The Price of Pride

68: Silence the Heart

ActVI

The Shadows

Chapter 68: Silence the Heart

Hidden Forge of Eregion, September 26th-27th 3018 T.A

As Legolas moved further from the camp, he adjusted his weapons and set off, his mind caught between the memories of the Hidden Forge and the reaction Xena had when he presented her with the sword. Her surprise, her slight disbelief—it all reminded him of the times he'd been given gifts he felt unworthy to receive. He had seen the same guarded vulnerability in her eyes and, just for a moment, allowed himself the warmth of that connection. But he wouldn't let himself indulge beyond that moment. He knew better than to let fleeting emotions cloud his path.

The landscape around him was different than he'd expected, though. He paused, narrowing his eyes at the unfamiliar terrain. The grassy opening they had camped in was farther from the river than he had thought. His instincts guided him through the faintly familiar terrain, and as he pressed on, it became clear they had drifted from their intended path, possibly during the chaos of escaping the collapsing Forge. Legolas began to realize they had emerged much further North—somewhere near the old, forgotten path to Goblin-town.

The Goblin-town. Gandalf had recounted the tale years ago—the place was left in ruins after the Great Goblin's defeat. The town was now a desolate memory, avoided by most travelers, for it was said that remnants of darkness lingered there, and the paths remained treacherous. He glanced around, spotting no immediate sign of the horses and realizing with a sinking feeling that finding them would not be as simple as he had hoped. Frustration bubbled up as he turned back toward the camp, preparing himself for the inevitable conversation with the others. They were more lost than he'd anticipated.

Returning to the clearing, he saw Elladan and Elrohir were busy securing the ancient scripts, carefully packing them with what remaining provisions they had. Xena, meanwhile, was examining her newly acquired sword, a thoughtful expression on her face. She looked up as Legolas approached, noticing the slight frown on his face.

"Did you find the horses?" she asked, tilting her head as she took in his expression.

Legolas sighed, folding his arms. "It seems that our exit has taken us much further north than I anticipated," he admitted. "We're near the old path to Goblin-town."

Elladan straightened, his face shifting from calm to concern. "The Goblin-town? You're certain?" he asked, his brows knitting together.

"Yes. I recognize some of the landmarks." Legolas gestured to the landscape beyond, still dotted with jagged rocks and rugged slopes. "If we're as far north as I believe, it could take days to find the horses, assuming they haven't wandered back towards Rivendell."

Elrohir let out a low whistle, exchanging a glance with his brother. "We're practically on the doorstep of an ancient ruin filled with unknown dangers," he remarked dryly, his face bearing a wry smile. "And here I thought we'd be enjoying a leisurely ride back by now."

Xena chuckled, shouldering her sword with a playful grin. "So you're telling me, Prince of Mirkwood, that you dragged us down here, sword in hand, only for us to have to hike back through orc-infested paths?" She crossed her arms, mockingly narrowing her eyes at him. "I thought elves were supposed to have an impeccable sense of direction."

Legolas allowed himself a small smirk in return, despite his frustration. "If you had any better sense of direction, you would have warned me before we took the leap out of that chamber," he replied, a spark of challenge in his eyes.