Thank you for the early positive reviews, it is very encouraging. The story is going to get a little darker from now on, so I hope you enjoy!
Aragorn did not know how many men were soon to appear from the dark shadows of the forest, nor did he waste his time in trying to calculate a near estimate. All he thought was that as long as he and the rest of the Fellowship stuck together, the possibility of survival was more probable. He clenched the hilt of his sword tightly. A slight tremble of fear in his stomach prompted a bead of sweat to trickle down the side of his face. Indeed, even for a seasoned warrior like Aragorn, this situation was frightening, they did not know their enemy, they did not know their odds, all they could establish was how far away the enemy were by their grotesque language and the angered growls of the hounds. The Fellowship stood their ground, forming a circle, covering all possible areas of attack. However, as they stood their valiantly, ready for battle a deathly silence fell upon the forest. The Fellowship could hear each other's breaths.
''What are they doing? Too cowardly to face us it seems!' Gimli growled furiously, 'Show yourself!', he ordered.
Aragorn raised his hand to lower the dwarf's voice. But Gimli chose to ignore the command.
'Let them come Aragorn, they threaten us, they should fight…'
None of the Fellowship expected to see what they suddenly saw. In a split second, a small dart with a feathered end had imbedded itself into the dwarf's neck leaving him to fall heavily onto the ground in an unconscious state. Boromir instinctively went to take a step towards the fallen dwarf, but Aragorn motioned the man to stop.
'No, do not move!' Aragorn turned to face depths of the forest, he called out, ''We mean you no harm. Please reveal yourself and perhaps we can discuss what matters you may have.'
They all waited hesitantly for the response, but they did not receive one. The hobbits eyed one another in fear.
'Stay close Mr Frodo.'
Frodo took a step closer to his loyal friend and gripped Sting tightly.
The intimidating silence ended with a loud commanding yell and within a flash three hounds and seven men ran out of the forest. Quickly the hounds fell to the elf's arrows but this was not a strong gain, as the fighting soon became close combat. The men did not possess mighty skill with their blades, but they certainly proved too much for the Hobbits who quickly came under vast pressure. Boromir fought bravely against on of the ferocious men, by landing heavy blows against his sword, eventually the Gondorian was able to thrust deep into the man's stomach and was rewarded with a deathly groan as the man fell to the ground. However, Boromir's new focus was daunting, the men targeting the hobbits had successfully split them up, with Merry and Pippin being closest to him. With haste, Boromir stormed over to the two hobbits, who were fighting for their lives, but suddenly felt a dark haze draw over him. His balance began to trouble him, and he fell heavily onto the floor. Boromir used the last of his flailing strength to lift his head, to see Merry and Pippin also fall to the ground, unconscious. Boromir watched as two men stood over the hobbits, laughing. It wasn't long until Boromir faded into unconsciousness himself.
Aragorn and Legolas unaware of their fallen comrades were still fighting against the remaining men. They were outnumbered but that did not phase them. In quick succession the man and elf were able to kill two more of the attackers. However, as Aragorn pulled the bloodied sword from the man's chest he noticed the fallen figures of not only Gimli but of Boromir, Merry and Pippin. Aragorn's eyes widened at the sight, and then spotted Frodo and Sam running towards a nearby tree. Aragorn motioned them to run, but the Hobbits shook their heads in violent protest.
'Do it!' yelled Aragorn as he raised his blade to meet his enemy's sword.
Sam looked hesitantly at Frodo, 'Frodo come on, we can escape and send help.'
'We can't leave them Sam!'
Aragorn killed another, leaving only four men, Aragorn had a brief moment to turn towards the frightened hobbits once more, he opened his mouth to speak but no words escaped. A dart flew out of the dark forest and imbedded itself into the ranger's neck. He tried to fight against the growing haze by swinging his sword out in a violent motion, but it was no use, he could feel every muscle shutting down and his eyes closing, he fell to the floor and gave one last attempt to plead with the hobbits to run.
'Mr Frodo, come on! We will end up like them, we can find help!'
Frodo's eyes filled with tears, 'I…I…can't'
'Think of the ring Mr Frodo, they have protected us so we can escape!'
Frodo sighed deeply and with deep regret ran off deep into the forest undetected.
Legolas stood alone, ready to fight the remaining four men. One of the men, stepped forward.
'Drop your weapons, you cannot beat us.'
'You do not frighten me', Legolas stated sternly.
'That is very arrogant of you, especially seeing that there are a three more of us, positioned in the forest ready to take aim at you.'
'You will not do any….'
Legolas felt a dart imbed itself into his neck and quickly he removed it. The men watched bewildered as to why he was still standing. Another flew into his neck; it still had no effect.
'You have harmed my friends. I will not let you proceed with your intentions' Legolas bellowed.
'That's very sweet', the man said, 'But we cannot allow this, you will be coming with us.'
Legolas' knives were ready for the fight as the four men pounced on the elf. Legolas strongly fought them off using his agility and highly trained skill. He was so effective against their slow movements that he was able to kill two of the men, in quick succession. However, that earned him another dart to the neck. Legolas ignored it and carried on battling hard. One of the men stood back and yelled to the forest.
'He is an elf, more poison!'
This time, five darts much larger than before struck Legolas, and he stumbled backwards in response. His head suddenly felt dizzy and the men watched him with sadistic grins. Legolas pulled the darts out and once again raised his knives ready to fight, taking them by surprise. Again, blades locked with blades, but Legolas' agility was starting to diminish from the poison, his strength failing. He fought and fought but finally the eighth dart struck into his smooth skin, and he suddenly lost the grip of his knives. He stumbled and fell to his knees, trying to control his breathing. He fought the against the overwhelming urge of sleep, and as he did so, the man that spoke to him stood beside him. Legolas, looked up and stared at the man, through his hazy vision. The man was holding a large club. Legolas squinted his eyes in confusion. The man laughed in response.
'Night night Elf!'
With a hard whack, the club struck Legolas and he fell into unconsciousness.
