O' weary traveler || lotr ||

25

Blood. There was so much blood. Great streams of crimson.

And amidst the blinding red, He could see the bodies of 2 men, 4 hobbits, an elf and a dwarf scattered lifelessly, carelessly around. Bodys of huge orcs, bigger than any he had seen before, littered the wasteland as well.

....Blade....Dagger....spear....
Axe....Bow....and Shield, lay discarded. The lifeless hands of their masters never to wield them again.

Fire licked the trees. The metallic smell of blood mixed with that of charring flesh.

His vision warped as the fire grew hotter, hungrier, greedier

And then his field of view shifted, he saw burning cities, orcs slaughtering innocents in the street.

desolation.... Destruction.... Despair

The white wizard stood atop a tower. Sarumann looked well-fed and clean, free from the Destruction

It made his blood boil

In the wizard's hands was a golden ring

Ah, So this was it, he realised, They had lost

When Ithil reopened his eyes he became quickly aware that they had set up camp for the night, hushed voices of Aragorn and Legolas floated in the air

He shot up at once, startling the awake members of the fellowship

"Ithil?" The blonde elf questioned seeing the panic in his friend's eyes

The dark-haired elf did not reply, his head whipped back and forth desperately,

"Find Frodo" he demanded looking at his brother, "Find him now!"

Aragorn stood up at once, only reaching for his sword before he darted off into the woods. He had learnt a long time ago not the question his brother.

"Ithil?" Legolas tried again

"Ready your bow, the battle is near" was the only reply he received before Ithil turned his attention to waking the sleeping hobbits and dwarf

Just as Ithil had warned, the battle was indeed drawing near, heavy footsteps approached from all sides

"Go now, hide in the bushes. I will protect you the best I can" he whispered to the 3 terrified hobbits, before handing Callon to Sam, "Keep her safe"

"I will, Mr. Ithil, I will" he promised before he, Merry, and Pippin began to crawl into the undergrowth and be hidden from view.

It was then the elves shared a glance, a grim smile crossed Legolas's features as he looked across the woods

"Find Aragorn, I will protect the hobbits" Ithil declared motioning from him and Gimli to go

Legolas looked conflicted, his gaze torn between the forest with Aragorn in it and the elf next to him. How could he choose when both were his friends?

"Go!" Ithil shouted again, Legolas bit his lip but this time turned and ran into the forest, but not before sparing a final glance at his friend

Who merely smiled before gesturing to his heart and bowing in the elven salute

"I will be fine" he whispered just loud enough for Legolas to hear.

I will be fine

The words rang in Legolas's ears. He hoped that Ithil would keep his promise. He hoped that more than anything.