“Cerin Amroth…” Legolas murmured quietly and Jei rolled over across the flet to glance at him questioningly. He held a small flower in his hand, a fragile blossom upon a slender stem, and it was the palest white in the moonlight. He gazed at it for a moment longer, a gentle smile upon his face, and then his blue eyes lifted and caught on hers.
Jei questioned him once more with a look.
“The heart of Lothlorien,” he explained, sitting on his rear, knees drawing in to his chest. “The Mound of Amroth.”
Jei merely nodded silently, stretched out on her back, arms folded to cushion her head.
Legolas looked over the edge of the flet blankly, pursing his lips a bit. “I suppose it was not the best idea to let the hobbits and Gimli wander about?” he mused to himself.
Jei smiled. “Perhaps not…” she shrugged. “For I await my turn.”
The elf glanced at her, returning the smile.
“Tell me about the Fellowship,” she suddenly asked of him, causing his smile to falter slightly. She rolled over onto her side to face him and asked once more. “Tell me about the day you first came here. About the fair Galadriel. And the hobbits, and Aragorn, son of Arathorn. And Boromir. Tell me everything.”
The elf almost managed to look flustered. “Isn’t that a bit much?” he asked with a small frown. “Rather, I have no problem with it, but why do you wish to know such things?”
Jei hesitated, eyebrows lifting. “I want to know all there is,” she replied. “There are so many times, just traveling with you and with the group, that I feel as if I do not belong. And I know I do not belong, not in the memories you hold of days passed. But I belong here, now. I do not want to keep feeling alone.”
The elf’s expression saddened as she spoke and as she broke off he merely gazed at her for a moment. She wondered slightly if all she had managed to do was make him feel sorry for her. It was the last thing she ever wanted Legolas to feel for her. The last thing.
But then, moving slowly, he held out the flower and brushed the blossom against the tip of her nose, causing her to peer at him in wide-eyed curiosity. A grin gently widened across his face and he said, “When we first arrived here, Gandalf had fallen. Seven of us left to accompany the Ringbearer and we did not have the vaguest idea how we would go about it.”
Jei nodded, a small smile curling her lips, and she settled to hear him speak of the days the Fellowship had arrived at Lothlorien.
It was late into the night when she awoke. Her eyes came open suddenly and she found herself staring at Legolas, at his profile. He rested on his back beside her, and his eyes were open, gazing off into his world of dreams. She carefully raised herself a bit and glanced over her shoulder towards the flets. Gimli, Pippin and Merry had all fit on one and even from where she rested she could hear Gimli’s snores. Pippin was also asleep as was Merry, although by Merry’s posture it was obvious he was the watch.
Rolling onto her other side she reached out, almost mechanically, and let fall the rope ladder they had used to climb up. It fell with a faint sound, whispering through the tree branches and she cast one last glance at Legolas before cautiously taking hold of it and climbing off the wooden board The elf slept on and she quickly lowered herself passed the edge of the flet, wanting to be out of sight should Merry rouse.
The trees were a brilliant silver as she climbed down passed them, so much so that they blinded her when they caught the light of the moon.
Silver…silver…moon…the silver dragon and the Blessed Moon…
She knew the way, strangely enough. As if she had once taken the path herself. Legolas had mentioned the Mirror, Galadriel’s Water Mirror, and she had shown almost no interest at all but it was one of the reasons she had wanted to come to Lothlorien. She wanted to see the Mirror. She wanted to know what lay ahead for her. For them all.
Stormrider made a gentle sound when she passed her but she shushed her with a look, tiptoeing along.
As if beckoned by it, she made her way through the trees, passed other flets, all empty, passed silver trees with leaves that were turning golden. Down a set of flat rocks for steps, across soft dirt. Moving on until, down below, she saw the small well, a silver pitcher standing before a small flow of crystal water. And in the small well shimmered the Water of Galadriel, her Water Mirror. She looked over her shoulder once more, not wishing for company. She wanted no one near her when she saw what was meant to be seen.
