The Mysterious Fate #wattys2016

Breaking of the Fellowship

Lana opened her mouth to clarify who it was that was coming, but Legolas sprinted off into the woods like a stag. His long blond hair and cloak trailing behind him. Blinking she looked to Gimli.

His brown eyes gleamed and he hefted his ax. "Yes!" He cheered. "Come on, lass!" He cried then charged after the elf.

Lana stood there stupidly wondering just what exactly was going on. Moving to follow them she froze after a dozen paces. It wasn't Frodo or Boromir that Legolas had heard. It was something very different; and it put the fear for her life into her very soul.

In the distance, she could hear it. A battle. There was the clash of weapons, shouts and grunts and growls. Lana couldn't move. She knew she should be racing after her friends to help them, but her feet wouldn't obey.

Then she realized she was completely alone and the fighting was getting closer. Suddenly mobile again she took off after the elf and dwarf. Racing past trees and through the undergrowth she called out for them.

"LEGOLAS? GIMLI?" She cried for the fifth time. "Fuck. Where are you?" She spun around trying to find their trail. A dark foreboding feeling welled up in her when she received no reply.

"Damn-damn-damn-DAMN! Where are you guys? ...Please…please answer…" She murmured to herself.

She hated to admit it, but she was terrified. This wasn't like the battles she had seen at home. There were no bullets or explosions. At least she knew what to do when confront by those! No, she was alone with those demon-creatures somewhere in the woods around her.

Feeling abandoned she bit her lip trying to calm her mind enough to think through her situation rationally. Instinctively she knew panicking would only make things worse. She tried calling again, but there was no reply. A new thought bloomed in her mind. What if her calls attracted the enemy? She swallowed hard at that. Backing up slowly against a tree she rested her hand on the hilt of her sword.

"I am not afraid," she declared with more determination than she felt. Her hand tightened on her sword. "I've been through battles before. I've been trained. Just keep a level head," she continued to coach herself.

I am not afraid…

o0o

Legolas raced under the arched ruins of Amon Hen firing his great Lórien bow with precise accuracy. The beasts fell under a rain of golden fletched arrows. The elf's eyes gleamed brightly as he whipped around using his weapon to deadly effect. These creatures were nearly twice the size of those he had seen in the past. And they were far stronger. But they were no match for the elven warrior.

Aragorn was slashing away at the monstrous orcs with vicious strokes. These "uruk-hai," as Celeborn had called them, were not intimidated by the Ranger nor Legolas. They swarmed the hillside in alarming numbers.

"Where are they? Let me at 'em!" Gimli roared as he jumped into the fray.

His ax whirled and hacked with amazing dexterity for one so short. He was his own maelstrom of death. Legolas felt a trickle of relief knowing that Gimli had his back. No matter their differences, Legolas knew he could count on the stout warrior. Better to have a dwarf cover you than an orc blade!

Moving in a continuous ballet of deadly intent his bow sang with the twang of battle. Glancing up Legolas saw Aragorn trying to break away from the pack that swarmed around them. Doubtless he meant to help Frodo and the hobbits who Legolas had seen descending the hill. He shot a clear path for the man.

"Aragorn, go!"

The Ranger moved quickly out of the way while his companions kept the enemy engaged.