Can You Thaw This Heart Of Mine?

Chapter 16

In the next few weeks, another orc attack was sighted, but something seemed familiar.

"Lurtz?" said Legolas, bewildered, "what is he doing here?!"

"I do not know,my lord," said another elf, "but it is bound to be something big, even disastrous, if we do not stop him!"

"We must move out now!" ordered Legolas and as fast as you could expect, the elves made their way out into the forest.

"What could that monster want?" asked Tauriel, "is it merely because he wants to ruin our land or..."

"Or to wreak vengeance for Bolg's death, we could never know..." interjected Legolas as he shot her a cold yet concerned look. "Be careful out there...this is no ordinary orc."

Tauriel nodded and got her weapons ready.

"They killed my son...hit the prince where it'll hurt most..."

Lurtz's orders were as clear as day. Azog took great pride in his son, and though an orc he may be...he was still a father and he wanted the same thing to happened to the one who killed Bolg; according to the reports he received, the elf prince was willing to put his life at stake for a certain elleth. This was interesting...this was his key for the ultimate payback.

Now as his group moved and treaded their foul feet on the forest floor, Lurtz was willing to accomplish this mission, he had a few grudges for the elf prince as well.

"...hit the prince where it'll hurt the most..."

The orc figured that it was not Legolas that he needed to hit- it would be that redhead he heard about. A red haired elf...that was new,for him anyways.

Suddenly, an arrow flew, breaking his chain of thoughts. Fully alert, the orc was tensed at first, but then he laughed and relaxed his shoulders at the sight in front of him. It was unmistakable...

"Let me guess," he snarled, "you are that elleth that the prince took a liking to...I didn't know he had feelings!"

The orcs broke into laughter and Tauriel pulled her loaded bow, infuriated. "Don't bring any of my life into this!"

"No need to be hasty," assured the orc menacingly and strides towards her, considering the fact that Tauriel had her arrow pointed directly towards his head.

"Do not think I wouldn't shoot..." she threatened as her eyes fiercely sparked with inner flame.

Two orcs yelled behind and as he turned around, Lurtz saw the prince killing his comrades with his bow. "Stay away from her..." he ordered, pointing another arrow towards his head. "Now!"

"No need to rush, elf!" Lurtz hissed, and backed away. But a blur of dark muscle was soon seen and Legolas felt someone hit him in the gut. He winced in pain, but another blow was soon felt on his face, then another jab on his cheek.

The other elves fought the team of Lurtz, but Legolas knew that he was fading...his enemy was too fast!

Soon, he heard a war cry and his enemy stopped attacking. Tauriel had again risked her life for him but now, it was her life which is at stake.

He wrestled the elleth and fought her off. Instantly, he regretted wasting energy on the elf prince when he knew who he should really deal with: Tauriel.

"Get away from me!"yelled the elleth as she tried to stab Lurtz, but he was ahead of her. He grabbed both her wrists and pinned her against a thick tree. At this point, her fury was mixed with fear...could this orc kill her right now?

Amidst his blurry vision, Legolas could see Tauriel struggling. Filled with rage and determination, the ellon staggered up and went towards them when he saw how Tauriel forcefully kicked the orc away.

In response,Lurtz got a bow and a lying arrow, already tipped with the blood of a fallen orc, and pointed the weapon to Tauriel.

"...hit the prince where it'll hurt the most..."

He let go of the string and his bow twanged. The arrow,was sent flying and it was flying fast to Tauriel. Not knowing what to do anymore, the elleth shielded herself with her arm and braced for impact when something held her and wrapped its arms around her.

Opening her eyes, Tauriel gasped to find Legolas- his mouth shaped and his eyes full of pain. He breathed heavily, and he delicately caressed her cheek.

"I...love you..." he whispered and Tauriel felt his weight on her arms. She laid him down and gasped in horror when she saw what was protruding from his side. It was the arrow that was supposed to hit her. Tears flooded in and she embraced him close to her. This can't be real!

"No!" she yelled, "NO!"