The Lost Kingdom

Chapter 2: The Battle Begins

The next morning, Legolas and Aria stood side by side on the parapet of Helm's Deep, watching as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon. They were both dressed in their armor, their weapons at the ready.

Aria could feel the tension in the air. She had fought in many battles before, but she had never seen anything like this. The orcs were coming, and they were coming in force.

Suddenly, there was a shout from below. The first wave of orcs had arrived.

Legolas drew his bow and fired, his arrows finding their mark with deadly accuracy. Aria drew her sword and charged down the stairs, her heart pounding in her chest.

The battle was fierce and brutal. Aria fought with everything she had, her sword flashing in the sunlight as she cut down orc after orc. Legolas was beside her every step of the way, his arrows finding their mark time and time again.

But for every orc they killed, it seemed like ten more took its place. Aria could hear the sounds of battle all around her, the clash of steel against steel, the screams of the dying.

They fought for what seemed like hours, until finally, the orcs began to retreat. Aria looked around, panting for breath, and saw that the courtyard was littered with the bodies of the dead and dying.

But they had won. For now, at least.

Legolas came over to her, his face smeared with blood and sweat. "You fought well," he said, his voice low. "I am glad to have you fighting beside me."

Aria was too tired to speak, but she smiled at him. She knew that they had a long way to go before this war was over, but she was ready for whatever lay ahead.

Together, they stood on the parapet, watching as the sun began to set over the battlefield. They were warriors, and they had a job to do. But for now, they could rest and take comfort in each other's company.

The moorlands stretched out before them, vast and untamed, as Aria and Legolas rode side by side on their majestic horses. The wind whispered through the tall grasses, and the distant calls of unseen birds echoed in the air. Aria could feel the rhythm of her horse beneath her, its powerful muscles carrying her forward with grace and speed. She stole a glance at Legolas, his fair hair glinting like golden threads in the sunlight, and his keen eyes scanning the horizon ahead.

An awkward silence settled between them, as palpable as the heavy mist that clung to the moorlands. Aria's heart raced, not just from the intensity of the battle they had just fought, but from the turmoil within her. She had never experienced such feelings before, and she struggled to make sense of them. Legolas was undeniably attractive, and his bravery and skill in battle only added to his allure. But Aria knew she had more pressing matters to attend to—her duty to her people and the quest that lay ahead.

As they rode on, her mind wandered, and she fought back the emotions threatening to overwhelm her. She reminded herself that it was exhaustion and the adrenaline from the battle that stirred these unfamiliar sensations, nothing more. Her focus had to remain on the task at hand, protecting her people and aiding in the fight against the darkness that threatened to engulf Middle-earth.

She thought of her father, who had fallen in battle, fighting for their kingdom's freedom. His memory fueled her determination, and she silently vowed to carry on his legacy, to be the strong and resolute leader he would have been proud of. Her mother's absence was a mystery, and though Aria wondered about it from time to time, she had long since learned to suppress those questions, burying them deep within her heart.

Aria had always been aware of her Uncle Tharion's ambitions, his desire to seize power for himself, but she had never known the depths of his treachery until recent events. She knew he would stop at nothing to gain the crown, and Aria couldn't afford any weakness that might give him an advantage.

Yet, amidst all the turmoil and responsibility, the image of Legolas lingered in her mind like a tantalizing enigma. She was torn between the duties of her heart and the obligations of her role. The desire to focus on their growing friendship battled against her instincts as a leader and a warrior.

The journey seemed interminable, but eventually, they reached the end of the moorlands. The sight of the looming forests ahead broke the silence between them, and Legolas turned to Aria, his eyes kind but unreadable. They were nearing their destination, where the Fellowship awaited, and Aria knew her life was about to change even more.

As they rode into the depths of the forest, Aria let her thoughts drift away, focusing on the path ahead. She knew that the challenges she faced were far from over, and the weight of her destiny felt even heavier now. But she was ready to face it all, to fight for what was right, and to protect those she loved.In the presence of Legolas, she would guard her heart against distraction and temptation. She would stand firm against the emotions that threatened to consume her. For her people, for the lives that needed saving, she would put aside personal longings, including the unexpected affection she felt for the elven prince. Their journey together was just beginning, and she couldn't afford to falter now. The fate of Middle-earth rested on their shoulders, and Aria was determined to see it through to the end.