Wild Monster

by Matthew Harrington

  Narosén was suddenly in his peripheral vision, batting away Elladan's hands.

  "Leave him alone," he said quietly as he watched in fascination at the transformation.

  "They search for royal blood, to destroy it - 'tis why Lainion died… she is in danger!" he hissed.

  "Who, who is in danger?" asked Rinion urgently. "Speak!"

  "Maeneth - Maeneth is being hunted…"

  Rinion's heart faltered and his skin crawled. "Where? Where is she?" he shouted, fisting his brother's collar and pulling him close.

  "Close to the Eastern patrol, approaching the Greenwood with a unit of the Lorien guard…"

  "How far out," he shook his brother again.

  "How far!" he screamed.

  "Rinion!" shouted Elladan, a dire warning in his blazing grey eyes.

  "A day, perhaps…"

  Rinion pushed Legolas away from him and turned on his heels. "Bring your Company," was all he said and he was already jogging away. Straightening his uniform and drawing a shaking hand over his eyes, he took a deep breath and turned to the Company.

  "Come, we ride with the Prince. Get your weapons and make haste to the stables. If we have already left, follow us due East."

  Legolas was now jogging after the frantic prince and the Company ran to their tent to grab their weapons. Soon, they were all gone, and the Silvan camp, including Narosén and Thavron were left staring agape after the warriors, still unable to understand what it was they had just seen in the eyes of their new Warlord.

  "Rinion!"

  "Rinion! Wait - listen to me."

  "Speak!" shouted Rinion as he continued to jog back to the fortress.

  "She is well-protected by the Lorien guard, and the Eastern patrol is twenty strong."

  "She will be in the middle of it - I will not have her witness bloody battle, Legolas."

  "I understand. With you, me and the Company we are nine more. We still have time before the enemy engages, if we ride hard we can arrive before they do - the Eastern patrol knows there is danger in the area."

  "How in the void do you know all this! No! Don't tell me - the trees!"

  "Yes, the trees! What of it! You disapprove?" he spat in frustration now.

  "Shut up, and mount up," was all the prince said as he swung himself into the saddle and gave curt instructions to a runner, before wheeling his horse around to face Legolas. "Follow me with your Company, I ride on."

  "Rinion!" shouted Legolas, but the prince would not listen and soon, he was galloping away, disappearing into a cloud of dust.

  "My King?"

  "What is it boy?" asked Thranduil from his desk, Aradan and Handir at his side.

  "Prince Rinion sends urgent word. Princess Maeneth approaches with a Lorien patrol, but he says the enemy is moving…"

  Thranduil stood abruptly, an uncharacteristic loss of control making the boy startle.

  "Did he say anything else? Do they need back up?"

  "He said no more, my King?"

  "I don't understand, " he muttered. "How could he know that," he startled then and turned back to the boy.

  "Was Lord Legolas with him?"

  "Yes, my Lord."

  Thranduil's face showed his sudden understanding - "I want Commander Celegon here now, run boy, it is urgent," said the king as he turned to Aradan.

  "Maeneth," he whispered, and a smile broke out on his face, in spite of the urgency. "My child…"

  "Captain Thoron!" shouted lieutenant Eramir.

  "Report."

  "The approaching caravan is twenty strong, from Lorien. By the looks of it there is someone important riding with them - for the Marchwarden himself rides at the fore."

  "Are there still scouts deployed?"

  "Yes, Captain. He should report within the next two hours."

  "And the enemy?"

  "Still some time away. We estimate around forty individuals, mostly orcs - some goblins."

  "They are always where the official visitors are," mused Thoron. "There is a pattern here Eramir, Commander Celegon hinted at as much."

  "It does seem strange …" said the lieutenant. "They seem to be - aware - of our movements."

  "Set a steady pace toward the Lorien guard. Let's see if we can intercept the enemy before they engage our visitors, whoever they are…" said the captain, and Eramir did not miss the worry behind his words.

  Silver hair whipped through the air and a prince with cold blue eyes lent forward over his black stallion, a group of eight fey warriors behind him; two were Noldorin, one was Sindarin, four were Silvan, and the last of them was neither one thing nor the other.

