Nepenthe [Legolas]

21

Elves and Man alike stood in lines behind the wall of many leagues. High up, they were protected, could feel the storm brew, the wind cry out, the clouds release, heaving mighty sighs as raindrops slowly fell. Moonlight and lanterns of fire provided their light and sound, where it failed, told them the rest of the story.

The Uruk-hai were nearly on their doorstep. Their thundering steps of ten thousand echoed grandly across the land, carrying forth to the soldiers standing guard.

The rain came down stronger now, thunder and lightning flashing around them, a perfect backdrop to a war such as this.

Viridis stood, Legolas and Gimli by his side, gaze stubbornly on the horizon as he watched the army come, watched them clad in their armor, their helmets resolved steel, their weapons glinting dangerously in the moonlight as they got closer and closer.

"Well lad," Gimli began, inclining his head upward so he could better see Legolas and Aragorn who joined their side but for a moment. "Whatever luck you live by, let's hope it lasts the night."

"Your friends are with you Aragorn," Legolas said to the man.

"Let's hope they last the night," Gimli added darkly, spluttering as the rain soaked his beard and coated his cheeks.

"Viridis," Aragorn said, demanding the Elf's attention he dipped his head. "On your call." He said, lingering only for a moment before removing himself, treading across the stone of the wall.

Viridis watched him go, heart hammering in his chest, determination etched onto his features as he listened to Aragorn call out to the Elven soldiers who stood in perfect unison facing forward as they watched the approaching army come to a halt behind the gates of Helm's Deep at the mighty bloodthirsty call of an Orc that now rose above the others.

"Show them no mercy for you shall receive none!" He called out, voice carrying grandly across the army, embedding its message into everyone's heads near and far. He took his place at the front of the row and met eyes with Viridis across many lengths. The Elf nodded back, lips pressed thinly together as his hands twitched by his sides. They were ready.

Gimli, by Legolas' side, jumped up, craning his head as he failed to see over the top of the stone wall. "What's happening out there?" He demanded.

Legolas merely smirked. "Shall I describe it to you," he glanced at Gimli. "Or would you like me to find you a box?"

The Dwarf paused for a moment, deadpanned, and looked to Viridis who did not look back, eyes locked on the halted Orc army, though he did not deny the ghost of a smirk on his own lips.

The Dwarf just laughed, a low hearty chuckle that quickly turned into a rushed silence as his eyes went wide when the Elves around them all drew their bows in succession, latching their arrows and aiming them downward as the Uruk-hai army began to thump their spears against the ground in rhythmic succession.

Viridis drew his own in time with the others, the motions flawless as he loaded and aimed, arms straight, eyes set forward, grip unrelenting.

"Oi, laddies," Gimli said, jumping so as to try and catch a glimpse of the army on the other side of the fortress wall. "I bet you I can kill more of these wretched beasts than you lot!"

Legolas moved not an inch as he held his arrow and only spoke lowly from the corner of his mouth. "Be careful what you wish for," Legolas said. "You're on." He agreed regardless.