CHAPTER 12

"Why did you come to Gundabad that day? What were you looking for?" Her whispered questions made Arahad jump, taking him completely by surprise. He hadn't heard her approach, her footsteps as light as feathers upon the wet grass.

All the men had dismounted from their horses and were resting, scattered here and there across the meadow in perfect silence. Not a sound was to be heard in the deathly stillness of the night, which seemed to suffocate even the sounds of the insects and the night creatures, as it wrapped them in its oppressive blanket.

Bard and Legolas, along with Einar and Ceorl, had crept up the hill from where they could get a good observation position of both the village and the surrounding area on the other side. Legolas' sharp vision was particularly essential in the dark night to make out the figures of the sleeping orcs lying about.

Seeing Arahad standing apart, a short distance away from the rest of the group, Star decided to approach him in an attempt to talk about what had happened during the festivities in Dale, for there had been no other opportunity for them to breach the subject since.

She was careful, as if treading on delicate shards of glass, for she did not want to hurt his feelings in any way. And in truth, she was also curious to know the reason why he had ventured all the way to that terrible place.

He was standing up, leaning against a tree, eyes fixed on the point where Bard and the others were half hidden among the shrubs and bushes. He turned round quickly, locking his eyes in hers, while observing her beautiful enchanting face… Great heavens! It was difficult to put his feelings in words right now! Just looking at her features, slowly becoming clearer in the approaching dawn, made his heart leap with sheer joy and all he wanted to do right at that moment was to touch her face and kiss her.

But he didn't move. Sharp pain shot through his chest as he recalled the kiss he had given her during the feast. It had started well. Although taken by surprise, she had kissed him back at first until she suddenly pulled away, eyes betraying deep sorrow and confusion. He had understood then that Star would never be his to love and cherish.

Yet it was excruciating! He had never felt like this about any other woman before…and now his task was simply to escort her back home, which also meant as far away from him as possible…

"Arahad?" she was looking at him, waiting for an answer to a question which he did not have.

"I don't know," he grinned, "Since even orcs are known to steal and hoard treasure from the places they pillage, I suppose I was on the hunt for some hidden treasure." A treasure which I found, he said to himself.

"I can never thank you enough for what you have done," she said, suddenly lowering her gaze. "I would not be surprised that it was the magic itself that led you to that cursed place, felt more once those dreaded creatures had left the building. If it hadn't been for you…I shudder to think of what could have become of me if you hadn't found me…lying there, asleep…forever!"

He could barely hear her last word, so softly had it been uttered. And then he saw them, tears running down her cheeks as a shudder ran through her body. He was taken by surprise, for he had never seen her look so fragile before and it took him a split of a second to hold her in his arms, resting her head against his shoulder. He stroked her head gently, trying to comfort her until her soft sobs died down and she had calmed down enough to look at him.

"I am sorry!" she finally said.

"For what?"

"For my feelings. I cannot give you what you want." She looked into his eyes, searching for forgiveness.

"Don't! I must be the one to apologise for my actions. You were still confused and disoriented. I shouldn't have kissed you that night but I was not thinking clearly. Must have been the wine…"

He smiled then. A false smile, for he knew that in trying to put her mind at ease, he had mercilessly brushed aside his true feelings and emotions.

And she smiled back, for reassurance, even though she knew deep down that he was not speaking the truth.

Not a leaf stirred. Not a sound was to be heard at the break of dawn that day. The birds themselves seemed not wanting to intrude on the suffocating stillness that took hold over the river, valley and the surrounding hills. The men and the three elves were in position, senses alert and holding their breath, waiting patiently for Bard's signal to attack.

Bard and the others had come down the hill with hope glowing on their faces for, apart from counting about forty orcs lying here and there in the meadow on the opposite side, Legolas had not only seen the old building which Einar had described earlier, but also discerned a human figure in one of the above windows. This meant that there really were some villagers still trapped in there.

