"Pull back!" Mithfalas shouted above the clanging metal. "Pull back!"
The group obeyed, following the elf back to the city gates. The army of men did not follow.
"Turn your mounts over to the horse masters. We will not use them when we go out again."
"Why did we pull back?" an elf asked.
"We need to regroup. There are too many of them."
King Thranduil appeared behind his exiled son in armor. "We have every contingent out, except for mine, and we are leaving now."
"We should combine. Our numbers have grown too small to be of much use." Mithfalas whispered this part.
"We will combine." He pulled the elf to the side. "Is there any hope of victory, Fal?"
"Yes," the elf said without pause. "We just need to be smarter than they are. We need to have higher morale. If we can keep them from entering the city, we should be fine. Trust your warriors, Thranduil. They will serve you well."
Thranduil nodded. "I remind you again that you have no obligation to help us."
"I help anyone in need, for the right cause. I help you willingly, and knowing the risks I take." He turned then.
"Listen to me! You have fought well thus far. I have nothing more to ask of you than to do it again. Remember who you are. You are not cowards. You are not derived from the evil that now resides here. You are warriors. Protect the city, serve your king, survive. But never let them make you forget who you are!"
Thranduil stepped forward. "Protect your life, protect your fellow warriors and friends, protect the city, no matter what that means. If things go awry, grovel, if your enemy demands it; beg; swallow any insult. But stay alive; preserve you and yours. We will not let the city fall to the hands of men, but nor will we allow them to take us from the city!"
A battle cry erupted, and the large group of elves ran through the gates and into the surrounding forest.
The queen looked down at Legolas, who barely noticed she was there. He mind was wracked with pain and grief.
"Come, Legolas."
"Will you not go after them?" He grit through his teeth, knowing that she would have already figured out that she had been tricked.
"No. Where will they turn? To Mirkwood? They won't be able to help, and they shall be dead before they can tell your king that you are still alive."
The elf prince cast another glance at the wall, wondering if his friends were on their way.
"Do you wonder why you could not go through?"
"Yes."
"That wall has, over the years, collected the memories of all who have passed through it."
"You've stolen their memories?"
"No," the lady answered. "They still have their memories. But now so does the wall."
"What is your purpose in this? Why do you insist on bringing my kingdom down?"
"I am repaying a debt from you and your abominable brother."
"We never did anything to you!"
"But you did, my dear elf. You did, and I, with Gondor, shall make you pay for it." She looked at the elf, almost pitying him, but she smiled. "No more questions from you." And she disappeared.
"I don't even know what to do, now, Telemnar. There is too much intrigue."
"Look, Strider. The city has disappeared again."
The man sighed. "Maybe this is all a dream. Maybe," he paused, not wanting to admit this possibility, "Legolas really is dead."
There was a heavy silence between the two. "No, we couldn't have dreamt the same thing."
"Then it was a vision, a lie. Just like the city."
Telemnar fell silent. There was a real possibility of that. "No. You would know if he had died."
Aragorn looked up. "Do you really believe that?"
"Yes. I believe that. Do you still?"
"Yes."
"Do you still think he's alive?"
Aragorn paused, then, "Yes."
"Then we fight to free him."
Aragorn nodded. They headed back towards Mirkwood.
To my reviewers:
Sorry this chapter is so short, guys! The next one is full of stuff, though. Just so you, you're still supposed to be a bit confused. It'll start making sense soon!
Sky 14: Okay, thanks for that. I'll try and make sure I slow it down a little bit, where it needs to be. Come to think of it, I think I rushed through writing it too. Thanks!
Sielge: So many questions! I think the Lady kind of answered whose memories Aragorn had seen. Legolas will hopefully be freed, and he will be fine! Lol. That's all I can really say without giving it away now.
Deana: Sorry it was a long wait. Ah, he was so close, and BAM! No luck. Poor elf can't catch a break.
Silverkonekotsukari: Thank you so much! I really appreciated your comment. I hope this doesn't end up disappointing.
Alibi girl: I apologize that I didn't update faster. This si the first story I started posting before I finished it, so sometimes it takes me a while.
Arrana Undomiel: Lol, yes yes, focus on the positives. Although. . . hm, no, maybe I shouldn't say that. Lol. Intrigued, aren't you?
Lindele: I'm glad I'm keeping you interested, lol. Thanks for still reading!
Faerlain: Thank you! Ah, that makes me happy. This should still be confusing, but it's getting close to resolving itself.
LotrWriter27: I'm glad I've caught your attention. My goal now is to keep it, lol.
Coolio02: I liked that little bit too. I thought it was cute. It'll become clearer and clearer pretty soon! Thanks for hanging in there!