Building Ithilien [Legolas] LOTR

The River Ran Red

Legolas flailed in the murky water. He had fallen into the river from great height, and his right shoulder had slammed into a boulder, knocking his knife from his hand. The swift current of the Anduin rushed over him as he frantically searched for his weapon. The clouds still blotted out the moon. With his bow still on the riverbank above and his knife somewhere in the river, the elf was unarmed and alone.

A breeze gathered, parting the clouds, and a thin strip of moonlight reflected off the river. His knife! Legolas grabbed for it, only an arm's length away. The handle felt warm and sticky. He held it up in the moonlight only to see that the blade dripped in gore.

When the clouds lifted completely from the moon, Legolas saw red everywhere. Blood streaked his chest, torso, and his hands. He felt the back of his throat burn and knew he was going to be sick. His chest still throbbed from the hit he had taken, and his shoulder felt on fire. He tumbled toward the edge of the river, fighting the push of the current.

Suddenly as before, a thick acrid odor assailed his nostrils. His enemy had returned. The prince pushed himself against a large outcropping of stones in the riverbed. He longed for his bow but praised the Valar that he had found his knife in time. The smell and the sound of the creature's breathing grew stronger.

From behind the rock, Legolas heard a guttural snarl, followed by ripping, flesh being torn from the bone. The water thrashed and swelled against his hiding place. Flecks of bone and meat floated past him. The splashing stopped. Legolas waited. He knew the fell beast still lingered. He could hear and smell its breath. He wondered if this was how it would all end for him. He rolled his shoulders back and gripped his knife. He mouthed a silent prayer to the Valar for courage and began to edge around the side of the rock. A pair of great, golden slits for eyes watched his every move.

Thinking he would slay this devil if only he could see it, Legolas could hardly discern its form for all the steam rising from the river. The beast's lidless, serpentine gaze gave forth a yellow beam of light, which pierced through the thick vaporous curls of smoke and steam to glower at him. He returned its stare, anticipating any move the monster might make. He had only one knife and only one chance.

Finally, the elf spoke, "We seek nothing but peace. Leave us, and no harm will come to you."

The creature snorted, and twin columns of steam shot toward the sky. His narrow orbs brightened, and then he spoke, "Well met, son of Mirkwood."

His eyes bored into the elf's, never ceasing. Legolas stood rooted, finding he could neither look away nor move.

He opened his mouth to speak, but his tongue felt dull and overstuffed. He could no longer feel the quiver on his back or his dagger in his hand. His shoulder ceased its throbbing as his entire body melted into numbness. The elf's mind wandered. He was neither awake nor asleep. The world vanished around him, save the golden eyes of the beast.

The creature taunted the prince, "Who would you sacrifice yourself for? Your ragged band of friends and woebegone maidens are no match for my strength. You are weak. I read it in your eyes. I know everything of your plans, prince of Mirkwood. I desire a much more formidable opponent. If you lead me to him, I will spare your life and most of your pitiful company." He licked his chops. "It has been so very long since I have savored the taste of elven kind, or should I say it had been so long, until tonight that is."

Legolas fell under his spell, and the beast's twisting words fettered his heart in self-loathing. The elf's eyes darkened beyond midnight, and his smooth features hardened with malice. All might have been lost had nature not intervened. It began to rain. Only slow, lazy drops met the river at first. Then lightning rent the heavens and a torrent of rain swept forth.