For nearly five days now they patrolled the forests, tracking the heavy boot prints of a pack of orcs.

A distant bird call floated to the patrol's ears. Legolas listened closely to the signal, his face masked in concern. He replied to the bird's call with a soft whistle.

The patrol was on high alert now, hands grasping weapons firmly as their eyes scanned every tree.

The enemy was near.

Legolas turned his eyes to his patrol and noticed the novices' nervous glances. "Steady. Shoot to kill, we cannot afford wasted arrows. Stay close to the seasoned warriors and comply with the orders given to you."

Nods followed in reply, and the novices and warriors quickly scurried into the trees. They held onto their weapons and waited.

It was the stench that first hit them and many crinkled their nose at the acrid smell of orcs' rotten flesh. A guttural roar followed and soon the unwelcoming sight of orcs came into few. Instantly, arrows flew from the treetops, embedded themselves into the hearts of the foul beats. Many howled and fell to the ground to drown in their own blood. The elves took advantage of the cover the trees provided and fired arrow after arrow down upon the confused orcs.

It didn't take long before the orcs spotted the elves. Pulling out their own bows, they shot into the treetops, spewing filthy curses as they missed.

One arrow came dangerously close to Legolas and the novice beside him. Legolas released an arrow with lighting speed and watched in satisfaction as it pierced the eye of the orc. "Thalin! To your left!" Legolas shouted to the novice as another arrow came dangerously close to his shoulder.

Thalin jerked to the side and stared wide-eyed at the rusty arrow embedded into the tree. His hand stopped in mid-air from notching his bow.

"Thalin! Compose yourself!" Legolas shouted over the squeal of a dying orc.

The sound of battle soon died as one last arrow sung threw the air and into the heart of the last breathing orc. Sharp eyes scanned the area one last time before the elves dropped to the ground.

Legolas drifted his eyes over the carcasses and counted twenty orcs. Their numbers were multiplying. Each party they came across became larger. "Clean up," Legolas growled. "And you! Thalin, you never freeze when lives are on the line!"

Thalin flinched at the harsh tone in his Captain's voice. He made a fool out of himself. He bowed his head in shame. "Forgive me, my Lord. It won't happen again."

Legolas moved in so close that his nose nearly touched Thalin's, and his eyes bore into the novices. "See to it that is doesn't," he hissed and strode away.

"Stand tall, Thalin," a warrior clamped his hand on Thalin's shoulder. "You will have plenty of chances to prove yourself."

He nodded. He hated the pitiful glances the others shot his direction. Aye, he would prove to them. He would make their Prince proud.

They had pilled up the stinking bodies and burned them. The stench of burning flesh filled their lungs. Only the novices had covered their noses, for the warriors were used to this.

Legolas turned away from the ashes, even for him the stench was unbearable. "Come. We leave here and make camp."

They set up camp some distance away. To lessen the chance of alerting more orcs, only a small fire was allowed. They ate a small meal of smoked meat and fresh fruits; a rare bounty when patrolling.

A shadow loomed over Legolas causing him to look up from his meal. "Lieutenant Círdan," he greeted simply and watched as he sat beside him.

"Lord Legolas," smiled Círdan. "The novices did well today."

"Aye. They have much to learn still."

Círdan nodded and bit down into a crisp apple. "Indeed. It is not every day we get a meal like this," he said through bites.

Legolas only hummed in reply. His mind far away.

"Something on your mind?" Círdan's brow furrowed in concern as he studied Legolas.

"The enemy's numbers are growing larger," Legolas sat back against a tree. "I feel there is something more, something greater at hand."

Círdan stopped chewing for a moment and pondered his friend's words. Deep down he felt the same. Something dark and powerful was coming. The forests were living proof. The once beautiful woods had turned dark; the trees whispered against them and worst of all were the webs. Thick and sticky, ready to catch everything in their reach. Foul creatures too infected the forests. He shuddered and took another grateful bite. "I do believe you are right..."

~~~*~~~

The night was surprisingly uneventful and soon the first lights of morning broke through the sky. The commanders roused the novices and after a quick breakfast, they picked up camp and moved farther south. They walked in a single file; a few scouts scampered ahead in the trees.

"My Lord," said a returning scout. "There is another patrol not far ahead."

Legolas smiled. "Good. We will obtain more information about the enemy."

After an hour's march, they entered a clearing. The grounds were covered with tents, a small fire burned in the middle and over it a pot of what they hoped to be food. Elves scampered here and there, weapons securely on their backs. They noted the exhausted composure of these elves. Their faces told of much sacrifice and hardships.

Legolas spotted a larger tent and approached it. The elves bowed to their Prince in respect, and Legolas' nodded in acknowledgment. He reached the tent, and two guards opened the flaps.

It was warm inside, dark save for the few candles lit. A small bedroll lay to the right, and an elf sat behind a desk that was set up in the middle of the room; his forehead rested on his hand. When Legolas entered, his head shot up, and a warm smile transformed his weary face. "Legolas," he stood and approached the Prince. "Mellon nin, long have I waited to see you."

"Ithreon," Legolas embraced him in a tight embrace. He pulled away and held him at arm's length. "Your eyes speak of much darkness..."

"Aye. There is much, too much." Ithreon walked back to his desk and Legolas followed.

Both elves hunched over the desk, their eyes fixed on a map.

"Here," Ithreon tapped the map. "We have scouted further South. Something grows there."

Legolas let out a breath and placed a finger on his lips. "What have you discovered?"

"The numbers of orcs are multiplying. Something spurs them. They fight with purpose. We haven't dared to venture too far without knowing; those who have, perished," his voice softened.

Legolas sucked in a breath. He dropped his hand and pointed to a place on the map. "That old fortress, Dol Guldur."

Both elves shared a knowing look before glancing down at the map.

"I heard it was-"

"-Captain!" A scout burst into the tent and bowed at seeing the Prince. "Orcs, a group of seven strong not more than thirty leagues from here-."

"Escapers?" asked Ithreon, concerned.

"Perhaps. There is more. An elleth went after them. I tried to stop her, she wouldn't listen."

Legolas' eyes widened, and he leaned forward as if to catch every one of his words.

Ithreon frowned and turned to Legolas. "Someone from your patrol?"

Legolas scoffed. "No. Not at all." Not someone who was supposed to be in his patrol at least.

"Someone must retrieve her. She seemed... Unexperienced."

Legolas raised a brow. Rhavaniel, that foolish girl. Of course, it was her! "I will go."

"I will send a few warriors to accompany you," said Ithreon.

"Nay. We risk a lesser chance of giving away our camp if I go alone."

"You aren't going alone," pushed Ithreon. He didn't care that he was ordering a Prince. Legolas was his best friend, and he wouldn't allow him to do something stupid.

"I will return in a day's time," Legolas had already strode towards the tent entrance. "I know this elleth; a rescue party she will not welcome."

The scout watched the two, his mouth sealed. Once their Prince made up his mind to do something, nothing could stop him. Not even his father's dungeons.

Ithreon nodded. "How come you always seem to get involved with the worst elleths, Mellon nin?" He smirked and clapped his friend on the back. "A day is all you get before I come after you. Go, be safe."

Legolas smiled and dashed out of the tent. His mind swam with too many questions and now this. He shook his head. How could someone be so stupid! Whoever thought of an elleth with no experience tracking orcs alone. A Noldorin at that. Didn't their name mean wise? Ridiculous!

Legolas took a black mare and mounted. He alerted his patrol that he would be back in a day's time and though confused, they nodded and watched their Prince gallop away beyond the trees.

Translations: Mellon nin: my friend
Elleth: she-elf

Word count: 1,531