tightly that the ropes dug into his skin causing them to bleed freely.
None of his wounds had been treated to. His ankle was trap free, but it hurt as much as it did, growing swollen and a deep crimson red. Whenever he walked, even a short distance, it would tear open and bleed. Frimond didn't even bother to put a bandage around it, he didn't even notice, or if he did he didn't care.
Legolas' head pounded and the pain was causing him to be very week. He tried not to be, but it just happened. Even if he were to escape he knew he wouldn't get far. Though they hadn't run into any evil yet, Legolas knew that it would only be a matter of time before one of the men's cookouts attracted attention.
He sighed again, his heart felt heavy, his father had other things to worry about besides his son being gone, and Thaladirith. He's dead, legolas thought, If only I were paying attention. He's dead because of me. A tear trickled down his cheek, his only hope was to be that someone would find Thaladirith in time.
He shook his head. No. It couldn't be true. He couldn't be dead, but every time the thought came to his mind; the more he could no longer fight himself to believe that his friend was still alive. He wouldn't have survived that long by himself. His blond stained hair whipped around his face by the wind.
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft growl behind him. His sconces were caught unaware as his mind was drifting, thinking of other things. He jumped as it was heard again, and gave a warning shout, just as a pack of three hideous creatures jumped out ignoring the elf and going straight for the men's campfire.
Frimond cried in surprise as he was knocked to the ground before he could retrieve his weapons. Another man named Broimn cried in surprise as sharp teeth latched onto his throat and he was thrown by the strength of the warg over to the side. Covered in blood and lay motionless.
Legolas sat as still as he possibly could and dimmed what faint glow he had surrounding his body. His quiver was taken from him along with his bow, but he had a small hunting knife in his boot that he could not reach. His weapons would be useless to him even if his hands weren't bound. He watched the scene unfold as Frimond squirmed from under the wargs clutches and used his sword to pierce the heart as he jumped for yet another attack.
The horses that were tied up to the trees not far away were spooked by the sudden attack of the wargs. They reared and stomped their feet at there attackers.
Another warg made itself known and spotted the still elf tied to the tree. The creature made its way over to the elf, ignoring all else and leaped on legolas' weak body, scratching at his chest with his sharp claws.
Legolas squirmed in pain and tired to throw the evil creature from his body with his legs, but the warg grew more interested as his enemy was fighting back. The warg latched onto his bad leg with a meanfull growl and pulled backwards as if trying to pull the elf from the tree. Legolas screamed out and a crack was heard from the princes' ankle. His leg was on fire, and tears streamed down his face, as the pain blinded him.
All light from the campfire was extinguished as what left of the fire burned out. It was really dark and the men who were fighting could no longer see where their attackers were. Rain began to lighting fall once again and gradually increased. Amrin and Frimond heard the loud distress cries and made to kill the last warg, and landed right atop legolas. The weight and pain drew him into sweet darkness.
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Wow! Poor Legolas never gets a break, does he? Thank you to all who reviewed! You guys helped so much! Were sorry about the cilffie. Hehe chapter 4 just got finished, and it doesn't have a cliffie!
Review Responses
Deana: Yes poor legolas! Hehe sorry for the wait on the chapter! Thank you for reviewing!
Slayer3: No! They did nothing wrong preciouss… they will not pay! Hehe thank you for reviewing!
Mornflower: YAY! Its nice to hear from you again! Im glad you liked the chapter! Thank you so much for all your comments! Sorry about the movie…that would drive me crazy. Hehe Thank you for the review!
Zammy: sorry for the long wait! Thank you for reviewing
x-ananel-x: Thank you so much for the kind words! Yes the elf is in for a hard time! hehe! Thank you for reviewing!
AnimeBunnyRabbit: Thank you! We accually have a sequel planned! I hope you stay tuned!
Lost-Elf: Im glad you like it! we have been working hard, buts its going really slow… Thank you!
Celebdil-Galad and Tinlaure: AHHH! Sorry for the long wait! Dont hurt us! remember if you hurt us then you wont find out what happens… muhahah! But that still doesn't mean you can kill us AFTER the story either! Hehe because we have a sequel!
Kateydidnt: Legolas and Aragorn friendship are the best! And if you are looking for a really good series to read you should read the Mellon Chronicles by Cassia Siobhan. If you want the link, let me know. Drop me an email! Thank you for reviewing!
