Ariadne Hawkenshire, daughter of King Arthur, stands in a hidden persona amongst the strongest warriors known. Legolas, son of King Thranduil, sees her as she is.
Was previously called As Quick as an Arrow.
Written following the three movies with a...
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Chapter five.
Ariadne stands in front of the Orc Army, hands clasped in front of her as she looks down upon the creatures. Alexandre and two knights stand behind her, watching with emotionless faces, masking their worry for their Queen. The Orc army flooded into the Kingdom, their army screaming and shouting in sadistic cheers as a group of them set a thatched roof on fire.
"Is this your army?" The Orc snarls, the grey Orc's wicked eyes squint up at her.
"I have a proposition for you," Ariadne looks down at the Orc as it tilts its head at her in questioning, "I am sure delivering the head of the Queen of Ambernshire would be a great pleasure for you, as would it be to put your head on a spike for all the Kingdoms to see," Ariadne walks down the castle steps as Alexandre watches worriedly, "It is either you or I."
The Orc's yellow eyes follow the Queen as she stop just a few steps above him, "What are you suggesting, woman?"
"I kill you and your army leaves Ambernshire alone, and then I'll kill them on the battlefield in Gondor," Ariadne says, resting her hands on the handle of the sword, "You kill me and you carry on your attack on Ambernshire."
"How do I know that you will stick to your proposition?"
Ariadne looks over her shoulder, nodding to her brother who quietly talks to the Knights. The two nod, moving to open the Castle doors. Ambernshire's army, men and women dressed in silver armour, the Hawkenshire family crest resting on their shoulder pads. Ariadne turns back to the Orc.
"I kill you and your army does not retreat, then my army will kill them," Ariadne answers, "You kill me and then your army can take Ambernshire."
"There are three commanders here-"
"Then I shall challenge all three of you."
Alexandre swallows thickly, sharing a look with the knight by his side, who shared the same worried expression.
The Orc turns around, murmuring to the Orc by its side. It turns back around, holding a dagger to its hand, "We will spill our own blood to keep our words."
Ariadne watches as the Orc, slicing his palm, squeezing his hand in a fist to let the blood fall through his fingers and drop onto the stone below, the two other Orc's walk forward to do the same. Ariadne walks down the few last steps, taking her father dagger from her side, she slices her own palm, letting the blood run over her palm and dropping onto the stone below.
The Orc raises his hand and the army behind him falls back a few feet allowing there to be space. Ariadne places her dagger back at her side, taking her sword as the three Orcs did the same. Ariadne yelled as she blocked a strike, taking her dagger in her other hand to stab it in the shoulder, kicking it back. An Orc, pale yellow skin covered in boils and angry scars, tall and build, swings at her, his axe slamming into the ground beside her. Ariadne with all her might, slams her sword through its arm making it squeal in pain, tumbling back to the ground as the Orc army shout.
Alexandre watches in awe as Ariadne and the two Orc's clash, the three battling, the clash of steel echoing through the Kingdom. The Orc's cheer as Ariadne is punched, sending her tumbling to the floor, she acts quickly kicking one in the knee sending it painfully fall forward. Ariadne takes her dagger from its shoulder, to then stab it in the head making it slump against the floor. The last Orc snarls at her, drool dribbling down its chin as it takes a step back, letting her get up.
Ariadne spit blood from her mouth, blood running down her chin as she drops her sword into the chest of the Orc who is still withering in pain, clutching his arm. Her knuckles turn white as she tightens her hand around her dagger, she ducks under the harsh swing, stabbing the dagger through its wrist making it drop his curved sword. Punching the Orc as hard as she could in the face making it fall on its back. Catching her breath, she takes her dagger from its wrist, the Orc watches as she towers over him, stepping on his sword that was only fingertips away.
Her Kingdom cheers behind her as the three Orcs lay dead at her feet. The Orc army shout angrily, taking a step towards the Queen. Ariadne raises her sword, the sharp end pointing into the chest of the one in front of her as her Knights raise their bows, arrows drawn towards the army.
"You either die here or on the battle field in Gondor," Ariadne says, smirking as she tilts her head at them, "Your choice."
---
"Legolas,"
Legolas looks over his shoulder, smiling gently at the Hobbit as he sat down beside the Elf. The two sat on the boulder watching as the sun dips between the valley.
"Do you think Lady Ariadne will be okay?" Merry asks, wrapping the green cloak around his shoulders tighter.
"I believe Ariadne will be okay," Legolas replies, "Ariadne is strong and brave, she will fight with all the wrath of Middle Earth."
Merry hums, taking some Elvish bread from his waistcoat pocket, "Lady Ariadne saved some for Pippin and I," He hands some to Legolas, making the Elf smile gratefully, "I am very thankful for her kind heart."
Legolas smiles, "As am I."
Merry takes a large bite of the bread and Legolas looks over his shoulder at Gimli who leans against his axe, nodding in the direction of Aragorn who holds the reins of his horse, walking towards dark shadows that lingered in the break in the mountains. Legolas stands to his feet, placing a gentle hand on Merry's shoulder, making the Hobbit look up at him.
"Have courage Merry, you have fought well," Legolas says, patting the Hobbit's shoulder, "The Shire is around the corner, you'll be home soon."
Merry watches as Legolas walks away with Gimli, he sighs, shoulder dropping as he turns back to the sun set.
---
"Rohan will meet us at dawn in Gondor, we must leave now to meet them,"
Alexandre strides beside his sister, the two walking down to the stables as the army begin to get ready for the battle. Each brave warrior is given a horse to ride, silver metal armour and a pointed helmet with golden lining, and a weapon made from the strongest metal. Alexandre holds his father's helmet under his arm as he climbs onto his grey horse, matching his sisters own as the two ride out in front of the army.
Ariadne looks over her shoulder at her home, before her eyes meet her brothers, who gives her a gentle smile, "We ride straight to Gondor."
"We win this war and come home, Ariadne,"
Ariadne places her crown upon her head, smiling as the army erupts in cheers for their Queen. Alexandre moves beside her as the gates open and the siblings lead the army towards the last battle to end the war.
