Gollum's Escape

Chapter Two: Battle before the Gate

The ground vibrated and the drums continued. Elven arrows rained down but the enemy paid them no mind. They marched towards the stronghold, tramping their fallen comrades.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Legolas scrambled back up the tree he had fallen from.

"Thaladir!" he called, "Get your soldiers on the ground. Attack them from behind." Thaladir gave a nod and the prince turned to his own archers.  "To me! We need to get to the bridge before they do." 

His warriors fell into step behind him as they ran along the tree branches heading for the stronghold. Legolas called out an order to climb higher as they caught up to the enemy. 

"Spread out!" His voice was barely audible over the pounding of the drums. They scaled as far up as they could, intent on climbing over the orc hoard. The river roared far below them.

The orcs scurried along beneath them but the elven warriors knew these trees like the backs of their hands. As soon the enemy passed under them, he called another order and they spread out further. 

"Bows!" Legolas called, "Aim!" He notched an arrow and let out a breath as the enemy advanced. Then, "Fire!"

Arrows thunked! into the front lines of the orcs and they toppled over, black shapes falling like shadows onto the ground. The elves fired again and another line fell, and then another. Over and over again until their arrow were nearly depleted. They dropped to the ground, their cloaks flapping in the wind behind them. "Fire!" Legolas shouted and another line fell, arrows protruding from their collapsing corpses. 

"Swords!" Medal rang out as bows were traded out for blades as the warriors advanced. Legolas stepped around the bodies of dead and dying orcs, sword poised. 

The orcs roared, slapping their fists into their chest in time with the still pounding drums. 

Then, the Easterling captain from before, an arrow now sticking out of his arm, raised his weapon and roared. The others joined him and Legolas raised his own blade in response.

"Charge!!" The prince's call rang out and he leaped forward, his warriors following behind him. He clashed with an orc on the front line and war cries quickly turned to cries of anguish as they fought back the hoard. 

Legolas cut the throat of one orc before turning and slicing the back of an Easterling. An orc charged at him, swinging its sword. Legolas blocked it, whipping his own around to free it. The orc stepped forward, forcing the prince to step to the side. Legolas readied his stance to fend off the incoming blow that was sure to come, but it never came. His heart thudded in his chest as the orc turned and ran from him, charging towards the stronghold.

"Protect the bridge!" Legolas cried. He took off at a run as the enemy swarmed the bridge. Fear gripped his chest as he plunged into the fray. There were too many orcs to see through to the other side. 

The pounding of the drums continued, drowning out any orders that might have come from the other side. 

Then, Legolas caught a glimpse of an orc banner coming from behind. He cursed, slicing the back of another orc before turning to face the new quarry. 

"To me! To me!" he shouted, blood pounded in his ears as only half of his unit drew in closer to him. They formed a circle the best they could, archers in the middle and swordsmen on the outer edge. 

Orc stench washed over them as the second troop advanced, trapping them. They fired once, twice, but when Legolas called for a third, nothing happened. 

"We're out!" one of the captains called. Legolas' heart sank. 

"Swords!" he cried. The orcs charge at them. Gleaming blades met rusted ones as they forces clashed. Legolas disbanded one, and then another. His arms ached as he slashed the head off another.