Painful Sanctuary

The four walked at a steady pace through the forest. Haldir walked in front of them and the one Called Orophin walked behind. It seemed to Tayla that even though they claimed that they were safe, they were still cautious. Luke plied them both with questions. Where they were going and what was it like? Who was the Lady of the Forest they were talking about. And how soon could he get his own bow and arrow.

“Luke, be quite.”Tayla said then smiled to show she was not angry at her brother. “Save some questions for tomorrow.”

Luke laughed. “Okay Tayla.”

Tayla looked around. The trees where so thick, that what little sunlight that could get through made patterns on the ground. She could see why the elves wore brown and green, in the shadows they would almost be invisible if you did not know they were there. Luke had started to hum as he walked next to her. It was one of the songs their mother use to sing to them. Tayla reached over and touched her bother on the shoulder. He looked over at her and his eyes widen when he realized what he was humming.

Orophin noticed a change in the boy and girl. The girl, Tayla, had stopped her brother from humming and now they both looked sad.

“I know an easy song to sing.” Orophin said as he moved up to walk beside the pair. “It use to be Haldir’s favorite when he was in diapers, they say. It is in elvish though.”

“Better they learn to speak it now.” Haldir spoke over his shoulder. “And just what song would that be? Seeing as how I am older, how would you know what I liked when I was in diapers.”

Tayla was amazed. That was the longest he had spoken the entire time the elves had been with them. Luke kicked the ground and said nothing. Tayla felt bad, if she would have just let them hum, he would still be smiling.

“That is a good idea.” Tayla smiled at the elf. “What is the song about?”

“A blue jay and human.” Orophin smiles. “The blue jay tricks the human into giving up his necklace to it.”

Tayla smiled and nodded her head. So for the next long while Orophin taught the brother and sister the song. He laughed as the pair tried to form the elvish words. Even Haldir smiled and corrected his brother when he got the chorus of the song wrong. So no one noticed they were surrounded until it was too late.

The orcs stepped out from behind they trees and surrounded the little group.

Tayla screamed in horror and Luke just cowered behind her. Both elevn brothers moved closer to the pair.

*How did they get here?* Orophin asked his brother. *Would not the others have caught them?*

*It is a small bunch brother* Haldir said as he drew his sword. *only Five of them. They must have slipped past them. We must protect the children.*

“Talya?”Luke whimpered.

“Shush.” Talya whispered. “Don’t move”

One of the monsters let out a yell and charged at Haldir. Haldir moved to meet him. Both swords met with a loud clang. The noise seemed to signal everyone else to begin to fight. Two more rushed Haldir and the last two move to engage Orophin. The two elves move with a quick grace, but the monsters were strong. Even the children could see that.

“We have to hide.”Tayla whispered.

“But what if they hurt Orophin and Haldir?” Luke whispered back.

“They won’t.” Tayla started to pull Luke towards the woods. “If we hide, I am sure Haldir will find us. Just keep moving.”

“Tayla I am scared.” Luke whimpered. Tears streaming down his face.

“Don’t be. I won’t let anything happen to you again.” Tayla answered Luke with determination.

“I know.” Luke said.

They were almost at the entrance of the woods when Luke’s hand was ripped from her grasp. Tayla was jerked around and saw Luke fly backwards his body almost bent in half by the thick black arrow that went almost all the way through his body.

“No!” Tayla screamed. She started to run after her brother, when she saw it step from behind a tree with another black arrow notched in its bow. It was bigger then all the other monsters. It was grinning at her as it raised the arrow in her direction.

Haldir had made the mistake of looking behind him when the Tayla has screamed. His heart jumped when he say Luke being impaled on the shaft of a huge arrow. With his attention diverted, one of the orcs was allowed to make a hit. Pain lanced across Haldir’s shoulder. He turned and quickly ran the offending orc through. The wound in his shoulder impeded his movement and he was not sure he could get to the girl in time. He watched in horror as the Uruk_hai-Hai raised his bow and prepared to fire on the child.

Then out of no where a slender elf arrow shot across the clearing and hit the uhiki in the neck. The monster gurgled and dropped like a stone to the ground. Tayla spared it a quick look before she ran to her brother.

“Oh God Luke.” Tayla moan. “ I am so sorry.” She reached for the arrow that stuck her brother to the huge tree. She tried with all her might to free her brother. The boys blood making her hands slip and slide on the shaft. She screamed in frustration, choking on the bile that rose in her throat. “I wanted to keep you safe. I was suppose to keep you safe.” Tayla gave up on trying to pull him free. The young girl reached up and tried to hug what she could of her brother. Thoughts flashed through her head. Her mother, her head surrounded by blood. Her father, his skull broken and bleeding because she killed him. Her little brother impaled to a tree because she could not protect him. “Someone help me get him down.”, she screamed.

Haldir heard the child crying in pain and started to walk towards her. He knew his brother Orophin would finish with the remaining orcs, and the others had finally shown up. Albeit to late to help the children. His throat closed up, him trying to keep from crying with the child. He was almost to Tayla when he saw the orc come out of no where.

“Tayla!” Haldir shouted, but he was too late. The knife arced and flashed in the air. The girl turned towards Haldir. Her eyes widening in pain when the knife bit deep into back. Her mouth opened to shout, but all that came out was a thin spray of blood. Haldir froze and watched the light die in those brown eyes.

Haldir let out a growl and leapt the last of the way to the orc. He had no sword, but his bare hands closed around the orc’s throat. He felt the knife tear though his chest, but he paid it no mind and squeeze the monsters neck. He felt the knife strike home again, and gave the neck a sharp twist. He felt rather then heard the neck give way, the body going limp. He stood up and tossed the body away.

“She is dead, my brother.” Haldir turned towards the voice and saw his other brother Rumil kneeling next to the child. Orophin stood with the other elves.

He was starting to feel the pain from the stab wounds in his chest. Orophin came and allowed Haldir a body to lean against. Haldir finally looked at the children. Even in death the girl was trying to comfort the boy. The girl had fallen back against the tree still holding her brothers hand.

“We will take them home.” Haldir spoke quietly and allowed his brother to lead him away.