Chapter 11:
Clutching his hat on his head with one hand while the other held his staff tightly, Radagast looked around himself wildly for inspiration. He had sent the message to Lady Galadriel as he promised but now as he watched the hundreds of orcs scurry about the ruined fortress like ants the wizard could not help but wish himself back home.
Muttering to himself frantically, Radagast decided there could be no help for it. He knew Gandalf had told him not to return but he could not leave his friend. He could see the grey wizard from his vantage point, trapped in a steel cage with barely enough strength to lift his head and watch the preparations of the orcs. Radagast knew if he did not do something to aid his friend he would end up as nothing but meat for crows like the previous inhabitants of Gandalf's prison.
Squeaking loudly in surprise as an idea sprang into his mind, Radagast set about carrying out his plan before he forgot it again.
Pulling three glass vials out of one of his many inner pockets, Radagast placed them carefully on the ground in front of him and mixed them up in each other's vials in a seemingly random, haphazard fashion. Muttering as he did so, Radagast squealed and began laughing darkly, glancing up towards Dol Guldur and jumping with fright at the sight of the imposing ruin. Hurrying, Radagast put a stopped in each vial and yanked his hat off and watched the three birds that lived in the nest of his hair flutter around his head.
"Come on come on take them." He muttered desperately, gesturing towards the vials. Each bird flew to a vial and picked one up slowly, struggling slightly with the weight.
Shooing them off Radagast grinned crookedly and watched as the birds flew up above the fortress. The small wizard counted to 10 slowly, then scurried across the bridge and ran as fast as he could, straight to where his friend was being held captive. He barely got 3 steps before an orc spotted him and cried out but then, suddenly, there was a flash of bright light and the orcs around him were screaming in agony.
Laughing manically, Radagast sprinted to the tower that held Gandalf, immeasurably glad of the diversion his friends the birds were causing with his rather toxic concoctions. When he reached the cage Radagast put his staff to the bars, muttering darkly. He knew the bombs would only last so long so he quickly melted the bars and pulled them out of the way.
Gandalf's pale eyes glanced up to his rescuer and filled with anger. Ignoring him, Radagast pulled his friend out of his prison and ran back the bridge, barely supporting Gandalf as he did so.
As they ran Radagast looked up towards the sky frequently, watching to check the birds were well. Amazingly, Radagast had managed to get in and get Gandalf out incredibly quickly, although with a great fuss. Hoping that the orcs would see Gandalf's cloak in the cage (which Radagast had not stopped to untangle from the thorns hanging from the bars) and assume Gandalf was still there without looking too closely, Radagast pulled Gandalf into the forest surrounding the ruin as the night became alive with the screams of orcs.
Creeping forward silently, Legolas whispered soothingly to his horse and patted her neck as he intently surveyed the landscape before him. He was hiding in between some trees, slowly advancing towards the huge ruin of Dol Guldur.
The old fortress seemed to rise out of the decrepit forest and loom over everything, a hollow skeleton that made Legolas grit his teeth. As the Prince of the Woodland Realm and one of its most talented warriors Legolas had proved himself in battle hundreds of time but as he watched the wargs and their orc riders enter the ruin he felt a shiver of fear.
He had been so sure that Tauriel would follow him, as confident as she had been that he would follow her. Yet here he was, watching legions of orcs seethe around the old fortress alone, faced with a difficult decision. Legolas knew that he had no chance of facing the orcs alone and surviving, so he could either ride back to his father now and warn him of the impending attack or he could wait a while, hidden, and see if he could discover more useful information. The only problem was, if he decided upon the latter he would be in danger of being discovered or he would have to wait until the army marched, which meant his knowledge would be too late for anyone to take advantage of.
Whispering to his horse to stay where she was, Legolas jogged forward and took up a position below the fortress, watching the dark figures of the orcs rush around making preparations for their march. Struggling to make a decision, Legolas tried to focus his mind and make a decision that would benefit his father. He needed to get back and warn them, leaving them with enough time to prepare. However, unless he knew exactly what the threat was his information was of no use.
Tauriel had been right; unless his father's Kingdom itself was specifically threatened he would not take action. So, if these orcs were not marching upon the Woodland Realm, but instead heading back to the Lonely Mountain, his father would not act.
