Silhouettes

Chapter 8

It was well into the morning when Thranduil arrived at the Birch crossing; solely named because a birch tree had fallen many years ago and, as if enchanted, continued to grow into a magnificent bridge over the river.
Right next to the bridge was a cave caused by a rock fall. In their childhood, Thranduil and Sophia often played in the cave and early on discovered that a few rocks at the back of the cave were missing. Thranduil laughed quietly to himself as he remembered the times when the two of them would sneak out through the gap and hide behind the cave in the green fern leaves from the guards that were sent to look for them.
Thranduil went to the back of the cave and found the little opening. Just like he thought, Sophia was there tied up in the corner right in front of the hole.
"Pssst. Sophia."
"Thran? Is that you?"
"Yes, it is. Have a plan."
"Thran you have to get out of here. There planning to kill you."
The orcs were huddled around a fire in the middle of the cave where some hares were cooking.
"Oi. Quit your mumbling back there. We're trying to talk."
The biggest orc shouted at Sophia then continued the meeting. They were talking just loud enough that Thranduil could hear their plan.
"Soon enough the prince will come to save his friend, then we'll attack him and kill him-"
"And make sure the she-elf sees."
Another interrupted.
"Yes, good idea. Make her watch the death of the prince, then we'll kill her."
A third orc chimed in, "And with the prince gone we'll be free to take over Mirkwood."
Thranduil had heard enough. He grabbed a handful of large stones and threw them as far away into the river as he could; which was pretty far, he was strong for his age.
The stones landed in a secluded part of the river covered by willow trees.
"What was that?"
The big orc asked.
"Was it princey?" the smallest orc asked, excited to have some proper meat for lunch.
Three of the orcs ran to see what made the noise, but one stayed to guard Sophia.
"Here, take this."
Thranduil handed Sophia a dagger through the small hole.
"Cut your bonds and start making this gap bigger, so that you can fit through. Once you get through, wait for me on the other side."
Whilst Sophia did this, Thranduil ran, unnoticed towards where the orcs were. At a safe distance and out of sight he pulled out his bow and pulled back an arrow. With his keen eyesight and excellent bowman ship, he easily shot down the first orc. Quickly, as soon as he heard the splash of the orcs fallen body, he shot another arrow and hit the second orc. The biggest orc turned quickly to see who had shot the arrows and looked straight in the direction where Thranduil was hiding.
He ducked, hiding in the bushes but he knew that the orc had seen him. Slowly and quietly he crept away from his hiding spot and through the long grass, without being seen, up behind the orc.
Thinking that the prince was still in the bushes, the orc came up behind them and pulled them open, expecting the elf to be there. In the confusion the orc stood back and looked around to see where he had gone, and in this moment, when he was unprepared, Thranduil pulled out his remaining dagger and stabbed it into the orcs back, straight through to his heart.
Thranduil pulled out his dagger and cleaned it, letting the orc fall to the ground.

Sophia had cut her bonds and was now busy making a gap big enough to fit through. She tried to do this as quietly as possible but really didn't need too, as the orc guarding her was half deaf and singing a song so loud it would wake the men in Lake Town.
She finally got the whole big enough to squeeze through and just as Thranduil had said, waited for him under the cover of the ferns.
Sophia felt a tap on her shoulder which startled her but Thranduil covered her mouth to stifle the squeal.
"Oh, it's just you."
Sophia said relieved.
"Yeah, it's just me. Before we leave I have one more thing to do. You may want to turn away."
Thranduil bent down, pulled an arrow back and aimed it at the singing orc's back.
Sophia heard him release the arrow and then the orc fell silent as he slumped from his chair, onto the floor.
"I'm sorry I had to do that."
Thranduil said as he moved towards Sophia to hug her.
The two elves leant against the back of the cave wall, Thranduil's arms around Sophia comforting her after the traumatic experience. He cleaned her wounds that the orcs had inflicted upon her and held her hand as she closed her eyes briefly. They sat there for a while before either of them spoke, then Thranduil broke the silence.
"Sophia. There's something need to tell you."
He did not sound happy about this something and Sophia could tell.
"What is it, Thran?"
"Before my father left to go fight, he arranged for me to meet someone. My mother told me this morning who that someone is."
Sophia knew what was going to be said. She buried her face into his chest and tried to stifle the tears, but it was hopeless. Thranduil felt the cold, wet tears drop onto his chest and tears formed in his eyes too.
"I- I'm, to be married within the month."
A single tear fell onto Sophia's head.