Coming to the tiny well, she looked into it, hesitant. Was she supposed to say something? There was precious little water there and a golden leaf floated upon its calm surface. She plucked it out and, for some reason, tucked it away. And quietly, she went for the silver pitcher, filling it with the water of the small falls. She returned to the well and poured it in, setting it aside without moving her gaze from the surface.
For a long while, so long that she became almost frantic, nothing happened. No one spoke and nothing sang, and all was quiet. But then, as she focused on her reflection in the water, she saw an opening, a parting of water leading into a vision. It opened like a blossoming flower, and she saw…she saw…
Isildur.
But she did not know him, his face. She had never known him and yet, strangely enough, the face was familiar and the name came to mind. She leaned closer, lips parting, wanting to see. And another face opened from Isildur’s, a beautiful woman’s face, but dark and cold. Pale-skinned with such a blackness to her.
You…
And an elven woman with clear eyes and beautifully long, thick hair. A crown of petals in her hair, a long white gown clothing her frame.
Something gently struck the surface of the water, forcing ripples, and she looked up quickly, anger overcoming her. But it was the rain, falling from the gray clouds surrounding the moon. Cold drops of water. She looked into the mirror once more, trying to see again, but more rain fell. It was difficult to see…
And the one vision. One clear vision. Of the woman in black, mouth open as she shrieked furiously. Her arms crossed over her chest, held by thick bands, her legs vanishing into a thick blackness that she didn’t understand. And on her chest, between her pale breasts, lay a shimmering charm suspended on a silver chain.
She heard the woman’s voice as she shouted angrily, but only in her mind, and she mouthed them for her dumbly, feeling the woman’s rage in her own bones.
“Curse thy flesh, that the darkness devour you whole, Isildur, Son of Elendil! Remember my face for you will see it in your nightmares. And remember this day eternally for I will rise from this black grave and come for you, as was meant to be.”
And she sank into the darkness, quiet at last, but with a look that would slay all the armies on Middle Earth.
More drops fell and swept the vision away and she looked up frantically, wanting more, wishing the rain to stop. She lifted her hands over it, covering the small well, and as another vision came to life she realized she needed the light of the moon to see by…
Legolas, lying bleeding in the grass, his beautiful face pale. No one else in sight except her, shivering in the darkness and weeping upon his chest. She stared fearfully, not wanting to see and not wishing to be a part of it. But of course it meant that his death was brought upon because of her, because she had agreed to have him along. Because she had wanted him along. She shivered then and the rain that fell from the sky was too much to keep from the mirror’s surface. Legolas’ image was swept away and with it went her heart, gone to be with him.
She understood, then. Finally she understood that the journey was for naught so long as he was a part of the company. So long as they all went with her, nothing good would come of it. The quest had never been about the elf, about having him close by. She had made it that. It had all been about Mordor, the flames of Mount Doom. Of freeing herself, once and for all, from her past and her fear.
Of carrying out Palin’s wish.
The rain now fell roughly, coursing down her cheeks like the tears she could not shed. She found herself soaked but with a purpose. She lifted her eyes toward the dark skies, the rain water trailing down her cheeks, her parted lips and onto her tongue, and she was blinded by the moonlight gleaming upon the raindrops resting on the golden leaves. The fall of a single drop as it bounced off another. The clouds shifting ever so slowly.
I go alone…
Pulling slowly away from the surface of the water, she let her arms fall to her sides, numb to the unfeeling world. She would get to Stormrider. Her own things were packed upon the mare and she carried her blades and the Cordial of Imladris. She would make it to Mount Doom, on her own, and she would finish it. Once and for all.
Turning her back on the water, she left, ready for her journey.
Halfway to the level where her companions rested, she saw them. She caught a glimpse of one, striding through the darkness, and she came to an abrupt halt, the hair on the back of her neck rising. She stared into that blackness, narrowing her eyes, and at that moment the creature saw her as well and then, all hell broke loose.
With a gasp she cried, “Orcs!”