The building was some distance away, on the other side of the plain, behind which lay the dark woods. It was high. There were no windows on the ground level and small ones on the upper level, just wide enough for a child to squeeze through. Because of this, the only way in and out of the building, was through the large wooden doors.

Einar continued to explain how thick and sturdy those stone walls and doors were, thus making it extremely difficult for the orcs to break inside. He also remarked that they must have tried innumerable times to do so, due to the branches and huge pieces of wood which Legolas said were scattered just in front of the door. This must have been utterly and completely useless without the aid of appropriate weaponry; for they needed a battering ram to cave those doors in.

Yet, what confused all of them was the reason why the vile creatures had stayed there once they had realised that there was no other way in. Why hadn't they moved on?

Well, it was no use pondering on that question now. The orcs were just about to be surprised by a brusque awakening!

Star crouched silently from her observing position behind a tree, her elf senses heightened by the tension and the surrounding stillness. She unconsciously gripped the hilt of her sword tighter as she let out a deep breath from between her slightly parted lips. Something was not right. This was too easy. Her sixth sense was restless like a tiger trapped in a cage, too small for her, waiting for the doors to open when she could finally break free and unleash her anger, a fury which had been kept too long at bay.

Suddenly her brow furrowed. Flickers of light were coming closer from the woods behind the stone building. What were they? She glanced sideways at Legolas but he had seen them too, and so had Tauriel. Her question was soon answered. They were torches, held by more orcs as they made their way to the doors. By now every other hidden soldier was observing their sudden movements and wondering what the orcs were about to do. Bard was worried, as their number increased.

The hideous beasts started shouting, waking up in the process the other orcs that had been lying asleep around the village. One of the creatures gave a final cry and moved forward, torch in hand. Realisation hit Star like a clap of thunder. Eyes open wide, her blood ran cold through her veins. In horror she watched it throw the torch at the pieces of wood in front of the door. They were going to set it on fire, leaving no way of escape for those trapped inside. They were all going to die suffocated!

This was too much for Einar, whose nerves snapped as soon as he saw the horrible scene unravel in front of his eyes. With one heart wrenching shout, he ran from cover in the direction of the building, followed a split of a second later by everybody else. All were fuelled by an anger and deep hatred for these fiendish creatures who enjoyed torturing the weak and defenceless.

Star was on fire. She had never felt so alive since she had woken up from her sleep. As she charged swiftly down the hill along with the others she knew deep in her heart that this wasn't the first time she had taken part in a battle. Her heart pumped furiously as she ran straight for the first orc that dared cross her path. With one swift movement she ducked his blow, stood up and cut his arm right off as he was aiming for another. His shriek of pain was cut off as she sliced his neck from ear to ear, blood spurting in every direction. His dead body had barely touched the ground before she had massacred two others, ripping them open from belly to neck.

Her thirst for blood couldn't be quenched. Running ahead, she was practically forming a path through the orcs heading their way, followed closely by Legolas and Tauriel. The men were being slowed down by other orcs attacking from the side. She was blinded by fury at what they were trying to do. Her aim was to reach the building and try to put out the fire as quickly as possible.

This proved to be an arduous task however, as more orcs came swarming from the woods. The men were fighting courageously, giving everything they had but she noticed, much to her sorrow, that some of them were mercilessly falling down under those hellish blades and blows. Arahad, Hamar, Tor and Odell kept together and were cutting through orc flesh a short distance away from the three elves.

She felt warm blood spray across her cheek as yet another orc was unceremoniously beheaded by her blade. She offered no pity for those daring to cross her path as she made her way up the hill. No remorse as her sword sliced through limbs and other parts of their body. It was only that lingering sense of falling into a trap that dampened her spirits. More orcs were coming from the woods. What had happened? By now they were equal in numbers, if not already outnumbered. Had they really set all this up to lure them into a trap?

