The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 16

The courtyard was swarming with guards when the two Imaldris elves arrived through the palace gates. Horses were being packed and weapons were being handed out, all amongst the frenzy of the green-garbed Mirkwood Army.

“What is this? Are we to war this evening?” Erestor stared blatantly at the scene that confronted him clearly shocked that such a force could be assembled in such a shomounmount of time, as Glorfindel and he spent in the alehouse. Glorfindel however was not as shocked and instantly called to one of the passing guards, who looked to have some distinction among the many others gathered in the courtyard.

”Tell me what has happened? Where are these soldierund und for?” The young darkhaired captain glanced almost contemptibly over his shoulder at the two Imaldris elves before shifting the slender wooden bow slung over his shoulder to a more comfortable position.

“We are bound for the boarders and beyond by order of King Thranduil. A guard post was attacked this evening by a large band of orcs, many of our comrades have fallen fighting the beasts and we must face the threat of the dark enemy head on less they overrun our country and venture to close to the palace.” Glorfindel frowned his sense of dread increase as he remembered farewelling the young Prince Legolas earlier in the evening for their trip to the boarder outposts.

“It is unusual that King Thranduil sends such an army for just one band of orcs, surely he has faced many larger bands of evil in his time, why should he now send a force of so many, when a mere few would suffice?” Glorfindel avoided the question he was dying to ask, knowing that if he was direct the warrior before him would not answer truthfully. In his time at Mirkwood, he’d sensed a great mistrust from the Mirkwood guards towards himself and Erestor and so he would have to tread carefully if he was to obtain any real information. The sound of an elf horn bellowed out around the courtyard and the young warrior below Glorfindel was getting edgy to move out with his party however the elder seneschals glare kept him rooted to the spot as he quickly replied to the question asked of him.

“Rumours are spreading that the outpost attacked was holding the youngest of Thranduil’s son’s and his tutor at the time. There is no word yet if they are among the dead but it is clear no sign of them can yet be found. Fears are high that neither of them survived the slaughter.” Before the young guard had even completed his sentence Glorfindel was reaching down from his horse and stealing the young warriors bow and quiver of arrows.

“Legolas.” The breathless word from Glorfindel was caught up in another horn call and with reflexes seen only in a skilled and time weary warrior Glorfindel spun his horse around and spurred the black stallion on with a curt shout. Erestor was given no time to think as he watched his friends golden hair disappear from sight out of the palace gates. Cursing to Arada for her terrible graces this night, Erestor less gracefully than his friend stole his own bow and quiver of arrows from a passing blacksmith, before spurring on his horse and racing after Glorfindel. Glorfindel had a way of getting himself into more trouble than he ever bargained for and Erestor was not going to let his friend leave without providing him with some friendly support. Mirkwood was a treacherous place during times of peace without being alone in it during a time of war.

Erestor rode hard to catch up with his golden haired friend passing many of the contingencies of guard elves on the way. Erestor caught up with his friend at the edge of a forest stream his calls for Glorfindel to slow down and allow him to catch up finally having reached the stubborn warrior in front. Glorfindel was waiting impatiently for Erestor on the opposite side of the bank his hands resting on his hips. The dark haired elf reined his horse to a stop beside the stream and panted deeply in a very unhealthy manner, as if it was he and not his horse who had run the marathon to catch the 4643-year-old seneschal. Glorfindel’s mouth twitched in small amusement at Erestor’s unfitness, yet it was hardly surprising considering the advisor did very little physical activity when he was in Rivendell, being most days stuck behind a desk.

“Do not say a thing seneschal, my health is perfect for one of my situation in life.” As Erestor caught his breath he noted with mild anger his friends smirking face and barked hoarsely at his friend. “You will be the death of me my friend, was the need to save this pretty young prince so pressing you would leave your protection behind?” Glorfindel snorted good-naturedly at his friends comment before beckoning the dark haired elf across the river to him. Obligingly Erestor moved through the slow flowing stream to come to a stop beside Glorfindel who was scanning the darkened forest around them.

”No I was wrong to leave you my friend but I have this fear for the young prince. I know I should not care but there is something in his eyes that makes me believe he needs protection for the sake of us all.” Erestor rolled his eyes dramatically and suppressed the giggle that rose in his throat despite his friend’s sudden seriousness.

“That something in his eyes you see is innocents my friend, nothing a good bedding would not fix. Which, I am sure you would gladly provide.” Glorfindel turned from his scan of the forest to glare pointedly at his friend, not amused in the least at what Erestor had just said.

“That is not very funny Erestor, I am serious. We must move on I fear for his life greatly and unless we go now it might be too late.” Erestor sighed heavily as Glorfindel scowled momentarily in thought, his head tilted slightly towards the thin beams of moonlight piercing the forest canopy from above. “Come this way I can hear voices and cries on the wind.” Nodding his silent acceptance Erestor urged his horse to follow Glorfindel’s lead his mind already beginning to question the sanity of his friend. Maybe after 4000 years ones mind begins to fail, leaving nothing but madness. ‘but then again’ Erestor thought ‘Lord Elrond is over 6000 years old and he has not lost any of his sanity, perhaps it runs in Glorfindel’s family only.’ Tucking his cloak tighter about him Erestor decided to keep a very close eye on his friends health both mental and otherwise.

TBC.................................