Chapter 19

Onwards.

Legolas had stopped planning this journey, he'd stopped worrying if they would make it in time, or how he would get everyone savely over the mountains. He did not have the energy of that anymore and all his planning and thoughs were directed at his next step. If he could just put his one foot in front of the other, and then his other foot in front of that again.. and if he could just continue doing that, over and over again, then he would eventually reach his destination.

So onwards it was.

Lanthir approached the being carefully, an arrow as his only weapon in front of him. He was holding his breath as he walked, knowing that he could not get injured. If he did, it would over and not just for him, for Lainfea and his father as well. He had to reach Imladris. He could not be delayed.

The only advantage this mist gave him was that the creature would be unable to know what he was either, and Lathir could be silent. Perhaps he could pass whatever it was without it every noticing. If the creature wasn't a goblin. They were used to hunting in the dark, they would be able to detect him.. but it looked bigger than that.

Lanthir could almost make it out..

And then a sound, softly, but so very recognizable that Lanthir giggled. A horse! Just a horse! the relief was overwhelming. "You scared me there, my friend." Lanthir said, approaching it. The horse looked at him, nostrils wide and ears flat against his neck. "Hey.." Lathir said "No reason to fear me... It's just me, eh? I am not going to hurt you.. here..." he spoke gently, trying to calm the creature, and he reached out carefully, carefully touching the horse's nose.

"There you go." he smile when the horse let him. "You're a long way from home too are you not. Are you from Imladris then?" The horse snorted and touched Lanthir's shoulder with his head. The young elf then noticed the blood coming from the creature's side.

"You are hurt, my friend" he said softly. "No wonder you are so scared. But you have nothing to fear from me. Here." He gently touched the wound, and was relieved to find none of the slashes seemed very deep. "I wish I were a healer.." he said softly, "Or some way to stop the pain..I have a sister that's a healer. She's brilliant... " he paused. "we fight a lot when we are together. She gets on my nerve a lot. But I like her. She's brilliant."

The horse just looked at him, waiting.

"I need your help." Lanthir said softly. "I don't want to ask you.. I know you are injured... But I have to go to Imladris as fast as possible." he hesitated. Asking this of a wounded horse.. he did not even feel sorry. Was he really a monster?

The horse moved to allow the elf to climb on it's back and Lanthir shook his head. "No." he said. "No I am not a monster. Because if I were... If I were I would not care. And I do. So I can't be"

And as the horse turned and started moving at full speed, Lanthir felt lighter as if he'd left a heavy burden behind him, and for a second he forgot about all the trouble and just enjoyed the speed.

They'd allowed themself a short pause when they'd reached the base of the mountains, and Limoeth took a sip from their waterskin and touched her little sister's forehead. Lainfea was burning up with fever, and the darkness had spread through her veins even in spite of Limloeth's attempt to control it.

But at least Lainfea wasn't cold yet. At least she was still alive.

"She'll make it." She said, not because she knew that, but because she wanted it. "she's stronger than she looks. She always has been. Everyone was always giving up on her when she was young, but she always survived. We should not give up on her.

And not on Ada either."

She looked up at Legolas, but it seemed her elder brother had barely registered her words.

"If they die.. it is because of me." he whispered. "we were only out in the forest because of me."

Limloeth frowned at him. "No we weren't." she said. "we were out in the forest because of ME. Because I refused to let you go. And because of Ada, because he said we could get help in Imladris, and because of Lainfea and Lanthir, because they had a plan to let you fall asleep. We abducted you. You could not stop us... "

"But if I had not been there.. without me.. none of you would have been in the forest."

Limloeth nodded.

"That's right." she said, and Legolas looked at her, his eyes full of guilt. "because we would have been in Mordor." she said. "And if you continue like this... if you continue blaming yourself for everything.. well then.. then..I'll do something about it!"

"bite..." Lainfea whispered, barely audiable. Her eyes were open, and shining with fever. "bite.. you.." she said, and smiled.

At the top of the mountain, a raiding party of goblins spotted the lone rider below. "Food!" one said delighted, looking at the horse. "Good food..."

"What now?" another asked. "Throw boulders?"

The first goblin shook his head. "No. Food might fall. Trap."

"Trap!" the other's cheered, and work began.