The Witch of Mirkwood

Chapter 19 - The Sickness

When morning broke she was still under the tree. She lay sleeping across Legolas's lap and she was wrapped in his cloak. Aragorn stepped over to them and put his hand on the elf's shoulder.

"Some of the men are sick" he said, Nicassius opened her eyes when she heard Aragorn's voice and sat up turning to see. Half a dozen of the men lay still in their beds looking pale. She went over to one of the young riders who was lying on the floor groaning

"He has a fever" she called back to Aragorn and Legolas as she placed her hand on his forehead. She moved around to the other men who lay motionless, feeling each of their foreheads "they all do" she said concerned. The elves seemed fine and stood around watching in confusion. Niall was on his feet and she ran over placing her hand on his face "are you ok?" she asked concerned

"Yes I am fine" he said as her took hold of her hand "but where is Neymar?"

Neymar was nowhere to be seen, Nicassius scanned around the campsite looking for him. The sickness seemed to affect all of the men except Aragorn, Niall and two of the other riders.

"Help them onto their horses" Aragorn said to one of the healthy riders

"We must find Neymar" Nicassius said with panic in her voice as she ran back towards Niall, and with that Niall set off to look for him

"I do not like the look of this"'Legolas confided to Aragorn "something strange is stirring, I can feel it"

"What shall we do" the other rider asked Aragorn "we cannot continue with the men so sick, we cannot lift them"

"Bring them water" Aragorn said "they will have to stay here until they are fit enough to move"

Legolas took hold of Nicassius by her shoulders, her turned her towards him and felt her forehead in fear she may also be also be ill "I am fine" she said in a panic "we must find Neymar"

"Stay here" He replied "I will find him"

"Don't let her leave" he signalled to one of elves as he headed off into the trees

She stood around helpless, Aragorn had also headed off after Legolas and the other elves were getting the horses ready to leave so when they were not looking she went into he trees to look for Neymar herself.

She searched for about five minutes then she saw something move through the trees in the distance "Neymar" she shouted as she ran towards him. As she got closer she saw a horse tied to a tree, it did not look like any of the horses belonging to the company she was with, it was huge, and the blackest horse she had ever seen, it had a thick black leather saddle, its head was covered with in black leather, and she thought she saw a glimmer of red in its eyes. She moved towards it slowly, then she heard a branch crack behind her, out of the corner of her eye see saw movement, turning quickly but there was nothing there, she let out a deep breath. As she inhaled again she suddenly felt a hand move across her face, covering her mouth quickly and pulling her into the cold leather clad body that was behind her, out of the corner of her eye she saw the blade of a knife, it moved swiftly towards her throat and she froze, unable to move or speak

"Hello Nicassius" whispered the melodic voice "do not scream and I will let Neymar live".

"Move slowly towards my horse over there" the voice said. afraid for her brothers life she did as she was told, she was ordered to climb aboard and the green eyed man climbed up behind her. He was dressed from head to toe and black leather with a long black cloak. She blinked her eyes a few times hoping she was in another dream, but she wasn't dreaming "did you like the birthday present I sent you?"

"You made them sick?"She asked? he didn't reply as he took hold of the reins and rode off.

"Where is my brother?" She said as they rode at great speed

"Save your breath, you will need it" the man ordered

Neymar strolled into camp wondering what all the fuss was about "where have you been?" Aragorn said as he appeared from the trees

"I went to get water" he replied "the men are ill"

Soon afterwards Niall appeared "do not do that to me brother, we though something bad had happened to you"

"Where is Nucassius?" Legolas snapped as he retuned "you let her leave!" He spat to one of the elves, he drew his bow and raced off into the trees

"What's his problem?" Neymar said "she can't be far"

Aragorn chased after Legolas as he tracked her scent to the spot where the horse had been, he bent down and stroked his fingers over the hoof marks.

"No" he whispered to himself

"Legolas what is it?" Aragorn said as he caught up to him

"He has taken her!" He shouted as he raced back to find his horse.