Weighing up the possibilities, Legolas decided that the army was probably heading for Erebor and groaned, scrunching up his face in concentration. He didn't care if the army did attack Thorin Oakenshield at Erebor. The dwarf was probably already thanks to the dragon Smaug so he didn't really care. But he couldn't shake the feeling that Tauriel would be disappointed with him if he didn't deign to warn the dwarves. Also, he realised, if she was still at the mountain she could be in danger from this army and although Legolas above all others was aware how well Tauriel could take care of herself, he couldn't help but feel ashamed at the thought of her facing this great threat alone.
Suddenly, Dol Guldur was lit up brightly as three immensely bright beacons of light shone in the ruins, so bright that Legolas had to shield his eyes. Frowning, Legolas heard loud screeches fill the air and realised something must have gone wrong in the fortress. He stood watching the scene unfold and black shapes ran round the castle and loud shouts were issued. A huge black smoke seemed to be gathering in the heart of the ruin and Legolas took an involuntary step back as a tremor ran through his body. He had no idea what sort of chaos had been unleashed in the ruin but he knew instinctively that he needed to put a large number of leagues in between himself and Dol Guldur now that it had.
His mind made up, Legolas turned back and stalked towards his horse, eager to be away from this awful place. It was just as he saw his horse that the noise of rustling cloaks and shuffling feet hit him and he was knocked to the ground by a bustling brown and grey shape.
"Run boy!" Radagast shrieked, dragging Gandalf past Legolas and sitting him down on his sledge which was hidden near where Legolas' horse had been waiting. Recognising the sage and his charge instantly, Legolas got up and mounted his horse swiftly.
Legolas followed Radagast's sleigh without even thinking, his horse just about keeping pace with the ferocious sprint of the rabbits pulling Radagast along. Together, they rode away from Dol Guldur and Legolas wearily noted that Gandalf whispered instructions to Radagast who changed their course so that they followed the same road Legolas had ridden to get to the ruin from Erebor.
'It seems the decision has been made for me.' Legolas noted drily. It was clear Mithrandir wanted to go to Erebor to warn Thorin Oakenshield of the orcs plans. Although he had not realised that Gandalf had a part to play in the dwarves plans, it made sense that they had had help.
'They are far too stupid to work out how to enter the mountain without help.' He thought bitterly. Hoping they would get there with enough time and that he would be able to find Tauriel quickly, Legolas concentrated on following Radagast who had his mind focused on helping his ailing friend.
Forcing himself to look past Radagast Gandalf dimly recognised the young elf who rode beside them. He had no idea why Legolas Thranduillion had been at Dol Guldur but a sense of relief flooded through him, as if this was proof that he had the support of at least some of the Elves. Whispering his thanks to Radagast, who seemed too intent helping him to notice, Gandalf rested his head against the sled and watched the world whirl by, hoping against all odds that they would get to the mountain and somehow find Thorin and Co. safe and sound.
He knew it was a big ask, knowing that Durin's Day had been and gone and the chance of Thorin waiting for him was non-existent. But all Gandalf had to hold on to was the thought that those who he had sent on his dangerous quest and abandoned were still alive. For now at any rate.
Deep in the woods, unaware of the orc army now departing Dol Guldur with speed for Erebor, King Thranduil stood in his private chambers, decked out in his finest armour. His jaw was set as he replaced his usual crown for his smaller, battle circlet and his attendants hovered unsure outside the door, too well acquainted with their King's moods to risk knocking. Setting his shoulders, Thranduil raised his chin and looked at his reflection. As always he looked very regal but he also had an aspect of gloom and determination about him that he had not possessed for many years. King Thranduil was once more returning to the battle field against orcs, as he had not done for so long. The King had decided that since his son and Captain had clearly disobeyed his direct orders and left to fight those orcs who had swept through his Kingdom after Thorin Oakenshield that he would have to go and bring his son back home. He had been going to leave the orcs to do what they liked as long as it was outside his borders. Besides, the fact that they had been chasing Oakenshield had made it all the more delicious. But now Legolas had not returned and Thranduil was angry. But beneath this anger was a burning concern for his child that seemed to light Thranduil's soul ablaze. He would take his soldiers out and march for Erebor, knowing that was most likely where his son was, and return him safely to the Woodland Realm. Thranduil's temper boiled under the surface as he planned some choice words for his disobedient heir. Stalking out of his chambers, the King did not consider what events were unfolding in Middle Earth; his only thoughts concerned Legolas and Tauriel.