Title: Lillah's Story Chapter 7
Author: Fianna Leighton (LeGrey)
Note: I must thank everyone for being patient for this last chapter. Things went to hell at home, with a terrible death in our family I am still struggling with. Hopefully those events are not reflected too horribly here. I have also been finishing up my work on my novel to be published shortly by Red Rose Publishing. Another sword and sorcery tale of elves that are so dear to my heart. Seruthoron will remind you much of the March Warden.
I will post the next chapter as soon as I can.
Chapter 7:
The elves carried Rinethel down from the cave to lay amid the remains of Lillah's home, leaving Haldir and Elrohir to tend him while the rest either kept watch or set up camp. Lillah would have preferred not to stay inside the ruins, but Haldir had insisted that even with just a partial wall around them, it was still safer than being out in the open.
Rinethel agreed, if weakly, holding on, it seemed, by a thread. He sighed deeply when Haldir finally put him to sleep, the pain lines etching his forehead slipping away.
"Can you heal him?" Lillah asked Haldir, kneeling beside her brother as the March Warden pressed his hands along Rinethel's body.
"I have done what I can, but he is too weak to completely heal him. Elrohir will add to his strength, but I do not want to jeopardize his ability to fight off any infection by exhausting him with the tax required to heal the broken bones."
Lillah shivered at the thought. She could well remember the pain healing caused, and the exhaustion one felt afterwards. She could only imagine what Haldir had gone through in his recovery.
Haldir looked up from his perusal of her brother, grey eyes searching hers. "He will be fine, Lillah."
She smiled at the elf. "I have no doubt, Haldir, because it is you healing him."
The March Warden snorted softly and looked back at Rinethel, but she caught the faint smile that had curved his lips.
**
Elrohir stood on the edge of the broken wall, fingers resting lightly on the hilt of his sword, head cocked as he listened to the night sounds around him. Nothing amiss, or out of place, yet he could not ignore the sense of danger that seemed to stalk the night.
They had done what they could to ease Rinethel and the elf slept on under the influence of Haldir's magic, as well as his own healing ability in reverie. Lillah lay beside him, fingers tucked into the crook of Rinethel's arm, while Haldir guarded them from a short distance away. The March Warden sat filing an edge to a blade already beyond sharp, his grey eyes scanning the area intently.
Elladan had moved further out into the rocky hills but Elrohir could sense no concern from his brother. Legolas sat on the top of the wall, legs folded, his bow at his knee, pensively staring out into the hills.
The remaining Lorién wardens could not be seen, but Elrohir knew they were out there.
It would take some days to get Rinethel back to Minas Tirith, even partially healed; riding with the broken leg would be painful. That increased their danger from attack.
The orcs already knew they were there.
Elrohir did not doubt they would return, but hoped it would not be with injury to bear.
He sighed and shifted to a more comfortable position. He didn't mind fighting orcs, but having Lillah among them made him wish they were back in Imladris instead. She had seen enough death.
**
Lillah woke sore and stiff from the cold. She sat up gingerly, rubbing her neck and saw that Rinethel was still sleeping peacefully. She brushed off the weight of the cloak over her and realized that Haldir had placed his cloak over hers once again, offering her the warmth she was sure he could have used himself. She looked for him and found the March Warden a few feet away also asleep, again with an arm resting over his eyes.
Did he dream still, she wonder? Did fighting the orcs again bring back the horrors he had seen at Helm's Deep, or did they ease the nightmares as a measure of revenge? She rose to her feet and stepped over Rinethel to crouch next to Haldir.
A foolish move had she thought about it, for he sat up instantly and clamped a hand around her wrist, jerking her so fast beneath him she did not even have time to do more than gasp. He leaned over her, his silver hair falling over her chest, grey eyes glittering like ice.
"Foolish, Lillah. I might have thought you were an orc."
