First Meeting
Chapter 10: The Patrol
Disclaimer: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy belongs to J. R. R. Tolkien. I'm writing this for fun, not money.
As Legolas was considering what to do, the sound of a bird chirping caught his attention and put him on full alert. It was not unusual to hear the chirping of birds in the Greenwood but this particular call, two low notes and a short high note, was a signal used by patrols to communicate with each other. It was meant to identify themselves as a patrol and ask fellow elves if there was danger nearby. Legolas responded with two low notes, informing them that all was clear. Immediately, about a dozen elves began emerging from the trees, dressed in the forest green and brown that was characteristic of Greenwood warriors. Among the warriors was their commander, Caunon, an elf that Legolas knew well from serving under him. Legolas stood and placed his fist to his chest, inclining his head slightly, out of respect. Caunon then mirrored the gesture.
"Prince Legolas." Caunon's eyes wondered above the forest floor, taking in the numerous orc bodies strewn about, then landed on Strider. "Who is this?"
"He is…" It occurred to Legolas that word of the escaped prisoner taking him as hostage hadn't reached this patrol yet, and he found himself hesitating over how to describe the man. "He is injured," he said finally. "We will take him to the patrol's camp, so that he can be treated."
That seemed the best solution for now. The patrol's camp was not far away, and Strider could stay there until he was well enough to travel. After that, Legolas did not know what would happen.
"Very well, My Prince." Caunon replied obediently, yet his eyes betrayed his curiosity of his prince's vague reply.
Awhile later, Legolas sat in the talan used as a base by the patrol. The Adan was still unconscious and was being treated by the patrol's healer. Caunon had wished for the healer to see Legolas as well after seeing the bandages on his arm, but Legolas assured him he was fine. He could see a healer later, now he had things to discuss with Caunon.
"We found the remains of a small party of orcs on the boarder of the patrol's boundaries." Caunon was telling him.
He continued in a quiet tone. "We found Tauriel and Daugron's bodies among them." Here Caunon paused, allowing Legolas to take that in.
Legolas bowed his head. He had worked with both Tauriel and Daugron on patrols. They were good friends and good warriors. These days the deaths of friends and comrades were all to common in Mirkwood.
After a moment of silence Caunon continued, "We were not sure what they were doing so far out in the forest alone." Again, he paused. This time as if to allow Legolas a chance to explain. Legolas had a good guess, but he remained silent.
Caunon resumed, "We followed the orcs' tracks, preparing to do battle, when we came across you and discovered that you had already finished them.
Legolas nodded, satisfied with Caunon's explanations of what had occurred.
"Prince Legolas? What is to be done with the Adan?"
Legolas had not lost any of his conviction that the man should be shown mercy. Yet, he also knew it that convincing his father of that would not be an easy task. His father was not completely unreasonable, but Legolas knew that his father would not take the attack on his son lightly. The king would insist that Strider was punished.
The simplest solution would be to leave Strider in the patrol's camp until he was well enough to travel, and then have the patrol escort him to the edge of the forest. He knew Caunon would follow his orders, and he could deal with the consequences from his father. The idea was tempting, but Legolas knew he could not do it. As prince he did have some authority, but this was not something he could decide, and to do so would be insubordination. Strider was still the king's prisoner, and only the king could decide his fate.
"My Lord?" Caunon questioned. "Who is the Adan? Is he a friend or an enemy?
"I don't know." Legolas sighed. "That is for the king to decide."
I know this is another short chapter with not much happening. After this we should start seeing some more interaction between the characters.
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