To be clear this is strictly a friendship story no slashes! So when I say that Tarnim or Thranduil etc grew fond of Elrond or vice versa it's in a friend kind of way. Okay? Okay! So here is the second chapter and I felt awful doing what I did in this one but ya know..its kind nessacary to the story
Tarnim leapt up from ground, leaving his lambas bread forgotten in the dirt. Thranduil did the same and drew out his daggers while Tarnim readied his bow.
"I think it would be best to go into that tree. Quickly!" Tarmin whispered to the prince, pointing at a large oak tree off to side of the clearing.
"Yes I think..but no we cannot leave the horses! The orcs will eat them. I will not let that happen to Nenowith!" Thranduil stubbornly held his ground as Tarmin gave him a bewildered look.
"Nor will I to Lainmi." The older elf said quietly. He knew it was not wise to stay on the ground but Thranduil did have a point. Tarmin knew elven horse meat was a delicacy to the filthy orcs and no animal deserved that fate. Especially not these horses who had bravely carried their riders through battle. Lainmi was almost an extension of Tarmin himself. Their bond was indescriable and the warrior could not betray his noble steed in such a way. He knew Thranduil felt the same with Nenowith.
"Then we will stand our ground and fight!" the prince said with all the determination he could muster. While he was very skilled with weapons and accompanied his kin in battle he had never had the courage for it that Tarnim had. I cannot let my nerves fail me now. Thranduil thought as he tried to steady himself.
Both the elves' pointed ears sharply picked up the sounds of multiple heavy booted feet approaching them quickly from both sides. Tarnim had guessed there were four coming from the front and another four coming from the back. The horses became anxious and pulled nervously on their tethers, pawing the soft ground with their hooves to let their riders know they were nervous.
Just as Thranduil turned to speak a few reassuring words to Nenowith, eight orcs charged into the clearing with thier weapons drawn. Tarnim took down two with his bow before Thranduil could even blink. Several more charged at him and they to were easily taken out by an arrow to the neck. Thranduil had one of the foul creatures engaged at the far side of the clearing as he swiftly jabbed at his enemy with his daggers while the orc much less gracefully tried to take a hit at Thranduils shoulder with his blood stained blade. This did not proceed more than a minute as the Mirkwood prince saw a weak point in the crudely made chest guard the beast was wearing and he plunged his elegant dagger into his opponents chest. The creature let out a growl before he fell to ground. Thranduil pulled his black blood covered dagger out and turned to Tarnim.
"That was not so bad, eh Tarnim?" Thraduil grinned.
"Aye Thranduil but originally I counted eight orcs did I not? We have only killed five. Where have the other three gone?" Tarnim asked, puzzled. Thranduil did not answer as he looked behind Tarnim and saw where the other three foul things had gone. Tarnim turned just as three black arrows flew towards the prince.
"No! Thranduil get down!" the elf cried as he ran toward Thranduil. He got to him just in time to throw his body in front of his friend before the three arrows pierced his body.