She shivered at the chill in his voice, the intensity so deeply ingrained. A foolish move, indeed, she thought, but one that had interesting results. Haldir blinked slowly, his gaze sliding over her as he lay sprawled partially on top of her. She knew interest when she saw it gleaming in his eyes, and in the curve of his mouth.
She hoped he might kiss her, but instead Haldir only grunted and sat up, releasing her wrist.
"We will leave shortly, you should prepare."
He rose to his feet and strode rapidly away from her until he was lost amid the mists floating over the ground.
Lillah sighed briefly and sat up, tossing a length of hair from her face.
Rinethel was awake and leaning on his arm, blue eyes twinkling. "The elf has amazing control."
Lillah smiled. "So tell me how to make him lose it."
Rinethel laughed softly and then shook his head. "You play with fire with that one, love. Are you sure you want that? I am shocked to see you interested."
"No more than I," she admitted ruefully. "But I cannot deny what I feel inside."
Rinethel grunted faintly, waving her to come closer. When she did, he pulled her down beside him. "I have much to learn about what happened, but I have missed you oh so much." He kissed her cheek and then lay back on the ground. "My energy, however, is still spent."
She brushed aside a few strands of hair from his forehead. "You will be tired for some time, and the leg is yet to be healed."
Rinethel nodded. "Indeed, but I am alive, as are you. This, my sister, is a good day."
**
He bore the pain stoically, strapped to a litter the elves had made for him, dragged behind Elrohir's horse. Haldir rode in front , while his sister followed directly behind Rinethel. Three elves followed behind her, bows in hand, eyes searching the area as well as they could.
He knew the game was dangerous -- riding in the open while dragging him along side, leaving a trail a child could follow. But they had little choice, riding with one of the elves was not possible with his leg, and Haldir refused to heal him any further due to his exhaustion.
Rinethel had to admit he was tired, his energy so limited it took all he had to lift his head to glance around him. It was easier to drift in and out, leaving his and his sister's safety to the elves surrounding him. Indeed, he thought sleepily, there could be no better escort than the elves surrounding him.
He groaned as the litter bounced painfully over a rough area of road, heard Elrohir apologize softly, and forced awake by the pain, decided it would be a good time for his sister to explain some things. He waved at her and she urged her horse next to him on the trail.
He held a hand to his temple to ease the tension and then looked up at her. "So, detail me with what happened."
Lillah stared at him for a moment and then looked away, he knew, to gather herself for the tale.
The story came out in short bursts as if she only had enough energy and will to describe the horrific events in small parcels. The joys of her husband's return, their attempts to begin again, the orcs. She spoke after a long pause and then told him, a halting and painful recounting, of the fight with the orcs, the creature's laughter that still haunted her. She described her journey to Minas Tirith, and with a faint smile sent toward Haldir, talked of the March Warden, Aragorn and Legolas and how kind they had been.
He listened silently, fully aware the others heard just as much.
And in the end, he thanked the Valar for keeping her alive, and thanked the elves with him for forcing her to live again.
**
They arrived at the half way point to the White City near dusk, pushing the horses to make it to a place Haldir and the twins deemed safe enough to camp for the evening. Lillah didn't care, she only wanted to get off the horse to find some comfort.
But getting off wasn't as easy as she expected. No longer distracted by her worry for Rin, her body finally had decided to make its complaints known to not only her, but the other elves as well. She fell off her horse, struggling to pull her leg free to climb down and found herself entangled in the straps. She landed hard on the ground and found several pairs of hands there instantly to gather her up and put her back on her feet.
Except her legs weren't cooperating and she instead found herself lifted into Haldir's arms, tucked neatly against his chest and carried, she couldn't help but sigh in delight, to where they were setting up camp.
She was too tired to complain.
Rinethel was carried as well to a place beside the fire. Elladan tucked a blanket carefully around the elf, crouching next to him while Haldir settled Lillah nearby. Elrohir pressed a hand to her forehead and she sighed and pulled it free.
"I am fine, just tired, Elrohir."
