Cowgirls, a very long and hard ride!

Lanwe had left Chrissy in the gardens as she realized that Orlando would not be around tonight to hold her and keep her safe while she slept.
She knew in her heart that he was thinking about her at this very moment.
She thought, “Could it be possible that Orlando is thinking of me? I feel him as if he is right her with me...it’s so strange…God I love him…I bet he is thinking about the sex of the baby…a boy…all males want boys…even Elves…he could be thinking of a girl….Heck he could be thinking that I am the best thing that ever happened to him….”
His thoughts, “An Elfling…it changes everything….A son…I shall teach him the ways of the sword and how to use a bow and arrow…what if a daughter arrives…..I shall teach her how to defend herself from men…and elves…So much to think about…Chrissy is truly my match….by the Valar what have I done to desire her?...I love her in more ways then she could ever know…”
Everyone decided to let the horses rest for a moment as they had traveling throughout the night.
Legolas had gotten off his horse and noticed something different about his brother. Earlier he had been trapped in his thoughts about something and thought he would ask him.
“Brother, what has gotten into you? I saw how distance you were earlier today.” Legolas asked.
Orlando smiled, “There comes a time in every ones life, when it changes…forever. Mine came early this morning and nothing can take this happiness I feel in my heart away. ”
“What is this news that you received?” Legolas questioned.

Smiles could be seen all over his face, “I had gotten word that I am to be a father early this morning. Chrissy is a one of a kind…..something that I did not bargain on before she arrived…and now I would not trade her for anything.” Orlando stated with joy in his eyes.
Legolas smiled, “That is great news. A father is a wonderful gift…I shall wait for the day for such news from Jenny…”
His eye brow rose, “The two of you have been inseparable, she captivates your mind. What becomes of the two of you?” Orlando asked with curiosity.
Legolas laughed, “My freedom days of loving maidens are over. Father will be pleased to know that I settled down and have taken Jenny as a companion. She means a lot to me, just as Lady Chrissy means a lot to you,” He smiled, “Father will also be pleased to know that he will be a grandfather.”
Orlando replied, “Fatherhood is very exciting, yet it can be frightening just the same. I wish to be with my wife as she goes through motherhood. She is very scared of being left fatherless as I march through open war on our lands. I pray that the Valar is on our side to end thus war.”
With encouraging words, “I do not think it shall be your fate to die in this war and leave your companion fatherless. She will be in Mirkwood soon to bear thus child as we celebrate the birth of your first born. Do not despair, my brother.”
Haldir had over heard the information that Orlando shared with Legolas. He smiled at the thought of Orlando being a father and knew that much patience’s was in store for him.
He walked over to Orlando, “Forgive me for over hearing the news of your becoming a father. I know that Lady Chrissy is a great Elleth and shall be wonderful mother…”
Orlando smiled, “Thank you, Haldir.”
It was comforting to Orlando that Haldir had compassion in him but the hour grew late and everyone remounted as they made there way to a dreadful battle that marched ahead of them.

Orlando, Legolas, Haldir and the Rivendell Elven party finally arrived to see that part of the forest had been burnt down. They did not know it had gotten this bad where the Orc’s ran freely burning as they went along.
The Merchwarden for Mirkwood was close by when he heard familiar voices that approached. He secretly peeked through the trees to see the two sons of King Thranduil and Haldir. He thanked the Valar for sending help.
Then, the Merchwarden for Mirkwood jumped down from the tree and gave them an up date on where the Orc parties had scattered.
“Ah, Prince Legolas and Prince Orlando, It’s great to see that you have brought aid with you. This war that has some how has gotten out of control. There are Orc’s on the Eastern borders and a party lies east of river.” The Merchwarden stated.
Legolas replied, “We shall split up to use are resources and talents in both places.”
Orlando, Haldir and Legolas split up to go separate ways as they all used there strengths in different areas. Haldir and the Rivendell party went to the Eastern borders. Legolas and Orlando moved towards the river.
Haldir and the Rivendell party arrived to see the Eastern borders burnt to the ground. He saw that the Mirkwood Guards needs his help as he instructed the party where to go.
They were engaged in war as arrows flew in the air piecing several Orc’s and Warg riders. Haldir saw his opponent and his sword ripped through its thick skin. The Orc fell to the ground dead as Haldir moved on to the next pray. It went on like this for several days and it looked as if hope was finally in store for Mirkwood.
Orlando and Legolas silently made there way to the river as Orc’s could be seen in the distance. They were killing at will as the small party claimed this territory there own.
Legolas commanded his guards to a surprise attack against them. Before the Orc’s knew what was in store, Legolas and Orlando had killed several of them already.
It grew tired some into the night as more Orc’s had arrived. Days had passed as Legolas and Orlando drew the battle down. This would be the finally straw as some Orc’s began to retreat.
Orlando jumped onto a Warg Rider to kill its owner that was on it. In the process of hanging on, Orlando got stuck under the belt. He stabbed the Rider of the beast as he fell to the ground.
Orlando was tussled on the ground as the beast dragged him. In the mist of it all, a poisoned arrow pierced his heart and he screamed out in pain.
What was even worse, he could not break free from the belt that was strapped to the beast and the two went over the cliff. Orlando plunged down into the water as the beast ripped free from the belt.
The two struggled in the water as Orlando grabbed his sword to kill the beast. The blade went through its brain and it fell over dead. The effects from the poisoned arrow were taking its toll on the already weak Orlando.
Legolas could see that his brother was in trouble and he tried to wade his way over to help him. However, to his disbelief an arrow hit his chest causing him to whence in pain. Then, he watched his brother disappear over the side of the cliff.
He ran over to the edge of the cliff to see if there was any sign of his brother. Legolas’s eyes scurried the surrounding around and his heart grew with fear.
An Orc came from behind as Legolas sensed him approach but angry hit his heart. He turned around and sliced the Orc to pieces.
After several hours, Legolas had reclaimed the Mirkwood River. Everyone piled the dead bodies and burnt them.
With a heavy heart, Legolas began a search party to find his brother that had went over the cliff.
King Thranduil went in search of his two sons to congratulate them but when he approached he overheard Legolas speaking to several guards about Orlando missing.
“Son, what is this, Orlando has gone missing?” King Thranduil stated.
Legolas turned around, “Thus is true. Orlando fought bravely until he was pierced by an arrow and then was trapped by the belt that he could not break free from on the Beast. Then he went down with the Warg that plunged its self over the cliff.”
King Thranduil gasped, “No, thus cannot be true! (He turned to the Guards) I command that every Elf shall not rest until he is found.”
The parties left in search of the Prince and turned every stone until he was found.
A week had went by and they all fought hard as they over took the lands that were stolen from Mirkwood.
Haldir had made his way over to the River to make sure that Legolas and Orlando was not in need of aid. To his surprise, when he got there Legolas filled him in on the new of his brother.
“What is thus? Chrissy will be divested if she looses him! I must find her and warn her of what has happened.” Haldir stated.
Legolas replied, “I do not think that she should know of this news.”
“What if Orlando does not make it? Shall you carry the burden to know that she could have save him? What becomes of the child that she carries? You know she would fade into darkness along with the unborn elfling!” Haldir stated angrily.
Contemplating he answered, “Go Haldir and bring Lady Chrissy here. She may indeed be the only one that can save him from this fate. I shall continue searching for, my brother.”
Haldir got on his horse and flew like the wind to make it to Rivendell. He rehearsed in his mind how he would break the news to Lady Chrissy. It would not be pleasant but he some how he knew that everything would be alright.