The Red Rider (a Legolas FanFiction)

Chapter 1

Merilin pulled the string of her bow back numerous times as orcs pilled down into the valley she stood in. Arrows appeared when she put her fingers to her chin, and she braced herself for the onslaught of familiar explosions her arrows released.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

She huffed in annoyance as more came blundering down the hills.

"How many more do you think it will take for them to realize it is futile?"

"I suspect many more my friend!" her steed, Malakai snorted back, stomping his fiery hooves on the barren ground.

We have to get to higher ground! Shadow shouted.

"Easier said than done!"

Just get on Malakai's back and charge up already! Your wasting your energy!

"Argh! Fine!" Merilin spat, shrugging Shadow back onto her shoulder. She ran to Malaki's side, swinging onto his back as soon as he lowered himself.

Together the woman and demon horse galloped up the valley, coming closer and closer to the orcs. Merilin braced herself against Malakai's black mane.

WHACK!

Orcs were smacked to the side by Malakai's huge body. Those who were trampled by his hooves were left with great burn marks along their faces and bodies, leaving them howling in pain.

Barrelling his way through the masses, dodging claws and weapons of all sorts, Malakai just barely made it through the hoard. His canter was slowed as he pushed against orcs, but as soon as they were flying free from the bodies of orcs, Malakai galloped harder and faster than he had ever gone before. They shot off with the left over orcs battling after them on wargs and bare feet.

Merilin's heart roared, her vision blurry and a sick feeling rested uneasily in her stomach. She could see Malakai was running on adrenaline, for his eyes burned a brighter red than she how had normally seen them. The inside of his nostrils and ears glowed orange as the fire raged on inside his body.

She held tight to his mane, looking back to see the wargs were too close for comfort.

"There gaining on us! Run faster Malakai!"

Malakai panted, "I'm trying!" He really was; hooves like thunder to the earth's surface.

Use me! Merilin!

Taking a deep breath, the woman did as she was told. She pulled back the string, turning in the saddle. She shot one arrow, but it missed by a long shot. She was thrown off for having never shot on horseback before.

She let out a strangled scream in frustration, pulling back another shot. She fired high into the air and the arrow sailed, landing straight in the middle of the hoard.

The explosion was catastrophic. So much so that the impact sent Malakai down and Merilin was flung, screeching from his back. They tumbled for a good few metres before they stopped.

Merilin gasped as pain ravaged her body. A rib must have broken, she knew her shoulder was dislocated, and she had a big bloody gash along her face and body.

She flipped off her back, shakily stumbling to her feet. She held a hand to her rib, groaning as pain coursed through her.

She took a few deep breaths and straightened her back as much as she could.

The smoke cleared, and she felt her heart plummet.

"Oh you have got to be kidding me!" She spat. 30 orcs and two wargs had apparently lived through the explosion, and they were headed straight for her.