Legolas stared up at the moon as the rain fell gently, seeing her pale face and wishing, deep inside, that he could have seen what Jei had been shown. He had heard her rise, had watched her head off toward the water mirror, the Mirror of Galadriel, but it had not been his place to go with her. To each their own and this was something she had to do alone.
She had been gone no longer than half an hour when, crashing through the silver trees of Lorien, he heard her cry, “Orcs!”
He sat up instantly, looking across to the other platform where Pippin snapped awake, the color leaving his face. He looked toward Merry frantically and then to Gimli, reaching over and shaking the dwarf roughly. As the dwarf grumbled in his sleep, the hobbit looked across toward Legolas.
Legolas nodded and then leaned forward, looking over the side of the flet.
Down below, Jei came bursting from the trees, still several yards off. Legolas motioned to Pippin silently and, spread throughout the immediate area were several dark, stealthy moving orcs. He pointed to the base of Pippin’s tree where their pony was waking.
Pippin looked down and then back up at the elf, shaking his head. He was afraid. He would be seen by the orcs, climbing down the tree, and they would be upon him in moments.
Legolas replied with a shake of his own head and motioned to Merry.
The other hobbit was now awake and looking about with a frown.
Down below Jei cursed in a low tone, for the orcs were now converging on her one location. She didn’t dare look up for fear of giving away the position of the rest of the group and she only hoped the orcs were not quick enough to notice Arod and the pony standing in the shadows.
Legolas motioned once more, nodding first to himself and then to Jei, and finally to the hobbits, Gimli and the horses. And without another look he slung his quiver over his shoulder, lifting his bow and gracefully stepping out onto the protruding tree branch that held the flet in place. Gimli made a small move toward him but the elf merely sent him a cold glare. A moment later he was at the edge of the branch and he jumped off, landing nimbly on the reaching branch of another tree.
Jei sprang passed the tree he stood on, her small figure weaving in and out of the shadows and he managed to keep her in his sight as she came upon Stormrider. The mare gave a sharp whinny as her wet rider flung herself up. A moment later Jei pulled forth Ivory, the blade’s pale hilt gleaming in the moonlight, wet with raindrops, and with a shout of encouragement she spurred Stormrider on. Legolas frowned down at her as the mare raced off back the way Jei had originally come but then, as several dark shapes followed after her, he understood.
Looking back over his shoulder he motioned for the hobbits and Gimli to quickly climb down to the horses. It was time to escape, especially if the Ringwraiths were close by. They couldn’t afford to be caught.
Gimli cursed but climbed down, Merry hurrying him along in whispers, Pippin hopping up and down worriedly. “Legolas!” he cried over to the elf, squinting through the pouring rain and trying to make himself heard. “What are we going to do?”
Legolas stared at him for a moment. It was a good question. Jei could only divert their attention for so long. Eventually they would catch up to her horse, no matter how fast Stormrider prided herself on being. And his priority was Jei herself.
“Get to your horses, lead them toward the Silverlode!” the elf ordered, watching them as they climbed down. “Wait there for us and stay hidden, we won’t be long.”
Gimli muttered in a dark tone as he reached the ground and he looked up at Arod as the horse merely looked back down at him. “A horse never did me any good, I say…”
Legolas smiled, flicking his wet hair away from his face and he turned away, hopping forward once more toward another branch and heading after Jei.
Clenching her teeth, Jei swung again, splashing rainwater, Ivory cutting deeply into an orc’s shoulder as the creature slashed at her. They had gotten Stormrider, around her belly, and the mare was slowing, wheezing painfully. She couldn’t afford to let her; the orcs were practically nipping at her heels. “Faster, Stormrider,” she whispered to the horse, bending close to the mare and comforting her. “Please-“
She had no idea where she was going. In this black wetness, she could have wound around the same spot in the forest and not even realized it. And every time she looked over her shoulder there seemed to be more creatures on her tail. She couldn’t shake them and Storm was on the verge of collapse. The mare’s blood spilled and ran, staining grass as she flew by on thundering hooves, splashing up mad and water as her they pounded the dirt.
