Hello again! I think this chapter may be shorter. I just really, really need to get in the habit of writing more often. Sorry, guys! I am sorry if this one is a little late. I have switched to all academic classes now, so that means lots of work. . Also, I have been sick so that doesn't help either. :(
A/N: If you didn't notice, I upped the rating on this story to PG-13.
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Chapter 18- What Happens When You Fail Your Watch
Arwen swung down off her horse and landed with a soft thud in the plush grass. She took a rope from around her pack and threw it around the mare's neck and proceeded to lead her to a stump where she would keep watch for a while of the night.
The group had decided to stop for the night and begin to heal their fallen comrades. The two had made few, if not, no improvements, so they stayed where they were. A comfortable spot, but protected only by a shallow ring of trees. Jaimea hold shown only remote signs of movement, but never woke. Legolas, though, showed nothing whatsoever, and this worried his brother greatly. They all had a hard time keeping Legolas's falcon from the two wounded ones. She seemed to want to be near them desperately for an unknown reason.
The daughter of Elrond halted her horse and began to unpack her. She threw the ragged bags onto the ground and sighed, pushing her disheveled, brown hair out of her face. Grabbing the rope around her horse's neck again, she clucked and pulled on the rope, but the mare wouldn't budge.
"Come, Gûlwen." She coaxed gently, but the horse didn't move a muscle. She made an annoyed grunt and looked up to her horse's face. Its nostrils were flared and eyes wide and alert. Its furry ears twitched every which way, searching for something desperately in the moonless night. "Gûlwen, what are you staring at?"
The elf turned her gaze in the same direction as her mount's but even with her elven eyes, she could not pierce the incredible darkness.
"I don't see anything." With an exasperated sigh, she began once again tugging on her horse. She thought she was making some progress when a terror-filled scream flooded her ears. Gûlwen cried out in fear and reared up, nearly striking her owner in the process. Arwen gasped and began to dash into the forest, forgetting her stubborn animal, but a dappled-gray stallion flew out from the trees, shrieking madly. She quickly realized that it was Elladan's horse, Kánolhûg. Four deep slashes were sliced into his hindquarters and blood oozed slowly out of the wounds. What frightened the she-elf the most was the sound of snarls, growls and he occasional twang of the bow.
Without another thought, Arwen drew her gleaming sword and leaped into the bushes. She ran as fast as her nimble legs could carry her, weaving in and out of the tall yet straggly trees. The sounds grew louder and louder as she neared her companion's resting spot and she urged herself to go faster. When she finally came to the clearing where they would rest, the sight before her was shocking.
Elrohir hopped off his stallion and stretched as the horse immediately began to graze. Before the animal could get fully engaged in eating, the elf swung a rope around his neck and tied him to a log he and his twin had propped up for just that reason.
"Do you think it was wise to let Arwen take first watch alone?" Estel asked to no one in particular as he tied up his mount.
"Of course it was, Estel. She is quite capable of managing it." Elrohir reassured him. The younger twin then went to check on the progress of their wounded friends.
Legolas and Jaimea had been wrapped up in many blankets and even extra clothing, both unconscious. Elladan sat beside the elleth, tending to her minor injuries. Fortunately, she had only acquired small cuts and bruises and would be just fine. Though in a lot of pain when she woke up. Her only major injury was a cut forehead and that was stitched up quickly and easily.
But the prince was a different story. After a careful examination, they found two ribs had been broken on his right side from the swipe of the warg he battled with and he might have suffered a concussion. Blood stained his golden hair even though the cut had been stitched. Espenshade lay beside him, nestling her head into the crook of his neck.
Norui soon joined his two friends and knelt down beside his brother, stroking his brow.
"Come on, Legolas," He whispered, "You can pull through this. This isn't nearly as bad as some things you have gotten yourself in to." Finishing up one last bandage, Elladan turned to the Crown Prince.
"Norui, don't fret." He began, "He will be fine in time. I have already tended to him. Now all we can do is sit and wait." Norui shook his head.
"That is not the point. I can not help but to worry for him." He said, gazing down lovingly at his brother. The Noldor elf just smiled.
Elladan finished up his work and then, with Norui and Elrohir, went down to join the others. A small fire had been built up and the sleeping mats had been put down. Norui sighed as he sat down next to his sisters.
"How is he?" Melyanna asked quietly.
"I am not sure. Elladan said he would be fine." She didn't respond, but only nodded.
"Did anyone notice what happened earlier?" Estel suddenly asked. They all looked to him.
"What? When?" Elrohir asked.
"When we went into battle, did you notice what happened when Lady Turwaithiel passed through?" They all though about it for a moment, then nodded.
"Yes, the wargs seemed to break apart, letting her through. They didn't even seem to want to attack her." Norui said. Estel nodded.
"And then she just disappeared. She only came back once the battle was over. What do you think happened?" This put all of the companions into confusion. Where did she go and why? What was she doing?
"In fact, she is not here now." Lothron said. The others perked up and glance around their surroundings. Turwaithiel was no where to be found.
