Chapter 6
Dreams and Decisions
.:.
I had begged the valor to spare me from that voice. But it came anyway. "You will pay. We'll put you in your place, elf. You can not run forever. We'll get you, and I'll make you pay."
Then I saw him. He was lying on the ground in a pool of red, red blood. I could see his chest rise and fall as he labored to breathe. I ran to him and knelt down at his side. The arrow that protruded from his chest was dark and menacing.
"Aragorn, hold on. It is going to be alright." His dull eyes poured into mine. "it will be alright. Legolas can help. I just need to get him. He can counter the poison." Aragorn ignored me and feebly pointed behind me. I turned.
I could not speak. I could not move. I could not scream. Leoglas was not so far away. He lay on the ground, his eyes closed. The orc stood over him. His axe was painted with the deep scarlet of Legolas's blood. Then he was gone, Legolas still lay there.
I ran as fast as I could and dropped at his side. "No! Legolas, melith nín! Do not leave me." I took his face into my hands. "Please my love, stay with me!"
The prince's eyes flickered open. "I love you, my wife." Then the price of Mirkwood drew breath no more.
I woke with a start. I struggled to escape from the arms that encircled my waist. They tightened; I panicked. "Please, let me go! Let go. Legolas, where are you? Help me!"
"Estelwen, calm down! It is alright. I am here. Peace, Melith nín." Legolas's familiar voice soothed. I relaxed into his arms and clung to his cloak, which was still wrapped around the two of us. "What has frightened you?" He asked as he stroked my shoulder. I shook my head in response. "Please, Estelwen."
"May we go back now?" I was barely able to mutter.
Leoglas hesitated. "Of course." He and I both stood up and I relinquished my hold on his cloak. It was rather chilly out. "Tolo hi." He said. I went to take his hand, but he picked me up instead and I was immediately comforted.
Legolas walked along the path quietly as I leaned my head against his chest and listened to his steady heartbeat. We stayed that way for about ten minutes.
"Why do you insist on keeping this from me, Estelwen? I only want to help you. Please tell me what is wrong." He pleaded.
"Im gosta." I said simply.
"What are you afraid of?" He asked.
"I'm afraid they will come back. I know they will come back. You will all be gone. They will take me again. I do not want to go back." I whimpered.
"I will never leave you, Estelwen. I would not abandon you." Legolas tried to assure me.
"Sometimes you don't have the choice."
"What do you mean?" Legolas asked.
"You'll have no choice if they kill you too."