A/N Go, Thranduil! Go Aragorn! Save the Prince!
Disclaimer: not mine.
Chapter Seven
"Legolas had a plan," Thranduil said softly, but clearly, to the small and select group that was riding with him as they ventured into the dark forest and to his son's rescue. "A plan to help put a large dent in the number of the orcs, but I have never agreed to it, as I could only see it as far too risky." Thranduil paused, regret flickering in his eyes.
Aragorn, who was riding on the left of the king, thought he could see the direction that the old elf was going, but didn't interrupt.
"Legolas was of the opinion that we should attack the orcs at their center. Take them by surprise, as the orcs would never see it coming until it was too late," Thranduil continued, checking his horse lightly. He turned his head to look at his fellow elves and Aragorn, his eyes glinted fiercely. "So that is what we are going to do."
Aragorn nodded, his suspicion confirmed, and couldn't help but smiling. Legolas would thrilled to know that his father was finally taking an offensive action. Discussion broke out amongst the elves almost immeditally, however.
"I like it," the human spoke up, sensing the elves need for someone to agree with the plan. "It will throw them into total chaos and will give us a good chance of rescuing Legolas."
A dark haired elf announced, "But they will also be given a great chance to kill our prince as well."
"That, we hope to avoid using archers," Thranduil said, waving a hand towards the several elves behind them, who where all carrying bows and quivers. The renowned Mirkwood archers. "They will be stationed in the trees, and will pick off any orc that dares to raise a weapon against my son." Aragorn again nodded, liking this plan more and more. It would give Legolas the greatest chance of survival possible, and that was all he wanted.
"Two groups of warriors will be in the trees along with the archers, angled to the left and to the right. They will rush the orcs after the first arrow if fired. Not before, though, they must wait." The king went on to describe further, glancing around to make sure his leaders were following what he was saying. "A fourth group, only a select few, will have to sneak their way in from the back. I won't lie. That will be dangerous and the weakest point of the plan. It will be hard not to get caught, but warriors must be stationed there, ready to jump out and attack the orcs from behind and get to Legolas' side immediately.
This was the group that Aragorn wanted to be in, but he didn't open his mouth yet, waiting for the king to finish.
"Then there will the fifth group, which will be those going to witness the execution. We won't do much, just be the distraction." The king paused again, looking around and meeting their eyes again. "I know that I am asking a great deal of my people. There is a reason, after all, that I have hesitated so long to comply with this plan. Dol Guldur reeks of evil, an evil so strong that even now it is palpable. Dol Guldur has destroyed our fair home and our families, but today, we make them pay!" he announced firmly, sparks practically flying from his blue eyes as his chest heaved with emotion.
The elves began to smile, but that these were smiles that Aragorn never wanted to be on the receiving end of. The elves were merciful creatures, but for orcs or spiders, they had none to spare.
"I want to be in the fourth party," Aragorn declared, moving his horse closer to Thranduil's. The elven king was nodding before the words had finished leaving his lips and Aragorn smiled in surprise. He hadn't thought that the king would agree so readily, being sure that Thranduil would prefer the elves to do it.
"He will need you with him," Thranduil said in response to the man's look. "If what you told me is true, then you will be needed as both healer and warrior. And I do not doubt that more than anything he needs you as a friend." Thranduil took a deep breath, looking away. "I fear for him," he admitted softly, and Aragorn had a feeling that only Legolas could cause an admission of the perceived weakness. "He no longer tells me of his troubles, but he may open up to you. He trusts you in a way that I do not understand."
Aragorn shook his head. "He does not tell you, my lord, because he does not wish to burden you," he said softly, feeling the need to explain his friend.
"A parent worries regardless of what is said or not said," Thranduil reminded pointedly, before urging his horse up towards his second in command. "You will be with Arminas." He said in parting to Aragorn. The human nodded.
AMESSENGERTOTHEKING
"Right this way, your highness," the orc sneered in an over sweet voice, gnashing its teeth delightfully. The high-pitched voice could barely be heard over the booing and jeering of his comrades, who were packed into the area like a can of sardines.
