Chapter 2 It was dark, yet the full moon shone brightly in the lonely night sky. Its pale face reflected on the lake surfaces, the way it always did. I looked around and saw that the clearing was empty and the forest looked peaceful. I began to walk around looking for something, not knowing what, just knowing that I had to find it. In my mind I felt I was walking through a great fog, then I was running, just trying to find it, something, someone. I saw something. It was a shadowy figure on the edge of the lake. All I could see was its silhouette. I knew that this person was the one I was looking for. And as I opened my mouth, I heard singing, the most beautiful singing that I had ever heard. I stopped and tried to listen to the words but I couldn't understand them. Suddenly I felt something coming, something evil. It wanted the voice all to itself. This thing brought death and destruction with it. I knew I had to warn the being with the beautiful voice, I had to save it. I must save it! I tried to yell but I couldn't, and I could feel the evil getting closer and closer. I tried to run to the voice, I knew I could save it if I could only find it. I began to run again, but then I awoke, the way I always did, panting and in a cold sweat as if I had just ran a league or two in freezing weather. My mind was abuzz, pondering the dream. I knew I would get no sleep that night, but then I never did. * * * * * "Mommy, are we there yet?" "No Arwen dear, we are not." A weary Lady Celebrian answered her four -year-old daughters. "Estely are we there yet?" "No Arwen, please don't ask again. I promise I will let you know when we are even remotely close," a now 16-year-old Estelbain answered. "Promise?" Bright eyed Arwen asked "Promise, now why don't we play a game. Let's see what kind of animals are in the forest," proposed Estelbain, in an attempt to entertain Arwen on the long journey from Rivendell to Lothlorien. " I see…" a sudden look of horror passed over little Arwen's face. "Arwen what is it?" Asked a now worried Lady Celebrian. Suddenly the party was attacked by a large band of Orcs that caught everyone off guard. In the pandemonium, arrows were exchanged and most of the royal escort was scattered. "Mommy!!!" Arwen shrieked. Lady Celebrian had been hit in the shoulder by a black orc arrow and now lay beside a screaming Arwen. Then Lady Beruthiel tried to sneak away, but was shot through the heart with a great black arrow that nearly hit poor Arwen, thus ending her life. "Arwen don't look, Lady Beruthiel has just gone to sleep. Mother!" Estelbain gasped and ran to her ailing mother. She managed to carry her mother and Arwen to a safe place and then returned to the battle. Seeing she was greatly out numbered, and her mother was hurt, Estelbain thought that she might strike a deal with the Orcs so that they would let the Elves go, in exchange for the goods they carried. Yet, the mere thought of dealing with Orcs turned her stomach. "Princess you are out numbered and it's you we want, we do not want to kill your people. So come with us and no more of your people will fall. It would be such a pity for your poor sisters to wind up like her nanny, and besides, your Mother needs help right away." A slick man called. The man was both handsome and cunning; he had the look of wildcat that had just trapped its prey. "Never, you two-faced scum. We will never surrender the princess to the likes of you," answered the Captain of the guard. "Wait, now tell your Orcs to put down their weapons and I will tell my men to do the same. Then we will talk," Estelbain said bravely. "What is there to talk about? You for the safety of your men, maids, mother and sister." The man answered boldly, for he knew already what her answer must be. "Never, you bastard," the Captain replied. An Orc was about to shoot him, but an Elf arrow found its way into the Orc's black heart. "No! We do this on my terms, sir or you will wind up like your Orc. Also Captain, that will be enough, I will handle this," said Estelbain, the bow still grasped in her slender hand. "First of all, you must swear that you will let everyone go with out further harming them. Second, I want to know who you are, where you come from, and for whom you work. Third, I do not drop this bow, nor go anywhere, until my men are safely out of sight," Estelbain said. She looked as cool as ice, but on the inside she was quaking. "Big words for someone who is outnumbered and has such precious cargo," The man said. "Those are my terms, take them or leave them," Estelbain replied. "I'll take them, but you must swear that you will come willingly, and not cause trouble on the ride. Agreed?" "Agreed," answered Estelbain, yet she thought, "Something is not right here. Why would they just want me when they could ransom my mother and sister off as well?" To her guard, Estelbain said, "Don't turn your back on