An orc dove forth, claws latching onto the horse and Storm rode with the creature, letting out a whinny of what seemed to be anger. With a furious growl Jei swung her blade, easily slicing off one filthy hand. The orc shrieked, the cry echoing throughout the forest, but he held on with one hand still, digging further into the horse’s side.
There was the sudden sound of an arrow, close to her ear and she automatically ducked her head fearfully, her wet hair splashing her in the face. But the orc at her side fell away with a soft thud and she glanced back over her shoulder to see it lying limply in the mud, an arrow through its head. She lifted her gaze, squinting to see up into the trees but it was all a blur of shadow, pouring rain and night. She whirled around and looked ahead again, spurring Storm on, Ivory at her side and at the ready.
A weight dropped on Stormrider and she suddenly felt a presence directly behind her. With a startled cry she looked back once more, lifting her sword, but Legolas met her gaze, his one free hand staying her sword, his knees pressed to the outside of her thighs. “Will she hold the both of us?” he shouted his question to her to be heard over the rainfall, and he motioned to Stormrider.
“I don’t know,” she shouted back, worry in her pale eyes, and she lowered her sword. “She’s losing so much blood, Legolas, I don’t think she’ll make it much more. Not unless we stop for me to mend her and they’re not showing signs of slowing-“
The elf turned to look over his shoulder, and silently he lifted his bow and shot one smooth arrow, taking down an orc that had come lunging at them. “We need to turn, back the other way. I sent Gimli off with the hobbits, toward the Silverlode, where it leads to the Anduin!”
Jei shook her head, looking forward once more and barely dodging a tree branch. “I can’t go back through that group of orcs, they’ll take Storm down immediately, and you may be quick on your feet but I’m not nearly as fast as you-“
“We will wind around,” he cut her off and he turned forward once more, one arm embracing her around her waist. “Through that part in the trees, take it,” he motioned ahead. “We’ll lead them in a wide circle-“
Wordlessly, Jei directed Stormrider, bending low to the mare and feeling Legolas do the same against her back. Putting on a bit of speed Stormrider began to wind about, breaking through the trees and spraying up wet soil and dirt with her powerful hooves, her breath coming raspily.
She isn’t going to make it…
Legolas released her for the moment, whirling back around and aiming for the first shadow to duck after them and, a moment later, a nimble orc appeared and he quickly fired off the arrow, not wasting time to load another. If he could take them down as they came he could widen the distance between them, and reach the hobbits and Gimli before they could catch up. It would be quite a chase and it could very well lead on into the night.
It did not look good.
“How far is the Silverlode?” Jei asked him as quietly as she could while still being heard over the rain.
Legolas squeezed off another shot, frowning. “From here, not long. Less than a quarter of an hour by horse, I think. But once we get to the Silverlode, we’re going to have to follow the shore. We’ll have to stay ahead of the orcs-“
“Are we going to make this, Legolas?” she asked him, and she was afraid. The fear was evident in her tone.
Legolas hesitated, his aim thrown a bit, but then he had it once more and he took down yet another orc easily. “We have to,” he replied softly.
“Are we supposed to wait for him?” Pippin asked, sitting astride his pony. In front of him Merry was still and pale, looking all about warily. His curls were plastered his young-looking face, rainwater rolling down his cheeks.
Before them, the river Silverlode was calm at the moment, raindrops barely disturbing her surface, but they could see further off where it became a bit angrier, flowing rapidly. Not too much further down it would join with the Great River and Pippin remembered being there, that spot, so many years before, when they had bid goodbye to the Lady Galadriel. Only this time there was no goodbye and there were no gifts to help them on their way. He looked back over his shoulder, fearfully.
“Foolish elf,” Gimli growled under his wet beard and he dropped off Arod’s back, looking as if he couldn’t sit still. “I knew this would be a problem, from the beginning-“
“All the orcs followed them,” Pippin said in a trembling voice. “How did they get here? Were they here from the start, hiding themselves?”
“No, we would have seen them,” Merry shook his head. “They must have followed, or tracked us.” He hesitated, calming his pony. “There is no safe place, is there?”