"You worry me yet," the elf complained. "You have been through much and it would not surprise me if you took ill from it. Some push such things aside until finally they cannot fight it any further." Elrohir looked directly at Haldir.
Legolas smiled behind his hand, sitting on the ground beside Rinethel.
Rin grinned weakly. "I am sure none here would do that," he declared.
Haldir ignored them all and instead pulled his cloak free and wrapped it around Lillah's shoulders.
"You might as well leave that with her since you offer her it every night." Elladan chuckled, ducking the glare Haldir finally sent toward him.
"Enjoy your teasing," the March Warden replied sternly. "I care not. Perhaps if you were more observant, ranger, you might have noticed her shivering."
Elladan only grinned and winked at Lillah. Lillah smiled, but appreciated the warmth Haldir continued to offer, both with his cloak and the care he had given her since they had met. But she was growing more interested in gaining a deeper insight to the elf who for the most part had remained elusively distant.
Had he decided his interest was not acceptable? She watched him kneel next to Rinethel, studying the contrast of pale silver blonde to Rinethel's darker coloring, the line of jaw that marked the elf so distinctly, the stern expression that did not allow for a response to the twin's continued teasing.
But even so, she noted the elves worked together well. Legolas stepped in when necessary, or hovered on the edges of Lillah's vision as if reluctant to leave her for very long. Elladan and Elrohir were often within a few steps, and Haldir was almost always near her side. Her personal protector, and one she would find difficult to lose.
The elves were a cohesive unit, and one she could help but find incredibly daunting.
Their night was spent comfortably enough, but the morning brought heavy fog, and terror.
Lillah woke with a hand covering her mouth, startled from her reverie by Haldir, his grey eyes dark with warning as he muffled her startled scream. Rinethel was awake and sitting up, cursing softly under his breath.
The mist lay around them in a heavy blanket of damp that chilled her to the bone.
Haldir covered his lips with his fingers.
Lillah knew only fear, her heart racing once again, scrambling to her feet. Legolas appeared like a wraith out of the mist, his cloak beaded with drops of silver, blond hair glistening with dampness. He scowled, running a hand along the string of his bow.
He jerked his head toward the watery light of the rising sun.
Haldir nodded and pulled Lillah against his chest, his lips pressed close to her ear. "We are surrounded."
Lillah moaned, the sound muffled instantly by Haldir's hand.
"Sssh. The advantage is that the orcs do not know we are here."
She blinked, confused.
The March Warden smiled grimly. "I am going to bring you your horse. Rinethel will mount with you and you will ride as if the horse has the fires of Mordor burning his heels for Minas Tirith. We will follow as we can."
She shook her head violently.
Rinethel could not ride, it would be excruciating for him.
Haldir gripped her arms tightly. He leaned closer, pressing his forehead against hers. "You must, Lillah, it is the only way."
Rinethel would not agree!
She was wrong however. Elrohir appeared out of the mist, her stallion readied, his tack muffled with torn pieces of cloth. Haldir waited as Elladan strode out of the gloom and with his brother, lifted an unprotesting Rinethel to the horse.
Legolas touched Rin's knee and nodded at the elf.
Haldir cupped Lllah's face between his hands and then kissed her hard on the mouth. Startled by the embrace she could only sink against him and tangle her fingers into his tunic. When he finally broke the kiss she was breathless, as was he, and then she was on the horse, with Rin's arms around her. Haldir jerked the horse's head down and with an intense stare into the horse eyes, he pulled the animal around to face the sun.
"The White City, my friend. As fast as you can go."
Lillah nearly shrieked when the elf slapped the horse hard on the rear, but then she could do nothing more than hang on, and hope Rinethel could weather the ride without falling off.
**
The ride was a horrifying affair, for though they made it through the mists for many minutes, it was soon evident they had to pass among the orcs surrounding the elves, and through them they went. Her husbands's stallion was bent on it, his head down, any attempt to control his passage was ignored. They thundered through the fog, unable to see more than a few few ahead and beside them, yet the horse swept through the wood unerringly.