"Perhaps she went to look for athelas?" Melyanna mused. The others shrugged.
They were all broken from their thoughts when there was a quiet moan coming from off the side. All heads snapped to the sudden noise and sighed when they realized what it was.
Elladan hopped up from his spot, forgetting the recent conversation, and went to check on his 'patients'. He bent down over the elleth who was regaining consciousness. Her eyes fluttered open and stared up at Elladan in confusion. He smiled softly.
"How do you feel, milady?" She didn't respond at first, busy staring at the people who began to slowly make their way over to her. She noticed the Crown Prince smiling down at her and the wizard doing the same. The human, along with the other twin, leaned over this twin's back. Off to the side, the two princesses were scowling at her, for reasons she did not know. Her observations were cut when the elf spoke again. "Are you well?" He asked. She slowly nodded.
"I-I think I am fine." She said with a raspy voice.
"That is good. Does anything hurt?" The elleth shook her head in the negative. Elladan smiled and nodded.
"I do feel sore though." Jaimea added.
"That will go away in time. It was probably from being beat around a lot like you were." She nodded slowly, trying the recollect her thoughts from her past experience.
Glancing around again, it was then that she noticed a few feet from her lay the unconscious prince of Mirkwood. Her eyes widened in alarm and she gasped.
"Milord, what happened to Legolas!" She asked worriedly. "Is he alright?" Elladan opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off from a growl.
"Alright! Alright! You think he is alright!" Lothron shouted at Jaimea. All in the camp snapped their heads to the sudden outburst from the oldest princess. "Legolas could die because of you! Unable to fight for yourself, he came to your aid and was viciously attacked by that warg!" Jaimea cowered. "It should be you on the ground, hanging by a single thread, not him! He did nothing wrong!" Lothron stood up to make a move towards the wounded elleth who began to crawl back, but was stopped by a hand in front of her.
"Peace, Lothron." Norui said quietly to his sister, "You know very well that isn't true. Yes, Legolas went to her aid and was attacked, but he will not die. He will just need time to recover." Still glaring at the cowering she-elf, the princess stalked away from the group, choosing to sit by herself by the fire.
Norui looked down at Jaimea, smiling sympathetically. Her eyes were glazed with unshed tears and her body trembled.
"Do not listen to her harsh words, milady. She is only worried for Legolas, as are we all. She is very close to him and wants to protect him at all times, though she does not want to le how. She loves him dearly. Do not let what she said get to you." He said softly. Jaimea looked at him and nodded after a brief pause. "Can we do anything for you?" He asked, still smiling. The elleth opened her mouth to say something, but their attention was captured by the sudden wild cries coming from the horses.
The long ears of the elven horses were pressed far back against their heads and their heads flailed everywhere. They stomped and bit at one another, trying to get free.
"What in Arda…" Melyanna mumbled as she stood to go see what was agitating the animals.
As she approached the horses, they continued crying and nipping, not seeming to notice her approach. She reached out to touch the flank of her own horse, but that only made matters worse. The mare reared, her legs kicking every which way in the air. The makeshift rack they had made to secure the horses broke from its holding place. All of the horses then bolted every which way, desperate to get away. The only horse that remained, still kicking and neighing frantically, was Kánolhûg, Elladan's horse.
"Ai! Catch them!" Norui shouted frantically. Without a word, all in the camp who were able shot up and chased after their respecting horses. The twins and their foster brother plunged into one end of the forest, but to the surprise of the others, they came running back quickly with their swords drawn.
"Estel, what is the matter? Where are your horses?" Mithrandir asked calmly, despite the situation.
"They have returned! The wa-" Estel never finished his sentence. Out of no where, a pack of ugly wargs leaped out into their campsite. Norui glanced around worriedly and backed up against the wounded comrades to protect them as more and more wargs poured out from the trees.
'These are the same wargs we battled earlier…' He thought.
It seemed like an endless tide of the beasts as they emerged from various hiding spots. The pack appeared to have regrouped and had tripled in size. They circled the companions who now stood huddled together in a close circle around the ones on the ground. They would lash out at the group and snarl at them, but never made an attack. The travelers drew their swords and notched arrows to their strings as they created their own version of growling and snarling in an attempt to scare their attackers away, even Espenshade joined in on Norui's shoulder with her own hissing, but the creatures only seemed to howl in laugher.
Seeing that their display did nothing, they formed an even tighter circle and prepared to make an attack. Tightening their grips on their weapons, they were about to plunge into battle when something strange happened.
The tails of the wargs suddenly dropped between their legs and they began to whimper. They all looked to each other, wondering what to do, but they quickly laid down on their bellies, glancing around worriedly. All in the camp went quiet, even the previously frantic stallion of Elladan who now stood breathing heavily, still tied to the post. The travelers look on in confusion, when there was suddenly the soft beating of padded feet coming in their direction.
A jet black warg stalked in from the shadows, snarling and showing its yellow, pointed teeth. Compared to the other wargs, it was phenomenally huge and it looked to have a limp a hindquarter. When ever it would look at one of the wargs on the ground, it would growl and the other warg would whimper slightly and look away.