It was then that a rain of arrows fell from the sky, killing most of the orcs at the top of the hill, nearer the building. What was happening? Confused, she looked sideways at Legolas.

"The Mirkwood elves!" he shouted above the din as he overtook her. Although she had no idea how many elves Legolas was talking about, she was relieved that help had miraculously arrived just in time.

Energy refuelled, she was just about to follow the young Prince of Mirkwood when a hellish, high-pitched shriek broke out through the valley, making the weak hearted shrink in fear.

Many stopped in their tracks as even the orcs themselves seemed to fall under its hypnotic spell. All eyes turned towards the woods as yet another creature emerged…one that they had never set eyes on before that day. What could only be described as the female version of an orc, came rushing forth as if she had been let loose from the deepest pits of Mount Doom. Wild, flying hair and deranged yellowish eyes was what first caught Star's attention. The creature, double the size than the other orcs, sprang at Legolas who was nearest the building, catching him unawares. With one mighty blow with the back of her hand, she managed to strike him squarely across his face throwing him savagely into the stone wall.

"No!" Tauriel's lament rang in Star's ears as the red-haired elleth rushed in to stop yet another hit aimed at the dazed Prince, taking herself the full force of the blow that sent her reeling across the grass.

Recalling this scene later, Star would describe it as if everything fell into slow motion from this moment on. Her senses heightened to such a degree that made her body work to perfection, if that was even possible. Vowing to send this fiendish hag back to where she came from, Star ran towards her. Closely avoiding a blow, she slid under her massive hand, getting hold of Legolas' sword which had been lying on the ground at her feet.

She handled two swords with ease. It came natural to her. Circling them in her hands, she flexed her muscles as she prepared to attack. It wasn't going to be easy…the monster was fast, but she had to find a way to stop it!

Just at that moment more elf arrows were released, two hitting the creature on the shoulder. Letting out another high-pitched squeal she turned to face the elves. This was the moment Star was waiting for. In one swift movement she sprang into action. Using the creature's knee as leverage, she jumped high enough to slash the she-orc across the chest making it shriek again, this time in agony. She then circled it swiftly, using both blades in her mission to maim the opponent, until the creature fell on one knee.

Star was just about to bury both swords in her when the she-orc reached out…a movement so sudden that it took her completely by surprise. Grabbing the elleth by the neck in a vice like grip, she lifted her off the ground. Opening her hideous mouth, she was just about to sink her yellow pointed teeth in Star, its aim to rip her in half.

But at this point Star was ready to combust. The fire burning inside her was consuming her as anger filled every inch and pore of her body. She was blinded by rage, lit up to a degree where she thought she was going to explode. She felt the heat and energy rising and leaving her body to spread all around. From between gritted teeth elvish words started forming which she had no control over. Yet she knew exactly what they meant, understood every single word she was murmuring. The elvish curse was aimed at not merely destroying but disintegrating the creature in front of her.

These words she repeated over and over again until she felt the beast easing her grip, eyes open wide in fear now as she felt that the battle was over and that she was facing death. Her hand let go of Star as it limped lifelessly at its side.

Men, elves and orcs stood still as they watched transfixed Star still hovering in mid-air, eyes fixed on the creature, mouth moving, muttering inaudible spells; when suddenly she slowly raised her hands to release a flash of blinding white light that ripped the hideous hag from the face of Middle Earth.

Star blinked at this point and dropped on the ground like a wilted flower, completely exhausted from the incredible energy she had exerted. She felt as if all her strength had been drained from her and was barely able to open her eyes as someone was holding her closely and calling out her name.

"Valadhiel!" came the voice again. Yes…she felt herself smiling…that was her name! She remembered now. She used all her strength left to open her eyes a fraction, only to find herself looking in the face of another elf with clear blue eyes. The eyes in her dream. She felt his tears wet her face as he hugged her closely to his chest, his head resting against hers. And she heard his words, "I am sorry. Please forgive me. I thought you were dead," just before darkness enveloped her world.