To Tame A Fire

18. Questions

There was no time to savor the outside afternoon air. No, there was only time to run. The roar of thundering orcs grew closer as the two ran across the stone bridge, Ithreon and Faron following closely behind; the forests in the distance grew closer.

Reaching the forest was a short-lived relief; the moving shadow of the orcs approached like a dark cloud covering the sun.

Sprinting through the forest, Legolas let out a sharp whistle, praying his horses was near and to his relief, the neigh of a horse replied followed by the sound of sprinting hooves. "Rhaveniel!" He yelled. Her body had slumped causing Legolas to carry her along. His own strength dwindled rapidly and this was not helping. Why did she falter? What had he missed? He wanted to shake her to knock some sense into her but there was no time.

Legolas quickly mounted, hosting Rhavaniel in front of him before his horse charged forward. He looked over his shoulder, his hair streaming behind him in the wind. One, two, and three arrows whistled past his head, and he quickly ducked, bringing Rhavaniel down with him. The orcs were falling behind, and soon the forest began to fade from dark to lively greens, but his relief quickly faded when his hands touched hers.

"No!" Legolas' voice was heavy with worry as he felt her hands. They were as cold as ice... But why? Why was she giving up? All joy left him, and his mind clouded with dreed. Did Esgaldel cast a spell on her? What did I miss, he thought in despair.

Legolas' horse felt his desperation and propelled its powerful legs faster till he sped as if on wings deeper into the forest.

After a while, Legolas caught sight of a company of elves in the distance, and his heart burst with new hope. Soon, his horse reached them; it's labored breath telling of its loyalty and hardship.

"My Lord!" A lieutenant cried, running towards Legolas' horse to calm the panting steed; his eyes roaming over Legolas' exhausted features, and the limp form of Rhavaniel with wide eyes. "Is she alright?"

Legolas swallowed the growing lump in his throat."I do not know... "She needs a healer." His eyes darted behind him, Ithreon was nowhere in sight. "Ithreon... He has fallen behind."

The lieutenant nodded, gripping his bow in his hand. They had a Prince to protect, and orcs to destroy. He shot a grave look at Legolas then turned his attention to the patrol. "You, escort the Prince to the camp and make hast. And you, ride out to inform the King we found the Prince, though no doubt he has already started a search party. The rest of us move out to captain Ithreon," he yelled behind his shoulder, notching his bow.

The orcs were closer now, yet they wouldn't get far. Ithreon's patrol charged forwards, metal glinting as arrows were notched and swords were drawn to victory.
****

Thranduil crumpled the letter in his palm before throwing it across the room. Inside the now crumpled parchment lay a message no father dreamed to hear: his child, seized by the enemy. He buried his face in his hands, desperately trying to keep his emotions at bay. That was never a problem for him, but when it came to his son he could not hide it. The message also spoke of a rescue party lead by Ithreon, but this had been days ago. Where they alive? Was his son alive? And Rhavaniel? He balled his hands into fists and whispered a prayer to the Valar.

He could not sit here oblivious to whether Legolas was alive or not. No, he would wait here helpless while his son suffered in the hands of the enemy.

Stalking down from his throne, he made his decision. "Guards!" He called out with urgency, and soon two guards were standing before him. "Ready my elk, and make haste. I want twenty of my best warriors at the gate ready to depart."

At seeing their King's desperation, the guards bowed and quickly left to follow his orders.

"Ah Legolas," Thranduil whispered to the silence. "Trouble never fails to cross your path. Must I lock you in my dungeons to keep you safe?"
***

They had arrived at the camp after almost a day of nonstop riding. Legolas refused to rest, staying by Rhavaniel's side as she lay on a bedroll oblivious to the world. The healers told him she was succumbing to grief, and he knew not why. He buried his face in his hands and fought back bitter tears of sorrow. What did I miss... His mind cried out over and over. He reached out a hand and wrapped it into her cold one and brought it to his lips.

"Fëanára," he whispered and ran his hand down her cold cheek. "What has possessed you... We are safe now, won't you awake?" He sighed and tried again. "Remember those names you called me? You could call me an ass every day if that would please you."

Nothing. Nothing but the steady rise and fall of her chest, but even that brought hope.

Legolas bent over and grimaced in pain as his stitches pulled against his skin, but it didn't matter. He ran his hand through Rhavaniel's black tresses, savoring the silken feeling against his skin. He leaned in closer and pressed his lips to her forehead. "Don't go where I can't follow... We are a team remember?"

Rhavaniel's conscious blurred. She didn't want to open her eyes to be thrown back to cruel reality. She felt nothing now. How easy life would be if she could remain numb to every emotion, but then what would life be?  Faintly, she heard a soft voice calling her back to consciousness. She couldn't fight it; it was like a remedy to her pain, slowly restoring hope to her broken heart. His hands in her hair brought a pleasant shiver down her spine. Slowly her eyes opened, and there was nothing cruel that met her eyes, but instead, she was greeted by a pair of shining deep seas of blue. "Legolas?" She whispered, her world coming to life before her.

Legolas nearly jumped at hearing her voice then sighed in relief. "Fëanára, you have awoken," he whispered. At seeing the tears in her eyes, his countenance turned to worry, and a question left his lips. "They said you were fading... Why?"

Rhavaniel dropped her eyes and swallowed thickly. She wanted to tell him; perhaps it would ease her burden. What would he think of her? I killed my own brother... Kinslayer. "I cannot!" She burst into tears and immediately, Legolas' arms were around her as she wept bitter tears of grief and guilt. What tore her the most was that her own brother inflicted pain upon Legolas and enjoyed it. She couldn't even comprehend what evil turned his heart so black, but she would never know; he was beyond her reach.

Legolas closed his eyes and rested his weary head against hers. He wished he could save her from her pain, to take it away completely even if it meant to make it his own. His heart shattered at her quiet sobs, and he pulled her closer to his chest. His own injuries began to take a toll on his body and mind. "Esta, Lirimaer.  Av-'osto," Legolas whispered and kissed her head. He heard her sobs subside; her body relaxed, and a deep sleep overtook her.

Lowering himself to his uninjured side, he gave into exhaustion, and his body drifted off to pleasant dreams; Rhavaniel snug in his warm embrace. 

******

Translations: Esta, Lirimaer.  Av-'osto: rest, lovely one. Don't worry.

Word Count: 1,291

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