  The pace that had been set was merciless, and had it not been for Legolas' call to rest, their horses would have been run to ruin. Rinion wheeled his horse around, his cape swirling around him, face furious.

  "How dare you!" he seethed as his horse struggled beneath him, flanks heaving too fast.

  "You will kill our mounts; someone had to give the order."

  "You will not gainsay me, lieutenant," spat Rinion.

  "I do what is best for our warriors - lieutenant," came Legolas' confident reply.

  Rinion's eyes narrowed dangerously, and Legolas' slanted even more than they normally were, glittering in silent challenge.

  "Five minutes."

  "Ten, then we should make it to Maeneth's position without stopping," said Legolas.

  "Princess Maeneth to you, lieutenant," said Rinion as his horse pranced beneath him.

  "Princess Maeneth, of course, my Prince," nodded Legolas a little too exaggeratedly.

  Soon enough, their horses were drinking in a shallow stream and Rafnohtar pulled his mount alongside Legolas'. "Have a care, Hwindo, or there will be a veritable storm raining down on your head - do not let your protocol with Rinion slip - he is not ready to welcome you just yet."

  Legolas stared back at Elladan as he considered his words. "He - irritates me," was all he said in his defence and Elladan actually chuckled. "Of course he does - see how your reactions are identical to his - your choice of words, your expressions, you are far too alike for your own good."

  "You cannot be serious," balked Legolas.

  "Oh I am - you may not see it now, for he is still bitter, but to me it is as plain as the hair upon your head," smirked Elladan. "'Tis not the first time you have been told this."

  Legolas gave him a sour look, but to his credit he did not press the point.

  "And well done for standing up to him - your decision was a wise one, lieutenant," he added, before moving away to join the rest. Elladan himself was an experienced lieutenant, and although he did not show it, Legolas was glad of his friend's words, indeed he considered himself lucky that Rinion had not reprimanded him more than he had; he needed to remember that in spite of their differences, his brother was his Crown Prince - he owed him his allegiance, and his respect, at least in circumstances such as these. It didn't mean he had to like it though, and so he turned and checked on the rest of the Company, before regrouping with an already impatient prince, who simply stared at Legolas with a dangerous glint in his eye, one Hwindohtar understood perfectly.

  Maeneth loved riding, but her right leg was beginning to cramp with being slung over the saddle for so long. She fidgeted and Caleniel shot her a disapproving glare, before fussing with the princess' light blue skirts.

  Not that it mattered to Maeneth, mind. Her carer was overly-concerned with courtly deportment, Sindarin noble that she was and the princess bore it well enough.

  They were so close she could smell it now - her home - feel the thrill upon the air. This was no idyllic, dream-like realm of peace and tranquility, of learning and refinement. This was raw, unadulterated nature and she had missed it fiercely, almost as much as she had missed her beloved brother.

  She smiled wide at the thought of him, of his gaul, his ironic sense of humour, his rebellious nature and her soul sang, because after all these years, all the letters and all the things they had spoken of from afar, now, th
e circle of suffering would end. All she had to do was stay away from Bandorion, from Barathon.

  She wondered then, if her father had truly changed. In Rinion's last letter, he had suggested that he had, but her brother had not been clear on that, indeed he had not been clear on anything for the last year and Maeneth knew that with the coming of their half-brother, many things would have changed - even Rinion - she realised.

  He had been strangely quiet about Legolas, and Maeneth knew that Rinion would not have taken kindly to him. His presence would be a constant reminder of what they had lost and Rinion was not the most forgiving of elves. Maeneth had always had to calm him down, enough so that he could see sense, rather than acting on his impulses and then trying to defend his actions by reasoning them out - it was an impossible tactic, one their father had tried, and failed, to correct, before he had stopped trying.

  Handir's face came to her then and she smiled again. Sweet brother, perfect prince, able statesman; where Rinion was fire and ice at the same time, Handir was warm air and water - steady - unwavering. And then it was her father's striking face that replaced her brother's and a pang of anxiety hit her, wiping the smile from her face. Would she find the same, hollow stare upon his face? The same apathy? Would she find the once great king, still walking in the shadow of what he had once been?

