In One Day, I Promise (Legolas FanFic)

5. Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood

When I finally stirred the next morning, the sun was well into the sky. I still felt tired when I awoke though, and I felt as if something had stirred me. Rubbing my eyes, I sat up and pricked my ears. I didn't have to strain very much to hear, it sounded like a large army walking inside my head. I got up swiftly, panic coursing through me. Was it the Orcs? Had my father sent an army to find me?

Clambering up the tree with ease, I peeked out over the thick canopy of leaves, to where plains stretched over miles. I could make out shapes, lots of them, all walking in a long parade. There were men, women, horses, carriages and even dogs commuting with them. Most of them walked sullenly, but a few walked with springs in their steps, and I even heard laughter over the 'clip-clop' of hooves. Climbing down carefully, I broke into a light run, in the direction of the people.

After a while, I broke free of the drooping trees, and stood on the edge of the large grasslands. I watched in awe as the parade of people trooped past. I know saw that it wasn't just men and women- but children too. Some rode on their parent's backs, whilst others trudged besides them, most looking weary and tired. There were some that ran, and some more that laughed, but most were given sharp looks and angry words by their parents, and soon broke back into line.

I was so busy gawking at the people, that it took me a long while before I noticed the man staring at me. You do never know where and how you will meet people who will influence your lives, and you don't know who or what they will be. I didn't know that someday, he would become the most important person to me- and because of this, I panicked and lay flat on the ground.

I knew he'd seen me, but I hoped he would move on, and hoped he wouldn't pry too much. I wanted to get my bearings first, as my social skills were less than acceptable.

Heart thumping, I squinted to see through the grass strands, now the size of trees to my perspective. I waited a long time, I don't know how long, felt like a lifetime. Slowly, ever so slowly, I rose to my feet, after I was sure that I couldn't hear the hooves anymore. Sadness rippled under my skin, and I tried to push it down, but I couldn't help wishing I could've gone with them. They all had a purpose, a destiny, and alas, I hadn't found mine yet. I wish I knew.

I must've been dazed again, as I didn't hear the footsteps behind me, nor react quick enough to the soft, yet firm grip placed around my neck. If I had heard, I would've fled.

I struggled, and let out a cry of fear. Blonde hair fell over my shoulder.

I walked significantly behind the rest of the convoy, and walked with my brow furrowed and my heart somewhere not here. The tower of Isengard rose menacingly to my right, and I didn't even have to raise my eyes to feel the overbearing sense of darkness emanating from it.

I grimaced as I thought of home, as I thought of my father. He had been very misguided recently, and the people were starting to feel the pressing darkness. Thranduil's Halls were the only good in a place of spreading darkness, and I worried that the pressing forces would corrupt my father. The people are brave, but raising your children there is hard, spider attacks daily and Orc raids, not to mention Dol Guldur's seeping poison.

As I picked my eyes up off the ground, I glanced over to look at the old forest of Fangorn. It stood next to such an evil place, and the tree's bark was darker and blacker than it had been.

Suddenly, I spotted something- nay- someone. I turned hastily, so I could get a better look. It was a female- elf I would have thought, but maybe not- stood on the outskirts of the forest. I watched her, and she didn't move at all, and an odd smile was planted on her face. Our eyes met, and even at the far distance, I knew she'd seen me.

Hastily, she flattened herself to the ground, until only her fire-red hair showed any evidence of her being there. I reached for my dagger. Anyone this near to Orthanc had to be strange, and possibly a danger to the people.

I drew back further, until I could slip into the forest unseen, and sneak my way up to behind her. I waited silently, until Aragorn and the men were long gone. She knew this, too. Slowly, she got to her feet, and I fully saw her.

She was breath-taking.

She had red hair that was the colour of Lothlórien leaves, she was taller than a man, and had delicately pointed ears. Her hair was long and dull in colour, dust settling into its roots. Her frame was slender, and she had a delicate nook above her collarbones, and a gentle bridge on her nose, like a pathway over an elegant mountain.

It took me awhile to get my bearings, and when I did, I acted fast.

Gently, I placed her in a headlock- not hard enough that she couldn't get away, but hard enough that she wouldn't try. She jumped, evidently hadn't heard me coming.

"Let me go!" she cried out, and I spun her around to face me. She still struggled against my grasp, and kicked out towards my knees. Her blue eyes shone like lazuli stones, and they twinkled in a mixture of indignation and fear.

"Who are you, young elleth?" I asked, but she narrowed her eyes and pressed her lips together firmly.

"Speak!" I demanded, slight annoyance etching into my tone. She shook her head, and struggled harder.

"I speak to whom I wish and not whom wish me to!"

Before I could stop her, she whirled around with unprecedented force, breaking free of my grasps. She hurtled with the speed of the Valar towards Fangorn Forest.

"Stop!" I shouted, picking up into a sprint. It didn't take me long to catch the plucky elleth, as she slowed quickly, her legs catching as she ran. As I was within about ten metres, I could hear her breath racking in her lungs.

I leapt at her knees, and she toppled over, landing with her arms half outstretched in the dusty ground. She didn't try to run again, but resorted to sitting cross-legged, glaring at me. She still breathed deeply, panting even. She was weak and probably sick.

"You sound weak and not well, who are you?" I asked, moving nearer. She withdrew straight away, and her lip snagged upwards almost in a snarl. It was sinister, to see such a beautiful, Valar-given creature snarling like a warg.

"Who are you, and why are you lingering around such a dark place?" I asked, hoping my voice didn't portray my uneasiness. She stopped panting and glared at me, smirking still.

"I am Dúathiell, who are you?" she snarled, but even as she said her name, in such a bitter tone, she held pride in it, and said it as if it was the one thing she had left about her.

"I am Legolas, the Prince of Mirkwood, and you're going to come to Helm's Deep with me"