I Will Always Come Back

Chapter 6

I didn't know why the Wargs wouldn't attack during the night. We were all awake and alert, and now they decide to attack us? Something isn't right here. Either way, we all took out our weapons, and fought before they could get to us. I fired two arrows at once; they both hit separate targets, and the Wargs fell to the ground, dead. Then, Gandalf takes out his sword, Glamdring, and pierces the heart of the nearest one. Arnos runs up with his long daggers and slashes at the Wargs, without fear. He kills three of them as I watch. Suddenly, a Warg jumps at me, but with reflexes ony an Elf could have, I pull out my knives and slash across its chest, and it falls instantly to the ground.

There are so many of the Wargs, we all get lost in a frenzy of attacking and being attacked. It was like some killing instinct had been awakened in us. There were wolves attacking us, and we attacked right back, without hesitation, without fear. Soon, there were so many Warg bodies around us, we were tripping with every step.

Eventually, the Wargs stopped coming, and it was just us in the wilderness, with about twenty dead wolves around us. Then, we collapsed to the ground, and just laid there, exhausted. I was the first to get up, and I searched everyone for wounds. Nobody had any cuts, not even a scratch. I guess the frenzy mode we were all in saved us.

After everybody got up, we drinks some water, and then we started out. I was surprised as to how well Gandalf had healed my leg. It still didn't hurt, even after fighting those Wargs. Tauriel smiled at me as I looked at my leg in wonder. "Still can't believe it's almost good as new?" she joked.

"No," I stated simply. I wasn't joking.

"Well, you should get used to it soon enough. Either way, you will need it on this journey. We lost quite a bit of time when you passed out. Thank the Valar Gandalf saved you," she said. I saw in her eyes that she was relieved, and there was also something I couldn't quite tell. I smiled at her, still puzzling over that second emotion. I had no idea whatsoever what it could have been. I continued walking.

Soon, I realized it was very quiet. Something wasn't right, but there were no signs of immediate danger, so I ignored it and decided to talk to Gandalf. He looked like he was concentrating very hard on his surroundings, and I hesitated before talking to him. When I did, he started, and I felt bad for interrupting his thoughts. "Gandalf?"

"Yes, Legolas?" he said, after getting over his surprise.

"What does the whole thing about the One Ring involve Mirkwood?" I asked, even though I thought I already knew the answer.

Gandalf thought about this for a moment. Then, he said, "The One Ring is pure evil. It wants power, as did Sauron himself. The only way it will sate its need for power is if the whole of Middle Earth is under its control. That includes Mirkwood, and all of the other parts in this world. Even after that, Sauron and the ring may not be satisfied. They may want to take over the Undying Lands, and all of the other parts of the world. That is why Mirkwood is involved with this madness," Gandalf finished.

This was not exactly what I had expected. I thought it would be as simple as finding and retrieving the ring, not this whole power obsession. "Woah," I said, awestruck, "I had no idea it was this big of a deal. I mean, I knew it put Middle Earth at risk, but I didn't now to what extent."

Gandalf chuckled. "Few do. At least you understand it. There are many who don't."

"What would Sauron do with all of this power?" I asked.

"He would rule all of the cities, towns, and villages known to the Free People. He would burn them, crush them, destroy them, and leave the ones who live there grief stricken and homeless. He would make it so we knew no happiness, no joy, only pain and loss. He would make life itself painful," he said dramatically.

I stood there gaping at his words. I was at a complete loss for words, and what he had told me was haunting my thoughts. Would that actually happen? If this whole plan failed, would this world be torn apart? Would life as we know it be no more? I just continued walking, barely aware as to what I was doing, just playing these questions through my mind. Then, another question came to mind: would there still be love in this world?

That question was completely random. Why was I thinking this? I had only been in love a few times, and I knew how it could hurt, but I hadn't loved somebody in over fifty years! Could I be in love now, or was it just a question that I wondered in my past? I started to get very confused, and it felt like my mind was being beaten up. I felt light-headed and stumbled a bit, but then I regained my composure and snapped out of my trance. I looked around me, a bit red in the face out of embarrassment. I saw Tauriel look at me and tilt her head a little bit, as if saying, what is wrong? I shook my head. It's nothing.

I walked over to her to talk. "What happened?" she asked, "You and I both know that Elves do not lose their balance unless there is something very wrong." I looked into her eyes. They showed quite a bit of worry, and as she met my gaze, she had that other unknown emotion in them, and she turned slightly red. I think I knew what it was, but I didn't want to admit it to myself. Not yet.

"I'm fine," I assured her, "It's just what Gandalf told me. I got a bit lost in my thoughts and stumbled." I smiled at her, wanting to make sure she knew I was alright. She made it seem like it was, but there was still a hint of doubt in her gaze. "Honestly! Don't worry about me. It's Middle Earth we should be concerned about." That seemed to be enough. She smiled at me, and looked onward, towards the setting sun. The sunset lit up her hair, and made it look like glowing strands of fire on her head. She looked beautiful, with her green eyes glowing in the sunlight. I contented myself with just watching her for a few minutes. Then, it was time to stop for the night.