“We knew that before we started out,” Gimli whispered gruffly and he paused before suddenly seeming to make up his mind and storming off back the way they had come.
“Gimli! Where are you going?” Pippin asked him in disbelief.
“Well, I’m not going to just sit here and do nothing! By the fires of Moria, I will find them myself before I wait another moment!” The dwarf roared as he went off marching and kicking up mud. He followed the wet path left by the horses and Pippin saw, not too far off, a cliff edge overlooking the Silverlode and more land on the other side, no doubt.
“Gimli!”
“They’ve fallen back,” Legolas murmured to himself and he sounded as if he was bemused by that. He lowered his bow, returning his arrow to the quiver, and one arm wound around her waist once more.
“Isn’t that a good thing?” Jei called back to him, looking over her shoulder at him with wide eyes.
He didn’t seem to hear her for a moment. His elven eyes searched the darkness of the forest, scanning every silhouette, every jumping shape, and he saw nothing. “It’s never a good thing when they vanish like that…” he said slowly.
“I see the shoreline!” Jei cried and she pulled Stormrider closer to the trees bordering the shore, avoiding the mud as the mare threw it up. “But I don’t see the hobbits or Gimli!” She squinted as she raced passed a sudden cliff edge and she knew that the shore disappeared around that edge. But the sharp rise itself was preventing her from seeing what lay beyond it. “Legolas-“
“Something is wrong,” Legolas whispered. And a moment later he flung his bow over his shoulder and suddenly yanked on her from behind.
With a cry Jei lost her grip on Stormrider and she felt his arms harden around her for a small second. It was then she realized that they were falling, that Legolas had pulled her right off the horse and she went sprawling backward in his grip. He hit the ground sliding, with her enfolded in his arms and she hesitated for a moment, the ground slippery and wet under her as he rolled a bit.
A sharp and heavy sound cut through the air and rainfall, and Stormrider suddenly let out a terrible shriek.
Jei yanked herself from Legolas’ grip and scrambled up onto her rear, fear gripping her. Ahead, several yards away she saw Stormrider falter and crash to the wet ground, sliding, a large thick arrow lodged into the side of her belly. “Storm!” she screamed, and she went to rise to her feet but Legolas took hold of her wrist, yanking her back down to the wet dirt as a second heavy arrow stabbed into the thick of a tree trunk not too far from where she had just been.
“What is it? What is it?” Jei shouted as the elf rolled once more across the dirt, keeping close to the ground and dragging her with him. She cast a look at the mare once more and the horse was still, lying on her side, motionless in the mud.
“Uruk-hai,” Legolas said in a breath of a whisper and she didn’t hear him, still fighting to rise to her feet.
“Storm, I need to go to Storm, she’s dying-“
The elf ignored her as he pulled her toward a tree, nearly hidden in the shadows and the pouring rain. The waters of the Silverlode were rushing, crashing against solid rock and he couldn’t see Gimli or the hobbits from where he was.
“Legolas, I need to go to Storm! Please-“
They weren’t going to make it. The elf pulled Jei to the ground, forcing her down wordlessly, his thoughts a furious mess. They were down to a horse and a pony and Arod couldn’t carry a third person. But if he put Jei on the horse with Gimli, and he followed in the trees, maybe they could get a bit further. They just had to outrun the orcs, and the Uruk-hai hiding himself in the forest. But how far would they get? Their sheer number could easily rip them apart if they caught up. He flattened himself to the tree, looking about for a thicker tree, feeling as if he were much too visible. The moon was reflected in the Silverlode’s surface and the light illuminated the entire shore. His eyes caught sight of a sharp cliff edge, one that led to higher ground. From there it would be easier to spot their enemy along with Gimli and the hobbits. Once they were together as a group he could worry about them all as one. But for the moment-
Lying on the ground Jei wept silently, her body folded in on itself.
Legolas stared at her and for a moment he was lost, unsure as to the reason she cried. But looking over his shoulder he saw the body of her mare and he was brought back to himself, back to their position.
