Chapter 4
Leaning forward in their saddles, Elladan and Elrohir ignored their aching muscles as they urged their horses onward, desperately hoping that they would reach Dol Guldur in time to save Lainel. Up ahead the great trees, of Green-Wood the Great, towered over them as they speed towards the edge of the forest. Slowing to a brisk trot, Elladan pulled out a slightly crinkled map and looked down at it quickly before folding it up and slipping it back into the saddlebag.
As they weaved through the massive trunks of the greenwood, Elladan, and Elrohir noticed that the trees were becoming sicker and sicker. The famous vibrant greens of Greenwood fading into greys and blacks. Looking over to Elladan, Elrohir whispered "What could have caused this sickness and why hasn't Thranduil asked for aid to combat it?" glancing warily around the forest. Elladan, in an equally soft whisper, replies "I read that the Elven kings of Greenwood are connected to the forest and if the land was to become sick then the King would become sick too." Frowning, Elrohir peered into the gloom of the forest. The vague outline of Dol Guldur ahead sent shivers down his spine. Simultaneously, Elladan and Elrohir pulled their swords silently from their scabbards and made their way towards Dol Guldur.
Silently, the twins approached the long bridge that stretched across a terrifying abyss of darkness. Squinting across the bridge, Elrohir spotted fluttering white robes disappearing into the gloom of Dol Guldur. Quickly indicating that he had spotted Lainel, Elrohir sprinted down the long bridge desperate to prevent Lainel's death. Behind Elrohir, Elladan searched for even a fleeting glimpse of movement. As the twins ran through the decaying archway, they spotted Lainel wandering around one of the crumbling balconies on the only tower that hadn't given in to its poor construction and time. Glancing at each other, they quickly agreed that Elladan would fetch Lainel while Elrohir would remain at the base of the tower guarding their escape.
Gasping, Elladan forced his aching legs to continue climbing the ridiculously high stairs that crumbled and groaned ominously beneath his feet. Reaching the top of the stairs, Elladan rounded around the corner to the sight of an orc creeping up behind Lainel. Crying out in alarm, Elladan yelled: "Behind you!" His voice echoing through the tower as Lainel spun around alarmed. Elladan quickly surged forwards and in a quick sweep, beheaded the orc. Ignoring the foul sight and stench, he grabbed Lainel and began dragging her towards the tight stairs leading back to the dilapidated courtyard. Before they reached the stairs, their sensitive elven ears picked up the thumps of orcs coming up and down the stairs towards them. Cursing, Elladan kicked an old pillar, causing it to collapse in front of the door. Spinning from the wreckage, Elladan pulled Lainel back towards the crumbling balcony while pulling out a long reel of elven rope. Tying the rope around as many of the crumbling spindles as possible, Elladan threw the rest of the rope over the balcony.
Turning to Lainel, Elladan quickly said "Back in Imladris, we had a vision of your death. In a bid to prevent it, my father Lord Elrond, sent my brother and me to try and save you. Please go down the rope and my brother will meet you at the bottom." Holding the rope, Elladan prevented the rope from putting too much weight on the spindles. The sound of the orcs hacking at the pillar getting louder and louder. Feeling the weight of Lainel ease off the rope, Elladan quickly glanced over the balcony checking that Lainel was safely at the bottom. He readied himself to climb down. As Elladan was sliding down the rope, the orcs burst through the pillar revealing a dark shadow silhouetted in an eye of fire. It resembled the pictures of the eye of Mordor that the men of Gondor often describe and draw. Fear slid down Elladan's spine and his heart pounded so hard that he wouldn't be surprised if it was escaping.
Loosening his grip on the rope, Elladan allowed himself to shoot dangerously towards the ground. Slowing just in time to avoid hitting the ground, Elladan pulled his rope down, silently thanking his father for giving him the elven rope. As the three of them turned to flee the courtyard, the dark lord loomed over the edge of the balcony. Gasping in horror, they turned and fled the courtyard. As they ran across the bridge, their horses, sensing their need, came cantering towards them. A white stag appeared, bearing a sickly looking Thranduil; a Greenwood guard close behind. Gasping in surprise, Lainel rushed towards her husband before Elrohir swung her onto the back of his steed, cantering the horse as he said, "We need to head to Imladris to tell father what we found in Dol Guldur and as father has summoned you to a meeting of the free people of middle earth." Nodding sharply, Thranduil replied, "I received the message yesterday and we are prepared for the journey." Focusing on the trail, they careened through the forest, desperate to put as much distance between them and Dol Guldur as possible.