them men, I need to check on my mother before I go. If you will excuse me, sir," she said haughtily to her captor-to-be. "Captain, if you would be so kind as to assist me." "Of course, Milady." The pair walked over to were Lady Celebrian lay. "Captain, something is not right here. I can feel it! Why would they want only me?" Estelbain asked in High Elvish, as she worked to dress her mother's wounds. "I don't know Milady, but you shouldn't go with them, that man is scoundrel and a liar. You could ride away at the last minute," he answered. "No, I am an Elf, and therefore I am bound by my word. But you are right; this man is not to be trusted. That is why you must go to the great Greenwood. Get help and come find me. As long as I don't do something stupid, I don't think they will hurt me. As soon as you are out of sight, send the fastest rider on ahead and warn them what has happened. If you don't agree to this, then I will remove you from your post and place the second in command first. Understood?" Estelbain said firmly. "Yes Milady, but I don't like this," he answered. "None of us do, but I don't see any other way out," Estelbain said as she placed her mother on her horse, then picked up Arwen. "I don't want you to go Estely, I want to you to come with us." Arwen's big blue eyes were shining with tears. "I know, but I'll be back soon. Till then you're in charge and have to look after mother, all right? I'm counting on you," Estelbain said with more hope than she felt. She placed Arwen on her own horse and said to it, "Watch over her and keep her safe for me, my old friend." The horse neighed in reply and nuzzled Estelbain's shoulder as if to say "Let me come with you!" Then Estelbain said in the Common tongue, "Ride hard and be safe." She walked over to where the Orcs were head held high, and was led away by two of them. * * * * * Legolas walked through the forest humming, with a big grin on his face. He had just beaten Haldir, the Lady of the Wood's Captain, at his own game, and now he would go home and boast to some of his friends. Who knew, if he got lucky maybe he would steal a kiss from one of the maids. "Why in the name of the tress of light am I humming a lullaby?" Legolas asked himself aloud. "I need to get some sleep before something really bad happens." Suddenly a horse and rider came flying by, almost running over the prince. "Hey, have you no respect for the Prince of the Wood?" Legolas asked, rather annoyed at the thought of being run down by a mere traveler. "Lord Legolas, thanks be, I found you!" "Hey, you are one of Estelbain's guards. Where is she, is she all right? Talk to me!" Legolas said breathlessly. "The princess was taken prisoner by a band of orcs. The band was led by an evil man. Also, Lady Celebrian was hit by an orc arrow, she is in bad shape …" The guard was interrupted by Legolas exclaiming, "Estelbain, taken by orcs! Orcs have Estely. Oh, no! Quickly, we must get to the King. We need men out there right away looking for her. Orcs! Orcs, who knows what they will do to her," Legolas said. It was as if a bright blue flame had been lit in his eyes. "But sir …" the man tried. " Talk on the way, we have no time," Legolas said as he broke into a run, and the rider and horse took off after him. When they arrived at the Hall, King Thranduil teasingly greeted his son, "My son what is on fire?" Breathlessly Legolas answered. " Estelbain has been captured by a band of Orcs!" A look of horror crossed the King's kind face. "What kind of devilry is this? Orcs have little Estelbain? Oh, no! Quickly, we have no time to lose, sound the alarm." But Legolas had already beaten him to it. Soon a large group of Elves gathered. Legolas and the messenger quickly explained what had befallen the princess. Legolas immediately devised a plan. They would be two groups. One smaller group would get Lady Celebrian and her party home. The rest of them would hunt orc! They quickly gathered medical supplies for Lady Celebrian. "What should we bring for Lady Estelbain?" one person asked. A look of sheer dread crossed Legolas' fair face and he shuddered. " I don't even want to think about it," he said. He had heard tales of the terrible things orcs did to Elves in their jealous rage. For Orcs had once been Elves but then the evil lord had taken and corrupted them, forever ruined the race. So now, they were jealous of the Elves that their ancestors once were. He whispered a silent prayer to the Valar as the parties took off, each dreading the thought of what had become of their beloved princess. * * * * * * "Princess I assure you that you would be much more comfortable up here with me," Estelbain's captor said rather sweetly. "No thank you, I would sooner walk a thousand leagues than sit near your groping hands," The princess responded just as sweetly. "Just remember how easily that can be arranged!" the man said, not nearly