Thranduil paid them no mind, walking along with his head raised high. His three guards followed suit behind them, refusing to acknowledge the orcs. The dark creatures parted like the red-sea in front of the king as he took measures steps forward and further into the mass of dark creatures. The only expression on Thranduil's proud face was one of disgust.
The orcs began to pound their weapons against the ground, and Thranduil's heart began to double the rhythm. A small orc jumped forward, crowing loudly, into the bubble of space that circled around the elves like an invisible shield. Thranduil snapped his head to the side and glared down, curling his upper lip at it. The orc drew back into the ranks of his companions, squealing though the king had not laid a finger on him.
Holding themselves proudly and upright, the king the men strode right into the heart of their greatest enemy's camp.
"So glad you could make the effort to join us on this special day," A large orc drawled once the elves had reached the very heart of the circle of orcs. They were now surrounded on all sides. It stepped forward leeringly and bowed mockingly towards the king, causing a loud cheer form the surrounding orcs. Thranduil said nothing, and the orc's smile only grew. "Are you angry, elf, I hope you are."
"I simply do not have words small enough for a dim-witted creatures such as you to understand," Thranduil replied coolly, staring the orc down with blazing eyes that did not betray his heart-stopping fear for his son. The orc hissed at the insult.
"Maybe you will find words more my level when you see its head rolling at your feet," it jeered, a malicious grin spreading his features. Thranduil paled visibly at the thought. The orc caught the loss of color and laughed, spittle flying form it's mouth as it did so.
"Would you like to trade spots? I'm sure I could arrange to do it!" it taunted, making Thranduil glower in his direction. The warrior closest to the king gave his head the slightest shake, warning his liege. He knew all too well that his king would indeed trade places with Legolas, but they certainly didn't need both royal members in the clutches of the orcs.
"I would give my life for him," Thranduil replied evenly, causing the orc to start with surprise. "But I must think of the good of the people, not just my own desires. That is something that you never will or would be able to understand."
"What he really means is that he is a coward!" an orc from the sidelines yelled, spitting at the elf king's feet. The other orcs picked up the chant and it was several minutes until the large orc could get them to quiet down once more.
"Enough talk!" it finally roared with an evil grin directed towards the king. "Let us get on with the proceedings."
A drum beat started from somewhere in the back and all the orcs turned expectantly towards the sound. The energy and excitement was palpable and Thranduil left sick. If things didn't go according to plan, then he would lose his only son. And these creatures enjoyed it? Enjoyed tearing apart lives and striping souls free of their bodies, enjoyed causing pain and delighting in turning lovely things dark? Thranduil couldn't comprehend it.
The orcs on the opposite side of Thranduil and his warriors began to part, much like they had for Thranduil, and the mocking and jeering rose to a whole new level.
"Daro, hir-nin," one the warriors next to him breathed, reaching out and catching Thranduil's arm in case he decided to do anything rash. A deadly fire had sprung into his lieges eyes at merely hearing what Legolas was being called, and the elf was afraid to think of what would happen once the king actually saw his son.
Thranduil didn't show any sign of having heard him as he straightened, his nostril's flaring as his hands clenched into fists.
The orcs nearer them backed further apart, revealing Legolas, who was being pushed roughly forward between the lines of orcs. His fair face as bowed and his proud shoulders slumped. The king's keen eyes could clearly detect the prominent injuries that adorned his boy's chest, but that only left him guessing at the wounds that were unseen, both physically and emotionally, for he could tell in a way that only a father could that something was off. Legolas' eyes reamined fixed on the ground and he didn't even fight the orcs as he was lead to his doom. That was not the Legolas he knew.
The orc guiding Legolas pushed him harshly and the prince stumbled, almost falling to his knees.
"Legolas…" Thranduil couldn't stop the soft whisper and he watched with a pang of sorrow as Legolas' head jerked up, his eyes desperately scanning the crowd.
"Ada?" he called, his eye locking on his father's as his eyes widen in complete surprise. What his father was doing in a host of orcs, he didn't know, and it made his heart miss a beat. "ADA!" he yelled again, straining against the orcs that held him.