  From afar, Haldir watched her, studied her expressions as they turned from joy to sadness and then worry. So expressive, he mused, so - Silvan - in spite of her pure, Sindarin blood. A smile tugged at his own lips as his eyes lingered on her beauty and a haze seemed to fall over his appreciative eyes.

  "Have a care, Marchwarden…" smirked his lieutenant and Haldir turned to face him, his expression stern and imperious. "I always do," he said simply.

  Hours of hard riding later, Legolas signalled to Rinion that they should slow their pace and this time, the Prince seemed to understand that the enemy was close by.

  "My Prince," began Legolas, no irony in his tone this time. "The Eastern patrol are within ten minutes of our position - here," he pointed, "and the enemy lie to our West, just thirty minutes or so away, if they maintain their current pace."

  "Excellent, then we join with the Eastern patrol - we should reach them in good time before the enemy engage them. Lead us to them, lieutenant."

  Legolas saluted formally and then signalled to the Company that they should surround the Prince, while he himself took the fore. Soon enough, Legolas emitted a succession of bird calls which were immediately answered, and within moments, the two groups met. Legolas saluted the Captain, one he recognised immediately, for this commander had slapped his face during his ordeal with the Inner Circle - Thoron.

  Keeping his face as neutral as possible, he manoeuvred to the right to allow Rinion to approach and the Captain bowed formally. "My Prince, we were not expecting you in the area," began Thoron.

  "This is an emergency, Captain. As you are aware, there is enemy movement just thirty minutes away from our position. We stand between them and their quarry, a caravan from Lorien you will also be aware of…"

  Thoron frowned and his eyes momentarily slipped to Legolas. "We are aware, although your information is more - detailed than our own."

  "Indeed," said Rinion. "You must know that it is Princess Maeneth that travels with the Lorien guard. She must be spared the horror of battle, Captain. I would have us engage the enemy before they are besieged."

  "Of course, my Prince. Your warriors will be welcome additions to my patrol, he smiled, eyes returning to Legolas. "Greetings, my Lord," he said with a discreet bow.

  Legolas nodded back, and then signalled to the Company to join the warriors behind the Captain, while Rinion joined Thoron and both spoke quietly.

  Legolas searched the faces of the warriors while they waited, but he recognised none of them, albeit they were almost all Silvan. They smiled and saluted reverently at him, their faces so open and curious; he could see their unspoken questions, for these warriors had yet to learn of the king's ruling, they would be wondering if Legolas had been proclaimed Warlord, that is why they stared, he told himself, fiddling now with the buckle of his quiver.

  Thoron came to stand before them, gathering their attention.

  "We ride towards the enemy," began the captain in his powerful commander's voice. "We have a group of forty, orcs and goblins with at least some archers, so have a care. Our objective is to neutralise them before they can engage the Lorien group. I am also informed, that Princess Maeneth is amongst them - she returns home!"

  The warriors cheered, and Legolas could have sworn he saw a carefully hidden smile on Rinion's face.

  "Archers to the flanks, Prince Rinion?"

  "I will fight with the swordsmen," he answered.

  With a nod, they moved out and Rhawthir, Idhrenohtar and Lindohtar moved to the flanks with the archers, while Rafnohtar, Glamohtar, Ram en' Ondo and Koron en' Naur stayed in the main group. Legolas, however, was left in doubt, and so he rode up beside the patrol's lieutenant, Eramir.

  The Sinda turned his head and stared blankly at Legolas.

  "Sir, do you want me with the swordsmen or the archers?"

  Eramir's eyes strayed to the mighty field bow that jutted out from Legolas' quiver. It was a magnificent weapon, one the lieutenant would appreciate, for field bows were difficult to wield. One needed as much muscle as he did skill, and a keen eye, for the distances these weapons could cover were surprising.

  "Archers, Lieutenant," he said, his tone a little softer now.

  Legolas saluted, and turned away to the flanks, where Rhrawthir, Lindo and Idhreno hailed him with a smile, while the other archers beamed at the chance to fight alongside the Silvan elbowing each other as their eyes latched on to the weapon perched upon his back.