as sweet. "Since you have nothing nice to say, you shouldn't say anything at all. Orc, put a gag on her this instant! Oh, and bind her hands, she is too valuable a cargo to have her wander off." Silence then followed the party the rest of the way until sundown. * * * * * "Prince Legolas, it's nearly dark, we need to head back," Legolas' Captain informed him. "I know," Legolas muttered under his breath. "You're right, take these men and head home." "But sir, what about you?" the Captain asked him. "As for me, I will keep looking and then stay in a cave I know of and have stayed in many times." Legolas said, quite forcefully. "As you wish, your highness," The Captain responded, then turned to his men and said, "There is no more we can do. We will resume this search at first light. Now move out!" Legolas then turned and took off at great pace, until he left his men behind. He then climbed a tree and sat down. As a child, whenever he had been around the princess, he always knew were to find her, thus he thought might give it a shot. He sat down and closed his eyes. He let his mind wander. Then it hit him like a flash of light. He saw a group of Orcs, and in that group, was a man on a black horse and an Elf with long blond hair, being led along with her hands bound and her mouth gagged. An Orc was holding the other end of a rope. They were near one of the passes and not that far away. Legolas jumped down and took off at a run. With in fifteen minutes he was right behind the Orcs. * * * * * The Orcs decided to take a break. Then, just as they were about to leave, Estelbain felt something. It was like a familiar pang, or feeling buried deep inside long ago. Estelbain stopped, causing one of the Orcs to quickly yank the rope that bound her wrists. Not expecting this, the princess tripped, thus making the Orc very angry. "Get up you stupid Elf, maybe you would be better at a different sport than long distance walking," the Orc chuckled. By then, they were behind the group. Next, the Orc walked up to the princess and was about to kick her in the side, but suddenly an elf arrow found it way into the monster's skull. Another Orc came to see what the delay was, but an arrow also found its way to him. Estelbain looked up just in time to see a handsome young Elf leap lightly down from a tree. Estelbain stood up, not quite knowing what to do. The handsome young Elf then grabbed her still bound hands, and they both took off at run. Estelbain blindly followed, just trying to get away from that Orc. She knew what that Orc had meant by other sports. She shuddered at the thought of it. Then they stopped at a sheer, rock wall. Then the young Elf mysteriously opened a kind of door. As they walked in, he all but closed it. Next he quickly lit a fire and then closed the cave door all the way. Then the handsome Elf turned to Estelbain and she realized it was Legolas. "You are quivering, here, let me take that off and untie you," Legolas said gently. As he did, he cooed, "It's all right, there, there." "Thank…" Estelbain tried, but was cut off by Legolas holding his finger to her lips saying, "Shh," then he wiped away the tears that trickled down her cheek. "Shh" he cooed wiping a tear that slid down her pale face. He drew her into his arms and said, "It's all right." Suddenly, he felt he could no longer control the anger welling up in him at the Orcs. Legolas looked down at the trembling figure in his arms. His hatred deepened and yet he knew it would do no good to vent. It would only scare the already shaken young Elf. "Don't worry it will be ok, the Orc that tried to hurt you is dead now. Look at you, you're exhausted," he said gently. He picked her up and carried her over to where they kept blankets and set her down. Then he lay down beside her and said, "Sleep now, everything will look better in the morning." Then, Legolas wrapped his strong arms around Estelbain. That night Legolas had trouble sleeping. When he finally fell asleep, he slept only a few hours, awaking a little before sunrise. As he awoke, Legolas began to look at the Elf that was wrapped in his arms. Then he thought of all the adventures that he and Estelbain had gotten themselves into as children. He thought about how, all these long years, they hadn't seen each other, and yet she trusted him so and he still felt affection for her. Then, as the sun cast its first morning rays of light, Estelbain rolled over, as she had done so many years before, she moved closer and snuggled next to Legolas' chest. As she did, Legolas felt as if a sun were rising inside of him. He knew that nothing would be the same and that he didn't want it to be. He knew that the dreams that had once haunted him would haunt him no more; that he had found what he was searching for. He looked down once more at Estelbain, and then he too snuggled close and slept peacefully for the first in a long while.