title: Dreaming of You
author: Lomadia
rating: PG-13
feedback: angelmouse91@hotmail.com

Chapter twenty
Moving with such speed only an elven horse could muster Legolas and Aniond speed through the trees. The stallions desperate to escape the dark trees of the wood and whatever it was that chased them. Ignoring the pain that surged through their legs and lungs the horses drove on, galloping in and out of the trees and jumping fallen logs and ditches. Blood ebbed from the wound in Legolas's stallion's hind leg, almost soaking the protective fabric wrapped around the now newly opened cut. Focusing all of their energy on getting themselves and their riders to safety, the stallions fled, the eerie and husky voices followed them, flying through the air at a frightening speed. The elves dared not glance over their shoulders, afraid as to what they might see if they did. Instead they clung onto their steeds, their hair flowing behind them like liquid gold. Sometimes the crying voices were above them, threatening to fall down on them, other times they were beside them, whispering threats and cruel words into the terrified elves ears, almost causing them to topple from their horses back. And then they would scream. A high pitched scream that sent shivers down the elves spines and continued to ring in their ears even after the dreadful sound had stopped. Freezing winds whipped their faces and their skin felt like ice. Above the shrill sounds of screaming and whispering, the elves heard another voice. A familiar voice that seemed to lighten their hearts every so slightly. 
"Legolas! Aniond!" the voice called out from the shadows.
"Isorfir!" cried Legolas, overcome by fear and relief to find his friend was still alive. "Isorfir, run!" 
Isorfir and Ireth leapt out from the shadows in the trees, ready to fight for their friends. But fear and terror gripped them and they froze. The horses, on the other hand, did not intent on waiting for the others to catch up with them. They reared and spun around, breaking into a speedy gallop through the trees. 
Ahead of them, the elves could see small amber lights glowing and moving through the darkness. The torchbearers moved loudly, hustling in and out of the trees, growling, snarling and spitting. Orcs. Orcs and goblins patrolling the woodland, scanning the ground for any tracks that would hint to the whereabouts of the escaped elves. The orc leader could be seen through the trees, sitting up tall on his horse, holding a torch of his own. His ugly face glowed in the torchlight; his cruel eyes glinted with malice. Suddenly, as if reminding the elves of their fears, a bloodcurdling scream was issued from above the riders. The cry was also heard from the orc camp. All heads turned, all eyes gazed into the shadows and all ears heard the sound of galloping hooves come pounding through the darkness. The orc leader smirked cruelly to himself, before holding his torch high above his head and bellowing out to the others. 
"It's those damned elves! Bring 'em down! Bring 'em down!" Orcs and goblins on all sides snarled and growled, gripping the hilts of their swords and readying their bows. "We've got 'em now!" they hissed. 
They stood their ground, holding their weapons ready to strike, but the elves did not slow down. The orc leader drew his sword and rode forward so he was in front of the others, gritting his yellow teeth together. Still the elves rode on. Shifting a little from side to side, the smaller orcs and goblins began to feel a sense of uneasiness wash over them. Why weren't they stopping? They looked at each other, slightly worried, and began to whisper. 
"Stand your ground!" the orc leader yelled out at them. "When they try to pass knock 'em down! They're not getting away again." but even he was feeling concerned when the elves failed to stop or even slow down. He frowned and growled low in his throat when he saw Legolas and his companions come riding through the bushes at full speed. He was only expected two elves, where had the others come from?
"Run! For God's sake, run!" the elves yelled at the orcs blocking their path. The smaller goblins shifted, some lowered their weapons. 
"Stand still!" the orc leader bellowed. "Stay where you are! It's a trick, they're just tryin' to get past." He swung his torch at a trembling goblin standing next to his horse. 
"Stupid orcs." Aniond hissed under his breath as they continued to ride forward. A sudden rush of cold wind swept past the elves and whipped the orcs and goblins across the face. Moans and whispers were carried on the air and echoed in the orcs ears. The orcs horse snorted loudly and stamped its feet with discomfort. "Stupid beast, stand still!" the orc hissed, but his voice was unsteady and nervous.
At that moment, voices screamed and shrieked, and cold, icy forms flew out from the treetops, chasing the elves, whistling around the horses' legs. The forms were weaving in and out of the trees and lower plants, a ghostly white glow seeping in and out of the dark shadowy plants. Their long slender fingers stretching out trying to grab the intruders of the forest. The intruders were here before. They were warned to leave the woods, but now they've returned and this time they will stay in these woods indefinitely. Their white faces were barely recognisable, their grey and blue eyes burned keenly without mercy. Their heads were crowned with long strands of grey and silver hair, shimmering and gleaming in the moonlight. It seemed they wore long grey and silver robes that blew about in a non-existent wind. 
Dropping his torch, the orc leader grabbed the thick leather reins and pulled sharply, causing the horse's head to snap to one side. "Run! Run now!" he commanded and kicked harshly against his horses side, making the beast rear and charge into the darkness away from the trees. The orcs and goblins who stood on foot, squealed and dropping their weapons ran as fast as their legs would allow them, some even tried to grab hold of the elven steeds as they came galloping past, only to receive a sharp kick in the nose by the elven riders. 
The spirits flew overhead of the riders, overtaking them and cutting off their path of escape. Their voices were cold and harsh as they whispered and wailed, called and cried. The elves jerked and pulled on the reins, their horses turning swiftly, ready to run in the opposite direction, but their path was blocked again by the spirits of the wood. They were surrounded.
"You cannot leave these woods." The voices called out, advancing on the now trapped intruders, their long arms and fingers outstretched and open palmed. "You will die this night." 
The spirits closed in on the elves, their circle getting smaller and smaller. The elves could feel a cold shiver run down their spines as the spirits advanced, now mere inches from their captives. Ireth closed her eyes, waiting for the pain. She could feel the coldness radiating from their frozen forms, she could hear their whispers float on the chill air, but her ears picked up another sound. A light, speedy pounding of hooves on the ground. The half-elf opened her dark eyes and gazed about her. The spirits had turned, their heads now facing the oncoming rider, but their arms remained outstretched, the silver robes flowing elegantly with every movement made. The sound of approaching hooves ceased and a confident voice broke the silence.
"Spirits, hear my voice, come back to the wood. I am Lomadia Telperian, daughter of Araisiliel of Anbrethil."
The spirits lowered their raised limbs and backed away from the elves. Lomadia sat tall upon Tathiel, her head held high and her eyes glimmering in the moonbeams, an ethical presence radiated from her and she seemed almost ghostly herslef. Tathiel stood straight and proud, her mane and tall shone silver and her coat a magnificent white. 
"They mean these woods no harm, you need not fear their presence. They bring no danger with them; they will not attack our city. I will see them safely to the border. I give you my word."
The spirits whispered unknown words before gliding back into the woods, under the watchful eye of the Lady of Anbrethil. For a few long moments their mournful cries and calls could still be heard, hovering in the cool night air before all was silent once more. Lomadia remained seated upon Tathiel, her head raised high, looking down at the elves when a small smile crept onto her face. 
"I knew you wouldn't last long without me."