✓ 𝙈𝙮 𝙁𝙖𝙚 ━━ Legolas

・.・✫Ten ✓

୨⎯ Chapter 10⎯୧
"Carnage"

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"WHAT IS HE DOING, Legolas?" I asked, my voice tinged with disbelief as I watched Aragorn lower his head to the ground. "It looks like he's sleeping. Is now really the best time for that?"

Aragorn silenced me with a quick "Shh," and I bit back a retort.

Legolas observed Aragorn's actions with a furrowed brow. "He seeks guidance from the earth," he whispered. "Aragorn listens to the vibrations, seeking insight into our enemy's movements."

I watched in awe as Aragorn remained motionless, his concentration unbroken. When he finally rose, a sense of determination flickered in his eyes.

"We must hurry," Aragorn declared, his voice firm with purpose. "The Uruk-Hai move swiftly, and we cannot afford to fall behind."

As Legolas urged Gimli to keep pace, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the stout dwarf. His weary form lagged behind, every step a struggle against the pursuit that had left us all drained and exhausted.

"Come on, Gimli!" Legolas called out, his voice a gentle encouragement tinged with concern.

Gimli's response was laced with exhaustion. "Three days and nights pursuit. No food, no rest, and no sign of our quarry, but what bare rock can tell!"

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"Not idly do the Leaves of Lorien fall," Aragorn spoke, examining a brooch he'd found.

"Maybe they just got tired of hanging around," I suggested with a grin, earning a few chuckles and an eye roll from Aragorn.

I walked over to Legolas, who surveyed the landscape. "What are you thinking, my prince?" I questioned, my hand resting on his arm.

He turned to face me, smiling at the gesture. "They may yet be alive," he declared, his voice a quiet reassurance.

I nodded in agreement. "I wholeheartedly agree. We will find them. But for now, you'll just have to endure my dashing company," I jested.

He smiled fully now, leaning forward to press his lips to my cheek. "That sounds wonderful, my love."

"Are you quite done yet?" Aragorn called out, his voice a little impatient. "Less than a day ahead of us. Come!"

As we pressed on, Gimli's weary form stumbled, yet he remained steadfast. "I'm wasted on cross-country," he grumbled good-naturedly. "We dwarves are natural sprinters! Very dangerous over short distances!"

I couldn't help but laugh. "I can see that. What a great honor to witness your mighty speeds," I remarked.

As we crossed into the grasslands of Rohan, Aragorn's grim words spoke volumes. "Rohan, home of the Horse Lords. There is something strange at work here. Some evil gives speed to these creatures, sets its will against us."

"There is nothing here but rocks and grass. What are you expecting to see?" I questioned, squinting at the horizon. Unfortunately my fae eyes weren't as good as elves.

Legolas squinted, his keen elven eyes scanning the distance. "The Uruks turned north-east," he declared. "They're taking the Hobbits to Isengard!"

As we continued our run, Legolas suddenly halted. "A red sun rises... blood has been spilled this night," he spoke softly.

Exhaustion finally caught up with me, and I doubled over, gasping for breath. Legolas approached with concern. "Liairse, are you alright?"

I straightened up, forcing a weak smile. "I'm fine," I panted. "Just... need to... work out more. Might need to sprout out my wings soon."

Suddenly, the sound of horses caught our attention. We immediately took cover as a large group of riders passed by. But stupidly Aragorn revealed himself.

"Riders of Rohan! What news from the Mark?" he called out.

The riders quickly surrounded us, spears at the ready. "What business does two elves, a man, and a dwarf have in the Riddermark? Speak quickly!" Their leader demanded.

"Excuse me, but I am not just an Elf, I'm a Faerie! Can't you see we look nothing alike?!" I yelled, offended.

The tension escalated quickly, with Gimli and their leader exchanging heated words. Legolas drew his bow, positioning himself protectively in front of me.

Aragorn, ever the diplomat, stepped in to defuse the situation. "I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn. This is Gimli, son of Gloin, Legolas of the Woodland Realm, and Liairse, from the Faerie Realm. We are friends of Rohan, and of Theoden, your King."

The leader who we learned was named Eomer, informed us grimly that they had slaughtered the Uruks during the night. My heart sank at the news. "There were two Hobbits. Did you see two Hobbits with them?" I inquired desperately.

Eomer's response was grim. "We left none alive. We piled the carcasses and burnt them."

As the riders departed, leaving us with horses, we turned our gaze towards the pile of dead in the distance. "I pray to Valar let it not be true," I whispered as we prepared to mount.

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The scene at the battle site was grim, the stench of death hanging heavy in the air. As we searched for signs of Merry and Pippin, grief threatened to overwhelm us.

When Gimli found a small belt belonging to one of the hobbits, I felt my anger rise. With a yell, I unleashed my power, causing the earth to tremble beneath our feet.

But hope was not lost. Aragorn, ever observant, began to piece together what had happened. "A hobbit lay here. And the other," he murmured, tracing their path. "They crawled. Their hands were bound. Their bonds were cut... They ran over here... they were followed."

His keen eyes led us to the edge of Fangorn Forest. "Tracks lead away from the battle," he observed.

"Why on earth would they go in there?" I wondered aloud, eyeing the dense, foreboding woods.

Legolas voiced his concern. "There are old and restless things in that forest."

Aragorn nodded, his gaze fixed on the shadowy depths of Fangorn. "Whatever drove them into those woods, we must follow. Our friends are in grave danger, and we cannot afford to delay."

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