“Jei-“
She shook her head, to herself it seemed, and she did not face him.
He leaned forward and placed a hand to her shoulder, his wet skin cold through her soaked clothing. “Jei, we need to move along or we’ll be trapped behind this tree. I need you to move-“
“We’re not going to survive this,” she whispered and she allowed him to pull her closer to his side.
He didn’t reply to that, although he was ready to agree. “If we can make it to that cliff side and scale it, we should be able to see from there where Gimli and the hobbits are waiting for us.” He forced her to look at him, his face set. “Stormrider is gone. We can’t stay here anymore, Jei.”
She stared at him, the tears on her face confused with raindrops and he wondered for a moment if she was even hearing him. He held her gaze, his face grim and she finally shook her head, her voice soft. “Arod can’t hold a third person, Legolas. Nor will the pony. What will I do?”
“You will ride on Arod with Gimli,” he answered and he cut her off as she began to argue. “It does not matter if you and Gimli are friendly. Hate each other, if it moves you. But your life before your anger.”
“And you?” she asked.
He lifted a finger and pointed upward to the branches of the tree they rested under. “I will follow,” he replied.
She lifted her gaze up and her eyes widened in disbelief. “In the trees? Legolas, you can’t possibly-“
“There ye are!” Gimli’s voice thundered across the shore, over the sound of the pouring rain and they both whirled to see him climbing down the small cliff face, sliding across wet dirt and pebbles. “Hate to interrupt yer moment but perhaps ye can get a move on? We’ve been waitin’-“
Legolas rose a bit and, taking hold of Jei’s hand, he pulled her behind him, keeping low to the wet ground and heading for the dwarf where he waited angrily.
The heavy sound came again, cutting through the rain and the dwarf let out a curse as the bolt flew right passed his beard and out toward the Silverlode. “What by the-“
“Gimli, go!” Jei cried and she pushed Legolas along as well, hunching forward as they made for the dwarf. “We have to climb back up that cliff-“
“Climb?” the dwarf echoed gruffly. “I fell down it and you want me to climb back up? Why if you two had just-“
Legolas reached the cliff edge first and he looked back over his shoulder, eyes scanning the forest quickly. Jaw clenching, he pulled forth his longbow, drawing forth an arrow as well. His blue eyes scanned the forest through the rain once more and then he let loose the arrow. It flew through the air, vanishing into the darkness.
Jei hesitated, Gimli at her side, and she exhaled as a low-pitched shriek of anger cut through the air. “You hit?” she asked and he nodded, motioning upward. She returned the nod. “You first, we need you up there to see better. Stay close to the ground-“
The elf seemed hesitant but Jei was pulling the large crossbow from her back, setting it up. “I don’t know if I can hold it off, I can’t see into the dark very well-“ she said quietly, urgently.
Gimli looked from her to the elf, and then back up the cliff.
Without another word Legolas turned to the stone cliff, his bow slung over his shoulder, and instantly he was pulling himself up. It wasn’t that far a climb but it was steep and Jei knew Gimli was going to have trouble with it. But if she reached down far enough and he climbed up a bit she could reach him and pull him up.
“I’m not climbing that,” the dwarf grumbled a moment later as she turned to the darkness of the shadows.
“Gimli, I need your eyes,” she whispered and he understood, looking into the black forest, scanning the shadows.
Silence descended on them under the falling rain as she waited with bated breath, wishing she could see as well in darkness as elves and dwarves. Above her she heard Legolas, still climbing, and she wished he would move faster. She needed him to cover them, her eyesight wouldn’t do as good a job.
“To the side, that small ridge!” Gimli suddenly pointed, and wordlessly she spun and automatically fired a bolt.
A furious shriek came from that direction and she looked at Gimli out of the corner of her eye, already aiming another crossbow bolt. “Did I hit?” she asked.
