Huge spiders began to creep down the trees as they smelled human blood. Their big, black, beady eyes focused on the little figure face flat on the forest floor. They inched their way toward him. "It's awfully small." One of the spiders complained.
"Won't be enough to go around." Another muttered.
"But we must ffeeeasstt…" A third groaned. "We're starving."
"I'm going to lick it!" The fourth slobbered.
"Nay!" The leader held him back. "We never eat them while they can still move, dimwit. Wrap him up first, you numskull."
"Can't help it. I'm delirious from hunger!" The fourth whined. The lead spider grunted in annoyance. They started to wrap poor little Ingeras up in a web, when loud hissing sounds whizzed above their heads.
"Ugh. It's those stupid elves again!" The leader grumbled. "Get them!"
"But what about our dinner?"
"You won't be enjoying no dinner if you're dead, dummy! I'll take him." The leader said.
"And have him all to yourself? Not fair!" The other spider growled and the two began to wrestle, dropping Ingeras to the ground in the process.
The spiders were so busy squawking over the fight that they forgot about the elves! The Mirkwood elves descended on them, shooting arrows and throwing daggers. The spiders screeched and hit for cover but the nimble elves were too fast and made quick work of them. When they were sure all the spiders were dead, they called to their prince. "My lord, we've found something!" One of the troops shouted.
Prince Legolas hurried to the group huddling over a miniature figure lying in the leaves. The troops had their bows ready to fire. "What did you find?" Legolas asked.
"This must have been what the spiders were gathered together over, my lord." Feren said.
"Dwarf, do you think?" One of them asked.
"If it is a dwarf, I should feel much better to leave him behind at the mercy of the spiders." Legolas huffed. He knelt down next to Ingeras and cautiously flipped him over onto his back.
"Why, it's a child!" Tauriel gasped, her hazel eyes bugging out in horror.
"A human child!" Feren added. Legolas gaped, his jaw dropped.
"How can this be?" He sputtered. "A human child, alone, in the forest? In this infernal place?" Even though he was unconscious, the expression on Ingeras's face was pained. Legolas placed his ear on the boy's chest, listening for a heartbeat. "He's breathing. He's still alive!" Legolas exclaimed. "Tauriel?"
Tauriel came forward and stooped next to him, checking Ingeras over. He was pale and his face was flushed. "I don't find anything broken." Tauriel said. "But I'm afraid he is quite sick." She drew back her hand from the hot skin. "He's very ill, the poor thing. It must have been the cursed, thick air in this place. We must remove him from here, or he will die."
"Is he from Laketown?" One of the elves suggested.
"I cannot tell." Legolas shook his head. "Aha. What is this?" He pried Ingeras's hand open and found the silver cross necklace.
"What do you make of it, my lord?" Feren asked.
"I do not know." Legolas frowned. "But for now, it is our only clue to who he is, to his identity."
"Do you wish for us to search him, my lord?"
"Nay. He needs medical attention. We will hold off interrogations until later." Legolas answered. "Tauriel, scout around for signs of any travelers that may have passed this way...or trespassers. If you find any, arrest them! They must not care for the child, to leave him behind ill like this." Legolas ordered. He gently pat Ingeras on the face and slightly shook his shoulders. "Can you hear me, little one?" Ingeras did not respond.
"What shall we do with the lad?" One of the troops asked.
"We will bring him to the palace. He needs a healer." Legolas said, gently scooping Ingeras up into his arms.
"He may be some sort of spy."
"Spy or not, he needs help. I will take him to my father. Perhaps he will know what that trinket means. I may not care for the fate of dwarves, but I am not about to leave a child, especially a sick one, out here defenseless from all matter of evil and pestilence." Legolas declared. He marched ahead of his small army, and quickly carried Ingeras to the palace.
