Building Ithilien [Legolas] LOTR

Between Sky and Earth

Not since that fateful day on Amon Hen, had Legolas felt so helpless as he did now. He could only watch as the dragon vaulted up in the sky and then hurtled toward Miredhel. Her eyes blazed through unshed tears as she bit her lip in determination. Legolas stole a look at Eledhel as they rode toward her. They would not be able to make it in time, and both elves knew the truth of it. They were out of range and utterly incapable of lending assistance. All the color drained from Eledhel's face as he watched the scene unfold.

"Eledhel! Eledhel, listen to me!" Legolas commanded. "Ride for the bridge. Perhaps we can draw him away from her."

As Eledhel kicked in his heels to speed toward the bridge, the dragon at that very moment swept from the clouds toward the earth. Miredhel fired arrows in succession at its mouth and eyes, but most withered and were lost in the beast's fiery breath. The dragon stretched outs its claws to grab her where she lay, and Legolas cursed. She should not die, so young so fair. He had seen many less deserving than she face death and live. Neither he nor Eledhel had proved successful in attracting the dragon's attention. Still, he had to do something. Legolas was not one to sit by and idly watch anyone die, so he drew his long bow, pulled an arrow and fired. His shot did little but to alert the dragon to his and Eledhel's presence and perhaps anger the beast even more. With a swish of his powerful tail, the dragon roared and then triumphantly snatched his prize in his long claws.

Miredhel cried out as his cruel talons pierced her side, and she twisted vainly in his grip. Blood ran freely down from her upper arms and torso where the monster's claws gouged into her skin. She knew she had little time to act, for dragon's vengeance came swiftly. If only she could loosen her arm, then she could free the small dagger she kept in her belt.

The dragon flew low toward the bridge, and Legolas chased him, carefully aiming his arrows so not to strike Miredhel. The dragon fully intended to spoil and devour this elf maiden in plain view of her companions to torment them, so he rose into the sky and turned a loop to taunt the elf who rode behind him. Foolish elves, he would teach them what it meant to suffer.

The dragon released his grip on the maiden in order to squeeze her all the more tightly and make her scream as he passed over the elf on horseback. But as his claws relaxed, Miredhel freed her arm and pulled the dagger from her waist. Summoning all the strength within her, she drove her blade into the soft flesh under the dragon's foreclaw. He howled and released her. Furiously beating his wings, he shot into the sky and shook his claws to dislodge the knife. His prize temporarily forgotten, the dragon darted through the clouds and disappeared. Relieved to escape, Miredhel now pulled her arms to her sides in pain as she found herself falling between sky and earth. There was little she could do to save herself now.

Legolas gasped as he watched her fall and then spurred Arod forward. He would not allow this maiden to escape the dragon's claws, only to watch her plummet to her death. He jumped from his horse and then positioned himself to catch her. She fell into his arms with such force that his injured arm and shoulder gave out, and he stumbled backwards. Both elves rolled to the ground, and Legolas pulled her close to him and breathed a prayer of thanks to the Valar.

He opened his eyes and realized that he still held her tightly as she lay haphazardly across him. The elf managed a weak smile and choked out, "I think you knocked the wind out of me."

"That is hardly flattering," she said breathlessly. Her heart still raced in her chest, and she tried to keep herself from shaking. Legolas released her, and she sat up, only to clasp her sides with a grimace. Red blossomed from the torn sides of her riding dress, where a deep gash scored her midriff. Legolas noticed it too, but nothing could be done for her now, for their foe's return seemed imminent.

He stood and asked her if she could ride, and she nodded bravely. "Good," he replied. "We must, for the dragon will return, even more irritable than before, I can imagine."