“Aye…” the dwarf seemed reluctantly impressed. “A little higher and you would have gotten him right in the heart…”
“They don’t have hearts,” Jei said through clenched teeth and she went to fire once more but from above came the sound of a whistling arrow and she looked up to see that Legolas had reached the top. Quickly she folded up the crossbow, strapping it once more to her back and she looked at Gimli. “I’m going next. I can pull you up but you need to at least climb up a bit.”
“Climb? Didn’ ya hear me when I said I wasn’t going ta climb back up that-“
“You need to,” Jei cut him off and she threw herself to the side of the small cliff, grasping rock and hoisting herself up.
Her chest burned.
Eyes widening she looked over her shoulder, searching the shadows but she still couldn’t see. But she could feel. Close by there was a Ringwraith lying in wait. She ignored the sudden heat of her chain, the small ornament, and she gritted her teeth, pulling herself up another bit.
Above her Legolas fired off another arrow, calm as he searched the forest for their enemy.
“How many are there?” she called up to him, her voice coming out in a gasp as a fresh wave of searing heat rolled off her chain. She grimaced and stopped momentarily, breathing to clear her vision, her head. She couldn’t let it affect her, especially not here and now. It was much too dangerous.
“I see one. He’s wounded,” the elf responded and he lifted the bow once more, lips tightening into a firm line, rainwater rolling down his smooth cheeks.
Jei lifted herself onto the top edge and she glanced back down to Gimli who had climbed up only a notch. She rolled over onto her stomach, lying down on mud, and she stretched out a hand down to him. “You have to climb a little more! Then give me your hand and I’ll pull you up the rest of the way!”
The dwarf looked up at her, eyes burning angrily. “You’re going to pull me up?” he demanded of her.
Legolas hesitated beside her.
She returned the dwarf’s glare, her hand still held out. “Now is not the moment to argue about this, Gimli. If there was ever a time for you to trust me, now is that time. Now climb up another bit and give me your hand!” she ordered.
Legolas smiled faintly as he aimed once more, searching the forest. One of his arrows had hit the creature. He backed up, glancing over his shoulder. The side of the cliff wound around and several feet behind him was more of the edge. Except this edge overlooked the rushing Silverlode far below. Cautiously he backed up even more before facing forward once more, readying his arrow. If he could manage to hit once more-
Gimli took hold of a solid rock piece, lifting himself up a bit and, looking up suspiciously at Jei, he lifted a hand away from the rock face and reached for her hand.
Jei took his outstretched hand into hers and she inhaled for a moment, seeming to ready herself. But Gimli saw it, in the moment right before she pulled. In that small instant, her narrowed pale eyes blackened, as if her pupils had flooded open to consume the iris. And then she suddenly hauled him up, dragging him with one hand as if he weighed no more than a feather. Beside her Legolas noticed and he stopped to stare, a frown crossing his face.
Gimli came up, silent in his wonderment as Jei helped him onto the level fully.
And the bolt suddenly cut through the air, striking Legolas in the right side of his chest.
Jei whirled, wet hair slapping her in the face, dark eyes paling once more, and for a moment the elf merely stood, the arrow jutting out of his chest. His blood ran instantly and all they could do was stare as he faltered a step, his longbow dropping from his grasp.
“Legolas-“ Jei whispered and she rose slightly as the elf backed away one more step, shoulders slowly hunching.
He was going to fall. He was going to plummet off the side of the cliff, into the river and it was rushing angrily. He would be swept away, dragged under, and with his wound he wasn’t going to survive it.
“Legolas!”
With the cry Jei stood and ran for him. If he was going, she was going with him. She had to, to save him. She needed to. She ducked her head and dove, ramming into him under the protruding bolt, and her arms wrapped around his waist.
Then they both went sailing off the side of the cliff, cold air rising from the raging river and she knew, before she hit, that the water was freezing. Closing her eyes she braced for the impact and a moment later it came as they slammed into the Silverlode, the icy water immediately reaching up and claiming them. Her limbs instantly stiffened, her breath pulled from her and she could see the moonlight seeping into the river from above, ghostly. Eerie. Light above and dark below. And the dark was more powerful, her eyes closing, her arms embracing Legolas to her as they were swept along, down the river.