To Tame A Fire

3. Damsel in distress

Of course, this was a stupid idea but she didn't care. No, she didn't at all. She wanted to be taken seriously; she wanted to be a warrior, just like her brother before her. She hated orcs with a passion. They took everything from her, ruined her whole being in less than an hour. Maybe she thought killing every orc would bring her family back. But it couldn't.

Her mind drifted to Legolas. She hated him. He had everything--a father who loved him and people looked up to him, respected him. He was a warrior skilled in almost every aspect of combat. He was perfect, and he reminded her of everything she was not. At times she thought she might care for him, he always ruined it. He ruined her chance to avenge the ones she lost.

Rhavaniel shook herself to rid her mind of such thoughts. She had more important matters to attend to. Grasping her bow tighter, she crept along the tree limbs. She could smell the putrid scent of the orcs, and she bent over and emptied her stomach pitifully. She righted herself and sputtered the most un-ladylike curse.

Rhavaniel spotted seven large orcs eating foul looking meat, and she immediately spat. She soundlessly jumped from the tree and notched her bow. Remembering the tips Legolas gave her, (though she'd hate to admit it) she released the first arrow. She watched as is embedded into the arm of an orc as he lifted the meat to his lips.

The orc let out a guttural wail and stood up, frantically searching for the source. The other orcs too let out a roar of furry and joined the search.

Rhavaniel released another arrow and cursed when it missed. Fear entered her as every eye of the orcs stared at her with bloodlust. She dropped her bow. Pulling out to short swords, she charged with a battle cry. She didn't even acknowledge the fact she was outnumbered; all she wanted was to rip the lives out of these monsters.

Her blade slashed the neck of an orc, and she smiled at the fountain of blood gushing from its now dead body. She charged at another, but the orc grabbed her arm and twisted it. She gasped and tried to pull away, but soon found herself surrounded by the orcs' dark looming forms.

"A pretty she-elf all alone," the orc ripped the knives from her hands and moved his face so close that Rhavaniel could smell the acrid odor of his breath. "I always wanted to have a she-elf; the blood is much sweeter."

The orcs laughed and pulled out a black rope.

Rhavaniel twisted and kicked, but to no avail. Her mind begged her to call for help, but her pride held her back.

"We got ourselves a feisty one, boys!" The orcs roared in laughter and tied their captive's arms and legs.

"Scream, and I'll cut your pretty face. Our master wouldn't want a ruined elven prize, would he?"

~~~~*~~~~~

 Legolas crept along the treetops, as silent as a moonless night yet quick as a retreating bird. The sun's rays beat down on him as he leaped from tree to tree. His mind raced, what if they caught her? What if she was dead already. He cursed, he couldn't fail her.

Legolas stopped, crouched on a branch, his head lifted, and he smelled the air. His nose wrinkled in disgust. "Yrch," Legolas snarled. His slim fingers reached back and pulled a greened fletched arrow from his quiver. Silently, he notched the arrow to his bow and resumed his fast pace, bounding over the trees like a rock skipping across water. Time was running out.

An ear-piercing scream reached his ears, and he sprinted faster till he reached the orc camp. He caught sight Rhavaniel, tied and bound. An orc grabbed her by the hair and forced her head to the hard ground. Before the orc could make another move, an arrow pierced his skull and blood gushed from his head to land on the elleth's chest, and she shrieked.