Thranduil looked down, unable to meet his son's despairing eyes. Legolas called out again, straining harder than ever to break away. His voice was abruptly cut short and Thranduil jerked his head back up, unable to look away even though he wanted desperately too, and saw that Legolas' golden hair at been used to jerk his head back so that a gag could be thrust into his mouth.
The orcs laughed loudly at the prince's obvious distress and it was all Thranduil could do not to jump forward. His son look at him with desperate, tired, eyes and Thranduil felt his heart clench. It almost appeared as if the elf had already died on the inside.
"Just get this over with," he said in a loud whisper that the orcs could hear. His voice broke on the last word, but he quickly gained control once more. He saw Legolas sag aginst the orc holding him and felt his throat constrict.
"As you wish," The orc cried in delight, and singaled the orcs man handling Legolas to pick up the pace. The drum in the back began to eat faster and the orcs cheers grew. Legolas was shoved to his knees in front of the orc leader, who stood on a raised stone platform. A gleaming sword was passed from orc to orc, until it came to the leader, who it held a loft to more cheers.
Both Legolas and Thranduil's eyes tracked the movement, and the king's heart gave a violent lurch as his inwards curled with panic. Be calm, Legolas, he pleaded, I won't let you go without a lot of effort of their part.
"THIS if the fate of the elves!" the orc leader cursed in a roar. He grinned lethally and wasted no further time on formalities. The time had come. He raised the sword once more, and the metal gleamed faintly in the dim sunlight. Legolas felt his heart falter, and then start beating twice as fast. He glance once at his father, but saw only terror and fear in the ageless face.
Legolas abruptly realized that he didn't want to die, not any more. He wanted to live! He wanted to fight again another day! And more than ever, he wanted to see his father and friends one last time, if at least to say a proper good bye.
Legolas jerked his eyes away from his father's face, unable to look and have his heart broken. Instead, he gazed at the top of the trees. His trees, his sword began to fall and Legolas closed his eyes, waiting for the sudden end of his short life.
It never came. Instead a sharp, searing pain bit into his collar bone, but that was it. It was Uglk, not him, who screamed loudly, before it faded with an ominous gurgle. Flashing his eyes open, Legolas stared with surprise as the orc toppled off the stone dais with an arrow protruding from its chest.
He was so shocked by this turn of events that he didn't even notice the warm blood rapidly flowing in a stream down his skin from the deep cut at the base of his neck. The sword that had done the damage clattered off his shoulder and down to the ground.
The noise reverberated though the suddenly deathly silent clearing and every eye followed it's bouncing movements.
Then, before the orcs knew what had hit them, the elves attack, streaming seemingly out of nowhere like a wave of anger that crashed over the orcs with deadly consequences. Arrows filled the air, dropping the orcs like flies, and the gleam of well-kept and sharp swords glinted brightly against the dark orcs.
Thranduil had his sword out before the second arrow hit flesh and the orcs around him didn't even have time to wonder what was happening.
The orc nearest Legolas let out a dreadful scream and drew forth its own knife and began to charge towards Legolas, who was staring at the dead body of his captor. The prince, sensing the orc behind him, turned dazedly. The orc almost upon him and Legolas jerked back, wrenching at his bonds so that he would be able to at least use his hands to defend himself.
It didn't do him any good, the orc was raising its knife high for the kill. Stumbling back on his knees, Legolas desperately scanned the ground for a weapon, for anything at all to help him against the advancing orc.
TBC...
Well... they sort of rescued Legolas. Are in the midst of saving him, I guess. :)
Review Replies:
LOTCR: *Takes the hobbit* ha. Should it be bad that I was kind of excited to see that you had cried... If I was a normal person then I would have but I am not! I am a writer! :) I am glad that you enjoyed it! Thakns so much! (And no, he is mine...) :D
Nameless: HAHA, I am so evil with all my Cliffords! With my Cliffords I will doom all my readers! :) Aw, that makes me very ahppy to hear that you like my cliffes, they are so fun to write and to see all of your reactions. :) Thanks!
Anoriel: Fangirls are so good at loving our favorite characters. We supply them with a healthy amount of torture and pain. :) I am glad that you liked the way I wrote Thranduil, because he is one character that I struggle getting right more than the others, I think. Yup. Agreed about that STUPID orc. :) Thanks so much!