Title & Chapter Number: Ohtarnil: A Warrior-Love 5/9
Author(s): - Author's Index
Fandom: LOTR
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction. The characters, settings, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for certain original characters who belong to this author. No money made, no harm intended. The work is the intellectual property of the author. First posted: November, 2002
Warnings: For you slash purists, there is some het fic. Just keep reading.
Betas: Caz
Cast: Legolas/Aragorn, Legolas/OCs, Haldir, Rumil. Other members of the Fellowship
Timeline: Third Age, Fellowship of the Ring.
Spoilers: None
Summary: In the woods of Lothlórien, Aragorn and Legolas become attracted to one another. But Aragorn cannot betray Arwen and Legolas still mourns the loss of a previous lover. A trip to the wood's borders to hunt orcs and a magical encounter with a stag changes their relationship.
Notes: This is part of a story arc that includes Dragon Fever. Although this one was written first, they can be read in any order. This story occurs after the events at Esgaroth in Dragon Fever, but before the first and last chapter involving Legolas and Aragorn. Feedback appreciated.
Chapter 5 - Orc Patrol
In a few hours march, the elves had nearly reached the borders of Lórien. Haldir led them to a gigantic mallorn. "This is the watchtower on this border," he said. "Follow me."
They climbed a seemingly endless white ladder that passed through many platforms until they finally reached a narrow talan built toward the tapering crown. Aragorn gripped a branch as he looked out over the rippling forest, northwestward toward the Redhorn pass and the mouth of Moria. Indeed, as Haldir had reported, a thick black smoke issued from its gates. The earth rumbled beneath them.
"Have you ever seen anything like that?" Haldir asked Aragorn.
"No, but I suspect some new devilry from the orcs," Aragorn said.
"That is what we supposed. But I don't fancy going into Moria to find out," Haldir said. "We wait here for nightfall. If the pattern holds, they'll send another patrol down the Nimrodel. They don't learn quickly. We'll be waiting for them, like something out of their darkest nightmares." His blue eyes glittered.
That evening, Haldir deployed them in twos along the path that crossed the stream. "We'll box them in. Wait until the leaders come by you," he gestured at the two elves who would wait furthest back along the path. "Signal when they are nigh. Then, you six up ahead, start firing at the rear of the line, drive the orcs together. The rest of us will come in from both sides and get the rest. You two," he gestured at Aragorn and Legolas, "go over there near the edge of the wood and clean up any strays that escape the trap." The grey-clad elves spread out along the path and climbed up into the trees.
Aragorn searched the gathering dusk, but could not see or hear any of the Lórien archers. "I'd hate to be those orcs," he whispered grimly.
Aragorn and Legolas sat in a tree, straddling a branch, their bows ready. They could hear the ever changing song of the Nimrodel nearby. Aragorn had started to nod when Legolas shook his arm.
"They're coming," the elf whispered.
Aragorn waited tense for many minutes. Then he could hear dozens of feet marching, splashing through the water, their armor clinking, weapons rattling.
"Yrch," Legolas spat. "How I despise them!" The elf trembled with the excitement of impending battle. He drew an arrow from his quiver and notched it.
Then they heard an owl call. Another answered in the distance. Suddenly there were screams and guttural cries, the sound of armored bodies crashing to the ground. A horn blew a retreat.
"This way," a deep voice howled. Below them, several dark figures crashed through the underbrush. Legolas followed the movement with his bow and released the string. One figure cried out and hit the ground. The other ran on. Aragorn shot at him and missed.
Legolas rapidly climbed further out along the limb and aimed again. Yelping, the orc fell and rolled, thrashing. The elf dropped out of the tree like a panther. Aragorn saw his knife gleam in the half-light. The orc screamed again and lay still.
Another shadowy figure came swiftly up behind the elf. He swung a mace.
"Legolas, behind you!" yelled Aragorn.
The ranger leapt out of the tree, stumbled, got up, and ran toward the struggling pair. He swept Andúril out of its worn scabbard. The orc had the elf down on the ground, pressing the handle of the mace hard against Legolas's throat. The elf made a choking sound. He forced the mace upward off his neck just as Aragorn came up from behind and severed the orc's head from his shoulders.
Legolas tried to stand and sank down on one knee, breathing hard. "Thanks, Estel," he rasped, one hand on his throat.
"Quick, some more, over there!" cried Aragorn.
They pursued them, Legolas's bow singing. More bodies hit the ground. Splashing through the stream, they followed the creature to the edge of the forest. One lone orc fled, the starlight glinting off his rough-hewn helm. Legolas raised his bow.
Aragorn put his hand on it. "Let him take the tale of the wrath of Lórien back to Moria."
"No, none shall live," hissed the elf through clenched teeth. He let the arrow fly with a sharp thisst. The orc staggered, dropped, and lay still.
"Is it a personal grudge, then?" Aragorn asked quietly.
"It is!" cried the elf. And he turned back to the forest.
Haldir had captured an orc with huge, crooked yellow teeth, that lay snarling in protest as he stood over it.
"Where does the smoke come from?" Haldir asked, fingering his long knife.
"I don't know," the orc growled. "We chased a band of intruders from the mine. One of them fell in the pit with Morgoth's flame. We think it comes from the ones who fell."
"I don't believe you," Haldir said harshly. He turned away to give an order to one of the elves. In the blink of an eye, the orc drew a knife and leapt for the elf. Haldir turned in time to see the hideous beast fall with an arrow through his throat. Legolas stood at a distance, his bow held to his cheek, eyes gleaming.
"Ha, Haldir, so now we're even," he called.
They spent the remainder of the night in the trees, taking turns to watch. No more orcs troubled the forest.
In the morning, Haldir led the group to examine the night's work. They gathered the dead orcs into a pile and set it afire.
"Forty-two, we took out last night," Haldir said with grim satisfaction. "Curse them. Perhaps they'll quit sending search parties after your group." He looked at Aragorn. Then he bent down. "Here, Aragorn, is a kind that I haven't seen before."
"And over here, another," said one of Haldir's warriors.
Aragorn examined the orc. He was much larger, stronger, with smaller eyes than the Moria orcs. And his livery was different, marked by a small white hand and an S rune.
"A new threat?" Aragorn said to Legolas.
"Perhaps. We need to be extra careful once we leave here, Aragorn. Come and help me," Legolas replied. They dragged the orc to the smoking pile of burning bodies.
"What now?" Aragorn asked Haldir, once they had finished.
"We've got to stay here to guard the borders for another week. If you wish, you can go back and join your party in Caras Galadhon."
"Very well," said Aragorn.
"Your help has been appreciated," Haldir said. "There is a one more task you can do, if you wish. My brother Rúmil noticed a large set of prints belonging to a hart a couple of miles from here. We could use some fresh meat. He can lead you there."
Aragorn nodded. "Legolas," he called. "Does it suit you to go deer hunting?"
"Whatever you wish, my captain." Legolas smiled.
Rúmil clapped Legolas on the shoulder and they headed down the path. When they were out of earshot, Haldir touched Aragorn's arm and whispered to him. "I wouldn't let that prize go, if I were you."
A shadow crossed Aragorn's face, but he only said, "Farewell, Haldir. May the sun shine on your bow." Haldir put his hand over his heart and inclined his head ever so slightly.
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