  Their trot turned to a canter and soon, the stench of the enemy was upon them. Thoron held up his hand and the patrol came to a stop.

  "Lieutenant Legolas," he shouted, and Hwindo kicked his horse into action, bringing him alongside the captain, the prince and the lieutenant.

  "Sir."

  "Do the trees report anything else?" asked the Captain, and the three elves looked back at the Silvan in almost morbid fascination as Legolas listened, even Rinion, whose head was cocked slightly to one side.

  "They speak of forty, they say there are archers but they do not say how many - this concerns me slightly, Sir, they do not often specify the weapons of the enemy. For them to do so may imply there are more than we are expecting."

  "Position?" asked Eramir

  "Coming into our visibility within minutes, Sir - in one group we think."

  "Dismount! "Archers!" shouted Eramir, "side and pan," he ordered, using his hands to second his words, watching as the snipers ran to the trees and jumped into their boughs, taking up position. Legolas, however, stayed on the ground, and Eramir did not question him, he would not be able to wield his field bow from the trees.

  "Ready!" he shouted, and then they waited….

  "Sir, there is an imminent battle off to the North-east."

  "How far away?" asked Haldir.

  "Ten, maybe fifteen minutes."

  "Send out a scout with all haste, determine whether they require aid. I would prefer not to engage with the Princess in our midst," he said.

  The warrior galloped away and Haldir turned to his second. "We move to full alert. Prepare to extract the Princess should we find the enemy."

  "Sir!" shouted the Lieutenant, and within seconds the warriors had drawn their weapons and manoeuvred their charges into the centre of the group.

  Haldir's critical eye inspected it all, his horse moving up and down the line to check with his warriors, until the scout returned and reported.

  "It is the Eastern Greenwood patrol. Twenty-nine strong, Sir, and I believe it is their Crown Prince that rides with them."

  Haldir's eyebrows rose in surprise and Maeneth beamed. How he could have known she was arriving was beyond her, but the fact was he was just minutes away from them
! In spite of the danger, she was happier than she had been for centuries.

  Black bodies streamed onto the path before them, and with a mighty battle cry, Thoron charged forwards, the swordsmen of the patrol behind him and Eramir at his side, watching the rest of the patrol as they ploughed into the first line of orcs.

  Around them, the thwack of arrows preceded the thud of iron and wood as it slammed into black armour and flesh. Legolas' mighty field bow, its longer, thicker projectiles sailed elegantly through the air, finding the more distant targets, the most dangerous enemy archers that remained behind the vanguard and that would be seeking the key members of the patrol - the commanders, the archers…

  From above, Idhrenohtar, Lindohtar Rhawthir searched for the enemy snipers that dared to target Hwindohtar who stood shooting below them. His position was necessarily vulnerable, and their job would be to defend him as he shot.

  Rinion charged into his first goblin, easily slicing its neck open before moving to the next, sensing Elladan and Ram en' Ondo close by.

  The thud of an arrow drew Rinion's attention to a warrior at his side, who fell to the floor with a groan, and then another warrior fell, an arrow sticking out of his abdomen; they were being methodically picked off.

  Searching frantically for the source of the arrows, he realised he did not know where they had come from; all he knew is that Legolas had been right, there were more of them than was normal. Their own archers were firing in rapid succession, and while they were taking them out, the orcs were firing from greater distances, their bolts heavier, more devastating.

  Blocking a blow, he sliced the hand off an orc and then stabbed another in the chest, and as he fought, his anxiety grew, for arrows flew everywhere, slowly but surely decimating their numbers. The impressive whine of Legolas' bow could be heard again, and again, and Rinion could not resist a glance at his brother, who stood with the most defiant, perfect stance Rinion had ever seen; his bow seemed almost as tall as he was, and the bolts that flew from it were larger and heavier than their standard issue weapons. The draw was slow and precise, and in spite of being an obvious target for the orcs, so far, Legolas had not been hit - but he would be, if he did not move, of this Rinion had no doubt and of a sudden, quite unexpectedly, his heart clenched.