Jaimea stared at the warg for a moment and her eyes widened.
'This is the same warg that attacked me!' She thought.
Its face passive, the warg continued towards the group slowly. Not daring to trust the warg's, at the moment, seemingly docile temperament, the group began to back up from it and it stopped. All at once, the wargs surrounding them stood and began to approach them as well. They all raised their swords and other weapons quickly, but the black warg only snorted. As if it were some message, the smaller wargs hurriedly lay back down.
After a moment of staring, the black warg began to approach them again and, this time, they stayed in place. It finally stood right in front of them, its height allowing it to look directly in their eyes. Circling around them, its piercing yellow eyes stared deep into the nervous eyes of the people. It was about to make another circle around them when it suddenly stopped in front of Norui and glared.
The Crown Prince gulped and tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword. In one quick motion, the warg pressed its wet nose to the elf's face and sniffed vigorously. Norui had to try hard to keep himself from trembling and showing his fear.
The black warg made its way up to his dark auburn hair, dripping its sticky saliva down into it. It was about to pull away when it suddenly froze and growled quietly. Norui's heart leaped. He clenched his eyes shut, waiting for the impending attack, but it never came.
"Norui," Melyanna whispered, "Look at what it is staring at." Slowly, Norui did as he was bid and opened his emerald eyes and turned his head, having to brush past the Peregrine falcon that still was perched on his shoulder, glaring at the beast. The creature didn't move when the prince did, but continued growling. Norui followed its gaze and his eyes widened when he saw what it was it was so keenly staring at: Legolas. Norui growled and the warg advanced towards the younger prince.
"No, you don't, you fiend!" The Crown Prince cried. He swiftly swung his blade around, but only managed to leave a small slash in the hindquarter that caused its limp in his frenzy. To his surprise though, the small cut soon expanded to a gaping wound bleeding freely and the warg howled in pain.
The spell-like atmosphere that once surrounding the camp was gone and the cowering wargs leaped up and sprang on the travelers. The stallion that was still trapped continued its thrashing and crying.
The horrible beasts bit and slashed at them in fury. The group spread out and viciously attacked the wargs. Even the creatures were surprised at the ferocity the people unleashed, but they were still no match for their bone crushing jaws.
Estel perked up when he heard the desperate cries of the still trapped horse. He glanced over to it and saw a smaller warg hanging onto its side, trying to get to its neck. The human quickly darted over to the helpless animal and drove his sword deep into the neck of the warg. It howled and fell dead to the ground and Estel cut the rope on Kánolhûg's neck. The stallion quickly darted off into the forest, still crying in distress. He then charged back into the fray to help his comrades. His eyes then lay upon his foster brothers and his eyes widened.
With one great swing to the side, the twins were both slammed into a large oak and the warg charged after them. Saliva dripped from its dirty mouth and clung to its chin, nearly causing Elrohir to gag. It prepared to leap onto them and the twins looked away from their death, but fit ell over suddenly. The two looked up and sighed in relief. A sword was lodged deeply into its chest. They were about to get up, but gaped when they saw Arwen run past, grab her sword from the corpse and continue to fight. Fighting away their shock, they grabbed their swords and ran back into the battle.
The group fought for what seemed like hours, occasionally looking back to check on the wounded elves. There seemed to be no clear victory yet, but that suddenly changed. The wargs abruptly stopped fighting and stared around at each other. Before the group could take advantage, the wargs took off into the forest, yelping and howling. They all sighed as they began to come together.
"That is the second time they have engaged us in battle and then fled. That is one strange pack." Mithrandir commented to himself.
"Well," Melyanna said with a sigh, "That was easy." Arwen scoffed.
"Yes, very easy." She said sarcastically.
"At least you weren't fighting the whole time." Melyanna commented and Arwen rolled her eyes.
"I am going to check on Legolas and Lady Jaimea." Estel said hurriedly and then vanished from the group. The others said nothing and began to check for any wounds they had not noticed.
As Estel approached the spot where they had left the two, ha froze and gasped. Jaimea lay sprawled on the ground in a growing puddle of blood, a sword held limply in her hand. This was the least of their problems now though.
Legolas was gone.
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There you go! Once again, I am sorry it took so long.
Jousting Elf with a Sabre- Thank you! Can't sleep, eh? I guess you must be pretty tired then, sorry. Thank you for reading! I hope to hear from you again!
Laisen- No, you are not getting annoying! I love reviews! Your questions will have to be left unanswered. They will be told in time. :cackles: I hope this chapter didn't disappoint you! Thank you!
Legolas's Girl 9- Ah, okey dokey, Storteller. And I shall keep writing! Thanks!
Sotui- Ehehe. Not much of you in this chapter, but you are there…And I never got that hug! YAY! Thank goodness! No problem advertising. I hope it worked. :hint hint to the readers: Thank you!
Well, that is about it! Namarie!
Until Next Time,
Manwathiel