Lillah clung to the horse's mane, while Rin clung just as tightly to her waist, his gritted gasps echoing in her ear.
The orcs flung themselves out of the way of the wild horse, snarling as they rounded behind him. But most were on foot and unable to follow.
Until they reached the hills and then Lillah nearly fainted at the sounds behind her. Wargs, undoubtably, their howls wailing behind her. The horse flew across land, hooves pounding with effort.
They might have made it had Rinethel not been weak or injured, but when the horse slowed to lurch up a steep incline, Rinethel lost his grip on her waist, or perhaps more likely, simply passed out from the pain. In any event, he fell from the horse and she had no choice but to rein in the animal and return for her brother.
She dismounted swiftly, crouching next to Rin only to find him unconscious.
She nearly wept, unsure what she should do next.
The wolves that followed them crept up slowly, their red eyes gleaming through the mist.
Lillah shuddered but did not move from Rinethel's side. Something would save them, somehow, someway, they would make it through this trial as well.
The wargs slithered on their bellies, just visible in the fog, large hairy creatures so much like wolves but immensely larger and uglier. They growled menacingly, a cruel sound.
She pulled Rinethel's dagger from his hip, brandishing the weapon, although she knew it would do little good.
The wargs drew closer, some yipping in their excitement over a new kill, and one especially grew brave and rose on its haunches, howling into the mist.
The sound cut off abruptly as an arrow caught him in the throat, silencing the howl permanently. Another series slammed into the animal so hard he was lifted off of his feet and thrown back among his fellow wargs where he was instantly attacked.
The arrows continued, flung from behind Lillah, and then several horses leaped over the fighting, snarling pack to land in front of her, the two elves riding them rolling off the animals in a fluid move than brought them instantly between Lillah and the wargs.
Haldir flung up his bow, string drawn to his cheek and an arrow launched within a few seconds of gaining his feet. Legolas was not a second behind, both arrows finding their mark with an accuaracy few could match.
Behind her another set of arrows sent the remaining wargs fleeing in a whining rush to disappear into the fog. The sound of their howls rang out for many moments longer, while Lillah sagged over Rinethel with the overwhelming urge to weep.
Instead, she shoved herself up to her feet and as Haldir turned toward her, lowering his bow, she leaped at him, throwing her arms around his neck as if he might disappear much as the wargs had done.
Legolas lifted a slim brow, his lips curved in amusement when she finally loosened her grip on the March Warden.
"How dare you send me off like that," she declared, annoyed by Legolas's easy manner and the fact that she had been so overjoyed to see Haldir. "Rinethel could have died riding like that, what were you thinking?"
Haldir stepped around her, ignoring her anger and knelt beside Rinethel. He pressed his fingers to the elf's brow and then laid the flat of his hand against Rinethel's heart.
Legolas caught her as she sagged in fear, lifting her gently back to her feet. "He only offers Rinethel strength, Lillah. You know this."
She did but yet something about it frightened her.
Rinethel sighed, and then slowly opened his eyes. "I hope, March Warden, we arrive soon to Minas Tirith."
Haldir smiled faintly. "Your journey will end soon enough, Ranger. You will arrive before you know it, if asleep." The elf leaned closer and as Lillah watched, placed both hands on Rinethel's chest for several long minutes, while Rin dropped the hand that had gripped Haldir's wrist, once more oblivious to his surroundings.
Even as Haldir worked, several elves appeared around them out of the mist, dressed in the greens and browns of the forest, elves that Legolas strode forward to greet personally. They were Woodland elves, but of the Greenwood, the dark forests of Mirkwood, Legolas's people, rangers who had fought the shadow creatures all too often.
They bowed respectfully to the handsome prince, and then as well toward Haldir when he rose slowly to his feet. Lillah turned toward the March Warden to see him suddenly grow pale and then he slid to the ground in a boneless heap that made Lillah scream in horror.
TBC